A/N: Hey guys, this is the story I mentioned in the most recent chapter of Tremble. I'm only posting this first chapter as a sampler so you guys can tell me what you think and then I'll continue it once I've finished up Puppet Strings and Tremble.

*Scratches head* I suppose you could say this story could be considered rather blasphemous. So, yeah, if you are really into your religion-or are easily offended religious wise-it's probably best not to read this one. My depiction of God will not be expected. Especially in terms of how he behaves. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games.

Fallen from Grace

By Blueberrychills94

Chapter One: Haziel and Belial

When Lucifer fell, all of the angels in heaven were forced by God to make a choice. Fall with him or stay and serve the Lord like they had for so many years prior. Many decided to fall too, deciding that they were sick of lying to themselves and actually wished they had had the courage to voice the things that Lucifer did. Many also decided to stay, knowing in their hearts that what they were doing was the right thing.

All the angels that fell lost their wings and the grace that God had given them. They were branded by Lucifer with a marking that twined around their arms and neck, so everybody knew who they were. But then again, it was hard to miss. Especially since their eyes were black as the night's sky and they had slim tails with pointed ends. They weren't angels anymore, they were demons. And they were incredibly powerful as minions of Lucifer.

After the fall, it became a battle of good and evil. The angels in heaven versus the demons of hell. They battled with one another on earth, fighting over the influence of the humans that walked the planet. If a person led a good life, they'd go to heaven when they died and join God's army but if the person led a sinful life, they'd join Lucifer in hell. It was only a matter of time before one side had more people than the other and the war would break out with uneven numbers.

And it's obvious which side was winning. It's easier to sin than it is to do good.

The angels and demons didn't get along. With good enough reason, really. However, there was something going on behind the scenes that neither side really knew about. Something that was going to change everything they believed in for the worse. Nothing was as it seemed.

Nothing at all.

~xXx~

"There's a man, in Panem. He's about to make a terrible mistake."

Peeta nodded, glancing at the globe that always stood nearby, and located Panem with ease. "My Lord, if you don't mind my asking, what's he about to do?" he asked. Looking back at their Lord God Snow, he continued to feel unworthy to even be in the man's presence. He knew he was God's right hand man, and he would continue to be for many years to come, but it didn't mean that he didn't feel wrong being treated like he had a right to serve God so closely.

"What have I told you Haziel?" God said. "Call me Snow."

Peeta really wished he didn't have to. It didn't do anything to help the unworthy sensation stirring in his gut. "I'm sorry my Lor-I mean, Snow," he said, looking at his shoes in shame. It felt like all Snow did was correct him on his mannerisms. Couldn't he do anything right?

"The man is about to commit a grave sin, that is all you need to know," Snow explained.

Snow's chambers in heaven where the most extravagant in existence. His bed was huge, lined with gold, and white, and silver. His walls stretched so high Peeta felt sick every time he looked up, which was kind of ridiculous since he was angel and flew higher than that on a daily basis. Maybe it just reminded him of God-Snow-'s power. The sheer exorbitance of the room made Peeta fell like a speck of dust that should be lost between the clouds that dusted the floor. But every single time it was him Snow called on, like he had done something to earn such intimacy with the Lord.

Snow was a strong man. He had been strong for many years. However, after the fall, things became . . . difficult. Snow grew tired and irritated, annoyed by the amount of his people that decided to go with Lucifer and turn into demons. He indulged himself in the very things he forbade but nobody blamed him for it. Every angel that walked heaven's clouds knew exactly how stressful the situation was getting. How dire everything was threatening to become. Nobody blamed Snow for trying to make himself feel better through greed and fornication. He was God after all, and didn't have to seek forgiveness like everyone else.

"Am I right to think that there's a . . ." Peeta trailed off, worried about what the reaction would be if he actually said the word.

"A demon?" Snow asked. He lounged lazily on his bed, drinking vibrant purple wine from a gold lined goblet. Peeta himself favoured it prior when it was water and always politely turned Snow down when he offered him some. "Yes, you would be right in thinking that. Walk with caution but with purpose. You must remember the power the other side holds over us right now."

