Dancing In The Void

Constantine looked up at the sign with a grim yet resolute demeanor on his face as a single drop of rainwater dripped onto it.

He turned to Uriel and she stared back at him, her piercing white eyes shining with a similar somber mood. Standing up, he noticed that people were beginning to gather their belongings and walk out onto the station platforms, where they were promptly greeted by multiple policemen and military soldiers. They guided the crowd towards the station while thoroughly inspecting them.

“Fuck.” Constantine said.

“What's wrong?” Uriel asked, standing up behind him. She stumbled slightly as she steadied herself on her softwood shin.

“Damned security, we’re gonna need to get past them without them noticing your wings like last time.”

Uriel pouted, almost ashamed of her massive blackened wings. She flapped them gently and sadly.

“What about going out through the broken carriage?” She asked, pointing towards the back-end of the train.

Constantine took one look and shook his head. “We need to go through that entryway over there, behind everyone. But I suppose we can try going that way first, better than trying to go with the crowd.“

Together, they moved slowly through the carriage, making sure no one noticed them as they jumped out and walked further away on the rails. Uriel looked curiously at the train tracks, concerned as to not get her leg stuck between the iron sheets. Constantine, noticing her worry, grabbed her hand and guided her along near the wall. The two of them slowly shuffled along until they were both out of sight enough to climb onto the platform.

“Now what?” Uriel asked, wings slumped and a worried echo in her voice.

“I’m... thinking, give me a second.” Constantine replied. His eyes scanned the rest of the train station platform, considering his options.

The crowd kept rushing inside, impatience grew among the cold and frustrated people from being forced to wait through a queue. Constantine leaned back against the shadowed walls of the train tunnel. Three guards were sitting besides the entrance, with two dealing with the crowd. The pillars would offer enough cover to hide past the first two, but how to get inside.

His eyes scanned the crowd once more, and a pair of eyes stared back. They were piercing, as if reading his mind, but familiar. It was Sean and with a nod, he understood what needed to be done. He shoved himself into a man further ahead in line. The man turned and started shouting, prompting Sean to shout back, goading him into a rage. Slowly the brawl expanded, more and more people piling over as fists and swears flew. The two policemen tried breaking it apart but to no avail. Two more stepped up from the entrance, and Constantine and Uriel knew this was their chance. They rushed under the cover of shadows towards the closest pillar, their steps silenced under the shouting and threats and warning shots being fired carelessly into the sky.

“Wait!” Constantine shouted at Uriel, placing a hand on her chest to stop her from rushing further. “This fucker is still guarding the entrance.”

“We should just rush him.”

“He might ring an alarm before we get to him.” He shook his head. “Wait! Unless…”

Unless… An Idea flashed in Constantine’s mind. I can use this!

He pulled out his holy dagger, tossing it and catching it by the blade between his thumb and index. He gave Uriel a look as if asking for confirmation. She replied with a half nod-half shrug and a confused look on her face.

Reassuring Uriel, Thanks.

In one swift motion, he spun and shot his arm out from behind the pillar, with the dagger flying out of his hand. He purposefully aimed it behind the guard, and as soon as he let go he could feel the world around him slowly fade into a blackened haze. He blinked rapidly, trying to keep himself conscious. He chased after the dagger, after-images trailing behind him, and a part of him still remaining there behind the pillar. The stone beneath his feet felt like a strange gelatine, it was solid to his touch, but ripples radiated out with every step. No matter how fast he ran, time always felt slowed, his movements sluggish and difficult to make. But his eyes and mind saw reality at the same rate. Each movement was precisely how he wanted it to be, so he ran nonetheless.

Through the thick misty haze he could see the guard slowly turn his head towards his dagger. Without hesitation he jumped against the electronic barrier legs-first, and then pushed himself right back spinning in the air. His body went almost fully horizontal. Thanks to the slowness of his motions, he could position himself exactly as he wanted. One hand reached towards his dagger and the opposite leg swung with all his force and inertia, straight into the guard’s head. As soon as his fingers touched his blade, the full force of the solid world came back. His leg landed a direct and powerful kick onto the policeman’s head, from ear to chin, knocking him out instantly as he collapsed on the ground.

