Angels

Angel stared, unamused. "To think I thought you had a brain." She stood to her feet and crossed her arms. "To display elite weaponry would be a mistake to anyone in this place. Anything worth money would cause trouble and unwanted feuds. Do you not understand that?" She retreated back inside, heading toward the staircase that led downstairs. There were several loops and turns in this place, ones Angel knew well. Down below, she lit a dozen candles before going over to the stairwell to close the door. It was cool and wet in the basement area, but being here for so long, it had hardly any effect on Angel as far as discomfort.

There was a minimal supply of electricity. Angel had managed to store some safely in special government capsules to supply refrigerators for food, and occasionally to help with heating. She opened the fridge door, scanning the contents below deciding on a container of pre made eggs and sausage. Food was running short again. She would have to make another run out into the city, but she needed Alexander's help. Unfortunately, he wasn't here. Sephiroth's words rang clear in her mind, and suddenly her stomach was repulsed by anything food related.

She turned her back on the door for a moment, listening closely to any sounds. Only the silence greeted her as she slid back a curtain near the fridge that revealed a special door. Complete steel, the newest in government security, and something only she knew about. Not even Alexander could hold the secret to her most elite weaponry. Of course, he knew of the location, but it wasn't something the brainac could break into. Alex entered the code quickly, a light flashing out, reading her eyes as her fingertips pressed against the scanner. Her breathing quickened slightly as a needle came out, entering her arm quickly and drawing blood before the door split to allow entrance to Angel. It was a separate room all of it's own, straight out of a fancy government building. Before she allowed people entrance into the underground city, she had it made by her own hands.

She loaded up carefully and sealed the door, drawing the curtain and running back upstairs. "Assassin, I'm going to the city," she called. She loaded her bike, the only thing expensive, nice, and worth money that she ever dared to let stay out. She started the engine and glanced at Sephiroth, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'll be back in exactly one hour, if I don't return, then I suggest you complete your mission and abandon the city."

Sephiroth had spent most of the night going over his plans. He was to serve Angel's cause while at the same gathering information. His eyes scanned over the room to see if it had been bugged. Even if there was no electrisity running throughout the building Sephiroth decided to be on the safe side. "Humans are so entertaining..." he chuckled before laying down for the night.

When morning came, Sephiroth was up shortly after Angel had started to clean her guns. He had observed her argument with Alex and couldn't helo but smile. He walked up to Angel, his chest a few inches from her back. He looked down at her with a small grin whichthen faded shortly after. "You should watch him more closly. Often the ones who you trust the most are always the first to betray you. Its a little free advice so consider yourself lucky" he stated then picked up one of her rifles. He looked through the scope and placed it on the table with a deep sigh. "No wonder you've yet to win this damn war...using crap like this will get you no where. Also look at your ammo. The tips of these bullets are old and cracked. They wont kill on impact which means you'll end up dieing for before you take down your enemy."

Sephiroth sighed once again and gave Angel a small push out of the way. In the sky above there was a large hawk looking for it's next meal. Sephiroth took aim and about half a second later fired a single shot. The hawk dropped like a rock right out of the sky. Sephiroth tossed the rilfe into Angel's hands before dashing forward to catch the bird. His speed was amazing and clearly un hunman like. "See look here..." he stated while showing Angel where the bullet had hit the hawk. "My shot was perfect, but because of the fire power from the rifle and the poor bullet this bird survived. He should have been killed instantly. This is a bird...Imagine the effect your...toys would have on people wearing armor."

"Alexander and myself are the only ones that know of the vault's location," Angel said. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit hallways, taking no note on the dust that had been collecting. There was too much to protect in this city to start cleaning the houses, but eventually when everything was stable, things would surely change, though she hardly considered herself a petty housewife. She wouldn't accept being something so docile and tamed. It just wasn't in her nature.

She stopped outside his door, indicating that he would remain here during his time needed. Her eyes caught the small glance he made to her own room, surely knowing that his room was close to hers for a reason. "Just understand one thing, if you are to take me out on your first mission," she said, making eye contact with him. "My face is well known, and trouble will undoubtedly come our way. Be prepared for a small intervention of chaos on that mission."

Her lungs filled with hair, eyes narrowing at him, perplexed by his 'humor'. "Sadly enough there are no real men left," she countered, a smile twitching at her lips. "How unfortunate." His words were sharp, but so were hers. "Sleep tight, assassin."

As she entered her room, she immediately went toward the gun where she placed it back beneath her pillow. She had not expected someone like Sephiroth to answer her call, nor had she expected such a turn to be made in this revolution she started. It would prove interesting as time progressed.

