Constantine jumped from his peaceful sleep in a frantic lunge, soaked by the cold water that awoke him.

He fought against himself in a confused state between screaming or rushing out of his room. Instead, he just sat frozen like a statue, arms stretched out with water dripping from him. His mouth was stuck in a weird grin before he slowly turned and faced his assailant.

“Are you fucked in the head?” He blurted in an unnaturally quiet voice for how displeased he was. His eyes shot daggers into the open doorway, where it fell upon Insect’s cheeky, satisfied smile. Insect then leaned over, putting down the bucket in her arms and picking up her notebook.

“Its 7 am, you’re late. Uriel and Nathaniel are already in the training yard. Get dressed and meet me outside.” Were the words written on the page.

Constantine read them carefully with unblinking eyes. He wanted to scream, to rush over and choke Insect with his bare hands. Instead, he wiped the cold water off of his face and calmed down. He nodded, which made Insect close the door for him. The sound of her heels clicking away on the wooden floorboard signaled for him to get dressed. He immediately tore his plain soaked shirt off of him, tossing it in a laundry basket beside the bed before exhaling a long, warm breath.

Some time later after getting ready, he made his way outside. He was dressed in whatever clothes he found in the wardrobe of his room. Some loose running pants, a skin-tight gray hoodie with a tilted zipper across the front and of course, his immaculate white overcoat on top. He was also sporting a red sweatband around his forehead.

The sizable cabin house where he and Uriel were accommodated was some ways besides the main cathedral between some trees. He looked up at the dusky sky and yawned. The sun was still hidden behind the dark veil of the night. A bright red streak cut through the celestial canvas like a sword. He thought nothing of it.

Late being up at seven god-damn A.M. Consty what’d you get yourself into with these guys?

Deep in thought, he noticed Insect standing at the edge of the path leaning against a tree trunk, waiting. She was wearing a similarly casual gym outfit, although hers was somewhat more revealing. Constantine eyed her torso below her training bra. He couldn’t help but stare at her bare, finely toned midriff, her muscles tense and defined. What drew him in most however was the numerous scars she was sporting all over her skin. The sight was slightly obscured by her half-zipped sleeveless vest. His eyes instead drifted further up towards her hands. He remarked how Insect always wore a pair of thin black gloves, and wondered if her other scars had anything to do with that. His annoyance still lingered however, but he tried putting it behind him by offering her a compliment.

“Hey Insect, ready to go? I like your lipstick.” He said, faking his cheerfulness. Indeed, Insect was wearing an unusual lipstick, her top lip painted jet black while her bottom lip was pure white. The corners of her mouth curved upward for a brief second before it turned into a slight frown. She then tilted her head in a direction and demanded he follow.

Well… I tried. He thought, not bothered too much by it.

The walk was brief. They made their way down the hill behind the cathedral. Barely a few minutes later Constantine found himself in a large, straight field cleared of trees. It was a massive semi-enclosed area, with training logs and dummies, a running track encircling the area and a makeshift gym far off to the side. There was a little cabin overlooking the area next to it. It was strange to see something like this so void of activity. Constantine tried to imagine how this place would be with people running, fighting, training, pushing their bodies further to the limits.

This place desperately needs the buzz of life about it.

Insect walked a bit further up and sat down on one of the benches. Constantine meanwhile, took off his coat and tossed it next to her. He then began leaning forward, backward, and to the side. He followed with a few leg leans and some high kicks. He continued stretching for a few minutes, despite Insect’s bemused expression. The seeds of Katherine’s training were coming back to him.

“Good!” Boomed Nathaniel’s voice from behind him, followed by a sharp slap on his back. Constantine tumbled forward into the dirt with a yelp. “You’ve already begun! Glad to see your heart’s in this Constantine, my son. We got lots of work ahead of us.”

Disgruntled, he stood back up and combed the dust out of his face.

