Chapter 3: The Days Before
~.~.~Ivan~.~.~
Hell, Treachery, Council Chamber, 2013
Ivan's POV
"His name is Alfred." Winter said.
Hmm. Even his name sounds lovely for his being.
Just one glance was all it took for my interest to rest on this being. To be honest, I had never seen a brighter and more beautiful being in my existence.
His wheat blond hair matched that of the blinding yet shining rays of the sun.
His eyes, as blue as the sky seen through the window I looked at him through.
His smile as genuine and as beautiful as the purest diamond found by any being, and just as valuable.
The envious would despise him for his blinding figure.
The lustful would want him for his prefect body.
The gluttonous would want to devour him just to have a little taste of the piece of the sky that rested in his soul.
The greedy would trade all for him just to gaze at the way he glittered like gold in the light.
It was a shame that he was one of those damned Angels; otherwise, I would have made him mine too easily.
"My fellow captains," Winter's voice cut the metaphorical lines connecting my eyes to the window just to look at the being called 'Alfred'.
I looked back up at Winter. He too was looking at the window.
"This particular Angel is quite popular with his species; very well known, very liked by many of his kin. That's what makes him so valuable." Winter continued.
I had to agree. I can see why he's valuable. No one could just ignore that smile or those shining blue eyes.
"The more valuable, the greater the chance for them to try and reach a compromise." Winter said with a sneer.
The other captains laughed at Winter's words, I myself letting out a small chuckle. It was funny thinking about Angels compromising with Demons. It never worked, yet the Angels liked to continue talking at the danger of real death from their opponents. Other than the utterly laughable subject of negotiating Angels, all the other captains agreed with Winter before he continued.
"Yes. With compromise, comes confrontation. Angels will most likely send a few negotiators to attempt to take this Angel back and when that happens, the first thing to happen, is the call of war." Winter stated with stone cold seriousness that spoke 'I-Dare-You-To-Talk-Back-To-Me' in an obvious way.
This was enough to make the other captains to derail their glance from Winter for a brief second before looking back at him.
"Listen you sorry pack of implings, this is not to be failed. This will cause a battle that will eventually spiral into a full scale war against those heathens. This will just send out an overdue call. I know as much as the next demon that we don't want to stay in this damn Circle forever." Winter continued.
He had a point. The call of war between the Angelic Realm and this one was overdue, or so I heard. Winter was still right. The Angels and their 'God' are what are keeping us down here, we constantly torturing and punishing the damned while the real damned are free and frolicking. It was pathetic really. I've heard of how Humans are constantly arguing over 'equality' and 'race' towards other Humans while it is a non-arguable truth that there is more light than darkness. The Angels prevent us from actually punishing the living that are long overdue for their punishment and torment. It's almost hilariously hurtful to know that Angels continue day in and day out to protect those souls.
"I have been merciful in the past but if this is a failure, not only will I punish your sorry souls, I'll erase you from existence." Winter warned, finishing his statement.
All the other captains trembled secretly while I remained stoic, listening to him. He wasn't done.
"I don't care how you all attempt to capture this soul, all that matters is if he's caught and successfully brought here, alive. This Angel is to come alive. For the future, I don't give a damn what you all do to him." Winter finally finished before gesturing all the captains out.
I give a last glance at the closing window before I leave to go back to my post.
My mind continued to waver to that gorgeous being. It must have been some sort of allure about him to make me think about him. It must be his golden wheat blonde hair.
Or maybe it's his shining sky blue eyes.
Or his perfectly toned body.
Either way, I knew I would never find a bore in him when he's caught. But I had to remember, this Alfred was still an Angel; a purely damned creature only wanting torment for anything like me. It was sickening to think about. I suppose Angels just kept the lovely looks for show. It worked, but I should know better than to let a damned Angel take hold of me so easily by just a look.
I felt another one of my smiles cross my face with a thought.
I was a captain, after all, and this mission was technically assigned to me. I never refuse an assignment like this. Well, this one might be more fun than the others.
At that moment, I knew I wanted to catch this being first. I don't know why I had that sudden urge to be the first because I knew very well this wasn't a competition, it was just an urge that became very strong the more I thought about him once I entered my room.
My three wonderful assistants were already there and waiting. I smiled again and folded my hands behind my back.
"W-Welcome back, sir B-Braginsky." Ravis said with his usual tremble about his little body.
All my assistants had something about them. If it wasn't Toris's stutter, it was Ravis's constant tremble or Eduard's need to be close to either Toris or Ravis. Again, it was entertaining to watch, but I had to admit, if I were in their position, I'd be stuttering or trembling just as bad and want for anyone's else's warmth due to the freezing temperatures. At the moment, I had to be serious.
"Ah, privyet to you as well, Ravis." I greeted back with another smile.
His gaze went to his feet as another shiver obviously made its way through his body. I looked at all three of my assistants, thinking of what I should say. Luckily it wasn't a hard task.