"I do, Snow," Peeta insisted. How could he forget that hell was ahead? That they were so far in the lead that the angels couldn't even fight them anymore, lest they burn their skin on the fiery sin that coursed through the demons' blood. It seemed like only yesterday where it had felt like good had a chance of winning over evil. Now such a future seemed so bleak Peeta hated to even think about it.

"Be careful Haziel," Snow warned. "I do not wish to lose any more of my warriors, especially not the best of the best like you."

"I'm hardly the best of the best," Peeta muttered sheepishly. "There's still Gabriel. And Zehanpuryu and Chayyliel. Even if something did happen to me there would be many left who are much more worthy of your praise."

Snow sighed. "Come here Haziel."

Peeta swallowed the lump in his throat and nervously approached Lord Snow's bed. Snow took Peeta's hand and held it against his chest, where Peeta could feel his heart beating, even though Snow did not need a heart. "There's a reason I sculpted you in my own special image, Haziel. You're different from everyone else. I don't intend on doing such a thing again, certainly not because I lose you over a silly job."

"You sculpted every human being on your own image," Peeta pointed out quietly.

"In a different way and you know it," said Snow. "Do I need to tell you of where you came from again?"

Peeta looked away but shook his head. "No Lord Snow, you don't." He despised his origin story. The fact that Snow took the time and effort to sculpt an angel in his own desired image put a pressure on Peeta that he didn't want. He didn't want to be expected to be unbelievably brave, nor did he want other angels believing that he was . . . well, God's little pet. Because that's what they thought, each and every one of them. Just because Snow always told Peeta their plans first; or requested Peeta's presence while he devised an attack; or simply wanted Peeta to sit with him while he mulled over things in his mind. He still couldn't see why, out of everything God could have sculpted an angel off of, he choose to make it look like him. He wasn't special.

"You're special, Haziel, whether you like it or not," Snow assured. He tapped his lips and Peeta leaned over, pressing his own against them obediently. Snow's mouth tasted like flowers and wine, a combination Peeta wasn't sure how he felt about. When he stood up again, Snow repeated, "You are special. Your eyes are the bluest; your hair is the most golden; your wings have a wingspan larger than any other in existence. Is it the other warriors making you feel inferior?"

"Of course not," Peeta muttered, hating how this conversation sounded like he was snitching on his bullies to the head teacher.

"They're just jealous," said Snow dismissively. "They wish they could be in your position. But they're not."

"I hardly doubt they're jealous," said Peeta. "I doubt Metatron or Lofiel have any reason to be jealous."

"Are Metatron and Lofiel the ones giving you bother?" inquired Snow.

"Oh no. Nobody's giving bother," Peeta lied. "I mean, it's the war and all that. Giving bother would break the commandments." In truth, things like the commandments and the beatitudes had gone straight out the window but nobody cared to admit it. Especially since Snow had been generous enough to write them on pieces of rock all those years ago.

Metatron was a little too conceited, especially for the position second to God. Peeta supposed it was annoying to be given such a title and then having to play third wheel to a skinny idiot who wasn't even an archangel. As for Lofiel, she was looking at conceited in the rear view mirror. But what was anyone to expect? She was an archangel as well, her name meaning 'beauty of God'. She couldn't understand why Snow wouldn't pick her to spend so much time with, since her name clearly pronounced what everyone thought when they saw her. She thought she was all he needed and couldn't understand why Snow felt the need to sculpt an angel of his own when he had her.

Snow smiled. The sort of proud smile that he reserved only for his Haziel. "Be careful out there on earth, we don't know who or what Lucifer has put out there."

"I will," Peeta said. "I promise."

"Good." Snow took Peeta's chin and pulled him down for another kiss, the flower and wine combination bombarding Peeta's senses until he almost felt like he'd drank the alcohol himself. "I love you Haziel, remember that."

