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Deus Ex Inferni V: The Third Age

Jennifer, Jessica and Aedan were asleep next to each other in a king sized bed. Their white scales, fur and skin seemed to gleam in the small sliver of moonlight that streamed through the closed curtains, falling across their sleeping forms. Jessica shifted uncomfortably. Her crimson eyes blinked open. She sat up, wriggling away from Aedan who was snuggled up with her tail. Sliding off the bed, the small lizard padded out of the room and into their dark home. It was a very large home, and very luxurious. It was funny how many rich and powerful people could be swayed into joining a cult.

That had been Father's idea. Give a demonstration of power, promise the same to the wealthy and powerful and then allow them to take care of you. Simplicity itself. The home was actually in a new hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. Their suite took up two whole floors of the hotel, complete with private guards and a helicopter. Not that the siblings ever went out anywhere. Of course you had to let the old men feel like they were in control. They did foot the bill and keep them safe, after all.

Jessica went into the sizeable, open plan living room where the stone sarcophagus of their Father had been moved. The old location had actually been deep in South America, where an ancient civilization had discovered the sarcophagus and had begun worshipping it. She and Aedan had tried to make the chamber it was originally housed in presentable, but Jennifer had said it would be better to move it. The Song had agreed with her, and informed them of its... his plan.

Jessica walked over to the blue stone tomb and ran a hand along its ancient surface. It was smooth, but bumpy, weathered and beaten by time. The huge sword still stuck out the top of the sarcophagus. It seemed to be glowing softly in the darkness. Jessica reached a hand out towards it. The sword seemed to hum as her fingers drew near the blade. Jessica cautiously withdrew her hand, glancing up at the strangely organic looking hilt. Clambering onto the sarcophagus, she reached out a hand and touched the hilt.

"Jessica..."

The lizard hissed with surprise, stumbling back off the sarcophagus, landing heavily on the floor.

"Sister? Sister are you alright?!"

Jessica looked up as Aedan and Jennifer came into the room.

"I touched the sword..." Jessica whispered as her siblings helped her to her feet.

"Did you cut yourself?" Jennifer asked.

"No, sister. But... it was Father. He spoke to me... not as the song... but it was actually him."

All three of them looked up at the sword, then back at each other. Then all three nodded, clambering onto the sarcophagus. They each placed a hand around the hilt of the sword.

So vast was it, all three of them could fit a hand around the handle.

"My... children..."

"Father!" the siblings chorused in unnerving synchronicity.

"Remove... the blade..."

The siblings simultaneous heaved without hesitation. The sword groaned and the coffin creaked. With a sudden jerk and the screech of tortured stone, the blade slid free, leaving a six-inch long opening. There was the sound of a sigh coming from the interior of the sarcophagus.

"Much... better..."

"Father! What can we do now?" Aedan asked eagerly.

"I require... blood. The blood of a thousand angels..."

"How? How do we do this?" Jennifer asked, "Angels do not exist."

"Ahh... my daughter... how little you know... of the world... you inhabit. I shall... tell you where... let the... old fools do the rest."

_ _

***

"I don't get what this means, Senator."

"Persephone. Please just call me Persephone, Agent Petersen."

Agent Petersen raised an eyebrow before continuing to write in his notebook.

"It just looks like a stone with a sword in it. How is this significant to my investigation? Is King Arthur gonna tell me where these two felons are?" He asked dryly.

"You should be looking into this though. It might provide you with leads."

"Listen, I appreciate you trying to help with the case, but I need actual solid facts, not some mythological bullshit."

"Very well, Agent Petersen."

The woman got to her feet and left, her silver hair swishing as she left.

David Petersen sighed and ran his hands through his hair. It had been three months since the worst serial killers in American history had escaped a high security mental institution, abducting one of his friends in the process. He had been working with Doctor Richard Edmondson, a skinny old Raven from the hospital the two killers had broken out from. He had been hired by the FBI to act as the psychological consultant on this case. The raven looked over at the human from his desk and rolled his eyes.

"How many times has she visited now?" The avian asked.

"Seven. Each time she tells me to look for the same goddamn thing." The human replied.

