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WARNINGS: Some strong language present, this chapter is not homobe freindly, nothing sexually explicit
Summary: Dimitri has tried so desperately to deny the truth of the world around him, choosing instead to live in faithless ignorance. But how long can you deny the existence of heaven and hell when inexplainable things keep happening? And how does an athiest react when he finds himself face to face with a living breathing angel?
Tauntingly a golden sun was shining at its brightest causing the man to wince at the light that nearly blinded him. What had happened to his world of the night? The entire place reeked of a dream, glowing somewhat otherworldly with the same golden sheen as that of the disk that had risen high in the sky. “So you have finally awakened I see”
The voice was sweet, soothing, and achingly familiar. He knew that voice and with it Dimitri's eyes shot up to fall upon the priest he'd thought he'd never see again...the face of the one person who'd betrayed him that he still could never hate. "Emil!" Dark coaly eyes shot wide for only a moment before narrowing. That was right...this was Emil but even in front of him being emotional was not an option. Calming himself Dimitri quieted his voice, "Father..." It had been many years since they had faced the pain of separation...so long that at times the assassin wished he could just forget. He wanted to forget that betrayal, because at the time he needed Emil the most...he'd been abandoned. "It's been a long time...imagine...running into you here in America..." He frowned a little and sat up a little straighter, rubbing his palm to his aching head. "When you left...I thought I'd never see you again."
Emil could sense the pain and bitterness in the words and winced visibly, brows furrowing as he found himself at a loss. How could he explain? "I had no choice..." he whispered, stepping farther into the room and seating himself next to the younger man. "One can only stay in a country outside of his own for so long. If I could have stayed...I would have..."
"Don't lie to me priest. They offered you a job and you took it. I always knew that damn robe and cross of yours were more important than me...but that day made it real." He paused, his voice low and quiet, hollow and almost pitifully empty now. "You promised you know. You promised to stay but at the first opportunity you had, you tossed me back into that damned orphanage instead of taking me with you." Those eyes cast something akin to a glare as he realized his fingers were gripping the sheets so tightly his fingers ached, "you betrayed me Father."
Emil felt a pang of guilt as he realized he could never tell Dimitri the whole truth. The real reason he'd left...was because he felt yet another light. He'd always intended to return for Dimitri...always wanted to make it back...but he couldn't let that other light grow dim and fade away. That was when he met Sseleman, when a light in the dimness beckoned him far from the boy he had cared for. And with the tension already between the two he found it near impossible to mention without stirring further conflict. "I wanted to keep you Dimitri..." he paused frowning. He'd filed for adoption. He'd tried so desperately to bring that boy home with him, but what caretaker would trust a boy in the hands of an unemployed blind man? "But I did what I had to."
“How much did they offer you?” Dimitri cut in darkly as his eyes narrowed, conveying a deep hatred and spite coursing through him, a sight it was fortunate the priest was blind to. That didn't stop the emotion from cutting into Emil. With every word the tone was harshly clear, and it was enough to make his insides scream...because this was the man he had once wanted to call son...this was the child he couldn't have. His thoughts shifted as the voice grew even harsher. “How much were you offered to leave Japan to run a church here?”
Emil choked on words as memories forced their way into his current state of mind. "It wasn't about the money," he found himself protesting. He had cried like he never had before when he'd been forced to leave Dimitri, though he had never let the six year old see him in such weakness. Every day since, he had prayed to god that the boy and his light would be kept safe, and it seemed those prayers had been answered. Dimitri stood before him, healthy and alive. It was enough to make him smile a little at the thought before trying to explain what had happened. “It wasn’t for the money. It was,” he paused, thinking about the new light in his life, the child he had raised for many years as his own, “for something else.”
“What was so important that would make you leave a six year old boy alone in an orphanage Emil? Everything you had taught me father, about god and life and religion; that crap about a light inside of me, it died that day." For a moment the room seemed to chill as his anger flourished. "How could a god leave me alone in a world that wanted no part of me?” That was the end of it. Those words were all it took to completely break the priest. In an instant his hopes and prayers for the assassin came crashing down their fragile pieces shattered to bits, because even if Dimitri had grown up to be strong and healthy, inside he was destroyed. The boy he'd seen, that sweet loving boy, he had lost what he had helped Emil to once again find...the light of hope “You know father, does God even exist? I don't think he does, and if I'm wrong he certainly doesn't give a damn about his pitiful creations. Men run this world, and the concept of God is just a way to run away from the truth. People like you are the ones who are too afraid to face reality and instead live in disillusionment.” He smirked a little bit though a part of him was screaming in denial at everything he'd stated, because that part of him still believed in the priest.
“You are the one who has been disillusioned, creature.” A quiet voice hissed interrupting the conversation as Sseleman moved into the room with a tray full of food. Sneering at the new man the priest seemed so fond of; he set the tray down at the foot of the bed and turned towards Dimitri. He still didn't understand. What light could possibly be seen in such a dark icy creature to attract Emil's attentions? Deep inside the darkness within Sseleman's pure soul stirred as a pang of jealousy tugged at his stomach. But there was more to it than that. What did the man want with Emil...what would he do to him? The thought of seeing his priest hurt like that again terrified Sseleman. That's why in that moment he made a silent vow. He would uncover whatever dark secrets Dimitri held and expose him in his entirety.
