Streaks of hot blue plasma filled the sky. With each blast, an explosion of viscera. The ground and sky were filled with bones and organs. Each pile that fell from above to below came from the same source. A seemingly endless tide of Cacodemons floating into Urdak.
Doomguy chose the precision bolt modification for his Gauss Cannon rather than siege mode. Delivering instantaneous death was trickier as he needed to hit the flying red spheres in their glowing green eyes. However, the shorter time between shots and the added mobility made it preferable. Regarding the latter, Doomguy needed to be mobile since the Cacodemons quickly destroyed his vantage point.
Shot after shot, the space marine did his best to control the invading force. Cacodemons had no brains. What guided them, other than their masters, was their hunger. They'd likely chew on non-organic objects and materials to satisfy their cravings.
Even so, with such a quantity, Doomguy struggled to prevent their advance. The decoys did their jobs, but they could only earn the attention of so many. The sentry drones could offer no aid, they were busy with the Imps that tried to scurry past. Progressively, Doomguy was being pushed farther back. At this rate, they'd reach the essential structures within a few minutes.
PLOOSH
An odd noise, but fitting for the source. Cacodemons did not spew fire from their gaping maws. Instead, large quantities of digestive bile were weaponized. Cacodemons were slow-moving creatures. They needed their immensely effective acidic spew to immobilize enemies and make it easier to close the distance.
From all sides, Doomguy was surrounded by an ever-growing sea of the beasts' stomach juices. This was a genuine first for the space marine. Even within Doom's domain, the most Cacodemons he's ever encountered at once lay between fifty and a hundred. However, he was looking at hundreds, maybe over a thousand. With the BFG's reserves expended, there was little more Doomguy could do besides continue his plasma-based barrage.
Those who fixated their gaze on the space marine were closing in. The Cacodemons were grouping into a giant red mass. No matter how fast Doomguy could pull the trigger or adjust his aim, it would never be enough to keep them at bay.
Click
Damn. Amidst this chaos, Doomguy hadn't monitored his plasma ammunition. Swapping to a new weapon would be fast and simple. Doomguy's ability to evaluate that best weapon choice was equally swift. However, as the rocket launcher appeared in his hands, a Cacodemon lunged. The space marine would have to withstand the weapon's splash damage if he wished to avoid the sizable jaw ready to bite down on him.
THUNK
From above, an object came. It pierced the Cacodemon with no issue, killing it instantly. Before Doomguy could assess the object's properties, more appeared just as unexpectedly.
THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK THUNK
A blinding barrage brought an end to the horde of Cacodemons before Doomguy. Each of them skewered like a slab of meat on a kebab. With the immediate danger dealt with, the space marine could study the objects that had aided him. They were spears.
"Apologies." The voice of Vega spoke to Doomguy via his helmet. "I meant to inform you of your impending reinforcements, but other matters distracted me." He explained.
Upon hearing this, Doomguy looked to the sky. Above him was a sight that most would describe as biblical. A large group of Maykrs hovered in place with weapons at the ready. The few who were missing theirs were the ones who threw the spears.
They bore a great resemblance to Samur. However, their bodies were clad in a crimson armor that resembled blood. Most likely, this distinguished them as warriors among their people.
"We are here, Slayer!" The one at the front yelled. Afterward, the spears were pulled from the Cacodemons' corpses by an unknown force and were returned to their owners.
Nothing else needed to be said by the Maykrs. Doomguy, with an appreciative nod, refocused on the fight still at hand. Together, the Maykrs and the space marine charged toward their enemies. This was the only section of Urdak where the Demons could still invade, as Vega defended the rest with the restored defensive measures. All they needed to do was buy Vega the time he needed to secure Urdak.
Yet, as the battle was underway, Doomguy noticed someone's absence. It wasn't hard since the Maykrs kept to the air, meaning he fought alone on the ground. Thinking it over, it made sense. They should've known that he wouldn't come to fight until the Wretch's well-being was known.
Elsewhere, In The Central Facility...
The Marine didn't disobey orders. He followed them to the letter. He would aid Doomguy and the resurrected Maykrs. But before that, he had to check on the Wretch.
Vega could've told the Marine what the Wretch's condition was. However, this was something he needed to see himself. It's not that he didn't trust Vega; he just trusted himself more. He wouldn't accept anyone simply saying that the Wretch was okay. He had to confirm it.
The Marine took less than five minutes to reach Khan's chamber. This was impressive, given the facility's size and the distance he traveled. Yet, what awaited the soldier was truly remarkable. Honesty, he hadn't considered this specific outcome.
To the Marine's relief, the Wretch was fine. This was an assumed scenario on the condition that Khan wouldn't be in a well-enough state to do anything. But this is where things became interesting. Khan was better than they assumed, and...she was...consoling the Wretch.
That's what it looked like from the Marine's perspective. They weren't doing something as obvious as hugging to indicate this. Even so, the scene still portrayed this description because Khan sat upright in her module with a hand placed on the Wretch's shoulder. Further credibility came from her facial expression; she looked at the Wretch, not with hatred, disgust, or confusion. Instead, it was with a smile and a gaze of compassion.
Unintentionally, the Marine interrupted their interaction. Both noticed his arrival when the door he entered through was opened. With his back to the entryway, the Wretch needed to turn around to see him. When he did, the Marine made another discovery.
Golden tears managed to escape the confines of the Wretch's helmet. The Marine didn't know he could cry. Admittedly, neither did the Wretch. Whatever occurred between him and Khan was enough to invoke such a strong reaction. But now was not the time to explore it.
