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Pandemonium fueled Rachel’s composed demeanor, guided by the instinctual essence of Yseress towards the wooden houses near Camagüey airfield, the bubbling heart of where everything would come to a conclusion.

Gisele and her four Hell buns took up positions on either side of her, using the rail guard of a nearby porch to gaze upon the descending U.S. military.  The forces were told to keep clear of the mass of twenty thousand human sacrifices floating in the air and focus on clearing out the demons throughout the city or rescuing any survivors.

A slight smirk moved Rachel’s eyes as her black-furred ears slowly shifted to scan the battlefield, drawing in information.

Asher floated in the center of the sea of paralyzed humans; the people were completely aware of the horrors surrounding them and unable to so much as blink an eye to relieve their stress.  The ritual sucking out their life essence would have felt like ice expanding through their veins, cutting every cell in slow, agonizing waves.

Much of the agony they experienced would have been eased after the dissolution of the barrier that compressed the Hell energies Asher had gathered over the past three weeks.  However, it would still leave every individual scarred from the experience in more than just the mind and body.

Yseress’ innate aptitude in the devil arts gave her a rough prediction on how such a situation would play out, and a small number of those used in this summoning would endure the collapse if she stopped it.

There were ways Rachel could maximize the survivors, yet doing so risked the plan’s success, and she was more inclined to go with what would work rather than put their hopes on something that wouldn’t, killing everyone involved.

Rachel's toes flexed against the blackened ground on which she stood, charred by the Hellfire cloaking her frame; she was in the front yard of a home just outside the airfield, hands loosely held behind her back and above her tail.  Several ongoing events kept her from confronting Asher, the most important being her own unusual change.

Her illuminated red pupils and void-black clover irises lifted to Cahira’s baby Dragon Turtle as he maneuvered in the air, continuing to bombard Xazzos and Armand.  Tom’s not taking any chances, helping those they can but putting them in isolated medical centers under guard if there is the chance of demonic possession.  A logical precaution, given his knowledge.

Music, bullets, shouts, and missile explosions erupted around her from various angles; the demonic army had lost all interest in her the moment she began channeling Yseress, yet that didn’t stop her pets from hunting them for food.

Overall, Rachel’s thoughts and body were processing something far more pressing than the chaos that surrounded her or the threads of misfortune tugging in every direction—her light purplish-red skin tone drew her notice as she caught sight of her bare left bicep.

Yseress’ influence on her was on Rachel’s mind.  It stands to reason Izanami is using me and knew I would change by taking in Yseress’ essence.  I cannot deny it was the only way for me to deal with the current situation … I’m not a slave; in fact, I’m the master, yet at the same time, I cannot say I’m the same after accepting that deal.

Her amused full lips didn’t falter upon transferring her weight in the opposite direction, shifting to follow the path she’d taken.  Fiona must have reached Maria, yet she closed her hole behind her to hamper any pursuit.  Maria should be safe, considering Wolfgang’s motivations, and the twins have a high chance of surviving.

No…  Rachel released her grip, bringing around her Hellfire encased hand.  The concern isn’t Yseress or even Izanami.  I can more or less count on a Hell Lord’s end-game…

A vision of the lovely woman hosting radiant rogue hair and a revealing spaghetti-strap light red dress.  Eostre and the other moon deities have their own plans to empower themselves.

Izanami made her intentions and motives known without much of a fight, offering to aid me in my own pursuits, yet the lunar gods have been subtly manipulating my Seed and powers from behind the scenes.  How many others are being supported without their knowledge?

Fingers closing into a tight fist, she hummed.  I won’t last much longer—my body won’t adapt to Hell’s energy for some time since it wasn’t incorporated into my Seed’s design from the start.  Maria will help speed up my recovery … I need to identify these hidden agendas while I have Yseress’ insight into higher planes.

Turning her back to the field, Rachel was pleased to discover Grace and Scarlet bringing Wolfgang; they’d presented the proper answers and given him the right questions to draw him in.  It appeared that something he’d been working toward had been accomplished, and not soon after, the remaining two Wolfgang clones within the city vanished from her hearing.

Yseress’ experience with the man told Rachel he was formidable; simultaneously, she found him rather foolish in motive and overstretching his hand.  If anything, he wasn’t finished with his projects, but if they killed the original body, he wouldn’t be able to continue to produce more clones of himself—Fiona was going after the actual Wolfgang, and she doubted he would be able to survive her onslaught while empowered by Warpath.

Asher was an essential item on her list to deal with.  Ultimately, he would be consumed by the power he sought, which put a smile in Rachel’s eyes.  She couldn’t get close to him as it stood, in any case, which was why she remained at the edge of the airfield—situations needed to play out before she could reveal her hand, and that gave her time to deliberate.

Rachel looked to the heavens, scanning the starless expanse; dozens of aircrafts passed in arcs above the warzone.  A lot of pressure will be put on me after this is over … I can’t hide my transformation given the number of surveillance drones currently sweeping the city.

