Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"I have hope...and that was all I had when I rose to power. Hope is a powerful thing."

Leakhena remains still and silent while holding the dagger in her hands. She's reflecting quite a bit on what her life's been like up until this point now that she's once again barely escaped death. It's been awful, and the amount of hardships she's had to face are too many to count. Her parents being murdered by Thorgran, being enslaved by him while routinely being abused and beaten by his guards, the unspeakable cruelties suffered at the hands of Irin and Karlel, losing herself deep within all sorts of vices in the mortal realm, and coming back to the Abyss where things here had only become worse. She's still unable to understand how she survived it all. Every second she spent down here, both back then and even now, has brought her more than enough despair she nearly became hollow. Yet she never did. She's been beaten, abused, harassed, yet she's still standing in spite of everything. She's fought the nearly the very worst the Abyss has to offer, and won. Yet she's no fighter; she's just a simple farmer and a cook... and she's done so much. The silence is finally broken a moment later by a gasp for air followed by a mumble.

"I guess... it really is."

The helmet's the first to start coming off as she carefully undoes the straps holding it together, but she doesn't take off the rest of the armor yet. It sits in her hands and she looks right into its eyes, hoping Adriel can still see and listen to her. "I'm... in no authority to request anything from you, Lady Adriel, as I am just a lowly peasant.... but please, I'm begging you... Remember me when I arrive at the Nether."

 

[Breadman]

"An embarrassing action on my part, I'll admit, but I'm not versed in Abyssal matters. Although I should start reading up on them if I'm going to stay here." The mutant grinned as he picked up his severed hand. Not sure how exactly the healing would work in this case. If it was even possible, but it was worth to try.

His attention was drawn to the two vampires fighting. Seems as Mariette was having her own issues with possetion.

"Dont suppose his gladius would work."

 

[K0mori]

This can't be right. This isn't what I wanted. Why am I doing this!?

I know this isn't how you wanted things to go. I tried to warn you-

No, you tried to control me. And I made sure you knew your place.

You just said yourself that I saved your life. Have I still not earned your trust?

You said it yourself as well, servant. In that moment, when Azgon nearly tore me apart, you said: I need you.

Yes. And you need me, if you are to live on in this place-

No. I lived for 30 years without you, and I may live 300 more. But I will not allow this madness to continue. They're right, you've poisoned my mind-

No!

You've turned me against the one I love! What good is there in living forever if you're a blood-crazed, power-hungry monster? I put myself into the sun to avoid becoming what you've turned me into. Remove your tendrils from my body and allow me to remove you!

I'm not capable of doing that!

Then you will die, servant!

Curse you, vampire. I hope she kills both of us, then!

In that moment when Mariette was deep in thought, Cassandra deflected her attacks, which had become automatic, and drove the tip of the estoc deep into Mariette's armor, right between the original red pearl eyes of the "servant." Mariette fell to the ground, dropping her sword as she convulsed in pain, calling Cassandra's name several times between gasps and shouts. A black liquid began to pour out of the wound, as the silver of her armor began to shimmer again.

Cassandra knelt down taking Mariette's hand. "I'm so sorry," Mariette said. "I'm so sorry... it's all so frightening, what's happened... I'm going to be stuck down here, without you, and I'm scared. But everyone else is going to be okay now, so... it's okay, isn't it? I think it was worth it, right? Aargh..."

The metallic intrusions into her skin began to recede, revealing more and more of her face, jaw, and eventually, her neck, as all over, the armor began to loosen back into its original form. Blood began to spew from between the gaps, blotting into the fabric of the cloak as the tendrils of the servant slithered their way out of her body, and Mariette quickly felt cold, tired, and weak. "...I've failed again. They will only remember this monstrosity, and how I attacked you, and all the rotten things I said... I'll never convince them that I did it for them. Gods, I wish I had time to write a letter. And I wish I had more time with you..."

Her words were frantic and nearly nonsensical, but it was clear to all that Tariun had been correct. The simple act of killing the servant had done a great deal to restore Mariette's sanity. But there was far too little time to carry on a long and deep conversation.

 

[Infab]

Cassandra gently pulled Mariette into a hug, speaking as she held her close. "Mariette, we made sure they survived this. We both did. Some may still think of us as monsters, but others will remember that we helped." she said. "...Mariette, you will not be without me for long. I want you to go with Tariun. Remain in her care, and help her here. I must go with them to the Mortal Realm...I have to do something. Put an end to Sazak once and for all, and set things right...and the moment that happens, I will return to the Abyss to be with you for the rest of eternity."

As she pulled away, she gave Mariette a smile. "I make a promise to you, here and now, that I will return once this is over. When Sazak is gone for good." She then gently helped her up off the ground, looking to Tariun. Tariun nodded, looking towards Mariette. "We will take good care of you."

 

[K0mori]

"Eternity..." Mariette repeated. "I can wait for that." She kissed Cassandra on the hand just before the later moved on. Wrapped in the bloodstained cloak, Mariette gingerly removed the rest of the now ill-fitting armor plates. Her aura was very weak without it, nearly as weak as when she had been an ordinary vampire. Removing the armor had nearly killed her, but as she stood and looked at the people she had helped save, and the evil influence Cassandra had helped her overcome, Mariette smiled softly even as she bowed her head in shame. A few tears fell from her eyes as she bid goodbye to the ones she knew she wouldn't see again: Jakob and Valeria especially, but even Hudson, as hard-headed as he could be, would be missed. "Don't come visit, no matter how much you want to see me," she joked, cynically. "And, as always, drink to me... adieu, mes bons et irremplaçables amis."

