Mesfido awoke abruptly. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it. Whether it was a change in the wind, a different position of the moon or simply the absence of a song bird he could not tell. Everything was not as it should be.

He pulled himself into a sitting position, his knees held between his arms. Verax lay on the balcony, wrapped in its leather sheath. The wrapping on its handle had returned. They had disappeared when during his training with Zorlo, but since waking in the infirmary they had reappeared. Mesfido looked as powerful as ever. His body was strong and muscular. His wings were magnificent, even with the red streaks that tinted them. His hair hung loose, a rare sight. He willed it to tie itself, threads of hair twirling about others and transforming it into the three plaits he nearly always wore. Such was the power of the Crimson Blood. Anything that was part of his body was under his complete control.

The fallen angel’s eye gazed out over the Dome gardens. It was still night. The mooning was suspended high in the sky, casting its pale hue across the Dome. The stars shone bright as ever. They were one of Mesfido’s favourite things about the Dome. A gentle breeze wandered over the angel’s balcony. A soft face entered his mind, as it so often did – the face of Jaina Alsardor. It was then at that very moment that he knew what was wrong.

Mesfido grabbed Verax, slinging the sheath quickly over his back. His gigantic wings burst open, propelling him towards the nearest corridor. He flew with purpose, making straight for his love’s bedroom. It was not to make some perverse late night first but to make sure she was alive and well. He feared she wasn’t. Never would he let that happen again. The sight of her twisted neck entered his mind again, as it so often did. He had promised Kenjin and himself that he would protect her.

He reached her mahogany door. His wings brought him to sudden stop. Not wasting a second, he knocked on the solid door. No reply. He knocked again.

“Jaina? Are you in there?”

Still no reply. Worry was beginning to fill him. He lowered his shoulder and slammed it against the wooden door. It burst open. Bending down through the door frame the angel gazed around the room. She wasn’t there. Her fire was out, a truly rare sight. She always kept it running. The deep red curtains were swaying. The window was open. A letter sat on the windowsill, glowing in the moonlight. Mesfido snatched it up instantly, tearing it open without a second thought. He had never known Jaina to leave in the middle of the night, especially not through a window. Someone must have taken her. That someone was kind enough to leave a note.

Mesfido,

I think it’s about time we met. I’ve heard a lot about you from Kenjin. If you want Jaina back, you’re going to have come get her. Come to Laboratory #3. I’ll be waiting.

Elrick, the Red.

Elrick, it sounded familiar. He said he knew Kenjin. That didn’t matter. He had kidnapped Jaina. A flame appeared in Mesfido’s palm, instantly incinerating the letter. He could feel his anger building. He turned, rushing through the doorway and leaping into the air once more. He had never heard of there being Laboratories in the Dome, but now he would have to find them.

A mischievous voice sounded in his head, Elrick will be expecting you to come alone. Perhaps it would be wise to bring reinforcements.

Umbru always had a trick or two up his sleeve. He was right, Elrick, knowing how enraged Mesfido would become on discovering Jaina was gone, would presume he would make straight for the Labs, just as he was doing. However, if the fallen angel was to bring with him a small army, no matter how strong this Elrick turned out, they would be able to overpower him. Mesfido, for this long time spent in the Dome, knew few people. There was one however that sprung to mind – Zorlo. He and the fencer had had a simply incredible fight not too long ago. With the help of Zorlo, Elrick would not stand a chance. The angel stopped himself for a second. He ripped a piece of parchment out of his tan trousers. He dug his fingernail into his palm, drawing out some blood. It caused him no pain whatsoever. Using his nail as a quill and his blood as ink, he scribbled a quick note.

Zorlo,

I need your help, fast. Bring others if you can, strong fighters. Meet me at Laboratory #3. I may already be inside when you arrive.

Mesfido.

The fallen angel glanced briefly over the letter, it would have to do. “I need a Domerii, now.” He roared out to the empty Dome halls. A little, clearly irritated man appeared beside him. He was wearing a nightcap.

Mesfido thrust the crude letter into the Domerii’s hands. “Take this to Zorlo, now!” He spun, continuing on his journey to the Labs. The others would arrive soon he would hope. He would start without them. His anger would consume him otherwise. Venalis may have been locked deep in the angel’s mind, but perhaps give the right emotions, he would emerge. Mesfido had to vent his anger somehow. Elrick would be the perfect punching bag.

* * * *

Mesfido arrived at a large steel door. Laboratory #3 was emblazoned across its surface. It was no more than twenty minutes since the angel had woken. Every minute he waited could have been torture for Jaina. For all he knew, Elrick, the Red could be using her as part of some diabolical experiment. He could not wait for Zorlo to arrive. He would have to start the party without him. Mesfido slammed the steel door open. He opened his mouth, ready to call out his challenge. A strange hissing filled the air. A thick cloud of mist entered his lungs, burning his throat. He fell to the floor, gasping for breath. Mesfido could hear a similar noise coming from across the room.

OoC: Not exactly my best post ever, but it does the job. Power Shot, I hope you realise that none of your serums are going to be able to affect the Seven Elements. Mesfido's own powers will increase/decrease but the Seven's won't. Also, don't forget Elrick won't be able to control my lil angel's blood thanks to the Crimson Blood.

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~Fabulous Siggy by Insaney~