• Angels, demons, and Death all have one thing in common. War. A lower ranking Death, although unknowing, started the war when he killed my mother. Now I know that it's nearley imposible to kill a god, but when a god of death comes to collect, theres no escaping it.
    How, you might ask, did this cause the war. Simple. He was told to. Death is not one but an orgination of many. The main Death God was asked by the demons to kill my mother as a favor. In return they sacrficed one of their own. Thus the war began.
    My name is Elenore. I live in the vast and beautiful kingdom of Heaven. My people have been at war for over a thousand years. We have taken and killed many prisoners...and I cant take it anymore. My father is wrong. Fighting is not the answer. I hate them for what they have done, but if I see one more body...I dont know what I'll do.
    CHAPTER 1
    "Lady Elenore. It's time to wake up." I sat up and rubbed my eyes. It was darker today. It should rain soon. The tears of those who died at war. "The king has brought home another prisoner. He truely got lucky with this one."
    "What do you mean Margret?"
    "He has brought home the warchief's very own son Richard. Quite handsome for an outcast if I may be so bold."
    "You may not."
    "Then let me beg your pardon. I'll be off now." She turned to the door. "Oh yes. Before I forget. Your father would like an audience with you at midday."
    "Goodbye Margret." She curtseyed and walked out.
    Another prisoner. Such a terrible thing. At night I cannot get any rest listing to the interogations. They make my spine shiver. I pulled on an elagent black goun and headded downstairs. There I heard my father talking with our own warcheif about our next move.
    "Well sir they've got us blocked in the east and north. They have set traps all along the southern wall as well. We could retreat to the we-" I strode forward and intrupted.
    "Commander your looking at the situation all wrong. They want you to go west. My guess is that theres an ambush waiting behind the mountains. Their weakest point is most likely to the north where the swamps are. You should attack there insted of retreat."
    "Oh so your up now Elenore?" My father said with a smile. "Always the stratigest.Well commander? Sounds as good a plan as any."he nodded and walked down the hall.
    "Well father, why is it you have summoned me this morning?"
    "Well as my daughter, you are therefor very beautiful and would do anything to help the kindom?" he said. "Yes father" I said, catiously. I wondered we he was going with this. As we walked past elebarote painting after painting, I noticed we were walking towards the dungeons.
    "Well we have caught a prisoner and he is about the same age as you. We want you to get information out of him, do it for your kingdom!" he said tuning to me.
    "But father! You know how I detest the fighting!" I said, indignant. He never bothered listening to me, he was always to busy with his honour and saving the heaven; never about his daughter.
    "It is your duty to help this kingdom. Hate fighting or not. If you do not wish to listen to another painful interigation you will talk with him. I heard it keeps you up at night so I thought I might spare you." He looked toward me again. I hate it when he thretens me. Even if it were indirectly. I bowed my head.
    "Yes father." Though I hated it he was right. It was my duty. And did I not just aid the war. I walked through the various halls following my father. Then he suddenly stoped and turned to a wodden door. He opened the door and walkes into our enchanted cell which supposidly weakened whoever sat within. I peered inside and glanced upon a man sitting in the corner of the cell. He had messy sholder length black hair that fell over his face. He was about my age. Possibly 16 or 17 at most in human terms.
    "His name is Richard. He's the demons spawn. Disgusting creatures." He spat at the ground. "Good luck Elenore. Be careful."
    "As if I would stoop so low as to lay hands on a woman!" The boy shouted.
    "Your king has done more than that! He has murdered one!" he paused. "I shall take my leave of you now." My father said before leaving in a huff.
    "I never wanted to be part of the war. I didn't ask for this. Curse the man leading the angelic army to his grave." I looked away in shame. I had been leading the army through my sugestions. My father was a good friend of Athena and believed not only men could have a part in war. I had aided im this boys capture. Guilt began to eat away at me.
    "And what do you want? To stare like all the others in disgust?" Richard asked.
    "No such thing. The king wants me to ask you a few questions, though I'd rather let you leave." It was true. Somehow I felt entitled to help him. It was my fault he was captured... No. I cant think that way. It would comprmise our kingdom. But still...
