Chapter 12: The Beginning

The BTR rumbled silently along silently with Jonathon and I sitting across from one another, Sakido flying high above, and the angels hugging the turret for fear of falling off. The overall atmosphere was still uncomfortable, even given the fact that the incident with Jonathon had occurred over three hours ago. The angels were silently talking to each other at random intervals, and I was watching the scenery pass by at approximately 80 KpH. I wasn't too embarrassed to not be initiating conversation with Jonathon, rather I didn't know what to talk about after that unfortunate walk-in he had performed.

"Median man…"

Looking over at the Angel, I found his eyes glancing between mine and Jonathon's a bit regretfully, before with a nudge from the warrior angel spurred him into speaking quickly, "W-What are your names?"

I raised an eyebrow at that and glanced over at Jonathon. He shrugged before he turned and answered, "Jonathon Drayer."

"Eric Elexion."

The angels exchanged a few words, before the green robed angel asked, "My name is Ariel Sleeper. She is Lena Joyce." He looked a bit apprehensive, before he asked, "If you d-don't mind, where do you come from? I studied Median culture, b-but these wagons are unlike anything I have ever heard about."

"Wagons?" I scoffed out, before I laughed…

Jonathon responded with a more sedate chuckle, before he said, "If you want the direct term, we come from an alternate reality."

"Huh?" The angel dumbly replied. I felt the same, though I understood what he said. I hadn't really given it much thought in the past.

Jonathon shook his head as he brought a hand to his face and rubbed his cheek. He looked back at me, before looking at the angel and saying, "In Layman terms… we are aliens. We are not your average humans. We," he gestured between us, "aren't from Fragaria."

"Oh!" The angel suddenly exclaimed, his eyes widening like a child realizing some previously unfathomable information. "You are from over the seas!"

Jonathon closed his eyes and rubbed at his eyes, before snapping his fingers and saying, "No, we came through a portal that links our world to this ones somehow. We drove our vehicles… these 'wagons'," I couldn't help but snicker, "through the portal and arrived here in Fragaria, in a location to the West of here."

The two angels still seemed confused, before I said, "Give it up Johnny, it took Sakido a while to accept that part too. I doubt they're gonna understand right off the bat,' I said with a snicker.

"Sakido?" Ariel asked, sounding a little confused.

"The demon from before," Jonathon decided to clarify

At the mention of that, the two angels' mood seemed to sour.

~How do we know that we can trust a demon Ariel? She will turn around and kill us the first chance she gets!~

Pushing myself closer to the edge of the BTR, I glanced upwards as the civilian translated, "Lena wishes to know how we can trust the Demon? How do we know she means us well?"

Lowering my gaze from the sky to instead look at the angels, I pointedly glared at the red female and asked, "How do Sakido and I know you won't turn around and stab us in the back when the opportunity presents itself?"

"Eric, please." Jonathon looked at me disapprovingly with a shake of his head. He looked towards the angels and spoke, "Let's get to the root of this problem instead. Why do you hate demons so much?"

"What do you mean? They are inherently evil! They torture the souls that don't make it into heaven!" Ariel said, his voice rising despite his temperament.

"They don't have a choice," I growled, as I remembered all my times with Sakido, and one particular time when she was particularly vulnerable. "Sakido didn't want to, but she had no choice!"

"What do you mean she didn't have a choice? It is just what they do!"

I growled momentarily and held my hand up, an ember of flame springing up in the middle of my palm. Before I could do something I would regret, I closed my hand on the flame and closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I reopened my eyes, Lena was partly positioned between me and the now fearful Airel. I ignored that as her fire would only affect my clothes, "If she didn't torture those that sinned, she wouldn't have been accepted in Hell. You know what would happen if she didn't get accepted? She would have been killed!" I took another deep breath, easing the fire that burned in my chest before continuing, "She regrets everything she was forced to do while she tormented those souls… another thing, why do you think those medians were sent to Hell in the first place? They sure didn't win any citizen of the year awards."

All was silent for a few moments after I said that, Airel not even bothering to respond to Lena's nudging and questions.

A blast of air took everyone except me by surprise as Sakido came in for a landing. I reached a hand out and grabbed her hand to stabilize her until she took a seat behind me. Her arms wrapped around my chest and pulled me away from the edge. She turned and regarded the angels neutrally. Her muzzle lowered and she whispered into my ear, "What is going on Eric?"

Just giving them some history…

Lena leaned against the turret carelessly, before she spoke in angelic, ~She clearly twisted his mind before she turned him into a demon. A Median man would never fall for a demon.~ I felt Sakido's arms tighten around my chest, and I looked up at her in confusion.

