Chapter 10

After Miles had ran off, Daniel ceased his struggling against Debilito's weight. The Demon-Dog retreated as Umbra roughly grabbed Daniel by the throat and hissed into his face, "So, someone has finally decided to use some of that power stashed away inside him! You best count yourself lucky I'm supposed to present you to Him!" Umbra hauled Daniel over to the Hell Gate and tossed him inside. Daniel couldn't help but scream as he tumbled through blackness. A sharp pain shot through Daniel's side as he struck a rock ledge jutting from a wall. With a thud, Daniel landed on the ground and created a small crater on impact. Just as Daniel managed to get his legs under him, Debilito came down and landed directly on top of him. Umbra landed lightly in front of him. He snapped his fingers and commanded, "Ferre." Debilito clamped his jaws around Daniel's neck causing him to yelp. Umbra began to walk away as Debilito dragged Daniel along. Daniel struggled slightly but quickly gave up as each movement made the Demon-Dog's teeth prick his neck uncomfortably. Daniel looked about him.

The air was unbearably hot and reeked of smoke. He was being dragged against a bumpy black ground that rubbed off black dust. By looking outwards he could see flames igniting and disappearing at random and from cracks and crevices, malevolent eyes peered at him. Daniel was painfully dragged down countless flights of stairs. The farther down they went, the darker it became. Soon the only light was the glow of lava coursing through the rock walls. After what felt like an eternity, the stairs ceased and leveled out into a huge room. The room was pitch black except in one corner where lava flowed from the ceiling and formed a curtain. But the even that light was almost consumed by the stifling darkness. Debilito's ears flattened against his skull and his tail went between his legs as he cowered at the bottom stair, whimpering. Umbra snapped at him, "Que!" However, Daniel heard something strange in Umbra's voice. It almost seemed to quiver; as if he himself were frightened.

Where are we? I don't like it here, it feels… evil. Pure evil. More so than Umbra.

Daniel was startled from his thoughts by a low, rumbling, voice that penetrated the depths of his soul and made his blood freeze in his veins, "Umbra Diaboli… What have you brought me?"

Umbra dropped to his knees and bowed so that his forehead touched the floor, "Prince of Darkness, ruler of Hell. I have brought you my spawn, Daniel, just as you commanded." Debilito dropped Daniel and backed further up the steps, still whimpering. Daniel slowly got to his feet staring at a huge shadowy mass that had moved into view behind the lava curtain. It did not have solid edges but seemed to flow and flux.

Daniel's heart began to beat faster and harder as the growl like voice addressed him, "Come closer, Daniel. Come. Come." Despite the beckoning of the voice, Daniel remained rooted to the spot. Umbra was now on his feet and behind Daniel, nudging him toward the lava curtain. He stopped when Daniel's nose was a foot from the flowing lava and backed away. Everything in Daniel mind told him to run away but he found himself rooted to the spot. His heart beat out of control and his breathing became sporadic as a dark, smoky hand reached out through the lava and towards Daniel's face. The tips of the fingers brushed the side of Daniel face. At first it was cold and uncomfortable.

Suddenly Daniel screamed as it began to burn his skin. His demon stripes began to glow bright red as the burning sensation continued to strengthen to the point of being intolerable. The hand retracted into the lava as Daniel collapsed onto the ground with his demon stripes still glowing faintly. The evil voice came once again, "He is more powerful than we ever imagined. Such immense power. With Daniel on our side, the war will be easily won."

Umbra ducked his head, "With all due respect Master, I do not believe Daniel will join us willingly."

After a moment, the voice responded, "If he will not lend us his power, then we shall take it from him."

"It shall be done."

The voice replied with what sounded like cruel amusement, "No. not yet. I sense the Gifted Boy is coming. Direct your brethren to make sure that he is herded toward the central square. Secure your spawn there as well, on the alter."

Miles hid behind a large hunk of brimstone as a tall, lanky demon stalked by. After it had left, Miles slowly stepped into the open and began to walk down a path that was paved with what seemed to be coal dust. He hadn't gotten far when out of nowhere, a bird-like demon swooped from above with a screech. Miles dove to the ground as its claws sliced the air where his ears had just been. As the demon circled around, Miles was on his feet and sprinting down the path, dust flung up in clouds as he did. He was about to turn down a fork in the path when a hulking demon lurched at him with a roar. Turning on his heels, Miles went down the opposite fork only to turn back once more as another demon chased him off with a banshee-like screech. More demons closed in on him, forcing Miles to go straight.

