NationStates Jolt Archive

The Makai aka the Demon World aka Hell. The worst possible place once could ever hope to imagine. Dark, choking clouds cover the sky in eternal blackness, lit only by the blinding flash of lightning. Forests are full of creatures and even plants that await to feast on the flesh of the unwary. And to top it all, it was hot. As hot as Death Valley, perhaps more near the volcanoes that routinely spit lava in the distance.

This particular sector of the Makai was the domain of one of the most powerful demon lords ever. He commands legions of his minions to battle. He controls powers beyond that of mortal man. In his true form, he towers above forests and even his tails easily reach the tops of skyscrapers. Golden-red fur runs down his body from his long ears to the powerful tsunami-causing tails. His eyes glow with bloody evil and his teeth and claws are like knives. Foot-long knives.

Make no mistake, he is the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the Ninetailed Demon Fox, one of the Greater Demon Lords of Hell.

http://narutopride.com/images/kyuubi.jpg

And this is his story. The story of his escape from the confines of Hell with his armies and into the world of humanity. The story that came to pass before he arrived at a certain village only to be defeated by one of the most powerful humans of all and sealed into a tiny child. The story...of the Legendary Demon Fox.

It begins...now.

"My Lord." A demon minion bowed before his master. "We have caught a few trespassing humans. They were driven insane by our presence, but some have fled to a strange portal."

"A portal?" Kyuubi asked in amused reply, now in a form that could be categorized as adolescent despite him being millenia old. Short, spiky red hair covers his head, topped by gold-red fox ears and below his golden cat-eyes are a pair of whiskers on each cheek. His clothes: A black T-shirt with a red kevlar-like vest over it, and clad on the lower body are black cargo pants and sneakers. Finally, a black cloak adorns the garments. Who knew there was a Walmart in the Makai? Although it does make sense...

Anyway, the minions have spotted a portal, known as a Hellgate into the human world, and are already preparing to attack. A portal that not even Kami have yet noticed, but sure will soon. But not soon enough...

Kyuubi contemplated this new development. Ku ku ku. Perhaps I can expand my territory with this portal. Plus, my legions are restless. "Very well. Prepare an advance guard. Have them set up a beachhead into the human world while I prepare the main army. The humans will not expect such a force...weak mortals."

"Aye, my lord." The minion fled from the presence of his lord.

The boyish demon lord rubbed his hands in glee. "Finally, I can escape this damned hot place. Nice to rule over, with legions and slaves, but it gets boring after five thousand years! I need a fresh start, new slaves, and fresh meat. Ku ku ku ku..."

Meanwhile, the advance guard were preparing to enter the portal. They consisted of demons of all shapes and sizes, from small toad-like demons (think of Jaken from Inuyasha) to towering trolls and Goshinki demons. Some had powerful spells under their belts, while others preferred swords and arrows, while still more chose to stick with their own superior strength, speed and natural weaponry (teeth, claws, tails etc). They were confident that the humans, if they didn't foul their pants or flee from the mere sight of them, would die easily to their powers and strength. After all, they didn't change much technologically since the last time the demons invaded. Why should they have changed now? Little did they know that they were in for a real fight this time around...

"Go on, ya fuckin' maggots! Get into that portal!" Sergeants roared over the din of demons. "The Lord will have your head ya slowpokes!"

With a roar of bloodlust, the demons charged forth into the portal, and into the human world, ready to rape, pillage, and kill...and kill...and kill...

Colonel Drake Mitchel gazed through his binoculars at a strange protal that had opened just around thrity minutes ago, perhaps an hour. There were reports that civilians had gone through it, some didn't come back. Those that did come back were either crazy or said something about an invasion of Hell. Drake wasn't someone that was bothered by hearing something related to Hell. Afterall, he'd been through it many times. But, somehow, this was different. He felt it within him.

Colonel Mitchel was perhaps one of the few exposed Komodren in the Motherland, those that didn't hide their reptilian selves within a human deception of a suit or something more fancy. At times, he thought he was the only one. But being Seven foot tall, and basically just being what he was, he made the perfect Soldier. His strength, his cunning, his leadership, everything about him. However, even all this put together was no match for the confusing sight before him.

"Lieutenant, what is that?" Drake continued to gaze through his binoc's.

"I have no idea sir," responded Lieutenant Kane, an Elite of the Motherland Marine's, "but its starting to glow brightly."

Drake nodded, and gazed behind him. He was ordered to lead a Company of Twenty-two men to this area, a precaution. With this detachment was four M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. It may have been just a portal, but no one wanted to take chances. Drake was a Colonel in the Motherland Marines, and the Motherland Marines never took chances. Hell, they even had some aircraft support and artillery on stand-by. Why? He didn't know, but Drake was sure as hell glad this was well watched over.

"Have one Bradley make way for aiming, but keep them at a fair distance. Hide them even."

Lieutenant Kane nodded, grabbing his radio. Behind the two, one could easily hear the movement of the Bradley, its turret pointing in the direction of the gate as it went behind a small hill. A precaution. The other Bradley's followed suit, finidng well-protected spots. For all they knew, this could very well be an invasion.

"Give me all around aim, I want every Marine's gun pointed at whatever comes out of that thing."

Another nod, Lieutenant Kane grabbing his AR-22 Heavy Assault Rifle from his back to make ready. He raised one hand, signaling for the Marines to spread out.

Kane's voiced suddenly raised, "Alright, boy's! Spread out, and find positions! Vazooka Boy's, stay frosty. Sniper's, get somewhere far and safe. Let's move out!"

The demons roared through the portal and into the human world. There were those that took to the air like crows to scout the region, those that slinked into the shadows of the night. There were those that were seemingly invulnerable in their magic forcefields and then there were those who relied on physical prowess.