She walked up to Tariun, the armor bundled up in her arms, and simply nodded. There was no telling what the future held.

 

[Infab]

The group handed over the the equipment that they had been given from Vucrox, giving the gear to the demon next to Tariun. Every few moments, he would step through a portal behind him, carrying the gear with him, before emerging moments later ready to take more. Hudson would be the only one besides Takato and Leakhena to keep either their artifacts or parts of their artifacts. Leakhena let Tariun know of Adriel's wishes, and Tariun gave her a warm smile and a nod.

And soon, it was time for Mariette to venture into the portal too. She waved her goodbyes to everyone, before being gently lead through the portal. And then, Tariun opened another portal for Henderson. "There you go, Henderson. A portal to wherever you wish to go here in the Abyss. Step through, and you'll be on your way." she said. "That is what you wanted, correct?"

She then looked to the others. "Most of you are not corrupted enough to be forced to remain here. Leakhena, your situation with your vessel will allow you to leave without harm. So if you wish, you may leave with them...or you can remain here and help us bring change to the Abyss. It is up to you, Leakhena."

She then looked to the rest of the group. "Please, proceed through the gate. The Gate Guardian will protect you from anyone that will attempt to stop you. Cassiel should be waiting for you on the other side of the gate."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

“Leakhena, your situation with your vessel will allow you to leave without harm. So if you wish, you may leave with them...or you can remain here and help us bring change to the Abyss. It is up to you, Leakhena."

“I... I don’t know what I’m going to do.” she responds. “It feels like we just got started fighting back yesterday.”

A moment is taken as she looks at the others. She’d really like to go back to the mortal realm with them and prepare for what’s to come next. They didn’t find the artifacts after all, and they can only assume the worst will occur. But, something is stopping her. The realization that the icons can bleed. They just took out the icon of pride and wrath, and came out mostly unscathed. What good was all of Ralvas’ power and all of Azgon’s might if a simple little country girl like her, along with a group of barely-functional people, could defeat them? She remembers something else in the moment. Thorgran still breathes. She still has a job to do.

“I... I’d like to be taken home, if possible.” she humbly asks before turning to the rest of the group. “And I guess this is where I say my goodbyes to you all...”

She’s visibly a little upset; something reflected in her tone. The look on her face as her eyes shift between some of the members of the group make it clear she’s going to miss them in particular very much.

 

[Infab]

Tariun nodded. "Of course, Leakhena. Your angelic friend should be there, I think. He's been helping to restore your home." She opened another portal, as Leakhena looked about at the others. Vincent smiled as Leakhena looked to him. "Don't worry. This won't be the last time you see us." he said. Some way, somehow, everyone would probably run into one another again. With times like these, anything was possible.

Then, the group noticed the fighting getting closer. Sazak's angry yells and the clangs of metal against metal were drawing in. And then, the group noticed the statue moved. It took a step towards the violence, the spear in its hands ready to combat Sazak should he appear. Valeria looked to the door. "W-We should go." she said softly, looking to the others.

 

[Breadman]

"Right then. I'll get out of your hair and out of dodge." Henderson moved to go through the portal when he stopped. He let out a sigh. Even now he thought about her. "Vincent. Jacob. Do a favor, not for me, but for someone deserving to get out of this place. Find Theodore. Tell him his wife is trapped in this hell because her killer still breathes. Tell the half-pint to get off his arse and slay the wretch. Other than that, hope I never see you lot again."

Saying his 'goodbyes', Henderson stepped through the portal to somewhere far away in the Abyss.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"Don't worry. This won't be the last time you see us."

“Well... if you ever want to visit me, you know where I live.” she says. “It’s been an honor, and a pleasure, fighting by your side.”

Her sword comes out of its sheath and she raises it high in the air. “To Kaizen!”

With her farewells done, she takes a deep breath and walks through the portal, hoping this wouldn’t be the last she’ll see if any of them.

 

[Dmaster]

Once the fighting between Cassandra and Mariette broke out, Hudson reached for the sword at his hip and spread his stance. While he didn't want to hurt the vampire-turned-demon due to the respect he had for her, if she was going mad he thought that the rest of the group might be next. However Tariun's exceedingly calm advice to Cassandra put him at slight ease, as if this was just a rather mundane part of ridding Mariette of the armor proper. Once everything was concluded, the vampire crumpled up in a heap, resorted to tears over what she was going to do and what she had become. Hudson had little idea what to say, though he knew that she could not go back to the surface now. "Take care of yourself Mariette." he managed, rather genuine despite the brewing fight with Sazak drawing closer.

Henderson and Leakhena departed through their portals, and Hudson raised a hand slowly as a way of saying goodbye. Why anyone would choose to stay in this hellish place was beyond him, but it was not his place to evaluate the others' choices. Even still, looking to the horizon and the fight taking place between Sazak, Azathor, and Vixas made Hudson ball one of his fists in resentment. The fact that after everything that monster was still breathing ate him up inside, and he was still regretting the fact that he was powerless to even stand and fight.

