[u]Lucien and Ioi Collab[/u]

Lucien's eyes narrowed as the thing refused his demand. So. It would come to a fight then. Which was to be expected, considering the power that the sword possesed. He didn't beleive for a moment that IoI wouldn't use it for his own gain. Too much power, too easily accessed. Without another word, he tightened his grip on his sword and was about to rush forward, when the rectangles appeared. Uncertain, Lucien stopped and waited. That's when people appeared. They looked to be humans, but Lucien's senses told him they were stronger than your average human. Far stronger. Other than that, his senses were unable to tell him, with so many Demons and Angels and Ioi's strange essence crowding around him, he couldn't spare the concentration to pin down what they were. 
 
As the final one to leave stared at him, Lucien stared warily back, sword at the ready. What [i]was[/i] she? And then she was gone. Flying into the air... with no wings. Glancing back downwards, Lucien saw that there was another. An Angel, judging from the wings. She was familiar...very familiar. Her entire body trembled as she walked forward, finally meeting his eyes.
 
Lucien very nearly dropped his sword.
 
Ilana. Did he remember her? Of course he remembered her. He remembered all of those who spoke against the Cowards. Those who didn't believe their lies, who helped him lay her to rest. And they were all dead. Silenced by Demons or by the Cowards. This was a trick. A lie. 
 
"You're supposed to be dead. Along with all the rest. Killed by Demons or silenced by the Cowards for speaking against them. Yours was the first voice to disappear, the beginning of the silence. It's a surprise that [i]I'm[/i] alive? Imagine how much of one to learn that [i]you're[/i] alive. Now, who is this friendly purple freak calling himself Ioi?" He said this all quite calmly and steadily. For the most part. Anyone who didn't know Lucien wouldn't have caught the too rigid of control he had, speaking of just how badly seeing Ilana alive had shaken him. 
 
Ilana crept closer, nodding her head understandingly as he spoke the truth. She kept her hands in front of her where he could see them, and stopped just inside his sword range. He would now be able to hear her slightly shallow breath, her nerves truly rattled and scared. But [i]why?[/i] Would not such a reunion be wonderful? Perhaps in another setting, but now... everything was so chaotic, which was such a severe understatement that [i]clusterfuck[/i] wouldn't even fix it.
 
She glanced over at Ioi as Lucien mentioned him, then turned back. "Lucien, you're right. I am supposed to be dead..." she began, breathing a little steadier, "but that freak over there? He saved me... opened my eyes to a whole new world veiled between Heaven and Hell, and all in between..."
 
She paused, "and yet, he wanted nothing from me in return. But now I serve him willingly, because after that awful council... Lucien, I needed the change." 
 
Ilana licked her lips, stepping a bit closer. "When I realized he was speaking to you, I just had to come here. See for myself. Lucien... you've changed so much, and yet... you are still the same stalwart truth-sayer amongst us all. Ioi is a truth-sayer as well..."
 
She searched Lucien's eyes, practically breathing his exhaled breath. "But he is right: more people will come, proclaiming they are worthy of the sword and others not so much. You know the truth, Lucien. And my lord is only here to insist the power is passed on to someone responsible, who won't destroy our worlds. He will not take it for himself, for there is a greater enemy ahead of us all, more terrible than any rampaging demonic abomination or cowardly powerhungry angel. Wielding the sword would make him stand out like a beacon. He invites you to that future conflict, either as follower or ally."
 
Taking a step back, she let out a long sigh, looking down as she finished what she had to say. She truly hoped that Lucien would consider what she'd spoken and trust her, if not her lord. Just as well, she hoped he'd hurry, for her time was short before Ioi would call them all back. 
 
Just then, three roaring demons leapt from the shadows, attempting to slice the two original angels to ribbons. But breaking the silence was all that they managed to accomplish, for in the air at both of Lucien's sides the demons squirmed desperately against an invisible force that hogtied them. A moment later, the force was revealed as several dozen black chains emerged before their eyes, leading back towards Ioi; specifically just [i]one[/i] of his wisps that apparently was serving as guard duty. 
 
Ioi wasn't even looking in their general direction, but at some disgusting spectacle in the distance near the looming shadows and fire. But no matter, the demons were subdued and three of the chains transmuted into manacles, which then opened with claw-like enthusiasm and cuffed the hellscum by their necks. They vanished instantly, shrinking down somewhere via bluish dividing squares.
 
