Early Morning
Very rarely did Vega ever feel uncomfortable. He understood that everyone was different, thus leading to an endless variety of scenarios and interactions. Whether it was with someone as openly sexual as Angel Dust or someone as militaristic as Lute, the AI never found it difficult to be in the presence of any specific person. The only times he was unsettled were when certain individuals, such as Rosie, successfully intimidated him.
But now, Vega found himself sandwiched between two people who made the air feel as thick as ice. The area's temperature was appropriately frigid. While everyone else spent yesterday focusing on the gala and then participating in it, these individuals remained at the training grounds. However, it wasn't Verosika and Sonia.
Samuel Hayden had no intentions of going to the event. He wanted to continue working while also providing Eve with someone to talk to if she interacted with her Helix Stone. Upon learning this, Olivia Mayberry decided to stay as well. As harmless as it may seem, this choice was like clicking two stones together to create a spark.
Samuel insisted that Olivia go ahead and enjoy herself with the others. He knew that she'd likely want a dance with Doomguy, so there was no sense in missing out on that opportunity. Yet, frustratingly, the Sinner refused to listen. If the mechanical man was going to exclude himself from the celebration, then so was she. That was meant to be the end of the discussion.
Alas, for poor Vega, that's when the chill started rolling in. Every so often, Samuel or Olivia would make one or several comments. Unlike the rest of their social group, who'd likely express themselves with shouting and other excited vocalizations, these two were passive-aggressive incarnate. Each of them continuously mentioned how much fun the others were likely having and how SOMEONE was being rather obtuse by not going.
To make matters worse, the doctor and the Sinner eventually used the AI as a middleman, having him deliver messages even though the duo were within earshot of each other! When Olivia retired for the night, she didn't even bother telling Samuel goodbye. She did so with Vega and then strutted away with her head upturned.
You'd think that after a good night's rest and some time apart, these two would return to the status quo. Sadly, the room now felt colder than Vega's cooling station on Mars. Neither the mechanical man nor the Sinner even bothered with remarks or quips like they once did. It was so damn quiet it was as if Hell itself froze over.
Vega had hoped for Khan's return after the gala finished, but she decided to remain in Heaven to spend time with the Angels and her Grandchildren. Everyone else had gone to bed, so there wasn't any chance of them randomly showing up. Not even Lucifer or Lilith came by since they were ALSO spending time with their extensive list of kin. The only hope left was Eve, but she hadn't contacted them at ALL, meaning she was still hard at work on the teleportation apparatus.
...
...
...
"Vega," Olivia spoke, keeping her eyes trained on the terminal she was using. "How was the gala last night, in your opinion?" She asked, specifying that she wanted his thoughts rather than a detailed report.
"It was a success, I think. All of the guests, be they from Heaven or Hell, enjoyed themselves. There was persistent excitement and joy in the atmosphere. Everyone was smiling, chatting, dancing, and having a generally good time. There were moments of shock when certain things happened, but none of it led to any negativity or undesirable outcomes. Speaking for myself, I was happy to be included in such an experience. We're always working toward our main goals, so it was nice to have some time dedicated to relaxation and celebration." Vega answered.
"Hmm..." Olivia hummed. Oh no. The AI didn't like that. "So, Vega, would you say that it's a GOOD idea to enjoy yourself from time to time?" She inquired.
"..." Samuel, who was working on the translation of the Wraiths' message, gave no reaction.
"...I...believe it is necessary to maintain one's health." Vega replied, trying so hard not to give her any ammunition.
"Mental health, right?" Olivia pressed. Oh, good lord, this woman was out for blood!
"...I...think it is beneficial to all aspects of one's self." Vega stated. Please, let it end there.
"Right, but it would be good for the mind, especially when it's working ALL the time." Olivia persisted. There was no stopping her!
"..." Samuel didn't react. However, his fingers briefly stopped moving on the keyboard he used.
Fortunately, a set of Helix Stones started glowing.
"Eve is trying to contact us," Vega quickly informed the duo, keeping the tension from escalating.
"Thank you, Vega," Samuel responded before moving toward the artifacts.
If the AI could sigh in relief, then he would. However, to his dismay, he wouldn't be given a break.
"Vega," Olivia spoke once she was sure Samuel couldn't hear her. "You'd agree with me that he's being a stubborn bastard about this, right?" She asked.
"..." Vega didn't want to engage in this line of questioning. To him, it felt like playing with matches near a gunpowder mine.
"Vega," Olivia repeated, adopting a stern expression.
Again, if the AI could sigh, he would be doing so right now. He REALLY didn't want to participate, but he also didn't want the Sinner to be angry with him.
"Doctor Hayden has never been social. During our UAC days, he always stayed in his office to work. If he had finished all of his office-related tasks, he'd travel elsewhere within the complex and work on something else." Vega informed her.
"Well, MAYBE Samuel would find it easier to be social if he FINALLY got himself a new body," Olivia suggested with an eye roll. "There are no excuses anymore! Khan could restore him to his former self in less than an hour! Cancer-free, might I add." She said.
"While that is true, Doctor Hayden has expressed to me on many occasions how he prefers himself like this. There is no limit to his intellectual growth now, and there are no impediments to his work, such as sleeping or eating." Vega explained.
"So?! Become a Maykr, then!" Olivia exclaimed with a glare. "Or, if he doesn't want that, then he could have a body like William's or Flynn's! They're human regarding their anatomy and physical appearance, but with none of the drawbacks! My point is that Samuel can't use being a giant robot as an excuse for working all the time anymore!" She ranted.
"But if working makes Doctor Hayden happy, then is there really an-"
"YES!" Olivia shouted, startling him. "There's more to life than work! I know I've put in just as much time as he has, but I'm not against the idea of taking breaks or relaxing! It doesn't matter that Samuel doesn't NEED sleep; he should still do it! Again, that applies to everything else as well! If I'm going to need to force that man to enjoy himself, then I-"
Suddenly, Samuel started moving. Both the Sinner and the AI dropped the conversation and focused on him. It wasn't just the unexpected motion that earned their attention. It was how quickly he pulled back his hand, almost as if something had happened during the connection with Eve.
"Samuel?" Olivia called out, rushing to his side. "Is everything okay? Is Eve alright? Do we need to assemble everyone?" She inquired. Their temporary irritation at one another didn't matter if something of actual importance had transpired.
"...It's...fine, Olivia..." Samuel replied, temporarily dazed due to shock. "However, we need to get Wretch. If what Eve and her companions possess is what I assume it to be, then he must be informed immediately!" He told her, ensuring to convey the urgency of the matter.
Elsewhere, In The Wretch's Quarters...
Verosika has been dealing with a LOT since last night. Yet, there was a silver lining. The Wretch, having abandoned the gala to be with her and Sonia, received a visit from Khan after the event concluded. In the final few waking hours before the trio went to bed, the Succubi got to watch the former Demon get a literal Godly lecture, which was SO satisfying.
But let's rewind that last bit a little. The Wretch chose Verosika and Sonia over the gala. As Verosika lay in bed with him, she couldn't get that off her mind. He really didn't hesitate at ALL. Plus, there was the announcement of their relationship, which he gave with such passion and sincerity!
The more the Succubus dwelled on these things, the calmer she became. All of her excited episodes and displays of emotional uproar came from the conflict of acceptance and doubt. Of course, this isn't new information. However, it was the first time that she was able to think about it without getting worked up.
The doubts started with uncertainty about the Wretch accepting Verosika's affections. Then, there were the countless worries of a potential evolution in their relationship going sour for whatever reason. But between the announcement, his departure from the gala, and everything he said afterward, she...didn't feel the usual amount of anxiety. Those fears that choked her soul were starting to disappear.
Throughout the night, the Succubus continuously woke up, but it wasn't because of nightmares. Instead, it was caused by a need to look at the former Demon. Her mind had to convince itself over and over and over again that it was all real. Finally, after so much shit, she...could...be...happy...
