A/N: Wow! Thank you all for reviewing. I think this brings the tally to about 9 reviews for two chapters ^^ I am very very happy with the progress of this story. Massive shout-out to every-one who reviewed, one of which wrote one of my favorite Skulduggery Pleasant Fanfics ever. AlisaPhenom, it is a great pleasure (and admittedly, surprise) that you would review my story. Just thought I'd express my gratitude to you and everyone. So, without further ado, let's begin.

Valkyrie opened her eyes groggily. Her vision slowly returned to her, and the black dots obscuring her view faded. She tried to get up, only to find herself unable to. Twisting her head, she managed to view the chains that shackled her to a wall. She tried to conjure a flame, but was unable to.

Perfect. They were bound.

"You're up early," Skulduggery said brightly, "I thought that you would've slept through all of the torture we are going to endure."

Valkyrie huffed. "That's exactly what a girl wants to hear when she wakes up Skulduggery."

"What can I say? I have a way with words."

Valkyrie rolled her eyes, and surveyed the area. It was a small room: although not small enough to make her claustrophobic. There were cobwebs everywhere, and blood seemed to ooze from every crack in the wall. It could've used a makeover. She couldn't see a way to escape: at least not one that would involve her being sane. She sighed.

"I told you it was trap."

"No, you said it looked like a trap. There's a difference."

"Which is?"

"…I'm still thinking about a comeback. Give me some time."

Valkyrie smiled faintly, looking out of the iron bars that acted at the door of their prison. They looked so flimsy: as if a good strong current of air would blow them away easily.

She was desperate to get her mind off things. "How long do you think we'll be waiting?"

Skulduggery paused for a moment. "I dare say not very long."

The iron bars creaked open, and a man walked through, flanked by two Berserkers. At his nod, the lethal warriors moved to the front of the door and stood unnaturally still.

Valkyrie recognized the man who had taken them down when they had been preoccupied. She sent him a cold calculating gaze, examining him thoroughly. He wasn't tall but wasn't short either, standing at about 6 feet. His skin was naturally dark: an olive tone that felt warm some-how. His muscles were fit, his hair a slightly spiky silver colour with dark eyes and an aura of confidence. The tattoos of dragons upon his bare chest moved constantly.

"It's a pleasure to see you two alive," he said arrogantly, before turning to Skulduggery, "Whoops. My mistake."

Skulduggery cocked his head. "Insulting people who are shackled to the wall is quite rude."

"What do you propose?"

"I propose you let us out, then try and insult us. I'm sure it would be very enjoyable to see you try with a bruised face."

"In that case, I'm afraid that I will just continue to be impolite."

"Your mother must be proud."

He chuckled. "Such feistiness from a man in a lower position. But then again, you are hardly a man, are you Skulduggery? The remains of a man, perhaps, but not a man entirely. How must it feel to be an outcast of society?"

"Actually, it feels quite liberating. The dim-witted people seem to ignore me."

The man chuckled again. "You amuse me Skeleton. My master told me all about you and the girl," he said, turning to Valkyrie, "And I must say, she is quite the looker. Curves in the right places."

Valkyrie snarled. "Bite me."

"Such fire," he exclaimed, leaning in close, "Need I imagine all the other things you can do?"

Valkyrie was stunned speechless. She had never been held hostage and treated like this before. Luckily, Skulduggery spoke on her behalf. "You do know torture would be much less painful than watching you try and mate with my partner, quite unsuccessfully I might add. A man of such caliber must have such a great and powerful name."

The man pulled back, still smirking. "You must understand Skulduggery. I am not an idiot, and should not be taken as such. Any attempts to try and get my name out of me are quite futile."

"Yes," Skulduggery said, "But last time I looked, people don't kidnap others for fun. What exactly are you doing?"

"And why would I tell you?"

Valkyrie interrupted. "Because we're defenseless, chained to a wall and completely at your mercy. By the looks of things, it doesn't seem likely you'll let us live. What harm does it do to kill your prey some mercy?"