"You are a fool if you believe this world is limited to what you can see. Those things Emil spoke of to you, they are all very real...I know because I have seen and faced them with my own two eyes." Pale blue orbs closed as Sseleman worked to slow his breaths and attempt to sate his raging anger towards the stranger. There wasn't a doubt in the red head's mind the other man was fully aware of the worlds that stretched out far beyond the earth and the universe, the truths that lay hidden and gave way to something much bigger.
"No matter how you argue, we won't reach an agreement so you may as well stop trying." Dimitri threw the blankets off and stood up, a part of him wanting to stay and a part of him very much wishing to leave. "You can believe what you want but I'm not buying it." The words were cold but the anger had gone, being replaced with skepticism and disbelief. God...real? Who were they kidding with a joke like that? After all to Dimitri a supreme being was as real as the Easter bunny and the Tooth Fairy. "I've been around for 22 years and I've never seen one hint that God existed or gave a damn about me if he did."
Emil cringed as he heard such words of disbelief exit the mouth of the child he had loved so dearly, and he knew he could only blame himself. He had destroyed a light, a creature of goodness. Whatever corrupting power had cut so deeply into Dimitri he wasn't sure...but somehow he knew he could have protected him from it if he hadn't left. “I’m sorry Dimitri. I really truly am sorry I left you. It's my fault this terrible darkness has blinded you.”
“I’m not the one who is blind father!” Making a firm decision to finally leave, he shifted on his feet towards the door, knowing he would later regret what he was about to say. The words dropped from his tongue before he had a chance to rethink them, bitter, cruel and sinister, “you are.”
Sseleman’s anger raged in deep pools of powder blue. Hands reached out taking hold of this new enemy and shoving him hard into the wall. “Don’t you DARE insult Emil like that!” The words had deeply cut into the priest and left him wanting to shatter. Sseleman had seen it in lifeless eyes and would do anything to protect him. “Get out of here if all you are going to do is destroy him! You can throw faith behind you all you want but I won’t let you take the truth away from someone who believes in it so faithfully!”
“What do you know of the truth?" Dimitri snapped at the redhead through gritted teeth, dark eyes mere slivers. "He’s just brainwashed you like he brainwashed me. Only I'm not a child anymore. I don't have to believe every lie he told me anymore." A warped grin and twisted features somewhat distorted a bright red ankh. He was starting to enjoy this petty rivalry but was already regretting having hurt Emil so deeply, and still he couldn't stop. “Poor baby, you believe whatever daddy tells you, don't you?” Sseleman’s fist clenched at Dimitri’s bared shoulders, clawing their way in deep enough to draw blood as he crushed him harder against the wall.
“I believe because I know for a fact that heaven and hell and all those things you call illusions exist. I believe because I’ve touched the victims of the creatures of the dark. I believe because I have seen the power that comes with faith and the destruction that comes with hate. I believe because I myself am,”
“ENOUGH!” Emil’s voice was loud and marinated in pain as he clung to his new light, trying to pry him from his old one. “Stop this fighting both of you!” Neither of them could bear the look of immense hurt in those blind eyes, because he loved both of them and hated to see them at each other’s throats like this. “Sseleman don’t hurt him, he’s like a son to me, and like a son I won’t disown him just because he doesn’t believe.” Frail arms wrapped around the two of them, bringing them close to a warm beating heart. “I love both of you.”
That touch burned, and Dimitri ached to welcome it...to return it. But he wasn’t going to show he could love. It could destroy everything about him. He couldn't show he loved but he still couldn't change his vow. He'd never let anyone or anything harm the priest. That alone troubled him, because wasn't that alone a sign of love? He cleared his mind trying to convince it otherwise. He couldn't let it be. No matter how fond of the priest he was, no matter how possessive he was...this wasn't love. Finally he gave in, wrapping his arms around Emil in return and quietly apologizing. "Forgive me...I simply can't believe what you believe Father."
Sseleman gently slipped away pacing the room a long moment before reveling in a deep intake of air. He had to do something about this. He didn't trust Dimitri but Emil did, and that meant he had to at least try to get along with him. Turning to Dimitri he cleared his throat. "May I speak with you alone?"
“Why,” the sneer returned to Dimitri's once calmed features as he too released the priest and faced his enemy. “So you can pin me against a wall again?" It had been a long time since emotions had plagued him like this. Both hate and joy fought against each other, though it seemed the hatred and anger was winning the ongoing battle. “I hardly think it would be a good idea for me to expose myself to such abuse again.”
The dark skinned boy took a step forward, placing his hands on those clawed and bloodied shoulders before closing his eyes and kissing the wounds. Dimitri fell back in alarm, almost sickened at the strange action. A light tingling sensation flowed through his body like an electric force as the wounds sealed at the other man’s touch. When Sseleman pulled away it was clear he was near as disgusted as the assassin had been. Wiping the bit of blood that had infected his lips away, he found himself coldly responding, “I promise you I won’t hurt you again. I just want to speak with you.”
What the hell was he? How had he? Power like that didn't exist. Thoroughly confused, Dimitri nodded uncertainly in agreement. Bringing his hand to where the claws had dug so violently into him, he winced in remembrance... There was nothing, not even a mark or bruise, absolutely no evidence a wound had ever been there and his perception on the world shifted ever so slightly. Quietly Emil left the room, allowing the two of them to sit in uncomfortable silence before it was broken by Dimitri’s deep raspy voice. “Well, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“I know what you are" he spat in response, "and even if you fool Father I wont fall victim to your games.” To Dimitri it was obvious the guy had cracked. He wasn’t going to quit this game of convincing Dimitri he was a demon any time soon, so the assassin decided to play along with it. “All that talk back there about not believing, its all a blatant lie and you know it. Emil is going to serve some important purpose in his life and no matter what you say or do to him you won't destroy his faith Demon.” That’s what he had thought Sseleman would say. Grinning he licked his lips.