Constantine himself almost followed suit. But with enough reaction time, he caught himself, landing on one knee with one leg trailing behind him.

“How about that shit huh?” He said turning back to Uriel as she flew close. “Come on, let's go before they notice.”

The Angel nodded, eyes still wide from his display, before she flew forward and over the gate. Constantine jumped and followed her as they rushed into the dark hallway inside. A powerful light was at the end. As he moved forward, his eyes got blurrier, and he felt a sharp stinging pain behind them deep in his skull as well as a potent aching in his left thigh. He winced, and kept trying to run, but soon the light turned into a massive white patch, a patch which doubled in his vision. He stopped, stared, and two white hollow eyes stared back. A pair of colorless eyes whose burning gaze he’d felt before. Constantine’s knees buckled under him and he collapsed. He couldn't tell if it was out of fear, or sudden fatigue. All he could tell was that the vision was fading, and the sound of Uriel screaming his name began ringing in his ears.

“Constantine! Constantine! Are you alright? Talk to me!” She said, palms grabbing his head with the occasional slight slapping to keep him awake.

Constantine’s blurry sight rested on the shape of her face as slowly her features faded in, and he saw her face shining as the light of the hallway projected from behind her.

“Hey… what... What happened there?”

“I-I don’t know, you just collapsed! Are you alright now, you’re… you’re bleeding!” She said, trembling.

I… I am? He thought, as his hand moved up to his face and pulled back, drops of blood in his palm. His eyes were dripping bloody tears. The aching behind them slowly but painfully fading away. “Its fine, Its fine now, I’m ok. I’m ok.” He said, wiping his face with his hands and a bit of spit.

But his words weren’t enough to fully persuade Uriel. Her featureless eyes were filled with worry. However, a sudden shout behind them pulled both out of their trance. The guards calmed down the mob and then found their fallen partner and were now searching for their perpetrators. Both of them quickly rushed back to their feet and ran forward, blending in with the crowd of people that were gathered towards the end of the hallway. They continued forward, dashing and pushing through everyone and running out of the train station into the pouring rain. The cold wet wind immediately hit both of them.

“At least no one will see me with blood on my face now!” Constantine shouted in an attempt to lighten the mood as they ran out into the street and ducked behind some building blocks. It failed miserably. “We should take cover somewhere and wait out the rain.” He said after a moment of silence.

“Know any good places?”

“I… haven't been in this city for a while, no.”

“Wonderful!” Uriel said, with a noticeable sarcastic tone.

“Constantine...” Uriel moaned, her voice quiet and almost silent against the wind and rain. “Please, can we stop somewhere, I’m so tired.”

Constantine looked back, but there was a sudden coldness about his expression. Maybe the rain and frustration of being rejected by strangers so much was getting to him. “Yeah, we, we really should get somewhere dry. Just a bit further Uriel, there’s a little complex not far from here. I know there used to be a stairwell that they’d always leave open for the homeless to shelter in when it rained or snowed. Here, put your arm around me if your leg hurts”

She let out a loud sigh, and placed her hand around his neck. The two of them had spent hours wandering through the city. Whenever they tried to get booked at a motel or even find a shop to hide inside and wait out the rain they were met with closed doors and unwilling patrons.

There was a strange emptiness of people in this city. A few cops here and there, cars driving in an apparent rush. Most of the people they encountered were pulling trolleys, carried backpack after backpack or pushing shopping carts filled with gallons of water and canned goods. Uriel saw some pass by her, and she watched them intently. Their faces were filled with worry, sadness, and concern. A pressing uneasiness in the atmosphere of the city. They barely acknowledged her presence as they walked past her. The few that did look up at her didn’t give a second thought.

