Roth walked down the long corridor. It was decorated quite ornately and it seemed to go on for an eternity. The man leading him was very silent. Virgil just kept his attention ahead without saying a word.

"What's going to happen to them all?" Roth finally spoke.

Virgil glanced back briefly and continued onwards.

"Some have failed the test and will ultimately succumb to the fate I warned you about. They will no longer be. That's the way it goes."

Roth looked puzzled. "But you told me it wasn't their test."

"It wasn't. That doesn't mean they can't fail. Don't get me wrong though. Some of them are stronger than others. Even if they fell into the darkness they might be able to pull through. Becoming a shade up here isn't a one way path."

They turned a corner leading into yet another corridor. This place was a maze.

"Nobody around up here?" Roth was getting wary.

Virgil paused for a moment. "You ask too many questions Roth. Your being here is an extreme circumstance because we need a measure of last resort. Don't think that we won't be capable of finding another. But your extreme perseverance and refusal to let go...these are things that actually helped your case this time."

"People don't come down to here. It's the catacombs. And it's fairly off-limits. The place I'm taking you to is most certainly off limits. Only one who has bested the trials of purgatorio and shown to have a penitent heart can possibly come here. And even then we take a risk. But it is one that times have forced us to take."

Roth nodded. "Because inferno opened. I'm with you on that part. That bastard Willis is up to some..." He paused abruptly with a nervous glance. "Am I allowed to swear up here?"

Virgil smirked. "We predate your English language by a long time, Roth. Your words are meaningless here."

Roth nodded. "Worth knowing! In any case I will refrain. But that...evil man...Willis. He's up to some grand plan. I'm guessing it doesn't stop with breaking out of inferno."

Virgil stopped in front of a small, unassuming doorway.

"This is the place...We're here. But I'd like to bring you up to speed a little first."

Roth looked on in sheer concentration.

"Willis broke into inferno with the intention of obtaining an artifact. It was his life's work to obtain it. He died trying to obtain it the first time. This artifact is an old and powerful sword. It was crafted by the ancient ones and contains a great source of energy that you have colloquially come to describe as 'magic'."

"This sword was used by Theseus to slay the minotaur in the Labyrinth that Daedalus built. Legends I believe you may have heard, but obviously containing more truth than you know. Theseus was only able to accomplish such a deed because of the sword. The minotaur was an ancient one too. It would not merely fall to nothing. That sword was meant as a form of justice. In case one of the ancient ones ever became too powerful. They needed a way to....to even things out. Since immortality means you cannot merely be snuffed out of existence."

Virgil paused.

"There has to be an alternative method. The sword has the power to weaken and destroy. Some of the ancient ones cannot even be destroyed. The minotaur could and the sword was enough. Theseus went down in history as a hero because he had the correct equipment."

"Sometime after, in a mad thirst for power, the humble court magician of King Minos began to dream up more power. He increased his own understanding of 'magic' and began to use it for ill deeds. Having been banished from the court of his king, he swore vengeance. Minos died before he could carry that vengeance out."

He sighed.

"And so you think it would end. But Willis was never able to let go. He had already learned to extend his own mortal life for centuries and went into deep study to uncover the location of the sword. It was removed and secreted away once Theseus died. We daren't have approached the great hero with it. Theseus could be a little...testy to say the least."

"And so finally Willis was able to discover it. In the bowels of inferno itself. He located the monastery that marked the only known entry-way and he fought the guardian allowing him to pass through to Minos. This was the whole purpose of his venture. Though many who had wronged him may be mortally dead, some continued their existence as ancient ones. Minos was no exception. And Willis was no match for Minos. He died before he could claim the sword."

"However the ignorance of man is tenfold and Willis was able to come back because of it. He didn't just open inferno to create his army of the damned, he also obtained the sword. And with it he will make short work of even the best of us. I understand he has already defeated Minos. It's a matter of time before he comes here. That's where you come in."

Virgil pushed the door open. It led to a staircase that they both descended. Finally it stopped in a long hallway. At the end were two chests. Both sealed. He strode along the corridor, focused, and blasted the chest with some kind of light. It opened. The contents of the chest itself were glowing. Roth gazed on in awe as he pulled out a glowing golden staff. It was encrusted with two serpents and wings adorned the top. He held it upright. As he did, the second chest seemed to react.

