Forgive Us, Father (Started)

Starting, guys! Would have posted earlier, but I got really sick out of nowhere.

Ruil Gro - Demon

I watched with my group as what looked to be red stars shot across the sky. But it was too bright outside for them to be actually stars? Wasn't it? I don't know, I've never seen anything like the before, so maybe that was normal for whatever the hell it was. Frankie walked over to me and tapped me on the shoulder, I turned back and smiled.

"Is that a shooting star, Kanga? I've never seen one before."

"I don't know, but make a wish anyway and get back to your corner. We need to make up for last week. We barely hit our quota. Don't forget that there are plenty of people out there willing to take your spot."

He looked down at the ground, his lip jutting out, and I sighed.

"But I wouldn't replace you. Too cute, now go."

He nodded and turned to leave, but just as he was making his way to his post one of the stars fell down and smashed into the pavement. A hole opened up, and the last thing I saw before I blacked out was a horde of - what? - demons crawling out of it.
~~~

I stared down at the five-point rune on the ground. Granddaddy Bee said it had to be facing south, right? Or was it north? No, pretty sure it was south. Maybe. Quite sure. I walked to the middle of the star and draw out Cresil's seal. He's a easy demon to call up, I've summoned him at least twice before. With a groan I stood up from my crouching position in the center and went to the spirit section, where I threw out my arms, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.

"You guys might wanna back up," I announced to the people surrounding me. I made the mistake of standing too close to a summoning only once before. Shit hurts.

"Cresil, gratia nobis cum facie tua. Adjuva nos perducat chaos."

Each section exploded with it's respective elements, and I saw one of the people watching jump back from a burst of fire. The sight made me chuckle.

Cresil appeared in the middle of the rune, stretching and yawning.

"What do you want," he asked impatiently. I rolled my eyes.

"What, were you sleeping again or something? Anyway, I need you to do me a favor."

"What is it?"

The rejected had long since lay waste to Earth. Whole cities have been burned down, earthquakes and volcanoes erupted - with more than a little help from the demons, of course. They regrouped into small, village type communities, and this one was starting to think about repenting, thanks to that damned team of Exorcists. And we couldn't have that, could we?

"I need you to remind these guys why they've been left behind," I started, "so I need you to be compliant with a possessions. We've got the leader," I motioned to a man tied up in the corner, staring wide eyed and, oh no, was he crying? I laughed loudly for a long time, before turning back to Cresil.

"So," I drawled, "what do you say?"

Mias Haybrine - Exorcist

Never had I predicted myself to know the unadulterated terror of waking up to find a demon on your chest, or the near painful relief of seeing an angel by your side.
~~~

I ran alongside Mark, trying to keep up though I felt as if my legs were going to fall off any second. We'd just got done purifying a small village comprised of mostly thieves - they were easiest to convert - and had been on our way to another village to save when Genesis, the nuisance, thought it would be fun to come and mess with us. The rest of the team stayed back while Mark and I ran off to pursue her.

We'd been running for what felt like days but could have only been a few hours, probably even less than that.

"Stop," I panted, grabbing onto the back of his shirt and making him stumble. He threw me a glare that I ignored while I caught my breath.

"It's obvious that we lost her. Let's just go back to the rest of the team and finish-"

"Over there!"

He took off again and I groaned loudly. How did he have so much energy? It was unnatural. I started off towards him in a slow jog. A suit wasn't really proper to be running in. By the time I got over there Genesis was gone and Mark was on the ground, panting and angry. I walked over with a smirk and clapped him on the shoulder.

"So, did we get her?"

I laughed, because I was hilarious, but Mark jumped off the ground and pushed me back.

"We would have if you weren't so slow! She was right there!"

He moved to push me again and I grabbed his hand. He snatched it out of my grip just as quickly and punched me in the jaw.

"Mark, seriously, calm the fuck down."

I didn't want a fight, really couldn't actually fight at all, but Mark looked determined. I help up my hands, but he kept advancing on me. I reached for my notebook in my back pocket, it was filled with runes. He lunged at me and I threw one of my simple Spirit runes down on the ground.

"Protege!"

A dome appeared around me, and Mark wasted no time attacking it. I paced the perimeter of it and leafed through my notebook. I don't know any attack spells, none really. The dome shuddered as Mark attacked it, breaking down.

"Shit," I cursed. I went to conjure another, but before I could even tear out the page, Mark was inside. I braced myself.

Spoiler

And this is why Mark is no longer with the team of Exorcists. Because he is crazy. After Mias has his ass properly kicked he'll be returning to the rest of the Exorcists.

Genesis - The Starter of it all

Floating in the air with my leathery bat like wings, I looked down on the untouched world, the humans who remained after God's return to the world, he has taken all the pure to heaven. And those who were impure were left to rot and be ravaged by us demons, the memory of being casted from the heavens and thrown into hell was still sore in my mind. You would think that have such a long time it would have worn away, but it hasn't. The anger of Lucifers stupidity, my stupidity to believe him, was still raw, but now we have a chance once more to claim the heavens for our own.

"In adventum Domini, qui accepit purum solum manet impurus, prope finem, qui nigri penitus ascendit iterum certamina provocabant Oritur! Invoco poténtia impuris sicut Dominus impurioris surgit, servire inmundis servire vestri novus domino pro niger profundis exoritur! Voco puerperal cecidisse Inferno parare huius mundi pro novorum eius dominum" I chanted.