...
...
...
It was dawn now. Once again, Verosika was waking up. Yet, with it being morning, she didn't go back to sleep right away. Carefully, she pushed herself up so she could get a better look at her bedmate.
The Wretch was on his back with his arms outstretched. Naturally, the left one had been around the Succubus. The longer the stare was maintained, the louder her heartbeat got. At least, it did from her perspective.
The thumping dominated Verosika's hearing. The pace remained unchanged, but the sound kept growing. Seeing the former Demon sleeping now was different from previous instances. More than ever before, she wanted to be what woke him up.
Slowly, the Succubus positioned herself on top of the Wretch. The additional weight on his body went unnoticed since it wasn't significant to him. When ready, she laid down so that they were pressed together. In this position, the couple's faces were BARELY apart.
"Do it, just do it!" Verosika chanted in her mind, trying to muster the courage. "How many losers have you tongue fucked before?! And it always meant nothing! You're JUST going to kiss him. No Frenching, no deepthroat, no hickeys, etc. Thirty seconds to a minute. That's beginner stuff. Pre-teen basics. You're an expert! A master! You could write a book on the subject!" She rambled.
The seconds turned to minutes, and Verosika was motionless. Her cheeks became warmer, and her inner voice only got louder. Kiss him. Kiss him! KISS HIM!
knock knock knock knock knock knock
"Wretch! We need you!"
Those rapid knocks and the voice that accompanied them belonged to Olivia. When the Succubus heard them, her body stiffened, and her inner voice went silent.
"...Ngh..." Wretch groaned, hearing the noises in the distance.
FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK.
"...Olivia?..." Wretch questioned, slowly coming to. "What's...going..."
Any grogginess the former Demon felt was washed away instantly. Before he could even figure out what was happening, he felt a set of lips press against his. Furthermore, his hands were held by his kisser. Their fingers intertwined and gripped each other gently yet firmly.
The kiss nearly lasted a minute. When they separated, both participants were slightly breathless, as indicated by their panting. For a few seconds after, they silently stared at each other, continuing to hold hands.
"...I...think you need to leave..." Verosika whispered. Despite how that may sound, she wasn't trying to get rid of him. She was referring to the knocks that were still coming from the front door and Olivia's voice from earlier.
"...Uh...yes...business..." Wretch agreed. The poor guy had to process so much right as he woke up.
Despite acknowledging the Sinner at their door, the couple didn't move for a few more seconds. Alas, Olivia never ceased knocking, so there wasn't a chance to ignore her. The former Demon and the Succubus shuffled around on the bed so he could get up. After he quickly threw on a shirt, as he always slept without one, the Wretch hurried to see what was going on.
As Verosika watched her man make his exit, she tightly gripped their blanket. When he was gone, she fell backward onto the mattress. A smile spread across the Succubus's face, and the warmth in her cheeks was welcomed rather than detested. If her tail weren't kept from moving due to her laying atop it, then it would surely be moving at a speed that could cause a whirlwind.
Nearby, In The Carmines Quarters...
Flynn didn't need sleep. That was a well-established fact about the man and his Maykr-made body. However, he still made an active effort to do so because it was enjoyable. Additionally, it'd been so long since he dreamed that it was exciting to experience that sensation again.
Yet, the soldier didn't slumber at all due to a planned engagement. As agreed upon, this man would spend the night that followed the gala with Carmilla Carmine. Another hurdle for him was the ability to perform properly in a romantic relationship. By "perform", the implication is not strictly sexual. Of course, in this particular context, that subject matter would be explored to an extent.
Alas, dear reader, you're not viewing erotica. While there are descriptions of passionate intimacy between these people whose lives we view for our enjoyment, it would be a pointless indulgence and a derailment of the plot to spend multiple paragraphs describing something your dirty little minds can do by themselves. All that shall be transcribed is what this night of passion meant for the individuals involved and how far it went for their first time. So, let's not dilly-dally and get on with it, shall we?
Fittingly, the way Fizzarolli described the potential sexual interactions between the Wretch and Verosika applied to Flynn and Carmilla. As usual, he displayed nervousness and was apologetic for any disappointment. After reassuring him that wouldn't happen, she took the lead and got things started.
The "spiciest" moments of this time together only happened near the end. The bulk of the span was focused on relaxation and lowering any barriers. During all of it, the soldier and the Overlord conversed. This night was not just an exploration of the body but also the soul and mind.
Any physical pleasure either person gained from this experience served only to heighten the pleasure. Even if Flynn weren't so "green" to it, the objective was never to satiate carnal cravings. Carmilla, hoping to cement his value to her, wanted him to feel appreciated in every way imaginable. Through the combination of discussion and physical interaction, this goal was achieved LONG before the night was over.
However, when the time came for the pair to lie down and rest, only the Overlord could. The soldier remained wide awake, and NOTHING was going to change that. There were no thoughts or emotions that busied the man's soul. Instead, his mind needed there to be nothing so it could process all that had happened and convince him that it was real.
Sadly, even as the dawn arrived, Flynn was no closer to believing any of it. Fear not, though; this wasn't going to turn into one of those frustrating "skits" where a person adamantly denies something that clearly happened for comedy. Understandably, the guy just needed a while to allow himself to celebrate this achievement. This night of passion with Carmilla marked a milestone for the future. A life was no longer possible as it had already been gained.
"..." Flynn looked at Carmilla, who slept soundly next to him. Her arms were held closer to her chest rather than around his torso, which would make leaving the bed MUCH easier.
Wanting to do something to show his appreciation for everything, the soldier carefully rose from the mattress. After using the same amount of caution to get dressed, the man departed. When the bedroom door was quietly closed, he headed for the kitchen. Hopefully, breakfast would be a good start to the many gestures he intended to express.
...
...
...
"Oh, hey, look who's up."
That voice came from behind. Additionally, it sounded close to the entrance. As Flynn turned around, he was greeted by two people who had been doing their best to enter the premises stealthily.
"Uh...hi..." Flynn welcomed the Sisters, giving them a slightly awkward smile and wave. They were dressed in their usual attires since they had multiple sets at their workshop in the facility. You know, just in case there was a workplace mishap that resulted in a need to change clothes.
"Flynn, it's okay." Odette assured him, knowing the cause for the unease. "We're all adults here." She said.
"Yeah!" Clara quietly exclaimed in agreement. "Besides, it's not as if we didn't know, so there's no need for an interrogation." She joked with a smile.
"Right..." Flynn replied, still finding it hard to be at ease. "This...is all just so new for me. I'm not sure what's expected behavior, what's normal, etc." He told them.
"Hmm..." Odette hummed, coming closer. "Would you like help with breakfast?" She asked with a smile, offering a way to make this easier for him.
"Yes, please," Flynn answered, also smiling.
Together, the trio worked to make the morning meal. After everything was ready and the cooking started, the conversation resumed.
"So..." Flynn began, getting the girls to look at him. "What did you two do after the gala?" He inquired.
"We came up with some rough drafts for your line of weapons," Odette revealed.
"Oh? You two didn't need to do that," Flynn said, feeling a little bad.
"Flynn, it's literally our job," Clara commented with a smirk. "Besides, I'm willing to wager that you're not good at sketching designs." She added, making him chuckle.
"I haven't so much as scribbled on a piece of paper in my whole life." Flynn admitted.
"Maybe that's something we could do together, then!" Clara suggested with excitement. "I've been bouncing around a few ideas of what we can do as we hang out more. Art lessons would be a great option!" She carried on, maintaining her enthusiasm.
"So long as you won't be bothered with the travesty that is my art skills, I'm all for it." Flynn agreed.
"Everyone has to start somewhere, Flynn," Odette told him.
