Aerie Writings
We're trying to flesh out the backstory a bit. madpinkflamingo wrote a super awesome action bit, which needs to be expanded. So, I'm gonna give a stab at the bad guy.
(1935 - 1955)
There once was a boy named Gideon who was curious about magic. All children are fascinated by magic tricks and the idea of magic at some point during their childhoods, but that fascination is replaced by adult cynicism all too soon. Except for Gideon. He studied magic but was soon beyond the simple sleight of hand and smoke and mirrors. He grew interested in the occult, reading every book he could find on the performance of magic.
Gideon was not a devil worshipper, which is what many people assume when you even breathe the word "occult." He wanted to learn the old secrets of the earth, and eventually, the universe. His parents allowed him the freedom he needed to pursue this obsession, although that was mostly because they really weren't aware of the extent of his fascination. Other than the odd book laying around his room, there was no other sign of his studies. Gideon didn't have dark cloth draped around his room, or odd little sygils drawn in chalk, or shrines with skulls and fingernail clippings. He went to church every Sunday with his parents, and was actually active in the community. Gideon didn't wear odd clothing and earned high grades, and for the most part seemed to lead a very normal family life. His research was conducted quietly in the privacy of his own mind and no one suspected anything other than what they were shown.
Except for one pair of very watchful eyes. They were drawn to this quiet magician in the beginning. They saw his potential and knew that he was what was needed. So, they waited with eternal patience.
As Gideon learned more, his thirst for knowledge was continuously less quenched. With each new book, he desired ever more knowledge, for in his studies he had come to understand that knowledge was power. It was cliche, to be sure, but he knew it. And he began to wonder how much more he could learn. How many secrets of the universe he could unravel and take and use.
He attended college and all but slept through classes. His professors were smart, to be sure, but most were set in their ways of learning and weren't willing to push the boundaries of what they knew. The only person he learned about who truly fascinated him was Albert Einstein, and he mourned the day the physicist died, feeling he had lost a twin soul.
It was Einstein's death that made Gideon reach a realization which he had never considered before. He wouldn't be able to learn all the secrets of the universe simply because of his fragile shell of a body. He was mortal. This sent him into a spiraling depression; he stopped his studies in their tracks, as well as just about everything else in his life, shutting himself away in his room at school.
This could well have gone on for a very long time, but it was during this time that he received The Visit.
Many people would call it a "Vision" or "Holy Occurrence". Others would call it a "Hallucination." But Gideon preferred to call it by its rightful title. The Visit happened on a rainy day in July. It wasn't odd that it was raining, it wasn't unusually cold or hot. It was just a normal summer afternoon and normal summer shower. And The Visit didn't start with a giant flash of light, ball of fire, or clap of thunder. One moment he was alone in his room, the next moment he was not.
The being stood in the corner watching him for a long moment. Gideon's patience wore thin very quickly at the silent intrusion.
"Well?" He snapped. "I didn't call on you or anything, so you had better explain why you're here and then leave."
"So you can continue with your dreams of the void? With your doubts and deepest fears?" The voice was sibilant and melodious at the same time.
"Oh, stop it," Gideon, as has been mentioned, was no fool. "Just talk to me. I don't care where you are from or how much you wish to intimidate me with your parlor tricks."
"Fine," the voice was definitely sour now, and sounded...human. "I came here to offer you a bargain. I've been watching you for quite a while, and I have seen you grow into quite the magician. But what you want now, as all humans do to some extent, is immortality. You've realized that you will be stunted by your own short life. What I offer is precisely what you desire."
"And what do you get in exchange?"
"Precisely what I desire."
"No."
"Oh, heaven, no, not your soul. I find human souls to be so common and plentiful. I can get plenty of those without extravagant bargains. What I require is something...a little bit more rare. And far more difficult to capture. In exchange for your immortality, you will help me obtain what I seek. A fair enough deal, don't you think?"
Gideon was thoughtful. He didn't care much for making bargains--people were rather untrustworthy when it came to those--but something drove him to inquire, "Before I say yes...can you tell me who I am speaking to?"
"My name is Regent."
"Well, Regent, I am Gideon. And if this deal will really help both of us out, then I say, why the hell not?"
"Please, don't curse in my presence."
(Present)
Gideon stood over the glowing coals, grinning at the reflection he could see in the mist. Regent was right; Astaroth would send his finest in this hour. All for this prize that they desired so strongly. And he, well, he was so near his goal that he felt a laugh rising in his throat. He held it back, knowing that it would only distract him from the present, and distraction would not be looked upon kindly should this fail.
