Hello citizens! Your maybe friendly neighborhood Pterodactyls here! I bring okay tidings of an updated chapter! So read, enjoy, review, whatever. I'ma go wreak havoc and take a nap. Oh yeah, of course my thanks go out to detrametal. Thanks! Also I don't own Darksiders. Whoo.

We made it to the Prison - running into only a few demons - to find Samael walking in a circle. He must be really anxious to get the Heart.

"I was beginning to worry you might not live up to your end of the bargain. Give it to me." The demon commanded, reaching for the Heart.

Whoa there, ya got some explainin ta do.

Apparently War was thinking along those same lines as he gripped the Heart in one hand and Chaoseater in the other, "You lied to me about the Chosen… They never guarded the Tower."

Technically they did since Sammy said he's gonna show us the way when ya give him all the Hearts.

"What does it matter? Our deal wasn't for ancient history. I promised you the Tower, and you shall have it."

What's considered ancient history fer an age old demon? Wait, that's beside the point!

War threw the Heart onto the ground and Sammy snatched it up and started chowing down.

That's when something changed. The air grew think and heavy and started to crackle with electricity near Sammy. He roared, breathing fire and radiating darkness.

Shit…

"Did it amuse you, to deny me what's rightfully mine?"

I'm not a part o' this right now. Big Red had the Heart, not me.

"With my powers restored, I am like unto a GOD! I could suck the marrow from your bones before you drew another breath."

Alright, enough with excessive movements and conjurin fire. We get it. You're all powerful now. Also, when did Big Red put his sword away? And why?

After his rant - and one more wave of darkness - he seemed to deflate a bit, though the Horseman still looked ready for a fight. "I could… but I too have a code by which I do business." He said, waving his hand and opening up a portal on the ground. "Besides, say what you will about Balance and your ridiculous Law."

Big Red started towards the new portal and I had little choice but to go with him. It was either that or stay here with the powerful demon prince and break my deal with Shadow Man. I'd take my chances in the Tower.

Sammy walked with us a few feet, "I recognize a quest for revenge when I see one. And revenge, I respect!"

Well who don't respect revenge? Catch up with the times Sammy.

"As for the details of my 'resignation'…" he chuckled "well… I do not approve of the company my master keeps."

"Master?!"

"Why did you challenge the Destroyer, Samael?" War asked.

Ooh, ooh! I know! Pick me! Pick me!

"See your journey to its end, Horseman," he answered, gesturing to the portal "you will understand soon enough."

"You - trust him?!" When did the Watcher come out? "Who knows where in the Nine Hells this portal will take us?!"

"I trust him." I answered instead of Big Red. "On this matter at least."

"We will meet again." Sam said before we stepped into the portal.

I turned back and waved at him with a smile, "Take care Sammy! See ya later!"

Then we were transported away from the Prison.

Where we ended up looked just like Vulgrim's Serpent Holes except this place was more orange instead of blue and didn't have his medallion thingies hanging everywhere. We made it to the end and the portal that would take us out. Except it looked more fire than actual portal. And little bats were flying out of it. We stepped on it anyway. At least we didn't burn.

We came out in a room that looked as if it was part of a castle. High ceiling, what might have been orange stained glass windows, walls carved of black stone, and a giant demon face carved onto the floor. Let me correct that first part. We came out in a room that looked as if it was part of a demon's castle.

"Sooo, this is the Tower?" I asked.

"The Black Throne." Big Red corrected.

"Well which is it? The Tower er the Black Throne?"

"The Black Throne is part of the Tower."

"…Whatever, let's just get goin."

Then the Watcher thought it was a good a time as any to appear and be annoying, "We've got to discover the source of the Destroyer's power! And shut it down!"

I couldn't help it. I tried, but I really couldn't, "Oh? So you're gonna help this time? How nice o' you! Where do we go first?" Which was a very easy question since the only way out was directly ahead of us but he must have been blind or just stupid because he didn't answer and went back inside War's gauntlet.

"Now that he's outta the way, shall we move on?"

We left the circular room and went down the narrow staircase lit bluish-green flamed torches. Wonder if I could get my fire that color…

The Horseman shoved open the door at the bottom of the stairs to reveal a large room with no seeable way to the other side. Meaning there was a giant chasm blocking our way. And we'd just gotten here.

This problem was quickly solved by the Horseman stepping on a symbol on the ground that looked like a sun. Stones started float up and form a bridge across. We stayed standing on the sun, waiting for the bridge to complete itself but when it got to a certain point the first stones that popped up fell back into the chasm.

"Looks like we'll have ta make a run fer it." I observed. "Up fer a little exercise Big Red?"

"Don't fall behind."

I couldn't help but grin, "Is that a challenge?"

He didn't answer but when the bridge started to reform on our side again we both took off.

"Winner has ta fight the Destroyer!" I yelled as he pulled even farther ahead of me. This didn't stop or even slow him down. Not that I thought it would.

Then we were on the other side and I was trying to catch my breath, "I totally let ya win." I know, I'm a smug little bitch.

He opened the next door to another hallway. Farther on down we could see what looked like an angel floating in the middle of three skulls.

I just hope he doesn't wanna kill us too.

As we got closer I could see that the angel dude had huge wings with actual feathers and the longest had blue runes on them. The owner of the wings looked as if he would be more at home in a library than this place. He wore a long robe, had long white hair, white eyes, and some big metal circle behind his head. I wonder if that was his version of a halo.

"Azrael…" the Rider said to get the angel's attention.

He knows 'im? Not surprisin I guess.

"Heaven help me… Th-the Seventh Seal… was not broken…"

So is that how angels greet guests? Better than tryin ta kill us, I reckon.

"What have you to fear from me, Angel of Death?"

Angel o' what now?

"If you do not intend to kill me, then perhaps… you will help me?"

Calm down dude and stop jumpin ta conclusions.

"You've given me no reason to do either."

He's got a point.

"Listen to me."

I'm listenin.

"The Gate must be shut. The Tower must be cut off from the Well!"

What Well and what Gate? Stop bein so confusin dammit!

"It is from the Well that the Destroyer draws his power." He continued.

I silently ask again, what Well?

"The Well of Souls?" Big Red asked.

Oh, so I'm the only one out o' the loop. As usual.

"Millions of souls… yes. Enslaved… twisted. A corrupt power to fuel the Destroyer's armies!"

He seems very passionate 'bout this Well.

"You are Steward of the Underworld. Watcher of the Well." War pointed out.

Excuse me? "Steward of the Underworld"? That is… some occupation.

"Not a single soul flows back into this world without you knowing…" he went on, "unless, gatekeeper, you opened the way?"

