For those of you wondering what happened to Frederic your wait is over. I wasn't originally going to draw him buttttt…I caved and did a quick drawing although he might have preferred that I didn't. As always art for this story can be found on my deviant art account under the name, Shagonsheart.

Content warning: Excessive violence! Quirin goes full Punisher here and some of the deaths are a little graphic. Other than that, enjoy!

Chapter 9

The Fall of Frederic Corona

Shortly after the Amber Town massacre a number of new souls found their way into Hell. The last one was a man known as Frederic Corona. As most new sinners waking up and realizing they've died and gone to Hell he found it quite disorienting. He tried to think back and remember what happened. It wasn't long before images began to form in his mind and his final moments became clear.

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He had rushed back home on his private helicopter as soon as he had gotten word that his daughter had been killed. The man was a ball of rage and was going to see to it that whoever was responsible lived a very long time in as much agony as the human body was capable of enduring and then some. But the closer he got he realized something bigger was going on.

The media was reporting that a young video game programmer had left a dying message and was now exposing his entire organization. It was incredible that a kid had managed to find out so many secrets and information that he thought was destroyed years ago. It would seem that the kid had gotten his revenge from beyond the grave. It would be impressive if it wasn't directed at him.

Then he started getting reports from his own people that someone was going around killing off his employees. One of them managed to inform him that it was the boy's father Quirin Ruddiger who was the culprit, just before he was killed as well.

His second in command Zhan Tiri warned him that it might be best if he didn't return home just yet. Either the F.B.I. or Quirin would likely be waiting for him. Frederic just scoffed. The man was dying in a hospital bed. There was no way he was capable of going through all his highly trained men.

Then he got a video message. Against his better judgment he played it. In the background was a burning building with all the windows and doors welded shut. Screaming could be heard coming from inside as the fire raged on. The camera panned to the side of the building which had a graffitied message alongside it. It read, "Saporian terrorist hideout." If Frederic had to guess it was Andrew's deal with him that put him on the killer's hit list. He was the one who alerted him to Varian's plans in the first place. But the video wasn't finished.

While the fire fighters pulled up trying in vain to get the people out of the building the camera moved to the side of another building, this one much closer. A man came into view. His arms were tied to an exposed steel beam and his legs were bound with a chain that led to the front of a semi truck. It was then he recognized the man as Nigel. The unseen camera man then climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine.

Frederic's favorite hit man jerked and started twisting violently in an effort to get away. The driver took out a marker and wrote on the inside windshield, "Child Killer!" and started backing up. He took his time as he pulled away slowly letting Nigel struggle even harder as the chain tightened and tightened until finally his body was lifted off the ground. The driver paused a moment before backing up another inch. Nigel screamed as his limbs started to dislocate from their sockets but still remained attached. Inch by inch the truck moved until finally he hit the gas and the hit man's body was torn in two.

The camera moved again this time catching the driver's reflection. To Frederic's shock it was Quirin who had no doubt let his reflection show on purpose.

"I'm sure by now you know what this is about, old friend. Come home and we'll settle this once and for all." and the video ended. Zhan Tiri looked up at her boss wondering what he would do.

"We can still flee to a safe house if we-"

"I'm going to meet him." he said in a low voice that left no room for argument.

"You suspect he's the same one that killed your daughter I presume." Frederic nodded. Zhan Tiri closed her eyes and sat back.

"Then it would seem our fate has been decided." It was almost like she had accepted the fact that they were heading towards their deaths.

Before they had even reached the landing area on the roof of his estate Frederic had several loaded guns at the ready. Before he could even exit however a spear shot through the air missing the man by mere inches but embedding itself into his second in command. Frederic jumped out and started shooting at the figure in the distance as the helicopter took off again in a panic.

The figure ran inside as Frederic followed trying to keep track and get a clear shot of the killer. He weaved in and out of the hallways firing desperately. At last he had him cornered in the living room and in a fit of rage unloaded the last of his ammunition into his body.

"Gottcha ya bastard!" He smiled gleefully as he turned the body over to see…Dwayne his driver? Suddenly there was a sharp pain in his back just below his shoulder blade. Moments later he found himself hoisted up off the floor and was now dangling from the ceiling. He tried to get what must have been a hook out of his back and when that didn't work he tried pulling himself up on the chain he was hanging from but he couldn't seem to get free.

"It's been a while…old friend." Frederic turned to see Quirin step out of the shadows looking more buff than a dying man should have. "It was about 20 years ago. I was on a job and you were the target. It was supposed to be nice and quick but your wife Ariana, heavy with child, pleaded for your life. In a moment of weakness I allowed you to escape so you could be there for your child and how do you repay me?" Frederic continued to struggle but the blood loss was begging to make him light headed.

