Queen's note: Descriptions of Canon typical violence… not that this isn't a DOOM story. Cultist and mentioned slavery. You've been warned my friends! Also the Slayer has, like, a universal disrespect for almost everything and anyone that's not 'his' (sometimes even then he'll be a jerk still).

Garnets

Chapter Twenty Eight:

The Trapped

The Slayer was very aware of his shadow after he had set up the second relay for Vega. Able to sense it was a living soul now, but did not move to go after them. He was aware of their movement not on the edge of his current range but always staying just inside it. The Slayer just chose not to do anything about it right away.

Whenever he was busy with the local hordes, they were hiding decently well. Though the Slayer did have to get a cacodemon's attention away from his detached shadow. He mostly just let them follow as the Demigod found another tower to hookup the last relay for Vega.

Taking the time to strip a fallen tower of useful parts and send through a portal back to the Fortress.

The Slayer's shadow got much closer after that, possibly having seen the portal.

After clearing a street the Slayer paused in the evening light, then took a sudden turn as if seeing something he wanted again. Altering his steps from heavy to nothing, and was able to clear the distance around the block. Then he was behind his shadow. Took them a minute to finally show themselves, and another few moments for the Slayer to realize it was not another girl Lily's size, but a lean male. Young man?

He moved forward to peek around the corner the Slayer had taken, looking around but not seeing the Demigod real position. The human had a gas mask on, something the Slayer was noticing the survivors on earth needed.

The Demigod took a deep breath, but he did not have that old ability to get the scent of a soul yet. Maybe he would in a few weeks if Lily gave him some more faith… or was it like needing the loyalty of the Sentinels to appear? The Slayer could not remember exactly what it was now.

Shaking himself back into the here and now, the Slayer walked soundlessly up behind the human. Right arm resting on the building above him and leaning over the much shorter human as if casually joining him in peeking around the corner. The Slayer's free left hand resting in his hip. The position let the Slayer get a good look at the warn cloths, how his shoes were nearly falling apart. The dark hair was a roughly cut short and dirty, not looking nearly as soft as Lily's.

He could see how the human seemed thin under their clothes. The Slayer focused on the exposed hands, the only real skin visible. Calloused and had small scars, but there was no blackening that was the first signs of advanced corruption.

The human blinked, just realizing themselves that something was wrong. He should have seen the armored form again at this point if he went into one of the buildings. Or at least heard something to clue in where the next fight was starting.

The human knew he was exposed and nervously drummed fingers on the stone. He should get a chance to get some supplies, and try to get back to the original safe house. See if the doctor got free of the cult.

The young man backed up all of five inches before running into something solid that was not supposed to be there right behind him.

There was a thunder deep rumble that almost turned into a chuckle like sound. It vibrated through the human, like thrumming in their bones as much as being heard.

Eyes widening, the young man swallowed as they debated on just trying to bolt. Yet as they became fully aware of something massive behind them. He tried to move at all, but it was like being frozen under a predator's gaze. Some sense telling that he would not survive if the young man moved too fast.

It was even more alarming that there was no sound behind him other than that now steady rumble. The only movement was from whatever predator it was just breathing against their back now. Having backed up right against the other form so now the young man was moved with each inhale.

It could have been hours like that, if not for the fact that the light did not fade anymore. Trembling the human eased forward, hesitated before turning around to come face to…stomach.

He knew the one he had been following was massive, but so up close the stranger was… titanic.

The armored man might as well be a living wall, and had to stoop over to be so close. He was likely still a barrel of muscle without the armor. The mostly exposed biceps were definitely bigger around than the young man's leg…. Or both legs. Definitely would take two or three of him just with this guy's width. The fact that the living tank covered in enough blood to give EMTs an instant turn around. Not to mention the gore for the lack of a better term that clung to the edges of the green and tan armor. That he was just casually leaning over him and on the wall was... confusing.