"Tariun." Hudson called out as he began to walk toward the gates again. "If Taranoch manages to use those artifacts, we'd all be doomed. If that happens and the Abyss starts breaking through to the surface, I'll still be fighting on the frontlines. All I'm saying is; don't make me clean up your mess." Though his words could come across as chastising he was speaking rather somberly, the man having a rather grim sense of humor.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou remained ever tense as the back and forth continued, doing his best to maintain his sharing of Zazriel's blessing, but it was clear enough that they were not going to stay. He assisted with everyone else getting out of there, before rushing through the portal himself. This was not their battle to be had, giving Azathor a small nod beforehand. And so, just as they had started, they were once more on the island from which they arrived from all those Abyssal weeks ago.

The feelings ruminating within him were odd; they had managed to do plenty of good during their time in the Abyss, most of all having been able to save Valeria, which he was sure Weston would be absolutely relieved to hear about. Still, their task of securing the artifacts had ended in failure, which could spell disaster for the mortal coil. He knew Shouki Shrine had been maintaining preparations for a potential demon invasion ever since the Age of Darkness had ended, but he knew not if the same could be fully said for Adonia as well, and even then, even with preparations, can anyone really be ready? He'd have to find a way to contact the shrine head, just for his own peace of mind. The mention of the Nether though, that perplexed him greatly...

Soon, they arrived at the gate, finding the Abyssal Gate Guardian there as per usual, and Tariun waiting for them. Relieved to hear Venextos had been found, he was however still saddened to hear about those corrupted by the Abyss. They had made their choices however, and it ultimately wasn't in his place to judge them for it. As the others discussed and more amongst themselves over the handing of Abyssal artifacts, the hermit echoed in his mind what Vixas had told him about Zazriel, specifically what he had said in the end... "He would have wanted them to be given to someone else... And I give it to you, as he would have wanted me to. Take them. Keep them. You honor him by doing this." He didn't feel particularly corrupted either, though that could be troubling in of itself.

Xiaòzhou approached Tariun and the other demon, before the former confirmed to him what Vixas had told him - he was to keep Zazriel's artifacts.

"...I hope I honor him well," he simply responded to the revelation, as she also confirmed in him his status of corruption, which wasn't that high. To not leave either 'empty-handed', he hugged both of them, letting Tariun know that if Vixas or Xager were here, he'd extend his hugs to them too.

Soon, the artifacts had been handed over, and it was time to say their goodbyes. He raised his hand to a stiff wave towards Henderson, and with a nod of respect to Mariette, who seemed to have gotten better with that damnable armor off. However, what surprised him was hearing Leakhena would be staying. His interactions with her hadn't been entirely the best throughout this journey, but he had still greatly cared about her.

He just approached her with a soft smile, and spread out his arms, motioning for a hug. He could see Leakhena's mixed expression as he offered it, but soon, he could see a look of relief wash over her face, as the two hug it out. After a bit, they separate and he gives her a hearty smile and a pat on the back.

"...I hope you manage everything on your end, Leakhena!" he told her, her returning a smile back.

With his goodbye set, he waved her farewell as she returned home. As the fighting got closer, it was about time that they left, though he looked over to the others, those who had been busy dealing with affairs elsewhere, some of them having changed a good bit. Gödrun and Irene appeared to be here mainly to keep watch, so it appeared they were staying. Wesley, Seriphine, and Aliana were leaving with them, though he wasn't sure what Uloth was up to. But curiously, Inari and Anya were both missing from affairs... he knew it would probably be the polite thing to ask what happened to them, but knowing Inari, she's probably found herself a new home here akin to Henderson (though he couldn't say he really knew her though), so he's not going to. He did find Riberta moving curiously though, he wondered what was on her mind.

With Hudson's comments ringing in the air, he wondered what was next to happen. What kind of events are to befall them, especially with the rage of an Icon now over them? He didn't know for sure, but he would be fighting as the man would. The mortal coil was his home, and he was not about to allow it to fall back into darkness. He was excited to see Cassiel though, he had missed the angel.

 

[Infab]

"...Take care of yourself, Hudson." responded the ascended demon, before turning her attention to Xiaòzhou. "...You do, Takato. Zazriel would be very proud of you." she responded, after hugging him. Then, she turned her attention to the rest that were to leave. "Hurry through the gate now, everyone. I don't think you should be here when--" she managed to get out, before hearing Sazak shouting just down the path from them. He had broken through, and was running up the path towards them. zweihander held like a spear in his hands. "YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME!" spat Sazak, his vessel looking even worse for wear. Azathor and Xager were close behind, attempting to stop the Icon, but stopped in their tracks when they saw Tariun wave her hand to them. The Gate Guardian could handle Sazak. With a nod, the roughed-up pair of Princes straightened up, and moved through a portal that Xager opened next to them.

Sazak charged towards the group, but the moment he stepped within the area around the gate, the Guardian jumped into action. A rapid twirl of the spear, a graceful side flip into Sazak's path, and a blindingly fast swing made the blunt end of its spear catch Sazak just under his chin. Forcing him to do a complete flip and sending his zweihander flipping through the air. As Sazak struggled to get up, the Guardian marched over, and delivered a curb stomp directly down onto Sazak's head. Then, it simply grabbed him by whatever remained of his clothing, and slung him back out of the circle around the gate. Tariun glanced to the others. "...I told you that the Guardian would prevent him from getting to you."

