CH 11
The next day, General Stuart arrived in a staff car at the hill. Tsukune met him when the car drove up.
"Lord Aono," Stuart said and shook his hand, "Thank you for being as merciful as possible with our Israeli allies. Is there any chance we may collect the field pieces they left behind? We really need them."
"We have no use for them," Tsukune said with a shrug. "We will advance no further unless the barrier dome is threatened."
"As you told us," Stuart replied. "For your information, we are headed south to where the real battle is. Even though there is suppose to be no more fighting, we're loosing ground daily. We need everything we can get down there."
"You can take whatever the Israelis left behind. As long as you don't point it a us, we got no problem with it," Tsukune told him.
"Thank you, Sir. I will ensure every salvage unit asks permission before they come into your territory," General Stuart said and saluted him.
"Best of luck to you," Tsukune replied, and shook his hand.
.
In the UN, the Russian ambassador took the podium. He looked at the assembled members and said, "I will not mince words. The catastrophe happening in the middle east is threatening to envelope everyone into another world war. Nuclear weapons have been used. While it is still under investigation, we strongly believe that the Iranians set off the one in Israel. Israel responded with firing four. We shot one down, three did hit their targets, killing millions more people. This escalation must stop now! It is Russia's position that since the countries involved have yet to put a halt to the fighting, we, with the agreement and support of France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, are isolating the area with sea and land blockades to force the aggressors to halt this war. The United States has agreed not to be an aggressor, and only hold their positions so they can continue humanitarian aide. Yokai are in Lebanon to keep the warring parties separated in that area. For this, Russia is thankful to Yokai and the United States for their cooperation. Russia calls for Iran and Syria to remove their soldiers back to their homelands. Until they do, these countries will be isolated from the outside world, as will any who stands with them."
Next up was Bianca. She took the podium and gave a nod to the Russian ambassador. "Thank you, Mr. Kolishev, and we thank Russia for doing what you can to stop the insanity taking place. What is happening is more than just a war between countries. In Israel, there is a gate to the underworld. Call it Hades, hell, the Abyss, whatever you like. It is real, and so is the evil that comes up out of it. That gate has been closed by Yokai. Yokai are in Lebanon to ensure it stays closed. The chaos in China was a diversion to draw our attention away from that gate. Luckily, we found it and are doing our best to minimize the damage demons have caused in this world. Since we capped that gate, the true forces behind the current conflicts have been trying to get to it to open it back up. That is why Israel has been attacked, and the attackers have not given up. This evil does not care about countries or borders. They want dominion over the entire world. If they can open that gate, then multitudes of demons will be pouring out of it. The world we know will come to an end. Many people have been tainted by demons whispering in their ear and caused the current conflict. I fear even more will succumb to demons and their words of hate and call for violence."
Bianca paused, then said, "It is going to take everyone of every nation to combat this monumental threat. This is a fight not of guns and bombs, but one for your very souls. One to not fight or kill, to resist the urge to do so, no matter how strong! Hate and violence are the devil's tools. If you use them, you are submitting yourself to his rule and helping him to subvert our world. Everyone needs to know that THIS is what this war is about. I ask you all to pass this on to your countries and people."
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Your time has come
Apollo snapped awake. He was cuddled up in bed with Kahlua, her head on his shoulder and snuggled up next to him. He looked around but didn't see or sense anyone in the room or near by. He didn't imagine the strong voice that had woken him. He had heard those words that rang in his head. Where did they come from?
Careful not to wake Kahlua, he got up and reached out with his senses. Nothing. He knew it was not nothing, so he left their bedroom and searched the house, stepping slowly, looking for the intruder. Making his way slowly and quietly along, he came to the pillared entry to the gardens.
Standing in the gardens was a man in a white suit. His hair was gray, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the flowers. He turned to look at Apollo and cast him a benevolent smile. His greeting confused Apollo.
"Hello Michael, it's time to wake up."
