#2 - FERAL DEMON DEFENSE

[Gaius Octavian Skipio]

E V E N T # 2
FERAL DEMON DEFENSE

*****

7:34 PM
29TH JANUARY, 2012
DEMONIC SUPERSTORE BOARDED-UP RUINED STORE
REGAL NECROPOLIS

He could hear it now, a voice in the back of his mind calling his name with an almost sensual familiarity. Gaius... Come... Gaius. IT was a voice he knew, or at least he thought he knew. Yet try as he might the Centurion couldn't place it, though he KNEW he had heard it before. Maybe in a dream or delusion, maybe during his wanderings of the vast realm he inhabited, or maybe during his time among the living. The voice, if it was more then the ramblings of his own chaotic mind, drew him farther and farther into the crumbling wasteland that was known as the Regal Necropolis. I need you... The voice became stronger the farther he traveled, echoing through his mind in a way that was not wholly unpleasant.

The Centurions sandal clad feet kicked up a trail of dust as he descended deeper into the crumbling city of the dead. His eyes, like twin pools of molten brass illuminated the way before him as the necropolis plunged its self deeper into darkness with the setting of the sun. Gaius hated this twilight moment, when the world was in a state of stasis between light and darkness when the shadows where at their longest and darkest over taking the land like a slowly advancing army. He hated the feelings it brought, but whats more he hated the sense of being watched that came with the creeping darkness.

So as he moved so to did the shadows that inevitably fallowed the rising and setting of the sun, and with those shadows came the sounds of those things that only came out at night. The mewling wails of demons and monsters untold that made the night their home and domain. It was among these sounds that he first caught a glimpse of what had been drawing him on as he turned a corner. It was a building... A building of remarkable size though most of its grandeur was lost do to its state of repair. From what the man could tell it was the size of a city block, its once white walls no stained almost black by the passage of time stretched on in ether direction, its broken glass windows where boarded over from the inside, the lot in front was over ran with the dark grey weeds that made their home in this hellish place. In some places the weeds had grown up and over large objects in the lot, what these objects where the man couldn't hazard a guess. But the most jaring of features was something he didn't notice tell he stepped on it. Strewn about him in the lot before this place where bones. They littered the ground almost as thickly as the grass, bleached white the sun and picked clean of flesh. It was a boneyard of such magnitude he wondered how he could have missed it as he approached.

Still it did not deter him from his goal, his new found quest. The voice had called him to this place of death and he had to answer. After all... He knew the voice, knew it needed him in a way he could not understand, and he knew he could not turn away. Not now when he was so close to the goal on hand. With a sigh he walked through the garden of bones, eyes darting about for any sign of danger. Oddly... There where none... But there was an energy in the air that bespoke of coming danger, and when it found him as it inevitably would he would be ready.

[Lucrum]

Lucrum...

Oi, what was that?

Lucrum...

Someone was saying the demon's name, but who? The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. An old friend of his, or maybe a lover? Hmm...

"Oh, Lucrum~"

He awoke from his slumber and a magazine slid off of his face. Startled slightly, he realized he hadn't gone to bed proper, and the stripper that was working his lap like no tomorrow was still there going at it like she'd never get enough. She wouldn't, of course, she never could. Children of the same lot as Lucrum were usually born with an unquenchable thirst for sex. Luckily enough for himself, he could do without it sometimes. Sometimes like now, when his crotch was being rubbed raw by a rear he'd seen enough of the past week.

Shoving the stripper demon away, he gave a small stretch as the luscious piece of meat skipped off back to her pole and started to rub against it instead. The Love Nest was in slow business right now, but that was going to change soon. Lucrum knew there were going to be big things for his club in the future. Only problem was that he couldn't exactly find the right thing to kick the plan off into utter success. Sure, he had a regular or two, even some curious passerby stopping in from time to time, but something just wasn't clicking.

Lucrum, I need you...

"Oi, I told y't'get-" He stopped in his tracks, the female demon looking to him confused. She had gone off, just like he told her to. Then where was that voice coming from? Curious now, he gave a wave to the bartender and grabbed his jacket, sliding it over his green hair and onto his back, slid his arms in, and snapped the collar. "I'll be back, barkeep, watch the place for me," he said, grabbing a shot glass as he walked past the bar and slinging it back. Nothing like a drink to wake you up.

Kicking open the door of the establishment, Lucrum stepped out into the dryness which was the Regal Necropolis. The streets were empty, which wasn't too odd for the time, but something about it made the place seem more eerie than usual, even for him. Spitting out into the road, he took a step out, but turned on his heel. He looked up to the roof of The Love Nest and smirked, crouching before pushing as hard as he could with his legs, landing with a slight thump next to the neon sign up top. He could have taken the stairs, but there was no fun in that.

The voice continued to rattle in his skull, and Lucrum couldn't help but wonder where he'd heard it before as he leaped from rooftop to rooftop in the decrepit, sad excuse for a city. If he had his way he'd stay out in the mortal realm, at least the people there knew how to party. Stopping, he peered out from his position, and into a rather large parking lot outside of a rundown building. Mall or store of some kind, at least it looked like that was what it used to be.

Then he saw a familiar face, or, rather, a familiar back of the head. It wasn't the owner of the voice, but it was someone he was hoping to meet again either way. Jumping down, he ignored the cracking bones under his feet as he ran to catch up with Gaius.

"Ay! Ay, mate, 'old up, will ya?" Reaching his side, he gave a rather wide grin and looked up to Gaius. "Fancy seein' you 'round 'ere, eh?"

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Flap! Flap! Woooosh!

Diogenes felt his body tremble as he flew across the buildings of the Regal Necropolis, his winged form pulsing as he crossed the great distance over the wrecked buildings, craters, and crags. So tired was he at the moment that he had been reduced to gliding, flapping only every now and then to keep himself aloft. His giant wings, while more than adequate, weren't built for the long-range travel of a migratory bird, and throughout a third of his journey he had not a single updraft to keep him aloft...though then again the Stygian Tundra tended to be like that.

Flap! Flap! Woooosh!

Finally a building of marginally adequate size appeared before his vision. Diogenes made a beeline for it, grasping at the stones with his talon-like hands and feet and scrabbling his way up to a suitable height. A flattened surface, likely one of the building's many floors that still remained intact, provided the perfect place for him to sit and take a breather. He had been flying for many leagues, and he desperately needed the rest. He panted like a dog as he remained there, muscles trembling.