As I did dozens of blood red stars appeared above me, hundreds of thousands to be sent around the world and begin to destroy it all. The blood red stars filled the skies over a lake. And soon as I finished chanting, I streched my arms and legs out in a star like movement, and the stars scattered in every which direction. Some landing close to me, others going miles and miles away over the ocean and lands. But as the blood red stars landed. Portals to the underworld opened, and demons start crawling out. The end of the human reign was nigh.

With weeks passing, orders received, and the seven princes all naming there domains, I was placed in charge until my Lord had arrived, Lucifer, I would have to summon him to this world soon in order for the Demon Reign to truly begin. I couldn't believe how many inexperienced I got stuck with, it seemed as tho my lord wasn't all that serious about capturing the world. But with this victory, it practically placed us on Heavens doorstep. And those petty holy fools think they can take me in a fight? I wish to see it.

Nemier Loredo - "Repent! The end is nigh!"

Music, my flute, it had saved me from being turned into a meal for demons, when it all started, I had been playing my flute and provided sanctuary for survivors since demons didn't bother to come near.

Weeks later, I had run into survivors of people who can either trap and seal demons or simply destroy them. I ran into people like Jamie and Robert, who didn't trust me at first, but I think I've gained a little bit of there trust over the last few weeks. And Angel and Violeta, who were an interesting couple, I was mainly friends with Violeta, who I protected from Angel when he wasn't in the right state of mind. Even if it meant taking the pain for her, in hindsight, I was acting like Angel's bitch, took the beatings for his girlfriend, but in no way or form did I hurt Angel back. Violeta definitely trusts me as a friend, Angel only trusts me when he's in a proper state on mind.

So here we were, in this small village convincing people to repent, I sat on a cliff that overlooked the village, my father and mother were gone, I was left alone and without them. Okay maybe not alone, but it still hurts when your mother and father were right and you ended up being wrong, and it practically costing your life. Now Genesis ran things with the seven Princes of Hell, each had name there domain in the world, after nearly starting a civil war between demons, that Genesis quarreled quickly.

"Repent! The end is nigh!" I heared down in the village.

The others were doing there own thing, I was simply to play medic, and santurary in the case the demons came along and started a huge fight. But, my real father, Gabriel had paid a visit, and warned me of something about my real mother. I had always feared that the people I grew up with, were my real parents, but they did everything in my best interest, even if it meant I refused to join a religion that worshiped a god that I thought didn't exist, how wrong could I have been.

Puma- Summoner

I don't know where I was when it happened, but suddenly the sky went black. The ground opened up. Things crawled out. Things with twisted faces that were foaming at the mouth. I was about ready to faint in suprise when the ground ran red with blood.

The smell filled my nose. The sharp, metallic, achingly noxious stench made me gag. If there had been anything in my stomach I would have vomited, but all that came up was bile. It landed on the ground. Even the bile was blood. After that I passed out.

