Demon's Reign

Life inside the confines of the city of Lower Babel isn't easy by any means—not for those living ordinary lives, nor for those combating the daily demonic threats. Yet most of the residents are aware of one thing: no matter how tough their lives within the city might be, it is still far better than getting chomped on by demons out in the wilderness.

There are six Knights organization bases inside the city of Lower Babel: Compound 11, Compound 15, Compound 28, Compound 36, Compound 72, and the elusive Compound Omega.

Compound 15 is one of the main compounds of the Knights organization, housing the most advanced research facility and a state-of-the-art containment center within its confines. This compound boasts the highest agent survival rate, along with a 67-percent illegal contractor capture rate and a 99-percent demon extermination rate. These numbers are the highest of all the compounds. The reason for these high capture and extermination rates is simple: the group known as Squad X, the most decorated team in the entire organization. While Timothy Matsuhide is the official squad leader, everyone with even a speck of insight knows he is not the one in charge.

Each year, a multitude of recruits join the Knights with the dream of eventually becoming members of the infamous squad. However, only the most competent are invited, personally picked out by X himself.

Calvin was a tall, well-built redheaded male with a thick, bushy beard and a slightly receding hairline, which he attempted to cover at all times with a baseball cap. He was a loud, well-spoken Irishman who rarely took anything other than capturing contractors seriously. In battle, he relied on his trusty machine gun, which he always maintained himself. In close-quarters combat, he would fall back on a techno-greatsword, usually carrying it around in a suitcase on his back. He was most often seen wearing military cargo pants, combat boots, and a tank top everywhere he went, only dressing up properly when he was around his kids. Because of his attitude and overall rough appearance, X nicknamed him Brick.

Maddie was the enforcer of the group, specializing in close-quarters combat. He fought primarily with his dual Scorpion-class energy blades. In times of need, he also used experimental Knight force-field plate armor designed for him by Rebeca. He had a rather calm and timid personality when talking to anyone outside his squad. Because of this, Calvin, George, and Jebua all considered him to be an insincere sociopath. Behind his calm persona lay a battle-hardened demon hunter obsessed with combat. Because of his blond hair and handsome face, X gave him the nickname Pretty-boy.

George was a man with a frightening outward appearance. Despite this, he had great depth—a gentle soul with a soft, caring interior. He was a straight-edge kind of guy in most cases, yet unbelievably intelligent, often seen reading books in his free time. He was extremely tall, the tallest of the entire squad, and had a buzz cut along with a short beard. His face was badly scarred, marked by large burns, cuts, and bruises, and his eyes had been replaced by a cybernetic visor, giving him an even more intimidating look. He specialized in explosives and used dual pistols as his sidearms. X nicknamed him Vizor.

Jebua, also known as Jeb, was the last combatant of Squad X. He handled espionage and reconnaissance. His primary weapon was a silenced sniper rifle, which he would sometimes combine with an energy spear when things had to get personal. He was a black male of average build, bald, with a scar running from his ear along his cheek. His personality was rather twisted and cruel, the result of many years of trauma. Because of this, Jebua was almost always drunk. He also had a nasty smoking habit, easily going through over ten packs a day. Hence, X named him Chimney.

There was one last member of Team X who did not directly take part in missions, yet remained integral to the team's success. Her name was Matilda, and at first glance, she was a gentle woman. Her dress style was sharp and professional, her demeanor calm and composed. With blond hair, long legs, a large bust, and a slim figure, she was an attractive woman often fawned over by other squads, receiving multiple invitations to join them every day. On the inside, however, she was a calculative deviant with a criminal background. Years ago, X raided her organization, involuntarily recruiting her and forcing her to work for the Knights. Matilda handled intelligence gathering and administrative duties for Squad X, serving as a buffer between the team and Matsuhide. X nicknamed her Lips.

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On normal days, members of the squad spent their time cooped up in their office, which was set up more like a lounge than anything else. It was a leisurely area with a couch, a TV, gaming consoles, a pool table, and even a bowling alley. The interior also differed from the rest of the facility. Instead of the usual plain white walls, paintings created before the cataclysm covered the surfaces. A variety of antique sculptures, pedestals, and vases were placed around to make the room more bearable, giving it a warm and cozy—if slightly grand—atmosphere.

Most of the decorations were procured by X during his many expeditions outside the city. All the artwork in the headquarters was priceless, but there was one piece that held a particular sentimental value for X. It was a large painting located inside X's office, hung on the wall opposite his desk. It was a reproduction of the painting Napoleon Crossing the Alps. The words "The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemy's" were inscribed on it in blood. For reasons unknown to anyone, X felt a strong connection to this painting. He would often spend long, idle hours in his office with his legs perched on his desk, staring at the painting and admiring it to the fullest extent.

The members of the squad were going about their usual idle business when Timothy notified them about an upcoming raid operation. Maddie and Calvin were playing pool, with Jeb making bets on who would win. George was reading a book, X was sitting in his office, and Matilda was browsing forums.

"The information extracted from the bartender of the Gun-barrel indicated the location of the Phoenix gang's base of operations," Matsuhide said over the intercom.

"Well, fellas, you heard that. No more games, you have a job to do," Matilda said, closing her laptop and looking at the guys arguing in front of her.

"That's tomorrow, though!" Jebua shouted, patting his back pocket in search of a cigarette.

"Don't you have to prepare, though?" Matilda wondered.

"No, the boss told us about the lead beforehand. If anything, we've been waiting for Matsuhide for a couple of days now," Brick explained, scratching his head.

"He should have let us interrogate the bastard. He would've talked much earlier," Maddie remarked, resting his cue on the pool table.

"Who's up for a drink?" Jeb asked, lighting his cigarette.

"Me!" X exclaimed, poking his head through the doorway of his office.

"You can't even get drunk!" Matilda retorted with a slight frown.

"It still tastes good, though," X smiled back cheerfully.

"Yuck!" she exclaimed demonstratively.

"Well, I'll go if the boss is going," Calvin said, heading off to pick up his jacket.

"Me too," Maddie added.

X slowly came out of his office and leaned on Matilda's desk. "Are you coming with us?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes as he stood over her.

"No thanks. I have better things to do than hang out with a bunch of sweaty old men. No offense, Maddie," she said, applying lipstick.

"None taken." Maddie scratched his head.

"Well, suit yourself, Lips. Let's go, guys," X said, turning his gaze toward George.

"I'll pass, boss," George replied, not looking up from his book.

"Sure thing." X placed his hand on George's shoulder. "Have a good night!" he added, heading for the exit.

"You too, guys," George said, briefly lifting his eyes.

Calvin, Maddie, Jebua, and X walked out of their headquarters and continued down the hall.

"So what's the plan, boss?" Calvin asked.

"We throw a goddamn super party!" X replied, brimming with excitement.