Too casual, too relaxed considering the speed needed to vanish and come back like that? How long has this person known about him?

The young man shuffled back, staring at the blank visor. If the tank was not breathing he might as well be a statue. He stared at the impasse helmet before shuffling to his right, getting a good two feet away before there was movement.

Just a slight tilt of the head, the Slayer very much staring right back.

The young man bolted, whatever staying power finally gave out. He got all of two steps, and choked on the third as there was a massive hand closed around the back of his neck.

The Slayer barely moved really, it was more of a reflex to grab what was running away from him. Picking up the human, he pulled them back over and tilted his head at the yell. Reaching to clamp his other hand over the human's mouth, fingers under the mask with a warning growl. Scanning around for any demons there was just a whimper under his hands as the smaller human scrambled at the hand. Then went almost limp as they surrendered.

That was rewarded by the Slayer pulling his right hand back and pressing the mask back on. He snorted and turned attention back to the human, trying to be careful so not to hurt but kept hold of them with his left hand to control. The young man gave a whine as his shirt was pulled up from the back, very clearly being inspected as a metal thumb ran over the prominent spine and ribs

The Slayer turned the human around so they were clearly watching him with wide dark eyes. not even bothering with sign, the Demigod point a thick finger at the boy, then firmly pointed down to his right side. The meaning was definitely clear of 'you stay by my side now.' before tiling his head.

The human nodded as best he could. "O…okay… I can stay there. or… come with?"

The Slayer nodded, waited just a moment more before letting go slowly. Watching intently as the boy timidly shifted around until he was standing awkwardly by the Demigod's right side. There was a warning growl as he moved a bit too far away.

Stratified that his formally detached shadow would follow for a bit, the Slayer started to walk. Not too slow of a place, but the human had to concentrate to keep up. Only needing to backtrack a little to find the old motel. He growled only once more at the human as they lagged too far behind, and hesitated getting too close to the Slayer as he stopped at a door. Listening intently before snapping out the long blade on his left forearm.

Oddly delicate with the blade tip to pop the lock and nudge the door open. The Slayer stalked in first, checking the corners and closet, mildly impressed that the water still worked. When there was no small human following, he stepped back and reached out, hauling the boy inside and plopped them down on the bed.

The slayer was not quite sure why the human looked almost horrified, probably just in shock as he was manhandled.

The Demigod dug into his subspace, pulling out a large bottle of water to toss at the boy. Who fumbled in his confusion as the Slayer poked around to find one of the unused trash bags. On the way back to the door he was pulling something else out of subspace, a treat the Slayer had been planning on giving Lily.

The water bottle was dropped on the bed as the Slayer walked out for now. Leaving the human sitting in the almost pristine hotel room alone and clutching a jar of peanut butter. Dark eyes watering at the strangely valuable gift of protein and calories.

"...what?" The young man whispered hoarsely, clutching the jar to him. He really did not understand where any of this was going. There was the semi distance sound of breaking glass, and after a bit a heavy thud outside before the walking tank passed, and another thud of something heavy being put down outside the door.

Daring to get up, the young man peeked out of the door and gasped. Staring at the giant vending machine placed sideways across the door.

The Slayer gave an odd chuff sound at the human. Placing the very full, clear hotel trash bag on the 'top' of the vending machine. Filled with whatever had been in the machine, it was nudged closer. Counting in the odd barrier to help give the human some form of confidence again to take it. He was rewarded with seeing just that after a few moments. The Demigod pointed at the boy again firmly, then back into the room with his free hand.

You stay there.

The slayer looked down, as much as he wanted the can he just found, because he remembered the look of it as something he liked before… the not quite human tossed the can of root beer over to the young man. Chuckling as he fumbled everything and fell with the bounty to the floor of the motel.

Even though it was unlikely to find two humans that knew sign language, the Slayer still left with a parting promise. I'll come back for you.

