XXXX The rift leading back to Earth hummed quietly, only enough to disturb the silence, behind him. Standing a single step within Inferno's threshold, the atmosphere invaded his senses. The hot stale air, infected with a mixture of individual, indecipherable offensive scents, drained the cool touch of Earth's air from his skin. The chaos of beasts, demons, and vast scarred wastelands had lost their lustre long ago. He wanted nothing more than to move back to higher realms. There was much to be done back among the whitewashed streets. Enough of the Goddess's prison.
XXXXAstaroth turned his gaze back to the rift without an expression mirroring his thoughts. Despite his distaste for the realm over which he stood as Primordium, the title and that which came with it was a benefit to him. It had given him access to the feeling which had pulled at him just before he returned to hell, or so he was quick to assume. In other secret ventures to Earth he had never felt something like it. He doubted anyone but a Primordium could have the power to disturb him. For a long time he wondered who stood opposite to him in Aurae.
XXXXThe chance to trace the feeling and discover for himself was quick to deflate concerns for what Inferno might make of his actions. After all, the angels were usually wiser than to let their Primordium wander Earth alone. He did not doubt a greater intention behind their movements. A wicked smile overtook him. Perhaps his brother was among those who were now on Earth. Even if the chance of finding his brother was uncertain, he could not fight the excitement that rose at the possibility.
XXXXAstaroth disdainfully eyed the limiter clamped around his wrist, Azrael's imposed control. The decision to leave Inferno once more had already been set, but he pondered momentarily over how to leave things with the demons. With angels to fight, demons coming to stab at his back would be an inconvenience. Still, he was not going to take the time to earn his leave as would please Inferno's monarchy. Neither would he keep wearing their chains. He removed the limiter from his wrist, revealing his more demonic appearance and freeing him to more use of his abilities. However, in hopes it would explain well enough his rash actions, he pulled a paper from his satchel and wrote a brief note:
I have seen the angels on Earth. No doubt they plot against us. They may find us vulnerable through the
rifts. I must return to Earth to follow the one I have seen before he moves too far to track.
rifts. I must return to Earth to follow the one I have seen before he moves too far to track.
After signing the letter under his name, he addressed it to Prince Chikyu and bound it like a scroll with his discarded limiter.
XXXXIn case there were precautions over this particular portal to keep a demon from getting through without their limiter, he brought the letter with him as he crossed back to Earth. Once on the other side, he tossed it back through, intending it to look to whomever found it like the one who had left it did not have time to cross the portal to deliver it. Nighttime provided a shield of darkness under which Astaroth felt the chances of being spotted were minimal and unimportant, so he brought out his black stained wings and took to the sky, following the pull of the uncertain feeling.