ROLEPLAY HQ - edwin-s-inferno

( @Doc channel created)

Hacky Slashy

( @Doc channel created)

((Sick, I'll start us off and you can reply whenever you're ready

A week had passed since Edwin found the Downfall, a miraculous crossroads in the multiverse disguised as a nightclub, a quite pleasant one at that. There he met two people that would become important to him, a red headed bartender and artist with a love for life's pleasures named Natalie and a fallen angel, rejected even by those in Hell, named Garvial. Garvial would become the instrument in Edwin's possible salvation from his curse of undeath, he wanted to believe he could trust a divine being, but doubt still itched at the back of his mind. Natalie was different yet still a bit complicated, she was the first woman to actually treat him like a normal person. And so, this was the first woman he felt something for other than lust. Even if she felt different, he was still happy just to be around her. And so he was determined to see this through and survive, a trip into Hell to get his soul back after almost eight hundred years of seperation. Today, Edwin braves the inferno.

Garviel had only known some of the denizens of the Downfall, but Natalie and Edwin stood out to him the most. He recognized the kind of curse afflicting Edwin. The demon that cursed him was a bit of a sore loser. Garviel knows where exactly the soul went: his 2nd former home. Garviel had decided to help the knight get his soul back, but alas, ge would need essential supplies and ingredients, which he would retrieve. In a week, he had gathered all the ingredients and weapons for the knight. He eventually tracked Edwin down. "Hey pal! I got everything we need. Even got fruit from the tree of life in Syria. It was guarded by a bunch of Djinn. I killed a bunch of them, but bargained with the rest. I think I'm technically married to their queen. Also got tears from a gorgon, blood from a chimera, bones of a hydra, et cetera. Also got you some armor and weapons. These were forged by Heaven's black smith. Beat him in a poker match. I may have cheated, but don't mention anything to him or he might kick my tush. Ready?" Garviel smiled at Edwin. "Also got this container, we'll atore your soul in it. Can't carry it by hand."

Edwin was glad that Garvial tracked him down so easily, fuethermore he was surprised and elated about the ingredients. He hadn't know whether or not those creature even existed anymore. "While I appreciate the gift of weapons and armor, I'm afraid I'll have to decline." He spoke drawing a black longsword from the sheath on his hip, the blade was a beautiful black and white marble texture. He definitely didn't seem to mind pulling it out in public either, even as a small flash of yellow static went around the sharp edges. "I carry my the memory of my homeland in what you see before you. Faramshan steel, forged personally for me by the Smith Priest. And a blade of otherworldy metal, smelted and shaped with the hottest fires the Northwarders could make."

Garviel observed the blade, taking in the details and the back story of the blade. He gave a long whistle. "Very nice. This exact metal is very hazardous to demon's health." Garviel accidentally touched it. It stung, but only a little. "Ouch! No worries, I'm fine. Anywho, I already know which gate we can get into. We'll go in, travel the circles of Hell, find the well of souls. I'll dive in, find your exact soul and then we'll leave. In and out. And don't worry about identifying the soul. It's like a license, unique to a person. Won't be a needle in a haystack scenario. I also managed to forge some rings for us. It'll hide our presence for long enough to complete the task." Garviel then holds out a ring for Edwin.

Seeing that he had an advantage over the demons already, Edwin became more confident for the trip outcome. "We don't actually have to through the Lust layer do we?" He asked with a nervous laugh, taking and working to get the ring to fit on his finger beneath the gauntlets.

"If we're lucky, hopefully not. I have quite a lot of upset succubi I'd rather not deal with. It helps I know a shortcut. The well is located in the very last circle, though. Good o'l treachery.

Once the ring was on, Edwin had expected to feel some kind of change, instead he was left confused. "Well good, I'll just have to take your word for it that these rings work too. Now where's this gateway to Hell, in some abandoned mansion or dark alleyway?"

"That's the neat part! It's in Iceland! So any questions before I zap us there? I can get us close, but we'll have to walk for a bit."

"Iceland, I haven't been there in a while. Are there any elves still left living there?"

"Yes, but only in small isolated villages. They're nice though."

"Well that's a shame, though I'm not exactly welcome among them anyway. They think I'm a revenant or an undead, but that's simply not the case." Edwin spoke, sheathing his sword and resting his hand against the crossguard. "Anyhow, I'm ready when you are."

"OK! time to go! In 3,2, 1!" Garviel placed a finger on Edwin and in a second, they were in the middle of a forest. "Here we are! Time to walk from here. Also....I probably should've mentioned this but you won't be able to poop or pee for a week. Also when the time comes, oh boy, it'll be alot."

Edwin felt the sudden change in the atmosphere and it felt like getting slapped across his whole body, he stood still like a statue. "Hoogh, that countdown didn't help at all, wait a minute... what do you mean I won't be able to piss?"

"Or poop. Yeah teleportation has a strange effect on a human's body. Effects of traveling quickly."

Edwin shook his head and laughed. "Magic, always with it's drawbacks. Let's hope the next bit of magic doesn't give either of us an erectile dysfunction eh?" He said jokingly, walking around and feeling the bark on one of the trees. "So, where are we walking to find this gateway?"

".......well not erectile dysfunction. But if you are going to pleasure Miss Natalie again, be warned: you're going to erupt like a high pressure firehose."

10:45 AM

"Oh and speaking of." Garviel then transmits a psychic message to Natalie.

10:49 AM

"And done. She's doing well. Anyways I already got the route planned out. Just follow me." Garviel leads the hike, wearing a clerical robe.

"You speak quite bluntly, it's honestly refreshing." He stepped away from the tree and returned to follow Garvial. As they went along, Edwin began to think about the things that had been plaguing his mind in the past week. No longer wishing to let these thoughts eat him up inside, he finally spoke. "Garv, what do you do when you feel something for a mortal? Someone you know you'll outlive?"

