Tob and the Soul Beasts Arc

From PRIMUS Database
Jump to: navigation, search

Tob and the Soul Beasts Arc is a continuation from the Darkstar vs. Redstone Arc. Toby Rufus has come down with strange symptoms, and Darkstar must find a way to cure whatever is happening to Tob before it is too late.

Plot

Amana wakes up in the middle of the night to the refrigerator door opening. Amana puts her pillow over her head, thinking it's probably Tob having his late night snack again. Amana wakes up to the refrigerator door opening again. Amana dismisses this as Tob probably being extra hungry, and goes back to sleep when she suddenly hears growling. Concerned, Amana goes to the kitchen to check on Tob. Instead of seeing Tob, face buried in shredded cheese, Amana sees a huge hulking wolf man, a werewolf. The monster glares at Amana, and inches forward. Amana manifests her tail and prepares to engage the monster in combat when the werewolf suddenly collapses. Shrinking, the monster reduces into Tob. Amana, alarmed, rushes forward to catch the boy, and checks his temperature. Amana tries to wake Tob up but to no avail, Amana considers slapping him awake but quickly realizes that he is just asleep. Amana carries Tob back to his bed and watches him the entire night.

Tob wakes up to see the blurry outline of a beautiful woman looking at him by his bedside. Tob groggingly asks the woman if she is an angel and if he's dead. Amana smiles, causing Tob to scream and fall out of his bed. Tob asks Amana what the hell she is doing by his bedside and how long has she been sitting there. Amana asks him if he has any recollection of what happened last night. Tob tells her that he doesn't remember anything. Tob notices the bags under Amana's eyes and asks her if she was by his bedside the entire night. Amana tells Tob that he was walking around in the middle of the night in the form of a soul beast. Tob stares at Amana and asks if she's gone crazy.

Tob is taken to Lazarus' room and asks him to perform a scan on the boy. Lazarus gives Amana a confused look, and asks her why she would ask him to do that. Tob is unpowered and the only times he has used magic was through magical items and runes, which doesn't classify as using his own mana. Regardless, Lazarus conducts a vision spell. To Lazarus and Tob's surprise, Lazarus' spell reveals that Tob isn't human, and has another soul residing within his body. Lazarus asks Tob if he has experienced any weird symptoms, but Tob tells Lazarus that he has never experienced anything weird, until Amana told him that he was walking around as a freaking werewolf.

Lazarus explains that the soul beast is slowly taking over his body. Lazarus recalls studying about soul beast possession during his days in the Academy, and tells Tob he needs to separate from the soul beast before it takes him over. The first sign is temporary possession when the host is at its weakest and the soul beast has resided in the body long enough. Tob exclaims that he has never even interacted with any soul beasts before, even when he fought them, he always killed them with his gun. Amana suddenly remembers when Darkstar attempted to seal the Twin Tears. Amana reminds Tob that when she first met him, he had a bite wound. Tob's eyes go wide, remembering that the bite wound was from a soul beast. Tob freaks out, asking Amana what he's going to do. The last thing he wants is to die a virgin, and now he's going to die a mutt too. Amana calms Tob down, and tells him that she will figure something out. For the moment, they need to worry about planning the next mission.

The members of Darkstar meet at the common room. Reya notices Tob is extra fidgety today and asks him what's wrong. Tob tells her he is fine, but his voice becomes high pitched. Dennis jokes that maybe Tob has finally hit puberty. Tob asks Dennis if he wants to fight. Junon tells the boys to shut up as Amana prepares to give the team her briefing. Amana yawns and looks exhausted, worrying Tob. Ferris asks Amana if she is okay, but Amana tells the team she is fine. The briefing starts.

As usual, Amana shows the team a grid map of the prioritization of resources in the Capita, intel gathered from their hijack missions, and Ferris' seekers. Amana tells the team that The New Militia currently possesses a magical weapon that they plan on invading Croft's neighbouring countries. The weapon's tests are being conducted in the poorer sectors. Failed prototype experiments caused explosions that claimed the lives of many residents, but the Militia continues their tests. Amana wants to take out the weapon, but to do that, she will need a diversion. Tob, Reya, and Trill are assigned to cause a diversion through ranged assault. Lazarus will sneak Dennis and Junon to the weapon's perimeter, where Junon will disable the security. Dennis will destroy the weapon with a Force Cascade. Lazarus will extract the team to the getaway vehicle. Amana looks at Tob, and volunteers to go with his team in causing a diversion.

