Chapter 39 (~9000 words):
– Silas –
[Emergency Quest: The Devil is Due!]
[A Demon Lord approaches your base with his swarm of insects, intent on slaughtering every holy being inside. Defeat or repel the Demon Lord to prevent as many angelic deaths as possible!]
…
I stepped out into the hallway for a couple of minutes, giving Taylor and Rebecca time to change into the new armor Gabriel had provided. As I stood outside, my mind raced through scenarios of what we'd be facing. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the fight ahead.
When I re-entered the room, my thoughts scattered instantly. My eyes widened as I took in Taylor and Rebecca, now fully geared in sleek, form-fitting black armor. The enchanted suits hugged their bodies like second skins, emphasizing every curve. Rebecca shifted slightly, the polished armor accentuating her athletic physique. Taylor adjusted her gloves nervously, her cheeks turning faintly pink beneath her glasses when she noticed my appreciative stare.
I quickly cleared my throat, breaking my gaze and focusing back on their faces. "Damn. You two look amazing. Like proper warriors."
Rebecca gave me a quick smirk. "Glad you approve."
Taylor smiled shyly, her eyes meeting mine warmly. "Thanks, Silas."
A polite cough drew our attention to Gabriel. She stood quietly nearby, her wings gently rustling behind her. Her expression had grown solemn, the warmth in her eyes replaced by deep concern.
"Silas, Rebecca, Taylor," she began softly, stepping toward us, "you truly don't have to come with me. This battle will be extremely dangerous, even for those of my kind."
I shook my head immediately, meeting Gabriel's eyes firmly. "There's no way we're sitting this out. We're with you, Gabriel."
Rebecca crossed her arms decisively, her stance leaving no room for argument. "He's right. We're supposed to be heroes."
Taylor nodded sharply in agreement. "We're staying. We'll fight together!"
Gabriel studied each of us carefully, searching our faces for any hesitation. When she saw our unwavering resolve, she nodded slowly, accepting our choice. "Very well," she said quietly. "If you insist, then at least allow me to grant you one final blessing before we head into battle."
Gabriel stepped closer, raising her hands toward us. She closed her eyes briefly, murmuring quietly in a language I couldn't recognize. Suddenly, warmth flooded through me, followed by an odd tingling sensation behind my eyes.
I blinked rapidly, adjusting to the sudden feeling.
I looked sideways and saw Taylor and Rebecca blinking as well. For a split second, their eyes shone with a vivid, golden glow before fading back to normal.
"What was that?" Rebecca asked, rubbing at her eyes carefully.
Gabriel smiled gently, lowering her hands. "A gift to aid you all in the darkness. The underworld is typically pitch-black, devils and demons have adapted to see clearly in that darkness. Now, you three will also be able to see perfectly in the dark as well. All angels have this blessing as well, otherwise it would be much harder for us to fight down here," she finished explaining.
I glanced around the chamber, noticing how shadows that once lingered in the corners had become crisp and clear. Every detail, every small crack in the stone, stood out distinctly, as if bathed in soft moonlight.
"That's incredible," Taylor murmured, looking around the room in awe. Taylor slowly reached up and slipped off her glasses, her expression shifting from confusion to stunned awe. She blinked several times, turning her head left and right as though unable to believe what she was seeing. Her eyes were wide, clear, and focused. "Oh my god," she whispered breathlessly, staring at her surroundings in amazement. She looked at her glasses, turning them over in her hand, before glancing up at Gabriel. "I—I don't need these anymore. I can see perfectly. How is that possible?"
Gabriel's gentle smile deepened slightly as she met Taylor's gaze warmly. "Consider it a small bonus blessing."
Taylor laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. She tucked the glasses carefully into a pouch at her side and met my eyes with a shy, excited smile. "I can't remember the last time I saw things this clearly. It's incredible."
The four of us left the room and headed back outside to the main area of the fort. Angels were floating around nervously as all eyes turned to Gabriel.
Gabriel rose in the air so that she hovered gracefully above the gathered angels, her twelve gleaming wings spread wide. Her golden armor glowed softly, lighting up the courtyard as every eye turned to her. When she began to speak, her voice rang clear and strong.
"My brothers and sisters," Gabriel declared, "we have faced Beelzebub countless times before. He has inflicted unimaginable suffering—not just upon us, but on the Underworld and humanity as well." Her voice hardened, her beautiful features fierce with determination. "Father commands that this madness ends today. We will put Beelzebub down once and for all, destroying his evil so he never rises again!"
The angels erupted into cheers. Their wings fluttered rapidly, stirring the air into a powerful gust around us. The energy was contagious; even I felt a rush of adrenaline, my pulse quickening.
Behind me, Taylor shifted closer. She leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. "Gabriel's really good at these speeches," she murmured. "Even I feel pumped up right now."
Rebecca crossed her arms, eyeing Taylor with a thoughtful expression. "Good," she said firmly, "because if this Beelzebub is really the biblical demon who controls insects, then you're going to be crucial, Taylor. It'll be up to you to slow him down and strip away his main powers."
Taylor let out a soft, anxious groan. "Great, no pressure at all."
I turned to face her, noticing the worried pinch between her brows. Gently, I reached out and cupped her chin, tilting her face upward until her wide eyes met mine. Without hesitating, I pressed a reassuring kiss to her flushed cheek. "No matter what happens," I told her quietly, "I'll keep you safe."
She blinked in surprise before giving me a shy, relieved smile. Her cheeks reddened further, but she nodded, taking comfort from my promise.
Glancing over, I caught Rebecca's gaze. Her dark eyes watched me with guarded amusement. I grinned at her. "That goes for you too, Rebecca."
She scoffed lightly, attempting a dismissive shrug. But despite her outward indifference, I noticed a faint pink color rising on her tan cheeks.
"Please," Rebecca muttered, looking away as if trying to hide her reaction, "I can handle myself."
"Of course you can," I agreed easily, my grin widening, "but I've got your back anyway."
Rebecca glanced back, holding my gaze for a heartbeat before the corners of her lips quirked upward reluctantly. "Good to know," she finally admitted.
