It leaped over a fence, it's red tail scraping the top of it. Running as fast as it could, it could still hear the sounds of the pursuing soldiers. *Curse this town. I should have never answered the boy's summons.* The twang of a nearby bow snapped it's attention back to the present. Dodging a flaming arrow, it rounded a corner at full speed, while checking behind him to see how far behind the soldiers were. It never even saw the mob in front of it. At full bore it plowed right into awaiting platoon of soldiers. As it struggled to get back to its feet, it pleaded with the men. "Mercy! I am a simple demon! I only wanted a chance at glory!" It's cries went unheeded as its pursuers joined the main crowd. The chant of "KILL IT! KILL IT! KILL IT!" rose through the gathering, and a man in holy white armor stepped foward, and rose a war hammer. "In the name of the heavens, I dispatch this foul creature from my eyes!" The demon had only enough time to flinch before the man swung downward in a deathblow. With a sickening crunch, the demon's body slumped to the floor, then turned to ash. "In the name of the father, the earth has been cleansed!" "Galtar! Galtar! Galtar!" The crowd lifted it's hero to onto their shoulders. "Hurray for Galtar, the hero of Oclenburg! White Knight of justice!" "No demon shall dare tread into this town whilst I am here to protect it! So sayeth, Galtar and his holy hammer!" He lifted the enchanted hammer skyward. The crowd cheered in response. ****** The wagon treaded down the road slowly, pulled by a wary Simon. The irritated mule made sounds that Iryien could swear were remarkabily similar to mutterings of an unhappy man. Waj looked at the passing sign on the side of the road. "Oclenburg. How quaint! This sounds like a nice, quiet town." Somewhere, a deity cackled. -------------------------------------------- To Hell and Back Chapter 11: The Latent Consequences of a Demon Delivering the Mail Begun by Steven Scougall Continued at the moment by ColdFury -------------------------------------------- Tao layed back against the plush pillow and let out a sigh of pure relaxation. They hotel in this nice town was so inexpensive they had managed to snag two rooms for their party this time. After a quick debate, they decided that this time the division would be by plane of existance, the next time would be by gender. So she was resting in the room dedicated to those people born on this plane of existance, and was feeling quite good about it. Treisel was in the bath right now, his naked body a mere couple of meters away from hers. She smiled to herself at this thought. Maybe he was thinking about her... Treisel lay in the tub of hot water. His eyes were closed, his head rested upon the back of the tub. His lips parted slowly, and a sound came out, full with as much passion as he usually could muster. "ZZzzzzz." Back in the room, Tao had her eyes closed as well, but she was far from sleeping. A sudden knock at the door forced her eyes open and her hands to her sides. "W-who is it?" "It's me!" Iryien's voice came calling through the wooden door. Tao had to fight the dissappointment and frustration welling up deep inside of her. "Oh! Come in." She quickly adjusted her outfit and resumed simply lying upon the bed. Iryien couldn't help but notice Tao's flushed cheeks as she walked in. *Maybe she was thinking about me!* She smiled at the girl, "So I take it you like this place Tao?" Tao nodded, her head relaxing into the pillow. "This is such a nice and peaceful place. We've been here a whole two hours and nothing weird has happened yet." Does the laughing deity even *have* to be mentioned at this point? Iryien nodded, "Zeke and Waj have gone off to deliver the mail we had this place. Then we rest and head out tomorrow. We're already almost halfway to Hasbro! Although I'm not sure why that Trei guy wants to go to school down in Hell." Frowning, Tao opened her eyes to peer at her companion. "I'm not sure myself. But... he has had some bad experiences back at the University, and since we're going to Hell anyway..." She sighed, and Iryien had to fight an urge to take her into her arms and comfort her. "I don't know if it's a good idea either. But at least it's something." Iryien smiled comfortingly. "I'm sure it'll all work out. Besides, with an angel at our side, I'm sure we'll get to Hell and back without any problem." Tao smiled back at Iryien innocently. "Thanks. I'm gonna try to get some sleep." Iryien watched as her young friend closed her eyes. She examined Tao's sleeping face thoughtfully. *What is it about this girl that draws me to her so? She's not the only girl a year or two younger than me that is so quietly beautiful. I mean, she's kind of mousy, but if she tried a little... Damnit. Why do I want her so badly?