HELL

PRIDE RING

The Doom Slayer sat in the back seat of the van with Millie and Moxxie, Blitzø in the front next to Kratos. Blitzø said, "Alright so I know the broad game plan is to march in there and start shooting up demons but is there any deeper game plan than that, Kratos?"

Kratos said, "Shinnok and Quan Chi are guarded by a battalion of demons. They should be easy prey for you three. The Slayer and I will deal with their masters and free Lucifer. You know this land better than I do. How you deal with their army is up to you."

Blitzø sighed. There was a moment of silence before Blitzø looked to Kratos and said, "Lotta shit to go through for a kid. You must really love him."

Kratos grunted in agreement. "So is there a Mrs. Kratos?"

Kratos turned to Blitzø raising an eyebrow. He said, "There used to be. She passed. It is just me and the boy. You mentioned your own child, as well?"

Blitzø said, "Yeah. Sorry she was a bit dry to you. She's like that."

Kratos was confused. Had they already met? Then it hit. "The wolf. You are her father?"

Blitzø said, "Yep. Probably obvious that she's not from these loins. I adopted her when she was 17. Little angel from heaven, but...I don't know. I sometimes feel like I'm...infecting her with my shit."

Kratos said, "I know. I swore I would make sure my son was better than me."

Blitzø said, "Heh. How's that been going?"

Kratos said, "He has grown into an exceptional warrior. But now, something new has come up. Something we have never faced. I will not let him face it alone."

Blitzø said, "How old?"

"Fourteen."

Blitzø laughed and said, "Fourteen and already a warrior? The fuck kind of training regimen did you put him through?!"

Kratos chuckled and said, "Nothing he could not handle. He is still alive after all."

Bitzø giggled and said, "I think that's the first time I heard a giggle out of you."

Kratos sighed and said, "You remind me of an old friend. He was crass, short-tempered, poorly mannered, vulgar...

Blitzø rolled his eyes and said, "Alright alright I get it."

Kratos continued, "And an indomitable, loyal ally."

Blitzø let out a little hum as he smiled.

Millie and Moxxie smiled as Blitzø seemed to be making a new friend. The Slayer said nothing, simply mentally prepping for the battle.

Shinnok Mansion

Shinnok and Quan Chi overlooked Kratos and co. driving back to the main city. Quan Chi said, "Your plan worked to perfection, Lord Shinnok."

Shinnok said, "Indeed. I knew Kratos would never ally with me. But only he could bring the Slayer to my door. His hell-touched soul will be all I need to break the barriers between the worlds of the living and the dead."

Quan Chi said, "We need simply to eliminate the Ghost of Sparta. Though an easier said task than done."

Shinnok said, "He is nothing without his weaponry. We will make short work of him."

A giggling was heard. The two of them turned towards two individuals, bound and gagged in some sort of energy formed bindings. Both had cream skin with rosie cheeks, almost resembling porcelain dolls. One was a tall man with blond short curled hair and a white and red suit. Alongside him was a smaller girl with long blond hair and a red suit with a white undershirt. Both of them had yellow eyes with red irises.

The man was the one giggling. Shinnok snapped his finger, removing the magic binding from around his mouth.

Shinnok said, "Have you something to say, Lucifer?"

Lucifer said, "Oh ho ho ho buddy. If you think the weapons were the secret to Kratos' power, you have got another thing coming! He is gonna fuck you u..."

He was quickly re-gagged with another finger snap from Shinnok.

Shinnok said, "Rally our forces."

Quan Chi said, "It will be done."

The imps, Kratos, and the Slayer arrived in the city, emptied of residents who were all inside their homes. Blitzø said, "Alright gang. When the fighting starts, Millie's with Kratos and the Slayer. Moxxie and I will stay back and keep them from getting behind you. Once these two are in, we'll hold them off until they kill Shinnok."

A loud BANG shook the car. Claws began tearing the roof off the car, as one of Shinnok's imps began clawing its way inside. Blitzø yelled out, "Oh no you fucking don't! Not my van!"

