Location: Cosmic Interstate
Time: ???

*Razor looked about, finding exactly where he was, and smiled, looking at Jade and the rest of the group. Ollie still stayed upon his shoulder, and the Cerberus walked alongside him, sniffing at Razor and the gem. He recoiled suddenly, and Razor pet one of the Cerberus's heads with his free hand, gently. It recoiled again, and ran. Razor raised an eyebrow, walking off towards the Spiritis Dimension. It started at a light trot, but the closer they got to the dimension, the slower Razor set the pace. Razor was practically standing still as he arrived at the portal to Spiritis, whose letters were written in a mystical wisp fashion upon the sign. Razor paused, and turned to face his group, nervously addressing them.*

Razor: Look, I am grateful for the help I have received from you all so far. Now it is the time to enter the Lion's Den. I've secretly dreaded this time, and I'm sure I am not alone in that feeling.
Stryke *interrupting*: Are you telling me that Hell is right on the other side of that portal?
Razor: …No…
Stryke: Then why not save this for then?
Razor: Because I am offering all of you an easy chance out. *pointing to his left* Pice is in that direction, Jade, Sephrinia, Blitz, Diane. I will completely understand if you do not wish to follow me further.
Sephrinia: Nonsense, Razor!
Jade: We're with you until the end!
Blitz: Yeah!
Razor: If you so wish. *pointing to his right* Stryke, Diablo is in that direction if you wish to leave now.
Stryke: I'm offended… you think I'd desert my best friend?
Razor: So be it. I am honored to have friends as loyal as this.

*Razor turned around, and headed into the portal, heaving a heavy sigh, entering the Spiritis dimension.*

Location: Spiritis
Time: 4:00 PM

*Razor looked about, taking in the scenery of the dimension. The dimension looked remarkably similar to a city, that had properties of cities from all the dimensions Razor had ever visited. He glanced up at the side, and saw a beautiful day, way off in the distance, barely visible, seeing something gold. Razor sighed, and walked about, trying to find someone who looked like they knew where everything was. He saw a rather energetic looking fox, and approached her. She turned about, and jumped as she saw that he was following her.*

Fox: Oh! You scared me… do you need some help?
Razor: Yes… I need some directions…
Fox: Oh, well, its easy enough to get there, you just go up…
Razor: That's not where I need to go…

*An awkward silence followed this, the fox seeming as though she didn't understand.*

Razor: I know that this might sound odd, but could you direct me to the gates of Hell?
Fox *suddenly serious*: Listen to me, I don't care what they offered you, b—
Razor: No, no, they didn't offer me anything… It's just that my brother… he doesn't deserve to be down there… he was kidnapped.
Fox: And you are going to try and get him out? You have no chance, I suggest you just forget about your brother… he's gone.
Razor: I'm not alone, I have my friends behind me… skilled fighte—
Fox: It doesn't matter… even with the five behind you that's still at least 100 demons to take on… there's no use in you and your friends ending up imprisoned just because you decided to be a hero.
Razor: Well I'm in Hell right now just knowing where my brother is. I have nothing to lose, now how can I get there?
Fox *submissively*: Go straight for a few miles, turn left where the road forks, you should still be in a city setting. Look for a subway station entrance that is glowing red. Descend the staircase, its several hundred steps. The gates of Hell should then be right in front of you. But don't tell anyone no one ever cautioned you.

*Razor thanked the fox, and headed off in the direction she instructed him to go. It was a couple hours before they arrived at the fork in the road, and Razor turned left like the fox instructed. Sephrinia was walking beside him, and struck up conversation.*

Sephrinia *black with fear*: I… can't believe where we are about to go…
Razor: Me either… but… if you are so afraid… stay up here… I'd rather it anyhow.
Sephrinia: No… I want to go with you…
Razor: What I don't want is to have to explain to your parents why you'll never be coming home… I just couldn't do it… if I even come back.
Sephrinia: You treat me like I'm helpless!
Razor: I'm sorry, but I've never seen you fight, and it worries me…
Sephrinia: Of course… I understand that… just… I want to be by your side, even if I can't do much to harm a demon, I still want to be with you.

*Razor could see the subway station which was glowing a blood-lush red, and shuddered at the thought of entering it. He could feel his soul weighted down by sin just by being as close to it as he was. Razor sat down on a nearby bench, and watched the subway entrance. The others sort of sat around as well, Sephrinia on the bench beside him, but a little away from him. Razor sighed, continuing to look at it. He pulled out the other three patron gems, looking at the agate. He sighed again.*

Razor *thinking*: How am I going to use something that I don't know how to work?

