Jorgen.

Memories bled into my life, both my lives as we decimated the school around us. In-game, we had both taken to gaining power and had jockeyed for the position of leader, which only really shifted to me once I had the Hadean Signet in my possession. With the context of memories from C'gorath, I discovered something entirely new. My fondness for my friend was eclipsed by the sheer hatred I had for Jorgen.

Jorgen, who had already been an Asmodeus worshipper long before we were recruited. Jorgen, who had always been skulking, always scheming behind my back, attempting to undermine my efforts covertly as possible. From ensuring that Joanne would be with me at the palace in the final battle, to the death of my first ally among that group, though I would later... Well, befriend I suppose with hindsight some of the others like Fang.

Jorgen, who was rocking a Grimm body now and who was in league with the White Fang, the forces of Hell released on the material plane. I had mentioned before how Hell could not just waltz in, not with the normal defenses on the other side. My little side quest had been intended to prevent this from ever happening! But here they were regardless and only my own forces I had been building up had reduced it to a stalemate for now. What I had intended to be an overwhelming wave against random terrorist mobs, Grimm and infected Atlas tech was now only just keeping things from getting worse.

I knew at least, who had been blocking Cinder and her crew from my sight. I should have known, I should had prepared! That should had been the biggest clue that something with power was lurking, just on the fringes of my circle of influence. Because I did not, Ruby was lying on the ground and everything was starting to fall apart. This was no longer just trying to prevent a bad future-this was my home.

Remnant was mine, I had lived here, made a life for myself and those I deemed mine. I did my damnest to give a new life and a new chance for more than me, and for a moment I was arrogant enough to believe that I had succeded. I should have known better-there was always escalation. This was not supposed to happen.

But it did, and I was suffering the consequences. Me and everyone else.

Jorgen laughed and it felt like Hell was laughing with him. From the outside, our battle looked like titans clashing. My sunsword was blazing bright, radiant and clear as it clashed against the hellfire blades of the General. I had no time to use magic, save in reaction as he struck my shield spells and in the blows he did inflict, I was forced to expand my power to reduce his damage. But he was a canny foe and not for nothing was he a Battlemaster. The problem was that I was fighting on HIS level, clashing in melee and in doing so, prevented from using my best spells.

I dared not use the more destructive variants, not with the school here or the students. I could hear them fighting off Jorgen's personal legion, occupied by their master... And in staying here, it meant I couldn't be anywhere else unless I was willing to let Jorgen run free. In the end, Jorgen benefited more keeping me here than he did running away.

He had a score to settle in turn as well, his voice amused as a lull(insofar as it could be called that) between us had his voice call out.

"You've grown soft Hannibal! Did one favored thrall's dismemberment trouble you that much?" I snarled and unleashed a mental blast, causing him to rock back with a snarl as my blade cut across his chest. As he panted, his regeneration kicked in as he laughed mockingly.

"Time was, you would have killed a thousand of her without batting an eye! But instead, I hear other things." He slashed out and feinted, striking me as I set up another shield as his blade skidded off, Jorgen continuing on.

"I heard you've been playing house!"

He slashed and I floated back, my song continuing in a discordant, chaotic wail as I focused and a great whirlwind began to pick up. A tornado that drew in rubble as I focused it on Jorgen, who snarled and seemed to be rooted in place as he cried out.

"THAT YOU'VE BEEN POSITIVELY PHILANTHROPHIC!" He let out a roar, the whirlwind sending him flying upward, to Ozpin's tower as he smashed through the side, letting out a growl as he fled upward to the office.

I took off after him, flying hard as the whirlwind shaped itself into the form of an Asian Lung dragon, that roared and went flying after the troll as he barreled up to the top. The whirlwind howled and suddenly, a gear came flying for me and smashing into my person, disrupted my focus. The whirlwind vanished, but not before shaving off the top of the office area.

I flew for it after collecting myself, in time to see that Jorgen had been spending his time catching his breath, letting his regeneration and fighter abilities heal him up as we prepared for the next round. Quietly, with a wicked smile he spoke. The night was clear from the whirlwind's dispersal around us, the stars shining bright as they always had, long before Salem and Ozpin had ever met. To the mental wail of my bladesong, Jorgen spoke aloud.