Tom will be on my side, I’m sure—the information I have to give will be isolated to him and the President alone.  There isn’t much we can do about gods and goddesses interested in the seeds … at least, not yet.

It’s a dangerous game.  These creatures can’t allow us to become stronger than them but need us to further their own agendas and powers.  At some point, we’re going to have to butt heads, and given the line of logic, I’ll eventually need to become a lunar deity myself, or some equivalent.

Her vision deviated to the west, toward Havana.  Relica must know at least part of that knowledge—Wolfgang’s given a few hints about it to Grace and Scarlet, and they were working together on a lot of these projects.  Her obsession with Scarlet could be in response to that, and Twilight is a more significant threat than even Izanami and the lunar deities.

Entities far beyond our understanding are engaged in a convoluted game behind the veil.  We can’t center our efforts on fighting something we don’t have the slightest idea how to even conceptualize, which is why Izanami has attached herself to me.

Eostre is beholden to a power structure that Izanami isn’t, and that gives her the opportunity to offer me more.  Without Moongmor, I would have died a few times at this point.

Although, could all of those circumstances have been orchestrated so that I rely on the lunar deities and Moongmor?  Is Nia just an innocent tool they’ve used to draw me in?

Eostre might not necessarily be evil … Izanami may not even be evil—everyone has their motivations and reasons.  How can I use them to get what I want?  I need to keep Yseress alive somehow to counter Izanami, yet in doing so, I put my family in danger of more than just the general public.

It’s foolish to think this will remain under wraps forever, and Hell coming to Earth with the U.S. defending all humanity is too big of a compelling story to not display to the world.  Leaks will get out, given the number of soldiers involved.

Her lips fell slightly.  Richard’s psych evaluation will likely come up after this mission—it’s the perfect time and motive to analyze us.  Things are going to get complicated, but it isn’t impossible to manage the optics.

Rachel’s fingers found her elbow behind her back as she turned in the direction of Armand and Xazzos; the muscular blue-skinned demon used an opportunity Cahira’s continual magical cannon fire provided to cut a gash through a small wound in Armand’s throat, expanding it to the point of bathing in the wolfman’s blood.

It’s over.

The lesser demon’s laughter caused Rachel’s ears to tilt to the left a little in amusement as his ax absorbed the liquid; empowered by the strength it drew, Xazzos leaped into the air, weapon expanding with its master until he was large enough to bring it down on the terrified man turned beast, separating the rest of his neck from his body.

Armand’s corpse fell limp against the soil as his head tumbled across the ground to plow into a half-ruined building; his spirit soon left, and the blue demon reverted to his original size, the channeled power spent.

Cahira’s men shouted in panic at the expanding demon, the Dragon Turtle lifting further into the air and swinging around in case Xazzos turned his attention to them, but they weren’t even on his radar—Xazzos’ orders were clear to Rachel—protect the ritual and kill Armand, in that order, which was one of the reasons why she currently held her position.

Rachel’s eyes slid to the space ten feet ahead of her as a demonic gateway split space, peeling back like a person ripping open a banana peel—Xazzos emerged with a thrilled smile and still covered in Armand’s blood.

Deep gashes from Armand’s claws and puncture marks from the beast’s colossal teeth could be seen healing as she watched him sally forward; obviously, he’d restricted himself by a great deal when facing Nia and her, but that was the combative nature of a Lesser Blue Demon from the Silian Planes.

Xazzos was among the ordinary warriors of the Silian Order—a demonic kingdom within the first level of Hell.  Proud, and boasting of their military might, Demons were in a rather brutish category, unlike Devils, which Yseress numbered among.

“He-he-he-he!  Ah, what a fight!”  he laughed, sweeping his ax in a long sweep while facing her.  “Is it time for us to bond in battle, possessor of Yseress?”

“Hmm?”  Rachel lifted a black eyebrow, giving him an incredulous look.  “Does it look like I’d like to fight you?  I haven’t moved past the border marker you’re contracted under.”

Swinging his weapon back to rest the shaft against his brawny right shoulder, he grinned.  “I could feel your thirst for battle when we first fought!  Heh, pity Yseress’ influence is suppressing that fierce fire in your gut.  Are you really so inveigled that the Devil has tamed your warrior’s resolve?!”

Rachel’s vision narrowed, grip tightening around her elbow; his words stung, as he knew they would—Lunar Pride was affected by the Hell Energy drawn from Yseress, yet she was only borrowing the means to absorb it, which meant there was a part of her that was riled up by the comment.  “You and I both know you were seeing just how far you could push me in our last encounter—you could have cut Nia and me to ribbons.”

Her new senses tightened her gut while viewing the flow of Hell that surrounded the Demon.  “I see the regeneration the Silian Order boasts of isn’t exaggerated.  Still, you’ve spent a great deal of your strength in fighting Armand … What would happen if an integral piece of your stabilization link to this plane was destroyed?”  she asked, a wicked smile glinting in her eyes.

“I see!  As expected of a Devil.”  Xazzos’ mirth only escalated, chest shaking with laughter.

