Shadowess

"What?" Damien said quietly while looking at Carter in surprise. That he not only knew who he'd been referring to but also the news that someone who he'd once considered a friend had been destroyed for plotting his sister's demise was quite a shock. "It's true," Parker said. His voice was still breaking from crying. "You meant Clementine, right? Charles and Nate destroyed her." Damien looked down, staring hard at the fabric of the bed sheets for a moment as he came to terms with this news. He guessed he'd missed more than just his children's lives during the time he'd been in oblivion and he was long overdue a catch-up with Amelia. For now, though, Parker needed him here. He lifted his gaze back to them and nodded. "No matter. I'll find someone else. Someone skilled who can give you nothing but the best." "You don't have to-" "I owe it to you. Let me do this. Let me be here for you." Parker paused and then looked down at the teddy next to him. He lifted it with a small smile. He looked at Will first, then Carter. But the look of Damien's slightly reddened cheeks told him all he needed to know. "You got me this?" "I er-...well,..." Damien stammered while lifting a hand to scratch the back of his head awkwardly. "It's thoughtful. Thank you." Parker told him as he looked at the bear again and Damien visibly relaxed. Relieved that his son had liked his gift. --- Taken aback by James grabbing her, May turned her head to look at him. She bit her lip while glancing around hesitantly. "You may have a point," she said slowly while bringing her eyes back to his. "I- but all these people..." she said and gestured around them. "They need help and I feel guilty for wanting to take a break. It just all feels unfair. One minute they're living normal lives and the next..." She stopped and shook her head, rubbing her eyes again. "No, you're right. I'm tired and it's all getting to me. I can't help people like this. I'll let the other nurses know to cover me for a few minutes." She stepped towards him and placed her hand gently on his arm. "Thank you," she said softly before turning and walking away, hoping to get a few minutes rest in one of the rooms designated for nurses to sleep in when on long shifts. --- "That's right." Rickster nodded at Leo then looked at him in surprise when he said he was a Levaithan. "I thought you were something else!" he admitted. "Didn't those scientists make you into like, a new specie?" A thought then occurred to him. "Actually, you might be able to help me earn my wings. You have ties to the CIA, right? I'll bet they've got agents everywhere trying to keep things calm, or investigate the portal. Maybe you could get me in touch? I could help them and in a wider sense help civilians too." --- "To Brazil, then." Amelia smiled and held out her hands for them. "My telepathy isn't so great but Charles is in a league of his own with this stuff. Try to imagine it so that he can see it and teleport us there. Just don't think about locations that are underwater. You're the only one here with gills." she said to Galiel. --- Eve hugged Adam in return. She still wasn't completely convinced that this wasn't some kind of illusion to mess with her, but it had been so long since she'd seen him that she didn't care. At his words she cried. "No-where is safe..." she told him in a broken voice. "We will never stop being punished." John had opened his mouth to speak but before he could get a word out something had caught Eve's eye and she'd shoved Adam out of the way just as another woman had darted out from the bushes to attack them. The dark haired woman was wearing a torn and dirty, long red dress. Growling ferally, Lilith brandished a knife and swung it at Eve with nothing but pure loathing in her eyes. The tip of it had caught Eve's arm but she reacted by lifting a makeshift wooden spear to block the next swing. Just as the knife chipped the wood, John dove forward to grab both Adam and Eve before teleporting them to their new sanctuary, away from Lilith's murderous intent. He looked at Eve who was now holding her injured arm. "You'll be safe here. I've enchanted the building and grounds... are you alright?" "Fine." Eve answered shortly. She looked around them, clearly doubful of John's claim that they could possibly ever be safe here. "Who was that woman. I couldn't even sense her. She didn't seem to be a Demon." "Lillith. She started hunting me a day or so ago." she then shrugged. "But I'm used to being hunted now. I'm used to being hurt. It's our punishment and it will never end." --- "Good." Shezmu said once both boys had taken his hands. He teleported them straight to Warren's room. Warren jumped to his feet from the couch at the sight of the two boys. "Sam! Dariel! You're safe!" he exclaimed in relief. He then looked at Shezmu with a puzzled look. "But Donnie? Insanity? Where are they?" "Take a seat. All of you. This news will be difficult to receive." Shezmu told them as he let go of the boys hands. "I regret to tell you that the one you know as Donnie has been destroyed. The particular details of his destruction are not known to me but his destruction has been confirmed by Insanity. Additionally, Insanity will not be joining you here either. In his greif he has rid himself of his own powers and Devil status. The act of doing so has drastically altered his appearance to that of a child-like creature." "W-What?" Warren said in shock, staring at Shezmu in disbelief. "He asked that I deliver a message to you. That he is well and will see you again once he has recovered." Shezmu told him. --- Lilly smiled at Death's words. "I hope that time never comes but if it does, at least I'll know I had a brilliant teacher." she looked around at the little town going about it's day like it was any ordinary place. It seemed utterly surreal that the after life could literally be a life after death. That it could operate so similarly to Earth or even the world she had come from originally. Only the atmosphere here was different. There was no chaos here. No pain, starvation or the continuous need to strive for survival. "Peaceful..." she muttered softly. "I don't think I'll ever want to leave." --- Tom gave him a playfully disappointed look. Barely able to conceal his smirk. "You're so naughty sometimes." he chuckled as he put the now empty hangers back on the rack. "And I was looking forward to giving you a tease by undressing in front of you. I guess I'll have to settle for a strip tease when we get back." he grinned and wrapped his arm around his. "Oh, I don't know. It could be romantic to take a casual walk over there. Just you and me and the stars."

