The is no escape souls that are sent here are locked in the thousands of rooms within the maze. This is Crow's home, he is the only individual to leave and maneuver through the maze. This is his masterpiece, an illusion that manipulates time and gravity and continues to expand, a new reality. Only the invited may enter this reality, Crow is the key in and out.
Time Effect---- [[[1 year inside the realm is only week outside]]])
Hades passed through the portal with Crow hours ago but days have passed, chained up and beaten. His arms with chains wrapped around him and two nails in his back connected to chains mounted to the ceiling. The position was with his arms pulled up and each side and him leaning forward slightly. Shouts filled the room as memories of Lilith and Celestial flooded his head, then his father, Lucifer. The memories were driving him crazy as their deaths were played before him on crystal shards. Tugging on the chains he shouted, "I'LL KILL CROW!!! GET OUT OF MY HEEADDDD!!!!" Hours passed as the images stopped as his body shook, he couldn't handle this.
His head felt as if someone smashed a hammer against it, the electrons in his brain didn't know how to process this information as it was breaking him. Over on the table was his mask, he felt like covering his burned side of his face. It was a helpless situation, he couldn't cover his mark. The chains around his arms loosened as the door clicked open, it was meal time. Placing a hand on his burned side of his face he moved towards the table, pulling free of the nails in his back. Getting the mask he put it on before taking a seat on the table, putting both elbows on the table and gripping his head. His focus to clear his head as best as he could to handle Crow when they next met.
Noira roamed the halls of this prison. Pushing the cart of food to each cell and giving the prisoners their meals. Each one reminded her of the 19 years she had spent in her own cell. It felt like an eternity but who knows how long it was. A week? Month? Year? Only time could tell and that's what was lacking. Time. It was as if it was ripped from her the moment she was tossed into one of these cells. She stopped at one of the cells, grabbed a plate and crouched down in front of the door. Noira opened the door and slid the food through. Closing the door behind her, she returned to the cart and sighed to herself. There wasn't much she missed, but her freedom was on the top 3. Besides her guns and her missions. It gave her a purpose and well, something to do. She felt important and needed. Here, she was just a minion. Serving under the man she was seeking intel on. It was a stupid mission to take but someone had to do it. She didn't think the man she was spying on was a virtue in this war. The thought of being pulled to either side sickened her and she pushed it to the back of her mind. This was what her life was now and there was not much she could do about it.
She heard a scream down the hall that caught her attention. It was the next cell she had to stop at. Noira's guard came up as she approached the cell. She opened the door and saw the man inside. His face was that of a broken man. Who knows what Crow did to him. For an angel, Crow's a real p***k, she thought to herself. Turning to the cart, she grabbed a plate of food and headed into the cell. She watched as he struggled to get his mask and sat at the small table each cell had. The man gripped his head, his knuckled turning white. Noira approached and placed the food on the table. "It's best to think about other things when Crow's trying to get in your head. Don't think about weakness. He'll use it against you. Believe me. Been here, who knows how long. I've learned a few tricks when it comes to that. Think about something else or completely clear your mind. It takes a bit of focus, but its doable". She shook her head, "I shouldn't be telling you anything or even talking to you for that matter. Crow will get his grubby hands on me if he finds out I said anything".
Hades listened to her as he was still feeling the after effects from the torture, he was on the tipping point of insanity. Nodding slowly to her advice he reached for the spoon but watched as it fell off the table by her. Pausing as he moved slow to show his weakened state, once she went for it he burst and grabbed the knife quickly. The knife was gone and silently too, once she offered him the spoon Hades took action.
Getting to his feet and walking towards the door calmly, he paused before leaving the room. "..I won't be staying.." Outside now, the strange illusion began to set in, this was going to be one hell of challenge. Seeing the other shouts of prisoners screaming before it all fell silent. A shadow fell over him, dodging back as Crow landed before him. The force sent him back towards his cell, the chains in the cell began to move and grabbed a hold him. Drawing the knife but the chains had him restricted. Seeing Crow step in the cell with annoyance in his face, he looked to Noira.