    "Don't spout lies. It's very unbecoming.
    "What I say is not a lie. I'm the one who's been -" I stoped myself.
    "Been what?" He asked standing.
    "Nothing. Anyway I'm the one to be asking questions."
    He walked straghe up to the bars with a slightly ammused look on his face. I looked straght into his eyes like a disobient child and he laughed.
    "Whats so funny!?"
    "You. If only you could see your face. I suppose I could answer a few questions since I'm going to die sooner or later." His smile vanished and his eyes became cold.
    "How did you get here?"
    "My squad was ambushed. Everyone eles was killed but I was spared only to be brought here."
    "Is there an ambush waiting on the east side of the battelgrounds?" His eyes widened. "How did you know about that?"
    "Is your weak point to the North?" He looked down in supprise.
    "Father, you fool." He whispered. "Now you are to die."
    "What do you mean?"
    "My father is posted there. You were supposed to go west. He should have listened..." He looked back at me. "And now if I may ask a question of you? Who is leading the angelic army?"
    "I shouldn't tell you. No, I cant tell you. I am forbidden."
    "I see. What was your name?"
    "Elenore."
    "Then I hope to see you again. You are what angels are supposed to be."
    "And whats that?"
    "Kind."
    "You don't exactly fit demon standards."
    "Really? I thought I was scarey." I laughed.
    "Goodbye Richard. I will see you tomarrow." He bowed as I left the room.
    I stood behind the door a moment and listened as he moaned mornfully and quietly whispered, "Father you fool."
    Guilt began to suffocate me as I walked through the halls and back upstairs. I was supprised to see it was late. Where had the time gone? I glanced out the window and found the reason it looked so dark. It had started to rain. So it wasn't late at all. Just a trick of the eye. I smiled. For some reason the rain was a peaceful thing. I walked to the large dobble doors and pushed them open just a crack so I could squeeze out.
    Once outside I walked to the stables. Pegases, my horse, loved to look out when it rained. Slightly drenched, I hauled the doors open and ran inside. I closed my eyes and listed to the sweet pitterpatter of rain on the wodden roof.
    "Hello Shadow. Did you miss me?" I patted her nose. She nudged me in responce. I sat down in a stack of hay and watched the rain. Closeing my eyes I hummed a tune created by humans, that was truely beautiful and claming, named Water Ballet.
    "Is that you?" I jumped and looked around.
    "Who's there? Where are you?" I stood.
    "Down here." I looked down at the botton of the castle wall where five small metal barrs dove into the ground. Behind the barrs were two scarlet eyes nearly covered in black hair. Richard?"Arn't you supposed to be inside where its warm?"
    "As most would think, I'm still downstairs with you."
    "So you would rather freeze outside with a horse, rather than stay warm in the castle? Why?"
    "The rain, though however sad, is beautiful. A wonderful thing. Some in the castle just dont understand." I looked down with a thin smlie.
    "Well at least you get to feel the rain at the moment. The feeling is pleasant against the skin, isn't it?" Richard sighed. These words only added to my guilt. I wish I could...
    "I would like to help you out of the horrible dungeon but my father would kill me and I would be a disgrace to the kingdom" I told him.
    "My father wouldn't surrender even to save me" he closed his red eyes. I smiled ot myself, it seems both our fathers weren't so different.
    "Well maybe I could find a way to free you without disgracing myself." I said. He looked at me skeptically.
    "You know, you never did tell me who your father was."
    "He's that wreched king." I looked away. It was true that I thought my father was wreched now. I have even begun to hate him. He was a kind man before mother died, but that event has turned his heart cold.
    "You dont sound verry fond of him."
    "Well are you fond of your father?"
    "You have a point. Though, I cant hate him. Yes I am mad that he didn't listen to me, but he has always been kind to me."
    "What do you mean?"
    He chuckled. "Deamons arn't the bad people we're made out to be. Just as angels arn't that nice." he shivered.
    "It is pretty cold, isn't it?" He just grinned. "I could at least cover the barrs with hay so the cold doesn't get to you. We can continue our talk when I get back." I smiled.
    I reached down and gathered an armfull of hay and ran to the barrs, quickly covering them. After I finished I closed the stabels and ran inside making my way to the dungeon. I ran on fast feet to the wooden door and stopped. I stood there for a moment and cought my breath then walked in.