~Lena…~

Whatever Airel said he sounded almost… conflicted.

~What Airel? You can't tell me you believe everything he said? She is a demon, all they care about is death, pain, and their own goals! I bet she only uses him for her own satisfaction, that is why he turns into a d-~

"Shut up." Sakido said in angelic, her voice calm. TOO calm.

The two angels froze, only their eyes looking towards the source of the voice. From my vantage point I saw the two angels stiffen and a visible shudder actually run down Lena's form. I didn't know what was going on nor did I want to interfere. I knew firsthand what happened when faced with Sakido's anger.

~You speak of matters you know nothing about. You insult those that saved your very lives. And worst of all, you dare to think I would alter the mind of this man that if he chose, could have left you for dead.~ Sakido's arms wrapped just a bit tighter around my body, forcing my figure against her own almost... possessively. ~You are probably wondering why I can speak Angelic. Aren't you?~

Sakido stopped speaking, her muzzle entering my vision briefly from above.

~I asked you a question.~

Sakido's voice was colder than ice, and I flinched a bit as I felt sparks of electricity danced over my skin through my cloak. Whatever was going on... I was already in the middle of it; literally. Whatever was said visibly shook the angels. Not even Jonathon risked interfering.

~Y-Yes.~

~Good girl.~ Sakido smiled as the sparks died down. ~My father was an Angel. He believed demons weren't inherently evil, and he raised me and my two brothers when he got trapped in Hell. He even gave us his pendants to improve our lives. My father gave us a chance despite us being demon children. Just how I gave you two angels a chance by telling Eric to free you. Maybe you should stop insulting me and Eric, before we stop giving you chances. Do you understand?~

Both the angels nodded their heads vigorously and stammered out words I couldn't understand. Whatever was said, it pleased Sakido. As long as she remained content, none of us had anything to worry about… most of all the angels that were foolishly angering her now.

It would probably be best if Sakido was eased into a more relaxed state over time rather than it being rushed. I reached up and held her hands.

Jonathon drew my attention towards him with a less than subtle cough. His eyes lifted momentarily and he gave a sheepish smile. After a few moments his eyes lowered once more and he mouthed out, 'Is it safe?'

I took my hand from Sakido's before lowering it just in case she would see. I shook it side to side in a 'so-so' gesture while purposely looking upwards, hoping he got the message. My eyes widened as i thought of what he had said earlier, and I asked, "Jonathon, you said there was a portal? Where is it and how did you guys manage to get through it?"

Jonathon scratched his chin for a briefly before answering, "After your mission in," he glanced at the angels and frowning, "after your mission was successful, we lost all traces of the rebels in the avalanche. We found bodies beneath the snow, but that is all. When we arrived, the scientists were picking up a strange reading of some sort." He reached into his vest pocket and produced the map from earlier and leaned forward and handed it to me. I flicked it open with one hand as he continued, "To the far West above the lake you see on that map. There is a downed helo in the forest approximately North West of that town you see on that map, and it is through a thicket of trees South West for three miles, the portal is in that general vicinity. The only way of knowing exactly where the portal is, when we came through, there is difference between how high the ground is on our side, and this side. The BTR's left gouges in the ground from how rough we landed."

"BTR's? As in plural? How many vehicles and men did you bring with you?" I asked incredulously, the new information completely unexpected.

"We were granted thirty men, six of those being scientists to record this world and the strange readings we are getting from it. Our original expedition was a pair of BTR's and Humvees, but we separated into two separate units to cover more ground in search of you. The pass to St. Curtis is where the our two groups are to converge before we head back to the portal with you in tow. Our mission now complete, we just need to meet with the second half of our convoy and return back to our world."

A wave of unease washed over my mind and body, Sakido's arms subtly shaking from her hold around me. 'Eric… you won't stay?'

Tightening my hold on her furred hand, I answered immediately, Never! We are one, remember? I will never leave you, even if it means abandoning my old home.

"Jonathon," I began, feeling overwhelmed and regretful all of a sudden, "I won't be going back to Earth Jonathon."

His eyes widened, before narrowing as his gaze hardened, "Eric, you must be joking, right? Remember your duty to your nation? And what about your friends and family back in the States? Are you really serious about giving that all up?"

If I was in demon form I was sure my fur would've bristled at his tone, but as it was i wasn't in my demon form. Instead I glared back into Jonathon's eyes and said firmly, "Jonathon, I am dead serious on my conviction on staying here in Fragaria with Sakido. This is my new home now… as for my family. They know what kind of dangers come with our line of work. Friends," I felt my glare fall and said, "The only friends you know about are you, my instructor back from field operations, and the three men from the squad we both used to be in before Special Forces training."

