Chapter 31: The First Piece and a survivor?
(Special Guests recounting the events: The Hunter)
Morphology: The Noss
Type: Abyssal Creatures
Description: They are part of The Destroyer's forces. Attacking primarily with stomps and energy blasts but are also capable of summoning Stingers to aid battle. A screech can be emitted to push back foes.
Recommended setup: Ranged Attack
Death's three ghouls managed to lure most stingers. Death took the chance to unleash a powerful shockwave from his Slice of Death Armblades.
Some of the stingers managed to swarm around the trio, which Chris, Alito, and Death managed to get rid of via their guns. The Pale Rider used the Redemption pistol, though.
"Death, get that mob, we will help clear the swarms!" Chris called out.
"Right!" Death frowned as he released another shockwave on the Noss's legs again, and the explosions caused by Death's ghouls bring further damage into the Noss.
Chris and Alito's skeletons burst apart, freezing and slicing the stingers apart with ice and razor-sharp winds.
After clearing off the first wave of stingers, Death summoned three more ghouls, as with Chris and Alito, just as the Noss summoned another wave of stingers.
Death immediately empties his ten bullets in the Redemption pistol, once more as the stingers dropped dead on his feet.
Chris and Alito cleared their sides by utilizing their Multi-Aim feature in their Project Programmes and releasing multiple concentrated light bullets at once, searing the Stingers apart.
The ghouls exploded once more, as Chris and Alito's skeletons froze and sliced through the Noss's legs, forcing the abomination not to move.
Death summoned three more ghouls just as Chris and Alito wiped off another wave of stingers. The Pale Rider unleashed another shockwave into the Noss's legs.
Death whipped out his Redemption pistol and clear off another group of Stingers.
Chris and Alito quickly aimed for the Noss's head and delivered a headshot, killing the Noss and dissolving it into thin air.
As soon as the Noss dissolved into thin air, three Hellguards covered in green blood dropped into the floor, struggling to get up.
"Hellguards that Uriel must have talked about!" Chris shot out.
Death, Chris, and Alito rushed forth to help the weakened Hellguards.
Minutes later
"Hellguard...Hellguard, are you okay?" Chris called out.
"Uhh...who are you? The followers of the Pale Rider?" the hellguard wondered.
Chris and Alito explained their purpose of coming into this world to defeat Corruption and helping Death.
"Uriel told us to search for you. The Destroyer must have used the three of you to power the Noss inside its body." Chris frowned.
"The commander? Are they alive?" the Hellguard replied anxiously.
Chris, Alito, and Death nodded.
The second Hellguard by Alito's side managed to get up and bowed.
"We thank you for saving us from the Destroyer's tyranny." he replied.
"Wait, what happened?" Death wondered.
"When the Destroyer took over Earth along with his Chosen, we continually fought against the Destroyer. However, we could not defeat him, as much as we try. Before long, we were captured and forcefully served the Destroyer as 'fuel' for his abdominal creations...the Noss." the third Hellguard by Death's side explained.
"That's...disgusting." Chris frowned. "But who are you? I mean your names. You all looked very familiar."
"I am Aba." said the Hellguard beside Chris.
"I am Josef." said the Hellguard beside Death.
"And I am Nadav." said the Hellguards beside Alito.
"The three of you are power source to these abominations, huh?" Death wondered.
"He too...also used this as a core of darkness to power our anguish and pain." Josef picked up a dimly lit staff pieces with a shape of a star.
"The Rod of Arafel!" Chris shot out.
"Yes..." Aba nodded.
"The Destroyer used the Rod of Arafel and infected it with dark magic. The result is three Rod pieces fuelled by darkness to power our anguish and in turn...the Noss." Nadav frowned.
"Good thing we have rescued you three. Now, let's get back to Uriel, she was worried sick about the three of you!" Chris patted Aba's shoulders lightly and nodded softly.
"Right. We shouldn't dally about." Death nodded.
By then, the dark clouds cleared up and small amounts of light seeped in. The dark clouds lightened up, but only to a dark shade of brown.
Red crystals shaped as spikes were spotted rooted in the roads, cars, buildings, and even by the sidewalk as Chris and co. traced their way back to the building where the Portal was.
When they returned, however, they saw Uriel's Hellguards and Uriel herself combating with several zombies and several red horned demons with violet clad armor. They wielded pick axes.
