Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 16: Where's Oni-chan?

The moonlight shines bright. The wind is chilly and the whole fortress is silent. Pordoj checked every corner of the hallways before proceeding. The blacksmith was carrying Shilu on his back. The girl was still weak and clings loose on her friend. As the two reached their destination, Pordoj sighed in relief "Whew. Good thing the guards are idiots and seldom watch these areas." The balcony, the only place in the merger's hideout where Shilu and Pordoj can be in peace. The two are always sneaking out to breathe some fresh air and talk about anything and everything under the blue, blue sky.

The two were sitting in the ledge of the balcony rails while looking at the beauty of the moon. Pordoj looked at his friend, and held her tiny hands "Someday, we will be free from all these mess...And I'm already looking for a way out...." Shilu blushed and gave Pordoj a slight smile.

"Hmmm...Where's Oni-chan?" Zai whispers as she sneaks out her room. The Tenshi was still rubbing her eyes while trying to find her way in the dark hallway, her only guide was the moonlight. The last time she saw her older brother was earlier that day, the Oni seemed to be out of focus and lost. "Hey, Oni-chan, have you talked to Sora?" Zai asked her brother while sitting next to him, the Oni was unresponsive. She poked Niv but still she was ignored. The Tenshi pouted and punched the Oni in the face. Niv was shocked by the surprise attack, shaking him back to reality, he immediately got up and asked "What's your prob?" Niv rubs his aching cheek. "You were not replying...duuuuh..." Zai said, raising her fist. Niv suddenly realized something "Ow crap, yeah, about that..." he then turns and hurried away.

Zai was bemused. Niv was never the type to suddenly become serious. Back to the present, she continues to search for her older brother when she suddenly stumble upon Mu's throne room. The Tenshi noticed the blue glow that comes out the room, she sneaked in and found Reech standing in the corner "W-what are you doing here?" Zai asked Reech, which was replied in a low, whispering voice "Your brother is currently training." and points at the portal. Curious, Zai walked towards the portal, the Golem gestured suggesting her to stop.

Despite Reech's warning, Zai proceeds to enter the portal. A blinding white light filled her vision, which lasted for about a minute or two. As her sight started to clear up, she was astonished by the team's training. Although the whole realm is just covered by pure white walls and floor, craters were all over the place. Ramiro clones were also scattered across the realm while what seems to be the Four Celestial mergers also confront the heroes. "EHHH?" she blurted while her jaw drops. "What the smudge is happening here?" Zai shouted, scratching her scalp, really confused.

Some of Ramiro's clones were blown away by a strong gust of wind, some were pierced by small spike-like bones. An image immediately approached Zai and grabbed her by the arm "What are you doing here?" The young angel then looked at the man and asked "D-Doer?" as the fog clears out, the assassin's smile greeted her. "WHOA. Boy am I glad to see you!" Zai then hugged the Unicus, and realized what she've done and let go right away, blushing. "Hahaha, so you insisted to come?" Doer said, while patting Zai's head. A portal opened on their back and Reech arrived, catching his breath "Forgive me, Sith, the kid slipped through my guard." The Golem explained, trying to cover up his mistake, which answered by a grin "Do not worry, my friend. Why don't you train as well?" Reech was first hesitant, but shrugged then unsheathes his sword and jumps in to action.

Doer then guided Zai to a corner, there the two sat. Zai was still filled with questions and started to ask "Whew, so these clones are Ramiro's?" Doer was silent but nods, and added "actually the merger clones were Arlaz' technique." the curious angel continued to interrogate the assassin "How long have you been here?" Doer stared at her and said "Five months...I think." this totally freaked Zai out, yelling "WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Doer was a bit surprised at Zai's reaction and explained "Remember what Mu said? All these time are equivalent to a minute back at Netherplains." Zai replied, she started to sweat "Yes, I know but you guys are THIS dedicated on becoming stronger and get rid of the mergers???"

"Yes. We are. As you can see, when we faced them we were overpowered in a snap of a finger. We can't let that happen again, not while we're the only ones who could fight them." Doer shared while standing up, dusting his pants off. Zai then thought "Whew. That strong? Oni-chan, Doer-san and Mitsu-sama are really strong monsters but here they are, training hard... harder than they usually do." she then snapped back to reality and asked the Unicus "Hey, you guys done with dinner? I should prepare something for all of you." she then called out, excited of the thought of cooking "Reech! can I ask for some help?"

Minutes later, the team took a rest and ate a hefty meal "Good thing that this 'Heaven on Earth' sanctuary got some heavenly cooks too, they sure know how to feed some hungry warriors." Mitsu said while chomping on a bug piece of turkey-like bird. Zai was so happy to see his friends eating. As Orange shared, they were there chronologically for five months without resting, eating nor drinking "Archive's Chancel is sure timeless. Making you feel nothing like fatigue and hunger" as he expressed. The Tenshi then remembered something, looking really puzzled and worried "WAIT. Where's Oni-chan???"

Zai immediately went out of Archive's Chancel to find her older brother, she looked for him all over the palace, didn't mind whether she wakes anyone up just to see her brother. Her search ended in the Palace gate. Exhausted, she tries to catch her breath, her sweat is as cold as ice.

A small ball-like apparition suddenly appeared in front of Zai, it was as if the ball is trying to call her attention. Bewildered, her curiosity lured her out of Sky Palace, silently sneaking out of the gates, the guards totally unaware of her escape. She chased the small ball of light and flew across the sky until she reached a forest some mile away from the angels' hideout. She realized what she've done and tried to wake her self up. "Shoot! How the heck did I got so distracted by that ball?" she tried to step away from the ball but it was really playful that she lost her focus and followed it some more. The ball stopped at a cave. Zai hid herself in a bush and observed the ball. She was there, like a panther, stalking her next meal. As she pounces at the ball, it fades away in to dust, and leading her to land on the ground face flat. As she got up a tall, dark monster stood in front of her.

The monster strongly resembles an elf, with red irises and black Scleras. "Do not be afraid, young one. My name is Pordoj, and I may help you rescue Shilu." Zai was surprised "Sh-Shilu's alive? W-wait, are we talking about Sora's sister?" the monster nodded and said "Yes."