I'M BACK! OH SWEET MERCIFUL HEAVENS I AM BACK! OH MY GOD I CAN EXPLAIN...at the bottom of the chapter. Let's get into review responses.

William14: Thanks and I'm glad you like it. I wouldn't really know since I don't read Fanfics that involve DC unless it's smut or SaiyatonianSage stories. Enjoy!

Hunter41963801: Thanks. Enjoy!

Gwb620: Thanks. I did huh, well shoot I corrected it. I was fuckin blazing that night. Yeah Elden Ring...I'll uh...I get to that at the bottom. Yeah I love Marvel and am having so much fun working on including it in the series.

Ezeakel: Okay, okay, I'm enjoying the criticism, this is always helpful. I do understand what you mean, but you also have to remember, Ragna has only been a hero for two years. In those two years I have written a few times actually that literally days before the first chapter was his first time fighting a demon lord not counting the recently 'deceased' Ifrit. But he does have information on them, mainly low level ones, the only one he didn't have much on was a Hellspawn, not to mention getting his sword was his biggest power boost right now. He also has reasons as to why he doesn't want to learn of his powers, since his powers are double edge swords most of the time. You know this is basically the beginning of the heroes journey, right? My character learns stuff he hasn't known, earns more powers (And girls), grows or helps others grow. I get it, but you can't compare my character whose only had like two years in this universe compared to like Nightwing whose has like...fuck I don't actually know how long he has been a Robin in the DCAU. I better rewatch later but you get my point. I appreciate the criticism, it's welcomed, enjoy!

Kujore Rotimi Abraham: Thanks. I wish I could but I can't just throw it in, I want to build up Ragna's powers. Weapons sure or something, but powers take time. Hope you understand, enjoy!

Jebest4781: Thanks man, always appreciate it. Enjoy!

Duckboi: Thanks man, and yes those are the girls. I probably won't do last names, but we'll see. Thanks and enjoy!

SaiyatonianSage: Thanks man. Now, now, let's not blame our gracious China Overlords for blessing us with this divin...Yeah no I'm not even gonna try, fuck this lockdown shit. Well lookey here, another chapter posted, and where's Saiya's chapter? Nowhere to be seen?! What a twist! Yeah this little faction are the Paladins, Magnus being the leader, but not the MAIN leader of the MAIN faction. Oh you dirty, dirty boy. Yeah his balls are bluer than fucking Neptune. Well I really wanted to add some history to these guys, and I knew that when it comes to Paladins or Templars, the Crusades are one of the most bloodiest points for them. Sometimes history that you guys will be changed, for better or maybe for worst who knows...Hitler still evil as fuck so don't worry that hasn't changed. Yeah I get it, splitting it instead of adding more, but this is coming from the guy who has DC/Marvel stories may I remind him. The only big franchises is stuff like Voltron or She-Ra/He-Man, the rest is just superficial stuff like design...or women, and villains. It's already hard divulging to Star Wars and Destiny, a WHOLE new story like Marvel/DMC is a lot of work. This helps me focus, and the power scaling is easier to handle...plus I want to work on the Borderlands story but for now let's focus on ADJ. Believe it or not, it only took me a few hours to make the cosmology of this verse, hell I even made a doc for the Hierarchy of this story for fun. So no, no AAD since I'm not making alternate universe Ragna's from Earth 1 or 2 for...cosmology reasons. Thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed that chapter, now enjoy this one!

Guest: Uh I kind of already explained it, but three reasons. One: The communicators broke. Two: Because the Crusade was about to begin and they will not wait. And three: Because plot and I don't need everyone here. Yes, yes...my Mutant Waifu is not only in the story, but she is a main MUTANT girl...but that's a story for another time. The rings are dead, they serve no purpose but for personal souvenirs. Enjoy!

Raidentensho: You know what's great, I had the powers planned...but I didn't even think about what Sin would go with each one, until you brought it up. So even though it wasn't intentional, I thank you for reminding me to categorize them with each sin. While I won't answer if Lightning goes with Lust, I can answer that a Demon's Lightning is either the color white, or crimson for Royal Demons. So...that blue lightning something else...or maybe not...mind games motherfuckers. Royal Guard will appear but who knows if I have styles that fit with the sins, that is cool tho. Yes he will have armor...among other forms. Enjoy!

Yakuza2010: Thanks man, yeah pretty the much the maze and how Paladins are made is pretty much the only CoO reference since secrets organizations, like I said before, are not new. Yeah, the point of the debate was, while Lois is defending Ragna, she is reminded that Batgirl isn't only acting this way out of hatred. The argument was both against and for Ragna and Batgirl, neither are really in the wrong. Even if you think she is wrong or just rude, I made sure she has her reasons. Even if you don't agree with them, Batgirl is not only stressed at failing to save the crooks and capturing the Paladins, she also had her identity figured out and she has no idea if she can stop them. Will he get more devil arms? Who knows, but another DMC enemy will appear soon...and I'm really gonna enjoy this one. Won't answer about Savage so who knows. Won't answer about the nightmares either but I like what you think, since I got plans for both Destiny's. Enjoy!

xXwolfsterXx644: Thanks.

Wolfster's character arc is one of the best sometimes I swear, I'll make an anime out of you yet.

Devon18: Thanks. I hear what you mean, but I plan to add Marvel stuff organically. Since I'm only twenty chapters in and haven't fully explored the cosmology...I'm doing pretty good. Naw you can combine it, you just gotta know what fits in what. For example: Eternity and Infinity represent Time and Space. Death represents...Death of all things, and Oblivion represents...nothingness. While Mother Night would represent the Darkness of Eternity, and Father Time represents the life of Mortals. The Endless like Death represent the end of Mortals. Does it make a little more sense now? I won't do every single thing imaginable like I won't do characters like Wild Dog or background heroes. Either small cameos or mentions, nothing more like Sublime the weird bacteria that makes humans hate mutants because...no, not having that. Man fuck that, it's clearly an Abstract Being making cancer, with all of those fucks there's no way one didn't make cancer to fuck with everyone. It's one thing to call out Odin's stuff, it's a complete 180 to make him a dumb, misogynistic, overall drunk fuck. Like even at War of the Realms he looked to be changing...and that went nowhere. Not saying he was always consistent, he basically had three personalities throughout his run, but overall he's always had a plan and was still the wise All-Father of Asgard who loved his son. Fuck this recent chapter of Thor was basically Odin we all know. Aaron had SOME good runs, God of Thunder Gorr Butcher arc was amazing, but what the fuck happened?! Oh yeah, I got some plans for Angela...yeah. Okay but why tho, why make this Hellcat character a bigger character? I've read the comics, and I still don't give a flying fuck. Speaking of Marvel, I'm gonna get into a rant about Krakoa era Mutants so be prepared that will be fun to talk about. What a shock, a character returned to the status quo, it's almost like it was a waste of fucking time. Trust me, you don't need to convince me that Nature Girl is trash, which is weird because I bet she wasn't always like this, I think what is worse is the Krakoan Mutants reaction to this. Yeah Dark Crisis sounds fun...but we had a crisis event like three years ago. I don't really think he's that overpowered, he stop being overpowered once they basically introduced Perpetua and the Super Celestials. I want to steal a PS5, yes I am that desperate...but I won't. Yeah Return of the King is good, I don't really like the ending of the book, mainly the Shire part, I'll get into that in another review response. Thanks again, and enjoy!

Slayer78: I live! Yes it was less action but just as fun. Yeah Dante and Vergil really don't have big weaknesses outside of themselves or some demon weapons. So I had to add more with Ragna since DC has an ACTUAL Heaven. I get what you're saying with more stuff, but you have to remember that when it comes to content, DMC is basically a lake on an island surrounded by the ocean. It's cool stuff, but DC has way more, and with Marvel I can even expand it. But don't worry, characters like Sparda and Eva are basically the biggest influencers throughout the history of this story. Enjoy!

Spiral-Voltron-Zero0Q1: Thanks. Enjoy!

Guest: They are, it's just that they aren't main girls at the moment.

Death revan1998: Thanks, enjoy!

Direbeast37: Thanks, and I was updating pretty damn nicely last year, but when I got sick things took a nasty turn. I have my reasons to why this wasn't updated and you'll see why. I totally understand and appreciate the patience. Enjoy!

Sento Uzumaki: Thanks! Enjoy!

E: Holy fuck that's a lot (Cracks knuckles, pops neck, snaps feet), alright let's go. Yeah Ragna's powers are both...vast...and very much fun to work with. Like I said before I don't read or watch One Piece so I wouldn't know but coolio. No this won't be a thing for Ragna it's just...I mean...I actually don't have an answer. Whoops. Yeah DS2 is definitely my least favorite so far, yeah I did feel like a god when I killed the bosses in just a few runs...and Elden Ring...Oh boy. Okay so to give you an example of how it felt, you know that feeling when you've done something or waited and it feels like hours but it's only been like thirty minutes? Imagine being in a maze with only one light, no map, no clock, no sense of time, etc. But to give you an idea he was in there from the minute he got captured, to sundown. Well as I explained in the chapter, Ragna knew something was up but what choice did he have? His body was weakened thanks to the Holy Water and wounded from Magnus, he was basically dehydrated, not to mention Ragna doesn't need sleep as much as we do (Or at least he is forced not to sleep). I get what you're saying, but I like doing the scene breaks since it helps me focus writing so I'm not the same scene for several hours. While it is chronological, it's also just a personal reason as to why I do that. Uh I don't remember saying he wasn't exactly, I said he wasn't a Nephalem, since to be a Nephalem he would have to be part angel and neither his parents are angelic. Quick spoilers no, Ragna is not part mutant, but his family is involved in a deeper connection. Yeah I liked that part in Bleach, didn't know Tite Kubo was ill though when it was going on. That sucks. Well I'm glad you aren't offended, but you know how some people (Twitter) can be, it only takes one word. Aw man, the Silmarillion is one of the best fantasy books around, love every second of it, but I won't spoil, I do recommend it though. Well it takes certain requirements to actually have holy water: Obviously you have to be completely devoted to the Lord (Like Magnus), or be completely virtuous and fair (Like Leslie). It's not just being a Christian/Catholic and the water you have is holy, you have to have all the virtues or be absolved of sin. There's also one way but I won't get into that. I can see what you mean, but to be fair I don't see people like Superman being rude since he is one of the nicest guys around, Batman doesn't trust anyone, and Diana (Young) always had problems with men. Honestly I felt like Jon is my best work with his reactions to Ragna considering what happened. With Batgirl I understand but it's unreasonable as to why, and Kara...well I wanted a tsundere moment so you got me there. I can't have everyone liking my character. I do get what you mean, and I do have that planned with some characters (Ones that may surprise everyone actually) but for like most of the girls, I'll either have them become infatuated with him or become hesitant while slowly melting the wall between them. Okay, okay I may not have best explained the crossovers, outside of Marvel/She-Ra/He-Man/Voltron, the anime stuff is simply designs or girls or some villains. Ulquiorra won't be an angel, but his design is for an Angel from the Bible if that makes sense. TBH I wasn't a fan of the RotK book ending, I feel like the movie did pretty well ending it on Sauron since he was pretty the BIG bad throughout all three books. No, why does everyone think about Kyrie, she's not even gonna be a main love interest for a long time since I things to do with her. Seriously just because DMC girls are in doesn't mean they are important instantly, I have WAY better girls to work with. Kyrie Eleison (If all the work I looked over is true) is Greek for 'Lord, have Mercy' which even Barbara or someone else I had written said. Okay, thanks for the reviews, I hope you enjoy!

I'm not doing disclaimers, y'all know I own jack shit what's the point?!

You see the sunrise! A new day upon you! You bite your nails and your news starts to tremble! The time is upon you to show them what you can do, and soon they will know that THE DAY HAS COME!

(A Devil's Justice)

Late into the night I hear it storming! And into the rain is what I pray and I'm hoping'. Now I feel the pressure of the city, oh, how it eats me whole!

So many names and faces! Sleepless nights spent in unknown places, and every day I walk straight into the great unknown!

I'm not to blame! I'm gonna take a stand! You say my name! I'm telling you to reach out and finally take my hand!

Colliding fists! They're what's gonna make you! You grit your teeth or they're gonna break you! The time is upon you to show them what you can do! You're breaking the mold to show them you're not them!

