Daily Life of Monster Girls in Alabama

by GoatManofAnime

It's time for a MonMusu fanfiction that takes place in sweet home Alabama, nuff said.

60. Into the Inferno

Chapter 55: Into the Inferno

... Earlier inside the motel room...

" Uhhhhhgh…", Ein whines while cradling her knees to her face. Caleb was seated next trying to comfort her.

"Ein, please stop, it's going to be fine. It's not your fault for forgetting to keep Sterling posted. We literally had our hands full the last few hours", he assured.

"Yeah but at least a status report would've sufficed! As the eldest, that was MY responsibility.", Ein chastises herself.

"You realize you were busy saving our lives, right? As in, doing your job.", Caleb points out.

"He's right, hun. No need to stress much over things out of your control.", Jill advises.

"You say that but…I just feel maybe if I hadn't stayed back with Agent Ketcher maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this. Maybe it could've made the difference if I was right there with my sisters as a trinity as it should've been.", Ein says, clenching her fists, feeling like this scenario was her fault.

"Stop that.", Caleb firmly spoke, getting her attention as he scooted closer, " If that's the case, then I shouldn't have agreed to that damn proposal meeting at work. There's no point in dwelling on what we could've done differently, Ein. All we can do now is keep pushing forward."

Ein listens but doesn't look at him still feeling unsure about everything. Then, to her surprise, feels a large hand atop her head gently petting her. She looks at him curiously.

"Plus, I keep telling you we're in this together and I'll keep saying until it sticks. You're doing wonderful, Ein.", He comments with a smile while stroking her head, mushing her ears down as a blush spreads across her cheeks.

"Do you really mean it?", She expectantly asks, leaning in closer involuntarily making her breasts bounce in front of his face.

"Y-Yeah, of course.", He says trying to maintain eye contact but couldn't help glance down a few times while stroking her ears

"Haaa, thank you.", Ein smiles at him with flushed cheeks.

"Yeah…", Caleb replies while thinking to himself, 'please don't call me daddy. please don't call me daddy. please don't call me daddy.'

"Ohhhhh, the two of you are just adorable. I need to share this on LiL'SiR Instagram. Gimme a little interspecies kiss cuties. Just a big, wet kissy.", Jill happily stated holding a phone sideways.

"Hell no! And don't fuckin film me!", "No way!",

Caleb and Ein, respectively, exclaimed simultaneously at the impetuous Dark Mage. The Karmaitachi blushes red realizing how close she and Caleb were shyly inches away.

Lyca and Camilla watch in amusement before their sensitive ears perk up catching the sound of something outside. They then hear someone talking accompanied by guns cocking and instantly go into protective mode.

"SENOR! GET DOWN!", Camilla screams, alerting the others, as Lyca rolls off the bed for cover. Camilla rolls on the floor and quickly creates a green magic seal on the mattress causing it to flip itself upwards horizontally for cover.

Before Caleb and the others could question anything, they are bombarded with a hailstorm of gunfire. The windows shatters send glass shards flying as Lyca covers her head on the floor beside Camilla while bullets pass through the upturned mattress. Thinking fast, Caleb wraps Ein in his arms and teleports out of the path of the bullets, letting them strike the wall and shielding her under a large table as Jill ducks her head down behind the other bed. The walls and door are inundated with bullet holes are the projectiles strike all the furniture and shatter the mirror next to the bathroom.

After what feels like an eternity, the gunfire suddenly stops. The smoke of the rifles wafting in the are as debris floated around the inside of the room.

The door is kicked open and in steps a man in black and red suit holding a heated rifle. He cautiously steps in, weapon drawn and sees the upturned bed as four other men walk in behind him. He approaches it and sees, ahead of him, Caleb and Ein under damaged table and immediately takes aim, finger on the trigger.

At that moment, Camilla points a finger at his temple with a red magic seat at the top, catching him by surprise.

"Bang.", Camilla venomously utters, firing a red hot blast of energy blasting the man's skull out. His blood and brains splatter on the wall as he fall down dead much to his allies' shock.

"KILL THEM!"

Camilla quickly levitates the bed up with magic seals and hurls it at them, pinning them down and blocking the door.

At that moment, another one appears at the window about to shoot but is immediately blasted away with a dark purple ball of energy sailing past Camilla. The Elder Devil turns to see Jill standing on the bed, her magic staff pointing near the window.

"Naughty boys need to be punished", She says before teleporting with a flash of dark purple miasma outside startling the group of men. She twirls her staff and smiles sadistically at them, "Who should mommy spank first?"

"FUCK Y–AHHHHH!", One of the guys screams as a black spike shoots out of the ground impaling him through his stomach, to Jill's surprise, before another pierces through his torse out the top of his skull. The others stood horrified as the spike vanish and he falls to the ground.

Camilla then comes lunging out through the window, wings spread out glaring at them with murderous intent.

"Oh my. Someone's in a bad mood.", Jill comments.

Inside, Caleb and Ein were still under the table. It was then Ein noticed He was right on top of her pressed against her chest. He raised his head looking her in the eyes.

"Are you alright?!", He asks in concern.

"Y-Yeah.", She asks with a deep blush, at his concern. Even though it should be the other way around.

The four men in the hotel could be seen climbing out from under the toppled mattress. Their rifles had been wedged under the solid foundation forcing them to use their sidearms. One points his pistol at them, which she and Caleb notice, the latters blood runs cold remembering the Malone that shot him.

Suddenly, Lyca kicks the gun up out his hands, breaking his wrists, then roundhouse kicking him hard in the chest sending him flying bouncing off the mattress. Another rushes her with a slash of his switchblade, which she dodges before slamming her jaw into his arm biting it in half; her sharp fangs tearing through bone like pretzel. He screams out clenching his bleeding arm before Lyca jumps him, mauling him on the floor with loud snarls until he eventually stops moving.

Another guy fires off a few rounds, which Lyca evades but one hits her in the arm prompting a sharp canine yelp from her and she falls to the floor.

Caleb and Ein's eyes widen immediately, getting a rush of anger and adrenaline. Caleb then teleports out from on top of Ein and she moves from under the table.

He takes aim at her again but get blindsided when Caleb teleports next to him, elbowing him hard in the jaw, grabbing him by the arm and angrily throwing him hard against the wall; dropping the pistol. The man grips his jaw looking at Caleb with a vicious gaze. He swings on Caleb, who weaves and parry's through his strikes then counters with an armlock and knee sweep combo flipping the man on his back. Caleb then stomps hard on the man's face a few times breaking his nose and knocking out his front teeth leaving his face in a bruised, bloody mess, as he loses consciousness.

"Die motherfucker!", Another one of the assailants shouts about to shoot Caleb in the back of the skull.

However, a powerful shockwave shatters the bones in his arms with a loud crack exposing bone and cartilage as he falls to his knees crying out in pain with his gun falling to the ground completely destroyed. Ein then appears with a breeze of wind behind him and snaps his neck finishing him. Caleb turns around shocked by the visceral display.

"Damn…"

"Right back at ya.", Ein remarks looking to the guy below Caleb's boot.

Behind her, the last suit assailant stumbles to his feet, chest throbbing painfully from Lyca's kick, and points a gun aiming for Ein's head.

"LOOK OUT!", Caleb notices and pulls her behind him.

Suddenly, before the man could fire, he's struck hard with a lamp to the face courtesy of Lyca, knocking him out cold as she growled at him.

"I got em!", Lyca beams a smile at them giving a thumbs up, completely erasing a vicious demeanor from seconds ago. Her arm dangling limply with a trail of blood from her wound; even more on different spots on her body.

Suddenly, gunfires rings out prompting the three to duck down as bullets zoom past them.

While that was happening inside, outside Camilla and Jill are seen dodging bullets and firing off attack spells as some of the men scramble for cover behind their vehicles. As they were fighting, Jill notices some of the bullets actually dispel her magic seals. It immediately clicks to her, based on past experience, what they're dealing with.

"Oh dear! It seems these boys got a hold of some enchanted ammo. Don't let yourself get hit now sweety or it's bad news for your mama!", Jill stated levitating on her staff evading their gunfire well sending a blasts of purple lightning striking down at the ground near their vehicles.

"Rrrgh! I have HAD ENOUGH of these fucking Angel enchantments awe!", Camilla yells out from a nearby car she was using for cover as bullets ricochet off the surface and shatter the windows. She then generates five magenta colored seals on her finger tips, "Luckily, I picked up a gimmick of my own."

The gunfire continues as some of the remaining seven men quickly reload their weapons.

"What the? Are you seeing this?!", One of the men stated getting his comrades' attention.

Their eyes widen upon seeing the Elder Devil walking towards them with the angry glare of a Hispanic mother coming to discipline her children.

"W-What is she doing?!", Jill expressed, shocked she'd walk herself right into their like of fire.

"Shoot the bitch!", One of men stated, snapping the others back to attention, before firing on the Elder Devil.