The swift, shadowy ones struck first to sow confusion in the enemy they sensed. Swords flashed and knifes were thrown into vital spots. They spotted the unusual weapons these humans had and slinked back to hell with them for research purposes.

Next came the magic bearers, sending forth fireballs and lightning bolts at any humans they saw. Flanking them were the tough ones, preparing to slay the men with their swords, axes, maces and other weapons.

The invasion has begun...

Drake had ordered open fire to his Marines, the Bradley's were firing behind and from other places, their cannons loud anger echoing through the plains to whatever they could lock on. A few Marines had been slashed....some so severly that two halfs had been dropped from the same being. Medics seemed to be everywhere.....

The Komodren among the Platoon held their own, they were swiftly dodging the magic. A few had been subdued by the dark shadows, but the Komodren didn't number the many in Delta Company, the Humans did. And the Humans were barve indeed. They fired their weapons as they strived to catch cover. Many were in Squad's, most actually. A few that had broken ranks continued fighting behind the cover of the Bradley's, which were awesome indeed in their potential to kill organic targets.

But Colonel Drake Mitchel worried not for his Marines, they were taking good care of themselves. He fired his CAR-22 Combat Assault Rifle, which had an optional gernade launcher attachment. Something fell a few yards away, but nothing he could make out. His eyes gazed over, and saw Lieutenant Kane knealing beside him, firing his AR-22 wherever he could find a target.

Drake had known Kane for many years, even in the Special Ops days. Command had seen fit to place them back together again, and this time it was a lucky break. They needed all the expertise they could get.

"Give'em Hell Marines!" Drake yelled at the top of his deep, reptilian voice. His gun blazing at all before him.

Overwhelmed. The word described the demons well, as they sorely underestimated the humans. The weapons were nothing like they've ever seen before. Even the magic forcefields were useless against the grenades and other explosives, going down in just a few explosive shots. In short, the demons who survived beat a hasty retreat. It was their first defeat at the hands of Mortals without the aid of the Kami's forces. And it sorely displeased their master.

Kyuubi was not amused as he heard the reports and slayed the messenger in his anger. "How could this have happened?! I cannot believe the humans have managed to pull themselves out of the shitholes they call villages! Shit Shit Shit!"

"My lord." His high general, a seven tailed wolf bowed. "We have underestimated the technologies of our enemies. However, my minions have procured a number of their weapons and are now in the process of researching how they work. Preliminary reports suggest that they use chemical explosives to fire high-speed projectiles, faster than our arrows, to pierce even the toughest demon armor."

Kyuubi glanced at his general. "Can your minions reverse-engineer the weapons?"

"It will take some time, but it can be done." The general nodded.

"In the meantime, have the sorcerors devise defensive countermeasures to the weapons. I won't have a second defeat." Kyuubi glowered at his general.

"Aye, sir." The general gulped.

OOC: Gah! Kyuubi no Kitsune.....I had an impression that you were going to do that. :eek:


IC:The seraph Kamuel, commander of the forces of the region in heaven named of soragakure, watched as the demons entered the realms of humanity. He looked through one of the windows in a gothic style catheral. It was time for the forces of heaven to once again show that they would go where ever and fight at whatever cost to stop the spread of darkness. With that, Kamuel called his assistant the virtue Oliviel. He handed her a scroll and told her to bring it to Lord Metatron. The holy forces of heaven will soon be ready to defend the mortal plane.

Some time later...

After several failures, the demons have managed to produce a new weapon that looks oddly like an AK-47 along with the accompanying bullets. They called the weapons Fleshborer and began training in its use. One out of every ten demons were issued Fleshborers as mass-production could not create the weapons any faster. A second wave of demons, much larger than the first, were now prepared for the human weaponry. Stronger magic shielding were issued to the gifted, capable of taking more grenade explosives than the last time. Hell, the sorcerors were even ordered to produce spells that would double as grenades.

The demons may have been caught off-guard by the superior weaponry of the humans, but they were catching up quickly...very quickly.

All that remains for the legions of demons is for their Lord to give them the word to attack...

Having observed how the humans used these interesting new weapons, the smiths of heaven were set to work on building similar devices after one of the Watchers bought a few and brought it back.

----Several days later---
The smiths had figured out how these devices worked and created "divine" versions of these weapons. Such examples would be the Holy Panzerfaust of Antioch. This deadly weapon would allow large shots of holy energy to be launched without incantations, even though it was weaker than a fully incanted spell. These were to be issued to lower ranking angels as they were less experienced with incantations. Another example would be the creation of the HS bullets. These metal slugs were forged of heavenly steel and infused with holy spells of banishment and destruction.

Upon testing these weapons on the angelic host's armor, the high command discovered how easily they penetrated them despite the enchantments. And so the smiths once again labored on designing stronger armor.

The Marines cheered as the strange creatures fell back into the gate, even the tank crews emerged from their cessels to join in the celebration. Guns were swinging in the air, and everyone came together to pat the other on the back. All this time the injured and dead were also, mourned. A call to command had requested something to take the Marines whom died to a proper place. However, Colonel Drake knew there was something amiss.

He had witness many of the creatures take back weapons, and many more give glares of anger. This usually ment only one thing: They'll be back. With a steady hand, to not interrupt the cheering and mourning going on with his Company, he called Lieutenant Kane over.

Kane had joined in the Victory cheer, however as soon as he saw the Colonel's face, he knew something was wrong. "Yes sir?"

"Tell the artillery to stand by, and get some air support, pronto."