This caught my attention. Maybe he knows how I came back.

Of course, Azzy defended himself, "The Destroyer sent the mightiest of his Chosen against me."

Hopefully one Big Red's already beaten.

"I fared no better than you did, Horseman… against Straga."

Didn't Sammy mention 'im before?

"Straga! You will take me to him?"

That didn't sound like a question.

"You have my word."

"Then tell me what I must do… Angel of Death."

"Please, you must find some way to draw power to this chamber!"

War started to walk off towards the next door but I stayed where I was. Not very surprisingly, the angel didn't seem to have noticed me yet.

"Yo! Azzy!"

"Azzy?!" he seemed taken aback by his new nickname. Then he saw me standing there, "A human?"

I'd gotten tired of that question by now and just kinda snapped a bit, "No, I'm your fairy frikkin godmother. What wish do ya want granted taday?" Feeling a bit bad about my outburst, I sighed, "Yeah, sorry, I'm a human."

"But… how?"

"I was hopin you could answer that."

"What do you mean?"

"I died then I came back. Big Red just said that ya know when a soul comes back soooo…"

"I have no knowledge of a human returning to Earth."

I sighed again, "Another dead-end. Oh well, thanks anyway."

I ran to catch up with the Horseman but Azzy stopped me, "What is your name, human?"

"Hope."

"How ironic." He chuckled.

I was torn between asking what he meant and going after War but chose the latter and caught up to him just as he was shoving open the next door. Something above the door caught my attention. It was a light blue globe but inside it skulls could be seen floating around.

Skulls… er souls?

I hurried after War through the door and into the next stairway. After the door closed behind us, a gate slammed down, blocking our way back out.

Speaking of annoying things, the Watcher came out, "Azrael says there's a way to move soul energy back to his chamber. I say, let him rot."

"Well it's a good thing ya don't get a say in this matter since we probably need 'im."

"Says who?!"

"My gut. He's usually right about this kind o' stuff."

"…He?"

I just shrugged. Why should I explain myself to an annoying sprite?

As soon as we stepped into the next room, a red crystal on the opposite wall turned blue. It reminded me of those crystals in the Bat Bitch's lair. Except this one was being held by a demon. Surprise, surprise.

Anywho, the Rider threw the Crossblade at the crystal, momentarily turning it red again and causing the whole wall to shift down. Now there was a new way deeper into the room on the rightmost side. And we went through! And was blocked by another wall! What's up with all the puzzles everywhere? This post-apocalyptic world is full of them. Also, why is there a hole in the middle of the wall? Seems kinda pointless.

The Horseman hit the crystal on the second wall, causing parts of it to shift up. Then we went back the way we came and he hit the first crystal again and the wall shifted back up. Then we had a straight shot forward to some stairs. Except part of the way up they were blocked. Back to the drawing board.

We went to the third section of moving wall and Big Red hit the crystal on it and the wall shifted down and we were able to go through the new doorway. Though, with no way back to the stairs without hitting the crystal again, we had to jump. Or use the grapple spot. At least now the way up was clear. After the stairs, the way to the next door was still blocked.

I stayed by the stairs as War went through another doorway back into the second section then back out where he hit the crystal on the third wall, raising it and successfully unblocking our way.

"Go Big Red! Ya did it!" It's always good to encourage others. Unless you don't like them and kinda wish they would fail I guess.

He joined me and we went on through the next door and outside. Where we were ambushed. I feel as if I should have known this would happen.

A gate came together and blocked the door then an orange seal appeared as if the gate wasn't enough. A seal also blocked our way forward.

Then a Skank showed up. Not Uriel skank but skeletal skank. Except she seemed more transparent and less skeletal. She was still a Skank though. Big Red couldn't hit her while she was all transparenty but when she was about to attack, she manifested and War made his move. He slashed at her over and over again, not giving her a chance to attack, until he literally ripped her in half.

"Well, that seemed easy." I said, joining him.

Honestly, I'm not sure what he did next besides turn some levers and hit a crystal then turn another lever. Either way, we could go across with the help of our grappling hooks now. All that swinging was pretty fun. If you ignored the fact that we could have died if we'd missed one of the spots. But we made it over the gap and through the next door without anything bad happening. That's a first.

The next room was filled with those oddly placed stained-glass windows. Well maybe not filled but you get the point.

"Stay here." War told me before he jumped off the ledge into the larger part of the room.

"Think it's gonna be another ambush?"

"Possibly."

"Then ta Hells with that. I can help. Ya know I can!"

"Can you climb back up?"

"Can you?" I know, I should probably keep my mouth shut but I really don't like being told what to do.

I think I almost got him to smile, "Don't get yourself killed."

I gave him a salute, "Sir, yes sir!"

So I jumped down to join him. And yet, nothing happened.

"Huh, maybe it wasn't an am-"

Me and my big mouth.

In front of us, three red Fallen Pansies popped up out of some portals shouting "Here he is!"

"No he's over there!" I yelled back pointing to the left and away from us. It didn't work.

As they got closer more came out of some more portals in the ground.

"See Big Red?" I asked, drawing Severance. "It's a good thing I'm here to help."

He just grunted and grabbed Chaoseater.

"Let's finish this!" one of them yelled.

"I concur! Bring it on ya Pansies!"

They brought it on. We brought it on. We killed them. Demons showed up.

After the Pansies were gone, a Puppy and a few Fluffies appeared. Except this Puppy was more orange and red. A new puppy! I wonder if Mayhem wants a friend…

As the Horseman dealt with the Puppy - who liked to jump - I took care of the Fluffies. Though I had to get out of the way when Big Red jumped onto the Puppy's back to cut off his horns. Then another Skank appeared along with a few more Fallen Pansies. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

Good news is, it didn't take us long to cut off some wings and limbs and rip a Skank in half. Bad news is, my arm's bleeding pretty bad.

Unfortunately, Big Red noticed this injury, "Your arm…"

"This? Pfft, it's just a scratch." Which was a bit of a lie since it ran from my shoulder to my elbow and was pretty deep. "It'll heal in no time. So who's next?"

Then the ground started to shake and opened up to reveal a hole where another one of those three-faced stone containers sat chained to the ground.

"I think I'll stay up here this time." I told War.

He didn't answer and just jumped down into the hole and started slashing away at the chains until they gave way and spun apart. Whatever the thing that was sealed inside fit over the Horseman's smaller hand where the Abyssal Chain just was. Speaking of which, where'd it go?

As soon as it was on snuggly tight, he shot it at one of the stained glass window thingies on the floor and an orange… hole to open up. He looked as if he was about to shoot it again but waited and let it charge up or whatever before letting it fly and opening a blue hole in another window. Jumping into the orange hole, he shot up out of the blue one somehow and landed on the level above.

