Hey I wanted to let you all know yes I do read your reviews. Everyone of them so I will respond.

Yes I know you all want a DC story. But right now I'm very burnt out on them and want to experiment and try new stories.

But I still appreciate every review I get and the support. Means a lot to me. Thank you.

Chapter 2: Awakening

James stirred awake, groaning as the faint morning light filtered through a curtained window. The air smelled faintly of butter and toast, an odd comfort given the events from the previous night. He blinked, sitting up in a small but tidy room. The walls were a neutral beige, sparsely decorated, and the only furniture was a wooden table, two chairs, and a small bed—the one he was lying in.

Across the room, the man from the park stood at a counter, carefully pouring grape juice into a glass. His movements were precise, almost ritualistic. James squinted, trying to make sense of where he was and why the man was here.

"Good, you're awake," the man said without turning around. His voice carried a calm authority. He set the glass on a tray alongside a plate of toast and approached, placing it on the small table beside James.

James hesitated. "Uh… thanks?" he said, eyeing the food suspiciously. His stomach growled, betraying his wariness.

"Eat," the man urged, gesturing toward the tray. "You'll need your strength."

James reluctantly picked up a slice of toast, biting into it. The butter melted in his mouth, soothing his nerves a bit. He washed it down with a sip of grape juice, the sweetness contrasting sharply with the bitter confusion swirling in his mind.

"Okay," James said after a moment, setting the glass down. "Who are you? What's happening? And... you had wings! Are you... an angel or something?"

The man folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "You may call me Shomel," he said. "And yes, in your simple terms, I am an angel. But I am no mere messenger. I am a warrior angel."

James blinked, his mind racing. "A… warrior angel? What does that even mean? Why were you there? Why me?"

Shomel's gaze softened slightly. He pulled out the chair across from James and sat down. "Because you were in danger. That place—this school—is not what it seems. It lures men like you with promises, only to corrupt and destroy them." His voice hardened, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. "I've seen it happen too many times before. I am here to give you a second chance, to save you from their grasp."

James frowned, his thoughts turning to his friends. "Wait, what about my friends? They're still here. We can't just leave them behind!"

Shomel leaned back slightly, his expression grim. "Your concern is admirable, but this is not a simple rescue. These beings—demons and fallen angels—they do not let go of their prey so easily."

"I don't care!" James snapped, surprising himself with the intensity of his words. "I can't just abandon them! They're my friends!"

Shomel studied him for a long moment before nodding, a trace of reluctant respect in his eyes. "Very well. If saving them is what you choose, then I will aid you. But understand this: the path ahead will not be easy, and I cannot protect you from everything."

James nodded firmly, a determination settling in his chest. "I don't care how hard it is. I'm not leaving without them."

Shomel stood, his movements purposeful. "Then eat and gather your strength. We have much to prepare for, and time is not on our side."

As James took another bite of toast, he couldn't help but wonder what he had gotten himself into. The room felt safe for now, but he knew the outside world was far from it.

The two stepped outside the room to find out they are still in Kouoh Acadamy.

"Wait. Is this a dorm in the school?" James asks.

"I couldn't find anywhere else suitable. Plus, it would help you rest better." Shomel responds calmly as they start walking around the school to try and find Jame's two other friends.

As they walk around the school looking for them. James hears a voice calling for him "Handsome. Where were you? I looked all over for you last night and couldn't find you." Rias says in a seductive way.

"Oh well...you know.. I uhh needed sleep. Sorry about that." James responds feeling a little flustered.

"It's ok. Maybe we can get to know each other more now." She responds reaching for his shoulder.

Before she could touch him, Shomel's hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly. His gaze was calm, but the pressure of his grip sent a clear message. Rias winced, startled.

"Shomel!" James exclaimed, confused.

Shomel let go, his expression unchanging. "Oh, James. I'm glad you're okay," he said, ignoring Rias entirely.

Rias rubbed her wrist, her irritation poorly concealed. "I'm sorry, but who are you? You're not a student here."

Shomel turned to her, his voice steady. "I'm James's guardian. His parents are away, and they've entrusted me with his safety."

His tone softened slightly as he added, "I apologize for grabbing your wrist. I simply needed to ensure he was unharmed."

Rias forced a smile, though her eyes betrayed her simmering anger. "No, no… it's fine," she muttered, her tone clipped.

"Anyways. James and I need to be going. It was nice meeting you mam..." Shomel said acting nice but deep down had much rage boiling in him.

"You to...See you around." Rias said her anger starting to show as the two start to jog away.

