Chapter 36: "A Demonic Audience"

With the decision made, I wasted no time in preparing for the battle ahead. I needed all the power I could muster, and that meant summoning my most trusted demonic allies.

I summoned upon Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac. A swirling vortex of dark energy materialized before me, and from it stepped Dawn Jester, his mask painted with a perpetual grin, yet his eyes held a glint of seriousness. Next came Reaper, his ethereal form almost blending with the shadows, and finally, Demoniac, his towering figure emanating raw power.

Before I could even utter a command, something unexpected happened. All three of them turned their heads in unison, their gazes locking onto Samael. In an instant, their expressions shifted from readiness to sheer terror. They dropped to their knees, bowing low in deference.

Dawn Jester, unable to speak, bowed deeply, his hands pressed to the ground in a gesture of utmost respect. His body language conveyed more than words ever could—a mix of reverence and fear.

"Samael," Reaper managed to whisper, his voice like the sigh of a grave. "We didn't realize... you were here."

Demoniac, always the most composed, seemed to struggle the most. "M-my liege... we are at your command."

Samael observed them with a slight smirk, clearly amused by their reaction. "At ease, my loyal subjects," he said, his voice carrying a tone of both authority and amusement. "I see you still remember your place."

Dawn Jester straightened up slowly, his mask's grin never wavering but his posture now more relaxed, yet still deferential. His eyes flicked to me briefly, seeking guidance and approval.

Reaper, his ghostly form flickering slightly, added, "We are here to serve, always."

Demoniac, usually the most fearsome among them, seemed almost meek. "Your will is our command, King Samael."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of my most powerful summons, usually so confident and intimidating, now reduced to quivering subordinates. "I see Samael has quite the effect on you all," I remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

Reaper nodded, his hollow eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and fear. "There is no one who commands respect like the King of Demons."

Demoniac, regaining a bit of his composure, added, "It's not just respect, Ace. It's absolute power. Samael's presence alone is enough to make even the bravest of us tremble."

Samael chuckled, clearly enjoying their reactions. "Enough flattery. We have work to do, and I expect you all to perform at your best."

Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac quickly straightened up, their fear replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. Dawn Jester gave a firm nod, his body language now exuding readiness.

"Yes, my lord," Reaper and Demoniac said in unison.

I felt a surge of confidence seeing them ready for action. "Alright, team," I said, addressing all of them. "We're heading into Silver Hollow. Our mission is to rescue any survivors and take down these zombie mutants."

With Samael's formidable presence bolstering our morale, I felt more confident than ever.

I turned to my summoned allies, their expressions now a mix of determination and awe. Samael, standing tall and imposing, nodded slightly, signaling his readiness. The dark aura around him seemed to pulse with energy, a tangible reminder of the power at our disposal.

"Dawn Jester, Reaper, Demoniac," I continued, addressing each of them in turn, "I want you to wreak havoc. Kill every zombie and mutant you encounter. These creatures are smart, so we need to fight strategically. Work together, cover each other's backs."

Dawn Jester's perpetual grin seemed to widen, his eyes gleaming with a sinister delight. His body language exuded eagerness and readiness for the coming battle.

"Finally, some real action. This is going to be fun."

Reaper, his form almost merging with the shadows, nodded silently, his scythe poised and ready. His presence spoke of quiet resolve and deadly efficiency.

Demoniac, towering and fierce, let out a low growl of anticipation. His muscular frame tensed with anticipation, eager for the impending clash.

I turned to Samael. "Samael, I want you to hold back and only jump in if we're in serious danger. Your presence alone boosts their power, so let them handle the main fight. Just keep an eye on things and intervene if necessary."

Samael's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Very well, Ace. I will watch and ensure their success. But remember, I am always ready to strike."

I gave a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Samael. Alright, team, let's move out."

As we approached the outskirts of Silver Hollow, the tension in the air was palpable. The ruins of the town loomed ahead, shrouded in an eerie silence. The presence of the zombie mutants was almost tangible, a dark energy that seemed to permeate the very air. We moved cautiously but with purpose, Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac spreading out to cover more ground.

The first encounter came quickly. A group of zombie mutants, their grotesque forms twisted and unnatural, emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence.

"Let's show them what we've got," I shouted, and my summons sprang into action.

Dawn Jester moved with deadly grace, his giant form casting a silhouette in the dim light as he struck with mighty force. His movements were devastating and calculated, leaving no room for the mutants to mount an effective counterattack.

Reaper glided silently, his scythe cutting through the air with a haunting whisper, each swing decimating the enemy. His attacks were precise and devastating, severing limbs and dispatching mutants with chilling efficiency.

