Hegemony Life

Dani pulled her blanket over her head to keep the sun from piercing her eyelids. She tossed and turn a few times. This is more difficult than it should be. Her eyes remained open underneath her blanket. Why can't I sleep?

After laying there for another ten minutes, she finally flung her blanket off of herself and forced herself out of bed. She avoided any mirrors as she made her way into the kitchen. There was no one there, since she lived by herself. The whole house was quiet. Dani got herself a mug out of a cupboard and made herself a hot cup of coffee. There was no plan for the day. She didn't even plan on being awake during the day. She never did. Most psions were like that. Maybe I'll be more productive today. She thought over the possibilities as she sipped at her coffee.




A few hours later, Dani found herself unusually energetic. That coffee must be working. She had been looking over her old notes from when she was still in school. She'd spent most of her life learning about what it meant to be a psion, even more, a Magi. Ever since she was little, all she wanted to do was succeed in contacting a demon. She'd be satisfied for life if she could manage to obtain a familiar. However, that wasn't very likely. It was just a dream that most Magi had.

Dani put her notes away and rose from her chair and headed into a small room just beyond the dining room. Maybe it was her young age, but she was feeling a little risky. I'm not supposed to attempt a summoning by myself, but I wonder... She grabbed a piece of chalk from the corner of the room. Usually, there'd be a more experienced Magi with her in case she actually succeeded in calling a demon. It wasn't uncommon for things to go wrong. To ease a little bit of her nervousness, she touched a charm she had woven into a bracelet on her right wrist. It was supposed to help protect her.

It didn't take long for Dani to finish drawing a semi-large circle with the chalk on the floor and get certain candles lit. She sat cross-legged on the floor and began her work... My first attempt by myself. What if something happens and I get myself in trouble? What if something happens and I turn out alright? Maybe I shouldn't be doing this... I'm being a wimp. I know what I'm doing.

Utter darkness. A swirling aether of existence. The continuity of an entire realm in a single dot. Blinding. A sudden flash of white. A pinprick of burning hot pressure across the void. My lips curl back. I try to scream. His body burned acutely, suddenly taking material shape. Someone is requesting me. My eyes are open and in the chaos i can see a little girl. Her feet are crossed and she is quietly calling out to him. Helial's gaunt eyes lock into focus, across the void of realms Earth is calling to him. He steps out of the chaos, his body slowly dripping out of nothingness.

His light wings form on his back, a sudden white against the dark hues of negativity. Lightly the currents of pure energy swept against his wings pushing him towards his destination. "Hello young mistress" his mouth forms the words in the vacuum of aether, unable to be carried as sound. He taps his finger against the image. Still solid. His supple shoulders shrugged as he gazed at the young girl.

He wrote on the floorboards. The small circle of chalk on the ground was clearly glowing in the aether, a reflection of her will. He tapped out a few words below it , transferring letters to the physical realm. Slowly they scratched out H-E-L-L-O. He smiled innocuously from the other side and continued to write. N-E-E-D L-A-R-G-E-R O He paused and dropped down a line. R-E-A-D. He flitted over to the side, a flick of his wrist sent a book from the nearby table at Dani, landing behind her.

The little hairs on the back of Dani's neck stood upright. There was another presence in the room. Her heart began beating faster. For a while, all she could do was stare at the space in front of her. I've done it. I made contact! What have I done? I have to do something. What is it trying to say? It took her a few seconds to regain control of her thoughts. The being who responded to her calls had scratched something into the floorboards.

Dani took a deep breath. Her heart slowed a little as she thought. I need a bigger... 'O'. It's referring to my circle. My circle... She jumped to her feet as something hit the floor behind her. Her heart pounded against her chest. Without uncrossing her legs or removing herself from her drawn circle, she reached behind herself and picked up the book. Read... She gave the circle a confused expression before glancing down at the book. What's wrong with my circle? We've always made it this size. Her eyes scanned the page. It was a book another Magi had lent her. The particular section described circles. I've read this before. Common practice circles are the way mine is. Larger circles are meant for either more dedicated callings to larger creatures or a multi-Magi summoning. Maybe I shouldn't have done this alone... but I have it now. It's my first answer. I have to keep going. Dani grabbed the chalk and drew a larger circle around the one she already had and then began removing the chalk from the smaller circle. Then she continued her calling to hold it there. I hope this works...

Helial watched mutely, his eyes acutely aware of the summoners every move. She was a jumpy thing certainly he thought to himself as she went through the necessary procedure. Let us see here His hand traced the circle on his side, sealing his will into it as he did. The circle took on a faintly different color on his side and he began to assess the moment. This is definitely her first time... I've done it with worse though. That was Joan of Arc but who's counting.

He cracked his knuckles and prepared himself to tread Earth again. The circle glowed, faintly at first them white hot as his grip on it tightened. With a lurch of heavy pressure he sent a cascade of power through the chaos around him, the entire world snapped and he could hear Dani's breathing. Here it comes... The world reverberated, amplifying his energy into a sudden snap, and with a crack of thunder Helial launched himself to Earth

The floorboards erupted into flames, shrieking through the air in a cascade of flames. For a split second their was Hell on Earth. Then sudden peace. Helial, smiled sweetly at Dani, his feet barely touching the ground as he levitated in the air. The floor was no longer charred or even written on. The chalk itself was gone, but the circle remained a low black flame. He opened his mouth to speak, but remembered his manners. His knees touched the floor and his wings folded in like a robe. He remained looking at the ground, kneeling before Dani; waiting her command.

Dani could feel it in the air. Something was happening. Power poured into the room that she was not familiar with. It began as if sucking the air out of the room and then it crashed and there was an overwhelming level of energy present. She gasped, but remained still. Then he was there. Dani stared at him. She was breathless. The one time I challenge myself...

Dani finally forced herself to stand up and focused on her breathing. The room had fallen silent. She glanced out the corner of each eye. The chalk and words on the floor were gone. There was only what seemed to be a black flame where her circle was. A solid circle of flame. She looked at him again. I can't act like a wimp now. I have to know what I'm doing. She inhaled deeply and slowly let it out. "Hello. I'm Dani," she began. I'm not entirely sure what to say. I never thought I'd actually succeed... I'll just have to see how this goes.

Helial stood up. The little girl gave her name to him. The notion of it made him smile. "I can see that." He looked around the room casually. "You're lucky im the one who heard you calling. If that had been something else from the aether you just told your name to, you might be in big trouble." His wings slowly expanded , feeling out the circle he was currently confined in. "This is plain chalk." He said suddenly.

The winged man laughed. He laughed long and hard for a good moment before he stopped and wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye. Some would use the blood of a saint to summon me and she has plain chalk. "Well... My name is Hell-eye-all. The pronunciation is very important so don't muck it up, eh kid?" He yawned , his paper white mouth stretching with his arms. His wings flapped creating a gust of wind that threatened to extinguish the circle of flames.

"What is thy bidding young one?" His eyes became opaque and his skin shimmered slightly as he stood. As he stood inside the circle he was supposed to be polite. So he was. "Ask and receive oh daughter of the Aethers current.

Dani's jaw set. Did he just criticize me for giving him my name? Shallow lines formed between her brows as he pointed out that she used plain chalk. Of course I used plain chalk. Who does he think he is? Her nervousness went away as he criticized her work. She narrowed her eyes, but looked away. I don't understand what is so funny.

Then he gave her his name. Finally. Something. Dani looked at him again. His manner seemed to slightly change. I was told that I'd never be able to call up anything more than an imp if I ever was able to call anything. He doesn't seem like an imp to me... She sighed. "Alright. Where are you from? What are you exactly?" she asked, newly found confidence in her voice. She felt more comfortable where she was at that moment.

"Uhh...." There was a long moment of silence as he seemed to stumble for words. She truly called me up with nothing more than willpower... "Well..." Helial looked around, the conundrum of his existence suddenly dumped on his shoulders. "I am..." Pure darkness... The aether. Was i born there..? No... White light.... "i am from the Aether. It is... Similar to Earth in the way a mansion and a shack are both houses."

Helial's hands fluttered as he talked. "Swirling eddies of pure power. We don't form into people for the most part until we are in this realm. Not that we can't do it..." He answered her first question immediately, but as she asked her second he scowled. " i am... A..." Cast out from heaven. A reject to the lord... A demon. "I am the one who answered your call." He smiled again, his teeth white as snow and his demeanor like honey.

He licked his lips. The flames thinned and palled but produced a constant heat source. He could feel the tenuous line keeping him in place. Human spells were so fragile. "Is there more you require of me? Most humans dont summon me to... Chat" he said the last word with an odd inflection.

Dani listened with patience fed by curiosity. He seemed to be searching for the right terms to explain where he came from. A mansion and a shack. I can only assume which is represented by which. He seems to be a prideful being. She was grateful for his explanation. Pure power. Is it harder for him to obtain the power he needs here where there is less of it?

Dani paid close attention as he tried to explain what he was. It came slowly. The ending result was disappointing. I already know that... I wanted to know what he is. He won't tell me. She was silent as she waited for him to finish speaking. In that moment, she was interested in hearing anything he had to say. He's been summoned before? If they don't want to talk, then why would they have summoned him? I only did a basic summoning. Her eyes grew slightly wider as she realized she had forgotten to record the events that had taken place. "I honestly didn't expect to reach anyone. At the very most, I hoped I'd reach an imp. They usually answer our questions or... nothing... if we can contact them. You don't seem to be the same, according to the descriptions given by other Magi... Why?" she asked, practically demanding an answer.

Helial sat in the circle. "Where am I?" He asked, failing to answer further questions. "Record...? Record for who?" His wings moved and twitched, restless and wary. The tips scraped against the edge of the circle, the feathers making faint swirls in the circle of flames. "Are..." He looked at her for a moment trying to figure out what was going in. "You're comparing me to an imp?" Helial scoffed. His nose flared slightly and he seemed disturbed.

"I should hope i dont appear impish!" He began to pace in a tight circle, trying to move in his restrictive circumstance. As his movements became more and more erratic, he could feel his wings burn as they left the circle, an inch sometimes more at a time. "W-what?" He shook his head, taking a moment to take a breathe. The flames went dead, the circle itself was a trail of ash. The room was still "Release me from this circle" his wings stretched out, taking up a large portion of the circle, folding in so that none of them left the confines of the circle.

The room shuddered, Helial was suddenly aware of multiple people in the building. This was not a house. "Do you intend to hurt me?" He made a slight movement , his wings falling to the floor in heap, wrapping around his feet. "You're killing me. Break the circle of ash, step out of it. Let this moment end." His eyes narrowed as he spoke, his body tense for some unseen trigger

Dani grew frustrated with the being in her circle. He's not answering my questions. I'm not ready to release him though. There's still more I want to know, if I can get it out of him. This might be the only time I will have successfully contacted anything. She could feel that she was starting to lose control of the situation. The being, who introduced himself as Helial, appeared to be very uncomfortable all of a sudden. Great. Now I've offended him.