“I’m a demon? If that were true then where are my wings?” Sseleman fought the hostility he felt towards such a sarcastic creature. True demons were known to have wings, but they were also easily capable of retracting them. Even so maybe Dimitri wasn’t a demon, but whatever he was made him restless with unease. The story behind the assassin was much deeper than anyone could dig, but what scared Ssel the most, were the words a comatose man had spoken in his sleep. Dimitri had used the forgotten language, which meant he was one of the most powerful creatures in all of heaven and hell...and deep down, that terrified him. “Listen up. I’m not whatever it is you think I am okay? If demons and angels exist then they exist but I have no part of it. I’m out of here.” Before Sseleman could say another word Dimitri was out the door and out of the house, leaving for nowhere in particular. He just had to get away from the priest before he cracked and broke down like he had the last time over fifteen years ago, the day Emil had left.
Sseleman left the room, fighting a frown before it could drown him in agony. He didn’t understand what could have given him such unease, or what strange power had driven him have such an undeterred hatred for his enemy. He couldn’t shake the feeling there was something holy inside of the other, but it was so clouded with darkness he couldn’t bring himself to admit it was there. No, Dimitri had to be a servant of the devil and he was bound and determined to prove it before Emil got hurt any worse than he already had been.
“He’s gone isn’t he?” The priest had heard the conversation, even if he hadn’t intended to. His ears were stronger than that of a normal man so often times he heard what was never meant to be heard. Frowning he took Sseleman into his arms, trying his best to comfort a creature that was more like a son to him than even Dimitri. “Ssel, I know you are trying to help me, but I promise you Dimitri is not what you think he is. He has the holy light, something no demon could ever posses.” Sseleman tightened his grip at the words that had escaped the other man’s mouth. They had stung a bit but not terribly so. It would be too easy for Emil to be fooled by the creatures of the underworld, the monsters that come from the darkest corners of hell. He was too trusting of a light that might very well not exist. After all, Emil had seen the light in him as well...it couldn't be real.
“I know you care about him Father. Why?” He was terrified. Perhaps it was the truth that war would soon break out stirring deep within him, but somehow he knew it was all tied to Dimitri. “Who is he?”
The priest sighed, reminiscing upon long faded memories and reopening scarred wounds that had long past healed. “Have I ever told you how I lost my sight Sseleman?” The dark red locks fell over unsure eyes as he choked on words that wouldn’t come out. Emil was finally going to tell him. Many times he had asked the man but every time Emil had stopped the words from coming out, changing the subject to avoid it. It was such a sore subject he'd given up on knowing. Now that had changed; finally he would tell him. “I fell in love with the most beautiful hearted woman ever to have graced the face of the earth. It showed in every aspect of her, shining so greatly it was almost blinding. And she loved deeply in return." He paused, trembling some as he spoke, "The priesthood, the church, they frowned upon it. For a priest to get married, to be in love, it was forbidden. They banished me from the priesthood but I still had her so I thought I would be alright...until God punished me. The day I lost her, was the day I lost my faith. My light was gone in mere seconds when I lost control and my car crashed into a tree.” He couldn’t hold back tears that flooded over his features and dripped off his chin to the floor. Sseleman was suddenly realizing the reason the priest had kept it such a strict secret. He had wanted to erase this memory from his mind because it hurt so much to recall. “I lost her and my sight that day. I wanted to flee from a God that would destroy everything I loved, so I went to Japan to escape him. But even there I could not run away...because he is everywhere. I met an amazing child there Sseleman." Emil smiled a little, recalling the sounds of that sweet innocent voice. "I’m still not sure how I ended up visiting an orphanage; I suppose I was called there, because when I walked in there was a blinding light resonating from a boy. It was the first time after losing her I'd laid eyes upon anything but darkness. That boy was Dimitri.”
“Father," Sseleman interjected desperately, "he can’t be the same person he used to be. Even if you see a light I swear he is completely drenched in darkness. He isn't on our side. Emil, what if you only see a light reminiscent of a fallen angel?” Fallen angels were creatures that were seldom spoken of. They were the modern betrayers of god, those that left heaven after the great fall...those who chose to rebel despite the consequence of hell and the knowledge of the first banishment.
“Sseleman I assure you he has a light. With time...if we nurture it, his faith will return. And when it does his light will shine so brightly no creature of heaven or hell will be able to deny it.” They were words of wisdom from a man who had grown closer to heaven simply by meeting the man. Smiling and forcing old memories once more into a dormant pocket of his brain, he stood and headed towards the door to the sanctuary. “You are the one who is wrong Sseleman.” Conversation ceased as the priest walked confidently out of the room, leaving his painful past buried as he did so.
“Father, Emil, he is going to destroy you," Sseleman pleaded to himself quietly. He had never been so concerned over anyone as he was now. Emil was in very real danger, and a weight fell over him, pressing on his lungs and insides, stirring them and intermingling with every nerve he had. Something dark and foreboding would soon occur, he could sense it in every part of his body all the way to the most outer reaches of his limbs. Every part of him ached with apprehension. The end was threatening to come soon. Somehow it was all connected to that man Emil swore was brighter than heaven itself, and Sseleman would use every ounce of his power to find out how to stop the world’s demise.