Sazak managed to get up, regaining his composure before grabbing his zweihander. "YOU WANT TO FIGHT TOO? LETS FIGHT." he spat, pointing at the Guardian before charging again. And with brutal efficiency, the Guardian manhandled Sazak before tossing him back out of the circle again. Over and over again, the Guardian beat the hell out of Sazak before throwing him back out of the circle. And over and over again, Sazak got up and attempted to charge the Guardian or the group, only to get beat again.

Vincent looked to the others. "Let's get going." he said, before turning and helping Valeria to the gate. As Valeria neared it, Sazak's angry shouts got louder and louder. And soon, she crossed the threshold behind Hudson. One by one, they all did. She opened a portal for those that remained who planned to stay, and they the area as well through the portal. Until soon, the only one left standing near the gate was Tariun. She smiled, looking at the gate, before directing her attention to a rabid Sazak. Whom was still trying to get to the gate. "...And now it looks as though you failed again, Sazak."

The battered Icon yelled in anger at the ascended Demon Prince, shouting obscenities at her as she spawned her own portal. And finally, she disappeared through it. Leaving Sazak utterly alone there, the Guardian watching his every move.

------
​

The Wilderness
Northern Daristein
Adonia


One by one, the group emerged from the doorway into the Mortal Realm. It was a cool day in mid-October, the trees in the forest around them swaying lightly in the breeze. And not too far in front of the gate stood Cassiel...and someone else. Beside him stood Undite, as well as another female dressed in an outfit commonly worn by cowboys and cowgirls in Southern Atraca. Cassiel smiled warmly, as each member came through the door and approached. But he also noticed that four of those that had gone in before were missing.

Valeria looked between Cassiel and Undite, easily recognizing the goddess through her years of study with the Inquisition. The other one, on the left, she recognized near instantly. And it brought her to tears. "R-Rosanna?" she said, her eyes welling up as she approached. "...Yeah. Its me, Val." she said, smiling and opening her arms. Valeria rushed towards her, embracing her in a hug and apologizing profusely for everything that happened three years prior. As the pair hugged and talked, Jakob also rushed over to them. Meanwhile, Cassandra stood her distance from everyone. Standing off to the side, gazing back to the gate. Memorizing its appearance. She'd be back here one day, soon.

The others approached Cassiel and Undite, Vincent stepping up and looking between the pair. "...We managed to rescue Valeria, as you can see." he said, motioning to Valeria nearby. "Cassandra Bainbridge and Mariette Desrosiers assisted us in the endeavor, along with a few others...We were unable to retrieve the artifacts. Taranoch's demon sorceress Mazgith has them hidden somewhere in the Abyss, and we did not have the time to go hunting her. Abyssal corruption was setting in, and we had to get out fast."

Cassiel nodded. "Understandable...We'll keep in touch with Tariun and her forces, and see what else we can do to help locate them. But your primary objective is complete. You've rescued Valeria, and with Lady Undite's help, we may be able to pry into the mind of Sazak and see what is being planned." he said. Vincent glanced back to the gate, before speaking again. "We also managed to put down two Icons, as well as cause a bit of disruption in the Abyss. Taranoch doesn't have quite the hold on the Abyss as he did before."

Undite looked surprised. "You...You killed TWO of his Icons?" she asked, a shocked tone to her voice. Vincent looked to the goddess and nodded. "Ralvas, the Icon of Pride, and Azgon, the Icon of Wrath, are dead. We could have fought Sazak himself, but we needed to get out before the corruption set in proper."

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson didn't bother to stick around to see the Guardian pummel Sazak repeatedly, even if it would have been wonderfully cathartic to witness. He had to rid himself of every temptation to take up the Icon on that offer to fight, as he had a family to go back home to. Once they stepped out of the gate in the wilderness, the hunter was surprised to see a welcoming party. For a suicide mission that Velin had little faith in herself, it was a wonder how any of them remembered what the party was doing in the Abyss at all.

As Vincent gave his debriefing he nodded his head along in agreement, chiming in after he mentioned how Sazak nearly battled them. "Bastard was lucky we were on a time limit, we'll just put it like that." he growls. Despite his bitterness Hudson takes a step closer to Cassiel and decouples the angelic sword from the magically imbued chains about his waist, handing the blade and its sheath to the angel with little fanfare. "This belonged to that fallen angel that became an Icon. I was told to give it to you so that it can go back to heaven where it belongs." he said, looking around at those who have gathered outside the gate.

"And where's Lady Velin? I thought that she would be here if she had received word of our success."

 

[Infab]

"And where's Lady Velin? I thought that she would be here if she had received word of our success."

"She is currently with Lord Adona. The pair are working their issues out...Much has changed since you all went into the Abyss." responded Undite. "...The purges have ended. I am the new head of the Church, as Velin has volunteered to step down. I am reworking the Church and Inquisition to purge it of corruption. Velin's Order has been disbanded, and there is currently a Summit ongoing in Red Gorge to bring about changes in law across Adonia."

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor had already been beaten rather badly by the time Sazak managed to break through his and Xager's defenses. His right eye was swollen to the point where he could no longer open it and several of his ribs had been broken by brutal blows delivered by his own father which made it difficult to stand and breath. It was through sheer force of will that Azathor continued to fight on in his condition and chased after Sazak who had been heading for where the group was. Fortunately the Guardian was more than capable in dealing with Sazak and, rather reluctantly, Azathor stepped in through the portal made by Tariun to leave the battle.

