Chapter 35: Welcome to Taras Nabad

BJ continued to scream and throw a chair at the creature who flew away. This woke Allison and Geltahmiin up. He was panting asking, "What was that thing!?"

Geltahmiin got up and teleported some clothes on the three. She explained that was her friend Lucy who stayed here till she could return to where she's from. BJ wiped his sweat away then noticed she sewed his brown coat up. It felt nice and warm, just as it used to.

They were teleported to the living room of the hotel to see Hayden standing there with a holographic screen. BJ, Allison, and Geltahmiin interrupted his explanation of the icon of sin.

Geltahmiin: Sorry Darling, you can continue what you were saying.

Hayden: As I was saying, the Khan Maykr is planning on using the Icon to destroy earth. The longer it is on earth, the stronger it will become. That's why you must revisit Taras Nabad. There is a forge there you can use. A titan can only be killed by a slayer's crucible.

Stan: This is gonna be a tough one. Take me there.

Charlie: I'm coming too. You'll need some support, both emotionally and physically. I can really help out babe.

Stan: Just don't get hurt.

Hayden: Good, we'll open the portal for you.

He opened one up linked himself to the comms so he could navigate them through the abandoned city. BJ wished them luck as him and his girls got up.

They were spat out inside a cave of some sort. Over the communication system in their helmets, Hayden spoke. He said, "The blade of your original crucible is still embedded in the titan who attacked this city, before you were stuck."

Charlie: What do you mean stuck?

Stan: Wait stuck... oh yeah! I was sleeping in a rock for thousands of years in hell, but only 100 passed on earth apparently.

Charlie: And you're only realizing this, now?

Stan nodded walking to the exit of the cave. There was a gap they had to leap across. Charlie took a running start, double jumping over it. She landed perfectly while Stan stumbles a bit from feeling a bit of the absorbed shock.

Up ahead were some doors guarded by a Cyber Mancubus, Hell knight, and a few mecha zombies. Charlie rolled her eyes and grabbed the Balista shooting the destroyer blade, killing them all. She smiled blowing a kiss at Stan handing him back his gun.

They opened the gates and a Marauder came through. Stan was concerned thinking he killed him already but remembered something. There is always another to take its place. Or was kinda difficult due to the fact he blocked almost every bullet, but after a while he finally blasted him open.

Once he was killed Hayden spoke again through their comms. He said, "The Great city of Taras Nabad. Site of the first demon attack in Argent D'nur. According to the corrax tablet, the city would've been lost if it hadn't been for the arrival of the slayer."

Charlie: My boyfriend was a hero?

Stan: Yep. Lots of people think of me as a god. An avenging angel of some sorts due to my hate for the demons.

The couple continued through the ruins of the once great sentinel city. The bridge was broken so they swung off of a bar and boosted to wall that could be climbed. At the top a few imps were that were just easy pickings with a shot from the good ol' super shotgun.

Charlie walked out into an area with a statue. There was a switch behind it that needed to be activated. Her and Stan proceeded around and up to it but got surrounded by demons. They did their usual business and beat the ever living hell out of them. After a good 10 minutes of ripping n' tearing the couple flipped the switch allowing them to advance through.

Hayden spoke through the Comms once more saying directly to Stan, "All your strength, all that rage, and you couldn't save this world from itself, but this time earth will be different.

Stan clenched his fists in anger around the grip of his shotgun wanting to say something, but didn't. Charlie could see the look of concern through his visor. After passing through the acidic water Hayden had more to say.

Hayden: It was written that your hatred for the demons gave the people of Argent D'nur hope - as it does now on earth.

From not paying attention, a pinky rammed into Charlie pissing her off. She climbed onto its back and stabbed it multiple times making it fall over. A prowler appeared in front of them and slashed its claws at them. Stan got behind it and ripped it's spine out throwing it to the floor.

A set of gates was in front of them. They each pushed a door and walked in. Stan recognized it. A memory was flowing through his head.

