To hell and back; A Paladin's Quest.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

Things were relatively silent in this hellish realm, or as silent as they really could be, considering the cacophony of chaos that writhed throughout at tall times, bu this was just natural order for this place, silence int he madness, much like one forgets a sound is even there when you get used to it.

This abnormal silence was broken within an instant though, as the shadows within one section of hell began to shift, pooling into a circular form in the ceiling, before a figure fell through, thudding to the ground, the heavy belted boots impacting upon the rocky surface with a thud, steadying himself with his left hand.

The white leather coat drifted down around his form, as he remained there for a few moments, the chaos that consisted hell also taking a moment to process what this thing was that had broken its serenity.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

Pushing himself upright at his coat flowed to collect around his ankles, the Paladin considered the area around him, going through the plan in his mind.
The hells were divided into twenty known pains, each vastly different from the next, though there could even have been more than this. His destination was one of the deeper levels, though even that was not as simple, as descending through the hells was not as easy as going down flights of stairs though a building, you could walk to the floor below and end up several above.

The Denizens of this uppermost level were now stirring however, a few emerging from within the buildings dotted here and there within the caverns, considering this unwelcome visitor.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

His boots echoed out across the floor as he began walking through the cavernous area, some had turned back to their business while others twittered as they discussed this unwanted guest of theirs.
The cave stretched on for quite a way, as this was the largest section of hell, and the closest to what people envisioned hell to actually be like. Quite a few demons would watch hm closely as he passed, but none bothered to interfere, that was until a smaller sloping cavern was within his sight, and what appeared to be the exit to deeper within the hells.
A large-ish demon suddenly stepped into his path, blocking his route.

"Leave now, your kind has no place here."

Its long snake-like tongue slithered out, licking across its lips as it glared at him with a pair of silvery eyes, each bearing a thin slit-like pupil. Angelus could tell by its look it hoped he would not listen, though he was in no mood for tarrying, he had his order to get back to.
Light suddenly gathered in his left palm, jutting outwards and forming a blade of pure energy, which would be swung upwards, cleaving the demon's arm clean from its body, before with his other hand he would pull out the pouch of gems, upturning it and scattering them.
before any touched the floor they would all halt in their descent, floating there a second before spiraling around his body in a whirlwind of small specks of light.

His newly strengthened holy light powers came into play, as the light gathered around his body, condensing down into crystal that shaped itself into a full suit of armour, the gems finding their homes as they set themselves into the surface, lightly glowing.

Even as the crystal gauntlet was forming, his right fist thrust forward, using the residual energy still around it to deliver a Holy-charged punch to the demon's midriff.
As the now holed smoking corpse fell aside, the paladin would merely step over it, making his way for the tunnel. His death at Arcanjelo's hands, and the words he spoke had not laid lightly on his mind during his long stretch of training, and couldn't help but find himself agreeing with Greymalkin in ways, though he felt the same about fallen when he had been at loggerheads with Fallen. This Angelus that now stood here still bore the same directive to protect all life he could, but now bore no qualms at all extinguishing those lives that were truely beyond saving.

As he entered the dark tunnel that sloped downwards, his armour was still shifting, as the holy crystals that constructed it were still growing and becoming denser, showing how much his training had increased that control, the glass-like material was almost becoming opaque now, as his own form of Orichalkos was being birthed.

[Ser James Thatcher]

There came the noise of clawed footsteps approaching from behind Angelus. A creature was following him, and it was doing so quite brazenly. Angelus... If he bothered at all to turn around, there would be quite a sight behind him.


"That was quite the kill," said the feathered creature, a smile curling at the edges of his beak as he watched the Navita with golden eyes. A red scarf fluttered behind him, and gold-trimmed, hell-red armor glistened upon his pure, white form.

His taloned feet still tamped the floor on his approach, a sword's blunt resting across his shoulders, not sheathed but definitely not being brandished threateningly, either.

It was very likely Angelus knew exactly what it was. Noble Demons, corruptors of men, the kind of creature that liked to pass itself off as a Shining Knight itself... Only to earn its way into the ranks of Holy Men and slowly whittle down their resolve to put protection before punishment, to make them ever darker and ever more ruthless.

And yet it didn't bother hiding its true form from Angelus at all.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

The energy Finally faded from his hand as the armour finished it's solidification process. His new suit would look almost exactly like his old suit, now silver orichalkos with a golden trim, though this was through sentimentality than anything, as he could make it look however he willed.

The paladin would look over the noble demon, ascertaining its nature and knowing at least he had nothing to worry about from physical harm, mind games was what they enjoyed.