I don't know who found me, but someone did. I'm going to stay close to them. I don't want to die. I don't want to stay here either.

~~~~~~

Ruil was talking to a demon. I'm at the water point, still a little wet from the explosion. I was unbelievably cold. I think I was always cold, though the weather was hotter than usual.

I've accepted my fate, and it's not one I like. I don't think I belong with these people. They're all fighters, Robert and Lael and Ruil. I can't even see my own blood without vomiting. I think I was getting a little better, though.

The man in the corner sobbed. The demon, Cresil, thought for more than a moment. Ruil began to grow impatient. When he nodded, Ruil laughed loudly.

I think Ruil set me on edge of anyone I'd seen so far here, even the demons. His skin was so translucent that I could see the veins through it, they were distinctly blue. His hair was white. I hadn't even looked at his eyes. I was afraid they'd be red.

I really had to get over this phobia. I think it started the first time I fell off my bike when I was young, I got a massive slice in my arm. Maybe it was the time I'd seen a man get shot outside my house. However it started, it needed to end. I'd dyed my hair red, hoping for some Batman-like effect. It helped a little.

I wish I wasn't related to Purson. I wish I hadn't predicted the future. I wish I could have died with everyone else. Maybe God would take me to heaven if I joined the Extractors and Vanquishers.

Maybe.

Maciel Azrael (Vanquisher)

It had been around midday when I saw my first shooting star. No, that wasn't right. I mean, it was red. Weren't stars like, white or something? And it was bright. Well, all stars are bright, but when I say this star was BRIGHT, I mean it was bright.

I stroked my beard as the star faded and I felt a heavy wind behind me. Maybe God was sending me a sign. I turned around and made way towards a crater in the middle of the road that hadn't been there a second ago. As I got closer, a faint red light became more and more prominent on the street, but before I got close enough to investigate, a large, human-like being jumped at me.

I grabbed the hilt of my machete and got ready to swing, but before I could raise my hand, a blinding light shot the being out of the air. I turned to figure out who... or what, had saved me, but all that remained was a faint aura that hinted at the fact that someone was there.

"So this is how you repay me, aye God? Years of service only to be given a set of foiled underwear?" I had said.

* * *

I sat on the cement floor of the basement with my back against the wall.

"Only one more, then we can take a break, got it?" I said.

I heard a groan on the opposite side of the room and took it as an 'Okay boss.'

I put the flat of my machete face up on my lap and held my magical wand stick thing with my right hand. Pursing my lips, I traced a triangle with a dot in the center of it onto the machete.

Setting my magic stick on the floor and grabbing the hilt of the machete, I rose and said, "Flammae Sphera."

Almost immediately, fire spread across the blade and shot straight through the tip towards the opposite wall. I heard a scream and the fire doused as quickly as it came.

A smile crept across my face as I lowered the machete.

"Thank God I was left here with these demons."

Robert Walker - Implanter
I was lying on the sofa with my head in Jamie's lap. He was playing with my hair, a tender smile on his lips. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down so that I could kiss him. When I let go he was blushing. Adorable. After all these years he still blushed every time I kissed him.

I glanced out through the window and frowned. Shooting stars? Red shooting stars? There was a bang, loud enough to shake the whole building, and then screams. I stood up and went to the window, gesturing to Jamie to stay put. Dark creatures were crawling up from a whole in the ground, ripping apart whatever human they came across.

---

Jamie was scared. I didn't need to look at him to know it, I felt it. It had been stupid of me to bring him here. Some of the others were staring at him. Had they already figured out that he was an extractor? Even the demon glanced at him from time to time.

I put my arm around his shoulder and drew him closer towards me, glaring at anyone who were looking at him. He clutched my jacket with both hands, like usual. It was like he was still afraid that I would leave him. Just the thought of it made me nauseous. I could never leave him, I needed him just as much as he needed me.

The sudden laugh from Ruil startled me, and I instinctively reached for the gun at my side. "Bobby," Jamie warned me quietly. I drew him even closer and put my other hand in my pocket. He was right, any sudden moves would make this situation even worse.

The tied up man looked terrified, rightly so. I knew that Jamie wanted to help him, but I couldn't possibly let him do that.. Though I should do something, or Jamie would think I was a cowards. No, he probably wouldn't, but I still didn't want him to see the poor man get possessed.

"Now, why exactly are we doing this?" I asked with a smirk I knew would come of as unpleasant. "If we want the exorcists to be afraid, can't we just scare them ourselves?"

Spoiler

Yeah, Jamie is the only one allowed to call him Bobby.

Angel

So the one who passes
The gates of Garden
In eternity of darkness to
Find their way,

Shall have to choose between
Heaven and-

Smoke raised from the paper, as the fire of a lighter found its way over the words, devouring them and turning to ashes. He watched as the whole verse disappeared, not letting the paper go until the fire reached his fingers. He then let it fly down to the ground in a slow spiral, and lit another cigarette as the door opened.
Violeta entered carefully - she was always careful when coming home, never knowing what she will find. He watched her as she walked closer, taking of her coat and loosing up her hair from a bun.
She glanced at him.
"You shouldn't be smoking so much, you know," she said, and he smirked.
"Sure, that's my biggest vice." He lit the cigarette off, and she frowned.
"I'm not in the mood," she said, turning her back to him, and he slowly got up.
"I missed you in the night." He said, and she snorted.
"What, wasn't your hooker good enough?"

He practically ran after her as she left to the bedroom, holding the door before she closed them.
"What kind of reply is that?" He asked, catching her as she tried to pass by him. He pulled her closer, clutching her in a hug, her back against his chest, and she gave up fighting after a second.