Blitzø prepared to pull a gun, but was interrupted by the Slayer leaping up and tackling the imp, flying out of the van and causing it to tumble and crash, landing with the torn roof pressed against a building. It landed with Kratos' side up, who kicked the door open. He climbed out repositioning himself. He saw Blitzø and the imps unconscious, reaching inside and pulling them out one by one.

Blitzø shook his head as he grabbed it in pain while Moxxie and Millie slowly came to.

Millie said, "You ok, Mox?"

Moxxie said, "Fine. You?"

Millie said, "Pissed off."

Blitzø turned to see the van in mechanical shambles. "Mother...FUCKERSSSS! THAT WAS MY GOOD VAN!"

Kratos said, "Shinnok knows where we are. We cannot linger!"

Blitzø pointed and said, "Shinnok's place is just this way. Where's the Slayer?"

The four turned the opposite direction to see the Slayer beating the head of the Shinnok imp into the ground. He immediately stood, pulling out his weapon and charging into the city away from the indicated direction. Kratos shouted, "SLAYER!"

Moxxie said, "Oh crumbs..."

Blitzø said, "Alright then. That fucker's gone awol. If he was ever on our side to start. It's just us now.''

Moxxie said, "Sir, we can't just let him run amok! He could kill someone. Someone NOT related to Shinnok."

Blitzø yelled, "Well what's the plan, Moxxie? We can't kill our best shot at this, and it's obvious even with Kratos he's not keen on working with us."

Kratos said, "Blitzø is right. We cannot afford to waste time chasing him down."

Moxxie said, "You mean YOU can't afford to waste time."

Millie said, "Moxxie!"

Moxxie threw his hands up shaking his head as he said, "No. We already almost killed ourselves chasing down that bloodthirsty maniac, then almost died on the drive back all because this guy refuses to die."

Blitzø said, "Hey! Need I remind you that this is also about our home?! I know this place is a shithole but it sure as shit doesn't need an even bigger hole running it."

Moxxie said, "Sir, until we even called Stolas nobody even noticed that leadership had changed! The only real difference any of this makes is that this guy goes back to the land of the living. And WE are the ones picking up the slack for him."

Blitzø yelled, "Mox. He HIRED us, you dumbfuck! We are doing our job."

Moxxie retorted, "THIS is not our job, Blitzø! Our job is killing people in the real world. That is what I signed up for."

Blitzø yelled, "You signed up to follow orders Mox. And if you can't do that then you can just..."

"QUIET!" Kratos bellowed, startling the imps.

He said, "I...will face Shinnok and Quan Chi alone."

Blitzø said, "Kratos...wait, that was not the deal!"

Kratos said, "He is right. I will not have you give your lives for my quest. I am sorry about what you have lost. It ends here."

Kratos darted off in the direction of the temple, leaving the stunned imps behind.

Blitzø turned to Moxxie and said, "I hope you're fucking happy, Mox. There went the only friend I had and our fucking paycheck!"

Moxxie sighed and said, "Blitzø I..."

Blitzø said, "Just shut it. Let's see what we can salvage from the van."

Blitzø pushed past Moxxie to go to the van.

Millie said, "He'll be fine. Kratos...might not."

Moxxie sighed.

Millie said, "I know you didn't want to do this job..."

Moxxie said, "I don't...do you?"

Millie tilted her head and said, "Yeah...?"

Moxxie laughed and said, "I suppose I'm outvoted. HEY BLITZØ!"

Blitzø stopped his work on the van and yelled, "What?!"

"Which way did you say Shinnok was again?"

Shinnok Mansion

Kratos marched forward toward the massive home. The ash-grey demons crawled out, with Shinnok and Quan Chi behind. Shinnok said, "Well well Ghost of Sparta. Where is your little entourage?"

Kratos said nothing.

Quan Chi said, "Shall we tear him apart, my Lord?"

Shinnok said, "Start with the imps. We must draw the Slayer if he's in the city."

Quan Chi called a chant. The ashen imps charged at Kratos while the two stepped back into the golden mansion.

