Queen's note: When the Doom Dad comes home early to drop something off, and finds the after effects of chaos.

Garnets

Chapter Twenty Six:

Faith

The heavy metal music was not exactly calming but definitely it was a way to help him focus. It was one of the 'newer' songs that he had discovered after coming to earth. Glad that Riggs had it in his reserves of memory where Vega did not. Even when there were no more demons in the area, the last of the small horde was nothing but ash under his boot, it was still great to listen to. The Slayer stretched almost lazily, perhaps mildly put out that there was not that much left as he strode down the semi empty road to the city proper, having come out of the portal more in the suburbs so as not to possibly alert the cultists too soon.

The demigod paused as he was almost to the next group of buildings, looking out to the west to his left. The expanse of the sea caught his attention as a few shambling possessed wandered into the open mindlessly. The Slayer stared at the water, the rolling waves and how they were not really that big.

Turning partly, he eyed the closets, gaunt form, then the tide line.

The Slayer walked forward, almost ambling as he paused beside a car. A close fist hit the roof of the wreckage. Hitting it as lightly as he could, but also in time with the beat of the music in his helmet.

Again it was almost like he was lazy as the not really human waited for the possessed to come shuffling over to him. Checking over his weapons, reloaded and put them away. He could sense the crucible's eagerness to fight again, a constant push at the back of his mind. If he did not have such a strong will, the Slayer might have given into the want of blood from the living weapon.

The Slayer though can push easily back, feeding the crucible some of his own energy as he stood up right. Reaching to catch the first possessed creature around the neck and one shoulder. Lifting it off the ground to look the thing over. How the form was gaunt and thin, but with thicker gray and black splotchy skin. Likely having been one of the first to die and change in the area.

There were no hints of human recognition in the red and orange glowing eyes as it gargled and flailed senselessly in the demigod's grip. The Slayer seemed a little disappointed at that before he moved to the beach. Almost passive like the Unwilling were in hell, just giving little barks and grunts as it was carried. It was not until the Slayer was knee deep in the sea water that there was a more lively reaction.

He watched in mild fascination as the possessed started to realize the salt water was burning it. Kicking out and scrabbling bunt fingers at the hand holding it. Scratching at his gauntlet as the Slayer walked another few steps to be waist deep. The possessed howled as it was moved, and then plunged under the surface.

The Slayer tilted his head to one side, then to the other, watching the desperate flailing. Counting as it slowed and then at the count of ten, the demonic side was starting to almost dissolve. Wounds opening and bleeding in the sea water, losing the blackened armor like layer until the possessed jerked as the glow faded from its eyes.

There was no reverting into a human, but the body also did not turn to ash. Just a faint pulse started under his fingers as the body stopped struggling and seemed to relax in a way that had the Slayer blink. He shifted his hold and snapped the neck, watching as the body half dissolved and fell apart in the water. Washing away in the tide.

The Slayer stood up, clearly thinking before his head snapped to the beach at catching movement.

The possessed there had stopped following, staying away from the salt water and shuffling away in the sand and pebbles of the beach. One fell in a tide pool and howled after a second.

Picking up one of the smaller caliber weapons, the Slayer snipped each of the creatures with a head shot. Watching them fall and start to turn to ash and embers. The one in the tide pool was much like the one he drowned. More dissolving where it had been in the water.

"Interesting," Vega's voice noted under the music, not meaning to bother the Slayer.

The demigod nodded in agreement, starting to walk along the beach, thinking as he lingered long enough to let the sea water wash some of the bulky gore off his legs. Then walked back up to the road and set a good ground eating pace. His steps soon almost in time with the underlying beat of the next song. Head bobbing faintly but the music was not so loud he missed much outside. The straggling possessed were quickly dispatched, and the one stronger demonic creature that came lumbering over was not that interesting.

The crucible sang in the back of the Slayer's mind as he pulled it out. Although it was happy to be fed, the master looked mildly put out. Swinging the opalescent blade around after the demon fell in parts before burning away. He considered the living weapon, realizing it needed a name.

Sated for now, the crucible was back to radiating its contentment like in the Fortress when around Lily.

What an interesting last gift Hawkins had made himself into now.

