-Blood and Magick II: The Forgotten- Begins (Mature) LSUs welcome

[Samchu]

meeeeeehhhhhhhhhh, haven't played Mateo for too long. I missed my screw-up. Possibly mature but I'm tired so most likely not.

Mateo
~~~~

"Meph's gone," I muttered quietly, rising to my feet.

"Poor thing. It must be driving him mad."

"What?"

"It's nothing for you to worry about."

I sighed and slipped back into the shadows, letting them, guide my path back to my room above the club where the party was still in full swing. No doubt the place had already taken more than its worth, not that it mattered. This had never been about the money, to hell with the money, I took what I wanted. This was just a way of getting out on my own, of getting out of my mother's shadow. Have you done it yet? Doesn't feel like it. Maybe if I wasn't so weak...

"What's the matter with you?" I looked up to see Mel leant against the doorframe. She must have followed me from the alleyway.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?" her head cocked to the side slightly.

"Say someone with vampire blood in them were to get bitten, could that make them stronger?"

"You're talking about yourself," she walked up to me and ran her fingers along the back of my neck.

"Well, will it work or not?" I snapped, trying to ignored the tingling sensation running up and down my body.

"It should do something but what exactly that is," she swung round until she was facing me, her arms draped across my shoulders, "you'll have to find out for yourself."

"Do it," I said without hesitation. "I don't care about any side effects or crap like that, just do it."

A twisted grin appeared on Mel's face as she leant forward. Her hair brushed my ear and I hard the faintest whisper: "try not to screm," moments before her teeth pierced my flesh. I cringed as the overwhelming pain flooded my body. Who knew something so small could cause such agony? I could feel the new life running through me. The darkness, the pure unholiness of the vampire spirit merging with my own, twisting with it, bending it to its will. I felt a part of me come alive. Something that had laid dormant for too long finally came out of hiding.

And it felt so good.

"Do you feel different?" she licked a splash of blood from her lip.

I grinned, feeling a spark of something foreign flash across my eyes. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to me, so close our hips were touching. I thrust my lips against hers, forcing her mouth open so I could taste the bitter sweet blood that still danced upon her tongue. No ale had ever tasted so sweet as my own blood did that night.

"You tell me."

I kissed her again, letting the rough sensation of our tongues meeting fill me with a burning passion. I tore apart her clothes in an instant, marvelling at my own strength, this certainly would have been a useful gift to have possessed during my earlier feats. Before I knew what was happening we were back to our beginning ways. Things had just gotten a lot better. Mel's bite had had an affect alright and I could feel the new strength coursing through my vains. Now was time to show it off.

I knew what Mel liked and finally I had what I needed to give it to her. Too bad it was starting to look like I was going to need to get my hands on a new mattress but it was more than worth it too hear her moan. Not to mention the fact that it felt good to finally be on the top of one of these.

"I hope you're not doing anything for a while..."

She gasped sharply. "Why?"

I kissed her again, once more beginning that ritual of dancing tongues. "I think you know," I replied, a twisted grin etched across my face. "And I think you want it to happen too."

[Samchu]

I know I'm double posting but I only just realised that I had neglected to introduce my other character and I figure now's a good time to bring him. So, without further adieu...I'll introduce my much less horny counterpart...

Name: Malachi
Age: no one knows
Gender: Male
Species: Angel
Gifts/powers: immortality and others to be revealed later
Physical Description: http://wallpapersanctuary.homestead..../Sephiroth.JPG
Personality: Very dark and mysterious, Malachi is excellent at never revealing his true intentions until they are completely irrelevant to the situation. He seems to be surrounded by a hint of suspicion, making it impossible to tell if he’s doing something because he has been told to or because it will benefit him in some way. He acts very suave and sophisticated but he’s just been around long enough to know how to impress ‘the right people’.
Origin/History: Was the Guardian of Eden before Sorcha but retired in order to retreat into peace and solitude. He does a few delivery jobs for God on the side but mostly keeps to himself.
Other: none yet

Malachi
~~~~~

I slipped instantly from my retreat to the street where Sorcha and her companions were. I had been watching the evening's events unfold but I had decided that now the time to take action. This lot obviously needed a kick in the right direction and someone needed to be there to offer the boot. Honestly, back in my day we didn't get help from on high. We were dumped on Earth to do our job and if we screwed up the Earth was as good as trash. Now, everyone's getting in on the action, even Zarahlinda had made an appearance this time round and no one had seen her in centuries.

"Closest thing you've had to a party for a while now," I mused in the silent air. Sorcha spun round and I grinned with amusement at the look of surprise on her face when she found her comrades frozen around her. One of my favourite party tricks, pick a moment in time and hold it. Sounds easy. Really isn't.

"Nice of you to make an appearance Malachi. I was beginning to think someone had finally gotten round to taking care of you."

I waved off her comment. Truthfully I had missed the witty banters we had once exchanged in but that was long time ago; back when we were different, back when unforeseen destinies lay beneath our feet. A lifetime ago it seemed. "You know me, I tend to keep outside of things. Nothing exists for me in this world anymore. I am no longer...needed."

"Everything is needed. You made the choice to live up there."

"One eventually grows weary of the world. Decades have passed since it glowed, now it is merely a shadow, a ruin of something once beautiful."

"Eveything restores itself in time."

