Rise of Evil IC

[KuroKishi]

Charles quickly reacted after hearing Mina unsling the thing on her back and throw it toward him, his free right hand going backward to take hold of the tube without him ever turning around. He took the item and stopped for a moment, placing it under the light of his torch. His eyes observed the strange surface, feeling how it slightly pushed back when he applied force. The surface was akin to a weak metal, like aluminum, able to bend and move... but not exactly easy to break. Plus, for some reason, it definitely seemed strange, because the usual glistening aluminum provided when reflecting a light was missing with this thing. Though he wasn't sure if his hunch was correct, Charles guessed that this was possibly a Demon Arm. There was no logic behind having a 'white tube' which can somehow defend you if it seems to be as tough as a can. He slightly shook the item, which strangely provided no sound - nothing was inside, and it didn't even seem hollow.

"Interesting thing you have here. It's definitely unique, in it's own way... and I'm sure there's some kind of trick to it, but... I can't exactly put my finger on what it is." Charles spoke out after examining the item, then passed it back to Mina. He would have to see if it was actually a Demon Arms when he had the time and was allowed to, as he guessed she wouldn't exactly let him do anything with it.

 

A familiar name passed through his ears as Mina spoke about the guild named Hell Reaper. Ja-X? That Ja-X? The third demon of the Beastial Demon Trio, along with Umbra and Revertor? Though it was a huge rumor, people used to say that they were the reason Dallas, Texas was not used for any safe zones. The land was very lightly corrupted, but the trio roamed the lands and started working in unison as soon as they sensed a danger to their lands. In a way, Atra Mors had only managed to take out Umbra and Revertor because the third, Ja-X, had been found raiding a guild, the Hell Reapers. The signal came, then Charles' team quickly scrambled and went off to slay the two before he was back. Luckily, after they had slain the monsters, good news came that the third brother had also been offed by the Hell Reapers.

"Ja-X, the Crimson Torturer... certainly brings back memories. He killed two of my comrades in the first failed attempt to slay the two brothers whilst he was away, since he suddenly stopped his raid on a guild and returned to fight with them. Second try, however, we got our sweet revenge... according to leaked information I got from a friend over in Hell Reaper a few months ago, two teams had fought the thing two hours in a cramped warehouse. The thing beat them back, but a lone female operative continued fighting and eventually killed it. Y'know, I killed two of the brothers, but I had backup and good fighters with me... think about that one person, duking it out against an Alpha demon... only the killer and its prey... but then, the killer became the prey. What an amazing lady..." Charles spoke out, a visibly wicked grin appearing on his face as he thought of how amazing it would be - he had only fought against an Alpha alone once, and that was a couple of hours ago, but it was the hardest thing he'd done, even with his blade. Think of a single fighter, against Ja-X, the Crimson Torturer, known for slaying entire guilds with his raids... killed by a person who didn't even have a Demon Arm.

Edited September 28, 2014 by KuroKishi

[Clown_of_God]

As Rei rested, Karin sat by the window and observed the events transpiring below. A short moment later, she moved to Rei's side, pulling up a chair to the bedside and patting his shoulder. Stirring from his sleep, Rei blinked a couple of times before sitting up so suddenly that Karin jumped, slightly startled by his sudden rapid movement.

"They're leaving, following that fellow with the strange sword."

"They'll return. Now we know where their colony is, so it won't take as long next time."

"So, we're not gonna follow after them? I thought you had questions for Gareth about your sword?"

"I do, but I almost killed them, Karin. Imagine if I had called on my sword before I changed, do you think they would have been able to stop me then? I knocked you unconscious and nearly burned Gareth to death, I don't think they would be too happy if we just tagged along right after such an event."

Karin stared at him until he looked back at her and their gazes locked. Sighing, Rei reached behind her and pulled her head into his chest. Groaning, Karin held little resistance and nuzzled against him before she laid across his lap.

"We'll rest for a while longer and then we'll follow after them. Tracking them down shouldn't be too difficult now that we've seen them, eh?"

"You're an idiot, you know, but I'll listen and do it your way. Feeling tired anyway."

[HellFireSouLess]

Saraph turned his head to see Gareth and Ezrea behind him. He smiled at them. He was happy to see them, yet he still felt alone still. He stopped walking and turned them. How was he going to tell Gareth and Ezrea about what he is doing. How would they react? Saraph started to walk towards them. He did not know how things would play out, but he needed to tell them one way or another. He met them on top of a small hill. The lava pits to your right and the treeline to your left, life and death. Saraph did not know what would happen on the journey He placed his hand on his shoulder grasping it firmly.

"You sure you want to come with me?" he asked both of them.

Saraph had already known what he would say , but he needed to hear from him.

"Before you say your answer...I should tell you why. Ezrea when you touched my sword you saw images of Gol'tar and death as if from another point of view. What you saw was what happened to Allia through her eyes. She apparently lives on in this sword Gareth. Not her body, but her soul. I do not how or why. Earlier today I fought a demon named Beraial. When he died he told me to find a demon named Vol'tar. He then said for there is still hope. I do not know what he meant by that, but I want to find out." said Saraph with determination and still grasping his shoulder.

Saraph said what he had to say. There was more he needed to him. That he keeps seeing Allia and can't get her out of his head. Yet, he did not want Allia out of his mind. He wanted something to hold on to.

"I may not know where Vol'tar is or what he looks like. I just have to find him. If you are willing to still come with me then lets go." said Saraph for he was ready to begin this journey.

He looked at Ezrea hoping she was ok with this. Since she is his best friend's wife. Saraph also hoped that they could be friends as well. Even with Allia gone Saraph started to understand the importance of friends. Even thou Gareth was his best friend and his only friend. Saraph felt that he needed more than just one friend in his life. For Gareth and Allia were his only true friends, the only ones he cared for most. Saraph saw a leaf flying by him. Yet, there was no wind. He looked up to see a man in the tree.

Edited September 29, 2014 by HellFireSouLess

[Clown_of_God]

After slinging the cylinder over her head and in its spot across her back, Mina picked up pace to walk alongside her escort. As he explained the details he knew pertaining to Ja-X she nodded and had a look of intrigue upon her face, as if this was all new information and he was confirming these supposed rumors she had supplied him with. At the end, Mina couldn't help but feel like boasting about her victory, but she withheld the urge to do so in front of her companion.

"So, it was true! That's fascinating! Do you know her name or was that not given out? It'd be something to actually meet her, wouldn't it?"

As she waited for a reply and they continued walking down the tunnel, something came to Mina's attention. How long had they been walking? It was definitely secluded enough in here and no one would come to aid if something happened. With the random temperature fluctuations throughout the tunnel, it was clear lava pits had been established for demons to reside in. At most, if anyone could hear the screams and shouts, they'd probably believe it was a demon attacking and establish some sort of defense at the entrance to the bunker. Aid probably wouldn't come.

A smirk spread across her lips. With some information that would lead her to where her target might be, this escort of hers was no longer needed and securing his weapon would play a pivotal role in 'ripening' her target.

Slowing her pace to a casual walk and eventually coming to a complete stop, Mina began to laugh inaudibly at first. Slowly, it transitioned into a sinister laugh, her head tilted back and her hands resting on the back of her hips. So, this was where they would part ways? A dark tunnel with nothing but a flashlight to guide them.

"Well, this has certainly been entertaining in the least, I must say, but I'm gonna have to drop the ball now. It was certainly surprising to find another survivor of that slave camp and the one who finally let me rest. You have no idea what I went through in there, but letting you live has been on the beam in my thoughts for a while now. That Demon Arm of yours is certainly fascinating and I could definitely use it in my work."

As she spoke, her boots began to reform into their demonic form and she was now looking at the young man with a twisted grin. One hand ran up her side and across her chest while the she licked the fingers of her other.

"I've got a proposition for you. Since you've been so kind to me, not just recently, but in the past as well, would you kindly hand over that weapon of yours? I'll let you go and give you a chance to redeem the remaining children that had been with us. Of course, not all of them had been slaughtered by the demons alone, but we'll leave those stories for another time. Anyway, yes, I am indeed that girl you saved and yes, this is indeed a Demon Arm made from Ja-X's bones. It was quite satisfying, bathing in the beasts' blood after I ripped everything I could out, but it'd probably be even more pleasant having my hero all over me."

Edited September 29, 2014 by zakku_uchiha

[Thaelasan]

Hear ye, praise he, blessed king of war,

his crown christened by blood and gore.

 

From north they came, in armor black,

their helms all scarred, blades to attack.

Hooves stamping across the burning plains,

arrows fell from the sky like deadly rains.

Within a month, they claimed right to rule,

yet benevolence poured from the cruel.

They who had came brought forth their king,

the one about whom all legends sing.

In crown of gold with hair of white,

he raised his hands to the starry night,

proclaimed his kingdom and his land,

and placed the lord's ring upon his hand.

Soon to follow came the new law,

which governed all which the king saw.

Those who abide live lives as lords,

while those who rebel die by their swords.

But the true fear was he bearing the axe,

hell borne from the fire and molten cracks.

The executioner, he became,

no one knew of his true name.

With him at his side, the king rose high.

Those who praise him never die.

 

Hear ye, praise he, great king of all,

standing firm above as a holy wall.

 

But then came famine, a time so dark,

when death comes to make his mark.

To survive was hard. The king knew well,

and helped save many before they fell.

After that dark time, one stood tall,

and, pointing at the king, began to call,

that he was the source of their disaster,

the warring man who had become their master.

So from his speech, rebellion was led,

those who joined them soon fell dead.

Our glorious king did not stand,

for any rebellious, cruel brigands.

He killed them with mercy, swift and clean.

Respectful became those who then had seen,

the swinging axe of that fearful beast,

to whom impure lives meant least.

Then came a second rebellion as the first,

but its end was surely the worst.

The leader, betrayed, fell as he fled,

and beneath the axe he lost his head.

With his death came great peace again,

and wounds caused to the land could mend.

 

Hear ye, praise he, calm king of thought,

who can bring order when others cannot.

 

Hear ye, praise he, blessed king of war,

his crown christened by blood and gore.

 

The First Praise of The Ballad of Holy Domination. Translated with amends to make lyrical sense by Father Charles.

 

-------

 

Gareth turned to look at the sky above him. Saraph's questions and concerns lingered in his mind but all he saw was new adventure. Life was filled with those.

His sister had taught him at least one thing during her lifetime - to always grasp opportunity; to never let it go and see it through to the end. It was that same thinking that had helped Gareth to forge Hope. It had been that thinking that had helped him earn the hand of the beautiful Ezrea. It had been that thinking that now led him to standing here, now, at the outside entrance of Hope.

He smiled slightly and turned back to Saraph, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Of course, I'll follow you, brother." Gareth confirmed, nodding. "You left for so long. I thought you were gone. I thought that you had died, as she had. I'm not going to let you be alone any more. You're my family, and I will always support you, with everything I can."

Ezrea huffed, arms crossed, still seated atop Gareth's shoulders.

"I suppose I can accompany you. In the end, I'll be able to watch you get your ass handed to you by a behemoth before I defeat it." she smirked. "So you better fight hard."

As Gareth watched, Saraph looked up at a nearby tree. Curious, Gareth followed his line of sight.

Was someone.. in those trees?

"I suppose you're heading out then?"

Gareth took a moment to look away at Father Charles, who stood there slightly awkwardly. It was obvious to those who didn't know him that the man didn't leave his study or the church often. His glasses were slightly askew and his hair had only been half brushed. He still, however, had a sense of regal pride about him.

"Yes. Can you handle the affairs while we're gone?"

"I do that even when you're currently inhabiting Hope." Charles raised an eyebrow. "However, if you're leaving the construction of the new generator to me, I would appreciate some form of instructions on how to properly forge it. After all, it would be quite a large bother if it - for some reason - didn't work, or began summoning hellish creatures from another dimension. Or, if it, for instance, spontaneously exploded into a beautifully, deadly cascade of fiery sparks and metal. I would rather it not do that. I like my appendages and organs where they are in me now."

"...Right." Gareth blinked. He had only been half-listening as usual to Charles' ranting. "...I left the instructions for building a generator on your desk three weeks ago.."

"What? You did what?" Charles looked surprised and confused. "Balderdash. I would have seen something so important if it had been placed in that vicinity! I may be slightly older than I used to be but that doesn't mean I don't pay attention."

"It's not that you don't pay attention, it's that you put a cup of coffee on it where the picture was like an idiot." Ezrea chided from where she was perched. "I watched you do it. It was slightly funny."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME WHAT IT WAS!? I assumed it was more agonizing reports from the dreadful Committee of Safety and Development about how they need this or that! Oh, you didn't know?-" (Gareth and Ezrea looked at each other and then shook their heads) "-Of COURSE you didn't know something like that! You're not the one who was given the task of handling private, union affairs! You both decided you'd take on the tasks of being war leaders of this and that. Oh that's all well and good, but you forget you have THREE-HUNDRED PEOPLE out here. PEOPLE! Human BEINGS. Things with thoughts, emotions, feelings, and wills of their own! Did you assume that everything was peachy and that there were no current, important affairs?! There are, you mindless buffoons, and they're quite irritating to deal with without coffee and a forgiving mindset!"

Before Gareth and Ezrea could intervene, Father Charles held up a vanilla folder and began to shake it at them to emphasize his words.

"This! This right here is the grand culmination of hours of effort and deliberation in regards to public safety, transportation, reconstruction, rehabilitation of citizens, some personal requests from random citizens that wish to be anonymous... And that's just the beginning! I haven't even discussed the love letters that you two receive in equal amounts from lovesick idiots who seem to think it's my job to give them to you!"

"...Love... letters?" Gareth blinked. Ezrea punched him, furious.

"Who the hell are you hitting on when I'm not- wait... there are some for me?" Ezrea blinked. "...I'm.... flattered but are they serious?! I already have this big idiot to carry around. I don't want to have to take care of any other useless morons."

"...Yes. Love letters - letters of adoration." Charles amended for clarity. "And some of them aren't even in English! I have to take the time out of my already busy, daily schedule to sit down and translate both mindless and extremely specific letters directed to you both so that I can figure out if they're death threats or not!"

"...We get death threats?" Gareth asked, slightly crestfallen.

"NO! And that boggles my mind and confuses the hell out of me! Though it's not bad, it's extremely strange at the same time. Even the greatest prophets and authors receive death threats from fools who envy their success! But you both have none! Zilch! Absolute ZERO. All you ever get are love letters and compliments! But do I get any of that affection?! No. I'm just the 'overzealous, old, madman in the church!' No one respects the secretary! They just see the figureheads and their 'glorious crusades' against the demon hordes! FOR ONCE! ONCE! I would like a bit of the insane amount of respect you both receive on a practically hourly basis!"

A man approached the group, sliding a letter under Charles' arm before walking off.

"Can you give that to them...?" he asked, smiling softly.

"OH YES OF COURSE I CAN!" Charles snapped as the man walked off. He sighed, rubbing his forehead in extreme frustration. Why, of all things, had he become the godfather to this large, naive giant!? Sigh.

"Are you going to give us that..?" Gareth began, trying to release some of the tension in the air. His attempt to defuse the situation seemed to work slightly but Charles still seemed agitated.

"No. You don't need it. Trust me. He's like all the rest of them. It's probably for Ezrea. It could also be for you, of course, but I don't think he looks the type - not that I judge people based solely on appearances, though, you understand."

"..Right." Gareth nodded. Ezrea, however, cocked her head slightly.

"If it turns out to be a love letter, burn it. Wait, actually, give it to me so I can burn it in front of him." She rubbed her hands together in anticipation, then a thought occurred to her. "Unless he's masochistic. I hate those guys. You can't make them go away easily. They're worse than this big stalker."

Gareth grinned.

Charles finally let the folder fall to his side, exhausted.

"Look, what I mean to say is... just.. be careful, alright?" he asked, anxious. "If you died, there'd be no end to the mess of reports and requests I'd have to fill out in regards to your expiring. And worse, Gareth's genius would be lost out there in the wild!"

"Hey. I'd be dead too, ***." Ezrea crossed her arms, annoyed.

"Yes, well, I suppose you're important too. What would we do without those fists of yours to.. punch... things, mercilessly. With great enjoyment. And amazing anatomical precision in regards to vitals." Charles chuckled.

"I'll show you punching vitals.." Ezrea muttered, knuckles cracking.

"Oh alright. You're a tactical genius as well, Ezrea. Your strategic expertise has proved more than helpful on multiple occasions and your care of Gareth has assisted in the overall well-being of the town. Is that better?" Charles sighed. "Now, as for your departure, how long do you both think you'll be away from the town?"

"We're not sure, actually. We're searching for a behemoth." Gareth shrugged slightly, Ezrea's placement on him making it a little tricky. "Do you think your research can give us any pushes in the right direction?"

"Perhaps. What was the behemoth's name?" Charles immediately brightened up.

"Vol...tar?" Gareth rubbed his chin, pondering. "That ring a bell?"

