One man's meat is another man's poison

One man's treasure is another man's trash

One man's Heaven is another man's Hell


Allen felt something drop onto his cheek and he tried to turn the other way to avoid it again. Another drop of cold water fell onto his forehead this time, and Allen groaned as he forced his sleepy eyes to open, "Komui, stop it.. 'm trying to sleep," he rubbed his eyes until he was wide awake, but he was confused when he looked around to see himself in a gloomy environment instead of his homey bedroom. He furrowed his eyebrows when he saw that he was in a rusty-old cage that hung from massive chains connected to the ceiling above. What happen? The last thing I can remember is.. Is... Is escaping the Black Order castle!

"Well, well, well. Look who's finally awake!" An echoic voice rung from everywhere and nowhere, making Allen stand shakily up as his wings curled themselves protectively.

Streams of shadows started gathering to the centre of the humongous throne room that Allen was trapped in. the temperature rose to a certain degree that made Allen's blood crawl; it felt ominously heavy and Allen's sense of smell can only detect the disgusting scent of rotting flesh. For some unknown reason, Allen felt ultimately uncomfortable just standing there, defenceless. Like a lab rat on display…

The shadows created the vision of the biggest demon Allen has ever laid eyes on; and that was including Lavi in his Demon Lord form! This demon looked like the very devil himself! With smooth blue armour that was marred with the presence of curses and spells symbols, Allen saw the form solidify before him. The appearing demon had the darkest of wings, together with swirling shadows that circled around each of them and Allen could pick up the agonic moans coming straight from those appendages themselves! Allen bravely stood his ground as his innate powers wanted to spike higher due to the presence of this malicious-driven monster.

Demon Lord Malcolm walked his way towards the hanging cage as he snapped his fingers to drop the imprisoned angel down to his level. With the dark Demon Lord very much closer than Allen would've liked, the angel could see the villainous desire in those ruby-red eyes of his. Allen's fists clenched tightly as he calmly stared at a demon that smelt like he was practically drenched in sin, "what do you want from me?"

Without warning, Malcolm grabbed Allen's chin with his dark claws and pulled the shock angel closer. Allen bit his tongue to hold himself from screaming at the painful contact as he kept blatantly staring at the Demon Lord who was completely different than the kind Lavi. His blood crawled as his wings curled around his arms like they were also in the state of suffering. The Demon Lord growled with a wicked grin, showing all his razor-sharp teeth at Allen when he rumbled rather than speak normally, "what does that lowlife demon see in you?"

Allen's wings fluffed up in reply and he answered back vehemently, "Lavi's not a lowlife demon! He's better than you!"

That bold retort earned Allen a sharp scratch on his pale cheeks and a mighty slap, sending the angel reeling back onto the cage floor. Malcolm could smell the seductive scent of angel blood that made his mouth water and his teeth elongate, but he held himself in check as he smirked at the wounded angel, "no matter.. My curse will make sure Lavi'll die anytime now,"

Allen spat out a small amount of his blood as he decided that if there was one Creation he would feel hatred towards to, Malcolm would win first place hands-down. He glared daggers at the Demon Lord as his white wings mockingly sharpened themselves (the Black Order demons were certainly rubbing off on him!) like Lenalee's would in the presence of an annoyance that couldn't be ignored. Allen jumped back out on his feet as he announced proudly, "Well, I'm not going to let that happen! I won't let you kill Lavi without going through me first!"

Malcolm stared at the stupidly plucky angel and laughed as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. He pointed at Allen with a jeering tone, "My dear angel, you couldn't even get out of this cage! Do you even know where you are right now?!" He left Allen with a blast of smoke, his haunting laughter bounced around the throne room before disappearing entirely.

Allen wiped his mouth as he continued to scowl at where Malcolm had stood before leaving. Never before had he encountered such an infuriating demon (barred Lavi; but Lavi was being Lavi) before! With all the training as a fighter, Allen quickly surveyed his surroundings and his mind awakened to find an escape route. He was locked inside a rusty cage that only looked like it can fall apart, he was in a giant throne room with no furniture and the end of the room was the remains of what seemed to be like an elevated altar. From the open ceiling, he could see nothing but fire outside and the air around him was smoggy and filled with dust.

"Aperta!" Allen tried to cast his magic again upon the cage, but his shackles were proving to be such a pain in the neck and the cage was as stubborn as a mule! The exhausted angel slumped down, his energy drained simply by casting a supposedly easy spell. He felt tired and his head was beginning to form a headache. Allen wiped sweat away from his face, but his hands came in contact with blood instead. Wait, what? Allen touched his cheek again, the part where Malcolm had slashed him before. More blood painted his dirtied hands, and Allen widened in surprise and fear. I'm not healing… But.. The only place I can't heal is-!

~.~

Lavi and his Black Order clan landed squarely in front of Malcolm's castle. Lavi was positive that he did not miss Hell in the very least, but he also knew that Allen was to be held here if Malcolm was the one who kidnapped him. The very thought that that bloody demon had touched Allen with those revolting claws of his made Lavi's inner demon howl in anger, "Malcolm," Lavi cursed.