Ah, so it makes portals. Neat but ain't it in the wrong game?

I clapped as I walked over to join him, "Impressive but what next?"

"We keep going."

"Alright Mr. Smartass, lead the way."

He shot the portal thingy at another window on a wall then at one above the ledge in front of us.

Oh, guess that's the way ta go then.

Big Red looked back at me before walking through the portal and coming out on the ledge above.

I walked up to the portal myself and, ignoring its gentle pull, looked through it. Through it I could see the room behind me, even the still blocked door on the other side. Neat. Only thing now was to jump through. So that's what I did. And fell out the other side. Luckily Big Red caught me and I didn't break anything! Except my pride…

"Thanks." I grunted as he set me down and we could move on down the hall to our right. Yay… Why do I feel kinda sick though?

Near the end War shot the Voidwalker - he told me the name later - at a window on the wall then at another one on the floor. Grabbing me and tucking me under his arm, the Horseman jumped through the first portal and came flying up out of the second.

I'm not sure how - since I closed my eyes when he jumped - but we managed to land onto another ledge.

"Thanks, again," I told him as he set me on my feet, "but I think I can jump through on my own."

"The portals are not meant for humans to pass through."

"Yeah, I can tell that from their placement and how sick they're makin me." Which was true. Every time we went through one I felt my non-existent lunch trying to come up. "But I can handle it." That was probably less true. Didn't matter, fake it till ya make it right?

Anywho, in front of us the upper half of the hallway continued on. Only problem was the hole that we had to jump over to get there. Or we could take the easy way and portal over there but where's the fun in that? I guess what's considered fun and what isn't doesn't matter after the end of the world cause we took the easy way.

War shot at the window on the other side and I watched as he jumped off the ledge and into the portal below and came out of the other one.

"This should be fun." I always wanted to go bungee jumping. Guess this was close enough. I jumped off the ledge and followed the Rider down and over. It was more than a little disorienting for the feeling of falling to turn more into something like the sensation of running. Does that make sense? Whatever.

In any case, we landed on another one of those giant sun buttons on the floor which sent the portal we just came out of rising up on some tracks on the wall.

I followed Big Red down the hallway where another window and a spikey bomb was. He immediately opened a portal on the window where it showed a bunch of red rocks on the other side. Guess that would explain the bomb.

Picking up the bomb before the Horseman could, I threw it through the portal and onto the rocks which exploded! Yay! I really need to do something else with my life. Right now it's just a boring monotony of exploding rocks…

Before we could jump through, our time ran out and the first portal started to lower again. Boo.

I waited where I was as Big Red ran back to step on the button and raise the portal again. Since it stopped before the Horseman got back… I did the only reasonable thing I could think of and jumped on through. And almost didn't make it. I slammed into the edge of the next ledge and scrambled for a hand-hold on the cracked floor. I finally found one and held on for dear life. Though I ended up breaking a few nails. Great. Oh well, I managed to pull myself up as War jumped through the portal. I also managed to roll out of the way as he landed.

I couldn't help but smile up at him, "Told ya I could do it by meself."

Ignoring me, he led the way down the short hall and into another large room with no floor. But there was another sun button and bats flying around. Don't think the bats were gonna do us any good but whatever.

Big Red took out all the bats first with the Crossblade before stepping on the button, raising the temporary stone bridge. And the race was on… And I lost the race… again. I like to believe that I gave him a run for his money souls though. It's a lie but I like to believe.

Another short hallway lead to a blue windy orb which lead to another one higher up which lead to another ledge I guess. We made our way up to find that I was right. Booyah! What? I gotta find something to be happy about in this day and age.

After we made it a little ways into the next room with another one of those blue skull orb thingies, a gate with a window on it slammed down, blocking our way back.

"Well that's just fantastic."

"It is." War… agreed?

I took a step away from him so I could see his face better but it was mostly hidden by the shadows of his hood, "A-are ya bein sarcastic cause I really cain't tell and frankly it's frightenin me."

In answer, the shot the Voidwalker at the new portal then charged it up before shooting it at another one on the floor to our left.

Oh.

He jumped through the portal on the wall and came flying up out of the one on the floor. He just managed to grab the edge of the next ledge and pull himself up.

Maybe I should have hitched a ride fer this one… Nah, I got this.

Taking a deep breath, I jumped into the first portal and came shooting up out of the second. Being way lighter than the Horseman, I ended up overshooting the ledge. Unluckily, it was too far away for me to reach so yay for grappling hooks!

When I made it to the top I tried to stand but found that I couldn't.

War watched as I struggled to find my feet and stay conscious, looking as if he was contemplating something.

Meanwhile I forced a smile, "Those near-death experiences sure will get ta ya, huh?" Except I wasn't suffering from a near-death experience but from the effects of the portal on my poor, weak, human body. But he didn't need to know that.

Eventually we could move on to the next room where some kind of stone pedestal-looking thing and a giant skull-filled orb was waiting for us. So much yay it hurts. So much sarcasm it hurts even more. Or maybe that's just the multiple portal rides piling up.

As soon as we got close enough to the pedestal we learned that it wasn't a pedestal at all but a stone robot thingy. Technology that's trying to kill us! Then again, what isn't trying to kill us?

I stayed by the now sealed door as War ran forward and the robot dropped - what looked like - a flail and started swinging it around. Now, this wasn't your normal flail swinging. The robot's top half spun around, dragging the flail along the ground. With each rotation the chain attaching it to the robot let out a little more so that it would swing wider. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take…

Big Red was able to dodge it and the next attack where the robot just slammed the flail onto the ground. After that one though it seemed as if it was stuck. Good news for the Horseman! For once.

While it was stuck, Big Red was able to shoot two charged shots at separate windows on the ground and jump into one and out the other. Once in the air, he used his wings to land on top of the robot and stab it with Chaoseater. He worked the giant blade back and forth before jumping off the robot which collapsed to the ground to where War could attack the glowing thing in its middle.

This seemed to make the robot angry since when it got up it turned red and started swinging again, and following the Horseman.

When its little temper tantrum was over, the robot calmed down and went back to its normal blue. That is, until Big Red stabbed it in the head again, making it angry all over again. But as they say - whomever "they" may be - third time's the charm.

After stabbing the robot in the head the third time and attacking it once it had collapsed, it sort of short-circuited and slumped even further.

Big Red punched - yes I said punched - the robot onto its back before slicing the chain holding the flail and picking it up as the robot tried to sit up. It didn't get very far as the Horseman started swinging the flail himself and hit the robot, successfully sending it flying. To finish it off, he jumped and slammed the flail into the robot, breaking it apart. Talk about giving it a taste of its own medicine.

