In the forest that extends to no end, Bailey and Armaros can be seen walking on a old trail he once walked down upon with Michael, Keith and Nova until he made the decision to take off on his own to find the one who knew where the next city was located, and a backup Red Dragon base incase the previous one was invaded by selfish people like The Black Dragons.
"We've been walking for almost seven hours straight! Are we even close to this stupid backup Red Dragon base?" Armaros whined slumping forward as he walked aching from the lower limbs of his body while Bailey could continue on for days, thanks to the Black Dragon leader bringing out this beast that has been living unawakened deep within her soul.
"Get a grip, We're almost there you big baby" she replied as they stumbled up a hill until stopping allowing him to see exactly why they had stopped. A small abandoned city was in their sights waiting for their leader to return, but not in the way they had originally thought. "This is The Red Dragon Base 2.0 or other known as Suicidal Encounter, since all who try to get us dies in no less than ten seconds upon appearing under out elite guard's watch" Bailey added pulling out a radio she had nicked from the Black Dragons and tuned its frequency to match the ones her group were using. "Alpha Tiger calling in to Suicidal Encounter, does any copy?" calling in to anyone as silence could be heard until a crackling came through.
"Hearing you loud and clear boss. Welcome home" one of them came through hearing her call in after so long, allowing the two to head down to the advanced chained fenced barrier that was stuck in place around the perimeter with deadly spikes, while guards remain stood behind those preventing anything from being damaged or breaking in to the base without further authorisation.
"This is place seems to be more protected than the last one we were in. And your codename is Alpha Tiger?" Armaros confusingly responded as they were let in by guards equipped with deadly weaponry, along with some warriors who have magical qualities and didn't need to use man made weapons.
"I know it's weird, but it wasn't my decision. The former leader gave me it on his deathbed, and like the last base we were in this one has a bigger area where we keep the demon walkers that we believe could be turned back. We just need Nova and the antidote to make that happen, but it might take years until we can turn civilisation back to how it used to be or if it's even possible by how many lives were lost leading to whoever's left to repopulate" Bailey answered unaware of the fact that Nova was baring a child despite sticking in a possibly dangerous base with a chief that is nowhere to be seen. Armaros was left speechless knowing how planned out and desperate she was to return society back to it was and rid of the being that caused it, an addict who is obsessed with the dead and world domination. What other way to take over than to change all humanity into the one thing that can't fight back. Zombies or worst demonic zombies.
They walked through as warriors greeted the leader upon her return looking different than the way she had left, but no one questioned it as her spirit hasn't changed a bit to save what's left of humanity before it's too late. Reaching a small warehouse meeting up with a lower lieutenant being as human as it can get, having mousy brown medium under shaved hair and amber eyes.
"Welcome back, Bailey. Glad to see you intact and not a walker, which is a relief for me or the current one in charge would've taken charge and make this place more of a fighters base than a shelter for the vulnerable and weak" they said alerting the leader of this entire operation of what the main lieutenant was planning to do once they gain full control of The Red Dragons. Bailey upon this was intrigued to have someone dare to step out of the line of order she originally placed down when she had left to keep everyone in line, while sorting out the original base or so called a decoy to keep The Black Dragons from interfering with her plans to stop them once and for all.
"Is that so..? Give me a minute and make Armaros here at home. I'm going to have a little chat with this lieutenant, so make sure no one interferers no matter what you hear" Bailey replied in a rather calm tone, but her hands clenched into a fist expressing a different type of emotion as she walked into the room where they would be sitting making all the plans and backup plans. A scuffle could be heard inside of the room for a couple of minutes, until a girl with red hair and green eyes wearing ripped casual clothing could be seen being thrown out of the room covered in scratches and bruises, as they glanced back seeing Bailey step forward with a serious expressionless glare.
"I wasn't planning to do anything that coward has told you! This place is doomed to fall like everything else, we need to go to The Stormkeeper. It's the only place we can keep ourselves safe from this hell!" they argued in a panic knowing that this place was soon going to fall just like everything else, but what The Stormkeeper she's randomly blurting on about?
"Like I said before Draco strictly gave us instructions to not enter that territory unless absolutely necessary, unless you want me to tell him that you're planning on break the rules?" Bailey replied reminding them of the one place that shouldn't be used unless necessary by their outside forces, as this could potentially scare the people who are trying to live peacefully untouched and away from the deadly apocalypse. The girl was afraid hearing her threat as she ran off not wanting to be punished for her own selfish mistake to think that anyone would listen.
Back in the Haling Valley the tournament was close to beginning as people took their seats to see this intense game start with the lucky few who have been chosen to fight. Nova sat in the front row seats beside Keith wanting to support his brother in anyway he can and hopes that when the time comes he chooses to surrender instead of choosing death if he were to fight against Raphael or Doomsday Diablo.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I hope you're all ready as the moment you've all be waiting for has finally arrived!" the announcer called out hearing the audience cheering knowing all too well what this game they had made was all about, and its rules, but even if there are any Nova had no intentions of following any of them if anyone dares to try and kill Michael.
