Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING.

Author's Note: This chapter starts off at the end of Chapter VI. I will say that what happens in this chapter isn't a flashback, because VII and VI took place at the same time, I just wrote them in different chapters. I hope that isn't confusing.

I'm sorry if the dialogue at the end seems short, but I wanted to give the feeling that they were being rushed.

So sorry for the long wait! I'm caught up in so many different projects at the moment! I probably have about three one shot type stories I'll be posting soon, so my efforts aren't in vain!

Am I the only author that actually acts out certain motions so I can describe them right?

You flame me, Mateus freeze you.

Chapter VIII

Imprisoned

"Tell me about this…Rebellion."

"How do I explain this…" Adrammelech chuckled nervously. He shook his head as he looked at the ground, placing his hands on his hips.

"The Rebellion," He began, "is our stand against the Gods."

"The Gods?" Mateus asked. The icy Scion was standing in front of the glyph that marked Cuchulainn's domain. He had a confused look on his face.

"They have wronged each of us in numerous ways. This Rebellion is what unites all of the Scions of Darkness." Hatred burned in his eyes and his voice was laced with venom. "Although I feel that some of us have their own agendas regarding the matter…" He crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows.

"What do you mean by 'their own agendas'?" Mateus asked. Now was his chance to find out more about the Rebellion. It seemed to him as though this Rebellion was rather well developed and all of the Scions of Darkness were involved? Surely he must jest. What proves most puzzling however is when he said 'their own agendas.' Who has a hidden agenda and why?

Adrammelech looked up and down the hallway with a serious expression etched across his face. His voice changed to a low whisper as he faced Mateus.

"We shouldn't talk here, follow me," He said as he placed a hand on his shoulder, swiftly leading him down the hall.

After walking through the colored hallways, they finally stood in front of a glowing grey glyph. Adrammelech held his hand at an angle in front of his face. Mateus took a step back as electricity started to crackle around the green-skinned Scion. The glyph responded with random bursts of electric currents along the curves of the design, lighting up the wall as it faded into the rippling vortex Mateus had grown accustomed to.

"Ah, home sweet home," Adrammelech said, stretching his arms in the comfort of his own domain. He placed his hands behind his head, and smiled as he breathed in the air.

Mateus looked around the thunder manipulator's home. The room itself was a wide open space which opened up to a large valley. The sky was cloudy and grey, completely devoid of blue. The tiny bit of light was tinted grey from the clouds, casting an oddly ethereal look on the grassy plains below. Low rumbles of thunder broke the silence as lightning clashed in the clouds, creating short flashes of light that was beginning to irritate Mateus's eyes. A few streaks of lightning hit the ground below, although the grass looked unaffected. Much to the Ice Scion's surprise, the room was completely toned in grey shades that matched the clouds outside, giving the room a rather plain appearance; completely opposite of the one that inhabited it.

Adrammelech sat down on the marble floor, draping his arms over his crossed legs. He motioned towards Mateus who sat a few feet away, cringing as a large streak of lightning struck the ground and lit the entire room with an eerie white glow, a loud thunder and electric buzzing accompanying it. The Thunder Scion laughed at his unintentional revenge. Mateus scowled. The smirk on Adrammelech's face faded as he took on a more contemplative air.

"Ultima," Adrammelech began, tilting his head forward so that a few wisps of scarlet hair falling into his face, "has too much power." His voice suddenly sounded very low and tired. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

Silence hung in the room, broken only by the occasional low rumble of thunder in the distance. Shadows danced across their sitting forms as the lightning flashed. Adrammelech closed his eyes as he shook his head, ruffling his hair, before he raised his gaze to rest on Mateus. He took a moment to study his companion. He knew Ultima was after him, but he never had any reason to doubt Mateus. They had grown to be fast friends, almost like real brothers were supposed to be. His mind flicked back to Chaos, the man that was supposed to be his brother by Godly creation. They may have held similar features such as green skin and horns, but as far as Adrammelech was concerned vague physical features were all they shared.

Mateus raised an eyebrow at his friend's odd behavior. Adrammelech was staring at him, that much was true, but it seemed as if he was also staring pasthim. His green eyes looked hazy, obviously lost deep in thought. Mateus lowered a hand to the ground and lightly tapped the grey surface. The sound was almost muted against the roaring thunder beyond, but it proved to be adequate.