* Iryien stretched for a while using her traditional thrusting excercises, and laid down next to Tao as there were only two beds. Whereas Tao wouldn't have minded sharing with Trei, she didn't dare say so, and thus her and Iryien had to oh so regretfully share. Iryien watched Tao has her own mind turned foggy with thoughts of what could be. Her last waking moment was spent thinking about just how kissable Tao's oh so close face could be. ****** Zeke appeared nervous as they approached the door to the rather large house their parcel was addressed too. "Remember Waj, let me do all the talking." "If you insist, but I'm not sure why you have all your feathers in a bunch." Waj shrugged from behind his human disguise. "It's not like my tail's sticking out." "Something about this place sounds familiar. I can't quite remember, but I cannot help but think that we need to remain on our toes while we are in Oclenburg." Waj shrugged and knocked on the door to the estate. A young woman opened it. She gave them each a disinterested look and stood between them and the threshold. "State your business." Zeke stepped forward and gave his most charming smile, "We have business to attend to with the master of the house, my fair lady." She stared Zeke down and Waj had to suppress a good natured chuckle. It wasn't often Zeke's prowess with the ladies failed him, particularly with humans. "Well, I...we have a parcel to deliver," Zeke faltered. "Master of the house only I'm afraid." Wyleen rolled her eyes. Another chauvinistic pig. *It's no wonder I like no man other than my master.* She stepped aside, "Be wary to show the proper respect to m'lord Galtar." Waj and Zeke bowed to her, then stepped inside. They followed Wyleen down the hall quite some ways. "Did she say Galtar?" Waj shrugged, "I think so, why?" "I wonder..." Zeke would say no more. Wyleen led them to a large study, where Galtar sat reading a novel. "M'lord, two visitors to see you to--" "EZEKIAL! MY FRIEND!" Galtar stood, dressed in noblemans clothing, his hammer hanging from his belt. He embraced Zeke heartily. Waj and Wyleen merely stared at the two. Zeke patted Galtar on the back, "It is good to see you." Galtar grinned, "How long has it been? Ten years since we caught the traitor" Wyleen stepped to Galtar's side. "The traitor?" Uneasily shuffling, Zeke nodded. Slapping his compainion on the back, Galtar turned to Wyleen. "You see before you one of the toughest Angels in all of Heaven. Together we caught a traitor to the Heavens who was conspiring to draw Heaven and Hell into another great war. Bastard claimed we framed him. AHAHAHAHA! Those were good times Ezekiel. What brings you here? A quest from THEM? Holy Vengeance? Is there evil afoot?" "Actually, we're here to drop off some mail." Waj interjected as Zeke glared at him. "It's all part of a bigger plan, just happened to be a stop as part of the cover story, nothing to worry yourself about Galtar." Zeke hastily added, handing over the package. "Mum's cookies! I never thought these were going to get here!" Galtar laughed heartily. "My thanks friend. Who would you be traveling with?" "Just a couple of university students. Tao, Treisel, and Iryien," Waj happily supplied. Zeke gave him another glare to silence him. "Tao? FEYMU? She is here?" Galtar raised an eyebrow in concern. He examined Waj curiously. "Are you an angel as well?" Zeke stepped back, pulling Waj with him. "We have to get going Galtar. Can't rest long with the forces at work with this group." Galtar fingered his hammer. "There's something familiar about you." Waj froze in place as Galtar circled him. Suddenly Galtar grabbed his hammer in both hands and held it in front of him, pointed at Waj. "REVELATION!" "Cripes," was all Zeke could muster before Waj's disguise dropped. "DEMON!" "Yes?" "FOUL DEMON!" *sniff* "Now I know I haven't showered yet but don't you think that's a bit uncalled for?" *sigh* "Waj, my friend. Run." "Oh." Zeke and Waj high tailed it out of there as fast as their legs could carry them. Galtar ran out after them, screaming. "Demon! You have obviously corrupted an Angel from Heaven! For that you shall die! Ezekiel! I shall cleanse your from and send your spirit back unto Heaven for salvation! So sweareth GALTAR!" Galtar quickly ran back into the house to grab his armor. ****** Treisel walked into the local pub to pick up some refreshments and food. His stomach grumbled and his fingers were all still pruney from that long bath. Sighing he sat at the bar next two to guys. As he waited for the bartender to come over he couldn't help but overhear the two mens' conversation. The first one turned to the second one. "You know, I can't help but think by your accent that you're from Phubara." The second guy responded proudly, "Why yes I am!" "So