"Ah! The draconic behemoth of Conviction! Marvelous! Indeed, I read about him again very recently. If it helps, he's likely to stay in one place for long amounts of time and he prefers mountainous regions. I would suppose he'd most likely be in the Appalachian Mountain range, if he's even in the United States. I mean, he may well be near Mount Everest or McKinley. Honestly, you have to consider the chances he'd actually be (conveniently, mind you) almost right next to Hope. Your optimism needs to have its limits, Gareth. Life doesn't just give you giant, flying drago-"

A loud roar echoed in the distance. Far from Hope, yet still visible, a large, winged, reptilian creature soared among the clouds. As the group watched (Charles was currently unable to process it), the creature seemed to give them a passing glance and then headed in the direction that - if someone had to guess - the Appalachian Mountain Range was in. Of course, that would be too convenient. Much too convenient.

"That didn't happen. I don't believe it. It's an absurdity of probability." Charles said weakly, still staring at the sky, mouth agape. "Impossible. Absolutely impossible. The chances of such an event occurring - especially right after he's mentioned... Speak of the devil, I believe, is a very applicable term in this case, if a bit too humorous for the serious nature of this situation... But... Dear Lord... the ... the chances..."

"Were in our favor. We'll be back soon, Charles. Just take care of yourself too." Gareth smiled.

Charles pinched his arm, then sighed.

"Of course, it can't be a dream. Of course not." he laid his hand on his face, chuckling softly.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Thaelasan

[Neutual Demon]

Okay, so the fight had been slightly interesting, but in the most part it had been a huge letdown. Zulfiqar immediately removed it from memory, deeming it not important and turned his attention to the others. The strange smelling human-demon and his- caretaker?- left down the street and the not quite impressive tree-catching human went off down the other end of the street, while Gareth and his mate seemed to argue about something trivial or something before wandering off towards the solo unimpressive meatball. With nothing better to do and curious on if Gareth's mate was going to eventually kill someone or something in the city, the demon trailed after the meatloaf leader and his mate, although at a very slow I'm-Not-Interested pace.

Zulfiqar caught up in time for Charles to emerge from his matchstick habitat and wave one of those loose squiggle page holder things at the three humans- or more importantly Gareth and his mate. Charles was on a roll when the demon sneaked up on the Fathered One, especially after a meatball had the gall and give a folded squiggle page to the man and left right afterwards during the man's mini-rant.

Wait, did he just say something about them departing?

Zulfiqar snapped his head around, watching the four humans with renewed interest. They were going after a behemoth- both Gareth and his mate?- along with the unimpressive tree-catcher. They were going, and leave him behind? With Charles? Not that he had anything against the Fathered One, but he just wasn't any fun, not like Gareth. At least with the meatball lord's mate around, the demon knew that Gareth was going to return one way or another. If both of them were going, they were going to be gone for...for... an hour! No, wait, that wasn't right. Humans and their concept of time...

But that wasn't the point! Gareth and his mate were leaving and who knows how long they were going to be gone! Zulfiqar was sure to get bored and end up spending most of the time sulking around his horde in order to hide from the parasites that always seem to find him when no meatball caretaker is around to keep them from attempting to crawl all over him.

The train of thought had successfully derailed and crashed into the depot when a loud roar silenced the humans. Okay, that was probably one of the biggest flying demons Zulfiqar had ever seen. Not as important as his anxiety (no, it wasn't!) of the humans leaving him behind in his boredom. He quenched the weird stomach feeling by nicking the squiggle holder thing from Charles' arms with his tongue and pulled the whole thing into his mouth.

"Can I come?" Zulfiqar said, albeit muffled as his mouth was still full of pages, sitting beside the Fathered One and staring directly at Gareth. He was the most likely one to agree with the demon in coming along. The others...Gareth's mate would immediately say no and the unimpressive tree-thrower he had no idea. It wasn't like they could stop him; he knew all the exits and patrols to simply sneak his way out and follow after them. He was simply asking because... well... less likely of a chance for Gareth's mate to kill him? Yes, that's it.

[Thaelasan]

(( The love for Ezrea is real. ))

 

Charles had been too awestruck to notice the disappearance of his notes and documents. In fact, it wasn't until he returned to his home and had been there a few hours (if he hadn't been a teetotaler, he would have drank himself to sleep), had already prepared for bed, and had seen his last visitor that he had noticed it was missing.

And proceeded to question his sanity and reality as a result, which wasn't really abnormal for him.

As for the current moment, Gareth had to suppress a snicker at Zulfiqar's actions, Ezrea quietly doing the same. Though she was normally annoyed almost to hair-pulling amounts by the fiery beast, he at least had the right idea when it came to certain things. Charles overreacted a LOT but he was also the best at defusing a situation even better than Gareth when it came to political matters and internal affairs. Ezrea had been reluctant to have him serve as a tactical assistant as well but Gareth had assured her that she would still remain in command and as the final word. In the end, he had been completely correct - not only did he not seem interested in helping her more than he had to (not because of his opinion of Ezrea but because strategics gave him more headaches than usual) but he was normally far too busy with matters like the ones he had just mentioned to even consider helping her on a daily basis. At most, he simply looked over the plans and gave a quiet, "that's impressive."

Yet, when Zulfiqar asked to tag along, Gareth wasn't that surprised. Ezrea, of course, looked down at Gareth with the "I-know-you-won't-listen-if-I-say-no-so-do-it-already" look that wives give their husbands on an almost daily basis. For Ezrea, this was especially true.

Gareth kindly ignored the brutal evil eye his wife was giving him and nodded at Zulf vigorously.

"Of course you can come along, buddy!" Gareth stated, pleased. "Though you have to be careful - behemoths aren't pleasant enemies to make. We're not even sure if he's bad."

Charles suddenly piped up, broken from his shock by more shock.

"Not sure if he's bad!? Pardon my skepticism (considering it's in my usual nature) but you're not even sure of its morality!? After seeing that!? That beast could destroy numerous civilizations without fear of reprisal! Why on earth do you think it could possibly be kind or considerate!? Preposterous! Balderdash! Absurdity! But, of course, in this strange reality where logic and probability are thrown out the window and one to a million chances occur and no one questions them in the slightest, why do I attempt to deny any possibility!? If you come back with photographic proof of you sitting down and having a delightful cup of tea (Earl Grey, I may add!) with that damned thing, I WON'T BE SURPRISED."

He rubbed his face, exasperated. He'd already wasted enough breath on this situation as it was. Why did he think they would listen to him? It was Gareth. He was as stubborn and free as his father had been, and (for that matter) his mother as well. The boy was the son of two adventuring lovers who had met each other by (oh, my goodness, how fitting) sheer chance on a voyage to Europe. It was there that Charles had first met Gareth's parents and been convinced that moving to America was his best choice. So he had.

And now, it had all led up to Gareth's parents (whether (heaven forbid) dead or just simply missing) being currently absent from Gareth's life and Charles reluctantly proclaiming himself the boy's unnecessary guardian. He honestly didn't care how old Gareth was - the boy had the mind of a naive child when it came to certain things. His sister had always babied him, never making him completely aware of how bad the world could be. She had done it because of his size but it had had lasting aftereffects. Even after Gareth had long grown into his height and muscles, she had still treated him like he was younger than ten. Charles couldn't even imagine how Gareth's mother had been in regards to his upbringing. He did have to remember with pleasantry though that the woman always smelled of jasmine...

And now, the effort of all those years of being led by the hand and made him a leader? Charles had never quite understood that either. He'd remembered bringing Gareth home once when his parents were away and the boy had gotten into a fight with a group of younger children. The reason had apparently been insults the boys had been tossing at him for a good, few weeks. Apparently, the small giant Gareth had decided he'd had enough. His sister had been absent because she'd been sick, so she wasn't able to stop him.

Gareth had asked Charles only one thing - not to not tell his parents, but his younger sister. At the time, Charles had scoffed, confused, though he had sworn it. It was when he'd brought Gareth back and the girl had immediately began tending to him and fussing over him that Charles had understood. Because their parents were normally away on business for days or just simple excursions (something Charles kept condemning because they had children and needed to raise them), Allia had become a sort of mother figure in her mother's absence. Childhood games of house were nothing compared to Gareth and Allia's relationship. He was the big, friendly beast and she was the one who walked at his side through the jungles of life.

But, then again, if it hadn't been for all those years of pacifism and kindness that Allia had taught Gareth, Charles wondered if the boy would have realized just how strong he was. Physically, Gareth was simply strong. His beard, size, and his abilities (not to mention the dreadblades he carried around) all gave him the aura of a man you would never think of as the leader of such a benevolent organization. But he was. He was a friendly man with only one goal - the protection and salvation of a group of people who worked with him. If that meant he was their leader too, then he'd take the title with pride.

Ezrea had said it best: "That idiot has the heart of a child but the (she said a world to refer to a man's anatomy so Charles tried hard to forget THAT part and amended it thus) BRAVERY of a man." In short, Gareth had been courageous enough to lead a group of people blindly across the Wilds with the hope of finding a place to live and thrive. It had been said numerous times but it had been a miracle they had managed to do it.

But in this insane reality that ignored probability, Charles had finally given up on the chances of this or that NOT happening. If it could happen and it was a desired outcome, it normally did.

However, there was a silver lining in all this. Zulfiqar might be going with them! Glorious! Now Charles could actually work in peace without worrying that the hellboar would traipse into his study undaunted to search for shiny objects for the fourth time that day. No matter how many times Charles told him there weren't any more, Zulf wandered in anyway. Gareth had likened it to a cat on your desk... albeit larger and covered in flame. They just wanted to say "I'm still here, mate" and then they'd be about their business. And maybe knock over a flower pot on the way out just to make sure you didn't forget they existed.

Surprisingly enough, Ezrea had been willing to let him walk around their house after the first week had gone by. But, of course, it had only been because she knew Gareth would have been hurt if she hadn't. It blew her mind but for some reason he liked the overgrown fire pig being around and though she would never admit it, Ezrea did too. He was like the family pet - though Gareth and Ezrea both abstained from that train of thought. Thinking of Zulf like that felt far more rude than most things they could think of.

So, in the end, Charles could only smile and nod as Gareth accepted Zulf's accompaniment.

Ezrea shrugged.

"Whatever. Just don't get in my way." she said flatly.

[KuroKishi]

(( Freaking knew we would end this with a fight of some sort. :3 ))

 

Charles had been walking for more than a few minutes along with Mina, his head going through everything he had just said and thought. Had he really shared things he wouldn't even consider telling under the effect of narcotics, in front of a gun's barrel and with the lives of millions hanging on his worlds to a complete stranger? Though he was left believing this really was someone he didn't know, Mina reminded him of the girl way too much. He was... unable to hold back. Living with something so traumatic and bottling it within yourself for many months took a toll on even the most rugged of people. Life was unfair, sure, but that didn't mean one had to keep it within him. Though he wouldn't say it to her face, Mina had become a bigger help than he had gotten from actual friends and colleagues through these years. However, he was glad. Travelling with her, even if until tomorrow, would be something he enjoyed.

"It is fascinating, yes. Without a Demon Arm, alone against a higher Alpha, in a cramped spot... it's one thing to kill demons as a team, and an entirely different thing to slay an Alpha, with what you only have around you, by yourself. Um... the name... was... sorry, I cannot recall... it started with an M, I'm certain of it..." Charles spoke out, walking along the dark tunnel. Though he seemed perfectly normal, his eyes were slightly wider and he was extremely suprised - the name, now that he recalled it, was Mina, too. Now that he remembered, this was also the reason the strange, metallic tube looked and felt so familiar to Charles - though he had only fought against Ja-X once, he had tackled him and forced him into a deep pit to buy his team time. He remembered how his strange, reinforced skin was a pearly white, which strangely didn't shine... just like Mina's tube. No... this was too big of a coincidence to be true.

 

Charles' suprise and shock only grew bigger as Mina slowed down and stopped a few feet behind him, hearing her strange, lunatic laugh echo through the large corridor. He turned around, his eyes filled with confusion, and listened slowly to what she had to say. After her words, the young man was left both awestruck and almost frozen. Time practically crawled to a stop as he processed through what Mina had just said, his mind connecting everything he'd heard from her and sending shockwaves of mixed emotions with each and every connected point. His expression was confused, but his mouth was shut and his eyes seemed normal.

Quietly, the young man sat down, feeling his psyche break. His eyes were now unable to hold back the overwhelming amount of tears as they dropped, one after another, along his cheeks and down his face. He had a broken expression, his eyes filled with shock and his mouth twisted into a strange, pained smile. The bottled-up emotions he had sealed through all this time was threatening to destroy him there and there, leave him a single, weeping heap in this dangerous place. But, for the first time, the man didn't care - he dropped down to his knees, his hands going out to stop him before his fall and starting to hit the floor repeatedly. He sat, weeping at the loss of his old friends, the pain which he had thought was only his own... and though he would never, ever admit it, he was slightly relieved. Though he was unable to save one of them, Mina was here. Mina... they had told him her name even when he was still a captive, but he never let himself return to those moments, having made a mental barrier to stop himself from reliving that pain once again. Mina had managed to escape and had joined Hell Reaper, one of the most famous destruction guilds. She had been killing the demons mercilessly, and though they were only rumors, people spoke that death followed anyone who fought with her. Her comrades would often be found wounded or killed, with barely a clue for the identity of the murderer. Then, she killed Ja-X alone and used him to create a special blade. The rumors he had heard of a strange woman, killing people and demons alike for a satanic cult... that was also Mina. Now it came to him - it was his fault. He had left Mina to break so much, he had left the others to die off... it was all his fault. Though he was weak... he wanted to change things and right his past wrongs.

 

Silently, Charles raised up one of his arms, wiping off the wet feeling from his eyes. He gathered his breath, then slammed his hands into the ground once again before rising. He had a strange, new air to him - his once desperate feeling had shifted into a new, unusual strength. Power belonged to the one who accepted his mistakes and worked to fix them somehow. His gaze was dark for a moment before his right hand suddenly went to his side and drew the black blade. He swung it circularly on his right side, ending the move with a horizontal swipe to the wall. Though the blade was nowhere near close to hitting the surface, a powerful force slammed through the air and into the tunnel's side. Just a moment later, the wall burst open, two long cuts appearing where he'd swung at and going deep into the concrete surface. Charles swung the blade yet again, moving it intricately above his head before slamming it into the ground in front of him and placing both his hands on the handle. He raised his head up to look at Mina, a confident smirk adorning his changed features.

"I knew you were lying. You looked too familiar, and once I connected the dots, you haad too many things about you that seemed unusual. I'm glad to see you too, Mina... However, I never claimed to be your hero. Leaving you without one day of your miserable life barely meant anything back then. If you honestly think I am even close to a hero, I'm thankful, but would certainly have to disagree. If anything, I am one of the responsible for all the lives lost. As a wise philosopher said a long time ago, 'To see injustice and remain silent to participate in it.'. So, as much as I'd like to help you out, I cannot give you my blade, nor can I agree to being a hero. Now, if you want my blood all over your body and my blade in your own posession, then... I'm sad to say it'll only be once I lay dead. Wish I could see you then, though," he ended his speech with a sarcastic wink and stood across Mina, waiting quietly to see her next action.

[Clown_of_God]

After a moment of laying in silence, Karin sat up and stood, then proceeded to yank the covers off of Rei. All done with a straight face, but a slight tinge of red spread across the corners of her cheeks as she remembered Rei's partial disrobement. Facing the window, Rei merely chuckled as he threw his shirt back on (ah, you perverted people) and shifted his feet into the demonic boots he usually strolled around in.

After some final checks, Rei and Karin left the hotel and kindly thanked the owner before making their way to just outside the entrance. Karin interlaced her arm with Rei's as they neared the lava pools once more and he patted her head. With his free hand, he held it out straight and made a flexing motion with his hand and then dropped it back down by his side.

"I take it you won't have time to look over my sword then or would you be able to analyze it as we walk? It's part of the reason behind my, uh, anger issues per say. Also, old man, if that thing was really such a threat I'm sure Hope would have seen its claws by now. Chances are, it's either waiting for your defenses to drop or it just doesn't care. That's my hypothesis."

Karin nudged him and he shrugged, a small seemingly mental conversation going on between the two. Rei finally sighed and looked at both Gareth and Ezrea and held up his hand once more. The air seemed still for a second as his hand remained raised by his side, until the hilt of a pitch black blade rested in the cup of his hand, while the blade stuck out from behind him. When it finally settled and he grasped the hilt, a wav of dust and small pieces of debris washed over the group and Rei gave an apologetic look.

"Sorry 'bout that. Wasn't exactly expecting to go out, so I left it at home. I actually figured it'd take a little longer to find you, but wasn't too discouraged when it was under a day's journey."

Karin gave Rei a look of "you should have brought it to begin with" and a bit of irritation resulting from the cloud of dust. Patting her head, Rei proceeded to close the gap between Gareth and himself. Seemingly, a new aura seemed to radiate from his body, one of power and nobility, aggression and destruction, all mixed with his pacifistic nature. Behind him, Karin stayed close by and transitioned into pieces of her armor. Primarily her chest, waist and legs, feet, forearms, and hands. For the time being, she wanted to remain relatively flexible, so she left out the stomach, groin, and upper arms, with slight openings in the back of the knees and inner elbow.

Instead of the volcanic-like armor that she had suited up in, the uncovered parts (aside from the head) was covered in a black film-like material with a similar weaving fashion as chainmail, but was as thin as a pair of stockings. This was part of how she could withstand Rei's heat when he was in rage-mode.