"Diogenes..."

The bird-like form lifted his head for a moment, then swore in his native tongue. It annoyed him to great degree that the voice had been calling to him. It had been calling for many days now, and with such urgency that the Headmaster had been forced to leave his work behind in order to answer the call. He had been driven here with such drive, such desire, to answer that voice. He recognized it from his earlier days, back before he had been a mighty demon, back when he was human.

It sickened him.

He was starting to feel just a little better. Something caught the corner of his eye; a small creature, an insect, licking what looked like the remains of blood. The creature looked up at him for a moment, chittered one of its mouthparts, then went right back to eating.

Diogenes pointed at the creature with his palm. "Pyrkagiá!"

A splurt of liquid green launched from his palm, instantly igniting as it flew. It collided with the insect, completely engulfing it in flame. The insect fell over, dead, its body consumed by the Greek Fire that the Headmaster had summoned forth. It gave him just a hint of satisfaction that he managed to find something to take out his frustration upon.

"Diogenes...I need you...Diogenes..."

The bird let out a squawk of annoyance. Standing up, he scratched at the itching joints at the base of his wings before looking over the side of the building to get his bearings. He appeared to have been at the center of a square of some kind, but what really caught his eye was that, nearby, was what appeared to be a massive boneyard. Bleached bones, picked clean by predators, lay in very unkempt piles across the landscape. He hadn't noticed that before when he was here almost a month ago. As he peered amidst the bones he spotted what looked like two figures; a strange, oddly physically attractive incubus male, and what appeared to be a soldier...

Well, he said to himself, maybe these two have my answers.

Wordlessly he climbed up to the highest point he could reach on the tower, opened his wings, and took off. He made sure his descent was slow so that they could recognize he did not wish to appear as a threat. Slowly, he circled down to the ground below...

[Analee]

Ana was actually eating. It was a strange day in Inferis, where Ana ate a club sandwich while sitting with her blade by her side. There was nothing to do, she was alone and she missed Master Ba'al sorely. It wasn't like he really needed her glued to his side, but it seemed to happen and she was BLISSFULLY unaware of the fact she was basically suffocating her master with attention, but it wasn't like she had anything else. It was a lonely life, but one she enjoyed.

The heated air breathed in her hair and rustled it about. The color of her eyes was hidden behind eyelids while she enjoyed the moment. It was beautiful, and she loved it. However a soft calling was.. well.. calling her. Was it Ba'al? Was her master calling to her?! She stiffened and sought the voice.

There was no Master there for her, but instead there was a group of demons gathered. Well.. this was awkward. Kinda. IT WAS MORESO EXCITING THOUGH! PEOPLE! AHH NEW PEOPLE- wait she recognized a couple of them. Which meant- She snuck up behind Lucrum and hugged him... because she was Ana and she did random stuff like that. "BILLIIIIEEE HIIII!!" Yep, not awkward at all.

[NPC Demons]

Rattling heads shivered with delight, hissing one another in a unison as they looked down at the multitudes of prey. Alongside others that called themselves allies of the clan, did they watch their ashen skinned prey move, as they overlooked high atop the skyscrapers from whence they perch. Their position, bracing back against the many glassed frame of the high story building as their height were unfathomable, in that heads must look high to perceive their otherwise horrid pallor. The ashen skinned one was met by a man whom jumped ahead of them, his back against them as they have further cautioned themselves against this advance despite what allure drew a vast quantity of them here thus to reap what they desire. But then another had come down upon to meet the others... and with that, they have disappeared into the shadows shaded by the twilight moments of the setting sun eternally locked in place whatever it may be in the Hellish daycycle that takes a hold of these bizarre lands.

These few moments however, what stealth they had were split within the ends in which they would impart, and intended so for what the clan saw were interlopers... fakers... FAKERS. FAKERS FAKERS FAKERS, THOSE THAT DO NOT BELONG. THEY DO NOT DESERVE WHAT ALLURE THAT DREW THEM HERE. Rather it is FOR THEM to seek it and claim it for the glory of the clan and the... BROODMOTHER. She deserves it in all her RIGHTFUL GLORY. Her glorious majesty further ever so glorious than the so called Wolfmother Mammon. They disdained her with all their wrath, and wished death upon her. And yet this allure drew the demons that now once more emerged from their hiding spots, that be nooks, crevices and cranies from the high story building, still ever so stealthy and having been unseen throughout the duration, joined by their allies, the dagger feets, as they looked down at the prompt arrival of a fourth one. WERE THIS TO CONTINUE, perhaps a FIFTH would arrive, a SIXTH... till a THOUSAND stand in place, and the Broodmother shall not have her reward.

Hisses erupted, in a chorus, a cacophony that grew louder till it'd reach the ears of those below.



"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS."

Four Leapers braced their legs, each concurrently aiming for each demons and their cranium, followed by a shadow that would soon blot out what lights that hung above, hence shading the individuals below, as seven Aviax followed suit, screeching their scythed appendages unto the frame of the building, sliding down as what sharpness cut through the frame of the building making unto it a slit. They would soon drop down when it were safe for them, as a drove of them charged after the Leapers had landed. The Aviax in their hordes rose their "arms" if that is what it can be called, inclining such to be swung as soon as they arrive at the proximity of those that seek the Broodmother's bounty.

[Gaius Octavian Skipio]

His feet carried him forward, each step shattering the bones that littered the landscape before him. Bone dust soon coated his bare legs and though he knew something was off about this entire situation but he couldn't bring him self to care. He had finally recognized the voice that called him, it was his mother. Though he had not seen her nor heard her voice in more years then he could count no one could ever truly forget their mothers voice. It was after all the first thing one heard when you where born, it was the voice of the one that nurtured you, raised you, it was the voice that taught you right from wrong. It was the voice of the woman that had tried to kill him.

Gaius... There was no mistaking that voice, so sweet, so caring... And filled with a venom that most couldn't hear. But he heard it in the way she spoke his name, the way that she pleaded for him. Memories surged, memories that where best left forgotten and buried among the centuries of clutter in his mind. Gaius... Come... Please! The Centurions eyes closed as his mind was flooded with what had been and even as he stood there transfixed by the sounds of his far and distant past he couldn't help but twinge in anticipation for the show that was to flash before him.

