Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 26: Rise, Guildmates, Rise.

The heavy rain woke Niv up. The raindrops were like pebbles showering over him; it was painful, yet less lethal. "Ow, good, you're awake." Zai said, letting the Oni rest in her lap. Niv immediately stood up and searched for Sora but failed to spot the human mage. The whole place is a mess, with all the dead angels and the ruined castle. He saw Shilu instead. The Demon struggled to stand up at first, but he managed to and approached the Santelmo and placed his arms on the girl's shoulder. "He's gone, Niv. Master is gone...and Gates got my sister..." She sobbed as she hugged the Oni. Niv was speechless.

Mitsu finally arrived after a long walk. Ikezubo's throw sent him all the way down the mountain's foot. As he sets foot on the Palace Gates, his armor dropped like losing all its strings that bound the metal protection all together. The Dark Knight immediately walked towards Doer and sat in front of him. "You got a bad one there." The Unicus nodded, as he tries to heal his open abdomen. The Assassin's zombified body slowly regenerates, slow process, but better than being dead.

Reech and Orange join the knight and the assassin, the werewolf assisting the golem. Although visible, Reech only received a minor cut from the merger's blow "How did you survive that attack?" Doer asked the golem, astonished to see his ally's wound. Reech looks at his scar and shrugged "Luckily, I was able to change into my monster form, morphing my internal organs into rocks. His attack was fatal, alright, but it seems that it can't damage my insides..." Like light bulb being switched on, Doer realized something but kept the thought to himself.

"I'm really sorry; all of you are hurt because of my weakness." Mu enters the scene, looking down in shame. Niv disagreed, holding the angel's gentle hand "We're all warriors here, don't worry...we all vowed to fight in the name of justice and to protect this world."

The Cherub looks at the fallen fortress. Anxiety is written all over her face. "Only a few Angels survived last night's battle...This time we cannot rebuild this Sanctuary." Mu said while sighing. Niv looked at his sister and raised an eyebrow. Zai nods her head, signalling that she agrees. "We can ask the Princess of Mandraga and the Head Sorceress of Magestra if they can help us rebuild Sky Palace...and in the meantime you guys can stay at Netherea." Niv gave Mu a worried smile.

Mu almost cried and hugged the Oni tightly "Th-Thank you, Niv, I never knew you're this kind." The Demon prince was smiling like a dog. Mu's breasts are rubbing against him, and it felt like heaven. The Cherub noticed it and pushed Niv away "You pervert! How could you-" Mu bursts as she waves her fist in the air, Niv quickly came up with an excuse "I was smiling because....uhm...finally you've realized that I'm a nice guy." Mu didn't find it as a good alibi and punches Niv in the face. The gang laughed, except Shilu.

The remaining Congregation and the Guild abandoned the ruined Sky Palace and moved to Netherea, transporting all the important files and materials; including the crystal pillars. Niv immediately contacted Princess Rose of Madraga and the Head Sorceress of Magestra about the restoration of Sky Palace and both parties agreed to help.

Niv summoned all his Guildmates in his throne room. Inside are Doer the Sith, Mitsu The Dark Knight, Orange The Thunderwulf, Richimaru, Kazekaeru the third Tenshi and Shilu, focused on their next move. Reech broke the silence "What's the next move, Niv?" The Dark Knight then turns his back and said "It seems that you just want to see us, Dude, Imma just go get some fresh air..." he was about to go out the room when Orange grabbed his arm "Hey, Mits, this could be some important thingy..." Mitsu pulled his arms from the werewolf's hold and talked back "Here's the deal, I will be as bad ass...which is usual...and you stay out from my way. Clear?"

The Oni then yells at the two "SHADDAP! I'm still trying to see if I can connect to him..." Everyone was puzzled, Niv was once again silent, so serious that the whole team's surprised. The Oni was looking at the floor blankly. This same scenerio lasted for a couple of minutes. Doer finally got tired and asked Niv "Are you okay, bro?" Niv nodded his head, while still looking into blank space. The whole room was filled with silence. It was awkward, Niv called all his team mates and there he is, silent.

Orange sighed "Ow, man, maybe Mitsu's right...I think we should leave him for a moment." the werewolf lowered down his voice "I think he is experiencing some post traumatic thing..." The whole team were about to leave when, out of nowhere, Niv cheered "OKAY! IT'S A GO!" Niv the stretched out his arms in the air and walked towards his companions and started giving out orders "Reech, I will leave you in charge...make sure that Zai and Shilu's well guarded...Mitsu, Doer and Orange, you guys are coming with me...I want you to meet Hallowsoul..." As Reech saluted his superior, Zai reluctantly gave his older brother a smile. Although still confused, the team agreed to Niv's magical idea.

Niv was about to raise his hand but Shilu cling on him and begged "Let me come with you, I want to save Sora..." The fire mage gave Niv the puppy eyes. The Oni tried to look away, resisting to give in to his weakness. She continued to persuade Niv "Please~" Doer held the young mage's arm, asking her to leave but Niv shook his head and said "Let her join us."

Mitsu nudged the Oni "Dammit, Niv you really a pervert..." Niv winked back "Dude...Casanova...I'm a Casanova..." Orange stood beside the Pinkdevil and teased him "Demon God, eh? More like a Harem God to me..."

"BAAH! Enough of your nonsense, guys...Anyway, are you ready?" Niv asked, while checking everyone if they are prepared. With a snap of a finger, the whole room became pitch black. The familiar entrance greeted the Guild. Hallowsoul stood from afar. As the clown walks forward, each step turns the darkness into a vibrant cave. The moon's light made the cave's walls sparkle. "So, where should we begin?" Hallowsoul said as he stood next to the Oni. Orange was amazed by the Demon's little show "Whoa, you must be Hallowsoul...that was incredible!"

The Hallowsoul slowly turned his attention to the werewolf, raised his hand and moved it like he was zipping Orange's mouth. Magically, the mercenary's mouth was zipped, Orange tried to remove it but the spell Hallowsoul casted is as tight as glue. The clown then lectured "When I am talking, please listen and shut up."

Hallowsoul then looked up, sighed and continued "I know that the Dark Knight will find this ticklish, but for the rest of you, it'll hurt like hell." He raised his right hand and chanted "Let your inner being introduce you to darkness!" then, tentacle-like shadows formed on the ground. The clown slowly lowered his hand and as he clenched it, the shadows rose and stabbed the warriors in the chest, right to the heart. Just like what the Hallowsoul predicted, everyone's in pain, and only Mitsu managed to withstand the process. The clown slowly pulled the shadows, and from the heroes' chests, the apparitions of their souls emerged.

As soon as the apparitions were completely out, each pair teleported away. Niv and Hallowsoul stood in the middle of the cave. "Are you sure that they are ready for this?" Hallowsoul inquired, looking at the shadows as it slowly goes back to the ground. Niv smirked and replied "Yeah...I'm pretty sure that they are as desperate as I am..." the clown walks away from Niv, and orated "You are so concerned about your team mates...but you, in the other hand, still hadn't learned anything." The Demon swayed his trench coat and roundhouse kicked Niv. The Oni evaded the attack using teleportation. As he reappeared, lightning envelopes his arm. The Oni then yelled back "That's where you're wrong."

Author's Note: 

Hey guys, if you wanna see my character design for our heroes, please check the link below:  

https://www.facebook.com/Onithefifth/media_set?set=a.1960238704957.77240.1812508002&type=3&uploaded=4