More tears fell down damp cheeks as Dimitri tried desperately to comfort him, but nothing he said would bring any kind of solace to the boy. People gathered around him, screaming at him with incomprehensibly fast spoken words and once more he was reminded he was far from his homeland. Within the roar of the chaos the boy said something quiet, and next thing Dimitri knew someone was kicking him hard in the stomach. Grimacing he growled and turned to the kid who was now laughing. The crowd died down and Dimitri was finally able to draw himself back to his feet. “Stupid kid” he huffed out over lost air.
“Who is stupid sir?” The voice matched the childish face, but there was something behind the words that seemed aged and not quite right. Dimitri wasn’t going to let what that stupid red head had told him get to him...no matter how strange things seemed there was always logic to it. Demons and angels were a joke and what he didn’t believe in couldn’t hurt him. The child was speaking very slow paced English, with an accent that grew more familiar every time he encountered it. A mischievous grin mocked the assailant’s confusion as the child approached him and whispered quietly something Dimitri couldn’t quite make out.
“What did you say?” Dimitri strained to hear the words, knowing deep down inside they weren’t in a language of his own. The boy had spoken in a long forgotten ancient language that had existed before time itself. No he wasn’t going to believe it. It was just that damned man’s words playing with his mind.
“Master wishes to see you Dimitri. The fact that you survived is proof you are the one he needs, and trust me, he will have you.” Dimitri shuddered, realizing what the child was saying and knowing what was meant by those words. “You belong to him now.” Dimitri felt a brief urge to wrap his fingers around that tiny neck. He had killed many children younger and more innocent than this one. In truth there was nothing innocent about this child. Even the deepest part of his soul was twisted with a darkness even deeper than that which poisoned Dimitri's soul. But there little he could do. It was still day, and people passed bye, staring at the man with nowhere to go but where the child would lead.
“Take me to Mami and Bartholomew. I refuse to see that man again.” The grin on the child’s face widened, revealing something that resembled fascination and desire. He nodded, walking towards a nearby park. Dimitri’s unease grew immensely as he passed snow covered benches and leafless trees. It was beautiful, but strangely quiet, as if all sound and civilization had simply been turned off in the lifeless park. A chill not born from the winter cold sent him shivering as it seemed even birds would not fly over it. In the middle, Mami and Bartholomew waited, resting on a large frozen fountain decorated with weeping angels. The assassin took a step towards it but before he reached his marked goal, the child stood on the tips of his toes, pulling Dimitri down to whisper into his ear.
“They want you Dimitri, everyone wants you. Eminde aiyo..." he let the strange words stir the older man before smirking even more cruelly, "you’re irresistible.” Dimitri shuddered at the words, walking faster to get away from the boy that filled him such unease. He was reluctant to believe in anything supernatural and convinced himself he was losing his mind over believing in the reality that was threatening to tip his universe. Those words...a forgotten language? No...It was probably some kind of big hoax. When he reached the fountain he turned to bid the child farewell, but he was already walking away rapidly, green eyes flashing once more behind the messy hair as he turned to wave and disappeared into the life of the city.
“That is one hell of a creepy kid.” Dimitri averted his attention from where the child had been back to the strange couple that had hired him what seemed like forever ago. They hadn’t changed. Mami was dressed in a heavy coat lined with pink fur, her hair slicked down and smooth. Fishnet stockings were tucked into knee-high, lace up; high heeled boots and disappeared under the base of her coat. Bartholomew as well was wearing a wrap skirt over a pair of tight white pants and drowned in a large thick coat. The assassin envied them, shivering from the cold that was nipping at his numbing skin. “How the hell am I supposed to kill your target when I’m in a fucking coma!”
Mami hopped off the stone fountain to face the man she had been searching for since she had heard of the phantom cathedral. Remorse pulled at her unforgivingly and she wouldn’t have blamed Dimitri for trying to kill her right then. Closing her eyes she turned around to pick up a long black trench coat that looked extremely familiar, handing it back to its rightful owner. “I’m sorry Dimitri. If I had known what he was going to do to you back there I.”
“You what? You would have done it sooner and saved him the trouble? Jesus Mami! Do you have any idea how much that hurt?” He put the coat on and drew a gun from an inner pocket, hoping it was loaded as he pointed it at the woman’s head. “I should kill you right here and now for what you did to me!”
“Dimitri stop! We have more information for you. Once you kill him you are free to do as you please.” Bartholomew drew out another envelope but paused before handing it to him. “Gaiyah isn’t going to hurt you again.” Silently he passed the package over to his hired employee. Dimitri took in a deep breath. He had no reason to trust them but he'd come this far and didn't much feel like turning back. Placing the gun back into his coat he hesitated before finally opening the envelope.
Inside were more pictures, images of a cathedral dated back at least a couple hundred years, but preserved as if untouched by time's destructive hand. Paint and gold trim were unscathed, stained glass fully in tact, and colors still vibrant and bright. Paper clipped to the images was a paper with an address and detailed information. Nervousness once more captivated Dimitri’s senses and he was more than grateful to have his jacket back. He had been dying for a cigarette. Grabbing the pack that was hidden away in his side pocket he pulled one out and began to puff on it wildly before taking a break to read over the papers.
“Phantom Cathedral huh?” He had never heard of such a thing, but as far as he was concerned the rumors were appallingly ridiculous. Allegedly older than he was it was said no man had been able to enter in over 100 years. That meant this boy he was to kill was nothing but a ghost now. That was just pathetic. “You expect me to believe the kid you hired me to kill is over a hundred years old?” Glancing at a photo of the blonde child no older than 16 he couldn’t help but chuckle. They really were fruitcakes.