The angels around us continued their rallying cries, their voices echoing through the fortress. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder, waiting for whatever nightmare Beelzebub would soon unleash.
Rebecca tilted her head slightly toward me, a small smirk playing on her lips. I realized exactly what she wanted. With a grin, I leaned in, aiming to kiss her cheek just as I'd kissed Taylor's.
But right before my lips touched her skin, Rebecca turned her face toward mine. My mouth landed directly on hers. Before I could react, she wrapped her strong arms around my back, pulling me firmly against her armored body. Her lips were warm, soft, and demanding as they moved confidently against mine.
A muffled grumble reached my ears. "Oh, come on," Taylor muttered behind me. "That's definitely cheating."
I smiled into the kiss, unable to help myself. Rebecca chuckled softly against my lips, clearly satisfied with herself. Just as the kiss began to deepen, someone loudly cleared their throat next to us.
We broke apart quickly, my cheeks burning slightly from being caught. It was Gabriel. The archangel stood nearby with a distinctly flushed face, her twelve wings rustling uncomfortably behind her. Her eyes darted away shyly as she gathered her composure.
"Please refrain from mating right now," Gabriel said gently, looking embarrassed but serious. "We're about to head into battle."
Rebecca immediately sputtered out, waving her hands defensively. "We weren't going to— we're not mating! It was just a kiss."
"Yeah, just a kiss," Taylor echoed with a mischievous snicker, clearly enjoying Rebecca's flustered state.
I shook my head with a quiet laugh. "Right. Don't worry, Gabriel. We're good to go."
Gabriel nodded, her face still pink as she turned to prepare herself for flight. Clearly, this younger version of Gabriel was a lot more innocent than the one I knew from canon.
Eager to break the awkwardness, I raised one hand to summon my ride. My black ghost bike appeared silently in front of us. Swinging one leg over the seat, I settled comfortably onto the motorcycle. Taylor climbed on behind me without hesitation, pressing close to my back. I felt a pang of disappointment as her armor prevented me from really feeling her soft body.
Taylor wrapped her arms securely around my waist. "Sorry," she murmured softly into my ear. "I know this armor probably isn't very comfortable against your back."
I chuckled lightly, appreciating her consideration. "We'll just have to make up for it later," I teased back.
Rebecca stood beside us, looking down at the bike with a faint frown of jealousy on her face. Taylor must've noticed, because she couldn't resist teasing her further. "Don't worry, Rebecca," Taylor called out playfully. "Since you can fly openly now without needing to hide your powers, I'm sure you'll be fine up there... all alone while I ride with Silas."
Rebecca narrowed her eyes at Taylor.
Gabriel lifted gracefully into the air beside Rebecca. "Ready?" Gabriel asked, her voice regaining its composure as she prepared to lead us and the angels into battle.
I started up my ghost bike silently, feeling the gentle silent vibration run through its frame as it hovered slightly higher. I guided us upward, quickly falling into formation behind Gabriel and Rebecca. The angels around us began moving forward as one, their wings beating steadily as we left the fortress behind.
– Runeas Gremory –
Runeas wrinkled her nose in disgust as she hovered in the dark "sky" of the Underworld. The air around her buzzed relentlessly, filled with millions—maybe billions—of squirming, revolting insects. Below, thousands of low- and mid-class devil soldiers stood in orderly rows, awaiting commands. They were basically slaves, expendable pawns in a war Runeas had grown thoroughly tired of.
"Ugh," Runeas groaned again, flicking away a stray mutated beetle that had dared to approach her flawless, porcelain face. She detested fighting alongside Beelzebub for exactly this reason. It was always dirty and gross.
Bugs were the absolute worst, a far cry from the majestic camels she kept in her personal collection back home. Her precious beasts were graceful, elegant creatures! Not at all like the vile, buzzing monstrosities Beelzebub commanded.
Truthfully, Runeas was sick of this whole damned war. It was stupid, pointless—a conflict borne entirely from her father Lucifer's pathetic issues with his own father. Big G, the so-called Biblical God.
The guy who had allegedly created all of existence and the Earth above them. Not that she'd ever even seen it since Devils were locked in the underworld along with most Fallen Angels. She'd never once glimpsed the blue skies. Never seen daylight, never felt true sunlight on her skin.
Her existence had begun and continued in darkness from the moment Lucifer and Lilith had created her and her seventy-one siblings—the original pillars of Devil society. Of all the pillars, Runeas was among the strongest, though whether she surpassed that smug brat from the Bael clan was always up for debate. Just because Lucifer had handed Bael the flashy Power of Destruction, the pompous idiot strutted around acting superior.
Runeas scoffed softly at the thought. She preferred her own special gifts: extraordinary luck, unmatched beauty, and enormous reserves of pure, raw demonic magic. No destructive force could rival her blessings when it came to sheer elegance and power.
She turned her head slightly, casting an irritated glance toward Beelzebub. The Maou hovered nearby, black robes billowing around him, his twelve leathery wings spread arrogantly wide. He radiated a disturbing aura, a repulsive blend of madness and power.
Runeas crossed her arms, impatiently tapping her slender fingers against her forearm. "Why exactly are we out here again?" she asked, her voice dripping with bored irritation. "Nobody has ever defeated Gabriel head-on. She's insanely powerful." Runeas sighed dramatically, running a delicate hand through her long crimson hair. "Not to mention that beautiful blonde angel has tits big enough to smother us all. Honestly, she's terrifying..."
Beelzebub twisted toward her sharply, his eyes darkening with fury. His lips peeled back into a cruel sneer, revealing sharp teeth as his voice dropped to a threatening growl. "Shut your bratty mouth, Runeas. Or next time I'll stuff it full with something that'll keep it occupied. And you best hope I just mean my cock!"
Runeas narrowed her pink eyes dangerously.
She imagined herself incinerating Beelzebub right then, leaving nothing but ashes floating in the wind. But Beelzebub was a top general and a Satan, after all.
She wasn't allowed to kill him.
Runeas grit her teeth, forcing herself to hold back from violence. "Disgusting creep," she muttered under her breath, folding her arms tighter around herself as she glared daggers at him.