Eyeing the man, Apollo stepped out into the garden. "I think you have the wrong house. My name is Apollo, there is no Michael here," he said evenly.
The man smiled at him and said, "Wear a sheath long enough, and it does become part of you."
"I need you to leave. Now," Apollo said firmly as he strode towards the man.
"That young fellow, Tsukune, is doing his best," the man said, ignoring him, "Unfortunately, he and his family will not be enough for what is coming. That is why I came to you. It is finally time you remember who you are. We have work to do."
Apollo went to grab the man and drag him out. Apollo's hand went right through him. The man winked and said, "It's you all right, Michael."
Apollo paused. "You're a ghost?" he asked.
"We can be," the man said. "We can be solid, or ghostly invisible also. I do want you to see me. It is disquieting to talk to someone who you cannot see, is it not?"
"Who are you!" Apollo demanded.
The man took on a hurt look. "You don't recognize me?" he asked. Thoughtfully he added, "Yes, you have fallen completely into your material sheath. Can't say that I blame you, It has been a long time you've been wearing that form. I am rather put out that you don't remember me though."
"Your name?" Apollo asked, wanting to get to the point.
"Sorry, I'm Gabriel. Surly you at least remember my name," he said in a coaxed manner.
"I don't know any Gabriel," Apollo told him.
"Perhaps I should test your memory. Do you remember Miyu? Kurumu's birth mother?"
Apollo stiffened. "Yes, every day," he frowned. "What does she have to do with you?"
"Miyu is happy that Ageha has raised your daughter so well. Ageha has never though of Kurumu as anything but her very own. She watches down on them, as well as Kurumu's two children with joy and pride."
"What are you up to?" Apollo growled.
"Merely testing your memory," Gabriel said with a smile Apollo wanted to wipe off his face. "How about your other wives? Can you remember them?"
"Did you come just to torture me?" Apollo asked in a hard tone.
"No, I merely wanted to see how far back you can remember." Waving a hand, he let out a sigh and said, "It's not important. You will remember everything soon. Just know everyone you loved is waiting for you on the other side."
Apollo barked out a sarcastic laugh. "As if I will ever see the other side!" he announced.
Gabriel laughed. "Oh, Michael you have no idea, do you? Well, I suppose I should get to it," he said. Lifting up his hand he clenched his fingers as if to hold something. A ball of light appeared in his hand. "This is so crude, but I suppose it is the fastest way."
Before Apollo could react, the ball of light grew to encompass him and another strong word of power was spoken to fill his brain.
AWAKEN!
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"Tsukune, this doesn't look good," Yukari grumbled as she looked into the scrying scope.
Tsukune peeked over her shoulder to see into the 12 inch window looking scry that was hanging in the middle of the room. Around the dome, groups of people and some soldiers were gathered. One man was hitting the dome with a hammer. Some soldiers cleared a crowd on the outside away. When everyone was clear, an explosion went off. Dirt and rock flew, there was a hole just outside the dome. "They are trying to get in?" he asked.
"Yes. Although they won't, this is worrisome. The ones inside are making themselves look like refugees and calling for him," Yukari explained.
All Tsukune could see inside the dome were figures. There was so many, the land beneath then was lost. "This isn't good," he agreed.
Tsukune went out to search for any American troops that were still salvaging weapons. He did find some with a mobile gun on tracks. They had stopped to get some food and drink at a tent and awning set up as a snack shop.
"Excuse me!" Tsukune call as he went over to them. "I'm Tsukune Aono, I need to talk to General Stuart as soon as possible."
"I can get him on the radio," One man offered. He got up with his bottle of water and went over to the vehicle. Climbing in, he got on the radio. He then stuck his head out and asked, "Mr. Aono, General Stuart is in a conference, is there a message you'd like to pass?"
"Yes! Men are trying to get into the dome at Megiddo. They are being fooled into thinking there are people inside. The area needs to be cleared as soon as possible. If he can't stop them, we will have to," Tsukune stated.
The man relayed the message. Sticking his head out the man said, "The General is being told. If you can wait a moment, Sir, a reply will be coming."