"Well, won't lie to you. It is sad that they can't live as long as you. It is ok to be sad, but the important thing is to be happy you can spend time with them. Cherish the good times. Be glad that it happened. Rest assured that paradise awaits them after they're finally laid to rest in this world. I met plenty of good people that are long gone. It's good to mourn them, but they live on in memories. Hope that helps you, Edwin."

He seemed to take the advice well, but there was more on his mind. "I've been trying to learn just live in the present, if I have my soul back I might not be immortal anymore so I need to know how to... be mortal." Edwin groaned as he tried to put his thoughts into words, this was all stuff he'd been struggling with on his own for so long. "I've spent 770 years just wandering, fighting, and fucking. But I never took a moment to actually try living, and now it's come to bite me in the ass. What would I even do if I had my soul back, I can't go off on death defying journeys, there's so much risk."

" It's understandable to have that fear. I understand the fear of not knowing. A wise man once said, it's ok to feel afraid. What matters is how you deal with it. You can choose to run, or you can fight with all that you have. I assure I wasn't joking when I said humans are capable of anything if they're angry enough and put their minds to a task. Anywho plus the thing is we don't necessarily have to put your soul back in immediately. We could just cleanse it and then hang on to it until you figure out what you'd like to do with it."

"Wait really? Knowing that earlier would have helped. Can I put it in a little container and keep it close?" Edwin caught up and walked side by side with Garvial through the Icelandic forest, despite being in such a lush part of the country he knew animal and plantlife was sparse. Knowing this, it just made the fact that elves with their nature loving ways still lived here, maybe there was still something he didn't know about this place that they were hiding. If so he hoped they could continue to it hidden from the world.

"Precisely! We can just keep it in the container until you get bored with immortality. Point is we're getting it back. No way it's staying in Hell just cause some Demon was a sore loser."

"Alright, good, good." Edwin thought for a moment as they traveled up a hill, the wind at their backs as if pushing them onward. "Is there anyone in Hell I need to hold back from fighting if we run into them? A demon is a demon but there's... others like you right?"

"Yes, the fallen are still angels, albeit they embraced the corruption. Also there's the big cheese himself, Lucifer. The king of Hell, the prince of lies. Also there's the knights, his warrior elite. Keep in mind, barring Lucifer, the rest you can fight, but they won't go easy."

"The only reason I have to fight is if they get in my way or try to hurt you, we're in this together." As they continued along, Edwin started to get a little antsy. "How much further? What was keeping us from teleporting right to the damned gateway?"

"Likewise. This little cherub floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee! Anyways we're almost there. As for your question, well I wasn't always the best at teleporting, but I'm a lot better than last year." As they neared the gate, the duo heard moaning. "Uh oh." Garviel was ahead and saw the gate....and a couple pleasuring each other. A muscular, ginger haired male was on top, penetrating his red headed girlfriend. Both were as naked as the day they were born. He turned to Edwin and explained the situation.

9:56 PM

"OH! OH! FUCK ME FASTER, HANK!" The male pumped away in an animalistic frenzy in response.

Edwin peaked the two deep in their passions and moved behind a tree to avoid being seen. "Do... you know them by chance?" He asked, clearly confused by it all. "My god he sounds like me when I... nevermind."

"Not really. And do you mean when you...oh." Garviel immediately figured out what Edwin meant. "So....yeah, they're copulating near the gate."

"Hmm... I'm gonna try and spook them off if you don't have any other idea." Edwin drew out his sword, tapping his gauntleted knuckles against the blade. This caused the electricity that coursed through it to become more and more agitated, soon it became closer to lightning than an electrical current when an odd, warbled sound of thunder was preceeded by a stray bolt shooting from the blade and to the ground. He had hoped that would be enough to convince the two lovebirds to move their loving session elsewhere. But he'd be lying if he said he never fucked in the rain either.

The lovebirds were far too deep in the throes of passion to let a potential thunderstorm interfere. Unfortunately, a small portal opened up and a demon popped out. "I sense the betrayer nearby. But first, I'm going to have some fun." The demon had the appearance of a big breasted naked woman....but with red skin, tentacles protruding from her lower region. Also horns and mouths in place of her nipples. "Shit, time to save the two lovebirds. I'll hold her with Telekinesis and you cut her up."

"Good plan, time for some hero work." Edwin began to run down towards the gateway, sword in hand and ready to hack and slash. "Hey! Get out of here you lovebirds, you're going to get yourselves killed!" He tried to warn them as he rushed to meet the demon in close combat, hoping Garvial's telekinesis would be enough for a beast of this size.

"What the hell are you-JESUSFUCKINGCHRIST!!" Both the man and woman yelled in unison when they saw both the armored man approaching and the demon. "Well now, this will be-" suddenly she was held in place by Garviel's Telekinesis. He flew next to the couple and held the demon in place. "Ball's in your court, buddy!"

He gripped the sword with both hands, lunging right for the demon's chest. If demons followed human in the slightest, then hopefully he pierced the heart. "You picked the wrong gateway, demon!" He yelled, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Part of him hoped the demon wouldn't die from a single wound even of they were weak to this particular metal, he craved a fight. Yellow jolts of lightning disperse from Edwin's longsword and into the demon's wound, causing blood to boil and muscles to spasm. It was an elegant yet brutal weapon when see up close like this.

The demon let out an inhuman shriek before it burst into flames and ashes. "Phew! You did great." Garviel said as he put his hands down. The couple scrambled for their clothes. The man put the woman behind them. "Thanks...you saved us." The man put his pants on while his lover hastily put on her shirt and shorts. "You didn't see us while..." she stammered nervously.

Edwin was cleaning the blood from his blade by wiping it on an old cloth he took from his satchel. He spoke with his back to them. "What the hell were you two thinking?" Once clean, he sheathed the sword and turned to face them when they were sufficiently clothed. "Just go find someplace safer to do this, I won't question why you picked this place to have let loose your passions."

They both just nodded sheepishly and ran off. "Congratulations!" Garviel said as he looked to Edwin. "Aside from their questionable decision making concerning where to make love, I think they'll be wonderful parents. So....shall we descend into the mouth of Hell?" Garviel smiled at Edwin.