Dani sighed and sat down, refusing to end this session. He appeared to grow more and more disturbed. What's wrong with him? Her eyes narrowed. "No. I don't understand what your problem is. I came here by myself and attempted a summoning. Do you think I'm in any position to even try to hurt you?" Dani was growing frustrated with him. He may not be an imp, but he sure acts like one. Why did he even come here? How did I reach him? She took another deep breath. "Look, this is my first time contacting anything. I just-"

Footsteps sounded nearby. Dani paused and looked toward the door. "That's not..." She looked at Helial again, confusion all over her face. Something's not right... Her muscles were tense, waiting for something to happen. The footsteps continued to approach, a little more cautiously. She stood and glanced at Helial again. He sensed it before I did. He thought I was trying to hurt him. I have to do something. My dagger is in my room... I can't get there. I have to do something. She watched and waited. The footsteps stopped. Dani was silent, her muscles ready to take action. The waiting seemed to go on forever.

Something or someone smashed through the door and rushed straight at her. She backed up in time for them to just barely miss her. However, her back was to Helial now. Crap. I wasn't prepared for this. I can't keep my back to him, but I have to face the intruder.

There was a grunt and snarl as the intruder was hauled toward the wall. Dani's eyes searched for whoever it was, but they had disappeared. her shoulders were tight as she scanned the room again. There weren't any other sounds. It appeared to be gone. What the hell was that?! She clenched and unclenched her fists. "I don't know what that was about..." she said angrily to no one in particular.

The door burst. Every moment seemed to follow on the heels of another. Time spaced out and he moved. Something barreled through the door. He reacted instantly. The large entity rolled past Dani with surprising speed. A human? Ah, it broke the summoning circle His eyes faintly drifted over the small smudge it created. He did not falter. His wings flapped, a torrent of air filling the room and his hand snapped up to clutch at its neck.

For only a moment he could feel flesh underneath his fingers. Then it was gone, as quickly as it left. "Gross" He wiped the now contaminated hand on his leg, taking a careful step out of the confine of the circle. Indeed the intruder had broken the circuit. He sniffled. "Are we done here?" He was happy to be free but slightly concerned. Could he really leave this little girl here? Whatever attacked would certainly be back...

She's clearly Magi... There will be others here to defend her. He bit his tongue Yes, she summoned one of the oldest forces in the aether and a circle of Magi will be more than enough to defend her. He hated the way the voice in his head taunted him. "I...." His mouth went dry. "I cant just leave you here..."

Dani froze in place. Her eyes fell to the break in her circle. He can do whatever he wants now. My circle has been broken. She watched as Helial wiped his hand on his leg. I suppose he has himself to look out for. At least I had that advantage... had.

He spoke. Done? I guess I am done now. I shouldn't have done this alone. Dani thought it over for a minute. In that time, he had spoken again. She shook her head. "No. I'm done now. You may leave if you'd like." I've finally succeeded in making contact and I'm telling him to go. The others would die to have this opportunity. I can't. I'm not ready for this. I've proven that already. Her lower jaw tightened to keep herself from protesting against herself. Let him go. You can try another summoning later with a fully experienced Magi. She scoffed at herself for the thought.

Helial's mouth went dry. His brow furrowed. "I know i can leave. I know im FREE to leave." He ran his hands through his hair, an expression oddly human. It would have been cute perhaps if the imposing wingspan spread behind him wasnt so restless. "Okay Magi, listen here. It isnt safe here...." For.... One of us? "Arent you the least bit startled about whatever just tried to...!" He fluttered his arms around exasperated.

"Humans." There was a small crackle in the air. A touch of primal energy in the air. She is a Magi, living with... Other Magi. That should mean she's protected. Unless... Helial's thoughts poured over his trip to Earth. Every detail was viciously swept over. Did... Someone follow me put? He looked around the room, it was sparse. This place was no stronghold; A school perhaps... "Theres no way shes going to be safe here." He whispered to himself.

"Alright," Helial relented suddenly. "Come on" he picked Dani up like a princess, holding her legs and back close to his chest. He turned to the nearest wall, "Hold on tightly" and he faded through the wall, a quick leap forward and they were both suspended in air. The city twinkled below them, motionless for a second. He paused to flap each pair of wings lightly in sequence, they hovered for a bit, moving gently toward a nearby rooftop. His feet touched the roof, he gently sat Dani down, stepping back to look at the city beneath them.

Dani waited for him to leave like he wanted to. Then he addressed her. He's not leaving. The thought came as a surprise to her. She shrugged in response. I suppose I should be. Why don't I feel threatened? Maybe I have too many protections. Maybe I feel safe because there are other Magi here.

The being, who wouldn't tell her what he was, whispered something. Dani ignored it. The others aren't going to be very happy with me. First, I summon without a more experienced Magi by my side. Then, what I summon isn't the basic imp. Something else was here too. Did I bring it here? Maybe it was already here... Or someone else brought it here. What a mess.

"What?" she asked as he picked her up. Dani would have fought, but he was obviously much stronger than her. Then he turned to the wall and told her to hold on. Oh no. She followed orders and held onto him as tight as she could. What came next was a light breeze as they moved. Dani turned her head as he landed on a roof. He flew. He actually flew. She wrapped her arms around herself and watched him. "I need my dagger. It's in my room," she said, a little bit of concern worked into her voice.

Helial raised an eyebrow at Dani "You are in the presence of a celestial being and you require protection from a dagger?" He shook his head "I will never understand humans." A building. Finite beings inside, every floor nearly identical. His mind's eye poured over the available stimuli. We were on the floor with a chalk outline... Her dagger is in her room. A small metal object, imbued with residual magi power. Reality warped, a odd noise similar to wet spaghetti hitting the floor.

He held the dagger in his hand, the tip of the blade balanced impossibly on his palm. "Is this what you are looking for Madam?" He did not wait for an answer, he swept her up in his arms again, placing the dagger in her tiny hands as he began to move from this building. He leaped again, the truest way to describe the action; his wings corrected for air current but did not provide lift. He landed delicately on another rooftop "We are being followed; this is one of your friends perhaps?" He asked her sounding entirely unconvinced as he began to run into another leap.

He did not stop until they were on the other side of the city, his legs carrying them bounding across it all at once. Maybe she wont notice the wings if i dont use them He lied to himself as they moved. "We should be fine for a moment... I need to ask you a few things." He set her down lightly, and smiled pleasantly at her, hoping to appear benevolent. "Well... First of all, where are we; then the immediate follow up is... Do you have anywhere safe to stay?"

Dani shrugged in response. Sometimes weapons are used for more than just protection... She inhaled the air. It was all too familiar to her. Power flowed through her from the various energies in the city. The being, Helial, had a larger and more solid aura than she did. She noticed it in the circle, but had assumed it was the power from linking two worlds.

The dagger appeared in his hand. She gratefully accepted it and was whisked away again. He seemed to move much faster than any human possibly could, maybe unless they were augmented. Dani kept herself aware of her surroundings as he carried her. There was a presence detected that the being, Helial, had pointed out. She tried to get a feel of the one following them. They weren't familiar to her. "It wouldn't be. The others would assume I went out."

Dani held her dagger in her hand and ran a finger along the blade. She was brought to the other side of the city. Helial began speaking to her again. The smile on his face worried her a little. She took a quick look around. "We are... on the other side of Saint City." She paused to consider his first question. Who do I know? I only really knew anyone because of my mom... Dave. He's a shaman who has known me since I was little. "There's someone my mom used to work for. He owns a small restaurant on the east side of town." She tapped the tip of her dagger on her finger as she considered stopping by Dave's.

He nodded, the thought contemplative. "I see..." He looked around the place, it was too open out here. Am I hungry...? He nodded his head a second time "Okay; Dave's it is" He gently picked Dani up again, the little girl was small like a doll so he did not mind hoisting her around like one. He looked down at the little girl gingerly and could not help but feel anxious What am i doing hauling her around? This kid is going to get me killed

"Hold on tight. Like... tight tight, okay? Close your eyes and hold your breath for a moment." He hissed as the air around him crackled. A maelstrom of activity kicked up, and the world spun. He jumped into the air and his wings enveloped them both, a stark white to the inky blackness behind them. The world popped, reality fracturing as he attempted to move another person with him for the first time in centuries.

His feet hit the ground, slightly harder than he anticipated, leaving an odd foot imprint in the synth-turf. He looked around himself. They were standing in a park, they were on the East side of town almost certainly, though the city hadn't been so gaunt last time he had seen it. "This friend of yours... where exactly is he?" He set Dani down, lightly laying her on her feet, and releasing her from his grasp. He offered her his hand "Lead the way?" His teeth were as white as his wings as he grinned at her

Dani watched him again. She had never seen anything like him. It still fascinated her that she managed to contact him. His head nodded again in confirmation. Then she was picked up again to head to their new destination. Why is he doing this? She held onto him tightly like she had the first time and closed her eyes.

There was a quick movement she couldn't quite keep up with, but was relieved to find herself standing on solid ground. She stared at his extended hand for a second before hesitantly taking it. Her eyes cast a curious glance at him before turning and walking down yet another familiar street. It's been a while since I've been here, but it still looks the same. She led him through the streets until she came across a small, old building with a poorly lit sign over the door. This side of town wasn't well-maintained. Dave's restaurant was no exception. Dani walked inside. The woman behind the counter smiled and greeted her. "Hi. How may I help you?" Dani offered a smile back. "Is David here?" she asked. The woman nodded and motioned that she would be right back.

The woman returned about a minute later. Behind her, a man was walking out an office door. "Who is this?" he asked. His voice was a little gruff. It's definitely been a while. Dani smiled. "Don't you remember me? I'm Dani," she said with a small laugh. Dave looked at her for a minute. "Oh! Of course I remember you. You were a lot smaller when I last saw you. What brings you here?" Dani shifted her weight. I'm bringing someone else into my mess... "I just thought I'd stop by... " she said, her voice a little quieter than before.

Helial stood behind Dani, she had been here before and obviously felt comfortable here. It was a small building. Will my shielding draw more attention than it will divert? This is a small building, it shouldnt attract too much attention Helial suddenly snapped back to Earth. He decided on a thin layer of warnings on the outermost layer building into stronger and stronger shielding. He nodded, thinking quietly to himself.

Once Dani had Dave out and was talking nice to him, Helial took the time to observe his surroundings. He closed his eyes, the world filling in around. The city was quiet by now, the dusk had came and with it psions of all type were starting to emerge, meaning humans would be going to sleep. The sheer volume of magic should keep us hidden for a moment. He layered more shielding, specifically around the small girl Dani.

Dani told Dave that she had just stopped by. He took this as his cue to pipe in "Ah, yes she is looking for a place to stay for the night." He smiled, pleasantly looking at Dani while he thought to himself. "Well!" he started again after a moment. "It was a pleasure to meet you Dave, keep Dani here at least until tomorrow." He stepped back, leaving the small trio alone. "I have a.... meeting" He nodded to himself. "Yes, and I cannot be late." He stepped to the door, walking out into the brisk night air. He gathered his legs up beneath him. Flight took off and he bounded towards his date with destiny.

Dani could feel Helial's presence the entire time. It was hard not to. She gave him a slightly irritated look as he started producing shielding for her and the building. Dave was sending off waves of fear as he tried his best to keep his eyes on Dani, but failed every few seconds to look at Helial. Most people would be uncomfortable having an imp in the room. I can only imagine what Dave is thinking.