Tsukune leaned against the vehicle and waited.
"Sorry, Mr. Aono, you know Generals. They seem to take their time." the man offered.
The man ducked in. Tsukune heard a "What? You're kidding, right?" He popped up his head out of the door holding the radios set. "Mr. Aono, the General wants to talk to you."
Tsukune climbed up and put the headset on. "This is Tsukune Aono."
General Stuart's voice came on. "Mr. Aono, the Israeli Prime minister's office has declared the … ones inside that dome are trapped Israeli citizens. The order is to get them out. No interference will be tolerated. I spoke with the Admiral. His orders are to support Israeli front line troops and humanitarian efforts. We know what's at stake, but we have no authorization to do anything with that area. For the moment, we've been ordered to remain neutral."
"I suppose that's better than fighting us," Tsukune told him. "Please inform the Israelis we must do whatever it take to keep that barrier intact. I highly suggest they get people away from it."
"I'll do what I can."
"Thank you," Tsukune said and gave the headset back. He jumped down and went back up to see Yukari.
Lt. Baker just finished his meal and was enjoying the sight of the fairy girl who was serving his men. The legs and ass on that girl were killer!
"LT! Got the General on the line for you."
Although he wasn't happy about being taken away from his eye-candy, Baker hoisted himself up and went out to the transport. He took the radio. "Lt. Baker here, Sir."
"Mission change order, Lt. You are now to set up observation posts. If the Israelis begin to fire onto that hill, I want to know ASAP."
"Yes sir, if they do?"
"Report and take cover."
"Yes, Sir, we will maintain our position until otherwise ordered, Sir."
Baker had the sargent set up watches, and told him they might be camping here. He then went back to see if he could get that fairy girl to talk to him.
.
Tsukune wanted a 'scare' operation. Yukari enlisted Mariko's help from Witch Hill. Yukari wisely reinforced her protective barrier here, then in unison with Mariko, they sent a pair of illusions to scare the people away from the gate barrier.
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At the barrier, a group were trying to figure out what to do next to get those raged looking people out. Explosives didn't work, digging didn't work, nothing anyone tried even put a scratch in that thing.
Suddenly a loud thundering roar sounded out that shook the air. With it came the heavy vibration of pounding feet. They looked to see a 30 foot tall T-rex striding towards them. Around the other side of the barrier, another one strode towards the crowd, looking hungry.
Wailing screams sounded out as people fled. A few soldiers shot at the creatures. Seeing it was doing no good, they fled. Another roar and seeing the T-rexes were gaining on them, they dropped their rifles and packs and ran for their lives. Coming together at the other end of the barrier, the dinosaurs slowed and let the terrified people flee. They then walked around the barrier, looking for someone else to chase away.
Yukari took control of the illusions to ensure the area stayed clear. So far, everyone in the area of the barrier believed the illusions were real. They even tried shooting at them with canons. At least that was keeping people away.
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The devil studied the confined gate carefully. The barrier encircling it was not going to be broken by attacking it with material things. The strongest bombs humans could make were not going to get through it. Any magic strong enough to get through would destroy the gate. As the top was two hundred feet above the ground, the bottom was two hundred feet below the ground level, on solid bedrock. Directly under his gate was the same energy needed to create another massive gate. He grew a grin as he found his answer that no one would pick up on until it was too late. Until then, he would have his demons create a little chaos as a diversion.
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Cruella had the Israeli high command doing her bidding, believing it was in their own benefit. Half of their small country was taken over, and they had little left to fight with. Those damn yokai massed to the north were the real problem now. She had her three succubi travel to northern Lebanon to gather anti-yokai support and make Hellspawn for a 'holy war' against the yokai in southern Lebanon. The radical groups kicked out of southern Lebanon were eager to gain the power to overrun yokai and then those hated Israelis.