Before he left however, he took a moment to see Sazak being pummeled and humiliated by the Gate Guardian. A certain kind of schedenfreude that made Azathor grin from his bloodied mouth before leaving. His only wish was that it would do more than just keep him away from the Gate however. On the other side, he collapsed to one knee and gripped at his ribcage and spat out some blood. Two of his followers quickly rushed over to help him to his feet and to find someplace to rest in the meantime so that he may start to recover from such a fight. As he was sat down onto a chair, Azathor found it quite difficult to breath in his condition and his laborious breathing was indicative or larger damage done to him.

"So... what n-now?" he asked through clenched teeth, wincing in pain as he struggled to get the words out.

 

[Dmaster]

The hunter seemed rather perturbed by all of that before he stepped away from Cassiel once he relinquished the sword, then looking to Undite silently for a moment or so. "She would disband the Order before I could formally resign, that just seems typical with my luck." he said with a shrug. "The purges being over is good news. Only way I avoided the pressures of participating in them was going on a wild vampire hunt across Adonia. And even then patrols wanted me to help them go door to door and kill vampires and lycanthropes. None of that sat right with me, I mostly just kill demons."

 

[Damian0358]

Passing through the gate, Xiaòzhou could sense the immense shift in the aura of the world. He did not imagine that departing from the cold gust and quiet of the gate entrance back to the light breeze and serenity of the mortal coil would make him... nostalgic, in some way. He smiled as he looked at the forest around them, a true blue northern Adonian forest, before centering his focus on the three waiting for them.

One of them was clearly Venerable Cassiel, but the other two he didn't recognize at all. The one who would respond to the shock of them killing two Icons had an aura reminiscent to that of Velin, so perhaps she was another of their Divine Five, which honestly wouldn't shock him at this point. The one Valeria hugged, Rosanna, had an unusual aura despite her looking human. He wondered if she was a case such as himself.

"[...my, this is curious...]" the hermit could hear Zazriel's voice ring.

"[...I had wondered if you would still be able to speak outside of the Abyss!]"

"[I doubt it would have prevented me! But, now, you see, I, or, well, who I was, have never departed from the Abyss into the mortal coil,]" the Second Abyssal King confided in the oni, "[witnessing your memories and experiences of the mortal coil is one thing, but to actually be in it myself... to still be in the flesh, I would've enjoyed exploring this plane...]"

"[...you should still be able to experience it through me, no?]" the hermit asked.

"[...hahaha! Thank you for your consideration, but yes, I should be able, as long as you use my belongings. Now, a new chapter has opened in all this, and you will need to be ready for it.]"

The hermit nodded to himself in affirmation of what Zazriel said, as he noted Hudson asking about Velin and bringing up the good point of her absence. The one with an aura akin to Velin's revealed she was not only working with Adona, another of the Divine Five who seems to have returned, but that she was now the head of the Church and that much had happened since they entered. That confirmed to him that this was indeed someone of the Divine Five, so apparently three of them were around now?? Fascinating indeed.

 

[K0mori]

Mariette sat in a daze, experimentally touching her newly-monstrous features with her bare hands for the first time when Azathor appeared through the portal and joined her and the others present. Now that she was free of the armor's corrupting influence, she saw her horns and sharpened teeth as truly alien for the first time. "I need a change of clothes, a new sword..." she said quietly to Azathor, "and we need a moment's rest, non? Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but that was quite enough violence for one day... at least for me."

She took out a vial of blood, the very last she had on hand for her travels, and downed it as her wounds continued to close. It tasted so bitter, compared to the dreamlike memories she held of the Icons' abyssal humors. "I could use a glass of wine," she said. She looked down at her hand and rubbed her finger against her thumb, thinking about the strange magic she had wielded not long ago. Without the extra strength granted by the artifacts, she could barely feel its presence, and yet she did. In fact, just like her horns and teeth, it felt as if she were experiencing it truly for the first time. Hesitantly, she raised her hand in front of her eyes, searching for the spark as she snapped her finger.

A tiny, rose-colored flame arose at the tip of her thumb. "Heh," she laughed as she extinguished it.

---

Elsewhere in the Abyss...
​

The wrecked remains of Ralvas' abyssal train were still smoldering as they sat abandoned at the site of the battle. Inside one of the more-intact cars, a door rattled and then opened, and out rolled a woman dressed in black, her sword clanging against the floorboards as several empty liquor bottles rolled past. "What is this?" she demanded as she looked around at the aftermath. "I am try to sleep, loud ones!"

There was no answer, and after rubbing her eyes and swatting at her tail, which had appeared of its own volition when all the commotion began, Anya grunted and stood herself up, dizzily walking toward the front of the car. "Wessex... Kat?" she shouted. There was no answer. She soon discovered why: on the opposite side of the door, instead of finding the next car, Anya found herself looking out over the Abyssal landscape. "Ah..." she sighed. She concluded that the others from the surface, who had come and gone a few more times on the train, had been discovered by Ralvas and were probably dead.

There wasn't much to gather from the train before she dropped down onto the dusty path ahead. Her few "treasures" jangled in her pockets and around her neck as she walked, feeling rather pleased with herself. She had never really fit in with the others, and had lost confidence in the gods' plans very quickly. Instead of fighting and dying with the others on their suicide mission, Anya simply chose to disappear, hiding in a cabinet aboard the train until the others were gone, and feasting and bathing and taking advantage of her hosts' other amenities the entire time. It was honestly one of the most relaxing points of her life, ever since the night she was cursed, and all the horrible things that followed. But now that the train was destroyed, Anya decided it was probably best to head back toward the Abyssal gate... wherever it was.

