Hermes was headed at mock speed and she noticed something strange in the distance, "Heh, I guess they're bringing out the big guns, but if they're gonna play rough, I can play rough too!! Faster cloud!!" It was a large golden airship on the ground. Our heroes were fighting some new faces, horrible demons summoned from the Void in a credulous alliance with the Federation. Above them a giant fleet of golden airships appeared, one bigger than the rest. Scott Greer and Jellal jumped in. Scott Greer asked: "What'd I miss?"
The Judgment Knight Descends:
The winds howled as the golden airships loomed above the charred plain. Silver sparks from the earlier battle still lingered in the air, dancing like fireflies. The crater in the clouds left by Fiqh al-Qadar still steamed with divine heat, but silence had now returned — the eerie silence that comes before a storm. And then the storm came.
From the heavens, a shimmering platform descended, shaped like a gilded cross. Upon it stood a single knight clad in brilliant white armor, trimmed in crimson, the emblem of a burning sword emblazoned on his chestplate. A golden cloak billowed behind him. His eyes, barely visible beneath a winged helmet, radiated a hard, pitiless light. It was Gabriel — known to some as the God-Slayer, to others as the Final Judge of the Federation's Crusader Arm mercenary. Lupus tensed. Ungar grunted, stepping forward. Even Imam al-Tayyib narrowed his eyes. The Federation had many hounds, but this was definitely among the big guns.
Gabriel's voice cut through the wind like a sword through silk: "Deliver the heretic. Talus belongs to the Tribunal. You will not shelter him. You will not delay justice. Imprisonment is the least of what he deserves." Ungar clenched his fists, his metalic voice like gravel. "You'll have to pry him from our cold hands, knight. We protect our own." But Gabriel didn't flinch. His boots touched the ground with a final hiss of steam. "No. You protect a curse upon this world. A liar. A blasphemer. A man who dances with demons and calls it 'freedom.'"
Bairam raised his blade. "You speak of crimes. What crimes has he committed that warrant this obsession of yours?"
Gabriel turned his gaze toward him, calm yet burning with sanctimony.
"He has offended that which is sacred.
He has torn the fabric of law with hands stained in false mercy.
He preaches rebellion cloaked in kindness, heresy laced with smiles. That is the most dangerous poison of all. He loathes the one True God and God's call for science, technological innovation, and progress, God barely tolerates prayer how could such a low life be aloud in our midst."
Lupus growled, the Spirit Howl energy bristling off his scarred fur. "You hate him, but you don't even say why. You want him caged, but won't name the charge. This god-damn bullshit, it couldn't be more vague."
"I don't owe you the record of his guilt, you filthy heretic. The goal of the Church is not to subdue heretics and disbelievers, collect taxes for any amount of time, our never ending mission is to destroy all disbelievers of the numerous and countless false sects." Gabriel continued, as he replied coldly. "The Tribunal has spoken. The heavens have watched. His sins are recorded in flame."
Ungar stepped forward, crossing his arms. "You want to punish a man for changing. For becoming better. That's not justice. That's vengeance in a robe." Gabriel's voice grew louder, his aura flaring like a choir of angels burning with fury:
"Better? You think apostasy evolves? That sin matures into righteousness just because it smiles more sweetly? I believe Talus sparred him at the time because the fighter was no challenge, I'm sure his heart may have changed for the better. BUT THAT IS IRRELEVANT! ALL THAT IS NOT FOR THE ONE TRUE GOD AND HIS DOCTORINE OF REASON IS AN APOSTLE OF CHAOS AND THE HELL-FIRE IN THE LAND, AND MUST BE DESTROYED!"
For a few moments, no one spoke. The Ark of Law hovered above the plain, its gilded scaffolding creaking beneath the radiant fury Gabriel had unleashed. The tension in the air was so dense it felt like glass on the verge of shattering. Ungar didn't blink. His broad frame blocked the others instinctively, like a mountain against a storm. Lupus's claws slowly extended, the Spirit Howl rising again, this time in silence. Imam al-Tayyib merely adjusted his cloak, eyes locked on Gabriel, not with fear — but ancient recognition.