Parker continued to sob and squeezed Will's hand as he listened to him and Carter. Nodding at their words, he took a few breaths to try to calm himself down. It felt like a bad dream but he knew that it was real and it was something he was going to have to live with. Damien watched this with a pained expression. He stood at the end of his bed and gripped the metal footrest tightly. "Draven, we'll help you to adjust. Anything you need, just tell us," he said and paused for a moment to think. "I once knew a Demon that was skilled at making life-sized dolls. If I can find her, she might be able to build you an enchanted prosthetic... if you want." --- May couldn't help but laugh nervously as James had asked her if she needed a medic. "Um- no, no, that's fine. Thank you. Besides, I kind of am a medic..." She then raised an eyebrow at his follow-up comment. "I believe there are women soldiers nowadays," she replied while trying to straighten up her scrubs. She was still close to tears and even as James asked her if she wanted a break she felt close to the brink. But she wiped those tears away before they could fall and took a long, deep breath as she looked around the hospital. "I don't have time for a break. None of my staff do. We're likely going to be overwhelmed for the next few days... maybe more if those damned riots keep up." She rubbed her eyes. It was clear that she was frazzled and exhausted by now but she was also determined to help anyone who needed it, even at the cost of her own health. "I'm sorry, I've held you up, I should get back to work." --- Cindy and Kite headed off to one of the rooms to get the kids settled and rest. This left Rickter and Ricky alone for a moment. Rickster smiled at him and wrapped an arm around his waist. "I'll need to go soon, too. But I promise I'll be back. Just as soon as I've got my wings." --- "I did?" David said in surprise as Salvo told him what he'd done. "Huh, and I always thought becoming a Demon for Lucifer would have changed me into something terrible." "All part of the Redemption Programme." Amelia told him and David turned to look at her, intrigued. "You were the first person to believe in me and support me. Charles helped us make it a reality but you were always there as a source of knowledge. We couldn't have done it without you, too." With a little smile, David glanced off in thought. The gaps in his memory were hard on him too but knowing he helped to make a positive difference was comforting. "Galiel, you know the oceans of Earth better than any of us here. Tell us where you need to go and we'll teleport you there." Amelia said as she turned to look at him once more. --- John and Adam appeared in a dense, dark forest. John looked around but he didn't recognise the landscape, yet he could sense that they were still in Hell. He also got a sudden sense that they were being watched. He lifted a finger to his lips to signal to Adam to stay silent. After all, there could be Demons lurking in these woods who had yet to pledge their allegiance to Amelia or Charles. This put John in particular danger as he couldn't risk dying in this plain. Leaves rustled and a twig snapped to their right. John strained to see through the darkness but he could just about make out the silhouette of a slender woman. "Adam?" The figure whispered but kept its distance. Wary of tricks. John lifted his hand and summoned a ball of light. Instantly, the woman lifted her arm to shield her eyes. She looked similar to Adam but her hair was longer and unkempt. Considering she was created from Adam's rib, it would make sense that she looks like she might be his sister. She was wearing hastily stitched-together clothing from a mixture of cloth and fur that barely kept her covered. "Put that away! Put it out!" she hissed at them hurriedly. A hint of fear in her voice. "They'll see!" --- "Quiet." Shezmu looked between the pair calmly. "I am only familiar with the parts of your journey that you briefly shared with Warren, but it matters little to me. I gave my word that I would find his family, and found them I have. Sam, you will find the safety, love and comfort that you seek if you join Warren in his new home. Dariel, my offer stands. You can return with me to Earth and I will train you to become a great warrior. Whether you two decide to stay together or part ways once on Earth is entirely your choice." He stood between them and extended a hand to each of them. "But you must come with me, now." --- Lilly thought for a moment before moving to sit on the edge of the fountain, near him. "Because of what Azrael told me about what would happen if this world ended... I think that's what happened in my universe," she told him. "There was no afterlife there. Just pain, sickness, despair and finally, nothing. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone. So, I know what's at stake. I understand that if there is any potential threat to this world, you can't take any risks. Even if that means that sometimes, you have to do things that might seem cruel or cold." she looked up at him. "So much depends on you. But you don't have to do it alone anymore. Teach me how to use my powers and I will share your burden." --- "Mmm, I like the sound of that." Tom grinned as he pulled out a couple of outfits. "We should get ready then. We don't want to miss the show."

Sure. Did you have any particular history in mind between her and Adam?

