Hi guys, UltimateDemonBeast65 here! I bring you the first part of the Nightmare arc teased in the Intermission and named in the short story. This story arc will drop a few huge bits of lore and revelations for the story as a whole, so stay tuned. Please enjoy, follow and PM for any suggestions!
Nightmare Part 1
Fear...
Darkness...
Pain...
This is what the Prince of Darkness felt as he seemingly drifted through the colorless void, watching as he heard screams and cries. He looked at his surroundings, seeing nothing but pitch black until he could finally make out what looked like dark organic matter twisted into what one could call a tree or root. Inside of it he saw what looked like the Crossroads Demon, Mephisto, trapped and ensnared by dark tendrils.
"LIES! ALL LIES!" A thundering voice yelled.
"Help...me..." These words faintly escaped Mephisto's mouth as if his hope and joy had been taken away from him.
"Mephisto?" Satan said confused as he tried to get closer to his ally, but found himself being enveloped by dark energy again as his eyes turned red.
"No! Not again! I won't lose control!"
"You will lose control! And you will destroy everything!"
"No! NOOOOOOOOOO!"
Satan jolted up from his bed in mid-scream as sweat ran down his entire looked at his surroundings, realizing he was back in his home at the Helltaker's house and not in that dark place again.
"What's wrong?" Judgement asked Satan as she sat up and wrapped an arm around him, staring at him with her silver glowing eyes.
"Mother!" A male voice called out.
The Helltaker and the girls looked over and saw a handsome male demon with long white hair, curved black horns and wore dragon themed armour.
"Just a nightmare..." Satan replied. "Means nothing. Sorry for waking you."
"You can tell me anything, you that right?" Judgement asked.
"I know." Satan replied as he turned to face Judgement and pecked her on the lips.
A few minutes later, the two got up, got dressed and went down for breakfast, seeing that everyone else was pretty awake. While the girls of course had pancakes, Satan had his eggs and bacon.
"Come on, at least try one." Lucifer pleaded to Satan.
"I am not some sugar addict who needs to constantly stuff himself with pancakes and chocolate." Satan stated. "A real breakfast should be one that helps improve protein and fibers."
"But isn't bacon bad for you?" The Helltaker asked.
"Maybe to you, but not to me." Satan replied. "Angels aren't affected by fat or sugar."
"It's true." Azazel said. "Everyone else has had clear symptoms of sugar consumption while I've been here, but I have relatively unaffected by its properties."
"Sugar to demons what cocaine and meth is to humans." Satan said.
"You mean every drug." Zdrada said as she lit a cigarette.
Suddenly as the harem and Satan were having breakfast, a portal appeared near the stairs of the place with a demon running through and stopped on the rug. This demon had spikey white hair with normal horns. He also the normal attire of a red undershirt with a black tie and had black pants. But the thing was that the lower half of his pants were torn and lower his legs didn't appear to be normal, it was made of metal and his feet were more like those of a bird but the talons were actual blades. He also had these metal bracers on his wrists, black strap on both his elbows, and armour ran down his lower waist and looked like a bird's tail.
"Your Majesty!" The demon called out. "Sorry to interrupt but it's urgent!"
"Really? At breakfast time?" Malina said in a sour tone.
"Speak." Lucifer said sternly.
"It's Mephisto! We think there's something wrong with him." The demon replied. "There was a sudden geyser of energy coming from the Crossroads. We sent a squad to take a look but we haven't heard word from for about a couple of hours!"
Satan's words widened in shock.
"That dream...was it a vision of what's to come?" He thought.
"Very well, gather the Generals." Lucifer ordered. "We shall head to Hell immediately."
"Can we not? I'm pretty sure that Mephisto guy can take care of himself." Malina said.
"If we lose him, we lose our greatest ally, now stop complaining and get ready!" Lucifer retorted.
"Some are already awaiting for your arrival, Your Majesty." The demon said, but as he walked back to the portal he looked down at the floor and saw some big scratch marks, presumably from when he entered. "Uhhh...shit. M-My bad."
The Helltaker, the harem and Satan in turn entered the portal and arrived in Hell with the demon. The demon then led them straight to where the genarals have gathered to discuss about what had happened relating to the sudden surge of energy coming from the Crossroads.
"They are just in that room, Your Majesty." The demon said as he gave a salute then a bow to Lucifer. "All of them should be there by now."
"Thank you." Lucifer said.
"No issue at all, Your Majesty." The demon said before he walked off with the sound of his metal feet ringing a bit in every step.
"What do you think could have happened?" Justice asked Lucifer.
"I'm not sure, Mephisto is usually not this reckless." Lucifer replied.
"So what then? He just accidentally triggered something?" The Helltaker asked.
"We will find out soon enough." Lucifer replied as they entered the war table room where the Hell Knights' Generals were.
The group then saw the fifteen generals that have gathered around a table shaped like the star of a pentagram, including General Chariot. All of them stopped their discussion and turned to those that have entered the room. After seeing the Queen of Hell, the Generals stood up and gave a quick salute to her.
"Your Majesty." All of them said before sitting back down, with Chariot giving a nod as soon as he saw his sister.
"We assume Caim has filled you in a bit about the current situation?" One of the generals asked.
"I believe so, at least the basic idea of what has happened." Lucifer replied.
Judgement quietly waved back at her brother before going back to listening.
"So these are all Generals of the Hell Knights?" The Helltaker asked.
"Correct." Lucifer replied. "They are the commanders and leaders of Hell's forces and armies, each one a fierce and powerful warrior in their own right."
The generals gave a nod to confirm to what Lucifer had said in response to the human's question or completely ignored it.
"Anyways, we don't have much of understanding as to why this has occured either, Your Majesty." Chariot added. "We've already got the High Sorcerer, Dantalion, as well as his followers to look into why this is happening."
"But until then Your Majesty, that's all we know." Another Hell Knight General said. "General Chariot and myself have sent in our own squadrons to go to the Crossroads to investigate. But none of them came back. All that we last heard from them was a bit of their voice before static took over their radio along with a faint scream."
"Were they killed?" Lucifer asked the Generals.
"Unfortunately, that's something that has most likely happened to them..." One of the generals replied.
"Though we can actually show you of what happened at the Crossroads." General Sitri said, then the image of the Crossroads projected onto the wall. "We got this from one of Bathym's followers who were watching a bit. This was a couple of seconds ago before energy erupted from the Crossroads."
The image then switched to when the energy had suddenly bursted out.
"And then suddenly this happened. What we also know is that the energy started to envelop the area a bit."
The images in question had the Crossroads enveloped by a dark matter that looked both organic and otherworldly in nature.
"The energy covered the Crossroads in this mass?" Lucifer asked.
"We aren't aware of its properties either, Your Majesty." Chariot said. "Though we did get word from those sent, that they could traverse this mass."
"But then it got harder as they got closer to where Mephisto was." Sitri added. "As well as them not responding back after a couple of more minutes...unfortunately."
"And what about his manor?" Lucifer asked. "It is inside the mass as well?"
"We can presume so, Your Majesty." Another general responded. "But from the intel we gathered so far, we hardly know a thing."
"So long story short, we know jackshit about why this happened." Satan said then remembered the dream he had. "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Lucifer asked.
"Unless he's in trouble." Satan replied.
"I think that was obvious." Zdrada said as she blew a huge cloud of smoke around the war table.
Most of the generals coughed as they irritatingly waved the smoke away, some giving Zdrada a glare and some tanked it. Like Chariot who still had his normal expression as he tried to get rid of the smoke.
