The Potok very own military medical tent thought that it was prepared for anyone with any wound or sickness to come to them for help. But the raging and broken angel seemed to exceed any of the expectations that its staff had.

- I said I don't need any of that!- Iscariot threw away the silver plate that was held to him by one of the medics that were trying to tend him. It fell on the ground, breaking into many pieces, leaving all of the bandages and oils used to ease pain on the ground. Angel in question was sitting on the makeshift bed, fuming with anger. His golden claws dug deep into the wolf skin that was used for the bed.

- B...But S...Sir Iscariot we have to bandage that arm- the woman dressed in the white uniform with red cross on the right side of the chest was about to reach for another, clean bandage but Iscariot stopped her by grabbing her hand. She yelped, which made him let go of the hand and she backed away from the angel.

- I don't need any of this. What I need now is to get out of this God forsaken tent. Phantom might still be there

- And you think you can fight him like that?- Champion Rose entered the tent after hearing all of the screams even outside- Even your wings haven't fully grown back and don't get me even started about your left arm- Iscariot looked Igor dead into eyes. He knew in what state he was. There was no need to point it out. He knew his wings are still withered and his arms are, especially the left, beyond broken. But in an equal or even more pitiful state was that damned demon. It was a perfect time to strike.

- I wouldn't end like that if you were doing your job. How couldn't you notice his followers? To think I was supposed to fight alongside idiots like you- virtue was about to stand up and go confront the Champion, but sharp pain in his shoulder made him fall back onto the bed. Igor couldn't say for sure but the way Iscariot was looking at his left shoulder and the fast breathing surely wasn't anything good.

- All of you out! Now!- angel shouted. Thorn knight guessed that there was no use in arguing with him. He led out the medics before going out himself. Outside, the remaining three were waiting for him.

Iscariot quickly took off the left shoulder guard, pretty much throwing it on the ground. There it was. On his shoulder. A black spot, around the size of a fist. It smelt of rot. The skin which the spot stained was like a sponge in touch. It leaked dark brown liquid which easily smelt much, much worse than the spot. Angel grabbed the bandage that was on the ground and was frantically wrapping it around the spot.

Calm down Iscariot, calm down. It still means nothing. It's just because you are tired and angry. It's just that, nothing more. Yes, it isn't your fault. It's not. The demon is the one responsible for that. He made you end like that. He made a fool out of you. He made you so agitated. Just kill him and everything will be fine. Yes it will be fine

Virtue was still sitting on the bed, trying to calm himself. Perhaps going to face the demon in the state he was now wasn't the best idea. What were the chances that Phantom was already out of the town? Probably close to zero considering his wounds. He still had to meet with the other demon. It wouldn't hurt to see what his offer is. And he seemed to be genuine. He just needed to wait 'till midnight.

- You can't allow yourself to lose your cool, this what led you there, so just calm down- Iscariot said to himself before going out of the tent, looking much calmer and composed. Igor found it rather worrying considering he was fuming with anger just moments ago. Either he was some garden of zen or there was something else going on with the angel. Something that neither of them knew.

- Ah, I hope you will excuse my lack of control there. I know it wasn't too professional, but I think you understand why I ended up in that state- virtue said as he passed them by, not even stopping to hear what they had to say. Champions didn't expect him to do so, but his apology or however it could have been called threw them out a little. Champion Rose noticed the part of the bandage that was sticking out from under the shoulder guard.

- So he ended up using it anyway. Honestly I am starting to wonder if he has everything right in his head

- We are talking about an angel so I guess not- Natalie said- We should follow him. Who knows what he might do- Igor said nothing, but agreed with that. There was no way to say what the virtue could be planning now, so keeping an eye on him seemed to be a good idea.

As Iscariot was taking a stroll through the town, another angel did the same.

Alcadeias exited from the church. As much as father Simon wanted him to lay down and rest, the angel couldn't stay down for even an hour and insisted on helping him with the church and the surrounding area. Various small creatures were always drawn to the bushes that were growing around the church and usually made quite a mess. Alcadeias proposed the idea of a fence many times but just as many times priests said that it would be too expensive to keep it in a good state.