And if she met Velin again on the other side, or Adona, or whatever god decided to interfere in her life next, she would tell them a lie: she'd say that she fought valiantly alongside the others and had somehow been the only survivor. If they saw through it, so be it; the worst that could happen is that she'd be sent back here.

And Hell, as it turned out, wasn't such a bad place after all.

"Going somewhere?" said a familiar voice nearby.

 

[joshuadim]

"I'm sure Tariun has more than enough of a selection..." Azathor managed to get out before grunting in pain once again. "Damn it all... it was never going to be enough... to beat him." he muttered, brooding over his failure to even land a single proper blow on Sazak. He could take some comfort that the Gate Guardian put him in his place but apart from that the scars of time still burned within him. "Tell me something Mariette... it's been a question brewing on my mind ever since it happened. Why did you kill Ergran?" he asked, looking straight at her with pained eyes."He... he was never one to be a fighter. Was is out of necessity... or was it revenge that drove you?"

 

[K0mori]

Mariette knew that the question would come sooner or later. "I'd be lying if I said that revenge wasn't part of it," she replied, "but... it was a matter of necessity. We couldn't take Ergran prisoner; that would have slowed us down and made our mission that much harder. He would have alerted Sazak if we'd have let him go. So, I was one of the two in our party, the other being Hudson Giguere, who executed him. It was swift. If we hadn't done it, then Cassandra would have, and she would have made him suffer." Mariette was flat and direct in her explanation. There was no effort made to distort or sugar-coat the truth, as she knew that Azathor deserved her honesty.

After a moment's pause, she decided to test him, as the two would likely need to work together in the future. "It may be difficult to accept my decision- he was your brother, after all, but... Consider him equal to any other innocent soul. With everything that's on the line, would you sacrifice an innocent if the fate of your rebellion was resting on it?"

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor remained quiet for a few moments, digesting what Mariette said as best as he could where he sat. He drooped his head down as his hands balled up into fists, waves of anger washed over him like tides of an ocean. Grief flowed inwards as well, as he finally was able to come to terms with his brother's death after having been so pre-occupied with everything else... he never really had the chance to properly take it all on. A distraction from the pain that he didn't have at this moment as he looked up to Mariette when she followed up with her own question. He desperately wanted to say no, but knew that would be nothing more than a lie marred with grief.

"Yes." he said rather bluntly, "I would not have any other person suffer my father... or any of those wretches that call themselves Icons. I just... I wish I could've saved him."

He then stood up from his chair slowly before walking to a nearby wall to lean on it. "I wish I could've saved him and Sal'gel... and Belias... yet I've always been too weak." he then spoke, tears welling up in his eyes. "Everything I've ever done has always led to me failing in protecting the ones I love and them taken from me. My own kin, despised and discarded like trash by my father because they weren't perfect. Perfect to be used as tools like Astraal is."

"Astraal is my only family left. I fear to fail yet again... to be truly alone in this existence. I can't lose him too..."

He then looked up to Mariette, his face lined with tears from his unbruised eye. "Thank you for making it quick for Ergran... at the very least."

 

[K0mori]

Mariette was relieved to know that Azathor at least understood why she made her decision, but seeing the pain on his face, knowing of the grief he carried at the loss of his siblings, she felt a serious pang of empathetic grief. She had only suffered Sazak's cruelty for thirty years, while Azathor had known it for his entire life. "I still took something from you, and for that, I'm sorry," she said. "If you think Astraal can still be saved, then perhaps I should find a way to assist you in that goal. It's the least I could do."

 

[joshuadim]

"I... thank you." Azathor managed to get out before clutching at his side in pain again. "I'll need to get myself healed now, then prepare for... for whatever we must do next." He then collected himself as best as he could and limped away out of the room, seeking out Venextos for healing.

A bit later...

"Mon dieu, so both Ralvas and Azgon are both dead? Yet... the artifacts were not found. Disturbing news indeed." Venextos reminisced aloud at the news, both good and good, given to him by Hayley. As he mulled over this information, he hoped that everyone made it out in the end in one piece in the end. He then saw that Azathor was heading for him and took a seat nearby where Venextos stood. "I see you took quite a beating. A pleasure to meet at last." Venextos said as he looked over the demon prince's wounds. "Let's get those tended to, it'll take some time."

---

He dreamed as if he was in an eternal black void that surrounded him and permeated every fiber of his being. It was... peaceful. A far cry from everything he had to go through for so long. Was this death? The final end that he always had wondered about? No... he could still think... and even see, although all he saw was nothing. He tried desperately to make sense of it all and flailed about with a body he couldn''t discern if it was a part of the void or if it was just obscured by the pitch black that surrounded him. In the distance however, he saw what appeared to be figures looking down at him. He was looking at them in a similar manner as to how one would view fish in an aquarium as it appeared to be an entire layer between them and him.

The figures, demons that he didn't know, were seemingly observing his armored body as it lay still. With a primal fury he punched at this barrier, unrelenting in his desire to get out of this predicament of helplessness. As he punched, it seemed as though cracks appeared in this barrier until finally it was shattered and Ethraeil was slung back into the light.

