With My Wings on Fire (SSoDI-N)

[ParamountKeymaster]

Kelsey's eye visibly twitched as her calm exterior started to crumble. She was already so inconsolably aggravated, chalked up to both internal and external influences, that trying to be nice to this woman had proven difficult. Most angels that she'd had the misfortune of crossing paths with had certainly been annoyingly tenacious, but this? This was just pathetic. Not even the sad kind of pathetic. This was just making Kelsey angrier. Run-of-the-mill soldiers had put up more of a fight, the rotten green commander was a persistent pest, and this was what passed for lower authority among these creatures? Moaning about her family, laughing about her position, begging for death, showing utter obliviousness as to what she would amount to after death... Oh, how Kelsey wanted to cut her down now, but giving this bird that satisfaction just compounded her frustration. Between the disgust for the wretched display and the desire to stop wasting time, all Kelsey wanted was for this DEPLORABLE WASTE OF CARBON AND FEATHERS TO...

"STOP YOUR WHINING, YOU MISERABLE PRASINO WRETCH!!!"

[DanteMGalileo]

"You, it's not going to work. She's a lost cause." Val gestured to the captive angel for Raunen. "We might as well give her what she wants. Let's see how much honour her house reclaims now..." She snapped her fingers, and the corner's of Flint's jagged jaw raised into a smirk.

"In yer last moments, you got a new career in food services. Don't worry, miss, I'll spit her out once she's been digested enough..." Flint's talon loosened slightly, and despite having an opening for escape, Prithvi did not move, even as the wyvern's jaw grew closer and closer to her back, her wings...

"Good! Well done, you filthy beasts! You're giving me exactly what I want!" Hearing this, Flint stopped, staring at Val with a baffled expression.

"On second thought, I ain't eatin' this. It's weird when yer food WANTS to be eaten."

"What the actual fuck is wrong with her?!"

"You! Bipedal scaled reptilian creature!" Flint assumed that was him, and he looked down at the angel with a confused, slightly disgusted expression. "Get on with it! Now! Just end m-"

And then, Prithvi suddenly stopped talking, her expression going blank. She then clenched her head with a groan, shuddering slightly. Why did her vision lump shields feel so heavy now...?

"..." Val glanced at the suddenly-silent angel, then at Kelsey. "... What did you do to her?"

[ColArana]

Ranuen looked at Val. "Tch... Fine. I had an idea, but if she'd rather die than try to save her house name, so be it." He said offhandedly, and began to push in his sword again a bit. "Guess Kelsey gets another soul to eat." He added darkly to Prithvi, being certain the angel understood that death would not be the end to her humiliation.

But it looked like Flint was hesitating. Ranuen sighed. "....Fine. I'll do it." He stomped down on Prithvi's back, right between her shoulder blades, and raised his sword high. "Bon Appetit Kel--" He froze as Kelsey raged. His head slowly turned to look at her in surprise. "Errr.... Kelsey?"

He looked back at Prithvi. "Kelsey.... what are you doing?"

[ParamountKeymaster]

"..........................."

For a good, long while, Kelsey stared down at the silenced, suddenly exhausted angel in shock. Borderline distress. Despite her frustrations and desires, she hadn't expected that command to work, and certainly not so effectively. It took her a moment to even realize that the angel's fatigue was her doing, coming to that conclusion when she finally registered the sound of her own booming voice echoing well after she had spoken. The more she let it sink in, the more it felt like her voice wasn't echoing off the rainforest foliage, rather that the very fabric of space and time themselves were reflecting the demonic shout in a brief but haunting temporal loop.

Kelsey's staggered expression shifted from Prithvi to herself, as if she was trying to gaze at her own larynx. At the source of the soul-shattering noise. Val and Ranuen were questioning the chilling phenomenon. Kelsey didn't have any answers besides the honest one. "I... I don't know."

She looked at Val. Then Ranuen. Then Flint. Then her own hands. Then Prithvi.

Before the angel colonel could even consider recovering from that blow, Kelsey wrapped a net of shadows around her wings, tore them from her back, and sucked her soul into her fanged, abruptly gaping maw, all in practically one fell swoop. As soon as the body had vanished in a flurry of flame and sparks, Kelsey parted the radiant light, turned around and sat down against the tree, pausing just long enough to catch her breath.

