Ch. 12 Getting to Patty
Patty found herself once again sitting in a cathedral. Even though she and Adem moved locations, her surroundings hadn't really changed. It was pretty clear that angel wasn't very creative when it came to finding safe houses.
Adem walked into the congregational room and handed the girl a cup of water.
"Here, drink this." The angel offered. "I'm sure you're thirsty."
"So where's Megaera?" Patty asked.
"She had to return to Paradiso." Adem informed. "Tell me, have you had time to think about your decision more carefully now that we're not being disturbed?"
"A little." Patty admitted. "Let's say I did make a contract with Valkyrie, what would happen to me?"
"It would be as we spoke; you would become a Lumen Sage and fight against the forces of darkness that wish to disrupt this world." Adem reminded.
"Well that part's obvious, but what would really happen to me. What would it actually entail?"
"You'd travel the world, and most likely others, with Valkyrie as your partner, tracking down evil and vanquishing it where ever you found it."
"Yea, but would I have to go through any special training? Do I transform?"
"I wouldn't say you'd transform. You'd still be a human, just with miraculous powers. You would, however, most likely have to spend your first years in Paradiso with me as we train you properly."
"Paradiso? You mean I'd be stuck in some alternate realm with you?" Patty blurted.
Adem frowned slightly from Patty's comment, feeling slightly insulted.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I mean you're not all bad. You did save me from that weirdo Alasto,r and you saved my mother when I was just an infant. What about her though? Won't I be able to see my mother or any of my friends?"
"I'm afraid not." Adem admitted. "Perhaps you'll have the opportunity for brief encounters, but once you dedicate yourself as a Lumen Sage, there can be nothing else."
"You mean even after I'm done fighting evil as a Lumen Sage?"
"There is no end to the battle against evil. As a Lumen Sage your life would be extended, allowing you to remain in your prime for centuries. By the time your time as a warrior of heaven has ended, everyone you know will have already received their blissfulness in the afterlife."
"I...I don't like that idea." Patty spoke.
"I will not lie to you. Making this choice is not easy, but please think of all the good you will be able to do. You will be able to save countless lives and prevent demons from destroying families like they nearly did to yours. You will have the power to make sure that no one else has to feel what you felt growing up in the orphanage, Miss Lowell."
"My mother, would you be able to keep her safe at least?" Patty asked. "And for real this time?"
"If that is a condition that you wish to include upon making your contract, than we would do everything in our power to make it so. It is true, that the path of righteousness is a difficult one Miss Lowell, but once your time as a Lumen Sage is over, and it is time for you to pass on, you shall receive the greatest of honors in the afterlife."
"The greatest honors? What's that?"
"I'm afraid that's one thing I can't say." Adem admitted.
Dante stood face to face with the giant angel as he let out an impressed whistle.
"So, you must be Fortitudo. Man I've got to admit, Bayonetta wasn't kidding when she said your face is one only a mother could love. I've seen some ugly demons, but woo, you, Auditio, really take the cake."
"Dante Infernal, you will be given a last chance to stand down. Otherwise, you shall face the full wrath of Paradiso upon you." The powerful angel threatened.
"Man, you guys are nothing but broken records. Well, I guess we better get on with me kicking your tin can now."
Foritudo swung one of its dragonheads towards the half demon, knocking Dante backwards through the air. The half-demon drew his two guns as he flew backwards, and began to fire at the angel, only for his demon charged bullets to barely even phase the powerful creature. Fortitudo then flew above Dante and released a blast of energy out of one of his dragonheads, completely decimating the landscape beneath him. Dante managed to emerge from the explosion unharmed, but was forced to utilize his demon form once again to do so.
Even Dante had to admit, he hadn't been pushed this hard for a long time in battle. Fighting those four angels hadn't exactly been a walk in the park, and Fortitudo was even stronger than they were. Auditios were amongst the highest ranking generals in the Laguna army, and among the strongest angels as well. Their strength far outmatched any angel, as well as the majority of demons that Dante had ever come across. If he were to be completely honest, he really wasn't enjoying himself anymore. He really didn't have time to deal with every angel that came in his direction, especially if they were going to be this strong. Granted, if he had to, he could use "that" form, but even Dante was unsure of its power.
As Fortitudo swooped down to attack the silver hair demon, a large demonic fist suddenly appeared, punching Fortitude in the face and knocking him to the ground. Dante turned his head to see Bayonetta driving towards the scenes on her motorcycle. The witch stopped next to the half demon as she dismounted her motorcycle and prepared to fight the angel.
"Dante, take my motorcycle, and head east, and then right after you hit the highway, north. Continue on the main road until you reach the next ghost town. The angels are currently keeping Patty there." Bayonetta instructed.
