Chapter 22. Crusaders


Stolas and Blitzø looked in on Loona sleeping next to Poch and closed the door softly. They walked to the lobby.

"I'll be sure to check in on him in the morning," Blitzø said.

"If you need help, don't be afraid to call me. My grimoire may not be effective on them when it comes to healing but I can offer other aids," Stolas reassured

"Thanks Stolas. Might wanna look into who ordered a hit on you as well."

"Oh, I'm already looking well into that." He looked at a clock nearby. "It's getting late so I should be heading back. Do keep in touch, Blitzy." He waved, leaving.

"Thanks Stolas!" Blitzø waved. He made his way to the others who were sitting at a table. Millie's parents had already left.

"Where's Loona?" Jack asked.

"Sleeping next to Poch."

"Ah, makes sense."

"Since Poch is out, we're gonna have to adjust our plans," Echo said.

"Agreed. He was going to be paired with Shelly and Solis to give some close range backup but now we're gonna have to change that," Dundy acknowledged.

"Since Solis isn't a human nor an exterminator, he can't kill the angels, right?" Millie clarified.

"Right, but I can...stumble them up at least. Poch was gonna be the one to finish them off while Shelly focused on the long range ones," Solis explained.

"What if Jack left a Dust clone for that?" Blitzø asked.

"I can't be too far from Dust and I'm gonna be paired with Shred," Jack said.

"Shit. If only Le-armes had some blades."

"Sorry. All it's got is guns and a Missile launcher," Shelly apologized.

"Missiles? It has Missiles?" Moxxie asked.

"Yeah, but in order for me to use its gotta get filled up with something around me, be it the ground, trash, gravel, etcetera, I didn't use it at I.M.P. cause then I'd be eating your roof."

"Don't want that."

"If only you guys were at stage two," Blitzø said.

"Stage two?" Millie asked.

"Yeah, there demonic arts have stages, stage one is the awakening stage, stage two stenghtens the shadow demons, gives them a chance to gain new ones, and unlocks their magical powers."

"Is there anything you didn't tell them about us? Besides being human?" Dundy looked at Jack unamused.

Jack chuckled and shrugged. The front door of the base opened and in came Gen in a cowboy hat and having a bag over his shoulder

"Howdy!" Gen Greeted.

"Gen!?" Everyone said in surprise.

"What are you doing here?" Shred asked.

"I came with some gifts for tomorrow! I know I'm late but better late than never!" Gen said, walking up to them.

"Oh cool! Whatdja bring!?" Jack asked.

"There's this," He set the bag down and unzipped it, he reached in and pulled out a pair of red glasses, "Shellys completed visor."

"Sweet!" Shelly took the glasses.

"New GB holders for Jack!" He pulled out twelve new red and green holders with bigger barrels and four extra gun clips. He also pulled out a strap to hold them all in.

"YES!" Jack exclaimed, taking the straps and putting the guns on them.

"New claws for Shred!" Out came ten red claw tips.

"Oh yeah!" Shred put them on.

"They got those new features you asked for!"

Shred gasped and dipped the claws in liquid and thrusted them forward, frozen drops of the water shooting out. "Insta frees claw shots, hell yes!"

"Dundy, you already got your new braces!"

"And I'm very thankful," Dundy smiles.

"Echo however gets a new barrel for his tracer shots!" Handing the tommy gun barrel over to Echo.

"Really!? Thank you!" Echo thanked, taking the piece and putting it on his gun.

"And Poch gets a...Hey where's Poch?"

Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

"Uh...well you see….he was….shot...by a heaven bullet," Shelly explained.

"Oh shit!" Gen cursed, wide eyes. "He ok?"

"He's in a coma right now but he's alive."

"That's a relief. Guess I'll save his new brace for later. In the meantime," Gen pulled out five small jars with smooth blood red gems inside.

"Are those-" Jack gasped.

"Pure hell gems! Albest said you're ready for stage two...well..most of ya."

"Most?" Dundy asked.

"He was afraid of Poch taking it due to the...trials...but let's not talk about it while the guys in a coma."

"Agreed," Echo said.

"Solis, mind giving me company during it?" Shelly asked her boy.

"You even have to ask?" Solis smiled, hugging her.

"Uh?" Moxxie raised his hand.

"Those are pure gems of hell Mox, made from the Halos or mined from the depths of hell itself. It's what our Exterminator buddies eat to reach the next stage," Blitzø explained.

"What else did he tell you? His favorite word?"

"Rend. He says it in his head sometimes after a big attack."

"...I'm not surprised that you know that but I am surprised that's his favorite word."

"Ugh, I wanted to sleep well tonight too. Oh well," Jack said, taking the vial.