He then stirred once more, flames returning to his eyes as he grunted. This sudden stirring sent the demons that had been watching over him into a near panic at this sudden change of events and went off to quickly gather their master. Ethraeil slowly sat upwards from where he had been laid upon and looked around in confusion. He didn't know where he was exactly, nor who had taken him. What was also rather discomforting was how neither Selethar nor any of his other lieutenants were here. Were they truly gone?

At the very least his blade was untouched for the most part as it lay next to him. Ethraeil quickly grabbed it and saw that it still was wet with some of Taranoch's blood from the scratch he managed to inflict upon the Demon King. He observed for a moment and was satisfied as he let out a chuckle: "A parting gift for me. Your blood will be your own end, Taranoch." Ethraeil spoke, his voice rattling like ice upon the wind.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The Land of Gluttony
​

'Angelic friend, she says...' Leakhena gives herself a little laugh of bitterness the more she dwells on what Tariun called him. 'As if he'd ever want to be my friend...'

The portal Tariun opened up took her at the foot of the long road leading up to her house, and she'd been thinking about just what she'd say to Zebulon along the way as she walked. While their last conversation went far better than she hoped, she still couldn't help but wonder if he truly hated her deep down. She'd been disgustingly awful to him in the past; she wouldn't hold it against him at all if he did. Though she gave him her roof and her food in an attempt to make amends. Only the gods know what he's done to her house in the days she's given it to him. Maybe he burned it to the ground, maybe he sold it to one of Thorgran's lieutenants in exchange for more food. Maybe he won't let her return, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to remain here... These thoughts are pushed aside just as the mist does when it eventually begins to clear up, and she's able to see the outline of her home. It's still standing by the looks of it, but something's... different. It looks bigger than she remembers, and much cleaner too. She moves in a little closer once the anxiety wears off, but then suddenly stops as she beholds Zebulon's handiwork to her home.

'W-What the hell... How did he...' she almost mutters out loud as she takes it all in.

Her entire house has been completely renovated and even renewed! The weeds that were swallowing up the back side of her home and creeping up along the sides have been completely removed. The old and faded wooden paneling have been replaced and given a fresh coat of paint. The windows are no longer boarded up and the glass has been dusted and polished. The windmill is spinning smoothly without even a squeak being made; finally oiled and free of all the rust that's accumulated due to years of neglect. The grass was trimmed and the stone walkway to the front door repaired too. Even the barn in the back and what's left of the glasshouse are in the process of being renovated; the former having its ruined ceiling removed and the latter being replaced with a clean starting foundation. Everything about her house now looks brand new just like the day her parents bought it. She'll have to owe him more, it seems. In awe at how the exterior looks, she quickly unlocks the front door in anticipation and sees the inside has been cleaned up as well. No more bottles of alcohol littered the floor, and no more dust lined every shelf and wall either. There is one thing that stands out to her, however. On the dining table is a strange looking candle holder of which she's never seen before. Stranger still is that it looks like it holds several candles as opposed to simply three or four. She shakes her head at it while moving onto the second floor.

Having desired some much-needed rest, she heads into her room and starts to undress before jumping into her bed; falling into a deep sleep shortly after.

---
​

"Loque..." says a voice.

There's no response. It speaks again.

"Loque..."

Nothing again. A hand gently nudges her shoulder. "Loque-" It's smacked away viciously as Leakhena springs out of her bed with a scream, rolls over the side and unsheathes her sword; taking a stance and pointing it right at the neck of what disturbed her sleep. Her sword makes a clang as it hits the ground, and her face turns to one of shock. Zebulon stands there silently.

"Z-Zebulon! I didn't mean to do that! I-" she stutters before going quiet. Embarrassed and still feeling drowsy, she rubs her face. "What... what do you want?"

His response was simple. "To wake you up."

Leakhena scowls harshly at him. "For what?!"

"Because you came here completely alone hours ago covered in bruises and new scars." He sits on the edge of the bed and takes a deep breath; giving her a saddened look. "... Your mission didn't work out, did it?"

"No, no... it did... kind of?" responds Leakhena, rubbing her eyes again. "It's... a lot to explain what in all the hells we just did."

Zebulon stands up from the bed and places a hand on one of her shoulders. "Well, I made us some tea while you were sleeping. You can tell me more as I pour us cups."

The both of them descend down the stairs, and Leakhena takes a seat at the table while Zebulon comes out with a tray holding a kettle and two glasses. Leakhena's cup is poured first and she starts drinking right away. Zebulon sits down after he's done pouring his. "So what did happen? There's been lots of talk among your people but I'm not sure if any of it is true."

Leakhena takes another sip before pausing to gather her thoughts. "Well... we found the inquisitor we were sent to find. After that, we were supposed to go to Dis to find the artifacts; I'm sure Tariun might've told you." Zebulon nods in confirmation. "We were attacked on our way there. And it wasn't just any random raiding party either, but Ralvas himself tracked us down to kill us." Another sip is taken before Leakhena gives him a sly look. "And now whatever ashes that are left of him are blowing around in the Nether."

Zebulon's eyes go wide in surprise. "You people defeated an icon? That's... that's surprising, to say the least."

"Not one. Two."

"And who was the other?" Zebulon asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Azgon." confirms Leakhena.