"We shall see." I sighed and looked at the night sky, a frozen window to the heavens. The mortals had no idea how lucky they were to linger so closely to eternity. "That is partly the matter of why I am here."

"There had to be a reason."

I nodded and looked back at her. "You need to do something about your son. He has fallen a long way in such short a time and I doubt very much he will be able to regain himself without assistance."

"I can do no more for him. He wants nothing to do with me and if I tried to help him it would only push him further away."

"You haven't the time to think on such things. The boy will come to you of his own accord, soon in fact, that will be your chance."

"How do you know?"

"I have watched him in times when you have not. There is a side of him which he doesn't let you see, one that is weak and vulnerable, the part of him that is unsure about everything that happened. He will come to you to try and banish that part of him, so determined he is to tear himself from all trace of you and those who came before him. It will be hard on you to face him and the questions he will ask you but it may save him. That is, assuming you still want to save him."

"Of course I do!"

"You should tell him that," I chuckled slightly, "though I doubt he'll believe you. He has much of his father's pigheadedness in him."

"You never liked Marduk."

"You can never expect to get on with everybody. Besides, I believe fate had more to do with our disagreements that anything else. After all, it got me out of the way, put you in charge of Eden...though I suspect there were deeper reasons. He has a habit of medalling in affairs that don't benefit him." I took another look at the heavens, the stars were beginning to turn once again and that meant my powers over this world were diminishing. They never lasted very long anyway. "I must leave."

"You're very alike you know, you and Marduk."

"I know, but that was the problem. They needed to ensure Marduk was on the 'right' side of the battle, I was expendable. Perhaps if God had resisted the urge to meddle in our affairs, you and I would be in different places right now." I smiled lightly to myself. "Ah but there is no time for mindless ramblings. I must take my leave of this place, too many already know of my presence." I bowed to her and vanished from the world, returning it to life once again.

[Drusilla]

I'm back, finally... don't know how long it'll be for, though, since I've got some really intense classes next semester. We'll just have to see... but I'm not going to let this die after we've put so much effort into it.

Anyway, the new Metalocalypse episode isn't up yet, so I don't have anything to do at the moment, lol.

Sorcha
Pantomime

The future was looking darker by the moment, and my hope was dying with it. Malachi was now involved... Zarahlinda... Melanthe... I half expected the Four Horsemen to arrive next. While I knew what I had to do, my doubts as to whether or not it would do any good in the bigger picture were creeping to the surface.

I had lost Mateo, lost his father, lost my faith in righteousness all together... and there was no where for me to turn to. Or was there? I looked to Malik, trying to hide my fears, but all too aware that they bled through my crumbling facade. He had been there for so long, not always helping but rarely hindering. What was his role to play? Surely he had more of a purpose here than to stand in the background, just outside of the spotlight. For ages, he had been there, the unknown variable in the equation, son of shadow and mystery, and I felt... drawn to him. Undeniably so. Was it because I had forsaken a man's touch since Marduk had left? Was it because of destiny? I didn't understand it... not at all.

I looked away quickly, before anyone noticed the need bleeding through in my eyes, past the fear and uncertainty. I felt a darkness stir in me that I hadn't felt for many, many years, and I longed to reach out to it. It was not like the anger I had felt towards my Father; this was the dark side of passion, surely. I was not a complete stranger towards such feelings, but that they should return after so long... perhaps my resignation to my fate brought back everything that I had suppressed. Perhaps it was something else.

[Mystic_clown]

Malik
---------------------------
He could sense it. A familier darkness as they followed Proticia.

Hmm, an evil of lust, no guessing who that is. And evil fo wrath, sounds familier. But why does the evil of greed seem so familier. It's like I should know who this evil is.

He looked over at Sorcha. While she tried to hide it, her face betrayed her fear, her insecurity. He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as she turned away.

"It's ok," he said softly, "It's ok to be afraid."

She looked up at the son of lucifer before looking away again.

"We're here."

The two looked up at Proticia's words to see the lit up nightclub.

"Anyone in there?" Sorcha asked.

"I can only sense the evil of greed in there, noone else."

Malik nodded and looked on at the club. Finally to see who this familier evil is.

[Samchu]

my turn!