"My masters think this is all a ruse, but me? I see deeper. There is no greater plan. No paltry conquest, nor a return to what we had started all of us together. The great Hannibal, the scourge of Taringarde. The shadow, the watcher... Repentant and sorrowful for their deeds as if we were held by the conventions of humanoid mortality!"

He pointed his blades at me and snarled. "You were great once. I could respect that at least, if nothing else. But this pathetic, weakened shade before me? I can only do the merciful thing and snuff it out entirely."

"I have but one thing to say in that regard, my old ally." I remarked aloud, the alien nature of my true form making it sound distorted. Jorgen cocked his head and I floated before pointing my hands at him.

And the giant gears I had been floating, to box him in as his eyes widened.

"Chain Lightning!"

Jorgen roared. The electricity bounced and crackled, exploding the gears as I snarled.

"POWER! UNLIMITED-POOOOWEEEER!!!"

Caught in the midst of them, the effect seemed to multiply in reality as opposed to the mechanical effect I'd have been used to on the tabletop. Jorgen however, was made of sterner stuff. He had been wounded, he had been harmed and despite the shrapnel in his flesh, halting his regeneration? He was still a powerful fighter and once, my peer and equal. He would not be stopped by such a thing.

He rushed in, letting out a roar as I prepared to fight and suddenly, Jorgen was slammed by a sudden newcomer to the fight. His jaw actually dislocated, the troll stumbling to the side as he looked, furious and my anger and fear grew.

"What are YOU doing here?!" In response to the face of a frustrated, angered Illithid, Taiyang smiled and cracked his neck. He did not get off lightly, wherever he was. I could see signs of wounds, one of his hands had been pierced through and bandaged. Whatever aura he had left was low, and practically nonexistent.

And he STILL ran up here, to help me.

He was lucky I didn't have feather fall prepared, otherwise I would have thrown his ass off the tower. Ignoring my mental maelstrom, Taiyang said simply.

"I was in the neighborhood. This guy looks familar-Jorgen, right?"

Jorgen, who set his jaw back in looked intrigued as he looked back and forth between me and Taiyang. In response, I floated between them, and Jorgen looked delighted. Wicked glee danced in his eyes, as he held his swords up and I bared my teeth.

"You screamed in pain, when I took your thralls arm." I tensed at his words. Taiyang attempted to move around, and I slapped him lightly with a tentacle, keeping my eye on the troll as I casted a new spell.

"I wonder... What noise will you sing for me, if I kill your lover?" He leaped for me, Taiyang let out a war cry.

From beneath Jorgen, the Golem I had summoned burst out of the floor, grabbing him in midleap and dragging him down several floors like a Dungeons and Dragons variant of Free Willy. The look on Jorgen's face was everything I would cherish, but there was no time for that. I spun to Taiyang and snarled.

"You shouldn't be here! You can't fight him!" Taiyang held his ground, looking me in the eye as he retorted. "My-OUR kids are here! This is my world too! And I'm not leaving you alone!" He eyed me and added.

"Besides-this is something we should had done a long time ago. Better late than never and maybe you'll have an edge against your old friend." There was a screech of metal below, and the sounds of violent battle. Jorgen would be back soon and I spoke, frustrated and stressed despite the feel of his mind by me.

"What are you talking about?! Unless you have the relic of destruction in your pocket..." Taiyang didn't even question how I knew, all he did was smile and take my hand. Squeezing it once, his blood stained my hand I felt... Well, I felt unclean. I took my Esmerelda form, eyes squeezed shut and exhausted to the core. I hated today. I wanted to go home.

I wanted to go home and sleep, to wake up and be in my old body, my old home. That none of this ever existed. I didn't realize I was crying till I felt a hand wipe my cheeks, Taiyang smiling as he began to speak.

"For it is in adversity that we find ourselves."

Jorgen roared below; closer now-he was coming fast. Taiyang ignored it, eyes only on me as he stepped closer. His hand in mine, a soft light glowing from the contact as he continued.

"Marching forward, bearing memories and futures of those we cherish. From darkness we rise and are born anew. From two worlds come together, let our souls meet and from this new ground; become something new."

He leaned in.

Something soft pressed against my lips and as Jorgen roared, emerging from the hole as if he had broken himself out of Hell?

My soul soared.