am I! What part of Phubara are you from?" The first guy looked estatic. "Tern." "My sweet lord in heaven! So am I! What part did you live in?" "Linford St, in the old part of town." "I can't believe it! So did I! Did you go to Borktop College?" "... Yes, I did. This is amazing." He turned to Trei. "This is simply amazing. Trei nodded, bewildered. "What year did you graduate?" "'24." "This is amazing! So did I! I'm class of '24 too!" The bartender walked up to Trei, shaking his head. "This is gonna be a long night." Trei turned his attention to the barkeep. "Why?" "The Murphy twins are drunk again." Trei looked at the two men, and noticed for the first time that they were identical twins and sweatdropped. ****** Waj and Zeke peered around some bushes. "They've got the hotel surrounded by soldiers." Waj shook his head, "Who is this Galtar fellow?" Zeke sighed, "One of heaven's formerly favored agents. He's gone a bit looney lately, and is on a holy quest to rid the world of demons." "The whole world?" "Yeah, but he seems to have gotten a bit comfortable here." "Apparently. He's gotten the entire militia behind him." "We have to get to the kids. They don't even know they're in danger." Zeke peered around some more, looking for an opening. Waj raised an eyebrow, "How did he know who Tao was?" "He was one of Heaven's agents. He's heard some things about whys he's important to THEM." "Why is she--" "DEMON!!!" Zeke hastily grabbed Waj by the shirt. "Run away!!!" ****** In Tao's dream, her and Treisel sat upon a grassy hill, eating a picnic. There was no demons, angels, life threatening monsters, pigmes, and best of all no magic aura flubbing things up. Treisel munched contentedly on his sandwich, "This is such a lovely day." Tao, dressed more demurely than she EVER had been in real life with a lowcut, tight blouse and shinyleather miniskirt, laid on her side and eyed Trei. "I know a way it could be even lovelier." She pushed her shoulders back. Trei glanced at her. "Oh! I get it!" He raised his hands, and they shimmered with magic. A rainbow appeared in the sky. Tao fought the urge to sweatdrop. "That's nice but..." Tao sat up and leaned toward Trei. He sat there confused, until she wrapped her arms around him and began to kiss him with all the pent up emotions she'd had for the past year. She quickly realized it was a dream, but she could almost feel the lips pressed against hers. She could almost feel a tongue gently caressing hers. She almost felt her breasts pressing into Trei's firm breasts. Wait. Tao's eyes shot open with a start, and she jumped back, falling out of the bed. She let out a scream as she fell and landed with a loud thumping sound. Iryien, for her part, was dreaming as well. She awoke with a start from the motion and commotion and fell off her side of the bed. "Tao?" "You were kissing me!" "I... I was!?" Iryien blushed furiously. She thought it felt just a bit too real. *But wait.. she was.. she was kissing me back!* "You were dreaming about a boy too?" *Damn.* Iryien struggled to an upright position. "Uh, yeah. That's it. I'm so sorry." Tao was flushed as she stood up, but smiled at the slightly older girl. "It's okay, it was an accident." Tao saw something out of the corner of her eye, and gasped. Following her lead Iryien turned to face the doorway as well. Treisel stood in the doorway, slackjawed and staring alternately at both of them. "We were dreaming!" Iryien protested. "About men!" Tao added. "Uh, yeah!" Trei still stood there, and probably would've stood there for a lot longer if he hadn't been suddenly forcibly shoved into the room by a white knight carrying a hammer. "Foul demon!" Tao glared at the knight, "Hey! He may smell a little at times, but Trei isn't foul! ...or a demon!" "But I just took a bath!" Galtar glared at them both. "Silence! I am the great Galtar! I am looking for Ezekiel and the demon with him!" "Zeke and Waj?" Iryien reached for her sword as she spoke, but Galtar threw his hammer at her, knocking her flat out and probably bruising a few ribs in thr process. Extending his hand to grab his magically returning hammer, Galtar powerposed. "The demon has corrupted Ezekiel and you! So I shall cleanse your bodies and free your spirits to return to Heaven!" Trei shrugged, "That doesn't sound too bad." Tao paled, "He's going to kill us Trei." "Oh." Galtar's eyes bore into the small girl. "Are you Tao Feymu?" Tao's eyes got large, and nodded slowly. He slowly walked up to her, ignoring Trei. "Your corruption is most tragic. I do this with a heavy heart." He raised his hammer over his head. "FOR JUSTICE!" He swung downward with all his might-- And got clocked on the back of the head by a wood chair. Trei grabbed a surprised Tao's arm and tried to make a break for the door but got hit in