“No.” Mami spoke once more, moving towards Dimitri and smiling along with him. “The kid is someone who plays on the rumors. He wanted to get away from home and decided to live inside the sanctuary.” She had to lie, after all it didn’t really matter what lie she came up with, Dimitri sure as hell wasn’t going to believe the truth.
“That simple huh? Why so much money for such an easy case?” Half a million was a hell of a lot more money than he normally got for such a petty case. He wondered what the secret behind the boy really was, but they weren’t about to tell him. “Never mind, it doesn’t really matter as long as I get paid. Give me a month and you’ll have him.”
“A month Dimitri? I believe you only have three weeks left if I’m not correct.” Bartholomew was being daring challenging the man he had hired, but a deal was a deal. Dimitri had spent a week in the hospital.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Bartholomew pulled out the hospital bill showing the time he had been there. One full week had passed in the duration of his coma as showed in the paperwork. “What the hell are you trying to pull. I was in a fucking coma! Your psychotic boss tried to KILL me remember! One month or nothing!”
“Three weeks,” a much colder hushed voice hissed out, “or I’ll kill you again.” Gaiyah was standing directly behind the hit man, sharpened teeth bared from a wide grin. “You will cooperate or you will die my lovely. I’m sure you’d love to feel this blade once more.” He traced the dagger back and forth across his hand leaving white lines where it had sharply crossed the skin. He was threatening the man, but he would do anything to have his wishes fulfilled. “You will comply dearest Dimitri.”
Dimitri would have fought him if he actually believed himself to be equipped to win. He had no choice right now. He would do anything to avoid anything as painful as a repeat of last time. “Fine, three weeks you fucking bastard, but you need to stay out of it if you want me to do it! I work alone! That’s the way it’s always been and is the way it’s going to always be.
Gaiyah nodded in agreement, smile never leaving his cruel face. Despite his exotic beauty, there was something terrifying and inhuman behind those dark features. His skin was soft as if untouched by the many expressions he wore, and his hair silken and soft. He was near as beautiful as Vaino, save a gentleness that could not be replicated from the other. It was then the assassin thought it a shame the glasslike man was gone. Dimitri found himself growing strangely fond of the robotic pervert. “I will leave you alone for now, but don't think I won't be watching. I've arranged a job to keep your cover during your stay. It begins tomorrow. Until then my limo will be taking you to a hotel for the night, understand?”
Gaiyah's presence still left Dimitri feeling terribly on guard. After the incident in the restaurant he didn't trust his employer one bit. Even so he wasn't trying to kill him now and a hotel would be nice. "Understood."
“We’ve set you up
with the hotel just down the street. Vaino will be waiting for you
there dearest.” Gaiyah was growing more fond of his new toy with
every meeting. There was so much hate and vengeful energy in him
that it was nearly intoxicating and he wanted more...but all in good
time. “Its name is Paradise; you can read in English can't you?”
Dimitri nodded. Even with his shaky language skills he could at
least remember the Roman alphabet from his junior high days. Right
now he just wanted to get away from his clients. He was sick of
seeing them and part of him just wanted to get the job done and over
with. Sighing he walked towards the building he could only assume
was his home for the night, not expecting to run into his newest
thorn in his side.
“I knew you were lying you filthy bastard!”
Sseleman’s fist jabbed violently into Dimitri’s mid chest area,
knocking the wind out of him once again. Hell no he wasn’t going
to lose a fight with that pesky little asshole. Sseleman was more
than the assassin could mentally handle. He was so passionate but
about all the wrong things. “I saw you talking to them you demon!
I saw you with Gaiyah!” The name itself was said so scornfully
there was no question the man had done something less than pleasant
to Ssel as well. “You are not going to touch Emil!
Dimitri regained his breath and applied an equally painful blow to his opponent’s jawbone with a loud crack. “I told you already I’m not a fucking demon! I just want to make a living okay!” He clenched his eyes as another fist jabbed him in the eye, putting pressure through his entire head and leaving it throbbing.
Sseleman was angrily applying all his strength towards defeating Dimitri. Emil really was in very real danger and after what Gaiyah had done to him he wasn’t about to let Emil succumb to the same fate. “I’m going to kill you you stupid bastard!”
“Not if I don’t kill you first you crazed maniac!” Dimitri drew his gun once more and aimed it at the other man. Part of him really wanted to kill him, but the other part was screaming in protest. Sseleman was someone Emil loved, but then he would most likely kill Dimitri if given the chance. Both faced each other fearlessly, either one ready to attack at any sudden movement. A loud noise startled both of them, the gun fired and Sseleman attacked. Both were surprised when nothing happened. The gun wasn’t loaded after all, and the source of the noise was standing between the two of them now, glowing dimly in the darkening sky. It was getting late and the sun was disappearing behind a dying horizon.
“How can you kill someone who can’t die?” It was Vaino’s deep voice, bass rumbling in the pits of either man’s stomach. He was just as fragile as he had appeared before, but there was something different about him. Filled with a holy sort of purity, the assassin wondered briefly if this was a creature born from heaven itself. At that moment Dimitri realized he had been digging his way into something much bigger than he could imagine, but the thought was only a passing one as doubt relapsed over him, strangling any faith that might still have been alive inside of his broken spirit.