Valkyrie hoped he took the bait. He did. "As smart as I am, I cannot argue with logic. I suppose you can view it as a last request before death. My name is Obsidian Snare, leader of the 'Pure-bodies' and messiah of a new age in sorcery."

Valkyrie heard the frown in Skulduggery's voice as he spoke. "Pure-bodies? You're another religious nutcase, aren't you?"

Obsidian smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "I am the opposite Skulduggery. Unlike some, I believe in something that is actually there. Fact rather than fiction, a philosophy that I have lived by all my life. I never believed in religion, nor do I plan to start now. What I do believe in is a certain respect is power. Those who hold it, those who govern it and those who own it. My true belief is that power governs us: something that we are all oblivious of.

"So you're not a religious nut-case?" Valkyrie said, "You just happen to have conspiracy theory's that we are governed over by power and not an almighty being."

Obsidian nodded. "Indeed. Look at the world. You have your books: the Bible, the Qur'an, and the Siddur. The list just goes on an on about belief, about what happened and about what we should adhere to. Yet is there one shred of proof in those books? One true piece of word that is 100 percent reality. 100 percent definite and cannot be proven otherwise. It is my opinion that there is no reality in those books: that they were just a way to keep people in control with fear.

He leaned onto the wall, deep in thought. "A certain amount of power and authority can command some-one. The certain promises a person with power can make are massive. Why do you think that the weak perish to the strong? Why is nature's fundamental rule survival of the fittest? The people who survive are the strong and the smart. Because, you see, the strong and the smart have a certain aura that makes people fear them. And with this fear, comes the great effect of power.

Skulduggery pondered his thoughts, Valkyrie doing likewise. They let him continue. "These religions promise you heaven…an afterlife so glorious that it cannot be put into words. Perhaps it is because there are no words to describe it simply because it does not exist. Yet if you do one thing that is deemed wrong you are a sinner and will not go to this afterlife…unless you come forth and admit it to the Church, or some sort of facility, and they forgive you. Is this not every religions way? They make you fear them…perhaps not consciously, but subconsciously you do. They have power over you. It is this power I believe in. It is this power that I seek. And it is this power that my master has promised me."

"So," Skulduggery said, "We have deducted from this that you may or may not be insane. But this whole theory of power you have…surely there must be someone with that power?"

"Oh yes," Obsidian said, "What do you think Angels are? God? Jesus? Mohammad? They all had a certain degree of power: which caused them to be seen in a light never before given. Certain feats…perhaps by magic, and perhaps by sheer luck can allow a person to gain power and use it. I do not question the existence of such beings Skulduggery. For all I know, Jesus could very well have existed. All I know is that there is not one almighty being. Several beings with a certain degree of power. And I wish to become one of those beings."

Valkyrie snorted. "You wish to become an angel."

"If you belief so decrees, yes. I could also become an alien from a Scientologists point of view. All I want is power: power to govern. My master has given me some of his power in the pursuit to establish a group. A group of gifted sorcerers. A group of powerful sorcerers. A group that will forever be worshiped and feared among the magical community for its power."

"You want to start your own religion," Skulduggery said, incredulous, "Is that what the 'Pure-Bodies' are?"

"Indeed. We are the pinnacles of magic. We have been gifted powers to rule, uncanny powers gifting us with assorted abilities and attributes that make us better than you...and we shall not waste them. My master has not yet told me his intentions, but the idea is so delicious. To become feared…I lick my lips at such an idea."

Valkyrie was amused. "You're a pawn."

Obsidian's grin faded. "No. I am much more than that. I am-"

Valkyrie interrupted him. "You are a brainless sheep. You just jumped on the bandwagon when you were offered a certain degree power. Did you ever think about what the repercussions were? What did you Master want? He can't be giving you powers for the fun of it. There is always a hidden intention or motive.

Obsidian snarled. "YOU ARE WRONG! He offers us this power to make mankind a better place. We do this to improve society."