The blue glow of the gorgon blade faded and retracted as it was attached back to the Slayer's hip. Knowing that he had the blade's undying loyalty as long as he kept Lily safely protected on the Fortress. Not that it was his only reason for keeping the human safe, as the Slayer at least would admit to himself that he was firmly attached.

His hate and rage burned forever and bright, and loyalty once bonding was even more. As evidenced by Vega. He had been more than impressed by the AI's loyalty to him, and trying to save who he could of the humans. The Slayer was not sure he ever could let go of Lily or Valen at this point.

Last Gift?

That seemed like a nice name, not something readily intimidating but fitting.

The crucible hummed in the back of the Slayer's mind. Liking that pick as well, as it was better then the things he had been tossing around relating to hawks.

The Slayer paused as he came to the nearest larger buildings, noting how they were mostly intact. A few doors or windows broke the farther in the city proper, but despite this being a shopping area, there was not much damage.

Pacing around one building, the Slayer tracked down all the demons in a few block radius and exterminated all the demonic creatures. Mostly just lingering possessed, the worst was a Prowler that was unaware of him. It was almost as if Hell was not letting too many things flood this area, so as not to put too much stress on their human followers.

He looped back to the first bigger building, only a few stories tall but it was completely intact. Even the windows had been boarded up roughly with wood from the nearby hardware store. The door he found was not locked but blockaded, and just needed some careful force to open it. The Slayer was careful not to break the door, and once open enough he closed it behind him, moving the desk back into place before taking a good look around.

It definitely was lived in, showing signs of surviving humans at one point had been here. Not a sleeping area but more storage for things scavenged and brought back to this area to be sorted.

The Demigod paused, holstering his shotgun on his back and walked forward slowly. Not making any sound despite his bulk. Finding that the store had been pretty well isolated from the outside, as the scan Vega did through the suit was showing not nearly as much of the gasses outside. A little power on top of that as there were some lights.

An odd sound had him pausing, listening before moving farther in, seeing how the people here had tried to set up a few small animals like Lily had on her platform. Only it was gate panels set up between and over some isles, holding…

The Slayer lifted a hand, knocking his knuckles on his helmet for Vega's attention. He pointed to the feathery animals that had not noticed him yet. What are they again?

For the life of him, the Slayer recognized the animals, but could not remember what they were called.

"Those are chickens." Vega sounded a bit surprised at seeing them too, "They seem to be healthy, no corruption. Do they have enough food and water to last until you or Valen can get them to the Fortress?"

Good things to have? The Slayer signed the question, walking over and finding where there was a small gate. The birds seemed to notice him, hurting over with chattering sounds. Clearly used to humans and…

"Very good to have. Do you have the beacon I made?" Vega asked as the Demigod found a stack of four or five bags of… wheat seeds? He picked up an open bag, looking inside and with no mold Vega watched as his person carefully got into the inside chicken coop and run. Spread out some of the feed in both coops, before finding a bucket of water in each.

The Slayer was pleased he could pet a few 'chickens' as they ate, before looking for who left the fresh water.

There were recent supplies brought in, and other than where the chickens were, some growing things set up under the sky lights of the building. Things were clean. Organized and kept clean.

It was a faint sound, and after turning down the music, the Demigod was able to quickly locate it in a back office.

Him.

Small. That was his first thought, realizing that the thing he was starting at was even smaller than Lily. More tiny compared to him, and wide dark eyes looked up at him startled as he filled the doorway. The boy was just waking up and was confused at what he was seeing. As if thinking he was still dreaming as the Slayer walked soundlessly closer. Noting a gasmask not far away, with filters.

The Demigod offered his hands, letting out a pleased rumble as the child reflexively reached up. Maybe like Lily, he reminded the boy of someone, but seemed to just be realizing this was not a dream. Settled against his chest plate, the Slayer hummed a questioning hum at the boy watching even more intently.

"Did… doctor Rosetta send you?" The boy finally asked, tapping the solid metal chest plate.

The Slayer shifted the boy to hold him with one arm, freeing a hand to hold flat and tilt side to side. Trying to sign at the boy, who looked confused.

"Can't you talk mister?" The boy asked, and blinked as the impossibly large man shook his head.