The wolf-girl was shouting in horror, running towards him, and he turned towards her, his grin still plastered on his face. He felt glad he had saved her all those years ago so that she could witness this triumphant moment.
"You're too late," he said, his normally quiet voice rising in pitch. "It has begun."
The servant of Astaroth was appearing in the smoke of the incense, roaring his anger at being summoned, but Gideon didn't care. He had full control of this situation, and was probably the only person there who did. The wolf couldn't do anything to save her trussed up half angel, half human friend, and the blind boy could only stumble around in utter confusion at what must have been a mauling of his senses.
"Servant of the First Sphere, I command you, in name of your Lord and Master Astaroth, Grand Duke of Hell, to drive from this human that which does not belong! Do not destroy it, for your Masters have need of it!" Gideon stretched out his hands in command, and the demon let out a piercing shriek and turned towards the dark haired woman, purpose written on its flaming red face.
"No!" Came a horrified shout from behind him.
"What the hell is going on here? Sid? Sid!" The blind boy was panicking now. "Where the fuck is Mercy? What in hell is that?!"
"Please, I will ask you not to curse in my presence." Gideon said with quiet authority, intent on watching the scene in front of him. He had to continue his focus on the demon otherwise this would not work. There was a sudden pressure against his back and he looked down to see a long piece of wood protruding from his torso. It hurt enough to cause a disruption in his concentration, and the demon was immediately distracted from its prey. It turned its attention to the others in the chamber.
Gideon whirled on the werewolf who was gamely trying to hold onto the sharpened two by four she had shove through his chest. "Idiot girl! I cannot be killed, the demon is now loose, and this hurts!" He wrenched her hand off the wooden stake and shoved her away, ignoring the look of surprise at his strength. Other beings always underestimated him. Gasping, he tugged the wood from his body, watching as the skin reknit itself. Once he was healed, he would turn his attention to--
"What the fuck is that, Sid?"
Gideon sighed. The demon was heading towards the blind guy, new intent written on its fiery features. Of course a demon wouldn't be satisfied with someone that's been tied up and laid out nicely for it. Demons always went for the easy prey that was still able to run around in panicked circles.
Only, this one didn't. Gideon ignored Sid as she ran towards Mercy, choosing to watch as the other man stood up straight and faced the demon. It was almost as though he could see it coming towards him. Then he remembered something Regent had whispered about the blind being able to see. Of course, he thought that Reg had once again been referring to "that goody two shoes, Jesus," always a sore point, but now he realized that the fallen one had been trying to warn him about this moment. And it was going to be this moment that all their plans went to hell...in a manner of speaking.
There was another shrieking sound and Gideon watched as the blind man fought the demon. After a seemingly impossible struggle, there was hissing and gargling as the demon threw itself backwards and the man followed it waving a vial at it. The demon clawed at its face, and Gideon realized that the man had thrown holy water onto the demon. Before he could do anything to prevent it, the demon teetered for a moment on the brink, then fell over shrieking into the ravine.
The blind man stopped short, close to joining his demonic foe. He turned and faced Gideon, only Gideon knew that the man wasn't looking at him. He was staring straight through him at the wolf and the halfling (<--better term??). The wizard knew he had to take care of the angel's soul on his own. He grabbed the chalice that held the coals, ignoring the spitting sound as the hot metal burned his hands, and started muttering the incantation Regent had taught him in the utmost secret. This was the incantation for When Things Went Wrong.
The coals caught fire, their flames licking upwards hungrily, the incense now reaching out towards their intended goal. Gideon gritted his teeth. He hated having to do this, since it cut out the middle man, or demon, and meant that he would have to be the one to drive the soul from the woman's body. It probably would kill him, but it would certainly be better than if he failed and would have to live an eternity being tortured by the likes of Uzziel. Eternity wasn't worth that.
The incense had reached Mercy, wrapping itself in a deceptively gentle embrace. Sid swatted at it uselessly as it curled around her friend...
