Roxas looked out towards the cave where Fear was pointing to. Thousands of demons were surrounding the outside. 'So that's what I have to deal with.' He already started to plan for the attack. He would walk up and take out as many as he could before having to use his power. They didn't look like very powerful demons, but could see why they would have an issue with them. Of course for him it wouldn't be a problem. Well, the outcome might, but that was a problem for later. Jax was talking to him and he only really heard a little bit of what she was saying. He didn't really snap back into reality until he heard his and Ophelia's name. "What was that?" He looked over at Jax and she repeated what she said. "I'll be fighting all those." He pointed to the hoard. "Because of what I might have to do, I'd rather not have you guys close to me. I don't know how much control I'll have since I'll be using a little more power than I normally do. But if you fight with me then I might not have to use it."

Roxas thought about this for a second. If Ophelia helped him, then he might not have to use Ifrit. The only issue is that if she does fight with him then something bad might happen. More like she could die or the baby could. He shook that thought out of his head and sighed. "Okay, but if I say run. Run." He looked at her then back to Jax. "As for when we get into the cave, I'll probably have a little more fight left in me to distract the arch demon while you try to catch it. We will only have one chance at this so lets hope that you won't get wiped out." A lot could happen in this mission. It seemed like they would be down Morthos which will make things a lot harder. Thinking about this he instantly changed his plan. Looking at Fear he spoke frankly. "I would like you to let me have your best men. For more than one reason. I'm going to need help and I really don't have to use my power. If I can have the help then I won't have to use it as much. As for the other reason." He looked over at Ophelia. "She is the most important person in my life. If something were to happen to her, that arch demon will be childs play compared to what I would do. The need to keep her safe while we fight can we make this happen?" Roxas looked deep into Fears eye's. He didn't think that he would say no, but there was the chance.

Fear nodded in agreement and left to go inform the men. Roxas smiled then turned to Jax and Ophelia. "I think I might have just got us some help."

Fear left the others, unsure of how exactly he would convince his troops to go on what would seem to be a suicide mission. They had already lost many trying to reach the demon in his cave. Luckily the answer came to him in the form of Morthos running up and asking what had happened while he was talking to his people. Fear quickly went over what the plan was and asked Morthos if he would assist in rallying the troops. Morthos agreed and they made their way to the barracks. Fear didn't need to do much as Morthos gave them all a rousing speech about how this battle would be different, how this time they would save lady Rieta. The main selling point seemed to be as soon as Lady Rieta was back that meant Lord Damakos would be getting the boot.

Within the hour they had all gathered at the east gate, prepared to march out. Yam had also gathered a handful of her best spellcasters. Morthos met back up with his friends before they split in to the horde clearing team and the team that would initially enter the cave to try and find Morthos' mom. "Thank you guys for doing this for me, now let's go kick some demon ass."

Roxas watched as Morthos walked up. When he thanked them, Roxas scoffed a bit then walked off towards the east gate. "I'm not doing this for you anymore." He muttered in frustration. At this point it was to finish the mission and get Ophelia back home safe. He trusted in her ability's but, with a baby on the way, he wanted her to stay safe for now until they could talk more about it. Once at the gate he looked over the group of people that was gathered there. He sighed not really impressed but, as long as they could do the job he needed them to do, everything would be fine. "Okay here's the deal. I'm going to be in charge right now. Most of you are going to come with me and fight the demons in front of the cave. The rest will go with Jax to make sure she doesn't get killed in the process of capturing the Arch demon. If you all have family's then you need to say goodbye to them now. I don't know how many of you will come back. This is important so if you want out then leave now."

As Roxas finished talking a more than half of the people there left. "Okay well there you have it. I'm not going to give you some brave speech about how this is for the glory of whatever or that you're deaths will mean something because there is a high chance that they won't and that this is all for nothing. that being said I will be the center of attention in this battle so if your a spellcaster, do what you can to help me. If I die it's all over. Now, let's go." Roxas turned to leave for the cave when he came across Jax, Ophelia, and Morthos. "I'm heading out now. Ophelia if you're feeling up to it you can come with me and help fight. I feel like it will be more dangerous in the cave with Jax. Morthos, I want you to stay with Jax. Do what she tells you to no matter what. This is bigger then the last battle we had and I don't want to have any more team deaths under my coat. I like you guys to much. Jax, I know I've kinda taken over here and I'm sorry about that. You know what to do. Give him hell for me." He smiled at Jax, gave Morthos a nod, he was still annoyed with him, then kissed Ophelia on the cheek. "If I die, then I want you all to abandon the mission and run as far as you can. Tell everyone you can to evacuate because what will come out of me is scarier then what's in that cave." That was probably an over exaggeration, but he wanted them to be safe.

