I'm still alive! Yay!... I guess.

Just in case you didn't notice, we'll follow Rivot (aka Tori) for a good while. Mainly because the story circles around Jade and herself, and Jade is safe, and if I wrote about what's going on back in Earth it'd be a depression party (?) Ok, bad word choice. Anyway, I felt like writing about Tori's life in Hell because we all can imagine how was Jade's and Tori's not going to tell.

And this will escalate to the point that provokes the climax of the story, so sue me.

Disclaimer: Ugh, honestly, again? There's no way in hell I own Victorious.

Chapter 10 – Wings and First Stage of Flight

Northern Mountains. January 7, 1997

"Rivot!" a woman called out loud, her voice echoing through the snowed, cold mountains. "Dear Satan, where did that girl go?" she muttered, hugging herself to keep her body warm. The land of O, where elder Demons took care of children without parents, older siblings nor grandparents, was the second coldest level of Hell – the worse of all being the land of W, widely known as the land of Blood, where traitors were punished for their crimes against the King. Fortunately, the place that had been her home for the last fifteen years was cold just for a few months – she didn't even want to think of how would her life be if she was down there all the time.

Right now, the mountain in which she lived, and also the coldest region of the land –just her luck–, was about to face the hardest of winter, with a week ruled by a constant snowstorm. They were lucky to see anything at all during those days. Although the storm hadn't started yet, she'd still give her wings for a good cup of coffee, but... she had better things to do. She sighed, trying to figure out where could the orphan be.

Rivot von Gieri was, at her three years old, the most irritant headache for the elders in charge of the orphanage that was her home. Her sneaking skills were rather surprising, since she was still so young, but that –her ability to slip by– was exactly the problem. With her silent steps and never outstanding manners, she really did live of to her lineage's nickname. She was indeed a shadow.

Finding Rivot once she managed to get out of sight was a challenge even to a Knight, for the House of Gieri had so much potential within and a child of them could be an actual shadow of the air itself without even trying.

"Rivot!" she called again, knowing she would never get an answer. "I'm doomed" she mused dejectedly.

Sure enough, if the head of the House found out about the little girl running away once again, even after asking for the elders to always watch over her... she shuderred at the mere thought of Lord Gieri mad at her.

"He'd rip my head of. Right after finding her in five seconds."

Suddenly, something tackled her from behing, making her bite back a cry of surprise. The body clinging to hers was small and warm, and the arms grasping here neck were thin and soft, and yet she sensed the strenght in her tiny attacker. That was the trait that made her instantly recognize the Demon and not completely freak out.

"Dear Satan, Rivot, you scared me!" she reprimanded the girl, trying in vain to pry her off her back. "Where have you been? We were worried!"

"I have been following you for the last twenty minutes" the childish voice confessed and somehow complained.

"What?"

"You are so distracted. No wonder you were born a C."

The old woman sighed, knowing there was no way she could win an argument against the girl and deciding to let it go. "What have been you doing? This is not the first time you run away."

Rivot released her neck and circled her. The O was left dead silent at the sight of the little pale three years old looking at her in the eyes with a shiny pair of dark feathered wings keeping her feet off the ground.

"You... how... how can it be...?"

"I summoned them" the girl crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side. "What do you think, grandmother?"

"They are certainly magnificent, my child. Worthy of your noble blood."

"Do you think my grandfather will be proud?"

"Only a fool would not."

Rivot beamed at her, for once looking like the little kid she was. The old Demon smiled warmly and caressed her short, brown hair.

"But" she continued, "please, I beg you not to dissapear like that again. You worried us."

"I apologize" the girl's lips twitched, as if she was containing a smirk, and her keeper sighed knowing she wasn't sorry at all.

The rest of the way home, Rivot tried her wings every way she could think of, from hanging herself centimeters above the ground to races against the wind to dashes even a grown Demon would find difficult.

The display saddened the elder, although she preferred to show the side of her that was proud of such accomplishments. From what she could remember, last time a kid got wings before fourth birthday, it didn't take long for Hell to turn the carefree child into a cold-blooded Assassin. One of the best magic users of all times even before turning thirty years old.

It was clear to the woman, as she watched said Assassin's descendant rush through the cloudy sky, that this girl was also going to make history.