Is this training just gonna consist of me getting humiliated over and over? He wondered. Once his face was clear, he locked eyes with Uriel, who was wheeling Nathaniel forward. Her hair was bundled in a long ponytail and she, like Insect and him, was dressed for strenuous exercise. She was wearing a modified white shirt, open in the back, a sports bra and a pair of blue yoga pants. Her gentle, golden smile beamed at him. It was as if the sun itself illuminated the arena, or so Constantine felt before he shook himself out of his trance.

“Hey Uriel. You look... great.” He chuckled. Didn’t fuck up that time, let’s go!

“Good morning.” Her voice echoed back. “You look prepared.”

“Yeah.. sorry for being late, I was having such a restful sleep in a real bed.” He yawned.

“What do you mean, son?” Nathaniel interjected, scratching his beard in confusion. “We still got an hour before we said we’d start. We just got here earlier and you both happened to be here as well.”

Constantine slowly turned his head and gave Insect a potent death glare. The girl was just casually sipping from a cup of coffee she somehow acquired, trying very hard to not show how entertained she was.

You fucking, fucking, fuck, fuck, bitch, ass, I will beat you with a rock… His thoughts raced. Did she have that cup all along?

“Well, given we’re all here and the day is long, let us proceed! Constantine, let us begin with you. Follow me if you all will.” Nathaniel broke his murderous intent, wheeling away towards the center of the plain. The trio followed after him, with Uriel having the vigilance of putting herself between Constantine and Insect. They made their way to a medium-sized flat arena. The floor was made of a soft beige material, and it was elevated slightly above the flat dirt. A single white line cut across half of the rectangle.

Looks like a small football field. Constantine thought, remembering an old memory. Ah, I miss playing with Evan and the boys after school in that ratchety field we had.

“In order to know where to go, we need to first find out where we are.” Nathaniel began, wheeling himself to the side near a tall bleacher. “I need to know what you two are capable of. How strong are you, how fast can you run, how are you in a fight, how are your instincts, your senses, how efficient are you with your weapon Constantine, your gun, and of course... any other abilities that I might not be aware of.“ He said all in one breath, finishing the sentence while turning to Uriel. She stared back at him with a trembling yet determined gaze.

“How’ll we be doing that...?” Constantine asked, a grim vision of the future clouding his mind.

“Many ways. But first, I would like to just get a general overview of you as you are now. You and Insect will have a little sparring session.” He said, unable to hide the smirk on his lips.

Constantine turned to his opponent, who had already taken off her orange vest and tossed it on the bleachers. She was stretching her left elbow and wrist. A fiery feeling of determination welled up inside him. His pride demanded he put on a good showing and his vengeful desires were only slightly to blame. He threw the coat he was carrying on the stands and cracked his knuckles. Then he stepped onto the platform, moving to the center of his side. Insect did a few light stretches herself, and Constantine followed suit, finishing his earlier sets.

“I’ll have you know Insect, I’m all for equality. Don’t expect me to hold back.” He warned her.

“Good.” Nathaniel responded solemnly. “Many evils will appear in your future, Constantine. They won't all be apparently monstrous in nature. There will be many tempting, beautiful visages. You must learn when to be merciful, and when you must not hold back and give your full fury. Sometimes, demons will take the form of innocent children even. Those are truly the most despicable.” He finished his tangent, with a somber look in his eyes.

Constantine gulped back at him.

“But!” He jumped once again. “This is not one of those times. I don’t want you two to murder each other. I want this to be a clean, fair fight. No cheap shots, or eye gouging. Battle ends when one of you yields, is pushed off the arena, or is incapacitated. Ready on my mark.”

Incapacitated? I thought we weren’t murdering each other... Constantine thought before his worried smile faded and he turned serious.

