Shlaereen didn’t even wait for another word, as she flew straight into the portal of hell itself. Her eyes raging with an inferno, as she gripped her sword tighter in her hands. Some of the grunts murmmered, and swiftly looked about, but Isabella and her Templars swiftly pushed trough, forming the vanguard of the assault. Seeing this, the grunts were filled with determination, as they mounted their vehicles, and pressed onward, entering into hell itself.
Once the party arrived in Hell, they were treated to a blood-red sky and a blasted wasteland for terrain. The Hellgate quickly sealed up behind them, and before them was what looked like…was that a demon in a business suit? He was currently sitting at a desk typing away at something.
“Ah, new arrivals to Hell,” the demon commented as he looked up from his desk. “Though…you don’t smell of the dead.” The demon gestured and various seats manifested out of flame. “Please, have a seat. I would very much prefer that we be civilized during your initial arrival here, though given your weapons I’d imagine you’re not here for civilized reasons.”
sighing, Nora pinches the bridge of her nose,”Of course… bureaucracy… This truly is hell, isn’t it?” She asks Astrid, hoping to get a slightly better mood out of her fellow deity,”…Rather an undignified image, don’t you think? This heavily armed squad of righteous avengers sitting in a waiting room?” She asks, not really concerned that her speech is reaching the party
“And why does a demon care about civility? they are the literal incarnation of everything wrong with mortal beings, and that includes a lack of civility” Nora continues, seeming agitated by this creature’s presence
“Honestly I think that’s exactly why they’re asking for it,” Joe commented to Nora, deciding to join in on the running commentary. “I mean, c’mon, making a team of holy warriors sit around in a waiting room before we can actually start running around trying to find and eliminate a threat to the gods? I can’t think of anything worse to do to our team than exactly that. And honestly, what little I know about the Celestial Order makes it clear that bureaucracy is king.”
Mind you, Joe was choosing to sit down anyways. He’s probably at least going to use this opportunity to inquire about where Adam’s palace was located, since this was admittedly his first time in Hell. Best to have some directions, after all.
Deciding to leave any inquiries to Joe, Red sat down as he gestured for Ruler to do the same. Despite a look of confusion and wariness, the white-clad Servant did as he requested. Between their minds, telepathic communication flashed across their connection.
“Master, are you certain we should be following as they say? Even this request of civility may be a trap. It is not wise to follow the words of demons, Astrid said so herself.“
“Quite so, Jeanne. I’m aware this leaves us vulnerable. But if my research holds true, even Hell obeys the due processes of this celestial bureaucracy. I don’t like this any more than you do, but we must learn more before acting. If anything, it is acting rashly and just rampaging through Hell that will be unwise. We wait, for now. But be ready for anything.“
To that, Ruler nodded at Red. Though, to anyone watching, it would have looked as if she just did so for no apparent reason.
For a while I’ve seen this recurring phenomena of mecha artists that say they won’t draw furries on their commission info and furry artists that won’t draw mecha on theirs and it’s the absolute funniest thing to me. It makes it look like there’s this huge schism between the two like some serious shit went down ages ago.
artists have to choose early on whether they can draw mecha or if they can draw furry you can only choose one
Clad in his personal hardsuit, Red gave a single nod as Ruler stood silently behind him, the Servant’s head bowed and eyes closed in silent prayer.
“If that is what is needed of me, Spartan.“ His tone was even, calm, as it always was before a war.
Behind the opaque faceplate, though, Red had a look of mild distaste as he glanced over the Deliverance. Not that he hated heavy weapons, far from it. But his tactical preference tended towards high mobility and versatility of fire across all ranges. Normally, heavy weapons only slowed him down, even augmented as he was.
And being slow only got you dead. If nothing else, the lessons he’d learned from Ahern had taught him that. But if circumstances demanded that he take a heavy weapon, so be it.
Taking one of the Rifles of Absolution, he gave it a look over both it and its supply drone before scanning both. Out of habit, his hand briefly caressed the deactivated hilt of the custom Energy Sword on his hip.
“If myself holding the Deliverance is any indication, I am expected to be heavy fire support? I will recommend, though, that it is best if we turn these Demon Lords against each other rather than engage them directly.“
He gestured towards Ruler, who’d finished her prayer and was now looking at the rest quietly. “Ruler will be our primary damage mitigator. Her Magic Resistance is unparalleled, so as long as we stay behind her, we should be safe from any demonic magic attack.”
Red looked towards the representative of Astrid’s Templar Order, a signal that it was their time in the proverbial spotlight. “That will be all from me for now.”
Astrid shook her head to Red. “The Deliverance, or as Joe calls it, the BFG, is a weapon of last resort,” she answered. “Stick to your rifle unless the situation calls for it. At any rate, turning the the Demon Lords against each other would fulfill Adam’s request…but personally, I want them dead because I don’t want those Demon Lords to be a threat to anyone ever again. At any rate, it looks like everyone’s ready.”
