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"... I see." Lucas. David remembered the angel well. A reasonable man, and hopefully not one to allow for emotion to interfere with said reason. And above all, a powerful ally. But of all the places they could have gone, David feared Heaven the most. If he entered Hell, it was assured that he would likely be stopped, in force, and definitely be seen as an enemy. But at least I can look my enemies in the eye... he mused to himself. Heaven was, and would be, far more complicated. Especially if Cruxis was not yet forgotten. And it would not be.

The faux-angel grunted. Even being in that place made him feel wrong, a strange feeling wriggling in the pit of his stomach. And then there was their gazes, full of hatred or fear, for one of their kind, yet not. Though the pain of that had long since faded, the stinger remained firmly lodged, a constant reminder of his true origin and that wherever he went, there was no others of his kind in whom he could find hearth and solace. He sighed. "You seem reluctant to go to Hell. I will assume for good reason, then. This whole affair... should be finished as quickly as possible. If we must, then Heaven it is. But I do not expect us to simply enter the gates unnoticed, nor unhindered. I don't suppose you know where exactly Lucas would be in Heaven, would you? The longer spend looking for him, the more time spent... in an unsavory place."

David nodded. "Perhaps that is for the best, then. I will... do my best to avoid contact with anyone outside of Oni. But that is all I can promise." He said, though he wasn't paying much mind to his own words. He was perplexed by Arc's request; whatever it was, it seemed that he needed David's help. But he wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to bring him back, just for a favor. So it's not this, huh? He thought to himself. This was not the purpose for which Arc had so painstakingly tried to bring him back from the dead. But apparently important enough that he couldn't take care of it himself.

"Anyways, I'm a little hesitant to leave just yet. Who's to say he'll even listen to me, if he learns that we're working together? Moreover, I barely even know him. And circumstances as they are, even if Heaven and Hell are working together now, I highly doubt he'll listen to some angel who just strolls into his territory... Well, I suppose that's something I'll have to figure out." He flashed Arc a crooked smile. Despite all his reservations, he was actually relieved to be alone again. He and Arc had been allies, but he couldn't say that they had ever been particularly close. And he had been the leader of Cruxis. That, in and of itself, meant that he could not be cautious enough around this man. Especially if he found out about that.

"Depends on the favor, I guess." He finally responded to Arc's question. It obviously required something on his part, likely magical, since how else could he help Arc, without actually being there himself? David could only hope that whatever it was, the request was reasonable... at the very least.

Figures. David could not say that he was entirely surprised at Arc's request. After all, it seemed their lives were governed by the battles they fought. So it was only natural that the favor he would ask of the master arcanist was nothing other than a way to make him stronger. And he was right--even if he could indeed fight Lucas to a stand still, or even overwhelm him, he would be deep within enemy territory. The former members of Cruxis were strong; immeasurably so. But to take on all the forces of Heaven or Hell? Had all four been together, and at their prime, they could not have accomplished such a feat. However, David was not entirely sure that Arc knew exactly what he was asking for. "I will not bother asking if you're sure, because I already know the answer. But this is a dangerous task, even for me, and you may scream for me to stop, but I will not, and cannot."

"Whatever you have in mind, keep it to yourself. And think only of it, for when I seize hold of your soul, all will be made clear. My magic will only be the power source; your spirit will shape it, as a smith to hot metal." Think of nothing else. David almost said, but if he had to tell Arc that, then his destruction was already assured. Drawing in a deep breath, he approached Arc, already deep in thought. He began to recant the process within his mind, going over each step carefully. He, too, could not afford to make a mistake, should the magic be his undoing. But he would be perfect, for he had not spent those five thousand years idly.

Crouching low to the ground, about arms length from his subject, David looked to the ground. The water in his hands slithered onto the ground, expanding and lengthening, until it formed a circle around both he and Arc. Tendrils of ice began to form as the water froze over, extending out rhythmically, as if controlled by a beating heart. Finally, the sign was complete. "Winterwind Complex...." He whispered, words he had not uttered for millenia. The ice flickered to live with eldritch light, colors swirling like the northern lights. The portal was open, funneling long stored energies into the two standing within it, ghostly green-blue wisps twisting around their bodies.

Standing up, he looked Arc in the eyes. "I hope you have prepared yourself." He said curtly, before without warning, plunging his fists into Arc's chest. Somehow made ethereal, his arms grabbed a hold of Arc's spirit, their souls colliding. Pulling unceremoniously upon, it seemed as if David were trying to remove it from him entirely; but no, he released only just a moment after, leaving a necrotic purple-green colored shell surrounding Arc's body, a visual manifestation of his now receptive soul. "Ready your mind, for that was a breeze, to the coming storm."

"The first: a rune of Power." The tip of his finger, glowing bright, as if ablaze, extended forth towards Arc's belly. He began to slowly carve shapes and lines into the purple oversoul, sparks shedding from each scratch. When it was complete, the runes flickered of their own accord, the floating energies of the Winterwind Complex attracted towards the runes, drawn towards Arc's core.

"The second: a rune of Shaping." David's finger now sought his chest, laying upon Arc's soul just above his heart. He did not work slowly, now, his arm like a blade slashing across Arc's torso, cutting precise and sharp shapes into it. "Hold whatever it is you desire in your mind, lest the spell become unwoven, and your soul with it." David gasped out, barely able to speak with the pure saturation of power currently surrounding him.

"The... last: a rune... of Domination." He struggled to get the words out, relieved as they finally fled his mouth. This time, all five fingers went to Arc's forehead. All shining with that same flame-like brilliance, David twisted his hand, forming a perfect circle, for this would be the center of the spell, from which everything else was derived. Drawing his hand back, David let out a heavy sigh of relief, seeing the final sigil shining bright.

Breathing in deeply, closing his eyes, David exhaled from his mouth, breathing with control. With the wind leaving his lungs, the Winterwind Complex shattered, the ice broken. The soul returned to its rightful place, and with it, the runes vanished. But they were very much there. "... Clever." David said quietly, knowing full well what it was that Arc had wanted, having peered into his soul. "Use it well, and use it wisely." Was all he could say. Despite how dire the situation had been, and how much concentration had been necessary, David did not seem at all phased, as if nothing had passed. In fact, it seemed he was ready to leave for Hell, his white wings spreading out around him. But he hesitated, perhaps waiting to see if Arc had anything left to say, before they departed.