Will we break through? I don't know, don't know! The bells are ringing, come out and play now! The time is upon you to show them what you can do and soon they will know that THE DAY HAS COME

Chapter Twenty-Three: Court of Sins: Kyrie Eleison

(A Devil's Justice)

"Miss Prince!" Diana perked up to her name being called, looking over to see Ragna's friend walking over to her. The school day had just ended, students were walking out the doors, and Diana was patiently waiting for most to leave so she can walk with Aya and the Twins. Kyrie, who had been the one to call out Diana, was happily waving at the Amazonian Princess while Victor and Artemis walked behind her.

"Kyrie, Victor…..Miss Crock." Diana stated, eyeing the rebel teen with a bit of distaste in her tone. She has barely been a teacher and already the girl was pushing her patience, luckily Diana had a plethora of students that loved her lessons. She even forgot to give them homework, pretending it was intentional and not because she forgot to hand it out.

"Miss Prince, I hope you had an amazing second day as Redgrave's History Teacher." Kyrie said, beaming at the taller and older woman. A soft smile spread across the Amazon's lips, she enjoyed the young girl's positive attitude, it stood in contrast to Artemis' stubborn and crass nature.

"It was very good, the students are taking a liking to my lessons." Diana said.

"Yeah….I mean, I don't know when I am ever gonna need to take down a Cerberus Hound...but it was cool to learn that there are more than one." Victor mused, much to the annoyance of Artemis.

"Can we please focus on why we are doing this? Have you seen Ragna?" The Amazon looked over at the Rebel with worried curiosity. So Ragna hadn't even contacted his friends? Looking at each and every one of them, he could see that each of Ragna's friends had a worried expression on their faces, genuine concern for their half-devil friend.

"You have not seen him all day?" Diana had an idea what he was still doing, but she of course couldn't reveal that to them.

"No, he disappeared halfway through school yesterday too, and we haven't seen him at all today." Kyrie explained, her eyes gleaming up at the Princess.

"You being his neighbor and all, we were just wondering if you had seen him this morning?" Victor asked, Diana hummed in thought, trying to make up an excuse. That's when it clicked.

"I believe he was talking with the new student, Ghia'ta, about helping her and his Aunt Leslie yesterday and today." Diana excused, annoyed at such a lame lie, but it seemed to have worked for the three with their surprised looks.

"Ghia'ta…..with Leslie?" Artemis asked.

"Heh, I bet Ragna will be ecstatic if Leslie approves of the new girl." Victor joked, snorting in amusement, while the three girls looked at the tall teen baffled by what he said.

"Approved?" Kyrie asked.

"Well, yeah? Didn't you see how she was practically glued to his arm yesterday? How she giggled and he blushed everytime she spoke. I mean, I'd have to be a deaf and blind man to not see that they both like each other." Victor explained it like it was the most sensible thing. Diana furrowed her brows in thought, because even she knew that the Zamaron Princess was quite literally in love with Ragna.

So why did that make her heart tighten up?

"T-That means nothing. Ragna gets embarrassed whenever a pretty girl gives him attention, remember Iris?" Artemis retorted.

"Yeah, but this is a girl who hasn't even been here for a day, and she has already clung onto Ragna like he is her boyfriend." Victor stated, making Kyrie squeak and cover her face with a mad blush. Diana found this cute, but this also made her wonder if the Alien Princess had seen Ragna?

"Well, if you would like I can go and see if Ragna is with his aunt if you are busy?" Diana offered. To be honest seeing the elder Nun brought joy to the Amazon, much like when Ragna is giving her that goofy smile that she couldn't help but smil….Wait, where did that come from?

"Yeah, I do have to head home, gotta do a lot of homework." Victor said, Kyrie nodded her head in agreement.

"Well I'm free, let's go see the old Nun and I can give Ragna a piece of my mi-!" Before the Rebel could go off, Artemis grumbled as the ringtone of her phone rang out, making the teen pull out the small device and answering it.

"Hey, Mom…..What? N-No, I didn't do it…well I got the other work done…O-Okay, okay I'll be home soon…..Ugh, yes I'll get some eggs…Yeah…..Okay, okay…I love you too." Artemis did her best to whisper the last part, hanging up the phone, glaring at the group with Victor wearing a shit-eating grin. Diana was surprised, she never thought she would see such a soft side to the rebel, clearly she was intimidated by her mother. Diana would like to meet this Mrs. Crock, and shake her hand.

"Well, guess I'm busy with….whatever, see ya guys tomorrow." Artemis huffed, turning her back to the group and walking away with her backpack.

"See ya, Ms. Prince." Both Kyrie and Victor wave goodbye to the Amazon, Diana waving back before turning to the setting sun. She wondered if Ragna was still out searching for those murderers, maybe he was with Leslie and Ghia'ta…..that one made her worry a little less.

"BEGONE FOOLISH IDIOT!" Diana attempted the urge to roll her eyes, turning around to see Koye and Kory, the older sister glaring down at a teen she had just punched. Aya was off to the side, simply watching and waiting for the two.

"Come, come sister, let's not cause a scene." Kori giggled nervously, dragging her sister away as the eldest glared daggers at the jock, Flash was his name.

"What happened?" Diana asked, glaring at the twins as Aya followed after them.

"The stupid Earthling dared tried to, as the earth term goes 'hit on me' I took that as a challenge and showed him just a smidge of my strength. That will show him trying to challenge me to combat." Koye growled defiantly, snarling at the group of boys.

"...I do not believe that is what the term means." Aya said. Diana looked at the three girls, seeing the eldest Tamaran fume while Kori smiled, and Aya remained stoic as usual. Looking back at the sunset, she realized then and now she didn't want to go home yet.

"How about we head over to Leslie's and see if Ragna is there. Just to be safe." Diana suggested, not willing to accept that Ragna was out and alone, gone for so long…why was her heart tightening again?

"I like that suggestion." Aya concurred.

"Oh yes, I would like to see if Friend Ragna and his Aunt are okay." Kori beamed, hugging onto her sisters arm, making the oldest to grumble.

"Very well, I am curious as to what the Earthling is doing right now." Diana nodded her head in acknowledgement before guiding the girls towards the Church. Luckily when they first met, Leslie had explained to Diana where her Church was if she ever wanted to visit, or where she lived as well.

"I think it would be most beneficial if Jennifer was to, as the earth saying goes, tag along." Aya suggested. Diana saw nothing wrong with that, she knew what it was like to be in that apartment alone for most of the days when Ragna was in space, that Jennifer was on the same boat with her.

"We'll pick her up on the way." Diana said, guiding the girls behind a tree. Once they were out of sight, the four flew off into the sky towards Ragna's apartment. As they flew, Diana wondered again what Ragna was doing, and if he was alright.

She prayed to the Gods that he was.

(A Devil's Justice)

"Bless me Father, for I have made a misstep in your Holy Mission." Magnus prayed, blade stabbed into the stone as he kneeled within a dark room, the only source of light were a few candles illuminating the area. His hood was pulled down, strange silver liquid dripping down from above and on top of his head. The only sound that now echoed across these dark walls were the pained cries of a woman, reaching the ears of every Paladin within the base. It had been some time since the Spawn of Sparda escaped, much to the ire of the Paladin.

"The boy escaped his Judgment, Father, and desecrated your son's holy image." Magnus explained, ignoring the constant cries as he prayed for forgiveness for his failure.

"I promise you, with your divine power, we shall find the boy and make him repent for his sins. He cannot hide forever." Magnus swore, even now as he spoke, his men that had awakened were now searching the lower levels of the base. Once they find the demon, they will be able to continue their plans in the Final Crusade. He had no worry for the other sinners, those heroes, the Paladins have been watching them for a LONG time, longer than they know. They knew everything about the heroes: Who raised Superman, who killed Batman's parents, who the Green Lantern's were protecting, even the rise of newer heroes such as Ragna. They know who the Commissioner's daughter in Gotham is, they know who the new web slinger in New York was, they are the Eye behind the Truth, and the truth was so much bigger than people knew. Magnus could not let this stand, he had allowed sin to poison this world for too long, now was the time for action, and the Spawn of Sparda sealed it. True they could've done it at anytime, but truthfully the only one they feared thwarting their plans was the demon child, being the only one they knew little of his physiology….until recently.

They had suspected he was weak to holy weapons, being half-demonic, but to what degree? His eyes wandering to a nearby table, Magnus looked at the comically large arm gun that would replace the right or left limb of their most devoted. They had a prototype designed for their Curse Agent, but it was destroyed in his first and only battle with the bastard child. The was imbued with holy light, through means that only the higher ups knew. Magnus made the weapon in hopes of impressing his Saviors. It also proved effective for a moment, as did the Holy Water as it seemed to sap the boy of his power, akin to the alien sinner and his weakness to the green rock they keep in another location. He will not deny it, he was afraid of the bastard child's power, but now…..now things change.

"Your Apostles are already searching for the half-breed, it is only a matter of time." Magnus stated. "And not just him, but the sinners, the heroes, and all those that were born impure."

Superhumans. They were categorized in many groups: Metas, Aliens, Mutants, Half-Breeds, Fake Gods. It didn't matter to Magnus, a sinner was still a sinner, and they shall all repent.

"Who dares disturb me?" Magnus growled, pulling out of the ground and aiming it at the one who entered without his permission, all within the blink of an eye. Standing before him was one of his Paladins, their head down in respect for their superior. Magnus stared at the Paladin, before lowering his blade and letting out an annoyed growl.

"No sign of the boy." The Paladin said nothing, but that was all Magnus needed for an answer.

"Search for the lower levels, he couldn't have gotten that far. We can't have him meddling with our plans for the Crusade." Magnus ordered, flipping his hood back on and cleaving his blade.

"Before he stains any more of this world than his kind already has." Magnus muttered, looking up at the wall, staring at the object of their Savior, a piece he left behind, the weeping echoing in their ears. As the Paladin stepped aside to follow Magnus, the two stepped out of the room to the sound of a high pitch cries that blared across the underground base.

"What?! That's….No." Magnus growled, balling his fist in anger. The sirens were not to signal that the boy was found, or that he escaped. No, they were something far worse.

"They found us!"

(A Devil's Justice)

"I hope you are right about this." Decker seethed as she exited the police car with Batgirl, Officer Moore, and Lois behind her. The location Batgirl had found was outside of Redgrave City in Paladis Forest, one of Redgrave's historical locations. Three SWAT vans parked behind them, seven armored policeman exiting the vehicles armed to the teeth, ready to take out these psychotic zealots before they can cause any more mass murders. Decker and Moore wore a ballistic vest covering her chest, while Lois chose a much smaller and more secure NIJ Level II vest. Why the reporter chose to come along, Decker had no idea, but Lois refused to stand on the side while there were secrets to discover within this hideout.

"So am I." Batgirl muttered, holding up the Batdetector, scanning the forest for the same frequency that the zealots are programmed with.

"You ready Miss Lane?" The vigilante asked, hoping the reporter would reconsider her choice, but she already knew the answer.

"Too late to back down now, let's take these psychoes down." Lois said, Batgirl and Decker nodded as the detective signaled her men to follow her. The group trekked through the forest, all eyes following the bat-themed vigilante as she scanned each and every turn they took. After some time, Batgirl held her arm up stopping the group, signaling them to be quiet before stopping just at the top of the hill where the treelines ended. Many of the SWAT officers activated their night vision mode, looking for anything out of the ordinary as Decker joined Batgirl. Before them was a large field spread towards the mountains, but what caught Batgirl's eye was the strange broken structure within the center of the field. Changing frequencies on her detector, Batgirl scanned the field before turning to Decker once it beeped.

"We're in the clear, let's go." Batgirl said, running through the field with the others behind her. Decker signaled her men to form a perimeter while the four walked up to what appeared to be a destroyed Church, all that remained was the front side and a left wall. Kicking the door down, both officers scanned the room with their handguns, before Batgirl walked past them.

"No lasers, no security, nothing." Batgirl muttered, scanning the room, the only thing it had left was four crosses on the wall in a very odd position.

"And no secret base." Decker reminded, scanning the field for any strange sightings.

"There is one, this place is sending out radio signals like crazy." Batgirl muttered.

"Well if they aren't above ground us, then….." Sophie trailed off, looking down at the ground beneath them. Realizing what she was implying, Decker let out an annoyed huff.

"Well that's just great, now how do we get down into a possible secret base?" The Detective asked.