"I don't like this game, why did he have to accept?" Keith whispered turning to Nova as it was clear that the kid wasn't fully notified of the risks that were coming if his brother weren't to accept Diablo's request.
"Neither of us had a choice or it would've been you who'd have to fight, as I am currently unable to compete" she replied stating the obvious, but that wasn't going to stop her from fighting when the game starts turning gruesome. No introductions were made and the first set of fighters were walked into the ring one looking like Link from Zelda and the other had similar marking like Raphael, but pastel colour and under shaved short brown hair as the announcer hovered over them on a hoverboard.
"You know the rules boys.. Don't stop until your opponent has either surrendered or dead. Now let the first match of the tournament begin!" the announcer said before officially starting as both fighters began to fight, allowing a barrier to shift around the fighting ground preventing anyone from getting hurt from possible magic attacks or anything relating to the two from these two powerful competitors.
"Sir, we have intel that possible Red Dragon personnel are currently participating in the tournament in Haling Valley. What do you want me to do?" A human asked walking into a oddly well cleaned and funished while a chair remained faced towards them, as the boss sat before turning around exposing their face being no one other than Colton. Seeing his cold hearted stare sent fear down their back as he sat back against his chair in silence for a moment.
"Whoever it is they're of to no use to me. You can leave now fleshbag" he replied wanting to be alone in his boredom still wearing full black clothing. However as the human nervously gulped they still had much more to tell the leader that was so greatly feared by all who dare to rebel against him.
"I-I had heard from one of the spies that one of them is.. Nova and the original two she had fled with when you took over the Red Dragons' base" the human spoke again, but this time he was completely interested as he gestured them to come closer allowing them to place down picture evidence of them following Doomsday Diablo, and a recent one in the tournament watching the competitors fight.
"Notify Raphael of this immediately. If their little friend is competing I want him dead as soon as the round begins or I'll go over and do it myself" Colton demanded with a growl as the human rushed over while he slide the picture with Nova sat next to Keith in the arena closer for a closer look, seeing how much they had changed since stay in Haling Valley, but even he is aware of the rules.
The elf had won advancing to the next round getting in a surrender while he could, as he helped up his competitor and a short hug before leaving the rung as more came through one of them being Doomsday Diablo. His glare was enough to make the entire arena go silent as his eyes glanced around, spotting Nova watching from the sidelines and made the round end the second it had began killing his opponent immediately, as he couldn't bare to stand another second under her intense stare any longer.
Going back to where the next competitors are readying up Diablo glanced at Michael who remained sat on a bench across the other side of the room, staring down at his hands knowing it's going to take more than personal strength to get him through the first round of the tournament. It take mind to know how to make their opponent tick and find out their weakness' before time runs out.
"I hope Raphael knows exactly what he's doing, I'd hate having to crash his party" Diablo thought casually walking past the other block competitors, knowing that Raphael wouldn't be in this block which saved him from saving the human from meeting an early end. He sat down beside Michael making it look inconvenient and lead forward resting of elbows on both thighs lowing his head down. "I can't prevent Nova or Raphael from killing anyone, but I can tell you this.. *whispers something to Michael* Don't use it until absolutely necessary" he muttered not wanting the others to know about this other than Michael, who gave him a nod understanding the information he had been given. Diablo stood back up and walked off feeling more less tense, knowing that he managed to somehow give Michael a possible fighting chance in the tournament especially with Raphael as a participant. "Let's just hope he knows what he's doing.." thinking to himself again feeling bad that they had let him participate in such a dangerous competition made specifically for beings having powers, not just some set of combat skills that had kept them alive during the apocalypse.
The few next rounds went by quite fast and surprisingly enough Michael managed to win his first two matches, but the next and final rounds will be continued tomorrow in the early afternoon. Kaith managed to get his brother to rest for the entirety of the day, as there would be no use in training now, but he didn't want to disappoint Diablo or Nova if Raphael was really out there to kill him.
"I have no patience anymore, Diablo. I need to get rid of him before the last rounds begin tomorrow or the boss will have my head if he wins" Raphael complained walking around Muriel's home whining about a singular human participating in the tournament, but Diablo who was sat on the sofa rolled his eyes letting out an annoyed groan before standing up.
"He isn't that strong anyway, but don't kill him or she'll kill us. Her determination to save both him and his brother is solid proof that she won't hesitate on ripping us apart if your selfish ass doesn't control itself! I as a reminder have a two year old daughter to care for on my own, but don't think for a second that I'm going to sit back and let you make that girl raise his kid alone. It takes two to make a family, but more to make an army" Diablo replied scolding him while walking up to the so called angel who began to take cautious steps back, feeling his anger over take whatever he felt towards the human and his weird pregnant girlfriend.