"Ay! Ay, mate, 'old up, will ya?"and with those simple words his mind cleared and the pain that had started to seep into him diminished. He shook him self once, much as a dog would shake water from its coat and looked to the owner of the voice... A demon he had seen before. A demon who had given his blade blood. With one last shake of his head he attempted a smile at the smaller male, but it came out as more of a grimace. "Fancy seein' you 'round 'ere, eh?"

"I wasn't... Expecting others." He said simply. "Do you have another monster hot on your heels this time as well?" It would be a welcome distraction from the horrors his own mind had been about to show him. He looked away and back to the store that seemed to be calling him."BILLIIIIEEE HIIII!!" Blink. Looking back down he saw that where one had been but moments before now contained two individuals.... Both of which had managed to sneak up on him. IF they had wanted to kill him well, he was sure they could have managed. Gaius please! He was almost afraid to glance back to the building that was the source of his torment but he did so with only a second of hesitation. His frown growing deeper as he inspected the dilapidated building.

What was inside? Did he honestly want to know? He knew he didn't but he had no choice, he was like a sailor of old drawn to the song of a siren. Unable to keep him self from running his ship a ground. But unlike those sailors he knew danger hid under the murky surface of the water. Eyes scanned the boarded up windows, searching for any indication of what was inside... But other then the door, which stood eerily open in the still dusk air, there was no opening through which you could look in. Beyond the open door was blackness so dark that it almost seemed to move, the deepening shadows creating odd phantasmal images before his eyes.

Slowly he turned his back to the building, his distant eyes instead going back to the demons he shared the boneyard with. "I have to wonder what brings you two here... Its almost as if you're stalking me like some sort of beast." Which was true, though he doubted that ether of them could have taken him by their selves... Was that why they where together then? So that they may share in a kill and sup together on his flesh and blood much as the man Jesus and christian messiah had his disciples do? Anger started to build inside him, but he quickly quenched it. They had after all already missed the perfect opportunity to take him unawares, and he doubted if ether of the two before him much cared if they faced a foe in open combat or killed them as like a sneak thief would... Striking unseen from the shadows. In fact if he was any judge of character, he would have to say that these two would prefer the route of the thief and coward over that of the noble warrior. He couldn't begrudge them that, after all not everyone was made for glory. "And i doubt its also your day to go to market, after all coincidences such as this dont often happen." He smiled slightly, some of the strain seeming to melt off him as he attempted what he thought to be a rather humorous joke.

[Lucrum]

Lucrum let another chuckle pass as he was asked whether he had another monster chasing him down. He shook his head and began to respond, "Nah, just out an' about," but something else had caught his attention. A demon far worse than Gaius, someone who made his skin crawl at the very thought of their presence. The redhead called out his alias, running straight into him and embracing the demon still in his mortal form in a tight hug, her breasts rubbing into his back. It wasn't that he didn't like her personally, it was more how touchy and optimistic she was at all times, a bubbly ball of energy in the form of a highly attractive woman. He'd give her a shag, let that be known, but he'd never be able to get along with her.

"OI! GET OFF'A ME, WOMAN!" Trying to get away from the hug, he pulled and tugged himself to no avail. She had won this time. Giving a slouch, he responded, "Yeah, yeah, hey Ana," before his attention was pulled away yet again. Firstly, there was somebody else flying this way, a bird demon, more than likely from the Enclaves by the look of him. But no, that wasn't the main cause for concern now. There was a gang of demons falling from the building behind them, ready to attack. Ready to feed. Finally wrenching his way out of Ana's arms and grabbing her by the wrist, he dove straight into Gaius with girl in tow, knocking him out of the way as the Leapers fell where they had once been standing.

"Okay, who brought these blokes t'the party, eh?" Lucrum asked as he jumped back up and transformed, his hair turning from its sickly green into the white he was more accustomed to, horns twisting their way out of his skull. His transformation did not end there, however, as he raise his arm. The orange spiral worked its way across his grey flesh, and his skin began to expand, the sound of bone shifting and changing underneath sickening. His personality inside writhed, hoping to gain some sort of stability, before the feeling in his gut finally settled and he stood there, in front of both Ana and Gaius, Behemoth's claw at the ready.

"SOMEONE WASN'T INVITED, CHECK THE LIST." He spat, leaping out and attempting to strike two of the Leapers with his claw, swinging it in a great arch. Whether he hit them or not didn't matter right now, at least he'd paid Gaius back for the incident with Domino. Save Lucrum's life, and he'd be indebted to you, that was how things worked.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Diogenes the Cynic continued circling above the gang of demons gathering in the boneyard. A third had joined them in the short amount of time it took him to circle a few dozen feet lower. So far, they hadn't seen him, so he was comfortable simply watching them. He had always been a distant sort of individual, even after his death. It gave him a sort of inner satisfaction, watching others go along with their miserable lives while he remained apart, even despite how stupid his peers and fellows could be.

One of the demons leaped upon the other in a kind of hug. Diogenes cocked a feathered brow. The three of them knew each other, somehow. That potentially meant that they could very well be a threat towards him if they decided they were going to gang up on passing demons. Tales of Highwaymen and bandits in his time as a mortal often carried on into the demon world, and while normally he wouldn't have a problem dealing with them, this time he didn't have his Familiar, Skraw, to rely on, or a couple of Tar Crabs to tear apart those that bothered him. He was on his own.

He suddenly felt very comfortable just remaining in the air.

Diogenes...come...help me...

He let out a slight growl and shook his head. That voice was getting more and more annoying. It spoke in his native Greek; he knew for a fact that he had to have met the owner of this voice while he was still human. That angered him; angered him that someone beyond the living would recognize him from back when he had been living upon the streets of Athens amongst the dogs. He had to find out who was making that voice...and his mind kept telling him that the voice was coming from the direction of that building below...

That building that the other three demons were currently headed...

It was then that he noticed that they were not alone.

Harsh, demonic cries went up as a small warband of demons began rushing towards the group below, growls and roars emanating from their harsh maws. Diogenes instantly recognized them; Leapers, they were called, lesser demons who were often called upon to serve a greater force. They were among Hell's footsoldiers, called upon as grunts when a demon of great power needed expendable troops for battle. They were known for being capable of leaping at great heights, before using their bladed legs to pin a victim and tear them to pieces.

One was leaping straight for the winged demon. Calculating the risk, Diogenes quickly changed his course, turning his downward spiral into a straight glide that brought him away from the demon's path. As he watched, he noted that at least one of the other demons had noticed and was currently engaging them in combat.

