Chapter 30

"Why?! Why am I the only one miserable?! No matter what I do, why can't I be saved?!" Elisabeth shouted after receiving a fatal blow from Mashu. She hobbled herself out the cracked wall and was raving about her misery.

"Elisabeth…" Ritsuka said saddened seeing the once peppy Idol return to her roots as a Monster that bathed in the blood of virgin women. Her eyes looked so hollow under the effects of this demented apartment complex.

"Master Ritsuka, Remember they are not themselves." VEGA said

"If you say you're humans, wouldn't that make me a lowly beast?! Like a lizard, like a lizard, like a lizard…Are you telling me to crawl on the floor and get stepped on and-GAH!"

Doomguy appeared behind Elisabeth and whacked her on the back of the head to knock her out. The monster in her story was dead, the Elisabeth standing now wasn't the same person anymore.

He caught her before she hit the floor and let her fade away in peace...

"...Servant Elisabeth has been eliminated. But…That was.." Mashu couldn't bring words to say about what happened.

"Yes, those were always her real feelings! For me, it only sounded like a scream! But I am sure it was a good outlet for her…Pride? Or should I call it dignity? It must be the result of the education she received as an aristocrat. The ruling class is not allowed to lament." Mephisto said as the idol disappeared in Doomguy's arms.

"Those who stand over others must shoulder suitable responsibility." I am sure that idea was etched onto her-Ah!" Mephisto stopped as Doomguy was giving a glare that could kill.

"W-what I meant to say is that don't mind the ugly side of her you've just witnessed. Next time you see her just say: 'Your horns are pretty and cute.' and everything will be okay." Mephisto quickly concluded his point to avoid sudden violence against him.

"..Really? If that was her repressed emotions, wouldn't that eventually poison her and turn her into a real monster-...Whoa, what's going on!?"

"T-T-Trouble, Romani! I don't know why, but Elisabeth suddenly charged into my workshop! And She started saying, 'I just woke up, and somehow I am feeling refreshed! That's why I made you some snacks to show my appreciation for you! Come eat them! Eat them with all your gratitude in your heart!'" Da-Vinci shouted as she hijacked the comms from Romani to broadcast her emergency.

"Oh no, it's melting! Why is the sauce from that plate my Mona Lisa? Did she just roast three golems into cookies?! Help me, Romani! You're my only hope-"

Romani then reset the comms and muted Davinci.

"Okay, there's nothing to worry about! Chaldea is peaceful as ever! Don't worry and keep investigating that apartment. I won't worry about what just happened either and focus on backing you up." The Acting Director assured the ground team.

Everyone just looked at each other before breathing a sigh of relief. That confirmed that servants defeated here return to Chaldea back as their old selves.

"Thank goodness…While this is a hard thing to do it's our best chance at helping our friends." Ritsuka said.

"I agree. No matter what they say or do, they are still our allies." Gudao said with a renewed smile on his face Which also brightened Mashu's.

"Glad to hear it. Don't let what the trapped servants say get to you and we'll figure out this mystery faster." Shiki, satisfied with the results of their progress, welcomed the sight of the happy masters.

"We should keep moving then. We still haven't found the source of the Demonic incursions. I fear that they might have a Gore nest hidden somewhere in this building." VEGA said.

"I'm guessing that's how those Demons enter our world?" Fujino asked and VEGA nodded his optic.

"Yes, Our scans have yet to locate the source due to the strange nature of this building. We can only push forward until we get some new data." The AI said as they all left Elizabeth's room to proceed to the next floor. It was a bit of a slog to get to the room due to getting ambushed by another bunch of hellspawn. As shown by the dead Cyber Mancubi corpses stinking up the hallways. That was a harsh fight since the Cyber version of the gluttonous demon was good at area denial with its augmented acid cannons.

A nuisance of a fight, but Fujino could counter the acidic plasma barrage with her distortions to allow the other fighters to clean up the rest of the demonic horde.

Return of the Queen

"Is it a bit too quiet for you guys?" Gudao asked while pinching his nose from the smell. They manage to proceed forward without getting ambushed every ten minutes or so.

"Yeah, we should be getting ambushed by…Anything at this point. Romani? Got anything?" Ristuka asked.

"One second…Yeah, I am getting remnant enemy signatures…Oh! You got a servant's signature on the same floor as you. And it's surrounded by demons! Doomguy, marking it on your HUD" Romani said, causing everyone to go on alert and The Slayer to lead the charge.

They ran down the hall and the sounds of battle echoed as they got closer.

"Screeeeee!" A Whiplash flew from around the corner and beyond the shared balcony of the building. The sight of that stopped everyone in their tracks

Followed by a hellhound's head rolling across the floor…

Then the arm of a Dreadknight…

An Eye of a Pain Elemental

"Ack! Gah! you…HAG!"