Morning came, cloudy and uncertain with rain in the sky. Angel was up at five O' clock outside tending to a few of her guns. When nerves had her going, she resulted in cleaning the most precious ones she owned. Alexander had tried to convince her that Sephiroth was a danger, and no good could come of him, and the moment she said no, he had stormed out of the city. It was a stupid move, but she trusted him enough to at least remain unseen until he decided to cool his temper and grow a brain. Angel only paused when she felt Sephiroth's presence behind her.

ooc: do you have pick of angel?

ic: Sephiroth blinked slightly and then gave Angel a small nodd. Her request was a small one so he had no problems with accepting it. "Very well then. I'll only have to leave twice. The first time will be to observe security and the second time will be to kill the president. On the first mission you'll be coming with me to show me around and give me any information I might need."

When they finally shook hands, Sephiroth smiled a little. There was a soft pulsing light between their hands that soon faded after a few seconds. "The contract is now complete. It can not be broken by either you nor myself. You're in up to your neck now woman. I hope you understand that." he stated with a small grin. He followed her closly through the tunnels until they came to the vault. He wasn't surprised that there was so much money inside, however he did wonder how long it would be until someone tried to steal it. "Hmm I'll leave it here for now and count it later. Anyway, I have a question for you. How many people besides yourself know about this vaults location? Its in your best interest that you limit the number of people who know about it. Money will bring thieves which also have the ability to bring death."

Sephiroth sighed softly and turned from the vault giving Angel a small nodd. He followed her up to where his room was while taking note that it was only a few doors down from her own. "Hmm she's not as stupid as I thought." Sephiroth's slited eyes slowly shifted over to Angel after hearing she needed a challenge. An evil grin formed on his lips followed by a short dark laugh. "Is that so? Perhaps you stop picking weaklings and find a real man. Though, I'm sure a child such as yourself wouldn't be able to handle a real man even if he was right infront of you." he stated with a small laugh. "Well that will be all for now. If I need anything I'll just pop into your room. Dont bother locking your door." he smirked before walking into his room and closing the door.

"It is a price I'm willing to accept," she murmured softly, offering a smirk of her own as his blood was drawn by his own mouth. "Desperate situations cannot be risked because of someone becoming afraid. A lot of men, women, and children have already, unfortunately, been sacrificed for this lifestyle I've created." Her hand reached out halfway, stopping. "There is, however, one condition I ask first before striking this deal, understand?" Though she already knew his reaction would not be shown, she couldn't help but looking anyway. "I ask that you remain within the city gates unless it is required of you to leave to fulfill your mission. The more attention, the more risk, if you care to understand."

Angel reached her hand out, allowing the deal to be struck. Blood with blood, a pack that would not, could not, be broken by all means. Serving in the Military at one point, Angel knew of such agreements and the baggage they carried. "Alright then, allow me to show your half of payment," she said, drawing her hand away. It stung, though she refused to look down to see if her palm had suddenly changed any.

She lead him through a series of hallways before coming to a metal room, enclosed in the finest of steel. On the floor a small loop appeared and Angel tugged it open with slight difficulty, revealing the exact sum of money to pay half his asking price. It was a lot, more than she ever wanted to part with, but if it meant the presidents head being brought to her, then surely this was well worth the price Sephiroth made clear to her.

"Take it when you need it, there it is," Angel said. She drew in a large breath and checked a pocket watch she had hanging around her neck and glared at it. Well past midnight already. "I should get some sleep. Would you like me to escort you to the courters in which your allowed to stay in?" She would keep him near, to watch his every move to make sure he was true to his word. As she made it to the doorway, she turned to face him. "And...just for the record, I don't play nice with men. They never gave me a challenge," she said, smirking deviously before continuing out.

"Normally only people who have fear hire assasins. To answer your question though...I'm not sure. I try to make it a point not to work with cowards, but then it depends on the mission too. If its interesting then I might make an exception." he stated, His eyes shifted slightly watching her reach for the gun. Sephiroth looked completly relaxed though and didn't move from where he was. "Ah so its defencive...how boring." he chuckled softly.

Sephiroth then raised a brow. His face was still inches from hers. "This human has guts...either that or she's just stupid for speaking to me in such a way." he thought to himself. "Oh so you fight to survive huh? If that was the case wouldn't your enemy have been defeated a long time ago? Perhaps your need to surive is not strong enough. You should note that I'll do whatever it takes to complete the mission. So if I have to...say sacrfice one of your men." he smirked and paused for a moment to examine her reaction. "I'll do so in a heart beat. You must do whatever it takes in order to achieve your goals. If you're not willing to...well you're the same as the other rebels, but then I suppose thats really none of my concern." he smiled.

