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Demonizing an Angel *(Silvana | Areawin)

Leaning against a wall, Keiran crossed his arms against his chest, watching Mina silently as she paced back and forth. As if debating their next action... or as if she was troubled by something that she had yet to speak of. Pushing away, he glanced around the room.

As far as he could tell, it was fairly empty. Nothing of particular interest in plain sight. Only a single door visible in this room, but he knew that turning back would take them to a entirely different room regardless.Glancing back towards Mina, "Then let's get going." He called to her, the red head nodding in agreement as Keiran opened the door that they had originally entered through once more. The knob cold to the touch, it nearly made him flinch, stepping through the doorway cautiously. The floor slick, the incubus nearly loosing his footing until he recovered quickly. Ice?

Glancing back as Mina joined him, he could see the scowl on her face, obviously displeased with the chill in the air, "Lay off the fire." He muttered, "Remember what happened last time."

A remark that only caused the demoness to scoff softly at him. While the room was dimly lit, it wasn't nearly as dark as the sand room had been, a strange violet hue being the only source of light available. Keiran leading the way slowly. Feeling quite... unnerved. It was too quiet... and perhaps it was his imagination, but it seemed to be steadily growing colder by the second. Half-way across the room, Keiran was nearly shivering, not usually being the sort affected too much by the cold- but this-

At his side, Mina was rubbing her hands together, breathing a small flame into her palms in a attempt to fend off the chill, The pair of them freezing abruptly when from behind them, a voice broke the silence, "Oh my.... look at the wee little lambs~"

Instinctively, Mina turned towards the source of the voice, only to find nothing there, crimson meeting golden hues for a moment before both decided that they didn't want to wait around long enough to find out who the owner of the voice was. Keiran moving more quickly across the frozen floor, Mina following.

Unfortunately, for them, that wasn't going to be allowed.

Before either one could reach the other side, the floor beneath them shifted, seeming to abruptly crack, Mina letting out a cry as she fell through, her nails uselessly slipping against the edge of the ice as she tried to hang on, Keiran scarcely having avoided being submerged as well, his back pressed against the wall, looking up in time to see Mina completely slip beneath the ice, his eyes widening as it nearly immediately froze back into place.

"MINA." Dashing forwards, he knelt down, slamming his fist down against the newly materialized ice, just barely cracking it, but before he could try again, someone's hands wrapped tightly around the back of his neck, dragging him backwards across the ice effortlessly, laughing, "It's been ages.... since I've had a chance to play~ to pry into such a... youthful mind."

Keiran found his body falling limp against his will, unable to move. Why couldn't he-

Pure agony shot through him when he tried to resist, to move his disobedient limbs, causing him to cry out, falling limp once more, that demon's hands still gripping Keiran's throat tightly, enough so that the incubus' source of air was cut off. Flipping the silvernette over onto his back so that for the first time, Keiran could see the face of his attacker. Unlike the demons in the previous room, this one was calm. Cold. Calculating. As pale as snow- the demon seemed to completely lack color. Eyes, hair, skin... all of it a faint greyish hue, as if completely void of life. Ice creeping across the back of Keiran's neck as he could only lay there, paralyzed.

"Frightening, isn't it? Being stripped of your free will... unable to move... to breathe..."

Letting go, the demon laughed, Keiran gasping suddenly, rolling away from the creature before him, looking back to where Mina had gone beneath the ice. She still hadn't emerged, and there was no sign she was even still there.

"Sweet little baby Mina should have really learned out to swim better~"

A snarl sounded from Keiran, turning on the demon abruptly, making a slash for his throat, "I've had about enough of you-!"

"Ah, ah, ah, not so fast!" Catching Keiran's wrist, the demon smirked, his other hand grabbing hold of Keiran's forehead, forcing the younger demons' head back harshly, slamming him into the ground, golden hues growing wide abruptly as suddenly, the entire room seemed to melt away around them, screams assaulting his senses- no, not just screams-

Silennia's screams. They flooded his senses, unable to hear anything else, furiously trying to separate from the demon's grasp, but it was of little use, visions rapidly assaulting him- of Silennia. Of her body being beaten, ripped and torn- of her body motionless, dead, and the screaming-

With a cry of his own, a last forceful kick to the demon's gut separated him from the other effectively, Keiran scrambling away, something warm trickling from his nose- blood.

This demon.

Just what kind of freak was he?

Fighting him wasn't a option. No, any sort of physical contact had to be avoided. he could see that now, backing away. Overall, the demon didn't seem especially aggressive... no, rather... he was sadistic. Just the smug smirk on those blood-less lips gave that much away.

--------------------

Oh, how long had it been since the last time Deikona had such fun? This boy was foolish, and steadily by the minute, his companion was loosing her struggle to get back to the surface. How many minutes now had she been submerged beneath the ice? He'd lost count, it seemed. How unfortunate. She'd been such a pretty specimen, too.

So long as the master of the realm didn't interfere, Deikona was free to do as he pleased with these two, and oh, how he was relishing every moment of it. The incubus across from him wiping the trickle of blood away from his nostril, visibly shaken by the onslaught of visions that Deikona had forced into his head.

It was his own special ability. With a simple touch, he could easily tap into his victim's mind- learn all of their secrets. Fears, memories, even those things that were precious to them- and if given enough time... Deikona could warp those memories. Twist them and contort them into wicked things. Tampering with a fellow demon's mind, however, all depended on the demon's stature.

Abigor, of course was untouchable to the demon.

Unfortunate.
 
There was a low rattling noise, sounding almost metallic, as Silennia got closer to the door. When she still had ten yards or so to go before reaching her destination, she slowed and paused in her tracks, listening. The noise was quite loud here, but where was it coming from?

Something gently rubbed against her ankle, and she looked down, her breath catching in her throat. A pale snake, dusty-cream in color, began climbing her leg. Slowly, she released her breath, and reached down to it, noticing the rattle on the end. It gently rose to greet her, and coiled around her arm. The rattle was silent, and it remained mostly still while she stood there, gazing at it in awe.

"Crotalus durissus," a voice cooed. "Unicolor, to be exact."

Sapphire orbs snapped to attention, seeing a man casually standing just a few yards in front of the door, blocking it from her view.

He flashed a rather dazzling smile. "You're new here."

"And you're in my way," she snapped.

He made a tsking noise. "She likes you."

"She?"

"My snake."

Silennia looked down at the creature, calmly coiled around her arm. It was looking up at her with black, glassy eyes, occasionally flicking its -- her -- tongue out, curious. Why did she feel so on edge? The atmosphere didn't feel tense. She knew that she wouldn't be attacked. She wasn't sure how she knew... she just knew.

"She's beautiful," she finally said, and the being across from her broke out in a full-blown grin.

"Her name is Nilakanta." He took a step forward, and Silennia immediately looked defensive, so he took a step back and held up his hands in a passive gesture. All the while, that smile never leaving.

Silennia noticed that quite a few of the demons were gathered more closely around, as if trying to hear their conversation. There were quite a few that looked frightening, but none of them looked actively aggressive. Typically, certain demons were in charge of specific rooms. Maybe the one standing before her was exactly that. She was suddenly extremely aware at how much blood still covered her, and how much skin showed through the ripped clothing, feeling quite naked in front of so many beings. The snake shuddered along her arm, allowing Silennia to see its true form -- blue-throated, with small spikes along its back, and tiny horns on the head. Not a snake at all, but the phrase tiny dragon wouldn't quite do it justice either.

The strange change in attitude between rooms was almost disorienting. It couldn't have been more than a few hours since she'd had to rip apart several demons to remain alive. Now, here was a seemingly friendly one... but still blocking the door. With a glance to her left, the other door was still in view, but she specifically wanted this one. It were as if her very blood were pulling her toward it. However, she simply felt too exhausted to be in another fight, and this demon didn't look as if he would move away from the silvery exit willingly. Not yet, at least. Perhaps it was like the two doors she'd been confronted with before, and she simply had to give it time. There was no telling what her sire was whispering into the demon's head, giving him directions on what to do and what not to do. She was so tired of the game.

This time, she stepped forward, treading lightly until she was only a few feet away from him. Her face showed the pain she was in, and the demon gave her a look of sympathy. "You really are in my way," she repeated quietly.

His expression turned apologetic, and he tapped the side of his head -- confirming her suspicion about Abigor controlling where she was going, and when. "I truly am sorry, but I can't let you. Not yet."

