- Retribution -

*FWOOOMMM

The grand attack, as expected, created a great cavity at the side of the spire. Any troops just outside of the area were instantly vaporized.

It could be seen for miles.

“Look!” Aoi points out the flash, “That must be them!”

Elaine breathes a sigh of relief, before collecting herself again.

“MEN! PROTECT THEIR FLANKS!”

“HOORAHH!” The justiciars roar,

……..

Akari, Taro, David and Lyla run out of the newly created cavity. It was still a great distance to cover. Many slaves follow suit as well.

Taro looks behind them, just in time to see Lucifer descend like several hundred tons of snake being dropped several hundred miles. Only taking mere moments to reorient herself she lunges towards the escapees.

They were on flat land. No obstacles or changes in elevation. The massiv2e snake could reach them in less than 10 seconds. The snake pushes slaves out of the way as though they weren’t even there. Opening her mouth she poises to eat the entire crew.

And then-

*FWOOOOOSH!

A great impact and then the snake disappears.

In his great confusion Taro looks around to find no evidence of the enemy, yet a great shadow flies over them. He looks up.

A great battle was ensuing above them, two - one winged serpents coil and twist around each other trying to get a bite off the other.

They would crash into each other and the tower while in the air.

“It’s Asmodeus!” Aoi cries,

“By the gods,” Elaine says dumbstruck by the sheer size of the titans.

The snakes fiercely battled, which caused reverberations within the tower. More cracks appear where Taro was slammed into the wall.

“The jilted lover comes to antagonize the widow?!” Lucifer hisses, ”Back off! This doesn’t concern you!”

“Oh but it does…” Asmodeus muses, “In my infinite lifetimes I have found value in the one. You will not destroy this world!”

They clash once more.

…….

Down by the long crater Taro was still being carried by Akari who was running alongside David and Lyla accompanied by various freed slaves.

“Akari!” Taro yells!

“Huh?!” Akari says,”What’s up?”

“We need to go back!”

“Are you crazy?!” She shouts,

“What?!” Lyla adds, “We need to get out of here!”

“We need to go.” Taro remains steadfast. “Do you trust me?”

Akari looks at the others then back at him and nods, “I do.”

“Good. Lyla, head back to the capital. Gather the full force of the justiciar and commence an attack on the tower.” Taro instructs,

“W-What? Why?” she asks,

“Bring the tower down." Taro says, “I think this is it. The end times are about us. When I saw the plans for the tower of babel, it was nearly completed. It really will pierce the heavens if she activates it."

“But if you guys are in there…” David speaks up,

“We’ll… figure it out!” Akari says, “It’s ok! Trust in him. In us.”

They pause for a moment and then nod.

“Okay…,” David holds them close for a hug. ”Take care, kids,”

“Yeah… Good luck guys,” Taro says,

With that Akari takes Taro and runs against the crowd, towards the tower.

……

Eventually Lyla and David meet up with the rest of the attack party. Elaine and Aoi ran to them.

“Where’s Akari? Taro?” Elaine asks,

“They stayed behind,” Lyla says,

“What?! Why?” Aoi shouts,

“They still haven’t found Shion.” David adds,

“But still!” Aoi starts,

“Enough!” Lyla shouts,

She had tears in her eyes,

“We need to retreat, gather our forces and come at the tower with the full force of Aurelion’s armies!”

……

Inside the tower the oni and orcs were in a great disarray; the recent rebellion caused a massive disruption in the chain of command.. Great tremors shake the city to its core due to the snakes battling. Oni and orcs run around aimlessly like headless chickens. In the chaos Akari was able to slip by more easily than usual.

Taro was feeling light headed, he slips in and out of consciousness while he rides on Akari’s back.

“That’s it… Akari…” Taro says, “Take us back to the room where… we met… Lucifer….”

“Stay with me Taro…” Akari says while still running, “We’re going to see Shion again soon...”

Those were the last words he heard before he passed out.

—---------------------------------------------------

The white walls looked aged and worn now. The pristine floors were now littered with papers and a disheveled angel sits on the table across from him.

“Taro.” She greets him.

“...” he looks around the messy room, ”Trouble in paradise?”

“Mhm.” she kicks her feet which dangle from the desk, “The angels fear death as naturally as any other creature.”

“Hmph… That includes you I assume?” Taro says plainly,

She tilts her head expressionlessly.

“No. Not quite.” she quietly says, “In fact I feel a strange sense of relief.”

“How so?”

“It’s me she wants… you know?”

“?!”

“I casted out her lover from the divine realm. In turn she gave it all to Lucifer, and that was a sin far too steep to let lie.”

“So… you’ve dragged me here to confess? To relieve yourself of your long standing guilt?”

“Nothing of the sort.”

“So why?” Taro inquires,

Her face subtly changes to a more serious tone.

“I’m here to do you a favor.”

“And what’s that?” he asks,

“You’re dying.” the angel says sternly

“W-What?!” he says shocked,

“When Lucifer’s nail pierced your neck… The venom made its work into your blood stream. You will die in 8 hours. Less possibly.” she continues,

“If you headed back with your friends then...well… But now…”

“I see. Is that all?”

“?!” for the first time the angel’s face moved from her austere expressions.

“I’d like to go back now if you don’t mind.” he continues,

“Didn’t you hear me?! You’re going to die! No revivals! No redos!” she cries,

“I don’t mind…. Just give me some time with Shion at least?" Taro asks politely,

“Haahh…” the angel sighs, “ You really are something else aren’t you?”

“Hehe… you bet.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”