Earth Victoriana: Deliver Us From Evil (IC)

[KnightDisciple]

Gabriel stood there and narrowed his eyes. These men, so-called "protectors of the faith", they annoyed him. Which was poor form for them.

"Understood."

In the twinkling of an eye, he was suddenly holding a shining spear, one covered in holy sigils and symbols. He held it in a somewhat defensive posture, as much as he could with only one hand gripping it. With his other hand, he pointed at one of the farthest grey-clothed men and fired off a blast of sonic energy that would make an average man's punch feel soft by comparison.

"I'm far from winded, gentlemen, and I'd say the forges of Heave outstrip what you've all got for your blacksmith. Perhaps you should all give up?"

[Aoiroo]

Carrie looked up in her 2D form and watched the spear in hand blast out one of the guys,

Unsubtly, thy name is Gabriel.

It didn't really matter though, he made an excellant distraction. The flying guy in white that they could see with a spear was way more interesting then the flat girl in black they couldn't. Though they might of tried noticing once she hit a sharpened elbow in the first guys stomach right through the layer of armor underneath the cloak. Or when she sliced into one of the guys shoulders leaving him down and bleeding. Really by the time she took out the fourth guy they noticed something was happening, the sixth guy almost tried to hit her with a wild swing of his sword but went down with an uppercut. The seventh, well she did want to get one alive, so she tried a jab into the side nerves but he managed to hold out even against in his eyes the unexplained sudden pain and aimed his rifle up at Gabriel whom he assumed was the cause of this sudden invisible beatdown. No surprise though that he missed the flying hero in white by a mile as the shot went through the air.

[KnightDisciple]

Gabriel may not have been subtle in deeds, but he was certainly decisive and impressive. He watched several other men fall as Carrier went about her business. Oh, he couldn't see her, though his ears were catching hints of her location without even trying. But he knew he hadn't hit those other men, so it was only logical it was her doing. He turned to the last man standing, not moving from his spot, and lifted the spear to point at him.

"Red light says "Stop"."

An invisible lance of force flew outward, striking the man head-on. The vibrations wormed their way to his brain and nervous system, working to jumble and disrupt things just enough to lock him in place, even without ropes.

[Aoiroo]

The Inquisition took the vibrations head on, shaking them off and almost yelling back,

"What do you,"

He was cut off when jabbed her flat hand right into the right section of nerves, this time far to hard for him to overcome. He stopped stunned as she reappeared,

"You really should obey the warning signals."

As he froze she glanced over at Gabriel though the Inquisition had one last mutterings to say,

"What are you?"

"Annoyed,"

Carrie didn't even look at him when she replied,

"So, you want to do the interrogation. It's not exactly my field of expertise."

[KnightDisciple]

Gabriel walked forward, his shining spear slowly, methodically tapping on the stone before stopping as he stood in front of the man. For long moments, he stared down at him, his face shadowed by his hood and helmet, his eyes barely visible, his intent inscrutable. Then, suddenly, he leaned down, pushed his hood back...and smiled.

"I'm not sure we're going to need an interrogation here. After all, this gentleman's a humble believer. Maybe he can just give us a few tips so we can be on our way? It's not like we really want to hurt anyone, friend. We're all trying to do the Lord's work. I think you just started listening to the wrong crowd, you know? Trust me, stuff like that's confusing. But don't worry. We'll make sure they aren't leading folks like you astray, causing you to hurt innocent, godly men. Now. Any thoughts on what might be some useful information for us?"

At a glance, it would be baffling what Gabriel hoped to accomplish. Except, it wasn't so much the words themselves he was working on using against the man. Instead, the invisible waves of sonic force that were being sent toward the man, piggy-backed on Gabriel's voice, were the true "weapon". They worked their "magic" on his brain, tweaking chemical balances and such with the goal of making him friendly and helpful to Gabriel (and by extension, Carrie).

[Aoiroo]

After Gabriel talked to him, the man turned helpful, really incredibly annoyingly helpful. He spilled everything, where the ritual was, how many people they were using, the fact that they were summoning great demons, that night. Them having working on this for months, how amazing Gabriel was, okay that came up a little too often. It was sort of annoying, Carrie really wanted to call out that something was clearly wrong with this sudden turnaround but it freaking worked for now. Even if it left a bad taste in her mouth how well it worked and reminded her of a certain therapist, it got them what they needed and the dude even lead the way willingly into the catacombs, and he would not stop talking.