Silennia only nodded, running her fingers along the snake's back before reaching her arms out. The male demon watched her with a hint of caution, but she was only moving so that the snake would uncoil from her arm and onto his. He accepted it, and the creature immediately shifted form into the blue serpent dragon-like creature, perching on his shoulder. It even had a small white patch of whiskers on its chin, resembling a beard.

After that, she took a few steps back and just stood there, examining her surroundings. Many of the demons were hidden in shadows, but smaller, more curious ones were closer, peering up at her. Most of them, she realized, were absolutely harmless -- small tricksters that did things just for the fun of it when let loose to their whims.

From behind the demon, she could see ice formed on the silvery handle.
 
It.... was so.... cold.

That was the only thought Mina could form coherently at the moment. Sinking slowly. Deeper and deeper... how far down did this go? Darkness closing in on her from all angles, as if eagerly accepting her into it's grasp, that strange violet light above barely visible now. Why had she so desperately wanted to reach it? Ah, she could just close her eyes and let the water take her to the very bottom... It would be so easy... so... It was just... so cold.

Was there no end to this?

There was something... something important, wasn't there? Her lungs burned, begging for air, but there was nothing around her but water. She... she had to reach the surface. She had to break through. With shocking clarity, that sense of calm abandoned her.

She was drowning.

With a new found strength, Mina once more started for the top. Time was running out, and already she'd been submerged for quite some time. How long? It had felt like a eternity since she'd fallen through the ice, being trapped beneath... but really, it had just been a few minutes. Reaching the top, her fingers slid across the ice that held her down in the water, feeling the liquid around her shift, as if to drag her back down, succeeding in tugging her back down a foot or two before she swam right back up.

She'd be damned before she go out like this.

------------------------------

Above the ice, Deikona and Keiran were at a sort of stand-off. The incubus trying to figure out how to deal with this demon, ever conscious of Mina's absense. Surely she'd come back up, yes? Golden hues shifting towards the ice with unease. Something that Deikona didn't fail to miss, "I imagine by now, she's a pretty little icicle at the bottom of the sea~" He purred, the air seeming to grow colder by the second as the ice demon walked towards Keiran once more, but as he stepped forwards, a frown tugged at the edge of the demon's lips, something dragging his attention away from Keiran to right below his own feet, back-stepping with a laugh, "Oh? How pitiful. She's still fighting?"

At his words, a pale hand broke through the ice, followed by a second as Keiran rushed forwards to help her, only to be held back as ice rapidly wrapped around his legs, freezing him in place.

Deikona simply watching the demoness' struggle to free herself from the water. The girl sputtering and coughing as her head emerged, the ice too slippery for her to effectively drag herself out, but when she was half-free, Deikona made his move, slamming the heel of his boot into the back of her hand, her finger tips barely emitting a faint glow- perhaps a attempt to warm herself now, but as his heel dug painfully into her skin, it flickered out.

"How was the dip?"

"Fffff.... fuck.... you..."

"So rude. Back to time-out with you."

Crimson hues grew wide, Mina feeling the water around her lower-half suction downwards, the only thing keeping her from vanishing beneath the water once more being the demon's heel dug into her hand. Which, with a grin, he lifted his foot, "Bye-bye~"

For a second time, Mina was sent into the depths. Not even her own inner flame could fight that chill off- not while down inside the water like this. Did that demon know? Was that why he'd sent her under and not Keiran?

No matter how she fought the current, it was obvious the demon above had no intention of ever letting her re-emerge from the bottom, being drug down even farther than the first time, in fact, so much so that she'd reached the bottom, but her body... it was too numb to even feel when her back collided with the ground. Complete darkness surrounding her. She couldn't move... couldn't think... She had to do something... something, but what?

Focusing her energy, she managed to draw a small amount of heat to her body, her hands first glowing, and then it crawled up her arms, tracing her very veins. Bright enough that it emitted enough of a glow that she could see around her.

All along the bottom, Mina could make out various lumps- no... no, they weren't just lumps. With a closer look, she came to realize they were bodies. Dozens of them... no, hundreds. The entire floor beneath her was made of them. All frozen together and lifeless, their perfectly preserved faces peering up at her. A sight that perhaps had been the last thing many of them had seen before becoming apart of the gruesome display.

She had to find a way out. A way back to the surface-

Attempting to swim back up, though, Mina found that the water was quick to suck her right back down to bottom- perhaps a unnatural manipulation caused by the demon above.
 
Abigor was extremely aware of what was happening in the ice-demon's territory. He was able to see Mina come up for air, just to have the other demon's boot crash down into the back of her hand. Saw the ripple in the water as she was pulled down under once again. This time, though, Deikona seemed content in having her drown there.

He felt as though he'd done enough to Silennia's mind to allow her to be reunited with the incubus. Really, a final test of sorts, for this particular realm.

With a few more seconds of contemplating, he sighed, and appeared several feet away from where the two men remained, looking lazily over at Deikona while his hand made a dismissing gesture at the ice beneath his feet. The water around Mina began to warm slightly, and pull her upwards, until the ice broke and he was pulling her out of it.

As always, he wore a long, thick black coat, so it was easy to pull the succubus against his chest and wrap the cloth around her, peering up at Deikona over her head. Deikona," Abigor purred. "Must you kill everything so quickly? I give you a bit of fun and you ruin it within seconds. And you wonder why I don't give you toys anymore... such a waste."

Mina's skin still felt icy to the touch. He couldn't imagine what kind of pain the girl must be in, because of the flames that burned in her very core. "Little Phoenix," he sighed, "always putting that flame into jeopardy without thinking." His hands rubbed along her arms, not even the slightest bit concerned with the other two males there. Mina, in his eyes, was too rare a bird to let go to waste. He was absolutely intrigued by her.

"Now, Mina," he said, as if there weren't a single thing wrong in the entire world. He pulled a strange doll from his pocket, looking quite old and tattered. It was faded and looked as if it had ancient patches on it. Her mental state was oblivious to him, whether she was even aware enough to know where she was or who was holding her. Then again, there was a good chance she knew exactly what was going on. "Do you see this doll? There's a soft spot..." He fiddled with it behind her head, with both hands, before using his right hand to put it back into her view. "There. See, how the arm is coming off? Pull on that, will you, darling?"

Smiling wickedly, meeting Deikona's gaze.
 
It was no use. The glow that had emitted from her veins in a attempt to heat herself slowly faded out, darkness reclaiming her. She hadn't given up, to say the least, rather, she simply couldn't continue. Her body wouldn't allow it, succumbing to the cold, her attempts to swim up ceasing. Choking as icy cold water slipped down her throat, her lungs screaming for air. Just when it seemed that it was over, however, something changed.

Faintly, she was conscious of moving upwards, a warm sensation seeping through the water and over her body as she could feel herself being pulled up- or was it down? Mina couldn't really tell until finally, her head emerged out of the water, coughing and sputtering, instinctively curling against the figure that had pulled her free from the ice, her body trembling violently. Forgetting about the demon- about Keiran. Not even realizing that right at that moment she was more or less clinging to Abigor for warmth.

-----------------------

Deikona's entire demeanor had changed the moment Abigor had entered the room, tensing and backing away. Eying Abigor with what Keiran could almost call fear, but, it wasn't just that. No, there was something else there... not that Keiran cared enough to debate on what it could be. No, golden hues narrowed towards the hell prince, letting loose a low snarl, still unable to move just yet, only able to watch helplessly as Abigor pulled Mina's body from the ice, Deikona making no move to protest.

No, the pale demon only watched anxiously, offering only a feeble smile towards the higher-ranking demon, though it never touched those grey eyes of his. Deikona knowing full well he'd made a mistake with these two. The red head just barely conscious in the hell-prince's arms, her head turning just slightly at the sound of Abigor's voice as it spoke her name, but it was the only sign that she was still alert.

The following words striking pure horror into the pit of Deikona's stomach as he spotted what was in Abigor's hand. Taking a step forwards before he could even think, "Don't-"

-------------------------------

A doll?

Crimson hues fluttered open, her body still shivering as her gaze came to rest upon the pitiful looking thing. There was practically nothing left to the filthy thing but rags, but even so, she heard Deikona's stressed plead.

The demon who had tried to drown her. Mina looking from the doll straight towards him, seeing the terror in his eyes... and suddenly, it all made sense. He was just like Shiori.

