City Of Souls

Samuel Leo stood amongst the skies, looking up as it rained. It was little surprise to Samuel. God really had a funny way of making things work right, and honestly, despite his clothes being the only nice ones he owned? Samuel decided, screw it. It only made his sermon that much more effective. Men dragged out the body in white, and Samuel helped them undress the beautiful angel, the woman whom he had been dear dear friends with. He had to take a moment as he gripped both sides of the stone, pain evident all over his face. He did little to hide it, closing those eyes he briefly hovered over her displayed body. They had dressed her in white, plain white as Braedan had requested of Samuel. To make it simple. This was as simple as it got, truthfully. Adjusting his collar as he pushed himself up, he adjusted himself to stand at the head of the grave site they already had dug out. Posing her with home-made wooden beams that could easily be kicked in and settle her into the hole. A nice little trick that Cervantes figured out, no doubt. Hands pressed down on the beams as he looked over the people that were coming in. With? A preachers regalia that would no doubt mark him as what he was. A man of God. Blue eyes looked pained and tired out amongst the crowd, taking deep breaths as he struggled not to cry again over his dear friend that had been lost to Sin. To trickery. Just like a Devils game to trick her into her own death. Like he did to so many lost souls...it was no wonder Re:New was opening their door. And Samuel? He was carrying the best weapon there was. The bible was there in his hands. Not opened, but there in his hands.

Malynda had been quiet -- a rarity to be sure -- in her accompaniment of Samuel all day. As faithful as she ever was in her dogged following of the pastor, the once-hooker remained ever watchful in his shadow. His melancholy was contagious, it seemed, as even though she had not known Kamael, she felt for the man who had obviously so dearly loved this angel. Out into the rain, she remained behind, allowing him a private moment with his dear friend. But she was there. When it counted, she was not selfish, and she did not run from the feelings that might have, at one time, been far too much for her to stomach, especially on the account of supporting someone else, rather than just being seated with those selfish, pitying feelings herself. Her sympathies extended far beyond what she once considered herself capable of. And while she still wasn't sure if she bought into all of this God stuff? She believed in Samuel wholeheartedly. And for right now, that was enough.

Lefu followed the will of the spirits she had bound herself too, dressed in black at the notion that today would be a day where an angel would be returned home. The Loa were quiet though brandings burned with white hot fire and bled with bitterness. There would be no bandages to conceal this reaction as she moved into the church, beads of rain rolling down the sides of her face while black serpent coiled around her neck. Fingers absently lifting to drag a nail along a well polished scale. Amber gaze fell upon Samuel as the weight of his feelings were worn upon his face. Her head would tilt slightly as she moved to find a seat among the masses. A shepherd with his flock. Where did they go now since Heaven had fallen...a question she would no dobut ask once the sermon was over.

Hollison had wanted to come. If anything, there was safety to be found and a homely feeling that Holly longed miss, in the house of the Lord. Soon as she walked through those doors relief was felt as she closed those eyes and smiled for once. It had been such a long time since she had smiled as freely as she was now. Green eyes closed, blonde hair settling back onto her upper back as she tilted that head up. Eventually, however, Daniels movement of moving past her was heard and she soon rejoined to walking right behind him, staring past the Christians with a warm smile on her face as she kept up close behind her best friend that was 1 foot taller than her. Green eyes glanced over at Tereza and she gave the woman another encouraging smile. "We'll be safe here....from Acaeus. He won't be able to harm us here...I can feel it." was whispered in assurance to both of her companions, following the guiding welcoming warm people surprisingly, into the garden as they filed in. She eyed the Preacher that hovered over the dead body, and frowned slightly at seeing his pain, before glancing over at Daniel with a bit of a smile. "That won't be you. We'll get him back." giving him false hope that even she didn't believe in. Was that a lie, Hollison? But how could it be, if she didn't know the truth in the first place? Green eyes continued to dart at all the faces she didn't recognize paying homage tonight. But for now, no bad inner gut feelings. Sure they were safe from the noxsine, but demons? She wasn't sure about that. After all, after Acaeus little scene with the holy water being splashed on him and verses being used....well. She wasn't sure demons WEREN'T unstoppable. And if they weren't, did that mean God was dead? Defeated by his own creation? Had Lucifier won?

Jezebel for was glad they were moving, her steps slow as she followed after the younger pair. Vibrant green eyes glued to Daniel's back though she struggled to maintain some sort of barrier between conflicting emotions. Samuel's sadness hit her in waves and she found herself hurrying to blindly grab for either Holly or Daniel's hand or both if she caught them in time. Her gaze diverted from the body but there was a question posed to Daniel silently. Once they were done could they go find him? A shaky breath was taken as she looked to Holly, forcing a smile to her fellow empath even if words eluded her. There was help here.