Edwin started to laugh a bit once the two were gone. "Here's hoping, let's go." He said as he stepped towards the gateway, touching at it and wondering how to work it.

"Allow me, Edwin." Garviel first did an incantation to camouflage and lock the gate behind them. He touched the black stone and chanted in enochian. The gate opened up and they were at the entrance to Hell.

Edwin jumped back seeing the gate open before him, having a hand at his sword ready to draw it. "So that's it? And we have to get to the lowest layer to reach the uh... well of souls?"

"That's right! A fallen angel and a cursed knight on a mission, against of all of Hell. I like our odds." Garviel led Edwin into the gate and then closed it to ensure no Demons come to hunt more amorous couples.

"Sounds like quite the story, I doubt a Christian anywhere would approve of it being written." He said with a chuckle, stepping forward to try and get a look around. He had no idea how the land might form here, they could be on a mountain and he wouldn't even know until he looked down over the ridge that surrounded them and the gateway.

"Ok, follow me and stay close." Garviel said an incantation in enochian and activated both rings. They were camouflaged and were now walking into Hell. They reached the line to river of fire. "We need to get on the boat. This is where the damned are ferried in. We got this, Edwin."

Edwin did just as Garvial instructed of him, when they reached the line he felt a bit puzzled. "I guess we aren't paying the fare?" And then he remembered something. "Oh shit, I never paid my tab at the Downfall. I still have that twenty dollars with me too."

"No worries, we're practically invisible thanks to these rings. Hell it's not like they can hear us over the screams and moaning." Garviel guided Edwin on to the boat. "That's Charron. Funny guy, he does stand up every Tuesday."

"Charron, boat guy, hmph..." He noted the ferryman's familiar appearance to other culture's religions, then looking down at the river of fire they were about to cross. "This shouldn't be possible, what kind of boat can just drift across... lava like this?"

"I was joking. The guy's way too mopey. As for what kind of boat, well an earth made boat can't....but one made in Hell. I mean at the very least Hell doesn't follow the same rules as earth, you know?" The boat started moving. As they went along, damned souls were in the water, burning and screaming.

"Fuck, no wonder he's like that." He said as he watched the suffering souls, he knew he couldn't do anything for them but it still made him feel bad for not trying. "Correct me if I'm wrong but Limbo is first right? The layer where the unbaptized go right?" The idea that you'd be denied a decent afterlife simply because you didn't have your head dunked in water was ridiculous to him, but the truth of Limbo was that there was more than just unbaptized souls.

"Actually Limbo is for those that wouldn't take responsibility for their sins. Those that refused to accept they did no harm to others. That whole unbaptized nonsense is just that, Nonsense. But correct you are. Limbo will be our first stop."

"I'm starting to understand how that D fellow must have felt in the story." Edwin knelt down in the boat now, just looking out downstream trying to spot their destination.

"Dante Alighieri. He's a decent fella. Was nice to meet him. He was just a poet though. The humans made this videogame where he was a Crusader and stole Death's Scythe. Fun videogame, pity they didn't do a sequel."

"I tried to play a video game once, I was playing as this little sponge man fighting robots." He remembered the first time he touched a game cube, such a small little thing that could create such a lively world. "Spongebop."

"SpongeBob! Was it battle for Bikini Bottom? That's a fun one. Got to say I've thoroughly enjoyed Fallout: New Vegas and The Elder scrolls V: Skyrim. I think you'll get a real kick out of that one."

"I'll have to give them a try if I ever stop and get a place of my own." Edwin fantasized for a minute about living like a modern human, getting up to go to work, grabbing a coffee on the way there. He soon snapped out of it though, shaking his head. "Bah, too much, too much."

"No worries, we got at least a half hour more on this boat ride. I would say relax, but..." Garviel pointed all around him.

"Yes, I'm not too keen on falling into a firey river. Burns have never healed well on me, everything leaves scar actually." He took off his gauntlet so he could reach under his white fur cloak, touching at a spot that had ones of these marking. "Even her mark is still there."

"No worries, buddy. I'll catch yoh before you fall. Also is that Miss Natalie's or some other woman? Err that's probably not my business, sorry I asked."

"It's fine, no other woman has marked me before. It was... touching really." He sighed as he stroked the mark a few times with his index and middle finger, then pulling his hand away to slip his gauntlet back on. "So, Garv. What's going to happen exactly if we get found by your... family?" He asked trying to switch the subject while working his fingers around once they were surrounded by steel once again.

"If by family you mean my brothers, and the older brother who I kinda called him out and he burned me? Well, it won't be quite a happy reunion." Garviel was about to say more when in the ocean of fire, Sharks started devouring the damned. "Ok, that's brand new." The sharks were coal black, with four glowing red eyes.

"No! NO!" Edwin quickly stood up and drew out his sword, ready to strike at the sharks should they be drawn closer. "I thought I could get away from the fucking ocean here, Garv why is there demon sharks!?"

"That's a good question. These are probably a new addition or they were here the whole time. After all I wasn't stationed here specifically."

Edwin kept shifting around the boat with his sword drawn, trying to keep as far away from the demonic creatures as possible. "I hate the ocean, Garvial. Faramshans are cursed to never step near the shores lest we be attacked by spectres."

"That's the reason? I thought it was because of the Rokea."

"Rokea? No, the old Kingdom of Heide lives on through it's wrathful spectres, rising from the ocean to rend any man or woman from Faramsha." He stayed on the lookout, upon a closer look he was actually less concerned about the sharks and more about what their presence meant. He was watching for the very Heidens he spoke of.

"In case you were wondering, Rokea are sharks....with arms and legs. Very big and mean. Also those Megalodon fossils....they're Rokea. Basically they guard the abyss, the prison of the eldritch beings. It took us angels and all of monster kind to fight those nasties. Took cooperation and alot luck, too."