    "That was fast. Were you in a hurry?" he teased.
    I blushed.
    "No I just..." I trailed off as I heard a guard coming. Richard seemed suddenly alert.
    "You can make up anything, you don't need yo say you let me go" Richard slipped away. I wonder how he was planning to get back to hell.
    "WHERE IS THE PRISONER?!" the guard yelled. I placed a distress look on my face.
    "W-we were just talking and then h-he- took advantage of my gentleness" I burst into tears. It was funny how an angel like myself can be so decieving like a demon.
    "It's ok lady Elenor" he patted me akwardly on the back and marched off to inform the missing captive. Before long loud ringing noises were ringing trhough the kingdom.
    "Elenor, you worry me" I muttered to myself. I was happy I helped Richard.
    That happiness soon faded as my father was informed.
    "I can't believe that vermin touched my daughter! This is..." my Father muttered some very ungentlemen like words. He was fuming with rage but I think he was secretly glad that he had another excuse to cause more fighting with the Demons. So instead of making things better by saving Richard, I had made things worse by Richard 'escaping'.
    "Father, he escaped before he did anything" I said. My words went through one ear and out the other.
    "Go have a bath Elenor. I need to set a new battle plan" he walked out.
    I looked aroung ancously. I had to find him before hte guards did. I was still in shock myself that he escaped the cell. If he could escape like that then why didnt he do it sooner and save me the heartach... And if he had planned escape from the beggining, then why didnt he stay to get more information out of me before leaving? And what did he mean when he said, 'You can make up anything, you don't need to say youll let me go.' He must have know my intentions were pure...didnt he? Blasted Deamons. You cant trust any of them. Why did I feel so obliged to help him then?
    If he can escape the cell then he has no need of any further kindness from me. I hope the guards catch him and 'interogate' him untill he's too weak to stand. If thats how you treat people who are kind to you then bugger off already. I could feel the rage boiling over. I turned and stomped up the stairs to the bath. Maybe that would cool me off a bit.
    "Lady Elenore I'm so glad your safe. When I heard the deamon had escaped I believed the worst."
    "I'm fine. Prepare a bath...please" She jumped. This was the first time I'd been polite to her.
    "Ye-yes my lady." she turned to run off.
    "Margrett." she stopped. "I'm sorry for being so calous to you. You didnt disurve it, so I aplogize. So please, before you start the bath, could you bring me a glass of- of that red liqued."
    "As you wish my lady. You've no need to aplogi-"
    "Yes I do. Now skuttle away before I send you to the gallows for backtalk." I smiled playfully, and she sighed in relief. She ran off and came back a moment later with my drink then ran off again to prepare the bath.
    I sat in silence and sipped at my drink. "Should I help father with the new battleplan? It's only a matter of time before he comes asking for advice..." I slouched and a lock of my platinim blond hair fell over my sholder as I sipped at my drink.
    "So it was you." I heard footsteps comming up behind me. I dropped my drink to the floor and attacked my intruder quickly pinning them to the ground. I pulled my purefied knife out of its hidden holster and held it to his neck.
    "Who are yo- Richard? Are you insain. Guards are everywhere looking for you! What are doing in my room? I could have killed you just now had I not wanted to question you first! You idiot. I have half a mind to turn you in!"
    "Your the warplanner. But how? My father is in grave danger beacuse of a woman. That fool..." he laughed to himself. "A woman. A woman younger than myself." he looked at me."You've even pinned me. My lord. I've been bested by a woman." He sighed. Just then Margrett walked in and screamed bloody murder.
    "Guards!" she screached. "The deamon is here in Lady Elenore's room!" Instantly Twenty guards poored in and surrounded me. They all looked on in shock as I sat on top of Richard with a blade to his neck. None of them knew I could fight, let alone had a weapon on hand. I stood and let the guards apprehand him. the chief of the guards stayed.
    "How long have you known how to fight Lady Elenore?"
    "How long do you think?"
    "Your father has to know."
    "I know."
    "Well thank Athena for watching over you. She always liked you best." With that he left me to myself and I awaited the audence with my father.

