"Phew, I am going to MISS this fucking food..." Cherri breathed out with a sigh of content. Relaxed, rejuvenated, and reinvigorated by the Sentinels' exceptional cooking.
Thirty minutes have gone by since they arrived at the dining hall, and in that time, four things happened. First, Charlie and Vagatha came to join them for lunch; Alastor finally released Velvet from her bindings since she calmed down, Stella recovered from her embarrassment, and everyone enjoyed another impeccable lunch. So far, things were calm, which was surprising given what laid ahead for them.
"Hey, don't worry." Husk spoke up as he pointed at Nifty, "She's been learning how to cook like them. So we'll get to have great shit like this even when we're back in Hell. Right, Nifty?" He asked.
"Mhm! I can even teach the chefs at the hotel and Slayer Studios. That way, every meal will be this good!" She answered.
"Oh, shit. That'll be nice." Angel Dust replied with a smile, "Waking up from my cozy ass bed, eating food this good in the morning, getting to see Will every day on top of that, goddamn, what a dream come true." He said.
"Hey, who said Will was going to live with you?" Charlie questioned.
"Uh, HELLO, our place is called SLAYER STUDIOS. It'd be weird for him to stay anywhere else." He told her.
"Right, but OUR place is called the HAPPY hotel. As in, everyone there is HAPPY." She argued, "Besides, Will could do a lot of good at the hotel. With his experience, he could help guests suffering from trauma and PTSD." She suggested.
"OR, he could star in movies, TV shows, video games made by Vox, he could become a massive celebrity and live a life of luxury he deserves." He countered.
"Do I get a say in my living arrangements?..." The Slayer asked, unfortunately falling onto deaf ears.
"Will is already a celebrity in our circle! He can help people in need! Serve the community without needing to shoot anyone for once!" She exclaimed, now standing from her seat with her hands slammed on the table.
"Hasn't he done enough of that, though?! He should kick back with his feet up! Enjoy those tiny weenies they serve at fancy parties on toothpicks! Have his shoulders rubbed by the best masseuses around!" He retorted, doing the same as her.
"Or, ya know, we COULD let him choose," Katie suggested, taking the Slayer's side. "Katie! Don't you want Will to live with us?!" He asked.
"No fucking shit." She answered as she crossed her arms, "But you're both acting like he's a pomeranian, and you two are a divorced couple fighting for custody." She said.
"Fine. We'll let Will tell us who he wants to live with." Charlie agreed before looking at the Slayer,
"So, Will? Slayer Studios or the Happy Hotel?" She asked.
"..." The Slayer said nothing. You couldn't even hear him breathe.
"Will, you son of a bitch." Angel Dust said as he leaned over the table to get in his face, "Either you give us an answer right now. Or there WILL be hell to pay." He warned.
"..." The Slayer remained silent.
"You two would have a better chance punching a mountain and making it explode than getting him to talk when he doesn't want to." Husk told them.
"Will, come on!" Charlie whined in disappointment, "Which of us do you want to stay with when the war's over?" She asked again.
"Why doesn't he just get a place of his own?" Octavia suggested.
In response, both Charlie and Angel Dust shot death glares in her direction. Making her quickly realize how serious this was to them. But before this discussion could go any further or they tried to interrogate the Slayer, a familiar portal appeared near their table.
"Hello!" Sir Pentious greeted as he shoved his head through, catching everyone off guard as they expected Vega instead, "Sorry to pop in unannounced, but we need Loona and Daisy." He informed.
"Oh, shit! Is our stuff done?" She asked while getting up from the table; Daisy was comfortably resting in her arms as always.
"Mhm! We need to run you through how your shit works. As for Daisy...we mostly just need to see how it fits." He replied.
"Can we come too? We'd love to see what it looks like!" Millie asked with an excited grin.
"Nope! We want it to be a surprise. Vox and I have outdone ourselves with this!" He answered as Loona and Daisy came through the portal, "See you in a bit!" He bid farewell with a wave of his hand before pulling his head back inside.
"Ten bucks says they made a giant wolf motorcycle." Cherri wagered.
"Pfft, I'll take those odds. I say they built a robot version of Loona that's controlled like a toy." Angel Dust countered.
