Huh, it seems more time has passed since I last updated than I had intended. Sorry about that.

Chapter 28:

Electus was after Aevus, the Ancient who had dominion over time. Aevus' realm was difficult to find; Aevus had hidden it well. But Electus was the most powerful of all Ancients, and Aevus couldn't hide forever. Eventually, Electus found him and entered his clockwork realm. Aevus' realm was full of clocks and watches floating in space. Some were large, others small, and not one clock bore the same time as another. Ahead Electus saw an old man with a long white beard and white hair. Even as Electus watched the man, however, his age changed. He seemed to grow older and older until, suddenly, he took the form of a newborn infant. Electus approached him and said "Aevus."

The Ancient, a child then, said "Hello, brother. It has been a long time, hasn't it? Or has it merely been a short time in your world?"

Electus rolled his eyes. "Enough with your games, Aevus. You command time, how much has passed is entirely up to you."

Aevus clicked his tongue. "Well, aren't we impatient? You act as if you have somewhere to be."

"I do. Your barrier around Medeis. I want you to tear it down," Electus said.

"Well, quick and to the point, aren't we? You want me to free her? Why would I do that?"

"Surely you've realized by now that Excisio is free? And he won't stop until he's destroyed the Grand Design. He's already made it into Claustrum; I have my orb as proof." Electus held out his orb to show Aevus.

Aevus clicked his tongue again. "Well, Excisio and the Adgressors, both free. Perhaps the time has come for the Ancients to return to the world."

"You know as well as I do that none of us have a choice in the matter. We cannot interfere in each others' spheres of influence, nor can we interfere directly with each other."

"And you think Medeis can?" Aevus looked incredulous, and his face was that of a middle-aged man.

"She was sealed before that law was passed. If any of us can stop the Destroyer, it's her."

"And you don't just want her back? This isn't a love-driven attempt to regain the one you lost?"

Electus threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "Of course I want her back! But this is bigger than just me! We are responsible for protecting the Grand Design, how can we do that if Excisio destroys it? What does that leave us with?"

"I'll think about it," Aevus said.

Electus exploded. "You'll think about it? That's it? You are the Ancient who has total dominion over time, how could you possibly need any to think? You have made greater decisions than this at a moment's notice, why is this any different?"

Aevus was silent. "Very well. The time barrier has been broken. All that remains is Aedifex's part. Good luck, brother."

"Thank you." Electus vanished.


The Sword of the Destroyer was a powerful weapon, but in Excisio's hands it was almost useless. He had the power to destroy things just as well as the sword. However, in the hands of an Adgressor the sword's usefulness increased tenfold. Two beings who could destroy almost anything. Power like that would surely allow Excisio to destroy the Grand Design. "Mortus!" Excisio called.

Mortus Flickered in front of Excisio. "Yes?" he asked.

"Where are the Defenders?"

Mortus cringed. "They got out of the Garden."

Excisio was silent. The silence was almost tangible, and it didn't bode well. "How?"

"The Defender, Jerome, he somehow inspired them to rise up and somehow managed to get them out. He killed the four Adgressors there."

"And you didn't stop him?" The cold tone in Excisio's voice cut through Mortus like a knife. Mortus didn't want to admit that a Defender had gotten the best of him, but what choice did he have?

"I tried, however, all the Defenders had left before I arrived. Jerome was very subtle about killing the others, and he managed to motivate the Defenders faster than I had anticipated." Mortus braced himself, waiting for the punishment.

It never came. "Then we will have to hasten our plan. The longer they have to ready themselves for battle, the harder it will be to overcome them."

"My people have fought Defenders many times. The ones around now are complacent and weak. My people will have no issues taking them down."

"Perhaps, but Jerome did manage to kill four of your people today, and get an entire population of people out from right under your nose. Don't underestimate him again."

Mortus bowed and Flickered away.

Mortus went to Cole. Cole was in the center of a cavern, talking to Steve. "There are no remaining demons who question my leadership?" Cole asked.

"No, my lord," Steve replied.

"Excellent," Cole said. Cole was ready. The demons were under his complete and utter command. He, as he was told to, was having the demons act normally. He didn't want anyone thinking he was in charge of the Underworld, at least, not yet.

Cole saw Mortus Flicker behind Steve. "Cole," he said.

Steve jumped and turned around. Steve saw the serious look in Mortus' face, and felt the power Mortus possessed, bowed to Cole, and Shimmered away.

Cole sighed. "Yes?"

"It's time to begin the assault," Mortus said.

"Already?" Cole asked. "I've been in unchallenged for roughly two minutes, and already you want me to begin the attack?"

"Things have changed. Jerome has somehow gotten the other Defenders out of the Garden and is probably arming them for war even as we speak. We need to accelerate our plans if we are to succeed."

Cole sighed. "You let him get away?"

"I did not let him get away. He killed the guards and got them out before I got there."

Cole shook his head. "Whatever. I'll get the demons ready."

Mortus nodded. "Good. Send them after every source of good available. This should keep them distracted long enough for us to take over." Mortus Flickered away.

Cole called for Steve. Steve Shimmered in front of Cole. "Send word throughout the Underworld. All demonic leaders are to gather here, immediately." Steve bowed and Shimmered away. Cole sighed. The final battle had begun.

Author's Note:

Sorry for the wait, and the short chapter. I'm finally done with school, so hopefully I'll have more time to write. I'm also working on a story for noveljoy, called Wrath of the Daemon King. If anyone wants to check it out and PM me some feedback, I'd really appreciate it. So, feel free to leave a review telling me how awesome or awful this chapter was.