"Look around, where there is a secret base, there is a secret lever." Lois suggested, the four girls search the building as SWAT walked in.

"Perimeters cleared Ma'am, there is no sign of these….cultist freaks." The officer reported while Lois walked over to the wall, looking at the four crosses. She noticed that out of all of them, only one had a figure on it, the four were spread out like a cross, but only one stood out.

"Now why does this one have a figure on the cross, while the others don't?" Lois asked as Batgirl walked up to her. Reaching out and grabbing the cross, Batgirl unclicked it off the wall, staring at the small object.

"Because…..it's not a cross." Batgirl realized, studying the object in her hand, gaining the others' attention.

"What?" Sophie asked.

"It's a Crucifix. The figure is Christ himself." Batgirl explained.

"Great, now how does this help us?" Decker asked, crossing her arms. Batgirl scanned the opened room once more, looking over Lois' shoulder at the door. Walking past the reporter and standing in front of the door, the vigilante scanned the corners of the door, before landing at the top.

"Well, if I know one thing about Christians or Catholics. They tend to have crucifixes or crosses…..above the door." Batgirl grunted as she hooked the crucifix on a small hook above the door. A loud CLICK echoed across the field, signaling the other SWAT members to step closer as the ground shook beneath them. The SWAT's aimed their rifles at the ground as the stone beneath the girls began to split open. Once the ground stopped shaking, Batgirl smirked victoriously at the stairs that led into the Earth below.

"And into the first circle we go. Ladies first." Lois mused, gesturing to the officers.

"Batgirl, you and I will take points. Moore, stick by Mrs. Kent, the rest of you form up. Officer Doyle, Richie, stay here and guard the opening." Decker ordered, the SWAT moved into a shield like formation while two stayed behind, with the Vigilante and Detective in the front. Before they entered, Lois had pulled out her phone, turning the camera to record. This may be a life or death situation, but she was still a reporter, and this could be the scoop for the century. As they traveled down the stairs, the SWAT flipping on their lights, they noted how the ground was now metal and the hallways silver with crosses all over the walls. As they walked Batgirl pulled out a small bat-device, scanning the walls and floor, visible confusion in her eyes.

"No secrets traps, no security alarms, there are no security defenses at all." Batgirl whispered, before Decker raised her hand, stopping the group.

"Does…..does anyone hear that?" Decker whispered, making the entire group stop and listen. It was faint, but continuous, as it echoed across the halls. Batgirl narrowed her gaze curiously, before widening in realization.

"It's crying." Batgirl muttered.

"They have a hostage." Sophie stated, eyes scanning the hall.

"You don't think it's…?" Lois didn't dare question it, fear trembling in her voice.

"No, it's a female, their voice is lighter." Batgirl reassured, secretly hoping that Ragna was fine and well, maybe he even escaped on his own.

"We should keep moving, and be on the loo-!" Before Decker could finish, a flicker of silver light shot out from the darkness, Batgirl reaching out and catching a silver cross inches from Decker's face. Instantly, the SWAT aimed their rifles down the hall, their lights aimed right at the target. To their surprise, a lone figure stood there, covered in all black robes and a hood covering their face. Tossing the cross aside, Batgirl took a combative stance as the officers aimed their guns at him.

"Listen up, cultist freak, surrender now and we will bring you in peac-!" Before Batgirl could finish her offer, the Paladin dashed towards them, pulling out two crosses and raising them into the air. Before they could cut down the hero, Decker fired off several rounds followed by two officers behind her. Several bullets pierced through the robes of flesh, red painting the silver floor as the Paladin slumped to the floor, dead. It's body twitched for a few more moments, before finally it stopped moving.

"Wh….WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!" Batgirl exclaimed, turning to the Detective, glaring at Decker. "We don't ki-!"

"YOU don't kill, and I had I not done that, you would have crosses going right through your skull. We aren't just here to save Sparda, we are here to take these cultist maniacs done, for good!" Decker retorted, nearly pressing her face against the vigilantes. As the two continued to bicker, Lois and Sophie noticed that the body that had once been dead, twitched. Lois and the officer looked at each other in confusion, but both figured it was the brain still trying to make the body function. However, to their shock, the paladin's palm pressed against the metal pulling itself back up.

"I do not care how you do it in Gotham, when it comes to the RCPD we make sure we protect our city from ANY threat."

"Um, Ma'am." Sophie stated, gaining the SWAT's attention as they noticed the body moving.

"Mad or not, they are still human beings and we can't go around killing them."

"Um, Bats?" Lois started, seeing the body finally pushing itself back on it's knees, the SWAT aiming their guns at the Paladin.

"I'm sure Batman tells you that the next time Mad Clowns are killing people with toxic laughing gas!"

"What is that supposed to me-!"

"MA'AM/BATGIRL!"

"WHAT?!" Both felt their hearts tighten as the cracking sound of bones popped throughout the hall. Turning back, both women felt their hearts stop as the Paladin that had just been shot dead, stood at full attention. It's arms dangling like a puppet with strings, the Paladin flipped their head back, their black hood slipping off. Batgirl, Decker, Sophie, Lois, and all the SWAT held the urge to nearly vomit at the sight before them, Batgirl and Lois recognizing the features.

"Jesus fucking christ." A SWAT mumbled as the Paladin faced them. The Paladins face was gone, metal burned into the skull in the shape of a cross, their teeth sharpened like a canine, more mutant than man. The Paladin let out low snarls, and Decker saw that a bullet flattened against the metal. The…..thing let out a few gasps for air, before pulling it's head back.

"GGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" The howl was inhuman, painful, but most of all, a warning. The Paladin reached into their back and pulled out two more crosses, lunging at the group.

BANG

The Paladin head shot back as a bullet went through it's mouth and out the backside, the creature landed on it's back before a few SWAT officers fired off several more rounds. The group waited a few moments, finally breathing once the body stopped moving. Decker turned around to mutter a thanks to Sophie, surprised to find that it was Lois who fired off the round, a handgun in her hands.

"...What?" Lois asked, noticing that most of the group were looking at her. Shaking her head, Decker turned to the vigilante, realizing how childish she had been. This wasn't the time to start making enemies, especially in a place like this.

"Listen, let's just focus on taking down these cultists…..by any means necessary." Decker said, Batgirl looked over at the older woman. Taking a deep breath, she finally relented her stubbornness, knowing that this was pointless. They needed to find Ragna, and stop this 'Crusade'.

"Let's keep moving." Batgirl said, guiding the group, Decker nodded in agreement. She looking over her shoulder, muttering a 'kill on sight' as her men followed the vigilante.

"...Mrs. Kent, where did you get that gun?" Sophie asked, finally bringing up where the reporter had gotten the firearm.

"I found it in your car." Lois answered, Sophie giving her a deadpan expression as the group moved down the hall. After sometime, with the hallway simply turning right or left, the group find themselves a pair of doors that led one way.

"Officer Grime, Barnebis, keep watch." Decker ordered as two SWAT officers turned and aimed down each side of the halls. Decker gave one of her other SWAT a nod, the man pulling out a battering ram. With a mighty WHAM, the doors were knocked off their hinges by the large enforcer, several SWAT scanned the room, giving the Detective and others the coast was clear. Once the girls walked in, taking in their surroundings, the room they stood in was akin to an operating room in the hospital.

"Something tells me they don't perform surgeries." Lois mused, walking over to a table where it had several operating tools, taking a shot of each and every one of them. Batgirl walked up to the operating table, disgusted at the sight of dried blood on the floor. Batgirl walked over to a large pair of steel doors, seeing that they had no lock (Couldn't blame them had no one discovered this place) she opened the doors to be met with a blast of cool air. Decker and Lois walked over as the light inside the doors shot open, revealing several jars with clear liquid inside, Lois trying not to gag at the contents inside. Organs, from lungs to stomach to even a heart, in perfect symmetrical order. Each one had a small tape over each one with writing on them, the caped vigilante grabbing an organ.

"Christine Vale, Age 20, March 20 1998….Have….have they been kidnapping people?" Batgirl asked, appalled at such actions, while behind them Sophie had found a cabinet. Opening the first drawer, Sophie found that it had contained numerous files, each one tagged with a name. Hearing the name before, Sophie searched through the cabinet, her flashlight landing on the target.

"Detective, Batgirl, you may want to see this." Sophie pulled out a file, handing it to the caped vigilante. Opening up the file, as Batgirl and Decker read through the file, Lois looked over the girl's shoulders. The reporter's eyes widened in realization as they landed on a picture in the file, seeing a girl smiling at the camera. Lois did not know the girl personally, but she recognized her, slowly reaching into her pocket the reporter pulled out a picture of hers.

"I…I've seen that girl before." Batgirl and Decker turned around to face Lois, eyes widening in shock at the picture she held up. It showed three girls posing by an alleyway, one of the Paladins hiding in the shadows behind them.

"This was one of my pieces of evidence during my report…I….I never knew her." Lois muttered, handing Batgirl the photo.

"Why would they capture this girl?" Sophie asked.

"According to the file, she had found some of the 'brothers' meeting within an old warehouse." Decker explained, a sneer on her lips at the actions these cultists have enacted.

"We need to learn more about what they are doing here, Officers, scout ahead and see if you can find any sign of Sparda and whoever is crying. If you see any more of these cultists, shoot on sight." Decker ordered, most of the SWAT moving out save for two as they kept their eyes out for either side of the hall.

"Let me see those files." Lois asked, helping Sophie look over each and every file. Her eyes widened in shock as she opened up the next file, only to gaped in shock at the picture below.

"This man, I only knew him for a few minutes, he was an informant for me. He had information on these cultists…..I thought they had killed him…but now I feel like they had something far worse in mind." Lois stated, holding the picture up to Batgirl, the vigilante inspecting the man smiling with his friends. "I….I didn't even know his name."

"...Joe Robbins." Batgirl muttered, gesturing to his name on the file. "His parents are dead, but he has an older brother that lives in Kansas."

"Kansas…" Lois mumbled.

"It hasn't stopped, you know." Sophie muttered, finally taking in the eerie echo of the crying, it was more terrifying than it was sad.

"It sounds so far away, and yet I can still hear her." Lois added, shuttering as a strange cold breeze ran up her spine. Batgirl listened to the crying, it was sad, someone was in pain and she couldn't even locate it. This won't stop her of course, once they find Ragna and take down the cultists, they will find this lady and bring her to safety.

"How big is this place?" Sophie asked, looking up at the ceiling to see several pipes travel across the room and into the wall.

"No idea, but with how many signals I received when tracking the cultist, this place will be filled with many surprises." Batgirl explained, pulling out her Bat-Scanner.

"Speaking of…where are they?" Lois asked. "Don't get me wrong, not seeing another one of…..whatever the hell that thing was is great…..but why does this place feel so….empty?"

The girls and SWAT Enforcer took a moment to take in the eerie silence outside the crying, and they did realize that it was very quiet. It was like one of those corny horror movies where the silence was followed by a sudden jump scare. But that was a movie, this is real, and the threat was VERY much deadly.

"Detective Decker, we have split up into three groups to cover more ground, this place….it's a maze." A SWAT member stated over the comms, seven of them had quietly snuck down a flight of stairs that led to several doors. They had opened one on what had to be the sixth level down, to their annoyance it led into another hallway but this time it had several doors on each side. One of them opened the door, only to be surprised by what they found inside, one lifting up their comms.

"Ma'am, one of the rooms is much like the operating table above…..but I don't think they were extracting organs." An Officer stated as another one walked over and scanned another room.

"Same with this one." The other one said, scanning the operating room. They noticed several welding tools laid out on the table. As they kept scanning each and every room, in another part of the base, six other SWAT officers had located a new set of doors, silver crosses on each one. Opening them up, the officers found themselves in a non-denominational chapel, candles lit in the shapes of crosses, the cross of Christ at the very end.

"Detective Decker, we have located the cultist…chapels, but no sign of them or Sparda….nor any closer to the weeping girl." The officer stated as two other members walked down the chapel scanning for any sign of life or threat.

"No sign of the cultist, Ma'am."

"Dammit, what the hell is this, hide and seek?" Decker grumbled, turning to the lone SWAT in the room. "Officer Boem, search the perimeter with the others, I'll join you as soon as I am done."