Insect was ready as well, her body perfectly positioned in the dead center of her field. She stood in a pose perpendicular to him, with her left arm behind her back. Her right pointed towards him at an angle, palm flush. Her pose was one of experience and grace, and Constantine couldn’t help but admire her. He then positioned himself as well, but his stance was more relaxed, and less rigid. The two took a deep breath, waiting for Nathaniel’s signal. After a few seconds, his powerful “Hiyah!” broke the silence.

Constantine lunged first, charging straight for Insect in a blink. He readied his right fist, but it was a feint. His arm twitched and instantly his body position shifted to put force into his left hand. Insect did not flinch, still as a statue. She let his hand inch closer and closer to her face and in the last instant, her arm reached behind his head. She pulled him around her as she spun out of the way of his punch.

His own inertia followed through in that direction, but Constantine expected a counter of that manner. He shoved his leg against the ground, pushing himself back towards Insect. This time he swung in with his elbow, aiming for the base of her neck. Insect caught the attack with her palm, and immediately swung the dynamic of the fight. She aggressively dashed into him, her hands a flurry of jabs and palms.

She’s so… fluid… and powerful… His thoughts raced as he desperately tried to avoid and block her attacks. She’s pushing me back.

The more Constantine avoided her, the closer and closer the back edge of the arena got to him. He grunted, searching for an opening, a slight delay between attacks where he could strike back. He saw it. Right as Insect’s foot stepped just a bit farther towards him than his. He grinned. Insect, unaware, kept pushing forward, looking to slam her fist into him. She waited for a counter, a block, a dodge, anything, but Constantine just took the blow directly into his gut.

That singular moment caught her off guard, enough for Constantine to instantly grab her face. He pushed her forward, his foot pulling hers away causing her to trip. Down fell her body in one swoop, the ground rapidly approaching. But she did not slam down flat on her back as he had hoped. He only pulled away her right leg, and Insect immediately put her entire body weight on her left. She fell only halfway, her body horizontal to the ground despite Constantine’s strength forcing her further down. This allowed her to put her arms back over her head, and tumble backwards. In that motion, the leg Constantine had pulled away now swiveled upwards, kicking him on the underside of his right arm and flinging him forward.

God… Damn it… He thought as his body fell forward into a painful roll on the hard ground. He quickly shook himself off and reached to stand back up, but Nathaniel’s voice intervened.

“Done!”

“What?” He asked, confused. He looked around, Insect had sent him flying forward, and in his rolling his body ended up halfway outside of the arena. “F-fuck.” He said, disappointed.

The battle was over in a flash. It couldn’t have lasted more than twenty seconds. Constantine let the humiliation of defeat wash over him as he laid down on the ground, those twenty seconds proving valuable experience for him.

Insect you’re so... unbelievably strong, I can see that now. She was definitely toying with me. Her moves were so… He rubbed his chest and stomach, the pain just now reaching his brain. ...Ruthless. Jeez girl, what’d I ever do to you? He chuckled to himself, turning to see what Insect was doing. He expected her to have a smug smile on her face. Instead, she was kneeling on the other side of the arena, catching her breath, and looking at him. Her expression was not one of superiority, but one of satisfaction.

Something about her look however made Constantine reflect. He turned back and stared at the slowly brightening sky. Am I… Am I even powerful at all? I barely won out each time I fought a demon or a monster, or… Katherine. Was it just pure luck that I’m not a pile of mulch? Is it just because of the dagger, and whatever Lady Death said...?

“Are you alright, Constantine?” Uriel said, leaning forward over him. He looked at her and gave her a slight smile and a thumbs up. She mirrored his motion.

“Wonderful!” Nathaniel said. “That was short, but very satisfactory indeed. Do not be disappointed in losing Constantine. This was never a competition. I can definitely tell you were trained by Katherine. You have her style of combat, her movement, her conviction. Yes, you’ll make a fine hunter.”

Uriel pulled Constantine up, and he held his chest, gasping for air. “You really think so, Nate?” He asked, uncertain of himself.

