For the first time in his immortal life, Samur did not think. His body was propelled by emotion. His actions were fueled by rage. Like a wild animal trapped in a cage, Samur thrashed and fought against his confinement.
Vega had opened a portal to the same chamber the Cyberdemon had been kept in. This space was one of the most durable areas in the entire Mars complex. Even so, Samur made progress ins his efforts to escape. Blow after blow from his power, the chamber walls were dented. Until eventually...
BAM
The walls exploded. The only proper way to describe the result. Large metal fragments and smaller debris littered the surroundings. Samur, now free, entered a corridor. From here, he'd find his way to the others by tracking their souls.
Specifically, Samur honed in on the souls of his kin. Due to their familial relation, they shared many energies and properties. With his wings spread, Samur soared through the Mars complex. If certain passages were too small for his size, it didn't matter. With the combined effort of his power and the strength of his body, the Maykr plowed through any possible obstruction.
Eventually, Samur found himself outside. However, no Maykr required oxygen. Even if they did, their mechanical components would allow them to survive without it. Now, among the Martian terrain, Samur pinpointed his kin's location.
Within an instant, Samur arrived at the structure. His speed, as shown previously, was impeccable. But the Maykr did not crash through the wall to reach the others. Even in his infuriated state, he'd not be so reckless. He wouldn't put everyone's lives in danger by subjecting them to the inhospitable environment.
Even so, the automated doors were the only thing that impaired the Maykr. Thankfully, they went through their lock cycles with great haste. After a few seconds of patience, Samur was allowed to enter the building. It would take only that long for him to reach his destination.
"OPEN IT!" Samur bellowed on approach. Despite his voice's volume, no one was startled. In actuality, a fairly-sized group stood between the Maykr and the Slipgate. Angel Dust. Cherri. Olivia. Nifty. Octavia. Gabriel. Azrael. Lucifer. Samuel. The others, also present, stood to the side either from fear, nervousness, or an unwillingness to confront the fuming Samur.
"No, Father." Gabriel was the one elected to speak for the group. He'd likely keep things civil while remaining firm. Additionally, many believed that Samur wouldn't take a swing at his child should things escalate to their extreme.
"MOVE, GABRIEL!" Samur continued to shout. Their assumptions were correct. Samur would NEVER lay a harmful finger on ANY of his family. However, this wouldn't prevent him from attempting intimidation to make them comply while in this state.
"Father, please, calm yourself." Gabriel requested, folding his arms. "Everything so far has proceeded as we hoped. Samuel was even able to monitor you to inform us of when you escaped and were approaching. Furthermore, we know you cannot create any rifts beyond the space you inhabit. If you could, then none of this would be transpiring." He stated.
"YOU WOULD TAKE THE SIDE OF THAT DEMON OVER ME?! YOU WOULD ENTRUST THE SAFETY OF KHAN, YOUR GRANDMOTHER, THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING, TO THAT MONSTER?!" Samur questioned as he stared down his Son.
"..." Gabriel remained silent for a moment, considering the best response. "...Father. You created me. Although my personality is mine alone, you bestowed my abilities. All of my power comes from you. So, I would expect you to know what every aspect of it does. This, of course, includes my eyes. The very same I have always used to assess a person's soul. With them, I act as the Judge of Creation. I cannot be lied to. I cannot be tricked. I can discern the true nature and identity of an individual. If there was no good within the Wretch, would I be so willing to stand against you? Would I still side with Doomguy if I saw nothing of merit?" He asked.
To no surprise, Gabriel's choice of response was flawless. It not only brought Samur to pause but everyone else as well. Gabriel, as said by himself, couldn't be deceived. You could tell him a lie or hide something from him, but he'd know. So, if the Wretch were secretly plotting to betray them, if he were still loyal to Doom, Gabriel would've seen it the very second he laid eyes on the Demon.
