Cinder (POV)
Neo and myself are just about to arrive at our headquarters for this battleground.
Cinder- There.

We dock our ship and make our way to her. To see my master. To see Salem. We reach her throne room and there she is sitting observing Atlas. I kneel down before her.
Cinder- My queen.
She rises and faces me for the first time in awhile.

Salem- Cinder.........When I chose you as my vessel for the maidens, I put my trust in you. So I trust that you wouldn't possibly return to me empty handed.
I present her the relic.
Cinder- The Relic of Knowledge. I took it right from under Ironwood's nose.
???- Outsmarting the general speaks less to your intellect and more to his.

It's Tyrian.
Tyrian- After all, you were outsmarted by those children first.
Cinder- And according to radio chatter, that same general and his forces outsmarted you. A shame Watts never made it back.
Tyrian- I'm afraid the doctor was a necessary sacrifice. (Eyes Neo) I do hope this little one doesn't become another.
Salem- Who is she?
Cinder- Neopolitan has some  very useful abilities and has proven to able to be a valuable asset.
Salem- Hmph. You certainly do enjoy collecting assets.
My other disciples along with Hazel enter the room.

Emerald- Cinder. (Runs to cinder) You're here! I knew you'd-
Cinder- Quiet.
Tyrian- Tsk tsk tsk. So devoted to someone so incompetent. While the good doctor and I were advancing the will of our goddess, dismembering the very body of this kingdom, you were merely atoning for past failures.
Cinder- Polendina's creation interfered with the transfer of the Winter Maiden power. But now I know she has it. And once I return to Atlas, it won't take long to finish what I started. That power will be mine.
Salem raises her hand to silence me.
Salem- I have given no such command.
Cinder- But ma'am, now is the time to-
Salem- This game is not yours to win Cinder. It's mine. Just because you're more valuable to me than a pawn does not make you a player. Everything is already in motion. All you need to concern yourself with is your ability to act when I tell you to.
Cinder- Of course. Without you I am nothing.
Salem (POV)
I dismiss everyone from the room.
Salem-........This game of ours has had it's twists and turns. First your untimely return Iris brought about some changes to the plan. Now, only mere hours ago, you brought yourself along with your army to play. Another unexpected thing happened to be you Zack Fullbuster. Always a thorn in my side. Always refusing to die. Determined to kill me using that shell of a demon king Caspian. But now, you're even more of a problem than before. You let the corruption consume you from the inside and now look what we have here.The Fallen Angel of Corruption, Astaroth. An even bigger formidable foe. You've forced me to turn my attention to you as well. You along with Iris has now forced me to fight on three fronts. This game is still mine to win but, it may prove a lot more difficult with you two around. But in the end, all shall fall to me.
Astaroth (POV)
I'm in my floating fortress above Mantle and close to Atlas.

I sit in my throne room on my throne looking through the orb which shows the remains of Mantle.

Angels, demons, grim, and androids litter the streets of a once proud little city. Mantle has been reduced to nothing but war torn carnage.
Astaroth- Excellent. Just the impact I needed to make a statement in this war for supremacy. Salem, your days of living in this world are numbered. James, you'll regret double crossing me. I'll have your head on a pike soon enough. The Angelic Goddess herself, you too shall cease to exist once more. My Generals! Come forth!
My Generals of the Void approach.
Amano

Kotan

Pauchi

Nusa

Takeru

Ōkami

Amano- Yes my lord?
Astaroth- The six of you have done excellent work. I couldn't have asked for better generals. But, there is more work to be done. The Winter Maiden is still out there. Find her. I also want you to take over the communication hub that James has been working on. There's also still stragglers left down there in Mantle. Do a sweep of the area. The rest of you continue the fight against Salem's creatures of Grim and Iris's Angel warriors.
Pauchi- Pauchi says it's blasting time!!!!! Pauchi gets to kill more!!!!!Ahahahahahahaha!!!!
Amano- I'll take the communications hub. No one will stop me.
Takeru- The Maiden is mine. I'll drag her down to the enteral emptiness of darkness and consume her soul.
Ōkami- I'll continue the sweep of Mantle my lord. The way of the Samurai is found in death.
Nusa- That leaves myself and Kotan to launch another attack on both forces. We'll take a battalion or two and be on our way.
Astaroth- Good. You are dismissed my Generals. Get rid of anyone who gets in your way.
They take their leave.
Astaroth *mind*- Well now, isn't this just a unique time to be alive. James is paranoid. Salem is arrogant. Iris is too damn soft. Yet, they all want to fight for one reason or another. That is fine. They wanted a fight, I brought the war. I will win and there's no body remotely powerful enough to stop me (looks up at the cage hanging from the ceiling holding Caspian) Not you. (Rubs chest) And certainly not you Zack Fullbuster.
Indigo: That's the end of this one. What a way to kickstart volume 8. Oh and I changed Zack's mother's (aka Angelic Goddess) name to Iris instead of Serena because Seth's mom is Serena. So yeah. Hopefully you guys enjoyed it. Later indigo fam. Peace.