Sephiroth smirked softly and stood up straight backing away from Angel a little. "Whats wrong woman? Are you not able to handle being so close to the opposite sex? Perhaps you simply dont have alot of experience dealing with men." he stated and a wicked grin formed on his lips. "Well whatever. So I must kill the President huh? Very well consider it already done. I will examine the security and kill him with in three to five days. Six at the most. I'll bring you his head as proof. For such a job...I'll require 725,000,000 in whatever money you people use. You will give me half now and the rest once the job is done. If anything unexpected comes up or you want to add on to my mission I'll up the fee." he stated softly while making a mental note of the deal. He then bit hit thumb causing blood to spill down the palm of his hand. "I Sephiroth will kill the man you despise so. In exchange, you will pay me in full the amount I've requested. If you agree to this deal give me your hand." he replied softly, but then suddenly pulled back his hand. "Careful woman. I deal with me is binding." he stated with an evil grin.

"And let me ask you this: if I held fear toward you, do you believe I would have offered your assistance when it was mentioned?" Angel retorted. Her eyes narrowed, concentrating on his eyes. "But maybe the question should be, would you have accepted, had you known I was a coward?" She turned her head away so she could see where her hand was going where it reached slowly for the gun. Her hand stopped halfway, her eyes glancing back over him, studying his reaction. "This gun used to be one of theirs, you know," she said. "Over the time they'd managed to craft what they called the perfect weapon and yet each and every time I've been forced to use it I've found flaws." She pulled the gun out and examined it before offering it to him. "It's not a weapon I use to defend myself with beneath my pillow. It remains there when I arrive, till the moment I wake."

Angel dropped her eyes and laughed shortly and cross. "People are afraid to come up here, even in their desperation. Something about it being so close to the city boundaries makes them afraid." As far as anyone was concerned here, Angel and Alexander were the only ones who'd ever stepped foot outside the boundaries since they'd set up their new home. "Be knowledgeable, assassin," she said softly, her voice holding an edge to it. "We're not the rebels you hear in the Weekly Journal, rebelling to prove a point or having a clash of opinions with the government. We rebelled because it was the only chance to survive from the Gama virus the government had begin injecting into regular people. We don't know, nor do we care."

When she looked back at him, noticing those slit pupils, she placed the gun on the dresser beside the bed. "Your mission with us is clear and it's simple: kill the president." Upon saying this, her teeth gritted firmly together. "That man is behind it, and the solider's without a leader will be easily fall." Her breathing quickened from anger, being nose-to-nose with this unknown man. She could feel where his skin touched hers, and quickly she pulled away, disgusted. "Be professional and do your job. That is all your required of," she hissed. "To fear you is like fearing a snake."

"I see well if thats the case then this is how our contract will go. You will tell me what exactly it is you want for me. You'll give me every single detail. For example, if you wish to have a government offical executed, I'll do so. However, if you also want say his brother killed too, but do not state so before hand I wont be held responisable. Once I know all the details of my mission I'll charge you what I think is right. Though you should know that I'm not cheap. I dont preform meaning low grade tasks either, but then...I'm sure you know that." Sephiroth stated with a small grin. His cold green eyes scanned over Angel to observe what her reaction would be.

His grin faded a little when asked why he had choosen to help. Sephiroth sighed a little and crossed his arms. This was always the hard part. Everything a human hired an assasin to do his or her dirty work it was thought that the assasin sympothized with their cause. In all honestly most of the time it was either the opposite or the assassin had no opinon on the matter. "Let me make this crystal clear. I dont give a damn about your war. I go where the money is or where there are challenges. Though...its been a while since I had one of those. Anyway, I'm here because I was told that there were those who were sick of the military and were getting desperate." he stated and stood to his feet. "However there is one thing I need to confirm..." he smirked softly.

Sephiroth slowly started to walk forward towards Angel. He didn't stop until his nose was to hers. With a small grin on his lips he looked into Angel's eyes testing her to see how much fear she held. "I dont work for cowards. So let me ask you girl, do you fear me?" he smiled. The first thing Angel would notice aside from the evil tint in his eyes was that rather then circular pupis, Sephiroth's were slightly slited almost like that of a demon or animal. "Well? There must be some fear. I'd think there'd be no need to hide a gun under your pillow. A word to the wise...its better to carry that weapon on your person. Even a low class assassin could kill you before you even had time to reach for it. With me...heh well lets leave my speed up to your imagination."

