Devourer

Chapter 200: The Game Moves Forward

“I’m back baby!” I shouted as I emerged from the gate and found myself in an empty, sealed vault with no one around to hear or notice me. Ah, it was good to be back.

“Very funny.” Mahaila said dryly.

“Come on, lighten up. Smell that? No? Exactly, I was getting so sick of sulphur.” I said with a lazy stretch.

Just as I did so, I sensed an alarm ripple through the Hive Mind. Crap, the Syndicate are attacking again. I thought it was just a show, of course Nemesis chooses the moment I’m gone to try this.

“We need to go.” I said and Mahaila gave me a questioning look.

Legiana report

I commanded into the Hive Mind. Her response was swift and efficient, it seems that the Syndicate was trying their best to avoid Cecilia as much as possible because of her Briars. However, the Angels were not so fortunate to have some of my best minions as guards.

I did have assassins tailing the Inquisitors, but I had no intention of tipping my hand to save them. With any luck they might associate the unease of my assassins tailing them to the Syndicate.

“The Syndicate are raising hell, get back and get Azatherine and while I’m gone you’re in charge.” I said as I glanced at Mahaila who nodded before heading back through the World Gate.

Opening the vault was a simple matter of working the control panel. I ordered a nearby brood to secure the vault and the world gate. I saw some other rooms but I don’t exactly have time to investigate.

I emerged from a forest and soon was up into the sky. I did a quick scan of the surroundings. It looks like I’m in a small patch of woodland near Cathay. I channelled power into my wings and shot towards Averlon. I rarely fly at full speed, but this time, I felt I needed to make a bit of an entrance. I can’t have these idiots thinking they can do whatever they want in my house.

The Hive was already fighting, and it looked like the angels were having a hard time. I did a quick scan of the Hive Mind, and I did not like what I saw.

The Hive Soldier scrambled along the wall, his claws digging into the stone of the Church as the battle raged below.

“Protect the Slaves of the Church” the ominous growl of its brood mother emanated through the creature's mind

The brood mother's anger and irritation spurred the creature to move faster. The fine-cut stones beneath its feet tore off as its razor-sharp claws dug into the hard surface.

The creature got a good angle on the attacking Syndicate assassin as it cut down another child of the Hive. The Angel behind the fallen kin rushed forward to push the Assasin back. The Angel was protecting a pair of priestesses. It noted that several bodies of the Priesthood littered the ground, their red blood staining their white robes and pooling on the ruined marble beneath them.

It took aim and fired a barrage of spines from it’s tail. The Syndicate easily dodged back and the creature saw a knife being thrown at it. Then darkness…

I shifted my mind's eyes to another soldier as I banked towards Averlon and tucked my wings in before using a burst of ether to shoot me forward. I became a screaming gold streak as I tore across the open blue skies.

The next soldier was an Adjutant. I caught a glance of the soldier's from before falling from the wall. Its body slammed into the wooden pews below, wood splintering and scattering in all directions. A deep gash cleaved its head open. It’s dog-like body twitched as one hate-filled eye gazed at the Syndicate assassins. Even in death, my soldiers do not forget their duty.

The Adjutant clashed with the Assassin, this one different from before. Quicker, more experienced in his movements. An Angel lies dead at his feet, the Angel’s wings torn and slashed. Gold blood pooled from its open throat.

There was a flash of light and the Assassin was sent flying by none other than a Silver Maiden. Her twin sabres glowed with holy fire as she floated lightly above the ground. Her demeanour carried the confidence of seasoned veteran.

“I fought one of your leader’s lap dogs. Theseus I believe was his name. As you can see, I’m still here.” the Silver Maiden said before shooting towards the Assassin.

There was a flurry of exchanges and then I arrived at Averlon. With one swift movement, I dove down onto the hapless fools fighting in the Church.

This is my house…

I slammed right through the front wall, the stone gave way and I let out a low growl as I saw the entire room freeze.

“What they hell are all of you doing in my house.” I said as I scanned the room. Do these idiots have any idea how much time it is going to fix all of this? Not to mention the dead priests and priestess I see. Its going to take forever to get them replaced.

I swear Nemesis better have a good reason for this.

Irritating little shits. One Syndicate Assassin vanished in a puff of black smoke and I sensed him appear behind me. I snapped my hand back and grabbed him right out of the air. I squeezed and his body popped like a grape.

Yeah, these definately weren’t the best Nemesis could offer. I glanced over at the Silver Maiden and I saw that she had killed two of the Assasins.

