"HURRY! THIS WAY!" A Sentinel warrior yelled towards the fleeing masses, as his comrades and the Exterminators held the line.
A full scale evacuation was currently underway in Lucifer's circle, every person regardless of who or what they are were being granted passage to the realm of Urdak, their voices filling the air around them as they screamed or cried. Yet still the combined volume of their shrieks and yells wasn't enough to drown out the sounds of conflict, that threatened with each passing second to be upon them. Lasers, bullets, blades and blunt weaponry were all being used to keep back the ravenous hordes, most of them were actually killed quite easily, it was the ones who followed behind that were the issue. Towering faceless brutes with strength to match their height destroyed buildings and vehicles with little issue, cybernetic horrors ranging from grotesque skeletons to what could only be described as spider brains bombarded them from a distance, and in the air large mono eyed masses either red or black in color pelted them with bile and screaming skulls.
But the job of the Exterminators and the Sentinels was merely to ensure that no civilians were hurt, acting similarly to a riot squad deflecting and intercepting any attacks that went their way. And while this may sound gut wrenchingly terrifying, it was NOTHING compared to what their champion kept at bay. At the center of their army was a building sized monster, who just like some of the others had cybernetic enhancements fused with flesh. Its skin was as black and grey as ash, its eyes burned with a red fire none had ever seen before, and thanks to its size every action whether it was movement or aggression shook the ground. If this behemoth were to focus on the fleeing crowds for a second there would be nothing they could do, for its power was far greater than what their shields or even themselves could withstand.
Thankfully that is where their champion came in, the moment the creature laid its eyes on him he was the only soul it cared about, a clear animosity shared between them indicated by the guttural roar that bellowed from its chest. Since they arrived those two had done nothing but fight each other, the other creatures that marched passed them didn't give a glance in their direction, as even they knew that this was a long awaited duel. With each clash of their strength shockwaves went through the air, both living rarities of when an unstoppable force is also an immovable object.
However, even as the people of Lucifer's circle ran for their lives with the Exterminators and Sentinels acting as their shield, while the Slayer faced off against one of his oldest and greatest foes, there was a thought they all unknowingly shared.
How did this happen?
(A Few Hours Ago In Hell's Time...)
Idle chit chat filled the air of the hotel lobby as everyone excitedly waited for the Slayer to return. Though they weren't hiding behind furniture ready to jump out or anything, they were still all eager for the moment he opened those doors and saw everything they'd done. And whether it was due to the amount of people present, or maybe no one had noticed yet, not a single soul realized that there were three notable people absent. In all fairness for two of them that made a fair amount of sense, given that they had recently met their end by his hand and probably still didn't feel comfortable around him, but for the third one this wasn't like him.
No matter how hard he ever got hit he always got back up and responded with zest and vigor, even something like death shouldn't have phased him. Yet here he was, the former "notorious" crime lord Sir Pentious, laying face down in his bed covered by its blankets, which is where he had been
for all of today as well as the last. The reason why is due to an unbearable depression that had been slowly building up, ever since what happened back on The Fortress of Doom. So now how all he cared to do was just lie there and wait, there was no point in trying to do anything or to enjoy himself in any capacity.
Even though it had been a while since he heard that voice or felt the searing pain of the Lost Soul, he knew the foul creature was still inside of him and was simply dormant, waiting to be commanded by its master. But what said master would have it do, what he would be forced to carry out when that happened, he truly had no idea.
"...Pentious?" The voice of Vox called followed by a few knocks at his door.
Although he heard him the snake demon didn't care, he wasn't even the slightest bit curious as to why the Overlord came to see him, so he just stayed there silent.
"Come on Pentious we know you're in there, so either you open the door or we'll do it." He warned.
Sadly that too was ineffective at eliciting even the slightest response from him, which is why he expected his door to be blown off its hinges or for them to break it down. Only that wasn't at all what happened, instead by just using their innate abilities they were able to unlock it from their side. But as Vox turned the knob and slowly pushed it open, just enough so they could take a glimpse inside, once they saw the state he was in he pushed it open further so they could enter.
