The Hell's First (WAR and TRUTH 2.4)

[Volkmar Gamlxltoe]

Volkmar cut down one of the last standing demons, his face had droplets of it's blood on his face. Volkmar looked around for another enemy to fight, but there was none left.
"What? Is that really it?!" Volkmar shouted in frustration, "BUT I WAS JUST GETTING STARTED!" He swung his sword down, making a cut in the ground.

[Dios Sarvo]

The cracked white smile spread across the shades face belied a strong sense of exacerbation that the being felt towards it's rival with this almost formulaic back and forth. So many times had these words been exchanged, mockery slung back and forth in some vain effort for one or the other to establish some sense of superiority over their opponent, but this quandary had begun to grow tiresome to the being of Shadows, and in this cycle, he well intended to see his plan to the end, and play the final move in this long since expired "game" that had been going on for so long.

"Stay you're petulant attempts at banter and mockery, Bracken. We both know you're too short of wit and nowhere near as glib to compete against me in that respect. I came here not to engage in this meaningless drivel, but rather to simply reinforce my return and how it shall spell you're ultimate fall from this world. And as you plunge deeper then you have ever sunk into the abyss, I shall consume all you have ever know, and then, and only then, will you have sampled but a fraction of my revenge."

The Lord of Shadows tone was harsh and cutting, any sense of play in his words but lost; buried beneath a mound of embittered resentment towards the black behemoth that he peered down upon. His eyes narrowing for but a moment, he turned his glare with a sudden twisting whip of his slender form as he began to sink back into the blackness from whence he came.

"Have fun with this little "game" while it lasts, Bracken, for I shall play my role and see that you are torn not only from this world, but from existence itself..." remarked the shade before his features sunk wholly into the thick shadows that hung amidst the flecks of light that cut the otherwise surrounding darkness, leaving The Other alone once more.

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All to ready to reply to the girls seemingly brash and naive response, Dios lips twisted and pursed, all but ready to begin their retort, until the sudden burst of chaotic black and white flowed forth from the orange haired lad made the man tense with a sudden conflicting sense of anger and pride. Once again, more then ever assured that this "Andy" character was suspect in this whole continually growing chain of events, Dios could only briefly mutter incoherent threats upon the boy as his fists gripped and tightened with malicious intent.

But such things were an aside right now, as he could...interrogate the boy later. Right now, he had to focus his efforts on putting this young girl in her place, hopefully with a degree of eloquence a level above his last bit of conversation with the supposed "God Slayer."

"Listen missy, words mean things, and if you're trying to insinuate that a thoughtful approach, even to combat, is cowardly, then feel free to jump down there and prove me wrong. Heck, I've probably killed more men then most people here, but do you think I did so by whacking steel against steel till my rippling muscles managed to win out?" Dios retorted with a brief chuckle, trying to emphasize the bit of self mockery over his purported body count. "If this Duo individual is as powerful as suggested, do you think he's gonna be stopped by the neanderthal with a big sword, or the man with a plan? Better yet, actually answer that, and because I already know what your answer will be, answer this as well: How are you gonna defeat him, if it's apparently you're "duty" to do so, hmmm?"

Dios folded his arms, a look of smug satisfaction hidden amongst his usual cocksure attitude as he eyed the young girl, all to eager to hear her presumably bumbling response as she tripped over her words in what would hopefully be a vaguely amusing attempt to answer his question.

[The Other]

Indeed the same old words, the same old threats thought the Other as he casually heard out the last of the Lord of Shadows warning. Were it not for the always exciting prospect of his plans, he'd say the chat wouldn't be worth his time at all. Yet it was all a part of the game to him, dull words that prefaced the beginning of a new and wonderful distraction. As the wispy shadows began to slink away from him, the shadow lord's words still hanging in the thick air, the Other watched intently with a grin that looked almost warm.

"As always, I look forward to it Zazz. Come see me in Ariadelvento when you have the chance. I have such...sights to show you."

Alone now at the border of the clearing the Other grew quickly aware of his own isolation from the battle at hand, and yet with all said and done he felt his desire to see it through rather lacking. His hand tapped idly against the portal within his chest, his fingers silently plunging into the infinite chaos within with an awkward thought as to where to go from here. Feeling he should at least go and find something to occupy his time he wandered aimlessly into the fray.

As he had expected, the softer sounds had indicated the battle was nearing its end, and little remained on the field to entice his senses. Even his rage at the Widow had ebbed so completely during his time with the Lord of Shadows that he had no interest in slaying it even as it stood distracted by an old woman. For a moment he snickered at the battle. To imagine I let something so weak get me worked up. Getting beat by an old woman of all things! Times have changed haven't they? Sometimes I wonder if they're even worth my time at all.

