Chapter 200: The Game Moves Forward

Chapter 200: The Game Moves Forward

“I’m back baby!” I shouted as I emerged from the gate and found myself in an empty, sealed vault with no one around to hear or notice me. Ah, it was good to be back.

“Very funny.” Mahaila said dryly.

“Come on, lighten up. Smell that? No? Exactly, I was getting so sick of sulphur.” I said with a lazy stretch.

Just as I did so, I sensed an alarm ripple through the Hive Mind. Crap, the Syndicate are attacking again. I thought it was just a show, of course Nemesis chooses the moment I’m gone to try this.

“We need to go.” I said and Mahaila gave me a questioning look.

Legiana report

I commanded into the Hive Mind. Her response was swift and efficient, it seems that the Syndicate was trying their best to avoid Cecilia as much as possible because of her Briars. However, the Angels were not so fortunate to have some of my best minions as guards.

I did have assassins tailing the Inquisitors, but I had no intention of tipping my hand to save them. With any luck they might associate the unease of my assassins tailing them to the Syndicate.

“The Syndicate are raising hell, get back and get Azatherine and while I’m gone you’re in charge.” I said as I glanced at Mahaila who nodded before heading back through the World Gate.

Opening the vault was a simple matter of working the control panel. I ordered a nearby brood to secure the vault and the world gate. I saw some other rooms but I don’t exactly have time to investigate.

I emerged from a forest and soon was up into the sky. I did a quick scan of the surroundings. It looks like I’m in a small patch of woodland near Cathay. I channelled power into my wings and shot towards Averlon. I rarely fly at full speed, but this time, I felt I needed to make a bit of an entrance. I can’t have these idiots thinking they can do whatever they want in my house.

The Hive was already fighting, and it looked like the angels were having a hard time. I did a quick scan of the Hive Mind, and I did not like what I saw.

The Hive Soldier scrambled along the wall, his claws digging into the stone of the Church as the battle raged below.

“Protect the Slaves of the Church” the ominous growl of its brood mother emanated through the creature's mind

The brood mother's anger and irritation spurred the creature to move faster. The fine-cut stones beneath its feet tore off as its razor-sharp claws dug into the hard surface.

The creature got a good angle on the attacking Syndicate assassin as it cut down another child of the Hive. The Angel behind the fallen kin rushed forward to push the Assasin back. The Angel was protecting a pair of priestesses. It noted that several bodies of the Priesthood littered the ground, their red blood staining their white robes and pooling on the ruined marble beneath them.

It took aim and fired a barrage of spines from it’s tail. The Syndicate easily dodged back and the creature saw a knife being thrown at it. Then darkness...

I shifted my mind's eyes to another soldier as I banked towards Averlon and tucked my wings in before using a burst of ether to shoot me forward. I became a screaming gold streak as I tore across the open blue skies.

The next soldier was an Adjutant. I caught a glance of the soldier's from before falling from the wall. Its body slammed into the wooden pews below, wood splintering and scattering in all directions. A deep gash cleaved its head open. It’s dog-like body twitched as one hate-filled eye gazed at the Syndicate assassins. Even in death, my soldiers do not forget their duty.

The Adjutant clashed with the Assassin, this one different from before. Quicker, more experienced in his movements. An Angel lies dead at his feet, the Angel’s wings torn and slashed. Gold blood pooled from its open throat.

There was a flash of light and the Assassin was sent flying by none other than a Silver Maiden. Her twin sabres glowed with holy fire as she floated lightly above the ground. Her demeanour carried the confidence of seasoned veteran.

“I fought one of your leader’s lap dogs. Theseus I believe was his name. As you can see, I’m still here.” the Silver Maiden said before shooting towards the Assassin.

There was a flurry of exchanges and then I arrived at Averlon. With one swift movement, I dove down onto the hapless fools fighting in the Church.

This is my house...

I slammed right through the front wall, the stone gave way and I let out a low growl as I saw the entire room freeze.

“What they hell are all of you doing in my house.” I said as I scanned the room. Do these idiots have any idea how much time it is going to fix all of this? Not to mention the dead priests and priestess I see. Its going to take forever to get them replaced.

I swear Nemesis better have a good reason for this.

Irritating little shits. One Syndicate Assassin vanished in a puff of black smoke and I sensed him appear behind me. I snapped my hand back and grabbed him right out of the air. I squeezed and his body popped like a grape.

Yeah, these definately weren’t the best Nemesis could offer. I glanced over at the Silver Maiden and I saw that she had killed two of the Assasins.

