Karrel knew these soldiers, though not by name, and had shared a ride home with them at the fall of Sinwatch. During the battle, providing backup for Kailey while evacuating the civilians under the constant threat of an almost infinite horde, they had had their mettle tested and all proved themselves worthy of survival.
During the occasional support mission, Karrel had bared witness to their tactics. They were reckless beyond all belief, and were the definition of indomitable, as despite their audacious actions, they had yet to lose a single member. It was no wonder Kailey had hand-selected them for her personal squad. The Survivor’s Guild even came to refer to them as a special unit: Kailey’s Commandos. It was a well-earned name, and inspired confidence throughout the organization. Karrel was happy to see that they would be providing support.
Angel finally noticed Karrel’s arrival and was able to catch the tail-end of their conversation. “They should count their lucky stars,” he shouted, as he closed the distance. “Johnny rarely allows guests in this place. But, we thought, ‘Hey, it’s Kailey.’”
“Glad to know I’m worthy of an exception,” Kailey stated sarcastically. “It seems like I’m not the only one though…” She gave a lackluster gesture to one of the sides of the room, where Alice, Jessica, Prisca, and Krystalyn resided. “Who are those broads?” A sly smile crept across her face, before she mocked the boys with a fake, overly concerned tone, “Does it get lonely here?”
Karrel’s non-existent heart stopped. Kailey would be fighting side-by-side with the girls. He had not thought about that. Though their demonic aesthetics would be covered by the cloaks that they were wearing, their fighting style would surely raise multiple questions. He gave a quick glance to Angel, hoping for an answer.
“Play nice, Kailey,” Angel frowned. “They’re going to be the ones backing you up.”
“Wait,” Kailey was stunned. “those are…? You mean…?” Kailey’s concerned demeanor suddenly brightened, and her voice got higher. “You didn’t tell me they were girls!” She hopped gleefully. “I figured with you macho-men you’d just be bringing a bunch more testosterone to the battlefield. This is so much better!” Kailey broke away from Karrel and Angel and rushed over to meet the cloaked demons.
Karrel rose an eyebrow at his dark-clothed friend.
“We told Kailey and her group that we had some hired help for this task, and that they were equipped with prototype bio-mechanical augmentations.” Angel explained.
“Kailey has seen Dane fight before,” Karrel was still concerned. “She knows what it looks like when someone uses their BMA.”
“That’s why we said they were prototypes,” Angel insisted. “We told them there was no shielding or glowy energy weapons. Just an increase in strength, durability– and an unusual acceleration of fingernail growth.”
Karrel shook his head. “We’re screwed.”
“Look, it’s a huge risk, we all know,” Angel asserted. “But, even Johnny recognized that this is too important for us not to have all hands on deck here. So, yes… it’s a bit of a stretch. But we’ll iron out the wrinkles if we come back alive.”
There was no sense in arguing with Angel. The plan was going to go forward no matter what, and if Johnny had approved, it meant that he had thought it out thoroughly. Still, if Kailey and her men found out that they had been working with a group of demons all along, he shuddered to think of the ramifications.
Karrel slowly shook his head. “I suppose it’s all-or-nothing time anyways,” he sighed. “It was sort of nice not having a huge organization out for our heads.”
“You’re forgetting the UWP hates us,” Angel reminded.
Karrel sighed even further. “…Two organizations, then.”
Angel let out a chuckle and slapped Karrel on the back. “What would I do without your pessimism?”
Karrel and Angel went to join Johnny and Puck, who were stationed near the portal’s ramp. As they approached, the two passed by Kailey, who was now having a happy chat with the other girls. They were able to overhear part of the conversation.
“I’m diggin’ the cloaks,” Kailey commented. “I didn’t realize the whole ‘shrouded appearance’ thing could be so sexy.”
Jessica jumped up and down with joy. “See!” she exclaimed. “Someone else gets it!”
“Does it come in a different color, though? It’s kinda’ hard to work with brown.”
Jessica wrapped her arms around Kailey’s back in a tight hug, and Karrel swore he saw a tear falling from her eye. “You understand…” Jessica whimpered.
It was the fastest friendship Karrel had ever seen. Prisca, Krystalyn, Jessica, and even Alice had a smile on their faces as they continued to converse. At the bare minimum, it had made Karrel feel slightly better about the task at hand.
Having reached Johnny and Puck, both Karrel and Angel were curious as to how much time they had left. Angel nudged Johnny, who was currently typing away at the portal’s console. “How are things going?” he asked.
“Just double-checking my numbers,” Johnny responded, continuing to stare at the screen. “And… Done. I hope everyone’s ready.”
“So, we’re really going through with this?” Puck fiddled with his shirt anxiously. It was off-putting to see him nervous.
“It’s going to be dangerous,” Johnny acknowledged, “but if we succeed, it will facilitate the beginning of Earth’s regrowth. Without the chaotic winds, travel will become much easier, and constructing and maintaining shelter will become less dangerous. This mission will either prove that we can strike at the heart of this invasion or prove that humans are nothing more than livestock to these monsters.” Johnny took in a deep breath and whistled to everyone in the room, gesturing for them to bring it in.
