The silent footsteps of three people fill the dimly lit hallway, the sound bounces from wall to wall, creating a more fleeting atmosphere for the awkward beings making their way through.

The two look to him. Surprised at his change in attitude. Though Gram had only seen him once, he saw his personality as someone who is forthright and quite the freedom fighter or something along those lines. It was the same for Luke, but he never really paid attention to him.

They follow him as he continues walking silently. The man in question is silent, not budging at all. The torch's light would shine upon the side of his face, revealing his expression. It was a lonely and regretful one, not the same one he possessed when fighting the daemon lords. His bare top was full of scars and scratches, some were fresh wounds that slowly bled, but were ignored. His hands were coarse and worn, comparable to a hand that was used in the fields, plowing the dirt and such.

As they stare at Fafnir's trembling back and fading golden hair, he breaks the silence to their surprise.

"Turn back while you still have the chance."

His first words caught them by surprise, opening their eyes wide in disbelief. But they knew the reason to his displeasure of their presence here. They knew very well, and it's because they see saw the reason after all.

"What do you mean? We can help you now. There's no need for us to turn back when we're this far."

"... This is my battle. I'm the cause for all of this. I have to make it right, alone."

"That's just reckless, and you know that, right?"

Gram interjects, persistent of trying to find a way to help him out in any way he could. Though it doesn't seem like Fafnir would let anyone interfere with his own personal demons, except Gram wasn't about to let that stop him.

"This is our fight as well. This is our world being threatened. Many of our people have done all they can in protecting each other, but now is the time for me, no, us to help them. But it's not just about that. There's a lot more at stake than you realize."

"You don't understand. I have my reasons, and I will see them through until the end. Even if I have to use every bit of my life to succeed. It's... The only way for me to atone at this point, and I won't turn back anymore. I won't run away like I've always done, so please understand this and turn back. I don't want anyone else to lose their lives because of me. This is the result of my greed for power. I will shoulder it all."

Luke steps forward with an angered expression. He takes Fafnir by the neck, hoisting him up by the wall. He stares right into his eyes and Fafnir stares back at his. Both are strong and stern gazes, but the only difference is that one is full of anger and determination while the other is dead, lifeless and blank. Nothing to show for, though his strength is something else entirely, his eyes betray that image of him.

"Don't you know how many lives have been lost to this thing you've done!? You can repent all you want for all the mistakes you've made that resulted in the deaths of these many innocents, but it will never be enough no matter how long you repent. You'll die long before that, and it still won't be enough. So don't be all high and mighty that 'you'll shoulder all of this' this is all about you, and everyone else. You dragged everyone into this... Remember that."

Luke let's go of his neck, letting him fall on his bottom with a loud thud. His face is downcast. Then, he grimaces, letting out a sarcastic laugh.

"Ha ha ha! Thank you. I thought I was the only one who thought of that. Glad to know I was still sane. Many lives have been lost because of me? Of course. I threw everything away for my hunger to be sated. I didn't even care about what would happen to me next, as long as I didn't have to go through that pain of losing so many people I've cared for... It's ironic that this happened, ha ha ha."

As his laughter dies down, Luke clenches his fist tightly, letting loose to Fafnir one strong blow to his cheek, sending him flying towards the exit.

"How dare you look down upon all those that desperately tried to live, yet died still. Have you no remorse nor decency? I lost my friend because of you!"

Gram was surprised to see this side of Luke as well. Seeing him burst out his true emotions for once, even saying that he lost his friend made it all the more depressing. Gram didn't try to interject with Luke's assault as he also felt a similar animosity about how all this went. He wanted to strike a blow to him as well, but refrained from doing so.

"This... Is all because of you! Now, you're going to let us finish this together whether you like it or not. I will see this through no matter what. Only then will my conscience be laid to rest."

Fafnir is unable to respond as he takes in all of the hate that Luke has for him. He closes his eyes, lying flat on his back on the smoothly polished floor. He covers his eyes with his arm, letting out a deep sigh.

Clenching his fist, he grits his teeth as a tear falls down from his cheek. Standing up, Fafnir turns around quickly as to hide something.

"Fine, you win. I'll let you help. Why you want to risk your lives when I could do it instead is beyond me."

To his surprise, he sees a hand extended out to him. Though they were quarreling for a while, they had reasons. Their feelings were not blind anger, but that created out of compassion and reasons to keep going.

And with that, they move on, Fafnir leading the way. Though Luke has mixed feelings still about his response and actions, he moved it to the back of his mind. Defeating the daemon lords comes first before anything else. He firmly held on to that thinking.