"A cellphone that functions like a swiss army knife." Moxxie betted, given how much time the Hellhound spent on her phone.
Within the blink of an eye, the table suddenly turned into a gambling pool of what kind of crazy contraptions the two geniuses created for Loona and Daisy. Of course, this was advantageous to the Slayer, who managed to slip away from the group unnoticed and out of the dining hall to avoid returning to the topic of his living conditions. So, as they started placing bets, he decided to go to the forge and check how things were going.
Meanwhile, In Urdak...
"Holy shit..." Loona quietly spoke as her mouth hanged open, "You...You guys actually built me a
fucking mech..." She said, completely amazed.
It was hard for Vox, Sir Pentious, and Vega not to find amusement in the Hellhound's reaction. The normally uncaring, sarcastic, somewhat angsty young woman now had an expression on her face no different from a child seeing a brand new toy they get to play with.
"Yes, we did." Vox began as he held his hands up in front of him, "Because, and please don't be offended by this, we had to compensate for your lack of skill. We do not doubt that you can hold your own in a fight, but we ARE dealing with creatures who can tear through steel as if it were wet paper." He explained.
"Yeah, no worries, man, I totally get it." She assured while getting closer to look over the finer details, "I know without you guys building this awesome shit, I'd be dead as fuck out there. So tell me, how many things did you shove into it?" She asked.
"I will gladly go over every feature the mech has." Sir Pentious volunteered as he slithered up next to her, "However, to do so efficiently, you'll have to get inside it. And to do that, you'll need to hand Daisy over to Vox so he can get her fitted in her exoskeleton." He informed.
"Real smooth how you've pawned that responsibility onto me," Vox said from the sideline. "Don't worry, Vox. I'll gladly help you." Vega replied.
"Alright. Just make sure it doesn't hurt her or anything." Loona agreed before carefully handing Daisy over to Vox.
"You know, it's honestly sweet how much you've come to care about HRK!"
Before he could finish that sentence, Loona grabbed Sir Pentious by his neck as if she were strangling him.
"NO. I don't want to disappoint Will, is all. And if YOU hurt her in some way, then I'll be sure he KNOWS it was YOU. Understand?" She asked.
"Your lips tell lies, but your ever-tightening fingers tell the truth!" He countered.
"Guys, much bigger things are happening. We can save this for later." Vox told them since they were pressed for time.
Choosing to listen to the voice of reason, Loona and Sir Pentious ended things civilly and focused back on the mech. Over the next ten to twenty minutes, he'd help her enter the mech, learn how to power it on or off, then started showing her its weapons and features. As for how things went with Vox, Vega, and Daisy, well, in short, they got the exoskeleton on her, made sure it fit, and that was all. Like, seriously, there wasn't much more they could do after that; it was as seamless and anti- climatic as acquiring a basic level powerup in a video game, beneficial sure, but nothing spectacular.
So with nothing else to do, they decided to watch as the dapper snake demon directed and instructed the Hellhound.
"Alright, take it easy, walk slowly to get the hang of it." Sir Pentious said as Loona started to move.
"Man...this feels SO fucking weird..." She commented, amazed by how effortless it was to operate the mech.
"We wanted it to feel less like a suit or object and more so an extension of yourself. Such as your tail or ears." Vox informed.
"You did a fucking fantastic job." She complimented as she looked over her mech's fingers, "I don't even feel any weight to it. I mean, I DO feel it around me. But I'm barely trying to lift it as if it were my body." She explained.
"Thank the Maykrs on that one. The materials they provided us are...divine." Sir Pentious sighed with a blissful smile, "And no, that wasn't a pun. Their technology is a wet dream for geniuses such as ourselves." He clarified.
"Indeed. I am a bit disappointed that Samur couldn't have assisted us. His mind fascinates me." Vox admitted.
"Don't worry, Vox. Once this mess is settled, you, Sir Pentious, the Khans, Samur, and the Wretch can come together and spend your free time experimenting with your combined intellects." Vega suggested.
"How is it going on their end? I assume that they're close to wrapping things up with the Blood Maykrs." Sir Pentious asked.
