Burning Bright

<> Demiurge says "Okay. You were in the corridor with your rooms presumably off it, a rec room further down the corridor. The "Seraph" had just left you."

Zebina says "Okay, let's just talk here. Probably better than talking in our rooms."

Zebina . o O (After all, who bugs the hallway?)

Eduardo shrugs, dark wings arching.

Eduardo . o O ( What the hell is a bug? )

<> Zebina says "A cop doesn't know what a bug is?"

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo can barely manage a celphone. ;)"

<> Zebina says "Ok, point."

<> Eduardo is a very hands on cop. :)

Zebina says "So, any ideas?"

Eduardo just looks over at Zebina. "Yes."

Shannen nods to Zebina and looks about cautiously for a second, before thinking "Well. Do you think they're going to come looking for us anytime soon?"

Eduardo says "I have an appointment with Persona in under an hour."

Zebina blinks.

Eduardo says "You should not be nearby."

Eduardo looks to Shannen, in particular.

Zebina says "Is that wise?"

Shannen blinks at looks at herself, then at Eduardo "Are you sure..it's not safe."

Eduardo just turns and looks at Zebina. "Likely not. Is it right."

Zebina says "Perhaps."

Shannen frowns slightly.

Zebina says "I won't presume to tell you what's right and wrong."

Zebina says "I will suggest that we try and further investigate the purpose of this place."

Eduardo nods. "Good." He pauses. "I see little other choice."

<> Shannen says "'But I will mention that it's pretty dumb.'"

Zebina says "Why is it here? Who's responsible for it? Is Persona the instigator or 'merely' the demon assigned to run it?"

Zebina says "What if Persona is only the prison warden, and not the person sending the 'inmates'?"

Shannen looks at Zebina oddly for a second.

Eduardo glances up. "I think we will not have that sort of time."

Zebina nods.

Zebina says "Well, I certainly don't plan to wait until my first 'assignment'."

Shannen says "We should stick together. Being caught alone in a place like this-well, even being caught in a group-would be very detrimental."

Eduardo frowns at Shannen. His "No," is all but final.

Zebina says "Eduardo, a thought."

Eduardo waits.

Zebina says "If 'Meri' and I can find out more details about this place before your 'meeting' with Persona, would you agree to delay it until reinforcements can be brought?"

Shannen worriedly watches Eduardo, twitching a little.

<> Shannen says "We're all going to die."

Eduardo says "It depends on the details."

Zebina nods. "Well, I want to talk to some of these 'programming subjects'. Between what happened at Bellmans and Aron's experience..."

Zebina says "Perhaps Usha's one of the subjects around here. In which case a big conflagration could endanger everyone."

Shannen nods "Well, yeah. We are here to help Usha."

Eduardo says "I'm here to stop this."

Eduardo's voice smoulders. "There is a difference."

Zebina says "All right. Let's go investigate and hope we find something before 'Eddie's meeting."

Eduardo nods, embers still burning in his eyes. "Let us."

Zebina is no way, no how sticking around her room waiting to be nailed for lack of papers.

Zebina points in the direction the 'Seraph' went. "That way to the subjects, I think. Let's go."

Shannen nods, looking down at herself "Act angelly. Act like you belong. Don't be nervous."

Zebina smiles and whirrs by Shannen's side, warm and fiery and comforting.

<> Eduardo . o O ( I knew I would not live forever, for I am Malakim. This is a good day to die, and a good thing to die destroying )

Shannen follows after Zebina, whispering "Umm..we don't look very fake do we?"

As they come to the stairwell down which the Seraph is heading, they see him pause to exchange comments with a group below. A large, fierce-burning "Ofanite", two "Malakim", and two "Cherubim". The Cherubim are carrying two unconscious figures. Both figures have gemmed collars around their necks. One looks extremely like the Cherub in the Triad where Zebina shot the Elohite. The other looks like Pat.

Zebina whups.

Zebina puffs her flames up to make them 'fiercer', if she can.

Eduardo doesn't make much effort to look fiercer, but instead says "We will take those."

<> Eduardo resonates on Pat. Just to check it's him.

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 6 5 CHECK: 2.

Shannen nods quietly. But doesn't pale. Nope. She's doing okay.