Roxas started to leave with the few warriors that was given to him, well the ones that followed. One spellcaster and two fighters. The rest left with Jax and Morthos. 'Okay Roxas what's the game plan here?' He thought to himself. He was already prepared for battle, knifes out with his glave on his back. 'Alright so we'll charge in head on and cut down as many as we can before they start to overrun me, if the spellcaster does his job then I can prevent having to use my mask. I'll keep it on just in case, but if something goes wrong then I'll have no choice. The two fighters should be able to hold out for a while as long as they stay back and take on the stragglers. As for Ophelia, I trust her to yell at me if she needs my help. I'll have one of the fighters stay with her.'

Before he could finish thinking out his plan, they reached the outskirts of the cave. Hundreds of demons were waiting for them. Roxas turned to the others and explained the plan out to them. "Okay does everyone understand? If we follow this to the T, then I can keep you all alive, but you have to trust me and follow my lead." Everyone nodded in response and Roxas kissed Ophelia before he ran in. "No matter what happens, know that I love you with all my heart. I'll protect you and fight for you until the day I die." he kissed her again then turned to look at what awaited him.

Without hesitation, Roxas charged into the hoard, Glave in hand. The demons were waiting for him and instantly surrounded him on all sides. Roxas only smiled as he started to cut them down one by one. The demons fell with ease at first which didn't come to a surprise to him. They probably planned too. This didn't bother Roxas at all, instead it made him smile even more. 'How cute. You think you can plan over my plan?' He scoffed at this as he sliced the head off of a hell hound. To the left a flyer tried to swoop down on him, but he didn't expect Roxas to pull his knife out and trow it into it's chest.

There was a short break after the first round of demons. Roxas looked over at Ophelia who seemed to be doing fine. The spellcaster started to cast a spell on Roxas who started to feel his energy return to him. The first fight didn't really tire him out at all. One of the fighters had been clawed up pretty bad but not enough to kill him or hinder him from fighting. Before Roxas was able to yell out to Ophelia, more demons started to attack. Ophelia pulled out her whip and started to take out some of the ones from the sky. That was a big help. Roxas smiled his evil smile then charged in again. Stabbing, slicing, breaking, everything that he could get his hands on. It was a blood bath. Behind him, he could hear a scream as if someone was getting mauled. It didn't sound like Ophelia so he didn't pay any mind to it. He had enough problems as it was. Six hell hounds charged at him on all sides. It was a tight spot and Roxas had to think quick. 'Come one come on come one. Think you fool you only have a split second.' The hounds were getting closer and closer and at the last second, Roxas back flipped over the one behind him, causing them to slam into each other. One of them stopped before the collision happened and was ready as soon as Roxas landed. It lunged at him before he could react and chomped down on his right arm, sinking its teeth into him deeply. Roxas let out a yell as this happened then pulled out his other knife and stabbed it multiple times in the gut. Finally it let go then exploded.

Roxas's arm went limp and was bleeding uncontrollably. 'This isn't good. I wasn't planning on that.' He thought to himself. No matter. The enemy wasn't stopping so nor was he. Before running back into the fray, he ripped some cloth off his outfit and wrapped up his arm into a sling. It wasn't much, but it was better than letting it hang. he had to leave his glave behind sense he could use it with one hand. It also just so happened to be his bad hand. instead he just held onto his knife and kept fighting.

Jax stood off to the edge of the group as Roxas took charge, her mind focused. Usually she would be annoyed, being told what to do but for the moment she was grateful for the reprieve. When Morthos came to stand near her she gave him a confident smirk, not letting an inkling of the fear she felt leak through. She leaned her head forward, her concentration on the beast ahead of them, only looking up at the mention of her name, giving her group a wave before she turned back to Roxas and her sister. After his harrowing speech she watched him walk up and tell Morthos to follow her lead. She stuck out her tongue at him before Roxas told her to give the big guy Hell. She gave him a dark smile, “He’s going to wish he was back there when I am done with him. Be smart out there…and take care of my sister.”