As long as this human stayed here, or nearby, he could find them. The barrier was not meant to keep the human inside, as the door swung inward. It was just meant to help it look like no one was there to the possessed if they filtered back through.

The Slayer tapped his knuckles against his helmet. Vega.

"I have already informed Valen of the survivor." Vega said, and dropped a navigation point for the Slayer. "I have marked a location that might be the cultists. In the northern part of the city. It's also alarmingly near the gore nest."

Small flower?

"Lily is back on the Fortress, and not inclined to leave again." Vega updated the Slayer as he started into a jog north. "She does not seem to do well with the portals. Valen is finishing up moving the supplies they gathered."

The Slayer nodded, glad his human at least was back where it was safest. One less thing to worry about now that he knew where the two mortals were and he could start in earnest. Another new song started to play on the list, getting the Slayer to humm off and on as he spotted another prowler ahead.

It was distracted, crouching and scratching deliberately at the thick door to a bunker-like gate. Despite the demon being able to get up over the wall, it was just trying to keep those trapped inside… inside?

The Slayer barely stopped as he came right up to the distracted demon. His right foot coming down full strength on the side of its knee. Felling a satisfying crunch as the demon screamed at the sudden attack, only to be cut off as the Slayer's hand wrapped around its neck. With it pinned under his foot, the Demigod was able to pull the prowler at the perfect angle to expose the spine.

The Slayer's arm blade snapped out and in a far too smooth motion severed the spine, letting him rip the head and half the spine off the prowler's body. Flipped the head around so the demon was seeing its own body fall into ash and char before dropping the head into the mess. The slayer brought his boot down with a squelching sound before looking at the door.

He could go around the compound, avoiding the Cultists and the drama.

But he could sense more living souls than Vega thought were in there… some of them felt oddly young.

The Demigod rolled his shoulders, turning and kicked the heavy door. Watching it go forward a good foot before falling.

That might have been too much force…but he did not care walking in. Having to duck a little with the door and then stand at his full height as the first bullets hit his chest and arm. Smaller caliber, something that would never hurt more than a possessed. It definitely would not get through his thick skin.

Almost lazily, the Slayer looked around, spotting the shooters and reached for the rifle that was more like a pistol to him on his left thigh. Five clean shots for the five guards shooting at him. A knee, a shoulder, an elbow, a shin and a hand.

The gunfire died down as the Slayer's attention shifted back to the quart yard. There were many sad plants around trying to grow in plots, with thin humans on ground level that had been tending to them before he appeared. Their attempt to scramble away had been aborted to huddle in the dirt between the rows of plants.

He remembered what Lily said as she was talking to Riggs about getting more growing space to just support her and the guinea pigs. There were not enough plants to support those on the ground let alone in the cages against the main building.

"Slave labor it seems," Vega noted, confirming the Slayer's thoughts as he started walking. Avoiding stepping on the crops, and twice made a longer stride to step over and not on the huddled, thin humans. Pretty sure they were female this time, somewhere between the age and size of the boy he found and Lily.

The Slayer's gaze locked onto the cages as he saw the smaller humans. Like the boy in the store but… thinner. He pulled his left arm back and stabbed through the hinges. The Argenta blade seemed to be glowing hot as it cut through the softer earth made metal. The gate easily flicked out of the way as the Slayer walked over to the next cage to repeat the process.

One of the guards above, the one that had been shot on the knee, yelled in a feral-like rage as the prisoners or hostages were being freed. Crawling to the edge and lifting his rifle, but never got to fire himself as there was a blur of movement. The man's head and a good chunk of his chest was just …missing. The smoldering remains fell out of sight before the Slayer slowly turned his head to stare at the next guard. The laser rifle turned to aim at him as the next clear threat.

