Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 5: The Girl In Del Haviz.

The town of Del Haviz, the marketing capital of Morrokai, where merchants of all sorts gathered and vend their goods to the hungry and spending people; these merchants sell items from weapons such as swords, axes, shields and even firearms, foods of all sort, and slaves. Although the location is in the middle of a desert, the marketplace is still filled with people, not minding the scorching heat of the sun. The industry here in Del Haviz is one of the richest and most popular across Netherplains, making it one of the most sought place for everything and anything under that Netherian Sun.

"And what are we doing here exactly?" Niv asked Doer while they were trying to find their way out of the crowd "I need to meet up with my men, we need back up." the Assassin replied.

Key dropped them off in Del Haviz and instructed them to be prepared within 72 hours, for they need to face Gates as soon as possible. As they walked, the trio was noticed by one of Doer's men, which immediately approached them and guided them to a tavern. Tired and exhausted, Niv immediately grabbed a glass of water, not minding how he dunked it through his mouth. One of the assassins served the team a hefty meal, while the rest were eating, Doer started to talk, "who among you guys decided to go with us? Was I able to send you the entire message?"

Kaito, a Tengu, responded with a husky voice, "Yes, my lord, we all did. But most of the elite Assassins are engaged in other missions too, leaving only me, Shahvi and Hoffelton to be able to join you. " Shahvi, a Hulgrezan, and Hoffelton, a Cyclop, the three are known to be formidable members of the Roalhdiz clan, loyal and trustworthy; Doer always count on them when it comes to crises like these.

"So, you guys do know who we're up against?" Mitsu looked at the Assassins with his carmine eyes, examining how the newly found allies look, and basically grading them and analyzing if they can even last a day.

"Yes, we are aware." Shahvi spoke "And we also have collected some information about the foe. He works with a large group, but we spotted four members that are wearing unique uniforms. As for what their skills are, we have no clue yet. They seem to move very discreetly, but it's like they wanted us to notice them."

As the discussion goes on, Niv noticed a girl, she was looking at them from the outside of the tavern, she looks pale, with light-brown eyes that glowed under her hood, Niv tried to give the rest a signal that someone was listening but no one was paying attention, he got so ticked off and decided to simply stand up and walk out the room.

"Hey, where are you going?" Mitsu asked, aggravated by the prince's action "you guys can handle the planning, just give me the rundown later, Imma just get some fresh air." Immediately, by the time he got out, he surveyed the place, he lost the girl from his sight, the crowd made his search harder, but was able to lock on the girl and he chased her.

She ran as fast as she could, she swerved from left to right just to confuse the pursuer, and end up being trapped in a dead end. She was huffing and puffing, exhausted and tired, she murmured but it was inaudible. She looked at her necklace, thinking deeply when she heard something and made a fighting stance. Although nervous she prepared herself for the foe. But her expectations failed, the Demon never showed up. Her eyes seek for any other threat around her, and when she felt that there was nothing to be afraid of she started to walk away, but in her surprise the Oni appeared out from a shadow.

"Why are you spying on us?" Niv asked, stepping out the shadows and walks toward the girl, once again she readied herself "Oww...the feisty one eh?" the girl immediately threw a punch but the Pinkdevil expertly dodged it, the girl made several attacks but none hit her pursuer; the final blow was caught by Niv and he grabbed her, and he pulled her closer, "NOW, Yah better 'fess up?" his eyes were filled with anger, she felt the degree of evil he bears inside, her will withered and spoke. "Help me." Her voice rattled Niv, although obviously he is bad in nature, he has a weak spot for girls with cute voice, he even got mellow when she directly looked at his eyes, her light brown eyes were talking to his soul, trying to buy his sympathy.

He dropped the girl from his hold "what do you mean? Who are you anyway and why spy on us?" After recovering from her initial shock, she dusted herself off and said,"My name is Aki, I am the Majestic Phoenix, a member of the Mergers." She looked away, feeling ashamed of her confession, "You are a member of the Mergers that Gates leads? Then why ask help from me? We are about to fight you guys." She removed her hood and looked at him straight in the eye.

"Please save Sora..." Aki plead while grabbing his shirt "Gates is after her and if we don't move right away, we might be too late." Niv gleamed at her with confusion, even before he can say anything, Aki continued "I gave her the key that opens the portal to Earth, if Gates managed to get a hold of it, he will succeed in merging Netherplains and Earth" Niv exclaimed "OW! So that's why you are called 'The Mergers'."

"Then what do you want me to do exactly? Look for this Sora person and protect her???" Niv asked, he was responded with a nod. "I know you are a kind person, Sora is all that I have left." Aki pounded Niv's chest while bursting into tears, she was really hoping that the Pinkdevil can answer her with a yes but her expectations are starting to fade away "you know who I am right? I am the heartless Oni, why ask me such favor?"

He slowly turned his back from the sobbing girl "I am here for fun, if you guys managed to retrieve the key, it'll be more fun" although he truly understands her he have no choice but to decline, after all his primary mission is to kill Gates.

Niv was about to leave when all of a sudden, a strong gust of wind blew him off guard; a roaring voice yelled "SO THERE YOU ARE! YOU LITTLE RASCAL"

Before Niv realize it there appeared a man, carrying Aki as the girl was trying to escape "so, we finally meet each other, you fucking murderer" he points at Niv and challenges him "FACE ME,YOU WORTHLESS SCUM!" then puts Aki down, the girl tried to run away but even before she was able to go far away he threw a dagger at her, she dropped to the ground, motionless. "Remember me, Oni?" the assailant stood right before Niv, he glared at Niv with his tiger eyes, burning with hate. Niv then realized something, the person who stands before him...should be dead eight years ago, he whimpered "Patroclos? How the-"

The past flashed right before Niv's eyes, he recalled the events of eight years ago. The city of Ivarice, the twin city of Izlude, was attacked by the demon known as Oni. All the king's knights tried to bring the tyrant down, but their efforts failed, the Oni managed to destroy their fortresses and towers, and he was totally invincible, nobody can stop him. The king already fled and most of his loyal subjects already gave up, waving the white flag, but the monster was totally out of control, ravaging innocents and warriors alike, he tore them from limb to limb; remorse is not visible in his eyes. The Sky Palace already sent their strongest champions but no one can outmatch him, one of those valiant champion is a Trigerstryfe named Patroclos Stein. He was trembling but still dared to attack, he was decapitated when the Oni countered his attack. The Oni was only defeated when he lost his powers, and Key suppressed his strength; leading to his surrender.

"How did you..." Niv still mystified, he tried to gather his logic. The assailant responded furiously "Do not confuse me with my brother, Lacronite, you obviously killed him. I am Archobos Stein, The Furious White Tiger!!" The Trigerstryfe then started to attack, Niv easily parried the first blow but he was caught off guard, a kick easily hit him that sent him flying, before Niv can react up, a rain of punches hit him. The Demon fell to the ground; surprised of how fast his adversary is. Archobos was about to deliver another blow when suddenly Niv faded into the thin air, and re-appear only to grab Aki, and escaped.