Dancing In The Void

Wrath’s mind was engulfed by delirious hunger.

The days blurred together into a hazy stream in her mind. The last thing she could remember was the hatred. The burning agonizing hatred that ached within her for the one that betrayed her. For the one called Mephistopheles. He had visited them a few days ago, no? Surely that’s when it was? Or was it weeks? Months? How long had it been since she last tasted even a drop of blood? A drop of the delicious soul essence that sustained her? Even before the attack at the train station and her later capture, she had spent weeks fasting with her newfound comrades at Katherine’s mansion.

The hatred and agonizing hunger weakened her. Her appearance was thin and pale, with her head and body hanging slack from the bone chains that bound her to the wall. Her exhausted eyes trailed down onto the drying bloody symbols that littered the bars of her prison cell. A drowning faded noise kept ringing in her ears, calling out to her … ath… ath… rath…!

“Wrath!” Evan’s voice broke through the barrier, reaching her ears and snapping her out of her half-sleep. “Please don’t die on me.” He said with a pleading and distressed look in his eyes.

“Mnnah… w-what?” Wrath groaned, startling herself awake. “Evan…? Sorry… I’m just… so tired and hungry.”

“Yeah me too… I haven’t seen anyone since Mephisto dropped by. At least there’s some water from the sink for me… They couldn’t have forgotten about us, right?” Evan said, his voice soft and weary. It was difficult for him to see the powerful Wrath, horns and wings and all, so weak and miserable. The illusion of her untouchable strength had faded away, and he realized she was just as human as him, somewhere, deep down.

“No.” She said, forcing herself to stand back on her legs and give her wrists and neck some reprieve. “Fuck… my arms are killing me… But no, they haven’t forgotten about us. Eventually the blood on these bars will dry out. And I hope you have some mercy to spare for those still in this building if that happens, cause I will not.”

“You’re right. They wouldn’t go through all the trouble of putting you on a leash like this and then forget about you... Saaah.” He sighed. “I was really hoping…”

“Fucking Mephisto…” Wrath groaned, her voice echoing with melancholic anger. “If I get my hands on you… how could you...”

Evan was silent. A strange and unusual brand of silence that Wrath, even in her unwell state of mind, noticed.

I expected a lot more anger out of you Evan. Do you not feel betrayed? Do you not feel that rage burning? No… She thought, as her yellow eyes stared back into his. No… there’s something going on here… you… you wouldn’t betray me too, w-would you? Please… not you...

“Don’t worry Wrath.” Evan said reassuringly. “We’ll make it out of here somehow. Those symbols... Is there no way I can get rid of them? Maybe we can… wash them off?” He turned and pointed to the small metal sink behind him. “Perhaps?”

Wrath shook her head in a slow, exhausted manner. “No, these aren’t just blood spatters on iron bars, Evan. They’re demonic marks. It’s like a fractal lattice keeping my powers at bay. You can try and break one or a few, but the rest will reinforce the latter. And water will pass over them without doing anything. These can only be washed away in the same liquid.”

Evan turned away deep in thought, his body pressing against the prison bars. “Hmm… But if one of the seals breaks, could that be enough to release your powers? How long will it take before the rest reinforce it?” He asked, turning back to her, with a glimmer of hope in his weakened, tired eyes.

“I… I… don't know Evan. I’ve never been captured or put in prison in my life. That damned Azazel… when in god’s name did he learn how to create a seal for me like this?”

“I thought these were Mephisto’s work?”

“They are… but who do you think he learned this from? Mephisto did not know me nearly as well as Azazel did. Its been centuries since we went our separate ways, but I’m guessing Azazel prepared this ritual before then. Mephisto got the blueprint, and he perfected and applied it.”

“Azazel... tell me about him, was he… well versed in this sort of blood magic?”