Once Roxas was off, she turned to Ophelia, hugging her roughly, “You are my person. You leave me alone here and I will follow you soon. Be safe.”

She turned to her group, “Alright, we have one job boys. We need to get to the cave. Keep together and try not to get separated. He knows we are coming so we are going to get the brunt of what is coming. Prepare yourselves!”

With that she turned to Morthos, a smug look on her face, “I’m not giving you any last words.” She pulled out her scythe, rolling it onto her shoulders giving him her brightest smile, “Because there is no way I am dying today. Now let’s go save your mom.”

With that, she watched Roxas and her sister head into battle. The carnage hit quickly and Jax wasted no time to follow. She let out a battle cry as she ran full force into the demon horde with Morthos at her side. As she came up to her first demon, her arms shot up, her scythe twirling up and over her shoulders as she caught the blade coming down, she twisted it around in her hands slicing the demon in half as she moved around Morthos, her footwork perfect as she kicked out knocking a demon’s teeth in. A grunt erupted out of her lips as she brushed past Morthos’ back, coming back around to slice up and over her head in a downward motion, slicing two more demons the scythe moving in a 360 degree angle.

She kept her eyes out for Roxas as she fought, following behind him, as he and his men were swarmed. She looked at her own men, with Yam flanking her left. She watched the woman go to town on a few demons heading her way and gave her a nod. She could see the face of the cave in the distance, an ominous black rage dwelling just behind the darkness when she noticed a pack of hellhounds was heading her way from the right. She screamed, “WATCH OUT!!!”

Suddenly, the pack was on them and a large hound jumped right into the sky to pounce at Jax. She dropped to the ground, rolling in just enough time to miss the sharp jowels of the creature. The hound was fast though and turned around his teeth coming to snap at Jax when suddenly the creature stopped an inch from her face green eyes meeting yellow slits. Jax let out a breath as she smiled, “Pentagrams. Bitch. Your mine now.”

Just below the hound was a thick black pentagram drawn from the blood staining the Earth. It turned green shooting up into the sky like a beam of light, the green flames hitting the chest of the beast imprinting it with Jax’s curse. The hound let out a quick howl as Jax rolled onto her feet hopping onto the back of the hound, her hand gripping the bits of fur on its back. She turned to Morthos who seemed to do his best to take down a few of his own hounds. She bit her bottom lip, damn… Suddenly she remembered where she was and yelled at him, “I’m going ahead. Meet you at, the cave.”

With that she pushed forward the hound snapping and ripping at any demon in its way at Jax’s command. At the same time, Jax twisted out of the way as demons from the sky came down to try to rip her away from the hound. She slipped her scythe into its sheath, a plan forming as she eyed a new flying demon with large leather wings and sharp claws charging from the skies. She jumped up, her feet resting on the back of the hellhound, her body swaying as she tried to balance on the moving creature. Her eyes remained on the incoming enemy, waiting…waiting…to jump. Suddenly she jumped up grabbing the foot of the creature who swerved to the left, surprised at the action. Jax held on tight her legs flying out to the left when she let go using the motion to propel her towards the cave entrance. She flew, forward a large puddle of demons reaching up to catch/tear her to shreds. She moved in slow motion almost swan diving towards a horde of demons climbing over top of each other to rip her to shreds. Jax reached behind her to drag her palms along her blade before forming a pentagram out of blood in the air, speaking slowly as she closed her eyes, “Te Libero!”

She fell into the crowd, blood spraying into the air when suddenly the demons blew away, leaving Jax to stand in the center of a bright red pentagram, her eyes and hands glowing jade green, the outline of two large black runes underneath each of her eyes. Her appearance was eclipsed by a large red demon kneeling behind her, who at full height would double her height, his blade coated in black slime. She clenched her fist, the pentagrams burning away the cuts on her hands, before she pulled out her scythe heading into the cave, “Been awhile Tarax.”

The demon snarled, “Too long… Child. Mmm…Fresh meat.”

