Chapter 3: Fallen Angels and Demons
The trip home was quiet. The knights were taking Michael's pickup while Valla and I followed them in the Blue Beetle. Valla didn't say anything after she killed the Fallen Angel. She seemed deep in thought, and I really didn't want to pry. I got the feeling that even her friends didn't know everything about her, and I had a long way to go before she might call me friend. Eventually, we made it to the church.
"What are your thoughts on the matter?" Valla asked me suddenly. "You seemed almost as if you saw some manner of great evil during the fight. Do you have something to say about my killing of that man?"
I thought about it for a bit before sighing. "I got pulled into a Soulgaze. Wizards can look at your very soul with it, and get an idea what kind of person you are. It happened uncontrollably for me tonight. And I saw the guy being possessed by the Fallen. I think he's better off dead than controlled by that thing. Why do you want to know?"
Valla glared at me for a bit before speaking. "A good friend of ours, Lea, was forced against her will to be possessed by a powerful demon. We were forced to destroy her to save all the forces of good. Seeing those knights trying to make the possessed repent got me thinking." Hell's Bells. A demon forced himself on someone? That should be impossible. Even the Fallen for all their power couldn't do anything to a person unless they gave permission for it.
But then again, Valla was from a different world. Things might be different over there.
"You wondered if perhaps you could've saved her." I finished. Valla didn't say anything. "Well, you guys have been fighting demons longer than I have. If you really thought there was no other way, then I respect your decision."
"…Thank you, Dresden." Valla said after a while, and got out of the car. As we entered the doors, we heard a lot of talking going on. Guess having a fallen angel show up kicks up the hornet's nest around here. We entered the main chamber to see everyone waiting in there and talking. And one more newcomer.
This guy seemed different to the others. I can't really put my finger on why, but he felt…older. Stronger. There was nothing unusual about him really, compared to the others. He was a bald African-American guy, wearing golden armour and a dull green cloak. Hanging at his side was a sword, but it was hidden by his body. The others were looking at him in amazement, as if he was the leader of their group. Valla actually smiled when she saw him. "Tyreal." She said as she shook his hand. The man smiled back at her.
"Hello Valla." He said. "I am glad to see you are still well. According to these Templars here, you took down a fallen angel without giving him time to repent." He nodded his head in understanding. "I agree with you." He spotted me hiding in the shadows. "And this must be the Wizard Harry Dresden. Pleasure making your acquaintance."
Well, no more skulking about now. I stepped closer to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you. You another Nephalem like these guys?"
"No, actually. I will never be able to reach such lofty power. But I am still capable of fighting the good fight."
"Father Forthill told us how they are from another world." Michael said to me. "My guess is that he is their version of a Knight of the Cross, given a holy sword by God to defend his lands from evil."
"I'm afraid not, Sir Michael. My sword is a remnant from my times as an Archangel." Everyone except for the Nephalem nearly spat their drinks out as he said that. Stars and stones, we have an Archangel here dining with us?
"But…your grace." Shiro said after he finished coughing. "Where is your grace?"
"If you mean my power, it is most likely being reborn in the High Heavens as we speak. But I get the feeling that you and I are suffering from a 'culture clash', as they call it." He cleared his throat. "For starters, I must inform you that in our realm, the being you would call 'God' is dead. Along with our version of Satan. Their remains form the Heavens and Hells, and their blood became the Angels and Demons."
"And according to Tyreal, even he doesn't know why we are here or who brought us." Ming finished saying. I'm not sure that anyone from my side even heard her. They were still staring at the ex-Archangel in their midst. I guess it wasn't every day one showed up at church, let alone give up their grace, whatever that was.
"Right then." Valla said after a while. "Do you know why we were brought here?"
Tyreal shook his head. "I asked the Angels of this realm for assistance, but they were unable to help."
"Surprise, surprise." Ming said in a weary tone.
"I can tell you it is because they cannot interfere with free will. As long as a human willingly allows something to happen that can hurt others or themselves, the angels can't do anything about it. But if a demon or Fallen Angel force themselves onto someone…" He trailed off, as though deep in thought.
"While you lot think about your mission, we need to talk with Dresden." Michael said after a bit of waiting. No one got up and left, which filled me with confidence. It meant they wanted to help me out. "You're looking for the Shroud." It wasn't a question.
"How did you guys know about that?" I scowled.