When they got to the rediculously spacious under streets under Vatican City it was helpful having him as a guide, though Carrie kept pace behind. She wouldn't answer any questions herself, or really even talk about it. She knew Gabriel saw her do something, not that she would really speak about it. It wasn't that relivant, and there weren't many bad conclusions he could reach especially since she had never met him in costume. While they were lead forward to a large coorridor with guards at the door, she only stopped to let Gabriel's newest biggest friend go ahead before saying,

"Are you nervous, he basically said they were summoning a small army with their sacrifices. We probably don't have time to contact the others, especially with the rising of the moon."

[KnightDisciple]

After Gabriel talked to him, the man turned helpful, really incredibly annoyingly helpful. He spilled everything, where the ritual was, how many people they were using, the fact that they were summoning great demons, that night. Them having working on this for months, how amazing Gabriel was, okay that came up a little too often. It was sort of annoying, Carrie really wanted to call out that something was clearly wrong with this sudden turnaround but it freaking worked for now. Even if it left a bad taste in her mouth how well it worked and reminded her of a certain therapist, it got them what they needed and the dude even lead the way willingly into the catacombs, and he would not stop talking.

When they got to the rediculously spacious under streets under Vatican City it was helpful having him as a guide, though Carrie kept pace behind. She wouldn't answer any questions herself, or really even talk about it. She knew Gabriel saw her do something, not that she would really speak about it. It wasn't that relivant, and there weren't many bad conclusions he could reach especially since she had never met him in costume. While they were lead forward to a large coorridor with guards at the door, she only stopped to let Gabriel's newest biggest friend go ahead before saying,

"Are you nervous, he basically said they were summoning a small army with their sacrifices. We probably don't have time to contact the others, especially with the rising of the moon."

Gabriel kept his composure, even in the face of the man's sycophantic behavior, and the rather dire news. He made sure part of his concentration stayed on keeping the man happy and aligned with them, and part of it on keeping him useful to them.

When Carrie stopped and spoke to him, he frowned a bit, then shrugged, shifting in his armor and moving his spear to the other hand.

"I'll warn the Englishmen. Not sure how much they can do, though."

He closed his eyes, and his lips fluttered a bit as he sent a quick warning humming through the air to the ears of the staff at the British compound. He stopped after a moment, having given them the information he knew they'd need. He then gave Carrie a reassuring smile.

"Guess we'll have to stop some of the sacrifices, and banish what demons do appear. Don't worry. I've handled demons before. Gets easier every time."

[Aoiroo]

Carrie wasn't reassured, but then again she never was. As they were led to the door, the fanboy took the lead and opened the doors, and honestly, they were screwed. The large catacomb had about five circles scattered with several people laying unconcious throughout (probably the sacrifices). The Inquisition was split among the portals chanting, and in each other already visible was several demons was all she could call them. There were several smaller ones, but at the center main portal were two very large demons fighting to get through and they all looked and locked there eyes on Gabriel his holy presense being unmistakable,

"Ahh hell."

Carrie disappeared on the spot as the fight began, the lesser demons fly from the portals and tried to swipe at Gabriel as they passed one after another, but Carrie didn't go after the small fries. She slinked past the entrance towards the larger demons and ducked out as one sent a spout of hellfire in Gabriel's general direction but in no way actually hitting the white clad crusader. Carrie slipped trying to get a hit on the other one before it could attack but it's hide proved resilient enough to take the attack. It did notice it though, and searched it's area evidently noticing the flat extra to their side of the room. Carrie cursed silently as she ran away from the hellfire, but got hit sideways and the burn hit her side sending her reeling into pain as she resumed her normal form.

[KnightDisciple]

"That is the generally-accepted place demons make habitation, yes."

Gabriel exuded an air of calm confidence. He simply strode forward, coat billowing behind him, spear firmly grasped in one hand. The flickering lights in the unholy room shone off his armor, the reflections somehow turned to something more wholesome and soothing simply by the metal he wore.

