Chapter 16

12 years ago

Lord Strain climbed out of a window in the Hated Palace in Netherworld, clutching a bundle of weapons bound together with ropes. He jumped down, landing in the palace courtyard. Several guards in dark armor surrounded him, raising crossbows.
"Drop the weapons and put your hands in the air!" one of them shouted.
"Oh please, do you honestly think those measely human tools intimidate me?" Lord Strain said, drawing his gun.
The guards began shooting him, but he dodged all of their attacks and counter attacked with his own weapon. All of the guards fell to the ground, clutching gunshot wounds, as illness spread through their bodies.
"Well, that's taken care of," Lord Strain said. "Now, where the hell is Akuma with that portal?"
As he spoke, one of the guards got back to her feet, drawing a shortsword from her belt. She charged at him from behind, knocking the bundle of weapons from his hand. She quickly lashed at it, severing the ropes and scattering the weapons across the ground. Lord Strain drew his sword and swung it at her.
"You're a persistant little bitch, aren't you?" he said.
"And you're a disgusting thief!" she replied, kicking away one of the swords near her feet.
As it slid across the ground, a door appeared in its path and swung open, pulling the sword intothe other side before slamming shut again.
"Damn you!" Lord Strain snapped, swatting her sword aside and shooting her in the shoulder.
A large glowing pentagram appeared beside him.
"About time," he said, picking up the remaining weapons from the ground. "I suppose four out of five will have to do."
"You'll never get away with this," the female guard hissed at him.
"I already have," Lord Strain said, stepping through the portal.
Akuma and Glasp were waiting for him on the other side. He dropped the weapons on the ground before them.
"I count four," Glasp said. "I thought you said there were five weapons of power."
"I encountered a female guard who proved to be something of a nuisance," Lord Strain said. "I ended up dropping Tyrfing."
"So would we be able to get it back?" Glasp asked.
"Unlikely," Lord Strain said. "It was pulled through one of Netherworld's doors."
"So you're saying it's in the human world now?" Akuma said, laughing. "Oh, that should be interesting. But no matter. We got the others, so when the time comes, we should have an edge."
"Indeed," Lord Strain said calmly.
"Plus," Akuma said, under his breath, "It's not Tyrfing I'm interested in."

Present Day

"So, what's next?" Damien asked.
"I don't know," John said.
The battle was over, for now. But John now had another reason to get into Netherworld. Deceit, his guardian, had been captured. He had to save him, somehow.
"Did you catch what he said before the snake chick dragged him off?" Damien asked.
"He said we need to find the Magister," John said. "Wonder who that is..."
"Wanna ask the others?" Damien asked, glancing over at where the others were sitting.
Zero was busy bandaging one of Hera's wounds, David was resting against Siline's building, and Kaiser seemed to be speaking with Kestrel.
"I guess...," John said. "But I don't know if they'll know anything."
"Worth a shot though, right?" Damien said.
"Yeah," John said.
"Oh yeah, what do you think this is?" Damien asked, crouching down and stroking the words that Deceit had cared into the ground next to Glasp's falcion.
"Looks like some kind of incantation," John said. "Might have something to do with the seal he used on it."
"Let's see," Damien said, picking up the sword and muttering the words.
A bolt of lightning shot from the blade, hitting the bus stop a few feet from them.
"Whoa," John said. "You might wanna be careful with that thing."
"Um, yeah," Damien agreed. "Right."
"What the hell are you guys doing over there!" Hera shouted.
"Just testing something out!" John called back. "Hey, do any of you know anything about someone called-"
"The Magister," Siline interupted, from behind John.
"Yikes!" John said, startled. "How long have you been standing behind me!?"
"Exactly 4.27 seconds," Siline replied.
"Um... okay, then," John said. "So, what do you know about the Magister?"
"He's a human spellcaster, rumored to be the most powerful mage on Earth," Siline said. "Last I heard of him, he was working on a spell that could allow one to enter and exit Netherworld."
"So, he could totally help us get there!" Damien said, excitedly. "I mean, assuming he was successful."
"Great!" John said. "So, where can we find him?"
"No idea," Siline said, shrugging his shoulders with a broad grin on his face.
"Damn it," John said. "Now what?"
"Now we go to California," Hera said.
"Um, why?" David asked.
"Well, I'm a cult leader," she said. "And word on the grapevine is that a powerful warlock known only as 'Magister' has been hanging around So Cal for a while now. Of course, narrowing down his location from there won't be easy."
"Awesome!" John said.
"We should leave as soon as possible," Kaiser said.
"Right, well, you all have fun with that," Siline said.
"You're not coming along?" John asked.
"I'm afraid not," he said, grinning broadly. "There are other pressing matters I must attend to. But we'll meet again on the other side. Fair the well, heroes."