"They should be. By now, the Blood Maykrs are fully adjusted to being alive, are used to the armor on their bodies, and as we speak, the Khans are instructing them on how to use their wea-"
BOOM
Stopping right as he neared the end of his sentence, Vega, Vox, Sir Pentious, Loona, and even Daisy all looked with widened eyes at the source of the sudden deafening explosion. The Reincarnation Chamber was in shambles; a thick cloud of black smoke replaced what was once the structure's front, and there was no sign of the Khans. However, emerging from the destruction was a form of Maykr, the same that they were discussing. But unlike the rest of their species, the Blood Maykrs didn't glow with the golden hue of purity that all divine beings possessed; instead, like a roaring fire burning away at their bodies, they were enveloped by dark red energy that Vega knew all too well.
Unfortunately, before he could tell the others what was happening or perhaps erect a barrier to protect them from what came next, the Blood Maykrs took advantage of their stunned state and began to fire. As for how they knew precisely where he and the others were despite the great distance between them, that was thanks to the hands that controlled them, which belonged to the sister demons. Yet in another shocking twist, though this time a beneficial one, Loona reacted and shielded them with her mech.
"SHIT!" She shouted as a rapid-fire of red spheres came from the staffs the Blood Maykrs wielded; both her mech's body and shields were being pushed back by the overwhelming force, "DON'T JUST FUCKING STAND THERE DIPSHITS!" She ordered, speaking to Vox and Sir Pentious.
Not saying anything in return as both inventors needed to focus, Vox and Sir Pentious continued to use the Hellhound as cover while they gathered their bearings. On the other hand, Vega was much quicker to act, summoning his wings to take off into the air and confront their unexpected enemies head-on; he knew there was nothing he could do with the Dark One or the sister demons controlling them other than attack. Luckily, he wouldn't have to fight alone; Daisy also lept into action as she took off running towards them, not too happy that they were attacking her second- best friend, after the Slayer, of course.
With little effort, Vega began obliterating their numbers. Then, like flies to a swatter, he used only his bare hands; with each contact made, he caused their bodies to rupture and explode in a mess of blood, viscera, and armor pieces. Meanwhile, Daisy took after the Slayer, as she jumped at the Blood Maykrs heads, delivered a powerful kick from her legs, and like a frog leaping from one lily pad to the next, made them explode in an impressively violent sequence. Combined, these two were killing them at such a fast and efficient rate that Loona no longer needed to protect Vox and Sir Pentious, leaving the trio to watch in awe.
Even so, the Blood Maykrs were made in surplus, and it's not like they stood around and allowed themselves to be slaughtered once the duo began their counter-attack. But whether they took to the skies or evaded on the ground, all it accomplished was giving them a few extra minutes with their wasted existence. In fact, by the time more Maykr angels arrived to lend their aid and see what was happening, which was about five minutes into the slaughter, Vega and Daisy had finished the last of their outclassed foes.
"Father!" One of the angels called out as a flock approached him, "What has happened?" They asked, truly, the most appropriate question in this situation.
Unfortunately, they didn't receive an answer right away, as Vega was concerned with a more important matter. Returning to the ground from his place in the sky, he ventured into the now ruined Reincarnation Chamber, only to discover and heartbreaking sight. The Khans, all seven of them, though not dead, were badly injured. Furthermore, it was clear to Vega that this surprise attack had been issued when the Khans were closest to the Blood Maykrs, ensuring that they'd have no escape, no time to protect themselves, and all of them would receive the worst possible damage.
"F...Fath...Father..." The current Khan called out as he approached her. She was the only one conscious because she was the farthest one back, which was sadly still far too close.
"Don't. Being awake right now is demanding in of itself." He whispered while placing a hand on her head, "Do not feel the need to say anything. Please. Relax and allow me to help you." He requested, not wanting her state to worsen.
Although the seventh Khan wanted to talk with him, she obliged, for she understood that she needed to reserve her strength and remain calm. Not a second later, the angels who were outside followed Vega, only to then rush to the side of every Khan.
"Father, what should we do?" They asked.