Jax nodded, watching as he began to lick the blood off his sharp claws. She started her incantations as she took a few steps away from the pentagram, towards the cave, a wave of cold air blowing through her hair. She stared into the darkness, her body turning rigid as her attention was caught on two copper colored eyes, and the outline of razor-sharp black teeth. Jax shivered, an inkling of terror she had only felt once before coursing through her. Tarax laughed, “Scared…you should be! He is going to tear you to shreds!”

Jax watched the eyes fade into the dark before she let out a deep breath, turning to see Morthos and Yam with only a few of their original group coming up to her. She watched them for a moment before her expression hardened, “He's going to try. Now let's go!”

After Jax addressed the group they would be going forward with he said to her a bit cheekily, "isn't this the part where we have a kiss in case one of us doesn't make it?" Obviously he was joking, but even so Jax looked sad for the briefest of moments before smiling once more and saying she wasn't going to die today. They charged in to battle and Morthos was glad he had Jax with him, the first few that came their way she cut down with ease, Morthos was more just a prop she was using to move more easily.

Then from seemingly nowhere a group of hellhounds was on them and Morthos and Jax got a bit separated. Not too far, but enough that he had to fend off a couple of hounds on his own. The physical training he had been doing with Jax would be great help right now. He focused his flames to his hands, turning them in to blades of fire. If he couldn't just blast these things as he normally would with an enemy then he'd have to slice them down.

He got the first one no problem, stabbing straight in to its heart. The second one however pounced and pinned him, he was slightly distracted by Jax saying she'd meet him further ahead and before he could say anything else she was off. The hound got a good swipe in on his chest. Morthos blasted it off with flames, knowing that wouldn't hurt it much but the force would buy him some space. He ran his hands over the claw marks, cauterizing the wound. What made him more angry though was that he happened to be wearing the shirt he got with Jax what felt like forever ago now. Morthos stood tall, ignoring the pain, and the hound charged. He was ready for it this time, he waited for the last moment and as it jumped he ducked and dashed forward, cutting it along its stomach before sending a powerful blast through its whole body, killing the beast.

Morthos made his way to the cave, powering through any pain he was feeling. He met up with Yam part way, she saw he was in rough shape and cast a minor healing spell on him. It wouldn't fix him up, but it would be enough to keep him going for now. He ran up to Jax who had cleared the area in front of the cave, had she been talking to someone? Morthos could have swore that she was. "Good fighting out there," Morthos said to Jax, oblivious to the fact that the remnants of his shirt had now fallen off so now he was totally shirtless.

"Oh god this is painful as hell." Roxas winced after jumping back from an attack. Him sling wasn't helping at all for his arm. "Well you know if you use my power, that would heal up in a heartbeat." Ifrit said slyly. "Yeah no thanks not really jumping at that opportunity right now." Roxes jumped on a demons back and slit its throat. Ifrit just scoffed. Multiple demons surrounded him again and charged. Roxas lept into the air, spun around and stabbed into one. A wail slipped out of the demons mouth before it grabbed him and threw him into a rock. The air was knocked out of him and he almost passed out, but fought to stay awake. "I'm not doing so hot right now. Probably should have seen this coming."

One of the demons approached him while he was laying down. "You've been beat." It growled. "Give up now and we will let you live. Continue to fight and I will cut you down no.." Roxas lunged up and stabbed it in the chest. "I don't see giving up and option." Roxas grimaced as he slowly pulled the knife out. He sat back down for a bit to take a breath of air and rest for a second. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, hoping that by the time he opened them again everything would be over. Alas that wasn't the case. It would seem like he was going to die here. There where just to many demons for them to fight. He looked around that the battlefield to try and find Ophelia, but he could't see her. The other fighters they had where already dead. The last one got cut down right in front of him. Roxas closed his eyes again. If Ophelia was already dead then there was no point in fighting anymore.

