Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 9
Chapter 50: Reiko Rising, Part 2
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)
The Road So Far…
It wasn't long until an ominous sound was heard as Reiko and Ruby rushed towards the ruins of the administration building. What they didn't expect was that Sylvana was there as she was standing near the Box of Solomon. She was exuberant as she used an incantation to breach the Box of Solomon the moment she saw Reiko and Ruby rush into the room, but it was too late. The blood moon in the sky showed no signs of slowing down as it strengthened the Maladendrum's resolve to scratch out of its prison. By the time that the entity was let out of there, it engulfed the room as it was starting to cover the ruins with its hellish tendrils. Sylvana was cackling wildly as she was more than likely to be using her weapon against those who opposed her, for nothing would stand in her way at present.
"You insolent fools!" she yelled. "You've come too late!"
"You're playing with fire, Sylvana!" yelled Ruby as she was holding her spear in her hands. "You have no idea what you've let out in which that monster will stop at nothing to consume everything around it and not stopping! It doesn't give a damn about you or the people who live here! It only cares about poisoning the planet. No wonder Lucifer called it an apex predator…"
"Oh, this 'apex predator' will consume any form of sacrifice it'll muster!"
It wasn't long until the Maladendrum quickly began to manifest Sylvana's body in which it found the perfect vessel in her. Reiko and Ruby were concerned about what was going on as they saw Sylvana standing up in which her eyes glowed a crimson red complete with an ominous glow all over. She was yearning for destruction as it was already too late, for the Maladendrum found its vessel to be beneficial just to navigate in.
"This apex predator is already getting started right now…!" it yelled as it displayed its evil aura over its host. "Oh, how I waited for this…; right…, Abaddon?!"
Now…
I was in the mess hall of the Adam West as I was mainly concerned about Reiko's safety topside. With the blood moon still going and not stopping, I was starting to have a gut feeling that something bad was about to happen in which I couldn't shake it. When I wheeled myself out of the mess hall and outside of the ship, I began to go towards the place where we fell into the moment I also noticed something hidden. Looking inside, there was a chapel as I saw the doors that were shut for years. When I managed to open them up, I saw the chapel that was unused as I saw the pew and benches in good condition complete with a cross that adorned it. There was even a pair of confessional booths there as I later found myself in a vision of the past. That was when I noticed my past self still reeling from the first two trials as he went into the confessional booth and began to pour out what he wanted, for this was his own way of absolution at the time.
"If anyone is listening…, here it goes," he said. "My name is Sam Winchester. I was born on May 2, 1983 and I lost my mother at the hands of a demon. What also occurred was when he fed me demon blood before killing Mom, but it changed me in many ways than one… I… abandoned my father and brother when they needed me the most… because I wanted to have a normal life instead of going from state to state. That was when I got with Jessica until she also met her demise once I returned to hunting, but I was also part of a grand plan by the same demon who killed Mom… After we stopped him, I… strayed from the path in which I ended up screwing up so much that I ended up letting Dean down one time too many. I was hopped up on demon blood, starting the Apocalypse, running around without a soul, and even abandoning my family in Purgatory when they needed me the most… Those are my sins and I will die so that Dean and Cass will live. This final trial will be the end for me, but I have no regrets in the end…"
I never saw my past self pouring so much heart and soul in his confession as I later returned to reality. Still, it was my time to pray, but to protect Reiko as I wanted to help her, but to no avail. I was ready to pray until I heard footsteps approaching in which I noticed Yorvanar walking into the chapel, for he was also concerned about what was happening topside.
"It's been a real shit show up there," he said.
"I hope that everyone is alright and away from harm, including Reiko," I said.
"Reiko will be fine, Sam. From what I heard, she displays a gentle nature that is similar to the same guy who got with Phyllis Schacter. Nelliel is no slouch, but he hardly ever gets mad, only to scold people if they fall out of line. As for Reiko, however, she's the greatest treasure that you ever had."