Wrath chuckled, giggling at Evan’s naivety. “There’s a reason even I answered to Azazel, back when I worked for him. There’s a reason no demon tried to contest his rule once he came into power for nearly five hundred years on this world above. Yes, we've known each other for much, much longer than that, but he never much enjoyed the limelight. Always preferring to rule from the shadows. Azazel was intelligent and cunning, well-versed in most supernatural sciences I can think of. Blood magic, sealing magic, soul manipulation, arcane rites, demonic artifacts, if a demon knew it, Azazel probably did as well. They say he’s visited every House of Astaroth in hell.”

“What’s that?”

“Astaroth the Academic was an ancient demon obsessed with knowledge. He craved any and all sources of understanding and experience, studying endless facets of reality and existence. He built the Library of All Knowledge, a place in one of the greatest pits of hell said to contain… well, its namesake. All the knowledge of our reality in an endless maze. In addition, he created different demonic schools of power, ruled by great and terrible demons who only share their powers and knowledge with those they deem worthy.” Wrath said. “Imagine that. Several hundreds, thousands of elder demons in hell, all willing to impart their greatest dark magicks to just one.”

“Wow, and I thought I was the studious one back in highschool.” Evan joked.

Wrath smiled and giggled again. “But beyond mind, what made him the most terrifying was his unyielding deceiving nature. It was something far beyond that of any demon I’ve seen. He could make someone believe him to be their lifelong friend after one day, and then stab them in the back with a smile the next. His charm was… well, ironically for such a devil, something divine.”

Now it was Evan’s turn to laugh at Wrath, but his laugh was a lot more bitter and less joyous. “You sound like you’re still impressed by a slimy murderer.”

“I… I’m sorry. It is difficult to forget someone you’ve known for, literal thousands of years. Especially one who helped me and left such an impression on me. But you’re right. Azazel was a murderer… but not just a mere murderer. His distaste for humans, no, for anyone other than himself was well-hidden beneath the persona he put on. But I could see it. Every time I looked at him, I could see it in his blackened soul. A soul beyond pure darkness. I cannot describe it to you Evan, such shades of twisting, writhing shadows unlike anything sight can experience. That was part of the reason we went our separate ways. Even now, if I think back on that memory, I am filled with dread.” Wrath’s golden eyes turned past Evan, looking at the shadows dancing behind him on the wall. “I thought perhaps, when he contacted me again, asking me to capture Uriel, and then the auction... that I might be able to quell some demons that still plagued me. Instead it only reaffirmed to me how expendable I always was to him, and in doing what I did I only unleashed more demons than I can ever hope to slay.”

“Hopefully at least some of those demons are named Baal.” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood. His bravado did not go unnoticed, as Wrath couldn't help but crack back a half-smile.

The light atmosphere of the gloomy prison went undisturbed for a few precious hours. A brief moment of silence and peace. The pain pulsing within their bodies seemed almost a distant memory as they each felt reinvigorated by the other. But soon came the screeching metal on metal screech of the prison door opening. The horrible noise was followed by a somehow less appealing one, a pair of shoes clacking against the prison floor. Then a few more sounds, more footsteps. Wrath closed her eyes. In her mind, the images of their souls took shape. She recognized the first one instantly, a deep, cold, black. The other two were just an amalgamous, misshapen form, lacking sapience or will.

Baal. So you finally came to interrogate us, huh? She thought to herself, opening her eyes. Her confirmation came in the form of Baal’s blonde, bulbous head grinning at her. He was dressed in a brown three-piece suit and on either side of him were two hulking muscular behemoths.

Their muscles bulged and twitched unnaturally and their blood shone under their skin with crimson unholy energy. Rabid fluids dripped from lipless mouths underneath a demonic scroll that draped on their faces. It was embedded into their skulls with dozens of iron needles. They grunted and gurgled as if drowning but they were almost completely still. Their bodies were wrapped in a strange leather armor, binding their engorged arms over their chests.

“Flesh golems, Baal? Have you stooped so low?” Wrath taunted him.