Rachel gave a nonchalant shrug, following his gaze to the blood portal that materialized to their left, revealing Scarlet, Wolfgang, and Grace.  “There’s a reason Devils rule Hell with Demons as their tools.”

Her lips became a line when Xazzos pounded his chest, wielding a grin she hadn’t expected.  “I hear change is coming!  Trog'drannod will break The Order—it will crumble beneath the might of the Hellraiser!”

The statement didn’t mean all that much to Rachel, but an unusual shiver ran through her frame nonetheless; Yseress didn’t like his declaration.

“Rachel?”  Scarlet tentatively walked forward with a reluctant Grace, glancing at her bouncing Hell-infused blobs as they cheered at their appearance like watching a live-action movie.  “We … got Wolfgang, but he said something weird … Is everything okay?”

  Grace made a noise while sucking in air through her teeth.  “Lord help us—hoped we got rid of this demon fella … Eh, are you talkin’ to it?”

Rachel scratched the base of her left ear, still feeling the discomfort of Yseress.  “He won’t attack since we aren’t presenting a threat to the ritual at the moment … Ah, Wolfgang,” she smiled, turning to face the man.

The man’s calculating blue eyes shifted from Xazzos to the ritual to her.  “Rachel … I was wrong about our meeting destination, but I can see why—before you take my spirit, I’ll ask one thing…”

“Mhm,” Rachel pivoted her hips and posture to face both Xazzos and the group Scarlet brought.  “I have my own question; a trade is appropriate given both our answers are true.”

His face tightened, knowing what she was suggesting.  “You predicted I’d set it up where key information inside my Intelligence would be destroyed before you swallow my spirit and want to trade for the important bits … expected.”

Grace ran her fingernails through her hair while growling, “What is up with you and all this 4D Chess bullshit!  Gah, why does everything need to be a part of some grand plan!  Can we just get this shit over with … I want out of this nightmare, Rachel…”

“Yeah…”  Scarlet hugged herself, biting her lower lip for a moment while staring at the grinning blue-skinned demon that listened.  “This has gotten crazy, Rachel—I don’t know who to trust anymore.  You’re like a totally different person.”

Rachel’s face softened, not that she felt it.  “Scarlet, I know this has progressively gotten worse and worse, but we’re near the end—I’ll explain everything.  I’m limited on time, though; if I don’t hurry, my soul will start breaking down—Nia, Gisele, and my Rabbit Gang’s included.  It won’t be much longer.”

Xazzos rolled around his neck.  “Even if you send me back to Hell, possessor of Yseress, I will return to fight you in time.  I look forward to feasting upon your entrails and bathing in your guts to taste that half-blood’s essence!”

Half-blood?  Rachel’s calculating clover eyes shifted to the Demon as the others blankly stared at the nonsensical figure; the comment made her tail stand on-end—Yseress was becoming pissed at his jabs, which interested Rachel.  So, you’re a half-blooded Devil?

It made her wonder if Yseress’ mother or father was the human, but it didn’t matter to the current situation, and she filed the information away, doing her best to ignore Xazzos’ insults, but given she was fighting against Lunar Pride, it was challenging when the Devil agreed with the passive skill.

Tail stiff and ears twitching, Rachel kept her vision trained on Wolfgang; the man was perceptive enough to realize the tension between them.  “If you wish to make that deal, considering I am still linked with Yseress’ contract while you are not—although, you are channeling a Devil and appear to be bound by the contractual requirement of their nature…”

He trailed off, pondering her deal, and after a moment of uncomfortable silence, nodded.  “Seeing as you are bound by the equivalent exchange, I will go first, and any follow-up question will be added to the payment, which ends with my spirit being consumed—do you agree to this contract?”

Scarlet and Grace’s heads were practically producing steam; it was nice they were worried about her, but everything was singing to the strings of misfortune she tugged upon.  This was a battle unlike any Rachel had experienced—yet Yseress excelled in Devil versus human.

“I do,” she replied, making Xazzos chuckle.

Wolfgang took a deep breath and let it out, intense blue irises peering at her as his mind turned, trying to look into her Core which was a mass of energy—he could do nothing more than see the Hellfire cloak she released.  “Who’s side are you on, Rachel?”

Rachel’s lips became a line, her focus moving to Scarlet and Grace; Wolfgang was intelligent, and his morals would shockingly align with many if they were aware of his pursuits while others couldn’t stomach the methods he was willing to go for his beliefs.  “Who’s side?  Myself.  I am motivated by the connections I have and will fight for those I love.”

She shifted her hip to the other side, tilting her head as her smile returned.  “My family, and selfishly, I will fight to keep my loved ones close, unlike you.  The Trolley problem, without exception, I would save my loved ones while you would sacrifice them for others.”

Scarlet and Grace’s vision dropped to the ground as they thought on her answer; Rachel knew his methods and motivation.

Wolfgang didn’t react to the declaration, but the next question put a shiver through Rachel’s mind; he knew how to elicit a response and get results.  “What if your family was tied to humanity?”

