I totally understand if you guys want to rip my head off. I'm so sorry for the horribly long wait. School has really been kicking my butt! That's not an excuse but it is the truth. I'm going to try and update as much as I possibly can but please have some patience with me.
And thank you all for the reviews and or likes. I hope this chapter is just as worthy of your time. And again, please forgive me. (bows, bows)
Also, besides being extremely busy, this chapter was just harder for me to write then the others. I'm not spending much time on the corrections so please ignore the minor ones. I'm sorry, I'm so disorganized lately!
Lightening surged around both warring parties, the storm's intensity growing with the intent of the battle. Rain had started to fall in heavy blankets, causing the grey atmosphere to run red with the blood of the wounded. Those that had been injured fell unceremoniously into the sea or retreated back into the safety of their master's homes.
Sebastian was now drenched in rain. The battle between him and Adriel was taking much longer than he had anticipated. How long had passed? Hours? Days? He wasn't sure. The angel had been attacking wildly since the incidents with the Cinematic records. His look was more crazed than coherent by this time, and Sebastian couldn't help but think that it was out of guilt. Sebastian had stopped trying to actually fight him, all his energy was focused on dodging the amateurish attacks.
I'm wasting time. I'm here to avenge Ciel. Sebastian thought as he was herded back yet again by Adriel's now awkward attacks.
A spear sailed passed Sebastian, grazing his arm and drawing him out of his thoughts. Looking up, he noticed a band of angels that had been watching him and Adriel's mini battle.
"The archangels." Adriel replied, appearing behind Sebastian and holding his sword against the demon's neck. "They've been judging my actions since I first entered Heaven. I'm sure they want to see if I can, in fact, kill my ex lover."
"And can you Adriel? Can you kill me?"
"We both know the answer to that Sebastian… But I don't need to kill you. I've just thought of something much better for punishing you for your sins." The angel replied, whispering into Sebastian's ear, careful that their bodies didn't touch in case the cinematic records should come back.
Sebastian heard a faint click as he looked down at his arm where Adriel had snapped a golden shackle around his wrist. Chuckling, Sebastian slipped under the blade of the angel's sword and turned so they were now face to face.
"I'm sorry Adriel, I'm no longer interested in those kind of games… Besides, you've never had much luck in being the Seme." Adriel's eyes narrowed in anger.
"Don't test me demon! I know why you're here, it's because of that little brat right? I've been watching him… Oh yes, I know all about your precious Little Master."
"How do you know about Ciel?" Sebastian asked in surprise, his face heating in anger on hearing Adriel talk about his young master.
"Don't be so naïve… Angels are in charge of knowing about every human being… God had planned out his fate since before the little devil was born. He should have spent the rest of his miserable life in that cage as a play thing, but you just had to step in and ruin everything! That's why I hate you demons. You don't care about anything but your own desires!
"But it no longer matters. We knew you would have to come here to avenge him… Part of the contract right? God's plans must be carried out, and now, they can be." Sebastian's eyes widened. "You honestly thought that we would let the humans we were using wander around a battlefield? How exactly were you planning on avenging your little master Sebastian?"
"This was a trap." Sebastian mumbled in realization.
"Now Ciel Phantomhive's fate will be sealed, and the world will continue in the way it was suppose to." Adriel replied triumphantly.
"That's why the archangels are here… This isn't just a battle between God and Satan."
Adriel smirked. "Bringing you here was the worst blunder Lucifer could have made on your part Sebastian… Yours and Ciel's."
"And you were my distraction?" Sebastian asked. Again Adriel smiled.
"I didn't expect that little show with the Cinematic Records, but why not use it to my advantage?" Adriel replied with a shrug. "It doesn't matter. I've kept you long enough. The Phantomhive Manor should be getting a little visit right about now while I keep you chained up like the beast you are!"
Sebastian was silent for a moment before he smiled and with one powerful sweep of his hand jerked the chain that held the shackle forward, pulling the angel with him.
"Don't underestimate me, or master Ciel. Your superiors want a show? I'll give them something to watch." Adriel looked at him in confusion but Sebastian didn't try to explain. Wrapping the golden chain around his fist he pulled Adriel closer to himself and dove downward and into the depths of the sea.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" Elizabeth, Agni, Soma, Mey-Rin, Finny and Bard sang in unison as they were all seated around the fireplace in the study. Ciel had finally decided to join them, not having any other choice since he had finished his work and had no other real reason to stay away.