"Come on," she said, tire clear in her voice. They stood in front of a mirror - he could see her face, paler than usual, and his eyes dark and burning under strands of black hair. "Please, Angel. Just let me go, please."
Please, Angel. Like all I ask for is a please.
Softly grinning, seeing dark shine in his eyes in the mirror, he let his hand move down, following the shape of her body, and she inhaled sharply as he touched the spot on her ribs. He frowned.
"What is it?"
She shook her head, trying to set herself free, but they both knew he's more than enough strong to hold her, so he just pulled her shirt higher to expose her skin. She was hurt - a wound followed the line of her ribs - and he felt as if his blood turned to ice. If that idiot who touched her was still alive..
"Tell me what happened," he said, not even trying to make it sound less like a command. She glared at his eyes in the mirror, helpless in his hands. If I wanted to, I could do whatever to her.
"A boy was possessed," she muttered, closing her eyes as his fingers touched her injury. "I.. He's dead now, alright?"
It was always hard for Violeta to talk about killing or destroying anything, Angel knew it very well. She was the most kind, pure person anyone could ever meet - and he knew very well who's fault it was that she wasn't where she was supposed to be now. Yet he'd never let it show.
He put his hand over her skin, ignoring her now practically desperate attempts to make him let her go. She knew he was about to use his Extractor abilities - more or less - and he knew she didn't like it.

Runes. To heal, to care, to ease, to hurt, to destroy, to burn - they could do anything, when handled well. He was handling them well, though not quite the way people would call right. He draw symbols on her skin with his finger; invisible marks that send tears to her eyes, whispering the words to accompany them. Using runes without preparation and proper tools, altered so they meant what he wanted them to mean, could be dangerous to both of them - that fact almost made Angel smile. He was in control, and he loved it.

He kissed her moment before she screamed, as his magic burned her skin, healing it at the same moment. Her body stiffed and she bit his lip, but nevertheless she ended up shaking in his arms when the effect of the magic passed. It was always like that, no matter what he did, she would always put her trust in him and let him do to her whatever he wished.
That almost made Angel smile too.

Violeta was tired, holding to his shirt and leaning her head to his chest, and her skin was now much warmer than usually. Angel's runes using often had consequences of someone getting ill, drained of energy or some other lovely issue that would make his patients unable to do their best. Violeta was no exception, and Angel helped her get in her bed.

They didn't sleep together, not really sleep, and it was one thing he truly regretted, though knowing it would be too foolish to allow himself to fall asleep next to her. One mistake like that, and she could end up dead by his hand.
The old, well known memory of red lights falling from the sky flashed through his mind. How much has it passed, a few weeks? He knew Violeta counted each moment.

"Angel?" She whispered, laying on her pillows, not opening her eyes but still reaching her hand to find his. He took it, stroking her fingers slowly. "I'm sorry about the hookers thing I said."
"Sure," he muttered. She'd always be sad, and she'd always apologize, and he wouldn't always forgive. Mostly just because, but sometimes because her words would manage to sting him more than his would her.
*

Mark Bryce | Vanquisher

Mark leaned against a house wall, lurking in the shadows, as the others 'purified' the miserable village they were traveling through, so alike every other. The ignorant sheep, they were so weak that they would believe anything forced down their throat. They probably didn't even give a straight damn about God, so long as they could prolong their miserable lives... of course, the Exorcists, his 'companions' weren't any better. If anything they were the biggest hypocrites.

Mark giggled. Exorcists. Hypocrites. Hehehe, ehehe.

Mias, their self-styled leader, found him giggling on the floor of the filthy alley.

He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Mark. Get your ass up, we're done here."

Mark turned to face him, still grinning, eyes slightly unfocused.

"Go away," he slurred, pointing his finger in the Exorcist's general direction. "Obex Leti." A black bolt shot from his fingers, missing Mias by about a yard. It hit a roof tile, and it turned black and withering, melting in a foul-smelling puddle.

Mias jumped back, eyes wide. "What the fuck, Mark?!" he exclaimed. "Are you drunk?"

Mark narrowed his eyes. Propping himself up on one shoulder, he stood ponderously. "I," he said, slowly, "am perfectly fine, thank you very much. Where to next, o leader?"

Mias opened his mouth angrily. He shut it. He sighed. "We're just going to move on to the next town."

"Oh yay," Mark replied, dryly. "Instead of maybe doing something productive?"

"Like what?" Mias spat back.

Mark gave a bitter chuckle. "Like, like... well I'm not the leader here, am I?!"

Mias backed away as Mark advanced, eyes suddenly savage. The other Exorcist raised his hands in a placating manner.

Mark's anger passed just as quickly as it had come. "Well then, let's get going, shall we?" he was almost cheerful now.

"Uh... we're meeting with the others outside the town."

They walked in silence, through the streets, as the people stared at them almost fearfully. All was silent. As Mark walked, he couldn't help but admire the falling stars, contrasting starkly with the blood-red sky. Unfortunately, each star meant a pesky demon to fight... a pesky demon to kill. He whistled jauntily. Perhaps there wasn't anything that bad about the apocalypse.

"Hey, Mark?" Mias asked, slowly. Mark turned, annoyed. He saw Mias was staring at the stars as well. "Doesn't that cluster of stars seem a bit... too bright for you?"

Mark followed Mias' finger. And indeed, for once, he was right. A cluster of very bright stars, quite near to them too. The sky was contracting around the cluster, too. Becoming darker, more ominous.

Suddenly, a flash of immense brightness. Mias shielded his eyes, and Mark threw himself to the ground, protecting himself from the small shock-wave of dust that blew forth.

When he looked up, he saw the stars were now demons. And not just any demons either. These looked fairly senior. They were fluctuating around a red-headed she-demon who radiated an aura of power. Both the exorcists recognized the commander on sight, of course.

