Chapter 28: Ties that Bind

Hey everyone I have some bad news, you already know that my grandfather hasn't been doing well and we're expecting him to pass away, and you know that my relationship with him is strained and I recently learned more about him that just sickens and disturbs me, I won't go into details but I will make it clear that what he has done is something I cannot forgive.

But sadly someone else that I did care for passed away a few weeks ago instead, my mentor he was like a father to me, he taught me how to shoot a gun and how to handle it with care, he even took me out hunting a few times.

But he;s passing wasn't because of the current virus outbreak, no he thankfully didn't have to suffer through that, it was however his old age that got to him.

Plus the man was just a funny old perv and it was hilarious that I kinda had a Master Roshi as a mentor and father figure XD

But enough of the gloom, I realize that this arc would not be as long as the many of the others so the next chapter should be the ending of the arc but you can expect an epilogue.

With all that said, I hope you guys and gals can enjoy this chapter.

Blackstone keep (With Death)

Death and Samael were seen teleporting around the throne room with Death evading Samael punching his previous location by teleporting away and attempted to strike back but Samael teleported behind him. Samael using his left hand to lift up Death by the head scoff in amusement before throwing him around like a ragdoll while keeping his right hand holding onto his glass of blood as he fought Death in a casual manner.

Death coughed up blood from beneath his mask while Samael watched the blood drip down onto the floor as he patiently waited with a smug smirk while Death stood up as he took stance while Samael teleported behind Death while his back was facing towards him and taunted "Pitiful…"

Samael swiped his tail knocking Death onto the floor but Death reacted by summoning his reaper fists to punch Samael away with rapid powerful punches that caused small booming shockwaves. After being punched by Death's reaper fists enough times Samael took the chance to counter by holding up his left palm halting one of Death's reaper fists causing a huge gust of wind to blow behind him.

Samael gave a smug smirk before taking a sip of his glass of blood, smacking his gums before taunting with a refreshed sigh before teleporting behind Death and backhanded him by the waist.

But Samael's strike had enough force to knock Death flying across the room while his armor blew off his body while his lower half exploded into a red pasty mist as he crashed onto the floor making cry out in immense pain "GYRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOGHHHHHHHHH!"

Back in the present day Bayonetta covered her mouth in both shock and horror to see how easily Samael was overpowering Death while Lilith winced and mocked "Ooooooh that's sounded painful…"

Bayonetta glared at Lilith while her eyes darkened behind her glasses which had a bright shine giving an intimidating look as Lilith smirked devilishly as the sounds of Nevan's moans of pleasure being heard as she was taking in Urul's penis into her vagina.

Bayonetta groaned in disgust from the constant sounds of Lilith's concubines indulging their sexual desires in her presence while Lilith noticed and teased seductively "You seem rather uncomfortable, would you like to have that feeling go away by indulging (gestures hand towards her concubines) these activities with me?"

Ishtaros was seen being tackled by the unnamed Demoness who was seen wildly sucking on her vagina as Nicchae was seen dropping near her and passionately locked their lips as Ishtaros' right hand was seen sliding into Nicchae's vagina.

Bayonetta shriveled in disgust and responded firmly "Not interested."

Lilith scoffed in a begrudgingly respectful tone to Bayonetta's response while the sounds of Death's painful groans drew Bayonetta's attention followed by Lilith's.

Death's bones began to regenerate quickly as Samael was seemingly allowing him to recover and taunted "Hurry now Horseman (takes a sip of his drink) I don't have all day."

Death growled in annoyance as his veins and fleshy muscles quickly formed his bones before finally his pale skin formed over them while he was left completely naked on Samael's throne room floor.

Lilith eyed Death's crotch and whistled impressively and teased "You took that monster inside you?"

Bayonetta crossed her arms uncomfortably and responded "I don't talk about the size of my man's penis."

Lilith raised a brow and questioned "Why not (gestures hand towards the vision) it's a rather impressive size for one so reclusive as Death!"

Bayonetta formed a disgusted expression while retorting "At least I have enough respect for my husband's dignity."

Lilith froze upon hearing what Bayonetta said before changing the subject and teased "Husband? So you two tied the knot already?"

Bayonetta grunted and immediately formed a regretful expression and thought to herself "Shit…"

Bayonetta's head trembled in discomfort as Lilith noticed and formed a disturbing grin but Death stood up though he did so with trembling weak legs.

Death groaned lowly in discomfort in pain as Samael formed an impressed expression while commenting "Your kind always fascinated me, how the most powerful of you could recover from nearly any attack that would be fatal to other beings in the cosmos."

Death sighed tiredly before responding "You almost sound respectful, Samael."

Samael formed a pleased smirk and responded "Few things can earn my respect Horseman, power, skills of war, the slaughtering of Pigeons hahaha… but most above them all is revenge."

Death attempted to form another set of armor but he was unable to as Samael explained "But like most of my kind, I do prefer to humiliate my foes! And so you will fight me, with no armor, and only your own skills, scythes and power to rely on. (forms a devilish grin) From this point on Horseman, you're in my house under my rules!"

Death glared at Samael in great annoyance as he took charge at Samael with his scythes in hand while Samael used his left index finger to deflect every blow Death would strike at him. Samael grabbed onto Death's right arm and squeezed hard making Death's growl painfully before Death lifted his legs up and kicked Samael but the side affect was Samael tearing off Death's arm as he was kicked away.

The kick knocked Samael a few feet away leaving Death to groan in pain as his arm grew back while Samael held onto the broken off arm and tossed it behind him in a careless manner before he mockingly laughed at Death as he enjoyed the fact that he was humiliating Death. Death took stance to fight Samael once more despite how outclassed he clearly was to the Blood Prince who in turn formed an impressed smirk as he took another sip of his glass of blood.

Death charged towards him but with every swing Death made with his scythes Samael with fluid motion and swift reaction timing, dodged every attack continuing to demonstrate how truly skilled he was when compared to Death. Death continued to swing his scythes at Samael while he remained naked before Samael shoved Death away with his left palm sending Death flying but Death reacted by impaling his scythes' blades into the floor slowing himself down.

Death ripped his blades from the floor and growled in annoyance as Samael grinned sadistically before teleporting behind Death who dropped his scythes and quickly punched Samael's chin surprising him.

Samael teleported a few yards away from Death and rubbed his spiked chin while mildly adjusting his jaw and taunted "Interesting, this will be much more fun than I had initially thought…"

Samael raised his glass up which Death noticed before he summoned Redemption and pointed at Samael's glass and shot it, shattering it as the blood coated Samael's hand.

Samael's eyes darkened as he turned his gaze towards Death and gave a greatly displeased frown before coldly stating "I was drinking that…"

Samael flicked the blood off his hand before he sprinted at Death with blinding speeds that made Death grunt in shock as Samael grabbed him by his head and began to slam him onto the floor repeatedly leaving a bloody puddled crater. Death reacted by punching Samael's ankle making Samael grunt in pain before Death used his hands to push him up as time seemingly slowed as Death kicked Samael's face and his entire body off the ground a few feet as Death was seen back-flipping in midair before landing on his feet in crouching position.

Time returned to normal as Samael dropped to his feet and stood up facing Death with a frown as his nose began to slowly bleed as he placed his armored fingers against his lip and eyed the blood on the tip of his fingers. Samael eyed Death who summoned his scythes back towards the two as Samael growled lowly in annoyance before teleporting away as the scythes spun back through his position and into Death's hands.

Death looked around for Samael and saw him sitting upon his throne as he laid his right hand under his chin while his left hand was raised in the air as three giant spheres of Demonic energy formed above Samael who gave a confident smirk. Samael pointed his finger towards Death as the three sphere flung themselves at the Rider who dived rolled out of the way of one and leaped in the air dodging a second before swinging his scythe through the last as each sphere exploded into large explosions.

Samael's home remained unfazed from his own attacks as Death noticed while he dropped down onto the floor and taunted "I see you aren't taking me serious enough to use more effective magics."

Samael scoffed in amusement and responded with a confident tone "Why should I waist greater magic on a weaken horseman who clearly is out of his league in my presence?"

Death squinted at Samael who teleported behind Death and elbowed the back of his neck knocking him onto the floor as Death noticed Samael was increasing his speeds to further demonstrating how outclassed Death is in this fight. Samael smirked as he looked up with a raised brow while having an unimpressed expression back in the present time Bayonetta and Lilith were watching the entire fight as they witness Samael look directly at the two.

Bayonetta grunted in surprise as Lilith merely reacted by waving her fingers in a seductive manner at Samael who shook his head before being surprisingly tackled by Death as Bayonetta questioned "How did he know that we are watching them?"

Lilith shrugged and speculated "A fair question, not entirely certain but I believe he has mastered the power of the Chronospheres to a much greater affect than most, greater than even myself for certain."

The unnamed Demoness' moans were heard as Bayonetta groaned lowly in disgust as Nicchae and the unnamed Demoness were seen grinding their vaginas against the shaft of Urul's penis, shaking their hips in near perfect unison. Nevan was seen on all fours over Ishtaros and was facing her vagina as she had her own vagina hover over Ishtaros' face before the two began to please each-other as they sucked onto each-other's clitorises.