"I know…"
It wasn't long until I heard a loud shaking topside as I sensed something wrong. Still, I was helpless due to me being with child as I also prayed for Reiko's safety, for she was the harbinger of light after all…
Dean and Nibori made their way to the castle as they saw Gunther and his unit patrolling the beach. The look of anger filled the member of the Zenith Vectors as he was also afraid of wargs due to their size and temperament. When he saw Dean and Nibori, he was more than likely to be trading jabs in which he knew of the base incident on Shiganshina. He also saw a moment to strike Dean at his lowest as he was more than likely to be using psychological jabs instead of physical ones, for he also had fervent loyalty for Jacob and the toxic ideals he represented.
"Dean Winchester," he said as he smirked. "I've heard so many good things about you. It's obvious that Jacob warned me about you after you scratched his face a few months back."
"If you're looking for the Draaza ship around here, you're shit out of luck," he said.
"We're not only looking for that derelict Draaza tech, but we'll be hauling your brother back with us just to take what is rightfully ours."
"You leave Sam out of this! He's in no condition to be running around right now!"
"Oh, from what I heard, Sylvana told me about his 'unmentionable problem' in which he's carrying what a woman should carry! Sooner or later, it'll be cut out of him just like what Jacob did to your precious Magda on that fateful day!" Dean felt his rage boil as he wanted to slug Gunther. "What's the matter, Dean? Touch a nerve? Don't act all butt-hurt 'cause you lost someone close. From my own perspective, I take it like a real man should in which I'll have Zbigniew go near the castle and snatch that six-foot-four tall Incubator out of there!"
"Don't you dare go near my brother, you rotten son-of-a-bitch! You and your people in your hate-filled campaign are all the same with both bark and bite! Your superior killed Magda and nearly killed my boy! Your people did away with Albus Kirgar! Your people killed Quintus! You destroyed a federal building in New Capua on Claudius! As for the cherry on top, your group nearly tried to kill a bunch of little girls."
"Don't," said Nibori cautiously. "He's egging it on just to jab at you. I know of him because of the fact that he uses more than just beating the shit out of his enemies. He uses scare tactics and rage bait just to get at his enemies; isn't that right, Gunther?"
It wasn't long until Dean was ready to pummel his foe to oblivion the moment he changed into his diamond form. He was determined to let Gunther have it the moment he shot diamond projectiles at him the moment they tore at his suit. Anger flooded the soldier as he was willing to attack further until he heard the sound of another warg bellowing in the distance. He was ready to strike until he saw Castiel riding on Barca the moment they stopped. Still, he wanted to attack them despite the fact that he was scared to death of wargs as he drew out his gun until he saw Castiel displaying his angelic aura in which he wasn't having it.
"Oh, great," he said as he smirked. "An angel who uses a warg instead of teleporting here. This will be fun!"
"You and your group have no place here," said Castiel as he stood firm. "Your leader made a mistake by bringing you here to steal Sam and the technology that is hidden in the Adam West."
"Excellent deduction, for I am superior to any of you pathetic fools. As for you? You're just a baby in a trenchcoat just to dress up in your combat gear."
"Don't you dare mock him!" yelled Dean as he fired more projectiles at Gunther.
It wasn't long until Castiel stood firm and melted Gunther's eyes from his skull in which he also grew weary of his insults. The other Zenith Vectors on the beach noticed their unit commander dead on the sand as they rushed towards Dean and the others the moment they were outnumbered. Still, Castiel didn't budge as he finished off the rushing soldiers in which they ended up falling to the ground after succumbing to having their eyes melted from their skulls. When the worst was over, it was time to get to the castle until Nibori notices a serial number on Gunther's arm. She had a gut feeling that the real Gunther turned tail and fled in which the battle against the Zenith Vectors wasn't over, for this was just the beginning of the further woes.
"Looks like you took out a fake," she said.
"What's going on?" asked Dean as he looked at the fake Gunther's body.
"This isn't the real Gunther. It's a clone, but the real one's not stupid. He may be afraid of wargs and werewolves, but he refuses to leave his master."