Slipping past the two women he meandered over to the fallen bodies of Roxa and Enizo, never failing to bash away any unsuspecting combatants that got in his way. He crouched down over them both, giving them a curious look. "Hey, you two. What are you doing looking all pathetic like that? Have titles like King and Commander become so worthless that people of your might hold them?"

[Sahir Masbrati]

Still somewhat dazzled by the terrifying showcase of power exhibited by the young red-head below, it was only as it faded that Sahir saw the man-in-black willing to reply, and suddenly she had remembered her bold words to him. The events below had unsettled her from her brave posturing, and Dios' response was something she was utterly unprepared for.

There was no way she could have calmly replied to him. His words elected all the worst emotions in her. She felt ashamed when he dared her to join the others in battle, which shifted to disgust at his smug chuckle, into finally an embarrassed speechlessness at his barbed questions. It was as if he knew exactly where to poke and jab at her.

"You're-you're awful." Sahir sniffled as her words felt thick as phlegm in her throat. She could feel the tears of her inadequacy welling up at the edges of her eyes, yet she forced them back, driven only by the wish to not let the man before her see her any weaker than she already was. "Why are you doing this? You cruel awful man. Don't you think I know how pitiful I am compared to what this-this Duo is suppose to be?" Her breath quickened into short sharp gasps as her face reddened. No matter how much she tried her muscles couldn't fully hold back the tears that trickled down her cheeks. "I've never killed a man. I don't even know how I'm suppose to with this." She held out the earthen Umbravox, her hands quivering only slightly as a result of her duress. "How am I suppose to bring them back? If you're so smart you tell me!"

It took only the distressed tone of Sahir's voice for Dral to swiftly move in between her and Dios, his body hunched down and twisted in a protective curve around her. He glared at the detective, a long hushed growl escaped through his clenched teeth as a warning. There was something he didn't like about the stranger to start, but to push his God Slayer as he had was enough for him to act without command.

[A.B.A.]

Whether it was from the revelation of Bart's name or the damage she'd endured from him, A.B.A.'s knees buckled as she collapsed to the ground, her weapons tumbling out of her hand as she stared at the strange figure vanish before her eyes. "Bart?" Arnold's deep voice cracked as the single word question was all A.B.A. could say.

What has he done to you Bart? The thought lingered in her mind as another piece of wood to add to the towering inferno of hatred she felt for Duo. Had he grown so tired of taking things from her that he offered this puppet as a perverse gift to her and the others? She looked back to the emotionless helm of Roxa, and for a moment wondered if he knew, if that same pain hammered in his chest at seeing their ally reduced to the plaything that he was. For a moment she was distracted by a sense of shared empathy for her former comrade, and she forced herself to look away before such thoughts could go any further. He was the enemy of her enemy, but he was far from a friend anymore.

I'm sorry Bart. I've failed you too, but I won't let you suffer like this. I'll free you, somehow. Gathering what whittling strength she had left in her, A.B.A. willed her body away from the battle towards the tree line. Arnold's body was broken by the encounter, no doubt it would fail to last long, and she couldn't stand the thought of another body scarred by Grey's nuclear power. To think she'd have to kill the boy twice in one day almost gave her a sense of remorse, yet only in the way that one would feel remorse for having to throw out a newly purchased hammer. As soon as she felt safe amongst the tall branches and thick stumps, she shifted back to herself with a faint glow of light. Without any of the hesitation that she had felt with Seigmand, she concentrated on the boy, focusing his entity into her key, then twisted and retracted it from her head. As soon as it left her skull the shimmering glow of the boy's soul departed from the key, and with it the memories and body of Arnold Hassenbeck vanished. She sighed with relief, as every ounce of pain suffered by Bart was gone in an instant. Slipping the key back into her head, she took her brief respite from battle as a chance to reflect, and contemplate her next action.

[Andy Jammer]

Andy continued to breathe heavily, the area turning to normal and Andy reverting to his normal state as the Siren pushed herself out of the debris. She brushed herself off and looked over at Andy, contemplating what was before her.

"How curious...the orb did more to you than we both thought..." she said. "It seems you unlocked a part of it only we thought we could do..."

The orb...it makes so much sense now. The mark on my hand came from when I grabbed the orb... Andy thought, he kept his gaze onto her though.

"I know that look, that look so well. That look you get when you finally have your answers, but only find my questions." she taunted, "You want your answers? You want to reach your potential? You don't need to look far Andy...just ask a first traitorous Saint."


First traitorous Saint? He frowned, the Siren however gave no more info for him. "I will take my leave for now Andy...but when I see you again...I am taking back my necklace."

Andy's eyes widened as the last piece of the puzzle fit itself in, her words, her face, even with the strange hair color he knew he recognized her from somewhere and now he knew where.

