Chapter 89: Bronze

Chapter 89: Bronze

The Anima found them a trio of Nem3s stalking down the center of an avenue as if they owned it, dragging their sword-arms behind them and tearing up the asphalt.

James observed them from sixty yards up, the others arranged just behind him. I think Ill take these solo.

Well be on overwatch, said Serenity. Everybody with Deadeye and ready to rain down death if they prove too much.

Something tells me that wont be the case, said Jason wryly. Not with Mr. Bronze Aura here able to drop a Heavenly Assault in an emergency.

Even so, said Serenity. Be careful.

You know it. James lowered the Wing till they were fifteen feet above the avenue and then leaped. He landed lightly, skeggox in hand, a good block down from the suddenly alert Nem3s.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Serenity lifted away and then it was just him against the three hulking shapes. It hit James again just how massive they were. His whole body was about the size of one arm. Their hugely muscled chests and backs were as big as a bulls body, and their tail whipped from side to side with eager cracks, easily ten feet long.

The three demons reached an unspoken agreement; they hunched over as one and fired their bone harpoons.

James didnt flinch as he strode forward. He knew his team had his back. A second later glimmering shields appeared before him, materializing in a wedge so that the spears bounced off and slammed into the buildings on either side of James.

Cmere, you fuckers, he whispered, rippling his fingers along the Sun Skeggoxs handle. He felt within him the power of Aeviternum, the ability to drop gloria-enhanced Heavenly Assaults. But he restrained his might and instead simply approached, waiting, daring the demons to leap upon him.

It didnt take long. They crouched and sprang with all the awful agility of the Nem1 gremlins, leaping high into the air, sword-arms opened wide, maws gaping, tongue lashing as they fell upon him.

Jamess gut clenched, his grip on his axe tightened till his knuckles popped, but he willed himself to remain still.

To just stare up as death fell upon him.

The point demon slashed both sword-arms in a widening X at the last second, a blow that would have - should have - cut him in half.

But when the black bone blades hit, and James felt a great outrush of power from his divine pool. One second he stood as himself, alone, another bronze encased him like a second skin.

The blades didnt even ash where they touched him. They simply ceased to be. The two huge tips of each sword flew out across the street, disconnected, to clatter on the pavement, and the Nem3 fell upon James a moment later.

Only to then fall apart into two halves, a James-sized hole appearing down its center.

The other demons rushed him, shrieking and swinging their blades, only to fall apart as well as the bronze aura caused whatever part of them touched him to simply cease to exist.

In seconds the street was silent.

James lifted his hand. The bronze looked painted over his skin, not a uniform color but with whorls of what might have been copper throughout, whorls that slowly moved like clouds of smoke across the air of a room.

It was beautiful.

Looking down, James saw that his clothing had been shredded by the Nem3 attacks; the aura was literally skintight, and he could see his bronze chest through the gaping holes.

The other Wings landed in a circle around him. The members of Crimson Hydra gaped as he lowered his arms.

You look amazing, said Serenity. Did that hurt?

No. The aura was fading from view. A few seconds later it was gone. Not at all.

Nobody seemed to know what to say.

James thumbed on his radio. Command, this is Kelly. Ive tested the Bronze aura. It makes me immune to Nem3s. Whatever part of them touches me disappears.

Kelly, this is Hackworth. The colonels voice was tight with control. Please confirm what you just said.

The Bronze aura makes me immune to Nem3s. I just killed three of them by standing still and letting them fall on me.

A long aching pause sounded through the radio. Copy, Kelly. Hackworths voice fairly trembled with excitement. Were going to need to send you to a number of hotspots far outside our Area of Operations. Please return to base asap.

Copy, command. Out.

What does that mean? asked Serenity. Hotspots?

Kerim pushed his spectacles up his nose. I would imagine the colonel is referring to cities who do not benefit from Blue Lights presence.

But weve got the Fourth Wave hitting tomorrow, protested Joanna. We need James here.

Bixby licked his lips. And the Nemeses wont they cant?

No, said James. They cant.

Bixby nodded, pretending he understood, though it was clear he didnt.

The hummers stopped. Everyone climbed out. They could have been in Brooklyn. A broad avenue, four lanes wide, ran forever in both directions, with three story buildings on either side. Stoops and trees growing out of the sidewalk plots, rowhouses and ground floor shops.

But two long blocks ahead - south, James figured - rose the dome of black fire that marked the edge of the hive. Looking up, James saw the column of flame rising to the demonic symbol which hovered five hundred feet up.

Shit, said Yadriel softly, getting out of the second hummer. We going in there?

I am, said James.

We all are, said Serenity.

Several hummers were already here, blocking off the road, with a platoon in place with machine guns and M4s strained on the hive. They watched Crimson Hydra with something akin to skepticism married with hopeful wonder.

James took his skeggox out of the duffel bag and propped it over his shoulder. Might as well get started.

Serenity was unstrapping her M2 from where it had been bound across the hummers roof. Give me a second, will ya?

Everyone else limbered up, but there was no hiding the teams nervousness.

Weve got this, said Kimmie confidently. With James leading the way, well be absolutely fine.

The tension bled out of the team. James chuckled under his breath, almost made a wry comment, then decided that wouldnt be good for morale.

There, said Serenity, heaving the M2 up as if it were a regular rifle and leaping down to prop it over her shoulder. Ready.

You, ah, I mean, are you going to need back-up? asked Bixby.

Well be fine. James turned to face the hive. Back in a few.

He knew he was making an impression the local platoon, but that was his intention. Bless Green and forward march. Let me take point.

The four Blesses hit them all, raising every stat by +4, and Crimson Hydra followed James between the parked hummers and out into the open. James could feel the weight of the soldiers regard as he strode forward, but he didnt look back. Made no sign that he was feeling his stomach knotting up.

Because it was one thing to kill a few Nem3s on the street.

Another altogether to march into a burning hive. As far as he knew, nobody had ever entered one and returned.

But there was always a first time.

Shoulders squared, breath steady, he led his friends down the avenue. The dull, distant roar from the hive sounded like that of a waterfall. There was no heat, but the closer they got the more oppressive the air became, as if an unseen murk were lowering over them all.

Nice and steady, said Kimmie, again lifting their spirits.

James led the way. Step by step, till the dome of black fire rose up before them, flames sheeting ever upwards to curve out of sight.

What he wouldnt have done for his Angel Wing.

Im not sure this is a good idea, said his Anima, hovering just behind his shoulder. But it is exciting. If we all die, it was fun while it lasted.

Were not going to die,said James, Kimmies inspiration adding certainty to his words.

Circle is up, said Olaf as the white burning perimeter appeared around them. Communal Dark Vision.

And suddenly the wall of darkness became translucent; a rushing gray film remained in place, but within James saw hundreds of Nem3s milling about, a thick crowd that clogged the avenue that led up to the flesh fortress directly under the symbol.

Once were in, everyone focus on Shields, said James. Play it defensive while I do what needs doing. Clear?

Clear, everybody intoned.

Then lets do this.

And James stepped through the translucent wall of ebon flame.