52

Operation Exo

• Morrigans POV •

[5:20 p.m Pacific Standard Time]

I led the group as we roamed on a corpse infested street of Tokyo. The sky was a dull blanket of gray smothering the sun. Not a single bird roamed the winds. The stench of rotting flesh constantly reminded me to find Majetek with haste.

I peered among the bodies as we passed.

'Their appearances looks just like the men of my past. Anorexia wouldn't come close in comparison. Babes a lucky guy'

"Hey look, we must be near" Amy called out.

I looked to my right to see a running car with the body of a man slumped out of it.

'There aren't any wounds on him. How is she absorbing their energy?'

"Anyone else think she knows we're tracing her?" Julia asked.

"It doesn't matter" I responded. "Although, this'll go smoother if she doesn't"

'I really couldn't care less. She knows she's out of my league'

"Let's check this area out" I heard Asha insist.

She kept her pistol at her shoulder as she peered upon an area west of us.

'Ahh, and her. Eversince Jay spared and saved her, she's been behaving like she wants to 'repay' her debts. She'll be damned if she just bats an eye'

"So before things get all crazy, does anyone know any bible verses?" Amy asked.

"If you're thinking what I think you are, it's going to take a lot more than an exorcism to rid this demon of Nina's body" Asha answered.

"Well maybe we should check this building just in case?" Amy asked.

I looked to see where she faced. She was focused in the east, where a couple dozen feet away was a building with a rose gold cross on its roof. The lights inside flickering on and off had me agree to do a little investigating.

Minutes later, we closed in on the church hearing obnoxious ruckus. I was prevented from seeing the action inside thanks to the pictures of the virgin Mary on every window pane. I sighed.

"Ugh"

"Nnnrrraa"

'Huh?'

'That groan seemed to come from somewhere close. It even sounds familiar'

*POW!*POW!*

After hearing those gun shots, I rushed back, flying towards the girls. Asha stood in front of Amy and Julia, dual wielding her pistols. I looked pass them into the street to see a neighborhood of undead civilians slowly advancing on us.

'Last time this happened, a rock band was near and that didn't go well'

"Hey! Did you all hear any music around?" I asked.

The girls looked up at me confused and shook their heads.

'That's strange, Zabels the only one I know who rolls with a zombie crew. Could he be working with Majetek?'

Suddenly, I felt a cold hand grab my ankle. I quickly delivered a mule kick to the person's head. I looked over my shoulder to see it was a zombie now on its back.

'Perfect'

"Shell kick!"

Its head shook until it was smithoreens.

'No brain, no gains'

Just then, sounds of more gunfire filled my ears to kick off the fun.

I separated from the girls to find a part of the horde I could have to myself.

'These mindless ones have the entire church surrounded so this will do for a little warm up'

I ascended in the air as the ghouls watched me with their hands extended to me. I transformed the edges of my wings into blades. I descended down and enlarged my wings. The feeling of slicing through them brought a smile on my face. I ascended again to look below at the horde collapsing to the ground. I looked over at the girls who were having their own fun. Julia swung her sword in a circular repetition sending heads flying one after another. She then broke it in two and her shotguns took form. She rushed into the crowd delivering kicks and shells. Amy stood next to Asha, tossing her fireballs. The monsters melted to the ground with her hellfire. The flames seemed to dance from one and catch onto others and eventually lit the whole crowd. Something about her movement or energy delighted me. For a little one, she could wreak quite the havok.

'You're going to grow into one precious gem aren't you?'

I landed beside her and we regrouped in front of the church.

The hordes time came to an end. I glanced at Asha who's nearby crouched by a tree. She held her pistol close, peeping our surroundings.

'Guns; so distasteful'

*THUMP!*

"Shit! It won't budge" Julia said, frustrated.

I spun around to see Julia and Amy ramming their shoulders into the door. They weren't giving up on their attempt to break in.

"What's this thing made of?" Amy asked.

"I'll have a try" I stated.

The two looked at my stance and quickly tumble rolled near Asha.

"Soul-Fist!"

The door exploded sending smoke and dust in every direction. I leaped through to see rows of benches that were occupied with corpses of the people who probably came to seek safety. I then noticed my hair was flailing around. I looked up to see the fans spinning so fast, they could disassemble from the ceiling at any moment. Papers and other small what-nots rapidly flew above and around us.