"I mean, we were trying to get more info as to why this is happening though." Sitri said as he looked back at Lucifer and the others. "And then we would determine who and how many Hell Knights we would send. Including whoever you wished, Your Majesty."
"This will require your best Knights." Lucifer explained. "The Crossroads are the dimensional barrier between Hell and the other plains of existence, Purgatory, Heaven, the Abyss and beyond. If the Crossroads is compromised or lost to us in any form, Hell's alignment in the universe will be out of sync."
"We'd be trapped in Hell, and sinners would be unable to sent here." Satan said. "Mephisto told us that, hence why he guards it."
"Right away, Your Majesty!" All the Hell Knight Generals replied.
"We'll tell you when we are ready. This'll take five minutes or less." Chariot said as he and the other generals teleported out of the room to go gather their troops.
"So guess we should decide who's going in and who's not." The Helltaker said.
"Only the strongest and skilled of our group should go." Lucifer said. "That would be me, Satan, Justice and Judgement."
"But what about everyone else?" Pandemonica asked.
"You're more valuable here than in that mass." Lucifer replied. "Not all of you can fight or can fight at our power of strength. We don't know what effects the mass could have so sending in a human or angel is out of the question."
"Noted." The Helltaker said, knowing Lucifer was referring to him and Azazel.
"So what do we do then while you're inside that shithole?" Malina asked.
"I need you to all to do a few individual things." Lucifer said. "Azazel, Cerberus and Pandemonica can assist the Hell Knights here."
"But what about the rest of us?" The Helltaker asked.
"I need you to go to the kingdom of Anshar." Lucifer replied. "Seek out the assistance of Tiamat, the Queen of the Dragons. I have a feeling we'll need her support for what's to come."
"There's other kingdoms besides Hell as a whole?" The Helltaker asked.
"While Hell generally has one sovereignty, there are independent kingdoms and nations around us that recognize the Throne of Hell but still have authority over their people and are treated as allies, not subjects to the Queen. One of them is Goetia, who many of the Hell Knights are descended from, and then there's Anshar, a nation of demons who bonded with dragons." Pandemonica explained.
"So they're dragon riders the demons of Anshar?" The Helltaker asked.
"In a sense, yes." Lucifer replied.
Meanwhile all of the fifteen generals have went out in different sections of the base to gather their best troops. Those that were chosen are veterans from the war against Heaven and Hell or those that have quickly rose up through the ranks and proved themselves worthy. They all eventually were finished choosing and notified Lucifer.
"Your Majesty, all of us are ready!" One of the generals told her as he teleported back in the war room.
"Good." Lucifer said. "Have your chosen knight step forward and introduce themselves."
This Hell Knight General nodded and teleported with the soldier he has chosen, along with the other generals who have reappeared in the room as well with one of their chosen. But the first one stepped up to Lucifer and gave her a salute and bow before standing back up. This Hell Knight had dog ears along with his white messy hair. He wore an open trench coat with two red wings designed on the back. He wore this along with the normal attire of a red undershirt with a black tie, slacks, and shoes. For his weapon he was holding a bardiche with a bit of an ornate design at the pommel and blade. And he was moderately armoured with his arms being covered in armour while he only wore lower leg armour.
"I am Glasya-Labolas and it's an honour to be in your presence, Your Majesty." He said, introducing himself.
"If you say so." Lucifer said looking at Glasya-Labolas.
The other Generals quickly went through the Hell Knights that were chosen, at least those that were in the room. Each of the Hell Knights looked really tough and competent with some of them demonstrating themselves a bit in the room. It then got to the last two which were Sitri and Chariot.
"I'm not sure you have seen me that much at all, Your Majesty, but I am Vephar." The Hell Knight that Sitri chose said as he pushed up his shades a bit. "You have most likely have heard me though."
"The sea monster." Lucifer said.
"Yup, you got that right, Your Majesty!" Vephar responded, pointing a finger gun at her before quickly realizing his mistake and put his hand on his side.
"Hey Your Majesty, you already know me, heh.", Brandish said while scratching the back of his head, introducing himself last.
"Brandish." Lucifer said sternly.
"He's not the only one coming." Chariot assured Lucifer. "Furtur is also being brought along after seeing Pandemonica."
As he was talking, Brandish looked at Justice and gave her a small wave. In which, Chariot saw that out of his peripheral vision and smacked his hand down.
"I see." Lucifer said with a sigh.
Justice didn't see the wave but did smile back at Brandish.
"Oh fuck, how do I keep forgetting she's blind?!" Brandish asked himself in his mind angrily but then calmed down a bit after seeing her smile. "Doesn't matter if she still notices me, I suppose..."
"I think that's all of the ones we have chosen, Your Majesty." One of the Generals said. "What would you like for each of us to do?"
"Hold on, I'm here!" A male voice said. "I selected this mission too!"
Another demon appeared, one with long black hair with white streaks, zigzagged horns and a black and red trench coat with armour pieces and claws. He also had a pauldron with a red crown sigil on it.
"Oh right, my mistake for forgetting that you are a part of this Paimon." Chariot apologized in his normal voice and facial expression.
"Lord Paimon." Lucifer said.
"Queen Lucifer." Paimon said then looked at Justice. "Hey there Sis."
Justice didn't respond and just frowned.
"Paimon, why exactly are you late?" One of the generals asked with him and a couple of others staring. "It's not because of the whole musician thing again is it?"
"Should probably take that privilege away from him if you guys so wish." Glasya-Labola mumbled to his general.
What can I say? The show must go on." Paimon replied with a shrug.
"Well he's not wrong there." Another general said giving a smirk before standing back to normal and then mumbled. "Just saying, he does play good music..."
Brandish and a couple of others did notice Justice's expression change as Paimon addressed her. Though he did want to go close to her and ask, he decided that it would be best for another time, especially with Lucifer in their presence.
"Why the cold shoulder? We're family aren't we, Saleos?" Paimon asked Justice.
Justice pulled Paimon towards herself by the collar and then smack him onto the floor before readying her fist again.
"I told you, my name is Justice." She said in an uncharacteristically angry manner. "Call me that again and I will break every bone in your body, 'Brother'..."
The Hell Knights including the generals were a bit startled except for Chariot, Brandish, and a couple of others who went up towards the two.
"Hey Justice...mind if this doesn't happen right now?" Brandish asked a bit nervously as he put both hands up.
"I think it's best we have all the help we can get." Chariot said with a more assertive tone. "Now's not the time for whatever quarrels you may have, Justice."
"Justice." Lucifer said in a commanding tone.
Justice then let go of Paimon and then helped him up, to which Paimon looked at his older sister with a remorseful gaze before going back to his General.
"Alright, I think now's the time that we take action and head to the Crossroads." Chariot said to Lucifer after giving a nod to Paimon. "Wouldn't you say so, Your Majesty?"
"Agreed." Lucifer replied. "Let us be off."
Chariot, the other generals, and all of the chosen Hell Knights nodded. With all of the chosen Knights ready to move outside of their headquarters.
"We'll teleport you guys right outside of the Crossroads." Sitri said. "Some of the others that we chose will come right after you."
"Understood." Lucifer said.
"Well this is gonna be one hell of a shit show." Satan said.
"Indeed." Vephar said. "Let's do this!"