"I thank you, though some would question your intents in enjoying the killing of another of your kind."

[Ser James Thatcher]

He could see from a glint in the other's eye that he knew the deal. No matter. "This is the abyss. It's every man for himself, y'know? Besides... We're both warriors. I can appreciate technical skill no matter who manifests it."

The Paladin didn't seem intent on chasing him off... So for now he'd travel with him, claws still scratching at the ground with each step.

"... Oh! ... Where are my manners? ... I am Mithra."

Of course... The demon couldn't help but eye that suit of armor. He'd manifested Orichalkos on his own. No small feat.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

"And I am Angelus.."

The sound of the demon's name suddenly struck something, as an image flashed through his head, Arcanjelo, sword in hand, standing before him the day he had been killed.

This couldnt be the same mithra could it/

He cast the thoughts aside for now, turning to contunue his descent to the next level.

[Ser James Thatcher]

Of course, Mithra followed, intrigued, though he had no way of knowing his name had been recognized.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

being true to it's nature, hell had thrown him wherever the... hell it wanted, Angelus now emerging on the twelfth level, for those guilty of the vice of Sloth.

People twittered by to and fro, none of them stopping for an instant, some going extremely fast, and they didn't correct their courses either, as some began slamming straight into him, knocking him around.

[Ser James Thatcher]

Mithra knocked the first one to come too close aside, a wing fluttering out to smack one in the face before giving the individual a stern glance. Though it wasn't his level, as a Noble he had a fair amount of power. Even the clueless supplicant-dead would feel enough of a warning aura to leave the two alone.

Of course, demons who were actually hostile was another story. Nothing could be done for such sorts but to kill them.

"... There we go. This level's annoying."

[Aurelus LaCrois]

"The damned souls of those who indulged too much..."

Those would be his only words before he set off, walking through this hell for a good stretch of time, still being hit every now and then, until the crowd got denser, as he noticed a chair ahead.

On the people darting by their expressions were noticeable as they yearned to stop and sit upon it, but this was their punishment.

The level of hell stretched out before him without an end in sight in any of the directions, just this lone chair here.

[Ser James Thatcher]

Funny, that. Of course, the Noble Demon glanced sidelong at the chair, but while he seemed to know or at least recognize something, it wasn't his place to say. This wasn't his quiest.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

He slowly closed the distance between him and it, considering the chair for a second, before he would turn and sit upon it, preparing his wards just in case it was a trap, though it was nothing of the sort.

The one thing none of the residents could sit upon but all craved was the only way to leave the level,as he did so now. he felt the sensation of being rocketed upwards, though the chair did not move at all, and it would just appear as though he had disappeared from the chair completely.

Angelus, meanwhile, would suddenly find himself sitting within a vast golden hall, sitting upon a golden throne.
The walls were lined with columns, also surprisingly, gold, and elegant finery was carved into it everywhere, the whole place being solid gold, save for a river of molten emeralds that ran around the perimeter of the room, disappearing within the walls and only emerging at the alcoves.

Standing and stepping down from the dais that the throne stood upon, he gazed around the hall.

The damned souls everywhere clawed desperately at the solid gold surfaces, while others that were trying to extract the emerald liquid would find it become solid instantly they tried to touch it.

He had reached the Eleventh level, Greed.

[Ser James Thatcher]

Bizarrely, it wasn't long before the white-feathered swordsman was standing next to Angelus. Greed... Avarice, really. It was such a beautiful layer in its own way. The damned souls here... Well, Mithra was still a demon. It was his duty to torture the damned. He approached the golden surfaces.

His demonic strength would be put to task as clawed hands tore at the very gold, ripping a chunk from the walls. This wasn't really, however, a testament to his strength. The walls allowed the demon to take a chunk... If only to remind the damned that they were here for a reason... If only to ramp up their jealousy and greed... Make them want more. Make them feel the desire for the gold even more.

"... You're prepared, right?" Came Mithra's question.

[Aurelus LaCrois]

He would step down a couple more steps,moving further into the room and looking at the tormenting with distaste.

Just then the fluttering of feathered wings would echo out, and an eagle would soar over their heads, this golden with emerald eyes. The bird would land before the throne, and then would begin shifting and changing shape, becoming a humanoid.

Angelus fist clenched, causing the leather of his glove to lightly squeak as he watched the transformation.
The style of this hall should have given it away.

The golden lord stood to his full height, adorned in elegant golden armour, his long black hair fell about his face, the lower half of which was covered by a faceplate that resembles a breathing apparatus.

"Well, funny seeing you here."

Every word he spoke through it sounded like it had a deep growl behind it.