Mias groaned, trying to fade further into the dirt.

The demon and her retinue turned towards the sound of the Exorcist's voices. They heard someone call out something, and a huge fireball shot towards them, sucking up all oxygen in the vicinity.

"Protege!" Mias called out.

"Resolve!" The fire dissipated around Mark, curling into the air harmlessly. "Is that all you can possibly muster? Or are you too lazy to even deal with us?!"

"I don't have time for this." The Commander's voice could be heard clearly even though a good stretch of sky separated them. "I have more pressing matters to deal with. We will meet again, Exorcists."

The demons were enveloped in light again, and they moved back, away from them.

There was a pause.

"Well?" Mark urged. "After her!"

Muttering, Mias followed.




"How could you possibly be so slow?!" Mark shouted, angrily. "We almost had her!" They were in the first floor of a derelict building, following the ethereal glow that Genesis had been. It had been long abandoned, and dust had formed a kind of second strata to the place. It was, in other words, fucking disgusting.

"So, did we get her?" Mias sniggered.

"We would have if you weren't so slow! She was right there!" Mark couldn't believe his assholery. Did the mission not even matter to him anymore?! Genesis was one of the main commanders of the bastard king Lucifer's army! If they took her out, that was half the job done! Well evidently, Mias didn't give a fuck about that. Then he was supposed to be the shady one... what kind of actions were those? The action of a traitor, that's what.

Mark pushed Mias. The Exorcist blocked his hand. This made Mark even more angry. Now he was trying to pick a fight with him, was he? He punched him in the jaw. The connection was very, very satisfying. Grinning, Mark advanced. Oh he'd show him a few things or two... how dare he style himself their leader?

The situation escalated. Before he knew it, Mark had erected a dome around him. Again.

Mark stopped, slouching. He giggled again. "I seem to be surrounded by wimps. Is that all you can do, o leader? Cower behind your little protective dome?" Mark laughed, circling Mias like a shark.

He started glowing with a black aura, threw back his head and chanted:

"Azazel, mortis angelus, umbra magna, architectus hominis fatum, exaudi me: Acerbitatis deduci! Ruinae super inimicos mei, pestilentia exanguis! Audi, tyranni canem!"

There was a rumble. The temperature in the room plunged down until frost hung from the broken beams in the roof. There was a laugh, and all went dark. A mighty tremor shook the house, and a deafening boom.

The building, brick by brick, crumbled, falling, breaking, tumbling down with the roaring of tons of masonry.

Mark kept on laughing, even as things hit him, bruising his skin and drawing blood. He kept on laughing as a beam dealt him a glancing blow to the head, making his vision go black.

He laughed and laughed, laughed as he limped away from the rubble, knowing the Exorcists wouldn't take kindly to their little leader being hurt.

Maciel Azrael (Vanquisher)

I had fallen asleep for only a second, literally, when I felt the massive vibrations.

"Oh of course, demons weren't enough to make my life miserable, so why not send me an earthquake?" I muttered as I rose.

Stashing my machete and magic wand, I made my way upstairs. On my way out, I shouted to roommate, "Looks like you'll be getting that vacation after all, buddy." I took his silence as him being excitedly speechless.

Once I was outside, I looked around and wondered why the ground wasn't shaking. I mean, I still heard the noise, but there was no vibrations anymore. I looked around to find the building next to mine collapsing in on itself.

"Just what I need." I said, rubbing my forehead.

I made my way towards the building as it settled, and towards a group of people who looked very much like Jehovah's Witnesses, where I could swear I heard some maniacal laughter in the distance.

"HEY!" I shouted at them, "The hell's wrong with you people? Can't you see I'm trying to sleep over here!"

Ruil Gro - Summoner

"If we want the exorcists to be afraid, can't we just scare them ourselves?"

I turned towards Robert, eyebrow raised.

"True. Very true, but this isn't about those silly Exorcist right now. This is about this stupid village trying to convert. So, Cresil, do your thing. Unless anyone else has any objections?"

I didn't wait for a reply. The room was becoming stuffy and dirty. I walked out the door and into the open air. This village was disgusting. It made me sick to my stomach to even breathe the same air as these idiots. It was pathetic to see the influence of the troublesome Exorcist spreading so quickly. Were they not rejected just as we were? What made them so special to think that they had the right to spread the word of their God when he, too, had abandoned them? For salvation?

People rushed around, praying. I almost felt sorry for them. Go ahead, pray to your phony God. See how eager he is to answer your calls. You think he cares, when you are the very ones he's left behind?

I sat down, my back against one of the houses, and picked at the chipping paint on my nails. I was just getting comfortable when someone tapped on my shoulder.

"Are you one of the Exorcist that visited earlier, we-"

"No."

I put my hand to her shoulder and pushed her away. She gave me a seething look before stalking off. Idiots.

I turned as the door to the house opened, and the "village leader" came walking out.

"Cresil?"

He turned towards me. So, the possession did work. Great.

"Alright, have fun."

The others followed Cresil out of the house and I went to greet them.

"Okay, guys, I was thinking we get some ice-cream to celebrate. Yes? No?"

Mias Haybrine - Extractor

"Mark... bastard..."

I sat outside the rubble of the crumbled building. Everything hurt. Everything.

"Asshole... I didn't want to fight you."

I tried standing up, but even the thought of moving made me groan in pain. But I needed to get up. I reached into my back pocket and fished out my notebook, towards the back to one of the more advanced Spirit runes. I put one down on each of my legs and closed my eyes.

"Torpeo nervorum."

All feeling in my legs vanished and I sighed in relief. But I could only keep that rune up for a short amount of time, I could already feel my energy fading. I needed to get back to my group. I stood up, slowly, and stretched out a bit. I couldn't afford to waste any time. The rune I cast only numbed the nerve receptors in my legs, it didn't heal them. Once the rune wore off my legs would still be hurt. I don't know a rune powerful enough to heal these wounds. Hopefully nothing was broken...

