The Bleeding Heavens: A Murder's Crusade

Chapter 2: Words that Bind

Jace POV:
Being released from The Tower had been but a dream to plague my sleeping mind. Sleep wasn't something we needed, not even fallen angels needed something as trivial as sleep, but it helped time to pass, should injuries be bad enough to not heal swiftly enough, it allowed the body to begin to heal. I was well aware of my sentence of confinement, but it didn't take a genius to see the irony of the deal made and a few days later a letter arrived.

A request from The Father himself, in exchange for my help in finding something of value on Earth, I might be able to work of my time of incarceration. A tempting offer indeed and one I felt I should take. After all who knows I had high hopes of being able to slip away from any who tried to keep tabs on me. It had after-all only been the best of the Angel Corps who had happened to capture me. They were all getting older now, complacent with little to entertain themselves with.

The walk from my cell, down the 360 steps in chains as I still happened to be was as slow as always. The Guards weren't thrilled with my release and as one kneeled to release the chain binding my legs, I held myself back from driving my knee into his face. The doors had already begun to open in front of us, the heavy stone unfolding before us and turning inwards, revealing the outside world. Another guard stepped forward my weapon in his hands, the blade being dragged through the sand covered floor. The sneer that curled along my lips was enough to send him halting in his tracks. As the chains along my wings well away, followed swiftly by the ones on my arms and lastly my feet. Did I hold my arm out obviously expecting my weapon. The guard couldn't get rid of it fast enough.

A slow stretch was all I took, before I burst from the darkness of the tower. My target the young girl who was far better than any before her, but she hadn't met me yet. Years of captivity didn't hinder me. I was rusty, but pleased to see she wasn't caught off guard. She had guts, many would have faltered and yet she stood her ground against me. The little spar was called to halt before things really got interesting.

A bummer really, but I had bigger problems. As the angels all scrambled into positions of respect, I wasn't one of them. Fingers remained lax on my scythe as I regard Nickolias with silence for a moment as he tries to speak as though they were still friends. Narrowing his red eyes, he places his scythe on his back, the weight settling just way he remembered. "Excuse me for not bowing, your Majesty," he remarked his voice full on contempt. "The knife's just a little too deep," he stated arms folding across his chest.

The flash of surprise across the face of Zephira told him all he needed to know. There were many things in play and even angels had secrets.

Nickolias didn't react to the words he said, instead he addressed him as though he hadn't spoken at all. "The Father has your word that you will help us retrieve something on Earth, something that was hidden. Seeing as even for The Forsaken such as yourself, your word is binding, you will help us retrieve it," The look in his eyes told him more than he could even admit. He wasn't terrible fond of him, he was threatened by him...as he should be.

The Fallen Angel once known as Severyn, knew he had been caught. There were loop holes, ways out, but first it was probably best to agree to the deal. "I am bound by my word, so yeah sure, whatever," he told him, as he flicked dirt out from under his fingernails. The slow clap brought his gaze back up to the man standing a few feet away. "Good, good. Together you and Zephira will head to Earth immediately...but first you may want a shower and to get some clean clothes," The Commander said, before with a swish of his cap signified he was done talking to him.

"I trust you can keep an eye on him, he's now in your custody Zephira, The Father always has spoken highly of you," Nickolias remarked before he left with his personal guard.

With a swiping bow Zephira said nothing and then turned to regard him in silence for a moment before signaling for him to follow after her. "C'mon we better get moving," with that they made their way past the tower toward the cliff face before she slowly unfurled her wings and began a slow ascent into the sky, watching below to ensure he got the hang of flying again. They headed to the south perimeter of the city and a small row of houses at the outer edge. There were modest homes, small to some degree, their was also a stable further up from the homes and a few other arenas and even a forge on the opposite side of the barn. Most definitely where the cities Guard resided.

I had a feeling things weren't at all going to go as smoothly as everyone was hoping, but it was just a hunch.