Tapping his own neck then shook his head again. The Slayer looked around and shifted to have a better hold of the human boy. Surprised at first that Vega seemed distracted, but maybe it was one of the other AI. Looking around he found papers on a desk, grating one and a pen. Well able to write with ether hand now, the Slayer wrote in a larger, but near print. Here to help. Where is dr?

"She left a few days ago to get more stuff from the feed store." The boy said after staring at the words. He could read it seemed.

I will find her. The Slayer wrote, then looked around and added. Need to get you safe.

"Are you with ark?" The boy asked hopefully.

No, but looking for them. It was not a lie, as the Demigod was interested in the group of survivors. He just was not personally looking for them, trusting Vega to do so.

The Slayer shifted the boy, hoping Valen would not hit him again as he found the new beacon that Vega made after the Platform. Bleeding some energy over to activate it, the child gasping as he watched in awe. And then started to cough much like Lily did. The Demigod stepped back, tossing the beacon through the door and to the open space there.

Then spread a hand over the small back as the boy sagged after the coughing fit. The Slayer marveled a bit at how tiny the human was, and not using as much energy he used for Lily, but still trying to help. The boy squirmed before going completely limp against the broad chest, his eyes glazed before closing.

The boy made a small, confused sound. Unable not to trust the stranger now as his chest loosened enough before going unconscious. Missing how the portal was spiraling open as the Slayer walked into it, and out of the portal into the Fortress command area.

"A few unexpected things happened while you were away," Vega spoke inside the Slayer's helmet to warn him.

The Slayer stopped short, and stared at Lily as she stared back just as confused at seeing him. He was pretty sure he had only been gone half a day, but his gaze locked onto the medical kit on the dark panel. How Lily was sitting shirtless with what looked like Valen's over shirt in her lap as she cleaned new long scraps on her front and sides.

"Uhh… did you find them already...?" Lily started, not seemingly stressed as she looked up at the Demigod. Then realized he was holding someone comparatively tiny to his chest as the portal closed. "...wait, what..?"

The Demigod came over, kneeling down and started to reach for Lily's exposed scraps, then paused. What happened?

"I fell through the floor of a passage to an unpowered section." Lily said honestly, wincing, she looked exhausted, "...and chaos happened. Is he alive?"

The Slayer nodded, shifting to let Lily check the boy. Where's Valen?

"Commander Valen is moving one of the Sentinel Batteries to help the survivors' sarcophaguses stay powered." Vega started to explain, he too was a bit thrown off at the sudden reappearance of the Slayer.

"Like I said, chaos happened." Lily added as the helmet turned to her.

Safe?

"As much as I can be now," how could she explain what happened when she barely understood it all herself.

Need to get another human. The slayer signed as he stood, glancing between the boy and Lily, knowing she would not like what was needed. So he used his full stride to walk out and to Medical.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Lily was getting up, fumbling with what was in her lap. Getting the things off her, the oversized shirt on, and then almost forgetting the soul gems. That delay was long enough for the Slayer to get more than a head start.

The Demigod was notably a lot gentler with the small child, even pulsing a little more of his energy to keep the boy unconscious as he was placed in the stasis pod. The Slayer already had him hooked up to the pod by the time Lily limped in after him. The Slayer sealed the pod and turned, deftly picking Lily up, making her yip as she was inspected next. Vega had been quietly speaking in the helmet, filling in the Slayer with what had happened. Setting the young woman down, he turned her arms up, finding the new splash of a lack of pigmentation, not completely gone yet but distinctly fainter.

The Slayer shifted, carefully pressing his helmet against Lily's head as he held her shoulders.

"I'll be okay, I think," Lily said, closing her eyes as she realized John was trying to give some reassurance. "Valen was there, is. I felt safer in the command room area while he was helping the Sentinels. Vega could watch over me better there."

"I apologize I was not able to inform you of what happened," Vega spoke aloud over the medical area's speakers. "I have been involved with the new systems that have opened up."

The Slayer considered, but found he was not really that annoyed. Vega was not exactly the VEGA SYSTEM he had been on Mars without as much of the resources he had back then. The Slayer was willing to give some leeway to the new aware being.