"We'll tag along regardless, maybe I can see with my own eyes if Ezrea's gotten any better. What was it, you ranked second or third most of the time, while Erik and I had a constant competition for first? Some more bits are coming back to me and I vaguely remember you being a bit more brash in your decision making. Smart choices, bad execution or vice versa."

This time, Karin punched Rei in the ribs and he gasped slightly at suddenly being winded. Looking at Karin, Rei rubbed the back of his head from his hunched position and sighed.

"It seems we both have our share of idiots, but one of us actually married theirs."

It wasn't meant to be an insult, but the way it came out definitely made it sound like so. Karin looked at both Ezrea and Gareth then intertwined her arm with Rei's once more as he stood straight once again.

 

------

 

((Of course you post just as I'm finishing. I had hoped to finish beforehand then add another post with just Mina, but you got me.))

 

Mina smirked, so he wanted to play tough and stand against her. This was making it too easy. So, she came up with an idea, something that would make this entertaining. A game that would fall under her liking, both prolonged and possibly very painful. As she began to reach for her pole, the top transitioned into a hilt and as she pulled it up, the tube seemed to invert on itself until it became the pure white blade now separating her from her opponents own weapon.

"So, cunning you are, but let's make this interesting, shall we? I won't make you bleed out if you refrain from using that healing ability. Anything else is fine, not that I even know what else this blade can do, but those specific abilities are off limits. Instead, we'll hack and slash until one of us can't stand any longer. How's that sound?"

Of course, Mina wasn't exactly patient in these scenarios. Crouching low, the last thing visible to the standard eye was Mina lurching forward. Of course, the warmth of her breath along the back of Charles' neck would certainly alert the man, but by then it was already too late. Making sure the blade missed any of the vitals, the white tip protruded out of his left side before she yanked it out and jumped back.

"Is that one or two for me? It went in one side and out the other, so we'll count it as two. Did it hurt? I made sure it was just the muscle and some tissue, your stomach and intestines would end the game too quickly."

Edited September 29, 2014 by zakku_uchiha

[Thaelasan]

Hear ye, praise he, blessed king of war,

his crown christened by blood and gore.

 

With ancient power, he rose his hand,

and claimed his control upon the land.

Rebellion he smote, crime he fought,

he would heal the wounds the dark had wrought.

Yet, in the shadows, beneath his eyes,

two others worked evil in disguise.

One always at his side, chaos he sang,

the other hidden, shrouding bloody fang.

Anarchy rose mighty against the heir,

wishing it was not him seated there.

Execution's axe was swift and sure,

by end of night blood ran pure.

But with Convinction gone into night,

the king's grand kingdom lost its light.

 

Hear ye, praise he, poor king of loss,

who should not have had to pay the cost.

 

But outside the kingdom, nestled soft,

Creation was high and borne aloft.

Beloved Revelation, peace of mind,

together as one they lived in kind.

From them bore Transformation,

their kindly and peaceful, loving son.

But Anarchy's rage was not sated,

even in death he was unabated.

For he rose anew to strike fear across,

the land that his kind had almost lost.

The kindness of the trio was never known,

the kingdom would end before it was grown.

Aggression rose with Conviction. Two as one,

working together to unmake what good had done.

 

Hear ye, praise he, sad king of fate,

who realized his misfortune all too late.

 

Hear ye, praise he, blessing king of war,

his crown christened by blood and gore.

 

The Second Praise of The Ballad of Holy Domination. Translated with amends to make lyrical sense by Father Charles.

 

------

 

Ezrea stared for a long while at Rei, her face unreadable.

"You are extremely fortunate that Gareth has me up here, whelp." she spat. "I have the urge to punch you for some reason..."

Gareth waved his hand passively to defuse the situation, now more interested in the blade. Charles, however, had already laid eyes upon it and seemed close to taking it from Rei just to hug it.

"My word! A demon arm capable of matter-based transportation!? Well, demon technology WAS how we made that possible but with such ease? No outside locator? Does it work by feeling or conscious thought!?"

He leaned close to it, sketching the shape quickly on a notepad he seemingly drew from nowhere. He was extremely intent on admiring the craftsmanship.

"Yes. Yes. I know this sword. I remember it from my research. Fear not, good sir! By the time you all return, I will have discovered this sword's past! Mark my words! Yes! Something to occupy my scarce free time so I don't have to twiddle my thumbs while you go gallivanting on your horribly dangerous excursions! Thank the heavens!"

He finished his sketch with a bow and turned back towards his cathedral, pleased. He almost seemed to float towards it.

Though it won't be revealed now, what he discovered about the blade changed his demeanor ominously.. and greatly.

 

-----

 

Gareth watched Charles leave with a bit of pleasure. The man seemed happy, so Gareth was equally content. As for Ezrea, she smirked.

"You men and your fascination with blades." She leaned down over Gareth's face, holding out her hand elegantly. "All I need are these, even without the ring. Right, honey?"

"Of course." Gareth nodded with certainty. He wasn't lying. It was an absolute truth.

"As for your sword, Rei," Gareth added, "I'll see what I can tell from how it was made. But yes, I'd rather we did it while we were out walking."

[KuroKishi]

Charles knew better than anyone that looks were very, very decieving. Though he had a smirk on his face as he watched Mina, his inner self was torn, wondering if he would have to kill her and jerking at the thought of drawing his blade in a killing blow against her. Could he really kill someone who he shared a dark past with? How bad had she snapped? Why?

The questions were quickly silenced as Charles' eyes widened in suprise, sensing the quick movement from Mina. He barely had time to clench the muscles of his abdomen before he sensed her breath on the back of his neck, then felt the blade stab into his side. The muscles and tissure tore quickly in the way of the point, ultimately opening on the other side to reveal a small hole. As she withdrew the blade, Charles quickly turned around, a look of confusion on his eyes. His left hand quickly grasped his side, feeling the pain from the broken and torn tissue, as well as his blood seeping out from where she had attacked. Though his face had shifted into a slightly pained grimace, he was still holding on, because this was nothing compared to what he had to face against that Alpha's pummeling strikes.

"Well... two points for Mina. I can say for certain that I'd expect nothing less from you," The young man spoke with a slight smile, then let go of his wound. Both of his hands grasped the blade's handle tightly, the blood from his hands seeping into the black cloth that held it together. He focused into the blade's essence, ordering the demon within not to recover his wounds with the blood or with his hits, then reopened his eyes with a look of vengeance.

"Then, shall I try, too?" Charles asked sarcastically as he gathered his breath. Strangely, he lifted his arms, only to bring them down in a wide vertical arc in Mina's direction. Then, he was off, barely a visible blur of yellow hair moving through the air. He approached from the girl's right side, seemingly trying to get a hit in, only to round around her. As he ran, he suddenly pivoted and turned around, launching a horizontal slash from a close distance. Then, he backflipped twice, creating some distance between them. Though it all looked like a farce, he was sure Mina would be able to pick up the strange sound of the air moving and how the particles of air moved along, their trajectories interrupted by two invisible forces powering through. Thankfully, though his first hit was a miss, the second was wide enough to deliver two long cuts along her upper back. Though not deep, they were large cuts, which meant they would be effective enough. Also, he could use his range as a benefit.

"And two for me," Charles spoke with a small smirk, then focused yet again, raising his blade in a strange way. The tip was facing toward the ground, whilst the handle hung in the air, and the edge was flipped toward the ceiling. His left foot was in front of his right, and though it seemed strange, it was a simple defensive stance he'd learned from a fellow modern samurai.

[Clown_of_God]

Mina winced slightly as the blade tore through her skin, but a sinister grin and a devilish laugh was all that followed after the attack. Through the torn section of her top, scars lined the majority of her flesh, signs of the brutal torture she had experienced. Yes, the attack had been painful, but it had also felt gloriously relieving to her. Rather, she seemed to enjoy the attack.

"Yes, that's it! Now, let our blood mix until you no longer know who's it is."

Spinning the blade in her hand, now holding it in reverse, Mina crouched into a different stance and jolted forward. Rock and concrete exploded from where she had just been standing and shortly after, blood sprayed across the wall behind Charles. Mina just barely missed a vital artery in his leg this time, but there would certainly be negative effects caused by the attack.

"Oh, that was close, even on my part. A fraction of an inch closer and then you really would've bled out. Sorry, I'll be more careful next time."

Most of her last attack had consisted of feigns in various directions. If one had taken notice, there was quite a bit of coordination to her madness. There was also precision behind such speed, further indicating she wasn't mindlessly and madly attacking at random. No, the most feared serial killers were not the butchers with no real motive, but the cunning and intelligent mad men. Of course, with her own personal experience and the practice she had gained throughout the last couple years had built her up to this point.

"Do you remember Rick, that ginger boy who tried standing up to the slavers? I remember admiring him until I found out his dark secret. After our escape and everyone went their separate ways, I ran into him. Did you know he traded his protection for certain favors from those he had stood up for? From the outside, he was a great kid, but he was deceiving and used the girls in a fashion the slavers had been. Anyway, I sliced off his precious man piece and shoved it down his throat until he suffocated on it. That was the start. Ah, then there was Mindy, that quiet girl who just let the abuse happen? Yeah, I got her screaming alright. It was beautiful."

[Durppie]

Everythin's an asset. Assets need t' be used.

 

...

 

Get t' work.

 

No wonder Einhrelg didn't remember large tracts of her life. She was an old woman among a timeless race, but quite a lot of her life seemed to be plain boring. To a demon, anyways. She only remembered the important stuff, or so she liked to think. Eyes, outlined in black and looking more like markings than sight organs, peered indifferently at the faded walls of the--house? Yes house. That was what humans called it. Not a bad word. She bounced the word around her mind as she hovered in place next to a cherry wood desk. The desk, still retaining a bit of its former handsomeness, was scratched from the improper handling from some of her rather small group of grunts and from the stained-glass demon herself. On her part, the scratching was largely intentional. As she had an abundance of sharp claws and no other writing utensil, some of her plans and idle designs were etched onto the surface.

 

The desk was not the only scratched-upon object. The walls, adorned with old off-white wallpaper, held plenty of Einhrelg's etchings. All the words sliced into the surfaces were in a language few humans could know. And for any potential demonic eyes or odd humans, there was a cipher. She'd spent quite a lot of time ruminating on what her next move would be, ala wall-scratch agenda. It was just nearing a daily search. As a precaution, one darkish-blue ball of demonic glass was hidden in a corner.

 

Two sparkling, rough-looking tendrils coiled around the rather-large Demon Arm known as "Little Shrike" and brought the over 6 foot spear over to the green-blue demon. It was still no easy task even after knocking over the silly spinny-hanging thing on the ceiling and handing it to the grunts. But her weapon had a mind of its own, which made things a little easier. It seemed to move towards Einhrelg at an angle to avoid slicing the ceiling even as she grabbed it. She took the Demon Arm in hand, leaving the room and passing by many pattern-cut walls and a few assorted minions. She'd send some minions to do her work, but after half of her "force" never returned, Einhrelg realized that she couldn't afford to lose more. But she had brought one of them as backup, a glistening horned snake with five slate-gray eyes that was waiting outside the ruined house. Calls s'itself Ingaron. Noble name for a grunt.

 

The search was simple. Find some more demons willing to join up and avoid Demon Arm wielding humans if possible. Nothing seemed to turn up as they got farther from the house.

[KuroKishi]

Charles watched Mina prepare for an attack, this time focusing everything he had into his defense. His breath slowed down as he felt her gather her power and prepare a single but deadly blow. His mind raced back to the lessons he had gotten in order to learn how to use such a large, refined blade. The 'self-proclaimed samurai', as he was called, was quite an expert in what he did. Though many were too busy ridiculing him, he would stay up every day and train his body to endure both pain and stress, using weights or special exercises to target special muscles. Then, he would practice dealing fast blows against a stationary target. It was an honor of sorts to watch him, as he would launch from one side only to reappear on the other, moments after a large force cut through the target's side and deep into the body. Charles had never reached his level, but he had created some countermeasures for fast attackers.

However, even he was surpised when Mina moved through the air like thunder. He barely managed to react, moving his blade to his right side and holding it with the tip facing downward to block a bit of the attack. He felt the two weapons clash, heard how the metal grinded against the other material, and knew he had at least managed to react in time. He had been hit, however, and rather hard, because this was an extremely fast move. Lunging and rolling forward, Charles turned around and looked toward her, standing moments where she had been. His expression was full of pain because he felt the fibers of muscle and nerve connections flare up with the slightest moves he made.

"That... was freaking impressive. Three points to Mina," Charles spoke out, feeling his warm blood flow out from the wound. Thankfully, the blood vessel wasn't hit, or he'd be out of the game by now. Placing the blade in front of himself and grasping it with both of his hands, the young man leaned on it, standing slightly on one of his knees. His breath grew ragged as he struggled to calm himself, feeling something strange overcome him. What was happening? This... he hadn't sensed anything like this since the time he was in his guild. He'd feel this, then seem to lose any control over himself, regaining control only once he was out of the fight. Any strong demon that threatened to kill him would be ultimately destroyed when he let go of his bottled-up bloodlust, but he always confused allies and enemies.

 

Charles raised his eyebrows in confusion as Mina mentioned two familiar names. He shut his eyes, ignoring the pain and attempting to recall where he'd heard them. Rick... Mindy... it dawned on him how quick he was to block out things if it meant forgetting about his troubled past. However, thankfully, he managed to remember something. Rick... the second of the boys, along with Charles, who were known to have a rather fiery temper. Rick was the more passive of the two - where he would choose to deliver blows and beat people to death until he was subdued, the other was a simple guy that would disagree to things and try to push them off. However, Charles would often throw him death glares and even spit at him, which would confuse many of the other slaves. This was because he knew what Rick really was. A weak sissy who only had a fake image. Like a play, he had been told he'd be allowed to have his way with anyone, as well as have some privileges, if he pretended to be good guy and allowed himself to be abused - and the guy took the bait greedily. Charles had been told the same, and he had clawed the man's throat out before he could beg for help with his hands. He was no weakling that would accept to make the suffering of others worse just to make his own life slightly better.

Mindy... why Mindy? He knew things many didn't about the others there - what had she done to deserve it? Even if Rick wasn't the best, he was a survivor of that place, and Charles would leave him for dead in the middle of a city - making sure he wouldn't die, of course - then make his suffering even worse as time went by. But Mindy? What had she done to deserve this?!

A sudden flux of emotions flowed through Charles' entire being, isolating itself into a single source of beastial rage. This... this was unforgivable.

"Tell me what Mindy has done to die... actually, I'll hear it later," Charles spoke out, his voice seeming to shift in the end as he suddenly disappeared from where he was standing. The only warning was a large blast of force where he had been standing that crushed the concrete floor into a cracked pattern. Bloodlust was something Charles never wanted to use, but he'd die if Mina continued like this. He reappeared in front of her with the sword in his right hand. He delivered a long and powerful slash, starting from her lower left arm, going along her stomach and chest and to her right arm's shoulder. Then, he placed both his hands on the blade, taking the usual fighter's stance by placing the start of the sword down to his waist and the tip at eye level.

[Clown_of_God]

Mina sighed and stepped back just slightly, feeling the slight tingle as the blade nicked parts of her flesh. As Charles returned to a defensive stance, Mina lurched forward once more and stopped just shy of the where the blade rested. Swinging her right foot around, she kicked the blade away, hitting the area just above the hilt, took a step forward and brought the back of her other leg into Charles' ribs.

"No matter how hard you try, that blade won't give you the speed these boots give me. You're slow, your attacks are easy to read and predictable. There's definitely power behind your attacks, but no finesse. As for Mindy... I wanted to know what she sounded like when she was terrified. That girl never cried, never screamed, nothing the entire time we were together. I wanted to change that, I wanted to be the one who broke her... and I did. It was glorious. I reveled in it, her moans, her screams her cries of agony. To finally break the one they called 'Doll.' You should have been there."

When they had been able to escape, after the demons had attacked, Mina had been travelling alone for months. Rick was the first person she encountered and they had traveled together for a short while until one evening, as they were hunkering down, Mina became one of his attempts at satisfaction.

Already mentally unstable, his forceful attempt at subduing her and her rejection led to her first blood. At first, it had been shocking, but as she sat there, looking at his pained face, a new feeling began to swell within her. Excitement. She wanted to feel more, so the accidental attack led up to his unfortunate demise and she reveled in it with such fascination. So, when a few weeks later, when she ran into Mindy there wasn't much hesitation.

Mindy was a quiet girl, that took her lashings, her beatings, her immoral acts without so much as a squeak. Mina didn't like that, she wanted to know what this girl sounded like, and she made sure this girl felt fear. By the time she was done, Mindy was left with only her face and upper torso still intact. (If you wish for further details, PM me and I will inform you of what measures Mina went through to accomplish her task)

Once she arrived in Sacramento, so many months later, her mentality had completely shifted. Joining a destruction guild, Mina was hoping the thrill of fighting hoards of those demonic creatures would bring her the same kind of satisfaction, but demons didn't have the same kind of reactions as a human. They were brutal, war beasts that didn't know feelings of pain or agony. No, they didn't react to a cut or a stab wound like a human did.

