[IC] An Endless Search (Durachka and Sethrine)

[Durachka]

She ran a hand through her red hair. She had to keep in mind that she needed to be dominant and not back down so easy. "How am I supposed to trust that you won't use those incantations to harm one of my angels?" She raised an eyebrow and walked closer to the cage. She wondered if she should speak with Adam or her second in command about this. She surely could not make these decisions all by herself. She gripped the syringe in her hand worriedly.

What was she even thinking? Was she going soft all of a sudden? She wanted to slap herself for being such a fool. She returned a glare on the demon hiding in the shadows, "Well. I suppose I must just take a leap. I will kill you if you try anything funny, Damien. Do not fool yourself into believing I need you. You are just a helpful piece of the puzzle that can cut back some of the time I have to be here."

[Sethrine]

She was doubting his words, and with good reason. His kind was not known for their truthful confessions. No, demons were lying, deceitful beings that tended to use any means to get what they wanted. When applied in just the right way, it became more of a game of wits than just simple gratification, and that was what separated the higher class from the lower class in his world. Physical power was helpful on its own, but the power of persuasion could broaden one's horizons and make others question what they knew.

"You don't know. I could be lying, leading you into a trap, or I could bring you to wjat you seek. Take a chance, if you dare. I promise you won't be disappointed."

Genevieve still seemed hesitant to sway in favor of his proposition, but after a long moment, she seemed to concede. The obligatory threat was issued, of course, a simple reminder to keep to himself lest he find himself on the wrong end of a sword.

"Of course, Genevieve. To cross your path with deceit would be certain death on my part."

His smirk was hidden in the shadows, but his words carried the barest hint of a taunt, a last status of his trickery. He would show them to the relics, let them believe they were gaining the upper hand, and when they least expected it, the flock would fall by his soldiers. Everything was coming together perfectly.

He moved closer to the bars, enough for the light to touch his features once more but far enough should the Angel choose to come closer.

"Perhaps...one cuff would suffice?"

[Durachka]

She raised an eyebrow and shook her head, "You will keep both cuffs on for the night. When we leave tomorrow morning I'll take one cuff off." She certainly was not going to take a chance in him escaping. He had something under his sleeve; therefore, she had to approach this situation with extreme caution. She would not come out of this looking like the fool. "Goodnight, Demon." She said as she turned and walked out of the dungeon. Once upstairs she checked herself into a room, ordered a new pair of clothes for the next morning (Her's were so damaged from the fight), and stalked up to her room.

Inside it looked like a normal hotel's room. Only this one had only one bed instead of two. It appeared to be larger than other rooms simply because there was not an extra bed. As she walked into the room a closet stood to her right and a counter stood to her left. As she approached the bed a table sat comfortably in a corner with two chairs. She continued to walk forward until she reached the windows. She glanced outside at the bustling city and smiled. She then turned to her left and walked into the bathroom. After taking a long satisfying shower she returned to the bed and fell into a deep slumber.

--

The next morning she awoke with a good outlook on the day: today would be the day they got their hands on the first relic. She couldn't wait to hold it in her hands and be able to see her team had been the first to find one. As she got ready she wondered if it would hold clues to the next relic. Maybe a riddle or something along those lines to point them in the proper direction. She headed downstairs in her new pair of jeans, a blouse, and a black leather jacket. It felt a little more flashy than her outfit from before and she didn't necessarily enjoy wearing it. Unfortunately, it was all the staff could scrounge up in such a short time. The clothes from before were tattered and blood stained from the fight. SO she had to deal.

As she exited the elevator she was pleased to see that her team were all eating their breakfast. A quick look at the clock on the wall told her they were an hour earlier than she had told them. She rushed and ate some breakfast before finding Adam at the management desk. He guided her to a conference room and closed the door. "So. What do you know about the relic's whereabouts?"

Adam sighed, "I know only that it is here in the city among one of the many cemeteries. You just have to find the proper one." He paused, "Did you get information out of the demon?"

"Not yet, but in exchange for taking off one of his cuffs he'll tell me exactly where it is and also help us retrieve it." She braced herself for his reaction.

"Are you mad?!" Adam exclaimed, "You can't take off one of his cuffs! What rank is he?" His eyes shot daggers at her.