Kailey, Krystalyn, Prisca, Jessica, Alice, and the team of Kailey’s Commandos all made their way to the portal’s ramp. Gear in hand, and prepared for what was to come, they all stood at the ready, giving their full attention.
“Alright,” Puck began, “You all know why you’re here. On the other side of this portal is Infernum, homeworld to the demonic bastards that are ruining our planet. We think we’ve located the demon responsible for causing the constant, deadly cyclones that you all know and love. If we take it out, the windstorms will cease, and it will be our first step toward securing a future that’s a little less bleak.”
At this point Johnny stepped forward. “Unfortunately, we cannot sustain a portal-opening long enough for us to locate the creature and kill it. After the four of us–” Johnny gestured to Angel, Puck, and Karrel, “–are sent in, Jessica will open up a portal to the secondary device on Infernum. The rest of you will be protecting the structure, and its stabilizers, against any aggression. Though the position is well hidden, I would ask that you remain on guard at all times.”
Karrel observed all of his companions. Though they were hiding it, Johnny, Puck, and Angel were all nervous. The girls were still on edge about returning to Infernum, though they seemed ready. Surprisingly, Kailey and her gang had confident smiles on their faces. They were obviously excited about going to the demon homeworld. It was strange that the people without powers were the ones inspiring confidence. Then again, they weren’t the ones going up against the creature capable of stealing a city…
Johnny continued his briefing. “The coordinates that Angel, Puck, Karrel, and I will be taking lead us approximately twelve hundred miles away from the portal on Infernum. After we assassinate our target, we will make our way back to the encampment. Hopefully, all of you will still be alive, and the device will not have been damaged.”
Karrel was glad that he suggested bringing the armored truck. Without it, it would have taken weeks to make it back to the portal. Though, even with the truck, it was still going to take a whole day of driving at their top speed to return.
“If we screw up, do we have to pay for any damages?” one of the commandos shouted.
“Yeah! You’re all forking over a pint for every scratch or scuff m
ark on the damn thing!” Kailey shouted at her troops.
“Hey, if it’s the slop that Dane’s been brewing, this sounds like a win-win,” another commando replied.
“Tell you what,” Puck yelled, “If the portal’s still running when we get back, I’ll give you each a case of my homebrew.”
A myriad of joyful hollers ensued, and Puck smiled proudly at his handiwork. Johnny gave a final gander at everyone around him. “If you’re all ready,” he stated, “grab your gear. We’re leaving in two minutes.”
Everyone immediately shot into action, double-checking their equipment and making their final adjustments before inevitably jumping into the fight. Johnny gestured to Jessica and spun back around to the portal’s console. She approached, brushing past the others as they made final preparations. Karrel pressed against his pant leg, making sure his green book was with him. He had decided not to wear any armor, favoring agility over durability, so there was very little for him to review before the battle.
As Karrel watched the others prepare, Krystalyn approached him. She had a blatant look of worry on her face. “Hey,” she said, her voice weaker than usual.
“Hey,” Karrel curiously returned the greeting. “Thanks again for doing this. I don’t know what we’d do without you and your sisters.”
“Yeah?” a tiny smile began to form as Krystalyn got closer to Karrel. “And…?”
Karrel rolled his eyes playfully. “And… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Much better,” Krystalyn hugged Karrel. Her expression of worry reappeared. “You understand what you’re going up against, right? You all realize how dangerous this thing is?”
Karrel nodded his head. “Johnny has never been one for underestimating his opponent, and he seems to think we’ve got a good chance. Besides, I’ve been preparing for moments like this. It’s terrifying, but at the bare minimum, I don’t think I’ll cut and run at the first sign of danger. That’s good, I suppose.”
Krystalyn held him tighter, and Karrel could feel the fear surrounding her. “You come back alive. Hear me? If that means you have to cut and run, you cut and run. Just come back alive.”
The request came as a shock, and Karrel wanted to respond but was cut off by Johnny and Jessica’s conversation.
“Remember–” Johnny started to talk but was immediately cut off by Jessica’s voice.
“Yes, yes,” Jessica’s tone was loud, and suggested annoyance. “Wait fifteen seconds before activating the second portal destination, double-check the calculations before I begin the start-up sequence, make sure I’m the last one who enters the portal, and prioritize the stabilizers’ defenses. You act like this is so complicated!”
Johnny let out a sigh of relief. He punched in the coordinates on the portal’s console, flipped a few switches, and hit the ignition. The portal began to spark and fill with orange energy, and not before long, an enormous orange-streak opened inside of the device.
“You never cease to amaze me,” Johnny embraced Jessica by the waist.
She returned a flirtatious smile. “And I don’t even have to try,” she teased him, as the two leaned into each other for a passionate kiss.
Seeing the two love-birds display their affection, Karrel turned back to Krystalyn, who was still embracing him. Having viewed the same scene as Karrel, she now looked upon him with an expression of jealousy. Her eyes displayed desire and it was obvious what she was yearning for.
“For luck?” Karrel smirked. He tightened his grip upon her waist and pressed his lips against hers. It was all that was needed to remind him that he had a damn good reason to return alive.