Of course, this didn't quell the rage inside Samur. It still compelled him to push against those in his way. Yet, the logical part of the Maykr could not ignore the words of the Archangel. For a moment, Samur experienced an inner conflict. However, it would disrupted.
FWOOM
Without warning from Vega, the Slipgate suddenly came to life. Everyone, including those who stood before it, was startled. But the surprises did not cease with its activation. Everyone quickly noticed its golden color, the same as Samur's portals. But before any words were spoken or actions attempted, something emerged.
One by one, a procession of Maykrs appeared. Those in their path immediately retreated to the sides where the others remained. All eyes watched in silent amazement at the twin rows formed of the Angelic entities. Their bodies were a beautiful mixture of gold and red colors with accents of black.
Samur, who would be at the end of their lines, no longer felt his fiery rage. These were his people. Even the most powerful and convincing of illusions could not replicate the aura of their souls. Nor could they reproduce the intricate details and specific characteristics that made each distinct.
A final Maykr emerged from the portal when the rows possessed the same number. Slowly, it hovered toward Samur. In its left hand, it held a small spherical device. Upon reaching him, the Maykr offered it.
With a trembling right hand, Samur accepted the gift. On the gadget's body, there was a single button. The Maykr before him nodded their head to confirm what he should do. So, he pressed it.
After its activation, the device left Samur's palm. It floated in the space between him and its courier. Then, with no further prompt from anyone, it opened a small port on its top. What followed nearly brought Samur's heart to a stop.
A projection. It displayed an entity. Samur knew who it was. Despite not having a reference, the others also knew. There's only one person it could be.
"Samur." Khan. That's who spoke. The grandness of her appearance was perfectly conveyed through the machine. Unlike Samur or the Maykrs, she wore no armor. Her true self was exposed, but that was intended. She did not want to hide herself from those unfamiliar with her visage. The pink color of her flesh, the four eyes on her face, everything. This was the true appearance of the Maykr race. As for her voice, it floated past the ears and into the soul. A refreshing breeze on a hot day. A comforting warmth on a freezing night. A soothing embrace. The sensation of familiarity. Everyone experienced it differently. Rightly so, their descriptions would vary. It was unlikely any would be the same.
"..." Samur tried desperately to say something. His lips sputtered. His body began to shake. So many emotions replaced the anger that was once there. They overwhelmed his mind, preventing speech.
"It's okay," Khan assured with a smile. She could tell her child wanted to say so much, but his body would not cooperate. "Please, everyone, follow my children. They shall guide you to me. I apologize for the unfortunate state of Urdak. Hopefully, in due time, you will see its splendor return. But before then, work must be done. So, please, see me. I welcome all of you." She stated.
Afterward, the transmission ended. The sphere returned to the Maykr who carried it, guided by its influence. With the message delivered, the Maykrs departed. Behind them would follow the others. They did not run or speak. As politely as their guides, everyone walked in silence. Khan had summoned them. It would be improper to keep her waiting.
Elsewhere, Within Khan's Chamber...
When the transmission ended, the Mother of the Maykrs sighed heavily. She maintained her composure well during it. However, she was still physically exhausted from her time in the Divinity. As everyone knew, Khan would require much rest to recover fully.
The transmission was conducted with Khan lying on her back. To the others on the receiving end, she appeared standing. Ah, the wonders of perspective. Another device, identical to the one presented to Samur, hovered above Khan to achieve this. When finished, it floated down to the awaiting hand of the Wretch, who, alongside Vega, set all of this up for her.
"I'm so sorry we couldn't carry you somewhere more comfortable." Wretch apologized to Khan. She remained beside the Divinity where he and the Marine had set her. In her place within it, several canisters of Argent were connected to the various tubes and components used on her.
"Returning to myself is a fine enough comfort," Khan assured before directing her attention to the ceiling. "Vega, correct?" She spoke, addressing the AI.
"Yes, Mam," Vega confirmed for her.