As Shomel led James down the corridor, his steps quickened. James struggled to keep up, casting one last glance behind them.

"Was that really necessary?" James muttered, his tone caught between irritation and awe.

"Yes," Shomel said curtly. "Avoid unnecessary conflicts, but don't ignore warning signs. She's more dangerous than she lets on."

James frowned but didn't argue. He was about to ask what Shomel meant when a burst of laughter echoed from a nearby room. It was light and melodic, yet something about it sent a chill down his spine.

Shomel stopped abruptly, his head tilting toward the sound. James followed his gaze to a slightly ajar door at the end of the hall. Through the gap, he caught a glimpse of one of his friends, Dan, stepping inside.

"Dan!" Jame's exclaimed as he rushed over to help him away, however the door closed with James reaching over and opening it.

However just as he dose he sees horrors he was not expecting.

He sees fire and screaming souls, walls completely made up of the screaming bodies, and metal spikes with bodies reaching up 20 stories and hellish creatures wander the land...if it's even called land.

James screamed at the hellscape unable to move being frozen in place, with fire coming towards him, however Shomel rushes over and slams the door shut keeping the fire inside.

Then with some quick thinking he seals the door shut with magic then pulls out a gold cross as it's light starts shinning onto the door.

"What's going on? What are you doing!?" James asked catching his breath.

"That door's been cursed—it leads straight to Inferno. Your friend's already trapped inside, but it's not as simple as it seems. I will try and reverse the spell." Shomel explains.

However the air seemed to crackle as a soft chuckle echoed down the hall. A faint, electric hum filled the space, and then she appeared—Akeno, her smile serene yet unsettling.

"HMP. Akeno...I'm assuming that Rias sent you to deal with us?" Shomel asked.

"Hmmm..Smart little angel aren't you...Shomel was it?" Akeno asked in a teasing tone.

"Don't you dare downplay my kind. We may not be able to intervene as often but we are not weak." He responds tightening his grip on the cross continuing to hold it's power towards the door.

"Oh. I'm sorry did I hurt your feeling and your cute little feather wings?"

"GGRRRR!" Shomel starts gaining more and more rage very unlike himself towards James.

"Ummm Shomel are you ok?" He asks nervously.

"James. Use the cross if you want to save your friend. I'm going to teach this demon a lesson." The angel says handing him the cross as his white and gold armor covers himself again his wings on full display.

"W-what? I don't know how to do this!" James says startled by this sudden responsibility.

"Don't worry. You don't need to do anything. Just aim it at the door and it will slowly undo the portal" Shomel says turning his attention to Akeno.

"Hmph. Bring it on... Cupid," Akeno teased, her voice laced with mockery.

Shomel's composure cracked, his wings flaring as his grip on the sword tightened. "You dare—" His words were cut off by a roar of anger, his golden armor shining brighter as he lunged forward, sword raised.

"Shomel, wait!" James called out, his voice trembling as he clutched the glowing cross. But his plea was drowned in the sound of metal clashing against lightning, the hallway erupting into chaos.

James felt uneasy about seeing the fighting but tries to keep his cool and points the cross to the door as it glows and starts reversing the spell.

Meanwhile Shomel and Akeno battle each other. The wide slashes attempt to shop her body into pieces, the swings where powerful, however the are slow, making them easy for Akeno to jump over and dodge them, as she creates some electric knifes and slashes the open areas in his armor such as his elbow.

"AHHH!" The Angel reacted and as he turns around for another swing, but she jumps over it as well slashing at his other elbow causing more pain.

Then taking advantage of his exhaustion, she creates a electric whip and swings it wrapping around his chest shocking him.

James looks over hearing the fighting, very much worried for Shomel's well being. Seeing him loosing the fight is the same gear he would feel if he was a friend or uncle loosing a fight in front of him.

"RRRRRRAAAAA!" Shomel yells as he grabs the whip and pulls on it to attempt to tear it off, but the magic was to powerful for the brute force, so quickly he unleashes a burst of holy light knocking Akeno away as he undoes the whip.

"Well then... time for option B." Shomel says as the golden light surrounds him again, this time a white rubber like spandex covers his body with a gold cross embedding it's self on his chest, then golden boots and gauntlets cover his appendages, and lastly a white mask covers his head with the gold cross on the center with the last detail being his eyes glowing blue through his mask.

"I will not let you bring any harm to James!" Shomel yells now in a costume more akin to a super hero!

If you enjoyed this chapter please consider a review and let me know what you think so far. Thank you!