Kane nodded, and got on the radio, calling for resupply and the maintaining of positions from the artillery far off. Afterwards, he went to the Marines, and slowly they got the imperssion that this wasn't over. While they cheered for their first victory, the Anagonian Marines quickly went back to new positions.

"This time..." Kyuubi began by way of a pep talk. "I will not allow any of you fools to retreat! You are legion! Though many of you shall fall, your brethren will take up your fight! The humans have finally become a worthy foe to face with their technology! Show them what it means to be a demon! Show them the folly of messing with the forces of Hell! Feast on their flesh, drink their blood! Go, and give them HELL!"

With a resounding roar, the demons flew, stampeded, slithered, bounded, raced and generally ran through the hellgate like a river of evil. This time, no matter what the humans threw at them, they were ready to overrun the country of Anagonia in a sea of blood.

They exploded out of the hellgate, firing their Fleshborers, poisoned arrows and magic. The numbers that roared out of the hellgate was simply endless. Air demons were so numerous they covered the sky in a cloud of blackness. From small demon bees to giant streamlined fellbeasts, there was nothing that could stop them from achieving their goals. Nothing!

And so, the demons simply charged forth, aiming for the first town or city on the map...

It was endless, a stream of red, fire, and darkness. The Marines were wuickly overrun, but they fought. Many, even as they were being torn apart, contoniued to aim, blood gushing as they were burtally killed. It was the blood of Warriors that fell on the ground on this day, blood so pure that it could easily have a taste to it. All the marines were valiant, all of them.

Colonel Drake Michael was firing his machine gun as literally he watched his Comrades die beside him, before him, and behind him. The Bradley's had been quickly obliterated, and those men that survived were fighting back. It was literally a slaughter, no Komodren or human could seem to survive longer than five minutes.

Drake roared as he tore apart one of these....demons. He ripped its head off and threw its dead body aside. His arm impaled another, and he aimed his weapon at a flying beast and fired. Soon, however, he himself was directly torn. Every second it seemed something scratched him, or tore a long cut in him. But he still fought.

However, he was not to last. As he killed another demon-creature something impaled him, and tore a huge gash in him. Komodren blood gushed forth from his exposed insides, and streams of blood flowed out his mouth. His eyes were open widely, and he gazed at his killer. But to no availe. His last words spoken perhaps could not be heard with hearing, but of soul.

I die for my brethren.....may they live longer than I

With that powerful thought, he dropped, dead. A pool of blood beneath his body.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lieutenant Kane had grabbed the last remaining men from the battle, those that still lived, and made them retreat. He spoke on his radio, informing Command of an invasion of what literally was Hell, and told them that they needed all the weapons to stop this swarm of darkness. Command acknowledged, they had seen the huge swarm of flying beasts, and had a satellite proving what it was. But that didn't concern Kane right now, these last remaining marines did.

They had found a tunnel a good run away, some kind of underground complex that wasn't on the map. They were running for their lives in the dark tunnel, only the flash-lights before them guided their way.

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The swarm of Demons had turned directly for the town of Nova, just a few miles from the Hellgate. However, the Military had ample time to set up defenses there, and they used the time wisely. It would hopfully take the swarm at least close to an hour to get there, and thats all the time they needed. With reports of an invasion at hand, some demonic beasts that tore a man a part easily, more difficult with the Komodren, they weren't taking any chances.

Major General Usilia Hues had requested Helicopter back up, a helluva lot of it. A protable radar had pciked up the massive swarm a few miles away, and Anti-Air platforms were set up. Tanks and Anti-Air Tanks were stationed in strategic locations. Company's of Marines and Soldiers set up defensive positions. This was the real thing, and Usilia wasn't about to let another Imperialistic bastard take her homeland.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

All across the Motherland the Armed Forces of Anagonia, the Military muscle, was being flexed heavily. Aiircraft of all kinds were being readied and launched. Missile platforms were being made ready. Battalions of Troops were being stationed in key cities and locations. Tanks and ground vehicles were being moved to assist. Even B-1B Bombers were being loaded with Startegic Nuclear Warheads.

Anagonia had been ready for another Invasion for decades. They knew it would happen. However, this time it wasn't from Imperialist Scum, it was from Hell. Yet, no matter what, this would be the battle to decide the fate of the Nation. No matter the cost, Anagonia had to prevail, or risk loosing its bravest, its People, to teh all-consuming Darkness.

The demon swarm was swift of foot and wing, overrunning anything in its path. For every one that died, three took its place. They neared the town of Nova, preparing to feast on the inhabitants even as explosive weapons rained down upon them.

Aerial beasts performed air support by firing fireballs at any human air machine they saw, as well as recon, especially done by the swarms of demon insects. Building-sized demons spitting acid and fire provided some measure of anti-tank support, despite the fact that they're tall enough to be easy targets.

And soon arrived the harvesters. Highly resistant to physical attack due to their nature, they were giant floating amoebas of darkness that produced a violent wind wherever they spotted clusters of humans, sucking people up like dust. If they tired of the winds or needed to probe some building, they streamed out tentacles that looked like thick fire hoses, sensing out humans hiding in houses or apartments or office buildings and dragged them into the maws of darkness. The young ones are their favorite 'meals' for young blood is tastier in their opinion than older blood. Thus is the primary way humans are enslaved if they somehow managed to survive the other demons...

An elite squad of cherubim watched in sorrow as the town of Nova was being ripped apart. With a sigh of regret, they began chanting a powerful spell of destruction. Several minutes later, the sky unleased torrents of holy wrath in the form of holy flames.

----Meanwhile in Heaven----
The seraph Kamuel read the reports of what was going down on earth. Perperations were almost complete, look out a window, he decided it was almost time to meet with the leaders of Anagonia. He wondered if they'd believe he was from heaven....

