Zariel moved to both of them, stowing her blade and putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "You would not come to me if you did not have a plan, I presume. I do not know who to trust at the moment, but I suspect killers would not warn me of the situation. You have some vested interest in me, yes? Else there's no reason for you being here."

The incubus nodded. "Yes. Allies of ours have intel on Bel. Intel you might find useful should you wish to...unseat him. It will require a bit of investigation, something I'm sure one of your greatness can accomplish quickly. Come with us, and I think simply saving your life is the worst case scenario...becoming Lord of the First is wholly within reach."

"And just what is this intel? You must do better than that Belgleth...if that is truly your name."

Zaelynir smiled. "That was Belgleth...this is Zaelynir. Perhaps, depending on who we come across, there shall be others you will meet...but no matter. I do not have this information, my allies do. If you do not believe this place to be secure, is there somewhere more private we can meet. Room for, say, seven?"

The fallen angel shook her head. "No, now that I am aware of the plan, I have no concerns of this room's integrity. The wards Dispater has put in place here could shield me from the ravages of the Blood War, should it reach this far. Tell your allies that they can meet me here...on my command, I will lower the barriers for just long enough to allow for teleportation. As for my ever-wary guards…" Zariel picked up the slain corpse of her captain, slinging the heavily-armored erinyes over her shoulder. Marching towards the door she flung them open, her sword immediately drawn and pointing to the guards. "There is an assassination plot afoot, and if any of you believe you can slay me, let this be your warning." She tossed the devil to the ground, kicking her into the group. "I will find and banish any of you who so much as consider breaking your contract. Now go!"

The bulk of the guards began hurrying down the staircase, Zariel slamming the door closed behind them. She turned to Zaelynir, seeing him already holding up a sending Stone, communicating with the others. After a few back and forths, the incubus looked up. "They are ready to jump. Give them the signal and they'll be here." Zaelynir held out the Sending Stone, the angel grasping it and holding it to her mouth, initiating a short countdown. As soon as it ended, Phyrra appeared in the room with one hand on Wake, and Shavvir with Maul.

"I see...I had my doubts at first, but this is the 'Syndicate' whose name has been making rounds. I don't know whether to be flattered or frightened that you have your eye on me...and I admit, I am rarely either of those. Your friend here says you have information, information that might make me a very happy woman. Go on."

Shavvir quickly responded. "Yes. An informant told us that Bel is fueling the demons in the Blood War. Providing them with weapons, information, and the like. He said that he did not have any proof of those actions but that they were well known amongst those trapped within the War...thought that one of Bel's directs would have proof. With your influence, I see no reason why that can't be accomplished."

Zariel shook her head. "That won't be enough...and that's assuming you're correct. I had heard rumors of the sort...I have led many soldiers into battle in the Blood War, but it is nigh impossible to tell if a weapon is stolen or sold. They have the weapons of devils, and we the weapons of demons...it happens. However, it all matters not...to formally unseat a Lord of Hell, as it sounds you wish to do, Asmodeus must be involved. And believe me...Asmodeus will not concern himself with a testimony of an underling. I've tried."

"So then how do we go about this?" Wake crossed his arms, leaning back...he hadn't expected this complication, but he would have been even more surprised if the plan was without flaws.

"Asmodeus can defy even the strongest of magical wards within this realm. He could be hiding among us even as we speak now. This can work to our advantage, of course...but if you waste his time, I would not expect to walk out alive. I expect this to stay between us...but I have stretched the limits of Asmodeus further than one might think possible. I am not willing to risk my life for this...this hunch that you have. I am more than willing to let you risk yours, however."

Zariel smiled, an act that certainly didn't go unnoticed by the group. "I'm afraid we don't have much of a choice, my Lady." Wake gave a slight bow, continuing. "If you've heard of us, then you know our plight. We're on the run, and we don't have many places left to go. We were hoping that, in exchange for aiding you in getting the title you've sought after, you would grant us an army for when we needed it. We've gone this far...failure isn't an option that we have the luxury of considering here."

"Very well then. I will write up a contract, and grant you what you request so long as you uphold your end of the agreement. None of our usual tricks, I assure you...your lot seems more than capable of spotting them anyways. Do what you feel you must, but know that you must go directly to Bel for this information. I can take you as close to his domain as you'd like...know that Asmodeus will be with you the entire time, even if you cannot see him, sense him...he is tricky, as one would expect from the supreme Archdevil."

In Zaelynir's mind, he heard a voice speak out once again, much to his own delight. "I have an idea...to say it is risky would be to undermine the very meaning of the word. You have been around Zariel far more than any of us. What do you think of this?" What followed was exactly what Wake had described...risky to an almost reckless sense of the word, completely unexpected from the usually cautious and careful half-elf.

"And dear, why would you think she'd agree to that? And better yet, why go that far?"

"Bel doesn't trust us, why do you think we'd be able to get this sort of information from him by any other means?"

"She said that she - "

Wake cut the incubus off promptly. "I know what she said. But I don't think we have a choice. Tell me you have a better plan, and I'll consider it. I want to consider anything else but this, I just don't think we can at the moment. Think on it...ask the others if you have to, privately. The contract will be simple, but we still have a few minutes before we must sign it."

"Gladly, dear…" Zaelynir scanned the room, eyes eventually settling on Lance. He was the only other she'd divulged this gift of hers to...he was innocent, fearful...he wouldn't dare spread knowledge of this gift. "Oh darling...any ideas on how we might emerge on top here?"

Lance froze, an unnatural stiffness taking him for a few scant moments as he felt the probing voice in his mind. He had to resist the urge to act the movements accompanied by his thoughts...Zaelynir had made it perfectly clear he couldn't speak of this. "It's not something we can steal. You're the one that's good with words...especially when there's so many forms you can adopt. I...I don't think this is something we can pull off. I think we're in over our heads here."