<> Eduardo has, however, no damn clue. :)

Zebina quickly attempts to separate herself from Eddie.

<> Zebina says "Speaking of second-rate cop shows..."

Shannen follows after Zebina, puzzled.

The carrying party separates from the "Seraph", heading for the door to the Big Heaven Out There.

Zebina sizzles along, just barely waiting for that slow Mercurian behind her, towards the door, trying to stay appropriately ahead, or behind, the carry crew, and not crowd them. (Or, in short, it's coincidence we came this way.)

Eduardo starts down the stairs towards them.

The carrying party makes their way to the doors. The "Seraph" looks up at Eduardo. "In a hurry?"

Shannen stays with Zebina, paling somewhat.

<> Zebina says "Drat. OK. I'll try to stay moderately away from Eduardo. He's obviously trying to get himself killed, and if I can find out what's going on without actually abandoning him, I'd prefer to do that."

Eduardo gestures towards the carrying party. "I have business with them." His lips curl, forming a smile as cruel as the arch of his wings.

The Seraph shrugs. "They're heading for the Library. Catch them there, less chance of one of the subjects seeing things."

Eduardo nods, and turns away. "I will see them later."

The Seraph nods, and bustles off, as the Carrying Party carefully transports their prisoners out into the air of "Heaven", led by the crooning "Ofanite".

Eduardo heads back up the stairs, looking for the first convenient place where he can exit to the air himself. As -- if? -- he passes Shannen and Zebina he says "I will take care of this, if you wish to continue your investigations. You ..." a head jerk at Shannen "... would make it hard."

Shannen gives Eddie a frightened look. "Be careful.."

There is a convenient balcony and window nearby, which would give Eduardo access to the air.

Eduardo gives a thin smile. It's not in the least reassuring. "I have known him too long to leave him in their hands."

Zebina gives a slight shimmer, and nods. "All right. Good luck, Detective."

Zebina says "'Meri', let's find these subjects."

Eduardo says "We make our own luck."

<> Pat says "Aww....Eddie cares about me"

Zebina says "Perhaps we can get a few of them out in the ensuing confusion."

<> Eduardo does. Damn your Dominican hide.

Shannen nods to Zebina and tries her best to look charming again.

Eduardo pauses a moment in the window, then leaps, bulleting for the Library.

Below Eduardo, "Heaven" looks as if somebody had taken most of the major "landmarks" from Heaven, sandwiched them together, and filled in the spare bits with gold and ivory. The Library is conveniently distinctive.

Zebina heads for the Door into Heaven.

Zebina will fly if need be. After all, that's what wings and wheels of fire are for.

High above, a couple of Malakim hover with a Mercurian and an Ofanite. Below, the group with the captives can be traced through the streets.

Eduardo frowns, and traces the captives, looking -- if at all possible -- for a quietish spot to ambush them (if you can call flying down, and telling them to stop and hand over their burdens, or else) an ambush *before* they reach the library.

There is no obvious point for an ambush. It's basically down a main street and in through the door.

<> Eduardo says "And the main street is crowded?"

<> Demiurge says "There are people there. Some angels, some "blessed soul" lookalikes."

The "Library" itself is rather more ornate and forbidding than the true Library in Heaven. High pinnacles ornament it, deep window ledges shadow it.

<> Eduardo ubs. Beating people up in the street would be a bad thing. (tm)

Eduardo thusly follows them into the Libary, his face no less forbidding than the building.

As Eduardo follows the group into the "Library", one of the other Malakim nods to him before closing the doors, clearly thinking him just another faux-Malakite. The Ofanite at the head of the group sings, "Deeper, deeper! Our master's orders."

Eduardo nods, joining the rear of the group silently. Biding -- for once -- his time, for all that his impatience shows in his stride and in the fires banked in his eyes.

<> Demiurge says "Pat, Maasiai, you can begin to come round."

<> Demiurge says "You are handcuffed, hanging over Cherubic-type haunches, have some sort of collar round your necks, and a bad headache."

Maasiai twitch.

Maasiai . o O (******* ****)

<> Eduardo says "Do I notice the motion?"

The Ofanite leads the way forward and downward, through into a collection of books that seems more confused than ordered. Black leather tomes jostle with paler volumes. There is a smell of dry rot in the air.

