Shadow and Flame

A peppy electronic tune blasted loudly through the small dark room, moisture clinging to the stone bricked walls, dirt and filth clinging to the floors, pools of brackish water and other fouler liquids vibrated with the cacophonic beats.

One such pool splashed apart as a bare foot landed in its centre, quickly exiting it as the owner of the foot laughed and bounded across the room, spinning and kicking to the tune, erratically dancing too and fro in a wild mood, what little light there was glinting off of their shark-like teeth, starkly contrasting against their dark, blood streaked lips.

Various objects and tools hung from the roof and on a few spots on the walls, clinking together at random despite the windless nature of the room. A figure watched with wide eyes, noiselessly observing their captor as they danced and laughed, stopping occasionally while bouncing on the spot to touch an implement and mutter to themselves, from their vantage point on a steel rack.

With a few short bounds the artist was in their captive’s face, giggling quietly, the music quieting slightly, a dim mana crystal in the corner dimming further.

“Oh its been too long since I indulged myself.” The dark skinned aeon cooed to the pale human in a harsh voice. “A pity I don’t have something more durable, but your pretty, smooth skin will make an excellent canvas.” They chuckled light heartedly as the captive attempted to choke out a sob then continued to almost lovingly whisper. “Oh shush, you’re going to be immortalised as something far more than you ever would have been in your mortal little life. Hey, maybe you’ll be an exceptionally good piece and I’ll put you on display in my home. Oh it’d be nice to have something new to show off.”

The aeon danced away again, spinning a few times, plucking a tool dangling from the roof and another from the wall before bouncing back.

“Now my darling.” A slow purr graced the captive’s ears as a terrible smile took hold of the aeon’s hawkish features. “Where to start?” The aeon raised one hand holding a gleaming scalpel.

A loud bang, a gust of wind and a wide ray of light interrupted the aeon as they growled, raising their arms to cover their eyes as the filthy ‘art room’ was flooded with light, illuminating the naked aeon and terrified human, the music ceasing.

The aeon was covered in scars, the light lines standing out greatly on aer dark muscular flesh, their black hair was a matted mess, spiky and ruffled in every direction like the crest of some odd bird, even oddly having several feathers tied into it, the centre of the aeon’s chest was a ruined mess, an odd ten-pointed star shaped wound, perpetually oozing and bleeding lightly. Aer face was sharp and cruel, a hooked nose and sharp jawline accentuating the unnatural sharp teeth in aer mouth. Upon their forehead and in their left eye the ten pointed star was also emblazoned as though in black ink, not bleeding unlike the one on their chest. Around their right eye a bright purple mark called out the Sin of Pride.

“Aerov.” A tall figure said from the doorway, statuesque and faceless, a pair of flaming purple eyes gazing about the room, six tendrils acting as hair and four great tentacles swaying from its back, its body seemingly made of dark purple plate metal, a spike protruding from each elbow and spikes covering the tops of its forearms. It strode forward on cloven hooves, a twin tipped tail swaying behind it. “I’m afraid you’re playtime will be cut short.”

“Oh Abaddon, such a nice surprise.” The aeon, Aerov said sarcastically, curtsying in a mocking fashion, dropping the clamp to the floor and waving the scalpel about. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“A decisive strike against the Illuminati.” The Dark Archon, Abaddon replied, ignoring Aerov’s attitude, striding into the small room, letting the door close behind him, his glowing eyes and tips of his waving tentacles shining sinisterly. “Plans have managed to come to fruition, giving us a chance to sweep up the Celestial’s on a silver platter and dine on their home.”

“Oh. Thats fantastic.” Aerov replied with not-quite mock joy. “I’ll have all the angel feathers I could ask for to stuff my bed things with.” The aeon looked thoughtful for a moment. “Say... Do you think Cherubim down would make a nice lining to a coat?”

Abaddon chuckled holding up a nameless torture implement and inspecting it. “Well I suppose you’ll find out.”

“So what's this got to do with little old me?”

“I need you to go and make sure we don’t lose this golden opportunity.”

Aerov tapped aer chin. “Well then why don’t you wade in since this is so important.”

“Because I’ve come to an...” Abaddon paused, hanging the device back up. “Understanding as it were, with the locals of this plane we’re after. I’m all there is keeping a pair of goddesses wading into the fight as long as I don’t get directly involved.”

“Wuss.” Aerov poked looking bored at aer prisoner still teary eyed and strapped to the bench.

Abaddon ignored the insult with the wave of a clawed hand. “Daedalus is there.”

“Oh?” The aeon looked at the dark archon with suddenly piqued interest.

“Of course Seraphim’s welp is there.” Abaddon chided. “I just said that this is a very important plane.”

“Well there are lots of important planes.” Aerov muttered smiling lightly to aerself. “Its been too long since I’ve kicked the little foursome around.”

Abaddon shook his head and turned to leave. “I will grace you with three days, then you, Juno and Eris will be sent to this plane, gather whatever forces you need.”

“Eris? Is good old Thanatos in on this shindig as well?”

“Of course. Any excuse to attempt to dig his claws into Queen Celestin’s nethers. Only he knows why he wants that Solari Cherubim filth.” Abaddon shook his head in disgust. “In fact he’s directly involved in the abysses we’ve managed to force into existence around the target plane. Accelerating their decay so we can open as many portals as possible to keep the pressure on the Empire and culling every Celestial that attempts to close the abysses.”

“Oh I think I know why he wants our dear Holy Flame.” Aerov murmured tapping the scalpel against aer chin with a sly grin. “And as much of a stick in the mud Juno may be, it will be very fun playing with Eris again... So many good times.” A wistful sigh escaped the aeon’s lips, aer tongue following, licking the drying blood from them.

Abaddon opened the door to leave and looked over his shoulder one more time. “Three days, at the Crucible, no later, be ready. I want this plane to burn and I will not accept failure.”

“Whatever you say Aby darling!”

The aeon was ignored as the door slammed shut, plunging the room back into darkness.

“Oooh so much to do, I need to prepare!” Aerov almost squealed as ae threw aside aer scalpel and bounded to the door, threw it open and dashed up the stairs, laughing madly all the way.

The door slowly closed with a quiet creak before clicking shut, leaving the room completely silent and pitch black only interrupted after a moment by a cracked, choking sob.