While her demons did that, she got a tunnel started to dig underneath the barrier. Convincing the high command it was needed to quarry rock for defensive positions, she even got the stupid humans to carry out the debris as her demons quickly dug away, going farther and deeper.
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On the hill watching the barrier, Tsukune was getting nervous. A whole week after Yukari made the illusions, no one had even attempted to go near Megiddo that he could see. Knowing his position was vital, every vampire family has send reinforcements to him. The Shuzens alone sent 30 vampires, The total was 260 from the various families. 20 witches had also come, along with Sirens. On Witch Hill, Kumiko helped make more of Frank's holy water bombs that were turned out to work well for yokai troops. They even had enough for dragons to bomb demons from the air, should they ever get out.
Two weeks into the lack of anything happening, and Tsukune was sure there was something going on that he just wasn't seeing. The Lebanese city they had rebuild was dong well, and they even has ships come in to visit. Yukari's illusions of dinosaurs had faded away, but no one was going near the barrier. On the surface, it seemed like they'd won and all was well. He didn't believe it for a moment.
Standing in Yukari's watch room, Tsukune wondered what was going on. Fanatics didn't fight hard one day, they just throw their hands up and say screw it. They were doing something, he only wished he knew what it was.
"Hey Tsukune," Kurumu said sweetly as she came in and snuggled up under his arm.
"Hey, Kurumu," he said and hugged her. "Everything still good?" he asked.
"Yes," she said idly and ran a finger in a tight circle on his chest. "Maybe you can relax a bit? We've got plenty of people here, and no one has bothered us or the barrier in a while."
"That's what bothers me," he said tonelessly.
"Tsukune!" Kurumu complained, "The demons are sealed up, nobody is bothering us and we have the biggest assembly of yokai here the world has ever seen. What could possibly happen?" she asked in a whine.
"Don't ever ask that," Tsukune said firmly.
Mariko's voice entered the room. "Tsukune, I just warned Moka, demons coming from the north, hundreds of them!"
Tsukune frowned at Kurumu.
"What? I didn't do it," she said defensively.
"What are they Mariko?" he asked loudly.
"Hellspawn, someone made hundreds of humans into Hellspawn. I have to go," Mariko said.
Tsukune looked back towards the city. Right, an attack from the north to make them pull back to the other side of the city to protect the residents. That meant there was something planned much closer to the barrier when they were fighting off those demons. He raced out to get people out there, but not everyone. He had a gut feeling another attack was coming on the barrier.
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Tsukune had most of the vampires and a line of orcs ready to fight the oncoming demons. Moka was to lead the vampires out and kill as many as possible before they reached the orc line. He kept a good solid line of orcs in place on the southern border and had wolves sneak closer to see what was up with the barrier. Dragons took off to get an aerial view of what was coming as well as scouting the east for anything coming at them.
As he was doing this, Tsukune thought 'why just Hellspawn? Why not full demons?' Once they met, the vampires would chew those Hellspawn up. That convinced him that the attack from the north was nothing but a diversion to keep them occupied. He had Kurumu fly east to see if the dragons were finding anything.
Watching Kurumu fly away he heard a whistling in the air. A shell came down nearby and blew him off his feet. He landed to hear another one land, then another. Another blew upon against Yukari's tower shield. Ignoring his ripped up clothes, he raced to the top to see the Israeli army surging towards him. From what he could see, it was about 3000 men with all the vehicles they could find. With half his army facing north on the other side of the city, he ran back out to give orders, then helped charge the attackers.
It still didn't seem like nothing but an elaborate diversion to him.
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The devil was pleased. The tunneling had gotten under the barrier. The floor of the chamber his demons had hollowed out was smoothed and the proper magic symbols were made to make a new large gate in this underground cavern. He pulled demons out of the gate above them, as soon as the new gate opened he sent them under the barrier through the new gate. Upon arrival, they began collecting in the tunnel. Once he had that tunnel filled with his minions, he was going to crush those yokai.
The true war to control the Earth was about to begin!
