Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 7: Gates. First Encounter.

Mitsu opens his eyes, pain still lingers in his body as he struggle to stand up. His head is still fogged. He got up and surveyed the whole place. Everyone was still unconscious...Except for Niv.

The Demon prince is standing in the middle of a transmutation circle while chanting, three Niv clones were crouching outside the circle, doing Ninja seals. "Aura Tracking Portal?" Mitsu asks while he approaches Niv "Yes. Apparently the Mergers were spying on us, and Gates is in Sky Palace as we speak, I am trying to locate Key's aura but there is no trace of him."

Out of thin air, the Dark Knight summons a Flatlance, and flails it as he prepares himself "Why not try searching for Mu instead?" he suggested to Niv. "Gotcha!" Niv immediately found the angel's aura, he then touched the circle; it glowed from yellow to blue. Mitsu was about to step inside the transmutation circle when Niv furiously commanded "STOP. What are you doing? You want our particles to be jumbled up?" Mitsu then remembered that this technique is Alchemy, not magic nor Ninjutsu.

The Aura Tracking Portal is an Alchemist technique developed to transport goods from one place to another, this technique requires three people to perform. As the user tracks down a person's aura, they are to transmute the object using air particles; two or more objects that are being transferred might end up binding together.

"Step into the circle after I successfully teleported, okay?" Niv instructed, Mitsu nodded. "Wait, how about the others?" Mitsu asked the now fading Niv "Don't worry, my clones will take care of them. For now, we have to hurry." as he finished talking, the Oni vanishes, a signal for Mitsu to go inside the circle.

As the duo arrived in Sky Palace, the once graceful and elegant sanctuary is now nothing but debris of a fallen fortress, incapacitated and dead warriors lying across the room. Moans and groans of the survivors echoed on the castle walls. "Man, he sure knows how to throw a party." Mitsu cracked a joke that was replied with Niv's own joke "And what's his confettis and streamers? Innards?"

They inspected the area to see traces of Gates' powers. They heard Mu's scream, the Pinkdevil immediately teleported while the DarkKnight started to follow where the sound comes from. The Dark Knight mumbled "Pft. You're lucky you mastered the powers of time and space".

Niv rematerialized right in front of Mu's Throne Room. The room was filled with fire, and the smell of burnt flesh filled the room. He searched for Mu, and found her immediately despite the thick smoke. She was trapped in a pile of debris, she was unconscious and her breathing is weak.

"Y-you...Why are you here" Mu was surprised to see the Pinkdevil. "Don't talk, you're still weak. Here, let me help you." Niv assisted the Angel to get up as two of his clones lifed the debris, "Now, you rest there while I look for Key" Niv was about to leave when Mu grabbed him by the arm, it was a tight grip, she then burst out in tears "It's hopeless...Key is Dead."

All of a sudden, Niv felt pain in his chest. The friend who took care of him for hundreds of years, the same hero he idolized for years, moments ago we was just talking to him, now gone.

Gates applaud as he walks towards the two "I thought devils don't cry." The image appeared to be suited in gold, with shades of blue and silver and burning red eyes, a red ruby is noticeably attached to the armor's chest plate. He is wielding a golden war hammer that he flails with ease. This is indeed the menace they are up against.

With rage, Niv acted with out thinking, he charged his fist with lightning, and with full force, he punched Gates. A shockwave shook the room, the fire that once lit the room all fade out. Gates laughed. Niv was astonished to see that the opponent did not even flinched. Without warning, Gates flogged Niv with his hammer, the poor Oni flew away with fractured ribs and a dislocated left arm. "THIS? THIS PIECE OF TRASH IS THE ONI?" Gates mocked "My Father will be most displeased." Gates approached Niv, the tyrant raised his war hammer to bash the Oni one more to time.

The Pinkdevil raised his hand in a gun position and pointed at Gates, "tell your father...HE SUCK!" a pink-colored energy orb blasted from his hand, Gates swiftly dodged, making a counter attack, and crushed Niv's left sheen. Agony was felt as the Oni scream, Mu was just sitting in the corner as Gates laughed out loud. Gates grabbed Niv by the neck and held him high, the ruby in his armor started to glow; flames flare out as it charges up. Mitsu made a loud entrance, bashing the doors, and at short notice, the knight bashed the armored entity. Gates dropped Niv as he faced Mitsu, and then fired the beam at him. "GET DOWN" Mu yelled "That killed Key". Mitsu dropped on the ground as he evades the attack, he felt like his skin is being fried as the energy blast passed by.

"You're nothing but a worthless tin can" Gates shouted as he flew towards the Dark Knight. Mitsu instantly and defended himself. The two clashed, exchanging blows, as their weapons engaged, the ground started to shake. Gates gave the last attack; shattering Mitsu's Flatlance, now defenseless, Mitsu was quickly defeated as Gates punched in a hole in the knight's chest using the foe's bare hand.

Mitsu dropped dead on the ground. Everyone was silent. Gates warned Niv "I won't kill the two of you. My father has more plans for you and Mu. Be cautious though for we are still not done with our mission. Oh, if you want a rematch, we will be in Dao Lung City within three days, do not hesitate to drop by. Until then Pinkdevil." and dusted himself before flying off. Mu gathered her strength, though shaking, she approached Niv, and knelt down as she reached out to heal the Demon. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! HE WAS MUCH STRONGER THAN ANY OF US..." Niv then hushed the Angel "It was unexpected. Given. But at least we're alive." Mu was bothered by his words " You're alive. He just killed Mitsu and yet you feel indifferent?" and before she can add anything Mitsu stood and spoke " Au Contraire. I can't die because of my curse."

"We have to get going." Niv said as he tries to sit. Mitsu made a menacing grin while Mu was silent. Deep inside her, Mu was scared and worried for the Demon. "Please be careful, both of you." she said while holding the hands of the now healed Niv, and was answered by a smile.