Doomguy knew the sound of Marauder and peeked around the corner.

What he saw was a very familiar Celtic woman holding a Marauder behind her via her blood spear across its neck.

"I would choose your next words wisely. Now I will ask you one more time: where is your nest?" The queen of Shadows ordered as the others proceeded to take a peek around the corner as well.

"Senpai, Who is that woman-"

"Scathach!" Ristsuka blurted out of excitement, surprising Mashu.

"Hm? Oh, There you all are. I see Chaldea came to investigate this anomaly as well?" Scathach said while still holding the struggle Marauder.

"Unhand me you wench! Your realm will fall along with this world and those children will burn in the" She got bored and snapped his neck. The body drops as she twirls her spear as she approaches the ground team who were no longer hiding.

"Greetings, Some of you know me but I shall reintroduce myself for the rest: I am Scathach, the Queen of the Land of Shadows." The spear-wielding woman said.

"Wait, That makes you Chu-Chuliann's Teacher! Wow! You really are Like Ritsuka Senpai said." Mashu said, very surprised and in awe.

"What the hell?! She's there with you? I understood the possibility of Ritsuka's bizarre nightmare of being trapped in purgatory. But she's still alive while also being a servant ... I guess the Rules are starting to get thrown out at this rate."

Romani said before sinking into his seat having reached his limit regarding violations of magecraft laws and theory.

"Fufufu…Strange, I thought he would be more used to surprises by now. Especially with The Slayer among your ranks." Scathach said as she approached Gudao and Mashu for a gander.

"Hmm…As expected, the two of you have grown well throughout your journey. Still have much to learn but you get about 4 stars in my book." She said, causing Gudao and Mashu to smile at each other. They just met her but they understood the weight of words from the Queen of Shadows.

"...So, you are alive then? Interesting. Looks like you still have a lot of fight in you then." Shiki said, putting her hands in her pockets.

"Of course, Through my time as a warrior, I have earned my immortality as I have been dwelling in my land of shadows for thousands of years. Not once ever letting my skills dull as I seek a final rest through battle." Scathach said while smirking at Shiki as she can sense the immense power of the mystic eyes looking at her.

"Well, then glad to have you on our side then. I'm always game to see powerful fighters." Shiki said while smirking back. Scathach then turns her focus on Fujino, a little shy under the Great Teachers' gaze.

"Oh don't be afraid young one, you still have as much potential in your own right," Scathach said.

"R-really?" Fujino stuttered, not expecting Scathach to read her mind about her own issues with self-confidence.

"Of course, you are working with Chaldea. That alone proves your strength and will. You may not be an ancient warrior of the past or a soldier from another world. But it does not lessen your status as a heroic spirit." The ulster woman said, bring a smile on the young Asagami.

"Now then, do mind if you all tell me what you have found out about this place?"

Mephisto decided to remain silent as now there were two very powerful warriors in the same room as him and he doubt Scathach would be any more tolerant of him compared to Doomguy.

VEGA then took over the conversation to fill in Scathach on what they have learned about this apartment building and their current mission of saving their friends. She was impressed with the progress they have made while investigating the anomaly. On Scathach's end, she started from the upper floors and also ran into servants deeply affected by the curse of Ogawa Heim. She tried to reason with them but sadly had to put an end to their suffering.

"...I haven't found any more mutated servants as I was ambushed by demons. They appear to be annoyed by me blocking them out of my lands. That leads me to run into you all." Scathach said.

"Well, that helps that you managed to…Save…Some of our friends but that leads to no idea of where the Demons are coming from." Gudao said his observations. While the rescue of their allies was a priority, so was finding the source of the Demonic presence.

"...With the lack of any signs of nests as we ascend. Perhaps the source is hidden in the lower levels of the building. In any case, we have to deal with both the investigation and the demons within a timely manner." VEGA suggested as This building was prime real estate for a super gore nest. They needed to take out that nest sooner rather than later before the forces of hell corrupt this anomaly and possibly the servants trapped here.

"I suggest then we split up. Me and The Slayer will search the basement levels of the Ogawa Heim while the rest of you continue upward." Scathach said.

Doomguy looked at Scathach thinking about her idea, it did make sense but he was hesitant to leave Ritsuka's side while demons were still prowling about. Yet, it was the most viable solution. Both kicked Hell out of the land of shadows with ease the last time they teamed up.

"Seems like a sound plan, it will also give Ritsuka some experience in combat without Doomguy. I believe Fujino and Shiki will easily protect her in the meantime." Romani agreed with that idea. As Acting Director, he needed to encourage the master to expand their skill sets within their ability to do so.

