[IC] An Endless Search (Durachka and Sethrine)

[Durachka]

The woods were certainly a marvelous place. Not as beautiful as her homeland, but magnificent nonetheless. An angel named Genevieve strolled through these woods as she surveyed her surroundings. A small group of her closest trustee's followed her. She had dawned civilian clothing so she would not stick out one they arrived to the city. The black jeans and blouse felt unfamiliar and odd. She was used to dresses up in Heaven. Her wings were drawn back so they could not be seen, but she missed them already. She would love to feel how the wind feels when it blows through them.

She turned to the girls. Only one man accompanied them. Mainly because Genevieve trusted him with her life. She did not trust many people and the few that she did were lucky. They were chosen to go on this quest for the missing pieces. Even though they had no idea where these pieces may be or how long it would take they set out the next morning at Eve's command. "Alright. We are getting close to a city called Atlanta. We have some allies here that have taken to human life. Lets hope they have news." She turned and continued to walk.

She could feel the weight of her sword on her hip. She knew that once in the city she may have to get rid of it, but leaving herself exposed like that did not set well with the Angel. Ever since she was promoted to her position she had carried this sword. It kept her safe in dangerous positions. Especially when they fought against the demons. Her eyes scanned the forest again to ensure none of these creatures hid in the shadows the sun created. If they did she'd put an end to them quickly...after she got some information first of course.

The group stopped at the top of a hill. They looked down at the bustling city. Humans sure knew how to build beautiful buildings. Every single one of them stood sky high. The angel wished she could fly to the very top of each and enjoy the air. She could feel her wings twitching in their hiding place. She frowned and turned around. Out of the corner of her eye she saw something coming at her. She turned towards it and realized what it was: a demon. She drew her sword and glared at it. As did every member of Eve's team. "Big mistake, dumbass." Genevieve said with a smirk.

[Sethrine]

What an interesting place this was. The city of Atlanta, so full of culture, so full of life...

So absolutely boring.

Damien scowled as he watched the bustling city from his high perch within the forest, looking down on the people who traversed the man-created colony. His eyes, blood red and giving off a strange luminosity, narrowed considerably the longer he watched. He despised these creatures, these creations of God. The only reason he was close to being in their presence was simply because he was told to by the leader of his branch in the hierarchy.

He was made to look for and obtain certain relics, pieces to an even bigger puzzle that could aide him and his army in their current battle. He already knew the location of three relics and was on the move to obtaining the first one. Luck, unfortunately, was not on his side.

He felt their presence before he saw them, the group of Angels moving through the forest and heading straight for the city. So, they were on the hunt, as well, hm?

Damien scowled as he waved his hand up, a dust of black smoke twirling from his fingertips and spiraling down until three hell spawn were formed, their copper eyes as large as their teeth and claws. He looked to one of the demons and glanced at the still-moving group.

"Attack," was the simple command given, and the demon ran forward quickly, screeching in delight. Damien looked to the other two hell spawn and ordered them to flank the other's attack for maximum surprise. He watched from his high perch in the trees, hidden by the shadows, gauging the reactions of the enemy.

[Durachka]

The demon lunged forward towards Genevieve. She swung her sword at him, but he managed to dodge the attack. Several times she tried this as they circled around each other, but her efforts were futile. The thing simply had amazing reflexes. She narrowed her eyes. How could she harm it with these reflexes? She had to be creative. She allowed her wings to unfurl from her back, taring the fabric along with them. They stretched to their full length.

As she did this more demons attacked her group. Each of them drew their swords and attempted to fight them. Once again: their reflexes were superb. Genevieve beat her wings once and she was in the air. The whoosh from her wings stunned the demon. She did a front flip over the demon and finally managed to harm it. She landed on her feet with a smile of satisfaction. The thing seemed surprised that she had been able to trick it. Blood seeped down from it's shoulder where Eve's sword penetrated the deepest. Eve used his distraction to her advantage and plunged her sword deep into it's belly.

She then turned towards her group, but was knocked to the ground from behind. "Damnit!" She hadn't actually defeated the stupid monster. His wounds seemed to have healed. What in the actual fuck? Demons, Eve grumbled in her head. She turned quickly and kicked it away from her. She stood, sword still in hand, and glared at it. "Can't you just die already?" She beat her wings and once again went into the air. The demon did not fall for the same trick twice. She flew up a little higher and circled a few times in the air and then allowed herself to fall forward towards it with her sword pointing straight at it's head. It did not see her coming for it had lost sight of her. She grinned as her sword went straight through its head.

