Chapter Two: Eye Spy

Scene One: Train.

Samael was silent… Not a word from him since the incident in the bathroom.

Keziah sat there, staring out of the train window, her reflection gazing back at her on the inner surface of the glass. Zakk was asleep on the seat opposite her, head resting against the wooden wall, his breathing slow as it fogged up the window every time he exhaled. Leaning her forehead against the glass again, she called out mentally to him once more to try finding him again, but ending up with nothing at all yet again. Why was he hiding from her? He never really had before, whenever she wanted to call him, he always answered her, no matter what the situation.

The passing trees of the forest seemed endless in the cold chill of fall, the first snows had begun to fall over the fields of pine and fluttering pass in the strong wind caused by passage of the Steam Train. It was darkening outside, the first stars beginning to shine through the scattered clouds that drifted over the evening sky. Her silver-gold eyes just watched the world fly passed, unconcerned by the constant view before her, but instead focusing inward on her mass of chaotic thoughts.

"Uri!" Someone called out from down the passage, instantly her head came up at the name, something within her clicked with that word and she was about to reply to it, but firmly stopped herself. What the hell? Why would she want to answer to a name like that? She had no reason too, except for this one itch to yell back at them.

Abruptly the door slid along its tracks, when a dark form appeared in the doorway, towering over the tiny Keziah. Her eyes turned to peer up at the intruder, instantly her mind was screaming that he was a Devil Hand reaching for the sword at her waist, the long hilt met her searching fingers to assure her it was there by her side. Confusion rattled through her brain, like the train did along its tracks… The only reason she could think of a Devil wanting her was because of her job or she was in the presence of Zakk who remained quite oblivious to the lurking danger, considering he was fast asleep. However, she decided to play the game a different way. Not to attack, but to get answers out of him but playing 'dead' in a way.

"So there you are… Uri." The Devil growled out, his glowing eyes narrowing sharply upon her, "So you're hunting Samael as well? Good for you, I didn't know God wanted him back so badly to send you to earth." The scraggly bearded guise of the Devil glared down at her from beneath the rim of his large leather hat.

Keziah blinked, What the hell? Okay now that made no sense at all. "I am after him for a different reason. I serve God in my own ways." She retorted bitterly, pale orbs glittering with fierce determination to make him understand she would not back down at his threats. "Who the hell is Uri!"

"Come now, how is it that you of all people don't seem to remember who you are?" He stalked towards her, eyes flickering over her face, watching for any signs from her. "Your Contracted, damned Bird, White Raven, Uri." A clawed mitt stretched out to capture her chin in an iron grip, forcing her head upwards, the hybrid didn't resist because of the Devil being so close to the sleeping Zakk. "You don't even know who you are, do you?" And he was laughing…

A rage within her surfaced, her bandaged hand snatched at his wrist holding her, "Devil, Asmodai." Where did that just come from? "Shut the hell up, I don't know who this 'Uri' is but it certainly ain't me!"

Keziah Aaron had heard of this particular Devil, not very much… and only in rumours about his attempts to gain Aion's support earlier on in the Sinner's campaign. It was laughable, Asmodai and his twin brother Adramelech were some of Pandaemonium's finest, however they wouldn't destroy their own Horns… Like Aion's band did, because they wanted to remain as Pursuers, following Focalor in his bide to capture Samael to gain knowledge of Immortality.

"So, the Light of God knows me? I'm honoured." The towering, black haired demon snickered, giving a low bow in snide mockery. "They call you White Raven, for the Light of God now has come to earth. I thought I would come to see you… Since I was told by Pandaemonia herself of you before Aion killed her, of what you and that outcast are, and what you can do."

Then you have more information then I do, Keziah needed answers. It was the reason she was heading out to the ruins in the first place, trying to catch Samael in person… "Why find me if you're so powerful?" You need me to catch him… like the Order does… "I will not be anyone's pawn."

Luminous crimson eyes widened a little at that, as if uncertain with what she had said. "I have power enough, but not to fight that bastard Samael alone. That is why I want you, you Collared that dog."

"I didn't."