And she did not like it.

Northern Orphanage. January 11, 1997

It wasn't an every day thing, but it wasn't strange either, that a grown Demon would arrive unexpectedly to the Land of O. Most of the times, they were visiting a younger sibling or a niece, or maybe a friend still under the Alumni age.

But the most important visitors were those that also meant a goodbye, those that would most likely never come back. They were fully grown, above average Demons that visited the orphan state to get a kid out of the orphanage and into their rightful land, to raise them and make them an useful piece under the King's will.

So, when the doorbell to the upstate building rang and grandmother Vee ushered the Demon to the administrative office, the older kids got together in the covered patio to discuss about who they thought would leave them forever.

"But... this is strange" the older between them all, a boy who had just turned five, commented after the short list was made. "None of us" he signaled himself and the other three candidates, "have grown wings."

"No kid in this house has had since Mrelac left" another rolled his eyes.

"And" the other continued, shooting him a warning glare, "we all know it is absolutely impossible for one to leave this state until then."

"That is no true" a four-year-old blurted out before she could stop herself.

Thirteen pairs of eyes fixed upon her. "And who might be our hidden superior?" the older asked softly, curious. "I know for a fact that none of us has managed to get them yet, and the other kids are still too young. Most of them still do not know how to talk properly."

The girl hesitated. The unspoken leader of the orphans shot her a menacing glare and she looked down, unable to contain her twitching shoulders.

After a few moments of silence, the boy's expression softened. "Of course" he mused, smiling. "I should have known."

"Raikai?" the second kid asked, voicing their companion's confussion.

There was another moment of silence.

"I got mine a few days ago" a soft voice confessed, and they turned to look at a girl who was still too young to belong to the Circle – only four and five years old kids were admitted to the unformal group within the orphanage.

"Rivot" Raikai greeted the troublesome girl. "Why are you here?"

"I always listen to the Circle."

None of them questioned it, knowing she was better at hiding her presence than a lot of grown ups – the same reason they weren't surprised by her sudden appearance.

"In any case" the leader continued, "how is it you have gotten your wings already? You are still three years old."

"That is" another voice cut in, an the visitor popped out of nowhere to stand behind Rivot, "because this little girl is a member of the House of Gieri."

"... excuse me. The what?" Raikai asked, blinking.

"The von Gieri family" the Demon smiled, amused, "is the most noble, powerful immortal bloodline. It is said that they are direct descendants of the first immortal, and that they have a Holy branch as well as the Magical you have here" he patted the girl's shoulder. "For as far as Hell's memory goes, there has never been a Dark Council without one of them. Right now, Lord Mias von Gieri is the head of the House, His Majesty' right hand and miss Rivot's very own grandfather."

"That is the reason why she lives in this state even when she has family outside" grandmother Vee added, stepping beside the visitor.

"She is a Knight's granddaughter?" Raikai raised an eyebrow. "No wonder she is stronger than all of us together. So, I take it she is the one becoming an Alumni?"

"That is correct, young man."

"I want to know your name" Rivot asked, seeming quite menacing for such a little girl.

Her future Master smiled. "Of course, it would be rather impolite of me to not give it to you. I assume you follow the rules of chivalry by heart?"

"And you should as well, if you are good enough to have a Gieri as your Alumni" the girl gave him her cold eyes and he gulped. "Your name."

"My mistake, miss. I am Clame D'Ruth, from the Assassin bai Kallummi. His Majesty entrusted me with your upbringing as a good subject, and I hope to do a good job" he bowed.

Rivot stared at him and crossed her tiny arms. "Grandfather agreed to have someone of such a weak high-rank clan to be my Master? I would have hoped for him to take my career more seriously."

Clame seemed uncomfortable, to the orphan's delight and Vee's amusement. It was refreshing to have another Demon suffering under the girl's sharp tongue and powerful aura, specially one that seemed so full of himself.

How's that for a three years old?

–o–

Kallummi Manor. Later that day

"I am Clame D'Ruth's Alumni, Rivot von Gieri. Nice to meet you."

Clame's clanmates silently gaped at the little girl before them, surprised that a kid that young could be already capable of entering the system even though they had already heard it from their partner. Clearly, they had thought he had been joking.

