Chapter 12

Bela looked at her companion with a look as she held Absolution in her hands. She had the blade now. She could do what she wanted and that was take it and go. She could even stick it to her companion for the humiliation of the interrogation. She looked over at the demon who was grinning over the fact that she had revealed that one or both of the Winchesters were watching. How that was supposed to affect her companion, that was up for debate.

Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she spoke up, "Well now that we all have what we want, I think I better go. It's been nice knowing you and you'll find your entire pay wired to your account."

As Bela started to leave, she found herself being flung into a wall aside so that she was knocked off balance. She looked over at the other two and pointed the sword at them. It was risky but she knew how to handle a sword.

"You may have the sword my dear darling Bela but I really don't think that you are free to go," Lenya said. "Besides I want little sister to see what happens to little Sammy."

At a snap, monitors appeared in the wall. It showed images of various parts of the building. One had Dean who was frowning at his set of monitors. Another had another guy with a rather big looking sword and his back was towards the monitors and there were others pointed at various angles. One of them was on Sam who was carrying a staff and looking very puzzled.

Bela's companion studied the monitors with narrowed eyes. She replied, "Seems to me that you are playing with your favorite stories again Lenya. I supposed the game they are playing has similar obstacles to Cold Oak?"

Lenya peered at Bela's companion with a slight smirk. It turned into a full blown smile. She then said, "You should know that they are not the main game little sister. In fact, you would know this and your reaction would have been a little different. You aren't really my little sister are you?"

"I think your memory is shot hell bitch."

Lenya advanced quickly towards Bela's companion up to the point where they were about an arm's length away. She looked at her and replied, "I don't think so. You see you may have the same appearance, wear the same clothes and even imitate the same gestures but there are certain things that little sister is very consistent with and basically is like a red beacon in the middle of nowhere. One of them is how she would react to what is going on the screen now."

Bela and her companion glanced at the screen. Sam was stuck facing something out of Indiana Jones. The floor was covered with odd shaped tiles. It was a puzzle and by stepping on the right tiles, he would relatively be unharmed. The thing was there was an added challenge: he had to time his steps just right otherwise he ended up crispy Sam.

Lenya had turned to watch the screen. This one obstacle had been one of her favorites to set up. She said, "I wonder how long it will take him to figure it out. It is a very familiar puzzle even for you little sister." She glanced back even though she couldn't see little sister.

Bela glanced at her companion. The gig was up. She knew it. This plan wasn't going to work. She then caught the eye of her companion. Her companion gave a short nod and with a kick of her heel on the carrying case that was still slung across her back, she sent a second sword flying out. She reached out and caught it and pointed it at Lenya. She then said, "Let them go."

Lenya gave a slight chuckle and replied, "Now I might be inclined to do that… that is if you really were Absolution but in this case you are not. Aren't you... Ruby?"

"Wrong guess." Suddenly the illusion that had been in place disappeared and in place of what was once Angela was Ellen Harvelle. "Now I may not show much emotion as Angie but I've got a similar temperament. Mess with them boys and you get hell raining down on you."

Lenya had to admit that she was surprised that it was a mere human playing that illusion trick. She was certain it was Ruby since she could smell the little two timer very well. She knew that bitch well and what she was capable of and she had the idea that she was up to something since rumors were flying that she actually helped the Winchesters with the Colt and saved Sam from those idiots the Seven Deadly Sins. "I'll admit that I am impressed. I was expecting Ruby but I get you instead. Now the question remains: which of you has the real Absolution?"

Ellen pointed her sword and replied, "I don't know what you mean since this is the real Absolution."

Bela looked at the one she was holding. No it couldn't be. "Impossible. This is the real Absolution."

Lenya raised her brow. Both were claiming it was Absolution? There was no possibility of that ever happening since soul swords were unique. Something was afoot here and it was vaguely familiar. It was like something that occurred a long time ago and in a place that she loved best next to wreaking havoc topside.

1675… give or take, Hell

Lenya giggled with anticipation. This was one of the best games she had come up with yet. She had to owe it to Uncle Azazel for coming up with the idea. Nothing thrilled her more than playing with human stories and the chase. To hunt something brought a thrill that was intoxicating… more intoxicating than the sweetest tasting substance ever. She smiled when she heard the grunts and curses coming to greet her. Ah the moment has arrived.

Turning Lenya came face to face with the subject of Daddy's greatest pleasure. She loved the look of defiance that showed on her face. It was amusing to watch it stay there even when it was clear that she was straining under the influence of the blood that she desperately needed to stay alive. It was rather a surprise that Daddy's and Uncle's favorite was able to survive as long as she had. Daddy was good at what he did here at home.

