Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ FALLEN ❯ The boy and the man ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE BOY AND THE MAN

The willing, Destiny guides them; the unwilling, Destiny drags them

-Seneca

Jensang walked through the eerily deserted hospital. The light from the overbearing full moon seeped into the hallway through the only open door. The room reeked of death. Jensang shook his head, covering his nose. A futile attempt to spare his senses. Clumps of red gunk dripped down from the ceiling. The words on the wall were written in the same concoction of god knows what. He gagged; sulfur. The distinct smell of sulfur was overpowering. Jensang turned around. A man stood before him. His hair was matted and wild like his beard. He slammed Jensang into the wall. Jensang scoffed in discomfort.

“What have you done?!” he cried desperately, “He's gone you know. Hm? You waited! You waited and it's all your damn fault” he chuckled, his hand clamped onto his jaw. He laughed like the mad man he was. “All your fault!” the man screamed touching Jensang's temples. Images flared to life behind his retina. There was fire, lots of it. Everything was spinning, smoke, flames, screaming. Then darkness, he's running as fast as he can. From what, he didn't know.

“Jensang find me! You have to find me!” Kida cackled to his left, her eyes darker than coal. There's a light, blinding him. Another voice. Someone's calling. Someone's waiting. But who? Who? Time is up. And life goes on. The ground, it slips from beneath him. The sun—no a reflection. Glass. He's falling- the ground- people, police the sound of the blaring sirens and then nothing.

Jensang sat up in his bed, drenched in sweat. He pulled the oxygen mask off his face and took slow deep breaths of the stale hospital air. The door opened and Dante strolled in.

“Hey.” He cocked his head in Jensang's general direction, “How you feelin?” he closed the door. Jensang forced a smile.

“I've been better.” He nodded.

“Well, they recast you in the play, so that should make you feel a little better. It opens tonight.”

“You still suck?” Jensang smirked. Dante smiled and shook his head. “Not nearly as much as you did.”

“Hey! Hey! I thought I was pretty damn good…when I remembered my lines.”

“Which you never did. You were always wasted or…sick.” Dante said quietly. Jensang looked at his hands as an awkward silence fell.

“How bad is it?” Dante licked his lips.

“I don't even know. My own brother won't even tell me what's wrong with me. They always sugar coat it. Truth is I think I'm dying.”

“Trip. That's heavy man.” Dante rubbed his chin.

“It's my own fault.” Jensang shook his head grimly. Dante walked across the room and sat down.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean, Dante.” Jensang pursed his lips together, irritated. Dante shrugged.

“I'm sure I don't know what you mean.” He smirked. Jensang sat back, clutching his stomach. He put his head back on his pillow and shut his eyes.

“I don't feel too good.” He groaned. Dante jumped to his feet.

“I'm gunna get a doctor.”

“No! No. I'll be fine.” He sighed.

“You sure?” Dante frowned. Jensang nodded.

“Luca wanted to come but she got caught up in last minute screw ups.” Dante sighed, taking the chair next to the window.

“What's up with her? Is she really-you know…mute?”

“She wasn't always like that. In her freshmen year she developed a tumor on her vocal cords. Same thing that killed her mom. In exchange for life she lost her voice. She was a good singer too.” He smiled, staring at the ceiling. “It was something to hear, man.” He shook his head.

“I wish I could have heard it.” Jensang tried to smile but turned into a grimace due to the sharp pain in his stomach. He turned to the window and frowned.

“I was wondering when you figure it out.” Dante said quietly. “You probably think I'm pretty pathetic, don't you. And over some girl at that.” He laughed, even though he looked pained. Jensang shook his head.

“It's just that…Raphie… he promised me that I could see her if...if I became his dog.” Dante's hands curled into fists. “I just…I need to be with her. I have to be.”

Jensang sat in silence as Dante shook with his own disgust in himself.

“You don't know how long I resented him. How much I hated him. I always thought `how could he be so cruel to me?' He who knew me as Aeshmo Daeva. He who knew me before I fell. We always looked out for each other and to do this. To disgrace me like this—it's unforgivable. But…I just…I smile every time. I know he's only doing this because-because he wants to make me regret choosing Sarah over him. But I won't and never will. So I just…smile.” Dante said quietly, his head dropping into his hands. Ther was silence for a long while. Jensang felt sorry for Dante, having gone through so much but was grateful that he trusted Jensang enough to tell him his past. Jensang doubled over, screaming slightly, another sharp pain in his stomach, like it had been building. Dante's head jerked up.

