There was a raging stormcloud in his head, one that pounded heavily along his temples and flashed painful light behind his eyelids. Every twist of the neck sent a new spasm up and down. It was cloudy with a chance of hemmoraging, and at once the angel felt sick again, but there was nothing left for him to actually expel from his worn body. Sour taste caked his mouth, but moreso there was a dryness of a thirst that had not been quenched in days. Benjamin wanted to sleep, so very much so--and it was one of the few times he very well could have layed himself down and fallen into slumber right away...but he couldn't afford to do so, not in his position. Still was he unaware to his present location, but he was under the full impression that it wasn't somewhere he belonged. Moreso was there this detestable sensation...it sent a terrible shiver up his spine as chills broke out over his skin in waves. His heart was pounding violently in his chest, so loud that he was worried that it could be heard (he simply knew the house wasn't empty), and for some reason there was no other explanation than to believe that something was wrong with the place he had found himself entrapped in.

As he progressed along a new corridor, he found little shadows swimming behind his eyelids. There was a lightheadedness building as though he were fixing to pass out, yet he felt no more weaker than he had at the beginning of his morbid journey. Again there was a desire to stop, at least long enough for his head to clear. Where was he again? He swept his gaze back behind him in attempt to pinpoint any sort of direction. A huff of frustration died in Benjamin's throat at the realization that he was a rat trapped in a distorted maze. If he had stayed in one area at least he wouldn't have gotten lost...then again, he probably would have been found far sooner, and why he was so worried about being found was again lost to him.

It was as if Benjamin knew deep in his bones the maliciousness of the house and its occupants, a warning sensation that came as instinct just as quickly as it was engrained to breathe and think. At the moment that seemed to be his problem--it hurt too much to think, therefore his decisions were turning out to be poor ones. It wasn't an environment or condition at his advantage, in fact, he was the sitting duck under the hunter's gun. Shadows danced around him, playing upon the hallway walls and doorframes as if to taunt him. It was at points like this where his own imagination turned out to be an enemy as well. He could almost imagine the laughter and whispers in his ear. One shoulder brushed harshly against the sidewall as he leaned against it, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose between thumb and index finger. He couldn't concentrate like this.

An objective, at least one came to his mind quickly enough. The intent was finding a new way out, yes, but he couldn't do it alone. There were tools necessary to each plan, wasn't there? Now all he had to do was just find...find something...whatever it was that his mind was screaming for yet was completely clueless to. Some help that was, to look for something he couldn't recognize. With a soft sigh he reluctantly opened his eyes, not willing to face sight again that would more than likely set his head ablaze with pain. A moment's delay was all he would allow, and soon enough Benjamin found himself staggering off, keeping a whole hearted attempt to have attention at every level, for both fellow oxygen wasters and that treasure lurking in his mind.

The angel should have known what was coming--the way the hair on the back of his neck rose, the tingle in his palms and chill across his arms--they were all warning signs to what lurked just around the corner. Benjamin, however, had been caught unawares. something he would have never forgiven himself at a different time. Right then he was just too weary, all of his energy put towards finding a way out, he had left himself bare to the unknown threats. Benjamin whipped himself about to face Harold the moment the angel heard the voice, eyes narrowing in sharply on the features of that creature. Already could he feel the stirrings of ancient animosity that existed between their kind, one that made him more willing for the strike. Benjamin was the last angel that would ever be caught strumming a harp while singing pretty hymns.

A glare filtered in as he listened to Harold's words, but he did not respond--didn't plan to, not just yet. Benjamin wasn't fond of the taunting lit to the demon's voice, but he would bare with it so long as it allowed him to bide his time. One brow quirked at the oh so kind "suggestion" for him to find a way out. Any oblivious fool of a mortal would have easily made such an assumption that they needed to escape the dreadful place. Telling him something he already knew was nothing of service, not that Benjamin would ever rely on anyone's service. Where Harold moved, coal black gaze followed with valid distrust. He was waiting for every trick known in his book to be pulled.