"Pentious, what's wrong?" He asked as they walked in, closing the door behind them afterwards.
Even with them now in the room and just a foot or so away he still refused to respond, showing just how serious this actually was. This is why Vox wouldn't say anything more nor would Velvet, as they realized nothing they could say would help. So they chose to just be there for him, walking over to his bed and sitting beside him they would wait as long as needed before he spoke to them. Now one might wonder why these two Overlords even with one having been his fellow prisoner, cared at all for his well being when they truly knew very little of each other.
In fact, this would be the first thing he would say after an hour of silence, the only noise that disrupted it being the cheers and other various sounds of the party nearby, telling them that the Slayer had finally come back.
"...Why are you here?..." He spoke while keeping his face buried in his pillow, "I don't know either of you personally...and I don't owe you anything...so why are the two of you in my room instead of at the party?..." He asked.
"We could ask you the same thing, on top of what has caused you to be in this state." Vox replied.
"True...but again why do you even care?...We're not friends or family or even business partners...so why waste your time here?..." He asked.
"Because despite all of those things being true we were worried about you, I know that makes no sense but we DO share one thing in common, that we've all been affected by the man they're throwing that party for." Vox answered.
"So what?...Are you here so we can plot revenge or something?...Do you want to get back at him for what he did to you guys?..." He questioned.
"No not at all, I'm personally grateful to him for many things, not killing Velvet, killing Val, giving me this second chance even though I certainly didn't deserve it." He began to explain as he looked towards the ceiling, "Because when you think about it we all had something like this
coming our way eventually, sure we assumed we would just be able to do our own thing and nothing would happen, that we were too clever or too powerful for the Exterminators to deal with, and even if that was true the fact still remains that we're in Hell for a reason, and it was inevitable that somewhere down the line someone would come along and make us pay for what we did when we were human." He continued as he looked back down to Sir Pentious, "Which is why I'm glad it was him, yes my death wasn't pleasant but very few can be described that way, and like I said if it had been the Exterminators I know there'd be no second chances, in that final moment I would've had all the thoughts and feelings I have now hit me like a tidal wave, but unlike now I wouldn't be able to think or do anything about them." He concluded.
"Again so what?...Who fucking gives a shit about any of that other than you?..." Sir Pentious asked.
"I do." Velvet answered as she put a hand to her chest, "J-Just like Vox I'm also grateful, the S- Slayer could've kept him locked up, he could've killed me, and w-while it's gonna take some time for me to get over it completely, I st-still realized that this is our fault and when I did I was able to st-start working through it, that's why we're here Pentious, to help you." She explained.
Silence returned after she said that for a few minutes, as he wasn't sure how to respond or feel about it.
"...I...I...appreciate that..." He barely managed to tell them as he slowly gripped the sheets, "And I mean that...I'm glad someone cares...but even so it doesn't matter...you both can't help me...no one can..." He whimpered.
"Don't say that Pentious, I know whatever you're going through might seem insurmountable, but if you just let us-"
"YOU DON'T FUCKING GET IT!" He suddenly shouted at Vox as he finally looked up from his pillow, tears welling up in his eyes, "What's wrong with me isn't just some insecure bullshit or me realizing how shitty of a person I am! Neither of you nor anyone else could possibly fathom what I'm dealing with! And I can't even try to tell you or give you hints to help you understand because it'll only make it worse! I am fucking trapped whether it be here, back on the fortress, or even if I was somewhere like Earth or fucking Heaven! And no matter what you or anyone else says or does you can't help me!...I'm just...I'm fucking screwed..." He told them.
