Protectors- Consequence

Chapter Eleven: Whilst you Were Gone

Nash Rightward arrived in Perth city, clutching at his wounds. The sensation of crossing dimensions was comforting, and he hoped that releasing Chimera could leave the other two out of the coming battle. He had lost the drugs, a setback to his plan to track down Crimson, but that would not stop him, not after that Greiger had told him where Crimson would be. The Paladin was prepared for Crimson, since the last time they had fought, and had come up with an ultimate technique to deal with him. He strode down the near-empty streets, nearing the hotel where Crimson was located. Paladin's soul burned with the fire of his righteous anger, his knife glowing with holy light as his wounds still dripped blood. Crimson was nothing but a killer, one who had dealt with the darkest of beings for his own personal gain,

"Come forth, Crimson!" Nash bellowed, his knife shooting a spire of holy light into the sky, illuminating the darkness and issuing a challenge, "I shall strike you down,"

He leapt upwards, diving headfirst into the walls of the hotel, his power taking him to a dimension with vastly weaker gravity, where he was able to continue his ascent, leaving an arm in the other dimension to bring him back. It was like swimming underwater, keeping an arm above to pull him to the air whenever he pleased. Paladin leapt back into the reality he sought, landing in the hotel room, face to face with Benjamin Crimson,

"Murderer!" He roared, tossing the knife at his opponent, the gaunt face filled with shock and recognition as he was pushed aside, the knife embedding itself in the adjacent wall,

"So this is the psycho who's chasing you through the multiverse," Damien Burns smirked, flipping his coin and catching it as he leant against the wall, right next to the blade, which still quivered and glowed, "I guess it's my job to help Crimson kill you, huh?"

"Damien," Benjamin whispered, "he's going to kill you,"

Damien froze as Paladin began to talk,

"Benjamin Crimson," He spoke in a monotone voice, "you are under arrest for the crimes of destroying timelines, theft of property of our universe, and attempted murder,"

"Of you," Crimson added, his lanky arms hung limply by his sides, 

"You are sentenced with death, for conversing with devils, by the order of the Paladin,"

"You are a demon's avatar as well, Nash," Ben whispered, staring at the Paladin, "so shouldn't you be forced to die, as well?"

"As I have always explained," Nash began to roar righteously, "Asmodeus is not a demon, it is an angel in disguise,"

"You are being fooled by the thing you hate the most," Crimson smirked, "at least I know I'm a piece of shit,"

"You ain't leaving me out of this," Damien plucked up the courage to say, "no matter how powerful this guy is,"

"Damien," Crimson growled, "stay out of it, he's capable of doing far worse to you than you can comprehend,"

A small pulse of energy passed through their minds, the sensation acting as a trigger for Nash, who strode towards Crimson, his ornate armour shining as he extended his arm, calling the holy knife back to his palm. Crimson swiftly produced his own, moving to slash his wrist, but Nash held out his hand, shuddering with holy power, and froze Crimson's knife in the air, his hand still clutching it. Damien flipped his coin, hard, the spinning metal gleaming in the light of the spacious hotel room, revealing the machine that Crimson was planning to use to travel to another universe. The coin slammed into the side of the Paladin, embedding itself deep within his armour before ricocheting back into his hand. The impact sent Nash flying into a wall, disappearing into it like an expert diver into water, 

"Damien!" Crimson roared, his sunken eyes animated, "get the fuck out of here if you value your life!"

He pushed Damien Burns from the room, struggling against his friend, who pushed back. Even as he reached the doorway, Crimson bucked, shouting with agony as the holy knife was plunged into his hamstring. Damien made to flip his coin again, but Paladin rose from the floor between him and Crimson, twisting as he ripped the knife from Crimson's leg, plunging it into Damien's side. The kid rolled out of the way before the knife could become embedded, and Crimson slammed the door on his face, locking him outside,