As if on cue, the siren began to ring loudly again in the prison hallway, and the lights flickered red and white. From the depths of the prison complex, a new wave of Sentinels emerged, flying through their location at superspeed, and their shields turned into metallic wings.
Besides the Sentinels, another version of Sentinel also emerged above them: Elite Sentinels. These were not the standard metallic drones they had faced earlier. These Sentinels were larger and bulkier, their armour reinforced with a strange, golden colour, compared to the original Sentinels, which were silver. Their giant shields were also golden and, like the original Sentinels, could turn into wings when they flew. The Elite Sentinels were carrying massive, long, single-handed edged swords in their right arms and giant shields in their left hands that could turn into wings. This version of Sentinel is stronger than the original Sentinels and perhaps operates as a leader.
"What are those things?" Mococo whimpered, her usual bravado momentarily forgotten.
"Elite Sentinels," Samuel said, his grin returning. "They operate as leaders to the original Sentinels and are also stronger than the original..." He said with an excited grin as he slowly raised his right hand towards Retribution's handle.
Samuel's fingers wrapped around the cold, familiar grip of Retribution. The blade seemed to hum in anticipation, resonating with the surge of Nephilim energy building within him. He pulled the sword free, the polished steel reflecting the flashing red and white lights, casting dancing shadows across the faces of his companions, as the tip of the blade hit the ground with a metallic clang.
"Alright, girls," he announced, his voice a low growl, "let's show these motherfuckers what we're truly made of." Samuel said, his grin turning devilishly.
Shiori, already poised with her sketchbook and paintbrush, nodded grimly. "Nerissa and I will focus on the Elite Sentinels. Bijou, Fuwawa, Mococo, provide support and take out the regular Sentinels."
Nerissa's staff glowed with an ethereal light as she stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the looming Elite Sentinels. "Let's hope these upgraded versions have some weaknesses we can exploit."
"You girls think of any type of plans to fight these motherfuckers; I'll just brute force my way out of this fucking prison," Samuel said in a devious grin. Without a word, Samuel launched himself into the fray. He drew Retribution, the blade singing as it left its sheath. The sword seemed to hunger for the fight, its surface shimmering with a dark energy.
He moved with a speed that belied his size, a blur of motion and steel as he closed the distance between himself and the closest Elite Sentinel. The Elite Sentinel, despite its size, reacted quickly, raising its massive shield to meet Samuel's attack.
Retribution crashed against the golden shield with a deafening boom. Sparks flew, and the force of the impact sent tremors through Samuel's arms. He staggered back momentarily, surprised by the sheer strength of his opponent.
The Advents, inspired by Samuel's ferocious assault, unleashed their own attacks. Shiori conjured powerful illusions, confusing the Sentinels and disrupting their targeting systems. Nerissa released a powerful sonic echo through her staff, enhanced with the microphone. Bijou used her gemstones to enhance her attacks. Fuwawa and Mococo, their fear replaced by adrenaline-fueled excitement, darted through the ranks, tearing at the machines with their claws and teeth.
Samuel moved with a speed that belied his size, a blur of motion and steel as he closed the distance between himself and the closest Elite Sentinel. The Elite Sentinel, despite its size, reacted quickly, raising its massive shield to meet Samuel's attack.
But the upgraded Sentinels were relentless. They fought with a single-minded ferocity, their programming driving them forward despite the mounting casualties. The corridor became a warzone, filled with the screech of tearing metal, by both the Elite Sentinels and ordinary Sentinels.
Retribution crashed against the golden shield with a deafening boom. Sparks flew, and the force of the impact sent tremors through Samuel's arms. He staggered back momentarily, surprised by the sheer strength of his opponent.
"Impressive," Samuel muttered, a dark grin spreading across his face. "But I'm just getting started." He lunged again, feinting high before slashing low. The Elite Sentinel, caught off guard, barely managed to parry the blow with its sword. The two blades met in a shower of sparks, the air crackling with energy. He performed a move of his Retribution called "High Time," slashing his sword upward and launching the Elite Sentinel into the air.
Then Samuel jumped in the air, matching the same height as the Elite Sentinel, and activated his Blademaster, as a red flash of light enveloped his body. He utilized the offensive abilities of Blademaster and performed a series of brutal slashes, a move of his Retribution called "Aerial Rave," into the Elite Sentinel's entire body, as the metallic parts and pieces of the Elite Sentinel flew through the air.
Then Samuel performed another move of his Retribution called "Helm Breaker," slamming his sword into the ground with powerful force, making the Elite Sentinel, now a mangled wreck of metal and sparks, plummet to the ground with a resounding crash. Samuel landed gracefully beside it, Retribution dripping with a viscous, black fluid that seemed to writhe and pulse with its own dark energy. He flicked the blade, sending the substance flying in a wide arc.
"One down," Samuel announced, his voice echoing through the chaotic hallway. "Who's next?" As he put his sword on his right shoulder, his grin didn't disappear.
