No POV:
Yuri and Nightmare stood atop the temple-the courtyard and corridor right beneath them.
Yuri grinned; licking his lips-his tendrils swaying in restrained excitement.
Walking towards the edge, Nightmare spoke. "Let's get going. It's only a matter of time before the hunters show up. I want this temple on the ground by then."
"It's about time." With a smile, Yuri jumped from the roof and onto the courtyard. His eyes gleaming, his mouth watering.
"Let's begin"
~~~~~
"Grail temple? What would a devil want from that type of place?" Hayley crossed her arms as she asked.
"We're not sure. But seeing as he is working with Nightmare, we can only assume there's something Nightmare himself wants." Vaden answered while looking at the tablet in front of him.
"But from a temple this time... What exactly is he planning?"
He mumbled. Vaden understood the orphanage incident, seeing as only Yuri was reported. But when news about their partnership spread, Vaden couldn't help but wonder what was going on.
"That aside, you have your mission. Exorcise those devils before they cause anymore damage."
"Yes sir!" They all chorused.
If it wasn't for the fact that, as per Agency Regulations, if a squad fails to terminate a devil on a rampage the first time, the same squad would be subject to dealing with said devil each and every time it struck, Drex would not be rushing out to nigh certain death and Hayley wouldn't have to keep watch of his weak ass every time.
So, yes,...
It was their problem now.
"You're coming with me."
"Hey-"
Drex protested as he was being pulled by his jacket. The one responsible was none other than Hayley.
Drex stumbled as he followed her out the door.
"Try not to be in the way." She spoke, her voice crude.
"Our first mission since i manifested. I'm so excited.. let's have a good time alright?" Hades spoke as she slowly disappeared.
Before they left however, Jax walked up to Drex and nervously started to speak.
"Uhh about earlier; i don't know what came over me."
"O-ohh no problem. Compared to how fucked up my life is now, getting shot a few times doesn't sound too bad" Drex replied, cheekily scratching the back of his neck.
Jax on the other hand was still on edge. This wasn't the first time he shot on instinct but there was something about this time that unnerved him.
The presence he felt- it felt nothing like any devil he's killed.
It was terrifying.
"Tch... It would've been better if you stayed dead." Hayely retorted.
Drex deadpanned. "Jeez would it kill you to be nice to me?- even a little bit?"
"Yes".
"Wow."
Till this day, he still didn't know what he did to deserve such absurd levels of hate.
~~~~~
In a desolate area somewhere in the city sat Grail Temple. It's brandished courtyard and towering pillars seemed to have aged with time but retained their unearthly beauty.
The temple was situated near a hill where to anyone who stood in it's premises, could see a part of the city below.
The temple stood under the night sky, allowing itself to be bathed in the glow of the full moon above.
Yuri walked into the temple, strolling inside like he owned the place. He stepped into the dimly lit hall- pillars lined on both sides each leading to the end of the hall Infront of him. The tiled floors tapped against his footsteps as he made his way to past an altar.
The air wasn't fresh nor was it too polluted. It smelled as though the place itself had stood for centuries. On the walls were books shelved against each other- shelves filled codices and manuscripts said to contain knowledge far darker than anyone would expect.
Upon reaching the altar, his eyes were met with nine statues- Stationed around in circles like monuments - which he could only assume were the devils from the rumored 'Unholy Trinity'
"So these monks believed in that crap."
Yuri looked around. "The only codex that had information about this was never proven true. How can people be this gullible- hm? "
He looked towards the centre- a burning alter where three people knelt was stationed before him.
"Great calamity, one that stands outside the confines of the laws of nature. We beseech you."
Yuri listened as the monks started their worship.
"Bring forth the savior. The one that will save us from the impending cataclysm." They said as they pressed their head onto the ground.
Yuri had enough. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward - his tendrils swaying in agitation.
"Let's get this over with."
~~~~~
As the hunters finally made it to the temple, they came to a hault to behold the sight in front of them.
The temple was in shambles. Part of the roof was gone. Part of the courtyard was littered with debris and splatter of blood could be seen staining the walls.
"---"
They all perked up- a glimmer of hope shining in Hayley's eyes.
"Great they're still alive."
At least some of them.
Just then, a pillar collapsed, filling the entrance with dust.
"Man, clearing this pace was harder than i thought... I didn't know they had that many servants. Watching them scurry around like cockroaches was a tad annoying but entertaining in it's own way".
Yuri walked out, dragging a half alive body with him. One leg slung over his shoulder. Half eaten, as he pulled.
