Warning: Descriptive violence, talk of death, cursing

Battle Cry

"Nobody can save me now

King is crowned

It's do or die

Nobody can save me now

The only sound

Is the battle cry."

Yusuke was here...no doubt the others would be with him. Was T'challa working alongside them? How did they find her?

Koren could barely keep her thoughts together as she once more fought against the demon, Vinnie, and his magic. Their sessions were getting relentless, and that must mean Severo was getting impatient/desperate. She wouldn't stop fighting though. If her friends were here for her, she'd hold on until the end. She wouldn't make this a waste of their time...and safety.

That last thought broke her for a moment allowing Vinnie in just a little. She could feel his energy ripping through her like a tiny paper cut. Before it could reach her core she was able to counterattack pushing him back, which caused him to grunt in pain as the energy snapped back at him. She smiled in triumph.

Who would've known that all the training, all the mo encantations, that Rhiannon taught her would be used against a single opponent?

Explosions from somewhere else in her prison shook the building, and something dark rose in response. Who was in that fight? All of them? One person left on their own? She growled in frustration and exhaustion. It was so hard to concentrate on everything.

Please, she silently begged, just be okay. Find me, so we can leave this hell. Together.

"Vinnie," Tony's voice called into the room. The battle ceased for the moment as Vinnie turned towards the voice. "Go find Buddy."

With that, he disappeared, and Koren was left to wonder the fate of her friends.

"Ryoko," T'challa gasped as he hurried to the side of his companion, who he accidentally punched hard. "Are you alright?"

Quicker than he would have imagined, the female angel recuperated and stood on her own. T'challa stared in amazement at her recovery and the strength that most angels wouldn't expect from Ryoko.

Students of Rhiannon were expected to be soldiers on the back line using magic to protect other soldiers and to provide unexpected attacks. T'challa could think of a few that would have been knocked out cold by his attack, and his respect grew for Ryoko in that moment.

That moment of revelation, though, distracted him from their opponent's first retaliation. He appeared behind with giant clawed hands reaching for Ryoko head. A flash of blinding green light erupted causing a surprised yelp to come from the demon.

T'challa's vision became a series of multi colored dots until finally he could see the demon wrapped in chains. Ryoko was still standing as she was before except for a single hand that faced open towards the demon. She didn't even have to look at him to cast her spell and trap him.

A growling mess, the demon struggled against the chains that only tightened at every move. Whatever Ryoko used the chains it was able to keep the demon from transporting out of them as well. A cry of outrage, the first real emotion they witnessed so far, came from the demon.

"You did well," T'challa praised his comrade with a small smile. Ryoko turned to him with no trace of pride or triumph on her face.

"It would seem I'm well prepared for these demons...physical strength is neither of our strong suit," she wispily replied. Her eyes widened suddenly as if she were having a revelation. "But this battle it not done."

The air crackled with energy, and Ryoko had her hands outstretched, face determined, concentrating on some other opponent. The walls cracked and crumbled, and the floors began to vibrate. T'challa could not make out what was happening exactly, but he did notice the opposing force was coming from the end of the hall where a dark figure stood.

"Vinnie," roared the tangled demon, "get me out of these!"

T'challa wondered if he could make it to this "Vinnie" quick enough as Ryoko distracted him. He would have to be careful not to get in the way of the sorcererous battle. Another crack of opposing magic intertwining caused the wall next to him to crumble, and suddenly he had a way out. He quickly disappeared in the opening and hurried in the direction he'd find Vinnie hardening his body as he went.

He thought of his home, his angel family, the ancient guardians, and finally Lady Koren.

I will do anything to ensure your safety, Koren, he silently resolved as he charged to the figure loading his fist with all the power he could muster.

Vinnie waved a hand carelessly in T'challa's direction, and the warrior angel felt something course through his body but still went on headstrong.