Weapon Destruction Operation

Amana goes with Trill, Reya, and Tob to the checkpoint. Tob attempts to flirt with Reya as usual, but he stutters more than usual. Reya tells Tob that he is acting very strangely today, but Tob smoothes the situation by saying he is excited for the mission. While walking, Amana legs nearly collapse. Trill catches Amana before she falls on her face, asking if she is really okay to take part in the mission, telling her to take it easy. Amana tells Trill that she is fine, and pops a caffeine pill. Junon gives Tob and Trill the signal. The two charge their attacks, and send it at a barrack formation surrounded by a squad of mage guards. The mages suddenly alert, focus fire on the squad. Amana rushes forward, acrobatically evading the projectiles, and swipes at a row of mages, sending them flying. Amana takes down multiple squads of mages, with Tob and Trill providing cover fire. Reya joins Amana in the fray, providing support with Force Blasts and Sonicwaves.

Junon and Dennis enter the confines of the weapon. Amana manages to hold off the forces but the caffeine pill runs out. Amana's concentration wavers, and a stray energy blast from a mage catches her in the side, sending Amana into the barracks. Reya tries protecting Amana, but is unable to hold off the mages. Tob curses and rushes forward, causing the team formation to collapse. Tob tries to intervene and distract the mages, but is not used to fighting in melee range. The team is overwhelmed by the mages. Trill begins to use more of Hyperborean's power, and freezes all of the mages. However, one of the mages, a fire user, undoes his spell, and launches a massive fire snake at the mage. Trill is buried by rubble. Tob and Reya are defeated by the mages.

Tob attempts to get back up, but is bombarded by multiple spells and falls on his knees. The commander of the unit continues to brutalize Tob, and Amana jumps out to protect the boy. The commander impales Amana with a light construct. Tob watches Amana collapse to the ground. Suddenly, Tob's fear becomes rage, and his body undergoes a transformation, scaring away the mages except for the commander. Tob becomes bigger and hairier, teeth elongating into fangs, and his hands elongating into claws. Amana manages to heal from her wound, and watches as the Werewolf Tob battles the commander. The commander impales Tob with light daggers, but Tob yanks the daggers out of his fur, growling and snarling, charging the mage. The commander curses and bails, but Tob's speed pins the mage to the ground. Tob growls at the commander, and the commander pisses himself, begging for mercy. Amana tries to calm down Tob, but he has gone feral and slashes at her. Amana blocks the claws with her tail, but Tob is much stronger than she anticipates, and is knocked back. Tob bares his fangs at the commander and is about to eat him when Trill immobilizes Tob in a cage of ice. Tob roars and the ice begins to crack, but Trill unleashes more of Hyperborean's power, eyes glowing a bright cyan, and the ice becomes harder. Reya tries to calm down Tob, asking him if he recognizes her. But Tob is too feral to understand. Tob destroys the ice barrier and swipes at Reya, injuring her face. Tob growls and runs into the forest. Amana tells Lazarus to take the others back to the base as she pursues Tob. Lazarus restores Amana's power, and heals Reya. Reya tells Amana she is coming along, as his crush on her may help bring Tob back to his senses. The two pursue Tob into the forest.


Pursuit for Tob

Amana and Reya pursue Tob but lose his trail. The two follow Tob's footsteps and Amana notes that the footprints are decreasing in size, meaning Tob is transforming back. The two find Tob, curled up behind a rock. Tob tells them to stay away, as this time, he was fully aware of the things he did. Reya goes up to Tob and tells him that it's okay, and that when she was traumatized, he was there for her. It's time for her to be there for him. Tob is still hesitant to merge from the rock. Amana tells Tob that they will work together, and Tob tells them that they don't understand. It's not a matter of him needing them, it's a matter of their safety. If Tob loses control, he will hurt them. Tob tells Amana and Reya to go away. Reya insists on helping Tob, causing Tob to yell at them to leave. Suddenly, the plants around the group rustle. Tob continues telling them to leave and run, and suddenly, multiple soul beats, werewolves, coyotes, breeds of wolves emerge from the plants, eyeing the two. Amana realizes that Tob is controlling the animals somehow, and Amana tells him that if they leave, Tob will not be able to return to Darkstar, and he won't return to Sam. Everything the two of them have done so far, helping Jason, forming Darkstar, will all be a waste. Suddenly Tob stops his ranting. The wolves return to the shadows.