She tumbled to the ground with it. She quickly got to her feet and looked down at the demon. She severed it's head clear off it's shoulders. "Stay dead." She mumbled as she quickly ran to help her group. They had a few struggles of their own, but were able to neutralize the two hell spawn.

"What were those?" A woman named Dawn asked Eve.

"I don't know. Keep an eye out. Those were just pawns. The real demon is out there hiding somewhere." Genevieve's eyes scanned the forest as she said this. She could not find any sign of another demon.

[Sethrine]

Damien was not surprised at the Angels' quick wits. If they were after the same thing he was going for, he had no doubt that their training would be of a higher quality. The hell spawn he had initiated were of a lower level, meant only to taunt and push the limits of the enemy. Unfortunately, the ease of which they were taken down was inexcusable and could not be ignored. He would have to change tactics a bit. The redheaded one...she was clearly the leader, stronger than the others in both strength and wit.

He closed his eyes and began murmuring a string of chants, his hands coming together before separating and releasing a much larger cloud of dark smoke than before. The creature created was connected to his being, and when he opened his eyes, he could see throigh the creature's own. A very useful demonic charm, as it was. He motioned the creature forward, it's height quite staggering and its build meant to be threatening.

As the demon moved toward the Angels, he was able to get a closer look at them. He had not fought them before, he was sure of it, but he was also quite sure there were others that spoke of the redheaded angel and her abilities.

"Well, what a sight. I had no idea your kind was adverse to traveling this far, and in such a large group. Have you lost your way?"

Damien spoke through the lower demon lifeform, his voice coming out raspy and booming. It was a safer way to interact, better to learn what he could without putting himself in any compromising positons. He wasn't so daft as to assume he was stronger than the lot as some of his equally statured brethren would do. It would be a foolish move, and he was one to be thorough.

[Durachka]

Another demon came out of the woods and Genevieve raised her sword towards it. Before a battle could ensue the creature spoke. "My kind? Not traveling? This is simply a vacation, Demon. We know exactly where we are and where we will be going." She knew this was not the real demon. Just another pawn for it's use. She scanned the forest once more hoping to catch a glimpse. As she did this she said, "Show your face! Stop being a coward." She knew that taunting him would get her no where. She just needed a reaction. Something out of the real demon so that she could get an idea of his location.

She turned a glare towards the pawn standing in front of her. Her group stood around her each with their weapons drawn as well. Maybe if they all came at it from all corners it wouldn't be able to fight back. She gave the signal and they all assumed their positions. The attack was smooth for the angels for it had been practiced several times. When against a larger foe that not only one can defeat they form a circle around it and attack from all angels. Some would attack the legs, others the torso, and then everyone else above the shoulders. It usually worked and now as not an exception. Soon the pawn was in pieces, but not without the angel's fair share of wounds.

This was certainly a setback. They'd have to rest for at least a day before going on the hunt for the pieces again. "Show your face and stop using pawns!" Genevieve yelled, "I never knew Demons to be such cowards!" In fact, usually they are arrogant bastards that think they are everything. Then they die a slow and painful death due to this arrogance.

[Sethrine]

A vacation? Oh? In the exact same place that one of the five relics resided? Damien was no fool; the Angel's taunting would get her nowhere with him. It would become more of an annoyance before ever angering him to the point of action.

His sight through the demon spawn became rather useful when the Angels decided to attack, all forming a circle around the creature before charging all at once. Their blades were quick to strike and quite effective with every hit. Of course, they didn't go without their own injuries. If he didn't know any better, he'd say the lot of them were becoming worn out. And they were of a higher power grade? If it were in Damien's nature, he would have laughed at such a notion.

His closer sight was now gone, as was the pawn he had possessed, fading into black ashes before disappearing altogether. This, however, did not hinder his hearing or the shouts being issued against him from the leader of the group. Damien glared as he jumped from his perch, his feet making barely a sound aginst the earth. He moved toward the Angel, red eyes locking with her own.

"A coward you may think me, but I can assure that if I wanted you dead, you would have already been gone from this existence."

He paused several yards away, glancing to the group as a whole. It seemed that one of the Angels knew of him, if the haunted look and tense glare being sent his way was anything to go by. Good; that meant he had taken down several of the flock that one Angel had been with in the war, if not almost all of them.

He looked back to the leader once more. "You seek the Relics of Asra."

[Durachka]

"I seriously doubt that. I"m tougher than I look." she said with a glare on her face as he came into view. A glance around her group showed that one of them had seen this demon before. A closer look reveled that the sight of it had caused a small stab of fear to go through the angel's heart. Genevieve looked back at the demon and stared straight into his creepy eyes. "The Relics of Asra? Those exist? Wow. Looks like I came down to earth for the wrong reason."