Ignoring her venomous stare, Beelzebub suddenly smiled, his expression shifting quickly from anger to gleeful excitement. His eyes glittered madly. "You underestimate me, Runeas," he said smugly, his voice dripping with self-assurance. "This time, I've devised something special for our dear Gabriel."
Runeas raised a skeptical eyebrow. 'Oh? Another stupid plan that'll end up humiliating us? Please share.' she thought to herself, but didn't say it out loud.
Beelzebub chuckled darkly and started monologuing to himself, waving one hand through the dense swarm of insects swirling around him. His eyes tracked a particularly large, grotesque hornet buzzing by. "My precious creatures are no longer ordinary insects," he boasted proudly. "They're infused with venom so potent it devours holy light itself! One sting, and an angel is guaranteed to die a slow, excruciating death! The venom resists even the most powerful healing magics as well! Kakakaka!"
Runeas stared at him, trying to hide her unease behind an indifferent expression. The concept was horrifying, even to her. "Of course this moron would create a plague of insects he could barely control that would even wipe out the majority of his own race if he wasn't careful. Not that he would even care about lesser devils.
Beelzebub continued. "And when Gabriel realizes her siblings are doomed, she'll have no choice but to surrender herself," he said, his voice rising with excited malice. "She'll beg for the antidote." He paused dramatically, then burst out laughing. "Too bad there isn't one!" Beelzebub declared. "The only cure is death!"
Runeas shook her head slightly, disgust bubbling up again as she realized the idiot didn't have a cure if he himself got stung by accident. She was glad she always kept her skin surrounded by a film of thick invisible demonic power whenever she was near this guy.
Good bug protection.
"Let's get this idiotic show started already," Runeas growled impatiently, tilting her chin defiantly upward. Silently, she hoped the fight would end quickly. She wanted nothing more than to return home to her camels and the comforting luxury of her palace—far away from these revolting insects, away from the arrogant fool beside her, and away from this endless, pointless war.
Beelzebub spread his arms wide, his face twisted in smug delight as he looked down upon his legions. His voice boomed with dark authority, echoing sharply across the vast ranks of devils beneath them. "March!" he commanded. "Fly forward and deliver agony to Heaven's chosen warriors! This surprise assault will render my plans unstoppable!"
Thousands of devils roared in unified obedience. Their deep voices vibrated through the heavy air, and the mass of soldiers surged forward, marching with brutal determination across the scorched plains of the Underworld. Insects buzzed hungrily, swarming thickly around Beelzebub as he cackled arrogantly, clearly savoring the moment.
Runeas rolled her eyes openly at his theatrics. Crossing her slender arms beneath her generous chest, she turned her pink gaze outward with boredom. Her attention drifted idly toward the darkened horizon—and her heart skipped sharply.
"Uh oh…"
A distant, brilliant glow flared against the darkness—Burning like a star amid the endless gloom. She squinted, her pulse quickening as she realized exactly what she was seeing.
Her voice cut through Beelzebub's arrogant laughter. "Hey, genius," Runeas said sharply, gesturing toward the growing light, "hate to ruin your little monologue, but your 'surprise' isn't exactly surprising anyone."
Beelzebub whirled to face her, his grin fading quickly into a hateful glare. His eyes followed Runeas's pointing finger, and his sneer vanished completely, replaced by furious disbelief.
Approaching swiftly, radiating holy power like a blazing comet, was a legion of Heaven's angels. And leading them, her twelve majestic wings shimmering with pure divine radiance, was Gabriel herself.
Runeas stared, momentarily entranced despite herself.
Gabriel was devastatingly beautiful. Her golden hair billowed gracefully around her stunning face and cascaded over shining golden armor. Her impressive curves—particularly the full, tempting swell of her chest—made even Runeas jealous.
But what really held Runeas's attention was the cold, deadly confidence etched into Gabriel's perfect features. This archangel had personally slaughtered more devils than all of her siblings combined. Gabriel was both divine beauty and ruthless violence incarnate. Gabriel wasn't a foe to underestimate, and she'd never once lost a battle.
Beelzebub's entire plan, predictably, was about to collapse spectacularly around them.
"Well, this is going perfectly already," Runeas drawled sarcastically, casting Beelzebub a mocking sideways glance. "Who could have possibly seen this coming?"
Beelzebub hissed viciously at her mockery, rage making his face contort with ugly fury. "Enough of your damned insolence! My plan is still perfect," he snarled, sweeping one clawed hand sharply through the air. "My loyal swarm, attack now! Devour them all! Spare no angel, spare no light!"
Runeas braced herself, expecting the insects around them to erupt instantly into a deadly, chaotic swarm toward the angels. Her body tensed reflexively, instinctively wrapping an invisible shield of demonic power around herself. She hated being anywhere near this unstable moron and his cursed pets.
Yet, after a few long seconds, Runeas realized something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
The insects around Beelzebub didn't move.
They hung frozen, suspended oddly still in midair as though paralyzed. Instead of attacking, the disgusting bugs trembled faintly in place, twitching as though struggling against invisible bonds.
Runeas watched in confusion.
Beelzebub blinked, then clenched his fists, his face twisting from shock to raw, panicked fury. "What the fuck is going on?" Beelzebub roared, his voice cracking slightly with unexpected panic. "I said attack! Attack, you worthless fucking insects!"
Still, the insects remained eerily still. Something about this felt dangerously wrong. Her crimson hair stirred gently around her face as she cast wary eyes toward the approaching angels, now drawing dangerously near.
– Silas –
My dragonborn instincts were roaring inside my chest, craving the fight ahead. I could feel my pulse quicken, adrenaline rushing through my veins. It was almost intoxicating. Yet, despite the eagerness of my inner dragon, my primary goal was to protect Taylor above everything else. I wouldn't be at the front of the fighting this time.
She might've been wearing that beautiful, form-fitting angelic armor Gabriel had gifted her, but beneath the metal, Taylor was still fragile. She was not a brute. Compared to my enhanced strength and Alexandria's impenetrable skin, Taylor could easily be hurt in a full scale conflict like this.
We flew closer, my black ghost bike gliding silently through the dark skies of the Underworld.