Rivot looked at the hall they were hanging out in while she waited for the Demons to react to her announcement. It was obvious that her weakling of a Master wasn't going to move by himself. She was going to have some serious talk with her grandfather regarding this. Honestly. As if she was just some commoner.

"Are you Lord Mias' granddaughter?" the Demon wearing the Kallummi's crest asked, approaching her with a careful step.

"I am" she answered, eyeing the matriarch critically.

"I see. I am Rhas el Svairnz..."

"Niece of Lord Vitaris" the girl recognized, making the older nod.

"Exactly. It is a pleasure to meet you, miss Rivot."

The woman took the tiny hand in her own and shook it, while returning the head bow the girl was giving her.

"Great. Another hasty royal idiot" someone muttered.

Rhas quickly turned to give her clanmate a scolding for such manners, but when she managed to find the rude one Rivot was already before him, tilting her head upwards to meet his gaze with her most common unexpressive one.

"Excuse me?" she asked quietly. In the silent room, however, her words echoed.

He looked down with a scornful air. "Hasty..."

As soon as that single word left his lips, he fell to his knees. Rivot raised an eyebrow. "I think I missed what you said."

"Hasty... royal... idiot" he managed to blurt out, right before having his whole body crashing on the marble floor.

The other Kallummi watched in awe as one of their most powerful members was so easily brought down by a little girl who seemed everything but strong. With her looks, everyone would've thought she was still a weakling.

"I dare you" Rivot slowly growled, emiting a cold, menacingly powerful aura, "to insult me again. Just once more."

The Demon, now free of whatever spell the girl casted on him, whimpered and crawled backwards, clearly scared, while looking around for help. To his horror, none of his partners attempted to move. Desperate, he turned his eyes turned to his leader's pair of rubies, which now eyed him with disgust.

"I thought so" the three-years-old said through a grimace unbelievable for someone her age.

Rivot turned around, her cape fluttering, to look at Rhas with a softer gaze. The matriarch returned the look with amusement, and a smirk found its way to the normally serious face. "That was a rather interesting display, miss Rivot. May I show you your room?"

"If you please."

The two walked out of the hall, leaving behind a bunch of Demons still too stunned to move. No one was going to admit it, but everyone had thought at least once with kicking Hell out of their rude partner. However, his position as second-in-command, as well as the rule of no-harming, had kept them at that. And now, a little girl had made their dreams true with nothing but a silent spell.

They were sure going to enjoy having her around.

–o–

Republic of Karelia, Russia. September 11, 2001

It was raining heavily. So much that it was hard to see your nose... if you were human. Because to a immortal like the one standing atop the tallest tree between those near to the railroad, it was near to nothing. Specially if you spent most of your life in a place with similar winter climate.

The small figure was covered in a raincoat, but the hood was pulled back allowing one to see the black-haired girl's bored face – if you could see, that is. The rain didn't affect her, though, thanks to her favorite impermeability spell. This mission would've been difficult otherwise.

"Ten seconds" she muttered, her red eyes fixed upon the approaching train. "Eight seconds."

The last moments were torturously slow as she waited for the passenger-stuffed machine to reach the chosen point. The girl took her right hand out of the coat, folding the little and ring fingers and setting the other three in a rigid way, and placed it in front of her face.

Five... four... three... two... She closed her eyes. Now.

"Est ni kau, klai-est bai mun" she muttered the spell. One... two... She opened her eyes.

The next minutes were deliciously slow as a loud screech reached her ears, followed by dozens of frightened screams and a pandemonium of crashing metal and breaking glass. Her delighted scarlet orbs recorded the detail of every twist and crack, of every drop shed, of the fire quickly growing and engulfing everything despite the rain. Her nose took in the smoke, the blood, the tears, the burnt flesh, and most importantly... the fear. She could almost taste it in her tongue.

"Guess your train will never reach station" she muttered, her lips twitching in a blood-thirsty smirk. "Now..."

Expectant, she reached into her pocket and took out a little black notebook, opening it in the bookmarked page to see the results. Inside a little square,between the words'23 – train to Petrozavodsk' and the current date,a number written with red ink was increasing in unison with the deaths of the accident.