"Doesn't matter. But I need you to do something for me. It will be very difficult. You won't like it. And under normal circumstances I would never consider asking you."
"Name it." I said immediately. Michael is a friend. I trust him. If he told me to jump off a building I would do it because he always looks out for me. Besides, his family got endangered last time because of me. "Just name it. I owe you."
Michael nodded, before looking me in the eye. "Get out of this business Harry. Get out of town for a few days. Or stay home for a while. But just don't get involved in this stuff for a while."
"I blinked in surprise. "You… don't want my help?"
"I want your safety Harry. You're in great danger."
"You're kidding me." I replied angrily. "I can handle myself."
"Like you did tonight? Harry, if it wasn't for this woman here, you would've been…"
"What? Dead? There are enough bad guys out there with a trophy base with my name on it. One of these days one of them is bound to get lucky. What else is new?"
Michael shook his head in annoyance. "Harry, you don't understand."
"Oh, I understand alright. One more B-horror-movie reject tried to whack me. It's happened before. It'll happen again."
Shiro took over the conversation without looking up from cleaning his sword. "Ursiel was not here to kill you."
That got me to shut up. I saw the poor guy stuck with Ursiel. I saw how the Fallen Angel had chained him inside his own body. And that scared me.
"It is not uncommon for powerful Demons to possess those that stand against them." Tyreal said. "It gains them a new ally, and removes a thorn in their side."
"I don't know how it works back home, but here powerful beings can't just possess you like that. Not unless free will's involved."
"You're right Harry. But men can be tempted. And the Denarians have more to offer than most." Shiro said.
"Denarians?"
"The Order of Blackened Denarius. They have thirty silver coins, each containing a Fallen Angel. And they offer them to those that are most valuable to them. Whoever takes up a coin is tempted. Given power. And they gain more by asking. By giving up a part of themselves."
"Until they are no longer men." Serenity said quietly. Given the way Valla acted, I doubted the others would be merciful to any Fallen Angels they find.
Michael nodded. "Normally, we try to help them. To realise they are being possessed. Sometimes, we get through to them."
"Michael, I've been tempted once or twice before. I can handle it."
"No you can't. Against Denarians, few can. They know everything about you. What you want, what you desire, what are your weaknesses. Thousands of people have fallen to them, even with forewarning."
"I said I'll be fine." I growled.
"Harry. I know you're a good man. You care about others. But you have had a difficult life. You are as vulnerable as anyone else. These enemies don't want you dead. They want you."
"Alright, that scared me a bit. Maybe it was because Michael was scared of them, and he wasn't scared by many things. Maybe it was because I will see that poor guy screaming forever inside his own mind.
Or maybe it was because I wondered if there wasn't a way to use that power without falling. If they were so powerful that thousands fell for them, what could they do for me?
"Beat the shit out of Duke Ortega, that's for sure.
On the other hand, I've got a bunch of powerful heroes at my beck and call. I'm sure they'd love to kill an evil Vampire.
I realised how tired I was. I got up from the table. "Look, the church hired me to find this shroud. I don't abandon a case like this. And I'm dam…darned tired. I need to rest, think things over.
"Michael stood up too, facing me. "Harry, I care for you. I trust you. I named my child after you. But please, stay out of this business. For my sake, if not your own."
"And if I don't?"
"Then I will have to protect you from yourself. In the Name of God, please don't make me."
"He's got us with him." Korgaroth said as he got up too. "We have killed many powerful enemies. We will kill these Denarians, and feast upon their blood."
"There you go." I replied. "Straight from the Barbarian's mouth. Now, good night." I left them all behind me.
In one corner, one missing Shroud, one thoroughly dead corpse, one dedicated and deadly Vampire warlord, three holy knights, twenty-nine Fallen Angels, a mission no-one knows about, and a partridge in a pear tree.
In the other corner, one bruised, underpaid, tired wizard about to get dumped for a guy duller than grass, a mortal angel, and six ancient warriors.
Go Team Dresden.
(-(-)-)
"Seriously?" Bob the skull asked me, his tone incredulous. "You met powerful warriors from another world and a Fallen Angel that helps them? What the hell did you do to get that attention atop of everything else?"
"He wasn't a Fallen Angel." I said wearily. Bob wasn't actually a skull. He was a spirit of knowledge that took up residence in the skull. He knew more about magic than most wizards have forgotten about. He's always been a real big help, once you get past his perverted nature. "He's human now, and firmly on the side of good."