Demons roared in excruciating pain as the holy fire rained down upon them. In reply, sorcerors lashed out with dark red spurts of unholy fire from below and messengers were sent back to the Kyuubi to report.

But they continued on, slaughtering or enslaving everything in their path. Nothing will stop their destruction, not even some bright-winged fools from the sky.

So, the Kami squads have been alerted...best prepare for them... Kyuubi thought as he read and listened to the reports. He began by ordering his best generals to prepare for deployment, but not yet. He would wait until the elite angels arrive.

Meanwhile, a harvester oozed it's pulsating mass through a devastated neighborhood, sniffing for human prey to consume. Soon, it sensed a couple of weak lifesigns and the demon greedily struck at the house, ripping it apart with its tentacles. However, a pair of children (one 12, the other 8) were actually in the shed out back. Glaring red eyes peeked out from the massive demon cloud, searching for any sign of life. A small sound, like that of whimpering cry, but suddenly cut off told him that the children were in the shed.

"Shh!" Tom hissed as he clasped his hand over his younger brother, Jerry. The parents were already slain by the other demons. He can't hear us if we don't make a sound...

Too late, for the shed's roof gave way to the strong whips of the harvester demon. "Hahaha! Children! I shall feed well!"

"Run!" The boy screamed, grabbing his brother and sped out of the shed towards...somewhere.

"Hahahaha! Running is futile! I'll show you why!" The harvester chuckled and his mass began to swirl around itself. Dust and debris flowed into the hole, forcing the kids to put up their arms to their faces. They continued running, but it was getting harder due to the gale.

The wind intensified, tugging at their clothes, pulling them towards the demon's maw. The two latched themselves onto a lamppost, but it was all they could do to keep themselves from getting sucked in. Jerry lost his grip first and fell into the maw. "HELP!"

Tom screamed his brother's name as the demon consumed him, then he too felt his fingers weakening...slipping...

(I apologize, I'm severly pissed right now. I can't post worth a Frakkin bit. Sorry, I'll do it later)

The high cherub Erialel's eyes narrowed as he heard the cry of the children, he wanted to help them but couldn't. All he could do was hope that Lord Kamuel would arrive with his strike team. Pouring forth his divine fury, Erialel changed the torrent of flame he had summoned into large slabs of ice to rain down justice upon these demons.

--------Several meters away-----------
Kamuel turned towards the cry of the children. "Continue and meet up with Erialel," said Kamuel, "I'll catch up." With that he vanished and reappeared behind the demonic beast attacking the children. With a flap of his six wings, he sent a flurry of feathers infused with holy energy at the demon. Drawing his legendary lance, Seraph's Requiem, he charged the demon meanwhile muttering a spell under his breath.

Pa......................thump

Pa.................thump

Pa........thump

Pa.....thump, Pa....thump, Pa...thump

Drake felt an extreme warmth in his chest, something so comforting, so soothing, this his very soul welcomed it's touch. He knew instantly that something was grasping at his very life, something helping his heart beat. It was as if the Divine Himself came down. It was such an overpowering feeling...

An overpowering feeling to wake....

A slow breath in, the freshest air he ever breathed. After a moment of enjoying this heavenly air, he exhaled. His eyes slowly opened, and he saw the most amazing sight. Although blurry, he viewed what looked like an angelic being. So bright....so wonderful. He could make out a hand going into his chest, and two deep-blue eyes gazing at him from this light.

He tried to reach up, to touch this being.....but soon he realized he had no arms, and almost went into shock....until he heard the voice.

Calm yourself, Drake Michael

It was....undescribable. There were no words for it. His body, his mind, his soul obeyed. He calmed, and another hand reached to rub across his reptilian head. Then, he went to the most calming sleep....his eyes heavy...closing...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Being of light was known as Drakomis, it stood, its hand gently exiting the Warrior beneath it. Slowly, it gazed around the battlefield that was near this "Hell-gate". All of the Warrior's that had fought, that had died, their bodies were pieced back together. Some of them would never wake, sad but they deserved their Paradise after their long service. Some, however, would come back, perhaps with a new gift. The field was clean, no blood anywhere. The hill that shielded these brave Soldiers was filled with fresh grass, the air seemingly made a new.

Drakomis had gone out of his way for this one, but it was no matter. He hadn't used his "gift" for many years now, it was the least he could do to repay his Brethren. His body was that of an Ascended, his soul rather. This had occured many decades earlier, before his One-hundreth birthday. He had fallen in battle to an Imperial Emperor, someone whom came back for revenge. But that was centuries past, he was Three-hundred and one now, perhaps older in spirit.

However, there was a task at hand, his brethren were dieing from a Great Evil unlike any he ever encountered. The cries had brought him back to the Motherland, and he wasn't about to leave now....

With a slow gaze towards the Hell-gate, and something came over its entrance. It wouldn't last long, just long enough for these Warriors to pick themselves up, and the bodies of their Brethren passing, and go on.

--------------------

OOC:

Welp, I've intended to bring back Drakomis Acension status for a long time. Let's see what hell does in response. XD

Upon the entrance of the Angel, the windstorm ceased as the harvester roared in pain at the holy feathers slicing through him like a razor, leaving a panting Tom still fearfully clutching the lamppost as if it would start up again. Then the child watched an amazing sight.

Tentacles whipped at the angel, but he dodged each one of them with ease, then the lance stabbed into the harvester, forcing him to release the younger brother and then the demon exploded in a flash of energy. The boys embraced and then looked up in awe at the Angel who saved them...