Hooded Figure: We must move quickly. There were those who would seek to stop this. I offer you a gift. Take it. It will give you strength, help you on your journey.

He walked up to the machine and laid down in it. The machine activated closing something on him. Before it did, the hooded figure said, "And now, they will fear you."

After fading back to reality clenching his fists, he was face to face with that same machine. Charlie looked at it in awe examining it trying to find the machine's purpose. Another hallway was to their right which they walked through. Even more demons to slay which were nothing compared to the duo that they were.

A shot from the nice BFG got rid of them and even an archvile. There were two switches they had to press allowing them to take a lift down below. A group of demons were waiting for them but just got mowed down with the heavy cannon and the plasma rifle.

Up ahead was a fallen titan. Imbedded in it's chest was Stan's original crucible. He wielded the one from Hayden. He hopped up but Hayden reminded him that if the blade were to be removed, it would rise once more. So he snapped the handle off of the blade keeping it there sending blue streams through it's body.

The sword was deactivated leaving it useless until he could get to the forge in the vault. After passing through yet another horde, Hayden had more to say.

Hayden: The world of Argent D'nur has fallen.  Divided, the demonic energy flows now from the south and the society you once knew has been replaced by a world corrupted by Maykr rule. It did not have to end this way...

Stan felt like it was his fault. Charlie could tell he was feeling uneasy. She showed him her warm smile and hugged him knowing she will be there for him, no matter what. Through the visor on his helmet was a tear of joy that was barely visible.

Charlie hopped and used a boost gripping onto the wall with Stan following behind. They jumped from that building to another and to another.

They finally make it to the vault. Using the switches again they were able to open it. The vault split open and flung the doors toward them. On a pedestal was a red coin that had the mark of the slayer on it. Stan walked over and picked it up pressing it against the hilt of his old sword. The hilt absorbed it giving it power and allowing it to be forged.

The couple rode a lift to the top into some sort of throne room. They drop a chandelier breaking the ground beneath them giving them access to the area where the forge is. There were some demons on the way but were easy work.

In front of them was the forge. There, he could return the power to his beautiful sword. Charlie stepped back to witness him stick it into the forge. Red electricity illuminated from the blade as he held the blade up. Stan brought it towards the front of his face.

Out of nowhere Hayden spoke, "I'm sure you'll want to try your weapon out before you leave."

He chuckled and nodded picking up Charlie then jumping down from the area around the forge. She screamed for a moment but was perfectly fine. They were surrounded by Pain elementals, Imps, Zombies, archviles, and etc.

They RIPPED and TORE through the group passing the blade back and forth having a try at slicing a demon like a knife through butter. Once they finished the portal opened once more for them to walk back through.

Hayden welcomed them back as they treaded blood wiping it off their visors. Charlie was then hit by a rubber ducky with a note attached to it. She read it and squealed with joy jumping up and down. Stan tilted his head and removed his helmet.

Charlie: This is so exciting! Stan babe, we're gonna be parents!

Stan raised an eyebrow and looked at the note. It was from future Geltahmiin telling them to be prepared. Charlie stopped when she saw the confused look but he hugged Charlie picking her up saying, "This better be a boy and if he is, he will be named, Joseph!"

Charlie: Ok you can put me down sweetheart. I'm surprised you're accepting of this.

Stan: Are you kidding? This is my chance at being a better father than I was in the past!

Geltahmiin from the kitchen: YOU'RE WELCOME FOR THE HEADS UP!

Charlie: Very much appreciated

Hayden: Well hopefully you two can have a good family once this is over. Order can be restored and earth could have humanity walk once more.

Stan: You're right Hayden. Also here, take this.

He tosses over the crucible used to draw energy from the wells. Stan tells Hayden that he can keep it for when the world needs power. Doctor Hayden thanks him for his hospitality and teleports away leaving the couple to relax and wait for their next demon battle.