What T'challa didn't know was that attack was meant to kill, and that it would succeed, but it was the angel's undying loyalty to his people, iron resolve, and fearlessness that allowed him to reach Vinnie, the Demon Enchanter, and land a deadly blow. A sickening crunch and squelch of blood and flesh rained down as the demon was brought down.

Then T'challa began to fall down a dark hole, his body feeling lighter than he had ever experienced, seeing his glorious home before him with the entire angel race cheering at his return, and Ryoko's fading voice calling his name.

"I think," Reggie paused as she stared down a short stairwell, "we're on the right floor now."

"What makes you so sure," Kurama questioned looking at her curiously. He noticed her fists tighten.

"Those demons...I know their energy. I would never forget it. The leader- he's close. I would imagine Severo is here as well, and he would never let your friend too far out of reach." Kurama noticed the way her eyes dilated in excitement, and he smell as her blood rushed through her as her heart began to pound faster. Call it a fox's intuition.

"I suppose we should continue on then," he murmured, a plan already trying to devise itself. She didn't respond as she hurried down the steps making a confident left turn. He followed but wished for a more cautious approach. Within his scheming mind he wondered about Yusuke and Kuwabara. The building was shaking every so often, phantom vibrations from whatever fighting that was occurring elsewhere. And what became of the angels? Kurama hadn't doubted that they'd find Koren before he did, but as he got closer to lion's den there was no sign of them.

Reggie bolted causing him to snap out of his thoughts and chase after her. He didn't understand. What was she sensing that he was obviously missing and what was she leading him into? She must have always been alone, he thought, never needing a team to depend on her. She ran into a room that to Kurama seemed completely random, but he followed nonetheless.

Then he realized why she ran, chose the door she chose, and that she wasn't insane like one would question. Before them stood one of the demons that Kurama now knew was leader of the four, and then behind him was a man. Human. Sitting casually in a giant chair looking utterly bored and unfazed by their arrival. Kurama looked back at Reggie hoping he could determine what she would do before actually doing it.

She was still. Whatever excitement that fueled her actions before had vanished. Her prey was before her, and she wouldn't let it slip away. That, the relationship between a fox and its target, Kurama could appreciate.

"Detective," the man said lazily, "What a surprise."

Kurama's eyes moved between Reggie and who he believed to be Severo. Detective? Like...like Yusuke had been? Pieces of the puzzle began to fit into place as he realized what every implication from their first meeting had meant. Reggie must have had her questions concerning him, but she was on her case with Spirit World relying on her to solve. He thought back on the room with all the documents and how she took the time to examine through them. Whatever those papers contained matter to her for reasons he could appreciate now. But this was more than just a case. This is a personal agenda as well, Kurama concluded watching Reggie, the American Spirit Detectve, again awaiting her next move.

"This is over," She responded in a voice so soft that Kurama almost missed it. Severo threw back his head to let out a loud, confident laugh. Kurama's face darkened at the smirk Severo gave to them. He dared them to do their worse with that look and didn't believe they could succeed.

"Hey, Spirit Bitch," the demon interrupted, "don't forget about me now. You'll hurt my feelings."

"This is where I'm surprised, Tony," Reggie regarded the demon coolly. "Answering to humans now? That seems so unlike you."

The demon scowled behind his sunglasses at the detective's patronizing tone. Kurama sensed the history between the three characters before him. It must have been a complicated web reminding him of Sensui, and the mess his Spirit Detective reign had been as well. It begged him to question if Reggie had gone rogue to extract her revenge, justice, or whatever her reasoning.

The demon reached for his glasses, which caused Reggie to spring into action. Kurama was taken off guard not knowing what exactly to expect, but it was clear this battle had begun. Kurama stood his guard trying to observe the fight to help him with a strategy. He realized that Reggie's fighting style was similar to Yusuke's before his training with Genkai meaning it was developed from street fighting. The more he watched, though, he began to notice subtle differences.

