He still had no idea what the card he might pick was. A frustrated sigh left the angel before he reached out to touch a card carefully. Purple flames licked his fingertips, dancing and making the limbs glow. He couldn't even tell if it truly hurt or not, for he withdrew the hand almost as quickly from the card. "That one." It might be entirely the wrong pick, but at this point he didn't think there was anyway he could win. The shade before him seemed even more cunning then it appeared, or perhaps even more then it let show. The man didn't even know what gender the shade was.

Unfortunately, the judgement was not in the hands of The Sign; they were playing a card game set by the Death itself, Orestes was about to pick a card that the dark lord of the fallen had carefully molded. This terrible game was meant for angels and demons to call one of their partners, if the shades were able to hold them back, the victims would decided but a destiny....that often finished them one way or another. "...The pURPle caRD? hIehIEhIe" Decisions, decisions, they would tear them apart for sure as the masked man moved his hands over the burning pre-selected item. "This sHALl bE tHe OnE TheN..." It did not matter to the impurity anymore, if they got sealed , nobody would escape; if they got sucked into the fifth level of the hell, the angel and impurity would be tortured; last but not least, if they got free, the Shade would be captured by the angels and, furthermore, would be forced to tell the truth about the Death's plan.

It was all so very strange, especially with that shivering voice wailing trough the air. "Well, what's the verdict?" Certain death for sure. None of the options save one appeared to be positive at all. Either burning or Hell. What a horrid choice, and one he really didn't care about anymore. His mission had been false, a trick. They hadn't known, Orestes had to believe his superiors didn't know at all.

Yet the time went on, Impurities and beasts watched the "special act" with awe, trying not to show any kind of emotion. The pressure of the wind keened and expanded while the not-so-impressed Sign held the card. "THIS IS THE CHOICE! LET US LIVE OR BURN UNDER YOUR JUDGEMENT, GREAT LORD DEATH!!" The rest of the Shades favored their leader, yelling high-pitched cheers.

But the cheering would not last long, seeing how the purple card sealed the area, making it impossible for the two characters to ever escape. "uNsheAte YoUr sWOrd" Muttered Orestes' enemy "The cARd is aboUt to rEvEaL OUr faTe" And so it did, the item began to open slowly, as a flower in plain spring.

He wanted nothing more then to shove the sword he'd pulled out hastily into the other man's throat. Such a show off! And this involved their death, for in this they were now bound. How very strange to think that what he faced would be shared with his enemies. "Hopefully one we can both bear." It seemed like the only thing that they could bear would be separation. Since that was unlikely, Orestes hoped that this would end quickly, whatever it was.

Detailed sounds of a clock, whispers, screams, laughs, cries, thunders and winds came from the card. Fierce flames could be seen inside the aperture of a new portal. Perhaps the most horrifying fact was that the Sign did not stay calm, on the contrary, he laughed outloud "COME ON! BURN US! BURN US NOW! HIEHIEHIEHIEHIE-HAH-HAH-HAH-HA!" Deep chuckles followed his last words.

The portal began to act like a vortex, trying to draw the two males inside of it with the strenght of a hurricane that just complemented its power with flames from the very hell.

Gritting his teeth, the angel maneuvered himself so he was able to make an attempt at the punching the Sign's masked face. "Snap out of it you fool! Would you welcome Death to end you so easily?" The man was crazy, of course he would. Orestes resisted the winds and flames with a determined look in his eyes. Searching for something to hold onto , he used his wings to fight against the tugging gusts as best he could.

And just when they thought that it was all over, the flames faded. What happened?! Both the Sign and Orestes were sucked inside of a new world. "HAH! BURN Us! B...buRN...?" Did the angel manage to choose the right card? Was this the real exterior -the angelic realm-? "NO....nO! tHis cAn't be! ThE WaLls! ThEsE AReN'T THE gaTeS FroM hELL!" He was correct, along with Orestes, The Sign appeared in the angelic court; home of the Guardians and Wings -Soldiers-.

