Redemption and Rebirth

Note: Before you proceed reading this chapter; I should advise the next scenes seemed to up a notch in rating due to certain circumstances. Please be advised.

This version has been uploaded after noticing missing parts of the story due to the streaming of data. Well, enjoy the full version of this chapter.

Inversions

The haze came with its shroud fading away. Flickering illusions came to vanish as the white mist vanished from the sight of the endless meadow. The blanket that covered the greenery was slowly leaving its vestige of dew on its departure. As the horizon beyond the reach of the meadow seated on the heavenly isle came to reveal its view from the curtains of white clouds, the dawn was heralding the arrival of Sol as the brilliant ray painted the sky.

The blond youth descended from his flight as he landed on the meadow. The black trousers that covered his legs felt the dew on its edges, meeting the surface of his shoes as it trampled the grass beneath his feet. The black shirt felt the wind's breeze, his chest partly bare through the unfastened area felt its cool morning caress mingling with the cool touch of the metallic pendant worn around his neck. Feathers of white danced along with the petals as they glided through the breeze. He watched the isle on where the enormous fortress stood, its divine aura and its cathedral-like grandeur bestowed the name Valhalla. Gazing at this citadel from the dawn of the horizon, he eased his breath as the awe from his countenance came hidden.

He shifted his gaze from that view that enticed marvel and laid his eyes on what was before him. The calm of the morning had begun to infuse its cold hand, only to make him realize the haze was broken for his mirage to fade. The white figure that stood before him at a moderate distance had its back turned to him. The long hair of blond came to dance with the drifting winds, making it come to move along with the edges of the figure's skirt. Turning to face him, a woman's beautiful face came to welcome him with its familiarity. The white dress that clothed her came with its fluidity, the wind giving its waves to its flow. A smile came to inscribe its curve on her face, giving its glow to her radiance. Raising her hand, she brushed aside towards the back of her ear the golden strands that obscure her sight.

This image caught the man to wonder. His calm reaction remained, yet his heart pounded with its pulsating sensation. He watched her tread forth to his direction, softly she ambled in approach. Her lips moved, yet no words came to the air. Everything seemed silent yet the words formed on her lips came to comprehend. The gleam of her gray eyes captivated him; the bright and innocent expression was what welcomed him.

"…my love…"

The words came to instill meaning. And there she stood before him, face to face. He could hear the beat within his ears, the blood rushing within him as it began its enchantment. His crimson eyes had come to affix its sight, meeting the gray orbs with its deep passion. Her expression of innocence and warmth changed as passion aroused its aura. Her hands came to clasp his arms, her body coming to close in. Her lips quivered as her half-closed eyes came to view. He gazed at her, his body seemingly paralyzed; entranced by the beauty that was making her approach. He closed his eyes, his body still as he waited. Warmth met his lips, touching the gentle lips of the woman with its taste of lilies and scent of dew. The sensations surged through him as it remained long. And his heart raced after the halting on that moment.

He could have sworn his heartbeat echoed his ears. It began to pound loudly as it raced. Yet on that moment, a strong jolt came to him. He pulled back, his lips parting its touch with her as he beheld her. The beat had begun to fall pace in decrescendo, the colors of his surroundings beginning to distort in its mirage. A stream trailed his lips, its carmine drop fell. It stained the white blossom beneath him and its color overwhelmed it. The woman gazed at him, her eyes filled with its guilt and malice though her face retained its innocent and gentle countenance. Her hands were marred with crimson. The young man gave a chuckle upon this realization. Alas, he was felled by this gentle kiss. Strength has left him then, his body faltering in its fall. He faltered and lost his footing as he was caught by the maiden's arms. Feeling her softness cradling him, he came to ease his breath. On their knees, the pair had been in this meadow. The youth mustered his strength, raising his hands to give its embrace. His body rushed with heat as time passed. From his hands ignited the flames, and soon from the center of his body. The tongues of fire began to surge and fill his body, engulfing the maiden in the burning resolution.

Ledah's eyes of crimson shot open. The wings of black curled to his form in its protective form covered his scarlet mantle and his black vestment. The fire was adjacent to where he lay, burning with its accommodating warmth and light. The myriad of trees surrounding him towered around him in that clearing. The darkness of the shadows came to obscure the sight of the rubble and ruins nearby, contrasted by the flames.