So, these lesser creatures aren't on their side, he said to himself. Perhaps I can make allies of these others...

His calculating brain knew what the monsters were after; it was no coincidence why. The four of them were heading for the same building, and these monsters were either trying to protect what was inside or were trying to beat them to it. It meant that whatever lay inside of that building was of great importance, and Diogenes was going to find out what it was, and why it was so valuable...

He just had to take care of these lesser spawn first...

"Pyrkagiá!" he shouted, casting his Greek Fire upon the ground towards the nearest of the Leapers...

[Analee]

Billie wasn't very happy to have a hug. Ana just didn't understand. Why were most demons so displeased when hugged?! It wasn't like she was trying to kill them. Analee didn't like that kind of thing. Death was a game, there was a certain style to it. Billie jerked a couple times then stopped and for a moment she thought he was dead and she ALMOST panicked. Then he said hi to her and all was better. "Hee hee Yay you remembered my name!" Yep if Ana had been anything, she would be a blond. Obvious statement was obvious. She was going to say hi to Gaius but he didn't seem NEARLY as happy to see her as Lucrum was (Which.. was oddly untrue because both were pretty unhappy to see her, but she didn't know that because she's Ana). Instead she just smiled at him. Let the world hate her, she was happy at least.

Suddenly she felt lucrum move away from her and drag her towards Gaius. What was he-? Her eyes widened only for a moment as a bunch of demons came into view. She was near both of them, but behind Lucrum. "Ehhheee~ A new game to play I seee~" Her hand moved. A swift movement and she gripped and pulled at the air. Black smoke circled the area around it and soon, her blade was in hand. Her body turned to the side and she managed to jump and slash at one of the leapers. As she stood not too far from a leaper (the other two were attacking Gaius and Lucrum it seemed) "Let's dance!" Her blade aimed for a swift strike to the leg. She then ducked down and struck upwards swiftly towards the other leg, in hopes to get at least one injury.

[NPC Demons]

The two leapers were not pleased. Their prey ROBBED by the horny devil Lucrum, bane of all womenfolk and their kind. Many were made mothers by his codpiece without their CONSENT! And this was VENGEANCE, VENGEANCE for his careless hedonistic ways being finally brought to justice. Their appearance here in this battle were it be, to destroy the man demon, and gild him with castration and DEATH. Hang what he prizes most as his proudest achievement and mount it on a pike for all other males to beware, that hedonism and making alike Asmodeus's sensual ways is NOT WELCOME ANYMORE AMONG THE COVEN OF LEAPERS.

Of the two leapers that stood within Lucrum's arc, one of them fell to her back and beneath the arc of his great claw, whilst the other unorthodox she may be, dug that dagger-like leg of hers into the ground as the other leg, being propelled forth with the force afforded by the ground to speed up towards his claw and impale the palm that was coming towards her with the same force she used to jump, to use such a velocity to try to puncture the attack coming towards her.

It was during that time, that the two Leapers were set on fire... and those were the same Leapers that were being in Lucrum's trajectory of being attacked. One of the Leapers shrieked, the one on the ground who fell on her back to avoid the hit. She rolled around and writhed in pain, suddenly springing up as she leaped into the air, crashing her skull into the adjacent skyscraper as the steel bent and cracked it. The pain drove her mad, and she reaped death for it, falling down limp with a caved in cranium as there were no more life in her. The other one, she couldn't stop from kicking her dagger leg towards Lucrum, and the infectious fire only enveloped her as to now NOT ONLY MAKE HER ON FIRE, but also the fact her ON FIRE LEGS were coming towards Lucrum's great claw. Diogenes sure worked his magic on those two Leapers, as the situation turned volatile.

Though whereas Lucrum had found himself abundant in the face of open flames and dagger legs, Analee's masterful strike had cleanly cleaved the Leaper aimed for her, bifurcating her into two apart as blood gushed and showered over the master swordswoman in the bounty of her kill. Being in air was the greatest disadvantage a Leaper had, as there was little room to maneuver and dodge what strikes were coming forth. The leg was also sliced off. Such a spiteful strike to already desecrate the body of the dead.

Though from behind her, that which the bird demon whom laments "SKRAW" and what have you crazy language he utters, was the 4th Leaper. Now what quadruple Leapers reduce to two in their ranks. The leaper that were poised towards Diogenes earlier plucked out her feet. Unconventionally, smitten with rage of her sisters killed off by those that ally with Lucrum, instead of leaping towards the air, like a bullet, she propelled herself towards Analee's bare back exposed for her to impale with sheer prejudice. Her form whistled through the air as the sheer speed rendered her naught but a blur.

It was only in that there was the failed accounting for the Aviax in the presence, those lumbering beasts, that they were up to the face of Gaius, a bulk of them, as they threw themselves unto his shield. Six of them to deign to cushion him in their weight as their scythe-like appendages reached to skewer his mug and eyes. They all greedily reached for the man as to slay him. Their presence on the other hand was NOT related to the Leapers. They were just here because of the allure of the place, that, and to kill. And not because Lucrum incurred their wrath and impregnated many of their kind. Nope.

The seventh one meanwhile, found itself hanging on the skyscraper's fifth flower, as it attempted to get itself unstuck from the one metal frame that refuses to be budged, as its scythe-like hand found itself within a pickle. Hanging aloft and without motion downwards to exact death and destruction upon all those demons.

[Gaius Octavian Skipio]

"GODS TAKE ME FOR A FOOL!" His voice rings out in the confusion of the sudden and unexpected attack. The centurion had started to lose him self in the sound of the voice and its frantic calls, its insistent drawing of him closer to that store. He could still hear it now calling his name, the voices calls becoming more pleading, more persistent the harder he tried to fight. Gaius, please... Help me just this once... Ill forgive you... Tears sprang to the demons eyes as his feet slowly took him towards the sound of his tormentors voice even as the world started to burn about him.

Then came the clarity of pain. So cold that it burned through his body driving away the sounds of his dead mothers voice. He could feel the cold steel claws that reached for him, he could feel the weight of their stick like bodies weighing him down. Suddenly Gaius was thrust back into reality and away from the past he had long forgotten. "GRAAAH" His cry of anger and frustration mingles with the dine of joined battle that echoed about him.