    CHAPTER 2
    My father, on cue, rushed in.
    "Where is he...." my father stared at me. I cauticously stood up but kept a foot on Richards chest.
    "Father, I err, found the demon" I coughed. Richard unexpectedly grabbed my foot and twisted me to the ground. He grabbed my weapon and placed it upon my neck.
    "Now the demon has caught you" Richard saidm he red eyes gleamed. My father drew his sword and pointed it at Richard.
    "Release her" he commanded. Richard shook his head.
    "Maybe you should say a few last words before I kidnap her. That the difference between us demons and you angels. I'm letting you say goodbye, my father probably didn't even know I was gone until daybreak" Richard spat.
    "Elenor, why didn't you help your kingdom and fight?" My father asked. What!? I was going to be kidnapped and all he was asking me was about the war! I was glad I was being kidnapped.
    "Father I have told you time and time again, I hate the war and fighting. Well I guess it's I who had to say goodbye, though I'm the one being kidnapped" I said disgusted with my own father. My father ignored my words and went in for the attack. Richard jumped back on to the window edge.
    "Goodbye Heaven King" he said as jumped out the window. I struggled to release my wings, I couldn't he was pressing on a muscle that restrained me. Instead his blacky red bat-like wings stretched out and he flew away from the castle.
    "Don't drop me" I clung on to him.
    "I wouldn't drop a hostage. You don;t need to hug me either" Richard looked ahead. I blushed but still hung tightly on him.
    "Why are you kidnapping me?" I asked.
    "I dont want anymor fighting. Your father, being and innocent angel, should surrender. If he doesn't then he is no more demon than my father" Richard swerved to the left a little. There was silence.
    "What do you mean Athena likes me best?" I remembered suddenly. He glanced at me.
    A tear escaped my eye followed by others. Soon I became a quivering sobbing mess. My father regected me, wouldn't even say good bye. What had he become? The look of complete disgust in his eyes.
    "He shall soon lose his wings." I whispered without knowing. The rain soon turned into a storm and Richard landed placing me under the overhang of a rock. He dried his wings and sat a few feet away from me. I shivered once with cold then released my wings gently wrapping them around myself.
    The tears had stopped but the heartach remained. My eyes were soar and my chest was a black hole. And where was I going to get more red liqued. Without it I'll soon perish. I filled with despare, then I thought, maybe it was best I perish. I smiled to myself. I could live a month without drinking it, after that I will dissappear.
    "Maybe it's for the best that I die without it. No one would moarn my passing. Especially not my father."
    "What are you talking about? And without what?" I jumped and covered my mouth. I cant believe I said that out loud.
    "I dont feel obligated to talk about this with you. I show you kindness and you repay it by kidnapping me and holding me hostage?"
    "I was doing you a favor."
    "And what is that? Showing me my father couldnt possibly care less about me? That the war is the only thing he cares for? Or maybe the favor your trying to pay is to watch me slowly die within a month because I dont have blood to drink!" I gasped and covered my face with my wing.
    "You mean you have to drink blood to survive?"
    "Yes. But it's only me, so dont get any funny ideas. When I was born it was in a time of great bloodshed for the humans. They were so angry at the gods that they cursed them all to suffer the worst torture immaginible. Thus the gods had to drink blood to survive. When they found a way to suppress the curse, they found it had to be sealed within a baby. I was the only baby at hand so I was where they sealed the humans curse."
    "So, angels are the true deamons then. To seal such a thing away in a child just so you wont suffer is disgusting. Listen. The favor I did for you was give you your freedom. It was obvious that I was not the only prisoner. I was in your room because I was going to ask if you wanted to leave but the way things went I just decided for you. The fact that you were the warplanner was just convinent. If I'd known you would die I would have left you there. But there are other ways to get you blood if you so need it, so going back is not the only option you have. If you truely wish to go back then do so. I will not stop you."
    I hugged my leggs. Why go back just to help that wreched man win the war? Why go back to that total look of disgust. Why? What was the point. I was deeply greatful to Richard now. I will not leave just yet. A few seconds later I heard a loud sneeze. I looked over at Richard and stood. I walked over and sat next to him wraping my wing around him. He looked at me in supprise but I just looked away.
    "Thanks." he whispered. I just closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
    I opened my bleay eyes. The cave floor was hard and cold, the only warmth emitting from something beside me. My kidnapper.
    "Richard, what are you doing?" I asked, curiously. He was scraping a rock across another rock, as if he was sharpening it.
    "Well I can't have my hostage dieing on me" He said. My eyes widened as I processed what he just said.
    "No, Richa-" he pressed the sharp rock on his skin and slide it up, a trail of blood followed.
    "What is demon blood too dirty for your delicate angel tongue? Well I've already hurt myself the least you could do is drink some" he reasoned. He back me up against the cave wall.
    "No-" he garbbed my cheeks and opened my mouth. He was too strong. He held his arm up and blood dripped into my mouth.
