Out in an unknown area of Hell, surrounded by volcanic mountains. The air was thick with ash, to the point that you couldn’t breathe, and you couldn’t see. It was a thick haze no normal person could escape from.

The circular mountain range and the ash created an impenetrable maze, trapping anyone unlucky enough to set foot in it. Countless souls had perished here, having spawned in here after their death back on Earth. Most of the time, they would be lost souls that were destined to wander Limbo for all eternity, but had that destiny cut short by appearing here.

Their souls were sucked into the ground beneath them, then spewed back out as volcanic ash. Their souls used as fuel to strengthen the maze.

Along with the unlucky souls that were trapped here, there were a few creatures that called this place home. Nightmarish, mysterious, and vile creatures that couldn’t be seen. Couldn’t be heard. Their movements were undetectable until they were right on top of you. And by then it was already too late.

They would rend the bodies of the mortals apart, allowing the ash to eat away at the souls, bit by bit, until the person was no more, and became fuel to strengthen this hellscape. With the bodies becoming soulless husks, the foul beasts would graft the bodies of their victims to themselves. As even they weren’t safe from the all-consuming ash.

After an eternity of existence, countless monsters and people died here, their bodies left behind to be used by others. Any creature that survived was a disgusting conglomerate of mismatched parts. A puzzle made up of a thousand different pieces from a thousand different puzzles.

Mountains of flesh slid across the ground, carried forward by the scraping of hands, hooves, paws, and claws. Having grown far too large, the mountains cried out in constant agony. Creatures that looked like something a child would draw slinked around, on the prowl for their next victim to strengthen themselves.

And in all of this mess were two people walking around like they were in a park. One made of rock and fire, the other a perfect angel. They walked around, not afraid of anything as they approached one of the mountains of flesh and limbs.

A young creature of the ash foolishly pounced on them, only to be blasted back by the angel and pulverised by a golden pulse of energy. The poor creature’s body was scattered all across the ashen land in an instant. Its soul destroyed, and its parts left for others to pick up and use.

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Reaching the mountain of flesh, Ira pulled out a knife, then proceeded to cut off several pounds of flesh from the creature. The creature wailed in a mix of pain and relief, its voice a distorted collection of a thousand cries from humans and beasts.

“It’s okay. There there. Just keeping you nice and tidy,” Ira said soothingly, calming the monster.

Each bit of flesh he took was a fusion of countless creatures, and would prove to be a valuable, or at least interesting, crafting material. He went a full circle around the mountain, helping to trim off the excess flesh that was causing it pain. He circled all around the mountainous creature, getting Superbia to lift him up to reach the higher parts.

The two went around to several such creatures, shearing off large chunks of flesh when needed, and easing the pain the creatures felt. After they finished trimming down all of them and sent the flesh back through Ira’s body, they sat down to relax, and even had a picnic. The ash and the grim atmosphere didn’t seem to have any affect on them at all.

“I think it’s about time we go back,” said Superbia. “A few pests have been running around for a little while now and its about time I had a chat with them.”

Ira nodded, having also sensed the pests he was talking about. But of course he had. He had even interacted with some of them. “Give me his body when you’re done with him, I’ve got some ideas of what I want to make already.”

“Of course. Of course.”

Finishing their meal, the two disappeared without causing the ash to stir, as if they weren’t even there in the first place.

~

Back in Pride City, Ed and Zara were at home getting ready for their trip to Greed. Despite having slept the entire time they were in Sloth, Ed couldn’t have felt more exhausted. So by the time they got home, they gorged themselves out on a nice dinner that had been prepared for them by palace, then went to bed.

Zara wasn’t as exhausted as Ed. She had already forgotten everything that had happened while she was asleep in Sloth. Like most dreams, everything had become blurry, before fizzling out of her mind. She could vaguely remember some things, but most of it was gone.

She actually felt incredibly well rested when she woke up, but after what happened with Ed, and all the energy she needed to put into healing him, she too needed to rest.

Now that it was the next morning, the two were ready and raring to go. They only had a few days left until Zara went back to the company, and Ed didn’t know when he would be able to see her again. So he really wanted to make these last few days count.

He woke up early and made her breakfast in bed. It was pancakes with a special syrup from Gluttony. The two showered together, and got ready. Before getting into the car that was waiting outside for them.

After a bit of research, he learned that Greed City was mostly taken up by casinos and large businesses, which both also acted as residential areas. If you wanted to get into certain casinos, you needed to prove your status and wealth. Since he wanted to give Zara the best time he could, he went through Wilfred to gain access to the biggest and best casino in the city. One ran by Lord Avaritia and Lady Invidia.