"No worries dear...we'll figure out something. We always will."

Zaelynir waited a few minutes in mock silence, giving time for Wake to believe he'd talked with all the others. Right as Zariel was putting the finishing touches on the contract, the mental link establishing itself once more. "I'm afraid we're out of options. I'll let you be the lucky man to propose it...I'd rather it be your head than mine, no offense dear."

Wake let out a sigh. "Very well...and none taken."

Zariel directed the group's attention back to herself, holding out the infernal contract. "Take a look. Everything will be as expected, I assure you."

Zaelynir nodded, taking hold of the papers and beginning to inspect it. As usual, Wake sidled up beside him to observe as well, Phyrra doing what she could to assist from the side. The trio combed through the papers...surprisingly, everything was, in fact, in order. Detailed allotments as to troop numbers, make up, and armaments, sub-headers describing response time and hierarchy structure...of all the contracts Wake had ever seen, this was by far the easiest. Try as he might, he couldn't find a catch

At the bottom, again, was the blank space in which he should seal the deal. Looking over to Zaelynir, he reached for his dagger. "Shall I?"

"If you're insinuating that I should tarnish these precious hands, yes. You shall. As for whether the contract is sound…" The incubus eyed Zariel out of the corner of his vision, a scowl forming on the angel's face. "I find the sincerity of it distrustful to an alarming degree, but nothing more. At the least, I don't think any harm can come from it should we not meet the terms."

"Very well then." He looked up at Zariel, holding his hand on the paper with his other clutching the dagger overhead. "I accept." Wake sealed the contract, blood staining the infernal papers once more as he tore a gash into his hand, unsheathing the dagger from the open wound and cleaning the bloody blade before properly sheathing it.

Standing up with the bloody document he handed it back to the angel, continuing. "Now that that is taken care of...we do have a plan for how to convince Bel. I can assure you you're no fan of it, but we will need your cooperation. I think now is the time I should ask what you are willing to do to become Lord of the First...just to know whether I should even mention it or not."

"I crave it, mortal. With every fiber of my being." Zariel made absolutely sure the room was sealed tight before continuing. "These devils...they climb their way up the hierarchy, from lowly scum to great Balors, only to one day hope that they are powerful enough for greatness. I am angelkin, for me there is no doubt that greatness is in my future. To sit here, amidst those unworthy wretches that think themselves my equal, or even my greater, solely due to their plane of origin...it is revolting. I wish to rule over them, enact change, and make the Hells a place where my fallen kin are not shunned, but welcomed and accepted into this society. You tell me, mortal...what am I not willing to do?"

The archer nodded. "Very well. Then here is our proposal." Wake explained the plan in detail, going over specifically everything Zariel would need to do. As he went on, the angel's face contorted more and more, a perpetual scowl resting on her face, arms folded in front of her.

As Wake came to an end, Zariel let out a sigh. "Very well...if you truly believe there to be no other alternative, I will comply with your plan...begrudgingly, but nonetheless. I must fetch Asmodeus. You are to remain here until I return."

"There is no need for that, Zariel...if you said one thing right his entire time, it's that I could be in this very room listening, and you'd never know." From the front of the room behind Zariel, a figure emerged from seeming nothingness. He was only slightly taller than the rest, a humanlike visage with pallid red flesh and sweeping devilish horns sprouting from his forehead the most distinguishing features of his heritage. Further inspection revealed blood-red pupils, taloned hands, and reptilian-like ridges running along his back. The Lord of the Ninth bore a rich and luxurious red garb that reached the ground, the apparel likely worth more than some lesser planes of existence. He walked steadily forward, a golden cane with a ruby crystal set into the crown clicking as he walked.

"You have tired me, Zariel...your incessant trials to be greater than you are wear on me. You are not of this land, and yet you believe yourself fit to rule it. The only reason you're still around is because Dispater has taken a liking to you, and I've no need to deny him his plaything."

Right as Zariel was about to formulate a response, a strip of red fabric sprung to existence around her head, bound tightly enough to keep her from speaking. "You may respond when I see fit my dear...I am not done yet. That aside...I'm rather fascinated by the accusations I've heard. Bel funding our sworn enemy, prolonging the Blood War solely for his own gain...it strikes me as something he'd use his position to get away with. I shall carry on with this plan you intend to set in motion, but with an addition of my own - either it is his life, or it is everyone else's in this room. Fail to have him confess, and it will be the last any of you do. Zariel, if you would be so kind?" Asmodeus held out his own contract, words scrawled upon it in the infernal script. "You needn't read it. It won't change your fate."

Zariel tried speaking, the sash still keeping her words muffled. After a few seconds of fruitless attempts to begin an argument she took the paper, retrieving her gleaming angelic sword and pressing her palm against the page and plunging the holy weapon into her hand. The entire room could hear the grunt of pain as it seared her flesh...when she was done, however, there wasn't even a drop of blood on the paper.

"I'm sorry dear, it seems the conditions haven't been met. Here...take mine." Asmodeus reached to his staff, flipping it upside down and twisting the base. A jagged, curved blade was born from the base of the staff, the Archevil's wicked smile betraying his true intentions as he held out the weapon. "I promise it will draw enough blood to seal this."

Zariel grasped the hilt, eyeing the sinister blade with fear as she became poised to use it. She plunged the weapon into her hand, Asmodeus relinquishing the sash from her as an absolute howl of pain wracked the entire room. A blast of fire poured from her hand as she sliced it open again, blood positively coating the parchment in the blink of an eye. Zariel slumped down to the floor, letting go of the dagger as she fell limp on her side.