During her final mission with the Hell Reaper guild, a team of five had been tasked with eliminating an Behemoth in the Los Angeles area. A simple task even if Mina had been sent alone, but the mission had been a flunk. After killing the behemoth, her team was extracting essence from the beasts' body and seeing what they could salvage from the area. Mina hadn't been satisfied. No report from the team and no sign of their bodies, there wasn't enough evidence to determine the cause of their disappearance, but the official report was they had been consumed by a demon of a higher tier and that a reevaluation of team structure was underway to prevent such incidents again.

"You know, you're an interesting fellow. Even though you're seeking redemption for the fatality of all the other slaves, you choose to fight against me when all you had to do was surrender your weapon. Stupid choice, if you ask me."

[Thaelasan]

(( Prepare yourselves for my text wall tomorrow. ))

[KuroKishi]

Charles hissed loudly as he was sent back by the hit, although he managed to stop himself by embedding his blade into the concrete. Groaning, he looked up, then coughed loudly. Recovering, he was suprised to sense a wet feeling going down the side of his mouth and dripping off his cheeks. Then, when he tried to take a breath, he felt it - one of the ribs on his left side was broken, and it had scraped slightly into the lung's side.

Biting back a curse, the young man attempted to balance himself and managed to with the help of his black sword. She was right - his speed wasn't his strong point, and with this badly-harmed leg, it wouldn't be for quite some time. He had to get an actual hit in before he was destroyed. Though Charles was sure he'd still be beaten if he managed to get a hit or not, he hoped that the damage would be enough to deter her. Mina wouldn't show mercy to him now... but even if he never wanted to fight, even if he wished to only give the blade and walk away, he wouldn't. This blade... this was the only thing that had kept him alive in moments he'd wished he could die. The thought of avenging even one of his friends was the only reason he hadn't chosen to simply take a fatal blow, not heal it, and let himself be embraced by death.

"Maybe it is stupid..." Charles spoke out as he rose from his crouched stance, wincing slightly after stepping on his wounded leg. He then coughed yet again, a spray of blood dropping on the ground from his wounded lung.

"But this blade... it's a part of me by now, Mina. I cannot surrender myself. I cannot drop down and die, if there is the slightest chance of saving the others. As for you... I'm already sure you've killed everyone who even looked wrong at you... You are strong, unlike me." He continued, stopping because he was running out of breath. He slowly started stumbling forward, using the blade as a crutch of sorts to move in the girl's direction.

"You are strong, because you don't care about life. You can kill without any remorse. Me... I'm too weak. I struggled killing my first target because... I wanted them to suffer, too. I really did. But... I'm too weak..." His words faded as he got closer, gaze turning dark with every moment. Ignoring the raging pain that threatened to destroy his entire being, Charles went into a normal stance, walking and ignoring his allready half-destroyed leg. He grasped the blade and launched a set of attacks through the air - two horizontal and two vertical slashes toward the sides - before sheating the blade. Quietly, he focused, attempting to gather everything he had into one swift attack. As soon as the first horizontal blow struck, sending dust into the air, his eyes opened, and he disappeared. A loud crack came from somewhere as he moved quickly, appearing behind Mina so he wasn't in the attack's direction. His right hand already held the blade, and he thrust toward her backside. The blade managed to make contact - however, it only went through one of the sides and cut through to the ribs instead of actually piercing her, as Charles had stumbled. The crack which had resonated was his wounded leg's bone snapping in half from the force he had applied on it with this one attack. The second horizontal blow had also hit her abdomen, but it was something she'd ignore, as he had seen her already do. He backed away slowly, inching himself closer and closer to the wall before stumbling on a rock. He fell backwards, hitting his wounded leg into the ground and cursing in pain. His left hand went to grasp the bone sticking out through his muscles whilst his right held the blade pointed toward Mina.

"So... this is it, eh? Damn, only managed to get three points..." Charles asked, then coughed blood out, watching the crimson liquid mix itself with the red blood from Mina's wound that had stained his blade. His own seemed darker than hers, almost demonic in appearance... maybe he was part demon by now, with every reverting he had done...

"Well, get on with it already... or do you plan to torture me?" He finished, groaning in pain. He truly hoped she'd just kill him off, because, well... he had found torture victims, and... he had a guess as to whose victims they were, since a girl that fit her description was standing right across him.

 

(( Check PM before replying, Zakku. ))

[Clown_of_God]

Mina grimaced and grasped at the wound that threatened her lungs, but still managed to smirk and let out her hysterical laugh as she moved to stand just in front of Charles. Kneeling down next to him, she put a hand under his chin and lifted it up, forcing him to look at the crazed expression she was giving, as if she were on ecstasy.

"Oh, Charles, if you truly knew me, you'd know that I don't end things without a little excitement first. Then again, you did put me out of my misery when I desperately needed it, so I guess I owe you that much don't I?"

A look of disdain washed across her face and she stood to her full height. With a sigh, she waved her blade in front of Charles' face a couple of time and then turned, walking to the opposite wall for a moment. Smacking her head against the concrete, she began to mumble something to herself before laughing hysterically again and then looking back at Charles.

"Well, it has been fairly interesting, the small bit of time we've shared together, but unfortunately for you that time has come to an end. I shall now put you out of your misery and release you from this painful world."

Tapping her blade against the wall, Mina turned and was about to walk forward again when the ground suddenly began to shake. A small slab of concrete broke off from the ceiling and smacked Mina in the side of the head and she let out a curse. Blood dripped from the new wound and she looked at Charles before turning and walking off. Rubble still fell and the shaking was becoming more violent, almost as if an earthquake was occurring in the area, but that wasn't possible for this region. Only suggestion was that something very large was either above them fighting or below them fighting. Trapped within the confines of a train tunnel wasn't the ideal location and Mina knew this much, so she'd let the tunnel cave and bury the man before she allowed this place to become her own grave. Maybe later, she'd return to apprehend the sword, once everything had settled and it was fairly safe to walk on.

 

((Pretty much, there was a huge battle up above between two demons that wanted the area to themselves and it created a massive earthquake-like situation. Mins realized this as it started and decided not to risk taking any unnecessary time away from her escape. So, she left... Most of the tunnel would probably cave in, but the section Charles was in was probably near a support beam and kept him safe. Thus, allowing Charles to live and separating the two. How's that?))

[Thaelasan]

We'd had no way of knowing at the time what we'd gotten ourselves into. I'm pretty sure that no one had expected THAT .

Oh yeah, of course they warned us that it was dangerous to stay in there for too long and all that other crazy nonsense that didn't really pertain to the intelligent. Most of it was common sense - at least for me.

Anyway, they told me I have to record this for "research purposes" or something. If we survive this apocalypse, this is supposed to be future generations. I'll try to make it quick and simple.

First things first.. my name is Ezrea. Just Ezrea. I didn't really like my family much so I'm not really going to bring them into this. Well, besides my sister - and she's probably worried about me after the news. I mean, how could they keep quiet about that? Far too many people died... and far too much was lost.

I'm not one for sentiment. It makes you weak. So I don't really feel much about what happened. To tell the truth, I'm not the only one - well, I wouldn't have been. My squad leader, Allen.. if he was alive, he'd probably have felt the same. He was the only guy who seemed to understand what it meant to be a soldier. I salute him.

Alright, so, my call tag is E-102. I don't think that matters much anymore. We were stationed up near the 3rd Subject. Big gate. I tell you, that thing was huge. First time I saw it, I was actually pretty impressed. It was about half the size of Lady Liberty and twice as wide. Black and red thing, with what looked like magma running all over it. Of course, we touched it and found it didn't burn or have any heat, so we assumed it had to be something else. Still don't know what it really was.

Well, we were up there for about 2 months, stationed to defend it until those suit-wearing politicians back home found some way of getting rid of them or ensuring their defense without us. It wasn't a bad job, really. Sometimes, we were sent into the gate, a few at a time, to survey and report back. We only lost two people doing that. We were smart about it.

But then, one of the guys started acting weird. About the end of month two, he'd gone almost completely nuts. I smacked him a few times when he actually just lost it one time. He dropped his gun, ranting and raving about how "they were watching him from beyond the threshold." Those were his words - not mine. If we hadn't have stopped him, he looked like he was going to attack somebody. We gave him some sedatives and set him up to be sent back.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of it. Dude was nuts. He spoke in stronger demonic (well, we didn't really know that at the time) and started cutting up his skin trying to get free of the restraints. It was pitiful and painful to watch, really. I considered shooting the poor ***. Allen said it wasn't necessary - he'd get the orders to get the guy sent back. Well, he'd end up regretting that decision.

A week later, Allen had gotten orders to send him back. I was standing away from the door, getting my armor and such ready for another trip into the door. Allen was standing near the door. James, our supply man, had our bags ready for the journey. The other members - Arnold, William, Hei, and Haru - were standing behind Allen already, waiting on me. The only other person with me was this young guy named Erik. I knew him from before this, though. My younger sister apparently had a thing with him, though I didn't get it. But hey, he was a decent guy in general so I guess I was ok with it.

Then, the crazy guy - he wasn't in my squad but I think his name was Ralph - tore from the hands of the guys who were transporting him and ran past me. Someone shouted for me to stop him. I turned too slowly. Before I knew it, the dude was behind Allen.

"GEL TON TAR, VE HEK MON TOR!"

That's all we heard before the flames exploded from the door. All of those guys - including the crazy one - were incinerated before my eyes. I was actually speechless. I mean, what do you do? We didn't know the gates did that. We didn't really know anything about them at all, actually.

But that wasn't the worst of it. I grabbed my weapon immediately. Erik did the same. A few other men and women from the other squads were coming over to us at this point. They were all as anxious as I was. Yeah, I admit it - I was kind of afraid. But it wasn't normal fear - it was a knowing fear.

Then they came - those freakish things. They poured from the door like a swarm of ants. There were big ones and small ones. I won't bother describing each of them. There's no point. They were all the same - big, ugly monster-things. No need to talk about 'em. Just kill 'em.

Anyway, they poured from the door. We shot them a few times but we began to realize that these weren't the usual ones we dealt with in the doors. These had tougher skin, almost metallic. I KNOW I heard pings whenever I shot those types.

So, when we realized it was a futile attempt, we called in for air support and began to evacuate. The boat was waiting for us on the edge of the glacier. There I am, dashing across the snow, and I hear this stifled yell from right by me. I had forgotten about him.

Erik was running next to me. One of the demons had managed to get him pretty badly. He was missing most of his arm - I don't know if it had been eaten or burned - and both of his legs were seriously burned. I can remember the smell, even while we were running. It was unmistakable. The guy was in immense pain. I mean, what was I supposed to do? I grabbed him as best I could and began to run with him. Thankfully, he was a young guy and didn't weigh much - especially, I guess, missing that much flesh.

The boat was in sight now. I was running like hell. One of the demons was hot on my tail. I looked back to shoot him with my pistol and saw something utterly unbelievable.

It was like a damn genocide. Bodies of all the soldiers that they'd managed to catch were everywhere. The door was wide open and I could see nothing but a vortex of flame inside it. It looked like a giant mouth of fire. It hadn't looked like that when we normally entered it. Something had awoken in there.. something bad. And I didn't want to stay there to deal with it.

But the bodies. I can't forget those. I want to but it's something you don't forget. They were black and charred. Some of the really unlucky ones were still alive, writhing, screaming. Demons were eating a lot of them, ignoring the ones running away. Now that I look back, I wonder why they didn't chase us down.

Long story short, after running for a while, I finally managed to reach the boat. The captain was staring at the destruction, his face full of fear and awe. As I got Erik onto the boat and jumped on myself, the captain turned to me. Those were the eyes of a man who had just questioned God.

"There's a storm comin', Miss." he said.

"Huh?" I blinked. I wondered if he meant a storm that would knock the boat off course, because that would have been my luck at the time.

"The devil is whippin' up a hurricane somethin' fierce. He's workin' in the depths, and his hand is reachin' out of that gate at us. Can you see it, there, in that gate, behind all of them?"

I turned back, looking one last time.

The gate really looked like a mouth now, a grinning, devilish maw beckoning forth the end of all things. It seemed to be laughing.

"God help us all." the Captain whispered, flicking on the final switches and pulling the throttle. "Because I doubt that we'll live without him."

"Not with that attitude." I muttered, unwilling to admit that he may or may not have been right. But at the time, looking at that, I remember that I wasn't afraid or pleased. I was just determined.

 

When we got back home, it turned out those "suit-wearing politicians" had managed to do something right. Our expeditions had actually been useful. With the help of some guild named Spes Incipiens, they'd built these weird-looking contraptions that made shields - or something like that.

The smaller cities were gone in about three weeks. It didn't take long for people to evacuate to the major cities. Those who couldn't live in them moved to the other countries using these teleporters that worked on the same technology the generators did. It was really odd, even now. The same demons that had caused this mess had apparently provided a means to defend against them. They were their own enemy, in a way, and it was just... weird.

Anyway, this is my report concerning the events of the Arctic Atrocity, or whatever they're calling it now. I'm now taking part in a program where people are being fitted with these new devices called Demon Arms. Again, strange names and strange devices. All I know is that they can kill demons.

And that's all I need to know.

Tina, if you're out there, and you're still alive... I love you, alright? I'll find you, I promise. If I don't, then at least continue to live as best you can. Erik's alive. I made sure of it. He's been in surgery for days now. They say the chances are good that he'll survive.

By the time you come to meet him, I'll probably be gone. I'm heading to D.C., to serve in the Defense Force until I get reassigned to a Destruction Guild or something. I'm not really sure anymore. But I'll try to get some messages to you if I can. Just stay safe.

This is E-102, Ezrea, of Squad 3, Group Alpha. Squad Leader was Allen White,... presumed deceased. The rest of my squad, besides Erik, is also presumed to be the same.

That's all I have to say, I guess. Uh... goodbye? Oh, and to those of you who are fighting as well..

Good luck. And give them hell.

Just like they did to us.

 

Ezrea Victor. Recorded message number 21, archive number E-102-21. March 21, 2143.

 

------

 

That same Ezrea was now currently seated on her beloved husband's backside, leaning forward just enough that the front of her armor was on the back of his head, her body relaxed. She'd done this sort of thing often - both willingly and not - but this time felt slightly different. She supposed it was because of their current destination and plan.

She wasn't one to be anxious or nervous. In fact, she mentally punched herself if she felt the slightest tinge of fear. She got angry before she got afraid. In fight or flight situations, her method was fight or make THEM flight. Otherwise, you gave them ground. In combat situations, that was detrimental and usually meant certain defeat. Ezrea wouldn't lose because of something like that - ever. If she did, she'd be more furious with herself than with the enemy.

Now that she thought about it, the only time she had ever run away from a real fight was with those demons - and she hadn't been the only one. They'd be trained to fight those damn things but never for that amount of them, nor that type. They'd only seen a few types of demons before, on a lesser scale. The types that emerged from the gates were huge or bulky, covered in armor. It was a natural battle tactic, honestly.

When she had considered it from a strategic standpoint, she had been impressed that demons could be that intelligent. The first demons to emerge from the gates weren't those who could do the most damage nor the ones who were the fastest or biggest. The ones that came out were the defensive ones, the shields, who protected the ones behind them from bullets and damage. They had lined up, trying hard to stay together and defend each other's rears. She had noted, with some scrutiny, that their backsides and bellies didn't have that armor. That knowledge, of course, had helped her now when she faced that type. But, she'd punch them in the face anyway for good measure. Seeing their metal skin dent like a smashed car was priceless.

In any case, it didn't really matter now. She had wished, many times, that she'd had a demon arm then. She would have used it, most certainly. With the amount of skill she had now, and had then, she could have easily taken out a fair amount of them and saved more of the soldiers. But Gareth had helped her overcome those passing regrets. He had explained that they hadn't even been a concept when the Arctic Atrocity (name pending) had occurred. They'd been mere, small, insignificant theory when the generators had first been built. The question had been: What else can we do with demon corpses? The answer was: Craft weapons.

Now, Gareth wasn't one to make weapons. He was more based on personal defense. If he hadn't had those swords, Ezrea could have seen him using a shield of some sort instead. But those swords weren't bad for defense either. Their massive size and density was enough to block a lot of whatever the demons threw at him. Add to that their ability to fire corrosive acid for metal-armored foes and magma for the rest and you had a pair of worthy weapons for war.

But Ezrea didn't like all that flashy junk. She just needed one thing - this ring, which she was currently holding in front of her face and appraising yet again. It wasn't a gorgeous thing - she wouldn't have worn it if it had been - but it meant a lot more than just a weapon. It showed Gareth's devotion to her and his desire for her to survive.

She'd been lucky. She knew it. She'd never admit it but to find a guy who actually understood her nature and tried his best to make her happy without treating her like a lady had been a miracle. Most men didn't bother with her - she was rude, blunt, and fairly masculine. Oh, she was beautiful, for sure. She'd grown her hair out more since her days in the Artic Circle but she'd been pretty even with short hair. But her cold personality at the time had been even more frigid than the glaciers of their surroundings at the time. They'd said her personality was chilly enough to freeze demons. Whatever they said didn't matter to her as long as the job was done.