With a grin Hades dropped the knife and kicked it, the blade spun up and grazed Crow's cheek. The satisfaction was overweighed with the instant punishment as chains stabbed into his back. Dropping to his knees Hades grunted as blood began slowly puddling up on the floor. Next Crow removed his mask and tossed it to Noira. Anger swelled up as his mark was exposed once more.
Diving down Crow lands harshly before Hades, tossing him back towards the cell. Clearly upset how he was still walking about after all that torture, summoning the chains as they pulsed before extending and pulling Hades back into the cell. Crow's attention went to Noira, before he his cheek burned. Blood ran down his cheek as he grew upset.
Seconds passed with Crow summoning several chains with spikes to pierce Hades's back. Approaching him, the mask was first to be tossed off and thrown to Noira. Next Crow summoned another chain, but broke it and wrapped his knuckles before starting a savage beating. Hades was barely awake from the beating as his body was bruised badly, blood soaked the chains and Crow's coat. Breathing heavy as he caught his breath, Hades's however didn't help by spitting blood on his jacket. Crow tightened the chains so he was on his feet and slightly leaned forward, he continued the beating until blood completely soaked the floor.
Tossing the chains aside and approaching Noira, taking the mask from her he smashed it to pieces. "Noira I want you to keep him alive, I'll be back to continue this later. I want you to focus on only keeping him alive." Moving to the door of the cell he paused turning to look over his shoulder at Noira. "As for your freedom, its been postponed....indefinitely." The doors closed and locked behind him.
Crow got to his room and his crystal wings faded, seeing the blood on his heavy coat he growled tossing it off. Under it his white wings opened and stretched before fluttering lightly, seeing a stain of blood on his shirt collar Crow lost it. Tearing it before smashing his table as well, that boy was getting to him. He was half human and getting to him, little cocky b*****d. Hitting the shower he ran a hand through his long hair, how much longer would he deny his white wings. Sure they were powerful but made him unstable, like a beast.
Noira started walking out of his cell and ready to close the doors. But the sound of something hit the floor caught her attention. Turning around, she looked down and saw his spoon was on the floor. She bent down and grabbed the spoon. Straightening herself up and held the spoon out to him. Her eyes cautiously followed him as he stood up. She took a step back, raising her guard. Noira turned as Hades walked out of his cell. Taking a few steps towards him, she tossed the spoon onto his bed. "Hey! You can't just waltz right out!" she tried to say. The sound of the shouting prisoners drowned her out. Looking up, she saw Crow making his way to them. She side stepped as he landed and watched as he chained Hades. The chains tightened and sent him back into his cell. Her gaze met Crow's as they walked in the room. Her eyes went to something shining in Hades' hand, the knife. Noira's attention went to the plate she had set down and saw the knife was gone. Now she was annoyed with him. As her attention went back to them, she saw the knife whiz by Crow's cheek, cutting him. She heard grunting from Hades as the chains stabbed into his back, forcing him to drop to his knees. Taking a step forward, she stopped when Crow tossed a mask at her.
Still holding the mask in her right hand, she crossed her arms. She watched as Crow summoned another chain. But he broke this one and wrapped it around his knuckles. Her eyes followed as he approached Hades and began pummeling him. Each contact made her flinch a bit but eventually, she gained control on that. For Hades' little stunt, Crow was going to punish her. It happened on her watch and now it was her fault. It always was, no matter what happened or who caused it. She narrowed her eyes at Hades as he spit on Crow's jacket. She watched as Crow then approached her. He yanked the mask out of her hands and destroyed it. "Keep him alive? How am I supposed to do that when you pummel him near death? You might as well give me a glass of wine and tell me to turn it back into grapes...". She followed behind Crow for a bit until he mentioned her freedom being postponed. "What the hell?! That's not fair! It wouldn't have happened if you didn't put a restriction on my powers". Crow was finally out of sight before she punched at one of the doors on Hades' cell. "Thanks a lot!". She walked a bit and raised her voice as she pushed over the food cart. "No one else gets any food today. You can thank your fellow prisoner for that!". The prisoner hall was in an uproar as she walked away.