Mateo
~~~~

After a while we'd been forced to move our sinful ritual elsewhere. The bed that had so shortly withstood our lustful dance had finally keeled beneath the force of our actions. I couldn't remember where we eventually arrived, so engrossed I was in the scent of her warm fleshed as it slid against my own. Everything was lost to me then; time, feeling, emotion. Not that I cared, for what I was getting it was more than worth it.

"There are some visitors at the nightclub."

I sighed, yet again another perfectly welcomed visit from our resident purist. "That's the idea."

I could actually feel the slight frown that crept into his forehead. "Your mother's there."

I didn't need for him to say anymore; I didn't need to hear it. That she had come was enough to pry me away from the lustful acts that had filled the darker hours of the evening. I returned to my room where I dressed and quickly ran to observe the scene just outside my doorway. It was true, my mother had indeed arrived with Satan's spawn in tow and a young girl who I didn't recognise. They both entered - there were no need to stop the girl for she clearly possessed a greater being than her physique would suggest - yet my mother lingered outside alone.

"What's she standing there for?"

"She's afraid of you remember?" I felt Mel's arms drape around my neck. "She's too scared to face you."

"Then why come here if not to deal with me?"

"She has not come for her own means. It is Malik who desired to come."

"What for?"

"He is looking for Meph, though he himself does not know it yet."

"Should we tell Meph he has a visitor?"

"Oh he already knows," a dark smirk crept across her face. "All you have to do is watch what happens next."

[Drusilla]

Hey guys, just poking my head in... Scourge is taking up most of my time right now, but I hope to be posting once I get back to school next week and I'm back on my own computer (with my higher connection speed, as well). Feel free to post... *coughMCcough*

Coming soon: Revelations! Discoveries! Fancy pants! MC being strangled if he doesn't post!

[Mystic_clown]

Mephisto
--------------------------------------
He could feel Mateo and Melanthe‘s presence in the club. Although, this wasn’t his concern at the moment. He was more focused on the other powers heading towards the entrance.

As if on cue, the main door to the club opened, revealing four individuals. The first three were recognizable, Sorcha, Malik and Legion. Mephisto smirked, it seemed Legion decided to jump ship since Lucifer kicked him out for failure.

The fourth figure, Mephisto didn’t recognize. However, there was something familiar about her.

“Welcome,” Mephisto chuckled, acting like one of those kids whom greets visitors, “I hope you enjoy your stay here tonight.” Malik’s eyes narrowed.

“Mephisto. But then that means,” his eyes widened, “Mateo!”

The arch demon laughed.

“The boy is fine. Although,” he turned to Sorcha, “You need to teach him how to respect his superiors.”

“Where is he?” Sorcha snarled. Mephisto smirked.

“Why, he’s right here,” he turned to where Mateo and Melanthe were.

“You can come out now.”

At his words, Mateo and Melanthe stepped out of the shadows. Mephisto couldn’t help but notice Sorcha stepped back upon seeing her son.

“Hello mom,” he said, glaring at her. Sorcha was quiet for a moment before speaking up.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, “Why are you with these people?”

Before Mateo could answer, Melanthe draped her arm over him, giving Sorcha a cocky smirk.

“The boy’s allowed to make his own decisions isn’t he?” she chuckled, “besides, since he started hanging with us, your son has learnt a few new, ‘tricks’ as I should put it.”

“That’s right,” Mateo said, “I’ve become stronger. Stronger than any of you!”

“Hmmm,” Mephisto tapped his chin, getting the attention of everyone in the room, “Why don’t we see how strong you’ve become?”

Mateo raised an eyebrow.

“And how do you propose we do that?”

Mephisto smirked and looked over at Sorcha’s little group.

“How about a little exhibition match?” Mateo’s eyes narrowed.

“You want me to fight my mom?” Mephisto laughed.

“No, of course not. I’d never make family fight eachother.”

“Than who do you have in mind?” Melanthe asked. Mephisto’s smirk widened as he pointed to Mateo’s choice opponant.

“Malik.”

[Samchu]

Mateo
~~~~

I was in in deep f*cking sh*t and I knew it. I'd set myself up and Meph had given me just the right amount of push to make sure that I was going to end up flat on my face. What the hell was he playing at anyway? Obviously he and Malik had issues but that was their fight, not mine. I sighed. Not that I had a choice now...I'd made my bed and I'd have to lie in it. Somehow I would have to find a way to beat Malik, something to take out the son of Satan himself. Only God knew how in Hell I was going to pull that one off.

"Whatever," I replied with a shrug. "Meet me on the rooftop."

I slipped back into the shadows, making a detour to my room first. I needed to change for the battle, put on something that would give me a little more room to move. This wasn't going to be like anything before; not like those spars with Veanic or the lessons with Meph, this was real. This was my chance to prove to my mother once and for all that I was better than she was - that I was more than some pathetic screw-up!

"You shouldn't worry about the fight. You will be able to handle yourself."

I turned to Meph, glaring. "What the f*ck have you dropped me into here? We both know I can't beat him."

"Relax. You haven't realised your full potential yet, you need a real experience to find out what you truly are," a smirk crossed his lips. "Besides, isn't this what you want? To step out of your mother's shadow?"

"This was meant to be on my terms!"

He shrugged. "It is an opportunity nonetheless, do with it what you will." He left.

I finished my preparations and headed up to the rooftop where they were all waiting. Even Veanic had turned up from wherever he had been hiding. It was some mix, that was for sure.

"Is this what you want Mateo?" Malik called to me.

I nodded. "If I can beat you, I can beat anyone."

"Foolish..." I heard him grumble.

I summoned my blade into my hand, it seemed lighter than I remembered it, and longer too. Perhaps Meph had been right, perhaps I was stronger than I knew. Malik called forth his own blade and we stood facing one another, swords before us. This was not going to be easy. He had a strong grasp of both fighting skills and dark magic, I would need everything I had learnt just to keep up with the pace.

Will it be enough? Perhaps if you'd spent more time studying and less time in bed with Mel you'd be ready for this. I shook the thoughts from my mind. This was no time for me to be doubting myself.

A crash from below signalled the start of our battle and we charged at one another, blades crashing with such force that dark energy flew from them, throwing us both back onto our feet. He recovered quickly, forcing me to block and duck beneath his blade. An intense physical battle raged between us. I followed Veanic's guidance; testing Malik's strength by the way he attacked and his defence by the way he defended. Now and then I tried to change the flow of battle, looking to see where he left his openings and how long it took for him to respond to my actions. His talents were blatent but that didn't make him unbeatable.