But before Samuel could savor his victory, another Elite Sentinel charged toward him, its massive sword raised high. Samuel barely had time to raise Retribution in defense as the two blades clashed once more. This time, however, Samuel was ready. He switched his combat mode to Vanguard, as a green flash of light enveloped his body as he utilized the defensive abilities of Vanguard. As he performed a Vanguard position and perfectly timed the blow head-on, automatically.
The force of the blow reverberated through Samuel's body, but the Vanguard stance held firm, deflecting the Elite Sentinel's attack with ease. A smirk played on Samuel's lips as he saw the surprise flicker in the machine's optical sensors.
"Not so tough now, are you?" he taunted, pushing back against the Elite Sentinel's blade. He shifted his weight, using the momentum of the block to launch a counterattack. Retribution blurred, a silver arc aimed at the Elite Sentinel's exposed midsection.
The Elite Sentinel, recovering quickly, raised its shield again, but Samuel was already moving. He feinted another attack at the shield before sidestepping and slashing at the Elite Sentinel's leg. The blade bit deep into the metal, severing several key wires and hydraulic lines.
The Elite Sentinel stumbled, its movements becoming erratic. Samuel pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of attacks. Retribution danced around the Elite Sentinel's defenses, finding weak points in its armor and exploiting them with ruthless efficiency. Sparks flew as the blade tore through metal, each strike weakening the machine further.
Finally, with a mighty roar, Samuel brought Retribution down in a devastating overhead strike, cleaving the Elite Sentinel in two. The machine collapsed to the ground, its golden armor rent and smoking.
"Two down," Samuel announced, panting slightly but still grinning. He surveyed the battlefield, his eyes scanning for the next threat. The remaining Elite Sentinels seemed to hesitate, their programming momentarily disrupted by the loss of their comrades.
"Now, where were we?" Samuel said, his voice laced with anticipation. He gripped Retribution tighter, ready to plunge back into the fray. The Advents, emboldened by his success, renewed their attacks with even greater ferocity. The tide of the battle was turning, but the fight was far from over. The prison complex remained a deadly maze, and countless more Sentinels lay in wait, ready to defend their territory.
But Samuel and his companions were not deterred. They had tasted victory, and they were hungry for more. Their path to freedom was paved with the wreckage of their enemies, and they would stop at nothing to reach their goal. With a renewed sense of purpose, they charged forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As Samuel charged forward, he noticed the remaining Elite Sentinels had adopted a new strategy, but suddenly stopped as he saw one of the Elite Sentinels fly through the air, its shield turning into wings. An Elite Sentinel raised its sword to the air, as four regular Sentinels transformed their shields into wings and flew next to the Elite Sentinel. All four Sentinels pointed their lances towards Samuel, ready to strike him.
But Samuel was ready for them and taunted, "Come on, wimps..." He said, daring them all to attack him at the same time. The Elite Sentinel lowered his sword, and all four Sentinels charged at Samuel with supersonic speed, their lances all aimed at him. Samuel automatically switched his combat mode to Vanguard, as a green flash of light enveloped his body, utilizing the defensive abilities of Vanguard, and parried all of the Sentinels' attacks at the same time.
The force of the parry had sent a ripple of energy through his body, charging the Vanguard meter. The Vanguard stance absorbed the impact, converting the kinetic energy into a surge of power that coursed through his veins. As another Sentinel's stab it's lance at Samuel, he automatically time the attack with parry and unleashed the stored energy in a devastating counterattack, called deflect.
As the meter reached its peak, a surge of power coursed through Samuel's veins. He dashed in a superspeed, thrusting his right arm forward and releasing a shockwave that slammed into the attacking Sentinels, sending them flying down the hallway. The force of the impact shattered their armor, leaving them twitching and sparking on the floor.
While Samuel dealt with the coordinated lance attack, the Advents found themselves facing the brunt of the remaining Sentinel forces. Shiori, ever resourceful, used her illusions to create diversions, making it difficult for the Sentinels to pinpoint their true targets. Illusory duplicates of the Advents flickered in and out of existence, drawing fire and creating openings for the real fighters to strike.
Shiori, already poised with her sketchbook and paintbrush, drew in her sketchbook. As the ink flowed into the air, she summoned an army of inky, monstrous and beastly minions, and commanded them all to attack the Sentinels and the Elite Sentinels.
Nerissa, with her staff glowing, unleashed a series of sonic blasts that ripped through the ranks of the regular Sentinels through the microphone. The high-frequency waves disrupted their internal systems, causing them to falter and malfunction. Some simply shut down, while others began firing wildly, hitting their own allies.
Bijou, with her gemstones resonating with power, enhanced the offensive capabilities of Fuwawa and Mococo. The twins, emboldened by the magical energy, moved with incredible speed and agility, tearing through the Sentinels' ranks. Their claws and teeth became living weapons, shredding metal and disabling vital components.
Fuwawa, with her playful energy, weaved through the Sentinels, leaving trails of glitter and shimmering dust. These were not mere decorations; the glitter contained potent magical properties that disrupted the Sentinels' targeting systems, causing them to miscalculate their attacks.