Ritsuka seemed a little nervous about not having Doomguy by her side. It was hard for her to be on a mission without him. Even on resource-gathering expeditions, she gets separation anxiety that fades shortly after the Rayshift.

"Don't worry, Little Ritsuka. I know you can do this, you have your friends here to fight alongside." Scathach assured her with a head pat. Ritsuka looked at Doomguy, and he nodded. He also agreed that he can't be with her all the time so she needed to get used to it.

After taking a deep breath Ritsuka nods.

"You're right, You two deal with the Demons and we'll keep things going up here," Ritsuka said taking a big step in her growth.

"Then let's get going. The fastest way down to the lower level would be the elevator. The lifts themselves are out but I doubt that will be a problem for you two." Shiki suggested and both eternal warriors nod.

"Don't worry, Doomguy. I will be by her side at all times." Fujino said with determination.

"Same with us, Doomguy-san!" Mashu Spoke for both herself and Gudao.

Doomguy gives them a thumbs-up and pats his master on the head. Ritsuka smiles while Fou Jumps on her shoulder.

"Fou! Fou!" He barked, giving his promise to watch over her.

"Heh, Can't forget You! He'll help out as well." Gudao said.

"And I solemnly swear to continue my good behaviour to avoid any punishment and/or death!" Mephisto while raising a hand in the air.

With that, Doomguy heads to the elevator door and pries it open. A cold wind bellows out of the elevator shaft sending a chill down the master's spins. That wasn't enough to stop the two eternal warriors as Scathach stepped to the edge.

"This shouldn't take long. Good luck young ones." She said before winking at Doomguy and then backflipping into a free fall down the shaft.

The Slayer just looked awkwardly back at the others and shrugged. He then jumps to take the plunge into the darkness.

"What was that about?" Gudao asked, confused.

"Wait…I Think Scathach might be…Nevermind. It's nothing." Romani said sensing the glare Ritsuka was giving him as a sign to avoid perverted insinuations.

"Well then, let's keep moving. If they find that nest, it will take the heat off of us up here." Shiki said as they proceeded to the next floor.

Shadows of Torment.

It was just nothing but silence as Doomguy descended the elevator shaft, only the sound of him falling through the darkness filled his ears. A familiar solemn moment of silence for The Slayer akin to those times between bloody arenas. How long has it been since he had a moment like this? Ever since Chaldea the only time he had to himself while on mission was when the young ones were asleep.

His conquest was ever so lonesome, even after acquiring VEGA, he was still just a single…Broken man.

Now his path has crossed with others seeking to save their world. Can he keep them from the one he walks? He doesn't know for sure anymore, not while still imprisoned in this slaved form.

Ka-thunk!

Doomguy lands at the bottom of the shaft on top of a broken lift, the landing sending echoes throughout the basement levels of the building. The door was already busted open and when he stepped through he found Scathach waiting for him. She was leaning against the concrete walls of the basement hallways.

Noticing his presence she looks over and smiles.

"The foulness is a lot more potent down here, are you ready to get to work?"

Doomguy briefly tries the comms only to get static. Looks like they were on their own for this one. The Marine nods as he too could sense the stronger Demonic presence. The place was dark but he turned on his headlamps to see. He then realises that Scathach doesn't have a light source on her and tilts his head in response.

"Oh, don't worry about me. Fighting in the shadows is nothing new to me." She said while smirking.

It took him a moment to realise what she meant and let out a small quiet grunt before taking the lead. He should've guessed that the Queen of Shadows wasn't hindered by darkness, nor a stranger to making fun of a fellow warrior. Into the maintenance tunnels, they went finding nothing but shadows along their path.

They then enter the underground parking garage to expand their search. Still no nest however the presence of evil was heavy in the air. You could almost smell it, meaning that they were getting close.

"So, how are you holding up? It's been a while since I last checked up on you." Scathach asked, wanting to make some light conversation during their search.

The Slayer didn't know how to answer that question, to tell her that this world's Counter-force has him hostage? That it prevented him from ending this damned conflict against King Solomon and seal Hell from this world. Would she believe him in the first place?

"...Is something wrong? Slayer? I can tell you have a lot on your mind." Scathach looked deeply into his visor. Doomguy looked away, he couldn't drag her into his problems…All that mattered was saving humanity.

The Slayer just shakes his head and walks past her.

However, even that was enough to tell Scathach that something was up with him, more than a soldier with a troubled past. He was choosing to keep the pain to himself…

He was walking the path of perpetual Torment, he will forever take it alone.

Those thoughts…made her feel sad for some reason.

Was it out of pity?