Ahead of us, Beelzebub's twisted insect army stretched out like a living nightmare. Thousands—millions—of grotesque, mutated insects hovered menacingly in the air.
Behind me on the bike, I felt Taylor trembling slightly, her arms tightening around my waist. She gasped softly. I heard her whisper anxiously behind me, "Silas… There are so many of them. God, they're everywhere. But... I think I have control…?"
Gabriel, hovering gracefully to our left, turned her head sharply toward Taylor in stunned disbelief. Her eyes went wide, awe filling her beautiful facet. "You can truly control these foul creatures?" she asked incredulously. Her voice was soft, almost reverent, as she continued, "Truly, Father has blessed me greatly by sending you to our side in this hour of desperate need!"
Taylor gave a shaky but determined nod. "I'll do my best," she said, voice trembling slightly but filled with resolve.
I smiled back at her, giving her a reassuring nod. "You've got this, Taylor. I'm right here with you," I promised quietly.
I narrowed my eyes. In the distance, hovering above the grotesque insect legion, stood a figure with twelve dark, leathery wings—undoubtedly Beelzebub. He was shouting something angrily, waving his arms and clearly panicked.
Next to him, another figure caught my eye, causing my breath to hitch in surprise. Beside Beelzebub hovered a strikingly beautiful, short, red-headed girl. She had flawless porcelain skin, vivid crimson hair cascading freely over her shoulders, and a small crown perched delicately on her head. And holy shit—her chest was almost on par with Gabriel's.
"Wait, is that Runeas Gremory?" I muttered under my breath. The ancestor of Rias Gremory herself—the BEST GIRL from High School DxD— her ancestor was here?
Beelzebub's shouts grew louder, angrier. He waved his hands frantically, but his insects hung frozen.
I felt Taylor shift restlessly behind me, breathing heavily with strain. Her grip around my waist tightened painfully as she struggled to maintain control. "It's… it's so hard," she groaned softly, her voice strained. "There's too many. Keeping them all frozen takes so much focus. He's not more powerful than me, but it's really close! It's like my mind is playing a billion games of tug of war at once!"
I turned my head slightly toward her, pitching my voice calmly. "Then don't fight him for control of all of them," I suggested firmly. "Don't just freeze them—thin their numbers!"
Taylor hesitated only briefly before I saw a wicked, confident smirk curled her lips as her gaze sharpened, now clear and focused without her glasses. "You know what? I can do that!"
Instantly, the swarm erupted into violent chaos. Insects screeched and buzzed furiously, turning violently against one another. Razor-sharp mandibles snapped viciously through hard carapaces. Jagged claws tore grotesque wings from mutated bodies. The sky quickly filled with shredded insect carcasses and spurts of dark ichor as Taylor's controlled bugs annihilated each other in a spectacular, brutal massacre.
A stunned silence fell over both armies. Beelzebub stared, frozen in disbelief, horror twisting his face.
Gabriel didn't waste a second. Her voice rang out like a golden trumpet, filled with righteous fury. "Charge now! Strike while he's distracted! For Father!"
Her angels erupted into eager battle cries, streaking forward, golden spears of divine light materializing in their hands. Gabriel herself drew forth an enormous flaming sword that blazed brilliantly in her grip, illuminating the darkness of the Underworld like a miniature sun.
Alexandria flew directly into the enemy lines. She soared downward towards the weaker ranks of devils. "I'm taking out the ground troops," Alexandria called out to us, already diving toward the ranks of lesser devils below. Her voice was steady, utterly fearless, as she disappeared into the melee.
– Gabriel –
Gabriel, known sometimes as the Sword of Heaven, surged forward as she swung her fiery golden sword directly toward Beelzebub's neck.
Victory felt inevitable and the fight had just begun. And it was all thanks to that human girl—Taylor Hebert. Gabriel's heart swelled with genuine gratitude toward the young mortal. A true blessing from Father Himself. Without Taylor's astonishing power over insects, the monstrous swarm of venomous abominations would have been tearing into her angels by now.
But instead, those creatures were savagely attacking one another rather than Gabriel's angelic siblings.
"Damn you and your fucking tricks, Archangel!" Beelzebub bellowed furiously, raising his own twisted black sword in a desperate attempt to parry her incoming strike.
The blades clashed violently, sparks erupting into the shadowy Underworld sky. Gabriel's holy strength easily overpowered him, knocking Beelzebub backward. She pressed her advantage relentlessly. Her movements became a lethal dance as she swiftly landed several deep, burning cuts across the demon lord's torso and limbs.
Beelzebub howled in rage and pain, forced entirely onto the defensive. He was utterly pathetic in close combat.
Gabriel knew very well he preferred fighting from behind his wretched swarm, hiding like the cowardly worm he truly was.
But then she noticed Beelzebub's eyes darting frantically across the battlefield.
His gaze fixed suddenly upon Silas, riding his mysterious, flying human device—a "motorcycle," he had called it. Gabriel didn't understand exactly how it functioned, but it fascinated her.
She saw Beelzebub's face break into a sinister sneer.
Gabriel lunged immediately, knowing he figured it out. "Don't even think about it, demon!" she snapped, thrusting her sword sharply forward, aiming directly at his black heart.
Beelzebub cursed loudly, narrowly evading the strike as he barked orders toward the red-headed devil woman who hovered nearby, idly observing the battle as if bored. Gabriel recognized her instantly—Runeas Gremory, a powerful daughter of Lucifer himself.
"You! You worthless redheaded fuckdoll!" Beelzebub roared. "Stop floating there like a useless ornament and kill those flying human pests already! I sense they're the ones controlling my precious insects!"
Runeas turned sharply, glaring at Beelzebub with a murderous expression. "Fine, dickhead," Runeas growled irritably, flipping her long crimson hair over her shoulder. "I'm not doing this because you ordered it. I just want you to shut the fuck up already."
Runeas streaked away rapidly toward Silas and Taylor. They along with Rebecca were some of the most powerful humans Gabriel had ever seen, but they weren't ready to face someone like Runeas!
"No!" Gabriel shouted, spinning swiftly in midair to intercept Runeas.