“Huh. Azazel never told me there was any stigma against them. Why should I avoid using a tool available to me in my toolbox? These are but some of my loyal bodyguards, just as a precautionary measure.” Baal smirked, leaning against her cell bars. “After all, Wrath, you’re quite a vicious demon. Your strength is infamous. I’m just making sure you’re not going to attempt anything stupid, no?”

Wrath silently simmered, letting the fury of being insulted so directly wash over her.

“I see Mephisto’s bindings have worked wonderfully so far. I never thought I’d see Wrath in such a pathetic state.” Baal mocked.

“Hey, assface, you’re real fuckin’ smug with her in chains aren’t you? Why not let her loose and see how that shit-eating grin feels after she made you swallow your teeth?” Evan’s voice shot from behind Baal, prompting him to turn around with a chuckle.

“Well, well, well, the little crippled twerp’s awake. I didn’t think your lady friend had a voice, Wrath.”

“So you’re the infamous Baal huh? I expected someone more intimidating after Azazel, but you look like a discolored, piss-yellow, floor mop.” Evan said.

“We have almost identical hairstyles, idiot.” Baal said, confused.

“Yeah but mine looks like shit cause I’ve been in prison for weeks. Yours is just naturally dogshit.”

“Yes, keep talking child. It’ll make it that much more satisfying when I have my boys here beat you to a bloody pulp.” Baal shot back, trying to not let his obvious annoyance get through.

“No you won’t.” Evan defiantly responded. “You’re too scared of what she’ll do if you try and kill me.”

Wrath’s eyes peered at Baal, and although he was turned away she could tell Evan called his bluff entirely.

“Alright kid, you’ve got balls. What’s your name? They call me Baal but it seems you already knew that.”

“Evan. Evan Wallace. And yes, unlike you, I do have a pair of balls.”

“You know. You look familiar Evan, where have I…” Baal paced away, faking to be deep in thought. “Ah, I remember now. You were on the security cams at the auction weren’t you?”

Evan’s silence answered the question for him. Baal’s yellowish teeth peeked from his lips, now gaining the upper hand. “Yes, yes… you were there to rescue the little whore weren’t you? That didn’t work out so well did it?”

“Fuck you.” Evan spat.

Baal stepped forward in front of the bars, grabbing them and leaning in close. His eyes bulged out of his head and his wicked smile crawled further on his face. Evan was not intimidated, stepping close to the bars as well and staring the demon down with an unblinking gaze.

“Yes… I remember her well.” Baal began. “Gods she was one of the best fucks I’ve had. So tight, and quite a screamer. I still dream of how much fun those weeks were. Yeah… I ravaged your friend nice and well before she died like a fucking dog.”

Evan exploded. In a flash, his hand reached through the bars and gripped Baal’s blonde locks of hair and his ear. He then pulled tightly with all his force, smashing the demon’s face against the iron bars. Before Baal could realize what happened, he did it again, and on the third attempt one of the hulking golems grabbed Evan’s arm and shoved him off their boss.

Wrath cackled maniacally at the unexpected violence. Baal lurched back, wiping the blood that poured off his face. Enraged, he ripped a set of keys from a golem’s belt and opened Evan’s cell door. He stormed inside, grabbing him by the neck and shoving him against the wall. The two scuffled, but Baal was clearly superior in force. Wrath could only watch and scream helplessly as the demon slammed fist after fist into his face.

“STOP! LET GO OF HIM! STOP IT BAAL!” Wrath’s voice reverberated throughout the prison.

Baal ignored her, crushing Evan’s face against the sink, and then the bed frame. He then shoved him up against the bars and pummeled his chest and stomach with wild punches. Wrath’s rage only grew, but no matter how hard she thrashed, the rattling bone chains held her back, her powers locked behind the blood.

As quickly as it started however, the fight was over. Evan slumped in near unconsciousness on the prison floor, as Baal towered over him. He wiped his bloody face once more, and shook his head in anger at his ruined suit. Wrath stared wide-eyed at Evan’s blood-soaked face. His cheeks were swollen and his lip was burst in multiple places. He was bleeding heavily from the nose and the left brow.

