When in Gehenna

Lines are Drawn, Lines are Crossed

The other teams were fairly successful, some managing to take out their target without any casualties, while other groups only had one or two survivors.  Services were held for those who did not make it back, and the next targets were planned out as they waited to hear what the Vatican's response to their actions would be.  None of the groups came across Angel, which meant that he was still out there to lead his group.  Samael had promised to keep an ear out for any news on Angel, but so far had nothing to report.

About two and a half weeks after the strike teams were sent out, Samael sent news.  The Vatican considered the actions of the Gehennans to be breaking the treaty.  Any citizens of Gehenna who were found in Assaiah would be killed.  All Exorcists were ordered to resume hostilities with Gehenna and Angel was reinstated as Paladin.  Needless to say, everyone was furious.  Samael was still able to continue on in his role as headmaster, but he was now being watched much more closely.  He would be very limited in how often he would be able to report, and he remained ready to flee back to Gehenna at any moment.  From this point on, it was all-out war.  Gehenna would beat the Exorcists, or die trying.  

"I can't believe they would do this when they know that Angel and his group were the in the wrong.  It is their fault for refusing to take action against Angel that forced us to go after them in the first place." Queen Titania grumbled to the rest of the war council.

"I can.  They tried to kill me just because I was the son of Satan after all, even after I promised to fight with them against my father.  These are people who saw me as a weapon to be disposed of once my usefulness was at an end.  Their world is completely composed of black and white, and in their minds they can do no wrong since we are merely monsters.  My own brother tried to kill me twice, and all I had ever done was try to protect him." Amaimon nodded in agreement as he placed a comforting hand on Rin's shoulder.  

"We have no choice now but to take them out with as little loss of innocent lives as possible.  I know that your people could remain down here indefinitely, but certain of the Seelie races will die out completely if they don't get access to Assaiah soon.  It isn't fair to any of us that we are stuck down here simply because we are not human.  There is also the fact that Summoners use us to fight their battles against our own kin.  This cannot be allowed to continue." Titania's face was glowing with her righteous anger as her powers seeped out from her.  Rin and Amaimon exchanged amused yet weary glances, knowing perfectly well what the Seelie Queen was capable of.

"So what is our plan?" Satan's voice rang out over the hall for the first time since the meeting began.

"We believe that for now our best strategy is to continue with the hit-and-runs, attacking known targets but this time using larger groups.  Once it this tactic becomes too dangerous, we will then muster our armies for a full frontal assault on the Vatican's headquarters, striking with everything we have.  However, all fighters must be aware that any exorcists who surrender are not to be harmed, but brought to our Assaiah headquarters.  There, we will judge their sincerity and give them the option of fighting with us or rejoining civilian life.  All non-exorcists are to be left alone as much as possible.  We are not the aggressors in this war, but we will not be held here against our will any longer." Rin's voice was full of passion and conviction.  Satan smiled at his son, pleased with how far the demon child had come since he first willingly agreed to enter Gehenna and learn of his demon heritage.  He had always known that Rin would be a leader, and he could not have dreamed up a more worthy heir to his throne.  While all of his sons were powerful and charismatic in their own right, Rin was something special.  His other sons could all see it and had agreed that Rin was the one most deserving of the title of Crown Prince.  The only one who remained ignorant of this was Rin himself.  Satan hadn't wanted to scare him off before he was ready to accept his title and place in Gehenna, but it seemed that it was nearing time for his crowning ceremony, especially since war was in the air and it was uncertain who would survive.