With Nicchae and the unnamed Demoness continued to grind their vaginas against Urul's penis before finally he ejaculated onto them both, with all three panting heavily. But the Unnamed Demoness sat up and pulled Nicchae's arms to help her up into a sitting position before the two began to rub their breasts against each-other spreading the semen on their skins as they were keeping themselves aroused for more of their sexual indulgences.

Bayonetta turned her eyes back to the vision of the past as she seemed to slowly become more and more uncomfortable from the sounds and sight of the Demonic orgy that was taking place as she thought to herself with a concerned expression "Why aren't you using the Rod of Arafel love, surely you'd beat this guy with little problem with it?"

Rodin's bar

Juliet returned to the bar and was seen sitting at a table with her head laying on said table with a depressed expression on her face while tears ran down her face and onto the table.

Rodin approached Juliet with two glasses of alcohol and offered "You need a drink?"

Juliet lifted her head and placed her chin on the table and responded with a saddened tone "Yes…"

Rodin handed Juliet a drink and sat down across from her as Juliet sat up and took one swig of the alcohol and sighed in mild relief before looking into the glass with a depressed expression as Rodin took a sip of his drink.

Enzo seeing Juliet's depression from within his jar asked with a strangely genuine tone "You gonna be alright kid?"

Juliet sighed before responding "I'm not sure I will… I've lost every member of my family, aside from Draven, but it's not the same."

Rodin reminded while gesturing his hand towards Juliet "True but he's still the only living family you have left…"

Enzo corrected "Technically he was dead he just got resurrected by Lilith."

Rodin palmed his face as Juliet groaned in annoyance to the mention of Lilith and responded "Don't remind me of that bitch!"

Enzo held up his spectral hands and responded "My bad."

Rodin sighed in annoyance of Enzo before eyeing Juliet and suggested "Regardless of Draven's life as a warlord, he's still your ancestor, you two might need each-other."

Juliet eyed Rodin and reminded "Still he's ancient from a bygone era, he probably doesn't even want to know me or what his descendants were like."

Rodin shrugged and suggested before taking a sip of his drink "Well give him a reason to."

Juliet raised a brow and questioned "How am I supposed to do that?"

Rodin smirked and reminded "There's a way to get the attention of a warlord, challenge him to a fight."

Unknown location

A portal opened up at a realm that was Heavenly in nature as a large tree with mists and ruined Angelic buildings while Cereza walked out and looked at the tree with a familiar fondness to it while a large crow with blood red eyes and wearing a golden mask that had two horn-like protrusions.

Cereza eyed the crow as it perched on a nearby rock as she crossed her arms in an unimpressed manner and greeted with a displeased tone "Hello brother…"

The Crow tilted his head before changing form with a black smoke-like affect fuming off him while he took the form of a man wearing a black set of armor which resembled crow's feathers and had a black tattered cape flowing from the wind.

The man's cape was so long that it dragged upon the ground a few feet away from his legs as he stood taller than Cereza and responded with a disrespecting and demeaning tone "Little sister… pray tell why you've come back crawling to our mother again?"

Cereza squinted at her older brother and responded sternly "I don't think I have to answer to you, Raven."

The man now revealed to be named Raven scowled in anger before a huge gust of wind blew both brother and sister back onto the ground as an elderly woman's voice shouted 'ENOUGH CHILDREN!"

Cereza and Raven grunted as they looked up to see Malphas perching upon an Angelic arch and looked down and ordered "Raven leave us."

Raven grunted as he tried to argue "But mother (gestures hand towards Cereza) she…"

But Malphas glared at Raven causing him to cower before turning into a crow and flying away as Malphas using the same magic as her son to change her form as she dropped down in front of Cereza. Malpha's humanoid form wore similar robes to the Crowfather's while she had aged white hair with some curls as her face had wrinkles and sagging skin around her throat.

Malphas' eyes glowed green as she tucked her hands in her large sleeves while looking at Cereza who bowed her head in respect and greeted "Hello Mother…"

Malphas remained silent as Cereza sighed and stated "I understand why you let father summon his old flame from the past…"

Malphas formed a soft smile in amusement and teased "She's got a rather strong and entertaining personality doesn't she?"

Cereza scoffed with a smirk and responded "Yes… she is… I wanted to apologize for my irrational behavior before I left…"

Malphas smiled before removing her right hand and placed on Cereza's shoulder and responded "Apology accepted young bird."

Cereza sighed in relief before looking at the tree and asked "So has the Tree of Knowledge given you more information since I last saw you?"

Malphas eyed the Tree and responded "Very little has been revealed to me by the Tree since you left, but what it did reveal was important, I will have visitors in the future, a familiar face, Jeanne an Umbra Witch like Bayonetta and the Horseman War, both brought here by Azrael."

With Raven who had flew miles away from the sight of Malphas and Cereza but was seen landing upon a floating island as he turned back into his humanoid form before bowing down on one knee and reported "My friend… it would seem my disappointment of a sister has returned…"

A white mist shrouded around Raven as it formed a floating figure wearing a red hooded cloak with his ivory stone-like lips showing as he said "Mmmmmm… this could be used to Lord Omne's advantage."

Raven looked up to his floating ally and questioned "But Samur… mother will prove to be a problem."

The mysterious figure now revealed to be named Samur placed his hands inside sleeves and responded "Our Master has recently been betrayed by the Crowfather and desires to punish him… (a large sword falls from the sky in front of Raven) take the Heavenly Sword, forged from the Holy furnaces of Omne's Domain."

Raven eyed the sword as Samur ordered "Kill your mother and sister, and you will be rewarded for your faith in our Lord, but be warned the sword is powerful enough to consume weak willed souls."

Raven stood up and grabbed the Heavenly Sword by the hilt and lifted it up into the air as he eyed the blade and declared "Then let Omne's will be done!"

Shadow's edge (With Death)

Death was seen being thrown into a wall groaning in pain before standing up to face Samael who ordered "Stay down Horseman!"

Death took stance and responded "You know I can't do that…"

Samael smirked confidently as Death turned into his Reaper form s Samael raised a brow in an unimpressed manner as Death teleported behind Samael and swung his scythe down at him. But Samael at the last moment slide to the side dodging Death's attack before upper-cutting Death in the chest sending him off the ground as Samael teleported above Death and with a single punch he knocked Death out of his Reaper form and caused him to crash into the floor leaving a small crater.

Death sat up as Samael dropped down and stood over Death, in a intimidating show of dominance he grabbed Death by the throat and scoffed unimpressively before Death head-butted him in the face stunning Samael back for a moment, dropping Death. Death took this moment to take advantage of Samael being stunned by swiping his scythe across Samael's chest cutting his unarmored half as Samael growled in annoyance before kicked Death a few feet away from him.

Death's feet dragged on the floor as he groaned lowly in pain before Samael's wound quickly healed before eyeing Death in a angered glare before charging at the Horseman. Death charged as well but as the two were close enough Death swung his scythe at Samael who easily dodged the attack and with quick and precise strikes he punched Death's head, chest and thighs forcing him to fall onto one knee.

Samael picked Death by the throat and taunted while tossing him at the wall "Is this the best that the Pale Rider can do at his weakest? I had higher expectations from you Horseman and you're not meeting them in the slightest!"

Death dropped down from the wall and groaned painfully as he began to hear faint incoherent whispers as he stood up but one of the voices was that of the Dead Lord Basileus who said "You've long held back the power of the Crown of the Dead Horseman, but now you must use it's power."

Death groaned in a defeated tone as he dropped his scythes before raising his right hand which strangely had a faint ghastly green aura and snapped his fingers summoning the Bone Giant Gnashor who roared at Samael. Gnashor swung his fists down slamming them downward onto the Demon Lord who blocked the attack by crossing his arms and held over his body while Gnashor roared at him before he pulled his second spine and golden skull out of his body and used it as a whip while Samael deflected every strike with relative ease.

Death grunted in surprise and eyed his hand as his glowing red eyes slowly began to change color to a ghastly green before Samael summoned one of his Demonic energy spheres and blew it up in Gnashor's face.

The result caused the bone giant to explode into pieces of bone, dust and metal as Samael mockingly wiped the dust off his shoulder and taunted "Is that all you've got Horseman cheap tricks and summons?"

Death raised his hand and summoned his undead leviathan who roared at Samael and with one snap of it's jaw had him in it's jaws before Samael exploded into a Demonic red beam that tore apart the undead leviathan with Samael slowly floating downwards with his arms crossed and had a displeased expression on his face.

Death squinted at Samael who planted his feet onto the floor as he questioned "Are you done yet?"

Death formed a mildly amused expression in his eyes as he held up his hand and retorted "Not quite, Samael…"

Death snapped his fingers summoning the former Lords of the dead Phariseer, Judicator and Basileus all drew their weapons in defense of Death.

But strangely two more Lords were seen being summoned the Soul Arbiter and Artorus who was now seen wearing an icy tattered black robes as Samael eyed the five Lords and formed an unimpressed expression.

