The Icon of Pride

It was taking everything I had to keep from getting killed by this unstoppable demi-god. I was beyond exhausted. I kicked myself for not training harder or exercising more because I was already running on empty.

Angie—who I still couldn’t get used to seeing in the flesh—was keeping us afloat with her incredible speed, close combat skills, and kanon strength.

As a pair we had the advantage of being of the same mind and set up traps and combos. The initial strategy was to wear him down little by little and avoid getting grabbed or one-shotted. I remember the fight with Rook. I got lazy and underestimated his freakish strength. Or got too aggressive without thinking it through. Either way it backfired.

The Director was on a whole other level. He shrugged off everything we threw at him. I started to lose hope before I saw a flurry of red hair fly past.

Sable ran headfirst into the Director and—in a lightning fast attack—swung at him with a blade she seemed to pull out of thin air. The Director casually held out his hand and stopped the blade dead in its tracks. This is impossible. How are we supposed to beat this monster?

Now that I can see the unique dagger I recognized it—Principal Rook’s weapon that he used to single handedly kill all the demons.

Then that means…

Sable’s finger pressed down and the Director’s calm smile was gone. He was scared! The blade broke through his hand and headed for his heart as—

He shielded his chest with his other arm. Sable’s gambit failed and she was within reach of a killing blow. I sprinted as fast as I could but I wasn’t going to get there in time!

”Interesting weapon. I commend you for trying. This is the end for you.”

Sable’s eyes flashed. I saw her press the trigger again and then whirled around to give a spinning kick directly into the handle of the blade. The large dagger pierced through both hands, his chest, then shot out the back.

I can’t believe it… She did it!

“Sable!”

I wanted to hug her but she stiff-armed me in the face. I can’t believe I’ve been foiled twice!

“What is it with you and hugs?” Sable looked at me dead serious.

Angie stepped up next to us, “She got too much love as a kid and now look at her—just has to touch everything.”

“But I don’t understand, I thought you joined their side? And Sheila…”

“In case everything went to hell I was the backup plan. Rook gave me orders to take his place as a long term double agent which is why I had to do those things. But when I heard you were going to be killed I… I couldn’t stand by…”

She really did care! My eyes moisten and I go in for another hug without thinking about it.

“Ah!” She backed up, ready to dodge. A sly grin broke through as Sable chuckled. “Maybe later…”

“There will be no later!” The Director rises to his feet. “The three of you are going to experience pain and torment that no human ever has.”

I can see the hole in his chest and hands grow back and heal in front of my eyes. This can’t be happening, we won! That was a fatal wound with some kind of special blade. We were supposed to ride off into the sunset…

The Director lunged towards us at lighting speed. I couldn’t do anything as he struck Sable with one arm and Angie with the other.

They were both sent flying away. I could only pray they were still alive. Now I was alone. His kanon domination field has me completely frozen…

If I didn’t think of something I was going to die. There was nobody left to save me.

Think…

Everything Rook told me, everything Angie told me—there had to be something useful I could use. But what?

He put a hand on my shoulder and held me fast in his crushing grip. That wasn’t going to kill me, the ceremonial knife raised above my head was the more pressing concern.

Okay we need to look at the facts of the case. Operation Grunge: failed attempt to recover a demonic artifact stolen from the Vatican. Had the power to mass possess people within a certain radius. Oh and it was called the Icon of Pride. Interesting name. Cult leader, probably Rahab, escapes by some sort of portal. Director goes after him but gets possessed. But how did he stay possessed once he was brought back through? It doesn’t make sense… What was the Icon of Pride to begin with?

I’m out of time and blurt out my desperation to stall him, “Hey before you sacrifice me because I’m apparently your daughter, which I don’t believe by the way, there’s been something I’ve been curious about… but I don’t think you know the answer.”

He looked at me puzzled and slightly annoyed, “I was there before the foundations of the earth. Who are you to question…”

He rambled on. Meanwhile I saw Sable’s blade, it was about 20 meters away.

Angie, I hope you're not dead because this is our last chance.

”Great! So you can tell me how you were able to possess me back home with Stacey and then with my parents? I’m just curious. I just need to know if that was you, Rahab, or maybe it was another more powerful demon…”

”How dare you cast doubt on my power? You’ve been marked since before you were born by me! It was a trivial matter to send my voice through mass media. But you resisted my call. I suppose that was to be expected, which is why I had you willingly come to me and…” He smiled, but beyond the rows of teeth I could see another row of teeth that shouldn’t be there. “Here you are, Angel.”

He took the bait. Rahab needed me to come as a willing sacrifice but why isn’t his original body here? Then that means… Yes, that’s it. He practically told me himself.”

“So the Icon of Pride—is you—isn’t it?” I looked at him defiantly.

Angie please tell me you’re getting this?

“Very good. Perhaps I will spare your life and sacrifice your twin. You will make a great servant for my new world.”

”Hmph. For an ‘all-powerful demon’ you don’t know anything. I don’t have a twin you dumbass! That WAS me.”

“….”

He looked at me puzzled.

“Oh! You didn’t know that I have two souls? Looks like you aren’t as godlike as you thought you were.”

He was PISSED. Good. He missed the fact that Sable’s dagger was no longer there.

“I promised you I’d see you in hell, let me send you there right now!”

I drew every ounce of energy I had but it wasn’t enough. So I made a deal with God: let me burn one last time and he can have my life.

A miracle was given to me. I poured my entire soul, mind, and spirit into one last manifestation.

“HOLY LIGHT.”

My entire body became living light. The enormous cavern was illuminated by the power of a sun.

Rahab screamed in agony but he didn’t die yet. I could see a black cube floating in his stomach.

“Angie now!”

Of course she was already on it. She stabbed the Icon of Pride and pressed the trigger. The holy blood soaked blade cut the corrupted artifact and severed its ancient curse.

The Director fell to his knees screaming. I saw what looked like black smoke shoot out of every orifice in his body. The smoke writhed in the air and I heard Rahab’s shrill demonic cry before he was swallowed by the light.

I smiled and said goodbye again, this time for good.

For I too was swallowed by the light.