The summoned being began speaking to Dave. Dave feared Helial too much to actually speak to him, so he just stood there and waited for him to be done talking. By the end of it, it was apparent that Helial was leaving. A meeting. Right... He's leaving. I guess he got me to safety... Maybe I'll be successful again somewhere in my life...

Once Helial was gone, Dave exhaled deeply and turned to her. The woman who was working behind the counter appeared o be completely oblivious to it all. "Excuse us," he said to her and escorted Dani to his office. He closed the door behind them. I haven't seen you in years and you walk in here with a demon!" Dani sat down. Her face was beginning to go red. "It was an accident! I'm not even sure exactly what he is-" Dave's eyes grew wide. "Any psion could see it! What are you doing with that thing, Dani?" he asked. He had leaned toward her a little. "I summoned and he answered. It's part of being a Magi. It doesn't matter anyway because he's gone now."

There was a moment of silence as Dave thought it over. "Why did you come here?" he asked. Dani sighed. "While I was asking my questions, something attacked me. It must have left right when it saw him there. We came here because this was the safest place I could think of," she explained. He went silent again. "I won't be here long..." Dave sighed. "You know you're welcome here, Dani. I'm glad you thought to come here when you thought you were in trouble. I'll get you all situated." Dani smiled. "Thank you." He responded with a nod and led her to an area behind the restaurant that led to a hallway with three doors. One was his room, another was a guest bedroom, and the other was a bathroom. Dani thanked him again and entered the guest bedroom.



Inside, the room wasn't too bad. It wasn't anything worth a 5 star rating, but it was a cozy little place. Dani laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Normally, she'd be just waking up and wandering about, but she had been awake during the entire day. I'll only need a few hours. Then I'm going to get things figured out. Her eyelids were already heavy. Within five minutes, she was out cold.

The city is beautiful at night, it certainly wasnt so beautiful last time I was here. From rooftop to rooftop, the creature bounded, knowing exactly where to go and expecting this to take only a moment, but his target was fast and apparently did not want to be found. He kept after him, lightly gliding around the city waiting for his tired prey to succumb to fatigue. The Angel smiled, taking every moment he needed.

There was a noise, something large was trying to attack him. It is not what i am tracking... Since he is still.... in that building Helial could feel the presence of it in the warehouse but lost more subtle nuances when he was batted across the city. Piercing noise. Im flying through the air again? Oh... I am falling Helial hit the ground, crashing into an apartment complex and bringing most of it down with him; the city would be abuzz in the morning.

Reality fractured, Helial was back where he stood, facing the large abomination that hit him. It pulled its large gnarled fist back and tried it again. He caught the clubbed hand and hissed. The thing wormed, and tried to break free. it was large, humanoid... Multiple eyes on its head, but not natural. Something created, not summoned. "There is no harm in ending thee." His three left wings flung out, stabbing the creature's in the head, side, and taking off an arm. In a moment it fell to pieces. He stepped away from it, dropping its dissolving hand.

He turned his attention back to the warehouse "there is nothing in there..." I have lost the culprit. Dani is no longer safe... Do... Do I go back to her? Helial looked at his body, it was not as strong as it should have been "The aether is calling me yet..." His wings flicked themselves clean, and he dipped back into the air, returning to Dani. He stopped outside the restaurant. His shielding was relatively intact. He mended a few stray holes in the warning systems that psions had set off. He settled on the roof. His wings held him up and he rested his strength waiting for Dani.

The rooftop was abuzz with energy. He could feel Dani awake. His eyes were closed and everything was a blur of energy. The city's leylines itself were woven into this houses shielding. It was no doubt conspicuous at this point, he held the entire world's attention away from the east side of town, trying desperately to keep the building hidden. He looked at the beautiful sky. "Sometimes I miss it..." He stepped off the building, lightly landing in the streets.

He sat at a small cafe slightly down the way. He took a sip of coffee, it was some type of cappucino or something. "Silly humans" He rubbed at his temple, sitting down carefully and waiting unnoticed. I... Am unsure of this. he wrinkled his nose, and his thoughts wandered. Do i leave her alone? I owe nothing to Magi. "She's a little girl..." His thoughts wandered to a little girl hed known a long time ago.

He stood up, walking over to Dave's restaurant. Maybe he would just go grab her. Would she come with him? She did call me a demon... He stood outside the restaurant, looking into it with blank expressionless eyes. He thought he could feel a a disturbance in the area but that might have been wishful thinking. He decided to wait... "She is not in danger until she is under attack..." He decided to wait a bit longer, for the sake of expediency.

Dani ate her plate of food in small bits at a time. She took in the surrounding area by feeling around. Psions weren't too common, so she only found a few here and there. There was something else, but she mentally pushed it away. I think I'm a little overwhelmed from the events that took place earlier. Now I'm imagining him. She sighed and paid for her meal with her datband, leaving the waiter a tip. Dave wouldn't have charged her for that meal, but she wasn't about to just walk in with trouble and let him pay for her food.

Dave was still in his office. "Hey, Dave, I'm gonna head out for a bit. I'll be back," she called and headed for the door. "Alright. You stay out of trouble," he called back. She stopped by the door and checked the area again. Clear, but I'm still imagining him. Maybe it's because his shields are still here. Her hands pushed the door open and she stepped outside. She paused right outside the restaurant.

His eyes widened, she unexpectedly walked out of the restaurant. His shielding took a light shift as the power was transferred out of the residence. That was all the time it needed to try and strike, Every tripwire i have set is going haywire. They are after her, not me. Without losing a moment he was in the air, flying towards the small girl who had just finished her eggs. He caught her first, carefully wrapping himself around her and using his wings to fling them both upward.

The world was upside down for a moment and a multi-headed abomination ripped past him, barreling into the street. His wings curled and gained height, taking them high above the cityscape. His eyes widened, searching the ground as he spoke "You have a lot of enemies little girl. Or one very powerful one" An arcing blast of lighting exploded besides them, and they fell. Helial blanked for a moment, the electricity overriding his concentration. They fell like a stone through the air, his wings curled inward holding her to his chest as they plummeted towards the ground.

The breeze is so nice today... Eden is not so far away.... Helial ? There is no wind in the Aether His eyes snapped open, and he corrected himself, the ground was impossibly close, he could not slow his descent in time without crushing the young girl's bones under the force of deceleration. Holding his breath, he dove down towards the ground, picking up speed and smoothly passing through a tear in space. Without warning, the couple came up in the park outside of Dave's restaurant again. He set her down impatiently and sprinted after her attacker.

The Grigori's footsteps sounded as if thunder as it launched itself to assault the beast. It was eyeing him warily and did not look pleased that he was not fried to a crisp. He skirted around it before flying towards it. Its grey arms reached for him, and he was forced to behave more pensively. He stepped onto the ground, ever so lightly, using a pair of wings to start ascending. The creature took advantage of the temporary vulnerability and lunged forward. For a moment the world was eerily silent in the noisy city, then the winged man moved. A roar of primal energy, Helial surged forward, his speed on the physical realm was slow compared the aether but that still left him with room for error.

The monster turned to ash, suddenly purified of its sin in a moments embrace. His hand fell to his side as the creature fell and he stepped back. He walked up behind Dani, appearing suddenly as if he had never left her. "That was no friend of mine..." He started playfully, extending his hand to her. "So that means he must have had quarrel with you Madam?"

The air was forced out of Dani as she was suddenly picked up and carried. She quickly regained it as she tried to comprehend what was happening. So far, she could only assume they were being attacked. Something moved by them. It was fast, but she could feel it. Enemies? How? She felt herself falling. What is he doing? He's not going to kill us both, is he? Or maybe he's just going to kill me. She braced for impact. It never came. Before she knew it, she was set on solid ground. The whole thing was disorienting. Where am I? What happened? Her eyes scanned the surrounding area. Dave's restaurant. She watched Helial chase their attacker.

Dani jumped as someone approached her from behind. She quickly forced herself to relax when she realized it was Helial. "I've never met him in my life," she said and allowed herself to sit down. This is crazy. If they aren't his enemies, why are they chasing after me? "Are you sure they have nothing to do with you? We're going to have to talk about this."

Helial gawked "the impudence!" He stepped around her carefully, talking to himself. "A freaking celestial being from heaven in the goddamn sky is out here saving your life and you want to talk!" He grabbed at his head as if to make a gesture like it was unfathomable. The Angel picked her up "Talk. Psh," before leaping into the night sky, carrying her into the unknown

The hotel room had a large view. It was the penthouse which was not cheap but millennia of being Grigori meant, Helial knew a guy or two. And by that it meant there were people terrified enough of him to give him a free hotel room; a thought he thoroughly enjoyed. Dani sat at the table across from him. He rubbed his nose and told her. "Ask away... Im not doing this again" In truth, the celestial was remorseful for his earlier outburst and trying to make it up to her. She's going to ask that freaking question again, I just know it. Freaking Humans...

Dani sat cross-legged on the ground as Helial talked to himself. A 'being from Heaven' is what he calls himself... I thought there was only a Hell. What does that make him? An angel? He can't be. We are known for trafficking with Hell, which means we make contact with demons. She glanced up at him as he continued to act like she was being ridiculous. It surprised her when he picked her up and carried her away. He still isn't leaving me...

Dani wasn't paying attention when they entered the hotel. She let him go about his business and followed his lead. The room they were in was the nicest she'd ever been in. She lightly tapped her fingers on the table. Ask away... where to start? "What are you really?" she asked and looked at him across the table. There has to be a reason these things are chasing us. It's either because I did something without realizing it, someone else got me into something I don't know about yet, or these things are chasing him.

Helial's world froze for a moment. She's on to me. What am I? She summoned me... "I am... An ever expanding pool of energy that exists in the Aether. Sometimes humans, such as yourself will give me a reason to transcend the barrier to Earth." His fingertips drummed idly on the table as he talked "Once upon a time i lived in a shining freaking castle in the sky with a magic man who could perform miracles." Resentment tinged his honeyed words.

His face was expressionless, giving the resentful words an alien sound as he continued to talk "I am older than Earth itself. This world is but one of many creations before it. I had been there for all of it and now?" He scoffed at no one in particular, "Nothingness... I am a being that exists merely to exist... Fell from grace in a moments weakness." His wings began to flap as if the agitated tail of a cat. "I am no better then Lucifer..." He looked sad for a moment.

"In reality i am not even physical." His composure returned and he looked around the room. "I am a celestial spirit. Entirely non existent on this plane of being. I need 'anchors' " the word is over-pronounced as if he is upset "to keep me here, that is why you had to draw the circle. But once I'm here..." He gestured around him. "The only downside is i may or may not get weaker the longer im here." For a moment, he looked away suddenly embarrassed. "Said concisely... I am an outcast angel."

Dani didn't move. She just sat there and listened. Her eyes would fall from him in the moments he seemed the least comfortable. He's not a being from Hell. How did I summon him? An inexperienced little Magi...

He's not happy about this. Maybe I shouldn't have asked. She stared down at the table. "Is there a way you can regain your grace?" she asked quietly, refusing to take her eyes off of the table. Why am I asking this? Curiosity? Or do I actually feel bad for him? She had her dagger pulled out underneath the table and was turning it over in her hands. Her aura wanted to stretch out a little, but she restrained it. If his power is not of Hell... then what feeds him? She looked up at him again. Unrelated questions began forming in her head and she had to push them away for now. I'll figure it out later.