The Demigod moved to cup his hands around Lily's face, staring at the flicker of Wraith energy in her now. Valen's wraith gift. Definitely a good idea to drag the old commander out of hell.

The Slayer stood back up right, pointing to the stasis pod and signed. Leave tiny there. Need to find the other human, his caretaker.

There was a pause, and he looked up to the nearest camera. Gift? Vega tell her about the birds.

"Birds?" The young woman echoed as she stared at what was signed. Lily followed after the Slayer as John started back to the command room and the portal.

"Where the boy was, a secured building, there were two groups of chickens." Vega spoke, "It looked like there were a few survivors staying there until recently."

"Oh, chickens? Egg layers?" Lily lit up at the thought of real eggs again, not the frozen ones left over from the Platform. "Like real chickens? Is there enough food for them?"

Feed store near? The slayer offered what the boy had said. He considered and then added as the portal opened, nudging Lily away from it. Can look after finding survivors and relay.

Lily nodded, putting her mask on as she moved back out of the way as the Slayer left again. Once it was closed and the vents kicked on, Lily turned to the nearest active console, "Vega! Can you show me what he's seeing?"

There was just a few second pause, as the AI likely double checked. "Of course."

The Slayer must know that she was watching, because as soon as the feed was there. He knocked his knuckles to the side of the visor, and signed. My flower.

Lily laughed, not sure why that made her feel safer despite being alone. "Can he hear me Vega?"

"He can now," Vega connected the line for now, giving Lily a visual display of a simple microphone that was lit up.

"Can you please show the chickens on your way out?" Lily asked as she watched John pick up the beacon.

The Slayer nodded, recharging the device and moving it to where it would be more in the open. The Slayer scanning around just in case the other human returned. Also giving the watchers a chance to see the converted store. Walking past the chickens again and smiled to himself at the excited sound that came through.

Tell Valen to come get. The slayer signed freely as his hands were still empty. Heading back to the door he came through to start with.

"I can do that," Lily answered through the comms, "Once he's done stabilizing that… um. King's retreat? That's where the survivors we found are."

Mine? The Demigod wondered, moving the desk and table, trying to pull it back with closing the door. Turning to face the empty streets.

"From what Commander Valon thinks, they might be some of 'your' Sentinels." Vega noted, not sure how long to leave the feed open as the Slayer started to go around the building for a quick hunt of any possessed that had started to wander close again.

Lily was both horrified and awed by how fast and effective the Slayer was at dispatching the creatures. She had not really stopped to watch him on the sea platform. Or like this.

The example of raw strength was frightening and… suddenly, impossibly… reassuring.

How many times at this point had Lily been carried or squished tight in John's arms. When he could so easily rip apart something human size this whole time. What had Valen said? She was in the protection of a living god?

That finally made sense.

Lily rested her head on the console, so as not to watch another demonic creature being ripped apart into a bloody mess. "I don't think I want to watch that Vega."

"Sorry miss Lily," he switched the feed off and comms were about to be sent to the console, "Are you alright?"

"I…" Lily considered as she sat up, pulling the too big shirt a little more around herself. It still smelled of ash, but also of Valen. "Oddly, I am. I think. Now… maybe we can survive this invasion."

On earth, walking down an empty street, 'John,' The Slayer King-Demigod, gave a lopsided smile in his helmet as he heard and felt the faith in him that Lily was really starting to have. Not unlike the odd strength he felt on Sentinels Prime and Argent D'ner. Something that he only really became aware of after the Divinity Machine did… whatever it did to him.

The Slayer reached up to turn that comm line off, and turn up the music. Revealing just for a few moments in that feeling of faith that seeped through his gut. For the first time in a few ages since being trapped in hell, the Demigod actually felt full.

He stretched out his legs, eyes locked onto the cell towers in the semi distance. All the while able to stretch out his senses now to try and feel for living souls again with that bit of faith given. He idly wondered what would happen after human curiosity started to happen with other humans on the planet. For now though he had to hook up the relay for Vega, then find the local gore nest.

It still felt good to be full.


Reviews!

XFireStoneX:

I'm glad you liked that idea! I figured it would be a good way to weaken a bigger demon for a human to stand a chance.