"Fifty-nine in the first ten minutes" she smirked when the speed slowed down. "I am improving."

Humming some unknown beat, she jumped off the tree and, just before touching the ground, teleported herself back to her home.

"Now... I need a coffee."

The building in which her clan lived was empty when she arrived, although that wasn't much of a surprise. Low-ranks had more missions in a month than the high-ranks in a year, so their estates were almost always empty... and if not, nearly all of them would be in their rooms, resting. She had grown used to not seeing her partners around in the three years she had been escalating the lower names.

Come to think of it, it was actually weird if she got to see someone at all these days. Surely it wasn't healthy for a girl her age to appreciate loneliness and despise company.

But, of course, the man currently sitting in the kitchen was one of the few she didn't mind having around. He was a fairly tall, silver-haired old man who gave out a powerful yet calm aura.

He looked at her and smiled softly. "A good coffee you have here."

"I do not really know who brought it" she answered. "But I do think it is human's."

"I see."

"What are you doing here, grandfather?" she asked, pouring herself a cup without looking at him.

"Now I cannot see my little heir?"

Rivot snorted. "Please. You and I know that we have not seen each other outside of work since I entered my fourth clan. And that was thirty months ago."

Mias von Gieri sighed and placed down his cup –no kidding, it was really his– before pressing his eyes. "I know, I know. It is unnecesary to remind me of my failures as a grandparent."

"You have been busy" she shrugged. "You are a Knight after all."

"Yes, but still..." a warning glare from the girl made him sigh once again. "I have been following your job – that was a good one you did just now, by the way. Vitaris, the Knight in charge of you, told me you are good enough to be a matriarch already."

"That is... unexpected."

"Not at all. You are not a royal for nothing."

"So, will I...?"

"There is a problem, though" he sighed again.

"Grandfather?" Rivot called. She had never seen her only relative so... defeated.

"Clame... made a mistake."

Uh oh. That was never good. In Hell, and specially to the Assassin class, a wrong step could mean a failure so catastrophic that you could even be tortured eternally as a punishment. And, judging for Mias' somber expression, it wasn't exactly a V what her Master had become.

"His Majesty expelled him."

Rivot took a deep breath, already expecting it but unable to stop the blow to hurt like Holy. "I see... So now I am a paria as well. You also came to bid farewell, am I wrong?"

Mias shook his head, saddened. "I am afraid that, as a Knight, it would be unacceptable for me to... have someone like you around. And His Majesty would be angry if his right hand was object of such rumours... I do not want to, but..."

"I understand" she stopped him, setting the cup back down without taking one single sip.

"Rivot..." she shook her head. He paused, searching for a proper way to voice his thoughts. "We will see each other again. You just have to..."

"Reach the top, I know" she turned around, her eyes devoid of any emotion for the very first time. "I will. I will become a Knight before your time to leave the Council comes."

Without another word, she left the kitchen and walked upstairs to her bedroom. And her grandfather could only see his only relative slip away from him, and he had no other chance but to let her go. All the while cursing himself for being foolish enough to agree to have that weakling as his little princess' Master.

"He is lucky His Majesty expelled him already" Mias muttered darkly. "Otherwise, I would kill him for causing Rivot such a pain."

But he could do nothing, so he simply stood up and teleported back to the Dark Domain, leaving behind the couple of served cups that no one was going to drink.

And he wished to whatever superior deity there was for a day when he could be able to sit down with his granddaughter again, and have a nice long talk like his father used to have with him, and he with his son, and then with his son's little girls.

Coffee suddenly tasted bitter.

I... I can't believe this is all I could come up with in the month I vanished. Ugh. I'm losing my touch, dammit.

Anyways, I just finished writing this chapter –seriously, I haven't checked it yet– and I'll try to continue tomorrow after the stupid massive 75-question History test I have. And I graduate in two exact months, and then I have to take the college exam... ugh. I'm hating the rest of my year already.

Sigh. In any case, I profoundly apologize for the delay – I have no excuse besides lack of inspiration and maybe time. Please don't kill me.

Kyle~

PS: According to Wikipedia, Karelia does exist – it's actually in Russia, bordering... Finland, maybe? And the spell... it's demonic, and used by an assassin, so be creative and imagine what could that mean.