Meanwhile, in Netherworld

Hell Talon sat down on a chair at the edge of a dark room.
"One hell of a hideout Strain picked out for us," he said. "It smells ike rat shit in here."
"You get used to it," Bill said, fiddling with his collar. "Where is the boss man, anyway?"
"Speaking to Akuma in private," Glasp said. "They had something to discuss."
"Do you ever get the feeling those two are using each other?" Hell Talon asked.
"I don't need a feeling," Glasp said. "I know for a fact that's how it is."
"What do you-" Hell Talon started to say, but he was cut off by the door opening.
Akuma stepped into the room, twirling a glowing dagger between his fingers.
"What's that?" Bill asked.
"One of four weapons our boss acquired some years ago," Akuma said. "He's agreed to let me use it."
"So what can it do?" Hell Talon asked.
"It can infuse eldritch power into anything the blade pierces," Akuma said.
"So, you could become stronger by stabbing yourself with it?" Bill asked.
"Not quite," Akuma said. "It won't work on beings who already possess a great deal of eldritch power, so stabbing someting like a Terrorspawn or a Horseman would be the same as stabbing with a normal knife. Human's, however, are another story. Human's are born with no eldritch powers, ao the knife will fill them with power. However, the human body isn't built for that kind of power, and would destroy itself."
"So what exactly do you have planned with that knife?" Hell Talon asked.
"I won't give it away just yet, but I'll tell you one thing," Akuma said. "A new Terrorspawn will soon be born."

Meanwhile, in California

Four figures were gathered in a dark basement. The floor was circular, with a large X carved into it. On of the figures, a muscular young man with short black hair, was lying on his back on the cold ground.
"So why are we gathered again?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's a good question," said one of the other. He was a tall man with a long sword strapped across his back. "Ming filling us in, Isaac?" he asked.
"Alright, David, if you insist," said a white haired man, who was leaning against the wall.
"I keep telling you not to use my first name," the man with the sword said. "It's Kallaway."
"Whatever," Isaac said. "Anyway, according to Raoul, our master will be here soon."
"Doesn't Raoul say that all time?" said the fourth man, whose face was hidden beneath a mask, with a weapon resembling a metal pipe with a handle.
"Jerome has a point," the man on the ground said.
"This time is different, Quan," Isaac replied. "It has broken out of his seal."
"Is that so?" Jerome asked.
"Heh, so we finally get to meet our god, eh?" Quan chuckled. "This should be good, eh Kallaway?"
"I don't care," Kallaway replied. "The only reason I'm here is because Raoul busted me out. I could care less about-"
Kallaway stopped in mid sentence. Nyasient'e stood before him, with its faceless head tilted down to meet Kallaway's terrified face. Without warning, a dozen arms sprouted from Nyasient'e's back, lifting Kallaway off the ground. He began screaming in pain, so loudly that Quan had to cover his ears. Then the pain ceased, and Nyasient'e let Kallaway fall to the ground.
"Holy crap!" Isaac gasped.
Quan rushed over to Kallway's side, helping him up.
"Are you okay, man?" he asked. "How do you feel?"
"I feel..," Kallaway said shakily. "Stronger."
Kallaway drew his sword quickly and stabbed it into the stone wall, all the way down to the handle, with seemingly non effort.
"Incredible...," he muttered.
Nyasient'e looked around the room, seeming to stare into the souls of everyone there. As it did, a single sentence sounded in the back of there minds.
"Who would like to go next?"