He delivered a mighty kick sending the closest one rocketing through the group. Blitzø twisted and turned firing guns in every direction, tearing the creatures apart. Millie yelled a war cry, slicing the creatures apart as well. She tore apart the ones on Kratos, then charged forward.

Blitzø helped Kratos up and said, "You still owe us a goddamn paycheck, bud."

Kratos said, "Blitzø...I..."

Blitzø said, "We're seeing this through. Now get off your ass and let's fuck them up!"

Kratos nodded and rose to his feet. He and Blitzø prepared to fight the horde, but were shocked to see they were already torn apart. Millie was smiling wickedly while drenched in their blood.

Kratos said, "I thought this battle would last longer."

Moxxie walked up with his rifle. He said, "Yeah. When she gets going she gets going."

Moxxie looked up at Kratos and said, "I'm...I'm sorry about what I said, Kratos."

Kratos bluntly said, "Think nothing of it, boy."

Millie, waiting at the entrance, shouted out, "If y'all are through playing grab-ass we got a god and his lackey to kill!"

From the darkness of the temple, a green glow began to shine.

Moxxie shouted, "Millie! Watch out!"

Millie had little time to react before a flaming green skull exploded against her arm, sending her flying back. She twisted to land on her feet, skidding back while ducked low.

Millie said, "Cheap shotting bitchass!"

Quan Chi marched out of the room. He said, "Seems the entourage found its way to you. No Slayer, curiously. Perhaps an unfettered id only beholden to slaying demons is more difficult to control than you thought?"

Blitzø said, "Trust me he's next after you, you pasty fuck! Kratos, take care of Shinnok. This motherfucker is ours."

Quan Chi stepped forward and allowed Kratos to walk past him. Quan Chi said, "If you somehow manage to survive against Shinnok, don't be surprised when you return and find three imp corpses. Or whatever's left."

Kratos walked inside while the imps prepared to fight.

Moxxie said, "The only corpse is about to be you!"

Quan Chi raised his hands, flexing his fingers like claws. With one flick of his wrist, a portal opened beneath him. A second one then opened above Moxxie, who promptly jumped out of the way as Quan Chi fell through the first portal to try and land on Moxxie through the second one. He fired off a green flaming skull in Blitzø's direction who jumped away while firing off his two pistols.

Quan Chi opened a small portal to redirect the bullets away from him and towards Millie. She rushed Quan Chi, ducking to avoid the bullets. She closed the distance and began swinging her swords, which Quan Chi seemed to effortlessly avoid. He summoned a green skull in his hand and held it out like a shield to block one sword. He waved his free hand, summoning a jagged sword, made out of the same green flaming energy. He blocked Millie's other sword with it and kicked her away. He then opened a portal behind him to jump back and avoid a torrent of gunfire from Moxxie and Blitzø.

Another portal opened behind Blitzø, and a sword was launched through it. Blitzø barely had time to duck as it cut across his shoulder. He rolled back as it slid downwards and Quan Chi stepped out.

Moxxie was able to gain some distance as he steadied his rifle. He gave Blitzø and Millie a nod. And the plan was clear: Keep Quan Chi still so Moxxie could get the kill shot.

Mansion Interior

Shinnok stood, arms at his back and stiff, watching Kratos slowly walk in and approach. Kratos' steely gaze remained fixed to Shinnok.

Shinnok said, "Do you think it wise to face me alone?"

Kratos said, "Do you think it wise to face me alone?"

Shinnok snickered and said, "You'll find that choosing to defy me was a grave error."

Kratos said, "I have killed gods greater than you."

Shinnok said, "Then by all means. Try to kill the God of Death."

Kratos charged at Shinnok, swinging a punch. Shinnok effortlessly dodged, landing a palm to Kratos' stomach. The pain was excruciating but Kratos persevered. Kratos swung again, Shinnok pushed the fist away with a swat of his hand, twisting Kratos around, and delivered a fist to Kratos' back.

Kratos immediately twisted back, successfully landing a backhand against Shinnok's head, sending him flying back into a wall.

Shinnok spat up a little blood, and gritted his teeth.

Kratos said, "You are swift. But weak. Is one strike really all it took to draw blood?"

