Chapter 12: Beat down


The Dead Planes

Argul climbed out of his icy underground prison and stood tall with confidence as Frostbane and Artorus were seen bowing in his presence as the Herald and Mistress floated slowly out of the hole that was made.

Charon eyed the group and sighed before walking towards them with a smug grin under his hood taunting "Now this is a surprise, I wasn't expecting the Old man Argul to be rising so soon."

Argul didn't even acknowledge Charon's presence while pointing at Frostbane and Artorus and ordered "Build me an army worthy of Ice and Winter!"

Artorus placed his right hand dover his chest and assured "It shall be done my lord."

Frostbane growled as Artorus left to recruit while the Herald and Mistress watched, the Mistress gave a sinister grin before the Herald floated towards Argul as he asked "Thy master is free?"

The Herald shook his head answering "No, our master is biding his time, gaining power from the Forge Lands he had devoured."

Argul rolled his neck and responded "I see, thou art loyal to thy master. Good to know."

Argul nodded and said "But oh blessed champions of Corruption, heed my warning, if thou dares to betray the cause I will not hesitate to shred thyself to pieces."

The Herald and Mistress began to grunt in slight fear of how mad Argul was to threaten them without hesitation but Argul looked down upon Charon with darkened eye sockets scaring Charon as he said "Insect, thou has my permission... (steps on Charon) To be crushed under my heel."

Argul lifted his foot up as bones and rotted flesh slid off his as his face darkened beneath with intimidating glowing blue eye sockets and said coldly "Too weak to even stain my scepter..."

Charon soul was seen sitting down slowly attempted to crawl away before Argul spotted him and stated "Thou cannot escape my wrath!"

Argul grabbed Charon's soul and lifted over his jaws that opened up and swallowed it whole and grumbled before his eyes flashed a bright blue and said "A Rider here in the Dead Kingdom? Unacceptable..."

The Herald floated in front of Argul and informed him "Our master may have plans for thee or thou's female companion."

Argul swatted the Herald away with his right back hand and stated "Then I shall not harm the female..."

Argul mounted on Frostbite's back and flew off from the Herald and Mistress who remained in shock of Argul's intentions to find and eliminate Death as Argul thought to himself while looking at his scepter "Before I kill thee... I will break thy spirit, or just thy body."

Judicator's Tomb

With Bayonetta and Death who entered the inner sanctum of Judicator's Tomb seeing the Lord himself judging a familiar soul, Bayonetted eyed the soul and elbowed Death and pointed at it and teased "Hey we know that guy!"

The soul who took the form of a serpent turned it's head towards the Deadly couple showing to be the Inspired Angel who Death decapitated from the inside who merely gave a unamused stare as Judicator pulled out a whip and lashed the Angel ordering "PAY ATTENTION SOUL OF THE SCEOND INCARNATION OF ANGELS!"

The serpent growled before turning back to Judicator who looked into the Angel's eyes and said "You're soul is dirtied with sins of murder and radicalism, my judgement is this... torment by the chains!"

Then hooked chains erupted beneath Judicator's booth and stabbed into the Inspired Angel's soul causing it to cry out in terror as it was dragged down into a pit leaving only one final screech as Bayonetta widened her eyes and said "Not bad... could've been better but A for effort."

The dog barked as a response while Bayonetta stared at the dog and said "Quiet Muttly."

Judicator leaned forward with an uncaring stare and stated "Halt, I still have one more guest to see..."

Then Cereza walked from behind a pillar and removed her hood showing her raven black hair was chin length and saw both Bayonetta and Death as Death recognized her and asked "Lady Crowdaughter? Is that you?"

Bayonetta raised a brow and thought to herself "Crowdaughter? The old crow's has a daughter? (notices black hair and red eyes) she looks more like a daughter of... Death."

Cereza nodded and responded "It's awhile Horseman, heard you got a human lover... (Looks at Bayonetta) Yeah I can see she's a keeper."

Bayonetta clung her arms on Death and gave a territorial stare at Cereza who chuckled and stated "Mistress I don't want the Rider, he is after all my father's best student and friend."

Bayonetta stuck her tongue out playfully as Death requested "Play nice."

Bayonetta made a playful smile as Cereza chuckled and thought to herself "I can't believe I was worried about her stealing father away... I need to make amends somehow."

Cereza walked towards Judicator and summoned the scarf which Bayonetta recognized and walked out and questioned "Where did you get this...?"

Cereza sigehd and stated "It was my father's he wanted me to return it to his father... speaking of which."

Bayonetta gave a surprised look at Cereza and pulled her shoulder and gave a good look at her and scoffed with a smile before asking quietly "Are you... the daughter of Luka Redgrave?"

Looked at Bayonetta cautiously and silently nodded while Bayonetta scoffed and asked "It's good to know he moved on... (looks down in guilt) but enough of that, tell everything, whose your mother?"

Death crossed his arms as Judicator rested his right palm on his face in a bored manner while Cereza answered "Father had a knack for finding secrets long forgotten, which sparked an interest from my mother, Malphas..."