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Apollo, or rather now Michael, sat on the low wall between the garden and the breezeway to the garden looking at his hands. They were his hands, but somehow changed. It was an odd feeling within him. He remembered everything. He could see beyond the veil that separated realms. All worlds were open to him. He could even see his dead wives with looks of joy on their faces. He understood that his entire life, they were watching and routing for him. Their love came through strongly to him, It was enough to make him cry with joy.
"Apollo?" came Kahlua's soft voice from behind.
He turned to her. She looked different to his eyes now, glowing with strength and life. She looked confused.
"My dear Kahlua," he said reverently. He reached his hand out to her. She took it. Cocking her head slightly, she said, "You've changed."
"I have, my love. I remember everything. I can see everything. I am going to take you back to your father's castle. There is something that needs to be done and it's up to me to do it."
He shifted worlds and they were standing in the foyer of Issa Shuzen's castle. He clasped her hands and said, "My time with you has been wonderful. Please know that I will love you forever."
Taking on a look of concern, Kahlua said, "It sounds like you're not coming back. Where are you going?"
"To fight the devil and end the slaughter," he said and stepped back. "I will miss you, but be assured, our love will never die."
He then vanished.
.
Moka's force of vampires slaughtered the Hellspawn. Being radicals even before they were changed, the Hellspawn kept coming, no matter how many she ripped apart. Not far away, Liz was a blur with her katanas, chopping off heads to fly away and holding her ground. All over the battlefield, they were killing Hellspawn as fast as they came. Moka fought on, knowing there was more than this battle to fight, but until they finished off the last of these things, she was stuck here.
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Tsukune raced into the Israeli soldiers with his orcs. He didn't bother fighting the line troops, the orcs would take care of them. He sped back to the few tanks and artillery that were pummeling the hill and beyond. So far Yukari's shields were holding up. He had to stop the attack before her shields folded. Racing up to a tank, he flipped it over, then batted the gun grew of an artillery piece aside, killing them, then picked up the gun and threw it at another positions to silence that one also.
This time there wasn't any mercy. Soldiers that tried to fight were killed. Ones who threw up their hands in surrender were killed. Those who ran away were chased and if they tripped and fell, they were killed. The entire army send against the hill were wiped out.
Tsukune heard about the real threat in a message from Yukari.
"Tsukune! Demons coming from underground, a few miles south of the barrier. I'm sending dragons to plug the hole!"
The dragons had mostly gone east. "Teleport Frank and as many as you can to fill that hole with holy water!" he send back. He then ordered the orcs to the barrier. They all had holy water bombs to help fight the demons. He also sent for the hundred vampires he'd held back to join them. This had to be the real threat!
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Frank gathered as many as he could to go straight to the hole in the ground that was pouring out demons. They were ugly looking things. Some had wings, others were bull looking ones with horns, some were nasty things he had no idea what to call. Lucy and Kanae were with him. All the others had shotguns with holy water pellets and holy water bombs as he did. There were a couple dozen wolves, and 50 other various yokai. Assembling at the portal, he quickly laid out his strategy.
"We are to plug that hole," he announced, "Demons who got out, let someone else deal with them, only guard against them coming back at us. "Throw water bombs at the hole first, then shoot. "Let's go!"
Frank ran through the portal and threw a water bottle to hit a skeletal demon, making it scream and disintegrate. He fire off a shot, hitting two more, then threw another bottle a the tunnel entrance. Wave of water bombs filed the air from the ones behind him. Many demons were burning or melting, but they had yet to hit the entrance.
Frank emptied his shotgun into demons that turned to charged them. A wolf leapt high into the air to throw a bomb over the demon's heads. It sailed into the tunnel entrance. Another wolf, then another did the same.
In the howling screams of demons, they charged again and were met with hail of shotgun fire and destroyed. Frank managed to reload and keep shooting. More demons ran off to their goal, but no more came out of the tunnel. It was a good thing too, Frank was out of water bombs, as were many others, and he only had six rounds left.
A hundred yards in front of them, the ground collapsed and more demons poured out.