"I fell into the ocean once, it was a nightmare. I was grabbed and stabbed and dragged all the way to the bottom by Heiden spectres. I spent so long down there that I didn't think I'd ever see the sun again... I hate the ocean." As there was no sign of these spectres, Edwin gradually calmed down and sheathed his sword, sitting down on the boat floor.

" No need to worry about those here I think. For all I know, these sharks could very well be Lucifer going "Fuck it, let's put sharks!"

"Sharks in a river... I'd have picked alligators. But from everything you've said so far, I'd guess he's not the brightest anyway." He said with a chuckle, slapping the outer side of the boat. The firey waters almost caught his arm aflame.

" I mean he sprung the genius idea to rebel against the creator, not to mention try and take on Michael. Lucifer's good, but Michael was way better. It was like a Rottweiler trying to take on a grizzly bear. But then again I kinda went along with it, so I can hardly talk. Was young and stupid." Garviel let out a sigh.

"We were all young once, I've made my fair share of stupid decisions, aligned with bad people." He understood how Garvial felt, in his early days as a Shell Edwin was angry and reckless, selling himself off as a mercenary. It took a frightened young princess surrounded by her slain guardians to realize just how far he'd fallen. "You can't change the past, you may not even be worthy of forgiveness, but you can be better." He looked over the edge of the boat now, then towards the shore. "With a boat ride this slow you'd they'd give Charron a little motor for it by now."

"Right you are, Edwin. And yeah, this boat ride could go a little faster. I'd file a complaint, but don't want to give us away." Garviel checked ahead, seeing how far they were to the first circle. "I think about 15 more minutes we should be there. Also I've been thinking maybe when this is done, we could make our own show or movie out of our adventure. This could be make us some serious dough if we play our cards right."

"It would be a crazy movie for sure, like Blade or Constantine. I like that, we can talk about it more over a drink back at the Downfall." Garvial could see him smile through small slit going down the middle of his helmet, he didn't really like the spotlight but it was fun to speculate.

"Have to say, it feels weird being back here. I worked so hard to get out, and here I am, on a quest to get a cursed Knight's soul. Man that demon was sure a sore loser."

"I'm not even sure if calling it a demon is right. It turned the entire capital city of Faramsha into a sea of ashes... I still don't know how I alone rose to fight it. Whatever that thing was, it's much more ancient than any of us here." He remembered that dread he felt when he first encountered the beast. "A mass of flesh, black as tar, covered in red eyes and grotesque outstretched tendrils. I killed it by destroying it's eyes and then piercing it's exposed core."

"Must've been a prince of Hell. A very strong one at that. I can only guess since there's quite a bunch."

"It's odd though, I was going to die whether or not I killed it... it pulled me back from the brink at the last second as I killed it. Was it pettiness that drove it to "curse" me? Or was it some kind of gift for besting it? I may never know, but I definitely regret killing it."

"Nah, had to be a sore loser. Demons are really arrogant, think they're above humans. It's like a cockroach managing to take down a human. Must've really bruised his or her ego."

"Maybe... So how do you place yourself? More than a demon but less than an angel perhaps?"

"Of both worlds. Never forget where you're from. Sure I moped about falling from grace, but I chose to change, to try and do good. Even if there is no redemption for me, better to try and fail. Best of both worlds! Well, I can't tell where the arrogance came from. The Angels aren't free of arrogance either."

Edwin chuckled at hearing his answer, at least Garvial didn't try to hide it. "Well you're good in my book Garv, glad I met you rather than some choir boy angel... I'm never in the mood to be judged for my sins."

"Plus they wouldn't be willing to come here or know their way around. "

"Exactly, they'll act so pious and better saying "I wouldn't dare go to that infernal place." but really they'd be just as clueless as me."

"Yeah. Good thing I also came prepared. I even got a thermonuclear option in case Lucifer and the others get ahold of us and all hope is lost."

"Is Lucifer really that bad? Dumb question, he's bad but is he that bad that you need that kind of option?"

"Oh yeah, real mean. He's an Arch Angel. They're called Heaven's Weapons. Add demonic corruption to the mix, very tough boy. So....want to know what's the emergency option?"

"Ehh... it's not an actual nuke is it? My body doesn't handle radiation well... in fact it's worse than with regular humans."

"Pfft! Nope! Just an eldritch being I won from the Rokea. Very powerful....and kinda psychotic. I just break this coin here and then we get the fudge out of here." Garviel showed him the coin. It was silver with black veins popping out.

"You really think that'll do what you think it will? Nothing eldritch can't be trusted, if it says snow is white then it's lying because it pissed on it when you weren't looking."

"Good God, no! All I know this particular species is volatile. Likes nobody, angel or demon alike. It's an alpha predator that'll immediately go for the toughest guy in the yard." The boat finally landed. "Look at that, off to meet King Minos."

"It's no surprise to me that he's here, what's his punishment?" Edwin asked as he hopped off of the boat without a moment of hesitation, apparently he had no clue of Minos' role here.

"Eh nothing.....well there was the whole being a violent Tyrant. With rather dark tastes, plus sacrificing people to a minotaur certainly didn't help things." Garviel led Edwin to the pendulum, where the damned are sent to their respective damnations. "Hold on tight." Garviel extended his hand to Edwin. "Down to the 2nd circle."

9:03 PM

"Pretty much he's a desk clerk fir eternity."

"Alright, bring it on. Let's hope he doesn't see us though." Edwin shook his head and stepped next to Garvial, grabbing onto his hand tightly. Was this another bout of teleportation or perhaps the pendulum would do something wild, nothing here made sense to Edwin and he was close to giving up and trying to understand.

Garviel levitated himself and Edwin to the pendulum. It descended with the knight and Angel further into the dark realm. Eventually they reached their destination. "And.....ah fuck." Garviel let out as he realized they were now in the 2nd circle: Lust."

