Chapter 3

Kerim was the last to guard the cave while the others got some much-needed healing sleep. He himself was tired to the bone too, but he tried to hide that (with little success) and go over his limits ever since the explosion. He needed to be useful to pay back for all the years of protection, love and care he got first from the Gods then now from Mick too.

The angel even got into a smaller argument with Mick, who tried to tend to his wounds and make him eat and rest, but in the end Kerim caved in and let him as he knew the big demon wouldn't stop otherwise.

As he was sitting there in the narrow opening of the cave, he watched the crack of dawn slowly starting to change the colors of the night sky. It wasn't like in the Sanctuary where all seemed normal like in the past, before the burning of the world. This dawn was bleeding and gloomy as it came and did little to illuminate the wounded landscape.

So instead of the hope of a new day, it filled Vega with more worry and fear. Worry for the safety and health of the others and fear of having to go outside soon where they would be more vulnerable. His concern about reaching the portal in time and getting home in one piece was strong. It also made him uneasy to know that his once brothers and sisters were hunting them... Him...

Once he considered them his siblings and thought of them highly and with love. Now the fear of them and their wrath became very real to Vega and it was something he couldn't find a way to fight off yet. As different awful scenarios kept playing in front of his eyes, he hugged his legs and pulled them up to his chest to rest his chin on his knees. He just hoped his bad feelings were wrong for once...

Feeling his angel's troubled thoughts, Mick slowly woke up. Sitting up he looked around and saw that the others were still sleeping. Except for Seth, who was also sitting next to the cuddled up Brent and Christos with a dark expression.

Mick raised a hand as to say hello and the God of Darkness nodded back before getting up and walking to the demon. "You can feel Vega too? I have to go to take his place and let him rest an hour or so before we get going," Seth said indicating that they should try to talk to the stubborn closed up angel.

"I go with you, Mylord. I can feel he needs some time on his own. But I am worried for him," Mick said half-formal as he still felt awkward in that triangle they had with Seth.

The latter one hummed and nodded again and seeing Mick getting up started to walk to the guarding Vega.

The second Kerim felt the two familiar presences coming closer, he sat up straighter as if nothing was wrong, but it would've been foolish of him to think that the two creatures he loved the most would fall for that.

Still, once they got there, he gave them a smile as he looked up. "Isn't it Master Seth's turn? Though I could stay up longer if needed so you can rest too. You barely slept," he said to the dark god, letting him know that he noticed.

"Yes, I am worried for that asshole of my brother. It's normal, I guess. But I don't need much sleep anyway," Seth smiled and sat beside Kerim as well as Mick who put a strong arm around his love and pressed a kiss to his temple.

"You promised him that you will come to us with your troubles, my beautiful boy... Speak with us. Your pair and I care for you very much. And so do the others too," Seth continued.

All of a sudden there was a lump in Kerim's throat and he had to swallow hard from all the caring and love and truth he felt coming from both males. He never doubted that they loved him deeply and that's why hiding things from them was slowly eating him away with each passing day.

"I... I'm sorry for how I've been acting lately and making you all worried because of me too when we already have a lot on our plates..." he started on a quiet, unsure voice, looking from one male to the other then to the ground in front of him.

"I'm... very worried about us all too... and... ever since the secret of me being still alive got out... I developed a feeling previously unknown to me... The fear from my own kind... I'm... I'm scared of them. I know it must sound silly as I'm stronger from most of them..." he chuckled nervously, rubbing his slightly stubbly face, his hand trembling a bit from his emotions and the tiredness. "But I'm scared what they could do to us... to me... in their blind rage..." he finally confessed.

"But we will protect you…" Mick whispered a little lost and hopeless as he's been trying his best to make his pair feel safe and to know that the big demon would do anything to keep it that way.

"Yes, Kerim. We all would do all we can to hide you from them. I think it's something else in you, am I right?" Seth continued on his soft caring voice, looking at Mick with an understanding gaze. Really by then the gods too started to feel hopeless about keeping the angel in balance.

"I know. You both said that you would protect me. Or at least try as we don't know if you could do that all the time," he said getting sadder as he felt he was making them all hopeless by then. When all Vega wanted to give them was love, not feeling miserable because of him, but he couldn't help it. He felt the way he did.

