Chapter 20 Awake to Justice: Rebellion
Sparda was now on a collision course with almost half of Hell. Dual wielding his own sword and the sword of Alastor, Sparda was imbued now with more rage than ever before. Electricity covered his entire body, feeding off his anger. As he approached the legions, he readied Alastor's sword and threw it like a boomerang, sending electric surges throughout the masses. As the sword found its way back to his hand, he held it backwards and made a fierce overhand swing, crushing a wave of Hell demons. The portal shook violently as the horde struggled to squeeze their way through hundreds at a time.
It did not take long for the thousands of demons to surround him. But Sparda did not stand and wait for their advances. He charged forward, slicing twenty Abysses in half in one stroke. Demons continued to flow out of the portal and some had even made it past Sparda and landed on the island. I cannot let any of them stay here, they all must...
"Die!"
Sparda made an upward swing with his sword, causing a sharp ripple to tear through the ranks. He held out Alastor and his sword at the same time and charged once more, trying to get to the portal entrance in hopes of sealing it off and stemming the tide of demons from overwhelming him. But the flow of demons was too strong, their sheer numbers too great. Every time Sparda slaughtered one wave, another followed; once the first line of Prides and Lusts were destroyed, a line of Gluttonies and Envies followed suit. However, Sparda was steadfast in his mission and did not waver in the face of the futility of his endeavor.
Hell Vanguards surrounded him on all sides but were dealt with even before they could vanish. Wraths, carrying large bombs on their backs, hurled themselves at Sparda, exploding on contact. But Sparda remained unscathed. Suddenly, the legions began working together in their efforts; Sloths, now based in sand because of their entry into the human world, teleported along with the Vanguards. Sparda was able to dodge the Vanguards but the Sloths were able to locate him through teleportation and came down with their scythes. Sparda easily blocked the attacks with both swords and used them as scissors to decapitate the Sloths, turning them into unformed sand that dissipated in the wind. Vanguards then began teleporting Greeds to the island so they could release more Hells from their black coffins.
More demons who had found their place on solid earth shot their projectiles at Sparda from below. Alastor electrified itself as a warning and Sparda turned to defend himself but was caught in mid-air by a Soul Eater, which flew further into the sky and prepared to drain Sparda of his demonic energy. However, the Soul Eater quickly exploded as Sparda's power and rage were simply too much to contain. Multiple other Soul Eaters attempted to swarm while Sparda's back was turned but Alastor began sending volts out at them on his own.
Flying down, just above the ground, Sparda deflected the projectiles of Abysses and surviving Frosts. While he was able to defend himself easily using both swords, he was not able to damage to the legion of demons below, due to the sheer number of attacks he was fielding. If he did not do something quickly, this battle would soon become a stalemate. Then he heard the echoes of Alastor in his mind, and he could feel his fallen comrade's power throughout his body. Suddenly, Sparda sheathed his sword on his back and Alastor at his hip. His body was covered with blue electricity as his power grew. He spread his wings and generated more power, sending bolts of electricity down at the hapless demons. He switched his attacks back and forth, sending bolts from his right hand then his left hand, one after the other. The attack cut large swathes through the horde below, decimating the opposing force. The grounded demons burst into flames and disintegrated completely upon impact. Alastor electrified again to warn Sparda and he turned around to send more bolts of electricity through the crowds of demons hovering in the sky.
As the masses continued to flow through the portal they were turned to ashes by Sparda's electrified attacks. With each successive strike, the bolts of lightning grew in power, destroying ten to twenty demons at a time. The entire surface around the portal lit up and crackled with a bright blue haze as the deadly pyrotechnics continued. Eventually, the numberless legions ceased trickling from the portal and Sparda had destroyed nearly 30,000 demons. Tens of thousands more who remained fled back through the portal, while others attempted to continue the assault.
Sparda clamped Alastor over his own sword, combining both their powers into one blade; Sparda's raging red flames joined with Alastor's blazing electricity. The demons had been no match for Sparda to begin with but were now at a serious disadvantage. Sparda's attacks were now almost doubled in power, as he ripped through the remaining legions with ease. Trails of flames and lightning followed Sparda as he attacked with a combination of his hellfire and Alastor's electrical plasma. The demons that were close enough, and actually saw the blasts, were blinded instantly and their sand-based bodies were reduced to pillars of glass that shattered as they hit the earth. Bright explosions burned fiercely as Sparda pounded ranks left and right. He was moving with incredible speed and swiftness and seemed to teleport constantly, leaving dark afterimages in his stead. He struck like a lightning bolt erupting from volcanic fury, zigzagging and tearing through countless demons.
The battle did not last long and Sparda hovered in the sky as the ashes of dead demons rained down upon his horned crown. Loud screams and growls had filled the night air but now it was completely silent and the midnight moon shone brightly in the sky. Sparda took deeps breaths as he tried to regain control over his rage. Marlene….she's safe now….
He knew he had to re-enter Hell. He knew had to face Mundus and stop him from launching his invasion. Sparda began to fly back towards the portal but just before he entered a voice spoke to him in his mind.
No….leave me here…
Sparda looked around, trying to find who was speaking to him, "Show yourself!"
It is I, General…Alastor…
Alastor? But…
Leave me here…do not take me back….
But I thought your place was in Hell? That you could never abandon your homeland…
Would it that my body were whole again and I was able to assist you from Hell, it would have been an honor. Alas, it is not to be so. Mundus may have taken my life, but he has not taken my spirit. This prison before you will be a blight upon Mundus' kingdom; it will be a mighty sword turning every way to preserve your path. I will not be damned to abide in his presence for eternity. Leave me…
Sparda was at a loss for words and he felt the pit of his stomach drop. He would act in accordance with his comrade's wishes, although it pained him to do so.
As you wish…. Sparda then unclamped Alastor from his sword and held it up. It began to pulsate with electricity and Sparda threw it with incredible force towards the island, plunging it in the ground. Goodbye….Alastor…. Sparda lifted his head and turned back toward the portal. His only goal now was to find Mundus and kill him. He blasted through the portal back to Hell…