Bolts of pure black energy seeped out from it. Virgil signalled for Roth to approach and he walked over. He very carefully handed Roth the staff.

"Be very careful." He warned.

Roth grabbed the staff and as he did his mind jumped. Images flashed through his mind of the church, talking to Melissa and Kristoff, the military base, the night he tried to exorcise him. The world was dark and the images were very real and very sudden. He saw Willis attack him...he saw the Labyrinth. He saw Wikey in the cage, teleporting to Bryce, Robert's revival, the serpent attack, the computer...Rayne's turning....

Clutching his head with one hand he screamed out as the images continued. His death. Kristoff in the motel. Returning to the church. The fall into the labyrinth and the battle. Finally he saw Kristoff fall into darkness with Henry stood there.

He collapsed onto the floor, his body shaking.

Come to me Roth. You have all you need to make it all go away.

He blinked, glancing around frantically for the source of the voice.

I can undo all that has been done. Just open the box. Nothing will matter anymore. History can be erased forever.

Virgil reached over and helped Roth upright. He was still holding the staff.

"What...what just happened to me?" Roth inquired desperately.

Virgil walked with Roth back to the entrance.

"The very reason we need your assistance. You need to take that staff and remove it. For a long time certainly. It will have a use once more but that use is not yet."

He glanced down at the golden staff.

"It's called the Caduceus. It was the staff of Hermes. It contains the only true power to open the contents of the other chest. I believe that Willis and his army are already on their way here to obtain both artifacts."

He looked Roth dead in the eye as they walked to the staircase.

"They will no doubt succeed in taking the other. And given years of research, they may discover a way to open it. They cannot find an easy route without that staff. Hopefully we will have enough time to retrieve it before that happens."

Roth nodded. It wasn't difficult to solve this puzzle.

"Pandora's box. The source of all evil."

They ascended the staircase.

"In a sense. But the contents are not so abstract. Evil doesn't really describe it. That's a very human concept. Needless to say, should that box ever be opened it will be the end of all things. Whatever damage Willis and his army of the damned can unleash unto this world...they pale to the sheer devastation that the mere act of opening that box will unleash."

Roth was puzzled once more.

"Why aren't your forces down here defending it? Surely it is important."

"Not without the key. Not without the staff. It will be extremely difficult to open without. But they will try. The box itself calls out to be opened. I believe it called out to you. The forces of Paradiso are defending the realm. The army will mount an attack on it. It is important we defend this realm and it is important you hide the staff."

Roth nodded. "It told me it could undo all that is done."

Virgil hesitated. "Do not give into the temptations it offers. Many things can be undone. Pandora's box may achieve that amongst many other devastating things but you can never let it trick you. It will most certainly try."

Roth nodded and traveled along the corridor.

"I know exactly where to go. Can I still use the lightning to move around or was that merely a gimmick?"

Virgil smiled encouragingly as they reached the entryway. "You can use it. Go to where you believe you will be safe. I think I already know your choice."

Roth nodded and paused.

"There's something I'd like to request before I go. Since I'm taking such a big risk."

Virgil nodded solemnly. "We make no promises but we'll see what we can do. I know your request. Stay safe and hidden."

Roth focused as lightning surrounded him in dark clouds.

"I don't believe I have a choice."

And with that, he was gone in a flash of energy.

Virgil traveled back along the corridor. As he did, he paused. Something wasn't right. He turned back around as the air turned dark. Shivering he backed away to a recess in the wall. He withdrew a sword carefully, though deep down he felt it was a worthless gesture.

And the air turned black. Shadowy figures charged into the corridor as Virgil expelled a great white light from his hands. They seemed to burn into the shadow creatures, which hissed and fell backwards, some dissolving into nothing. He span around with his sword and slashed at one behind him.

Running into the throngs he called out in an ancient tongue before slicing away at the dark. Occasional pockets of light radiated from the fray. Finally he paused as the darkness rested. And more came flooding in. He dove in all directions with everything he had before he was floored by a very large and fearsome opponent. The figure grinned menacingly.

"Good work General Bear. Your services are always appreciated."

Bear grinned as the hooded figure approached. He wielded a large and decorative sword. Virgil lay on the ground with a gentle smile.

"Well met Willis. I knew it wouldn't be long until your stench filled the air."

Willis grinned. "Not my stench, Virgil. You know that. I can't be held responsible for aspects of my current appearance."