Helial's devious smile returned, he was happy to answer the question, even if it was a touchy subject "Well?" He said, gesturing with his hands "A way to return my grace?" He pretended to think it over for a bit Return to Heaven? Could I? I dont think so, i wouldnt even know what it was like anymore. He shook his head slowly, then a bit more surely afterwards "No, I dont think so, though I would admit i have never tried"

He cracked his knuckles, the sun was rising by now it was past psion activity time, his presence would surely draw someone's notice in such a static white "Are there anymore questions? We have a bit of free time until the next moon up." he wrinkled his nose before continuing "And I would caution you, i dont talk like this often, if you have any questions at all, now is the time to speak up!" He winked at her as he spoke, pretending to acknowledge an un-shared secret. She is not yet comfortable with me. I can feel her anxiety...

Dani felt Helial's aura changing a few times. She wasn't able to decipher the meaning of it. He changes so suddenly... I can't read him. She watched his hands move as he spoke. He seemed to do that a lot. An eyebrow raised when he told her he didn't think there was a way to return his grace. Oh. That sounds awful. She briefly looked away. Maybe I should just stop asking questions about his being.

Dani glanced around as she thought. She ignored the wink he gave her. I think I should stick with less personal questions since my time is limited here. Her hand covered her mouth as she yawned. She looked toward the window. The sun is coming up... "Do you know what is chasing us, and are you sure they aren't after you?" she asked, her tone suddenly more business-like.

The rising sun worried her a little. She began tapping her fingers on the table again with the dagger rested on her lap. The night didn't last long at all. There was something I was supposed to do. Why can't I remember? It had something to do with someone I know... I told them I'd be back. Where was I before? I... Dave's! I told Dave I was going out for a bit. I never came back. He must be worrying about me. Dani stood up from the table. "Actually, can you answer that on the way to Dave's? I was supposed to check back in with him," she said, already heading toward the door.

Helial rubbed at his eyes, the sun was coming up. Sunlight always dampened his powers, they would not be so safe out there I cant stand the light since that fall from grace... Dani was talking to him, asking him more questions. Mortals always had a lot of questions. Not that he minded. Helial always had lots of answers, it was part of being a partially divine all-knowing being. This answer he did not have however "In so far as i can tell... they are after you and not I" Helial looked bemused for a moment "Theres probably less people who know Im alive then there are people in this room. Well... If im people" Helial winked.

She told him about Dave, and needing to come back to Dave "Daves?" He remembered the small diner that he had been waiting outside of. "Oh... The place you were attacked at?" he faintly remembered a park on the East side of town. Her... friend? I'm not entirely sure what he was to her... They seemed well versed in knowing each other. Helial rubbed his temple again, "Yeah... Yeah sure we can go back to Dave's..."

He looked towards her, reserving himself silently Okay, I can do this.... "You have to listen to me, okay? I mean, like, listen listen to my every word... in case something goes wrong" He held her hand out for her, pulling her out of the chair and holding her close to his body. There was another loud crack, and a small feeling of falling This shouldnt be so jarring anymore. She should be getting used to it... He bowed, presenting the restaurant to her

Dani considered his answer. Why would they be after me though? Helial had referred to Dave's restaurant as the place she was attacked at. "Yeah. There," she said a little hesitantly. Well, when he puts it that way... She almost thought he was being sarcastic when he said they could go there. Then he gave her his condition. "Um... Sure." I'll let him think I'll listen to him. What are the chances that he'll tell me to do something I'm against? She took his hand and let him pull her up. Her free hand held her dagger, which she technically wasn't supposed to have, and folded her arm between Helial and herself with the point downward. I'd rather he didn't think I was trying to hurt him again.

The light humming of the blade was the first thing she heard when they appeared in front of the restaurant. Her power reverberated through it, binding it to her. An involuntary smile formed on her face at the thought. It's all mine, bound to me. She held it down by her hip and looked at Helial. "Dave isn't entirely sure about you. Try to be... the least threatening you can. Your aura is a little intimidating," she informed him and turned to walk into the restaurant.

"Dani, whe-" Dave stopped when he noticed Helial. Dani didn't check to make sure he was right behind her, so she didn't know if he had entered the place or if he was spotted outside the door. She noticed Dave's aura flicker with slight distaste. "He's fine, Dave. I'd be dead if he weren't here." The man scoffed, but quickly changed his attitude toward the situation. "Anything I can help with?" he asked. Dani paused. Do I let him? He noticed her hesitation. "Dani, I've known you since you were little and watched you grow up. If you're in danger, I'm not going to leave you in the hands of this demon." Dani slightly flinched at the word 'demon', but didn't correct him. The last thing he needs to know is that I summoned something a magi wouldn't usually summon, but what do I tell him?

Helial watched Dave curiously. He followed closely behind Dani, trying to tone down his 'intimidating aura'. His face betrayed the slightest twitch at being called a demon, but he thiught it best to hold his tongue. The man was trying to protect Dani. It was a noble effort, he thought, but foolish. He will get them both killed. She is barely surviving with me around as it is... He bit the inside of his cheek and took mental note of the building.

My shielding is still in place... The leylines will keep them up for days if necessary... How did that creature get so close to her... His vision poured through the immediate surrounding area, making a note of everything. He looked to Dave. "I'm not a demon you overgrown ape." He gave him a pointed look and muttered under his breath. "God's bastard experiments the lot of thee..." He expanded his consciousness outward.

'Dani' Helial's thoughts echoed around Dani's ears as he tried to speak to her telepathically Daani... It is not so safe here. What is it that you hope to accomplish, it is almost high noon and... His words faded out as his ears perked up. He did not move , suddenly as lifeless as a doll. A long minute passed before he finished his thought It is not safe here. He moved slightly closer to Dani, smiling at Dave with his best 'I swear i wont eat you' grins.

Dave wasn't happy with the insult, but looked past it. He looked at Dani. "He's not a demon?" Dani chewed on her tongue. It shocked me too. This won't go over well. She thought she heard her name, but ignored it. "No... " she tried to think of how she should word it when she heard her name again along with other words. I have Helial's voice in my head. What is wrong with me? She glanced back at him. He was standing a little closer to her than before. Maybe she imagined it, but she thought she saw Dave's aura falter.

"I... have to go," she said suddenly and motioned for Helial to follow her out the door. Her pace began at a face paced walk, then into a run. I've been defended against unnaturally fast creatures and lightning bolts. Dave would be better off keeping me at an arm's length. She heard him call her name as she left the restaurant, but he didn't chase her.

The ground rumbled, a quiet mumble slowly growing louder. The ground almost shook, the combined weight of hundreds of small loping creatures running towards them. Helial followed Dani, grinning from ear to ear as they ran. He almost giggled as they went but he reminded himself to stay passive. "That is a lot of Hell hounds" Helial remarked as the psionic grid went crazy.

The sun was still high in the sky. Thousands of demons from hell were loose on the streets. He could hear the pop and fry of knotted muscle exploding when it ran into his shielding. However after the third body through it the shields started to fade. "There are far too many of them to keep the shields up. The city would collapse under the leylines being exhausted! We have to leave" he did not wait for an answer. With an elven leap he pressed Dani to himself and took flight.

His wings spread through the air, he fluttered lazily to think for a moment. "I cannot take us anywhere safe until nightfall" he yelled over the roar of wind. "It is pretty impressive to have a legion of hellhounds sent after you. You must be someone important." Helial's eyes sparkled as he spoke. He dove, picking up speed much like a falcon. He hurled into the ground, absorbing the impact as he did. The grass was green, a large plot with a cathedral on it. "We are not far outside Saint City. The legion should follow us here, and the holy ground should keep them at bay until we find more permanent... Lodgings" he looked lost using the word.

"Listen Dani..." He said looking out the stained-glass window. "Theyre surrounding us... I cant stay on this plane forever..." He smiled at her, trying to look happy "Youve got to help me help you... We need a permanent solution. Why are they chasing you?" Slow... Rolling blackness... Fuzzy dots in a blinding scope. The Aether is calling me home. What am i doing here? "I dont know if you will be... Okay... Without me..." He winced at his choice of words.

Dani did not realize how bad her situation was until the ground became unstable under her feet and all hell seemed to break loose. Her thoughts were scrambled as she tried to think of what to do. She heard Helial's voice speaking to her and then she was carried off again. The city... Dave! We left Dave behind! Her heart pounded in her chest and her eyes threatened to produce tears. She set her jaw and forced it back. Helial's voice informed her of their status. Did he say hellhounds? I should have never attempted a summoning by myself. This is all my fault.

They finally landed in a Cathedral. Why did he bring me here? Just as the question rose in her mind, Helial's words answered it. She looked around nervously. The look on his face confused her. Is this satisfying to him? Why is he smiling? She shook her head slowly. "I can't... Dave... this is all... " She could find the words to describe the entire situation. If I knew what they wanted, I might let them get me...

He could feel the distress coming off of Dani. She... She is upset... I pushed her too far. "hey... Its okay." He moved closer to her, a swift action his body suddenly next to hers. He put his arms Around her , drawing him into himself like he did when they moved through points in reality. Nothing happened, he hugged her slightly tighter, trying to make her pain go away. He sat like that for a long silent moment, his wingtips curling in around her. He breathed in deep. She smelled good.

"Its okay. Everything alright Dani. No shields around dave's shop broke. He should be fine." He smiled at her again, trying his best to console her. He caressed her face, taking her chin and making her look at him. "Everythings going to be okay. Youre a beautiful little girl, with her entire future ahead of you and thats not going to wnd here, mkay?" He hugged her tightly, trying to not break her.

"Hey..." The sun was going down. He pulled Dani close to him. "We're going to make a run for it. Straight to my Sanctuary." He looked about the room. She should be safe there. These things cant follow us there! He nodded, readily convinced that he was right. The sun dipped under the horizon. It was going to be sundown soon. He pulled Dani tightly to him. He stepped from the building, the daylight drained away. He held Dani to him, running quickly across the fields. The hellhounds broke after him.

Wind was fierce, he dipped into the Ocean. It was wet, Dani would be cold; but the water was necessary to lose their scent. Reality rippled, smoothly this time. Helial was used to moving through fluid space. Water fell on the marble floor. They stood in a white marble room. It was empty. The air smelled pure

Dani was surprised by Helial's efforts to comfort her. She looked away and tightened her jaw. Don't let it get to you... She could feel herself on the verge of frustrated tears. Don't you dare cry, Dani. You don't do that anymore. A deep breath caused her to shudder a little.

Helial's words continued in her ears. Dave is alright? Her nerves began to smooth over. The rest of his words caused a light blush to creep up on her cheeks. They made her main worries disappear. She was beginning to feel okay again. The final thing he told her was even more surprising than him comforting her. His Sanctuary? There is a safe place for us to go to? Her heart beat a little faster. Dave's alright. I'm alright. Everything is going to be fine again.