Edwin could feel the air around them change as they entered the second layer, he slowly turned to Garvial and let go of his hand. "You said we could avoid Lust, did you not?" He asked, resigning himself to fate and jumping off the pendulum. "Well, we can't just go back, unless you have an ex you aren't fond of seeing let's go."

"I picked the wrong pendulum. But it's probably-" Garviel suddenly stopped. "Don't move." A regular sized dog made his way to the duo.....but it has 3 heads.

Edwin stood still but could see the "dog" in his peripheral. "That's a cerberus... shouldn't it be bigger?" He asked, slowly, carefully creeping his hand towards the hilt of his sheathed sword.

The dog came towards Garviel. It then sniffed at him and then started doing zoomies, before pawing at the angel. "Hey boy!" The dog then got on it's belly as Garviel rubbed it. "It's cool. He's friendly."

Edwin relaxed his hand and walked towards Garvial, taking a look at the little thing. "They make them sound so much bigger in the stories. Is he a pup perhaps?"

" Oh no, he's way bigger than this, but he can change sizes. Also I was the one that walked him." Cerberus resembled a Cane Corso, but with 3 heads. Cerberus walked alongside the duo. "Guess he's joining us....any objections?"

"None at all if he's your friend." Edwin just went along with it, shapeshifting three headed dogs, demon sharks in a river of fire, and rings that technically made them invisible. "Thia place gets stranger, doesn't it?"

Garviel said another incantation to camouflage the dog alongside the duo. Garviel then led Edwin through the circle. They first came across pikes with men tied up, succubi piercing their genitals with spears. "Rapists if you were wondering."

"Good, I had hoped they would receive something worse than burning." Edwin of course did avert his eyes, the idea of having his own manhood pierced by a spear was horrifying even if he knew he wouldn't feel the sting of the blade.

Cerberus trotted alongside Edwin, rubbing his left head on Edwin. Garviel guided him as they passed another torture session. This time deformed manifestations of Children are torturing men and women alike. "Sexual predators that preyed on the young." Garviel pointed out.

"A fitting punishment, a sense of karmic justice." It seemed there was torture for every form of depraved lust, it made him a bit concerned though, who was looking over Lust with punishments being dealt out like this?

A giant woman was towering over the circle, gigantic in size. She wore an egyptian head dress, with black hair. "Cleopatra.....yes the very same one. Initially we all had to split the duties, but eventually she and her lover Marc Antony took over as wardens of lust."

"Hm, some history before my time, I didn't think they were actual lovers. Politics are a twisted game." Edwin shook his head and kept walking, hoping Garvial's magic's would keep them hidden from even the wardens.

"Could be the case. Might need to brush up on history. But even then, the winner usually writes it." The trio walked to the tower of lust as they passed by a bunch of succubi, comforting one crying. "Come on, it's been how long and you're still pissed?" The crying succubus spoke up. "If I see that fucking traitor again, I'll take his fucking balls." She went into more expletives as Garviel led his companions to the entrance of the tower.

"I can only imagine how... draining it can be to date a succubus... heh." Edwin laughed for a bit as they made way for the tower, he hoped this was a quick way down to the third layer. Then again he couldn't really get his hopes up for anything here, this could be some strange sex torture dungeon for all he knew.

And low and behold it was the ultimate sex dungeon. They passed by room after room of the damned being tortured. "Funny thing is there is pleasure in all of this, but there is such thing as too much." They made their way to another elevator. "On to the 3rd circle?"

"Yes please, last thing I want is run into something that tickles my fancy." Edwin wasted no time on getting onto the elevator, whistling and patting his leg to try and get Cerberus to hurry on. He remembered that Garvial said he was a shapeshifter but he still found the three headed cane corso endearing.

After a few minutes, the trio have now found themselves in the 3rd circle: Gluttony. Bloated giants walked among them, falling over and defecating. "This is gluttony if you were wondering."

"Lovely, I hate it already." Edwin just tried to ignore the bumbling giants, were they the punished given such a massive form or were they perhaps the punishers? "Let's just keep moving, I feel like one of those things might fall on us."

Garviel, the knight and the dog passed by people strapped to chairs, being force fed. A demon leered at one person in particular. "So you like Donuts eh? Wel have all the donuts in the world!! Ahahahahaha!!!" The contraption started feeding him donuts nonstop.

"Heheh, looks like he never met Mister Simpson." Edwin had a wicked grin under his helmet as he said that bit it quickly faded back to it's usual stoic look. He did see the irony in the punishment though, but what kind of souls deserved hell for just eating? It was a question he didn't know whether or not he wanted the answer to.

"Pretty much those that horded things, food included, for themselves. Also doesn't help that they hurt others to feed their gluttony, to the point where their loved ones are neglected."

"The fat, bloated ticks of the world. They deserve this." He shook his head. "What sort of being watches over this realm? They must be quite the being to keep those giants in check."

Cerberus nuzzles against Edwin as they followed Garviel. A giant, green horned demon sits on a throne of blubber, shouting at the denizens. "Eat! Have it all! You deserve it! Hahahahaha!" "That fella, Ghazkull, warden of Gluttony. Garviel leads the party to the entrance to the 4th circle: Greed.

Edwin scritched Cerberus behind the ears as they entered the next layer. He recognized this place immediately. "If this is Greed, then I may see... someone."

"Uh oh....should we avoid or do you want to see them tortured?" Garviel asks as they continued walking.

"It doesn't really matter, his death was complicated. Obsession drove him to violence." He dropped his head slightly. "What sort of punishment awaits a man maddened by an obsession for knowledge?"

"Oh that's an interesting one. You see, they get put in a time loop. It recreates their journey, repeating from the beginning right as they're about to triumph. Sure they can do a few different things, but it ends the same, back where they started." As they walk, on one side they see some victims having molten gold poured down their throats. On the other side they're being forced to crawl through melted riches.

"I see." As they continued onward, Edwin got a glimpse of the one he spoke of. It was another knight dressed in blue wielding a two handed flail. He was locked in combat with Edwin who was kicking his ass with wild strikes, very unlike the man Garvial was traveling with now. "Oscar..."

