- Death, Lucifer, Saint -
The team and Saint had followed Kahvis to their main headquarters on the eastern side of Passage. The area had been covered in illusion magic, with patrolling scouts that had been ordered to keep an eye out for any demons. The base was a collection of square stone huts. Kahvis explained that they wanted to be able to move everything in an instant if they needed to.
The eastern border of Passage was right next to the swampy territory of a group of lizard-like beings known as Sergosians. Their kind had a neutral approach to outsiders, believing that if anyone can survive their homeland, they have the right to be there. Kahvis told the team that it was the perfect escape route if they needed it.
"That place isn't friendly to the unprepared you know?" Saint questioned Kahvis.
Kahvis didn't hesitate to respond, "I know my way around it well enough to guide others. I have allies there as well, and as unfriendly as it might be it would still be preferable to being slaughtered, or worse, captured, by Moloch and Baal."
The walk over had been awkwardly silent up till that moment. Death, Lucifer, and Lao had a long list of questions for Saint that they couldn't find the right time to ask. Even Kahvis hadn't felt the need to say anything, which surprised Lucifer more than anyone else.
"Can't say I would ever think to lead a large force through Bolotano." Death said.
"Large groups like these are a burden to travel with, especially humans," Saint added. "I can only imagine how much work your healers must have to do on a daily basis."
"Mmm," Kahvis responded. "For now we'll have to part ways while I assess the damages of my and Lucifer's raid. We lost more than we expected to, and I make it a point that every loss matters."
Saint tried to say something else but Kahvis just ignored her and kept moving. She would have stopped him if not for Death and Lucifer standing in her way.
"You'll have plenty of chances to talk to them later," Death said. "For now, we need to discuss what you're doing here."
"I thought I made it pretty clear that I'm here to initiate a lock-down on this area," Saint's tone still showed clear irritation. "The Healer's Guild labeled this area as "non-combat," a term I had figured you were familiar with."
Passage wasn't technically a neutral zone. It was considered to be under the rule of Canta, an ancient healer who currently leads the Healers' Guild. The guild had labeled certain territories as "non-combat" for the sake of stopping perpetual battles from happening in former neutral zones. The guild's rule over various territories that they didn't reside in was seen as a rare exception among the gods.
"So whose order did you receive? Kalduk's, Eshmun, or Eir?" Lucifer asked. "I can't imagine Canta actually told you himself."
Saint gave out an irritated sigh. "Doesn't matter who asked. I was unfortunate enough to be in the area when I received a call about this. I don't owe the guild anything, but I'm not foolish enough to refuse a request that I thought I could easily complete."
While the three were having their conversations they started to draw a growing crowd of stares. Death on his own would have been enough of a beacon to draw attention but having Lucifer and Saint around as well created a large gathering quickly. Death got hard stares, while Saint got mumbled admiration, and Lucifer got comments of quiet disdain.
"Let's go somewhere before we continue," Death said looking around. "I feel like this isn't the place to discuss these issues."
Lucifer had Heinrich make them their own stone hut away from the eyes of Kahvis's people. He had made sure the hut was big enough to fit everyone, insisting that they all had a right to hear what was going to be said.
Oliver had opted to stay outside with his team, saying it would be better if someone kept an eye out for any unwanted guests that might try to eavesdrop.
Lucifer brought in two clear-orb torches. He filled them with his mana, creating a strong orange glow in the hut. He told Heinrich not to bother making seating since he didn't expect them to be standing there for very long.
"Alright, now that that's all set up let's get back to the two main issues: a demon army, and the guild's interference," Lucifer said.
"There's nothing to talk about as far as the latter is concerned," Saint huffed. "If you think you can convince me to leave I can tell you now to save your breath."
"I'm referring to what comes after the demon army," Lucifer rolled his eyes. "I know trying to convince you to do something rational is like convincing the sun not to rise."
Saint showed no increase in emotion to what Lucifer had said. Her irritation seemed to be static in its intensity, a fact that Death was happy for.
"Enough," Death said in a disappointed tone. "We don't know how much time we have to actually discuss these things." "The demon armies are our top priority right now. Whatever happens to this zone after isn't my concern."
Lucifer sighed. He put aside his frustration with Saint and decided that he should stop putting off what he initially wanted to say.
"About the upcoming war," He looked around at his team. "I want my team, except for Peter, to leave and go back to Hell. This isn't their fight."