"It would be really great if they had a map, I mean how could they not get lost in this place?" Lois asked annoyingly as she leaned on the fridge. However, a loud beep echoed around the room, followed by the sound of mechanical gears shifting and whistling as the room shook. Batgirl and Decker noticed that the fridge was shaking violently more than the rest. The vigilante quickly ran over to the fridge, pulling it open only to find all of the jarred organs to be gone, cool mist falling out.

"Dammit!" Decker cursed, rubbing her eyes. She wasn't mad at Lois, since the reporter had no idea (Nor any of them) that this would happen, but it still pissed her off that the evidence had disappeared.

"They must be moved to another part of the base, let's move out and find Sparda and that girl." Batgirl ordered, Decker nodded and led the three out. Suddenly, a loud blaring cry echoed across the base, everyone looking up in alarm.

"...The Stomach is the personification of Gluttony in the mortal realm." A man stated over the speakers.

"That…..that voice…..it's him." Lois stated.

"Who?" Sophie asked.

"The man who has been leading these cult psychopaths." Batgirl explained, as the man continued.

"Because of this, we extract the stomach to remove the temptation of gluttonous desire. This is but just one of many things we remove from the sinners to physically cleanse them of their sins: For Pride it is the Heart, weaken to absolve. For Envy it is the ears, for Avarice it is our eyes, for Sloth it is our lungs, for Wrath it is the kidneys, and Lust…..well, you get the picture." The man explained, giving everyone a vivid and horrid idea on what they remove from the body.

"Welcome Batgirl, Mrs. Kent, and the Police Force of Redgrave….to the House of the Lord. Here, this place is the birthplace of the first Church in Redgrave. Here will also be the beginning of a new age, an age of Prosperity, the Age…..of Holy Light."

"It just takes killing hundreds of people, including innocent ones, to fulfill?!" Batgirl seethed, glaring up at the ceiling.

"Not innocents, sinners. Those that have committed great sins shall suffer the Wrath of the Lord, and those that are pure shall be blessed in his holy light. Unfortunately, you will not see the light of day."

"Detective Decker, we found…..something really fucking crazy." An officer stated over the comm. From their side, five SWAT members had separated from the others and found a set of stairs that led down to a large set of heavy steel doors. Pushing open the doors, the SWAT found themselves into what can only be a large wide open area inside the base. They couldn't tell how far it went, for there was only darkness inside, but lifting their flashlights in the room they saw it was not empty.

Coffins. Hundreds upon hundreds of coffins laid upon the ground in perfect symmetrical order. They were locked tight by keypads and handle wheels. The room was nearly below the absolute zero, the SWAT could see their own breaths, as they scanned the room.

"We warned you two, stay out of our way, and you would be blind to the truth. But now…now you will repent. We wanted more time to prepare, we had to be sure, but you forced our hand. I, Father Magnus, shall make you repent under the Will of the Lord!" Magnus exclaimed from his location, leaning over the controls for the entire base. His metal talons clicked away at the keyboard, entering the command codes. Hearing the computer beep, Magnus reached over and gripped a lever, slamming it down. The entire room lit up as thousands of volts shot across the base, traveling into the lower regions. The SWAT Officers that had been in the large room filled with coffins jumped in alarm as the entire room lit up in a white light, the officers covering their eyes from the sudden bright light.

Once their vision cleared, the officers looked around for any sign of danger, when a loud HISS echoed across the frozen room. One of the officers looked over to see one of the keypads on the coffin light up, and then another, followed by every single one of them across the large room. The sound of wheels clicking and moving became loud and janky as steam rose from the coffins. The SWAT pulled their rifles up as a coffin opened up, steam pouring out, followed by more coffins opening up. The room was dead silent as every coffin in the room opened up, not a sound was made, holding their breath.

"GAH!" Something cried out as a hand from within a coffin gripped the side. Soon more followed as the SWAT opened fire, shooting at the coffins as Paladins pulled themselves out of their tombs, reaching into their sides and pulling out silver crosses. No matter how many they shot down, a dozen more filled their shoes as the SWAT's in the room screamed, only to be silenced as blood painted the floors.

"The Crusade has begun."

(A Devil's Justice)

"And….none of you have seen Ragna?" Leslie asked, adding seasoning to the calzone she was making for the girls. The Sun had set as the Moon slowly rose over the skyscrapers, giving the forest around Redgrave a bright reflection. Leslie was now in her house, with a plethora of guests, the girls such as Ghia'ta and Jennifer helping around the kitchen making a feast for the group. Diana sat at the kitchen counter while Aya walked around the house studying the many cultural artifacts and furniture, while the Twins were off to the side, Kory watching the others cook while Koye secretly snuck some brownies that Leslie and Ghia'ta had baked earlier.

The girls had picked up Jennifer and flew to the Church, only to find Ghia'ta and the Nun to be closing the place early to head home. The Nun was surprised, but welcomed the girls nonetheless and invited them to her home. Since there were so many, Leslie was all for cooking the girls a nice meal: Consisting of Pepperoni Calzone dipped with marinara sauce, Chicken Wings with Cajun Spices, a large bowl of Salad with a side of Ranch, and two trays of Brownies that Ghia'ta and her made for extra in case the kids wanted more. After the children left for the end of the day, the sweet alien princess stayed to help clean up. While Leslie doesn't condone tardiness, especially on your first week of school, it did help that the girl could move tables with a simple thought of her ring.

"No, after the incident on the news yesterday, he just disappeared. No phone call or a text to Aya…..seriously, how do you understand anything with those emojis?" The Amazon asked, looking at the alien robot girl.

"I do not see the problem, they are simply words coded in images." Aya stated, as if it was the most simplest answer.

"Back to my point, did you see him today, Miss Cardiney?" Jennifer asked, handing Leslie the finished bowl of Salad. The Sorcerer had the modesty to put on more clothes instead of her green dress, moreso for respect of the elder lady, since her usual choice of garment was devoid of underwear and a bra. Stuff like that had no reason in Skartaris….but this wasn't Skartaris. Her choice of attire consisted of dark blue jeans with a few rips on her thighs, and a gray t-shirt that hugged her modest bust.

"Please, Leslie is just fine, any friend of Ragna's is a friend of mine. But to answer your question, I did see him yesterday. He had visited the Church for my help in tracking these cultists, I unfortunately didn't have much to go on, but know that he isn't alone in this endeavor. He was accompanied by two girls: One being Miss Lois Kent from Metropolis-!"

"Mrs. Kent was here?" Diana asked.

"Yes, she didn't share much but she had information on the cultists, along with a young woman a few years older than Ragna. Out of respect I'll keep her identity a secret but she was part of the whole Superhero community. They left soon after, and I prayed hours after that Ragna would come home shortly." The Nun became troubled at the thought, the mere idea of thinking the worst, felt like driving a stake through her heart. Seeing the concerned look on the Nun, Ghia'ta walked up and held Leslie's hand, giving her a soft grip in comfort.

"Don't worry, Leslie, if anyone can put a stop to them: It's Ragna." Leslie smiled at the young alien princess, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I know, and thank you Ghia'ta, Ragna will come back. He always has, from the day he started as a hero I prayed he would come back. I sometimes did fear he wouldn't, just the thought always scared me….because…..we're the only family we have left." Leslie said, smiling at the girls. Jennifer and Diana were touched by the sweet sentient, while others were confused for other reasons.

"I do not understand." Aya stated, looking up and down the Nun, gaining everyone's attention. "My scanners state that your blood and DNA structure are completely different to Ragna's, his blood does not match yours."

"Aya." Ghia'ta harshly whispered, signaling the robot girl to zip it. She knew Aya meant no harm, but even she had to admit the alien robot's social cues were not very good.

"So…..you're not really his aunt?" Koye asked, stuffing another brownie in her mouth.

"Sister, do not be rude." Kory said, smiling innocently at the Nun. Leslie merely chuckled, setting down the tray of chicken, and cleaned her hands.

"It's quite alright girls, and to answer your question: No, I am not related to Ragna by blood…but I am the only family he has left." Leslie explained, smiling at the group of girls.

"I see…you are an interesting Nun, quite different from how the internet describes them." Aya stated. From her research of Nuns, there had been positives, but the negatives were far more ferocious. How Nuns were strict, punishing children with unnecessary violence, and that many were not completely faithful. Leslie let out a heavy sigh, looking up at a cross hanging on the wall, placing her hands together in a praying motion.

"Yes, I cannot deny that the history of Christianity has had…..harmful sides to it, but my parents have always taught me the better virtues of the Lord. To uphold the Lord's greatest intentions and treat everyone, no matter how different we are, with love and compassion." Leslie explained. "Though there was a time where I was straying from that path, where I was becoming something far worse….it was Ragna's mother, Eva, that brought me back into the light. Those days I had never loved someone like I did Eva, she was family to me."

"But does being with Eva not go against your beliefs? With her being married to a demon?" Jennifer asked, genuinely curious as to how the older woman could stand beside a devil.

"I will admit, while I had no ill will towards Sparda, my love for him was not the same for Eva. But how could I hate Sparda? Here was a de-no, a man who sacrificed everything: His stature, his power, his own very nature to protect not only human kind but creation itself. He did it not out of heroism, but love or Eva, a love that turned him from demon to man. A love…..that birthed the bridge to both worlds: Ragna." Leslie finished, taking a deep breath as the girls leaned closer to the nun, waiting for her to continue.

"You see, I never told anyone this, not even Ragna. I…..I was scared when Eva was giving birth, for the first time in history something that wasn't entirely human nor completely demonic was being born into the world. Blood was excited to see the heir to Sparda's Legacy, while I was terrified as to what could be made. I was expecting an abomination, a child with disfiguring body parts, a red scaled monster that would melt our faces off, I was even expecting it to kill Eva from the inside out…..but no. No, what was born was just another symbol that my belief was real: A beautiful, sweet little baby boy, crying into the world like any other. When I helped birth him, the first thing I did was clean him up, and do you know what he did?"

"What?" Jennifer asked.

"He grabbed my finger, he held onto me like I could protect him from the world….. But I couldn't." Leslie sighed, and some of the girls knew what she was referring to.

"I am a Servant of the Lord, but I do not have divine power. I cannot heal the weak, I cannot perform miracles…..I could do nothing when they took her away from me…..from him." Leslie said, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye.

"Ragna…sweet, little Ragna. He loved everything: Animals, plants, people, everything. But the thing he loved most was his own mother, she was all the blood he had, such a sweet child…..given such a mighty burden. He didn't ask to be the son of Demon, he had nothing to do with his fathers actions….but because of what his father did, an entire realm of monsters set their sights on revenge. On Eva. They took her away from him, he was just a child, and they made him suffer. When the ashes finally settled, he was alone, no father to protect him, and no mother to love him. And despite all I have done, all I could do then was simply hold him, comfort him." Leslie finished, closing her eyes as another tear slid down her cheek. Her shoulders stiffened as a hand pressed itself against her shoulder for comfort, looking up to see the Amazonian Princess smiling down at her.

"You raised an amazing person, Leslie, Ragna would not be the person he is today without you." Diana reassured.

"Ragna is kind, selfless, and while a bit strange, he is this way because of you." Diana said, her smile growing as Leslie's frown disappeared as the Nun smiled up at the Amazon. Seeing the comfort and faith the Amazon put on Leslie, Jennifer stepped forward.

"My home, Skartaris, was being taken over by an evil force, Ragna was there to help. He didn't have to, he was risking his own life to save people that owe him nothing. Despite this, he risked everything to save my home, and for that I am thankful that he was raised by a compassionate individual." Jennifer praised. Leslie smiled at the Sorceress, before turning to Ghia'ta.

"You already know my answer." Ghia'ta said, smiling sweetly at the older woman. Diana eyed the younger princess, curious if the Star Sapphire would stand by her beliefs.

"Thank you."

"I must know," Koye began, pointing at the Nun. "You describe Ragna's life as pain, yet every time I have seen him he is the exact opposite of how someone should be when they suffer much."

"Truth be told, Ragna doesn't tell anyone this, but the pain he felt all those years is one of the many reasons why he became a hero." Leslie said cryptically.

"What do you mean?" Jennifer asked.

"As much as I would love to tell you, that is for Ragna to tell, not me." Leslie answered. "What I can tell you, is that the Ragna you see as Sparda, as the Hero, is who Ragna truly is. Some of you have seen it," She eyes Ghia'ta, who giggles innocently. "But Ragna outside of Heroism, when he's not with his friends or family, is the true mask."