Just as he was about to give up, Roxas heard a recognizable voice. He opened his eyes and saw that Ophelia was in the middle of a battle, looking glorious as always. 'She's still alive.' He smiled to himself. This was just what he needed to get back up and fight. He had to protect her anyways. 'Come on Roxas, if she can do it with a baby, then I can with a fucked up arm.' Roxas tightened the sling then ran back into battle. More and more demons fell to his blade as he cut through them. Thinking of Ophelia made it easier for his to keep going. After a little while of fighting, there was another moment of rest. In this time Ophelia came up next to him. She looked like she had been through just as much hell as him minus the shattered arm. "Hey my love. I'm glad to see you're okay." He smiled at her and they shared a moment. After, he turned his attention back to the demons. "We have to cut through them somehow. I don't know about you, but I don't think I can take much more of a beating like this."

Jax turned away from Tarax to see Morthos basically topless. Her eyes bulged slightly for a few seconds before she turned to the left rubbing her eyes, “Oh...gosh...Morthos...Thanks. Same couldn’t have been said about your shirt.”

‘How the hell am I going to concentrate with that in my face! Pull it together girl! You have a demon to deal with.’

Jax smiled at Morthos before turning to Tarax, who stood upon his heels to expose his full height to Morthos and the group, “Watch the cave entrance. If anyone tries to enter apart from my group. Destroy them.”

The demon smiled down at her wickedly, “You didn’t say, please. You are asking me to kill my brothers you know!”

Jax gave an evil smirk, “I know!”

She moved back to Morthos and the group, “I don’t know what is going to happen when we go in there, but that demon is powerful. He is going to do whatever he can to separate us and to take me out. Now I am not saying that to be cocky or to pump myself up. I can defeat him but it’s going to take time and I need all of you to do what you can to make sure I am not disturbed when I start my incantations. If my concentration is broken, then the exorcism will not work. So stay tight and...good luck. Morthos? Want to create some light.”

As Morthos headed in first Jax followed, the darkness surrounding them like a cocoon, whilst a deep coldness moved over her spine. She took in a breath and pulled off her rosary wrapping it around her hand as she began to whisper slowly soft prayers that only she could hear. With her other hand she gripped Morthos’ and guided him through the different tunnels. As they walked hints of dark hulking shapes and slithering motions moved passed them. Some of the men gulped, sweat falling off of their brows as they moved forward. Suddenly they reached an area with no walls. The room was large and spacious and the sound of running water could be heard from somewhere within the channels. Jax stopped and let go of Morthos taking a few steps away from him, “He’s here. But I can’t…”

Suddenly one of the men let out a scream, his body pulled away into the darkness. Moments later the horrific sounds of ripping came after. Jax was about to move towards the noise when suddenly another guy was taken. Her eyes widened and she turned to Morthos about to speak when suddenly she felt something curl around her legs. She was yanked back into the darkness a scream escaping her lips, as she was slammed into the ground, her head bouncing off the cave floor as she was pulled further into the dark. She reached out clawing for anything to save her when suddenly she felt a hand and she gripped it, pulling her leg away from the dark to see Morthos' face in front of her. She let out a breath, looking up at him in thanks, “Thanks...I need to start the incantation. Stay close...okay.”

Morthos gave a warm smile, “Of course. Whatever you need.”

She nodded then pulled out her scythe, moving it against the ground in the shape of a pentagram, before she pulled out a small knife. She held it up to her hands cutting through the freshly burned flesh when Morthos spoke up, “I hate when you do that.”

Jax grit her teeth then clenched her fist, letting the blood drip around the edges of the circle, just before she finished Morthos hopped inside before she completed it. More screams echoed from the darkness and Jax prayed that Yam and the others were alright, “I know...but it’s necessary. The demon can’t cross holy blood.”

She released some energy into her pentagram covered hand so that the wound would heal. Morthos stared at her quietly, “Have you done this before?”

Jax turned to him and shrugged, “Only a few times. Never this big...I told you that idiot.”

He smirked, “Yeah...sorry. I’m flustered.”

She patted his shoulder, “I know..Your mom and everything.”

He looked at her quietly, “Yeah...her...and you.”

A scream erupted through the darkness and Jinx wrapping her rosary around her hand before she spoke quickly, “Me? Morthos what are you talking about.”

He came over and held her hands, making her look up at him, “About us. You don’t think I see how you look at me...or the way you treat Melody.”

Jax shook her head, “Morthos...I don’t think this is the best time for that…”

He held her hands firmer, “We could die any minute...do you want to go without being honest? I don’t.”