“Who are you?” Sseleman was in awe, staring at the creature as if it were of some foreign planet. Unsure fingers approached him and slid down his skin, a slight tingling resonating from Vaino’s warmth. He was delicate and pure and something much different than the creatures of heaven and hell Sseleman had come across. Something so pure and bright couldn't have been a facade...so the thought that this man might well have been born of darkness hardly crossed the red head’s mind. Not an angel, nor a demon, the creature standing before him was something unique in itself, brighter, and absolutely beautiful. “What are you?”
“I am called Vaino, and you young one, your name is Sseleman is it not?” He turned to face him, a light smile gracing his porcelain features as he rose his hand up to mirror Ssel’s actions, rubbing his long delicate fingers across the side of his cheek. “They never gave you a true name did they? Every day you have asked why and never understood. The truth will be revealed dearest, in time, and finally you will understand." His smile grew all the sweeter as he cupped the tan face, "Please don’t hate God. He wished great things for you. He loved you before you were even born.”
“What do you know of god and names? How could God love a creature like me?" Sseleman tried to ignore Dimitri's silent laugh because to him this was all rubbish. But for Sseleman the words were sharp as a knife. "I was meant to be cast aside long ago and I was. God has forsaken me and many others. She is the reason this world is in shambles. She is the reason the demons are allowed free reign to destroy the people I love.”
The hand continued tracing the dark skin and the deep comforting voice spoke once more. “He does love you, more than you could know. You have a purpose dearest and soon you will understand that.” Turning to Dimitri Vaino’s smile changed from the smile to one of pain and loss. The ethereal glow that had surrounded him, faded as he faced the assailant. “Dimitri, I am sorry for everything.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean? Sseleman got poetry and he got an apology... Ignoring Sseleman, the lovely delicate man motioned for Dimitri to follow him. The redhead was so lost in apprehension and uncertainty that he didn’t even think to follow the two men as they entered a hotel, and Emil was waiting, so instead he returned home silently.
Dimitri doubted more than ever everything he had convinced himself of over the years, but he wouldn’t let all that had happened get to him. If God became real he was sure he wouldn't be on the deity's good side. He was much more comfortable with the concept of nothing, of dying and fading from existence, over the thought of eternal punishment. Dying...wait a minute. What had Vaino said before?
“Vaino, who can’t die?” The pale man stepped into the room pausing in the doorway before allowing Dimitri full access of the room. It was much cheaper than the last hotel. In fact it was more like a cheap love hotel, and made Dimitri wonder what the term paradise meant. The scheme was much like that of the restaurant. The carpets and walls were black, with red curtains and sheets. Again it was a single bedroom with a double sized bed shaped like a heart. They really were going out of their way to make the two of them appear to be lovers, irritating Dimitri all the more. He tried to deter his mind from thoughts of the scam and instead thought back to the conversation outside. Vaino had said some very strange things and Dimitri’s concept of reality was slowly shattering. He asked the question once more. “Who can’t die? Back there you said,”
“Sseleman can’t die.” Taking off his shirt and shoes, Vaino sat down into the soft bed, sinking slightly into the masses of blankets and sheets. “And you can’t die.” He was so calm and robotic, emotion as absent from his voice as it always had been. “That’s why you didn’t die when Gaiyah tried to kill you. I would have stopped him otherwise, but I knew you were the one.” There was something frightening about Vaino’s choice of words. To be the one in nearly every story created by man, always was followed by pain and heartache. This hidden purpose, was it really something he could handle or was it something so much greater than he could imagine? The thought of it was very unsettling and made the man nauseous merely thinking of it. A cold sweat seeped from clammy skin as reality distorted itself before Dimitri's very eyes. For but a moment Vaino looked much different than he ever had. His hair lengthened to the floor and despite his young frail appearance, an ancient presence resonated from him. The dim light he'd thought he'd see before had returned, warm and electric, flickering off the pale skin as if it were alive. Those pale emotionless eyes became so sharp they cut into all they gazed upon, the whole sight overwhelming the unbelieving atheist, suffocating and all but terrifying.
Dimitri found himself falling over and curling up into a protective ball. His chest grew heavy; his lungs constricted as he gasped for breath and tried desperately to maintain control of his weak trembling body. Then as soon as it had begun, everything was normal, and Vaino was resting beside him, trying to ease the pain of the strange attack. “Are you well Dimitri?”
He didn’t know what had overcome him but was growing more and more certain he needed some kind of medication for whatever ailment was plaguing him since he had left his country. Perhaps it was some form of xenophobia. That had to be it. He had always been terrified of foreigners and now they were all he ever saw. “I’m fine,” he coughed out trying to completely forget how everything in his life was so drastically changing simply because he had chosen to step into a stranger’s car. It had only been a little over a week and already he felt as if he didn't belong. Not in America, not anywhere. Even his homeland slowly became more foreign and far away to him, and as much as he wanted to return things would never be the same. “I just need a shower and some rest.” He relaxed some before bringing himself to his feet, fighting off the last bits of dizziness that had overtaken him. “Some clothes would be nice.” He added.