A thought that made the corners of her lips twist into quite a sinister grin.

"STOP-"

Before Deikona could plead with her any further, Mina had reached out, violently snatching the arm off the doll, the last few threads holding it giving way to force, and with it, Deikona collapsed, clutching at his left arm- the same arm that Mina had just ripped from the doll, his features twisted in agony as he seemed to hold back a scream, the tips of his fingers starting to turn from their natural hue to grey, crumbling into dust right before his eyes, until the entire arm had dissolved into nothing, leaving the demon almost whimpering, curled up against the floor, panting.
 
That grin never left Abigor's face. "Good girl," he praised.

"Now." He pulled that long coat from himself and wrapped it completely around Mina, then turned away from her and stooped in front of the ice demon. "You really must learn to take your time with your toys, child. Had you waited, and I got here sooner... you might still have your arm." He put his palm out, empty, but slowly, the doll manifested there, still with its missing arm. In the other hand, the arm manifested. He placed the arm next to the doll and used a finger to make a swiveling motion -- the arm slowly, and rather sloppily, sewing the arm back on.

Abigor stood again and tucked the thing away. "I'll still be keeping this, of course." A classy smile. "You understand, don't you?"

Finally, he turned to face the silvernette, eyes narrowed almost dangerously. He was aggravated that it was taking them so long, when in reality, it had only been a few hours. His patience was rather selective, it seemed. He clicked his tongue, eyes averting to Mina once more. "You two," he muttered, "have been such an absolute pain, it's a wonder either of you are even still alive."

---------------------------------------

Silennia had taken to leaning up against a tree trunk, but a few minutes before, her blood seemed to freeze in her veins. Abigor was close, but... not in this particular room. Sapphire met with the other demon's dark eyes, and he only smiled politely at her.

She took a few steps forward, touching the serpentine dragon lightly, which made a sound similar to a purr. However, the demon now gave her a look of sympathy, and stepped aside. Allowed through.

The girl walked the rest of the way toward the door, studying the ice that had formed on the handle. Her palm touched the flat surface, as if trying to see what was on the other side without opening it. Her other hand tightened around the handle, feeling the ice bite into her skin. Turning it slowly.

---------------------------------------

Abigor closed his eyes and tilted his head, as if listening for something behind him. Ever so slowly, a smile touched his face, and his eyes shifted once more to look at Keiran. A smirk lifted the corner of his mouth-- and that was it. Gone.

Just in time for Silennia to pull the door open and take a step inside. It closed behind her before she could realize what was happening, and who was there.

The all-too familiar scent reaching her, causing every muscle in her body to tense dangerously, narrowing her eyes at the figures a good hundred yards away. She reached her arm behind her, in search of the doorknob... and it was gone. Spinning around, she realized the door altogether wasn't there. "Son of a bitch," she spat.
 
'Good girl'

A satisfied smile tugged at the edge of her lips at the praise, much too tired to think much of it, pleased enough with the damage done to the ice demon, absently tugging the coat tighter around her as Abigor left her side.

Deikona, on the other hand, pushed himself up slightly, just as Abigor came to stoop down just before him, resisting the urge to knock that smug grin off the demon's face- after all, he didn't dare to. Not when such a precious item was in Abigor's possession. So long as that demon held the doll, Deikona had no choice but to do as commanded. Watching bitterly as that doll manifested just inches from him in that open palm.

Flinching visibly as the arm was sewed back on, grey hues shifting towards the ash that his arm had been reduced to, slowly, bit by bit restoring itself to where it had originated, until his arm was whole once more, ash hardening into what seemed to be flesh, but after seeing the nature of the demon, it left one wondering if his body could even be called that. He didn't bleed, nor did a heart beat in his chest.... no, all he had was a shell of a body. The closest thing to a 'soul' he possessed was buried deep within that doll....

A ragged, beaten thing that didn't even resemble Deikona in that least. A toy that had belong to a child centuries ago.

The demon not showing the faintest sign of surprise when Abigor whisked the doll away once more, Deikona unconsciously having reached for it. Biting down hard on the edge of his lip for a moment before he simply nodded in response.

Of course he understood.

Rising to his feet without another word, Deikona vanished from sight, not even bothering to watch Abigor leave. Still present, but the demon had lost interest in the intruders, watching silently from the shadows as he examined his newly grown arm in silence.

Within the walls, any excess ice began melting away and vanishing, holes in the floor freezing back over completely, yet leaving the two still present alone.

------------------------

Keiran finally freeing himself from the ice that held him fast, just as Abigor flashed once last smile towards him, completely disappearing from sight. The incubus kneeling beside Mina, who glanced towards him, still gripping the coat tightly around herself, her breath visible in the air as she exhaled slowly, but before either of them could speak, the sound of a door opening caught their attention.

Who?

In the dim light, it was hard to tell. Keiran slowly rising to his feet, cautious until a familiar scent reached him- causing his eyes to widen slowly, not sure if his nose deceived him or not.

Silennia.

It was unmistakable. It HAD to be her- even if the scent was choked out by a over-whelming stench of blood. Moving forward before he could even properly think of a course of action. What had been two days for him, after all, had been weeks for Silennia.

He would be a fool to believe that she was still the same woman from before... but that didn't stop him from wanting to rush to her and take her into his arms. After all, Keiran had thought of nothing but her since the moment she'd been taken from his side.... but...

What if this was a trap.

The thought didn't even cross his mind until he was already half-way across the room, coming to a stop as the idea occurred to him. Hesitant, until finally, he called out to her, "Silennia....?"
 
No.

No no no no no no no.

NO.

Silennia heard the footsteps, but ignored them to frantically feel around the wall. No no no no no no no. Nothing. There wasn't a door in sight. Her breathing had picked up, and her heart was slamming against her rib cage in a way that made it harder to focus.

'Silennia?' That voice. Had it ever sounded so perfect before?

Slowly, she turned, and set her eyes onto that marvelous face. Studying him with her lips parted, almost panting from how hard her heart was beating. Before, when she'd killed the demons, they only sounded like him and felt like him. How did Abigor expect her to defeat this one when it was a perfect specimen, that she could see?

Her back was pressed against the wall, but at least this creature had stopped walking when it said her name. It gave her a chance to collect her thoughts.

So badly, she wanted this to really be Keiran. There was an ache deep into the core of her bones from missing him, but at this point, she understood that everything within Abigor's realm was a trick. Some kind of test. No, this was not Keiran. A high-ranking demon, perhaps, because she could feel power emanating from him. But could a higher-ranking demon pull off to be his doppelganger so efficiently?

Since she'd been stowed away into this realm, she'd never started the fights. They always came to her, with soothing words and warm touches. Promises that were never intended to be kept. And each time, she felt as though a little piece of herself was broken off and burned, slowly becoming numb to the idea of silencing that beautiful voice and overwhelming his scent with the stench of decaying blood.

She wasn't sure if she could do it anymore.

If her instincts hadn't shifted into autopilot, she was sure to have had a nervous breakdown right there. Air didn't seem to come fast enough, and her heart was skipping several beats, making her rather dizzy. Yet her body refused to let her focus on anything but defending itself. And this demon would, without a doubt, pose a threat to her.

But what was she going to do? Even when she dared to look away from him, she couldn't find a single door anywhere. Deep down, she felt as though Abigor were forcing her to come to terms with the fact that she would always be in danger, and that she would always have to find the means to protect herself, even against those she had ultimately given her heart to. Was that what all of this was about? The ultimate survival test? Secluding yourself from any feeling, for protection purposes only?

It seems he's forgotten that his blood isn't the only kind that runs through these veins.

She didn't have to be an expert on her mother's kind to know that they craved warmth and affection. Trust and honor was what kept them going. In a fleeting thought, she secretly wished that her true form revealing itself had killed her. It was a desperate thought, and one that shocked her when it sank in. This demon, now roughly fifty yards away, would kill her. Her spirit was strong and willing to fight, but her body was simply too tired and too weak. Her wings were not allowed to reveal themselves, and so it were as if the other half of herself that made her strongest was being subdued. Sedated. Only with both halves -- demon and Valkyrie -- could she be at her strongest.

Something shimmered, then, behind Keiran, against the far wall. Another door. Dark, polished cherry maple, with an antique brass knob. The only thing that stood between her and it was this figure. But wait... there was someone behind him... a flash of red? The other figure was much further away, and wrapped in what seemed to be a cloak.