"I'm sorry..." he repeated then paused for a long minute. Of course, his Dark God would know there was more to it... Pressing his eyes shut, Kerim finally sighed and whispered barely audible. "I think... I would deserve to lose my Light... During my visit to Lucifer and Samael, I realized something... I basically ran away from fear of The Fall, while many of my brothers and sisters have lost their Light because they stood up for a cause... for themselves. They would deserve to still have their Light and power. I'm just a lucky coward for finding such powerful beings like the Trinity, no matter how we look at it."

"You know... We cannot decide for ourselves what we do and do not deserve," Seth started, nodding approvingly as Mick pulled the angel into his arms. "You know us well. We were like… weird and not fitting into our original world. Here in this world we had more skills than the humans and some of the other beings coming here. We learned even more and through many, many years developed. But we couldn't have known what we were going to become from almost outcast 'deformed' spirits. Nothing happens without a reason. You found us and we wanted to keep you as you are. Don't think like that, please, my beautiful boy... The rules are set by even the smallest group. Samael and Lucifer and the others knew very well, just like you did, what were the possible consequences of their rebellion. I am sure because we’ve been talking with them about these. Please think of these, or ask them directly. And try to rest a little bit. That is an order!"

Kerim was listening to Seth with a sad expression on his young-looking face as he leaned into Mick's embrace because he subconsciously needed the support and love of the great hugs his husband could give. Seth's tone and energies gave him the same sensation though, even if he wasn't touching his angel.

"I promise I'll think of your words," he finally said and dropped his eyes to the ground as he heard the oh so familiar ordering tone at the end. All the years of training kicked in seamlessly and he slightly bowed his head in acceptance. "Understood, Master Seth. Thank you, I'll retreat now to rest some more with Mick," he whispered and stood to do as he was ordered.

"Good. Mick will take care of you," Seth smirked pleased and watched them leave. With a sigh he turned to look out through the crack of the rocks as the first beams of sunlight arrived to the horizon.

***

The two hours flew by fast and by instinct everyone steered to wake up and gather strength from some bread and cold coffee they had for breakfast.

"We need to find a hiding place in the forest next to the road too till we all get down. Jim, Samael, go and look around well. Be careful!" Seth ordered them.

"We will," Jim nodded to Seth then without thinking caressed Paolo's arm as he leaned down and pecked his lips. He also reassured him through their bond that he would be back. "You stay safe too," he murmured then with the task in his mind, he looked at Samael, nodding towards the exit.

Once outside, Jim hid his presence perfectly, but at the same time scanned their surroundings with his senses, mismatched eyes never stopping while they started their careful walk down among the trees. "I think deep down he loves to play the boss..." Jim said low to Samael, of course meaning Seth.

Samael hummed as he closed his wings and changed his look to his usual human one, topping it with a hat, cause why not stay stylish... "He can be a very good boss, though... And a very bossy one too," he smirked dirtily. "You know what I mean... You two are close..." he winked as they were walking along the trees to find a hiding spot big enough to gather them all.

Jim grinned on the hat as he looked at Samael and shrugged. "Well... yeah... Strategic warrior thinking and all that... among other things. Can't complain," he chuckled low, not denying it as it was obviously clear to the powerful seraph. 

"So... how do you like being back on the surface? And how's Robb doing?" the Nephilim asked while checking out a promising bunch of rocks, but from closer inspection it wasn't a good hiding spot so they continued their way.

"Never really was here. It's funny, no? While I was a slave, I just came to burn everything up with the righteous light and flames. As the name tells it, it wasn't used very well to for its original purpose…" Samael hummed again. He did many self-searching in the past thousands of years but those thoughts usually stayed in his head. " Then was a wee bit mad and Robb asked the gods for help to keep me safe from myself. But anyway... never really walked and enjoyed the surface like this before. What do you think of those bushes next to the fallen trees?" he pointed to the direction then stopped in his walk. "Feel them? Half way almost up the road…"

"Hmm... It must have been a hard fate to carry. I mean... I've heard the stories and all... I'm sorry. Also, I have to admit that I admire you and your pair. You both came a long way and came out strong from an impossible situation," Jim hummed. "I just wish you could've seen this place before the big collapse. It was much more beautiful... Louder, but aside from the humans, truly mesmerizing. But nature will put things right if given enough time and the twin's mess won't blow up the planet," he chuckled dryly.

