Chronicles of Absolution: Asmodeus

Chapter 1

Then

… He had a dream again much like the ones that he used to have before he met Angela. It was the one where she ended up dying alone. There was no doubt that part told him that if she were to be alone, she would die and it further cemented his belief that she was to be with him and his brother for a reason. The one part that had him bothered was who it was that did the killing…

… The figure made it to the vault chamber and looked down and saw the body of the woman that had fallen. The figure turned their head sideways in an inquisitive manner. Slowly it smiled as the woman started to move and watched as a hand inched its way close towards a tiny piece of the famous phoenix fruit. It was impressed and figured that maybe the plan would work out after all.

There had been a chance to kill Sam Winchester several times while in the settlement. It was amusing and sickening to watch him pine away for Absolution and tempting to put him out of his misery but then what good would that accomplish? Better to have Absolution watch since it was much more amusing to make a messenger break like before. Never mind the fact that the spirit realm was shaken to its core the last time. It would only make for a stronger and better opponent for when the time came and it would come…

… "You have good instincts Absolution. They have served you well until now."

Angela turned to see the glowing eyes of the hooded figure. There was something odd about him; like a thing she couldn't quite put her finger on. She replied, "I'm still alive buddy."

"Yes but the rest is up to you. You heard the shouts. How long before you realize that by giving yourself up you save them both."

… "Try as you might you won't get to either of the Winchesters before this is over."

… The hooded figure paced in front of her. "You see, I made a point of studying you and your ways. You strive to match your opponent; almost like you were a student of a great warrior."

Angela gave a slight movement of her head. "You could say that. I did study under a warrior."

"And thus became known as the warrior princess. The great beauty that travels the earth bringing Absolution to those suffering in darkness."

… It seemed like eternity as Angela laid there on the ground. Her hearing picked up the sounds of growls and she could hear the grunts and groans from Dean. He was still alive but he could be in trouble and then there was Sam. She couldn't let Sam down…

… Vera looked over at the cashier as she ran her hands over the surface of the shelves and the publications. She crossed over towards the cashier and raised her head to sniff the air. Having new powers increased her senses. It was rather thrilling and she couldn't wait to tangle with Absolution. She breathed in and said, "Scent is fading. They were here not too long ago."

"Are you certain?"

"As certain as that there is the constant stench of dog shit in this place," Vera replied. She glanced at her companion. "They were here and together it seems."

"Both of them?"

"Yes."

"Absolution knows that she is on to them. She is known to be clever. She will be on guard. We must proceed carefully," the reply came in a whisper.

… "Accuse and smite first and then ask questions. Still the same old thing."

Castiel watched as a man stepped in. He was hooded in a dark thing that humans called a hoodie. The stranger would be considered a hoodlum according to humans. The shadows hid the features of the stranger except for the eyes. He knew those eyes. "For you, that is the just punishment… Asmodeus."

Asmodeus looked at Castiel with a mocking smile, "Isn't it God that gives out judgment and punishment, Brother?"

… "The Grigori," Castiel offered after much thought. He understood the need for secrecy but it seemed this time that what Angela did to try and protect the Winchesters only fueled their anger, mostly in Dean's case but Sam was different…

… "The Grigori are angels Dean… They are angels that are supposed to watch over humans. They taught them things like making weapons and stuff like that."

… "You are correct. The Grigori are the remaining fallen angels. They have abilities like those of us that obey but much stronger. It is why we must find her before they do. Before he does."

… Say it right Abba whenever you are with the old ones and they will listen. Say it right. It names the warriors…

… Asmodeus grinned and pulled out his own blade. He held it and said, "Magnificent isn't it? Azazel was such a good craftsman and he taught humans all about it. Of course that was before he decided to become full demon. His choice."

… Asmodeus watched as Kokabiel charged. Angela seemed to barely move when she reached out for her sword and it flew into her hand. In the same motion she swung and ended up decapitating Kokabiel. He never saw it coming and his head went flying along with the blood spray. He knew that it was going to be him next when she turned to face him.

Angela was looking at him with her eyes glowing that fiery orange, her hair was billowing. In one hand she held her sword and blood was dripping down. The other hand was glowing with her fingers curled; it was like she was holding a white fiery ball or something and he could make out some dark shapes on her arm. He wasn't going to stick around for that. He knew what she was made of and Lilith would be pleased. There will be other seals.