It didn't matter. She had to get to that door. She wasn't going to stand here and wait for this other being to attack her. It was best, she realized, if she just accepted her fate head-on, and if she died in the process... so be it. She would defend herself until she no longer could, until every ounce of will and strength was sapped from the farthest corners of her body.

Sapphire clashed with gold, jaw taut, as she went step-by-step toward Keiran.

Absolutely refusing to believe for a single second that it was really him. It would be easier that way, if it came to killing him.
 
It WAS her. In the flesh herself. Even covered head to toe in blood, even with that look on her face- those eyes that peered at him in a way he'd never seen her look at him before.... no, he knew with every fiber of his being that this figure before him was indeed Silennia.

Not even concerned any longer about the demon who had retreated into the shadows, forgetting that ever-watchful eye on him as Keiran held his ground for a moment.

-------------------------

Deikona tilting his head slightly with a small smirk. What was that boy waiting for? Already, he could tell that the newcomer had made her mind up. Whether the young demon could tell or not would be his own fault. She was ready to fight. To kill, if need-be. Even a fool could see that upon her blood-stained face... but, ah.... what was it that they said about 'love' being blind?

The thought almost made him laugh, keeping his silence as he stayed completely still upon his perch. Deikona wouldn't interfere, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't at least enjoy the show. Oh, how delightful this was going to be. Already, he could see how the incubus lowered his guard.

Fool.

------------------------

"Silennia?" Still, she offered him no answer. No words. Only that chilling glare, meeting her gaze as she began to walk towards him.

"Silennia... what have they done to you?" Stepping towards her, he couldn't stand it any longer, unable to resist keeping his distance any longer, and as he reached her, he didn't act out of aggression... no, his arms opened towards her, as if to wrap her into his arms. Wanting nothing more than to be sure that this was really her- to comfort her...

To take her home.

... but

Nothing was ever quite that simple, now was it?
 
Bare feet sank into snow, which only seemed to be along the walls for several feet. The rest was just... ice. Absolutely desolate. Everything was various shades of light blues and blinding white. She, with black hair and smeared with blood, stuck out like a sore thumb amid the chaotic peace.

'What have they done to you?' Silennia's face twisted just slightly into grief, and she seemed to stumble slightly on her own feet. Never coming to a full stop as she made her way toward him. She was growing more anxious and nervous with each step, and her body was so tense that it was nearly difficult to move in the first place. This is not Keiran. This is not Keiran. This is not Keiran.

With that dead expression on her face, she breathed a curt laugh. What have they done to me? Ten feet away. What haven't they done to me?

He was moving, coming into her direction as she was coming to his, and suddenly his arms out, fingers brushing against the sides of her arms.

Sapphire turned deep purple in a fraction of a second, and in the same amount of time, her nails grew out thick, long and sharp. Her right hand grabbed his left wrist, ducking beneath his arm and forcing it behind him before brutally slamming him face-first into the ice, hearing a satisfactory pop noise as his shoulder joint was forced from its socket. With her right hand still tightly holding onto his wrist, she used her left to cup his throat and begin tearing her claws into the beautiful flesh there, trying to slit his throat from behind and pushing her knee into the center of his back for leverage.

"I'm not playing his games anymore you fucking parasite," she hissed into his ear. "Oh I'll hand it to you though, you're good. To be able to pull off such a look, I almost believed that it was really him." She laughed, and it resembled an insane sound. "But I'm just a child, so naive to the ways of the world, forced to learn them, to sit and rot and fight for my life every waking moment, for nearly three weeks." Her claws dug deeper into the tender flesh, curling her fingers a bit to do more damage.
 
For just a moment there, he had hoped that it wouldn't come down to this. As soon as he'd touched her, despite the gentleness of the touch, she'd turned on him. Golden hues widening just slightly as she caught him by the wrist, spotting the purple hue in her gaze moments too late-

Finding himself slammed against the ice, disoriented for a moment, hissing in pain as his shoulder popped at the abuse, but he'd certainly had worse in the past. It wasn't until he felt her claws at his throat that he realized just how serious his situation had suddenly become.

She was trying to kill him.

Silennia thought he was a imposter. The thought stirring a sense of rage in the core of his stomach, and abruptly, before he could even really think, his free arm caught hold of the nearest part of her body he could gasp, ripping her other leg clean out from under her as he threw her off, those claws cutting even deeper in the process, but he was free, bright crimson dripping across the snow as he moved. She'd nearly ripped his throat open entirely, a choking sound emitting from him, but already, the lesser parts of the damage were already healing.

Taking advantage quickly of Silennia's slip up, he came down on her before she could pounce on him again, black tendrils of energy manifesting from a smoke-like substance that seeped from Keiran's body, moving on their own seemingly as they snaked around Silennia's ankles and wrists. Not seeking to harm her- rather, it was a attempt to restrain her.

Whether or not it would hold, however, was to be seen.

Would it calm her? Only a idiot would think that. It was only a natural response to fight back when restrained, after all... but choice did he have? He refused to inflict actual harm upon her.

---------------------

Across the room, Mina hadn't even budged, still shivering, but the scent of blood tickled her nose, dragging her out of the daze she'd slipped into, lifting her head up slowly. The chill in the room getting to her. Cupping her hands together, she trembled, nursing a tiny flame there in her palms, perhaps only a mere centimeter in height. Pathetic.

She couldn't help Keiran. No, not this time.

Trying to stand, her legs felt weak, swaying on them slightly, taking a few steps in Keiran's direction, but she didn't make it far before she sank back down to her knees, cupping the flame near her chest. She had to get out of this cold. There was no denying that, but...

Glancing around, there was only one door out. Leaving Keiran behind was out of the question, but what good was she like this? Across the room, Keiran was struggling with Silennia, the scent of his blood quickly filling the room.
 
Even as Silennia felt herself being pulled, she was satisfied with the amount of blood that had began dripping from the wound on his neck. It all happened so fast. Something clamping down on her leg, swinging her around. Trying to catch her breath from the impact of hitting the ground as Keiran came down on top of her. Whispy tendrils of something binding her legs. "Get OFF OF ME." She kicked at him, though it was absolutely useless with those tendrils keeping her in place.

She decided to use them to her advantage and arched her knee, which scooted her body further underneath him. Her elbow jerked up suddenly, catching him in the jaw, and her other hand dug deep into the flesh of his arm, managing to pull him at least halfway off of her. Now that there was a slight opening, she reached down and sliced at the tendrils. Nothing happened. A sort of screech came from deep in her chest, and she moved at them again. In the course of a second or two, she finally got the smoke to dissipate, but she'd broken into a sweat with such effort.

Stupid, she thought. Using a good portion of the remaining energy she had left for something as simple as shadow bindings. Immediately, she sprung to her feet and quickly put a few feet in between herself and Keiran, though never turning her back on him. Standing between him and Mina, who she didn't deem as a threat. The succubus wasn't putting off enough energy for Silennia to worry about her becoming a nuisance. With a quick glance behind her, she took note that the door was still nearly a football field away.

Her dark gaze flickered to Keiran once more, turning just slightly so that both he and the door were in her peripheral vision. Constantly looking from the two, back and forth, and trying to decide if she should make a run for it. It seemed cowardly, but this demon was strong. She knew that if he wanted her dead at this very second, she would be dead. He seemed to be putting no effort into hurting, or even restraining her. Most likely to toy with her until she was no longer able to defend herself. Most of the demons in this realm were sick like that. Typically the more powerful ones had such insane and gruesome fetishes.

One final look at Keiran, and she spun on her heel and bolted for it. If only she could get inside the next room and close the door, so that by the time this doppelganger got there, he wouldn't be able to find her. The doors never opened to the same room twice. He'd be forced to start hunting again.

Silennia stumbled, unable to feel anything from her knees down because of the cold, and though she tried to regain her footing, she ended up tripping over her own feet and rolling a few yards before coming to rest on her back, gasping for air. Her head turned slightly to locate the door, and it seemed about twenty yards away. Just get up...

That task, however, seemed impossible. Her body felt as if it weighed several tons, and when she sat up, she merely collapsed back into a small pile of snow again. A raspy noise rose from her chest with each breath as if she'd been running nonstop for days. Stars swam in her vision again. Just get to the door... Again, Silennia sat up, but this time, instead of trying to stand, she -- pitifully -- crawled. Moisture welled in her eyes. She'd fought so hard, for so long, just to be killed like this. In such a cold place. Instinct gave way to exhaustion, and again she collapsed. Allowing every bit of anxiety and fear to consume her. She curled into the fetal position, there in the snow, and screamed out once, as if to relieve the intense buildup of emotions that were pulsing through her like acid.