The Soul Arbiter summoned a large mace as he and the other Lords charged at Samael together who scoffed in a seemingly insulted manner and mocked "You can't possibly think that such (slams Phariseer and Judicator's head into each-other) lesser Lords of rotting corpses and bones are capable of overwhelming me!"

Samael swipped his right hand decapitating Basileus before breathing fire on Artorus whose icy bones melted and exploded before the Soul Arbiter struck Samael in the chest with his mace.

But Samael quickly grabbed the Soul Arbiter's arm and tore it off and disarmed him of his mace before using it himself to bash his skull in while Death eyed Samael and responded "True…"

Samael raised a brow as he tossed the mace away while Death raised his hand again as it had a ghastly green glow and summoned a giant coffin that was seen towering over the keep as it slid open while a skeletal hand wearing rings on each finger was seen. The giant skeleton that walked out of the coffin was none other than the former body of Queen Sheba who cracked her neck from left to right before crossing her arms looking down upon Samael with faintly red glowing eyesockets.

But lastly a portal opened as Frostbane flew out and gave a cold steamy hiss as his wings flapped causing huge gusts of wind strong enough to force Samael to drag his feet on the floors.

Frostbane turned towards Death and apologized "Apologies for my tardiness Master, it has been difficult trying to track you down."

Samael gave an impressed smirked before clapping his hands and responded "Well, Horseman, you've been busy! With all of these creatures you (raises index finger) might actually be able to force me to take you seriously."

Death squinted at Samael who began to surge an electrical aura as he grinned sinisterly and within a blink of an eye had swung his hand across the hand of the former body of Sheba cutting off her index finger as Samael chuckled in amusement. Samael teleported in front of Frostbane who breathed an ice while Samael seemed to put more effort into avoiding his attack before and punched it's lower jaw dislocating it off before Samael was pulled back down to the floor by Death who used his death grip.

Death picked up his scythes and charged forward as Samael seen being crushed by the hand of Sheba's former body but it exploded into pieces as Samael chuckled in amusement before being tail whipped by Frostbane, knocking him into a wall before the Abyssal God clenched his hand into a fist and punched Samael cracking the wall.

Samael removed himself from the wall and fell on all fours onto the floor before Frostbane slammed down his fist once again leaving a large crater before quickly backing away as Samael was seen standing up with little injuries to show. Debris was seen falling off Samael's shoulders but was surprised when Death was already in front of him before he cut his face leaving a burning scar over his left cheek.

Samael reeled back from Death's attack before snapping his gaze back towards Death and rubbed the scar and was heard panting though not out of exhaustion, but out of excitement as Samael chuckled in amusement and said "Interesting… (gestures hand out to Death) Perhaps you'll succeed after all. (summons Demon key in hand) Either way it'll be quite a show!"

Death formed a confused expression in his eyes and questioned "You don't seem to be displeased with my defiance towards you… what game are you playing at Samael?"

Samael formed an amused smirk and responded vaguely "If only you could have the mind to see and know what is to come to you Horseman, I merely wished to be entertained for a brief moment, I will not stall you further from your quest to save your brother (eyes upwards) Nor your sister, Human."

Back in the present day Bayonetta gave a distrustful glare towards Samael in the vision of the past as Lilith chuckled in amusement while the Blood Prince dropped the key at Death's feet informing "Oh before you consider leaving for the Well, there is a matter of your vengeance to discuss."

Death picked up the key and dispersed it while questioning "What vengeance?"

Samael eyed Death and twirled his index finger opening a vision of the present showing the Herald of Disorder and explained "It would seem this one is closing in on one of my outposts here on this world, should he succeed in unleashing the power within the outpost all of Creation will be at risk of endless slaughter and blood bathes."

Death raised a brow in confusion and questioned "Why are you aiding me Samael what power lies within that outpost that you'd even warn me to keep it confined here on your world?"

Samael responded vaguely "My reasons for helping you are my own, as for what lies within the prison outpost, (eyes the former body of Sheba) well let's just say I've had previous encounters with the Cosmic Gods."

Death eyed Samael and sighed in defeat as his green eyes turned back to glowing red while Sheba's former body dispersed and Frostbane dived into Death's body before the Rider formed his armor over his body again and questioned "Where is this outpost?"

In present day Bayonetta was uncharacteristically quiet at how powerful Samael was while Lilith noticed and taunted "Oh your expression is priceless Human, though I doubt any of those fools would survive if Samael if he was taking them serious enough to wield his sword."

Bayonetta eyed Lilith with a cold expression as Lilith merely grinned in delight in mocking her but a portal opened as Death walked out as Bayonetta quickly strutted away from Lilith and passed the Demons and Fiends indulging their lustful desires.

Death noticed Bayonetta crossing her arms in discomfort as he quietly asked "Is everything alright?"

Bayonetta eyed back towards Lilith who was standing up from her throne with a disturbing pleased grin as Bayonetta responded "I get why you didn't want me to meet your mother, she's horrid hag!"

Death nodded in agreement and responded "I…"

Bayonetta placed a finger over Death's mask mouth and warned comically "Don't you say I told you so, or else I punch you!"

Death scoffed in amusement while his eyes showed an amused expression and responded "Very well… though I did warn you."

Bayonetta frowned comically while eyeing Death and responded "Ohhhh you clever naughty boy!"

Lilith raised a brow and formed a smug smirk and questioned "Whose naughty?"

Bayonetta closed her eyes and sighed in disgust as Death whispered "I can handle her from this point on, go ahead and return to Rodin if you want."

Bayonetta sighed in relief before walking away towards the doors as Lilith tauntingly said "It was fun, oh… and tell your mother I look forward to seeing her again!"

Bayonetta froze and looked back with her glasses shinning brightly and intimidatingly as Lilith formed a devilish smirk as Death retorted "I heard Rosa had drugged you, it must've been embarrassing to have been outsmarted by a 'hairless ape' as your kind puts it."

Lilith's smirk quickly turned into a displeased scowl while her Taskmaster bodyguards raised their weapons to come to Lilith's defense while she raised her hand in a halting manner and coldly demanded in a forced calm tone "Get. Out. Now!"

Bayonetta smirked proudly as Death formed a pleased expression in his eyes before turning away and left Lilith's chambers with Bayonetta at his side as she elbowed his side and teased "Nice comeback love."

Death shrugged and responded with a honest tone "It normally ends as such between her and me."

Bayonetta walked alongside Death and questioned "Something bugged me during your whole fight with Samael… why didn't you use the Rod of Arafel?"

Death responded a sincere tone "You saw what the rod did to Beliar when it was completed and in my hands, I doubt Samael would lose his flesh like him but I certainly and confident in that he wouldn't hand over the Key if I had used the Rod."

Bayonetta shrugged and responded "Hmmm that's a fair point…"

Later outside the Keep Death and Bayonetta were walking towards the Tree as the duo spotted a purple skinned male Demon who wore a tattered robe that was had his chest and legs completely exposed. The Demon's horns were thin but long with the horns curving upwards slightly as his face was more humanoid, his head was bald while his whip-like tail was long.

Aside from his tattered robes he Demon wore a tattered loin cloth that showed his inner thighs and barely conceal his testicles which would be revealed from the wind blowing aside the fabrics as he seemed unbothered from his own lack of clothes. The Demon also lacked the typical upside down wings like most others of his race as he was seemingly wasn't built for wars as much like Lilith and her concubines this Demon was bred for sexual pleasures a trait he shamelessly flaunted by sensually licking at Bayonetta.

Death squinted at the Demon and growled in disgust while saying "Asmodeus…"

The Demon now revealed to be named Asmodeus eyed Death and merely spat lava near his boot and responded with a hissing tone "Horseman."

Bayonetta raised a brow in an unimpressed manner as Amodeus flirted with her "Well hello there lovely, what brings you here to this Infernal realm?"

Bayonetta crossed her arms and retorted "Not you that's for sure."

Asmodeus swayed his hips in delight and responded "Ooooh I can sense how dirty you can be."

Death grabbed Asmodeus by the throat and lifted him up in the air and demanded coldly "I'm in no mood for your flirtations, why are you here Demon Lord and be quick before I accidentally squeeze your windpipe!"

Asmodeus scowled and responded "I'm here to see my mistress Lilith, I was informed she was here."

Death groaned in disgust and dropped Asmodeus and responded "Your mistress is here, now get out of my sight, lowlife!"

Asmodeus quickly paced passed Death and Bayonetta as she watched and questioned "What kind of Demon is he?"

Death growled in disgust and responded while crossing his arms "An Incubus, a male equivalent to a Succubus but unlike their female counterparts an Incubus don't like to share with other males, unless they are the servants of a more powerful Demoness."

Bayonetta chuckled and teased "Oh he's going to have a fit when he sees that Lilith's has another male Demon in her chambers."

Death chuckled in amusement and nodded and responded "That would be entertaining."

Death looked back and saw the Herald of Disorder flying over the Keep and towards the direction of Masque and his prison outpost as Death informed while keeping his gaze on the Herald "Bayonetta… there's something I must do."