"To be honest, I'm surprised you're not trying to convince Patty to join you're little cult." Dante admitted.
"Oh don't get me wrong, I fully intend to, but right now I've got bigger fish to fry." Bayonetta snickered. "You see, my pets are starting to get hungry, and they can get a little feisty if I don't deliver. Luckily, I have myself a feast right in front of my face now. I'll deal with this over-sized monstrosity. You go be the hero and get Patty."
"Sounds like a plan." Dante agreed, as he and the witch switched places. "Just don't die on me while I'm away. These angels are out for blood."
"What a coincidence, so am I." Bayonetta licked her lips.
Dante sped off on Bayonetta motorcycle, leaving the Umbra Witch to deal with the powerful angel on her own.
"Umbra Witch, I give to you the same warning I did the demon. Do not interfere! During our previous encounters I was forced to show restraint as you were the carrier of the Left Eye. However, as you are currently not performing that task, I need not hesitate to strike you down."
"Well, I see you're manners have remained as appealing as your looks. I guess it's time to teach you how treat a Lady."
" Argedco!" Bayonetta chanted, as her hair suddenly began to expand. Bayonetta's hair transformed into a series of tendrils as they spread out and opened a portal on the ground to the underworld.
A, giant, black dog like demon emerged from the portal, snarling at Fortitudo. The creature rivaled the angel in both size and head count. The dog demon had a large single head with razor sharp teeth, a pair of fangs that resembled a saber-tooth tigers, as well as similar, but smaller, mouths attached to the ends of its paws.
"Sic 'em Labolas." Bayonetta ordered, as she stood on top of the giant dog's head.
The giant dog demon leapt at the angel, knocking the dragon-like angel to the ground as it bit into the angel's face. However, Fortitudo was not bluffing about his strength.
"Do not think that I will lose to a mere demon." The angel snarled, as his dragonhead both bit into Labolas's front claws and threw the demon to the ground. Fortitudo then flew into the air and as he brought one of his claws down on demonic down, forcing it to the ground.
" A Gra ORs" Bayonetta chanted, as she switched demonic summons.
Labolas sunk back into the underworld through another portal created by Bayonetta's hair and in its place flew out a giant, black crow-like demon with three feathered tails. Bayonetta flew into the air on top of her demon as the demonic bird released a barrage of razor sharp feathers towards Fortitudo.
The high ranking angel avoided the incoming attacks as he flew upward towards the giant bird. The angel's and demon's talons then locked in combat. Quickly Fortitudo released a beam of energy out of both of his dragonheads at the bird. The attack lit the bird demon ablaze, forcing Bayonetta to jump off of her summon, as it was forced to retreat back to the underworld.
Bayonetta landed back on the ground, now glaring up on the angel.
"Fine." The witch scowled. "I guess I'll just have to use my big guns."
A giant demonic arm appeared next to Bayonetta as she and the arm fist pumped one other.
"Pdee Barma." Bayonetta chanted, opening up one last underworld portal and summoning forth her strongest demon. The demon was none other than Madam Butterfly, Bayonetta's "true partner" and her main contract demon. Madam Butterfly was larger than Bayonetta's other summons, standing several feet taller than even Fortitudo. Unlike most demons, which were hideous monsters, Madam Butterfly had the figure of an attractive young woman with a lustrous figure and pale skin. She dressed in a provocative purple dress that left much of her ample chest and long legs exposed. Her red eyes glowed, and the top of her head was covered in a purple bassinet. Finally, protruding from the demons back was a pair of purple butterfly wings with crescent moons decorating them.
"Now, you over sized lizard, let me show you why you don't fuck with a witch." Bayonetta swore.
Bayonetta stood on her demon partner's shoulder taking a step forward, which resulted in the giant demon mimicking her movement in perfect sync. As Bayonetta punched the air, the giant demon's fist collided into Fortitudo's face, resulting in a shock wave to travel across the air. The high-ranking angel quickly retaliated by having one of his dragonheads bite into Madam Butterfly's shoulders and then latched onto one of her wrists with his talons. However, Madam Butterfly broke free from Fortitudo's grasp and delivered another earth shattering punch to its face. Bayonetta then pointed one of her guns towards Fortitudo, as a giant version of the same weapon appeared in Lady Butterfly's hand. Bayonetta pulled the trigger, resulting in a beam of energy firing from Madam Butterfly's weapon, which blew Foritudo back.
Bayonetta and her demonic partner then charged towards the angel, switching their pistols for a long whip. Madam Butterfly's weapon wrapped itself around Fortitudo's body, pulling the angel to the ground. Bayonetta and her partner then placed hands on their thighs and began to stomp down on the angel in a rather dominatrix-like fashion until the angel's body began to disintegrate.