In any case, now it was time for more danger. Goody. She loved this sort of thing. Sitting in the strategy tent was relaxing and all - and definitely important - but sometimes a girl just wanted to punch something. Sometimes, that something was Gareth, when he was being more irritating than usual, but other times it was a demon. Or a horde of demons. The number wasn't important.

She grinned in anticipation. She respected Gareth's defensive nature but sometimes you just needed to give something a good right hook so it stopped moving. More punches could be applied if necessary. Add a few kicks into the mix for some spice. Viola, dead demon, or at least horribly wounded by her standards.

But, one thing she didn't really like was the fact Zulf was coming along. What was he going to do? Fight? She'd never seen him do anything violent besides spit lava near (and sometimes on) people when they angered him. That had only happened twice, really, when he had first come to Hope and didn't know the language well. According to him, "Hello" in demon was "Hel'lo", which means "Stupid creature". Of course, he didn't appreciate random insults from random people. After some explaining the number of incidents of Zulf attacks had gone down significantly. Now, he normally just spat on the generators to keep them mended when Gareth asked.

That had always confused her too. She'd thought about it before but Gareth was just... persuasive. One thing he had going for him was his "down-to-earth" personality which kept him on the level of the average person. He didn't boast but he didn't put himself down either. He just did what he felt was right and people followed him because of it. She wondered if he knew how much power he had.

Gareth, who was underneath her, stepping across the land with his usual, slow strides, did not know he had any power at all. His demon arm was the only strength he knew he had besides his natural combat abilities. But then again, he didn't really think of himself as great or powerful. He just knew what he could do, and he did it. If he couldn't do it, he'd find a way to do it. That's what his sister had taught him to do and he had faith in her ways.

She'd been the one to first consider the generators, after all. She'd also been the first to show pity to demons when their bodies were brought in for testing and study. She'd been unwilling to let anyone mess with their corpses more than necessary and also provided funeral rites. A lot of people began to think she was a cultist or demon sympathizer. Gareth knew better. If something was alive, Allia respected it. If it could think or seemed to have a soul, Allia treated it like any living thing. Even if it didn't have reason, Allia loved it the same.

He was reminded of the dog they'd had which had been unfortunately hit in a car accident. On its last legs, their father had recommend they put it down and adopt a new one. But Allia forbade it. As Gareth had watched, she had nursed the dog back to health over the course of two weeks, keeping its broken limb set and feeding it so that it didn't have to move much. Her actions had taught Gareth the value of kindness and patience. To him, that had been the moment in which he had decided that the defense of the weak was more important than the defeat of the strong. If you beat people, you made enemies. If you protected people, you made friends. Same for demons. If you treated them like living things, a good amount of them wanted to just live life like you did.

But some demons didn't seem to have that same sentience, including Ven'tar and the other Behemoths Gareth had met thus far. So, he was understandably cautious about this expedition, even though he wanted to undertake it regardless. If push came to shove, he'd jump in the way if he had to. No one would die as long as he drew breath.

Hopefully, Vol'tar was an understanding Behemoth. Gareth's optimism broke through his realistic vision once again. Why consider the worst when the best is more fun to think about?

"So how long do you think it'll take to get there?" Ezrea asked suddenly, drawing Gareth from his thoughts. He shifted her on his shoulders so that she - and he - were a bit more comfortable. He could do this for a while, though her armor did dig into his skin slightly.

"I'm not sure. We could have taken a vehicle if we wanted but that would have made a lot of noise, I think." he pondered. "Even if we could have handled ourselves, I think it's best that we just do this on foot for now. Besides, you're not the one having to walk."

"True." Ezrea shrugged. From her position on his back, she could see just a bit farther than everyone else - but there wasn't really much to see out here. This was for good reason.

When the demons had first emerged, their heat was the real enemy - not their fangs or claws. Demons were unnaturally hot in most cases and contact with them was strongly unadvised. Unless you wore gloves like Ezrea herself - forged from fire demon scales so as to be resistant to the heat - it was a really bad idea to strike them when they were fighting you.

Zulfiqar, for instance, could be petted or scratched (and he loved this a LOT) as much as someone could or wanted to do. When relaxing or wandering - basically, when content - demons were only slightly warmer than humans. This was only a little bit more true when they had been laying near their lava pits for a while before or during the contact.

But, when demons became enraged, their bodies began to immediately reflect their moods - especially in the cases of Hellboars and Flame Bulls. Hellboars were harder to agitate and easier to deal with overall. A lot of them - like Zulf - just walked around and liked attention from those willing to give it. But Flame Bulls didn't have sentience. They were massive, bull-like creatures with six limbs, spikes on their bodies, and metal plates on their faces and sides where there weren't spikes. Thankfully, when enraged, they made a loud, screeching noise like metal sliding on metal. The first time you hear it, you never forget it. But that same noise makes them possible to avoid. Charles once told Ezrea how he'd found it fascinating that they'd never evolved to stop that noise from being made, since it seemed they had predator habits. If prey heard that, they'd do the same thing as humans in most cases, either run or fight. It'd be impossible to eat prey suitable for their size.

Ezrea didn't really care about the evolution of the thing nor about its eating habits. All she cared about when it evolved into dead Flame Bull once it ate her fist a few times.

But, it showed just how hot and dangerous demons became once enraged or when hunting. Their bodies erupt into searing flames, their metal blood begins to boil (which causes the sound in Flame Bulls), their strength increases as well as their speed, and some species are even known to use flame to increase their velocity like rockets. Yet again, this is the sort of thing Charles - for some reason - found extremely and unnervingly fascinating. Sometimes, that old guy just freaked her out with his overzealous attention to demons. She'd half expected to find him one day cutting one of them open when she entered his home. Thankfully, as of yet, that hadn't happened as far as she knew.

Then again, Gareth wouldn't have been happy about that, and Gareth trusted Charles. Besides, Charles was a priest. He wasn't a complete monster. He knew they were sentient. If he WERE to cut one open, she thought, it would probably have been killed by natural causes or brought to him by a soldier. Even though that wasn't much better, at least it didn't mean he murdered one of them.

However, for her to even think about murder of demons being a crime showed how much Gareth had influenced her. She sighed. Now she actually had to consider their FEELINGS and EMOTIONS and all that nonsense that made it hard to fight them. But Gareth had assured her that there were still a lot out there who weren't as pleasant as the ones in Hope.

So, all of this has been said in order to explain the real reason behind the Wilds - the same heat the demons used to live. Green grassland and forest had become burning, blackened wasteland with barely any life. Rivers had become dried up riverbeds. Some of those riverbeds now ran with magma. If someone didn't know better, they'd assume they were actually in the Devil's Underworld, and - truthfully - this probably wasn't far from that.

The first thing that hit Ezrea and Gareth when they left the town was the dry heat. Even though it was almost the dead of winter, it was still as hot as a cloudless summer day near the Equator. In some areas, it was cooler, but the outskirts of the city were especially bad because of the cooling system the generators added.

It was a bit of excess but with a bit of manipulation and hard work, the generators could be made to prevent certain amounts of hot air from entering the city. Add to that the industrial cooling systems placed strategically around Hope and the major cities and you had decent living conditions. Of course, these could be adjusted as necessary to suit the season. In Hope, right now, it could have been snowing. But they still didn't have a real weather simulator so they had to wait for the rain that usually never came. Their farms were watered by hand and irrigated using self-made rivers. Thankfully, Hope's proximity to the coast made it easy to get water shipped in. With a bit of treatment for the salt and bacteria, it could be converted into freshwater. Fortunately for humanity, demons would be hard-pressed to dry up the oceans.

That had been another thing on mankind's side - water. Because the Artic Circle had been cold and water surrounded it, the demons had taken about two months to actually begin to reach the main cities. Canada and Russia had kept them at bay just by their weather alone. But that hadn't been the case for long.

Somehow, the flying demons had managed to find a way to survive the cold and fly their brothers across to the mainland. In an extraordinary show of tactical skill which even Ezrea respected, the demons had flown themselves to land suitable to accommodate their living conditions. To make matters worse, the flying demons heated the air with their flames and breath, turning even the most frigid areas into infernos or melted ice fragments. Ezrea didn't know what the Arctic Circle looked like now but it probably wasn't circular anymore.

But perhaps that's why the gates had been placed there in the first place, so that in the event of an invasion, humanity would hopefully have time to retaliate? There was still so much they didn't understand about the damn things. Ezrea had given up trying. It would be nice to know but she wasn't going to go out of her way to find out when there was fighting to be done.

All Ezrea was focused on right now was staring intently at the back of their - self-appointed - leader Saraph's head.

She didn't know much about this guy and she didn't like it. Though Gareth seemed to trust him almost as much as he trusted her (because she wouldn't let him trust anyone else as much as her, that was for damn sure), she didn't know anything about him beside the fact that he had been engaged to Gareth's sister. To top it off, she hadn't known Gareth had HAD a sister, or that she was dead.

Ezrea had had a sister. Tina. A young, beautiful girl as headstrong as her older sibling. Somehow, that same girl had ended up with an apparent prodigy named Erik, who had been stationed with Ezrea at the gates. But she hadn't seen Tina or Erik since. She wondered if, like Gareth's, her sister was also gone too. And Erik. Yet, she still wanted to believe that brash, powerful, little girl wasn't dead. She, like Ezrea, didn't run.

Yeah. She couldn't be dead. Ezrea turned her attention back on Saraph.

Oh dammit, where had that guy gone? She searched the area from her perch on Gareth, irritated. This was the second time he had suddenly just... vanished. Gareth didn't seem to care much, which only added to Ezrea's annoyance. She crossed her arms with a huff, leaning back a bit.

"He's not going to leave us out here." Gareth remarked casually, still walking.

"I know that!" Ezrea snapped, frustrated. "But if he's going to lead us, then lead us! Don't just suddenly disappear like a damn ghost and leave us to wander around! I know for a fact that if you tried to walk us around out here we'd end up in a mess of demons."

"You'd enjoy it." Gareth teased.

"....Yeah." Ezrea smiled slightly. "It'd be more exciting than this 'pleasant' stroll through Hell Adventure Resort. Fun for the whole family. Bring the kids. Remember to pack plenty of ice. Don't touch the animals."

Gareth chuckled, shifting her weight on his back again as he did so. She smirked. Well, she felt a little better now. Sarcasm and humor seemed to make the irritation just melt away. Still, a little bit of it lingered on, festering. As long as this sort of behavior continued from their apparent leader, she wouldn't feel truly comfortable.

Honestly, though she'd never admit it, having Gareth carrying her like this made her feel a little more at ease. If something happened, he could handle himself in a fight - she was sure of it - and he'd make sure they both made it out ok. That wasn't to say she wouldn't do the same. They were both equally concerned for the health of the other. Again, this wasn't something she'd admit but was absolute truth.

"There's a pack up ahead."

Her train of thought was interrupted by a voice back in front of them. Saraph was sitting on a dune now, a pair of binoculars in one hand, his other on the hilt of his sword. He looked like some sort of vigilant hawk on the hunt for prey. Ezrea begrudgingly approved but said nothing as she and Gareth stared at him for a long while. The way he had said it suggested he was thinking about something.

"Six of them." Saraph added, still vigilant. "Two in the front, two in the rear. The other two look like younglings. They're wandering around but still near the pack."

"Well then, what's the plan?" Gareth asked, Ezrea looking down at him with a sigh.

"There's no need to fight them. It'll waste time. We'll take a slightly altered course until they've passed... unless you feel that killing a family is necessary?"

His words felt more directed at Ezrea than anyone else. She snorted disdainfully, waving her hand dismissively.

"No thanks. That's hardly worth my time." she said. "People like you may have to fight such weak enemies to feel like you've done something but I'll save my fists for the real threats."

Saraph said nothing but returned the binoculars to his side and leaped from the dune, jumping a few more times before sliding to the bottom of it. He sighed.

As Gareth and Ezrea climbed over the dune, they noticed with chagrin what he was looking at.

A few bodies, human, were laying near the edge of a moderately-sized lava pit that bubbled on without care. From the decay and the scent, they'd been dead for a week now. There were three of them, thankfully no children - though that didn't make it any less gruesome. Saraph stepped over the bodies, searching them.

"A graverobber? I should have expected that." Ezrea smiled haughtily. "It suits you."

Saraph did not respond. Instead, he continued his search until he retrieved three small objects from the remains and stood back to his feet. He stared at them for a long while before placing them into a pouch at his side.

"Death should never be forgotten. It should be respected, whether demon or not." Saraph said, his words directed into the distance. "This pouch... it holds the tags of every body I've come across during my time in the Wilds. People who would have been forgotten, who would have been lost in this desolate wasteland, are remembered through me. When this is over, I shall return the tags to their next of kin, so that they may remember who they lost and know what they did."

"Fascinating." Ezrea rubbed her forehead, obviously having her foot in her mouth at this point. "If you want an apology, you should try Gareth."

"Your apologies are meaningless. Your actions are what speak louder than that. That is why Gareth knows how you truly feel. You may shroud your feelings in false spite but your body rebels against you." Saraph turned back towards his path, undaunted. "In the end, you may lie but your body cannot. Perhaps you should begin to really say how you feel instead of trying hard to be what you shouldn't."

"The hell? Are you Ghandi or something? Buddha?" Ezrea blinked, annoyed and confused. "We're not out here for a sermon, thanks. I get enough of those from Father Charles."

"It's not a sermon. It's advice. Also, you may wish to give that lava pit a wide berth."

Gareth had already decided that was the case as he walked around it a good distance to finally end up standing next to Saraph, who had his binoculars out again.

"She's guiding me, you know." Saraph said quietly, giving Gareth a passing glance.

"She did the same for me." Gareth nodded.

"But did you see her when she spoke to you?" Saraph asked, beginning to walk forward. Though Gareth and Ezrea could not see it, Allia walked beside him, her hands wrapped around his sword arm. Trails of mist followed her form, intangible, her hair flowing in an unseen wind. But he did not need to look at her to know she was there, as she always was, when he needed her most.

Gareth, however, didn't press the matter further. If Saraph wished to explain, then he would. But Ezrea couldn't let it go.

"So... you're insane as well." Ezrea nodded, convinced. "I should have known that anyone who was friends with this giant fool was mad as a hatter."

"Then what does that make you?" Saraph turned back slightly with a small smile.

"I already know I'm crazy. I followed you out here. I'm just making sure you know you're not better than me."

"Never said I was, madame. But your insecurities show that you believe otherwise, though your words believe themselves far stronger." Saraph switched his gaze back to his path, ignoring Ezrea's words for a while, which continued to be toxic. They won't be written here to spare readers of some quite mature speaking.

Finally, Saraph vanished again, leaving Ezrea and Gareth to continue walking aimlessly while Saraph did whatever he did. Ezrea was sure he didn't run away or walk away. The man just knew how to hide among the blackened ground. Somehow, he used the burned earth to his advantage to mask his presence. But once he did, not even Ezrea or Gareth could see him. Was it his demon arm or something?

When he returned, he had a twin pair of pistols in his hand, gruesome and metallic. Ezrea blinked.

"Where's your sword?" she asked, baffled.

"Here." Saraph responded, placing the guns together. The metal bubbled slightly as it began to elongate, forming the familiar, black and red blade that Ezrea and Gareth had seen him wandering around with. Ezrea frowned.

"So, if I remember, that's like my husband's swords, right?" she asked, interested. "I'll admit, that is impressive."

"His swords were forged from Ven'tar's mighty, flaming arms, which crushed the earth and trampled life beneath them. Hence, only someone of his size could carry them. My sword and guns were forged from the mouth of that beast, which oozed flame and burned all which approached it. It is known as the Fang of the Behemoth."

"Wow. That's flashy. But it's a sword." Ezrea sighed. "You're worse than Charles when he goes on his rants. At least his sound somewhat like his brain is actually in his skull. You sound like you've been sniffing something."

"If you say so. I believe that a weapon deserves respect from its owner. Calling it a name is giving it life, so you should treat it with honor. What is your ring's name?"

"It doesn't need one." Ezrea said flatly.

Saraph began to walk as he spoke, his voice filled with strength. Ezrea wondered which of them - Gareth or Saraph - had been a better leader in their guild.

"A demon arm is not just a weapon but a living thing, born from something which died in honorable combat. The power that thing possessed is then given new life in the form of an extension of one's self. They choose their owners and give them the power to protect those close to them and do what is necessary for survival. Think of it this way, then. Does Gareth not protect you?"

"Gareth is not a weapon born from dead demons." Ezrea seethed.

"I never said he was. It's simply a way of saying what I'm trying to explain. If you respect something, you call it by name. If it has no name, then it does not truly exist. So, it is simply an object."

"An object which works just as fine as I need." Ezrea replied. "It doesn't need pomp and circumstance to do the job."

"Well then, Gareth, what is its name?" Saraph asked.

"The Finger of Punishment was the name I gave it when I made it." Gareth said, ignoring Ezrea's shock. "But when I gave it to her, I didn't say anything about it because I assumed she wouldn't care."

"But... but.." Ezrea said, displeased. "...You're on his side? You... you both name these... these things? You're both crazy! Why would you respect something that came from those unholy ***s!?"