Bayonetta grabbed onto Cereza's shoulders and said "No... you joking, Malphas, the Seeker of Knowledge married Luka?"

Cereza gave a comical unamused stare and answered bluntly "Yes."

Bayonetta laughed and said while still holding onto Cereza's shoulders "Oh that's adorable! And actually makes sense... (looks back at Bright eyes and Dust with a smirk) So what is your name?"

Cereza chuckled hesitantly and answered "Well... you had a impact on my father so... he named me after you, it's Cereza."

Bayonetta gave a gentle smile and patted Cereza's head and said "I think I'm going to like you."

Cereza gave a hesitant smile as Judicator and Death questioned in unison "Are you two done?"

Cereza cleared her throat and held out the scarf and requested "By request the Crowfather I would have Antonio Redgrave from the previous incarnation of the universe be summoned."

Judicator raised his right hand and click this fingers saying "As you wish..."

A soul was summoned erupting in green flames as a man who resembled Luka but slight older turned around to see Cereza and asked "Oh you summoned me?"

Cereza handed the scarf over to Antonio who looked at it with a surprised look yet turned into a fond smile asking "Where did you get this?"

Cereza answered "It was my father's and he asked me to returned it to you, he would do it himself but... he has entered the City of the Dead."

Antonio looked at Cereza and gave her a one arm hug and said "I'm a grandfather to a beautiful flower such as yourself? Hah! And you inherited the family treats of being good looking."

Bayonetta smiled clearly amused and said "Yeah you'd have to be Luka's father."

Antonio rubbed Cereza's hair and said "But I have no need for the scarf. If my son gave it to you and said to seek me out, then you must realize the scarf was made by me and gifted to my son... he must think that I must be the one who grants you the right to own it. Silly boy of mine."

Cereza laughed and said "I'd thought I'd ever hear someone call father that ahahahaha!"

Judicator cleared his throat as Antonio looked at him and nodded stating "I'm sorry but I have to go... I am sorry my dear uuuuh?"

Cereza answered "Cereza, it's Cereza."

Antonio smiled and removed his hat and bowed saying "It was an honor to finally meet you squirt."

Cereza gave an unamused stare as Antonio laughed before Judicator waved his hand casting Antonio's soul away and said "You have what you need, now let me speak to my other guests..."

Cereza looked at Bayonetta who winked at her and said "It was nice to meet a lovely young girl such as yourself."

Cereza nodded and left as Judicator pointed at Death and Bayonetta stating "I have no time for the likes you Horseman and Witch. I hear the pleas of the dead. Not the damned."

Death placed his right hand on his hip while gesturing his left at Judicator countering "And what of the pleas of your Lord?"

Judicator pointed at Death assuring "I serve him even now, though he would reward my efforts with eternal torment."

Death shrugged and reminded "You did leave the Eternal Throne."

Judicator sighed and stated "Even here there are souls lost, waiting to be judged and sent to the City of the Dead, or be tormented, then again fight the arena is also an option. I have heard three such spirits, wandering the corridors. Find them, and bring them back to me. Once I have cleansed them of their past, I will hear what troubles the Lord of Bones."

A door to the right opened as Bayoentta and Death in unison complained "I hate doing the errands for someone else."

Judicator scoffed as Death and Bayonetta left his presence as a Spawn of Corruption walked out of the shadows pointing at him questioning "How is it that you are able to resist the Call of Corruption so soon?"

Judicator wave this hand unimpressively stating "I am a Lord of the Dead, and an old one at that. I have cleansed the likes of Angels, Demons and Human for countless eons, it is only natural that I would gain some power from such souls."

The Spawn stared at the Lord and rubbed his boney chin saying "Fascinating... The Herald will be intrigued by this, then it should be noted that your fellow Lords also resisted the Call but one remains a loyal ally will you do the same?"

Judicator snapped his fingers as his personal guards the souls of angels appeared before him and the Spawn surrounding it and stated coldly "I will not, I serve the king not a God of Oblivion, begone... or be destroyed."

The Spawn backed away keeping a cold stare at Judicator who remained unfazed by the Herald's stare and merely scoffed at him "Hmmpf."

Death and Bayonetta

Death and Bayonetta entered a courtyard leading to one of the three massive towers within Judicator's tomb as a portal opened and a hooded tattered robed undead figure rose up with a large jug.

The undead gave a raspy chuckle and stuck his hand into the jug and spread ashes on the ground and summoned glowing skeletons that roared as they stared won both Bayonetta and Death while the undead pointed at ordering "SLAY THEM BY ORDER OF THE WAILING HOST!"

Death unsheathed his scythes as Bayonetta summoned her sword as the skeletons charged at the two while Death kicked one skeleton by it's ribs and knocking it into another skeleton while Bayonetta leaped at the group of skeletons decapitating all of their heads with a single swing.

The robed undead hissed before spreading out more ash summoning even more skeletons as Bayonetta rolled her eyes in annoyance and said "Oh joy."

