Okay, here's chapter ten! Enjoy!
FALLING.
Chapter 10.
Silver grill doors opened without a sound. Clangs of swords drifted along the mild breeze from the training grounds. Lustrous paths of opalescent bricks stretched ahead to every direction, surrounded by white lilies and roses made of crystal.
Sandaled feet trudged leisurely until they reached a house of glass, similar to all the others that were scattered along the realm; though this one belonged to him.
With only a thought the glass divided and the warrior entered his new home, located on the third level of Heaven; the residence of the Celestial Army.
Alexios let himself collapse on the wide, velvety sofa, spreading his wings carefully along its length. A cascade of colorful water settled at the end of the room, falling into a crystal pond with neon-scaled fishes entertained his sight, though his mind was elsewhere.
He had been promoted to the Celestial Army only two moon cycles ago, something he had done his outmost to achieve ever since he was created. All of them were created as white winged angels, their first purpose being guarding the souls the Highest had lowered to Earth. Some of them chose to remain in that white winged stage and exist as Guardian Angels; some of them wanted more. Alexios had wanted more.
He had joined the Forces after the first –and only- soul he'd guarded had successfully ascended to Heaven -souls that had paid their debts to the Highest inhabited on the sixth level of Heaven-, gaining his first silver feather.
A soldier's feathers turned from white to silver depending on their commitment and achievements; once their wings were fully silvered they could be ascended to the Celestial Army. Some of them fought for a place in the aforementioned, very few actually achieving it; some of them wanted to stay as low-rank soldiers.
Low-ranks soldiers were in charge of the demise of the hybrids, minions, and evil spirits roaming the Earth found guilty. He had gained his silver wings in record time because of his flawless performance as well as his infallible judgement.
Judgement consisted in evaluate the behavior and essence of the tried and determinate if they were innocent enough to remain on Earth without harming the souls, or if they were guilty and had to be destroyed or sent back to Hell.
He had never, ever, erred a verdict.
Now, an Elite Soldier of the Celestial Army, his first task was to hunt down a demon and exterminate it. No judgement necessary, it had to perish. That was what the Elite Soldiers were purposed for: fighting evil in its most primal, purest stage; demons and other spawns of Hell.
This peculiar task had been delivered to him because of his skills; apparently, they had been after this particular demon for an unusually extended measure of time. The creature had been almost impossible to find, as if it had been hidden by an odd, protective force.
Alexios hated to admit that it had cost him more than what he'd thought it would; nevertheless, he had found it. He had communicated the development to his superior and had begun the hunt straightaway. Of course, he had purposefully omitted the detail that he had found the demon because it had somehow revealed itself when it fell down a cliff; he had found it after all, the meaning to the end didn't mattered.
He had followed the culprit's trace for several moons, until he found it hiding in a house. He could feel it inside, and he had found it alone –with no souls around to worry about-, so he had blown up the place; it would appear like a human accident. Albeit, the demon had escaped.
Again he followed its trace, finding it in yet another house, this one inhabited by souls, though. He had to thread carefully around souls, they were highly impressionable and most of the time didn't understand what was happening. Besides, they had to remain as much unaware of the heavenly presences as they could, as the Highest had ordered. To accomplish that, he had summoned a shape-shifter. They would sometimes help the soldiers in their missions, masquerading as normal animals to tread along souls and capture their targets or play as decoys. The shaper would capture the demon and bring it to him so he could exterminate it in private.
But, it hadn't worked. The shaper had been frightened by the demon, and then was when he knew he was trading in difficult ground. He had to up his game, since this one seemed a dangerous target. Not only it was cunning enough to remain hidden for so long, but it apparently also was stronger than what he had thought.
Picking up the trail again, Alexios found it in a boat, and the thing had tried to hide in a deserted area. Which was exactly what the Soldier had wanted; to confine it in a soulless place and end it.
So, imagine his surprise when he finally reached it and found two hybrids staring back at him instead.
For the very first time in his existence, he had been confused.
For starters, he had been told that the target was a demon, not two hybrids. He didn't hunt hybrids anymore; he was an Elite Soldier.
Second of all, he had been told not to issue a judgement; since the creature was known to be guilty. However, finding the target to be not what he had been told, he had automatically issued judgement… and found both of them innocent.
The evaluation of their essences had established that they were both part humans, which meant that they both had souls; and that their human part was the leading one in both cases. They probably were not even cognizant of what they really were.