Or…Something else?

Both of them were then interrupted by the sound of the ground shaking and cracking around them. The floor collapses below their feet as a large underground Chamber opens up. The two of them managed to land on their feet and were welcome to the all too familiar sight of the hellish corruption tumours.

It didn't take long to spot the Proto-Super Gore Nest set up the dead centre and was growing at a rapid pace. The Slayer was surprised at its growth already and assumed it had to be the building's cursed energy causing it to mutate—all the more reason to rip it apart for the sake of humanity.

Expectantly, a loud screech echoed through the place as the Hellspawn swarmed the intruders.

Doomguy pumped a fresh round in his shogun and Scathach materialised her blood-red spears in each hand.

The Demons surrounded the two eternal warriors, seething with the lust for their blood. Their focus shifts between the Slayer, their eternal enemy, and the wretched newcomer whose soul they hunger for.

"My, my how ravenous they are. Perhaps they feel extra threatened now. Maybe they might put up a challenge this time?"

Doomguy extends his arm blade, ready to engage in some much-needed slaying.

"Very well then! I am going to let myself have some fun then!" Scathach and The Slayer then dive right into the demented horde. The demons responded with their fury but it was nothing against the cursed spear Gae Bolg and good old 12 gauge buckshot.

Scathach pierced their forces with blitzing speed while twirling her twin spears. Creating sawblades of death, she cuts through many imps, pinkie and impaled a baron through the throat. It gargles on its blood before getting impaled again through the heart. It falls over as Scathach stands over its corpse taking a brief reprieve as she observes her ally in combat.

He was skilled as ever, using weapons of old and new along with seemingly endless strength.

She particularly enjoyed seeing those finishing moves he does to execute a demon once it was stunned. She saw him jump on top of a revenant to sever its head then he hopped into the air to stab an elemental pain in the eye through its maw.

'He directly focuses his rage on his attacks. Those that fall are absorbed into his being. Interesting...' She continues to observe him while breezing through the demonic crimes against nature.

Doomguy was almost glad to finally find this nest as he needed to vent all his anger that was welling up inside him. Nothing more relaxing than tearing a Hellknights head off only to headshot an imp with it.

...Oh how he was lying to himself, alas there were bigger problems as he couldn't spot a single Gore key while he was brawling about the arena. His Auto Map didn't detect any possible hidden chambers that they could be hiding in. His train of thought was interrupted by a tyrant spawning from the nest with a blue aura. Great, the Possessor powers up those brutes as well. Now it can move at a speed to match its ferocity.

He didn't have the patience to deal with a sped-up cyber-demon so he pulled out the Unmaykr as it was best for swift single target destruction. He pulls the trigger and Even while possessed, The Tyrant couldn't withstand the sheer power of Maykr technology. Its upper body explodes in a gory mess as its cybernetic husk falls over. The possessor remained as was going to choose another demon, Doomguy swaps to his plasma rifle…Only to see a spear whiz by and impale the ghostly abomination to the wall. The Demon melts away as the spear dissipates.

Doomguy looks back to Scathach, surrounded by many dead hellspawn while twirling a spear in one hand.

He pondered how her spear even worked against that possessor only to sum it up to the usual strange magical laws this world has.

Regardless, no more demons spawned meaning they had only moments before the next wave to deal with this Nest.

"We should act now to destroy this nest. Do you have any ideas?" Scathach asked.

With no Gore Keys or exposed Heart that meant they are going to have to brute force their way into its core. Doomguy climbed up the nest and tried to feel out where the heart was.

Scathach assisted as well, understanding what he was looking for: "Slayer, I found its heart."

Using her spear she quickly found it thanks to her weapon's heartseeking nature. Doomguy ran over to quickly assist in getting at it. It looked like some thick corruption was in the way so he readied his chainsaw. The portal above started to pulse with immense energy signifying another wave.

"We are running out of time. Now that they know this nest is threatened they will attack the others above in the next wave. My spear finishes the job, no amount of corrupted flesh protects a heart from Gae Bolg." Her spear began to glow with a deathly red aura that emanates death to those that see it.

Doomguy stands back to see it in action.

"This spear is an embodiment of who I am. And I am the epitome of the spear. Gáe Bolg Alternative!"

Scathach levitates into the air and Throws her spear into the nest. Gae Bolg transforms into pure energy as it pierces through the nest's outer walls with vigorous might and lands right at its heart of darkness.

The nest screams and wails in agony. Tentacles furiously grew out of the taint masses of flesh to lash out at the two. The Slayer sawed each one into bits and burned the rest with the flame belch.

"Slayer, Look!" Scathach pointed to the gateway as she recalled her weapon.