Some of the Hell Knight Generals then concentrated their magic, surrounding the chosen Hell Knights along with Lucifer and the others that were going. Then as the room was filled with a brief blink of light, the group then appeared in front of the Crossroads. The Hell Knights took a good look at where they were and raised their guards up. The Crossroads was covered in a dark and sinister looking like organic matter, skin, bones and famine, as well as tree roots and disgusting rotten miasma. To say it looked alien, extremely foreign to the mind, would be an understatement. Suffice to say, Lucifer and Satan were speechless by the mass.
"This energy...it's horrible...disgusting even..." Lucifer said, feeling visibly ill.
"Mephisto is trapped in that...thing...?" Justice asked, unable to describe it.
"A mass, an organism, an energy?" Judgement asked.
"Something otherworldly, even to us." Satan admitted.
"Definitely not comforting at all knowing we're going to have to walk over this." Glasya-Labola said as he poked a part of the matter with the end of his weapon.
"I think that would be the least of our worries if our comrades went missing or got killed. Especially due to something unknown." One chosen Hell Knights wielding an arming sword and kite shield said.
"All of us stay in a defensive perimeter around Our Majesty and the others." Glasya-Labola said with all the Hell Knights nodding in response.
But before they moved out, a couple of Hell Knights were teleported behind Lucifer and her group. One of the demons was recognized as Furtur, wearing the normal attire but having a tie that is striped in red and black. Also having antlers rather than normal horns along with his rectangular glasses and messy white hair with the back of it running down his neck.
"Why hello, Your Majesty." Furtur said as he gave a salute and bow with the other Hell Knights that showed up. "I see Pandemonica isn't with you."
"She is no longer suited for combat of this level." Lucifer said without looking Furtur in the eye. "My Customer Service gal is not your personal dominatrix."
"I mean I wouldn't put it like that, Your Majesty. More like..." Furtur replied while scratching the back of his head with some of the Hell Knights also looking at him as he and the others appeared, a few had smirks on their faces while others were in disapproval. "Ummm...I dunno, let's just get on with this."
"I assume we just move straight forward, Your Majesty?" Brandish asked as he brought out one of his assault rifles.
"Find a possible entry point." Lucifer ordered. "We don't know what simply walking into it will do."
"Understood." Brandish said with a nod along with the other Hell Knights.
"We should split into five groups, one stays with Her Majesty while the rest search for a way inside." Glasya-Labolas stated to the chosen Hell Knights that gathered around him. "I will lead my own group to find an opening along with Vephar, Borun, and Orson. Brandish, you'll be staying with Our Majesty and the others with whomever you choose."
"If you say so, I'm ready to move out." Vephar replied nonchalantly as he picked Furtur and a couple of others, leaving to find an entrance for all of them and materialized their masks on.
"Yes sir!" Borun and Orson said and left with their respective group members that they chose.
"Very well then, I got this." Brandish said, giving a half-assed salute with Glasya-Labolas giving an eyeroll before leaving with his group, putting on his own mask.
The members that Brandish chose was Paimon and another demon that had a large black hat with his curvy horns sticking out. He was rather short compared to everyone else, his hair had multiple small braids and had sideburns along with a small beard. He wore a black asymmetrical coat along with a black and red cloak over his red undershirt and black tie. His boots was decorated in gold patterns and even had some small armor plates on them. The other armor he wore was on his shoulders, upper arms, and on his upper legs, but the areas that was open was mostly covered in belts. The weapon he had was a toledo sword still sheathed on his side.
"Well, what a coincidence eh Señor Paimon?" The other demon said with a Spanish accent. "Brandish had chosen the two muscians out of everyone else!"
"Small world, isn't it?" Paimon asked his hat clad comrade.
"¡Si!" The hat-wearing Hell Knight replied with a smile.
"Guess we'll stay here for a while." Brandish said as he looked around.
"We must be careful where we pick our entry point, otherwise the mass could kill or devour us." Lucifer said through the Hell Knights' comms. "It is best to find a point where its energy is weaker."
"Roger that, Your Majesty. We hear ya'." Vephar replied back along with other Hell Knights responding to Lucifer's warning.
"Is this what that dream was trying to warn me about?" Satan muttered to himself. "Mephisto is in trouble, but why?"
"I'm sure the other guys got this." Brandish thought as he inspected his gun and then turned back to look at Justice. "Wonder what Paimon has done for Justice to not like him...maybe it was a bad idea to choose for him to stay with us. Too late now though."
Paimon felt awkward being near his older sister. He felt bad for upsetting her and just wanted to make amends.
"Justice, what I said before-"
"There's nothing to say that hasn't already been said, Paimon." Justice said adjusted her shades.
"I left our kingdom, rejected my birthright because I wanted to free, like you did." Paimon said.
"I was chosen by the Council to become High Prosecutor, and by doing that I said goodbye to my past and family." Justice stated. "I am not a Princess of the Goetia, not anymore."
"And I am not their heir." Paimon retorted.
"Who were always meant to be their king, Paimon." Justice said. "And you still will be."
"I'm not our father, I'm a Hell Knight." Paimon stated. "And that means protecting Hell and its people."
"Besides, I think he's already doing a great with us already!" The Spanish demon said to Justice before turning to Brandish. 'Wouldn't you say so Señor Brandish? I heard from the generals that you lead him and a couple of others."
"O-Oh umm, yeah I'd say so." Brandish said a bit startled as he wasn't expecting to be involved.
Justice sighed and took off her shades, showing her white monotone eyes. Paimon was definitely shocked to see how lifeless she looked in the eyes despite her laid-back and awesome attitude. Brandish and the Spanish demon were also taken by surprise even after seeing how she acted towards Paimon earlier in the war room, with the Spanish demon turning away awkwardly and resumed to doing his job, waiting for the other groups to find something.
"Justice..." A faint voice said in the distance.
"What the?" Paimon said surprised.
"Justice..." It said again but much louder.
"Mephisto?" Justice said as she put her shades back on.
"Mephisto, if you can hear us than tell us how to enter!" Lucifer called out.
However, Lucifer didn't get a response, frustrating the Queen of Hell.
"Your Majesty! Brandish! Did you guys hear that?" Glasya-Labolas asked through comms.
"Yeah we did!" The Walking Arsenal replied back. "We think it's Mephisto. Were you guys able to recognize the voice?"
"We seem to think that's him as well." Glasya-Labolas said. "Still no luck on finding an opening though! We'll pick up the pace, Your Majesty!"
"Tread carefully." Lucifer stated.
Suddenly the sound of metal clanging could be heard inside of the mass alongside inhuman screeches.
"The fuck is that?" Satan asked he and Judgement went on alert.
"It's getting closer." Justice replied. "Everyone have their guard up."
Brandish then brought out more guns out of the back of his trench coat and making them float with his telekinesis, materializing his mask. The Spanish demon drew his sword while he took his cloak off, vanishing as it hit the ground also materializing his mask ready to fight. Paimon also materialized his mask and drew his blade while Lucifer readied her magic and Judgement summoned her white chains. Satan waited in anticipation for what was about to come out of the mass. A hole then manifested out of one of the ends and the sounds of screeches and metal was getting louder.
"Should we call in for the others?", Brandish asked as he was aiming at the hole.
"I think we should have a group find an opening first!" The Spanish demon stated. "Though it's better that we focus what's coming to us, amigo!"
The sound became even louder as somebody fell through covered in what looked like black ooze before they stood up. The person in question looked like a young demon dual wielding a pair of short swords. Brandish and the Spanish demon had their guards up at the demon that just appeared.
"Hold it right there!" Brandish yelled at the demon with two swords while aiming his firearms at them. "Identify yourself!"