"I know, I just feel like I should be better at more things..." Flynn sighed, letting his shoulders slump. "My lack of talents and skills outside of combat never bothered me before, but the more time I spend with everyone else, the more I realize just how small my pool of notable qualities is." He said.
"Flynn, you're not doubting yourself again, are you?" Clara questioned with a raised brow. Her tone conveyed that it was slightly in jest but also serious.
"No, no, I promise," Flynn responded with a dismissive hand gesture. "This isn't me kicking myself. I really do just have a short list of things I can brag about. I'm good at fighting, know my way around weaponry, I have SOME technical skills, and that's pretty much it." He described.
"What are those skills?" Odette asked, particularly interested in that one.
"I'm not an expert mechanic, but I can easily work on a vehicle or mech and not be a dumbass about it," Flynn started. "When I enlisted with the UAC, they trained their personnel, including security, to be competent regarding most things. Basically, if a soldier, such as myself, was walking through a hallway and saw that a light fixture was busted, it's easier for everyone if they know how to fix it. The more complicated stuff was left to those best suited for the task, but if you put something like a Sentry Bot in front of me, I could handle the majority of its problems." He answered.
"Sentry Bot? Like a robot or something?" Clara inquired.
"Yup," Flynn confirmed with a nod. "Sentry Bots were the BEST things the UAC EVER made. They were these cute little guys who walked around on mechanical legs and were roughly the size of a dog. However, their appearance was more spider-like than a canine. Anyway, Sentry Bots were the most helpful little buggers. They could guide you to where you needed to go, unlock things, interact with terminals, AND they killed Demons like no one's business." He explained with a smile. Genuinely, he loved those things. Yet, it can't be denied that one of the biggest contributing factors was their IMMENSE help during his encounter with Doom.
"Maybe we could start producing those?" Odette proposed. "Were they suited for civilian environments?" She asked.
"Absolutely! The UAC had them act as a more appealing police force in their controlled sectors of the planet. With the right paint jobs and decals, kids LOVED seeing Sentry Bots go about their day. When I was living in one of those areas during my recruitment phase, people constantly took pictures with deactivated Sentry Bots since it looked like they were sleeping. The public acted so casually toward them that there was even a market to purchase one for yourself if you had enough credits. Obviously, those didn't come with guns. They were more like robotic pets." Flynn answered.
"Well then, I guess we know what we're doing today!" Clara decided, to which her sibling nodded.
"If it's okay with you, Flynn, we'd like to get to work on the Sentry Bots. Of course, you'll have the final say on their appearance and features." Odette requested.
"Nah, that won't be needed. We left two of them in Urdak to guide Will to Khan. If you ask her or Vega, I'm sure they'll know where they are." Flynn shared.
"That'd be great! Thanks!" Clara replied with a grin.
For the remainder of the early morning, this trio continued chatting and cooking. Eventually, Carmilla awoke and arrived when the food was finished. She'd join the conversation as everyone prepared to eat together.
Elsewhere, In Cannibal Town...
Rosie was restless. Ever since she got home from the gala, not a wink was caught. The Countess of Cannibals tossed and turned in her bed throughout the night, burdened by the memory of her dance with Doomguy.
...Wait, what? Burdened? No, that can't be correct. The Overlord enjoyed her time with the space marine at the gala. Sure, how the dance came to be was through the conniving of their associates, but still, she DID like it. However, if liking it was the extent of the Sinner's feelings, then she wouldn't be so disturbed.
With each replay of the dance in her mind, Rosie's chest got tighter. Every breath that came from her lungs felt hotter and quicker. In particular, her mind fixated on the span in which it felt like only she and Doomguy existed in that room. It was all so intimate, so romantic, so...so...so...
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Rosie screamed, jolting into an upright position.
Unlike Angel Dust and Katie, the Overlord needed no time to understand her emotions. After all, the woman was renowned for her relationship expertise and knowledge of people's behaviors. The signs were so loud and obvious that she'd need a lobotomy to ignore them. The Countess of Cannibals...she...she was...
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
The unexpected sound of four thunderous knocks at her bedroom door caused Rosie to push herself away reactively.
THUD
"Ow..." Rosie groaned as she hit the hardwood floor. The poor woman had gone too far in her movement.
Following that, the bedroom door was opened. Before the Overlord could compose herself, she was met by-
"WILLIAM?!" Rosie shouted in alarm, cheeks immediately turning pink.
Sure enough, the person who rushed in to help her was Doomguy. Yet, he was dressed in his casual clothing rather than his armor. The Overlord allowed herself to be lifted into his arms, which did her cheeks no favors. Afterward, she was placed back on her bed.
"What happened?! Are you alright?" Doomguy typed. The speed at which he pulled his PDA from his pocket and typed would impress the fastest of gunslingers.
"..." Rosie stared at the man, sockets wider than they had EVER been. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" She yelled a moment later. Be mindful that the increased volume wasn't due to anger or fear. Its sole cause was the emotional car crash that was still ongoing.
"I wanted us to talk about last night, so I came over to make you some breakfast as a nice surprise." Doomguy typed.
Oh, fucking wonderful. The space marine had done something NICE and CONSIDERATE.
"...Thank you," Rosie politely said. She knew she had to get control over herself if she wanted to prevent escalation. "I'm sorry I made you worry. I...was having a terror." She informed him.
Upon hearing that, the space marine bent forward, bringing their faces closer together. COOL. YUP. THAT WAS HELPING.
"Is that why you haven't slept?" Doomguy typed, only to realize something afterward. "Even without eyes, the skin beneath your sockets is discolored. Have you not rested at all?" He added.
"...You noticed?..." Rosie quietly questioned. The thought that he knew her face so well to spot something so small made her heart stop.
"Of course. You're always so radiant in the mornings. But you look like you've worked the graveyard shift." Doomguy typed before sitting next to her. "Do you want to talk about it?" He added.
"..." Rosie couldn't help but smile. Gently, she placed her hand on his arm. "I'm fine, William. I promise. It happens to everyone." She assured him.
"..." Doomguy intensely stared at her. He wanted to be sure she wasn't lying. "Still, you should take it easy today. How about I finish the food and then bring it up for you to enjoy in bed?" He typed.
"Oh, William, there's no need for-"
Before the Overlord could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by the space marine suddenly standing up.
"Rosie, let me be the one to do something nice for a change. You're always helping out everyone, including Angel and Katie last night. Yeah, they didn't let you know about the full plan, but that's not the point. You deserve at least ONE morning where you don't even have to get out of bed. If it's only going to be this once, that's fine; just let me do it." Doomguy typed, determined to help her recover from her sleepless night.
The space marine's persistence only worsened Rosie's unsettled emotions. Yet she wouldn't allow herself to show any indications of that. Sincerely, the Overlord would rather rip her arms off with her teeth and chew'em down than ruin their relationship.
"...Okay..." Rosie reluctantly agreed. "But you better bring a chair and sit with me." She told him.
In reply, Doomguy nodded. He then hurried out of the room and back downstairs to cook. Now alone, the Overlord looked across the room at her cabinet full of miniature space marines.
"...Quit staring at me!" Rosie demanded with a frustrated face and blush. In her flustered state, it felt like those non-sentient replications of the armored man were taunting her.
Morning
Samuel, Olivia, Vega, and Khan were waiting in suspense. Regarding the Creator, the AI had contacted and informed her of the potential development that the Wretch was verifying. Before now, she'd still been in Heaven with her Grandchildren and the general population of the Divine realm. She was mostly just answering questions, offering insights, giving opinions on things, etc.
Lucifer and Lilith were with Azrael and Michael. All four of them were in her domain, checking on Gabriel. The Archangel was steadily coming back to himself, but he was still rattled. However, he could speak a LITTLE with his kin, which made them all so happy. They planned to spend these morning hours catching him up with everything that's happened during his recovery.