I took off in a run back towards the village.

It didn't take me long to reach it, but when I saw the other Exorcist my rune started to fade away and pain steadily crept back into my legs. I cringed and stopped beside them, and when standing became too much to bear I sat down on the concrete.

"Hey, guys," I greeted with a weary smile. "So, Mark just tried to kill me. You know, nothing major or anything."

Angel

The girl entered carefully, locking the door, putting her weapons aside and watching not to wake him up. That would be, if he was sleeping.

"Where the hell have you been?"
She jumped as she heard his voice, and he could read the fear in her eyes as she saw him. He leaned against the wall, surrounded by smoke in the dark room, holding a cigarette and glaring at her.
"I thought you were sleeping," she whispered, trying to find her weapon behind, not letting her eyes lose his. Angel only smiled. Oh, my love.. What will you do with that, kill me? He moved and caught her, pinning her against the door, holding her hands behind her back.
"Surprise. I'm very much awake."
She tried to set free, her breathing becoming faster, and he knew she couldn't stop looking at his eyes.
"Quid sunt times?" He muttered. What are you afraid of? He held his other hand, the one with the rune, over her heart. Violeta's eyes widened and her breathing became deep. He could see it on her face - the fears she saw coming back to life, the nightmares from shadows reaching their hands for her. Her blood turned cold, her body was shaking. If he'd let her go, she'd run and try to hide. But he wasn't planning on letting her go. Oh, no.

"You should learn to answer my questions," he said in soft voice. "Where have you been?"
She licked her lips before answering, not even trying to make him let her go anymore.
"Out," she whispered. "I-doing my job."

She was brave, Angel knew it - usually, that is. Now, her eyes we huge and sharp, and she could barely control herself from screaming. But that had to be good enough, for the time the runes worked anyway. I'm the one who needs to be in control, my dear.
Holding his burning cigarette, he pulled up her shirt to her waist, dark smile playing on his lips. He slowly let the rune go away. She tried to set herself free once again.
"Stop it," he growled, clutching her face, knowing it will leave marks. She calmed immediately. "You, my dear, should learn some respect."
"Angel.. Please.."
"You're mine."
"Please!"
The tip of the cigarette touched her skin, just above her right hip. He kissed her, silencing her scream, moving the burning weapon in a shape of the letter A. That took longer than he thought. He should have gone with the lighter directly. Needles might do the trick next time.

She was struggling to catch a breath as it was over, her hands still clutched behind her back, her forehead touching his. Her skin was now burning, or his was ice cold, and tears didn't manage to make her eyes look softer again.
"Mine," he breathed, lifting his hand to hold her face again. "Say it."
She closed her eyes and he squeezed her tighter.
"Yes!" She cried. "Yours. I am."
She wasn't looking at him, yet her face begged again. He smirked and let her go, and she slid down the wall and curled on the floor. He opened his mouth to send her to her room, as the doorbell rang. With a little dark smile, ignoring Violeta and her silent attempts to stop him from opening the door or warn whoever it was behind, Angel unlocked.

The girl - Angel vaguely remembered her as Nieeve, some friend of Violeta's - turned serious the moment she saw him.
"Ego iungite vob-"
"Silentium," he cut her words. She was a Vanquisher, like Violeta - Angel didn't like it. "If you try to control me again, I'll kill you. Slowly. Now go away."
Her voice trembled, but he almost admired her bravery - he expected her to just listen.
"Where is she? What have you done to her!?"
He grabbed her throat, holding her with the hand he had his rune encrypted on.
"I said, go away."
She shoved him away, so he caught her wrist before she checked the other room, and pushed her so her back now hit the wall. He pointed his hand at her, and watched as she froze, lost in her own unpleasant memories and fears.

Fear. The strongest of emotions, no matter what others said. Love could die or get lost, hatred could turn to anger or fade away.. They could hold a man in his right mind or they could drive him insane, but they were unstable. Changing. Fear? Fear was always there. Even in the bravest man in the world, it was always present, in one form or the other. And Angel knew how to find it and how to use it.
He slowly walked to Nieeve.
"I could kill you now," he said, still not much louder than a whisper, still smiling. "I could make you remember every bit of your life, and I could just as easily make you forget. I could find a nightmare that wouldn't let go of you even after my magic disappears, I could bring a fear that would make your heart stop. I could tell the shadows to attack - I could make you lose your life to your own imagination. And I'm not even touching you."

He let his hand fall, along with the spell he casted. Nieeve gasped, but didn't even try to attack him again. He could hear the night calling him, the silent voices of his others, of brothers and sisters, of faithful minions. There was no more time to lose. No more time to waste. No more runes power to use, of he wanted to have fun in the world outside. He licked his lips, glaring at the girl, and then just turned around and left.

It wasn't worth it. There were men and women outside. There were demons outside. He grinned at the equation, as four more joined him from the shadows. My little army. My allies to defeat the Exorcists. My way to where I belong.
*

Mark Bryce

Mark walked along the street, hands shoved in his jacket pocket. He had managed to ‘find’ food and water at a passing derelict town, but his direction was a very precise one. He knew the man lived in the area, and as far as he knew, hadn’t moved. Mark liked to keep tabs on those he reputed dangerous... or allies.

A few minutes later, he could see it. Illuminated by a flickering lamp, the house looked like a derelict theater. It probably was a derelict theater, Angel did love those wretched things. Not very big, but hinted at a certain wealth. Exactly like he remembered it since last time. Perfect.

He hurried his pace, crossing the street quickly. Mark knocked, loudly. He heard a muffled gasp, but nobody came to the door. Mark knocked again, more insistently.