Demons seemed to materialize out of thin air along the sides of the path, screaming, roaring, howling and some breathing fire. Some reached toward him with horrible claws while others swung spiked tails. Just as Miles' legs threatened to give out, he reached a large clearing. He stopped to catch his breath and realized that everything had fallen silent. Miles looked about the large clearing. Fire encircled it and if you looked into the flames long enough, there appeared to be thin white hands waving among them and screams could be heard in harmony with the crackling of fire. Shuddering, Miles looked elsewhere. Part of the clearing was raised, almost like a stage. In the middle of the stage-like structure was an altar of sorts. Bound to it with chains was a familiar face.

"Daniel!" cried Miles as he ran to the alter. Daniel was unconscious with his limbs in chains that were wrapped around the stone slab of the alter. Miles slapped Daniel across the face, "Daniel! Wake up! You better not be dead! Wake up!"

Daniel slowly opened his eyes but quickly became alert when he saw Miles, "Miles?! What are you doing here?"

"I told you I would rescue you didn't I? I'm a fox of my word."

Daniel smiled, "Thanks."

Miles smiled back before turning serious, "Don't thank me yet. We still have to get out of here." Miles bent and began to search for where the chains attached to the rock when he noticed the severe discoloring of the stone. The discoloration seemed to form in drip-like marks. Brushing aside the wild thoughts of his imagination, Miles stood and said, "I can't find where the chains are anchored the rock."

"Maybe I can break it?" Miles nodded and took a step back. After taking a deep breath, Daniel began to pull against the chains binding his arms. With a yell and a heave, the links in the middle shattered. Daniel sat up with the remaining links dangling from his wrists, "I did it!" Miles grabbed Daniel in a hug which the latter eagerly returned.

Both boys froze as a slow, deliberate clapping was heard, "Well done Daniel, well done."

The two turned to see Umbra standing a few feet from them, a smug smile plastered on his face, "You're finally starting to be able to access your true power at will. I'm quite proud of you, Son."

Daniel frowned, "Don't call me that. I'm not your son, I'm Christine's son!"

Umbra's face twisted into a disgusted sneer, "No one likes a Mama's boy. Not that it matters considering your mother is dead." Daniel gave the chains that bound his legs a yank and they broke like glass. He hopped down from the stone slab and took a step towards Umbra with a growl.

Miles put a hand on his shoulder, "Daniel, don't." With a nod, Daniel relaxed slightly.

Umbra threw back his head and laughed in a mocking tone, "HA! Why do you let that little runt hold you back? Don't you want revenge against me? If so, why not get it? Come! Prove yourself, fight!"

As Umbra spoke his challenge, other demons began to gather around shouting, "Pugnare! Pugnare! Pugnare!" The more intelligent demons repeated the chant in English, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" The lowest demons merely jumped around and whooped.

"So? What shall it be?" All at once, the chanting and whooping quieted as all the demons turned to look in one direction. Umbra himself stopped and turned as well. The many fires burning around the area seemed to dim, almost go out. A darkness began to creep from the stairs leading down to the lower levels of Hell. All of the demons began to back away from the stair area. Daniel and Miles joined hands and moved closer together.

The air seemed to freeze as a low, growling voice said, "Enough. All of you."

Umbra and all of the other demons immediately knelt and bowed their heads. The darkness came further and further up the stairs and heavy thudding footsteps could be heard. The voice came again, "Restrain them both."

Umbra snapped his fingers, "Petram vinculis." The rock beneath Miles and Daniel's very feet sprung upward like water geysers and snagged their wrists and coiled around their ankles before solidifying.

A large shadowy hand reached up from the stairwell and grasped the railing, "I trust you boys are enjoying your stay here?" Daniel and Miles began to shake as a second hand also grabbed the railing.

Umbra spoke up, "Master, with all due respect, I think it best if we begin."

"Patience, Umbra." came the reply, "All in good time."

Miles summoned his courage and shouted, "We aren't sticking around for anything!" Miles cried out and nearly fell to the ground as he felt a hot, searing gaze drill into his chest and peer into his soul.

The large dark hands tightened around the railing as they began to pull a large menacing black mass barely into view, "You have courage boy. But not even that cross can protect you from my power." Miles slumped against Daniel, almost passing out.

Daniel held him upright and snarled, "Leave my brother alone!"

A horrible, bone chilling chuckle sounded from the stairwell, "Brother? That is quite rich. You are a demon Daniel. The many creatures around you are your brothers and sisters. Not that little runt." More of the dark mass was coming into view so that a massive set of shoulders was visible. A dim light was visible through the darkness but the shadows shifted and appeared to move upward. The light became stronger. A large horned head was lifting up out of the stairwell. Just as the glowing, blood-red eyes were about to be in full view until there was a thunder-like crash. A bright heavenly light streamed downward on the central square causing all of the lowest and middle class demons to emit ghastly screams and take off at once. The higher demons were able to hold out for only a few seconds longer before fleeing as well. Umbra fell to his knees with a pained screech. A deafening roar sounded from the stairwell and the head lowered.