"I couldn't finish them all off but that should be enough for Nightmare to get his stuff done. He could just kill anyone else he sees." He sighed tiredly. When he partnered with Nightmare, he didn't realize that this was the amount of effort he had to put in. But at least he got his bodies so really didn't mind much.
"All that's left is to see which squad that'll pull up and if the target is part of them, I'll do what I can to capture him."
Hayley grimaced. "You..."
Hearing the voice, Yuri looked up, then he smiled. It seemed luck was on his side.
"Oh it's you... You look a lot different from the last time we met but seeing as it's the the same, I'm kind of relived."
He licked his lips- his smile widening. "Can't wait to have a taste of that succulent body of yours."
Hayley's face contorted in disgust. She narrowed her eyes before turning to the three boys behind her.
"Jax. Vax. I really want to believe that there's a least one person left alive in there." She pointed to the Temple. Go in and search for survivors and if there's any other thing lurking in there..." She paused, feeling the rage build up within her.
"Kill on sight."
With a nod, the swordsman and gunman ran towards the temple.
But wait...
'What about me?'.
Before Drex could voice his thoughts, Yuri attacked. Pouncing at Hayley in an attempt to swipe at her.
Hayley moved quickly towards the side grabbing Drex with her, moving to the other side of the courtyard in a swift motion.
"Stay here." Slamming Drex into the wall, she spoke before rushing back towards the devil.
"Tch... Slamming poor defenseless me into a wall... What a caretaker I ended up with." Drex complained, straightening himself with a pout.
[I don't like her.] Hades' voice rang in a half-growl.
.
.
Hayley and Yuri were locked in what seemed like an exchange of blows. Still in possession of the half dead monk, he swung callously- his tendrils viciously slamming against the floor and walls.
Hayley was put on the defensive. Even though she would plunge herself in harm's way by recklessly charging into the barrage of tendrils, she couldn't ignore the monk in his hands.
So she first attempted to free the monk form his captor.
Yuri on the other hand was laughing and swinging seemingly enjoying the situation.
"Hahahahaha...I really love seeing you jump around..." Saying that, he immediately swung a tendril vertically towards Hayley who barely had time to react. She side stepped-the tendril only cutting bits of her hair.
Leaving no time for recovery, a second tendril came horizontally right for her sides. She gasped before putting her arm out of instinct aiming to block the blow.
*CRACK*
*TRRGH*
The sound of a whip tearing through the air was heard and a second later, Hayley was sent flying into the wall next to where Drex stood.
"Need help yet?" Drex stared at her shaking form as she emerged from the rubble- his arms crossed as he witnessed the whole scene unfold.
"Tch.." She clicked her tounge. Obviously not willing to accept any help yet. This only caused Drex to shrug as he kept silent, waiting for her next move.
Her plan was to keep Yuri occupied and potentially wear him down till either Jax or Vax pulled up but with Yuri holding and eating the monk slung over his shoulder which help him replenish his stamina, coupled with the fact that neither of the two hunters- who were the only source of help she could rely on at the moment wouldn't be here in a while, she had to think of something...
Fast.
"I really didn't want it to come to this but I guess I have no choice"
Drex raised a brow, the look on his face was one of interest.
She exhaled, understanding the circumstances. Then she turned to Drex.
"Stand back."
To which he obliged.
Hayley placed her hand on the stone floor and exhaled- drawing her devil energy into her palm.
Under her, a large pentagram began to form around her.
Yuri watched with interest as he stood in place patiently awaiting what was to come.
Hayley's closed eyes then opened revealing a glow in them that caught more of an interested look from Yuri.
After a moment she spoke.
"Rise."
It sounded like she was commanding something. Both Drex and Yuri stared at the ground as if expecting something to happen. Then-
**CRACK**
Drex and Yuri stared in surprise as from the the pentegram, a hand shot up the ground. Skeletal. Dead with strings of flesh barely clinging to it. It's fingers were long and pale with small claws sticking out from each finger.
Drex took another step back visibly shaken as this was only the kind of things he's seen in movies.
When one of the bodies finally left the ground another followed.
Then another.
And another.
Soon there were over a dozen of dead, unidentifiable bodies lurking around the courtyard. Some stood in place while some simply growled eyeing their surroundings.
Yuri was taken aback by the scene unfolding in front of him. He'd heard of Necromancers before but he's never met one.
Until now...
Then, as Hayley stood up, her devil energy flared. Filling an area in a golden light. Her fists covered with golden energy as she clenched them.
"Well, well... You brought toys..."
Then, Yuri grinned—exposing his teeth bathed in blood. The excitement filling his body.
"I've never tasted a necromancer before..."
He dropped the monk—landing in a wet thud of half eaten flesh and bones.
He took a stance.
He would be enjoying this better than he thought...