revelation

Avin's dreams were plagued with memories of his grandfather and the few precious memories of his grandmother that he had. Their warm touch, the happy moments, and the silence that came with his grandmother's sudden death.
Avin sat beside his grandfather, gazing at the peaceful face of his grandmother. She was by no means ugly, far from it, but she looked far older than the last time he had seen her.

"Grandpa, why is gradma dead?"
Avin turned his gaze up to his grandfather, and instantly wished he hadn't asked. The pain in his eyes, the loss, the anguish of her passing was still raw.
Then more memories came. Ones of his training with his grandfather, meeting the Sin Containers for the first time, and his grandfather disappearing.
"Avin, remember that you are the Executioner for the Seven Princes."
'The Seven Princes?'

Avin jolted awake as a sudden pressure pressed against his mind. Sitting up, he looked around the room before releasing his breath, "Nattille."

The Sin Container smiled, "Lord Avin."
"I hope you slept well, especially since I need to talk to you."
"What about?" Avin asked as he got out of bed, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"A Virtue has crossed the gate into this world."
Avin thought his heart had stopped as he looked at Nattille, a look of horror on his face, "A Virtue?"

"Yes, Valour from what I can understand."
Avin scoffed, "Ah, well this isn't the first time that Valour has showed up." Avin slowly turned away from her and headed to the window, "He's probably searching from something. He won't interfere with us."
Nattille sighed, "If you say so, Lord Avin. But do remember," She warned, "He may very well come by to learn about you're precious Adrian."

Valour walked the mundane world, invisible even to the other virtues, a power only the Guardian had. He marveled at the changes in the mundane world, it had been quite a while since he had come here for something other than disciplining one of the other virtues.

As he searched, he grew increasingly frustrated. He sighed darkly. He might have to contact Avin, the most recent executioner. The Guardian and Executioner usually had a better relationship than most sins and virtues, but there still seemed to be animosity. Valour was not looking forward to having his actions mistrusted or misinterpreted. Still. He sighed, sending a shadow messenger (another ability reserved solely for the Guardian. It had taken years to learn) - specifying that the message was for Avin's ears alone, and waited.

Avin quietly dismissed Nattille as he made his way to the bathroom. Not even bothering to turn on the lights he turned on the sink and splashed his face with the cool water.

As he patted his face dry, Avin jumped a little as he felt a shadow messenger enter his domain. Reaching out to it he frowned, "A message from Valour?"
The shadow nodded, giving the message "Executioner Avin, apologies for the intrusion. May I have an audience with you? Valour, Guardian"

"Yes, though I insist that he walk here. I have guests that I must inform about his visit."
The shadow guardian coughed slightly "he wishes the meeting to be discreet...and unknown if possible" it said. "Perhaps you could meet somewhere neutral?"
"Where would he suggest?" Avin inquired.
The shadow thing paused, and then said "perhaps beneath the West Granite Bridge?"
"West Granite Bridge in half hour."
"Thank you" the shadow replied

Valour sighed in relief. Hopefully Avin would be able to help. And in return, perhaps there would be something Valour could help him with. He did not care for favors that were not yet paid.

So...you just gonna stand there, or you going to return to the shadows," Avin asked the messenger.
The shadow faded away, returning to where it had been before it had been called.

Getting dressed was a boring affair and all too soon, Avin was heading downstairs to grab something to eat before leaving.
Halfway down the stairs though, he heard a small cry of surprise from the basement. Stopping he looked to the landing as Adrian came through the basement door, "What's wrong?"

Adrian looked up at him "hmm? oh, nothing's wrong. "She looked at him; he didn't look too terrible, still tired, worried, yes. She still asked "how about you? Are you doing alright?"
"I'm fine. Just heading out for business." Avin said, looking away from her.
"Okay" Adrian said hesitantly "just- just try not to overwork yourself, alright?"
She retreated back into her workshop, troubled

"What's up with her?" Avin mumbled under his breath before continuing down the flight of stairs. Suddenly not hungry he went to the mirror by the front door and opened a portal near West Granite Bridge, ten minutes ahead of the appointed time he had said.

Valour turned as he sensed a portal opening, and sighed in relief. Now, on to business.
Falling out of a mirror hanging two feet off the ground, Avin gracefully caught himself. Looking around he spotted the startled shop keeper.
"...I didn't see anything..."
"Nice to know," Avin said, trying very hard to not smirk at the man, "Have a good day."
As he left the shop, he glanced over at the bridge.

Valour stood beneath the giant ironwork bridge, its ornate gothic spires towering in the sky. For all that it was the largest bridge in the area, with its base drilled near the entrance of a granite quarry, not many people could be found near the underside of it.