It would not take longer than just a few seconds before his capture, but more importantly, Orestes was safe...and yet a new inquiry remained: Did Aurus know that he would be in danger all along?

The new development shocked the angel into silence for a few moments. Almost before he could think, Orestes was moving to intercept the guards pulling the Sign away. "Wait! Please, leave him under my care." Then he would have to go and report to Aurus. There had been not a word spoken of his danger, of the fact that things were still unwell between the angels and Death's aids. The blonde had thought that this was a joint mission, not this deadly farce.

Various guards handcuffed and immobilized the unfortunate impurity, he remained quiet during the next few minutes. "We will be right behind you, Guardian Orestes" Four of the most skilled Wings stood up aside the angel. The sole thought of a Guardian having returned from Earth was utterly ridiculous, and the fact that he had brought a prisoner was way more surprising; not many Death Helpers were found outside of their realm.

A couple of soldiers looked down at the black being, wondering who could have captured such monster, some others observed Orestes, feeling proud. Meanwhile, Aurus discussed with the other three Seraphs in the Holy Hall, perhaps there was a major situation going on.

Nodding, he began walking briskly towards the grand hall where the Seraphs usually gathered. White columns, white marble, all mixed together to create an impression of unrelenting purity. Not at all a relaxing atmosphere. Soon, he caught sight of Aurus and moved to his side with an expression of angry curiosity.

He didn't want to interrupt, and so waited until the other Seraphs had grown silent. "I was very nearly killed on this mission. It wasn't what I'd been led to believe." Let the Seraph make of that statement what he willed. It was the truth as Orestes saw it.

"Orestes?! You are alive" Aurus replied instantly, he did not expect him to be alive after the massacre. The rest of the Seraphs approached the two, Ariadne was the first one to speak "Guardian, you honor us with your presence". "How did you come back?" Ezequiel, the Seraph of the East, asked with a worried tone of voice. At last, Orzunel, the Seraph of the West, spoke "Go ahead, we await for your reply". Sure, they overwhelmed the angel with words, but there was a good reason for all of this.

Whatsoever, they had not yet seen the biggest present, a Death Helper with enough information to bring down the entire war between the Death and the Angels. The Death was sure struggling on its throne just by having been notified that they were not killed, nor blocked by demons.

Blinking, the angel took a moment to compose himself. It was very strange to see so many Seraphs together in one place, and to have them all asking questions of him! "The masqued impurity behind me masquerade as the partner Seraph Aurus had told me to meet. He caught us into a game of cards, the deadly kind but somehow I managed to pick the one which would bring me home, and him along with me." He motioned to the man behind him, feeling oddly reluctant to let him out of his sight. The Sign wasn't exactly in his right mind after all.

"An Impurity-?!" Orzunel was interrupted by Aurus "I was not aware that they would set us up...I apologize, Orestes" The Seraph of the North was frankly regretful. "It was not him the one who agreed to negotiate with them on the first place" Did the Seraphs just argued before...? "Silence, Ezequiel, you and I know that it was not his fault-" And so, another argument began "There was no need for us to intervene, why risk it all for a neutral war?!". Orzunel walked up to the blonde Guardian as a new topic surrounded the Holy Hall "I need you to take the Impurity somewhere safe, we will discuss about your rewards later" As simple as that, three of the most powerful beings argued in the background.

They squabbled and argued like children, yet they were supposed to be the most powerful of all. What a strange situation, and on Orestes wanted to get out of as quickly as possible. With a bow, he moved to gather up the chains from the guards. Brisk footsteps took them out of the hall, and the angel turned to haul the impurity into his arms with a shudder. His home lay trough the clouds, atop a mountain, or the illusion of one. Orestes still wasn't quite sure about that.