Asmodeus chuckled, kneeling down and sheathing the bloody dagger in its hidden compartment. "Best tend to her wounds, drow...your enemies are close, close enough to have heard that. I shall be waiting for you outside Bel's forge...even if you don't see me, you can trust that I am present." Instantly, the Lord of the Ninth vanished, leaving the Syndicate alone with a mortally wounded Zariel.

Immediately Phyrra ran forward and slid to her knees, one hand clutched in prayer while the other was placed flat on Zariel's limp back. "I have not tended to your kind before. You respond well to healing magic, yes?"

The angel's head rolled to the side, her breathing weak. "Yes, damnit...yes."

Phyrra closed her eyes, the delicate spider emblem of Lolth she clutched glowing with power as she channeled an immense amount of strength through it, her arm radiating energy as life and vigor flowed through Zariel once more. Her back arched as strength filled her, her weak pants turning into a gasp of air as she clawed at her throat. There was no time for celebration, however...before the angel had gotten to her feet, the door to her chambers was smashed open, the group of Empyreans all wielding firearms, eyes shifting about the room before pointing it at Zariel's head.

The angel whispered to Phyrra, still recovering. "I can get us out of here...but it takes time. Fend them off for just long enough." The words were punctuated by the sounds of gunshots filling the air, Wake and Maul trying to take as much of the assault as they could while Zariel was still vulnerable.

The drow nodded. "We will." Phyrra immediately turned around, seeing one of the gunners to the side, and thrusting out her hand. The Empyrean's eyes immediately churned to the same deep purple as Phyrra's before angling his weapon at one of his allies, firing a bullet into their shoulder.

Chaos ensued, and Zaelynir was more than happy to act upon it...carefully. His first compulsion was to conjure one of his own brethren into the fight...but Zariel's presence made that an incompatibility. His mind flashed through who he was, who Zaelynir was...and what Zaelynir could get away with. As a bullet pierced his skin and blood began trickling down his vestments, that inhibition quickly faltered...he'd simply find a new form. The incubi raised both hands up, a demon of shadow erupting from the ground in front of him, Zaelynir thrusting his hand forward as the demon lunged at one of the Empyreans.

Shavvir, as well, did not hesitate to throw herself into the fray. Everlife sprung from its sheath, a bullet bouncing off of the thin, silvery blade as she charged forward into the thick of the rapidly-evolving conflict. She ducked low, a bullet just grazing her form as she lunged forward, slicing at one of the Empyrean's legs. The Queen's blade sapped the life of its victim, the previous wound from the bullet wound immediately closing.

As the battle ensued, a hole was blown into the wall next to them, another group of Empyreans flooding through...but they weren't alone. A smattering of devils came through as well, some of them Wake immediately recognized as part of Zariel's previous guard force. The Empyreans here carried even larger weapons, one of them pointing the firearm at Zariel as a hail of bullets flew out of it. Instinctively Wake fired his bow, blinking around the room to protect the angel...at the sacrifice of himself. His chest was riddled with bullets the moment he reappeared, his vision going foggy as he slumped down onto his knees, chest hitting the floor.

Phyrra ran over to Wake as soon as she saw he was injured, Maul following her to shield the both of them. Behind everyone, streaks of crimson power were arcing from Zariel and dispersing into the room around her. A small portal was beginning to churn into existence - only the diameter of a finger at the current moment, but growing steadily with each passing second.

The drow knelt down, expelling another burst of magic as vigor flowed into Wake's veins. He got up, head spinning around only to see Phyrra smiling down at him. "Try not to be the hero too often...I can only do this so many times." She extended an arm, helping Wake back up to his feet.

"Understood. Your aid is appreciated." Wake surveyed the field, quickly reacted as he watched a bolt of necrotic energy fly from his brother, steering it to its destination...they still needed to retrieve that once this was all over...if it would ever be 'all over'. His attention drawn away from Phyrra at the moment he re-entered the fray, firing an arrow that took down one of the Empyreans still storming the contained room. There were several dozen of them that he could see and likely more still trying to pull in, the Syndicate doing everything in their power to keep the flow contained as much as they could. Zariel's demon raked phantasmal claws against its targets, Shavvir and Maul pushed through the middle of them, shield, maul, and sword all working to put down as many of them as they could. Lance hung to the sides, dashing and eliminating any of them that managed to push too far forward. They'd become a well-practiced machine after their time on Acheron, each of them learning exactly what they needed to do in the midst of a confrontation like this.

And despite all of that training...it wasn't enough. They were being overwhelmed by sheer numbers, more and more projectiles saturating the air with each passing soldier. Zaelynir sent lightning crackling through their ranks as Phyrra called down a pyre of fire, the two devastating spells doing their part to thin the herd, only for more to come filing in. A bullet pierced Shavvir, still trying to fight her way through the thick of it...and then another, and another. The shadar-kai hit the floor, Empyreans immediately moving in front of her in order to block the path to the Syndicate's fallen comrade.

From behind them, Zariel spoke out. "Be ready...it is almost complete."

Lance shook his head, looking at Phyrra. "We can't leave her...right? We're better than that."

The drow's eyes sunk low, avoiding eye contact as her first form of response. "We...have to look out for ourselves. She's lost."

Lance turned to Wake, watching his brother flit around the room as he riddled the opposition with arrows. "Wake...we have to do something."

He nodded. "We are. We're making sure that's all that happens. We aren't ready for Empyria, Lance...that's why we're here."

Zaelynir took a bullet to the chest, another one following up until Maul moved to block their line of fire, the Waforged's armor dented, battered, and beaten from the repeated bullets and blows, Maul having taken on the brunt of the devil force that had come crashing in. The Syndicate was on the run...it was simply a fight against the inevitable, and how long they could last.

