They looked at the fortress. It was huge alright, something akin to the lair of an Elder Demon. It will be an interesting fight. The 5 Reapers unhooked from the dragon as they fell from the sky. There was a large barrier blanketing it, and a town inside of it.

"Land on their heads!" They crashed through the barrier, crashing straight onto the cannons they mounted. Noticing the guards wearing great coats and holding rifles similar to the Suicide Division.

"Don't hesitate. We don't know them. Just cut them down!" Ace roared as their Assault Breaker activated, the enemies were in disarray. Struggling to form their lines, the glowing azure streaks of the Azterian Glare was causing the Drusken Soldiers to hesitate. Some fell to panic because of it. The alarms were going off. The Crimson Reapers went to work, slashing the enemies away with their blade. Wreaking havoc first, as the Reapers fired their rifles into the enemy forces. The automatic rifle was leaving holes in the Drusken bodies as they let out a war cry.

"For the lord!" They threw grenades at the enemy entrances. Where the grenades unleashed smoke that blurred their vision.

"Use magic!" They used magic to clear the smoke, only to watch the 5 Reapers vanish from their sight.

"Where did they go!?" Multiple pins were being pulled, the sound of grenades crashing to their sides was heard. A chain of explosions was heard as another cloud of smoke appeared. Gunpowder and blood was in the air, following it up with limbs of the Drusken soldiers who watched their limbs fly to the air. The Reaper's Radiance was enough to cause hesitation to their enemies. Slashing through the soldiers that began firing their guns. Watching as the shots hit their uniforms but no rip or tear. No penetration, and it was clear.

They didn't suffer any damage, there were small barriers being formed. Hexagon patterns of barriers that covered their bodies, the Reapers were deemed to be untouchable at this state. Despite the gunfire haunting them, the 5 Crimson Reapers stood with a calm smile. Shouldering their weapons as their helmets opened up the jaws for them to put the cigarette to their lips. There was no one left on the fortress to greet them. On the other side of it, was a city that was present. A short smoke break was all that they needed as they leaped down to the town. The gears of their blades began to hum as they stood behind the Fortress.

"Cut the fortress down. Then we find the Forerunner." Their blades glowed crimson as they readied their attack. Feeling the strength of their fallen brethren in their hands. A unified swing from the 5 Crimson Reapers and the fortress was split in half. Another swing to cut it down as it came down crumbling. The Drusken Empire's soldiers fired their guns again, where the Crimson Reapers greeted them in kind. Firing their rifles at them, a quick swap of the heavy magazine for another. Pulling the side charging handle as they continued to fire their guns. Leaving large holes in the bodies of the soldiers.

"Stand down! This is my prey!" The 5 Crimson Reapers turned to the man with 7 swords on him. Drawing two as the other 5 blades began to float by his side. That has to be Gavern, a bit thin for a supposedly blood hungry person.

"Die!" Gavern dashed into them, vanishing from sight. Even his blades vanished. Ace let out a sigh as he stopped the blade. Feeling a bit of strength from it. The other blades were coming at another direction, where Ace stopped it.

"So you're part of the Outsiders..."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"So what of it? I am going to make sure that you pay!" Gavern shouted as his sword pierced through Ace's shoulder. Their eyes locked onto each other, but what Gavern found it odd was Ace not screaming. Ace kicked Gavern back, sending the Forerunner flying into the town hall. Causing it to crumble.

"Ace?"

"I'll handle him. Focus on liberating the area." Ace said as Gavern reappeared in front of him swinging his blade at Ace's neck. Ace merely raised two fingers to counter it. Where the blades shattered upon contact. They were made with Mithril alloy but the attack itself lacked strength.

"Damn you! I'll be sure to kill you over and over again!" Gavern shouted, where his face became wrinkled with fury. His skin tearing as Ace could see horns forming over his head. Showing Gavern's true form as a demon lord. He was as tall as a skyscraper with large swords that were floating all around him.

"So will you squirm in fear!?" Ace grabbed his rifle. Where he felt a rumble from it, seeing it glow white while his helmet glowed crimson. Ace turned to see his Crimson Reaver comrades behind him. Seeing the four Crimson Reapers joinging him staring at the newly formed Gavern.

"You got this Ace."Ace took a deep breath as his four Reapers had the same effect over their weapons.

"Let's go." They leaped into the air, as Gavern's swords began to go after the 5 Crimson Reapers. Chasing them down in the sky, where they used magic to help them float during the fight. The 5 Reapers flew all around Gavern, firing their rifles at him. The shots hit Gavern but he did not seem to be affected by it at all.

"You fly like mosquitoes... I will swat you!" Gavern swung his arms, missing them quickly. Only to be struck in the eye by Ace. Gavern screamed, slapping his face to crush Ace. Where Ace leaped back, where the others went in to pierce through Gavern's hand to his face. The pain from the blades coursed through Gavern's veins. Like a poison finding its way to Gavern's senses.

"What did you do to me!?" Gavern watched as his veins burst from his skin. Seeing Ace float as he lit a cigarette, where Ace took a deep breath.

"Demon Lord Gavern... I just gave you a poison you gave to my older brother when you destroyed my town. I finally remember you, but sad to say. I'm not going to let you die so easily." Ace said as he grabbed his rifle, where it glowed crimson and white. The colours blended together to a stained red as Ace's blue eyes turned white for a moment. Gavern couldn't breathe, his swords could not respond. Nothing he did was working, he was going to choke.

Ace cut off Gavern's entire body, where the human sized demon's inner shell was left. Where Ace kicked the body down to the ground, seeing Gavern grovel by his feet. The 5 Reapers held their white and red rose, placing it on Gavern's body as Gavern screamed. Where vines full of thorns began to cover him, wrapping around him. Crushing Gavern to death as the 5 Reapers took off their helmets. Stabbing their rifles down and sat on the floor. Looking at the dawn that greeted them.

Silence filled the air, as the people of the town realized what had happened. They were liberated, as the Drusken Empire's soldiers took off. Helicopters and cars to leave the town alone. The 5 Reapers didn't bother to pursue them, only keeping their thoughts to themselves.What mattered now?

To think Gavern was the same Demon Lord that destroyed his town in Azteris? Perhaps it was fate. Fate for him to be here, Ace had a lot to think about and he was thankful to the Lord of Thorns. Perhaps the others would feel the same. No, of course they would. This kill? It was one they dedicated to the Lord of Thorns, seeing roses bloom from the corpse of Gavern.

"We killed an Outsider. That has to be worth something, right boss?"

"Yeah. Don't ever let ourselves lose again." Ace said as they got up, grabbing their rifles where the dragons appeared throughout the horizon. King Maximilian with his flight. Landing where the people came to greet their king, while Iacus walked on over to them.

"How was it?"

"We killed an Outsider."

"Good. So they can be beaten by us. There's another 9 more and their technology is reminiscent of your world but lacks the energy canisters." Iacus spoke to them.

"Things will be difficult from here on out. Are you all ready for that?"

"Doesn't matter if things get worse. We'll do our job. Fortress is gone though." Ace said.

"We still have more work. Apparently there's a new enemy... I'll have to tell Viking to be careful." Iacus said.