The young demon was silent as they stood in the entrance of the mass, looking like they were waiting for something to get close.
"I know you heard me! I'm not going to ask you again!" Brandish shouted at them and nodded at the Spanish demon, the both of them slowly going closer to the younger demon with their weapons raised.
Before anyone could do anything else, a black creature lunged out of the mass, tackling the young demon to the ground, catching everyone by surprise. The creature looked like a beast with large fangs and bone-like spikes protruding out of its body but it had oily black matter that squirmed around like tendrils and clearly looked utterly wrong to the demon eye.
"What is that thing?!" Paimon yelled.
"It came from inside!" Lucifer said.
The creature roared at the Hell Knights before having a short sword rammed through its neck by the young demon it pinned down. The young demon then threw the creature off him as he got up, only for the creature's wound to close and let out a painful screech.
"Whoever this is, I think it's better we help them out!" The Spanish Hell Knight said as he charged in with his sword while conjuring magic in his free hand.
Brandish then opened fire all of his weapons on the creature, trying to not hit both his comrade along with the younger demon who seemed to try and kill the beast as well. The creature tanked all of Brandish's shots before proceeding to attack them with razor sharp tendrils that manifested out of its body, to which the younger demon blocked and parried the ones in his way while Paimon dodged the tendrils near him.
"Shit!" Brandish exclaimed while quickly got out of the way of the tendrils, with some of his guns getting hit.
Being frustrated that he lost a couple of his guns, Brandish just summoned more out of the back of his trench coat. While the Spanish Hell Knight rapelled the tendrils with his sword and then shot energy waves at the creature. Justice and Judgement rushed into the fight, with Justice landing a punch that shattered the creature's bones and sent it flying, but to their surprise the creature's bones just repaired themselves and it was back up again and lunged itself at the Awesome Demon, only for Judgement to wrap it in white chains and anchored it to the ground. Both the Spanish demon and Brandish then stood close enough to the creature with their weapons still drawn on it, ready if it broke loose.
"You still mind explaining yourself?" Brandish asked the younger demon as he didn't break eye contact with the creature who was held by the High Prosecutor.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" The younger demon asked in dry tone.
The creature however broke out of the white chains, completely taking Justice and Judgement by surprise.
"But how?! No one can break the High Prosecutor's chains!" Lucifer yelled.
"Not unless you're soulless." The younger demon said as charged at the creature and starting stabbing at specific points in the creatures' body which made it drop to the ground.
"Fuckin- fine, questions will be asked later!" Brandish responded back, while the Spanish demon quickly got to the creature and stabbed it on its head multiple times.
The creature however sprung back up and tried to bite the Spanish demon's head off, but the younger demon grabbed the creature and with all of his strength tossed it back into the mass, closing the hole and entrance. The younger demon fell to his knees and panted heavily, looking exhausted.
"Is it dead?" Paimon asked.
"It can't be killed, only assimilated back in." The younger demon said.
"Thank you, Señor." The Spanish demon said to the young demon as he was helped up by Brandish, sweating a bit after nearly being killed.
"Wh-What the fuck...?" Brandish said as he put the other guns away while still having his main assault rifle out. "How long have you been here to know that it can't be killed?"
"Long enough." The younger demon said as he walked over to the mass, causing a hole to form where he stood.
"I see then." Brandish said to him. "Sorry for being aggressive earlier, but you haven't seen other demons come through here have you? They've gone missing for a couple of hours after trying to investigate this place, wore masks like me and those two."
Brandish pointed to Paimon and the Spanish demon while asking his question.
"Who knows? Maybe they're inside." The younger demon said as he entered the mass again.
"Wait, come back!" Lucifer said running in after the young demon and entering the mass.
"Lucifer!" Satan and Justice said going after her, to which Judgement also followed.
"Uhhh, guys you might want to come back to our position!" Brandish exclaimed through the comms.
"What is it? Did you find something?" Glasya-Labola asked.
"You could say we found an opening, and that Our Majesty and the others went inside already!" Brandish said back before the Spanish demon ran inside after them. "Sombreron, wait!"
"No time! Vamonos, Señor Brandish!" The demon now known as Sombreron yelled, with Brandish rolling his eyes and then followed the group that went inside.
"Dammit you guys!" Glasya-Labola yelled out. "Paimon, you stay where you are until we arrive! Is the opening still there?"
As Brandish went in to follow the others, the hole closed behind them.
"Dammit! Negative, the hole has closed, sir!" Paimon replied.
"Shit! We'll have to find another way in!" Glasya-Labola stated.
"But sir, what if it leads somewhere different than from those of Our Majesty?" One of the chosen Hell Knights asked worryingly.
"We have to try! Some of us will send at least one man to stay with you Paimon just in case! The rest of us will look for another opening!" Glasya-Labola ordered.
"Yes sir!" The other Hell Knights said over comms.
Paimon then looked at the mass with a worried gaze.
"Hope you guys are okay in there."
Meanwhile...
The Helltaker wasn't aware that they were more than just one kingdom within Hell, or that it even had kingdoms at all. He arrived outside of the kingdom of Anshar with Malina, Zdrada and Modeus.
"So this is Anshar?" The Helltaker asked.
"The Dragon Kingdom." Malina said in a sour tone. "Not stuck-up elitists like the Goetia, but they're eccentric and love their dragons."
"You're telling me you wouldn't want to be fucked by dragon cock, Malinka?" Zdrada asked with a smirk.
"N-n-no!" Malina yelled as her face went red.
"I would." Modeus said blankly.
"Of course you would." Zdrada said as she took a puff of her cigarette.
"So what now?" The Helltaker asked.
"We go inside." Malina replied as they headed towers the gate tower.
"Halt! Who goes there?" The guard on the tower shouted.
"We were sent by Lucifer." Malina replied showing the guard Lucifer's seal.
"Very well then." The guard said with a nod and was about to open the gate before he saw Helltaker. "Hold on, why is this mortal with you?"
"He belongs to Lucifer." Zdrada replied.
"Hmmm...I see. You can come on through." The guard said as he opened the gate for the group this time.
The group then entered Anshar, seeing many demons, a marketplace and dragons off in the distance. The place looked medieval in style though did have some modern technology.
"Woah, this is amazing." The Helltaker said looking around.
"My grandfather would take me here when he travelled to spread his lust." Modeus said.
"I think we all know what that means." Zdrada said with a chuckle.
Most of the citizens that walked by or saw the group from a distance had their attention shifted onto Helltaker. In general, they were rather curious as to why a human was down in Hell, with only a few looking in discontent and even some female demons gave a sly grin towards him. Even some children in the streets even pointing at him trying to show their parents who just turned them away and continued walking to wherever they were going. The guards on the inside also saw the group with Helltaker but decided to just maintain their position since they were let through.
"Why are they looking at me that way?" The Helltaker asked.
"Because living humans aren't meant to be down here." Malina replied. "It's only because of how wilfully strong you are that you can even set foot in Hell without it killing you."
The group could then see a couple of dragons landing on some of the buildings close by, with their riders staring at the group for a while before flying away. The Helltaker awkwardly looked at them before him and the girls headed to the palace. As the group got close enough to the palace, there were two guards by the entrance with one of them petting a small dragon and giving it food while the other one saw the group.
"Hold it!" The guard who wasn't petting the dragon yelled, with the other guard and the dragon turning around. "State your business!"
"Queen Lucifer sent us." Malina replied. "We're here to see Queen Tiamat."
"For what reason did she send you here?" The second guard asked.