Death teleported behind the undead who grunted in shock but managed to quickly evade Death's striking at him by a mere second which Death gave a slightly surprised look in his eyes while the undead panted heavily in fear before Bayonetta stabbed his chest.

The undead was lifted up in the air by Bayonetta raising her sword and nailed him to the wall as Death grabbed his head and slammed it against the wall demanding "Who are you?"

The undead hissed but answered "I am just a lowly Lich, an agent of the Wailing Host's will and he would not have you nor anyone interfere with his ruler over the Kingdom of the Dead."

Death gave a confused look as Bayonetta joked "Funny how we're the ones being hunted down for something that isn't our goal."

Death grabbed the Lich's chin and questioned "And this Wailing Host who would that be?"

The Lich chuckled and responded proudly "HAHAHA! HE IS LEGION! FOR HE HOLDS WITHIN HIMSELF MILLIONS OF SOULS OF HUMANITY! YOU EXIST BECAUSE HE ALLOWS IT AND YOU WILL END BECAUSE IS DEMANDS IT!"

Bayonetta yawned in boredom and joked "Well that was rather... ominous and forbidding... nothing new to us."

Death held up the Lich's chin and questioned one more time "Why does the Wailing Host see us as a threat?"

The Lich merely grinned and laughed before Death rolled his eyes and used one of his scythes to decapitate the Lich whose head rolled on the floor while Bayonetta removed her blade as the soul of the Lich was taken by Death.

Death eyed the soul as Bayonetta asked "Something wrong?"

Death shook his head and stated "This is one of the souls Judicator needs."

The two returned to Judicator whose eyes glowed green and said "Judgement is at hand..."

Death sent the soul to Judicator who caught the soul within his grasp and said "Humans... Always so frightened. (floats up while looking into the soul) See your life as you truly lived! RAAAAAAAAUAAAAARRGH!"

Judicator opened out his arms as the soul vanished and floated back down to his pedestal while Bayonetta asked "What did you do to it?"

Judicator gestured his right hand and answered "I cleansed it of it's sins, human lives are shorter than most creatures beyond their world. So it is easier to cleanse them of their sins and be reborn anew... though that doesn't stop the rare souls that do atrocities such as genocide."

Death looked down in slight discomfort of the topic before walking away with Bayonetta following him as they entered the second area and were met with a giant disgusting hulking beast of rotting flesh and hooks.

It carried a large hook and gave a loud gross gurgling roar as skeletons erupted from the ground one even wore heavy armor and shouted while pointing at Death "You (gestures to his entire body) did this!"

The skeleton charged at Death whose eyes darkened under his mask before he straight punched the skeleton's face with enough force to shatter it's skull into pieces.

The giant beast pointed at Death and Bayonetta and shouted in third person "TORMENTER WILL BREAK YOU!"

The creature now known as a Tormentor charged at both Bayonetta and Death but Bayonetta smirked before summoning her Madama Butterfly fists which punched the Tormentor's face sending him flying into the skeletons crushing them. Death unsheathed his scythes and charged at the Tormentor who slammed his hook at Death who flipped over the hook and ran up the Tormentor's arm who let go of it's hook to slam Death against the wall.

Death leaped at the Tormentor's face who said "Oh ohhhh..."

Death stabbed both of his scythes on the Tormentor's face before pulled out Redemption and shoved it down it's throat and fired multiple shots causing the Tormentor to cough up blood before Death noticed it was about to react and backed flipped off before the Tormentor vomited acid out of it's maw. Bayonetta gave a disgusted look before raising her right foot and stomped summoning Madma Butterfly's heel crushing the Tormentor.

The heel raised up and flicked the rotting flesh and bones off before disappearing while a soul erupted from the Tormentor and entered Bayonetta who kept a disgusted look and said "Filthy, absolutely filthy!"

Later after the two return the soul to Judicator and went into the final area which led the two to the top of the middle tower which had a soul caged up in front of a chained skeleton with missing legs was seen strung up as Bayonetta gestured at it and teased "Oh dear it's a trap, oh whatever shall we do?"

Death scoffed amusingly before leaping at the cage and cutting to pieces before dropping down and taking the soul, which the Deadly couple began to leave as a magical barrier formed as Bayonetta smirked and teased as she looked at Death "Now that wasn't expected at all."

Death turned around as the skeleton raised it's head and roared which summoned hordes of skeletons erupting from the piles of bones surrounding the area but Death leaped at the skeleton and slashed it's arms off which allows the skeleton to drop onto the floor. The skeleton roared again which the hordes of skeleton exploded while their bones magically flew towards the tower and swirled around it, which also made Bayoentta and Death dodge the incoming bones.

The bone began to magically reform into a large bone giant who roared at the two while Bayonetta rolled her eyes annoyingly before summoning her hammer and slammed it on the bone giant causing it's entire body to explode form the sheer force of the hammer's strength.

Bayonetta place the hammer over her shoulder and admitted "I gotta say... getting kinda bored with these boring weak enemies."