The guard dropped his weapon and then out of sight. Scuttling away as they cradled their almost severed hand. The other three guards were already missing. The Demigod snorted as he holstered the rifle in his back with the shotgun, returning his attention to the last two cages, cutting the hinges so they would be useless and tossing off the door. At the last one he knelt down to reach in, grasping the chains and ripping it out of the floor, then carefully extracting the first of the two inside. He knew he was hunched over the whimpering child, knew he was likely as terrifying as the demons outside to the girl. In the impassively armor and covered in both red and black demonic blood.

The older woman inside gasped and tried to follow, but there seemed to be something wrong with her legs. Old hands reaching as a cracked voice pleaded, "Please, please… don't hurt my grandbaby…please…!"

The dark skinned girl was shaking in his hands as the Slayer carefully forced her face up with a thumb under the chin, the rest of his hand wrapped around her head to hold it still, leaving behind more than a few bloody marks. Then his left hand carefully, oh so carefully wrapped around the tiny neck. There was a momentarily choking sound as he pushed a finger down under the thick metal collar… and the child gasped and coughed for air as the collar dropped to the ground.

Wide, almost golden brown eyes suddenly looked up at the Slayer. The child lifted her hands to her freed neck in shock before she was grasped by the massive hands again. The Demigod carefully but firmly pressed his left hand over the small one's chest, his other hand on her back. Unknowingly like what Valen did, able to feel her cough as he pressed firmly but not so much to hurt before bleeding over some of his energy until the child's breathing evened out.

The Demigod gave a pleased rumble at that, using the hand on her back to nudge the girl to his left and reached back into the cage. Pulling out the older woman as he was the sole focus of attention of the humans in the yard. Doing much the same, breaking the shackle and then pressing a hand over her chest. They were the two weakest souls he could feel here, oldest and youngest. Trying to strengthen them to make it out of the cultist compound. He paused to lift a thin arm, running his thumb over the inside of the older woman's forearm, making her fingers curl as he checked the odd color. It was almost like some of the Argenta, but the tone brown-black instead of brown-ask, and seemed mildly familiar.

"It's natural pigmentation," Vega's voice spoke softly in the helmet, "There's no corruption or possession happening to these people."

Leaving the woman laying on the ground, ignoring the shocked expression, he turned. Grunting in mild surprise at finding the girl did not run off from where he pushed her to the side, instead she had just turned in place to watch. One hand on her neck, the other on her chest as she realized it was easier to breathe. The Slayer tilted his head in a motion not unlike going 'shoo,' but the dark skinned girl did not move.

There was hesitation before the quiet girl shifted and lifted a flat hand to her face, swinging it down. Thank you.

The Slayer gave a deep, rumbling sound of pleasure. Making the gesture back with no hesitation, and then added on top of it. You're welcome. Any more, where at?

The dark colored girl jittered in place, eyes widening even more before pointing to the wall beside them. Smooth wall with only a small window above them. That way. Grampa is stuck, bad things are against the wall. They make us walk out by the monsters to get here.

Monsters are dead. The Slayer carefully signed. For now. Safe to run.

Thank you, thank you. The girl signed, looking at her grandmother at last. Blinking as a big hand reaching for her, giving her dark hair an awkward pat before getting up. Daring to reach up, she grasp two fingers, pulling hurriedly for attention before losing her nerve. Save doctor please?

The Slayer paused, remembering the small boy that mentioned a doctor. Where?

The girl shifted, paling as she looked down, signing quickly. They took her to feed the monster home.

The massive, not quite man gave a deep snort as he stood fully upright again. A little bemused at seeing that she barely came up to his mid thighs. The Slayer pointed behind him. Go to hotel.

Stepping around the small human she was in his shadow as the not quite man grasped the now empty cage to lift and stack on the one to his right where the last two had been. Giving him full access to the blank wall. The Demigod could stretch out his senses just enough for localing the living souls on the other side and… three possessed that were just against the other side of the wall.

He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders before the Slayer lifted his right arm and punched through the wall. Aiming down a bit and using the grip on the possessed shoulder on the other side to help rip open a wider hole in the wall. He grabbed the lesser demon by the hips and flex. Ripping the demon in half in a wet sucking sound that turned into crackling as it fell into ash around him.

