Hopefully, we will survive

"Commander Fornax! It's good to hear your voice!" I sighed in relief. "You're earlier than expected."

"The wormhole was stabler than we predicted. Who am I talking to?"

"Pilot Vega and unit Cerviel of the seventh Angel Corps. I'm the last of my unit."

"Good to meet you, Angel Vega. What's the situation?"

"An enemy of unknown origin has been attacking Asbestos for the past year. Life support systems have failed a few days ago. Cerviel will send you all our data so you can look at it later. All the colonists have gathered in the dome behind me under the leadership of Overseer Pasu and Engineer Bootes. We require immediate evacuation."

"Roger that, Angel Vega. How many colonists are still alive?"

"Around nine hundred, including Cerviel and myself."

"Understood. We're dispatching evacuation ships while the fleet provides support via orbital bombardment. Please stay close to the indicated dome to--"

A flurry of alarms cut off Commander Fornax as a white beam shot into the heavens.

"Cerviel?" I asked as the beam receded. "What was that?"

"I believe the class eight has made its move," Cerviel said.

"Angel Vega?"

"I read you, Commander."

"Something from Asbestos attacked on our ships. It punched a hole through the Rasaga's shield and detonated its power core. How is that possible?"

"These things have abilities beyond your wildest dreams, Commander."

"Shit. What the hell have you been facing the past few months?!"

"I'll tell you about it once we get out of here."

"Understood. Can you keep that thing busy while we evacuate?"

"I don't think I can. I've limited weaponry, and Cerviel is critically injured."

"The Kontor will assist you with orbital bombardment. Just keep that thing's attention planetside while we evacuate."

"I'll... do my best."

"Thank you. Fornax, out." The channel dropped with a click.

Keep it busy. I sighed. "Let's go, Cerviel."

"Yes, pilot Vega."

Her frame creaked as we started running. Instinct made me press the button inside my glove. Nothing happened other than the visor telling me the boosters were destroyed.

"Evacuation ships have been dispatched," Cerviel said as three blue dots appeared on the radar. "Fifteen minutes until arrival."

"Did you hear that, Bootes?" I asked.

"Yes." Bootes sounded out of breath. "Commander Fornax made contact with us. Everybody is running toward the airlocks. Fornax gave us five minutes to get onto the ships before they took off."

"That's going to be a tight fit."

"I think losing a ship within three minutes of getting here has rattled him."

"Make sure my family gets on those ships. Carry Father Alcor if needed."

"What about you?" Bootes asked.

"I need to buy some time. Fornax will evacuate me separately."

"Stay safe."

"I'll do my best." I dropped the connection as Cerviel arrived at the Kaif dome. Multiple sections of the dome lay on the ground and large cracks infected the pieces that remained upright. It pained me to see my home destroyed. "Cerviel, have you found the class eight?"

"It should be coming into view soon."

"Thanks."

Several demons took note of my dash. Many moved to intercept me but were killed by orbital strikes. Another white beam shooting into the sky responded to the strikes.

"Angel Vega, the Valik has been critically damaged. You need to hurry up!" Commander Fornax was close to yelling.

"I'm moving as fast as we can!" I didn't bother to throttle my voice. "Shoot at it some more!"

"All of the Ketov's weapons are firing at it. It's not working."

"And that makes you think I can do something?!"

"You need to keep it distracted! The evacuation will be for naught if the evacuation ships don't have a place to return to."

I dropped the channel as I came around the Kaif dome. The planes beyond the dome were unusually flat. It served as an ideal sparring area when Asbestos had several Angels. That is how I could see the figure standing in the middle. Its head was beast-like. It wielded a dual-bladed battle axe in its right hand while it extended its left to the heavens. I wondered about this until an orbital strike exploded a meter above its hand. The outlines of a spherical bubble showed itself as the fires of the explosion enveloped the demon.

"Warning - energy spike detected," Cerviel said.

The demon lowered its hand as the fire receded before pointing its axe to the heavens. A pulsing white sphere formed at the top of the axe. The sphere was the same color as the beams.

"Shit! C'mon, Cerviel!"

"I cannot move faster."

"We won't make it in time!" The white sphere doubled in size.

"Not unless you distract him."

Distract, I thought. The demon was thirty meters away from me. Throwing Cerviel's sword was an option, but it would leave me defenseless when the demon turned against me. I doubt my gauntlet blades would offer much resistance against its battle axe. Wait, what was it Father Alcor had said? Demons fear only one thing...

"Cerviel, stop. Enable exterior speakers."

"What do you intend to do, pilot Vega?" Cerviel asked.

"Call it out." I took a deep breath. "Hey!" I yelled as loud as possible.

The white sphere disappeared as the demon turned its head toward me.

"My kind have beaten countless of yours." I adjusted my stance to look as imposing as possible. "We've slammed our swords through Ronove's beating heart. We've torn Seir apart and blew up the Duke of Hell. I hereby raise my challenge to you! Fight me!"

The ground shook as the demon walked toward me. An falling orbital strike behind the demon showered showered him in dirt. He didn't pay it any mind.

"Angel Vega," Fornax spoke in my ear. "We cannot continue with orbital bombardment when you are this close to the attacker."

I pressed a button on the command ring to mute Cerviel's external speakers. "Focus on the evacuation."

"The evacuation ships have landed."

"I'm called Purson, a King of Hell." The demon spoke when it stopped ten meters ahead of me. "I accept your challenge."