"This was a clone?" said Castiel as he was puzzled at what he heard.
"Clones have serial numbers, but real humanoids don't."
"So, this was a bust," said Dean. "Still, we have to worry about Mole Boy coming to the castle 'cause he's not stopping until he takes the whole enchilada."
And so, Dean rushed towards the castle with Castiel and Nibori following him. He was concerned for my safety as he also wanted to tear a new one in the Zenith Vectors, for this battle wasn't over yet…
Reiko and Ruby fled the administration building ruins as they were running away from the Maladendrum, who was possessing Sylvana's body. With the blood moon still not slowing down, they had to act fast to keep it at bay as they rushed towards the abandoned gym that was derelict for centuries. The place itself was mainly made for gymnastics, volleyball, and basketball games, but it was ruined after being submerged in water due to the algae it grew all over it. Still, Reiko had to lure the Maladendrum into a trap as she was armed with the bow and quiver of arrows that Pendragon gave her. She had to resolve herself to protect everyone as it was her purpose to destroy the same apex predator that was housing Sylvana's body, for it had to come to an end soon enough.
"You can't hide forever, Reiko!" yelled the Maladendrum as it was covering the gym. "I know your fear very well! You're afraid of losing your husband and children in which the one wearing the pants of the family is doing what you mainly did naturally!"
"Don't you dare pull a fast one on me!" she said as she fired an arrow at the wall. "You have been mainly known as an apex predator who consumes and then goes for another one to bleed dry. No wonder your dark masters fear you." She slightly shakes in fear as she saw the door getting banged on very loudly. "No…, I have to face this fear… I can't let it—"
"Don't give into fear, Reiko! You're better than this, for I have faith in you!"
My voice cut through the darkness as Reiko saw the arrow on the wall glowing brightly the moment it dispelled the corruption all over the gym. Even though it was a reprieve, that didn't stop the Maladendrum from trying again as Reiko and Ruby had to formulate a plan to prevent the monster from attacking again, for they were backed in a corner against this threat. What they didn't expect was that Cain was hiding in the distance as he came out into the open the moment he was armed with the First Blade, for he didn't want the Maladendrum to wreak further havoc at this time.
"You just had to show up here, didn't you?" said Ruby as she had her spear in her hands.
"I'm not here to fight you, but to put an end to a lingering threat," said Cain.
"It's the Maladendrum, isn't it?" said Reiko.
"The Maladendrum is a threat to all of us and I want it exterminated."
"It's no use putting it back in the Box of Solomon right now," said Ruby.
"It was waiting for the right moment to get free once this blood moon shines at its peak. It's history repeating itself like what happened during the Apocalypse in the Elder Days."
"And I contributed to it when I aided the Arbiter to conduct her grand plan… As for the blood moon, there's no way we can stop the Maladendrum now."
"There's still hope," said Reiko as she saw a crack in the ceiling. "The only way to reverse this blood moon is to brighten it back to normal."
"No, you can't be serious..."
It wasn't long until Reiko used her bow as she fired an arrow into the sky to where the blood moon was shining above. The arrow itself shot towards the moon as it began to strip away the crimson red hue that caused an ominous dread in the sky. With the moon returning to normal, there was a bigger problem as the Maladendrum was screaming outside of the gym in which it was writhing in agony until it burst into the gym. The mass of tendrils surrounding Sylvana's body made its way inside as Cain stood firm to challenge it the moment he used the First Blade to slash at it. Even Ruby had to fend it off as she also used her spear to strike at the tendrils that were coming through the floor the moment she felt a surge of raw power protecting her from harm. What the Maladendrum noticed was that there was a jeweled sigil on Ruby's forehead as it was enraged at what it saw, for it would soon attack on sight.
"How dare you?!" it screamed. "How dare you betray yourself as a demon?!"
"I've had my fair share of leading people astray and look where it got me!" yelled Ruby as she stood firm. "I paid for my sins over the centuries in which your presence is out of control! As for what you bear, you're still out of control just like you were back in 1987 when that Nephilim stuffed your sorry ass in the Box of Solomon! As for your vessel, it's very unstable just like you, an apex predator who poisons everything in which the rest of us downstairs fear you!"