Later, in Texas

Ben Malkator sat quietly on a park bench, tossing bread crumbs to the birds. He let out a deep sigh.
"Why'd you have to leave, Damien," he said. "What the hell am I suppose to do now?"
"I know exactly what you should do," said a hellish voice, resonating through the air. A crimson pentagram appeared before Ben. "Come to me," the voice said.
Ben got up from the bench and stepped forward. He was drawn to the symbol in the air. He couldn't seem to stop himself from walking straight through it. He emerged on the other side, on the empty streets of Netherworld's capital city.
"Where the Bloody Hell am I?" he asked.
"Home," said a voice behind him.
He turned sharply to see who had spoken. Asd he did so, a dagger was plunged into his chestplate. His eyes met the demonic eyes of Akuma, grinning back at him.
"Hello, old friend," Akuma said, dragging the dagger down Ben's torso, cutting him open.
Ben fell to the ground, clutching his open wound. It burned, as if someone had chosen to set up a campfire inside of his chest. He soon stopped moving, seemingly dead. Akuma stood over him, frowning.
"Come on, wake up!" he demanded. "This can't be it. Stand! Show me what my greatest rival is made of!"
Suddenly, Ben screamed in pain. A number of black whips sprang from his wound, wrapping around the streetlights and lifting him into the air. Energy radiated from the gash, and the edges harden, and formed sharp, chitinous teeth. He clutched his eyes as a burning sensation engulfed them. His irises melted away to nothing, and his pupil painfully expanded. He writhed in agaony, and his forams and shoulder blades split open, and energy poured out of them. The energy quickly hardened into a pair of chitinous blades growing from his arms and a set of red, batlike wings. The whips then released themselves, withdrawing into the newly formed mouth on his torso. His wings acted on their own, carrying him safely back to the ground.
"What in the blazes did you do to me?" he demanded.
"I've simply unleashed the real you," Akuma said. "Now, I suggest you learn to use this newfound power. I'll be waiting."
With that, Akuma vanished into one of his portals, leaving Ben standing their in the empty city streets.

Chapter 15

15 years ago

Deceit walked down the streets of the human world, late at night. He paused while passing an alleyway and looked down it. He stared for several minutes into the darkness before making another move. He reached into his suit and removed a cigar, which he raised at shoulder level into the alley.
"Mind lighting this?" he asked.
A small spark of fire shot through the darkness, igniting the tip of the cigar, which Deceit brought to his lips. He entered the alleyway, stopping in front of a man sitting down with his back against the wall, barely visible from a distance. He had long, greasy brom hair, and wore tattered, blood stained clothing. His right arm, covered in fresh wounds, was covering the right side of his face, which was bleeding profusely. His left eye let out a faint glow.
"You seem to have taken a beating," Deceit said casually.
The man moved his hand, revealing a long, vertical gash where his right eye should have been.
"I've had worse," he said calmly.
"Do I need to pouint out that you're missing an eye?" Deceit asked.
"Doesn't matter," he replied. "The one I have left is still locked on my goal."
"Still obsessed, I see," Deceit said.
"We all have our obsessions," he said. "They can be maddening, yet keep us sane, all at the same time."
"I heard a rumor," Deceit said.
"Of course you have," the man said. "It's always a rumor or two that bring you to me."
"Is it true that you're crafted a spell that can summon doors?" Deceit asked.
"It's not quite perfected yet," the man said, getting to his feet. "But I'm almost there."
"I have to ask you something, Magister," Deceit said.
"And what will it be this time, dear friend?" he asked, brushing hios bangs from in front of his good eye.
"In the neart future, I may need that spell of yours," Deceit said. "When that time comes, will you be willing to help me?"
"Perhaps," he said. "If the mood strikes me."