“Ha… Hahaha… Hahahahahahahahahaha!“ Wrath’s laughter sang throughout the room. The sight of her friend beaten and bloody filled her with a familiar and potent rage.

“W-Wr...ath...” Evan called out to her, his voice weak and trembling.

“Bastard made me lose my cool... You’re a sick one aren’t you Wrath?” Baal said while washing his hands in Evan’s sink. “What’s so funny about seeing your friend beaten like that?”

“No, no, no, Baal.” Wrath continued laughing while shaking her head. “I’m just laughing, at the thought… I’m laughing at how much I’ll enjoy ripping you apart. You hear me Baal? You’re dead. You’re so, so fucking dead. I will teach you new meanings of pain before I kill you like the wretched rat you are.”

Baal was unphased. He merely shook his head in disappointment. “This was not necessary. I came here to talk, to discuss the angel. But I see you two were in no mood for talks. Very well, I shall take my leave. I’ll send a nurse later to make sure your twerp’s in no mortal peril. Consider that a token of my good-will.”

“Stick your good will up your-”

“Also, we’ll be moving you two in a few days. I hope you’ll both play more nicely then, for both your sakes.”

With that Baal scurried out of the prison, his flesh golems following closely behind. The moment he was out of sight, Wrath’s anger rapidly dissipated. Without a target to direct it to, the fury was instead melting into worry and sadness.

“Evan… you fucking idiot. Why did you do that to him? Look at yourself.”

“I couldn’t…” He said, slowly using the bed frame to stand back up. “I just could not let him talk about Nikolai like that. I don’t care who or what he is. She was my friend. I loved her just as much as Constantine. I just… couldn’t let him walk away.”

Wrath sighed and let her shoulders slump. “This is all my fault…”

“Heh, maybe. But I must admit, this has worked out perfectly for us.” Evan said, with a chuckle.

Her eyes shot back up at him and she saw Evan holding a small piece of cloth in his hands. It was ripped from his pillow case. The cloth was utterly soaked in his blood. Evan used it to clean his face first, and then the floor and then the rest of the still wet splatters of blood that littered his cell. Wrath’s amber eyes lit up with the realization of what had transpired.

“Speechless, Wrath? Don’t give me too much credit, you gave me the idea.” He said, unable to hide the blood dripping from his grin.

“Y-you...!”

Evan stumbled forward to the bars, using his stump to hold himself up. He then stretched out his trembling arm between the bars, and flicked the bloody cloth forward towards Wrath’s cell. A shower of blood rained out, bespeckling just enough of the symbols that were drawn on her bars. A single droplet made its way all the way back on her face, just above her lip. She instinctively licked it, tasting the sweet nectar that was Evan’s soul essence. Her power surged back through her. The lattice was broken, for now. It was a small opening, enough for one attack.

“Baal… cough… said he’d send someone over. When they come, I’ll knock them into your cell. You got one shot, kill them and turn them into a blood shower. Break those fucking seals completely, please.”

“You sure you can handle that?” She asked, her voice filled with worry.

“Hah. In eighth grade, I got beat up by the entire football team in the showers because I threw the game in the league finals. This was nothing in comparison.” He laughed.

“Did you really?”

“No, I made that up to look cool and badass. Did it work?”

Wrath couldn't help but giggle back. “Yeah. Yeah it worked.”

The two did not have to wait long for the medic to arrive. After some time, an unassuming elderly gentleman entered the prison, carrying a first aid suitcase.

All alone, poor you. But I have no mercy to spare. Wrath thought, as she readied herself and gave Evan a quick subtle nod.

Evan faked being still weak and exhausted from his beating. The man shouted at him to say something, but he ignored him. Impatient, the man unlocked the cell door and stepped inside. With a surge of adrenaline and a rallying cry, Evan charged into the man.

“Graaagh!”