"You dare talk down to me?! The Arbiter planned you to be controlled just to get rid of the ones who killed Azazel and avenged their parents! As for your cooperation, you had no choice but to bend the knee to not only her, but those who demanded to start the Apocalypse in the first place. As for your past, Ruby, you will never escape your sins, for they will always define you! I know everything about you in which you were tortured after being brought back to life just to be Kurotowa's plaything. Many centuries later, you ended up in Helgaard Citadel on Efrafa just to be tortured and raped repeatedly and they pretty much enjoyed your company until you escaped from that happy place. In the end of it all in your penance, you deserved to be raped!"
"Enough!" yelled Reiko. "You shouldn't be belittling someone who suffered trauma by airing their dirty laundry! Whatever the future holds, the past should never tether it to the point of being toxic."
"I've had enough of your shit!"
The Maladendrum was ready to attack as Reiko was armed with her bow and quiver of arrows. This showdown in the gym was just heating up as it would soon change the fate of the galaxy, for this was the darkest hour that now became permanent so far…
Zbigniew made his way into the castle with his unit as he was ransacking the place. He was looking for me as he was not about to give up until he got what he wanted. He looked everywhere as he even trashed the sitting room and destroyed the leg lamps that Dulcetta gave us in which he was starting to get impatient. When he looked in my room, I wasn't there as he was also getting more angrier by the second the moment he left towards the infirmary wing with his unit following him. He had a feeling that no one was there as he was searching every hospital room for me, for he wasn't about to give up on his twisted search.
"Sam…, come out and play!" he yelled as he searched into the examination room.
Zbigniew was getting impatient as he left the examination room in which he and his unit continued to search elsewhere. What he didn't expect was that Chiaki was hiding in the vent as she was scared to death. Even though she kept herself hidden, she watched through the ventilation network all over the castle as she heard Zbigniew still yelling for me to come out of my hiding place. When she crawled to the vent above one of the hospital rooms, she noticed Meg in her wheelchair as she had to get her to safety before the Zenith Vectors got to her. Just as she was about to do so, she heard footsteps approaching as Reuben rushed to her aid the moment he was ready to get her out of her room, for he had to protect the vulnerable at this time.
"It's rude to keep a girl waiting," said Meg.
"It's not safe here," said Reuben as he came to her aid while wheeling her out of the room. "There's no end to the Zenith Vectors or the blood moon that's looming all over this island."
"Jacob Doran and his flunkies are no slouches, but they won't stop until they get what they came for."
"Dean and his unit are coming. As for the backup from Emperor Florian, let's hope that they find and escort Sam to safety." Reuben sees Chiaki jump out of the vent as she was glad to see them out of harm's way. "Looks like we need to get the hell out of dodge because this castle isn't safe at this time."
"Watch out for the man with the mole on his face," she said. "He's already ransacked the main hall and sitting room."
"I hope to the gods that Dean and the others are here…"
Reuben led the way with Meg and Chiaki in tow as they left the room and went into the hallway. All three were rushing to flee the chaos until they saw Zbigniew and his unit standing in their way. He was aware of Reuben's position as Medic General of the Medical Corps as he also had a loathing for him on the spot, for he was ready to get rid of any obstacles just to get to me.
"Well, well; if it isn't Kazuo Mitani's prized pet!" he yelled with a crooked grin on his face.
"Zbigniew Przybiczak…," said Reuben. "I heard about you in which you've been wanted by the Stohessian Government for rape. You were also employed to the Helgaard Citadel on Efrafa as an observer just to commit violent acts against women."
"They asked for it! As for us combing for your half-brother, I won't take no for a fucking answer this time! Therefore, I will continue to destroy this place if you don't bring him out!"