What the hell is Nemesis thinking sending these trash troops. My Brairs were designed to rival the best of Heaven and Hell, but I know they were still lacking in many areas. They shouldn’t out match the best the Syndicate has to offer too severely.

Ah whatever, I’ll have a look once I settle the problems in Hell. I threw the lump of flesh that used to be the Assasin onto the floor. His pulped flesh splattered onto the floor like I just threw a bag of soup.

I poured power into the Hive Mind to give the soldiers greater combat effectiveness and spat out an order.

Kill them…

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Nemesis grimaced as she watched the Hive soldiers go from middling standard trash units to skilled veteran soldiers instantly. At a glance she was going to lose those soldiers, but it was fine. Her best was still in reserve and these were just competent, far from the best she had to offer. Plus she didn’t send that many, a skirmish in a church wasn’t going to cost her much when she has been preparing for all out war over the past tens of thousands of years.

What concerned her was the sudden boost in combat ability. The previous Firstborn could not simply make their soldiers more powerful through the Hive Mind. Something had changed and this one was unique.

Was he perhaps already at the Tyrannis stage? No it couldn’t be, his personal power still left much to be desired.

Nemesis clicked her tongue as the last of her soldiers were torn apart by common hive chaff. Something was different, something was wrong. How does a newborn have an ability that the ancient Firstborn did not? A mutation?

Perhaps adaptation to a different world where he is alone.

No she was making that mistake again, she was basing her assumptions on what she knew of the Firstborn. There were few constants with the Firstborn and she was making that age old mistake. She would just have to work on the assumption that this particular Firstborn had abilities far more tuned towards commanding a hive.

Either way, this complicates things the Great Beast must have found another World Gate, which means easy to access to Terra. That means any further operations would risk higher than expected losses.

Just by watching the display it is clear the Great Beasts power has grown dramatically. Her soldiers stand no chance, they are far from her best soldiers but their power is nothing to sneeze at. Her soldiers don’t stand a chance, it was like throwing brittle knives at a cliff face. They do not last long and soon her soldiers had either fled or been slaughtered.

Nemesis grimaced as she pressed a few buttons on the interface inlaid into her desk.

Then a hooded woman appeared on a display.

“Mistress,” the figure said her voice cold and emotionless.

“Persephone, change of plans.” Nemesis said.

“Is this about the east.” Persephone asked and Nemesis nodded.

Nemesis was caught in a difficult postion. The Great Beast was not something she could control but she still wanted Heaven to burn. However, it seems the Empress is smart enough to be playing both sides.

The last thing she wanted was for the Dove faction in heaven to gain ground, she needed the war. Its is only with a war can her goals be complete. Heaven will burn but what she needs is for it to burn in the manner she prefers.

A defanged and powerless Heaven is not enough, she wants them broken, extinct if possible. But what seems to be happening now is there are too many hands in this pot. Nemesis knew to an extent that this would happen. But now to Mahaila and the Crowfather, Serchax, the Demons and who knows what else is vying for the Great Beasts favour.

None of them had the will to do what was owed. Mahaila and Phizaros both would prefer some half assed solution where Heaven is just placid and accept their new place in the world. Serchax wants them defanged and as for the demons as long as they stand above heaven they will be satisfied.

“You must feel happy don’t you?” Nemesis said to the angel hanging behind her on hooks.

“That most of the world doesn’t push your race extinction,” Nemesis said as she took another sip of wine. All she got was a garbled groan as the chains rattled from the angel straining against them.

“Ah yes, I had your tongue removed. I forgot. But do not fear…” Nemesis said with a grin.

With any luck we will have your replacement soon…

Silver Maiden…

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Aruian let out a weary sigh as she walked through the bloody aftermath that was once a peaceful temple. They were still pulling corpses out of the hall and in the corner she could see one priestess tearfully trying to scrub the blood out of the floor.

Her dead kin have already been sent back to Heaven but it still brought little comfort. Aruian in perhaps what naivity remained in her had hoped that at least here perhaps she would be spared having to see her kin dead. But it seems the Syndicate has followed her from the north.

But what did take comfort in was the stain that the priestess was trying to scrub out. It was the stain made by the Great Beast when he threw the pulped remains of the Syndicate scum on the floor like the trash it was.

As for herself, she managed to kill three, which was not that bad of an outcome considering it was just a short skirmish.

She sensed a new presence and she turned to see none other Ariel, Daughter of Uriel and Mihael. Her six wings flapped gently as she touched down next to her.