She made her way back to her room. The halls now quiet except for the sound of her heels against the floor. Opening the door, she slammed it shut behind her. "If I had my powers and my gun, none of this would've happened.." Then she began thinking to herself. If she could cause a scene, she could sneak off in the midst of the chaos and look for an exit. Being in this place put her telekinesis on hold. No matter how hard she tried to muster it, she came up empty. She had to get out of here. Noira began pacing her room, coming up with a few different scenarios. The prisoners weren't too happy with what Hades pulled. Maybe she can let some "out" then it would all fall into place. She would have to injure herself to make it seem like they ganged up on her. With her being powerless here, it wouldn't be hard to believe. Noira sat on her bed, crossed one leg over the other and a small smirk came across her lips.
Hades woke up the next it would seem, his injuries healing but seeing the mask before him shattered left him speechless. Hanging his head down at it he shook the chains violently before breaking down, the room grew silent as he knew there was no getting out. What would he do if he did get out, Lilith, Celestial, Lucifer. They were all he had left his family, his eyes widened as he saw a shadow form into the silhouette of Lucifer. "How long will you pretend to be human...you are my son...The Devil's Son!..I am just a manifestation of my prior form through power you inherited...but it means nothing to a human!...Fall into the dark, embrace your other side, be stronger than me."
Hades's eyes seemed emotionless as he was unfazed, he felt his body barely react to him moving. Next his eyes turn pitch black and being to bleed, he gave in and began to feel dark energy surge into him. Soon he would be free all this human pain, burden. The shadow set a hand on his cheek before vanishing, "The devil is alive..." A dark aura build up around him as face remained hung down so his dark grin remained hidden...for now.
It was the next day and Noira sat up in her bed. Today was when she would put her plan into action. With how yesterday went, no one would be surprised when the prisoners went after Hades. She pushed herself out of her bed and over to her armoire. Packing up anything she could, she found her spy uniform. Granted it wasn't practical, but she was able to move around freely. After dressing herself, she made it to the kitchen. The food cart was already waiting for her and she pushed it to where the prisoners were. Noira did her job for a few prisoners. But then she was nearing Hades' cell. Walking by, she opened up a bunch of doors and left them open. The prisoners rushed out and began scrambling about. She approached Hades' doors and kicked them open. The lock fell to the floor and his room was exposed. Walking back to the food cart, she grabbed a couple knives. Using her foot, she pushed the cart down the hall and walked back into the large crowd of angry prisoners. Gripping the knives, she began cutting herself in various places. Making them look like it came from the prisoners. She took a deep breath and stabbed one into her abdomen. Her muscles tightened as she watched the chaos before her.
It wouldn't be long before Crow shows up, she thought to herself. Looking around, she began searching for an exit. Her attention turned back to the crowd and she bolted for one of the hallways. The halls filled with the sounds of her footsteps as she ran. Her eyes searching around for any sign of an exit. A golden door caught her eye but she wasn't in the mood to explore it. Well, she didn't quite have the time either. She turned down another hallway and heard a familiar sound. She neared the end of the hall and saw she was right back to where she was. The crowd throwing fists at each other. Knives and food flew across the room. With a deep sigh, she knew there was no escape. Might as well make this look believable. She walked up to the crowd and hit the palm of her hand against the chin of one of the inmates. A small group rushed towards her, making the cuts now seem like they were the ones who did it. She leaned against the wall as she took their hits. Looking past them, she saw a small group enter Hades' cell. An inmate punched her in the gut, but she took it with a smile on her lips.
The dark aura cleared up as Hades stood clean clothing and no signs of injury, glancing down at his mask he grinned before walking past it. The chains lay broken still swaying back and forth, next a group of prisoners from the riot outside rushed in. Their own shadows came up and pierced them several times over, one in the far back turned and rushed out screaming. A dark mist began to erupt from his eyes and mouth before it dropped him lifeless onto the cold floor.