Behind them, Zariel spoke out once more. "Five seconds. Be prepared."

Five seconds...they could buy five seconds. Wake fired another arrow down the barrel of a firearm, splintering the gun as it erupted in its wielder's face. The two casters each unleashed a final barrage of spells, lightning and fire all seeping through the Empyrean ranks, adding to the already rising tide of bodies piling up on the floor. Maul ran back and reconvened with the others, bashing one with his shield in the process, another with his namesake weapon to buy space.

Lance, however...Lance simply waited, tossing Blink in his hands. He knew what he had to do...he knew he couldn't let them take Shavvir. He just wasn't sure if he had the strength, the confidence, the power, to make sure that they couldn't. Zariel continued to count down.

"Four."

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

He had to. He knew he had to." Lance threw Blink into the air right as "Zero" was called out, feeling his body teleported somewhere...that wasn't a concern for him. As soon as he was back to his senses he immediately warped again, pulling himself back to Blink as soon as he could. He was back in Zariel's chamber, the Empyreans that had been storming the room already turning around, dragging Shavvir's limp form with them. Lance immediately warped again, hiding behind Zariel's throne to avoid cover. His adversaries funneled out of the room, leaving Lance alone in the empty room, the stench of death filling everything around him.

Carefully, Lance followed behind them, making sure to avoid detection. He travelled more by sound than anything else, rarely seeing the Empyrean force but more hearing the chaos they were causing. It was clear they weren't welcomed here, not even amongst devils that had no understanding of why they'd shown up. It was easy to stay on their trail, following back out into the plaza. From there it was even easy to trail them, Lance little more than another face in the bustling crowd. He trailed them back to the bazaar that they'd first gone shopping in, where they began to disperse. He came to the same conclusion when they did...they couldn't simply get back to Tiamat from here. Dis didn't grant exit as easily as it granted entry...that meant that he had an opening.

First, he needed a plan, something he wished his brother was here to assist him on. Shavvir was dead, or at the best dying...he couldn't simply steal her away and drag her back out of here, they'd both die. He needed someone that could bring her back, someone that would do it for cheap. His mind blinked back to Fax'ul, the blacksmith...she might have a way. Lance navigated himself through the stalls, eventually finding the back-alley shop once again. He opened the door, finding an Empyrean soldier inside. In Fax'ul's hand was one of the weapons the Empyrean's had been firing at them...and in the Empyrean's, new technology that he hadn't seen before. Before either could react Lance threw his dagger into the Empyrean's neck, blinking forward and wrenching the blade to the side as she fell to the ground. Turning back to Fax'ul, he saw the firearm pointed at his face.

Snarling, Lance wrenched his dagger out of his newest victim. "You don't want to help them, I assure you. I don't know what they paid you, but it's not worth the sins they're committing. I need your help. They killed my ally. Do you have something that can bring back the dead?"

The erinyes scowled. "I might. I might not. Why should I help you? Can you pay me something better than this?" She played with the firearm, marvelling at its construction. "Truly fascinating, what mortals can do when their backs are against the wall. Quite destructive. Very fun."

Lance took out his gold pouch throwing it onto the counter. "That's all I have. Take all of it, I don't care. Once this mess is over I'll come back and work as a slave if that's what it damn well takes. I'm not my brother. I know you owe me nothing. But I'll do whatever I can. I can't let them take her away."

Fax'ul paused. "I like your moxie. If you're going to be stupid, at least be stupid with my tech." She reached down, pulling out a device. "Let's just say I was playing for both sides from the beginning. Put this on your back. It'll help channel that thing you do, or at least I hope. I'll help you apply it...just pay attention." She paused, looking around her shop. "As for your friend, I can do something, yeah. The gold's mine, make no mistake...and depending on how much trouble you cause me, Wake will tell you how long you'll be 'assisting', assuming someone as reckless as you is still alive after the fact. Bring her here, and I'll be ready. You're a real stupid kid, you know that?"

Lance nodded. "Quite well, yes. Thank you, Fax'ul."

"Good. Now come here and let's get this on you. I take pride in this thing. Break it, and you'll be answering to me." Lance nodded, walking over and putting his back to the erinyes. She lifted up his shirt, Lance feeling the cool metal of the device press against his back. It was a ring in the center, surrounded by five spider-like legs that snaked out, four in the corners and one straight out. The four of them were placed facing his shoulders and ribs, the pads of each lined with short barbed spines that dug and secured into place. Lance winced, feeling each one burrow into him until it was securely fastened. The fifth one, rather than barbs, had a needle-like ending to it. Fax'ul fastened it at the base of his neck, the needle digging deep into his skin as Lance grunted from the pinpoint insertion. Over the next few seconds, he heard a small hum on his back, the machine coming to life. "I apologize...like all machines, it needs a power source. Unfortunately, that's you. The tax shouldn't be too great though...at least I hope not. Now, give it a shot. I've focused it on your soul...control it as you would expect to."

Lance nodded, closing his eyes and unleashing a bolt of necrotic energy from his back. It passed directly through the ring, and instantly it felt different...like the bolt was a part of him. With his mind he steered it around, even slowing down its velocity...eventually, the bolt sat motionless in front of him, a floating black orb resting in front of him. He held both hands up to it, feeling it crackling in his hands, licking his palms with tainted energy. Satisfied, Lance shot it into the floor where it erupted harmlessly.

Fax'ul smiled wickedly. "Wonderful. It seems you have taken to it well. Now go, and make good use of what I have made for you."