"To seek help in saving the Crossroads." Malina replied.
Both of the guards then remembered seeing the geyser of energy that could be seen a fair distance away from them, though they didn't think much of it. But after hearing that they both turn to each other with a nod and then looked back at the group.
"We aren't sure if Queen Tiamat is already discussing this issue with others already, but you may enter." The first guard said, then turned to the door and opened it. "I shall escort you to Queen Tiamat."
"Thanks." The Helltaker said as they followed the guard to meet with Tiamat.
The guard only nodded in response as he lead the group around the palace, trying to find somebody to ask where Queen Tiamat was located. Eventually, they ran into a male servant.
"Excuse me sir, but do you know where Queen Tiamat is?" The guard asked.
"Oh um, yes. Our Majesty is outside west of here." The servant replied as he looked at the group for a bit, noticeably focusing on Helltaker. "She's tending to her dragons."
"Thank you." The guard said, then both the servant and the group went their separate ways.
The guard continued to escort the group and went to where the servant told him to go. As soon as the guard opened the doors to where Tiamat was, they could see her in a big area next to a couple of dragons that were larger than those than those used by the guards of Anshar. There were other riders that were there, some taking off into the sky or tending to them such as cleaning or feeding them.
"You guys wait here, I will notify her." The guard told the group. "Am I clear on that?"
"We're clear." Zdrada replied.
The guard then walked towards Tiamat, leaving the group behind. Tiamat then noticed him approaching and stopped petting her dragon's head, turning to face the guard.
"What is it, Tolvar?" Tiamat asked the guard now known as Tolvar.
"There are a couple of people who wish to speak to you on behalf of Lucifer, Queen Tiamat." Tolvar replied as he bowed. "It concerns of what happened at the Crossroads."
Tiamat's expression had her looking more concerned after what she just heard, but continued to converse with Tolvar.
"Well, it's good to hear that Queen Lucifer has sent a some people with that situation. After all, I think it's best that we try to fix this as soon as possible before things get worse. Where are they?" She asked him.
"They are waiting for you by the door, Queen Tiamat." Tolvar said as he turned and gestured to where the group was.
"I see." Tiamat said as she eyed the group, looking rather hopeful as she at least recognized one of them but also a bit confused when she saw a human. "I will be there to talk with them."
"Understood, Your Majesty." Tolvar said as he walked back to the group. "She'll be here in a minute."
"Cool." Zdrada said as she waited with her sister and friends.
The Helltaker had his hands in his pockets as he waited for the Queen to approach them.
Tiamat was still by her dragons by the time Tolvar made it back. But before she left them, she pet one of the dragon's head and then walked towards the group.
"You can stay with us Tolvar." Tiamat said to him, with Tolvar giving a nod and then she looked back at everybody else. "Modeus, I haven't seen you in quite some time. I remember when you were younger and when Asmodeus came around here."
"Yes..." Modeus said as she twitched her fingers. "He was very..."
"I do remember hearing about him yes..." Tiamat said with her eyes drifting off looking at one side but then looked back at the four of them. "Anyways, I'm sure we have a more pressing matter to discuss about. Let's talk inside, shall we?"
Tolvar then opened the door for everybody else, with Queen Tiamat gesturing to follow her.
The four of them followed Tolvar and Tiamat inside of the palace.
"What do you know about what happened at the Crossroads?" Tiamat asked the group as they were walking in the palace.
"It's covered in a giant dark mass." Malina replied.
"And if it isn't dealt with, Hell's connection to the other realms will be severed." The Helltaker replied.
"Indeed, I do know of the consequences if we do lose the Crossroads." Tiamat said. "Were you able to find about Mephisto? Is he alright?"
"We don't know." Malina replied. "Everyone else went to help and investigate the mass."
"...That's rather unfortunate, I do hope that he'll be alright." Tiamat said in a serious tone. "We have shared quite a history, mainly during what Hell was first like."
"My grandfather told me about the First Age." Modeus said.
"First Age?" The Helltaker asked.
"When the first demons rebelled against the Hell Titan, sealing it away and attempting to seize power across Hell." Zdrada said lighting a cigarette. "Demons killed one another to try and become top dog."
"That's correct." Tiamat stated while giving Zdrada a brief glare but just continued to walk. "While me and a couple of others had our dragons, Mephisto was very powerful all on his own. He had taken down many even against those who united in order to try and to take him out."
"So you knew him?" The Helltaker asked.
"Yes I did." Tiamat said. "Though I would mostly ask for his aid when we were establishing our kingdom to fight other demons away. But we were still good friends without business, though haven't been keeping each other in contact for the past couple decades."
"Well looks like he's in trouble." Zdrada said. "Lucifer and the others will figure something out, we've had a bit of winning streak for the past few months."
"The stakes are bigger this time." The Helltaker said. "It won't be as simple, plus we were fighting people, not saving them."
"Right you are, mortal." Tiamat stated. "We are especially in trouble without being able to know Mephisto's status in all of this, as you already know that he's the one that rules over the Crossroads."
"Thank you." Modeus said bowing respectfully.
"But we still don't know enough about this mass, what else has been said about it? Surely the Hell Knights has done some investigation." Tiamat asked.
Malina looked at her phone, seeing a message from Pandemonica. She looked at the message and saw a file with data collected about the mass from the Hell Knights.
"Looks like they have a file on all the study they did."
"What does it say?" Tiamat asked.
Malina looked at the file and her eyes widened.
"What is it?" The Helltaker asked.
"The mass is...one large organism, or at least a form of organic matter." Malina replied.
"Hmmm, peculiar." Tiamat said as she stopped walking and turned around to the group along with Tolvar. "What other properties does it have?"
"They only have theories but believe it could consume other forms of energy matter, like us and magic." Malina replied.
"Damn...only theories?" Tiamat asked with a sigh. "I feel as though it's not enough. Are you sure they don't have any solid information about this organic mass?"
"There's one file, an energy reading they took." Malina said.
"What did they find on that?" Tiamat asked as she got a bit closer to them.
"That it was a compound of various energy signatures." Malina replied.
"Which ones?" Zdrada asked.
Malina looked at the file carefully.
"What does it say currently about the energy signatures?" Tiamat asked pressing on the topic. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll get more intense and volatile as time goes on."
"It is a compound that uses demonic energy as a conduit to channel extra-dimensional energies through, which manifest as an organic ultra-terrestrial mass." A female voice said behind Malina.
Malina, the Helltaker and the others turned around to see an attractive female demon with long white hair, black curved horns and a pair of round glasses wearing a revealing dragon-themed dress and a white coat.
"Ah Lahamu, nice for you to join us." Tiamat said as she looked over to the female demon.
Meanwhile Tolvar quickly looked over and gave a bit of a blush and smile, before turning back to normal as he shifted his eyes to stare at something else.
"This is concerning the amalgamation that is currently consuming the Crossroads, correct?" The female demon known as Lahamu asked.
"That's right..." The Helltaker replied also taken away by Lahamu's beauty. "But who are you, miss?"
Tolvar gave Helltaker a bit of a glare as he noticed the way he looked at Lahamu.
"This is Lahamu, my daughter and this kingdom's lead scientist." Tiamat said. "I should've come to you about this issue first, along with these four of course. What were you able to find?"
"Well for one, a small group just entered the mass after two entities appeared from outside its form." Lahamu replied as she showed them a tablet with footage of the younger demon fighting the creature alongside Lucifer and her group.