The male was crossed with diabolism, darkness concealed inside him that was slowly awakening. However, Alexios had yet to recognize the brand he belonged to. He would have to study the male further.
The female was the opposite. There was light inside of her. She was almost… heavenly. But again, he had failed to identify her origin. She was not a nephilim, the offspring of a male angel and a human female.
Yes, angels had been blasphemous enough to actually get a female pregnant. Most of them had fallen right afterwards for their disgraceful sin; still, some of them –say, the Archangels, the Thrones or the Seraphim- had been actually forgiven by the Highest, and had remained in their place in Heaven. After they had been punished, of course.
She was not a demigoddess either, an offspring of the deities and humans.
What was she then?
"Interesting question, that is."
The warrior was on his feet in the blink of an eye, his back straight and his wings carefully drawn in in submission. He would never have imagined to have an Archangel in his house, they usually summoned the soldiers up to deliver their orders, but here she was nonetheless –yes, a female Archangel, judging from her voice-.
Female angels were scarcely created, and the few that existed were confined to the sixth level to attend to the souls living there due to their motherly instincts, though they could not bear children. A decision the Highest had made to avoid bringing sin to Heaven -even though some of the male angels had found their way to the human females-. So they were not allowed to coexist in Heaven. Finding a female angel in Heaven was nearly impossible to happen. Finding a female Archangel, well, that was truly miraculous.
He almost smiled at his own joke.
Walking up to him, he was forced to lower his gaze. A petite female stood before him, golden locks falling onto her golden wings, electric blue eyes framed with flaxen lashes, and an uptilted nose. She was almost four heads shorter than him, but her higher authority was undoubted. Yes, a female Archangel.
Wasn't just a day full of surprises?
"Indeed." She replied, and he couldn't help but wonder if she could read his mind. How else had she been able to answer both questions? An apologetic smile told him that she could.
"Who is your superior?"
"Archangel Eleron."
"Have you communicated your advances yet?"
"No, sir-err-madam." He could swear the woman's lips twitched.
"You will not, then. You will tell Archangel Eleron that you are still working on the matter. The subject has proven to be evasive for a long measure of time, so you will not have trouble with that. You will proceed this way until further notice, and I demand every update on the matter. You now answer only to me."
"Yes, madam."
"You are not to exterminate the subject. You are to protect. Others will be sent after them; you must take them to safety."
He knew it was forbidden to ask when an order was delivered, but he couldn't help himself; "because they are innocent, are they not?"
After an agonizing moment when he knew she was probably considering his punishment, she replied: "you have issued judgement."
Every part of his body froze in fear, realizing his mistake. He had not been allowed to judge, yet he had broken the rules. Was he going to fall? Would it hurt?
"Do not fret, Soldier; there won't be any punishment. That is the reason you were selected for this task in the first place. I have recommended you myself."
He nodded, afraid that if he opened his mouth she would change her mind. So, they were innocent after all… Still, their extermination had been determined by the Archangels' Council, an irrefutable decision. Why were the Archangels after them, then? And why this particular one –a female, to boot- was concerned about their lives?
"Males and their annoying questions…" She muttered. "Speak to no one about this."
"Yes madam." Then he was alone again.
—o—o—
A long, heavy sigh drifted in the air; the darkening sky shading the room in orange hues.
The ocean seemed to be roughed, the boat moving back and forth swiftly. However, sleep had yet to find its way to him. Although he knew that he would wake up instantly if the girl was in danger, his mind was too big of a jumble to surrender to slumber.
The brunette had left him about an hour ago, time he spent trying to come to terms with everything that had happened that day and failing miserably. Hell, he had yet to come to terms with all that had happened in the past month.
For starters, the silver-winged warrior -whatever the hell he was- had finally made an appearance; he had suspected that he was the one after Ukyo, for he always had known the silver in his dreams meant danger. The feather she had found had only confirmed his suspicions, the feeling of rejection towards it being too strong to ignore.
Ryoga was still surprised at the hesitation of the warrior. He was undoubtedly sure that he had meant to attack, but then had changed his mind abruptly. Why?
Another issue that worried him was what the presence of the winged man had awoken in him. He knew something had changed inside him after the cliff; he had been able to feel it somehow. The firsts days he'd been crazed, the doctors at the clinic confining him for he could not control his dark moods, turning him dangerous.
Somehow, he had managed to control that sinister instinct and attenuate it; however it seemed to spark to life sometimes around Ukyo.