"I…..I am afraid I do not understand." Kori confessed, scratching the top of her head.

"You will. Once you get to know Ragna better, when it finally clicks for you girls, you will see the wonder that is Ragna Redgrave, the Devil Hero Sparda."

(A Devil's Justice)

"What's going on? Officer Skipper, report! Tonald, Report! Anyone?! DAMMIT!" Decker cursed, the only noise that could be heard from her walkie talkie was static screaming, only to be silenced afterwards.

"What the hell is happening?" Sophie asked, pushing open the door and scanning the halls as the cries of the woman and screams of something monstrous echoed across the hallways.

"The Crusade has begun, and I believe he just let loose all of his Paladins." Batgirl answered, the four girls walking outside with the three SWAT officers that stayed behind.

"What do we do?" Sphie asked. Batgirl rubbed her chin in thought, trying to come up with a plan, she would be more prepared for this. However, she knew next to nothing about these Paladins and they were not going to wait for her, they needed something that could stop the Paladins from escaping the surface and wreaking havoc across the world.

"Sparda. We should find Sparda, he'll stop them." Everyone looked at Lois, Decker cocking an eyebrow in confusion while the caped vigilante eyes widened in realization.

"What do you mean? How the hell is one hero, the same one that got captured, gonna turn the tide and stop these cultists?" Decker asked skeptically. She was all for rescuing civilians, but if they could take Sparda down, what chance did they have now?

"Don't you heroes have super walkie talkies?" Sophie asked, Batgirl glaring at her.

"No we do not, the League Communicator has been broken, and I can't get into contact with Batman." Batgirl explained, taking a deep breath. "But Mrs. Kent is right, we need to find Sparda."

"I'm afraid that won't be happening." The group turned to see Magnus standing across from them, over a dozen other paladins behind him, blocking their way from the surface. "None of you will see the light of day."

Decker answered by firing off several rounds, as did the SWAT officers, however, to their shock Magnus lifted up his gauntlet. A golden jewel on the center glowed with power, a large shield appearing blocking all of the bullets save for one. Magnus lifted his hand and caught the bullet between his silver gauntlet, crushing it into dust.

"And once we are done with you, we shall finis what we started with the boy." Magnus stated, Batgirl body jumped on the defensive as Magnus looked back up towards them, his hood obscuring his face.

"He….He's still alive." Batgirl thought, taking a deep sigh of relief, before Magnus continued.

"It didn't have to be this way…in fact, it doesn't." Magnus started, holding his gauntlet out, as if beckoning them towards it.

"The Lord is a merciful one, the One Above All Things. He will forgive your sins…..if you repent and join your service to us, to him." Magnus offered, reaching his hand out towards the group. The girls, even the SWAT Officers, were utterly flabbergasted at what Magnus was practically saying.

"You mean we become like them?" Sophie asked, gesturing to the Paladins behind Magnus, several twitching and letting out small hisses.

"...Repent is not sanctuary, it requires sacrifice to be forgiven."

"You mean lose every ounce of your humanity?!" Batgirl challenged, reaching into her belt.

"I do not expect a sinner to understand the sacrifices we had took to reach this very moment." Magnus retorted.

"Oh yeah, what was the price? A few million dead?!" Lois countered, glaring at the cultist psychopath. Magnus took a deep sigh of annoyance, lifting his gauntlet up to his ear.

"I see that you are not willing to see reason, no matter, we will continue our crusade…..once we are done dealing with you." With a snap of his fingers, the Paladins behind him lunged towards the group. Decker and the SWAT Officers opened fire, Sophie pulling Lois behind her, as they shot down several Paladins only for more to take their place. Seeing they had no exit, Batgirl only saw one possible choice of escape.

"RUN!" Batgirl exclaimed, grabbing a flashbang grenade from a SWAT and tossed it towards the Paladins. The flashbang exploded in a bright light, a few of the Paladins had to cover their eyes while others merely snarled, but Magnus remained standing tall unaffected by the explosion. Batgirl let the group lead as she used all of her tools to keep the Paladins off their back, reaching into her belt and pulling out several smoke pellets. This merely blindsighted some Paladins as they ran through the smoke only to be tripped by the small batwire Batgirl left behind. Many jumping over them and throwing silver crosses, only to be shot down by the SWAT officers and Batgirl's batarangs.

Batgirl reached into her pocket and pulled out a small batspray, aiming at the wall and leaving a trail of gel behind her. Once several Paladins were in proximity, Batgirl clicked on the trigger, the gel exploding in metal and fire. Pulling out two batarangs, she flung them back towards a Paladin, knocking one on the side of the head. The knocked Paladin flung back tackling four others, only for the rest to run or jump over them. Taking out her batspray again, Batgirl jumped into the air spraying the ceiling, followed by the right wall, and sliding across the floor. Once the Paladins were within range, Batgirl watched several bounce around like ragdalls, hitting the ceiling or slamming against the wall.

"There!" Decker pointe towards a set of doors, a SWAT Officer slamming into them and holding it open as the girls and other SWAt ran through. As soon as he closed it, he felt several Paladins slam into it, pushing against the rails with his boots keeping it closed. Reaching into her belt, Batgirl pulled out a batarang that split into rope, wrapping it around the handles and locking the doors together.

"There's no way up!" Sophie exclaimed, looking down the spiraling staircase.

"Then we go down!" Batgirl exclaimed, pushing the girls ahead as she knew the rope will not hold for long.

"You're plan is to go deeper in this hellhole?!" Decker asked, glaring at the vigilante.

"Better than the way we came from!" Batgirl stated, the group running down several flights, only to hear the snappy sound of metal being cut. A loud screech echoed across the stairs when the doors above fell down and crashed onto the stone floor below. Lois peeked up above as they ran, seeing the silver gauntlet of Magnus grip the rail. The Paladin Leader jumped over the railings, diving to the floor below, his metal gauntlet digging through each railing as he fell. Finally, just as he passed Batgirl and the group, he gripped the floor of the stairs, and flipping back over right in front of the group. Magnus pulled his gauntlet back, his fingers straightened out like a blade, lunging towards Sophie who could do nothing as they lunged towards her eye. Before she could blink, Sophie felt her feet leave the ground as Batgirl slid under her, knocking the policewoman on her ass before jumping up and kneeing Magnus in the gut.

"Batgirl?!" Lois called out, watching the cape vigilante jumped onto the railings and launch herself into Magnus, colliding both of them into the wall.

"GO! ILL KEEP HIM DISTRACTED! GO!" Batgirl ordered, leaving no room for argument as she ducked under a swing of Magnus' and slammed her fists into his ribs, the screeching of the Paladins above getting closer. Seeing that the vigilante wasn't going to listen, Decker grabbed Lois and pulled her along as the RCPD ran down the stairs. Magnus pulled out a silver cross and flung it towards the group, only for Batgirl's batarag to intercept it, knocking both blades onto the floor. Batgirl ducked under a clawed gauntlet, flipping back and kicking Magnus in the jaw, the vigilante made note that he had something metallic under that dark hood. Severals Paladins appeared and lunged towards Batgirl, only to be stopped by Magnus.

"Deal with the others, she is mine." Magnus ordered. The Paladins offered no resistance, merely bowing before jumping off the railings and plummeting towards the bottom, followed by a dozen more. Batgirl glared at the leader of the paladins, staring into that unnerving abyss of his hood.

"Think you can handle me?" Batgirl taunted, throwing her fist up in a boxing stance, while Magnus merely popped his neck.

"You are hardly a challenge, little sinner." Magnus growled, flexing his fingers within his silver gauntlet.

"Why? Because I'm not Batman?"

"No." Magnus answered, stabbing his claws into the wall, dragging them along as a loud screech echoed across the area. Batgirl paled a bit at how easy he sliced through stone and metal, like it was butter. She only had a second to dodge, jumping back as his hand slammed into the ground where she stood.

"It's because I've been training my entire life to kill sinners…while you've only fought street thugs for a few years."

(A Devil's Justice)

"Jesus H FUCK!" Decker cursed as a silver cross nearly sliced her throat open, firing several rounds into a Paladin's throat. She grabbed the down Lois and pulled her around, the others right behind her as the Paladins chased after them. The SWAT officers fired back, but more simply took the downed Paladins place. The group ran as fast as they could, Lois panting and huffing as this was probably the second scariest life or death situation she was in, the first being her husband under the control of an evil bastard god.

"GET IN!" Decker ordered, opening another set of doors, slamming it shut as they all ran through. The three SWAT officers joined her and pressed their bodies against the door as the Paladins slammed against it, grunting as they tried to hold the door back. Looking around, Sophie saw the large crosses on the wall, big and long enough to hold. Grabbing the edges, Sophie tore off the cross and slid it through the handles, locking the doors once more.

"That won't hold for long." Lois stated, watching the cross nearly bend from the strong force of wild Paladin's slamming against the door.

"We need to keep moving." Decker ordered, leading the small group down the hall, and wishing to try her luck again reached for her radio.

"Dammit, can anyone here me?! Tonald? David? What the hell is happ-!"

BOOM

The wall in front of them exploded, shrapnels bouncing off their clothes, as the smoke slowly settled. The sound of painful groaning burned in their ears as the group looked back into the smoke to see something crawl towards them. Just as they were about to fire, Decker held her hand up as the smoke slowly cleared to reveal none other than a SWAT officer. The group gasped in horror, their stomachs tightening in disgust as the SWAT upper half crawled towards them, leaving a blood trail behind them.

"D-Detective…ru-!" The crawling officer's body exploded as something large slammed on his back, blood and entrails painting the floor and walls. Lois' eyes nearly popped out of their socket as another behemoth in robes appeared before them, the officers just as shocked as she was.

"What….the…fu-!" Lois grabbed the stunned Detective, pulling them back as the large behemoth slowly pulled it's fist into the air and slammed the ground. A very late response but the power behind the attack would have turned Decker into a red splat against the ground.

"It's got a cable connected to it's chest, shoot it!" Lois explained, pulling out the pistol she had 'borrowed' from Sophie, firing several rounds into the beast's chest. However, without a clear line of sight and the robe obscuring it's body, it merely shrugged off the bullets. It swung it's fist randomly without a care for it's own health. Sophie ducked under a swing, shooting at the creature's hood, gray liquid spraying out of the creature's lips. While the creature was distracted, Lois ran forward and grabbed the back of the creature's robe, pulling it off of him while also pulling the creature off balance. However, with it's strength it kept it's balance, until a SWAT officer grabbed the cloak with Lois and pulled as hard as he could.

Pulling the robe off, the SWAT Officers and the others were shocked and appalled at the creature before them. Knowing they didn't have time to question, Decker and the police opened fire on the creature, the bullets piercing the skin that wasn't melded by metal. The creature stumbled to get up, roaring and snarling as the bullets pierced it's flesh, bouncing off the metal burned into their flesh. Finally, whether it be from Decker or the SWAT it didn't matter, a bullet pierced through the cable. The creature let out a painful as it clawed at it's chest, the grey liquid oozing out like blood, until the creature finally let out one last squeal of pain before slumping on the floor. Once the creature stopped moving, Decker reloaded her handgun, turning to Lois.

"Thanks, Mrs. Kent."

"Thank me later, this is the part where we run NOW!" Lois exclaimed, grabbing the detective and dragging her away from the body. Sophie was about to question why, until she noticed the creature's chest began to glow erratically with golden light. At the same time, the doors holding the paladins back slammed open, the warriors of the church charging at them. Sophie and the SWAT officers ran after Decker and Lois, as the body got brighter and brighter. Lois sees up ahead a set of steel doors, looking back to see the monster's body losing it's body to be physical energy, ready to combust. A SWAT officer slammed the door open, as the girls ran right behind him, Lois pulling Decker to the wall. The Paladins ran down the hallway, jumping over the body, before it burst into golden light. A loud KABOOM echoed across the hallway, a beam of light shooting out of either end, the Paladins that had been in the hall were reduced to atoms as the group hid on either side of the wall. Once the light disappeared, Decker checked the hallway, signaling the group it was clear. The hallway was completely clean, not even a blood splat on the wall, confusing Decker and the police.

"What the hell was that thing?" Sophie asked, turning to Lois.

"Whoever it was, it use to be human, but they turned it into….that." Lois answered, dusting herself off, looking around and inspecting the room they were in.