“Aruian, are you alright?” Ariel said with a hint of deference in her voice.

“Enough Ariel, we are comrades. I am no longer your teacher.” Aruian said with a small smile as she pulled the far younger Ariel into a hug.

“I am well, the Great Beast arrived in a timely fashion.” Aruian said with a slight hint of grudging resentment.

“Yes he tends to do that.” Ariel replied with abit of resignation.

“I see your mother has let you out of the house. Perhaps she has finally ceased her fretting.” Aruian said with a small chuckle.

“Oh no, my father sent me.” Ariel said.

“Your father?” Aruian asked in surprise. It is unusual for Mihael to order the Silver Maidens to do anything. The Silver Maidens were under the purview of his wife Uriel and he rarely gave instructions to the Maidens as a sign of respect.

“My father made a compelling arguement and I agreed.” Ariel replied with a slight hint of nerves in her voice. “And that arguement is?” Aruian asked.

“The Great Beast knows me, we have talked, perhaps built even a sliver of rapport. Plus I had no hand in any major events in the past so it is unlikely anyone would hold a personal grudge towards me. My father felt having me work with you as a liason to the Averlonian Crown would be beneficial and I could handle the communications with the Great Beast when mother is not around.” Ariel explained and Aruian nodded in understanding.

“Sound reasoning. Although I expect Mistress Uriel is far from pleased.” Aruian said.

“Yes, she has always been overprotective ever since…” Ariel said as her voice faltered.

“Ever since your sister was killed.” Aruian added, solemnly.

“Yes.” Ariel replied softly.

Aruian scowled at the memory, the Syndicate had managed to capture Ariel’s eldest sister, Jenuviel. The Syndicate tortured and butchered her.

The only thing her mother ever got back of her was her wings that looked like they had been ripped off by meat hooks. Marking her beloved daughter as someone who had suffered under the attention of Nemesis herself. Aruian knew she did not die peacefully, she was missing for years and Aruian had no doubt Nemesis took her time with Jenuviel.

“Well it is good you are here.” Aruian said with a smile as she placed a hand on Ariel’s shoulder.

“It is good to be here. It is quite difficult to bear being cooped up in the palace.” Ariel admitted with a weak chuckle.

“Yes, Silver Maidens do not like sitting idly by while others fight our battles for us.” Aruian replied with an understanding nod.

“Now then we should meet Mother Justina, she has many issues to discuss with us.” Aruian said as she began leading Ariel through the ruined temple.

“It will take time for the Church to recover, I expect recuitment will suffer. After this and the other attacks, most will think being an adherent to the Church of Order, marks you for death.” Aruian said.

“That thought might not be wrong.” Ariel muttered, and Aruian could only reply with a conceding sigh.

“Do you bring new orders?” Aruian asked and Ariel nodded.

“The Inquisitors are to return, we are to help the Church of Order rebuild to its former glory.” Ariel said.

“Your father told you to do this?” Aruian asked in surprise.

Mihael was never the subtle sort. The more subtle manipulations were usually the realm of the other Archangels. Especially Silvana, that enigmatic Archangel always seemed like she had plans within plans.

“Yes surprisingly, although I did see Silvana and Father speaking on a few occasions.” Ariel said with a furrowed brow.

“Ah that old crone is at it again.” Aruian replied with a scowl.

“Master! That’s no way to speak of an Archangel.” Ariel exclamined in shock.

“Oh calm yourself, I’m not your mentor anymore. Anyway, she knows most of the veterans do not think highly of her. If she cared, she has never given us any indication.” Aruian replied with a scoff.

So typical of Silvana to try and play the game in the manner of the ancients. Aruian disliked her tactics but she couldn’t deny that it was an effective plan.

Pit the Empire against the Syndicate, make the Angels sympathetic and also use the Syndicate as an example as to why the Sacred Order is neccesary. Fear will keep the humans in line, fear of the other, and the Serpahim just need to play their usual role of the saviour.

A simple plan that uses the old tactics of the Ancients, trick the sheep and use them as fodder. A cruel strategy that treats life cheaply. Many will die from this strategy but it will buy heaven room to maneuvour. With this the Church will stabilise in the Empire, even if the common people here will bleed for it. Sending common souls against the Syndicate is like throwing sticks at a dragon.

You just end up with alot of burned sticks…

There are some lines that you do not cross. But Silvana? Oh she has no lines, she has lived for so long no one really knows how old she is.

The Ancients, do not have lines…