"Then why not have Sakido come with you back to Earth? From what I have seen so far, this world is unstable with the imbalance of power, the multitude of races that seem to want nothing more than to kill each other, and the drastic difference in weather from one region to another." His voice rose slightly to overcome to low deep hum of the engine, though to me it was only the excuse for him to raise his tone and attitude. "You know you will be safer on Earth compared to here, you will-"

"Be kept in a laboratory and studied like nothing more than lab rats." I deadpanned with a hiss between my teeth, before giving him an incredulous look. "Do you REALLY think nobody is gonna look at us and see some kind of opportunity? I've seen it happen enough in movies," I shook my head at Jonathon's seemingly overly optimistic hope.

Jonathon recoiled as if struck, and his gaze soon averted from my own quickly as shame flashed across his features. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, before he shook his head slowly. When he did look back towards me it was from the corner of his eye and it wasn't a dead set look, "I didn't mean it like that...I just...never mind," he sighed.

I wanted to say something more, to confirm he fully understood me, just how I had done with the scientist not that long ago. Yet a calmer side of my mind told me otherwise. "I know you didn't," I said, taking a deep breath and easing the tension that had been building in my body, "Just forget about it. I am staying here with Sakido, and that is final."

He looked like he wanted to say more yet he refrained. His gaze lowered again, and he nodded slowly.

Turning and looking at the only other two non-trusted witnesses to that little conflict, I found the two angels looking between Johnny and I with slightly apprehensive and confused looks.

I know the only reason you know what was said is your direct access to my thoughts and memories…

'Thank you Eric. I know it must be hard for you to give up your old life...'

Smiling as I leaned back into Sakido's hold, I closed my eyes and let myself relax in her arms, I gained a new life in return. And you gave me a greater purpose than simply tracking and then killing people.

'You gave me a reason to keep on living too, Eric.' She said gently as she held me close.

(Jonathon's P.O.V.)

Slotting the sidearm back in it's holster, I glanced momentarily at the two angels, before speaking, "So, what is the endgame you two are looking at here?"

I looked down and straightened my belt and uniform, trying to at least keep some decorum to military procedure and dress code. "Er," The angel began, catching my attention and bringing my gaze to his, "What is this 'endgame' of which you speak of?"

Feeling a strongly painful pulse shoot through my head, I let out a sigh as I reiterated, "What do you two plan on doing? Are you traveling with us to a certain point and leaving, or what? What is your plan?"

His eyes lit up as he realized what it was I was saying, and he glanced momentarily at the other angel and started to exchange a few words with her. As they had their own little conversation, I returned to my previous task; looking presentable and being prepared for any kind of ambush that may or may not occur once we came to to one of Eric's first caches of weapons.

The heavy protective vest was deposited onto my shoulders just as the angel began to speak in English once more, "We intend on staying with your group until we come across more of our kin, once we come across more angels, we intend to separate from your group. That is, if you will allow us to journey with you until such a time has arrived?"

Tightening my jaw as I grabbed and pulled my rifle close to my body, I flipped it sideways and pulled the action back and inspected the interior of the barrel. I was thinking more about my response while I went through the machine like movements of checking my rifle, and when I felt my response was solid, I gave the pair a moment of attention, "That is agreeable, but before we just bring you along, I must set down some guidelines that you and… Lena was it? Well, that Lena and you both must follow."

My attention went to my rifle while my breath left my lungs slowly, and I purposely dropped my voice and gave it an edge of ice to get my point across, "You two will always be within sight of my men, and that includes piss breaks as well." I grabbed a Mag and inspected the bronze bullets within, tilting it so the sunlight caught and reflected off the brass casings, "You will not be in possession of any weapons during your duration with me and my men for very obvious reasons. And should we find out that you are cavorting with enemy intelligence or are planning on in anyway betraying our trust, the consequences will be swift and just."

I waited a moment for him to finish translating what was being said for the Female's benefit, before I purposely gave her a stern and level glare. "If you attempt to attack us, or harm us in any shape or form, you will be dealt with just like a hostile force," I slammed the magazine into the rifle's base, and pulled then released the action with a very audible clack of metal on metal. The male stuttered the translation out, and I watched as she paled… at least more than she already was.

Her lips moved and her alien language went in one ear and out the other, though I did hear the slight tinge of worry emanating from her tone. The male translated, "What of the other two, the demon pair. What if they attempt to do us harm?"

