Occult Rising: Breaking Chains

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the author created characters and concepts. Thanks to Mistycharming and SA June for their OC's used in this fic.

As early morning daylight crept in through the cracks and open windows of a dim house, abandoned and in disrepair, the red Occult ranger opened his eyes, blinking a few times to get his bearings together. As he tried moving his arm to scratch the back of his head, he found that he couldn't move. Looking down it appeared as if he was duct taped to a chair.

'I was kidnapped by a Supernatural being and the best thing she could tie me to a chair with was duct tape. Could she be less creative?' Joseph thought as he let out a sigh, looking around the room for any way he could get out of his current predicament.

Struggling against the makeshift restraints, he failed to hear the footsteps coming closer from the hallway. Stood there was Nyssa, watching him with her hands on her hips. "Looks like you woke up early. Already trying to escape your restraints too."

Those words surprised him as he jumped almost out of his seat if not for the duct tape keeping him there. "You lied about needing help to get away didn't you, just to get the Sigil rings. Something doesn't add up though, why take me along too?"

Nyssa sighed as she walked over to where another worn and torn chair stood, sitting down in it and giving a disappointed sigh. "Honestly, you really think this is about you, or the rings? I didn't technically lie either, I want to be free from Skuros and I needed help to do that. I planned on you bringing me to where those rings are so I could take one for myself. The only reason you're here is to act as bait."

"Bait? What are you talking about, what's your plan?" Joe asked, confused as to what she meant, but also intrigued about her plan for what was about to transpire.

"Skuros has a vested interest in your kind, technically you since he found out about your existence. I've told him to come here so I can deliver you to him. That's why i need a Sigil ring. As soon as he comes I'll throw everything I have at him, with this too I'm sure to win. As soon as he's gone I'll let you go." She explained the situation.

"So you're out to stop him too, that's what you really want. But you're both Fallen Angels right, why would you want to?" He asked, wanting to know her reasoning for her dangerous plan.

"What do you care? It isn't like you'd honestly care about the life of someone who kidnapped you for selfish reasons." She replied, turning her head away.

"That might be the case, but seeing as he'll only be able to arrive after dark, I can't see any other way to pass the time quick enough." Joe explained. While Nyssa really didn't want to, there was no argument with his logic.

She gave sigh before turning to face him once more. "Fine, I'll tell you, but keep quiet while I do."

[Occult Circle]

To the blaring sound of a siren, Seraphim Twelve woke up in her simple bed, her sleep being interrupted by the siren that had just sounded. It came as quite a surprise to the young agent as she rose quickly from the bed and began changing into her standard gear. The alarm only went off in times of emergency or opportunity, Twelve hoped that it was the latter as she finished changing and sprinted alongside the other Headquarters personnel to a large and open area, coming into line next to the rest of the field agents as the other agents lined up to create a block.

The Commander of Seraphim's Headquarters always kept his face obscured by darkness and no one knew why, a portion of his office always remained dark, even when there were no visitors. Thus it was no surprise that the light dimmed to obscure the face of the Commander as he entered the room to address the different agent groups.

"Listen up, A few days ago, we managed to infiltrate the Abyssal Cult with one of the compliant beings. Since then, we've finally gained useful information. Skuros, the leader of the Cult is coming here, to the outskirts of Numin city. This is our chance to put an end to his movement for good, before it gets any stronger. Until we've dealt with this, disregard any other orders you've been given. Dismissed." He mandated, heading back into the darkness of his office.

As the other agents worked their way around the Headquarters, Seraphim Twelve looked around, watching her comrades get to work or prepare for combat against the Dark Angel. 'We're just dropping everything, leaving everyone in the city vulnerable to any other threat? This isn't right.' She thought to herself as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Turning to face the person wanting her attention, the young agent saw it was the same field agent that had been there when she woke up after the incident with the Vampires. "You okay Twelve? You look kinda spaced out."