"I love you too, Lord. We all do," Peeta replied.

Snow grinned and with one last kiss, bid his pet on his way.

~xXx~

Peeta watched the man follow the woman from a distance. The man's thoughts ran through his head, all of it sticking to the same theme. "I'm going to show that bitch what it means to break up with me. No one, NO ONE breaks a relationship up but me." Peeta could already tell he had lost the battle; that he had come too late; but he followed the predator regardless. There was still a shimmer of hope that he could fix what was about to happen. Or at least lessen the brunt of the aftermath.

He couldn't interfere, nor could he save the woman when the man finally struck and threw her to the ground. All he could do was stand close and watch over her, holding her life between his fingers and fighting not to drop the thread. When her attacker left, the woman was unconscious and injured. Peeta leaned against the wall, watching over her, until someone passed by and came to her aid. He hated being late. There was nothing he could when he was late.

Spreading goodness was not as easy as it sounded. Peeta touched many souls on a daily basis, but when he felt that twinge of evil, he instantly knew whether it was a lost cause or not. Really, he shouldn't have come along to watch the woman's attack but he felt a duty to protect her, even if her predator's mind was too closed off to be helped. It was clear the man had closed his mind to God long ago. That or . . .

"Spreading cheer again, are we?"

Peeta looked to the top of the alleyway where Cato stood, same self-satisfied smirk on his face as usual.

Of course the demon Snow had spoken of was Cato. Why wouldn't it be? Out of all the conceited; ignorant; self-involved demons, Cato had to be the worst of them all. He had this arrogant attitude nearly twenty four seven, even before he had fallen. Every time Snow sent Peeta to earth to protect someone, it was like Lucifer sent Cato as well, just to get on the vision of God's nerves. Lucifer knew what everyone despised, even when it came to angels, and he was most likely well aware of the special seat of hatred Peeta gave Cato in his mind.

"Spreading devastation again, are we?" Peeta replied tightly.

Cato's black eyes were like endless voids, and they made Peeta shiver every time he had to look into them. "Have to make a livin' somehow," the demon replied, approaching Peeta and stopping when he was a few inches away. "Sorry you were too late. I mean, good try though. I could have saved you some time; told you that I'd touched his mind long before your God even realized the relationship had gone awry."

"But why would you do that?" Peeta challenged. He folded his arms and looked away. He couldn't believe that at one point, they had both been on the same side. Until Lucifer fell and took half of the angels with him. "Why would you hurt innocent people?"

"It's called doing what I'm told," Cato smirked. "I could ask you the same thing about why you try oh so desperately to find the best in people. How would you answer, hmmm?"

"Because God told me t"-Peeta paused and scowled. "At least I don't spread sins like a disease. I try and help people. I would never dream of hurting them."

"And that's why I fell and you didn't," Cato replied, patronizing as usual. His black eyes practically gleamed under the moonlight and he teasingly poked Peeta with the end of his tail. "How is the big guy in the sky nowadays anyway?"

Peeta batted Cato's tail away, ignoring how touching the demon's skin made his own burn like heavenly fire. "I'm not obligated to answer that," he said indignantly.

"Oh, okay," Cato grinned, pulling a face and pretending to act serious. "Not too good then. I suppose he has noticed how many people are becoming sinners every day. Is he planning another flood then? Who's going to be Noah this time? Obama? The Queen of England? How intriguing would that be, huh? Do you think they'd build an ark in time?"

Peeta rolled his eyes. "You're so blasphemous it's unbelievable," he muttered.

"Don't pretend you don't love it," Cato smirked. "You just can't admit to yourself that you might actually be attracted to a demon."

"I am not attracted to you," Peeta hissed. "You're everything that's wrong with this world. You deserve to live in hell because that's where you belong. Among the fire and the rot and the sin. All you ever do is poison humans with the seven deadliest. I don't understand why someone like Lucifer would want to ruin so many people."