"Fuck me!" Frank spat. "Lucy, Kanae …"
"We see them!" Lucy yelled back, Her and her daughter raced away, followed by other yokai. Frank ran at human speed with three others, trailing behind them. That turned out for the best, because after the yokai got fifty yards, the ground behind them opened up.
Frank shot into the demons pouring out of the new hole. Another man threw a water bomb into the new opening. Wailing screams and smoke poured out of the hole, but no more demons came out.
Lucy and Kanae used their vectors to slash apart demons erupting from the farthest hole. A few demons put themselves back together to be hit with a shotgun blast.
Another hole opened up between the first two new ones, then yet another opened up farther ahead. The yokai, out of Frank's weapons, met a new mass of demons in a tooth and nail massive brawl.
"Tsukune we need help here!" Frank sent on his radio.
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Finally finishing off the Hellspawn, Moka rallied her vampires and raced back for the hill as Tsukune and his orc army clashed with the demons who'd come out of the ground. A wave of water bombs blew big holes in the demons, but more just as quickly filled in the spaces. Tsukune fought as hard as he could, splattering demons with his fists and feet. The orcs slew many, but demons were jumping over them to attack from behind and rip up the big creatures.
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Watching the battles, the devil grew a grin. The hill where most of the witches were gathering to cast their spells, were otherwise undefended. He pointed a clawed finger and said, "Now."
Under the hill where Yukari had her tower, the massive explosives that were pack together in the last couple weeks by Cruella's demons was detonated. The hill seemed to rise up briefly, then the massive explosion blew out, sending Yukari's tower skyward in pieces as bodies were consumed by the fireball that rose up and faded into a dark mushroom cloud. The earthquake from the explosion rattled the ground for miles. The concussion of the giant blast spread out to the town behind it, slamming into shuddering buildings to topple them and blowing people over who were on the street. Dragons in the air were tossed about. In the other direction, Tsukune was knocked off his feet by the blast wave as was everyone in that battle. Debris fell back to the ground as far as a mile and a half away.
Where the hill used to be, was now a giant, smoking crater.
Racing towards the town she could now see, Moka saw the blast wave coming. She bent low as the wave ripped thought the town, sending rock and debris airborne. The vampires bucked the blast and dodged the mass of debris and kept going.
"What the hell was that?" Liz asked.
Looking beyond the town where the hill and Yukari's tower should be, Moka only saw a rising mushroom cloud. Their most powerful weapon, thirty witches and priests, had been on that hill. Yukari's shield had gone to ground level, no weapon should have been able to get through to destroy it. "This is bad," she said.
Moka knew Tsukune was planning to use all that spiritual and magical power to stop the demons if they showed themselves. Now, it was gone with many of their closest allies. Focusing on the task at hand, she yelled out, "The barrier is in danger! Everyone, head for the barrier!"
Racing through the shattered town, jumping over debris, the wounded and the dead, Moka led her vampires on. They had no time for mercy to the injured, she had a feeling this battle was far from over.
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Recovering from the blast, Tsukune got up and continued his desperate fight. The mass of demons were smaller, but his force was all but wiped out. All the orcs were dead. There were only a handful of yokai left. He was fighting furiously with the other vampires to keep from being overwhelmed by the demons massing on him, trying to pin him down.
Then the demons grew thinner as Moka and her vampires crashed into them. Moka herself moved in a blur to blast demons into pieces with her lightning fast kicks and punches.
The remaining demon hoard was worn down and defeated by the tired vampires. Even Moka was breathing heavily from the long fight.
Hands on their knees and panting, Tsukune cracked a grin and told Moka, "Am I ever happy to see you."
"It's not over," Moka stated, casting him a look with her red eyes.
Tsukune nodded. "I know. These attacks were to split us up and cause havoc, which it has. We need to find out what we got left."
.
Lucy spun her vectors around her like a buzz saw, ripping apart demons that tried to get near her. A short ways away, Kanae was doing the same. They ran on, mowing down demons like a lawn mower cuts grass. Bits of black and red flew through the air to turn into ash.