The other two restless possessed gave frightened shrieks as they too were dragged out by the chains holding them and ripped apart into ash and char. The Slayer used his left foot to finish crumbling the wall, leaving a good foot or two of space as he stepped through.

Not looking back, he missed how the girl and her grandma, who pulled herself over to sit on her knees, were staring at his back. The others peering after their… savior as he passed over those trapped inside. Kicking open the locked gate inside as he almost went in a straight line through the compound. His blade swung to cut through other locked doors of two or three survivors.

He did stop short almost through the hall, startled enough to give a, "Hmm?"

That familiar warmth that spread in his gut, a flood that came from someone so young that abruptly and unwaveringly believed in him. The Demigod smiled, but did not turn back, as the hall door swung open to one of the armed cultist guards. Firing first at the imposing, bloody armored form in front of him. Then catching movement of one of the people they had captive peeking out tried to shoot at them.

The Slayer was suddenly there, covering the distance too fast track as he clamped a large hand around the guards neck. Lifting him off his feet while ripping the weapon away. There was a distinct angry green glow under the visor as the Slayer deliberately crushed the smaller rifle as the guard was wrenching at the other gauntlet. Wheezing as his chest plate was almost too easily ripped off and the shirt to show an glyph the Slayer knew all too well.

Soulless Calling.

He gave a low, dangerous growl, staring at the mark of one of two Blood Priests in hell that got away from him in that damned temple collapse.

The Demigod snapped his right arm to the side, throwing the blood worshiper through the wall as if it were paper. He took a slow, deep breath to test, just getting the scent of fear that lingered in this place. Not enough added power to start scenting for souls.

He cut the last cell door, and then kicked the now locked door to the rest of the compound. Stepping through to a hail of bullets and shrugging before covering the distance to the others. Noting the difference between them and those that had been enslaved.

That mark of Soulless Calling was already changing them, the skin tones not having the underlayer of pink or red, but blue. It was an easy tell, something that even happened to the Argenta that had been tricked by the Blood Priests. Most would be turned into the Unwilling, if they survived the next year at all before being drained and harvested.

The Slayer must have come in from the back of the compound, as the defenses that were there, seemed all backwards. He stopped at what must be the main front yard, looking back and forth at the morbid display that was all too familiar. The layout, how the bodies were strung up or hung. Entrails pulled out partly to be braided the markings on the ground. A fresh body of a boy was being tossed around like a ragdoll as a larva stage mancubus was completely focused on trying to eat it.

Something…

There was a sudden dulling of sound as a sharper ringing started as if behind his ears as the ever present music faded.

Something…

The world around the Slayer fuzzed and tinted in shades of gray and red.

…snapped…

The roar of sound was more human than the constant sounds of the demons freely lingering around the front yard. Yet it was so inhuman that the survivors that had been freed stopped in the middle of the street to look back. So much raw emotion of anger, hatred, contentment and just rage rolling from the compound.

It seemed like the full wrath of their savior was finally unleashed now that they were out of the way.

When everyone around her seemed too paralyzed, the small dark girl reached up to grasp two sets of hands. Her grandfather's and one of the 'aunts' that were trapped with them. Her chest was still loosened and she walked with her eyes locked onto the distant motel sign. Demon death ash clinging to her as she walked, but the image of the massive form pulling her out of the cage stayed in her mind.

Reviews!

Red Viy: my goodness, oh yeah. Also Lily is very much going to be the Slayer's emotional support human (its not like she's not dependent on him already). But, yes, our demigod has lost a lot of things, not just about socializing and communicating. I have it that he's forgotten a lot of things about humans and just...can't get it back. He'll have to relearn it, if he can, while just starting to learn about the whole divinity side of himself now.

XFireStoneX: Thank you! I have more then a few things stuck in my head I'm trying so hard to get out. Some out of order XD