Morphology: Pit Sorrow
Type: Demon
Description: Though human-size, they are especially tricky to deal with when they are in packs. Their pickaxes have a wide range arc of up to 50 CM. Proceed with caution.
"Focus your fire!" Uriel commanded.
"Let's talk to her after we rid those sons of damnation." Chris frowned.
Death summoned three ghouls to lure the demons in.
Chris and Alito fire their Salvation Cannons away; while Aba, Nadav, and Josef picked up the scattered Redemption Cannons they could find on the floor and fired away.
Chris and Alito stand with their backs against each other. They looked at each other, simpered, and nodded.
With their backs facing against each other, they moved as a turntable, shooting down every Swarm zombie and Hell Sorrow along the way.
Death moved in to freeze several Hell Sorrows with Harvestor Revenge, slashed twice, spins his merged Possessed Scythe around him, and unleashed a powerful spectre of his Reaper Form unleashing a spectre Harvestor around him.
As more another batch of Hell Sorrows poured in, Death clapped his hands ones and transformed into a rock statue of his Reaper Form. A green Death and purple Death appeared beside the statue.
"So...that's my new power that the arcane orb unlocked within me, huh?" Death smirked.
"Holy..." Alito's eyes widened.
"Hang on...our skills sub-sections flashing as well!" Chris shot out.
The duo accessed their skills menu and smirked along.
Alito transformed into Lifebane and Chris grabbed the hilt. A huge flare of blue and green energy surrounded the Lifebane's blade bodies.
Chris manipulated the surrounding water vapour, freezing them, and used arcane magic to create a powerful ice clone.
"Ready?" Chris simpered.
"Always!" the Ice Clone winked.
"Tundra Formulae: Sawing Blitz!"
The two Chrises threw their scythe around them; Chris's scythe on the outer circle, and the inner circle belonging to the Ice Clone.
The slash radius contracted and expanded like a buzz saw, slashing the Hell Sorrows' flesh into shreds at extreme speeds.
"Tundra Formulae: Electron Blitz!"
Chris and the Ice Clone choreographed their dance moves in an overhead and diagonal slash, creating a powerful electron shell formation that shredded any enemies' limbs.
Chris and the Ice Clone halted their hovering Lifebanes on opposing sides and spin it as a powerful buzz saw once more, shooting out icicle shots, freezing the demons' bodies, and shattering them in a powerful Wreckage Slash.
Chris and the Ice Clone nodded and simpered.
Uriel's eyes widened. "Such power dished by a human with powerful arcane magic and mechanical augmentations...Their world is really advanced!"
Battle Ended
"Well done, everyone!" Chris gave a thumb up and simpered.
"I know that they are powering the Destroyer's Force against their will, but I never knew that the Rod of Arafel's parts are powering their anguish in the Noss. Chris, Alito, Death, thank you for rescuing three of the Hellguards." Uriel bowed.
"Uriel, if there's any way to rescue your brothers, your family members, we will. Mark our words." Chris nodded.
"Your abilities are far beyond what I imagined...only one person comes close to mind - Draven." Uriel replied.
"You mean the Master of Blades that we saw in the Dead Kingdom?" You knew him?" Alito wondered.
"Yes. He used to help us, but the infected atmosphere infected him with an incurable disease. His assistance and his time on Earth were far too short. His attacks are brutal, while you combine grace with speed, precision, and elements." Uriel nodded.
"Speaking on Earth...it's good that you are still fighting on. You seemed confident, though." Death wondered.
"It sure is - Human survivors have been reported by my Hellguards." Uriel nodded.
"That seems unlikely. I thought the Humans were extinct?" Death wondered.
"Hang on..." Chris contacted Draven.
"Yes...Draven speaking."
"Chris here, Draven. Are you rummaging the ruins of the Lord of Bones?"
"Of course! What else should I look for in my free times?" Draven chuckled.
"I hope you might wanna do a favor for Uriel, Death, Alito, and I?" Chris hoped.
"Sure! Always am willing to help out an ally in need!"
"There should be a book that records all the Souls inside the City, right?"
"Yeah...I think I have got it...right...I'm sure it's around the chair that I have been rummaging...there!"
Chris quickly rummaged through the human index database that Guild Commander Leona gave her in the beginning of the quest.