Jax breathed evenly, “I can’t Morthos. We can’t. I care about you but we cannot be together!”

Morthos started to get frustrated, “WHY!”

Jax pulled her hands away, “Because it’s...because you aren’t strong enough.”

Morthos swore, “I am not the one who isn’t strong enough. You are just a coward!”

Jax shrunk back, “Can’t you see I am trying to protect you! I will leave you!”

He leaned forward getting in her face, “You won’t leave me. You just don’t want me to be stronger than you. Like your sister. You know she could kill you with the twitch of her wrist and so could Roxas.”

Jax started, “That’s...not...That’s not true!”

Morthos smiled, “In fact you want to get real fucking honest, you are the weakest out of all of us. You have to depend on these evil entities to fight your battles for you. You yourself are nothing but a weak human who pushes everyone away and who no one loves. Not even me.”

Jax shook violently a tear falling down her cheek, “Wh..Why are you saying this?”

Morthos gripped both of her cheeks pulling her face close to his, “It’s the truth. You are never going to be the greatest member of SPA because...you aren’t good enough.”

Jax looked up at him with wide eyes, her emotions flying off the handle, as she began to shake, “I’m not good enough...I’m not…”

Morthos cut her off, “Good enough….Now I…”

Suddenly Jax spoke up her voice strong and booming, “You’re wrong. I am good enough. I am strong. I am powerful. I am appreciated...and over everything, I am loved, and I love them too!”

She took a step away from him as the pentagram began to slowly light up around her, a soft wind lifting up her hair and swirling it around her face, as a warm smile lifted up the corner of her mouth, “Even you….Now...adolebitque!”

Suddenly a ray of green light shot up and Morthos let out a horrendous squeal, his skin beginning to fester and burn as he shrieked loudly for Jax to stop. Jax slammed her hands together, the rosary weaving between her fingers as she fell to her knees. She shut her eyes tightly shut and began to incite her magic, “Et ambulare in medio umbrae mortis, lux sum. In semita ex duabus animabus. Via per extrema speculo. Audi me, et da mihi fortitudinem orationes ad hoc Beath daemonium.”

Morthos suddenly began to twist and change into a large overbearing demon with pure white skin with purple veins running just beneath the surface. His teeth were sharp like needles and his deep purplish black eyes stared out from the darkness. His hands extended into sharp claws and his feet began to crack and splinter into the shape of talons. Jax remained in her praying stance her words filling the room when the demon lifted up a claw in a rage preparing to finish off Jax with a large claw. Jax split her incantation for a second screaming at the top of her lungs for help, “MORTHOS!!!!!!!!!”

Ophelia took a moment to assess her and Roxas' situation. There were still many demons and odd looking little creatures heading their way, but, they had slain over half of the entire horde of them. She could tell Roxas was in pain and the invisible bond between them kept her tethered to him despite whatever distance she put between them. "I'll help you. Just focus and we can get through this." she smiled softly, while simultaneously bringing her whip down upon an approaching, black skinned demon which stood about the size of a small bear. The silver of her whip touching it's skin created a sound very similar to something being placed on a hot skillet. The scent of it was worse and luckily she held her breath just in time, though the thought still made her stomach churn.

"You take care of the ones on the ground, and I'll deal with everything coming from above. I have long ranged weapons, so it shouldn't be too hard. If we keep our backs together we can take them on easily!" her voice sounded much more confident than she felt inwardly, but it didn't stop her from getting right back into the battle. She almost didn't have time to knock her bow before some airborne demons approached. When her eyes locked on them, she knocked two arrows into her bow at once, and shot them without a second thought, watching them fall to the earth while screeching before taking their last breaths, and turning into a mass of black liquid.

A few more moments of intense attack followed and herself and Roxas fought through each enemy together. Once there were little to no threats left, Ophelia turned her head to the mouth of the cave and realized she could see a green light emanating from the darkness. Jax must had begun doing her incantations, when suddenly Jax's voice screamed out for Morthos.

Morthos decided not to say anything about Jax's demon friend she summoned and instead just stayed close to her. He knew that she was their key person who would be able to subdue the archdemon. He enjoyed the feeling of Jax's hand in his as they walked further in to the cave. Eventually they came to a room which reminded Morthos of some kind of arena. Before he could say anything everyone started to become separated, being dragged in to the darkness. Jax screamed and was pulled off, "JAX!" was all Morthos could shout before he was also dragged away, his light going out.