“I’ll make sure of it.” He said ominously.

“I suppose, my turn then?” Uriel asked

“Yes, however. Your power is too much for a simple spar, and I don’t want Insect to get hurt so we’ll test you in more direct methods.”

Insect then walked past them, making her way towards some training dummies and other devices.

“Please, follow her, she’ll show you the way. Me and Constantine will follow in a moment.” He said warmly.

Uriel turned to Constantine, who was still wincing over his abdominal pain. He nodded reassuringly to her.

“Alright, whatever you say.” She said, only slightly disappointed in not getting to fight.

Once Uriel was out of earshot Constantine turned to Nathaniel. “Something wrong?”

“No, you looked like you needed some time, is all. I should be the one asking you that, are you alright son?”

“I…” He began, trying not to hide his disappointment in himself but giving up halfway through. “This isn’t a personal thing with me and Insect I just... thought I should win. Me losing now makes me question. Maybe me being weak was the reason my friends aren’t here with us. Why Niko… why Gausville is currently a smoldering crater.”

Nathaniel was silent. The quiet atmosphere allowed Constantine’s thoughts to settle and organize.

“I’m realizing…” He continued. “Just how lucky I am. To have found you guys specifically. I need to get stronger. I need to learn. Not just for the sake of saving my friends now, but… saving them all. I swore an oath to myself. I want you to help me fulfill it. So whatever hellish training you got planned for me, lay it on me.”

“And I shall do my best in assisting you, Constantine. I have not worked out the full extent of my plans for you in the following weeks, but if you have a minute.”

“Great, shoot.”

“Your diet will be strictly regulated. There will be constant weight training, anaerobic training, plus you will have additional hand to hand combat lessons with Insect. I won’t just have you exercise, but study as well.” Nathaniel’s voice boomed cheerfully.

“Studying? You’re putting me back in high school during the end of the world?” Constantine interrupted.

“Yes. But don’t expect your old mathematics classes. There will be lots of reading, research, analysis of demonic and religious texts, war and battle tactics, strategies, anything that might prove useful in this new war and that I could teach you. You can’t expect to win every battle by just charging in and killing everything, my son.”

Great. At least its not fucking vectors. Constantine thought with a weary sigh of resignation. Also I'm not noticing a lot of breaks in this plan of yours. His sigh quickly turned into a soft smile of excitement.

“That’s just the broader scope of my plans. I haven't even mentioned weapon training yet. I’ll be testing you for that later today. You are entirely correct. Time is of the essence here. You want to save your friends, you say? I can’t send in what few men I have with some random kid that can’t pull his own weight. You must become stronger, faster, even more so than you are. In order to do that, I’m going to have to push you past your physical and mental limits-”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

The sound of rocks exploding outwards, turning into a shower of debris suddenly interrupted Nathaniel. Both of them looked up and saw Uriel in front of what used to be a concrete wall, her fist stretched through what remained of it, the luminous glow of her power shining around her wrist and forearm.

“Like that I suppose?” He said. Holy shit, Uriel I knew you were powerful, but damn, I had no idea you were that strong.

“Haha, I don’t think we’ll have you punching through walls in just a couple months of training. But hopefully we can get close, in time.”

“Can Insect punch through walls?” Constantine chuckled.

“In… moments of dire necessity, yes.”

“Wow. I'm glad she didn't punch a hole through me then.”

“Worry not, Constantine. I know you fear she hates you, but its more… complicated than that.”

Constantine watched Nathaniel silently, awaiting for him to continue.

“Haah, You see, Katherine was always very cold for as long as we’ve known her. But Insect was impressed by her from a young age. They… used to meet often, and Insect was amazed by Katherine every time they met. She truly looked up to her, idolized her skills and abilities. She always wanted to fight alongside her, to be trained by her, but Katherine always refused. In time, Insect grew bitter towards her, desperately trying to prove herself over her through any means necessary. When Katherine all but broke ties with us completely, I don’t know if Insect was shattered or elated.”