"Because we beat them in combat, something you usually rely upon in order to gauge a person's use, isn't that right? And, isn't that what a weapon is? Something with a use?" Saraph shrugged, sliding down another dune as he spoke. "But whether you respect it or not matters little to me. Your weapon is your own. Mine is mine. Do not be angry with Gareth for naming what he creates. It's the same for all artists, of any craft. Like a child born and given a life, a weapon is brought from the flames to do as its master bids. Naming it is the same as naming an infant, for the one who forms it from nothing. You give it life and you give it a name."

"That's just... absurd..." Ezrea tried to say with as much fury as possible. It wasn't because this guy was wrong (though Ezrea would never say he was right either). It was his calm demeanor, his emotionless yet emotional way of speaking. It made him seem like he knew more about any of this than anyone else. For some reason, it irked Ezrea more than most things had ever done.

"You know, how do we know you're not leading us into a trap?" Ezrea said suddenly.

Saraph stopped abruptly. Gareth slowed a bit, confused. Then, Saraph turned quietly so that his face was fully in view of Ezrea's eyes.

His eyes. Those were the same eyes as those who were on the boat that day. Ezrea froze slightly, remembering the screams of those who were wounded or dying as the boat had left. They were the eyes of the captain as they had departed, which said more than his words could.

They were the eyes of a man who had cursed God, who had wanted to look to the sky and scream in fury so that the heavens would hear him. A man who had walked the world without a soul and then found it again, grabbing it as it struggled and forcing it back within himself. A man who had felt the regrets and sorrows of that soul as it cried within him and it had ignored it and continued on.

A man whose only goal was to show that the world could not break him without expecting to be broken in return - who would sunder the earth until he had reached the depths of hell and strangled Lucifer before all the demons who served him.

Ezrea's mouth was silent. Gareth, surprised, said nothing anyway.

"I would not have come all the way, through what I came through, to see Gareth if I wanted to kill him. And if I had, I would not have led him away - I would have done it where he stood because then I could have shown those who followed him my suffering. You who sit up there, free, happy, able to say those words because the one who loves you is unwilling to tell you how much of a * you are, have no right to speak to me the way you do. I have accepted it because you are his wife but I will not stand to be accused of such treacherous acts."

Ezrea, appalled, leaned forward, her teeth bared. Saraph returned the gaze, their eyes locked.

"I told you. My beloved was stolen from me without warning, when our lives were at their happiest. Gareth and I witnessed her death. In that moment, it seemed like an eternity. I remember her eyes. She had kind, gentle, loving eyes, the eyes of one with a pure and untainted soul. Yet you, with such fierce and toxic words, who lie because you believe it makes you look better than you are, survived. And you married a man who deserved far better. How do you think I feel?"

Ezrea was almost ready to leap from Gareth's back now, her stance like a furious lioness. Gareth patted her arms, trying desperately to calm her down.

"I don't mean to anger you. I mean to make you understand. So, I will say it again - I have no reason to lead you into any sort of trap. And if you don't want to follow me, you don't have to, and I'd actually enjoy if you and your fangs were gone so that I could do this in peace. Now, can we continue?"

Ezrea held out her hands as though she was strangling him but she finally sighed, giving up on the feeling because it wouldn't lead to anything. Besides, Gareth was holding her hand, smiling.

"Neither of you should be fighting." he said, turning to look at them both. "Saraph, let's keep going. Ezrea, just relax. If you want to insult someone, you've always got me."

"You're damn right." Ezrea slapped his head lightly, feeling a bit better. For some reason, though Saraph's words had been rude, they hadn't hurt her as much as they should have. They made her understand more about him, at least. And... they made her feel a little remorse and regret for her actions.

Though she, like usual, would never admit this. And Saraph didn't expect her to. That's just how they both were.

They continued to walk for a long time, passing by a few more demon packs along the way, all of which they avoided as Saraph instructed them. Whether by luck or fate, the group had managed to make it far into the Wilds without much problem as they began to approach their destination.

 

--------

 

Meanwhile, back in Hope, a certain, familiar priest was busy at his desk, rummaging around and looking for an apparent note.

"That woman better not have been lying to me..." he spat, checking in his drawers. "This is no laughing matter. Gareth, I believe. But she may have taken it from my desk just to spite me! That treacherous maiden!"

He slammed both hands on his desk audibly, then began rubbing his face with his hand, his mood exasperated. The information was here, he knew it. If Gareth said he'd left it, he didn't lie. But where could it be?

And he wanted to hurry so he could look up more about that sword of Rei's... It was quite a magnificent thing. God, so many things to research and discover but only if he could ACTUALLY FIND THEM.

He turned around as the door opened. He'd been facing his bookshelf, searching.

"Yes?" Charles asked, his hair a mess and papers scattered all over the floor. The man was at first unable to speak.

"Are we still going to build that generator up north? We've got the material delivery we needed so some of the soldiers asked me to see if you or Gareth want us to go ahead."

Charles blinked.

"Wait, you know how to build them?" Charles asked, concerned.

"...Of course sir. You're the one that gave us the instructions. They were kinda strange but we took to them pretty easily. It's a good thing that Gareth's good at labeling things. Otherwise, we woulda been sunk last time."

"When!? When did I give you it?!" Charles requested, bewildered.

"You didn't, sir." the man said, now slightly worried. "Lady Ezrea brought it to us and told us that you had read it and wanted us to have it for future work."

In his mind, even as a priest, Charles thought of the most severe insults he could for that woman at that current instant in time. The man was now quite perturbed.

"Should I... go, then? Are we good?"

"Fine! Go and build the contraption whenever you like! But bring me back those instructions when you have the opportunity because I certainly did not send you them."

"What?" the man asked. "I don't-"

"Please." Charles begged, worried. "I just want those instructions. Don't worry about the whys, hows, whens, whats, and whos. Just quickly transport to me that vital papyrus of information!"

"Alright... sir. We'll do that." the man nodded, happy to be done with this.

As the man left, Charles waved, relieved. Hopefully, he would bring it to him fairly quickly. In the meantime, Charles turned to his bookshelf. He remembered the cover of the book it was in.

Demon books were... strange. Their written language looked like a derivative of Latin but Charles had determined that was probably impossible. However, Latin could be used to translate the guttural speech of the demons into English, and then translated again to make sense. Their written tongue used English letters as well.

He searched with scrutiny through each book, frowning and putting them back as he determined they were not the one he was searching for. Finally, his face brightened up as he came upon the one he was seeking.

"The Swords of the Lords..." Charles commented, nodding. "Strange. Well, let's see what this sword is really all about, eh?"

Later, he was even more worried than he had already been. The sword which Rei was wielding was definitely not something safe. In fact, it could prove quite... catastrophic, if Charles' research was accurate.

But, this won't be fully explained... just yet.

 

------

 

The Appalachian Mountain Range is a very long one. From the edge of Canada to the American South, mountains shoot into the sky, creating a trail that - in times long ago - hikers would go across as a sort of pilgrimage or adventure. But now, the mountains were spires of the damned, thanks to the roosts of flying demons like Vol'tar who had made the mountains their flaming homes.

Even from here, the mountains looked - admittedly - like a certain mountain from an old Japanese game about a Princess and a hero. Death Mountain. That was accurate here. Even Ezrea looked reluctant to continue on.

"Oh yeah, this is a brilliant idea. 10/10." she remarked after a moment. "Let's go look for the giant, flying demon things because that could never go wrong."

Saraph actually chuckled, sighing a bit.

"The flying demons hibernate after long periods of flight. The ones in this mountain are most likely sleeping or tired. In fact, I would not be surprised if some of them are like Zulfiqar in that they don't really wish to fight. Better for us, I suppose."

"And you know this... how?" Ezrea asked. "Even Gareth hasn't had to fight one of those things."

"For good reason." Saraph responded kindly. They were all standing atop a high peak (though certainly not as high as the mountains) from where they could get a good vision of the next part of their journey. The mountains were close but between them and the mountains were quite a few more packs - including some not-so-friendly Flame Bulls and Minotaurs.

"Ok, I take it back. This place looks fun." Ezrea said, pleased, cracking her knuckles as she usually did. "Now these look like worthy targets. I'm getting antsy after being up here for so long."

"Unfortunately for you, we may skip these as well, I'm afraid." Saraph said sarcastically. "Though they look like they've covered all the paths, they're actually erratic and have territories between them. As long as we walk along the borders between each pack, they won't attack us. I believe it's the same in your lava pits? You know about pack mentality, right?"

"The Alpha male nonsense?" Ezrea huffed. "Yeah. I know all about male dominance. I also know that the females can normally beat them senseless if they do something stupid."

Saraph nodded. "Exactly. With demons, it's very similar. So as long as we don't get the Alpha's attention, the rest of the pack will likely let us go. I'm worried about Zulf, however..."

The group turned towards the demon, frowning.

"Don't worry. He doesn't look like a threat to any real demons." Ezrea nodded, gesturing at Zulf. "He may be arrogant but he's as fierce as a puppy. I don't think we'll have any problems."

"Gareth, would you mind taking lead? I'll make sure Zulf doesn't get any attention while we go along." Saraph said, pulling something from a pouch at his side. Soon, Zulf would be wrapped up in a black cloth which (because of his size) made him look like a pair of humans sharing a coat. Well, that was the idea anyway. His hands and feet were still visible but Saraph assured them that that wouldn't be a problem. Most demons looked for shape, not color, when it came to targets.

After that, the group journeyed carefully across the pass, holding their breath every now and then as one demon strayed from his pack to either investigate them for a moment or simply triapse around with no real path in mind. In either case, they would wait a moment until Saraph or Gareth gave them the gesture to continue.

After about 30 minutes of this, they had reached the base of the range. A trail (well, what once had been a trail - now it was burnt dirt) led up from where they were standing into the mountain range. In the past, it had probably looked scenic. Now it looked positively ominous and foreboding as a mountain could look.

Gareth looked up to the highest peak, pointing.

"We can start there, most likely. If he wants us to find him, he'll know where we'd look, right?"

Saraph nodded in approval, pulling a few tools from his pouch.

"Ezrea, we may need you to disembark from your husband once we enter the path. If we have to climb, you'll need to be able to let me get you rigged up with the necessary supplies."

"I know. I know." Ezrea replied. "Don't worry about it. If it comes to that, I'll do it. I mean, it's not like I like being up here or anything!"

Saraph raised an eyebrow.

"What." Ezrea said. "You saying I'm lying?"

"No need to be defensive. I just know that Allia used to do the same thing back when she was alive and she loved it openly. She said most women enjoyed it as well. I guess she was.. incorrect, in your case."

"Right." Ezrea nodded. "Of course. So can we go now?"

Saraph surveyed the skies a moment, then gave his approval with a small thumbs-up.

"I believe so. Allia doesn't seem to notice any danger so we should be fine. I'll take point again. If I notice something, I may vanish again-" he said, mostly to Ezrea, "-but just continue up the mountain without me. I'll meet you there however it happens. If Vol'tar isn't there, it'll be a good location to try and scout for him."

"Why don't you just ask your ghostly girlfriend where he is?" Ezrea asked, arms crossed. "She seems to know a lot."

Saraph seemed slightly affected by the remark but quickly regained his composure.

"For one, she is not my 'ghostly girlfriend.' She was my fiancee. For another, she only knows what she can sense. If it's out of her range, she doesn't know of its existence. But she is trying her best to help me however she can. You should be grateful, and more respectful of the dead."

"Hey, I was just saying.." Ezrea began but Gareth stopped her, his eyes stern.

"Do you hear that?" Gareth asked. Ezrea was about to protest when she heard the noise too.

It sounded like... conversation, and not theirs. But that couldn't be possible. No one in the group was talking and who else could have been insane enough to come out here? It was definitely human. From the sound of it, two of them. But there was also a third, and it didn't sound like the other two species-wise. It had the distinct undertone all demons had because of their change from their language to the human ones.

"The hell?" Ezrea wondered, but then her eyes grew wide. She stiffened, her whole body moving forward slightly as she tried to hear more of the voices. One of them was extremely familiar, one that she had thought she'd never hear again. One filled with the same arrogance but also caring that Ezrea herself had - the voice of an independent, young girl.

"....Tin..a?..." Ezrea whispered. Suddenly, without warning, tears began to move to her eyes. Gareth began to notice her crying when she began shaking as well. The other group members didn't seem to have noticed yet. Gareth patted Saraph on the shoulder quietly.

"Huh?" Saraph turned slightly. Gareth stopped him.

"Ezrea needs a moment. Can you take care of the group for me, brother?" Gareth said kindly. Saraph noted the strange tone in his voice but nodded softly.

"I will defend them as Allia would have wanted." he swore, then returned to surveying with his binoculars.

 

------

 

Gareth sat Ezrea down in a small area that hadn't been burned or charred. Still, it was warmer than most. She sat for a moment, depressed, looking away from him.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Ezrea accused, patting the ground next to her. "Sit down. You'll do it anyway."

Gareth obeyed, taking a seat next to her and placing his hand on hers to comfort her. She said nothing but wrapped her fingers around his hand, hers seeming small and fragile now in comparison to his.

It had always been that way. When they were together, he made her look small, and light, because of how large he was. So she felt as though she needed to be braver, bigger, stronger, than ever before. In the end, it just made her look like a bratty child, a fool, but she couldn't stop.

And even Gareth's friend had seen through it. She wiped her face, her eyes red. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. She turned to him, laying her head on his shoulder.

"I had a sister, too." she admitted. Gareth cocked his head slightly, slightly confused. She never acted like this, especially not outside the house.

"She was like me. I was proud of her. She was intelligent. She was strong. She was athletic. She and I tried to do everything together. We did things we regretted. We did things that were great. But in the end, I wanted to join the military to prove I was strong. She didn't. For once, we were apart.

She had a boyfriend by this point. I was surprised. She kept waving it over my head, how she had gotten a boyfriend before me. You know, sister things.. But the guy was in my squad. His name was Erik. He was pretty young. I'm surprised they let him out there. She made me promise before I left that I'd keep him safe. So, of course, I kept that promise to heart.

But when the door opened, he got really badly hurt. I don't know what happened to him really but I carried him across the tundra myself and got him on that boat... just because my sister loved him so damn much. Because she loved me. I saved him. When I last saw him, he was in emergency surgery to get his limbs repaired. He was... really badly hurt, that's all I can say. I can't forget the pain in his face. How he lived is beyond me.

Then, I headed to D.C., told my sister I was going there, and... well I waited for her. For a while. It was stupid, I know. It was a false hope. But for some reason I believed she'd come to me and we'd be together again. She's the only friend I really had, who understood me like no one else did. But then..."

She looked up at him, smiling softly.

"But then I got angry because she didn't show up. I wanted to break things. So when I heard your crazy speech about going out there for god-knows-what, I just... Well I wanted to go. I don't know why. I just felt like I should. And then I met you.. and you know what happened from there."

Gareth had been silent that whole time. Then, he leaned down and kissed her and moved back, nodding.

"Sisters can change lives, apparently." he grinned weakly. "But why the sudden urge to tell me?"

"Because I know that's her, and I'm afraid. What do I say to her? What do I want her to say to me?" Ezrea asked. "I'm married now. What if Erik died too? Like Allia? What if... we're the only happy ones?"

"Ezrea you've never cared about this sort of thing before. Why are you so worried?" Gareth frowned. "You're a strong, arrogant, beautiful woman, and you can handle whatever comes at you with ease. And if you need me, I'm there, and you know it. So what's with the hesitation?"

She pouted slightly.

"What if she thinks you're an idiot too and thinks I made a bad decision.."

"That's sort of rude then and that's not a real sister. I doubt that's the case. Look, with the way things have been going, she's probably fine. That other person is probably Erik. And she's been looking for you just as much as you have for her. Maybe she had to deal with as much as you did over these past months. But did you fail? No. So I don't think she did either, if she's like you say she is."

"You're right. Come on. I have some words for her, making me wait this long." Ezrea stood to her feet suddenly, hands on her hips. "She's going to be so jealous when she sees you, I know it!"

"Should I wear my Sunday best?"

"You wouldn't look any better even if you did." she said, and it was up to Gareth whether that was a compliment or not. It didn't really matter.

The two of them left the hollow behind, the sounds of the voices above calling to them.

 

----

 

As they returned, Saraph waved offhandedly.

"Ah. You return, finally. We're in luck." Saraph pointed up the trail, actually smiling a bit for once. "I scouted ahead a short distance and immediately found a clearing. Vol'tar's there, but then there are two people as well. I don't recognize them. One of them - a man - has what appears to be artificial limbs, at least for his arm. Allia says there's demon essence in it. It may be a demon arm, so we should be careful. As for the other... it's a girl. But Allia says.."

"What?!" Ezrea grabbed Saraph's jacket, anxious and excited. "What does she look like!?"

"I couldn't get a good glimpse, but... Allia says... she's ... corrupted."

Ezrea's mouth was open in a smile but her entire body froze. She stood there a moment, then released Saraph, backing up.

"You're... you're serious..." Ezrea realized, dismayed. "But... but that's impossible. That's.. Tina.. I KNOW IT IS. She'd never be... she couldn't be..."