Footsteps fell close to Karrel and Krystalyn as they kissed, which was promptly followed by a loud scoff. Karrel turned to his side to see an annoyed Kailey rolling her eyes.
“Oh,” Kailey mocked, “so it does get lonely around here.” Proud of her insult, and an evil smile on her face, she regrouped with her soldiers by the portal.
Karrel let go of Krystalyn and turned toward the large, orange-energy filled structure. As he walked up the ramp, joining Angel, Puck, and Johnny, Krystalyn shouted one last reminder to come back alive. He took it to heart. They were going to make it back. There was no longer a doubt in his mind.
Standing before the gateway, the four friends made a final check to see if their companions were ready. With their willingness confirmed, and their vehicle prepared, they all began their trek through the portal. Johnny had decided beforehand that it would be safer to push the armored truck rather than drive it, and as the vehicle rolled ahead, orange light surrounded them. Though they had done this a hundred times before, somehow this slog through the energy felt different. It was as though the change in destination had affected the journey. However, after pushing their way through, the group found themselves at the opening to their destination.
Watching the others step through the final opening, Karrel held his breath and took a final leap of faith. Nothingness enveloped his body for a split second before he felt the air beneath him. Or rather, above him. Karrel brought his gaze down upon his own feet, and saw nothing but the vast purple, red, and green sky. Gravity pulled him upward, until Karrel realized what had happened. With a swift acrobatic motion, he attempted to flip himself upright, but unfortunately, he was not fast enough. His back slammed into the hard ground. With the wind knocked out of him, Karrel glanced at his friends. All of them had undergone the same motions and were in the process of brushing the dirt off their clothes and returning to the proper, upright position. Luckily, their ride had landed hard enough to roll back onto its wheels.
“Damn,” Johnny swore, “must’ve dropped a negative.”
“Oh, you think?” Puck hollered as he stretched his bruised back.
Angel could not hold back his laugh. “Welp,” he snickered, “this mission’s off to a great start.”
As the pain subsided, Karrel started to feel the usual burst of energy surge through his body. He could never get used to what it felt like being on this world. It was a painful reminder of the demonic taint he carried. Though, as he observed his surroundings, it only felt like they had half-traveled to Infernum. The colors were still the same. However, the area had a feeling of both familiarity and unfamiliarity.
Encircled around them was an endless array of tall buildings. Old, broken-down, motor-vehicles plagued the roads beneath their feet. Ancient street signs still remained. Sandbags and concrete slabs had been positioned at nearly every single street corner, attesting to the city’s infamous ability to defend itself. One thing was for sure: they were currently residing inside the city of Flarepoint.
Finally, back on his toes, Karrel approached a nearby building. He placed a hand on the sturdy brick and mortar walls, and to his surprise, they did not budge an inch. The building was undamaged. The sight was confusing. Karrel had seen one too many hotspots overrun a city, and never was a single structure left uninjured. Continuing his inspection, it became apparent that he was not the only one bewildered by the scene.
“The city…” Johnny remarked. “It’s still standing…”
As Johnny spoke, the image of the city had been fully processed by the rest of the group. Not a single structure had been toppled. Disregarding their usual wear and tear, none of the buildings had so much as a single blemish on them. The roads were still in a cracked, sub-perfect condition, and not a single window had been shattered alongside the sidewalks. The city of Flarepoint remained exactly as they had all remembered it to be.
“I don’t get it,” Karrel brushed dust off of a nearby pickup truck. “The city’s been here for over twenty-four hours. Why hasn’t it been reduced to rubble?”
“Yeah, and if it’s still standing, where are all of the civvies?” Angel inquired. “Place seems untouched but it’s a friggin’ ghost town.”
Confused, the group decided it would be best to stick together and err on the side of caution. Through a brief inspection, they decided their location was near the center of the t
own. They all made a mental note of where their vehicle was parked, and using the buildings and blockades as cover, they made their way through the streets of Flarepoint.
Several hours passed, and not a single soul was found. Flarepoint, though still in a pristine condition by their standards, had become completely vacant. The emptiness gave off a strange vibe, and Karrel found himself checking the sky on multiple accounts just to make sure that they were, in fact, on Infernum. The purple, red, and green remained overhead. They were in the right place. The question still remained however, “Where did all of the people go?”
Suddenly, Angel slammed into Karrel, pushing him to the side and below cover, and at the same time, signaling for Johnny and Puck to hide. Karrel’s instincts kicked in, and he began to scan the surroundings for whatever it was that had set Angel off.
There, out in the open, a figure stood in the center of an old intersection. It appeared almost human, had it not been for the small, thin pair of wings attached to its back and the curled horns on the sides of its head. Karrel had never seen a demon of this type before, and from the expression on everyone else’s face, they had not either. That meant only one thing. There was a high chance that this was the target they were after.
Johnny signaled for the team to move up. Stealth was implied. Slowly, the four friends crept their way closer to the demonic figure. Making sure to make no noise as they hopped over the barricades and sandbags, and only showing themselves for brief instances, they made their way to the crossroads ahead. They each took up a different position, tactically placing themselves for a crossfire. Puck and Johnny took one side, Angel and Karrel the other.
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