Diablo, being the supreme leader of all things evil ranging from sin all the way down to timeshares, Pokemon and beanie babies, his presence not only was required, but essential in such a somber event. The funeral hardly bothered him, why would the death of anyone, fellow former angelic brethren or not, truly change his dapper attitude even when the heavens seemingly cried out for their lost angel. He arrived in the near distance, likely through some teleportation powers, but definitely not one to watch the weather report. With a low rumbling growl he groaned inaudibly, irritated and infuriated with the idea his suit and hair might become soggy by the night's end. Instead of entering the church grounds right then and there he took it upon himself to quickly pace up and down the street and find an older male hunched under his umbrella. "Hi," He put on his most superficially charming smile as he approached the unlucky human. (C.)
Diablo (C.) He snatched the large black umbrella from him, nonchalantly kicking him in the balls presumably with the force of an eighteen-wheeler slamming a Scion. "Not like you were using them anyway." With his daily dose of misdeeds well on their way to be complete he circled back to the church grounds to spout the funeral proceedings. He'd changed vessels since his last appearance; now he came in the form of a tall, perhaps six-foot-six for irony's sake, older male with fantastic facial hair with bits gray scattered in his hair and of course he always had to wear a black suit to meet his quota for needless cliches. The devil himself hid among the sheep, quiet, observant and slowly inching his way closer to the gathering. He drew the umbrella close down toward him to hide the slightest beginnings of a satisfied, malevolent grin threatening to beam with a sense of pride - if only he had a father to go home to and brag of his work.

Vertis and Malynda were very alike in that, while they may not believe in God as the end all, be all idealogy, they believed in a person who believed in God, and by proxy, existed in that much needed light in the darkness whenever said person was around. His person? Was Hollison. There was a time he had not wanted her around, a memory that seemed laughable now in a world where he might not exist without her. Every healer needed a tank, and that was the role the hunter would play for both empaths today. Pushing through the crowds and feigning complete non-injury despite what was hidden beneath his clothing from the last run in with Acaeus, Daniel grabbed Jezebel as she doubled over, likely overwhelmed by the grief that surmounted on such a sad occasion. He even let go of Holly's hand -- they continued to heal, even now -- to hold Tereza upright. "You're alright. Close it off. I'm right here," he soothed her, but did not answer her question about Aca. She was too hasty, much too hasty. >>There was great preparation that needed making before they confronted the demon next. There was time. Hell, these days, that's all there was. Time and mourning, no matter who, or over what. Leaning over to whisper in Hollison's ear, Danny asked once more why they were here, knowing better than to think this was simply for the safe haven that holy ground provided against the dangers beyond the sanctuary. Holly always had alterior motives when it came to showing up at church. It's how she had lured him there for a good sixteen years now.

Samuel Leo looked up as all the people filed in wordlessly. Some gazed with sympathy, some gazed without a damn care. Some were looking on him in wonder. Wondering likely, how love could still survive in a damned world like this. He took a deep breath, as he stopped leaning on the head of her casket, and placed the Bible down on it instead, staring at them all. He didn't hesitate. "Pain." he started out, waiting for them all to look up and stare at him in his speech. "We all know it, don't we?" was asked to them. That deep compassionate stare, likely ripping into all of them as blue eyes hit everyone's eyes that were settled on him. Blue eyes even looked to Lynnie, glancing over his shoulder to acknowledge her as well in this. Because he knew, personally. She knew pain. A bitter smile laced his face as he turned back to address the crowd with those blue eyes that seemed to search far deeper than any human should be capable of. "I know you're wondering, why is it that pain exists. We all go through it every day, don't we? Especially in times like these. Where the world is coming to an end, and every day is a fight for your life. Everything that we know is pain. We've been numb to it, and we don't question it. A lot of you don't, anyway. Because it's part of everyday life now. So you avoid it as much as possible, to keep on pushing, to keep on surviving..." He paused, gazing down at the face of Kamael. Swallowing thickly, he looked back up to the crowd once more. "But what if we are thinking of pain wrongly? What if, bad things happen to good people for a reason to make them stronger? What if there was a real reason that pain and evil existed in this world? It's hard to grasp for many of you. I know. To imagine that God doesn't want us happy seems ridiculous. But what if it's more than that? What if there's more than just him wanting us simply happy? Because you know what Satan wants? Us simply happy. So if Satan wants US simply happy, do you think God wants the same? A ridiclous notion, right? After all, they are at ODDs with each other...over each and every one of you." Pointing to the crowd, every single person to point them out before settling his hand back down at his side. "Let me ask you, do you know as much as God? Who has started this entire world and created us, created life, created everything you see before you. Do you vastly understand his knowledge and wisdom? Instead of asking ourselves...when pain comes around in our lives every day. Instead of asking why me? Instead of asking, why does it happen to me? I'm a good person. Instead of asking. Why does God allow so much of this? Why don't we ask instead...What do we do with the pain? What can we learn from it, how will we be better because of what I'm going through right now? What if Satan...wants you to focus on pain, instead of focusing on what you really should focus on. God." Simple answer truthfully, but not so simple for everyone to believe or grasp on in the end times. He chuckled breathily, letting that sink in as he dipped his head down, gazing back up at them with a sad look in those eyes. "Isn't that what Satan always wants? For us to be distracted and not look to God. We can't possibly understand why God allows evil. We are temporal creatures, we can't grasp how our suffering in this present time, can be compared to the glory which will be revealed in us. We simply cannot understand how our pain will affect others along the line. Until we go through it and see it change others. Kamael died." Gesturing to her. "The worst kind of pain any angel could go through. And yet look what her death, has brought about." He gestured now to the people who stood in a group, smiling and huddling amongst each other in the rain. "27 saved the day after, 27 that proclaimed God as their Lord and Savior. 27 who read the bible and pray daily. Is that not a greatness that was done, over pain of a loss of someone dear to me?" was whispered to those faces, gazing at each and every one of them. "You know what God has always wanted? If you read the bible, you'd know. He doesn't want you to simply have joy. No..." shaking his head as he took a deep breath in. "He wants you to have Joy in him. With him. He wants you to have a relationship with him....that is so meaningful that you can't help, but be happy in the midst of all this pain and evil that goes on in the world. You know." Smile brightened briefly as he tilted his head and chuckled. "I get often asked, why I'm so happy despite all these trying times. Well, I'm giving you that answer today. Because I have a deep close personal connection with God, because I chose to have one. And it's so worth all that shallow joy that I've gotten from other things. Nothing. Nothing in this world compares to the Love and Joy that I have in Christ living in me, with me. Through me." He waited to see if some people would walk away at this point, after all, he was PREACHING about God, he wouldn't be surprised if some walked away. Funny part? He hadn't even cracked open the bible verses. But in times like these? People weren't just apathetic towards God, they were downright angry at him for dooming them to this fate.

