The day had finally come to face the Imperials. Mary, Ariel, Quint, Shay, Lucas, and Simone stood in front of a portal.
"This is the portal that the High Celestials created for us to go through. It'll take us straight to the Imperials fortress," said Ariel while holding her hand towards the portal.
"Let's go then!" said Quint excitedly.
"Hold up!" said Mary quickly, "Do you guys have a plan?"
"I planned everything out," answered Shay with certainty.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine," concurred Simone with a smile on her face.
"Well you're awfully cheerful today. Nice to see you brimming with confidence. I guess training has been going well," said Mary while grinning from cheek to cheek.
"See we're good Mrs. Tate! We're going to kick all of their asses again!" said Lucas with pride.
"Ok then, go forth and save us," said Mary ironically.
They all waved to Mary as they walked into the portal. Ariel looked at Mary with worry, as if she was afraid.
Inside the portal was nothing but emptiness. The only thing that could be seen was the exit.
"Use your Spirit Energy to guide you to the exit. It's the only way to get to the other side," announced Ariel.
Everyone used their Spirit Energy to pdf them through the exit portal. Quint and Lucas struggled to get there, but they made it all the same. They all looked around and surveyed the area. The area was cold, gray, windy and smelled of death.
"This place is kinda gruesome and scary," complained Simone, breaking the silence.
"Well we're here now, there's no turning back," announced Ariel, "There will be no way back until we get all of the Astral Weapons."
Quint looked around and found the maze, and pointed it out. "There! There is the beginning of the end for the Imperials!" shouted Quint!
They all ran towards the maze. Time flew by, but they were no closer to the labyrinth than when they began.
"What's happening heree? We aren't closer!" mentioned Lucas.
They all stopped and got into formation with their backs against one another's.
"This is the Gate Guardian's ability. He can create illusions," said Simone.
"I bet we're already inside the maze!" announced Shay.
"Well, it's time to put that plan of yours into action then!" said Quint.
Quint then flew into the air and surrounded himself with flames that burned brightly. Shay then surrounded everyone else inside of her dome of water. Seeing that, Quint surrounded the area of twenty feet around him with his intense flames. A few seconds later, a giant demon appeared, running out of the flames and fell to the ground. The illusion disappeared. With his bird's eye view, Quint can see the maze clear as day. Quint turned his flames off and floated back down to ground.
"Simone, it worked just like you said. This demon is weak to fire!" said Quint as he commended Simone.
Simone blushed and said, "Thank you, but it was The Being that got that info."
The Gate Guardian rose to his feet and faced the group. "You finally arrived! I've been waiting for you to arrived. I am your first and last challenge! You will not get past the Gate Guardian. No one Does!" said the Gate Guardian as he approached them, revealing the scars along his body. He was around 10 feet tall, light gray, clad in chains and leather. He continued by saying, " Many of you humans have tried and failed. You will do the same."
Quint stepped forward and met the Gate Guardian and stood toe to toe with him. The Gate Guardian raised his Demon Energy, and the group could feel the pressure stemming from him. Quint then raised his energy in response.
"Impressive, your power can rival the Imperials. Too bad that I'm the one you have to fight," said Quint with unwavering confidence.
"You're more cocky than the other humans that have reached here. I'll give you that, and I heard that you all held your own against the Imperials. I'll give you the honor of giving you my all!" said the Gate Guardian to Quint.
Quint turned and declared, " I got this! You guys go on ahead, and while I keep the Gate Guardian busy!"
"Ok! See you inside the fortress!" responded Shay.
"Be safe!" said Simone to Quint.
"Yeah, if you let this demon beat you, I'll kick your ass," said Lucas as he turned away.
Shay, Lucas, and Simone took off while Ariel stayed behind.
"You're not coming?" shouted Shay to Ariel.
"No! I'll remain with Quint. He is my responsibility, you know!" answered Ariel.
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Inside the fortress, the Imperials gathered and prepared for the arrival of the demon hunters.
"They're here! Now broadcast them to the Spirit World and Demon World! Everyone will see their defeat and send a message to those damn Celestials that sending children to do their dirty work won't work on us!" said Joan as she slammed her fist against the wall, making it collapse.
Small imp-like demons scurried and sent electricity to each other, causing screens to pop up in the Demon World and the Spirit World. The screens show Quint about to faceoff with the Gate Guardian and Lucas, Shay, and Simone running towards the fortress.
"Uri, dispatch the low-class demons to the entrance. They should hold them off for a bit while we get ready. Everyone else, go to your stations," commanded Joan.
"As you wish," said Uri as he motioned to one of the demons behind him. The demon immediately left. The Imperials armed themselves with their respective Astral Weapons.
"This is the first step for our futures. If everyone do their job right, we'll be back in the Demon World and serving under our King again!" announced Joan.
"I can eat all the demons and humans I want then!" said Sahro with excitement.
Joan glanced at Sahro with disgust and went into her quarters.
"You pissed her off," whispered Tupp, "That stunt you pulled got you on he bad side. I'd sure hate to be you."
Sahro turned to him and said, "I know that it was you that informed her about me leaving. And don't lie, it only could've been you who did something."
"She already what you were up to. I just helped her watch," responded Tupp.
"Yea well I don't trust you. Stay away from me!" shouted Sahro as he walked away.