"According to the Global Database Human Index of this dimension, the amount of people on the day of the Apocalypse is around seven billion. Are all seven billion people in the Land of the Dead?" Chris called.
"Hang on...hmm...close; seven short of seven billion."
"Thanks, Draven! You have been of great help." Chris simpered.
"No problem, Icy Maiden." Draven chuckled.
*BZZT*
"Chris, Death, you know I am sworn to truth." Uriel replied.
"Well...it's too good to be true, although that's great news!" Chris lightened up.
"Chris is right. If some shred of Humanity yet clings to life, I would speak with them. Where were they seen?" Death asked.
"Far beyond this battlefield, Horseman. All I know is that they are near the second Noss. You can find them southwest from here, out of an old abandoned tunnel with two big red horns. Therefore, I suggest you all better hurry. We will hold out for as long as we can." Uriel nodded.
"We will find them." Alito simpered.
"Be wary, though. There are things that lurk beyond these areas that the Hellguard dare not face head on." Uriel nodded.
"What about the final Noss?" Death wondered.
"I do not know. But the Rod has a will of its own. Find the second piece, and it may tell me where the last Noss holding the piece resides." Uriel replied.
"Who are those demons you fought just now?" Death wondered.
"Those demons are Pit Sorrows, summoned by the Demon Lord Belial." Uriel frowned.
"Demon, what? Demon Lord? Hahahaha..." Death laughed sarcastically. "Hell must have been in such a pathetic state to name him a Demon Lord."
"Belial...That name is known as 'Worthless' in Hebrew texts and known, in the Jewish's myth, as a demon. How is he not a demon lord then?" Chris crossed her arms.
"Belial, at least in this world, is real and not a myth. And in this world, his relationship with Hell isn't what you called...pleasant." Death snickered.
"Oh...I get it, even demons have their own enemies, huh? So much for being a Chief of Demons back in the Jewish myths in our world." Chris chuckled.
"Right, let's get a move on then!" Death nodded.
"Aren't we gonna kill Belial, now that you mentioned him?" Alito wondered.
"Who says we aren't?" Death frowned.
"Uriel, rest assured, we will find the human survivors!" Chris clenched her fists in determination.
"Thank you, Chris, for rescuing three of my Hellguards." Uriel simpered.
"Death and Alito deserve credit too. And we're glad that your brothers are alright." Chris simpered wistfully.
"I have none...at least you have some of your brethren left..."
"I know how you feel..."
The echoing words that Chris said when giving reason in wanting to rescue the tortured Hellguards rang Uriel's mind.
"What did she meant? What gave her and Alito that sort of power?"
Across the construction site
Strands of chains held stones on dark wooden planks. Demolished cars were scattered around like dead flies as multiple red crystals shaped like horns appeared from side to side.
While slaying through the demons with ease with the Salvation Cannons, they encountered a big purple demon with multiple spikes, big jaws, and dark eyes. Its face is half lion and half goat. It was also holding a large, skeleton staff.
Morphology: Ravager
Type: Demon
Description: They are Demons that specialize in summoning arcane orbs that can explode after a few seconds. Their armor, though tough, can be seared through by a skilled wielder of the Salvation Cannon or ranged weapons. The Demon however, will, recharge after four orbs were unleashed.
Summoning three ghouls once more, the Ravager summoned four orbs around them. Chris brought out her Redemption Cannon and shot the Ravager.
Halfway through, though, Chris, Alito and Death could hear a safety catch's click.
"Get ready...someone's watching us..." Chris whispered.
As soon as they heard a bang, Alito transformed into Lifebane, and both Chris and Death did a flip dodge. A yellow bullet seared through the weakened Ravager on its head. The demon dropped dead.
Chris turned around, saw a human sniper on a second storey building, shot out several icicle spears, and pinned the human across a wall.
Chris jumped up the air by summoning an icicle platform with her feet, and took the Hunter by his neck. Chris, Alito, and the Hunter landed down through a jump.
Upon closer look, the Hunter is a middle-aged man with wrinkles on his face. He has short, brown hair, bushy eyebrows and short moustache and beard. He wore a yellow scarf around his neck, a brown jacket, and a light brown overall with pale blue leather jeans. He held a sniper.
"Get it over with then!" the Hunter huffed.