Running into the next pack of demons, Kanae didn't see one that was 'playing dead' as she ran ovr it. When she was about to run past, it shot up and bit her in the thigh hard, taking a chunk out of her leg. Kanae fell with a shocked look, her leg pumping out blood. Her vectors displeased. She hit the ground to have a demon jump on her and bite her in the neck, ripping her head off. Others quickly descended on her to rip her body into pieces.
Not seeing this, Lucy did see the last hole the demons were coming out of. Like a mixer, she sent two vectors down the hole spinning and ripping to demons before they got to the surface. Extending deeper, she shot her vectors down the sides of the tunnel, then slashed through the ground to the surface. 40 yards of ground split open and collapsed down to fill the tunnel.
Yes, finally! The demons who stayed to fight were all on the ground in pieces. Lucy looked around and saw no one else standing. "Kanae?" she asked. She walked back to where she'd last seen he daughter. "KANAE!" she called.
There was no answer.
A few more steps and Lucy found the lower part of a leg. A human looking leg. A smooth leg of a girl. "KANAE!" she yelled again. She then found most of an arm that looked like it had been ripped off. "No!" she cried. She then found Kanae's head, her face still bore a look of shock. Lucy dropped to her knees.
"NOOOO!" Lucy wailed out, then burst into tears. She picked Kanae's head up and cradled it. "Nooo," she wailed again.
80 yards away, Frank tried to move. He'd managed to keep from being killed, but a swipe from a demon had broken his leg. The men with him hadn't been so lucky. His shotgun he'd used to block hits was bent up and useless. At least he had survived. Hearing Lucy's wail , he crawled towards her. Her crying was the only sound. They had won, but had also been destroyed.
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When the hill had exploded, Kurumu had been flying. Upon the blast wave hitting them, dragons were tossed around in the air. Her right wing broke, sending her spiraling to the ground. The impact hadn't killed her, but for how bad hurt she was, she almost wished it had. She laid on the ground in the middle of nowhere moaning, knowing she wasn't going anywhere until her arm, ribs and legs healed.
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Mariko had Jade take over the scrying audio portal duties to gather people to go assist who they could. There were few adults left on Witch Hill. Many had also been lost on this battle against the demons. She wanted to mourn, but didn't have time. She had to help the wounded and get whoever she could to get Tsukune some reinforcements.
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Running at full speed, Liz raced to where Frank had his battle. The only one she found was Lucy, who was holding her daughters' head.
"Lucy, what happened?" she asked, shocked the demons had managed to kill a diclonious.
Lucy's tear stained face was blank . She lifted her face to show blazing red eyes. "They killed my daughter," she stated flatly.
"I'm so sorry," Liz said sincerely. "I anyone else alive?"
Lucy shook her head. "We were too few, the demons too many. Send me to hell, I want pay back."
"You'll get it," Liz said firmly, "But not down there. Have you seen Frank?"
A weak cry sounded out. Liz looked up to see Frank crawling out of a depression. She raced over to him then dropped down to hug him. "Thank God you're alive," she cried.
"We won't be unless we get out of here," he said firmly. "Lucy finally capped that tunnel good, but I'm sure they are still digging their way out and we got nothing left."
Liz found a pair of shotguns and ripped some clothes off the dead to make a split for Frank's leg. She then carried him over to Lucy and coaxed Lucy up to rejoin the others that were left. They walked away from the field of dead.
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"The chaff has been blown away," the Devil said with a grin as she looked at the results of his work. All the lesser demons he'd send were gone, but that had been what they were for. The goals he wanted were complete, the yokai's magic was all but gone, and their numbers were greatly reduced. If they had a hope of fighting on, they would need to draw more yokai in. He'd give them time to do so, then release much more powerful demons onto them in the next wave and wipe them out. The time was nearing to blow away that cursed barrier above the new gate. And when he did, all hell was going to break loose.