Returning our attention to the facility, we find that the former Demon has been conversing with Eve for the better part of an hour. No one questioned the long period since it made sense for him to be thorough. If Eve and her companions managed to find what everyone believed they did, then this was a MAJOR advantage.
Suddenly, the Wretch's hand started slipping from the Helix Stone he touched. That was a sign that he was returning to himself. The others waited with bated breath as the former Demon's arm fell, and he rolled his shoulders.
"...They...have it..." Wretch breathed out with a tone of disbelief. "It...was Daisy...during her time when she followed the Slayer after he sealed himself in Doom...she gathered anything that he abandoned...the Unmaker was never lost...we...we can get it back..." He said.
The rest of the group was excited and shocked. Khan and Olivia began celebrating with one another. In contrast, Samuel folded his arms as his mind immediately started thinking.
"Where is the Unmaker? Daisy stayed with Eve to keep a lookout, so it must be with one of their companions." Samuel asked.
"Correct. One of their Cacodemons is carrying it in its maw, along with the rest of the items from the location it traveled to. The timetable is difficult to sort out for obvious reasons, but Eve provided me with a confident estimate. By the end of today, the machine will be finished if there are no sudden disastrous complications. She hopes that all of her friends will be back by then as well, but it could be until early morning for us that they're gathered." Wretch answered.
"WHAT?!" Khan and Olivia shouted, managing to make both men reel back a little.
"Why are the two of you so alarmed? The very reason why we had Eve and the others go to their current location was so she could hasten the device's construction. So far, the woman's had two full days of our time to get it done." Samuel reminded them.
"Yes! But...But...this is still incredible!" Olivia exclaimed, throwing her arms out. "Vega! What is the progress on the teleportation experiments?!" She inquired.
"Two days ago, I continuously teleported bread, fruits, vegetables, and meats. None of them showed any changes. That also applies to my observation of them in the hours that followed. Once I was sure it was safe to progress, I started teleporting organs, bones, and then full recreations of several anatomical structures and arrangements. The results have been as positive as the first half of testing. However, I strongly advise that we spend all of today teleporting someone. My recommendation is Flynn since he's the most experienced." Vega replied.
"Oh, I'm sure the Carmines will be thrilled about that..." Wretch commented, knowing how protective those women had gotten. "Would you like me to deliver the news?" He asked.
"Yes, please. You'd be the best messenger." Khan answered, supported by Samuel and Olivia nodding.
"Understood. After I tell them, may I have an hour or so with Verosika and Sonia? I don't want to be absent from breakfast." Wretch requested, making her smile.
"Of course, Wretch. Enjoy your morning." Khan responded. With that, the former Demon took his leave.
"What should the rest of us do?" Olivia inquired, mainly looking toward Samuel since he'd have a plan already formed.
"I will monitor Eve to ensure nothing goes awry. Olivia, you should coordinate with Vega and Asmodeus to prepare for tomorrow. The easiest way for us to get in contact with the Mother and Betruger is by repeating what Wretch did when this bargain was presented to us. Khan, after you're done telling Lucifer and the rest about this, could you attend to the fake Demonic Crucible Olivia crafted? The item itself is ready, but we need to replicate the markings in the energy so it will seem authentic when examined." Samuel stated, ending with a request for the Creator.
"It'll be no issue, Samuel. An hour at most." Khan promised, referring to how long she'd need to forge the markings.
"I'll go see if Asmodeus is awake right now!" Olivia exclaimed before hurrying away.
"Well, I suppose that means she had no questions," Samuel remarked with a small chuckle. "We know our duties, so let's not waste any time." He said, receiving a final nod from Khan before she departed.
Nearby, In The Carmines Quarters...
Washing dishes while surrounded by loved ones—such a joyful image never entered Flynn's mind. Yet, here he was actively living it. Carmilla stood on his right side at the sink while Clara and Odette put everything away. Thinking back to the past, he couldn't recall a single time that-
"Flynn?" Clara called, extending one of her hands.
"...Oh," Flynn reacted, realizing that he was just standing there holding a clean dish.
"Are you okay? You were staring off into space." Clara asked as she received the plate.
"Yeah, sorry. I was...basking in the moment, is all." Flynn answered.
"It is nice, isn't it?" Carmilla chimed in with a pleasant smile.
"I mean, we do this all the time," Clara commented with a shrug. "The only thing different is Flynn is with us." She pointed out.
"Clara, two plus two equals four," Odette said, earning her an annoyed expression.
"Ha-ha," Clara replied, which made her Sister smirk.
"Honestly, I'm surprised you three still do this stuff with or without me. I'd figure an Overlord would have butlers and maids." Flynn admitted.
"We do have servants, but meals are something that should be private. Having the staff stand around and attend to us when we're perfectly capable of doing so ourselves is uncomfortable." Carmilla explained.
"Plus, Mom just likes to take it easy when we're together. You know, separating business and pleasure." Clara added.
"Hmm, makes sense," Flynn agreed. "...So...um...will it be appropriate for me to act like a boss when we work together? Like, will it be acceptable for me to treat the staff as subordinates? Or will I just be acting as a consultant or something?" He inquired.
"That depends..." Carmilla began, giving him a somewhat sultry side-eye. "How far do you intend to take our partnership?" She questioned.
"..." Now, Flynn felt like he was being interviewed. "...I...um...I...don't...know..." He stammered.
...
...
...
As though it were rehearsed, the Carmines burst into laughter simultaneously.
"Flynn!" Clara exclaimed, holding her stomach with one arm. "Why are you so hesitant?!" She asked.
"Wha...I...you put me on the spot!" Flynn argued, worsening their chortles. "We only announced guns and armor! I didn't think it'd go beyond that!" He told them.
"Flynn...that's not what our Mother meant..." Odette wheezed, wiping tears from her eyes.
"..." After thinking about it for a second, Flynn adorned a serious expression. "You can't do that different double-meaning crap with me! We've been through this already!" He protested.
"I'm sorry..." Carmilla apologized. However, the massive grin and continued chuckling made it seem disingenuous.
knock knock
"I'll get it!" Flynn reacted to the presence of someone at the door immediately. He stormed away from the women in a huff.
"Aw, Flynn, we're sorry!" Clara called after him. They didn't mean to make him feel so embarrassed.
As the Carmines continued to calm themselves, the soldier opened the door. Luckily, one of the friendliest faces around greeted the man.
"Oh, Wretch," Flynn said once their eyes met. "What brings you around so early?" He asked.
"Hello, Flynn, a good morning to you," Wretch responded, wanting to be polite before anything else. "There's a lot to be said, but most of it can wait until later. What concerns you, in particular, is the teleportation method we intend to use for Eve's rescue. Vega has completed all of the precautionary experiments, and now we need to conduct ones involving a person. Since your UAC favored such technology, we'd like you to serve the role." He answered.
"WHAT?!" Three voices, acting as one, shouted from close by.
The former Demon anticipated that reaction. Thus, he was already braced for it. Swiftly, the men were joined by three Sinners, each of whom had looks of shock on their faces.
"You're going to be teleporting Flynn?!" Clara was the first to speak, voicing the most important question.
"If he agrees, then yes. We need to ensure nothing will happen to-"
"Are you CERTAIN it's safe?" Odette pressed, interrupting him. "I know Vega is capable enough to handle two days' worth of work by himself, but was he thorough? There could be potential oversights!" She suggested.
"I have not seen the data myself, but I'm sure that Vega will happily provide you with-"
This time, the interruption was the Carmines hurrying out the door. The women intended to speak not only to Vega but to Samuel and Olivia as well. Of course, one of those people wouldn't be there, but that was their discovery to make. As for Flynn, he hadn't moved.
"...Sorry," Flynn apologized.
"There's no need. I'm more surprised that I wasn't shaken for more information." Wretch joked with a smile.