There’s a lingering despair in their faces. She thought to herself. Everyone is aware of this uncertainty, they fear the future that lies before them. Just like I… I fear what awaits me. The emptiness haunts me… Her eyes went down to her missing leg. The dull aching pain of walking for so long was getting to her. Almost just by thinking about it, her hip wound began hurting as well, causing her to grunt in pain. This is just a taste of the penance that awaits me, isn't it?

As if fate itself answered, the two of them made their way past a small plaza. Off to the side, standing under a makeshift umbrella on a large piece of concrete was an incredibly old man wearing ragged and tattered clothing. He was hunched over, holding up a piece of cardboard with “The End of Times is Upon Us!!” scribbled on it. He was yelling and shouting about the rapture and the apocalypse with no one there to hear him. It was as if he was talking to the rain and wind itself. But his eyes spotted Uriel immediately. He began shouting at her, calling out to her. Uriel stopped, and watched. The man got off his pedestal and made his way slowly towards her. Constantine immediately stepped forward, dagger in hand.

“Easy there old man.” He said with a sharp threat.

“Its fine Constantine.” Uriel took the initiative, stepping in front of him and walking towards the old man. The beggar looked at her with one lame eye and a smile of old decrepit teeth with quite a few absent. “What do you desire, Beggar?” She said, her voice booming with her angelic echo.

“I dreamt’s of you! Black Star!” He hissed, but merely in a strange form of ecstasy. “I dreamt’s of your coming. I DREAMT-Your raven wings flew across the sky! A golden chariot followed with wheels made of flames and I saw clashing blades carved from the sun and moon itself!”

Uriel listened with great care causing the sensation of rain to melt from her mind. Strangely enough, Constantine put his disbelief aside and listened carefully as well.

“I saw’s an angelic visage cleansing the darkness, her fiery blades carving a path through the devil himself!” The man continued. “I saw’s a dark flower, a flower raised in the darkest abyss. Violet petals bathed in poisonous words. And decay. Everything decays, everything rots and becomes undone even eternity. But not you, Black Star.”

Uriel stared with wide eyes. A shiver ran through her body as a raindrop dripped from her hair over the bridge of her nose and down her cheek, around her lips and down from her chin.

“The emptiness you fear is echoing like ripples in a pond from a rock thrown by a careless god. It will come back to haunt you-”

“Who are you?” Uriel’s voice boomed.

“MY NAME…” He shouted back, stepping away from her. “Is not important. I am a nobody, always and forever. My purpose was to relay this one message. My gift of sight was given for this one moment. I am afraid Angel, I fear for you. For him, for all of us.”

Uriel stepped forward and grabbed the man by the jacket, her pale eyes locked against his.

“What did you see, Beggar? What message do you bring?!” She yelled, growing desperate and shaking him by the collar.

“I see…” He whizzed, his eye rolling in the back of his head and becoming much like Uriel’s. “Death.”

The wind howled around Uriel, billowing the rain over her head. She clutched the man’s lifeless corpse until Constantine startled her back to reality with a hand on her shoulder. “...Uriel? Are you ok?” He said.

She kept staring at him for a few moments. “Yes… he’s... dead.”

“He sure knows how to make an exit...” Constantine sighed. “We can't just leave him here. Any-”

Uriel looked up at him. He could not tell if tears streamed down her face or it was merely the rain. She turned back, a single resplendent blade materializing in her hand. Constantine squinted at the majestic glow. In a single thrusting motion she pierced the man’s heart with it, drawing no blood. His skin caught alight as if in holy flame. It burned and singed, turning pale before slowly the rain began falling through him, as his flesh became transparent and faded. Uriel tossed aside his ragged clothing and turned back, not daring to look Constantine in the eyes.

“Let's go.” She said quietly.