As for the other demons, they were completely disgusted and not a bit fearful at this...man who came along and began doing things which should not be possible! The Kyuubi must learn of this! As soon as the wall covering the hellgate came down, of course. The demon hordes spread themselves out, heading towards the larger cities and towns that dotted the landscape. The first wave has completed.

The second wave will soon begin...

Kamuel looked at the children with sorrowful eyes and said, "Children be not afraid, I am the seraph Kamuel. I can only assume that your parents have been slain. If you wish, I will take you to the nearest city or should you choose to, you may with us back to the heavens. The choice is yours."

---------Meanwhile--------------
Erialel gave a sigh of relief when Kamuel's elite guard arrived. The Powers in the group formed into offensive squads with a squad of Virtues following them. Their orders were relatively simple, if they found any mortal survivors, the Virtues would heal and care for them. The Powers were to deal with any remaining demons in the area. He and his cadre of elite Cherubim were to do the same. He gazed at the landscape again with a heavy heart. Why did this happen? Why did these innocents have to suffer. With that he and his group turned to their task.

"Uh...I guess you can take us to the safest city you can find..." Tom said, consoling his younger brother, who just stared in fear.

----

Meanwhile, the demons are regrouping, awaiting orders from their boss on what to do next.

Nodding, he called out, "Raniel, Ephalim. Would you two bring these two brothers to the nearest city? Make sure to keep your identity hidden." Facing the boys he said, "Please don't tell anyone how you were saved, we wish to keep ourselves hidden for now."

-------------few minutes later---------------
Two Powers walked in wearing normal clothes. They gestured for the boys to follow them and started down the road.

The boys nodded, they would keep it a secret. They began walking with the Powers, to the disgust of some demons, unable to even touch them.

---------Meanwhile in heaven-------------

Kamuel had returned to heaven and was now reading the reports of hell's invasion. "Hmm....Kyuubi no Kitsune...This doesn't bode well at all," he said. Pushing an intercom button, he said, "Please get me Lord Joachiel. We'll be needing his help for this mission.

-----------Back on earth----------------------

Erialel had met back with the rest of the angels here. They had recovered several surviors and were currently treating them. Once healed, they would be brought back to the mortals with their memory erased of the angels' aid. Gazing at the heavens, he silently wished that this madness would prove to bring a long lasting peace. With that, he and his cadre of cherubim vanished in a flash of light. They were to scout out the area and find any cities that had been attacked. If possible, they were to intervene where ever they could.

Drake Michael had gathered those whom somehow lived again. He remembered the battle, he remembered seeing them fall. However, somehow, that entity he saw had something to do with this. It seemed to be a great blessing, but this blessing was not to be wasted. He had a feeling as he gazed at the Hellgate that time was running out, and quickly he looked to his men.

"I don't know how we are back," he gazed at the ones whom were dead, but in a peaceful state, "nor do I know why some of our brethren lay complete yet passed," he looked back to them all, "yet I do know this, we must go now."

It was a hastey speech, but the men nodded to each other, gathered their dead on their shoulders, and followed. Somehow, Drake knew where to go, following a previously trekked path to somewhere hidden from the ground above for ages.

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Drakomis had long departed from the Battlefield near the hell-gate, currently standing on a tall building in the city of Independence. He was tired from what had occured back there, tired from calling those who were allowed back. Even as he was Ascended, it didn't mean he was a god. Far from it. He still could be killed, but that in itself was a difficult subject to go into.

He stood there, sighing. His form was of the Komodren, of his old self. Never aging in the two-hundred years or so since his death, and rebirth. Still looking at his prime for the first hundred or so years of his life. The breeze from this height passed over his reptilian scales with merciful comfort, cool and relaxing. His mind had wondered for a bit, but he slowly closed his eyes.

It was time to meditate, to reach out and know what these beings were. He sat, and cleared his mind. After a few minutes, his soul reached out to his Motherland.

He saw many cities and towns burning, many screams of agony, many cries of mercy, so much pain. His expression darkened, his brethren, human and komodren a-like were in pain. He wanted to weap, to cry.......but he tredged on.

Concentrating further, his mind showed flash images of these demonic creatures.......then......he knew.

....Hell....

No longer was the darkened expression his face, it would become quickly shock. The Great Evil was the Great Evil. There was no doubt about it now, something horrible had allowed these creatures to enter these lands. It seemed impossible, that this realm had passed into his. For the first time in ages, the truth was seemed more impossible than ever.

Drakomis took in a long sigh, then started to open his eyes. Something stopped him, his mind retained its meditational state. He felt....something else. Something of pure light, of good. He would try to reach out to it, but he felt suddenly that this Great Good had sensed him. With a sudden feeling of suprise, of something comforting his soul rather than he to others, he awakened from his state.

A long breath in, then a long sigh. This was turning into a very confusing situation.

Joachiel's eyes narrowed. He had just received a request from Lord Kameul, captain of the expeditionary forces sent to the mortal plane. He had requested that Joachiel please assist him as they were dealing with.....Kyuubi no Kitsune. But that was impossible, the portals to earth wear sealed up. He had witnessed the sealing personally. What could have possibly released the seal......it couldn't be......could the mortals have opened up a new rift.....this does not bode well at all...... He paused for a second as he felt as if someone was in meditation and reaching out to him with their mind......closing his eyes, he focused his energies and traced and found the origin. Focusing his thoughts, he probed the beings mind......"Hmm....he's worried about something....Ah...I see," Joachiel mused. After having seen what he saw through the beings eyes, he decided he would assist after all. With that, Joachiel, High Seraph, leader of the 1st army, rose from his seat and went to alert his soldiers.