"This…..this is where they all came from." Lois muttered, Decker and the others looking back to see the larger than life room they were in. Coffins laid across the floor, some bigger than others, but what really caught their interest was the door on the other side.

"Lock that door, let's see what this one leaves too." Decker ordered. A SWAT closed the door they had entered from, locking it from the outside, while the others quietly walked up to the next pair of doors. Opening the door, Decker ducked at the last second as a silver cross was embedded into the wall, looking out to see more Paladins. Far more than she could count, charging towards the door.

"SHIT!" Decker cursed as she slammed the door shut with a SWAT officer, locking the doors shit as the Paladins began to slam themselves against the door.

"What do we do, Detective? We're trapped." Lois grunted, looking between each door as the warriors of the Church bent the metal. Decker looked between each and every one of them, looking around for any sign of escape. She only had one clip left, and it looked like the others had very few too. She couldn't contact the others above, she save Batgirl, and she couldn't find Sparda. It was just them, the echoes of the woman crying, and the…

"Wait, why did they stop?" Decker asked out loud, in the moment of panic and silence, the others realized it too: The Paladins had stopped.

(A Devil's Justice)

Batgirl pulled out a batarang and clashed against Magnus' gauntlet, sparks flying before twisting the bat theme blade and slicing at the Paladin's chest. Not to slice his skin, but to gain distance as he was getting to close for comfort. Magnus merely grunted in annoyance before lunging at the vigilante with his fist pulled back, only for Batgirl to sidestep and deliver a hard left hook to his ribs. Reaching into her belt, the vigilante pulled out her bat-themed brass knuckle tasers, ducking under another swing and delivering another powerful blow. Magnus grunted as electricity shot through his body, shocking his nerves for a split second, before Batgirl kicked him in the chin as she somersaulted away.

The Paladin shrugged off the pain, walking down the steps as Batgirl kept her distance, spraying the ground with explosive gel. Magnus stepped onto the gel, the ground exploding beneath him, covering the stairs in smoke. Batgirl smirked in victory, only to cry in pain as a boot kicked her in the stomach, knocking her down a few steps on the stairs as Magnus stepped out of the smoke. Batgirl groaned in pain, desperately pulling herself back up only for something to grab her hair and yanking her into the air. She grunted in pain as Magnus punched her in the chest, knocking her into the wall, grabbing her with his gloved hand and slamming her again into it. Batgirl quickly slammed her taser into his chest, knocking him back. Magnus blocked another punch, throwing his own only for it to be slapped away by the vigilante. The two stood face to face (In Magnus case, bat ears), the two traded blows and blocks, refusing to allow the other to get a hit.

Batgirl internally winced as she kept blocking Magnus metal gauntlet, every hit bruising her hand, but she remained strong. She had to, she had to save Lois and the others, she had to stop these cultists and this crusade, she had to save Ragna. Ducking under a blow, Batgirl slammed her taser into Magnus face, twisting her body and kicking him down the flight of stairs. Magnus tumbled and rolled down the flights, digging his talons into the earth, skating across the ground. Smoke rose from beneath the hood as Magnus' shoulders heaved back and forth, Batgirl taking hesitant steps towards him. She jumped back as Magnus lunged forward, swinging, slamming his fist into the walls.

"I will not deny, you are quite skilled, sinner." Magnus muttered, swinging his arm back and knocking Batgirl off the railings. Batgirl quickly pulled out the batclaw and shot into the sky, latching onto the ceiling, only to gasp as Magnus cut the rape with his talon. Batgirl cried before grunting as she slammed onto the ground, wheezing for air. Batgirl painfully rolled onto her side, trying to get herself back up as Magnus landed beside her. Grabbing the vigilante by her cape, Magnus lifted her over his shoulder, slamming the vigilante against the wall, throat punching her with his gloved hand. Batgirl coughed and spat on the ground, Magnus staring down at her, before kicking her in the ribs and knocking her down onto the ground. Batgirl grunted as a rib cracked from the blow, but bit through the pain as Magnus walked over to her. Planting her hands over her head, she pushed off the ground, slamming her boots into Magnus' chest and knocking him on the ground. Taking her brass taser, she repeatedly slammed her fists into Magnus' face, letting out a cry of anger as she punched Magnus over and over again. Pulling her brass knuckle taser back one last time, Batgirl slammed her fist into Magnus one last time, breaking the ground beneath them. Batgirl panted heavily as her gloves dripped with blood, and it wasn't Magnus', only to gasp in shock.

Her blow had blown back Magnus' hood, revealing the face beneath…or mask. To her shock, Magnus' face was obscured by a golden mask with strange symbols and a large hole in the center. She had only made a few dents in the mask, a few drops of blood beading down the paladin's face, but otherwise he remained unharmed. Shocked by this revelation, Batgirl had no time to react as Magnus wrapped his metallic claws around her right wrist, the vigilante crying out in pain as he tightened his grip. Her cries were silenced as Magnus slapped his head against her chin, knocking her off him and onto the stone floor. Batgirl pushed herself back up onto her feet, looking back where the Paladin last stood, only to see his talons inches from her face. Magnus stabbed his gauntlet into the earth, dust flying around his hand. He looked over his shoulder to see Batgirl had rolled away at the last second. A small moment of silence ran between the two, neither making a move, until finally. Batgirl winced as the sound of fabric tearing echoed in her ears, followed by something warm blinded her left eye. She realized it was her own blood, reaching up and wincing at the two cuts running down her forehead and ending above her left eye. Her own blood stained the front of her mask, spreading until it began to drip down her other eye, temporarily blinding her. This was all Magnus needed as he reached out and grabbed around her neck with his gauntlet. With relative ease, Magnus slammed her into the wall, the vigilante gasping for air and kicking his knees, desperately trying to escape.

"You are skilled…..but you lack what it takes….and that is why you are a sinner." Magnus growled, slamming her one last time before tossing her to the ground. Batgirl wheeze and coughs as her lungs cried out for oxygen, only to cry as Magnus grabbed her leg and flipped her onto her back, dragging the bat-themed vigilante behind him. She tried to wipe the blood away, but it continued to pour down her mask

"I know it hurts, but you'll have to endure, your repentance has yet to begin." Magnus stated, pulling the girl by his metal gauntlet, shrugging off her kicks.

"...W-Why? Why are you doing this to us?!" Batgirl cried, kicking his gauntlet. "Heroes protect people, save them."

"Just so they can be killed again? And again, and again, by the same sinners you refuse to kill. We will not be biased, all sinners shall be purged whether they be women, children, men, rich, poor, villains, heroes. Metas or Mutants. Pagans or False Gods. It doesn't matter." Magnus growled, dragging Batgirl down another hall, the caped vigilante looked up to see other Paladins staring down at her. Magnus stopped prompting Batgirl to look up to see a set of steel metal doors standing between Magnus and another room. Reaching for the handle of his blade, a flash of steel, and before Batgirl could react Magnus tossed her into the door. The steel doors split into four parts from the sword as Batgirl rolled across the ground.

"BATGIRL!" Lois cried out, running to the injured superhero. Paladins ran into the room, circling around the group as Decker and the RCPD force held their guns out, ready to fire. From the other door, another behemoth busted the door open allowing more Paladins to shoot out and join the others. The entire room was filled to the brim with Paladins and Behemoths, not a single one made a move, hands behind their backs while the behemoths growled. It was all unnerving to Decker, jolting as the one with the sword stepped forward, staring at her with a golden mask. Magnus pulled his hood back up enough to obscure his head, his golden mask staring at the group.

"You all made your choices today…..and now…..you shall repent." Magnus growled, lifting his sword and tossing it towards the group. The SWAT officers opened fire, but they could not stop the spinning broadsword. The officer had no time to react as the steel cleaved through his head, slicing through the ribcage and stopping at his abdomen, his body slumped to the ground dead. Decker and Sophie gasped in horror as blood sprayed around the dead cop, not realizing that was their fatal error, looking back to see Magnus lunging towards them. At the last second, the last SWAT officer pushed the two girls aside, taking their place between them and Magnus. Metal talons sliced through fabric and body armor, Magnus passing the SWAT officer.

"GRRK!" The Officer gurgled as he held his throat, blood gushing out, while Magnus walked past him and gripped the handle of his blade. In a flash of silver, Magnus pulled the blade and twisted it over his shoulder, the officer who held his throat fell silent. Magnus kicked the head of the officer off with ease, the body spraying blood out like a geyser painting Paladins around it crimson. Magnus merely wiped his talons clean before turning to Lois and Batgirl. Lois reached for her handgun, only for Magnus to grab it and toss the reporter over his shoulder. He crushed the handgun with ease before making his way towards the reporter.

"You should have taken my offer, Miss Kent, now your son will never see his mother again. And your husband will never know what became of his human wife." Magnus taunted, stopping as Lois spat at his boots.

"Don't you ever mention my son and husband, he will stop you." Lois growled, glaring at the cultist psycho.

"My dear, we've been preparing for your husband the minute he made his debut." Magnus said, raising his clawed gauntlet high.

"NO!" Batgirl exclaimed, finally able to see again after cleaning all the blood off her eyes, watching the Paladin leader stand over Lois. Reaching for her spare batclaw and shooting it towards Lois, the claw wrapping around her foot. Holding the trigger, Lois slid under Magnus and towards her. However, that was her fatal mistake as Magnus turned around and lunged towards Lois, silver claws digging through flesh and bone.

"GGGGGAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Batgirl's eyes widened in shock, her heart skipping a beat as Magnus dug his claws deep into Lois shoulder, blood staining her purple button shirt. Tears slid down Lois' cheeks as pain shot through her right arm, hearing the sound of bones cracking.

"I suggest you let go of her, before I tear off Mrs. Kent's right arm." Magnus threatened, glaring at the caped vigilante. Seeing no other choice out of this, Batgirl dropped her batclaw, a nearby paladin stomping on it and smashing it to pieces. Magnus did not release his grip, instead he hoisted Lois into the air, blood dripping down his silver gauntlet.

"It didn't have to be this way, but the Lord has no room for sinners…..unless they repent." Magnus growled, grabbing Lois' neck with his gloved hand, reaching into his robe, and pulling out a golden cross. Lois kicked and punched Magnus' arm, trying desperately to get out of his grip, watching as the golden cross glowed brighter with golden light as it burned Magnus gauntlet. Decker tried to reach for her gun, but a Paladin kicked it away and held a blade across her throat, another grabbing Sophie's arm and holding her down. Batgirl tried to reach out but two Paladins grabbed her, resting her on her knees and holding her arms back, making her watch as Magnus held the burning cross closer to Lois.

"Now….Repent."

(A Devil's Justice)

"Ghia'ta….." Ragna doesn't like sleeping, for many reasons, most involving demons, he could barely sleep for roughly two hours. Thanks to his demonic heritage, at least he figures so, he doesn't require that much sleep. That being said, he does love to daydream, and since his body was still healing that is all he could do at the moment. He imagined walking side by side with Ghia'ta in the park, her hand in his. A small smile appeared on his lips as he imagined Ghia'ta laughing before leaning up and kissing him on the lips. He wondered what her lips tasted like…was that a little weird? Before he realized it, imagination Ghia'ta lunged forward and tackled Ragna onto the grass, kissing him all over.

His imagination soared as Ghia'ta was replaced by Diana, the Amazonian sparring with him on the roof of his apartment complex. He was dodging and blocking her attacks, before tackling her onto the ground. It was nice, he should spar with her again, noticing that Diana's choice of attire now consisted of a pink sports bra and black tight pants. Ragna found himself on top of the powerful Amazon, smiling down at her…and his hands on her bosom. Ragna didn't know why he thought of this, teenage hormones obviously didn't help, but it took a nice turn when imagination Diana smiled in return. She pushed Ragna off her and stood back up, and before Ragna's very eyes, tore all of her clothes off. His imaginary version of Diana beckoned him about training 'Greek' style before tackling him.

Damn teenage hormones. Damn Demonic lust.