Spotting the still figure standing toward the center of the bridge, Avin couldn't help the giddy feeling that coursed through him. It had been several years since he had dealt with Valour, and he could honestly say he was interested.

Briskly making his way to the bridge, he flared a bit of his demonic power to let the Guardian know he was there before yelling, "Fancy seeing one of the most well respected Guardian's standing on this lonely bridge."

"Respected maybe" Valour yelled back "But largely ignored, and left to the real work"
"Rather deal with real work than idiots." Avin pointed out, "At least I would rather deal with papers rather than people."

"One of the many reasons I've stayed locked in my mansion for the past two years. The growing generation is becoming better, I believe. Well, some of them" Valour conceded, then added "Again thank you for respecting my request. My work this time is...a little unorthodox. "

"Wanna share your 'request' or continue to beat around the bush?" Avin asked, coming to a halt next to the man, "After all, it must be unorthodox to be asking for my help."
"That's true" Valour sighed. "But it's a little more serious than just unorthodox. The High order hasn't sanctioned it. They do not even know about it." He looked at Avin, reminding himself that he could be trusted...and there was hardly any choice otherwise. "You know of Adriel?"

"Adriel? You mean the guardian of the east and south winds?" Avin frowned, "Grandfather used to tell me stories about him."

"Yes. " Valours mouth turned down slightly "I don't know how much your side knows about him, but he was put away for a serious offense. Back in the witching wars, he was sent to try and put a stop to the madness as the hunters turned their backs on God. There was nothing Adriel could do to stop it- not without violating the statutes of heaven. He made a hard decision- with the help of revelations he sacrificed his freedom for the sake of the worlds. He mixed his blood with mundanes. His descendant's inventions, and solutions they found, helped end that war and perhaps prevent others. Most know Adriel as only a criminal, few know the whole story"

He looked Avin in the eye "I am his jailer; we are tied by a bond. A short while ago I sensed a...ripple in his power. He is starting to awaken. "

"That means something big is going to happen. One of his descendants' angel blood is activating, growing into what the mundanes would call a 'muse'. Adriel wishes me to find this descendant and protect them- he believes they are the key to helping prevent the war to come, or perhaps all the worlds safety. It's hard to discern exactly what, but that individual is important. But Muses tend to be followed by bad luck- years back they started disappearing at alarming rates, being killed, or simply vanishing. We don't know who or what is causing it."

"Angelic mundanes," Avin mused, "They stand out more than a normal mundane I take it."

"Usually, yes. especially after their angel blood ceases to be dormant" Valour frowned "Angels show their emotions on their body- in times of extreme stress or fear they may begin to bleed- usually on the shoulder blades where the wings would be" He held out a paper to Avin

"This is the mark that shows on angels- we assume it'd be the same on a muse. Also, some muses are born with strange and distinguishing marks."

"Some muses are extra sensitive to demonic power or magic in their natural state, though Adriel did grant them some heavenly artifacts that could nullify that- however, as far as we know they all have been lost. Some muses have an uncanny ability to control shadows, but that is unconfirmed rumor. "

Avin swallowed, "Why is that you suppose? Their ability to control shadows that is."
The more that Valour talked, the more that Avin was realizing about Adrian. She couldn't really be a descendent of Adriel, could she?
The idea of his little inventor being an angel sent shivers down his spine. If she really was of angelic blood, how could she even stand to be that close to him?

Valour shrugged "Honestly? It's amazing we know this much about them. Bad luck tends to follow muses, everything we know isn't very exact" he looked at Avin, who seemed troubled. He clapped him on the back "either way, if you find one, let me know. Their protection is important- If I'm unavailable, I know they'd be safe with you. "He smiled wanly, and then finished "This is a huge favor, even if you just keep an eye out for me. Now, is there anything I can do in return? Hunt something down? Drag the sinners to your feet?" He finished, half joking, half serious about dragging the sinners to Avin.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Avin grumbled a little before straightening and glaring at Valour, "Actually, there is something that you can do for me in regard to the Virtues."
Valour perked up "Really? Please, do tell"
"Lately, more and more political figures are falling victim to sins and there are thoughts of war brewing," Avin sighed, "You're Virtues are making things hard. They are suppressing more and more people each day, causing not only myself, but my Containers can't find the right people. Right now I have Envy helping me, but soon I'm going to be calling upon the others after our festivals."

Valour started thinking of ways to help Avin's virtue problem. a temporary quarantine would prevent all virtues from accessing the mundane plane, but the trouble was devising a good enough excuse.

"Also," Avin added, "I was visited yesterday by Black Crow. You remember him, right?"

"Which version?" Valour asked crinkling up his face "Yes, I remember him as he was before and how he turned up." he did a double take as he realized what Avin said "he came and visited you?!"