Outside Hades moved swiftly dragging away the inmates that attacked Noira through their own shadow. Approaching Noira, Hades glanced at her as a black chain began wrapping around her neck. The chain stopped and vanished, glancing at the injuries and seeing none of the prisoners with a blade. What a waste having her in here, he lifted her up in his arms walked down some steps. "Time to go see crow...I have some business with him." Some inmate would charge them to be killed instantly by some dark spike coming from their own shadow. Hades looked forward as he got to a wall, setting Noira down, the wall crumbled from the other side. There stood crow furious at seeing Hades, he immediately rushed Hades and they began their battle.
Crow moved to get prisoners back but everything was falling apart then to the back of his wall he felt Hades's presence. Shouting he smashed the wall and there he stood, though he seemed different. Regardless Crow lashed out at him and they tore through the other walls of the prison, though each encounter he seemed to be overwhelmed. Crow moved to slow time and laughed as Hades was frozen, seconds later Hades smashed through the restrictions and delivered a heavy blow.
Crashing down Crow got up wiping blood from his lip, glancing over he shouted to Noira, "I give your powers back and your freedom. He can't take both of us, you wanted a chance to be free, now is your chance. I have no need to ask, I have this." Raising a hand he activated the seal on the side of her neck, it burned. "I'll kill you if you don't." The burning on her mark stopped as Hades lifted a hand towards her, Crow growled. How was he breaking his link.
Beyond the prisoners, she saw Hades leave his cell. Her eyes widened when she saw no sign of injury. No cut or bruise to be seen anywhere. Where did he get the clothes? she thought to herself. Her eyes followed him as he approached them. He began dragging away the inmates and she straightened herself up. "Thank you, Monsieur. But I can take care of my- Hey! L'enfer!" she yelled as he picked her up in his arms. He mentioned Crow's name and she began trying to wiggle out of his grasp. But, it proved futile since she made no progress. She crossed her arms and gave out a sigh, pouting a bit. She looked over and saw a prisoner charging at them. Her eyes noticed something behind him. From the prisoner's shadow, a spike rose and proceeded to kill him. The man fell and they continued on their way. Hades set her down and turned his attention to the wall before them. She shifted her weight to her left leg and rested her hands on her hips. Waiting to see what he was going to do. She had heard chatter among the guards about him being some kind of demon. But she didn't believe them. She was more of a "I'll believe it when I see it" kind of girl. The wall crumbled and there stood Crow. His expression furious as he charged at Hades.
Noira took a side step out of the way as the two moved past her. She glanced over and saw a large group running towards them. Taking a deep breath she ran towards one of them, lifted up her knee. It made contact with his abdomen and knocked him back. Turning her head, she saw the rest within arms reach of her. One of the men swung at her and she grabbed his forearm. Throwing it to the side, she lifted her leg and kicked his abdomen. She spun around and swept another's legs out from under him. Another ran towards her and she flipped onto her hands. Her foot making contact with the bottom of his chin. The last man tried grabbing her from behind. Noira swung her elbow and hit the side of his face. She grabbed his neck and used his weight to lift her up. Kicking her legs forward, she sent them both to the ground. Using her own weight now, she tossed him over her. His head hit the ground and she stood back up. Her ears caught Crow's words. He told her that she could have her powers and her freedom. But she knew what he would ask of her as soon as he mentioned that Hades wouldn't be able to take on both of them.
Turning her body to face him, she regained her stance. An eyebrow raised when she saw him raising one of his hands. Then she felt a sudden burning on her neck. Her hand quickly went up to her neck as the pain brought her down to a knee. But the pain only lasted for a short time. The burning stopped and she opened her eyes. Seeing Hades' hand raised towards her as well. Her eyes jumped between the two. The mixed expression on Crow's face brought her joy. With the burning stopped and Crow distracted. She pushed herself forward off the ground and towards Crow. Crouching down a bit as she got to him, she jumped up into the air. Wrapping her legs around his head, she pushed her body back and threw him on his back. She rolled away from him and looked to Hades. "You won't be able to finish him off here. This is his world remember? We need to go".