"Trisha?" Andy spoke, the Siren paused for a moment in surprise before answering.

"I will be back for my necklace."

In a burst of blue smoke she vanished, leaving Andy with the others.

[Enizo]

Enizo stepped into the mansion and experienced such heartache that he almost didn't press forward. The destruction was immense, the marble flooring was cracked with small pools of blood from the injured staining it so all the ancient wears and tears were visible. The roof was caved in from the shelling allowing hundreds of years of debris to float around in the air and into the lungs of the young Guardian...

Enizo pushed forward, past the mutilated corpses and the wretched smells that followed them. The doors to the council was wide open, allowing Enizo to enter into the chambers that were once so lively with vicious shouts and threats.

It was all empty, the council was gone, the Mentor was gone... Enizo couldn't believe it...

A Guardian moved from behind, causing Enizo to turn quickly to see who it was. It was a young Private, his sword drawn and his body still shaking from the fight.

"O-Oh, it's you!" The Private said in shock, quickly putting his blade away.

"Where is everyone?" Enizo asked, waving around the area.

"Oh, you don't know?" The Private said timidly as he walked closer to Enizo, "The council was found dead in their chambers..."

"And the Mentor...?"

"Missing." Enizo's heart dropped at the Private's words.

"...Who's in charge?"

"Commmander Kal was, but..." the Private didn't have to finish the sentence for Kal's blood was still soaked into Enizo's clothes, "I hate to mistaken, sir... dare I say that you're our leader now."

Enizo's couldn't find the right words to say and after a moment the Private left to give Enizo time to think. His thoughts drifted as he scanned the room once more...

Finally he let out one simple sentence that summed up the entire situation: "This is so fucked up..."

[King Roxa Hiaten]

Roxa simply stared up at the Other, the apparent lack of effect of his words being evident in the minimal amount of movement that Roxa made.

"Don't you have little children to scare, or old wives tales to populate?" He asked evenly as he picked himself up off the ground and brushed him off. "Because I'll be honest, Other, your rhetoric is getting boring, stop being such a fool." With that, head held high, Roxa stepped past the Other like he would any other member of the group and wandered through the fields of battle, taking in the sights of the death and destruction of all those who had fallen in the battle. He stopped, crossing his arms against his armoured chest.

'It won't stop...' He thought to himself. 'Not until we can bring an end to Bart and Duo... By the Gods, what would Kain think if he saw what we'd all become..?'

[Kazan]

"Oioioi..." Kazan breathed, stepping into the grandiose space that once resembled the headquarters of the Allorum Guardians. He looked around him, before his gaze finally settled onto Enizo. He couldn't help but give a small chuckle as he rested Wareme on his shoulders, left hand gripping the tip of the blades sheath, right hand gripping it by the hilt.

"Never did I think I'd see the day where lemon-face would hold such a prestigious position. If that's the case, I guess you are right! This is fucked up!" He chuckled softly, as he looked around. The floor was covered in dust, tapestries were ripped, some were burning, and blood coated the odd surface here. His smile finally faltered as he gave out a small sigh.

"Even I never managed to bring ruin to this place..."

[Enizo]

Panic began to over take Enizo, the thought of leading the entire group was overwhelming, it was crazy even!

"A-Are you out of your mind?" Enizo asked, his voice weak with fear, "I can't lead this!" He shouted, his voice seemed to echo around the destroyed halls before fading off. He looked at Kazan with panicked eyes before suddenly he remembered something.

"You..." Enizo said pointing over at the larger man, "You have to lead the Guardians. You knew the Mentor better! He would've wanted you to lead us, not me!"

[Kazan]

Kazan paused for a moment, his eyes widening slightly as he pointed a finger at himself, mouthing out the word 'me?' He waited a brief second, before...

"WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

He managed to regain some level of composure before he brought his right hand up to his face and wiped a tear from his eye. Taking a few deep, heaving breaths, he seemed to have fully regained control of his body, before he let out a heavy sigh.

"Oioi! Yeah! Let's give control of the group to the guy who can destroy entire villages and can't control his power properly! N'maaaa, I'm sure the A.G will just love that decision! Besides..." He held up his hand, and counted off the other reasons on his fingers.

"1) Me and the old man didn't get on all that well to begin with.
2) I think the old man hated me more than I did him.
3) He banished me for a reason, I'm not great at the whole 'teamwork' thing.
4) Who said I even wanted the position?! I like my life as it is, thank you very much."

He chuckled as he returned his hand to the sheath of Wareme, steadying the weapon on his shoulders.

[Enizo]

"And you think it'll be much better under ME!?" Enizo yelled, his voice filling with rage, "I can't do this, Kazan!"

He ran his hands through his thick hair, leaving traces of blood in it, "All those people, they will die! I'll lead them straight to their death!"