Lavi took a step forward, but a sudden loss of energy made him keel instead. The Satan Eye moon was staring directly over Hell; its round, bloody redness amplified all of demonic spells and curses. He felt the others' worry over his own blasted curse, but Lavi shook his head and forced himself to keep moving forward.

"The curse is strong here, Lavi.. You can't stay in here for too long,"

Lavi rolled his shoulders as he summoned his battle armour to the ready and removed his headband, his demonic voice growling impatiently for the upcoming fight, "Then let's get Allen out of here fast,"

As they approached the castle closer, they saw waves of flying demons in the air, heading straight towards them. They held weapons of mass destruction with wicked grins on their grotesque faces; each of them had sharp wings of the grey kind. Komui called out his weapons as he ordered the Black Order clan to suit up. He pushed Lenalee and Lavi away from the battleground and took command saying, "Go! We'll handle things here!"

Lavi only had enough time to nod his agreement before he took off with the demon mage. Sneaking into the castle was a piece of cake since everyone was outside fighting, but finding a single person in this winding labyrinth was like searching for a needle in the haystack. Lenalee had intended to cast a searching spell, but a heavy armoured hand held her back by the shoulders. Lavi had his eyes closed but his feet were carrying the Demon Lord towards somewhere that Lenalee did not know. Allen, hold on just for a while more! Lenalee begged inside her mind as she picked up the pace, we're coming!

Lavi threw open the doors to the abandoned throne room and his two flaming eyes caught the outrageous sight before him; Allen was imprisoned on the altar with his shackled arms outstretched, connected by shadowy chains that clung around two long pillars. The angel didn't acknowledge their presence, nor did he even move his bowed head up. But Lavi saw red when he picked up on the body of the other demon beside Allen.

"MALCOLM!" Lavi roared before jumping into the fray with his night wings sharp enough to cut two Demon Lords of Hell clashed once again like they did before a millennium ago, the atmosphere around them rising to suffocating degrees as if their very soul was sucking the life out of everything nearby.

Lavi pushed Malcolm back with a mighty swerve of his ancient hammer and struck blue lightning onto the cobbled ground, paralysing the other demon and Lavi took that chance to hit him on the chest, "You'll pay for what you took from me!" Lavi aimed another hit at Malcolm's face, but the curse activated exactly at the wrong time and made Lavi lose his grip on his weapon for a split second.

"Still as weak as ever," Malcolm growled as he swung his diabolic sword downwards, narrowly missing Lavi's heart when the opponent dodged and only making thin scratches on his black chest armour instead.

Lavi jumped back a few steps to gain his ground, his wings still sharpened and ready to fight in flight. He coughed out blood as he felt his body weakening due to the curse, but Lavi resolutely held his hammer to continue the Demon Lord fight.

"Allen!" Lenalee's scream stole Lavi's attention away from the cackling Demon Lord.

The angel was shouting in pure anguish as the red moonlight from the open ceiling shone down straight onto the shackled angel. Allen tried to struggle or even move away from the horrible Hell moon, but his magical manacles were holding him in his place, forcing him to accept the moonlight as his own. His screams turned out higher in pangs of woe as he started to feel his angelic powers being eaten up by demonic ones, his mind cracking under Hellish pressure.

Lenalee nearly got hit by one of Allen's out-of-control wings as she tried in vain to break apart the chains that held her dearest friend. Her blood shivered when she saw Allen's feather tips turn red. As red as demonic wings can be.

Malcolm fended off another blow from Lavi as he laughed triumphantly, "Do you hear that, Lavi? An angel screams musically when they are in throngs of torment! How can you save yourself when you can't even save him, huh?!"

An angered Lavi has had enough. He moved his throwing hand back and swung his enchanted hammer right towards the other Demon Lord with perfect precision, "Like-"

The hammer hit Malcolm straight into chest, breaking the age-old blue armour into pieces and throwing him into the brick wall behind him. Malcolm spat out blood as he felt the heavy hammer retreating from his chest and returned faithfully to its owner open palm. Who was in air and already moving to take the final blow. Lavi dived down with the speed of a silver arrow as he swung his hammer in an upward motion, "-THIS!"

He smashed Malcolm with all his strength, the force strong enough to break the floor below them. The castle shook as cracks appeared everywhere, resulted from Lavi's herculean powers. Lavi cursed inwardly as he called back his hammer to reveal a shrinking shadow slithering away from the battle scene, the cowardice Malcolm retreating with his honour shattered. He wanted to give chase, but held back when Lenalee called for him.

"ALLEN! HOLD ON!" Lenalee shouted, the ground shaking dangerously below her. She felt worthless as her strongest spells didn't even make a dent on Allen's shackles, the angel's screams now dying down to bitter sobs. Allen's wings were already looking as if he was submerged in a pool of fresh human blood; the only white purity that the appendages had left was located at Allen's small back. Lenalee had to do something to get Allen out of here before the tainted angel dies! Lenalee felt Lavi push her aside to make room for him and ordered her loudly, "Get out of here! I'll save Allen!" She nodded as she flew away from the crumbling building, putting her trust into Lavi.