Constantine just nodded quietly and walked up to her, offering his shoulder once again. Wordlessly, Uriel agreed and placed her arm around him again. As both of them began walking they noticed they were being accosted by a person they did not recognize. A young woman underneath a wide black umbrella walked up to them. Had either been in greater moods they might have been more careful but the woman did not seem to have any malicious aims.

“Can we help you?” Constantine asked dispassionately, followed by a rather mean-spirited quieter comment: “All the fuckin weirdos comin out right now…?”

The woman just stared silently at them, unmoving, as they got soaked even further in the rain. Then, she offered them an umbrella from a snake-skin leather purse she was carrying. Both of them looked at each other and painted on the other’s face they saw first confusion, then acceptance, lastly thankfulness.

Constantine took the umbrella and opened it over their heads, finally sheltering them somewhat from the rain. Now, they got the chance to get a good look at the woman under the umbrella. She was small in stature and wearing a long blue overcoat that complimented the color of her short purple hair. Hair that slightly covered her eyes, but still left enough for them to discern the soft and delicate features of her face. Her hands were covered by a pair of leathery black gloves, and her boots were a similar black shade, made of a thick, high-quality material.

“So… thanks? Who are you?” Constantine insisted, shivering from the rainwater that dripped down his neck.

The young lady did not answer, instead, she walked past them. She paused briefly, looking back at them before tilting her head and motioning them to follow her.

“Should we?” Constantine asked.

“Yes.” Uriel replied decisively. “I have… a feeling about her. She means us no harm.”

“If you say so, I’ll trust you. Hopefully she gets us out of this bloody rain.”

Its not the rain I’m worried about… Thought Uriel, looking back at the beggar’s now wet clothes.

The walk was brief, and quiet. Neither Uriel nor Constantine dared talk about their earlier encounter, or anything else in particular. They were both relieved to be finally out of the rain and begin drying up somewhat. Still, Uriel wasn’t fully relaxed, as her eyes were glued to the back of the stranger’s coat the entire journey, focused and waiting for any sudden move that might threaten them. But the woman betrayed nothing. She just walked forward without ever even turning back to check that they were still following her. Not a word was spoken.

Eventually, they reached what looked like a set of buildings indistinguishable from those that surrounded them. The woman walked up the small staircase on one of them knocking on the door in a very peculiar pattern. The door was flung open, and a man whose face they couldn't see quickly pulled her inside. He waved towards Uriel and Constantine, beckoning them inside. They followed swiftly, and were greeted by a large open vestibule and a familiar sight. The man quickly locked the door behind them and ushered them further inside, as Constantie stared in surprise.

“Sean? What are you doing here?” He said.

“I’m glad you two are ok. Didn’t run into anymore trouble with the police? I was gonna ask you guys to accompany from the train station but you both bolted out righ-”

Uriel stepped forward, positioning herself between the two men.

“Who are you? Both of you?” She asked. “I thought you were just a strange yet helpful man back at the train station, but clearly you’re more than just this. Have you been following us? Speak!”

Sean paused for a moment, before raising his arm towards a door behind him. “Perhaps we should sit down for this? You’re both tired and still recovering, and I know you have problems with your leg. I’ll explain everything in the common room.”

Everyone was silently holding their breaths waiting for Uriel’s response. Her posture relaxed and she nodded. A few moments later, both her and Constantine were sitting side by side on a wide leather couch. Across from them on two arm chairs sat Sean, somewhat tense for an unknown reason and the strange woman, whose eyes were locked in a silent unblinking battle with Uriel’s. Between them was an elegant glass coffee table with very ornate flowery paintings. The entire room was spacious, with bluish-tinted walls. Off to the side was a minibar as well as a small sitting area and a TV hanging from the wall. A pool table sat on the other end.

“Would you like anything to drink?” Sean asked after a few moments of silence and adjustment.

“Get on with it.” Constantine interjected. “Who are you?”

“Are you familiar with the woman named Katherine Devilsbane? Or better known as The Huntress?” Sean asked.