[Dios Sarvo]

The words struck a cord with Dios somewhere in his heart, a heart that though had long been corrupted by malice and ill intent, still felt a sense longing and regret for someone it too had lost.

"How can I bring them back..." the words tumbled through the man's mind, reminding him of thoughts and feeling long since washed over, conveying well the girls sense of loss, and reflecting well enough Dios own feelings towards his long since departed father. Feeling a foreign sense of guilt, Dios cleared his throat, preparing to do something he hadn't done in a long, long time; be genuine.

"I'm...I'm sorry, kid. Listen, I won't pry, but we've all lost things, and even if you might not believe it, I know the hurt of loosing someone you care about..." Dios let out a long and almost exhausted sigh. Part of him wanted to just up and leave, if only so he could tuck all the demons of his past away and just go along with his usual act, not having to feel or think about who he was or what he'd done, but something pushed him to go forward, if only because this girl seemed almost reminiscent of him in his youth; forced into something that she wasn't wholly prepared for, but had to do all the same.

"I don't know if people can come back, but if there's any possibility, then you've gotta think before you act. That's my point here; you're better then these people because you still think about these things. Killing people isn't easy, and do you think it's a thing anyone wants to get used to? Cause I'll tell ya, you do, and it just makes you feel less human for it." Dios paused for a moment, taking a second to remove his hat, revealing the rather morose look in his emerald eyes before turning to the battlefield and glance down at the carnage and death that he had so long become used to.

"Relish your weakness, kid, it'll give you reason to be hesitant and cautious, and those are the things that inspire careful thought. We can't be strong in all ways, but we can figure out how we are strong, and how we are useful if we take the time to think about it."

Suddenly feeling the growingly familiar presence of the Lord of Shadows once again occupying the existential space within him, Dios softly donned his hat once again, all to prepared to leave this rather draining conversation he had engaged in. "I may not be a nice guy, but my words hold more truth then you might be willing to accept. Who knows, perhaps we'll meet up again sometime, and perhaps at that time you'll understand what I mean...maybe not...who knows..." Dios' tone had fallen flat; the usually pithy wordplay and aloof persona all but lost in this muddled sea of lament and reminiscence that had taken hold.

Facing away from the girl, he gave a lazy wave of his hands as he began to walking into a nearby patch of verdant greenery, becoming lost from sight amidst the obscuring plant life until steeping into the obfuscating shadows, softly muttering "you owe me big..." to some unseen entity before all but disappearing from sight.

[The Other]

"Aww, what's the matter? Am I being too dull for the child king?" The Other perked up with the reaction he got from Roxa, and decided to follow through as he begun with a patronizing tone. "Well if anything I do suppose I do go on about power far too much don't I? I can't very well help it really, I am something on an expert in the field." The Other took a few mock flexing poses as if hoping it illustrated his point better, only for him to stop as he brought his one hand up to his chin quizzically.

"Oh my, I suppose I could. No, yes? It would be fun now, but I wonder if now would be the best time..." His necked twisted awkwardly as he kept stealing glances towards the armoured boy before him. "Well, if he thinks me boring I suppose it's my duty to keep him entertained while I'm here. He is a king after all." Unable to stop a short snicker he knelt down low so that his head matched Roxa's, his eyes scanning the heavy helm that blocked his sight to the boy's face. "Can you hear me through that hunk of metal boy? Would you like to hear a secret? The very best kind of secret mind you. Would you?" The Other kept his voice low and hushed, not bothering to look for anyone nearby as he stared down at the helm, his dull golden eyes wide and full of anticipation.

[glitters]

As the battles died down and left only the stench of freshly spilled blood and the eerie air of death and bodies laying all around, Jasmine found herself standing in the centre of it all for a brief moment proud of even her little help with the fight...but the scene around her made her body shake as she realized here she was, encouraging the death of all of the men and women around them.

It wasn't like she hadn't accepted a stance on this before, she'd aided the heroes as long as she had so they could fight their enemies but back then she never really thought about it in a complexity as she was starting to, now. Back then it was 'good guys verses bad guys and some monsters'. Now that she was taking a more active role in harming someone herself...this didn't seem like such a good idea anymore.

She shook her thoughts from her head, this wasn't the time to think about it. Not right now, anyway. Her gaze brought her back to Andy, having come back to normal and the Siren disappeared. In a way, the odd burst of power from him and the changing of his physical state rose panic in her again as she remembered the first time she met him he had an inner evil within him, something that altered him from time to time and for awhile she feared very well was going to kill him...

Jasmine folded her hands together, the same cold feeling from her dark spell earlier tingling through them and she made no move to approach Andy. She stared at him from afar with pursed lips and a troubled gaze, seemingly lost in her many thoughts about herself, about the situation, and about him.