Her eyes narrowed as Xazzos roared with laughter.  “Are you sure he is not a Devil?”  he asked, rolling around his shoulder.  “I have never met a human such as he.”

“What’s he saying?”  Scarlet whispered, arms tightening around her core.

Rachel’s ears tilted forward a tad while staring at the convicted man.  “Your clones are connected to you … You’re threatening to somehow make the world’s problem my family’s.”

A small smile lifted Wolfgang's cheeks that didn’t touch his eyes.  “Is not your family a part of the whole?”

“He has a point, possessor of Yseress,” Xazzos mused, changing his ax to the opposite shoulder.  “What devilish plots has Lady Izanami put in your skull?”

Rachel ignored him again; Wolfgang and Relica were a threat she couldn’t ignore—she’d have her own turn to question him.

“Snake,” Grace huffed.

Wolfgang’s gaze momentarily slid to Scarlet as her brow set; of course, Scarlet wouldn’t allow anyone to harm her new family, which Rachel loved about the girl.  “Your response?”

“I would protect my family,” Rachel returned.

Nodding with satisfaction, his blue irises slid over her figure.  “You have made a deal with a Hell Lord … What are the specifics?”

Grace and Scarlet’s attention was instantly snatched by the question, but Rachel didn’t hesitate to answer; he didn’t know about the Lunar Deities or Moongmor.

“Consensual and mutually beneficial growth.  She has no interest in humanity and will not cause trouble to it; her sights are much higher—I was assured through a contract that no harm from her nor her followers will come to humanity.”

A glint appeared in Wolfgang’s eyes.  “Wonderful.  Do you intend to keep helping humanity?”

“So long as it falls in line with my own goals.  You don’t care if a few people die if I am stopping threats that can pose a risk to a greater number of people, which is what closing crystals and working with the U.S. government accomplishes.”

“Indeed,” Wolfgang muttered.  “Do you … have control of this energy … and of Yseress?”

Rachel didn’t immediately respond, causing Scarlet’s anxiety-filled face to deepen.  “... I am Yseress’ master now … As to Hell’s Energy, I have control.”

“Hmm…”  Wolfgang’s eyebrows lowered.  “You have control, but you are not the same is what you are saying.  Yes?”

“What does he mean you’re not the same?”  Scarlet whispered.  “What’s different?”

Wolfgang slowly nodded.  “Indeed.  What is different, Rachel?”

She could hear the fear in the girl’s voice.  “Less than you think,” she stated.  “I approach problems more indirectly…”

“Like a Devil,” Xazzos snorted.

“Yseress is a lazy Devil,” Rachel explained, “and I inherit a part of her attitude when using her connection to Hell.  She works off efficiency and the path that will require the least amount of effort on her part.  I am the one in control of the motivations, but the methods seem to be influenced by her personality.”

“Fascinating,” Wolfgang hummed.  “Will you attempt to make Yseress more human as her master?”

It was an interesting question, and given what she’d learned from Xazzos, it was something she could see herself doing—she was more human than he knew.  His inquiry was for an entirely different purpose, though; Yseress influenced her, and if she grew more human, so too would she in this channeling state.

“Yes,” Rachel answered truthfully; of course, Wolfgang was missing context.

A relieved sigh shot through Wolfgang’s nose.  “Excellent.  I would ask you if you are going to save the people to our left—”  he cut off as Xazzos laughed, narrowed vision watching the creature, only continuing when he stopped.  “Yet, I know if you answered in the positive, Xazzos would have confirmed you were a credible threat under contract and would attack—his inactivity shows how careful you’ve been and a deep knowledge of how contracts operate.”

“He-he-he, yes!  Tell me you intend to stop the ritual, Devil possessor!  Give me an overt reason to see you as a threat to my purpose!”

“My turn then?”  Rachel asked; she wanted to finish this as soon as possible and rid herself of the insufferable Demon—Yseress’ feelings, of course—she couldn’t stand his disrespect and disregard for her power since he knew he was far stronger than Rachel.  Never had she been insulted by a Lesser Demon.

Grace was practically biting her nails at this point.  “Umm … I’m going to pee—be back…”  she mumbled, watching the helicopters spot them and change directions to circle their group.

Scarlet didn’t know if she should be scared or happy when the flying machines started circling them and Grace hurriedly jumped up the stairs, past the Rabbit Gang, to use the house’s toilet—of course, if Rachel remembered correctly, Legendkin didn’t have to use the restroom like Mythickin, so it was more or less to just cool off.

Wolfgang followed the brown-haired girl’s retreat, probably noting the same thing.  “Yes, Rachel, I am content.  Let us finish this while time remains.”

Rachel didn’t hesitate to begin.  “You’ve been conspiring against Asher and Armand this entire time?”

“Obviously,” Wolfgang smirked.  “An easy one that you should have gained from listening to my conversation with your friends.  So, your actual question here is to what ends and with what methods—testing to see if I would see the subtly in the inquiry.”

Oh, no, Wolfgang, I didn’t quite ask that question—thanks for the discount.  Your imagination that everyone is less intelligent than you is a weakness you need to overcome.