He looked down, his blood red eyes locking on the scrawny things that even then attempted to gouge out his eyes. These lesser... THINGS had the audacity to try and harm HIM! Rage filled his mind where once confusion and a profound sadness had been. With a shout he unleashed that rage as he called his sword to his hand and hacked at the so called demons that clung to his shield. His sword sliced back and forth, hacking at their out stretched limbs and exposed necks with a grim and steady determination. Today was not a good day to die, but it was a good day to kill the thing that had blinded him with pain and memories.

(OOC So this was originally close to 2k words but I lost the post when my computer decided to reset. This is what i managed in my rage afterwords.))

[Lucrum]

Lucrum's eyes widened as the second of the Leapers was cast aflame by the bird-demon's magic. He knew he wouldn't be able to move his claw out of the way quick enough, so he closed his eyes. The spearlike leg skewered his palm, and the flames scalded around the puncture wound. It would be sealed open this way forever, as far as the incubus knew. He would have to... have a nice talk to the spell caster later.

Howling in pain, he drew back his massive hand. With a quick swat of it, he sent the flaming beast flying away from him before he began to transform his arm back to normal. The wound was still there, bleeding, skin charred from the flames. It was as if he'd been chosen to bear a mark of Christ, the flesh seeming to have been rain through by a railroad spike.

What had he done to deserve something like this? Sure, he got around sometimes, but he'd only really had his way with a dozen of their kind in the last century that he could recall. Was there a law against having some fun? Well, most of his kinds of fun included breaking laws, but still, this shit wasn't necessary. Just because a guy didn't come back and see how you were doing after a night of sexual escapades, it didn't exactly make him automatically deserve execution through mutilation.

"These birds've gone absolutely bonkers, eh?" He chuckled halfheartedly and looked to Gaius. He let out another yelp as he saw the Aviax going at the warrior's shield. Picking up a good-sized piece of rubble, he chucked it at the lot of them before he looked back to Ana as well. She seemed to be doing fine on her own, but there was yet another Leaper aiming to run her through. "Oi, get outta the way!" He was probably too late with his call, but there was nothing else he could do. Lucrum was fast, but he wasn't that fast.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Diogenes watched as the flaming Leaper attacked the Incubus and winced. He honestly didn't expect for that to happen. If he had known, he would have manipulated the Greek Fire down the Leaper's leg so as to prevent it from causing permanent damage. Oh well, it couldn't be helped at this point. There were too many attackers nearby for him to come down and help heal the damage...

Diogenes assessed the situation. Two of the four leapers were down, a third still writhing in pain from being alit on fire. The fourth was busy charging at the smallest of the three demons. In the midst of the distraction, a group of Aviax had proceeded to attack the largest of the three, and Diogenes instantly recognized the armor and poise of a Roman Legionnaire...

Pfft, Roman Pigs, he muttered to himself. He'd let him be for now; all his flames would do was provide more problems than they could solve if he attacked right then and there. Instead he focused upon ensuring the survival of the other two.

Taking the time to quickly observe his surroundings, he noticed the final Aviax, stuck atop a skyscraper. He quickly let loose his flames upon the creature, unleashing a short torrent that would surely turn its wooden appendages into kindling. He then focused his attention on the final leaper. He swore under his breath. He wouldn't be able to get down in time, and his Greek Fire would only pose as a problem. Even if he did manage to hit it, the Leaper was moving fast enough that he'd still accidentally light the girl on fire.

It was times like this that he wished he learned how to use a sword...

[Analee]

Ana had sliced up one of the demons. It was an accomplishment. HOWEVER she had ADHD which meant she was also bad at paying attention to multiple opponents. GRAH! Her weakness. Or was it just her naivety?

"Oi, get outta the way!"

"Hm?" She turned her body only to feel vicious pain rip through her body. Right through her shoulder. She could feel it and only see red as she screamed in pain and brought the blade at the beast with her arm. "OWEEEEEEE!" Was the translation of the slur of swear words that slipped from her mouth. Blood dripped and Ana wasn't even sure whose it was. It had HURT. She could barely think and the movement was on pure adrenaline and animalistic instinct. Her whole body sort of shook from the pain, but she still managed to smile.

[NPC Demons]

The six Aviaxes had come onto Gaius with clanky flightless wings of wooden sticks flapping in chaotic disarray, as they zerged Gaius, pecking and stabbing at the legionnaire in their attempts to gouge out his eyes and suchforth. Honestly, he seemed so much in a daydream, it was easy, as one managed to get in a hit- mistake, it seemed, as the Roman roared a might and primal scream of rage, alarming the bird things, as they flew back some, though not before his blade had hacked and smashed through two Aviaxes, harming the remaining four. Two bodies fell, bits of their bodies being reduced to splinters and shattered shards.

Meanwhile, the now-flaming Leaper had slammed perfectly through Lucrum's hand, but couldn't relish the feeling of satisfaction as it drew blood, in addition to brutally burning his open wound, a quite violent attack indeed, though unintentional. Moreover, it couldn't really even summon up a follow-up, blinded by pain as it burned, the Greek flames overwhelming its form. The poor thing didn't know what had hit it as Lucrum flung his massive hand away, launching the demon forth, such that it skidded on the ground. It managed to stand, still ablaze, but fighting with willpower, and spotted the one who had burned it, before leaping into the air, pausing briefly high above, as its legs locked onto the winged man. Only, it didn't come flying at him with accuracy, as the fire took its toll, even in mid-air; now, a flying corpse was sent hurtling down at Diogenes from above, at high speeds.

Speaking of Diogenes, the seventh Aviax, still futilely trying to pull itself out of the wall it had become lodged into, due to its poor landing, watched in helpless panic and silence as the birdman noticed its presence. It had honestly just begun considering its possibilities; it could go home to its mother, ask for a nice home-cooked meal and tell her I love you, then go home to a nice cozy bed, spend some time with his wife, after she finished eating that Roman's eyebrains out, y'know, quality time. He worked hard, he deserved it! in fact, he could become a lawyer! Yeah! First aviax lawyer in history, it'd be a record! Ah, but then he got blown to bits with fire. Everybody say waaaamp-waaaaaamp?

But nobody really cared about him, so it's fine. Anyways, the last leaper alive came hurtling down at Ana at breakneck speed, deadset on her heart and... she turned around to answer the heavily-accented brat. Him and his awful syntax and his distractingness, pffeh! The Leaper was actually kind've at a loss. Well then... How to follow up on this one. First thing first, it tored itself out of the girl's gaping shoulder wound, but only made it halfway out before being cleaved in two by the demon's blade, much to the leaper's surprise; not many could really moved much after being Leaped, let alone retaliate. And then there were none.