Let it be quick. Please just let it be quick.
 
She was going to run- Keiran could see it in her eyes, the way her gaze flickered back and forth rapidly. Silennia was strong, he knew. He didn't doubt that in the slightest... but Silennia had been at this for weeks. In comparison, she didn't stand a chance against him like this. His body still humming with energy that he had sapped from Silennia herself before they had been separated- It coursed through his veins like a wildfire, the skin at his throat closing bit by bit.

Waiting for her to make the next move. Keiran had come too close to let her slip away. He wasn't leaving this place without her. One way or another, even if he had to drag her out, he was taking her back with him.

When she spun on her heel, Keiran was after her immediately, running past Mina, who was still knelt down in the snow, struggling to stay warm. He would come back for her, surely... but for now, he couldn't afford to allow Silennia to slip out of his sight, seeing her slip on the snow just ahead of him, struggling to get back up, but he could clearly see that she was spent.

Exhausted.

His runs slowing down into a walk, the snow crunching beneath his feet, coming to a complete stop there at her side as she had curled into a ball, screaming out. His expression softening at the sight.

With a smooth motion, he came to kneel beside her, despite her earlier attack, pulling her up out of the snow and almost forcively wrapping her in his arms, not allowing her to pull away, not caring that she was covered in blood, resting his cheek against the top of her head as he just held her tightly, his throat finally healing enough for him to rasp out, "Silennia, it's me... it's really me." His hands caught the sides of her face, making her look up to meet his gaze, only to wrap her tight in his arms once more, "Shhhh, it's me."

Would she believe him? Would she lash out again?

Was she even capable of fighting at this point? She was exhausted, completely drained. Rising to his feet slowly, lifting her up, cautious of her lashing out like before- but it was a risk he was willing to take, looking back to where Mina was. She'd risen to her feet once more, making her way slowly towards Keiran. The red head eventually reaching him, despite her slow progress. Having time to look around now, Keiran could clearly see there was only one way out of this room. His sibling letting out a groan, seeing how much farther they still had to walk- Mina couldn't bear another moment of this cold, ice crystals visible in her hair from water freezing in it, her hands trembling, despite the flame that flickered there, still attempting to create some source of heat.

"W, we... have to leave, Keiran.... I, I can't s, stand this cold another minute..."
 
A crunching noise. His shadow looming over her, then shrinking as he knelt. That one final scream, almost like a battlecry, took the rest of her strength. She slapped his hands away once, but after that, understood that it was no use. Warmth flooded through her when he pulled her into his arms, and his hands were there again, cupping her face, forcing her gaze to meet his. Purple had turned sapphire, and even that color seemed to look chalky and faded out. Seeing him, but not really seeing.

Then she was in his arms again, warm and safe.

No, not safe. She struggled to keep her eyes open, but it wasn't a simple feat. He was lifting her, suddenly, and she had to blink a few times to process that he was carrying her. A female voice, stuttering from the cold. They needed to leave..? Silennia turned her head slightly to try and get a glimpse of the other person, and saw a flash of red. Could that possibly be Mina? She called him Keiran... and it certainly looked like Mina... but there was no telling how far Abigor would go to make her feel safe before she'd have to defend herself again.

After a few more seconds, her mind clouded over, and she rested her head against Keiran's shoulder without any struggle against him. Even if the creature would later harm her, it wouldn't hurt to believe that she was safe and protected in his arms for a little while, would it? Slowly, with each step Keiran took, she relaxed a bit more. The last time she opened her eyes, Mina was in clear view, and Silennia reached out to touch her hair, just letting it drift between her fingers. "Mina." She said the name softly, and laughed quietly afterwards -- pulling her arm back against her chest.

The slightest feeling of guilt rising up her throat from the damage she'd done to Keiran. Almost ready to accept the fact that it was really him, but not quite letting herself.

----------------------------------------

How long had it been since Keiran and Mina had left? An hour? Possibly less.

Leghadema looked to Adriel. "They have her," she said quietly. "They're all... safe. So far. Even Mina." She wasn't going to add that the succubus was practically frozen. Obviously a father didn't want to hear that about his daughter.

It was just a matter of time before they could figure out a way to get out of the realm. Leghadema wasn't even sure how they got in to begin with.
 
Nodding in agreement, Keiran continued walking towards that door, having made it a habit to hesitate before twisting the knob, pushing against it slightly with no luck- frozen shut, it seemed. Though, before he could try adding more force, Mina's hand caught his shoulder, pulling him to the side as she abruptly kicked it open, not even caring what was on the other side as she staggered through.

Thankfully, the room was unoccupied, only a few pieces of furniture- A bed, and some end-tables. On the walls were minor decorations, but nothing of real interest. A fire place set into the wall on the right side of the room, with a few pieces of wood inside the firebox already, half burned from a time when someone else had been here.

Very gently, Keiran set Silennia down, sitting beside her as he smoothed raven strands back from her face, smiling softly for a moment until a delighted gasp drew his attention- Mina having noticed the fire place over towards the far left of the room, empty, but that didn't stop Mina from kneeling down before it, still cupping that flame against her chest as she extended her hands forth, letting it flicker and shift out of the palms of her hands into the firebox. Watching as it greedily crawled across the few bits of wood still laying there.

A content smile tugging at the edges of Mina's lips as she more or less curled up on the hearth, closing her eyes. Fully intending to sleep right there beside the fire. Ice slowly melting out of her hair, her cheeks red with frostbite that was already healing.

By time Keiran had left Silennia's side to check on his sister, having found some spare pillows and blankets stashed away beneath the bed, she was already sound asleep, curled underneath the coat that Abigor had left her with, using it as a blanket. The silvernette reaching to pull it away to replace it with a blanket, but as he did so, her fingers tightened on it, refusing to let him have it. Causing him to sigh in annoyance, leaving it and laying the blanket on top of her. Lifting her head just slightly as he slipped one of the spare pillows under it, finally sliding her away from the hearth enough that he at least wouldn't have to worry about her blanket catching fire.

Not that it would bother her much.

-------------------------------------------

Despite his earlier reaction, Adriel had fallen silent over the last hour. Staring out the window, seemingly deep in thought... or worried sick. Not even acknowledging Leghadema despite his earlier interest in her. Not until finally, the silence was broken.

"They have her. They're all... safe. So far. Even Mina."

For a moment, there was absolutely no reaction to her words, then, finally, crimson hues flickered towards the Valkyrie, tilting his head just slightly as he finally spoke, "I have no doubt in her ability to survive... rather..." He laughed softly, "It's her judgement I don't have faith in."

So Keiran had found Silennia already. Surprising, given the boy's ignorance to his own kind. It was like tossing a fat house cat into the alley full of strays- Almost amusing, had the boy's recent life choice not dragged Mina into this entire fiasco. Just when Adriel felt that it couldn't get worse, the girl managed to throw herself right into the middle of all the action... and for what? Keiran's sake? Was she really so attached to her sibling?

And all of this because of one simple girl.

"That daughter of yours is quite troublesome, Leghadema."
 
Damien was leaning against his kitchen counter, drinking a bourbon, and chuckled darkly at Adriel's words. "Quite troublesome," he sighed. Smiling. "Such an unforgiving understatement."

Leghadema's eyes narrowed. "If you hadn't agreed to help him, Damien, this wouldn't have--"

"If I hadn't agreed to help him, I would be dead," he cut her off. "Demon code, Leghadema. You save yourself before others."

This time the Valkyrie stood, making her way over to him. Her eyes flashed, wings fluttering open, and a dark hue seemed to surround her. "You agreed to his terms when she was a baby, Damien. Two months old. That isn't demon code. That's--"

"THAT'S LIFE, LEGHADEMA. You may have stayed in your own personal heaven with your nose stuck in the air, but I was here, with the threat of him looming over me every day, having to watch a little girl grow up into a beautiful woman just to send her off with some parasitic filth so she can develop the power to kill me if she ever finds out. Do you think that's something I wanted?"