"Oh, Eight. Didn't see you there, sorry I was kinda spacing out. It's a bit weird that all this happened fast, especially since we got it off of a non-human source." She explained to him, quickly thinking up of the lie.

"I know what you mean, I don't wanna count on anything other than human. Even the good beings out there seem stuck up. But if this is what it seems to be, it's time to get hunting." Eight gave a laugh as he headed off to ready his own weapons.

'I just hope the city stays safe while we're gone. Normal people shouldn't suffer because we have to follow such strict orders.' She gave one last thought before walking out of the room to ready her own equipment. Even if she didn't like it, she had to obey her orders.

[Occult Circle]

Back at the abandoned house, Nyssa and Joe had been conversing for a few minutes now, and it was at this point, she began to explain she had come to want the death of the Dark Angel.

"As I mentioned before, when I was young, my father was a corrupt General in the Fallen Angel army before my people settled in the underworld for good. He had served under Skuros before and they likely conspired in corrupt dealings when they warred with others. Skuros came to my first home when I was young, I can't remember much, but he and my father got into a row. Then…" She paused as she clenched her fist. "He-He killed both of my parents and left me there. I cried on their lifeless bodies for so long until the city guard found me."

From where he was sitting, Joe could see that she was in pain as she recounted the events of her past. "I can't even imagine what you must've gone through." He said as he took in everything that she had said. As Joe did so, his expression began to change to a sympathetic one as he continued to listen to her story.

"After that, an archer and his wife that lived just outside the city adopted me. They raised me as their own and taught me everything I know about fighting, like the rest of my people do. Eventually Skuros had absolute rule over us, having removed the other Dark Angels, one way or another. I joined a group of rebels, who ended up becoming friends in the end. But Skuros and his soldiers ambushed us, he personally… personally killed, everyone. When he came to me, He-He brought me to his home and dubbed me his daughter, some sick and twisted sentiment after he massacred almost everyone I knew. I tried escaping so many times. He always caught me, he said I'd never truly be free from his reach, his influence so as long as he lived…"

Joe watched her as she stared straight ahead, no longer focused on him or what she was telling him. It appeared as if remembering all Skuros had said and done to Nyssa because of his twisted sentiment for her. Joe had seen her as both his captor and someone in need. But revealing such a personal and emotionally painful side to herself helped Joe to understand better. She did need help freeing herself from Skuros, but she also had to stand up for herself. As with anyone that has a conscience, Nyssa was someone worth saving, before she fell too far.

"I want to help you stop him. Nobody should have to do it alone, untie me and we can take him down, maybe then those chains he has on you can be broken." Joe replied, relaxing in his seat as Nyssa slowly turned her head to look at him.

She simply stared at him as he eyes darted back and forth, up and down, as if she was examining his face. Finally, she opened her mouth to speak. "I'll let you help, let me have the finishing blow. One more thing, never think of me as a charity case, I can take care of myself."

"I get it, most of the women I meet lately are out to kill me first off anyway, so you'd probably fit right in." The red ranger joked as Nyssa came over and cut his restraints.

[Occult Circle]

Afternoon in the residential areas of Numin city were quiet after most people had gone to school or work for the day. Since Nyssa made off with Joe, the other two rangers had left their search until morning, taking another day off from school, not that it really mattered to them.

Saya was crouching down in Gabriel's study, looking over the fragmented glass hoping she'd find something. As a ray of light cast through the broken window and down onto the glass, a red substance on a shard of glass glistened brightly. Picking up the glass shard, she noticed that it was in fact blood, the odd part about it was that it was still fresh, despite it being there for hours.

Standing up again, she turned around to where Ellie was stood, also searching for some way to locate Joe and Nyssa. "I found blood. Either from Nyssa or Joe. Surprisingly still fresh."

Ellie put her hand to her chin, thinking it through. "Well, Joe always seems to heal up after getting injured and everything fits back together if he stays where he is, so maybe the blood just stays like it is if it ends up like this."