"Nor your motivations I would contest." Virgil smirked at the figure of Willis, noticing the twitch in his expression as he spoke.

"You and I both know that your motivations never exceeded mere petty vengeance. But the quest you're on now is at a whole new level. I have to ask, is it truly the work of the great Willis? Or is it the work of a mere mortal that can easily best such a brilliant mind."

Willis clutched his head and snarled. He turned away from the smirking virgil.

"I'll show you what it is to smirk. All of my actions are my own, and not the work of some pitiful human puppet."

He growled in a rage as he swung the sword around in a perfect arc. Pushing forth it plunged into the chest of Virgil who tried to force it back without much luck.

Willis closed his eyes and sent forth a blast of energy. A deep frost emerged from the tip of the sword and surrounded the anguished form of Virgil. When the energy finally subsided, Virgil was a perfectly preserved statue of solid ice.

"Put him with the others!" Willis demanded. Some shadowy figures nodded as they grabbed the frozen Virgil and dragged his form away.

Willis marched forth, flanked by Bear. They descended the staircase and walked over to the chest. Willis paused for a moment.

All that has been done can be undone. It is your destiny Willis, to see that this happens. Complete dominance and control are within your grasp. Just open the box, and you will be king of everything

Willis grinned as he blasted the chest with a sheer light force. It opened. Inside was a very beautiful looking ornate, golden box. It radiated sheer light, but it also seemed to radiate darkness. Both facets were present, and it seemed that at any second the perspective would shift so that another came into focus.

Occasionally, sparks of pure dark energy flitted from the surface. Quite unlike lightning, this was more primal and sinister. He raised his hands as the box levitated from the chest and hovered in the air. The shadows gazed in awe.

"Do not touch it." Willis said firmly.

One of the shadows stepped forth and reached out, placing a hand on the glowing box.

As the figure did there was a shriek. The shadowy figure became enveloped in a dark energy as his body shook and convulsed. His features changed to that of a young and handsome man before rapidly changing once more to that of a very old one before finally, his entire form crumbled into dark ashes.

When the noise and the energy had died down, Willis spoke again.

"Anybody else care to touch the box?"

There were murmurs.

"Come. We have much work to do."

Willis grinned as he moved out of the corridor and ascended the staircase. Whether or not he was calling the shots no longer mattered. All that mattered was opening the box and finally having the power he so sorely deserved.

"Incoming!" Shouted a soldier at the top of his voice.

A missile span through the air and crashed full force into the trench. The air filled with toxic vapours and shrapnel. There was screaming and pandemonium.

A soldier lay in the ditch cradling his bloodied hand. His eyes looked up to the heavens in deep thought.

"You can make it back to base soldier. There's no need to die out here!" Came a voice from the trench.

The fallen soldier turned back.

"I die with my unit. I'm not about to abandon my post at a time of great need. Where be the honor in such an act rookie? Life and death matters little. Without honor and valiance, we are but monkeys living out according to a script."

The rookie nodded thoughtfully.

"We already radioed for help. Just hold fire. You're a true warrior Fingers."

The world became blurry as Fingers looked up into the sky. Maybe he would die here today but it was a worthy sacrifice. At least, he felt it was. Who could say. These matters weren't in his control.

"We fight together as one, that is all that matters..."

And the world turned black.

Slowly he opened his eyes. He was laying in a medical tent. he glanced down at his bandaged hand and the wounds along his side with a grimace. A female doctor was stood over him smiling.

"Be you somebody I know?" He mused.

She shrugged. "In a sense. That was quite an explosion you survived. Apparently you refused to leave your post. You're a hero."

He hesitated. "Many may have died because of my rash decision though. Be that what makes me a hero?"

She shrugged again. "It's your devotion to duty that makes you a hero. Nothing else."

The soldier smiled and looked down at his hand in disdain.

"They all call me Fingers out on the field because I be fairly good at assembling a weapon and other technical wonders. I suppose those days are over?"

She smiled. "Actually you only lost one. The rest of your hand should be in full working order. Don't worry so much."

The soldier laughed. "So I suppose I be Ninefingers now then." He held out his good hand.

"Please to make your acquaintance."

The doctor shook his hand and smiled. "Yours too. My name's Natalie. Rest for as long as you need. Once you've recovered, I need to go over a new brief with you."