Reya kneels down in front of the rock and asks Tob to come out, and they will face this together. Tob stops sniffling, and tells them he can't. Amana asks why not, and Tob tells them he isn't wearing any clothes. When he transformed into the werewolf, the clothes ripped, and he ended up running behind a rock naked. Amana tells Tob that he will call Lazarus, and he will bring him some clothes.

Amana gives Lazarus a call, telling him they found Tob. Lazarus asks what happened, and Amana tells him that Tob's powers have developed, as he is able to command soul beasts too. Lazarus is perplexed, telling Amana he has never seen something like that before. Lazarus calls Trill over to create a portal, and Lazarus emerges to give Tob his clothes. Tob leaves the rock and follows Lazarus to the portal, unable to meet Amana and Reya in the eye.


One Way Trip

Lazarus is contacted by his old friends from Millennium City: Psylen, and Treya for his assistance. Lazarus asks the two what's wrong, and Psylen tells them that Valerian Scarlet has betrayed the group. Lazarus tells them to slow down and ask them what happened. Apparently, Psylen and Treya were helping Valerian Scarlet hunt down certain items to assist in the prevention of the Apocalypse. Their final task was to defeat a mage called Robert Caliburn. Upon doing so, they subsequently gave Valerian the keys to Armageddon. In an attempt to stop Valerian, the Champions were all slaughtered in Vibora, and Therakiel has started the Apocalypse. Psylen tells Lazarus his outrageous plan. Lazarus puts his face in his hands and asks how stupid can they be. Caliburn was one of the good guys. It was Robert Caliburn who taught his friend Tob. Psylen and Treya are quiet. Lazarus takes a deep breath and tells the two he will travel to Millennium City to help them out.

Amana asks Lazarus if he is leaving, and Lazarus confirms he is. Unfortunately, he is unsure how long he will be gone. Lazarus tells Amana that this mission may be awhile, as he fears that he may need to battle Valerian's master, Therakiel. Amana tells Lazarus that she will hold the fort, but asks him if he is sure not bringing the rest of Darkstar along. Lazarus tells her that he is fine. With it being Valerian, she will try to capitalize on a large group. The lower the number, the better. Suddenly Tob asks Lazarus if he can come too, as he was Caliburn's student. Lazarus agrees, and tells him that once the situation is resolved, Caliburn might be able to help Tob with his situation with the soul beast that is currently inside his body.

Tob asks Lazarus how long they will be away, and Lazarus is unsure. He tells the boy that they will need to fight Valerian Scarlet, a powerful mage from Vibora Bay, who was the lover of Tob's mentor. This means that she is extremely powerful. Her master, Therakiel, is a nephilim, a hybrid of an angel and demon. Tob asks Lazarus how something like that is possible. Lazarus tells Tob that he does not know, and he doesn't plan on finding out. While walking back to the common room, Lazarus tells Tob to reconsider. The enemies they face are extremely powerful. If he was being honest, there is a big chance that the two of them won't make it back.

Tob goes to see Reya, but suddenly sees her hanging out with Dennis. The two seemingly having fun with their force powers together. Tob looks at his hands, and suddenly remembers slashing at Reya's face with his monstrous hideous claws. Tob shuts his eyes. He doesn't deserve to be with Reya. She belongs with someone like Dennis; someone with many things in common, not a monster. Tob turns around and leaves to go pack his things.