There were, however, four Aviaxes left, and they quickly dispersed, one lashing out towards Lucrum, hoping to take him by surprise while he was distracted by Ana, and the other aimed at Ana herself, while she was weak. meanwhile, the other two pecked and slashed after the more furiously at Gaius, hoping to take him down in any way possible, especially by trying to go for the knees and legs; one even went so far as to swing its scythe-like hand at the side of his left kneecap, hoping to stab it. And of course, poor Diogenes still had that dead meteoriteleaper to deal with and such, especially considering it was still on fire, but luckily for him, there weren't enough Aviaxes to attack him. Would be, had he not killed that poor defenseless one, of course...

[Gaius Octavian Skipio]

They fell before like wheat to a sickle. Every swing of his blade bringing cries of pain from the bird men that had chosen to accost him. It was sad really, how pathetic their attack had been, they had caused him to bleed that was for sure but not seriously, nor did it infringe on his ability to EXTERMINATE the enemy that had shown its self to him. Two feel before his scything blade before they grew wise to the folly of their plan and disentangled them selves from his shield. Still they did not escape him unscathed, all had suffered under his onslaught and all would parish before he had finished this night.

"I will see you all die/" His voice sounded like the roar of a fire and the grating of metal on metal. "This i promise!" He could feel the weight of his words settle of his shoulders and that served to drive him forward, for he knew that if he didn't keep his word he was worse... Far worse then death. He watched as two of the chicken demons fell back farther to attack two of his wounded comrades. That caused his vision to turn red with furry.

He charged forward shield raised a war cry on his lips and his blade held loose in his hand. He came to a sudden stop nearly right on top of the two that had remained to deal with him. With out blinking he placed his shield right on top on the nearest then fell forward attempting to crush the demon under his weight. Then letting go of his shield he reached over and grasped the remaining Aviaxe about its scrawny spin with his mighty ashen hand and squeezing wanting to snap the creature nearly in half. Still not done he raised it above his head, ignoring its sharp cries and claws and heaved it at the Aviaxe attacking Lucrum. "MOVE!"

But he wasn't done just yet, his rage was still building as he saw the sole remaining chicken demon attempting to take the life of the already weakened Ana. He rolled forawrd, using the momentum of his throw to help him move to his feet faster then he would have otherwise. As he made it to his feet he threw his blade end over end at the scrawny thing that had moments ago tried to kill him. "Ana fall to the side!" he yelled as the blade left his grasp and he charged forward after it. He didn't know if those he left behind where dead or not, but they where at least out of the battle for now.

[Lucrum]

Lucrum didn't have many options here. He'd just banished Behemoth's claw, it would take some time to be able to use it again. His head spun, thoughts pooled out as to what to do in this situation, he was panicking. He breathed slowly, trying to calm down, and dropped as the Aviax lashed out at him. Transforming back into his mortal form, he slithered off and began to scale the building. If he could get away for a bit, the others could handle the rest. No need to put his life on the line here, none at all.

The voice came pounding back into his mind as he reached the top. The demon winced slightly and grasped at his head. Whose voice was that? It was so familiar, like a friend he had spoken to not but days ago, yet he couldn't place a name or face to it in the slightest. "Who the hell are you?" he asked aloud, his hands beginning to shake as he lowered them under his face. Lucrum stared at his palms, freaked the hell out by all of this. His eyes fell upon the hole in his palm, and he could feel something wanting to creep out of him. Behemoth? Was it wanting to be freed again?

"I can't stand the voices already in m'ead, mate." Lucrum patted off his pants and straightened himself up. He scanned his eyes across the ongoing battles and smirked, hands shoved into his jacket pockets. "Doesn't worry me a soddin' bit 'ow this goes down, but I'll see it through. Mostly because I'd like t'shut y'up, eh? Eheheheh..."

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Diogenes winced as he watched the female demon become punctured by the Leaper. Luckily it only got her in the shoulder; the beast was soon sliced in half by the warrior girl's sword. With that done, Diogenes looked for the other Aviax...though saw that the Legionnaire was holding his own against them. That left the injuries, and the potential that others would show.

He weighed his options. He could blockade the group around a wall of Greek Fire and treat their wounds...but then they'd be trapped, and there was a good chance that these things were after the same thing they were. His other option was to leave them to do the combat while he flew to the store and got what they were after first, but there was an equally good chance that it could be a trap, and in the event combat was necessary he'd need all the help he could get. But he couldn't just flap around all day eithe-

SQUAWK!!!

Diogenes barely registered that he was about to get hit by a flying Leaper corpse that was engulfed in flames before it was too late! He instinctively dropped, letting his wings sag and fall. He succeeded in missing the brunt of the blow, feeling the heat of the flame-engulfed creature as the body flew over him like a missile, but he couldn't drop in time before he felt the thing's bladed legs cut into his chest. He hissed, letting out a short, bird-like shriek as the thing cut his body, leaving two large gashes that, while they weren't deep, hurt like hell.

Diogenes managed to pull up from his dive quickly enough, but landed in a skid and did a sumersault before stopping. He winced and rubbed the top of his head; there was a very, very, very good reason why he had kept himself locked up in a library for the past 2,000 years. He was not a soldier; he was an Olympians-damned Philosopher for Athena's sake! The last thing he needed was to get himself killed for some stupid-

I respected you, Diogenes...

The bird-man's eyes widened. That voice...it...wasn't possible...

He noticed the Legionnaire running towards an Aviax about to attack the girl. The other two, while wounded, still looked capable of fighting. He had left himself completely open to them, the Roman Pig! Before they could get up and see the opening, he aimed his palm in their direction and cut loose, launching a blast of Greek Fire at each of them and ensuring they wouldn't get back up again.

That was one thing he definitely learned back when he lived in Athens; always watch your back.

[Analee]

Ana felt pretty useless at the moment as she bled. The wound wasn't too bad, but it was bad enough to leave her dizzied and disoriented. She face the group to see a bird fall from the sky and Gaius charging at her. Wait- why was Gaius charging at her? Where did Lucrum go? Her eyes widened and she could finally realize there was a demon coming at her as well. Gaius shouted something, which Ana obliged. Ana fell as he commanded an narrowly avoided the attacks of both. A sword cleaved at the demon and Ana switched her sword to her other hand.