“Jensang, I'm gunna get a doctor, you don't look too good.” Dante stood once again. Jensang nodded.

“I'll see you.” Dante said quietly.

“Goodbye.” Jensang said, just as quietly. Dante nodded, he lingered in the doorway for a moment before leaving briskly. Jensang doubled over again, his chest began to tighten, his heart rate quicken, his body breaking out into a cold sweat. He gagged. Leaning over the side of the bed Jensang threw up. He wiped his mouth and pushed the nurse call button. Take strolled in moments later

“Alright, what seems to be th-” Take's eyes grew wide as his brother threw up again. “Never mind.” He frowned. He stopped the nurse who was trying to come in and told her to go get the janitor.

“Take. I don't feel good. I don't feel good at a-” he threw up again. Take scoffed and awkwardly put the trashcan on the amounting pile of puke.

“Did you eat anything?” Take checked for a fever. His brow furrowed. “You're burning up.” He checked his heart rate.

“Jensang, what ever you're doing stop. I need to get a reading.” He glared at him.

“What are you talking about?! My heart's goin' a mile a minute” Jensang said wheezed as the janitor walked in. He stared at Jensang for a moment, a smile twisted across his face. Jensang tried hard to scoot back, the man looking all too familiar. His eyes were all black, his hair matted like his beard. They may have been different clothes but it was the same person.

“What the fuck do you want?! JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE! GET OUT!” Jensang yelled. Take straightened up, startled.

“What? Jen he's just here to clean up the mess”

“I don't care! Get him-” He stopped. Jensang was staring at Jensel standing in his doorway. Jensel walked away. He threw off the covers, grabbing onto the pole the IV bag hung from. Take grabbed hold of Jensang's arm.

“Jensang where do you think you're-” Take froze. Jensang pulled his arm free and still he did not move.

“Oh no.” he groaned. The hallway was still as well. There was no noise from the TV in the recreation room that always played Bonanza. All the bustle of the busy hospital had been brought to a complete halt.

“Hello?” he croaked. At the end of the hall was Jensel, waiting. He stared at Jensang for a long while, before walking away.

“Hey! Wait!” Jensang yelled, chasing after him, awkwardly dragging the IV stand behind him. He sucked his teeth and pulled the needle out of his arm and rounded the corner. Jensel stood waiting. As soon as he caught sight of Jensang he took off running.

“I just wanna talk! Get back here!” Jensang yelled, following. Jensel disappeared into the stair well.

Jensang wheezed and rested against the wall. He coughed and roared in aggravation. Where was Jensel taking him? He glared up at Jensel whose head popped up over the rail.

“Come here ya cock sucking bastard. I just wanna throw you down the steps!” He hissed; stumbling up the steps as Jensel took off again. His footsteps filling the stair well with an unnatural echo. Finally Jensang made it to the roof, where a little boy stood waiting. He squinted in the sunlight. The little boy smiled at him as he climbed on the ledge.

“Hey! Hey get down from there! You could fall.” Jensang motioned for the child to come over to him. The boy giggled and crawled onto the flagpole. Jensang cursed under his breath and hopped up on the ledge. He began to feel nauseous again and clenched his stomach. The wind was ferociously strong. He closed his eyes, not daring to look down. One wrong step and he could be thrown off the narrow ledge. The little boy laughed. Jensang looked up at the flagpole, the boy was gone. The laughter was coming from behind him. Jensang looked over his shoulder frantically. The stench of death being carried on the wind. The little boy smiled at him as a hand clamped down on his little shoulder. That hand belonging to the demon from his nightmares.

“Bye-bye.” The little boy waved as he disappeared in wisps of smoke. Jensang gasped at the frightening speed the janitor moved with. He grabbed Jensang's neck and held him over the edge of the building.

“You've changed a little, haven't you Jensang?”

“You're crazy! Let me go!”

“All in due time. Just hang around for a bit. Now, you want to protect them, don't you? The people you love I mean.”

“Y-yes.” Jensang said slowly.

“Then do exactly as I say and you can. If you don't-” The man looked over the edge and smiled devilishly “SPLAT!” he laughed.