"Heh, you'd be lucky if that was it..." Flynn sighed before getting back on topic. "Assuming the ladies are satisfied with what they learn, I'm good to go for any teleportation-related stuff." He promised, offering a thumbs up.
"Wonderful. If you have any questions, just speak to Samuel or Vega." Wretch replied, to which he received a nod. Afterward, Flynn followed the Carmines.
Elsewhere, In Cannibal Town...
Something was off. Doomguy's instincts could perceive any disturbances. As he and Rosie chatted while eating, he noticed how careful she was being. Every action, reaction, and choice of words was deliberately considered, even when what was happening didn't require much thought at all.
If the space marine had to guess, it was due to discomfort. The Overlord was likely bothered by the circumstances in which they shared a dance. Then there was the sudden affliction of night terrors, which the man had WAY too much experience with. She was clearly trying to present herself as she normally would to prevent any worry.
"Ah~" Rosie breathed out, finishing her refreshing beverage. "William, that was delicious," She complimented him, setting the empty glass down on her tray.
Not long after the space marine resumed cooking, the Overlord sent a message from her PDA telling him where a serving tray was. No hospitable host, such as herself, would dare have a home without one!
"Eh, yours is better." Doomguy typed before taking her tray. He also put his plate on top of hers to make it easier to carry everything.
"Naturally~" Rosie playfully acknowledged, happy to hear the praise. "But don't worry, we'll get you up to snuff in no time!" She promised, referring to the cooking lessons she had planned to give him.
"You still want to do that?" Doomguy typed.
"Well, DUH!" Rosie mocked him with a smirk. "Even if I didn't like hanging out with you, we agreed to cook together. I'm not the kind of lady who lets anyone go back on their word." She said.
"I would never. I like spending time with you, too." Doomguy typed.
There it was again. After reading the message, the Overlord noticeably paused for a few seconds. Each time this happened, the space marine's belief that last night made things awkward between them was proven true in his eyes.
"We'll need to get better at making a schedule from now on. You know, because Angel Dust revealed your relationship to all of Heaven and Hell," Rosie mentioned, hoping to take the focus away from her and him.
"Yeah. I need to talk about that with him and Katie. But we should be getting more time to ourselves soon." Doomguy typed.
"Because of Eve's rescue?" Rosie assumed, receiving a nod.
"Apart from saving her and the others, we're hoping to see what Doom will attempt during the operation. Basically, what sort of trap or underhanded bullshit our enemies will undoubtedly try." Doomguy typed.
"You'll be safe though, right?" Rosie asked, unable to restrain her concern about something so dangerous.
"We're planning to teleport Eve out, which can be done with us as well, thanks to our suits. Vega can easily track our positions and then extract us before Doom is able to react. A secondary method is Samuel's tether system, which is also connected to our suits. Regarding the teleportation, we'll need to buy enough time for Eve, Daisy, their companions, and whatever else they're bringing to make it out. The most obvious way that Doom's going to try and ambush us is with death traps and massive skirmishes. We'll be stocked with weapons and equipment and have support from some of the others via an invention of Alastor's. There are always risks with these situations, but we're approaching it with as much preparation as possible. I'm sorry if that's not as comforting or definitive of an answer as you'd like. It's the most honest one I can provide." Doomguy typed.
"No, that's good. I want the truth, not some pretty picture that gives false hope." Rosie told him with a headshake. "Still, it would help to ease my nerves if I got to send you on your way. I'm not asking to be there when it goes down, just to say good luck and all." She requested.
"Of course. When it gets close to time, Vega will contact you. Then, we'll meet at the training grounds before I leave with the others." Doomguy typed, making her smile.
"Perfect," Rosie replied, satisfied with that idea.
Not much else happened after that. The space marine took the tray, dishes, and glasses back to the kitchen. The Overlord insisted he could just leave them in the sink, but that was a pointless effort. Doomguy cleaned everything, returned each item to its rightful place, and then came back to check on Rosie one last time. It took a LOT of convincing to get him to leave her be, but it happened eventually. As he returned to the training grounds, she got comfortable in bed and started working through her emotions, which would probably be an all-day affair.
Morning-Noon
The first half of the morning was lively. Word of Eve's imminent rescue spread through the complex like rushing water. As for breakfast, apart from the general excitement, not much of note happened. The most worthwhile thing to mention was Asmodeus's absence since he returned to Lust with Olivia for obvious reasons.
Flynn wasn't around due to his participation in Vega's teleportation experiments, which the Carmines were going to be present for. Regarding Carmilla specifically, it wasn't too big of a deal if she wasn't here for training. She was one of the most skilled fighters among their numbers, so not participating in today's activity wasn't a big deal.
However, that does bring us to a question everyone wondered: What was today's assignment? With Eve's rescue being estimated for tomorrow, surely Doomguy and the Wretch wanted to do something significant. Fittingly, as everyone gathered their gear and readied themselves, their instructors talked privately about what to do. When the others were raring to go, the duo still needed some time to work out the specifics.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
CLAP
"Attention!" Wretch called out after clapping his hands. "Due to recent developments, of which you've all been informed, we've decided that the best use of our collective time is to conduct a mock battle, as previously proposed by Flynn. We'll be moving far from the complex and into the vast openness of Pride's wasteland. The Slayer shall give a demonstration of his prowess against the Demons first. Then, all of you will work together against the same opposition. There will be no scoring or health systems, but Vega will closely track any wounds that you would receive in real combat. By the end, we'll review the performance together and discuss it thoroughly." He informed everyone. "Are there any questions or comments?" He asked.
Surprisingly, the crowd expressed nervousness. Were the others suddenly hesitant about fighting the fake Demons?
"Um...excuse me!" Charlie called out, waving her arm. "Some of us would like to have a word with you two. Is that okay?" She requested.
Doomguy and the Wretch briefly looked at one another. Neither man could determine what was unfolding, so they couldn't respond with a confident guess.
"Er, yes! Please, come forward." Wretch beckoned, hoping that they'd get an explanation.
As she approached the men, the Princess of Hell was accompanied by Striker, Lute, Moxxie, and Alastor. That peculiar assortment of individuals added to the men's confusion.
"Is everything alright?" Wretch questioned once the group reached them. "If you're unsure about the battle, we can choose something else." He offered.
"No, it's not the battle itself that's the issue..." Charlie replied, looking off to the side to avoid eye contact.
"Then what is it?" Wretch pressed, utterly stumped.
There was a moment of hesitation from the group. Noticing this, Lute took it upon herself to clear the air.
"Sirs, all of us, not just those standing before you, would like to request Wretch as the main instructor from here on," Lute stated, followed by a bow. "To prevent any miscommunication, what we're asking for is Wretch to oversee our development. We value the expertise of William and Flynn, but we think that Wretch is best suited to act as a teacher." She specified.
...
...
...
Everyone looked at Doomguy. The sounds of typing were heard a few seconds after the Exorcist had finished speaking.
"I'm not surprised. We decided on making three groups because we thought that it'd be more efficient and beneficial to all of you. But if you would like Wretch to call the shots, then I have no objections so long as I am still involved. I'm pretty sure that Flynn will say the same." Doomguy typed.
The group breathed a sigh of relief as they read the message. Afterward, Charlie gave the others a thumbs-up, who reacted similarly.
"I assume there's more," Wretch said as Lute straightened herself. "Otherwise, it seems rather pointless for all of you to have come here." He added.
"That there is," Charlie confirmed with a nod and a smile. "Who would like to go first?" She inquired, speaking to the members of her posse.
"Right here, if you please." Striker requested, holding up one of his hands. "Sirs, I'll be blunt with ya: a good few of us ain't ready for a mock battle. At least, not in the sense of you just letting loose the monsters and having us deal with'em. However, it's not just those who've been training under Will." He stated.