Where the robot broke apart, blue souls flew up and into the giant skull-filled orb, causing a beam to shoot out of a smaller orb below it.

Huh, so I guess it's actually filled with souls, not skulls. Good ta know.

"That beam must be the energy Azrael was blabbering on about. You have to redirect it back to his chamber." The Watcher said. Why does he only come out after the fight is over?

"What happened ta lettin 'im rot?" I asked the sprite.

He chose not to answer and went back inside War's gauntlet with a muttered word that didn't sound very nice.

"So Big Red, how exactly are we supposed ta get that beam back there?"

"The Voidwalker will help."

"Mm, if ya say so."

We went back the way we came to see the beam pointing directly at a window I hadn't noticed earlier. Guess the Voidwalker was going to help. Shame on me for doubting.

War opened a portal on that window and we jumped down the hole to the room below. He decided to just crash down while I took the more lady-like way and glided. Once there, he opened another portal on the window on the wall. The beam shot out of it and hit the soul orb on the opposite wall, causing it to completely dissipate and we could go on through the hallway hidden behind it.

While I was skipping ahead of the Horseman and under the beam… I couldn't help it… I jumped up and touched it. I didn't expect to feel anything, maybe just the cool displacement of air or something but not… As soon as I touched it pain racked my body and I fell to the floor with a scream, cradling my right hand to my chest.

Shit, shit, shit! Fuckin shit!

I felt Big Red pull on my arm until I was in a sitting position and I realized two things. One, I couldn't speak though a lot of curses were running through my head - as seen above. And two, I was trembling. Badly.

War managed to pull my hand away enough to where we could see that it was charred black. I stared at it in horror. The hand that could control fire, that I used to mold metal, was burned nearly beyond recognition. To my relief it was slowly healing though, the blackened flesh falling away to reveal pale skin beneath.

I swallowed, my throat feeling raw, "O-okay, n-no m-m-more t-touchin th-the s-soul en-energy."

"It would be wise."

Taking War's offered hand and using Severance as a cane, I was finally able to stand and we could move on. Though he closed the portal behind us first.

We got to the end of the hall to where an elevator and another soul orb and portal was waiting. I stayed back as Big Red opened up a portal on the window and the beam shot out and hit the soul orb. The beam disappeared and metal slabs slid over the orb, trapping the energy inside.

I joined the Horseman on the elevator and he turned the lever, making the elevator go down. It was a short trip during which I had to keep my shirt tail pulled down for reasons.

As soon as the elevator stopped, the beam shot out of the orb and on instinct I ducked but it passed way overhead and hit a window. We were back in the room where the Voidwalker was.

Anyway, Big Red opened a portal on the window the beam was hitting then on another one right beside it. It came out of the second portal and hit the soul orb above the door, bringing down the gate blocking it and trapping the energy inside.

At least we could go through the door now. And back outside. Where we were ambushed. Again.

"Is this gonna happen every time we go outside?" I asked Big Red as seal blocked our ways forward and back.

"Stay back." Was his answer.

"The Hells I am." Was my rebuttal.

We didn't exactly have anytime to argue on this matter as two Skanks rose from blue portals on the ground.

"A new playing." One of them whispered as they came at us.

"Excuse you ladies, we ain't nobody's playthings."

As per usual, it didn't take the Horseman long to rip one in half and toss her to the side. As soon as he did though, an orange Puppy clawed its way out of a red portal.

"Take care o' the Skank, Big Red! I'll go distract the Puppy!" I yelled at him as he blocked the Skank's attack and I ran towards the Puppy.

"Hey there boy. How's it goin? Wanna play with Hope fer a bit?"

Keep in mind that our "playing" consisted of the demon trying to hit me and me trying not to get hit. Sounds like fun right? It was just like a game of tag, but… a lot deadlier.

Thankfully Big Red didn't take too long in killing the Skank and came to take the Puppy off my hands. I still wasn't feeling too well after all.

I didn't get much time to rest though since as soon as War sliced off one of the Puppy's horns, Fallen Pansies and another Skank came to join the party and I was put back to work slicing off wings and arms and any other available appendage.

War jumped onto the Puppy's back again and it actually hit some of the angels as it stumbled around trying to shake its rider off.

It was pretty funny cause one of the angels was knocked off the edge but he didn't come back up. Wonder if he flew off instead of rejoining the fight again.

Either way, they all were soon gone and the seals disappeared. We could move on! And I was feeling much better! I guess all I needed was a little violence.

The beam shot out of the orb on our side of the door - which was much higher than the one on the other side of the door - and hit the window above the grappling hooks.

War opened up a portal on the window before somehow switching back to the Abyssal Chain and swinging across. Of course I followed.

On the other side, he switched back to the Voidwalker and shot it at the other window above the hooks. The beam shot out of it and hit the orb above the door, unblocking it, blah, blah, blah. Point is, we could go on to the next room.

Where there were walls blocking the way. It's impossible to express with words how happy I am right now. Maybe cause I'm not happy at all. War couldn't even open up a portal on the window that the beam was hitting because of the fence blocking our way so we had to go the long way around and lower the wall blocking the stairs and all that.

I waited by the stairs as he went to hit the crystal that would lower the wall blocking the stairs. Good news is that he was able to do that and open up portals on the first window and the one below it on the opposite wall. Bad news is, now the first portal was too low for the beam.

Again, I stayed as he swung across the gap to where a crystal was on this side of the wall and hit it with the Crossblade. The wall rose up and the beam passed through the portal and a hole in the wall. So I guess that's what they're for. Switching back to the Abyssal Chain, the Horseman swung back across the gap and we went on to the next part of the room.

Seriously though, where does he keep all these things? I don't think he has pockets and even if he did, I doubt the Crossblade could fit in a pocket. Does he keep them in his gauntlet? Cause with the Watcher and everything else in there it must be getting pretty crowded. Why is this bothering me so much?!

Anyway, in the next section of the room, he hit the crystal on the next wall, raising it up to where the beam could pass through the next hole. We passed through to the last part of the room before Big Red hit the crystal and brought the wall down. The beam passed through the next hole, blah, hit the orb above the door, blah, and unblocked it. Blah.

At last we made it back to where Azzy was waiting.

As soon as we passed through the door, the beam shot out of the orb above it and hit one of the skulls floating around the angel.

"Horseman…" Azrael said, unfurling his wings, "I never imagined that you would be my salvation. Hurry now, before Straga learns of your coming."