Gabriel didn't lower his blade. He didn't breathe. He simply waited — judgment personified. Then he spoke again, softer now, yet no less terrifying.
"Board this ship I want to challenge you to a duel. If you do not comply, this city will become your tomb. I will call down the satellites. I will burn this region from orbit if I must. The Tribunal's patience has its end, and Talus has long passed it."
No one moved.
And then after a moment they all flew up. Gabriel smirked and smiled. When they landed a large red demon like being had landed shortly afterward. "I guess the disgusting mortals have arrived. Wonderful…" Gabriel turned around and bawlked: "Shut up you monster I'm forced to work with you today, but I will destroy you in the future like all the gods, demons, angels, Prophets and others I have laid low. All those that distract from God and the Field of Science and Intellect!" The demon laughed: "Hurry up then Gabriel. I want to devour these souls. Filthy insects, that's the problem with these filthy humans. They have no respect for demonkind. They believe their idols will protect them but nothing will protect you from us," said Gabriel. Gabriel hissed: "I profess no idols," said Gabriel. The Demon laughed: "Fair enough. But your armor will break before us as well."
The knight turned forward, "Just shut up and let me handle this, brute." After a short pause, Lupus stepped forward, "I'll handle this upstart. Listen here boy… You're the one who believes in a false God. You're looking at the true God right here, the one that will sit upon the old man's throne. So here's a warning: give up now," said Lupus. Gabriel began to shake with rage: he began to scream: "YOU DISGUSTING CUR!! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR YOUR BLASPHEMOUS TOGNUE MONGREL!" Lupus laughed: "Well see." Lupus began to power up. At the end of it: "he was in a blue furred form with spiky blue hair with blue lightning coming from his body he said: "Introducing Quill Lupus Gear 2." Gabriel shouted: ""YOU DISGUSTING HERETICS! YOU BLASPHEME THE GREAT CHURCH OF ADRIN AND THE ONE TRUE GOD WITH IDOLS OF RELIGION! And you preach miracles instead of God-Given Reason! Your blood is ripe to be righteously spilled!!"
Gabriel took a fast forward when the Demon King abruptly shouted: "GABRIEL STOP!" He stopped and turned around: "What's wrong I can handle this." The Demon King laughed: "Yes I could as well I have no doubt you can. But this mongrel is the strongest one here maybe he'd be a nice appatizer. I'll enjoy eating his soul.... Come on let me have a little fun. After all beating this one for both of us is child's play." This angered Lupus' pride: "What did you say?!" The Demon laughed: "I can power up too pupper, watch this." The demon was originally something like 5'9" he shot up to about 7'5" and then to a staggering 8'3". But other than his height his appearance did not change at all. Lupus was perhaps 5'8 or 5'9" the same as the demon, he scoffed, "so you grew a few inches you didn't power up." The demon laughed: "My my I guess I did grow a few inches. Why aren't we sharp today, you don't miss a thing do you?" Lupus gritted his teeth: "Cocky bastard…" The Demon King Laughed: "Where is my manners to everyone, my name is Demon King Daimao, I'm not affiliated with the Void or the Demon Clan Mozaku that Talus came from so I have no beef with Talus or the Void or the Federation alike but I serve as a king of a tribe of Demons in the lower-heavens of this realm, I also happen to enjoy devouring souls in whatever way I can. You see, the more souls I devour the stronger I become, this is my true height which contains vast amounts of soul but I can grow much larger to accommodate more power, but my regular form will be sufficient enough to defeat an insect like you," said Daimao.
Ungar shouted: "LUPUS!! BACK OFF!! HE'S STRONGER THAN YOU THINK!!" Lupus scoffed: "Let me handle this tin-man, I can deal with his clown." But before he said another word Lupus was knocked 20 km off the airship as he floated over the vast Dream Ocean. Lupus collected his bearings: "What the hell was that, was he holding back??!!" The demon king was now floating directly in front of him with his arms crossed. "Have you had enough or do you still want to incur the wrath of the Great Demon King!!" Lupus starred angrily at Lupus he was knocked back to his original form. "You cocky bastard… I'll teach you not to mouth off to the greatest warrior in the Cosmos." Lupus turned into Gear 2 Quill form and charged the Demon King but the Demon King was ready.