He slammed into him with his full strength, pushing him all the way out and into Wrath’s iron bars. Without hesitation, she shot one shadow tendril from her arm, savagely piercing the man’s back. Blood spurt outwards from him, covering more of the seals in blood and washing them away. With each breaking seal, more tentacles shot from Wrath’s body, spearing the man in the back and causing another shower of blood. A vicious cycle, from which Evan and Wrath emerged covered in a red viscous liquid.

The unfortunate victim looked like an old rotten pincushion when Wrath finished draining him of blood. With her full strength returning, she tore the bone chains that bound her and walked out of her cell. In a starving fit, she lunged on top of the man and sunk her sharp teeth into his flesh.

“Y-you alright Wrath?” Evan asked as he meekly watched her feast on his entrails.

Wrath paused for a moment. She wiped her face and turned away from Evan. “I’m… sorry you had to see me like that. I hadn’t eaten in months. If I don’t devour a soul, any soul, the lifeblood it courses in… I need to every month or so I… start to wither away.” She said quietly and with shame in her eyes.

Evan walked up to her. She turned her head away expecting some remark and for him to be disgusted. Instead Evan just quietly offered his hand to her. She looked up at him, with a tear forming itself in her left eye. Evan looked back at her with a warm smile. “I don’t care what you are, Wrath. We’re in this together now, so we’re friends. Now let's get out of here before they find out.”

Uriel was so glad to be rid of those casts and bandages. Her skin was so pale underneath them, and it was so satisfying to finally scratch areas she was not able to for weeks. Constantine shared her sentiment, although he was still wearing some. Slowly but surely however, both were getting closer to being fully recovered.

It was moving day, and the entirety of the underground facility had been almost evacuated. Or so Sean told them. They would be the last to leave, their destination being a safe and remote town far up north named Venandis. As she got dressed for the long journey ahead, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her skin had healed up in most places, but there were still scars across her body. A couple at the base of her neck, and four large claw stripes across her right hip. The ones that stung the most however were the entirety of her left leg and the one thin line that ran across her heart.

Scars of my own making…

Uriel sighed and covered herself up in her dark wings. A different type of scar, one inflicted upon her by the friends she cared about. The sight of them filled her with disgust and hate. They made her feel wrong, unnatural. The onyx feathers made her look more demon than angel.

But I suppose… that is what I am no? She thought. An abomination.

A sudden knock on her door snapped her out of her dark thoughts.

“We’re ready when you are, Uriel.” Constantine said.

Uriel couldn’t help but smile. A shadow had been lifted off of her mind upon hearing his voice. A voice that reminded her of a warm spring morning. Those were a rare sight in purgatory. Most of the time it was always desolate, scorching summers or harsh, frigid winters. Every couple decades however, the twin phantom suns would bless her home with a soothing autumn or a refreshing spring. Those few precious days taught Uriel that even in the deepest abyss, in the harshest darkness, there would always be a shining light.

When did I forget all those moments? When did I let them all drift away from me? The old man was right… I need to stop falling prey to fear. I can’t let it consume me…

A few moments later, Uriel made her way out of her room, dressed and with a cautious smile on her face. She was greeted by Constantine and Insect.

“Hello Constantine, Insect. You both look good today.” She said softly, her voice echoing in supernatural fashion.

“Thanks Uriel. You look weirdly happy today!” Constantine blurted, before turning away, clearly embarrassed at what he said. Insect rolled her eyes and shook her head at his idiotic comment before she motioned for them to follow her.

The girl was wearing a loose casual shirt with a red vest over it. Her eyes were drawn with heavy eyeliner and her lips were jet black. In the back pocket of her jeans Uriel saw the outline of her notebook. She noticed Insect’s pleasant lavender scent and made a mental note to ask her about it later. Lavenders were some of her favorite flowers.

After a few minutes of walking further up the facility the trio finally found themselves outside. Uriel took a deep breath of fresh air, for the first time in a long while. She was hoping there would be some sunlight as well, but today’s atmosphere was a dull, gloomy, gray. The parking lot they were in was mostly empty, aside from one large armored vehicle with the roof missing. Uriel recognized it as the same kind of car her friends talked about during their trip.