Rock collapsed from the ceiling and a large party of angels came through the hole. They remained in the air, calling out incantations, "Caelestis inspiratione!" "Caelestis mundare!" "Lux laser!" As a result, beams and spheres of light were flying every which way. Miles was beginning to recover looked upwards along with Daniel. The female yellow cat named Margret that Miles had encountered in Heaven flew up to them, behind her St. Michael.

Margret was almost in tears as she embraced both Miles and Daniel, "I'm so glad both of you are ok! Miles what were you thinking?"

"Be careful Margret." warned St. Michael, "Do not let your feet touch this unholy rock." Another roar bellowed from the stairwell and the darkness began to rise up it much more quickly than last time. St. Michael shouted, "We must go, now!"

Margret took Miles into her arms and said to Daniel, "Come, open your wings and fly."

Daniel quickly replied with a worried glance at the stairwell, "But I can't fly Aunt Margret! Mother never taught me!"

St. Michael let out a frustrated sigh, "Of all the ridiculous-"

Miles spoke up by saying, "Maybe if he hadn't be imprisoned in a room his whole life, he would know how to fly!"

"Miles, please show some respect!" gasped Margret. Another roar sounded but this time it came from Umbra who had at last gained his strength back. He launched himself toward the four, a dark fire engulfing his hands.

St. Michael grabbed Daniel's hand, "We leave now! All angels retreat! Retreat!" The other angels immediately turned and flew from the hole they came in. With a strong flap of his golden wings, St. Michael followed after them, Daniel in hand and Margret carrying Miles right behind him.

At last the party made it back to Heaven. They were surrounded by the angels who did not go and bombarded them with questions and fussing over any wounds. After injuries were taken care of, St. Michael stood in the middle of the crowd to address them. "Angels. Servants of God. Our rescue mission was a success. Miles, the Gifted Boy, and Daniel, Christine's son, were successfully rescued and they are unharmed." Cheering ripped through the crowd. "However, in the process of this rescue, we lost two brave angels. We shall miss and remember their sacrifice forever."

The crowd dipped their heads and was silent until an angel shouted, "Why did we waste the blood of our comrades over that demon?! We should have left him Hell where he belongs!" The rest of the crowd began to become angry and restless. Daniel shifted uncomfortably as the angels near him began to give him threatening looks.

Margret, who had been standing next to Daniel and Miles in the crowd, flew above the crowd and shouted, "Are you all really that blind?! Daniel is not demon! You forget that he is Christine's son! She died for her son so that he may have a chance at a life! If you cannot put aside your hate in memory of Christine, than put it aside for the sake of logic! Christine was one of our strongest angels and Umbra is the second most powerful entity in Hell! If you put that together it creates an unimaginable power! We cannot allow the demons to have that! But that shouldn't matter! Daniel is a good boy who was cursed with the looks of a demon! But shouldn't matter either! We cannot judge and condemn him! Only the Lord can!" Margret landed next to Daniel and said, "I too used to doubt you. But Christine showed me that you are not a demon but an angel. I know I cannot give your mother back, but I can give you something that I'm sure you have wanted your whole life. Acceptance."

"I'll always stick by your side Daniel. Because we're brothers and nothing is going to change that." added Miles with a smile.

A voice suddenly spoke up, "I accept you too Daniel." Everyone turned to see the old mongoose. "In memory of your dear mother, Christine." Slowly, the other angels began to nod and murmur in agreement. They stepped forward to shake hands with Daniel and some even hugged him and gave their condolences about Christine.

Feeling touched and slightly overwhelmed by the enormous show of compassion, Daniel began to cry, "Thank you… All of you… Thank you so much… I just wish Mother was here to see this… It would make her… so happy…"

St. Michael came forward to him as well, "Daniel. As of this moment, you will no longer be seen as a danger or a demon. You are an angel of Heaven and always will be."

"Well isn't this touching?" Everyone turned and gasped…

Author's Note: Whew! Done! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Back to school distractions are everywhere! Anyways here is the Latin Translations: 1. FerreTranslation: Carry 2.Que Translation: Hush 3. Pugnare Translation: Fight 4. Petram vinculis Translation: Rock chains 5. Caelestis inspiratione Translation: Heavenly blast 6. Caelestis mundare Translation: Heavenly cleanse 7. Lux laser Translation: Light laser

Alrighty, on to the next one! Hopefully this won't take as long. So please read, review, and most of all, enjoy.