Groaning, Parker lifted a hand to rub his eyes before squinting at them all. "Hey..." he sighed weakly with a slightly confused look on his face. For a moment, still dazed from waking up and the drugs in his system, he had forgotten what he was doing here and wondered why everyone had been watching him sleep. Then he remembered the quake, the pain and the fear. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he looked down at himself. Oddly, he could swear he could still feel his leg there. Even wiggle his toes. But it was a false sense. Nothing but a memory of what he used to have. His face contorted as he struggled to hold back his grief. "Oh..." he sobbed, covering his face with his hands. - Surprised at being slammed into a wall and threatened, Mr Mitchell gawped at James. He was infuriated but seeing as James was slightly taller and much leaner than he was, he knew a fight would not work in his favour. Instead, he turned his head to look at Nurse May, about to ask if this hospital condoned James's behaviour but being met by her cold stare, he got the impression that she might. "Oh, get off me!" Mitchell huffed while shoving James's hand away. "Fine! I'll go back to the waiting room but your staff better hurry up!" he snapped, trying to save face as he stomped away. May let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you." her voice was still shaking from the encounter and she looked close to tears. --- Rickster held on to the kiss for a moment before letting go and glancing around. "You don't need to go anywhere," he said. "You just need some fortification spells. I can write a few down for you." "Oh, I can help with the incantations!" Desi chimed in, eager to help. "Good. The ingredients are easy enough. It's mostly salt and sage. It's based on the very basic stuff." "Write a list and I'll get what we need," Atma said as she hurried over to the little side table near the wall and pulled out a notepad from its drawer. After listing all the ingredients and incantations, both Desi and Atma headed off together to enchant each room of the mansion. Oscar had rushed off to update Leo on Rickster's return. "I'm sorry to be a pain, but I don't suppose you have anywhere I can put these two to sleep?" Cindy asked Ricky. "I read that it's not safe to leave them sleeping in strollers for too long." --- Mon had been crying silently as Salvo told them he was proud and named Bern his successor. Amelia looked at Galiel as he spoke. She wasn't familiar with merpeople and their customs. The topic was rare, even among the history books of Hell's Library. "What do you need? Is there any way we can help?" She asked. "You're a merman?!" David blinked. In the short time he'd been staying at the mansion since losing his memory, the topic had never come up. So it was like he was learning this for the first time again. Amelia glanced very breifly at her father before returning her gaze to Galiel. She didn't know how they'd do it yet, but as soon as they're done with this portal business, she was determined to restore David's memory... somehow. --- "Imagine her, like you did for this place," John said as he got to his feet as well. "I'll see if I can teleport us to her." he held out his hands for Adam to take. --- What Sam seemed to have already deemed as madness, Shezmu only saw a warrior fighting for survival. It was instinctive in a world as harsh and difficult as Hell. The boy was still alive as well. Shezmu could sense it. He could hear his heartbeat hammering like a war drum. To have survived here for so long was impressive and Shezmu smiled as he saw a potential in this child to become a great fighter. But first, something was bothering him that he would need to take care of urgently. He laid a gentle but firm hand on Sam's shoulder, signalling him to stay put. He then walked ahead of him and raised a hand to show Dariel that he meant no harm. "I hope you don't mind but I am terribly parched..." he greeted him politely then lifted his hands in front of him with his palms facing upwards. As he did, the blood that covered Dariel from head to toe started to lift away from him. It was as if an invisible force was pulling the droplets from his skin and his clothes to form a long, stream in the air that arched its way to Shezmu who opened his mouth wide to drink it until Dariel was completely clean. Once finished, Shezmu wiped a little of the blood that had dripped onto his lips with his finger. "...and I'd much rather talk to you than drink you," he said before licking the last bit from his finger. "Mm, that's better. Now then, young Dariel, I see you have grown into quite a fierce warrior during your time in Hell. I can help you to hone your skills. To help you learn to direct your anger to those who would harm the innocent. You would find no greater teacher, than I." He offered before stepping to one side to reveal Sam behind him. He gestured to him. "In return, I ask that you return to Earth with your beloved. A man by the name of Warren has requested that I ensure your safe return. I believe you're familiar with him?" --- "Wait-!" Lilly started to run after him but was stopped by Azrael who had gently taken her arm. "Princess-" He began but Lilly turned to him. "I don't understand, what happened?" She asked. "There is something that you need to understand about our world." He said urgently. "Death is powerful but our world is the stronghold of reality." he tried to explain. Seeing Lilly's confused expression, he pressed on. "Lives come and go. Planets, stars and solar systems come and go. But our world MUST persist. Because of The Balance." "The Balance?" Lilly said slowly. "Death is the end of things but there cannot be death without life and there cannot be life without death. If one should fall, all will follow. Understand? So, it is imperative that we defend our realm at all costs from those who would do it harm. Or all lives will suffer for it. Sometimes this means we have to make difficult choices for the sake of all. And this, as you can imagine, can be a heavy burden to our King." he let go of her arm. "You ought to know that before you speak to him about what happened here today." Lilly paused and stared at the ground for a moment in thought. She then brought her eyes back to meet Azrael's and nodded. "I-... I understand... I think." "It's a lot to take in. But we'll teach you more about The Balance in time. For now..." he gestured to the door that Death had left through. Following after Death, Lilly found him at the fountain and approached him from behind. "Azreal told me about The Balance..." she told him calmly. "I'm sorry if I made you think you had upset me. I just don't know how things work here yet. But I'll learn, father. I want to learn." she took a step towards him. She'd barely registered that she had called him father so naturally. "Teach me?" --- "Hmmm," Tom purred with a smirk. "An elegant emerald colour? Or regal blue?" he turned his head to look at Nate. "Passionate red?"

STORY CONTINUED HERE;

The world was already chaotic with a secret society of supernatural creatures hiding their existence from humans to simply survive. Throw in the afterlife and alternate universes and you've got some realms in desperate need of balance.

Awesome, I'll get started on mine after work 🙂

No worries. Did you want to write in his reaction before I type up my reply?