Ilana returned her impressed gaze to Lucien, patiently waiting for him.
 
Lucien watched her warily. She spoke like Ilana, acted like Ilana, even her essence felt like Ilana. Yet he [i]knew[/i] that she was dead. The Cowards and the Demons don't just let Angels who they want dead go. The only reason he wasn't executed is because a clairvoyant spoke of a part he would play in the coming battles. No one else had that...advantage, if it could be called one. Say what he will about the Cowards, Lucien knew they were efficient, and powerful. Ilana was dead. This wasn't her. 
 
Still, he listened as she spoke, of how she willing gave her servitude, how there was apparently a far greater threat about to rise and that Ioi was inviting him to fight against it. Lucien couldn't help but notice how 'follower' was put in front of 'ally'. The message was quite clear. Ioi was little better than the Cowards, ruling over people as if he were a God. Even if he did give them a choice. As she moved ever closer, his body grew ever more tense. Whether it was from the shock of seeing 'Ilana' again or because he expected her to try and kill him at any second was unclear.
 
Regardless, his head snapped over to the Demons roaring at them, sword ready to spill more of the hated enemy's blood. When they were suddenly..stopped. Something that Lucien couldn't see was capturing them, holding them against their wills. That thing was revealed to be chains. Chains that rapidly dragged them down through a square. It was a display of power, though it was unclear if the display came from Ioi's inherent abilities or the abilities of the sword.
 
Turning his head back towards Ilana, he finally spoke. "Are you done? I don't know who or what you are, but you're not Ilana. She died, years upon years ago. You are not her. You're an imposter. She wouldn't have given her servitude to that..thing."
 
Ilana gasped, the pain wrenching into her heart before Lucien has even finished his retort. Her hands balled up into little fists, pointing up as her arms remain rigidly down--even her wings ruffled visibly, struggling to remain still as the temptation to fly away nearly broke her willpower. Sputtering, much like she used to do when confounded or flustered, Ilana wiped her free tears from her face with her forearm, her eyes blurred away.
 
"I, I guess that [i]kiss[/i] we, that [i]we[/i] shared before you went off and, and married [i]her[/i] wasn't, was not [i]real[/i] either, huh?" she spat at him, both regretting her outburst and feeling relieved. 
 
Her real reason for being afraid of Lucien? Having been rejected once by him for another woman--a fairer, mightier angel whose skill matched Lucien's--she knew the risk of approaching him again. Though it was not purely done for love, she'd hope their reunion would foster a better relationship to steer them toward the future. 
 
She felt Ioi's pressure on her core; it was gentle but firm, merely letting her know that he was there for her. She knew that--very intimately so--and was grateful. But she refused to let her emotions diffuse amongst her brethren. At least not yet. This was her burdern to bear right now. For Lucien.
 
She took a step back, letting her gaze hang on him a second longer as she half-turned, wondering if he was really rejecting her again. 
 
Lucien visibly recoiled at her words, his black wings flaring into the air behind him. No one knew that. No one but Ilana and himself, and while an imposter may have been able to claim her memories, there were plenty of other ways that an imposter could have claimed to be her. But to use [i]that specific one[/i]..she wasn't an imposter. Couldn't be. No one was that good of an actor, even if they managed to get her habit of sputtering down correctly. For the first time in his rather long life, Lucien was speechless, conflicting emotions scattering across his face. 
 
She was alive. The Cowards and he were not the only remnants of the Original Angels. She was serving a new creature. Something that did not bode well for the worlds, even if he claimed to want to protect them from a powerful new foe. She was alive. She had survived the burning of Heaven and the betrayal of the Cowards, while he was trapped in onyx unable to do anything but rage uselessly at the Cowards and their motives. She had stopped serving one group who liked to think they were Gods for one thing who likes to think he was a God. 
 
The urge to go to her and the wariness of what her new master would require of her warred. On the one hand, he was extremely relieved, even joyous, that she was alive. On the other, he was extremely suspiscious and wary of what her master would have her do. Kill him when he approached her? There were enough holes in his armor to slip a blade through. Several lifetimes of paranoia waged with the knowledge that he wasn't the only one left. The only one that wasn't a Coward.
 