With a thunderclap, Lupus launched forward, claws tearing into the air. Daimao blocked casually with a raised forearm, the impact sending shockwaves across the sea below, splitting the waters into spiraling whirlpools. Lupus spun midair, aiming a spinning kick infused with Spirit Howl energy—but Daimao caught his leg and hurled him down. Boom! Lupus smashed against the water, skipping across it like a stone before flipping upright again, panting. His fur bristled, sparks dancing wildly. "You hit hard, pup. But not hard enough." Daimao's massive frame blurred as he descended, fists like meteors. Lupus raised both arms, blocking the strike, his body screaming from the sheer weight of it. The ocean below cratered inward, swallowing itself before exploding outward in a massive geyser.
Lupus growled through clenched teeth, shoving Daimao back. He roared, unleashing a volley of Spirit Howl blasts, bright spears of lightning that split the sky. Daimao swatted them aside like gnats, his body glowing with absorbed soul-energy.
"You're fast," the Demon King admitted, lips curling in mock approval. "But every blow you land only excites me more."
Lupus darted behind him, slashing across his back. Sparks flew. Daimao barely flinched. He spun, backhanding Lupus so hard the wolf's body twisted midair and nearly plummeted into the waves again. Lupus steadied himself, gasping, his aura flickering. He forced another surge, Spirit Howl burning hotter, brighter. His blue fur seemed almost aflame now. "I'll… break you…" Daimao's eyes gleamed red. "You're breaking yourself, mongrel."
The two clashed again, trading blow for blow in a blur so fast the eye could barely follow. Shockwaves blasted through the storm clouds; streaks of lightning tangled with the glow of their power. The Dream Ocean below frothed and raged like a living beast, churned by their fury. But slowly—almost imperceptibly—Lupus began to falter. His swings slowed. His aura sputtered, flashes of red bleeding into the blue. His breath came ragged, his muscles shaking with every strike. Daimao pressed forward, each attack heavier, crueler, smothering Lupus' resistance. Finally, Lupus staggered, his Gear 2 form flickering. He clutched his side, fur matted with blood, chest heaving. He landed one punch to Daimao, a small amount of crimson red blood exited Daimao's mouth and oozed down his cheek, Lupus wiped it off with his wrist with complete indifference and then laughed. "Is that all you got, if it is I would insist you give up now." Daimao loomed over him, laughing thunderously. "Pathetic. This is the 'greatest warrior in the cosmos'? You can barely keep your form intact."
Lupus snarled, forcing himself upright. His claws trembled, but his eyes still burned. "I'll… never bow to a parasite like you… What a joke… I guess there may be multiple cosmic spheres, just a theory, stay with me here. You must come from where strength is weakness and weakness is strength. OHOHOOOHOHOAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That must be it, the strongest in your world, the weakest in ours, now I'm starting to feel bad. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!!!! Maybe not!!!!! AHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!" Lupus was beyond furious but he just shook in anger he couldn't say a word. He charged one last time, every ounce of his fading Spirit Howl compressed into a desperate strike— —Daimao met him head-on, the collision lighting the sky in a cataclysmic flash. When the light cleared, Lupus was barely hovering, his aura in tatters. He coughed, lightning flickering weakly around his form. His body shook, his breath uneven. The Demon King floated steady, untouched, smiling cruelly.
"You're finished." Lupus's eyes narrowed, his jaw tight. He tried to speak, but only a growl escaped—then his aura collapsed entirely. His body wavered, on the edge of falling.
Meanwhile… Back on the airship the Imam, Ungar, and Bairam stepped forward. Gabriel for his part stepped forward as well. Gabriel said:
"If false gods steal our lives, I shall cut them down. If mercy betrays justice, I shall sever it. If even my brother strays, I shall strike him down. There will be no mercy for Apostates, Apostasy will be punished by the sword as will Heresy and the Deviants in Creed."