----------elsewhere in heaven-------------------
Kamuel breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been notified of Joachiel's decision. Receiving a message from the Powers, he sent them a mental command,"Stay where you are, Lord Joachiel is going to take command of this operation soon. And also he has deployed a small squad of his elite seraphim guard to assist you. Good luck and remember, protect those that you are able to.


-----------back on earth---------------------------
Raniel and Ephalim walked to a hotel room where they rented a room. They had received their orders and were going to wait and see.

Raniel was walking around and accidently bumped into a little kid, apologizing, he quickly left. What he didn't see though was that he left a pure white feather on the ground.

Demons were everywhere now that the hell-gate opened up once again. The sky around the country was turning dark as clouds bellowed from the Hellgate, swirling above it in a giant mesocyclone that had meteorologists baffled. Lightning flashed, burning fire fell, winds howled. It truly was...the beginning of the Apocalypse.

A demon noticed a lizard-like man atop of a building looking over the lands sadly. Thinking that he was the leader (true), the foul creature spread its tattered wings and lifted himself into the air. He pulled out a sword already red with the blood of the innocent and flew at the lizard-man with unholy speed, ready to take him down.

As for the Kyuubi...he prepared to go forth with the remaining members of his armies to war. His top generals were gathered to do battle against the angels of the Reikai (Heaven) and he himself readied for war, carrying the legendary sword Kusanagi on his belt. The blade was stolen ages ago by a younger him, and he has had it ever since. Now...he would use the sword to kill the ones who once used it, for it is known to be the Long Sword of the Heavens. The irony is sweet.

Drakomis was deep in thought, looking down at what was his Motherland....his homeland. He was born here, he started his life here. He lead his people for ages it seemed, but never once had he witnessed so much evil concentrated in one place. It wasn't many evils, at many different spots. No, this was something different, something unholy. It was highly disturbing, and intensly saddening.

Yet, all was not lost. This could very well be the Apocalypse, but even the apocalypse could be stopped. He knew this from past experience, very well in fact. However, it was not to go to his head, he was not of that sort. There was a big problem here, and somehow he had to do something.

A sudden wave of darkness sruged past him. He gazed towards the direction of the Hell-Gate, and noticed a swarm of creatures unlike any he had seen before.

It has begun.

Drakomis knew he was in for a long battle, one that could very well kill him. But, this was his people, his brethren dieing, in pain. He could stand there and do nothing no longer. If these beasts would want to slay for the lust of blood, then he would give them their blood.

His heart, his soul, was burning with the desire to fight. His reptilian skin seemed to melt away, a bright light underneath shining through as it seemed to eat the skin, to destroy its presence. Not a moment later did the Entity of Light stand there, a sky-blue sword-like object in what seemed to one of its hands.

Deep blue eyes gazed at the swarm, then suddenly lowered to look upon a demon charging close. A leap forward, and towards the beast, and the sword-like object was raised, then swiftly slashed downward sideways as the demonic beast was close enough.

------------------------------------------------------------

Drake Michael had stumbled upon an underground passageway some thirty minutes back. Since then, he and the men from the battle, both dead and alive, were either carried or followed along. It was dark, some parts of the long passage lit by what seemed to be emergency lights. However, this was nothing special to Drake, he knew of a few undergound facilities that were abondanded long ago. He believed this to be one of them.

Twenty minutes later, after a long rest, they reached what seemed to be a blast door. A huge one at that. A light shined on the door, and the wall it was bolted to. Drake checked around the sides for a bit, then suddenly felt part of the wall move.

A keypad came out, and he looked puzzled. He wasn't experienced in this technical area. He turned around.

"Anyone a hacker?"

Simple question, a few raised their hands, but he chose one of them to come forward. It was a human, Drake believed him to be Sergeant Valisk. But ranks didn't matter now, just names.

"Can you get this, Valisk?"

"Sure can, Drake-o.....gimmie a sec."

It took only about five minutes of tampering before Valisk made results. The blast door suddenly heaved, and years of dust fell from it as it slid into the side of the wall. A few moments later, they slowly walked inside, not knowing what to suspect.

The demon was cleaved in half, not expecting such a lizard-man to be so fast and so...angelic. Sickening was his last thoughts before his pieces fell to the ground in wet thumps.

Meanwhile, it was time. The Kyuubi with his personal army sped forth through the gate with the Greater Demon in the midst. He hid his true strength now until it was time to fight the leaders of men and Angels. After all, it wouldn't do well to have all the hosts of Reikai gunning for him from the start.

He gave a single shout, and the last, and most powerful horde of demons rushed out into the human world, ready to take on anything the humans or angels could muster...

The entity known as Drakomis stood on the ground below, the parts of the defeated demon fell behind him. His blade showed no sign of the conflict, or the sudden slash. His spirit was that of Justice, of freedom. These hordes had no right here, nor did they have rights to the souls of these innocents. If he had to, Drakomis would take them on himself. He might loose, in the end, but that wouldn't matter. He was for his brethren.

His body of energy turned dark blue for a moment. Independence, the thought triggered the change. Yes, this was indeed an invasion. Imperialism of the highest Evil had come once again, just as was seen before. This time, it was of the Ultimate Evil, direct from the source. Hopfully, he wouldn't die this time. Hopfully, he would win in the final battle against the leader.....and not be consumed by its darkness...

His body turning to a normal whitish hue, his blue eyes gazed once more towards the Hell-Gate. It was time, his people were helpless, and he had a duty to defend them. It was why he was brought back, it was why he still existed. His task before was to lead and to bring on a propserous age to these lands. Now, it was time to defend, time to once again bring Freedom back into his homeland.

Knowing the demons were close, he walked, along a long road towards the direction of the Hell-Gate. He wanted these beings to know he was here, he wanted them to come to him, to leave his people out of this. If they wanted anything, they would need to kill him first.