Lips fixed in a slight frown, Adrammelech's eyes began to regain focus. Mateus's light tapping finally annoying him enough to bring him out of his trance. He blinked a few times, green eyes growing brighter with awareness each time. Sighing to himself, he slowly stood up and walked to the edge of the room. He placed his hand on the translucent glass, which Mateus failed to realize was there.

"How does she have too much power?" Mateus asked, standing as well. Adrammelech slightly turned his head to the side and looked at Mateus from the corner of his eye. The Thunder Scion turned to face Mateus and leaned back, propping his back against the glass and crossing his arms. Mateus ignored the slight throbbing that began in his head.

"I don't know how to explain it, man," Adrammelech replied, regaining his typical carefree tone. "Our little…confrontation a few days ago was weird if you ask me."

"Confrontation?" Mateus raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. Adrammelech shrugged and looked at a spot on the ground a few feet in front of him. The throbbing in Mateus's head was growing more profound.

"Yeah, I threatened her life," He chuckled half-heartedly, "I could've snapped her neck like a twig!" Mateus started to wince as the throbbing increased. "She looked like she was suffering, but something in her eyes…I can't explain it…" Adrammelech shook his head in disbelief. "Ultima is their grand masterpiece. She's their heavenly beacon of light that's supposed to bend us to their will. She was entrusted with the upkeep of us all. It's impossible that she suffers from the reign of the Gods, they favor her far too much, catering to her every whim." He gripped his arms tighter as he controlled his rage. "She has no equal, no opposite to balance her power. All she does is sit in that room of hers, bossing us all around, like she is a God. And with the way the Gods made her, they may have just had that in mind…"He trailed off, his voice getting quieter.

The throbbing was unbearable. Mateus grabbed his head with his hands, staggering as he tried to retain his sense of balance. Adrammelech narrowed his eyes as he watched his friend curiously.

"Are you alright, man?" The throbbing turned to sharp pains that reverberated throughout his body. Every inch of his body felt like it was being ripped apart. Mateus slumped to his knees, still clutching his head in pure agony. Adrammelech rushed towards Mateus and knelt at his side, placing a hand on his shoulder and looking at him with concern. "Mateus?"

Mateus let out a short scream as he fell to the ground. The pain had proven to be too much. It relentlessly pulsated through every fiber of his being. Adrammelech felt helpless as he watched his friend suffer. He sat, kneeled beside Mateus, as the agonizing pain washed over him in waves, intensifying with each second. He racked his brain for any possible way he could help him. None among the Scions knew anything of healing, and even if they did they would never help him.

Adrammelech had made too many enemies in the past. Countless times he was called into the Chamber only to be given countless assignments by the Gods. He was forced to carry out the vilest of orders; the majority of which caused him to go against his fellow Scions. A dog. That's all the Gods saw him as. Their own personal pet puppy, able and willing to do anything they say. He clenched his fists, remembering all that they made him do. Always asking him to be an assassin in the Otherworld, killing off kings and queens who weren't fit to carry on with the true path the Gods laid out for them. Betraying his fellow Scions, even imprisoning one. One who was never anything but nice to him. One of the few to actually be nice to him. Ironic, true, because of who he was.

A sudden realization hit him. Maybe he would help him find what was wrong with Mateus. He was one of the wisest of Scions, nearly rivaling Exodus. He claimed he would bear no grudge against Adrammelech for imprisoning him, but the Thunder Scion couldn't help but wonder.

Adrammelech placed one of Mateus's arms around his shoulder and helped him to his feet. Mateus staggered a bit, but Adrammelech summed up all his strength to keep him from falling again.

"I'm gonna take you to see an old friend of mine," Adrammelech said, not quite sure if Mateus was coherent enough to hear him. He began walking slowly, careful to keep his balance with the added weight of Mateus.

A blur of colors was all that was visible. Darkness fringed the edges of his sight as he unknowingly moved forward. He tried desperately to make out the mumbled speech, but he failed. The cascade of words whirled around his head until they faded from his memory, leaving no trace that they were ever even spoken. He could barely feel his legs to keep from staggering as Adrammelech held him up.

The hallways felt strangely different as they made their trek, almost as if it knew their destination. The sound of their footsteps and Mateus's soft, ragged breathing seemed to be swallowed up by the air, leaving nothing but silence in their place instead of the typical low echo. Adrammelech furrowed his eyebrows as the light grey walls and curtains that symbolized his apartments began to slowly grow darker, turning a dark purple shade. He readied himself for the strong magicks that bound the hallway and turned it into an intricate labyrinth going on forever. The walls and curtains were now a dark amethyst shade with intricate carvings etched into the jewel-like floors. Adrammelech slowed his pace to a crawl as he scanned the floor carvings. All of the carvings were almost mirror images of one another, all except for one. He paused as he studied the design on the floor, verifying it before he tried any magick on it.