The portal above started to become unstable. Instead of acting as a door to the dark realm, it was acting more like a black hole as it began to pull in the surrounding mounds of flesh and demon corpses. Anything that touched the portal now burned away into ash as it warped uncontrollably.

"Argh!" The force was so great that it knocked Scathach off of her feet! Thankfully she felt a strong, armoured grip on her arm.

Doomguy was holding on to her and keeping her from oblivion. She nods and de-summons her spears. Using both hands she pulls herself closer to him as the man digs his boots into the ground with each backwards step.

His HUD then starts to alert him as the portal was reaching critical mass. He only had a few seconds to do anything before it exploded.

Using his strength he pulls Scathach into his arms and turns around right as the detonation, Using his own body as a shield from the blast…

"W-waits going on!?" Ritsuka said, nearly losing her balance as the floor shook beneath her feet.

"I am detecting heavy seismic activity coming from the basement levels of the Ogawa Heim!" Romani reported, worried for the ground team.

"Senpai, Hold on!" Mashu said, grabbing Gudao to protect him. Shiki and Fujino did the same with Ritsuka who was holding on to Fou.

"F-foouuuuuuuu…." The little guy barked worriedly.

Thankfully the shaking stopped and no one was injured.

"It…Stopped? Where did that come from?" Mashu asked.

"Most likely it was the result of a massive gore nest's destruction. Larger nests have a tendency to explode due to the amount of the energy they collect to make a connection to The Dark Realm." VEGA answered bringing relief to the others with that explanation.

"That is most likely what happened. The scanners on my end detect zero traces of Hell energy throughout the entire apartment. Doomguy and Scathach must've found that pesky nest!" Romani said.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief again knowing that there is one less thing to worry about in Ogawa Heim. VEGA tried to get into contact with Doomguy but comms were still spotty when it came to contacting others within the building. Regardless, they had faith they would return soon so they could wrap this up soon. They proceed to the next floor with ease thanks to the lowered threat level.

Back in the bowels of the building, the lower-level lights turn on. Scathach fluttered her eyes open as she woke up from getting knocked out by the blast. She found herself in the arms of The Slayer, still holding on to her tightly.

'This feeling…'

It was…strange, being held by him. He was firm to protect her but gentle to not hurt her. She raises her head to have her eyes meet him through his helmet. Even through the tinted visor, she could sense the turmoil of emotions going on in his soul.

"Slayer…" She reached for his helmet but he pulled away…

Doomguy then put her back on her feet.

They were now back in the parking garage with no evidence of a lower chamber remaining.

"Seems like the Demons couldn't really get a proper foothold in the building itself. So they created a pocket below it instead…" Scathach said, trying to make some conversation.

Doomguy remained silent as he proceeded to make his way back to the elevator. Scathach again sensed the turmoil inside him and needed to understand what was going on with him.

"Slayer, please tell me what ails you." Scathach called out to him. Causing the man to stop while still gazing at the ground.

"It will only get worse let this eat you up inside, even a god will fall to such turmoil. It is going to cause more anguish if I don't talk to someone about it." She said.

"William…"

That haunting voice echoes once more in his head.

Doomguy didn't want to drag others into this curse of his.

"Just tell her…you know how much it is hurting you."

No matter the pain, he can take it. All that mattered was helping Chaldea and…

"Your heart is screaming. It doesn't have to be alone anymore! Please!"

He…He…Just can't…

"ARRRRGGGGHHHH!"

Doomguy screams as he rips his helmet off and throws it into a concrete pillar.

He can't hold his heavy heart anymore...He falls to his hands and knees in emotional exhaustion. This…This was torture…Trying to be strong for Chaldea…For Ritsuka. At the same time, knew that he was burning up on the inside and turning into this hollow shell of himself just so that The Counter-Force could make him its slave.

Feeling the long-forgotten feeling of despair…He didn't notice someone walking up to him and sitting down in front of him.

The Slayer then froze, feeling someone wrap arms around him...The feeling of warmth that comes when one holds another close starts to flow into his soul. At this moment, his heart started to feel lighter and his mind calmer. He raised his head and saw that Scathach was holding him to her chest. The Queen of Shadows, the immortal warrior, Comforting him?

Why? He didn't need help...

No…Maybe he was wrong. This world is full of mysteries that he can barely keep up with. So, if anyone could help him…Scathach, A fellow eternal warrior could.

Scathach then releases him from her embrace, sensing his calm mind. Both sat down just looking at each other. Scathach, stared deeping into the dull brown eyes of his, even though she couldn't get a proper read on him with her wisdom. She finally understood what kind of warrior he was.

She moves closer to him, reaches her arm out…and gently caresses his face.