She was slapped hard across the face, for that… The hybrid tasted the metallic tang of blood as it trickled from her split lip, yet her white gold eyes glared at him with a defiance one would calm was far from human, or more correctly the anger in her was devilish.

"Stop messing around Uri, tell me where that bastard is hiding. Because I know you know very well where he is… You always do."

About to retort back again… when something else prevented her answering. Only some of this was making sense. On the outside, all the facts of Asmodai coming to find her and looking for Samael was clear, but there was more to it than that… why he insisted on calling her Uri, why the questions of God and her faith and duty to the Lord?

"Answer me or die… and I will call him with your spilt blood."

"For Dust you are and Dust you will return…" The gun was raised in Zakk's hands as he pointed it straight up at Asmodai, his eyes narrowed as he pulled the trigger and the Sacred struck at nearly point blank range. And it simply bounced off the demon's armour as he transformed… The Sacred bullet having no visible affect at all… Wings flaring outward, slashing through the wood of the train carriage, the looming Devil wrenched the Gun from his hands, crushed into metal shards with his iron strength. The Brother scrambled to gain his other weapon hidden behind him, but he didn't pull it out… he only seemed to be checking it was there…

Abruptly the window before the Devil shattered as a huge form tackled him to the ground in a mass of feathers and a brutal snarl. Glass was flung everywhere by the howling winds, snow been blasted in through the now empty window frame. Great plumed wings unfurled like a shield over, Keziah… Blocking her from both Zakk and Asmodai, Samael now entered right when she had least expected him ever too.

However, Kez remained focused on Zakk, puzzlement flashing over her face for only a moment, uncertain as to why he hadn't used his spare weapon against Asmodai or was even putting up a threat. What was he up too?

A howl of anger and fury, Samael lashed out with his fist to connect hard with Asmodai's chin. The clawed hands of the feathered Devil lifting him clear off the floor, while he struck him hard again with another solid right hook to the jaw again, enough to give him a good concussion. A lash of a boot sent him flying into the door and crashing through the empty cabin on the other side of the corridor. "Don't you dare touch her again…" Teal eyes were flaming with suppressed hatred, it was very clear exactly who it was that had come to confront the Devil. Samael abruptly turned, eyes gazing up at Keziah and she froze as he watched her. "White Raven?"

"Finally you come Black One…" Asmodai hissed up at the powerful Hellic Angel, trying to push himself up from the wreckage, and brought his sword to bare in the confines of the trail. "Come to me… Finally after all this time." It was an obsession… that much became clear then. The Devil wanted to control the potential gifts of Samael. To hold the choice of life or death in your hand. To change Fate that way, held too much power for one single person except the Angel of Death himself. "Fight me… you bastard!"

Keziah knew instantly, watched Zakk attack both with his blade that had materialised in his hands, his eyes intent on his task. Why is playing this game? What is he doing not using any of his other weapons? He was aiming at Samael, however this time! Even though the Brother's actions didn't match what Kez knew of the brother, the White Raven still went on defence. The girl cursed as the Samael's blade slid out from its sheath, and parried the blow, her partner was knocked backwards a step with the force of her retaliation. Didn't anyone understand, the Angel of Death needed to be free! Immortality only brought one suffering… to watch everything you love slowly been stolen by the grips of mortality upon them. Everything crumbling to dust around you… Damn it Zakk what are you doing?

Standing back to back with Samael as the two Devils began to power up, their energy beginning to crackle around their bodies. The charge flowing a little in Keziah too as her blood began to react to the demonic energy raging around her with the feathered Devil so close. It was clear that if they did reach a high enough level of power… they were going to literally tear the train apart… over her.

Her Partner charged again, sword glowing in the half glow of the damaged lighting. "Zakk, No!" Her eyes were pleading with her partner to stop this… "Stop it!"

"Kez… He's a Devil." The blue eyes watched her, they were not confused… nor did they support the words he said, she could see it clearly in their Azure depths. His weapon clashed violently with hers, sending her back a step to actually lean in between the wings of the Devil. "How can you go against every part of your training? How can you let these monsters get away? You're protecting him! He's a damned murderer!"

