Chapter 332

Alexandria, Virginia - 2:02 PM

“Damn, this place reeks,” Jamie complained as we exited the Subspace Depot near the closest train station to the Washington D.C. barrier.

“That’s mostly sulfur, though there’s the stink of disease there, too,” Jeff said in disgust as he pulled a handkerchief from his inventory and offered it to Kayla. “Yeah, no, that’s not pleasant at all.”

“Thanks,” the Double Agent said as she held the handkerchief to her nose.

I had requested Bethany stay inside and, despite having wanted to come, she complied with Corwin keeping her company. Mercury said nothing, his arms crossed as we looked at the barrier. 

It shimmered in the light and towered into the sky. The whole thing imprisoned Washington D.C. in its entirety as well as Arlington and parts of Alexandria, covering a massive area. From here, we could see Demons throwing themselves at the barrier, though it wouldn’t do any good. Those kinds of brute force methods wouldn’t work until the administrators allowed them to.

“Is Jeremiah still in there?” I asked the sky.

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

Against the odds, he had succeeded in the task you gave him. I just warned him that you were here, which surprised him because he thought he had more time, but he also didn’t question it and used an item the Dealer must have given him to get out. Jeremiah is in the clear.

The Demons are reinvigorated by the new Hellscape, and a few have even come to join them. Your old friend, Zalzarog, is there now.

<<<>>>

“The Soul Drinker is here?” I asked incredulously before shaking my head. “I mean, I guess that makes sense.”

Kayla arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t he the Demon who Manny’s axe belonged to? Wasn’t he supposed to come after you because you corrupted it with goodness, or something?”

“Yeah, that’s the guy,” I said with a grin. “Honestly, he was supposed to send Demons after me since he couldn’t roam the world just yet, but none had come our way. I assumed he got scared after I defeated one of the Demon Lords, but if he’s here then he’s just biding his time, waiting to get out so he can hunt me himself.”

“Is he going to survive the blast?” Mercury asked.

I considered it for a moment before shaking my head. “There’s a slim chance, but it’s gotta be close to zero. I don’t expect anyone except Crokillik, the Demon Lord of Potential, to survive. Especially since no one is going to be ready for what’s coming.”

“I find it hard to believe there’s no Devilish or downright evil Patrons listening in on us right now,” Jamie replied.

“Marishiten has it covered,” Mercury said, thumbing his nose with a smile. “Small area Patron cloak, she says. Something that she can do as a Goddess of Invisibility. Kind of like how Sara can purify things and Skuld can see the future a bit.”

Kayla scoffed. “She can see more than just a bit, Merc, and she doesn’t take kindly to your downplaying her abilities.”

“My bad, then,” he returned before waving at the sky.

“Still, y’all shouldn’t linger,” I told them, turning away from the barrier when I sensed movement from inside the Subspace Depot. “Kayla, you remember the plan?”

“Get down to Stafford and wait things out. It should be far enough away that the administrators won’t be able to find the Angel Express, even though it’s cloaked now, but not so far that you can’t use your Heelies to get back,” she answered succinctly.

“Got it in one,” I said. “Alright, go on and—”

Jeff pulled me into a big hug. “You be safe, boss. Best you can be.”

“Yeah, man, I will,” I chuckled as I patted his back. Of course, Kayla had to give me one as well though Mercury settled for a fist bump before heading inside.

Ash stepped out moments later with a tired look about her. That was to be expected given the all-nighters she had to pull to finish the bomb in time. She sniffed the air and her nose wrinkled at the smell. Shaking it off, she approached Jamie and I.

“I present to you,” she began, sounding absolutely exhausted. “The Hellbreaker.”

From her inventory came a massive cylinder. It was plain and unadorned, made of the same black and red metal as the G-3 Omega Colossus from the Hanford site, and sat on four simple legs. The only thing marring its surface was a timer and button on the side closest to us. It had to have been at least ten feet long and three feet in diameter.

While it wasn’t much to look at, I could practically taste the holy energy radiating from it in waves. There was a lot of power packed into that container, and it was all waiting to be unleashed.

“Not much to look at,” Jamie remarked.

“You shut your damn mouth,” Ash told her before leaning against the Weapon Master. “That thing’s more powerful than anything I ever thought I’d be making. And that’s saying something considering the materials for the next item this asshole’s going to have me make.”

“Just make sure to get some rest first,” I said with a gentle smile.

“No argument from me on that,” the Monstersmith returned with a scoff. “I’m going to sleep like the dead.”

“That’s a very restful sleep, befitting the smith of such a fine tool of destruction,” a voice interrupted from inside the station.

Jamie quickly pushed Ash behind her, protecting the woman with her body while she pulled her pistol from its holster. I took a step in front of her, putting a hand out to keep her from shooting. The newcomer was an alarming addition to our little party, but not one that was completely unexpected.