But before Gabriel could reach Runeas, Beelzebub surged toward her, suddenly reckless and berserk with rage. He swung his dark sword wildly, eyes burning with a suicidal desperation. "You won't stop this, Archangel! If I fall, you're coming down with me!"
Gabriel was forced to pivot and block the demon lord's frenzied assault. His strikes were erratic but furious, wild enough that Gabriel needed all her attention just to deflect the flurry of blows. He was burning through all of his power at once to try and hold her off!
Silently, Gabriel prayed. "Father, protect those brave mortals. They have already done so much for Your cause. Don't let them fall now!" With grim determination, Gabriel pushed herself harder, each clash of blades resonating like thunder. She had to defeat Beelzebub swiftly, before it was too late.
– Silas –
A couple of crazed, low-ranking devils came shrieking toward Taylor and me, their eyes wild and desperate. The angels and Alexandria were slaughtering them.
"Hang on!" I shouted, gripping the handlebars of my ghost bike with one hand. Taylor tightened her arms around my waist as I lifted my other arm with electricity crackling between my fingertips. I fired off sharp, powerful bolts of lightning, each blast searing through the devils' leathery wings and scorched torsos.
They screamed briefly, spasmed, and then fell through the darkened sky like burning meteors, smashing into the ground far below in lifeless heaps.
"Fuck, they're everywhere," Taylor murmured behind me, her voice strained but steady now. Her trembling had decreased considerably since she'd thinned Beelzebub's insect swarm, but she was still tense. Sweat trickled down her temple as she clung to me.
"It's alright," I reassured her, my eyes darting across the battlefield.
Glancing upward briefly, I spotted Beelzebub himself, caught up in a furious aerial battle with Gabriel. Beelzebub was clearly getting his ass handed to him.
Good. One less thing to worry about.
But before I could relax, my dragon instincts flared in warning.
I yanked the handlebars hard to the side. The ghost bike immediately tilted sharply downward, diving just in time as a blazing torrent of demonic fire roared overhead, scorching the space we'd occupied moments ago. I felt the searing heat brush dangerously close to us.
"Holy shit!" Taylor cried out, clutching my waist with panicked strength. Her breath came in quick, ragged gasps as we stabilized again, skimming just beneath the raging flames.
I twisted the handlebars and leveled the ghost bike out, quickly regaining control and searching frantically for the source of the attack.
My eyes locked onto our new enemy.
Floating casually through the air, her delicate arms crossed lazily under an impressive chest, was Runeas Gremory herself. Her deep crimson hair flowed gracefully around her slender shoulders, framing a face so breathtakingly gorgeous, it could only be supernatural. She tilted her head slightly, regarding me with amused curiosity through vibrant pink eyes. Her ruby-red lips curled into a mischievous smirk, both playful and dangerous at once. "You have decent instincts for a human," Runeas said lightly, her voice dripping with smug confidence as she floated effortlessly in place. "Interesting. My father always told me your kind were pathetic, weak creatures—hardly worth a devil's time." She paused. "But you…you seem at least decently strong, for a mortal. And you have such intriguing toys." Her gaze flicked briefly down to my hovering motorcycle.
I forced myself to project confidence even though every instinct screamed danger. "I appreciate the compliment," I shot back, meeting her gaze steadily. "But I'm afraid I don't have time to play games right now. We're kind of busy winning…?"
Runeas laughed openly at that, a sweet but dangerously mocking sound. Her body began glowing softly with a deep, sinister red aura that radiated powerful demonic energy. My muscles tensed instinctively at the sight, senses screaming at the lethal threat she represented.
"Oh, you sweet handsome human boy," she cooed, raising one delicate hand. Crimson flames danced elegantly around her slender fingers as she smiled wickedly. "I wasn't asking your permission. You've ruined my day by making Beelzebub even more annoying than usual. I'm afraid you need to pay for that…"
Damn, I guess there wasn't any talking this out. She was obviously not as nice as she would become a thousand years in the future. This was the Great War after all.
I kept my eyes locked on Runeas, forcing my racing pulse under control as she hovered arrogantly in the air. Her crimson hair floated elegantly behind her, flames still dancing playfully between her fingertips. Her smug smile pissed me off, but I knew better than to openly provoke someone who could probably melt us with a flick of her wrist.
"I applaud you for not flying away immediately on your strange little contraption, humans," Runeas drawled casually, tilting her head slightly to one side. Her pink eyes sparkled with curiosity and barely-hidden mockery. "But you're clearly outmatched here. Why not save yourselves the trouble and just surrender? You both seem interesting and I'll take care of you in my mansion. We could all have some fun together whenever we wanted."
First she was pissed at me, and now she was flirting with both me and Taylor.
Freaking Devils…
I drew in a deep, steadying breath. I had one hand gripping the handlebar tightly, trying to keep steady. I felt Taylor trembling behind me again, but her grip tightened bravely. Knowing she trusted me enough to hold on despite her fear was incredibly reassuring.
I forced a confident, playful smirk onto my face, trying to look more at ease than I felt. "You know, you really shouldn't underestimate humans," I called back boldly. "After all, aren't you half-human yourself, Runeas?"
She blinked in genuine confusion, her pretty face momentarily puzzled. "Excuse me? What are you babbling about, human?" Then her confusion morphed into a deep frown, a faintly offended scowl darkening her beautiful features. She crossed her arms tightly beneath her generous chest, glaring at me indignantly. "I am Runeas Gremory—a pure-blooded devil, daughter of Lucifer himself. Calling me human is not just incorrect, it's insulting."
Taylor's voice rose from behind me, surprisingly steady despite a slight nervous stammer. "Actually, isn't Lucifer technically a fallen angel, not a pure devil?" she pointed out carefully, leaning around my shoulder slightly so she could make eye contact with Runeas. "And your mother was the very first human woman, Lilith. That makes you half-human. Technically, your kind aren't even true devils—you're all just Nephilim."
I couldn't stop a small grin from forming on my lips. Damn, Taylor really knew exactly where I was going without me having to say anything more.