"So those two have come out of the mass?" Tiamat asked. "I don't recall seeing a creature with all of those bones protruding out of it. Could it be of a different time or plane of existence?"
"It radiates the same energy as the mass, making it possibly an offshoot." Lahamu replied. "It has no soul and therefore was immune to the High Prosecutor's chains."
"The chains can only affect things with souls?" The Helltaker asked.
"The soul is where sins latch onto, and so how can the High Prosecutor punish them for sins when they are incapable of carrying them?" Lahamu replied.
"That's very reasonable." Tiamat said. "What about this younger demon who has popped out? Does he have the same energy?"
"It is strange." Lahamu replied. "I cannot get a read on his energy."
"Strange indeed." Tiamat said. "What about the entire mass itself? What is the status of the energy it has inside itself?"
"The energy is expanding, becoming larger as it spreads across the Crossroads." Lahamu replied. "Eventually it will become unstable."
"I see, so we should definitely not be wasting any more time." Tiamat said. "Is there anything else you can tell about this mass, Lahamu?"
"It emits frequencies that vibrate to the point where it can enter your mind." Lahamu replied.
"Are there any specific areas in which it does so or it can happen anywhere around the mass? And what happens if it does enter one's mind?" Tiamat asked.
"That is something I am currently working on." Lahamu replied.
"I understand. I thank you on what you already have found out about this thing, my daughter." Tiamat said and then looked back at the group. "May I get your names besides Modeus?"
"This is Malina and her sister Zdrada." The Helltaker said.
"We don't know this guy's name, we just called him the Helltaker." Zdrada said.
"Why did you guys give him that nickname?" Tolvar asked, with the Queen also being curious with her head tilting a bit.
"Because he came down to Hell to create a harem of demons." Zdrada replied bluntly.
"Oh. How...interesting." Tolvar said.
"Very well. I shall provide assistance in any way I can." Tiamat said to them. "With what's on the line, I think it's best that we get involved. I hope more kingdoms would do the same."
"Sounds like a plan." The Helltaker said.
"Indeed." Tiamat said. "I think we should also inform some of my best troops, so that they can help as well."
"Good idea." Lahamu said.
"You can continue your research on this mass, Lahamu. We will go ahead and gather the troops." Tiamat said.
"Thank you, Mother." Lahamu said and walked passed Tolvar.
Tolvar turned his head to Lahamu, giving a small smile and wave before facing back to the group.
"Come, we will go to the barracks and find those we shall take with us." Tiamat said as she and Tolvar began to walk again.
The Helltaker and the girls followed Queen Tiamat and Tolvar to the Anshar barracks. As they arrived, they could see the soldiers of Anshar both in and out of their armor. They could be seen walking around the area while some were tending to their dragons. But then some started to see Queen Tiamat and started to salute and kneel or bow at her.
"Queen Tiamat requires all of your attention!" Tolvar said, projecting his voice enough to be heard.
More of her troops then became aware of her presence and walked towards her, also taking a kneel or bow while leaving their dragons to rest.
"Thank you Tolvar." Tiamat said and then looked up at her soldiers. "Listen closely everyone, time is of the essence here. Regarding the geyser over at the Crossroads, we have gotten word that it has been compromised. An organic mass is covering the Crossroads with high levels of energy that's continuing to grow, which will eventually reach dangerous levels to which we could lose the Crossroads. What seems to be the worst of it is that we have no way of contacting Mephisto himself."
Some of the guards began to look at each other while some nodded at what they heard. Their faces became more determined and serious to thinking about what's on the line if nothing is done about this.
"Tolvar and I will select those that we believe should come along and help with us." Tiamat stated. "While the others will be on standby in case we need more help. In the meantime prepare your equipment and dragons until you are called. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Queen Tiamat!" The soldiers of Anshar said in near-perfect unison.
They then broke off from each other and jogged to the armoury or called for their dragons.
"Dragon riders huh?" The Helltaker asked.
"That's literally their thing." Malina replied.
"Indeed, it's been this way for millenia." Tiamat said to Helltaker. "I do hope that nothing severe happened to Mephisto."
"Me too." The Helltaker said.
"My daughter has really convinced me and my citizens that we should advance in science." Tiamat said as she looked at her guards moving around preparing themselves for the mission. "We wanted abide so close to tradition of dragon riding, though some were more extreme in expressing their beliefs against Lahamu. Now thanks to her, we have more ways in medicine and possess some technology we wouldn't have otherwise. It's been slow but we are still making progress."
"Sounds like you're changing for the better." Modeus said.
"Yes we have." Tiamat said with a small smile and then looked back at Tolvar. "Do you have any ideas on who to should go on this mission, Tolvar?"
"Yes, Queen Tiamat. I do have a couple people in mind." Tolvar replied with a nod. "How many men were you planning to send?"
"I'd say about twelve for initial deployment, with about eight as backup." Tiamat said.
"Mother!" A male voice called out.
The Helltaker and the girls looked over and saw a handsome male demon with long white hair, curved black horns and wore dragon themed armour.
"Lahmu!" Tiamat responded back with her smile getting wider, turning to where the voice came from.
"I heard the situation from Lahamu." Lahmu said. "I wish to help."
"Are you sure he can-?" Tolvar asked a bit worringly before Tiamat has interjected.
"Yes, I believe in his ability to go on this mission." Tiamat stated before looking back at Lahmu. "Just wait for the others to come along with you, my son."
"Of course." Lahmu said with a nod.
Both Tiamat and Tolvar eventually chose the soldiers they believe should go to the Crossroads after they got all of their equipment.
"So you twelve including Lahmu will go to the Crossroads when I give the order, meanwhile the rest of you will be the reinforcements." Tiamat explained. "Exercise extreme caution when you head there. We still don't know too much of the mass' behavior and what could come out of it."
"Understood, Queen Tiamat." The soldiers of Anshar responded.
"Guess that's everyone then." The Helltaker said. "Just gotta wait until they're ready."
"I'll message Pandemonica." Malina said. "Then she can tell the Hell Knights that we have reinforcements."
"I can recall some Hell Knights visiting here. I have heard that they've been trying to grow in numbers after recent events." Tolvar said. "They don't seem bad to be around."
"Indeed." The Helltaker said.
"Yeah, of course." Zdrada said sarcastically.
Meanwhile...
Back at Hell Knight headquarters, the generals were still at the war table discussing about the situation. They have recieved more information through the Hell Knights that were sent in. They have also gotten some ideas and theories from Dantalion and Bathym after looking through multiple books and projecting their soul to the Crossroads to investigate, respectively. At the moment, Chariot and a couple of others felt like they didn't have much input on the situation so they turned to Pandemonica, Azazel, and Cerberus. Though some of the generals excluding Chariot had a small shiver down their spines as they saw Pandemonica after so many years.
"Has anybody reported any sort of information to you?" Chariot asked.
Cerberus were just fiddling with stuff and Azazel was too busy watching other demons.
"They arrived at Anshar, and have recruited Tiamat and her forces." Pandemonica explained with a tired expression. "Now where's my coffee?"
"Your coffee will be ready soon.", Chariot replied.
"I'll go ahead and tell the others." One of the generals said, then walking to the table and told the generals about the support they are getting.
The generals had become more positive after hearing the news. Cerberus watched the generals from a distance, peeping from under the table and looking at them like curious dogs.
"Please get out from under there Cerberus." Another general ordered with a bit of a sigh.
The Triple Demon slowly popped up from under the table.
"This is boring! Why weren't we picked to come with! We're strong too!" They said in unison.