Frowning as I lowered the weapon across my chest, her eyes following the loaded and lethal weapon warily, I responded, "They will be told not to harm you. They have proven themselves to me and my men, and I trust their word over yours."

The angels' spoke, and while my helmet was set onto my head, The female spoke in a rushed and agitated tone, and I saw her arm gesture wildly towards where Eric was attempting to suit up Sakido. The female angels voice rose in pitch as her eyes dilated in obvious fear. When she finished, the male looked towards me, but I cut him off with a lift of my hand. His lips sealed shut, and I turned and faced them directly, the weapon held loosely between us.

I nodded towards the two as they struggled to put arm-guards on Sakido's longer arms, before speaking softly in a non-threatening way, "Eric, the 'median' man that can turn into a demon. We have been friends for well over a decade. We have been through some tough shit, and despite some outrageous claims, he has always kept his word… Even when it has put him in risk of his very life. He gave his word that no harm would come to either of you as long as you respect him and Sakido." Turning my back to them and taking a few steps away, I stopped and looked at them over my shoulder, "You should stop judging them… Without those two, you would already be dead."

That caused them to stop. Even if they didn't like to admit it, had those two not intervened, the Demons that had captured them would have done Gaia knew what to them. Even if they didn't like it, what he said was true.

"So I ask you again. Can we trust you for the duration of the trip?" Jonathon asked.

The male angel glanced momentarily at the female, and she looked back at him with worry written across her face. No words were exchanged before he turned back to me, and gave a firm nod, even if I could hear his unsteady breathing. I could understand the typical angel fearing and hating demons, as they were clear polar opposites, but I would need to do something about that fact for the duration of our travels. I couldn't constantly be dedicating some of our already stretched manpower to keeping tabs on those two. My group of men couldn't cover keeping Eric, and by extension Sakido safe, and then keeping an additional pair of eyes on them… not unless I could get one of the lab coats to start taking general operations as well.

Heaving a sigh as I grabbed a few more mags from the top of the Humvee, I began to finish my preparation as I shook my head.

(Eric's P.O.V.)

Sweeping the barrel of my sniper across the deserted town, I paid special attention to windows and cracks in the abandoned buildings. While Jonathon and I were sure all the rebels had been eliminated after crunching some numbers, I didn't want to risk sending myself and Jonathan's men into a possible ambush. The element of surprise is surely long gone with any living creature miles around, but that didn't mean we had to play this stupidly.

Once satisfied, I motioned to Jonathon, and as orders went down the line, we slowly crept out of cover, low and prepared for the worst. The others may not know, but Johnny and I knew from unfortunate experience, you could never be truly prepared for the worst. Images of jungle outposts flashed behind my eyes as I moved up, rifle at the ready.

The comforting touch of Sakido's mind intermingling with mine however was enough to calm my nerves a bit, as well as having the town from above faded down but visible like mist over my eyes. If I focused, I could see the town through her eyes, or I could see it entirely through my own. It was another way Sakido and I had been experimenting with connection… it made me envious that I didn't have abilities like this back on Earth…

"Push up, keep an eye on those windows," came the soft whisper over the helmet mounted radio. I however moved forward alongside my fellow soldiers and fell behind them ever so gradually, sacrificing speed for stability so in the event I needed to quickly aim, I wouldn't miss my shot. And with the ghostly aerial view, I could watch for any hostiles setting up an ambush or possibly trying to set up on the roofs.

Moving into the town as a unit brought back memories and old instincts I had forgotten. My boots scuffled across the dirt as I made my way to the front of the formation. Before I reached Jonathon's position, I saw something from the corner of my eye, but when I looked over, I didn't see anything.

'Eric, I see… something…'

Focusing on the ghost image of Sakido's vision, I felt my heart skip a beat as I saw not one but multiple shadows converging on our position from alleyways and from the dark streets. My heart kicked itself into high gear as adrenaline pumped into my veins, sending me into high alert.

"Incoming, watch the alleys!" I shouted, quickly pushing to the front as I went to cover the closest alley. The men flinched before jumping into action. "Shit, there's a lot of them!"

'Eric, Move back! I am on my way!'

Pushing my back against a way, I pulled my rifle up just as the first few dark shapes burst from the alleyway. I felt panic tighten my throat as I pulled the trigger to my rifle, hearing an echoing bang, before gunfire erupted all around. I pulled the bolt back and saw a glint of copper in the sunlight just as one of the dark figures lunged for me, sending my rifle flying from my hands...

A.N.: This chapter has been a long time in the making, and long time to wait for you, my reader. I do apologize for the extended wait for this chapter, and thus any other stories you may be following. I have no good excuse other than Writers Block.