Mococo, usually timid, found her courage amplified by the adrenaline and Bijou's magic. She unleashed a series of surprisingly powerful energy blasts from her hands, each one capable of melting through the Sentinels' armor.
Seeing the regular Sentinels falter, the Elite Sentinels roared with metallic fury and refocused their attention on the Advents. One Elite Sentinel charged at Shiori, its massive sword raised high. Shiori, nimble and quick-witted, dodged the blow with a graceful backflip, then conjured a series of illusions to confuse her attacker.
The twins, working in perfect sync, unleashed a coordinated assault on a third Elite Sentinel. Fuwawa distracted the machine with her shimmering glitter, while Mococo blasted it with a concentrated energy beam. The Elite Sentinel, caught off guard, stumbled back, its armor scorched and smoking.
Another Elite Sentinel targeted Nerissa, attempting to silence her sonic attacks with a swift strike. Nerissa, however, was prepared. But before she could attack, Samuel suddenly shot the Elite Sentinel that was about to attack Nerissa, the force of the bullet making the Elite Sentinel crash down, its parts flying everywhere. Nerissa glanced at Samuel and saw that he used Cruelty to shoot the Elite Sentinel, Retribution on his shoulders as he smirked.
Nerissa smiled seductively and said, "Thank you for that, Mr. Handsome. I really appreciate it..." Nerissa said flirtatiously.
Samuel chuckled and said, "Oh, you don't need to thank me, Miss Beautiful... I can't let a beautiful lady like you get hurt, can I..." He said, also in a flirtatious tone.
Shiori rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips. "Enough flirting, you two," she said, dodging another swipe from her Elite Sentinel opponent. "We have a prison to escape."
"Oh, don't tell me you're jealous," Samuel said teasingly, drawing Retribution from his shoulders. "I can flirt with you if you like..." He said in a joking tone.
Shiori rolled her eyes but also appreciated it. "I appreciate your boldness, Mr. Handsome, but this is not the time for flirting right now," she said to Samuel, while her lips started to form a smile. Nerissa, Fuwamoco, and Bijou all giggled at the two's interactions.
Samuel nodded and spoke, "Alright then, milady..." He said, obeying her words. "But if you change your mind, just tell me, okay..." He said with a wink toward Shiori.
Shiori sighed, shaking her head slightly before refocusing on her opponent. "Just focus on the Sentinels, Samuel," she said, conjuring a wave of illusions to further confuse the Elite Sentinel.
Samuel grinned as he nodded at Shiori's words and said, "Alright, suit yourself, milady," his voice laced with amusement.
Then one Elite Sentinel instantly appeared behind Samuel, its sword raised in the air, ready to strike. Samuel smirked, already knowing the attack was coming. As the Sentinel swung its sword, Samuel blocked the attack with Retribution. The Elite Sentinel's sword bounced off his blade with a metallic clang that echoed in the hallway. Samuel gripped his sword, then spun and slashed the Elite Sentinel's body, slicing it in half. Then Samuel raised his right hand, followed by his left hand, and swung again. The Elite Sentinel's body slowly sliced apart in slow motion, forming a cross shape, slicing it into four parts.
The four pieces of the Elite Sentinel clattered to the floor, sparks sputtering from severed wires. Samuel casually flicked Retribution, clearing the blade of any lingering fluid.
"Well, that was anticlimactic," he said, his voice echoing through the hallway. "Man, fighting these fodder is a joke, they didn't even put up a threat to us, including me...?" He said in a bored tone, as he put Retribution on his right shoulder and put Cruelty back in its holster.
Bijou nodded, agreeing with Samuel. "Yeah, they really need to increase their defenses because these Sentinels were a joke..."
"Don't get too cocky," Nerissa cautioned, her sonic staff humming with residual energy. "We're not out of the woods yet. There are bound to be more Sentinels ahead, and they might not be so easy to deal with."
Fuwawa, twirling through the air, chimed in, "Yeah! Maybe they have a super-duper mega-Sentinel waiting for us!"
Mococo, hiding behind Fuwawa, peeked out shyly. "A... a mega-Sentinel? What if it's really scary?"
Shiori, ever the pragmatist, interjected, "Regardless of what's waiting for us, we need to stay focused. Samuel, save your flirting for later. We have a job to do."
Samuel, leaning Retribution on his right shoulder, spoke, "Shit, I hope so. Because I'm starting to feel fucking bored already..." He said with a bored expression. "This is the reason why I never take the world seriously anymore, because of how pathetic my enemies are..." He said in a sad and bored expression.
Nerissa frowned, sensing the shift in Samuel's mood. "Hey, don't let it get to you," she said, her voice softening. "We all know you're strong, but even the strongest warrior needs a challenge. Just think of it as a warm-up."
Bijou, ever the optimist, added, "Yeah! Maybe the mega-Sentinel will be super strong and give you a good fight!"