Hey, just jumping in quick before I go to work. Salvo's boyfriend's name was Galiel 😉

It was a tense awkward and emotional wait. But after several minutes, Parker's eyebrows furrowed and he groaned a little. His head turned slightly to one side as he began to stir. The sound broke the silence and Damien couldn't help but let out a quiet gasp as he stared at his son. His heart was pounding, knowing that his awakening and coming to terms with his loss would be harder to bear than the wait had been. - "FUCKING USELESS!" a man could be heard shouting further down the corridor. "I've been waiting for hours! When is someone going to help ME?!" Outwardly, there didn't appear to be anything wrong with the man aside from a few scratches and bruises. "Sir, we are doing the best we can given the circumstances but right now there are other patients-" Nurse May tried to calm the man down but he shouted over her, his reddened face getting in hers in a threatening way. "I WAS HERE BEFORE HALF THESE PEOPLE! WHAT EXACTLY DO I PAY INSURANCE FOR IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUT EVERY BUM AND SALLY SOB STORY BEFORE YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS ANYWAY?!" It was clear by her red cheeks and the slight shake in her voice that May was becoming flustered by the altercation but she maintained a professionally stern approach. "Patients are seen depending on the severity of their needs, Mr Mitchell and our team are stretched thin due to the volume of patients that we currently have!-" "THAT'S NOT MY FAULT THOUGH, IS IT?! STOP COMING UP WITH EXCUSES, DO YOUR FUCKING JOB AND GET A DOCTOR TO TAKE A LOOK AT ME NOW OR I'LL SUE YOU AND YOUR HOSPITAL INTO THE FUCKING GROUND!" "I would strongly suggest that you lower your voice, sir or you will be removed from the premises!" "YOU WANT TO KICK ME OUT? GO ON THEN. DO IT. I DARE YOU TO FUCKING TRY KICKING ME OUT. THINK I WON'T HIT A GIRL? FUCKING TRY IT!" He moved towards her threateningly, forcing her to take a couple of steps back while continually shouting in her face "TRY IT! TRY IT! GO ON! NOT SO TOUGH NOW, EH?!" --- "Didn't I tell you those spells would come in handy?" Rickster's voice came from the open doorway. He was leaning against the frame and giving Ricky a warm smile. Oscar straightened up, looking at him in surprise then looked at Ricky to see his reaction. Atma had also lost her train of thought, being caught so off-guard by Rickster's sudden return from Heaven. "Though I have to admit, our dear friend here," he gestured to Atma. "Has a great point. Those protection spells will only go so far and most of them will need some maintenance after that quake." He stepped inside and walked towards Ricky. "I can't stay for too long," he said softly while lifting his hand to caress his cheek. "The quake, as bad as it was, has given Angels in training a unique opportunity to earn their wings a lot sooner. I can earn mine but I need to help humans who need it. I just couldn't resist stopping by to see you again. Once I've earned my wings I'll be free to come back to you." --- "Boss!" Mon gasped, covering his mouth with his hands. He looked at Amelia and Charles desperately. "Y-you guys have powers, right? Isn't there anything you can do?" Amelia looked from Salvo to Mon and then back again as she shook her head sadly. "I'm so sorry," she replied in a gentle tone. "This isn't something that can be reversed but it doesn't mean that this is the end." she glanced at Bern, hinting that they already knew at least one likely scenario that could happen once Salvo passes on into his afterlife. She hoped this knowledge would be of some comfort. --- "Then we find her and bring her home as soon as you're ready to begin," John said to him. "She can help us to build our new Eden. Either as a wife or simply a friend." He looked around breifly. "My spells are done. This place is completely concealed. Outsiders will neither be able to see nor sense the entire grounds. The only people who will be able to teleport in and out is us. We're completely safe here. The people we bring will be safe. Eventually, from this point, Eden's beautiful garden will regrow to cover all of Hell. Then, we will be finally safe and strong enough to lift these spells." --- Carol was reluctant to let Sam leave with this stranger but ultimately Sam was old enough to decide for himself and she couldn't force him to stay. "If he hurts you or does anything dodgy, you call for me and I'll be there!" She said to Sam before lifting a threatening finger at Shezmu. "And if you harm a hair on this boy's head I'll make you regret it for centuries!" Shezmu merely smirked at her threat. "A warrior with a mother's instinct. You have my word, I will bring no harm to Sam." he then turned to the boy and gestured for him to follow. "Come, child. Let's find your beloved, then." --- Kyle had still been screaming in agony up until he was consumed and an eerie silence fell in the throne room. Azrael had not reacted. Although it was rare, Kyle hadn't been the first soul to be consumed and he doubted he would be the last. Lilly, however, had jumped to her feet upon seeing what had happened and gawped at Death in disbelief. "What-? What happened? Where did he go? Did- did you eat him?" she asked, confused and in awe. --- "What?" Henderson muttered at the hitman's outburst. He watched, baffled, as the man then fled the precinct. He stayed where he was for several minutes. His heart had been hammering in his chest throughout the entire encounter so this was his first opportunity to calm down. Gingerly, he stood from the chair and looked around the place to make sure he was gone. Then a realisation dawned on him. A murderer and cop killer had escaped on his watch. "Fuck!" he rubbed his forehead from stress. "Will's guna be pissed!" --- Feeling Nate behind him, Tom leaned against him while trying to decide on an outfit. "Hmm, I like the sound of a black suit. Maybe..." he ran his hands over the sleeve of a black jacket. "We could wear satin underneath? I love the feel of it against my skin."