While he is packing, he hears a knock. Tob turns around, thinking it is Amana, but unexpectedly, Trill asks if he can come in. Tob lets the mage in. Trill tells Tob he knows about the soul beast in his body. Believe it or not, he was also in the mage academy, having studied in there the same time as Jason. Tob nods, knowing full well of Trill's abilities, having went on countless missions with him. Trill tells Tob that the soul beast possession, though dangerous, can be cured. Tob looks at his hands dejectedly. Trill asks Tob if he is still thinking about his actions when he was in that werewolf form, which Tob responds he is. Trill tells Tob that he knows what it is like to be a monster. Back in his days in the mage academy, he was a massive jerk. Thinking he was righteous over everybody, he bullied and ruined the lives of many of his classmates who he deemed inferior, including Lazarus. Tob looks at Trill shocked, having never heard this story before. Trill tells Tob that he hated that version of himself, and it took being tortured by Ariandal to finally wake himself up. Trill tells Tob that what matters is he keeps moving forward and worrying about today, not the past. He managed to get over his past self, and so will Tob. Tob thanks Trill. Trill tells Tob that if he ever feels cornered, he can always let him know.

Tob leaves to meet Lazarus when suddenly someone grabs his arm from behind. Tob turns around and sees Reya. Tob tells Reya that he will be gone for an indefinite amount of time to help Lazarus. In the meantime, she won't have to worry about anything since Dennis is here. Reya tells Tob that she is worried for him. Ever since he transformed into that werewolf, he had never been the same, rarely cracking jokes, rarely making dumb remarks, and rarely competing with Dennis. Tob tells Reya that he needs time to figure out what is happening to him. He tells Reya that he is happy for her relationship with Dennis. Reya tells Tob that she doesn't know what to feel about Wagner. What she does feel, is concern for a man who was always cracking jokes and being lighthearted, even when she was at her lowest of lows. Reya tells Tob that if he is going, then so will she. Tob asks why she would go so far to join them in a mission that will probably get them all killed. Reya responds that maybe it is her turn to be there for him, at his lowest of lows.

Reya, Tob, and Lazarus enter the portal back to Millennium City. Amana waves them goodbye.


Time Travel

Lazarus receives a call from Psylen that they are in Juryrig's garage, ready to head to the past. Lazarus tells him that he will take the jet to Vibora Bay and meet them there. Reya asks Lazarus why he didn't just portal to Vibora directly, and Lazarus explains that the portals that he and Trill makes are based off of Trill's memory. Trill had never visited Vibora Bay before.

Tob and Lazarus are silent the entire flight. Reya asks Lazarus what is wrong, and Lazarus tells her that in an attempt to recover the Elemental gems from Valerian's brownstone, the Champions, Treya, and Psylen were ambushed. Therakiel slaughtered two of the Champions who were close friends to Lazarus. Reya apologizes for asking. Lazarus tells Tob and Reya to be extra careful, and avoid fighting Therakiel or Valerian head on. Therakiel may well be the most powerful monster they have faced, and Lazarus fears he may not be able to protect the two if Therakiel sets his eyes on either of them. Tob asks Lazarus if Therakiel is a celestial being, like Seraphim. Lazarus replies that Therakiel is a Nephilim, half angel, half demon. Seraphim was a full angel. The hybridization may have caused him to be even stronger than Seraphim.

Lazarus arrives to Vibora, and flies to Juryrig's garage, carrying Reya. Tob enchants his boots and follows. Tob and Reya are horrified at the state of the city. Lazarus retains a stoic expression as he locates the garage. The group rendezvous with Treya and Psylen. Treya asks Lazarus if Tob is Caliburn's student. Tob and Reya introduce themselves. Lazarus asks Juryrig if the setup is complete. The team transports back in time to Vibora Bay before the apocalypse.

The team completes various missions, dealing with the gangs in Vibora Bay. The team eventually meet Caliburn, and after Caliburn gains memories of the alternate time stream, tasks the team to gather and locate the elemental gems. Lazarus's eyes widen, and asks Caliburn if he is going to become an archmage, which he confirms. Tob wants to speak to his mentor, but decides to not say anything due to the seriousness of the situation.

The team eventually locates the gems, allowing Caliburn to ascend to Archmage. Caliburn and the others reach the church, where Therakiel and his minions reside. Caliburn tells the team that he can get them past and will attempt to bar access from heaven and hell against the Nephilim. Caliburn tasks the team to deal with Therakiel and the others. The team enters the church, and begins clearing them out of Therakiel's minions. The team does well, until they reach Black Fang and the Dogz. The minions prepare to engage the team when suddenly they make eye contact with Tob. Black Fang's Dogz cower, much to Tob's confusion. Suddenly, Tob collapses in pain, causing Caliburn to run to his side. Tob begins to transform into his werewolf form, causing everybody in the team to back away. Caliburn attempts to calm Tob down, but Tob swipes at Caliburn, sending the archmage flying backwards.