"Peace, Human. It is not yet your time." Death calmly replied.
"Yeah, right. You're no demon, I can tell that much. If you don't want to kill me why chase me across the whole damned city?!" the Hunter wondered.
"We could say no less for you. Why are you shooting our arse, then? Besides, you're shooting at my Lady!" Alito frowned as she grabbed the Hunter by his scarf, gritting her teeth.
"I am suppose to shoot the demons, than you people have to block my way out of the blue. i apologize, seriously!" the Hunter shook his head.
"Alito...don't." Chris shook her head.
Chris's confidante released her grip, stood down and huffed.
"I thought your kind was no more. But Angels told me that there are some of you left." Death replied.
"Who...or what are you three?" the Hunter wondered.
"I am Death"
"I am Chris."
"And I am Alito..." Chris's confidante bowed.
"Both of you are humans, right?" the Hunter asked the icy Maiden and her confidante.
"We were...Although it would be wise for you to respect my secrecy. All I can tell you is that we are from the other dimension, and we are following Death to destroy an ancient evil." Chris frowned.
"Death is the one thing that has eluded me. Why, after all this, do you come for me now?" the Hunter wondered.
The Hunter heard a clink as he looked up, and his eyes widened.
"The Warmaster!" the Hunter gasped.
Chris, Death, and Alito looked at the demon with two large, crooked horns. It has a big, brown and muscular body, large skull shoulder pad and a scaly pauldron that has skeleton ornaments, just like Death's pauldron. The demon was also wielding a big axe.
Name: Warmaster
Type: Demon General
Description: Their armor is extremely heavy and durable. Their attacks, though light, can compensate through attack speed and shockwaves that can throw people back. Its legs are extremely strong and jump across long distance, unleashing a big dark shockwave around him. Its axe cleave can unleash quick shockwaves that can home in on people for three times before straightening out, use this to your advantage.
Battle Tactics: Use speed to your advantage to dodge attacks. Salvation Cannons are recommended, though Death's Slice of Death's shockwave is recommended too. Quick melee attacks recommended provided distraction is implemented.
Chris, Death, and Alito nodded.
The Warmaster instantly leapt towards the trio, but they are able to anticipate its movement and rolled away from the stomp.
Death summoned three ghouls and lured the Warmaster. The Pale Rider quickly moved to the side and unleashed a powerful Harvestor Revenge.
Chris and Alito's Salvation Cannons piled upon the distracted Warmaster. The demon moved forward and swung three times, but Death quickly flipped backwards after unleashing the Harvestor Revenge, barely avoiding damage.
Frustrated by the strong blows it suffered, the Warmaster roared and a huge burst of demonic energy surrounded its body. Its body size increase and grew taller. Blood veins bulged upon its arms and legs. Its horns grew more crooked and longer.
Warmaster is now enraged; all stats will increase. Their movement speed will decrease, but their attacks are heavy hitting. Shockwave are harder hitting. Counters are dished out frequently, recommended tactics are still the same, but reflexes must be refined.
"Chris, Alito, I'm going full force!" Death frowned.
"Reaper Form, huh? Right...distraction, go!" Chris and Alito prepared their Salvation Cannons.
Death frowned as he summoned Harvestor and transformed into the Reaper Form.
Knowing he has ten seconds, Death tanked all the damage while he delivered slashes, pinwheels, flipsaws, cleaves, and diagonal slashes towards the Enraged Warmaster.
Thanks to Death's distraction, Chris and Alito blast the Enraged Warmaster, keeling it constantly with rapid-fire shots.
The Enraged Warmaster's eyes turned red, but Chris and Alito managed to anticipate it in time.
"DUCK!"
Chris and Alito parted their ways to dodge the demon's full charging axe attack, leaving trails of lightning in its wake.
Death powered down after ten seconds to prevent the Councils from detecting him, sprinted towards the Enraged Warmaster, sliced off both of its legs, climbed in top of it, and...
"Off with yer head!"
With a crisp snap and slice, the Enraged Warmaster's head came off, and smashed into smithereens.
"Whew...gotta admit, that's one helluva fight." Chris wiped off the sweat on her forehead.
The Hunter slowly peeked out of the door, assuming that the Warmaster might be alive.
"Don't worry, human. The abomination is dead." Death calmly called out.