He turned at every corner, searching for Arjun. His eyes ran to and fro at their camp, finding no trace of the Deva. Finding this the least of his worries, he gazed at the flickering flames, crackling with the wood burnt to serve purpose. The glow of the fire stirred a myriad of thoughts, images rushing once more to mind. He raised his hand, the puzzling dream that he had came to recall again. It seemed vivid and real, his body quivered in realization.

"That dream…" he muttered, keeping his resolve calm behind the concocted light. "What was it? It's too...strange…"

He raised his head to the sky, a gasp leaving his lips. The darkened heavens revealed its jewels on this night, its glitter of brilliance revealing a jeweled veil lay on an elaborate path. The moon sat on the side, full and bright with its serene rays. He remembered the ordeal that the two just had. A deep stare to the sky, it was all that he needed to return to his nocturnal rest. But as the heights of the heavens would carry the vision of his gaze, he coldly exhaled as the ordeal came to remind him.

The two men sauntered through the woods, following the trail that was laid out to them. The clearing was in sight as the two continued. Ledah had no clue of what was before them or where they were headed. The Grim Angel gave a gaze to the ruin, noting the distraught appearance that it had. He turned to Arjun, wishing to know if this was the place.

"Arjun, are you sure we're in the right place?" Ledah raised his query.

"Well, there's no mistaking this is it." Arjun replied nonchalantly, shifting his gaze on the buildings.

He halted his pace, feeling the air thicken. He had verified the location; however something came to alert him. An ominous chill rushed through his body, prompting him to be on guard. A purple flash came to his hands, conjuring from the light his two swords. Ledah noticed the sudden change in Arjun that he too did the same. Lorelei now in his grasp, he began to skim the surroundings.

"Why did we stop?" Ledah asked.

Arjun took a few steps forward, the air feeling heavy and cold around him. The sensation that it dragged on his skin gave him a moment to discern this presence. He gazed at one of the trees, noting the crimson color that changed its color. The carmine shade flowed through the tree as if it drank from a fount. Moving his gaze lower, he had found the source of this problem. What lies beneath the ominous tree was a lifeless corpse, drained of its life fluid. He grimaced at the grotesque image.

"This is bad. This tree that drank the life away from this unfortunate soul, it means one thing." Arjun spoke with a hushed tone, worry evident in his voice. He gazed at the tree with disgust and pity, the tension of his grasp to his swords came tightly. "A curse was used against him, sending this tree to sprout and kill this man. Judging from the time this took place, the caster may be nearby."

"What are we waiting for?" Ledah sauntered on, passing the Deva by.

Arjun trailed behind Ledah, the two sauntering in their search within the village. Nearing a fork in the path, the two men parted paths to sweep the area. Arjun left one command as he rushed on.

"Look for any survivors, Ledah." He said to him in a stern voice as he vanished on the horizon.

Ledah raised his hand at the level of his face. His eyes laid its gaze upon it, noting the lines faintly illuminated by the flames. A crimson glint came to sparkle as it began to emit its mist of a luminous shade. Circling within its spherical binds, he recalled Arjun's actions earlier. The behavior seemed to have questioned and contradicted the usual calculating mode that he concealed with. He closed his eyes, drifting to his sleep with this contradiction left aside.

Had Arjun feared a tragic failure as close to this? This still remains his question. He tried to remember and fluidly it came to him.

A flicker began, bursting soon into a pyre that illuminated with its aural flames. The burning flesh had soon neared its charred state as the vegetation had soon come to ash. Rhizomes thrust forth in sharp, jagged spears, rushing towards the crimson lancer. Ledah whisked his spear in a rising diagonal stroke, sending a geyser of flames that incinerated the malignant roots. He began his sprint, leaving the fallen beings behind him. Darting through the path, Ledah had seemingly cleared his side of the area of hostility. His eyes scouted his surroundings, searching for a sign of life. But so far, he found not a single glimpse of it.

"Nothing here," he remarked, turning on a corner and resumed his stride. Lorelei gleamed with its power, leaving a trail of its crimson afterglow in a streak.