"Not a bad spot," Jim stroked down his beard then stopped in the same second as Samael did. "Oh yeah... That's not good... We should go to the side and find a spot from where we can observe them a bit. Like this I can't exactly tell how many are there..."

"Let’s try out the hiding place..." Samael whispered and raised his hands then sighed. "Shouldn't use my power, right?" he mumbled then just walked towards the bushes as quietly as he could.

"It wouldn't be too good, unless you want to draw them in..." Jim raised his brows but was quite amused by his companion.

Following him, they both hid among the fallen trees and bushes once Jim made sure he covered all their tracks. The years in the biker gang too had taught him a few tricks about how to disappear or stay hidden.

Then they both were focusing on the approaching enemy, which would pass them nearby.

Samael looked up as they could hear the sound of wings above them. And just then on the road infested humans led by angels appeared.

There were four in the sky and a dozen human puppets were led by three angels on the road.
It did not look so good... More because Jim and Samael were now forced to lay low till they all passed by. Hoping that they wouldn't be found.

Up at the cave in the cliff's wall Seth started to get worried. They should get going... But yet again… the last thing he felt from Jim was suspicion…

"I think who is able should try to hide their self and the others," he only said that and formed an energy seal at the entrance. His intuitions were always right...

"I warned Paolo through our bond so they can prepare. They are heading roughly that way. What should we do now?" Jim asked barely above a whisper, close to Samael's ear.

Worry was growing in him, but he focused on keeping himself hidden. He, himself didn't feel much weaker, but he knew that many of their group were still recovering. Not to mention Christos, who was temporarily human and very fragile compared to them despite the fact that he knew how to fight. A head-on confrontation with this group of the enemy would be bad...

Samael raised his finger as two of the infested ones started to walk into the woods and closer to their hiding place. One of the angels thought it was interesting to check out and followed them.

Samael pressed his lips tightly together. His first basic reaction was to strike out and fight even before they would get busted. But while his breathing quickened up in the rage of the battle, his mind knew they only would bring more danger to the others...

That wisdom almost left him when one of the once humans walked to the very end of one of the fallen out trees they used as a cover.

Trying to keep his breath and his growling inside, he glimpsed at Jim then inhaled deep like from a sudden pain as the angel with his fully loose searching power passed them from about almost two meters.

"Damn you mindless creatures... It's just a dead stag under the branches," the angel snorted and pushed the infested ones angrily toward the road again. "Try to focus on orders or you will be the dinner tonight," the angel grumbled along but slowly they all passed them.

Although Jim and Samael seemed to have hidden successfully, the biker felt the tension from the other side of his bond. With the help of King, Brent and Matt, Paolo was working on keeping Christos and them hidden. Vega did the same with himself and Mick, but the tension was palpable in the cave.

By then all of them could feel the approaching enemy too and they barely breathed, all of them also ready to fight and protect Christos, if needed.

Meanwhile Seth stayed by the entrance, keeping up the energy seal. His black eyes followed as one of the possessed ones shuffled closer, running his fully black eyes over the rocks, but not seeing any crack or cave entrance, thanks to the God's untraceable magic.

"Nothing here, sir. I think they are long gone now..."

"You shouldn't think, just search!" another angel scoffed and walked next to the possessed one to push him forward. The force of the move made the creature stumble and fall on his knees close to where Seth was watching them from the darkness.

Until the searching group fully left and none of them could feel any trace of them anymore, a good amount of precious time has passed.

"We should go in small groups, ten minutes apart," Seth said walking to Paolo. "May I?"

"Yes, of course, lord Seth," the bald man nodded and put his hand on the God's.

As Seth entered the mind of the angel, he sent the location and easiest way to the pairs. "Thank you, Paolo. Let's go and keep hiding your presence. Mick and Vega go first. Then Christos and Brent. Matt and King. Robb, Paolo and I last. Outside we won't be connected anymore because of the disguise."

Waiting for their turn, Matt stood on Corey's side, katana in his hand while watching the pairs venture outside in turns. Although the immediate danger has passed, none of them felt relief. The dark cherub was focusing on his breathing to keep calm and hidden like Corey and the senseis have taught him in Japan. By then he was good at it just as much as his pair.