Runeas's eyes widened in shock at Taylor's words. Then her expression twisted in outrage, her pink eyes practically glowing with fury. "That's not how it works! You insolent little—!" She hissed sharply. Flames surged brighter around her hand, growing hotter and angrier. "Don't you dare compare me to those pathetic, ugly crows!" she spat. She extended one arm violently, crimson fire gathering and blazing along her palm, forming a massive ball of demonic flames. The heat radiated outward, scorching the air around us and forcing sweat down my brow.
"Silas—!" Taylor gasped sharply, clutching me even tighter in panic.
I had mere seconds to react. Trying to beat Runeas directly in the air was impossible. I could barely steer my bike one-handed, and Runeas was leagues beyond any typical enemy. But who said I had to fight fair?
I was good at cheating, after all—just like I did against the Simurgh.
Pulling from deep inside my chest, I sucked in a lungful of air and unleashed the power hidden within me, roaring my shout toward Runeas as loud as I possibly could!
"JOOR ZAH FRUL!"
Fuck, this shout is OP against immortal flying monsters…
My dragon shout exploded outward with incredible force, booming through the underworld's dark skies with divine power. Runeas barely had time to look surprised before the shout slammed directly into her.
She gasped loudly with the fire instantly dissipating from her hands. She flailed helplessly, her bat wings flickering and disappearing as the shout robbed her of flight. "Wha—!?" Runeas let out an undignified yelp of panic, her elegant, proud face contorted into stunned disbelief. She plummeted from the sky, her crimson hair whipping wildly around her as gravity took brutal hold.
Her shrill scream echoed satisfyingly through the air as she fell, arms pinwheeling uselessly in a desperate attempt to regain control. But that wasn't going to happen. She'd be flightless for at least an hour. And significantly weakened as well if what happened to the Simurgh when I used that overpowered shout was anything to go by.
I just wish it didn't really fucking hurt my throat to use it.
Taylor exhaled shakily behind me, relief evident in her voice. "Holy shit, Silas! That was incredible!"
I grinned despite the sore pain. The great Runeas Gremory, original daughter of Lucifer himself, had just gotten knocked out of the sky by a human riding a motorcycle.
– Runeas –
Runeas let out a sharp, undignified yelp as she slammed into the cold, rocky ground. Pain exploded through her side and shoulders as she tumbled roughly, skidding across the dirt before finally rolling to a bruised and humiliating stop.
Around her lay the broken, mangled bodies of dead devils—lesser warriors who had already fallen in battle. She wrinkled her nose at the stench of blood and burnt flesh that filled her nostrils.
"Ugh, what the fuck just happened?" Runeas groaned irritably, lifting herself slowly into a sitting position. She froze momentarily. She just realized that those humans and herself hadn't been speaking latin, but some odd new complex human language. Runeas tilted her head curiously, testing the words again slowly, this time savoring their rough yet oddly satisfying sounds. "Huh... this language has a lot of really fun curse words," she said aloud, tasting the profanity with a mischievous grin. "Fuck. Shit. Asshole—this language is wonderful!"
Runeas rose to her feet, brushing dirt impatiently off her dress and pale, flawless skin.
She summoned the demonic energy inside her to re-manifest her wings. Instead of feeling the rush of power she was accustomed to, however, a wave of cold dread filled her when absolutely nothing happened.
Her magical reserves felt heavy, sluggish—almost entirely cut off from her control.
"What the hell?" Runeas muttered furiously, flexing her fingers repeatedly and desperately trying again. Nothing. "What did that human do to me?"
Before she had time to figure it out, movement caught her attention. Her eyes widened incredulously as yet another human—this one with dark tan skin, glossy black hair, and sleek black armor—shot toward her through the sky. But she wasn't flying with wings—she was literally soaring straight at Runeas as if by sheer will alone!
"How dare you try to hurt them!" the woman shouted furiously.
Runeas scoffed arrogantly, despite her growing unease. Normally, she was one of the physically strongest devils in existence, no ordinary punch could harm her. She calmly lifted her hand, confident she could catch the punch with ease. But panic surged through her chest as she realized far too late that her weakened demonic power left her body alarmingly slow. Her movements felt sluggish, her muscles unresponsive. "Wait—shit—!" she gasped in alarm, eyes widening in genuine shock and disbelief.
She barely had time to brace herself before the human woman's fist connected squarely with her flawless face, shattering Runeas's arrogance along with her composure. Pain detonated through her skull as the punch sent her hurtling violently backward, her vision blurred and spinning wildly.
She hit the ground once again, tumbling painfully across sharp rocks and debris before skidding to an embarrassing halt, flat on her back in the dirt.
"Ow..." Runeas groaned weakly, blinking several times as she stared disbelievingly at the sky. She pressed her fingers gingerly to her cheek, wincing sharply at the burning, throbbing sensation. The pain was entirely new—utterly unfamiliar.
It stung, both physically and emotionally, far more than she'd ever admit.
"Damn it..." she muttered bitterly under her breath, pride aching as much as her battered body. "I think I'm about to have a bad time…"
And then, as if to emphasize how thoroughly they'd lost, a heavy body slammed violently onto the ground beside her with a sickening thud. Dirt and blood sprayed onto her face and dress, making her grimace in disgust.
She tilted her head slowly, dreading what she would see. Her heart skipped several beats as her gaze landed on the lifeless face of Beelzebub. His glassy, vacant eyes stared back at her, unseeing and cold.
Protruding from the devil's chest, right through his heart, was a flaming sword—Gabriel's unmistakable holy blade.
Runeas swallowed hard, a cold shiver running down her spine. "Uh-oh," she muttered weakly to herself, voice shaking slightly. "That's... definitely not good." She quickly sat up, brushing strands of crimson hair from her face as she glanced frantically around the battlefield. To her growing dread, every devil soldier lay dead, their mangled bodies scattered across the blood-stained ground. All of Beelzebub's precious mutated insects had also fallen—either burnt to ash or torn apart by one another in a grotesque frenzy.
Before Runeas could even get to her feet, she heard a soft thump nearby. She turned sharply, tensing when she saw the tan-skinned human woman—the one who'd punched her square in the face—landing gracefully just a few feet away.