His tarsals pounded with a consistent rhythm, his pace still rushed while his search continued. If no opposition would come, it would all be easy. Yet fate played its role without giving a chance to them, an ill pun of a moment came. From the branches of the trees and the corners of the road pounced demons. The grotesque beings ranged from demi-human warriors to vampires. He couldn't take a moment to halt his pace, cursing under his breath coldly. Three demi-human swordsmen pounced at him with their blades ready to strike the rushing angel. Without a word, he lunged forward against the demi-human with his spearhead thrusting forth. The last step of his foot pushed him further as a burst of flames came to surround him in an aura, a fiery figure thrusting with velocity. The air sent its shock as its heat wave came behind him in a halo, throwing them back with great force as it sent them to the ground. Ledah's burning strike came to meet the demon as it met him head-on. Unfortunate for the demon, the Grim Angel pierced through its body and left behind charred remains of its mauled and tattered body. It didn't stop there for the vampire that stood behind the demon. He halted his pace; the vampire's impaled body used to stop his movement. Lorelei pierced in its body with the tip of the spearhead burning within, the Angel took no remorse to immolate the creature and hurled towards the fray a burning carcass. Ledah snapped his fingers, putting the vampire's body to flash and explode. The force of the blast rattled many and shattered few, while the flames came to lick at them and burn. Unrelenting, he rushed at them with angelic speed and appeared before three vampires as he came to them within the circle that they formed. A smirk came to his face, followed by a flurry that they could not lay sight in finding. The crimson one whirled and circled with his spear sending quick strokes and blows that had shred their bodies with relentless speed and accuracy. The Grim Angel halted-- his form on his knees with his spear aligned diagonally on his back with the spearhead raised to the sky. The vermillion fount came with its fine spray, turning into smoke as the chunks came to fall from their places and burn.

"Return from whence you came." He said with a grim tone.

Sparkles continued to flicker at the ripples of the cold lake waters. The moonlight came to shed its presence, its rays reflecting brightly on the youth's lean yet developed frame. The gleam of his body seemed pale under the rays of the moon, revealing the intricate tattoos that marked his chest. His arms were marked with definite patterns of the tattoos, their shade of jade glowing with the moonlight. The sides of his cheeks were inscribed with these markings as well. His chestnut mane with its waves sat damp, his skin also dotted with beads of the water. Eyes of hazel gazed at the night sky whilst his body waded on the water, his upper body bare to the air.

His thoughts he tried to clear on that moment, washing it away with the cold water and the crisp air. A splash of water he raised with his hands, sprinkling them to his skin as he rubbed his arms. The markings remained as they glowed, seemingly innate to his body. The wounds on his body were being washed with the water as the youth made splashes of water and rubbing it on the skin. The injuries healed then, leaving nothing a trace. His body free of injury, his mind kept wandering with its memories. He faced the waters, gazing at the reflection that it had. His stare came deep on it, his mind filling its memoirs as the guilt and remorse flowed.

"What is this worth, to save souls?" he mused as he drifted to what passed. "When one knew chaos alone, what else is there worth saving?"

The verdant robes fluttered to the wind that circled his body, his sash dancing to and fro as he hovered from the earth. Before his feet were fallen corpses, his adversaries' remains and the slain innocent mingled. The flow of the wind was furious, reflecting the Deva's enraged state. The beast stood before him, armed with feral claws in its massive size while vegetation covered its body. Bloodstained were its sharp weapons, bearing the bloodguilt as a pair of innocent humans laid lifeless on the ground-- a mother protecting her son from the monstrosity? What could lead that rage to rise if not witnessing the act itself? Arjun gripped his twin swords, his gaze filled with fury. His lips had come closed, his expression blank. The ghastly treant, this tree creature that stood before him, creaked with fervor for death as it summoned its tree minions to strike the Deva.

On beckon call, the tree creatures came and surrounded him. One came with claws and swung it to assail the Deva. Seeing the incoming assailant, he swung his sword with its infused power and sent a falcate wave of energy. The razor crescent of purple sliced the treant, the bark and the wood where the shot pierced through came in splinters as it fell divided. Without any hesitation, he rushed to the other treant behind him with velocity. The assailing branches came to hit only the afterimage of the Deva. Arjun came on that branch and darted towards the being, a barrage of slashes being done before him as he made his assault. The trail of which he stepped upon came to collapse piece by piece. And upon nearing the trunk itself, he lunged forth with his blades thrusting forward and his body whirling with the wind's aid. He drilled through the creature, piercing through the wood spirit. And as his body came suspended to the air, he crossed his blades above his head and channeled his energy to the blades. The swords flickered and spiked with energy, sparking with electricity. Lighting then descended from the sky, striking the unfortunate tree creature and sending it to burn. Seeing three of these remaining that guard their master, he winced at them and sped towards his main opponent.

