Speak of the Devil [Miracle]

[Kira Yamato]

Zackary stumbled into the city. He was clutching a wound from his shoulder as his sword now clung to his side. It had a substance on it. A purple one which had come from a demon’s blood. For now it wasn’t exactly hidden, but he had a light wound on his pants as well. By now the blood had long seeped through to the surrounding area and his arm was covered in blood, but he couldn’t die. Not now, not yet.

He gritted his teeth. He had made it here so he had to keep moving. He knew who he was looking for, but not where she was. High Priestess Miracle. He stumbled to an inn. It was filled with soliders that looked like they belonged with her. He had volunteered a few times when times had called for it, but the conversations they had were brief. He hoped she still recognized him.

He stumbled in finally finding the person he was looking for. “High Priestess Miracle!” he shouted, but in reality it came out at about normal level. He was rather thirsty and hungry since he had not ate in some time, but that would have to wait. “High Priestess, we need to talk.” He said not worried about his current state. He didn’t want to alarm any of the others in the area. While a person might get attacked occasionally this would probably explain his state to most, but the reality was much worse.

[Miracle]

Miracle was in the midst of prayer when she heard the voice of Zackary crying out to her. She opened her eyes and turned her head, figuring that he must have been in the lobby of the hotel. While others may have easily forgotten about the man, Miracle was good at remembering names and faces. She could often place the name with the face as soon as she heard their voice. Sitting up, the young High Priestess was escorted down to the lobby where Zackary was by guards, Aircano forces didn't want to take any chances where their Messiah was concerned, and a look of concern grew in her eyes at the sight of him.

"Zackary! What happened to you?"

The High Priestess approached him to the disagreement of her people and looked him over. Violet eyes gazing over to his wounds and the smell of blood hit her nostrils. She motioned for the man to come to her and then placed a hand over him, quietly praying to Yahweh to heal his wounds and as soon as she did a white light shined from the palm of her hand healing the wounds from whatever creature has done this.

"There. Now speak."

[Kira Yamato]

He gave the High Priestess a small smile. It was all he could manage under the circumstances. At the very least she remembered him. It was a small mercy to thank the light for. He staggered over to her. His eyes closed for a brief second. He had lost so much blood by the looks of things. He offered her a small smile as his wounds healed after her prayer.

His eyes shifted around to the army that was surrounding her. Despite not really having gotten to have a serious conversation with her. He couldn’t help, but feel but disclosing this information with others might have an adverse reaction on them. True Zackary knew most of them would trust their lifes to Miracle and to God, but sometimes there was only so much one could disclose without causing alarm.

“Thank you High Priestess. There is a gathering of demons on the Crystal Expanse. ” He said his eyes looking around once more. While that in and of itself wasn’t uncommon the numbers they had with them were. He lowered his voice to a bare whisper. “There are thousands of them lead by a man in black.” He said almost too low to catch. Whatever the case here was not the place to discuss such a thing. Something Zackary knew and something he hoped she would soon realize.

[Miracle]

Concern grew on the High Priestess' face upon hearing the news. Thousands of demons led by a man in black? What could that mean? She knew one thing for sure, this wasn't the place to discuss it. Looking around to the guards all around her she turned to face the one in charge and spoke.

"I'll be escorting this man up to my room to continue this discussion there."

"But, High Priestess Miracle-!"

Miracle held up her hand to signal him to stop.

"Two of your men can stand outside the room if you're worried. But they are not to eavesdrop. Understood?"

"Of course!"

Miracle led Zackary upstairs into her room, the door closed behind them and two guards posted outside the door as she turned around to face Zackary once more.

"Tell me everything you can."

[Kira Yamato]

Zackery felt a sigh of relief. It seemed she too, knew this was not the place to discuss such thing. While mostly the people here were loyal soldiers there was still quite a few town folks here as well. Such news could cause a panic that might not be so easy to deal with. He didn’t say anything to about the conversation. He could understand their worry however, but he would make it a bit easier on their minds as he followed them.

Before entering he removed his sword and handed to them. “To ease your minds.” He told them as they took it. He gave them a slightly nod before following Miracle into the room. He wasn’t worried about them ease dropping. He knew they wouldn’t, then he waited for the question he knew was coming. To tell everything he knew about it.

He gave her a nod as he started to think back. It had been a few days ago. “A few days again my men and I were out trying to make sure everything was as it should be in the Crystal Expanse.” He paused turning to her, to explain. “Since your city is no longer their we make sure that no one is trying to use the lack of presence there to launch any attacks at cities that might hurt innocents.” He said before returning to his thoughts. “It was between the boundaries of Isafaro and Jherrazad that we spotted a small band of demons. As we engaged them it seemed to turn into a desperate struggle. For every one we killed five more appeared.” He said pausing remembering all the warriors, allies, and friends he had lost in that battle. It took him a moment before he continued.

“Eventually there were only a hand full of us left. I signaled the others to retreat. I held them off as best I could, but it was a useless effort. After buying what I hoped had been enough time. I surrendered ready to part from this world. It seemed they had other plans however. They decided to keep me alive. Through days the number of Demons continued to grow almost as if drawn by something. Almost as if they were getting ready for something. It was during one of these nights that I overheard them talking. They were planning an attack. Here.” He said turning to stare back at her. He didn’t really need to say he had no idea what happened to the rest of his squad or that he had escaped. Both were obvious weren’t they.

“High Preistess, we can’t let them make it here. I am unsure of their numbers, but if they come here many innocent lives will be lost. It’s why I tried my hardest to arrive before they did.”