"Now that I got your stuff," Gen faced Blitzø, Millie, and Moxxie, "Time for yalls gifts."

Blitzø and Millie gasped. "Our gifts!?" they said in unison.

"Follow me to my truck!" Gen led them outside to the trunk of his vehicle. He yanked off the drapes and all their eyes, even Moxxies, lit up.

On the right were an assortment of red pistols, black and yellow uzi's, white tipped hand cannons, and a sniper rifle with a gauge. On the left was an assortment of red and black assault rifles, six barrel pistols, flame colored shotguns, bazookas, and tommy guns. The bottom was an arrangement of axes, swords, knives, sickles, chains, and glaives.

"May not kill them, but you'll give them hell."

"This is the greatest thing I've ever gotten!" Blitzø hugged.

"Thank you Gen!" Mille crushed Gen in a hug.

"How did you make all this so quickly!?" Moxxie asked.

"The corps helped. Doesn't hurt that now it's being known about these guys being alive and The Cleansing is a thing, took about two days."

"How...how big is the corps?"

"It's at least a thousand as a whole. West branch has the most members though."

"There are branches?" Millie asked.

"About four so far, each with some commanders."

"Why four branches?"

"The purge is way bigger than the Cleansing. The Cleansing happens one area at a time while the purge is multiple at time and in a much wider area."

"Wow, and I thought The Cleansing was the worst thing to ever happen," Blitzø commented.

"Anyways, you'll get a chance to use this tomorrow, i'll go ahead and load it in the base...yall wanna help?"

"Sure!" Millie said, grabbing the axe.

"Wait, don't squeeze that ha-!"

The head of the axe fell off and was attached to the handle by a chain. "Whoa!"

"Yeah, the weapons have some features I was gonna explain tomorrow after the cleansing. Would do it tonight but yall are probably tired."

"No no, we're awake!" Blitzø said.

"Tell us, Tell us!" Millie begged.

"Alright, alright, I'll explain as we move them. I swear you guys are like kids with candy except its guns," Gen chuckled.


Loona opened her eyes. She slowly rose and stretched, looking over at Poch sleeping on the bed. She smiled, albeit weakly, and reached for him, stopping halfway before committing to it and placing her hand on his head. She softly rubbed his fur, saddened by his lack of reaction, reminding herself why. "...I hope you wake up soon."

The door opened and Loona quickly retracted her hand. Moxxie walked in with a bowl of soup, a tray, and some medical items. "Oh hey, you up."

"Hey."

"I thought you'd be hungry so I brought you some soup," He set the tray in front of her and set the soup on top.

"...thanks," She took a spoonful, "...It's good."

Moxxie looked at her surprise.

"What?"

"Nothing, just...you're oddly polite today."

"Hm…" She went back to eating.

"W-well I gotta change his bandages."

"Ok."

"You uh,...you might wanna turn around."

"Why?"

"Well he's uh...not dressed properly."

"Ok? So?"

"Eh...you'll see what I mean." Moxxie pulled the covers down.

"HNK!" Loona almost choked. Poch was wrapped up around his chest in the area of the bullet wound, it had blood on it, had a cast on one leg and a splint on the other. His forearms are in some medical sleeves. He was only in a pair of boxers.

"See. Now I gotta take these off...you really dont wanna see this." Moxxie gently unwrapped the bandages off his body.

Loona wanted to look away but kept watching out of curiosity. As the part that covered his chest came off, the size of the bullet hole was shown. It was the size of a quarter and it wasn't a round circle. It was ripped on the edges and torn. Seeing it made her growl, thinking about Striker. "That bastard!"

"Huh?"

"Striker...I swear next time I see him, he's dead!"

"...I get how you feel. Just imagining it being Millie or Blitzø just makes me...shiver in fear. I know he's special to you so...seeing him like this must hurt a lot...just know Blitzø, Millie, me, and the Exterminators are here for you whenever you need us," Moxxie gave her a small smile.

"..." Loona felt herself calm down. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Loona went back to her soup. "Who made this?"

"Blitzø."

"Oh...Tell dad I said it's good."

"Who are you and what have you done with Loona?"

Loona chuckled. "Shut up, needle dick."


Everyone except Loona gathered in the radio room.

"Alright people, here's the plan!" Shred announced pulling out a whiteboard. On it was a doodle of everyone's face. He put an X on Poch's face. "Poch is out," he X'd out Loona's face, "Loona's staying by his side, so we're gonna rethink our team ups."

"I'm sticking with Echo," Dundy said.

"Im staying in the truck with Blitzø and Solis," Shelly said.

"I'm gonna join them since Joe and Jill are gonna be in the radio room along with Gen," Moxxie said.