    My eyes widened. For some reason it was sweet and salty. Way better than what my father always gave me which was truely sour. I reached up and grabbed his hand with mine and pulled it to my lips and drank. After a few moments I let go and wiped my mouth. He looked a bit dizzy so I helped him sit down. No more flying for him today. I sniffed the air and smiled. It was so clean and fresh. Then a strange adventurous side of me sprang up. All I wanted to do was fly and see how high I could go. But first I had to start a fire. It was way too cold to be doing anything like that plus Richard shouldn't get too cold. I walked outside into the rain.
    "Where are you going?"
    "I'm going to get some firewood." I looked back and smiled then continued on. After an hour I had enough for a good fire and ventured back to the cave and laid it down in the center. I looked around and grabbed the two rocks Richard was messing with and struck them togeather untill I got a good flame then I sat and fed the fire. After it was good and strong I dragged Richard- who was now sleeping - over and laid him down next to the fire. After a moment I laid down as well and went back to sleep.
    I woke up in the middle of the night. I could escape now and Richard couldn't stop me. Did I want to? Richard turned over his body to face me and his hair covered his eyes slightly.
    If I left he may get hurt or something and being an angel I just couldn't let that happen!
    I wonder what demons eat...maybe I could get him something to eat just as he got me something to eat. I guess demons would eat meat. I stood up and looked outside. The fresh air felt good in my lungs. Fortunately a deer ran passed the entrance. I dug my feet into the ground a little, I launched myself towards the way the deer went and spread out my wings. I was faster in air than I was on ground. I pounced on the deer and it looked at me with big bambi eyes. I didn't properly think this through, how was I, and angel, going to take this creatures life away?
    I let it ran away and flew back to the cave. Richard still lay asleep. I felt useless, I couldn't get food for him or anything. I hugged my knees and waited for him to wake.
    It was extreemly cold and dark and the fire was only a few embers. I decided it would be more useful if I gathered somemore firewood and start it back up. I walked back outside. It stoped raining and everything was silent. I started to pick up the wood when all of a sudden I heard a loud screech. I turned quickly and saw this terrible creature sprinting at me. I dropped the wood and ran as fast as I could untill I reached an open area in which I could I could take flight. As soon as I was off the ground the horrid thing screeched louder than before and sprouted wings as well. I screamed and flew even faster. I noticed that I was flying further and further away from the cave. I looped and turned to make haste back. The creature dug its nails into the flash of my leg. I kicked with all my force and sent it spirling downward. Just then I spotted the cave entrance and sped towars it. As soon as I landed I ran in and slopily hauled Richard onto my back inbetween my wings then ran outside. The creature was waiting for me. I bent down and grabbed a large rock and lobbed it at him then with great force lept up into the air and began a hasty retret.
    "Whats going on?"Richard croked sleepily.
    "This - this thing. Crap!" I swerved to the left almost dropping him. "Look behind us!" Just then the creature screeched again. He was gaining on me.
    "Damn! Drop me!" He didn't have to tell me twice. I let go and he dropped for a few moments before opening his wings and leviling with me. "Hurry get over here!" I started to turn but then my eyes blurred and my wings gave out. "Elenore!" He swooped down and cought me. "Damn youv'e lost alot of blood."
    "But it shouldn't matter. You cant kill a god that easily..."
    "But your not a god. Your a cursed angel. You can die if we dont close up that wound and quick. I nodded then my eyes blurred and the world went black.
    I sat up quickly in an unknown bed. Looking around I noticed it was a well orginized tent. I reached down and grabbed my leg. There was a bandage on it. I looked around and saw a glass on the table next to me. Water. I stood and walked toward the door and opened it. The sun was out and bright enough to blind a deer to my unused eyes. I shelded my eyes with my hand and examined the campground.
    "Hey, what are you doing out of bed." I turned around and saw Richard standing with a man that looked oddly simular to him. "Elenore, this is my father." My eyes widened. Why did he take me here if he wished to free me. He did know that I was now an honorary prisoner of war now right? His father steped close and put out his hand. I jumped and waited for him to grab me and toss me into a cell but he didn't, he just stayed that way. I reached my hand out and took his.
    "My name is David. It is a pleasure to meet the angelic armies war planner." He shook my hand and let go. I was so confused. My father would have killed the war planner on sight. Not shake their hand and say 'what a pleasure'.
    "What do you mean by pleasure?" I asked. This was probably all just a ruse.
    "Well if your here, your not there to help them. Maybe with your help we can put a stop to all this fighting. You a very inteligent individual. Very brave too for stoping to reaque my son from that monster. I was horrified to learn that my son had been taken by the angels at his weakest. I thought about devising a resque party but the men told me over and over it was a bad idea. So I wanted to say thankyou and that your welcome here as a guest of honor."
    "It's all true Elenore. Your father has been lieing to you your whole life about us. And about other things as well, but that will have to wait. First you must be hungry. Follow me." I was offically confused beyond, well, anything.

