(Billy's P.O.V)

I reached the pedestal quickly.

Something called to me, a ball of white energy surrounded by a collage of different colors.

An overwhelming need that I couldn't deny. This was my soul.

Just a few inches away and I would have it within my possession.

All would be well.

I rose out of the water, the glowing blue liquid flowing up to the piece of stairway left hanging from the destroyed platform.

The water formed into a bridge that crossed over the gap between the pool and the pedestal.

My dream-body swam through the water bridge and landed on the step silently.

I rose to my feet as the water returned to the pool, as gentle as possible, the surface flat with no ripples to speak of.

I couldn't help the smile of success that appeared on my lips.

"Finally."

I said quietly, approaching the Pedestal by gliding. And on top of it, the prize.

I reached out to grab my soul. No point in wasting a single second.

Wait. My fingers paused, right at the edge.

Something's changed.

When did it get so quiet?

I looked up.

There was no shadow of green hair dancing wildly around and belonging to Gaea.

Neither was the Ancient One's golden protection shield anywhere to be seen.

Lastly, the scene was missing a Demonic-Dragon Hell Lord, hell-bent on destroying to the Earth Mother in a bid for my soul.

So..

Where was everyone? The top players in this twisted game...

I cautiously looked around. The ruins of the chamber were surrounded by hell flames.

However, in addition to the flames was a zone of greenery that stopped the hell-fire from reaching the chamber.

And...through those flames, I saw something. The first indication that although the main players were missing, I wasn't alone.

Beastly eyes, red as the morning sun or burning embers watched me hungrily from the flames.

Some had unique features, no eyeballs, or the eyes were numerous, stretched out across one being's body in a particular case.

And the presence coming off them was distinct.

A sort of suffocating heat.

The very same presence Mephisto exuded.

Demons.

And they were all around me. Just... watching.

Wait a minute...

A sigh left me as I realized they couldn't actually see me.

Instead, they were watching the pedestal. Whether to protect it from someone stealing what was on it, or if they coveted my soul for themselves, I had no idea.

Both scenarios were not the outcome I desired.

Luckily I was spared the worry. They couldn't see me. And even if they did, Gaea's zone prevented any of them from reaching through.

So all I have to do is grab my soul and then get the fuck out of dodge. I should be waking up soon. I hope.

Sending a silent prayer to Gaea and Tyche, the goddess of luck, I reached out for the spherical bundle of energy that was me.

And my hand passed through it.

What?...

I tried again, my heart squeezing. Once more, the fingers passed through the sphere.

No. No fucking way this is actually happening right now. My luck couldn't be this bad, could it? I prayed upon Tyche.

Wait... who's that?

I tried a few times before accepting the fact I couldn't touch my soul. That prompted a change in plans.

While my Dream-body couldn't touch my soul, I could use the water in the pool and...

Bang!

Something landed behind me before I could finish my thought, shaking the entire ground.

The pool of water churned as it sprayed against the platform I was standing on.

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A shadow fell upon me. Gulping, I turned around slowly.

Then looked up.

Only to come face to face with rows of sharp teeth moving closer to my cheek, almost brushing up against me.

Eyes wide, I retreated as fast as I could, phasing through the pedestal to hover on the opposite side of my soul, finally getting a good look at what I was facing.

The teeth belonged to a menacing reptilian head.

It's scales gleamed from the light of the hell flames around us.

The head led up to a long serpentine neck with spikes across the spine, wide wings that bloated out the view outside spreading out of it's back.

Steam poured off it's body due to the heat it naturally radiated. Hot enough for even my dream-body to feel.

The heat caused a mirage, distorting the air around the beast.

Finally with the cloying stench of Brimstone and smoke somehow crawling up my non-existent nostrils...it became clear what was going on.

And what this thing was.

Mephisto had returned.

Gaea and The Ancient One were nowhere to be seen.

'He fucked them up somehow, didn't he?', A gloomy thought wormed it's way into my mind.

Frankly speaking, Gaea could wipe the floor with any demon.

She was a primordial. That's not something a demon like Mephisto can casually triumph over. Even if we were in his dimension.

However... Mephisto is a demon. He's conniving, he's intelligent, he's cunning. He's not a direct fighter. What use would it serve him?

So it stood to reason he would have other measures in place for stronger opponents.

He must have found a way to deal with them that didn't involve Killing.

Otherwise he would have done so here at his castle. Not just for the convinience of it but to prove a point.

'I killed a Primordial who dared challenge me...'

Would be his claim, elevating his status even higher.

Still...none of that mattered. What did, was getting my soul out of his clutches.

"Finally."

Mephisto spoke, a dark glee evident in his deep tone.

"I have gotten rid of those disruptive pests!"

Smoke left his nostrils.

"My legions won't be able to hold back Gaea for long however, so I guess I have no other choice."

He said to himself.

He lifted his draconic head then unleashed a loud roar that shook the entire area surrounding the castle's ruins.

The platform I was standing on broke apart, falling into the pool, leaving behind a small section that surrounded the pedestal.

"Do not think for a second I cannot feel your gaze!"

He yelled.