“O-okay! What do you want?” Jensang said frantically

“You're going to fall, but I'm not going to let you die. You are going to pass through the glass. And when the time comes, don't fight him.” The man put emphasis on the last part before letting Jensang go.

“Remember what I said! And trust me, I'm on your side” the man laughed. Jensang closed his eyes as he toppled through the air. His foot skimmed the glass paneling on the outside of the building. It got stuck. Jensang gasped and smiled in relief. He pulled himself up right awkwardly and passed through the glass with ease.

On the other side it was dark. Jensang tensed, preparing for some sort of ambush. Nothing came. No attack from the darkness, no person trying to bargain for his life, or specters from his past trying to coax him into submission. Nothing. Nothing but a small white orb that came from his chest.

“What-” he paused. “Am I supposed to do?” he frowned looking at his hands.

“You do what you have to.” His voice came from the orb.

“But-”

“You're afraid. Of course you are. It's what makes you human. With Jensel, you can become strong. But he's gone now. The two months are up.”

“Oh. Then I suppose there's no hope then.”

“Hope, no, there was never any hope. But there is something better. It's called will. He's sleeping, but if you willhim awake, then he'll come to you. But the question is-”

“Will I fight him?”

“Will you? With out him you will die.”

“So there's no choice then.” Jensang closed his eyes, he concentrated with all his heart repeating Jensel's name over and over again in his mind with such an earnest. “I have to live. I have to live fo-” Jensang flew back. Something hit him and hard.

“Leave me alone.” Jensel's voice rang out through the darkness. Jensang stumbled to his feet, holding his jaw.

“Jensel I-I need your help. P-Pleas-” Jensang doubled over, something hitting him in the stomach.

“I said go. I don't want you here. You are not welcome.”

“N-No. I'm no-not leaving with- with-shit.” He grimaced, struggling to get to his feet again. “With out you!” he yelled. There was silence. “What, now that I'm ready you're afraid? I thought the almighty Jensel wasn't afraid of anything.” He spat. Jensang was swept off his feet, his head slamming hard against the floor, if it was the floor. Jensel yanked him up by his hospital dress.

“Boy! You don't know shit about me! I could kill you now and I wouldn't shed a tear. You abandon me when I needed you! So why the fuck should I care now?! I'll come back, you won't! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you?!” Jensel growled. Jensang smiled smugly. Jensel scowled and punched him hard in the face. Jensang groaned and touched his nose, his fingers staining red. His hand curled into a fist. Jensang's jaw tightened as he forced himself to calm down.

“You want to know why you're going to help me.” Jensang scowled, smacking Jensel's hands away from him. “Because if I die, then the Kiddo bloodline dies with me! Meaning you WON'T come back. And as long as you have this notion of revenge, you'll do your best to keep me alive till I get laid and have a kid.” He spat, wiping the blood away from his nose. Jensel stared at him; he rubbed his chin as his frown deepened.

“I hate you.” Jensel spat.

“The feelings fucking mutual now are you going to help me or not?!”

“I don't have a choice!” he yelled, flopping down into a chair that appeared from the darkness. Jensang stared wide-eyed. He shook his head and looked up.

“Okay! I did it! Can I come back now?!” he yelled.

“He can't hear you, the demon that helped you get here.” Jensel sighed.

“What?! Then HOW THE HELL DO I GET BACK?!”

Jensel shrugged.

“Oh great this is just fucking great! What the hell was the point of this if I can't even get back?!” Jensang growled. Jensel rolled his eyes and conjured another chair across from him. “Sit.” He gestured leisurely to it. Jensang glanced at him and sat.

“Why did you decide to come here? Why wait so long?”

“It wasn't exactly my choice to come here, but everywhere I seem to go… there's my `destiny' slapping me in the face. I couldn't escape it even if I traveled to the North Pole.” Jensang chuckled to himself. “And…there was this…person…they told me things. They told me that my brother-” he paused, “He and his family would die because of me. Take-he's done so much for me…I can't let that happen.”

“It was the brother that finally got to you then?” Jensel chuckled. “And here I had my money on the girl. You did everything for that little bitch.”

“Fuck you!” Jensang spat. Jensel laughed.

“We're a lot alike…you and I.” Jensel stood and stretched.

“Doubt it.” Jensang snorted.