With that, Astrid raised her hand to the side as a Gateway to Hell opened up. Unlike Astrid’s usual Warp Doors, the Hellgate was of an entirely different design. Two massive purple doors, many times taller than a man. On both doors lay a skeletal figure, skull wrapped in bandages that covered the upper portion of the skull and one of the eyes (a different eye for the two skulls, at that, to give a symmetrical appearance). There was only one skeletal arm on these things, which went from the side farthest from the middle, across the ribcage, and to the place where the two doors met.
And then, both doors slid open, a massive font of unholy energy seeping through as it did so. The entrance to Hell was open. This was the last chance anyone had to bail before they found themselves in Hell itself.
“Correct; if you think Deliverance is necessary, deploy it, charge for exactly one second, and fire… Deliverance is meant to be used on something you think is powerful enough to kill all of you with minimal effort… a word to the wise: Demons are manipulative, but they are also incredibly arrogant, and like to talk… play to that, and get them to lower their guard”
When the gates open, Nora seems not to react, but upon closer inspection, her hands and tendrils are shaking ever-so-slightly,”May Progress guide your hand, champions” She says officially, while Urtraghians are setting up their gear,”One last thing:as mortal beings, you’ll be tempting not only to the demons, but to the lost souls of Hell, as well… stay strong, and do not listen to them, no matter what they say”
The Hellgate. Joe hadn’t seen this gateway since Dark Samus’ soul was sealed away in Hell, impaled on a massive sword as something was cackling. Just seeing this gateway again made Joe uneasy, and he couldn’t imagine how Nora was feeling, given all the memories associated with this gateway for her.
However, he couldn’t back down. It was his sworn duty to help Astrid, and this was the most important mission yet. Still…he had to talk with Astrid once this was all over. There were things he needed to discuss with her. Without saying a word, Joe stepped into the Hellgate first, taking point as he entered Hell itself. Here’s to hoping he could last in there, for all their sakes…
Since time immemorial, Man had always wondered what lay beyond the spectral veil of death. Now, perhaps, at long last here was a chance to see for oneself.
As he stared beyond the Hellgate into the starless black, Red carried himself a bit more firmly, posture steady as he cradled a Rifle of Absolution. Even as he followed Spartan Joe with Ruler just behind him, Red was all too aware there was a significant chance that he would not return safely.
Nonetheless, he held fast to his conviction. To reinforce it, he recalled the oath he’d sworn all those years ago. Back when he’d taken up the mantle of Fleet Admiral.
I swear, upon the principles of the Charter, to uphold and serve in my duty towards the people, and execute the office of Fleet Admiral to the highest of my ability.
By my oath eternal, I will ensure the survival and prosperity of the people, whatever the cost. I will give of myself and sacrifice, in time or blood with entirety, in service. Should I be found unworthy or fail in any time and capacity, I will depart office immediately. I will accept no reward nor payment. I will ask nothing but to serve.
Henceforth, my life is forfeit in service to the galaxy alone. My duty is my life, my life is my duty. On my life, I pledge eternal service.
You never think it happens to you until it does. You never think that you’d be the one that people reblog tips for.
I wash just closely followed and taped by a man at a convention today. The only reason I’m here to talk about it is because of said reblogged tips. They might have just saved me.
When I saw that man behind me, I did a run-through of everything I knew to keep me safe. Everything I saw on this website that would help me. First, I made sure I was being followed. I picked up my pace, went around tables sporadically, mixed up my directions. I never stopped moving. When I saw he was still the same distance behind me, I knew.
Second, I looked for my friends. I had come with three other people and had split up to look at merch. But when I couldn’t find them, I did what I never thought I’d have to do. I thank all of the people I followed for reblogging it so many times.
I picked a random cosplayer my age (a Midoriya cosplayer of 15-16 years) and pretended that I just met a long lost friend. I leaned in close to give them a hug and then whispered that I was being followed. They understood IMMEDIATELY and let me follow them to a different booth. It wasn’t until I grouped with them that the man stopped following me. I later went to security and the man was already someone who they were having trouble with earlier.
Moral of the story: Please reblog tips for safety on your dash. I don’t care if it doesn’t fit. If I didn’t think of pretending I knew someone, something worse could’ve happened to me. If you’re being followed, don’t be afraid to pretend you know someone. Be careful out there. You never think it’s going to be you until it happens.
So glad your safe OP!! As a fandom blog, this does fit. Please always be ready to help out a fellow cosplayer in need.