…Mercy gave an earsplitting scream. It started out almost human, then swelled to something more. The scream became louder; it deepened into something like the howl of the wind through a chasm. Before long it wasn’t just one scream, it was many screams echoing as one terrible sound. Mercy looked to be cracking, light was escaping from veins that appeared on her skin, it was as though she was bleeding light. Bound and blindfolded as she was she thrashed still more violently, until at last, her bonds snapped. Blind, and writhing in pain she staggered about briefly before toppling over the edge of the ravine. (Gideon threw more force into his incantation, laughing almost manically.) Sid and Daniel darted forward, but before they reached the edge of the ravine the howl reached an almost unbearable pitch. They were thrown to the ground. Then the screaming stopped, suddenly. There was a rushing noise and looking up, they saw a shining white specter shoot up into the sky. It hung for a moment, as though struggling to break free. But Gideon had his book now, having thrown away his chalice when the woman had fallen, and he held it up reverently, still laughing as the specter was sucked, helplessly towards it.
It rocked his body to the very core, capturing something so pure, and he felt on the brink of dying. But he pulled from the remainder of his strength and held onto it, shaking with the effort. He sensed the others running at him, yelling furious things, but more noticed was the presence of Regent by his side. "I thought you said...no interference..." He gasped.
"You've entrapped an angel's soul on your own. Now, it's my turn to hold up my end of the bargain." Normally, hearing such a thing from one of the Fallen should have set off alarm bells, but Gideon was exhausted beyond logical thought.
"Thank--" Before he could finish the phrase, he had collapsed as Regent slid the cursed knife neatly under his ribs and caught the book in one motion.
Ignoring the charging humans, the Fallen Angel stared at the dying wizard for a moment. "You know, Gideon, sometimes I really hate being a liar." He shifted his hold on the book. "But now isn't one of those times." He disappeared.
Sid and Daniel reached Gideon in time to see him reaching out to empty space, gasping for air. Sid grabbed his collar and shook him.
"What the hell did you do, you evil bastard?"
Gideon turned unfocused eyes on the livid woman. "Raphael has been captured by Regent and Astorath."
"Where is Mercy?" Daniel demanded.
"Over the cliff...somewhere..." Gideon coughed, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. "They promised me...immortality..."
"What will happen to her now?" Sid pressed on, giving him another shake.
He quirked his bloodstained mouth into a small smile. "I suggest...finding...Raphael..."
"Where can we find him?" Sid yelled. But it was a lost cause. Gideon gave a last gurgling breath and was still.
Okay, that's all I can do for now. And most of it was written on the fly, so please excuse that. Grace, beta! ^_^
Wow, I really can't believe how much I wrote. And all in one sitting. Dude. I can only hope I have more productive nights like this one. :B
(1935 - 1955)
There once was a boy named Gideon who was curious about magic. All children are fascinated by magic tricks and the idea of magic at some point during their childhoods, but that fascination is replaced by adult cynicism all too soon. Except for Gideon. He studied magic but was soon beyond the simple sleight of hand and smoke and mirrors. He grew interested in the occult, reading every book he could find on the performance of magic.
Gideon was not a devil worshipper, which is what many people assume when you even breathe the word "occult." He wanted to learn the old secrets of the earth, and eventually, the universe. His parents allowed him the freedom he needed to pursue this obsession, although that was mostly because they really weren't aware of the extent of his fascination. Other than the odd book laying around his room, there was no other sign of his studies. Gideon didn't have dark cloth draped around his room, or odd little sygils drawn in chalk, or shrines with skulls and fingernail clippings. He went to church every Sunday with his parents, and was actually active in the community. Gideon didn't wear odd clothing and earned high grades, and for the most part seemed to lead a very normal family life. His research was conducted quietly in the privacy of his own mind and no one suspected anything other than what they were shown.
Except for one pair of very watchful eyes. They were drawn to this quiet magician in the beginning. They saw his potential and knew that he was what was needed. So, they waited with eternal patience.
As Gideon learned more, his thirst for knowledge was continuously less quenched. With each new book, he desired ever more knowledge, for in his studies he had come to understand that knowledge was power. It was cliche, to be sure, but he knew it. And he began to wonder how much more he could learn. How many secrets of the universe he could unravel and take and use.
He attended college and all but slept through classes. His professors were smart, to be sure, but most were set in their ways of learning and weren't willing to push the boundaries of what they knew. The only person he learned about who truly fascinated him was Albert Einstein, and he mourned the day the physicist died, feeling he had lost a twin soul.
It was Einstein's death that made Gideon reach a realization which he had never considered before. He wouldn't be able to learn all the secrets of the universe simply because of his fragile shell of a body. He was mortal. This sent him into a spiraling depression; he stopped his studies in their tracks, as well as just about everything else in his life, shutting himself away in his room at school.
This could well have gone on for a very long time, but it was during this time that he received The Visit.
