The deeper they went into the fortress, the more Olive's mindset shifted. Each step she took alongside Safari, Zack, Jen, and Ian pulled her further from the distant, cold soldier she once was.
She had always been a fighter — but this was different.
When a lesser demon lunged at Zack, Olive instinctively shoved him aside, blasting the creature mid-air with her futuristic gun. Her pulse raced, not from fear, but from determination.
Olive (thinking):
"I'm not just here to survive. I'm here to protect them."
Suddenly, three ominous figures emerged from the shadows. Towering and clad in jagged obsidian armor, their presence was suffocating. Unlike the lesser demons, these were Demon Commanders, emanating malicious energy.
Demon Commander 1 (grinning):
"Mortals... you've come far. But this is where your little parade ends."
Demon Commander 2:
"We are not your average soldiers. We are the fists of the Demon Generals!"
Demon Commander 3:
"And you? You've made a mockery of our forces. Now suffer for it!"
Safari didn't flinch. But for once, his grin faded. Not out of fear — but concern.
Safari:
"Stay close. If you have to, cling to me. I won't let them get to you."
Without hesitation, Zack, Jen, and Olive obeyed. Ian, however, had other ideas.
Perched proudly on Safari's broad shoulders with legs resting as if he was riding him. Ian held his camera in one hand, dramatically narrating the moment.
Ian (speaking to the camera):
"Here I am, atop the mighty Safari, the untamed warrior! Together, we face not one, not two, but THREE Demon Commanders! The odds? Tremendous. Our courage? Immeasurable!"
Safari, barely paying Ian any mind, was already bracing for battle. The Commanders snarled.
Demon Commander 1:
"You mock us!"
They lunged. Safari's Celestic Devil Hammer roared to life, blocking the first strike with a thunderous clash. Sparks erupted as the other two attacked, but Safari held firm.
As Safari wrestled against the Commanders, Ian dramatically shifted his stance, clutching his camera like a battle trophy.
Ian:
"Fear not, people of the universe! I, the courageous journalist, have tamed this mighty beast called Safari! Witness as he follows my command, striking down these vile commanders!"
Olive (gritting her teeth):
"Ian, what are you even—"
Frustrated, she hurled a tomato from her rations at him, aiming to silence his ridiculous monologue.
But in an almost absurd twist, Ian tilted his head dramatically mid-commentary — entirely unaware.
The tomato soared past him and splattered directly across the face of Demon Commander 2.
Demon Commander 2:
"AGH! WHO DARES?!"
Blinded by the unexpected hit, the Commander stumbled, swiping wildly at the air.
Zack and Jen burst into laughter, clutching their sides. Even Safari let out a small chuckle, despite the intense battle.
Ian (grinning):
"You see? Even the mighty demons cannot handle my heroic presence!"
Olive couldn't believe it. Despite the chaos, the absurdity somehow lightened the weight in her chest.
Olive (thinking):
"How can they be like this? Laughing in the middle of a battle? And yet... it's working. They're fearless."
She tightened her grip on her gun, a newfound determination rising within her.
Olive:
"Then I'll fight like that too."
Meanwhile, in the depths of the fortress, Angeleva faced her own trial.
Three Demon Commanders surrounded her, their glowing eyes filled with suspicion and rage. They had finally realized that she was the one who had been sabotaging their reinforcements.
Demon Commander 1:
"You... You're the reason we've lost so many!"
Demon Commander 2:
"An invisible pest, nothing more. We'll crush you."
Angeleva smirked, twirling her Fairy Wand as pink energy crackled around her.
Angeleva:
"Try it. You won't even see me coming."
Without another word, she vanished — her invisibility shrouding her presence once more.
The Commanders growled, swinging wildly in frustration. But Angeleva danced between them like a shadow.
Fairy Daggers sliced at their armor.
Fairy Beam blasted into one of their legs, sending him to his knees.
Fairy Radiance blinded the others momentarily.
Even as they tried to adapt, Angeleva's ruthless speed left them bewildered.
Angeleva (grinning):
"What's wrong? Losing your edge?"
The fortress trembled with the force of the ongoing battles.
Back to Safari
The fight against the Demon Commanders raged on.
Safari's hammer cracked through their defenses, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.
Every time one Commander landed a hit, Zack was quick to heal him.
Safari:
"You're strong. But I've fought worse."
