Sin

"Please... Bring her back to me," Darren begged, "... Please..."

Michael looked at the small metal ring ring in his hand, the sapphire was the same colour as Estielle's eyes, he looked at the demon lord sobbing red tears onto the floor and scanned the room.

"Where is Vlad?" he called softly.

A series of murmurs went up around the room, heads turned, angels quickly left only to appear moments later, the chorus of chants filled the room.

"He's not here."

"Not in his room."

"Can't find him."

"Left the halls."

"Not in heaven."

Michael's eyes returned to their usual brown, with a flurry of finger movements a book appeared in his hand, opening the book he quickly scrolled to the last page.

ESTIELLE - PUNNISHMENT CARRIED OUT FOR SIN OF LUST - EXILE - ARCHANGEL OF KNOWLEDGE, VLAD

Michael had to read the last entry three times before he could absorb the information, he had always thought Vlad wouldn't go this far, What have you done?...

"Find him at once," Michael strode towards the kneeling demon lord, "tell me everything."

Darren sat, staring at the floor, telling Michael of the events leading to his appearance, Michael to his credit didn't interrupt him with questions. The two sat silently for several minutes before a young looking male angel quickly approached them.

"My Lord Michael," he said quickly, "The Archangel of Knowledge has been spotted on the southern end of the plane."

"Thank you Thesius, gather a guard, we must speak to Vlad," Michael stood tall, "I'm sure you will react badly if I ask that you remain."

Darren grunted, climbing to his feet, "I would react badly if all he had done was attack my home," he took a deep breath, "I will drag him to hell personally if he has harmed Estielle."

Michael regarded him for a moment before nodding and leading the way. As the pair walked, Darren became aware of angels slowly surrounding him, they were armed and suited in strange transparent armour, looking almost like glass, Darren knew it was tougher than even the finest steel. Reaching out with his mind, he could feel there intentions, they were just an escort, Good... throwing his mind in every direction he could feel millions of angels, some clearly aware of his touch, some not, but all were gearing up for a battle, They fear me so greatly?...

One stood out more than the others, just one felt fear, pain and a deep sense of dread... Estielle... Without waiting for a response, Darren surged with energy, the ground around him shattered with the energy of his leap, hurtling towards Estielle. Landing on a white roof, he could feel them below him, turning back, he could see Michael and the other angels desperately trying to catch up with him, but with a twisted grin, Darren felt the tug of energy, allowing hell's flames to consume his physical form, he stood tall, a black figure, cloaked in purple flames. Darren lifted himself a foot from the roof, hovering for a moment, before the air seemed to twist beneath him, distorting his view and with an earth shattering boom, Darren dropped through the roof, slamming into the floor below, he raised himself to his full height, and glared at Vlad standing before him, dragging Estielle by her hair. He could see her pleading eyes, but her mouth and hands were bound, her legs kicking freely as Vlad dragged her by her gorgeous black hair.

"Asmodeus..." Vlad growled.

"Release her," Darren whispered quietly.

"Oh... come now... what on earth would I do that for?" Vlad chuckled.

"It's the only way you walk away with your soul," snarled Darren.

"Oh?..." Vlad gasped, "Here my darling," he said quickly bending over Estielle, "Hold this!"

Vlad quickly pulled a long blade, pushing it through Estielle's shoulder and into the marble floor, Estielle screamed in pain clutching at the blade and trying to pull it free. Darren saw red, tearing the air apart between him and the Archangel, extending a clawed gauntlet intending to tear Vlad in half, only to see him step back out of the way and drive his knee up into Darren's chest as he sailed past. Screaming in wordless rage, Darren tumbled to a stop before turning back to face the Archangel, only to find himself kicked in the chest and sent tumbling backwards a second time.

Using the momentum Darren quickly found his footing, dodging sideways around Vlad's kick, he swung his claws, barely catching the Archangels robe. Before he could recover, searing pain shot through his back, a silver tip appeared from the front of his chest, just below his heart,

"DARREN!" screamed Estielle through her gag, trying desperately to pull the blade free from her shoulder.