"You have anything to add?"

Asmodeus was on his feet and looking at her. He grinned as he pulled his hoodie up. "Well you managed to kill a Grigori. I imagine that would impress a few interested parties. As for the angels… you can have them. Time's long gone and there will be other seals. I'll look forward to it." He was gone leaving Angela watching where he had been…

… Angela had started to walk forward but it looked like she had been pushed back a bit until she stood straight and tall. Her eyes were glowing orbs and her loose tendrils were billowing. Her hands were fisted and actually glowing as s result from her tattoos underneath her gauntlets glowing. What Lilith saw though, she realized that she had made a serious miscalculation.

Lilith knew that Angela was Absolution and something to be feared but this meant… She looked at what appeared to be a sort of breastplate appear on her chest underneath the jacket she was wearing. The room started to shake and rattle as Absolution's eyes glowed brighter and Lilith knew that she was the target of this. Yet this was impossible. Absolution was not at her full strength yet. There was no way that she should…

… Faisal tried not to twitch his mouth at the manner in which the stranger he was meeting was talking. He took in the raised hood and the hidden face and replied, "Enlighten me since you seem to know a lot about her."

"I know a lot of things Vampire as well as you. It is just amusing and surprising that you have to summon someone like me to tell you these things. I thought one of your age would have a few sources." The stranger made a slight sneer but it was hidden by his hood. At least his tone conveyed his attitude.

Faisal bristled at that. He did know things but there was the occasional thing that he didn't know and he had to go to outside sources. He replied, "I do and you're one of them though I detest having to do it and with someone like you."

"That has me surprised. Whatever happened to your fine feathered friend, the Messenger?"

… Faisal couldn't deny it. He had observed her interaction between the two Winchesters. It was her relationship with the younger of the two that held his interest. He noticed how they would interact and he wondered if there was something more to it. It gave credence to the fact that she had a weakness. "Of course weaknesses can be exploited but that doesn't explain her next move."

"You said it yourself. Weaknesses can be exploited." The stranger shrugged his shoulders. He was about to walk away when he decided to play a hand. "It's no secret that the Winchesters are her weakness. One is dead. What would she do?"

… You know… I practiced because I wanted to catch you and keep you from leaving." She gave a slight chuckle to hide her feelings. "I mean what a kid is supposed to think when the person they love the most next to their parents leaves?"

… You mean a lot to me. And that is a lot coming from an old broad like me."

… "And I'll always be with you," Angela replied as she let go of Jo and Ellen and stood up. She grabbed where she had left her bloody chakram and put it back on her belt and reached over where she had Absolution waiting. She was the last to go along with Xander. She walked to where their way out was and paused to look at Ellen and Jo one last time…

… "Senior management knows your tendencies and certain things need to be given the right amount of push. You just like to throw that into the furnace and watch it burn."

"And I wouldn't be me if I didn't," Angela replied…

… Faisal sighed as he watched her, "When are you going to realize that certain things need to happen for a reason; that it is sometimes best to just let things go?"

"Oh I know that things happen for a reason. I just like to be proactive about it," Angela countered as she walked around…

… Augusta accepted the hug. The last time she had one was when they had to part ways for a time. She missed the woman who had become mother, mentor and friend to her but she was glad that she was traveling with others. She liked the Winchesters from when they first met even though the circumstances were hardly joyous in that meeting. "I missed you but you seem to be happier."

"Still seeing but not seeing?" Angela teased the girl and guided her to have a seat. "You know I have rules about that."

"You have rules about poking into people's heads, which you do quite well by the way. I on the other hand see what emanates from a being but you know this. You're the one who taught me."

"I taught you how to see differently. You did the rest."

… "Sam, you know that she's been called many things…"

"Dean, it's different. She cares about us a lot more than she has ever allowed herself to. We've both called her family and accepted her and I just threw it back in her face like it didn't mean anything." Sam gripped the chakram tightly in his other hand and increased the pressure. He became aware that he was squeezing too tightly and was feeling the familiar wetness of blood. And she just left. She may have said that she was going to see Henricksen but I gave her the excuse to leave us… for good and I think she would have taken it."