Jill was about to rush down to protect her but stops in her metaphorical tracks upon seeing Camilla still walking towards them despite being bombarded with gunfire. In fact, not a single bullet has managed to do much as graze her body.

The men look on in shock and confusion as many of them had already emptied their clips. Camilla form two large blue magic seals in her hands and their vehicles start radiating blue aura. With a wave of her arms, she slides both vehicles far apart taking away their cover. She then created five more magenta seals on her finger tips.

One of the guys takes out his pistol, followed by the others, a fires upon her once more. Camilla stood arms folded, a defiant smirk on her face and chuckles at their futile efforts.

"W-Why won't she die?! These bullets are supposed to KILL creatures like her!", One of the men stated flabbergasted.

'How is this possible?! It's like the bullets aren't even touching her. How is…wait, above her, are those…', Jill thought, notices what appeared to be a cloud of magenta sparkles floating above the Elder Devil. Upon closer inspection, Jill was astonished to see they were actually tiny magic seals all moving at high velocity and the sparkles were actually bullets continuously ricocheting between seal.

There were even tiny magenta seals swirling around Camilla's body nearly invisible at first glance.

'I see now. Those magic seals are somehow able to deflect and rebound the enchanted bullets while still persisting without being robbed of their energy. And because they're so small, it requires less energy on her part to create so many of them. Like a hive of bees protecting the queen. What an amazing spell.', Jill thought with an impressed smirk.

The men stop firing upon the Elder Devil, as most were out of bullets, trying the comprehend what was happening.

"H-Hey? Look above her.", One of the guys says pointing upwards at the sparkling magenta cloud hovering above.

"Ju know…we Devils typically don't give specific names to our spells. It's such a gouche and unrefined practice. However, for this particular spell, I'll make an exception. I'll call it…", Camilla spoke, raising her arm up with small magenta seals at her fingertips. With a cold glare at the enemy as they quickly turn to run away, she snaps her fingers, causing the swarm of seals above to change trajectories.

A shower of bullets rains down on the men as they all scream out in agony before quickly going silent while their bodies are littered in holes.

"Trigger Fingers", Camilla utters, pointing her hand like a gun with tiny magenta seals on her fingers. She then looking over the carnage with a bit of satisfaction as she dispels all the seals.

"That was ASTONISHING! You are certainly full of surprises Ms. Elder Devil.", Jill stated clapping while levitating down beside Camilla sitting on her staff like a chair.

"My name is Camilla, remember it. And what were ju doing while I was handling these vermin? Thank Chaos I DIDN'T need help.", Camilla chastises the dark Mage

"I was trying not to get shot. Even two shots would have made my mana go kaput.", She emphasizes with her hands to which scoffs, "What WAS that technique anyway?"

"I learned it in mi fight with a Dark elf earlier. She employed the same tactic with those bullets but I perfected it. I also killed her with it."

"Oh. Well, shit…", Jill expressed, noticing the coldness in her tone and piercing eyes of a predator. She could sense that this was a woman to not trifle with.

"Camilla?", Caleb stated, getting their attention, as he climbs through the window. Jill watches as Camilla vicious expression melts away in seconds becoming softer.

"Senor? Are ju alright? Are ju hurt?!", Camilla expressed in concern, examining him up and down.

"Yeah, I'm fine! Really. What about you though?", Caleb stated, equally concerned noticing the bodies behind her.

"I am fine. It will take much more than that to eliminate me.", Camilla assured him with a confident smile.

'Talk about a total 180.', Jill thought slightly unnerved by the Elder Devil's immediate shift from hardened killer to concerned lover.

"I'm ok too, but…Lyca got hit in the arm by one of the bullets.", Ein informs stepping out the window as Lyca stumbles beside her holding her arm.

Jill's eyes widened before nodding understandingly, "Right!"

Caleb helps Lyca out the window, picking her up by the torso so she doesn't step her bare feet on the broken glass. The She-wolf winces slightly at the pain but assures her, "It's ok, I got you Fuzzy."

"Thanks Chief, it's not that bad though, really.", Lyca assures, trying to smile through the pain.

"I'll be the judge of that. Keep her still.", Jill readies her staff forming a white magic seal at the tip as Caleb supports her from behind. The staff is brought closer to her wound and glows, sending ripples of energy throughout her body as the wound starts to close, "Ok, it looks like the bullet passed through the tissue completely and no bone fractured. I'll be done in a minute."

"Who the hell were these guys anyway?", Caleb questioned, looking around at the bodies of the men

"I have a few guesses but none of them quite add up. Then there's the fact that this attack was clearly coordinated. They knew exactly where we were on the premises and attacked while our guard was down.", Ein says, pondering to herself.

"They are probably just pawns of those assassins sent to kill us", Camilla suggests

"Yeah but if that were the case, why send the other two assassins and not have these guys finish the job?", Caleb inquires.

"I do not know, perhaps they are a backup plan in case those puntas failed.", Camilla points out

"It still doesn't explain how they were able to mobilize so quickly without our noticing. And then there's the fact they all had enchanted ammunition, they couldn't have been THAT prepared.", Ein retorts as Jill finishes healing Lyca.

"There hun all better."

"Wow, magic is awesome!", Lyca stated moving her arm around amazed as Caleb sighs and relief.

"Whatever the case, at least everyone's Ok. That's all that matters.", Caleb spoke.

"Except them, obviously.", Jill gestures to the dead or unconscious shooters around them.

"Us. The important ones are Us. Ok?", He corrects.

At that moment, Jill gets a call on her ear piece.

"Ssshh, quiet! It's darling!", Jill stated before tapping her ear, "Yes darling, wha…"

Jill's calm expression quickly shift to surprise as she is told what happened to Lovelace's group and informs Caleb and the others as well. Then Jills tells them what happened to her and the others at the hotel. He and the rest of the team were understandably shocked to hear their safe zone was now compromised.

"You've got to be kidding me man…", Caleb utters in frustration gripping his fists.

"I know how you feel, hun, but that's sadly where we are now."

"Still, it doesn't add up. How did the Malones even manage to intercept them? And why? And how did they know exactly where we were? Aren't they supposed to be working with Komanda Monstra?", Ein question, very confused at the logic.

"That's likely not the case.", Caleb says as she looks at him, "One of those assassins that captured me even said they aren't working for the Malones. So it's possible the Malones and Komanda Monstra are acting on individual accords."

The others look at him in surprise.

"So now we're dealing with more of these fuckers AND assassins? Wonderful.", Camilla spoke in annoyance, already sick of how things were going wrong.

"That is indeed the case. However, Darling and the rest managed to evade them. They're already taking an alternate route to get to this location.", Jill assures.

"What alternate route is that? I thought they were coming from down that road.", Lyca says pointing towards the driveway of the motel.

"Ordinarily, that's how you'd come in but the route they're taking passes through a small municipality and crosses an intersection of railroad tracks. Along that is a road connecting back to the main highway so, instead of coming from that direction, they'll circle the area and come from the opposite.", Jill explains to them using a little map diagram generated from her staff as a visual aid.

"Railroad? So that train yard I fought that Jinko woman…", Ein stated.

"Correct. They'll literally be passing right through us to intercept our location so it'll take much longer to reach."

"In that case, we'll just meet them halfway.", Caleb stated, getting their attention, "If they're taking the long way, we'll take the short way. We have wheels now courtesy of these assholes."

"Are you serious?!", Ein stated incredulously.

"I am!", Caleb says in a serious tone.

"She has a point though. You don't think it's safer to stay and wait here?", Jill asks, wanting to see his reaction.

"Really? Look around! Does it look like we're safe?! We got attacked TWICE and it's not even four yet!", Caleb stated as Ein realizes she can't deny his statement. He sighs, "Hahhh, I tried being patient and rational before but that got us nowhere. As soon as we took action, things started going our way even just a little. So we're gonna keep pushing until this is over!"

"And what if I say you can't? You're just a human after all.", Jill says with scorn as Camilla shoots her a glare.

"I don't care! If it's within my power to help them, then I'm going to dammit!", Caleb says, looking her right in the eye as the Dark Mage notices that familiar flame in them and smiles widely.

"~Ooohohohoho! There it is! There it is! That passionate flame, just like my darling! I love it! I love it! I love iiiiit!~", Jill twirls jubilantly much to the confusion of Caleb and the girls, "Right! You pass! So I'll be helping you, even though it's my job anyway, now I REALLY wanna do it! I'll call the others and let them know of our rendezvous plan!"

"O-Ok. Thank you."

"Hahhh, once again any attempts to keep you OUT of harm's way are in vain.", Ein bemoans, shaking her head.

"It's not our fault how things turn out Ein. We just gotta roll with the punches. Now, please, I need you…", Caleb says, laying a hand on her shoulder. She looks at him expectantly, remembering when he was pressed against her earlier. A blush spreads across her cheeks and her lips part, "To help me search these guys for the car keys."

"...eh?"