Darren gasped twice through the pain, trying to reach behind himself to pull the blade free, he found his arm wouldn't respond properly and the hilt was just out of reach. Vlad came back into view, a wicked smile across his face, Darren surged with energy, summoning fireballs and sent them hurling towards the Archangel. He couldn't keep up this exertion for long, the sword through his chest was preventing his ability to heal, and his strength was being sapped faster than he could replenish it. Through the smoke and flames he could hear soft laughter, turning to find the source of the sound, Darren heard a shriek cut through the laughter, spinning he caught a glimpse of Estielle thrashing on the ground, the sword no longer in her shoulder, but before he could react, Vlad plunged the blade diagonally into his shoulder, the tip of the blade exiting near his left hip,

"Come now Asmodeus," Vlad chided, "I can keep going, putting a blade through every non fatal organ in your body... well... until you bleed to death."

Vlad quickly kicked Darren, making him fall on his back atop the protruding hilts, Darren gasped in agony.

"Vlad!" called Michael, dropping to the floor through the hole that Darren had created.

"... Michael!" called Vlad, "my dear friend, I was just cleaning up our house guests here."

"I must ask that you stop this immediately," Michael said quietly, bending over he easily snapped free Estielle's bonds.

"Michael... what on earth are you talking about?" Vlad chuckled, "a demon lord and his whore fallen angel attacked me-"

"Vlad, I'll not ask you again," Michael narrowed his eyes, "why did you exile Estielle?"

"I had no choice, she sinned against god-"

"LIES!" screamed Estielle, climbing to her feet, "IT WAS YOU! I had no part in it, you beat me half unconscious and forced me to submit to you! Then you cast me away to hide your sin!"

"Estielle," Michael said softly, "please rest, I have no doubt what you have said, but I must warn Vlad of his mistake."

"Mistake?" Vlad laughed, "I am the Archangel of Knowledge, I don't make mistakes!"

"Tell me Vlad," Michael interrupted, "Do you know the origin of Lord Asmodeus?"

"Of course, he sided with Lucifer in the first holy war," Vlad growled, "He is a traitor to our lord and considering my impression, rather pathetic..."

"What about before that?" Michael retorted.

"While he was faithful, he was the Archangel of Love," Vlad looked annoyed, "what of it?"

"When the seven were exiled, their sins were placed over their charges", Michael started, "Strength to Wrath, Courage to Pride, Love to Lust."

"Yes I know, get on with it," growled Vlad.

"Lord Asmodeus was allowed to roam the earth unchallenged because of a singular purpose, his vice kept him in line, his love... kept him from causing the destruction his brothers would have caused."

"It didn't stop him fighting the last Holy War..." snarled Vlad.

"You still don't understand... do you?" Michael slowly shook his head.

"Don't patronise me Michael," Vlad began stalking towards him, "You know nothing, I have guided our ways for a millennia, you will show some respect!"

"If you recall", Michael continued, "Lord Asmodeus attempted to remain neutral in the beginning of the war, until one crucial turning point... you killed someone he loved"

The two archangels stared daggers at one another, Vlad switched his attention to Estielle, her eyes were wide with fear, but she wasn't looking at him, Vlad turned to see what drew her attention, his eyes opening in surprise.

"It was you..." whispered Darren, the sword in his shoulder wiggling itself free, clattering to the ground, "all this time I thought it was Michael... and it was you all along..." the second sword slowly extracted itself from his chest, falling beside the first, the two blades clinking together.

"Now now Asmodeus," Vlad huffed, "It was Estielle who caught your bitch sis-"

A rusted chain sprouted from Darren's back, whipping through the air catching Vlad across the face, driving him to one knee. Estielle stared in shock, Darren didn't move, he just shook, violent sobs overcome him as dozens of rusted chains sprouted from his body, writhing and twisting in the air like great serpents.

"And now you take my beloved from me..." Darren chocked back a sob, "I will have your soul."

The chains began moving at the same time, some flailing about, some whipping, the steady drumming of chains slamming into marble floors filled the air, the dust obscuring the Archangel of Knowledge. Estielle just stared, she could see the man... demon... she loved, but it wasn't him, he was possessed with hatred, she could see him standing, staring at the floor, his hands by his side, gently swaying as the great chains ripped the ground to pieces, she could feel the conflicting emotions pouring off him, she could see his pain like a great aura flowing off of him.