Wait...what? Did he see me? I tightened my hands into fists, ready to fight if it came down to it.

But...it didn't look as if he was talking to me.

Not to mention,

After his declaration, the eyes that had been watching from the fires retreated in terror.

"You worthless curs should learn your place! Lusting after what is mine??! I should devour your souls!!"

He released another intimidating roar, his domineering presence filling the air.

The Demons watching from the flames, shivered in fear. Then almost begrudgingly, lowered their heads in reverence.

"Go forth!"

Mephisto ordered.

"Find the Primordial bitch and the Sorcerer Wench. Do not bring them to me alive. I want you to defile them, to tear them to pieces and burn the remains. A fitting Welcome to Hell and a fitting punishment for betrayal!!"

The demons hidden behind the flames roared loudly in approval.

"Do not forget!"

Mephisto cut in, flaring his dark wings. His scarlet eyes shone dangerously as he added in a low menacing tone,

"Their souls are mine, eat them and I Eat You. Now Leave Me!"

The horde rose up to the skies, hundreds of forms against the gray back drop all headed towards a single direction.

'Good. He hasn't turned around.'

I thought watching Mephisto's obsidian back.

Slowly I controlled the water in the pool, forming a flexible glowing tendril that inched forward slowly.

"Now Then..."

A glint I didn't like appeared in his eyes as he turned around.

His long neck extended, coiling around the pedestal before his head hovered directly above my soul. A long thin tongue extended out of his jaw, licking the air.

I shivered in revulsion.

"If I can't extract the ring without Killing you...then I guess you're out of LUCK BOY!! I'LL DEVOUR YOUR SOUL AND GET THE RING EITHER WAY!!"

Mephisto hissed, lunging forward with his jaw wide.

The world narrowed in my focus.

An anger I hadn't known I carried with me surged forth like a Tsunami.

Right then I connected with something foreign.

My dream-body shimmered and distorted.

It gained substance...and weight. Causing me to sink towards the ground.

I could feel whatever power I was pulling on was not meant to be used this way. Not in this form. This body.

But I didn't care.

This bastard wanted to kill me.

My rage was pushed to even further heights. But instead of the same unreasonable rage I felt the instance I became a Hulk, this rage felt... tempered.

It was indignation at the blatant disregard for my soul the Demon was showing. My Godly pride would not allow such dismissal.

Such disrespect! I am a god! And with my fists, I will shatter his jaw clean off! Nothing less.

The water in the pool answered my call, flowing around my distorting Dream-Body and forming an armor unit.

The water glowed around my body as I pulled on the source of Overpowering Strength I could now feel very clearly.

This energy was cruder than Psionic Energy.

Not as fluid as the magic allowing me to control the water either.

This new power felt like Molasses.

A burn in my muscles. A terrible hardness in my bones. A thrumming vibration from the tautness if my veins. A roaring of blood in my ears as I took giant leaps.

It was NOTHING like Psionic Energy.

It was...Super-strength. Finally. Hercules Legacy. Now he can train me...

The thought went through my mind instantly and before long, I was pulled back into reality. Or rather... pseudo-reality.

"Get your ugly mug away from my soul!!"

The shout escaped me just as the water around my hand swelled, forming a swirling fist.

The punch landed on the Dragon's cheek.

Bam!

I felt something shatter under the punch.

Bits of teeth, split from his jaw.

An explosion of red energy was released from the collision point, deforming the Demonic Dragon's head, causing it to uncoil from the Pedestal, before it's entire body fell into the pool.

I landed and immediately slammed my fist down, lowering the water's temperature and freezing it.

Power poured into my legs as I took a step forward. Red Energy was expelled through my feet, my body shot to the sky.

I spun clumsily, not used to controlling my body in the air without psionic energy.

This new energy was also very heavy. Moving it felt like carrying a set of weights. Still, I managed to maneuver myself to the point I was facing the gray sky.

Slapping my palms together produced a clap that released another scarlet Strength Shock. One that sent me shooting down to the pool directly under me.

"Take my fist Demon!!"

I roared, feeling a strange desire take over. I wanted to own this guy.

The punch landed right on his frozen face.

Herculean Force poured into the ice molecules, shattering them apart through mini strength shocks. Destroying them, the air crackling with red energy.

The ground cratered.

And lastly the whole ruins disappeared into a huge sink hole. The entire ground... falling into the darkness of the pits.

The dust cleared, rising to the sky to reveal...

A crystal cocoon surrounding the Pedestal.

And me...my entire consciousness spread out across the ice cocoon, giving it the shape and form of a large blue glowing egg.

Melded into a cocoon like this would allow me to maintain a 360 degree awareness.

Around the edges of the sink hole, the denizens of the dimension were finally revealed.

Red, grey, black monstrosities. All forms and shapes. Demons. All kinds. All staring at the ice shield holding the pedestal holding my soul.

Now the follow up question to that would be, why haven't you pulled the whole thing into your hammer space?

Simple. Turns out the Pedestal was anchored to something. Or rather someone. A dark red chain locked around the bottom of the pedestal went down into the pit below.

"So... its a thief."

Mephisto's voice rumbled from the depths.