"Not a clue," Kish chimed in happily. "But I think certain death and dismemberment is in my forecast, followed by light rain of guts and flayed skin."
"So much for being Mr. Positive, huh?" Damien laughed.
"Let's see how you're laughing when they toss your butt out in daylight."
"I think I can handle it." Damien stepped forward, but Sin stopped him.
"You need to sit this one out."
Damien glared at him. "Bullshit."
"No," Sin said, his tone determined. "Kish is right. It's daylight and I'm not willing to take that chance."
Still, Damien wasn't sold. "We'll be underground."
"And we'll be blasting holes in the walls. If someone hits the right place, daylight and dead Damien."
A tic started in Damien's jaw, but he ultimately conceded. "Fine. But remember when they kick your butt, I tried to save it."
Sin clapped him on the back before he surveyed each member of their team. "I wish I could think of something inspirational to say to all of you. Some great speech to send you off to battle with, but as I look around-"
"All I see is people going to die," Kish wailed.
Kat laughed. "Pretty much. But if we have to check out, let's take as many of them as we can." She moved to Sin's side and took his hand in hers. "You're not alone, babe."
He squeezed her hand. "Thank all of you for being here. Mankind may not know about you, but I know they're grateful. Now let's go kick demon ass."
It was one thing to plan an attack, but an entirely different matter to implement it.
Kat stopped them before they could span out and start toward the chamber where the tomb was. "I'm going to do some quick recon. Let's see if they know the seal is breaking and are waiting for us."
Sin held her hand for a full minute. He stared at her with every part of his heart in his eyes, shining there for her to see. "Don't you dare get hurt."
Kat grinned playfully. "You keep talking like that and I'm going to think that you actually like me."
"I love you, Katra, and I don't want to bury you."
She knew exactly how hard it was for him to say those words. The fact that he said them before so many witnesses...
Nothing had ever touched her more. "Don't worry, I'll be back to torment you before you can even miss me."
"You better be. Without you, I might actually manage to grow an ego-May the gods forbid." He kissed her quickly, then sent her off.
Kat changed to her Shade form to float through the winding caverns unseen and unheard. Everywhere she went, there didn't seem to be much activity. The demons didn't appear to be gathering their forces at all.
"When should we start rounding up the humans?"
She froze at the sound of a sharp, feminine voice coming from a room just ahead of her.
She approached it carefully, then peeped around to find Kessar and a woman lounging before a fire.
"End of the week," Kessar said. "No need to have them here any sooner. I hate listening to them whine and cry. Mewling, pathetic creatures."
Kat felt a giddy rush. He had no idea the seal was broken... Oh this was good. Finally, some luck for all of them.
Smiling, she took a step back.
And bumped into something solid.