“So… she’s mad at me because Katherine trained me?”

“Not just trained you, but gifted you one of her most prized artefacts. Katherine knew the power of the half-spear you carry, yet she gave it to you anyway. Even though Insect wouldn’t have been able to use the lance specifically, Katherine never gave her such a gift, despite being distant blood relatives.”

“Listen, Nate.” Constantine interrupted him, trying to put the hateful memory of Katherine out of his mind. “This sounds a little personal, why are you telling me this?”

Nathaniel was quiet, his expression turned into a beaming smile. His voice jumped back up a few octaves. “My apologies! I have a bad habit of letting myself blabber onwards, divulging more… sensitive information. I just didn’t want you to mistakenly believe she hates you or something. And in turn, I don’t want you to grow hateful of her. I care about her more than anything. She is like a dear daughter to me.”

Constantine’s eyes turned towards the two girls, and he watched as Uriel used some of her swords of light to turn one of the training dummies into a shower of wood and hay.

“Shouldn’t you be there, you know, studying her capabilities and such?” He curiously asked.

“MY GOODNESS you’re right! I got distracted, please take me closer, Constantine, my son.”

I really wish you’d stop calling me that. Constantine thought with a sigh.

Constantine and Uriel spent the rest of the morning training, exercising, and building themselves up while Nathaniel studied and observed them. Uriel herself revealed to them that this sort of training was not foreign to her, as she had been similarly trained in the past by someone. Constantine noted how she refused to answer who exactly it was, or to elaborate further. He was also amazed by her strength and her inhuman capabilities. Despite this, it was apparent that she had not yet gotten used to her new prosthetic as even Constantine beat her in a couple foot races.

Sometime after noon, the group made their way over to a small resting area, where they enjoyed some good, hearty and much-needed food and rest. The lunch was quiet, with everyone tired and just taking in the serene beauty of the location.

I gotta admit, not the biggest fan of spicy food… but these sandwiches aren’t bad. Constantine thought to himself as he quietly munched and watched the nearby trees sway in the wind. He noticed Insect stopped adding tomatoes to his, and appreciated the gesture.

“You wouldn’t even believe its the end of the world out there with how this place looks.” He then said, breaking the ice.

“This town is built on a massive holy leyline. It encircles this whole area, the whole valley, and acts as a natural barrier between the town and whatever malevolent forces exist outside.“

“Just like Katherine’s mansion!” Uriel said.

And just like Katherine’s mansion, that means some things can break through the barrier. Constantine thought to himself, looking at Uriel. She looked back at him, with a similar realization and a depressed gaze in her eyes.

“There are many places like this in the world, Constantine.” Nathaniel continued, after giving Uriel a respectful nod. “Worry not about some ‘apocalyptic’ end of the world. Humanity will endure on, we always have, and always will. And even if we do not, the world surely will in our stead.”

Constantine did not reply, chewing on a hard piece of bread with his gaze looking elsewhere. He couldn’t look at Uriel who sat right across from him. “What about other people?” He turned and asked. “Shouldn’t you give out a word, tell them there’s a safe haven here? Or to seek similar places?”

“If people manage to find this place, there are regulations in place already to allow any and all refugees to enter. We will not turn anyone away.”

“But that’s assuming people find this place. Which given the ride over, isn’t likely. You’re just gonna let thousands die like that?”

“Constantine.” Nathaniel began, with a somber look in his droopy eye. “You asked me for utmost secrecy. To protect your angelic friend here with you. I offered you that exact thing. Now you get upset with me for not broadcasting the location of this city to the world? You think it would just be innocent civilians that receive that message?”

“You’re… absolutely right. I’m sorry, there was no reason for me to get so heated.”

“It’s alright. I know you want to save everyone, son, but not everyone can be saved.” Nathaniel concluded.