She was light on her feet, and when she dodged it was fluid like a dancer's pirouette. Not to say everything she did had poise. Tony tried to reach for his glasses again, and in reponse Reggie jumped to kick his hand into his face shoving his glasses painfully in place. If it weren't for the circumstances, it would have been comical. Either way Kurama realized to beware the demon's gaze behind the sunglasses.

Again, a tremor went throughout the building as a series of explosions echoed from the bottom floor. The building wouldn't be able to hold up much longer as the structure began to creak threatening to collapse. Kurama couldn't wait any longer and rushed to Reggie's side.

With his Rose Whip in hand, he lashed out at the demon remembering that Reggie had mentioned their strength wasn't significant. Tony either did not expect Kurama to join the fight, or he was too preoccupied with Reggie to notice Kurama's attack, but he fell quickly enough to the iron thorns of Kurama's weapon.

"Now," Kurama was going to say something about how they could focus on Severo but stopped when he saw how Reggie was looking at him. Her eyes were wide with confusion and some inner turmoil Kurama had no way of deciphering. Perhaps it was the mere realization that this demon, who she had some run ins from her past, was now gone. Had she expected it to be harder to bring him down?

"Are you alright," Kurama breathed, uncomfortable with how she was regarding him.

"You...that was amazing...I didn't think he could be killed so easily," she responded in disbelief and awe. Kurama internally sighed feeling himself relax. Disbelief...it had only been disbelief on her face.

And why do you care, a voice taunted but Kurama ignored it easily enough.

"And now," she added turning towards Severo, "it's just you and me."

Severo was still, eyes piercing the two fighters, as he took in his predicament. Reggie took a step toward him but could not go any further has the building finally gave its last moan of protest, and Severo's "fortress" began to fall. It cracked under her foot, and she started to fall through the floor until Kurama grab her arm and pulled her safety.

It was in this moment that Severo grabbed a bowie knife and escaped from Reggie's grasp once more.

"Kuwabara, get the out of the way, idiot!" Yusuke held his breath as he watched helplessly as demon swiped a large clawed hand towards Kuwabara. Kuwabara yelped before clumsily jumped out of the crashing debris the attack caused, but now he was on the ground hurrying to his feet to move further away.

The building had enough and was crumbling around them. It helped with hindering the giant hyena/bat/demon thing as large pieces of concrete and banister rained down on it, but Yusuke worried about the others.

And he worried about Koren.

"Urameshi, we gotta get out of here!"

Her blue eyes looking at him as they stood in Tourin as the sun set before them.

"Urameshi, hurry," Kuwabara called as he ran towards the stairs dodging another swipe from Raymond.

He had told her to choose her own path. Was this the end of that road?

"Urameshi!!"

Not if Yusuke had any say about it. Damned be the angels who sent her and damned be the demons who took her. Yusuke let out his battle cry as he unleashed his Spirit Wave. When it made its impact into the side of the demon, it collapsed taking out the outside wall with it. Yusuke didn't linger to celebrate his victory; there was no time.

He hurried with Kuwabara up the stairs hoping that they wouldn't have to find Koren in a sea of rubble.

She wasn't allowed to live...she wasn't allowed to live...none of them were allowed to live. It made him weak, weak, weak.

Anything he was scared to lose had to be destroyed. Severo D'ambrosi would not be controlled. He ran up the stairs and through the corridors clutching the giant knife tightly. The building, his sanctuary, shook violently again, and he could hear large pieces of concrete crash to the floor. He didn't have much time. If he wanted to make this out of alive, he had to hurry. Then he could rebuild his empire.

Rage burned in his veins. How many years had been wasted? He practically dedicated his entire life to create the most powerful gang in the history of the United States, maybe even the world. He made demons his slaves. He had in his possession an angel, which no one else could boast. That damned Spirit Detective! She started out as just a pest then somehow became his undoing. No...No, not yet. He'd murder her too. He'd murder all of them!