"Ah, no problem hun! I have just the thing!", Jill stated twirling her staff creating a large green magic seal. The bodies of all the men start to glow with green aura before small objects from coins to lighters to wallets start levitating out of their pockets. The gang watches as everything collects into a pile atop her staff. She releases the spell letting the pile fall to the ground, "Voila! My spell I call 'Finders Keepers'!"

"But ju didn't find anything. Ju just pickpocketed them.", Camilla commented, then touched her chin, "That said, it is a remarkably useful spell. I bet with a few adjustments…"

"Hey! Don't go trying to copy MY technique now!", Jill chastises the Elder Devil as Caleb searches through the pile then pulls out a set of keys

"Yes!", He then presses the alarm button making the alarm go off on one of the vehicles then shuts it off, "Alright! Let's head out!"

"O-Ok.", Ein utters following him then notices Jill humming while fanning out money from the discarded wallets beneath her, "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Put that back! That's criminal money!"

"And now it's MON assets, going inside my assets.", Jill giggled rolling up the cash and putting it down her cleavage, "OK! Off we go!"

"What?! You're law enforcement! YOU CAN'T JUS–HEY!"

"Nobody fucking CARES Ein! Get in the vehicle!", Camilla shoves the Karmaitachi towards the car.

Above them, a familiar eyeball could be seen observing them as they pile inside and drive off the premises.

…15 minutes earlier…

Nanaja could be seen at a nearby church with the three liminals she "rescued" from Elijah and his men. Luckily, the door was unlocked so they could go inside.

"Ok, now the three of you just lay low here. We'll come back once we've taken care of all the bad guys.", Nanaja smiles assuringly at them.

The three girls look at her with uncertainty in their eyes. At that moment, the collars on their necks start to glow brightly. Panic quickly follows.

"What the?!", Nanaja stated.

"W-W-What's happenin?!", The Tengu stated fearfully.

"Why are they reacting?! Elijah not even here!", The Elf stated also as tear welled, "No more! No more, PLEASE!"

Nanaja wasn't sure what to do as the three liminals trembled awaiting whatever pain was about to come.

Instead, they hear loud clanking sounds followed by audible thuds of something hitting the floor. They open their eyes, shocked to see the enslavement collars lying beside the widen open as is they'd just been unlocked with a key. It takes a second for them to register what was happening.

"They…they just fell off?", Nanaja utters, baffled by the situation.

"T-They're off…we're free.", The Tengu spoke touching her neck before a smile forms while starting to laugh looking at the others, "We're free!"

Suddenly, a loud, thunderous boom rings out, rattling the walls and making the three liminals cover their heads fearfully once more.

"You three wait here! Don't open up for anything or anyone until I get back!"

Nanaja rushes out of the church and looks to the sky. She makes out in the distance two humanoid figures dancing in the sky accompanied by flashes of light. She could then sees the pair fall out of the sky landing with a loud crash

"Not good! Voltaira!"

The wyvern flaps her wings taking off into the sky in the direction of her comrade.

Further away, near a large bridge suspended right over the Tallapoosa river, people with a brain could be seen scrambling, running or getting in their cars driving trying to get away from the area while others had out their phones trying to capture the scene on video.

Voltaira stood, panting laboriously with blood trickling down her face and from a slash wound on her upper side. Her right wing was also badly damaged with feathers charred black around the joint. Electricity pulsates from her body as she faces the Salamander who was riddled with claw marks, some of which were already closing up, but still full of energy.

"Come on, you damn overgrown lightning chicken! Don't tell me THAT'S ALL YOU GOT!", Ember charges the Thunderbird fists ready, who quickly goes on the defensive. A flurry of burning hot punches descends upon her as she protects her face and torso with her good wing. Flames and electricity exploded the air with each strike a sledgehammer against red hot iron as Voltaira legs quivered at the weight of each hit.

'Gah! Dammit! She's strong! I can't hold out…much longer!', Voltaira thought, quickly reaching the limit of her stamina.

"I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU!", Ember screams before interlocking her knuckles and delivering a devastating hammer strike right on top of the Thunderbird. The impact snapped her arms out of her socket and rattled throughout the rest of her body causing her to shriek loudly in pain. Ember, wanting to shut her up, follows with a rising knee strike directly at Voltaira lower jaw, breaking it and sending her flying back several feet. Voltaira's body twitches as she falls unconscious.

Ember catches her breath a moment then notices a few humans staring at her from the sidelines with their phones.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU STARING AT, HUH?!", she roared storming towards as they quickly take off running for their lives. She scoffs then turns back to Voltaira walking towards her with claws brandishing glowing with extreme her, "Now to finish the job–GAHH!"

Ember is suddenly struck hard in the back making her stumble forward hearing something hit the ground. She looks to see a cinder block lying on the ground behind her then she catches, out of the corner of her eyes, another soaring towards her. Ember swings her fist, shattering the block into pieces creating a cloud of dust.

"HYAA!", Nanaja cries out, using the diversion, performing a flying dragon kick on the Salamander knocking her back several feet.

Ember catches herself, skidding again the concrete as her foot claws left deep marks. She reels from the hit, holding her arm across her mouth and glaring at her new opponent, a Wyvern.

"E-Egh…N-Na…naja…?", Voltaira utters weakly looking up at her friends.

Nanaja looks back shocked at the state of her comrade, "Voltaira! Oh gods…it's alright, don't worry! I'll take care of this bitch!"

Ember wipes her mouth and spit blood to the side before raising up as the wyvern glares at her.

"Come on."

Nanaja growls before bolting towards the Salamander then flapping her wings, propelling herself up into a side flip, and downward slashing at her to which Ember effortlessly dodges. She then chains with spin kick slashing with her talons, to which Ember intersects with her own claws then grabs the wyvern leg. Nanaja feels her palm rapidly heating trying to burn through her leg.

"Ha! You call THAT hot?! I'm a wyvern dumbass! I can take the HEAT!", Nanaja smirks, grabbing Ember by her shoulder digging in her talons into the Salamander,then flaps her wings a few times propelling them both high in the air. Ember struggles to get free as her opponent carries her closer towards the rushing river below, "You assassin scum are gonna pay! Get shit on, you fire lizard bitch!"

Nanaja releases her opponent to fall in the water below and drown.

"...Please.", Ember utters in discontent before superheating her tail in seconds and whipping it downwards. The heat ignites the hydrogen beneath her, creating an explosion that rockets her back towards the wyvern.

"What the?!", Nanaja expresses in surprise.

Ember twirls her body delivering a strong right hook on her enemy's face. The wyvern is sent into a tailspin as Ember fall back to ground landing firmly on her feet. She then notices the Thunderbird trying to sit herself up from the ground, exhaustively trembling and gritting her teeth in determination. At the same time, Nanaja managed to regain control of herself and propel herself back into the air, spitting out some blood and a tooth that got knocked but would later regrow.

"Hmph, don't know when to lie down and die I see…", Ember scoff brandishing her claws while approaching Voltaira who couldn't muster the strength to move. She then reaches down grabbing her by the leg.

"No! Get away from her!", Nanaja screams out, flying higher before tucking her wings inwards, dive bombing while locked onto the Salamander like a homing missile. She balls her foot talons in like a fist. As she accelerates, reddish-black energy emanates from her talons as prepares to strike the assassin, "WYVERN PUNC–"

The attack was interrupted when Ember swung the Thunderbird by the leg like a ragdoll striking Nanaja hard and sending both liminals flying off to the side. The impact caused Nanaja's communication piece to fall out of her ears.

"YOU REALLY THOUGHT THAT PITIFUL ATTACK WOULD WORK ON ME!? DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME, DRAGONKIN! YOU AND YOUR BIRD FRIEND CAN BOTH TAKE A DIP!", Ember bellowed triumphantly as both of the winged liminal agents slammed hard into the water surface, getting swept away by the current.

As Ember watches them with disdain, her ears suddenly pick up a small, staticky voice.

'Can everyone hear me?!', uttered a voice(Jill) catching the Salamander's attention. She bends down carefully picking up the small device with a raised eyebrow, guessing it must've fallen off one of her opponents.

She listens for a minute finding out about their plan and rendezvous point.

" Alright, so that's where they're taking the Nightmare. I definitely won't keep them waiting. Hmm, still what was that about 'malone hit squad'? I hope Ranka and Nikami are ok."

"FREEZE! PUT YOUR HANDS UP!", Demanded a police officer as Ember, finally noticing the squad car pulled up behind her. One of the officers pointed a pistol at her while the other radioed for backup. Ember scoff then casually strolls towards him, "I SAID HANDS UP OR I WILL SH–"

Ember quickly snatches the weapon right his hand clenching it as the intense heat from her palms melts the gun into a puddle of yellow molten metal much to the officer's shock. The officer then hastily reaches for his second firearm but Ember grabs him by the collar and then uses her other hand to mush the molten metal into his face.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!", The officer elicits a blood curdling as his head is completely melted away.