He choked out suddenly, being slammed into his granite counter top. It crumbled at the force, forcing the breath out of him as Leghadema held him there, a knife pressed into his throat, cutting open the flesh but not deep enough to let him bleed out. "You have no idea what it's like," she spat. Her eyes were glossy with emotion. "No idea what it's like to grow someone, to be forced away from her, to watch her live in the very last thing she deserves. To be forced into having nothing to do with her, to be BANISHED from your own home for wanting to be a parent."

Damien leaned against the knife, just inches away from the Valkyrie's face. "You agreed, too, remember?" he hissed. "That day you went searching for that stolen soul. You were trapped, weren't you?" The hand that held the knife began to tremble, and he grabbed her wrist. "You were foolish to go into his realm. You should have known something was wrong the instant you were able to go in, because your kind, they have to be invited, don't they?"

Tears were running down her face. "I thought it was a mista--"

"You thought," he interrupted her again. "See, that's what got you in trouble. You creatures, you weren't meant to think. You were meant to follow orders. Do what you're supposed to do without questioning it. And you didn't report it, didn't report a prince of Hell 'accidentally' taking a soul that belonged to the Valkyrie."

She knew it made sense. Wanted to deny it with every fiber of her being. The truth was roughly being pushed into her face, although she lived with her mistake every year. Just as with Hell, her realm, Valhalla, the time flowed differently there. She'd suffered longer than Abigor had, time-wise, in the length she wasn't able to see her daughter. Leghadema still remembered the pain she'd gone through during birth. She truly thought she would die. How long it lasted, and then a child, a little girl, so tiny, being placed into her arms. How worried she'd been when Silennia didn't feed for almost twenty-four hours, not knowing that it was normal for newborns to not be hungry for that amount of time directly after birth.

And, most clearly, she remembered when she was forced to give Silennia away. Watching Richard find her -- he was healthy, then, with a lovely wife, and they had a magnificent home. When his wife died, however, he went into turmoil. Leghadema knew that if Silennia had not come into their lives, he would have killed himself. But that little girl with jet-black hair and bright blue eyes saved him, as she was meant to. It was what her soul demanded she do, and she didn't even know it yet at such a young age. She developed natural talents, in the way she could interact with people, make them feel better, even help physically heal them. There wasn't a single person that loathed being around her, because she made them feel as though a light had flickered to life inside of them. The Valkyrie part of her surged from the very start.

It was the demon within her that waited. Lurked. Taking advantage of her during her most vulnerable time so that she would be more willing to accept it. As is the way of the demons.

"You could have refused him," Damien said quietly. "It would have taken your life, but you could have done it."

Leghadema backed off of him slightly with a sad smile. "That's where you're utterly wrong," she murmured. "Once I grant one wish, I have no choice but to grant the rest. Our... whatever keeps me going, keeps my kind going, it's like a spell. We cannot simply abandon it or kill ourselves after the deal was struck. Only after. And the deal we made..." She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor, knife still in hand. "Was an insurance policy on his behalf. I granted him two wishes, simple things that I laughed at for the time being. A kiss was the first wish. It seemed so silly. He was so charming. The second was..." she paused, having difficulty remembering. "A fire," she continued. "He said, 'It's rather cold in here, don't you think? I wish to have a fire, there in the hearth.' I could never have known that he was setting me up. And then he stated his third wish. And the policy of it was, I carry the child. Deliver it. Not allowed to harm myself. Reside only where I belong for the entire pregnancy. The terms were so specific. After the birth, I was free to do whatever I wanted, so long as it didn't involve the child. But carrying her for so long... there's no way I could leave her on her own. I knew she'd need me one day, if she were to fend off some of his darkness." She closed her eyes. "And now we're here."

------------------------------------------

Silennia was unconscious when Keiran set her down, and stayed that way, though she did seemed to breathe more deeply once the room began to warm up a bit. She looked absolutely disgusting, with dry and slightly-damp blood still covering her from head to toe, but in the past few weeks she'd gotten used to sleeping in such a state.

Hours later her eyes opened drowsily, feeling as if she'd been drugged -- but really, it was just her body's response of being deprived of any sort of proper rest for so long. It was easy to find Mina, curled up against the fire. Keiran, however, wasn't in her immediate line of sight. Silennia had his scent, though. It was close to her. She turned her head just slightly, watching the room turn fuzzy, fading in and out of shadows. Blinking harder a few times to try and clear her vision, but it didn't do much good. Finally catching sight of another form, her eyes growing wide, all senses on high alert.

Her heart beat faster, causing her to cough, and she moved opposite the figure, sluggishly, mostly just feeling around for the side of the bed so that she could sit up and get away from it. Her attempt was mostly futile, however, as starting to sit up made the room spin, and her head just fell back onto the pillows; burying her face in them with her fingers clenching into fists around the blankets.

The atmosphere in the room was so calm that she didn't have a choice but to let her tensed muscles melt into the comfort of the bed, even slowly relaxing her hands. Safe. She was safe. The past weeks of Abigor's torment simply made her question everything around her, and it would take longer than just a few hours for her to break of that habit. Even though she mostly believed the Keiran near her was the real one, half of her wanted to be as far away from him as possible, while the other half only wanted to sleep in his arms.

Fighting with herself seemed to be a common problem since meeting the incubus.
 
With little interest in others troubles, Adriel observed the entire ordeal. Almost amused by the violence, for once not being involved as the two argued- blaming one another and revealing betrayals , not even moving a muscle until finally, with a irritated sigh, he rose to his feet, "I've heard about enough. Bickering about this doesn't change anything." He commented, about to say more, but before he could, a grimace crossed his face.

Sensing her before anyone ever even seen her, slinking in through the door way, draped in black, laughing softly as her fingers traced the door frame, violet hues nearly glowing in the shadow cast by the hood she wore, seeming quite out of place in this modern age. As if she'd simply walked straight out of the middle ages, "Oh, let them argue a little more, Adriel." She purred, "I would like to hear more."

Stepping beside the red angel, Vermina ran her fingertips along his shoulder as she passed him, not even seeming concerned when he shrugged her touch away, the tension between the two quite clear... but her focus wasn't on the red angel. No, her gaze had locked onto Damien. Having eavesdropped long enough to hear most of his argument with Leghadema.

"Tell me, Damien, is it? Of course it's Damien~"

Grinning a little, she pulled the hood back from her face, never once blinking nor breaking her gaze upon him as she asked her question, "Was my only male heir specifically picked out for this pathetic science project of Abigor's?" Her lip curled slightly as she practically spat the demon's name, as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Adriel might not care about your actions unintentionally endangering his stupid little Mina... but, I am not Adriel. When certain... life-choices of a coward come to directly affect a bloodline that I have spent centuries perfecting at my own expenses, then it leaves me quite.... vexed."

Were Leghadema not there, it would have been safe to assume that by now, Vermina would have crossed the room to knock Damien around a bit, eying him as if he was a insignificant insect who's very existence annoyed her, hissing lowly beneath her breath, "Don't lie to me. I'll know. You won't even have to worry about the Valkyrie slicing your head off anymore~ I'll do it for her gladly~ Oh what a honor it would be. Vermina herself, stepping out of the shadows- just to slice YOUR little head off- Oh, but that would be far too quick...! After all, I hate lying pests."

--------------------------------------------

Beside Silennia, Keiran was sound asleep, laying quite close, having shifted closer to her in his sleep than when he had first layed down. His earlier injuries healed, yet stains of blood could still be seen- minor in comparison to Silennia's injuries and state, however. Sleeping with unease. After all, the atmosphere itself felt different here. The air felt heavy to him- sensitive to energies as he was. It was beyond disorienting to the incubus. Accustomed to the much lighter feel of the mortal realm. It was as if the air it self felt heavy.

How Mina managed to keep her wits about her was a marvel- truly.

Crimson hues opening slightly, hardly having moved over the last few hours, basking in the heat that radiated out, the hearth toasty at this point. It was a good feeling, and she stretched out, rolling out from under the blanket and sitting up, her eyes closing once more, sleep threatening to overtake her again. Her head drooping slightly before snapping back awake.

How long had she been asleep?

Glancing across the room, she could see Keiran sound asleep, relaxing a bit. They were still in Abigor's lair, it seemed. A familiar scent teasing her senses, sweet and intoxicating, a soft groan escaping her- where-?

Having shrugged the blankets off, her gaze came to rest upon the coat, her jaw tightening- suddenly remembering what had happened, almost feeling disgusted that she had curled up and went to sleep with it. The Hell Prince's scent still strong on it- it was maddening almost.

