The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 68: Who's Paradise? (Part 1)

Chapter 68: Who's Paradise?

"What the hell is Celestia?" I asked as I watched the hunk of earth rise past the cloud line. "Is it... an amusement park?"

"It's more than just that," Shin scowled. "It was meant to be the next big thing for holiday makers. Cruise through the skies in a lap of fun and luxury."

"Then, all those people down there...."

"Are demons," Shin nodded sombrely.

"There has to be thousands!"

"It's worse than that," he grit his teeth. "The inside is a dungeon capable of sustaining much more. The project was abandoned when the demons started their campaign, it never got off the ground. They finished it."

"Didn't you say the demons weren't organised enough for that?" I looked at him incredulously, still doubting what I was seeing.

"Most aren't... but in the end they're people and people are attracted by power. The strongest demons lead others... but I never thought they'd lead to this. It would be a nightmare to get enough sane people to finish it." Shin grabbed my arm, "Whoever is leading them must be a Primarch."

"What's a Primarch?" I asked dumbly.

"A demon whose connection to the Faceless King has ascended to a higher tier. They are almost indestructible." I was reminded of Callus. Even after splitting him with the Void he just put himself back together. Was that the level we were dealing with? Or was it greater?"

I looked at the island, heard the blaring alarm and frowned, "So..., how bad is this?"

"This is as bad as it gets. We've been attacked in the air before, but not like this. The Isles takes a while to get moving and with the enemy so close all our power will be in the barriers."

"Hey Shin," I grabbed him and pointed to the island. "What's that?"

Something large was being pushed to the forefront of the island. A giant expressionless and bare face. Its mouth opened wide and a cylinder pointed our way.

"Oh shit," Shin swore just as it fired. A thick red and spluttering beam of energy flared from Celestia hurtling through the air between us and as it neared, exploded into a thousand dazzling streams. The entire Isles shook as the barrier creaked and groaned, the sky above showing the cracks. The moment passed and though the crack repaired, I could feel it, that attack had shaken the foundation of protection the Isles gave. Fear was spreading.

Shin screamed, "Fucking fuckers!" He pulled a handphone from his pocket, "Report now!"

A voice replied, "Barrier down 10%! We're running all generators at max capacity. No damage to the system."

"Then fire back!" Shin shouted.

"Yes sir!" the panicked voice replied.

I felt the massive amount of energy pool together on the island below us and though I couldn't see from where, something fired. A blazing white laser cut straight into Celestia, but like what happened against us, a barrier halted it. The beam however didn't let down and with dazzling light, broke through and cleaved a large mass of the island away. A cheer resounded from below and the budding fear lessened.

"Daddy, what's happening?" Ria finally reached us and gripped my legs. "Everything is shaking and it's loud!"

"It's okay Ria, we're fine," I replied but from Shin's scowl, that laser hadn't turned the tables just yet. "Shin, what do you need?"