“This is a ‘Jeep’ right?” She asked, giggling. “I remember the funny name.”

“Yes, this is the finest jeep we could spare.” Nathaniel’s booming voice came from the front passenger seat.

“Sean’s not here?” Constantine asked.

“No, he’s already left, took his son with him first. It’ll be just the four of us today. Utmost secrecy, like you asked for.” He said, smiling radiantly.

Uriel got inside the back seats while Insect took the wheel. It was very spacious without the roof, so she spread her wings wide and relaxed, taking in the gentle breeze. Constantine hesitated for a moment walking up to Nathaniel’s door and leaning in for a brief chat.

“Look, man… I’m… bad with emotions. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve all this help that you guys have offered me so far. If anything. But I just wanted to thank you.”

“Listen son. Its not about who deserves what. It never was to me. I’m old. I know things. And I can see there’s a touch of fate about you. Do you think you’ve met her…” He said, motioning his head back to Uriel. “...Out of sheer dumb luck? A cosmic toss of the dice? No. What forces are at work I do not, and might not ever know. But you fight for good, for humanity, and you oppose the evil that exists out there. So do I. You saved Sean and his son’s life. You both did. That alone would have been enough, but you also saved people in Gausville, or at least, gave enough a chance. I accept your thank yous, but we really should be going now.”

“Alright. Yep, I agree. Good talk.” Constantine stammered.

“Real quick, son. You got your dagger and gun with you? The road is long, and while it’s safe for now, things change rapidly these days. Who knows what we might run into.”

Uriel saw Constantine instinctively reach for the knife holster he had attached on his chest before he nodded. “Sword and gun, right here.”

“Good, keep them close. Now get inside.”

Constantine obeyed, and soon they were all on the road. Insect’s driving was a bit hectic, but no one minded much. Except for Uriel, who wasn’t used to speeds like these, but she quietly kept it to herself. She stood and looked back at the facility as they drove off. It appeared so small in the distance. The building faded and the scenery turned to desolate ruins and abandoned fields and with them her own chipper mood fell away.

“Everything is so… empty. Just like in purgatory…” She said, talking to herself out loud.

“Yes… People have begun fleeing in a lot of places. Creatures of the night are more and more apparent and common. People are thankfully realizing the nature of this… calamity, is of an unholy nature. They’re running to safe holy places, and militaries across the country are evacuating them to designated M-Zones. Priests and churches are becoming more precious by the day. Apparently, this started when some kid up in Brenwood told the military there about demons and such.” Nathaniel chatted away.

“Some kid?” Constantine asked. “And they believed him?”

“My guess, he proved it to them somehow. Maybe he had some artifact like you do, or he had a friend like sweet Uriel here.”

“Well, good for him.” Constantine said, turning away.

Uriel looked at him, and she could very clearly tell he was deep in thought about the subject. She herself couldn’t help but feel guilty about everything. After all, it was her power that unleashed this hell. She forced herself however to think about something else, and her growling stomach gave her an out.

“Do we have anything to eat?” She asked. “I can’t remember the last time I had anything.”

“In the back there’s a cooler with some sandwiches and some snacks. Insect made them, she’s a great cook. I assure you, they’re positively scrumptious. Gah.” Nathaniel answered, with Insect giving him an embarrassed elbow shove in the side. The priest then chuckled loudly.

Constantine reached in the trunk and pulled out a couple neatly wrapped sandwiches for himself and Uriel. Nathaniel and Insect both refused when asked.

“What’s this?” Uriel asked.

“By the look and taste of it… Toasted ham and cheese with some spicy mayo and… bleh… tomatoes.” Constantine answered, as he pulled out the red slices from his sandwich. Crumbs fell out the sides of his mouth as he spoke.

“Ooh, sounds exciting. I haven’t tried spicy mayo yet.” She said, eagerly taking a bite and being shocked at the delicious taste.