"A Knight of Hell." She mumbled. This earned her even harsher glares from her old friend.

"He is basically really high up in ranks...probably really powerful...and you're going to trust him with your team's life like that? He could kill them even with one cuff on! Maybe not you, but your weaker angels." He shook his head, "This is a bad idea, Genevieve."

"Relax! I'll be the one handling him, not everyone else. I was actually thinking of going alone..."

"No." Adam said quickly.

"You know what? You don't command me, Adam. I command you. So stop trying to dictate what I do. I have a plan and I"m sticking with it." With this she turned and stormed out of the office. She walked over to the dining area and quickly scanned everyone with her eyes. Once it was determined that they were all present she began to speak their orders. They were to all split up into groups of three and search every cemetery for the marking of the Relic. If found they would contact Genevieve immediately. She knew that the demon had said he knows exactly where it is, but like hell would she believe him wholly. She knew a piece of information thanks to Adam and she would make use of it.

After debriefing everyone and selecting her team she walked downstairs. "Rise in shine!" She yelled to the demon as she took her place next to the cell, "Its play time."

[Sethrine]

Genevieve wasn't going to remove the cuff tonight. While that was a small setback in his plans, Damien could wait. He had plenty of time to waste after the first relic was found. They would need time to figure out the next location. There was a possibility the next clue led to one of the other two relics he knew about, but it was just as likely to be the ones he himself could not find enough information on. Only tomorrow would tell.

As the night progressed, Damien found himself sitting on the floor and against the farthest wall from the cell bars, head bent low in rest. Now that he was without his power, his mere human status forced him into light slumber, something of which was only necessary for major healing and power restoration. In his times of wakefulness, he began thinking through possible scenarios and outcomes that could arise from his current situation. He had to play his cards just right as well as hope for a few advantages to come his way if he wanted things to turn in his favor.

With the morning's light came activity from above, and though Damien was at rest, he was fully aware of the movement of Angels within the higher levels of this place. He could almost overhear several conversations, some of which revolved around him. Of course, he would be the topic of discussion on this day.

When Genevieve entered and called to him, he lifted his head with the barest hint of a smirk to his lips.

"Already? My, how time flies when your stuck in a cage of sorts."

He glanced behind her, more for the action than being curious. He could tell that many of the Angels had already left the building, as the activity from above had lessened considerably. Oh, but there was no need to let her on about that, now was there?

"What's this? None of your flock to aide you in pushing me around? I'd already assumed they'd be dragging me about this wretched city."

He stood from his position on the floor, his movements smooth and almost graceful in nature. He then rolled his shoulders to relieve the tension they had built overnight, the resounding pop they made loud and almost sounding like bone breaking.

"Or perhaps they're waiting for you to drag me out of here? Asserting your dominance as the leader, as it were."

[Durachka]

She resisted the urge to say something smart back at him. Instead she kept her composure and opened the cell's door. She grabbed is arm roughly and jerked on of the bracelets off of his wrist. She could feel her sword swaying against her hip as they walked up stairs. She hoped her grip left a lasting bruise on his arm. She met up with Alissa and Josh upstairs. "I'll take care of this." She said as they moved to take hold of the demon, "He's dangerous right now." They gave her a questioning look and then obeyed her orders.

"Alright, Damien. Where is this relic? I took off that cuff now you must give me the information." She glared at him

[Sethrine]

Damien could have snapped at the rough treatment, but why mess up how his plan was unfurling? At the moment, whether Genevieve realized it or not, he was calling the shots. Sure, he was only allowed half his power, and he really could't do too much on his own with just that, but it was all working in his favor.

When the cuff around his left hand was removed, the chain that had connected the two bands instantly disappeared. He could feel the surge of his power flow through him, just a small petcentage having returned. Still, it felt good to be on even, if not higher, grounds with most of the others that currently surrounded him.

"Not so fast, Angel," he spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly. "I promised to lead you and your flock to it. You already know its approximate location, but you'll never find it unless you know where to look."

He glanced out the window, the bright morning light shining down on the quickly bustling city of Atlanta.

"We must go deeper into the city, to the church between the crossings of Baytown and Lishter."