Constantine’s eyes went wide, betraying his answer, but he shook himself off and began again. “Are you answering my question with another question?”

“Please, just help me out here.” Sean begged melancholically. There was a noticeable twitch in his left eye as well as a vein spasm in his neck.

“Alright.” Constantine sighed. “We do know Katherine.”

“Ok, Ok good. If you didn’t know, Katherine is a demon hunter.”

Constantine nodded. “We know. She mentioned a mentor and some others…”

“Exactly. She’s not the only one, though she might be the best one alive.” Sean continued. “She comes from a long lineage stretching back centuries and is one of the few left with Samson the Rageful’s blood. We...” He motioned towards himself and the woman beside him. A quick twitch in her eye betrayed a deeper meaning, one that neither could discern at that moment. “...and a few others in our team, don’t have such a lineage. Which is why our missions involve primarily resource and intel gathering, disruption, and very rarely assassinations.”

“Is that how you knew we were coming?” Uriel said.

“No, being on the same train as you two was a pure coincidence. I was in Malphas for a whole different reason when the sky cracked open. I tried to investigate as much as possible but the situation in the city got worse and worse and I had to flee. Then, you two saved mine and my son’s life on the train, and for that we will be forever grateful.” Sean said, bowing his head in thanks.

“You’re welcome, again.” Constantine replied. “Is that why you patched us up afterwards though? You wanted to see if we were with Katherine?”

“Yes, I didn’t know who else could possibly have done something like that. Imagine my surprise seeing an Angel in that cabin. Demons are a dime a dozen these days but even for someone like me you were the first of your kind I’ve seen.”

Uriel’s cheeks turned a reddish hue, and she looked away.

“But… seeing you there only confirmed my fears.” Sean paused, getting up and going off to a desk on the side of the room. He pulled out a binder as well as a pair of glasses for himself which he promptly put on. He placed the files out on the table in front of him and began once more: “We try to keep up to date with others like us throughout the country and beyond. We have a small sector on the outskirts of town where we conduct most of our business. But, we have heard nothing from Katherine for over two years. Not the most unusual, she was always quite cold and distant towards us… lone wolf type, for good reason. But even she wouldn’t be silent for so long.”

Constantine shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Your point?”

“She tried to crucify you didn't she?” He asked Uriel.

Her eyes went wide with first surprise and then despair. She bit her lip and snuck a glance at her. Sean nodded and turned away, giving her a moment of privacy.

“I can’t know what happened or why her ritual failed, but what matters is, it did. The world got fucked up because of Katherine’s obsession.”

“What does this have to do with us?” Constantine said.

“Everything!” Sean blurted out loud. A quick angry look from Constantine made him reconsider his approach. “Ahem, what I mean is, without Uriel here, none of us stand any chance. We need her if we wish to undo what Katherine did. We are just asking for your cooperation, nothing more.”

“Cooperation with what?”

“Currently? Nothing. I want to personally give you my thanks by offering you this place where you can lay low, get back into shape and not be constantly on the run.”

Uriel looked at Constantine and the corner of her mouth curved upwards remembering a past conversation.

“That seems awfully nice of you. For no cost even…” Constantine still resisted.

“You still don't trust me?”

“No I really don't. Sorry but this just feels too convenient. We run into you on the train, on a coincidence you say, and then in a brand new city I haven't been to in years we just happen to run into this b- you haven't even told us her name yet!” He shouted.

“I’m sorry I got carried away, bad habit of mine. This is Insect, the Osteomancer. She cannot speak, so please read her writing if you wish to communicate. Strange name I know, but its hers and she insists we call her that. She’s our woman on the ground as it were. I had her track you two as soon as you left and bring you here.”

“Constantine.” Uriel interjected, placing a hand on his shoulder. “This isn’t the time to be making more enemies. I think you should trust them.“ She squeezed his arm, giving him a look that said there was more to her reasoning.