"You have a point, now get tasting the blood." Saya ordered, her words making Ellie blink a few times.

"What?" She asked, surprised Saya would demand her to taste the blood so abruptly.

"I studied Vampires while I was in the Underworld, you all have a common trait, if you taste the blood of someone, but don't quench your thirst, that hunger in you compels you to hunt down and feed, you act like bloodhounds. It'll be interesting to watch you work like a dog." She explained with some hostility.

"I'm not drinking blood that's been on the floor, no matter who's blood it is!" She exclaimed, turning her head in protest.

"Just drink the damn blood already!" Saya groaned as she began to wrestle with the young Vampire, attempting to force her to drink the blood.

[Occult Circle]

Within the Underworld, the four demon Houses had taken the time since Lucifer's decree to bolster their forces as a precaution in case the Cult attacked them. Their holdings were secure, but the nobles still squabbled amongst themselves.

In the palace of the great House Leviathan, build of polished stone and finely curved architecture, King Bourus of the same house sat opposite another King in one of the private chambers. One that had become his largest rival in the time he had been King of his house and holdings.

King Fiedar Phoenix, an ambitious and cunning demon who had carried on the territorial war with Leviathan that had been going on for generations. Despite the civil pleasantries that were to go on here, King Bourus knew that any ceasefire was a fool's move. Despite knowing that directing his forces to fight beside the Phoenix forces to defeat the Cult quickly, ordering his troops to stand down would give Fiedar the opportunity to carve a path through Leviathan territory and get a stranglehold on his lands. If their was one consistent thing that the Kings of House Phoenix were, it would be that they're all opportunists.

"With the cult presenting danger to all our holdings, I have to abort on trying the wrestle any land from you for now and bolster my capital into an impenetrable fortress. I trust you'll stand down from the front too, bring your troops back so that I don't get any surprise attacks." Fiedar informed Bourus with a sly smirk as he drank from a silver goblet.

"You'd think me a fool to leave my lands exposed? There's a reason why Leviathan is always against you. Because we never trust what you say, and we're always ready for you to attack. My soldiers will remain on alert for any attacks you or the real enemy might throw at us. I don't understand how you see this as an opportunity to finish us off when we could join our forces and wipe out the Cult." Bourus replied, calling out the Phoenix King as the snake he is.

Fiedar chuckled. "My ancestors were right to never like you Leviathans, always sticking your nose in places it isn't needed. I can take your lands by conquest, but as a certain deal stands, there's always another way." He grinned as Bourus clenched his fist.

"That won't happen, ever." He declared, standing up.

"As I recall it was the Queen who made the deal to make an alliance with us, before her untimely end. You're only the King by wedlock, you can't undo such a deal. As soon as we find her, it'll be all over for you." The Phoenix King threatened as he stood up and headed to the door.

"If her own family can't find her, you've got no chance, you'll not get away with what you're trying Fiedar!" Bourus exclaimed as his foe opened the door and stood there for a moment.

"Look at it this way, it's only a matter of time, but I already have won, Leviathan." He snarled as he walked out of the room, leaving a fuming King to try and calm down after such threats.

[Occult Circle]

After Joe was released from his bindings, the two waited and talked until the sun had begun to go down, when Skuros would finally come for Joe. With a bright orange background slowly shrinking into darkness. Soon enough, the two of them looked out of one of the ruined windows to see a silhouette and six black wings slowly heading towards them.

Nyssa slowly turned her head to Joe as they observed the approaching Villain. "He's here, we better get ready." She said as she slipped on the black Sigil ring, Joe giving her a nod as they prepared to face Skuros.

Soon enough, heavy footsteps were heard, clashing with the rickety floorboards as the Dark Angel made his way up until finally the menacing villain came face to face with both Nyssa and Joe.

Skuros examined Joe for a few moments, who was sat back on the seat with his hands concealed behind his back. When he had finished, the Dark Angel stomped over to Nyssa. "Well done child. You're finally coming to your senses, you can't get away from me, so you decided to join me."

