The trip back to Hell was not the yearned-for homecoming Mazikeen once desired. As she suspected, she had changed too much to fit properly. Emotions flowed through her, setting off a fear response that was most unwelcome. Still, the landscape was familiar and she slipped into her natural demonic state with only a bit of effort.
Maze kept her hands wrapped tightly around Amenadiel's shoulders as he flew her into Hell. He held her bridal-style, which left her with too much time to study his face. He still appealed to her despite the fact that he was arrogance personified; often a bigger dick than Lucifer himself. Still he had good qualities too. She looked away, forcing herself to watch the ash fall as they soared along one of the longer corridors. She could see the Fortress in the distance.
As the abyss came into view, Amenadiel glided downward to land on the large balcony. Maze wiggled out of his arms and ran toward the wide arched entry; intent on finding Aruniel.
Amenadiel called out, "Maze, wait."
She stopped and turned to look back at him, just as a demon ran toward her. Maze sidestepped and thrust out her arm, knocking the female off her feet. She sneered down at her opponent, "Allatia, you always did make too much noise. I heard you coming five minutes ago."
The demon jumped up, a blade in each hand as she swiped at Maze.
Maze move side to side, dancing around the blade strokes of her opponent, and making her own moves to cut the other demon. When Allatia kicked one of Maze's knifes out of her hand, Maze immediately struck back hard with her other hand. But Allatia anticipated the move; she twirled, her blade carving a line of blood across one of Maze's biceps. Maze hissed in pain, but continued the dangerous dance. Allatia stepped back and flicked her wrist, using her knife tip to make a short vertical mark in the air. Maze snarled in understanding. The other demon was gloating over being the first to draw blood. Her smug expression released the beast inside Mazikeen. She twirled her knife, dropped into a crouch and used her left hand to motion the other demon to come at her. Allatia smiled in triumph and rush toward her with both blades slicing through the air. Maze stood completely still, waiting. At the last moment, she moved, dipping to the left with her knife arcing low. The blade caught the other demon on the thigh. Allatia cried out but quickly turned to slash at Maze's stomach. Maze turned with her, her fist slamming into the demon's chest. The force of the blow knocked Allatia onto her back. One blade skittered away and the other blade was kicked aside when Maze stomped on Allatia's wrist. The demon howled in pain, but her cry was cut short when Maze punched her into unconsciousness.
Breathing heavily, she stood up to look for Amenadiel. She felt a moment of pride that he had not interfered in her fight; instead trusting her skills. Pride turned to fear when she saw him on his knees, another angel standing over him. She cautiously moved closer and sucked in a breath when she saw that Amenadiel was crying. She knew this was Aruniel's power, yet it surprised her to see how much he enjoying the pain he caused.
She approached slowly. "Amenadiel, get up."
He buried his face in his hands, "No, I can't. I'm going to be trapped here. I stole my brother's wings. I tried to have him killed." He shuddered and turned his tear-stained face up to Maze, "I didn't tell you the truth. I never wanted to break up. I loved you. I wanted you back." He cried harder, "I've done such terrible things. I'm so much worse than Lucifer…"
Maze frowned, "No. Stop this." She turned to face Aruniel. "Why don't you try that trick on me? You sadistic piece of shit."
Aruniel shrugged his shoulders, willing his wings to appear. Maze stepped back, knowing full well the damage angel wings could inflict. But she quickly gave the angel a look of disgust. She gestured to the mottled wings and watched as one long brown feather dropped to the ground. "You're kidding right? I don't think those are going to work for much longer."
Aruniel stared at his damaged wings and screamed in anger, "No. What's happening? How did you harm my wings, demon?"
Maze rolled her eyes, "Maybe you should ask Daddy about your wings. I don't think he appreciates you trying to kill your brothers."
"No, father will praise me for what I'm doing."
She smirked at him. "Oh, I can hear it now. Good job, son. Thanks for helping a demon by-pass my plan for Hell. Thanks for trying to kill my miracle woman and her child, and yeah, thanks for making Amenadiel cry." Maze crossed her arms over her chest. "You really are nuts."
Aruniel roared with anger. He rushed toward Maze, shoving her over the edge of the balcony railing.
Maze felt her hip press against the marble, but instead of resisting, she flipped herself further over, and grabbed Aruniel's shirt in both hands to take him with her. They both went over the side, each grasping at the stone ledge to keep from falling into the fire. Maze pulled herself upward, swinging her leg to get her foot back up onto the ledge. Aruniel also used his arms to lift himself upward. He swiveled both legs up and into Maze's side using his unfurled wings to put extra force into the kick. She grabbed for his wings hoping to take him into the fire with her. But he twisted away as she lost her hold on the rail. He rose above the pit and disappeared.
Maze fell backward. She felt the flames swirling around her and knew it was only a matter of seconds before she died. She stared at the balcony as she dropped, wishing she could say goodbye to Amenadiel.
Suddenly he was there, swooping in from the side to grab her in his arms and soar upward, away from the heat and flames.
She wrapped both arms around his neck and tucked her head against his jaw in a hug then pulled back enough to whisper, "Thank you."
He turned his head to look into her eyes, allowing her to see the track of his tears on his face. His eyes were serious but un-shuttered, letting her see all his feelings, "No. Thank you. You were right. I wouldn't have made it out of here without you."
Maze kept her eyes on his, letting her emotions show before looking away to lighten the moment, "Well, you're my ride. I kind of had to save you."