What's he gonna do if he does learn bout it? I say bring it on ya Hermit! Get outta the house sometime ya loser! I'm picking imaginary fights again, aren't I?

"When I found you, you said, 'The Seventh Seal was not broken'." War said. "I've heard those words before. Abaddon said the same… right before he died."

Azzy just hung his head and Big Red walked off for a moment.

So Azzy is hidin somethin? What does it have ta do with the seventh artic seal? Just what the Hells is goin on?!

The Horseman came back as the angel destroyed the skull that the beam hit. He also made parts of the wall lower so that they made a sort of stairway and something like a large hollow pillar lower from the ceiling.

"Impressive."

"The beams… redirect the beams…" Azzy mumbled.

"Alright, ya heard 'im Big Red. Let's get movin!" I said, starting towards the new staircase.

I felt War put a hand on my shoulder, halting me in my tracks, "Stay here."

"Why come? C'mon man, I can climb those things just as well as well as you! Okay, maybe not just as well as you cause you're huge but I still can!"

"No, you've already been hurt enough." So that's what this was about.

I shrugged off his hand and showed him my arm which had healed a while ago, "Ya mean this little scratch that's already healed?" I shoved my right hand in his face next, "And this? It's as good as new! And I promise I won't touch the soul beam thingy anymore!"

"You touched the soul beam?!" Azzy asked but we ignored him.

War ignored my totally valid arguments, "You're staying here with Azrael."

"The fuck I am! He don't even want me here anyway!"

"Actually," the angel jumped in, "I wouldn't mind the company."

"Shut up Azzy, ya ain't helpin here." I turned my focus back to the Horseman, "I ain't no child! I can take care o' myself and fight!"

"And if you are hurt again?"

"Then so be it. I'll walk it off." I said through gritted teeth.

"Or killed?"

"If I die, I die. So fuckin what?"

"The humans will be lost."

"Well whoop-de-doodle-doo fer us. I say the universe is better off without us anyway."

"You're staying here."

"Make. Me."

So that's exactly what he did.

Grabbing my grappling hook off my belt loop he wrapped the chain around me, trapping my arms to my sides. All the while I was spitting curses and threats at him. Finally, he hooked it through one of the links behind me.

"Stay." He said once more before walking off and climbing the stair thingies.

"I ain't no fuckin dog! Get back here and take this damn chain off ya bastard! I hope ya fall in a lava pit and burn ya mother-fuckin son o' a bitch whore! Fuck you!"

I heard the door slam shut somewhere above and the Horseman was gone.

Good riddance. I sighed and hung my head. Great. I'm alone with an angel I don't know and wrapped in my own grapplin hook chain... I repeat, great.

"Surely you didn't mean what you said, did you?" Azrael asked.

I looked up at him through the hair that had fallen in my face, "Yup."

"You really wish for War to perish?"

"I didn't say that now, but as fer wantin 'im ta burn? Yeah, but give me time ta calm down and I'll feel bad 'bout it. Oh, and sorry fer yellin at ya ta shut up."

The angel seemed to contemplate this for a moment this for a moment before saying, "I will remove that chain for you if you wish."

"I do wish. Just get this damn thing off, my nose is startin ta itch."

I made my way over to Azzy who unhooked and unwrapped the chain for me.

"Why are you so angry at War? He is only trying to keep you safe."

"Yeah? Well I don't need nobody ta keep me safe. I can do it meself."

"You did not answer my question."

"I got abandonment issues is all."

"Abandonment issues?" he asked, unwrapping the last of the chain.

I took the hook from him and put it back through my belt loop, "Yeah, let's just leave it there. I'll be back in a little while."

"Where are you going?" he asked as I headed towards the door.

"Ta blow off some steam."

"And if the Horseman asks where you went?"

"Tell 'im I said it was none o' his beeswax." I said, making my way down the hall.

"You're going outside the Tower aren't you?" he shouted, finally figuring it out.

"Yup." I hollered back.

"You'll be killed out there by yourself."

"Maybe." With that, I managed to shove open the doors and made my way into the next room. Where there was no floor.

"Here we go I reckon." I jumped onto the button that bring up the temporary bridge. At first, I was afraid that I wouldn't be heavy enough but then the button sank down and the bridge came up. I feel fat now… Curse these woman thoughts.

Anyway, I ran across and managed to shove my way through the next door and into the room with the orange Serpent Hole.

"Ain't these things basically portals too?" I thought out loud, staring down at the black and orange hole. "Why come they don't make me sick like the other ones?"

I shrugged and stepped onto the Serpent Hole where I was transported to that world between worlds. I hummed a little tune as I made my way to the other side. If I didn't hum or sing or something I would start thinking and I might just have a breakdown. Can't have that now can we?

I finally came out at Sammy's prison - of course he wasn't there - and looked for some demons to obliterate. Yet another great word. Ranks right up there with incredulously.

There was a General Knockoff and a few Fluffies wandering around up ahead and some Fuglies heading back towards Vulgrim's spot.

I couldn't help the grin that split my face. Perfect. Time ta give in ta some destructive impulses.

With my own battle cry, I ran towards the demons.

"Take this fool's life!" GK yelled.

"Ya really need ta get some new material!" I told him as I jumped onto his back.

When fighting a group of enemies, take out the strongest first. If the weaker ones see you take out their leader in a brutal way they might get scared.

This is usually when the little angel comes out on one's shoulder and says something like, "No, don't do it! They're a living creature just like you!" while the little devil says "Do it! Just kill him!"

My little devil was saying "Destroy them! Chop them into pieces!" while the little angel was saying "Eh, go ahead". I think my angel is just lazy.

So I found a crack in the demons armor and stuck my hand through before heating it up. I wasn't sure if this would work since he was a demon and therefore came from Hell which was full of fire but even demons must have a limit, right? I found that limit.

The General Knockoff actually screamed and tried to shake me off his back but to no avail. Soon I had a puddle of melted demon and armor at my feet.

I smiled at the Fluffies, "Who's next? Come get some ya little bitches."

I'ma skip to after I killed all the demons around. There was a lot of yelling, cursing, laughing, and pain. To clarify, it was the demons that were in pain.

"That was nice." I sighed before starting on my way back towards the Prison. On the way I stepped into a puddle of water and looked down to see my reflection.

My face was caked in dirt and blood, my wavy hair a mess that looked something akin to a lion's mane. When had it gotten so long though and how had I not noticed? Before it just fell to my shoulders, now it fell a few inches past. It was still a mixture of brown, blonde, and red strands though. Another change was my eyes. Before they were brown but now they matched the flowers on the backs of my hands, the right red and the left green. At least they didn't glow like Big Red's but they were bright.