She swiftly followed with her own blade and jumped on Gaius' back. Her blade swung as well right after his. It probably looked a bit ridiculous, but it was effective. "DIE YOU SCOUNDREL!"

[NPC Demons]

(Because i have no idea at all at what happened in the last round of posts I'm moving on to round 2. Please try to keep your posts in line with those that come before you otherwise it gets confusing to post as the NPC Demons. Please keep in mind that you are more likely to get timely posts if you keep your posts neat and easily understood so that posting these here creatures does not become a choir.

Sincerely, Bronze.)

Blood!

So much blood... It drew them our from their holes and haunts for they hungered for it, they needed it... They wished to feel the hot sticky liquid poor down their ravenous gullets. Yes the call of blood was to much to resist for the Bloodlurkers, so strong was it that not one, not two but three of the beasts had left their territory behind in order to slack their thirst. They made their way slowly, prowling like jungle cats stalking a meal, and as slow as they where the progress they made was extraordinary for they lept from building to crumbling building, the blood filled sacs on their backs swishing about grotesquely with every motion of their bodies.

Above even them though, the leapers flew through the sky. Their powerful legs propelling them forward in the long graceful leaps that had lent the species its name. They to where driven forward by a want, a need that spoke to the most primal part of their minds. What this need was they couldn't know but to them nothing was more important then finding it and taking it for them selves. And with that thought firmly in mind the four long legged demons made their way quickly from roof top to roof top, knowing that at the end of the day they would be satisfied.

Far below them, scurried a mass of demons that looked like nothing more then stick chickens with sickles for wings. The click clack of their wooden feet could be heard echoing across the stone ground as some nameless voice called them on in words they could not understand. But the words didn't matter oh no it was the meaning behind them. This thing... Had something they wanted, had something that would make them strong. And all they need do to get this power was kill any that stood in their way... And so the mighty hoard of Aviax moved forward wanting to overrun anything that stood between them and their prize.

The demon hoards could see their enemies, standing about in a field littered with their dead. They where all that stood between them and their prize. The leapers of course would be striking from up high, their bladed legs aiming form one of the four demons that where already bloodied. The Aviax which numbered ten charged forward, nearly tripping over one another in their haste to get at their targets, hooked arms raised in both anger and glee. As for the Bloodlurkers... They stayed high, waiting for their time to pounce and bring about the death of their target.

[Gaius Octavian Skipio]

More... More where coming and Gaius was not entirely sure if they could hold up to another rush of demons. Both he and those that faught with him where weakened in some way, some more mortally then others. For one, he had to carry the she demon upon his back in order for her to live, and he wasn't sure how much longer he would do so. After all what was her life in comparison to his own? In fact why should he care one way or another if a demon happened to die? He knew that they would not bat an eye lash if he fell in battle.

He could hear them running towards him, but whats more he could sense that they where also coming from above. How you may ask? Well it was how they had decided to attack not to long ago... And these breeds of demons where not known for changing their battle strategy. So he glanced up, his eyes that where not eyes taking in those things that had decided to fall upon them much like their brethren just minutes before. "ABOVE US AS WELL!" He calls out with a voice that sounds like the roaring of flames before jumping out of the way of the sweeping leg like blades.

His shield was raised and slanted to catch the two that where seeking to impale both him and his passenger, and he knew that when they fell they might break them selves on the slant of his shield. His sword on the other hand he retrieved from the corpse of one of the fallen chicken demons and was ready to be put into swift and deadly use.

[Something Has Happened]

The soul energy balance within slightly more vulnerable and less-sentient beings is always something of a volatile one. Imagine a cocktail of high-explosive gases thumping together, atoms shoving against one another in a deadly mixture, just waiting for the final spark to set the powder keg before a great whoomph of an explosion destroys its surroundings - and that's all she wrote.

But alas, this is not a lesson on chemical volatility; but volatility and imbalance of the soul. Soul energy is what every being within Inferis thrives upon at any given point in time; and the Leapers, the Aviaxes, and the Bloodlurkers, just like any else, sentient or not, possessed it, in amongst the more hardy named and intelligent Demons who defended almost to the point of futility concerning them. For waiting around the corner would be droves and droves more of them who would continue to assail the superstore for apparently no reason other than some supernatural - even for Inferis - libido-like drive to dominate the place. And Satan knew it wasn't just territorial.

But from behind closed doors there was a source; infact, the source, from which all this chaos and mayhem had in the beginning unfolded. The nature of it was not fate's to disclose as of yet; for the Legionnaire would happen upon it with his rag-tag band in the near-immediate future, and it was his quarry to uncover the prototype makings of that which could slowly trigger a cosmic landslide within the power balance of a dimension; that which could cause utter chaos, that which could bring anarchy to unparalleled heights.

Of course, this was all highly hypothetical and depended upon many variables, and simply one of many early, early tests, but the potential and intent was there all the same. In this place, however, was the essence of a being far greater than the Anarchist, the Cynic, the Roman, and the Slave. A being far beyond their capacities to ever imagine holding the mantle and throne of. And echoes, shivers, ghosts and silent traces of his presence lingered here, slumbering behind the scenes and slowly tinkering away.

But with that essence came power unchecked.

The Leaper advancing upon the Anarchist was the first to feel it. A swelling in her stomach as she looked to the sky and screeched, grinding to a halt and trembling full-body. Another to her flank and further back a mite almost immediately mirrored these actions. The Aviaxes dotted around seemed to squawk sharply and flutter even more erratically than usual as their wood began to rapidly expand and splinter; the Bloodlurkers on the ceilings had their sacs of ruby vigour stretch and bubble with force yet unseen.

And then, sequentially, as this unchecked power swept the Demons both within and outside, that same unchecked power wave which would be felt too through the bodies of the four sentient, but not quite as debilitating as it was to these lesser creations, what was roughly three dozen Demons between those congregated inside and those waiting outside to charge, a single snorting Taurus now brought to one knee as he groaned in a primal and animalistic manner, clutching to his twin sickles which carved great furrows in the chipped tarmac of the Necropolis beneath him, all began to explode.

It began with a Leaper. Her screeches heightened so much in pitch and dynamics that one would have thought she would shatter the windows; but instead as they reached their squealing peak, the energy wave at its height and plateau, what was essentially a soul-infused pack of bladed organs detonated, releasing a grand bloody spatter and launching chunks of viscera and gore in a three-hundred and sixty degree radius. The blades that had been left of the Leaper's legs clattered to the floor.

