Hard Descent

Resting back in his chair, Magnus looks out the windows as the city gives way to fields. Reaching over, Lana taps Ikane’s hand and opens a psychic link with her, sitting back in her seat.

“You alright?” Smiling at the squad leader, Ikane shrugs before replying.

“I’m fine. I’m not sure what I expected to be honest. But I didn’t expect such a level of hostility. I knew he’d be pissed, sure, but I at least expected him to be happy to see me.”

“When was the last time you spoke?’

“When he left. That was over fifteen years ago.” Looking towards Magnus at Ikane’s words, Lana grimaces.

“He doesn’t look that old.” Smiling, Ikane nudges Lana softly.

“Neither do I. We don’t age as fast as others. He and I are the same.”

“You both carry the Demon Virus?”

“Not exactly. It’s similar, and it has its disadvantages, believe me. On the upside, it makes us really good at combat.”

“Did you really need to use a shimmer to fool him? Surely, he would have been okay with seeing you.”

“You don’t understand Lana. This is the one place he never wanted me to be. And it’s the one place I came to when he never came back. For him, it’s a betrayal. There’s no grey area for that kind of thing with Magnus. If you knew about his past, you would understand, but that is not my story to tell.” As the two women silently discuss him, Magus picks up his tablet and frowns at the flashing message icon. Opening it, a sense of foreboding fills him as he reads its contents.

‘Magnus,

We’ve lost contact with the eyes on the ground. I’m ordering you to leave the area immediately. I received one last message before we lost contact. The Demon running the show is a tall man with black hair, red eyes and a long red sword. I can’t let you go in. Not knowing that and you know why. Turn around immediately. That’s an order.

Marshal Amirah Doyle’

Clenching his fist in rage, he puts the tablet down and removes the disk from his belt once more. Pressing it to the side of his head, he grimaces as it activates. After a moment, he feels the consciousness of all five women connect to him. Opening himself up to them, he reaches out and talks to all of them at once.

“Okay. Bad news. Headquarters has lost contact with our eyes on the ground. Demon-spawn has been confirmed and there’s also a report of an upper-class demon as well. Most likely one of the numbers. Given the situation I want everyone ready for combat before we hit the ground. This is no longer a simple search and destroy mission. Ready yourselves.” As the women prep their weapons, Ikane comes over to Magnus.

“Which one of the numbers is it?” Ignoring her question, Magnus ejects the clip in his rifle. Grabbing him by the shoulder, Ikane turns him to face her.

“Don’t ignore me Magnus. Which one of the numbers?” Brushing her hand away, he gives her a dark, cold look.

“You know which one. And if it’s him, he’s going to regret ever coming out of his hole.” Slamming the magazine back into the gun, he stands, pushing her aside and heads into the front of the transport ship. Taking a seat with a heavy sigh, Ikane shakes her head at Lana’s questioning glance. Looking up from her weapons, Celeste gestures at Magnus.

“What’s our eta?” Looking at the watch on his arm, he sighs.

“Less than five. Initialize Demon protocol zero-six alpha. Release limiters to level one.” As Magnus barks the last order out loud, all the women’s eyes glow. After a moment, power bursts from all five of them and a shroud of energy cloaks them all. Smiling, Magnus slides the charging handle back and chambers a round as a burst of energy explodes right outside the door of the transport. Flicking the safety off, Magnus unbuckles himself and looks through the front windows of the transport ship. As the town comes into view completely, balls of energy fly from the center square towards the ship. Grabbing the wall as one bounces off the side of the ship, he swears. Gesturing to a nearby empty field, Magnus yells at the pilot.

“Set us down there. If we get any closer, they’ll tear us to ribbons.” As another explosion rocks the ship, the pilot fights with the controls.

“It’s no good, sir. I’m losing control. Get back to your seat.” Turning from the doorway, Magnus falls heavily into his seat. Clipping the buckles together, he looks at the woman in the back of the transport.

“Brace yourselves for impact.” As the last words leave his mouth, an explosion tears a hole through the side of the ship. Squinting his eyes at the sudden rush of air filling the cabin, Magnus watches in horror as the ground rushes to meet them.

Looking out from the belltower in the center of Novaransk, a handsome man with blood-red eyes and sleek black hair smiles. Finally, bursting into laughter as the transports ship slams into the field outside the town with a burst of dirt and debris. Leaping from the tower, he lands lightly on the ground below. Stabbing his dark crimson sword into the ground, he takes a seat at a nearby bench. Gesturing to a nearby demon, he grins wildly, revealing razor-sharp teeth.

“Go greet our guests. Bring them to the centre square. I have a surprise for them. It’s time the Vatican learnt what true power is.” As the demon shouts some order and runs off towards the crashed ship, he whistles a merry tune.