    I couldn't comprehend any of this. We were meant to be the angels and yet the demon were more angelic than us. They had even provided me with blood for dinner.
    I began to wonder if mortals had got it the worng way around, were demons truly the bad ones?
    Richard seemed to notice my mood and asked his father if I could go to my sleeping couters and his father agreed almost immediately.
    I was escourted to my room and then left alone.

    What was going on? How was this possible? Today started as all of them do, so how did I end up here. How did it end up that good is evil and evil is good? My head weeved in and out with questions. I thought I knew all there was to know about deamons. Every history book, but history can be changed to how others percive it... So everything I knew...was a lie...

    CHAPTER 3 (Richard)


    Poor Elenore. She looked so confused. If things arnt straghtened out soon she could easily go into a state of shock. Things that you know being fliped upside down and ripped in half is hard enough to deal with. But when the supposid 'bad guys' are nicer and more civil that the 'good guys' well its kind of, well, impossible to comprehend. I dont know how I could possibly deal with something like that on my mind... I feel horrid now for draging her into this. It kind of makes me wonder if I should have left her where she knew what was what. Did I do the right thing?

    "Of corse you did son." I looked back at my father.

    "Are you sure. If I had left her there-"

    "She would be trapped in her own personal hell and you would have been dead. Everything happens for a reason."

    "But its impossible for her to live like this..."

    "Rember this well son. Impossible is not a word, it's a reason to give up."

    "I hope your right,,,I truely do." I peeked in at Elenore who was laying down and stareing thoughtfully at roof of the tent. Deamons are the real angels. Our appearence may decieve others but we were ment to look this way so that the humans of that world could look at us. It was to be their final judgment to see which is the true evil. Most of them do not and they are instantly cast back down to earth forsed to wait another life before guessing again.
    We are those who should be angels. How Elenore got traped with the true deamons of our world with how she acts towards others I will never know. She should have been born to the 'deamons'. I wonder how that happened. Unless.....what if she was a demon and the angels had got hold of her at birth. It was possible but unlikely.
    I mean she had the wings of an angel. I glance sidelong at my father, a silent question in my eyes.
    "Do you think-"
    "It could be possible..."He whispered.
    "But how? S-she was born to the angels...she couldn't possibly...be the..."
    "Then how do you explain her kindness. You did tell me that why you were imprisoned she blocked you from the cold. Or her expertise on stratigy. That I have experinced first-hand. Son, she has to be. The description is exact as well. 'Hair of gold and eyes of the purest saphire. Kind as a mother, and as deadly as a sphinx. Obsurvent as a hawk and as cunning as a rat. The one that shall bring either peace, or never-ending war. The worrior known as, The Shadow.'" his voice was a mear whisper as he quoted the lost book.
    "The shadow." I reapeted. "Then, we must keep her safe. We musen't allow Cornealis to get his hands on her. Who would have known?" I glanced back at the tent. Could Elenore really be The Shadow...?