His sword came at me and I ducked, driving my shoulder up into his chest and forcing him onto the defensive as I charged at him with a flurry of cuts and slashes. His first block was a stumbling effort but he regained his footing quickly and started to drive me back. Our blades connected and our battle of skill became one of strength and stamina and we each tried to force the other to his knees. I felt my resolve weakening and twisted my blade out of the fray. My arm was slashed as punishment for my retreat but I was fortunate to counter with a stray elbow that cracked the bone of his nose.

We drew back, pausing for breath a moment. A stream of blood trickled across Malik's lip and I resisted the urge to ease the throbbing pain in my arm. The cut was not deep enough to cause any serious harm but the pain was an annoyance.

"You're right, you are stronger, though you overestimate your limits."

"Your age has softened your mind old man," I replied with a smirk. "I have no limits."

Malik shook his head. "The arrogance of youth is astounding." He wiped the blood from his face. "Now can we get into the real battle? I tire of this childish excuse for conflict."

I shifted my blade between my hands. "My thoughts exactly." Summoning the dark energies within us until our bodies burned with the sight of it, Malik and I returned once again to our battle stances. A moment of silence fell over us; then, we began again.

[Drusilla]

*shakes fist* DAMN YOU! I was in the middle of a post... a rather important post... I COULD be a bitch and be like, no, DM override... but meh...

EDIT: Nevermind, I'll make it fit. Get over it, motherfuckers, it's my plot...

Sorcha
God has a plan for us all...

"No." I stepped in front of Malik. "I know what you want, Mephistopheles, and I'm not going to play into your hands. And you," I growled at Melanthe, "know nothing, nothing, about Mateo. You see the taint in him, but not the path he must walk. No matter how you deter him from it, he will fulfill his destiny. Mateo..." I looked at him, at those eyes, knowing in part what he had to face. "She seeks to change your fate. All she will accomplish is causing pain and hardship for you. You have no more control over what you are destined to do than I..." I looked away, letting my hair cover my face. "Only you can change how you get there. I sheltered you from the truth for too long."

"What, that I am the product of the union of a vampire whore and a pseudo god? That I am tainted by a demon's spirit, and because of that..."

"SILENCE!" I shouted at him, and there was thunder in my voice. Lightning flashed in the distance, though the sky had been clear. "You know nothing, Mateo, and for that I have no one to blame but myself, but I will not let the knowledge I hold be belittled by a warrior who has yet to come into his own power. You are young, Mateo, too young, as I was when... I..." I trailed off. I would not give my enemies power over me by telling them who he really was.

"I love you, Mateo, as much as I did in the past, though differently this time..." It was all I dared to say. Melanthe frowned at me, unsure of what I meant. If she had known everything there was to know, she would have killed him long before now. I couldn't protect him from her, or himself, forever, but I would do what I could until he was ready.

"If anyone is to fight today, they will fight me. If you think you can defeat me, Mateo, then come. Show that you are man enough to hold disdain for me."

"No!" Melanthe shouted. I saw the fear in her eyes before she could hide it. I felt the self-satisfaction in knowing that though she could deceive Mateo, she could not give substance for her lies to stand upon.

"I can take her," Mateo growled, glaring at Melanthe. She glared back, sparing only a glance at Mephisto as if to say, 'This is all your fault.'

Mephisto cleared his throat. "Well, if you are so inclined..."

"No helping him, either," I said with a look at the archdemon. "I will know; if you help him, your life will be forfeit." Lightning flashed directly overhead, and the sharp clap of thunder was deafening, adding substance to my words. I wasn't sure if it was the electricity in the air or my magick, but everyone could feel it prickling along their skin. My own skin was glowing with a soft white light, and could almost see the green glow from my eyes. My son had never seen my true power, and what he assumed was my full strength was nothing compared to what I could do.

I raised my hands to the sky and exhaled; lightning danced down from the clouds to touch my fingertips. Wind blew my hair back from my face and whipped it around me. The glow of my body was a play of light and shadow as clouds to mirror those boiling above seemed to move beneath my skin, shot with flashes of lightning.

"Come, boy, hit me if you can!" I cried. Mateo rushed me, but I sprang into the air, sommersaulting in the air to land behind him. Flames burst from my fingertips as I grabbed him at the shoulder and waist from behind and threw him aside like a ragdoll. He jumped to his feet and approached, more cautiously this time, circling around to my right. I mirrored his movements, staying well out of reach, light slashing the sky above and through me below. My powers had grown since he was born, yet I had never tested their full extent. I was no Son of Satan, but I had defeated his general, turned back his forces. I was the Daughter of God. Mateo was but my son, and the reality would strike him, whether he wanted it to or not.

"Stop toying with him; it's me that you want," I snarled at Melanthe and Mephistopheles. Thunder roared over head with my anger. "I know the prophesies, I know what you need him for. Why settle for his blood when you can have the source? Leave him, or this ends here and now."

Mateo took another step towards me, and lightning struck right before him, stopping him in his tracks.

"Malik... I love you," I whispered before stepping towards Melanthe and kneeling before her. "Do it, succubus. Your time will come."

Triumph lit her face, and I saw the dagger materialise in her hands, the dagger meant for Mateo. She looked at my son.