Once I was sure the Weapon Master wasn’t going to fire, I turned to see the figure emerging from the building. His voice was masculine, but he had no body to speak of. He appeared to be a black cloak and hood around some form unseen with eyes and auras.

“The Grim Reaper,” I greeted aloud so that Jamie and Ash knew who we were talking to. “Not one of his underlings like the Soul Shearer, either, but the real deal. This is the closest you can get to a world boss without actually being one.”

“Indeed, though underling wouldn’t be the right word for what you fought before,” he corrected. “We are, all of us, Death. Some simply wield it more effectively than others.”

“Then what are you here for?” Jamie demanded.

“Careful,” I told her even as I cast my senses around, staying aware of our surroundings. “Something tells me you’re not part of this conversation.”

“You are absolutely right, Anthony Franklin,” the Reaper confirmed. “I came to see the Angel of Death himself, right before he slaughters a million friends and foes alike in one fell swoop, and the one who crafted the device that made it all possible.”

“I only did what I had to do,” Ash said, sounding more irate than usual. Adrenaline was clashing with her exhaustion.

“Perhaps, but there’s a hint of pride there,” he replied before holding up his sleeves as if to calm her down. “Believe me, I am not one to judge. In fact, I find this weapon to be morbidly delightful in its own way. Its very existence is why I’m here, after all.”

“To what, steal it or something?” the Monstersmith spat.

“No, he’s here as an omen,” I answered as I touched the bomb.

<<<>>>

The Hellbreaker

This nuclear bomb explodes with a yield of 50 megatons of TNT and lays down an area of holy energy. In Hell, this yield is doubled.

Loot will not survive the blast. The operator will receive full credit for all kills as they happen so long as they are within 30 miles from ground zero.

<<<>>>

I pulled it into my inventory. “We’re about to cause death and destruction on such a large scale that a literal representative was sent here to witness what was to come. While it wasn’t unexpected, I had hoped that none of your kind would show. I called it at fifty-fifty.”

“Oh?” the Grim reaper asked as if intrigued. “I can see what the Soul Shearer saw in you, though that particular tapestry is now in tatters. Are we not boon companions, walking side by side for centuries now?”

“You’re right, we greet each other as old friends,” I replied. Frowning, I realized that the next natural step to the Reaper appearing wasn’t happening. “If it weren’t for the fact that your presence is a double-edged sword, I’d find your appearance comforting because it means that my plan is going to succeed.”

“Only you could be comfortable around the Grim fucking Reaper,” Ash whispered.

Our guest ignored her, moving so that his invisible hands were folded in front of him. “And why is my presence not welcome here, brother? I would know, if you care to share.”

“Because while it is a good omen for us, your kind showing up like this often brings those that death cannot touch,” I answered, pointing towards the sky. “I haven’t seen a Reaper omen that wasn’t backed up with the swift arrival of an administrator to see what was going on. They can’t see me, you know, so your appearance surprises them.”

The Grim Reaper laughed, causing both Jamie and Ash to shudder as a chill went down their spines. I didn’t find it pleasant, either.

“Don’t you worry about the administrators,” he said, his voice low and gleeful. “You’ll find that the deathless have, very suddenly and unexpectedly, found themselves touched by me and my kin. It has been a most delightful revelation.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that?” I asked, taking a step forward. “Hernigan mentioned something about someone giving me some sort of power, is that related to this?”

“I have a feeling that you’re going to find out very, very soon, Anthony Franklin,” the Grim Reaper replied with a dark chuckle. “Just know that you have elevated someone who will set something in motion that will shake the system down to its very core, and I couldn’t be more glad.”

“So we’re talking about the Dealer,” I stated.

My mind ran through what had been given to me. If that alligator had been eating administrators, did he gain the ability to kill them just like me? Or did he craft a weapon like the bomb we discussed, but perhaps on a smaller scale? The Dealer said he was regaining the spark of power he had lost when he became a treasure hunter, but that could mean just about anything.

“You should get to reaping, Angel of Death,” the Grim Reaper said, pointing towards the barrier while I was snapped out of my thoughts. “I think you’ll still find you have your work cut out for you.”

“You mean…” I trailed off as the cloak slowly disappeared from sight, vanishing without a trace. “Well, fuck.”

Taking a breath, I ran my fingers through my hair as I stared at the empty air around me. No administrators had shown up, there was no scenario popping up, and nothing had gone wrong. It was about as good an outcome as I could have asked for.

Which made me wonder when the other shoe was going to drop.

“You two get back to the train and get out of here,” I said before turning around to face them.

“Really wish we could have gotten our hands on that damn cloak,” Ash muttered, still staring at where the Grim Reaper had been.

“Thank you again,” I told her, putting my hand on her shoulder. She jerked, looking up at me. “I appreciate you.”