“In time, you'll see.” He held out his hand to help Jensang up. Jensang grimaced and took it. Jensel's spirit dispelled and flowed into Jensang's body. He fell back in the chair awkwardly, touching his chest absent mindedly. There was a warmth that he hadn't felt in what seemed like eons. He closed his eyes and felt the wind again, the smell of fresh air. When he opened them, he was back on the rooftop.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” yelled the man who had dropped him off the building in the first place.

“What do you mean what the hell am I doing here?!” Jensang stepped down from the ledge, pointing at him. The man scowled and then sighed, staring into the afternoon sky. “I guess I did all of this for nothing huh Jensel?” He smiled sadly.

“You…I know you. You're-”

“Only in your worst of nightmares kid.” He said, walking past Jensang.

“Why'd you do all this?”

“What? You mean try to return Jensel to his body?” He turned around. Jensang nodded. The man waved his hand as if it were nothing. “Because I need him. He's the only person I can trust. It was easy! I just had to get his body back from those freaks with feathers attached to their backs- no offense. Practically got blinded and was the verge of having to swear celibacy! That would have killed me! Oh and don't forget turning the whole building into a portal between worlds. I even risked the secret of my existence. But it's no big deal.” The man's scowl grew deeper and deeper as he went on.

“Thanks, I guess.” Jensang frowned. The man sighed.

“Don't thank me yet. It's about to be a real bitch. You better getting going. You still have to make up for a lot of lost time.” He chuckled as he began to sink into the ground.

“I don't understand.”

“Ask me if I care.” His voice echoed. Jensang took a deep breath and shook his head. He pulled open the door to the stair well and jogged down the steps.

The hospital was back to its bustling self when he reached his floor. He walked down the hall slowly.

“JENSANG!” Take yelled countering into the hall. “What the hell just happened?” He huffed.

“What are you talking about? I went to use the bathroom.” Jensang cocked his thumb over his shoulder.

“No! You were in there two seconds ago!”

“I wasn't. Take maybe you're working too hard.”

“No! You were throwing up-you didn't have a freaking heart rate!” Take yelled. Jensang smiled.

“Yeah, you need a nice long-” Jensang arched his back and gasped, a searing pain blossoming between his shoulder blades. A snake of fire curved and contorted in spiral patterns, trailing down his back. Jensang fell to his knees, clawing at it. Take shook himself out of shock, he tore away the paper and gasped, gawking at the burn marks that took up the entire length of Jensang's back. Starting at the nape of his neck, the seventh vertebrate, a small circle on the exact placement. Dark, thick lines stemming from it, trailing all the way down his back in bizarre patterns of swirls like spider webs. Upon his right shoulder was an F. A mirrored one to it's left. The `tattoo' ended at beginning of Jensang's tail bone with a circle. Inside was an upside down cross.

“Oh. My. God.” Take ran his hand through his hair as he fell back on the floor. Jensang groaned, sitting up straight.

“Oh fuck that hurt.” He hissed, rubbing his back. “Guess that was the bitch part.” He mumbled.

“What the- what just happened?” Take said quietly. Jensang bit his lip and looked his brother.

“You honestly wouldn't believe me; I don't even know what happened. I'm new to this gig.” He tried to smile. Take began to shake his head.

“I don't-I don't-How-ah…” he watched as Jensang stood and walked into his room, the people that had gathered in the hallway clearing a path for him. Jensang closed and locked the door behind him. He groaned as he bent over and pulled his clothes out of the second drawer of the night stand. He changed as quick as he could and sat on the edge of the bed, closing his eyes.

“You there?” He asked in his mind.

“I am.” Jensel answered back quietly.

“Where am I going? What…what do I do?”

“Find my alastor, find my sword. But I believe you already know where it is.” Jensel sighed.

Jensang sighed and ran his hand over his face. “Yeah I do.”

“Then what are you still here for?”

“Don't rush me! I just…I need to say good bye.” He frowned, walking towards the door. He unlocked it and was over taken by Take.

“I understand. But do it hastily. We haven't the time for long goodbyes.” Jensel said; his voice fading.

“Take. There's something I have to do. Something important. I don't know how long I'll be away, or if I'm even coming back. But…I just wanted to tell you…thank you…for being my brother.” Jensang said, looking at the tiled flooring.