"W-We NEED BACKUP! We're at East Pettus street! We've got a hostile liminal situation! Send an express notification to all MON units in the area! Extreme force required! Repeat EXTREME FORCE REQUIRED!", the officer yells into the comm system before Ember slams her palms against the top of the vehicle startling him.

"Hey, string bean, I got somewhere to go. Mind taking me there?", Ember says glaring menacingly with fiery eyes as the air quickly heats up.

The officer shudders in fear then reaches for his sidearm.

"Don't even think about it. This guy tried that…it didn't work.", Ember emphasizes picking up the dead policeman showing his horrifically disfigured face then crushing his skull completely, the blood splattering against the glass. She then digs her claws through the hood of the vehicle, cutting through the metal and heating up the door threatening to melt it right off, "I'll rephrase that, you're GOING to take me there. Or...I'm going to turn you into a pile of smoldering mush."

The officer stutters in profound fear starring as the Salamanders murderous gaze.

…Elsewhere..

The van housing Mirabelle and the others could be seen traveling down at decent speed passing through a small neighborhood heading towards a pattern of railroad tracks.

"Annnd…that should do it.", Drei said to the ignis , using her scythe to snip off the bandage on the wrapped arm. She just finished removing the last of the mana bullets.

"Ahh, thanks shortstack. That feels a whole better. I can just feel my powers returning.", Pyra expresses, rotating her arm.

"Don't go burning those bandages off. I just gave you a little of my chi to speed up your natural healing factor.", Drei advises.

"Still, it's remarkable work. You with the medic staff or something?",Terra inquires curiously.

"Ha! They wish they had a healer like my sis. She's the best in our clan.", Zwei proudly praises with a toothy grin.

"Next to my mother at least."

"Heh, I can bet she's proud as hell. Not like mine. It always 'flicker' this and 'crackle' that.", Pyra complained as the Zyklons look at her strangely then to the Rock Lizard.

"Her mother's an actual fire…and her dad was a warlock.", Terra plainly answers, shocking the two Karmaitachi even.

"H…How did they birth you?" Zwei questioned, holding the sides of her head, her mind racing, looking for any possible answer to figure out her biology.

"Well, you see, when a man and a matchstick love each other very much–", Pyra started before Mirabelle jumped in.

"Can we PLEASE focus?", She states, not in the mood for mindless chit-chat, "How can you be so calm with everything happening?! We're still in danger and now I find out Dear and the others were attacked too? When will this insanity stop?!"

The others look at her , understanding her frustration and fatigue.

"Hey, it's going to be ok, miss. I'm sure this is all so much to handle but we're right here for you. You're not alone in this fight.", Terra assures, sliding closer to her giving her a warm smile.

"She's right, don't worry this'll all be over before you know it. Besides, sis and the Boss are meeting up with us so we just gotta hang on a bit more.", Zwei adds, doing her best to alleviate the Centaur fears.

"We just need to make it to 420 Steinbeck road. The rest we'll sort out when we get there.", Pyra piles on.

Mirabelle ponders for a moment then replies, "...Hmm…I hope you're both right."

"Yeah, first we gotta reunite you with your host, so let's do that first. Then we can start searching for that Baphomet girl.", Pyra remarks, garnishing different reactions.

"I really hope she's alright. She seemed to have regained most of her power but… it's still dangerous with the Malones and remaining Komanda Monstra out there.", the Undine points out, clearly still worried.

"Something tells me she's the last person we need to worry about. She's probably long gone by now, likely taking a well-deserved shower.", Drei comments as Mirabelle gives her a slightly dubious look.

"Yeah, she seemed like a smart girl. Er, woman, keep forgetting she's older than me, damn.", Pyra says, still coming to terms with that fact.

"Come to think of it, I haven't heard much from Nanaja or Voltaira. You…think they're ok?", The Undine inquires, as the others fall silent in realization.

"Believe in your teammates!", Lovelace says, catching their attention, "Though we are divided, we stand together in spirit! They're tough, so I choose to believe in they're grit and their will to push forward. So will we!"

The Undine look to him with dreamy eyes then smiles in determination nodding fervently, "Right! Commander!"

"Yeah!", "Ok!", Pyra and Terra stated respectively, feeling their chests swell with pride.

"Wow, he sure knows how to motivate. Wonder if he writes his own speeches.", Zwei whispers as she, Drei and Mirabelle are left on the sidelines of their little hero worship.

"I think their motivation comes from less rhetoric and more riding dick." , Drei lowly comments.

"Should we tell them about our…plan?"

"Nah. I have a feeling it'll raise more questions than we have time to answer. We still carry it out, the second her collar is off.", Drei suggests, to which Mirabelle and Zwei nod.

Mirabelle ponders to herself unable to get the words of that vampire out of her mind. She didn't know what she'd do if something were truly to happen to her beloved. She clenches her cloak tightly with a deep scowl on her face and eyes flickering purple for a moment. All she knew…is someone was going to pay. Unbeknownst to her, a very tiny ripple of purple emits on the collar creating a very small crack of the surface.

The vehicle suddenly starts bumping violently, breaking Mirabelle out of her thoughts.

"Whoa-hohoho! Hold on back there! Going crossing these train tracks. ", Lovelace says in a hardy tone before managing to get back onto smooth road to the relief of those in back.

"Jesus, what happened here?" Lovelace asked, seeing the destruction in the railyard, "Did a twister hit this place?"

"No, just a well-endowed weasel," drei casually said with Lovelace and his team looking at her confused.

"She means our very thick sister cause definitely half of this looks like her handy work." Zwei explained to them. "Still for her to be pushed to go that far, who was she fighting?"

"Whoever they were, let's hope she managed to deal with them.", Marnie says, as they leave the trainyard passing the area where Ranka's body was.

…Meanwhile…

Ivan and Boris could now be seen at the motel expecting their hit team to have taken care of their uninvited guests. They were shocked on arrival to find, not only most of their men killed, save for two but one of their vehicles is missing.

"Look how they massacred our boys.", Boris laments, kneeling down to close the eyes of one of the men laying him to rest. He then balls his first in rage, "They'll pay for this."

"First, we have to find out where that van with the Nightmare went. We'll deal with whoever these people are after.", Ivan points out then looks to two of his men, assisting one of the unconscious survivors, "Lets wake up one of them and ask what happened."

"I think I can help you with that.", Spoke the voice of Acula getting their attention " In fact we can fuck two harpies with one rock hard dick."

"If you know something then just tell us I don't have time for your games." Ivan growled at her his patience at its limit.

"Figures, you really don't do foreplay, huh? Find the people who killed your men here and one's who have the Nightmare are heading to the same place to regroup and then escape. I could see from way there the path they're taking and I know where they're meeting up at." Acula said in a teasing voice.

"Men we are leaving now get those two in the van and get them awake and up to speed." Ivan said, giving orders to his men.

"No need to blow your load so quickly. When they get there they will find someone waiting for them who will keep their attention, giving us plenty of time to get there before the climax." Acula said before she started laughing to herself with Ivan looking at her confused and Boris visibly annoyed. Ivan could only rub and massage his forehead feeling another headache coming because of her, "There's one more thing you might want to know."

"Haaa, and what's that?", Ivan reluctantly asks.

"One of the guys who killed these men. He bears a striking resemblance to that 'Caleb Bizzell' guy you're trying to kill.", She cheekily spoke as both men look to her surprised.

"What?! I thought Komanda Monstra dealt with him by now?! How is he still alive?", Ivan said, confused by the events.

"Bah! It matters not.", Boris spat with a vicious look flashing both pistols in hand, "When we catch them, I'll be sure to pay him back personally for how much he's hurt our organization. He drew blood first, now we'll take even more from him."

"Easy there, Rambo. I just said everything's gonna fall in place. You can satisfy your revenge later. He still has a group of liminals and MON with him.", Acula remarks, waving off his malice.

"Hmph, whatever beast. I sent my three strongest slaves to take care of them. Even gave each of them a dose of gluttony fang to give them extra confidence.", Boris smirks.

"Oh? Gave them a boost of crackhead determination huh? Crafty. Elijah would be proud."

"That's right! I forgot to check in Elijah's progress with eliminating the rest of Komanda Monstra.", Ivan says quickly taking out his phone but Acula snatches it away, "Hey! What are you–?'

"Uh uh uh, that's not very wise now, Ivan. Even if he has the firepower, there's no way he can fight and talk on the phone. Not with a vampire and Salamander at his heel. Try calling a bit later.", She suggests with a toothy grin.

Ivan thinks for a moment realizing she actually made sense…for once, "Ok, fine, I'll wait. Now give me my phone back."

"OK, honey.", She teases, flicking it to him. In the back of her mind, she was smirking deviously already knowing what happened to his brother and what remains of Komanda Monstra. She could tell them but where's the fun in that?

Truthfully, Acula cared nothing about any of them. Malones? Komanda Monstra? All that mattered is SHE came out on top. They were all just toys for her amusement.