"Can't wait to use that new gun, huh Mox?" Blitzø.

"I really can't," Moxxie admitted.

"Jack and I were gonna team up but we're gonna have to split up to cover more ground. Would like some backup since I can't make clones. Millie, would you be so kind as to join me?"

"Sure! I'll bring the axe!" Millie said excitedly.

"Alright, we got thirty minutes before the start, Millie's parents are on the way, so let's get into position, people!" Shred clapped.


Moxxie was setting up his sniper rifle on the top of the truck's hood while Blitzø sat in the driver's seat, making sure his guns were in place, and Solis stood on the passenger side, his guns ready too.

"So did you gain any new Shadow Demons?" Blitzø asked.

"Yeah, one. It's called Savage. It's like Taurus but with sword arms and a huge sword on its head," Shelly answered.

"Sweet! You gotta show me that during this Cleansing!"

"What else does going stage two do?" Moxxie asked.

"Unlocks our magic. I can now use clairvoyance and I can transmit what I see to others," Shelly explained, "for example," Her eyes turned green and she looked at Moxxie, "cute boxers, Mox."

"Oh tha- hey!" He covered his lower area.

"Wouldn't you agree, boss?" A spark of green went to Blitzø and Solis and their eyes too went green.

"Nice pattern," Solis said.

"Hm? Oh those are adorable!" Blitzø commented, "and you can transmit this to multiple people?"

"Yep!"

"We definitely gotta use this for our assignments!"

"I don't mind helping out, but we got ten minutes left so maybe get that engine ready."


"Alright Mills! I'm gonna show you," Shred said to Millie.

"Show me what?" Millie asked.

"The coolest shadow demon ever!" He wrote X+rßæ§ß "Ripper!"

From his shadow rose a huge mechanical beast. Its legs were thick with a jagged edge on its knees and it had razor sharp wheels acting as feet, its waist was thin and cylinder like, neatly segmented like a spine, its chest was a much larger cylindrical part with vents on the front and three long blades coming out its back. Its arms were bulky with its elbows being disks with a razor sharp blade on its edge, its palm round with five deadly sharp claws coming out of it. Its eyes were shallow and its teeth were like killer sharks, a small spiky helmet on the top of its head. Steam came out its mouth as it breathed.

Millie looked at it in awe. "Cool!"

"Wait for it!" Shred stood in front of Ripper. "Armatize!"

Ripper opened its arms and clasped its whole body around Shred. It began to shrink and break apart in some areas. Millie watched with curiosity, wondering what was happening to Shred. Once it finished it was close to the same size as Shred with his arms in its, his legs inside its legs, its chest clamped on his along with its midriff wrapped around his waist, and his head was engulfed by Ripper's seeing through its eyes.

"Stage two perks, baby!" Shred said through its jaws. He floated the blades on the back and turned. "Hop on!"

Millie hooped on his back, axe ready. "This is gonna be great!"

"You know it, Mils!"


"Before we start shall I grant us some protection?" Echo offered Dundy.

"Oh? Learn some protection spells?" Dundy asked.

"It's nothing super fancy," Echo chuckled, writing out for his familia. "Familia! Dawn!" Dawn emerged from the totem and rose its shield up. A reddish light was emitted from the shield and covered the area around the two. A light red veil covered them, signaling they were protected. "It's like a light barrier, so don't put too much fa-" Echo was stopped when he felt the hand of Dawn brush against his face, "hm?" He looked to Dawn and it seemed to look back, gingerly brushing its fingers against his face. Echo felt a loss for words.

"Echo?"

"Hm?" He broke his attention away from Dawn, stopping its touching.

"You ok?"

"Y-yes...I'm fine."

Just then a bunch of floating red eyes with wings appeared around them.

"Hi, sorry we're late with these!" Joe said through the comm links in their ears.

"It's fine. Better late than never."

"We'll be watching over you guys with those eyes and keeping track of what goes on where," Jill explained, "we know this place like the back of our hands so you can trust us to get you there quickly!"

"Hah! I believe you!" Echo commented, getting his gun ready.

The sirens went off and the gates started to open.

"Good luck everyone, and of course stay safe," Stolas commented.

"Right!" Dundy and Echo said in unison before they bumped fist and entered resonance.

The Angel's landed near them and they went to work. Dundy started off by punching at a few, releasing shockwaves from his fist, killing a bunch.


"Whoa! Those gauntlets are amazing!" Joe commented.

"Hah. Those ain't the gauntlets at work. That's his stage two powers," Gen said, being in the radio room.

"They can use the abilities even without their shadow demons out?" Jill asked.

"Yep. Take a look at Jack." He pointed to the monitor with Jack on it.