The warmth of his family's laughter, even amidst the chaos, gave him strength. Olive's resolve, Zack's support, Jen's unwavering spirit, and Ian's absurd antics — they were all part of what kept him going.
He could feel it. They weren't just a crew anymore.
They were a family.
_ _ _
The moment was intense.
The three Demon Commanders stood, snarling, their crimson eyes locked onto Safari. Yet instead of hesitation, Safari's face twisted into a confident grin.
Safari:
"Time to bring out my creation. Been a long time since I used it."
Without a second thought, he lowered his head, his glowing horns crackling with raw energy.
Safari:
"DEVIL'S BAT-BALL!"
In a blinding surge of power, Safari rammed the first Commander head-on, launching him high into the air like a ball. The sheer force sent the massive demon spinning uncontrollably, leaving a fiery trail in the air.
Demon Commander 1 (screaming mid-air):
"WHAT KIND OF ATTACK IS THIS?!"
Before the other two could react, Safari roared once more.
Safari:
"DEVIL BLAST!"
A crimson burst of energy exploded from his palms and channeled to his hammer, slamming into the remaining Demon Commanders. The shockwave flung them across the room, leaving cracks in the walls as they crashed down in agony.
Perched comfortably on Safari's shoulders, Ian immediately seized the moment. His camera was still rolling, capturing every second of Safari's bizarre yet devastating technique.
Ian:
"Ladies and gentlemen, witness the legendary 'Devil's Bat-Ball!' A technique so absurdly named that even the demons themselves are reconsidering their career choices!"
The demon commander who was sent flying came falling down. Before he could even land, Safari swung his hammer like a bat launching him up like a home run. That completed his attack Devil's Bat-Ball.
As the first Commander spiraled further upward, Ian burst into laughter.
Ian:
"And there he goes! Look at that air time! Safari big bro hits a home run! An intergalactic grand slam! Someone call the galactic sports network!"
Safari, panting from the blast, shot Ian a glare.
Safari:
"Could you shut up for once?"
Ian:
"Never! This is premium content!"
Just as Ian was dramatically announcing the victory, the ceiling above them cracked violently.
Safari:
"What now?!"
The Demon Commander Safari had launched — still airborne — crashed through the fortress's upper level like a comet. But he didn't come alone. The force of his impact yanked one of Angeleva's opponents along with him, sending both demons tumbling through the shattered debris.
They landed in a mangled heap at Safari's feet, groaning in pain.
Safari:
"Huh. Guess that's a double play."
Ian gleefully clapped.
Ian:
"And just like that, two commanders down in one swing! Safari big bro leads the team with his flawless batting technique!"
Above, Angeleva had paused mid-battle, watching the chaos below. Through the massive hole in the floor, she spotted Safari standing tall, with Ian dramatically riding his shoulders like a victorious knight.
Angeleva (thinking):
"Is he seriously letting Ian do that?"
Despite herself, she chuckled softly. Then her gaze returned to the two remaining commanders she was still facing.
Demon Commander 1:
"You fools! He took out our reinforcements and now my comrade is down!"
Demon Commander 2:
"That idiotic attack... I will crush him!"
But Angeleva smirked.
Angeleva:
"If you're so distracted by him, you're not paying attention to me."
In an instant, she vanished once more using her Invisibility Technique, leaving the frustrated commanders wildly swinging at thin air.
Meanwhile, back on Safari's floor, Olive had surprisingly lowered her gun. She wasn't trembling anymore. Watching Safari fight, with Ian's absurd commentary and Zack's unwavering support, something changed in her.
Olive (thinking):
"They're not afraid. Even when the odds are against them, they fight like they belong together. Like a family."
She caught herself smiling, then quickly shook it off.
Olive:
"I guess we're not so hopeless after all."
Jen, noticing Olive's subtle shift, grinned and handed her a cookie.
Jen:
"Welcome to the family, Olive."
Right then Safari swung his hammer hard and landed 2-3 blows to take another commander down. Only one remained now.
As Safari turned to face the last standing Commander on his floor, the demon snarled, realizing he was alone.
Demon Commander:
"You... you're insane!"
Safari gripped his hammer tightly, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
Safari:
"You don't know the half of it."
With his family at his side, and Angeleva dismantling the enemy forces above, the unstoppable charge towards the Demon Generals continued.