Now he was walking through the village, with nothing but bread in his hand. He never felt the need to keep his sword on him. Of course if there was a need for Stoßgebet it was always ready to be drawn. With a casual pace he reached the outskirts of the village. Three nearly collapsed homes were all that separated the village from the forest. But they weren't abandoned.

A figure covered in a dark gray robe was sitting in one of those homes. Sitting perfectly still it didn't even look like it was a living being. It jerked up when it heard the angel was coming. At first it could have been mistaken for any homeless person which especially were present in the southern part of Vatican. But when it stood up it was much taller than an average man. Something akin to a lion tail seemed to peak out from the robes. Its right hand which held the robes tightly, not even letting the wind blow them slightly, was red with long nails, almost claws.

- Here Xavier, I'm sorry it took me longer than I promised- Alcadeias handed Xavier the bread. The figure quickly took it and wolfed it down in less than a few seconds.

- You fought with a demon. I could feel him from there- Xavier said. Angel wasn't too surprised by the fact. After all, he was talking with an incubus. Albeit he surely was different from the others he had met. But then again the circumstances in which they met were also different from the rest. Granted that Alcadeias haven't met many, when he did they were in big towns usually in taverns, wooing over all of the ladies they could.

Xavier on the other hand was sitting in this very home even before angel got to ST. Peter village. Apparently most of the people living there haven't even known that he existed, since he himself barely left his shelter. Of course father Simon was still worried about his presence. And that's where Alcadeias stepped in. But in the end he didn't have to do much. He learned that Xavier had problems keeping his human form, mostly because of a wound he had, and could return to his true form since he knew that it would have gotten him killed in a second. While angel was glad that he wasn't a threat he couldn't help but try to help the incubus. He also was a part of this village after all.

- It was stupid to do so. He was much stronger than you. He could have easily killed you

- I know that. But don't worry about me, I am tougher than I look. And I am still alive if you want proof of that- Alcadeias gave a hearty, but Xavier scoffed at that and sat down.

- You just got lucky. And even if you were to defeat him, I know you wouldn't kill him, thus making it both risky and pointless

- And why do you think so?

- Because you haven't killed me

- Why should I? As far as I know you did nothing to deserve death

- Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. I have only told you how I got here and you were already on my side. You are too trustful for your own good. And even think about talking with that demon. I am pretty sure that it won't end well

- I might be too trustful but you aren't trustful at all

- Because I know what demons are like. And I know what you are like. What I don't know is why are you so set on saving everyone you meet?

- Right, I believe I haven't told you why I am here instead of chasing after the demons like the rest of my kin do- angel sat beside the demon. While Xavier couldn't see anything on the angel's face, he could feel the sudden anguish that has enveloped him- I have but one request, if I were to be too harsh for myself, stop me- incubus nodded, but wasn't really sure as for why the angel would be harsh for himself. Just what had happened to him?

Alcadeias then started telling the story. He still remembered it well. Almost too well. It was one of those memories that had burned itself deep into his brain and no matter how hard the angel would try, there was no way to forget about it.

It happened when he was a freshly new warrior that had just finished his training. It was supposed to be his first real mission where he had to rely purely on his own skills with little to no support from the others. He was supposed to join the virtue Iscariot, who at that point was only a power, in his task. The job sounded to be rather an easy one. A simple patrol in one of many forests of the Vatican. This plus possible fight against a demon that could live there was all that was to it.

Alcadeias followed every order that Iscariot was giving him. Most of them were pretty much along the lines of; "check this area", "check that area". Nothing too hard for the warrior. As for the supervisor himself, angel couldn't say that he had formed any bond with him. Iscariot spoke only when it was necessary and was absent looking for the demons for most of the time.

The forest they were assigned to was much bigger than he thought at first. Wandering aimlessly around for a good hour or two they have stumbled upon some sort of a settlement. Five, rather big tents made of leather were set in a circle around an extinguished campfire. It was hard to tell if there was anything more since the bushes in that part of the forest reached nearly to their chests.