"Marine," Wretch spoke, wiping away the golden streaks that stained his face. "What're you doing here? What about the Slayer?" He questioned.
"Doomguy is doing fine," Vega responded, his voice coming from all directions as he used the room to convey his voice. "All of the Maykrs stored within the Soul Cube have been resurrected. With their support, Doomguy is successfully pushing back the Demonic invasion." He informed them before bringing up a holographic display in the room's center. "I've managed to re-activate Urdak's scanners. A force far greater in size than the main landmass is approaching their location. We must hurry to sever Doom's connection." He concluded.
After receiving this information, the Wretch returned to helping Khan out of her machine. Without needing to be requested, the Marine hurried to his ally's side and assisted.
"Thank you," Khan spoke, addressing them both. For a split second, the Marine paused. Her voice was so...soothing. It's as if it touched the soul and cured all its woes. "I'm sorry if my size is inconvenient." She apologized.
"Think nothing of it. The Marine and I are strong enough to lift a heavily armored vehicle. Even if you were comatose, we could move you out of the apparatus." Wretch assured her without a single grunt or sign of strain.
Khan was far too exhausted from her prolonged stasis to spread her wings. Thankfully, she possessed enough strength in her arms to push herself out of the Divinity. The Wretch and the Marine mostly lowered her onto the floor beside it. Once Khan was comfortable, they removed the parts directly connected to her.
"Marine," Vega spoke again as they were nearly finished. Simultaneously, he opened a portal near their location. "This will take you back to the Ivory Tower. The canisters of Argent we need to secure Urdak are close by." He informed him.
"Go!" Wretch ordered. "I will remove the remaining connections!" He added.
Nodding in reply, the Marine ran through the portal as fast as he could. If anything, his insistence on ensuring the Wretch was alright in person was the right call. With two people attending to Khan and the Divinity, the reclamation of Urdak was going much faster, which was needed given the massive horde approaching from within Doom.
Elsewhere, On The Battlefield...
"Something's coming!" A Maykr shouted in warning, getting everyone's attention.
Doomguy and the Maykrs had managed to eradicate the Cacodemons. For a good few minutes, they could regroup and prepare for the next assault. One Maykr was assigned to be the lookout, and it was them who had spoken. Their enemies were coming.
When the barrier produced by Khan disappeared, it showed the true state of things. The very realm of Doom surrounded what remained of Urdak's celestial space. This allowed the Maykrs and Doomguy to see what approached them from further within its dwelling. As of now, a stampede of Lost Souls, Pinkies, Hell Knights, and Barons was headed their way.
Bullets. Shotgun shells. A handful of grenades. Doomguy was nearing the end of his armaments. Soon, the space marine would only be left with the Power-Ups in his suit. Yet, even they all at once couldn't kill this many Demons without overdosing. But, as he had silently promised in the Ivory Tower, that was no longer an option.
"Ready yourselves!" The Maykr, who seemed to be in charge, instructed its comrades. In reaction, the other Maykrs quickly gathered in an immaculate defensive formation. They were to be the wall that stopped these horrors.
As for Doomguy, he'd buy them as much time as he could. Summoning the chaingun with its mobile turret modification equipped, Doomguy walked forward. These Demonic bastards would drown in bullets before setting foot on Urdak. When they did, he'd greet them with his fists.
Stanced up, tri-barrels deployed, ready for action. Doomguy edged his weapon by rhythmically tapping the trigger. With the mobile turret modification in use, he couldn't pre-emptively spin the barrels. So, he had to rely on this tried and true trick to ensure the weapon was ready.
As the legion was nearly upon them, Doomguy remembered Quad Damage. It wouldn't dispel this great number, but it would certainly buy them more time. However, a voice greeted him as he began cycling through his suit's contents. Thus preventing the use of the Power-Up.
"There's no need for that," Vega spoke. His choice of words surprised and befuddled the space marine. "Although, you may need to kill a straggler or two." He added.
Confused by everything Vega said, Doomguy wouldn't receive clarity from the AI. Instead, it appeared in a beautiful display. Like the burst of Urdak's power Vega used earlier, a new wave of energy was cast from the central facility. Yet, this one wasn't golden in color, meaning it didn't come from Khan's soul.
The Maykrs were left speechless by the shining purity of the energy's silver hue. Contrastly, Doomguy's brow instinctively furrowed; he couldn't help it. While this did mean their plan was successful, it also meant Argent saved Urdak. Furthermore, its freedom would be secured by it.
The silver-colored wave of salvation obliterated the advancing army of Demons. They fizzled so quickly that it seemed like a flash. Upon inspection, no ashes were found. The amount of Argent used was great enough to yield such devastating results.
A new barrier was erected after that impressive show of Argent's offensive potential. The energy burned the edges of Doom that persisted. Although it'd take far more effort and other means to separate the two realms, this was still a significant triumph. So much so that the Maykrs in Doomguy's company couldn't withhold their emotion.
"WE DID IT!" The Angelic figures cheered as they embraced one another in celebration. "URDAK IS FREE!" They cried.
However, the cheering ended just as quickly as it began. With Urdak now secured from Doom's invasion, something else was achieved. When the realization struck the Maykrs, they dropped their weapons in unison from the shock.
"KHAN!" They screamed together before making haste toward the central facility. At long last, their Mother was free! The Creator was given her life back!
As for Doomguy, he remained where he stood for a few seconds. His eyes were fixated on the silver barrier that kept Doom at bay. But this wasn't the time to focus on his grievances with Argent. For the first time in a long while, a major victory had been gained. So, after stowing his weapon, the space marine walked toward the central facility to join the rest in their merriment.