"I was so looking forward to spilling your blood with this, but her power is so much more than yours. You, Mateo, are weak, but would have fulfilled the prophesy. Your mother is a far greater sacrifice, and if she is dead, we no longer have to fear her wrath. See her love, Mateo, and her demise."

The blade was drawn roughly across my neck, and it hurt more than anything I had ever felt before. It was if burning ice spread through my veins from the gash even as my blood poured forth and down my neck. My blood, flowing down my body, down my throat to fill my lungs, out of my mouth to drip down my chin... out of my body to open the way.

The Forgotten were coming.

[Samchu]

So much for its not gonna happen for a while...*sighs* oh well...

Mateo
~~~~

It couldn't be true...It just couldn't. After everything that had happened she couldn't be... I felt my sword leave my hand as I rushed over to her, forcing Mel out of the way without as second's thought just so I could hold my mother's body in my arms. She was barely there, just a faint glimmer lingered and I knew in a moment it would be gone. Fresh blood seeped through my top as I cradled her head against my chest. My eyes and cheeks were burning with streams of fresh tears but I didn't care. I didn't care that I knealt before demons and warriors alike and threw my weaknesses before them. The only thing that mattered to me anymore was dying in my arms and all the pathetic powers I possessed were nothing because I couldn't stop it.

"I hate you," I whispered to her, "I hate you for leaving me like he did."

I know...

"You should have let them kill me. You should have let me pay for my own mistakes."

The mistakes were mine. I'm glad I was able to make up for them before it was too late.

"But I can't do it. I'm not strong like you are. I'm...scared..."

I know you are. But this is the destiny that you were born for. You will find a way.

I could feel her slipping away from me. Pretty soon there would be nothing but a bloodied corpse in my hands. I wished for the power to make it end differently, even though I knew it didn't exist. "Mom? I...What I said before...I love you."

It's nice to know. I love you Mateo, I always have loved you.

"And I knew it." It was coming to an end. Just a few more seconds and she would be...I couldn't even think of the word. I scooped her gently into my arms and held her the way she used to hold me. If the great defender of Earth was going to die then she would die with pride; not on the rooftop of a sleezy nightclub. It was the first time I had used to shadows to travel so far but it was important. I had to do this one thing for her; whilst I still had the chance.

Where are we?

"You're home."

In my mind I could see her smiling. We stood here once.

Somehow I already knew that. "Go to sleep. You will do yourself no good by lingering here."

Goodbye Mateo...

"Bye Mom."

Even though I could feel it, I knew in my gut that she had died. I stood there a little longer, letting the warming comfort of nostalgia drown out the overwhelming pain. We watched the dawn together, completely undisturbed by the people of this tiny island and once morning came to its completion I finally had the heart to return her home.

It was hours later when Malik found me. It had seemed appropriate to put her in her coffin but I didn't have the heart to leave her afterwards. I didn't have the strength to let go.

"The Forbidden have broken through into our world. They'll finish arriving soon enough."

I nodded and pulled my fists up beneath my chin in thought. I still hadn't changed out of my blood-stained clothes.

"What do we do?"

I stood up and made my way towards the basement, Malik trailing behind. "You're going to stay here and wait for Zarahlinda. She knows more about these 'Forgotten' than I do and hopefully how to deal with them."

"What about you?"

I pulled open the box containing Shiva's arrow - a remnant from the last war - and took up a bow and quiver. "I have business to tend to."

He grabbed my arm, a hard look on his face. "What are you planning?"

"Vengeance. Mel took something from me. I'm taking something back."

"You can't defeat her. She has powers greater than you know -"

I snatched my arm from him. "This is my path. I'll walk it however I damn well please." I sighed, regaining control over my emotions. I couldn't let my anger blind me or I was going to end up dead. My mother's death was not going to be in vain, I would make sure of it. "I have to do this."

"If there's trouble, get out. Come here and the house will protect you."

I nodded to him. "Take care of my mother Malik." I opened a portal of darkness before me. "Let's get this 'destiny' over with."

[Mystic_clown]

Malik
---------------------------------
I watched as Mateo left before turning back to Sorcha, laying there in the coffin. Apart from the huge gash in the neck, she looked almost peaceful.

Why Sorcha? Why did you do it?

I know you did it to protect Mateo, but why did you have to throw away your life?

Couldn’t you have just destroyed Melanthe? Couldn’t you have just killed that bitch and prevent all of this?

Tears began to well up in my eyes.

Why?

Why!?

“WHY!?” I screamed out, falling to my knees, my tears flowing freely down my face. I didn’t even notice someone entering the room.

“She’s in a better place now,” said an all-too-familiar voice. I clenched my teeth as my eyes widened in rage.

“You!” I snarled, spinning around and pinning the archdemon against the wall.

Mephisto just smirked.

“Is that how you treat all your potential allies?” he chuckled. I couldn’t believe what he just said.

“Ally!?” I barked, “You’re the reason Sorcha’s,” I waved my arm in her direction, “dead!”

Mephisto’s expression changed to one of annoyance. I then felt a powerful force, throwing me off of him.

“Now let’s get one thing straight,” Mephisto snarled, “I had nothing to do with the crap that bitch just pulled. All I wanted was to tempt Mateo out of his soul. I wasn’t planning on sacrificing him or anyone else and I certainly wasn’t planning on bringing the forgotten back into this world!”

I could see it in his eyes. Mephisto was telling the truth. The archdemon calmed a bit and brushed some imaginary dirt off his sleeve.

“Which is why,” he said, “I’m here. I want to help you lay the smackdown on the psychotic succubus and the forgotten ones.

“How?” I raised an eyebrow. Mephisto reached into his pocket.

“By giving him this,” he pulled out a very familier object. My eyes widened.

“That’s a…” Mephisto nodded and put it back into his pocket.

“He’s going to need it,” Mephisto turned, “And now I’ll be off to give it to him.”

I just gave him a small nod and turned back to Sorcha, sadness filling my heart once again.

“You love her don’t you?”

My face went a little red as I turned back to Mephisto. The demon laughed.

“Don’t deny it. With all the time you two spent together, I’m not surprised.”

I sighed and looked back at Sorcha’s body.

“It doesn’t matter now anyway,” I sighed. Mephisto chuckled and shook his head.

“Malik,” he said as he opened a portal, “You and I both know that death isn’t the end. It never was.”

Before I could say anything, Mephisto was gone.

[Drusilla]

Zarahlinda

"He's right, you know..." I said, stepping from the shadows. Malik's grief-stricken eyes looked at me, anger behind the sorrow.

"And where were you? Off, safely out of the way?"

I laughed softly. "My apologies, this situation is less than amusing, but I'm sure that if you knew where I have been... well, being who you are, you would appreciate the dangers. No, Malik, I was doing what was necessary, and I hope for all of our sakes that what Sorcha did was just as much so. The Forgotten are breaking into this world, even as we speak, and their vengance will be terrible."

"Who are the Forgotten, anyway?" he asked, eyes moving back to Sorcha.

"Well, that's exactly it. They have been Forgotten, or dismissed as fantastical heresy. You, I'm sure, are familliar with the Creation in one way or another. What most people either do not know or refuse to aknowledge is that, before Eve's creation, Adam was... mislead. No, not like the Fall, but close. He was seduced by a demon named-"

"Lilith..." Malik whispered, realisation dawning in his eyes. "But, I thought she was banished."

"She was, but with the blood sacrifice, well, she's back. And Melanthe, as powerful as she is, is only the eldest daughter. The eldest daughter of Adam and Lilith. 'And in time, those who were Forgotten shall return to reclaim that which they feel is rightly theirs, though they were stripped of that Right by the Almighty Himself after their Creation. The Guardians of Earth shall turn to their Watcher, though she does not know herself, and it shall be the Task of the Watcher's Son to bring Them to Unification. Only through the Son can all be Saved; without, they are doomed to the supplication of the Forgotten.'"

"Then, Mateo..."

I nodded.

"Oh, shit."

I nodded again. "It is not beyond his power, though it will take some intense correction to get him back on track."

"Who are the Guardians?" Malik asked.

"The Guardians are masters of elements, each different creatures and gifted in magick related to the element over which they hold dominion. I am the Guardian of Air, though my duties lay elsewhere while I am not the Keeper. The current Keeper is the Guardian of Water, a merman of considerable power who is also known as Poseidon. We've been around for awhile."

"And..." Malik paused, unsure as to ask the question or not. I nodded, urging him to go on and ask. "About... how old are you?"

I thought about it, eyes growing distant. "Well, I'm not quite sure. I'd say maybe 10,000 years old or so? I'm not as old as Melanthe is, but give or take a few centuries I rank pretty high up there. Oh, but do me a favor and don't mention it to Mateo. Tact doesn't seem to be one of his gifts, and I'd rather not hear about what he thinks of my age. I can almost hear him making some comment about me 'being past my experation date'. Speaking of Mateo, I need to speak with him when he returns. Melanthe was but one of a set, and not the only one he may find difficulty in dealing with. The first seven daughters are manifestations of the seven deadly sins, and Melanthe, obviously, was lust. I really don't want him to run into Wrath without warning..."

[Samchu]

Mateo
~~~~