While sights like that weren't uncommon, for as far as they knew there was supposed to be no settlement in a radius of five kilometers. Of simple curiosity they got closer to them.

When all of eight people who probably lived there noticed the angels, they froze in fear. The two men dressed in wolf skin who were skinning a deer pointed their knives at the intruders.

- Forgive us for the intrusion, but we have been sent there to keep the peace in this forest- Alcadeias raised his hands up as he spoke, showing that he had no weapon. The two men also lowered their knives but still kept their gaze on the angel- I have been told that there is a possibility of a demon living in this forest. Thus if able I would like to ask you a few questions- the people were weirdly calm about the fact that the demon might be in the same place as them. It seemed like the angels might be scarier than any other fiend to them.

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- You promise you mean no harm to us?- an elderly woman who was sitting close to a bonfire looked at Alcadeias.

- But of course. We promise that no harm shall fall upon you. Right Iscariot, sir?- Iscariot only grunted on that. For him those savages could easily end up as a dinner for the demon, even right now. At least it would have made their job much easier. But since this mission was for the younger angel to prove himself, he stayed silent. But there was something that was bothering him. A weak smell of sulfur.

- Well then, could I ask you some questions?- as the warrior went closer to the people, power took the opportunity to look around. A good few minutes had passed when he found something hidden in a bush ten minutes from the camp. At first it looked like a normal big stone, but then what would it be doing in a bush? Taking a closer look it was more like an altar of some sort. Massive fang marks were visible on it, but no drop of blood was present. Which could mean one thing.

- Iscariot sir, do you think that whatever lives there might be threatening them? It would explain why they haven't told us anything- Alcadeias joined his supervisor. He stopped right beside him, taking a quick glance at the great flat stone.

- For me they are a bunch of heretics

- Sir, what made you come with such a heavy accusation?- if Alcadeias was being honest, he prayed as hard as he could for the villagers to not be one. In the Vatican there was only one punishment for heretics and it wasn't something that angel could stomach easily.

- Do you see their shrine? Almost a sacrificial altar. All it is lacking is blood. And it can't belong to any lower god. They wouldn't be happy with just any shrine

- But still to think...

- Don't tell me you have problems with cutting down some heretics?

- N..no sir, it's just that...

- No? Good. We might have to kill some- Alcadeias then stopped talking. Killing humans was never fine with him. He knew that some of them are no better than demons they summon, but for most of the time they were terrified and that was the only, in their minds, way to protect themselves from harm.

Another few minutes were spent in silence as they were traversing through the forest. Finally they had stopped before a cave which stunk like a sulfur. Clearly a lair of a demon.

- Who goes there? Have you brought me some food?- A deep, but sleepy voice came from the cave. From the darkness came a massive boar-like demon. It was covered in dark red fur, its hooves stained by mud. It seemed to be blind as it had not noticed the two angels before him. Only when he started sniffing the air had he backed off in terror.

- Angels?! Oi oi oi, what are you doing here?- the demon asked, his voice full of fear. Iscariot stepped forward which made the demon back off even further.

- I could ask you the same? You clearly are from Hell so who had summoned you here?- power pointed the spear at the beast.

- I don't know what you are talking about. I have always lived in this cave- Iscariot then commanded a string of light to cut off the demon's front right leg, making him fall with a shriek of pain.

- And I have thought that demons are great liars. Now tell me who had summoned you and what is your purpose here

- I am telling you the truth. I lived here for as long as I remember. I'm honest! And I promise I haven't killed anyone. I just protected the villagers from harm, that's all. So please don't kill me, I beg you!

- Explain how exactly you have protected them

- I only scare all of the demon hunters away. I swear!

- Demon hunters you say?

- Huh? I...I haven't said anything like that- Iscariot only laughed at that. He always thought that demons who weren't strong were good liars. But this one seemed to be neither.

- I think I get what is going on- this only confused the younger angel- Feel free to finish him. It's your task after all- Alcadeias slowly went closer to the demon who tried to back away. He drew his sword and pointed at the beast. Power noticed that his hands were shaking. He couldn't be worried about the demon since it was a complete fool, so why was he like that?