"Fallen doesn't just include evil angels Harry. He gave up his grace and permanently became mortal. He willingly fell from heaven. Ergo, he's a Fallen Angel."
"Can you tell me anymore about this stuff? Maybe even about the Shroud and the Denarians."
"Can't. I mean, I literally can't. Religion and everything in it is based around faith. I'm a spirit of logic. Logic and faith can never really mix. And I'm not going up against Fallen Angels for you Harry. Let's talk about something else."
"Like what?" While we were talking, I was busy making some potions. If I was going to have to duel a vampire, I want to have as many options as possible.
"These 'Nephalem' girls. They hot?"
I flicked my pencil at his head. "Easy Casanova. One of them killed a Fallen Angel with nothing more than a few well-placed traps and arrows. They'd probably smash your skull if you talk like that to them."
"Well then how about we talk about this duel of yours?"
"What's to talk about? I get one of the Nephalem as my second, they wipe the floor with Ortega, and I sit back and have a beer. End of story."
"Not really."
I sighed and pushed away from the table. Watching my potions wasn't going to make them finish any faster. "Alright then, genius. Give me the cliff-notes on why. I already know I choose the time, place, and weapons."
"No, no. You choose the weapons. But Ortega gets to choose the time and place."
"Damn. I wanted high-noon at the park."
"And the weapon has to be something you can both use. If he can't, then you'll have to go with your second choice. And you have to fight him."
"Then what the hell's a second for?"
"For if he kills you. Duh."
Great. I'd prefer to have the Fallen Angel-killing warrior fight in my place, but I guess I'll just have to improvise. "Ok then. Next up, the corpse. Considering I was attacked by a Fallen not far from the morgue, would it be accurate to think they did it?"
"Yeah. I'm no expert, but having thousands of years to train would make anyone a serious wizard. Definitely powerful enough to make a plague curse that nasty." Fantastic. I drew the symbol we found on his arm.
"Which secret group do you suppose this mark belongs to?"
"Don't know. Plenty of groups use it, from cults to comic book heroes." Damn. Another dead-end. And I really felt like hitting the hay right now.
"Alright, alright. Last things. I want you to take a look around at Marcone's place. Some of his thugs attacked me, and they might've killed me if the Nephalem hadn't been there. Also, I want you to find out anything on Ortega."
"My life sucks."
"Deal with it. Finally, can you think of anyone that might be able to find the Shroud?"
"Try Ulsharavas. Her rates are reasonable. But be careful around her. She's still one of the Loa." Made me wish I had invited Naziba around. But I didn't have much time. I was nearly nodding off already.
"Ok then. I release you to go about your mission, to return within 24 hours once you find something." A cloud of orange light fled out of the skull, heading straight up for the stairs.
Meanwhile, I got ready to summon a Loa.
(-(-)-)
I gritted my teeth as I heard banging on my front door, and wished I could make things explode with my mind. I hadn't slept much after talking to the Loa. She told me where to go alright, but she also mentioned a prophesy. It was why Michael wanted me out of town. It said that if I stayed, I would die. But there was a bit that Michael didn't hear. That part said that if I left, the city and the Knights would die. Lazy stupid cryptic warning. Finally, Bob barely made it back before sunrise. If he was outside his skull, the sun would destroy him like a small puddle of water. He got back badly injured. Anything tough enough to hurt him was very dangerous.
Finally, I got myself out of bed and stomped over to the door, ready to blast whoever was on the other side. But as I opened the door, I found my old mentor, Ebenezer McCoy waiting for me.
"About damn time Hoss." He said. "Rough night?"
"You have no idea." I replied, letting him into my home. Wizards have to be invited in, or we leave behind most of our power. "So what are you here for anyway?"
"I heard about how Ortega challenged you to a duel. You don't need to worry about it. We'll stomp it down."
"Unfortunately, he's got hitmen watching my friends. If I don't duel him, they'll get to work." Ebenezer cursed as he heard that. "So is there anything else?"
"There is, actually. We received word from our allies that a couple of nights ago, several somethings attacked Red Court manors. Whatever they were, they tore through them like nothing. We'd think it was a group, except that one of our scouts caught sight of a single man leaving one of the manors. According to him, it looked like some kind of monk in purple robes and a long staff. We did some more digging, and some people also spotted a white-armoured girl leaving some consecrated ruins, while a stooped witch-doctor left another manor followed by a small army of undead. And he was leading them without even using drums." Well. At least I knew what the Nephalem did when they first got here. Colour me impressed. It sounded as though they found themselves inside the heart of a Red Court lair, and proceeded to kill every last one of them. It sounded like any of them would make short work of Ortega and his goons. "We're trying to find them so we can hire them to help us. But in the meantime, we're on the lookout for a possible warlock."