[Durachka]

"Good little demon." She said patting his head as if he were a pet. "Blindfold please." She held out her hand and Josh put the blindfold in it. She stood up on her tippy toes and wove the blindfold around the demon's eyes. She knew she was short, but what she lacked in height she made up with marvelous speed during battle. With a sigh they walked out into the bright city of Atlanta. People walked in every which way and Genevieve frowned. Surely they'd notice her hostage if she kept this up. They walked for about a block and then stopped in an ally way.

"Whats wrong boss?" Josh asked.

"People are going to notice." She said with a sigh. "I don't want him escaping though." She took the blindfold off and grabbed his arm again. How could she control him if she could not hold onto him? He could start running at any point.

[Sethrine]

Damien couldn't help the small scowl that came with being treated like a pet. It was degrading, but most of all, annoying. If he were any lesser demon, he would have surely snap at her hand as any other crazed animal. When the blindfold was replaced around his eyes, he went back to his relaxed state, allowing Genevieve to pull him around as she pleased.

He was aware they were outside now, the smells of the city coming from all angles and the warm sun beating down on his body both immediate giveaways. In what direction they were going, he was not certain, but when the sun's warmth was taken away by shadow and their motions had stopped, he became curious. They were certainly not at their location, not in such a small amount of time, so what was going on?

Ah, afraid the humans would notice her little hostage situation. It would certainly hinder their progress.

His sight was returned to him once more, though Genevieve kept a strong grip on his forearm. She was struggling to figure out how to keep him close without being seen as someone who was involved in a kidnapping. Damien's eyes wandered around the alleyway and to the opening area, finding a somewhat elderly woman passing by without being any-the-wiser of what was going on to the left of her.

He had an idea.

With a quick flourish of motion, Damien took hold of Genevieve's hand and pulled her roughly along behind him and out of the alley before the others had a chance to do anything. He quickly made to blend in with the crowd of people moving down the street and called out to the woman.

"Miss? Miss!"

The elderly woman paused and turned, her eyes looking from him to the redhead and back to him. Luckily, he had just enough power to change the color of his eyes from a blood red to a bright green as well as pull back the sharp quality of his nails and teeth. He looked much more human than just moments ago.

"Yes, can I help you?"

Damien gave a charming smile, his gaze much softer and almost worthy of being called friendly.

"Yes, I'm sorry to bother you, but we've become rather lost, you see."

He gave a subtle swing of his hand, and the woman's eyes were drawn to the movement. She smiled then, seeing his hand connected with Genevieve's own and immediately assuming they were a couple.

"Oh, you must be new to the city! Are you looking for a certain place?"

"Yes, actually! We were looking for a church a friend of ours frequents. He said it was between Baytown and Lishter?"

"Oh, the old Community Church! Well, you're headed in the right direction, dear. Just keep going about six more blocks, take a right, and then two more blocks out should be about right. If you hit the park, you've gone too far."

"Thank you so much," Damien completed with a grateful smile as the lady gave a single bow of her head and went about her way. He then turned to look at Genevieve, his newer, softer features still in place and a single brow raised.

[Durachka]

Suddenly the demon had caught Genevieve by the hand and was dragging her. Alissa and Josh didn't have the time to react before they were out of the alleyway. The two automatically began to chase them. "Code red," They murmured into some walky talkies as they searched for the two in the crowd. Once they found them they stopped and acted normal immediately. Genevieve, although glaring 'affectionately' at Damien was just talking to an old lady. Genevieve turned a smile towards the old lady while crushing every bone in Damien's hand with her own hand.

"Thank you ma'm!" Genevieve called as the woman walked away. She yanked Damien into the alleyway and slammed him against the bricks, "Seriously?! You likely gave Alissa and Josh a heart attack! Don't ever pull that again." Her arm was pressed against his neck in a threatening way and she glared into his eyes. Alissa and Josh walked into the ally with surprised looks on their faces. They were mainly worried that Genevieve would be pissed that the demon had almost kidnapped her. Nope. All of her fury was being pointed towards the demon.

She took a deep calming breath. "Thank you for the idea though." She backed up and grabbed his hand again. "Appear as a couple instead of a hostage situation. I can crush your bones while we walk. It'll be fun." She turned and they began to walk down the street unnoticed towards the church.