His vengeance was born from a broken soul of rage, seeking the destruction of those that wronged him. Not a man who chose the warrior's path like the ones she had taught, but fell onto it through pain…Suffering

"So, this is who you are." She said softly.

Doomguy gazed into her ruby-red eyes. The sight of them made a small, tiny spark in his soul go off.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't have assisted you sooner. So, please let me help you now." Scathach apologised.

The Slayer took a deep breath.

"I…Am cursed…This world wants me as a slave." He said.

Scathach figured he must mean the Counter-force as she couldn't imagine Gaia wanting to interfere with the likes of him. Proving that Alaya must want him as a Powerful Counter-Guardian. A powerful answer to the world's most dangerous questions

"So, it gave you a false body to shape you into what it wants."

Doomguy nods.

"It also took…my memories…Important ones."

"Yet their echoes remain. Causing you heartache as those must be the ones that set you on this path." Scathach said, instantly understanding the situation he was in. How horrible it is to take an already tormented soul and try to bind it to another's will.

Doomguy nods again.

"I refused, but I don't know how to fix myself…If I screw up and…Abandon Ritsuka…I…I…"

Scathach placed both hands on his rigid face and looked deep into his eyes.

"I will watch over her and her friends. I know you would never truly leave Ritsuka alone. The world doesn't decide where the Doomslayer goes or what battles he fights. That choice is only his own."

Doomguy didn't say anything, however, his mind was put at ease. Even if it was for a moment he is refocused on his goals. This tower of misery must've also gotten to him in its twisted way. Something he would've pushed through on his own, but he will admit Scathach helped in speeding up the process.

They both stand up, ready to return to the others above. The only thing left was to retrieve his helmet…Which was embedded into a nearby pillar. This is going to take a bit of strength to get it out.

Doomguy was about to retrieve it but Scathach then yoinked out the wall with just one hand...

"Fufufu. Don't underestimate me just because of my lighter build." She laughed as she looked at the Praetor suit helmet for a moment.

'Tis a shame that he hides his face behind this helmet. Then again, looks are not on his priority list…' She then spots the red rune that was marked upon the upper right of the helm.

'This rune…' Scathach ran with her fingers crossed. Trying to understand it herself…while being foreign to her. It held a signature of power or perhaps the status of some sort. Whatever it was, what it represented was powerful.

"...Question for another time" She mumbles to herself before bringing her attention to Doomguy. He was about to politely take his Helmet back but she pulled it away slightly.

"May I?" Scathach asked and Doomguy just shrugged slightly and lowered his head. Understanding what she wanted to do.

The Celtic woman then places the Praetor Helmet on the Last Sentinel King's head. It was almost like a coronation of some sort if one's self wanted to be poetic.

His hud reactivates and notifies him that demonic corruption levels have fallen to near zero. Now it was time to rendezvous with the masters to report a mission success on their end. Doomguy nods towards Scathach, expecting her to have to leave to go tend to the Land of Shadows. He knew that Ritsuka would enjoy it if she stuck around for a little bit longer though.

"I think. I'll stay a little while longer here. I rarely get opportunities to walk about outside of my realm and I'd like to see how you all solve this mystery." Scathach said with one slight giggle as they walked together to find a way back to the upper levels.

Blinding Vengeance and Mysterious Strangers.

Back at the said levels of the apartment. The ground team was facing another servant lost to the mutation. It was Boudica, fully lost to her inner hatred towards Rome and what they did to her.

At first, she seemed to be unaffected but she turned almost immediately after barely five minutes of conversation.

"...Don't joke around with me. Who said I would go back?" Boudica said as the room darkened leaving everyone in a black void with only her in front of them.

"I won't go back. There's no place for me to go back to. That's because…Everything…You took everything!" The vengeful queen of Britannia screamed as she struck Mashu's shield blocking her blade.

"Boudica has fallen as well. We only have one option now, Masters." VEGA reminded them and both were ready this time.

"Yes."

"Got it!" Gudao and Ritsuka said together.

They already knew Boudica's abilities thanks to their meeting During the Septim Singularity. All that mattered now was using that knowledge against her to achieve victory.

"We were the king's only family. My daughter and I were all he had!"

Boudica slashed her blade at Shiki who ducks out of the way and counters with a kick to the shin. The Cyan-eyed woman didn't react and blocked the dagger heading for her neck.

Boudica then grabbed Shiki by the neck and started to choke her to death. The immense rage of Boudica gripped hard, preventing her from using her mystic eyes or her dagger.

"That's why I was going to Inherit the throne…Yet I was told women have the right to inheritance…YOU BASTARDS! YOU ROMANS TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!"