[Miracle]

Sensing the man's pain Miracle approached him and rested a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Offering peace to his soul as she listened to him speak and took a step back after he finished. Yet another attack was being planned for the residence of Hallowton. Could they not be left in peace? Depending on the intelligence of the enemy Hallowton would be able to influence their minds but they would not strike back with violence. But Miracle didn't plan to let this force get that far.

"Do you know who lead them? Is it Lord Beelzebub?"

[Kira Yamato]

Zackery tried his best to offer the High Priestess some sort of answer she could use. His time there had been limited and his view of their leader was very brief. He seemed lost in thought trying to piece it all together. He was grateful for her support. She should know more than most that losing those close to you was a hard ordeal.

“I could not say for certain, High Preistess.” He said slowly. He himself had never met the foul beast and he hoped for it to stay that way. “However, the few times I need see a leader the man was always in black and the demons seemed to fear, if not respect him.” He said drawing each word out trying for sure to answer her question as correctly as possible.

However with that information it was a safe bet it was someone of influence with the demons. And with that out in the open of course it might be right to assume that it was in fact the Prince of Darkness. If that was the case it would be all the better to stop him before he arrived in the city. Anything he planned never ended well for others involved. “For sure I could not say, but based on that I can only assume so.” He said. It wasn’t a definite answer, but it was the best answer she was going to get it seemed.

[Miracle]

The demons feared and respected this leader. It sure sounded like Lord Beelzebub but there were many things in this life that demons could both fear and respect so once again the High Priestess had no choice but to venture into the unknown to preserve the lives of those living in Jherra and all of Genesis. That was fine. Her faith in the Lord was strong and He would allow them to prevail as long as they kept their faith.

"Are they still in the Crystal Expanse?"

[Kira Yamato]

Zackery shifted slightly. When he had escaped they had been approaching the ruins of Crystal City. If a battle occurred there it would only mean that the causalities to both sides would be worse since it meant ambushes. If it came to the worst such a conflict could last for weeks. He wouldn’t dare advise her how to use her own army however. It was just a known fact that city combat often took a turn for the worst.

“When I escaped they had just been about halfway between where I found them and the ruins of Crystal City. I can only assume they haven’t made it much further than that.” He said before shrugging. “Of course size slows them down. I’m also sure that they may still be forming a strategy. Some of the demons seemed to be arguing over some form of a plan.” He added almost as an afterthought, but it wasn’t. He was trying to think of everything that could help the High Priestess.

“If preparations are made quickly you may be able to meet them just outside of your old city.” He said. It was also a safe bet that Veran was no longer there. He was running out of things to tell her that he hadn’t already. How much more help could he be to her?

[Miracle]

As he spoke, Miracle went over to a white and gold sheath hooked to the wall. The High Priestess released it and pulled the sword out, eying her reflection in the clean silver blade before pushing it back in and strapping it to her waist. After that she grabbed her brown staff and turned back around to Zackary in time for him to be finished speaking.

"That's all I need to know. If you feel well enough for another battle meet me out front."

Miracle headed for the door of the room and swung it open, calling out to the other Aircano soldiers in the hotel.

"Prepare for battle!"

The men burst into a run to grab their weapons and equipment while Miracle headed to Solomon room and knocked on the door.

"Solomon, are you in there?"

[Kira Yamato]

Zackary said nothing as she grabbed the sword on the wall. He knew she was still listening. He also knew it pained him a little to see someone as young as her having to take up such a job, but he also knew she could handle it. It was just a part of him that hated the reality of it. It seemed however there wasn’t anything more she required of him which was just as well since he didn’t have much more to tell.

He gave a nod at her words. After she left the soldiers entered and returned his sword to him. His gaze went out of the window. He tapped his fingers against the table lost in thought. He really did need rest, but with the Light’s blessing he would fight again. However there was also the matter of his men. He should probably find them as well. He heard the calls for her men to prepare for battle. There was nothing he could do to find his men, but there was something he could do to make those demons pay.

He reattached his sword as he headed out of the door. He would see this through, he had to for his fallen men. He headed out front to await for them to finish their preparations. The light willing this battle wouldn’t be his end and their causalities would be left to a minimum.

[Solomon]

Solomon was in the midst of prayer when Miracle came calling for him. They have all dealt with a great deal since the arrival of the Second Aspect back in June and all of it was no doubt meant to test them and their faith. The knight would hate to think about how well they have done in that regard in the eyes of the Lord. They have lost their home not once but twice and now all they had was a hotel in Hallowton that the Queen was kind enough to give to them free of charge. The door creaked open and there stood Solomon already dressed up in his armor with his sword by his waist looking down towards the High Priestess who had called on him and the others for yet another fight.

"Miracle."

He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. All day there was a feeling in his gut that there would be a call for battle which was why he was already dressed for it, and he turned out to be right. Solomon began walking down the hall heading for the first floor as he asked:

"What are we up against?"

[Miracle]

Miracle walked by Solomon's side and repeated everything that Zackary has told her while they made their way out to the front where Solomon's men were waiting and Zackary was among them. She extended a kind smile to them all before moving in close to Solomon and speaking low enough to where only he can hear.

"We must not allow these forces to advance into the city. I will warn the Queen and then meet up with you near the entrance of the Crystal Expanse. May God be with you and your men."

Miracle turned around and made her way towards the castle to let Hallowton's leaders know of the threat that marches to their city.

[Solomon]

After Miracle left to warn the Queen, Solomon called for his horse and climbed up on top of it as he looked down towards his men to speak to them. "Listen up, men! Our Lord requires our service once more. A great evil has gathered in the heart of the expanse and it is our duty to force it back into the darkness from which it came. Have faith and no evil can stand in your way!" Solomon raised his sword and released a loud battle cry as he hit his horse's back prompting it to run down the street, leading his man towards the Crystal Expanse for a third time.