Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 28: Chained.

Mu's eyes widened as she stared at Niv's throne room "WHAT THE FUDGE DID HE DO TO THIS PLACE????" The Cherub and her twin grew up constantly visiting the Netherean fortress and saw how lovely the place was when Lacronus reigned as king, but ever since his disappearance and the council's rule, Netherea changed drastically.

The Cherub made a frown as she runs her hands on the throne, her eyes started to wander as she checked the details of it. The throne was made up of real skull and bones; the stench of decaying flesh still lingers the chair. Zai enters the room and talked to Mu "Hey, Mistress Mu, how do you find the place? I know it's kinda creepy, but you'll get used to it...Oni-chan's head is kinda weird, don't you think?" Mu faced the Tenshi and asked eagerly to get a good answer "Do you know where Lacronus' cathedral is?" Zai tried to remember it, and immediately gave Mu a smile "It's somewhere down the basement, Oni-chan can't just let go of it...he even made a small throne room with all of Dad's stuff there." Mu nodded, still caught in her thoughts.

A templar rushed in, panting and exhausted. Zai approached the monster and asked "Hey, what's the fuzz all about?" the templar tried to grasp for his breath and informed Zai and Mu "Gates is currently making an announcement, and he is doing it in live TV!" Mu was shocked of what the templar just said "A TV? As in a Human Television." The templar looked at her, a bit confused, and replied "Yes, Mistress Mu, it is located in the laboratory." Mu pulled Zai and rushed to the said location.

The two angels reached the laboratory. Mu immediately saw the so-called 'TV'. It was a 10 feet by 15 feet monitor mounted on the wall; under it are several buttons and keyboards, seems like it is more of a computer than a television. Mu shook her head and thought "What a dud...poor soldier, cannot differentiate a computer to a TV." the broadcast was already being aired for about three minutes now. Gates's armor sits in a throne again; motionless.

The Cherub approach one of Netherean scientist and interrogated "Did he announce anything? How long has it been since it started broadcasting?" the scientist was astound to see who was talking to him, he replied with a shaky voice "Three minutes and 48 seconds...No, Milady, he was just looking for Lord Lacronite and kept on repeating 'NIVRAE LACRONITE! SHOW YOURSELF!' and 'ONI THE FIFTH! MAKE YOUR PRESENCE FELT!'" the monster kept on waving and moving his hands while explaining.

Suddenly, the armored tyrant finally moved and spoke "Good...Mu, I know you can hear me...To all the monsters of Netherplains, I invite all of you to join us, the mergers, in opening our doors to our human and demon brethren. Tonight at exactly six o'clock, we are going to open the Hell Gate and Earth Gate. But if we do not unite, a devious demon will hinder this glorious moment, the Oni the Fifth, that troublesome brat. Help us defeat this threat. We are currently located at the majestic ruins of Khurdova. We are going to expect you there."

The transmission ended. Mu gulped, cold sweat crawling her face while her hands started to shake. Zai was still clueless and asked the Cherub "Is it me or is Gates' invitation sounded like Oni-chan's the meanie." Niv and the gang suddenly arrived. The Oni boomed "Maybe I am the meanie! or should I say mini." the Pinkdevil laughed at his own joke, while the rest were indifferent, totally ignoring Niv. Mitsu asked the Cherub "So, he already gave out their whereabouts. Good, we're all set."

The fallen kingdom of Khurdova. The last battle ground of the Endless war and current hideout of the mergers. The monsters are starting to swarm up outside the pyramid. Gates looked at the tiny monsters as he stood by the balcony. Sora was chained in the middle of the room. The human girl was weakened after Gates extracted the information from her, process was excruciating, and the tyrant's will to uncover the truth is unrelenting. The four remaining mergers were busy putting all the pillars in place, leaving the tyrant and the girl all alone in the throne room.