"That's not the case!" Joe called out as he jumped out of the seat and charged at the Dark Angel, landing a swift thrusting kick in the Villain's side. "Occult Breakout!" He called out as he morphed while Skuros staggered in surprise.

"What is this? You betrayed me!" He exclaimed in anger at Nyssa as Joe drew his Infinity Saber and pointed it at the Fallen Angel.

"I've never been with you, this is me taking my freedom. Occult Breakout!" She called out, waving her hand over the ring, as black energy covered her body.

As the light faded, it became Nyssa was now wearing a ranger suit similar to the rest. A unique feature to her suit was that since the torso of the suit was a solid black, her arms and legs were in fact now white, providing contrast to the rest of the suit. As with the other female suits, this one too had a skirt in black attached to the main body of the suit. She also wore black boots trimmed with gold bands and black gloves trimmed with gold bands. A pair of golden feathered wings sat either side of a sword pointing directly down, all of which was an imprint on the chest, outlined in white to add to the contrast. Her helmet seemed to be some kind of shadow of an angelic ranger helmet, housing the top and bottom halves of a beak on her visor while a pair of red eyes rested on the upper parts of her helmet, resembling a raven. Her golden buckle was shaped like two feathered wings crossing over. To finish her look, the dark and metallic bow she had with her beforehand rested soundly on her shoulder.

Skuros let out a dark laugh as he looked at the newest Occult ranger. "You think that you and the Immortal boy over there could defeat me? Foolish girl. I'll make an example of you right here!" He exclaimed in a fit of rage.

He quickly fired off a bolt of dark magic at the black ranger, an attack that was swiftly blocked by Joe and his Infinity saber. "Shoot him while I keep you covered." He commanded, taking control of the situation.

Giving a nod, Nyssa pulled back her bowstring, to her surprise a deep purple arrow made entirely of magic materialised on the bow, ready to fire. She wasn't about to question the workings of the Sigil ring and thus fired out the ethereal arrow white whizzed toward Skuros with unnatural speed.

Despite the clear advantage that the bow had over many, Skuros caught the arrow in his hand, the arrow dissipating in his deathly clutch. Shaking her head, Nyssa fired continuously as Skuros as Joe blocked any incoming magical attacks from the Dark Angel.

As the two rangers focused on fighting and trying to wear down Skuros, neither them or their foe heard the multiple footsteps around the house, closing in on their position. As one of the unknown persons misstepped, the Dark Angel caught wind that they were now surrounded. That was when he leapt out of the way as a light spear flew into the room, stabbing into the floor where he had been stood.

Yet his focus on the arrival of new foes had cost him as Nyssa drew back another arrow, shooting it into Skuros' shoulder and injuring him. "Y-You'll pay for your treachery girl, when next we meet I will show no mercy!" He declared as he clenched his fist around a stone fragment.

In a mere moment a swirling portal opened before him, the Dark Angel disappearing as he entered it, the portal closing immediately after him. Even though he was gone, in the next few moments, all twelve Seraphim field agents, armed with active light spears surrounded them, pointing their weapons at the two Occult rangers.

Retaliating to the present threat, Nyssa drew her bow back and aimed the magical arrow at one of the agents, ready to fire if needed. Joe placed his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"Put down the bow, we shouldn't hurt humans, even if they're after us." He told her, getting her grip to tighten on the bow.

"They're a threat, we can't get out of here without taking them down." Nyssa explained. In a scenario without any other way out, this logic would be sound, yet she didn't understand the current capabilities of her Sigil ring.

"Put down the bow, trust me, we've got another way out of this." He said as red and black aura sigils appeared under their feet, looking down at the appearance of the aura sigils, Nyssa lowered her bow.

In surprise to almost all the Seraphim field agents, the two rangers disappeared in a flash of light.

From beside Seraphim Twelve, and angry Eight pulled off his mask and stabbed his light spear into the wooden boards. "They got away!" He yelled in a fit of rage. "You should've warned us about it, we could've caught them before they got away!" He growled at Twelve.