His training showed as they could leave the cave once Seth nodded to them. The enemy was way further up behind them, closer to the devastating site of the explosion, but what made Matt worry more was how little time they were left with to reach the portal. Would they make it before Sotiris closes it off?

The pairs started to go. Hiding like fugitives, speeding up their steps between the bushes that could hide them. In this situation they were the hunted and had to care for the ones that had circa half of their powers left and were wounded, or had no power at all...

Paolo wasn't his full self either, but by his side Robb was even wounded by the blast and lost more of his power temporarily. But in that situation, they moved as human beings across the vegetation. No powers to be used so they wouldn’t be detected. And after a very long time Paolo felt a pinch of doubt form in his core. They are not used to be like this... The closing of the beacon made them all closer to humans, not just Lord Christos...

Brent's worrying never faded, but his body was filled with adrenaline as they were sneaking around like in a movie, which he used to watch back in the days when he was free on King's side. Now he had his mortal pair on his side and he was helping him walk with an arm around the wide body.

They said nothing, but Brent was in full protective mode of Christos and he made sure to stay close enough to Kerim and Mick to see if there was a problem ahead. In that case he would choose an alternate route to keep his pair alive. Christos was too important not just for him, but for the whole group, not to mention the other two third of the Trinity.

Luck seemed to be on their side though, because soon they hid among some thick bushes and fallen trees where Jim and Samael were waiting for them.

"My princess is safe," Samael grinned at the arriving Robb and literally jumped on the other man and squeezed him tight.

Corey just smiled and winked at Matt. His pair will have to get used to the fact that Satan is one passionate being. And probably even the most affectionate among them all to show it.

Soon Seth reached them too and looking around he released a long breath seeing them all safe in one group. "Okay... Let's go down. Same order but close behind each other. We move as fast as we can…" he looked softly at his brother at the end.

"I can still walk. Don't worry so much," Chris huffed but he was still out of breath and pain from his healing wounds.

"Still... we all hide and keep a sharp eye out on the way," Seth said with his strict expression.

For a moment Jim let himself chuckle from the way the slightly blushing Robb tried to calm his pair, but in the end he hugged him back just as tight. Turning his attention to his own pair, he sent Paolo a loving look, but didn't move closer as they were sticking to their assigned pairs.

So, once Samael returned to his side, the Nephilim let his powers sweep around them to detect any enemy lurking around. For now, the path was clear, but they couldn't be careful enough thanks to the state of half the group.

Kerim and Mick took the lead with Jim and Samael close behind. The rest of the group followed their example, just like Seth wanted.

It took them half an hour more to reach the site where the portal was still pulsing open. Vega could faintly feel Sotiris' presence and powers from the other side and the portal itself, but what made his dark eyes widen was the fact that they weren't the only ones trying to get to the gate...

As the group stopped and hid behind some rocks and trees, they could see at least a dozen of possessed ones and six more angels getting close to their destination.

"Fan out and secure the perimeter while we check out the portal!" They heard one of the angels order the possessed ones and he and another of his brothers started nearing the mass of energy.

"Not good..." Paolo looked at Seth worried. "What should we do?"

The God of Darkness frowned and quickly sized up their options as he looked at the members of their group with his powers too. Gritting his teeth, he exhaled slowly to stay calm. "We can't risk a fight right now... We stay out of sight. Help everyone retreat. Go," he ordered and waited until only he stayed close.

Seth closed his eyes and reached out to his mate through their bond. "Close it, my love. It's not safe. I'll keep them alive and will see you soon..."

As they walked further from the pulsing energy of the portal, they could see it shrinking fast and closing before the angels could reach it.

"Guess we find a hiding place here…" Robb said with a sigh. "Maybe the cottages in the woods... There should be some nearby that we can use," he said thinking out loud.

"Good idea," the arriving Seth nodded. "Jim, Samael and I go look around. Stay away from the enemy... If you can."

"So… Now we go to Athens on foot, I guess…" Mick blinked at the others. Before that they all could surely use some more rest. But he was just a demon who tried to keep his more and more stressed angel calm.