“Open the door!” he barked. “Open the goddamn door or I’ll blow it up!”

“Wh-who are you?” the voice was hesitant, scared, and most definitely female. Had Angel acquired another pet? Probable. That man loved pets more than he loved cigarettes, and he was pretty sure a few shirts of his still reeked of smoke.

Mark giggled. “I’m a friend of Angel’s. Open now.”

Slowly, the door was cracked open. A dark grey-blue eye peeked out from the shadows . Savagely, Mark kicked the door open, roaring. There was a cry of fear, and somebody moving back quickly. When Mark’s eyes focused, he saw it was a girl. And quite a lovely-looking one at that.

“Well well well,” he said, moving forwards, slowly. “Angel has gotten himself a new toy, I see. But this time, he got it right. You’re a gorgeous little critter, aren’t you?” He chuckled.

Almost delicately, he brushed a strand of reddish-gold hair back, and nuzzled her ear.

The girl gasped. “A-Angel should be here soon,” she murmured, trying to push Mark away. Mark’s eyes flared, and he was about to yell, when the door burst open.

“VIOLETTA!” A gunshot sounded.

“SINE MORS!” Mark yelled.

There was silence. Cold, gut-wrenching, tense silence. It was interrupted only by Angel’s heavy breathing and the viscous dripping of blood, pouring out of Mark’s chest.

“Mark?!” Angel only now seemed to realize. “What the fuck were you doing?”

Mark giggled, and turned away from Violetta immediately. “Why Angel,” he said. “How nice of you. Cure. The bullet fell from Mark’s flesh, and the wound healed.” His face was haggard.

“What were you doing to Violetta?” Angel demanded.

“Why nothing,” Mark countered. “I was merely greeting her.”

Angel snorted. “If I catch you near her again, I’ll kill you. What else did you want?”
“I need a place to stay,” Mark replied, simply. “I pretty much have nowhere to go now that those filthy Exorcists are chasing me.”

“Oh Mark, you never stop being an idiot, it seems. Let us adjourn to the living room, where we can discuss.”

The living room looked like some kind of salon. It was large, and ‘cozy’. Mark never thought he’d use that word, at all ever. Hm. Go figure. The walls were dark blue-black, and the furniture was mahogany. Mark couldn’t see a TV, but he hated the things anyways. The sight of a china tea set, however, he found amusing. It was pleasantly warm, and the glass of cognac in his hand spelled contentedness.

“What have you been doing all this time, Mark?” Angel asked. He too was holding a glass of amber cognac. It was his third.

“Nothing special. I hung out with those Exorcists for a while, you know, but then, like, one of them pissed me off.’ He waved a hand expansively. “They’re all useless twats, you know? Fucking incompetent, I tell you. So one of them just like, straight up attacked me at one point!”

Angel chuckled. “That couldn’t have ended well for him.”

Mark looked smug. “Last I checked, he was still firmly stuck under a building.” He took another sip of the cognac. It was spreading a fuzzy feeling in him, weighing pleasantly on his stomach. “What about you, Angel? What have you been doing since that incident with the Legemeton?”

"Why, writing, of course. Not that there's much left to write about, with all the stories happening around, you know. I also found out it's not as easy to get tea as it was before."

Mark laughed. “Wise words my friend, wise words.” His eyes darted around. “Where’s the pretty toy of yours?”

“Violetta’s in her room,” Angel replied.

Mark frowned.

They kept talking deep into the twilight hours. A bottle of cognac was steadily drained. Finally, they stumbled upstairs, to Angel’s room.

Angel's eyes narrowed as he glared at him.

"Things may not be the same in the morning," he said.

“That’ll be one goddamn awful hangover,” Mark replied, locking the door behind him. He tossed his jacket to the floor.

Nieeve Silvers - Exorcists (Vanquishers)


The red sky reminded me that there were demons to kill, fights to win. It also reminded me that I had sinned to be left behind.

I shook my head from the thought as I knocked on Violetta's door. Angel opened it. "Ego iungite vob-"

"Silentium," He said darkly. His eyes where nearly black. His hair was messy and he had a death look. I wasn't afraid of him, I was afraid of his magic. It could kill you. Torture you to death. And I gulped.

"If you try to control me again, I'll kill you. Slowly. Now go away." he said with finality in his voice.

I looked him strait in the eyes as I tried to find my voice again.

"Where is she? What have you done to her!?" I trembled.

He put his ice, cold hands around my neck.

"I said, go away." he said as he clutched my throat.

I shoved him away from me and he let go but grabbed my wrist before I could see Violetta. He pushed me against a wall and then I couldn't see the room anymore. I couldn't see anything. But my fears and nightmares. He was using his magic.

I saw me and my friend. In her closet, with a belt and a chair. I tried to shake it off but it wouldn't fade. I watched as she looked at me, said she was sorry as she tied the belt around her neck. I saw my pained face but I stepped to the chair. She was standing on it with her eyes closed. I gulped and I did exactly as I was directed. I pulled the chair from under her feet as I saw a tear drop to the floor. I burst out crying and the image slowly faded away.

"I could kill you now," he said, still not much louder than a whisper, still smiling. "I could make you remember every bit of your life, and I could just as easily make you forget. I could find a nightmare that wouldn't let go of you even after my magic disappears; I could bring a fear that would make your heart stop. I could tell the shadows to attack - I could make you lose your life to your own imagination. And I'm not even touching you."

She could finally see the dark room once again. And he just turned around and went through the door. I gasped for air. I was shaking from the painful memory. I slowly and steadily walked to the other room. Violetta was sitting up on the bed. She was staring of into space. I walked over to the bed and sat next to her.

"Hey Violetta." I said looking at her quizzically.

"Are you okay?" She asked, still staring at the wall.

"Yes."

"I can't leave him. I just can't."

"Shh, it's okay. He is just, a little, powerful. It's okay. Let's talk about something else."

"Ok. Why did you come?"

"Have you seen the stars?"

"Yes."

"We have to be ready Violetta. We can't die just to go to a place worse. We have to win."

"I know. And I am Ready."

I ran my fingers through my long, smooth black hair. I had somewhere to be, so I had to make this quick.

