A/N- heh heh...sorry about updating a little late. writer's block . I probably won't get anything done on Monday or Tuesday, 'cause I'm going out to a friend's. Well, enough of my blabbing. On with the story!

Elizabeth's eyes widened in horror as she dropped the book, letting it fall to the floor. It was him, he'd come back! Gabriel's face quickly darkened with loathing.

Sitting up, she whipped her head around and glared at the demon with a mixture of fear and hate. "Leave us alone!"

"So feisty…I would have thought a lady would have better manners." The demon smirked at Gabriel. "Though, I suppose after living with an animal for such a length of time would dissolve one's propriety."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "You heard me when you dared visit my dreams--you will not harm Elizabeth."

"Of course not! That wouldn't be any fun! After all, the game has yet to start!" the demon laughed. "A monster and an angel! Oh, how amusing this will be!"

"How dare you call him that!" Elizabeth slapped the demon across the face before he could have a chance to react, leaving a red welt.

"How dare you strike me, young lady?" the demon hissed. "Perhaps you have grow attached to Gabriel? A nice pet, perhaps?" Gabriel growled low in his throat, the fur on the back of his neck raising.

The demon rolled his eyes. "Now, now, don't get yourself all worked up, Gabriel. Do you not want to know what I have planned for the both of you?"

"I want you to leave my castle!" Gabriel went to lash out at him, but Elizabeth laid a hand on his arm, shaking her head slightly. She had tried the demon's patience enough; Gabriel starting a fight would not end well.

"You will both go through a little maze I've made up, especially for this purpose. Every day you will meet a challenge, and every day you will be expected to win. If not, you will become closely acquainted with a certain special room. A certain special room that holds many different ways for me to torture you. Now, let the game begin, shall we?" the demon clapped his hands once, and Elizabeth and Gabriel found the castle library melting away before their eyes. She instinctively grabbed Gabriel's hand as they both seemed to sink into the cold, eternal darkness.

"Elizabeth? Mon ange, wake up." She felt a furry hand gently pat her cheek. She moaned and opened her eyes. Her head hurt terribly. "Where are we?" the familiar castle library was gone, replaced by the view of endless hallways of dull, grey stone, that all lead away form the square room they were in.

"A labyrinth. The demon used magic to transport us here. You hit your head, try not to move much." Gabriel was kneeling next to her, his odd red-and-black eyes filled with worry.

"It's okay, I don't think it's that bad." She winced as her fingers brushed a goose egg on the back of her head. "Ouch."

"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth…it's all my fault, I got you into this mess-!"

"Hey, it's alright. You didn't do anything wrong." She sat up, cracking her back. How long had she been laying on that cold, bare stone? Long enough to make me feel like an arthritic old woman, she answered herself. She looked up at Gabriel. Even sitting, he was tall enough that she had to look up in order to see his face. "The challenge, that game the demon was talking about…what do you think it is?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. This must be part of it," he waved his hand at the labyrinth.

"Do you think the game is to navigate thought the labyrinth?"

"No, that's much too simple…he mentioned that every day, while inside the labyrinth, we would meet a challenge."

She tucked her hair behind her ears; she had somehow lost her ribbon. "That demon is really starting to get on my nerves."

"Same." Gabriel looked at the stone hallways, that twisted and turned, instead of going straight. A maze. What could be in here? He ran a hand through his tangled mane of hair. "We'll just have to be on our guard, I suppose." He grinned self-mockingly and tried to lighten the mood a bit. "If the challenges happen to include a battle, we won't have to worry about that. One look at me, and they'll run screaming for their mothers."

Elizabeth his her smile with her hand. "That's not funny, Gabriel!"

"You're smiling, are you not?" He stood up, uncoiling his legs. "Ow!" His head hit the ceiling as he stood up to his full height. He stopped over and rubbed the top of his head. "This is exactly the kind of sick joke that demon would play!" A quick glance showed him that the ceiling was the same height throughout what parts of the labyrinth he could see. "Just perfect."

"This is one of those times you'll regret having those stilts, huh?" Elizabeth tapped one of his legs with her foot as she got up. The ceiling was a bit low for her liking, but high enough that she could walk easily. "Poor, poor Gabriel."

"You're smiling. I can see it! You find the fact that I'm going to have to walk in a crouch amusing!"

She could tell by the tone of his voice that he was joking. "You could always walk on all fours."

"Oh, yes, what a wonderful idea! Give another reason for that bastard to laugh at me."

Elizabeth patted him sympathetically on the arm and pointed to the path closest to them. "Should we get started on this maze, then?"

"Probably. It won't do us any good standing here." He took her hand and lead her down the path, walking with his neck bent down.

"It seems like you know where you're going," she said after a few minutes of silence.

"It's odd…I think I've been here before. In my dreams, I mean. I feel like I know which way to go." He growled, and added, "Of course it may be that bastard manipulating me."