Malynda pulled out her journal as Samuel began to speak, and scribbled furiously into it with each word that passed from his lips to her ears. Glancing up, the young woman felt the breath hitch in her lungs as his eyes met hers, and she immediately averted them back to the pages -- already wet with rain -- she had written on. He knew. He knew far too well the pain she had endured. But she listened. He scared her to death, but she listened and heeded every word like it was law. And it was. He preached God's laws, and she was learning. And changing. Every day, something new bloomed in her, like a sun parched garden drinking in this rain until it felt like it might drown. But it was necessary.

Lefu remained motionless as she watched, head tilting slightly as the serpent around her neck slithered and climbed to catch the various scents in the air. The pressure from his stare did little to move her in ways it would perhaps touch others. Power called to power and dispair whispered sweetly in her ear. The dead were watching, listening which seemed to a thickness to the air the many would perhaps not feel what he was drawing to him. No, the Bokor would remain where he could see her. A first.

Strategic showed up to the funeral, in what she was often depicted in; a white, greek chiton, golden greek helmet, as she held her shield in one hand, and spear in the other. Athena joined in the procession, letting the rain fall on her, instead of trying to hide from it. It was only water, after all. She had been in much worse. Why was she at this angel's funeral? Different religion, after all. The goddess of wisdom always thought that getting to know fellow immortal beings was a wise move. She'd always tried to get a friendly tournament of bowling together with the angels, demons, and other pantheons of gods. Sent those facebook friend requests out and all. An immortal that fell? Had to respect them. They could all fall in the end. The goddess stood straight and stiffly, her stormy grey eyes on Jehovah's preacher, and listening respectfully to the man. She felt kin to the being the preacher spoke about, some what.

Diablo twitched beneath his thick black umbrella, unsure as to why he even showed up once the preacher startled rattling off age old verses from the bible along with his own personal sermons. He made a not-so-scared vow to himself to simply observe in case they were using the funeral as a means to draw him out, but once the lines came out he started to sputter with immature laughter from a small distance away. Why did bad things happen to good people? He chuckled, attempting to stifle his laughter especially when the repeated number of twenty-seven came up. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I tried to keep quiet, but I just can't." He spoke up in a silky smooth voice, deep, bellowing, definitely evil if anyone were to personify it and yet never hard on the ears or in need of repetition to clarify his words. "Bad things happen to good people because it's fun." He revealed himself, new vessel and all, much taller than the previous one if he recalled correctly. Twenty-seven is one of my favorite numbers, after four-twenty and six-six-six of course. Ever hear of the twenty-seven club? Kurt Cobain? Amy Winehouse? Joplin? Hendrix? Let's just say you'll never find any of them in heaven." He stood several feet away from the crowd and presumably the coffin housing the angel. "If your favorite book has it right then I created sin and suffering, but I also created the free will to defy the written word and the knowledge to help your originators know they were running around naked in a jungle." He expected a barrage of insults and threats, but for now he stood staring at the coffin and intermittently at the crowd before him. "Samuel, why don't you tell the congregation of your sins you righteous, righteous do-gooder." He ribbed verbally at him with a shit-eating grin, but not without sincerity and seriousness, a thinly veiled threat to tell a nice story to them before someone else joined Kamael.