[Sethrine]

As soon as the woman was well on her merry way, Damien was forced back into the alleyway and pushed roughly up against the nearest brick wall. Genevieve was clearly pissed with the course of action he had taken, though he found humor in her anger. She was definitely a fiesty angel and wasn't afraid to throw her higher class power around when necessary. Her flock also seemed alarmed, though it was more at the state of which their leader was in.

When he was suddenly thanked and released from the hold around his neck, he was mildly surprised. Her hand found his once more, and before he knew it, they were all traveling down the path the elderly woman had told them to go.

Damien glanced at Genevieve, his currently green eyes holding a playful twinkle in them despite the bone-crushing grip she had on his hand.

"You're angry with my actions when I could have easily taken advantage of the situation. You say you cannot trust me; you refuse to. While I cannot say I have any sort of trust for your kind, we work for equal goals. You seek the Relics of Asra, and I want nothing more than my freedom. Perhaps you can take ease in knowing that, for the moment, my goal only ends when yours does."

[Durachka]

Genevieve listened to him, but did not look over at him. How could she trust a deceitful demon? He was looking for the Relics as well when she had found him. Whats to say that as soon as he gets a chance he'll steal whatever they find and bolt. Then again, he could have kidnapped her at that point. Maybe, to some extent, she could trust him. She glanced over at him finally and registered a playful tone to his expression. Was he just trying to get on her good side? She felt a little confused and she pushed that away. She could be certain that if he had a chance he'd run.

They finally reached the church 20 minutes later, "Okay, Damien, what now?" She asked as she stared up at it. Its beauty was captured in it's age. Maybe it had once been an ordinary newly built brick building with pretty windows. But now it was a piece of art with vines encircling it's walls and tinted glass. She smiled up at it. Of course she would be admiring a church. They did worship god and she was an angel.

[Sethrine]

They continued to walk for another twenty minutes or so until they made it to the Old Community Church. It was obvious from the vines goung up the sides, the slight cracking of the hangover and the wear of the statues both atop the building and along the bottom of it that it was an old structure. If the research Damien had done was correct, it was one of the oldest structures of the city that was still used and maintained to this day.

"The relic is hidden in the cemetary, but not the outside grave sight that stands behind the building. This church hides the catacombs that once held their dead, as well as several large tombs."

Though he knew where to go, there was just one problem. He was a demon, and though he was of a higher class, he could not step foot into the church without possessing a human. He highly doubted he would be allowed such a formality.

"I cannot enter such a holy establishment, so we'll have to find another way in."

Damien veered off to the left inside the iron gates, taking the longer route behind the church. There was more fencing, though it was more for decoration as well as separation from the cemetary to the church. There was at least twenty to thirty acres of graves and older tombs scattered about the green grasses, some simple plaques and others elaborately decorated stones.

"Look for a tomb with the name 'Marcus Fortuna.' His resting place will give us entrance to the catacombs."

[Durachka]

Genevieve nodded and signaled for Alissa and Josh to do so. They all searched every gravestone until they came upon one that seemed to be all by it's self. Inscribed was the name 'Marcus Fortuna'.He had died a very old age according to the tombstone. "Alright. Its been found. Do we dig or is there some sort of button that opens up a door?" She looked over at the demon with a raised eyebrow. She could feel the excitement bubbling up inside of her.

She would be the leader of the first angel team to get their hands on a Relic. She'd become even more legendary than she already was. If this made her sound a little conceited then so be it. She had earned the right to think this way through the many battles she had fought and won. She looked up and glanced back at the beautiful church. She felt herself pulled towards it and a sudden homesickness swept through her. She wished she could be home, but she had a mission to finish. She could go home as soon as she reached her goal.

[Sethrine]

Once Marcus Fortuna's resting place was found, Damien searched over the large gravestone with his eyes for a long moment, quite perplexed at what he was looking at. From his previous research, the grave sight had been described as being a large room-like tomb, something many of the wealthy or important at that time were buried in. Instead, his grave was marked with a single stone, its carvings slightly worn from the many years it had stood over the dead man. He was certain their had never been a tomb for Marcus, though for as many years as he had been gone from this world, the stone seemed fairly new.

"There have been renovations to this resting place," he stated as he knelt beside the grave and ran a hand over the still smooth mass of stone, looking carefully over the surface. As his hand glided over the back, there was a carving of some sort at the very base of the stone that his fingers caught on. He maneuvered to look at the symbol, recalling for just a brief moment having seen the same symbol on another tomb of a young woman and her husband some feet away.

