<strong> <em>The Angel</em> Nathanael, <em>approaching the entrance to Hell</em>: </strong><br/><br/>(http://www.mnartists.org/uploads/users/user_12853/1c12d5db68e6318a35946fd0aee9b7f0/1c12d5db68e6318a35946fd0aee9b7f0.jpg)<br/><br/><em>Chihuahuas.</em>Nathanael chuckled to himself and permitted a little smile to adorn his otherwise stern, emotionless countenance.  He'd spent centuries trying to understand humans and their world, and as he approached the Gates of Hell, surrounded by lesser demons gathered about him, the image popped into his mind.  Noisy, annoying little dogs nipping at ones heels, yet presenting no threat.  Chihuahuas.<br/><br/>This would be his first time to enter.  Other than a few select Archangels, it was rare for any angel to come this close to the Gates of Hell, much less enter, yet he had been sent on this assignment:  Secure the release of an angel who had been captured and dragged to this cursed place.  It was simply against the rules - rules even the Devil and his "angels" had to follow.  The last time something like this happened and the Forces of Righteousness didn't act quickly enough, it brought on that period of human history known as the Dark Ages.  And they hadn't even taken the captives through the gate.<br/><br/>This was an important mission indeed, and potentially a dangerous one.  Any demon (or band of demons, most likely) brash enough to capture an angel and bring it here was prone to do most anything to upset the delicate balance of power.  The sin of Pride was the last thing on Nathanael's mind now.  He was in full warrior mode, a spring under tension ready for its full fury to be released.  He hoped it wouldn't come to that.  He had been chosen not only for his martial skills (after all, what warrior angel doesn't possess similar skills?) but also for his restraint.  The powers that be in Heaven didn't want to escalate the situation, and he was pretty sure the Demon Lord himself didn't, either.  He wondered if Lucifer even knew some of his underlings had captured an angel.<br/><br/>By the time he reached the Gates, there must have been a thousand demons surrounding him ... jabbing at him with weapons but not touching ... blocking his path only to move at the last moment.  Nathanael never varied his stride.  He knew they would move.  In another setting he and his sword would be covered in demon blood, but they knew not to attack a messenger on a mission such as this.  The only other thing they could do is hiss and hurl curses at him.  Chihuahuas.  Annoying little creatures the world would be better off without.<br/><br/><strong>"STATE YOUR BUSINESS, <em>ANGEL</em>"</strong>The one who appeared to be in charge at the Gate spat out the word<em>angel</em>as if it were a bad thing.<br/><br/>"You know my business, Dantalion.  Where was he taken?"<br/><br/>Now it was the Demon-General's turn to smile.  He had to let the Angel enter, that was a rule.  He didn't have to help him find Tahariel.  His mood turned more cavalier, almost flippant.  "I don't know, why don't you try the Ninth Level.  That's where most of our ...<em>prideful</em>... customers go."<br/><br/>With that, the lesser demons began to laugh and taunt him about his innermost fear:  Giving in to the sin of pride.  After all, he did have a lot to be proud of.<br/><br/>"Enough of this...." he mumbled to himself, then shouted:<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>"~YAHWEH~"</strong></span><br/><br/>On shouting the most Holiest of Names, the demons immediately cowered away from him -- most covering their ears, some screaming, some throwing up -- a couple even went into convulsions.  He wasn't supposed to evoke the name on a mission like this, it could be seen as an attempt to provoke the demons to attack.  Still, he reasoned since he had not yet stepped through the gate, he could  justify his actions.<br/><br/>The Name had even caused the notorious Demon-General to flinch and step aside.  On seeing this, Nathanael stepped past him, resisting the urge to make a snide remark, and into a place angels<em>literally</em>feared to tread.