"Get Meg out of here!" Chiaki obeyed as she wheeled her out of the hallway. "As for you…" Reuben briefly looks at Zbigniew as he was armed with a gun in his hand. "You just dug your own grave just now in which you won't be able to beg for forgiveness from your masters. People like you should be rotting away at Belbe Citadel on Gehenna or perhaps the Kettle here on this planet."
"Oh, it's you who will—"
"—Get your ass handed to you?"
Nibori rushed to Reuben's aid at the last minute as she had to protect him from Zbigniew's wrath altogether. Armed with her witching tools, she used an incantation to cause a burning sensation in the suit that the latter wore while holding his crotch. Even though he was no stranger to dealing with those with witching powers, he instantly ran towards Nibori as she felt his hands on her throat. He was getting off on her suffering as Reuben came to her aid, but to no avail. Just as all hope was lost, Zbigniew felt his arms inflating as they let go of Nibori's throat the moment they blew off of him. Pain rushed in him as his unit got him out of harm's way the moment they fled the castle. Even though Nibori was saved, she didn't expect me to stand there as I used my raw power to save her from certain death, for I had to protect everyone in this darkest hour.
"What the hell are you doing out and about?" said Reuben as he saw me sit in a vacant wheelchair.
"I couldn't let our homewrecker hurt anyone else," I said.
"Thanks for the save, Preggo," said Nibori as she wheeled me out of the hallway with Reuben following us. "Still, our foe fled, but having you blow his arms off is a little overkill, don't you think?"
"Where's Dean?"
"He's on his way here, but at least the rest of the Zenith Vectors have fled for now."
"Thank the gods…" I was shedding tears of joy as I looked out the window to see the moon returning to normal. "Be safe, my darling… I have faith in you that you'll protect us all…"
It wasn't long until Dean arrived in which he was not too thrilled to see me out in the open like that. Still, I would be scolded, but not now, as we all left the infirmary wing and later noticed some of the Norsefolk led by Alma arriving with weapons that were infused with diamond dust with the metal the moment they sparkled in the moonlight. With some of the Zenith Vectors fleeing with an armless Zbigniew, everyone was ready for battle as Dean and Reuben wheeled me out of the way for now, for they also had faith in the ones who lived here on Skald Island. With the remainder of the soldiers still wanting to take me away, they were stopped by Alma and her group as they were there to to their part, for this place was important here more than anything.
"This is our home and our coffin!" she yelled as she bashed some of the soldiers with her hammer the moment the rest of them were trying to get further into the castle. "There's no way in hell you'll go after Sam or take what's not yours!"
"Don't even try to come near Sam!" yelled Dean as he stood firm in protecting me.
The group held off the Zenith Vectors as they were overwhelmed by Alma's group. With Dean wheeling me towards the lower level of the castle, we made our way to the bunker with Reuben following us from behind. All three of us were welcomed by the sight of the children as I was glad that they were safe, for our group had to hunker down once help arrived…
Reiko saw the Maladendrum getting ready to strike at her as she fired an arrow in Sylvana's chest, but to no avail. She was fearing the most as she saw the monster laughing while piloting its vessel complete with some tendrils. Just as she was about to get the upper hand, she saw a tendril wrap itself around her foot as it was dragging her to the floor. Ruby and Cain rushed to her aid as they sliced at the tendril and set her free in which the Maladendrum was getting impatient once the blood moon was no more. It was starting to weaken as it flailed its arms and tendrils just to hold onto what was left of the waning blood moon, but to no avail. Screaming in agony, it was ready to strike again as Reiko and the others had their weapons ready, for it was already done for to begin with.
"How could you do this to me?!" it shrieked as it was trying to maintain stability in Sylvana's fragile body. "Your arrow destroyed the blood moon and there's no hope for me! In the end of it all, I'll end you all and those who live on Valinor just to be put in a poisonous grave!"
