LOCATION: Peninsula of Power, World B.

OCCASION: Six Days prior to Cycle 14.

Sending the declaration of war was one of the most interesting things I had ever done. I could not, at the time, have been more enthused by the idea. Following that, I spent my time pouring over every last scrap of information Chaos had at His disposal. I didn't quite know who or what we would be choosing next, but I was determined to be prepared when the time came.

And, as expected, it did. I was seated, reading over a list of elemental fiends when Chaos emerged from the wall beside me. It was a little bothersome, his methods of travel, but I supposed I would survive with little real problem.

"So," He said, pacing as He did, "The time has come to assemble my army. I need nine warriors to aid me in this cycle. They must be a threat, and must ultimately fail. I need a team which does not function, but gives off the appearance of it. Can you manage that?"

"Absolutely," I lied, not at all confident that I could, "But first I need some more information. How does this Endless Cycle actually function? How does this work? I need to know."

"Ah ha! I was beginning to wonder if you would ask," Chaos said, clapping me on the back. "I am torn, you see, between how much I should tell you, and how much you can handle in your present state. Let us say that the Endless Cycle happens in a world beyond our own. A realm that is beyond even Heaven and Hell. One beyond The Void's reach. The wars occur there, and memory functions differently within. Once there, memories of here are as though dreams. Once here, memories of there are fleeting, and like words on the edge of one's tongue."

"How does one arrive in this world?"

"Ah, my friend, such a question I cannot presently answer you. Now, here is what I want your help with today: Though I, personally, will be there to strike fear and pain into Cosmos' heart, and lead the charge, I want you to help me pick several souls who will be enticed by the chance for power."

"Have you decided on a platform, then?"

"Oh, yes. Several, in fact. This will be the first attempt to win souls to the cause, and in the same swoop, it must attract one or two who will detract from the group."

"Very well, let's hear it, then."

"I am Chaos, and I wish to change the cruel fate laid upon me. All who join my ranks are offered this same chance."

"An interesting position. And you want me to find someone who will find the allure of changing fate too much, and do what?"

"Isn't that your job? As long as it ultimately disrupts the team's balance, what should I care?"

"Ah, well, glad to know you're taking an active interest, then."

"Ha-ha. Now get those names together, funny man, or you're worm food."

Chaos drops several dockets on my desk, as though asking me to read them. I put a hand atop for a moment, pondering whether or not I even should. At last, I come to my own decision.

"Dockets are The Scholar's forte. They are not personal, and leave entirely too much space for error. Now, Chaos, you have worked with almost every demon and scum to ever burn down here in Hell, so tell me, from your own experience, who are some of the men who could perhaps fit this bill?"

"No dockets? How unlike your master you are! I believe I may yet grow to like you, Liar! Now, as to your question, let us be on it, shall we?" Chaos lays a hand on my shoulder and, next thing I know, I'm hovering above a fountain of what appears to be mist. Chaos waves a hand above it, and several fragments seem to rise from the depths.

"What, what is this?"

"Behold! The Well of Souls! Herein lie the shattered remains of those who are destroyed even on a spiritual level. It is a fate worse even than condemnation to the Void. Herein lie the fragments of those who are foolish enough to stake their souls in battle."

"What has this to do with? Oh GODS, what is THAT?"

"Mateus," Chaos purrs to the remains of a face floating in the pool, "How are you, Mateus?"

A mouth passes near, and manages, "I have been . . . better. Is there a reason you call, Chaos?"

"Indeed, Mateus. Tell me, are you happy with your fate? Do you enjoy being a puddle, mingled with the remains of others?"

"Do I appear to be enjoying myself, Chaos?"

"Well said. Now tell me, Mateus . . . what would you do in rage? What would you do to change your fate? What would you do undo those who have wronged you, and to have your vengeance upon the world?"

Though he is but a scrap of skin with an eye, and a mouth floating nearby, I can tell that this Mateus is already considering Chaos' proposal. The eye tries to narrow, and the lips curl into a smile. Indeed, there is something primal about watching the flan try and raise itself to meet Chaos' offer.

"I . . . would do anything . . ."

"Anything? Enter, then, into the service of Chaos, and fight your fate. Will you do this?"

A hand emerged from the midst of body parts, and extended itself toward Chaos. Chaos clasped the hand and pulled Mateus upward. As he did, the emperor's body reformed itself, and, judging from the screams, it must have been a horribly painful experience. Indeed, when it was done, the man's body was still scarred from all the places his spirit had been broken.

Before the emperor could make a comment, though, Chaos had His hand around his throat, slamming him into the floor. Mateus' eyes bulged, nearly falling from his skull, as he kicked and struggled to break free from the grip of Chaos.

WELCOME, Chaos roared, His voice echoing within my head, TO THE SERVICE OF YOUR GOD. ANYTHING LESS THAN SUCCESS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? YOUR LOYALTY, AND YOUR SUCCESS, OR I WILL TEAR YOU APART MYSELF.

After a very heartfelt statement of loyalty, Mateus was released. The emperor rolled over and sputtered. To the sound of his painful cough Chaos ushered me away. Apparently the remained of Mateus' resurrection wasn't something I was supposed to see.

"Wait, didn't you say that you WANT him to betray you?" I asked suddenly, remembering the point in all of this.

"I do. But he won't be betraying me if he KNOWS I want him to."

"You've done surprisingly well by yourself here. Why, again, do you need me?"

"I don't. Cid Lufaine wants you here, though, so I intend to make use of you, yet. Worry not, little man. Your time will come."

It was statements like these that made me question Chaos' intentions. I wondered whether or not He intended for me much the same as for Mateus. To make me believe I was to do one thing, only to have me do another. Had I been a wiser man, I'd have given such a notion more thought. Blinded by my ambition, however, I did not pay it much heed.

"Well, then. Is this man alone enough to tear apart your forces?"

"Absolutely not. His is a personality more than a few find grating. He will need someone to join his side, be loyal to him, or give off the appearance of it, all while exuding a more . . . pleasant persona. Otherwise I will grind him to pieces myself, just to kill time."

"Interesting. And do you have such a person in mind?"

"Perhaps. But I do not intend to give you all the answers, nor do I wish to do this job for myself. You will find the person who completes Mateus. For now, though, I must go. Oh, and while you ponder who will be Mateus' prop, think on our strategy. At the least I will help you in this. Let us see if great minds truly think alike, shall we?"

"Very well."

"Fail," He said, "And we may have to question how great your mind truly is. Or at least, what will be left of it when I finish."

"Comforting."

"Leave comfort behind; the crutches of the reality you thought you understood will soon become chains that bind your ability to see the truth."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means the world you knew was a lie. The sooner you realize that, the better."