Ninefingers frowned. "Only my superiors be allowed to brief me on changes."

She shook her head. "This is a special circumstance. I think you'll want to hear it."

Ninefingers looked up in awe as the medical staff pulled him away to do further tests.

"I keep telling you we're both dead. Damn. You're such a simpleton."

Hupu grinned and saluted as Bryce dragged him along yet another corridor. Opening the door he paused with a smile.

"Good thing I have my trusty shoe!" He said happily. He flung the shoe into the room. Immediately a jet of flame incinerated it completely.

"My shoe >:( " Bryce yelled out in a rage. He picked up his adventurer's hat and flung it to the ground sulkily.

Hupu grinned and picked the hat up, placing it on his own head with a salute.

"LOOKS BETTER ON ME SUH!" He said excitedly.

Bryce scowled. "It sure doesn't." He grabbed it and put it back on.

"You were about to walk into that room and get burnt alive weren't you? I keep saying! We're dead but we can still die properly again! You're going to ruin the entire adventure."

Hupu looked pained.

"Just following orders Suh!"

Bryce sighed. "I wish you'd do more. Come on. We have to keep on moving through here if we ever want to properly escape."

With a big grin, Hupu rushed to catch up as Bryce held the wrecked shoe aloft mournfully. Hupu took one of his own shoes off and handed it to Bryce with a smile.

"Always more shoes suh!" He offered helpfully.

Bryce smiled as the two approached the North door.

"I'll give it back soon!" He said excitedly as he flung it into the room. Nothing happened this time.

"Isn't that a relief?!" He said, rushing into the room beyond.

Hupu smiled and fell onto the floor asleep. Some things never changed.

Rob blinked as the doctor approached him.

"Good day to you. My name is Dr. Rob Grier, PhD. We're both here because you need very specialist help. You have anger issues that need to be resolved."

Rob scowled.

"The only thing PISS making me angry right now is BALLS your smug face, Doctor."

The doctor looked nonplussed.

"Don't you ever want to be released from prison, Robert? You need to start co-operating if you want to."

Rob grinned.

"It's Ublaz, not Robert. Nobody calls me HELL Robert. So maybe drop that for starters idiot. Second, stop saying PhD after your PISS name. It doesn't make you better. Thirdly."

The doctor paused in his note-taking.

"I'm not in prison anyway. We're both DICKS dead.So you can take your PISS clipboard and shove it, doctor."

The doctor stood upright and shook his head.

"Never have I heard such a ludicrous statement. You're clearly delusional."

Ublaz stood upright and pulled his handcuffs clean apart.

"I got some PISS things I need to work out."

The doctor cowered in the corner.

"Let's BALLS start with you."

Ublaz grinned as he swung hard at the doctor. This probably wasn't redemption, but it sure as hell was fun.

Roth picked up the remains of Bryce and looked down at them mournfully.

"I don't know if this is what's right but...it's the best I can hope for."

He flung the body over the ledge. The room was blasted clean through. Moonlight shone down from the crater above as Roth watched the body fall into the ditch below. He climbed down the ladder and began to dig in the soil. Finally laying the body to rest, he buried it once more.

Placing a small wooden cross on the top, he prayed. And then he sat next to the makeshift grave. There were many, scattered all across the expanse. Roth sat and looked up at the stars in what used to be the chamber of souls. Now it was just a destroyed and ruined shell. Much of the structure of the room had caved in and the lakes and bed were just soil.

He sighed as he clambered up the ladder and held aloft the body of Klaus.

"Nearly all done." He said with a smile as he threw the body over the edge.

Roth walked back down into the computer room and sat. The chalk markings had been cleared away and much of the blood. He glanced down at the destroyed remains of the computer thoughtfully and shook his head. Pulling himself upright, he walked back around, ready to take the long jaunt he needed.

He paused as he entered the dark room below Sanctuary. There was a figure stood there. Roth focused, charging lightning energy in his form as the figure span around. He held his arm aloft as it crouched on the floor pleading.

"Easy does! I not be an enemy of your state kind priest. You can rest off the light shows and make no mistake of it!"

Roth rested carefully as he glanced at the trembling man. He was very old, completely bald and had a long wispy white beard.

"Who are you, and why are you down here?" He inquired slowly.