Death shook his head and stated "I'm not bothered by it actually, the weaker they are the quicker we can get closer to our goals."

Bayonetta smirked and teased "But where's the fun in that?"

Later Death and Bayonetta returned to Judicator who judged the soul while Death waved his right hand passively and said "It is finished then, your King summons you!"

Judicator floated towards Death and dropped in front of him before bowing stating "I am ever his faithful servant."

Judicator vanished as Death and Bayonetta left the inner sanctum of the tomb and reach the massive door as Bayonetta teased "Think we can have some alone time in our room at Rodin's?"

Death closed his eyes and sighing in defeat but the door opened up on it's own as Bayonetta teased "Oh opening the door for me? You're too kind sir."

Death gave a serious stare as he shook his head stating "I'm not the one opening the door..."

Bayonetta grunted and questioned "But who else could? The Chancellor and the King don't seem like they come out to us like this."

The door opened partly before Argul forced it open and roared at Death "THERE YE ARE!"

The dog barked at Argul as time seemingly slowed as Argul grabbed Death by his waist and pulled him out the tomb and tossed him at a boulder back first and forced the doors back closed with Bayonetta grunting in both shock and awe of how fast Argul was and thought "WHO THE HELL WAS THAT?!"

Argul's cape fluttered as he walked towards Death and pulled out his scepter and pointed it at him and challenged "I, Argul the King of Ice and Winter challenge thee, Death Rider of Despair... to Nex Sacramentum!"

Death widened his eyes in shock as reality itself began to form a large barrier around the two as Oblivio who sat upon his throne in his Citadel grunted in shock, in unknown location Omne was seen grasping his heart with widened eyes with terrified eyes. But within the Charred Council's domain the three stone heads all groaned in shock as their souls appeared, one formed Jubileus, the second formed Aesir and the last formed Sheba which all three grabbed their heads in pain.

Back at the Kingdom of the Dead Argul pointed his scepter at Death who stood up and questioned "Why?"

Argul's face darken as his blue glowing eye sockets gleamed with malice and power as he stated "Because I will provide my armies the necessary reason to follow me faithfully."

Death felt the souls within his chest beginning to act out as he began to hear their voices;

Yessssss.

You are weak! The Nex Sacramentum make all equal!

You will fail.

You will die!

Traitor...

DIE TRAITOR!

Death looked at Argul whose cape fluttered in the wind and closed his eyes and answered "I must accept then..."

Argul twirled his scepter twice and said "Excellent. Thy has proven me wrong of my thoughts of thou being a coward, but thou will not win this duel, for thou's will shall be broken and then I shall end thou's miserable life."

Oblivio was seen sitting upon his throne giving an angered glare as he thought "No... I still need him, (slams fist on the arm of his throne) damn it!"

Back with Argul and Death Argul waved his hand towards himself and dared "Have at me, Rider!"

Death unsheathed his scythes and charged at Argul who slammed his scepter at the rider who rolled out of the way and backflipped, kicking Argul's icy beard which caused him to react by head butting Death into the ground causing a crater and a loud "BOOOOOOOOM!"

Death groaned as he pulled himself out of the crater as Argul backed away allowing Death to get up on his own as Death looked down seeing an ice spike from Argul's icy beard impaled into his left side making him grunt in pain before pulling it and yelled in pain "GAAAAH!"

Argul pointed his scepter at Death as his face darkened giving a imposing look and stated coldly "Ye rely heavily on thou's natural power to regenerate, but in Nex Sacramentum all are on equal, for it is the one true law of the Universe and thou's natural ability is now nullified for one must perish to the Death Oath."

Death placed his right hand on his left side seeing he was still bleeding and looked up to Argul who towered over him and raising his scepter up to slam at him again. Death formed a magical aura around him which had an electrical current which sent Argul's scepter flying out of his hand while he looked back to see Death's aura took a spherical shape as he charged at Argul who scoffed as he breathed ice at Death freezing over his aura.

Argul kicked the ice block which imprisoned Death away but grunted in shock to see Death wasn't in it while Death teleported behind Argul's head reeling his two handed Scythe back and swing at him. But Argul chuckled before time seemingly slowed as Argul quickly turned around and grabbed Death by his weapon and slammed him face first on the ground.

Time restored as Argul backed away again allowing Death to stand while Death groaned as he stood up unclamping his scythes into two separate weapons as he summoned his undead Leviathan which roared at Argul. The undead leviathan lunged at Argul with an open mouth attempting to crush him but Argul tossed his shield away and caught the Leviathan by it's teeth and with incredible strength held the dragon back with brute force alone.

Death grunted on shock as Argul quickly twisted the Leviathan's neck breaking it and quickly tore off it's head and throwing it away with little effort before staring at Death coldly. Death held out his hands summoning spears in both and teleported behind Argul who scoffed unimpressed as he swung his right leg back kicking Death who crossed his spears attempting to block the attack.