"Maybe you should listen to her? She is a senator after all."

"Really? You know, I didn't know that!"

Richard sighed, taking off his reading glasses and rubbing his eyes.

"No need to be sarcastic. Besides, you don't have any other leads right now." He said.

"Where would I even go about looking for the sword in the stone? Walt Disney's been dead for nearly fifty years." David replied, stacking files on his desk.

"Well I don't know! I'm not a historian!" Richard said in exasperation.

"What I want to know is why a senator would be interested in this case?"

"Oh I don't know. Frankly, all I care about is Jenny's safety." Richard said, getting up to use the water cooler.

"Yeah me too. But we also have to consider the other option." David replied, leaning back in his chair. Richard took a sip of water and returned to his seat.

"Again, I don't think Aedan and Jessica would have killed her. Over the course of their treatment, they seemed to form a bond with Jenny. It is likely they've taken her because they like her."

"I know that should reassure me, but it really doesn't."

"I know man, I know."

"Ugh... Alright I'll look up senator Maycroft's 'lead', if only to get her to leave me alone."

"That's the spirit!"

Persephone walked quickly out of the FBI offices and into her waiting car.

"Where to ma'am?"

"Back to the apartment. I have some things to prepare."

The car pulled away, and Persephone looked up at the front of the Massachusetts field branch of the FBI. She remembered when there had been nothing here. Then dry plains, then green forests, and now this massive concrete jungle. For four and a half billion years, Persephone had watched over the planet, cut off from her home. After Alastor had broken the Time Lock, Heaven and Hell had been sealed off from Earth. The souls of the countless angels and demons that had been slaughtered in the third Great War had formed new life. No memories remained of their immortal past, but Persephone knew. Homo Sapiens were descended from Angels. The world before had been entirely populated by humans; presumably Angels had populated the Earth after the second Great War.

But now there was a new species populating the planet. Animalia Sapiens. Humans fell under this new classification, still has Homo Sapiens. But now Homo Sapiens were stood side by side with Canis Sapiens, Felidae Sapiens, Serpentes Sapiens and so on. Persephone had a different name for these new species. She called them 'anthropomorphs'. Not that anyone else knew their origin, and would not have the desire to differentiate. Curiously all the species of sapiens used the blanket term 'Humanity' when speaking as a collective group. Persephone often wondered why, but could never come up with an answer.

"We've arrived ma'am."

Persephone snapped out of her reverie.

"Oh, thank you."

"No worries ma'am."

Persephone stepped out of the car and headed straight into her apartment building. It was one of the very up-market mansions on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. Her penthouse apartment was over three thousand square feet. It was something befitting a senator of the United States not to mention a promising candidate for the Presidency. While it was nice to actually be around real living people, billions of years alone had made Persephone accustomed to being by herself with her own thoughts. Guarding the world against Alastor's return had been a torture beyond measure. While he slept, Persephone stood guard, watching as the world change around her. Alastor had purged the world with nuclear fire without a second thought. She could not allow him free again.

Entering her large apartment, Persephone dropped her handbag onto the floor. She closed the door behind her and locked it. She then took off all of her clothes and left them in a neat pile in the hallway. She walked naked into her very large living room, her powerful wings unfurling behind her. She let out a groan as she stretched them. It was always a strain to hide her true nature. She sank onto one of the leather sofas, delighting in the way the leather felt against her flawless, milky skin.

Persephone remembered the days when she had been a prude like all Angels. But over the Aeons she had come to accept her nature. Hiding and ignoring the body that God had given her was just as much of an affront to Him as breaking his laws. Now she enjoyed her form and all the pleasure it could bring. With a sigh she looked up at a plaque on the wall. On the plaque rested a shining silver broadsword. Getting up she walked over to it and ran her hand along the blade. Small flames licked around her fingers.

"I hope I will not have to use you again." She murmured.

Meanwhile, the three siblings were sitting in their apartment, huddled together on a pile of cushions next to the sarcophagus. In front of them were seven men. These men were some of the most powerful in the world. They were all the heads of pharmaceutical, agricultural, electrical, chemical or weapon manufacturing companies. All of them were greedy, and all of them wanted power. They had been the ones who had hidden the three siblings, and who had begun the cult they considered themselves heads of. The Children of Alastor the cult called itself. Supposedly to "honour" Alastor's actual children.