"It's not like Rei's... but Allia says it's similar. If that's Tina, she has enough demon essence in her to be considered... a half-demon. I'm sorry Ezrea, but Allia doesn't lie about things like this. Gareth, you know that's true, right?"

Ezrea turned to Gareth, close to tears. Gareth rubbed the back of his head, nervous.

"I can't... if it's really Allia.. then he's right, she wouldn't lie about pretty much anything. But that doesn't mean it's that bad.."

"My sister is a ****ing HALF-DEMON, GARETH!" Ezrea's voice rose as she spoke, infuriated and depressed. She tore from him, running up the slope without care, leaving Gareth behind. Saraph watched as Gareth dashed after her almost immediately, worried.

"Sometimes, life is cruel when it gives you gifts..." Saraph said, as he adjusted his coat where Ezrea had grabbed him. "Those who face that and accept it however bad it is are the truly strong.... Now it's just a question of if Ezrea's strength is merely words, or truth."

He finished his adjustments, frowning.

"For Gareth's sake, at least, I hope it's the latter." Saraph turned back to the rest of the group.

"We should follow. I need to speak to Vol'tar. Though I wish we could give them some time to deal with this alone, I have an important answer of my own to find, and it's in front of me."

He stepped up the trail with - suitably, though he didn't know why yet - conviction, unafraid. Whatever Vol'tar's answer was would determine his next path.

And if Allia could be saved in the end.

 

------

 

Ezrea burst into the clearing, looking quickly around. Two individuals were seated before a massive, monstrous demon, whose form was that of a mighty dragon. At her entrance, the dragon gave her a slow, passing glance. She was startled. She'd expected a large creature... but this behemoth.... Half of its body covered the mountain where it lay, only its head and the tip of its wings visible at the current moment.

"Ah. Welcome, young valkyrie. I know the answer you seek. Worry not, for she sits before me now. But it is up to you to accept it as painful truth or dismiss it as an awful lie."

Ezrea only heard half of what he said. As Gareth ran up behind her, she fell to her knees, the shock finally hitting her. She both smiled and cried as she saw two people who she had been certain were dead or long gone, one of which being even more important than the other. Gareth knelt next to her and placed his hands on her shoulders to comfort her as she beamed, happy just to see the girl before her again.

"Tina... it's you.. isn't it?..." Ezrea whispered. "Heh. I'm... married now. You see? I did it. You told me I couldn't... but now you get to see it yourself... Where have you been anyway? Worrying me like you have.. You irritating girl..."

She struggled to keep her composure but it was taking force of will to keep herself from running and embracing her sister tightly.

"Well, now that you're... here, I guess, tell me ... what happened, you know?" she asked. "I deserve that, don't you think? And then... then I'll tell you what happened."

The two of them sat at the precipice of the mountain of fire as the great behemoth watched on with interest.

"Humans... such... strange, and curious creatures." it wondered, grinning.

 

(( FOUR HOURS.

I TIMED THIS AT FOUR HOURS.

BEHOLD. I AM DONE.

Also, for the curious, I have actually written a demon language and I may post it in the OOC. What the man above said was "Behold your servants, door of the new era." ))

Edited October 3, 2014 by Thaelasan

[Clown_of_God]

Tina looked over as Ezrea entered the open area, a smile so wide and bright you'd think she had just received her first Christmas present. Looking at Erik quickly, he motioned for her to go and the girl dashed off to embrace her sister. It had been a long time since Tina had seen her sister and wanted to go visit her as soon as she had received the letter, but Erik had come first. When she received word that he was undergoing surgery, she rushed to his location and stayed by his side all throughout his recovery. Up until he began scolding the doctors for giving him such flimsy, pathetic ligaments they considered prosthesis.

It had been a frightening sight for Tina, seeing Erik in the condition he had been in after his excursion in the North. From just below the shoulder, his entire arm had been scolded off, as if he had dipped it into a pit of lava. As for his legs, the nerve damage and burns they suffered rendered them useless and it would have put Erik in a wheelchair. Instead, he demanded they sever them and give him the best prosthetic ligaments they had.

As previously stated, they were far from his liking. So, after his discharge, the boy immediately got to work. Designing, testing, and then redesigning he finally developed a set of limbs that could get him back in the fight. Tina didn't like how, even after suffering such major injuries, he wanted to throw himself back into the mix, but he ensured her that if he could find a way to either eradicate or pacify the demons he could end this misery. Sighing, she merely waved as he joined a Destruction Guild and began his campaign.

Now, here she was, speaking with a behemoth as if they had been friends for decades and her sister had finally arrived. It hadn't been by coincidence either, that they were there. Erik had received word from various sources that they were heading out. So, what better way to reunite than under a dragonoid demon after journeying across fiery planes of ash and molten lava for a long while? It hadn't been a coincidence that the demon had flown out close to the proximity of Hope either.

Still, here they were again, Tina holding her sister close, unwilling to release her hold for a moment before Erik tapped her shoulder. Looking back at him, Tina didn't want Ezrea to see her face after the embrace. Tears had certainly developed, but they weren't human tears. No, it looked like molten steel running down her cheeks. Sighing, Erik wiped the streaks away with his thumb and motioned for her to explain or allow him to at least.

"Actually, I'm gonna let Erik explain what all happened as he actually remembers it all, for the most part, but I'm so glad to see you, sis! Erik went through so much to keep track of you, of course he didn't say anything about you being married. So, that's a shocking surprise, actually. I might ask, though, who's the groom of the relationship?"

Erik waved at Ezrea with his mechanical ligament and smiled lightly. Looking up at Gareth, he was impressed by the man's size and was even more impressed by the Demon Arm's he was equipped with. Maybe, sometime later, he could sit down and inspect them, maybe make some improvements and fine tune them. Assuming he'd be allowed to anyway.

"How's it going Ez? Been a little bit, thanks for saving my ass by the way. Anyway, as I'm sure you're already aware, Tina isn't... completely, a hundred percent Tina anymore. For one, she's Tina Knight and second, she's got some demon essence within her that I put there. How we know this? Well, it's quite clear when you hear someone yell, 'my sister is a ****ing HALF-DEMON!' in a rather desolate location.

Now, before you attempt to rip my head off, like you tend to do when you're angry or receive news that you don't like... in other words, angry. There was an incident during one of our field expeditions. We were in what we thought had been a Green Zone just South of the Washington state line, but we were suddenly ambushed by a variety of hostile demons. Two of them were fast little... you know...

We had been searching various stores and what not for resources, like wires and hardware and the such, so we split up in the shop we were in to cover more area quicker. Get in, get what we need, get out, right? Well, that's when we were ambushed and Tina wasn't a fighter like you. Didn't have all the training.

I'm getting off track. So, I'm fighting off the demons trying to get to her and she's doing what she can. Well, turns out one of those fast little shits is an Alpha. Surprised? Usually big, bulking monstrosities, right? Not this one. Small, fast, agile, designed to inflict multiple vital wounds on its prey before it begins feeding. It does this to keep them alive enough so that it can still eat them while their heart is still beating. I'm sure you're already connecting the pieces.

By the time I got to Tina, the thing was already sinking its fangs into her and she looked like a carcass. I did what I needed to from that point. Beheaded the beast, used whatever I could from it to mend her and prayed she'd make it. Demons are fascinating beings, though, they mend quickly. I know this because her wounds that should have taken months and months to heal, not even a scar was left after two weeks had passed. Look!"

This was a part of Erik that Tina didn't like, how he didn't seem to care what gender a person was, he'd openly show whatever if it was something of interest. So, her face flushed a dark red and she seemingly froze in place when he lifted her shirt to show her stomach, and a bit more than she would have liked, to the others in the area. Obviously, the demon behind them could care less for human flesh, but now Tina had been exposed to the eyes of everyone else in the area and that she didn't approve of.

With one hand, she yanked her shirt back down, pulling it further down as if her chastity was at stake, while the other lashed out and left a nice mark on Erik's cheek. A fine reminder that she was still a girl and that he should respect her privacy better.

"So you wore the striped ones..."

Another clap echoed through the air as she smacked him a second time, only to sigh and lean against him. Sure, Erik was a bit senseless when it came down to basic sexual nature, but if he didn't know the human body in such a manner, Tina probably wouldn't be alive right now.

"Anyway, Erik had joined a few guilds, from Creation to Destruction, didn't like how they operated, so we left. Been wandering the Wilds since. Well, making stops at various bunkers here and there, throwing in a few improvements, helping out caravans and the whatnot. Got a message from one of our sources in Hope that the two of you were looking for this guy behind us, decided that'd be the best time to meet up with y'all once again.

How we met him? Well... you see... we were passing through the lava fields on the North side and he landed at the one nearest us. Erik thought he was a threat and attempted to fight him, but instead discovered the big guy could care less about us. After a little while, the two got to talking, Erik found out his name and now here we are."

[Neutual Demon]

The trip started off rather boring, the group traveling through the dried wasteland that Zulfiqar had already scouted during his many excursions outside the matchstick city. The demon was mostly ignored by the humans and he ignored them in return. He tuned out most of their conversations and arguments anyway, due to the fact that it was mostly Gareth's mate getting agitated with the tree-catcher and continuously trying to prove her dominance over the other male. The tree-catcher didn't sway too much under the pressure, to which Zulfiqar grudgingly gave him credit for. It wasn't easy for any human to brush off Gareth's mate- hell, it wasn't easy for most demons. Zulfiqar didn't let her bother him because he knew he had Gareth at his side, and she couldn't say no to her own mate. Besides, he knew what the female meatsack kept in her burnable habitat and could easily use it as what the human call "blackmail".

In any case, Zulf took the rear of the meat parade, occasionally sticking his snout close to the ground to sniff for passing scent trails. Even when the tree-catcher went disappearing and reappearing again, annoying Gareth's mate, the demon remained rather uncharacteristically quiet. He didn't need Gareth's mate to have someone else to yell at. He was out of her attention, and wanted to remain in the safe zone for as long as he could. So while Gareth's mate snapped at the tree-catcher and Gareth himself, Zulfiqar kept his maw shut and let the meatsacks carry on and bumble along noisily all the way to the mountain range.

The scent of demons put Zulfiqar on subtle alert. His eyes swiveled around, his ears perked for the sounds of his kind. The meatballs had noticed their closeness to the territories and paused for a moment. The mention of his name drew Zulfiqar's attention to the humans, the fires along his spine crackling irritably as Gareth's mate refer to him as a puppy. He wasn't such a thing! She had the gall to label him off as not a threat! True he hadn't shown any true aggression or had the humans see him fight, but he didn't get to this size by being a pushover! The demon squashed the urge to rise up to his full height and show Gareth' mate how much of a threat he was by tossing the little snot off the nearest cliff. He had to crush the same urge for the tree-catcher as he decided that Zulfiqar couldn't walk beside them through demon territory the way he was and covered him with some sort of dark fabric. He had to grudgingly snuff his flames to keep it from catching fire. It was itchy and uncomfortable, distracting him from watching the other demons. He was going to set the irritable scratchy thing ablaze and tie the meatball up in it to see how he felt.

As they started up the mountain, more scents reached Zulfiqar's snout. It smelled like another human-demon, as well as a very strong demon scent. It made his nose itch, and he wanted to sneeze, but knew better than to distract the humans. Gareth's mate seemed to...be choking or something, as she began to shake after the sounds of voices reached their ears. Gareth and his mate went for a small talk off to the side as the tree-catcher scouted ahead. Zulfiqar snorted quietly and sat down, waiting for the meatballs to return. Gareth's mate then yelled at tree-catcher before running up the slope without checking for potential dangers, the two males following after. Zulfiqar trailed after them, wondering if he could shed himself of this fabric thingy.

Gareth's mate was already in the clearing with the second human-demon, another human, and a fairy huge flying demon. Gareth followed after his mate, as she had fallen to her knees and seemed to be talking to the human-demon. Zulfiqar hung back near the edge of the clearing, eyeing the previous occupants with suspicious unease. No, he wasn't anxious, of course not. A massive flying demon whose motives and stance were unknown and the humans had stupidly walked right into eating zone was totally not something to be cautious about. Don't be silly.

Zulfiqar idly wondered how humans had lasted as long as they have.

[Melomancer]

"You're welcome. " He grinned. The bar would be rather easy to find, but he was worried that he wouldn't be allowed in. Even after the apocalypse, it was still a bar, and he was underage. As they walked, Icarus noticed a large, green neon sign in cursive. The sign had the words: THE SAFE-HOLD On it. "I think this is the place."

 

Icarus looked around the entrance. There was a laminated signboard hanging in front of the double doors. It had the opening hours of the bar on it. There didn't seem to be any bouncers around either. "This place has pretty bad security..."

[Thaelasan]

(( Zulfiqar - saying the important things that actually make sense. ))

 

Ezrea listened intently as she embraced her sister. Though normally she wouldn't prone to actually doing that, her sister was the exception. She practically dared anyone foolish enough to say anything rude about it. But, thankfully, no one ever did - maybe for that very reason.

In any case, as she stood up, Ezrea noted something was off about her tears. It was... strange. They didn't seem watery. In fact, had they shone more than natural in the light that the black clouds above allowed? She hadn't been sure.

In either case, as Erik explained for Tina (which Ezrea found odd, considering her sister's normally outspoken attitude, though she supposed it may have been for the best) what had occurred since Ezrea had last seen him - and her, of course. Still, though the story wasn't exactly the most desirable outcome out of all the possible ones, it was better than hearing she'd actually been eaten. She made a mental note to give Erik at least a MOTE of respect in the future, if anything, but that didn't mean he was in her trust bubble just yet. That mote of respect was almost completely eliminated when the following event left her speechless: Erik pulled up Tina's shirt. Ezrea immediately covered Gareth's eyes (he was very confused, especially when he heard the distinct sound of a slap), her emotions obviously infuriated and embarrassed. She, of course, wanted to give Erik a good punch in the chest for his actions. She got even closer to making that thought a reality when the perverted prick decided to emphasize her choice of undergarments.

Gareth's face was unreadable as he slowly tried to remove the information from his mind. It was a difficult process but he knew that it was probably for the best.

Ezrea, however, stared at Erik with eyes of burning intent with an obvious twitch in her arm that showed her desires. Gareth held her back, sighing.

"You know, normally you don't do that sort of thing to people." Gareth said. He actually didn't really know what had happened but Ezrea's reaction told him enough. She stared at him, wondering if he had seen.

He shook his head softly. She narrowed her eyes but believed him. In the span of a moment, her anger was then back on Erik, her face pulled into a grimace.

"I swear to god if you're taking advantage of my sister when I'm not around...." she began, her fists still clenched. "Tina... You tell me if this ass starts giving you ANY trouble like that again.... If you don't feel comfortable.. You come tell me.."

Gareth held her back gingerly, sighing. This was definitely not a good situation. But this wasn't the time to argue or solve internal affairs like this - especially not when the beast behind them was still watching with scrutiny.

It was definitely a massive creature worthy of the title "Behemoth". Its titanic form spanned nearly half of the clearing they were occupying. Though Gareth couldn't see most of it, three-fourths of the whole creature was covering the mountainside opposite them, its monolithic wings hugging its side as it observed them curiously. As Gareth had thought, it didn't look like Vol'tar was interested in turning them into food of some sort. Instead, it seemed he simply desired to be an audience.

With a great movement of its jaw, it began to speak again. Now that he was in front of it, the power of its voice could be felt through every fiber of his body. This behemoth was DEFINITELY on an entirely different level than Ven'tar or Gol'tar had been.

"Ah... Humans, such... interesting beings." it repeated after a long while. It had said something similar earlier, before Ezrea and Tina had embraced. But now, in front of it, the words really reached him.

It turned its head to the side a bit, looking at them from a different angle. As Gareth appraised the beast in kind, he noted that - though it resembled dragons from myths he'd heard as a child - it also had its own flair. Horns, quite like Zulf's, adored its skull, giving it a little bit of added size (if it even needed it.) Its eyes were molten, fractured rocks with magma for pupils, flames licking from both of the sockets quietly. Its jaw was much larger than their entire group, filled with teeth made of metal that Gareth was certain was the same material as Zulf or Ven'tar's metal parts. He definitely didn't want to test that theory though - at least, not for the moment.

"Indeed, as the young, sexually-curious boy has said.." the behemoth chuckled as it looked at each of them in kind with its great eyes. "Isn't that how you humans say it? Your language is quite... intriguing. It is my current goal to learn about this world in detail so that I can make future plans.."

"Are those plans.. uh... bad?" Gareth asked hesitantly. For the first time, he felt true awe for these demon creatures. Whatever had forged them had done it majestically. He felt a strong urge to ride upon it but decided not to ask - for now.

"Bad? You mean negative.. for you?" Vol'tar asked slowly, leaning forward. "Are you asking if I mean to do your race harm?"

"That'd be.. nice to know." Gareth said. Ezrea stood next to him. Gareth found himself gripping her right hand to stop her from punching it. She resisted, gritting her teeth.

"IT'S RIGHT THERE LET ME DO IT." she whispered loudly.

"Ahhhh.... I see the fiery one wishes to try and do me harm? I don't doubt you're capable. But there is no need." Vol'tar leaned back, content. "My brethren fly among the skies with no clear goal, no true purpose. They destroy and burn mindlessly. It's a worthless endeavor. If there is no cause, then the effect is meaningless."