"Yes, though I'm not sure how. Last time I was informed his passport to this dimension was revoked, though," Avin's gaze grew heavy, "If he were being helped by an outside force, it would be easy for him to enter"

Valour frowned deeply at this information "Who would help him? Surely you don't mean-"
"Who else would be demented enough to allow an insane demon into this world than Lauxian?" Avin ground out, "He's starting to gain consciousness again which can only spell trouble."
"That is troublesome....That would also explain why Adriel is stirring..."  

"I'm going to inform my higher ups later tonight and get protection around the Gate Keeper. Last time Lauxian was very...adamant about opening the gates. I suggest that you also tell your side."

Valour nodded "Yes, I definitely will. Perhaps that will also provide enough of a scare to temporarily quarantine the virtue plane- keeping the virtues out of your hair" Valour gazed out at the clouds building, wheels in his mind turning.
"...and another thing, your muse is under Lord Lucifer's 'protection'. She is currently living under my care." Avin admitted, "She seems to be starting to exhibit her abilities. Especially after Black Crow came by."

Valour started in surprise "is that so?" He felt relief. Even if he had to close the portal, she would be safe under Avin's care. "Keep watch on her" He said, concerned "that is a delicate position to be in- I've heard strange stories on muses who have become too awake to the angels power- the angel blood could start rejecting the mundane part. But that is only in rare or extreme cases"

"She can use shadows," Avin supplied, "I was actually thinking that she was more demon than mundane. She doesn't really seem all that angelic power wise."

Valour nodded absently "hmmm....Yes, but Adriel is an angel of death. His powers are a little...different than normal angels. The mundanes used to have his affinity thoughts and skill. From the few reports we have, it appears they tend to be extremely intelligent and intuitive." he paused, then continued "watch out for more signs, and keep me informed please. I have a feeling she is the muse I'm looking for. "

"How should I contact you? Once you return to your dimension my shadows won't be able to reach you."

Valour thought for a moment, then pulled a knife from his boot, pricking a finger. As a small drop of blood fell, he flipped his hand downwards, palm splayed, and a golden light began to form around the falling red droplet. It's shape changed, becoming a golden ear stud inset with a blood red ruby "if you press the ruby and speak, I should be able to hear you, no matter where I am" Valour said, catching the suspended stud and holding it out to Avin "and it should be fairly discreet".

Holding out his hand, Avin grunted a little at the tingly sensation, "If this burns me I'm going to come and beat the crap out of you."

Valour chuckled "it shouldn't, and I don't doubt you would"

Gently removing his previous stud, Avin gently placed the angelic earring in the hole, "So how are things on your side, apart from the paperwork and irritating children."

"That's about all my life consists of now" Valour shrugged "the only entertainment I get is when they think I am my own child. That never gets old."
"Huh?" Avin couldn't help but snicker, "they really think that?"
Valour laughed "No one else knows I can change my age appearance, so I pretend to be the son and father, and eventually 'die' and take over the job. It's great fun"
"Must be great fun, especially with the older ones," he frowned then, "Does that mean you get married every time shortly after you take over?"
"ha! no" Valour put on a sad face "I'm afraid it's the single life for me. Somehow, having my spouses dying off every 200 years became too depressing"
"I think grandpa would have agreed with you," Avin supplied, "I personally hope that, if I do get married, that my wife will live just as long as me."
Valour smiled at Avin "I sincerely hope that will happen for you" He said, then sighed "well, I need to be off, before someone realizes I'm missing." he bowed slightly at Avin, thanking him and departing.
Watching him go, Avin called out, "Do you have a name besides your virtue?"

Valour smiled and shouted back "Liriel was to be my name before I was born of Valour. It's rarely used though!" with that, he opened the virtue portal and disappeared.

----Virtue plane----

"The Sins really do more for the mundies than we do" Temperance said frankly. "Their effects are longer lasting, and help far more. We really should get along and help each other" Charity nodded, smiling, while Chastity rolled her eyes.  
Patience scowled, replacing the batteries in his game "Yeah, but you're kidding yourself if you think anything would actually happen. There's no way we are actually going to be able to work together" He said darkly.
"Only if we continue thinking that way" Temperance said mildly.
Patience rolled his eyes, going back to his game.
Chastity kicked her legs in a bored way, slouching in her chair "That executioner Avin is a cutie- though I don't think he'll consider actually working with us. We are rather useless. and grandpa is veeeery pigheaded about the sins. I think he just wants someone to blame for all the problems, since we can't keep up with them."

Valour returned, listening to the conversation. At lease the younger generation had some hope. The current group's views would prove helpful in the future. He went back to his keep, changing, and informed the High Order about what he had learned regarding Black Crow and Lauxian, working towards keeping his end of the bargain with Avin.