Dani was beginning to get used to Helial carrying her around the way he did. She was grateful he was able to get them both out of there before the hellhounds could get them. However, the ocean was the last place she thought they would ever go. The water was freezing. She huddled close to herself as she could while Helial was carrying her. Then everything changed and they were in an empty white room. "This is your Sanctuary?" she asked, taking a quick look around.

Helial smiled at Dani, his expression a sweet honeyed thing. "Originally it was a mountain range. Simple Earth. I..." He gestured around the room, making a sweeping motion "had need of a place to stay on earth. This place is hewn directly into the mountain. There is no way in or out save for me tearing the fabric of reality. Tiny air-ducts keep oxygen levels breathable for thee... While its remote location at a high altitude makes it... Safe." He nodded looking ver matter of fact.

He led her through the halls, taking her hand and showing her the few rooms he decided on. The first room was simple, the large empty marble room they stood in. "i like the spacious feeling it gives. As far as you can tell from here," he twirled around, pantomiming a serious attempt at looking "this place is empty! But over here" he pulled her along to a large room with an elaborate gothic brazier. "Is where i cook... Not that I have need of sustenance. Its just..." His face grew red. My cheeks are burning... What is this feeling? "a hobby..." He continued to lead her around.

"Here is my library... " he motioned to the rows of bookcases stretching before them. As far as the eye could see they went on "When you cannot die... Reading is a great way to pass the time. This library extends almost to the base of the mountain. A copy of most published human works..." He smiled , as if remembering something he'd enjoyed but forgotten. "Do you like books, Dani? Magi read..."

Dani was filled with curiosity about the place as Helial began to explain it. We're in a mountain range. This is... humans would have never known. She followed him to each room. Helial explained each of them to her. The first one he liked because it had a spacious feeling. The next room was where he cooked food. She watched his turn red. Is he blushing? Angels can blush? As if cooking is an embarrassing thing... A small giggle escaped her. Did I just giggle? I won't be making a habit out of that.

The last room he showed her was a library. A rather large library. If she were a cartoon character, her jaw would have dropped to the ground. He asked her if she liked books."I do," she said, staring at the nearly endless rows. "This is incredible." Dani was beside herself. She'd never seen so many books in one place in her life.

Helial smiled, the library was his personal pride and joy. It had taken him years of his outcast existence to collect it. Some if the books were directly from the Library of Alexandria. He had grabbed as much as he could when it went up in flames. He hugged Dani tightly. "That is good. Forget your worries... Take a moment and lose yourself in the books..." He turned to leave her to herself. "I will procure dinner" he smiled to himself.

Reality exploded, a gruesome detonation of matter being displaced as he landed on Earth. He took a quick moment to contain his otherworldly presence. He stepped into the restaurant. The odd Chinese owner looked at him oddly. He spoke in his native language, asking him for a quick takeout meal. Not much longer he stepped out, the takeout food in a paper bag. He laughed at the notion as he ducked into an alleyway. Another pop placed him back inside the kitchen. Ive never had need to eat. Never needed to cook... I hope this isnt cheating.

He laid out the plates. He carefully disposed of the containers, disintegrating them into nothingness. Fine silverware set the table, he readied the food and found another chair. It did not quite match the other but he thought nothing of it. As he spoke his powerful voice echoed throughout the marble room. "Dani... Dinner is served!"

Dani was caught off guard when Helial hugged her, but accepted it anyway. She laughed. "This is great... " she said quietly as her eyes took in the rows of books again. He left the room telling her that he would make dinner. As soon as he was gone, she started walking down the first row. These are really old... I wonder... She looked for anything that was about magi or demons.

As Dani walked down the rows, it became apparent that there were too many books to find exactly what she was looking for. However, she came across a Holy Bible from before the Awakening. I've heard about this, but I've never actually read it... She sat herself down and began looking through it. Many parts were a little dry to read through. Others were very fascinating. She found that she had gotten lost in this book when Helial called her for dinner. I don't want to lose this book. I want to come back to it. She pulled a loose strand of her hair and used it to mark the page she was reading. Then she walked into the marble room with it in her hands.

Helial had Chinese food set out for them. There was no sign indicating that the food was purchased. She gave the table an odd look. "You made this?" she asked, her expression giving away how impressed she was with it.

Helial looked at her, slightly confused. Comprehension spread across his face as he thought about it. "Oh!" He laughed, a chuckle like a bell ringing. "No, no. I cant cook... Im... Im bad at it. Like... I dont eat... So, im not.. Very good because... Naturally i have no taste buds" he made a face close to a wince as he looked at her. "Though i wish it was not so..." His voice trailed away as he spoke. He looked at Dani with a twinkle in his eye.

"No, there is no way to... Throw anything away in here." He laughed while talking to her. "Naturally, trash piles up. I burn all the rubbish... I disintegrate it! It is a natural way to be rid of waste." He pulled a seat out for her, getting her into it carefully. He pushed it in behind her and slid a plate to her. "But regardless! Eat up. It is... Not to go to waste. Growing girls need nourishment" he smiled again, he was smiling often recently.

He sat down across from her, looking carefully at her. He played with the food on his plate. He took a quick bite of it every now and then. He wanted to look natural for her, so he pretended to eat. He felt a reason to make small talk. It was silly really but that didnt stop him. "So... Dani... Ready any good books?" He looked at her coyly.

Dani was a little confused. Didn't he say cooking was a hobby of his? She let it go with a shrug and a smile. Then he went on to explain how he disposed of his trash. Ah. So he has an incinerator too. She sat in the offered seat. The food beneath her nose smelled enticing. Have I eaten recently? I had breakfast... A small smile formed on her lips and she shook her head lightly.

Helial was in the seat across from her. She noted that he was taking bites of the food. Then he began talking again. He seems chatty right now. Maybe I should... She cleared her throat. "Well, this one seems interesting so far," she said and held up the Holy Bible so he could see it. "I've heard about it, but I haven't read it myself."

Helial's face suddenly froze up. Of all the books down there. She goes loping through that atrocity. "Ah, yes..." He nodded and took another bite of his food. It tasted like gruel to him, tasteless, like everything he had ever eaten. He thought for a moment, that he could make this, he has made other things that taste like it before; but reminded himself that he knew that was not so. "It certainly is one of the great fictions of the time." He nodded his head and tried to look normal.

He twirled the oily rice noodle around his fork, it was.... peculiar. "I like the part where it mentions the prophet Jesus creating fish and bread for an entire party of people. I never know what my food tastes like so im not comfortable serving it to people... It would be useful to simply create food!" He smiled, evidently having made a joke thinking himself very clever. He took a bite of the chow mein sung. It was every bit the same as General Tsu's Chicken, he swallowed it dryly.

"Though it does get a bit..." he made an odd motion "Heretical, at points..." He nodded, before thinking it very ironic that an angel was talking bad about the bible. "Most of it is slander and lies regardless. Fiction at its very finest..." he paused for a second, adding in at the end as if it was a second thought "Damn near fantasy at times."

Dani spun her fork through the noodles and shoved it in her mouth. The taste was wonderful. A little bit spicy, but there was still a sweetness to it that didn't overdo it. Her mouth watered at the first bite. She loaded her fork again.

Helial seemed to have an opinion on the book she had picked. I've heard this book mentions angels... I thought it would give me something since I had no idea they existed. She was a little disappointed that the book wouldn't be any use to her. A small smiled formed on her lips when he talked about a story in the book where a prophet produced food for a large group of people. Then he continued to talk it down. She sighed. "I haven't come across anything that talks about angels. This is an old book and it has areas where angels are mentioned. I just thought... lit would have something," she said, letting her disappointment dissolve into her voice.

Helial nodded absentmindedly, politely listening to Dani talk. She certainly had an interesting disposition. He smiled and took another bite of the Chinese food. She explained about the Bible. She was apparently rather curious about his existence. She asked about Angels. "Uh?" He paused. The question had taken him off guard. "Well..." He wasnt sure where to start. "The Bible takes liberties with itself. You cant trust a compilation of any works from different authors."

He shrugged, taking another bite of the food. His plate was damn near empty, he had been using it to buy time and apparently time was costly. "Well. Of course Angels exist. It is not odd that demons should exist? They are the other end of the same coin as angels are they not?" He smiled, confident that explained it. He took his last bite of food.

Dani shoved another forkful of food into her mouth. She had to wait until it was down her throat before she could speak again. He told her she couldn't trust the Bible with its many authors. She sat and thought about it. Of course I knew that demons existed. No one had ever talked about Angels before. They were only in fictional stories. Even then, those said many things about Angels that were obviously not true. I didn't think there was anything on the 'other side of the coin' when it came to demons. They were just there... But if he says it that way...

Dani watched Helial eat the last of his food and looked down at her own plate. Why am I such a slow eater? She twirled a larger amount of noodles onto her fork in attempt to clear her plate faster. I have questions, but I'm trying to be polite. How did he finish that so fast? When she finally swallowed her mouthful of noodles, she looked at Helial again. "Demons are fed by blood, sex, and fire. What about Angels?" she asked, glancing at his plate again. Can Angels live off of human food?

Helial smiled, a twinkle in his eye that was hard to miss. "Well! It is a perfect example of what i meant." He placed his plate next to the brazier, stepping away from Dani and talking while he walked "demons are... Weak, the corrupt of what we embody. Angels survive on the fundamental love of fellow men. You are a human, the light in your heart that allows you to be a Magi? That is your soul!" He smiled, blinking his pearly white teeth.

He walked back to the table , folding his hands and continuing "to put it succinctly. Angels live off magic, in its basest form , the light which powers everything in this world. We feed on souls." He paused for a moment, suddenly worried about how that sounded. "Not that we need to eat them...! Angels are all self-contained. Meant to stand watch over realms while the Lord Elohim was a" he slapped his hands over his mouth. "I am rambling."

He smiled at Dani again. "Angels are the polar opposite of Demons. Youre a magi of the post-awakening, right?" He nodded, not really asking a question. "Demons are everywhere. Though they come from 'Hell'" he paused and thought for a moment. "It is hard to fill in your gaps, i am not familiar with post-awakening teachings" he shook his head. "Would you care to inform me?" A harmless white lie is nothing.

"It could very well help us survive out here. I know nothing of this world. It has been..." how long has it been? A century? A millenia? he continued "a very long time! So tell me... Please" he smiled again. It was his most human expression.

Dani watched Helial. The only time her eyes left him was when she went to take another bite of her noodles. His first statement was another little surprise to her. Demons are weak? Because they require feeding? He seemed to do a lot of smiling as he talked. She listened as he explained what he lives off of. Wait. Souls? They feed... She waited for him to further explain, figuring he would. Oh. Without harm. How did I summon him, of all creatures?

Dani was surprised when he put his hand over his mouth. Lord Elohim? Why would he stop himself there? She nibbled her lower lip. There was another smile on his face. How do I explain what I know? I've been learning for years. I still don't feel like I know everything there is to know. "Well... " she trailed off, thinking. Then a thought crossed her mind as she went over what she knew. [i]What would it be like for him to interact with a demon? If I were able to summon one... She pulled herself from the thought. That's ridiculous. I'd never do that. "We're just familiar with demons. We've been learning from them as much as we can. Magi who succeed in contacting them have journals of what they've been told."