"Sorry, guys..." she eventually mumbled. "That was just... getting too weird for me. Had to cut it short before I could decide to do something worse."

All things considered though, what was that?? Was that yet another new ability awakened by the augmentation of Kelsey's soul? Whatever it was, it didn't feel like a byproduct of any assimilated angels. It was a strange feeling, enacting what she could only describe as a spiritual subjugation, and yet it felt so... natural. Inherent. Something that could only have come from the one with the closest ties to her being. If only he would stop giving her the silent treatment and explain what exactly this new power was.

Kelsey spent only a few seconds mulling this over. Wasting anymore time on it felt pointless. Instead, she put on a deadpan scowl and asked in a loud, directionless drone, "So how long were you planning on spying on us?"

"I was just waiting for the right moment to speak up," a voice responded from above. A faux raspy, preadolescent voice, spoken by a purple shadow crouched atop a leafy branch.

[DanteMGalileo]

"... Eesh." Flint winced slightly at Kelsey's own ignorance towards her own new powers, and the disposal and absorption of the pinned angel. He reverted back to his human form in a puff of smoke, the wince still there. "So... you don't know about that new compellin' voice power of your's. Might be wicked useful in the future. I mean, you could probably try to use it on their commander to make him piss off, or make him kill himself, yeah?"

While Val pondered the implication of that statement, she frowned, smacking Flint lightly on the elbow. "You just said it yourself. She doesn't know about her new compelling voice power. At least, not much." She glanced up at the trees. "Still, while I see the merits of telling the commander to kill himself... I'm not sure how I feel about that plan. It would just seem too easy. There's always a catch when things look too easy."

And then, Kelsey spoke to someone they couldn't see. Flint sniffed and glanced upward, Val following his lead. "Hey. It's the kid that smells like death's damp leftovers. Or low tide in Tonbos. Same thing, really."

Val raised an eyebrow at the comparision, muttering something about "you've never even been to Tonbox you're not even Aicarmean." Still, something about this voice that tried to sound older than it really was. "Ah. It's you. The kid with a head full of wool."

[ColArana]

Ranuen, for the first time in all of this.... Actually looked a little sick at Kelsey's display. Yeah, the soul devouring thing he'd seen already, and the shadows, but this seemed.... rushed? Almost alike Kelsey was actively hungry for it. Maybe he was seeing things wrong, or maybe it was the talk that had predated this with Mort. Who knew. Perhaps it was just that Kelsey wanted to get it over with quickly. "...It's fine Kelsey. But uhh... Did you... actually manage to get any intel from that?" He inquired briefly. "Seemed like you were pretty damn close to getting something out..." Or maybe Kelsey could interrogate the angel's soul now. Well that was on her.

It seemed though, that Ranuen had tunnel visioned hard, because Kelsey noticed the new spy before he did. "You've gotta be kidding me. How many people are lurking in the trees spying on us right now!?" Ranuen sighed. "Why can't people just come marching out and talking to us or something!? Why's everyone gotta lurk in the shadows until they're called out. Damn!" Even so though, Ranuen looked in the direction the others were to see who it was that was lurking.

[ParamountKeymaster]

Kelsey didn't respond to anything behind said around her, be it questions or concerns about her new power or her hasty disposal of the angel colonel. All of her attention was focused on the boy in the treetops.

"Calm down, Ranuen," the boy sharply responded. "I'm on your side. I had every intention of making that clear, but between Percy's dad and the green b*tch, it seemed rude to interrupt."

He gracefully jumped down from his perch, leaping from branch to branch, shimmying down the trunk, and finally landing on his feet in front of the motley crew. His dark purple cape flowed with each subtle movement, the question mark atop his head bouncing upon impact. He then stood up straight, facing the group. "For sanity's sake, I'll make this brief."

Kelsey lowered her eyelids at the kid. "Kenny, what are you doing? Paul's been worrying about you."

Through his mask, a look of affronted frustration was evident. "What the hell, Kelsey! Don't bite my style! I'm Mysterion!"