Samuel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I've been fighting for so long, it's hard to get excited about anything anymore. It's always the same thing: a bunch of weaklings trying to stop me, and they always fail."
Fuwawa, sensing Samuel's melancholy, floated closer and gently nudged his arm. "Don't worry, Samy! We'll find something fun to do, even if it's just making fun of the Sentinels!" Samuel was taken aback and chuckled as Fuwawa called him Samy.
Mococo, peeking out from behind Fuwawa, offered a small, hesitant smile. "Y-yeah! We can... we can decorate them with glitter!"
Shiori, seeing the genuine concern in her friends' eyes, stepped forward and placed a hand on Samuel's shoulder. "We're in this together, Samuel. If you're bored, we'll find a way to make things interesting. But right now, we need you to focus. We need to get out of here."
Samuel looked at each of the Advents, seeing their unwavering support. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Wow, guys, this is our first time meeting, and you're all being nice to me..." He said in a joking tone, then his expression turned mischievous. "Oh, don't tell me that you girls are starting to fall in love with me..." He chuckled.
"Well, I am the Big Bad Booty Daddy, after all, women from all over the world go ape-shit if they see my sexy physique." Samuel said, referring to his revealing muscular torso and six-pack abs underneath his red coat. He brushed his white hair with his left hand, showing off his handsome face that could make women go crazy. And his right hand held Retribution, leaning it on his right shoulder. "But I mean, I don't mind having a harem of five beautiful women," he said, smirking.
Shiori groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Samuel, please. We have more important things to worry about than your ego," she said, trying to suppress a smile. "Besides, I doubt any of us are looking for a 'Big Bad Booty Daddy.'"
Samuel shrugged and said, "What, I'm just telling the truth, milady..." He said jokingly. "Women do go ape-shit when they're in my presence..." He said, as he slowly put Retribution on his back.
Nerissa snorted with laughter, "He's got a point, though. I wouldn't mind being first in line for the Big Bad Booty Daddy," she teasingly remarked, winking at Samuel. "I mean, those abs are quite... distracting," she said, winking at Samuel.
Bijou giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "Nerissa!"
Fuwawa, ever oblivious, tilted her head. "What's a 'booty daddy'?"
Mococo, blushing furiously, tugged on Fuwawa's sleeve, whispering, "Don't ask, Fuwawa! It's... embarrassing!"
Nerissa smiled mischievously and said to Shiori, "Don't tell me you don't find him very attractive..." She said teasingly, while Samuel chuckled at Nerissa's words.
Shiori was surprised as she looked to her left, her face blushing heavily as she folded her arms across her chest, lifting her breasts. "I-I didn't say that he isn't attractive. I mean, he is very hot, not gonna lie. I'm just saying that this is not the time for flirting..." She said, still looking to her left, her heavy blush not disappearing.
Samuel chuckled, enjoying the Advents' reactions as he walked in front of Shiori, who looked down at him. Samuel grabbed her chin, lifting her head so she looked into his eyes, her face still blushing heavily. Samuel looked into her eyes as he smiled seductively.
The Advents girls were surprised by Samuel's boldness as he held Shiori's chin. All of them had different reactions. Nerissa gasped as she covered her mouth, wishing that Samuel would do that to her as well. Bijou giggled loudly in the corner, also covering her mouth. Fuwamoco's eyes widened as their faces also blushed heavily, and they were stunned by what they saw.
Samuel chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. "See, Shiori? Even you can't deny my charm," he said, winking at her. He whispered, making his breath touch her skin, as he licked his lips. "How about you being a good girl and admitting that you like me too, just like your friends over here."
Shiori's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and a hint of... something else flickered within them. She tried to maintain her composure, but the heat that was forming inside her body started to betray her. "Don't get any ideas, Samuel," she said, her voice a little breathy. "Just because I acknowledge your... physical attributes doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to fall head over heels for you."
Samuel chuckled and said, "Oh, I like a woman that plays hard to get. Let's just say it excites me even more if you keep resisting..." He said with a smirk, his tone seductive.
Shiori's expression turned serious, but she was still blushing, while Samuel was looking smug. She removed Samuel's hand from her chin, turned around, and folded her arms. "Enough of this; we're wasting time," she said. "Samuel, lead the way..."
Samuel bowed and said, "As you command, milady..." He said with a smirk.
With a final wink at Shiori, Samuel turned and began striding down the hallway, Retribution once again resting casually on his back. The other Advents, still slightly flustered by the earlier exchange, followed close behind. Nerissa kept glancing at Samuel, a playful glint in her eyes, while Bijou continued to giggle softly. Fuwawa and Mococo, hand in hand, stared at Samuel with a mixture of awe and embarrassment.
Nerissa, still giggling, bumped Shiori's shoulder playfully. "Admit it, you're softening up to him," she whispered.
Shiori sighed, though a faint smile played on her lips. "Just because I find him... attractive... doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to let him distract me from our mission. Focus, Nerissa."