The man looked up. "My name be Dante. I was ferryman for the dead of a time but them days are passed. Quite frankly because the dead didn't want to stay dead or some such nonsense. I try not to let it concern me overly much."

Roth paused, his eyes widened.

"Mr. Dante." He said taking a bow. "I've been a long time fan of your work."

Dante blinked. "My poems or my taking the spectres into their everlasting torture?"

Roth laughed. "The poems Mr. Dante."

Dante nodded. "Aye but that was many moons ago. Being stuck down here is no fun. I ain't afraid of the shadowy ones but it does get boring from the time to time."

He glanced at the doorway.

"I normally wouldn't bother you lest I needed to take rest in the Sanctuary there. Maybe a time as such will come but right now I feel comfortable as I am. That said, I got a new resident come along the lake. Which was puzzling because Cerberus ain't there to do his chomping and the lake isn't really much of a lake any more."

Roth's eyes opened.

"A new resident?" He queried.

Dante nodded. "He came down, said he'd been sent by Virgil. How is his grace? Been some time since he made contact with me."

Roth shrugged. "I have no idea I'm afraid. I don't even know if he's still alive."

Dante frowned. "Well the ancient ones technically aren't alive anyway but I be seeing your point. In any case try to keep the place tidy. I'll be back to chat soon. I do get lonely on my post, you have to understand. It be long times since I talk to folk."

Roth nodded in gratitude and opened the Sanctuary door. A figure was sat down on the pew at the front of the room. Dante nodded.

"There he be. If you have any more deliveries to come my way, be sure as to let me know in advance. I shall make a concerted effort to tidy up for the guests."

He shot the puzzled Roth a look.

"That be just one of my little jokes. All I have is time to come up with them I'm afraid."

Dante departed as the figure turned his head. Kristoff smiled over at Roth.

"I saw a bright light father. And I was told that my assistance was needed. I had to come straight here under no uncertain terms and say I was sent by Virgil."

Roth smiled. "You don't need to call me father anymore." He reprimanded.

Kristoff nodded. "You're more than a priest now anyway it seems. So we just have to lie low here for as long as time immemorial?"

Roth sighed. "Afraid so. Not all bad though. There's a lot we need to talk about and I have plenty to teach you."

Kristoff frowned. "What do you have to teach me?"

"How to fight demons. It's a skill we're both going to need fully honed, I think."

Helios opened his eyes. He was being held in chains. His arms shackled high with his stump aching tremendously. He grimaced as footsteps filled the dark air. It was impossible to see anything.

"Look what I found!" Said the approaching figure excitedly.

"A fallen black man with nowhere to go. Good job I'm around to save the fuckin' day as always." The figure grinned.

Helios looked on at Henry. His face still intact but horribly scarred.

"There's a fair bit of face smashin' I never got to do. Namely, yours."

Helios looked up into the blackness.

"Where are we or do I even care? Just do whatever the hell you want and get it over with. If this is hell then they picked a good punishment, starting at your face for eternity."

Henry spat on the floor.

"Not what I want to hear maing. I'll tell ya what? Cut the gangsta attitude and come down and give me a hand here."

Helios turned away. "What could I ever want to help you with you idiot? I'd rather not see your damn face again."

Henry shrugged. "Likewise, very much so. Thing is, I can work alone quite nicely. But this here is a big place and there are plenty of faces to smash. More than I think I could ever smash. Ya feel me?"

Helios winced in pain. Death should be the end of this crap.

"Like it or not, they got to you. The shadows. They got to me too but I stopped fighting that shit and let them turn me into a superhero. Now I put on mah cape and clean the streets of all the self-righteous pricks and wannabe heroes."

He released Helios' shackles and held his gun to his head. In the time between these two events he'd somehow rolled and lit a cigarette. He puffed a cloud of smoke into Helios' face.

"So what say we go on some face smashing adventures? Me and my best pal here?"

Helios shrugged. Better than laying around in darkness forever.

"Good answer. You're born scum, just like me."

Helios smirked. The dark side was very tempting somehow.

"First things first, I need to find that bastard Kristoffson. I owe him one between the ears. Then you pick a target and we'll do your thing. Sound fair? If not hit the road. I don't like teaming up but I'm not having much luck so far. He's hiding well."

Helios grinned.

"Don't worry. I owe that bastard one myself."

The two figures walked into the darkness, completely shrouded by it before disappearing.


The End