One long clear note filled the air. In a split second, the angels and their arch angel captains charged into combat. Meanwhile, Virtues escorted by Powers moved as strike forces to whereever combat was the thickest. The Dominations stood around several of the Cherubim commanders of the assault. These higher ranking angels watched as the conflict unfolded while chanting spells of healing and also spells of destruction. While this was happening, a small detachment of Joachiel's serpahim guard made their way to Drakomis. Fighting their way through the demon hordes, they managed to reach him. One of them stepped forward and said, "Greetings Drakomis, we can't explain right now but please, we must leave here immediatly."

The small deployment of angels fought valiantly but they were slowly loosing ground. The demons new weapons were impressive indeed. So the archangels decided that now was an excellent time to use them. Blowing a note with one of the horns, angels here and there pulled out long tube like objects and pointed them at the demons. With another signal, they pulled the trigger and let loose a flurry of holy energy blasts. One of the seraphim guard watched as they went off. "Whoa.....that's something alright," he said, "Hope I never get hit by one of those."

Drakomis was fighting the demons alongside the angels, not suprised one bit by the complexity of the situation. When he observed them release the fury of a gun-like object, he was amazed. Something was seriously wrong here, this war was different than any other.

His sword of light extended, he walked forward, waving a hand for the angels to follow. One by one, he slashed. He couldn't hold on much longer...

The seraphim consulted with each other for a mintue. "What should we do?" said one. "I don't know Aniel, what should we do lady Arael?", asked another. Arael replied, "Lord Joachiel told us to remain and protect this one. So we'll follow him then. Understood?" "Yes mam," relied the rest of the seraphim. Blowing a note on her horn, the angels started to making their way toward Drakomis. Arael watched with satisfaction as everything was going according to plan. Before following the rest of them, she took out a small translucent orb with a small pin on top. Pulling the pin, she threw it into a group of rather annoying hellspawn. A second later, the orb erupted into a fiery burst of holy flame.

Of course, the demons were not slack in throwing comparable unholy weapons at their holy foes. The angels came under fire from the demonic bullets the Fleshborers spat, the Unholy Mortars of the Damned and their own deadly magicks.

But one of them was different from the others. One of them unsheathed a blade of blue holy energy, now corrupted with reddish black demonic energy. He launched himself into the air, catching an angel unawares and decapitated him with a single swipe of the blade, coming back down to destroy hundreds of soldiers in a single swipe of the Kusanagi's energy blasts. The rest were torn apart by his generals and minions. The Kyuubi has joined the battle! The Demon Lord was totally different from a teenager now except in stature. His eyes was reddened. His nails lengthened into claws and his teeth into canines. The whiskers on his face became more prominent. Demon energy boiled around him like a flame, forming a chakra-image of his ultimate form. Nine chakra-tails were laden behind him like a flowing cloak. He barely contained his full fury within himself as he went about killing the foolish humans.

For he is the Kyuubi, and none shall stop him from ruling these lands!

The cries of the injured and of the dying both demons and angels rose from the battlefield. As Kyuubi was about to slash down another angel, the sound of ringing steel filled the air as another blade met his. The blade glistened as if made of the purest light. (Think of it in the shape of the Thunder Seal sword form Guilty Gear.) This blade was forged in the very heart of the heavens themselves. This was the sacred blade Heaven's Testament belonging to the high seraph Joachiel, guardian of the seventh gate. Joachiel's pale silver eyes glowed gently as he blocked the sword stroke, his pale white blue cloak rippled as if it were made of air.

All around him came shouts of relief and surprise as Joachiel had just arrived with personal elite guard of high seraphim. He gave Arael a look and she understood. Quickly, the remainder of the units deployed here rallied around Drakomis with a swift chant, they all quickly vanished. Watching Kyuubi, he said,"So Kyuubi no Kitsune, you have chosen to invade this realm. You know full well that it will be neither Demons or Angels who will rule this world but rather the mortals. This is their world given to them by the grace of the Lord and no matter what you or I believe, it has been and will be til the End. But I'm afraid now I must cut our meeting short. Until we meet again." With that, he chanted, his voice flowing like a gentle river, "Sanctus lux lucis , defaeco terra malum." Giving Kyuubi a small smile, he vanished in a spiral of wind and feathers. At first nothing seemed to happen, perhaps the spell was a dud, but within a few seconds, silver feathers began drifting from the sky and covered the ground. Another few seconds later and the feathers glowed a little before engulfing the area with an explosion of holy energy. Joachiel knew that it would take much more than that to mortally wound Kyuubi, but he hoped that it would at least put a small snag in his war plans.

The Kyuubi was blackened and holes were torn in his clothes. He was slightly bleeding as well. But as old and war-trained as he was, this was nothing. He got back up, wiping the blood from his mouth.

"*Cough* *Cough* Hahaha! Isn't that nice. A feather shower and pretty lights!" He chuckled after coughing up some smoke. "Oh, make no mistake, the holy energy hurt me, but it'll take more than that to take me down! Try this on for size! Kinjutsu: Devil's Fury!"

A sound of cackling could be heard, then giant devil heads with sharp teeth lashed out at everyone in the area, gnashing their teeth. Once they bit down upon an enemy, they exploded, burning the enemy badly.

Joachiel gazed at the destruction, quickly, several teams of Virtues grabbed the injured and the dead before teleporting to a safer location. Only Joachiel and several of his guard remained in the area. The air around him still crackled with the holy energies used to absorb the unholy blast. While still looking at Kyuubi, he said to his guards, "You better leave now, I'll be joining you soon." Nodding they hesitated slighty before teleporting themselves. Joachiel looked at the ruined landscape, he said, "Kyuubi, really now, I don't think this is the proper time for our fight. Perhaps another time though." Waving goodbye, Joachiel teleported away as well.