Shinnok waved his hands together, firing off a pink blast of energy. Kratos rolled out of the way, as it flew harmlessly past him. Shinnok then clapped his hands together, and massive skeletal hands burst from the floor, grabbing Kratos and pinning him in place. He then rushed to kick Kratos in the stomach again, unable to defend himself or move with his legs and arms restrained.

Shinnok yelled, "You call me weak?!"

He delivered blow after blow to Kratos' stomach and face.

Shinnok said, "Take joy in this suffering, Ghost of Sparta! Because when I escape this prison, it will pale in comparison to what I do to your son!"

Mansion Exterior

Millie and Blitzø engaged Quan Chi. Millie kept close, dueling him close quarters with double swords while Blitzø kept firing his pistols, blocked by shields and skulls Quan Chi spawned behind him.

Moxxie kept waiting for his opportunity to go for the headshot.

Blitzø's phone rang and he dropped one gun to fire while checking it. It was Loona. He answered it while firing his gun.

"Loonie? What's happening?!"

Loona said, "Uh...there's a weird guy here."

Blitzø's heart suddenly sank. He said, "He...wouldn't happen to be a 7 foot man in green armor, would he?"

Loona said, "Yeah...that's exactly what he is."

Blitzø yelled, "The FUCK is he doing there?! Get the hell out of there, right now!"

Loona said, "Woah, Blitzø chill. He's just kinda standing here. And...he's pointing at the gun rack. I think he wants our weapons."

Blitzø sighed and said, "Let him have them."

Quan Chi blocked her swords and kicked behind him, opening a portal behind him and under Blitzø. This portal sent his kick towards Blitzø's chin, sending him flying back. Blitzø was knocked to the ground, and his phone was cracked.

IMP HQ

Loona hung up the phone with a grimace.

She looked up at the towering Slayer and said, "Have at it."

The Slayer walked up to the rack of weapons and tore the door off. A seemingly enchanted sniper rifle, a pair of revolvers, daggers, shotguns, the works. He almost had the faintest hint of a smile as he began to load up.

Mansion Exterior

Blitzø gritted his teeth as he drew a pair of daggers from his pockets. He charged Quan Chi and began striking at him alongside Millie. Blitzø tried to go low and aim for Quan Chi's shins, but Quan Chi raised his foot, then kicked it down into another portal, sending it sideways into Millie's head. He then stabbed downwards towards Blitzø who jumped away.

He then dropped a sword, reaching into another portal that opened by Moxxie. His hand emerged on the other hand, grabbing Moxxie by the horn. He pulled him through the portal and tossed him into the ground. He pressed his foot to Moxxie's neck then prepared to impale him.

Then an explosive shot echoed out. Moxxie still felt a foot on his neck but the pressure had strangely subsided. He looked up and realized all he saw were the legs.

Quan Chi's entire upper half was gone. Blood and pasty flesh chunks were all over the place. Only Quan Chi's legs remained. Moxxie stood up as the legs fell back and hit the ground with a thud.

Moxxie stood and saw the Slayer standing, holding a double barreled shotgun in Quan Chi's direction.

He walked over, grabbing Moxxie and yanking him up before dropping him to his feet. He said nothing as he marched forward, weapon in hand, to aid Kratos.

Blitzø said, "Guess he's not waiting for us. Let's roll M and M!"

Kratos spat up blood as Shinnok continued his ruthless assault. Kratos said, "You call yourself a God of Death? I am still breathing."

Shinnok said, "You're right. I've had my fun. And the Slayer will be next." He flexed his hand, summoning a spear made of bone matter.

He then heard the thundering footsteps of the Slayer. He threw his hands to the side forming a shield that blocked the sudden hail of buckshot, drp[. He saw the Slayer standing alongside the imps, weapons out.

Blitzø looked up at the slayer who gestured his head towards Shinnok. The three rushed Shinnok, firing and striking at him and his shielding while the Slayer tended to Kratos.

He easily shattered the bones around Kratos, seemingly weaker from the outside than the inside. Kratos fell to his knees, coughing. The Slayer held out his hand, helping the Ghost of Sparta to his feet. The two nodded in recognition.

