Despite knowing the stakes for a long time, it never really felt that the state of the world was at risk. Not that I didn’t understand and accept those were the odds fate had pushed across the table - it was just difficult to grasp at the weight of something that was both so monumentally large, yet also intangible. It had always been easier to look at the closer conflict. Fight the fights before me and win those. Would I ever truly understand the fear my destiny should be drenched in? Probably, but I’d ignore it until then.

Fighting had become constant.

I slid down the chitinous scales of the giant centipede-like demon that had buried up through the city streets to stop us. I emptied the cylinder into it before pushing away, my wings taking me into the air as five bursts of power shredded at their armor.

Covered in sweat. Tired. I dropped from the sky just before a hail of bullets came from the nearby rooftop. Before the group of demons could ready a second volley, the whole building shook and started to tip.

Down in the street, Wight had a clawed hand extended, using his Entropy powers to ruin the supports of the structure. I dropped down beside him, empty bullet casings bouncing on the ground as I spun up a reload.

Pearl had become a dervish. Easily switching between gun and sword, she had been dealing with the bulk on the lower floors to assist my pact demon - occasionally picking off a high-value target at range.

In some ways, it felt like the entirety of Hell had been sent to thwart us - only a handful of blocks traveled since we had arrived and no sign of the assault stopping.

//More coming from the right at the next junction.

//Can’t tell numbers, but I’ll let you know if anything powerful comes along

“Roger that.” I turned and shot a Lantern Cannon through a pair of demons. “How are things there?”

//Awkward still, but safe. There’s been no…

//Hold.

Wight and I turned the next corner and both shot ten beams of energy at the gathered throng waiting for us to appear. Behind us, Pearl slashed through the air, her sword a bright radiant beam that bisected the wounded monster. I had taken a few hits and shots, but a lot had healed over already. A mix of my Lantern healing and our soul-bonded demonic regeneration able to fix up minor damage.

//Just received a message through Passage… from Partridge.

“Oh?” My brow furrowed as a demon lashed out at me with a sword. I struck him in the arm with the handle of my revolver before the dagger in my left found a place in the side of his neck.

//He says… that’s… wow…that’s a lot of swear words.

“Abridge it.” I ducked as Wight sent an Entropy Mortar over my head, striking a building and raining bricks and debris down on a gathered group.

//He is proud of us, and is sorry for everything.

“Soft sack of shit.” I grinned. “Can you reply?”

//No… or well, not anymore. He says to fuck them all to shit, and save Earth, Eric.

A massive explosion vibrated through the area, causing all present to pause. A thrum of something static filtered in my ears, causing me to wince.

[Eric, look.]

I turned to where Wight was pointing to see a large column of white light blooming up from somewhere in the city and almost reaching the pinnacle of the Mids.

“A signal flare?” I asked, gripping at my revolver tighter.

“More than that.” Pearl stepped up beside us. “The cloaking has been disabled. Our target is now both revealed and assailable.”

I shook my head. It was hard to say that he deserved better, when he probably didn’t. He had given one last middle finger to the Org that he couldn’t escape from. At least in some way, he was now free from their prison.

“Getting a little humid here,” she continued. “How about we cool off?”

A flash of pink and swirl of black mist and we were now in a different house.

“This was the original place we would have gone, had I known it was right in the fucking middle of the city.” She rolled her eyes.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I stepped over to the window and looked out. Still a mile or so off, but there was now a large shape hovering in mid-air over the city. A massive hexagon of pitch-black material. Would we have found it, eventually? It was hard to say. Partridge’s assumed sacrifice had cut short the time we’d need, which could make all the difference.

“You know what this means, though?” I moved back away from the window to stand with the other two in the subjectively quaint bedroom.

“Two things.” Pearl nodded. “They’re going to flip the switch early if possible. Then every Higher demon will be after us.”

[As well as the remaining Hunters.]

I nodded. Precisely my thoughts. The double-edged sword of knowing where the Org was also meant that the cat was out of the bag. Could no longer hide behind the facade of being whatever they thought they were. Train was headed downhill. Break-neck speed threatened to remove my head.

We’d need a plan, and we’d need to…

My thoughts drifted away as a pressure filled the room, before the outside wall blew away. A figure zoomed into the now empty space, flickering in a static standing position. My jaw clenched at seeing who it was.

Director Amber Valoth.

“What a pest you are, Eric Redd.” While still wearing her human Mask, her eyes were now aflame with orange energy. “Picking now of all times to have your doomed rebellion.”