I sighed again, "I always wanted two different eye colors but this… Ah well, better head back."

I made my way back to the prison, through the Serpent Hole, and through the Black Throne to Azrael, trying to comb the tangles out of my hair with my fingers the whole way. It appeared I arrived just in time to see the angel talking with War and the Watcher but stayed back in the hallway.

"The universe… is sick, Horseman."

Ya don't say.

"The Charred Council refuse to admit it, but those of us who look… we see… we had to do something."

Define "somethin"…

All of a sudden, the room we were in disappeared and was replaced by a world filled with light.

Whoa, flashback. Was not ready fer this.

Azrael was there and he was talking with another angel with an eyepatch covering one eye and scars covering his face. Unlike all the other angels I'd seen - besides Azzy - he had actual wings. Unlike Azzy though, he wore armor meaning he was used to fighting. Not that Azrael wasn't used to fighting. Ah Hells, what do I know?

"An open attack on the Dark Kingdom would violate the treaty! What you're proposing is madness!"

No, it's Sparta!

"Azrael, evil darkens every corner of creation… and Heaven waits?! The Council ties our hands!"

Wait… don't tell me that this is that Abaddon dude.

"To question them is to question the Creator… Do you believe you know better?"

The other angel turned to Azzy with an evil smile, "Yes, old friend… I do." Hm, didn't know angels could smile evilly.

Mmhmm, and where did that getcha?

The scene changed to above some square/diamond shaped thing that had what looked like a bug on it.

"When the Seals are broken," Abby continued, "Hell will send its Chosen to declare battle rights. Their leaders will be gathered in one place. And there… we will sever the head of the beast."

Azrael looked at Abby, surprised at his declaration.

"The Hellguard stands ready!"

"Breaking the Seals will trigger the Endwar! The Kingdom of Man is not yet strong enough. Earth will be destroyed!" Azzy argued.

Listen ta your friend Abby!

"No, there will be no war, Azrael! We will crush the Dark Ones before it's even begun."

Uh-huh, suuuure ya will.

"The pact it a sacred covenant. Even in victory we will face the wrath of the Council."

Azzy has a very valid point. I'm not the only one who's thinkin Abby is an idiot am I?

"They will arrive to find the Seals intact."

Who will arrive? And don't you dare hurt those poor baby artic seals!

"And it will be out word… Heaven's word, against that of the Prince of Lies. Now do you see?"

Yeah, I see alright. I see that Heaven is full o' lyin angels.

Azrael hung his head and then the scene changed again to where the two angels were standing beside what I guess now was the Seal. It wasn't as cute or alive as I'd hoped it would be.

"The Seals will be re-forged. All will believe that Hell's legions invaded and were delivered to justice by our hand. For the Glory of the Light, will you do this?" Azzy held his hand out to a new character entering the scene and I instantly recognized who it was.

Oh… not you Hammer.

"Oh Azrael… you old fool." Ulthane said, pulling a golden sword from his belt and handing it to Azzy.

Since when does Hammer use a sword? He's named Hammer fer a reason!

The angel took the sword and held it above the Seal while muttering something. Finally he stabbed the Seal with a grunt. He only cut off the corner but apparently that was enough to break it.

Just like that we were back in the Tower and the flashback was over.

"We broke all but one. Abaddon ordered the final Seal not be harmed. He protected it himself!" Azzy went on.

So I was right, that was Abaddon.

"Are you certain?" War asked, walking towards the angel.

"Without question. We… dared not involve the Horseman. We never dreamed we would have to, until it was too late…"

"Yet I am to pay the price for your betrayal!" he stated, his fist clenched.

Uh-oh, Big Red's angry.

"Treason?!" the Watcher shouted, getting in the angel's face. "War, you will root out all involved, and make them PAY! Starting with this one!"

"No."

Whoo! Tell 'im Big Red!

"Fool! You deny the will of the Council?"

"You heard the angel's confession. My service to the Council is ended."

Yeah! Wait… what does that mean exactly?

War started to walk away and the sprite chuckled. The Watcher raised his hand and a blue seal appeared on the Horseman, causing he to yelled out in pain.

Why you little… I was so tempted to run out there and throttle the sprite but stayed where I was.

"We made you! We own you!" The Watcher said, which I seriously doubted.

War wasn't able to answer since he had fallen to his knees, still in pain from the looks of it.

"You're not done until you find the Destroyer and shut him down! 'Balance'… remember?"

The blue seal on the Horseman disappeared and he looked even more pissed than usual.

"Get up. Azrael lives until he stops being useful. After that, you WILL do your duty."

Maybe but I have no such obligation. I wonder… If I try ta defend Azzy will Big Red have ta kill me ta "do his duty"? A loophole worth exploitin, should I get the chance.

Azzy then destroyed the second skull, making more of the wall and the hollow column thingy to lower.

"One final beam, and I will be free. There is no time. The Well of Souls must be SHUT!" Azrael mumbled.

Before leaving to redirect the final beam, War actually surprised me. "Where is Hope?" he asked the angel.

Huh, think that's the first time he's ever used my name.

Azzy cleared his throat awkwardly before answering "She uh, said that it was none of your beeswax."

I almost laughed out loud and gave away my hiding place but managed to keep it in. Though just barely.

"Forget the human! We've got more important things to do!" the Watcher yelled.

I couldn't help it. As they were walking off I summoned a fireball and lobbed it at the sprite's head. I don't think it was hot enough to actually hurt him too badly but it was enough to piss him off and give me a good laugh. I think even Azzy chuckled a bit.

Once they had left, I came out of my hiding place and made it a few feet into the room before falling to the floor laughing.

"Oh my glob! You actually told 'im that!"

Azrael looked a bit confused as to why I was laughing so hard, "You told me to tell him that, did you not?"

"I didn't think you'd actually do it! Oh Jeebus help me."

"Who… who is Jeebus?"

This… made me laugh even harder, "Nobody. Don't worry bout it." I finally managed to calm down enough to sit up and lean against the wall. "Hot damn, I ain't laughed that hard since… well, before the Apocalypse."

"When did you return?"

"Ta life er ta the Tower?"

"To life."

"A wee bit after Big Red started this whole adventure."

"And to the Tower?"

"Just in time ta hear your little history lesson. Speakin o' which, tell me sumthin Azzy."

"Yes?"

"Ya knew what Abby was gonna do was wrong right? That it was never gonna work?"

"Yes. I knew."

"Then why didn'tcha try and stop 'im? Er ya coulda at least ignored 'im and just not gone along with it."

"Abaddon was… and old friend. He was determined to destroy the demons no matter what."

"Soooo… what? Ain't ya his friend too? Usually friends listen ta other friends' opinions."