Mina's gaze narrowing at it as she abruptly tossed it into the fireplace.
 
Leghadema stood in one fluid motion upon sensing Vermina, though she wasn't directly aware of who the woman was at first. The air was so thick with tension that it was suddenly hard to breathe.

Damien stood his ground. He recognized the presence immediately, and it most certainly wasn't welcome within his home. This wasn't his true form, but even that was no match against the ancient succubus. "Your son," he started, "was one of seven different candidates." He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away the blood from his now-healed throat wound, examining it before tossing it onto the counter top. "The first man was Charles." He held up one finger on his left hand, as if for all to see. "He quite loved his alcohol. Even went to the back and bought a few tabs of ecstasy. Silennia brushed him off, and asked a fellow worker to handle him for her."

He walked over to Leghadema and pulled the knife gently from her hand and laid it into his sink. "The second one, Xander," now he held up two fingers, facing away from the rest of them as he rinsed the knife, "couldn't stop noticing how much better other men were compared to himself. Always wanting one of their features, whether it be their skin or hair. Again, she brushed him off."

He turned to face Vermina once more. "Third," now holding three fingers on his left hand, "was Thadeus, and he started a fight less than five minutes after he walked into the door." Damien continued putting fingers up as he counted. "Fourth, Jaxon. He looked somber, wouldn't smile, wouldn't even talk to anyone. Brushed off. Fifth, Ayden, who was absolutely full of himself, bragging about wealth and looks and how many women he'd been with. Then, along came number six." His eyes watched Vermina carefully. "Keiran. Looking at Silennia as if she were sex on legs. Number one, gluttony. Number two, envy. Number three, wrath. Number four, sloth. Number five, pride. And number six... lust." He felt as though he didn't need to say anymore for them to understand that she was being tested with the Seven Deadly Sins.

"Keiran was, in a way, chosen," Damien stated. "But not by Abigor, or anyone else in specific for that matter. The demons were drawn here for a reason known only to them, though none of them quite understand it. The only one left was greed, but after she accepted Keiran, there was no need for him to show himself. He probably doesn't even know why he came looking from halfway around the world, wherever he was, just to feel as though he didn't need to be there anymore. Keiran had, in his own way, claimed her, the very first time he looked at her."

---------------------------------------

Silennia had relaxed enough to pull her face from the pillows and look around. Mina was active by then, and Silennia almost laughed upon seeing Mina throw the coat into the fireplace.

Abigor would have specifically put this room there for the odd trio to crash. A door was on the other side of the room, cracked just a bit to show that it wasn't an exit, but simply another small room attached to this one. She slid from the bed, eyeing Keiran's sleeping form as she went around, and peeked into the new room. A toilet and a sink. How disappointing.

She didn't close the door -- learning her lesson from being here so long -- as she turned the faucet on and waited for warm water to spill out, washing the blood off of her face and completely submerging her head under the flow of water. What came off of her was a deep rust in color, and the blood came out in thick, cracked pieces. She'd been covered in the substance so long that she knew she'd be able to sleep with it still there, but it still felt nice to be somewhat clean. Rinsing her arms in the sink as well, splashing the stained water all over the place. For several long minutes, she studied herself in the mirror. Pink scars, still fading, ran along her flesh everywhere. Her face, neck, chest, arms... there wasn't enough room to try and wipe down her legs, so she didn't bother.

Finally, Silennia trudged back into the room, holding her arms tightly against herself. Just watching Keiran sleep for a few minutes before she sat on the edge of the bed opposite him, closest to the fireplace, keeping her feet flat on the floor, just a few feet away from Mina. Feeling safer with the succubus for the moment than she did with Keiran.
 
"... I see."

Damien's answer seemed to please her. That hard gaze that had rested upon his back finally shifting away as a smile danced upon dark-painted lips, "He saw something he couldn't resist. Such is the nature of our kind..." She mused, circling around Adriel again, her arms coiling around his neck from behind, "... we move from lover to lover without care until we find something we absolutely must have." Laughing a little when Adriel once more pulled away from her, turning on her this time, his jaw tightening- eying her with what could only be described as pure hate. A silent warning for her to keep her distance.

Violet shimmering with amusement for just a moment before she sneered, "Even if it refuses us."

Turning away, she headed for the door, once more pulling her hood up, "Thank you, that's all I needed to know." She remarked, and with that, as quickly as she had crept in, she was gone. As if she had never been there in the first place. Leaving Adriel to finally relax now that she had departed. Just her very presence being enough to sicken the air in her taint.

Why she focused so much on 'improving' her race was beyond him. It was undeniable that her efforts showed- Keiran was living proof of that. He was flawless compared to lesser incubi... even if lacking in his abilities to put such genetic advantage to good use... But, even so, surely she hadn't gone through such trouble to simply ask a question and leave so quickly- had she? How annoyingly unpredictable she was.

It made her dangerous.

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Watching the article of clothing burn, Mina turned her head slightly, hearing someone get out of bed, and as she looked up, she smiled warmly as she seen Silennia slip into the bathroom for a moment, shifting her gaze back to the fire for now. She was still tired, but in this place, proper rest wasn't a option. How Keiran could sleep without disturbance was remarkable- or pathetic. She couldn't help but wonder just how far he would have made it on his own.....

Quickly deciding that it wasn't something she wanted to ponder on for long, tilting her head a little when after a while Silennia returned, cleaned up and looking considerably better. The red haired succubus turning over towards her, laying flat against the floor on her belly, speaking in a hushed voice so that she didn't disturb Keiran, "It's good to see you again, Silennia."

She wanted to distract herself from thinking of the Hell prince- feeling that pull that seemed to drag through her guts, craving him.

A desire Mina had no interest in pursuing if she could help it.

"Feeling okay?"
 
Damien didn't say anything after Vermina left, but Leghadema looked rather upset. She stood and walked down a hall, slamming a door shut behind her. The sound of a lock clicking into place. She'd heard enough for one day.

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Silennia smiled slightly at Mina. "Yeah. You too." Her tone matched Mina's, but when asked if she was feeling okay, she slid down onto the floor with her back against the side of the bed, playing with her fingers. It took a few minutes before she finally answered. "I really don't know." She stared at the fire, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms tightly around them. "I've been blind for almost three weeks. Whatever happened... it took my sight. Or Abigor did. And having to fight every day, without being able to see..." She chewed her lip.

Anxiety began to creep along her spine. "He made them sound like... like Keiran. Made them smell like him. Feel like him. I was essentially having to kill him, every day." Her voice was so soft that she wasn't even sure Mina could hear her, and eventually buried her face in the spot between her chest and knees. She looked... broken. That last attack to Keiran took the rest out of her. She couldn't do it anymore. "I don't even know if this is real," she whispered. "He's been playing with my mind, getting in my head. I can't trust anything. I can't trust anyone."

Silennia felt utterly trapped. Never before had she felt so utterly useless, so hopeless. Before, when she attacked Keiran, she wanted to live. Now that he was asleep on the bed, she very much wanted to cease her existence. It was too painful, too hard to go through. There were too many questions. She couldn't even bring herself to climb back onto the bed.
 
Still stretched out on her belly, Mina listened intently, frowning slightly to see the girl in such shape. Silennia didn't deserve this... but, then again, no one ever asked for the things that were thrust upon them. It didn't matter what place, time, or even species... no, nothing was easy, was it? Finding herself crawling closer to Silennia, very gently pulling her into her arms, "Don't worry..." She muttered, "I brought Keiran in here, and I plan to get the both of you out."

A promise.

The hug was gentle and brief, letting go as she gave Silennia her space once more, understanding the state they had found her in now. To go from living life as a normal human only to find out that she want anything BUT normal... to be dragged into this place, alone and scared... to be tormented with hallucinations and tricked time and time again... Mina understood very clearly. Anyone else would have been left in a similar state. Or dead.

Crimson hues flickering back towards the fire that still burned brightly, the article of clothing that she had tossed in being reduced to nothing more than a pile of ash at this point in time. Good.

Behind the two, Keiran rolled over, letting out a soft groan before falling silent once more. Mina laughing softly, "He's practically useless at times." She mused, shaking her head a bit and then resting her chin against the tops of her knees, sitting beside Silennia. Pondering their next course of action. Entering a demon realm was never quite as easy as leaving. She'd known that when she'd insisted that she come along... but until now, she hadn't even given it a moment of thought.