… "I became blind when I was very young. I was angry but…" Augusta gave a slight smile. "She has a way of tempering even the most fearsome of creatures."

… "The first day she slapped me. It was then she told me that because I couldn't see like her, I had to learn to see a different way. That slap made me stop being a bitch and turned me into a willing pupil."

… "I couldn't let Augie go."

… "I told you, the warrior princess saved me," Augusta replied. "What I meant was not only she taught me how to overcome my blindness and anger; she saved my life. She turned me."

"She thought I was worth saving and bore with the pain of cutting herself to do it and that was after she had to bite me so that she could put her wound over mine like the blood brother bond. I also had to drink from her and I think that hurt her worse."

Now

Grand Junction, Colorado

It was a quiet night in the neighborhood, much like every night. Everyone was tucked in their beds asleep and those that needed to be out late were already at the peak of their 'work day'. It had rained earlier and the ground was slick with water and the leaves from the trees stuck to the ground like they had been pasted there. Cars were lined up on the street or in their driveways. It was really one of those really next door neighbor type of neighborhoods.

The house was fairly old and hence declared a historical location. It was bought and paid for by an unknown owner and they seemed content to let it be in the care of its elderly caretaker, Janis Waverly. The woman was spry though she was hitting what most suspected to be seventy or maybe older but she sure didn't look like it. She was often seen going through the house and directing the various servicemen when came to maintenance on the house.

This night, Janis was up doing her nightly check of the house, making sure that it was locked down for the night. She started with the downstairs and the kitchen entrance. It was the same routine; the back to front and bottom to up. It was too routine maybe but it worked since the nightly prep was done in reverse. It had worked for the past ten years and it looked like it was going to keep on going the same.

Janis made her way to the front door after checking the back and all the windows. She paused before it and looked at the oak door that was carved in an intricate design. The door had come with the house and was not typical of most old houses but then again it wasn't called the Whitmore House for nothing. There was history in that old house and she was charged with keeping everything as it stood making sure the restorations were kept on schedule. It was her life and she accepted it whole heartedly.

The door was the last thing on the first floor of the two story house with an attic that was left alone and thus leaving it to speculation that there was something haunted up there. Janis put her hand on the old fashioned knobs and tested it. She looked at the carvings and ran her fingers along certain spots. Everything looked good downstairs so Janis started her trek up the stairs and the task of checking the individual rooms.

Janis started with the east side as always and checked the rooms and their windows. The last room was one she was doubly careful with. She entered the room quietly so as not to disturb its occupant. She went to the window and checked it and then turned to look at the sleeping figure curled up on the twin bed. She couldn't help but smile at the occupant and she walked over to stroke the curly soft brown locks.

Making sure that everything was all right, Janis left the room and headed downstairs to the main room. This was also routine, and it seemed a little unusual for someone her age but it also seemed to fit. She turned on the television and turned the volume low so it wouldn't be too loud. She adjusted the channels until she found what she was looking for and turned to pull out a huge leather bound book that she kept and opened it.

Our correspondent in Denver reports that the sudden influx of storms is most unusual for this time of year. Authorities are taking extra precautions since there is the possibility of tornadoes like the ones that were observed in Palding County, Missouri.

Janis looked at the television as she listened to the news. She waited until the map came up and then made some notations in her book. She shook her head as she pulled out a rather beat up map and made another marking on it. "All the signs are there and it looks like it's the trailer before the movie," she muttered to herself.

In other news the mysterious disappearances of the people of Carthage have still not been accounted for. Damage has been minimal to what authorities claim to be acts of vandalism.

Janis huffed a little at that. "Acts of vandalism my ass."

In other news scientists have observed changes in animal behavior in correspondence with what they call a red or blood moon…

Janis looked up and studied the screen. The last few pieces of news have pretty much been the same since what happened nearly two weeks ago. Or rather it looked like things were going from bad to worse. At least that was what other people would be seeing at this point. She shook her head as she made note of things and then pulled out another book to check up on something and wrote a note to make a call in the morning.