"And that contradicts everything you've just said."

"No. I have been gifted and shall be feared. I shall mold society into something that would be so glorious…a world in my vision. Nothing would go wrong. Nothing could go wrong."

"And what is the first step in your grand plan?"

Obsidian blinked. "To overthrow the Sanctuary. They govern people through fear. This fear over the people is fading. We strike hard, strike fast and gain the position of power. As a result, we become vastly feared. From there, we repeat the step with other Sanctuaries.

Skulduggery sounded smug. "Your master gave you this power. You are a pawn in this game, admittedly a more important one than the others. Do you really think that he gave you this power for your benefit? What does an army sergeant to for the Army? He builds troops. That's all you're doing Obsidian. You're just programming the troops for a man you have probably met once in your life. After that you are expendable."

Obsidian fumed, turning a very impressive shade of red. However, a devious smirk overcame his face. Slowly, he pulled a knife from his belt. Valkyrie glanced at the silver sword that was polished to a gleam. She couldn't help but take a shaky breath.

"You know Skeleton," Obsidian said, "I never appreciated what Mevolent and his troops did. I never really interacted with them. However, they ruled with fear…I respected that in all honesty. I didn't like the concept, but I loved the way that they would strike fear in people's hearts. Their generals were interesting. Lord Vile I never met nor was brave enough to know. Baron Vengeous I simply disliked. Serpine was an interesting man. He was tolerable, but harbored such resentment towards you. I never understood why. Yet I loved it when he butchered your family with a knife. I loved the way he used that as a symbol. And I absolutely adored that way it worked."

Skulduggery seemed to be radiating rage. Obsidian laughed cruelly, moving over to Valkyrie in long strides.

"I wonder how would you react to your partner butchered in front of you. The poor thing had done nothing wrong. She just got caught up with the wrong people I suppose."

The sword gleamed wickedly close to Valkyrie throat. Skulduggery watched on, powerless. For some reason, he was unable to don Lord Vile. Perhaps being magically bound was a factor.

"It was easy to set up a trap for you. Gregory, like me, wanted so much power. It's a pity he had to die for our plans to come to fruition but sacrifices must be made. After all, we would be eliminating the two biggest threats we would need to face. My master was very adamant on that. So I suppose your deaths were inevitable from a certain perspective. "

He softly kissed Valkyrie on the cheek. She felt like throwing up.

"I have no idea how you manage to defeat such threats. You could be so powerful, so feared that you could rule. The skeleton already is…but he is happy just to skulk around in the shadows. He had no guts…literally, I suppose."

This time, he leaned the blade deeper into Valkyrie throat and drew a line of blood. Valkyrie tried to struggle, but was unable to.

"I wonder if he can stand the guilt of watching another of his beloved ones die at his hand, knowing if he had kept away he would have prevented this death. I wonder, Valkyrie, if he can watch you be torn limb from limb? Can he watch your flesh be cut from your bones, and every organ roasted until you are just a pretty little husk of the sexy girl you used to be? I wonder if he can live with that guilt. Still, I would like to apologize to you. It is not your fault at all. I will kill you quickly. Think of it as a gift, saving you from the absence of the pain you have to endure. And a reminder, that we are all powerful."

The blade slashed Valkyries throat in one swift motion. She felt her head teeter back and the blood gush out. She felt her mind slowly move out of her body into another place. She watched in interest. Death was such a fascinating process that never ceased to send thrills through he bodies. Still, best not test the boundaries. Ending up dead was not viability.

Obsidian watched in horror as the wound on Valkyrie's neck healed and she stood up. Only it wasn't Valkyrie.

It was Darquesse.

Ghastly was worried. Skulduggery and Valkyrie had been missing a total of one day for a job that should have taken 7 hours maximum. He was growing restless.

Madam Mist stood calmly by his side. Ghastly wondered if she ever did register emotion.

"It seems the Detective and the girl are not arriving."