After being dragged several meters and reorienting himself Morthos blasted a flame at the tendril dragging him and it let go, slinking back in to the darkness. He stood up and dusted himself off, his chest wound not exactly appreciating the trip he just went on. Suddenly someone came out of the darkness and slammed in to him, grabbing him. He was prepared to ignite his whole body before he heard Jax's voice, oh Morthos thank goodness, I was worried the demon got you."

Morthos wrapped his arms around Jax, "ya, same, I'm glad you're okay. Now come on, I'll cover you while you do the ritual to get this guy." Morthos let go of Jax but she didn't let go of him.

"Morthos I'm scared I won't be able to do it. We could just leave, you and me, together."

"Leave? Leave where? The others are still here Jax, and we still don't know what's happened to my mom."

"I know you want to go with me Morthos. You might be with some other girl but I know how you really feel. And I feel the same way, I want to be with you Morthos, so let's go, and be together forever."

Why was Jax acting like this? And why now of all times? Then it hit him, and he knew what he would have to do. "Ya, ya we can just be together." He wrapped his arms around her once more and started focusing, warming up his entire body.

"Ha ha, Morthos I know you're hot but this is getting a bit much," Jax tried to get away but Morthos gripped tightly and held her close.

"You're not Jax, the real Jax would never want to abandon our mission like that. She would also never admit her feelings that way. You're just part of the demon, sent out to distract me. Now die." There was a small explosion and then Morthos was alone once more. A single tear fell down his face, he knew it wasn't Jax but it was still hard to do that to something that looked like her, and to admit she'd never be able to reciprocate his feelings.

There was no time to sulk though as he heard Jax call his name from across the arena. He focused his power in his feet and launched towards her. He saw the demon bearing down on her, about to strike her with his claw. Morthos used a small blast to change his trajectory and just as the demon swiped it hit him instead of Jax. Morthos cried out in pain as he hit the ground, but stood up, looking back at Jax to make sure she was okay, and she was.

He just smiled as he looked at her, he'd deal with the pain later, he couldn't help but crack a dumb joke, hey, if you needed more blood now you've got some of mine. You best hurry up now," he gave her a wink and turned back to face the demon.

It snarled at him, clearly not happy his strike missed. "You dare challenge me puny Tiefling? I am Urabrask, I am the-"

Before he could monologue any longer Morthos threw a fireball right at his face, "And I am unimpressed with your titles. Now fight me Oogie Boogie."

"IT'S URABRASK!" The demon shouted as he made a swipe for Morthos. Morthos quickly dodged out of the way, but it seemed the demon wanted to go for Jax again. Morthos shot several quick shots in succession, "hey, I'm your opponent. You afraid of a little tiefling whose already been beat up plenty? I thought you were the great Urban Trash?"

The demon growled, Morthos had clearly hit a sore spot for him, "fine. I was going to let you live out of respect for your bloodline, but now you get to die first." Urabrask turned away and started after Morthos, Morthos deftly dodged his attacks and peppered him with fire balls. He hoped Jax would be done soon, he could feel the adrenaline wearing off and the pain kicking in. But he had to do it for Jax, just a bit longer.

Jax leaned down as low as she could go as the claw came down but it was not necessary due to Morthos’ actions towards the large creature. She continued her incantations turning to see Morthos who was bleeding harshly, but otherwise in good spirits. Seeing him hurt lit, a fire to her determination, but she remained where she was, smirking slightly at his comment, but not responding as she continued her incantations. She focused on extending her magic throughout the network of caves searching for demonic energy that came from a being as strong as she suspected Morthos’ mom would be. Morthos moved past her as the beast went past her again. She tried to ignore his fight, concentrating. She felt nothing. Jax stood up in frustration a few seconds later grabbing her scythe as she rushed over to the place where Morthos was originally bleeding. It was a funny joke but, to be honest, his blood would be useful in setting up her demonic trap. She kept her attention on Morthos’ fight, listening to the demon give its name freely to Morthos. Jax’s eyes widened, in response. No demon gave a name freely unless it was of a celestial equivalent or it was summoned. The hardest part of any exorcism was forcing a name. Its name was the achilles heel. Given freely Jax could hurt it, once the preparations were set, but if it gave the name freely it means that even if she sent it back to hell, it could return. Someone would bring it back. She grits her teeth coating her arms and hands in some of the blood from Morthos as she called out to him, “HE WAS SUMMONED! MORTHOS! HE!”