"I had no clue." She replied in a low voice as Eight stormed off, slowly followed by the other Seraphim agents. 'The truth is I did know, but what he said about not hurting people, Maybe those rangers aren't the enemy.' She thought to herself, even though she now ran the risk of punishment if her deception was discovered.

[Occult Circle]

After being transported away from the abandoned house, Nyssa and Joe were now stood in the lounge of his house, having demorphed after they teleported.

The red ranger looked at the exhausted Fallen Angel beside him. "So, now that Skuros is injured, and he's crawled back into his hole, you're safe for now."

Nyssa gave a sigh. "Until he comes back to get his revenge." She replied while looking away.

"Don't worry about it, if the two of us managed to hold him off, then you're safe with everyone else around. He'll not get to you, I'll make sure of that." Joe told her, getting the black ranger to turn and face him.

"You're too much of a nice guy for your own good, you know that. Fine, but if you're protecting me from Skuros, It makes sense to repay that kindness. So from here on out, I'll make an oath to guard you with my life." She informed as she gave a curtsy to him.

'Oh great another one. A bodyguard for an Immortal doesn't even make sense! I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with a supernatural dog next week.' Joe thought as he gave a slow and hesitant nod.

Before he could say a word however, a blue fireball raced past his head, colliding into a picture frame on the wall, smashing it. Quickly spinning around, Nyssa and Joe saw Saya stood in the hallway, her eyes shining bright blue and a hand channeling blue fire.

"S-Saya, it's okay. Everything that happened is all a misunderstanding. It's fine now, you don't have to do anything anymore." Joe reasoned, trying to keep Saya from attacking Nyssa, or the more likely, from attacking him.

Nyssa turned her head to Joe. "If she hits you with one of her fireballs, I have permission to fight her, right?"

"Just what kind of bodyguard are you!?" Joe asked, surprised she'd already put him in danger so easily.

"A very bad one I'd guess." Saya remarked as she shot a ball of her blue fire at Joe setting him on fire. "Looks like it's game on." The High demon smirked as she readied a fighting stance, as did Nyssa.

As Joe stood there, waiting for the fire to burn out and the two girls fought, he could only regret his decision to let them stay there. 'I hope to god that there's gonna be another guy who takes the last ring, I don't know how much more of this I can take.' He groaned in his head as he stood helplessly watching them fight, hoping they wouldn't trash the house.

|Occult Circle|

Underworld Politics - Phoenix Versus Leviathan - Since the four great houses came to power in the main regions of the Underworld, two houses have always fought over territory or political power. The original King Phoenix was the instigator ,believing the Leviathan house to be weak and wanting more power for himself, no matter the cost. Their rivalry has never faltered, even in times when they have fought a common enemy. Even in meetings with the other Houses, there are both Phoenix and Leviathan delegates at each other's throats. It is expected that eventually one side will dominate the other, but many will suffer before their fighting is done.

That's chapter 5. Here we had Nyssa open up to Joe and he decided to help her. Which turned out well with Skuros being wounded. Seraphim Twelve seems to be waking up to the reality that the agency isn't what she thought it was, which is an interesting development. On the underworld side of things, it looks like King Phoenix is out to get a certain individual, for what purpose, we're yet to see. As for the time being, if you saw the hints in some of Joe's complaining, you can guess who gets revealed next. It's almost time to reveal the Lycanthrope.

In other news, guess what's coming off Hiatus this week. It's been roughly a month in the wait, but Mythos will be returning later this week and it's gonna be exciting, so stay tuned for that. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you all next time.

Next Chapter: A Howling Werewolf

Synopsis: It's about time the full moon rises in Numin city and the rangers encounter a werewolf that has been tearing through the city, causing some disappearances. Will the rangers manage to deal with this new emergence? What other surprises lie in wait? Find out next time on Power Rangers: Occult Circle.