Author's Notes: I suppose I should put down who the Ten Sages are for those who don't know the Japanese/American names. Gabriel Indalecio, Lucifer Cyril, Berle Metatron, Marsilio Zaphikel, Jophiel Shigeo, Haniel Vesper, Michael Decus, Zadkiel Ruprecht, and Nicolus Kamael. I couldn't get away from the angelic naming so I just combined them.

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A small boy spotted the two before anyone else. He pointed and shouted out, then ran from the gates. His reaction spurred the village fighters who believed there to be a threat.

Gabriel stopped before getting too close. Rena looked up at him in bewilderment. "Gabriel? What's wrong?"

Gabriel shook his head. "I'm not sure." He shrugged. "Oh well, let's go."

Once they were closer to the village, they realised that the fighters had been collected at the gates. Rena ran forward to make certain they knew there was no danger. The fighters dropped their weapons when they recognised the running woman.

An hour later, Rena was finished telling Regis and Westa the story of what had occurred. Gabriel was sitting silently at the table, listening to Rena's exaggerated story. He would allow a small smile to touch his features when she became overzealous and nearly knocked the tea set over.

Regis leaned back and nodded. He looked to Gabriel. "Will you go?"

Westa furrowed her brows and looked between the two men.

"I'll go." Gabriel nodded once. He saw the look Rena gave him and spoke again. "As long as Rena will be allowed to travel with me. I could use the company."

Rena smiled broadly and nodded. "Then I'm going too." She heard her mother gasp and Regis sigh.

"Then I suppose you should both rest. Gabriel, you should stay in my house tonight." Regis stood up to leave.

Westa stepped forward. "He may stay here. There is plenty of room."

Gabriel looked at Rena, then at Regis. "I'll stay here. Thank you for the offer though." He stood up and climbed the stairs with Rena following close behind.

Westa frowned and looked at Regis. "Is it my imagination or did they look closer than should be appropriate?"

Regis returned the frown. "I feel sorry for Dias." He paused. "No, I feel sorry for young Gabriel when Dias finds out." He shook his head and turned to leave. "Don't worry about Rena, Westa. I have a feeling that Gabriel will allow no harm to come to her. I feel that he holds far more power than we are aware of."

Westa nodded. "I know. I feel that too."

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Gabriel removed his robe and lie down on the bed. He folded his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling. //It feels wrong to go on this investigation.// He sighed softly. //But being with Rena the way I was earlier feels strange. It shouldn't happen, but I can't help it.//

The door opened just a crack and Gabriel looked up. Rena stepped in and blushed as she realised that Gabriel was only half dressed. "Rena? You can come in if you wish."

Rena walked in and closed the door behind her. "Gabriel… I… Umm…" She stood in front of the closed door.

Gabriel stood up and walked over to her. "Are you wearing that pendant?" He stopped in front of her, looking down, but not touching her.

Rena shook her head and wrapped her arms around Gabriel's waist to hug him. "I took it off. It's in my room."

For some reason, this disturbed Gabriel. "Go get it. Any time you take it off, keep it nearby. I don't know why you should, but please, do that." He stepped away so that Rena could have room to open the door. He watched her step out. He started to turn to the window when he heard the scream.

Gabriel had no time to grab his robe as he tore from the room and across the hallway to Rena's room. He burst through the open door to see the pendant hanging from the hand of the red winged man he had confronted earlier. "You!"

"Come now, brother, you didn't think I was going to just leave and never come back. You may not know yourself, Gabriel, but let me at least take the one thing that I know causes you pain." Lucifer chuckled darkly and looked at the woman. "She is pretty, isn't she?"

"Leave her out of this." Gabriel crossed the room, staying on the defensive to place himself between Rena and Lucifer. "That pendant belongs to her. Give it back."

"No. You want it, you'll have to fight for it." Lucifer stepped forward until he was a step away from Gabriel. "Meet me on the plains. You know the place." He smiled dangerously and flew out the open window, the pendant dangling from his wrist.

Gabriel growled as he turned toward Rena. "Are you okay?" He knelt down next to her. He was only mildly surprised when she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He hesitated before returning the embrace. "I have to go after him, Rena."

Rena shook her head. "No. Not alone. Don't go alone."

Gabriel nodded slightly. "Fine. Come with me, but I have to go." He waited until she pulled back before getting up and returning to the guest room to retrieve his robe. After he was properly dressed, he came out to come face to face with Westa.

Westa glared at the guest. "Just what were you doing in my daughter's room?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Rena was attacked. I defended her. Now if you'll excuse me, I have something I have to do." He started for the stairs, pausing only when Rena flew from her room to join Gabriel.

Westa blinked and shook her head. "Rena, stay here. Don't go out there at night. It's dangerous."

Rena took hold of Gabriel's hand as they began to descend the stairs. "Don't worry, mother. I'll have Gabriel to protect me." She smiled brightly as the two reached the ground floor and left the house.

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Lucifer paced on the plains. He had told Gabriel to meet him here two hours ago. Surely he couldn't have gotten lost on the way. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, that he didn't even realise what was happening until it was too late.

"Star Flare!" "Ray!" The two spells went off simultaneously. Lucifer was thrown back as the pendant was thrown forward. The winged man lie there unmoving on the plains.

Rena picked up the pendant and turned to leave. Gabriel stood there just looking at the fallen man. "Gabriel? Let's go. Please?"

Gabriel hesitated, and then shook his head. "I want to make certain he's…" He broke off as he noticed Lucifer's movements. "Let's go. Quickly." The two ran from the area back to Arlia.