His doorbell rang while he was relaxing watching T.V. He stood with a grunt and walked to his door.

He held onto the doorknob , "Who is it?" He half shouted to be heard.

"Liam, it's Jack." The man said loudly to the door.

Liam pulled his door open quickly, "Jack! Hey! You caught me on my day off, lucky you!" Liam smiled wide and gave Jack a hug.

Jack returned the hug, "Hey Liam, How ya been?"

Liam shrugged his shoulders, "Pretty good the past couple days." Liam gestured for Jack to enter, "How about yourself?"

Jack hummed with a frown, "Discovered the fate of several worlds depends on me shunning my brother."

Liam sat down in the kitchen, "Well…holy fuck." Liam took a deep breath, "How'd ya find that out?"

Jack laughed, "From what I've been told," His laugh died down and fell to a smirk, "I assume some sort of deity."

Liam chuckled, "You meet some interesting things, don't you?"

Jack rested his hands on the table, "I'd say so." Jack sighed and put his head in his hands, "What am I supposed to do, Liam?"

Liam took a deep breath, "I don't know, Jack." He reached across the table and put his hand on Jack's head, "Do what makes you feel happy?" Liam's tone was inquiring on what would make Jack happy.

Jack huffed into his hands, "I don't know what makes me happy."

Liam leaned back into chair, "Things make you happy don't they?" Jack nodded, "They don't really fill the void do they?" Jack shook his head, "And you've been buying things to fill it, you forgot what actually would."

Jack nodded, "Aster does, if only a little."

Liam smiled, "I'm glad for you."

Jack raised his head, "Thanks."

Liam stood and looked through the cupboards, "You want anything to drink?"

Jack hummed, "What do you have?"

Liam paused and thought, "Hmm, I have milk, tea, hot tea, coffee and, orange juice."

Jack pondered for a moment, "Coffee would be great." Liam smiled and started to prepare the coffee pot, "Liam," Liam hummed in acknowledgement, "What would you do?"

Liam sat back down while the coffee brewed, "Well, I don't know everything you go through, but" He paused to think, "Just from what you've told me, I would do what would keep this world alive."

"Would you shun your brother?" Jack asked.

"Or I would let this world be destroyed," Liam stood and got out two mugs, "Because let's face it, this world is full of more bad than good."

"But, would you shun your brother?" Jack asked again.

Liam pulled out the sugar and creamer, "If it would truly save the world, I suppose so, because in the end, you could explain. Vaguely too if he doesn't know why."

Jack gave a thoughtful expression, "I never thought about afterwards."

Liam poured both of them a cup, "Well, looking at the big picture helps. I get its hard in your…particular situation."

Jack chuffed, "Hard is an understatement."

Liam brought their cups to the table and then retrieved the sugar and creamer, "I wouldn't know, I only see the glimpses when I turn away," He sighed, "And the one staring at me."

Jack shrugged, "I was told it's best to ignore them, so far, their malevolence has died down drastically," Jack grabbed the creamer, "So, I hope it's no real bother."

Liam waved his hand dismissedly, "It's no worry, I have worse night paralysis these days." Liam shrugged his shoulders, "And it's not as frightening as the night I found you at the fountain."

Jack smiled and took a sip of his coffee, "Well good."

Liam took a sip from his cup, "So, why'd come and see me? I feel you have a hidden agenda?"

Jack smiled wickedly, "You know me well, my friend." His smile died, "I was going to ask you if I could stay here for a few days?"

Liam smiled and shook his head, "I knew it. And yes, you may," He paused and looked Jack stern in the eyes, "But why?"

Jack looked ashamed, "I figured it'd be better to stay away than to tell him to leave."

Liam nodded, "Your brother?" Jack nodded, "Well, if you're staying for a few days, call them."

Jack shook his head, "No, they're fine."

Liam shook his head again, "Jack, you can't let them worry, they care about you."

Jack smiled, "I know, but they'll be alright." Liam gave Jack a stern stare, "Alright fine. I'll call them in a bit." Liam's stare brightened and now held a smile when Jack agreed to call them.

"What brings you here Elder of the Fog?" A very bulky, human shaped, black blur spoke.

I am here to inquire of Ulphir's status. The Elder's voice resonated inside the other's skull.

"Ah yes, I remember that one," It paused and seemed to look to one of the many figures around it, "Bring it to me."

Has he disobeyed? The Elder asked.

"Not to my knowledge." The blurry figure stepped toward the Elder, "Why have you really come to my land?"

To ask for help. The Elder bowed its head embarrassed.

"The Grand Elder of the Fog has come to me," The figure had a mocking tone as it spoke, "The weak Elder of Shadow."

The balance of our world hangs on a thread. The Elder looked to the other with a stern expression.

"I would glare back at you, but my state does not allow that." The Shadow Elder threw its arms out to gesture to itself.

Can you help me or not? The Elder's tone was heavy with frustration.

"That's not the question though is it brother?" It paused, "What you should be asking is whether or not I will."

The Elder of fog looked past the one of shadows to his old disciple. Ulphir was fuming in anger at the sight of his old Elder.

The Elder looked back to the one of shadows, Will you help me?

The Elder of Shadows barked a laugh, "Why should I? All you have ever wanted was to be with that godly wife of yours."

I only want what is best for this world! The Elder shouted.