"What did this person do?"
"Apparently, she was making a ruckus, asking for some made up land or something. When the police arrested her, she used powerful magic to bust her way out and attack the officers. None of them died, thank God, but she still attacked to kill. They described her as an Asian lady, complete with robes and everything." Yikes. Sounds exactly like Li-Ming. She never mentioned this. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to mention them. The White Council took warlocks seriously. If they so much as suspected you of being one, they would try and kill you before you prove them right. And with Ming's power, they'd be even more nervous about her. And all of them together, they might actually win against the entire Council.
I wasn't sure what scared me more. But dammit, if I couldn't trust Ebenezer about this, I couldn't trust anyone.
"I've met the people you're looking for." I told him. "They're warriors from another version of Earth. And I imagine that Li-Ming got into a fight due to cultural differences between our worlds."
Ebenezer gave me a look. "Explain."
"Well, over there, everyone knows that the supernatural is real. Demon attacks are so common that there's an order made just to hunt them down. They're still about medieval in technology, and they're still led by kings. Ming probably just got into a fight because she said something that while normal for her, was weird for us."
Ebenezer just looked troubled. "While I can admit her attack could simply be a misunderstanding, that still doesn't change how powerful she appears to be. And while mortals don't understand the real power we wield, what spells she did use sounded Council-level spells."
"Oh, I'm not denying she's powerful. I got ambushed by gunmen and she created a bubble that slowed down time like it was nothing. All I'm saying is that the Council doesn't need to start a witch-hunt for her. She's got a freaking Arch-Angel as an ally."
Ebenezer hesitated, before sighing in frustration. "All right. I won't tell anyone about her. But I need to meet her to make sure she isn't dangerous."
"No problem. She's living in the church. Along with the other 'great warriors' I might add." He chuckled a bit, realising how close he would've brought the Council to the wrong battle. We had a quick drink, talked about old times, and about the war against the Red Court. Thanks to the Nephalems' attack, they were running scared and giving us an edge. I guess I'd panicked too if some guys showed up in my lair and killed all my guys too. He even promised to protect my friends if I die. Of course, I imagine that the Red Court would be busy getting hit by the Nephalem to bother any of them anymore. But you couldn't be too sure. After having a bit of a laugh as I told him about their attempt at driving, I let him out the door.
And stopped to stare at the horse-drawn cart by the Blue Beetle.
It was huge, and vaguely Asian, with a pointed roof, lot of flowing banners, and what looked like gems inside. This was a thief's dream come true. And at the reins was a wizened old man with a scraggly beard.
"Ah hello." He said as he spotted us with his old voice. "Oh this is very good. I'm afraid I'm a little lost."
"Well sir, I'm afraid that the horse carriage show just left town last week." I spoke automatically. I can't help it. I instantly joke at anyone. Ask my friends.
"Oh darn. My carriage would've won that show. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to find my friends. You see, we were all camping together a few nights before. But when I woke up, they were gone. And I was here." He sighed. "A shame really. I so wanted to ask Ming out for dinner. Perhaps it was my breath."
"Ming? Li-Ming?" I couldn't believe it. Someone else from their world? It was like a mass exodus.
"Oh? You know her? Pretty, isn't she? In fact, she reminds me of the priestess I met back in the Zakarum church. Oh, she was a lovely girl. And such a figure too."
I decided to derail this conversation. "Look, if you're a friend of her, then she and the rest of the Nephalem are staying at Saint Mary of the Angels. It's the biggest church in the city. You can't miss it."
"You're right. Why, I was just passing it last night. But it looked too peaceful. Whenever they enter a church, it always has demons and cultists in it. Still, if what you say is true, then I need to get moving."
"I'll come with you." Ebenezer said to him, moving to his truck. "I want to meet this Li-Ming to see if she's dangerous."
"Oh, she's plenty dangerous. The trick is to make sure you are not her enemy in the first place. Much better for your health." He waited till Ebenezer pulled out, then got his horses following. Drivers stopped to stare at the strange, old-fashioned cart when it passed. I saw a few accidents happen because everyone was too busy watching him. Well as long as they got to the church and didn't get pulled over, I was alright with it.