Bayonetta turned back and saw the Herald flying and deduced "Your going after the Herald of Disorder aren't you?"

Death turned back towards Bayonetta and responded "Yes, he's a threat to the Balance, and he has to pay for his part in the destruction of the Forge Lands and the Makers."

Bayonetta noticed Death's guilty expression in his eyes and sighed in defeat before eyeing the sky and noticed Oblivio's black hole was moving and said "If he keeps up that pace, he'll be on the other side of the planet…"

Death nodded and responded "And give us a chance in taking out another one of his Champions."

Bayonetta summoned Geryon and teased a playful tone "Shall we?"

Death scoffed in amusement and formed his skeletal reaper wings and responded with a playful tone "This is no place for a Horse."

Later with Lilith inside her chambers the Demoness Lord was seen sitting upon her throne as her concubines were standing before her while Asmodeus entered the chambers before excitingly tearing off his robes and kilt.

After tearing off his clothes revealing his mildly muscular naked body he grew a lustful grin before bowing before Lilith and greeted "My Mistress, my agent has located where the missing group of Succubi are…"

Lilith eyed Asmodeus and grasped her hands together and questioned with a mildly pleased tone "Good, where are they?"

Asmodeus responded while looking up at Lilith and eyed her breasts and vagina "They were taken by an unknown entity and placed upon an Abyssal Realm, but I also learned from my agent that this mysterious entity had not taken your Succubi, but also took other races to this currently nameless world."

Lilith removed her right hand while her left was placed on the arm of her throne as she playfully twirled her right index finger through a lock of her hair and responded "How unexpected… what races?"

Asmodeus lustfully licked his lips at the sight of Lilith and responded "My agent spoke of a Maker female being worshipped as a Goddess among the inhabitants of the world, along with possibly the largest form of Ashworms making this deserts of the world their home, along with some minor forms of Leviathans, but strangely there are Humans upon the world."

Lilith gave an interested expression and theorized "Strange… this world sounds naturally chaotic what are the byproducts of such creatures living among each-other?"

Asmodeus complimented while gesturing his hand towards Lilith "Your wisdom is matched only by your beauty my Mistress… indeed such byproducts were seen, the powers that the kidnapped races emit have created new forms of life, the Maker female was seemingly used to create smaller versions of her own people calling themselves collectively Dwarves."

Urul eyed Asmodeus as he reported while Nevan and the others listened "The Humans affected by the powers of such beings of order and chaos formed many groups of pointy eared creatures called collectively Elves, but the most prominent are the High Elves and the Dark Elves, and there are many more races than those."

Lilith rubbed her chin in thought and responded with a begrudgingly impressed tone "Incredible… I hadn't realized how well Humans could adapt, I shall have to report this to the Dark prince when Death resurrects the Nephilim."

Lilith eyed Asmodeus and questioned "Tell me who is your agent?"

Asmodeus gestured his hand towards Lilith and responded "He is called by his subjects the Lord of Ash and Cinders, the current ruler of the Infernal Abyss a realm that had once been apart of the Kingdom of the dead before it's previous ruler was caste out and sealed away along with the realm."

Lilith rubbed her chin and pointed at Asmodeus and ordered "I want you to get me into contact with him."

The Unnamed Demoness eyed Lilith and questioned "My Mistress, seeing that there are Humans upon this world, would it be within your desires to capture some in order to create more Fiends like (gestures towards Ishtaros and Nicchae) these two?"

Lilith nodded in agreement as she responded "Yes this does provide an ample opportunity to create more Fiends for the Dark Prince should Death fail me. (eyes Asmodeus) You have done well my lovely Asmodeus, if you succeed in getting me and audience with this… Lord of Cinders then I and (gestures hands towards the rest of the ladies) my ladies shall reward you for four days straight."

Asmodeus moaned in a sensual manner before responding "As you command (forms devilish grin) my mistress."

Masque's prison outpost

Hours later the Herald was seen crashing through the roof of the Demon outpost and formed a crater upon his landing before slowly standing up and stared directly into a prison cell with a malnourished human male was seen curled up into a ball. The man's skin was sickly pale with his bones showing while his raven black hair was wild-like and his beard starting to age to a grey color while the Herald used his upper hands to grasp the cell bars and bent them wide open for himself to walk into the cell.

The Herald looked down at the man who desperately crawled away and with a raspy tired tone he begged "Please… go away… I've told you everything I know about the Terror Mask."

The Herald reached down at the man with his lower right hand and grabbed him by the neck and stated coldly "I'm not here to torture you Human, (looks directly into the man's eyes) but I must obey the Will of Corruption, the Will that is my master, Oblivio!"

The Herald dragged the man out as he desperately begged "NO!NONONONONO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The Herald groaned lowly in annoyance before ordering calmly "Quiet!"

But Death dropped down from the hole from the roof as the Herald froze as Death stood up defiantly and greeted "Hello again, Herald."

The Herald tapped his fingertip into the man's shoulder pumping a small amount of Corruption into his veins as he dropped him and slowly turned towards Death and coldly responded "I have no time for the likes of you Horseman…"

The Herald eyed the shattered amulet as his eyesockets glowed brighter attempting to have the souls of the Nephilim affected Death's mind again but Death remained unfazed as the Herald's brow raised in confusion as Death he taunted "This isn't going to go the way it went before Herald."

The Herald hissed a yellow fume from his jaws and responded in a cold tone "So it would appear…"

Death summoned his Angel of Death scythes and responded in a cold tone "You still have to pay for the deaths of those Makers upon the Forge Lands."

The Herald crossed his upper hands and placed his lower hands behind his back while the man desperately crawled away from the two as the Herald responded "You haven't gotten over the deaths of a dying race? As if you'd have room to judge, after all… (leans forward) how many worlds have you committed genocide towards? I suspect much more than I, and let's not forget Horseman, you are responsible for my existence, after all my master wouldn't have fed upon the distain of the Raviim if you had not twisted them into those Abominations of yours."

Death charged at the Herald who removed his lower arms as they morphed into two razor sharp blades and clashed with Death's scythes as the Herald and Death locked eyes with one another. Death growled in anger before he with fluid motion dropped down and swiped his leg knocking the Herald onto his back as Death attempted to swing his blades down at the Herald.

But the Herald's upper arms morphed into blades as he crossed all four of his arms blocking Death's attack before shoving Death a few feet away and floated onto his feet and took a battle stance as did Death.

But Bayonetta dropped down through the entrance of the prison as Death held out his scythe and stated firmly "He's mine love, but is a human here and he seemed too weak to be wandering these halls."

Bayonetta crossed her arms with a smirk and teased "Bodyguard duty hehe, on it love!"

Bayonetta punched a hole in a wall and walked through as Death teleported behind the Herald and attempted to swipe his blade at him but the Herald leaned the side dodging Death's attack with only his robes being cut. The Herald eyed his cut robe before glaring at Death as his eyesockets glowed brighter and fired beams from his eyesockets at Death who crossed blades blocking the attack as the beams spread out striking the ceiling, walls and floor.

Death's blades glowed red from the sheer heat of the Herald's beams before the Herald ceased his attack as his eyesockets fumed a yellow smoke while Death commented "You seemed to have learned a new trick since our last battle."

The Herald and Death circled each-other as the Herald responded "My Master rewards those who prove themselves both worthy and useful to him. And for a pure borne such as myself our rewards are being enhanced with greater abilities and powers."

Death summoned his Salvation canon and fired a barrage of holy energy making the Herald yelled in pain as his lower right arm was blown off as his robes were shredded from the barrage of holy energy. The Herald fell onto one knee sighing weakly as his blown off arm melted into a tar black goo and slithered into the Herald's foot as his arm reformed before he tore off what remained of his robes and stood up.

The Herald formed muscles over his bones which in turn grew in size as the Herald roared as his head and spine erupted into yellow flames as Death began to form his purple glowing aura and changed into his Reaper form. The two combatants faced each-other as the Herald fired large beams at Death from the palms of his hands as Death teleported behind the Herald and punched him in a uppercut motion sending the Herald crashing through the ceiling.

Death flew into the sky and clashed with the Herald causing a huge shockwave that trembled the outpost below as Bayonetta was seen feeling the shockwave and joked "Woah… Death isn't playing around this time…"

Bayonetta spotted the man who was seen walking upright as his eyes glowed yellow while his veins were black from the Corruption pumped into his body as Masque's voice was heard "There you are Ricko, it's been awhile, and I need to get back into the slaughter and blood bathes right now!"

Bayonetta formed a curious expression before silently following the man now revealed to be Rick as he approached the alter that held the God of Blood and slaughter.

Masque noticed Rick's glowing yellow eyes and black veins and questioned "What the hell?! I thought you said you'd let me go on the terms that I'd cause chaos for you?!"

Rick responded but in Oblivio's voice "And so it will be, but I cannot risk you potentially betraying me."

Masque growled in annoyance before Rick reached his hand out to him but a gunshot was heard as Rick turned back to see Bayonetta aiming her pistol in the air and said "I see you're up to no good again, Oblivio."