"He was too…"

"Headstrong? Stubborn? Stupid?"

I think that last suggestion upset him a little since he turned the conversation around, "And what of your friends?"

"All my friends are dead. Last human alive, remember?"

"What about the Horseman?"

"Him?" I snorted, "He's more o' a travelin companion than an actual friend. The closest thing I got ta a friend now is Mayhem and he's my ride most places."

"Mayhem?"

"Yeah, he's a demonic puppy I found. Oh, and almost forgot Aen."

"Another demon?"

"Nah man, he's an angel. Think his real name is Aeneas er somethin like that. Don't see 'im all that much though."

"So you have made friends with a demon and an angel."

"Mmhmm, it would appear so."

We were both silent for a moment and I had just started to doze off when Azrael spoke up again, "It does not bother you?"

"Hm? Whazzat?"

"Being the last human alive and not knowing how you came back to life, these do not bother you?"

"Not knowin kinda bothers me but just because my curiosity. Bein the last human? Not so much."

"Why not? From what I've seen of humans most of you crave company."

I shrugged, "There are also a lot of us that prefer ta be alone."

"Is there nothing that you miss?"

I outright laughed at that, "There's plenty o' things that I miss. My family and friends, my books, games, music, my bed. I'm torn between 'I'd give anythin fer things ta go back ta the way they were' and 'I'd give anythin fer things ta stay just as they are'."

"What do you mean?"

"Azzy, ya ever wanted somethin so bad that it actually hurt?"

"I cannot say that I have."

"Well, that was me. But movin on!"

Azzy took the not too subtle hint and changed the topic, "It seems you have calmed down now."

"Yup, violence really helps my temperament. So Azzy, what happens when all this is over? After Big Red gets rid o' the Destroyer and clears his name?"

"I do not know, Hope."

"Hmm, then tell me what exactly the Well of Souls is?"

"It holds the power over life and death. It is where a departed soul goes and waits to be reborn."

"So that whole reincarnation deal is real. Interestin." Wonder if that's the place I was in my dream…

Up above, a door was shoved open and we could hear War moving around and blowing up rocks. He managed to get the beam to hit the last skull and dropped down.

I curled up and pretended to be asleep. I'll be damned if I get left behind fer this.

Azrael destroyed the third and final skull then summoned some kind of yellow light though I'm unsure as to what it did. It was pretty at least. Though it nearly blinded us.

"Straga awaits." He said.

"Looks like you've finally outlived your usefulness, Azrael." Said the Watcher. Don't tell me he's been out of Big Red's gauntlet this whole time. I knew it must be getting crowded in there.

"And how do you propose to leave the Tower once Straga has been dealt with?"

Ya mean we cain't just leave?

The sprite looked to the Horseman as if he hadn't considered this either.

Azzy took a deep breath, the picture of patience, "Straga and the tower are one. Even if you manage to defeat him, you'll be trapped without me."

"We need him." War said, walking towards the angel.

"Pray the Horseman doesn't make it back alive." The Watcher told Azzy.

I saw War glance at where I was sitting by the wall before walking down the newly formed stairs around Azrael's circle.

Quickly getting up, I ran after him.

"Later Azzy! Wish us luck!" I told the angel. Once I got closer to War, I called out to him, "Hey Big Red!"

He stopped to look back and I ran past him.

"No way in Heaven er Hell am I missin this."

I made it to the very bottom of the stairs and the next door and waited for him. I wasn't going into the next room without him. I'm not that stupid.

"You should stay behind." He said, finally joining me.

"Really? Do we seriously need ta go through this again? I'm not stayin back, not fer this. Besides, who knows what tricks this Hermit has up his sleeves? Ya might need my help."

He just glared at me but I think I saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

I looked down at the floor because here was the embarrassing part, "Sorry bout… what I said earlier. I didn't mean it."

He didn't answer, just put his hand on my head before shoving open the doors.

I couldn't help but grin, "Alrighty, here we come ya hermit!"

Kinda disappointing that beyond that door was just an elevator. Very anti-climactic. But War turned the lever and we were going down.

And I thought of something that immediately started to bother me.

"Ya know Big Red… I've never see ya without your hood."

He just grunted.

I gave him my best puppy eyes, "Pwetty pweez? Can I see?"

"Why?"

"Mild curiosity is all."

With something that sounded suspiciously close to a sigh, he reached up and threw back his hood.

"Hm, what's that symbol on your forehead?" I asked, noticing the strange glowing marking.

He pulled his hood back over his head before answering, "It was my punishment."

"Fooooor?"

"Defying the Council."

"How'd ya do that?"

"I came to Earth and destroyed a human army."

"Why? No wait, let me guess… Ya got a little angry?"

He neither confirmed nor denied this.

"No worries Big Red, we all do things like that every once in a while. Okay, maybe not wiping out an entire army but close. But they scarred ya fer like ever fer that? Harsh."

He didn't get a chance to respond since we made it to the bottom. He Shoved open the next door and we entered the next hallway.

"Last time you tangled, Straga stomped your face in the dirt." The Watcher came out and laughed, "Guess it's payback time, eh?"

"You'll never know just how much I hate ya sometimes." I told him as we made our way down the hall.

"Listen here human-"

"I'm listenin."

"after this is over-"

"We're gettin ice cream?"

"you're property of the Charred Council. I suggest you start treating me with respect."

I sighed and reached into my back right pocket, "I really wish ya hadn't used that word."

"What?"

Pulling my brass knuckles from my pocket and putting them on, I slugged the Watcher and sent him flying ahead of us. I'm so happy, I'd never really been able to use these things before.

"Now you listen ya annoyin little bitch, I don't give a damn who er whatthis Council o' yours is, I ain't, nor will I ever be, anybody's property. If I have ta snap your fuckin little neck once this is over ta get that point across then so be it."

He didn't say anything more, just flew back into the Horseman's gauntlet while rubbing his face.

"The Council is very powerful." War warned me.

I just shrugged and put my knuckles back into their designated pocket. I didn't really have any time to regret what I said since we'd made it to the next room where a bridge of those weird stones rose up so we could walk to the middle of the room where a large platform was.

It's a little late but here's my description of the room. Excuse me for being a bit preoccupied with punching the Watcher. The room seemed to be surrounded by a moat of fog and screaming faces. Along the walls red banners fluttered in some unfelt wind. On the platform we were walking to were two windows on the floor though they didn't seem to be anywhere else. Hm. Ahead of that, some red and black swirl could be seen. Every few seconds it would crackle with electricity.

"Whelp, here we go. Fer real this time."

Once we stepped off the bridge, it collapsed, trapping us.