<> Demiurge says "Quite possibly, yes, if you're watching for it."

Maasiai considers the haunches nearest her face. Considers teeth.

<> Eduardo isn't, in particular, but is looking for a break.

Pat grunts.

<> Demiurge says "Human teeth? :)"

<> Maasiai mutters, tries to morph to lioness teeth!

Eduardo moves. "Stop." The word is nothing but a command, as he reaches and draws his sword. "My Lady wishes them."

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 4 4 CHECK: 3.

<> Demiurge says "Morphing doesn't work, Maasiai.You seem unable to change form."

<> Maasiai nods, was hoping for a 111. O;>

Maasiai considers human teeth and haunches.

The Ofanite turns, mid-spin, as the rest of the party halt.

Maasiai . o O (Bet they taste nasty. Still.)

Maasiai bites.

The Ofanite sings, "What is this, Virtue, Virtue?"

The "Cherub" haunch does indeed taste nasty. The "Cherub" twitches, grunts.

Maasiai chews.

Pat peers at Ed. "Ngh?"

>From afar, Eduardo spends the essence.

Eduardo says "My. Lady."

Eduardo's blade hisses into flaming life. "Defend yourselves."

Pat says "Oh. Hi, Ed."

Maasiai starts thrashing and biting.

The Ofanite sings, in an insane burst of notes, "Take them where the Prince will have them!" She spins towards Eduardo, uncontrolled base madness in her fires.

Eduardo . o O (OK. He knows me. It *is* him. Thanks the Lady. )

Maasiai starts *REALLY* thrashing and biting!

Maasiai . o O (Prince?? NOOOOOO!)

Eduardo slices aside at the Ofanite, moving to free the captives if he can. His honour and Oaths are satisfied.

One of the Malakim grabs Maasiai by the back of her neck, holding her against the Cherub.

Maasiai bites!

The Ofanite whirls flames at Eduardo. She is full of cruelty, fire through pain, fire through blood, Incarnadine.

The two Malakim attempt to keep Pat and Maasiai on the backs of the porter-Cherubs, forcing them towards the exit downwards, as the Ofanite engages Eduardo.

Pat straightens his legs out, balancing board-like across the Cherub's shoulder, then drives his knees into his porter as hard as he can.

Maasiai tries to wriggle around to bite the Malakite hands.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 2 6 CHECK: 6.

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo, roll for a dodge, then roll if you want to try and hit the "Ofanite"."

The Cherub carrying Pat whuffs as Pat's knees go into it, and staggers. The accompanying Malakite backhands Pat.

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 6 4 CHECK: 4.

<> Eduardo flunks his dodge bigtime.

Pat's head snaps sideways, and he wishes he had remembered the letter opener.

The "Ofanite's" flames sear at Eduardo, ripping at him, scorching with all the feeling of hellfire, flickering out to light the texts on the walls.

<> Demiurge says "Roll to use that there sword, Eduardo."

The Malakite next to Maasiai half-draws his sword, and shoves the hilt in her face. "Want your teeth knocked out, bitch?" The "Cherub" staggers for the door.

Maasiai hisses, "Untie me, coward, and find out!"

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 3.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 2 2 CHECK: 1.

The flaming sword bites into the "Ofanite" with a holier fire, however, and there is true pain in her scream as she whirls backwards, hovering. "Ah, how passionate, how bloody! Strike me again, come strike, show fire!"

Eduardo's cut is tempered as he screams himself, a hoarse sound with none of the pleasure the other shows in it. He clutches his side, then cuts again. "As you wish."

The "Ofanite" streams fiery plasma from the slash in her, and it spatters across shelves of books. She circles to come down on Eduardo. "Ah, but you understand the fire! Share my passion!"

Eduardo says "Share my honour," and cuts up. "Passion alone is not. Enough."

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 4.

<> Demiurge says "Roll for your attack, Eduardo."

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 1 2 CHECK: 6.

<> Eduardo says "Whee!"

The Ofanite shrieks again, a tone that is nearly musical - but not quite, painfully not quite - and more trails of plasma flash out to scorch at books and shelves.

The first "Cherub", bearing Pat, is at the door, and the Malakite gestures him through. The one with Maasiai is just behind.