Lance nodded, gripping Blink tightly. "Thank you, Fax'ul. I assure you, I will." Determined, he stepped foot back out into the alley, making his way into the bazaar once more. There, it was not hard to see the group of Empyreans, now huddled up in the far corner. Lance couldn't see Shavvir at the moment, the shadar-kai likely kept hidden from sight to avoid such an occasion. However, that didn't matter...none of that mattered. He would find a way to get her back safely, even if it put his own life at risk. The others...he understood why they weren't willing to save her, but that didn't make it right. To abandon one of their own...it was something he could see Empyria doing, not them.

Lance threw Blink to the sky, warping up to land on one of the rooftops overlooking the Empyrean conversation. There, he could see Shavvir in the middle of the group, the shadar-kai's lifeless body splayed out unceremoniously beneath them. He pushed himself as close to them as he could to try and catch their conversation, struggling to distill it amidst the bustle of the rest of the crowd.

"Take her back….not what we came for...might work….still should go...should still try...get out of here...the back way...let's go...can't be seen."

It gave Lance enough information...they were moving soon, and time was of the essence. Still...how? He couldn't hope to fight off the couple dozen Empyreans, he had no money left after the exchange with Fax'ul, and he couldn't hope to sneak into the middle of all of them...unless he didn't need to. He'd never tried teleporting while carrying a body, a situation he was happy to have never been put in. There was a chance that it would work...and there was a chance that Shavvir would simply be left where he was. However, given the circumstances, there was nothing to lose. Shavvir's life was as good as forfeited given the current situation anyways, there was no harm in dropping her should his attempt fail.

Lance let his dagger fall, spinning blade over handle as he simply dropped it to the ground, waiting for the pinpoint moment at which it struck the metal streets. He poised himself, standing directly as he needed to to unleash the next phase of his tactic...the most important one.

Lance didn't even hear Blink hit the ground...moreso, he felt it. While it was falling he unleashed a bolt of energy from his back, guiding it up and around to send it plummeting into the ground, sending it streaking into the ground next to Shavvir. As it was landing he did the jump, appearing with one hand on the ground around his fallen comrade, another with his hand held backwards, Blink in hand. A swarm of chaos and confusion surrounded him as the necrotic bolt erupted right beneath him, Lance wasting no time as he threw Blink again, sending it hurtling through the air. He didn't bother waiting for it to hit the ground and giving Empyria a chance to react, he simply blinked into thin air, high above the marketplace.

Lance felt the unfamiliar weight of a body on his shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief as Shavvir was still with him...now, he just had to get out. He heard a hail of bullets fly past him, looking back around to see his adversaries firing rounds into the fiery sky. Looking for a place to hide, Lance threw his weapon once more, blinking down and into a back street, tucked far away from prying eyes. From there, he made several more jumps, each one as he heard figures coming in his direction. Lance was an expert at remaining undetected, a body such as Shavvir little more than an inconvenience. He remained ever-elusive, darting between buildings, alleys, rooftops, and stalls as he perpetually evaded Empyria.

Eventually, the footsteps had almost completely dispersed...perhaps he'd been successful, but at a minimum he could only hope he'd bought enough time for Fax'ul to revive Shavvir. He continued along the rooftops towards the blacksmith, ducking down into the alley and opening the door. Inside, the erinyes immediately pulled a firearm on him, relaxing it as soon as she saw who it was. "Apologies, lad...force of habit. You weren't followed, were you?"

Lance shook his head. "Don't believe so. Ran them around quite a bit before getting here, we should have a few minutes, if not more."

"That's all we need. Set her on the counter...she won't like it, but it'll bring her back." Fax'ul pulled out a large machine, two pads charged with energy pulsing in each hand. Lance acquiesced, unshouldering the shadar-kai onto the table, letting her limp body lay motionless.

"How's it work?"

Fax'ul smiled. "Grabs the soul and throws it back into the body. That's part of it, anyways...even a friend of Wake's can't get all my secrets." She winked, each pad thrumming with power as she placed them both on Shavvir's torso. Each one unloaded, delivering a powerful shock that wracked Shavvir's body. She remained motionless after the involuntary jolt, Fax'ul delivering another powerful shock. Still, nothing.

"What's going wrong?"

"Oh, nothing...just means her soul is struggling to return to her body. So long as the body's intact as this one, it can't fail...it just takes time. Make sure nobody's coming around, this isn't something I normally do during open hours...a bit frowned upon." She paused, delivering another shock to no avail. "That's not a problem for you, is it?"

Lance shook his head. "I just stole a dead body...among other things...and you think I'm worried about questionable activities?"

Fax'ul smiled. "I'd think not, but most mortals like you wouldn't have bothered to come back for their companion. You're a strange one, Lance. Now go, and she'll be alive by the time you're back."

"Will do. You wouldn't know a way back to Avernus, would you? Kind of abandoned a few people that went plane hopping and need a way to join back up."

"So needy, Lance. I'll put something together, but I'll be adding it to your tab. As much as I've taken an interest in you, that only gives you so much of a discount. Now seriously, give me some breathing room."

"Will do." Lance stepped outside, immediately ducking back in as he saw an Empyrean uniform walking through the bazaar. He remained undetected thankfully, stepping out once again, immediately throwing Blink towards the sky as he leaped onto the roof of the blacksmith. From there, he could keep a much easier watch.

"There you are."

Lance turned around just as a bullet was lodged into the back of his skull, Lance going dizzy from the impact. A surge of energy unleashed itself from his back, blasting directly into the Empyrean that had been waiting in ambush. Lance turned around, vision blurry but nonetheless seeing the elf ready to call out for help.

"Don't think so." Lance lunged forward, Blink lodging itself directly into the Empyrean's open maw. No words were uttered, simply the gurgling of fresh blood as he dropped his opponent. Lance shook his head, still struggling to see straight from the fresh blood from his own head.