A spray of hot tea nearly comes spitting out of Zebulon's mouth; completely astonished at what he's just been told. Azgon himself is now dead, and he previously never thought such a thing to be possible. "Gods, that has to be one hell of a blow to Taranoch now that his leading general is no more..."

"Maybe, but I don't think we'll know how much at the moment since we couldn't find the artifacts we were looking for. We were too late to Dis, so all we could do after that was get the inquisitor to safety."

"I see... And what about the others?"

"Well, they left for the mortal realm, save for a some whom wanted to stay here for some incomprehensible reason, but..." Leakhena looks down in her glass; watching her expression turn glum as it's reflected in the tea. "... We lost two."

"Whom?"

"Senya. She was the one wearing full armor if you remember... and Venextos."

"He was... the Escarian, right?"

"Yes... the real one." she says, rolling her eyes.

"Well..." He raises his glass in a toast. "To them, for being brave enough to come here to stop a great evil." Leakhena also raises her glass and downs what's left of her drink. "So what will you do now? Surely there's a reason you decided to come home?"

His question is answered in a half-hearted shrug and an empty stare. "I don't know... I just... don't feel like I can go back to the mortal realm again. It feels like I haven't earned a place there after how terribly I treated it. So... I guess I'm staying here at my real home for good now."

Zebulon frowns heavily, and reaches for her arm as he moves in a little closer. "I'm going to be very honest with you, Loque, but you should not have chosen to stay here. You have made a mistake."

Leakhena shrugs again. "... Nothing new to me."

Zebulon shakes his head. "Matters in Tehom have gotten worse after you poisoned Thorgran. His men are absolutely desperate to catch you, otherwise they risk being eaten alive for their failure to protect him. They are so desperate in fact that they're trying to come up with culprits whom they say 'generously assisted' you just to regain favor with him and save their own lives..." His stern expression fades as he leans back in his seat. "Do you remember Singh by any chance? I overheard he was a friend of your mother."

"... Old Man Singh? He was. My mother was friends with a lot of other Redonians that ended up here... He's still alive?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Not for long. They plan on executing him in the square as an example to everyone whom aids 'terrorism' against Thorgran."

"But he didn't do anything to help us!"

Zebulon shrugs. "That doesn't matter to them. Anything to spare them the horrible fate they've helped inflict onto so many others."

"...When will they do it?"

"Tonight."

"Fuck!" Leakhena looks around anxiously before slamming her hands down on the table and getting up in a hurry. Zebulon grabs one of her arms to try to stop her.

"Loque, please! You just got home! You're in no condition to go back to fighting! You need to rest!"

She quickly yanks her arm back away from him. "I-I can't! Not when people are dying because of me! Not because I left a job half-done!" she yells, though Zebulon seizes her by her shoulders before she can go anywhere.

"Loque... please." he says, looking at her right in her face. "You leave your house the way you are now, you will surely end up back on his platter!"

"I-I'm sorry, Zebulon, but you just don't understand..." Tears start to well up in her eyes. "I let too many of my people suffer while I was here. I was too afraid to do a-anything... and I le-left them to d-die when I r-ran away... I can't r-run now. N-Not while I'm here. Not while my people are s-still like this. And not while I still know the icons can fucking bleed."

Zebulon slowly and gently takes his hands off her; not wanting to distress her any more nor having any idea what to say to her now. She's really committed to keep fighting, it seems. He lets out a sigh as he ponders on just what he should do now. Then a decision is ultimately made. "Then I'm going with you."

"...What?" This startles her, and she even stakes a step back in astonishment. He wishes to join her? That's a terrible idea to her. "Zebulon, you... you don't have to do this. This isn't your fight."

He disagrees, and shakes his head again. "You've done for me, Loque. Now I do for you. If you really are going to organize a war against Thorgran, then you need someone to help you and look out for you, and Tariun is too busy with her own matters."

"I... but... you're just... a vagrant; going up against garrisons of armed soldiers." she stutters. "...I don't even think my people will even listen to an angel like you. Let alone one that's fallen."

"Oh, Loque..." he says dismissively with a smile. "I was not condemned to this place for being a coward, this I will say. So I will go with you. They wish to make an example of Singh, do they? Then let us make them an example of them to whomever wrongs your people." he says, giving her a pat on the shoulder. "Now let's go before it's too late. I know where they're holding Singh..."

A wide smile slowly grows on her trembling face, still quite surprised by him volunteering to join her. The only thing she could do at that point is embrace him in a hug. This is the start of something big, she feels, and it can only ever grow bigger from here. For as much as the rest of the demons of gluttony live in fear of Thorgran, there's still something fresh in their minds after what the group did and it's something Leakhena is too eager to remind them of. The fact that Thorgran is vulnerable. Two icons have fallen already, and she's more than determined to bring down a third and everything around him; an icon that's destroyed her life, her family, and everything she's cared about. If she can just get it through to them, that they can actually fight back, then they wouldn't have to live another day tightening their belts. They wouldn't have to come home to an empty plate, empty pantry, empty kitchen. They wouldn't have to see their loved ones dragged off kicking and screaming as they look on helplessly. If she can just only give them hope; the same hope she's had for so many years... Then maybe, just maybe, the grass might just go back to being green again. Just as it all was before Thorgran, before Taranoch, before all this madness.

All she needs to do, all that she's ever wanted to do, is to just give them hope...