"Wait here, man," He said to Mateus, setting him down against the wall. Mateus instantly slumped against it, too enraptured in his pain-induced trance to realize what was going on. Adrammelech walked carefully to the center of the large circular carving in the floor. He briefly glanced at the faint indentations marring the interior of the circle as he took a deep breath. Here we go…

Adrammelech slowly began to close his eyes, lifting two slightly bent fingers to his lips. He raised his other hand up halfway, keeping the palm facing the floor. His wrist was bent slightly upwards and his fingers relaxed. He finally exhaled and let his muscles relax. Lightning crackled around him, trailing from his fingertips and dripping onto the floor like electric water. The indentations beneath him began to take shape under the force of the currents. Adrammelech straightened out the palm facing the floor, causing the pattern to glow a soft yellow. Slightly opening his eyes, he blew softly on his two fingers creating strong currents of electricity to circulate around them. He carefully straightened his fingers and ever so slowly turned his palm towards the ceiling and placed his other hand upon his wrist. The currents pulsated in his palm as he dipped his hand backwards and allowed the electricity to flow from his fingers. Lightning cracked and pulsed within the circle before being contained within the indentations.

For a split second, all light vanished from the circle and the electricity seemingly gone. Suddenly, a bright yellow light shone from the circle like the rays of a sun, enveloping Adrammelech completely. As the light dissipated, a rippling vortex, not so different from the ones they use as doorways to their domains, began to form in front of him. Adrammelech stepped out of the circle and put Mateus's arm over his shoulder again and helped him stand up. His paused before the vortex, green eyes scanning the room one last time to make sure no one followed him before stepping through. The vortex faded as he entered the other hallway, leaving no trace in the previous corridor.

The walls were a dingy shade of purple, reflecting the light in odd patterns and leaving misplaced shadows across the murky floor. The once effervescent lavender silk of the curtains now hung across the walls in tatters. They sat, still and silent, until Adrammelech approached them. However, the fabric of reality was disrupted in this hallway. The remaining strands began to flow in the air, even before Adrammelech walked past. The floors were covered in a layer of dust that hindered the reflective qualities it once possessed. Small clouds rose as Adrammelech took each step, revealing the warped mirror beneath. Even the sounds rang discordantly as he walked. The entire hallway had an almost ethereal feel to it, and it was upon observing the abandoned corridor that he felt the sharp pang of regret build again. His eyes focused on the discolored glyph on the wall. If just the hallway was so decayed from neglect, what had become of the man within?

Not bothering to set Mateus down again, he lifted two fingers to his lips and activated the broken glyph on the wall, opening another vortex. The room was once a lush garden filled to the brim with beautiful flowers and delicate colors. Adrammelech remembered the clear blue stream that ran across the middle and the wooden bridge that provided passage to the other side. The stream led to a deep lake that sparkled in the ever present sunshine. A look of remorse crossed his face as he gazed upon the room in it's degraded state. The garden was now a wasteland of dead flowers and rotten trees. The only remaining colors were black and a deep deathly brown. The stream turned a dark poisonous purple and the bridge overhead was broken and rotted. The lake was the same shade of purple with streaks of reddish black diving deep beneath the surface. The light from the sun had long since died, casting a malevolent black glow his face.

Reluctantly, Adrammelech walked forward, across the deadly stream and past the dying garden. He glanced at the rock near the lake where his mentor of old taught him all about his duties as a Scion and the mortals he would help lead. A withered, black vine crawled up the gray stone where he use to sit. How could he face his teacher after what he had done? Where the others had shunned him, he had accepted him. Silently, he pressed onward towards the cloud of darkness that veiled the distant edge.

The cloud was dark and terribly intoxicating. Adrammelech felt as if his very essence was being drained from his being. He felt it cloud his lungs like a vicious miasma. He paused as he saw a figure standing in the distance. Adrammelech snapped his fingers and created a spark of lightning that hovered around them, providing a source of light within the dark cloud. He let out a small gasp as he looked at the man before him. His skin was a grayish violet color that thinly stretched across his face, giving him a skeletal appearance. Only one of his dark purple angel-like wings remained, the other stripped of feathers revealing the leathery skin and bones beneath. His once long black hair was now gone. The dark blue cloak hung around him in pieces, barely concealing his blue and purple clothes beneath. The only thing reminiscent of his old appearance were his purple eyes, now drenched in sorrow.