The group followed Samuel, the atmosphere lighter than it had been moments before. Bijou and Fuwawa continued to chatter excitedly about the possibility of a "mega-Sentinel," while Mococo stayed close to Fuwawa, her anxieties somewhat quelled by her friend's enthusiasm. Nerissa kept a close eye on Samuel, her sonic staff ready for action, but also with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"So," Bijou said, her voice sounding a bit intrigued, "Samuel, where did you get your sword and your two pistols, and what were those abilities you did earlier fighting the Sentinels... you know, the yellow, green, blue, and red...?" She asked excitedly, wanting to know more about his abilities. The Advents girls were also interested, including Shiori.
Samuel chuckled and took his dual twin Desert Eagle pistols from the back holster of his red coat, showing them to the girls and saying, "Oh, you mean these two?" He showed his twin Desert Eagles to the girls, who watched his pistols. "On his right side is a white and black Desert Eagle named Mercy, and the black and white Desert Eagle in his left hand is Cruelty. This is Mercy..." He said, shaking his right hand. "And this is Cruelty..." He said, shaking his left hand, "These two are my girls, my darlings..." He said with a proud smirk, referring to his pistols as his darlings.
Nerissa raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Your mentor? What were they like?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. The others leaned in, eager to hear more about the mysterious figure who had wielded such impressive weapons.
Samuel's expression softened slightly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "He was... a legend," he began, his voice taking on a more reverent tone. "One of the greatest vigilantes in the world, a master of both blade and gun. He taught me everything I needed to know about surviving, and even about firearms." He said, a small smile passing over his face. "He's gone now, but his legacy lives on through me... and through Mercy and Cruelty." He said with a proud smirk. "His name was Alexander William."
Bijou tilted her head. "What happened to him?" she asked softly, sensing the shift in Samuel's mood.
Samuel sighed, lowering his hand. "He sacrificed himself to save me," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "We were on an assassination mission to kill a very powerful target. Then we were ambushed by his goons, catching us off guard. He held them off, giving me time to escape. I never saw him again. I was just a kid back then..." He said, tapping his chin with Mercy's barrel. "Maybe around 10 or 11..." he said, trying to remember the events.
Shiori, who had been silently observing Samuel, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss, Samuel," she said softly. "It sounds like he was a remarkable man."
Samuel looked at Shiori, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Nah, it's alright. I really don't need to dwell on it. The past is the past, and the most important thing is that I will carry on his legacy as a hitman..." He said to the girls. "He always told me to never give up, no matter how tough things get, prioritize my job as a hitman for hire, and kill my targets mercilessly for the sake of earning money." He said proudly. He then returned Mercy and Cruelty to their back holsters. "Anyways, let's talk about something else..." He brushed his wet, messy, long white hair, showing his handsome face.
Bijou, sensing the shift in mood, clapped her hands together. "Okay! So, what about your sword? Where did you get that?" she asked, her enthusiasm returning. "And who taught you how to use it?"
Samuel was surprised that Bijou mentioned Retribution and said, "Oh, you mean my big boy Retribution over here..." He said, raising his right hand and tapping Retribution's handle with his fingers. "Well, Retribution is part of my Nephilim soul; he spawned into my spirit when I was young," he said with a smirk. "My parents were the ones that taught me and my big brother how to use weapons. My mother taught us how to use angelic weapons, while our father taught us how to use demonic weapons..."
The Advent girls exchanged surprised glances. "Wait, you have a brother, and you two were taught how to use angelic and demonic weapons?!" The girls shouted in shocked expressions.
Samuel chuckled. "Well, something like that, a fraternal twin brother specifically. And yeah, it was... interesting growing up. My mom always emphasized the importance of justice and righteousness, while my dad... well, he was more about power and control. They balanced each other out, I guess." He paused, a wistful look in his eyes. "They always said that as a Nephilim, we had to learn to embrace both sides of our nature—to wield both the light and the darkness." He said with a shrug. "But I embrace my demon side more and abandoned my angelic side, while big bro embraces his angelic side and forsakes his demon side."
The Advent girls looked at each other, processing the information. The girls were shocked, knowing that Samuel has a twin brother, especially Fuwawa and Mococo, who were literally identical twin sisters as well.
Nerissa leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, what's your brother like? Is he... you know... also a brooding, handsome Nephilim with a tragic past?" she teased, a playful smirk on her face.
Samuel chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course, my beloved big brother Michael is as handsome and hot as I am, but the only difference is that he is not really interested in girls, as he is more busy with his successful business. He's more stoic, serious, honorable, and righteous. He is a bounty hunter, dedicating his life to fighting criminals like us and protecting people." He said with a chuckle, shrugging his shoulders. "He's basically the polar opposite of me; while he is a bounty hunter fighting criminals, I'm a hitman for hire that commits a lot of crimes," he said proudly.
The Advent girls exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying the contrast between the two brothers. Fuwawa and Mococo giggled, whispering to each other about potential scenarios.
Bijou, ever the curious one, piped up, "Have you two ever fought each other? Like, a real Nephilim showdown with angelic and demonic powers clashing?"