"Ahh!" I was distracted from my roam of the area when I heard a shriek of terror.

A yard ahead, near a large podium, was a white cross on the back of a priest in his apparel. In his hands was a book and a cup of water. He seemed to be backing away from someone.

"The Bible repels you demon! Be gone in the name of the Father,

the Son and-and the Holy Spirit!"

He threw the water and then there was a trembling vibration throughout the building. I quickly lifted myself into the air. The priest lost his balance and fell out of the pulpit, revealing our old friend. Steam came off of her face as the water melted her skin. As she approached him, the burns slowly healed. She then unsheathed Joyuese.

"Minister, why the scared gaze? God hasn't given you the spirit of fear"

"Umm, so is that a bad thing she knows bible verses?" Amy pondered.

"I wouldn't call it a comfort" Julia responded.

I looked back to see the girls as intrigued as I am. I turned back towards Majetek as she stepped down the stairs. She paid us no attention. The priest quickly got on his knees and prayed.

"Are you serious right now?" Majetek asked, disgusted at the priest. "Why pray when I can just send you right to him?!" She then grabbed the man by his grey hair. He shook frantically, still praying to the last. His skin began to grow pale as she caressed his neck. She then raised her arm to impale the aged man.

I quickly fixed my arms to launch a soul fist.

*CLINK!*

The sword flew out of Ninas hand, landing far in the debris in the back of the church. I turned around and spotted Asha who had her gun aimed with smoke ascending from her pistol. I turned back to Majetek whose red eyes were locked on us. She released the priest and took two feet towards us. Her smug look faded and was replaced with a frown. I thought that after the loud blast, she was just ignoring us.

"Couldn't just enjoy the show...huh ladies?" Majetek asked, annoyed. She fixed her hair behind her ear.

'If I'm not mistaken, is her hair growing lighter?'

The priest opened his eyes, noticing us. I thought he'd have more of a relieving expression after Asha saved his life. But no, he looked just as terrified and crawled out of sight beneath the benches.

I flew closer to Majetek.

"Where is it?!"

"What is this you request?"

"Demitri's wine"

"Ohh, flying first class. Would you like your tardy slip now or later?"

I gave a fake chuckle, "Keep it"

'Hmm, I'll have to find a way to track down that plane. Whatever I do, I can't leave the girls here alone. That wouldn't end well. I might need you after all Asha...might'

"Hmm, where's the handsome guy?" Majetek asked, curious.

"Doing handsome guy things" I answered, with a smirk.

She sighed. "Then he doesn't know what he's missing"

"Oh, please" I flicked my hair over my shoulder, "in your dreams"

I flew towards the demon with every intent to exorcise her. Majetek tilted her head and gave a malevolent grin. She snapped her fingers and that sound I heard from earlier invaded my ears.

"Nnnrrraaa!"

Although, this time, a bit more enraged.

I froze and watched the corpses that lied on the benches awaken with red eyes. They sluggishly rose to their feet and paced their way to us. That's when an epiphany hit me.

'It's her? But how? She couldn't do this in Paris'

I looked back around the podium for Majetek but she vanished as more zombies stepped down from the pulpit.

"This can't get anymore extraordinary" I muttered.

I awaited for the creatures to near. These ones moved faster than before. It didn't take long for them to reach me. I turned my wings into multiple spears. I ended them quickly with a nice quad-feed, as Jay would call it. I hurried and flew to the back of the church where I spotted Majetek under the flickering lights, picking up Joyeuse.

'There you are'

"Soul-Fist!"

Nina turned just in time and blocked the shot with the sword. The force sent her sliding back, she looked up at me with a grimace. She then threw the sword at me like a Spartan with his spear. I swayed to the right, completely dodging her weapon.

"Might want to work on your speed" I joked.

Nina chuckled. "No thanks, it's fine"

'Hm?'

I turned around to see a ten foot cross coming down on me. With no time to counter it, I blocked my face. I dispersed into bats just as the cross would have smashed me against the floor. I morphed back and hovered in the air.