But the sheer force Argul put into his kick sent Death flying into Judicator's statue crumbling it into pieces Argul turned around towards Death and walked towards him as Death threw one of the spears which Argul quickly caught it while slightly leaning his head to his left dodging the spear's tip.

Argul held up the spear as ice cold steam fumed off his ice bear as he sighed while he easily crushed the spear in two and dropped it at his feet and taunted "Is that all thou has for me? Mere petty objects of death and parlor tricks?"

Death grunted as he charged at Argul with his spear using it to fling him at Argul's face who chuckled amusingly before punching Death back down into the ground causing debris to fly up into the air.

Death used the spear to slow his speed before summoning a murder of crows at Argul who was quickly swarmed by the birds as he growled annoyingly before clapping his palms shouting "ENOOOOOUGH!"

Argul's clap caused a thunderous sound "KRAAAAAABOOOOOOOOM!"

The clap cause a large shockwave sending the crows flying away out of control as Argul's cape rapidly flapped in from the shockwave while Death charged at Argul, pointing the spear at him.

But Argul caught the spear's blade and ripped it out of Death's grasp and taunted in a disappointed manner "Pitiful!"

Argul quickly kicked Death away sending him flying into the door which Bayonetta heard the impact and kept trying to open the massive door while Death stood up looking at his left arm seeing it limp and said "Damn it..."

Argul noticed Death's limp left arm and scoffed taunting "Did I broke thou's arm? Disappointing I was hoping to break thou's spirit instead..."

Death attempted to summon Mortis but grunted in shock that it would not be summoned and thought "How did..."

With Bayonetta who was seen trying to force the doors open as her shadow changed into the Arbiter wielded Mortis with a sinister grin as Bayonetta gritted her teeth and shouted "DAMNIT! WHAT'S WITH THIS DOOR?!"

Bayonetta pointed at Dust and Bright eyes and ordered "A little help would be nice!"

Dust and Bright eyes flew up searching for someway to manually force the door open around the area as Death summoned a giant axe in his right hand and charged at Argul who easily smacked it out of Death's hands.

Argul stared down at Death who gave a serious glare at Argul who returned with an imposing glare and stance looking down upon Death and simply questioned "Thou is finished yet?"

Death grunted as he summoned a large hammer and responded "Never..."

Death swung his hammer at Argul caught the head of the weapons and crushed it in his skeletal palm and dropped the pieces in front of Death before backhanding Death onto his back.

Death stood back up as Argul admitted "I must confess, thy's will power is incredibly strong, to keep rising up to fight me even with a broken arm and an injury to thou's left side. Thou's valor has touched my soul and so I will bestow you a rare chance..."

Argul summoned a green soul and healed Death's arm which surprised the Rider who eyed Argul and questioned "Why give me another chance?"

Argul scoffed and answered bluntly "I find enjoyment out of this fight, not many have survived this long against the pure strength of mine."

Death summoned his scythes and stated "You'll regret that choice Mad King."

Argul sighed as he quickly grabbed Death by his torso and slammed into the ground before backing away again as Death stood up and yelled out exploding into a massive storm of dust and decay while Argul growled and he exploded into a blizzard both power colliding causing lightning strikes all around them. In the center of the two's incredible power their silhouettes were seen still fighting as Argul was clearly picking Death up and punching him out of his grasp with ease.

Death was seen flying back and returned with a large axe striking at Argul who smacked the attack away before kicked Death away once more seemingly toying with Death as their storms slowly vanished leaving only a cold mist.

Death was seen panting heavily with his armored bloodied from his own blood while Argul walked towards him and taunted "This is the power of a Rider? I expected more from thou."

Death stood up facing Argul who scoffed impressed by Death's tenacity as Death glowed purple and changed into his Reaper form and lifted his giant scythe up as Argul stared in both surprise and was mildly impressed. Death swung his scythe at Argul who jumped in the air and kicked the scythe out of Death's grasp before dropping back down.

The two began to throwing blind speed punches which impacted each other's fists causing loud shockwaves each time their fists clashed, Death's fist began to ice over and break every time the two's fists met.

Argul chuckled clearly enjoying the fight but Death was slowing down due to the injuries as Argul took notice before grabbing Death's right fist with his left hand and lifted Death up as he reeled his right fist before striking Death's visible ribs causing a loud "KRAAAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"

The punch was so powerful that it had enough force to knock Death out of his Reaper form and sent him flying into a balding and caused the same balding to break to pieces.

Death yelled out in pain "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!"

Bayonetta hearing Death's painful yell, had her eyes vanish beneath her glasses as she began to rapidly punch the door as Madama Butterfly's fists also began to beat the door with fast rapid speeds with a worried look on her face.

Argul walked towards Death who attempted to stand up but fell to his knees as Argul gently used his right foot to roll Death on his back and admitted "Thou had fought admirably. Thou has shown valor that I do not normally see in others. But in this could end in one way... (Argul picks up Death) with me breaking thou's spirit."