Hollison dark gut feelings came over her soon enough as Lucifer stepped into the scene, hand placing down onto her stomach. No doubt Daniel knew what that meant, her green eyes gazing up at him with a worried look in her eye. Could demons trespass through this? But outing them would mean the death of everyone in this room. So she instead, simply dealt with the pain in her gut...and just as she was thinking about how unusual her stomach pain was at the presence of this particular demon, it hurt worse than when she had been around Acaeus, Samuel spoke that word. Pain. Green eyes gazed up at him, snapping her attention to him even as Daniel whispered into her ears. She glanced over at him, offering him a brief smile and giving him a look he knew all too well. Later, Daniel. Sermon right now. Truthfully Hollison had been a youth minister, but not a pastor. This man...she could tell just by how he started in. He WAS a Pastor. A man of God. And it was remarkable that one even existed on this earth. It made her feel...less alone. It made her feel like, maybe she hadn't messed up. Maybe, there was a bigger plan and reason as to why she was still here, rather than in heaven. He talked? Holly suddenly had her green eyes on someone else other than Daniel or Jezey amongst the crowd. They were GLUED on Samuel, drinking in every word he was pouring out like a parched flower. His words were hitting the nail right on the head for her, biting her lower lip as he continued to pound in and in and in. Daniel could see it, those green eyes were lighting up with life a little bit, but also with heavy pain that she had been resistant to showing around Daniel...up until now. His questions had those green eyes dropping as they watered up, and started to pour our tears. Thankfully, hidden with the rain pouring down on all of them that were outside to mourn the death of...Kamael? At his words came pouring out like a powerful torrent into Hollys very soul, she simply widened her green eyes and stared, shell shocked, at what Samuel was dishing out. His teachings was absolutely correct, Holly used to have a bible, but the fact he said bible and she could easily recognize that print from under his hand. Bible. That was a bible. So many had been burned....but there was one right there. She couldn't believe it. His pause had Holly audibly WHINING. Obviously, she wanted to hear more. Stepping closer to the Preacher and encouraging with a wave of her hand for Daniel and Jezey to follow, she stepped closer, only to hear a sudden laughter in the crowd. Blinking, green eyes turned to notice the tall man, and the minute he replied, Holly frowned. Demon for sure if it's fun. But now he was speaking more and Holly couldn't believe it. Eyes widening as her heart skipped a beat. This was way above their hunter paygrade. Where was Daniel? Was he close? She was staring him down with a look that said it all. Not our fight. Not this one, anyway. They would die if they even TRIED. His last bit had Holly turning back to the Preacher, curious on what his response would be, searching at him and almost...in a desperate way, looking to him as if he had been hand feeding her hope and joy once again. Hand reaching out for both Jezey and Daniel. "Stay close." was whispered, approaching closer to the Pastor, and further from Lucifier. Front row seat eventually, would be seen as she didn't care. Trying to link both Daniel and Jezey, if only to give them that warm feeling of peace. But definitely not healing. That would be stupid right now.

Jezebel's stomach would knot near instantly as Samuel's grief doubled in intensity; Daniel's hand and soothing words were almost enough to pull her out of the dark she found herself slipping into until that gut wrenching pain and discomfort mingled with fear touched Holly. She didn't know that her barriers were thin; there was no closing it out. "Holly..." she whispered softly before she glanced up toward Daniel and then toward the preacher. She wanted to run and that sudden overwhelming need to flee was shared through that link. She couldn't close it off completely. It was at this moment she found herself missing Acaeus for the simple fact that he was empty. Quiet. Vibrant green eyes eventually caught Holly's movements, her hand motioning them as another voice filled her head; his words sweet and yet held an edge to them that she could only reason to be the cause of Holly's concern. She pushed those thoughts aside as she settled, flighty but willing to remain.

Vertis separated Jezebel from all of it now, taking hold of her in a full bodied embrace and shielding her from as much contact as he possibly could. At least he could control his shit, he had those emotions on lock down. Reaching out and taking Hollison's hand, the tank allowed the healer to maneuver them wherever she saw fit, but remained entirely unspoken in all of this. Holly was right, this wasn't there fight. Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, the hunter couldn't give a shit that Lucifer himself was over there gigglesnorting at the heartfelt words being spoken in eulogy from one friend to another. Two of the handful of people he gave a shit about were right here, and the other two were up shit creek without a paddle THANKS to the war of the celestial worlds that had been going on for just a few too many decades.