He was so tired and exhausted he hardly even remembered taking off his clothes, or sinking into a warm bath. It had been ages since he had taken one and the hot liquid warmth that poured over him served to lull him even more to sleep. He didn’t even mind so much when a concerned Vaino not only entered the room, but then proceeded to break out into a strange and beautiful song. Everything he was melted away as the music entered his ears. All his hatred and anger vanished as the captivating tune overflowed filling the room with its sweetness. Accompanying it were lyrics, words of a language so familiar now that it seemed almost more natural to hear than his native tongue. It was the forgotten language, and unlike the words that Gaiyah’s had used on him, or the words that had left the child’s lips, they only let forth pure warmth and comfort, like a mother's touch. Vaino was not like them...not like the creatures who had brought him here. He was something much more beautiful and pure, and even for one who couldn’t believe in a god or heaven, the purity of the man was so unbelievable that even Dimitri had to admit he was more than human. The pale hands took hold of a damp cloth and began to wash the assassin. He was acting as a servant, providing the utmost care as he gently ran the cloth over aching muscles. Dimitri’s eyes closed as he joined in the song Vaino was singing...as if it were as much a part of him as his hands and feet. And while he couldn't comprehend the words it didn't matter. The language transcended beyond words into pure emotions and brought forth joy inside the coldest of hearts, inside Dimitri’s heart. Once more reality disappeared and Dimitri was happy to be in this dream, dwelling in something that radiated purity he hadn't touched in years. Part of him was aching for that same purity but he was so scarred and twisted it seemed a childish fancy to wish for something that perfect...something that in his hands would only be destroyed in time.
Vaino’s lips pressed against his and Dimitri felt himself relax as the soft petals parted giving his tongue freedom to explore the electric taste of the holy being currently taking such gentle care of him. Had he been fully aware he would have pulled away disgusted, but the trance held him there, connected to the other as if they might melt against each other...light with dark. As time elapsed he lost complete control and consciousness, wholly unaware of anything as sleep grasped him entirely.
He couldn’t remember anything of the night before when he awoke the next morning. All of it had been so unreal it had faded just as a dream would, but the warmth still held his heart. He remembered Sseleman, and the fight, and vaguely could make out the time between Vaino’s interjection and their trip to the hotel room, but everything after that had dissipated completely. Deep down he was certain he had forgotten something important, but trying to recall it merely gave him a headache. Sighing he sat up in the bed and placed his feet on the floor preparing to stand. He was in a clean pair of pajamas different than the ones he had been wearing all the previous day. His coat had been cleaned and was sitting neatly folded at the foot of the bed along side a pair of black pants and a soft white shirt. Without questioning any of it he changed into the clothes, briefly forgetting about Vaino before the doll like man wandered into the room.
“Good morning Dimitri. I hope you are feeling much better than you were last night.” He smiled, as if he had known something Dimitri had forgotten, and it almost scared him. As usual he shoved the thoughts and questions aside, pulling on his coat and a pair of boots he assumed had been placed by the bed for his use. Vaino sat down on the bed next to him, body heat moving from one man to the other sending an unexpected chill down Dimitri’s spine. He didn’t know why but despite everything that had happened that day at the restaurant he wasn’t even the slightest bit angry with this man. The thought of blaming him seemed almost as ridiculous as all the talk of demons and heaven. “You are feeling better are you not?”
“Yes, I feel,” when he thought about it he realized he felt, free. Despite how tainted and impure he knew his soul to be, there was a sweet relief. He felt cleansed and purified, like all the tar and dirt had been washed away from his dark past. That had to be the sleep talking he decided before answering, “Healthy.” Vaino smiled just a little bit more and stood, grabbing his coat and a set of car keys. “Where are you going?”
“You are coming with me Dimitri.”
“To my job as an organist?” He grew slightly suspicious of the other man, a cold stare cutting into him accusingly. He was in all honestly afraid of going wherever their destination was, because an unexplainable feeling was threatening him. Something huge was about to happen, and his life was about to become even more complicated then it already was. He had a choice...he could turn away from all of this if he wanted...at least he thought he could, but the pull of fate was much stronger than what he thought he wanted, and no matter what he thought he couldn't escape it. No, there was no such thing as fate he resolved, and nothing was ever going to change his mind. Nothing that could happen that day, or ever was going to destroy his view on life, because he had to be right. There was no way everything the priest had told him was true. Dimitri's thoughts turned briefly to what Sseleman had said. The thought of Mami and Bartholomew being demons was enough to make him chuckle quietly. It seemed like some kind of perverse joke. They were more like circus clowns in the ridiculous getups they always wore.
“To the Phantom Cathedral. You will begin your job at the church tomorrow.” The unease grew, but there was a strange kind of excitement and hope behind it. He was dreading the job more than ever and wanted to dig in deeper and find out what it was he wasn’t seeing. There was a larger picture and he was only being let in on a small portion of it and the stories they had told of the boy running away from home to play on an old folk tale seemed less believable as they grew closer to their destination.
When the car stopped Dimitri nearly fell over in shock. The building was beautiful. The architecture mimicked those of the gothic period, flying butrices swung out from every tower. It was much larger than he had expected, but looked exactly as it had in the photos. It was a breathtaking sight compared to its surrounding highways and concrete slabs. The second he stepped out of the car and onto the building grounds he felt he had stepped back in time, long ago before civilization had come this far. The large heavy doors looked like a less than promising way to enter, and he paused at them, debating how to get inside the church. Vaino maintained a safe distance from the building, as people walked by, oblivious to the building that had been standing there for years. To them it was nothing, a blind spot in their vision, because some things could simply not be seen by the blind unbelieving eyes of mortals.