"Do you think you can lead us out? Maybe if we get out, we'll win this 'game', before it's started."

Gabriel sighed in frustration. "I don't know. But I'll try my best, ange. And I promise, if the demon wants to harm you, he'll have to do it over my dead body!"

"Shhh, don't say that! For all we know, that could happen!" Elizabeth tugged on his hand.

"It won't, Elizabeth. Don't worry." He hugged her quickly then went on navigating through the stone paths, which, to Elizabeth, looked exactly the same.

I really hope what you're saying is true, Gabriel. She thought as he turned right, leading them down a complicated mess of paths. Dear God, let us get out of this safe!

"No…this can't be right…" Gabriel stood in front of the wall and ran a hand over it. "This is supposed to be a passage, not a wall!"

"Maybe you took a wrong turn."

"No!" He slammed his hand into the wall. "It's that bastard! He's changing ghe maze with his damned spells!" He turned away from the wall and went down another passage to his left. "We'll have to go this way."

Leading Elizabeth behind him, his eyes scanned the labyrinth. Every hall they turned down seemed exactly the same, yet he had a feeling like he knew where he was supposed to go. His neck muscles were growing sore form walking stooped down for so long. I hope I find the way out soon…or I might just have to take Elizabeth's advice and crawl.

Gabriel sniffed the air with his cat-like nose. Something didn't smell right…it sounded ridiculous, even to him, but he thought for a second he could smell the very magic that the demon used. It made the air in front of him smell like bitter smoke. Where was it coming from?

"There! I think this door will lead out!" He hurried toward the plain iron door, in contrast to the grey stone, half-dragging Elizabeth behind him.

"Really? That's great! You did it, Gabriel! We've won!" she yelled, her voice echoing down the stone walls.

Gabriel grinned and flung the door open-

-and they found themselves in another stone room. It was easily a dozen time the size of the room they were In previously, with a high, arched ceiling.

Elizabeth moaned. "No way!"

"This doesn't make any sense!" Gabriel stretched his neck gratefully, the bones cracking. "Why would he put a room like this a maze?"

Elizabeth said something, but it was drowned out by the loud slam of the door as it closed by itself. As she was right next to it, she automatically went to re-open it, but it wouldn't move. "It's locked!"

Gabriel took a few steps towards the center of the room. "Demon!"

"You called?" he appeared in front of them, black robes hanging on his bony frame like cobwebs. For a moment, he reminded Gabriel of the Reaper in the tarot cards.

"What is the purpose of this?" he growled, moving towards the demon.

"This is your first challenge. Allow me to explain the rules: Both of you will have an opponent to defeat. Alone, might I add. If one of you tries to assist the other and turns away from their respective battle, you loose this challenge. Each of you will have weapons to use. Since the lady has no experience, the weapon she had will give her the knowledge to do so. As for you, Gabriel, you seem to have your own weapons--claws, strength, stamina. Make use of them!" He cackled and waved his hand in a farewell. "Have fun!" He tuned in a graceful circle and disappeared, leaving the bitter smoky scent behind him.

Elizabeth gasped as a elegant sword materialized in her hands. It was made of bright silver, with a plain hilt. She grasped it with one hand and lowered it to her side. "Gabriel?"

"Yes, mon ange?" He walked back to her side, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Even if we don't win these fights, let's kick their ass." She smiled boldly up at Gabriel, who laughed.

"Of course. We'll make our opponents wish they'd never been born." He stepped away as two dark figured appeared in front of them, wearing black cloaks identical to the demon. The hoods covered their faces. In sync, both figures cast off their cloaks.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock. "Father!" The person in front of her was the exact replica of her father, down to his graying brown hair and worn clothes. He held up a sword, the same style of Elizabeth's, but made of black metal.

Next to her, Gabriel wore a similar expression. "Michelle?" In front of him was one of his sisters, long raven hair flowing down her back in waves. Inky eyes narrowed themselves at Gabriel, who instinctive took a step back. He remembered that look from his childhood. This was the sister who would whip him so mercilessly for even the smallest mistakes he would make. Her weapon, ironically enough, was the black leather whip he had become so familiar with.

"We're not really supposed to fight them, are we, Gabriel?" Elizabeth whispered. Her voice trembled slightly.

"Yes. Remember, Elizabeth, that is not your father. It's only a puppet, made to taunt you. Good luck, ange." He squeezed her hand quickly and moved to the other side of the room, Michelle following him.

Gabriel took in a deep breath, calming himself. This was not his sister, and he was no longer a child. What terror the whip had invoke in him was gone now. You are twenty-six, Gabriel, not a child! Fight that damned puppet and send her to hell!