Either way, his blue tinged wings beat powerful strokes in the air until they reached the clearing in the middle of the forest. A pond lay near the little cottage made of logs. With more care then the impurity deserved, Orestes placed him upon the ground. "This is my home, and my lands. Please don't try to burn anything down." If he had the chance, which wasn't likely considering the fact that Orestes wasn't letting the masked man out of his sight.

The Shade rised his sight and admired the beautiful landscape, he had seen many of this places on Earth, but none of these beings were able to touch anything on the 'real' world. "HiEHiEHiehIEhiE...NO MorE CHaiNS? oNlY ThIs? yOu ARe uNDeReStImaTInG Me..." What exactly went though its mind? And why were the Seraphs arguing anyways? The first clue was shown, seeing how there was no other Guardian in sight. "AAaAaaAah...yOu ArE A sOfT HeARTeD oNe, HAH! NoW I kNoW WHy yOu wERe So eAsiLy cAPtUrEd..." The Sign looked up at the sky "....ThIS WIlL ALl bUrN SOmEdAY".

Orestes let out a sharp bark of laughter at the Sign's first words. The rest only made the angel lift an eyebrow, though they incited anger. Instead of giving in to that, he simply smiled. "You sir are quite out of your mind." With a quick movement the Guardian captured the impurity's arm in a tight grip. Without further ado the angel made the other man follow him into the cozy little cottage. A fire burned in the hearth, making Orestes think of the prisoner's words. Even so he released the dark figure.

"Sit." He waved at a comfy looking armchair by the fire as he moved into the kitchen. With practiced movements he began preparing a hearty stew, all the while keeping an eye on the Sign.

"I FiNd YoU A lItTle ToO Bossy tO bE aN ANgEL" The being stared back at him, those shapeless eyes were still covered by the mask. It was not the best idea to let a smoke-like creature, such as an Impurity, wander without chains and handcuffs, although he had no other choice than act nicely around the natives of the place; not even the strongest Shade would dare to face the four Seraphs by him or herself. "...YoU WeRe sCaReD Back oN eARtH, WeRen't yOu?" If only the mask could reveal that huge grin on his face.

"The better to deal with someone like you," stated Orested firmly as he chopped up carrots, onions, and other vegetables. He moved to throw them into the pot, each one plopping into the water with a satisfying sounds. Other ingredients where carefully measured in before the blond finally deigned to answer the shade's question. "Yes, of course I was." Putting on the stove top oven, Orestes turned away and settled down in an armchair beside his prisoner. "What's beneath the mask? Surely you aren't so worried about your appearance as that. You'll have to take if off if you want to eat my stew." Orestes was actually beginning to get used to the other's strange voice.

"IgNorAnt fOoL..." The Sign chuckled at his words, he was planning his escape already "...You ArE lIkE HuMANS...BuT YOu DOn'T LiKE tHe gReEd OR luSt...Oh nO, YoU haVE strIct ruLEs, HiehIehIe.." This sure was an experience, the palace, the houses, it was all so new and so...clean. An impurity had to endure the pain of all the living beings that died, they had seen how younglings died, how adults died, the horror itself...one of the many reasons that drove them mad on the first place. "No maTtEr How MuCh yoU TRy to aVoID It, pUrE, yOuR ReALm WIlL Fall. ThE Day WiLl NEvEr rise agAin As I wAtCh yOu sTrUgGLe FOR liFe...iT DOeSN't mattEr..aT ThE EnD...We woN".

Then why don't you show me. Since I don't understand a thing you're talking about." It was true, he'd never known lust, or pain of the likes the impurities knew. Orestes had died once a very long time ago as a child, a newborn, and had then become an angel. He'd been raised with all the rules and regulations, never once thinking that they were wrong or that he had any right to break them.

There needs to be a balance, otherwise chaos would reign at either extreme. But you're clearly mad, so I don't see why I'm even trying to reason with you." The angel moved to his knees and prodded the crackling wood into even brighter flames with a nearby poker. He felt cold all of a sudden, and very worried.