"This...will not be...the end." Fortitudo warned with his last breath. "We shall...return. May the creator, Jubileus, grace this world."
With the angel's usual dying words, his remaining body then vanished.
"Well, with that endeavor out of the way, shall we be going?" Bayonetta asked her demon partner. "With any luck we'll be able to catch up to Dante."
Dante was pushing Bayonetta's motorcycle to its limit using his demonic powers. As the demon hunter sped across the desert sand though, Megaera descended inside her vehicle.
"Pull over, now!" Megaera ordered, giving chase to the silver haired half demon.
"Sorry officer, but no can do. Looks like you'll have to make me." Dante challenged.
"So be it." Megaera accepted.
Megaera began to release bolts of electricity from the front of her vehicle that were coupled with a barrage of missiles from the back and sides. Dante was forced to continuously swerve back and forth to avoid the incoming attacks. However, one of the missiles managed to strike the back of his cycle, forcing Dante to jump off the vehicle before it exploded.
Dante rolled forward on the ground, recovering instantly as he drew his handguns and pointed them towards the incoming vehicle. However, before Dante and the angelic vehicle could continue their battle, the loud humming of another motorcycle drew their attention.
Driving along the cliff side above Dante and Megaera was Trish on her own motorcycle. The female demon drove the vehicle off the side of the cliff and aimed it strait for Dante.
"Dante, catch!" Trish shouted, jumping off her vehicle and kicking it towards her partner.
Dante jumped into the air, mounting the cycle as it was still in midair, and drove off once again. Just as Megaera was about to pursue, Trish landed on the angelic car. The female demon held on for dear life as the angle began to swerve in every direction to shake the demon off. Trish held on tight as she began to channel electricity into one of her hands. The female demon then slammed her electrical charged palm on the angelic vehicle's hood, sending a jolt of electricity throughout the vehicle. Trish then jumped off of the vehicle with Megaera quickly leaving the metal vessel before it exploded.
"I heard that Dante was a womanizer, but this has become ridiculous." Megaera scorned.
"Womanizer?" Trish laughed. "If your definition of a womanizer is someone who gets blackmailed through debt by nearly every woman he meets, than sure, we can go with that."
Trish drew a pair of pistols and began to wield them in a similar matter as her partner. Wielding her four blades with her psychic-like powers, Megaera managed to deflect the oncoming bullets, closing the distance between her and her opponent. Megaera then launched her blades in succession towards the demon. Trish jumped to the side, avoiding the first blade, and then quickly rolled across the ground avoiding the others. With Megaera seemingly wide open now, Trish took her shot, but by this time the first blade that Megaera had launched had already returned and deflected the incoming bullet.
Megaera was now up close to Trish, forcing the demon to switch from her pistols to a pair of daggers as she deflected the angel's blades with her own. However in close range combat, Megaera had the clear advantage with four swords as she managed to deliver a swift kick to Trish's stomach. Trish skidded backwards several feet from the blow, as Megaera continued to push forward in the battle attacking the female demon once again. However, as Megaera brought her blades down on her opponent, they were blocked by another opponent's blade.
"Well, well, long time no see, Trish."
"Well I must say, I wasn't exactly expecting to see you here." Trish spoke. "Sick of harassing Dante, Alastor?"
"Not quite, but I'm not about to allow any of you to be defeated until I get my shot." The demon swordsman claimed. "Besides, I owe these angels some payback for destroying my servants."
"I see. Well in that case, why don't you be a good devils arm and give me a hand." Trish requested. "I promise to be more gentle than Dante."
"I think I'll take you up on your offer." Alastor agreed, transforming into his blade form and flying into Trish's hand. "Rodin just better be sure to include my full scene this time."
Patty and Adem sat in the church alone now, as they were finishing their conversation.
"What?" Adem gasped, suddenly standing up. "They managed to defeat both Megaera and the Auditio? Very well, I shall bring her immediately."
Adem then turned his attention to Patty.
"Miss Lowell, I'm sorry, but we must go. Do I have your consent for a contract yet?"
"I..." Patty paused for a moment. In truth, the angel's words had begun to reach her. The power of a lumen sage, someone who could fight against the demons that harmed her family was enticing. She wanted to help and prevent more kids from losing their parents like Dante and her. However, asking her to leave behind everyone she knew and loved was hard.
"Miss Lowell, please." Adem practically begged.
"Seriously, didn't your mother ever teach you that no mean no?" Dante asked, walking into the cathedral. "Guess I'm the one who's going to have to teach you some manners then."