Werewolf Tob vs. Black Fang

A transformed Tob approaches Black Fang, who growls at Tob, asking if he is challenging him to be the alpha. The two beasts fight, but it becomes apparent that Tob is too powerful for Black Fang. Tob brutalizes his opponent, and a defeated Black Fang looks at Tob, asking what he is. Tob kills the former leader of the Dogz, and growls at the minions. Caliburn swoops down and restrains Tob, telling the team to deal with the rest of the minions.

Tob becomes feral attempting to shake the archmage off. Caliburn activates a spell, and suddenly, Tob stops resisting. Caliburn slides off the werewolf's back and asks if he is okay. Tob sits on the ground. Reya runs up to Tob. Lazarus asks Caliburn how he was able to control the soul beast in Tob's body, as he was in the state of possession, and Caliburn explains that Tob was never possessed to begin with. That soul beast was Tob. Tob closes his eyes, and reverts back to his old form. Lazarus gives Tob an extra pair of clothes. Caliburn explains that some werewolf breeds are able to transform into humans, but only the most powerful strain is capable of doing something that advanced. Caliburn is in as much surprise as Lazarus is, and tells Tob that it is very easy for him to lose control. He needs to learn to keep his centre when using this power. The spell he performed on the boy helped restored his sanity, by making him remember his humanity during his feral state. Exposure to members of his kind caused that side of him to come out. Lazarus leads the rest of the group while Caliburn approaches Tob.

Caliburn asks Tob if he is able to continue, and Tob admits that he isn't sure. Tob is unsure what he is anymore. Caliburn tells Tob that it doesn't matter, what matters is he needs to control the ability, like how he used to control his magic back when he tutored under him. Tob thanks Caliburn for everything, and Caliburn tells him that it's his pleasure. Once the mission is done and once they've kicked Therakiel's ass, he will treat them all to drinks. Tob cracks a smile, and tells Caliburn he misses that carefree attitude.

The two rejoin the team, and they continue to clear out the church. The team faces their last opponent, Valerian Scarlet.


Tob vs. Valerian Scarlet

Valerian and Caliburn face off, and exchange banter. Valerian notices that Lazarus is also a mage. Valerian tells Lazarus that he can still ditch these "losers" to serve her master Therakiel. Lazarus tells the young mage to shut it, and that he will die before he even considers it. Valerian tells the mage that she can organize that request. Tob tells Valerian that it is over, they've defeated all of her colleagues. Valerian regards the boy and suddenly recognizes him. Valerian tells Tob that he doesn't even know who he is yet. His strain will serve Therakiel, two gods to take over heaven and hell. Tob asks Valerian if serving the bad guys has made her insane, but Valerian shuts him up. Lazarus and Caliburn are confused at what Valerian is saying, and Valerian calls the two mages blind.

Tob tells Valerian to shut up and fight, and enchants his guns. Caliburn gives Tob a smirk, telling him he couldn't have said it any better himself. The team takes on Valerian Scarlet.

The combined might of Caliburn, Lazarus, Treya, Psylen, and Tob gives them the upper hand, until Valerian activates her Ascension spell. Valerian incapacitates Treya and Psylen, but is unable to put Lazarus down, who also activates his Ascension spell and counteracts her ascended damage with his ascended healing. Tob, Reya, and Caliburn unload a barrage of projectiles at Valerian, but to no affect. Tob decides to use his werewolf form again.

Tob concentrates deep within himself, but is unable to transform. Lazarus' ascension spell dissipates before Valerian's and begins to take severe damage from her attacks. Tob freaks out and tells his body to change. Suddenly, Caliburn appears and tells Tob to focus on a memory. Tob thinks back about the first time he transformed, how he witnessed Amana being impaled by a light blade. Tob was filled with rage, but not just rage, but a desire to destroy his opponents. Tob reaches deeper into his memories and recalls hurting Reya. Believing himself to be a monster, he was unable to look her in the eye for a week. He hated himself for being a monster because he couldn't control his power, and ended up hurting the people he loved. More and more memories begin to flood into his mind, until Tob wakes up in a house.