This reminds me of the sandwiches we had that day... with Evan... and Nikolai...

The two enjoyed their meals quietly, with Uriel eating about five sandwiches total, much to Constantine’s astonishment. The atmosphere then turned quiet. Everyone was just silently observing the bleak atmosphere. Soon, the elevation started to rise, as the group made their way through a mountainous region. As the road twisted and coiled around the mountain valley, the car made its way higher and higher. Uriel was the first to see it, after a sharp turn far down in the distance by the winding river.

“That… can’t be.” She gasped.

Nathaniel only nodded solemnly. “I had hoped we wouldn’t be able to see through the weather, spare you two the heartache. Yes. That is what’s left of Gausville.” He sighed.

The crater far away in the distance was like a bleeding wound on the earth itself. Parts of the city were still burning, and the ruined buildings and avenues were still floating high above the ground. It was an abnormal sight, one that filled both Uriel and Constantine with dread. Dark red clouds were still swirling above, surrounding the city in a supernatural aura. Black lightning and rain could be seen flashing occasionally, accompanied by a thunderous boom. Constantine slumped back into his seat, defeated. Uriel reached out to touch his shoulder reassuringly, but decided against it.

“I can’t believe Nikolai was capable of that…” She said after a while.

“She wasn’t. She never was. Dying… and being brought back like that… did that to her.” Constantine angrily responded.

“That person, Nikolai. Might I inquire who that was?” Nathaniel asked, peering into the rear-view mirror. Uriel noticed a strange glint in his eye, as if he knew the question but asked it nonetheless.

“She-” Uriel began.

“No. You may not inquire. I don’t wanna talk about her.” Constantine interrupted.

With that, the entire mood of the ride was soured even further. Uriel sighed and turned on her side with a view of the trees passing by. She did not know when sleep ensnared her mind. The gray haze of the trees slowly melted away and passed into a vortex of shadows and light. Uriel’s dream washed over her like a wave of sand. But through the pelting force, shapes began to gather and coalesce.

As her thoughts attuned themself to the vision, the form of her friends became clearer and clearer. But it wasn’t just her friends, it was their souls. Evan was a pale gray candle, flickering away in the night and beside him stood Wrath, a blazing fiery white torch that illuminated and threatened to overtake him. She reached out to them, but no matter how much she ran they were always further away. The vision then shifted, becoming more corporeal.

Uriel saw them running, it was a dark and twisted prison. Demons and monsters chased after them and in time, they were surrounded. A terrible battle ensued, as Wrath’s scorching light valiantly fought against the accruing dark. But her power was weak, exhausted and slowly running out. Uriel screamed out her name, pushing through the darkness and trying to reach her. Her arm extended, her wings beat with the full force of her will, and their fingers touched for one brief moment through time. Uriel woke up screaming, scaring Constantine who was shaking her by the shoulders.

“C-Constantine?” She shouted, her mind rapidly adjusting to reality.

“You alright, Uriel? You were screaming and yelling. You’ve been sleeping for a while now.” He said, the tone of his voice betraying his worry.

She slid down the seat and rubbed her eyes for a moment. A headache was rapidly brewing inside her head. “I saw… I saw her. I saw them. Wrath, and Evan. It was a moment… it was in the past... about three weeks ago? It was a building of sorts. They escaped, just briefly… but they got captured again.” She muttered, trying to recollect her thoughts through the tears. A dreadful fear gripped her and she could not help but start crying.

“Hey, hey its okay.” Constantine consoled her, pulling her in for a reassuring hug. “Its okay. It’ll all be okay. You, you’re amazing! You practically already have a thread to pull on.”

“Yes…” She said after a few sniffles. “Where’s Nathaniel? I need to speak with him.”

“Nathaniel was taken inside by Insect. We’re here, look.”