That afternoon though, when the threat materialized, that instinct or whatever it was surged from the depths of his soul and flashed its angry fangs at the creature, as if it was a being on its own.
He had no idea what that thing was, all he could think of was that it was some form of evil darkness creeping inside him. It had always been there, but this afternoon it had become an active part of him.
All the times before, this presence had only compelled the urges to him or manifested itself somehow; today though, it had found a voice. A voice that suspiciously sounded like his own.
The minute the figure stepped out of the mist, this darkness had surged from the pit of his stomach and growled in a frenzied state, banging itself against his temples.
'KILL!' It had commanded.
He'd been too stunned to react, the need to protect the girl stronger than ever, filing up his senses. Even though it receded when the man switched his intentions, it still remained swirling through him.
'KILL!' It had urged again. Although he wasn't sure if it meant the creature or the girl. He had a nagging feeling that it had meant both.
Until she touched him.
As always, that sense of calmness she seemed to project to him had started to swept over his body, but this time it had a tinge of something else... Something warm and prickling and so inviting...
'Take!' Had demanded the darkness, forgetting all about killing.
Take what? He'd asked it, already unnerved by the implications and the madness of the situation he still couldn't take a grip on. Was all this really happening?
And what was the matter with her? Why was she trying to put him at ease when they were obviously in danger?
'She wants us. Take.'
Uh... What?
'Take. Take. Take.'
Could it be that that strange tinge was of... desire? For him? And why on earth had the thing said 'us'?
Who are you?
'I'm you.' It'd said. 'Now take!'
So many questions he had no answer for. Confused as he was -he was faaaar beyond confusion by then, actually-, he settled for the one emotion he knew how to handle at the moment: anger.
So he'd confronted Ukyo for her careless action, but after her admission of innocence, and finding himself so close to her, the damn thing had returned the urge, and he had been forced to get away from her before he did something stupid.
It hadn't help that the jerk kept flashing images in his mind on their way to the room; like that sultry glimpse of lace and creamy skin, or those little moans of his name, or those times when her eyes darted across him with fascination, or that almost kiss she had been willing to accept, or how good she'd felt wrapped around his body that morning... And so on.
Yes, his feet hadn't moved fast enough. He'd had to put his head under the tap to cool off his brain... Again.
The presence seemed to cool off too, retreating to the back of his mind. But it only took a glimpse of her on the bed, with her bare feet brushing back and forth on the fluffy bedspread and a pretty blush on her face, to drive him insane again.
Don't look at her, don't look at her, don't look at her...
'Taaaaaake!'
He tried to distract himself talking about what had transpired -which it should be the most important matter in their minds, considering the situation-, until he realized that her desire hadn't been for him, but for the angel-man. The presence had whimpered at that.
He didn't know what he was most angered for: if it was because she was actually stupid enough to feel attracted to her hunter; or if it was because she wasn't attracted to himself after all.
Then, she implied physical contact and that had popped off his lid.
The warrior wasn't touching her in any way, especially not like that! No matter her claim to be teasing him, he was not going to allow the male to come close to her.
He had realized just how jealous and possessive he'd sounded, more so than about Ranma earlier, so he'd tried to cover up; but the darkness inside him wasn't appeasing. It had actually made quite a show, indeed. Then she had touched him and calmed him and the feeling of disappointment for the lack of the tinge in her energy was enough to put the beast -and himself- to rest.
Soooo...
Summing up: he was desperately attracted to the girl whose life had to guard and had no idea what to do about it; utterly confused about the development of the presence who claimed to be himself and had no idea what to do about it; clueless about their enemy's plan of action and intentions and -guess what?- had no idea what to do about it; and he didn't know how to proceed since the angel had not contacted him since they left the hotel and -you guessed- had no idea what to do about it.
Yup, he sucked.
"How was the nap?" The brunette entered the room with a cup of coffee for him, taking a sip of her own. She appeared to be in a better mood; but something in her eyes gave away her stress. He surely was looking like that too.
"I've just been thinking…" He shrugged, sitting up to take the cup she was offering, "thanks."
Ukyo sat on the other bed, entwining her ankles and swishing her feet back and forth.
"I've been thinking, too; and I guess I have to apologize for my behavior earlier."
Okay, that was unexpected.
"There's no need to."