"More like on the demon horses and maybe later once we regained more strength on wings," Robb said as he sat down on a bigger rock next to his son and Matt. Then his eyes moved past Mick to take a better look of Kerim, who stood a bit further away, guarding the group with a tense expression. To that Robb even sent a questioning look at Mick, but the big demon just shook his head. Understanding the gesture, Lucifer looked at Christos.

"How are your wounds healing?" he asked, wondering how the now mortal god would take the long journey. Not that Robb would doubt that Christos was strong and stubborn in this form too.

"Also, will Sotiris be okay on his own for so long?" Matt suddenly asked with a light frown.

"They are healing. In a human pace…" Chris shrugged with a smile. He chose that state he was in now and luckily it wasn't totally new for him to adjust to it. "I won't be slowing you down, don't worry. And Sotiris is protected by the shields. Our united power is weakened with me not a part of it. But have the warriors we created to help him if all goes wrong and the enemy would break through our magic. He is strong on his own too. Along with the spells still hiding the area well."

"I hope so…" Paolo sighed feeling for his Sun God.

Taking a long look of Paolo, Matt hummed to himself, not knowing what that was about, but also feeling that there was more behind those words. Glimpsing at his pair, he thought that they would have to maybe talk about that too among other things with Paolo. Once the opportunity presents itself and they aren't in danger that much.

Meanwhile Jim was walking ahead of their little scouting group in search for a good hideout again. It was nothing new to him as at times they had to do that with his biker group in the past too. Also, it reminded him of the time when they had fled from that attack and ended up in the woods with Mick, Shawn and his Corey. The time when his Mercy Demon was called back by him from ceasing to exist. That memory made Jim sigh a bit bitterly as he stroked the rune on his chest, remembering his first love. It seemed like an eternity ago and there was no day when he wouldn't think of the small redhead who had changed him so much and sacrificed his physical form to help Jim. He swore to himself (and to Corey in him) that he would do everything in his might to help the group get to safety in one piece in this unforgiving outside world.

"I see some cabins ahead," he turned back to notify Seth, who had a dark expression on his face, clearly thinking hard about the next steps they should take. Like a strategical warrior god would do. At the same time, Samael seemed to kinda enjoy the situation, as if finding some thrill in it.

Seth cached up with Jim and Samael… who was indeed like a happy little goat finally set free and skipping around all jolly... That thought made the God scoff and grin. "I see. It was probably a camp for kid groups. Scouts or something," he said as they walked to the small clearing close to the neatly lined up four little wooden shacks. Inside them was a small bathroom – meaning there was pluming running under them – not that any water cleaning systems would be still running by that time – and four double-decked bunk beds in each little house.

"It will do for now. They are already cleared out…" Seth hummed seeing the kitchen area's cupboard doors all open and empty inside. "We can form a hiding shield around these. Christos still knows the spells and runes. Let's get the others."

"Alrighty! We are camping... Saw so many horror films... so… just don't fuck in the woods... Those get killed first," Samael chuckled trying to joke with the serious God.

"Yeah... We will be careful, if you will too," Seth winked thinking that in a way this creature was still so innocent…

Jim had to grin as well and glimpsed at Seth. "I'd like to help with that hiding spell. I want to learn as much as I can to protect everyone..." here he looked back at the amused Samael "so they can even fuck in the woods safely..."

Of course, it coaxed out another round of dirty snorts and laughs but then they refocused on their task. Seth nodded to Jim with approval and even some pride from the request before he sent the Nephilim and the Seraph back to the others.

By the time all arrived, Seth gathered nine round large pebbles to use in the shield. The small group found places in the cabins and Christos was teaching Jim how to use his powers and what to draw on the pebbles as they did the spell.

***

Meanwhile Corey could feel the growing tension in Matt. The tall man was circling Paolo, who was making the beds in their shared cabin, like some Asian shark its prey...

"Hey, Goldie... come sit with us and let's talk. We finally can…" Corey said getting into the unavoidable and figured it would be better to just get over it all.

Matt finally put his small butt down on one of the chairs by the tiny table, keeping his black eyes on Paolo, who looked a bit at a loss at first.

The cherub sent a small grateful look at his pair then waited until the angel sat down too. "Sooo... Obviously a lot has changed. But first of all, how are you feeling? That thing at The Call seems to have taken quite a bit out of you too. More than from your... pair..." he started instead of jumping right to the point impatiently, like his older self would have done.