Estielle stepped around Michael, ignoring his order to stay back, she quickly made her way around the thrashing chains, getting closer, she had to be careful not to be caught as they passed closely to his body. Timing her move right, she quickly stepped in, ducking under a thrashing chain and came face to face with Darren, he wasn't even aware of her presence. Estielle stepped closer, reaching out she gently stroked his cheek, cupping his chin she lifted his gaze, and like a switch, all the chains came to a stop as Darren stared into her sapphire eyes.

"That's enough," she said, "we can go home now."

leaning forward, she kissed him gently before wrapping her arms around his body, feeling his trembling, his shirt soaked through with blood.

"We need to get you to Patricia," Estielle pulled him tighter against herself.

The chains went limp, collapsing to the ground before starting to break apart into chunks and turn to dust.

"Estielle," Darren choked.

He collapsed, Estielle screamed, grabbing him, trying to shake him awake, but he was looking so pale, thick blood pooling around him, she turned to ask Michael for help, only to see his winged form disappear thought the hole in the ceiling.

"DARREN!" Estielle screamed.

Scanning her surroundings desperately, a memory came to her, standing up, she could see the gouge in the stone floor, and at the base, a bloody and broken archangel, spitting blood, but unable to move, his wings crushed and broken, his arms twisted and deformed, I have already been cast out, what's another sin?... Estielle surged with her own energy, calling on her scythe, she raised a hand, feeling the familiar warmth of energy flow through her. In just moments she was staring at the glowing edge of her weapon. Estielle took a step forward, dropping into the gouge she stood above the broken archangel who had hurt her so intimately, he tried to speak, but only managed to cough up blood, wincing in pain.

"You did this," she said quietly.

The air itself sung with a tone as the scythe swung high, embedding it in his chest, she let out a feral scream, directing all her hate and anger into his final moments of life, before roughly pulling the blade free. It took only a moment before Vlad's features relaxed and a blue orb lifted from his midsection, Estielle quickly grabbing it and running back to Darren, she remembered him crushing it in his hands, but she crushed it with both hands directly onto his chest, rubbing the blue residue across his chest, she waited a moment and it glowed brightly as she remembered, before fading away.

She sat beside him, watching for signs of life, expecting him to open his eyes, but nothing happened.

"Darren?" she said softly, grasping his shoulders, "... Darren... Please wake up," she cried shaking him gently, "I don't want to go on without you," Estielle dropped her head onto his chest, tears running freely down her face, "please wake up!"

Purple flames appeared, slowly rolling around to cover the demons limp form, Estielle as always found they didn't burn her, but this time she wished they would, at least I could go with him... The flames rose higher for a moment.

"I love you Darren," Estielle sobbed, "I'll give you my soul, so that I can follow you to the underworld", she cried, grabbing his hand desperately.

"Keep your soul," Darren said softly.

The pair dropped through the portal, feeling weightless for a moment, before a soft THUD, had them deposited on the floor of Darren's living room. Estielle looked him up and down, seeing his eyes barely open, Estielle cried, grabbing his head, she planted kisses over his face, not wanting to stop.

"PATRICIA!" screamed Gemma, "they're back!"

Patricia came running into the room, throwing herself on Estielle, hugging her desperately for a moment, before starting her checkup on Darren, ripping his shirt off she could see the deep cuts from the stab wounds, the soul had repaired the organ damage, but he was still very much wounded. An hour later Darren was sitting albeit uncomfortably in a familiar hospital bed, he was stripped naked, smiling at the space where his side table should have been, when he winced, Estielle had pressed too hard on a broken rib while trying to sponge bath him.

"Estielle, it can wait until tomorrow for me to shower," he said with a smile.

"I'm not crawling into bed with you covered in blood," Estielle growled.

"What are you talking about? I'm in here tonight, you go sleep in ou-"

"No!" Estielle shouted, regretting her anger almost immediately, "I... sorry... I don't want to spend another minute away from you", she said softly, her eyes watering up.

"Estielle," crooned Darren, she quickly collapsed against him again, like she had several times since Patricia had patched him up, Darren just held her as tightly as he could, ignoring the pains in his chest.

The following morning, Gemma brought everyone breakfast in Darren's room. The four of them relaxing after their ordeal, Darren was alive, Estielle was home, Gemma and Patricia were happy, it was nice to enjoy the little things.

"Oh," Gemma said suddenly, "I found this in mail," she said, handing Darren an envelope with his name on it.

"Thank you Gemma," Darren smiled, taking the envelope, he smiled, "so you had some questions for me?"