The Maladendrum was ready to use one of its tendrils as it was ready to strike at Reiko. It viewed her as a threat as it was more than likely to be killing her on the spot for her interference. Still, the Maladendrum was out of control as it was starting to weaken from the loss of the blood moon in which it wasn't done yet. The very anger that permeated from it began to melt the bleachers and basketball hoop as the entire gym became a furnace in which it directed its fury towards Reiko. Just as it was about to do so, she was pushed out of the way as she noticed Cain taking the hit the moment he was stabbed by the sharp tendril, for he couldn't let her die at this time. Even Ruby kept the Maladendrum at bay as she used her spear to generate a shield to protect Reiko and Cain from its malice, for she also had to do what was right at the moment.
"Sylvana's body is starting to weaken just like the Maladendrum," she said.
"Let it die…," said Cain as he was clutching at his side where the monster stabbed him. "All we need to do is to have faith in Lady Reiko to end this menace before it tears Valinor all asunder."
"You saved me…," she said as she saw Cain staggering. "I know that you did wrong by committing the first murder, but why did you protect me?"
"It's what I needed to do because you're the only one who can finish what was started by our own hubris."
"Then I'll finish it..."
"Oh, great; the Father of Murder does something nice for a change," said the Maladendrum as it smirked through its vessel. "It's a crying shame that he had to kill his own brother and later save that Elf from certain death."
"You're nothing but a coward!" yelled Cain as he rushed and stabbed the Maladendrum with the First Blade. "You're also nothing but an apex predator that went rogue, only for Lucifer to seal you away in the first place! All I want is for you to die so that you won't cause havoc to everyone here!"
It wasn't long until Cain collapsed onto the ground as the Maladendrum was ready to take another jab at the group. Reiko, on the other hand, was standing firm as she wasn't about to give into fear in which she noticed the Maladendrum cackling while displaying more of its tendrils to destroy the entire gym. Armed with her bow and her quiver of arrows, she fired another shot into Sylvana's body in which it was causing her to reject her host. At that moment, she was starting to be more braver as she noticed the Maladendrum twisting Sylvana's body in which it became to get bigger, for it was getting tired of being told what to do.
"You brought this mess upon me!" it yelled as it crashed through the room of the gym.
"No…, your body and Sylvana's are weakening after I shot an arrow to the moon," said Reiko.
"I will drag your sorry ass to Hell if I have to!"
"Don't you dare lay a hand on Lady Reiko!" yelled Ruby as she was holding her spear.
"She's like her husband; so gullible and yet so brave! In the end, both she and her husband are a threat and I will weed them out!"
The Maladendrum was ready to strike again as Reiko blocked its move. She was starting to change into a much more divine form the moment she was wearing a white dress with her silver hair down to her feet. She wasn't having it as she was ready to put an end to the Maladendrum once and for all, for she was destined to stop it to begin with.
"I won't let you hurt any more people nor will I let you poison this planet!" she yelled as she didn't budge. "I may be meek, but not defenseless. I have faced hardships and happiness in which I believe in the hope that I have for my friends and family! As for you, you have nothing in which you took everything for granted when your masters indulged you to the point of getting out of control and yet you yearn for destruction. As for me, I'm more than just a member of the Mitani Clan and a Nephilim, for I'm a Winchester and nothing will ever take that away from me!"
It wasn't long until Reiko used her powers to disintegrate the Maladendrum as she saw it screaming with Sylvana's body dissolving in the process. She was also displaying a bright light that shined throughout the night the moment she stared at the moon that was saved from the ravages of its crimson hue. With the worst over, she returned to her normal form as she walked towards Cain in which he was struggling to breathe, for this was his final moment of being alive in this future.
"You stopped the Maladendrum," he said to her.
"I know…," she said.
"You stopped a menacing threat that was sealed away, for it won't harm anyone else again… As for me, my soul will be going to the Empty, where I can sleep forever… I wanted to find and kill Ailnoth, but it's too late for me… All I did was to protect you in the end…"
"You did your duty," said Ruby. "At least Lady Reiko finished off the Maladendrum in the end…"
"Don't try to grieve for me… I know that I'll never see my beloved Cordelia again, but I also had to pay my fair share of what I owed. I even had that Mark on me once, but he's now the steward of the Empty just to prevent its blackness from spilling forward. In the end of it all, I was glad that the Maladendrum is dead, for it will never see the light of day again. You finished what was started by a Nephilim back in 1987, only for you to destroy it once and for all. You're a good woman, Lady Reiko, for you displayed not only your bravery, but your gentle nature that even other monsters and demons would bow in front of you. I'm… glad to have met you in which I will take my leave in this life now and forever..."