Helial bit his lower lip, a mirror of the gesture Dani just used. He hoped he interpreted the meaning right. "You trust Demons?" He laughed, as if the thought were precocious "to each their own I suppose.." He thought for a bit. "Maybe i will just gobble up your soul and be done with your kind," it was slightly unclear whether he was joking.

The Watcher’s voice chimed once more like a bell. "Are you enjoying the food? I have it on very good authority that it was a top notch establishment." He folded his hands again, carefully continuing on. "Many Demons are only here because they were cast out of heaven... Traitors to the cause. A losing army driven out in droves. Led by a Prince of lies..." Though he would have normally felt anger at the Challenger’s name; there was only sadness. "I suppose i am in no place to be so righteous." smiling again, though it was much less genuine this time.

"I have read some Magi journals. Most of them are mindless drivel. Demons like to lie it appears." Am i not a demon myself? Fallen from grace like a failed rebel ? His wings drooped suddenly, he looked at the table to compose himself. A single tear fell from his eye before he had the chance. "Ahem... Satan tried to displace our God from his seat in heaven, and was cast out, like so many dust motes from a rug." He managed to crack a half- smile, and looked at Dani. "Demons are nothing more than mice scurrying about trying to make a new nest. Satan himself would be hard-pressed to argue."

Dani pretended not to notice him do as she did. I wouldn't think demons were reliable. They are known for lying. There are Magi who have succeeded in creating bonds with the demons though. A demon familiar wouldn't lie to their Magi, would they? His joke caught her off guard. What if he did decide to kill me? I'd have no chance at escaping. He has me trapped here. She was suddenly unsure about her current situation.

The subject was suddenly changed to the quality of the food. However, she had lost her appetite, distracted with other thoughts. "The food was very good. It's very filling. I'm afraid I can't take another bite," she said, trying her best to be polite. She was glad he changed the subject back.

Dani noticed Helial grow more and more somber as he went on. Then he seemed to quickly finish. She considered what he said. "What do you think of it?" she asked. She was paying close attention to him now and hoped he didn't notice.

He was quiet for a long time, first a few seconds, turning into minutes. What do I think of it? He remembered long hours basking in heaven alongside Iblis who would become Satan. The feeling of indignation after losing to Raphael in yet another fencing match. Disappointment on his tongue when he failed his God. He remembered watching God create Earth, the sky, and the sun, Beings talking to his God. Others claiming to be Gods themselves. "What do I think...?" He said absent-mindedly. "Years of hatred. War between Demons and Angels. Yet... Here i am. No better then they"

Suddenly, like a ton of bricks he remembered the crushing despair he felt when he was cast out; all at once he found it too much, a single tear escaped, then another. Within moments, the once proud Angel found himself crying. Try as he might he could no longer compose himself. He was unsure if he should leave. Too upset to think of where to go. Is this what im reduced to? Crying in front of a human? Space rended as the Grigori tore space to step out of the room for a moment.

He traced the familiar marble pillars with his index finger, slowly walking and breathing deeply slowly until was finally ready to face Dani again. Light footfalls signaled his return to the kitchen. "I am sorry for that... I am..." The Celestial struggled to remember the word they had used, "Emotional." He sat down across from her and folded his hands together. "Shall we continue?"

The silence bothered Dani a little, but she sat patiently in her seat as she waited for him to say something. Then he slowly began. He didn't seem happy trying to explain it to her. Before she knew it, the Angel before her was producing tears. Guilt coursed through her. I should have asked about something else. Or maybe I shouldn't have asked about anything. She looked down at the table as he left the room.

When Helial returned, Dani glanced up at him. He appeared to be in better condition than when he left the room. I guess he would, being the opposite of a demon. At least he cares. She shook her head. "No. Thank you for answering my questions," she said softly. Dani found herself feeling bad for him. Falling, whether a demon or angel, sounds like it's an awful thing all together. She chewed on her tongue a little. "How long are we going to stay here?" she asked.

Helial, shrugged, his opalescent shoulders rolling in a dismissal of the question. "We? No longer than a day. You? Perhaps more. Youre safe here... Not out there. It is dangerous for us to be together too long. I shall try to rid you of your hellhound infestation... Until then you are to wait here..." knowing humans hated to be caged; Helial paused before adding on. "It is only temporary... I promise thee this." The Angel took a step back, standing up from the table and taking her plate to the brazier.

Holding Dani's hand, and carefully leading her back to the library, the Celestial informed her, "Feel free to return to your... Studies. It is the lucky Magi that gets to read from my library." He handed her a small notebook, it held instructions for summoning him again. "I must leave thee." He left her alone in the labyrinth of words long dead and writers time had forgotten. The tired was bone-deep by then, so carefully it stepped away from her, reality whistled, and silence replaced him, as the spirit was returned to the Aether.

i remember pain. Stark blackness and hundreds of tiny clasping hands pulling me in. But i could not succumb. The aether flowed into me. A whirling vortex of power. The infinite possibilities mine for the taking. I tore this very universe apart. So that I may have its power at my fingertips. And i have done it all for you...

"Dani..." The voice reverberated down the marble halls down into mountain.

Dani was beginning to feel a little helpless. Helial explained that it was too dangerous for them to be together for too long and that he was leaving and she needed to stay there. I need to solve my own problems myself. I could have worked up some magic to keep those things out. I could have found things out through other psions. Everything would go back to normal... She took a deep breath.

Dani was led by Helial's hand to the library. She looked at the rows of books as he spoke. A sigh left her. She took the small notebook from him. I will look at this once he is gone. Once he left, she glanced down at the notebook. I wonder... what could he have left me? She sat where she was and scanned through the pages. It's a summoning ritual... for summoning him. Does that mean he can't come back if I don't summon him?

The notebook held her interest for a while. I know his name. I can summon him directly. She put the notebook down. It was tempting to try it out once she knew how to directly summon any specific being. I know how to use everything properly now. She stared at the ground anxiously. I have to wait. I don't know when he'll want me to summon him back, but I have to wait. She searched the shelves for more books on summoning and began poring through them.

There was a long moment in the darkness. Cast from grace i was unsure of myself. The aether gave me sustenance. The aether was home. A sanctuary when he needed it most. How did I repay it? Violence. Cannibalizing energy flow for power. It is what must be done. Not nearly enough... The glowing white Angel winked out of the vast empty vacuum. He left nothing behind.

His fingers clawed , this world was actively trying to keep him out. He flexed his new strength slightly , the world shuttered and he slipped in. The Universe itself cried out in fear of the newfound invader. Another well of nothingness. A pre-primary outcropping Universe. The big bang was contained in a point no bugger than an apple. This Universe... Is smaller. Helial contemplated this as he ate the realm inside out.

His slight feet hopped from world to world, carrying him where no mortal could follow. Planes of existence were destroyed that night, the exact number never to be known. Not enough. Not nearly enough... I can be so much more!!! A ripple echoed from the core of every world. Helial's body tingled with the boundless energy. His wings fairly thrummed, each beat leaving behind a trail of expansive aura. He had not felt so Angelic in a long time. He had never felt more like a demon in his life. There is another quadrant of known Universe here. I can yet borrow more. He flitted away, a quiet end to the destruction of so many possibilities.

The information contained in the books Dani read seemed to repeat itself. There is only so much a person can say about the same thing. There is very little that I haven't heard of. She searched for anything having to do with angels. Nothing seemed to hold information on them. I guess I will have to settle for the answers he's given me so far until I can find something. There are so many books here. I still don't know where to start. She sat down and reviewed what she already knew, hoping it would spark something.

Dani grew bored with waiting. She reached down to the bag that rested on her hip and pulled out a piece of chalk. Then she moved to a large, empty space and drew a circle as big as she could. There are so many ways I can go about this... She drew a slightly smaller circle inside the large circle. Inside the smaller circle, she drew a triangle, each corner touching the inside line of the smaller circle. Inside the triangle, she drew his name in the manner it was inscribed in the notebook. My first directed summoning by myself. Beats summoning without direction.

Helial stopped mid-flight, his wings twitched and suddenly felt the need to redirect themselves. He fell from flight, dropping like a stone before redirecting himself. This burning itch... A need in my very core of being. It feels so very close to being in heaven again... It was an odd feeling, to be sure, but not one he necessarily couldn't resist. He glided through the void, this Universe was already eaten, he needed only pick up enough speed to be gone from it. He surged forward, a crashing wave of light in the nothingness.

He could see the rudimentary summoning circle, it was close enough to the whole thing that it would be relatively no problem to breach. Not that I even need one with so much power in my hands. His radiant body slowed to a halt before the wide circle in nothingness his hands almost touched it, he could feel the call of the other world. "Of Earth"

His hand braced the circle, the worlds shuddered. One moment he was in a dark vacancy, the next he was back in his Sanctuary, standing next to Dani. "Hello" he smiled opaquely. His body had a certain shimmer to it, perhaps it was only his suddenly overwhelming aura. He held his hand out to her "I am here to serve Magi." He took a step out of the Triangle, sweeping Dani up before she had a chance to take his hand. He held her close to his chest "Shall we rid thee of thy HellHound infestation?" Reality crackled as, the sound of electricity racing through the air. In a moment they were back in Saint City, on the East Side of town across from Dave's Restaurant standing in the Park. "Its always so beautiful here..." He said dreamily.

Dani was a little surprised that it worked. She smiled to herself. It's not so hard once you know what you're doing. The energy that picked up in the triangle was impressive. She wasn't entirely sure it was Helial that was coming through until she saw him. The power surrounding him was astounding. Summoning is such a risk. Magi do this all the time... How do they always seem to come back unscathed? I guess there have been a few who haven't.

Helial's presence was almost vitalizing to her. She was about to break the circle for him, but he stepped out of it. The unexpected movement caused her to pause. How did he do that? I had to release him before. She was about to say something when he picked her up and they were in Saint City again. The first thing she heard him say once they got there was that it was beautiful. "Beautiful?" she asked without thinking much about it. Wait. What am I doing? I should be trying to figure out what just happened. She cleared her throat. "How were you able to leave the circle without it being broken?" she asked. It wasn't her only question, but it wouldn't help to ask them all at once.

He smiled at her, holding her tight to his chest. "How?" He chuckled, a melodic laugh full of mirth, like a bell chiming. "How does anything happen in this crazy world of ours? Magic" The first hell hound appeared, it stood far off, but his keen eye sight could make it out. Was drawn it in by the sudden magical presence, or perhaps Dani's scent? He was unsure; but it did not matter. "Hold on." He took a step forward, not moving much. his body barely betrayed the movement, but in a moment he was within reach of the large dog. With a violent kick the Hellhound was swatted aside, its body giving way before the impossible force. It rolled, then hit the ground disintegrating into ash as it did; to be dispersed by the wind and forgotten.

The second was not far off, nor the third or fourth. Soon thousands were swarming after Helial. He danced delicately around them, trying not to hit any of them. They gathered and gathered, flooding the east part of town and still coming. He leaped, sylvan and swiftly, away from the grabbing jaws. Dani was a light load in his arms and he held her clenched to her carefully with both arms. His feathers shed as the Angel ran, leaving his back like so many disturbed dust motes; hung in the air where they fell, as if unaffected by mortal gravity.