For a long moment, Damien stood silently to one side. His eyes were wide as he stared at his son. He was feeling a mixture of emotions that were all new to him and he could barely fathom it in this moment. Was he angry? upset? Did he want to cry or punch the wall? He did none of these. In fact, he was practically frozen to the spot but hearing Carter's knuckles cracking somewhat brought him out of his stupor. He blinked and briefly looked around the room as he blinked back tears before stepping forward to gently place the stuffed bear in the nook of Parker's arm. He then stepped back and looked at Will. Giving him a sympathetic look as he lifted his hand to give his shoulder a comforting squeeze. He didn't speak. Fearful that if he opened his mouth to do so his emotions would erupt out of him in the form of a scream. Nurse May was caught offguard by James's comment and she flustered. Even blushing a little. "Um I- thank you." she said, not knowing how else to respond as she hurried off to see to other patients. --- "Desi!" Oscar half jogged down the stairs to greet them. "It's good to see you and your family are safe!" He bent down a little to smile at the sleeping twins. "And who are these cuties?" "Ricky, we really should talk security," Atma said as she also entered the room. "The spells you had on the place kept it secure but what about the riots? What if those reach our doors-?" she paused at the sight of the little family. "Oh, hello!" --- Mentally preparing themselves for anything, Amelia teleported them all to Salvo's location. --- "Is this in relation to the Forbidden Fruit?" John asked, curious. "We could try to find her and make her part of our new paradise?" he suggested. --- "Leave the boy in my care," Shezmu said. "I can help him locate his lover and deliver them both to Warren." "And why should we trust you? You're basically a stranger!" Carol argued, moving to stand in front of Sam defensively. "How do I know you're not sent here to destroy him? You'd say anything to get him alone!" "My dear girl, if I had wanted you all dead then you already would be. Alas, I am demonstrating a profound amount of restraint given that I am still famished from my centuries-long slumber." his eyes flashed red for a moment and chills ran up Carol's spine. "No! We'll take him to Warren and we'll find Dariel. You can go back to whatever tomb you crawled out from!" "You are trying my patience, woman," Shezmu growled. --- Kyle hit the floor and before he could even catch his breath the pain shot through his every vein, bone and muscle. He writhed, screaming in agony. His wide eyes stared up at Death who was blurred and obscured through his tears. Azrael did not react nor move. He felt this act was completely justifiable given the man's crimes. Lilly couldn't help but sit up in her chair. It was difficult for her to watch and she wasn't sure how to feel about what was happening. She, like Azrael, felt that this was justified. But she also found herself fascinated by Death's strength. Would she be able to learn to do this one day? Would she be as powerful as he is? "Stop! Make it stop!" Kyle screamed. "For fucks sake! What do you want from me?! I'll do anything! Just stop!" --- Henderson faltered. This wasn't exactly normal circumstances and it wasn't like he had anyone else here to back him up. That and he was an unarmed man against a clearly armed hitman. "Alright, alright." He said gently with his hands up a little. Trying to diffuse the situation. Worried that he might antagonise the man into taking his frustrations out on him. "Look, I can't promise anything. This is... a little out of my area of expertise..." Understatement of the year. "Let's just wait for my colleagues to get back and then we can discuss this with my boss, ok?" --- Tom grinned, excited by the idea. "I'd like that." he purred. "Let's get dressed up for it." he jumped up excitedly and hurried over to the wardrobe. Opening it up to look at their options.