…Elsewhere…

On a rooftop of a building a sudden hole appears in the air forming a portal and out steps Fantina who takes a look checking for anyone.

Once she is satisfied with the area being secure she makes a seal on her scythe before she starts speaking.

"Venus I'm sending you this as a precaution in case I'm captured or … I'm killed. In either case if you don't hear from me within the next 24 hours or you detect anyone trying to force themselves into the coven, gather everyone and use that spell to get to safety. If it comes to that I leave you as their new guardian to watch over and protect them. I'm sorry for the mess I'm leaving for you and my children." Fantina said as her voice started to crack as tears started forming in her eyes. "I can't apologize enough to you all for my mistakes I have made and all the pain and heartache you've endured. I can never ask for yours or my children's forgiveness. All I ever wanted was for them to be happy and find love but it's clear my actions were another mistake of mine that caused them pain. The only positive I can see is that as their leader, you won't make the mistakes I made that put us into this situation. Maybe then they will have a chance at true happiness."

The seal then transforms into a glowing red bubble with mystic symbols on it then flies away.

She wipes away her tears. Her body shook her grip on her scythe tightened. After taking a few deep breaths, eyes closed regaining her composure, she reopens her eyes. They were now devoid of her emotions from before and in their place was a look of pure resolve. She walked to the end of the roof and stared at the road waiting for her target.

…Back to Caleb…

Caleb and the gang could be seen driving down the street above the speed limit towards the rendezvous point.

"Ok, hun! Marnie said to keep along the curve then make the second left!", Jill instructs.

"Got it!"

"And maybe slow down a bit, sir! You don't want us to get pulled over!", Ein stated.

"Time is of the essence, Ein! I'm driving a Mercedes stolen from the motherfuckin' mafia after fighting a bunch of goons and assassins! TRAFFIC LAWS are taking a literal back seat right now! Besides, you're both MON agents! You can tell them it's an emergency or some shit and they'll let us off, right?!"

"No!", "Absolutely!", Ein and Jill stated simultaneously with Ein giving her an incredulous look.

"I'm more concerned about whatever that awful smell is!", Lyca stated holding her nose.

"This car REEKS of those pandejos filth!'' Camilla complained, holding her nose as well.

"Yeah, that's tobacco smoke. It's all up in the seats and cigarette butts everywhere. Let me put the windows down, goddamn.", Caleb remarks putting down the window a bit to blow out the smell much to their relief. He then turns on the fan too, "Hope everyone is comfortable back there."

"Yeah, it's a little better. My appreciation to the gentleman driver", Jill remarks as Camilla shoots her glare.

"Appreciation accepted.", Caleb says then looks to Ein, "You ok over there?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm fine.", She answers before he refocuses on the road. Her mind then drifts to earlier at the motel, "H-Hey."

"Yeah?"

"I just…wanted to say thank you for saving me earlier. You really didn't have to do that.", Ein says.

"What do you mean? So I should have just let the bullets hit you then?! Don't be stupid! You're just as important to me as the others, Ein. Bodyguard or not.", Caleb plainly stated as Ein was taken aback a moment, her cheeks flushing a red.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you…", Ein spoke, a bit ashamed.

"It's alright just...don't give me more people to worry about. I need to know you're someone I can totally trust."

"O-Of course, sir!", Ein expressed, ardently.

"Good.", Caleb resumes driving.

'Someone he totally trust? Does that mean with…anything?', Ein thought, cusping her face as her imagination started wandering to somewhere naughty. She then quickly shakes her head to drive them out as Jill looks at her lightly chuckling at how cute she was.

"Huh? What are these?", Lyca spoke, getting their attention, pulling out a handful of little square plastic packets with a circular object in the center. She curiously examines one, "They kinda look like candy."

"Gah! Gross! Lyca put those down! That's not candy! Those are condoms!", Ein stated in a panic.

"Oh! Yeah, Lyca put them away! You Don't know where they've been!", Caleb added equally in disgust.

"Well, they must've been here a while. Look how many there are. And so small.", Jill says, examining one of them.

"Huh, so these are what human males use for mating. I do not approve. Too small for Senor.", Camilla remarks having used her magic to open one up and levitating it.

"What?!", Caleb stated.

"You OPENED one?!", Ein stated in disbelief and embarrassed.

"They also make sex less pleasurable, I hear.", Jill adds on ignoring her statement.

"VERY much do not approve."

"Ditto!", Lyca agreed.

"Oh my Godddd. Can we pleas—", Ein whines.

Immediately, she's cut off when a car suddenly comes flying out from the right street intersection, tires screeching loudly as it spun out in front of their path. A large figure road on top of the vehicle.

"OH SHIT!", Caleb shouted and applied the brake as the tires loudly screeched. The centrifugal forces throw them against the vehicle and to each other. He cuts the wheel to avoid a collision and narrowly manages to evade.

"Is everyone ok?" Caleb asked, having avoided slamming his head into the steering wheel as the vehicle came to stop.

"Si Senor.", "I'm fine hun.", " I'm ok chef.", " Nothing I can't deal with." Camilla, Jill, Lyca and Ein respectively said.

Caleb sighed in relief "Ok now WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"

He pauses as he looks in the rearview mirror and the girls look out the back windows, shocked to see a huge liminal riding on top of a police car with flames spewing from her tail.

"HEY WATCH WHAT YOUR DOING DUMBASS! I ALMOST FELL OFF!", Ember yells at the police officer in the driver's seat.

"I'm sorry! The path we took was full of bumps so–"

"Shut up a minute!", Ember interrupts, noticing the Mercedes car behind her, "That's one of those cars those Malones from before were driving! Right down to the shitty tinted windows!"

"SHIIIIIT!" Caleb yelled as he slammed his foot on the gas speeding down the road.

"DON'T JUST SIT THERE! AFTER THEM! MOVE MOVE MOVE!", Ember screams at the police man as he hastily shifts back to drive, slams his foot on the gas, and speeds after Caleb's car.

"Wait! Who's that?! And why is she riding in a county police car?", Jill questions.

"From the looks of her, she's one of those puntas sent to kill us! I never forget a face. Especially one I sketch myself.", Camilla says in a bitter tone.

The police car could be seen speeding up behind them, drifting ever closer.

"They're right behind us, Chief, and they're gaining!", Lyca started to panic, "Faster! We have to go FASTER!"

"I CAN'T! THIS IS A G.L.!", Caleb retorts, trying NOT to panic as much.

The police car slowly starts closing the distance on them.

"Shoot out their tires!", Ember demanded as the policeman gave a fearful, incredulous look before she punched a dent in the roof next to him making him jump, "DO IT!"

The office gulps then, reluctantly, draws out his gun taking aim at the wheels. He starts firing at the speeding vehicle. Bullets ricochet off the metal and break through the back window as the girls duck their heads to avoid getting hit.

"Shit! Shit! They're shooting at us! FUCK!", Caleb expressed trying his best to maintain control.

"I think they're trying to shoot out the tires! They're trying to make us crash!", Ein added, keeping her head down.

"NOT WHILE I AM HERE! Trigger Fingers!", Camilla shouted, creating five small magenta magenta magic seals on her fingertips, sending them outside.

Right as one of the bullets exits the gun barrel on a direct course for the rotating tire, one of the seals deflect it away followed by a quick precision of the bullet being rebounded changing its trajectory. It is then sent flying right back at the police car where, due to built up momentum, it pierces right through the windshield and into the officer's forehead killing him instantly, much to Ember's shock.

His limp body falls against the steering wheel causing the take a sharp left before side flipping over. The momentum sends the Salamander flying, as Lyca and Jill cheer excitedly.

At that moment, Ember tucks her body in somersaulting as her tail pours out seeing hot flames making her look like a living fire. She then slaps her tail hard against the road surface, creating a powerful explosion of fire and asphalt that rocked her towards their vehicle; claws and fangs bared in a terrifying expression like a predator tackling its prey.

Slams right into the back of the vehicle with enough force to make Caleb lose control, swerving back and forth between lanes as Lyca screams in surprise while Camilla, Jill and Ein are taken aback in shock. Ember digs her hot claws into the vehicle as they melt right through the metal frame. The heat emanating from her body heated the vehicle's rear to uncomfortably dangerous levels. It wasn't until Ember got a good look at her prey.

"What the?! You're not the Malones! YOU'RE–"

"RRAAAHH!", "HAAHHH!", Camilla and Jill, respectively, hit her with a combo energy blast of violet and red. The Salamander screams out as she's sent flying back, tumbling off to the side ditch on the road.

"Yeah! Take that!", Lyca cheered.

"THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! Bullets ain't shit when it come to–"

"MR. BIZZELL SLOW DOWN!", Ein shouts pointing ahead at the random car coming up to a 'Stop' sign.

"OH SH–!", Caleb expressed quickly, applying the brakes, as the tires screeched loudly, flinging him and the girls forward. Luckily, they just barely manage to avoid ramming into the driver as they casually make a left turn at the four-way intersection while giving them a weird look. Caleb takes a moment to catch his breath, heart racing a mile a second, the asks the other, "Is everyone ok…again!?"