"Do not lie, if you had really cared for this world, you would have not let yourself become what you are," It paused and stepped into the face of the Elder, "A creature without a voice of its own, stealing the voices of those weak humans you take. Letting their demons consume you in your quest for divine power." The shadow Elder dissipated and appeared several feet away, "You think I don't know of your stupid woman's coming here, of how weak you truly are." The shadow Elder paused and turned what seemed to be its back to the Elder of Fog, "Your land is desolate and crumbling. Each of us have one job. Mine is simple: Keep the shadows to the ground." The shadow Elder twisted and writhed through the air and was a mere foot away from the fog Elder now, "Yours, is a bit more complicated: Protecting the souls of the weak." The shadow Elder laughed in the fog Elder's face, "But all you did was take them. And I remember the day you first laid your eyes on a powerful soul," The shadow Elder seemed to shake its head, "So much planning for one strong soul."

It is to protect this realm. The Elder said softly.

"Don't lie to me, I know what might happen, should you succeed." The shadow Elder spoke matter-of-factly, "I will not help you destroy this realm, it is divine in it's own right, and you only wish to destroy everything."

This realm will survive. The fog Elder said firmly.

"That which you can not guarantee," The shadow Elder said.

I will have my way. Regardless of your help. The fog Elder stated angrily.

"Then why are you here." The shadow Elder said with a tone resembling a smirk.

-Three Days Later-

Liam awoke to hard knocking on his door. He groaned as he rolled out of bed and landing on all fours. He stood slowly, stretching as the knocking continued.

"Give me a minute!" Liam shouted from his bedroom.

He groggily made his way to the door, glanced at the still sleeping Jack on his couch. How is he sleeping through this obnoxious knocking. He didn't bother looking through the peephole and opened the door.

An absolutely gorgeous woman was standing in front him.

"You're too beautiful to be real. I like this dream." He stated with half-lidded eyes.

The woman smiled, "Thank you. Is Jack here?"

Liam frowned, "Can I have your name?"

"Amari," the woman stated looking past Liam to the man sleeping on the couch.

"Yeah," Liam gestured for her to enter, "Can I get you anything? I'm not about to pass up an opportunity to serve such a nice face." He said with a genuine, but lazy smile.

"Hot tea, and thank you." Amari stepped inside the apartment and sat down on the at the kitchen table before Liam even closed the door.

"Do you want me to wake him?" Liam asked as he got out a kettle from the cabinet.

Amari shook her head, "No, he'll be up soon enough. Thank you again though." She glanced around the apartment, "I hadn't planned on Jack finding you after so many years."

Liam gave her a quizzical look, "Have we met before?"

Amari shook her head, "No, but I know of you."

"Jack?" Liam asked.

Amari nodded curtly, "Yes. From what I understand, you're Jack's oldest friend."

Liam smiled, "Yeah," He paused and glanced over at Jack, "although we only recently became friends again. We hadn't spoken for many years before a while ago when I saw him at the city square."

Amari smiled, "Jack's gonna need a lot of friends to get through the next few weeks."

Liam tilted his head, "Why's that?"

"Teas done." Amari smiled.

Liam glanced behind himself and on cue the kettle started to whistle. He stood and got started on making the tea. He brought the mugs with teabags back to the table and glanced back to Jack who was now sitting up and stretching.

Liam smiled, "Ah, Jack, you're awake. Good, your friend, Amari is here."

Jack instantly woke up and turned around, "Oh. Hi." He said a bit disheartened at her.

"Good morning, Jack." Amari had a pleasant smile on her face, "I was just talking to Liam about you."

Jack stood and made his way to the kitchen, "All good things I hope?"

Liam smiled, "Is there anything else to talk about?"

Jack gave a short laugh, "Nope."

Amari gestured to Liam, "Jack, why don't tell Liam why I'm here."

Jack shrugged his shoulders, "I don't want to."

Amari's smiled dropped instantly, "I wasn't asking."

Jack put his hands up, "Alright, alright." He paused and took a deep breath, "Liam, Amari is here to discuss how I can save this fucked up world."

Liam leaned back in his chair, "Well damn, I'll start saying my goodbyes then." Liam laughed slightly at himself.

Jack swatted Liam on the arm, "It's not funny, ya dick."

"Sorry, but Jack," Liam paused, "Can you really trust her, I mean," He looked to Amari, "What's your edge in all this?"

Amari took a sip of her tea, "I just want balance."

Liam scoffed, "How can Jack prevent the axis from titling?"

Amari shook her head, "He has to do everything I tell him."

Liam smiled sarcastically, "Sounds like you're a dominatrix, and I've dated my fair share of those to know how to spot them." He paused and looked to Jack who was wide eyed, "Jack, do whatever you want, if you want destroy everything, do it. Don't let this obviously very gorgeous woman tell you what to do."

Amari pointed a finger at Liam, "Thank you for the compliment, but this world as awful as you humans make it, it is a key point of something much larger than you can possibly imagine."

Liam smirked, "Can I take a guess?" Amari gestured for him, "I'm gonna go ahead and say, it has something to do with something in a form of Heaven and Hell. Also that whatever alliance you have wants nothing more than keep their supply of humans plentiful to fill the ever-growing army to wipe out the thing you assume is evil. But, not all of them," Liam paused and took a drink of his tea, "You'll leave the important evil alive, just to get their job done, whatever the fuck that is."

Amari smiled and stared at Liam, "Jack, your friend is…interestingly knowledgeable."

Jack opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off when Liam started to talk again, "Thank you. Seeing the things I've seen, you tend to need to know some things to get by."

Amari gave a bright smile, "Jack, you're friend is one of mine." She paused and held out her hand to Liam, "Hello, Anzan."

Liam smiled wide and shook Amari's hand, "Hello."

A/N

Hello! I hope you enjoyed this Chapter! Not Sorry it took so long, just going through some shit as adult-hood often consists of that. Well! Review please, I like knowing what you guys think, and I'm sure you enjoy giving your opinion as much as I like reading it!