Shinnok laughed as he let out a blast knocking the IMPs back. Kratos rushed and delivered a blow to Shinnok's face while the Slayer fired his shotgun to his side. It took out a chunk of flesh, weakening him as blood and guts began to spill out. Millie charged and stabbed him through his chest. Kratos delivered an uppercut and kick that knocked him away. Millie leapt off as the swords remained pierced in Shinnok.

Moxxie and Blitzø kept firing at the God of Death, tearing up his body with a barrage of bullets. The Slayer tackled Shinnok, pinning him to the ground and unleashing a flurry of blows on his face. Shinnok's face grew bloody, and his eyes began to pop out of his skull. The Slayer grabbed Shinnok by the top of his head, slamming him into the wall repeatedly.

Shinnok couldn't even speak as blood gurgled throughout his throat.

The Imps watched uncomfortably alongside Kratos as the brutality unfolded.

Blitzø said, "You...you gonna do something?"

Kratos simply said, "No."

The Slayer grabbed Shinnok's shoulder with one hand and the top of his head with another. With one mighty pull, Shinnok's head was rended from his neck. His spinal column dangled from the head, blood dripping.

He dropped it to the ground and tossed Shinnok's headless body to the side.

Kratos said, "Now, for Lucifer. Search the house!"

The Slayer nodded and took off into the mansion, with the Imps spreading out. Millie took the top level with Moxxie while Blitzø and Kratos searched the bottom level.

Kratos heard a muffled yell and said, "I hear them!"

He tracked the sound to a nearby wooden wall. With one blow, the wall was torn apart, and pulled apart by the same hand. Lucifer and his daughter, freed from the magical bindings formed by Shinnok, tumbled out.

Lucifer slowly got to his feet and dusted himself off. He spotted Shinnok's dead body as he rose, came up to Kratos' chest, smiled and said, "Sheesh. The rumors don't lie. You fucked him up!"

Kratos said, "That was not me."

Lucifer said, "It was one of you. My statement still stands."

His daughter, Charlie Morningstar, said, "Um, Mr. Ghost of Sparta. Thank you for freeing us from him. Why...did you want to help us?"

Kratos said, "I need to return to the world of the living. I need your help to do so."

Lucifer's eyes widened and met Charlie's as his smile dropped.

Lucifer said, "I'm sorry. I can't do that. Believe me if I could stop the overpopulation problem I would. But I'd need the power of a soul that's touched both Hell and Earth."

Almost on cue the Slayer dropped from above, landing on the ground with an audible thud as the Imps gathered.

Lucifer smiled again and said, "A soul like the Doom Slayer's... If he'll let me, I can open a portal and send you back to right where you died."

Kratos said, "And what happens to the Slayer?"

Lucifer said, "He'll be fine. Might feel a little tingle after I open the portal. But I'll only do it, if you take him with you."

Blitzø sighed and said, "Well, I guess this is the end of our little journey."

Kratos turned with an eyebrow raised and said, "Not yet."

"Huh?"

Kratos said, "You are exceptional warriors. I will need your aid to face what we face. The rewards...may be even greater."

Blitzø smiled and said, "Well...if it's for rewards...wait. No...I got my little girl to take care of."

Then a familiar voice said, "Then you'd better go."

They turned seeing Loona saunter in with a duffel bag.

Blitzø said, "Loona? What are you..."

Loona cut in and said, "You weren't picking up. Then I saw the busted phone outside and got the gist. Anyway, I'm not staying her by myself while you play soldier, so I'm coming with."

BLitzø smiled and said, "Looks like we're taking an extended contract, gang."

Moxxie and Millie smiled at each other. Kratos eyed the Slayer who nodded. Lucifer said, "Kratos. Before I send you home, I'll just say thank you. Thank you for saving me, my home, and my daughter. We'll need time to rebuild, but the armies of hell will be at your side when you need us."

Kratos nodded. He stood with the Imps and the Slayer as Lucifer prepared to open the portal, to a vicious losing battle.