Sensing the need to intervene with some positive energy, Uriel said: “Perhaps not, but we can save those who matter most to us. Evan and Wrath are waiting for us. I know they’re captured.”

Nathaniel leaned forward, listening intently.

“Yesterday, I fell asleep during the car ride and I had a vision. I saw them, desperately fighting to escape from this… ghastly place. It was a vision from the past, so... I don’t know what happened to them since.”

“That is… exquisite news my dear Angel. I did not anticipate you finding a thread to pull on this quickly!” He burst with excitement.

“Me neither.” She said, trying not to sound too disappointed. “I don't even know how it happened.”

“This friend of yours, you mentioned she has a similar ability as you do. Perhaps she left you a crumb, a little mark of that place and moment in time. Intentional or accidental, you then picked up on that mark.”

“So what now?” She asked, her voice trembling with an echo.

Nathaniel pulled on his beard, deep in thought. “Now, we have to follow that crumbtrail. I shall take my leave then. I will go downtown and find someone who can help us with these spiritual matters.”

“Who?”

“A great friend of mine, a gypsy seer. Madame Léstrava is her name. Insect, can I ask of you to clean this up and continue training our friends here for today?” He said turning to her as she nodded slowly back at him.

“I’ll help!” Uriel and Constantine both jumped from their seats. Nathaniel chuckled at their reactions.

The rest of the day proceeded in similar fashion. Insect gave the two of them a small tour of the other facilities, and demonstrated some simple exercises for them to learn and practice. Although Uriel could have gone for another few hours, by the time dusk began creeping both Insect and Constantine were beat. At around six p.m. Insect decided to end it for the day, and the trio took off back to their rooms.

Once Insect separated from them, Constantine and Uriel found themselves in an awkward situation. Neither seemed to want to talk to the other. Constantine used the pretense of being tired and sweaty to jump right into a shower. Uriel decided to do the same.

“Pffffffwaaaaa.” Constantine groaned. His body sank into the soft bed after he dried himself off and jumped into it. “God, I don’t remember this bed being this soft. Maybe its cause I’m all sore, fuck. I hope I can move tomorrow…” He groaned to himself as he pushed his face into the pillow.

Despite his attempt however, he could not seem to catch any semblance of sleep. He turned around and stared at the ceiling. The room he was in was simple, with the walls all painted a dark blue. To his right was a small window, and outside he could see trees swaying in the wind, the pale crescent moon shining high above them.

Constantine sighed. He stood up a bit and paced around his bed, trying to walk off the sores in his legs. His eyes were caught in the small box on one of the shelves across from him. It was beautifully ornate, with small red lines drawn around the edges in a flowery pattern. He opened the latch and slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a small figurine of a ballet dancer. As soon as the lid clicked open, the figurine started spinning, and a soft quiet melody began to play. Entranced, Constantine watched the figure spin and dance as the poignant song played. He sat on the bed, holding the box in his hands.

“Such a haunting sound.” Uriel’s voice pierced through his hypnotic trance, startling him to close the box.

“Jesus, Uriel, please knock.” He said, chuckling to himself. He reached for a shirt to put on but couldn’t find any on the bed. Uriel did not seem to mind his bare, scarred chest.

“I’m sorry.” She said, walking further inside his room. “I just wanted to check up on you.”

“I’m… I’m fine. Just quite tired from today.”

“Yeah… Insect really did a number on you.”

“Hey, come on.” He said, pretending to be offended. “I wasn’t that terrible…”

Uriel chuckled. “No, no you’re right. What is that?” She asked, pointing to the box in his hands.

“This? It’s a music box.” He answered, opening the box and letting the tune play for a moment.

“M-music? What’s that?” Uriel asked innocently, sitting beside him on the bed.

“You… have never heard of music?” Constantine said, mouth agape.

“No… I’m sorry. It does remind me of that sound that day… at the carnival in Deterna.”