"Get them to the infirmary immediately." He answered as he lifted the seventh Khans in his arms, "In addition to their injuries, they've become infected with corruption from the Blood Maykrs' attacks. If this were from something simple or insignificant, I could cleanse it without issue. But the power needed to harm them like this could only come from the Dark One and his inner circle. And I cannot simultaneously heal and cleanse each of them before the corruption does more damage or forbid allows the Khans to be controlled in some way by our enemies. So, we need to administer Argent as we did with the victims from Lucifer's circle." He explained.
Requiring no further instruction or information, the angels began lifting each Khan together to take them to the infirmary, with Vega leading the way.
"Holy fuck..." Sir Pentious cursed beneath his breath as he, Vox, and Loona, who was still in her mech, had walked over during that and now saw what happened to the Khans.
"Vega!" Vox called out as the creator, and his angels departed, "What should we do?" He asked, not wanting to stand around and be useless.
"Return to the Sentinels' world, tell the others what has happened, and see what Will, Samur, and Wretch make of it," Vega answered before leaving their sight with the angels.
"Holy fuck..." Sir Pentious repeated, still bewildered by this development, "How...When...WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!" He asked as he pointed at what was left of the Reincarnation Chamber, "The Khans are like, SUPER POWERFUL fucking angels! And there's a barrier surrounding this place! And both them and Vega were hands-on with those bastards! HOW?!" He questioned.
"Those questions are the exact reason why Vega told us to go back." Vox responded, "So unless you want to stay here and have a panic attack, we need to go to the Slipgate station on the double." He instructed.
"Want a ride?" While pointing to her back, Loona suggested. Daisy, having lept into one of her massive mechanical hands at some point, "I move faster than either of you do, right?" She asked.
"That you do. Your base walking speed in that mech is swifter than either of us running at full speed." He answered, "Besides, I don't think Pentious can move all too quickly at the moment." He added.
"EXCUSE ME FOR HAVING MY FUCKING MIND BLOWN AT WHAT ESSENTIALLY IS A
TERRORIST ATTACK IN FUCKING HEAVEN!" Sir Pentious shouted angrily, still trying to process this.
Rolling her eyes at how easy it was to fluster the super-smart serpent, Loona used her free hand to grab him and put him on her mech's back. Whereas Vox, who maintained his composure, calmly climbed onto it himself without the need for assistance. With both inventors seated, Loona headed for the Slipgate, not needing directions from either of them as her mech gave her a map of the entirety of Urdak. As they made their way there, many more angels and drones hurried past them, all heading to the infirmary to assist with the Khans.
But amidst these concerned divine beings, there was no Blood Maykr as all of them had been reduced to a bloody mess not long after their souls were created...or at least...that is how it seemed. Nearly all of them came forward from the smoke to initiate an attack, but one used the assault on the Khans and the following battle to cover their escape. Commanded by the sister demons who animated the Blood Maykr's body like puppeteers, it flew through the underside of Urdak's landmasses and buildings to where the Dark One's power was kept. The security measures would only trigger should any non-approved individual try to interact with the containment or the sphere itself.
Now, one may assume that this applied to any entity that wasn't pure, such as a demon or this Blood Maykr brimming with corrupt energy. But remember who helped design this facility, he who was meant to work alongside Samur in studying the Dark One's soul sphere? At the time, the Wretch was still a demon, and even if he wasn't, his soul WAS corrupt, meaning that certain exemptions had to be made so he could contribute. All of this came together to form a simple truth; if a Maykr, regardless of type, were to try and interact with the soul sphere, even if they should be corrupt or slightly tainted, the security measures would not activate as it was inconceivable to believe a Maykr who served the Dark One could exist, let alone get this far.
But they did. Without any obstacles or attention garnered from other Maykrs as all of them were being alerted to the attack on the Khans, the Blood Maykr was able to enter the facility, open the soul sphere's containment, then take it into its hands. Instantly, the energy was absorbed into its body, granting it power beyond comprehension, yet since it still was without sentience and served the sisters, it couldn't try to use it for itself. So instead, when the energy was fully absorbed, the
sisters pulled it from Urdak to their location on earth, an occurrence that would've been noticed without fail at any other time if all of Maykr kind were not currently worrying about the lives of its seven highest angels.