... but she was determined.
 
Silennia smiled lightly at Mina, though she still tensed when embraced. Glad that it was brief... but even moreso that Mina had embraced her to begin with. Her gaze flickered toward Keiran at his groan, and she couldn't help but to smile again. "He was so protective," she said softly. "I suppose there comes a point where someone acts without really thinking about it." Silennia looked to Mina once again. "If he'd come here alone..." She didn't have to finish the sentence. Genuinely feeling as though Keiran wouldn't have survived -- or, if he did, he'd be absolutely mangled -- without Mina's help.

Already it was becoming easier to talk about him as if none of the events from the past weeks hadn't happened. Mina so close to her allowed her to feel more protected and safe. Silennia nodded toward the fireplace, having seen the remnants of the coat flicker into flame. "What was that?"

"An absolute waste, is what that was," Abigor said from just behind Mina. His presence was masked completely. It were as if he weren't even in the room with them.

Silennia rose to strike him so suddenly that he wasn't able to catch her wrist; clawed fingers raking across his face, dark crimson blooming in her wake. He didn't flinch.

"Now now," he scolded. Amusement danced in his eyes. He was speaking so softly that she had to strain to hear him. Sapphire shifting toward where Keiran lay on the bed once before training back onto her sire.

The open flesh stitched itself together, only leaving the wetness of blood. "That was one of my favorite coats. Had I known you were just going to burn it, I would've let you freeze, Mina." He caught the succubus' chin in his hand. "I'll make you pets a little deal." Leaning down, his lips just barely brushed over hers. "I allow your little brother and Silennia to exit my realm of fun... so long as you stay to play." He released her face, and looked to Silennia before nodding at where Keiran lay.

"Are you so sure that this one is real?" A wicked smile, and he was gone. His blood staining Silennia's fingertips. She stood absolutely still, as if frozen to the spot. Only her eyes moving, staring at Mina.
 
For a moment, Mina almost forgot the danger of this place, feeling at peace there beside Silennia, smiling gently. Everything felt just as it should be, still eying the ashes in the fire when Silennia questioned her about it. About to open her mouth to speak when abruptly, that peace was shattered. ''An absolute waste, is what that was,' A chill ran down her spine as she spun around at the painfully familiar voice, a hiss slipping from her lips as her veins burned hot, fire rippling along her skin in a burst, Acting purely on instinct, her heart having jumped several paces.

... but it was Silennia who struck, slicing her claws across Abigor's face as Mina found her own strike hesitating the moment she recognized him. Her hand raised in mid-strike, claws curved outwards, but yet, she couldn't land that blow. Her head being tilted upward as Abigor caught her chin in his hand. Not even realizing that she held her breath, as if terrified to breathe his scent, her hand falling uselessly to her side.

She hated him. Hated the way he made her feel. How her own body refused to obey her when in his presence...

Unable to help but look into his eyes, biting down hard into her own lip until blood trickled from the corner. Inhaling sharply when he leaned in so close, his scent assaulting her. Tormenting her- She wanted to drown in him for all eternity.
Choking out in horror as that thought tore into her head, she attempted to reel back away from him, not wanting to hear the words that reached her ears. He wanted her in exhange for Silennia and Keiran.

Being released from his grip, she staggered back, letting loose a howl of rage as she struck out at him- only to see him disappear right before her eyes yet again, her hand passing through Abigor as he vanished all together. Leaving her standing there- trembling. Such a mix of emotion assaulting her that she couldn't seem to contain them, her hands coming up to cover her face as she sank down to the floor.

A wicked game Abigor played.

On the bed, Keiran had sprung up, wide awake and disoriented, his eyes opening just barely in time to see Abigor's figure vanishing- Mina's voice having woken him. The incubus immediate moving to the edge of the bed, where Mina had sank back down, her hands covering her face, having fallen into complete silence, "Mina?" Reaching out for her in concern, he nearly yelped when she abruptly grabbed his wrist, yanking him off of the bed and slamming him into the floor, one hand still covering her face as she tilted her head, grinning softly towards him, "Little brother." As soon as she spoke, however, those hands covered her face again, leaving Keiran both concerned and confused, amber hues turning towards Silennia now in question.

"What happened?!"
 
Silennia looked at Keiran with what only could be described as disgust. How had he slept through all of that? Watching as Mina pulled him onto the floor. Silennia still kept her distance from him, and stood quietly by the fire at his question. "We can leave," she stated, "if Mina stays." A blunt way to put it, but she didn't care to soften the blow. To her, it wasn't an option. "He won't allow it other."

She moved around the room, pacing. There was no telling what Abigor would do with Mina. What he would make her want him to do.

On top of it all, she knew she'd fought too hard to get replaced by another heir, should it happen. Survival wasn't the only thing raging through her blood anymore. Absolute fury, revenge, and stability of her position... those were just important, now. The trials had obviously changed her drastically. Would she go as far as to kill a child if one were to begin replacing her?

The thought stopped her dead in her tracks. Her eyes had bled into a deep crimson, nearly black, and now that she reflected on what she just thought about, they faded into sapphire. Horrified that she could subconsciously think of such a thing. The demon part of her had been dominant for far too long... it was beginning to drown out and kill whatever Valkyrie was left of her. Forcing her to think about how long she might have before that calmer, gentler side of her was erased completely. A day or two. Three, at the most. Two days to figure out how to keep Mina away from Abigor, all the while trying to escape his twisted sense of humor that he called home.

Brilliant sapphire met with gold. "We're not letting her stay here."
 
Mina? Keiran's eyes widened slightly, his gaze flashing towards the sister who he had taken up with- who he had traveled with over the last hundred years. His big sister. The weight of Silennia's words suddenly crushing him.
Abigor would grant them freedom from this realm in exchange for Mina.

"He can't have her."

The words left Keiran in a growl, the incubus sitting up, rising to his feet now, not paying much mind to Silennia as she paced back and forth- not noticing how her beautiful blue eyes were over taken by crimson. No, he was focused on Mina... He didn't realize her internal conflict- but even so, the two of them agreed on one thing- They wouldn't allow Abigor to have Mina.

Until now, Mina had sat in silence, her hands covering her face, but when Silennia spoke, a bitter smile curved at her lips, finally letting her hands fall away as she rose to her feet, "Don't be a fool, Silennia." Her voice was uncharacteristically soft, those crimson hues shifting towards her, before turning towards Keiran, who shook his head at her, "You're not possibly considering-"

"Shut up. What are you going to do? Wander around aimlessly? You can't leave a demon's territory without it's permission- it's almost impossible to do so! Why else do you think the other demons here remain? Out of love?" Her voice had risen a few pitches, mocking and unstable as she shook her head furiously, "It's easier with weaker demons, but this-!" She threw her hands out, "Abigor is a prince of hell. There's no telling how massive this place is! He's had all the time in the world to build it." Crimson hues turned towards Silennia, and then back to Keiran.

What should she do?

Her heart raced, barely even hearing Keiran when he snapped back at her, almost making her smile at his insistence that she wouldn't be left behind. His hands catching her shoulders as he gave her a firm shake with each word, as if the emphasize his meaning, "We. Are. Not. Leaving. You." She loved them both- as much as a demon of her kind could possibly be capable of loving outside of a sexual nature. To see either of them suffer any further... She refused. The red head wanting to cover her face again, but she refrained from it, instead, she turned her eyes away from Kerian. A stern edge taking it's place upon her face as she met the other's gaze, "Silennia, I meant what I said."

She had promised, after all. One way or another, she would get them out. Even if it meant sacrificing herself. This place was warping Silennia- she could see that clearly. Could sense it in the girl's energy in a way that Keiran was unable to- inexperienced compared to his elder sister. Mina could feel how Silennia's energy had changed- the way it had darkened. If Mina refused Abigor's offer, then what would become of them? Silennia was already in unstable condition- surely it wouldn't be hard to tip her over that edge- to turn her against Keiran once more... and Keiran was strong when pushed to the edge, but he was in no way prepared to survive for long here, especially if trying to keep Silennia within a sane state of mind....

Oh, but she was scared. Already, her self control was slowly crumbling. How angry Adriel would be when she didn't return... and Keiran would surely be sad... but what other use was she to them? Not even her own mother had a need for her- manipulative as that creature was.

The child who Vermina had rejected as a failure.

"We really don't have much of a choice...."
 
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