Rick possessed by Oblivio squinted at Bayonetta in silence before Rick's eyes ceased glowing yellow and he fell to his hands and knees, panting heavily in exhaustion before Masque joked "Huh wasn't expecting him to chicken out."

Bayonetta eyed the God and questioned "And what in Sheba's name are you?"

Masque responded simply "Put it simply I'm the Blood God."

Bayonetta raised a brow and teased "Huh another God… there's so many of you now it's rather hard to keep up."

Masque scoffed in amusement and responded "Fair enough, but tell me would you perhaps be willing to wear me and use my power to face Oblivio?"

Bayonetta raised a brow in a suspicious manner as she responded "No, from your description I think I'd take my chances not wearing a Blood god on my face."

Masque groaned in annoyance and responded "But think of the power you can add to your own, I can sense you already hold some form of Cosmic power within you. I can sense your bloodthirst wouldn't you like to quench it's appetite and obtain the power of the Blood god at palm of your hands?"

Bayonetta felt a mild strain in her head and responded casually "Stop doing that, it's rather irritating."

Masque grunted and surprised at how strong willed Bayonetta was and responded "You are indeed strong willed, very well then how about a temporary alliance, you wear me to stand against Oblivio until he's dead."

Bayonetta crossed her arms and responded with a smirk "No."

Masque was silent in annoyance as a response but with Death who was seen swiping his scythe across the Herald's chest making him growl in pain before the Herald reacted by breathing fire upon Death's ribcage knocking him onto the ground. The Herald raised his upper hands and began to form a sphere of Corrupt energy while he began to use his lower hands to fire a barrage of energy down at Death who with blinding speeds avoided the blasts.

The Herald's sphere of energy grew larger by the second before Death summoned the Rod of Arafel and used it causing it to burn Death's skeletal hand as it's beam blazed the sphere to changing the Corrupt energy into a Holy one. The Herald's palms burned away in flakes before the sphere exploded prematurely knocking the him away with enough force to blow off his upper arms and his legs while Death was knocked out of his Reaper form from the blast. The Herald crashed onto the ground causing a large amount of dust to fly up into the air while he used his lower hands to crawl away as Death weakly sat up and eyed his burned hands before dispersing the Rod before standing up to limp after the Herald.

Death's silhouette was seen within the cloud of dust looming behind the Herald as he desperately tried to crawl away while Death using one of his scythes flipped the Herald onto his back revealing half his skull was also blown off as he responded "You've made a mistake… Horseman…"

Death tilted his head in silence before a loud BOOM was heard as Death turned but was immediately met with a beam of energy, which knocked him away in was imbedded in a large boulder as the Herald surprisingly began to laugh in amusement. Death was seen tearing himself out of the boulder and on the ground before flipping into the air and landing onto his feet in a crouching position ready for whom ever had attacked him before he formed a shocked expression as a shadow towered over him completely.

Death weakly stood up as Oblivio's voice was heard "I cannot allow you to destroy my Herald, Horseman, you've already dealt a blow to me with the death of my Prophet, and you may yet succeed in your mission, nonetheless I cannot afford to take the chance of losing three members of my Black Tide."

Death unsheathed his scythes and dared "Do your worse then!"

Death's face was lit up from a yellow light as Oblivio coldly claimed "Oh Horseman… you haven't seen the worst I can give!"

Minutes later Bayonetta was seen helping Rick up to his feet and questioned "Hey are you alright?"

Rick merely sighed exhaustedly as a response before grunting in pain as his black veins pulsated greatly before he screamed out in pain as his eyes glowed yellow "GYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOHHHH!"

Bayonetta grunted in confusion as she slowly backed away from Rick who grasped his own head before the roof exploded catching Bayonetta's attention as she widened her eyes in shock as Oblivio was seen slowly floating down.

But Oblivio was not alone as he was seen grasping Death by his shroud as he planted his feet onto the floor but strangely Oblivio's body surged with yellow electricity as he greeted "Cereza."

Bayonetta immediately changed into her Force Hollow form as her hair glowed purple and summoned her hammer and demanded "Let my husband go Oblivio!"

Oblivio eyed Masque and ignored Bayonetta and stated "I'll deal with you shortly, little godling, but for now I must teach young Cereza here the price of our last encounter."

Bayonetta squinted at Oblivio and taunted "Last I check, you weren't exactly strong after that encounter four eyes."

Oblivio formed a mildly annoyed expression in his eyes as he responded "True, but this being Demon inhabited world has it's perks, for instance… (fires beams at Bayonetta's hammer disintegrating it) the power is more potent than others planets I feed upon."

Bayonetta eyed her hands in confusion as she looked up and jumped back to seeing Oblivio already standing merely a foot away as he towered over her before he stated coldly "I must repay the damage you had inflicted upon me."

Bayonetta looked up as she dropped a sweat as she responded "If I remember correctly you chose to stay behind to fight me."

Oblivio leaned forward confidently and responded "Indeed I did, it was part of my plan but it failed because you weren't strong enough to destroy this body of mine."

Bayonetta grunted as she summoned her scythe and swiped it at Oblivio who teleported behind Bayonetta as Death dropped face first onto the floor while Oblivio elbowed Bayonetta's neck sending her crashing down with enough force to form a crater.

Bayonetta groaned in pain as she slowly pushed herself up with her hand before Oblivio stomped on her left hand making a painful crunching sound as Bayonetta screamed in pain "EEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Oblivio removed his boot off of Bayonetta's hand making her roll onto her back and saw her hand was broken before Oblivio lifted her up by the collar and coldly stated "Once I have let this planet's power set it, I will be far stronger and more powerful than I was before, the only down side; it takes time, (pulls Bayonetta closer to his face) but we both know I can be extremely patient don't we Cereza?"

Bayonetta punched Oblivio's face with her unbroken hand causing a loud BOOM while a gust of wind blew behind Oblivio as his head was slightly tilted from the impact and he responded with a mildly amused tone "Please."

Oblivio reacted by punching Bayonetta's chest with enough force to send her flying through the outpost's walls, she was seen crashing through three mountains, a few giant Demon bones that littered the world and even through one of the Tree's roots. Bayonetta was flying across the entire planet from the sheer force of Oblivio's punch before she crashed through the other end of the outpost back in to Oblivio's hand who held her by the throat and saw how bruised and bloodied she was from her trip across the planet in mere minutes.

Oblivio noticed she was still alive as he scoffed in a respectful tone before deducing "You injuries could've been worse had you not used your Force Hollow, you will live, but do not mistake it Cereza, it is because of my mercy alone that you will live passed this day."

Oblivio dropped Bayonetta onto the floor as her regenerative abilities began to slowly heal her wounds as Oblivio reached his hand out to Rick and magically lifted him in the air and into the Dark Lord's hand.

Oblivio turned towards Masque and walked towards him with Rick in hand upon reaching the alter Oblivio picked Masque up and placed it on Rick's face the mask now formed now edges as they extended over Rick's entire head making him cry out in pain 'RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!"

Oblivio released Rick as his body began to crack and twist becoming more bulky and muscular as his eyes glowed white from the power of the Terror Mask while the God himself using Rick sighed in relief and satisfaction "Ohhhhhh that's feels good…"

Masque clenched his hands into fists cracking his bones as he cracked his knuckles and looked down seeing Rick's penis and said "Wow Rick… no wonder your girl sent ya all them naked pictures of herself to ya all the time."

Rick was heard responded "Why do you gotta mock me at every chance you get you piece of shit mask?!"

Masque chuckled sinisterly and responded "Cause it would be out of character of me not to Ricko!"

Oblivio raised a brow at the sight of a Cosmic God bantering with a mortal human and scoffed in amusement before thinking to himself "This is somewhat familiar to me, as a dark and twisted version of myself and Morgana."

Masque turned his attention towards Oblivio and assured "Like I said, old man I don't want to get in your way but I don't like being on a leash."

Oblivio placed his hands behind his back and responded with little care in his tone "Then you can prove it to me by going now."

Masque squinted at Oblivio before flying through the roof and was seen leaving the planet complaining "This is bullshit, I'm just a simple Blood God, that just wants to bash some skulls and rip out some throats."

Rick responded sarcastically "Oh like that's the worst thing we've torn out!"

Masque gave a mildly annoyed expression in his eyes as he responded "Shut up Rick."

Back with Oblivio who turned to see Death slowly standing up with his wounds healing Oblivio fired a quick beam from his four eyes knocking Death back down as Oblivio walked passed him and Bayonetta and said "This will perhaps be the last time we see each-other Death, and if so… you will be of great use to me when the time comes but if not... well in some way it was honor having don battle with you fare well."

Oblivio floated out of the outpost and returned to his Herald who bowed his head and thanked "My lord… thank you greatly for the rescue…"

Oblivio removed his right hand from behind his back and magically lifted the Herald off the ground and stated "We returning to the Citadel for now, I shall return to finish consuming this world at a later date, but for now I contempt with what boost of power I have currently gained."