Paolo bit his lip and smiled. This Matt was calmer and more collected. But still under his calmness the bald man could feel the pressure and all the questions piled up.

"Yeah... I was more in front and trying to keep Lord Christos and Robb healed. They used their force to create to overcharge the portal and make it collapse. Which happened," he started and looked Matt straight in his black eyes. "Jim, my pair was using his power shield to keep the others in relative safety with our stronger merged power. I feel okay. My powers will return in a few days," he shrugged. "And yeah... a lot has changed. We all did… Since we mated we evolved greatly. Also some… hmm… old things came to the surface again and new bonds too," he just smirked mysteriously. He wanted Matt to directly ask him about what made him so intrigued.

Corey leaned back in his seat and just watched. He knew about Paolo's origins and was able to feel how that now connected more with Sotiris too. The slight connection between Seth and Jim was clear as day to anyone... "I think he means you can ask anything that's on your mind, love," he rubbed Matt's arm as encouragement.

Looking from Corey to Paolo, Matt eased up somewhat and smiled at both of them as he reminded himself that these two knew him well by then and he was with family. "Alright then," he chuckled a bit. "I'm very glad that you'll be okay. I think I won't step over the line if I say that you are still very important to both of us and we both love you. Anyways, the progress I can feel on you and your pair is... amazing and frankly, good to feel and see. I mean... I want you safe and happy. And also get answers to some questions. Like... what old things and new bonds do you mean? Do you mean Sotiris? Because back at the portal I felt like you have a deeper connection with him than you said to me before," he mused, only curiosity shining in his eyes, nothing else.

"Yeah it's about time to fill you in too. As it will get out soon anyway... So…" Paolo started inhaling long. "I descended from a race of angels that had joined the Trinity long ago and transformed with Sotiris' sun power. I am a reincarnation of his first war chief… I am not a healing guardian but heal with the power of the benevolent sun," Paolo said. "And... Jim and Seth... kinda have a fling going," he added with a shrug, waiting for Matt's reactions.

Matt's jaw dropped from the new information as shock coursed through him for a few moments. Closing his mouth, he hummed again then finally nodded. "It... makes sense... I mean you being special. Cuz... yes, you've always been," Matt tried to express that small 'something doesn't add up' feeling that he's always felt around Paolo but didn't know why. Now the cat was out of the bag and many puzzle pieces fell into their places.

"It's awesome, though. And it also makes sense that the reincarnation of the First Immortal has a reincarnated pair for him," he added, thinking of Jim, of course. "Hm... and... how do you feel about Jim and Seth?" he asked carefully. He, himself didn't know yet how to think about Paolo and Jim's mating, not to mention this "fling thing". His over-protectiveness tried to take over, but he focused on staying calm to hear Paolo's thoughts on that matter.

"Well… you know me…" the angel winked. "I am okay with it. Our bond is stronger than that. Plus Sotiris usually comes to me to be all dramatic when he feels lonely and so we have an... occasional thing too, I guess," he giggled. "Now I have to ask, how are you with all this?"

A lot of things did change, it seemed. Or just came to light recently. Taking a deep breath, Matt exhaled slowly, keeping his dark Asian eyes on the angel. "I would lie if I said this day isn't about getting shocked," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, the other still resting on the table under Corey's nice warm touch.

"I am also happy for you that the mating worked. You feel... well, happy and balanced. A much better feeling than the one we could feel on you before we went to Japan... But... the big question still remains... How do all these things change things between us?" he gestured between the three of them. "Are you still our angel too? How does Jim feel about that? And... how do you feel towards us?" Matt frowned, realizing that he was worried that they had kinda... "lost" their Paolo in the process.

"Hmm... I don't think Jim would feel negative about us three being together once in a while... And I was your angel before and will be," Paolo smiled looking at them. "Everything has changed and I am more my own person than before. Even with the bond with Jim. But I don't think I would ever be against some fun with my favorite couple."

"Good... that's good..." Matt mumbled relieved and returned Paolo's smile, though they still didn't know how the angel felt towards Corey. But it didn't really matter, though, as it was clear their winged piggy had a big heart with enough room for many in it. And it filled Matt with relief and the love he felt towards Paolo, their special angel.

And honestly... who wouldn't fall in love with this gorgeous and kind creature?