Samuel smirked, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "All the fucking time..." He said with a chuckle. "We always clash swords with each other, and let's just say it's our twisted way of bonding as brothers. And I can't help it, he is as strong as I am, and I get excited to fight my big bro because he can give me a challenge which all of my enemies failed to do," he said jokingly.
"And I still remember when we were younger, I used to annoy my brother to play sparring with me after training because he likes reading books, while I like having fun," He said with a smile, remembering his happy childhood with his brother. "And also, he is very close to our mother, which would make him a mama's boy, and also his reasons why he embraces his angelic side, while I'm very close to our father, which made me a papa's boy, and the reason why I embrace my demon side more," He said with a smirk.
Nerissa chuckled, "So, a classic case of sibling rivalry, Nephilim style. Angelic mama's boy versus demonic papa's boy. Sounds like a sitcom waiting to happen."
Samuel grinned, "You have no idea. Our family gatherings are... interesting, to say the least. The reason why I'm not that close to Mom is because she is very fucking strict to both of us, while our dad is a very fucking chill guy. Like Mom always scolds me for always engaging in a fight with my big brother, and Mom scolds big bro to always act like a mature sibling since he is the oldest," he said with a smirk.
"Which made me more rebellious towards her, and Dad being chill as he is is always on my side, that's why I idolize Dad very much. And big bro always acts obedient to Mom, which made Mom like him more, and my brother being more close to Mom," he said with a laugh. "I even remember back then when Mom and Dad were having hardcore sex in their bedroom, and we heard Mom moaning in pleasure. We were listening to the windows; I was smirking mischievously, and big bro was serious."
"Then suddenly, big bro ran into the forest, which made me confused why, so I followed him and saw him sitting in the river crying. And I approached him and said, 'Bro, what the fuck happened? Why are you crying?' I said to him. Then he replied, 'Because Dad stole Mother's attention from me.' When I fucking heard him saying that, I felt like my brother had feelings for our mom or some shit, maybe because he spent a lot of time with her," he said to the girls.
The Advent girls all blushed heavily at the mention of sex. The atmosphere had shifted from playful banter to something more shy. Shiori coughed, breaking the silence. "Okay, well, that took a turn. So, uh, what happened next?" She asked, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory.
Samuel laughed and said to the girls, "I laughed, of course. I told him he was being a baby, that it's normal for Mom and Dad to have sex since they're literally a couple..." He said with a chuckle.
"Big bro just glared at me with those big, watery eyes, all hurt and betrayed. It was the first time I'd ever seen him so vulnerable. Usually, he's Mr. Stoic, all controlled and serious, but in that moment, he was just a kid, upset that our mom wasn't paying attention to him."
"So, I did the only thing I could think of. I ruffled his hair – which he hates, by the way – and said, 'Hey, Mom still loves you, you know? She just...loves Dad in a different way. I mean, Mom is fucking hot, I will not deny that. And Dad is fucking handsome and muscular, which made them a perfect fucking couple. Besides,' I nudged him with my elbow, 'we still have each other, right? Let's go train, and after that, let's do something to ease your pain.'"
Samuel chuckled, the memory still vivid in his mind. "That seemed to do the trick. He dried his eyes, straightened his shoulders, and we spent the rest of the day beating the crap out of each other in the training grounds. It's our way to bond as siblings." He paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Looking back, I think that was the moment I realized how different we were. He needed Mom's approval, her attention. I was happy with Dad's, his encouragement to just be myself, even if that meant being a little... chaotic."
Bijou nodded thoughtfully, "So, you guys channeled your feelings into sparring, huh? That's... actually kind of sweet, in a messed-up sibling way."
Samuel shrugged, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Hey, what can I say? Violence is practically our bonding session. Besides, it's a good way to blow off steam, especially when dealing with family drama." He chuckled again, the sound a low rumble in his chest. "After that day, things didn't really change much between us, not on the surface anyway. Michael still followed Mom around like a lost puppy, and I still wreaked havoc with Dad. But there was this unspoken understanding between us, this quiet acknowledgement that we were there for each other, even if we didn't always show it."
The Advent girls exchanged knowing glances, clearly picturing the chaotic dynamics of Samuel's family. Mococo, ever the pragmatist, brought the conversation back to the present.
"Okay, family drama aside, you mentioned you're a hitman for hire. How did you get into that? Seems like a pretty intense career choice," she said, tilting her head.
Fuwawa, always the voice of reason, interjected, "It sounds like despite your differences, you still care about each other."
Samuel shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yeah, well, he's still my big brother, after all, even if we always like to clash swords. I can be a good guy if I wanted to, but I decided not to be a good guy because I love clashing swords with him; you can say it's our twisted way of bonding as brothers," he said with a chuckle.
Samuel continued to walk in the prison hallway, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Well, let's just say it runs in the family," he began, a sly grin spreading across his face. "My dad, before he settled down with Mom and played the doting father, was the demon prince of the burning hells. He is just like me: rebellious, laid-back, handsome, and doesn't take the world seriously."