Arjun's body flashed with verdant light, intricate markings came to his arms and to his body. His face was inscribed with these markings that an aura covered his body in reaction. A green streak came to rush, passing the other treant minions one after the other while flashes and arcs were made in its hastened pace. The streak returned to the center, right before the treant master's presence. Arjun gazed at him with rage while a grin came to his face. The tree spirits stirred to move when one by one, they fell to the ground in pieces. Left alone, the treant creaked as it was about to make its move. Startled it came as Arjun reappeared before the being, assailed the adversary with a diagonal stroke with one sword, then another stroke with the other blade meeting its body. The tempo came to increase as more strokes and blows rained on the being's body with inhuman speed. The final blow now to be dealt, Arjun turned and spun with his blades. The winds followed the motion of his body, they circled and conjured a whirlwind to rise and shred the unlikely victim to pieces. The force of the wind brought the treant to crumble and shatter until nothing but splinters were left of its remains.

"Ragnarok's chaos was inevitable. Its wave claimed lives of many. And this realm is left to fend for itself after the ruin. What is there to protect?" Arjun said with a hushed voice, his form still as he closed his eyes.

The markings on his body came to a faint gleam, their shade growing lighter and faint. Unknowingly, gentle and slender arms came to creep upon his body, coiling unto him. The skin of these limbs was fair and white as the moon itself. The warmth in them came to contrast the cold and crisp air. The Deva's eyes shot open, keeping still at his current state. Although alarmed, he felt something nostalgic on that encounter. These arms that wrapped his chest came to tug on his body slightly, feeling a certain warmth and smoothness touching his back. Strands of black with hues of dark blue came to touch his left shoulder and warm air came to tickle his skin.

Who's…there? Arjun thought. The situation itself was suggestive. It came to him with its intimate touch. The warmth that his body was now engulfed with felt undeniably soothing and good. His mind had been baffled, knowing that Ledah was his only companion and that he rested in the reach of the campfire. Slowly feeling lost in this haze, he kept silent and waited in this indulgence.

The embrace on his body came a bit tighter; the pressure came soft on his back. For a ghost, this would be too tangible. And a vampire's touch would be colder. Arjun felt his body rise in its temperature. The touch's feel on his body and the breath that continued to tickle his nape and shoulder would drive one to the edge. He struggled to calm himself on that moment as he recalled who it was quietly. Only one person could be this close. Only one soul would do this for him, to show how much and how close it has drawn him. He smiled as he brought his arms to move, his hands being laid to touch the hands that hold him.

"I never thought of finding you here, Arjun." A voice, cool, soft, and airy in tune, came to speak. It had a sense of longing in its tune, a hushed voice in its high pitch--a young woman's voice.

Arjun recognized the voice, his smile curving his lips. "Neither would I, Maya."

The young woman turned her head, her lips making its caress on his neck and then on his cheek. Her joy made still on that evening, her longing much great in its magnitude. She gazed at him, feeling something was being hidden from her. Though his smile was there, his eyes carried a burden. The mist came to rise, veiling the body that was naked and bare to the air. Maya waded and came to see him face to face as she placed her hands on his chest.

"You seem adrift? What happened?" Maya asked him, her voice concerned of him.

Arjun was read easily. He hid from others what he thought. No one came to know his thoughts. But before Maya, he could hide nothing. He turned his gaze to her, looking her in the eye.

"I failed…to save a life." He said to her, the guilt lined his tone. "What hope is there if chaos is what I only know?"

"There is still hope." Maya smiled at him, her gaze fixed to him. "A sword is a sword. But the blade's purpose depends on who holds it. You can protect and renew with it."

"And this world, what hope does it have now it's thrown aside and left for ruin?" he asked calmly.

Maya laid her head on his chest, burying her face on his body. "That's up to you. But I believe there is hope for it."

Arjun mulled over her words. She still believes that everything will come anew. She still has a glimpse of that flicker. He raised his hands to embrace her; one hand came to brush her flowing locks. Maya raised her head to look at the Deva, a mischievous smile on her face. This brought Arjun to remember something.

"Maya, why come here…with nothing to clothe you or protect you? Why come here bare-naked?" Arjun asked, his cheeks slightly giving its tint of pink.