What surprised him was the sudden offer for help; for a second Benjamin was taken aback, and perhaps it reflected in those generally blank features. Full lips bit into a frown as he studied the teen. Finally he spoke in a cold, callous tone of voice: "Your smile releases too much of your foul breath, it poisons this starving air. Close your lips and you might be more tolerable." He took one step forward as if to follow behind the demon (a movement that sent yet another dizzying rush to his head, prompting a slight grimace), then stopped short. "I've no reason to trust you, demon, nor you any reason to attempt "helping" me. If anything you would lead me further in to this place...and as I think it, you're not the only thing within this household..."

Mani was somewhere---here or there and ultimately everywhere. A soft chuckle would resonate through the area of the Sins, followed by the pitter patter of footsteps that seemed to come from nowhere. Left then right they went until all the noise died down to nothing. From around a far corner nimble little fingers could be seen curling around the edge of the wall. Ruby painted nails clinging to the paint and tempting to scratch it off. Ever so slowly Mani’s chaotic locks began to appear followed by mismatched hues of ice white and sky blue hidden amongst smoky makeup. He might have been considered the shiest of the Sins, but that didn’t make him any less harmful. Rolling his lower lip under he chewed on the flesh as he watched an angel in the distance. One quiet step followed another and he stepped out from his little corner and began to creep forward---coming up right behind Sadi. His fingers reached out to the man, but didn’t touch. Instead his movements ghosted around the man and pointed at what could have been an intruder. The poor lost soul.

Taking in a deep breath he smiled to himself, but continued to hide behind the other’s body. His pointing finger curled and his hand would soon lower itself down to his side. He wanted to know why that angel was here. Had his birthday come early this year? Oh yes, that would be a splendid thing; an early birthday. Then again, everyday was treated like his birthday. Mani was spoiled little brat when it came to most things. Grinding his teeth together he slid back behind Sadistic’s body, letting off a little giggle before covering his mouth. Who knew what he found so amusing. It might have been the fact this soul was in the center of hell---or it could be that Mani wasn’t completely there in the head. Whatever the reason it was a sickening one.

Tension locked itself in the air, wove into his eyes with a gaze that pierced right back at the annoying sin child. It was getting to the point where Benjamin would have felt no little satisfaction in ripping at Harold's head until it fell off, if that was what it took as he was still unarmed. It didn't matter to him, that was what he as former angel (half now) was designed for, killing the damned. Even still, he knew the boy was right--Benjamin stood no chance against a household bewitched by demons, powerful ones at that, and especially in his weakened state...It was true, he'd have to pick his words carefully, and yet being around Harold made that so very difficult. "None of your fucking bus--" He gasped out in a sudden twist of shock as that brat launched forward and got a sturdy grip beneath his chin.
The motion left then right sent jolts of pain down his neck, and it did no justice towards his aching head. Benjamin should have had the notion to vomit on the lad as he was rough handled. "Damn you..." he had been far too easily caught off guard. Even as Harold backed away, Benjamin made a motion to a rough shove at the boy's chest. The angel hated touch of any kind, it aggrivated him so. "You insult my intelligence with your words, demon" came the cold reply. "If what you say of this house is true, I'm safe neither here nor anywhere else..."
Sooner than the devil words were spoken, he could already feel the chills sweeping over him--damnation etched along the walls and his nostrils were filled with the scent of blood. The first he saw above the sin-child's head, but before he could have made any indication to Harold, Sadistic made his presence well known. It should have been well thought by that point that demons were not always friendly amongst each other. Benjamin tensed, eyeing the ringleader in his approach. This man was a force to be reckoned with. Then again, so was the one suddenly unleashed behind him. The angel could have gagged on the scent of human detriment hanging from the demon's mouth; he dared not turn around. A third arrival, Manipulation...bizarre, utterly unpredictable but child-like demented in some way...the angel was trapped.
Other angels had been the key to this picture, and of course by that time Benjamin should have likened the manor to a gateway to hell...far place worse. If there were other angels there...what had happened to them all? This war had been thrusted upon his shoulders, he recoiled at the thought but was forced to embrace. There was but one chance he sought. "To think that you'll keep me is a sad thought indeed...I intend not to let that happen." The holy essence ripped through his alabaster skin, revealing itself in a brilliance of holy light--God's Light, the longevity of the divine. He broke away the first moment he could, tearing sharp left in the direction yet left to his availability. The only question was whether or not there was another hallway there. It was only a time-waster, and a futile one with the way his energy was depleting, but he'd run so long as there was space left to run. He had no other alternative. His mind spoke his final volume for the moment, "For all that can hear me...so help us, tell me where you are..." At the very least if they were locked away, he might be lucky enough to find them first...Hell, options were limited.