Gemma stopped, she swallowed the mouthful of food she was chewing, "Patricia explained a lot to me already," she started, "I just want to confirm a few things."

"OK, shoot," Darren smiled.

"Who are you... really?" she asked.

"I am Lord Asmodeus, one of the seven rulers of hell, the Sin of Lust," Darren sighed.

"Do you have anything to do with Patricia and I getting together?"

"Other than you delivering pizzas and me being too lazy to open the door myself, no, I can't influence human emotion, only entice it, and I haven't done that in decades," Darren said firmly.

"Do I need to fear for my soul?" Gemma looked uncomfortable.

"Only if you hurt Patrica," Darren said with a smirk.

"Are you always such an asshat?"

The four of them burst out laughing, Darren coming to tears, his wounds pained him terribly.

"Make me laugh like that again and you're fired," he chuckled, wincing again.

The remainder of the meal was held in lighthearted chatter, Gemma spoke of cooking classes, Patricia spoke of Darren's condition, Darren spoke of his company since the incident, only Estielle remained silent, curling up beside Darren, she clutched his arm, almost as if afraid he would suddenly float away. Darren couldn't help but grip her wrist firmly, he didn't want her to move away either.

"Patricia," Darren mused, "When can I get out of this god awful bed?"

"What are you asking me for?" Patricia chuckled, "Normally I'd say a week, but I'm actually surprised you haven't gotten up already."

"... fair enough," Darren smiled, "I'm going for a shower."

He quickly extracted his arm from Estielle, rolling slightly to get his feet under him, Darren staggered slightly to his feet. Before he could take a step, he felt arms around him, turning he kissed Estielle softly, before noticing more arms.

"Thank you Darren," said Gemma

"Thank you for bringing everyone home," said Patricia.

Darren just stood still, as the three beautiful women held him gently, he was touched...

"Come on come on, that's enough," Darren growled, "I didn't ask you to worship me."

Patricia jabbed him in the ribs, Gemma laughed, but Estielle just stared intensely into his eyes with a strange look on her face.

"Come on Estielle, I might need you to scrub my back," Darren smiled.

The pair hobbled down towards their room, Estielle only leaving his side for a moment to open the door for him. Darren smiled in appreciation, it was odd to be the one receiving help, for the better part of the last two centuries, it was him caring for others. Soon he was leaning on the wall of his shower, hot water running down his back, Estielle curled into his chest, there was no need for words, he loved her, she loved him, nothing else needed to be said, but as all things, the moment had to end.

Estielle helped him dry first, before helping him dress. Darren chuckled as she pulled a hoody over his head, the fabric was soft and warm. Sitting on the end of their bed, Darren pulled his phone out, checking the time, Perfect... He silently watched Estielle pull on some comfortable clothing. Darren stood, before hobbling towards Estielle as she pulled a white shirt down to cover her stomach, she smiled, a confused expression on her face as Darren pulled a thick jacket from the wardrobe, pressing it into her hands.

"Trust me," Darren smiled, cupping her jaw in his hands, he gently pulled her into a kiss.

Estielle didn't even realise what was happening until she heard the THUD, pulling back, her immediate reaction was to pull on the jacket, the wind was biting cold, but as she took in her surroundings, she couldn't help but gasp.

Darren had taken her to the top of his favourite mountain, the sky was clear, there weren't any clouds in sight, a firm wind was blowing, casting waves of snow off the surrounding mountains.

"It's beautiful," Estielle grinned.

"Yes she is," Darren smiled.

Estielle lit up, realising his words, "What are we doing here?" she asked quietly.

Darren turned her around, leading her towards a large flat rock, she helped him sit down before he quickly pulled her down to sit on his lap. Darren just held her, leaning his face on her shoulder as they watched the sun rise over the horizon. Estielle gasped in wonder as the orange light, lit up the snow drifts being carried in the wind, from their perspective, it was like the mountains were on fire, an otherworldly and beautiful sight that captivated her long enough for Darren to pull out the envelope Gemma had given him.

He silently tore the thin paper, dropping the contents onto his hand. Estielle felt Darren grasp her left hand, he lifted it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles gently before placing her hand back on her lap. She frowned slightly that he had let her go, reaching out to find his hand again, she felt something odd, glancing down, she spotted it, a sapphire, on a silver band, placed on her ring finger.