Gates of Hell

"Subject... huh?" Ice muttered to himself. "Looks like there is some use takin' ya' with me..."

He put his hand forward "I'm CI-07.... Nice to meet ya' ".

Levia was as dense as one could be. All she knew was that she had to shake fis hand.

"What's your 'Porta' ?" He asked.

"What's a 'Porta'?" She asked back.

"Ya' know those large circles that open when you use the language of gods or something"

She pondered for a while and finally understood - " You mean 'gates' ... "

"Gates? Where the hell 're you from?"

"I serve the high command of Infirmi..." She said but it wasn't something she liked to talk about. she opened her mouth as if to say something but decided against it.

They were making their way through the packed streets of Phaedra where some people were still singing songs and national anthems, while some had entered the sanctuaries of pubs and halls. Ice managed to use this opportunity to slither through like they were normal people. If his cloak slid off, the people would be seeing a man and a girl soaked with blood.

"So what us your 'gate' or whatever?" Ice asked again.

"Regeneration...." She whispered. Again, she was not too keen on talking about this matter, but Ice had realised something crucial.

"Just as I thought... " He told himself.

They had finally left the company of the citizens and had reached an alleyway, one of many.

"What's your infer... the other gate?" Ice corrected himself. He may have been a little crazy on the killing, but he was still smart.

"The gate of hell.... It's a white flame... Masters called it a divine flame... " She replied

" Who's master?"

"Like big people... they have me the flame..." she replied moving her hands to show what they would look like, but Ice understood who they were - the 'experimenters as he called them.The very people who worked on him to open his gage of hell.

Gates were pathways opened by those who wished to use magic or sorcery. these pathways could be opened on command if it were an active ability like control of fire or so on but needn't require a command for a passive ability like buffs. they were known as Porte in Coelom.

The trip had ended after a long walk through the alleyway. They had reached a worn out ladder at the top of which they found a shack. A cot about the height of a book lay at the centre. There wasn't much else, scattered books, a stove, a few fruits and vegetables and a bundle of clothes. Some were washed but the stain of blood still remained, which didn't seem to bother Levia.

"Aperire Infurnum" Ice said at a low volume, while biting into his finger. the blood that came out turned into seeds as they fell to the ground, seeping into the terrace. The wound caused by the bite healed almost instantaneously.

"Alright..." he said, sitting down in front of her. "Who are you?"

Levia was confused. She thought she had already introduced herself. "L39..."

"That's not what I meant..." He said leaning closer. "What were you used for.... Who are you.. to the public?"

She looked away. This was one thing she didn't want to talk about.

"I'll ask again... Who are you?"

.........

"Silas!" Ivan yelled "Could you please come to the meeting room?"

A young man, seemingly active and well-built made his way through the crowd. He had red hair with stripes of yellow and a chiseled body. tall and fair with orange eyes to complement his face. He wore a hooded shirt, not that it would really hide his attractive face, and full sleeves. The pant he wore only reached till a little below his knee after which it looked like it'd been ripped by either battle or by himslef.

He arrived at the meeting room as he saw Walker and two other guards sitting with a worried look over their faces.

"Gentlemen, thus is Silas Bondere" Ivan said to the others pointing at Silas. "Silas meet Adrienne Walker, Head of Custodes Pacis. The one to the right is Hugh James and the one to the left is Darwin Kennel."

"Nice go meet you" He said. He was clam and quiet not much of a reaction occurred when he learnt of their occupations.

"Silas is a Pro and he'll be helping you out in this investigation and most likely in the capturing of... the assassin. " Ivan explained.

"No.. um... what's going on?"

"Well explain it to you on the way to the sight of the crime." Walker said as he got up and wore his coat. "For now follow us.."

Silas glanced at Ivan who simply nodded, assuring him that it was fine and that it was indeed important. Silas nodded back and followed Walker as they made their way to the vehicle.

.........

They got off at the Warmenier residence where the Custodes Pacis were scanning the area for any clues to no avail.

"So basically" Silas said as he exited the vehicle. "The residence has been attacked by an unknown assailant, who's motives, by the way, are unclear. There is also a missing girl, who for a reason that remains confidential, is very important to us and is on the run, am I right?"

"That pretty much sums up the situation yes." Walker replied.

They made their way to the entrance where a man walked over with masks.

"Here wear this." Walker advised.

"Do I need to?"

"Its preferred and honestly you'll be begging for it once we enter anyway."

Silas shrugged as grabbed one and wrapped it around his face while his hood still covered his head.

A filthy stench filled the air as they entered the room. although the 'body parts' were covered, Silas could still say that it had been brutal.

"What the hell happened here?" He asked rhetorically.

The two of them made their way to the main room where the burnt and disgusting body of Equus lay.

"What do you think?" Walker asked. He wasn't really expecting anything other than the word brutal.

"Interesting."

"Hmm? What's so interesting ?"

"What happened to the head?"

"It's missing, probably burnt the eyes or something."

Silas leaned towards the splattered blood on the floor. "There's blood all over here..." He walked over to the end if splattered blood. "He took the head."

"Heh... and why would he do that?"

He got up "I dunno. But I'm gonna find out"