It didn't stop with just them, as his mind wandered, he began to think of the other girls in a different view. Ragna will admit it, he thought they were beautiful, very….VERY beautiful. And considering they returned their appreciation with kisses on the cheeks and lips…..he couldn't help but think of them in a better light. He imagined sitting down with Jennifer and reading his mangas or books, only for her to grab him and kiss the half-devil on the lips. To Kori and Koye tugging on his arms while arguing with each other, the half-devil unsure of attention but not wishing to hurt the sisters. His mind also wandered deeper into his mind, he couldn't explain it, but he saw…..someone. Not his mother, or his aunt, but someone when he was a kid, after his mother was taken or was it before? He remembered a girl with red hair, laughing at him for some unknown reason, followed by an older woman of darker skin and whiter hair kissing his temple. It had also been some time since he paid Dr. Foster a visit since she was hospitalized….he should visit soon. He even thought of Artemis and Kyrie in a much less innocent sense, repriending himself for thinking of such thoughts of his closest friends.

He couldn't deny it…..he DEEPLY cared for the women in his life, a familiar love with his Aunt, and with the girls…..something more. But he couldn't do that to them, he couldn't choose one of the others, it would hurt them. He…he cared for Ghia'ta the most, and yet he felt something with Diana…why was this so hard. He couldn't help himself, living in the same apartment with five girls left something on him. He could smell everything off of them, from their hair to the sweat on their skin, the touch of their smooth skin and silky hair. Damn Demonic Lust, not only did it not help but it also amplified his feelings. He shuddered at the thought of a naked Ghia'ta and Diana, his cheeks burning as his body heated up. He even thought of others outside his circle in the same light: Kara simply exudes power, she was also confident in her strength while also having a temper to match, but he most of all could tell she was hurting. He….he wanted to know more about her, get closer to her, he didn't want her to be alone. Not like he was. There was also Barbara, in their short time together she obviously held some great anger towards him, but he didn't mind. He didn't like it, but he wasn't going to hate her for it, how could he? She was extremely smart and with beauty to match. He noted how she smelled like….Amber.

Amber…

"...Amber?" Ragna muttered, his eyes too tired to open up, but his nostrils were filled with the strong aroma of amber. His senses were returning, the holy water and drugs burning out of his body…..he may need to go to the bathroom soon. Anyways, his ears picked up the noise of gunshots, followed by roaring and screaming.

"GGGGGAAAAAHHHH!"

That voice…..

"LOIS?!"

Ragna grunted, leaping forward, landing on his hands and knees. He heard her screams, he didn't know where or how, he had to be DEEP beneath the earth, but he heard her. He sniffed the air, he knew everyone had a distinct smell to them: Diana smelled like apples, Jennifer was pineapples, even Batman had a more meaty stench, like bacon. Lois smelled like coffee beans, and he had her scent. He also smelled something else, he smelled….copper?

No. Blood.

"...No…." He smelled ash, Decker, and someone else. He smelled even more blood, and something that was impure, repulsive. Barbara, Lois, even Detective Decker were here…wherever here was. But he realized that Lois was in pain, her cry for help echoing in his ears, she was in Magnus' hold.

No…..

…Ba-dump…..

He couldn't fail them.

…BA-dump….

He let them get hurt long enough.

…BA-DUmp….

He couldn't fail Superman or Batman or Redgrave…Not again.

BA-DUMP

"No."

BA-DUMP

"NO!"

BA-DUMP!

"RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Paladins in the dozens, who had been scouring the lower regions of the base, came upon Ragna as he roared in rage. They pulled out their crosses ready to slay the boy, only to be blasted away as a shockwave of red energy shot out of Ragna.

(Play Devil May Cry Anime Main Theme)

"What?!" Magnus grunted, feeling the earth shake around him, followed by an ear shattering roar. He had no time to react as the ground beneath him exploded, knocking him through several of his paladins and Lois rolled next to Batgirl groaning in pain. Batgirl held onto Lois before looking up as a large smoke cloud filled the room, the shockwave sent every Paladin in the room on their backs. The caped vigilante tried to peer through the smoke, as it slowly subsided to reveal a silhouette in the center of the room. Her eyes grew wide, a large smile of joy appeared on her lips as the smoke finally settled.

"RA…SPARDA!" Batgirl corrected herself, staring at the towering form of Ragna, who stood on top of a pile of rocks he made from his propulsion from the area below. His coat billowed from the shockwave, his face obscured by the shadows of his hood. Ragna was crouched on the rocks as he stood between the girls and the Paladins, who slowly stood up and faced the devil hero. While Batgirl could not see him, she saw that many of the Paladin's hands were shaking, even a few took a step back. Whatever it was, they sensed or something that she nor the others could see, it was almost like a predator staring down at its prey ready to pounce. Ragna looked over his shoulder down at Batgirl and Lois.

"Are…..you two alright?" Ragna asked, Batgirl made notice that his tone was much more vicious, a low growl escaping his throat.

"...Been better." Lois grunted, holding her right shoulder. "I could use a nice hot espresso, light on the cinnamon."

Batgirl smiled at Lois, seeing that the reporter was still strong enough to crack a joke, before gasping in surprise as Ragna reached for the reporter's shoulder. Batgirl blinked in astonishment, she didn't even hear Ragna jump or land beside him, watching as he inspected Lois' wound. Ragna reached into the rolled up sleeve of his right arm, fidgety with something, before pulling out what looked to be a torn red shawl. Ragna wrapped the shawl around Lois' shoulder, tightening just enough to slow the bleeding as it stained the cloth, the caped vigilante wondering where he got that. She nearly jumped as he turned his attention to her, his hand reaching out and running his thumb over the two scars over her left eye. She could not see his expression, his eyes hidden in the shadows and his mouth covered by the mouthguard, but she watched his hand tighten into a fist, shaking in rage. She noticed a menacing red aura bega to surround Ragna, before he reached out and grabbed Batgirl by her waist. She let a surprise yelp as he hoisted her over his shoulder, blushing as the muscles in his forearm flexed as he held her close. He looked over to see him pick up Lois' bridal style, looking over his shoulder to Decker.

"Detective, are you okay?" Ragna asked, his mouthguard filter was not on, yet Diana felt his voice was much deeper and more feral….like he was trying to hold something back.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Decker said, standing back up and helping Sophie back on her feet. Ragna nodded before gesturing to follow him. As Ragna carried the girls, both Lois and Batgirl looked around in amazement as the Paladins remained in their spot. These warriors, who had been chasing them throughout the base, who had killed most of the SWAT team, were not frozen at the mere sight of the half-devil hero. Batgirl looked over her shoulder, looking at the back of Ragna's head, wondering what they saw that made all Paladins frozen with fear?

"Ragna…" Batgirl muttered, loud enough that only the half-devil heard, but said nothing.

"N-NO!" Batgirl looked back to see Magnus back on his feet, stomping past his Paladins and pointing his metal gauntlet at the group.

"SEIZE THEM!" Many Paladins took a few steps forward, only for Ragna to twist his body to face the Paladins. Batgirl could not see what was happening, but Lois gaped in awe as the Paladins stopped mid-step. She looked back at Ragna, but noticed that his white hair obscured his eyes. Ragna walked up to the steel doors that led into the area Decker and the others couldn't get to, softly setting Lois down on her feet and Batgirl back on hers. Before she could get a good look at him, Ragna turned his back to them as Decker and Sophie walked past him.

"Detective, find a way out and get them to safety." Ragna ordered, taking a step forward to the Paladins.

"What are you doing?" Decker asked, watching Ragna stand between them and the cultists.

"I'll stall them, give you some time."

"What?! Ra-Sparda, no you can't!" Batgirl cried, reaching out and gripping Ragna's shoulder, twisting him to face her. Lois and Batgirl gasped in awe, staring into the eyes of the half-devil hero, gone were his calm and welcoming sapphire eyes. Now in their place were something truly da-No, demonic. His scleras were now black as the void, while his irises were crimson blood. He was truly demonic now, yet he did not hold a dark or heavy gaze at them.

"It's okay. It's alright, I'll take care of this." Ragna reassured, reaching out and softly grabbing Batgirl's shoulders. Batgirl realized how far their roles were not reversed, once she was strong and stern, where Ragna was laid back and innocent. But now, she was looking at him like a scared little girl, while he simply nodded at her like a mature adult. It should have felt like an insult to her pride, and yet, Ragna's warm aura soothed her fear, even though he was the same height as her, it felt like he stood taller than all of them. Ragna picked her up by her shoulders and gently placed her beside Lois.

"I'm sorry I kept screwing up, that many died for me, that I wasn't as helpful as I should've been, I was more trouble than I was worth." Ragna apologized, grabbing both sides of the metal doors and began to close them. The blow from the behemoth had dented the metal and bent the frame, the metal scraping against the ground.

"Some hero I am, huh?" Ragna asked, and even though she couldn't see it, her heart stung as she could feel the solemn smile on his lips. It made her feel even more guilty.

"I know this is selfish…..but…" Ragna trailed off, staring at the ground for a few moments, before looking up at the two.

"Please wait for me, and when I come back…..please be smiling with joy?" Ragna asked, shutting the doors tight. Batgirl was confused on what he meant, why he asked that, but she could only watch as Ragna bent the metal together with his bare hands. Decker did not understand what Sparda meant, but she knew he wanted her to get them all out, and she will….somehow.

"Come on, he'll buy us time." Decker stated, grabbing Sophie and pulling her along. Lois looked at the detective before looking up at Batgirl, seeing her awed expression. Lifting her good hand up, Batgirl looked at the firm hold of reassurance from Lois.

"He'll come back." Batgirl stared at the reporter, slowly nodding her head in reluctance, before helping the reporter walking down the hall. Ragna listened as their footsteps became farther and farther away, leaving him in the room with the army of Paladins.

"So you've come to die, half-breed?" Magnus growled, staring at the backside of the half-devil teen. It was pointless, now the boy stood at the mercy of the Lord, only this time he will not receive any. "Repentance will not save you from an eternity of damn-!"

"After my mother was taken from me, all those years ago, I was practically alone." Ragna interrupted, staring down at his right hand. He noted that his nails had gotten longer, even sharper, perhaps reacting to his demonic nature slowly taking over.

"I had a hole in my heart that I don't know if it can ever be filled….but then my surrogate auntie took me in. A human, who has no blood relation to my mother or father, took in a half-breed child and raised him as if he was his own knowing it can damn her in the dark realm. She, like my mother, raised me and taught me the virtues to be a man. To be human. And that's all I ever wanted to be." Ragna explained, taking a step forward, balling his fist as the red aura around him intensified.

"I never asked for this, this power, this pain, this suffering. All I've ever wanted was for people to accept and love me, just as I love everyone else. I'm done letting people get hurt because of me, and the minute you not only threaten my home, but when you threaten my family….is where I stop playing nice." Ragna reached for his hood, flipping it off his white hair, glaring at Magnus' golden mask.

"I may despise my demonic side, but I'd rather take the burden then let anyone else suffer for it. I will use this power that I despise so I can not only take my revenge on those that took my mother, but so I can protect those that I love, and those that love me. As a Defender of Peace, a Hero of Justice, as a proud member of the Justice League, as a Son of Sparda, as a Son of Eva. I am Ragna Redgrave, the Devil Hero of Redgrave City." Ragna proclaimed, tearing off his mouthguard and placing it inside his jacket.

"You said that I was born a half-breed, and for that I am a sinner, forever punished in the world below no matter what I do." Ragna growled, pulling his hands up and cracking the knuckles on his left wrist.

"By saying this, you mean that I don't have a shred of humanity in me, right?" Ragna asked, glaring at Magnus. The Paladin couldn't explain it, but as his fingers twitched, he felt the room temperature rise up, sweat beading under his mask.

"Very well. You believe the Human of Justice doesn't exist in me, so be it." Ragna growled, lifting his right knuckle and popping them, his muscles flexed releasing a shockwave.

"So don't come to regret it when the Devil of Justice arrives." Ragna growled, holding his hand up. Elsewhere in Redgrave, in the destroyed warehouse, the ground rumbled as something beneath it awakened. Multiple streets shook from the air pressure as Ragna's blade shot out of the ground like a rocket. Soaring through the sky at lightning speed, not even the SWAT officers had time to see it as it blew a hole through the earth near the entrance, melting through dirt. Magnus looked up to see the blade burst through the ceiling, flipping around before landing in Ragna's hand. The half-devil hero swung the blade around a bit, testing if his strength was back. It wasn't at a hundred percent, but he had more than enough strength to take them all on. Gripping the handle with both hands, Ragna held the blade forward, spreading his legs in a battle stance as the aura danced around him like a raging inferno.