Raising his hand as he imitated Crow, the seal that locked Noira's abilities was broken. Hades slowly approached Crow, the warnings from her didn't phase him. She was right about him affecting this area, everything here was under his control including the means to block his escape. Stepping past Noira he paused, "I don't need to kill him, just need to send a message..." Dark chains began restraining his target, though these chains were barbed. They coiled and moved to wrap around Crow's arms and hoist him up, the barbs cutting into his flesh. Seeing Crow glare at him and began to speak, immediately Hades delivered a jab to his throat silencing him. Then another uppercut to jaw, the chains rattled from the impact, taking a finger he tapped Crow's forehead.
Hades's voice was cold as he grinned darkly with his eyes turning pitch black, "Lucifer, Celestial, and Lilith...you took them from me...now I'll take something from you..." Pacing around Crow, he felt the chains rattling and ringing as his prey fought back. A cry of pain filled the room as Hades hacked off Crow's Crystal wings, stepping on them as they cracked further under his weight. The shock left Crow hanging from the chains, "Don't worry I'll tear your virtue ones next, that act didn't fool me. Not the first set I ripped from a virtue.." The chains rattled as Hades cut his coat revealing his white glowing wings, Crow snapped the chains and fell forward.
Setting the tip of his sword on the floor he began dragging it, the sparks followed the sword. This sound was similar to a hiss, Crow stumbled back towards the edge of the path, his world had no barriers. Set behind him was a edge leading to a black empty fall. Crow began freezing Hades in time, shattering through Hades slicing across his chest, "That's for Lucifer!" Sidestepping a punch, countering with a punch that connected across Crow's face. "That's for Celestial!" Seeing Crow grin as he began to fade, tossing his blade it buried itself into his gut, seeing Crow fall to his knees shouting. "That's for Lilith!! And this one is for ME!" Gripping the handle of his sword he pulled the blade and turned around, spinning around with a growl he brought his foot across Crow's chest. Watching him fade down into the darkness, swinging the blood off his sword before sheathing it.
Now back to Noira and opening an exit Hades paused between her and his dark portal he opened. "I want to employ you, they kept you here for a long time. Time to return the favor." Hades stood calm, even in enemy territory he remained relax, even knowing Crow might come up and close his way out. Deep in his mind he wish he would come back, he wanted him to hurt more. For now he awaited Noira's reply.
Noira watched as the two tried dominating the other. Her eyes darting between the two until she felt nothing on her neck. No burning, nothing, as she put her hand up to her neck. Running her fingers over her skin, she felt nothing. It was clean and free from Crow's seal. She dropped her hand as she watched Hades approach Crow. Her jaw clenched a bit, but she crossed her arms and waited for him to do whatever it was he was going to do. She felt a wave of pleasure came over her when she saw chains around Crows arms. It had been too long that she had wanted to see this. Now it was happening, right in front of her. She watched as Hades jabbed at Crow's throat. But whatever was going on between them, was much more personal. Hades mentioned a few names before slicing at Crow. She stood there, repeating the names in her head once more. Lucifer, Celestia..Lilith? Maybe people from his past. But, it's none of my business unless I'm paid. She discarded those thoughts and returned to see Hades sheathing his blade. Her eyes wandered to the floor and she saw the splats of Crow's blood. Then, her attention returned to Hades.
Her eyes caught notice of something opening, a portal. Eyes following, Hades paused between her and the portal. An eyebrow raised when she heard his words. These words weren't something she had been expecting to hear. Her hands on her hips, she shifted her weight as she pondered his offer. "Well, as long as there's something in it for me. I guess I don't see the harm in it. Though, I'm used to there being a physical form of payment. I could make an exception. With my powers back, now that you broke his seal on me, it'll make things a lot easier to accomplish. We can talk terms on other side. Let's just get out of here. I think we've overstayed our welcome in this place. I'm sick of looking at it". She turned away from him and made her way to the portal. Noira stopped and turned her gaze back to him. "See ya on the other side". She gave him a small salute and stepped through the portal.