"Wow, wouldn't want to mess with that fella." Cerberus licked at Edwin's hands with all three heads.

"It's the part of me that I buried deep within. For years after I came back as a Shell I was less than a man, I was a wrathful being. Oscar deserved what happened to him, but it doesn't lessen the feeling of regret. He was on his knees, weapon disarmed, and I still beheaded him on the spot." He watched Oscar be disarmed just like he said, not even looking up at the past Edwin as they lopped his head off for probably the millionth time. The real Edwin flinched as he watched it, not even registering the licks that Cerberus gave him.

Cerberus nuzzled against Edwin. "Well you changed. Every soul in here refused to change their evil, sinful ways. Anywho, let's blow this popsicle stand." Garviel led Edwin and Cerberus to the gate leading to Anger.

As they left Greed and entered Anger, the Shell showed a bit of discomfort while they walked. "This must be Anger then? Because I can feel my blood boiling just being here." Edwin said, his calm expression betraying his words.

This time, the group was now in a battlefield. Warriors from all time periods were fighting each other, as if two armies of all kinds united against each other, in a bloody war.

"Fuck me, how are we supposed to get through all this?" Edwin drew out his sword, ready to chop down any warriors that drew too near in their fighting.

"Follow me, through the trenches." Garviel guided Edwin and Cerberus to the trenches, avoiding most of the fighting.

Edwin remained on guard, staying close to Cerberus with his sword still out. "A warlord must surely run this place, who else could find control in this chaos?"

"Yes. Vlad.....something...I don't remember his name, but I do recall he's very enthusiastic about impaling others on spikes.

6:13 PM

"

"I believe I know who you speak of, Vlad Dracula, member of the Order of the Dragon, quite possibly ah vampire." Edwin of course had his run ins with vampires before, who were disgusted by the taste of his blood and either left him alone or tried to kill him.

"Right! Thank you. But yeah, not a very nice guy." Garviel led them out to the exit of the trench. "Oh boy, looks like it's time for the bayonet charge." Both armies immediately crashed into each other, stabbing, beating, shooting, all manners of violent killings ensued. "There's the gate to Heresy. Just follow me and we'll get to the gate. 4 more circles to go. Ready?"

Edwin took a deep breath as he nodded and started to walk towards the gate. "Deeper we go... how do we get out once we hit the bottom?"

Garviel managed to get the group into the entrance to Heresy. "Teleportation. I take some of my blood, paint an enochian symbol on my body and poof! Out of the dark realm!"

"I honestly don't see how any of your don't try to leave more often. It must be a fine piece of real estate down at the bottom to keep Lucifer content."

"On account of most of them being too scared or too happy to be here, yeah it is." Garviel, Edwin and Cerberus passed damned souls being boiled alive inside bronze oxes and being sacrificed.

"Hmph... he's sounding more and more like a pushover. Then again the strongest thing I've fought is that... thing that took my soul." Edwin was totally unsure of whether or not to call that thing a demon anymore. His mind was taken off of that as he saw the punishment for those guilty of Heresy, he hoped his people were in Limbo instead of this place.

The group made their way further into the circle, passing by souls being sacrificed just like Natives used to before civilization.

This was nothing foreign to him, though he and his people weren't ones to partake in sacrifice. Faramsha was a more chivalrous kingdom despite it worshipping a "pagan" god.

Garviel led the knight and the dog to the gate leading to violence. "3 more circles to go. And so far nothing went wrong. Let's hope this keeps up."

"I doubt your spells will fail us, but doubt these rings are as reliable." Edwin said, working his hand around as he felt the ring under his gauntlet. "But even should it break, we can make for a swift exit... or deal with whatever finds us first."

"I understand your concerns, but we made it this far." Garviel lead the trio into Violence. They entered the forest of suicide. People were hanging, but were kept alive, choking.

"Suicides... that means th- oh no." Edwin froze in his tracks as he recognized a particular soul hanging from the trees. They were Eastern European in appearance with short black hair. "Maciek, no... you shouldn't be here. I need... I need to get him down." He began to walked towards the tree, drawing his sword out, lightning crackled along the blade.

"Oh boy." Cerberus whined as Garviel proceeded to help Edwin cut down the person Edwin recognized.

Edwin cut the man down from the tree, a gasp came from their body as it was freed. "Maciek, why are you here? You're no sinner, you've always been a good lad..." Edwin knelt down and held up the body of his punished companion. Sadly no words came from Maciek as his neck was crushed from being hung for who knows how long. "What kind of god deals out punishment like this? He was suffering, caught in a gas attack... would your god rather he cough up the pieces of his bloody lungs and die a slow death in the mud?"

Garviel took out a cross and began an incantation initially in enochian. "I hereby absolve you, ascend to paradise, my child." Maciek ascended to heaven. "I'm sorry about this. Can't say I agree with every rule." Garviel put away the cross and took in Edwin's words.

"Thank you... there are many here who are not deserving of this fate. Especially a boy dying in a trench, fighting a war where honor was long ago lost." Edwin had been shaken from his chivalrous ways in the turn of the 20th century when an a war broke out across the world. A war where young men were sent to die over the feuds of aristocracy. Edwin stood up after letting Maciek fade from his arms, a clear liquid dripped out of the bottom of his helmet, were those tears? "You've come a long way from the day you were cast down from Heaven, haven't you? Thank you."

"You could say that. And you're a good guy, Edwin. Most who lose their souls go full looney tune, but you managed just fine. Now we just got to get through the abominable sands and then it's just Fraud and Treachery left." Cerberus nuzzled agains Edwin, sensing his anguish.

Edwin gave eacher of Cerberus' heads a good pat before looking back to Garvial. "Perhaps being without a soul isn't so bad, but I cannot allow my soul to remain in this place any longer. I don't want to find out what things my soul is capable of being used for by your.. family."

"All right. On to Fraud." Garviel led his compatriots to the gate leading to Fraud. "Shall we?"