“No, no! I’m sorry. I forgot. But... music is… Something incredible, Uriel. It's difficult to describe but its these... sounds... that we make with instruments and our voices. When they’re put together they create melodies and harmonies and it creates… beauty through sound. Yes, like the melody from back then. Listen.”

He then put the box in Uriel’s hands, and pulled open the lid. With bated breath, he watched her entranced by the same melody. Her pale, iris-less eyes stared at themselves in the mirror, watching as the graceful dancer spun to the music.

“What do you feel?”

“This noise makes me feel like… like I’m alone on a boat, traveling down a misty river… but I don’t know where the river will take me. The thought frightens me.”

“They say... music is the color of the Universe. I’m not one for deep philosophy or grandiose thoughts but… I can’t help but find myself agreeing to that sentiment. When I hear this I hear… something, a greater force I don't know, telling me that things will work out eventually. ”

“But its so… sad?”

“Yes, but sadness is a part of life, you know. And this little song tells me that, before the sadness, whoever made it had great happiness.”

“I wish I did not feel sadness all the time.” Uriel muttered. “Is all music sad?”

“No not at all, music can be all sorts of emotions. It can be happy, joyous, filled with glee. Or it can be somber, depressing, powerful. Or it can even be just, for fun, exciting, to make you want to dance… It can be so many great things, Uriel. Even if a lot of it is just weird, or loud or… something else.”

“Will you show me?” She asked, turning to him and grabbing his hand in her palms. “Please?”

“I-...of course!” Constantine said after finding his breath. “I’ll show you everything I can.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Uriel then leaned forward. Although Constantine pulled back, unwilling to reciprocate her approach, he gave in. He allowed her to kiss him on the lips. But, he broke the kiss after only a brief moment. Constantine’s soul yearned for more, but he could not allow himself. The pain was still too palpable, the thought of her etched into his mind. Uriel understood, and simply nodded. The two pressed their foreheads against the other’s, eyes shut, but hearts open.

“Uriel… I… can’t.” He confessed.

“Constantine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t… try and force you into a love you’re not open for. What happened in Gausville…”

“Just… give me more time. Let us rescue everyone. Once Evan and Wrath, and Mephy are safe, I’ll give you the love you deserve. Or I’ll try. We’ll do this together, okay? I promised you that.”

“Together.” Her voice echoed.

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

Mephistopheles prepared himself for a grueling day. He ran over the list he had prepared for the hundredth time that hour. He could not afford even the slightest mistake. Evan and Wrath’s lives were in his hands. He walked past the massive armored cars that looked more like miniature tanks, counting under his breath.

“Everything good, Mephisto?” Andras impatiently called out to him from the front car. It was a similar vehicle, but even more armored than the rest.

Mephistopheles ignored him, his pen running down the checklist while he muttered something.

“Mephisto?” Andras asked again.

The demon continued ignoring him, rushing to the car behind him and checking on the soldiers inside.

“Hello?” Andras struck out for the third time.

“Can you shut your fucking mouth? I’m working here. We’ll go when we’re ready. Unless you want Wrath to turn you into a shishkebab, sit the fuck down and stuff it.”

“Easy Mephisto.” Baal interrupted, coming up behind them. “The boy’s young, don’t be too hard on him. How’re we on schedule?”

“...Seventeen… Eighteen... Yeah, we’re right on schedule. Everything’s in order, just like I asked. The only thing missing is the prisoners.” Mephisto said, turning to Baal.

“Shall I have them brought to you?”

“If you please, the big van yeah?”

“Of course.” Baal, courteously smiled. The massive demon swiveled on his back foot and whistled to some of his soldiers. A few minutes later, a wheelchair was brought forward. On it, sat Wrath. Her body was bound in numerous chains, straps, bindings, and countless seals stuck to her body. Her arms were wrapped around her waist. Her eyes and mouth were covered in dark red patches inscribed with runic markings and her neck was wrapped against a brace that pinned her head to the chair. Moments later, Evan was wheeled up beside her, sitting in a wheelchair in similar fashion.