"Haven't you tired with me yet hell bitch," the captive was saying in her native Italian.

Lenya giggled. Whenever the girl was under duress, she reverted back to her native language. It was rather interesting to hear it since she could speak a variety of other languages with flawless accents and the like. She debated whether or not to reply in the same language or reply in a different one. Either way the response would make her play toy angry, and that would only make the game more interesting. She decided on the latter option and replied in that miserable language called Greek or was it Macedonian? She replied, "Oh I'll never tire of you. You make life so much interesting down here. I think I'll ask Daddy if we can keep you here indefinitely."

Her captive glared at her with tawny eyes that fast became glowing orbs and she replied, "I don't think so. I will escape and one day I will make you both pay."

"Strong words my little pretty. However given the depths we are, I have a hard time believing that your feathered friends would be able to make it down here and why for you, I can't imagine but my dear uncle says that you are special and we know what to do with special people down in our neck of the woods." Lenya reached out to stroke the dark curls that framed the dirt and bloodstained face. She hummed in pleasure at the flinch the girl gave.

"You're disgusting."

Lenya leaned forwards and whispered, "No more than what you've gone through with me while Daddy went to see his other playthings." She laughed when the girl struggled against her bonds in response. She then stood up and looked at the girl before turning to face the entrance of a set of caverns and tunnels. She explained, "Now my little pretty, we are going to play a little game."

"I'm sick and tired of your games hell bitch."

Lenya was still smiling and continued as if she hadn't been interrupted, "Oh but this game involves one of your favorite activities when Daddy puts you through his fun. Now I know that you know that I love my stories and legends and I even like playing around with them and creating a twist to them. My favorites involve a certain hero the Greeks admired."

"I could name a few of those."

Lenya smirked. This was how you got someone to play your game. You messed it up just a little so they correct you. Then you give them the hook, line and sinker and tell them what they were going to do. She replied, "Of course you could. This game is based upon another story and a child's game. We are going to play my own edition of Chase the Devil."

The captive stopped struggling and looked at Lenya. Lenya turned to see the girl's tawny eyes widen slightly. This was an interesting development. "So you know this game?"

The girl replied, "I've played it before. A very elaborate cat and mouse game."

"Yes, and one that you should excel at given your talents. You've gotten free of Daddy's clutches a few times and you've used it on numerous occasions just to avoid what Daddy wanted you to do. Most people would break right about now…"

"Let's get this over with. You're only prolonging the inevitable. I try to escape, you chase after me. I get caught and then the 'fun' begins all over again," the girl replied in sarcasm. Her tawny eyes appeared glassy and that was probably from the pain and tiredness. After all it had been nearly a year.

Lenya gave a slight pout, "Don't downplay all the fun those games were. You tried new things each and every time. Nothing was ever done the same twice. Now you're going to love this because I'm not only going to play, I have a couple of others who would love to join in on the fun." She gave a slight motion with her head.

The girl was released and she fell to the ground. She got to her feet and glared at Lenya. In response Lenya merely said, "You get a head start my pretty little sister. So have fun. Let's see if you can make it out of the caverns. Along the way are things that you might find interesting."

The girl made her tawny eyes glow in response. She gave a slight huff and squared her shoulders. With a strong stance she turned and ran into the caverns. Lenya smiled and started to laugh. This was going to be fun chasing the devil in the making.

Present

Lenya looked around trying to find the source of the voice. It was funny how that memory came up and the similarities this game took. She must be losing her touch if she was repeating herself. Oh well.

"I see you remember that game."

Lenya replied with a smile on her face, "How could I? You were good and yet I still won."

"This is a little different."

"Oh and what is exactly different about this?"

"You get to chase the blade," Angela replied stepping out of the shadows above the little group. She flung herself over the rail and landed on the ground, letting her body fall into a crouch to absorb the impact of her landing. The tails of her scarf touched the ground. She looked up at Lenya and said, "I know you like these kinds of games."

"Very clever little sister," Lenya replied as she looked at the three conspirators. "You aim to keep me chasing after Absolution but we all know that you have it. You wouldn't part with it so easily. You are like a bull dog when it comes to that blade."

Angela stood up and looked at Lenya, Ellen and Bela. It was actually fun to see Bela's face in the confusion she was wearing. It was intentional since she didn't really trust her anyway. She was willing to concede that she needed help.

The plan came to her when Ruby was egging her on about her stupidity. Normally that kind of thing didn't bother her. She had roughly a hundred and twenty years of that kind of heckling under her belt. Instead she thought about Lenya and her choice of games. The thing that Angela had observed was that all of Lenya's games could be classified into three categories and while it seemed that she never repeated herself, in reality she did.