"Same reason your God wants to find the good in people. To bring them to his side and build an army," said Cato. He leaned one arm against the wall so he loomed intimidatingly over Peeta, who was smaller in height and stature. "Don't tell me that you don't believe the war won't come. Eventually all these people you're trying to save will be caught in a crossfire that's out of your control. Are you sure you're on the right side?"

Peeta glared at Cato defiantly. "I made my decision," he said. "So did you."

"Oh yeah. Too bad such a pretty face will go to waste." Peeta flinched when Cato's fingers touched his wing, stroking the feathers tenderly. "I have to admit, when we were told to choose, I knew instantly which side you'd pick. Peeta Haziel Mellark, always gunning for the good guys. It was kind of obvious, since you're practically his little bitch anyway. Haziel. Vision of God. Sculpted exactly in his vision. No wonder when everyone was forced to choose you ran to his side like the frightened little squirt you are."

"What about you? You're still Anael whether you like it or not," Peeta replied. He shrugged Cato's hand off him and brushed the feeling of his fingers off of his feathers.

"Anael. Of course I am. Only I now use my powers for evil instead of good," Cato purred.

Peeta scoffed, shaking his head in disgust. Of course Cato would find a way to use his ability for evil means. It was unfortunate that the angel of influencing love, passion and sexuality fell so hard from his grace. Now Cato only used it to make people lust after one another. Which was, obviously, one of the seven deadly sins.

"I bet your God is as bad as the rest of us, he just doesn't let on," Cato hissed. "I bet he built you in his image because he secretly dreams of fucking you every night."

"Don't talk about our Lord that way," Peeta snapped. "I don't care if you've fallen or about the truce. If you say something like that one more time I'll take you out myself."

Cato raised his eyebrows. "Oooh, that'd be interesting," he said. "You're clearly denying it anyway. Don't think we demons haven't heard about Snow's"-

Peeta gave Cato a push, his palms sizzling like he'd placed them on hot plates. Cato stepped back-not because the push was hard enough to force him back-but because he loved teasing Peeta. It was like a hobby of his to play with Peeta's last nerves every time they locked horns. "It's Lord to you," Peeta hissed.

"Oh right, sorry," Cato said with no sincerity, placing a hand on his heart-if he had one-and smirking. "Don't think we demons haven't heard about Lord's breakdown. We can sense when people commit the seven deadliest, he does know that doesn't he? So if he's trying to be discreet about the fact that he's stuffing his face with food and wine and fucking angels willy nilly then he's deluding himself. It's quite amusing, actually."

"God does not worry about what you see," Peeta snapped. "He worries about the people on earth, here, right now, who he has to protect."

Cato rolled his eyes and leaned his back against the opposite wall, which was damp from the rain and smeared in the woman's blood. "When did he decide to break his own rules anyway? How long has he been a hypocrite?"

Peeta felt his blood boil in anger. No one should have the right to talk about Snow like that. "If you understood the pressure he's under then maybe you'd"-

"It's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter the kingdom of God," said Cato. He quirked an eyebrow. "Shouldn't that mean that your all good God is no better than Lucifer? Hmmm?"

Peeta felt like his ears were bleeding. He touched one curiously, just to make sure, and was relieved when it came back clean. He scowled and started to walk away. "I'm not listening to this," he snapped. "I'm not obligated to stand around and listen to you spout blasphemy and sin like you'll never get the chance to do it again."

Cato ran up behind Peeta and grabbed him before he could get away. Peeta screamed and kicked out, only to have himself held against Cato in the darkness with a hand around his mouth. "Would you listen to me, I'm trying to make a point," the demon hissed. "Out of all the angels I've ever encountered, you are by far the most tolerable. And I'm not just saying that because 'Lord' sculpted you with a bangin' body. That's why I'm trying to help."

Help?! Why the hell would a demon want to help an angel?! It was unheard of. "There's something wrong. I don't know what it is but there's something. It's not just going on here on earth, it's happening down in hell and very likely up in heaven as well. It may or may not affect how this war is going to turn out. But if we have any hope of figuring out what it is, we'll have to work together."