The Monstersmith blinked before smiling, and I knew she was way too tired for this. “You’re welcome, psychic boy,” she replied.

“Jamie, you got her?” I asked, pulling away.

“Always,” the Weapon Master answered before she started leading her girlfriend away. “Come on, you.”

“I’m going to cuddle the hell out of you, blondie,” Ash replied deliriously, linking arms with Jamie. “And I’m going to sleep for at least ten hours, so you have to stay with me.”

“Sure thing,” Jamie said, patting the other woman on the arm. I smiled as they entered the Subspace Depot, but she turned around before closing the door. “Come back to us in one piece, got it? That’s not a request.”

“Heard, loud and clear,” I replied with a wave.

The door closed, but I didn’t move for a few minutes until the Subspace Depot shack folded in on itself. That was the giveaway that the Angel Express was moving away from here. I was glad that no one argued, but their position was hard when the key to the plan was a holy nuclear bomb.

Taking a breath, I jumped into the air and started flying towards the barrier. I changed direction upwards before hitting it, and reached out. My fingers trailed against the white, translucent wall. They dipped in, though I didn’t allow myself to pass through yet.

Getting into Washington D.C. was easy, anyone could do it; getting out was another story.

I flew until I was over the barrier, finding what I could tell was its center by the landmarks below. The Demons had done a number on the entire city. A quarter of it was razed to the ground and nothing but rubble, but they had built several temples and barracks in their place from brimstone.

The streets were filled with grotesque monsters of all shapes and sizes. It would have been amazing to see such a diverse array of creatures if it weren’t for the fact that each Demon was some kind of mutation of itself. Some flew close to the barrier’s edge, and a couple had followed me from where I had started. They taunted me, trying to get me to enter their domain where they could eviscerate and eat me.

I obliged.

With a combination of Flight and several applications of Drop, I passed by the leather-winged Demons like a meteor. They were stunned for a few seconds before they shook themselves off to follow me, but it wouldn’t do them any good; I was much faster than them.

The feeling of Hell attacked my body, and I could feel my ring respond in kind. It wanted me to Break Free, to change into my Angelic form, but I held it back. That proved harder than I anticipated. Still doable, just difficult. It was an ongoing struggle.

“Here goes nothing,” I said, straining from the effort. “Wish me luck, Sara.”

<<<>>>

[[Notice]]

You have entered Hell.

A hidden option of Esaraphelscion’s Vow, the Armor of the End passive, has been revealed.

A hidden option of Esaraphelscion’s Vow, the Angelic Ascent passive, has been revealed.

[[Patron Quest: Activate the Hellbreaker!]]

Good luck, Ant. There are close to a million Demons down there, and it’s your job to eradicate each and every one of them. We planned for this, so all that’s left is to execute them all.

Objective: Deploy and activate the Hellbreaker.

Reward: +750,000 points.

[[Patron Quest: Ignite your Soul!]]

You’ve already stopped the transformation, which is good. It’s not something you’ll be able to keep up for long. You’re going to need to ignite your soul using Break Free after your body is whole again. That will reactivate the ring and put you on the road to recovery.

I don’t envy what you’re about to go through, but I know you’ll succeed. Bear with it for me, and know that I will always be thankful that you trust me. You might not like me much after what you go through.

Objective: Bask in the energies released by the Hellbreaker and put your soul back together.

Reward: +150,000 points, Enhancement Jewel for Scalpel of Angelic Healing.

<<<>>>

“Nah, I’m still going to love you after all this. Don’t you worry about a thing,” I replied as I grinned at the rewards. “And thanks for the heavy tips. I appreciate them.”

The ground was getting closer, and I retrieved the Hellbreaker from my inventory. I straddled the massive bomb, riding it on the way down. My telekinetic fingers set the timer for five seconds, the lowest countdown that it had, but I hesitated to press the button.

“Oh, what the hell,” I said, shaking off the feeling of oncoming dread. “As if this is the craziest thing I’ve done.”

I pressed the button, and it glowed red and blinked once every second. There was no turning back now, though that was me ignoring the fact that I could return it to my inventory and pull it out later as a massive fuck you to whatever made me need it, and I relaxed. No more Flight, or Drop, or anything.

All of my clothes and gear, minus Esaraphelscion’s Vow and the Celestial Crown of the Rising Star, were pulled into my inventory just as the timer hit one. Those were the only items that could survive the blast, and I couldn’t unequip the latter, anyway.

The next second later, my vision went white for a split second before my body was vaporized. Sara was right. It happened so quickly that I didn’t even feel it.

What came next, however, was by far the most excruciating pain I had ever felt in my long life. Worse than the genie, worse than the Silver Nightmare, and certainly worse than the weeks I had spent inside the Healharm Slime. 

And there was nothing left to do but ride it out.