Angela came up with the idea brought on by the fact that Bela was after Absolution and then Lenya called and demanded it. So she decided to turn it into a game and play a little on Lenya's level. It was how she survived the pits and Azazel's last game to a degree. By giving in just a little she would be on an even playing ground and given that they both thought with a tactician's meticulousness, it would be one of those exciting football games where the score was really close.

She borrowed Ruby's knife since her own collection of knives that were similar to Ruby's were with the boys and she decided to get creative. She had to thank her fratello for that since he actually made a replica of his blade out of a cheap set of steel. It still gave a good punch but it was guaranteed not to kill him when she wrestled it away from him during a training session.

She made what she needed and then with Ruby's help they created the illusion potions that would work. She had to giggle inwardly at the surprise she had coming up. Oh this was going to be good and would probably make her feel better about the whole damn thing and the timing of this game she was being forced to play.

Looking at Lenya she replied, "It's true that I never let go of it and in essence I didn't so the question is," and she pulled out her blade, "which one is it?"

Lenya smiled at her little sister. She was being very clever. Of one thing Lenya was certain and that was the fact that the real Absolution was with little sister. No way would Angela trust anyone to look at that infernal blade let alone touch it. She did have to hand it to her sister in that she knew how to make a game exciting. She had been disappointed when she meekly agreed to meet her there and surrender. As it turned out it was all for show. Lenya should never have doubted that Angela wouldn't put up a fight. It wasn't in her nature.

Besides, little sister seemed to forget that there was one more challenge to chasing the demon and the thought had Lenya grin in pleasure. "Why do I have to pick one?" Lenya gave a snap of her fingers and several more of her demon minions appeared. "Why not have one go after all?"

"You would be hard put to take on four of us."

Angela didn't have to look. She knew who it was and he was playing the part well. At least they didn't need and illusion for him. She looked at Lenya, "I suggest you release your prisoners and maybe I'll consider a different end result for you. This time I won't be as generous as I was with your face."

Lenya touched a hand to her face and touched the scar. She then saw the smirk on Angela's face and realized that the girl had goaded her on purpose. While a small part of her was proud that she would stoop that low, it didn't stop the rage that was infecting her being. She hated that infernal blade. When he cut her the last time, she could feel his essence and while it mirrored little sister, it was a distinct personality and she hated him.

Turning her face into a frown, she summoned her twin blades and retorted in anger, "Feel free to try little sister. We'll see if anything has changed." Barking an order, her minions charged.

Angela focused on Lenya but took the moment to distract her by running in in a taunting manner. She knew Lenya would give chase and she did. At one moment, Angela took the opportunity to flip forward and her feet collided with one of Lenya's minions and gave him a good stun. She followed through with a spin kick that sent him flying and turned her focus onto Lenya in order to block the strike that Lenya gave with her blade.

After that it was counter and strike as Angela relied on her ability to read a human body in order to anticipate the strikes. She knew that she wouldn't be able to block all of them but she could prevent sever damage to herself. As she allowed herself to be pushed back, she bumped into another demon that was going up against Ellen and Bela. With a deft move she grabbed him and whipped him around and flung him at Lenya.

She paused only a moment and said quickly to Ellen, "Remember exorcise them with those amulets. The blades won't do much."

Ellen replied, "I'll remember. Hope this works out." She held out the blade she had taken out and held it ready to strike.

At the same time Ellen and Angela both kicked the demon that charged them and was given a second thought about attacking them. Angela took a breath and replied, "Managed my part one. Now time for part two. Bela you better be good with a blade."

Bela had no idea what Angela was talking about. She knew a thing or two but actual fighting? She would rather leave that up to Sam and Dean and Angela here. Yet as Angela pointed out plainly, it was a fight for survival. If she wanted to live, she would do better to fight and maybe live another day. She held up the blade that Ellen had handed over and wondered if she should just bolt.

At that moment two demons came at the three of them and Bela took off at a run taking one with her and leaving the other with Angela and Ellen. Lenya at the same time decided to strike and took her time to aim carefully but Angela blocked her and drove her back. "Not bad, little sister."

"I try my best," Angela replied as she countered another swing and started adding in punches and kicks. It was like back in the days of the revolutions and the like. She had a specific goal and that was to get Lenya to chase her round and round until her ultimate goal was accomplished.

Lenya grew excited that little sister was starting to use her hands and feet. That meant she was really going to town with this old game that they played. Now the fun was beginning. She had no idea though that her little sister had planned it that way.