Tob has never seen the house in his life, but for some reason, he recognizes it. The blankets, and the floorboards. A woman caring for him, his mother. Tob always thought he was orphaned, sent to an orphanage, but as his memories resurface, Tob begins to realize the past he knew was just a lie. A fabrication. The woman screams, and is attacked by an unknown man with a pair of wings. A celestial. Tob looks down and sees his hands have now become claws, and looks at the man. The man is suddenly attacked by a horde of wolves, tearing the celestial and driving him away. Tob panics, and begins to cry. His mother tries to fend off the wolves, but Tob has lost control, and the wolves turn on the woman. Tob cannot look, and runs out of the house, where he is picked up by the local priest and sent into an orphanage.

Tob knew all along. He knew what he was way before. He just couldn't accept it, because every time the wolf came out, someone he loved was hurt, or killed. Suddenly Trill's voice reappears, telling him to accept himself for who he is. The only way to deal with it is to move forward and accept himself for who he is. Tob closes his eyes. That's right. He was a monster, and still is a monster. But not all monsters have to be bad. Right here, right now, Lazarus is dying. Lazarus doesn't need a whining, whimpering Tob. He needs the wolf. Tob's eyes open, now beastial in appearance. Tob begins to transform.

Reya gets in the path of Valerian's attack and attempts to force the attack away from Lazarus. However, Valerian is too strong, and Reya's force beam starts to shorten. Caliburn considers using all his power to stop the young mage when suddenly a roar erupts and draws the attention of everybody. A huge, hulking wolf rushes forward, and grabs Valerian by the teeth, dragging her across the rock formations. Valerian escapes the wolf's mouth and fires a blast of magical energy at the wolf, but with each attack, the wolf becomes more and more angry, baring his teeth. Suddenly, the wolf leaps forward at impossible speeds, pinning Valerian to the ground. Valerian is knocked unconscious, and the wolf howls, attempting to eat the young mage whole. Suddenly, Reya appears and calls Tob by his name. Tob sees Reya, but is unable to make out whether she is an enemy or a friend. Tob bares his teeth at Reya, and Reya asks if he is going to hurt her.

Suddenly, Tob stops and realized the same scenario that played out before. Tob's vision clears, and he sees Reya in front of him, grabbing his paw. Tob sits down and Reya puts her hands on his snout. Tob closes his eyes and reverts back to his old form. Caliburn puts his hand on his shoulder, telling Tob that he's getting there. Treya asks Lazarus if he is alright. The team head to the main event: Therakiel.

Nephilim vs. Demigod

The group reaches Therakiel, but before Caliburn can do anything, he is restrained by magical chains. Therakiel tells the archmage that he had foreseen this, but Caliburn spits at Therakiel. Therakiel taunts the group, telling them to come, but suddenly sees Tob. Therakiel roars in rage, and swipes his sword, incapacitating everybody in the team. Therakiel yells at Caliburn, asking how he knows the son of Fenris. Caliburn tells Therakiel he has no idea what the hell he is talking about, no pun intended. Therakiel lifts a wounded Tob out of the rubble, and tells the boy that even if he is the son of the God of Wolves, he will not get in the way of his plans. Tob's eyes widen and tells Therakiel he doesn't understand. There is no way he is the son of a god. Lazarus manages to escape the rubble, and fires several telekinetic lances at Therakiel, who swings his sword and neutralizes them. Therakiel looks at Tob again, and laughs. The Nephilim tells him that he has yet to fully unlock his potential, and tosses Tob into several benches. Lazarus flies around Therakiel, dropping weakening sigils all around the being. Therakiel tells Lazarus and Caliburn that their efforts are fruitless. He will destroy the team, and access both heaven and hell. Not even Lupus can defeat him. Tob realizes that Therakiel is referring to him. Tob asks Therakiel why he is calling him Lupus and tells him to explain everything, considering they're all going to die anyway. Therakiel regards the boy. Therakiel explains that he is a Nephilim, half angel, half demon. On the other hand, Tob is a Demigod, half god, half man. In a previous conquest, Therakiel attempted to start the Apocalypse but was defeated by Fenris, the God of Wolves. When Fenris battled Therakiel again, he lost, but before he died he claimed to have sired a son, a demigod, named Lupus. But he will go by a different name, until he is ready to face the enemy that had slain his father again.