"Yes, onward." Despite all the awfulness of this infernal realm he had bared witness to, Edwin's resolve remained strong. Who knew how strong his will would be with his soul, he might be nigh unbreakable like diamond.

Garviel led his compatriots into Fraud. Various people of power were being tortured. Lords, politicians, kings were being whipped, Flogged among other methods. "Assholes who put kids like Maciek in those positions get their comeuppance eventually."

Edwin said nothing as he looked at many of these authoritative figures, he recognized many of them and respected few of them in the slightest. He took a deep as he slowed down, watching a man drapped in silvery garments and ruined armor being struck with a nine tailed whip. "The king of Heide, the sunken kingdom. Bane of our people, I can never set foot near the ocean because of the curse he laid upon our people."

"Well, this prick got his just desserts." Garviel walked his friends through the circle towards the final gate: Treachery. "We're almost there."

"This is it, are you sure Lucifer won't be able to see past your magics? He may be childishly petty but I have no doubt he's among if not the most powerful being here." For a moment Edwin seemed hesitant, taking a deep breath and choking on that hellish air. "Fuck me- blargh! This place is worse than a burning coal mine, is it always hot?"

"I may have broke the air conditioning during my escape." Garviel said in a tone that doesn't indicate if he's joking or not. "All right, just make our way to the lake of Ice, and the well of souls is right there and ripe for the taking. Ready to get your soul back?" Garviel said as he lead Edwin and Cerberus to the Ice Lake.

Edwin was blasted with a gust of cold wind as they stepped out onto the Ice Lake. "Reminds me of the mountain peak Faramsha's capital stood on. I'll tell you the story of Loyem and the Mountain King sometime. Now let's get that soul."

"And there it is." Garviel pointed to the well of souls. Cerberus trotted alongside the duo. "Ok, I'm gonna go get it. Just wait right here."

"Just wait, got it." Edwin did his best to keep steady on the ice, but he had a slip when he tried to pet Cerberus and fell on his ass, his helmet falling off and sliding across the ice. "Oh shit." He started to stumble after it, hoping that the metal headwear wouldn't get spotted by any of the denizens or punishers of Treachery. This was the bottom most layer of Hell, the worst that could happen was Lucifer himself taking an interest in Edwin's helmet, but he wouldn't bother with such a little thing like that, right?

Garviel floated and swam through the ocean of souls. Finding Edwin's soul seemed more of a challenge than anticipated, but Garviel made a promise. After a few seconds, he finally caught it. Edwin's soul, drifting with the others. Garviel took out the jar and after a few strides caught it successfully. He then flew up, about to tell Edwin the good news. Suddenly both his and Edwin's ring shattered. "What a peculiar helmet." The king of hell picked up the helmet and examined it. Garviel made it to the surface. "We need to go, no- oh." A reunion Garviel was hopeful to avoid has just occured. There he was, in his archangel form, handsome, blonde, with his armor. "Hello Garviel."

Edwin was face to face with the Lord of Hell, he quickly drew his sword with it's lightning violently crackling off the blade. Stray bolts from the blade struck the ice, creating a haunting echo deep beneath the surface. "Return to me my helmet Lucifer, I will not hesitate to split you in twine." Edwin stood brave against the hellish lord, taking the Wrathful Guard stance with his weapon. He planted his feet firmer than ever upon the ice, like a statue facing the torrential winds of a sandstorm he was immovable.

Cerberus took a fighting stance next to Edwin. Garviel landed next to Edwin. "We have a problem." Garviel said next to Edwin as they all stared down the Archangel and lord of Hell. Lucifer floated the helmet back on Edwin's head. "What brave little ants you are. I looked forward to our little reunion Garviel. I never thought you'd be stupid enough to return. But yoh did save me the trouble of hunting you down. And you even brought a friend too. I'm going to have fun ripping you all to pieces. Any last requests, little bird?" Lucifer gave a wicked, wolfish grin. "Just let us go and we'll promise never to come back?" Garviel said hoping to diffuse the situation. He got in front of Cerberus and Edwin.

Edwin seemed to think otherwise, undeterred by how Lucifer had returned him his helmet. "Fuck you kerfos, I killed one king of hell, I can kill another of I have to." His lack of fear in the face of the Evil Incarnate might be seen as unnerving by those who haven't faced true evil before. Edwin had an idea brewing if things went from bad to worse, that soul may be useful even in it's current state.

"That's a very nice sword, brave knight. This one's much nicer." Lucifer brought out his sword. It used to be shine bright and golden. Now it's covered in flames. Lucifer then took a swing at Edwin. It would've been fatal had Garviel not teleported Edwin and Cerberus out of the way. "Looks like negotiations have failed." Garviel remarks to Edwin.

Edwin had brought his sword up to block and parry the flaming sword, but stumbled forward as he realizing he'd been moved away by Garvial. "Alright Garv, what do we do? How do we beat your brother to a pulp?" Edwin still seemed confident that they could take on the devil, maybe they could, but nonetheless it was still a foolish notion.

"Coordination, skill and luck. Lots of luck." Cerberus barks in agreement. "You won't leave here, little bird." Lucifer taunted.

"Ah, luck.. good thing I make up for that by being hard to kill." Edwin stepped forward to try and face down Lucifer again, lightning crackled violently once again as the blade came closer to the demon king. A stray bolt changed it's trajectory and shot right at their chest.

Lucifer howled in agony as the bolt struck him in the chest and knocked back, sending him sliding into the lake. Before he could get up, Garviel sent a wave of light wit his cross. It left him stunned for a bit, kneeling. More demons were now joining the fray, but Cerberus transformed into his actual form. A massive, Cane Corso on fire. He charged at the demons and sent them back.

Edwin saw Cerberus putting in work, proud fighting alongside the legendary beast. "Garv, pin him with your telekinesis!" He called out, rushing toward the now kneeling Lucifer. If he could get close enough he could supercharge the electricity in his blade and fry the demon king inside out by planting it firmly in their heart.