He tightened his grip behind his back, studying Xazzos’ entertained expression.  “When this seeding event occurred, and information started arriving, Relica came into the picture.  It was when Relica tried using us to further her own powers and understanding that I decided on a course of action—the proof that there was Hell and that it could be brought to Earth … I had to act.”

Rachel nodded, moving her hand to her hip; if she didn’t ask, she didn’t have to pay.  An intelligent man was not always a wise man, and often, those that knew too much wanted to share too much, given a chance.

Wolfgang grunted, turning to the heavens.  “I offered what Asher wanted and was allowed to do whatever I wanted in return.  Yseress was an answer to everything—more powerful than all of them, and after I convinced Asher to expel Relica from the barrier, no one had the means to disrupt my bond to her … until you stuck her back inside—brilliant really … or by design,” he mused.

“In any case, I made the grand ritual summoning in the most roundabout way, which would give me as much time as possible to accomplish all my goals until I needed to leave.  Now, having safeguarded much of my research, I can die.  Slow, fast, I care not.  My purpose is fulfilled.”

Xazzos looked impressed by Wolfgang’s declaration of betrayal; of course, who would doubt the man’s loyalty, given the actions he’d taken thus far.

“Your specialty—all of you have one?”

“Ah,” Wolfgang unclasped his hands to scratch the back of his ear, “a decent question—demonology, summoning, as you might have guessed.

“My main body was focused on the cloning of our Intelligence into sustainable host bodies, reshaping them to our image.  He also focused heavily on obtaining spiritual eyes—the third eye, as some cultures call it, which allowed him to peer at the Seed’s progression and the ability to transplant it … Many sacrifices were needed for such a task—a tragedy, but necessary for the whole.

“As for the others … Seed tampering and the study of adding elements to its development.  A dive into the obscure occult artifacts that could be generated and manipulated, and a focus on divining the divine—how to combat their rising influence on humanity.”

“Ah…”  Rachel’s ears tilted the opposite way as she followed his gaze to the heavens.  The occult artifacts were likely what Relica was after, given what she knew about the various objects around us … A mix between Hell and the occult.

“What about Maria?”  Scarlet piped up, trying to ignore the helicopter that watched them; Tom was given her location, and Cahira was in the process of swinging the turtle around to close in on their coordinates.

Rachel was getting there but given Scarlet’s fragile mental state, putting her significant concerns at rest was something she prioritized.  “If you are connected to your clones, you know the reason Maria was taken.  What’s become of her?”

A strange sense of pride entered Wolfgang’s voice.  “Ah … right, right, your Unicorn friend.  She lives, as I’m sure is your primary concern.  As to how you phrased the question—she was the foundation in our greatest accomplishment—she provided a firsthand observation as to what happens when a seed bonds to its host.”

Scarlet’s fists tightened.  “She’s alive is a lot different than if she’s safe!  Is she okay?  What did you do to her?  Rachel asked what happened to her!”

“Hmm…”  Wolfgang’s vision slid from her to Rachel.  “I should … have asked you about the entity inside this girl—foolish of me to skip that detail.  Unfortunate.”

Xazzos’ grin washed away upon centering on Scarlet.  “Entity inside … What is that?”  he asked, muscles flexing in agitation while taking a hurried step back.  “It is not from Hell—something greater … How can you contain such a … thing?”

He was intimidated, which Rachel could understand—if she saw Twilight, she had no doubt she would lose her mind given the horror the entity seemed to embody.  It put her thoughts back on Relica; there was a subtle motivation shift within the sorceress ever since touching Scarlet’s mind.  It would have to wait, though.

Wolfgang folded his arms, vision snapping between Xazzos and Scarlet; she had no idea why the Demon was frightened, yet Wolfgang caught the implication.  “Hmm … Perhaps we will need some form of deity aid for what is to come,” he whispered.  “Something to ponder.”

Composure returning, Wolfgang focused on Rachel again.  “Maria was forced to relive a past trauma in order to pave the way for her seed to be fully accepted—she shot my original Intelligence in the head and killed my clone that is adept at manipulating the Seed.”

Scarlet stiffened, empathizing with Maria.  “You—Y-You made her remember—relive her past trauma … That’s—That’s unforgivable,” she yelled, likely putting herself in Maria’s shoes and being forced to repeat the moments of The Oscillation where she discovered her parents’ fanaticism.

Wolfgang calmly appraised her enraged demeanor and the twisting blood that left her body, struggling to keep it under control.  “Hmm … Maria served humanity; I have nothing but the utmost respect for her.  Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to give such a marvelous gift to the world.”

 “Gift?  What gift?!”  Scarlet yelled.  “What is any of this—How is any of this a gift?!  You’re a monster!  Everything out of your mouth makes me want to vomit!”

“Scarlet,” Rachel whispered, “I need him alive—although my time is running short—just give me a bit longer.”

“I know—I know!  I just—he’s such a devil!  A real devil!”