They arrive to a large room with a cathedral like feeling to it. The dreadful atmosphere makes its way, destroying the sanctity that should be holy. Once again the silence overtakes the abhorrent air, mixing with their footsteps and heartbeats. 

The room is dimly lit by torches that are hung by the side. There are pews in a neat and orderly manner, and in the middle is a flame red carpet leading up to the very front of the altar.

"Oh~ how surprising it is to see you. I would've thought that Thaddeus finished his work, but that imbecile has failed me yet again."

A voice fitting for a meticulously seductive woman slithers all the way into their ears, giving them goosebumps as they shiver in discontempt. From the shadows she emerges, fully cloaked from top to bottom in a ceremonial dark garb. Though clothed, her bountiful bosom and the rest if her youthful body could not be contained as it is displayed for the pleasures of men of all ages.

She licks her seductive velvet lips as she eyes her prey, levitating towards them slowly. She has an air of distrust in her, making the people in her presence hostile rather than reluctant.

"Oh how I just adore strong men. It truly makes me excited... But no matter how strong you are, you will not get past me. Rather, this is your finall resting place."

They look on, Gram eases his hand to the hilt of his sword, Luke starts drawing a symbol in the air. Fafnir, on the other hand stands calmly, listening to her with no hostility whatsoever, as if she poses no threat to him at all.

"I'm getting irritated of all these distractions standing in my way. Do you have anything to say that I might find interesting?"

"Oh, I might have. It depends on you, truthfully... But before anything else, I would like to introduce myself. I am Miarus, the daemoness of lust... If that wasn't obvious enough for you."

With a sly smile, she turns around, beckoning to someone with her delicate fingers. 

"I have someone who is dying to meet you. He does not know that we have guests of course. Think of it as a small parting surprise before the new world we have envisioned emerges."

A silhouette of a tall man with long hair can be seen from their position. The shadow stops walking as if petrified by something he had seen.

"... It, it can't be... Miarus, you promised me. Why is he here?"

"He's come to rescue you, can't you see that? Though he himself is confused now. Look at his face, ha ha! This is quite the spectacle"

She laughs flamboyantly, pointing her finger at the confused Fafnir. The young man awakens his senses, the optimism that they thought was gone had now reappeared. 

"S, Samael? Is that you? I finally found you! Get away from her, I'll take her down."

"Wait, no, stop! What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? I came here to rescue you from the daemons."

A hysterical laugh erupts from the temptress, she clutches her belly as she stays afloat.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Ah, the confusion. Please do enlighten them, Samael. They do need the clarification after all."

"What is the meaning of this? What does she mean?"

"Fafnir, my friend. I feared the worst, and now it has happened. I had hoped to keep you safe by aiding Uriel in secret without your noticing. I wanted them to spare you in the purge that is about to happen, but it seems that I have been tricked into believing that. I am, and was a daemon. I never told you."

Samael's expression is downcast, ruined and shocked. He then shifts his anger towards the very fiend that deceived him. 

"You damnable temptress! You didn't tell him? I made a promise, and this is how you keep it?"

"Oh don't be like that Samael. All of this had to happen. I planned it after all. Hell must rule all, and for us to succeed, we must use every pawn at our disposal. That of course includes us daemons. You are a pawn as well. You thought I didn't know about Marchosias being captured and given to a mere child? I even knew about what he had ordered you to do. It was all in place once you had agreed to it."

Samael covers his face, his body trembles. He then starts laughing hysterically as if he had already gone mad. 

"Ha ha ha! I can't believe this. The very daemon of deception and lies, deceived by his fellow daemon... It seems that the rug has been pulled from under my feet. How brilliant."

"You seem to have lost your mind. This I did not expect. But, he is not the only one that wishes to meet you. There are two more, and one is whom you are very familiar with, I presume."

Samael looks past Fafnir and at the two others in the room. His eyes are focused on one certain individual that looks glaringly at him. Oddly enough, he sees himself in this person. Like a spitting image of the sort.

"... I knew I'd find you here... I've been waiting for this moment. Don't you remember me, Father?"

The man in question is again caught off guard by the suddenness of Luke's words. That includes Gram, his ally, who is too shocked by the sudden revelations

"Me? your father?"

"Don't you forget. After all these years that I've yearned for revenge, you'll start forgetting now? We went through a lot because of you! I will settle things with you!"

Luke empowers himself, fueling his rage further, but is suppressing it for some reason.