"You're twenty right for fucksake, Diablo! Just because you fling dies at childbirth, doesn't specifically mean it's hard to care for one little gremlin. She's half human and half fallen for crying out loud, and more normal than whatever is growing inside of that woman" Raphael argued back until being aggressively pinned against the house's inner wall hearing his intimidating, deep, aggressive growl making Raphael turn his face away as Diablo moved closer seeing how submissive he was.
"I always liked it when you're submissive like this. Reminds me of the many things I could do to you" Diablo said with his low deep voice as he began to gently play with the angel's hair, not seeing Raphael lightly blush while Muriel smiled doing her own washing hearing their little makeup fling. "Also.." he cupped his hand underneath Raphael's chin turning it to face him, finally seeing his cute little angel eye to eye. "That woman was just using me, and I think you of all people knew that, Raphie~. But I'm not just here to listen to your cute little whining about that human boy, but to also make sure you know exactly who you belong to" licking his lips at him like he was some sort of snack pressing his bulk body against the angel.
"Go get a room you two, my home ain't no love shack" Muriel instructed as Diablo grabbed Raphael around his waists and threw him on to his shoulder, allowing the witch to be one her own like she wanted.
Nova was sat down on a chair grumpily reading a book knowing what was going to happen tomorrow wither Michael liked it or not. Keith was aware of this silently observed with the corner of his eye while his brother was upstairs using the bathroom.
"You need to stop since stress is bad for the baby" Keith said causing her to unexpectedly rip the book in half startling him, but that was impossible as it was a very thick book with hundreds of pages. Was it motherly strength or an unknown awakening? When realising whats she did Nova put the book to a side on the table she sat next to not wanting to know what happened or how she was capable of doing it. "What the fuck was that?!" he exclaimed shocked and confused stuck looking back and forth at Nova and the book she had somehow managed to tear in half, as Michael made his way to the bottom of the stairs and stopped when seeing the two shocked stuck in silence.
"What? Did I miss something?" He asked walking into the middle of the room before spotting the teared up book he knew for a fact Nova was reading not too long ago, and seeing it ripped in half was odd, but also concerned as he turned to look at Keith. "Why is the book torn? Did you two have a fight while I was upstairs?" his tone quickly turned serious hoping that Keith hadn't started anything that were to upset Nova in anyway and could potentially harm the baby, but it wasn't Keith who was causing it.
"No, I only asked her to stop stressing out as it's bad for the baby, and then she somehow ripped the book in half before my very eyes. A thing no ordinary human can pull off without containing some sort of freakish super power" Keith answered truthfully giving Michael his very thought that came to his mind, as they turned to look at Nova who was just as confused.
"Don't look at me like that little man, I have no idea how I did that so stop" Nova arguing being increasingly hormonal as she stood up from her chair confusing the boys on this sudden dominant and hormonal response.
"Calm down, baby. He isn't calling you a freak, are you Keith?" Michael said after rushing over to his angered girlfriend who shouldn't be going through these negative emotions, as he glanced down at his little brother who raised both of his hands up to his own chest giving up.
"I'm not here to fight with my sister-in-law especially when she's carrying my niece or nephew. We all are freaks in our own special ways, it's more of a gift than a curse" Keith replied standing up and headed out to mind his own business or just to get a breather after escaping the wrath of a pregnant woman. "Michael has no clue on how lucky he is for having a woman like that, I would kill to have one of those" he thought liking the fire Nova has refusing to let anyone get above her or his brother, proving she is perfect to have him and would make an amazing mother if this apocalypse isn't trying to kill them.
"Grr! What's up with everyone today? It's like they all want to get under my skin like squishy little worms" Nova growled to herself walking around the room trying to calm down, but whatever was happening to her body it was refusing to let anyone get the best of her. This instantly made Michael concerned for not only the baby, but his lover as well.
"It was an accident, but promise me you won't get involved tomorrow? I refuse to have yourself hurt because of me" Michael said grabbing her arm and pulled her in before gently placing a hand on the side of her face, wanting to have a clear understanding that her and the baby's safety was more valuable to him than his own life.
"Baby, look.. For how I'm feeling, if I snap, I will snap and there will be no one who'll be able to stop me. I already lost my chance to feel loved in my life, losing my own little sister to these Black Dragon bastards, but if you dare think for a moment that I'm going to let you die in that arena. Well you're damn wrong. I'm not having our baby living without a father especially since it's our first one.. You guys are the only family I have left in this life, and I will kill to those who try to take it away from me" Nova replied expressing what he saw was a confession seeing her begin to tear up as she turned her head away refusing to let him see her cry, but instead he gave her a hug placing a hand on the back of her head and back feeling nothing other than guilt and empathy, even though he had no choice of the matter or they would be kicked out if he didn't compete in her place.
".." he didn't say anything else placing his chin on the top of her head giving what he would think is the last day her would have with her, but for him tomorrow was going to be one heck of a show. For not only the entire Valley, the whole area will bare witness to the rise of a true champion. What will he have to do to maintain her safety? Will he fall or will she fill in his shoes?