"Listen you three, I, along with the other captains, have an assignment. A…'visitor' will be coming to this place." I started with a chuckle at the thought of who it was.
All three stood straight and Toris approached by just a few steps.
"What w-would you want us to do, Ivan?" the little Lithuanian asked, keeping his gaze downwards.
Another smile. I bent down to properly look at him, my hands now on my knees.
"Well, my faithful assistant, I want you, Eduard, and Ravis to prepare their own personal 'room' for when they arrive, which will be soon. Have it ready, if you all would. Immediately would be wonderful." I ask innocently.
Toris backed up to join back with the other two with a quick nod.
"O-Of course, it'll be ready relatively soon!" Toris said quickly before gesturing Eduard and Ravis out of the room, where they promptly sped to the dungeons.
Such good assistants.
I stand up straight to take my own leave to my bedchambers, where I have my own window to look through to the other two Realms. It was mandatory to all captains. My room was a separate ways, like all other captains rooms, from the chambers for torture and punishment; a whole other wing to be exact. It took sometime to walk to it but not tiring. It was easy to tell the chambers of torture and punishment from the captains bedchambers from the way they place was built. When exiting the chambers from two large ebony doors, I was met with the foyer of the base that consisted of icicle chandlers with blue flame as light, classy types of furniture that humans might die to have, and intricate architecture depicting the tortured damned (since some of it were the petrified figures of the damned). Once I found myself in the familiar lavish and lovely hallways for any higher ranked demons, I wasted no time looking for my own bedchambers while I saw the other captains enjoying themselves with the constant servings of food and some of the female demons from Lust. None held any interest to me as I left the foyer to one of the many long hallways for my bedchambers.
I found my bedchambers soon after and entered to look upon the equally as lovely furnishings and surroundings; a queen-sized bed with blood red silk sheets and pillows, a small lounging area, and three large paintings depicting more scenes of the tortured damned. Again, nothing was interesting.
Anything except one little corner of my large bedchambers with a round ebony table that held a single item: a large circular mirror.
I felt another smile cross my lips when I crossed over to the table. Of course, I was met with my own pale reflection when I looked in the mirror attached to the center of the table. However with a single touch from my index finger, my image rippled until it was gone.
"Show me Alfred." I muttered to the mirror.
I watched as it rippled again until his image replaced my own. He was sitting on what looked like a large greenish finger that must have belonged to a large statue. He seemed content looking over a horizon I had no interest in, his fingers made into a sort of square-ish shape to picture said horizon while the sun shined down on him so perfectly. I know I should be planning for a sort of capture on Winter's behalf, but I could not help but just look at his gorgeous figure again before I did, even if he was an Angel.
Yes, I had seen many beautiful things over the period of my afterlife, but…this Alfred seemed to captivate me more so than anything else. I couldn't explain it; he just did, even if he wasn't in front of me yet. Just by looking at his glistening figure, his shining eyes, and his bright smile, it was like a drug, if anything could describe as such. I coveted him in just a matter of minutes.
I wanted him.
I wanted this being in my grasp.
I watched him for a while longer, my eyes not wavering. He seemed to fall asleep after a bit, looking softly over the horizon. I still kept watching him as he slept contently in the sunlight.
An idea came to me in that instance. I smiled and leaned in to the mirror.
"Hear me, Alfred." I whispered.
His face started to contort in pain.
"You will know my face." I whispered again.
He started to struggle like he was trying to get out of any binding to his body.
"You will be mine, my dear Alfred." I mumbled a bit louder before I started chuckling.
He stopped struggling and started moving his head lightly side to side until he faced me, his eyes half lidded, like he knew he was looking at me. I only smiled wider and continued chuckling. It was like I could reach out to him the way he seemed to know I was there. Before I knew it, I reached out to try and grasp him before he escaped. My hand however, collided with the mirror's surface. It rippled again until the only image I could see, was my own.
Alfred was gone again.
Although I was a tad irritated to say the least, I knew it wouldn't be the last time I would see him. I lowered my hand and stared at my reflection for a brief moment, continuing to think about Alfred.
I remembered his half lidded eyes looking straight at my own as if he knew I was there. Probably because he did.
I smiled yet again.
"A message well sent." I mumbled to myself, walking away from the mirror and back to find my assistants to tell them that I would be needing some 'items' to aid in what I plan to do.
I now swear to myself, I will capture this being before anyone else. He will be in my own grasp, before anyone else's. I will be the first to touch that skin.
He will be mine.
Alfred will be mine.
~.~.~Normal POV~.~.~
For days, Ivan prepared for Alfred's capture. Other captains prepared as well, but Ivan made it a point to get the Angel before them. Ivan studied Alfred's movements for days as well to find a good time for capture.
He had found Alfred liked to visit the Statue of Liberty just to look upon the city for almost all the time Ivan studied him.
Ivan's little obsession to catch Alfred grew along with the prolonged desire to torture him.
As for Alfred, he had no further dreams of any face with menacing violet eyes after that one afternoon, though the feeling of Déjà vu lingered.