Except that the Blue Beetle chose today of all days to pack up.
It took me a few minutes of hitting the steering wheel and cursing at it before I realised it wasn't going anywhere today. Dammit. I can't do my detective stuff with a bus. If something big and nasty jumps me I'm not going to have a speedy ride back home. And unless the Nephalem have a 'summon car' or 'fix car' spell, they weren't going to be able to help. I went back inside and called Mike, my mechanic, and told him about the problem. After he said he'll get someone to tow the Beetle over to him, I had a thought about what to do.
On one hand, I did promise that I'd bring along one of the Nephalem when I went out for something important as this. And after last night it wouldn't hurt to have some extra muscle. But on the other hand, taking the bus to them and then to the harbour might take too much time. The Churchmice might move on by then.
Besides, it's not like I'm going to get attacked the very morning after Ursiel.
(-(-)-)
"Wait!" I shouted, sprinting after the bus now leaving the bus stop. "Dammit, I said wait!" But the driver didn't seem to hear me. He just kept going, and I was left behind trying to throw up my own stomach. It was going to at least half an hour before the next bus came along, and I didn't want to waste any time waiting. But life apparently hated me, or at least wanted me to get my breath back before heading for uncertain trouble. So I just stood there catching my breath.
"Excuse me, mister." I heard a young boy say as he tugged on my coat. He seemed a bit sickly, like he was meant to be in a hospital or something. "You are Harry Dresden, correct?"
"Maybe." I replied warily. Kids don't just come up to me and ask by name. Something weird was going on.
"I saw a ferocious monster skulking in that alley over there. Is it not your job to deal with such creatures?"
I wanted to sigh and tell him to beat it, but he was right. Besides, my conscious wouldn't let me go if it turned out that there really was a monster of some kind there. He took me by the hand and led me deep into the alleyway. Alarm bells were already ringing.
"Ok kid. Where's this monster?"
"Right here, wizard." The child started chuckling as he changed form. He grew in size as extra limbs formed from nowhere. Pale blue fire started billowing from his stomach. And soon I had a demon glaring at me with four glowing eyes. Actually, it made him look as though he had two faces. "Your body will prove to be a more worthy vessel than this mere child." The demon said with a deep, echoing voice. "I will enjoy making you my puppet."
"Dream on, Two-Face. Forzare!" Luckily, I already had my hand wrapped around my blasting rod the moment I entered the alleyway. The demon merely laughed as he faded from view, some kind of invisibility. Whatever. It gave me a chance to escape. I ran straight for the street, hearing scrabbling noises coming up behind me. I was nearly there when part of the ground fell away, leaving me flying over a deep, fiery pit. I had to fight just to scrabble onto the small crumbling ledge. Hell's Bells, this guy was tough. Not everyone could just do something like that so easily. The demon got closer and closer to me, cackling all the while. But before he reached me, I got him with a stray bolt of force, and pulled myself out of the pit. I rushed back over the road, ignoring all the cars tooting at me for nearly getting run over. I looked back quickly, and say the demon rush out of the alleyway.
And get hit by a bus he missed.
Now, despite what TV has told you, getting hit by a several ton steel object moving at about 10 miles per hour is very painful. Most of the time, the bus comes out of it in better shape.
So imagine my surprise when the Demon got right back up and glared at me.
"Oh come on!" I moaned, getting weird looks from people. "That was a direct hit." The demon vanished into thin air, obviously not wanting to press its luck. By now, there was a taxi nearby, waiting for passengers. Good enough for me. "Head on over to Saint Mary of the Angels, as fast as you can." I told the driver, giving him a fright.
If demons were going to gun for me every day, I want some damn back up.
There we go, we're finally meeting a new threat. In this story, the Denarians aren't alone anymore. Now they've got allies, and fans of Diablo should recognise this guy today. Also, Tyreal's here. After reading Skin Game and learning about Graces, I decided that Tyreal's is back in the High Heavens, getting reborn or something. He's not going to pull it out of nowhere and kick ass with it. It just doesn't fit in with Dresden lore.
And as I mentioned, in real life, that Demon would've been killed by the bus. But reality's no fun, so I had him survive. If you can survive in Hell, you can handle getting hit with a bus. And don't worry. Harry will have plenty of enemies that are within his weight-class. You'll just have to wait and see.