Manipulation really had no idea what was going on. That might have been due to the fact his mind was on other pretty things. Like making a mask out of the angel’s face. How much fun would it be to whip out a pumpkin knife and skin such a delicate surface with a toothed blade? Oh yes, fun-fun-fun! Licking his upper lip in pure thought one could almost see the blood dripping out of his mind. Such thoughts shouldn’t be thought of by such an innocent child as he. Tipping his head to the side Mani lifted a finger to his chin. Tap-tap-tap. Maybe he could dig out the fat pockets and fibrous muscle located under the cheek bones---and make that bitch smile. His lips parted in excitement and he reached out to tug on Sadi’s sleeve when suddenly the man twisted around and a flash of light flew past him.

Down Mani went to the floor under the older Sin as the hall was flooded with light and beautiful screams. Sorry to say it, but all the noise forced a laugh to bubble up from his chest. Oh wasn’t everyone having fun now? Reaching up he gripped onto Sadi’s body and pulled him in closer, lifting his head up and licking along the man’s cheek. Thanks to this man he was free from any damage done by the light. Perhaps a few stars in the eyes, but nothing major---or really noticeable. Nipping near Sadi’s cheek he turned himself away and rolled out from under his brother, standing himself up, carefully stepping over Seil’s eyes. Wouldn’t want to make them go squish now, would he? Smirking mischievously he pushed a hand into his pocket and pulled out---what do you know---a pumpkin knife. He had been saving this for Halloween, but it would do for now. Licking the blade he glanced over towards Sadi and bent himself at the knees, looking almost sadly at his sibling.

“I’ll fuck him for you---with this.” Mani whispered, holding up his pumpkin carving knife as if it were his new favorite toy.

“I’ll trap his screams in a jar just for you.”

Standing back up he skipped off down the hall and completely disappeared. Oh, it might have seemed like little Mani had vanished, but he was still there He just chose not to be seen! Manipulation did have that option. His footsteps could be heard coming up behind the angel, but his form would still go unseen by everyone and all. That little angle better be thinking about his ass right now.

Run, run, run...it was all he could do, and yet with every step Benjamin found himself falling further and further behind. It was as if he was playing right into the demons' very claws. That damn half-sin had been right, he stood no chance, and he wasn't meant to survive. Funny that all he had been through this is what it had come down to. Hell's damned wailed behind him in thunderous echos; they swarmed him, beating against his eardrums. The sins' screams were of a a challenge...no, a decreement of a true slaughter, and it was Benjamin's blood they wished to sqaundor and soak themselves in. Despite these thoughts, they settled no more fear within the angel boy than being within their presence had. That was simply him--far too cold, he saw a bigger picture than himself...his sacrifice, the damnation of his ravaged body and life would be worthwhile, where his life was meaningless. People were simply better off dead, they were far more valuable that way.
Yet still there was innate, primal urge to carry on his survival, and even Benjamin, even angels were slaves to it. No, alive he was a warrior...his use pertained to scraping the demon lives away from this beautiful world...or it should have been a beautiful world. Wasn't it better just to imagine that there was no afterlife? His knee gave beneath him, something inside snapped painfully, coiled around the nerves-- he fell forward just slightly, it was enough to make him lose precious footing. DAMN THEM ALL! Just as he regained himself was he stricken down. Air throttled away from his lungs and something quite audibly popped as his exposed back was slammed against the ground. Coal eyes flew wide with pain yet not a sound was uttered. No, he dared not give the satisfaction of a scream.
In the process of muffling such a cry he punctured his tongue with a stray tooth. Blood bubbled up to the surface in his mouth. This mad man, this doctor above him gripping his throat so tightly it caused Benjamin to choke. Copper taste washed against the back of his throat that made him gag. His body contorted as he tried to buck the demon off. "God...God damn you" he hissed and spat a hot lather of saliva and blood at the creature's hideously morphed, burned face, aiming for the empty sockets. "Go b..back...t...t..." There was a hell from, wence Lies and his family crawled from, at the very least he could go crawl back to it. He was woozy, weak even before that point, and he knew there was a troubling sign when he could spot red, blue and black circles dancing behind his vision. His struggles renewed.