'I have to admit, that was a neat trick...one I can do better'

I watched Majetek walk towards the damaged cross lying over the benches.

"Marco?" She said. She twirled her sword, snooping around the cross for me.

I dived towards her. I balled up a fist as I increased speed. Seconds before I was about to smite her, she looked up and my instinct took over. She prepared to counter it so I quickly turned my right wing into a blade that slammed against her sword.

*SHEENK!*

Head to head, we glared at each other. She then showed me that evil grin. I grinned back, "Polo"

I leaped back and took a jump towards her, performing a somersault. I simultaneously aligned my heels and wings to slice through her defense. I felt my heel hit her skull. The next blows were blocked. I landed on the floor and found her staring at me. I noticed a cut on her forehead that leaked blood.

'Okay, she's either holding back the pain, or numb to it'

She wiped the blood from her head and smeared it on her blade. "How did Jay feel when he lost my host?" She asked.

I wasn't expecting a question as random as that, neither her excessive calmness but I had an answer.

"As bad as you after I remove you from her body"

"Tsh. It won't be an easy task Morrigan" she proclaimed, fiddling with her sword, "Have you ever played fetch? And no, I'm not saying that because you're an arrogant bitch"

I raised an eyebrow and rested my hands at my hips. "I'm flattered but no"

"It's simple", the body snatcher stabbed the floor and cut a line in front of us. "You tell your dogs what to fetch, and they retrieve it...I'll show you"

The line between us stretched rapidly. A reddish orange light shined from it as the hole grew deeper.

"Arroooooo!" The sound of a howl emitted from down under. Next, two decayed paws with sharp claws showed, climbing out.

'My, so extraordinary'

"What the hell was that?" Julia asked as she and the girls ran to my side.

"Oh" she said, adding things up.

Before our eyes, three heads popped up from the hole. Then another set, and another...and another. The dogs barked savagely. Their eyes were as red as Majeteks with skin looking like they suffered from third degree burns. Their ears looked as if they'd been chewed on. They swayed their burnt tails side to side. A black mist surrounded their carcasses giving me flashbacks of Mr. Evergreen. The dogs climbed out and stood at Majeteks waist.

'Great, now I'm about to smell like rotten flesh'

"Cer-Cerberus'?" Amy stuttered.

Majetek kept her focus on me. "Aren't you happy? I got a dog just for you, little one" she sneered.

"Uh-um" Amy stuttered.

"Now", she pointed Joyeuse at us, "Bring me their souls!" She yelled.

The dogs barked and took off.

"Bring it, muts!" Julia yelled.

'Amy, I must protect her. Im sure she could hold her own, but at the moment, she seems overwhelmed. Right now, I dont need to bring any sad news to Babe. We're not losing another knight'

"Amy?" I asked.

"Y-yes, President?"

"Let's do this together"

"Er-Alright!" She said. I felt her vibrations rise a bit.

'That's the spirit'

I locked on to my four legged target which by it's stares, did the same for me. I backflipped and leaped into the air.

"Soul-Fist!"

The hellhound bolted to the left, dodging the blast. Amy shot fireballs at hers and mine. The hounds were unfazed. She quickly charged up her hands and this time lava splashed onto the creatures. They whimpered and shook off the substance. The Cerberus that had its lock on me leaped up, opening its three jaws.

"Shadow blade!"

The dog shrieked and crashed into the benches below. It rolled over and stood up. The middle head drooped to the floor, now split in two.

"How's that feel?!" I asked, taunting it.

The dog growled at me and went for the person closest to it- the silver haired teen, who was busy launching lava at her opponent that was rushing her way.

'Oh no you don't!'

I quickly descended to the floor. I summoned my double in front of Amy and raised a blade out of the ground. The now, two-headed Cerberus split in two and slid into the benches. I looked over Amy's shoulder, the other Cerberus experienced the same fate.

'Go me'

"Morrigan! Duck!" I heard Julia yell.

Without thinking, I dispersed into bats and descended as low as possible. I turned back and seen a three headed hound shaking its heads after crashing into the wall.

'Why'd he target me? If they're assigned to each of us...where's Asha?'

I quickly took a glance around for the Russian.

"I'm done with your pawns! Fight me head on you coward" Asha stated as she leaped over the benches.