Samuel Leo the strange woman in a shield and helmet. Warrior, he could see that. Wisdom in her eyes he could also see, but even she could understand pain, certainly. Jo was noticed with her pet snake, yet no empathy on her end. Yet also, she did not leave. Which was promising, in his mind. Lynnie scratched away in her journal, and Samuel was smiling proudly as she was. Because he knew every letter she wrote into that journal, God was hearing himself. So that smile actually brightened despite the pain, blue eyes gazing at all of them, until he heard a laughter. It caused blue eyes to look up to Lucifier, Satan himself. Hollys advancement towards him had Samuel glancing over to her with a slight frown. "Have you no faith child?" came his gentle response, watching as the 27 believers of Christ soon tried to step in between the visitors, and Satan. Samuel himself, stepped down from his podium as he made his way through the sea of people to stand in front of him, staring at him with those blue eyes. Bravely pushing past Daniel, Holly, Jezey. 27 people. Hell even the woman who looked armed and ready to fight, was walked past. Bravery was something that wasn't often seen when you stared face to face with the Devil himself, yet Samuel kept showing time and time again. He didn't fear death because death had already been conquered. "You won't find them in heaven, because they are doing Gods work on earth right now, Lucifier, am I right?" was asked, smiling at him. Smiling right into the Devils face with little fear or doubt. While the new 27 were definitely doubting, but Samuels bold move seemed to give them some kind of vigor, standing their ground despite their fear. "Prideful. God created Sin and suffering, you simply gave us a choice to choose it. And we chose it." came his gentle reply, eyebrow rose at him as he claimed he also...created free will. "Wrong again, Devil." came his soft reply. "God created free will, not you. It is written in Genesis clear as day, that he created everything that you see before you. Including you. This truth you cannot deny, you would not exist if it was not for him." That last bit had Samuel tilting his head up a bit more, smiling as if he was totally okay with this. He wanted to play list your sin game. Samuel could tell him straight off without issue, had he not already told Lynnie of his past life. "These sins are in the past, Satan. But as you wish, I will tell of my past, to make them understand that we are all unworthy. All it takes...is a choice on their end to make their life so much better than what you can offer." He may have interrupted Samuels speech, but Samuel was totally seemingly okay with playing mental mind games with Satan himself. Funny how it felt no different then when he was physically right there. "Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we, are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. As for what I have done in the past?" Hand lifted up as he started to list his sins, without any damn guilt in the words. Because he already knew, he had been forgiven, and that old life was far behind him now. "I have broken all ten commandments in my time of my life so far. I have been greedy, lover of money before God. I have been gluttonous for food, eating more then my fair share. I have been proud and arrogant. Put myself before others. Before my own family even. Used Gods word to mislead and misguide people. Slept with hookers. Gambled with money. Did Drugs, alcohol. Casual sex. Partied. I've cussed plenty of times before. I've been lazy. Broke the laws of my land and city. I've murdered...in a way. Stole lives of those who bought my drugs. I've lied, stolen, cheated, and got jealous of what others have. That is all the ten commandments, Satan." And he did truly list all the sins he had ever done. He took another step forward. "But you know what else I did, the minute you took my best friend from me? To get him to shut up about God? I ran to the exact thing you never wanted me to run to. All that I listed? Temporary joy. Never lasted. Neer fulfilled me. Never made me anything special. Never did anything for anyone, not even me. But you know what did, give me permanent joy? Dying to myself, and giving it all to God." Damn. "And thusly, the Ephesians rings truly, doesn't it? For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we, are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. You see...what I'm doing right here? Doesn't mean I get the glory, the credit. Because without him....I'd be long dead as a drugged up fool who thought I could find eternal happiness in material things. Things." hand lifted. "That you said could fill me, never did. It left me emptier and in more pain. You gave me pain." swinging his hand to Kamaels body to point her out. "But it made me stronger...it made God stronger. You still don't get it do you? You may have overtaken heaven, Satan. But you cannot overtake God." Oh damn. "So in Jesus' name that I call upon, with his authority over heaven, earth and hell. I command you to get out of his house.." taking a step towards him. "Right now." It only encouraged the Jesus Freak, it seemed, to give all the Glory to God each time he was pushed. Infuriating for Satan, no doubt. But amazing to witness for others, surely.

Diablo needlessly breathed in and out excessively, growing louder and louder in his obnoxious breathing pattern the more Samuel spoke. "You talk a good game, you know your verses, but you're still wrong. I've been around far too long to watch powerless fools like you regurgitate the bible word for word as if it's not gone through hundreds of translations and been edited and censored just as much." When Samuel dared to approach him he pulled back the umbrella to reveal his face and though he remained quiet as he listened, allowing the man to preach a bit more before his followers he responded in a singsong voice. "What if God was one of us~ Well I can tell you he's clearly not a fan of you guys. I think he abandoned you long ago. Slavery, Nuclear weapons, dial-up internet, concentration camps, the Stars Wars prequels." He tapped the closed umbrella against his strong shoulders once each, whimsically hop stepping about left and right before focusing on Samuel once again. No verbal incantations, no wacky gestures and no finger snaps were needed to cast a quick spell on Samuel with the intent to violently rip off each and every single one of his hand's fingernails and send them flying toward Hollison's neck and upper body with enough force to penetrate, but not outright kill in any manner. "You really just don't get it do you. You can quote your book all you want Sammy, but I won and now it's my turn to shape the world as I see fit and there certainly will be a ruling on chip and or swipe with debit cards when I have my spin at the wheel." He chuckled in a low, baritone manner as he sauntered on over toward the coffin and pulled out a most disgusting looking mason jar filled with some indescribable mixture of urine, fecal matter, vomit and presumably animal blood. With a squeeze and a turn he sought to throw, left-handed of course, your nuns were right to say left-handed was a sign of the devil and aim to have it shatter up over top of the grave.