Swirls of red and black were beginning to swirl within the angel's vision. His chest was beginning to burn with acid coated fire in his lungs, one unquenchable by the air he was starved of by the Sin's chokehold. This was it, he was going to die at the merciless hands...yet silently he prayed that were he to die with a single glimmer of fear, that he be damned to hell just as quick as the rest of those bastard devil spawn. Fear was not for him, it wasn't...it wasn't...Bravery? The sin thought he had bravery? No, that meant nothing spoken from the mouth of a liar. One leg rose to sharply knee Seil in the fleshless gut, perhaps in vain, but in anycase his attempts did not matter; the moment that hand struck against his skin all thoughts simply vanished.

The pain, god, the agony...He wouldn't scream...couldn't...The angel's body arched and spasmed under the rising torrent of curse literally wrapping around his insides in malicious tendrils. Dark eyes bulged in horror, anguish, agony. His fists smacked against the floor hard, knuckles clenching and splitting on impact. Bile rose in the back of his throat, and as his head jerked the foul contents spilled over his lips in a mix of sour saliva and blood. Not a scream sounded as he grit his teeth...Lies...he could feel them scraping over his bone with foul words and imagery. Words screamed in his ear. Benjamin was weak, he couldn't fight back. His strength failed him...Damn them all...

The abrupt moment it all seemed to stop, Benjamin was lost in a flash of light; not another God's light, a light of wavering consciousness, but he wasn't going to give the demon the satisfaction of having his limp body to do whatever he pleased with it. He jerked again, gasping with dry and bloody lips as his groin was crushed beneath Seil's foot. Insult to injury, it didn't hurt anywhere as much as that branding...this was humiliation, it was the knowledge of defeat, and his opponent was relishing in his blood coated victory. His fingers twitched to pry the foot from his aching genitals...he hurt all over, there wasn't anything he could do. The withering look he shot up at the demon was one through blurry eyes, a sweaty gaze and teeth grinding. He wasn't going to submit so easily.

The impact of the wall behind him cost him his breath. Twinges of shock erupted around his spine, his neck, the back of his head. He felt nauseous again...if only he could vomit in the demon's face, maybe that would give him the distraction he needed. The sudden approach of the demon's lips...no...no that he wasn't going to let happen. He twisted his head to the side and strained his muscles to force a hand between their faces, pushing up against the hideous mouth in attempt to ward him off. Those filthy lips...The words wouldn't erupt from his own throat, but what Benjamin had to say was no less than spiteful. Where Seil had been prompt to bite to Benjamin's tongue...instead he got himself a casing of fingers. The digits were snapped liked twigs against Seil's nashing teeth, bones crushing under the skin, tissue ripping like little more than paper. Benjamin's eyes widened in horror, the agony threshold was too low to endure anything more and so he groaned, shuddering weakly as crimson flashed in his vision. Everything was going dark, and even in the moment he was released, helpless Benjamin slid down the wall before collapsing to the floor. He wasn't entirely unconscious, but he was at that point, vulnerable.

Pain blossomed in the center of his forehead and wrapped tightly around his cranium, digging thorns into his eyes and hugging unbearable leaves against his temples. Benjamin's body was fighting against him, demanding, pleading that he surrender, resign himself to defeat he was resisting with every ounce of energy he had left. His vision was barely of use at that point, blurred, stinging as though the eyes had been washed with acid. He could make out the blur of red, the crimson puddle forming around his limp hand. two fingers down to their knuckle joints were gone, chewed up in the fowl mouth of the ravenous liar-beast. The index was not more than a mere nub, and the pinky was twisted at an odd angle in bowing under the strength of the jaws. Only the thumb was spared and even it was painfully numb. Would he not die of his torture, he would certainly die of his wounds, but thank the graces that he was not a mere human, even his slight advantage was enough to see to his survival...for the moment.