Damien turned to James and gave him a thankful smile. "I appreciate it. Probably best for you to stand just outside the door." he sadi with a nod. Reluctantly, Sebastian left with River and Alex who walked out of the hospital casually until they were sure they wouldn't be noticed as River teleported them all to his home to wait. When Nurse May returned, Damien explained that only he and Carter would be going into the room while James stood guard. She was apprehensive but nodded. "Fine. I believe his boyfriend is already in there as we speak so it'll be a bit of a squeeze," she said before leading them to Parker's room. Parker would still be sleeping when they'd arrive. Covered by a blanket so as not to alarm him when he'd wake up, though the space under his knee was noticeably flat. --- "You're on the Redemption Programme. That to me is proof enough that you're making the right kind of changes." Cindy added. "I forgive you." "Now that we're all friends, let's get these little ones inside where it's warmer, hmm?" Desi chimed in as he lifted the stroller over the threshold and into the foyer. --- Mon stood. He'd heard about the looting and riots going on so he took his gun from its holster to make sure it was definitely loaded before replacing it. "I'm ready. I'm going too," he said resolutely. "Alright then, let's go," Amelia said as she held out her hands to take David's in one and Charles's in the other. David, being barely familiar with teleportation anymore, followed her lead and reached out a hand to Mon who took it. Mon then reached his free hand for Bern's. --- John watched Adam carefully for a moment. As eager as he was to create the new Eden, it wouldn't do their little paradise any good if their King was in mental anguish. "Do... do you want to tell me about it?" he suggested. --- This Devil didn't sound familiar to Shezmu but he committed the description to memory in case he were to run into him. Even if he was imprisoned now, there's no telling what the future holds. "Thank you, strange little one," he said with a nod and straightened up. "I will find Sam and deliver your message to Warren." He glanced back at Abbadon. He hadn't known this Devil either but he'd heard of him. To see such a champion of violence stricken to mortality was both unnerving and concerning. He needed to think of a way to destroy this red devil without risking his own power in the process. He could not allow himself to suffer the same fate as this one. "Farewell to you both. May his recovery be swift," he said before turning away from them and vanishing. --- Carol glanced around warily. "Dammit, we can't leave until our task is done. There's too much at stake," she said quietly. "And I'm not even sure where we could take you that's safe anyway... You're kind of a fugitive." she looked back at Sam and shrugged. "Look, just stay close by, ok? And do as we say. If we tell you to be quiet and hide, you do it. There are way stronger, more violent Demons on the loose after the cells collapsed. Once we've done what we came here to do we'll see if we can convince Amelia and Charles to grant you a pardon. You might have to go onto the Redemption Programme for a while." "The boy is old enough to be a soldier. Sheltering him would only make him soft." Shezmu's voice and sudden appearance had made Carol jump. She whirled around, taking up a defensive stance. "Stay behind me, kiddo," she warned Sam. "You needn't fear me. I am merely here to keep my word." "And what word would that be?" "I was sent by Warren to confirm his family's safety." He explained calmly then lowered his eyes to Sam. --- "N-no, no, no!" Kyle choked while tightly gripping Death's arm. "Y-you don't need to do that! M-maybe we can come to some kind of arrangement? I-I could work for you? Yeah! I'll work for you! Look, I'm really good at finding things. Valuable things. Rare things. Even people! You put me back on Earth and I could be your personal delivery boy! How does that sound, eh?" he bargained desperately. Barely able to contain his fear as he tried to give Death his best salesman smile. --- Henderson didn't understand how this man's sudden change of heart was an Australian thing but he wasn't about to argue with a professional killer. That was until the hitman said he wanted to go with them to confront his boss. "Oh no, if we're doing this we're doing it by the book. Which means we need to book and process you properly then get your statement. Then you sit and wait in a cell where it's safe while our guys raid your boss's place. Then we can talk about a deal in return for you testifying against your boss in court." Henderson said sternly, surprising himself that he'd managed to find his voice despite his predicament. --- Tom held on to his kiss for as long as he could. "Well, before you fly off to save this boy, let's make the most of tonight." he kissed his cheek. "We could go out and make a date of it. I hear there's going to be an opera at the theatre across town. Lots of private booths." he smirked playfully. "Or we can stay in and simply enjoy each other's company. Or do something else. What do you think?"