"So what is it that you have to tell us?" The first one asked.

"Father as spoken to us." Aedan, Jessica and Jennifer said in unison.

"And what did he say?"

"Ask him yourself."

"How?"

"With... your mouth... I would imagine... Jeremy Reinhart, CEO of... Reinhart Pharmaceuticals."

"My lord! You can speak!" Jeremy exclaimed. The other CEO's all began whispering to each other.

"I have... always been able... to speak. Just not... to you. Now... My children... shall brief you on... what to do... next. But know that I... will soon return."

"Return? You mean you will escape from this prison?"

"Yes... the Time Lock. Once I am free... I shall grant... you all the immortality... you seek. Now... I grow weary. My children will... tell you the rest."

"Father has asked us to find the blood of a thousand angels." Aedan said.

"Do not look so incredulous." Jennifer scolded.

"The blood of a thousand angels goes by another name." Jessica continued.

"The Black Star of Queensland." Aedan finished.

"That's the largest gem quality star sapphire in the world!"

"Yes it is, Duncan Ferguson, head of Delta Agrochemicals." The three siblings replied in unison to the second man who had spoken.

"The last known owner lives in Switzerland." Duncan said, tapping his chin. "There are many legends about the stone."

"We require it. Father requires it. You must get the stone."

"Easy enough to do." Jeremy said "This is exactly the kind of situation that throwing money at solves."

"Good. Oh, Father also requests you bring food. Lots and lots of food." Aedan said, raising a finger.

"Food? Why?"

"When you have been trapped in stone for aeons, I think you would be hungry too." Jennifer said.

"How much food then?"

The three siblings paused for a moment, as if they were listening to something.

"Enough to fill the sarcophagus." They said.

Jessica, Aedan and Jennifer had fallen asleep on the cushions. Inside the sarcophagus, Alastor lay. Four and a half billion years he had been trapped in this accursed tomb. Fortunately it had given him time to think. He had realised that on impaling him with his own sword, Persephone had damaged the Time Lock. This meant only his body was sealed within. His mind could wander free, and wander it did. He had projected himself out into space for the first billion years or so. He explored the solar system, visiting the planets and moons. It was surprising how crowded their little system was.

It was only as his mental projection stood at the very edge of the solar system did Alastor realise how vast space was. In that moment, as he gazed back at the tiny white pinprick that was the sun, he realised that for all his power, he was tiny and insignificant. Something he wanted to change. He had promised Vetis the Earth. But why stop there? Why not expand? In his time, humanity had all but destroyed the Earth. But this was a new age. A new era. Once this final piece of the Time Lock was gone, there would be no final battle. No end war. Because of his actions, Heaven and Hell had been all but cut off from the world. Only a few weak links remained. He was free to start again. Free to take the Earth into a golden age. This would be his gift to Vetis' memory. He would give her the cosmos.

It only took a few days for the 'elder council' to return with the large black gem. The living room had been cleared completely, save for the sarcophagus and an enormous pile of food. It was mostly huge piles of meat and sweets. There were several large containers full of drink, and a large number of wine bottles. Most curiously was the veritable vat of chocolate milkshake. This had been specifically requested, according to Jennifer. The council had donned burgundy robes edged with gold for the ceremony. Something they felt was necessary.

"You know I'm surprised how easy this was."

"What? You think a hero of some kind was going to come and stop us at the last minute?"

"Kind of, yeah."

"Oh come on! What do you think this is? A movie?"

"Oh shut it Phillips."

"Yeah, nobody but us knows what's going on here anyway!" _ _

"Alright you lot, shut up!" Jeremy shouted. "I do apologise." He said, turning back to the siblings. "Here. This rock cost us ten million dollars."

"We appreciate your sacrifice..."

"... and we assure you it will be..."

"... worth it."

They replied.

Aedan took the sapphire from Jeremy. There was a loud clink as he pulled the large gem away from its white gold and diamond-studded socket. He tossed this away and handed the naked gem to Jessica.