Oblivio flew off towards the Tree of Death with the Herald in hand while back inside the outpost Death groaned in pain before standing up and thought to himself "Was this what Samael wanted to further humiliate me? (looks up towards the broken roof) No… more likely a lesson… but for what?"

Bayonetta groaned lowly in pain catching Death's attention as he summoned a healing potion and poured it over Bayonetta's body quickly healing all of her wounds as she sat up and rubbed her head and joked "Ooooh he juiced himself pretty good owww!"

Death sighed and responded "No doubt he wanted to demonstrate his power and strength to us after what happened with our last battle."

Bayonetta sighed in defeat and responded with a sarcastic tone "Oh you think so?"

Death held out his hand towards Bayonetta who grabbed it and allowed Death to pull her up onto her feet with the two facing each-other as Bayonetta gently caressed his neck and teased "He didn't hurt you too badly did he?"

Death formed an unamused expression in his eyes as a response while Bayonetta smirked and teased "Thought so."

Death shook his head as he sighed in defeat while Bayonetta questioned "What's wrong?"

Death placed his hands on his hips and responded "The Herald would've more than likely escape due to Oblivio's interference."

Bayonetta nodded and responded with a sincere tone while laying her head on Death's chest and hugged him "He'll have his one day love… I can promise you that."

Death hugged Bayonetta in return and laid his head over her own as the two stood in silence as Dust and Bright Eyes flew in and cawed at the two trying to get their attention as Death deduced "Crowfather must be waiting for us…"

Bayonetta released Death and responded "Then best not to keep Chesire waiting."

Bayonetta formed Malphas' wings and flew out of the outpost as Death formed his reaper wings and followed in turn as Dust and Bright Eyes lead the Deadly Duo to their final destination, the gateway to the Well of Souls.

The Infernal Abyss

Within this burning realm of smoke, ash and cinders, with cries and screams of pain being echoed across the realm was a giant skull that was hollowed out from the inside and made into a throne room. The throne room had skeletal guards of diverse sizes and species that the realm was connected to as upon a stone throne sat a fully armored humanoid figure whose body was fuming smoke as he wore similar armor to that of the Witch King of Nordberg.

The figure's eyes were eerily like the Witch King's as but unlike the Overlord whose eyes were fierce and somewhat feral this figure's eyes expression sadness and a deep longing for unknown reasons.

A portal tore open as the figure looked at it and sighed in annoyance as Asmodeus walked through wearing his tattered robes and loin cloth and bowed before the figure and said "Ah the Lord of Cinders, my Mistress requests and audience with you."

The figure passively waved his hand and responded with a bored tone "I have nothing better to do, so I will permit it."

Asmodeus smirked and called out towards the portal "Mistress Lilith, he accepts!"

Lilith walked through the portal wearing her black leather skimpy outfit as she bowed before the Lord of Cinders and greeted "My servant spoke much about you, Great one."

The Lord of Cinders laid his head on his palm in a bored manner and demanded in a bored tone "Get on with it, what do you want from me?"

Lilith noticed that the Lord of Cinders was immune to her seductive powers and smirked "I have a proposition to offer, I desire to have a few Human slaves from the world the Infernal Abyss is connected to."

The Lord of Cinders sighed and responded "And what do I get out of this deal?"

Lilith paced towards the skeletal guards stating "You will have me and the Dark Prince as allies, and as a bonus, I can deliver you to the one you love."

The Lord of Cinders widened his eyes in a attentive manner and questioned with a mildly angered tone "How do you know that I have a Queen?!"

Lilith responded while looking directly into the Lord of Cinder's eyes "You are immune to my natural ability to subject those around me to fall head over heels for me, to make it a simple explanation at least."

The Lord of Cinders grasped his hands together and responded "Very well… I accept your terms, however I will not require your armies, I will reclaim my kingdom and my beloved Queen with my own forces."

Lilith smirked and responded "As you wish, (summons a Void Walker tool) You can use this to pass through into other worlds if you so desired, and with it you can finally find your Queen."

The Lord of Cinders grabbed the tool and eyed it in his grasp as he eyed his guards and ordered "Bring me Sir William the Black! His final penance will be served this day!"

The guards bowed and vanished in a burst of flames as Lilith raised a brow before the guards returned in another burst of flames dragging a blonde pale skinned man who wore a red cultist robe as the Lord of Cinders gestured towards him and stated "Take this man, I shall bring you more Humans should your tool prove to be useful to me."

Lilith smirked and bowed her head "As you wish."

Lilithed turned towards Asmodeus who had an eager expression on his face as Lilith sensually caressed her fingers across his chin stating "When we return you will have your reward as promised."

Asmodeus gave a low moan of pleasure as he and Lilith left the Infernal Abyss as the Lord of Cinders shook his head in disgust "Demons…"

The Lord of Cinders eyes the voidwalker before standing up and tore open a portal into the world where the Witch King desired to rule over as he was heard whispering to himself in a satisfied tone "I'm coming home… Rose."

The Lord of Cinders eyed two of his undead guards and ordered "You two you will come with me, (points at the others) the rest of you shall await here until I return!"

The guards held up their weapons in a saluting manner to their master who walked through the portal as his two guards followed before they were seen within the same environment that Morgana and the Progenitor of Serpents arrived at as he looked in horror and questioned "What is the meaning of this?! Where is my Tower?! (takes a step back with a concerned expression in his eyes) Where is my Rose?"

Glorious Empire capital city (arena)

The Witch King was seen leading an assault upon the Empire's gladiatorial arena as the bulk of his horde was the Brown skinned Minions as the Green skinned minions who unlike the brows had tails and having an underbite jaw with fangs protruding outwards. The Greens were seen going into the shadows preparing for an ambush on any Imperial, fighting alongside the Browns but with lesser numbers were the Red skinned minions who out of all the goblin-like race most resembled Demons as they had curled horns and would often chuck fireballs from their palms.

And finally the Blue skinned minions were seen in the least amount of numbers as they were seen casting spells from afar with some even healing the wounds of the other minions. But standing as the Witch King's four personal bodyguards were the larger magically mutated minions many of which resembled their smaller cousins with the only exception being the Blues. The Witch King had two mutant Browns wearing heavy armor and wielded large warhammers having the same gleeful attitude of their smaller counterparts but having deeper voices when in comparison.

Alongside the two mutant browns was a Red who breathed fired upon an Imperial soldier who was bold enough to attempt to attack the Witch King himself. And finally the last mutant was a Green who was seen impaling an Imperial commander on his double bladed wrist-blade as he gave a sinister underbite green.

The Witch King stood patiently as his horde of minions pillage and searched the arena for his Yeti before a woman wearing a hooded robe was seen approaching the King and his mutant minions as one of the two Browns noticed.

The large Minion chuckled sinisterly before leaping out at the woman who held up her hand magically shoving the large minion aside with little effort as the Witch King noticed and thanked "And here you are once again standing before me, I thank you for directing me to the Magical wastelands with that information (pets mutant Green) I would not have had the chance to gain my Greater Minions. "

The woman responded in a it was not just the lakes of magic that I wanted you to see boy, you saw the tower of your predecessor, your father's seat of power?"

The Witch King eyed the woman and responded "I saw, and for what remains it must have been a sight to behold…"

The woman grunted as she grasped her head while the Witch King noticed before she raised her head and said "By the Mother Goddess… he has returned!"

Back with the Lord of Cinders who was seen standing near the destroyed tower of the Witch King's father caressing it in a familiar manner as he thought to himself "How long have I been gone? My seat of power in ruins, the lands I ruled overrun with magical mutants and lakes of pure magical ooze… but no sight of my beloved Rose…"

But the Lord of Cinders felt that he was presenced was sensed by a powerful mage as he thought aloud "Who dares attempt to invade my mind while I mourn?!"

The Lord of Cinders using the Voidwalker tore open a portal as he and his guards walked through and now stood before the Witch King and the hooded woman as the Lord of Cinders eyed the Witch King and said "So Gnarl had found another replacement… how unfortunate."

The Witch King gave a distrustful glare at the Lord of Cinders and demanded "Who are you to know of Gnarl?"

The woman eyed the Lord of Cinders having her jaw dropped slightly and thought "Barzuul…"

The Lord of Cinders responded while pointing at the Witch King "Gnarl has had many masters over the centuries, he betrayed me once to a previous Overlord and now he deems to betray me again with a you! I will not suffer his treacherous kind's nature any longer!"

The Witch King raised his mace and dared "No one speaks ill of the Minion Master!"

The Lord of Cinders summoned a flaming sword in his hand as he responded coldly "I will speak ill of whomever I wish, boy!"

The Witch King charged at the Lord of Cinders with both clashing their weapons as the Witch King's sheer size and strength forced the Lord of Cinders' armored boots to drag on the ground surprising the old Overlord.

The Lord of Cinders had quickly punched the Witch King's face stunning him before quickly backing away while his guards held up their weapons as the Lord of Cinders ordered "Stay out of this, he's mine!"

The Greater Minions drew closer as the Witch King ordered "No you four stay out of this as well, he will suffer my rather and my wrath alone!"