'Dive!' Jack yelled in his head. He sunk into the ground into a small thin pool of Dust, sliding and surfing past a few angels before popping out and decapitating the ones around him before diving back in. He zipped past a few more, bringing out his scythe as he went past to cut them up.


"Whoa!" Joe said in awe at jack.

Something caught Jill's attention and she gasped. "Joe, look at our girl!"

"Hm?"


"Millie, ho!" Shred tossed Millie at a horde of angels.

She slammed her axe in one of their faces before bringing out its chain and flailing it around at the ones near her, cutting at their knees, faces, arms, everywhere, knocking them all down. Before they could raise back up, the wheels of Ripper mowed them down and he scooped Milli back up.

"Nicely done!" Shred commented.

"Thanks! Onward!" She said with a motion of her axe.

"Righto!"


Joe sniffled. "That's my girl!"

"And that's my Blitzy." Stolas cooed, watching Blitzø drive and go through Angel's with Moxxie and Shelly on the back and Solis shooting out the passenger side.


Blitzø was making pop shots at every angel he passed by and ran over. "Ten headshots!" He said.

"Twelve!" Solis smirked.

"Horseshi-" he noticed the green on his eyes, "hey, I see those green eyes!" He looked at Shelly. "That's cheating!"

Shelly whistled innocently. "What are you talking about?"

"Incoming flyers!" Moxxie announced, pointing out a group of Angel's pointing bows at them from the sky.

"Sweet! I can use my auto turrets!" A middle section from each side of Le-armes popped and spun out with the edge of it acting like an axis. The pieces were slim but the edges separated open to reveal a small gattler barrel. Shelly put in a few clips on the side of them, they aimed at the airborne enemies, and started firing.

"How come you've never used those before?"

"Never had them."

"Hey, there's a big guy in front of us!" Blitzø shouted. He was driving up to a two story angel with a white helmet and gold gauntlets.

Shelly looked at it and used her clairvoyance. "Moxxie, shoot it there!" She transmitted what she saw.

"Got it!" Moxxie flicked a switch on his rifle and the gauge lit up green before slowly turning red. Moxxie took aim and waited as they got closer to the large angel. Once steam came out the gun, it was time to fire. He shot and was knocked back. The bullet flew to the head of the angel with great force, enough to not only knock off its helmet but make it real back.

Shelly took the opening and shot a few pulleys into its exposed face, knocking it down.

"Not shooting, Mox!" Blitzø commented.

"Thanks...sir." Moxxie said in some pain.


"So far this is going great," Joe said.

"Still, keep a look out for their gathering. We could have a boss on our hands," Stolas advised.

Gen got up. "I'm gonna get us some drinks. Want anything?"

"Just a sparkling water."

"A beer for me," Joe asked.

"Just water," Jill requested.

"Alright," Gen left for the kitchen. As he entered he spotted Loona in her usual attire in the fridge, getting a bottle of soda. "Hey, there."

"Oh, hey," Loona greeted, "how...hows it going out there?"

"Going well. They're making good use of their stage two abilities."

"Stage two?"

"Oh Yeah, you weren't told about. I can tell you in the radio room, I'm getting drinks right now."

"No that's fine you can just...tell me later," She was about to leave.

"Gonna stick by him like glue huh?"

"I'm just...making sure he doesn't get worse...and if he wakes up...bonus."

"He'll wake up, just maybe not that soon. Give him time, ok?" He put a hand on her shoulder, compassionately.

"...thanks." she said before walking off.

Gen grabbed the drinks and went back to the radio room.


"Missed me! Missed again! Oh so close!" Jack was in his Dust cloud, avoiding all the stabs, stomps and claws from the surrounding Angel's. He popped his scythe out to behead a few of them before slipping beside a few, hopping out, pulling out one of the GB Holders and shooting a few in the head with one bullet. "Hah! I've always wanted to do that." He looked around and saw the Angel's slowly walk up to him. "Cmon! I don't bite, I just rip!" They all stopped. "Hm?" Jack got serious. The stopping didn't sit right with him and it's not what they usually do when a boss is coming.


"Ora!" Dundy punched through the chest of a large angel. It was about to bear hug him before it died but Autumn stabbed its head off before it could. "Thank you Autumn." Dundy smiled before leaping off its corpse.

"...lcome."

"Hm?" He looked back at the shadow demon, watching it go back to Echos' side. "...was...was I hearing things?"

"Dundy! Echo! Look alive!" Stolas called.

"What is it?"

"The angels around you are starting to stop moving!"

"Its true!" Echo got beside Dundy, "Jack is getting the same thing!"

"Is it just us?" Dundy asked, watching the Angel's stop in their tracks, some not doing so and still attacking.