Present Day, in Netherworld

A man in a long brown cloak sat at his desk, which was cluttered with various items; playing cards, pencils, socks, dominos, and m,any other things. The man had his hood up, concealing most of his face, save for his bearded chin and mouth. The door opened, and another hooded man stepped through. He pulled his hood down, revealing a chiseled, clean shaven face and fiery red hair.
"Are you ther Gambler?" the newcomer asked.
"Aye, lad," the man at the desk said. "An' who might ye be?"
"My name is Brock Stevenson," he replied. "I've heard you are in search of a man, and I believe I have found his whereabouts."
A floating chessboard with elegant figures appeared between them. the Gambler moved one of the pawns on his side, and Brock followed by moving one opf his side's pawns.
"'Ave ye now?" the Gambler asked. "An' who might it be I'm looking for?"
"Magister," Brock said, barely above a whisper.
The continued playing their chess game as they talked, with the Gambler qui9ckly gaining an upper hand.
"Aye," the Gambler said. "And where might 'e be, then?"
"The information I have for you comes at a price," Brock said.
"An' what be the price?" the Gambler asked.
"You are owner of the territory in Netherworld known as the Board," Brock said. "I wish to enter said territory, without threat from your servents who reside there. In exchange, I will give you the location of the Magister."
Most of Brock's chess pieces had been taken at this point. The Gambler had only liost a few pawns and a bishop.
"Is that all, lad?" the Gambler asked.
"Yes," the man said.
"Very well," the Gambler said, moving one of his knights, placing Brock's king in checkmate. The chess board dissapeared, replaced by a green Joker card. "This'll allow ye safe entry into the Board," the Gambler said. "But first, where is 'e?"
"He is currently in Los Angeles," Brock said.
"Alright, then," the Gambler said, handing the card over. "But I warn ye', if the information ye provided be false, my servents will execute ye on sight."
"Fair enouigh," Brock said. "I should also warn you of something."
"Aye?" the Gambler asked.
"I'm am not the only one who knows this," he said.
"Who else then, lad?" the Gambler asked.
"A man with long hair," Brock said. "Carrying two swords. One of them is a katana wioth a black blade and a crimson handle. The other is a longsword of european design, which he never removes from its sheath."
"I shall keep an eye out for 'im," the Gambler said.
"One more thing," Brock said. "I hear tell that your former mistress is looking for you."
"Then it be me she shall find," the Gambler said, rising to his feet.


Meanwhile, in the human world

Omnpotence woke up with a jolt. She was laying in a bed in a small log cabin. Another bed was across the room, with Fade fast alseep in it. Kemuri Ha was sitting backwards in a chair a few feet away.
"Oh, good, you're up," he said. "Sorry the wife ain't here. She's having trouble finding a door."
"We were attacked," Omnipotence said.
"Yeah," he replied. "Don't you normally see these things coming?"
"My vision has been going cloudy," she said. "I believe it's Famine's doing."
"I don't recall him having that kind of power," Kemuri Ha said. "Unless he infected you with-"
"I wasn't infected," she interupted. "It's... something else. Something I can't quite explain. Anyway, how is Fade doing?"
"Old coot still hasn't woke up," he said.
"You're not that young any more either," Omnipotence pointed out, getting up and walking over to Fade's bed. "He should be fine. He just needs a little more rest."
"If you say so," Kemuri Ha said.


Later, in Conquest's residence

The Gambler walked through the door, into a dark foyer covered in spider webs.
"Where are ye?" he demanded.
Manny Kinn stepped out from behing the staircase, looking Gambler up and down.
"You should shave," she said.
"Ye should mind yer own beeswax," the Gambler said. "What do ye want?"
"I'm offering to form a temporary alliance," she said. "You see, a member of our group recently betrayed us. We need someone new at our side."
"I'm not interested," the Gambler said.
"You haven't even heard the details," she said.
"I don't care," he said.
"You should," said a new voice. Conquest stood at the top of the stairs, gazing down at the Gambler.
"Conquest," the Gambler said under his breath. "What do ye want?"
"I want my nephews and niece to be brought back here," Conquest said. "And your talents will help me to achieve just that."
"And why should I help ye with that?" the Gambler said.
"Well, you are after the Magister, yes?" Conquest asked.
"Aye," the Gambler replied.
"Yet he is in the human world," Conquest said. "And you lack the means to get there."
"And it just so happens," Krysix said, emerging from the shadows behind Conquest. "That I have a way."


Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Board

Brock approached the great stome wall. He raised the card the Gambler had given him, and the stone split down the middle and slid apart, just enough for a man to fit through. Beyond, the ground was checkered black and white, and in the distance, chess piece shaped building were visible.
"Here it is, great fragment of Mimir," Brock said. "This is where we shall find you a suitable host."
As he spoke a voice withing his head hissed "Yessssssssss."