“And yet you’re so eager to dive in front of my bullets.” I smiled, my revolver spinning in my hand before clicking in place.

“You are truly deluded if you think you can even…” her eyes went across the room, clocking Wight, and then Pearl. “Wait. You’re the ‘Pearl’.” The confidence sunk away from her face, some disdain edging at the expression of astonishment. “And you’re soul-bound.”

My demon-wife ran her tongue across her ever sharpening teeth. There was a palpable energy that had started to pulse from her, a vibration that I could feel through my internal organs.

“Best go tell the others how fucked you all are,” she said with a wild grin.

Amber worked her jaw, weighing up the options - before blurring and vanishing off into the background.

“Huh,” I said, lowering my gun. “I suppose they really didn’t know who you were.”

She stepped over and ran a hand down the side of my face. “I told another little fib, Eric.”

Small evils - a necessity, considering that she was still a demon. I gestured for her to come out with the truth. I already knew she was a Grand Executioner that hunted demons, so the surprise in the Director’s face was somewhat expected.

“You earned our bond through your actions and piety to Frank. Remember how I said I was the favorite daughter?”

“I do, even though you’ve never mentioned siblings.”

“Well, there were a few more conditions that tied in with my permanent banishment.” Her mouth moved close to my ear, as if the city didn’t deserve to hear the rest. “I am officially reinstated as a Grand Executioner.”

“That doesn’t sound like much punishment.”

She smiled and moved away. “On the contrary, most in the order would go mad being relegated to hunting miserable wretches in the Mids. These few Higher fucks might be the last bit of fun for me.”

[Even if they stick around to fulfill their ritual, would they not just return to the Highers once killed?]

Pearl clucked her tongue and shook her head. “It’s not often I can invoke this power, but I have enough grace to mark the handful we need to fight. After all… what good would an Executioner be if I couldn’t truly kill demons?”

Stepping back, she drew her sword and held it out horizontally. Cracks formed along the dark metal before it split and fell to the objectively ugly carpet of the bedroom. Instead of a traditional blade, a bright beam of pure radiant energy replaced the sword.

“Ironic isn’t it? That a demon would use the powers of the divine to erase their fellows.”

[That can destroy a demon without need of their true name?]

In fairness, I was a human and had used the powers of demons, the divine, and maybe two eldritch gods. Wight was a demon… maybe, that used… who knew, actually? Entropy was something outside of what I expected, but didn’t really point to anything specific. I’m sure I’d know in time.

Pearl nodded. “Moreso that, in fighting with it, the sword draws out the name. I’ll only be able to use it on the Highers as it has a limit.”

“So that an Executioner can’t turn betrayer and go on a warpath?” I pushed my hat up with the barrel of my gun and exhaled. Long fucking day.

“Sounds like a demon thing to do, right?” She smiled and gestured towards the open wall that was giving us a modest view of the city. “We should get moving. Still with us, Rods?”

//Loud and clear.

//Lots of background chatter about Org HQ.

//Some recognize the artefact - from what blurry shape I can see.

I was glad that Pearl had retained her vocation. It seemed to be something that she enjoyed and now she’d fit into the detective agency Wight and I would run once all this mess had blown over. You know, assuming all of us had functioning bodies and were able to exist in this plane of reality. No mortal realm for me, and no Highers for her.

//Also there was a pain in my head when the Director appeared.

//So that might be a signal a Highers is nearby.

“Thanks, Rods. Keep us updated.” I gave the nod to the others, and we made the jump from the empty space onto the roof of the building slightly lower next to ours.

“Jealous of your wings.” Pearl pouted as we jogged.

I was pretty sick of running, but I couldn’t leave her behind. Best we stuck together - especially with the potential of powerful demons dropping in on us. “I’ll get yours back, I promise.”

“I know you will. Then we will soar like birds, together.”

[I also resemble a bird.]

She smiled. “You’re invited too, then.”

There was a likelihood our souls would be soaring through the air soon enough, powering the ritual if we were unlucky. It was a good idea to have teleported away from the fighting, as those kills might be helping the resurrection of the old god as well.

We leaped onto the next building before sliding to a stop. We could sense it even before Rodney’s voice came through.

//Two Hunters approaching, either side.

I smiled, demonic revolver spinning in my right hand as I forced the radiant one into reality for my left. Pearl flourished her sword and stood with her back near mine, Wight with his shotgun up, completing the triangle.

“You think I’ll get to see your Domain, Pearl?”

“I hope nobody has to see my Domain,” she replied, an odd calm to her voice. “But at least you’re strong enough now.”

I took that as a yes.