"Looks like it. They're only stopping near you and Jack. Nowhere else," Stolas said.

"Strange. Could a boss be coming?"

"They don't usually stop near us, they usually gather somewhere high up. Especially if it makes them vulnerable." Echo said, shooting a few. "Still taking the free targets though."

"Of course you wou- wait." Dundy noticed the idle Angel's start to look up at the nearest gate. "What are they-" He was cut off by a tingle on his arm and the flashing of his symbol.

Echo felt it too. "This feels like…"


Jack waved his hand in front of the Angel's that stood idle, getting no reaction. He looked at the others that just seemed to stare into space, not moving.

"Should I...ima just...rip into them...that ok?" Jack said to anyone listening.

"I guess?" Jill said.

"Alright, you fucks gave up so I'm just gonna-" the idle Angel's looked up, "now what?" Jack looked up and saw one of the gates. "What? Planning on running?" Jack joked, knowing they don't have the intelligence for that. He felt a sensation in his right arm and his symbol reacted. "What the...a reaction...no...this is different." Jack looked up and got serious. Somethings coming and he needed to be ready.

From the gate above him, fell a figure. It came straight down, landing at full speed right next to Jack, kicking up dirt. Jack was blinded but stood ready nonetheless until the dust settled. As it did the figure became clearer, kneeling on the ground. It was a five foot six inch tall, humanoid angel with brown curly hair, pale skin, red eyes, and thine eye brows. He wore a sleeveless white cloak and had two golden pistols around his hip. He slowly stood up and stretched, unfurling his wings. "Hnnng! Need to work on that landing." He said in a British accent. He looked at the back of his right hand and saw his symbol, one that was just like Lara's, and was puzzled. "Am I near James?" He looked by and saw Jack. "Oh, it's you. That makes more sense."

"Who the hell are you!?"

"Ah, manners. You may be a traitor but still, manners."

"Traitor?"

"My name is Luke. You are?"

"...Jack."

"Jack...this person...I think they're like-" Stolas started.

"I know, it's just like Poch described."

"Hm? Talking to someone?" Luke asked.

"Dont worry about it."

"Well I guess it doesn't really matter much...especially after your death."

"So I'm right to assume you're not the same as these guys?" Jack asked, motioning to the idle Angel's.

"Oh them. Ahem...Angel's! Spread!"

As soon as he said that, the Angel's flew away in opposite directions, going for the nearest target they could find.

"Shit! Stolas!"

"Shred and Millie are on the way, focus on that angel in front of you!" Stolas said.

"Now we have some space. That work for you traitor?" Luke said.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Jack asked.

"That glowing symbol means you're an exterminator, correct?"

"Yeah. And I'm gu88 essing you're some other version of an exterminator?"

"Hmph...guess you could say that...except I chose not to turn my back on humanity and side with foul demons."

"I didn't turn my back on nothing but heavens bullshit. Woah!" He narrowly dodged a gunshot from Luke. "Touch a nerve there?" Jack smirked.

"Watch your blasphemous tongue!" Luke glared.

"Hey, I just tell it how it is, and how it is, either suffer heaven's bullshit, or become an exterminator and fight back. Guess which I picked?"

"...then I guess this will be your judgement call," he pulled out his other gun, "for this Crusader...shall punish thee of thine sin."

Jack got into a battle stance. "Heh, and this Exterminator shall send you to hell's depths."


"Look!" Echo pointed at something falling from the gate.

It crashed near them and stood there for a few seconds, obscured by the dust it kicked up. It rose. "RAAAAAAGH!" A loud booming voice came. As the dust settled a deer the same height as Dundy and a bit more muscular was revealed. He wore a knights helmet, a robe with a red trim that went down to his knees, under the robe was a steel armored chest plate that came with steel gauntlets, and he wore a pair of steel leggings. On his back was a giant cartwheel. He looked to Dundy and Echo. "Ah, how fortunate." He snapped his fingers. "Angel's, disperse!" On command, the Angel's flew off, leaving him, Dundy, and Echo alone. "There. Now then...exterminators...I have a question for you."

"As we to you," Echo said, sword ready.

"...the name Lara."

Dundy and Echo glanced at each other.

The angel noticed the glance. "So you know her."

"...Perhaps."

"What's it to you?" Dundy asked.

"...you see," the angel reached for the wheel behind him, "that crusader...happens to be my sister...and I'd like to know who's responsible for her…. lack of return?"

"Crusader? Is that what you are?"

"That's beside the point," he pulled the wheel off and placed it beside him with a loud thud, "who was the one who went against Lara?"

"...How do you know it wasn't one of us?"

"The way you glanced at each other betrays that thought. Now," he tightened his grip on the wheel, "tell me...who is responsible for the fall of my sister."