"Will you be okay?" I asked her, forcing her to look in my blue eyes.

"Yes."

"I must go now. I am very sorry to leave so soon, but I have business to take care of. I got to go. Bye. And just call if you need something." I stood up and walked towards the back door.

"I will. Bye Nieeve."

And with that, I walked into the dangerous world.


***

Nemier - Strength Resolve

I watched as the day dulled away, I rose to my feet and the feeling of loneliness enveloped me, no one was around and the village people below had gone to there homes. None of the exorcists were around, in the short weeks of Genesis' arrival on Earth and God taking the pure, the world had seemingly become a lonely place. People were either with the demons or were there dinner, the demons that fought us, fought me, had no idea just what they were doing on the command for Genesis. I hated the harsh reality God had brought, I would give anything to be with my real dad, I still remember his words to me.

When you finally face your real mother, you'll have to accept the harsh reality of your exsistance, and remember, the Lord has a plan for us all, he would not have allowed me to sire you if he didn't.

Gabriell's words were comforting, but very ominous, who was my real mother? And what reality would I have to accept? I always felt different from other people, and I still felt different even after God had taken the pure, and I joined up with a team of Exorcists, what was the reality I had to accept when I faced my real mother. I held my flute close at my side, as if it was only thing I had left, this flute, the Nephilum flute, was made from both demon and angel magic, and delivered to me by my dad. Something about it all didn't sit right. I needed someone to talk to, I began to walk towards Violetta's place, I hoped she was alright, and she could even help me understand why everything.

It wasn't long before I heard a gun shot, hearing stuff like guns going off wasn't that rare, but it only became rare at night, I raced towards where the gun went off. My heart racing, it came from Violetta's home, I knew Angel must be inside, and either had two options, slip inside and hide to see what had happened.

"Convertimini ad umbras" I whispered to myself.

My entire body turned into darkness, I easily slid inside as there was no light blocking me, I had easily slide into the room only to see Mark and Angel talking, petty bastards didn't even know I was here. Some spells came in handy for hiding, my foot steps were silent, and the men paid me no attention as I moved up the stairs, if Violetta was alright, then she would be in her room. I slid into the room with ease, and saw Violetta on the floor, I released the spell, and knelt down next to her, my god she was shivering, Angel must have taken a toll on her. I took Violetta into my arms, and put her onto the bed, doing my best not to make any noise. I pulled the blanket over her, she needed to sleep for now, but more than ever did I need to deal with Angel, this can't keep going on. I wasn't here to protect her from him, and I needed to be. I soon heard footsteps coming up the stairs, I prayed the two wouldn't come in here.

"Things may not be the same in the morning," Angel said.

“That’ll be one goddamn awful hangover,” Mark replied.

I heard them go right on past, I heard a door close and lock, and then a second, I released the breath I was holding, they were going to sleep, I wish I could play my flute, it would help sooth Violetta in her sleep. But I had to make do, I got off the bed and sat down at the foot of it, at least I'd be away from any demons that may attack, tonight, I soon fell asleep.

Jamie Walker
"Okay, guys, I was thinking we get some ice-cream to celebrate. Yes? No?"

Bobby tensed. I knew he wanted to leave, I wanted to leave too, but I didn't know if we really should. Bobby was one of them, after all.

"How about you, kiddo?" I realized that Ruil was addressing me and instinctively took a step back. The look in his eyes scared me. Of course, Bobby stepped between us immediately, like a brick wall protecting me from everything that could cause harm. If the situation hadn't been so serious I would've smiled. Bobby was always there for me, no matter what.

I grabbed on to the back of his jacket with both my hands. I always felt safer when I did that. It was like a safety line. "His name is Jamie," Bobby remarked dryly. "And we're leaving."

"Is that so? Not joining the exorcists I hope?" It was someone else who had spoken, someone who sounded even unfriendlier than Ruil.

The others was looking at me with odd expressions. They knew I wasn't one if them, and they did like it. Please, Bobby, don't start a fight. I clutched his jacket even harder. "No," his voice was too calm. I could almost see the burning anger in his eyes. "No, we're not. Now if you excuse us." He turned to Ruil. "Call me if you need something."

After that he turned and left before anyone could say anything, and I followed. As soon as we were out of sight I took his hand and squeezed it. He squeezed my hand back, and seemed to relax. It didn't last long though, 'cause we heard running footsteps behind us. Bobby twirled around and pulled me in behind him. "What?" he growled. It seemed to startle the person.

Spoiler

Feel free to jump in, anyone.

Maciel Azrael (Vanquisher)

I had been running for about ten minutes now. Yelling at all of those villagers wasn't my smartest idea, and I probably took it too far when I told them Lucifer bothered me less then they did.

I was sure I lost them a while ago, but wanted to be sure. It would be a while before I stuck my head back in that village anyway, so I might as well get as far away as possible.

Hm, I guess I didn't pack anything did I?

I forgot everything back in the basement. All my clothes, my food, even the novel I'd been working on.

Maybe this is a sign, maybe it's time to make a fresh start?

If I ran far enough, I guessed I make it to a place where no one knew me. I could change my name, shave my beard and become a complete nobody. That way if I come out of nowhere using my runes, I'll be like a magic prophet to all the towns peopl- Ow.

I had a bad feeling in my gut. I grabbed my stomach and looked up to see two people walking ahead of me. They looked like they knew the area fairly well, so once they froze suddenly and I followed their example.

The bigger one turned quickly, dragging the small one behind him. "What?" He hissed.

I threw my hands up in defense and said, "Relax, fella. I just wanted to know if you had any idea where a bathroom is."