"That's where I come in," Alastor interjected, raising his hand as well. "Wretch, you've told those learning under you that we're essentially a death squadron. As such, a mock battle doesn't seem appropriate unless you're willing to go ALL out. Yet, as Striker has said, that wouldn't be fair to those within his group or even those within Flynn's. Even though the latter contains some of our most capable individuals, they've not been given enough time to familiarize themselves with the more extreme enemies we'll encounter. Heck, we've barely touched on small-scale battles, let alone something grand!" He explained.
"Hmm, fair points from you both..." Wretch hummed. "Do you have alternative ideas?" He asked.
"An interactive presentation," Moxxie answered, getting the focus on him. "Wretch creates the scenarios, William engages with them, the rest of us observe the displays, and then we discuss them. Something else we could do is participate in the scenarios after William does to see how we'd fare. But that's up to you." He explained.
Huh. That was a great idea. On the one hand, it made use of Doomguy and the Wretch's strengths as mentors. On the other hand, it ensured that everyone would get "realistic" training while also giving them a more traditional learning experience.
"I have no commentary," Wretch determined, looking at his fellow instructor. "Do you?" He inquired.
"I still like the idea of a mock battle, but we can have multiple. The skirmishes will be tailored to each group. I say we spend the first half of the day on the learning portion and then the second half on the interaction portion." Doomguy typed.
"That's perfect!" Charlie exclaimed in support, accompanied by nods from the rest.
"Well then, that settles it," Wretch said, looking toward the crowd. "We've got the details set! We'll fill you in as we travel!" He told them.
Twenty Minutes Later...
Man, when the Wretch said that they'd be far from the complex, he wasn't kidding. Of course, no one was bothered by the trek. It was simply a different vibe to be surrounded by nothing instead of the diligently maintained areas everyone had grown accustomed to.
However, Vega did carry the lockers containing ammunition and other supplies as the crowd moved. It only made sense to keep everyone stocked when they eventually fought the fake Demons.
"Before we start, is there anything else anyone would like to say?" Wretch asked when he faced the crowd.
"Could we make requests? Nothing stupid or goofy, just situations that we could learn more about." Angel Dust questioned.
"Absolutely! The first half of today is meant for education. If you feel there is something you must see, share it with us!" Wretch encouraged.
"I have a request, then!" Beelzebub exclaimed, raising her arm. "I want to see how Will handles the Arcanist Demons! It's easy to imagine how, even when outnumbered, Will could DESTROY a horde of Hell Knights or Barons without much effort. The man's a freight train with legs. But I've struggled to understand how he could deal with enemies of that type in the same abundance. It seems like Will would get smoked." She described, quickly looking at the space marine. "No offense, though. Those Archviles are just scary bastards." She told him.
"No, you're right. Believe me, when I first encountered the Archviles during the invasion of Earth, there were PLENTY of moments where it felt like I'd die. Don't let how Striker handled one give you the wrong impression. Those monsters can ignite you so long as you're in their sights. The flames they produce burn both body and soul. The Archvile's reaction time is equally deadly. At most, you'll have FIVE seconds to either kill it or escape its view." Doomguy typed.
"Which does make it a good place to start," Wretch commented, receiving a nod of agreement from him.
With the first demonstration decided, Doomguy positioned himself far from the crowd. No one was in any danger, but it was always better to be safe than sorry. Simultaneously, Vega deployed an amount of emitters he believed was suitable for the space marine's skill level.
"...Uh..." Angel Dust sounded, experiencing shock alongside the others. "Isn't...that a bit much?..." He questioned.
In total, here are the Demons deployed: Five Archviles, Ten Summoners, Twenty Barons, and Thirty Pain Elementals.
"If anything, I'd say it's modest." Wretch replied, worsening their surprise.
"...Is...Will going to use the BFG?..." Cherri assumed.
"Not at all. That would be counterintuitive to the goal of enlightenment." Wretch said. "Slayer! Are you ready?" He inquired.
Doomguy reacted with a thumbs-up. Then, he summoned his plasma rifle.
"The demonstration is about to start," Vega announced in his typical manner. "Three...two...one..." He counted down.
BOOP
The Archviles erected shields of fire. The Summoners conjured more foes in the forms of Hell Knights and Imps. The Barons roared as they charged forward, building green fire in their palms. The Pain Elementals summoned their screeching minions, ready to unleash a bombardment of detonations.
Everyone expected the space marine to use one of his powers. Quad Damage made the most sense, with Haste being a solid second. There was also the possibility that two powers, such as the ones mentioned, would be used. Yet, no such outcome came to pass.
With remarkable casualness, Doomguy fired a stun bomb at the frontline of Barons nearing him. The crimson brutes convulsed in reaction, allowing their attacker to capitalize. Again, with astounding laxness, the space marine produced two grenades from his suit's inventory and threw them at the beasts. The resulting explosions caused damage, but not enough to kill.
Like before, the others made assumptions about what would happen. The Hell Knights were starting to close in, the Lost Souls were about to divebomb, and the Barons were coming out of their stun. However, Doomguy didn't budge. Why was he standing around?! The Demons were almost on him!
Timing. A fully upgraded stun bomb module had a VERY short cooldown period. As the monsters converged on their prey, they also formed a tight group. You could also describe this development as the Demons making themselves a much easier target to deal with.
Doomguy fired another stun bomb, which afflicted every adversary nearby. Next, he finally started shooting his rifle, prioritizing the already wounded Barons. By doing that, another feature of the stun bomb was revealed to the spectators. If a creature who is suffering from its effects is killed, it releases a discharge of plasma that applies and extends the effect to other life forms.
With as little effort as possible, the space marine killed every Demon before him. When the Barons died, he targeted the Lost Souls. During that process, he produced two more grenades for the Hell Knights to make executing them easier like their red-skinned counterparts. A flawless showcase of resource and ammo efficiency for the crowd to take notes on.
However, that only dealt with roughly a third of the enemies. Furthermore, now that the Barons were deceased, the Archviles could clearly see the armored man. As the Summoners worked to either conjure more creatures or revive the fallen, the Archviles were preparing to engulf him in flames. All the while, the Imps were already lobbing their fireballs as they scurried, and the Pain Elementals would soon replace the Lost Souls that were killed. So, what was the next play?
Swiftly, Doomguy carried out two important actions. First, he fired one final stun bomb at the line of Archviles. That wasn't going to work due to their protection, but it was a decent distraction to delay their attacks momentarily. Second, he swapped his plasma rifle for his rocket launcher with the remote detonation modification attached.
Rockets were fired, but each shot was carefully aimed. None of the projectiles were meant to be direct hits; rather, they were scattered shots of shrapnel waiting to be deployed. Each detonation sent forth a wave of jagged metal that cut into the bodies of the Demons. Even from the distance at which they stood, the crowd could see the effectiveness of the shrapnel, almost as if it were specifically designed to maximum bleeding. Knowing Samuel and his UAC, there was a good chance that was a legitimate element to its design rather than an innate property of metallic shards flying at dangerous speeds.
The monsters stumbled as the shredding rain assaulted them. The least affected were the Archviles, even though the rockets fired at them had been aimed to be detonated behind their flaming shields. Regardless, they WERE affected, which aided their attacker. A greater window to close the distance and prevent any burning sensations was provided and made use of.
Seeing their enemy come ever closer, the Archviles changed their strategy. They decided it would be faster to empower their allies rather than form a counterattack. With hastened yet deliberate motions made by their hands and fingers, the Archviles filled the bodies of the other Demons with a different kind of fire. It bolstered their physicality as well as their Aracane output. For any other combatant, this would be a worrying shift in the battle as they'd soon be assaulted by frenzied Imps and surging blasts of energy from the Summoners and Pain Elementals.
Without stopping, the space marine threw out two holograms to the left and right. The simple minds of the Imps and Pain Elementals would immediately be distracted by these new entities that were closer to them. The Archviles and Summoners were too clever to be so easily tricked, but that's fine. After all, they were meant to be the next ones to die.