"...if we refuse to tell?" As soon as Echo said that, the wheel was rammed into him, sending him flying away.

"Echo!?" Dundy gasped. A fist came for his face and he reacted quickly to block, sliding back some.

"I am the Crusader James! I come not to cleanse but to avenge my fallen sister!" The angel known as James stated, pushing his fist on Dundy.

"Rrrgh well...I am the Exterminator Dundy! I am here to kill you Angel's in the name of false purity! Sad to tell you but we won't let you have your vengeance!"

"Hm!?" A black snake wrapped around James's waist, pulling him back and letting Dundy punch him in the face. "GRAH!" He was sent tumbling away.

"You ok Echo?" Dundy asked the approaching hound.

"Dawn came at the last minute," Echo said, cracking his shoulder, "still hurt though."

"Well, let's get him back, shall we?"


Jack bounced the bullets away with his scythe, going back in his Dust pool to keep the distance from Luke.

"Stand still!" Luke yelled, shooting at the clump if Dust Jack was in.

"Hell no!" Jack yelled back, maneuvering around the gun fire, only popping his scythe out to deflect bullets. He turned the corner and went up a wall, jumping out of it and at Luke as soon as he turned the same corner.

Luke blocked the strike of his scythe and kicked Jack away, shooting at him. Jack managed to slip away in Dust, angering Luke. "You're very good at running!"

"Would it make you feel better if I told you this is a new power? I call it Dust dive!"

"Hmph. Well," he wrote O+ßä~đ, "if you insist on this game of cat and mouse then I'm calling the hounds. Orbitar!" The words turned into ball of light and went into his chest, coming out as ribbons and taking shape. It formed a skeletal mechanical humanoid. It had orbs strewn on it's back, arms, and legs. Its face was a giant orb. It stretched out its body and the orbitals came off and scattered around the area, all except for the one on its face.

Jack noticed them and went into hiding, staying around a nearby corner. 'Something tells me I don't wanna be noticed by those.' He slithered around as quietly as possible, hiding behind something every time he noticed an orbiter.

"Come out little mouse." Luke taunted. He had his orbs fly around while he stayed put.

Jack was starting to feel like a pinned rat, hiding in his demon and in corners while the orbs passed by. He spotted Luke in the middle, trying to find a way to slip his way to him without being spotted. He found a way but it wasn't gonna be easy. "Ok...first I gotta," he turned and came face to face with one of his orbitars, "...shit." A spike launched out and Jack narrowly jumped out the way.

"There you are, mouse!" Luke started firing on Jack.

Jack slipped into Dust to get away but was stopped by a few orbs launching there spiked at him. He jumped out to avoid them, launching off a nearby wall to avoid gunshots from Luke. 'Glad demons are in bunkers!' He said to himself, deflecting a few stabs from the orbitars. He dashed his way to Luke. He was getting shot at but dove away and deflected the shots. He was going to close the distance. He leapt and swung down on Luke and as he did a series of spikes came out the side, knocking him off balance. Luke's creature swiped at Jack to knock him back. "Shit!" A group of its orbs surround quickly dove into Dust but not before getting nicked a bit. He quickly tried to get away but was slashed at by two orbitars. He groaned in pain and flipped out of Dust, only to get shot at, narrowly blocking the bullets and tumbling back.

"So then little mouse," Luke said, floating to Jack, "are you ready for your divine punishment?"

Blood was coming out of Jack's forehead, spilling onto his eye as he got up. "...heh.."

"Hm?"

"..hehehe...HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Jack started laughing maniacally. "Yknow what...this game of cat and mouse was starting to get boring anyway," he grabbed and pulled off the sashes that helped the GB holders and twisted his scythe to produce more blades, "Stolas...make sure you record this."

"Recording." Stolas told him.

"You seem to have finally lost it," Luke said, surrounding Jack with orbitars, "allow me to put you out of your agony."

Jack smiled and wrote for Dust, "Dust!" He started twirling his scythe around him, his shadow demon following suit, spiraling around him.

"It's over!" Luke said, shooting needles from his orbitars straight to Jack.

Jack separated his blades and slammed his scythe down, launching the blades everywhere. Dust swooped from the ground and figures appeared, grabbing the GB Holders on the ground and raising up to blade them and knock away the needles. The ones that didn't get bladed were used to aim at Luke, firing on him. Luke's creature quickly formed a thin shield by connecting orbitars near it. A single figure launched itself to Luke and knocked him away with a scythe. "New game!" Jack said with a sadistic smile. The figures that knocked away the needles was a group of five Shadow Millie's while the group that shot at Luke was made up five Shadow Moxxie's. The one that knocked Luke back was a Shadow version of Blitzø. "I call it, Imp Parade, Full Staff!"