the back by a flying hammer. He crumpled to the floor, Tao shreiking in surprise and terror. "Trei!" "I.. I'm sorry Tao." Treisel noted to himself, *this is what happens when you show a little gumption* and promptly passed out. Tao stood between Galtar and Trei's fallen form angrily. "You shouldn't have done that!" Galtar raised his hammer over his head. "He merely delayed the inevitable Ms. Feymu. FOR JUSTICE!" His hammer glowed mightly, and impacted on Tao's head. Or about a half inch above her head to be exact. That's when her aura turned the magical hammer into magical silly putty that bounced back into the face of Galtar. "What the-?" Zeke, holy sword in hand, and trident bearing Waj burst in the open doorway. "My god! Waj! Get them out of here! I'll try to talk sense into Galtar!" Waj nodded and heaved Trei and Iryien over his shoulders. He carried them out the door, careful to step over the unconcious forms of the soldiers him and Zeke had plowed through. Tao followed him, noting that he look a little worse for wear. "Are you alright Waj?" The demon shrugged as much as he could with two human shoulder pads. "I can't complain." As Tao and him headed for an irritated Simon, Zeke and Galtar, who was weilding magical silly putty, faced off. Galtar raised his arms in surrender. "A good soldier lives to fight another day. I surrender Zeke. I know the angelic portion of your soul won't allow you to harm an unarmed man, even if you are being corrupted to work toward evil ends." Zeke smiled at his old friend, and put a hand on his shoulder. "You know, I've wanted to tell you something. Your interference with my mission regarding Ms. Feymu reminded me of it." Cocking his head to one side, Galtar asked, "Yes?" Ezekiel gave Galtar his biggest grin, and leaned in real close to his old friend. "He was framed. By the real traitor." Galtar gasped, but not only from that revelation, but from the holy sword he now found impaled through his stomach. "I can't have you letting Tao know her purpose before I get her back to my master can I?" Galtar tried to choke out a retort, but only blood came up. Ezekiel pulled the sword out, and Galtar fell to the ground. "Goodbye, old 'friend'." ****** "So Galtar let us go peacefully?" Trei sat in the wagon gingerly, a few healing spells from Waj and Zeke had fixed the damage, but he was still sore. Zeke nodded. "Yes, I played upon our past relationship." "That's cool. I'd hate to be seeing him again." Smiling, Zeke responded, "I don't think that'll be a problem." ****** Trei sat in the back of the wagon, deep in thought. Along with the bumps of the road troubling him, now his thoughts worked against him. What he saw earlier. He'd never thought of her in that sense before. But seeing her do that, acting so sensual. Whereas he'd never reached such a conclusion on his own, he now knew she was hot to trot. He glanced at her riding alongside the wagon. *Iryien is one hot babe.* ****** Tao sat in the back of the wagon, deep in thought. She kept imagining Trei was looking at her, judging her. She hadn't kissed Iryien! It wasn't her fault! Over and over again her mind went over why it was no one's fault, it was just an accident. She glanced out alongside the wagon. *It's not like I enjoyed it.* *Much.* Tao flushed furiously and closed her eyes. This was nothing more than a mistake. Nothing. ****** Elsewhere, Rahve had reached her destination. She stood in front of the town church. She crossed herself before she entered, seeking Gunther Mishal. He alone might hold the key to unlocking this entire Feymu mystery. And to fixing Rahve's starving bank account. Death watched her from the shadows, wondering how much this mortal would learn about Feymu, and whether or not he'd have to intervene if she learned TOO much. ****** Author's Notes: Yikes. This is by no stretch of imagination my best, longest, or most thought out piece of impro ever. But I think it's small and strong. It did what it set out to, and I still have time to study for my remaining finals and hell, maybe I'l be able to get H!f done too. I like this part. I know it's not the best, but it's not horrible. I think. Tell me if I'm wrong ^_^;; Anywho, many thanks go out to Yoi, Ravi, Kristen, and Scott, for various impromtu spelling and plot suggestions. Phoebe is a goddess for helping encourage me that, despite the weekend from hell and general ****y timing coming during finals week, I could get this THaB part done. The bar joke was stolen from http://www.tiac.net/users/cri/murphy.html. I freely admit it ^_^;. And in conclusion, I'd like to say that this, was most DEFINITELY, a survival chapter. And I will sign up again. Unless you tell me not too ^_~ -ColdFury 4 hours past deadline and up waaay too late into the wee hours of the morning... 5/22/00