Suddenly a tendril shot out and she was slammed back into a wall hard. She fell to her knees trying to catch her breath, when another tendril came at her. She responded quickly this time, rolling to her left before she awkwardly moved to her feet rolling her scythe around to block the tendrils. She ran towards the lights emitted by Morthos’ flames, barely missing the bodies of fallen soldiers in the area. She slashed through the darkness, jumping up and over attacks before she was feet from where Morthos was standing. He looked like he had been to hell, well more so than usual. When one nasty tendril came at him Jax cut it down, before she was standing beside him, her eyes glowing an intense green. They kept fighting around each other, when Jax started talking, “Morthos...he….shit..WAS SUMMONED. Someone powerful...brought. him here. Your mother isn’t here...and I can’t feel Yam...but I don’t know if she’s...urghhhh…. dead or if she’s wounded. THAT’S IT!”

She slammed her scythe down into a tendril, speaking in a harsh latin “URABRASK. By the light of god and the sins of your father, who brought you into this realm. NAME HIM!”

Urabrask gave pause slinking down so his razor teeth were close enough for Jax to see her reflection in them, “A defiler of the brotherkin. A wicked soul, reckless enough to risk my power to gain treasures desired. He will destroy this kingdom, just like I will destroy you, Exorcist!”

A tendril came up to twine around Jax’s neck pulling her up into the air and slamming her into a wall feet above the ground. She gasped, trying to breath as she tried to pull the tendril away from her throat. She turned her hand grabbing the wall for a few minutes before the tendril was gone. She assumed Morthos had done something but Yam stood with her wand raised as Jax fell to the granite floors. She took in a breath, her words gaspy as she stood up, “Thanks…”

She took another few steps forward, trying to get more information so that Morthos or Yam would understand. She spoke again, her words again in latin,“URABRASK. YOUR NAME GIVES ME DOMINION OVER YOU, DEMON! TELL ME WHO IS THE DEFILER. REVEAL HIS TRUTH! DAMN YOUR LIES BY GABRIELS NAME!!!!!!!"

Urabrask slunk down anger now rolling out of it, “HE IS THE OWNER OF THE BROKEN BOOK, EXORCIST. CHARMER OF QUEENS. HE IS THE RELATION OF A LOVE. SLAVE TO MY FATHER AND HIS POWER. HE WILL DESTROY YOU AND WE WILL RAISE HELL TO THIS PLACE!!!!!!"

Jax blinked, dodging a tendril as she grabbed her scythe from the ground, turning to Yam, who shared a similar confused expression. She was about to speak again when suddenly a tendril came down at her from an upward angle. She held up her scythe blocking it’s path as she spoke again, “Charmer of queens, relation of a love….and a book….a broken book. Wait..I've seen that book. I have that book. Alexander Broccan's book of Demonology. MORTHOS...IT’S..”

Yam finished the sentence, “IT’S LORD DAMAKOS! LORD, IT HAS TO BE YOUR UNCLE!!”

Jax was forced to her knee, the sharp tentacle winding around her scythe, trying to pull it from her. She kept her eyes on the demon. “MORTHOS YOU HAVE TO FIND HIM! YAM YOU GO TO...I CAN HANDLE HIM, BUT IF YOU DON’T TAKE DOWN YOUR UNCLE, PART OF HIM WILL REMAIN HERE.”

She yanked forward twisting to the left as she gained control of her scythe again. She let Yam go at him for awhile as she made her way over to Morthos grabbing his shoulder, “I mean it. You have to find him, or this doesn’t end. So go. I can handle him, but you have to do your part.”

She stared into his eyes for a few minutes, knowing that there is one thing that would make him go, “If he brought him here, he also must have done something to your mom. You won’t find out what that is, if you don’t go! Now move it out of here! I can do this. Trust me!”