One of the smaller demons took a swipe at Gabriel. Without even looking at the creature, he smoothly leaned to one side, letting it overreach and stumble behind him as he started to dash forward. He pointed at one of the larger beasts, his face calm, as he spoke a single word, his body's special nodes amplifying the sound, shaping it into a terrible weapon that struck at the beast's natural defenses, trying to undermine them, leave it open for him to send back to the Abyss it came from.

"Begone."

Then suddenly he was right in front of the thing, both hands gripping the weapon forged in the foundries of Heaven, the shining tip lashing forward to strike a blow against a being that had once known those very forges, but was now the antithesis of everything they stood for.

[Aoiroo]

The demon shrieked inconherently as Gabriel struck him down. He wraithed in pain as he fell to his knees then disintegrated into nothing. The scene sent all present into a frenzy. The Inquisition brandished swords and guns alike attacking the white holy knight trying to strike him down. The demons tried to hold him in place while they attacked him as well, tearing into his armor and trying to rip off as much as possible. The Greater Demon quickly shot out more hellfire at Gabriel managing a solid hit, though really it didn't notice Carrie at all with it's attention shifted.

Carrie had pushed herself up and regained her 2D form as she watched them swarm him. She winced at the though as she could no longer see him in the flurry but focused on the head honchos. Running up soft steps she swiped her flattened hard into the demons side, and this time it pierced, the demon howled in pain but she disappeared as soon as she had come waiting for a chance to hit again and really hoping Gabriel would survive the onslaught.

[KnightDisciple]

Gabriel's face didn't snarl as he was assaulted on all sides by heretics and demons.

He did frown deeply, though. His glare was sharp as he gazed for a moment at the so-called Inquisition in the room with him.

"I will deal with you filthy, cowardly, blasphemous, traitorous heretics later. For now, I shall do what you lacked the fortitude to accomplish."

As he fought, the demons threw fire and claw at him. Some of it was dodged, some narrowly avoided, some bounced off his armor. One blow got through and rattled him, though he grit his teeth and powered through. Another scraped his helmet just above his eyes, making them water a bit from the unholy heat from its skin. One of the creatures tried to wrestle with him, but he managed to slip from his grasp. He turned and struck at it with his weapon.

"Foul creature! Corrupter! I strike at thee now, in the name of the LORD!"

[Aoiroo]

GM

The Inquisition rushed in swords unsheathed right into Gabriel. They slashed mercilessly in the white clad hero, staining his clothes in several areas. The demons kept back snickering at the display,

"Is this the defender they sent, thy strike from god, and yet thy lie in blood by the blade of thy breathern."

The snickering continued as they kept a safe distance, holy armor making them wince from previous contact as they let their minions work,

"It was not like he could offer them an alternative, thy were not as temping, these mortals have had there ear to our power we offered for months and yet no one in the holy place above took to look upon those who betrayed them. How does thine think he will fair?"

The third went forward,

"He did a good battle though, maybe we could use him as a puppet, there is no better option. The shadowy one might of just abandoned him here. What hope is there for one so broken?"

[Aoiroo]

"Shut up,"

Carrie's voice was faint like a whisper when she appeared, but only for a second. She bore through the Inquisition taking them each down as she passed a hit. The twenty something men fell to her as she punched and kicked with great effiency through their ranks. The demons didn't see her, but still managed to sidestep her attempted attack on the side. She made herself visible for all for the first time. Her clothing still smelling of fire and the burn on her side.

"You guys think you're hot stuff right, you're bloody nothing. You're just scared cause he oneshotted one of the big guys and now you're all alone."

The demon snickered as he glanced at the still open portals,

"You think that now, but thine do not..."

The demon was interupted by a flurry of arrows shooting from the entrance. Each one hitting a portal which then collapsed on itself before they buried themselves into each of the lesser demon's chest. Two of them went down immediately in the bombardment. The other two were greatly wounded and were hastily trying to remove the arrows inhibiting there powers. The Greater Demon unfortunately blew a plume of fire that burned out the arrows before they reached him.

"Men, ready another round."