By the time Luke managed to reorient himself the Shadow Millie's were already on him. He quickly brought his orbitars to him to block their assault. He had his summoned creature use its shields to try and push away the Millie's while aiming at them with his guns. Before he could fire, a bullet whizzed past his face. He looked to his side and saw that the shadow Moxxie's had surrounded him and were aiming at him. He flew up. "I'll just leave my Light Angel to deal with the close range ones!" He aimed at the Moxxie's, dodging and flying away from their shots, shooting back and managing to hit a few of them.

"So that's what you call them? Light Angels?" Jack said from above Luke with Shadow Blitzø.

Luke looked up. "When did you-!?"

Jack slammed his scythe down on him along with Shadow Blitzø. "Little on the nose don't ya think?"

Luke managed to block the blades but was knocked down with great force. He grunted as he rose. A Shadow Millie was about to stab him but he had his Light Angel shoot an orbiter needle at it to push it away. A shot from one of the Moxxie's grazed his shoulder. He acted fast and flew away, staying close to the ground and keeping his Light Angel close by to push away the Millie's. He kept up his shooting at the Moxxie's.

"Forgot about me already?" Jack said, appearing from behind, swinging at Luke.

Luke did a flip and aimed both barrels at Jack's face. "I didn't!"

"Oh, so just him then?" Jack smirked, pointing behind Luke.

Shadow Blitzø came from behind and crashed his scythe down on Luke, who blocked last second but was pushed to his knees. Jack took the opportunity and rammed his scythe in the front, Luke's Light Angel barely able to block, he himself getting knocked back, crashing through some barrels. He coughed and angrily stood up, pushing off the debris. That's when they came. The Shadow Millies dashed into him, blades going straight for him. He had orbitar quickly surround him with a Barrie made of all his orbitars. The Shadow Millies couldn't even pierce the barrier. The Shadow Moxxie's jumped on the barrier, scratching at the barrier. "Heh...hehehe," Luke started to laugh, raising up, readying his guns, "you see! You may have surprised me at first but your demons struggle to pierce my Angel's barrier!" He aimed at the show constructs. "This proves that you're on the wrong side! That I chose the side that is holy and just!" He laughed. "I told you, youd regret you words to heaven, and now I, the Crusader Luke shall-"

"Shut the fuck up, I hope!"

"What!?"

"You really got your head up your ass Mr Crusader! Especially if you think you're won already!"

"I have! Once I find and-"

"Take a closer look at that barrier of yours!"

"Huh?..." Luke gasped when he looked closer. The barrier was starting to lose strength due to the shadows weakening the orbitars bonds.

"What were you saying earlier? That I'd regret my words?" Jack appeared in front of Luke while shadow Blitzø came from behind. "That you were holy and just?" He smirked sadistically.

Luke began to panic. He shot wildly at the shadows, trying to stop them from making his barrier weaker. "Nonono!" They reconstructed quicker than he could shoot them, they managed to make it weak enough to break through.

"Here's what I say," Jack dashed to Luke along with Shadow Blitzø.

"No!" Luke shot at them both but he barely even scratched them. As soon as they got to him he was filled with dread and his life flashed before his eyes.

"Rend!" Jack and Shadow Blitzø striked at the same time. They cut through the shadow Moxxie's and Millie's but also managed to rip Luke in half, dread being the final expression he had before his dismembered body fell to the ground. Jack called his blades back and dismissed Dust. "Boss is gonna live that video."


"ORA!" Dundy striked James with three right hooks from Asura.

James grunted but took the blow. He threw his wheel to Dundy only for Autumn's spear to knock it away and Echo to flame slash at him.

James used his gauntlets to block the burning blows, stumbling back. "You both are quite strong!" He rose up. "And you fight quite well together and with your shadow demons! I'm impressed! Under different circumstances...we probably couldve been friends!"

"Probably," Dundy said.

"I believe it could've been a possibility," Echo admitted.

"Too bad...but as a show off respect...I shall no longer hold back." James brought his hand out and wrote O+ąđłń. "Destruction!" The words went into his chest and came out his back as ribbons taking form. What took form was a gigantic body with no lower half, a dome like head with a horn and one eye, massive arms with thick armor on it and unlike Taurus, it had no tendril connecting it to James. "This is my Light Angel. The opposite of your Shadow Demons….I gained mine along with my sister Lara and with it I shall avenge her!" He had his Light Angel grab his wheel. "Now...come at me, Exterminators!"

"Echo you handle the Light Angel, I'll take care of James," Dundy said with a crack of his knuckles.

"With pleasure!" Echo said, cocking his gun.