Though they were startled by his outburst and all that came after both Overlords still remained, because even though this was far more than they had expected, this didn't change their desire to help him. Which is why like before neither of them said anything, they would let their actions do all the speaking for them, starting with Velvet who moved closer to him on the bed before pulling him into a hug. Feeling his eyes widen when she did this he balled up his hands at first, as for a moment he was angry at her and wanted to push her away. But this embrace, her compassion, everything that she was showing and doing for him even though they were strangers, was all that it took to finally wear him down and have him succumb to his emotions.
For the next hour all he could do was hug her tightly and cry, as the repressed anguish from his suffering all poured out of him. But Velvet wasn't bothered by this at all and same could be said for Vox, she would hold him for as long as he needed to feel better.
"Why?...Why are you being so nice?...What the fuck is happening anymore?..." He asked them as his tears were finally running dry, "This is Hell...we're suppose to be cursing each other out while fighting to the death...we should be destroying everything around us just because we feel like it...yet here we are in this fucking hotel...none of it makes any sense..." He said.
"Did it ever make sense though?" Vox asked in return, "I mean when I was alive I was a devote atheist, I figured all the spiritual shit was just a scam to get people to buy a book of fairy tale nonsense so people could feel superior over others, yet here I am a literal demon who has a television for a head sitting next to a snake covered in eyes and a woman who looks like a doll come to life, and we act like there's nothing weird or strange about that." He pointed out.
"Heh...guess you're right..." Sir Pentious admitted managing to chuckle and smile, "But still that all happened...naturally I guess is what I'm looking for? But everything that's happening now makes next to no sense..." He explained.
"True, but again that's why we're here, there's no reason you should be left alone to deal with this, and besides, there is a vacancy now that Valentino is gone..." Vox trailed off while looking to the side.
"Wait...you're not...are you?..." He questioned with widened eyes, as he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"We won't be able to call ourselves the three Vs anymore, but seeing as how all three of us are all about technology, I think we can come up with something new." Vox replied.
"Hold on, you're into technology? I thought you were a potion maker?" He asked while looking down at Velvet.
"I am, but I also have an interest in technology, I'm n-not the inventor Vox or you are, at least not y-yet, but I do keep up with all the latest tech that comes out, a-and if you decide you want to join us well...then I'll have t-two people to teach me..." She answered.
Staring at both Overlords Sir Pentious was speechless, for while he did have dreams and ambitions of being an Overlord, or even the ruler of Hell itself, he never imagined he'd be getting an invitation to be the member of one of the most notable groups out there. Because of this for a few seconds he wondered if this was actually real, or if maybe this was some kind of trick to get his guard down so they could mess with him. But as he continued to look at them he was met only with looks of genuine anticipation, as they waited patiently to hear his response. This in turn caused something to happen to him, something he hadn't felt or experienced in what seemed like a lifetime, he felt happy.
"I mean...if you both are being serious...if you really aren't just phenomenal actors and are beguiling me into a false state of security and safety...then...I'd love to be your third member." He told them.
Upon hearing that he would be sent back down to his bed, as Velvet overjoyed by his response tackled him and began hugging him a second time, while Vox just watched on and smiled.
"EEEEEEEE! I'm so glad you said yes!" She exclaimed giddily as she squeezed him.
"Um, okay, never had someone hug me like this before, I mean I know we were just hugging but that was different, Vox help." He said as he looked towards the other.
"Nope, sorry, when she latches on she's there till she lets go, nothing I can do about it." He replied.
True to his word he had to lie there for a full minute of hugging before she finally released him, both sitting back up once she did.
"Well...that was...nice actually." He admitted.
"Better get used to it, even before all of this Velvet's always been a hugger, so you can expect those to happen practically everyday, sometimes every few hours, she's a very friendly outgoing person." Vox explained.
"G-Guilty." She replied with a smile.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." He said as a small smile of his own appeared.
"Anyways though, are you comfortable enough now to talk about what's bothering you?" Vox asked, "If not just say so and that'll be the end of it, we're not going to rush you into sharing it with us, we completely understand if you need more time to feel safe enough to open up." He assured.
