The Grey Angle

A Story by Ash A East

A heavenly angel who gets sent to hell for a crime against god and man. He then breaks out of hell and roams the earth seeking vengeance

Argent 1
I am a guardian angel. I Watch over a mortal that I am assigned from their birth to their death. It's not an easy job by any stretch, mortals are pretty stupid, but I put up with it. It's pretty fun sometimes, you can get attached to a human pretty quickly, but you still have to obey one core rule: Don't kill anyone, no matter what...

It was a late December night and Veronica had just left the Christmas party she was at. She didn't live far, just a block away from the host's house, so she had walked to the party earlier that afternoon. She began regretting that decision when she started shivering. It had dropped a good 10 degrees since the afternoon, and she only had a thick jacket. As she was walking down the street, she thought she saw someone out of the corner of her eye. She shrugged it off thinking it was only her tired imagination. It wasn't her imagination when a cold, steel, barrel was jabbed into her back. "Your money or your life" a low voice said behind her. Veronica slowly put her hands up. "I don't have any money" she said as calmly as she could. A rough hand grabbed her by the neck and another went over her mouth. She tried to scream, kick, something. But it was of no use. She was helplessly dragged into a near by alley and thrown onto the ground. As she looked up, she saw a man in a black mask and a heavy coat, pointing a hand gun right at her face. "I'm going to ask you this one more time: your money or your life", he threatened keeping the gun level to her head. "Please," Veronica pleaded, "I don't have any I swear".
The man said nothing, his grip on the gun tightened. Veronica closed her eyes. This was it. But the shot never came. Only a soft thud in the snow. She looked up again to see the thug missing his head. The lifeless corpse fell to the ground, dropping the handgun on the way, to reveal a spectacular sight. Another man, clad in gold, a shining bloodied sword in his hand and bright wings protruding from his back. His face was veiled in light and he spoke not a word. Veronica wanted to scream, to run, to hide, but just as quickly as he appeared, the angelic man vanished leaving nothing, but the headless body of her would be killer.

# Stuart and Samuel 1
"Samuel was sitting in his heavenly dwelling reading the holy word and preparing for his soon to be guardian duties. His protected was to be a small baby in Germany who was healthy and born to a middle class family, a common assignment for guardians such as himself. There was a knocking at his door. "Odd", he thought to himself, nobody normally bothered him this early. He opened the door to see one of his two close friends standing at his door. Stuart greeted Samuel with the salute used commonly by the soldiers, a hand over the heart, and took a step into the room. As Samuel closed the door, Stuart spoke. "You haven't seen Argent around recently have you?" He asked, turning to face his friend. "No I have not," Samuel answered honestly "I've been here preparing for my new assignment. He's a cute little boy that was just born a few days a go, we shou-". "I don't want to hear about your new assignment right now Sam, this is important". Stuart interrupted in a harsh tone.
"What is the matter?" Samuel asked, concerned as to why his friend interrupted him. "There is a trial, Sam. One of our own has betrayed the will of The almighty and must answer to it. All angels are requested to be there". "It must be serious, we haven't had a trial since we banished the fallen one." "Yes Sam I am aware of that, but we have to go, it starts soon and I want a good seat". "That's slightly messed up Stewart".
"I know".
The two angels flew to the judgment house, which had formerly been used to judge the fallen one. They found decent seats and sat down. Everyone was talking and asking each other about the trial. The judgment house had arena like with seating all around and a large booth where the his holiness himself should watch the trial. In the center was a huge arena with a large inactive device that is said to connect directly to hell. A few minutes went by and everyone got settled and God's own son stepped out into the arena area followed by Archangel Gabriel and Abraham. They sat, each at their own podiums and every one quieted. The son stood, and declared in a booming voice: "bring out the accused!" Two angel warriors marched out of the main gate with another between them, bound by chains. Stuart gasped instantly recognizing the accused, Sam turned to him, "what is it?" He asked in a hushed tone. Not recognizing the angel that was bound. Stuart shook his head in denial. "I can't believe it".
"What who is it?"
"It's Argent"
Sam's ichor ran cold.