In the end, seeking out Mel had been nothing more than a fruitless effort and I was forced to return home with nothing but the storm at my heels. Inside my anger was boiling. What Mel had done...it demanded vengeance and now I would have to wait just to be able to carry out. I hated it. I hated the whole damn lot of it.

"Did you find her?"

I shook my head. "She's gone...somewhere, I don't know where. I can't even sense her anymore whereas before..."

"She will let you find her when she is ready. You are unfinished business."

I looked across, having not noticed Zarahlinda standing there when I'd entered. "What do you know of it?"

"I know you pose a threat to them. Not as you are but soon, very soon."

I wiped away the comment. "I just want my revenge, I'm not into that whole 'saving the world' deal. That was my mom's responsibility."

"Whether you like it or not, that responsibility falls to you for now. If you want revenge on Melanthe so badly then go ahead but you must realise that you will not succeed in one task without satisfying the other. Melanthe has slaved to bring the Forgotten back into this world; would your vegeance not be served best by dealing with them? Consequently it will save this world from its fate."

I sighed, pulling my hand uneasily through my hair. She was right of course, though I hated to admit it. "So these Forgotten...what are they exactly? What is it I'm meant to be dealing with here?"

"Seven daughters of Adam, each one the embodiment of sin, and their mother - the demon Lilith. You have already met the embodiment of lust -"

"Melanthe..."

She nodded. "But it is Wrath that concerns me most. She would cause you some trouble."

