Interlude: Of Earth and Metal

"Master, this is getting out of hand. How far are you willing to go to make a Sanctuary? Those teenagers have already killed three members!" an olive-skinned woman said.

"It is a bit ominous… the Dark Boy and his companion has proved far more resilient than I thought. I refuse to give up on this world, though. It's perfect." Charon replied.

"Shut up, little girl! Get over here!" a man yelled.

"No way! Let me go, you evil creep!" Serenity could be heard yelling.

"Jin? Jin, is that you?" the woman asked.

"Let me go!" Serenity shouted again, pushed into Charon's throne room. She was shackled and pushed forward by Jin's nerve pinch.

"So… you're the Dark Boy's pure hearted companion, eh? I expected you to be a little… taller." Charon taunted.

"Go to hell, you evil bastard!" Serenity yelled, spitting at his face. Charon stopped it, somehow, and her spit fell to the floor.

"Quite feisty… you'll make an excellent plaything. Jin, take her away to the dungeon. For your capture of this girl, I will allow you to live. But never show your face here again. Do I make myself clear?" Charon commanded.

"Yes, Master." Jin answered, and walked off with Serenity still screaming to be released.

"Now, for the matter of the Dark Boy… Ereshkigal, with your powers over the very ground they stand on, the Dark Boy and his companion should be nothing. It is your sworn duty to kill that boy." Charon commanded.

"Yes, Master." Ereshkigal answered, and walked off.

"Quite ridiculous… I may be facing those two here, in Amaterasu, soon…"

You walk a path only one has tread before.