Page 29 of Camael
Camael's Sword of Light sang through the night as he engaged. His blade sliced through ranks that moved with military coordination. That should have been impossible with these demons. Their brains weren’t big enough to teach them something so detailed. Yet, each strike was calculated. Every one of their movements was purposeful. He recognized combat formations that came from Michael's advanced training manual.
"These bastards are running Special Forces plays!" Mal's curse carried over the comms and over the sound of his blade separating a Throne-class demon.
"Then we need to show them why they can’t just copy a fucking manual!" Jo shouted over the comms.
Camael didn’t respond. He’d divided his focus between immediate threats around him and the Cathedral where Amelia led her team. He spun and cut a sheti demon in half. During his rotation, he caught sight of the church where Amelia was going. Its presence dominated the Quarter's skyline. Camael could feel the power vibrating from its ancient stones. He couldn’t worry about Amelia because a gharax demon chose that moment to test his concentration.
The creature had a crystalline bone structure and molecular acid for blood. It moved like it was a ballet dancer. It dodged Camael’s first strike. He was forced to drop to the ground when it swiped an arm through the air. The creature’s modified anatomy designed specifically for taking down winged opponents. Camael wasn’t about to let it win and renewed his efforts. They danced around one another until he got lucky and his blade cut through the demon’s center. Its death scream redecorated Decatur Street with shattered glass.
"Boss!" Rami's voice carried raw urgency through the comms. "The situation is critical on Bourbon!"
"Define critical." Camael launched skyward. His wings caught updrafts that gave him a tactical advantage.
"Remember that clusterfuck in Prague? The one that leveled three blocks of the Old Town?" Raw tension threaded through Rami's voice. "That thing's bigger cousin just crashed our party. And it brought enough friends to start its own demon social club."
Camael headed that way. A grim site unfolded below him. The French Quarter had transformed into ground zero for supernatural warfare. These bastards used century-old wrought iron like they'd studied parkour in Hell's elite training program.
"They're stepping around every countermeasure we planted with tactical precision," Az reported in a voice tight with controlled fury.
A psychic scream from the Cathedral's direction yanked his attention in the opposite direction. Amelia's team had clearly engaged something that made his ancient blood run cold. "Call in the Dark Warriors, Rami. I’m needed elsewhere,” Camael ordered as he turned around. His blood ran cold when he saw the Leviathan-class demon. It towered three stories high, and its armored carapace reflected streetlights like polished obsidian.
"Little help here!" Cassiel's voice carried over the comm as he engaged the beast. The monster was capable of shrugging off divine steel like it was facing down a paper cut.
"I’m almost there,” Camael replied. “Hold that line!"
Elite shock troops materialized between him and his target. Their weapons pulsed with demonic energy that sang with a familiar resonance. The fight that followed redefined celestial warfare. Camael hit those shock troops like wrath personified. His blade sang death's favorite aria as he carved through ranks that moved with battlefield precision. His need to get to Amelia made him twice as deadly. The troops didn’t stand a chance.
"These bastards are really pissing me off," Rami observed as he joined the fray. His sword took a demon's head while Camael's follow-through turned its partner into a pile of parts.
"You and me both," Camael growled. "There is no doubt they’re running plays straight out of Michael's private collection."
"Woah." Rami's expression could've frozen hellfire as he held up a weapon one of the troops had dropped. The blade was pure celestial steel. It held some of Lucifer’s corruption but also divine energy. "This isn't scavenged hardware."
"A warrior's blade?" Camael examined the weapon.
"Check the maker's mark." Rami turned the weapon so he could see more.
Camael was shocked to see the sigil etched into the blade's base. The signature belonged to Heaven's master artificer. He crafted weapons for the Archangel Council themselves. "Motherfucker." The curse flew from his mouth. "We've got more than a leak upstairs. We've got a full-blown traitor."
"This is fresh work." Rami's gesture encompassed the blade's pristine craftsmanship. "Someone's running an active supply line straight to the enemy."
Power surged through the Quarter like a metaphysical tsunami. It was light and shadow combined. His heart skipped as he noticed Amelia's hybrid magic lighting up the landscape. He hoped she had kicked the Leviathan’s ass. And was reinforcing the Cathedral's defenses.
"The spy can wait." Camael launched skyward with enough force to crater centuries-old pavement. His wings cut through humid air as he vectored toward his witch.
The scene that greeted him made his ancient blood run cold. Amelia stood on the church steps with light and shadow dancing around her hands as she faced down two Leviathan-class demons. The Key at her throat glowed like captured twilight while Remi and Cassiel fought back-to-back behind her. Their blades were streaked black with ichor as they held a perimeter against what looked like two dozen hellhounds.
Camael didn't hesitate. He hit the enemy ranks full force. His Sword of Light carved through demon flesh faster than thought. The first two fell before they registered his presence. The third managed to get its blade up in time to catch his strike, but Camael's follow-through separated its head from its shoulders.
"About time you joined the party." Amelia's power surged as she turned one of the Leviathans into black goo. Sweat darkened her hair, and her chest was heaving. Yet, her aim was dead-on as she targeted the weak spots in demonic armor.
"Traffic was hell." He moved to cover her six. His wings created a barrier of protection between her and incoming threats. Together, they carved a path through ranks that had studied advanced combat forms. His blade sang Death's favorite song while her magic made them wish they’d stayed home.
The battle stretched until the sky began to lighten. By the time dawn painted the cathedral spires in shades of gold and crimson, they’d vanquished the enemy. Camael surveyed the area, ensuring there was nothing but scorch marks. The church's walls bore scars from the fight, but its foundations stood firm. His warriors gathered around them. Their weapons were still at ready despite the victory.
"Time to do some spring-cleaning upstairs," Rami said as he turned the blade in his hands.
"Priority one is containment. We have to stop Lucifer." Camael's ice-blue eyes swept their gathered forces. "Luke, if there are areas not already cleaned, erase any evidence before the Quarter wakes up and starts their ghost tours."