He closed his eyes, a content smile lifting his cheeks.  “The perspective of the weak-willed and cowards.  Maria will go down in the history books as the savior of humanity—the blueprint that allowed every woman, man, and child to partake in the gift of the Seed.”

“Meaning?”  Rachel asked, gut tightening at the implication.

His clone is researching the divine … He’s trying to figure out where the Seed came from to further enhance it.  There are no limits when it comes to his ambition for humanity.

A long sigh streamed out of Wolfgang’s lips as he shifted his gaze between them, settling on Xazzos—the Demon was still fixated on Scarlet, seemingly entranced by something.  “I am the only real bastion of hope this world has against what is to come, but I do have a growing faith in you, Rachel.”

She didn’t exactly find that encouraging but let the comment slide; Grace was taking sharp puffs of air in front of the mirror, trying to mentally prepare to come back out—the water wasn’t running, so she couldn’t splash any cold water on her face, much to the girl’s annoyance.

Licking his lips, Wolfgang ran his fingers over his scalp.  “I’ll tell you what I’ve done, Rachel—I’ve saved us—I’ve developed a way for the Seed to be transferred through all of humanity!  It won’t be a perfect match, but everyone will be affected, if only in a small way, given their limited compatibility.  I’ve turned humanity into gods!”

He suddenly shook his head while laughing, shoving a fist at the heavens.  “No!  We’ll transcend gods!  Humanity will be the master of our own fate!  We will surpass all limits and become perfect; the Seed brings out the perfection in each of us, and all will receive its blessings—equity of every unique transformation—transcendence of humanity has been achieved!”

Wolfgang spread his arms in a welcoming gesture.  “Name me a villain—I will happily take on the blame of the weak, but as this Seed spreads, the real strength of humanity will take shape, and we will move beyond such uninspired titles as evil and good—the whole of humanity will become perfect!”

Rachel figured he had a few screws loose for having the ability to literally call Hell to Earth in the pursuit of his research.  She couldn’t understand him in that regard but needed to know the goals he had—if what he said was true, though—she could keep her promise to Alexa.

I need to play my cards right and question Maria about this further … I’m running out of time.

She could feel her spirit starting to corrupt—if this continued, she’d become a Devil for a short time before her spiritual essence would incinerate from its unfamiliar strain.

Rachel held up her hand to Scarlet’s confused and angry blustering before she could clear up her words—she wouldn’t hope for The Oscillation to happen to her worst enemy, given her experience and given Nora’s reaction, Rachel knew all too well that this Seed was far from a blessing yet not necessarily a curse—it affected everyone differently, and it wasn’t always pleasant.

This was the last question available to her by the contract; she needed confirmation.  “What are the short-term goals of your two surviving clones?  How are you going to communicate with a deity, and what will you do with the artifacts you create?”

Wolfgang took a few deep breaths to calm himself.  “Oh—hmm … I think you know the answer to the first.”  Rachel wanted to hear it from his mouth—she suspected it since the moment he told Scarlet and Grace about her making a deal with a Hell Lord.  “You … Of course, I’ll need to make many preparations, but I cannot guess what those are based on my current knowledge.”

“The second?”  Rachel pressed.

He groaned, working around his neck.  “Unfortunate that this information needed to be divulged … I’ll be going to the U.K. … To the World Tree that has been named the Eighth Wonder of the world.  I require many things to develop weapons to combat even the divine … I need someone more … stable than Relica to aid me in their crafting, and a few candidates I’ve become aware of sympathize with me in the region.”

“You won’t be doing it right away—you’ll need to lay low, which means bouncing around other countries.”  Not posing a response as a question to gain further insight, Rachel stretched out her arms across her chest.

“Naturally,” Wolfgang smiled.  “How long do you think Josef Mengele evaded the allies?  I do not intend to let my predecessor down by being caught so easily.  I wish you luck in defense of humanity, Rachel … Are we done?”

His toothy grin made Rachel want to roll her eyes; he certainly wasn’t a boring adversary, and she knew his clones would use the bits of information he was able to pass on through their conversation to change up their plans.

Stepping forward as Grace exited the house, Rachel plunged her outstretched fingers into Wolfgang’s skull, causing Scarlet and the Gunslinger to stiffen in shock—no blood escaped as she instinctively dug around the Legend’s unguarded spirit to reach his Core and yank out the immaterial substance.

To her companions, it would look like emotion drained from Wolfgang’s ashening face while falling to the soil, but to Rachel’s Hell enhanced senses and Yseress’ influence, she could see the man’s spirit.

Her energy lashed out to compress the spirit into a tight ball, effectively killing it while turning it into a form of juice for herself to drink—it was somewhat sweet as it passed into her body and the Devil soaked in his essence, completing the contractual conditions for her freedom.

She didn’t wish to sift through the lingering emotions and memories of the Legendkin—yet one thing that did surprise her was the actions of her own Seed—she couldn’t tell from where but it was as if a void opened up within her to gobble up the item, pulling it out of the pulp before Yseress could get her teeth around it.

Do these have a life of their own?

She heard the soft laughter of Izanami tickle her mind—obviously, she wanted her to question it when they met later.