"No...no more of this. You're an example." Lance ripped off the man's shirt, carving an 'S' into his chest. This had to stop...why Empyria was even here made him question everything he knew about them, but the attacks...they needed to be set straight. Lance picked up the now-bloody corpse, jumping a few buildings down before tossing it out into an empty square in the bazaar just to divert his trail. He vanished out of sight before any creatures could see who had thrown the body, returning to Fax'ul's smithery.

Inside, he was greeted by a most welcome sight...Shavvir. She looked very worse for wear, but alive nonetheless. "I should have known you'd be the only one stupid enough to find me. I'm assuming the others are nowhere to be seen?"

He nodded. "I'm sorry, they took the portal with...our client." Lance gave a quick glance at Fax'ul, the erinyes just smiling with understanding. "We need to get back to them, and make sure everything's going smoothly."

To his surprise, Shavvir shook his head. "Not that I hold any grudge given the circumstances, but I don't think there's much value either of us can add. I can't speak this damnable tongue, and you're not much better. Best to simply make sure we get back alive rather than take the risk the rest of them are."

"You're free to go if you want...but I'm not leaving Wake like that. Besides, I think if we were wanted dead, we'd still be dead...running will only buy us so much time." Lance then turned to Fax'ul. "I don't suppose two portals would be too much to ask for?"

She rolled her eyes. "All these requests...so little regard for yourself. "Unfortunately, it is, unless you'd like to keep me company for a day while I get the device ready again. This can't go everywhere, but it can take you to nearby planes. Up or down one layer of the Nine, left or right one to Acheron or Gehenna, or the Material plane. I'll get it warmed up, you two tell me where you'd like me to send you."

Shavvir shook her head. "No discussion needed...I'll go with. You make a good point...plus, I'm sure they'd appreciate seeing that I'm still alive. When you're ready, we can join the others...perhaps just in time to experience death for a second time, if I'm lucky."

"You and me both, unfortunately…" They'd both died now, Shavvir getting a much better end of the deal than he had. No abnormalities, no shredding of souls...a simple revival. How fortunate...or rather, how unfortunate for him. He didn't know if there were any other lingering effects of such a strange reincarnation...he certainly hadn't experienced any since being brought back, but he'd also never been at death's door since to know what...complications may arise.

"Well...you two are certainly something. Now come on...I do believe you have friends waiting for you." A crackling portal was opened on the floor in the back of Fax'ul's shop, an intricately designed ring on the floor swirling with dark colors. "Don't just stand around...you're on the clock, Lance."

"Then I thank you for everything you've done for me...for us." Lance looked back towards Shavvir, then back at the portal. "I'll be back after this has all settled to repay my debts, however long it takes."

"Make no mistake of it." Fax'ul was interrupted by Lance jumping into the portal, disappearing into the void beyond.

"I thank you as well, stranger. You owed me nothing, and yet gave me your life. It seems your payment comes from elsewhere...but you have shown me more about devil-kind than hundreds of your kin. And for that, I am equal parts surprised and grateful. Now, without further ado, I shall be on my way." Shavvir followed Lance through the portal, leaving the blacksmith to her business.

Wake and the others appeared back in Avernus, the predominant sight being Bel's forge. The towering structure was barely even a quarter-mile away, something the group could manage in a few short minutes. The archer scanned the group, immediately seeing Zaelynir on the ground...or at least, what he could only assume was Zaelynir. Rather than his usual form, the incubus looked eerily similar to his usual form, except for the apparent feminine features and angles now present on his...her body. Wake knelt down, holding one hand out to the strangely familiar...this was not an illusion. Turning to Phyrra, he could already see the drow kneeling down beside him. "I think our friend here needs help. I know you've done quite a bit...can you spare one more?"

She nodded. "I can...not nearly as much as before, but enough to get Zaelynir on...her feet." The drow held out her hand, a pulse of warm light emanating from her hand as it suffused itself within Zaelynir, their fallen companion breathing a gasp of the stiflingly hot air as life returned once again.

Immediately, Zaelynir looked down, seeing the form he was currently in, letting out a sigh. "I suppose this is going to warrant an explanation, is it not?" As the incubus stood up his form changed once more, returning to the familiar shape of the dragonborn Thava that he had used when last in Avernus.

Wake nodded. "We've worked together for many months now, Zaelynir. I've yet to discern just who you are, truly...but I think your fallen form gives that away. I won't force you to talk...but I think some answers are in order." It was at this point Wake scanned the rest of the group around him...Phyrra, Zaelynir, Zariel, Maul… "wait. Where's Lance?"

Phyrra looked around, panic immediately filling her. She'd promised to protect him...and he'd left. "He must have gone after Shavvir...I could tell he wanted to, but I didn't think he would. We - I need to find him."

Wake shook his head. "We won't be fast enough...Zariel, I don't suppose you have a quick way to get us back to your chamber?" With a shake of her head, Wake let out a sigh. "Didn't think so. Believe me, I want to chase after him, but we have no means to. We're here, and he's there...we just have to hope he makes it to us as soon as he can. Now...back on track. Would you care to explain yourself, Zaelynir, or Thava, or whomever you are?"

The dragonborn sighed. "I'm neither of those entities, actually...at least not originally. The form you saw was Belgleth, that is who I was originally was. Belgleth still has some unbroken ties in this world...most notably in Dis. She served diligently for Dispater once while I was deep undercover for Orcus. Soon, I was transitioned back to Avernus and...I'd rather not talk about why Belgleth can't show her face here , or most civilized places, anymore, or why Zaelynir can't be seen here either. Zaelynir's name is far more unblemished than her's, however...there are few places outside of here where Zaelynir's name carries ill meaning. Can we settle on that, for now...I will explain more if it becomes necessary, but for now I'd prefer it if we leave it at that." The dragonborn looked at Zariel, seeing the angel smiling with a knowing look. "You know, don't you?"