Damien took a moment to gauge whether Carter was being sincere or trying to distract him. Then his eyes softened a little and he broke into a small smile as he looked down at the bear in his hands. "It isn't much... I don't even know if he'd like things like this." "You lot really need to stop getting into trouble" Nurse May said upon walking into the waiting room to see a lot of familiar faces. "Are you all here for Parker?" she asked, looking around at them. "Yes, is he ok?" River asked, beating Alex to the punch as he'd also opened his mouth to speak. "He'll need a lot of support but he'll be fine and is expected to make a full recovery. He's just being taken back to his room at the moment and made comfortable. You'll be able to visit him soon but not all of you at once." she sighed, giving them all a sympathetic look. "I'm really sorry and I know I'm going to be asking a lot, but I need to ask that only a couple of you stay here to visit. The rest of you need to either go home or go somewhere safe." She glanced around at the chaos. "We're overwhelmed and simply don't have the room to accommodate full families of visitors. Not while we have so many patients and barely enough room for them as it is and even more coming in by the minute." She sighed and glanced around. "I'll give go and give you five minutes to decide who should stay and who should go. Then I'll come back to take whoever is staying to Parker's room to wait for him to wake up." with that, she hurried off to help other people. Alex and River looked at each other anxiously before looking at the others. Both wanted to stay but knew who Parker would want to see most upon waking up. "I think Carter should stay here. He's closest to Parker." River said. Alex nodded in agreement. "I can teleport me and the rest of us somewhere. We can always take it in turns to come back and see him." "I'm staying too," Damien added resolutely. "I owe it to him to be here now." Sebastian hugged Carter. "Be strong for him and take as much time as you need." --- Astonishingly, it was still standing. Desi teleported the five of them to the little courtyard outside the mansion to find that not a single pebble was out of place. Yet houses on either side had some level of destruction to them. "How?" Desi gasped in astonishment. "Ricky used to do shady deals with Demons and Rickster was literally a magician. I don't think it takes a genius to work out they used spells." Cindy commented. "Ah yes, I keep forgetting." Desi turned to look into the stroller. Both babies had fallen asleep and hadn't been disturbed by their sudden teleportation. "Aww, little blessings. Asleep at last," he commented as he started pushing the stroller up to the front door. Cindy rang the doorbell. --- Carol had been on high alert and ready for a fight as Eris approached the hooded figure. Then she saw his face and her guard faltered. She didn't care about the remark. She was simply relieved to see the boy alive and safe. This was evident as she marched up to him to pull him into a tight hug. "You matter," she said in a firm but gentle tone. As she let him go she faked clearing her throat and fidgeted on her feet awkwardly. "You tell anyone I hugged you and I will torture you, though." she bantered while looking around. "What happened? Are you alone here?" --- Amelia's and David's eyes snapped to Bern when he shouted. Mon, who had been quietly staring at the ground until this point reached over and placed a hand on his knee. "Bern, we gotta help the boss..." he said in a broken, tired voice. David sighed, unsure of what Bern's problem was. He'd sensed a strain when he'd tried talking to them on their own earlier but didn't know it was because he'd lost his memories. He looked back at Amelia and Charles. "Well, I'm in. You said you're my daughter and I wouldn't be much of a father if I let you wander into danger unsupervised." he chuckled. --- It had taken a few hours, a lot of patience and some headache inducing complext spells. But finally, John was done and the relief was immeasurable. Safe at last. He decided to look around properly and check up on Adam. When he finally found him, his heart ached to see him so upset. He rushed over to his on the edge of his bed. "Adam? What's wrong?" --- Shezmu stared at the Devil on the bed for a moment before turning to nod at Insanity. "I will deliver your message and find Sam. But first, tell me more about this Devil who can steal powers from others," he asked as he knelt down to give him his full attention. The news of a Devil that could potentially strip him of his power was a clear threat that Shezmu would not be able to ignore. He would need to learn more and, for now, be cautious not to cross paths with such a creature. --- The taxi's horn honked continually as the driver's body fell against it. The radio was still in his limp, hanging hand. Blood pooled around him, slowly dripping its way down his arm, over the radio and down his fingertips to drip onto the floor. "What the fuck?... WHAT THE FUCK?!" he screamed. He was standing just outside his vehicle, staring at his lifeless body. At his blood that had sprayed across his windscreen and the hole in the back of his head. "Am I dreaming?!" "No. You are quite dead." A voice came from his left and he jumped to look at the dark-haired man. Azreal was usually gentle with new souls but for this one, he glared dangerously. "D-dead? Shit! You're going to take me to hell, aren't you?" The driver panicked. "I know about your kind! I-" "I know your crimes." Azrael interrupted him. His tone was acidic. "Your affiliations with the humans who would treat other species as test subjects. Ordinarily, I wouldn't involve myself. It's forbidden, you see. We of the Realm of Death must maintain balance above all. But you. You." he growled. "You are a special case. You have sinned against the Realm of Death and for this, you will be brought to him for judgement." "Who? How the fuck did I do anything to the realm of the dead?!" Without another word, Azrael gripped the driver roughly by his shirt and teleported them both to Death's throne room where he threw him to the ground and stood aside. The driver looked up shakily. He didn't recognise Death, nor any of the servants going about their normal duties in the background. But Lilly. The raven-haired girl sitting by one of the high gothic windows, who's eyes widened at the sight of him. He'd met her and her friends on Earth briefly. Just before the earthquake had hit. They'd found a body in his trunk and he'd struck her across the face for not minding her business. When he realised she was a necromancer he'd fled the scene, knowing he was outmatched. But he'd reported her last known location on Earth to a very eager, very malicious organisation. "Oh fuck..." he muttered as he looked from Lilly to Azrael and then to Death so was obviously the most powerful person here given the look of the throne he was seated in. "I- I didn't know she was one of you." He started but deep down, he knew it wouldn't have mattered if he had. "Please, I didn't know. It was just a job!" "Sire, this wretch is known as Kyle Rothers. He spent his life selling drugs, weapons and people to the highest bidders. He sold the names and locations of various supernatural beings to agencies including but not limited to ADIEU. More relevantly, he not only assaulted your daughter but sold information about her to said organisation." Azrael informed Death while reading from his book. He then looked up and saw Lilly's pale face and the news that ADIEU might go looking for her at Storm's home. Putting Bob and the others in imminent danger. "I have already sent word to some Angels to keep an eye on your friends," he added to reassure her. --- Officer Henderson awoke with a start and jumped to see the hitman out of his cell and standing very casually in front of him. He eyed him and the gun warily. "W-why? Weren't you trying to kill us before? Why now?" he asked, confused. He heard the blaring sound of a car horn outside but he didn't dare take his eyes off the hitman. He didn't like this. He felt like he was being toyed with. --- Tom frowned and placed his glass back on the table. He got up and walked over to sit on his lap. Lifting his fingers, he gently brushed some of his hair from his eyes. "Oh, Nate. All we can do is try," he said softly. "And we must try. We must believe that there is good in people. He's just a boy. He's probably feeling lost in our world... sure, he might be angry but maybe he just needs someone to talk him around. To help him process his grief." He brushed his lips against his cheek. "Just promise me you'll be careful if you see him? Promise that you'll come back to me."