Eventually one beat out the other. "Wait." He called, bringing his wings back down, as she began to turn away. Three steps later and he had an armored arm hugging her to him, his sword hand still ready in case any Demons or other enemies arrived. "I thought you were dead." He whispered.
 
[i]He pulled her to him.[/i] Heart rate rising. 
 
[i]His hand seized her own.[/i] Eyes rapidly blinking. 
 
[i]His voice tickled her ears.[/i] Her throat closed, tongue muted. 
 
[i]His heart drummed in sync.[/i] Eyes staring, fused to his. 
 
[i]Desire overcame her.[/i] Ilana leaned up, kissing Luicen's battle-grimy mouth fully, deeply. 
 
[b]Nothing else existed so very untwisted as the relishing relief raking over her, head to wing to toe.[/b]
 
A moment later, a voice gently interrupted them, revealing Ioi to have moved somehow behind them, his back to Lucien. "In one single gesture and word, you have exemplified my cause. Remember that, Lucien, and wield [i]her[/i], for honor."

Again anyone would hear his voice, know his words.

Half-turned to the original angel's left shoulder, Ioi's left hand held out the Sword by its handle. Ilana instinctively backed up a bit, glancing between the two, but her right golden wing remained sheltering Lucien's left black one. His black, crystal adorned hand rose between them, the pommel slipping into Lucien's free hand. Assuming that he'd take it, the Empty Lord retracted his hand, but an invisible, significant pull singed at his palm. It came to a point where Ioi had to noticeably grunt with effort to continue bringing his hand towards him, which suddenly unleashed a shockwave behind him that crumbled an empty building. Ilana blanched, barely hiding her gasp as her wings braced against the disturbed dust.

Unfazed, he glanced at them. "The conflict and elements in Loom's equation do not involve me any longer," he stated cryptically, "and under a lodestar, your survival will flourish, Lucien."

"Until the Next," Ioi whispered, nodding ever so subtly at the original angel before turning away and walking off.
 
Ilana stared after her lord, not knowing him to 'walk' anywhere. But through her link with him, she knew she was allowed to stay with Lucien for a bit longer. Looking down, turning her head toward Lucien, she licked her lips, the taste having lingered. Her eyes flitted up to him as she stood taller, prouder. [i]Happier.[/i]
 
"Complicated, I know... but translated? You resonate well with him, Lucien, but he is leaving strategically while still leaving behind assistance ... for you," she explained, just as Ioi vanished out of sight and returned to Iota.
 
Lucien was caught unprepared by the kiss. He was overjoyed that she was alive, certainly. but he had thought that any affections between them had been buried long ago. Before his daughter had been born, before she had been executed, before Heaven had burned to the ground. Thus, when she kissed him, he froze. For a brief moment, he thought of his deceased wife. A feeling of betrayal and guilt went through him until he thought about her. She was dead. There was no changing that. And she would scorn him if she knew that he was ruining Ilana and his own chances at happiness, freedom from hate, because of someone dead. 
 
So for only a brief moment, he froze. And then he returned the kiss. 
 
At Ioi's words, he turned around, warily. Even if Ilana trusted him, Lucien didn't. He only nodded, and took the offered sword. It had been far easier than he expected, to gain this sword. He had expected a fight. A battle. Not...whatever this situation had become. Around them, Angels and Demons still tore each other apart, each determined to exterminate the other. They didn't even notice Ioi destroying the building. Lucien wasn't sure if it was on accident or not. 
 
And then he sensed them. The Cowards. Their Council Dogs. The Fleshshaper. Hatred rose in him, blotting out any other thought. [i]They[/i] were responsible for his daughter's death. [i]They[/i] had turned his life into hell, burned his home. [i]They[/i] must die. But, he couldn't figure out how to free them from the sword, and somehow doubted he had the time to. They were safe from his wrath. For now. 
 
Reluctantly, Lucien sheated the sword Hazumi had become..or rather, tried to. It didn't want to be put away, not used. For a few moments, he struggled with it. The sword's will was strong. But so was Lucien's. "Damn it stop fighting!" He snarled under his breath. And then, to his great surprise, the sword did. It stopped resisting, and allowed itself to be sheathed with a piece of it breaking off in the process, unbeknownst to him, and fading away as if it was made of dust. 
 
As Ilana spoke he glanced down at her, a small smile on his face. He didn't trust Ioi. But she did, so he wouldn't immediately stab the creature on site. "What kind of assistence? Who, or what?"