"You committed the first sin and saved your final life," she said. "You are at rest now…, for there will be no pain or hunger or loneliness. You paid for your sins and saved a life, for that is all that you needed to do now…"
Cain closed his eyes forever as Reiko folded his arms while Ruby placed the First Blade into them. Both of them prayed for safe passage for the Knight of Hell as he would soon be going back to the Empty after all that has happened. With the Maladendrum destroyed, the threat was averted as Reiko and Ruby heard footsteps approaching in which they noticed several members of the Hunter Corps coming to collect them. What they also didn't expect was that Seto was there as she assessed the damage to the gym the moment she saw the aftermath of the battle, for the threat of the Maladendrum was now a thing of the past after all.
"It seems that you did more than just shoot some hoops in here," she said as she saw Cain's lifeless body on the floor. "It had to be him, but it's too little, too late…"
"He saved Lady Reiko's life," said Ruby.
"He's a Knight of Hell, but we'll give him a proper funeral pyre. As for the mess, the Order's been wanting to find a lot of things here since it emerged from the depths of the ocean."
"I have to get back to Sammy," said Reiko.
"Sam's safe, but the whole island is a mess. The Zenith Vectors fled after that toadie, Zbigniew, fled with his entourage after he got his arms blown off. You can thank Dean to go in like Rambo kicking ass and taking names on his part."
It wasn't long until Seto escorted Reiko and Ruby out of the abandoned gym in which they were being led onto a seaship back to Skald Island. Before all that was said and done, there was the go-ahead as members of the Hunter Corps collected Cain's corpse and First Blade as they were placed in a body bag just in time for a funeral pyre. With both Sylvana and the Maladendrum gone, the worst was over, but the overall threat of the Zenith Vectors rolled on as the remainder of them were still waiting to cause more terrorism under the radar, for this battle wasn't over yet…
Zbigniew was in the infirmary of a battle cruiser ship as he was sporting prosthetic arms to replace the ones he lost. Even though he and his unit suffered losses, he vowed to get revenge as he lived for another day. Still, he had to report in as he later noticed Gunther entering into the infirmary in which he was ready to return in the shadows, for he simply had a grudge against Dean and the others for raining on the Zenith Vectors' parade.
"Well, well; if it isn't Mr. Terminator here," he said.
"Don't try to mock me!" yelled Zbigniew as he was ready to punch Gunther.
"You just got your ass handed to you by the rejects from Sesame Street and you're also on the verge of being on Jacob's shit list! Even though the blood moon is gone and the Maladendrum eliminated, we still have a goal to bring humanity to be top dog once again."
"It's a start, but I will find Sam Winchester and slit his throat for what he did to me!"
"Do that and you'll be spending the rest of your years wiping your ass with your feet! We need him to access the Draaza tech that was hidden away for centuries in which we'll be able to subjugate our enemies. For far too long, humanity has been on the back burner either by conforming to society or being on a monster's dinner plate. Jacob has a way with bringing us forward in which he will secure the human race to be on top again."
"I just hope that we get through. As for what happened earlier, that won't deter our purpose to cause widespread havoc in our wake. That's what we're made for, right?"
Zbigniew clenched his prosthetic fist as he vowed to get revenge against me for losing his arms earlier. Even though he bore a grudge, he was also extremely dangerous as he even wanted to crush those beneath him. Still, that didn't deter his own sexual wants and needs as he thought about Ruby in his own twisted way. When he went towards the bathroom, he began to fantasize about the renegade demon as he unzipped his pants and began to stroke at his member. With a picture of Ruby near the toilet, he was ready to pleasure himself as he was aching to violate her once more. The thought of her being strapped to a bed in a cell made him howl in pleasure as he continued to stroke at his member to the point of blowing his load into the toilet complete with a hint of satisfaction. By the time he flushed the toilet, washed his prosthetic hands, and left the bathroom, he saw Gunther standing there as he was not too happy for his behavior, for he had to stay in line and not to lose focus.