His neck grew too weak to hold his head, and so he bowed forward, shoulders haunched but relaxed, and the pain burst forward against the front of his head. Just as he felt the collapse, however, he was suddenly enlightened by a burst of pure strength. The kindness, the gentle angelic light he had for so long abstained from in his mortal frame...Slowly his gaze lifted towards the dazzling source, unafraid of its power but all the same mystified. This was true God light, embodied by the anti-sin herself, and it was giving him power. The aches in his body were soothened and he found it within himself to stand, albeit drunkenly and shouldered with the burden of lies etched into his organs.

As he began a slow approach, Benjamin could hear the wailing and tortured cries of Sadistic--it did him no sense of victory for himself, but he felt no pity for the demon. The light finally ebbed away after so long of an intense expulsion of the sin, and the half-angel stopped short of Justice and Harold. Seil, Manipulation...they weren't in his sight at the moment, but he would proabably find just how terrible things were to be for him should Seil return and brandish the power he engraved into Benjamin. Harold's question seemed to be answered by Benjamin's blood stricken lips. "Our Lady Justice..." he whispered, for once that hard edge to his voice not more than a death in the back of his throat. She had come...what did this mean for the human realm as a whole? For a brief moment he turned a side glance onto the sin-spawn. It perhaps did not need to be said that if the brat valued his life, he'd leave the vicinity. Instead he turned full attention back onto Justice before kneeling, gaze lowered towards the ground in the respect the revered anti-sin deserved.

A heartbeat seperate of his own seemed to pound in his ears. Benjamin was intimately aware of the sacred entity that fell before the swine of the household--they didn't deserve her prescence, and neither did he himself. Be her eyes upon him or not, he kept his gaze steady towards the ground...at the very least it kept the world from spinning, until she spoke, which prompted his attention to divert towards her directly. A look of surprise flitted upon his face, then one of understanding. The language he knew, though not to the degree he may have once utilized the heavily tongue, but nonetheless it stood to reason that she bade him rise from his inferior mental state. Again that strength flooded within him and he didn't feel quite so defeated, even if he was dirtied in both physical and emotional length.

The gentle touch upon his skin almost made his heavy eyelids slip close, as his posture demanded he relax. It was warm, comforting, both of which he'd not experienced in quite some time. That moment wasn't the time to fall peacefully; Benjamin needed to be stronger. He turned a cold gaze onto the sin-child as he was mentioned, though Benjamin highly doubted that the demon mother would care much for her spawn. His gaze flickered momentarily as the hand of smiting Justice wrapped around the teen's neck, and almost once was the half-angel tempted to speak, say anything, but he fell short at the sudden sensation of warmth crawling over his flesh. There was a tingle across his skin as though age-old blood was finally gaining passage through his veins, restoring feeling, then came the tug and push of unfolding skin. Bones were snapping back into place, sealing cracks and stitching pink body into one.

The screams again erupted, a shrill cry that crashed against his eardrums. Benjamin's second gaze towards the boy held none of the sympathy that it perhaps should have. Instead he watched in a silent cold equivilent to the throes of the anti-sin's wrath. Stupid demon should have left while he had the chance, as far as he was concerned. Hadn't Harold learned by Benjamin's example? Get out before it was too late, or else face the consequences, just as the half-angel had suffered them. As the pain released hold on his body, Benjamin stood once more, taking a place beside the angel. Justice was right--there were many within range and could strike easily, and true enough did she wield enormous power, but there was still but one of her.

"Had you been less of a prick, we wouldn't be in this position right now..." Benjamin intoned, almost sarcastic in his own right, finally giving Harold some sort of acknowledgement to the fallen boy. "There was nothing complex about revealing an exit, now was there? To deem it impossible would be ignorant. Maybe you should let go of the other angels as well...I know they're here, but I doubt they are also here by choice. Where are they?"