"Sorry." Kelsey rolled her eyes, but played along nonetheless, simply wanting to get on with it. "Something you needed to say, I take it?"

"Two things. And I'm only passing this information onto you on behalf of the Angel of Time because apparently your archdemon is snubbing you right now."

Hearing this, Kelsey noticeably sat up straight and raised an eyebrow. "Angel of Time?"

[DanteMGalileo]

"Well, that explains the confusion over your own abilities..." Val muttered at Kenny's Mysterion's statement. Oh well. Might as well go along with the wool-headed kid's game, if only for the purpose of expediting conversation. "Angel of Time..." she repeated. "Okay. Can we specify if it's one of the feathered sociopaths, or a different type of angel?"

"Or even just some stuck-up brat that believes he's the messiah or some shit..." Flint muttered, earning him an elbow from Val. "Hey, I think I'm allowed to be skeptical of anyone who calls themselves an angel. Remember that raid we did back in Diegosan? Found that Angel of Space cult? Somethin' about-" Another elbow jab. "Jeez, okay, I'll shut up."

Once Flint was silenced, Val turned her attention to Mysterion, noting Kelsey's reaction towards that title. "Do you know this person?"

[ColArana]

Ranuen sighed. "Is that Kenny? Really? Damnit, it's dangerous out here!" He said to "Mysterion". "We're doing alright, you need to get back home where it's safe-- How the heck did you even find us out here anyways? Kelsey was flying pretty damn fast on the way in." No wonder Paul was so worried about Kenny. Ranuen shared in the concern, not wanting to see a kid get hurt. Almost enough to miss the Angel of Time comment, but not quite. Not quite.

"Who is the Angel of Time? And what's this information you're trying to bring us?"

[ParamountKeymaster]

"This is Paul's roommate," Kelsey flatly explained. "Got sent here without his friends or family, so Paul took him in off the streets."

"Believe me when I say I can take care of myself fine," Mysterion grunted firmly. "But I've got someone even more capable watching my back now."

He got down on one knee and shrouded himself with his cape in a dramatic, brooding pose, his eyes scanning the rainforest. "You don't have to worry about the Angel of Time. He comes from the same universe as you, Kelsey. A true servant of the Essence of your reality. Ranuen, you remember him, don't you? He helped you, Paul and the others onto the faux angels' ship when the invasion began. I teamed up with him the night that Percy became the god killer, and we've been ensuring this timeline's sequence of events remains consistent since."

"Alright..." Kelsey ran a hand through her hair and let out an exasperated sigh. "So he's an angel from my world. If that is the case, I guess I do have grounds to begrudgingly trust your wellbeing to him, especially if everything Paul told me about you is true. I'm also gonna assume time shenanigans are how you managed to catch up with us and gain insight on the status of my relationship with Tri."

"More or less."

"Fine. So what do you need to say before you more than likely disappear again?"

"Don't worry. I've been led to understand you'll see me again soon," Mysterion cryptically assured her. "As for the two things I've been brought here to tell you... First, regarding that Paradiso angel you met before you came out here. Trust him. He'll prove to be one of your most invaluable and dangerous allies."

"Uh-huh..." Kelsey slowly nodded, though her deadpan expression showed clear skepticism.

"Second, and more urgently, you need to go back to Paul now. Like right now."

For a while, Kelsey said nothing, simply casting a vacant stare at the boy in the cape and external briefs. She didn't seem shocked. She didn't even seem that taken aback. There was next to no emotion radiating off of the demon girl.

Then, rather suddenly, Kelsey shot to her feet and spread her wings, boldly, urgently. "Okay, who needs a lift?"

[DanteMGalileo]

"Well, that's awfully convenient. Not like we have the right to talk..." And with that, Val and Flint shot equally unamused expressions at the fourth wall. "Anyways, weird time shit that we have no business dealing with, what's this about a god-killer?" Val flipped a piece of hair back over her shoulder, thinking. "I'll ask about essence later. Whatever that is." She glanced towards the rainforest, frowning. "Flint."

"Yeah?" The dragon spirit looked up, following his sister's gaze. "What's up? Somethin' on your mind?"