Ghastly didn't like the way she addressed Skulduggery and Valkyrie. They had done much more than she could ever dream of accomplishing yet she still treated them like inferiors. Being in a position of power did not make a person better than another.

"I must admit, I am getting worried."

Mist sighed. "If they are dead, I very well should find another replacement for them as soon as possible."

That struck on of Ghastly's nerves. "You're giving up that easily? Without even a search?"

"We have no time for dead people, Elder Bespoke."

"This is absurd. There are certain rules and protocols for a missing agent. They are not our property."

"No. But they are dispensable Elder Bespoke."

"They have saved the world and this very Council various times Elder Mist. I fear that there is no suitable detective that could replace them. As a result, we cannot loose them."

"Our observants and agents are too busy dealing with the 'Infected business. This is not a time where friendship and loyalty shine through Bespoke. Your loyalty is to the Council now and all other must be forgotten."

Ghastly snarled. "What would you do if it was the Torment in Skulduggery's place?"

"I would save him."

"What is the difference in the situation?"

"Skulduggery is far more dispensable."

"Than an old man who can vomit spiders?"

"Indeed."

'No Mist. I may not remotely like you and you may not even remotely like me but you have intelligence. It may be wasted on a child of the Spider, but it is Intelligence nonetheless. I need you to understand that they may be in trouble and we have to help them. If not for Skulduggery and Valkyrie's sake, do it for the sake of the Sanctuary and the benefits they give us."

Mist nodded. "In that case, we shall dispatch a team of Cleavers to rescue them."

"No," Ghastly said, "I will save them. I have sat in this chair far too long and looked down upon people far too often. It is time I showed people why I am an Elder by taking initiative."

"I will not allow that Elder Bespoke."

"And why is that?"

"Your report may be bias on the terms of their alleged 'capture'. As a result, I will view the situation. I may not help, but I will write the report on what has happened and whether we have conclusive evidence of this group of religious fanatics."

Ghastly sighed. "Agreed."

Darquesse grinned. She looked at the flimsy shackles, and simply crushed them in her hands. It was such fun being out of the shell. She knew that deep down Valkyrie was enjoying this as well. She slowly looked at the walls, feeling the death swirl around her. It was magnificent. She drank it all in.

She heard a confident cough. She turned, glancing at Obsidian who stood confidently in front of her. She eyed the pawn, seeing him a nothing special. Yet the magic that radiated from his was different. It was wrong, and Darquesse could feel it. It made her scared, but she was confident that whatever it was she could over-come it.

"You have a bag of tricks," Obsidian said, grinning, "But you cannot hurt me little girl. I have powers beyond your wildest dreams. A healing power is not extraordinary in the slightest."

Darquesse laughed. Obsidian looked angered, and sent a massive beam of red energy at Valkyrie. She let it hit her, and she felt herself smash through the wall and into the woods. She mended her broken bones, and sent whole artillery of shadow at Obsidian.

The man crashed back, slowly standing up. Valkyrie commended his strength. It was very hard to withstand a moderate wave of shadow from a being such as her. Then again, using her whole potential was different story.

The Berserkers jumped at her from different angles, seemingly defying gravity. She sent two parallel spears of shadow at them, taking their heads off.

She laughed. These things had severely beaten her down, and now she was able to kill two of them with something as simple as a flick of the wrist.

Hollow Men poured through the crack, as 'Pure-bodies' rushed to the scene. All of them had pulsating red magic attached to their normal calm golden ones. It was a…different sensation.

They attacked in formation. Hollow Men came first, the creatures charging from a seemingly endless flood. The physical sorcerers charged slightly behind the Hollow Men, with the Ranged Sorcerers from a distance. How easy it would be to kill them all. How easy it would be to just destroy the castle entirely. She would like that very much.

The Hollow Men attacked her. She laughed, simply sending spears of shadow and beams of fire at them. One after the other they all went down. A brave one managed to punch her in the side of the face, the heavy fist feeling a lot unlike pillows. She tore that one to shreds with her bare hands.