"Well, then uh... why did Saraph come here to seek you? He seemed like it was really important. So..." Gareth rubbed the back of his head.

"Do not act so humble, young human. I appreciate the praise but I know, truly, of the determination within you. Your size may not equal mine but your will ... that is how you are really measured before me." Vol'tar stated, looking at Ezrea as well, then Erik, and Tina. "Each of you has a will of a different strength, for a different reason. All humans, whatever their effect upon this world, have had a cause. I have flown across these barren lands and found your cities and towns. I have seen your homes, your land - your world - bathed in flame. Yet, your will to survive never wavered. Like a flame, it grew and rose from the ashes, unwavering, inextinguishable. Even if your world was nothing but cinder, I see that your race will never truly... die."

Gareth stood in awe as the beast spoke. It turned to the sky, staring at the clouds with what seemed to be melancholy and shame.

"You are not the only ones who are suffering without purpose. My brothers.. they cry from the skies. They resist that which controls them but are whipped into obedience by a force I cannot see. They follow, unable to fight back, and hurt you without desire or conviction... Something my Lord finds utterly appalling..." he said, as quietly as a behemoth could say, "It's as though we demons have lost all wills of our own and simply.. destroy."

Gareth looked up at the sky with him, Ezrea following his gaze as well. Above, all they could see were the black clouds that had covered the sky indefinitely since the smoke had first risen from the burning land. It blocked out most of the sun, preventing humanity from seeing even the smallest glimpse of the sunlight that had once given them hope. Now the only heat they received was that of the landscape which was always alight, no matter the season or time. It was the world they had grown used to.

"That is why your group has... intrigued me. Unlike most of my brothers or those of your species who live their lives, you have the strongest wills I have seen. I feel them from you. It is that which has brought you together. You have the wills that I can use to help you reclaim this world that is rightfully yours and also free my brothers from the shackles they now wear."

"So your dragon buddies are enslaved? How do you not know who did it? Don't they know who their 'master' is?" Ezrea asked, confused. "I mean, why don't they ask?"

"Humorous. Human slavery - though unfortunate - is nothing compared to that which our lords can enforce upon us. They are shackles of fear and forced respect. They become our only guiding force. Our only purpose becomes blind servitude of a lord we don't even know. I was spared, for my Lord protected me. He sent me here, to find those with the will he sought."

"And.. that's us?" Gareth asked, confused.

"It could be, should you truly demonstrate the will I see within you. My Lord is impressed as well with your inner strength as well as your outer abilities. You may indeed be the ones that can free both of our species from despair." Vol'tar smiled as best he could, his Behemoth fangs shining.

Ezrea crossed her arms as usual, eyebrow raised.

"Who is this Lord of yours, anyway? How can we be sure we can trust him?" she asked.

"Ah, the strong-willed valkyrie, if a bit... overzealous in her aggressive habits." Vol'tar admitted, still smirking. "My Lord is the one who controls the flow of will and desire, of the determination to seek the goals which drive us all. He is the Lord of Conviction, the one who uses will to achieve that which he wants."

"So why does he want our help? Isn't he a demon lord?" Ezrea put her hands on her hips, leaning slightly.

"It is.. a complicated situation. I'm afraid explaining it would only make it more confusing for all of you. It is not that you cannot understand - it is that if you did, you may act out of haste and that could jeopardize our plans."

"Well summarize the important parts for us then, Voly." Ezrea commanded, Gareth staring at her with confusion.

"...Right." Vol'tar said, indignant. "All that you must know is that there is a cycle in place. Your actions can break this cycle, freeing the demons from the control of their masters, saving our race, and allowing us to heal your world in return. That is the goal."

"And we can do that?" Ezrea replied, skeptical.

"More than anyone else. In fact, there are three among you who play a vital role in the days to come, who have laid upon them the great burden of decisions which could alter the course of time. One of you, in particular, has... a very interesting gift - the soul of a demon lord."

Ezrea, puzzled, turned to Gareth quizzically. He shrugged, pondering. After a moment, they both turned to each other, surprised.

"Rei!" they said at once, turning to Vol'tar. "That's why he turned into that thing?!"

Vol'tar nodded.

"He has a very great choice to make when it finally reaches that point. For now, you have time in which to ask me of things while we wait for my Lord to arrive."

"What." Ezrea stated.

"It should be obvious that he would appreciate meeting you in person, to admire your wills with his own eyes. You should not be frightened or quick to action - my Lord seeks the same end as you, whether you believe it or not."

"A demon lord. We have to believe a demon lord. We haven't even seen one of those before." Ezrea turned to Gareth, displeased. "Don't tell me you're actually considering trusting one?"

"Well, to be honest, Vol'tar hasn't done anything that would make me think his Lord has wicked intent. Besides, our world's already a wasteland and we're some of the only people who are capable of taking action. If I can save this world and bring it back to what it was, then I will... and I hope you'll stay by me."

Ezrea stared at him for a long moment, then sighed, annoyed. She pointed at the dragon accusingly.

"I don't trust you yet. You look dangerous and evil, that's for sure. But if my idiot of a husband is willing to give it a shot, then I guess I have to make sure he doesn't do anything TOO stupid."

"Of course." Vol'tar nodded, laying his head upon the soil. "Now, unless you need something of me, I'm afraid I require a short reprieve while I await my Lord. My flight here tired me. It was taking quite a bit for me to talk for this long. I hope you understand."

"Yes." Gareth responded, taking a seat. He brought Ezrea down into his lap and wrapped his hands around her waist, cuddling her. She blushed furiously but made no attempt to break free.

"You better not try to do what that lecherous idiot did. I swear, Gareth if you-"

"Why would I? You're my wife." Gareth hugged her close, smiling. "I don't want anyone else to see more of you than necessary. Hope you don't mind."

Ezrea blinked, confused and bewildered. Was he actually.... being slightly possessive of her? She really didn't know how to act. She thought about breaking free and demanding that he understand she could show what she wanted but at the same time she sort of enjoyed this change.

Well, she was already sitting here.

Why waste the energy.

[Clown_of_God]

"So, I inherited the essence of a Demon Lord, huh? I guess that's why I'm having such a difficult time suppressing the urge to make you bow down to me, then. Tell me something then, Vol'tar, before you go off into your slumber, which one is it that now swells within my body and why Karin is the only one capable of suppressing its rampant state?"

Rei had walked casually into the clearing, Karin's hand in his own as he stared at the massive beast. As impressive in size as it was, Rei had seen bigger and had certainly fought stronger. Karin on the other hand was witnessing the events transpiring between Ezrea and their newly acquired guests.

Erik was familiar, his name had come up on multiple accounts in Sacramento, but here he was before them acting unlike how the reports described him. In fact, he was acting far younger than she had imagined him to be.

From the reports, he had been one of the few people capable of suppressing large swarms of demons with little effort. How he had accomplished such feats remained confidential and any attempts at trying to acquire such information came up in vain. Whoever it was the blocked the information from being accessed knew what they were doing and top of the line hackers and crackers failed to obtain even the slightest bit of information about him.

So, when he carelessly lifted his significant other's shirt with little hesitation, Karin wondered if this was the same person from said reports. It had to be, though, considering this boy had the same mechanical augments stated in the reports.

Suddenly, Karin shot a glance at Rei as his hand tightened around hers. He was feeling uneasy. Being in the presence of such a beast had him tense and his blood was beginning to boil. It wasn't hard to tell, considering his hand was much warmer than usual.

These moments of tension were painful for Rei's human counterpart, as his body wasn't exactly designed for the molten blood that course through his veins. It was no longer just a figure of speech on his behalf. When his blood boiled, it literally boiled and there wasn't much that could be done.

Leaning against him, Karin felt his hand cool slightly and he patted her hand with his free one and smiled at her. His question had intrigued her and the information regarding his inheritance had also come as a surprise. If a Demon Lord resided within his soul now, what was it that kept him calm and why was it that a simple human girl such as herself was able to accomplish such feats? This she wanted to hear from the great beast as well.

Meanwhile, Rei was concentrating on suppressing the battle going on within himself. With such a strong beast before him, there was a large urge within him wanting to subdue the creature and conquer over it. No. It wanted to destroy the creature and annihilate everything in the area for no specific reasoning behind it. Rei felt anger, hatred, and aggression within himself, but there was no motive behind it only that it was there.

Suddenly, something came to mind and he pulled the blade from his back and looked to Gareth. Stabbing the tip into the ash covered ground, he released the hilt and motioned at Gareth to come take a look.

"You never did get the opportunity to look over the blade. Mind you, it can be rather heavy for anyone else. So, don't think yourself weak if you find it more burdening than it appears. Trust me, many men have tried to wield the blade in the same manner as I do, only to barely be able to swing the thing. Albeit, none of them quite had your physique, but a blade that looks as light as a wooden stool has definitely been misleading."

"You shouldn't under exaggerate, Rei. It's like trying to lift a car off the ground. He had a competition in our guild to see who could swing it the most and we only had one person capable of swinging it even once."

 

------

 

Erik looked at Gareth with an inquisitive expression, pondering what exactly it was he had done wrong. Ezrea seemed about as hostile as usual, but skin was skin and every human had it. Why was it such an issue to expose his own wife's skin to show the feats of what demon transplants were capable of? To emphasize his point, Erik not only lifted his own shirt, but completely removed it. Revealing a rather toned body for someone of his size, but it also revealed the mechanics that now linked to his body.

From his hips, you could see the support frames that ran down into his legs and his left shoulder was no longer human. Scars covered his toned physique, one large one running down from his right shoulder to his left hip. Of course, these augments were of his own doing, having the basic installments implemented by doctors he trusted with the information. No other prosthesis were near as intricate or durable as his. Especially that of his left arm. That was a work of pure intelligence.

From certain angles, one could see the essence that coursed through the ligament, resonating and weaving through the technology as if they were meant to be together.

Tina looked at Erik with a dull expression before looking back at her sister and waving her hand in an apologetic manner.

"No, it's fine. This boy just doesn't understand a girl's privacy. Besides, it could've been far worse and he's right, I don't even have a scratch mark from that time and any other wounds I accumulate vanish within a few days. I don't know if it's simply because of the demon blood or if it's specific to this particular demon, but I'm thankful that things didn't go even further south than they did.

Erik explained that he even made sure they would be compatible with me, making in the field adjustments just to be safe.

Anyway, I'm sure we have a lot to catch up on since we last saw each other. Again, congratulations on your own marriage. It still baffles me that you even met a man capable of acquiring your trust, much less your heart.

Actually, I'm not gonna lie, but I figured you had a better chance of getting Allen than anybody. Ouch!"

Something had hit Tina on the side of the head and when she looked over in the direction it had come from, she saw Karin with a scolding look on her face. Was she jealous or something? Smiling, Tina returned her attention to Ezrea and tried to recall where she had left off.

"Anyway, I never was able to properly thank you for saving Erik. I wish I could have come sooner, but there were certain things that needed to be taken care of and lately, Erik's been making a name for himself around the world. No, seriously.

A couple of weeks ago, we were at the Russian Safe Zone and I'm sure you heard about the two Omega taken out there? Yeah, that was us. Europe, the demon nest that was eradicated and allowed them to expand? Again, our doing. Down in Africa, the Alpha trio that was causing havoc in the desert? I'm sure you know where this is leading.

Of course, they don't actually know it's Erik's doing, but we've been quite busy lately. Oh yeah! Gareth was the one who developed the barriers, right? Not to seem like we're trying to show off or anything, but this one made some improvements on some of them and used a similar technology with his left arm there. Albeit, I'm sure he wouldn't have been able to quite figure it out completely on his own, so definitely some gratitude to your ingenuity and your own accomplishments, brother-in-law."

Tina smirked in a similar fashion as her sister, seemingly mocking Gareth without actually intending to do so. Erik, on the other hand, was empathetic and merely let his own feats go over his own head. There had been no intention of trying to outdo someone as intelligent as the man before him, but there were a few kinks in his works that bothered Erik. So, he did what he figured was best and made some improvements.

Of course, he took full credit for his arm, as that was a completely reimagined idea that was merely based off the concept of the barrier technology. Rather than defensive capability, Erik converted it to have an offensive capacity and it worked rather well.

With some of the demon essence, he was able to reinforce the primary frame, increase its density and durability by keeping the essence 'alive,' thus allowing regenerative capability to the metal in the event that it was damaged. However, the implication of demon essence alone significantly increased the metal's durability that damaging it was quite a feat, even for the demons he had fought against.

Then, by infusing the essence into the generator of his prosthesis, by absorbing other demon's essences and alone also significantly increased its power output. So, a single straight punch could send a demon crashing through four slabs of ten inch thick tungsten alloy. Of course, this was a rough estimate, based off the event when Erik disabled six Russian tanks after knocking a demon across the ground like a skipping stone.

All of this led up to the reason Erik hadn't invested in an actual offensive Demon Arm, cause it wasn't entirely necessary for him to have one. Instead, Erik decided to invest in replacing his damaged eye with a Demon Arm that would aid him in identifying potential threats. A Demon Arm that allowed him to absorb visual information at a much higher quantity than a human's allowed.

After some prior research, Erik had discovered that demon eyes were very unique in that they absorbed massive amounts of information with so much as a glance. Vol'tar was a case in point. Simply through observation, demons were able to learn not only language, but various habits, disease, construction, weak points, and so on. So, after an incident with a Ripper Demon, a demon covered in spikes and blades, Erik didn't even hesitate to acquire the demon arm which allowed him to absorb and process significant amounts of data in a short time. It was appropriately labeled the Observer and he never hesitated to put it to use. Such as what was occurring shortly after Rei revealed his sword to the great beast.

Erik had moved away, oblivious to the fact he was still lacking his top and was observing the black blade. Something he noticed right away was that it was both translucent, but also a solid color. Almost as if the blade itself was a soul in a physical form. Its edges were straight and there were no signs of wear or chipping, indicating that it never dulled. Another fascinating piece of information about demon technology.

Unlike human technology, demon tech never seemed to wear down or damage itself. So, their blades never lost their edge. This was something that made his arm unique in that it could receive a violent beating, but still retain its form with little signs of harm done to it.

Now, Erik was also curious about the weight Rei had mentioned and reached out with his left arm, coiling the mechanical appendages around the hilt to attempt lifting it. That's when something became quite clear to Erik. Not only was the blade heavy, it also rejected the demon essence within his arm. Forcing it away like it was a plague. Not only had he witnessed it, but he felt the sheer resistance from the blade. So, this is how it must have felt trying to lift Thor's hammer.

"Interesting. If I must inquire, this is no mere Demon Arm. No, this is something far more intricate. Molded from something else and it was attuned to be wielded by only its master. This would both prevent a rise from demon underlings, who attempt to end their master with his own blade, but it also creates a much stronger bond between the blade itself and its predetermined user.

Yes, if I have to say, this weapon was specifically designed for that Lord within you and is the reason why everyone but yourself feels its burden. When we can get to a lab, I want to look over it further and I want you to tell me how you acquired it exactly."

Edited October 4, 2014 by zakku_uchiha

[Dragonhatchling]

Arethviil pushed up the sleeves of her maroon hoodie and sighed a little. She looked the place over and frowned a little. The building was somewhat in shambles. The paint was peeling in some places, showing brick through grey or white paint- she couldn't tell at this point- while other spots looked freshly painted. The double doors looked newly hinged, though in almost as bad shape as the terrible paint job. Windows seemed a little fogged, but otherwise nothing was broken. The laminated hour sign was a different touch. For something that could afford a giant neon green sign in cursive reading THE-SAFE-HOLD, she figured they could afford better. Apparently she was very wrong.

 

"Alright..." She glanced around. No security was in sight. Arethviil smiled a little bit, laughing. She pulled out a different smaller bag from a pants pocket and opened the left door slightly. "Time to go ruin someone's day..." She smiled truthfully at Icarus. "C'mon. Follow me." The door shut again as she walked through.

 

Inside's shape wasn't much better. There were more people in here than she expected there to be given the outside, but that signaled to Arethviil that there was likely more business in here than she figured. She'd come in obvious, wanting to completely skip the usual game of being discrete. What was probably unusual about her was that her necklace had been moved to her right wrist, glowing ever so slightly in the dark. She'd moved it before they had gotten out of Icarus' first stop, but her downed sleeves had originally kept them hidden.

 

The series of tables and booths were ramshackle and splattered all over the first floor. There were stairs going to a second floor that Arethviil could only guess lead to another similar floor- or a series of rooms depending on the establishment. A few pool tables were scattered around too before you finally rested your eyes at the main bar. It ran about half the room but centered in the middle. The place was pretty active, or had been.

"Who's the chick!?" Someone shouted the question from Arethviil's left, shrouded in darkness. She didn't bother looking. Someone else, she could hear, commented on her drugs. Good, so they noticed.

She walked toward the bar without bothering anybody else and ignoring a few catcalls. She didn't look back to see if Icarus followed her. "Know anything about this?" She asked the bar tender who was free, setting down the drug bag before putting the crumpled paper on the counter. "That's free to whomever can give correct and proper information." She added in as a side-comment, noticing a few eyeing her product. It was $40 worth and she knew someone in here wasn't going to pass it up.