"Yes…somehow.", Ein spoke, regaining her bearings.

"I think we managed to lose her.", Camilla adds, looking behind not seeing the Salamander.

"And we managed to avoid another casualty thanks to your impromptu getaway driving skills? You'd make that guy 'Dom' from those racing movies Darling and Pyra like to watch proud.", Jill remarks with a cheeky grin.

"Hey, I know those movies! We watched a couple with Chief awhile back! I don't have friends, I got family.", Lyca happily says, proceeding to do her best Dominic Torreto impression.

" It's alllll about family, hun.", Jill joins the Dom experience as Camilla side eyes her in annoyance.

"EXCUSE ME! People tryna kill us!? Where are we at now?!", Caleb stated, dragging them back to reality.

"Oh right!", Jill takes a look at her phone's GPS, "Oh dear, looks like we were supposed to take a left a couple miles back there but we….got distracted?"

Camilla and Ein look to her incredulously

"Oh my God…", Caleb rubs the bridge of his nose in frustration, as Ein gives him a worried look then shoots a glare at Jill.

"Alternative routes, please!", Ein stated.

"Ok Ok. Take the left and continue down there for about nine miles then take the exit on the left.", Jill answers.

"Alright, let's go.", Caleb says before looking both ways then taking a left down the path.

Further away, Ember could be seen picking herself up climbing out of the ditch, staggering a bit from the pain. She picks up a large chunk of rock from the road examining it.

"Nngh, damn. If I didn't shield myself then before they blasted me, I'd have been a goner. Still…doesn't change much. That's the guy and his little posé that came to rescue the Nightmare. And if they're alive…what happened to Ranka and Nikami?!", Ember stated becoming more angry as she grips the chunk of stone in hand harder while intense heat from her palm. The stone is quickly superheated and is crushed qvqinto a goo of molten rock that trickles through her claws. She then looks at her claws.

"Hmph. I reduced it to magma. I better calm down if I'm gonna take all these people out. No one is going to stop our plans!", Ember curling her fist in determination, eyes glowing yellow like burning flames.

…Elsewhere…

A red Dodge Charger with tinted windows could be seen flying down the road. Satella sat in the driver's seat with Hush buckled up next to her and, in the back, a shriveled up, blood-drained husk of the former owner of the vehicle. Satella, adding insult to injury, was also wearing his black Ray-Ban after gouging out both his eyes. They were currently pursuing Lovelace's vehicle.

Suddenly, her phone rings and, after looking at the caller I.D., she answers

"Vhat now? "

'Hey there Blood Mama! Thought you'd like a little heads on the Nightmare situation. The van carrying it is traveling down Mice and Men road. That's Mice and Men like that Steinbeck guy. Better hurry, they're meeting up with that Caleb Bizzell guy!', Acula informs her.

Satella grips the steering wheel in slight anger which Hush notices.

"Da. I vill be there very soon.", Satella spoke with malice in her voice before hanging up and handing the phone to Hush, "Command the talking map thing to direct us to the Mice and Men road."

Hush obediently nods doing as requested while not drawing attention to her leader's ignorance of modern tech.

…Meanwhile…

While that was happening, Lovelace's vehicle could be seen just getting onto the main highway coming up towards a large construction company called 'Taylor-Dunn Construction Corp' with tons of active machinery and huge mountains of rock and dirt.

"Ok, just a couple miles ahead is the exit that'll take us to Mice and Men road, Dear.", Marnie pointed out gesturing to the map on her phone.

"Fantastic! You hear that, Ma'am? You'll be back with your host in no time!", Lovelace assured.

Mirabelle gives a small grin, unable to help being excited at the news as Drei and Zwei nod and give thumbs up.

Marnie lowly sighs with a despondent look on her face.

"What's wrong Mar?", Lovelace asks, noticing her worried disposition.

"It's just…I can't stop thinking about Ms. Fantina. I really hope she's ok."

"A-Ah…yeah.", Lovelace says, feeling a little guilty about somewhat abandoning one liminal person to rescue another one just because they didn't have time to search for her. Still, it was their best option, "It was the best option we had, Marnie. Don't worry, I promise we'll search for her after this is over. We can get Nanaja and Voltaira to help! Lord knows that thunderbird eyes can spot an oatmeal cookie from two miles away!"

"Heh…that is true.", Marnie lightly giggles, "I just hope she's hidden somewhere they can't find her at least."

"She seems like a smart woman. We don't need to worry that much. For all we know, she's long gone from any of this nonsense.", Drei spoke, getting her attention as Zwei and Mirabelle looked at her inquisitively.

"Yeah. She is a Baphomet after all and she can use her mana now. It would make sense she, as human kids say, 'dipped out' ", Marnie replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"While we're on that topic though, have you guys gotten any report back from Voltaira or Nanaja? They were supposed to report back every half hour, right?", Terra points out.

"That's right! Almost forgot! Try reaching them now, Terra. Put it in 'teams' mode."

"Right.", Terra taps the communication device in her ear. After a few seconds she spoke. "Agent Voltaire and agent Nanaja, what are your current status and ETA?"

There was no response.

"I repeat, Voltaire, Nanaja, what is your current position from us?"

Still nothing but silence from either of their teammates. They each start looking at each with concern, getting a bad feeling. That was when Pyra decided to try one more thing that for sure will get a response out of them.

"Well, I guess that means you two don't want in on the orgy tonight after the mission. Maybe we'll see if the weasel girls want to join in instead.", Pyra slyly suggests, hoping to get a rise out of them.

"THE FUCK?!", Both Zwei and Mirabelle simultaneously exclaimed in shock as Drei give a dry glare at the Ignis that said 'Really?'

Still no response.

"Alright something's seriously fucked on their end if they didn't respond to THAT! What are we going do?" Pyra asks Lovelace.

"Ok first, we get to rendezvous, make sure she, her host and the other liminals are safely evacuated. Then we go back and find them and bring them back home. No one gets left behind.", Lovelace relays the plan as the others voice their approval.

"Um, kindly ignore what she said earlier. Tact isn't her strong suit. In fact, it's why we don't even give her full internet access.", Terra remarks.

"I was…eighty-percent joking.", Pyra says to Zwei with a mischievous wink causing the wind weasel to recoil blushing slightly. She looks to Terra raising an eyebrow, "Also, what?"

"E-Eighty per–seriously?! You guys aren't even trying to hide your weird relationship anymore huh?", Zwei incredulously spoke, arms folded.

"Nah, we're usually WAY more discreet, especially with judgemental assholes out there. You guys seem trustworthy though and you got no reason to snitch, so it's all goo–"

SMASH

Pyra is immediately interrupted by a clawed, carapace-covered fist smashing right through the roof of the vehicle, inciting shocked screams from the group. The vehicle swerves from the sudden force slamming against as Lovelace tries regaining control.

The insectoid arm flails wildly, grabbing around for anything. The hand grabs the tops of Mirabelle's head.

"AHHH AHHHHHH!", Mirabelle shrieks as the insectoid hand yanks her hair back. Zwei and Drei quickly rush to her aid trying to pry the vice grip-hand off her as the Centaur screams louder from the hand trying to pull her up to the ceiling. Terra joins them, grabbing the arm and forcing it down. She tightens her rock hard grip, inciting pain, screeching from above as the assailant releases Mirabelle hair. A second fist is driven through the ceiling, this time punching the top of Terra's head making her fall back, releasing the assailant's other arm, as they withdraw both from the van. Mirabelle could be seen moaning in pain holding her head while the Zyklons make sure she's alright.

"Status report back there!", Lovelace stated with urgency in his voice

"We're under attack, Commander, if that wasn't obvious! Are you ok, Ms. Marequine?", Terra stated.

"I-I'm ok.", Mirabelle whimpered, still rubbing the pain from her scalp.

"COMMANDER! ON OUR SIX!", Marnie stated in slight panic, getting the others' attention.

Lovelace looks at the rearview mirror jaw dropping upon seeing the large, Red Oni sprinting behind the vehicle.

"Hang on!", He shouted before stepping on the gas trying to put some distance behind between them. The Red Oni could be seen panting through her teeth, feet slamming against the ground with each stride, eyes locked on her prey with maddened intensity.

The Giant Hornet flies past the Oni extending her four arms and slams right into the vehicle clinging to the back. The force from the hit knocks the transport forward making it skid.

"Gah! Son of a CUSSING CUSS word!", Lovelace expressed, trying to maintain control.

The Hornet punches large dents into one of the van doors, alerting the others in the back, then forcefully tears it right off and tossed it behind her at the Oni, who effortlessly smacks it away with a swipe of her arm while still sprinting after them. The Hornet climbs inside while Mirabelle screams in fear and panic and the others.

"THE WASP BITCH IS BACK!", Zwei shouted before the Hornet girls let out a ferocious insect-like screech.