Alcadeias stood in place for a good minute, debating on what he should do. He wanted to be a good soldier, that's why took the task in the first place, so he had to follow every order, right? But then again the demon seemed to be innocent. But then again, he could just be fooling him. But what if he wasn't? But the order was an order. But the demon was afraid. But he was a soldier. But the demon, but the order, but...

Under the stern gaze coming from his supervisor, Alcadeias finally brought down the blade on the demon's neck. He made one swift cut to the ground and the head disconnected from the body, staining the ground, the blade and the angel himself with a dark red blood. Demonic carcass has set itself aflame in brightly red fire. The orb in the same color was quickly shot down by Iscariot.

- Too long, way too long- Iscariot was shaking his head- You are lucky that this demon was a complete fool. If he was even a tiny bit smarter you would be dead. Remember to kill them as fast as you can. Otherwise you might end like that fool- he pointed at the place in which a few seconds ago still was the carcass.

- I'm sorry sir. I promise to do better next time- despite saying that, the angel was still debating if what he did was indeed good. It was a demon, so it had to be evil. That's what they were taught. It simply tried to fool him. Yes, it had to be that. He was needlessly worrying himself over some demon who probably had blood on his hands.

Iscariot led both of them back to the camp. Apparently there was one more thing he wanted to check before returning back to the Vatican, to report that the task was done. When they returned, the people were rather uneasy, even more when they first met them. Power commanded all of them to gather in front of the camp. When all of the eight people were standing before the angels, Iscariot stepped forward.

- From an anonymous source I learned that you have kept information about a dangerous demon a secret. By the Codex of Holy Kingdom of Vatican it is the third most serious crime one can commit, punishable by death- Alcadeias at this point was ready stop Iscariot from going further, but the power looked at the younger angel, hinting that he knew what he was doing- of course, that would apply if you were humans. But you aren't, are you?

The worried look on their faces was more than enough to convince Iscariot. He took the spear of his shoulder and pointed its tip at the two men who looked more than eager to throw themselves at the angels. His guess was right as they turned into two great manticore like beasts. The remaining six followed them. There was a snake which was covered in chunks of stone from the very tip of its head to the tip of its tail. Then there were two bats like demons, trying to threaten the power with their ram-like horns. Another one was like a spirit made of fire, whose flames weirdly enough were not setting the grass on which it stood aflame. The smallest of the group was like a mad dog with its rear legs too long for it to be able to walk properly. And at last the old woman, who turned into a walking corpse of a woman, dressed in a tunica recta stained by blood and mud.

Iscariot only laughed at that. Now it was clear to him as to why they lived in a forest, far from any settlement. Those succubi and incubi weren’t fighters. Their forms, while looking threatening to any inexperienced demon hunter, were only that. A decoy to scare away the fools. Too bad they have now met someone who knows a lot about his work. Although it was new to him that none of them had tried to attack him. Perhaps they were too scared to make a move. Oh well, it wasn’t his problem. It was time to show the newbie how a real demon hunter works.

Iscariot lunged at the closet demon. He was already seeing how the spear was piercing that mindless beast head. How its body set itself aflame. How the rest fell the same. Except the spear on it was met with something more metallic than any of the demon's skin. It pierced something that was clear. But why was it a blade of the sword? Alcadeias was struggling to keep the sword from budging even an inch. It was all that separated the manticore’s head from the spear. The younger angel was shocked at the pure strength of the power. Iscariot didn’t look like he was physically strong, but Alcadeias was giving his all to hold the sword, while the older angel was holding his weapon with only one hand.

- What are you doing?- Iscariot asked in a cold manner. Alcadeias for a split second regretted his action, but as quickly as that thought came, it left. Demons on the other hand seemed to be shocked that the angel stood in their defense.