# Argent 2
Murmurs rippled through the crowd when Argent was brought out into the arena. His normally long blond hair was in tangles and his angelic robes were wrinkled and torn in different areas. The only thing that looked right about him were his wings. They were any angel's pride and joy. They signified their holy power and grace under god. For them to be damaged was a great mark of shame. His hands were bound together and he was flanked by two powerful and well know warriors, Kāiran and Ayra. They held him by the arms and dragged him in front of the holy ones. He looked up at his superiors, The Archangel was the first to speak. " Guardian Angel Argent, is it true that you are responsible for the murder of a Jaques S. Kaldwin, by use of your God-Given weapon, by brutal beheading?" He stood, golden armor gleaming in holy radiance, and pointed his spear at Argent. "Are you going to confess your wrongdoing to me and your fellow angels or are you going to take the path of damnation with Satan himself?" Everyone in the building shifted uneasily at the mention of their fallen brother. Argent looked up at the Archangel, a sneer on his face. "It is true that a moral's blood stains my blade". the crowd gasped, hearing him blatantly admit to disobeying God himself. Argent continued, "You do, however, misinterpret my intentions. The death of the mortal, was necessary for the survival of the mortal I was protecting, Veronica." "It matters not your intentions with killing, you very much could have protected, this-- Veronica, in various ways not restricted by the word of god." The Archangel pointed out. The son stood up and motioned for Gabriel to sit, which The Archangel obeyed, and he spoke to Argent. "You have done wrong in the eyes of the lord, but I will give you a choice. Will you admit that you didn't take the right course of action and remain among us, or will you stubbornly refuse to admit your guilt and be banished". Argent thought for a moment, the crowd was tense awaiting his response. He looked up at at Abraham, the son, and Gabriel, and he declared with a firm tone: "I stand with my decision!". The crowd erupted into a huge mess of shouts and curses. Gabriel, motioned for Kāiran and Ayra to proceed with the banishing. Argent felt something clasp around his left wing and a sudden explosion of pain roared across his back, he cried out in terror has he under stood what was happening: they were removing his wings. He felt something brush his right wing but he turned to free it. His remaining wing folded over his back protectively and he turned to face his guards. Kāiran grabbed him by the collar of his tattered robes and held him high. Behind Argent was the great machine was generating unholy lighting, preparing for the journey to hell. He kicked off Kāiran and stumbled closer to the device. He backed even closer to it raising his bound hands above his head where they were struck. A flash of darkness stunned the whole of the crowd and knocked the two warriors to their knees. When they regained their senses, Argent was gone.

# Samuel and Stuart 2
Stuart and Samuel sat staring at the spot where their friend had disappeared. Samuel couldn't believe it, one of his dearest friends had just been banished. Stuart was mortified that the bloodied wing was once attached to his comrade. The whole crowd was silent, save a few whispers. The son, not as phased by the darkness as the others beside him, looked up at the gathering of angels. "You are all dismissed" he said in as calm a tone anyone could muster. One by one the angels dispersed, going back to their various duties. Finally Samuel and Stuart were the only ones left to ponder the fate that had befallen their friend.

