Chapter 23 - Keeping The Symbols Of Power(For A Time.) Poaching Campers.

Ares was frozen in fear and ignored the massive wound on the right side of his body that dripped golden blood. Azrael looked like he was smiling, but Ares could feel the oppressiveness of death over him. Azrael looked at the god and extended his hand. "Give it to me. It's only fair." Ares was shocked, but he didn't even think about it and handed his sword over. Azrael smiled and walked away. "You're free to go. If it happens again I can guarantee even worship won't bring you back."

Kurayami was slack-jawed as all it took was a smile and the god gave his symbol of power over. He felt the desire to be that strong. Azrael got the Helm of Darkness and Master Bolt and Ares left without a word. Losing three symbols of power was a low blow. Raynare looked at her grandfather with a look of shock and reverse.. Azrael looked at the sword and gave it to Kurayami. "You can have this, for a time. It will be a good motivator."

He threw the Helm to Raynare and looked at Esdeath. "As for you girl. Would you like to be a fallen angel? While you are an extremely strong human, use senjutsu and have that Longinus you will at best, live for 150 years." She thought about it and she knew Rayanre and Kuraymi would outlive her and felt terrible for dying of old age.

"I won't be your servant will I? I don't want to be a slave." Azrael smiled and shook his head. "No strings, no servitude. I just use a spell and use my blood to make you a half-fallen. However, there is no chance for you to inherit my death powers. Kurayamu I will give you a drop of my blood as well to increase your blood purity. Raynare doesn't need it as my blood flows through her veins already."

Kurayami looked at the large sword and felt unlimited power run through his body and felt the desire to keep it forever. He realized this is a test of his willpower if he can use the weapon of a god for a time and let go of it will increase his willpower. Azrael griped his hand and dropped a few drops on Esdeath's forehead and a magic circle opened under her.

The blood seeped through her skin and her blue hair gained a few black streaks and three pairs of black wings extended from her back. Azrael did the same for Kurayami and he finally grew his 5th pair of wings and felt close to gaining his 6th. Azrael smiled and walked to Rayanre and patted her head. "I have been watching over you and I can say your father would be proud."

Raynare cried even harder and asked the question she wanted to know. "Why weren't you there when dad died?" Azrael smiled in sadness. "I was punishing myself for a reason I won't say. I can now say it was foolish and it cost me, my son. I won't make the same mistake again." He looked at Esdeath and laughed. "Well, you can call me father now." She looked at him slack-jawed and he began to laugh like crazy.

"How did you think I made you a fallen? My blood is in your veins and a human DNA test would say you are my daughter now. As for you boy. I can say I am your grandfather-in-law and father-in-law." Azrael began to laugh again and seemed he liked to joke around. "Wait. Where have you been all this time?" Azrael smiled and pointed down. "Tartarus. What better place to train and punish me."

They looked at him like he was insane. He frowned and shook his head. "I am no masochist. Just that that place makes you suffer untold nightmares, body pain, and its environment will kill a normal being. By training their I managed to get even stronger. You interested?" They heard that and while they wanted to agree it was Tartarus after all. " They shook their heads as they are not cocky to say they can take it.

Azrael smiled at that. "Good. You are not ready for that place, but in time you will be. I will take you there and train you myself. As for now let's go talk to Zeus and see what he will give you as a way to get this back." Azrael was holding the master bolt and while it looked strong Azrael didn't even need it. He teleported then to the Empire State Building and forced his way in.

They went up the elevator and he kept a big smile on his face while they were just impressed he was going straight to the home of the gods with no fear in his expression. Kurayami just gazed at his new sword and Rebellion was jealous and wanted him to get rid of it. 'Don't be a brat. It's just for a time.' It scoffed and ignored him. Esdeath was playing around with light and making daggers and trying to make frozen light.

Raynare was just glad to meet her last family member and was in a good mood. When they got to Olympus the gods were armed to the teeth and looked at Azrael with fear. Before he fell he was the greatest angel in heaven and was called God's Punisher for a reason. Zeus looked at the master bolt, The Helm of Darkness, and Ares's sword and looked pissed. "YOU. YOU STOLE IT."

Azrael chuckled and shook his head. "No. Ares knows who took it as he let the thief go, but as punishment, I took his things. You can have it back if you pay for it." Poseidon looked at Kurayami and sighed. He knew the boy was guarding his son but who would have known he knew a monster like Azrael. The sky rumbled in Zeus' rage, but Kurayami, Esdeath, and Rayanre didn't feel a thing.

Azrael even began to twirl the Master Bolt in his hands. "I can keep it, or sell it to Odin. That old man will take it in a jiffy if you don't pay up." Athena tried to calm the situation. "Father. How about we just pay for it?" Zeus glared at her for even insinuating he would buy his own weapon back. She backed away in fear, but Poseidon spoke up. "I will buy it."

Zeus saw that his brother threw away his pride and if he did nothing his weapon would truly be Poseidon's. "YOU TRAITOR!" Poseidon scoffed and made an offer. "I see the boy has an interest in beasts. His familiar and his capture of the hellhound show it. I offer pair of divine horses. The same kind I gifted to Achilleas." Kurayami was tempted and asked. "What do they look like?"