- Sir Iscariot, forgive me my manners, but I think you are too quick to judge- the younger angel tried his best to keep a level head- We haven’t heard about any demons ravaging any nearby villages right? Thus we don’t have any reason to kill them

- Just what are you thinking? Protecting those beasts- power’s voice was filled to the brim with disgust- Don’t tell me that you actually believe that they are innocent. They got blood on their hands just like all of the rest- a quick kick from Iscariot was more than enough for Alcadeias to lose his balance and land on the ground with a loud thud.

- Isn’t that right you mongrels?- Iscariot eyed the demons. Before the younger angel could even stand up, one head was already on the ground. After that came another two. And another two. His divine arts have not spared anyone and finally the remaining three also got butchered by the holy strings of light.

Alcadeias knew that Iscariot was well known for being a cold killer in regard to demons. But he never expected to see him so casually butcher eight of them in such a short time. The still burning remains were scattered around the entire area, their black blood stained everything it could land on, save for the power himself, who looked as if nothing happened. Hell, he even seemed to be pleased with himself as he was silently humming a song long lost to time.

- Don’t think that just because you are a newbie I won’t tell whoever is responsible for you what you were doing

- Iscariot, sir, may I get to know why you have done this? Those were succubi and incubi, not demons who are known for a slaughter of mankind. I can’t see how killing demons who try to live their lives far away from conflict will save people

- They were demons. That's more than enough for me. Oh and forget about all of those mantras that we are supposed to act like some sort of saviors for mankind. The talent of soldiers like you and me lies elsewhere. But if you can't accept that then maybe think twice about becoming one- after that Iscariot commanded Alcadeias to return to the Vatican. They spent the entire way back in silence which pleased the older angel. The younger one still tried to find a reason as to why his supervisor would do such a thing. He had to have a reason. Maybe there was something the Iscariot knew and he didn't? They were angels, they were supposed to help. And what help was in killing a bunch of innocent? Even if they were demons. No, there had to be much more to that.

They have arrived at the Vatican. Power reported that the mission was successful and the camp was gone. After that, Iscariot waited outside the room to speak with the younger angel, but Alcadeias still had one question in mind.

- Haven't you heard? You can go now- the archbishop said. He hadn't even been looking at the angel as he was too busy with writing something on the scroll, one of many that were gathered on his table.

- With all due respect archbishop, but the Vatican shouldn't allow for killing innocent- angel tried to be as calm as possible, but his hands were shaking. The archbishop stopped writing and looked sternly at the warrior.

- The Vatican does not allow for killing innocent, but those beasts you have slain with Iscariot were not innocent so why do you even bring that up?- Alcadeias clenched his fists. They weren't beasts nor had he slain them. Of course he didn’t do that. That’s right, he didn’t do anything. He did nothing to help them, nor to convince Iscariot that they didn’t deserve death.

As much as he wanted to argue with the archbishop, angel knew that it would ultimately lead to nothing. Thus he went out of the room, passing by the Iscariot, not even listening to what the power was saying to him.

A few weeks have passed and Alcadeias has been called to another task. Apparently the archbishop has told about his questioning of the Vatican authority and now he was sent to a small village to cool his head a little and perhaps slay a demon or two.

- If there is anything else I want to admit, is that those weren't the first demons I had killed in my life, but I truly regret all of that- angel finally ended his story.

- And now you think that forfeiting your life in a fight against some powerful demon, and that will do what? Make all of your sins disappear?

- I haven't said that

- No, but you thought so, many times even. Am I right?- angel remained silent- I know this will sound harsh, but you have killed innocent and now you have to live with that. There is nothing you can truly do 'bout that. Just do what we all do and try to not think about that too much. Well then, shouldn't you be going now? I bet they are worrying about you- Alcadeias exchanged goodbyes with Xavier and returned to the village, but before he did so the incubus said one more thing.

- Oh and remember that demons and angels aren't that different when you think about that- and with that Alcadeias slowly made his way back home, feeling somewhat better after telling his reason to be there. But he hadn't agreed with Xavier. There had to be a way to repent for what he had done. Perhaps not in killing or dying but maybe in saving someone. Perhaps, but he probably should leave the worrying for the later. The kids probably were waiting for him and the stories he always told them. If only his life could always be this peaceful.