A voice could be heard from the distance, and standing at the entrance behind four men toting long bows was big hat and all the dimensions pope, though a bit haggered looking he was. If one peered further back there could see four pods similar in design to the ones that brought Carrie to this realm in the first place.

[KnightDisciple]

Gabriel gasped as the swords found their way around his normally agile maneuvers, around his blessed armor, and bit into his flesh. Any one of the wounds would barely have checked him. But he was struck by many, and even a great man is still, in the end, just a man. So it was, that as the demons mocked him, he slumped, barely holding himself up with the spear. Blood ran down his face, its bitter taste biting at his tongue; it rand down his arms, making his hands slippery. The essence of his body's life ran in thin tracks down the silvery sheen of his armor, before finally falling to the rough ground beneath him. The words of the demons bit even deeper than the swords.

'They are right. I have failed. My hubris will cost this world dearly. I can only hope others...rise up to the challenge.'

He didn't really notice Carrie's work against the corrupted protectors of the Holy Church. Instead, he murmured to himself.

"Lord, into thy hands I commit my spirit. Forgive me my sins, and let me do one last work on this Earth to defend the defenseless..."

His eyes widened and his breath caught as the arrows flew forward, striking two of the beasts down. He turned, taking a moment to register the presence of the Bishop of Rome, even if it wasn't "his" Rome. He was here? In such a dangerous, unholy place? He narrowed his eyes as he faced the demons again.

The spear disappeared, suddenly a ring on his hand again. For just a moment, he stood tall, and Gabriel took a deep breath, his broken ribs sending agony screaming through his chest. He didn't stop; he used the pain, channeled it into this moment. His cheeks bulged just a bit, his brow furrowed.

Then, he SCREAMED. It was a sound like that of an archangel calling for war. It shattered the stone floor in front of him, and slammed into the remaining demons like a veritable line of battle from ancient times, slashing and pounding them all at once.

The hero in stained white and silver gave a soft smile...and slowly fell, first to his knees, then face-first onto the floor, blood beginning to pool beneath his body as his breath rattled dangerously in his chest. He'd given that last defiant shout his all, and it showed.

[Aoiroo]

There was no one who could not hear it in the tunnels, or even the city as it. The scream of the faithful resounded through the catacombs and up the shoots echoing in the sky above, though no fear hit those who heard it. As the sound finally broke and the small demons fell to their knees dieing into the ash of flames they were bore there was a moment of silence, but only just. The twitch of bows snapping holy arrows filled the air as the remaining demon was bombarded by the guards strike. They did not let up even as the young women before them disappeared from sight only reappearing as a callous blow bore into the tough hid of the creature leaving it bleeding smoke and ash as it cursed heavily into the air.

"No! So, so close we were to rule. Thine will pay, thine will pay with thine lives we will return and claim this land as ours."

Carrie reappeared and heard the arrows fly again, she looked at the struggling demon and sneered,

"Go to hell."

The arrows pierced into the open wound, extending the damage and pushing the demon to the limit as it crumbled down into nothing. Carrie let out a breath and then gather Gabriel at her side. With the assistance of the guard they got him out before his cloak turned completely red.

[Aoiroo]

Two Days Later

Carrie sat in the room crosslegged on a plush chair reading from the local paper. The rumor mill had pretty much exploded, and now there were still chatter and articles about everything that happened. Given, most of it was grossly inaccurate, but at the same time, grossly entertaining. She was leaning back in a nice but simple skirt and corset, her regular clothing was fine, but she had been there for a little while and wearing the same thing every day just wasn't a habit of hers. She glanced up from the paper and looked over at the bed where Gabriel lay. He was patched up all to heck, they had performed surgery on him because of some broken bones, and had to do a transfusion (thank god that was invented in this realm). All the while, when they finished they did a curtisiousy place a proper mask on his face. Not that it mattered, it was doubtful that even if he did have a doppleganger in this realm that any of them would know it, and considering how limited transport to the other realms. But it was something she had requested for his comfort. Really she wasn't all that curious herself, it didn't really matter in the end.

[KnightDisciple]

At some point not long before the serious medical treatment had started, Gabriel's costume had simply vanished, leaving him in plain clothes (which had likely been replaced once or twice by this point). So he probably looked odd, a mask covering his face, wearing whatever had been slapped on him by the British.