"Keep an eye on Kelsey and Will. I'm staying here. I wonder if..." If there was another dragon, and it wasn't the thing that killed Flint, could it be...?

"... I doubt it. Like I said..." Flint looked away, up at the sky. "Alright, woolly. What's the deal with the dragon man before we take wing?

[ColArana]

Ranuen blinked in surprise. So then that was.... Huh. Made sense. In a weird sort of way. He didn't know everything going on, but it sounded like the Angel of Time was on their side at least. Well for now.

Kenny gave them some more advice, and Ranuen gave him a side eye. "How can you be so sure about this stuff? Where are you getting it from?" He asked "Mysterion". "What have you been doing!?"

At the warning that Kelsey needed to go back to Paul, Ranuen looked at her, and then back at Kenny. Is Paul in danger!? A huge part of him wanted to just shrink back down, and hitch a ride with Kelsey back. Paul was in danger after-all. He had to do something. But.... The last fight with Vutezoth was clear in his mind. Every ounce of strength he'd thrown at the dragon. And it hadn't amounted to anything. Nothing but an annoying fly. No, maybe even less than that. A fly's nips and bites could irritate and hurt. Ranuen was barely even an irritant to Vutezoth. If he went back with Kelsey.... He'd only get in the way. And that knowledge caused his anger and frustration to grow.

When Val stated she'd stay behind, that solidified Ranuen's decision. He didn't want Val to be on her own right now. Not that he didn't think she could take care of herself. But even so. This soon after Flint's demise? ....And with Flint going away for awhile...

"I'll stay back with Val." Ranuen told Kelsey. "Who knows. Maybe I'll be more use here, than over there. And maybe there's still an Angel or two lurking out here that I can cut to pieces." He mentioned to Kelsey. "Look after Paul alright? And be careful."

[ParamountKeymaster]

"I just told you," Mysterion responded to Ranuen's inquiry. "I've been with the Angel of Time. We've been traversing the timeline, ensuring certain events fall into place and keeping unwanted parties off you guys' backs. I won't say who yet simply because you have enough to worry about as it is. And I'm honestly worried Kelsey might sever some vital section of her brain if she has to deal with anymore stress."

The quip seemed to roll right off Kelsey's back. She was more focused on what she was going to do when she reunited with Paul (and to whom, no doubt). At the very least, she nodded to Val and Ranuen, accepting their decision to break away for the time being. "Probably a good idea if each of us focuses on one thing at a time, especially if you think you might have a lead."

"We can do more damage that way," Mysterion agreed, whipping his cape back and marching over to Kelsey. "I'm going with you, though, if you'd let me take you up on that offer."

"Fine by me," Kelsey complied with a firm nod. "Flint? You sticking around out here with me or do you wanna head back into the soulscape?"

"The help would be appreciated," Mysterion stated to the wyvern spirit. "There are Paradiso angels after Paul. They'll converge on his and Lobo's location soon."

[DanteMGalileo]

"Flint." Val said to her brother's spirit. "Promise me you won't double-die. Keep everyone safe. ... I'm not sure if you can even eat in that state, but no, no eating people." Sighing, she took a few steps back. "... We'll see what we can do. Let;s go, Raunen. Can't keep them occupied." Motioning to the rainforest, Val began to walk towards the mass of trees...

"... Well then. I'm gonna stay out for now. 'Sides, your soulscape's probably full of assholes now, and I'd like to delay that meeting for as long as possible." Flint inhaled, and in a quick puff of smoke, the purple wyvern materialized. "Just lead the way. I'm in the mood for chicken tonight anyway."

A cat-like creature watched from a room, sinking into the shadows. Oh, what fun! Do try to fight fate, my dears.

[ColArana]

Ranuen glanced at Kelsey one more time, before walking after Kelsey. He shrank back down and tried to grab onto Kelsey's boot as she moved into the rainforest, scrambling up her, Shadow of the Colossus-style. "Right.... You got any leads?" He asked. Seriously Kelsey.... Be safe... He thought.

As Val moved further into the rainforest, Ranuen swore he could feel someone's eyes upon him, but when he looked back, couldn't see anything.