"Oh...right...that..." Sir Pentious replied as he had actually forgotten about it during all the crying and hugging.
Going quiet again as he had to give this serious thought, he knew that if he told them ANYTHING about his situation it would not only be bad for him, but they might be put in danger and something terrible could happen to them. And since they were now partners even friends from the looks of it, for the first time in his life Sir Pentious actually chose to do something for the sake of others by keeping his mouth shut, at least until he could figure out something.
"Yeah...well...if you wouldn't mind I do still need some time...just trying to sort through it myself..." He explained.
"Like I said we understand, whenever you feel it's the right time to say something we'll be there to listen." Vox promised.
"That's r-right, cause like it or not you're with us now, and we don't accept takesies backsies." Velvet said.
"Thank you." He replied with another smile coming to his features, which in turn brought smiles to their faces.
"SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Nearly jumping right off the bed all three demons felt their hearts skip a beat, out of nowhere a VERY angry voice was sent out through the hotel.
"What the fuck was that?!" Sir Pentious questioned.
"I have no idea, but I think we need to go and see what it was." Vox replied earning nods from them both.
Getting up and moving to the door they'd open it slowly and peak out, just to be certain whatever had suddenly happened wasn't right outside the room. But with the hallway empty they then stepped out and closed it again, proceeding to head for the lobby and discover what was going on.
"I do not know what the fuck is going on...I do not know why all of you are suddenly saying these things...but the ONE THING I do know is that I am FUCKING PISSED!" He shouted at them as he balled his free hand into a fist, almost breaking the mic with the other as his anger worsened, "And I, as the king of this circle, as the king of all of you, and as the first of the fallen DEMAND that I be given an explanation behind everything, RIGHT. FUCKING. NOW." They heard that same voice continue to shout, but now they were able to realize who it belong to.
"Holy shit that's lord Lucifer..." Sir Pentious whispered to them. "Yeah, and he sounds REALLY fucking mad." Vox replied.
"Have either of you seen him this angry? I m-mean like on the news or on the internet or something?" Velvet asked.
"Never, in fact I didn't think he COULD get angry, he and his daughter are always so cheery and colorful, like someone just gave them too many happy pills and the effect's still going." Sir Pentious answered.
"Maybe we shouldn't walk out there? You know just to be safe, we'll hang back and watch from the hall." Vox suggested again earning nods from both.
It wouldn't be long before they were able to see the lobby from the hall, but since there had been some changes due to the party setup, they needed to walk just a bit further to see passed the stage and everything else. But that would prove unnecessary once they got a basic assessment of the situation, for while there were a lot of things to make note of, there was one detail above them all that held their attention. On the stage near its front were Lucifer and the Slayer, and while they noticed the former was partly transformed, that still wasn't what they were focused on.
"Wait...is...is he fucking scared?" Sir Pentious asked quietly as they all saw the look of horror on the Slayer's face.
"Will...does this...does this mean what I think it does?" The devil asked him as he stepped closer with his helmet in his hands, "There's no way it does right? Because that would mean that the demons...are free..." He said.
Unfortunately that statement only had gravity with Lucifer's family, their group, and the trio of Overlords, because for everyone else present when he said demons they obviously thought he was referring to them. This of course was due to the fact no one had seen the documentary yet beyond them, or in the case of the trio had seen those creatures first hand like Pentious and Vox had, the latter of whom having told Velvet about them the other day. It is for this reason, that as the Slayer who was normally so unphased and unaffected by literally anything looked towards him and nodded his head, that they suddenly all felt a surge of fear explode within them.
"That's...that's impossible..." Lucifer muttered though loud enough for everyone to hear, "How...how could they escape?...They're all imprisoned and they have no allies...how...could they possibly have figured a way out?..." He asked.
"The demons escaped?..." Vox questioned in disbelief with widened eyes, "Which means...Val's escaped too..." He realized.