"So I leave her til later. There are five others right? I'll deal with them and then Wrath." I frowned. "Then I'll go after Lilith...I want Mel to see her die..." I look back at Zarah, biting my thumb at the sudden realisation taht some of my anger had subsided only to be replaced with curious enthusiasm. "Tell me what I have to do to beat them."

[Drusilla]

Zarahlinda

It was a night for interruptions, it seemed. Just ask Mateo asked what was needed, another portal opened. This time, however, no one appeared; it was for a message only, and I feared what that message would be as I realised the harsh smell was that of brimstone...

"Well, well, well, my dear son, it has been a while, hasn't it?" A harsh voice echoed through the room, something between a low growl and a hiss. "I had hoped maybe you had come to your senses at last when I recieved this most precious gift, but apparently I was wrong. Not only did you not send it, but you are in mourning... What a shame. I'm sure you'd love to get your hands on this one."

"What are you talking about?" Malik spat at the dark image of his father. Satan laughed.

"So you don't know at all... how very interesting. Well, then, it seems that I may have something that you want, both of you." He motioned at Mateo. "Oh, yes, I can almost smell it in you two." He laughed as only the Devil could. "Let's see what's behind door number one, shall we?"

He moved aside, and the sight was sickening. Sorcha was completely naked, suspended by invisible chains a good two feet in the air, spreadeagle, head and hands hanging limply. Her wings lay on the ground, twisted and mangled, a bloody mess. Deep lacerations ran down her body, blood still flowing from them, though not as freely as it seemed it had been not long ago. Her body glistened with drying gore, and I assumed that Satan had stopped his "fun" just for our enjoyment... and that he would resume once he was done taunting us.

Mateo and Malik were speechless with rage and disgust. Before either of them could open their mouths and say something that we would all regret later, I interjected.

"What is it that you want from us?" I asked, stepping in between the men and the portal. Satan laughed.

"You're still around, are you, Zarahlinda? Heh, I'd have thought you'd stop meddling in the affairs of others by now. Either way, I want you to come get her. You make it all the way to Cocytus, and I give you the bitch. If there's anything left of her once I'm done, that is. Your father had good taste, Mateo, she is rather good..."

Mateo moved towards us, but I stopped him with a blast of air. "And if we don't come after her?" I asked.

Satan laughed again. "Then I fuck her for the rest of eternity." With that, he was gone.

I turned to the men. "This is no time to get ahead of ourselves, gentlemen. You go after her, the Forgotten are given time to gather themselves. There's no guarantee that she'll be of any use if we retrieve her, either..."

"How dare you speak of her that way!" Malik shouted at me. I glared at him.

"I will speak as I wish. Are you willing to put the world at risk for personal reasons?"

"She's Mom... She's always been able to put things right," Mateo said quietly, looking at her body still in the coffin. I sighed.

"Very well, we have a journey ahead of us... I'm no Virgil, but I will help as I can."

Any other characters may tag along...

[Mystic_clown]

Malik
-----------------------------------
The dark angel was seething in rage. How could his father do this? He clenched his fists, trying to keep himself from exploding in rage. A dark aura began to surround him.

Mateo and Zarahlinda noticed this.

"Calm down Malik," The guardian of wind spoke, "Loosing yourself to wrath isn't going to help Sorcha!"

Malik didn't say a word, but instead thought very loudly in her direction.

You expect me to be calm? Well, let me clue you in on what just happened. Sorcha, the girl that I love, has gotten herself killed and has unleashed six evil demon bitches as a result! Furthermore, she's now in Hell being tormented by father! Her death has brought nothing but misery and chaos! And you're telling me to be calm!?

Zarahlinda's expression went stern, clearly she her Malik's mind rant.

"Well, you'll be doing no good for her if you give in to your anger. We have to remain calm, go down into Hell and rescue her."

Malik sighed. She was right. No matter how Malik felt about the situation, he had to remain calm.

"Very well."

Malik made a small gesture with his hand. Suddenly, a large circular portal opened in the center of the floor. It seemed to lead down into eternal darkness and it's edge was surrounded by glowing red archaic runes.

"What the...?" Mateo was a bit surprised.

"This is out gateway to Hell," Malik explained. He looked up at Sorcha's son.

"Are you ready?" Mateo took one last look at the portal and nodded.

"Ok then. It's going to be one hell of a drop."

And with that, Malik dove down into the darkness below.

[Samchu]

Man I have been neglecting this for waaaaaay too long.

