Chapter 2

Diminity strode through the golden doors to the ascendant headquarters with an air of superiority and purpose. As he walked through the vaulted corridors of emerald and diamond his wings folded in and appeared to disappear into his back. It was customary to keep your wings extended while in military bases, but Diminity's wings were easily mistaken for Descendant wings and although Diminity was not a direct ascendant, he still obeyed the laws of the military, including friendly fire regardless of self-defense.

He reported to Christos, the being thought to be god by most religious individuals, or the right hand of god. Christos, however, was a completely different being; less powerful than god, but more powerful than all other Descendants and Ascendants. Christos was also the only remaining seraph, having had six wings, but they were scarred and damaged. This was the reason he was in a leadership position, but didn't directly get involved in the war. Christos, although scarred, was blessed with a beauty that only angels of myth possessed. He was a sound leader and was ruthless against the Descendants.

Diminity made his way through the compound with purpose and speed, eager to report his success so he could be on his next mission. Although he wasn't evil, he did derive a certain enjoyment from killing. The destruction he wrought on the Descendants on his various missions was almost orgasmic at moments and utterly blissful always. He tried to stick to himself and avoid others for fear of hurting them, but recently he had developed a particular liking with Christos. He was like a brother, possibly a father, but either way the closeness was there and therefore Diminity was lowering his emotional block in general. Despite the apparent affection Diminity felt for Christos, Diminity maintained a professional manner when interacting with Christos, and therefor progressed through his missions and work with a haste that was expected and desired from all Ascendants.

As he turned corners and made his way to his briefing he passed a number of Ascendants, each going about his or her own business, some carrying papers and folders, others heading to their barracks, and still others armed and on their way to their own missions. Very few regarded Diminity with trust or distrust, and even fewer noticed him at all. To them he was a liability, nothing more. They knew nothing of his role in the war, and would be shocked if they knew his heritage.

One day I'm going to be a legend. He thought, almost bitterly, and even as I walk amongst them, keeping them alive they show no regard or know nothing of me. The few who do regard me like a general, but how few there are… I want something more. Diminity did not crave or desire respect or awe, he sometimes enjoyed the solitude, but at times it seemed so unfair, as if he truly were a deserter of the Descendants.

Diminity finally found himself before a grand door constructed of solid onyx. The handles were of cast iron, and the air was cold. The entrance didn't seem like something you would find at the heart of all goodness; in fact the door seemed like something you would expect to lead what was thought to be one of the upper circles of hell. Diminity approached the door, grasped one of the great handles and pushed the door open, inwards. Standing in front of a great window offering a spectacular view of mountains with his back towards Diminity, Christos stood with his wings relaxed and his arms crossed. His blond hair cascaded down his back and stopped inches above the floor. As Diminity entered the room the door fell shut on its own accord. When Diminity heard it securely shut, he dropped to a knee, bowing, and opened his wings, bringing them forward across his chest, as was customary among Ascendant authority. He held his position until Christos turned and acknowledged his presence.

"Rise my child, and tell me of your success." Christos said, again, a custom, not an act of favoritism towards Diminity. The angelic aura that surrounded the Ascendant stronghold was surreal at the least, and completely breath taking. It was almost impossible to feel any level of nervousness or fear when on the premises.

Diminity rose and closed his wings. He put two fingers to his forehead and nodded at Christos, a salute of sorts among the Ascendants. He relayed his mission, the attack on the Descendant camp, the swift deadliness of his silent attacks. The slip of the one guard who he quickly silenced. He retold the tale in perfect detail, never missing a detail. Christos was not surprised, he expected nothing more from Diminity considering how intensely he had trained when a recruit.

Christos nodded, and removed from his robe a scroll. Diminity took the scroll, and a shiver passed through his body when it touched his hand.

" Your next mission is to rendezvous with Gabriel in Italy, three miles from the Vatican city northern border. He has said he wishes to speak with me, but would not indicate why. I think we may have a new and powerful ally. You must find him and get him here safely quickly though, because Michael is hunting him down as we speak. My source said that Michael does not know of his whereabouts, but he is the right hand of God now, he has the means to find out. Make haste Diminity, don't fail us." Christos instructed.

Diminity left the room and went to the armory, being sure to keep his wings closed the whole way. When he arrived he went to his personal room where he kept his armor and weapons, specially designed for him to accommodate his wings and give him perfect cover.

The armor was jet black, constructed of carbon steel and titanium. Ivory was inlaid in the breastwork, and veins of black diamond ran along the shoulders and arms. Spike like protrusions extended at the elbows and ankles so he was more formidable with hand-to-hand combat. His gauntlets had spring-loaded spikes in the knuckles that would extend when enough pressure was put on the knuckles of each glove. His weapons were also special. He had one sword made of a mix between carbon steel and cast iron. The weight of it made it a formidable weapon if it were blunt, and the razor sharp edges made it even more deadly. He also had the fiber wire he had used on his previous mission, the nine millimeter, and two .44 magnums that were silver with crimson tribal designs going down the barrel. Along with a few basic weapons, Diminity kept a pendant that gave him telekinetic power so he could pry into human and Descendant minds and also have an extra edge in battle. All in all, he could be a one-man army.