She rushes in to attack but Terra intercepts her trying to pin her to the wall of the vehicle but the insectoid liminal proves stronger than she thought and quickly shoves her against the wall on Mirabelle's side gnashing her teeth, clawing, and even to sting the Rock Lizard who quickly hardens her skin to defend herself.

Zwei quickly fires a few small blades of air at the Hornet's legs, slicing into them and making her recoil.

Seizing the opportunity, Terra quickly lifts the hatch on the other door, flinging it open, then roundhouse kicks the Hornet out of the van. The Hornet instinctively grabs the door to right herself before flying upwards. It was at that moment when Terra and the others were taken aback seeing the crazed Red Oni sprinting full speed at them grunting like a wild animal.

Terra, seeing they aren't going to be able to evade them, knew they only had one option.

"Commander! Permission to engage?!"

Lovelace glances back a moment before replying, "Permission granted! HOWEVER, NO lethal force! They are still victims!"

"Understood! Pyra!", Terra stated looking at the Ignis.

"Let's go, Rock Mama!", Pyra affirms clenching her fists as flames bellowed from them and her hair. She then looks to the Zyklons, "Good luck you three!"

Terra leaps out of the vehicle and knees the Oni in the face, sending her flying backwards. Pyra flies out of the van intercepting the Hornet with a flaming uppercut while making sure to temper her flames to not give only a minor burn.

The vehicle was speeding further and further away, as their opponents quickly recovered, staring the Ignis and Rock Lizard down.

Upon closer inspection, Terra and Pyra notice dark veins pulsating from the faces and bodies of both liminals. Their eyes were unreadable and nearly devoid of any emotion besides rages as they snarled, bearing their teeth like rabid animals.

"Holy shit! What's with these guy?! They're like FERAL or something!", Pyra stated.

"Maybe it's a new side effect of the collars. Doesn't matter, we just have to restrain them!", Terra affirms, getting into a battle stance.

"RRAAAHH!", "REEEEEEEE!", The Red Oni and Giant Hornet shout their battle cry as they rush their opponents.

Above them, one of Acula's Eye Spy eyeballs could be seen observing the battle before looking at the direction the vehicle is traveling.

Back to Mirabelle and the Zyklons, Zwei was just shutting the remaining door of the vehicle to reduce the back draft as it continued down the path.

"I think we lost them.", Zwei says

"Good.", Drei replies.

"Seriously, what was up with those two, ESPECIALLY that wasp lady! She wasn't like that when I fought her. Right then she looked like some kind of coked out feral cat or something!", Zwei expressed, "I really hope those two will be alright."

"Don't worry. Pyra and Terra have handled way worse than that before! All we need to do is get to our destination.", Marnie assures.

"Speaking of, we're making our turn…now!", Lovelace stated, making the turn onto Mice and Men road, "We should see Mr. Bizzell and the others soon!"

"Good…", Drei says while looking at Mirabelle who cradles her head, "You hear that, it's all uphill from here."

"Is it? Because it just seems like everything is getting WORSE!", Mirabelle expressed, her body shaking as she clutched the sides of her head, "I don't know how much more of this I can take. It feels like more head's gonna split right in two! Why is all this happening to US?! What did we DO to deserve this?! I just want to go home!"

Zwei and Drei were at a loss for what to say right now to calm her down.

"Listen, Ma'am, nobody ever said a life worth living would be easy. There are people out there who will go after you for just looking at them funny. But that also means there are people who look at you with respect and real affection, those are the ones that REALLY matter. They're what MAKE life worth living. They keep us moving forward! I have faith in my partners and I bet you feel the same for yours, right?"

Mirabelle pauses a moment then looks up seeing Zwei and Drei right beside her. She softly answers, "Yes."

"Then we'll keep on pushing with you, ma'am! Until the mission is done, cuz THAT'S how the Elements Team rolls!", Lovelace proudly stated.

"Well said, Commander.", Marnie remarks, equally optimistic.

Mirabelle looks down in thought, still uncertain about what was to come before Zwei pats her shoulder.

"Hey, don't make that face. We can do this, we're almost home free."

"Yeah, what she said.", Drei says with a nod.

Mirabelle forces a grin and nods back.

…Meanwhile…

Caleb and the others could be seen speeding down the highway.

"Three more miles and the exit to the right, hun!", Jill remarks looking at map on her phone.

"Got it! Hang on Moon Pie, we're almost there.", Caleb says as he grips the steering wheel.

Ein looks to him a bit moved by the determination in his gaze.

Further behind them, a group of three black Mercedes vehicles could be seen approaching. In one of them, Ivan could be seen in the driver's seat with Boris seated beside him.

"Look! Ahead. Isn't that one of our cars?", Ivan points out gesturing to the vehicle far ahead of them.

"Da, that must be the one those ublyudkis(bastards) stole from our squad. Get me close, I'll take care of this.", Boris says, taking a semiautomatic pistol, cocking it once.

"Wait. If it's really him and he's with liminals that took out our squad so easily, then I think we should keep our distance for now. See where he's headed then ambush them."

"FUCK that! He's right there! I shoot him, THEY crash with him! Now GET ME CLOSER! I am ending this!"

"Would you just slow down for a min–"

Ivan was cut off when something heavy smashed in the roof of their vehicle leaving a huge, heated indentation behind them and causing them to skid while swerving as the other drivers tried to avoid getting hit by them.

"GHA! FUCK! What the fuck?!", Ivan curses trying to maintain control as a figure could be seen now sprinting ahead of them, each stride of their muscular legs burning off chunks of the road surface. Boris and Ivan were shocked to see the Salamander of Komanda Monstra.

Ember over her shoulder noticing the vehicle behind her and the two men behind the windshield causing her to bare her fangs. She knew at a glance they were Malones and she WILL deal with them…after taking out her current target.

Boris points his arm out the window taking aim at the fire lizard but Ember slaps her tail against the road surface blowing a smoldering pothole that they ran into causing the vehicle to bounce, coupled with small debris flying at the windshield as she's propelled upwards.

Ahead, as Caleb's group continued driving, oblivious to the Malones behind them, Ein gets a jolt through her spine and tail goes erect. Danger was near.

"Ahhh! SHE'S BACK!", Lyca cries out getting there, while pointing behind her.

They Salamander lands hard of the road surface, rolling into a sprint as fire billowed from her skin and eyes filled with murderous intent.

"OH COME ON! Can't she bother somebody else?!", Jill stated incredulously.

"Dammit! The exit just a mile off!", Caleb expressed, feeling his heart rate skyrocketing.

"I'll take care of this.", Ein says, opening the sunroof all the way and starts climbing through much to the other's surprise.

"No, Ein, wait!", Caleb stated trying to stop her.

"There's no time to wait! Focusing on getting to Marequine!", She stated, before squeezing herself through. Her…generous proportions did not make it easy but, thanks to her mustelidae spine, managed to pull herself through. She stood atop and T-poses while extending her scythes. Ember descends ready to slice the back of the vehicle with her flaming claws.

Ein fires a pressurized air bullet at her forcing Ember to guard herself. She knocked back, rolling as her foot claws tore through the asphalt then went right back into a sprint. Camilla and the others in back watch with mixed expression either wanting to help or with genuine anger.

"There's the exit hun turn now!"Jill stated, making sure Ein could hear it too.

Caleb, reluctantly, curves the wheel onto the exit road. The centrifugal force throws Ein off but she leaps into a spinning flip and fires three pressure bullets in quick succession launching her back toward the van. Ember slaps her tail launching herself into the air as the attack blows craters into the street where she just was.

Ein launches herself at the Salamander, scythe blades wrapped in a veil of pressurized air, and intercepts her fiery claws mid-air.

"YOU FUCKERS REALLY THOUGHT YOU COULD DEFEAT KOMANDA MONSTRA?!", Ember roars at the kamaitachi, fangs bared with small flames pouring from her mouth

"I KNOW we will! You won't touch that vehicle or ANYONE inside it!", Ein shouted, before kneeing her opponent in the jaw.

Ember recoils from the hit but somersaults mid-air. With an anger fueled roar, she whips her tail creating an explosion that launches her at the Karmaitachi. She delivers a devastating punch that Ein manages to block with her scythes, creating a strong shockwave as they are both sent flying in the distance.

"EIN!", Lyca worriedly shouted, hanging halfway out the window.

Camilla pulls Lyca back inside, then grabs her by the shoulders.

"She will be fine, Senora! She is strong! Ju have to believe in her!"

Lyca gives an uncertain look but then clenches her eyes and gives Camilla a more determined look and nods, choosing to believe in her friend.

Caleb, choosing to keep his composure as well, continues driving towards his destination. All the while, the other group of pursuers were still on their trail.

…Meanwhile back to Mirabelle…

The group continues down Mice and Men road passing by a gated, construction area littered with gravel stone and several unmanned pieces of equipment. The road was a bit bumpy due to infrequent maintenance and constant use from heavy machinery.