Destruction lobbed the wheel at Dundy. A charged thrust from Autumn knocked the wheel away while Dundy charged at James, punching the crusader with a triple left. James tanked it and sent a right fist from destruction slamming down on him. Echo summoned Dawn to shield the attack, allowing Dundy to straight punch James a few feet away before charging up energy in all six fists and launching it at him.

James used his light angel to brace himself, the arms of it blocking the shockwave. James sent his Light Angel to Echo while rushing towards Dundy. The angel sent a strong right to the hound but Dawn stood strong and pushed back, giving Echo the chance to impact shot it in the face. James shrugged off the pain and met his fist with one of Asuras in a clash. He stepped closer to attack but Dundy sent a fist into his gut. He coughed but kept up his momentum, punching Dundy in the face. Echo came down with a thrust of his sword. James glared at him and Destruction spun and knocked him back. It's right hand started to sink into its armored sleeve, going all the way in before crashing it down on Echo, who had just gotten back to his feet. Its fist shot out and created a massive shockwave when contact was made.

"Echo!" Dundy called out in concern. He sensed Dawn come out to protect him but could also sense that her protection wasn't strong enough to fully guard such a blow. He was struck twice by James, once in the chest followed by a jab to the face, while he was distracted. Before he could hit again, Dundy grabbed him with Asura and suplexed him into the ground behind him. He turned to face Destruction only to breathe in relief at what he sensed from resonance.

As Destruction approached to aid its master, a black snake wrapped around its chest and pulled it back. Echo had a bit of blood coming out his forehead. "That hurt." He said before running up the back of Max and shooting at the face of Destruction. It tried to swing him off but he hopped over it and stabbed it in the eye.

"Gragh!" James yelped in pain, attacking Dundy again. The two exchanged blow after blow, James withstood the attacks from Asura, being able to deal his own heavy blows to Dundy. James also dealt with damage he was receiving from Echo hurting his Light Angel but he didn't let that keep him from fighting. "Hragh!" He and Dundy both decked the other in the face, pushing the other away. He panted while Destruction kept his guard up with Echo.

Dundy panted. "I must admit...you are formidable. You're not only taking Asura's attacks but dishing out your own of equal measure. The way you control your...Light Angel? Is also impressive. I'd hate to face you in your second stage."

"Hah...I know not what this second stage is but I'll admit...fighting the both of you is proving to be a challenge...I trained rigorously when I first got my abilities and even more so to avenge my sister...I'd like to say with anyone else I'd be triumphant already...but your coordination on holding back destruction and fighting me...heh… I really do think we could've been friends."

"Perhaps, but now...we end this." Dundy charged up power.

"...agreed."

"Woah!" Echo was taken by surprise when Destruction grabbed him and flung him away. Max grabbed him and managed to pull him back. Destruction's fist scoped into its gauntlets and he went for Dundy. "Dundy! Look out!"

"Hm?" Dundy turned and prepared to meet his fist with the Light angels. James took the opportunity to strike Dundy at the base of his back. Dundy yelped in pain but reached back, spinning to throw him away. He looked back and Destruction's fists were about to smash into him.

Echo used Max to yank himself to Dundy, pushing the owl away. He looked at the fists shoot out. 'This is gonna hurt.' He thought, bracing for impact.

"...darling!"

"Huh?" Just then Autumn came out and slammed its spear down. It emitted a red wave that slowed down the movements of Destruction.

Dundy took the opportunity and released all his stored energy onto its face. He knocked it back and leapt. He reeled back and all three right arms of Asura twisted together to form a giant arm. "ORAAAA!" He slammed the fist into the face of destruction, slamming the Light Angel into the ground. "Echo!"

Echo aimed his gun while Autumn pulled its spear back. Autumn let out a charged thrust straight for its face while Echo shot an impact bullet. Before contact was made, the angel disappeared. "He dismissed it!?"

James hacked and coughed, Dundy and Echo looked up to see him flying away. "It seems my sister's vengeance will have to wait." Blood was pouring out his mouth, splattering as he coughed it up. "Till we meet again….Exterminators."

Echo shot at him while Dundy punched energy as he flew up to the nearest gate. They managed to hit him but he already passed through the gate, disappearing into it.

"Drat! Got away." Dundy snapped his fingers.

"It's fine. We learned some things atleast...plus I feel well see him again." Echo consoled.

"Right...there's twenty minutes left...let us clean up."

"Hm...did...did you...hear voices coming from…"

"I believe it'd be best to ask after this cleansing."

"..." Echo looked to Autumn. "...right. let's go!" They went to finish up the Cleansing, all while Echo couldn't get his mind off the voices he heard. They didn't come back but they were still fresh in his mind.


End

Next chapter. Meet the family