“You’re right but, I’m just … worried. If she tracked us this easily, how do we know if every demon within a twelve mile radius doesnt know you’re here yet?”

“Well…” Sean began, calling their attention again. “In this city there’s only a minimal skeleton crew of demons running things. If anyone or anything got remotely close to finding you two Insect would have intervened and not just let you wander the city alone for hours.”

“Yeah thanks about that by the way.” Constantine added. “I’m only partially soaked to the bones.”

“Do you accept to stay here then?” Sean asked, ignoring Constantine’s mean remark.

“With some conditions...” Uriel began. “We can leave whenever we want, and…” She flicked her wrist, extending her palm causing two blades of light to materialize and shoot towards Sean and Insect, stopping right in front of their faces. “If I so much as feel the slightest malicious intent from either of you or whoever else may be here, I will decimate you, understood?”

“D-duly noted. Absolutely.” Sean nodded as Uriel retracted her blades. “One, final thing, call it a gift of good faith for our new-found alliance. Read this.” He said, passing the binder to Constantine who immediately picked it up and began reading it.

“Baal, Azazel? Azazel is dead?” Constantine shouted, jumping from his seat.

“One of the last messages we received from Katherine was that she’s hunting the Demon Azazel and his lot. One of the oldest and most notorious enemies of our Covenant. Katherine had a… personal grudge with him. Recently, we found out that there was an attack at a demon auction that Azazel attended and from what we can gather she most likely fatally wounded him there and-”

“No…” Constantine interrupted, his voice quiet and mannerisms changed completely from earlier. A strange feeling of happiness and rage built up within him. “I was there at the auction, we didn’t get anywhere near Azazel, we failed miserably.”

Sean looked at him in shock, perhaps surprised that someone so young went up against someone like Azazel alongside Katherine. “I... see. Well, whatever the case then, someone killed him, and his crown was taken by the one called Baal. I had hoped maybe you two had some encounters with them and this news would have been welcome. I’m sorry.”

“No, no, no, no, no, Sean. This is incredible news. I am elated that that piece of shit is fucking dead. I hope they fed his body to his own hell-hounds. But I am also angry. I am furious that I was robbed of the chance of killing him myself. Of tearing his lungs out with my own hands.”

Uriel watched him, with an aching heart for the pain he harbored within his own. She decided they both needed rest, desperately.

“Sean, we thank you for the information, and the hospitality. If you please, we’re both still damp, and tired. Can we go?”

“Yes, yes! Of course, I’m so sorry for keeping you so long. Insect will show you the way to your rooms. You have showers inside. I will be leaving for our base tomorrow so you might not see me for a bit. Gonna have to report everything to our boss Nathaniel. Try not to shoot your weapons too much or blow holes in the walls, please. If you have anything, Insect will take care of you. Careful though she doesn’t like playing the maid too much.” He laughed.

Graciously, they thanked him before making their way to their rooms for some much needed respite. Uriel collapsed into bed after taking off her wet jacket and all the weapons strapped to her, tossing them without care into a nearby wardrobe. After a few brief minutes of rest she remembered she was soaked and decided to go take a hot shower.

The bathroom was massive. A large shower cabin made out of tempered glass was off to the side with a bathtub in its own alcove next to it. On the other end was a sink and a toilet. Everything was decorated with gold lining around the corners and edges, but still kept an atmosphere of simplicity. Uriel just carefully took off her clothes, tossing them onto a small heater nearby. She then stepped inside the cabin turning up the dial on the hottest setting. She jumped back with a yelp when the boiling hot water hit her and she squeezed her hand besides the gush to turn it on a slightly colder setting. A moan escaped her lips as the pleasant sensation of water on her skin washed over her.

This is nice… I’m gonna have to ask Insect if she can change these bandages after this…

She thought she cleaned herself, thoroughly washing her wings as well, much to the dismay of whoever had to clean the stray feathers out of the drain. Uriel fell deep into contemplation. At first she thought about their newfound allies and if they were truly so, but then her mind wandered to her most pressing concern: the message delivered by the beggar earlier that day.