Peeta beat his wings hard enough that Cato was forced to let go of him. "I am not going to work with you," he snapped. "You must be mad to think I would."

"It's not about being angelic or demonic!" Cato snapped back. Peeta was taken aback by how serious he was being. Out of every spat he'd had with Cato in the past, never had Cato yelled. He had always been annoyingly cool and collected.

"What's it about then?" Peeta asked cautiously.

"The walls between heaven and hell are beginning to fade. I don't know why but they are. If we don't have that separation then what's to stop good people falling into hell or bad people going to heaven?" Cato demanded.

"That's impossible," Peeta replied. The night had grew cold and his wings drew closer to his body in an attempt to warm himself. "The walls between heaven and hell are the strongest in existence. The only way they would ever fade or break down would be if . . ." He trailed off, his eyes widening in horror.

"If someone was trying to break them down themselves," finished Cato.

Peeta's heart fluttered nervously. "I have to talk to God," he said, turning to fly back to Snow and tell him about what Cato had spoken of.

"You can't talk to God about this!" Cato snapped, grabbing Peeta's wrist to stop him, even though the angel immediately yanked it away. Cato hissed and spat out blood, the word 'God' burning his mouth like acid. "For all we know, he could be involved."

"You're nuts!" Peeta exclaimed. "Why would he be involved in such a sinister plot?"

Cato rolled his eyes and lightly smacked Peeta's arm with his tail. "Have a little perspective. Your Lord is losing. Maybe he's doing this as a last resort. Unleashing chaos on the world so that he won't lose. Are you seriously trying to tell me that after everything he has done: breaking his own rules, committing sins, fighting the good fight with dirtied morals, that you don't believe he isn't capable of this?"

Peeta stared at the demon long and hard. Cato was surely trying to trick him. Lucifer had sent him on a mission to break him; see if he could tempt him into believing lies about Snow. Well, Peeta wasn't going to fall for it. He backed away from Cato, keeping his eyes on the trickster the whole time. "I won't be tempted by you," he snarled. "Find someone else to feed your lies to!"

Cato groaned and rolled his eyes. "Normally I'd be all for you being stubborn but this is the most inappropriate time!" he exclaimed.

"Be silent demon!" Peeta snapped. "I won't believe your lies!"

"Oh for the love of . . ." Cato rubbed his temples and pointed at Peeta threateningly, "Think about what I've said. When you start noticing that I'm right-and you will notice that I'm right-come to the gates of hell and ask for Belial."

"Belial?" Peeta frowned.

Cato was already walking away. "It's my name now. Cato Belial Hadley."

Peeta watched as the demon disappeared into the mist. He clenched his fists and cocooned himself in his wings to comfort himself. Cato was wrong. The walls between heaven and hell couldn't fall. That's why they were built as strong as they were. And even if someone was trying to break them down, it certainly wouldn't be Snow. 'Belial' was barking up the wrong tree.

Belial. Peeta knew that name. It was the name of a deceptively beautiful angel but the name itself meant without worth. Why would Cato wish to be on the side of a leader who gave him a name like without worth? Why would any of the fallen angels want to be treated so horribly, anyways? Peeta parted his wings and took off with the intention of heading back to Snow and reporting everything Cato had told him. Even if the demon had been talking rubbish, Peeta still had to tell Snow, to find out why such a lie would have been concocted.

What Peeta didn't know, however, was that he and Cato were going to meet again. Very soon.

And it was going to be him that stood before the gates of hell to make it happen.

A/N: So, tell me what you think? I have big plans for this story that will involve love; deception; heartache; passion; sex; violence; friendship; magic and probably much more. The end game is Peetato which I wouldn't normally give away if I wasn't so sure that some readers may question this through the progress of the story. Trust me, it's Peetato. There may be parts-many parts-where you'll think, "Ehhh, are you sure this is Peetato?" but believe me, it is. In the beginning it's a love/hate relationship but, come on, there's nothing like a good heated squabble to get the passion stirring ;)