He barged into the room eyes instantly locked on the angel, his curse. Her damned enchanting blue eyes widen at the state of him then her eyes locked onto the knife. Understanding flooded her face, and he couldn't help but grin at the sight. He, Severo, was in control. Not the angel. Not the Spirit Detective. Not those damned sidekicks.

"SEVERO, YOU BASTARD! FACE ME, YOU COWARD!"

He couldn't savor this moment. Knife raised he lunged forward towards the creature that endangered everything in which he so desperately held. With all his might, he brought the weapon down towards her neck. Blood would be everywhere. He'd wear it like victory paint. Knife finally touched skin.

Time stopped.

He expected the smooth texture of butter when the knife sliced through flesh. Instead the impact felt like blade on steel, and his whole arm vibrated painfully so that he couldn't keep his grip on the hilt. A thud echoed in the room as the weapon hit the floor, and Severo could only stare at the angel.

Her skin glowed softly like limestone in a dark cave. She looked different. Harsher. He was trying to grasp the situation as the realization that her skin became like stone came over him. He felt uncomfortable as a sense of intensity washed over him, and that's when he looked once more at her eyes. They blazed like angry, blue fire.

"Finally," a voice interrupted the silent exchange. Shit, Severo panicked internally. He had no choice but to abandon his desire to end the angel's life to face the one who desperately hunted for his life for the past year and a half.

Of course, this moment didn't transpire the way either had anticipated. The room flooded with people: the redhead that was with the detective before, two men who were beaten and bloodied, and a bizarre creature from a child's fairy tale carrying another creature with tropical colored wings similar to his angel's.

...Angels? More angels?

"Lady Koren," the creature cried hurrying over to his angel. Koren, she said? His angel's name was Koren. The unknown possible angel easily did away with the magical binds that held Koren in place. Koren went to stand but began to fall. One of the men, who had dark hair, ran to catch her.

"I got you, Wings," he whispered to her. Rage erupted in him at the sight. Who did this bastard think he was touching his angel that way?

Of course, the building was on its last leg and the floor finally was beginning to give way in this room as well. The unique angel called to the other man, who had bleached hair, as she grab hold of his arm asking him to think of somewhere safe. Severo didn't catch what the man had said...it wasn't in a language he could understand. Then the man grabbed hold of the redhead as the unique angel held onto the dark haired man, who was holding Koren. The spirit detective went to rush toward Severo, but the redhead at the last minute grabbed hold of her hand as well.

Then they vanished, and Severo was left alone to be crushed beneath his failed attempts of power.

Hiei watched fight after fight on the monitors not because he was truly interested but because he wanted to know all the outcomes. Who would he be fighting next? Sensaina was beside him. He didn't know why she stuck to him like a lost puppy, but he didn't dismiss her either.

He hadn't really wondered about Yusuke, Kuwabara, or Kurama as they went on their ridiculous mission to save the angel. He really hated the hero complex. If the angels came here to take over, let them fend for themselves. But...he was bored and thought it wouldn't be that much of a inconvenience to see what the fools had gotten themselves into. He closed his eyes to concentrate.

"Master Hiei," Sensaina questioned as she noticed the faint, purple glow underneath the white cloth Hiei wrapped around his forehead. Confusion washed over his face as he opened his eyes and said out loud,

"What the hell are they doing there?"

A/N:Lyrics are from "Battle Cry" by Imagine Dragons

Thank goodness...we're done with the Severo saga. At least for this story.

This was such a challenge for me, guys! I'm pretty good at just writing pretty scenes or fluff like I'm sure most writers are. This was so much more than that being a true dilemma that needed to be explored and solved. I will admit that this was rushed, but I hope I did enough to give myself and this story justice...I hope you guys liked it!

And yes, T'challa is definitely gone. It was an idea that I was playing with for a while now. I thought maybe he could just be left behind then come back in the story later, but his death symbolized something. I'm not sure what exactly, but it showed something about the angel race. I hope you can agree.

Once again, thank you for taking time out of your day to read this story especially if you've stuck around since the very beginning. I truly appreciate it. Until next time!