"Growing up, Samuel always told me about his stories, how he fucked half the population in the burning hells. I mean, literally having sex with all of the demonesses in the burning hells," he said in a joking tone. "How he had a lot of demoness harems before he was with Mom... He even told me that he was not just an Archdemon but also an incubus. He said that me and my brother have that incubus blood running through our veins, which I actually believe him, since every woman I see can't resist my charm," he said proudly. "I guess you could say I was inspired by that and decided to follow his path as well."
The Advent girls exchanged glances, a mix of amusement and slight discomfort flickering in their eyes. Nerissa, never one to shy away from a spicy topic, leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, let me get this straight. You're basically a chip off the old demonic block, following in your father's footsteps of...uh...carnal conquest?"
Samuel chuckled. "You could say that. But I'm not just some mindless philanderer, you know. I'm a professional. I have standards. I only take on contracts that interest me, that offer a certain… artistic flair." He winked, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "And let's just say, some people are willing to pay a lot of money for certain… services."
Bijou, ever the pragmatic one, interjected, "But how did you go from hearing stories about your dad's… exploits, to actually becoming a hitman? That's quite a leap, even for a Nephilim."
Samuel's expression turned slightly more serious, a hint of something darker flickering beneath the surface. "It wasn't exactly a conscious decision," he said, his voice dropping a few octaves. "Let's just say I have a certain… talent for dealing with people. And when certain… unsavory individuals recognized that talent, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "The first kill was… messy. I was young, naive, and full of righteous fury. But after that, it became easier. The rush of adrenaline, the satisfaction of a job well done… It's addictive, in a way. And before I knew it, I was knee-deep in the underworld, with no way out."
Fuwawa, her voice soft and gentle, asked, "Do you ever regret it? What you've become?"
Samuel smirked, not feeling guilty for what he did. "Guilty, nah! Why would I? My clients literally paid millions in return to kill the person they wanted to die. Besides, I'm a motherfucking cold-blooded killer, baby. Of course, if the target is a beautiful woman, then I will reconsider my opinions, of course. And I have skills and abilities to back that up."
Bijou's eyes widened and spoke. "Oh yeah, you never told us about your abilities."
Samuel chuckled, remembering what Bijou said earlier. "Yeah, I remember that. You're referring to my combat modes: Quickster, Blademaster, Gunslinger, and Vanguard..."
A collective gasp rippled through the Advent girls. Shiori's eyes widened in curiosity. "Combat modes? Like different fighting styles?"
Samuel nodded as they continued walking in the prison hallway. "Exactly. Each mode enhances different aspects of my abilities, depending on the situation." He snapped his fingers, and a yellow flash of light enveloped his body as he utilized the speed and agility of Quickster. "Quickster (yellow): This mode emphasizes quick dodges and evasion, focusing on mobility. I can also teleport short distances."
Samuel snapped his fingers, and a red flash of light enveloped his body as he utilized the offensive abilities of Blademaster. "Blademaster (red): This mode expands the moveset of melee weapons, enabling additional moves and combos with all of my melee weapons, enhancing melee combat. For example, I can do a lot of cool moves using Retribution and it will give me additional moves, like I can throw Retribution like a spear or spin it in the air."
Samuel snapped his fingers, and a blue flash of light enveloped his body as he utilized the firepower, fire rate, and other abilities of Gunslinger. "Gunslinger (blue): The counterpart to Blademaster, this mode specializes in firearms. It enhances firearm attacks, expanding movesets, and increasing fire rates for all of my firearms. For example, my twin Desert Eagles (single-action, gas-operated, semi-automatic pistols) fire much faster in Gunslinger mode, and combining normal shots with the mode's techniques maximizes damage per second."
Finally, Samuel snapped his fingers, and a green flash of light enveloped his body as he utilized the defensive abilities of Vanguard. "Vanguard (green): This highly effective defensive mode makes me invincible while blocking attacks. Its effectiveness increases by blocking incoming attacks to fill a meter, empowering a special attack. Vanguard absorbs damage, but it restricts me from moving; I must maintain the Vanguard guard pose. I can perform a well-timed block called a parry, bouncing incoming attacks and allowing a counterattack, adding to a charge meter. I can also perform a deflect (a perfectly timed parry) that allows a counterattack, thrusting his right arm to hit all enemies in a targeted area."
Intrigued, Bijou tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, each mode is like a different superpower? That's so cool!" she exclaimed. "Can you switch between them easily?"
Samuel grinned, pleased by her enthusiasm. "Yeah, it's pretty seamless. It's all about instinct and knowing what's needed in the moment." He snapped his fingers again, the green light of Vanguard fading into the neutral, ambient lighting of the hallway. "It takes a lot of training to master each one, but it's worth it."
Shiori, always the strategist, spoke up. "So, is there a limit to how long you can stay in each mode? Or a cooldown period?"