Uriel turned away from Constantine’s embrace and looked outside. It was dark, night had fallen, but the streetlamps illuminated a small winding path downwards. They were up on a hillside, and down below were the twinkling lights of a small town. To their left however on top of the hill was a massive cathedral with a large courtyard and multiple small buildings surrounding it.

“Venandis?” Uriel asked.

“Yes. We should get inside. Insect will be making us some dinner later. Nathaniel said we’d be up early tomorrow so we should rest up.”

I don’t know how much rest I’ll get… not after that…

“You’re seriously amazing, Uriel. At this rate, we’ll find them in no time!” Constantine said, causing her to blush.

The rest of the evening passed quietly. Uriel decided to keep her dream with her for now. The dinner atmosphere was somber enough, and she didn’t want to bother Nathaniel right now. Once that was finished, everyone made their way to their own chambers, except for Uriel. She walked around the empty courtyard, taking in the architecture of the cathedral. She could feel the holy aura of the place tingling her fingertips.

Perhaps… She thought, staring at the top tower of the building. Uriel made her way inside the cathedral. It was empty. Cautiously, she made her way up the back stairs climbing higher and higher until she reached the highest possible floor. Uriel went to the nearest open window, closed her eyes, and let herself fall.

Fear, for one moment, and then liberation. She flapped her enormous wings and the force of their beating shot her high into the air. The feeling of flying once again after so long filled her with immense glee. Her take-off was shoddy, her shoulder muscles and bones unused to the sensation, but soon she was gliding around like a free sparrow. After everything that had happened today, this clearing of her mind was what she needed most.

Uriel laughed. The joyous sound of her voice filled with glee echoed through the clouds. After some time, she flew to the very top of the cathedral, and perched on the tip like the statue of a saint. She let the cool breeze of the sky wash over her before she peered into the night sky. The moon was absent today, hidden behind the clouds. But she was looking beyond that. Far beyond the deep valley of this city of Venandis. Far in the distance, the memory of her dream burned within her like a brand.

Wrath, Evan, Mephisto. I will find you all. I will save you.

Mephisto stepped through the bloody entrails and fleshy mounds that littered the ravaged corridor. The carnage was palpable, as bodies and demons lay broken everywhere. Men were huddled further up ahead, standing over two unconscious bodies.

“You finally got here, Mephy.” Baal’s voice called out from the sides.

“I came as soon as I got word, what happened?” He lied, making his way to him. Even the boss’s face was sweaty and his hair frizzled. His suit was muddied under gallons of blood.

“It was a massacre. Wretched beast broke the seals somehow. But we subdued them back. This place… while not Dudael, is just as big of a maze for the inexperienced. Subdued them, yes, but I lost many good men to them.”

Mephistopheles turned and saw Wrath and Evan’s bodies, limp underneath the knees of their oppressors. “Unconscious or...?” He asked with a fearful gulp.

“Yes, tranquilized both of them. Wrath did not go down without a fight. I’ll be doubling security on their cells until the transfer. I want you to prepare a new set of blood seals for me, we have plenty to spare as you can see. Get going, I want this done yesterday.” Baal said solemnly.

There was no joy or usual smug cool in his voice now, he was filled with rage, and Mephisto knew it. He knew, for a similar rage swelled up inside him. He watched as the guards took Evan and Wrath back to their prison, and Mephisto cursed under his breath. Once he had collected enough buckets of blood and guts, Mephisto told a demon to take them to the cells while he went and cleaned up. Once Mephisto knew he was alone in the bathroom, with no one around that might hear him, he went berserk.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!” He yelled while kicking a stall door. “God, fucking, damn it fuck.”

You fucking idiots. You God-damned, FUCKERS. He thought as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. I was going to release you, before the transfer... I had the perfect plan and you fucked it up. How did you break my seals? How… fucking… God damn it.

He then washed his face and hands to cool off.

I guess this means I’ll have to try something during the convoy. It’ll be more dangerous, but it must be done. He chuckled, and his anger slowly drifted away into a feeling of unusual pride. Evan, Wrath, I must admit. I’m impressed... pissed, but impressed.