Many people would call it a "Vision" or "Holy Occurrence". Others would call it a "Hallucination." But Gideon preferred to call it by its rightful title. The Visit happened on a rainy day in July. It wasn't odd that it was raining, it wasn't unusually cold or hot. It was just a normal summer afternoon and normal summer shower. And The Visit didn't start with a giant flash of light, ball of fire, or clap of thunder. One moment he was alone in his room, the next moment he was not.
The being stood in the corner watching him for a long moment. Gideon's patience wore thin very quickly at the silent intrusion.
"Well?" He snapped. "I didn't call on you or anything, so you had better explain why you're here and then leave."
"So you can continue with your dreams of the void? With your doubts and deepest fears?" The voice was sibilant and melodious at the same time.
"Oh, stop it," Gideon, as has been mentioned, was no fool. "Just talk to me. I don't care where you are from or how much you wish to intimidate me with your parlor tricks."
"Fine," the voice was definitely sour now, and sounded...human. "I came here to offer you a bargain. I've been watching you for quite a while, and I have seen you grow into quite the magician. But what you want now, as all humans do to some extent, is immortality. You've realized that you will be stunted by your own short life. What I offer is precisely what you desire."
"And what do you get in exchange?"
"Precisely what I desire."
"No."
"Oh, heaven, no, not your soul. I find human souls to be so common and plentiful. I can get plenty of those without extravagant bargains. What I require is something...a little bit more rare. And far more difficult to capture. In exchange for your immortality, you will help me obtain what I seek. A fair enough deal, don't you think?"
Gideon was thoughtful. He didn't care much for making bargains--people were rather untrustworthy when it came to those--but something drove him to inquire, "Before I say yes...can you tell me who I am speaking to?"
"My name is Regent."
"Well, Regent, I am Gideon. And if this deal will really help both of us out, then I say, why the hell not?"
"Please, don't curse in my presence."
(Present)
Gideon stood over the glowing coals, grinning at the reflection he could see in the mist. Regent was right; Astaroth would send his finest in this hour. All for this prize that they desired so strongly. And he, well, he was so near his goal that he felt a laugh rising in his throat. He held it back, knowing that it would only distract him from the present, and distraction would not be looked upon kindly should this fail.
The wolf-girl was shouting in horror, running towards him, and he turned towards her, his grin still plastered on his face. He felt glad he had saved her all those years ago so that she could witness this triumphant moment.
"You're too late," he said, his normally quiet voice rising in pitch. "It has begun."
The servant of Astaroth was appearing in the smoke of the incense, roaring his anger at being summoned, but Gideon didn't care. He had full control of this situation, and was probably the only person there who did. The wolf couldn't do anything to save her trussed up half angel, half human friend, and the blind boy could only stumble around in utter confusion at what must have been a mauling of his senses.
"Servant of the First Sphere, I command you, in name of your Lord and Master Astaroth, Grand Duke of Hell, to drive from this human that which does not belong! Do not destroy it, for your Masters have need of it!" Gideon stretched out his hands in command, and the demon let out a piercing shriek and turned towards the dark haired woman, purpose written on its flaming red face.
"No!" Came a horrified shout from behind him.
"What the hell is going on here? Sid? Sid!" The blind boy was panicking now. "Where the fuck is Mercy? What in hell is that?!"
"Please, I will ask you not to curse in my presence." Gideon said with quiet authority, intent on watching the scene in front of him. He had to continue his focus on the demon otherwise this would not work. There was a sudden pressure against his back and he looked down to see a long piece of wood protruding from his torso. It hurt enough to cause a disruption in his concentration, and the demon was immediately distracted from its prey. It turned its attention to the others in the chamber.
Gideon whirled on the werewolf who was gamely trying to hold onto the sharpened two by four she had shove through his chest. "Idiot girl! I cannot be killed, the demon is now loose, and this hurts!" He wrenched her hand off the wooden stake and shoved her away, ignoring the look of surprise at his strength. Other beings always underestimated him. Gasping, he tugged the wood from his body, watching as the skin reknit itself. Once he was healed, he would turn his attention to--
"What the fuck is that, Sid?"
Gideon sighed. The demon was heading towards the blind guy, new intent written on its fiery features. Of course a demon wouldn't be satisfied with someone that's been tied up and laid out nicely for it. Demons always went for the easy prey that was still able to run around in panicked circles.