"This way," he called as he moved to the large monument-like tomb that housed Cecilia Bronstein and Lucas Bronstein, a couple that had apparently died in a fire some years before Marcus' s own death.

"He must have had a daughter," Damien stated offhandedly as he looked to the woman's name and found the same symbol as on Fortuna's gravestone. He then looked to the large door that opened up to the actual graves and found chains snaking about it.

With a small flourish of his hands, thin lines of black smoke escaped his fingertips and joined together in one long rope, twisting about the thick metal and filling the keyhole of the lock. After a moment's pause, the lock clicked open audibly, the chains unwrapping from their positions across the tomb and falling with a loud clatter to the ground. The smoke dispersed with the action.

[Durachka]

Genevieve watched in awe as he did his magic. The black smoke scared her a little as it stretched from his finger tips. What if he turned that black smoke on her? She shivered a little as they stepped forward and pulled the doors open. Dust cascaded around her as she did so. She coughed a little as she stepped inside the humid tomb. The air felt stagnant inside and Genevieve tried not to breath to much. She walked forward a few steps and touched the casket in front of her. Thick black dust now coated her finger tips. It resembled the blackness of the smoke Damien had controlled.

She wiped it off on her jeans and continued to study the tomb. She sighed, "What now?" She was so tired of asking this question. She should be able to figure out things like this all on her own. Her eyes carefully scanned the walls until they found a bump. She maneuvered around the casket and walked over to it. She put her hand out and pressed in. A door popped open, inviting even more displaced dust into her lungs. She smiled triumphantly. "Lets go find us a Relic." Alissa and John were grinning as they walked over to the door's opening. They pushed it in and revealed a cave like tunnel.

[Sethrine]

As they entered the tomb, Damien gazed around the interior. It was neatly placed, despite the dust and grime that had built over the centuries of its standing. Even with his status and his distaste for humans, there was something intriguing about how they worshipped their dead with monuments and inscribed stones of the deceased's accomplishments.

"We're looking for something that will open the passageway into the catacombs, perhaps a small nodule in the stonework or-"

To Damien's slight surprise, Genevieve had already found what they were looking for and had opened the passage. Well...that was easier than he had anticipated.

Damien rook the first step into the passage, his action setting off a chain reaction of torches lighting along the walls. He stepped fully through the entrance, looking about the dirt and stone covered walls with narrowed eyes. He had no doubts that each relic would be guarded with some sort of otherworldly magic, but he was unsure exactly what they would be facing up ahead.

As they began walking a good ways in, he could make out what looked to be a split into the cave-like pathway up ahead, both passages dimmly lit with torches separating each other even further down.

"It seems we've reached an impass," he said aloud, his deep voice echoing against the walls. He turned to Genevieve then, meaning to give her a sense of authority.

"How do you wish to go on?"

[Durachka]

Genevieve's eyes jumped from tunnel to tunnel. Which way would they have to go? She thought of the meanings of left and right. Could that have to do with this? She knew that the left hand sometimes meant sinister if translated to Latin. Could the right tunnel be the way to go? She sighed, "Well. Lets go right?" She said this as a question as if wanting approval. She realized she dictated this not the demon. She turned to Alissa and Josh, "What do you two think? Left and right. Could it mean what I think it does?" The two simply nodded.

"Right it is." She mumbled as they continued down the caves. More torches lit up as they walked for several minutes. Finally the cramped cave opened up into a huge room. Genevieve's eyes scanned the cave's walls. "Alright." She said as she stepped forward. She saw gargoyles lining the walls and they made her shiver slightly. Across the room a huge symbol was carved into the rock. The symbol of the Relics of Asra. She grinned as she stepped forward again. This time a different kind of chain reaction occured: The gargoyles began to move.

"Shit." She said as she drew her sword, "Will these things attack us, Damien?" She asked glancing over at the demon. She had no idea of her sword would even have any effect on the demons. She gulped.

[Sethrine]

Damien should have expected the Angel to take the route she had decided upon. He himself would have attempted the left. Ah, such was the nature of a demon looking for the more difficult, perhaps even more dangerous path.