Not a split-second later her friend to the left met the same fate, and then her cohort to the right. The Bloodlurkers on the walls crawled in a rampant and hysteric sense until they too detonated, bathing the room in all their collected blood with a great fountain; one by one the Demons all blew up with comical pop noises, releasing spurts of blood - of varying intensity and capacity - and sprays of pink mist and fleshy chunks, completely indistinguishable from normal human biology.

Symphonically it continued, bathing the entire room, all four walls, floor, and ceiling, in its entirety, in variable tints of crimson - but no single spot was left untouched by the vermilion taint of Demon blood, the spatters reaching every part of the grand hall, with the force of the Bloodlurkers' storage sacs and the Aviaxes' quirky thrumming til they finally detonated with a flying burst of nails, a puff of sawdust, a high-pitched squawk, and a dying thwunk.

It was some time before the detonations ceased, the series of pops continuing as the four would have possibly felt themselves too at risk; but not a minute later than the rumbling crack of the Taurus Demon's exploding sounded outside, flinging the crumbling boards from the windows further inside the building with incredible vigour, did all explosions fall to barely whining echoes. The feeling of power causing them to all tremble would have after but a moment dissipated - and elsewhere in Hell a tyrant laughed.

At the back of the store two double doors flung open of their own accord. An orange-golden glow radiated from within. The erstwhile allies were being invited to investigate; to be the first four to happen upon the initial steps of a grand scheme, the significance of which could potentially in time become both useful and terrorising...

[Gaius Octavian Skipio]

Doomed. They where all doomed. And for what? For nothing aside from a feeling and at least for him a voice. A voice that lied to him, yet told a truth that he couldn't really understand. Still, he could only thank the gods that he was able to face his death standing like a man with weapon in hand and a determination to take as many of the creatures with him as he could. After all, if he was to meet his death he would do it fighting to the very end and with his last living breath he would utter a curse that would leave his slayer  gasping with surprise. "TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE!" He said those words every time he fought a battle, always meaning them. For what more could a soldier ask for but to die a heroes death, surrounded by the corpses of his fallen foes? "I AM GAIUS OCTAVIAN SKIPIO!" His voice boomed out over the field of discarded bones, the sheer base in it causing those nearest him to shake. "I AM THE CORPSE MAKER! THE ASH EATER! THE CROW FATHER!" With every title he tooks a step forward and his voice grew louder, the flames that made his eyes brighter and hotter tell they literally smoked in his skull. " I AM THE DWELLER! THE REAPER OF FATHERS AND SON!" He clashed his sword and shield together accenting the his words with their din. " AND YOU DARE THINK YOU CAN KILL ME!?!" The smoking holes that where his eyes took in the oncoming hoard with disdain, as he readied him self for the oncoming tide of monsters. "KILL ME IF YOU CAN! TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE! GAHHH"

And with one final battle cry he charged the hoard head long, ready to meet his death with honor. But then it washed over him, a wave of power the likes of which he had never felt before. IT washed over him, and suddenly he knew what it felt like to be... Helpless. Like a newborn before a tidal wave he was simply swept away and then there was... Blackness. A blackness so deep that it threatened to swallow him whole. And it did for a time. He was lost in the darkness of memories long forgotten, in the sounds of his old home, his old life. Was this what true death was? To float among your memories... If so, he was truly in hell.

He was lost in that ocean, the waves rolling him back and forth with out any heed to what he wanted or needed.  Soon though it with drew and the roman found him self on his back... Alone. Alone aside from the smoldering remains of corpses that is, or at least what was left of corpses...

Gaius looked about him at and didn't understand, couldn't understand... But it seemed that he would not die this day. "Today is a good day to live then is it?" No one was about to hear his question, those that had fought with him littered the ground put out by the same force that had come for him. But... What had that force been? Where had it come from. His eyes fell on the store front, and the faint illumination that filtered through the now blown open doors. 

Yes, thats where the call was coming. That was where he needed to go. He walked forward, with slow plodding steps, all but drained of what ever energy he had had. But as he neared the doors, and the light, he felt some what reinvigorated. The small aches and pains leaving his muscles. His foot fell on the boundary between the light and the dark and his need intensified. It was if the light that now fell upon his was the light of true and unadulterated avarice. 


The Romans foot steps echoed through the mostly empty building, but something was off. On the selves all about him where more bones. Bones cleaned of any and all meat and put on display like demented trophies. The ground on the other hand was clear of any sort of debris  and aside from a light coating of dust at the door at completely clean. But this didn't register to Gaius, he only had eyes for the safe at the center of the light.


He moved as if in a trance, putting one foot in front of the other and reached out a hand as he neared it. Eyes locked on the object of his desire. Then suddenly it was alive, alive with an evil and obvious intent. The safe seemed to unhinge, long fangs growing in but an instant. Arms and legs both ending in sharp claws suddenly sprouting from its side and bottom. Gaius had but an instant to react, and he found that he... Couldn't. His body on the other hand moved on its own accord  the centuries of training and muscle memory kicking in at just the last instant. His sword arm moved, whipping the blade through the air in an arc, cutting an arm from the now known treasure trap. Then with a jerk of his body he sent the blade straight into the creatures mouth, and then the top half simply fell off... Leaving the creature in a bloody heap.


Gaius blinked, clearing both his eyes and his mind before glancing about him. But then his eyes caught sight of a jewel, hanging in the air above where he had come so close to dying. What was it? He didn't know... But it was the source of the pale light that surrounded him... And it was the source of the call? No. No that had dissipated with the creatures life. A had reached out and took the jewel, the crystal and he felt a warmth flow through his body... But then suddenly the warmth was gone and the jewel turned to ash in his hand. Crumbling to a fine black powder in the span of a few seconds. Gaius blinked one last time before turning to leave, and as he exited the store that had been nothing short of a death trap with nothing to show for his troubles but more wounds then he could count and more then a few questions the sun started to rise, turning the sky the color of blood if only for a few moments. "What was all this for?" A wind rose then, carrying away what ittle remained of the demons they had fought, and a chill ran up the Romans spin. He could have sworn he had heard a laugh on the wind... With a shake of his head Gaius walked out to check on the conditions of those who had faught beside him hoping that at least one was still alive. He had plans, and he needed soldiers to stand with him if he was to succeed.

[END #2 - FERAL DEMON DEFENSE]

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