He stirred, groaning in pain as unconsciousness faded, and his injuries asserted themselves. Slowly, carefully, he leveraged himself into a half-sitting position, propped up on his pillow. His eyes opened almost agonizingly slow as he adjusted to light. He frowned, and slowly felt the crude mask over his face, before sighing.

"I guess it was inevitable someone would see, since we couldn't get back to Fleur de Joie very easily. So long as they've sworn not to talk."

He looked to Carrie, his face solemn.

"What's the state of things here in Rome? The Pope wasn't harmed, was he?"

[Aoiroo]

"Not that it matters a lick who's seen your face, they can't possibly put it to a name here. The time frame for the current day in this era is exceedingly hard to pin, but if we think the BCs match up to ours, we can be considered about thirty to forty years in the past because of the temporal distillation of time. It's likely that if we do have the temporal inertia to exist in as seperate dimensional enities in this realm at this point, neither of us would of actually been born yet. I asked for the benefit that you may not like me knowing as it may be possible that I may be able to actually gain such information at a later date."

Getting out of her chair she stretched a bit and set down her book,

"As for the Pope, he's fine, his guard is fine too, and the disappeared people are all accounted for as well. Most of them are fine, the demons according to the pope was using their lifeforce to substain their existance in this universe, and when they were killed it was released. A couple of them still need a lot of recovering time though because of previous mistreatment by the Inquisition. That whole branch of the church I've heard has been completely dumped and the Inquisition itself has been excommunicated. I'm not exactly sure how that works with capital punishment, apparently it means far more here then in our realm. No one will be specific about what will happen to them."

[KnightDisciple]

"I've yet to not feel satisified with the caution I display vis-à-vis my identity. No mortal offense meant to my hosts, mind. I suppose the time differential will have to suffice. Urgh. This is going to be sore for a while, even if I visit one of my healer friends for a follow-up."

He gave Carrie a half-smile.

"Thanks for dragging my carcass over here. Glad to hear the Pope is well, and just as glad that most of those captured are well again."

His mood grew more somber as he heard the fate of the Inquisition and its members.

"I hope the Pope does not make the same mistakes of secrecy and harsh punishments the Inquisition made. Stripping their power and imprisoning most of them seems sufficient to me.

I cannot speak to capital punishment, as it is not part of the Church back home. And excommunication is...I suppose it is within the rights of the Pope's powers. Nothing to be done for it."

For all his anger at what had been wrought by this world's Inquisition, it was clear Gabriel still had a spot of mercy in his heart for them, and didn't necessarily agree with the excommunication.

'Nothing to be done for it. I think I just want to leave this blasted dimension already. Get back to a world where England is in its proper place, and the Church has a better grasp of what it's supposed to do.'

[Aoiroo]

"Ehh, no one cares who you are without the mask, it's the masked you who killed half the demons in the room and helped to stop the attempted murder of nearly seventy people. They totally want you to stay for some sort of recognition ceremony, honestly until they got word of your recovery I think they were already pushing to canonize you."

It was a tad morbid, but considering he'd probably be the patron saint of masked crusaders was an amusing thought. She got up and went to the door, peeking out, and making a hand jesture before closing it and walking back in to his side,

"Anyway, I didn't drag you anywhere, remember, god sent you a page saying that there be evil to smite and you hitch hiked on my dimensional pod."

She smiled,

"I don't think it's capital punishment, it is the Catholic church afterall, I think the Ten Commandments are still in play. I think it's some sort of exile, like they did to Napoleon. Either way they're keeping a close eye on those buggers."

Behind her the door opened and several people entered with two large trays of food, one made for eating in bed, Carrie smiled and grabbed a plate with a toasted roast beef sandwich and a cup of cider off the side as she let the two women handingly the rest set up a spread of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, several different types of greens and a boat of gravy,

"Didn't know what you liked, so I ordered standard fare, say what you want about their systems, but these Brits can cook."

[KnightDisciple]

"I'd rather not be canonized. I fought demons. I didn't do great works in the church. Any changes that happened, happened because the Pope and others wanted them to happen. At best, I simply helped remove an obstacle.

