"Is something wrong?" Vine asked. Kat had turned from embarrassed to downcast all of a sudden. "You will get out of here. Don't worry."

"It's not that. I was just thinking...it's really awful in here, isn't it?"

"Did you expect something else? It is hell. An endless punishment for those who oppose god." He let go of her hand. "Although the worst cases apparently thrive even here."

"Worst cases? Please don't take me wrong, but..." she trailed off.

"But what? But wasn't I the rebel leader, the worst traitor in existence?"

She nodded slowly and pulled Shaye a little closer to her.

"In a sense you are right. But I'm not like Rajek or Razia. Or any of those he mentioned. I did start the rebellion, but I did not want to start a war."

"Then what..."

"I've never wanted war and bloodshed. Not back then and not now." Vine wrapped his arms around himself. "All I ever wanted was the freedom to choose my own beliefs and way of life, not having a 'god' of any kind tell me what to do. I left when my comrades decided they wanted to kill all angels siding with him. To kill god himself." He cast a brief look at Shaye. "So the only people to leave hell will be us three. I may be just as guilty, but I'm not letting murderers back to earth."

Rajek and Razia were twin angels of death. Their reason to join his cause? The freedom to kill whoever they wished instead of only bringing in stray souls lingering on earth. Although he had realized that a little too late.

Meriel, Grehar and Erain had been guardians of hell, tasked with making sure demons stayed there - and showing the young angels what would await them if they strayed from the path of god. He hadn't known their reasons, only that they had supported his rebellion wholeheartedly. Maybe he had assumed they also wanted to break free of their duties, of the carefully ordered system. Joal's reason he knew, though - she had been an angel of natural world like him. And in his idealism he had thought her a kindred spirit. But she had loved Rajek. And more than anything, she had wanted to be like him.

It did make sense that the worst warmongers would survive the longest, but this did make their situation difficult. He could wield a sword, yes, and he could conjure up a spirit weapon here just as well as the others, but he was by no means a warrior equal to any of them. And the odds were 6-to-1.

"Is it really safe for you to say that out loud?" Kat asked. She did sort of understand Vine's reasoning and agreed on his view, but wasn't the only reason they were still alive the demons' hope that their unexpected visitors could help them out of here? "What if they hear you?"

"I doubt it. But Rajek made it clear enough that it's just a matter of who strikes first from now on. So whether or not I say anything, at least one of them will try to kill me the moment the door opens." He carefully moved on the bed. It should be wide enough for them all. "Try to get some rest. There isn't much else to do than wait for now."

~*~*~

Vine woke suddenly to the faint sound of door opening. His sword instantly materialized to his hand as he quickly sat up, but disappeared as he recognized who it was. Instead he hopped down to the floor and walked briskly to the door.

Other than the formerly golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes having turned raven black just like his own, Joal was still just as beautiful as he remembered. "If you came to mock me, please don't. Of all angels, you must have known best why I did everything."

"I did not come to mock you," she spoke quietly. The voice that had called wild animals half a mile away when she had sung had turned into raspy whisper. Another punishment apparently.

"Then what?"

She closed the door behind her. "I came to ask you to join us once more."

"...Why? Surely you know Rajek hates me now."

"I'll talk to Rajek! Just..." She swallowed to find her voice again. "Just imagine what we could accomplish together! To all angels in heaven you are still the rebel leader. With your gift in speech you could persuade many to join our ranks again. This time...this time we could win!"

That was true. Only god and the fallen angels themselves knew what had really happened. Everybody else thought he had been banished to hell along with the others. "And once we've won...what then?"

"What do you want, Laeviel?" She gave him a playful smile, much like old times. "Rajek wants to rule the heaven, but I doubt that's your goal. You could have real freedom on earth - no brands, nobody to hunt you down, no need to hide at all."

"I...will think about it. That does sound tempting." This was completely unexpected. If the others would think him an ally, it would give him some room to maneuver once the door to earth was found. But he didn't want to use Joal for that. He didn't want to betray her again.

Suddenly she took his hands. Her palms and fingers were just as soft as he remembered. And she didn't reek of blood like Razia did. Even if the two had done equally horrible things in the war, in some ways she was still the same angel of the natural world. "Joal..."

"That's great! Just don't think too long! I think Grehar knows where to find what you're looking for."

Already? A sudden, but very welcome surprise. He smiled. "I'm sure we can talk out the details once we're all out of here."

So much for honesty. He'd just have to play with the hand he'd been dealt.