Note also that as the person approached you don’t have to do something heroic or confront the person following or harassing the person approaching you for help. Just roll with the pretence that you know each other to help them leave that area/lose their pursuit (“It’s so nice to see you! I didn’t recognise you in your costume! Let’s go and catch up”) and then find some staff to report what happened. Most creeps will not continue following or harassing someone who visibly has even one friend with them because their whole creepy strategy is to isolate someone.
As someone who routinely staffs conventions, PLEASE FIND STAFF. At my con we’re specifically in bright yellow or red reflective vests that are VERY easy to spot. This is double for keeping you safe but also making it easier for someone else to intervene if you don’t wanna pretend you know someone. and GET THAT PERSON REMOVED ASAP.
The time had finally come. After a few moments of preparing herself, Nora developing new anti-demon weapons, and Astrid’s party being prepared, they were all ready to descend.
Within this party was Astrid’s Champion Spartan Joe, her first angel Shlaereen, Fleet Admiral Red and his Servant Ruler, and some Templar. Now, she was going to make certain that the demon did not escape. Now, all that was left was to equip her kill team, and open the gateway into Hell.
At Astrid’s side was her long-standing companion Nora. Astrid spoke first. “I’m sure you all know why you’re here,” she said, her voice surprisingly filled with fire and anger right now. “There is a demon that I want dead. You all are going into Hell and killing him, and anyone else who gets in your way.
“My old nemesis Adam has information that can guide you, but first he is demanding that we eliminate five other Demon Lords. I’d prefer them dead, but if you’d rather turn them against each other and leave them to their own devices, then fine.
“I don’t care what happens to Adam after this is all over, but until the demon is dead, we’re forced to keep Adam alive. Now, Nora will be equipping you all with new weapons to help you fight the demons down there. Once you arrive in Hell, make your way to Adam’s palace, and get the information you need from him for where these Demon Lords are located.”
Then, she turned and nodded to Nora to let her take over from here. Hopefully her companion made some good gear for these people for their descent into Hell.
Shlaereen was already fully equiped, with her armor already strapped up, and blade ready to cut down demons. Her armor was like Rebecca’s, except it was more lighter, and had less plates on it. Of course, this was designed for healing, rather then taking a brutal assault. As for Isabella, she was in full plate armor, covered in runes, and holy symbols of Astrid that gave off a holy aura. Her army consisted of three companies of Templars, and eight divisions of grunts, with light armored vehicles, designed to combat these demons. Though the extra weapons did help, as Isabella took a pistol from the rack, while Shlaereen was content with her blade/rifle. Any heavy weapons would be attached to the armored vehicles, with some of the templars appearing to have brought heavy weapons of their own.
Joe took a look at the Deliverance and whistled. “That is a Big Fucking Gun right there,” he mentioned, before taking the sword. “No Gunblade, huh? Alright then, guess I’ll just use my Power Suit then.” With that, Joe quickly activated his Power Suit, being covered in a sacred armor with a holy ranged weapon attached to it. And explosives. Lots and lots of explosives.
“I suggest Red be the one to carry that BFG we got,” he mentioned. “I’m ready when you guys are.” Though quietly, he couldn’t help but notice Astrid’s unusually high levels of anger in that speech. Joe had faced down many threats in his life, but seeing Astrid of all people angry…that didn’t sit right with him, and he was damn sure it wasn’t because of the fact that he had been steadily coming to accept Astrid as a full-blown goddess that he was working for. That anger seemed…off to him. He had never seen Astrid this angry before at any point of his knowing him, and that bothered him…he’ll have to find out more later.
Clad in his personal hardsuit, Red gave a single nod as Ruler stood silently behind him, the Servant’s head bowed and eyes closed in silent prayer.
“If that is what is needed of me, Spartan.“ His tone was even, calm, as it always was before a war.
Behind the opaque faceplate, though, Red had a look of mild distaste as he glanced over the Deliverance. Not that he hated heavy weapons, far from it. But his tactical preference tended towards high mobility and versatility of fire across all ranges. Normally, heavy weapons only slowed him down, even augmented as he was.
And being slow only got you dead. If nothing else, the lessons he’d learned from Ahern had taught him that. But if circumstances demanded that he take a heavy weapon, so be it.
Taking one of the Rifles of Absolution, he gave it a look over both it and its supply drone before scanning both. Out of habit, his hand briefly caressed the deactivated hilt of the custom Energy Sword on his hip.
“If myself holding the Deliverance is any indication, I am expected to be heavy fire support? I will recommend, though, that it is best if we turn these Demon Lords against each other rather than engage them directly.“
He gestured towards Ruler, who’d finished her prayer and was now looking at the rest quietly. “Ruler will be our primary damage mitigator. Her Magic Resistance is unparalleled, so as long as we stay behind her, we should be safe from any demonic magic attack.”
Red looked towards the representative of Astrid’s Templar Order, a signal that it was their time in the proverbial spotlight. “That will be all from me for now.”
Initiative Archival Network 