She gripped her sword harder. She cocked her head to the side, "Are you searching for them?" She smiled. Certainly if he was searching for them he knew where to go. She wanted to give her group the signal, but doing so would cause her to stop staring into the demon's eyes. She wanted to seem unfazed by his presence. If that was a little arrogant then so be it. She didn't want him to think that she feared him for even a second.

[Sethrine]

Damien was not fazed by the Angel's deceptive words; there was no chance they were all present without some knowledge of the first Relic of Asra and its possible location. A stronger group of Angels would be a shame to waste in battle, unless it was something equally compromising, hence his present situation. He knew exactly where to go for this one, having sent out one of his soldiers long before to scout the exact location of the item and be on stand-by until he arrived. He would then give one of his many signals before the retrieval of the item to allow his soldier to know either to wait behind for more news or to return to his post on the battlefield.

The Angel leader held his stare every time he caught her eyes. He had to commend her for her bravery as well as sticking to her position.

"Whether I know of their location is none of your concern. After all, you've just found out of their existence, yes? Amazing what you learn when you're on vacation, a getaway from the massacre of your garrison. Oh, what a shame."

His lips turned up into a knowing smirk, his eyes shifting momentarily to the small flock of Angels on stand-by. The one who recognized him seemed a bit angrier now. Perhaps he hit a nerve somewhere.

[Durachka]

"Yes. I thought they were just a myth until now," She allowed her wings to unfurl behind her and then smirked as the went to full width. It seemed to be a simple intimidation technique, but to her angels the curling at the end of her wings signaled an attack. Suddenly the entire team of angels were circling the demon. Genevieve rushed forward and as her team grabbed him she took out her special cuffs. The look of surprise on his face had barely registered before the cuffs were circling both his wrists.

"You now have been degraded to human status while those cuffs are on." She grinned mischievously, "OH, and only the person that put them on can take them off." She sighed and her team let go of him. She played with a lock of her hair, "Lets get to our contact and do some interrogation. Alissa, Josh, carry asshole over here." They complied and grabbed his arms roughly as they all began to walk towards the city. Things were going good. This demon obviously knew where some of hte pieces were located. They'd get some decent information out of it.

[Sethrine]

Ah, still playing the unknowing Angel, was she? How quaint. It only made her seem suspicious of hiding something, perhaps even knowing where the relics are, herself. If that was the case, then it was likely this flock knew the location of the other two relics of which he only had an inkling where to begin.

With a sudden flourish, the leader unfurled her hidden wings, their span quite impressive. It was a technique he had seen many Angels do during battle, one that was meant to intimidate the enemy into either backing down or-

"What? What is this!?"

Damien had not anticipated the attack, had not even seen it coming. How had he not seen it coming? What had he missed? He scowled at the flock, the leader in particular, as he tested the cuff links' strength against his own. There were sygils all about the metalic material, ones he recognized quite easily as seals that blocked his power. He still had the majority of his strength, but it wasn't enough to break the long length of chain holding the cuffs together. He was indeed as she said him to be - a mere human.

He was grabbed roughly by two of the Angels on the leader's command, something of which caused a vicious snarl to escape him. Who was the coward now, unable to face a Knight of Hell without some silly cuffs to keep his power at bay?

He glared at the leader as they all made their way into the city. When he found a way to remove these cuffs, she would be the first to fall at his mercy. He would strike her down, just so she couldn't fight back, then he would kill her flock before her very eyes.

"You're nothing but a fool if you believe your attempts at interrogation will work on me."

[Durachka]

Genevieve simply smirked, "I may be an angel, but I know how to screw with a demon's mind." She turned towards him to stare coldly into his eyes. Alissa and Josh stopped pushing him forward as she did so. "Do not underestimate me. I'm not a force to be trifled with." She smiled sweetly and then turned around again. Soon they would be nearing a building that appeared to be condemned, but in honesty it was hidden by magic. "Blindfold." She simply stated and a piece of cloth was woven around his eyes. The location of this building had to be secret just in case he managed to escape from their grasp. It was a safe house of sorts for angels visiting the earth.

As the building came into sight Genevieve couldn't help the grin that crossed her face. Things were going amazingly as planned. Better than planned in fact. She not only had an informant waiting for her inside that building, but also a demon in her hands that obviously knew the location of some of the relics. This was going to be so much more fun that she originally thought. She walked up the steps and knocked on the door. A peephole opened and as did the door three seconds later. "Genevieve!" Exclaimed the man standing inside. He appeared to be around 20 or so with pure black hair and icy blue eyes. His wings spread out behind him and they were magnificent in their own right.