“What are you talking about? What's going on? Are you in some kind of trouble? Look, is it drugs? You might even have a neurological problem, which would explain a lot of your behavior. But whatever it is we can get through this!” He grabbed Jensang about the shoulders. Jensang pulled away.

“No Take. If I stay here any longer-” he paused. “You, Julia, and your baby will die because of me. I won't allow that.” He balled up his fist. “Please don't try to find me.” He said the last part quietly. He punched Take in the jaw and ran out of the room and down the hall.

“JENSANG! SOMEBODY STOP HIM!” Take yelled. He grimaced but didn't stop. This time, he wasn't going to run away, not anymore. He would stand and fight until the last breath. Be it his or his enemy's. The elevator door slide shut as Jensang took one final look at his brother. For the first time in the past eleven years, Jensang prayed that god keep Take safe.

Jensang slipped into the back of the multi purpose room. It was dark, foldable chairs lined either side of the room, creating a makeshift aisle down the middle. He sidled along the wall until he got to the door that lead back stage. Up on the stage, scene three of act two was playing out in which Tobias is talking with Sarah's father, asking for her hand in marriage. Jensang pushed open the door, closing it quietly behind him. The stage hands were busy bustling about, getting things ready for the next scene. He snuck behind the podium where Shanti stood, whispering lines to the actors on stage. They had replaced him with Edward, Shanti's assistant. He shrugged, it made since; he was always at the rehearsals so he knew all the lines. He stood in the background waiting for the scene to end. The curtain fell. Edward walked over to a table and sat down drinking from a bottle of water. Jensang began to make his way over to him through the hustle and bustle. He stopped when Shanti stopped in front of Edward.

“Chris! Danielle! You're up next. Don't just stand there with your mouths open! GO!” Shanti hissed, pushing them towards the stage. She turned to Edward and smiled.

“Edward my love!” Shanti smiled as he stood up and began to walk towards the door that led to the hall, “Where are you going?”

“The bathroom.” He sighed.

“You can't just go to the bathroom; you're up in a few minutes.”

“I'll be back before then! Chill out Shanti.” He hissed, pushing her aside. Shanti's hand went to her ear, Chris had forgotten his line. She cursed as she ran back over to the curtain and scanned the script hurriedly to find where they were at.

“Tobias and Azariah have come very far, the least you could do is meet with him!” Shanti hissed quietly, Chris repeating every word. Jensang grimaced as he pushed through the double doors that lead into the hall. He turned the corner and entered the bathroom, stopping in front of the urinal next to Edward. He ran through the plan one more time in his head. First he had to knock out Edward and take his costume. Two: get back before the next scene. Three: Take the necklace and disappear before anyone can realize what happened. Easy peasy. He walked over to the sink and washed his hands, whilst Edward walked out the door.

“Ew.” He hissed under his breath. He caught hold of the door, “Hey Ed.” He called after him. Edward turned around quickly only to be greeted by a punch to the face. He crumpled to the floor.

“You forgot to wash your hands.” Jensang sighed as he dragged Ed back into the bathroom. He quickly changed into the costume, leaving his clothes in the stall next to the temporarily unconscious Ed. He stepped out of the bathroom and sighed as he glared at the matching turban. He hated hats, though grateful for it. It made his job all the more easier. He sat it upon his head so that it hid his eyes. He hurried back to the stage. Shanti greeted him at the door.

“Good, it's about time you got back! Did you wash your hands?” She said sarcastically. He nodded.

“Okay well go on stage, the curtain fell two minutes ago!” she shoved him towards the stage. He glared over his shoulder as he stumbled into Danielle.

“Watch it!” She spat. He nodded again and shuffled over to where he thought he was supposed to stand. And as the curtain drew up, he realized several flaws I his plan. One: he didn't remember the lines from this scene. Two was glaring at him from the stage left exit, Dante. He lowered his eyes quickly.

“Go away. I do not wish to see you, nor speak with you, or marry you for that matter!” Danielle huffed. Jensang stared out at the audience; he froze for a moment before shaking off his case of stage fright. He stepped towards her.

“Y-you won't even hear me out! How do you know you don't want to marry me?” he smiled, he had remembered some of it, improvising for a few words hear and there. That's what theater was all about. Shanti glared at him. Danielle scoffed.

“What do you know any way? You're nothing but a thief…a mere dog for the tax collectors! Charming as you may be you'll never amount to anything worth wild!” She turned around. Jensang smirked he stepped over to her, grabbing her chin gently. He looked her dead in the eye and she gasped.