She smiled at him as she brought her hand to the water. As she brought it to rise, coiling helixes came to follow the path that her hand led as they amass on her palm in a sphere. She clasped it and pressed it within her hand, droplets of water trailing on her arm.

"That's your answer. Water is only what I need, remember?" she answered candidly.

"I know that. But still…" Arjun persisted.

"Ok, how about this?" Maya asked and with this sudden action, Arjun came startled. She raised her hands, clasping the sides of his face. And with eyes closed, her lips came with its touch as it met his with a fervent kiss. Arjun was entranced with the contact; his arms came to her body and drew her closer.

The maiden continued, her hands ruffling her lover's hair. The youth trailed his hands on her back as the moonlight watched everything. The lake became the perfect witness.

Dust came to amass in a cloud as the wheels halted their turn and skidded to stop. The motorcycle had stopped awhile after its journey on the trail. The black vehicle came to stop on a certain spot while a certain city was seen up ahead. The rider lowered his foot to the ground, putting him and his vehicle to balance. The evening wind came to brush through his platinum hair bound together on his back, blowing aside the stray strands on his face. His black garments kept the cold away from him; the air on the highway during the night would come cool and at times frigid. Beside him descended the azure Grim Angel, her black wings seemingly unseen in the evening. Her arms rested on her side as her white robes and her cerulean mantle gave its contrast. Beholding the city beyond them with her black eyes, she spoke.

"So, this is the city, Siegel?" she asked him.

"Yeah, that's the city of Brahms. A metropolis if you must say." Siegel replied.

He turned to gaze at the Grim Angel, noting on her garments and appearance. He shook his head, especially on the wings. She looked at him, raising an eyebrow at this companion's stare. "What are you looking at?"

"This would not do." Siegel replied.

"What do you mean?" she asked with a raised voice.

"Your appearance, Malice." Siegel replied again. "We have to find a way for you not to catch their attention. You know people these days. They don't trust anyone that doesn't look natural. In this case, your wings and clothes will prove a problem."

Malice crossed her arms and looked at him. "And your plan is?"

"You can hide them by disguise. A human guise." He answered her. "I'm sure you know how it's done."

Malice sighed. She had no choice on the matter. If they were going to search for him, they have to look through the crowds. She closed her eyes, letting her mind focus. A glow came to surround her form, her black wings and her garments taken by the light as it covered them. The wings came to evanesce as they seem to shed the feathers into bright dust. Her clothes began to change its form and combination, her apparel making its match much more fitting. Her robes of white had turned to an apparel of a white sleeveless shirt with detached sleeves covering her arms, and a skirt of white that reached above her knees. The blue cloak changed its form as it became a jacket to top her apparel. And her black boots remained, reaching her knees and hugging her legs. Her hair sat with its flowing length, a perfect match. She gazed at Siegel with a stern look.

"Happy?" she asked.

"Good, problem solved." Siegel answered with a smile on his face.

"Wait, what about you?" Malice raised her query.

Siegel looked at his outfit. Gazing at his black coat that covered his red shirt, his black trousers, and his leather shoes, he snickered. "Oh, this outfit, I can blend easily with this."

Malice narrowed her eyes at him. "Yeah, right…"

Siegel started the engine of the bike, revving it with the hand throttle to heat it up. He looked at her and motioned his hand to come. "Come on, hop in."

Malice walked her way towards the bike, mounted herself on the vehicle and held on. It felt like instinct told her. Siegel brought his leg to push the bike forth before moving towards the city, rushing in the evening.

(End of Chapter)

Uh…there goes another chapter. I guess there was something that shouldn't go further, if you get my point. I guess the teaser scene seemed too much. Well, another character introduced. If you have any idea what Maya is, go ahead and guess.

Note on the following terms:

Deva – A Deva is defined to be the divine gods in the Hindu mythos. In this story, they are in league with the Angels as demigods or closer to that. Arjun is one of the aforementioned beings that have powers equal to the Grim Angel. His past, however, will be revealed further in the story.

Treant – A Treant is, as you have read, a tree spirit. (Reference: Warcraft 3 or the Ents from Lord of the Rings.)

Please review. Your suggestions and comments are essential for the sake of improvement. Hope you enjoyed your reading. Stay tuned for the upcoming chapters. See you again.

Sydney Grise