Baal didn’t want to take any more chances with the brat… Mephisto thought to himself.

“You can remove the neck locks, Baal.” Mephisto said when he saw her.

“Why?”

“I don't want their necks to break during the transfer if we drive over too big a rock or something. Besides, look at them, they’re not going anywhere.”

Baal considered the proposition for a moment, before he nodded in agreement. Two of his soldiers reached and unlocked the braces, prompting both Evan and Wrath to move their heads with slight degrees of freedom.

“Good. Inside, two spots for the chairs, make sure to lock them in place.”

“So, remind me again, two days and one night straight driving, break on the second night, arrive at Dudael the next day?” Baal asked. “That’s your plan?”

“That's correct, Baal.”

“Alright then. On your way Mephisto. I’ll see you in Dudael.”

Mephisto nodded, shaking Baal’s offering hand vigorously. The demon then made his way to Andras’ car, and jumped inside. He made a couple hand signals to a man outside, and soon the whole convoy roared to life with the powerful sounds of their monstrous engines. Mephisto sat up in his car, leaning against the frame pipe of his car’s roof. He turned to Baal, and waved at him, with the demon waving back.

I don’t… like the smile on your face Baal…

The ride was slow, boring, and tiring. Hate. Hate was the word that Mephisto’s mind kept latching onto. He hated the dry desert air, the empty unchanging landscape void of civilization, the mind-numbing boredom that settled during the downtime. But what Mephisto hated most was Andras. How incessant Andras’ talking was. His mouth kept blabbing and blabbing about the world, about Baal and other demons, and about whatever other subject he could think of. The one saving grace was that Andras slept often.

If I hadn’t been specifically ordered to keep you alive at all costs, I would choke you to death with my own hands. Mephisto thought to himself sometime around the second morning.

As dusk began to creep over the horizon at the end of the day, Mephisto gave the signal to his driver. The soldier nodded, and radioed in a specific code to all the others. His voice was malformed, inhuman, and guttural. Soon, the convoy pulled in next to a large rocky hill, where they paused for the night. Mephisto checked if the guards began patrolling the perimeter, and once he knew it was safe, he turned around in his seat for a couple hours of sleep.

The inanimaliat woke up sometime later, in the dead of night. He checked the backseats, and a grin crept on his face when he saw Andras snoring loudly with his body in an awkward position. He then checked his watch. Still an hour to go before his escape plan was to be set in motion.

Alright. Let’s go check around.

Mephisto first made his way past a large boulder, passing by another night owl demon that was relieving himself behind it. He saw a couple guards patrolling, and nodded respectfully at the mindless drones.

“Anything with the prisoners?” He asked them.

“Grishtal, negative.” One of them croaked with a voice more gravelly than the rocks and sand they walked on.

“I’d like to check on them anyway.“

The soldiers turned to each other with their dark masks, before leading Mephisto to the main van. It was flanked on all sides by four other similarly massive vehicles. The demon squeezed himself, between the heavy walls of steel, making his way to the outside ladder of the car. He climbed on it, making his way to the top hatch, when a strange sentiment coursed through him. A weird chill passed through his spine once he reached the top of the van. He looked down at the demonic sentinels under him. They seemed unperturbed. Despite this, he could not shake the feeling. He looked around, far in the distance. The land was empty, and the pitch darkness of the starless sky did not assist his sight.

“Binoculars, now.” He commanded. One of the demons obeyed, rushing to one of the transport cars and returning with a pair of binoculars.

Mephisto smashed them on his face and scanned the horizon. He increased the focus. There had to be something. This feeling was not right. There had to be… There had to... There was… something. A spark flew. More sparks followed. A reddish orange light flared far in the distance. A droplet of blood coursing from the sky.

The hurricane approached.