Just like the Dimensional Rift, Limbo was no place for the living. Its oppressive atmosphere pervaded the air and those who belonged shunned those who did not. Only those who donned the God Mask could survive in this kingdom of the dead.
Gabriel glided, all six of his wings trembling in the semi-incorporeal yet gentle wind. The souls of the deceased scooted away at his approach and continued to eye him from afar. The Seraph twirled, searching for the one he sought... until a peculiarly disfigured spirit came into view.
A girl. Preteen. Ghostly blood freckled her chest and a ragged wound scarred her cheek. The girl wore a simple pinafore dress, drab and washed-out in this domain. She wandered, with her hands cupped around her mouth.
"Friedrich! Where are you, Friedrich?" she was calling at the top of her voice.
The angel drew near – wrapping his wings 'round himself along the way – and cleared his throat. The soul leaped a foot into the air, and an anguished wheeze escaped her throat. "No! Get away from me!"
"I wish you no harm." Gabriel gestured, palm up.
"Those eyes-" The girl leveled her twitching finger at him. "You!" she blurted out. "I remember you! Fiend! Monster! There's a special place in Hell waiting for you!"
"I recognize that, spirit." The angel bowed his head. "And I wish to apologize for my actions."
"Apologize? Apologize?! Why should I forgive you?!" the girl cried out, rage overriding fear. "You killed my brother! Seven-years-old, never did anything! So beautiful – pure! Never cried. You gutted him like a pig! And when-"
"And when you tried to protect him by clubbing me with your father's cane, I backhanded you across the jaw. Then I ripped open your throat and drained you dry. I know. That's why you are here." Gabriel took a knee. "But believe me or not, I want to help you." He mused for a few seconds. "Do you have a name?"
A shadow of doubt creased the soul's features. She ran her hand up the other arm, a nervous fidget. "Elise," she eventually spoke.
"Pleased to meet you, Elise," the herald said, unable to hold back his smile. "I'm Gabriel."
The girl blinked. "Such a nice name."
Crow's-feet furrows crinkled his eyes. Subduing a snicker, he held out his hand. "Come. Let's go find your brother. Friedrich, was it?"
Elise livened up, hope creeping into those faded eyes. "You really wanna help me?"
"Aye. I'm going to save all of you."