They made their way down the extended corridor until it opened into a large room, its circular expanse lined with stone gargoyles depicting different faces but having roughly the same shape and build. As Genevieve stepped more into the room, the giant beasts began to move.

"I am uncertain. These things are not under my jurisdiction; I cannot judge what they will attempt."

As he said this, a massive gargoyle that he been resting upon a pedestal just above the symbol across the room began to detatch itself from its perch. It rose into the air before landing hard just before Genevieve, its action causing the room to shake and dust to roll with the gust of motion it caused. This looked to be the leader of the monstrosities

"Who dares enter the sacred catacombs of Marcus Fortuna?" the gargoyle bellowed, its voice so incredibly deep and rumbling that the sound could be felt vibrating the floor.

Damien moved forward and stepped before Genevieve.

"I am Damien, Knight of Hell. I've come for one of the five Relics of Asra of which you guard."

"A Knight of Hell? You have no business here, hellspawn, nor fo the blesseds thst join you on your trespassing. The Relics of Asra were separated and hidden so that neither the blessed nor the damned could use them for their power. To bring them together will surely cause destruction."

Damien scowled at the gargoyle.

"Move aside, or we will take it by force."

The smaller gargoyles that had surrounded the room were now moving into position, surrounding the group and baring their clawed hands. At least three had long pointed staffs of their own to fight with. As they made their stances, the leader of the stoned beasts gave out a long growl.

"Then so be it!"

[Durachka]

Genevieve's eyes narrowed. She gripped her sword comfortably in her hand and ran forward quickly. She sliced at the chest of a gargoyle. A few sparks ignited from where the blade hit, but no stone seemed to be unmoved by the blow. Her eyes widened as she was knocked back against the wall. Her head hit the wall with a deafening crack and she grumbled something an angel wouldn't likely say. She got up quickly and glanced over at Alissa and Josh. They were each using their weapons to try to make a dent in the stone in front of them.

Alissa's bow and arrow didn't do much, but bounce off of it's chest. The eyes...they seemed to be more animate than the rest of the body. "Alissa! The eyes! Aim for the eyes!" She yelled. Alissa did so and one of them screamed out in pain as the arrowhead pierced it's eyes. "Good." Genevieve whispered as she drove forward again. She stabbed one of them in the eye and was thrown backward, this time without her sword. As she glanced across the room she saw the gargoyle pulling her sword out from it's eye and throwing it aside. She had to get to that sword somehow. She stood quickly and ran towards it. One of it's staff's flew out and she took a blow to the stomach. She could feel her ribs cracking. These things had exceptional strength if they were going to harm her so easily.

She groaned and did a roundhouse kick to it's head. It didn't hurt the gargoyle, but it did harm Genevive. She tried not to grimace with the pain and dove towards her sword. Once her hands firmly gripped it's hilt she drove the sword forward into the gargoyle's still intact eye. It screamed in pain and disintegrated into dust. "Thank the lord." she whispered as she stood quickly. Another gargoyle approached her.

[Sethrine]

Damien was charged from the side by a gargoyle that used a staff. He narrowly escaped damage by the staff and attempted an attack on the stone beast. Despite his good hits on several possible weak points, he was unable to slow the gargoyle's strangely quick and rather effective attacks. After another hit and an attempt at using his demonic power, he was surprised by a side-swipe and was launched into a wall.

Damien growled in anger as he staggered momentarily to his feet, taking a moment to assess his damage (his shoulder felt contorted, perhaps a bone cracked somewhere) as well as look to the others. Genevieve had just given an order to one of her flock to aim for the eyes, and it seemed to be effect. Damien looked to the left and once again got caught in an attack. This time, he used the force of the momentum to his advantage and was able to turn the staff against the gargoyle and straight intoone of its eyes. It gave a defeaning screech as Damien pulled the staff from the ruptured socket and impaled the opposite side. The stone beast gave a final roar as its body froze and burst into dust.

That was three down.

Damien turned to seek out another gargoyle and found an injured Genevieve getting ready for the attack coming her way. He growled and rushed forward with his new weapon, swinging the staff with a lace of his power and landing a hit on the gargoyle, its head cracking all the way around before it became a pile of dust.

"We're not done yet, Angel," he bit out, his words laced with the slightest bit of pain. That hit had made things worse, it seemed.

"Your flockmates are handling the small ones; we should be able to take down the leader."