The horde of Minions took notice of their master dueling with the Lord of Cinders and began to cheer in excitement from the two fighting as one shouted "RIP OUT 'IS GUTS MASTAH!"

The Witch King would swing his mace at the Lord of Cinders who would use his smaller size to his advantage to dodge nearly every strike but would at times have to deflect a strike with his sword. The Witch King reacted to the deflect by grabbing the Lord of Cinder's head and kneeing him in the face knocking him back before the Lord of Cinders magically formed a large fiery sphere and flung it at the Witch King.

The Witch King widened his eyes in shock at the power of the Lord of Cinders but the Woman used her own magic to redirect the fiery attack at a nearby building causing a large explosion that caused her robes to flutter in the wind. The woman had look of disbelief beneath her hood as the Lord of Cinders and the Witch King kept their eyes locked as blazing building lit up half their bodies given them both a hellish look.

The Witch King charged at the Lord of Cinders as the King swung his mace at the Lord who slid on his armored knees and swiped his sword across the King's thigh breaking through the armor leaving a burned cut as the King growled in pain "GRRRRRRRRRNNNNN!"

The Witch King quickly reacted by backhanding his mace across the Lord of Cinder's chest-plate denting it inward making him cough up blood as he was flung into a wall as the woman covered her mouth in horror. The Lord of Cinders's hands glowed hot red as he heated his chest-plate and readjusted it while he grabbed a nearby Minion and killed him using his life force to fix the damaged armor before standing up.

The Witch King widened his eyes in shock at how the Lord of Cinders was so well in tuned to blood magic that he was able to use a minion to instantly fix his damaged armor on the spot and held out his left hand and casted a magical current of lightning at the Lord.

The Lord of Cinders growled in pain as he cast his own fiery spell at the Witch King both weakening each-other until the woman clapped her hand magically pulling both combatants away from each-other demanding "THAT IS ENOUGH YOU TWO!"

The Lord of Cinders eyed the woman and responded "YOU DARE INTERFERE WITH AFFAIRS THAT DO NOT CONCERN YOU?!"

The Witch King eyed the woman and demanding "STAY OUT OF THIS!"

The woman rubbed her brow and thought "Oh this wasn't what was meant to happen…"

The Lord of Cinders breathed fire at the woman who fell back as she broke concentration freeing both the Overlords to fight once more but the Lord of Cinders dropping his sword managed to tackle the Witch King onto the ground. The Lord of Cinders wrapping his legs around the King's arm the Lord summoned a dagger and stabbed the King's wrist forcing him to release his mace as the Lord grabbed it for him to use.

The Lord of Cinders stood and quickly backhanded the mace across the King's head knocking his helmet off his head revealing his blue skin and short raven black spiky hair.

The Lord of Cinders panted from exhaustion and said with a respectful tone "You fought well, but don't take this personally boy, I just have had more experience than you!"

The Lord of Cinders raised the mace over the Witch King as the Minions watched only in shock but the woman ran between the two Overlords and demanded "That is enough!"

The Lord of Cinders raised a brow in a somewhat impressed manner as he questioned "Why are you so desperate to stop us from killing one another?"

The woman responded in a caring tone "Because you would regret it for the rest of your life Barzuul!"

The Lord of Cinders froze from hearing his own name as the Witch King formed a confused expression and thought to himself "Barzuul? Gnarl said that was name of my father…"

Barzuul lowered the mace and directed his full attention to the woman and questioned "It has been so long since I last heard someone say my name without contempt… how do you know me?"

The woman was for a moment silent before pulling her hood down revealing her hair to be red as he eyes were green as Barzuul eyed her with a since of familiarity and longing as he dropped the mace.

The Witch King struggled to sit up as Barzuul eyed the woman and quickly removed his helmet revealing his raven long black hair and pale white skin in respect for her as he was silent.

Rose gulped afraid what Barzuul was going to do as she responded in a defensive tone "I know what you're going to say my love, how could I have not tried to find a way to bring you back from the Infernal Abyss, I tried… I did… but all my research and all my efforts to find a way to free you all failed… (notices Barzuul's silence) Oh don't be stoic like you always say something, shout or…"

Rose froze as Barzuul caressed her cheek and lifted her chin and with a loving tone compliment "You're as beautiful as the day I lost you…"

The woman now revealed to be Barzuul's beloved Queen Rose tear up as Barzuul passionately kissed her before embracing him in a hug.

Rose gently held her hand over Barzuul's as she released her lips from his and questioned "You've been gone for nearly twenty five years… and for all that time you still held me so close to your heart?"

Barzuul responded with a confident tone "Always."

Rose and Barzuul laid their foreheads onto each-other as Rose explained "Since you've been gone the Glorious Empire rose up as the dominant kingdom of the world, and the Empire was rather strict with mages and magical creatures… I was luckily spared by the Sentinel Order who knew that I was the daughter of the Wizard."

Rose turned back and eyed the Witch King and continued with a sorrowful tone "But I feared that our son would be executed or worse by the Empire… and I had to hide him away far from the Empire's borders…"

The Witch King eyed Rose realizing she was his mother before eyeing Barzuul while Barzuul looked down at the Witch King, the two realizing they were father and son as Rose finished "You'd be proud of him, he inherited many of your quirks from your eyes to even your attraction to redheads."

Barzuul backed away ashamed that he was closed to killing his own son as he and the Witch King eyed each-other as the King admitted "Gnarl did speak very highly of you… and seeing well you fought I truly understand why you were a force to be reckoned with hah."

Barzuul shook his head and responded "Gnarl's loyalty is surprising to me seeing that he once betrayed me… to your grandfather."

The Witch King raised a brow in confusion as Rose stated "It's a complicated story, the Overlord before your father possessed my father's body and managed to trick your father into rebuilding his seat of power but he did not take account of me rejecting him."

Barzuul eyed Rose and questioned "And what of you, what have you been doing for all these years?"

Rose sighed and admitted "Aside from keeping our son safe from the Empire in secrecy, I was by law required to marry a member of the Sentinel order."

Barzuul's eyed flared up in anger as Rose continued "The bastard only married me because I was one of the Wizard's daughters and for my attunement to magic."

Barzuul eyed Rose and questioned "What is this filth's name?"

Rose responed while crossing her arms "Marius Emperor Solarius' right hand man."

The Witch King added "Marius… you're married to the brother of that fat slob Boris?"

Rose shuddered in discomfort from hearing Boris' name and responded "Ohhhh I hated that man more than could possibly imagine! When I had learned he was going to Govern Nordberg where I had left you I had to send a message to Gnarl and the Minions that the heir of their master Barzuul was in danger of being taken by the Empire."

The Witch King rubbed his chin in thought as Barzuul growled in fury as he declared "This Emperor Solarius shall know my wrath, (points at his son) when you slay him on son, I will ensure he will endure a thousand life times worth of torment within the Infernal Abyss!"

The Witch King stood up and grabbed his helmet and questioned "You don't want to reclaim your seat of power and kill the Emperor yourself?

Barzzul responded while putting on his helmet "My seat of power is destroyed, by I can accept that my heir will have his own and continue the Legacy of our family."

The Witch King eyed Barzuul and questioned "What do you mean by that old man?"

Barzuul scoffed in amusement as he gestured his hand towards his son stating "Gnarl has long served our family, boy, my father was Lord Gromgard, he was result of a secret affair between the Black Baron, the first Overlord, the Duke of Grombard's second wife, and Gnarl along with Giblet have long served under our bloodline."

The Witch King scoffed in an impressed manner and questioned "Impressive… but how does the Overlord who possess mother's father fit in all of this?"

Barzuul explained while crossing his arms "Duke Gromgard never knew of his second wife's affair with the Black Baron and so had believed my father was his own, and he already had a son and daughter both of which knew of the affair and never truly care for their stepmother, and Grenville was the most spiteful of the two. And oh did he hate Gromgard their feud would last their entire lives even after Gromgard had fell at his hand and Grenville becoming the next Overlord his hatred for his stepbrother would be passed onto his me."

Rose teased while leaning against Barzuul "Yeah he did mention while possessing my father that he hated how your eyes looked."

Barzuul groaned in annoyance as the Minions approached the Witch King and reported "Mastah, we've found da yeti!"

The Witch King put on his helmet and ordered "Bring him to me at once!"

Barzuul eyed his son and questioned "Yeti?"

The Witch King explained while placing his hands on his hips "It had helped me escape the Empire and they managed to capture him, I plan to have him be heavily armored during my final siege as a heavy unit and a living batterram."

Barzuul nodded in approval and admitted with a proud tone "Oh your going to be a great Overlord with that kind of think boy."

Shadow's edge (Lilith's chambers)

Lilith and Asmodeus returned to her chambers as Urul reported "Mistress Lilith, the Destroyer has requested your attention, it seemed rather important."

Lilith sighed in a bored tone and said "Fine… I hear what has to report. (points at Asmodeus) Now don't get into a fight with Urul, Asmodeus I mean it!"

