He was once more called to do his duty for the Silver Cross and this time, Roran found himself in sweltering hot New Orleans. He was tracking an Angel this time who had strayed on the path of sin, surrounding himself with his greed and neglecting his duties. Normally, Roran would have immediately taken his target but this time, he was feeling particularly rebellious and decided he wanted to explore New Orleans. It was one of the cities he hardly ever visited and he knew of the strong demon and magi influence here and wanted to check it out for himself. At first, he roamed the streets anonymously with his hood up and his face down, taking things in with a very intelligent gaze. He quickly found his targets home and stored the information away for later. He wanted to have some fun first. As the night wore on, Roran grew bored and decided it was high time he gained some attention. He lowered his hood and it was almost instantaneous that his identity was recognized as the lead singer of his band. He bloated with the attention, his still angel side appalled at his own excitement in sin. Here, in a city mostly run by demons, he didn't fear any angels finding him. This thought convinced him to divulge a little more. Since he'd become corrupted, Roran quickly realized that his ability was mental manipulation, the ability to control human interactions and actions. At first, he didn't use it, terrified of the power to take away free will but as he became tempted and played with it, he began to realize just how fun it really was. He didn't even have to put any extra effort into it. All he needed was a strong enough will. He easily smooth talked himself into a club with his gaggle of giggling girls and easily pawned them off to other desperate men wanting their attention. He lounged around the club for awhile till he grew bored and he left. Unfortunately, his desires tonight weren't exactly angelic. He approached his target's house and silently, like a ninja, he helped himself into the house. The fat ass was plopped down in front of a large screen TV, stuffing his fat cheeks with food, his chest covered in stains and crumbs. A small girl as thin as a skeleton desperately tried to wash his feet but his laughter kept his whole body shaking and Roran was surprised she had any strength at all to even attempt to pick up one of his massive feet. Roran frowned, how the fuck was he going to get fat ass to the Silver Cross?! The man probably weighed over 700 lbs, making his wing tattoo appear small and puny.
Roran sighed but approached the back of the couch. The woman looked up and in the same second in which she noticed him, he used his mind manipulation to make her see nothing. She went back to struggling with his feet like nothing had happened. Roran drew his necklace from around his neck and touched the small sword pendant dangling from the end and his Divine Blade heeded his call, expanding in size till the hilt could be snugly held in his hand. Without a moment to think, Roran raised the blade and touched it to the back of the angel's neck. Immediately, the man stopped laughing and his whole body tensed. He didn't turn his head.
"Sebastian Montgomery, you are wanted alive by the Silver Cross for your crimes of using Sin. Forfeit your Divine Blade and give yourself over."
There was a long pause in which neither man moved. The woman went about her work, the gaunt in her face casting dark shadows under her eyes and cheek bones as the TV lit up behind her. Roran felt his heart twist. Sebastian was using this poor woman as his slave while eating her share of the food. He felt sick and his hand shook. Why should he bring him in alive? He didn't deserve it.
"You from the Silver Cross?" Sebastian asked calmly, still choosing not to move or turn to look at him.
Roran smirked. "I am the Silver Cross, fucker. Stand up before I cut your balls off."
Sebastian moved but if Roran was expecting him to stand obediently, he was sorely mistaken. The man moved but his Divine Blade, a whip, lashed out behind him, cutting Roran's cheek wide open and wrapping around his wrist. Roran hissed in anger and tried to pull his wrist back but Sebastian had a strong grip. And he was surprisingly quick on his feet. Sebastian was off the couch and standing before Roran in an instant, large white wings expanding from his back as he roared in challenging anger. Roran couldn't use his magik on another angel so was stuck dealing with the angel with intelligence and fists. The woman had screamed when Sebastian had leapt to his feet and was now huddling in the corner, sobbing. Sebastian smirked at Roran and Roran got the impression of a pig with a stomach ache.
"You wont take me alive!" Sebastian threatened.
Roran smirked back, blood dripping down his cheek. "Sounds good to me."
Sebastian faltered and that was all the time Roran needed to lash out with his Divine Blade and cut off the hand holding the whip and rip the whip's cord from around his wrist. Sebastian screamed in pain as blood gushed from the stump. The woman screamed again and Roran caught her eyes, using mental manip to put her to sleep. She collapsed onto the floor in an instant. Roran didn't waste anymore time. He leapt over the back of the couch and used his feet to smash into Sebastian, knocking him from his standing position and backwards into the TV, sending glass and sparks everywhere. Sebastian collapsed on the floor, his wings crushed and broken beneath him. Roran stood above him, Divine Blade pointed between his eyes with a fire of fury burning in his eyes. This was the sole reason the Silver Cross looked away when he apprehended his wanted targets; he did whatever it took, even if that meant chopping off a hand.
"Sebastian Montgomery, do you yield to the Silver Cross or shall i start cutting off more body parts?" Roran asked.
Sebastian swallowed, his small black eyes filled with terror and tears as his stump continued to gush blood.
Already removed of his Divine Blade, Roran held up his own in front of him and concentrated, the blade flashing with a bright light before he pointed it at Sebastian who dissolved in the same bright light and disappeared, leaving only blood and the smashed TV behind. A silence fell over the living room and Roran let out a breath before his Blade returned to pendant size and he swung it back around his neck. He went to the woman on the floor and picked her up, cradling her against his chest before he left the house.
Once on the sidewalk, he knelt down and set her on the ground. He snapped his fingers and the woman immediately woke up, looking around her with wild eyes. When she saw Roran, she readied herself to scream again but he worked quickly, turning his mental manip on her one last time. "Don't scream. I just saved your life. The fat man had kept you prisoner. Go to the hospital and tell them exactly what he did to you but, unfortunately, you forgot what i looked like. You passed out as soon as i arrived. Now go and stay in the light."
She nodded roboticly and stood, walking away from without looking back. Roran stood and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh as he stood. He guessed that was enough excitement for one day. He was already sick of New Orleans.
Elizabeth Sterling