"Wait... You, it can't be. Are you, her son? Are you Amelia's son?"

"Glad to know that you haven't forgotten. She's gone now though. And it's all thanks to you."

The daemoness interrupts, flaunting herself as she walks in between the two opposites.

"My my, things are getting a bit heated here. Such a heartwarming family reunion, would be a shame to have it ruined by familial vengeance. Though I planned on it. Take all the time you have. There won't be any left for you in a few hours."

 The giant room rumbles; small debris falls from the ceiling. The group is not fazed at all, but is somewhat alarmed. 

"Enough of this you sly witch. Are we fighting or not? One less insect to disturb me from my goal."

Fafnir boasts as he starts walking past them towards the entrance leading to Uriel and Kokabiel. With a wry smile, Miarus's face contorts in irritation. 

"Samael, I intend to put a stop to this no matter what. I have to..."

"... You do know that it's hopeless, right?"

"No, I don't know that. It doesn't matter to me in the slightest. I'll put an end to this no matter the cost."

"You've changed, Fafnir. You're different from the Fafnir that I know of. I didn't see this coming for sure, but I won't stop you. I'll help you instead. It's the least I can do to atone for what I've done. If I had not left your side, then this might have not happened."

Miarus back away instinctively, her hands glow dark red.

"I had predicted this much. It'll be troublesome, but I can deal with all of you here and now. I won't let you ruin our plans."

Her image begins to vibrate, and it looks like she is splitting in half. Miarus produces ten copies of her, each one looking identical. They surround the group of Fafnir, Samael, Gram, and Luke.

"Just like in the past huh, Samael?"

"True. We always ran into trouble wherever we went. It almost made me want to quit adventuring. But alas, the time for talking is not here. We can discuss more of that if you truly believe that you can overcome a trial such as this."

"I'll pull through in the end. You know that much, right?"

 A voice cuts the two, silencing them both as they turn around.

"Gram, Fafnir. You two go on ahead. Samael and I will handle this. We will settle things here after that. You two are in charge of the future now. There's no use in arguing. Go!"

Luke takes command, ordering them as if they were his platoon members. There were no traces of disagreement from their faces, realizing that it would only be futile to stall.

"Unfortunately, it seems that I'm stuck in this rut, Fafnir. I truly am never lucky, but he is correct. If you want a chance at stopping this, then you better hurry."

"... Live through this will you, Samael?"

"... I promise you. I'll try my best. The same goes for you. I shall rush to your side once we are finished."

Fafnir does not reply. He turns to leave, sprinting towards the exit guarded by clones of Miarus.

"Blade of light, pierce and burn the defilers to sunder!"

From behind him, Fafnir hears a loud recurring voice. Then follows a series crescent blades of light passing beside him, speeding towards the clones.

"Burst through the door, Fafnir!"

Gram yells, his sword drawn.

Miarus unleashes a devastating array of projectiles headed straight for Fafnir.

"I already told you that you cannot pass!--"

Suddenly, the voice is cut by a dark pillar, destroying the projectiles. 

Fafnir turns to face the conjurer.

"Thank you, Samael!"

"I'll always have your back, Fafnir."

His friend that he had united with once more smiles at him. It was a heartwarming smile in the midst of a deadly showdown of power, but it made all the difference to him as he knows that he is not alone.

Fafnir bursts through the door, punching a hole right through it with a strong blow. Gram and Fafnir exits, leaving the three to waltz their own battle.

"Tch, how irritating. You know that they cannot match Uriel no matter how hard they try. You just sent them to their deaths, Samael. And I thought he was your closest friend."

Miarus taunts Samael, ridiculing him for his decision. He is undisturbed though, remaining calm as he looks at her with his own rendition of a blank expression.

"I believe in Fafnir. We've been through some tough times, and he made it through no matter how hard it was. That's the very reason he's here today. Now, I guess it's time to pay you back tenfold for this disgrace you've brought upon the daemon of deceit and lies."

he turns his head slightly, taking a side glance at the unhappy person behind him.

"You'll help me won't you, son?"

"... Don't call me that. Besides, you'd die if I didn't. I still need to avenge my mother. I can't have you dying yet."

Luke conjures up a glow from his two hands, levitating in the air as if it was second nature. Samael imitates this, lifting himself off the ground. 

Now, the three of them are afloat, eyeing each other down as they know each other's strength and weaknesses.

"I'm starting to remember everything. It has been a while hasn't it. I didn't recognize you because you were all grown up now."

