A/N Hope you like it!! Enjoy<3

It was a chilly night, the wind harsh and biting as it whipped through the empty streets. The only sounds echoing off the buildings were the footsteps of a weary traveller. A young man made his way along the dimly lit street, his jacket pulled tight around him, collar popped up against the wind. He carried a black duffle bag slung over his shoulder and a gun on his hip.

As he walked, he fought down the memories of his most recent job. He didn't want to hear the screams of the child as he forced the demon out of her. He didn't want to remember the tearing of her skin as she fought against her restraints. He hated making children suffer like that, forcing their bodies through the excruciating ordeal of casting out the demonic.

Children almost never survive an exorcism.

This little girl had been lucky, it was a lower level demon that had taken her, easily removed. The only wounds he had left her with being mental. She would remember this, they always did. She was young enough that her parents could convince her that it was nothing more than a horrific dream.

She was one of the fortunate ones.

He was pulled from his thoughts as the street lights began to flicker. He came to a stop, feeling the air around him thicken. He let his bag fall to the ground and scanned the darkness, feeling his power rise beneath his skin. The heavy fluttering of wings filled the air, pulling his attention to the figure that landed behind him.

An imposing figure, the being stretched massive white wings before pulling them in to rest against his back. The young man straightened and stepped closer to the new creature, feeling the telltale crackle of Holly Fire dancing over his fingers at the potential threat.

"Christopher." The growling voice of the winged man echoed through the street, sending a spark of adrenaline along Chris's spine.

"Raphael, what brings you to our little corner of Hell this fine evening?"

"Is it done?"

"Have I ever failed you?" Chris winked at the angel, feeling the anger rising from the being.

"Is the vessel dead?" Chris felt a chill take over his bones.

"You know she isn't."

"Of course, another incomplete job by the Monster."

"You wound me." He snapped, stepping closer and allowing his Holy Fire to spark out, forming a small blade and twirling it through his fingers. He relished the faint burning sensation he felt as the blade of fire passed over his skin. "What do you want Raphael?" He felt his voice start to lower, changing into a low growl as his power got closer to the surface.

"The Host is getting impatient, they no longer wish to deal with you and your, companies antics."

"Our 'antics' are what's keeping your mistake in it's cage." Chris allowed the small blade to shift into a large dagger, gripping the handle as it continued to pleasantly burn his skin. "If the Host would rather, we can stop helping and you all can fight him on your own."

"Do not threaten me, Monster!" Chris found himself tossed back, slamming heavily against the old brick of an abandoned factory. The air was forced from his lungs and pain bloomed in the back of his skull as Raphael pressed his own blade of Holy Fire against Chris's throat. The young man winced, fighting the instinct to kill the being pinning him to the rough brick. "I have no qualms with taking your life right now, Monster."

Chris felt an empty laugh escape his throat. The hollow, haunting sound filling the quiet street.

"Go ahead. Kill the beast, be the hero for the night. Just remember that while this beast will be dead, a darker one lurks in the shadows." Raphael growled at his words, pressing the blade deeper into his skin before disappearing, leaving Chris alone once more. He pushed off the wall, dusting off his leather coat before checking the wound on his throat. It wasn't bleeding, but the skin had blistered.

He would get hell for provoking an Angel.

"Fucking asshole." He cursed under his breath, making his way to the abandoned duffle bag on the sidewalk. He slung it over his shoulder and resumed his walk down the abandoned street, whistling a sad melody as he did.

As he walked, a new chill could be felt, spreading through the air like a disease.

A beast had been awakened.

Chris felt a chill trace his spine as he stepped onto the grounds of the abandoned church he called home. He always felt unwelcome here, the darkness within him rebelling against the hallowed ground. He brushed off the discomfort and made his way to the doors of the church.

As he reached for the handle of the decrepit building, he listened to the wind as it whistled through the trees. It was a sorrowful sound, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness fill him as he listened.

Heaven was mourning, he could feel it permeating the air.