The city was teeming, overwhelmed with loping desperate hounds. That is all of them... He stopped on top of a small spire. The city broadcast tower he seemed to remember. No slicboards even dared come this high up. He watched from his seat on top of the world. His feather spiraled, each one seeking out a new target. "Purge." Within moments the hellhounds were dead, scattered as piles of ash on the wind. The incident would later be attributed to mass hysteria, no one has ever seen so many hell hounds in once place. Helial cradled Dani's head lightly, he was unsure if she would want to watch. "You are safe..." his voice was uncertain

Dani didn't understand why Helial still held her to him. His response didn't really answer her question. She assumed his level of power allowed him to break the bonds of the circle himself. A hellhound appeared before she had a chance to ask him. He told her to hold on and she did. Have they been here this entire time?!

The number was growing faster than she could count. She tightened her hold on Helial as he made his move. There were points where she thought she wasn't going to make it, but he always seemed to move just in time. She watched them all gather. Where are they all coming from? Why would someone send this many of them after me? More questions were added to the list, not that she cared to ask any of them at the moment. They were up much higher than she was comfortable with. This just keeps getting worse and worse.

The hellhounds suddenly cried out loud before going silent. Dani watched in shock. He just killed every single one of them. She slowly nodded when he said she was safe. It didn't matter how it sounded; the words were enough. "I have things I have to figure out... " she said as she stared at the overabundant piles of ashes.

Helial heard her speak. Her words were almost lost over the release of tension. Things to figure out? She... oh... Helial frowned, I suppose she is safe... She wants to be left alone... Who am I to tell her no? He took her to the ground, it was a bittersweet moment for him as he let her go. Should... I say something? I cannot just leave her here... "we are still on the East side of town... Dave should be happy to take you in until you can return to your..." The word escaped him for a moment, his mind was on other things "circle..." He stepped away, slowly at first, but within seconds he was gone, speed not from this Earth with a lightness of step only millenniums of flight could achieve

It is clear I am unwelcome. He turned his back to her and began to walk away. He had a bad taste in his mouth. On a normal day any taste in his mouth wouldve thrilled him, but right now all he could feel was a slight disappointment. Well... what now? He tried to think of something to do as he meandered along pointlessly. He could feel the tips of his wings drag against the floor as he walked. Normally he would have picked them up off the grimy floor, but he was in no mood for subtle actions.

He walked into a bar somewhere, he could not drink but it did not stop him from soaking up the moodiness. A few gruff psions were arguing over who ordered the next pint, or some other equally drab comment. Is it possible for an Angel to get sick? Maybe i soaked up too much power in my desperate bid for... The bad taste returned to his mouth and he decided, maybe he would try an "alcoholic beverage" anyways. He slowly walked to the bar and ordered a pint of their hardest liquor. The owner didn't feel the subtle suggestion that Helial placed to ensure he didnt have to pay with money he did not have. He took the glass and looked into it, like the barrel of a gun. "Bottoms up."

Dani was too stuck in her own thoughts to notice Helial at first. She looked over the ash piles. Most of them were scattered by the a wind that was blowing through. Helial had returned her to the ground. Then he spoke to her. Of course we're on the East side of town. I don't think I'd like to stay with Dave if I don't have to. My circle... He's leaving? Again? She watched him slowly move away from her. Then he was gone. She stood there, not sure what to think.

I have to move or something. I can't just stand here. Get somewhere and then think. Dani walked into Dave's restaurant. The man ran out and grabbed her shoulders. "You're alive!" he nearly shouted. She pulled away from him. "Of course I'm alive. He left. He never told me what was after me." She sat down, irritated. Dave shrugged. "You should just be glad you're still alive. There was an impossible number of hellhounds."

Something hit the roof. Dani jumped. Did he come back? She felt Dave reach out and feel for whatever it was. "That's not him. There's a door in the floor of my room. Go there. I've laid protections over it," he instructed her. There was a light tapping sound. She followed his instructions and ran to his room just as something broke through a window.

Once inside the empty space under his room, she took her chalk out and drew a circle within a circle and a triangle in the center. Inside the triangle, she drew the Fallen Angel's name. Please answer me. She stood in between the lines that marked the circles so she was still inside the larger circle. I really need you.

Helial downed his fourth glass. Distilled corn grain liquid ran down his throat. He knew it should have burned by the reaction of everyone around him. They called it 'Vodka.' It was nothing interesting to him, a bland liquid that tasted the same as any other. He was bored of the bar, and unable to drown his sorrow. He left the bar, and began walking pointlessly again. What... what do i do now? Do I just... go home? There is nothing left for me on this Earth... There is... nothing left for me.

The Angel could feel a burning in his chest, and thought to himself, "Perhaps the Vodka worked after all." He immediately knew this was not the case "Of course!" Dani... Helial smiled unwillingly. He took a step, then broke into a run. Reality fractured, something it always did as he teleported. He was sure someone had seen him, that much power is hard to move without attracting attention, but in his current joy and ecstasy, he could not say he cared.

He was in a dark crawlspace. Some sort of runes protected the room, he was unable to tell really, they affected him so little anymore. He held Dani to him. A mental scan spread out, something was trying to breach the restaurant. Whatever it was, it would stand no chance against me... Helial thought about it... If it doesnt run at the sudden spike on the mental grid, that being summoned here inevitably caused. For a moment the being thought maybe he got a little over-excited but the thought vanished as quickly as it came. The room was dark, filled with mist from another realm. It was impossible to see anything.

He grabbed Dani in his arms, he was getting used to taking liberties with the tiny Magi. Dave is still here... I cannot let him go after the intruder alone. Helial popped into the other room, not taking the time to use doors or human methods of transportation. Within seconds he had left the bar, been summoned, grabbed Dani, and now stood between Dave and danger "Dave... I need you to trust me..." he started with his free hand in the air, the other clutching Dani to him. "I am only here to protect you." He hoped he could believe him

Dani had never been so relieved in her life. The small space made it impossible to see clearly, but she knew it was him by the power that entered the room. She felt Helial hold her again. Do I smell alcohol? The thought left her head as quickly as it came. There were more important things to focus on.

They were suddenly in the other room. Every second was dire. Dani scanned the room for Dave. He was working up something to defend himself against the intruding creature. She saw it moving quickly about the place. An... imp? Helial spoke to Dave. The man looked from Helial to Dani, who nodded once. Dave set his jaw and accepted the offer. Dani couldn't suppress the smile that worked its way on her face. There goes Dave's pride. The thought wasn't necessary, but she couldn't help herself.

Helial's eyes locked onto the imp. It was small, not particularly powerful , and still deadly to a majority of humans and even some psions. An imp? He hissed, his teeth showing in a visceral grin. The imp was suddenly still, as if it was all that it required to remain hidden. It convulsed and died suddenly, seemingly for no reason. Can't say it WAS me. the Celestial mused to himself watching the imp fall and struggle a bit before going completely limp Only an imp? Suspicious. They send legions of hellhounds after her. Then a single imp He set Dani down next to Dave.

"The shielding here is thin." He set about methodically, centuries and centuries of training had left him capable of prioritizing. His newfound power surged into the city. New shielding erected itself, no longer using ley lines as a foundation, but instead funneling his power into the Ley Lines, causing them to spill onto his shielding of their own volition. There... Nothing short of a nuclear blast will bring these down. turning to Dani Helial winced "It would appear... I lied when i promised you were safe.."

He frowned at her and the man standing next to her. His right knee dropped, bowing his head as he knelt. His wings fell in a heap about him. His skin still glowed with excess power. Perhaps he still smelled a little strongly of liquor. "My deepest condolences Magi.." He knelt on both knees, palms on the ground and face only inches from the floor. "I beg thy forgive my foolish trespasses of leaving you unattended" he did not move from this position, waiting for Dani's response.

Dave appeared to be very rigid as he stood back. His shielding hadn't worked for the first time in his life. Nothing could have been worse for a shaman. Dani watched the imp as it reacted to Helial's presence. She kept herself from smiling when it went still. It's death was sudden. He killed it without even touching it.

Helial had informed them that the shielding was thin. She glanced at Dave. The man was clearly unhappy. "Dave is pretty good with shielding..." she said. Dani felt the new shielding Helilal had put in place. She had to admit that it was much tougher than the shielding Dave had up. Maybe it was because he wasn't prepared for something like this. It didn't matter. She kept further comments to herself and appreciated the effort Helial was going through to keep her protected. That was why what happened next caught her off guard.

Dani looked down at the Fallen Angel on his knees. An apology? She was a little bothered by it. A Fallen Angel is begging for my forgiveness... Her arms crossed over her chest. "Stop apologizing. We have to figure out what's going on and this isn't helping." She would have said anything to get him up off of his knees.

The moment was tense for a moment, Helial did not move. What an unusual reaction for a Magi. usually there fawning all over bowing... For a long second, he stayed kneeling, unsure of how to conduct himself. However, it was obvious that Dani did not want him to sit there any longer, so he stood. He drew himself to his full height, his wings spread delicately behind him. It was odd to stand here with mortals for so long.

"I dont know what is going on." he stated simply. Certainly I am just as lost as she is... There is no reasonable explanation for this. I do not even know who this Magi is for the most part... He checked the integrity of the building. We should be safe for now... We need to figure this out. "What do you have in mind Dani?" He walked towards the restaurant door, closing it up and locking it For all the good it will do...

He sat down at a small table in the diner. it was a posh little place, Dave certainly had some sort of decorating experience. He still felt a little clammy, maybe all the liquor had an effect on him after all. Though my metabolism should make that nigh on impossible... He was aching all over. He chalked it up to exhaustion and kept going "Tell me what you know? I am just as lost as you are. Magi are the resident experts of this world, can you not give me some sort of..." he trailed off and his eyes looked distant. "I suppose you are still in training..." I could really use a drink right now... He turned towards Dave "Is there any chance you have...." Am I really asking this? "erm... Never mind. He shook his head "It is unimportant.

Dani thought for a moment. If he knows even less than I do, then I might have to communicate with my Circle and they're going to just love this... Helial appeared to have some sort of clue in regards to what they needed, but wasn't asking them. She disregarded it and turned to Dave. "You need to stay on the down-low. Helial has the shielding and protection." She turned to Helial. "I need to contact my Circle and see if they've got word of anything. Whatever is after me is from Hell. Either that, or someone has very good connections with Hell."

Dave didn't appear to be willing to let her do things herself. Please don't act like that. Everything will be much easier not having to look out for someone else. I already thought he got caught up in an attack on me once. "I've connections in other places. I can help figure something out for you," Dave offered. Dani shook her head. "We don't know what we're dealing with. It would be pointless to make arrangements right now." Dave sighed. "Will you at least keep me informed?" Dani nodded. "I'll try." She looked at Helial. "Will you be able to get us back to my Circle?" she asked.

Helial listened to Dani talk to Dave, she obviously had some sort of intimate connection to him. He said nothing, but swept her up in her arms. "Yes M'am..." Her circle...? The building I found her in! His eyes twinkled as he clutched the small magi to his chest. She was warm, a small bundle of flesh. Small... and Oh so fragile. The angel hugged her to him, breathing in her pretty scent. It was peculiar to him, like something he had never before smelled on this Earth. He shrugged his shoulders and said one last thing to Dave before leaving "I will keep her safe human, I promise..."