As Death began to laugh "Hehahahahahaha... (cough, cough, cough) It doesn't matter what you do to me... Argul. Break my body, my will, my weapons... but you will never break my soul Mad King."

Argul tilted his head to the left and taunted "Can't I?"

Argul picked Death up with both hands as Bayonetta managed to lose the door as she had Madama and her own hands force the doors to slightly open but she widened her eyes to see Death being held up by Argul who slammed him on his knee breaking his back making yell in pain "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

Bayonetta grunted as Argul grabbed Death's right arm and saw Death's eyes twitching as the magical barrier dissolved and Argul walked towards the bridge and stood over the edge and held Death over it and taunted "If I failed at breaking thou's spirit... then I will settle with thou's end."

From under his mask Death's vision blurred as he spotted Bayonetta forcing the door open while he began to cough up blood from under his mask which ran down his neck and dripped off his chin.

Argul thanked Death "I thank thee, Rider if not for you presence here, recruits would think me weak and would refuse to ally themselves with me."

Argul dropped Death off the edge as Death groaned in pain before vanishing into the mists below and Argul stayed as he heard a loud boom from Death's body crashing down. Argul turned back and whistled as Frostbane flew in and landed near Argul who mounted on the ice dragon while Bayonetta forced the doors open and quickly rolled out as the doge, Dust and Bright eyes escaped before the doors slammed shut.

Bayonetta ran out chasing after Argul who snapped his fingers summoning his shield and scepter back to him while Frostbane roared as he breathed ice at Bayonetta who rolled out of the way as Argul ordered "Enough, the female is not our concern, let her be."

Frostbane bowed as he flew off with Argul on his back who glared at Bayonetta and gave a unimpressed scoff saying "The female doesn't look much of a need, too fragile from the looks."

Bayonetta looked at the leaving Argul and Frostbane and ran towards the cliff seeing Death's blood drops leading towards it.

When she reached the edge and panted as Dust and Bright eyes landed next to her as the dog whined worryingly as Bayonetta breathed heavily in a worried manner and pointed at Dust commanding "Dust you and Bright eyes go find Rodin and bring him here..."

Bayonetta then grabbed the in her arms and leaped down the cliff and fell through the mist entering a massive cavern before crash landing at the bottom and quickly released the dog ordering "Find him for me."

The Dog gave a short huff and began to sniff the area and caught a scent barking loudly which Bayonetta chased after and saw a blood trail leading towards Death's lifeless body face first in a pile of ancient bones.

Bayonetta speechless crouched next to Death and rolled him over his back and gasped in shock seeing that his wounds were not healing and rubbed her forehead and thought out loud "How is this possible? I thought you could recover if your not poisoned?"

Death played silent as Bayonetta placed her hands on the sides of his head and gently shook him and ordered "Come on, big boy... your not just going to leave me here alone with the little alone are you?"

Death remained lifeless as Bayonetta began to shake his body with a hesitant smile and said "Ok... stop teasing me Death. It isn't funny now..."

Death still remaining silent and lifeless as Bayonetta looked at the palm of her hands seeing Death's blood began to tear up and whispered and begging silently "No... not again, please... not again..."

The dog sat next to Bayonetta and whined in a saddened manner as Death gasped for air and shot his eyes open as Bayonetta quickly reacted by grabbed his right hand as he squeezed tightly enough for Bayonetta to feel pain.

But Bayonetta managed to ignore it and said "You need to take the mask off you need to breathe!"

Bayonetta attempted to take Death's mask off but he said "No... le-leave it... I... I need... it to."

Death fell unconscious as Rodin appeared through a serpent hole and saw death's gravely injured state and said "Ohhh shit! Who the hell could've done that to em?!"

Bayonetta remembered the statue of Argul and stated "It was Argul... the Mad King."

Rodin eyed Bayonetta and said "That ain't good news. If Argul's back in business then shit's just got real."

With Argul

Argul rode Frostbane back toward the dead plains as he heard Oblivio's voice "I needed him."

Argul responded without hesitation "No you didn't, if I do recall the female is a being of Light and Dark same as Death, and from the scent she reeks of life, the only kind that is undergoing a state of pregnancy. I only removed a spare, while also gaining the means to gathering respect from the dead and have them join your cause."

Oblivio admitted "True... the results will be in my favor, but unlike you, I realize the cost, do you realize that the 'female' is actually Death's lover?"

Argul grunted in shock as Oblivio scoffed bewildered and said "Inconceivable... here I thought you were a worthy ally. Clearly you have proven just as cruel as Omne."

Argul pointed out and claimed "You dare accuse me of sin? What of thou?! Thou has eaten an entire world."

Oblivio sighed and stated "A dying world, with a dying race of Makers who were had no more reason to exist anymore than to suffer. I never ripped a family apart, I took that entire family leaving none alive to feel despair, or suffer through the pain of lose."

Argul growled as Oblivio reminded "I may be evil incarnate... but I choose to be fair about it."

Argul lowered his head in defeat as Oblivio finished "You may provided me great favor in your action, that I will not deny, but the cost of acting too quick will only result in your demise."