With both hands lying above Allen's wrists, Demon Lord Lavi broke the unbreakable shackles into pieces. Lavi hissed slightly when he made contact with the tortured angel, but ignored his pain as he carried Allen in his armoured arms. The angel had tears blotching his bloodied cheeks; his burnt hands were clutched above his heart. Allen was whimpering and shaking in misery as he looked up to Lavi with such pitiful eyes that sent pangs of hurt into Lavi's very soul, "L-Lavi…"

In a split second, Lavi knew where he had to go.

Putting aside his demonic instincts that just screamed defiance at his decision, Lavi opened his wings and shot out of there with all the speed as a Demon Lord.

~.~

The priests of the Church of Angels heard a ripping crack as loud as lightning that sleepy night. Everyone gasped in fear and some fainted in shock as a Demon Lord came in his black-red armour and demonic wings. The demon had something in his arms as he got up from his kneeling position, that small something with unfamiliar reddish wings and familiar white hair. Lavi's entire body burnt as he stood in the hallway of the church, the sanctified aura trying to fight against Lavi's very being.

"Please!" The proud Demon Lord Lavi was not above pleading to holy priests, holding the still Allen whose heartbeat was beginning to show signs of failure, "Help him!"

"This way, hurry!" Only one young man with sunny-coloured hair came forward, running and leading the way for Lavi to follow. The Demon Lord felt his breath shortening as his armour began to peel off due to the amount of divinity in this place. His eyes began to darken dangerously close to unconsciousness.

The man led Lavi towards two giant, decorated doors and murmured the opening spell in hurried whispers. The doors opened all too slowly, but the man pushed Lavi in nevertheless with a smooth order, "Put him into the water! Get your butt into gear and do it now!"

Lavi didn't need to be told twice. The ground in this room was seeping with godliness and Lavi ran forwards to throw Allen into the deep waterfall surrounded with ashen mist before feeling his legs give way to the floor. He couldn't breathe now, his entire demon body weakening in such a sacred place.

A glow came from the rushing waters and Lavi watched in awe as it brightened the entire room with waves of light. Saint Allen Walker broke the water surface with a loud gasp, his entire body fully recovered of scars and scratches. Lavi gazed as Allen's wings lifted themselves up high, throwing pellets of cold water everywhere. Those wings were no longer the infected colour of red; but of elegant gold. They were beyond beauty's comprehension; each golden feather was adorned with thin, red designs on the shaft. Lavi allowed himself to smile when he saw Allen's magnificence in all his glory.

And then, he surrendered to sleep.


Allen is baaaaaack! *throws confetti* And I do really love Allen's recovered self, he's beautiful! Oh yeah, don't forget about the unconscious Lavi; good job saving your angel there, dear!

Now, allow me to introduce to you the world of Hell! *Hell has a different point of view based on Allen and Lavi's opinion!* So let's start of with what Allen thought is Hell:

To Allen, it's pretty simple, really. It's an entire scorched land with nothing but fire and endless wars between demons (no wonder the Black Order clan moved away!). Hell, as you might have expected, is where dark magic and curses were born. That's why pure beings will get tainted by all the evilness and most probably die within minutes. Angels are considered the purest beings of all God's creations, but they're no pushover. They do have the ability to withstand Hell's magic, but not for long periods of time. Since Hell is practically anti-Heaven, angels' powers are drained faster if they stay there longer, and their healing abilities are near zilched in Hell. To make matters worse, when angels are exposed to the The Satan Eye in Hell, they'll absorb so much corrupted auras that their wings will turn red. So you can imagine what our poor Allen went through! To have Allen able to recover from that kind of torture is quite a strong feat for him!

On the other hand, Lavi's term of Hell is absolutely the opposite. According to him, churches and the like are "cursed and agonising painful Hell". Since churches are sanctified, blessed and practically drowning in divinity, demons from Hell are unable to enter holy grounds. If a demon steps into church grounds, they'll be burned and smothered into ashes. Also, even the lowest of fathers are able to exorcist and purify demons, so the church is not without their line of defenses. Lavi hates the smell of incense and the splash of Holy Water. So to see Lavi actually surviving (or even walking!) at the worst place for demons is also a miraculous feat for him!

Also, Lavi claims that choir singing is "like the loud screeching of sirens" -(but according to Lenalee, Lavi is the only one in the clan who hates people singing. Period. "Except Allen; for some strange reason, he isn't affected by Allen's singing...")

Wow, both of them really went through their own species's term of Hell haha That's pretty wicked, if I do say so myself! Again, I really really really adore your comments and opinions as to how this story is progressing. I still keep every single one of your comments in my inbox in case I need a jolt of motivation! Thank you, awesome friends of mine! Have a great day~