Malachi
~~~~~

The night's events had left the angels uneasy. Sorcha's death was an unwelcomed shock to their systems and too make matters worse, they now saw the attempts to rescue her as a reckless abandonment of responsibility. With the Forgotten once again prowling the Earth, a road trip into Hell seemed like the last thing to do. I listened to their worries as they mirrored some of my own. True, I myself was not a divine being - and I did not plan on becoming one for many centuries to come - but I had served my time at the forefront of God's war and I held the same concern for Earth's fate as the rest of them. Perhaps the decision to go to Hell was a rash one but without Sorcha we didn't stand a chance. The angels doubted it, the prophecies placed the fate of mankind in her son's hands not hers but without her he was too lost and broken to be of any use. He would be little more than a pawn in his current state.

I shook my head. There was nothing for it. I'd be damned if I was going to sit here and let fate be decided without me. I had missed the last war but I had no intention of missing this one. It had been too long - much too long - since I had made true use of my talents.

Moments later I appeared in the house of Sorcha. Zarahlinda - whom I had met many times in the past - greeted me with faint amusement, whereas the boy seemed bewildered.

"I have come to help," I stated simply. He merely nodded and disappeared through the portal Malik had taken. I looked to Zarah and bowed. "How unfortunate it is that we should meet again under such undesirable circumstances."

"You still think a lot of yourself don't you?"

I smirked. "After a while it is easy for one such as myself to become...complacent. This is as much a rescue mission as it is a kick up the ass."

She shook her head and sighed. "You'll never change." In an instance she was taken by darkness.

"Neither will you my dear." I followed. Within an instant I could feel the scorch of Hell's fires on my face and the stench of brimstone in my nostrils. "It seems a lot of things are in the habit of remaining unchanged."

Malik looked at me, noticing me for the first time since my arrival. I saw a hint of annoyance in his eyes but he made no mention of it. He and I had never gotten along. No reason except for how the fates had planned it. My dealings with his Father had led to dealings with him but I held no real disdain for the spawn of satan. I just disliked him.

"We don't have time to stand around!" It was the boy. He reeked of fear and desperation. "Malik where do we have to go? Show us the way."

[Mystic_clown]

Malik
--------------------------
Hell. It had been years since he was last here. Malik had personally hoped that he wouldn't of had to come back her for a long time. However, he had no choice.

The woman he loved was here, being tortured at the very moment.

A small thought danced at the back of his mind. Why did his father want them here? Was it to torment htem through Sorcha? Or was it something else altogether?

"Malik where do we have to go? Show us the way."

Malik glanced over at Mateo before pointing into the distance. The three could just barely see the shape of a large construct, a castle of sorts.

"They're in there," Malik stated in a dead tone, "The Citadel of Cocytus."

Without much of a word, the three began to head in the dircetion of the Citadel. Malik noticed Mateo looking around as they walked. He reminded himself that this was Mateo's first time in Hell.

Amongst the flames surrounding their path, the forms of the condemmed could be seen. Chain to the ground, forced to endure the harsh flames, they looked like mere shadows of their former selves. Their moans of anguish echoed throughout the abyss.

"Ignore them," Malik stated. Mateo reluctently obeyed, focussing on the citadel in front of them.

Surprisingly enough, it didn't take them as long as they would have thought. Mateo seemed amazed by the size of the place.

"It's almost like a city," he muttered absently a they approached the gigantic doors.

Malik simply nodded. The citadel was like a city, a city of the damned.

And in that city was Sorcha, and his father.

[Samchu]

Mateo
~~~~

Hell...it was everything I had expected. A smouldering furnace of pain surrounded by sickening beauty. Yes, even a place such as this had a disturbing glory about it. To deny it was ignorant. To fear it was cowardly. We strode on, riasing barriers against the moans of pain that surrounded us, closing in with every step we took. I didn't need to try; my mind was already a mess of anguish and guilt, too complex for their suffering to penetrate. It was my fault we were here. Because of me...mom was forced to endure the unthinkable torture Malik's father was putting her through. I clenched my fists in anger. I'd make him pay for it. For every ounce of pain he'd caused her, I would make him suffer. I didn't care that he was satan, didn't care that it was his world we'd been dragged into; he'd messed with my mother, and no one messes with my mother.

Mateo clapped my shoulder. "We'll get her back Mateo. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried," I replied coldly. "It's your father who should be worried."

Malik glared. "Leave him to me."

I grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him back towards me. "You think that just because you love her that you should be the one to play hero? This is my mess and I'll be the one to clear it up."

"Don't be stupid Mateo! This is Lucifer we're talking about! One of the most powerful beings created by God! Besides...this is something I've been wanting to do for centuries."

"You people are so fu*king hypocritical! You're always harping on about how I'm supposed to make something out myself - like I'm destined to be some goddamn messiah or something - but whenever I try to actually do something you're the first ones to tell me that I can't! You think I don't know who's waiting for us at the end of all this? Of course I know and you wanna know something? I don't care Malik. He could be the fu*king 'almighty' for all I care and I still wouldn't think twice about taking care of his sorry ass. He's messed with my family, and no one messes with my family." I sighed. "You got unfinished business, fine, but this is as much my fight as it yours. If we're gonna do this, then we're gonna do this together, You got that?"

He resigned at last. "...fine..." he mumbled, with a sigh of defeat.

I nodded my approval. "Alright then." I looked up at the towering fortress above us. The final stop on our journey. "So...any idea what exactly we should be expecting? I know it probably won't help, but I'd like to be at least a little prepared for...whatever it is...that we're gonna have to see in there."

"I'm not quite sure...My Father's expecting us, so I don't think he'll have anything keep us from our "appointment."

"Well then," Malachi stepped forward, stretching his neck and cracking his knuckles in the swiftest of movement, "better not keep him waiting then, shall we?"

[Drusilla]

All right, boys and girls... I call this installment finished, since no new posts have surfaced for several months. I think it's time we take a break form this one; when the third installment starts, I will be letting people know.

Until then... fear what stalks the night. Why? Well... I could say, but it would ruin things... ehehehehe...

I am posting a request to have this archived, so I'd ask that any comments/questions be PMed or IMed to me, rather than posted here.

Laters!