Maasiai continues to struggle, in a less spectacular way, kicking out at the walls and shelves.

Pat tries to knee the 'Cherub' once more.

<> Demiurge rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 4.

The "Malakite" backhands Pat again, taking a positively sadistic pleasure from it, as he is shoved through the door into the dark, narrow corridor beyond.

Pat ows.

Eduardo demands. "NO," and swings his blade wide, intentionally igniting the books around him, aiding those fires started by the Ofanite. "BRIGHT LADY." It is a plea, a scream and a war cry in one.

Maasiai tries to get her feet against the doorframe and SHOVE.

The "Ofanite" dives squarely at Eduardo, voice a high keen.

<> Maasiai imitates a Cat who is *NOT* going in that carrier, no thank you.

<> Eduardo tries to set fire to as much shit as possible.

The "Ofanite" strikes Eduardo, and her fires blaze with the cruelties of Hell, more painful than any earthly or heavenly fire.

The "Malakite" trying to drive Maasiai curses brutally in Helltongue.

<> Demiurge says "Eduardo - roll."

<> Eduardo rolls the d666 and gets 4 3 CHECK: 2.

Maasiai shrieks like a lioness and writhes, keeping her feet on the doorframe.

Eduardo screams again, sword fliling wildy as celestial flesh scorches and peels, cracking under the onslaught.

Fires rise. Fires blaze. Fires wake like a living thing, and fires coil around the "Ofanite", purer, fiercer, clearer, till she is nothing but a darkness amid the fire - and then gone.

Maasiai smiles at the false Malakite. "Die," she suggests.

The fires remain. They strengthen, twisting in on themselves to make a form, a white-burning woman who ripples with flames too bright to look upon, whose feet burn into the wood of the floor.

The four demons - panic. The "Cherubim" buck Pat and Maasiai off their backs, and follow the "Malakim" into flight.

Eduardo draws strength from the fire, drawing himself up, and his voice echoes the flames and their cleansing as he whispers to the Malakite, "My lady," and then echoes again. "Die."

Maasiai lands. Ow.

Pat lands. Thud. Crawls towards Massiai. "Oh boy."

And then a cold presence comes waking, walking. Pat and Maasiai can feel its shadow on their backs, the darkness of time and entropy and doom. Coming. From below.

Maasiai sits up. "This is going to be an interesting report, Mazpatiel."

<> Pat says "Oh, shit."

<> Eduardo says "Rescued not just by a Gabrielite, but by the Lady herself!!"

Maasiai tries scrambling to her feet to *GET OUT OF THE WAY*.

<> Pat says "Not just Gabriel, but Kronos."

<> Maasiai will feel better with an Archangel -- *ANY* Archangel! -- between her and a Prince.

Pat follows his Cherub. Wise Cherub. Cuddly Cherub.

Gabriel raises her hand, and fire sears from it to wrap itself around the collars and cuffs that bind Maasiai and Mazpatiel. Her voice is a tone that would shiver glass. "Too late."

Eduardo moves to his Lady's flank, clearly prepared to lay down his life to aid her if needed. Stupid, perhaps, but what other choice does he have?

The collars and cuffs fall to ash, flaking away.

Maasiai flexes her arms and skids to a halt beside and slightly behind the Archangel.

Maasiai . o O (When facing a Prince, the lines become clearer.)

Pat leans against warm, steadfast Massiai. "Thank you, Lady."

There is no physical presence, no form, but a voice speaks from the darkness of the passage, heavy with the weight of counted time. "Gabriel."

Eduardo shivers, despite himself; unable to resist showing fear at that voice and presence.

Pat mouths the name, but doesn't quite muster the breath to speak it.

Maasiai ripples and is a dark-amber lioness, shining white wings over her back. She snarls in fear and hate at the darkness.

Gabriel answers, voice like fire in the veins, "Kronos, Doomsman of Lucifer. I am summoned here to pronounce the doom of this place."

The voice of Kronos is something that winds darkness around the heart, with a certain inevitability. "It was not given to you to destroy this place."

Eduardo's shiver leaves him, a smile little more sane than Gabriel's touching his lips, lighting his eyes. He raises his blade, but makes no move forward as fire pillars next to the incandescent form of his superior.