Demoniac, a force of raw power, barreled through the mutants, his fists smashing and tearing with brutal efficiency. His sheer strength overwhelmed the mutants, sending them sprawling with each powerful blow.

Despite the ferocity of our attack, the mutants fought back with cunning. They set traps, coordinated their moves, and tried to outflank us. But the combined might of my summons, bolstered by Samael's aura, was too much for them.

As the battle raged on, I kept a close eye on our surroundings. Samael stood apart, his presence a silent but potent deterrent. Whenever a particularly tough mutant seemed to gain the upper hand, Samael's gaze would fix on it, and the creature would falter, overwhelmed by the sheer force of his will.

At one point, a particularly large and vicious mutant lunged at Dawn Jester, its claws aimed for his throat. Dawn Jester barely had time to react, his usual agility compromised by the creature's speed. But before it could land a blow, Samael's eyes glowed with a fierce light, and the mutant was thrown back, its body wracked with convulsions.

Dawn Jester panted, quickly regaining his footing.

"Focus on the fight," Samael replied with authority. "I am here to ensure your success."

My lackeys fought with a level of ferocity and coordination I had never seen before, their abilities amplified by Samael's overwhelming presence. Dawn Jester darted between enemies with a deadly grace, his stampede wrecking chaos through the mutant rank with devastation. Reaper moved like a phantom, his scythe cutting through the air in silent arcs, reaping souls with chilling efficiency. Demoniac unleashed raw power, smashing mutants aside with devastating force, each blow reverberating through the ruins of Silver Hollow.

The zombies and mutants, despite their intelligence and numbers, began to falter. Their coordinated attacks crumbled under the relentless assault of our team. Limbs were severed, bodies fell, and the once imposing horde dwindled with each passing moment.

Finally, after what felt like hours but was likely only minutes, the last of the mutants fell. The ruins of Silver Hollow were now littered with dead corpses, the air thick with the scent of blood and rotten decay.

"We did it," I said, my voice filled with both relief and exhaustion. "We actually did it."

Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac regrouped, their expressions a mix of pride and exhaustion. Samael stepped forward, his eyes glowing with approval.

"Well done, Ace," he said, his voice low and powerful. "You and your summons fought well. This town is almost yours."

I nodded, feeling a surge of pride. "Thanks, Samael. We couldn't have done it without you."

Samael's smile was almost imperceptible. "Remember this victory, Ace. It is only the beginning. With my power, there is much more we can achieve."

I glanced around at my team, seeing the same determination reflected in their eyes. This was only the beginning, but it was a beginning filled with hope and the promise of more victories to come.

"Let's find those survivors and bring them back to safety," I said, my resolve stronger than ever. "This is our town, and we're going to take it back."

As we regrouped after the intense battle, the sudden sound of gunfire echoed through the ruins of Silver Hollow. The sharp, staccato bursts were unmistakable and sent a jolt of fear through my heart. Keinan, Mary, Pam, and Deborah were over there, and the thought of them in danger filled me with worry.

My face grew tense with concern, and I quickly turned to my team. "Everyone, follow me," I commanded, my voice firm. "But conceal your presence. We don't want to alert whatever is causing that gunfire."

I shot a glance at Samael, who stood tall and imposing. "Especially you, Samael. Don't move until my command. We need to stay hidden until we know what's happening."

Samael nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Understood, Ace. I'll remain in the shadows until you need me."

Together, we moved swiftly and silently through the rubble-strewn streets of Silver Hollow, our senses alert for any sign of danger. The urgency of the gunfire spurred us onward, driving us closer to the heart of the turmoil and the safety of our comrades.

As we neared the source of the gunfire, my heart pounded in my chest with each step, the adrenaline urging me forward. The ruins provided ample cover, and we used the shadows to our advantage, slipping through the town like ghosts.

Peering around a corner, I saw Keinan, Mary, Pam, and Deborah engaged in a fierce firefight with a group of mutants. They were holding their own, but the mutants were smart, their attacks coordinated and vicious.

"Stay sharp," I whispered to my team, my voice barely audible over the din of battle. "Wait for my signal."

I took a deep breath, my mind racing through our options. We needed to act quickly and decisively. The mutants were smart, but we had the element of surprise on our side.

Glancing at Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac, I saw them poised and ready for action. Samael's presence behind us was a powerful reassurance, his eyes keen and watchful.

"Alright, team," I said quietly, my voice steady despite the chaos around us. "When I give the signal, we hit them hard and fast. Dawn Jester, Reaper, Demoniac, you take the flanks. Samael, be prepared to intervene if necessary."

They all nodded in understanding, their expressions serious and determined.