Runeas scrambled clumsily backward, trying to muster up her powers again with mounting panic. Before she could retreat further, a brilliant streak of golden light shot down from above, striking the ground beside the human woman.
Gabriel had landed as well. The archangel leaned down calmly, grasped the hilt of her flaming sword, and yanked it roughly from Beelzebub's corpse. Blood and embers scattered from the blade's tip as she lifted it effortlessly. Gabriel pointed her sword directly toward Runeas.
"You are the last one alive, Runeas Gremory," Gabriel declared coldly, taking a purposeful step closer. "Do not worry. Unlike you cruel devils, we angels have mercy. Your death will be swift and painless."
Runeas's breath quickened with genuine terror. She'd faced countless battles, countless enemies, yet never had she felt so vulnerable—so utterly helpless—as in that moment.
She tried desperately to summon her magic, her luck, anything. But nothing responded. Her powers were still sluggish and suppressed by that damned human's strange shout. Her pulse raced even faster as Gabriel raised the flaming blade, ready to end her existence.
Runeas squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for death—when suddenly a loud, commanding voice broke through the air.
"WAIT!"
Runeas opened her eyes again instantly, shocked to see the handsome blond human—the one she'd tried to kill earlier—landing his contraption nearby as he hopped off of it with the girl behind him.
Gabriel froze immediately, her golden blade mere inches from Runeas's neck. The angel turned, clearly confused. "What is it, Silas?"
Silas—that was his name? He had bested her with naught but his voice. That could only mean he was strong and handsome. It was a fitting name. She liked it… But she knew what was coming next.
She frowned slightly, expecting the human named Silas to demand to kill her himself—revenge for nearly incinerating him and his female companion. She'd honestly deserve it. She'd prefer death at his hand than Gabriel's at the very least.
But that wasn't going to happen.
Instead, to Runeas's absolute shock, Silas spoke up again.
"You can't kill Runeas Gremory, Gabriel. You have to spare her life."
""""WHAT!?"""
The dark-haired human woman, the girl who was riding with Silas, and even Gabriel herself all exclaimed simultaneously.
Runeas blinked in disbelief, also finding herself sputtering incredulously. "Excuse me?" Runeas finally managed, staring at Silas like he'd suddenly grown a second head. "Why would you spare me? I tried to burn you alive moments ago. We are mortal enemies."
Gabriel gave Silas an equally perplexed look, slowly lowering her sword but keeping it ready. "I am also curious, Silas. Why would you spare a dangerous devil like her?"
Silas let out a deep, patient sigh. He glanced at Runeas, meeting her eyes with surprising warmth and honesty. "Listen, I know this will sound confusing, but Runeas Gremory is incredibly important. One of her descendants far in the future is going to be part of a team of heroes who'll save the world from destruction. If you kill Runeas now, that future won't ever happen."
Runeas's eyes went wide with shock, her mouth hanging open slightly as her mind raced. Descendants? Children? She didn't have any offspring—she'd never even considered such a thing.
How could this human possibly know about future descendants?
Only beings like the rumored Biblical God himself had that kind of foresight.
Her gaze softened slightly as she stared at Silas, a strange warmth blooming in her chest alongside the confusion. This human man wasn't ordinary, not by any stretch of imagination. She regretted instantly her earlier hostility toward him, he was far more fascinating and valuable than she'd imagined!
"You...you can truly see the future?" Runeas asked softly, almost reverently, her voice barely above a whisper.
Silas looked briefly uncomfortable, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "It's complicated. Let's just say I have special insight about certain things. And I promise, your survival is necessary."
Well now, wasn't that some interesting news!?
Runeas felt a dark satisfaction seep into her bones as the weight of impending doom lifted from her shoulders. A wide, shit-eating grin spread across her lips as she rose shakily to her feet, brushing dirt off the curves of her ample chest and the smooth lines of her thighs beneath her tattered, once-elegant dress.
She turned confidently toward Gabriel, raising one eyebrow smugly. "You heard him, Gabriel. It seems I'm far too important for you to simply kill off. Who would have guessed?" Her voice dripped with gleeful arrogance as she crossed her arms, subtly pushing her large, soft breasts upward in blatant defiance. "Looks like Grandpa Big G really does have plans for everyone—even sexy devils like me! Isn't that just wonderful?"
Gabriel's elegant features twisted into a scowl. "Do not test me, devil," the archangel warned, her knuckles turning white around the hilt of her sword.
Runeas merely chuckled, completely unfazed. She pivoted gracefully toward Silas instead, deliberately swaying her hips just enough to draw his gaze lower. Her lips curled in a playful, teasing smile as she locked eyes with him, her own gaze trailing hungrily over his strong, muscular form.
"You are quite an interesting human, Silas," she purred softly, her voice dropping into a sultry whisper. She gently blew him a kiss, making sure he saw the provocative flick of her tongue against her plump lower lip. "Perhaps my father was wrong about your kind after all. You and I—I think we should definitely meet again under more pleasurable circumstances."
Silas raised one eyebrow slowly, looking more amused than flustered at her blatant flirtation. But Runeas noticed the faintest hint of color touching his cheeks, and that small reaction pleased her immensely.
Her triumphant gloating was abruptly shattered when Gabriel's flaming sword flashed forward with blinding speed, the sharp edge pressing firmly against the delicate skin of Runeas's slender neck.
She squeaked in genuine surprise, her confident façade cracking as a cold sensation shot down her spine.
"What's the big idea, blondie!?" Runeas squealed indignantly, heart racing with sudden anxiety. The burning heat from Gabriel's sword bit harshly into her skin. "Didn't you just hear Silas? I'm supposed to live, damn it!"
Gabriel leaned closer, eyes hard and unyielding. "Oh, I won't kill you," the archangel said evenly, voice ice-cold. "But now that I know how important your survival is for Father's future plans, I'm certainly not letting you walk away either." Gabriel smiled dangerously. "You'll spend the remainder of this war securely locked in our dungeons, where you can't cause any more trouble."
Runeas's jaw dropped, her arrogant posture dissolving into an indignant pout. "Are you kidding me?" she whined, stomping one delicate foot petulantly, causing her large breasts to bounce slightly beneath her thin clothing. "You're seriously going to lock me up? Damn it all—who's going to feed and groom my beautiful camels while I'm stuck rotting in your boring prison cell!?"