"Zalera," Adrammelech whispered, surprised. Zalera lifted his eyes and looked at his disciple. He knew Adrammelech was not to blame for his imprisonment. He was merely a tool of the Gods. Adrammelech cast his gaze down to the black floor, ashamed of what he had done. The man had taught him so much, and yet he repaid him so cruelly.

"Fret not, Adrammelech," Zalera spoke in a gravelly voice. "You are not to blame for this." He gestured at the cloud of darkness surrounding them.

"But," Adrammelech sighed, leaning forward with a look of desperation on his face. "I could've done something! I could've-" Zalera cut him off with a wave of his hand. Adrammelech's head fell in defeat.

"What could you have done against the Gods? You are duty bound to the avarice of their rule." He said with a slight stern edge to his words. Silence reigned between them. Zalera focused his gaze on the man Adrammelech was carrying. "Who is this?" He asked, holding out a hand to signify who he was talking about.

"My friend, Mateus. I was hoping you could help him." Adrammelech set him down gently on the ground, careful not to hurt him more than he already was.

Mateus was barely aware of his surroundings. All he felt was a slight choking sensation in the bottom of his lungs. He was slowly faltering on the edge of unconsciousness, struggling to grasp his last sense of reality.

Zalera walked towards Mateus and placed a hand on his shoulder, closing his tired eyes. A purple aura-like light began to glow around the two Scions as Zalera focused on Mateus's affliction. A new soul… He thought. So new and yet already so troubled. Adrammelech stood in silence as he watched Zalera discern the problem, eyes flicking back and forth between the two. Mateus felt an odd sensation scratching along the edges of his mind, trying to break in. He began to panic, but something instantly calmed him down and allowed the scratching to break through. Zalera explored the deepest reaches of his mind until he found the connection. The balance had been upset. He knew when he was imprisoned that Ultima gained his power over the judgment of souls. This Scion is too young to deal with such an imbalance… Ultima use to be such a sweet girl, eagerly carrying out her mission to aid the souls of the fallen reach the light. What could have possibly possessed her to send an innocent soul to the depths of the Underworld?

Zalera feebly stood up and focused his remaining energy. The Gods may have taken away his purpose, but they still left a few lingering traces of magick within him. Hopefully, it would be enough to help Mateus deal with the imbalance. He lifted his hand to his chest, his tattered cloak billowing about him.

"Te solvo,"He uttered the unbinding words. Purple magicks worked across Mateus's skin in runes, relieving him of the unbearable pain. Mateus took in deep breaths as he regained his state of awareness. The pain was starting to wash away, leaving slight tingles in his muscles. His eyes fluttered open and he propped himself up on his arm and rubbed his head, slightly wincing from the effort. The darkness in his eyes slowly began to dissipate. He could just barely make out two figures standing before him. One he figured to be Adrammelech based on the colors, but the other he was unsure of.

"Welcome back, man," Adrammelech said with a smile, crossing his arms. Mateus seemed to pay him no mind, instead staring fixedly on the darker man beside him. Adrammelech followed his gaze to Zalera. His eyes were closed and he had dark bags under his eyes. "This man is Zalera. He was my mentor in the days of my youth. He also cured you." He said beaming with pride.

Zalera chuckled and opened his eyes, gazing softly at Mateus. "The journey ahead is full of obstacles, young one. But do not fret for you hold strength in unity. Remember this always. Not all of us fulfill our tasks as we should." He said quietly.

Mateus lowered his head, trying to find his voice. The feeble man seemed to be a fatherly figure to Adrammelech. "Thank you for curing me." He finally said, his voice sounding slightly strained as a side effect of the pain. Zalera nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"You should both leave now. I fear your absence will soon be discovered." Zalera said to Adrammelech. He turned to Mateus. "Go and visit the Underworld. There you shall find some of the answers you seek." Mateus nodded his head and stood up, carefully balancing himself as he readjusted. "But I warn you," His gravelly voice took on a grave tone, "be careful. I sense something terrible will befall you both if you do not."

"Right! We'll do our best to be on our guard. Come on, Mateus!" Adrammelech exclaimed and proceeded to march back across the dark cloud, earning a sigh from Zalera. Pausing, he turned to face his old teacher. "We'll be back soon, Zalera." He said with a serious tone. Zalera closed his eyes and faded back into the darkness.