"S-S-Surely it's n-not that b-bad right?..." Velvet asked him, her stutter getting worse due to how freaked out she was.
"I wish I could say that was true Velvet...but look at his face...if he of ALL people is this unsettled...then I think we're dealing with the worst case scenario..." He answered.
However, before they or anyone else in the vicinity could say something else a blood curdling scream came from behind them, gaining not only their attention but everyone else's.
"Pentious?!" Vox questioned as they turned around to look at him, to see why out of nowhere he screamed like that.
To their dismay they found their companion on the floor writhing in agony, and although they knew he had no physical body, the way he was contorting and bending his form was still concerning.
"Oh my god what's wrong?!" Velvet asked with immediate concern while reaching out to try and help him.
"DON'T! DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" He screamed at them and everyone else, the latter looking on with shock and confusion.
Taken aback by this the two Vs stepped back, but only from surprise and not because he scared them.
"Pentious please tell us what's happening to you! We can help or-"
"NO! YOU FUCKING CAN'T!" He screamed to interrupt him as he shut his eyes tightly, "THEY'RE...THEY'RE COMING...AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT...I'M...I'M SO FUCKING
SORRY!" He cried out.
Before anyone could react or question what he meant, his entire body would start to glow with a mix of vibrant orange and blue. This is when the Slayer came back to his senses for he knew EXACTLY what was causing it. In the next few seconds he grabbed his helmet from Lucifer to put it back on, dashed with blinding speed to Vox and Velvet, the picked them up to move them away.
"NO! WE HAVE TO HELP HIM!" Velvet shouted out as he did.
Sadly for the doll demon he ignored her completely, even as they both began to try and break away from him, he held onto each as tightly as he could to make sure they wouldn't put themselves in danger. What happened next truly broke them, the person who they had just been talking to, who they had spent these last few hours with consoling and getting to trust them, disappeared in a violent explosion of energy which had been those colors he glowed with.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Velvet cried out in despair.
Unable to keep herself from going right into a sob she looked away, for all that remained of Sir Pentious was a mass of fire that was left by the explosion. But once again something would happen before anyone could say or do anything, the flames that burned started growing bigger and bigger, in addition to forming some kind of shape. And just like before the Slayer knew exactly what this was, which is why he released the two Overlords, summoned his chain gun, and readied himself to fight. When the flames finished forming their shape it was some kind of wall or barrier, and from it stepped out a creature only a few besides him that were present had ever seen.
"An Archvile..." Lucifer realized as it stepped out of the inferno, causing him to turn to the crowd that was frozen with fear, "RUN! EVERYONE GET OUT NOW! HURRY MAKE FOR THE ENTRANCE!" He commanded.
Listening to their king the demons began screaming and yelling as they all rushed for the exit, soon followed by the sound of the Slayer's multi barreled armament spinning to life to begin firing its rounds. But as expected of one the smartest breeds of Doom's demons, it erected another barrier to protect itself before it began its channeling. Now normally even for the gifted arcanists that the Archviles were, this process would usually still take them a few seconds to complete. Yet this time was different, for unknown to the Slayer or Lucifer and his siblings, its allies had been ready to respond to its summons. In the blink of an eye more Archviles and even Summoners were brought into the circle, the others of its kind erecting their own barriers whilst the gray skinned conjurers
began doing what they did best.
At this point he realized that there was nothing they could do, even if Lucifer, Azrael, and Gabriel were to assist him they would only be able to kill a few of them, while the ones who remained would still finish their work. So all four of them came to the same conclusion, they joined the others in their retreat with Lucifer ensuring his wife and daughter were beside him, for in an instant more and more demons began to appear. Getting outside the angel of death would try to summon a portal immediately, not just for them but also for the others ahead who were still running. But that is when the most terrifying of all surprises happened, the entire front of the hotel was blown apart by a massive explosion which caused them all to stop, and as they looked to see what horror had caused it, only the Slayer was capable of understanding what he saw.