The statement filled the room with surprised stares. Everyone except for Peter hadn't expected the statement.
Lao argued, "You can't be serious? You're already at a disadvantage and now you want to make that worse?"
"You're going to need every healer you can get," Yvere added.
"You're far stronger than us, but that doesn't mean you're invincible," Sabu argued.
"I know you're worried about our safety, but please consider your own for once," Heinrich asked.
Elijah and Peter didn't speak. Elijah was perfectly fine not fighting in the coming war. Peter on the other hand had known something like this was going to be said. He had waited until everyone finished their piece until jumping in.
"He's right." Peter's tone was soft. "None of ya are prepared for what comes next."
A jumbled mess of sound filled the hut as the four outspoken members tried to argue. Lucifer looked at Saint and Death who had been patiently waiting for him to follow-up on his order. He decided to take a page out of Death's book as he spoke.
"ENOUGH!" Lucifer shouted, quieting the others. "None of you, except for Peter, are actual soldiers. I didn't give a single one of you a contract because I wanted an army of my own. Every time I tried to make one of you stronger that was for your own safety, not this."
"What about Sol?" Lao asked. "Are you telling us that wasn't enough proof of our strength?"
"Yes as a matter of fact," Lucifer narrowed his eyes. "Azriel's makeshift army of lycans, yokai, and angels does not compare to Baal and Moloch's forces," Lucifer clenched his hand. "How many close calls does this mission need to have before I'm effectively just gambling with your lives?"
The question had been on Lucifer's mind with every misfortune the group had faced. He had wanted to turn around and leave the mission to Death, only staying because he thought their combined powers would be more than enough to deal with whatever came their way.
"Yvere..." Lucifer looked at her. "...you are an incredibly talented healer that shouldn't throw her young life away for this." He shifted his eyes to Lao. "Lao, don't waste what you have trying to prove yourself here." Next was Sabu. "You've seen how far I've been pushed on this mission, don't trick yourself into thinking you need to die alongside me." Finally, Heinrich. "If you truly want to atone, this isn't the way to do it."
The comments had struck a nerve with every member that received them. For the first time in the entirety of this mission, Elijah felt respect for an aspect of Lucifer that wasn't just his durability or experience. Peter had his own things that he wanted to say, waiting to see if it would be necessary.
The quiet of the room was broken by Saint, "As Yvere said, you'll need every healer you can get in this battle."
"Are you offering to help us in the war?" Death asked.
"Not exactly," Saint responded. "I plan on staying and helping the victims you rescued. When you make it back from this war, I'll heal you."
Death and Lucifer were stunned. They had never expected Saint to stay and help. The thought of asking her hadn't crossed either of their minds. Death in the past had tried to contact her many times before to no avail. Lucifer had tried his own means to reach out to her but always found that she didn't want to speak to him.
After this, Lucifer started to plan out how his team would leave Passage. He would give them both uništi and him and Death would go with them to the border of Verdyr. He had hated the idea of not having their help on the battlefield, but not as much as he hated the thought of losing them.
"I want to make this clear," Lucifer's tone was firm, "if I see any of you show up on that battlefield later, you are banished from Hell."
The statement was harsh but necessary. He knew from human literature that the idea of a last-minute hero showing up was common and didn't want any of them deluding themselves into thinking it was a good idea. None of them were strong enough to make a great difference in the battle to come, so showing up out of nowhere would only doom them.
The team nodded in agreement. They understood what Lucifer was trying to prevent. For all their frustrations with his order to leave, they knew he was right. They're not grim, they weren't trained to be soldiers, and their prior victories had been close-calls. The team went to the border as quickly as they could.
Lao was refusing Peter's echo. "If anything happens to us we can't expect any of you to come running," He pushed the echo back towards Peter. "You'll need every tool you can get."
"I'll be informing Titania of the war," Death interjected. "You should have a quiet trip through Verdyr."
"Remember, go around Hayirna, and if anything seems suspicious just stay in the southern part of Heliopolis," Lucifer added.
Elijah, feeling bold, decided to ask an important question, "Are the terms of my contract completed once I get to Hell?"
"Of course, you've done more than enough," Lucifer assured.
Lao gave one final thanks to Saint for everything she had done for him in the past and then the five were off. Lucifer knew that they were all strong enough to be a part of the coming war, but he was done making risks that involved the lives of his team.
'And beings wonder why I still follow ya...' Peter briefly scrunched his face in anger.