Gabriel says, "No," and her eyes blaze with the clarity of prophecy.

Gabriel says, "No," again, and behind her, around her, throughout the whole of "Heaven", the air _shudders_ with the coming of a Superior.

Pat debates for a moment the wisdom of using Judgment's Sword on the Demon Prince of Fate, and comes to the conclusion that is objectively dumb as hell.

Eduardo isn't terribly objective at the best of times, and he has Flame's sword. He looks ready to leap. He doesn't. Quite. Yet.

Maasiai holds her position, though she would rather not. To flee would be *wrong*. She is Cherub, and an Archangel is near.

Gabriel says, a third time, "No." Fire leaps up around her, surrounding the angels but leaving them untouched as it takes on the walls and ceiling. "War has come to do that. Your servitor is fallen as once he Fell."

Gabriel screams, suddenly, the sound shattering through the library, through every room, "AND THIS PLACE IS FALLEN!" The fires blaze brighter, all the way to white, too harsh and too beautiful for the eye to endure.

Pat buries his face in Maasiai's shoulder.

Maasiai folds a wing about him, and one over her own.

Eduardo screams, a sound both mad and glorious, and charges towards Kronos's voice. Blind, flaming and in his element.

There is the sound of thunder from the darkness of the passage, closing locks, sealing ways, barring doors, a metronome of darkness.

<> Pat says "Eddie, you're a dead man. :)"

Gabriel's scream grows louder, to a tone that matches the fire, and great wings of brilliance reach out to enfold Pat and Maasiai, enfold Eduardo. They seem to hang where they stand as around them the world crumbles apart.

Pat begins mentally composing his report.

Maasiai looks up, to where her attuned was, and hisses, "Daimonique!"

<> Eduardo expected that, yes.

Pat says "Where?"

Buildings fall from buildings, rooms crack and shatter, the streets shiver and break asunder. Each separate piece of "Heaven" seems to tumble away into its own darkness, and they alone hang amid the light and fire.

<> Maasiai rolls the d666 and gets 5 1 CHECK: 4.

Eduardo stops, held by fire, bathed in fire.

Eduardo echoes. "Where?"

Maasiai angles her head in Daimon-direction. "There, there, there!"

<> Demiurge says "Er... somewhere thataway, Maasiai. Space has just gone utterly insane on you."

Maasiai spreads her wings. "*THAT* way," she howls, almost a sob.

Gabriel's eyes are wide and full of the blank fire of the sun as she turns to Pat and Maasiai. "Do you seek him? Do you pursue him?"

Maasiai turns to look at Gabriel. "Daimonique. My attuned. Unjust to let him die!"

Pat looks up. "We seek justice, Lady, and punishment where due."

Eduardo hovers, off to one side, and speaks up. "They are right, My Lady. We should take them, as we can find them. We cannot leave them."

Gabriel sings, voice sweet and pure, "Then you shall go to him, and you shall journey. You must pursue as he does. Do you accept? Will you accept?"

<> Pat says "Memo to myself. Buy Ed a beer. If he doesn't get dead."

Maasiai nods frantically. "My attuned, Lady!" she pleads, incoherent.

Eduardo's voice burns. "I accept."

<> Daimon says "God help you all."

Pat looks between Maasiai and Eduardo.

<> Pat says "You're going to drag emotions into this, aren't you."

<> Sephar grins.

<> Maasiai is not objective right now.

Pat nods, once.

Gabriel raises her hands again, and a rush of Essence courses through all three angels.

Gabriel turns her blind eyes towards Eduardo. "Burn," she says, simply, and a new fire wreathes him for a moment, high and keen.

<> Demiurge says "And Eduardo gets the Smite attunement."

<> Sephar says "Woohoo!!!"

<> Pat says "Oh, /man/."

<> Maasiai applauds Eduardo!

<> Daimon says "Eddie with Smite. RUN!"

<> Pat says "I am afraid."

<> Eduardo laughs. "Oh jeez."

Eduardo echoes. "Burn," and then, bright, intense. "I will."

Gabriel sings a third note, distant as a trumpet that might shake the world - and then her blind eyes expand, in a wash of white fire, and the angels are falling, falling...

---

Fiat Justitia