The Cyber Demon, one of Doom's greatest champions and a show of their understanding of both science and sorcery stood behind them. Casting a long shadow over them all it let out a roar that could be heard throughout the entire city, before then raising its cybernetic arm towards them in order to take aim. Yet it was not aiming at all of them, the thin lasers that showed its weapon was charging only pointed to one person, and it was no surprise as to who it was. Rushing forward as to ensure no one may be hit unintentionally the Slayer took the blast head on, bringing forth an energy shield from his chain gun that absorbed the impact completely.
This caused the hulking monstrosity to let loose another roar before it too rushed forward, and thus a clash between these two titans was underway. Yet while that threat was focused on dealing with the Slayer, the other demons that had been conjured emerged from the opening it had created, a choir of shrieks and ghastly wails directed towards the others. That was all that was needed to spur them back into motion, they ran as hard and fast as they could as these creatures gave chase. Sadly not only did most of them have a means to begin their assault from range but they were also faster than them, or in the case of one breed known as the Prowler it could teleport short distances, which it did to be upon Charlie immediately.
But before she could scream and her family or anyone else could do anything to stop it from attacking her, it was blown apart into countless pieces and bits of viscera by someone else. Looking forward as that is where her savior had struck from, they saw not too far from the crowd a massive portal had appeared, and standing in front of it were a legion of Sentinels and what seemed to be Exterminators, though their masks and weapons had been changed to match the former.
"HURRY! THIS WAY!" The one who had saved her life yelled while beckoning them towards the portal.
(The Present...)
"THAT'S IT! THEY'RE ALMOST THROUGH! JUST KEEP AT IT FOR A LITTLE LONGER!"
A commander of the Sentinels instructed as the fight waged on.
Though those who fled from the Happy Hotel had no way of knowing, what the commander said wasn't just in reference to them. All across the circle portals had been opened that led to Urdak, each one overseen by a different battalion of Sentinel and Exterminator forces. Thankfully there was one upside to this nightmarish situation, the demons only way into the circle had been the dormant Lost Soul in Sir Pentious, meaning that this was the only place where they were appearing for now. Even so it didn't make it any less harrowing, their numbers just kept growing and those that were killed were quickly resurrected, proving that this wasn't a battle but merely a trial of endurance. Yet just as the last of the people were being sent through, Lucifer and his family heard what sounded like a meteor hitting the ground coming not too far from them.
Stopping in their tracks to see what it was they found the Slayer, who had been sent flying in their direction as the Cyber Demon managed to get in one good swing on him. It didn't hurt him at all of course, but still now that he was there the monster began charging at full speed towards them, even going so far as to use the thrusters on its backside to give it more speed. However, before the brute gained too much distance it would be halted in its place, though what was shocking was that it hadn't been done by the Slayer.
"Gabriel?" Lucifer questioned as his brother had summoned his spear, before then tossing it with all his might at the enemy.
"Go! Get your family to safety! I will assist the Slayer in holding them back until everyone in your circle is safe!" He exclaimed.
Bringing forth his radiant Heavenly wings the archangel took to the sky, just as the Cyber Demon grabbed onto his divine weapon and easily removed it from its chest. Even though the weapon had caused it pain, especially since it was a being of pure sin, part of its power was unprecedented regeneration which allowed it shrug off near everything sent its way. But this did not keep the angel nor the Slayer who was back to his feet from continuing their assault, once the beast had tossed his spear aside he summoned it back to his hand, while the Slayer resumed pelting it with a hailstorm of bullets.
"LUCIFER!" Lilith shouted as she grabbed onto his arm, "We need to go NOW!" She exclaimed.
Even after hearing what his brother said back in the hotel the devil felt torn, he knew she was right and there was nothing they could do to help, but he couldn't just leave his brother alone.
"Dad please!" Charlie exclaimed as she too grabbed onto his other arm, "We need to leave before it gets any closer!" She insisted.