“W-What did you do?”  Scarlet gasped, hands clasped over her mouth.  “I—I could feel his life just—just be,” she gulped, “smashed … Did you really eat it?”

Xazzos seemed to be coming back to his senses, focusing still on Scarlet.  “Possessor of Yseress … heh—he-he-he, I will see you in time for our real battle.  Do not forget the fear of my presence because when I return, my brethren come with me!”

Grace’s mouth went slack as a tear in space ripped open behind Xazzos, sucking the Demon in like a vacuum that didn’t touch reality around them—Rachel could feel its pull, though, and had Xazzos the chance, he could have grabbed her and dragged her with him back to Hell.

Rachel coolly followed his exit—Wolfgang had another safeguard in place—if the summoner that anchored the Demon were to die, he’d be sent back to Hell.  Killing Wolfgang was really the safest path to clearing the way to Asher.

She watched him struggle against the portal’s pull, showing a hellscape beyond of black flames and red lightning sparking across a desolate, horror-filled plane, filled by hordes of colossal entities that could rip her to pieces.  “I’ll remember that, Xazzos—I’d get stronger if I were you.  If we meet again, I’ll utterly annihilate your essence.”

Xazzos’ chest roared with laughter as his feet were pulled out from under him, and the rift swallowed him.

Silence fell as the rip in space sealed, yet it wasn’t for long.

Grace coughed, grasping her chest.  “Did—Okay, I think I need to go retake a break, but … gal, can we just be done with this?”  she cried.  “Just tell me what I need to do—let’s end this and get back to some normal monsters…”

“Yeah, please…”  Scarlet muttered.  “I just—I want to know you’re okay, Rachel!”  Scarlet whispered, jogging over to her.  “Tell me you’re okay.”

Rachel sighed; she couldn’t blame them—if she hadn’t gone through what she had, and Scarlet was the one seemingly possessed by a devil, then she’d be concerned, too—the Labyrinth Trial of the Legend’s Quest was evidence enough of that.  “It’s almost done … Let's end this.”

Without another word, Rachel turned and walked through the field as her pets joined them; the helicopter followed her actions, reporting and recording everything they saw.

Military vehicles were swarming around the floating human demonic symbol, awaiting orders, and most of the fiendish insects or shadowy hounds had been dealt with by the various infantry.

Two companies of hard-looking soldiers started running out of their defensive perimeter to meet up with them; the two captains leading them were issuing orders to be on alert, watching the ground, sky, and the back of their heads.

A captain named Thomson moved forward through the ranks to join them; Grace and Scarlet were happy to see the mass of military support.  “Ms. Park, we have orders to follow your lead—an unseen barrier above is blocking any aerial assistance over the ritual—what’s the plan, Ma’am?”

Rachel took a long breath and let it go.  “Fall back—unfortunately, the ritual is going to partially complete.  There’s going to be a lot of casualties near the center, but at least two-thirds of these people can live at least several years of their lives before their spirit fails them.”

“What?”  Scarlet squeaked, vision lifting to see the massive, twenty-thousand-person ritual.  “We can’t—save them all?”

“Damn … Would it have helped if we were quicker?”  Grace asked, and the nearby soldiers grimaced at the news.  “What do you mean it’s going to be completed … Are we gonna have to deal with the boss?!”

Thomson hissed, puffing out his cheeks at the news.  “Retreat is your order?”  He wasn’t looking for an explanation but a deciding action to take, which Rachel appreciated.

“There’s going to be destruction, and a lot of people will be flung away—the center will be like the eye of a storm as a ring to Hell is created.  It won’t remain open for long, but Hellfire will incinerate many that could have been saved.  Prepare for a mass rescue and lesser demons exiting the gate in the wake of things—use the helicopters—the shield will break.”

The men’s lips tightened, but the captain nodded, pressing his hand to his earpiece.  “Declare an immediate retreat of ground forces and prep for disaster and rescue!  Coppers, ready for hostile engagement from the center ring—we’ve got incoming!”

Swearing and prayers were heard around the field as orders were issued by Tom as he questioned the retreating captain; he gave what little he could gather from her conversation, causing the general to snarl a curse and issue urgent commands to his officers.

Rachel was happy she could focus on what was to come because she wasn’t exactly sure how bad it would be—Abraxas was going to be released in an incomplete ritual, which would severely limit his projection into this world and force him to retreat.

She was sure he wouldn’t be up for a fight, even against them.  She wasn’t convinced she’d be conscious for his arrival, either—her chest was beginning to hurt, which was a bad sign.

Her vision shifted to Scarlet.  “Hey—I’m going to disrupt the ritual, but there’s going to be a backlash that’s probably going to knock me out—the same for the bun gang and Gisele … I might look grim after that, but it will be fine—just keep me safe from any Demons.

“How grim?”  Grace squeaked, shaky fingers closing around her second rifle as it appeared out of red light.  “Big boss?  We gotta face the final demon dude?  C’mon, give us a little more, Rach!”