"Yes, there is. You're being coerced to protect me and, if the power you've been given to is unbidden like mine, it might get out of hands. I shouldn't have been so careless about that; I shouldn't piss you off on purpose." She looked around the disaster in the room as to make a point. "And you have to learn to control that temper of yours."
He had no way to refute that.
"It's funny, I've been given the power to protect you, destructive as it is; and you've been given the power to calm me down afterwards."
"Look like someone's put a real effort in both of us, to make us a good team. I just wish I knew why there's somebody so interested in finishing me off, and why there's somebody so interested in preventing that from happening."
"I wish I knew too." He said, taking a sip of his coffee and brushing a hand across his face.
"That is what I am wondering as well."
Both teens jumped at the intruding voice, coffee spilling in every direction. They assumed a fighting stance, their gazes resting on the winged warrior standing next to the door in a stoic stance and sword-free.
Ryoga blinked, "how come I didn't sense you coming?" And why on earth wasn't he busting with power to fight him? Though he thought he heard the evilness growling in the back of his mind.
"Because I represent no threat at the moment. I am to protect you."
Ukyo relaxed, letting her hands fall to the sides. "I told you he wasn't dangerous," she chided him.
"Yeah, well; I beg to differ."
"I am not dangerous for you at the moment, dark one." The angel-man said.
Ryoga flinched; dark one? Seriously? Was he really that bad-tempered? The presence stirred in acknowledgement, though.
"Wait," Ukyo piped in, "you're the one after me but you don't know why? Is that what you said?"
"That is correct."
"Great! That is just great! I travel around Japan and then hop on a goddamned ferry to China looking for you for answers, and not only you turn out to be the one after me but you are also as clueless as I am in the matter! So freaking awesome!" She kicked the now empty cup of coffee and then stomped her foot repeatedly onto it, crushing it mercilessly.
So, she was now mad at the winged warrior. Good.
"You were looking for me, female?" He sounded genuinely surprised, what calmed her somewhat. Not so good.
'Ours!'
Shut it.
"And why are you heading to China? I was not there."
"Somebody told us about the legends on the villages in China, and I was hoping to find you there so you could tell me what all of this is about, but apparently it was all for naught."
"Indeed."
She frowned at the angel-man for his troubles, then turned to him, "see? This is what happens when you let me get my way." Ryoga's jaw hit the ground.
"Well, I'll keep that in mind the next time you come up with something utterly stupid!" How dared she blame him for this when it had been her idea, her need, to do this and he had only complied to make her feel better? "I tried to make you go back! I was right, I should have hauled you over my shoulder and take you back to Nerima!"
"Yeah, well, it's a little late for that now, isn't it?! We're embarked to China and who knows when—"
PUFF!
"— we're going to get back…" She trailed off when she took in their surroundings; twin dumbfounded expressions on their faces as they noticed they found themselves in Ryoga's very living-room.
"This house is protected, you will be safe here. Please, dark one, make sure the female does not leave the premises. I will return as soon as I am able." Another puff, and the warrior was gone.
"How did he do that?"
"I don't know," he grumbled, still annoyed at her outburst, she had dared to blame him for this! The nerve of her! "I'll get you the guestroom ready."
"You seriously aren't thinking I'm staying here, are you?"
"Yes, you are, it's what you should have done in the first place;" he started his way upstairs, carrying the backpacks the warrior seemed to have brought too. Was she really going to argue about that? What was wrong with her now? She had been so nice to him just minutes ago!
"Uh, sorry, nope. I'm coming back to the Tendo Dojo." She made a move to grab her backpack but he dodged it and pinned her against the wall. Heat rose on her cheeks and he could feel himself blushing as well, but that didn't stop him. Black –he had named it like that, yes, so original- purred in approval.
"I listened to you before and it got us nowhere; well, it actually got us back here. So, sorry, nope. You're staying here and that's final."
"You can't tell me what to do," her chin went up in that defiant way she seemed to have mastered that day.
"Yes, I can. I'm just following your advice and not listening to you." He could feel his temper rising already; and here he'd thought she wouldn't piss him off anymore.
"You can't just lock me up in here, you jackass!" She bumped his chest, making another move for the backpack, but he held it high above his head. "Fine! I'll leave without it!"
Ukyo tried to push him away but he put his arms at her sides, cornering her, and moved his body closer. "You. Are. Not. Leaving!" His voice was low and harsh, daring her to contradict him. Heat was rising inside him due to their closeness, and he marveled at how much he wanted to throttle her and kiss her at the same time.
Wait. Kiss her?