His head came up at that, eyes gazing back at her over his shoulder as his teal orbs were wide at that, for his Contractor was the one he had come to protect… did she see him as nothing more than a Devil? That he killed with no mercy? For some reason, his heart was pounding so hard, he had no idea what to do… Praying to God that she didn't, hoping that the demon blood tainting her had not driven out the light from within her beautiful spirit. With a raised armoured forearm, Samael warding off the first bolt of electrical energy that was Asmodai's main attacking power, his own dark energies swirled up around the pair trapped between the Order and the Pursuers. The tendrils of power snaked out to chain the other to the spot… "May God Judge thee…"

And a bolt of holy energy rushed along the tendrils, crackling pure white, partially purifying him. Yet, he pinned Asmodai, preventing the howling, injured Purser from escaping his hold and causing more damage to the human's Train. And putting innocent lives in danger. Doing what he could, the Hellic Angel was afraid of this judgement of him…

The sword whipped around hard, her own wants for peace showing in her actions. "Zakk, you have no idea who he is… Order and Pursuer alike. You can't imprison or use him… Tell them I won't do that! I won't let anyone do that to him!" A fierce determination came to her face, as the hybrid refused to even consider the notion being allowed. "Samael… Please…" What game are you playing Zakk? Why are you acting this way?

"Mine…" The Hellic Angel breathed out, twisting around as he came back from his own attack, his anger had cooled somewhat, his thoughts now a tumbling whirl of emotions and his heart rejoicing with her words. His hand strayed to the collar around his throat, hidden beneath the high collar of his heavy woollen cloak. This was his reason… "Always mine!" His growling fury grew as he watched her having to fight her own partner over him…

Startled, Keziah was abruptly seized in powerful arms, the sword from her hand stolen from her grip when she was lifted upwards against a warm chest. The Demonic Angel grinned mischievously at both the Brother and the Devil. "You wanna find me? Sure go ahead and try… I am up for a game a cat and mouse… You heard my Contractor. Her will is my own… You will NEVER have her again… She's mine forever."

And his laughter filled the cabin as the shadows swallowed him up, leaving destruction, shards of glass scattered around… and two very irritated guys… One was smiling however because he knew plenty of things his counterpart didn't… All was going according to plan.

Scene Two: Springfield Terminal, Lewiston

Zakk paused for a moment, while the call was placed through to the New York Branch of the Magdalan Order. His eyes were passive as he heard the soft cultured tones of Father Remington, "Brother Zakk, I am glad to hear from you, I was starting to be concerned about the success of your mission. What occurred during your trip?"

The brown-haired teen grinned as he leaned against the large counter top where the call was been run through. His fingers ran back through his hair as he thought about the answer to that particular question. "Asmodai attacked us, I gave him a little bit of a show, enough to convince him, but not to injury… Samael came to 'kidnap' his Contractor just like we planned he would. Then the Devil took off in pursuit, though he didn't get too far because of Samael's little trap." The Brother laughed softly at the remembered image of the poor Devil being trapped within a barrier, howling to get out as he rattled around within its walls. Asmodai was interfering in something he didn't understand…

Resting his chin on his palm, he grinned as he finished. "Keziah still has no idea who she is though, Father… I have a feeling she will not appreciate this deception to protect her from being used as a tool by the Sinners…"

"I would have spoken to her. However, I didn't want to put any of the other contacts in any further danger than they are already in." The Father replied calmly, "She will find out who she is in time, when God has chosen the right moment."

Making the boy sigh softly knowing another reason was that Father Remington was already knee deep in the crisis with Aion and had no time to truly deal with this other situation that had yet to be told to anyone other then himself and the Elder. There was chaos at both New York and San Francesco Branches of the Order, with the alliance with the Pursuers there was a lot of trouble about…

"You do understand our reasons for keeping your profile low key at the moment?"

"Yeah, I do." The Canadian said, eyes flickering shut knowing there was a lot ahead he had to deal with on his own. "I am Militia, Father, I have been trained to handle such situations."

"There has never been any situation even remotely similar to this." It was true… No one could ever say that God had chosen Devils to become some of his new messengers… "The Lord works in mysterious ways. Though reaching New York will take time, They are meeting up at the St Uriel's Church then heading down to Boston to meet up with more of the Chosen Ones."