"Isn't it my favorite Commander." He said with a grin.

"Don't be so idiotic, Adam. I know I'm not your favorite. I'm close, but I'm sure your wife is your favorite. Eh?" Genevieve smiled as he moved out of the way and allowed everyone to walk into the lobby of what seemed to be a five star hotel. On the outside it was raggedy, but on the inside it certainly was opulent. To the right was a living room type of area. Couches spread out all pointed towards the middle in some way. All of the angels began to sit to prepare for a debriefing. The only ones left standing were the demon, Alissa, Josh, Adam, and Genevieve.

"I see you brought a friend, love." Adam said with a raised eyebrow.

"Lucky me ran into a demon that may know about the relics! Perfection at it's finest." She said with a chuckle. She walked over towards the couches, "Alright everyone! Here is the plan. Everyone is to get themselves a room, rest deeply, and meet me down here tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock for more instructions." They all obeyed and walked over towards the counter to check into a room. The place ran mostly like a hotel. Only difference was that everything was virtually free.

Genevieve turned towards Adam, "So, do you still have that lovely basement? I'd love you forever if I could make use of it for the demon. I need information out of him." Adam nodded and handed her a key, "Alrighty. Guess that means I'll talk to you tomorrow about what you know." She signaled for Alissa and Josh to bring the demon over to the elevator. Once inside Genevieve pushed the button that led to the basement. Once it opened it's doors downstairs she unlocked the door that would lead to a dungeon. To the left stood several cells and the nto the right was a torturing area.

"Blindfold off and put him in a cell." Alissa and Josh complied to Genevieve's command. "Okay. Follow the same orders I gave to everyone else. Get some sleep. We have a long couple of weeks ahead of us." she smiled at them as they exited back through the way they came. She then turned towards the demon, "So. Whats your name?" she asked, leaning against the bars.

[Sethrine]

Damien's scowl only deepened at the leader's own verbal threat. It was immediately after that his sight was taken from him, though he allowed the action without much fuss. He was a demon, yes, but his status meant he had a much higher dignity than that of his soldiers or mere pawns . He had let his guard down, his inner arrogance of being a higher status having leaked through his confidence, and because of it, he had been captured by the enemy in such a simple way. He would take the moment of humiliation as it was.

He knew not where they had gone, though he was well aware of being surrounded by other Angels. It must have been a hidden camp, a building disguised from the outside so as to keep their discretion. Exchanges in conversation were passed between the leader and a comrade, and he learned many things from their simple talk. It was enough for Damien to begin devising a way out of the predicament he had put himself in. He had many factors going against him at the moment, but he was jot known as a Knight of Hell for nothing.

When he was fnally led to a holding cell and his sight returned, he was at a much calmer, more calculating state then he had been. Luck was not on his side this day, but tomorrow could prove beneficial. Even if he were to stay their prisoner, he could use this to his advantage.

When the leader, Genevieve, asked for his name, he took a long moment to study her.

"Damien, Knight of Hell," he gave with a mock bow, lips quirked up just slightly.

"Now, isn't this just the cherry on top? An actual Knight as your prisoner! Wouldn't your garrison be proud."

He looked around him more closely now, seeing that just adjacent to the holding cells was a place meant for torture, with various devices and a mass of holy water. He was certainly not the first of his kind to be here, but if things worked in his favor, he would not be subject to such hindrances.

[Durachka]

"Oh? Well, I'm Genevieve, Archangel Second Class." She grinned, "Yes, this the beautiful cherry on top, Damien." She spit his name out as if it were garbage. "You see, considering you are of such a high up rank you must know all about the Relics Of Asra. So tell me, why were you all by your lonesome?" She turned a glare at him and then glanced over to where he was looking. Holy water. He must despise the substance. That would be what she used first just to piss him off.

She sighed and looked back at him after he didn't answer for a long time, "Oh come on, you must know the reason you are on earth. Its not that hard. Just delve into your memory."

[Sethrine]

"A Second Class Archangel? And to think, I almost questioned your abilities," he mocked, his voice coming out sharply at her title. Honestly, he wasn't the least bit impressed, especially with her rank being as high as it was. It seemed that she was holding quite a bit of disdain for him, as well, if her biting tone was anything to go by.

When Genevieve asked about the Relics of Asra, he became tight-lipped, his eyes remaining on her own with the promise of challenge. She would become impatient soon, he guessed, and would switch to much...harsher means to coerce the information out of him.

"I seem to recall saying I may or may not know of any relics. After all, their just a myth."