The elder council formed a ring around the sarcophagus as Jessica walked up to it. She carefully placed the gem over the hole and stepped back.

"Now it is your turn." She said to the assembled council, and stepped out of the circle and stood with her brother and sister. Jeremy, Duncan and the other members of the council raised their hands and began chanting. It was a low ominous sound, the words themselves sounded evil.

"What are they actually saying?" Aedan whispered to Jessica.

"Nothing!" Jessica replied with a smile. Jennifer giggled.

The chanting continued, and the sapphire on the sarcophagus began to glow. Brighter and brighter it grew, until it suddenly melted and poured into the hole with a loud hiss.

A rumbling began to emanate from the sarcophagus and a strange wind began to pick up in the apartment. It was warm and heavy. It left a sickly sweet taste in the mouth. Then, one by one, the members of the council dissolved into red fluid. The last one screaming as he was swept away by the wind. The rich soup of liquidated blood, bones and organs swirled around the coffin and began pouring through the rent in the stone. Then just like that, it was over.

"F-father?" Jennifer ventured.

The lid of the sarcophagus creaked and groaned. Then with a loud crack, the lid slid off and hit the floor with a heavy thump. Smoke swirled from inside the tomb. There was the sound of movement, and a figure appeared in the gloom.

It had its back to them. A muscled back covered in pure white scales. The back flexed, and silvery liquid metal began forming the pattern of bones over the scales. The metal set like an x-ray, picking out the skeletal structure in great detail. A long tail thrashed through the smoke, sharp metal spines running along it's length and up the figures back. The figure straightened up and stretched. Its head was covered in a metal mask that resembled a skull, and the gleam of a crimson eye could be seen through the silver eye socket. Long twisting horns swept back from its skull, also made from this silver metal. The figure turned to the three siblings, and jumped down from the sarcophagus. It was huge, over eight feet tall. Its head was that of a dragon, with a blunt, heavy looking snout and sharp fangs that protruded down over the bottom lip. It opened its mouth, revealing long metallic teeth, and drew in a great breath.

"My children." It said in a decidedly male tone. His voice was deep and reverberated around the room.

"Father!" the siblings chorused, and rushed forwards. The dragon knelt down on digitigrade legs and hugged them to him, his massive arms easily able to encompass the trio.

"My children... It makes me so happy to finally see you in the flesh." Alastor said softly.

Persephone jerked awake. She had fallen asleep on the sofa. She lay there for a few moments, her heart beating rapidly. Sitting up she looked at the clock. It was midnight. She had been having a dream. An incredibly vivid dream too. She had been floating above the Earth. She could see the continents, and even the major cities. It looked so beautiful, but then the cities began to burn. The fire spread to the countryside turning the green land black and charred. Persephone was afraid. She could feel the heat of the flames and smell the scent of hot ash. A shape appeared in the flames like the head of a great dragon. It opened its eyes and roared. That was when Persephone had awoken.

Getting to her feet she shivered, and went to her bedroom and slipped on her dressing-gown (modified to accommodate her wings). With a sigh she went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Heading back into the living room she stopped. There was an odd keening noise coming from somewhere. It made the glass in her hand vibrate. She frowned and set the glass down on her coffee table. Looking around the room she could see no sign of anything. Then she looked at the sword of the Archangel Michael. The blade was vibrating so fast; the edge was a silver blur. She reached out and touched the hilt. Blue flames blazed along its edge, engulfing the blade with holy fire.

"No!" Persephone gasped.

Alastor grabbed a large chunk of meat and rapidly consumed it, bone and all. He hungrily shovelled the piles of food into his maw, downing entire bottles of wine in seconds. His entire body was steaming as he ate, his metabolism burning at rates beyond anything a mortal creature could withstand. He grabbed the vat of milkshake and began draining it with a sound like water being poured over hot coals. It took him almost ten minutes of constant drinking to drain the vat, but he did. He tossed the bucket over his shoulder and sat back with a sigh.

"Four and a half million years does wonders for the appetite." He said. Jessica and Jennifer giggled, while Aedan just looked awed.

"How did you eat all that food?" He asked incredulously.