"Payment will not be an issue," Angel said sternly. She knew the shortage of money in this new world was near desperate, but beneath the small building she resided in, there was a hidden compartment that held several stacks of fresh bills. They were from the bank she'd stolen from when the riots first broke out, and thankfully, they hadn't been tracked to where she'd put them.

Her eyes closed and her hands flexed as though they hadn't been used in ages. "Name your price and I assure you we will pay any amount of ask for." Money was all they had in this forgotten city of the rebel angels.

Sephiroth was not what she expected when she'd called for help on the situation. She remembered clearly that Alexander told her specifically to avoid any contact from the outside world, but she didn't listen. Angel would always remain in charge of this new civilization until someone took her down...if they could. It became quite the challenge for some to even consider taking her life, when so much was already at stake. Complain and get something worse, she would always tell them.

"So," Angel began, opening her eyes again. "Is there a particular reason as to why you've decided to help us?" They could only look forward to receiving a low-class assassin to help them, but he was beyond amateur.

Humans had done an excelent job at destorying the one planet that was able to supply life. Sephiroth had watched the series of bloody events unfold for hundreds of years. He watched the tears the innocent shed and heard their crys for help. They prayed to the gods for aid and some sort of relief, but none came. They believed that the gods would send their angels down to protect those who were innocent. Little did they know that the gods had cast a blind eye to the human race long ago. The angels that were so heavily believed in had all left earth years ago. Hell, the only reason Sephiroth was still around was due to the fact that he had been banished from the heavens. The gods were corrupt and arrogent. They feared anything that would result in their power being questioned. Now a Fallen Angel, Sephiroth's powers had been cut in half. One of his wings had been taken away which led to a nickname given to him by the humens. The name, "One Winged Angel" was one that was known throughout the world. Normally that name was often followed by death and destruction.

It had been five years since Sephiroth had decided to make the most of his banishment. Rather then simply taking his frustrations out on the human's he offered his services in exchange for wealth. Why he did so was a mystery though since human money ment nothing to him. His fee was a high one so only the most wealthy could afford to hire him. Once Sephiroth was given a mission there was nothing that could stop him form completing it. Most of his missions were in the form of high profile assassinations.

Sighing deeply, Sephiroth walked into a dark poorly light building. He wasn't to happy with the job he had took this time around. He would serve as a double agent in order to eradicate the resistance that was still fighting against the military. When the door opened, Sephiroth's cold green eyes locked onto Angel. It was almost like he was staring into her very soul. "I was told that you were the one I needed to see." he stated and walked in. He had long silver hair that touched the back of his legs. There were armored plated shoulder pads covering his shoulders and under his black cloak was a very long sheathed blade which he kept by his side. "I was told that if I was going to be hired I needed to see you first." he sighed softly and took a seat. "Word is your little...team is having some problems. I can eliminate those problems, but it will cost you."

The face of humanity had become drastically altered over the past fifteen years, as I've come to notice through my adolescence. For one, the population died down after the Military divided into their own branch, taking over the cities...and basically the world. Two, there was some aspect of crime left that wasn't defeated yet, a crime in which I myself am apart of. I guess growing up really wasn't one of my life plans; so I've said to myself. Over and over again, from dusk to dawn. But there is no change. Hope can still find it's way, right, on the wings of my own personal hellion angel? I can hope.

Street lights carved in and out of the shadows winding down the ally. There was no safe path to prosper from, nor was there a home that hadn't been invaded by Military soldiers. The one stray fact that truly disturbed Angel, was the sad, shallow memory of her father; General of Armies. A dog of war. He was the same man that had brought about the terrible revolution, and killed, when he realized the doom and annihilation he'd caused his family.

Silence shrouded into laughter and hollering the moment Angel revived the Harley; annoyance crossing her fine, delicate features. She was strong willed, much like her mother, and it was exactly that, that had made her different from the rest. Unlike most of society, she rebelled and became apart of an elite underground group who had dangerous plans to overrule the government.

They all knew it was a hopeless cause, but what else was there to fight for?

Government officials had strict rules on its citizens, ones that took every ounce of freedom away. Women were looked down upon like old times, forced to stay indoors raising children and taking care of a simple block of home. The word play didn't even exist in the minds of children. All they did was sit there, being intelligent while their fathers fought to maintain order, that, was a slave to higher officials who treated them like soiled dirt.