"Lord Lucifer!" The commander yelled out earning all three's attention, "There's nothing you can do! Leave this to the Slayer and your brother! We'll make sure they follow behind you but you need to go now!" They ordered.
"R-Right...I'm sorry..." He apologized as he followed his family.
Watching them until all three were through the portal, the commander did one last check to be certain all civilians in this area had been evacuated, before then shouting towards their champion.
"YOUR HIGHNESS!" They called causing him to look over his shoulder, "THEY'RE ALL THROUGH THE PORTAL! IT IS SAFE TO USE IT NOW!" They informed.
Nodding to show he understood the Slayer sent his chain gun away, only to replace it with a weapon that would allow them to follow as well.
"EVERYONE RETREAT! HE'S GOING TO USE IT!" The commander instructed the Sentinels and Exterminators, and although they listened and began to fall back to Urdak, the latter had no idea what their leader was referring to.
This did not mean that the few who were at the front most lines didn't get to see it, for just as they were about to enter the portal they watched the Slayer summon forth what seemed to be a gun, but due to its size and odd design they weren't entirely certain. Then it happened, with a single pull of the trigger the end of the armament came to life, green strands of energy began sparking over the barrel followed by a MASSIVE sphere of the same color being sent towards the horde. In that moment the Exterminators who bore witness to it were left in awe, tendrils sprouted from the orb
with each instantly finding a target, before just as quickly each target violently exploded. Within but a few seconds of flight their numbers were nearly all gone, yet they would be brought out of their stunned states when the sphere itself hit the Cyber Demon, and at worst it only seemed to stagger it.
Falling to one knee the beast let out a gasp of breath, though its flesh had been singed and a small crater had even been made in the body, just like with Gabriel's spear it was already regenerating.
"HEY!" The commander shouted at them before pointing to the portal, "I SAID RETREAT! DON'T JUST STAND THERE AND WAIT TO DIE!" They barked.
Feeling like fools that they had forgotten their order the Exterminators all nodded in response before proceeding to Urdak.
"YOUR HIGHNESS! EVERYONE IS THROUGH! ONLY YOU AND THE ARCHANGEL ARE
LEFT! HURRY!" They shouted at them before going through the portal themselves.
With the legion now dealt with and the Cyber Demon temporarily winded, they both listened to the commander and ran for the portal. Sadly this would not end with Sir Pentious and Vega being the only casualties, for as Gabriel flew down from the sky with his eyes solely on their exit, he failed to notice the Cyber Demon raise its artificial arm, take aim, and fire a blast of pure Hell energy at his person. Now some might think that it would have no effect given that he was a divine being, but the truth was sin and virtue were the same in terms of what they could accomplish, all that was needed to harm someone like Gabriel was a strong enough being, and the Cyber Demon had both strength and power in spades.
Screaming in agony as the energy struck his back and burned his wings, he fell to the ground in a violent crash. As this happened the Slayer stopped in his tracks and turned around to see what was going on, but before he could even try to help him he was cutoff by a massive wall of flames. The Archviles had since emerged from the ruins of the hotel and were using their power to block him, not only to keep him from saving his ally but also so the Summoners could begin the resurrections.
"LEAVE SLAYER!" Gabriel shouted at him barely able to look up from the ground, "KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE! I BEG YOU!" He requested.
Despite everything that had been said between them as well as their initial meeting, the Slayer still did not want to leave him behind to be captured by the demons. But as the resurrections were complete and the Cyber Demon stood tall once more, he knew that he had no other choice.
"Thank you..." Gabriel said to him as he walked through the portal, it closing the moment he was in Urdak.
Incapable of doing anything as the pain and sin consumed his body, he was entirely helpless to stop the Cyber Demon from turning him over so their eyes could meet.
"Go on...do your worst...I deserve it..." He whispered to himself as it raised its arm again, taking aim before delivering a fully charged blast of its power.