"I don't know why, but orders are orders. Especially from Our Majesty, Lucifer herself." Sitri replied with a shrug.
"Your coffee is ready Pandemonica." Chariot said as he brought it to her.
Pandemonica took the coffee and started to drink it. This caused her horns to grow in length and his eyes to dilate, reverting into her "Sadistic Demon" persona.
"Too bad Furtur isn't here right?" One of the generals mumbled to a couple of others, who then gave a small chuckle in response as they know what he's like around Pandemonica.
"Don't..." Chariot said turning to the generals after he heard them.
"Are you satisfied?" Sitri asked her.
Pandemonica stopped drinking and formed a wide grin on her face.
"Hoo boy..." One of the generals groaned as he and some others prepared for what's to come.
Meanwhile the rest just ignored it and still talked about the Crossroads situation with Chariot watching Pandemonica change with a blank expression.
"So what do we do now, gentlemen?" Azazel asked the generals.
"Not entirely sure about that actually." Sitri replied to her. "We still don't have much that is known about the mass that has taken over the Crossroads. All we do have are theories from Dantalion and Bathym, including from their followers."
"There's just not enough evidence to really determine what else we could possibly do." Another general added. Though we are think of sending in more of our troops now that we have Queen Tiamat's support. But that's about it."
"With all due respect, I still don't understand why Our Majesty allows a non-fallen angel is down here with us." One of the generals stated.
"Queen Lucifer has permitted me to be in hers and Hell's presence." Azazel explained. "Though it is strange that my superiors have not requested my return to Heaven."
"I understand now..." The general said, nodding after what Azazel had explained.
"Are the others okay?" Cerberus asked with a small whimper.
"We did get word that Our Majesty, the others, along with two of our Hell Knights have entered the mass." Sitri replied. "But I'm sure that they'll be able to figure out a way to get out."
Some of the general's moods became a little bleak at what they heard, knowing that the Hell Knights that were sent before them didn't make it out. They fear for the same thing could happen to the Queen of Hell along with Satan, the former and current High Prosecutor, as well as two more of their own comrades. Even Sitri, didn't feel entirely sure if he believed what he had just said, but after a while they then got back to work and try and further speculate about the mass at the Crossroads.
Meanwhile...
His eyes began to slowly open, adjusting to the dark and faded light in the distance. As his eyes finally focused, he could make things out. Twisted and warped walls covered in black ooze and looking distorted with cracks emanating a sinister rainbow light. He was lying down on the wet and damp floor as he started to stand up and scratched his head.
"Where am I?" Satan said confused by this ambient realm he had stepped in. "Where is everyone else?"
He then suddenly heard distant sounds, a voice he recognized. He slowly approached it as he navigated what looked like a hallway in a castle or mansion.
"Ugh...w-what the fuck?", Brandish mumbled as he woke up, picking up his weapon and looked around the room.
He felt more disgusted as he was now surrounded in the mass, standing back up on his feet.
"Is anybody there?!" Brandish called out to who ever while also trying to find where to go and get his bearings together. "Your Majesty? Justice? Sombrerón?"
"Brandish?" Satan called out as he walked towards a large room covered in ooze and organic mass.
"Yeah, it's me! Is that you Satan?" Brandish asked as he turned to face where his voice came from.
"Where are you?" Satan asked as he entered the room.
"Uhhh...I think I'm right in front of you?" Brandish said with uncertainty. "I could shoot once in the air and the flash will show you where I am."
Satan could then make out Brandish's shape in the darkness.
"I see you now." Satan said as he created an orb of light which illuminated the room, showing off its disgusting interior.
"Oh hey-UGH SHIT!" Brandish exclaimed as the light had shown more of the room. "So this must be what it's like on the inside, I should report this back to headquarters."
However as he tried to use his comms, nothing but the sound of static blared to his ear drums.
"Owww! So maybe that's why nothing could be heard from the other Hell Knights that came here." Brandish said.
"The mass acts as a dampening field." Satan said as he looked around the room. "Whatever this thing is, it's living and doesn't want us to get out."
"Well shit..." Brandish groaned. "I guess we should find Our Majesty and the others though. Maybe find some of those that were lost a couple of hours ago."
"Yeah." Satan said as they began to walk back into the 'hallways' of the mass. "This place..."
"I don't like it one bit." Brandish commented, looking around the place while aiming down sights of his gun. "Have any idea why on this happened in the first place? Chariot gave me and Furtur a brief summary on what the Generals saw but...I dunno my curiosity has grown now that we're actually inside."
"I don't have all the answers, but Mephisto is the key." Satan replied. "We find him, we'll know what happened."
"Very well." Brandish said as he continued to walk by Satan.
Satan and Brandish walked through the hallways that had the same black ooze and tears with rainbow light, causing a sense of ambiance and light-headedness.
"The hallways, I swear I've seen them before."
"What do you mean?" Brandish asked in a slightly playful tone. "This thing hasn't even appeared until today. Unless you have seen it during your time away or something?"
"Not the mass, these hallways." Satan stated. "They're from a building or mansion I've been in."
"Ah...thought you meant the hallways now that it's covered in the mass." Brandish said. "What makes it seem familiar to you?"
"Someone has a mansion that has these hallways." Satan replied.
"I haven't seen that much mansions, let alone meet the people who own one." Brandish said. "Any ideas as to who?"
"It would probably be the only building that's in the Crossroads." Satan replied. "Which would be..."
"It would be Mephisto's then wouldn't it?" Brandish asked.
"Yeah, his mansion and the mass have fused together." Satan replied.
"Hopefully he's trying to deal with the issue as well." Brandish said. "Or at least safe in general."
"Agreed." Satan said. "We need to find the others."
"Yeah, hate to have more deaths today. Especially if it's Lucifer and the others." Brandish said.
"They're not dying on my watch." Satan assured as the two navigated the hallways.
"Wonder if there's a room where we could find any one of them." Brandish said as he kept his guard up. "Though I'm sure there's a possibility we could run into something like that creature again if we searched other rooms, maybe the dude who actually dealt with it. Who was he anyways?"
"I don't know." Satan replied. "Guess we'll find out eventually."
They then heard voices coming from the other side of the hallway.
"Who's there?!" Brandish yelled down the hall.
Satan saw a door appear on the wall that had sinister rainbow light shining through the cracks.
"Hello?" Brandish still tried calling out to the voices. "Your Majesty? Is that you?"
"Brandish?" A familiar female voice said.
"Justice?" Brandish asked in response as he felt he was recognizing the voice, lowering his assault rifle.
Satan and Brandish walked towards the source of the voice and found the Awesome Demon herself. However she had her hair undone, her coat missing and her shirt forced open, exposing her impressive bust.
"Satan? Brandish that you?"
"Y-Yeah it's us!" Brandish said but then blushed as he got closer as he saw that her shirt is opened. "What happened to you though?"
"I was caught in some ooze and had no choice but to force myself out." Justice replied. "I lost my ribbon and coat in the process."
"No one else was with you?" Satan asked.
"Nope." Justice said but then grinned. "But I'm glad I caught up with two dudes!"
"Heh heh. So that's one we found." Brandish chuckled with his cheeks still red. "I think we should keep moving and looking for the others."
"Sounds like a plan." Justice said thrusting her fist into the air.
Satan touched one of the walls in the hallway, and began hearing what sounded like whispers.
"What are you trying to do Satan?" Brandish asked as he quickly eyed him, then continued to stay on guard.
"Trying to see if I can find more answers about this place." Satan replied.