Angela fought back and used her ability to dodge and flip. She had to keep Lenya's focus away from the monitors. She could only hope that the Winchesters would be able to hold out while they took care of other things. She did more of a two step touch thing with Lenya. They went back and forth with their blades. She was careful not to touch Lenya with hers since she wanted to have a nice little shocker for later.

Suddenly Angela was grabbed from behind in a bear hug. It only took one guess for her to figure out that it was an enforcer. From the smell of things, he had been barbecued and to a crisp. She figured that Sam might have had something to do with it since on her initial scoping of the place, she saw that Dean had nothing to do and was pretty much going to suffer from boredom as well as worry since it was his brother trying to battle puzzles that came from Lenya's twisted mind.

Using her foot, she stomped on the enforcer's foot and then back kicked the shin. She then dropped her body and took the guy with her. He reacted as she knew he would and straightened up. The momentum allowed her to kick Lenya in the chest and that sent her flying back. Angela considered that pretty good considering her own limitations. Delivering a back head butt into the enforcer's face, she managed to get him to let go of her and she dropped to her feet. She managed to roll out of the way and get back up to her feet.

Lenya didn't appreciate getting kicked like that. At the time though, she thought it to be fortunate that her enforcer had come to help. At first it was a bit of an annoyance since he was supposed to be one of the Minotaurs and go after Sam. When he grabbed little sister, it was too good of an opportunity to try and make her little sister pay for the new look on her beautiful face. She didn't expect the kick and that pissed her off even more.

Angela knew that she had made Lenya angry enough. Now she had to get the hell bitch away from Ellen and Bobby. They were handling the other demons pretty well. Heck she never thought Bobby to be much of a sword man. She knew he knew his guns and he was a dead eye when it came to shooting. Ellen was the same when she shot something. Both of them surprised her and it vaguely reminded her of some comment about the elderly surprising the youth with what they knew. In the end, they had an advantage, and she gave them added insurance should the demons decide to get cute and leave.

Angela gave Lenya a smiled and said in a taunting voice, "Run, run, run as fast as you can and chase the blade in my hand." She turned and started running towards some stairs that she had noticed earlier and began running up them. It was probably foolish since she could actually kill herself but then again she did have good balance.

Lenya saw Angela run up the stairs. She was heading towards the floor above the labyrinth where one could look down and actually see the players. No way was she getting off that easily. She took a shortcut that she knew. Little sister was trying to play a game in her backyard. She was going to be very disappointed.

Lenya appeared in front of Angela and said, "Oh I will catch you little Absolution."

Angela reacted and jumped back. She changed direction and flipped to land behind Lenya. It was a split second decision and probably impossible to achieve but with the momentum she was running on, it managed to carry her through to the end. She whirled around and said, "Oh maybe you will but then again maybe I might catch you." As if to add insult to injury Angela gave one of her childish looking smirks and gave a devil may care look.

Lenya lunged in anger and swung her blades accordingly. She loved the resounding clang that followed when they collided with little sister's blade. She even saw a spark or two. That was a good thing. She remembered how Absolution smoked against her blade and she could see it forming now. It was a sure thing that little sister had Absolution.

Suddenly there was a screech of pain and Lenya turned to look. One of her demons had been cut and it looked like it came from the one that pretended to be little sister. She glared in rage and was going to go after the offender since it seemed that little sister did let go of Absolution. She was stopped when she felt a burning sensation on her arm. It burned like the first time she was cut by that thing. She looked at little sister when another screech sounded. Looking she saw the male stabbing at a demon and it was screaming in pain.

Angela watched the reaction. She had confused the bitch entirely. It was the first time she had ever seen Lenya so speechless. The only exception was during her dark days. She said, "I told you, you gotta chase the blade… just like I chased a demon." Her voice came out softly.

Lenya couldn't believe it. Little sister managed to get one up on her and she didn't like it. She didn't care about the time that she had seen the cold, dark look in little sister's face before. She half expected it since it had only been a couple of years topside since she escaped. This was unforgiveable or was it? She looked up and saw Angela looking at her with that look that mirrored Sammy Winchester's and it was sickening. She lunged and swung her fists and felt satisfaction when she made contact and little sister fell onto some crates and rolled to the ground.

Lenya was on a roll as she jumped down. She waited as little sister slowly got to her feet and stood up ready to fight. Lenya charged again and delighted that she got a few good punches in even though little sister delivered them back and hard. Finally she managed to wear down little sister and with a hard backhand, she sent her through the door that led into the maze. Now this was like the game she played in the pit.

A/N: The fight is on now and Sam is still playing Theseus. What a way to go. Find out what happens next on Chase the Blade...