XXI

Abaddon found his hands clenched into tight fists at the mention of Adriel. He still remembered the day when an alarm was sounded at the Great Gates. His curiosity got the better of him and made him go there, but only shock and anger resulted. By the time he arrived was the time the High Council had declared Adriel to be banished as a Fallen. It was clear that no trial was carried out – only direct persecution. But what crime had he committed in the first place to receive such punishment? And that was one of the reasons of his hatred towards the High Council.

Uriel noticed this and glanced at her superior as she touched his arm. He had visibly relaxed a bit on her touch, which is a good thing. "My lord?"

Abaddon glanced at her. "Don't mind me." He replied gruffly, to which Uriel accepted. He then returned his gaze at the bound angel. Adriel and Juriel were once in the main force of the Hellguard, holding high-ranking positions of their own. He was quite surprised when both of them expressed their wish to be transferred to the Patrol Groups – which would mean that they will lose their positions. But when he saw Marion with his eyes, he knew why. No one would be foolish enough to do what they both did unless it was all for love. They both loved her and she them, but in a platonic kind of way. And now, it would help to ease his mind of their deaths knowing that she'd be at least granted a fair trial.

"Ho, what a touching story," the Councilman scoffed. "But I don't think that would make any difference-"

"Ugh! This is going nowhere," Fury said out aloud, catching all their attentions. "Damn your bureaucratic reasoning! This is an official Council business and you're wasting my time!"

"And what will we gain if we hand her over to you?" The Councilman demanded, still as arrogant as ever, earning a groan of displeasure from the Rider.

"Alright, I have a proposition for you," Fury offered. "Either turn her over to me, or…"

"Or what?"

"My next visit, i will be accompanied by my brother War. I'm sure the Charred Council can make an arrangement." Of course, she was bluffing. The Angelic realm still have no idea what happened to him after their last meeting. She smirked triumphantly.

The night wind caressed their faces as they made their way through the desert. A sandstorm had just passed by them, though it is not much of a bother to them. The party consisted of the rider, who had conjured a hooded cape to cover herself in the sandstorm, the prisoner Marion and four angel escorts under the command of a veteran warrior. The escorts were insisted upon by the High Council; for security purposes they say, but she knew that these additional 'birdmen' were only here to keep an eye on the prisoner. She knew that they will bring her back to be prosecuted in accordance with their Law; a thing she really does not care about, as long as her mission will be over.

A thought crossed her mind and she laughed inwardly. It was the memory earlier at the Tower of Justice, where almost every angel present stiffened at the mention of her brother, who they had quite a rather unfriendly meeting with. Fear can be felt emanating from them as they started to panic, unsure of what they want to do. They then began to urge the High Council to give in to her request. The High Council, of course, still stood firm out of pride and stubbornness, but the Archangel of Justice still had the say so. Some conditions later and the prisoner was turned over to her – complete with personal guards.

But looking at these protectors, she let out a sigh with a shake of her head. A fool should have thought better than to put a novice in the detail guards; or rather, it was a foolish act to put oneself in this detail if he knew he is a novice. Because there, among the grizzled faces of those who had killed their fair share of the demon-kind was a fresh face, a young one with the old. He must be the most unlucky one drawn from a lot, or the most foolhardy who wants to prove himself out in the eyes of his peers. But for her, as long as they know how to stay alive, their survival is out of her concerns.

"What?" She suddenly asked aloud to no one in particular. Ever since they landed on the Third Kingdom, she felt one's gaze upon her, boring at her back. Whenever she would look back, that gaze quickly vanishes and then returns again. She tried to ignore it but now, she just want to deal with it. She then laid her eyes on the fresh-face among the group.

Castiel, the youngest of the guards, was quite surprised when their eyes met that he doesn't know what to answer her. He had been hearing the stories about the Four that was passed on by angels who actually saw them, but never had seen one of them in person. "I…I'm sorry to bother you… but, it's my first time to see one of the Riders up close. I've been heari-"

"And now you have, any questions?" The Rider relied icily.

"Uh…no-"

"Then this conversation is over. And don't ever stare at me like that, or else…" Then she turned to look forward.

Marion just stayed quiet during the exchange. Poor chap, he really doesn't know much about these Rider, how cold they can be when they wanted to. Looking at the other escorts, she could see them shaking their heads. Then she looked forward at the horizon. "We're getting close."

After a short while, the group arrived at a part of the desert that was once covered by rock boulders. It was now flat, but with some hollows at some points where cave mouths can be seen. The grains of sand from sandstorms have slightly covered some parts but they could still see the signs of a previous battle: clean cuts on rocks, crushed boulders, and scorched earth. To Marion, it was like reliving the struggle they faced in this place as she looked at the vast grounds.

The young angel closely examined the evidence presented before them, leaving the others who gawked at the devastation of a battle's aftermath. This is his first tour of duty outside the White City, and he wanted to explore as much as he could of the Third kingdom. He had been recommended by their captain after his actions during the battle between the Hellguards and the White Army at the Great Gates. The captain said that he's 'too hot-headed to stay inside the walls, he'd be better outside'.

"She's telling the truth…" he mumbled to himself, not noticing the shadow looming over him.

"The truth about what?"

This made him turn around and in reflex, unsheathed his sword, ready to do battle. Only to meet the yellow eyes of the Rider, a sight that nearly paled him. How did she got here so fast when they're over there?

"Oh, a battle-ready one, eh?"

"I-I uh… oh…" He stuttered, noticing his unsheathed sword, which he returned to its scabbard and snapped back to professionalism. "Apologies, Rider…"

"No need to apologies, lad. It wouldn't hurt to be ready for everything. Now, what was that truth you're mumbling to yourself?"

"The prisoner's account of a battle in this site," he replied, not showing emotions at all. "If this is the place, then that alleged passageway into the Underworld should be around-"

"-There…" the Rider finished, pointing at a short distance from their location.

This surprised him for the second time, but managed to mask it with a straight face. Glancing at the other angels, he could say that they were as confused as he was. "You're so confident of yourself, Rider. How do you know it would be there in the first place?" He challenged.

She smiled inwardly. "As I've said, it doesn't hurt to be ready for everything. I saw the evidence with my own eyes, so I'm positive this is the place. And for place of that passage to the underworld…" She paused, waiting for something. From the distance where she had pointed came rushing three figures, a dark contrast to the moonlight, with their ember-red eyes trained on the group. Before them was the howls and barking of the wild. Fury pointed a thumb towards them over her shoulder without peeling her eyes from the young angel. "They found it…" she said simply.