"Well shit, guess there's no turnin back now."

"If you were going to turn back you shouldn't have come."

I huffed and tossed my hair over my shoulder, "As if the amazin me would ever even consider turnin back."

Then, the ground started to shake and something rose out of the darkness in front of us. Frankly, it looked like a building.

Whoa, so I'm guessin this is Straga? Well, this should be easy. Fer we have the power o' sarcasm on our side!

Seriously, the dude looked as if he was made out of stone. Well, except his face and that was just ugly. I mean, one of his eyes looked like it had scabbed over. He also carried a giant club that looked like it may have been part of a clock tower once upon a time.

"Hmmm… You are stronger than Straga remembers."

Aw, he talks in third person. How un-cute.

"But here you face Straga with no hope of victory or escape."

We'll see bout that. The victory part, not the escape. Well maybe the escape part after the victory part.

He lifted the club into the air where it crackled with electricity before he slammed it back down onto the platform, "Straga is the mightiest of the Destroyer's CHOSEN!"

Your point bein?

In response, War pulled Chaoseater from his back, "And the last. Your master chose poorly."

"Buuuuurn!... Oops." Luckily, the Hermit wasn't paying any attention to me. Feel kinda insulted now.

Straga laughed at the Horseman's silly antics, "Straga will enjoy killing you again!"

…Again? Okay, honestly I haven't been listening that much when it came to this Straga dude.

And so the fight began! Also, turns out there was a window on the Hermit's club. When did it get there?

The Chosen lifted the club, preparing to hit Big Red, "Straga will kill you AGAIN!"

"Yes, we have established this! Thank you!" I yelled at him and was still ignored.

He slammed the club onto the platform three times, one after the other, and amazingly Big Red managed to dodge all three hits.

I was knocked on my ass and stayed in a corner. Maybe I should have stayed behind… Nah.

Once the barrage was over, War opened a portal on one of the windows on the floor and another one on the Hermit's club then waited.

"How long will you run from Straga?" the demon asked, preparing to strike again.

That's when Big Red jumped through the portal on the ground and came out the one on the club. Which was behind the demon. I really hope he knows what he's doing.

The Horseman having disappeared from sight, Straga lowered the club. Then he caught sight of me. And I waved.

"You are not the Horseman." He said.

"No, no I am not. And I do not know where Big Red went."

"Will you fight Straga too?"

"…No, no, no. Let's uh, let's just be friends, huh?"

That's when he roared out in and stumbled back before falling to the platform.

"Well sheesh, never mind then."

And that's when War jumped out from behind the collapsed demon and came spinning through the air and landed in front him.

"Oh, welcome back. But there goes that friendship."

He ignored me and started slashing at Straga's face until the Hermit finally got up and roared at him. Do all demons spit fire when they roar?

Straga stood his club on the platform and green Mr. Bones came out to join the party. Coincidence? I think probably not!

"Told ya ya could use my help!" I yelled at War.

The Hermit watched as we fought the skeletons before deciding to join in, "Straga will punish you for that." He slammed his fist on to the platform, sending us all flying.

"Ay man, what'd I do ta ya?"

"Heh, tricky Horseman… now it's Straga's turn!" the Hermit said before slamming his fist onto the platform again and some more Mr. Bones showed up though.

"This time you will STAY dead!" and he slammed his fist down for the third time. Sending us all flying for the third time.

Finally all the undead were gone and the Hermit took his club off the platform. Then he banged it into the ceiling. Then the slammed it onto the platform and swept it across.

War was hit and I was knocked off.

This cain't be good. I managed to grab ahold of the railing surrounding the platform - which wasn't very effective railing since I was still knocked off - and hung on for dear life.

Big Red started to come my way to help me back up I guess.

"Don't worry bout me!" I told him, "Just take care of the Hermit!"

Though unfortunately he missed his chance to open up another portal on Straga's club and the demon laughed and slammed it onto the platform again, and again, and again.

With each hit my grip weakened. I was in trouble.

Even more so when he hit the ceiling and swept his club across the platform again. He stopped for a bit though and I was able to haul myself up through the bars of the railing and War opened a portal on his club. Yay unrelated teamwork!

Straga lifted his club again and Big Red jumped through the portal on the floor and onto the Chosen's back. I guess that's where he landed.

The Hermit looked around for him and his gaze settled on me again, "Where is the Horseman?"

"Sorry man, still don't know. He just disappears like that sometimes."

And again the Hermit roared in pain and basically the same thing as last time happened. Except this time blue Fallen Pansies came out! By the way, does anyone know who or what the black heart is? Or what Kel Doran means?

So yeah, after the Pansies were dealt with the same thing as last time. Only difference this time, I managed not to fall off! Yay!

Oh my glob, I just realized something… Straga's not wearing pants! That's why he stays in that dark pool and never leaves! Poor guy, he must not be able to find any that fit him which is kinda weird since he has a shirt looking thingy.

Anywho, War managed to portal onto the Straga's back a third - and hopefully final - time.

The Hermit collapsed to the platform and Big Red jumped onto his face and stabbed him in his scabby eye. Naturally, the demon roared. Less naturally, the Horseman jumped up and stabbed the other eye. That had to hurt.

Straga grabbed War off his face and flung him to the ground. As he fell, he shot the Voidwalker at a window inside the Hermit's mouth then at one of the ones on the floor. Which he fell right into. Meaning he just portaled into Straga's mouth. Gross! By the way, when did Azzy get here?

I watched as Straga's face was cut up from the inside even to the point that his horns fell off. Finally, the top of the Chosen's head pretty much exploded and War came spinning out and landed as Straga sank back into the darkness from which he came.

I ran over to join him as Big Red stood and the Watcher came out. I was ready to party but then dust and stones started to fall from the ceiling.

Azzy came swooping down, "As I said, Straga and the Tower are one. Now, let's see how useful I can be." Again, he summoned that yellow light and shot it down into the darkness where Straga once was. This opened up a giant blue-rimmed hole that screaming faces rose out of. Blue lightning struck the middle of the hole and something that looked like a Serpent Hole opened up.

"Into the well!" Azrael shouted, "HURRY!"

"Wait, he don't mean the Well, does he?! Is it really safe ta jump in there?!"

Big Red didn't answer - wouldn't doubt it if it was cause he didn't hear me - and knelt, holding out his gauntlet for the Watcher to fly into. I jumped onto his back and held on for dear life as he jumped into the Well. Still don't think that this was a good idea.

Yeeeeaaaah, I thought the Well was where people went after they died. We're still alive right? Right?! Well at least the Hermit's gone.

Looking on the bright side,

Hope