"Focus on what's in front of you first. Don't get in my way, alright?"

"... A strange way to bond between father and son, but I'll take it, I guess?" *Sigh* (This always happens to me, but good luck, Fafnir. I know that you can do it.)

Though he releases a deep sigh, he smiles through and through, thinking of a new age. Not that of hell, but one created by hoping and the ability to act even against the impossible.

"Foolish, just foolish. I will crush your delusions here."

They begin their battle. Explosions and projectiles start rampaging through the area, each one stronger than the other. No one side gives in as the other overflows with power. 

A beautiful array of dark and red veils the field, and a varies assortment of attacks, incantaions and arts are used.

As the battle ensues, the two that had been given the chance to stop their world's demise were running their hearts out. There was nothing to obscure their path, rather they were alone once more.

They begin to slow down once they exhaust themselves, breathing excessively. The air is close to suffocating. The atmosphere sends shivers down your spine.

"Let's save the rest of our energy for the so called lord of hell. I suggest we walk the rest of the way."

Fafnir points to the door that is meters from them, and from that same door is an intense aura of power enough to make them both tremble.

"It's behind that door then, huh?"

"Yes. Be prepared for anything. Even I don't know the extent of their powers. We will most likely die, but I will assure our victory no matter what." 

Gram nods, following him as they walk through the dark and tall corridor and eventually, to the two plotting gods.

Fafnir notices Gram's demoralized state as he takes a side glance at him.

"What's wrong? Aren't you a king? You should set a good example for everyone in their darkest times. This just doesn't fit."

"You're right. I was used to my own sarcastic way of thinking, but now that we're here, It just can't control myself. I'll admit it, I'm a bit terrified of dying. I mean, we're fighting divine beings and gods, but we are merely normal people from the earth. This can't end like those in stories and fables where you live happily ever after..."

"... But you made a promise, didn't you? That you'd see this through for your people and those whom you cared about? You could back down, I'd be more than reluctant to take this on as I originally intended. Or, you could keep going and fulfill that promise. Either way, it's up to you."

Turning silent, Gram trembles slightly. He knows that he might die here at even the smallest mistake. he even read a book about courage, and that those who become terrified of dying are cowards and worrywarts. 

He brings his hand to his chest, feeling the beat of his heart once more. It is ragged, not beating properly as it should. Reassuring himself, he breathes softly, and surely, he calms down. 

"Thank you, Fafnir. I seem to have calmed down a bit."

"Don't thank me. I didn't do anything."

"... Aren't you afraid?"

"Why should I be? I've got nothing to lose. I've already failed myself time after time. I'm ready to face things as they are."

They start walking once more as the awkward silence takes over. But inside Gram's mind, another conversation takes place. 

-Lose your doubts. Ask him already, otherwise you might never find out about the truth. He is your only lead.

-Very well. This might be the best, and only time I'll have.

Gram comes to a stop. Fafnir, not hearing footsteps behind him anymore also comes to a stop.

"Fafnir, I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

Fafnir's expression does not change, still taking a serious one. 

"Do you remember anything about your past? Beyond when you met your foster father."

"I don't think I do, but I remember a distant memory. Not one I'd like to remember," Fafnir says with a dark and perplexed expression.

"... You don't, huh? I figured that much... But could you tell me that memory? I know it gives you unease, but there is something that I need to know."

"... Very well, just so we can move along already... I vividly remember it, but it's a room bathed in blood. A man lies, dying out as he reaches out to me. I can't remember myself as to how I couldn't move, but eventually, the man was struck, dying instatnly. I remember that, he was my father..."

Fafnir speaks with longing, his voice is distant, removing the image of a strong and powerful fighter and replacing it with a calm and solemn person.

But Gram continues asking nonetheless.

"What did the man look like? Did he have anything on his face?"

"I, I can't remember. His face was partly covered in his own blood, but I could have sworn that there was a scar on his right eye."

Gram's eyes open wide in surprise. He pushes his interrogation some more, thinking that he might be close to a breakthrough.

"What was the color of his hair?"

"It, it was silver..."

Fafnir clutches his head. He bends on one knee, feeling an intense amount of pain welling up from his head as he tries to remember anything about his past.

"I can't do it. I don't rememberanything else..."

"Thank you, that was all I needed to know."

Gram's tone changes to a more gentle, but stern one. He bends his knee, leveling with Fafnir.

"Listen, you are my brother, the other son of Arthur Kal Ardonia. Though, that is what I believe. Your name is--"