Angel had no intention of living this kind of life. Not even if it killed her, or those around. It just wasn't true to who she believed in since she was a small, innocent child. But even then she had some idea of the change to come, and that her own family would dissipate before her own eyes. It was the inevitable, she would say. All it was, was a sick little game.

The lights grew unbearably dim as she turned the corner and slid in front of a large van on the highway. Hardly a single car would pass through here, only Angel and her bike, riding home. Still, deep inside she wished that the rode would never end, the bike running forever and taking her to a place worth living for. Her eyes did not see that imaginary place here anymore.

She slowed, letting the van pass and take the next exit before Angel kicked the bike into full gear. She ripped the helmet off in haste, holding it between her legs and allowing the tangled locks of black hair curve in the air. Her sunglasses even proved to be of no use with the setting sun, and so much more when the dark entrance to the underground was facing her.

No car had ever been this far on the rode for five years now, and in that time, the old tunnel had become completely abandoned, collecting webs and old wispy cloth that draped down. It was like entering Hell itself. A gust of wind picked up the thin, white fabric and the bike just barely passed through without nabbing one of the strands.

Darkness engulfed her, making it impossible to see the rode, let alone her own hand. Her heart pounded, nervous, as the seconds ticked by, and then there was light.

On either side of the tunnels end, was sculptures of roman gods and priests, the stone chipped, and various limbs missing or scattered. Still, it was a magnificent sight to anyone living there, the trickles of water running down old fountains, statues of the early goddesses that took cover in the heavens, even in hell. There was no trace of humanity other than the worn black top rode and the bike in which Angel rode upon.

The bike slowed, stuttering, and then coming to a stop before the broken cathedral where a single, elegant statue, sculpted of the finest marble, stood holding a sword; hand extending out where water leapt from her palm.

It was this very statue that had earned her, her name. Angel. It was the last thing that came to her mother before she left the hospital. After all, the both of them would come to this exact place to pray, but it all became a dusty memory, now.

"Thanks Heavens it survived...," she murmured, soft, mute. She parked her bike on the shadowed side of the rode before slipping into the cathedral, muttering a quick hello to the inside and darting out the back door. The skies were a light gray, though no indication of rain seemed noticeable. The was no doubt that the rain would fall later that night, it always did. It was the reason the statues always dripped with glittering water.

Toward the back of the cathedral, a small building perched sideways, half sunken in the ground. Lilies grew around it, flooded with water and green grass. Angel had to place stones to jump on just to keep dry. The door cracked and squealed as she opened and closed it, and her eyes took time to adjust from the change in lighting.

Thankfully, the upstairs of the building had remained unharmed and fairly sturdy, even leak free. It was there that Angel had made herself a cozy home, enough space to fit four twin beds in comfortably. In the center of the leaning ceiling, was a large window that let in light, and abled her to see the sky and rain at night. It was the perfect place that was always quiet, even when she took to playing the violin.

A sudden knock on the downstairs door made her jump in surprise, her thoughts becoming scattered. Quickly, she raced back downstairs and pried the door open with little effort. A brief smile lit her lips when she saw Alexander, was just like her, standing with a wide faced grin on his lips.

"Good, you're back," he said, voice husky. "Someone came by to see you. He's one of us, so he claims. I figured that you would want to check him out yourself to confirm whether or not he was game or not. He's coming by tonight."

Angel moved a strand of wavy black hair behind her ears as she assessed him. There were dark circles under her eyes, mostly from driving five hours nearly non-stop, only to fill gas. Not to mention the lack of sleep she'd gotten during the past few nights.

"Okay," she said, nodding. Thunder cracked in the sky, warning them that the typical rainfall would come earlier than normal. Alexander nodded his head once, waved, and scurried off to his own housing.

Night came, but the one Alexander had sent to her hadn't come yet. Were they coming from outside the tunnel gates? she wondered, dreading the thought. She'd dressed herself in black sweats and a cami, tossing her clothes in the corner. As she waited, her hands fiddled around a pistol she kept near the dresser, hoping all too much that she would have no use for it tonight on her expected visitor.

Finally, the knock came, making Angel jump the second time that night. "It's open!" she called, struggling to load the gun silently. She hid it under her flat pillow, clenching her fists as footsteps echoed. When they arrived at the foot of the stairs, she had to light three more large candles to light up the room, to see his face.

"Heard you were look'in for me, earlier," Angel stated, motioning him to sit in the only chair in the room, while she remained on the bed.