Death… why is it that everywhere I go I bring her with me… What do you want from me… ?

Silence. Nothing but her thoughts and running water. She sighed, thankful that no one responded. Uriel shook her head, taking a deep breath. She turned back to her business, placing a hand on the wound on her hip. The water fell red as it passed over it. Concern about the mild bleeding crossed her mind, but she attributed it to today’s stresses. Once the shower was over, Uriel dried herself off with a couple of towels that were waiting for her on the sink. There was some device that looked like a large gun there as well, but she decided not to mess with it. Her clothes were very dry now, and very warm. She pressed them up against her skin, letting the heat seep into her pores.

Either that thing is very powerful, or I’ve been taking a shower for too long.

Uriel looked at herself in the mirror. A little glint in her hair caught her eye, it was the hair-clip she borrowed from Katherine so long ago. She had forgotten to take it off but it didn't bother her. Seeing it however made her feel even sadder. Luckily, there was a knock on the door of her room, so she went back and opened it.

“Might I come in?” came Constantine’s voice.

“Of course.” Uriel said plainly.

“Oh you showered, yeah I probably should have too... I just took a quick nap.”

Wow, I really was in there for a while… Uriel thought to herself.

“So...” Constantine continued sitting down in an armchair by the window. “You wanted to say something earlier?”

“Right.” She nodded, sitting across from him on the bed. “The reason I was telling you to trust these people is… I recently have been able to… feel things... “ Constantine’s confused look let her know that she should continue. “Basically, you know how Wrath is able to see souls?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, recently I’ve been able to do that. But I’m not as experienced with it, so its just a sort of hazy glow if I focus really really hard. And I ‘looked’ at both of them and they’re just normal humans, not demons or anything.”

“Ok, that's great! But humans can still work with demons, or want to hurt us…”

“I know, but I think its at least a better chance knowing that!” She said excitedly.

“Thank you Uriel.” Constantine said, smiling at her. “That's actually quite reassuring news.”

The two sat staring at each other with smiles on their faces until embarrassment crossed their minds due to the awkward silence.

“I…” Began Uriel. “I keep thinking about what that man said.”

“Yes, so am I.”

“You are?” She asked surprised.

“Yes. In the past I wouldn’t be but, I keep thinking about Nikolai. I remember she had a similar prophetic dream the night before she was taken and this whole mess started. I didn’t believe her until it was too late.”

“So you think he was telling the truth?”

“Oh I hope to God it was just the ramblings of some meth-addict inches from dying, but after some of the stuff I’ve seen and all the shit we’ve been through… I’ve stopped hoping for coincidences.”

Uriel nodded in agreement. “I hope we find Evan’s dad soon. And everyone makes it here safely.”

“Don’t worry Uriel, I told you. I’m sure they’ll be fine.” Constantine said, reassuringly.

She smiled. The two of them continued to chat for a couple hours about more mundane things in a vague attempt of putting aside their ill feelings. Uriel even learned what the strange device in her bathroom was. In the back of her mind however, she kept thinking about what the message truly meant. No matter how hard she tried, she could only see the darkness in her future.

Nikolai looked out onto the harbor, seeing the Danaway river stretch on before her. Slowly, she turned around and made her way down the stairs to the pier. It was her time to leave, she had left Mathias in charge with Victor and Charles to help him while she was away on her holy quest. There was no worry in her mind of any problems arising. She had once again instilled fear in them when she burned the people of a small village outside this harbor city. They had refused to join her cause, it was only natural to punish and liberate their souls accordingly. Her people would wait there until she returned. She made extra sure to let those in charge know that should anything happen to Yuuya especially their punishments would be much more severe.

Blasted rain again, this hasn't let up in days… She thought to herself. Mud and filth everywhere.

