Limping his way back into the camp, Hunter spotted Mike who was now completely covered in scales, wings unfurled. A miniature dragon, though without a long neck.
With a surprised whistle, Hunter approached him.
"Would you look at that? Didn't even need the gear, just destroyed it anyway!" He chuckled, eyeing Mike's transformation. "Bad news though: you're not fitting in the truck like that." He grinned and plopped down onto the ground.
"I'll work with the Council. I'd like to observe his progression," Hamza said, taking a seat against a pile of demon corpses.
Mike glanced over. "I've got questions about how to control this transformation… after I wipe out the rest of the demons." Spreading his wings, he launched into the night sky.
He could hear Hunter shouting behind him, but ignored it.
Flying low, Mike scanned for signs of destruction, fires, light, or any kind of movement. Near the city, he saw flickering flames and rising smoke illuminated by the moon.
He dove into the chaos, landing hard on two demons, crushing them beneath his clawed feet. Gunfire erupted to his right. Bullets pinged off his black scales, sparking as they struck.
Blessed soldiers were firing on him. A voice crackled over their radio, calling for backup.
Mike stood his ground. He let demons and soldiers alike come to him. Every one that got close was shredded by claws or torn by fangs. He was waiting for more soldiers and demons to arrive. He wanted to eliminate as many as possible.
Moments later, two Humvees screamed around the corner, barreling toward him. A soldier at the rear of one vehicle aimed an AT4 rocket launcher and fired.
Mike lifted into the air just in time. The rocket whistled beneath him and exploded against a nearby building, sending bricks and glass scattering across the street.
Heat and smoke curled from his throat but no fire yet. Still trying to produce his flames he growled in frustration.
He landed hard on the first Humvee, crushing it into the asphalt, then hurled himself at the second. His feet came down on the soldier who'd fired at him, smashing both man and metal into the pavement.
Gunfire roared from the surviving troops. A horde of grotesque horned demons charged from the alley, pulling fire away from Mike. The creatures were both humanoid and animal in nature.
He ran straight into them. Red eyes burning, claws slashing. Blood sprayed across the ruined street as he cut them down. Anything that moved demon or soldier was killed.
For nearly an hour, he fought through every enemy.
Breathing heavily, Mike finally leaned against a wrecked Humvee. Claws resting on the crumpled metal, demon and human blood dripped from his jaws. His body ached, muscles strained, blood slowly running down his scaled arms and legs.
Headlights approached through the haze. A familiar silhouette stood in the truck bed. It was Hamza, flames flickering along his form.
"Damn," Hunter said, climbing out. "That's a lot of corpses. Might wanna take a breather. Dragon or not, you don't have infinite endurance."
Mike turned to Hamza, who was once again in human form. "Any idea how I shift back?"
"Honestly? I'm shocked you could shift at all. That's rare. For me, I just picture the form I want and focus on it."Hamza shrugged.
"Thanks."
Mike closed his eyes and focused, picturing his human form. But exhaustion hit harder than expected, vision blurred, muscles buckled. He staggered, bounced off the Humvee, and collapsed into the street.
Hamza lifted him with ease and carried him into a ruined building. Hunter followed, wincing with each step.
"Hopefully he wakes up soon," Hunter muttered. "We've got news the underworld's opening up, and Olympus wants to speak with him."
When Mike finally opened his eyes, sunlight streamed through a massive hole in the wall. Pain throbbed through every joint and muscle.
He looked at his hands and sighed with relief they were human again. Means I can actually shift between them. Confirming his suspicion in his mind then looking around at his surroundings.
Across the room, Hamza and Hunter sat resting against the wall.
"Morning, sunshine," Hunter called with a grin. "You really tore shit up last night." He stood, still favoring his side. "Time to get back to the temple. Lisa's still at Olympus, but wants us to call her as soon as we return."
Mike nodded slowly as he stood, stiff and sore but clearheaded. For the first time since returning to Earth, something in him felt aligned.
I need to figure out this transformation. And how to use my fire.
Fighting in this form… I'm stronger. But not strong enough.
He remembered Bahamut's words. Worse things were coming. And Ethan the chosen of an archangel hadn't fallen easily.
He stared out into the desert for a long moment, reflecting on the chaos, the power, the pain.
Then he followed Hunter to the truck.
Hamza now rode in the bed, calm as ever.
Another long ride in this damn truck, Mike thought as he climbed in.
Next time, I fly. I can start hunting more demons and angels. I have to get stronger. Turning from his thoughts he looked over and saw Hunter with a slight smile as they started down the street. Mike couldn't figure out why he liked driving everywhere so much.
Hunter's grin widened as he floored it onto the open highway. The road back to the temple had begun.