Dimitri did his best to push on the doors, but they wouldn’t budge. Glancing around he saw the frustrating truth. There was no other entrance to the building save two other smaller doors to either side of the main one. They, as well were sealed tightly, locked away from those who would pry. Frustrated Dimitri rested against the side of the building and had a cigarette, trying his best to think of a way to enter. Three cancer sticks passed and still nothing. His muscles were aching from his desperate attempts to push the doors open all to no avail. If that boy had opened them he could too, he knew that much and let out an irritated groan. People continued to blindly pass the building, unable to see anything, so blissfully unaware of the hidden world amongst their own. Grunting Dimitri gave in to fatigue and slid down to the ground, cursing at the damned building before closing his eyes and beginning to sing a song that came to him from a voice deep within him. The soft tune continued for a few versus before ending with something that made him want to cry. “Eilan, menandre shiristetetayo, Eilan I need you.” He about choked on the smoke he had just inhaled. He understood what he had said. How had he understood those words that before resonated nothing more than emotion. He was truly terrified and the fear of foreigners and cameras became meaningless. Nothing was as terrifying as that single moment when he finally understood the forgotten language. The words had been so painful for him to say, and primal fear pulled at him, warning him of a mistake he would be unable to resolve. “Eilan I NEED YOU” he said a bit louder, pounding on the door as if it might change everything, as if the door would mysteriously open now when before it wouldn’t budge. Tears were so foreign to him, he hadn’t even cried when a knife had planted its way into his chest, but now they were uncontrollable. The pain was even greater than when he thought he would lose Emil and sheer panic made him want to enter the building more than ever. “Eilan, menandre shiristetetayo.” One last pound and the same light that had saved the priest exploded again. The ground rumbled slightly as long sealed doors creaked open, allowing the assassin passage into the old building.
“You will protect him in the end, won’t you Dimitri. Even if you don’t understand you will keep him safe.” Vaino smiled, this time a real smile so wonderful and beautiful it was hard to believe such a man lacked in so many emotions. He was divine and perfect, and walked back to his car, sliding in and driving away.
Inside the Cathedral Dimitri had expected to find cobwebs and broken glass, or perhaps the dark walls and dust covered floors like the images he had seen in books. The place seemed to have been preserved in time, and an unknown light source lit up the place with a dream-like glow. Golden beams of light reflected off shining unexpected white walls, but what stood out the most to the puzzled man, was the glass that was floating in mid air, suspended on nothing.
Stained glass images hovered in the sanctuary, telling stories of a past man had chosen to forget. Creatures with wings of gold and white floated high in the heavens, as those dressed in dark colors danced in the flames of hell. In the middle was the largest of the windows. The image was strangely familiar. A man stood in the middle, long dark hair that dragged the ground swooping about the image. Soft silver woven threads laced through a white tunic that radiated the same purity Dimitri had seen in Vaino. Surrounding him were angels dressed in gold playing a chorus of instruments, and at his feet was a child, crying and alone, ignored by all, a child with pale blonde hair and blue-violet eyes. He caught himself staring at all the beauty in the room, wondering who had made them. Another image caught his eye, this one of a war. Blood was smeared across a crimson landscape as both angels and demons fell from the heavens in a battle for control, and the same blonde boy was being attacked by a riot of what Dimitri presumed to be heaven’s highest angels. Four wings attached to their backs instead of two, one pair white and the other more golden than the sun. Everything seemed so familiar and yet so unreal and surreal.
He had nearly forgot his mission, entranced by the beauty and stories that surrounded him, but was quickly distracted by the sound of bare feat padding across the tiled floor. Turning he managed to catch a glimpse of a shadow moving across the wall, but it was distorted from the rippled patterns of stained glass windows, casting colors across white plaster. He tried to follow it instead with his ears, but no sooner could he pinpoint the location of the sound, then the padding would once more skitter across the floor, further disorienting him. Ignoring his better judgment Dimitri shifted from one foot to the other and chased what he knew must be his mark. Footsteps echoed through the entire building, causing the glass to tremble with the loud sounds. He was sure he would find the boy with time, but the game was getting tedious.
He smiled when he spotted the silhouette of the boy behind the middle glass window, and quietly spoke, praying the boy could understand. “Shh, its okay Judah. I’m not going to hurt you I promise.” There was a quiet whimper and the figure moved, leaping from behind the window and heading towards one of the corners. Dimitri followed, now having a fix on the boy and easily able to follow him. “Please I promise I wont harm you.” His voice was lacking in its usual malice, softer than he had even used with Yuka. He didn’t want to frighten the young man more than he already had. “Just let me see you.” With every word he stepped closer, and it seemed the victim had quit moving. A shadow was cast in the corner where he was cowering, but Dimitri could make out his thin frame and the two soft, feathered wings that wrapped around the boy protectively. “See, I’m not going to harm you I just want to be your friend.”
Wings parted, revealing the face that had been only somewhat visible in the picture. Tears had streaked a young and ancient face, spilling over curved cheeks. He looked like he couldn’t be much older than seventeen, but something much older resided deep within his vibrant eyes. “You were able to enter? How did you get in?” He was unsure whether or not the first creature that had entered his home for the last 100 years was safe, but maybe he was finally being set free of his sentence. Finally he would no longer be a prisoner for crimes that were not his own. The raven colored wings now calmly pressed against his back in a relaxed position as he stepped into the light. Dimitri was breathless. There was something the pictures hadn’t been able to capture, a beauty that rested in the very deepest parts of the boy and a power stronger than any Dimitri could face. Something powerful and ethereal rested within the fragile figure, but along with it, something dark and tainted. Tears formed once more at the edges of charcoal eyes as again those words fell from numb lips. “Eilan, karantemayeu surleirya.”
Judahs’s eyes widened at the words he knew were meant for him, and the fear that had sent him running when he heard someone in the sanctuary was nothing compared to what he was feeling at that moment. “Who are you?”
