Cold was a concept Aziel had barely come to understand. As he watched the prisoners in the cells shiver nonstop, it was impossible not to understand that the wind bothered the humans. Why, exactly, it was beyond his understanding. Yes, he could feel it, in a way. But it didn't bothered him. In fact, the cool breeze was a welcome sensation, cooling the Nether heat that seemed to accompany them wherever they went.<br/><br/>The demon closed his eyes, frustrated. It had been easy to focus on the task at hand when there wasn't much to feel - only heat, only determination. Earth brought with it too many new sensations that, even after three years, he wasn't accustomed to. When Aziel opened his eyes again, it was to scan his surroundings, his mind reaching out to feel if there was anyone near. A few lower demons were around, but neither of them would be foolish enough to come question him.<br/><br/>Satisfied, he turned his attention to the man in front of him. Gary. He had been strong, resisting Aziel's mind with a willpower he rarely saw in humans. The most resistant the mind, though, the harder it breaks, and this was clear in the lifeless eyes of the man in front of him. The demon tried not to shudder at that. His powers were meant to be used at demons, at mind that could resist the severe damage. To see what it did to humans... It scared him sometimes, although Aziel had no one to admit it to. Sometimes he wondered if he was weak for pitying them, if it was just the very nature of the Earth that made him like this.<br/><br/>But looking at empty eyes, at a trapped soul that had broken far beyond any hope of repair, Aziel felt regret once again. These powers were what he had, what he could use. He had needed to use them, and he had done that.<br/><br/>Kneeling down, the demon raised the human's chin, staring at his eyes, black claws marking the too thin skin, no matter how lightly he was holding.<br/><br/>"I am sorry, although I suppose you wouldn't forgive me even if you could." Aziel said, knowing full well the other couldn't understand him. Not anymore. "I'll return you to your family. You humans seem to hold that in high regards. But first, I need to use you one more time."<br/><br/>Shadows began to dance around his body, stretching lazily towards the human, swirling around his neck, overflowing his mouth and ears, twisting around wrists and ankles. Gary remained still, so different from the first time. There was no resistance this time, and soon, Aziel felt the shadows closing around the human's mind, powerful claws submitting him to the demon's control. Memories assaulted him, broken shards of feelings now forgotten. He searched deeper, until he found the whole soul become tarnished with darkness.<br/><br/>It was a good thing Aziel never divulged the extend of his own power to the other Lords. If they knew just how deep he could taint a soul, given enough time, there would be no way to help the humans. At least, if they thought he could only get bits of informations, he could withheld something from them. And this something would definitely be useful now.<br/><br/>It took twenty minutes before Aziel finally found what he was looking for - the frequency the rebels used for communication. He handed the radio to the human, the shadows twisting at his command, rising the limp arm and making it grab the object. It felt weird, to control living beings like a marionette, but Aziel supposed that if he was the one sending the message, the rebels wouldn't be too keen in believing him.<br/><br/><br/>"Gary speaking. If you can hear me, do not board the fleet. I repeat, do not board the fleet." the voice, that would feel too alive and too full of emotions to anyone hearing, felt empty and forced in Aziel's ears. He forced himself to continue, watching Gary's mouth mimic the words he wished to form. "The demons have gotten hold of our location. Move away immediately and do not board the fleet."<br/><br/>Aziel stopped, for a moment, mind mapping out the landscape he had seen in the other's mind, trying to find a safe point - somewhere where he could afford not telling Kasdeya about, and that would be hidden enough so he could meet with them.<br/><br/>"There is a cave after two days traveling north." Gary's mouth moved again, speaking the words the demon wanted him to. "Meet me there. I have important information." Now, he only hoped the rebels would actually be smart enough to listen.<br/><br/>That, and he needed to get himself and Gary there without the other demons knowing. Aziel growled. Why had he decided to involve himself with Saleos' madness?