*Razor palmed the four gems in his hand, and bowed his head. He sighed heavily, and opened his palm, only seeing a mix of white, green, red and gold colors on his hand. He touched the colors, and it only felt like his fur. The colors seemed to drain down into his hand, disappearing, and Razor looked at his arm, watching as his veins seemed to vanish beneath his fur.*

Razor: What the h--------…

*Razor couldn't make the word come out of his mouth. It just didn't catch in his mouth, and a burning sensation filled his mouth. Razor coughed, and blinked a couple times. He froze in fright. After a few moments of nothing happening, Razor calmed down, and looked back to Hell. He tried to figure out how to defeat what lay within, but suddenly realized that he couldn't figure anything out. He had no clue how to go about this. He had defeated hydras in Mysin, chased off foxes in Anima-Ubel. He even nearly killed a Hauptsächliches Ondenean hedgehog, which was to him pretty much a demon's pet. But he had never had to deal with this before.*

Jade: Razor, what's wrong?
Razor: ……I can't do it…
Jade: What?
Razor: I can't do it, there's no way! I don't have the experience! I… I mean… they'll run right through me…
Jade: Listen to me! You've been working up to this point for nearly a year… and now you are just going to turn around and pack up? No! I won't let you!

*Razor bowed his head.*

Razor: It's not that simple… *suddenly angered* Life isn't that simple Jade! Stuff happens that can't be controlled! Realizations can be made when it is almost too late! I can't do it, Jade! I just can't!

*Razor suddenly sighed, and tears welled up in his eyes. From behind him, he heard a gentle voice. He knew it not. The voice was soft, but yet it was very clear, and was easy to understand, speaking sweetly.*

Voice: Roi…

*Razor blinked, and slowly looked over his shoulder. Sephrinia was off the bench, mouth agape, looking directly at something behind him. Razor craned his neck a little farther, and saw a white glow near him, the outline of a woman, with angelic wings visible through the aura. He could see her waist-length auburn hair and her warm gold eyes. Razor immediately looked away. A few moments later, he froze as he felt the angel's hand fall to rest on his shoulder. His heart started pounding in his chest, and he could soon feel the side of her leg right beside him, but not touching.*

Angel: Be not afraid, Roi… I'd never think to harm you… Being alone on your birthday… nobody deserves that.

*Razor blinked. He couldn't believe it. Already he was another year older? Oh how the months had flown by. He wasn't sure what she meant by alone, for if he was alone now, he was alone at the hero base last year, and alone in his house looking at his dead family the year before. He soon found himself sitting on the bench correctly, and she smiled down at him. She reached over the side of the bench, and Razor looked over slightly as he saw her pull back something white and long and thin; a quarterstaff of some kind. It glowed with the same color it held itself, and she held it out to him.*

Angel: I'm sorry I have not made myself known to you earlier. I am your guardian, Roi, and my name is Kyria. Let me make it up to you. I'd like to wish you a Happy Birthday, but I know it will not come true. Please accept this gift, however.

*Razor looked at the quarterstaff, which was about as tall as he was; the appropriate length. He could feel warmth and comfort radiating from the staff, but suddenly looked at Kyria and recoiled from it.*

Razor *sadly*: I… I can't take it… I-I d-don't deserve to take it… I d-don't even deserve to l-look at you.

*Razor turned his glance away from her, soon feeling a feathered wing slide behind his back, just as he started to lean back in his seat. Razor practically jumped up as he leaned forward, but the wing just followed him, hugging his back. He heard Kyria chuckle in a way that spoke of insight*

Kyria: This is what I like about you, Razor. You are so modest, and one of the sweetest I've seen for a while. And no matter what you think in that head of yours, you deserve this. Not just that, but you need it. No doubt you understand why.

*Razor didn't move for a bit, and then slowly started groping about for the quarterstaff, still not wanting to look at her.*

Kyria: And you can look at me? In fact, please, look me in the eyes.

*Razor did as he was told, slowly gripping the blessed quarterstaff in his hands. He started to pull it close, but Kyria held it firm still.*

Kyria: There is no reason for you to be afraid of me. One of the many reasons I have yet to make myself known to you until now is that you've never needed my help before. That's an innocence that even the most powerful curse can't take away from you. All I want you to do now, to receive this, is one request: just give me a hug, Roi, show me that innocence that I know you for.

*Razor nervously looked up into her eyes, seeing the small smile on her face. He let go of the quarterstaff, and slowly wrapped his arms around her, embracing her. He felt her wings close around him, and Razor suddenly felt relaxed. He didn't see that hell was only a few steps away, not even in his mind.*

Razor *thinking*: If this is a test, God, you are just not being fair.
Kyria: Why would you think God would test you like this?
Razor *concerned*: I don't know… this just feels too good to be true.
Kyria: Well it is quite true, Roi.

*Razor could feel her wings rub against his quills gently, and soon they were behind her. Razor took a deep breath, looking back at Hell.*

Kyria: Good luck, Razor. I cannot go down there, but I'll be waiting up here when you come back.

*And that fast, Razor saw Kyria vanish into just a white wisp in the air. The quarterstaff was his, and he looked back at the group, standing.*

Razor: Let's go…

*Razor took a deep breath, and took his first step down into the glowering staircase, then another, then another. He looked back, and saw Sephrinia, Jade, Blitz, and Diane all behind him, Ollie still on his shoulder. Stryke was still on the surface, standing looking down at him from the surface. Razor could tell Stryke had no desire to come down, so he left Stryke alone, continuing down the subway staircase. It was soon too dark to see, and Razor pulled his emerald out, fingering it slightly. Soon his eyes could be easily seen as he looked back, and he could see perfectly clear. He turned around, and cast the same enchantment on the entire group, including Ollie. He turned back around, and continued down into the abyss.*