On the other side of the room, Elizabeth shakily raised her sword. The demon didn't lie: the second it appeared in her hands she knew how to use it. But the person in front of her looked exactly like the mad who had raised her! How could she her strike her father! She shoved her fears away as the puppet/her father raised his sword, coolly, without emotion.

He father would never hurt her. This is definitely not him. Adrenaline shooting through her veins, she rushed at the thing impersonating her father, sword held high.

Fifteen minutes later (though it seemed like hours), Gabriel added another group of deep cuts to puppet's/Michelle's abdomen. Crimson blood pooled don the floor, yet neither of them slipped. Some of the blood belonged to Gabriel, though none of his wounds were major. If the puppet were really Michelle, it would be laying broken on the cold stone floor by now, but it continued relentlessly, wielding the whip with experience. For once, Gabriel was glad of his fur. It worked as a sort of armor, softening the blows slightly. Shoving his tangled hair out of his face, he risked a glance at Elizabeth.

She was doing far better on him were injuries were concerned; the only blood staining clothes belonged to that of the puppet that appeared to be her father. The man's arms and back were lacerated with slashes, but he didn't show any sign of giving. Elizabeth was the exact opposite. Her face was soaked with sweat, and a few strands of hair were matted to it. Her eyes and posture showed visible signs of strain, but she went on with her battle, placing a few expert blows that would have instantly killed anybody else.

The stinging of the whip across Gabriel's face quickly reminded him of whom he was supposed to be concentrating on: Michelle, the very mirror image of his mother. Michelle, who was part of the reason he was a monster in appearance, part of the reason he and Elizabeth were in the maze-! He growled and lunged at her, successfully destroying the flesh of her entire left arm. Blood fell in rapid succession onto the floor, making a repulsing dripping sound. They continued on with their battle, Gabriel looking over at Elizabeth whenever he could.

Five minutes later, Elizabeth's' limbs were becoming unbearably heavy. How long had she been hacking away with that sword? An hour? A day? Her sense of time had faded away after the first three dozen hits or so. Her entire body was soaked in sweat, and the winter dress, though perfectly suitable for an afternoon of reading in the castle, was not right for such a long period of fighting. It was becoming uncomfortably warm.

Every now and then her eyes darted over to Gabriel's fight. He showed no signs of weariness, or giving up. Well, what would you expect from a person who could out-run Star? Tearing her eyes away from him, she focused on the demon-thing/her father. Never even having shown emotion yet, its clothes were completely soaked with bright red blood. It dripped from him like some type of horrid rain. She had to step carefully, or would slip on the blood-slick floor.

Metal clashed as their swords met. Elizabeth's arms trembled as it threw it's entire body weight into the attack. No way could she hold her sword like that for so long… Ducking away as the black sword slashed down, she slashed at it's legs. Yes! She thought triumphantly. It's finally over! As her sword whistled through the air, she neglected to pay attention to her footing, and placed one foot directly in a pulled of blood.

"No!" she shrieked out-loud in a voice hoarse from exhaustion. She was so close-! Elizabeth fell hard on her ankle, twisting it under her. Blindly, she threw up her sword to cover her head as it advanced on her.

No way she could fight from her advantage! Please don't let me die!

"Elizabeth!" Gabriel yelled as he saw her fall. The demon's puppet was coming at her, Sword poised to kill. Elizabeth threw her sword up over her head, but there was no way she could block an attack! Pushing everything else from his mind except for Elizabeth, he turned away from Michelle/the puppet and ran at full speed toward her. Raising his hand like it was the sword that puppet dare use against his angel, he quickly severed its head in one clean blow. The decapitated corpse fell stiffly to the ground as Gabriel pulled Elizabeth to her feet, noticing how she kept her right ankle off the ground. "You're hurt!" On the other side of the room, his opponent disintegrated into the shadows.

"So are you…Gabriel, you broke the rules!" she wrapped her arms around him for support. "This means we loose…and the demon--he'll torture you!"

"Elizabeth, don't worry about that. All that matters is that you're alive."

"Oooh…how touching. Sacrificing yourself for the young lady's well-being…I didn't know monsters could show such noble traits!" The demon stood in the center of the room, grinning dangerously. "Now it's my turn to have some fun!"

"No!" Elizabeth clung tighter to Gabriel, injured ankle trembling. "I won't let you do anything to him, you sick bastard!"

Gabriel carefully pried her off of him with little effort; she only came up to about his ribcage. "Don't worry, ange, it'll be fine." Bending almost in half he whispered in a light-hearted voice "Like that coward could do anything worse to me." Patting her on the shoulder, he repeated "Don't worry." He leaned her against the wall and strode confidentially over to where the demon was waiting. "Well, are you ready, you lowly little worm?" he asked cheerfully.

He shook his head slowly. "Where did you ever learn to be so defiant? No matter, I will fix that." He muttered a few words under his breath, and both he and Gabriel vanished into thin air, leaving Elizabeth alone to mentally kick herself.