# Argent 3
Argent awoke to a searing pain in his back. His bonds were gone and his clothes were barely holding together, still smoking from the banishment. He painstakingly rose to his feet, and took a look around. He was in a crater of some sort. The ground was hard and a deep reddish brown color with specks of black scattered about. There was no denying it, he was in hell. The ceiling of the horrid place was cloaked in a dark fog giving it an endless feeling to it. As he moved to climb out of the crater, Argent thought he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. He spun to face the unknown, but it was gone. He slowly turned back to the edge of the crater and prepare to climb out, when all of a sudden something jumped on his back. Argent cried out in fear and stumbled backward, it's spindly fingers grabbing at his face. He managed to grab a hold of the small creature, fling it to the ground and stomp it's head in, a thick black fluid exploding from the point of impact. He stepped back from the now dead creature and tried to identify it, despite it's caved in face. It had long spindly limbs, a torso that was all skin and bone, and skin that was a deep red. It was a denison of hell alright. "Well you certainly took care of that". A deep, smooth voice said from behind. Argent spun to face the voice, and what he saw was every angel's worst nightmare. It was the Fallen one, basking in his unholy glory, Satan, with a twisted smile on his devilishly handsome face.

# Argent 4
Argent took a step back when he say the personified image of evil. "What do you want" Argent growled unconsciously groping for his sword. Satan grinned even wider this time. "There are a great many things I want, power greater than that of God, complete control over humanity," He said, his tone calm and oddly disarming, "but those things are out side of my grasp. Right now, I would like your ichor mixed with salt and alcohol to make a nice little stirred martini". On cue a martini glass appeared in his hand. He continued, "But no. I need you in working condition if I am further my goals." He started to move toward Argent, his steps delicate, yet firmly placed. "Get back, Vile creature!" Argent shouted as he stepped back "I want nothing to do with you!" Satan laughed, "oh but you already have my little angel" he continued forward the martini glass replaced by a long trident, robes of a deep red hue decorated his figure, and lastly a black crown of six points materialized on his head. "You are to be my champion. It is not often an angel is given to me and I must take advantage of it, should I not?" Argent gritted his teeth. "How about i show you what I can do first hand" he offered, raising his fists to his face. This only led Satan to roar the most terrifying belly laughs of all time. After he calmed down, he raised his trident to Argent, all three prongs complete with fire. "If you so wish to show me your finesse in the fighting arts, then by all means, swing first". Argent complied.

# Samuel And Stuart 3
Stuart was on guard duty at the front lines that morning. He had gotten very little rest since Argent's banishment, and he wasn't exactly awake. He stood a top a shaded tower, leaning on a large golden warbow that he was issued earlier that week. It was his favorite weapon yet. With a draw weight of 500 pounds, it was near impossible for any human to wield, and it slung it's holy arrows at speeds unmatched by any other weapon. He yawned expecting nothing big to happen today, they had just driven back yet another attack by the forces of hell the day before, slaying many demons in the process. It would be a while until they could muster the force to try again. He heard someone come up the ladder to the tower. He turned to see a human voulenteer saluting him, a scroll in his hand. Stuart chuckled, it was funny seeing humans at the frontline. Even the most lesser of angels stood at least a head taller than a human, not to mention their difference in strength. Stuart was surprised that some could take on demons, they were just so small. "What is it, private?" Stuart remarked "does one of friend's need something moved?" "No sir" the human said, standing stiff, hand still in solute position, "I bring a request to meet with you from the archangel Gabriel, sir". "Really" stuart scoffed "are you sure he asked you to tell me this?". "Yes sir, I'm sure" the human handed the scroll to Stuart, "These are the details sir". Stuart opened the scroll and looked over it, a look of worry on his face. "Private do you have your rifle on you?" "Yes sir, I do" "Good! I need you to cover my position while I am gone. If you see one of those ugly b******s put a bullet in between their eyes." "Of course sir". Stuart left the human to whatever humans do when they're bored and went to the Archangel's quarters. He arrived and the guards waved him in. Gabriel was intently reading a letter when Stuart walked in. "You wished to see me immediately Archangel sir" Argent stated, saluting, standing straight in the gaze of his superior. "Yes of course," Gabriel answered looking up from his letter, "I have recently received word that a satanic cult has been planning to bring a greater demon into the realm of earth. I need you to go down and disrupt it." Stuart raised an eyebrow. "You need me to take care of some humans? Couldn't you have sent a small squad of human souls? Cultists are scared shitless any time something wrong happens." Gabriel shook his head. "They plan on summoning the demon soon, if they have not already. I need to make sure it doesn't roam free on earth. I know you are good at slaying our enemies, no?" "Of course sir, I shall head out at once." "Good, report back with news of success and I'll make sure you get new equipment. Your armor seems a bit scarred". Stuart grinned, stood up, and strode out of the building knowing he was getting an easy promotion. Well, thinking he was anyway...