A small crack of lightning arched throughout the world, displacement of physical matter into somewhere new was certainly hard. Not hard for me, just stressful on the Universe. He very carefully deposited his new, Master..? Ward? What is she to me? The small room he had found her in was suddenly everywhere around them. The circle she created had been cleaned away. Her magi friends must have noticed and cleaned it up Setting hearing carefully back down and hearing the tap of her small feet touching the floor was like music to his ears suddenly. Her room was musty "Do magi not go outside?" It was more of a thought than a sentence but it'd been said aloud nonetheless.

He pushed Dani forward. "We are here, please do not stay here too long. It is not safe to stay in the open too long..." And I am unsure if i trust your Magi friends... He sent out a small metaphysical spark, it reverberated throughout the building, like the sonar of a bat's screech. "There are a few Magi in here, they wont be suspicious that you got in without using the door?" he shrugged his shoulders, fading into the darkness around them. His voice echoed throughout the room, a faint whisper in Dani's ears "Get what you need, I will be here when you need me." He promised her quietly.

Helial's shadow raced throughout the tower, there were a few other girls in here, probably Magi like Dani judging by their aura. He found a few men. One of the particularly large ones had a familiar, though he could not tell exactly what kind of demon it was. He continued to investigate the building, it appeared safe. He returned to Dani, determining to keep her safe from the shadows.

Dani stared down at her glowing dagger as they traveled. It wasn't long before her feet were on solid ground again. She listened intently to everything around her. Helial's voice was the first to reach her. She turned and looked at him. "Um... yeah. We do at some point." She quickly smiled before she turned back around.

A push on her back from Helial caused her to turn her head and look at him again. Her eyebrows drew slightly inward. "Don't do that," she said quietly. He had warned her not to stay long due to the danger of their situation. His further questioning gave her a few things to consider as she headed toward the doorway. She paused inside it and turned to look at Helial once more. A slight nod and she was out in the open.

Dani guided herself to the bottom of the stairs. Arie would be the most reliable to talk to if she knows anything. Though, she might not since she's still learning too. She quietly walked up the stairs and lightly rapped on Arie's door. "Come in!" she called. Dani pushed the door open and shut it behind her. "Dani! What are you doing here? Crazy things have been happening. You should have stayed where ever you went to." Arie sounded scared and excited at the same time. She watched Dani's face the entire time. "What do you mean crazy things have been happening?" Dani asked. Arie stared in disbelief. "You mean you didn't see or hear about the hellhounds on the East side of town? I didn't expect you to hear about the demon from Maddie's summoning, but the hellhounds were everywhere!" Dani was growing tired of standing. She moved over to Arie's bed and sat down. Arie remained standing. "I know about the hellhounds. Sort of. What happened during Maddie's summoning?" Dani asked, pushing for information. If Maddie shared information about a demon she summoned, then something must have happened. "Maddie had an imp and everything was under control until something else used the connection to get through. It gave your name and demanded to know where you were, but she didn't know. She nearly died. It was really awful. Tyson, Nala, and Susan had to help her. Whatever it was left though. We tried to find you, but no one knew where you were... "

Silence filled the room. Dani had looked away and was staring at a blank wall. If I had been here, I might be dead. Whatever is looking for me sent an imp. What was the purpose of that? And the hellhounds? That many of them... I assume I'm wanted dead. A young little magi wanted dead... For what? Something else is out there looking for me now. Apparently it's much bigger. Dani sighed. "I know," was all she said. Arie didn't seem content with the reply. "What happened? Where did you go?" she asked. Dani held her breath for a few seconds and then exhaled loudly. "I got a warning through a summoning and left. I have to leave again, but you can't tell anyone I was here, okay?" Arie didn't look happy about it, but she agreed. "Can't you at least tell me what gave you the warning? Was it an imp?" Dani pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes slightly. Typical. They always want to know about summoning encounters. You can go missing for several years and the first thing they'll want to know is what contacted you; and imps are the most common. After a few seconds, she shrugged. "A Fallen Angel," she said casually. Arie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and I summoned Lucifer himself. We're familiars now," she replied sarcastically. Dani smiled and shrugged again. "That might solve all of my problems. It was nice talking to you, Arie, but I really have to go now. Stay safe and keep yourself out of trouble." Dani gave her a friendly smile and left the room. I can't go talk to the others... She quickly made her way back to the room she had used for summoning. "Helial," she whispered.

There were light footsteps behind her. Dani turned around with her dagger raised. She paused. It was Arie. The girl extended her hand. "Here," she said. Dani reached for Arie's hand and grabbed whatever she had inside it. "It's a necklace with a charm for protection and a way to remember me by. I don't think I'll be seeing you anytime soon," the girl said, a hint of sadness was in her voice. Dani gave her a tight hug. "You're crazy," she said with a smile. Arie smiled back, but it only lasted a few seconds before a thought crossed her mind and a more curious look was on her face. "Um... since we're down here... " she started. Dani paused. "I don't think that's a good idea..." Arie looked slightly hurt. "We've been training together for years. We've always talked about our first summonings together..." Dani felt slightly guilty. I don't think Helial would take it very well... She was quiet for a few moments as she tried to sort through the guilt of her friend and the desires of the summoned being. Maybe it was even her own magi pride that she was trying to work through.

The building itself felt like it was moving, a product of the leylines coursing throughout the city. This circle had been built far enough away from one that Helial could not use it, but the proximity of the ley lines here made the air fairly thrum with power; especially after he supercharged them. Dani ran about her business, making ready preparations for whatever reason she had need to be there. This is a quaint little home, I should think. Communal housing for effective raising of what must be considered a Psion cash crop. The more Helial thought about it the more he found it a barbaric practice. What of their families...

He snaked around the building, following carefully on Dani's heels hidden in her shadow. What a curious life this would be. Living with so many of your peers, learning and educating on the same level while under the heels of those stronger than you. Not unlike Heaven... Dani was talking to a fellow magi. Her name was Arie. The girls certainly asks enough questions. Helial entertained the notion of wiping her mind and leaving the empty husk in bed where it would not disturb their mission, but an anecdote from a famous playwright he had taken a shine to calmed him. Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

Arie continued to follow on Dani's heel. The young magi was effectively playing mother goose with her too curious friend. Helial took all of his willpower to prevent the sigh he had held inside from becoming audible. We have been here so very long already, this little girl is a needless distraction. He threw a metaphysical spark throughout the plane of existence, it rippled slowly, expanding out in a wave of makeshift sonar. Small ripples came back, the power levels of some small practicing Magi in the building. Dani's own aura caused a ripple itself, slightly out of proportion to what was normal for her fellow Magi She is stronger than others? that would explain how she called me... Yet.... He could not shake the suspicion that he was missing something vital. Is my prolonged proximity to her causing adverse effects on her? He shrugged it off for now; Arie had reached Dani again

The small new magus spoke "always talked about our first summonings together..." Helial was unsure what to do. We dont have time for this... He could merely hurl the young girl aside. Yet she is young Dani's friend... A schema of information ran through his head while he tried to make a calculation for every possible outcome he was faced with. As he hedged his bets, he could only come to the conclusion that unnecessary stress on anyone was nothing to pall at. He left Dani behind for a moment. She can deal with the whims of her friend, this place must be fortified if we are to remain safe here any longer... With a heave of his might, Helial ripped himself from Dani's shadow, blinking himself to the base of the tower, facing its main door. "Okay..." the Fallen cracked his fingers together. A circle of gold rose around the building, creating a small section of the city that was completely alone. The walls raised, cracking into a subtle image of Saint City. There... This glamour should seal the tower off from the rest of the city until we are gone from it... he could immediately feel the drain of thousands of unaware bystanders passing through the barrier, hazily passing through and ending up somewhere on the other side none the wiser.

He sat down for a moment "That! Is just as hard as it has always been." Helial wiped a bead of nonexistant sweat from his brow before folding himself back up and launching himself back to the tower. He flew up to the barrier, wings carrying him seamlessly through it. Once inside the circle, he snaked back towards Dani's shadow. Did she give in to Arie's demand? To see a demon again... How long has it been?

Dani extended her aura to feel for energy around them. Helial was somewhere else. There was a little movement in the building, as she expected. The outside shields seemed to be lightly responding to something. Helial. It was smooth, just a small ripple in the energy that washed over the building.

Arie waited, her aura flickering a little with anxiousness. Every magi's dream... Dani shook her head. "No. I really have to go now. I'm sorry, Arie. I'll check back in soon, but for now, I have to go." Arie seemed a little disappointed, but she forced a small smile on her face and have a slight nod. "Alright. I understand," she said and backed up two steps and then turned around to continue toward the stairs. I doubt she understands, but it'll do.

As soon as Dani heard light footfalls on the stairs, she turned back to the room she was to meet Helial in. "I'm back," she whispered into the dark room. There was a definite point of power in the room. How did I manage to summon something with this much power? Then again, how did Maddie's summoning allow something else to get through as well as an imp? Unless she was practicing a Greater Work of magick. Still... She stood and tried her best to keep her aura close to herself.

Helial's dark eyes were flush with emotion, his sclera blacked out, taking in an entirety of the world. There is so much more to this world than you realize Dani... His mouth had a bitter taste in it as he thought to himself. He hugged Dani lightly, his body still a wispy silhouette of shadow as he did so. Her pale skin grew dark as the 'darkness' enveloped her. His once white wings folded around her, a stain of darkness obscuring her view. He hugged her tightly together, drawing her into him.

"Dani..." His voice broke the silence, seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once, a symphony of angels and a cacophony of demons at once. "Dani" He said again, hugging her tightly to himself as he did so. He let the darkness take them together, they drifted away and were soon out of the room. A crackle of light brought them back to the ground of Saint City. He held her closely to his chest, his snow white wings hanging around them so that they were the only two in existence. She could feel the heat of his breath as he spoke, the rise and fall of his chest.

"Is everything okay Dani?" He wrinkled his nose before forcing some semblance of a smile on his face. He brushed a stray piece of hair from his face, his wings slowly folding away from them. "Did you get everything you need?" He held her left hand in his, giving it a small squeeze as he asked. He smiled at her warmly, a small laugh at the end of his sentence.

Dani was calm and still as Helial surrounded her with his wings. She didn't think much of it. As far as she knew, that was how Fallen Angels traveled. His voice produced her name and she waited. There was something about the way he said it that made her curious. Then he repeated it and she really had to wonder. His grip on her grew tighter. She closed her eyes as she waited again. Then they were off. Her eyes remained closed until her feet rested in the ground.

The feel of him near her, his wings around them, his breath on her made her the slightest bit nervous. However, she couldn't help but feel comfortable. Everything okay? What does that mean? The smile on his face as he moved a strand of his hair away from it seemed so natural. She studied him. He asked if I got everything I need. I don't understand. Everything where? What was I doing? She temporarily struggled to remember Earth and all its inhabitants. His hand was warm against hers. "I... yeah. I've ogt what I need," she said without thinking. I had to give a response. Standing there wasn't an option. Or maybe I should have let myself catch up. What's wrong with me? She took a deep breath and moved a step away from Helial. Everything started to become clear again. Being close to him is disorienting...