Having only being an Ascended, Drakomis did not sense the others presence for quite some time. Even when the two blasts of white light came down, he still battled demons and higher demons alike. His blade was swift, his soul tiring from the constant torment of battle. For long had he not drawn his power from within himself. He trained for many decades, meditated even, but never fully released that which was his Warrior spirit.

Finally, after slashing a part a demon as it cut his side, his head turned, his blue spectral eyes gazing at the Greatest Evil. A great sword came and slashed near him, but he blocked with all his might. Somehow, it missed its mark. The Spectral entity grew brighter, then with the movement of a thousand waves of light he stopped suddenly before the Great Evil (Think the "Cronicles of Riddick").

His head tilted, blue eyes gazing at the beast. A spectral voice emerged after a moment of observance.

"Who are you, what are you?"

A small camp was made once they reached a safer location. Losses were most heavy among those of the lower ranks, but fortunately, the Virtues were mostly uninjured or had received only minor injuries. Making their way around the camp, they healed whom they could and marked out those who were to be brought back to heaven immediatly. Joachiel was in his tent reading some reports when suddenly, Arael dashed in and shouted,"Sir! He's not here!" "What?!" exclaimed Joachiel. Rushing out of his tent, he gestured for two of the seraphim and a team of Virtues to follow him. They soon vanished with a swirl of wind. Hopefully, thought Joachiel, Drakomis would be alright.

A mighty hand befalls this thread, and with a booming voice coming from the heavens above, declares

BUMPAGE

"Who am I?" Kyuubi chuckled. "Why, I am merely the Kyuubi no Kitsune. In your language, that's the Ninetailed Demon Fox."

Reappearing near the battlefield, Joachiel and his unit moved quickly hoping to find Drakomis before it was too late.

------ back with those two Powers------
Having waited for several days and not received any orders thus far, they soon became worried. They sensed darkness creeping ever closer. This did not bode well at all. If an attack came, they could easily hold their own, but those around them.....only heaven knows. They watched the clouds gather hoping that the innocent might still be spared.

"Who am I?" Kyuubi chuckled. "Why, I am merely the Kyuubi no Kitsune. In your language, that's the Ninetailed Demon Fox."

"Kyuubi no Kitsune, the Ninetailed Demon Fox....never heard of you."

Drakomis' entity form seemed to move slowly into a stance of some kind, the sword being brought to a position of defense. Blue eyes of energy gazed at Kyuubi, knowing far too well that he was powerful.

"If you brought this plight to these lands, be gone. I have no use for such entities of darkness."

"I intend to stick around for a while. Fresh lands, slaves, that sort of thing." Kyuubi said nonchalantly. "Eject me at your own peril..."

Drakomis swung his blade foward, then twirled it. His eyes blazed as did his entity, and he slowly charged forward towards the beast. He had no intention of allowing his people to die in such horror and pain. He would do everything in his power to make sure these lands were safe again, no matter the cost.

"My life is nothing compared to my Brethren," he yelled with a heavy spectral voice, "no one shall take their lives for the cause of evil!"

With a sudden jump, he would twist as he raised his blade for an attack....

"So you wish to die first? Be my guest!" Kyuubi snarled. His sword came up to block Drakomis' own blade, sending a shower of sparks when they clashed. His next course of action is to go for a series of feints then strikes to slowly bleed the life out of him...

The entity snarled, a growl as he jumped back from the blades clashing. He slowly moved back, then thrusted his body forward. His blade went sideways, rade for an slash attack to the beasts waist. With eyes still blazing, he moved forward and cast his blade down on the beast.

Kusanagi intercepted the other blade swiftly and Kyuubi counterattacked with a swift figure-8 that sometimes leaves his opponents open to attack.

Drakomis had blocked the firss strike, but as he rose his sword sideways to block the second, it got through. Intsantly he felt a sting to his side as he attempted to roll sideways out of the way. He hit the ground hard, having uis motion disturbed, and forced himself to roll quickly to his feet a few feet away. His blue eyes of energy gazed at the open gash in his entity form, he could be harmed. But it looked like it was sealing itself.

However, the damage had been done, there was a trail of some kind of golden blood from where he was struck to where he was now. He could bleed. This was indeed his downside. He was in no way immortal, and that strike proved it.

His blue eyes looked back at his enemy, and he spoke in his spectral voice.

"Golden blood, who would have thought?"

He went into a desfensive stance, and put his right foot forward, his left back for support as he twisted his sword sideways, both hands grasping it.

"Your turn," he said in a deep spectral voice.

With a roar, Kyuubi struck at his foe once more, lashing out with powerful sweeps of his sword to cleave the enemy in half.

A silver line came across the entities face, a grin. He swiftly moved his sword to block the slashes. For some reason, everytime these two swords struck, the ground shook beneath them. It was so much power, so much force being placed into each blow. Drakomis was eventually shoved back, nearly missing the last strike. He stood quickly, looking at the imprint in the ground where the ground exposed his feet being forced back into it.

He gazed at the demon again, and seeing an opening quickly thrusted himself forward and positioned his sword for an impaling attack.

Joachiel's eyes gazed at the battle below he completed the final steps for his spell. The clouds in the sky began to swirl. They darkened, as loud rumblings could be heard. Occasionally, there would a bright flash in a cloud, but soon faded away. Completing his spell, he gestured toward Kyuubi. Numerous streaks of lighting fell from the sky intently racing toward the Great Demon.