# Argent 5
Argent awoke face down on a cold hard table. He lifted his head and looked around. He was in an empty room, save the table, with seemingly no exit. He sat up and he realized he was naked to the waist. His head throbbed with a dull pain and it hurt to move his right shoulder. "About time you woke up" the dreadfully smooth voice of satan purred, sending chills down Argent's spine. He spun to see the Satan in a tuxedo with a blood red rose in his lapel. "Wha- where-huh?" Argent stuttered in confusion wondering when The devil got here. "My realm little angel, I do what I want". Argent scowled "stop calling me that" Satan chuckled "My realm, little angel. I do what I want" he repeated. "Well then what do you want?" Argent retorted only slightly (very) annoyed by this prick. "I don't have all day". "Actually you do,"The King of Evil pointed out, irking Argent even more, "but I, on the other hand, don't. Follow me". Satan put his hand on agents shoulder and the scene began to shift. No longer was Argent in an empty room, but he was in a room, full of weapons of every kind. Swords, spears, bows, guns, bazookas, you name it, it was there. Satan made a wide motion with his hands "what do you fancy? A sword to cut your enemies? A bow to pierce your enemies? A whip for tearing out throats or getting kinky if you know what I mean?" Argent gave satan a look of disgusted confusion, "I have no idea what you mean and I really don't want to know" Satan just winked in response. After pouring through the immense amount of weaponry he finally decided on a two handed long sword and a blade that could spring from his wrist with a simple thought. After Satan gave him a nice long lecture on why the minigun that shot 50 calibers was obviously the best choice they phased to a room full of different types of armor. Racks upon racks of armor lined the walls. Gauntlets, breastplates, helmets, all ranging from the most archaic of suits to modern military gear. Argent just chose a simple silver breast plate with gauntlets, shinguards and a helmet to match. The helmet looked much like a centurion's would have with a plume of red feathers adorning the top. There was no need for heavy plate mail, he was immortal. The armor felt natural despite being of hellish origin, it was light and it allowed him to wield his weapons with agility, matched by only a few. "Well, since you so gloriously showed me of your combat knowledge earlier" Satan teased, sarcasm practically dripping from his tongue, "I have your first assignment" Argent raised his eyebrow. "What do you think I'll willingly do for you" he growled. "Well, considering I could just take your new equipment and seal you back in that room for all eternity," Satan pointed out, a smug look on his face, "I think it would be better that you do somethings for me in exchange for a little bit of freedom on earth, don't you think?" Argent eyed him silently, a look of hatred on his face. "Good" Satan exclaimed "I you are going to act as a spy for me up there. Your holy nature will let you blend in among the other holy activities, while you give me information about my followers who have yet to join their true king". He chuckled darkly about his own cleverness. They started walking down a hallway that got darker and darker as they went further and further down. Eventually they reached a room that was lit by only five candles that sat at the five points of a pentagram. "Welcome to the very center of hell, the connection between here and earth!" He made a wide motion with his hands "This is where you and I part ways for now." Argent looked around confused. "Where's the exit?" He asked, not realizing how dumb he sounded considering he just phased through rooms with the lord of darkness. Suddenly the candles flared and the pentagram started glowing a bright red. "Oh good!" Satan said, clapping his hands together, "its time". "Time for what?" Argent asked, slightly panicking. "Time for you to leave" Satan laughed as he kicked Argent into the pentagram. There was a large flash of green and the angel was no where to be seen.