Scarlet reached out to grab her arm and winced, recoiling as the Hellfire burned her fingers.  “Rache—ouch!  Hey, I just … I want to know you’ll be okay!”  she hissed, waving around her hand and suppressing the reactionary blood that circled Rachel.  “You’ll return to normal?”

“Sorry…”  Rachel sighed, rubbing her arm and studying the ripped-away flesh on Scarlet’s fingers as it slowly regenerated; it took longer than expected.  “All I know is that Abraxas is going to be released—it’s going to be like he’s being flung against the sides of the walls on a really bumpy ride out of Hell, smashing a ton of the Demons he’s bringing with him—he shouldn’t be able to stay active on Earth for long given the energy he’ll gain from the broken ritual.  That’s all I can say.”

Grace’s cheeks puffed out, eyes going wide while adjusting her hat.  “Big boss time,” she breathed, smacking her lips a few times, “okay—okay … time to saddle up—Mama, I’m sorry—I’ll call after this, umm … yeah, so—shoot the little dudes and run from the big baddy?  Am I right?”

Rachel nodded.  “Scarlet…”

“Portal us out—I know!”  she hastily replied.  “Just—you’ll tell me everything when you wake up?”

“Of course,” Rachel grinned.  “I promise, but make sure you stand in that spot—there under that symbol—the same for you,” she directed at Gisele, and she quickly moved to comply, knowing instinctively something terrible was coming.  “Now, are you two ready for the last ride?”

Grace’s lips pulled in as she glared at her, and the two made their way to the spot.  “You know that’s a one-way trip kinda line, Rach!  I ain’t ready ta die today!  Let’s ride to live!”

“Right!  Right!”  Rachel giggled, showing a bit of laughter to ease their moods; her four buns jumped to follow her.  In truth, she was worried Abraxas had other options once actually making it to this world—misfortune was still in her favor, though, if by a thread.

Grace and Scarlet’s brows set as they passed the illuminated infernal circle at the ritual’s center, showing intricate devilcraft symbols of power.

Asher came into view as the canopy of floating bodies opened up before them, face twisted with agitation and concentration.

A forced smile lifted his lips upon seeing her and his voice was somewhat hoarse from the rushed channel of energy he was directing—a child trying to do calculus, in Yseress’ view, given the scope he was seeking to activate.  “Rachel—I can’t wait to get my hands on you after—it’s too late!  Abraxas will arrive!”

Rachel studied the design, following the intricate patterns and directing bridge points that Wolfgang had carefully crafted—a flaw so glaring it made her smile popped out like a sore thumb.  “What’s this, Asher—if this area isn’t sealed and something were to get inside—say, a little Hellfire—what would happen?”  she asked, projecting her energy to instantly vanish and appear below the spot eight feet away.

Asher followed her gaze, unable to do anything while channeling the power, yet nothing could be done to him—any flaws in the shielded ritual, however, were free game.  “No—I checked every inch myself—that wasn’t … Wolfgang … No, stop!  Do you have any idea what that will do!?”

Scarlet and Grace shifted nervously, blood and rifle scanning the area for any threats as the military swiftly retreated.

“I pointed it out, my dear fake little devil,” Rachel sighed, “of course, I know … What will Abraxas do when you botch his welcoming party?  He’s not that forgiving, unfortunately—I have seen it first hand!”  she paused for a moment, gut tightening as her chest spasmed; Hell’s energy was beginning to force its way past the protections the Seed provided at her low resilience threshold.

Asher’s eyes darted to various points along the ritual; after Rachel drew his notice to the flaws that were opening at the slightest flow shift—like phosphorous when exposed to air, the forces being channeled reacted to this universe’s energies to generate a feedback loop, causing a chain-reaction that would distort the summoning circle.

The issue, she needed to be under one of the weak points to inject the acceleration compound, leaving her exposed to the recoil.

Giving Asher a departing wave, she giggled to infuriate him one last time.  “Goodbye, Asher; I doubt we’ll meet again.”

“Why is a Devil undermining me?!”  he screamed.  “This is for Hell!  You should be on my side!”

Rachel’s smile turned into a smirk as the energies began to mix and expand.  “Clearly, you don’t know what the Hell Lords actually want—maybe you’ll learn by going there yourself.”

He screamed as the ground shook and his muscles bulged, seeking to control the impossible to contain gale of spiritual force she’d corrupted—raising her arms, she released her draw upon Yseress’ power at the last second, ears falling back as her strength failed her—she was falling unconscious.

Hell Energy leaving her body, she activated all of her defenses; Nia’s Less Is More, Lunar Shield, and Wenet’s Light to give a light source for her Lunar abilities to initiate, such as Lunar Recovery and Wenet’s Lesser Protection.  Finally, she used Lunar Boost, absorbing all four of her Rabbit Gang buns to boost her Lunar Pool up by 45% to gain the raw physical stats Lunar Surge and Overpowered gave her in the initial impact.

Black flames swallowed her as the world went back, and all she remembered was Asher’s screams of pain and despair—she’d done all she could, and misfortune would follow for her enemies.

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