It was close to midnight when she got up to make herself some tea and to take a break from what seemed to be nothing but bad news. She got the feeling though that it was only going to get worse. Such was the way of things when you had been doing the job as long as she had. Sighing, she mentally prepared the list of things to do as she also remembered the times she had traveled the world. She had been younger then and had the time of her life. Now she only did so when it was absolutely necessary and she was fine with that.

A noise caught her attention and Janis immediately looked up. She looked in the general direction the noise came from and slowly her hand opened a drawer and she pulled out an impressive looking weapon. It was a Colt and a working one from the days when the US Calvary was on horseback with a rifled barrel so it wasn't too bad. It was one of several that she had around hidden throughout the house.

Janis held the gun in her right and checked her belt to make sure the silver knife she had was still there. She then picked up her flashlight and held it to light her way while she moved through the house. There was no way that she was going to let anything happen to her charge. She checked the lower level of the house and made sure that the windows and doors were checked. The noise came again and it was much clearer. It was coming from upstairs.

Janis resisted the urge to run up the stairs but paused. The noise could alert whoever or whatever it was and reduce her chances of gaining an element of surprise. She wasn't young anymore but she could still kick ass. She just had a few issues to contend with and that was the troublesome issue of being older. So she slowly ascended the staircase, taking care not to tread on the steps that tended to creak from use.

Pausing at the top of the stairs, Janis listened to try and pinpoint where it was coming from. She then started moving to check the rooms one by one. She kept her ears open just in case she may have missed something. She didn't hear anything else but she wasn't going to be lulled into a false sense of security, not when lives depended upon it.

The last room was the one that she had been itching to get to. Like the others she searched the room to make sure there was nothing out of the ordinary. She was in the middle of checking the windows when she heard, "Auntie Janis?"

Janis looked at the little girl that was sitting up and looking at her sleepily and replied, "Nothing for you to worry about little angel." She smiled at her and added, "Now go back to sleep."

"Will Mommy be coming soon?"

Janis thought about it for a moment. As it were the current schedule had become a little sporadic but still in a timely fashion. It wasn't easy and Janis wished that the girl's mother would reach out to her friend; the one that she was most close to. She replied, "Yes little angel."

The little girl smiled at Janis but it was short lived when she looked at the door to her room and gave a shriek. Janis turned to see the shadow of a man standing there. There was no way that anyone should be able to get into the house. She demanded, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The man said nothing but stood in the doorway. Janis pointed her gun at the intruder and maneuvered to get in front of the little girl. It was a standoff of sorts. Janis was tempted to fire her gun but still living in the world where if a gun went off and the cops came, it was better to determine if it was worth firing. At the moment she did hold the high ground since she had a weapon and he didn't. She held her gun pointed at the intruder and was ready to shoot.

It was unexpected when she was sent flying through the air and collided with the wall. She lost her gun but she had her knife and it was in her hand as she got to her feet. She charged, ready to fight and took a swing. The intruder dodged but she followed through, determined to kill it since it wasn't human. She didn't know what it was since she didn't have any obvious telltale signs to give her a clue.

The intruder blocked and dodged her attacks until one ended up with the knife buried in his shoulder. With a backhand, he sent Janis flying into a bookcase amidst the screaming of the little girl. Janis shouted for the girl to run as she tried to get up from under the pile of shelves and books that had fallen on top of her. She looked at the intruder who was looking at the little girl who was standing in the middle of the room scared stiff. The intruder said, "Just what I need."

Janis growled and got to her feet. She tried to reach the intruder but was held back by the bright light that flashed. She held up her arm to shield her eyes from the light. She tried to get a glimpse but it was too bright and she grunted from the light. She ended up hunching from the intensity of it and it cost her.

She ended up getting cuffed to the side and she fell against the wall. Her elbow crashed through the window, shattering the glass. The brightness blinded her and she couldn't see a damn thing as she groaned and tried to get to her feet. She was pressed down to the wall though and she tried to move but couldn't. She realized she was being held against the wall. "Demon," she muttered.

"Oh close but no cigar," came the response.

Janis looked around and the girl was gone and managed to get to her feet despite the difficulty from the intruder's powers. The last thing she recalled was a flash of light and then there was darkness followed by, "Bring her into the light of darkness."

A/N: So it looks like a kidnapping of sorts and not by a typical creature. What is in store? Keep finding out next time on Asmodeus...