Oblivio's presence left Argul to think of his actions who merely scoffed and said "Old fool, you cannot win a war without sacrifices."

The City of the Dead

The Crowfather was seen walking within the city before a few liches appeared before him and suggested "Surrender Old One, the Wailing Host demands it!"

Crowfather grunted and raise both hands up as a gigantic shadowy figure was seen deep within the city, the figure's silhouette seemed to humanlike with tentacles wiggling around as fiery orange eyes glowed and a deep growling voice was heard "You belong to us now little man! You will obey our command or we will eat every piece of your soul! You will be this emotionless, fatigued, mindless beast of soul! Oh you'll be running around in the streets in madness! Like a psycho... in an asylum."

Crowfather merely frowned and said "I will surrender to you as prisoner of my own choosing, not to be your puppet! Wailing Host."

The figure revealed to be the Wailing host leaned forward revealing his ghastly green scaly, snake-like body from the waist down as his upper torso had a well of soul made from his own flesh, he had extremely long tentacles growing out under his face that was masked by a demonic skull mask.

The Wailing raised it's right hand revealing a shack and slammed it in front of the Crowfather who was unfazed by the act and said "Please... you think you can scare me? I've seen literal gods that could destroy the universe rise and fall throughout my life."

The wailing began to make clicking noises and stared at a Lich ordering "We order you to lock him away, he must not escape, for many secrets are held within him, he will tell us those secrets in time... or we will eats him!"

In Death and Bayonetta's room (The Gates of Hell)

Death was laid on his back as Rodin poured a healing potion over his body and explained "The Nex Sacramentum... ancient Death oath that can only be completed by the those who participated within the duel itself. Those who try to interfere are punished severely."

Bayonetta sat next to Death on the bed holding his hand as Rosa was seen with her hand on Bayonetta's right shoulder while she asked "Will he be alright?"

Rodin sighed and answered "I don't know, he in a coma right now, he can't rely on his natural healing factor to quick the process. He only heal through a slow manner, meanin he's some long months ahead for recovery. But knowin Death's a tough bastard, I'm not too worried about him not survivin. Fucking badass motehrfucka he is. Fuckin takin on Argul the Mad takes some balls."

Bayonetta looked at Death and said "Then... I will wait until he wakes up. Not matter how long it takes."

Later that night Bayonetta was seen laying in bed with Death with a blanket over the two while the Arbiter appeared and chuckled as he looked over Death's unconscious body and cracked his fingers outwards and said "Let's get this party started, shall we?"

The Arbiter pointed two fingers over Death's eyes and dripped two drops of Corruption into his eyes allowing the Arbiter to be connected to Death's mind while in a coma.

Within Death's mind Death was seen packing gear at his abode while Fury entered his chamber with a uncaring expression on her face and asked "You certain you don't wish to help me face the Seven Deadly Sins?"

Death sighed as he kept packing his gear responding "I am."

Fury pointed at Death and questioned "Why? Do you think this task so unimportant that you would abandon your duty?"

Death kept his back turned and answered "A brother of ours is accused of something that is clearly out of his character, Fury! So yes I would leave one duty for another that in which will save our brother from damnation."

Fury looked at Death who stopped packing gear and place his hands on the table sighing in a frustrated manner and said "Is it his damnation your worried about... or you?"

Death slightly turn his head towards Fury and answered "I have many reasons for this journey, Fury... if you were in the same position as War I would do the same for you as I will for him."

Fury looked down and joked "And what of Strife?"

Death gave an unamused expression in his eyes and joked "Not so much."

Fury chuckled before the two became silent and asked "Then why do you leave the task of defeating the Seven to me alone when it took all four of us last time?"

Death turned towards Fury and answered "You're stronger than you were back then, all four of us are. I have no doubts you'll prove yourself against them alone, after all sister you are far more talented in magic than I am."

Fury looked down as Death walked towards the door as Fury grabbed his left arm and asked "Don't take over three hundred years, I miss having these conversations with you. Even if don't agree with you, I don't want you to go missing for centuries."

Death scoffed amusingly as Fury hugged him while he sighed and returned a hug to his sister and said "Your lucky I don't give hugs to anyone else."

Fury smirked and responded "Love you too big brother."

Death walked as the area changed into the Forge Lands shocking him as Eideard stood over him and questioned "Why did you leave my people to die Death?"

Death dropped to his knees while Eideard turned to dust while Karn was seen holding Valus with Anya crying over his body and said "YOU DID THIS! YOU DID THIS TO OUR KINSMEN!"

Valus looked at Death and said "You are the reason why the Guardian killed me..."

Death looked at his hands seeing the Guardian's hammer in his grasp while Thane charged at him shouting "YOU BASTARD WE TRUSTED YOU AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US?!

Thane swung his axe at Death who held up the shaft of the hammer blocking the attack which caused spark that burned away the scenery showing Eden with him standing over Absalom's dying body who reached out to Death "Brother... was it worth it?"