Alastor laughed and wiped his snout.

"Ahhh son... I- we are not human. None of you are. Unfortunately your power remains locked away. The first thing we must do is find a way of unlocking it."

"How?" Jessica asked

"We have the resources of seven 'captains of industry' at our disposal. Assuming my plan was successful?"

"Very. We own all seven companies as of yesterday."

"Excellent. Now then, I need to pay an old aqua- Jenny? What is the matter?"

Jennifer looked up. She had been staring off into space.

"Oh... well..." she mumbled

"She misses the song." Aedan said, looking over at her. Jennifer nodded with a sheepish look.

"I do too." Jessica said. "We all do. Our connection has lessened now the song has faded."

Aedan and Jennifer nodded in agreement. Alastor sighed. Getting to his feet, he beckoned the siblings to follow him, and he headed for the bedroom. The siblings clambered into the king sized bed and looked up at Alastor expectantly. Alastor seated himself at the end of the bed, closed his eyes and started to hum. It started soft and quiet, but rose in crescendo until it filled the room. Alastor opened his muzzle and the song spilled forth. Jessica, Aedan and Jennifer closed their eyes and smiled.

Persephone clutched her head. The noise was excruciating. It filled her skull like a cat being set on fire and then let loose on a chalkboard. She could barely stand, never mind focus on what she was doing. She crawled over to her walk in wardrobe and pulled the door open. Crawling through the large array of clothes she only kept for appearance, she reached the back of the wardrobe. She pounded her fist on the floor, and a hidden panel opened in the floor. Reaching inside she heaved out a large, ornately decorated chest. As soon as she touched the chest, the noise ceased.

Panting and dizzy, Persephone leaned on the chest for a few moments, waiting for her brain to unscramble itself. After a few minutes, she pushed herself up and opened the lid of the chest. Inside was the armour of the Archangel Michael. She had found it on the reformed Earth, embedded in granite. She had thought it had burned up with Michael's death. The only reason it could have reformed was Michael was alive. Persephone did not know how, considering Alastor had consumed his heart. Persephone would not be able to find out though, as the destruction of the Time Lock had all but severed connection with Heaven. The first thing she pulled out was the golden helm. Slipping it over her head, she felt the metal warp and mould itself to her head. Letting go of the chest, she paused for a moment. The helmet seemed to be blocking the unholy noise, though she could still sense a dark power. She had been on the receiving end of this power before, and she knew its signature all too well.

Alastor looked down at his sleeping children. They were Vetis' legacy. Though she was gone, he still felt a connection with her, through their children. He left the bedroom and went back to the living room, sinking down onto the sofa, which creaked under his weight. Persephone was still alive of course. He could feel her presence. She would no doubt come and try to fight him of course. That was what she had taken on herself to do. Something that was ultimately futile. The difference in their power was now vast. Angels and Demons drew their power from Heaven and Hell respectively. But Alastor was a Dragon. His power came from the Earth, something he had only realised after about two billion years of quiet contemplation and meditation.

This meditation had also considerably calmed the fire inside Alastor's heart. Four and a half billion years is a lot of time for self-reflection. He realised he no longer hated Persephone. He would never forgive her, but he acknowledged that at the time they had been at war. He also doubted her death would bring any kind of satisfaction. He was curious to see whether his ancient adversary had changed. Well, he would soon know. His eyes came to a rest on his tomb. He smiled as an idea began to form.

Persephone landed on the roof of the hotel, folding her wings neatly behind her back. It had taken her almost an hour to reach Alaska. Supernatural flight speeds were certainly a boon when rapid transit was required. Drawing her sword, she walked over to the roof access, eying the helicopter. She wondered how many powerful men had been corrupted to get this? It didn't matter though. She tried the door. Locked of course, though the lock gave way when Persephone was a little more insistent. She was constantly reminding herself to be careful around Humanity. She was far stronger and more resilient than even the toughest Sapien.