"Are you done cumming?" he asked as he saw Zbigniew satisfied with Ruby's picture in his hands.
"I'm done for today," he said.
"Good. I just got word from Jacob in which there's been anarchy on Alecrian soil."
"That's good to hear…"
Both Gunther and Zbigniew left the infirmary as they were more than likely to get a call from their leader. As for what the future held, there was no turning back as the Zenith Vectors were a dangerous force, for they wanted humanity to be top dog, regardless of the casualties they took out in their wake…
I was back at the chapel as I was still praying for Reiko's safety. The news about the blood moon waning back to its normal color spread like wildfire as I later wheeled myself out of the underground bunker and straight topside the moment I saw Reiko returning with a smile on her face. She was very radiant as I slowly got up and began to hug her warmly in which she became more than just a goddess, for she really was the harbinger of light after all.
"I'm so glad that you're alive," I said as I shed tears of joy.
"The Maladendrum is dead along with Sylvana, who was its vessel," said Reiko.
"The worst is over, but from what I heard, Skald Island is in shambles again."
"Not entirely," said Alma as she brought a box filled with pantry staples. "We may lose friends, family, homes, and businesses, but there's one thing that will never be lost and that is dignity itself."
"The castle is a mess, but it'll be good as new by the time everyone fixes it."
"I'll help you," I said.
"Don't you dare, Sammy! You can't get up in your condition anyway because of the little ones you carry."
"I won't lie, but I used my raw power to stop one of the Zenith Vectors…"
"That's dangerous, but don't do it again right now…"
"The bastard that led the charge tried to kill Nibori in which I blew his arms off in the process. I couldn't let him do it in which those like him in the Zenith Vectors have no morals or obligations just to put their xenophobic views on public display."
"I know what they're capable of," said Alma. "Hell, I had to take out one of them with my hammer after she blew a hole in my restaurant. Still, we should get topside because we've got work to do."
Reiko and I followed Alma out of the chapel as we made it topside to where what was left of the castle was. With everyone cleaning up the mess, I was glad that the threat was gone as I later noticed a body bag being dragged into a lifeboat that was unscathed by destruction. With the corpse salted and drenched with gasoline while being shoved into the ocean, I noticed several Norsefolk shooting fire arrows onto the lifeboat as it drifted away from the shore the moment it began to burn brightly. I also noticed Reiko praying as she saw the spirit of Cain watching in the distance with the First Blade in his hand. It wasn't long until I also noticed the Father of Murder being reunited with the woman he lost as they made their way to parts unknown. In the end of it all, I was glad that the worst was over as I noticed a glimmer of light shining all over Reiko, for I was blessed to have her in my life.
By the time that the funeral was over, we went towards the beach as we noticed Femto staring at the island in the ocean in which he was also glad that the threat was over for now. By the time he saw us, he ran towards us as he stood on his haunches and howled in front of us in which Reiko walked over to him and hugged him warmly, for he was a steed who braved the waters in this crucial time. Even I was glad that Femto was there as he proved to be stalwart despite his age, for his part in bringing Reiko and Ruby to the island was crucial to put an end to the Maladendrum to begin with.
"Thank you," said Reiko as she hugged Femto warmly.
"That's a good boy," I said as I smiled as I noticed the warg sniffing at me. "Guilty as charged, but I've got some sweet rolls in the oven."
"He knows, Sammy. Besides, we have so much to do, but you also need to be back on bedrest."
I was no match for Reiko's scolding as I noticed her holding my hand warmly. Looking back at her, I was grateful that she was here as she stood her ground and stopped an impossible threat, for she was more than just a wife and mother. All she is to me is just a simple Woman of Letters after all…
The end… or is it?