She nodded. "Of course I do. As soon as Belgleth entered my chamber I knew what that name meant. I knew that you wouldn't be foolish enough to lay eyes on me unless things were truly dire. I didn't know the connection to Thava or Zaelynir until today, however...but I think many people have their suspicions. Your connection to Orcus, however…"

"Yes, I serve the Prince of Undeath. Rather successfully, if I may add. Believe me, however, that I serve myself above all else. I am not here on his command, but my own. If I were on official business, I would make sure you would never have seen me."

Zariel shrugged. "No difference to me...you've certainly proven your loyalty to me thus far. Now, let us go ahead and get this over with...I'd rather be degraded for as little as possible."

Wake turned to Maul and nodded, the warforged drawing a pair of bindings that he snapped in place around Zariel's hands and feet, tightly binding them. He then threw the angel over his shoulder, her larger form cumbersome, but the warforged's immense strength handling it well. "Apology dispensed. Malevolent contempt withheld."

"Yes, yes, on with it. I'm only putting up with this so that I can see the look on his face when he's exposed."

The group pressed forward, coming to the twin erinyes that guarded the forge. Roaming eyes searched the party, quickly settling on the form of Zariel. "We're late on our contract." Wake held out the paper, displaying it boldy. "To atone for such a grievance, I thought we would deliver far more than what was requested of us. I seek an audience with Bel."

As soon as he said the Lord of the First's name the doors swung open, both erinyes seemingly as shocked as the rest. From deep inside, he heard the familiar, booming voice of Bel. "Bring her here. Now!"

The erinyes quickly turned on their heels, silently guiding the Syndicate through the corridors of the forge. The same sights plagued them as before - overworked slaves tending to the forge's machine, barely holding on to a sliver of life. It almost seemed worse than before - impossible, given the few days they'd spent compared to the centuries of time that this operation had been in place. Soon, the doors of Bel's inner sanctum swung open, the Lord himself smiling greedily at the sight displayed before him.

"You're late."

Wake nodded, stepping in. He gave a nod to Maul, the warforged, brusquely tossing the angel to the ground, letting her fall to the floor. "We are, which is why I thought we'd deliver her personally. Inspect for yourself. Zariel, in the flesh. We had to fend with your other contract to fulfill this...I'm sure you don't mind."

"Hardly." He laughed, stepping from his throne to tower over the fallen angel. "Those simpletons were an amusement, but nothing more. I doubted your capabilities, but I see I was wrong to do so. This is a most fascinating turn of events." He picked Zariel up, lifting her into the air and dropping her on the ground. "Most fascinating indeed." He stiffened, directing the group. "I suppose we need to talk terms then, don't we? I did leave room for interpretation within the contract, after all."

"Wretch." Zariel spat on the ground beneath her. "Warmongering scum."

A chuckle escaped the Lord's mouth. "Silence, filth." He kicked the angel, Zariel rolling across the smooth floor. She beat her wings to steady herself, struggling to right herself given her bindings, but eventually managing to stand on her legs.

"All of you! Damn you all!" She flew towards Maul...perfectly on script. The warforged grasped her by the wings as she flew towards him, wrenching hard as he heard bones snap before tossing her back onto the ground. He had yet to understand a single word that was spoken...the language of devils was all that had been uttered thus far. Zariel struggled to even speak now, her wings snapped and other appendages bound. "Your troops, Bel...you betrayed them."

His confident expression drew serious, grasping his sword and pointing it at the angel. "Watch your tongue, outsider. How you even became a leader of one of our proud kind will forever be a mistake that tarnishes our race for centuries to come. Your filth are nothing but slaves, unfit to command even an imp into battle. Know your place." He stood up and stepped on the prone angel, more bones crunching beneath him.

"Says one that consorts with demons...I betrayed my race, but you are not different." Her words were strained, barely able to utter them through the battered body she was trapped within. "Traitor."

"You speak lies, outsider." He turned to Wake, continuing. "We shall talk the details of your legions in one moment. I hired you to set this wretch in her place...and I intend to do just that."

Wake nodded. "So long as everything is finalized before we leave here, I will raise no objection and tell no souls what I witness."

"Good answer." He lifted up Zariel, the angle limp in his grasp. "Seeing as the rest of your life shall be spent scrubbing the floor of my forge, I'll humor your accusation. Where do you think you came about such allegations? Are you truly so eager to spend your life in misery?"

It was all the strength Zariel had to crack a smile. "I think you know who told me...don't you?"

Wake tensed...this was what it all came down to. Everything had gone perfectly up until this point...Bel was a textbook narcissist, and with that came the paranoia of everyone around him. They'd known how he'd react up until this point, their every word carefully planned to prey upon his arrogance. However, would he buy the bluff...that was what it all came down to.

Bel snarled. "Damnable traitor! I always knew he'd try to sell me out. What did he tell you?"

A sigh filled the space around the Syndicate, Thava and Wake both uncoiling...there it was. The admission. All that was left was for Asmodeus to step in...to close this out.

"Everything. The weapons, the dealings, the demons...everything." The words slid from Zariel's lips smoothly, the angel herself seeming to relax despite her crumpled and battered state."

"Damn him!" He threw Zariel to the ground, turning and shouting at the closed door. "Guards!" Immediately the doors flung open, the two erinyes peeking inside. "Fetch Gismudurug at once! Urgently!"

"Yes my Lord." The sentiment was uttered in tandem, the door closing behind them as they turned about.