Death looked at his right hand and reached out to Absalom grabbing his hand before his blood blackened and he sank into it shouting "NOOOOOOOOOO!"

Death's grip which Death crouched down staring at his bloodied hands while the bodies of countless members of his kin laid dead as he raised his head and cried out "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHH!"

Then the souls of the dead flowed towards Death's amulet around his neck as the scenery changed once more showing Oblivio sitting upon a throne resting his chin on his right palm saying "As expected... you survived... one whose soul is Blackened by the sin of betrayal... tell me Rider (Death focuses on Oblivio's words) What do you seek?"

Death was silent as Oblivio assured "Take you time, after all she is at your side."

Death looked at Oblivio and questioned "Who are you?"

Oblivio leaned forward and answered "I am the Will of Corruption, I was born from the hatred of your lover who at the time never knew of my rebirth. Cause she was sent to the future. I am the source of Absalom's power, I am his master, and he is the leader of The Black Tide, standing as the general of my armies against creation... but yet I see it in your eyes... you wish to save him. But you know there is no saving Absalom."

Death glared at Oblivio who stood up from his throne and walked towards Death stating "You quest is to save one brother... not one whose soul gave into me. He hates you, you know but yet... still he is fond of the memories of you fighting by his side."

Death remained silent while Oblivio continued "So I ask again Rider... what is it you seek?"

Death looked at Oblivio and responded "What I seek... is none of your concern."

Oblivio nodded as he placed his hands behind his back and said "I see into your soul... you have sinned, betrayal, murder genocide, torture and yet... you regret over your sin of betrayal the most..."

Death pointed at Oblivio and claimed "I regret nothing..."

Oblivio sighed and said "Your actions prove otherwise... and for that... you also have my respect. Unlike that who you call 'Creator' your feel regret for your actions, and despite your claims you are affected by it."

Death's eyes twitched as Oblivio walked away and sat back in his throne and stated "I... will not be looking forward to either you and Cereza's demise. I see you both worthy of my respect... though if I did not see the folly of existence... I believe we could have gotten along as allies."

Death pointed at Oblivio with an angered stare and stated "I serve the Balance!"

Oblivio leaned forward in his throne and questioned "And what if your precious Balance declares your currently unborn child, a threat?"

Death grunted as Oblivio scoffed and said "You dare to deny it but even I know a good father would regret that."

Death unsheathed his scythes and demanded "COWARD YOU SPOUT SUCH INSULTS AS IF I BENEATH YOU! WHY NOT PROVE YOUR CLAIMS?!"

Oblivio leaned back in his throne and stated "Trust me, I would if I could, but the Creator denies us both to finally meet face to face. I believe me I do want to get off this throne and show you the power of Oblivion first hand... but we are both denied. Take that as you will, for you Charred Council once served the Creator but they no longer serve him and now... (looks down in regret) I must bared them as my agents."

Death grunted in shock as Oblivio slowly clenched his right hand into a fist while raising his left ordering "Arbiter of Terror... you fulfilled your mission... leave them both be."

The Arbiter's voice was heard all around Death "As you command my Lord..."

Death look all around as the scenery began to crumbled into a white space leaving death to look back at Oblivio who insisted "We shall meet again, Rider. In due time."

Death awoke seeing Bayonetta tending to his injuries as Bayonetta noticed and teased "Ah your awake then? Good. Gave me quite the scare."

Death panted and teased "I scared you? Oh you do care... ugh..."

Bayonetta had a worried look on her face as she began clean the blood off his body with a wet washcloth the two remained silent as Death flinched from the pain while Bayonetta noticed and tried to not cause Death more pain.

Rodin entered the room and stated "You two'v got a visitor... normally we'd never interacted with..."

Basileus entered the room and saw death and scoffed in a impressed manner and said "You are tough Horseman, not many could have faced Argul the Mad and live to tell about it. In fact those who do tell... are already dead."

Death grunted and sarcastically said "Great, guess I should count myself lucky enough to actually survive Argul's wrath."

Basileus scoffed as he crossed his arms stating "You think that was his 'wrath' no Rider... that, that just him having fun. And you'd need to best him if you'd ever want to face the Lord of Bone again."

Bayonetta looked at the Dead lord and reminded "Speaking of which he's summoned you."

Basileus scoffed and stated "The Corruption has opened my eyes, but yet we Lords have dealt with enough souls of Heavenly origin for as long as we can remember, we are resistant to it's influence but I still side with it."

Death summoned Redemption and pointed at Basileus who leaned forward pressing the gun barrel against the forehead of his helmet and dared "Go on, Rider pull that trigger, I come here only to see if you are worthy of my blades. You proved yourselve able to survive Argul's play time, which already marks you as asked warrior. When you are recovered seek the Keeper of the Gilded Arena and asked for the Psychameron. If you survive... (slowly sinks down a serpent hole) We will speak again."

Death lowered his gun as Bayonetta shook her head and said "That was... odd."

Death shook his head and stated "No... that was a challenge."

To be continued