'Take. Ours.' Black prodded.
She made this little growling, frustrated sound that shook him; "yes, I am!" She barked, her face getting closer to his.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn?! You heard the winged-man, you have to stay!" They were so close now their breaths mingled.
"You're the one being stubborn! I don't want to stay when you obviously don't want me around!"
Again with that? "We've talked about this already, I can't believe you're so infuriating; tell me there's a way to get it into that thick skull of yours!"
"Oh, please, give me a break! You couldn't get away from me fast enough today!" He noticed her voice quivered; being nose to nose now.
"That's because you were disgustingly drooling over your former hunter!"
"I told you I was messing with you, idiot!"
"Don't give me that crap, I've sensed it!"
"I'm not attracted to him!" She yelled; could it be then that what she felt…? Had it been for him, then? That marvelous, wonderful tingle surging through his body was indeed because of him? Her eyes were dark pools of anger and… hurt? "I can't believe you didn't realize…! You stupid, scatterbrained jack—!"
His mouth slammed onto hers abruptly, black fire exploding inside of him. The presence chanted with pleasure, but he paid it no heed; he was distracted by the flavor of her lips, she tasted like coffee, sweetness and something devious. Her lips were full and warm and soft; making him want to beg for more. He pressed his body to hers, earning a soft moan that was a delight to his ears.
He was amazed to realize just how much he had desired to do this. She pressed her hands to his chest and a blast of pure pleasure speared through him like a lightning bolt. It was his turn to moan. She jolted, shocked, and pushed him away, panting heavily as he was.
"What did you do that for?" She demanded, her voice thick with emotion and her face blazing. She took a hand to her chest and he noticed it was shaking. Was her heart racing as his was?
"I don't know…I just— I…" He could feel his own cheeks burning.
"You don't know?! You idiot!"
"Well, it was either that or choking you!" He snapped back, suddenly ashamed of his actions. She hadn't been so complaining a few minutes ago, though.
"You shouldn't—you can't—I'm engaged, you moron!" She breathed heavily.
The reminder stung, "that didn't seem to be a problem a moment ago."
Her fist came flying before he had time to react, connecting to the very same lips she had welcomed in her mouth. His head flew backwards and he clamped a hand to his mouth to stop the blood already spurting, catching a glimpse of her watering eyes before she stomped to the first room she found –his- and locked herself up.
'Nice jab.'
Shut up!
Was he ever going to have a clue about what to do? Now she probably hated him for disrespecting her engagement; and if the spring of her tears was any indication, he had hurt her as well. The realization made guilt settle in his heart; he shouldn't have taken advantage of her like that. He had dishonored her, and he would have to beg for forgiveness.
However, he was sure that she had wanted the kiss too; proven by the mix of pleasure and acceptance she had blasted to him. Certainly her feelings had the same nature as his, provoked by the link; but he felt a genuine attraction for her now, aside from the link and the darkness' desire; could it be the same for her then? Could she be able to start to genuinely like him? Could she be as confused as he was?
She had been right; he had to control his temper before he did something stupid, or worse. Though it wasn't easy to do when she got so infuriating like that; and why had she been so mad at him, anyway? First, she's touching him with desire; then, she's taunting him; then she's apologizing and being all nice; then, she's mad at him again; then she's kissing him back, annnd then she's mad at him yet again! All those mood swings in just a couple of hours!
It was official: he was never, ever, going to understand that woman.
Although he did understand that she was going through a truly difficult and unusual situation, and surely had yet to cope with everything and probably had no idea what to do about it either. Things just kept getting more and more far-fetched and answers had yet to come; he could empathize with that all too well.
Shaking his head, he resolved that he would learn to control his temper, and try to be more supportive with the girl. He walked towards his parent's bedroom –seeing that he wasn't sleeping in his own, after all-, darting a last look towards the edge of the stairs, where he had kissed her.
He smiled at the memory and his lips tingled both from the blow and the kiss; and he couldn't help thinking it was a perfect combination.
A/N: Ooookay... No, I don't know where I get all these weird ideas from. Anyway, now you got to know a little better our silver-winged friend and his environment; and the true nature of our little lovely pair starts revealing itself. Aren't they just so cute when they're all confused? Wasn't that kiss just the sweetest? Things start to fall in place, but don't worry, it will get more complicated. Mwahahaha...
As always, I'm really grateful for all the reviews; go ahead, keep encouraging me! Thank you!