As July 4th approached, Alfred still had plans to see the fireworks from the Statue of Liberty.
~.~.~Alfred~.~.~
Above New York City, July 4th, 2013
Alfred's POV
This was so exciting!
I asked an Archangel if I could leave Heaven during nightfall just once for my birthday and he said I could!
I'd get to see those fireworks!
On the best view as well!
Man I don't think I could be flying anymore excited than this!
Wait a second; I gotta remember I had to be back as soon as they were over with. Since I came here, there's apparently a rule every Angel needs to follow, and that states 'Any Angel off duty or not part of Heaven's Army must keep within Heaven until morning comes' for some reason. I didn't know why but I followed it cause even though they don't show it, those Archangels can be strict about protocols. Honestly it surprised me that the Archangel I talked too was letting me leave until the fireworks were done. Eh, whatever, I was gonna see some freakin' fireworks!
As soon as I got to the Golden Gates, a voice stopped me.
"Alfred what are you doing so late here?"
It was Bella; a Belgian Angel that greeted me when I came here with the best waffles I ever had. I turned around. My face warmed up and I got those butterflies in my stomach when you get very nervous or scared.
"…Uhh…going to see the fireworks?" I stated.
I'm deader than I am. With that blank look she was giving me, I think she was gonna either scold me or snitch on me. I mean she hasn't done it before, but as much as I like Bella, I can't help but feel she's a mischievous little thing what with that obvious glint in her eye or her too sweet smile!
"Oh, wonderful! Have a good time Alfred since it is you're birthday~! I was just taking a stroll, by the way if you were wondering." She said with that cute but suspicious smile about her.
I must be paranoid about girls these days. Either way, I let out a breath I'd apparently been holding. She just giggled and continued walking while I watched her go. It took a minute for me to gather myself up and slip past the Golden Gates and close them.
I wasn't scared by the way!
Once I reached the edge of the cloud the Gates stood upon, I just let myself drop from it down back to Earth. When I spotted the torch after I slipped past the cloud clouds (the ones with moisture and rain and all that junk; there's a difference between Divine clouds and normal clouds), I spread my wings to their full length to stop my swan dive to Earth and start my little fly-off to Lady Liberty.
By now, I'd say it was about 9:40 so I had enough time to kill while I waited for the fireworks that came at 9:57. 17 whole minutes to do nothing but enjoy myself! Score!
By the time I reached Lady Liberty's head, I sat down completely refreshed from my flying and watching the living people down below. I could see a whole crowd of people forming, waiting for the fireworks; shouldn't be too long now though. I put my fingers in a square shape again to make a better picture of New York City at night. Again, it never ceased to impress this awesome as Hell Angel!
It had to have been minutes before the fireworks would start when that feeling of Déjà vu came back again. This time it was stronger. Ok, now this is starting to annoy me. I slapped my forehead.
"Dammit, not now! This night is supposed to be good!" I scolded myself.
I think I left a bruise with the next hard smack to my forehead. Luckily I was interrupted by a loud boom nearby. The fireworks started finally. I looked up to see one firework go off. It was a green and red kinda flower oval thing. Either way, I felt my eyes widen and my mouth drop just watching those bright, colorful and overall awesome lights flash briefly in the sky. After a bit, I was cheering with each passing firework. For the love of God my cheeks were starting to hurt with the way I was grinning! Honestly, fireworks were awesome as they were pretty. Yea sure they were just a light show but damn they were a pretty show to watch at any given time.
I had no idea what time it was but I could care a bit less. Though by the way the fireworks were getting faster, I'd say they were about done.
Damn.
Ah well still awesome for a birthday I guess.
I started hearing some commotion below me from the other people here for the view as well. It wasn't the good kind of commotion either. The fireworks I guess were ending since the speed of their departure was getting faster. I decided to crawl down and look down to see what the commotion was. I managed to see some shadows from the lights in the area where the onlookers were. I saw one shadow that kinda stood out…because they were standing on the railing from the view. I crawled closer to look properly down at the view to see a large and obviously tall figure standing on the rail while the onlookers were starting to panic. My eyes widened.
The onlookers were yelling now since the tall figure was just standing there with their scarf blowing slightly in the breeze. I couldn't see their face well because of that damn scarf and…coat? Why was he wearing a coat and a scarf in July?
I halted my thoughts for a moment when his right booted foot went past the railing.
Then he jumped.
The onlookers screamed in horror.
~.~.~III~.~.~
It would start with coveting,
And strange feelings.
It would truly begin with the deception
Of the Angel's good soul.
AN: DUNDUNDUUUUUN! Sorry for the wait! Lotta crap happened the past couple weeks and I couldn't post early enough because if it wasn't physical turmoil, it was emotional turmoil.
I'll write Chapter 4 early enough though cause I bet you guys wanna see shit go down! :D
Also,
-gives you guys tight as hell hugs-
Your reviews are wonderful and I love you all! ^^
Stay tuned for the next Chapter~
~Sunny