What the hell is Nemesis thinking sending these trash troops. My Brairs were designed to rival the best of Heaven and Hell, but I know they were still lacking in many areas. They shouldn’t out match the best the Syndicate has to offer too severely.

Ah whatever, I’ll have a look once I settle the problems in Hell. I threw the lump of flesh that used to be the Assasin onto the floor. His pulped flesh splattered onto the floor like I just threw a bag of soup.

I poured power into the Hive Mind to give the soldiers greater combat effectiveness and spat out an order.

Kill them...

“I see your mother has let you out of the house. Perhaps she has finally ceased her fretting.” Aruian said with a small chuckle.

“Oh no, my father sent me.” Ariel said.

“Your father?” Aruian asked in surprise. It is unusual for Mihael to order the Silver Maidens to do anything. The Silver Maidens were under the purview of his wife Uriel and he rarely gave instructions to the Maidens as a sign of respect.

“My father made a compelling arguement and I agreed.” Ariel replied with a slight hint of nerves in her voice.

“And that arguement is?” Aruian asked.

“The Great Beast knows me, we have talked, perhaps built even a sliver of rapport. Plus I had no hand in any major events in the past so it is unlikely anyone would hold a personal grudge towards me. My father felt having me work with you as a liason to the Averlonian Crown would be beneficial and I could handle the communications with the Great Beast when mother is not around.” Ariel explained and Aruian nodded in understanding.

“Sound reasoning. Although I expect Mistress Uriel is far from pleased.” Aruian said.

“Yes, she has always been overprotective ever since...” Ariel said as her voice faltered.

“Ever since your sister was killed.” Aruian added, solemnly.

“Yes.” Ariel replied softly.

Aruian scowled at the memory, the Syndicate had managed to capture Ariel’s eldest sister, Jenuviel. The Syndicate tortured and butchered her.

The only thing her mother ever got back of her was her wings that looked like they had been ripped off by meat hooks. Marking her beloved daughter as someone who had suffered under the attention of Nemesis herself. Aruian knew she did not die peacefully, she was missing for years and Aruian had no doubt Nemesis took her time with Jenuviel.

“Well it is good you are here.” Aruian said with a smile as she placed a hand on Ariel’s shoulder.

“It is good to be here. It is quite difficult to bear being cooped up in the palace.” Ariel admitted with a weak chuckle.

“Yes, Silver Maidens do not like sitting idly by while others fight our battles for us.” Aruian replied with an understanding nod.

“Now then we should meet Mother Justina, she has many issues to discuss with us.” Aruian said as she began leading Ariel through the ruined temple.

“It will take time for the Church to recover, I expect recuitment will suffer. After this and the other attacks, most will think being an adherent to the Church of Order, marks you for death.” Aruian said.

“That thought might not be wrong.” Ariel muttered, and Aruian could only reply with a conceding sigh.

“Do you bring new orders?” Aruian asked and Ariel nodded.

“The Inquisitors are to return, we are to help the Church of Order rebuild to its former glory.” Ariel said.

“Your father told you to do this?” Aruian asked in surprise.

Mihael was never the subtle sort. The more subtle manipulations were usually the realm of the other Archangels. Especially Silvana, that enigmatic Archangel always seemed like she had plans within plans.

“Yes surprisingly, although I did see Silvana and Father speaking on a few occasions.” Ariel said with a furrowed brow.

“Ah that old crone is at it again.” Aruian replied with a scowl.

“Master! That’s no way to speak of an Archangel.” Ariel exclamined in shock.

“Oh calm yourself, I’m not your mentor anymore. Anyway, she knows most of the veterans do not think highly of her. If she cared, she has never given us any indication.” Aruian replied with a scoff.

So typical of Silvana to try and play the game in the manner of the ancients. Aruian disliked her tactics but she couldn’t deny that it was an effective plan.

Pit the Empire against the Syndicate, make the Angels sympathetic and also use the Syndicate as an example as to why the Sacred Order is neccesary. Fear will keep the humans in line, fear of the other, and the Serpahim just need to play their usual role of the saviour.

A simple plan that uses the old tactics of the Ancients, trick the sheep and use them as fodder. A cruel strategy that treats life cheaply. Many will die from this strategy but it will buy heaven room to maneuvour. With this the Church will stabilise in the Empire, even if the common people here will bleed for it. Sending common souls against the Syndicate is like throwing sticks at a dragon.

You just end up with alot of burned sticks...

There are some lines that you do not cross. But Silvana? Oh she has no lines, she has lived for so long no one really knows how old she is.

The Ancients, do not have lines...