"Hey, how much longer before we meet up with Boss and the others?", Zwei inquires, knocking on the wall.

"Strange, it seems we should have seen them by now. Let me check.", Marnie says before touching the communication piece in her ear only to be met with static, "No good. I'm getting too much interference."

"Damn, but it makes sense. We ARE close to a construction area, there must be interference from their power lines.", Lovelace informs, "Let's just keep going. It's a straight path so we're bound to run into them eventually."

Zwei and the others comply, while still not pleased with the constant bumping and shaking produced from the road.

Above them, standing atop of an unfinished building structure was Fantina looking down at the passing vehicle gripping her scythe.

She points it at the vehicle and a large red magic seal appears beneath it. As she was about to let loose her spell, a loud screaming that quickly and steadily got louder caught her attention.

A figure lands with a crash several meters ahead of the vehicle startling Fantina and everyone inside. Lovelace quickly breaks to a stop as Fantina dissipates the seal, deciding to see what happens.

"Dammit! Here comes another one.", Lovelace bitterly spoke gripping the steering wheel as Marnie focused her gaze while forming a ball of pressurized water in her palm.

Mirabelle wears a panicked expression, heart racing as she feared the worst. Zwei touches her shoulder giving her an assuring smile while Drei does the same, minus the smile.

"We'll take care of this one! Don't you two both worry! Come on sis!", Zwei stated, extending her scythes.

"Don't let the excitement spoil your grammar, Zwei.", Drei comments, extending her scythes.

Both Kamaitachi leap atop the roof of the vehicle in battle stances.

"Alright! Who's got the BALLS to attack thi–",

Zwei stops her rant as she and Drei instantly recognize the figure picking themselves off the ground.

"Agh, dammit! Where did she–", Ein says, looking around furiously for her opponent before eyes widen, noticing the two Karmaitchi on top.

"EIN!", Zwei happily shouted, rushing with blinding speed to her sister, wrapping her in a hug.

"Zwei! Drei! You're both ok! I'm so glad!", Ein joyfully stated, hugging her sister back as Marnie and Lovelace watched looking at each other questioningly.

"Holy crap! It feels like I haven't seen you in months!", Zwei stated, her tail flailing excitedly.

"It's been three hours.", Ein replied incredulously with a smile.

"You sure? It kinda feels like you've gone up a bra size since I last saw ya.", Zwei skeptically replied experimentally lifting both her sister's breasts testing their weight. Ein clenches her fist as a vein of anger appears on her forehead.

Bam

Ein delivers a swift smack on Zwei's head leaving a large bump while still smiling and visibly annoyed. Marnie and Lovelace were taken aback by the sudden display of sibling discipline.

Zwei tearfully rubs her head while smiling.

"I'm...guessing THAT'S the agent Ein Zyklon that Jill mentioned?", Marnie remarks as Drei leaps down beside the passenger side door.

"Yep, my thick sister with a heart as big as her chest.", Drei comments as Marnie raises an eyebrow but nods agreeingly.

The reunion is quickly cut short when another descends slamming into the ground directly behind the van shaking the area around them.

"Annnd THAT would be the Opps.", Drei plainly stated as she and the others looked to see the enraged Salamander behind them. Her body radiating incredible heat with fire wafting from her scales and tail as she finally notices Ein and the others. A smirk appears on her face as she peers inside the back of the vehicle seeing the trembling Centaur.

"There you are. Satella looking for you.", Ember says in an unhinged voice as Mirabelle's fearfully whimpers.

"RUN!", Drei yelled, slapping the passenger door.

"Go Go Go! Get outta here! Keep going, Mr. Bizzell and others should be up ahead!" Ein told them as she readied her scythes.

"Yeah, leave the fire tail to us and get to Boss and the other's!", Zwei said as she and Drei once more extended out their scythes

"Alright I expect to see you three when this is all over!" Lovelace told them as he slammed on accelerator, the tires smoking as they sped away

"OH NO YOU DON'T!", Ember shouts, slapping her tail and rocketing hersel towards the vehicle, surprising Drei and Zwei, as Mirabelle screams in terror. Ember extends her fiery claw, "YOU'RE MI–"

She's immediately stopped when a pillar of water erupts from a nearby manhole cover launching her upwards much to her shock.

'W-What?! They have a WATER elemental with them?!', Ember thought as body was drenched putting out the flames in her scales turning them a hideous charcoal gray.

"You won't lay a finger on that girl!", Marnie shouted, hanging partly out the window, arm extended, "Not as long as I'M here to cool your embers!"

Ember glared at the van and, at that moment, Ein appears to deliver a shockwave-powered spin kick prompting the Salamander to defend as the impact sends her flying while breaking off charred bits of scales from her forearms. Ember crashes through a larger steel gate in a vacant construction area filled with stacks of gravel, steel bars, mixers and heavy machinery tumbling to the ground.

She reels from the blow, weakly picking herself up panting on all fours. She looks to her trembling palms seeing her scales cracking away with every movement of her fingers.

"I will admit, I'm impressed that you're able to move like that after multiple doses of my paralysis serum. That amount would leave a Wurm down for an entire day.", Drei spoke, getting the Salamander's attention. All three Karmaitchi were posted on top of a large yellow excavator, glaring down with disdain.

"I don't think you even needed that sis. Looks like a bottle of Dasani could take her out right now.", Zwei scornfully spoke, as Ember clenched her fists in frustration, glaring back at them.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT! I should've ripped you apart when I had the chance!", Ember snarls, steam wafting from her body as her temperature rises.

"Missed opportunity on your part. Silver lining is, I get to pay you back for the beating earlier.", Drei coldly spoke as Zwei and Ein's expressions intensified.

"Allow us to help you collect your dues, sister. Maybe she'll put up more of a fight than those two who attacked us at the hotel. We easily killed them both!", Ein spat, stretching the truth just to get a rise out of the Salamander. She got it.

Upon hearing those words, that Ranka and Nikami were indeed dead, Ember's eyes widened as reality sets in. Memories of Ranka and Nikami flash in her mind. She grips her fists, tightening it as flames erupt from her tail quickly spreading throughout her body. Her once cooled black reptilian claws now pulsate with glow orange fire spreading through the scales like veins. The stones around her burning red hot quickly melting into a pool of magma.

"I WILL INCINERATE YOU ALL! YOU MOTHERFUCKEEERRS!", Ember roars, her voice rippling throughout the area as fire erupts around her like a living volcano.

"Looks like you found her on button." Drei dryly said as Ein sighed, taunting her about her dead allies was probably not a good idea in hindsight.

The Zyklons ready their blades and descend upon the Salamander to attack with the ferocity of a tornado.

….

As Marnie and Lovelace drove away from the scene, they were oblivious to the small goat woman tailing them from above. She quickly vanishes in a flash of red energy. The same red light could then be seen inside the back of the vehicle.

"Ms. Marequine? Is everything ok back there?", Marnie inquires only to be met with silence, " ?...Ms. Marequine?"

Silence once again.

Lovelace and Marnie look to each other in dread before the former steps on the break making the tires skid. He slides open the wall divider winder peering through to see…absolutely no one inside.

Dread quickly turns to panic as they get out of the vehicle and frantically search around.

"MS. MAREQUINNNNNE!", Lovelace loudly called out cupping his hands.

…Further away…

Mirabelle and Fantina appear in a flash of red light in front of a large, vacant store house.

As the Centaur tries to stand, a large red magic seal appears below her and red chains shoot out quickly immobilizing her.

"Nngh! What are you doing?! Let me go!", Mirabelle cried out, struggling to free herself.

"I can't do that.", Fantina plainly answers.

"What are you talking about?!"

"Exactly what it sounds like, a pony girl.", Came another voice.

Mirabelle is shocked to see a grey skinned red eyed Monoeye girl with black tail and eyeball tentacles levitating above her with a toothy grin.

"Nice job, goat Loli. You managed to secure the payload. Now, be a good delivery girl and give it to your client. They're waiting."

Fantina shoots her a glare before reluctantly complying. She slashes the air with her scythe creating a pulsating ripple in space before expanding into a more circular shape. Mirabelle stares, uncertain and afraid for what was to come.

Out of the portal steps an elderly woman dressed in black jacket with red underwear, black jeans, and a Red Slime girl at her side. Several men could be seen stepping up behind her entering through the portal.

"Little Nightmare, may I present your soon to be new master, Mama Rosé. Ehehehehe", Acula jeered as Mirabelle wears a horrified expression.

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WN

Sup Fam! Hope everyone's doing alright. Yeah, I know this chapter was supposed to be out three days ago buuut I accepted a new position at work and it's making my inconsistent writing schedule MORE inconsistent. Still writing whenever I have downtime until things calm down a bit.

This Arc is winding down! Two chapters to go and I'm excited. Be on the lookout for them!

That's about it. Stay safe, drink water, and PEACE FAM!

***Produce by Melv–'My mind' plays in the background***