Thankfully, her large black cloak covered her from the rain enough, and her own heat made it so the cold was not a bother. Finally making her way down the stairs, she saw a small ferry boat loading up a couple of cars. People were waiting in line to buy a ticket at a small building beside it. As the last man finished buying his, she made her way up to the booth, taking off her mask and covering the left side of her face with her cloak.

“H-hello.” She said, trying to appear meek and frail. “May I have a ticket please?”

The man took one pitied look at her. “I’m sorry, we don’t do charity work here even with the disaster. Its gonna cost you.”

“I don’t have any money, please.” Nikolai continued acting. “My family’s waiting for me in Brenwood, we’ve been separated for weeks.”

“I’m sorry kid, rules are rules. Besides, this ferry’s not even going to Brenwood, its going straight for Gausville.”

Perfect.

“T-that's even better! My family said if I can't find them in Brenwood they’ll be in Gausville. Please sir, I’m hurt, I haven’t had proper food in days.” She said with a sad glum look on her face.

“There’s a homeless shelter just down the street from her kid, I told you you’re not getting a ticket without money. Now scram.”

Nikolai’s tooth dug into her lower lip, drawing blood. Her eye looked at the man and the inside of the booth. She noticed the door behind him was unlocked and an idea crossed her mind.

“A-alright sir… I’ll go now.”

Filth… She thought, her nails digging into the counter before she let go. She turned back the way she came but made a sharp left when she was out of view enough. Nikolai placed her mask back on her face and snuck around the back of the building. Her feet did not make a single sound as she entered and watched the man hunched over his desk, quietly writing some papers. The back of his neck exposed to her.

Her rage swelled and crescendoed, feeling her power flow through her veins. She pulled up the sleeve on her left hand, revealing the scorching white-hot haze that coated her skin. Before the ticket salesman could figure out what that intense heat was, his spine was torn away from his skull by a phantom’s hand as it plunged into his neck. His death was instantaneous. Nikolai looked on with glee as his body tumbled out of his seat and collapsed lifelessly on the floor. In her palm she held bits of bone and bloody sinew. She giggled as her flame flared and she crushed it all to ashes in her hand. The blood on her fingers boiled off until there was no trace of her crime on her.

“I won't be able to purify your body, but worry not, I was not going to anyway.” She told him as she stepped past him and grabbed a ticket from his desk. “Scum like you deserve only the cold abyss of hell.”

Nikolai giggled under her mask as she made her way towards the ferry. The man checking the tickets gave her a concerned look but let her in nonetheless when she presented her pass.

“Where you going Miss?”

“Gausville.” She said, her voice silenced by her mask.

“It will be the last stop then.” The man smiled at her. “There’s a lower level, feel free to go inside if you want to get out of the rain.”

Nikolai only nodded and walked towards the other end of the deck. There were not many people on it but even so, she wanted nothing to do with anyone. She could not help but feel that a pair of eyes kept following her as she walked. The horn blared and soon the ferry was on its way. Nikolai looked out over the river for a time, filled with a placid serenity as she watched the raindrops cause ripples on the water.

“If you think I haven’t noticed you yet you’re sadly mistaken.” She said suddenly, still facing the river.

“There’s only six or seven people on this deck right now. Of course you heard me coming.” The person behind her replied.

No, I did not ‘hear’ you. You’ve been staring at me since I got on the boat.

“What do you want? I have no care to talk to you now.” Nikolai continued, still not bothering to turn around and face her assailant.

“I know what you did to get on this boat. If you think I’ll allow your evil to breathe a day longer, then it is you who is sadly mistaken.”

Nikolai tapped on the boat railing with her fingers, slowly letting her anger build up within her. “You do not want to do this, friend. Just go and we’ll both be at peace.”

His response was the sound of a blade being pulled from its sheath. Nikolai heard the sword howl and scream with dark energy as he pointed it towards her. She finally turned around, eyes filled with murderous purpose and a gleeful smile hidden under her crow mask.