“Ah so you think I'm charming! I may be a tax collector's dog but I did amount to becoming a thief now didn't I?” He wrapped his hand around her necklace.

“EDWARD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Shanti screamed quietly from the sidelines. He pulled hard at the necklace, it broke free easily. Danielle's hand shot up to her neck.

“T-that was my mother's. Give it back.” she said quietly, her voice quivering, holding out her hand.

“You'll get it back when I get my answer.” Jensang winked as he swaggered off stage. The curtain fell. Danielle collapsed on the stage. Dante walked over to her and picked her up carefully, setting her in a chair back stage. Jensang looked away from him as he headed for the exit. Shanti stepped in front of him.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! WE DIDN'T SPEND THREE MONTHS REHEARSING SO YOU COULD MAKE UP YOUR OWN SCRIPT!” She screamed. Jensang looked down.

“You don't deserve to wear the turban! From here out I will play Tobias!” she said indignantly, Jensang shrugged. He pushed her aside and smiled to himself when his hand pushed on the door. He felt a hand tightly grasp his shoulder and pull him back.

“Don't be that way Shanti. My scene with him is a little rough. Kick him out after that kay?” Dante said calmly. Jensang's blood ran cold.

“Alright fine.” Shanti huffed and walked back over to her podium. Dante's grip tightened on Jensang shoulder as he dragged him onto the stage, throwing him onto the floor. The audience gasped. Jensang got to his feet quickly, trying to put as much distance as he could between himself and Dante.

“So, you're the new guy.” Dante smiled, throwing the props out of his way. First the chair, then the table, then the other chair. Jensang stared up at Dante, fear rooting him to the spot.

“I'm going to tell you what I told the others.” He grabbed Jensang about the neck. “Sarah is my woman. I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her or get in the way of our being together.” Dante lifted him off the floor. Jensang struggled for air as he tried to wriggle away from Dante's tightening grasp.

“Do you recognizzze me yet, friend? Do you?” he hissed. As he spoke the words, he began to change. His long black hair became short and silvery. His blue eyes became a luminous orange, his skin was lighter than paper. Blue scales formed around his left eye and hair line. His lips were black like the horns that jutted out from his forehead. He let Jensang go. He dropped to the stage with a loud thud he rubbed his throat, coughing.

“Asmodeus!” Jensang gasped, he tried to will his body out of shock, but it was too late. The demon would be upon him in a matter of seconds. They keeled over to the floor.

“Can we give the boy a prizzze?” He smiled toothy grin. “Well? Aren't you going to give it back?” He smiled as he struggled with him.

“I-It's mine! It belongs to me.” Jensang growled. Asmodeus frowned mockingly.

“I guesss I have to kill you. Unfortunate.” He stared hungrily at Jensang, his forked tongue sliding over his black lips.

“You're welcome to try.”

“Offer your sssoul and I'll let you beg for mercccy like the dog you are.” Asmodeus scowled. Jensang pressed his foot into Asmodeus's stomach and kicked out hard. Asmodeus grunted as his back hit the ground. Jensang pressed his foot to his chest.

“Give it up!” he grunted. Asmodeus grabbed hold of his foot and threw Jensang back and off balance. Jensang fell flat on his back.

“Why on earth would I want to do that?” Asmodeus hissed, standing. He picked up the glass vase that rested on Shanti's podium. He slammed it into the side of Jensang's face. Jensang cried out in agony. Asmodeus lifted his head and licked the blood off the side of Jensang's cheek. “We're just getting sstarted!” He hissed, swinging Jensang around, tossing him into the equipment off stage. Jensang screamed and slumped down.

“I have to ssay I'm disssappointed. I thought you would make for good entertainment when you finally got your act together.” Asmodeus swaggered over to Jensang and shrugged. “Oh well, I guesss a weak ssoul is better than no sssoul at all.” He picked Jensang up by the collar of his shirt.

“I bet you'll be just as delicious as Raven was.” He hissed, his tongue nicking Jensang's ear. He dithered in disgust.

“Y-you killed her?” He huffed, struggling for air.

“Of course.” Asmodeus smiled.

“MONSTER!” Jensang yelled. Asmodeus just smiled, licking his lips.