At last, a power was used. Truthfully, most of the crowd wanted to see one in action. Doomguy's body instantly glowed with a vibrant red color, indicating what his selection had been. Now, fueled by Berserk, the man lept through the fiery walls that stood between him and the Archviles. Impressively, Vega had the holograms convey genuine surprise as they would in a real fight. Anyone, even Demons from Doom, would be horrified to see this mountain of a man come at you with the intent to rip you apart.
The spectacle that ensued was wonderfully gory. The space marine grabbed the first Archvile by the legs, ripped them off, and then squashed its head between its thighs as he wielded the limbs at their ankles. Then, the legs were thrown with enough power to have them act like spears, impaling two more Archviles. The remaining two creatures did their best to escape, but only one would succeed. The one that failed was tackled by their armored assailant and violently beaten to death.
The Summoners, Imps, and Pain Elementals recognized that Berserk had been deployed. There was no point in trying to attack their opponent right now, as being within ANY distance was a death sentence! Unfortunately, Doomguy moved like a spring-loaded meat grinder. The spectators had to wonder if Berserk caused such movement or if he could straight up do that. If the answer was the latter, that was another terrifying achievement that could be added to the list.
By the time Berserk was over, there was only one fiend left. The Archvile that eluded the space marine was unsure of what to do. Resurrections? They'd take too long. Another shield? Pointless. Killing him? Pfft, yeah, okay.
Before the Demon could decide the proper course, Doomguy brought out his Gauss Cannon, aimed it with the precision bolt attachment, and then...
BOOM
A violent detonation of plasma erupted from the smoldering wound that was once the Archvile's upper section. Quite comically, the corpse remained standing for a few seconds before its knees buckled. With the collapsing of the corpse, the battle was concluded. The Demons barely managed to do much of anything before they were methodically slaughtered by a man who'd spent multiple lifetimes learning how best to butcher them.
Suddenly, there was a small applause. Oh, yeah, right, this was a demonstration. Unsurprisingly, Angel Dust led the clapping while also letting out vocal cheers.
"Woo! Fuck yeah!" Angel Dust called out as his man returned to the group. "That's what I'm talking about! You make murder look good, big guy!" He carried on.
"I must say, I agree with Angel," Wretch admitted, being one of the few who clapped with him. "It'll never cease to impress me how skilled you are, Slayer. If somehow there were doubts about your skills, I believe they'd been dispelled." He praised him.
"Come on, guys, it's no big deal. This is literally the one thing I excel at." Doomguy typed, trying to shrug it off. Yet, he couldn't deny it felt good to be appreciated for his murderous talent.
"So!" Wretch exclaimed after the message was read. He also turned around so he could look at the crowd. "What are some of the things you learned from that showcase?" He asked.
"Incapacitation and disorientation are invaluable," Vagatha answered, folding her arms. "Will took down twenty Barons without using any of his hardest-hitting options. He also killed a sizable majority of the Demons by taking advantage of their predictable behavior." She described.
"Very astute, Vagatha." Wretch complimented, making her smile. "What else?" He pressed, speaking to the rest of the group.
"Target prioritization, which is something all of you have hammered home. After dealing with the brutes that were rushing him down, Will ensured to kill the Archviles as fast as possible." Loona responded.
"Anything more?" Wretch inquired now that the obvious ones were out of the way.
"As much as it may sound like a joke, I'd say restraint," Adam commented. "Like, Will didn't start spraying bullets everywhere with his Chaingun or use the BFG, either. Regarding the rocket launcher and plasma rifle, he BARELY used them at all. It was...surgical. Yeah." He explained.
"Good," Wretch replied. "Is that all?" He questioned.
The members of the group looked at each other. No one could think of anything that wouldn't retread what had already been said, so there was a unanimous headshake given.
"Do you have something to say?" Wretch asked, speaking to the space marine.
"Although obvious, I still must advise a cautious approach. Please, don't try anything you see me to do, at least not yet. Our ultimate goal is still to keep you safe no matter what." Doomguy typed.
"Pfft, even if we wanted to try, I don't think any of us are THAT brave," Cherri remarked, which received a few agreements from the others.
"I know, I just have to say it to put myself at ease." Doomguy typed.
"We get it. Don't worry," Angel Dust assured him with a comforting smile, which did help to pacify any concerns.
From here, the rest of today's training followed this established rhythm. The others had plenty of specific scenarios they wanted to see unfold, which was a joy for their instructors. It showed that everyone had dedicated time outside of training to consider what fighting the Demons would be like. That's not to imply that anyone was assumed to be "lazy" in a sense, only that it was a pleasant surprise. It helped assure their mentors that the future wouldn't be less dangerous, if perhaps only by a small margin. But hey, for them, that was invaluable.
Meanwhile, In Heaven...
Flynn expected the teleportation tests to be much more traumatizing. That might baffle some people, but it's a matter of context. From what he could recall, the teleportation sequences he experienced with the UAC's technology were Hellish. That's not a joke or a colorful description. If asked to detail the process based on how he knew it, the man would say that, when teleporting, it looked like you were traveling through a nightmarish candy cane tunnel.
But now, with how Vega was handling things, the soldier was having the time of his life! The teleportation was instantaneous, and there wasn't any discomfort! In contrast, the Carmines, who were acting as observers and additional researchers, couldn't share the man's jubilation. Naturally, it was because they didn't want him to turn into a grotesque body-horror abomination from a sci-fi movie.
"How was that?" Vega asked as the latest test concluded. Flynn was sent from the Ivory Tower to Urdak and then back again, which was the first attempt at interdimensional travel with a person. Up until this point, they'd been doing distance-related experiments within the boundaries of Heaven.
"Great! Just like the rest!" Flynn answered with a raised fist. The man was having the time of his life right now.
Before more could be said, Clara and Odette immediately examined the soldier. Each of them was using a different device that would allow them to see his internals to check for any abnormalities.
"Girls, I'm okay," Flynn sighed with a smile. He was touched beyond words by their attentiveness, but he also didn't want them to be so worked up.
"You FEEL okay. There IS a difference," Clara corrected.
"You are aware that I'd inform you of any changes, correct?" Vega inquired since he was actively monitoring Flynn's condition.
"Call it a peer review," Odette suggested, focusing on the examination.
"I have a question," Carmilla spoke, wanting to change the subject. "How else can we utilize this technology? Going in and out of Doom is useful, as well as sending in scouting drones. But I think we can do more." She asked.
"Any ideas?" Flynn questioned, curious to know what she had in mind.
"As simple as it may sound, bombs. If not explosives, then something else with equal or even greater destructive capabilities. If we locate Doom itself, then we can assault it with a never-ending barrage." Carmilla proposed.
...
...
...
"I like it," Flynn said after thinking about it for a few seconds, making her smile.
"Really?" Carmilla inquired, coming closer.
"Mhm. It makes sense to apply pressure to Doom," Flynn confirmed, only to widen his eyes a moment later when he realized something. "Carmilla! Holy shit!" He exclaimed.
"What?" Carmilla questioned, surprised by his sudden excitement.
"I...I think you just provided us the BEST possible distraction!" Flynn praised her.
"How?" Carmilla pressed with intrigue. By now, her Daughters were finished with their exam, so they listened too.
"As me, Will, and Wretch are doing our thing, you guys could deploy some sort of offensive on Doom! If Eve can give us its exact location, we'll divide our enemies' attention with a spontaneous attack." Flynn explained.
"Hmm, simple, but likely to succeed." Odette commented.
"Pardon me," Vega interjected. "We should share this with Doctor Hayden and the others. I agree that there is worth to it, but we'll need to determine the best way to go about the execution." He said.
"That's fine. We can take a break as we do that." Flynn replied.
Upon hearing that, the Carmines gave the soldier a look of amazement.