Ah, taunting the enemy. It wasn't his usual tactic, but it was all he had going for him at the moment. He had to give the impression of being lower in intelligence or else she and any within her flock would catch on to his plans. If he had to get a little beat up in the process, then so be it.

[Durachka]

She sighed and stepped away from the bars, unfurling her wings and appearing to be thoughtful. She paced a little around as she stretched her wings. "Well. They're just a myth, eh? I find that bullshit, Damien." She walked over towards the torturing equipment. She took a vial of holy water and a syringe. She didn't intend to use it until he really pissed her off, however, she just planned on using it as a intimidation technique. She wouldn't resort to such violence unless necessary. She may be good in battle, but when someone is defenseless against her it doesn't feel right. She has a good moral compass, which as gotten her through many a battle unscathed.

She returned to the bars separating her from Damien. Her smile appeared sweet, but it did not reach her eyes. In her eyes only chilling cold remained. "Darling Demon, I'm very good with holy water. I know exactly where to inject it to which it'll put you in so much agony you faint. Oh, you wouldn't faint quickly. No, it would take you at least a half hour to pass out." She sighed as she eyed the syringe, "I love the sound of the screams of vermin, but this would be so much easier if you'd just talk. So, if you would go by my advice, what do you know about the relics?"

[Sethrine]

Damien could almost feel a smirk coming on as she took the very words he had spoken, words she had spoken to him not too long before, and denied the claim she had made. He knew, obviously, she had been lying then, but it was almost satisfying to know he had caught the lie.

When her attention shifted to the holy water, his attitude changed with the sobering situation. He had been drenched in holy water many times as a lower class demon, not yet used to his power and so arrogant to how utterly weak he had been back then. Now, he was much stronger and could take the burn well, but it was still painful. And the route she was aiming for...he had seen even higher class demons scream in agony as the blessed liquid burned through their veins like the hottest fire.

"Already pulling out your conviction, are you?" Damien began, moving closer to the bars until he was a hair's breath away from touching them. "Surely you won't need something like that, especially if I cooperate in the long run. Wouldn't do your flock or your entire garrison any good if you were to damage the one being who knows the location of three of the relics, now would it?"

[Durachka]

"So are you willing to tell me what I wish to know? Its simple: Tell me everything you know about the relics and I won't inject this into your veins." She glared into his eyes, "Got it?" he had hit a button when talking about how cruel this sounded. She hadn't ever actually tortured someone into submission before. In fact, this was one of the reasons she hadn't flown even higher in the ranks. She couldn't stomach making someone defenseless scream in agony.

She gulped, "So, what do you know?"

[Sethrine]

Now that the tables had turned somewhat, Damien was more easily able to see the hesitation in Genevieve's eyes. She hid it quite well behind all that anger and resentment toward his kind, but with his words, he had easily put a hole in that proverbial wall of hidden emotion and was able to see deeper into her deceit toward him.

As long as he posed no threat and was defenseless when it came to physical combat, she could not fatally harm him. Even her threat, now more verbal than just a mere act of intimidation, meant nothing. For the moment, he held the upper hand.

"I can tell you that there is one in this very city, and I know the location of two others. However, if you want to know more or even have a chance at obtaining these relics, I believe a barter of sorts should be made."

At this, he reached for the bars and held tight to them, showing off the smooth metal still wrapped around his wrists.

[Durachka]

Genevieve narrowed her eyes at the demon standing in front of her as she took a small step backwards."What do you want, Damien." She was scared of what he was about to ask of her. No way in hell would she allow him to have his powers back if that was what he was thinking she'd do. She did not trust him and she could do her own hunt for the relic. Atlanta was big, but not large enough where she couldn't do some investigating. Plus she knew that Adam had some information about where it was.

[Sethrine]

"No need to get so testy, Genevieve," he stated, her name coming off his lips in almost a purr, "after all, you call the shots. I'm merely a prisoner here, a Knight of Hell stuck at the mercy of an entire flock of Angels."

One hand pulled back from the bars as the other remained, the chain pulling taunt between his wrists. She was becoming rather shaken, and he had barely attempted to get under her skin. Well, this would certainly play out in the most interesting of ways.

"All I ask is that I regain some of my power. Obviously, I won't be allowed full access, but enough for simple chants and incantations should suffice. It will be in your best interest, sweet Angel, to take my proposition."

He pulled away fully from the bars this time, taking several steps backward into the darkness of the holding cell. His eyes seemed to illuminate in the shadows created there, the contrast seeming much more menacing than before.

"Whose to say the relic is exactly where it was before? I can lead you to it, even provide whatever sacrifice is necessary to obtain it, and you can be holding it in your very hands by tomorrow's twilight."