And I care about them seeing me without the mask. It's the principle of the thing. Even more so if I'm not born yet; the last thing the me of this world needs is being thought of as a "second coming of a saint" or some such, when he'll probably have plenty to deal with just growing up in...growing up where he most likely will."

He gave her a short smile at the paging comment.

"That's fair enough, though a bit crude.

As for the punishment...that's something, at least."

He moved himself to a full sitting position and smiled at the food.

"Looks good, all told."

'Not Ma's bangers and mash, but what am I gonna do?'

With that amused thought, he dug in heartily to the meal.

[Aoiroo]

After they ate, Carrie sort of dismissed the news of Gabriel's awakening from the staff who kept it under there hats for the moment while she got ready to leave. M rejoined them fairly soon, giving Gabriel a debriefing of the last few days that matched Carrie's version with a few added adjectives, and a little boasting squeezed between the line. Apparently since Carrie herself was officially acting as an agent of the British Empire, they claim about half the credit for this entire scenario. Though apparently they couldn't deny the Pope and his guards prompt actions to fix the mess once the evidence was clear, and Gabriel, the masked Gabriel, as Carrie had requested, no one but the doctors had a clue what he looked like underneath, was requested for an audience to get an award. Carrie let that information set before she asked M to politely see to their transport home. When it was all over they were left alone,

"So, what'll it be? I've requested to stay nameless on this accord. I already have a technical title in this realm, not that I care terribly. It's set up in the class system which we both know is flawed. I give it a decade or less before the Cannonites unionization movements start to break down the structure into something more practical. That's another effect one of the peeps from our realm has done, a whole unionization movement break off from the Luddites inspired by Cannonade. It's a little thing, but this world is changing, moving forward ever so slowly."

She got up and stretched,

"But for now, figure you want to get back home? We've been around for a few days, but back home, it probably been maybe a few hours, half a day or so. Time tends to move a consistantly at a faster rate here then at home."

[KnightDisciple]

"I'll as for as much anonymity as possible, but I tend to leave a fairly memorable mark. The important thing is we saved people, and made this world a little better place.

As for union movements, that's not really my expertise."

He paused for a moment, then slowly leveraged himself to the side of his bed, thankful they'd given him some actual sleeping clothes, and not a flimsy hospital gown.

"Yes. I think I should be ready in a couple of hours. Then, no offense to the doctors here, I think I'll stop by a friend's place and get myself patched up the rest of the way. I'm ready to get back home, where everything makes more sense."

[Aoiroo]

Carrie got up and stretched,

"I thought you might feel that way, so,"

She walked over to the side of her chair were a table cloth had been put over a round object, she removed it with a flick and revealed a transportation pod.

"Tada, had them move one in here yesterday. It's preset to where we were when we left. Not sure how long we've been gone, probably a just a day at most, if not a few hours. It's really hard to tell."

She stretched and grabbed her purse off the side of the chair,

"I'm packed up, got everything I need, and, right."

She pushed her hands through her purse, which jingled a bit with what sounded like loose change before she got her small pill bottle out. She took some of the ginger pills then washed it down with the remainder of the drink with her meal,

"Alright then, gentlemen in first, then we can get back home."

[KnightDisciple]

Gabriel shrugged, then willed his traditional costume into place. He'd get some other clothes once they were back in their home dimension, and then he'd got get a "check up". Carefully, slowly, he lowered himself into the pod, making sure to put the buckles into place without disturbing the worst of his wounds.

"I didn't really bring anything besides what I've got on now, so I'm ready. Just...be careful when you get settled in, please."

He braced himself to share the pod that really needed at least one more seat, before gesturing for Carrie to follow.

"This probably will be less fun with fresh wounds."

Once she was in and the pod triggered, he closed his eyes and rode out the waves, quickly finding his mind lost in a short Shakespearean monologue.

-------------------------------------------------

Once they arrived and the spinning stopped, Gabriel politely waited for Carrie to climb out and most likely finish emptying her stomach. He gave her a weak grin and a hasty salute.

"It was interesting working with you, Carrie. Be safe. And try not to call me to that upside-down world unless it's truly dire, hm? Seems like it's poor for my health."

And with a rush of wind, he was gone. Probably to get patched up by one of the lady healers he knew.