"...What?" Flynn reacted, offput by their sudden change in expression.
"You want a break?" Clara challenged, folding her arms.
"...Yes?..." Flynn hesitantly responded.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Odette asked, doing the same as her Sister. "Maybe the teleportation is affecting you mentally and not physically." She suggested.
"Is it that weird for me to want a break?" Flynn asked.
"Yes." The Carmines answered in unison, not needing to consider it.
"...Huh..." Flynn muttered, looking down at himself. "Maybe I should take it easy more often..." He reasoned.
"Oh, don't worry; we'll ensure that you do," Carmilla promised, returning his attention to them. "But it is good to see you wanting relaxation without being forced to." She added.
"Well, I guess I have you three to thank for that," Flynn admitted.
"Us? Or just our Mom~" Clara teased, causing him to blush.
smack
"Hey!" Clara exclaimed in alarm, having been flicked by her sibling.
"Don't use something so sensitive for your teasing, Clara." Odette scolded, lowering her hand.
"I have to agree with your Sister, dear. I'm alright with it, but it's clear that Flynn isn't." Carmilla chimed in.
"N...No..." Flynn tried to deny the obvious, but there was no hope of succeeding.
Thankfully, before this conversation could get any more awkward for the man, the group was met with a surprise. Someone had arrived at the Ivory Tower, and they were opening the front doors. The first faces seen belonged to Lucifer and Lilith, followed by Azrael, Michael, and-
...
...
...
Everything was so quiet. As the arrivals entered the building, Flynn and the Carmines couldn't help but stare. Surrounded by his family, the...Archangel of Justice approached. There was no mistaking his identity!
The silence continued as the two groups came together. Immediately, it was discovered that the fiery blue gaze of Gabriel was fixated on the soldier. Was...he here for him?
"..." Gabriel breathed a heavy sigh. Despite his unreadable face, anyone could tell he was exhausted. Honestly, this appearance was miraculous, given all that has happened!
"..." Flynn looked around the room. It was all he could do to alleviate some of the tension in the air. "...Hey...guy..." He nervously greeted, not sure how to react.
"..." Gabriel's eyes briefly disappeared, which was the equivalent of closing them. "...Flynn, thank you." He began, voice as heavy as Doomguy's. "My family has told me everything that I have been absent for. Among the details, I've learned that you, William, and Wretch are going to rescue Eve. I don't have the particulars, but they aren't needed. I...I just wanted..." He slowly stopped speaking. Simultaneously, his eyes dimmed.
Without saying anything, the Archangel's siblings put their hands on him. Lucifer, Michael, and Azrael knew how difficult this was, and they'd support their Brother if he wanted to stop and let them handle the rest.
"...No...I...I'm alright..." Gabriel promised them, trying his best to sound convincing. "Flynn, all I can muster is thank you. I want to say so much more. There are so many thoughts and emotions about Eve and her rescue, but...I...I can't help but struggle with sharing them. However, I must say that it shouldn't be your burden to bear. My Father caused all of this. Neither you nor William and Wretch should have to correct his mistakes. Yet, you are, and for that...I...am...grateful..." He told him.
By the end, the Archangel was getting emotional. Even for Flynn and the Carmines, who barely knew him, it was a heartbreaking sight. Yes, Samur had been a bastard; there was no debating that. But as acknowledged during his descent into madness, the man hadn't always been like that. To deliberately act as though that were true or ignore all the good he did would make you an ass.
"...I...don't think I deserve this," Flynn confessed. "Really, it's Will and Wretch. I'm only here, doing my part, because Wretch and the Maykrs helped me." He went on before getting closer to him. "But that's not to say I don't appreciate it. Only that I'm glad I can help someone out. Whether we're talking about reuniting Lucifer and Lilith with their lover or getting you some peace of mind through her rescue, it's an honor to be so useful." He concluded, gently patting him on the arm.
Gabriel started crying, but there wasn't any fear that it was negative. Even someone like the soldier could tell this sobbing was a mixture of joy and relief.
"I'm...so sorry..." Gabriel apologized, feeling ashamed by this display.
"Nah, man. I get it. As someone who's been a dumpster fire with his emotions, it SUCKS." Flynn assured him, managing to earn a chuckle.
"That it does..." Gabriel agreed. "But I do think that is enough for now. Additionally, I didn't ask my family to bring me here so I could cry in front of you and nothing else." He revealed.
"...Have I screwed something up?..." Flynn guessed, immediately assuming the worst. This time, it was Lilith who laughed.
"No, Flynn, you've not done something wrong," Lilith replied. "Gabriel wanted us to have lunch with Sera, Emily, and Deerie. But when he learned that you were in Heaven working on the teleportation method, he wanted to include you." She explained.
"...Oh." Flynn reacted, amazed by how nice that was. "Could the-"
"Yes," Lilith interrupted him with an eye roll. "We wouldn't be so rude as to ask you and exclude the Carmines." She said.
"Cool. Cool." Flynn muttered, sticking his hands into his pockets. If social awkwardness were a person, it would be this man.
For the remainder of the midday, the group stayed in the Ivory Tower. Understandably, the Archangel didn't want to be in public right now, so Sera, Emily, and Deerie were brought here. Both the Seraphim Sisters and the Cherub were elated to see him when they arrived. Endearingly, Sera and Emily stayed as close as they could to him during their time together.
Evening-Night
Without contest, today was the most productive by a landslide. The combination of demonstrations and hands-on learning was immensely beneficial. Doomguy would've happily continued to fight the fake Demons for as long as the others wanted, but they had to stop eventually to prevent this from being a one-man murder show.
However, the variety that was witnessed helped the others to determine what Demons they needed to practice with the most. For example, Angel Dust needed to improve his close-range combat. So, by seeing the space marine handle Barons, Hell Knights, Pinkies, etc., with the finesse of a master, he obtained a solid understanding of what he should do. Another good instance was when he needed to confront a firing squad of Arachtrons, which was a lesson in mobility and evasion for the brawlers.
When the time came for everyone to have mock battles, this logic was maintained. The overall crowd was divided into groups based on similarities. The brawlers challenged themselves with Arachnotrons, Revenants who stayed airborne, Cacodemons, and Pain Elementals. Ranged experts confronted hordes of Pinkies, Imps, Hell Knights, and Barons. The all-rounders requested their mentors to create the most strategically difficult fights for them that were still fair for training.
These battles were also not one-and-done. Each group had multiple skirmishes, which were broken up by periods of discussion and reflection. Every subsequent engagement after the first was made harder than the last. When it was time to return to the complex, even the veterans and most athletic of the bunch were sweating and ready for showers.
As for evening plans, Doomguy and the Wretch STRONGLY advised everyone to take it easy. There would be an extremely early wake-up call tomorrow since there would naturally be a meeting. No one offered any commentary or objections, but they were surprised such a conference wasn't happening tonight. The men explained they wanted everybody to have a nice, relaxing end to today since it'd be nothing but tension and stress come the morning, which was greatly appreciated.
While the others headed for their quarters to shower, the Wretch planned to speak with Samuel before returning to Verosika and Sonia. Regarding Doomguy, he was going to change into his casual attire and then see Angel Dust, hoping that they could get together with Katie and enjoy some quality time. As for Flynn, he still hadn't returned from Heaven, but there were no worries of anything having gone wrong since Vega would've shared that.
Overall, there isn't much left to say about today. Eve's rescue happening sooner rather than later meant the atmosphere was different. Whether working or relaxing, everyone's minds were focused on tomorrow. The final hours before lights were turned off and people went to bed were used for conversation. Much like how Rosie had been with Doomguy, there was a reasonable worry for the men's safety and a fearful curiosity as to what Doom plotted. But there wasn't anything to be gained from being sleep-deprived, so any lingering uncertainties were saved for tomorrow's meeting.