Another presence made itself known in the back of his mind. They had company. He turned and saw the familiar shape of the Archangel Gabriel leaning against a street sign just past the property line.

"You know, you can come on Hallowed Ground. It's just demons that can't cross." He laughed as the angel rolled his eyes and pushed off the sign, walking up to stand in front of Chris. He didn't look impressed. The soft lights of the porch made his normally silver hair appear blonde, making him look younger than his vessel was. "What's up Gabe?"

"You know why I am here."

"How loudly is Raph bitching tonight?"

"He claims you attacked him." Chris sighed and pushed open the door of the church, holding it open for the angel to follow him in. Gabriel wasn't a tall man, standing a solid seven inches shorter than Chris, but the way he carried himself left no questions that he was a being of immense power.

"You know I wouldn't do that."

"Yes, I know that, but some of the Host is still wary of you. He has over half of them concerned that you will revolt."

"They should be more concerned with him than me. He attacked me." They walked down a darkened hall to the kitchen, Chris slinging his bag onto the table as he fell heavily into one of the mismatched chairs.

"I believe you, but he is calling for a Council."

"Damn it Gabe, I don't have time for a Council!" Chris rubbed his face and sighed, his bones starting to feel heavy after the stress of the day. "Remember? Demons to exorcize, an angry Archangel to keep in a cage?"

"I am aware of your struggles Christopher-"

"Don't call me Christopher."

"-But you can't just refuse a Council." Gabriel took the seat across from Chris, leveling an intense gaze at the young man. If Chris wasn't so close to the angel, he would have been scared. "This is serious Chris. I don't think I can shut him up this time."

"Who are we shutting up?" A new voice filled the room as Nathaniel, one of the Nephilim in Chris's care appeared in the entryway. Gabriel straightened in his seat and sent a soft, half-smile towards the man.

Nathaniel ducked his head slightly to fit through the door as he stepped into the kitchen, taking the duffle bag off the table, shooting an irritated glare at Chris as he did.

"Your friend here has angered Raphael again." Chris rolled his eyes and stood, brushing past Nathaniel as he made his way to the fridge.

"Again? Is he calling a Council?" Nathaniel handed Chris a clean glass as he pulled the milk from the fridge. The Nephilim leaned his lanky frame against the counter, watching Chris with eyes that would have fit better on a concerned mother.

"Of course, what else is new?"

"Chris, what did you do?" Chris growled and swallowed a mouthful of the cold liquid before responding.

"I didn't do anything. I finished the job and was walking home when he attacked me."

"He just attacked? Out of nowhere?"

"Pretty much." He finished his milk and set the glass on the counter, not missing Nathaniel automatically place the cup in the sink. "Don't worry, first thing tomorrow, I will call Michael and talk him down." He could feel the tension rising from Nathaniel's frame at the mention of the Archangel.

Before the Nephilim had joined Chris, Michael had taken it upon himself to try to kill Nathaniel. The Nephilim was born of Michael's line and the Archangel hated the thought, wanting to rid the Earth of his spawn. Nathaniel was the last of Michael's line, and had sworn to not continue the bloodline.

"Where's Kasady and J?" Chris pushed off the counter where he had been leaning, starting for the door. He needed to get out, the walls of the small building starting to close in around him. The Darkness that thrummed beneath his skin always made staying on the grounds difficult.

"Sparring out back." He signaled at Gabriel to follow him and left the church, feeling the weight of the blessed structure pressing against his spine.

"Are you alright Chris?" The Archangel asked as they left the grounds, walking along the street.

"There's something wrong Gabe, I can feel it in the air." They walked in silence for a while, listening to the mournful sounds of the wind.

"The Angel Death is crying. Ezekiel has a new prophesy, one he will only share with her." Chris nodded at the angel's words. "War is coming Chris; the Host is preparing. I suggest you do the same." The young man heard the fluttering of wings as Gabriel left, leaving him to walk through the streets alone.

The wind carried a message, one that Chris was starting to understand.

The time for peace was over.