Malynda dropped her journal and cried out, something akin to a deer -- shot but not killed -- as Samuel's hands were ripped apart at the cuticle. He had healed her with those hands. But her instinct was not to run to him. He could hold his own, of that much she was infinitely sure. But to allow the desecration of the one woman to whom Lynnie had seen Samuel mourn? That was necessary, and her body reacted quicker than her brain had time to make up its mind. She could bathe. The rain would wash all of it away. So she closed the distance between herself and that grave at a run and, shielding her face (that mason jar was filled with a vertible bevy of disease, STD and otherwise, and she'd avoided that thusfar even given her previous line of work), allowing Lucifer to turn her into Carrie at the prom. Shit, piss, vomit, and blood, all over her. But Kamael would rest in peace on this day.

Jezebel found her eyes shutting tightly as she lingered within Daniel's embrace, the contact was enough to soothe her to the point of steadying her nerves. It was a familiar sensation that had tears rolling down her cheeks. But that sudden wave of her own feeling of pain would pass once seats were found and Holly was drinking in the word of the preacher. Though she was very much aware of the battle between good and evil that was taking place with the small gathering stuck in the middle. The devil's words were like honey to that part of her that wanted to fall back into the shadowed world she had only just left. But the feeling of duty and devotion that poured from Samuel despite his sadness and the way Holly seemed to be drinking in every word that poured from his mouth had her moving to to shield her when she should have simply pushed her to the ground.

Samuel Leo was staring at Satan as he breathed heavier and heavier. His words came out next and Samuel wasn't surprised. "You deceive yet still, and hang onto lies that you know are lies. You know despite translations of the many times the bible has gone through, the message remains the same. God wants a relationship with us, a meaningful one. That's why he created Free Will. Robots have no meaningful relationships. Just like we don't have any meaningful relationships with material things nor you. You can never rule us for this reason. They will find God and they will rebel. and God will win in the end sending you into a lake of fire." Snorting at his lies, Samuel shook his head. "He is a fan of us, he sent his ONLY SON to die on the cross FOR our sins and OUR choices of wrongdoing. How is he NOT a fan of us? He breathes his very essence into us if we ask him to." Shaking his head as Satan poured out a list. "Material things." came his reply, about to form his arms across his chest as Lucifier moved about, but he didn't see THAT coming. Granted, any pain taken for the Glory of God was worth it, but the minute those fingernail beds came ripping off, Samuels blue eyes were rolling back as blood flew...everywhere. And he collapsed. He was only a human after all. Yes, he was strong, yes he was brave. But he was not inhuman or godly. Physical pain was far too much for Samuel to be awake for, let alone coherent. Thus there was only a brief twist of pain before the preacher collapsed, muddy and easily passed over. His followers? Not so easily scattered like roaches, despite his attempts. Samuel had trained them well, evident as they shouted commands and when they saw that jar raised, they shouted just as Lynnie took the jar for Kamaels peace, NOW. That coffin fell into the ground, and they hurriedly covered it up all while forming a circle around Lucifier. A moving circle, with hands clasped in one anothers hands. Showing love and fearlessness. Samuel had seen, before he passed out, Lynnie blocking the grave sight as he felt blacknes clouding in around him. And you know what he did? How he passed out? With a proud damn smile on his face, through all the pain. He could find Joy, truly. Showed it before everyones eyes and proved his very words he had spoken, true. The 27? Started to pray, loudly. Out loud. Crying out to God to protect his people.

Hollison was floored. Floored was a realllly good word right now. Green eyes widened as hand squeezed tightly on Daniels. "Holy...." was whispered. His words directed at her had her wincing, glancing down at the floor. Yes, she was doubting right now. And he could see it with one step towards him. At least she was running from Satan himself. Green eyes gazed up to him as he walked past the 27 that stepped up behind him, staring at all of them with amazement and a bright light of fiery that hadn't been seen in those green eyes in a long while. Lucifer and Samuels banter had her actually SMILING from ear to ear, face practically glowing. But it all came to a screeching halting crash whence Diablo did his thing and threw that jar. Head jerked to notice Lynnie step in and take the jars hit, surprising even her that she would even do that. "I...what....the..." Was muttered, gazing back to Daniel. "Let's just go inside, now!" was shouted, turning to run for the door, only to widen her eyes as Tereza was hit by the nail...pieces, taking them for her. "What are you doing!?" she cried to the empath who was a friend. Hand latched out onto her, tears streaming down her face as she panicked. Couldn't have ONE damn day without demons BREATHING down her throat. Ugh! Quickly she was running and dragging her tank and other friend to the church doors, hoping and praying that he wouldn't follow them inside. Was Samuel dead? Oh good Lord, please say no. And yes, that was a prayer.