"Are you expected?" The Father inquired, his mood rather curious about the current situation in Maine. "What of the Pursuers that have been sighted in the area?"

"They will not be able to find the Sinners at the Church… Samael is quite certain that since it was dedicated to Uriel, they will remain invisible because of the powerful Holy Aura around the ruins." The boy tapped his fingers on the table top, a little uncertain of what would happen after the other Sinners had gathered, how did one transform Demonic to Angelic? How would it all happen?

"I know what you wish to ask, Brother Zakk, but even I am unsure of exactly what God has planned… This will be happening once Aion is dealt with. Since the outcome of that battle affects us all…"

"So does this." The brother whispered, "More than anyone I think realises… However the Order will have to pay for the damage done by the Demons… it would be the honourable thing to do."

Remington breathed out a sigh, "They're not turning into Sister Rosette are they?"

Scene Three: St Uriel's Church

The girl was asleep in his arms, for once he sat entirely still as he simply cradled her against his body in the snow, wrapping her up in his thick woollen cloak and plumed wings. The Angel of Death simply gazed down at Keziah, clawed fingers brushing the indigo locks aside, to reveal the pointed ears hidden beneath the silky strands. So the Contract has had dramatic effects on you…

Fiercely he pushed away such thoughts, he knew the others would be arriving soon and now was no time to be this deep in thought and be taken advantage of. Sighing, he pushed himself up to his feet, eyes gazing down at his sleeping Contractor, the trust involved in her mere action of allowing herself to rest, showed him so much into her faith…

The Angel stood, his other hand rubbing absently at the collar around his neck, its midnight sapphire jewels glittering in the starlight as they flickered with soft internal energy. "Collared… but happy." Bemused with that idea he shifted a little to gazed down at his 'prisoner' or rather the woman he wanted to protect. How he was going to accomplish it, he had no idea… The sword resting at her hip made him fascinated how she had found it for him, also how it allowed her to handle it… Which left some interesting questions about it.

"Collared?" Her gentle mumble made him grinned happily to hear it, "Whatcha mean?" Her face turned more into his chest as he carried her with him, moving to open ground as his eyes looked upwards for the others travelling from Canada to join him. Sighing as he didn't see them, Samael reflected on what events had brought him to this strange moment.

"I mean in our Contract, you truly don't remember who you are do you?" Samael asked gently, his teal eyes glancing down at her before returning to the heavens again. "All this time, Keziah Aaron, you have been my Contractor, however God prevented me from coming to get you until you were given the orders to 'capture' me." Warm mirthful laughter filled the air at that as he leaned forwards to brush her stray locks out of her pale eyes, which blinked sleepily up at him. "I have been working on arranging this for a long time, my White Raven, and getting to you through my acts… the Order have been keeping an eye on you it seems for a long time… Their interest in you is beyond just your skills, it is of a more religious nature for them…"

"How so?"

"Uriel." The word seemed to spark emotions off in both of them, for the tall man it was the fierce new need in him to protect her, and fight of any other that dared to come near her.

"Uriel is… an Archangel of the Lord." Within the arm of the Collared One, Keziah was wide awake in a state of shock. "What has anything like this got to do with an Archangel?"

He shook his head, touching her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers as he studied her face, wanting to figure out a way to explain what had happened between them. "I know you have been caught in the middle of a battle between Devils and Angels… I am trapped between the two sides… Forced to do what I can for those who need help."

The hybrid pushed herself away from him, when the 'Devil' allowed her to stand up on her own two feet, yet keeping her close to him, within the shield of his magnificent wings. "I don't understand… Does the Order have something to do with this too? Is that why Zakk didn't kill Asmodai on the train? Because he is on a mission and your involved in it somehow…."

"You're very good at this game of Eye Spy…" His angel wings stretched outwards, their feathers rustling in the light breeze and the Samael grinned. The air around his face shimmered as the two sets of horns appeared on either side of his head, revealing black Ivory.

Okay, now what the hell is going on? Just how much Keziah really didn't know… Was he a Devil or an Angel? What was the mission exactly that Zakk was on? A billion questions fluttered into her mind at once…. Like a cage filled with butterflies.