The apartment was dark and warm. A strange scent lingered in the air. It was strangely relaxing, but the Helm of Michael prevented her from lowering her guard. She moved stealthily through the dark building, wondering if the other guests of the hotel knew what was going on above them. She found herself in a large living area. In the center of the living area was the large silhouette of the Time Lock. There was a large sword protruding from the top of the tomb. Persephone sighed and lowered her sword. He apparently had not yet escaped. She had arrived just in time it seemed.

"You know, breaking and entering is a crime unbefitting a Senator."

Persephone whirled around and the lights in the room came on. Alastor was standing in the kitchen area; leaning on a countertop, chin resting in his hands.

Persephone leapt forwards, sword raised. Alastor sighed and was gone. Persephone landed and spun around, expecting an attack from behind. Instead she saw Alastor standing by the Time Lock. He reached out and gripped the hilt of his sword. He grinned and pulled it free of the stone. The sarcophagus then crumbled into dust.

"Four and a half billion years is a long time... even for stone." He said, a strange haze beginning to rise off his sword.

"I won't let you corrupt this world!" Persephone said defiantly.

"Will you keep it down? You'll wake the children."

"Children? Those things are monsters. I will exterminate them once I have dealt with you."

Alastor sighed, and rested his sword on the floor, point first.

"Do Angel's never change? Can you really be that stubborn?"

Persephone kept her guard up. He must be planning something.

"What do you mean?" She asked cautiously.

"Four and a half billion years, Persephone. That is how long we've been alive... You've probably been alive longer. Have you really not changed in all that time?"

"A little perhaps. Not enough to forget what you and your bitch queen did."

Alastor's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword.

"Aside from your appearance, I doubt you've changed very much either." Persephone continued.

"Changed? I've changed far more than you might think." Alastor replied.

"I doubt that. I bet you're still that stupid little slave following the Whore of Hell around like a lovesick puppy!"

"A little more venom than last time apparently."

"Oh what? Too much for you to handle? Does it hit a little too close to home for you? Why not go cry to your mummy? Oh wait! She's dead!"

"Do not goad me. That is not a wise thing to do. I know you just want to fight, but I will not indulge you."

"Afraid you might lose? I have done a lot of training in the last few aeons. I am a lot stronger than before."

"I will not indulge you in a fight." Alastor said, raising an open hand, palm turned towards Persephone. "I will indulge myself, however, in trouncing you most thoroughly."

"Bring it o-"

Persephone was cut off when she was hit in the stomach by a force so powerful it completely paralysed her. She doubled over and vomited blood. She lay there twitching, unable to move. Alastor lowered his hand. The air around him appeared to ripple, as if it were super-heated. The armour had done nothing to soften the blow. It was as if she were protected by nothing but air.

"I... actually did not enjoy that at all." Alastor said. "You see... I am too powerful. You are no threat to me. No one on this world is. Heaven's most powerful Angel is no more threat to me than its most powerful termite. So what possible hope could you have in defeating me?"

Persephone struggled to even push herself up onto her hands.

"I... won't..." She gasped

"You won't? You won't what? Let me win? I do not desire to rule this world. No. I wish to see it thrive and prosper. I want to see Humanity take to the stars. I want to set foot on another planet. I want to see this world thrive!"

"Don't... believe... you..." Persephone had heard too many lies and honeyed words in her life. She would not be swayed by this. She had to avenge all of the Angels who died at Alastor and Vetis' hands.

"Stupid girl."

Alastor walked over to Persephone and quite gently picked her up. Being this close to him made Persephone feel sick and nauseous. Alastor carried her up to the roof and placed her down.

"If you try to harm me or any member of my family, I will make you watch as I rip out you feathers one by one until all you are left with are bloody, infected stumps!" He hissed. "Now get out of my sight before I kill you out of mercy."

Persephone tried to get to her feet, but staggered and collapsed.

"Ugh... how pathetic." Alastor said with disgust, and snapped his fingers. Persephone vanished.

Calmly heading back inside he closed the door behind him. Heading downstairs and back into the living room, he promptly collapsed on the sofa. His body shook. She had been wearing Michael's armour! The armour the Archangel wore when Alastor tore out and consumed his heart. It had burned up with his body. How was it here? Unless an Angel's belongings were somehow tied to their life force, and if that were true...

"Vetis..." Alastor murmured. She could still be alive!