Strategic goddess' eyebrows rose at the sound of the laughter, then her face turned, when the man with the deeper voice. Athena didn't think it was wise to interrupt funeral for a fallen angel. To her, the angel was a warrior. And you don't talk shit during a warrior's funeral. Those stormy grey eyes were narrowed at the fellow, as she moved to join the twenty-seven that they talked about. Sam's response to his enemy was astounding, making her think of those of her patronage, devoted to her. The Devil's remarks, and the utterance of the prequals-that-shall-not-be-mentioned, and the attack on the preacher, sent the goddess moving, charging in a blur through the crowd, and stopping in front of Samuel.Stoic face stared at Lucifer, remaining silent. Attack them again, I dare you, her grey eyes would seem to say.

Lefu moved to stand and began a slow, steady clap those amber eyes burning brightly as she gazed upon the devil. It was an amusing show to say the least but her attention was clearly set upon the man who chose to defy him. Oh Samuel, you devout fool. She did not rush to the man's side and would stand over him as he hit the ground, tearing fabric from her dress before she set to wrapping up his mangled hand. "You looked the Devil in the eye and spoke your sins and fell with a smile on your face." She mused softly and with surprising strength managed to lift him just enough to drag him farther onto hallowed grounds and into the church.

Vertis. Fingernails, seriously? That was it. Enough was enough. The tank was tired and truly had no time for this shit. Samuel had twenty seven men, and one shit covered woman, fighting the good fight for him. He didn't need anyone else, and he sure as hell wasn't getting Hollison and Jezebel any more involved than he had already. Grabbing both empaths, under his arm and over his shoulder if he fucking had to, Danny would drag them both back into the sanctuary that had been offered there in the church. This was not their fight. Holly had said it. Jezey...well, she hadn't said it, but he hardly doubted she would object. Can't have not ONE DAMN DAY without Satan LITERALLY shitting on everything. Nope, nope, nope, just gonna walk away like Godzilla flipping off everything, back into the ocean.

Jezebel stared at Holly in obvious confusion as those fingernails embedded themselves into her flesh; it was not just her pain she felt that had her mind reeling but Samuel. She stumbled after them before she found herself sinking into the darkness. It was an emotional and physical overload that would ultimately end in her blacking out and being hoisted over Daniel's shoulder and carried into the church.

Diablo: :-Pulled his lips in when his vile mixture exploded in the sky and rained down on a poor sod. "Oooh. Someone's gonna need an STD test tomorrow." He found himself witty, but even more so, powerful. He could toy with nearly anyone here with ease in his mind, but the smiling, supposedly fearless priest grew dull once he hit the ground. The chants from the twenty-seven brought forth a canted head and a wistful sigh. "Next time you want to keep me out you might want to try angelic wards?" He was, after all, an archangel at his core, basically the first primordial bring brought into creation by God. When a familiar entity rushed forward toward the fallen priest to become his shield his lips parted, debating the gravity of her threats as he sucked wind through his teeth before releasing a breathy snicker. "Gonna have to call you on your bluff sweetheart. You might be able to last a few rounds with me, but these people don't have a chance." He sought to prove this when he flipped over his umbrella with the tip pointing forward as he aimed to launch it with great, supernatural speed and strength toward Hollison's middle body as if it were a javelin and in his hands it might as well have been a torpedo. The forgotten goddess could've stopped it perhaps by taking a blow, who knew how she'd react in such a decisive moment. "When you don't have all of these fragile little toys to distract you, maybe then I can have some fun with you." He clapped his hands together and rubbed them as if he were trying to keep himself warm. "Been fun, really has, but there's only so much verbal diarrhea I can take from you virgins in one sitting." He set the ground around him on fire in a circle enclosing a pentagram beneath his feet before he seemingly vanished and left a nice little sigil on the grounds which for now seemed to be a patch of desecrated ground not easily removed.

Strategic was a huge ass virgin, thank you very much, and was damn proud of it. Oh yes, she was capable of having kids, but that was different. The jab at only taking a few rounds stung, but Athena stood her ground. Nemesis would say this guy's hubris was a downfall, and Athena would agree. The thrown javelin would be reacted too, but she wouldn't exactly be taking the blow, since she held a pretty good defense item. Knees would bend, before she would push herself into the air in a blur of motion back-flipping over to the girl that was aimed at, and landing btween the torpedo and Holly. Aegis would be raised rather quickly, and held up until she felt the force of the thrown umbrella push her backwards, and causing her to bump into Hollison.