Gabriel ignored her protests completely, signaling impatiently to two lower-ranked angels who quickly approached with chains of glimmering holy metal in hand. Runeas gasped as the cold, magic-weakening shackles snapped around her wrists, instantly draining the remaining scraps of her demonic power. Her limbs suddenly felt weak and sluggish, heavy as though weighted down by lead.
"Fucking hell," Runeas groaned, scowling miserably at the ground as she tested the restraints. She had always possessed extraordinary strength and stamina, but right now, she felt pathetically weak. She shuddered at the unpleasant, helpless sensation.
– Silas –
Gabriel sheathed her golden flaming sword, letting out a slow, heavy sigh as she surveyed the battlefield. Her beautiful features softened as she turned toward me, the fierce warrior I'd just witnessed replaced once more by the gentle archangel I had come to know in the past few hours.
"I'm sorry, Silas," she said quietly, her eyes filled with genuine regret. "I feel ashamed to admit it, but for a moment, I truly thought Runeas was going to kill you and Taylor while I was preoccupied fighting Beelzebub. I am glad you are even more amazing than I first thought!"
Her honesty surprised me, but it also warmed me. I gave Gabriel a reassuring smile, placing one hand firmly on her armored shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Gabriel," I replied. "Honestly, Runeas caught me off guard at first too. I'm just glad everything worked out."
Gabriel's expression brightened, a warm and grateful smile gracing her lips. "Indeed, Silas. You've proven yourself a true hero—just as I sensed you are! You have my sincere gratitude."
Her gaze shifted past me then, landing softly upon Rebecca. There was a brief pause—a moment of silence charged with something I couldn't quite understand—as the archangel and Alexandria regarded each other. Gabriel dipped her head in a slight, respectful nod.
Rebecca returned the gesture, her dark eyes holding Gabriel's gaze steadily. Neither spoke out loud, but the quiet intensity of their expressions told me clearly they were silently communicating something important, something unspoken passing between them.
I furrowed my brow slightly. Had something significant happened between them earlier?
Before I could ask about it, Taylor's soft voice drew my attention as she shifted nervously nearby, wrapping her slender arms tightly around herself despite her new armor. Her eyes still looked dazed from the chaos, exhaustion clearly weighing on her as the adrenaline started to fade.
"You alright, Taylor?" I asked gently, moving closer to her and brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. "That was a lot of bugs you just controlled. I'm honestly amazed."
She nodded weakly, giving me a small, grateful smile. "I'm fine," she said quietly. "Just... drained. It was a lot of work, controlling all of them at once. I've never done anything like that before." She laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "But I did it, Silas. I actually did it."
I leaned in and pressed a reassuring kiss to her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips. "You were amazing," I told her honestly. "Without you, this fight could've gone a lot worse. You saved countless lives today."
A bunch of the angels suddenly spoke up, they were all praising her as well!
"You were amazing!"
"You're like the opposite of a demon lord!"
"None of us died in this battle! Thank you so much!"
Taylor blushed at all the praise, her shy smile widening slightly as she leaned gratefully into me.
Gabriel cleared her throat gently, drawing all our eyes back to her once more. Her wings folded neatly behind her as she straightened her shoulders. "We should return to the fortress," Gabriel announced calmly. "This victory must be reported to Heaven immediately. The death of Beelzebub—one of the four great Satans—will send shockwaves throughout the entire Underworld. It's a sign that our Father has granted us the strength and blessing to finally bring this war closer to its end." I could see the hope lighting her expression. "For the first time in decades, my friends, I genuinely believe the Great War is finally nearing its conclusion. Today, you've each played a role in changing history!"
…
"...This seat is very comfortable," Runeas teased, her sultry voice dripping honey directly into my ear. Her plump, heavy breasts pressed shamelessly against my back, the soft warmth of her body seeping through the thin fabric of my clothes after I had dismissed my armor.
With each subtle shift of her soft hips, she ground teasingly against me, deliberately stoking my arousal.
Of course, none of the angels wanted anything to do with her after the battle, much less fly her back to the fortress. Gabriel outright refused, and the others quickly followed her lead. Rebecca was carrying Taylor through the air—leaving only me to give Runeas a lift on my motorcycle.
Runeas took full advantage of the situation, shamelessly pressing her curvy body into mine as we soared through the underworld sky. Her wrists were bound in magic shackles, yet she still managed to mischievously explore my chest, her delicate fingers roaming and squeezing my muscles through my shirt.
"Tell me more about my descendant, Silas," she whispered seductively, her hot breath caressing the sensitive skin of my neck and sending pleasant chills down my spine. "Who do I end up married to? Who fathers these mysterious children of mine?"
I shifted slightly, attempting—and failing—to regain some composure. My voice was more strained than I wanted to admit when I finally answered her honestly. "I have no idea. From what I remember, you never marry officially, and your partner is a total mystery."
Runeas chuckled low and sensually, clearly pleased by my answer. "Oh-hoh, is that a fact, Silas?" she purred. She pressed herself even more firmly against my back, causing me to tense up. "Then that means my future partner could be anyone, doesn't it? Perhaps someone closer than we realize." Her voice dipped even lower, becoming sultry and intimate. "You said my descendant becomes a hero who saves the world. Wouldn't it be fitting if that heroic lineage began with a real hero? Like you, perhaps?"
Her warm, wet lips brushed against the sensitive skin at the back of my neck, and I nearly lost control of the motorcycle. The bike jerked slightly in the air, causing Runeas to giggle softly in delight at my startled reaction.
"Careful there, my hero," she teased, clearly amused by my predicament. "I wouldn't want us to crash."
Glancing to my side, I saw Taylor and Rebecca flying nearby. Both women had eyes narrowed into daggers aimed straight at Runeas. Rebecca looked ready to throttle her, fists clenched tight, while Taylor glared with open jealousy.
This was going to be a long flight. At least there was one good thing that came out of it.
[Congratulations on going above and beyond! You have completed your quest—]
XXX