"On my mark," I whispered, my heart racing. "Three... two... one... now!"

At my signal, we sprang into action with practiced precision.

Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac swiftly moved to flank the mutants, their attacks cordinate and deadly. The enemies, caught off guard by our sudden assault, struggled to react effectively as chaos erupted around them.

I charged forward, my weapon steady in my grip, firing with precision at the nearest mutant. The element of surprise was our ally, and we exploited it ruthlessly, cutting through the enemy ranks with lethal efficiency.

But just as it seemed victory was within reach, a massive figure emerged from the shadows. It was a mutant boss, towering and grotesque, its muscles bulging under mottled skin. Its eyes gleamed with malevolent intelligence, and a hideous grin spread across its face as it eyed Keinan, Mary, Pam, and Deborah.

The mutant boss's voice, sluggish and guttural, carried across the battlefield as it barked orders to its minions. "Bring me those women," it snarled, its breath foul with decay. "Me breed."

Samael grinned with pleasure, his voice echoing with ancient power as he responded, "Finally, let me show them true fear."

With a sudden blur of movement, Samael materialized on the battlefield, his presence casting a dark aura that seemed to choke the air itself. Dawn Jester, Reaper, and Demoniac reacted instantly, their movements synchronized from battles fought side by side, their loyalty to Samael overriding any initial fear.

Dawn Jester's roar pierced the chaos, a maniacal crescendo as he weaved effortlessly among the mutants. His massive fists struck with calculated precision, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, mutants flung like ragdolls in his wake. Reaper moved in tandem, his scythe a blur of deadly arcs that cleaved through the air with eerie grace. Each swing was timed with perfection, severing limbs and halting advances before they could begin.

Beside them, Demoniac's thunderous presence shook the ruins as he unleashed devastating blows. His every movement was a symphony of destruction, mutants crashing to the ground with bone-shattering force. The trio fought as one, their movements fluid and coordinated, a dance of death that left a trail of chaos in their wake.

Samael observed with satisfaction as his summons executed their maneuvers flawlessly, the synergy between them a testament to their shared battles and unyielding loyalty. The mutants, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, faltered in their advance, their coordinated efforts crumbling under the relentless assault.

Together, they carved through the mutant ranks with a ruthless efficiency, each strike punctuated by the raw power of Samael's dark aura that loomed over the battlefield like a harbinger of doom. The air crackled with tension as the battle raged on, the outcome balanced on a knife's edge, their unity and prowess pushing back the tide of enemies with every passing moment.

But it was Samael who commanded the most attention. With a single gesture, he unleashed a wave of dark energy that sent mutant minions flying in all directions. The mutant boss turned, its eyes widening in fear as it faced the King of Demons.

Samael grinned, his teeth sharp and menacing. "You dare defy me?" he taunted, his voice carrying an ancient power. "Know your place."

The mutant boss hesitated, its bravado crumbling under Samael's overpowering presence. In that moment, Keinan, Mary, Pam, and Deborah seized the opportunity to regroup and counterattack with renewed vigor.

I joined them, my weapon at the ready. "We can do this," I urged, my voice steady despite the intensity of the battle. "Stay together and fight. We'll bring this monster down."

Keinan nodded grimly, his face set with determination. "Let's finish this."

With Samael's dark energy pulsing around us, we fought with newfound hope and resolve. The mutant boss roared in fury, but our combined strength was too much. As Samael's aura intensified, we struck with precision and power, finally bringing the monstrous creature to its knees.

As the mutant boss fell, a heavy silence settled over the battlefield. We stood together, panting and smeared with dirt and blood, but victorious. Samael stepped back, his aura dimming slightly as he regarded me with approval.

"Well done, Ace," he praised, his voice tinged with amusement. "You've proven yourself once again."

I nodded, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief wash over me. "Thanks, Samael. Couldn't have done it without all of you."

Pam hugged me tightly, her eyes brimming with gratitude. "What would we do without you, Ace?"

Returning her embrace, I felt the weight of their trust and the gravity of our ongoing struggle. "You won't have to find out," I assured softly."

Balance Update: In the last chapter, Ace's balance of good karma points shifted immensely:

Good Karma Points:= Killing mutated zombie and saving the town= 5.5B

Bad Karma Points: = 2-1(summoned samael)=1B

In this chapter, Ace good karma points shifted immensely.

Ace Lackey's:

Ibliss: Guarding Kingdom gate, cant be summoned.

Cronus: Guarding Kingdom gate, cant be summoned.

Reaper:  summoned.

Demoniac: summoned.

Dawn Jester: summoned

Undead Soldier: Can be summoned, 1000 units

Samael: Summoned