Poseidon grinned. "Blacker than the night, never tiring and immortal. They will never steer you wrong." Zeus got pissed and made an offer. "I offer a Nemean Lion cub. While Regulus was taken by God does not mean he was the only one." Poseidon was slack-jawed and glared at Zeus. "I give you the horses and a newborn hydra." Zeus scoffed. "You get the lion and a hatchling divine eagle." Kurayami agreed. "Deal"

Zeus got his Master Bolt back and felt proud of himself, but he even forgot he was buying what was his, to begin with. He was so mad he almost attacked Azrael, but he was no fool. "Leave. You will get them by the end of the day. As for Ares's sword, I will not pay a thing. Sell it back to Ares if you want. I am punishing that boy when I find him." Poseidon sighed and looked at that with regret. "While I did not get it you did prove my son's innocent. Tell him to come here. The horse is yours as payment."

He and most of the gods left except for Athena. She walked up to Kurayami and smiled. "Thank you for keeping my daughter safe. I would like to see her and I approve of her going to Grigori. She will live her dream that way and not be trapped in the camp. We gods are not good parents." She walked away and after that Azrael smiled and they took the elevator back to leave.

Kurayami looked very happy and Esdeath saw that and poked him on the cheek. "You are keeping the lion for yourself, right? What will you do with the horse and eagle?" He thought about it and smiled. "I can give the eagle to dad and the horse I can give to Azazel if none of you want it. He will love it." Azrael nodded. "We will return the Helm at a later date, so think of it as a good toy for now. Hades is the god of riches and there are many things we can get from him."

Esdeath saw Azrael as an old guy who had a lot of free time on his hands, but it got them cool pets. "Alright let's go get the hellhound, the two demigods and we can leave this country. Ares can go without his symbol for a few years." He teleported them to the camp where Akeno, Percy, and Annebeth were out and being asked by Chiron how they got in. He felt shocked when Azrael forced himself into the camp.

When the centaur saw him he nearly passed out. "Azrael. You are still alive." Azrael just looked at Chiron like he was retarded. "Would I die? Anyway, boy. Your father wants you to head to Olympus and Annabeth your mother has given you permission to go to Grigori. Pack your stuff." Annabeth jumped in joy as she could now truly live her life and not be stuck here.

Percy looked at Annabeth and felt a little sad as he didn't think he would go to Grigori. As for his mother, she should be coming back. However little did he know his mother had started dating Shemazai as they just hit it off. He was a bachelor and he started dating her. She decided to stay at Grigori but had agreed with Azazel that Percy could go to Grigori when he was not at camp.

Chiron sighed as if Athena gave her blessing he could not do much. However little did he know that Azrael was not just taking Annabeth. He snapped his finger and cards started to rain from the sky and many campers read what was on them and were interested. Adventure, a safe place to train, not prisoners. What could be better?

Many wanted to agree immediately and the card said to drop some of your blood on it if you want. Out of the roughly hundred campers, about 25 agreed as the rest didn't trust it. The card told them to go to the front of the camp and they all saw Azrael who waved over. "All those who agreed are over here. You can train, fight and go on the adventures you want."

They ran over and Chiron was going to stop them, but Mr. D was smiling from ear to ear. He shook Azrael's hand and was in the best mood he had been since he was here. "Take them. Take more if you want. It will make my job easier." Chrion was slack-jawed and shook his head. "YOU BRATS. GO BACK TO YOUR CABINS." Clarise was one of the ones who agreed and was here.

"No way. I want to go on an adventure and not be stuck here." One son of Hermes who was 14 agreed. "Yeah. I never even met my dad. He doesn't care about us." A daughter of Apollo agreed. "I have been in this camp since I was 12 and have not left it in 6 years. I am sick of it." More and more agreed and Chiron could do nothing. Azrael looked around and smiled. "Is that everyone? You ever want to come you are free to do so."

He teleported them all and left Percy, Chiron, and the happy Mr. D. With fewer campers his job will be much easier. When he appeared at Grigori the kids looked around and were impressed with the place. Annabeth looked at the building and was glad she agreed. Azazel, Baraqiel, and Shemazai all felt the familiar presence of a fallen and flew out and when the campers saw their wings they were amazed.

When Azazel saw Azrael and the campers along with the Helm and sword he broke out laughing. "Old man Azrael. You still the same shameless bastard as always?" Azrael laughed and hugged Azazel. "You still the same perv boy?" Baraqiel hugged Akeno and Kurayami and looked at the campers.

"Who are they?" Kurayami explained. "The Greeks have demigod children, but they can't have sacred gears. Monsters go after them so not many live to adulthood. They leave them at a camp to train, but that is it. They want to explore and go on adventures." Azazel looked at the kids and clapped. "Hi, there. You must be the ones who want to join Grigori?"

The kids nodded and he smiled. "First thing you need to know is that the Greeks are not the only ones out there. We are Fallen Angles and as such your first thing will be to learn. After that, you will be allowed to go on a mission. Here are your cards." A card appeared in their heads in Greek and it was a Nephilim card.

"That will be all for now." The kids were all expecting great things and they would all come to think it was the best decision they ever made.