The stink of death and decay wasn't affecting her. She loved the smell. All the ones dead added to the intoxicating smell, which seemed to carry a large amount of pride. The stronger the smell, the more Hollow Men.

The papery creature flanked around her, Sorcerers going the mix. They all looked certain of a victory. She would prove their smug faces wrong. She wondered how long a person could smile when their mouth was ripped from their face. She supposed she would find out soon.

She glanced upwards, seeing numerous Berserkers in the trees.

"Come on then."

They all attacked at the same time, with no-coordination at all. She slashed the Hollow Men with slivers of shadows, redirecting each one in an Orchestra of shadows. Any thing that got past the shadows would have to fight her, and she killed all of them. Dark Fire after fire, shadow after shadow, their numbers were wearing thin and she was hardly damaged. She couldn't stop fatigue though, as a massive beam of red energy swept her off her feet.

Darquesse snarled, enforcing herself with shadows as she charged at Obsidian. The man's eyes widened as they made contact, as she charged him through the wall and into the cell. Skulduggery looked up pleadingly, but she ignored him and smashed Obsidian into the nearest wall. He got up with a groan.

He looked absolutely shocked. "What are you child?"

She grinned manically. "Darquesse."

His demeanor went cold. "My master will kill you. Your power may be strong, but it is nothing compared to his."

"All talk and no action. I wouldn't mind killing your master. He sounds like a big pain."

"You will die child!"

His face became a shining red colour, and his body seemed to evaporate as he sent a massive beam of red energy at her. She sent a pillar of shadow energy in return. The two beams collided, fighting each other for dominance till a white flashed ensued and Valkyrie was sent hurtling back.

"Valkyrie?" Skulduggery questioned, getting up slowly. The whole castle was…well…for lack of a better term, destroyed. Totaled. It was if all the atoms had disintegrated. Likewise had happened to Obsidian. Only his blade and clothes remained.

"It's me. She let me go." Valkyrie whispered. Crawling over to Skulduggery. He held her in his arms.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, "But whatever was happening here is definitely happening around the world. We're the only ones that can stop it."

Valkyrie shivered. "I'm scared, Skulduggery."

He hugged her closer. "I know. Just remember, I'll be with you till the end."

She smiled. "Till the end?"

He nodded. "Till the very end. Now help me up. I swear if he vaporized the Bentley I will bring him back to life then kill him all over again."

Ghastly couldn't comprehend what he had just seen. It couldn't have been possible. It wasn't possible. He rapidly thought of excuses, yet was unable to come up with a single one. Madam Mist looked on, her face calm and composed.

"Well," she said, "It seems that we have found Darquesse."

"No."

"There is no other possibility Ghastly."

"It's not possible."

"You cannot deny what your own eyes saw."

Ghastly sighed, holding his head in frustration and shock. He was scared. One of his best friends was the killer of the world. He had no idea what do. Should he do what his heart says, or what loyalty commands?

He finally made his decision. "I know Elder Mist. Action must be taken."

"Indeed. What do you propose?"

"I have no idea. My mind cannot cope with this realization. Taking everything into consideration, with the pressure of current situations, we should with-hold this situation from the public."

"It would raise moral if we say we have captured Darquesse."

"No Mist. We do not reveal this to any-body except Ravel. That is all."

"Action must be taken Elder Bespoke."

"I understand this Mist. But we cannot say it was Darquesse who did this."

"Very well then. From this day forth, Valkyrie Cain shall be wanted for the murder of various lives and shall be sentenced to 100 years in prison without a trial."

Ghastly sighed, his heart torn. "I see no other way."

A/N: New Chapter, new purpose and I suppose a very deep look into ethics. Note: I do not mean to offend any religions. This whole outlook upon life was just a debate I had with my classmates and decided that it would be appropriate in such a situation. Anyway, enjoy it and look out for the next chapter :D