Lefu found this all to be a bittersweet situation; she had witnessed the now unconscious woman sacrifice herself for her companion who seemed to be a target for the Devil's cruel intentions. Comical really in the grand scheme of things as she lay the priest's body to rest just at the church doors. She would no enter, it pained her a bit too much. Lips would move in silent prayer as the veve upon her body began to pulse to life. Through the wind and rain came distant woeful cries, as it seemed the Bokor was willing to assist the goddess in her attempts to grant those fleeing safe passage into the church. Spirits began to manifest and swarm as the Devil took his leave after his final assault; though the sigil the remained in his wake had a great many of the spirits fleeing. Seconds would pass before she moved to Malynda as the body she stood guard over. "Go now, cher. I will finish this." She stated softly before taking it upon herself to lay Kamael's body to rest in Samuel's place.

Hollison was already pretty damn scared at this point, and lacking in faith heavily. It was no surprise thusly when that umbrella came flying with unerring aim, that Holly screamed out in surprise. NOT TONIGHT GOD, PLEASE! Funny how she had been wondering why she hadn't been taken to heaven, but yet the minute Daniel latched onto her like that and toted her away like she was a prize to be won, it suddenly reverted her entire thinking about going to heaven just yet. Just a few more days on earth with him, was worth it in that confused mind of hers. Thankfully, Athena seemed upset at Lucifers complete utter lack of respect for Kamaels funeral, and thus was defending people from his complete destruction on them. What she didn't understand...why the hell was she being targeted!? Green eyes widened as that spear stopped short with a blur of motion, all while Daniel...maybe continued to carry her and Jezey out? She wasn't quite certain as it wasn't her that Athena would bump into, but barreling determined Daniel to get the hell out of dodge. Still, she did notice Samuels hands being wrapped and body being carried to the door of the church. She was surprised at the strangers kindness, and actually had to smile. She needed to heal that man...and she would. Willing that her tank would actually LET her do that.

Vertis would have been really pissed had Lucifer turned Hollison into a umbrella shish kebab, but fortunately Athena had their back. Javelin thrown and knocked away by mighty Aigis, the goddess barely got more than a grunt of thanks from the hunter before he hauled the two empaths, one conscious and one not, into the church, the same as Lefu had done for Samuel.

Malynda would remain outside when all others had ventured in, either of their own accord, or by the forced, guiding hand of another. She stood there, still covered in every bodily fluid imaginable, and paid homage to Kamael as Lefu helped lay her to rest. And she prayed. Out loud, for the first time. And God poured rain down upon her harder now than ever, cleansing the poor girl, who would not return to the church -- she did not wish to sully its floors with her filth -- until she was soaked to the skin and bone and shivering violently. If it wasn't the blood that made her sick, it would be the cold and the wet. She had forgotten her journal. It lay on the ground there, its pages curling, its words smearing, its cover warping as the heavens continued to cry storm cloud tears.

Lefu remained respectfully silent as she prayed; the spirits slowing and settling from their frenzied summon. No doubt a certain empath would feel the residual anger and sadness when she roused from her unconscious state. The journal had not gone unnoticed and it seemed where the woman forgot the Bokor did not, stealing herself away to collect the book before it could be ruined further before returning to her side. She would even go so far as to remain with her until she felt clean enough to go inside and only then did she stop her and offer her the damaged book.

Samuel Leo once the chaos disputed and the Satan had left his mark outside of the church, they grumbled and picked up the pieces of what was left, watching and still giving their devotion to the funeral as Jo finished it off, only to encourage Malynda after making sure she was wiped clean, to step inside the church. They would set her beside Samuel, certain with how often she was found in the preachers company, she would like to be by his bedside in the medic facility. Giving her a blanket to warm up with as well as offer of new clothes and a bar of soap, that was certainly her choice of when to take a good clean shower to get rid of that STD. They left them to their devices, and gazed over at the three newcomers that were likely staying for the night, before shrugging and moving on to work on the church. Everything Holly, Daniel and Jezey could need was here anyway. Clothes, food, supplies, weapons even. They had hit the jackpot, even if it meant having to suffer through some things...

Strategic, when people were safe, and the Devil had left, the goddess would relax her stance, head looking around the area. Spotting the body of the angel, and the two finishing the laying the woman to rest. Spear and Aegis was settled upon her back, Captain America style, before she moved to Lefu and Lyn, and offering her assistance, and offering the fellow immortal words to send her off. When the mortals found their way back into Jehovah's temple, Athena thought about remaining outside, before slipping inside in order to check to see if the unconscious ones were alright. When she got the idea of they're health, she'd head back to Olympus.

Malynda crawled onto the medical cot beside Samuel the moment the men of Cervantes's army delivered her to him. She seemed unconcerned with the way this might be perceived, especially given how many more eyes existed now within the walls of the church. But there was nothing salacious in the way she nestled so close to him. She curled up the way a cat would before a roaring fire, basking in its warmth and knowing home was right here on the hearth. She did not touch him, did not tease her hands through his hair as she had taken advantage of on the nights when he fell asleep and she stole into his bed. It was wrong, she knew it was wrong, to exploit such a thing in his unconscious state, and for once, she resisted almost entirely (aside from simply...being there beside him). But she remained. To hear his breath and his heartbeat was reassurance enough that God prevailed. It didn't feel like a win, but it was a win.