“Didn't your mother tell you-” Jensang pressed his foot to Asmodeus's chest and extended his leg. “Never play with your food!” Asmodeus flew across the stage; Jensang fell onto the floor and smiled as he stood. “You never know when they'll bite back.” He dusted himself off and staggered off the stage, jogging down the aisle.

He gasped when he saw Asmodeus standing in front of him. He grabbed Jensang by the throat and lifted him above his head, throwing him back down to their `battle arena'. Jensang crashed through the few props that were left on stage. He groaned and staggered to his feet, ready to fight. The people back staged scattered as Shanti cried over the podium about the ruined play.

“You're pathetic! You're not worthy to have Jenssel's ssoul.” Asmodeus hissed in his left ear. Jensang swung, but hit nothing.

“Oh. Missssed again. You can do better than that.” It came from behind him. Jensang lashed out with his foot, breaking the wooden house prop. He screamed when he felt Asmodeus's sharp fangs scrape across the vulnerable flesh at his neck. Jensang turned around and punched Asmodeus. He flew off of the stage, landing at the foot of the audience. He laughed and propped himself up on his elbow as he wiped away blood from his lower lip.

“Iss that the besssst you can do?” he stood up. Jensang chuckled.

“This is just the tip of the ice burg.” He straightened up.

“Woo! You give me chillsss!” Asmodeus appeared behind Jensang. Jensang spun around, making a futile effort to silence his creepy opponent.

“Again my little field mousssse, you're too ssslow.” Asmodeus chuckled from a seat in the front row. Jensang glared at him as he tried his hardest to summon Jensel's power.

“No! Not here you fool! Outside!” Jensel scolded. Jensang sucked his teeth, already displeased with the `Jensel plus package'. It was turning out to be a strictly by the rules thing rather than the free lance butt-kicking ability he had hoped for. He froze when he felt Asmodeus wrap his arms around his torso, shushing him quietly. Jensang suddenly felt dizzy. Asmodeus licked the blood away from the corner of Jensang's lip. Jensang withered in disgust as Asmodeus shuddered in delight.

“Well, well, well, little Jenssel, you find yourssself in trouble yet again. What ever will you do?” He chuckled. Jensang lashed out with his foot, sending Asmodeus flying into what was left of the set.

“How bout I kick your asss, keep my sssoul and sssend you back to Hell.” He chuckled mockingly. Asmodeus's eyes went wide. He roared in exasperation. He pinned Jensang to the floor. Jensang stared up at him in horror.

“Thiss endss now boy! You give it back or I kill you!” he hissed. Jensang spat at him. Asmodeus's jaw unhinged. It reminded Jensang of a snake about to swallow an egg. He had four sharp fangs, two on the bottom and two on the top. Jensang grunted in distress as he tried to wriggle free.

“DANTE!” Danielle yelled, bursting onto the stage. She stared at what used to be Dante, wide eyed with so many emotions running across her face. Asmodeus stumbled away from Jensang as he stared past her.

“No.” he whispered. “Not again.” Asmodeus whispered.

“D-Dante?” Danielle took a step forward. Her palm touched Asmodeus's chest. His breaking heart was evident enough with just a look in his eyes. He pulled back quickly. “No.” He whispered shaking his head.

“Don't look at me!” he backed away, glaring around the room. Danielle's face changed into that of horror, she covered her mouth, biting back on a scream.

“DON'T LOOK AT ME!” Asmodeus yelled as he ran out of the multi purpose room. Jensang staggered off the stage, trying to get away from this place as fast as he could. He had the sword, and that's all that mattered now. He glanced around the room, wondering when the audience was going to realize that this wasn't apart of the play. Some people were so ignorant. One even began applauding.

“Oh! There you are cousin.” Eric yelled behind him. He froze for a moment, shook his head and pushed through the door.

Jensang groaned and touched his throbbing temples as he leaned against a wall. Disjointed images flashed through his mind. Jensel's memories he figured. He wiped the blood from the side of his face.

“You did well Jensang! You did very well!” Jensel laughed heartily. Jensang groaned.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Now, there's something I must tell you about alastor. The sword harbors the soul of a great dark angel. It is one of the more powerful weapons created by the council. It's unbreakable and limitless. However, there's spell on the on it. If you're not strong enough to control the spirit then it will over take you. But I doubt you'll have any trouble with that. Recite after me and the sword will return to its original state.”