Bel turned back to Wake, currently ignoring Zariel. "You will stay quiet, won't you? Wouldn't want to have more loose ends to tie up here?"

Wake nodded. "I said I will tell no souls what I witness, wouldn't I? Do you think I would kidnap an individual as recognized as her and then balk at interesting dealings? I'm many things, but a hypocrite is not one of them."

"Good...and just how did you capture her, and return so quickly? You can't have arrived in Dis long ago, let alone return."

"I think it best if some secrets remain with us, wouldn't you agree? Never know who might be listening. Rest assured, my group is quite talented at surpassing expectations." Wake was starting to grow tense again...Asmodeus should have stepped in by now. With every passing moment, their charade was likely to expose a hole.

"You want your troops, don't you? You've made the mistake of delivering me everything I could have possibly wanted before finalizing negotiations. You've no bargaining chip left in this dealing. So unless you'd like to leave here with a measly imp as the grand reinforcements you've worked so tirelessly to acquire, I believe some answers are in order."

Damn it...Asmodeus needed to step in soon. He hadn't accounted for this...for being turned on. He should have expected it from one such as Asmodeus, but he also didn't expect the conversation to have lasted this long. Asmodeus was toying with them, he had to believe it...or, simply not present and leaving them to sort out the problem themselves.

"We followed the Empyreans to her chambers. Let them do a good portion of the work, truly. They got her weakened, we simply took the credit and cleaned up their ilk. As for how we got back...I have a vast array of connections in Dis, most of them rather seedy. It didn't cost me much for some hush money and a portal back."

"Mhm, yes. And when I tell you that I hired the Empyreans to thwart whatever it was you were doing, how does that fit into your story?" Wake stood dumbfounded, Bel laughing maniacally. "I saw you enter the moment you set foot here. I knew you'd go to Dis, there's nothing in Avernus you'd care for. They simply were meant to stop you, not claim her. You didn't think I'd trust you, would I? After what you're known for, you think I'd expect you to simply keep your end of the bargain? I knew you'd backstab me from the beginning, wretched mortal scum!"

Bel tried to stand up, grabbing for his sword...but he was unable to move. "That's quite enough, Bel." Asmodeus appeared from the corner, hand held out and locking Bel in place. "I've heard more than enough. Lord of the First, I strip you of your title for crimes against devilkind and for allying yourself with our mortal enemies." Asmodeus paused, clenching his fist as a bubble formed around the pit fiend, slowly shrinking in size. "And now that we are not equals, I strip you of your life...for the same reasons, of course."

The cage of force closed around the fiend, slowly trapping him in a smaller and smaller space. He curled up in a ball against his own volition as wings, arms, and legs were pressed tight against the impenetrable field, the space inside growing more and more cramped.

"I suggest you look away...it's rather gruesome, but he deserves nothing less." Wake did so, hearing bones beginning to crunch, bend, and break, followed by absolutely horrid sounds he couldn't even attempt to put in words. By the time he turned around, the orb was about the size of his head and simply filled with a pallid, grey-red fluid. It continued shrinking, eventually fading away.

Asmodeus let his hands fall to his side. "Now, I do believe some reparations are in order. Zariel, I grant you the title of Lord of the First. Not for might...but for virtue. You have been aggravatingly persistent, but your attempts bear fruit finally. Stand up, and come here."

Zariel did so, easily discarding the bindings she'd been placed in for show...she'd struggled to keep them secure the entire time, especially after being thrown around as much as she'd been. "Thank you, Asmodeus. I will do better than my predecessor...I will do the Hells proud."

"Oh, that certainly remains to be seen. I welcome the change you shall bring...it will be entertaining, if nothing else. Now go to your throne, and claim your title."

Zariel did so, stumbling to Bel's throne. As soon as she sat down her wounds were instantly scrubbed clean, bones knitting themselves back into place and scars healing before her very eyes. "Thank you, my Lord. Truly."

"Thank you friends here, they were so reckless as to throw their lives away for the chance at this. Your contract is binding, Zariel...failure to uphold it will not keep you in your new found position for long."

She nodded, directing her attention to the Syndicate. "Yes...make no mistake, I will uphold every letter of what has been written. Come to me, or send a delegate, when your need arises...I will see to it that the devils do not let you down."

Wake nodded. "And for that Zariel, we are grateful. Now, we do need a way to return to our home plane…I don't suppose that can be arranged, can it?"

Asmodeus smiled. "Nothing would make me happier. Make no mistake, this is a day that will be remembered...but you have meddled enough with our affairs. I will gladly send you home, if no reason but that you let the events that transpired today settle."

"Understood, Lord Asmodeus. However, two of our companions are still - "

"Hidden...I made sure that they made it in without difficulty. Perhaps to watch you die, or succeed...so entertaining to watch." Asmodeus snapped his fingers, a veil of invisibility lifting to reveal Lance and Shavvir.

"Good job...I think. I didn't catch much of that, but given what's happened I think it turned out alright." The duo stood opposite of the group, walking back.

"Yes...however, I think we need to discuss what you've been up to. Asmodeus, Zariel, I won't bore you with our personal matters. Like you said, I think it's time we take our leave...we've done enough here for the time being."

"Gladly." Asmodeus snapped his fingers, unceremoniously whisking away the Syndicate.

When the Syndicate could next see, they were back on the Material plane, seeing a sight they hadn't seen in quite some time...Empyria. The towering megalith had only grown in their absence...but the penultimate question still remained: how much?

I didn't think this would be such a long chapter, but I'm not going to complain. The next chapter will take me a bit of time - I've only done thorough planning through this point, and still need to get the details straightened out before continuing. Hopefully not too long - I'm excited to see where this goes. Stay tuned for more.