Only, this one didn't. Gideon ignored Sid as she ran towards Mercy, choosing to watch as the other man stood up straight and faced the demon. It was almost as though he could see it coming towards him. Then he remembered something Regent had whispered about the blind being able to see. Of course, he thought that Reg had once again been referring to "that goody two shoes, Jesus," always a sore point, but now he realized that the fallen one had been trying to warn him about this moment. And it was going to be this moment that all their plans went to hell...in a manner of speaking.
There was another shrieking sound and Gideon watched as the blind man fought the demon. After a seemingly impossible struggle, there was hissing and gargling as the demon threw itself backwards and the man followed it waving a vial at it. The demon clawed at its face, and Gideon realized that the man had thrown holy water onto the demon. Before he could do anything to prevent it, the demon teetered for a moment on the brink, then fell over shrieking into the ravine.
The blind man stopped short, close to joining his demonic foe. He turned and faced Gideon, only Gideon knew that the man wasn't looking at him. He was staring straight through him at the wolf and the halfling (<--better term??). The wizard knew he had to take care of the angel's soul on his own. He grabbed the chalice that held the coals, ignoring the spitting sound as the hot metal burned his hands, and started muttering the incantation Regent had taught him in the utmost secret. This was the incantation for When Things Went Wrong.
The coals caught fire, their flames licking upwards hungrily, the incense now reaching out towards their intended goal. Gideon gritted his teeth. He hated having to do this, since it cut out the middle man, or demon, and meant that he would have to be the one to drive the soul from the woman's body. It probably would kill him, but it would certainly be better than if he failed and would have to live an eternity being tortured by the likes of Uzziel. Eternity wasn't worth that.
The incense had reached Mercy, wrapping itself in a deceptively gentle embrace. Sid swatted at it uselessly as it curled around her friend...
…Mercy gave an earsplitting scream. It started out almost human, then swelled to something more. The scream became louder; it deepened into something like the howl of the wind through a chasm. Before long it wasn’t just one scream, it was many screams echoing as one terrible sound. Mercy looked to be cracking, light was escaping from veins that appeared on her skin, it was as though she was bleeding light. Bound and blindfolded as she was she thrashed still more violently, until at last, her bonds snapped. Blind, and writhing in pain she staggered about briefly before toppling over the edge of the ravine. (Gideon threw more force into his incantation, laughing almost manically.) Sid and Daniel darted forward, but before they reached the edge of the ravine the howl reached an almost unbearable pitch. They were thrown to the ground. Then the screaming stopped, suddenly. There was a rushing noise and looking up, they saw a shining white specter shoot up into the sky. It hung for a moment, as though struggling to break free. But Gideon had his book now, having thrown away his chalice when the woman had fallen, and he held it up reverently, still laughing as the specter was sucked, helplessly towards it.
It rocked his body to the very core, capturing something so pure, and he felt on the brink of dying. But he pulled from the remainder of his strength and held onto it, shaking with the effort. He sensed the others running at him, yelling furious things, but more noticed was the presence of Regent by his side. "I thought you said...no interference..." He gasped.
"You've entrapped an angel's soul on your own. Now, it's my turn to hold up my end of the bargain." Normally, hearing such a thing from one of the Fallen should have set off alarm bells, but Gideon was exhausted beyond logical thought.
"Thank--" Before he could finish the phrase, he had collapsed as Regent slid the cursed knife neatly under his ribs and caught the book in one motion.
Ignoring the charging humans, the Fallen Angel stared at the dying wizard for a moment. "You know, Gideon, sometimes I really hate being a liar." He shifted his hold on the book. "But now isn't one of those times." He disappeared.
Sid and Daniel reached Gideon in time to see him reaching out to empty space, gasping for air. Sid grabbed his collar and shook him.
"What the hell did you do, you evil bastard?"
Gideon turned unfocused eyes on the livid woman. "Raphael has been captured by Regent and Astorath."
"Where is Mercy?" Daniel demanded.
"Over the cliff...somewhere..." Gideon coughed, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. "They promised me...immortality..."
"What will happen to her now?" Sid pressed on, giving him another shake.
He quirked his bloodstained mouth into a small smile. "I suggest...finding...Raphael..."
"Where can we find him?" Sid yelled. But it was a lost cause. Gideon gave a last gurgling breath and was still.
Okay, that's all I can do for now. And most of it was written on the fly, so please excuse that. Grace, beta! ^_^
Wow, I really can't believe how much I wrote. And all in one sitting. Dude. I can only hope I have more productive nights like this one. :B