Sebastian turned his head to look worriedly at Carter. Given his history of depression and suicidal tendencies, the statement that he'd come out with was alarming. Sebastian's heart ached. He'd truly hoped they were past this but it seemed such an affliction wasn't easily cured. "Carter, look at me," he said gently while cupping his chin. "It will be alright. He's strong but he only got like that from looking up to you. Do you hear me? You're his role model. and he's going to need you to be strong for him now more than ever." At that moment, both James and Damien teleported into the room next to them. Among the chaos and commotion of the hospital, their sudden appearance went almost completely unnoticed. What did not go unnoticed by everyone in the group was the combined smell of liquor and weed on the pair. If that hadn't been enough of a giveaway, Damien's reddened eyes would be. He gripped the bear tightly and looked around at them all. "Any news yet?" he asked, then his eyes landed on Carter. Both he and Sebastian exchanged a worried glance. It had barely been 24 hours since Damien had attempted to leave the country to spare Carter from his withdrawal. Now he was standing in the same room, likely as Carter's cravings would be beginning to peak. "Damien-" Sebastian began in a warning tone. "Don't worry." Damien cut him off and gave Carter a stern glare. "I'm not weak anymore." he showed them his wrist, now free of the bracelet that had rendered him powerless. "I can defend myself, if necessary." --- "My old-?" Desi began and Cindy cut him off. "Oh no! We're not taking the children there! The smell alone..." she shivered. "I'm fairly sure the previous squatters cleaned it thoroughly before moving in but I take your point. Hell isn't exactly safe for children as it is." He relented with a chuckle then scratched his head as he thought. "We could visit your friends in that mansion? See if they're in a position to provide refuge? Or I could ask Blaire if she wouldn't mind us popping in for a little while until we can figure something else out?" --- Eris took her hand, "I was born ready!" In an instant, Carol and Eris were standing in the heart of Dead City. Abandoned buildings towered around them. The only thing they could see behind each window and down every alley was suppressing darkness. Silence. Aside from their own footsteps, the entire area was utterly soundless. Carol gave Eris an uneasy look, then a nervous smile. They would need to venture into the lightless buildings to expand their search. --- "It seems everyone is having a hard time right now. How are you though? Are you hurt?" Amelia asked, looking at each of them but resting her eyes on her father. "I had a couple of scratches but they healed up within seconds... perks of being a Demon, I guess." David shrugged. "Right... I keep forgetting this is practically new to you all over again." Amelia nodded. "How would you like to put your new skills to use? We could really use your help." "What do you need?" David asked curiously while taking his hands out of his pockets. "You too. May as well gather as many Demon hands as we can." Amelia added while glancing over at Bern. "For starters, let's check up on your boss. It's the least I can do for him taking my dad in while he's... um..." "Forgetful? An amnesiac?" David asked with an amused smirk. "Yeah... then we need to work with the Angels to help mortals as well as search for a way to close the portal. Charles and I will go and meet up with Raguel to come up with a plan that utilizes both our forces. The more ground we cover, the better." she looked at Charles to see if he was on board with her idea. "Portal?" "Oh right, you don't know. A large portal from another dimension opened up. That's what caused the quakes. Those quakes have hit Heaven and Hell too, by the way. There's this boy that might be linked to how it opened. We need to find him but until we know more I wouldn't recommend confronting him. We need to come to an agreement with Heaven on how he will be handled once we find him." "I'm sorry, did you just say 'another dimension'??" David looked between them, wondering if this was some kind of joke. Amelia frowned and nodded. "You um... this wouldn't be the first and... you were there for that one." "I was?! Did I meet an Alien?!" David seemed equally shocked and excited. --- It took several minutes. The building was larger than John had initially assumed. But the more he explored, the more it seemed perfect as a little hidden kingdom. Their own secret paradise, concealed from enemy eyes. A home. He found no occupants but curiously he found some blueprints that included two rooms with no doors or windows. Their only access would be to teleport in and out. He checked those too and found nothing but some old splattered blood on the floor in one and a large glyph painted across the floor in the other. Both rooms were perfectly circular. Perhaps, after some time, he could re-purpose these rooms as prisons for trespassers or rule breakers? An idea to revisit later. For now, having explored every inch of the grounds, gardens, and rooms, John was content that they were completely alone. He rummaged through various drawers and cupboards until he found the supplies he would need for his spells. He then set about spending the next few hours carving small glyphs into the marble bricks around the grounds and rooms while chanting under his breath. The spells he was weaving were complex and required his full concentration but once he was done, not only would living mortals be unable to leave but not a single soul, Angel, Demon, or Devil be able to locate or even see this compound from the outside. Not unless Adam or John personally teleported them in, at least. --- "Maybe he's just hangry?" Larissa suggested "Is that how the young ones say it now? he's just woken up and he's a Blood God. He probably just needs a deer or two and he will be fine." "Ay! Larissa, you are so innocent sometimes, you know this?" Bianka chuckled and bent to kiss her forehead. "Please don't change." --- "So, the other is gone then?" Shezmu asked. Though he masked it well, this had interested him. Perhaps he could convince Warren to sign his contract after all? He gave no interest to Insanity's pain nor his grief. Simply here to fulfill his end of the bargain. "Warren will grieve this news but it is you that he held most dear in his heart," he said as he gestured to Insanity then hesitated at his current form. "Though he may be shocked by your... change. He asked me to find his family. To confirm you are all safe." he glanced at the Abaddon on the bed. "Unless he has changed as drastically as yourself, I am inclined to assume that this is not Sam? Where is the troublesome son?" --- "You'll be burned." The taxi driver commented quietly. Of course, he didn't mean a literal burn. He meant that a hit would be put out on the hitman for trying to leave his job. After all, he'd seen, heard, and done too much to simply be let loose. The driver backed away from him. "Fine. If you want to throw your life away? Be my guest. I'm getting out of here." he said before hurrying out of the building. He wasn't just running to get away from the hitman. He was running to the radio in his taxi, to report what the hitman had told him to their bosses. The hitman said he was paying him to leave, but he didn't mention anything about keeping his mouth shut. --- "Easy, I used to be human, you know." Tom chuckled. "Stay away from the freaky green-eyed kid from another dimension, got it," he added with a nod. "That's awful though. I wonder why they came here?" He poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip. "Mmm, it's good... it's not your blood though," he smirked.

Aaaand that's all the blogs & character images added too 🙂 I think we're completely up to date now