"Oh, please. No need to call me Mam. My name is Khan, and I want everyone to say as such." Khan told him. Similarly to Samur, she cared not for stifling formalities. Unfortunately, this would be unavoidable given WHO and WHAT she was.
"As you wish," Vega replied.
"Thank you," Khan said with an appreciative smile. "Now that we've been introduced, might I request the status of everyone?" She inquired.
"Of course. The others are nearly here. They've just reached the entrance to the facility. Given their pace, they'll arrive within ten minutes." Vega reported.
"Then I shall depart," Wretch stated while moving to leave.
However, with what strength she had, Khan reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Please, you do not need to." Khan insisted. She looked at him with a saddened expression.
Doomguy, Vega, and the Marine could see the hesitation in the Wretch. His body language. The slight change in his mouth. They could tell he WANTED to stay. Yet, this desire would not win.
"I'm sorry." Wretch apologized as he gently removed his arm from her hands.
With no other words, the Wretch exited the room. Unsurprisingly, the Marine accompanied him. Even when in the presence of the Creator, the Marine's loyalty remained his top priority. He wouldn't let the Wretch be alone.
As for Khan, she watched the duo depart with maintained sadness. If Doomguy or Vega had any doubts or suspicions that she wasn't being sincere, they were squashed then and there. Admittedly, Doomguy wanted to know what happened between the two when she was removed from the Divinity. Vega knew but would not say a word. It wasn't his place.
A Short Time Later, On The Edge Of Urdak...
By now, Khan's chamber was likely full of life. Tearful reunions. Excited introductions. Hugs. Warmth. Merriment abound. At least, that's what the Wretch assumed.
After departing, the Wretch walked to the farthest point of the landmass that he could. Once there, he sat on its edge, allowing his legs to hang off the side. A few seconds later, the Marine arrived and sat beside him. Together, the duo stared out into the cosmos contained within the Argent barrier.
Initially, no conversations were held. They enjoyed the silence and company. Eventually, the Wretch breathed a heavy sigh. He didn't know if the Marine wanted to hear what he had to say, but still, he wanted to share it.
"No." Wretch began, getting the Marine to turn his head toward him. "That was Khan's first word when she awoke. It was in response to what I had said to Vega moments prior. I told him I didn't deserve anything better than to suffer. And, should I die and return to my master, that it would be a proper end to my life. As it turns out, Khan maintained some awareness while in the Divinity. It wasn't full consciousness. Furthermore, she couldn't sense anything beyond the barrier created by her soul. However, anything within it, alive or not, Khan could view. When we first arrived, she explored our souls as we examined her slumbering form and assessed the facility's condition. She observed my life before and after my penance. It played like a slideshow of images with my voice as the narrator. My thoughts and feelings about each moment spoke to her. Yet, instead of holding hatred for me, as we all assumed she might, Khan felt...empathy. She did not see another Demon. She did not witness a monster masking itself. In her words, she saw a tortured soul. One that...did not deserve its suffering..." He said, whispering that final bit.
In response, the Marine placed a hand on the Wretch's backside. The gesture by itself conveyed his intent. Even so, he patted his companion a few times. The silent soldier knew how much this meant to him.
"Thank you," Wretch told him with as much of a smile as he could express. "Those words...were like a dream made real. However, despite being real, I still view them as a dream. It dispels my worries that I won't be of use to Khan and her people. I now know, with certainty, that I can fulfill my penance by assisting with the downfall of Doom. Yet, that is all it does. My perception has not changed. Even if restored, I will forever gaze upon myself and see a mistake. And should I persist when Doom is dealt with, I will be the sole remnant of evil incarnate. The eternal blight of creation." He stated.
The Marine didn't change upon hearing this. He kept his hand on the Demon's backside. It was all he could think to do to try and offer comfort. Thankfully, it was what the Wretch wanted.
Afterward, the two returned to silence. They continued gazing upon the various celestial sights before them. When it was time for business to resume, they knew they'd be summoned. Until then, they savored the first serenity they'd experienced in a long time.