"I win!" Elizabeth cried happily, jumping up and down in her seat. Agni and Soma clapped.
"Well done lady Elizabeth!" Agni replied in congratulations.
"Ciel, are you sure you don't want to play?" Elizabeth asked as she looked over at the earl. He was sitting on the couch, his body slumped over in boredom with his chin resting against his fist as he watched the group.
"I'll pass." Ciel replied, taking the teacup that Tanaka now offered him, sipping the contents absentmindedly.
"Oh Ciel, you're no fun." Soma said, crossing his arms and pouting openly.
"Hmmm." Ciel mumbled in response. The members of the group frowned at each other but said no more as Elizabeth started another round. Ciel suddenly felt slightly guilty. He knew Elizabeth had traveled here to see him, and he knew that Prince Soma really did consider him as a friend but he wasn't in the mood for games and he didn't trust moving around so much.
Ever since Sebastian had been gone, Ciel was becoming more and more worried about his own health. Not that he would ever admit it, but the increasing asthma attacks were weighing on him…
"Young master." Tanaka called, breaking into Ciel's thoughts. "Forgive me but there's a man here… He said he got lost in the storm." Ciel sat straighter in his chair, images of Lucifer filling his thoughts and he nodded numbly.
"Bring him in." A silence filled the room as Tanaka disappeared and reappeared a moment later with a tall, lanky man. Ciel sighed in relief as he took in the pitiful sight. The man was covered in a thick brown pea coat that was now completely soaked through, forming a puddle of water on the tile floor. He was still rather young, perhaps in his twenties, but his face looked weathered from the storm and he huddled forward, shivering from the cold.
"This is Father Thompson, young master." Tanaka said, introducing the priest with a bow before removing the young man's jacket. Ciel looked him over in confusion, his good eye sweeping over the priests pale face and priestly uniform.
Father Thompson fidgeted shyly in front of all the curious gazes and it was Ciel who spoke first.
"You're a long way from home father… The nearest church is in town…"
"Forgive me, my carriage broke down outside of the manor… Could I trouble you to spend the night lord Phantomhive? Until the storm passes?" Thompson smiled kindly, obviously uncomfortable in front of the crowd but trying his best to be social. Ciel stood.
"Of course. Come with me and we'll find you some dry clothes… Tanaka, Bard, prepare something for our guest to eat. We can do the formal introductions later Father, for now, lets get you dried off, I will not account for you becoming sick." Ciel added when he noticed the priest bowing to Elizabeth.
Thompson nodded clumsily and followed Ciel quietly up the stairs and into a room. "You are very kind to take me in. God blessed me by leading me onto this path to your home." "Tch…" Ciel mumbled. "Had God really been guiding you Father Thompson, do you think he would have let your carriage break down?" Ciel went to the wardrobe, not waiting for an answer as he removed a white shirt and pair of black pants from the organized little closet. Thompson frowned, choosing to ignore Ciel's sarcasm and looking pointedly on the clothing.
"You keep your guest rooms stocked in clothing?"
"This is my butler's room. As he is not here and his uniform is supplied by the mansion I don't see any harm in you using them. These should fit you, I image you and Sebastian are around the same height." Ciel replied.
"Thank you." Ciel nodded and went to the door.
"You can change in here. I'll send Tanaka to fetch you in a few moments and then we'll settle you in a proper room."
"Thank you, Ciel…" Ciel paused a moment, looking back over his shoulder to study the priest. Thompson beamed at him in genuine thanks, his chocolate eyes shinning in the candlelight at the earl.
"You're welcome." Ciel said belatedly as he closed the door, hurrying back to the study where he found everyone still seated around the fire with the exception of Bard. "Mey-Rin, Finny. I need to speak with you a moment." He motioned them out into the hall.
"What is it young master?" Finny asked worriedly as they huddled together.
"I have a little job for the two of you." Ciel whispered with a small smile. Mey-Rin and Finnian exchanged confused glances before nodding in acceptance.
Please don't forget to R&R!