"Let her go, Boudica! This isn't right! We are not your enemy! Your stronger than this," Gudao said honestly to distract her for an opening for the others.

"What? Because I lied to myself?! 'Saving humanity?' What a load of false truths to myself so I could hide from the pain! This Vengeance, This Hatred-Argh!" Boudica grunts in pain due to her arm being twisted by an invisible force.

The Queen of Britannia dropped Shiki, who passed out due to how much force was applied to her neck. Writhing in pain, Boudica e doesn't miss a step and attempts to stomp on the downed servant's head.

"Boudica, no!" Mashu dashes before she slides in close and bashes Boudica into the air with her mighty shield. This action only enrages Boudica even more as she falls back to the ground with a loud thud before pulling herself up again. Her left arm was shredded to nothing, leaving only her sword arm. She scowled at her enemies and focused on the woman with red eyes that shined like a gem. That was her target now, this Roman in her mind took her arm so she'll take its life.

"Alert! I am sensing a spike in Boudica's Mana levels. She is prepping her chariot!" VEGA warned.

"There's Vengeance at the end of this road! Chariot of Boudica!"

With those words, her trusted Chariot of Legends appears and she jumps onto it with haste. It combusts into flames to match her blinding hatred while Boudica flies above her enemies to find targets.

"You…Will…Die!" Boudica screamed at the top of her lungs. Fujino just lets her hair cover her eyes as she grips the side of her torso tightly.

"Fujino!" Ritsuka shouted but the servant didn't move...Nor was she even afraid.

The chariot speeds at her and just barely misses its target. The girl didn't even flinch as Boudica tried again and again to hit her.

"Why you-!"

"Please hold still…Quit squirming…." Fujino interrupted her.

"Huh?!" Boudica's chariot then stops in its tracks as the air disturbs and twists around it. Fujino then lowers herself onto her knees and closes her eyes, her hair raising with the gusts of wind blowing around her.

"Twist…Twist….TWIST!"

Fujino opened her eyes wide and focused all of her power right on the chariot. The twisting force was powerful enough to take down a massive superstructure made of solid steel! The chariot was no match for the immense invisible force, so it exploded into smouldering embers.

Boudica falls in front of the wreck and lands barely on her feet.

Her armour was tattered, her sword broken.

"...I…Won't…Let you win…You bastards!" Her spirit origin was still intact so Mashu raised her shield to deal the final blow. Her actions were halted when Boudica tenses and drops her sword.

"I think that is enough. You seem honestly nice and I highly doubt you actually mean all those harsh words you spat out at them." Shiki, who recovered thanks to Gudao during the fight, stabbed Boudica in the back via her Mystic Eyes.

The room then reverts to normal from the black void.

"I…I…" The one angry Queen's eyes darted around in confusion. Her emotions conflicted as her spirit origin was destroyed. She falls forward as her knees give out, her mind lost to a blank fuzz due to the flames blinding dying out.

But she does not hit the harsh floor.

Ritsuka runs over and catches the rider class servant with a hug. This act of warm kindness re-awakened the positive memories of her time with Chaldea. Boudica smiles and hugs her back.

"I'm…sorry…Your big sis…Was so mean…" She said as she faded away.

Ritsuka held it together as Boudica was known for her image of a doting big sister to both her and Mashu. While yes they had to take her down, it doesn't mean they had to be cruel.

"Thank you, Ritsuka-Senpai." Mashu said, standing beside her and helping her up.

Ritsuka shakes her head.

"No, I should be thanking you guys. You, Shiki and Fujino took the brunt of it all." She said,

"Well, At least you guys are honest." Shiki said, dusting off her jacket.

"Are you alright Ryougi?" Fujino said standing up and also dusting off her dress.

"Nothing to worry about for me. That lady caught me off guard that's all. At least as a servant I don't have to wait days to recover from a fight like that." Shiki said while sheathing her dagger.

"You did pretty well there, Asagami. Nice work." Shiki Complimented. Causing the red colour mystic eyes to look away with embarrassment. She wasn't used to all these kind words all at once.

"Romani, are there any more servants on this floor?" Gudao asked.

"Nope…Which is odd since I detected one more earlier. So you guys must be cleared for the next floor. Oh, Doomguy and Lady Scathach are fine. Got the all clear signal from their end." Romani said.

"That's good to hear. Should we regroup then-" Ritsuka's words were then stopped by the sound of her stomach growling. Before Boudica attacked she was making some soup with her usual cheer and happiness. It was still on the stove and it smelled good.

"We should take a short rest and recover our strength. I'm sure Ms Boudica would appreciate not having the soup go to waste." VEGA said, confirming the dish was safe to consume. Everyone just busted into laughter and agreed that they could stop for a quick snack as the threat level was significantly reduced.