The whispers then became screeches as the sound of running or dashing could be heard.
"Run." Satan muttered.
"What?" Justice asked.
"RUN!" Satan yelled.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" Brandish exclaimed as he ran after hearing Satan, pushing Justice upfront ahead of himself in the process as they all ran down the hallway.
Satan caught up right behind them as they could then see what looked like a six-legged monstrosity. It had black ooze-like skin, had bones and entrails protruding out of it and had several eyes and mouths which just screamed as it chased after them. Satan, for the first time in a while, was genuinely disturbed by this creature.
"I'll see if I can at least try to slow that thing down!" Brandish suggested as the three ran, telekinetically summoning some guns including a rocket launcher facing towards the creature.
He then made the weapons shoot upon the creature as they continued to run. Though the force of the guns did slow it down, it didn't damage or stop it from moving.
"That monster isn't going to stop until it has us!" Satan yelled.
"We need to escape it for now!" Justice yelled back.
"Where do we go?!" Brandish shouted as he unsummoned his weapons. "I haven't seen any other rooms to hide in or some other corridors we could run down!"
Satan looked around as he checked each of the walls in the hallway, fortunately finding a door a few meters away from them.
"In here!" Satan yelled as he rushed over to the door and opened it.
Brandish then rushed to the door, but not before making sure Justice was to get in before he himself does. Satan quickly closed the door behind them, in the creature tried their best to break the door down but it wouldn't budge. The creature roared angrily before leaving the three alone.
"Phew...well, that was a close one." Brandish sighed. "Though I can assume we'll see it again as it's walking around the fucking place."
"Umm...guys..." Justice said as she started to blush.
"Yeah wha-" Satan's face also went red.
"What is it?" Brandish asked as he turned around to face Justice.
In the panic to get inside of the room, Brandish had one of his hands on Justice's breasts.
"O-Oh shit! Sorry, Justice!" Brandish apologized as he realized what he was doing, quickly getting hand off of her with his face turning completely red.
Justice didn't know what to say other than just look away her with face still blushing. Satan tried his best to not get a nosebleed, not to mention knew that Lucifer would kill him if he ever tried to make a move on Justice.
"It felt kind of nice, even though Chax's are bigger...but back on track!" Brandish thought to himself as he turned away as well. "Uhhh, you think we should wait here longer? Because if we do try and explore the place for everybody else now, I feel like that thing would still be close to us."
"Agreed." Satan said as he turned to look at the room, seeing that it was a dark pathway with purple energy and rainbow light in the distance.
"This place, it feels like there's an entire world in here." Justice said as she felt around the floor and walls.
"Must be a pocket dimension." Satan said. "Hence why the hallways and rooms are bigger."
"That seems to make more sense, I guess." Brandish said. "What's up with the lights though? Is that part of something about space and time as well or something?"
"It's like a dream..." Justice said as she could "see" the rainbow lights.
"In what way?" Satan asked.
"Dreams often have such radiant colour." Justice replied.
"Are you saying this is all just a dream?" Satan asked.
"No, but maybe it has something to do with dreams." Justice replied.
"Huh, never would've thought of it like that." Brandish remarked. "What about you Satan? What could you make of it?"
"I've heard of creatures called Oneiros, which can enter and control dreams through the astral plain." Satan replied. "But they can't manifest dreams into reality, so I doubt they're responsible."
"Ah, I see." Brandish simply said, raising his weapon. "Are you guys ready to get moving again?"
Justice and Satan both nodded as they started walking across the dark pathway.
To be more on the safe side, Brandish summoned more of his weapons as they were walking and making them float above and in front of himself.
"I think that the past few days I have gotten better with this stuff. I can hold these guns and other weapons out with my mind for much longer now." Brandish said making conversation. "Though Chariot and some others think that I should train in more magic or at least do more with my telekinesis. Nah, I don't think so."
"There's nothing wrong with expanding your arsenal and capabilities." Satan said.
"You need to know how to fight without using guns or swords." Justice said. "Turn your own demonic power into a weapon."
"I mean I trained in some close-quarters combat." Brandish stated. "But I suppose in a fight if worse comes to worse, it would be better that I have more up my sleeve."
"Indeed." Satan said as they kept walking.
"Momma! Momma!" The voice of a child said in the distance.
"What was that?" Justice asked flinching.
"A kid?" Satan said as he looked around the pathway.
"Shit! How did one manage to get here of all places?!" Brandish said as he looked around worryingly. "Let's look for them quickly!"
The three of them raced over to an opening within the pathway, only to find no one there.
"Where's the kid?" Justice asked.
"I don't know." Satan replied.
Suddenly within the opening, a projection manifested and showed what looked like a demon child running around before spotting a female demon and running over to her.
"Momma!" The child yelled as the woman smiled and picked them up.
"There you are, my little Mephistopheles." The woman said, hugging the child referred to Mephistopheles.
"You guys are seeing this too right?" Brandish asked. "W-Wait...who did she just say?"
"Mephistopheles...Mephisto?" Justice asked.
"That's his full name." Satan replied. "He never said why he doesn't like being called by it anymore."
"Ah, should we stay with these two just in case? Or should we move on?" Brandish asked as he looked around.
"It's not real, it's just a memory." Satan replied.
"So this is Mephisto's mother?" Justice asked.
"Ishtar, I believe her name was." Satan replied. "She was one of the first demons."
"I see. I would assume that stuff like this will be occuring as we remain here." Brandish said. "Though it wouldn't hurt to check if we heard another one, especially if someone else was in trouble."
"They look so happy together." Justice said. "He never talks about his parents."
"He's very private about his personal life." Satan said. "But something tells me we're not done seeing these memories."
"Yeah, I would think so as well." Brandish agreed. "But wait, so he didn't discuss anything about himself to even you Satan?"
"Like I said, he was a private man." Satan replied.
"Oh um, very well then." Brandish said. "Let's carry on to find everybody else."
Satan nodded and the three of them kept moving until they found what looked like a well with rainbow light.
Brandish slowly walked over to the well and took a small look, but then moved away after nearly being blinded even with his mask on.
"Why the fuck did I think that was a good idea...?" He thought to himself.
Justice "stared" at the well, as if her eyes could actually see the light in it.
"This place is fucked." Satan said as he sat down to rest. "I hope the girls are okay."
"I sure hope so too." Brandish said. "I believe that Sombrerón is doing a good job in staying with them and keeping them safe. If he's with them that is."
Satan sighed and looked off into the distance, thinking about Judgement.
Meanwhile...
He woke up in an ominous space, one filled with darkness and radiant sinister light. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
"Am I dead..?"
"NO, BUT YOU'LL WISH YOU WERE, CROSSROADS DEMON."
He looked up and saw what looked to be a doppelganger, someone who looked like him but was a dark shadow, enveloped in sinister and monstrous energy.
"Who are you?" The Crossroads Demon asked.
"FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS SO MUCH WISDOM, YOU TRULY ARE CLUELESS."
"Is that a threat?" Mephisto asked angrily.
"OH PLEASE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? YOUR POWERS CAN'T HURT ME, YOU CAN'T HURT ANYONE."
"Why am I here?" Mephisto asked.
"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU DON'T REMEMBER?"
"Speak clearly, cretin!" Mephisto yelled.
"YOU ARE HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID, MEPHISTO! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
Mephisto's eyes widened.
"I did this?"
"YES INDEED, CROSSROADS DEMON! AND NOW, ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING TO DIE!"
To Be Continued...