She shot at Majetek who easily deflected the bullets. If I was seeing correctly, Majetek was smiling.

'I guess we're all enjoying ourselves'

I focused back on the Cerberus. It was looking at me, as if it was waiting for me to pay it attention.

"Come 'ere boy" I said playfully.

The dogs tail wagged and it obeyed.

"Let's make this a three verse three" Julia stated as she and Amy walked to my side.

"You ready Amy?" Julia asked her friend, aiming her sawed offs.

"Yep"

Amy, swayed her hands in a fashionable manner and now her fist shined a bright red.

"What's the hold up Prez? Kick it off" Julia insisted.

"Oh! Right!" I got with the program and extended my right fist.

"Soul-Fist!"

The dog jerked to the right as I assumed. Amy immediately shot her charged lava. Julia pulled the triggers of her guns. The shots ignited with the lava and created a wider blast. The dogs eyes widened before the collision exploded him into pieces.

"Dammnn, that's how it's done" Julia said, spinning her weapons on her index.

*SPSHH!*

The girls and I spun around, I searched for Majetek.

Across from us on the right side of the church, Majetek and Asha were still at it. There was a broken window near them which I assumed was broken by Asha. Besides that, the pistol was finally put away. Now, she was exchanging swings at Majetek with her two knives.

'Look at her, she even wants the main course for herself. Not tonight Asha'

I ascended close to the ceiling.

"It's time we end this!" I said.

I used my wing to cut one of the fans from the ceiling. It frantically rotated towards the two girls below.

Majetek and Asha looked up. Asha evaded one way and Majetek darted the other.

"Amy, now!" I yelled.

"Ha!" Amy tossed fireballs in front of Majetek, lighting her path with tall flames. She slid to a stop. The fan continued to close in. Majetek looked up. Before she could make another move, Amy surrounded her in more flames. Majetek looked at the ring of fire and laid an angry glare on Amy.

"Damn you!" She yelled.

The fan crashed into her. She was no longer in sight. We watched on standby, waiting for the next move.

"Did we...do it?" Asha asked, catching her breath.

The sound of howls answered her question.

"I thought all dogs go to heaven" Asha muttered under her breath.

"Not in this world" I replied.

"You can say that again" Julia chimed in.

We all looked towards the hole in the ground near the podium. A fresh new batch of demon dogs crawled out one by one.

'At this rate, babe and I will have to find a way to stop Demitri's import afterwards all thanks to her. This girl has stalling as her middle name'

"Nnnrrraaahh!"

"What the-?!" Julia said. Her face was drowned in disbelief. Her attention was paid to the way that we came in.

My eyes wandered from hers to the large number of red eyes flooding into the church.

'How many people did she kill?'

Then, out the corner of my eye, the fan moved. I seen a head of purple hair rise from beyond the flames. Majetek looked up at me with a cold stare.

"I told you it won't be that easy" Majetek stated as she mounted the fan.

"I believed you the first time" I remarked.

She leaped over the fire, landing in front of the ring. She looked at Asha.

"Break times over Goldilocks"

"I bet money Goldilocks' more appealing than whatever you look like under there", Asha responded. She rubbed her knives together. Sparks flew off as she stepped forth.

The way Majeteks eyes lied frozen on Asha made me wonder if she were daydreaming of doing the worst to her.

'I mean, at least that'd make the two of us'

She then blinked and placed her hair behind her ears. "I'm going to bless you with a slow death" Majetek finally retorted.

Asha smiled, "I'd like to see you try"

I couldn't hold back the smirk that crept its way out.

'So would I'

"Round two huh?" Julia asked.

Suddenly, an image of Jay flashed in my mind. 'Gosh, I could so use a couple of go's of his beastly man power once this is all over. I wonder how he's doing'

I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Julia's shoulder touch mine. Then Amy's shoulder touch above my elbow. I wanted to have Majetek but I knew my cabinet would like to fight beside me so I accepted the team up.

"Looks like it" I answered.

"Bring me their HEADS!" Majetek yelled through the church.

At her command, the creatures came for us. Julia instantly let out shells as Amy tossed her lava. I summoned my illusion and let off more soul-fists'.