"Good questions, Shiori," Samuel said, appreciating her analytical mind. "There's no real limit; I can stay in these modes as long as I want without receiving any drawbacks. I can just spam my modes like a video game character."
Shiori nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. "That's incredibly versatile. It must make you a formidable opponent."
Samuel smirked, a hint of pride in his eyes. "It does have its advantages. But it's not just about the modes themselves; it's about how you use them, how you combine them, and how well you know your enemy." He paused, his expression turning serious. "Knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and exploiting your opponent's, is the key to victory."
Bijou, her eyes wide with excitement, bounced on the balls of her feet. "So, what's the hardest mode to master? And which one's your favorite?"
Samuel chuckled, considering her questions. "The hardest... that's a tough one. Each mode has its own challenges. Quickster requires lightning-fast reflexes and impeccable timing. Blademaster demands precision and control, knowing exactly when to strike and how to use your weapon to its fullest potential. Gunslinger is about accuracy and resource management, making every shot count. And Vanguard requires unwavering focus and the ability to anticipate your opponent's moves." He tapped his chin, lost in thought for a moment.
"As for my favorite..." A playful glint returned to his eyes. "That depends on the situation, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably go with Blademaster. There's something incredibly satisfying about the dance of blades, the feeling of power and control as you weave through attacks and unleash a flurry of strikes." He subtly gestured towards Retribution, a silent acknowledgment of his connection to the blade.
As they continued down the hallway, the hum of the prison serving as a backdrop to their conversation, Shiori's mind was already working, analyzing the implications of Samuel's abilities. She understood the potential he possessed, the sheer destructive power he could unleash. But she also recognized the responsibility that came with such power. Could he control it? Would he use it wisely? These were the questions that swirled in her mind as they ventured deeper into the unknown.
As they rounded a corner, the hallway opened into a large chamber, and the six finally reached the exit, but it was covered in thick ice. They finally came to a halt in front of what was clearly the massive exit to the prison. They had forced their way to fight an army of Sentinels.
Fuwawa Pouted. "Great, the entrance is covered with ice. How can we escape now?" She said, her tail wagging slowly.
Nerrisa approached the icy barrier, a thoughtful expression on her face. She reached out, placing her hand against the frigid surface. "This isn't just regular ice," he observed, his breath misting in the cold air. "There's a magical signature to it... a powerful one."
"Well, that's just fucking great then," Samuel muttered, a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice. "They're fucking guarding and blocking our only way out."
Bijou shivered, pulling her coat tighter around herself. "It's freezing! Is there any way to melt it?"
Shiori examined the ice more closely, her brow furrowed in thought. "It's not just regular ice. It's magically reinforced. Melting it with brute force might take too long."
Mococo spoke, her expression thoughtful. "There might be some other way. This can't be the only exit..." She said, her tail wagging slowly.
Samuel nodded and spoke. "Yeah, I think it will be fun to fight him alone..."
Shiori bit her lip, her gaze shifting between Samuel and the monstrous Cerberus. "Samuel, with all due respect, that's insane! We should fight him together. Cerberus is legendary for a reason."
Samuel chuckled, a spark of excitement dancing in his eyes. "I appreciate the concern, Shiori, but trust me on this one. I need this. Besides," he added, glancing at Cerberus, "I'm curious to see what this 'legendary' dog can do."
Before anyone could argue further, Samuel turned around to face Cerberus. A surge of demonic and angelic energy coursed through his veins. The air crackled with power as he walked straight toward the three-headed guard dog, grinning menacingly and very excited as he approached the demon.
The massive three-headed dog, its fur matted with ice and its eyes burning with malevolent intent, strained against its chains, its growls echoing through the chamber. A chilling wind whipped around them, carrying the stench of death and decay. It gave a loud roar, and a piece of ice shattered around him. One of the shattered pieces of ice went directly at Samuel, but he sliced it in half with Retribution and put the sword back into its holster. He smirked confidently.
"Leave now, prisoner!" The three-headed dog, named Cerberus, yelled from one of its heads. "The likes of you are forbidden to escape! You who are powerless are not worthy to set foot here!" By this point, the dog had walked forward as far as the chains would allow and was all but spitting in Samuel's face as he yelled. Samuel only smirked at the dog's outburst.
Samuel clapped his hands as he slowly walked left and right. "Wow, I've never seen a talking pooch before. You know, in a dog show, you'd definitely take first place." He said mockingly to Cerberus, as he pointed his index finger at the guard dog.
"You, a mere human, make a mockery of me!?" Cerberus shouted. The front head released a beam of ice; Samuel just turned his head to the left side, as the blast ran past him.
Samuel, still carrying that cocky expression on this face, spoke. "Easy, mutt! How about I take you out for a walk? Come on, puppy. Let's go!"
Cerberus stomped his right foot and roared furiously. "You'll regret this, you worm!"
Samuel smirked. "It's showtime, baby." He said as he started to punch the air, warming up his muscles. Then he struck a Bruce Lee pose and said. "Come on, little doggy, let's dance."
To be continued.