Stained Red [Sequel]

1 - New Mission

I ducked, letting the sword sweep over my head and clipping the edge of my red hair.

"Dad!" I yelled.

He chuckled at me and took another shot, aiming for my feet. I jumped. This time, I charged with my own sword, knocking his clean out of his hands.

"Another win for me!" I announce.

"Yeah, yeah," Dad complains, though he still smiles. "You know, you're one of the best fighters I've ever met."

"That means a lot, especially since you help train the army."

Dad, or, you probably know him as Peter, laughed at me, again. He was human, but I didn't mind, he was still my Dad.

"Now," he said, "why don't you go on up to your mother. You know she has a new mission for you."

"I know," I whined, "I just don't want to go to another boring meeting."

"Come on, you are an active representative of Heaven and Hell, as the one and only princess and all. Besides, your mother needs people she can trust, you know there aren't many of those these days."

"What about Aunt Jessica or Uncle Luke?"

"You know their busy. Jessica's always got at least ten patients she needs to take care of, and Luke has to keep James company in Hell, or else, who knows what he'd do."

"Okay, what about Uncle Haru or Uncle Lucifer? I mean, Lucifer did form an army for Mom all by himself. Can't he go do some representing?"

"Cari, Haru's just an overseer on Earth, he can't do anything that could affect the kingdoms, just...oversee them. Lucifer's too busy with his kids to do much around here. What little stuff he does get done is usually covered in colored paints."

I pouted, again, knowing he was right.

"Fine," I complained, "I'll go to her office now."

He gave me a sympathetic smile as I sheathed my sword. Flapping my red wings, I flew off towards the palace. I was at the training grounds, which meant I was a decent five minute flight from the palace.

The final battle of the Species wars, to reclaim the palace, was twenty eight years ago. I was born ten years later, making me eighteen. Things are pretty calm around here, but never quiet. There's always someone complaining about something. 'There're humans around my crops' or from earth 'there're Angels by my house.' Crazy bull shit like that that was supposed to be solved by now.

That's where I come in. When I turned fifteen, my mom, the Queen, decided it was time I got useful. She gave me the job of solving these small complaints and sitting in on meetings with humans on Earth, and sometimes even in Heaven and Hell. Though, she kept my identity a secret from the humans. They usually believe I was just a messenger and not a princess.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I love helping out and not all of them are boring. Sometimes I'll catch a rouge Angel or Demon who believes that they're above humans and have to annihilate them. But, come on, I want something more.

Landing with a thud on the balcony, I relaxed my wings around myself. I had a wingspan of about thirteen feet, which meant they dragged on the ground when I walked. I loved my wings, but I had to do a bit of extra cleaning because they collected dirt.

Taking quick steps, I made my way into the palace, ignoring a few officials who wanted to speak with me for some reason or another. Finally, I stopped at an oak door. The large frame would've been intimidating if I haven't been in here over a million times already.

Not bothering to knock, I opened the door to find my mother, Akira, sitting besides a pile of paper, pencil moving madly. She looked up for a moment, pencil never stopping until she saw me, and smiled. Dropping the pencil, she stood and walked over to me, a wry smile set on her face.

"Cardinal, sweetie, how're things going with training?" She gave me a sweet smile that would be fit for a much younger person, if she weren't immortal.

"Good," I replied, watching her carefully. "Um, you needed me for something?"

As if just remembering, her eyes lit up and she turned to dig through the piles of books and papers that were scattered on the floor. I watched her feathery black wing limp numbly on her back. She'd lost that in the battle to reclaim Heaven. At first, they thought it might heal, but now...

Finally, she turned back to me and tossed me a bag. When I opened it, it was filled with tiny blue shards of stones.

"Portal stones," Mom said, answering my question. "After a little problem I had on Earth of not having one, I asked that they were mass produced. After a year, this is what I got. Fifty two portal stones at my disposal."

"One a week," I said, closing the messenger bag. "What do you want me to do with them?"

She smiled at this.

"I was waiting for you to ask that. Now, I know you've been wanting a more exciting job, and I thought of the perfect on. You know how I told you, a long time ago, the a Siren helped me on Earth?"

"Yeah, the last one."

"That's what I thought too. But, what if she wasn't? What if there are other supernatural species, thought to be extinct, hiding on Earth?"

"That would open up a whole new chain of possibilities for trade and just about everything else."

"Exactly! Now, I want you to explore Earth and find other supernaturals. When you do, give a small amount of portal stones to them a bring a representative back with you."

"Why a representative?"

"Cari, this is a government now. I want to know what they want and what's in their best interest. If you bring back a representative, I'll be able to negotiate those terms. So...are you in?"

"Am I in? Hell yeah! When do I leave?"

"Soon, soon. Pack your bags and everything first." She came over and gave me a small kiss on the forehead, and then went back to her speed writing.

I skipped down the halls and to my room, holding the bag tightly in my hands. A real mission, all to myself. I couldn't stop smiling.

Deciding that I wouldn't have enough room to hold all of my stuff, I simply grabbed a chunk of money, threw it in a coin bag, and flew away, towards the nearest portal.

Mom was waiting for me their, so I landed.

"Okay, make sure you don't use your real name, and hide your wings when walking around, they look strange and'll attract attention. Don't get into too much trouble. Be safe and-"

"Mom! I'm fine."

Smiling, she said, "Of course you are, but I have to worry."

With another smile, I took ahold of the glowing portal stone I wore as a necklace and stepped into the portal, to Earth!