Therakiel tells Lupus that he doesn't resemble a wolf at all, meaning the words of Fenris were nothing but empty promises. Suddenly, Tob transforms, and assumes his transformation, cutting the Nephilim off. Lupus growls at Therakiel. The two engage in a titanic battle.

Therakiel manages to fend off Lupus with his sword, but Lupus's claws and teeth dent and shred at the Nephilim's armour. The fight escalates, and Therakiel unleashes more of his power, as the Apocalypse begins sending the team into another dimension. Lupus begins to get overwhelmed by Therakiel. Lazarus manages to heal the team, and tells them to take on Therakiel while he is busy with Tob. Therakiel sends Tob several miles away with a powerful swing. Tob reverts back to his human form, but before Therakiel can kill him, Tob enchants his boots, flying away. Therakiel is bombarded by attacks by Treya and Psylen. Lazarus activates his stealth spell, making him undetectable by the Nephilim. Therakiel tries to put Treya and Psylen down, but Lazarus continues to heal the two.

Suddenly, Therakiel is pinned down by Tob, who once again assumed his Lupine transformation. Lupus growls and barks at Therakiel, and begins to grow in size until he becomes larger than the Nephilim. Lupus bites and shreds at Therakiel's armour, weakening him severely, but Therakiel smashes Lupus in the neck. The force of which sends a shockwave launches everybody backwards. Therakiel grabs the wolf and drags him into the air, smashing Lupus into the ground back into his human form. Therakiel towers over Tob and asks if this is the best the son of Fenris can handle. Suddenly Reya emerges from Lazarus' stealth sigils, fully charging her ultimate attack. Reya shouts at Therakiel to leave Tob alone. Therakiel turns to Reya and Reya unleashes a massive force cascade, which destroys Therakiel's exposed body, defeating him.

A defeated Therakiel begins to fade and dissipate as he begins to shout, in complete disbelief at his defeat. Therakiel disappears, leaving the team in an abandoned church. Tob realizes that he is naked and hides behind a bench. The silence is broken when Caliburn shouts, announcing that they did it. Caliburn invites everybody out for drinks.


Aftermath

Lazarus, Treya and Psylen drink together, and Psylen collapses from drinking too much. Lazarus and Treya laugh and call him a lightweight. Caliburn notices Tob looking at Lazarus, and tells him to let him reconcile with his old team, as he hadn't seen them in years. Caliburn asks Tob what he is going to do now. Tob tells Caliburn that he's going to work on being able to use his Lupine transformation to the best of his ability. Reya tells Tob that she will support him if he wants. Tob thanks Reya for her offer. Caliburn tells Tob that it was a privilege to get to know and train a son of a god. Tob tells Caliburn to shut up, but thanks his mentor for everything he had done for him. Caliburn tells Tob to return to the future, and that he will be by his side should he need it again.

On the way back, Reya asks Tob what he's going to tell Sam, or if he's going to tell Sam at all about being a Demigod. Tob smirks, and tells Reya he is going to rub it in his face. Reya laughs and gives Tob a hug, telling him that she's glad the old Tob has returned. Tob asks Reya if she is down to go out and check out the District when they get back. Reya agrees, for the first time. Tob pumps his fist, causing Reya to laugh.

Lazarus tells Tob that his new Lupine transformation is going to be one hell of an edge in the final battle against Calliope. Tob tells Lazarus that she's going to get everything coming to her, and so will Mogul and the New Militia. Lazarus smiles but tells Tob to be careful and not get a big head just because it grew some fur on it.

The group return to their timeline, and heads to Wheeler's Gym, where Amana welcomes them home. Tob tells Amana of his adventures, and tells Dennis that he won't have Reya tonight.

That night, Tob goes to Trill's room and thanks him for everything. Trill tells Tob to not worry about it. Trill also tells Tob that he heard from the others that he achieved some kind of crazy wolf transformation. Tob confirms that he did, and that he is apparently the son of Fenris, the God of Wolves. Trill is impressed, and tells Tob that the next time they go on mission, he should go into his Lupine transformation. Hunters with wolves would make him look badass. Tob leaves Trill's room with a big grin on his face, and goes to meet Reya for their evening together at the District.