Elsewhere, while Jason Blood was sipping tea and reading, Etrigan jolted from his prison within Blood. He looked around, sniffing the air within the void, and even in here he could smell it. Etrigan looked outside his prison and smiled, holding onto the bars, a wicked grin on his lips. He could not only smell it, he sensed it, he sensed Ragna. The boy was taking a step deeper into his demonic heritage, his nature. Omen was the first step, now he was getting closer and closer, growing more powerful. Etrigan knew it was only a matter of time, he would train the boy yes, but the boy was getting to a stage that very few demons outside of royalty can access. A stage that truly defined a demon, but to truly step into the domain of the Demons, he must take the first step into the Seven Sins: Inferno.

El Diablo.

"This ends here, Magnus." Ragna growled, snarling at the Paladin. Magnus merely growled under his mask, reaching for his blade and aiming it at Ragna. The two warriors stood face to face, Ragna's aura burning hotter and hotter, while Magnus gauntlet emanated with golden light. A single step, both lunged towards each other swinging their blades, steel clashing against one another. The force of the blow launched all of the Paladins back and shook the base, Ragna pushing Magnus off him and twirling his blade.

"Let's dance!"

Living in a world that reminds me, I'm worthless every day! No matter if, I reach for it it's still so far away!

Whoah-oh!

Woke up in a dream! I couldn't touch! The closer that I walked! The farther that it got!

Somewhere deep within there is a voice! The city starts to wake!

The sun, it fills the void! Even though I can't stand straight I will find my way I will find the meaning lost in the dark!

Living in a world that reminds me, I'm worthless every day! No matter if, I reach for it it's still so far away!

Tell me what to throw away - just so I can touch it with my hands! I have tried so many times to scream it out aloud!

When it's done, I am just myself, I'll wear it proud Whether it is fiction or real life All I have ever done is try Some day I will go - go beyond!

(A Devil's Justice)

FUCKIN done let's go! Oh my gosh so much happened.

Achievement Unlocked: Maze Runner (Escaped the Maze) For last chapter.

Achievement Unlocked: A Devil's Repentance (Face off against the Paladins)

This chapter was very much a thriller/horror vibe to it, I kept thinking of Resident Evil when writing some of the moments, and boy did I enjoy it. This is actually the first chapter, where Ragna is ninety nine percent in it btw. Crazy. Okay, let me explain.

Now I'll be with you, I did have this chapter done...and I mean one hundred percent done, as in I had more for this chapter. This was suppose to be the finale for the Court of Sin Arc, but TBH...I wasn't satisfied, I didn't like what I wrote. So I rewrote this chapter about two-three times, completely wiping out the second half, realizing this chapter would not be done in time. So I decided to split it into two chapters. So now the arc is five chapters long, I didn't plan that, but don't worry it does not ruin the series. I took out a chapter on my timeline and I will tell you right now it was worth it. Basically the chapter I took out was focused on the Grodd episode in JL. I just couldn't think of any reason or why Grodd would be a threat to Ragna, I also don't like Grodd that much so I took out the chapter and moved one from the first act into the second one. I will also admit this whole I was playing Elden Ring, one hundred percent playing that good shit. That game is so FUCKING addicting, I love every single moment of it. Like I'm not joking this game is so fucking good, how good? Well here's a funny story: Does anyone who hasn't played the game, whose watched the trailer and seen that hulking behemoth with the twin swords? That man is known as General Radahn, or Starscourge Radahn. He is a hulking behemoth who uses Gravity Magic to make himself lighter than a feather so his pet horse Leonard could carry him, he's the guy that is holding the FUCKING STARS back from falling into the Land Between, even while succumbing to the Scarlet Rot becoming a feral monster.

I killed him in five tries. Not once was I angry when he killed me, I even regret killing him it was such a blast (Literally). First time I did it solo and died, second time I did on horseback and died, third time I summoned the horde of npcs and died, fourth time I summoned the horde while on horseback and died, and finally I just said fuck it again and finally killed him. And Dragons, OOOOHHHHH the Dragons, it's so cool. The game is just breathtakingly beautiful. Man, poor Horizon Forbidden West...you did not have a chance. Also Witch Queen came out and I wanted to play that. Now Tiny Tina's Wonderland is out so I'm playing that now.

Alright moving back to the story, let get into the chapter: I wanted to focus on Batgirl and Lois infiltrating the base, had to rewrite some scenes like making sure some SWAT watched the entrance. One the parts I liked writing is the operating room and the coffin room, so if you haven't figured it out the Behemoths and some Paladins are people that have sinned in the Paladins eyes or they were about to be discovered and were taken away. I got this idea from reading some Warhammer 40K lore and got the idea on how some things are just pure monsters made in labs. I don't have a specific thing that the Paladins are based on in Warhammer, maybe the Officio Assassinorum. Also for an idea on how Paladins look like, imagine basic Assassin creeds clothing (The white cloak) all in black with crosses on their chests and shoulders. Magnus had shoulders like Talon from the Batman vs Robin animated movie but with Crosses instead of owls.

Speaking of Magnus, as you can tell he is a very deadly opponent. In terms of scaling: Physically he would be in the Captain America/Super Soldier tier in his BASE form, skill wise he would be in the Batman/Deathstroke/Captain America/Black Widow levels of combat skill. In a fight between him and Batman, I'll probably give it to Batman out respect since this is the DCAU version but only in his base form. His gauntlet has a pretty interesting backstory to it, same with his sword, might even get into in the next chapter. This chapter was to just show how brutal Magnus is, sucks Batgirl has a scar now...let's hope that can be fixed.

I want to create more OC villains for Ragna, I do have a pretty good number, but any I do has already been done and Ragna would have already fought it, so it's why Magnus is such a big component for Ragna in this arc and later on in the series especially with who he is tied with. I'll mostly have known villains like White Magician be in Ragna's Rogue Gallery, since I have crime lords like Tobias being in it too. Like for example the MAIN, MAIN villain of the entire series is Ragna's true equal yet opposite, I have others Like Magnus who fit the bill too.

Other scenes I enjoyed writing was the scene with Leslie and the girls, and Ragna's grand entrance. Leslie is a very important character not just for Ragna but for the girls too, she pretty much won't be as developed as everyone else since she is the Uncle Ben/Alfred to Ragna. She is also in contrast to Magnus, being the ideal Catholic Christian while Magnus is the pure embodiment of everything wrong with Religion. While yes Magnus is Ragna's rival the two will be at odds. Leslie will also be the support for the girls and other characters...might even be a love interest for someone who knows. Leslie is basically like Gosha from Beastars, she is despised for being religious but above all else loves her nephew as if he was her son. Gosha was one of the biggest references when working on Leslie's character.

Ragna's grand entrance was really fun, since I wanted to save him for the end, a last minute save. My favorite part was his last statement towards Magnus about his humanity, if Magnus wants the Devil he's got it. As I've written throughout the series Ragna may use his powers...doesn't mean he likes it and he will still always see himself as human...with the powers of a devil. This is one of the longer character driving arcs for Ragna throughout the first three volumes. As he learns more and dives deeper into his power, things change, and things are learned. Like what is El Diablo? Is it the pinnacle of the Devil's Power? Let's find out. Ragna also finds himself being the fault here and you can understand why, he let himself get captured making the girls come and rescue him resulting them getting injured. Even if you think Lois shouldn't have come, I mean come on this is pretty in character for her to run into danger first. So Ragna now has to feel the consequences of letting Lois get into harm, and even Batgirl too, when he does have the power to do it. There is gonna be a lot of deep moments like these throughout the volume, with powers discovered and used.

Alright, moving on I want to talk about Marvel (And some DC stuff) and what I plan for the future. What I mean is stuff like characters change that Marvel does now. Like will I do the BULK She-Hulk? Yes and no, I don't like it one bit so don't expect it to be permanent or long run, but it will appear and be something for She-Hulk to challenge (Yes, Bulk She-Hulk is like an inner enemy for her). Or stuff like Psylocke, for my story I think I will have her appear as her Psylocke persona (When Betsy switched bodies), and when she finally returns to her original body (Later in the series) when the Excalibur run takes place (I actually like the comic so far, some parts like King Arthur annoyed me but not to greatly) but I won't have her take the name Captain Britain, I already have a different name for her. Even like Jane Thor, she won't be called Thor nor...well actually this spoiling territory so I won't say more about that but you get what I mean. I also won't spoil much but out of all the Marvel characters, Ragna and T'challa will not get along for different reasons (Not skin related)...it might be because Ragna is boning his sister and mother...and ex... or not who knows. But it is also stuff like that involves a certain weather manipulating mutant...which will also be one of the best love arcs I will write.

Alright, gonna get into a bit of rant: I fucking hate the Krakoa Era of Mutants, and maybe that's the point, but just let me have this. Whether you agree or not is fine but let me have this, I hate Krakoa. It basically represents what the Mutants have always hated for so long that they now have become the thing they hated: Supremacists. They basically take Magneto's teachings and said 'fuck humans' (Even though they are still humans just 'evolved' humans) and created a weird society. I made a rant about this to Saiya about the Krakoa era but I can't stand the mutants there. One thing I love about the X-Men is the analogy they represent and how they have always worked for it, now I will admit I think the Mutant hate in comics has always been fucking dumb but I understand it. But this era is the fucking worst, and Nature Girl is the proof of it. When she's going around killing people and making the environment worse, the Council is basically treating this like a chore, that the humans who are making them take down NG are a fucking nuisance. Maybe you don't agree with me but that's how I feel, fuck Xavier is so fucking creepy right now. Got that whole 'Messiah' act going around. Fuck I've written a scene with him and Ragna in this era, it's pretty fun. The whole fuckin thing with Mars was basically a fucking flex on humans, because of course it was. Xavier doesn't feel like Xavier and more like...fucking something else. I'm not saying everyone is, but a good majority is weird and makes me despise the era. I'm not saying that the Mutants shouldn't have their own country, but this basically why I despite Wakanda too: What the fuck is the point of this if it doesn't really improve the life on Earth. This will be a pivotal moment between Ragna and Mutantkind too.

Which brings me to the point I made earlier about, the mutant hate is dumb. My main reason is because the X-Men or Mutants are always shocked that humans hate them. Now don't get me wrong, there are asshole humans who deserve a good punch. However, I can't say the fear is misunderstood. It's hard to not be afraid when there are Mutants can: Rewrite reality, turn off gravity, shake landmasses just by thinking, demagnetize the Earth, turn the Earth into one giant monsoon, and or be possessed by a giant Fire Bird and go around destroying everything. Not saying Mutants deserve hate, never, but it should understandable when most are ticking time bombs that can go off at any second.

Now this is more of a rant for Omega Level rank. Is it just me, or does it feel like Omega Level Mutants are irrelevant? Like I feel like everyone owns the title now. I remember thinking when you heard or see an Omega Level Mutant, the whole world is in DEEP SHIT. So for my story, whenever a Mutant is Omega Level (Like Jean), it is both very rare and when it happens, shit hits the fan hard.

Okay done with my rant, sry about that.

YO we're almost at a thousand followers/favorites, let's fucking go!

Okay I am pretty much done talking about story or Marvel, let's get into my hot takes:

S2 of the CGI He-Man was pretty good, shockers.

The Batman was a really good movie, not perfect, but I really enjoyed it.

They are making another fucking Pokemon series...Fuck me. No, I'm not getting it.

I beat Metroid Dread, really fun game, 100% the whole thing.

Gonna take a small break from Elden Ring...once I beat Morgott and Mohg, focus on Tiny Tina's Wonderland.

I've been buying manga, got DBS volume 1-5, 9, 13-15. Beastars volume 9-14, Ocarina of Time Manga, and some other ones.

MHA movie 3 was pretty cool, I like it.

Yeah...I don't have a lot of crazy hot takes right now. Anywho.

Please review, pm for ideas, etc. Enjoy! Zer0the0mega108 out!

Chapter Summary: Ragna loves humanity, he loves being happy and despises being angry, he has his reasons. He was always taught by his mother and aunt to keep the virtues of what makes a man like his father. However, should those virtues be crushed, should those he loves and wishes to protect be threatened...well, the Devil comes to play. As Batgirl and the others try to find an exit, Ragna clashes with Magnus in the final battle to stop the Crusade. What secrets do they discover? Can Ragna tap into the first step of the Devil? What is the El Diablo? Or will Magnus unleash the Paladins on the world? Find out next time in the epic conclusion of A Devil's Justice Court of Sin: Ragna's Inferno