“Let's just hurry and get this over with.” Jensang pushed away from the wall and sighed, his body ached from being tossed around.

“Te gladi, vos gladias, trea nomine sancto, pader, filli, animus sancto.”

“I conjure you, O sword of swords, by three holy names, the father, the son, and the holy spirit.”

“Sapientia, vita, virto, et Gloria. Te. Amen.”

“Wisdom, life, virtue, and glory. I conjure you. Amen.” As the last word left Jensang's lips the necklace began to glow. It grew, turning into a baroque sword with a skull above the cross guard. The elongated hilt fell into his hands, Jensang lurched forward under it's weight, staggering slightly.

“This thing weighs a ton!” Jensang scoffed.

“You'll get used to it in time.” Jensang could hear the smile in Jensel's voice and he scowled. He struggled to lift the tip of the blade off the floor. He weighed it again in his hands. Doing his best to wield it expertly, only to look like a clumsy fool as he stumbled and fell.

“Yeah rig-” Jensang gasped as a hand slid around his neck, squeezing hard. He tugged at the fingers that cut off his air supply to no avail. He elbowed his attacker in the stomach. He spun around quickly as his attacker stumbled back, the baroque sword dragging along the floor.

“Asmodeus.” Jensang wheezed. Asmodeus chuckled as he hit the wall.

“Little boyss ssshouldn't play with sswordss, you'll poke your eyesss out.” He said weakly.

“I don't want to hurt you.” Jensang grimaced as he lifted the sword off the floor, pointing its tip at Asmodeus. He just grinned and pushed it aside.

“Boy. You don't have the insstinct to kill, ssso why don't you jusst hand over that sssword, and I'll be on my way.” He held out his hand. Jensang noticed a black collar around Asmodeus's neck that hadn't been there before.

“Why… why do you do what he says? You could easily overpower him.” Jensang stepped back. Asmodeus was quiet for a long time before shrugging.

“Give me the sssword boy.”

“I told you, it's mine.” Jensang pulled back again.

“Fine.” Asmodeus sighed. He seemed so tired. He grabbed hold of the hilt and punched Jensang hard in the chest, sending him tumbling down the hall. He stared at his hand as the sword's protective spell began to take over, an electric current surging up his arm. Jensang gripped his wrist tightly and looked up at Asmodeus who looked much better with the blade of the baroque sword resting on his strong shoulders than Jensang did.

“Ssee, that wassn't ssso hard.” Asmodeus smiled. Jensang gritted his teeth and tackled Asmodeus to the floor, the sword flying out of his hands. Asmodeus hissed and slashed across Jensang's face with his talon like nails. Jensang held on tightly to Asmodeus's torso as he tried to wriggle free. Asmodeus dug his nail into Jensang's right eyes. Jensang screamed and let go. For good measure, Asmodeus kicked at the side of his head. Jensang's head snapped back as he fell flat on the floor. Asmodeus took up alastor and began to walk away.

“What are you waiting for? Finish him!” Raphael said, stepping from the shadows, a small black remote in his hands. Asmodeus looked at Jensang as he struggled to stay conscious. His eyes widen as a jolt of electricity passed through his chest. He screamed, falling to his knees.

“Now.” Raphael spat. Asmodeus glared at the black remote control and sighed. He got to his feet and stood over Jensang. He raised the sword above his head and bought it down. Jensang's eyes snapped open to see the blade inches away from his face. He kicked at Asmodeus's hand with all of his strength, the sword clattering to the floor. Asmodeus staggered back as Jensang dashed forward, taking alastor in both hands, he swung the sword forward and thrusted it at Asmodeus. He gasped as the sword slide through his gut. Jensang gritted his teeth and pushed it in further. It was almost as if he was in a trance, the way his eyes held no emotion, not even the reflection of the light shone in them. He ripped it out as blood spattered across the wall, Raphael- everything within the surrounding area. By the time Asmodeus's lifeless body fell to the floor, Jensang was covered in it.

“D-Daeva?” Raphael said quietly, dropping to his knees. Jensang turned sharply on his heel and began to walk towards the bathroom.

“H-he was my friend. H-HOW COULD YOU? I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS! NEVER!” Raphael yelled after him, tears in his eyes. Raphael's pained cry resounded off the walls as fury built up with in him. He would not forget this rage.