Asmodeus glared at Urul and growled lowly as Urul gave an uncomfortable sigh as Lilith circled her index fingers to form a magical window to communicate with the Fallen Angel Abaddon and questioned "You have something to report?"

Abaddon responded "Indeed, I recent took command over Beliar's Brimstone Legion, and I cannot have these undisciplined beasts running around here, they have only two things to live for by what I've seen, and that is fighting and procreating."

Lilith shrugged and responded "It's a Demon trait, I fail to see why this is a problem."

Abaddon explained "These Demons are dangerously on the verge of causing civil war here and I will have to deal them in one way or another, but I do believe I have something you might find 'personal' interest in."

Lilith raised a brow and questioned "Alright I'll bite, what did you discover?"

Abaddon explained "Before I punished Beliar, he had commissioned some of his own forces to breed with one another and create an army. And I have learned that the army Beliar was creating was that of a race of Human-like creatures that refer to themselves as Vampires."

Lilith formed a curious expression and questioned "How interesting… send these 'Vampires' on my behalf me so that I may see for myself how useful the creature can be."

Abaddon bowed his head and responded "As you command."

Lilith swiped her hand across the magic window closing it as she eyed Urul and ordered "Urul you may go on leave for at least four days while (gestures hand towards the rest of the group) we reward Asmodeus."

Nevan and the other ladies licked their lips sensually as Urul sighed in relief and responded "As you desire mistress."

Urul materialized his armor over his body and left the chambers, leaving Asmodeus's fate within the hands of the lustful Demonesses and Fiendsas Lilith dematerialized her clothes and seductively teased "Now ladies, (licks lips) how should we start with the young lord Asmodeus here?"

With Bayonetta and Death

Bayonetta and Death had returned to the Tree where Crowfather was seen waiting for them as the Deadly Duo dismounted with Death presenting the Demon key and stated "We have the Demon Key Crowfather."

Crowfather gestured his hand towards the large gate at the base of the Tree stating "So now at last you two will see your journey come to an end, but take heed a dark power resides within the Tree, and no doubt Oblivio will have sent his most powerful Champion to oppose you."

Death dispersed toe key and eyed the gate saying in a quiet and dreaded tone "Absalom…"

Bayonetta looked at Death and grasped his shoulder and assured him "You won't face him alone…"

Death was silent as a response but he looked at the Crowfather and questioned "Tell me Crowfather… why do I get the sense that you have been testing me from the beginning?"

Crowfather pointed at Death and responded "You test yourself old friend by your own choices, for what you've done, to what you've had to do, and now you face the ultimate test… will you bring death or give life?"

Death was silent as he summoned the Demon and Angel keys and handed Bayonetta the Angel key and stated "I will need your help unlocking the gates…"

Bayonetta smiled softly before taking the key and responded "And you have it love."

Moments later the duo were seen approaching the gate as Death inserted the Demon key on the Demonic side of the gate as Bayonetta inserted the Angel key in the Angelic side. The duo turned the keys unlocking the gates for which had been locked for countless eons while the gates opened by themselves as though the Tree itself wanted the duo to enter within the Well.

Death looked into the hall as it had darkened Corruption crystals growing out from within the Tree while a ghastly blue light was seen at the end of said hall, Bayonetta grabbed Death's hand and teased "Come on, we've got our loved ones to save from their spanking."

Death formed an amused expression in his eyes as he and Bayonetta walked into the Tree as the Crowfather watched with a soft smile forming on his face as Rodin walked out of the portal into his bar and said "Hey old man, how much longer do I need to stay here on this world?"

Crowfather turned towards Rodin and responded vaguely "You'll know when."

Crowfather vanished in front of Rodin who formed an unamused glare and mildly complained "Oh you know it's not like I'm a wanted man across the Nine circles of Hell and it's outposts for stealing Lucifer's favorite Pigeon killing sword or anything like that!"

Inside the Tree Death and Bayonetta approached the end of the hall and a large chamber with the Tree's large roots being used as walls where large floating ancient stones were seen with glowing blue runes carved into them. Tentacles of Corruption were seen stretching from the roots to the center of the platform within the chamber and there being held up by the Corruption was Absalom waiting for the Duo.

Absalom looked down at both Bayonetta and Death and taunted "Have you ever wondered Death, why you and your witch are untouched while those around you wither and rot to the grip of Corruption?"

Death felt the souls of the Nephilim flaring up in his chest as he looked down at the broken amulet imbedded within his chest and placed his hand over them as Absalom continued "Could it be that you are already blackened by the sin of betrayal? (Death and Bayonetta eyes Absalom) How can you defeat that which seethes in your own heart?"

Absalom opened out his arms and finished "You cannot stop me Death, not without forever damning your soul!"

Absalom's tentacles snapped off the roots and retracted into his back as he used his sharp thumbnail to cut his palm and bled out his blackened blood which formed his large six eyed axe Absolution as Death unsheathed his scythes and responded coldly "Then so be it!"

Bayonetta summoned Shuraba and took stance as she teased "Hey Death's not the only one here you know."

Absalom scoffed before pointing at Death and declared "I challenge you Death to Nex Sacramentum!"

And across the cosmos every Cosmic God became aware of the universal challenge as Oblivio was seen sitting upon his throne silently grasping his hands as the pool formed a vision that was from the Arbiter of Terror's point of view patiently waiting for the outcome of the duel. Omne was seen sitting upon a his own throne which was unlike Oblivio a literal mountain carved into a throne befitting his own pride and status while he rubbed his head in a strained manner.

Sheba, Jubileus and Luptr were seen holding onto their heads gritting their teeth in pain while Geryon was seen rubbing his head against the Tree of Death seemingly feeling discomfort from sensing the Nex Sacramentum. Aetulia was seen bathing in the Sea of Black Tears as laid her head back and summoned a bottle of ambrosia and began to guzzle it down as if she was trying to drink away the headache she was feeling.

But in an unknown realm with two heavily similarly armored figures but one's armor was black as he carried a sword while the other wore golden armor while holding a large warhammer.

Wicked Killington was seen lounging on a thron and teased "This should be quite a show to behold!"

Ormagodden was seen taking form within the ocean of the Brutal Lands holding up his hands and shouted in an excited tone "LET'S FUCKIN GOOOOOOOOOO EVERYBODY!"

Masque was seen floating in space holding onto his head shouting out in an eager tone "OH COME ON THERE BETTER BE LOTS OF BLOOD SPILLED IN THIS ONE!"

Death grunted as he was flung onto the platform as a magical barrier formed around himself and Absalom while Bayonetta shouted "NO! YOU COWARDLY HULKING MASS OF MUSCLE!"

Death eyed Absalom who placed his axe over his shoulder and raised a brow awaiting Death's answer to the challenge but Death looked back at Bayonetta and sighed in a somewhat relieved tone eyed Absalom and responded "I accept!"

Bayonetta grunted in confusion and reminded "DAMN IT DEATH YOU KNOW YOU'RE ARE AT YOUR ABSOLUTE WEAKEST IN THIS SORT OF DUEL, REMEMBER WHAT ARGUL DID?!"

Death responded with a certain tone while keeping his eyes locked with Absalom's "And Absalom is too no doubt, he too once had an incredible regenerative powers and now he's just as much risk as I am. Am I correct to assume so, Avatar of Chaos?"

Absalom scoffed in a begrudgingly respectful tone and responded "You still are perceptive, but rest to be sure brother, you will live by my say so and you will die by my say so when this duel is over."

Death was silent as he ignored Absalom's declaration and remembered the day the two last fought to the death with the Rider coming out as the victor he saw Absalom reach out to him and said "Brother… was it worth it?"

Death looked at Absalom and reminded "Absablom, you once asked me if my choice of betraying our brothers and sisters was worth it…"

Absalom raised a brow in confusion as Death looking through his memories seeing himself fighting alongside War, giving Fury a healing crystal, every moment he had with Bayonetta, along with the thoughts of his daughter Alice.

Absalom was heard responding in a subdued tone "I remember you not having an answer."

Death eyed Absalom and responded "It has taken many eons to truly come to any conclusion… but I do have an answer…"

Bayonetta was uncharacteristically silent during the whole exchange unable to interrupt as Death gave his answer "Yes brother… it was worth it."

Absalom's eyes darkened as Bayonetta grunted in confusion as to why Death would say something that would possibly anger Absalom but the thought had her form an expression of realization as she eyed Death and thought to herself "He's trying to enrage Absalom…"

Absalom's muscular arms trembled in fury as he questioned "You to tell me… for all the brothers and sisters you and the three other traitors had slaughtered… you feel that it was worth it?!"

Absalom tightened his grip around his axe as he slammed it onto the floor and panted fiercely and uncontrollably before raising it preparing to attack while shouting in rage "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHH I'LL KILL YOU!"

To be continued

I do not own the following series they belong to their respected owners:

Bayonetta

Darksiders

Devil may cry

Legacy of Kain

DOOM

Brutal Legend

Bloodrayne

Darkwatch

Ninja gaiden

Heavenly Sword

Lolipop chainsaw

Splatterhouse

Golden axe Beast rider