"You order MY CHILD KILLED!" Quirin pulled on the other end of the chain and flung the other man across the room over one of his large fish tanks. Frederic looked down and saw to his horror that he was dangling above the one with his beloved pet shark swimming around excitedly.

"For the record, I'm not the one who killed Rapunzel." He bent over with a sudden cough nearly letting go of the chain. "Everyone else -cough- yeah, that was me." Frederic renewed his struggle trying to swing to the edge of the tank where he could at least get a foothold.

"Then who did? I'll bring them so much pain-" He gasped as Quirin readjusted the chain moving him back to the center. The blood dripping from his back was making the sea predator even hungrier.

"My son has friends in many places and is very resourceful." He took a sheet of paper out of his jacket pocket and crossed off Zhan Tiri. There was only one name left. "I'm sure they'll be willing to welcome you with open arms once you get to Hell." He coughed again making him drop the list his own blood had crossed off the last name.

"There is no Heaven or Hell. Just oblivion." Quirin chuckled.

"You're in for a surprise Frederic but don't worry-" He clutched his chest, his wife's medicine was finally wearing off. "I'll be right behind you." and with that he collapsed to the floor letting go of the chain.

Frederic scrambled and cursed as the shark took its first bit and then another. The last thing Quirin saw before he passed was Frederic's arm floating to the bottom of the tank, the rest of him eaten.

"Don't worry Varian, Daddy's coming,,,"

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The memory now clear in his mind Frederic knew what he had to do. He would find that wretched Quirin and his little brat and with his crew he would torment them for all eternity. After all, he sent them all down here with him so it was only a matter of-AHH!"

It took him a moment to realize what had happened, he'd been stepped on. He looked up and realized the world around him as well as most of the other beings around him were giant. But how could this be? He crawled over to a puddle on the side of the road and gasped as he saw his reflection. He wasn't a mighty beast or powerful titan, no he was just…a worm.

"Funny how things work out in the end isn't it Frederic." He knew that voice, he turned around to see the massive form of Zhan Tiri. She was a specter-like demon with the head of a goat with a gold and blue eye. Frederic could feel it even if he wasn't sure how, she was radiating with power.

"Zhan Tiri! But how-"

"You were always a fool, Frederic. I was the one who ran your empire while you sat on your throne like a puppet king. And while you made sure your life on Earth was comfortable I spent my time preparing for what came next. I will take over this realm one ring at a time and once I am the ruler of Hell, Heaven and Earth will fall at my feet! All will know the name Zhan Tiri!"

Frederic watched as one by one the people who once followed him were now flocking to her.

"You traitorous hag! Just you wait, I built an empire once and I can do it again!" While it sounded intimidating in his head the tiny squeaking of his voice did not help to assert his dominance. She just laughed.

"You are a pathetic little worm. That's what you were then and that's all you are now. And I will waste no more time on you." And with that she walked away leaving the former mob boss alone and friendless.

"Just you wait, Zhan Tiri. I'll get back on top somehow! And when I do-ack!" He was stepped on again.

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Varian learned over time like most young souls do where the safer parts of Hell were and what areas should be avoided at all cost. Some were obvious like Cannibal Town. Any one who wandered into that place was considered free food for the residents. Others were more deceiving. He had entered an unassuming butcher shop once and if it wasn't for his snake biting the butcher he might have ended up on the meat rack.

It was when he was wandering through what he thought was one of the safer parts of Pentagram City to drop off something for the Baron that he saw something strange. Digging around the trash cans was a purple raccoon like creature with tiny wings on its back. As soon as the creature spotted him it bared its teeth and started advancing on the young boy.

"Easy there." Varian said in a calm soothing voice. "I'm not going to steal your food, I'm just walking by." The thing was still slowly approaching when Varian's snake rose up and looked right into the raccoon's eyes. It stopped, looking at the snake curiously. For a few moments it was like they were having a silent conversation with each other. Whatever they said the creature must have liked because he quickly scurried up Varian's body and rested itself on his shoulder purring like a cat.

"Well, you don't seem so bad." Varian took out an apple he had in his pocket and offered it to the little beast. It happily accepted the treat and nuzzled Varian's face causing him to giggle. "You want to come with me? Well alright, I guess I'll be your ride." And with that the boy and his new friend went merrily along their way not noticing the remains of a sinner sticking out of the trash where the raccoon was just feeding.

To be continued…

Next time: Varian is reunited with his Mother and meets her lab partner. There's also a younger mouse demon working in the lab but Varian doesn't like him whatsoever…and no he was not blushing.