"Umm...Is it safe to come in? I swear I am reaching my limit for servants with extreme anger issues. And that's coming from a fiend like me, Mephisto!" The Caster servant said while peeking into the room.

Outside in the halls, a figure exits one of the rooms way ahead of them. A man dressed in dusty yet well-kept cowboy attire. He holsters his revolver as a gust of wind blows through the building.

"...hmm. Quiet. Are the Demons gone now, Basilissa?" The Drifter asked in a gruff Southern American accent.

"Yes. I sense only the native darkness of this realm. The Slayer proves once again that the Dark Lord is a false Idol." A large, horned skull of an unknown creature appears in front of his shrouded face. It spoke directly into his mind with an assertive female-sounding voice.

The man then walks over to the balcony and rests his arms on the guardrail. His colourless eyes gazed to the horizon.

"A pocket of reality that torments people who have a less than desirable past. Heh, this world is full of surprises." The man then grabs his flask and takes a swig. He was no stranger to demon-slaying, One man can't protect every world out there. So he does what he can while hunting down those who have done the most heinous sins imaginable…

"Now if only the people in charge of this joint would just leave the big guy alone…" He said, referring to the Doom Slayer. A certain ghostly king of the Sentinels contacted this western sin hunter and told him how dire the situation was. An insane king hellbent on incinerating all humans from this world and the forces of hell have come like vultures to chaos.

Meanwhile, the supposed Counter-Force should be doing whatever it can to keep humanity going. But it would rather have The Slayer as a puppet rather than let him end the conflict early.

"If it weren't for those kids. This place would've been fucked a long time ago." The Drifter commented while taking another swig

"...It proves their tenacity and purity of spirit. Even the strongest of demons wouldn't be able to corrupt them. Still makes them a target." Basilissa said while the cowboy put the cap back on his flask.

"All the more reason the Slayer needs to get his shit together. Or many lives will suffer." he said before grabbing the floating skull causing both of them to teleport away.

"Can we get out of here already? That last fight left a disgusting taste in my mouth." Basilissa growled.

"Hehe, Sorry about that. Who knew Fergus would have such a perverted darkside."

Back on the main floor, the Elevator doors burst open epically via well-placed explosives. Doomguy comes rolling through the smoke with Heavy Cannon at the ready. Scacthach follows him through with an acrobatic flip. Seeing that the area was clear, they lowered their guard.

"Hmm…I know I sensed a very powerful undead presence nearby. Maybe it's outside?" As they were climbing back up to the surface level, Scathach sensed something closer to her expertise. So they agreed to go investigate it as Doomguy was now getting live feed on the master's life signs from their C.E.S units. So it wouldn't hurt just to see what was lurking about to make sure they don't get any more surprises...

Right as they were about to exit to the surrounding outdoor property Doomguy tenses up. Followed by turning around with his rifle drawn on a very suspicious figure standing in the foyer behind them. There wasn't much to make out as he was covered in pitch-black shadows and crackling with black lighting. The only other noticeable thing about it was its pure red eyes staring back at them…Then it grew a sinister grin before disappearing.

"That was in fact a servant. I couldn't get a sense of who he was but I do have an idea on what class they are." She said using her clairvoyant-like wisdom. Doomguy tilts his head in curiosity.

"Avenger." Scathach said.

Back across dimensions…

"Achoo!" Jeanne Alter sneezed while she and her allies tried to hold off a horde of giant bugs

"Are you allergic to these things?" Nero asked while slicing through a giant ant.

"Like hell I am! Just keep slicing while the wretch GETS THAT FUCKING DRILL FIXED!" The Dragon Witch shouts.

"SHOUTING DOESN'T MAKE ME WORK FASTER!" The ex-demon shoots back while ferociously troubleshooting his device while Tamamo holds up a barrier for him.

(This Chapter was Beta'd by Darklord331)

AN: Well, If some of you want to see more Scathach, Ya got it! Instead of being a joke encounter against one of the extra fights for the event ingame, I decided to fully include her in the mystery! I hope you guys like the way things are going between the two so far and like to see more.

This was also a prime time to let Ristuka work without Doomguy around as an important learning experience. Also, Boudica deserves more love IMO...Fun Fact: I learned recently she's also voiced by Tamamo's VA. (Avenger Boudica when?!)

In other news, I am currently playing through the lasted Lostbelt stuff in the game and Already have ideas brewing for that. Even though those chapters are way into the future and who knows if we get another DOOM game in the meantime. (Id plz). Seriously, Our Boi is going to be 200% Angy when the Lostbelts rear their ugly heads.

Well, that's all for now and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Have a nice day!