At the end, The Sign was right, he had done something terrible, awful enough to make the Seraphs argue and accuse Aurus of treason. So many secrets were hidden under rocks and leaves, and the only man with answers, the only one able to answer the inquiries, was captured. "I DOn't hAVe to tEll you HoW ThaT FeEls...yOu wOUlDN't uNdErStANd, NobODy unDeRsTaNdS, ANgEl, tHat'S WhAt makes YoU WeAK, thaT IS WHy YoU...WelL...Not yOu exAcTLy" What was he talking about now? "TelL me...haVe you SeEN ANy OTHeR gUARdiAN BeSiDeS yOu...orestes...?" Such a terrifying atmosphere was implied when he whispered his name.

The Sign confused Orestes with his strange jumping sentences. They didn't tie together right. A sigh escaped the angel as he turned to peer at the masked man from below. "I haven't for a long time, and I don't see why you hate me so. I've not done a thing against you." Capture, maybe ... Even so Orestes was much kinder a captor then the impurity had been. He'd not made an attempt to end the other man. "What drove you into madness?" It was a personal question, but there was nothing better to do then ask everything which came to mind. Besides, Orestes truly was curious.

"....MAD?! yOu ThInK ThAT I'M maD?! HAH! ...AaaAH...maDNEsS...YoU hAvE nO IDeA oF WhaT iT Is to bE ExiLeD Of heAVen...or hELl...tHeY tHroW yOu iNsIdE oF a BurNiNg cAgE FOR DeCaDEs and deCadES, CeNTuRY aFtEr cEnTuRy. bUt LorD dEatH fReED uS...wiTh One cOnDItIoN...i WaS wEak baCk tHeN, nOTHiNg mOrE ThaN a SImPle FALlen. BuT oUr JobS...OuR dElIgHtFUl joBS...YoU wErE bORn Thanks To us, iF YoU ArE HEre Now, IT'S bEcaUsE wE AlLoW yOu to lIvE" He stopped talking for a second "...YES...i RememBeR...mY FIRsT soUls...a LitTLE bOY...hAH! I wAs aSkEd TO KEEP AN EyE on hIm, wATcH HIm GroW WiTh hIS MoTher FOR A CoUpLe OF YeArS...His fAThEr WaSN't sucH a GOoD PErSon, hE hAd EviL InsIdE...AnD One dAy BANG!!! GOoD-bYE mOmmY! Or tHat's whAt THe bOy sAId bEfORE ThE OTHER BAnG!!" Although he related the whole story in a cheerful -and creepy- tone of voice, he did not seem to be enjoying it. "...I PICkeD Up hIS SOuL...aNd hIS MotHeR'S...TheY DIdn't kNow what HapPenEd and jUst turneD InTO anGels...ExCepT FOr tHe mOtHer...SHe wIshEd Lust AND GreED...SO sHE FelL DowN WITH ThE dEMoNs" If well, the Shades could not cry, a slight smell of blood could reveal their sadness. "That was tHe eAsieSt oNE OF ThEM alL. LorD dEatH SaW pOtEnTIal In Me, BuT He NEeDeD Me to losE ALL My HOpe to AcCept mY FaTe wHEN MY dAY COmEs, ThE Day iN WHiCh i DIE....HAH! FUNNY!! AS IF I COULD DIE!! HAH-HAH-HAH-HA" That hysterical clown laugh showed up once more.

The life the masked impurity painted for Orestes made him shiver and close his eyes. For all that he was an angel, he'd never come across such horrifying things. It didn't help that the Sign was so deceptively cheery about the whole matter, speaking in that disconcerting voice of his. As laughter bubbled forth from the other man, he sighed and reached out hesitantly to place a and on the Sign's arm. "I'm sorry to hear that you've been trough so much. There's nothing in my life that could rival such trials." The smell of blood made him wrinkle his nose. Perhaps if he'd known the meaning of it, Orestes would not have made such an action.