Garviel immediately complies and instantly holds Lucifer down, effectively pinning him in place. "I'll rip your soul apart!!!" Lucifer shouted while stunned. "I'll skin your little friend over and over again!"

Edwin plunged the black blade deep into Lucifer's chest, lighting him up like an electric current. He leaned in as he pushed the blade as deep as it could possibly go. "The king before you put up more of a fight, then there were an army of us... we are but an army of two. You can guess what that tells me, fallen son of God."

Lucifer slumped over, dead. "Wow! You got him.....now let's get out of here before he gets back up." Garviel tried to quickly usher Edwin away as Lucifer quickly got up amd launched a fireball. Luckily Garviel teleported both Edwin and Cerberus away. "Did you think it'd be that simple!!?? And you humans say I'm arrogant."

That fireball had managed to graze the fur shroud around Edwin's shoulders, but he didn't even seem to notice it was on fire yet. "The devil can play dead, what trickery is next?" He ushered to Garvial, tearing off the fur shroud once he saw the flames reach his front side.

"Sorry about the shroud. I'll get you a new one once we're out of here. But yes, Archangels are very tough boys. There's a reason they're called Heaven's weapons." "I will hunt down and kill everyone you love. You may not have a soul, but I can still make you suffer." Lucifer shouted as he went to cut down Edwin and Garviel. His sword conncted only for the "duo" to turn into candy. "Luckily I know a few tricks of my own." Garviel said as he looked to Edwin. "As for your question, pretty much what I can do, but better. The only reason I was able to hold him down was cause you weakened him."

"Then we keep it up, I have no intention of leaving a power vacuum in this wretched place anyway." Edwin raised up his sword and grasped the tip of the blade tightly, his blood began to run down it. "Sword from the stars, bane of demons, a perfect current for blood." The blood began to harden along the blade, creating a longer, heavier weapon. Lightning coursed beneath the hardened blood like light shining through a gem. Edwin took the Wrathful Guard stance once again, ready to keep fighting. "If things get dire, give me the soul... I know a soul like mine, tainted by hell is extraordinarily powerful, we may need that strength."

"Gotcha." Garviel took a fighting stance as well. "An army of two you say? Perhaps I should bring my own now?" Lucifer summoned the King of Heide and undead warriors, some romans and european knights. "Bring me their heads, your majesty, and you'll gain a reprieve from your torture." Lucifer smiled as he then stared down Garviel. "You. Where have you been hiding all this time?" The king of Hell took a peek inside Garviel's memories. He saw the downfall, especially Natalie and Edwin. "She's pretty. Perhaps I should find this littpe club. Pay her a visit?"

"Faramshin!" Called out the Heiden King to Edwin, an impossibly tall humanoid standing at a whopping twelve feet tall. Was this their mortal form or were they merely twisted by Hell? Only Edwin knew, he did not shake at the sight of the drowned king. Edwin rushed to meet his rival on the field of battle, the King of Heide drew out a longsword draped in white cloth and covered in small barbs. The two's clashing blade rang out across the lake of ice, Edwin's knees buckled against the massive sword striking his own, forcing him into a kneel. The blood crystal blade of Edwin's sword shattered where it was struck, but the jagged shards were already on the move, flying around the field and piercing the flesh of any foe they found in their path like bullets out of a gun. Not even Lucifer was safe from the fragments, a small piece of crystal shot right through the side of his left shin, rending flesh and shattering upon on his shin bone. With his close proximity, the King of Heide was struck with multiple shards like a shotgun blast. Not even his ancient armor kept him safe as his old blood spurted from the holes punched through him. But he was far from done, he came back with a swing which struck Edwin's side and sent him tumbling and sliding across the lake.

The king of Heide went to deliver a killing blow, but was held in place by Garviel's Telekinesis. He was paralyzed and helpless as Cerberus pounced on him, biting into his armor like it was just paper. Right as Garviel helped Edwin up, Lucifer snatched him up, like a bird of prey. He held Garviel by the throat. "You two are giving me more trouble than I expected. No worries, I have all of eternity to play." Lucifer sneered as he choked Garviel. He would've snapped Garviel's neck if he didn't open a bottle and released it into Lucifer's face. It may as well have been a star exploding on the Arch Angel's face, effectively blinding him, tossing Garviel aside as he rapidly rubbed his eyes. Garviel floated next to Edwin, his wings now visible. "I think he's really angry now." Garviel managed between coughs.

Edwin had blood spilling from his side where the Heiden King had cleaved him, this did not seem to bother the Shell in the slightest, in fact he seemed more occupied with the bottled explosion Garvial released onto Lucifer. "What was in that damned bottle, a sun?" The King of Heide was torn apart by Cerberus, but the more flesh that was torn off the more of a bone white exoskeleton formed over their wounds, much like the carapace of a crab. It would become increasingly difficult for the Guardian of the Gates of Hell to do any meaningful damage. The armies of Hell were endless, and even Edwin could tell that this wasn't a battle that could be one by slaying all of one's foes. "We need to shut Lucifer down before we're overwhelmed by his horde, and Cerby looks like he's losing his grip on the old Heide King... what do we do?" He asked, looking to Garvial like a soldier awaiting orders whole still staying on the defensive.

Cerberus came back to the trio while holding the king's head. Cerberus crushed it and stood beside Edwin. "I still got the thermonuclear option. It'll buy us enough time to get us out of here. We just need to distract Lucy long enough for the ritual to complete."

"Oh I'm a great decoy..." Edwin would look over at Cerberus with a big toothy smile. "And I have an idea." With a laugh, the crystal blade crumbled as Edwin sheathed his sword, the fragments launching off towards the nearest hostile. He started to climb up onto the hellhound's back, the madman wanted to ride the Guardian of Hell like a war horse. "You ready boy!?" He calls out to Cerberus, giving them a pat on the back of the neck once he's climbed onto their back.

Cerberus roared as he charged at the hoard. Garviel took out the coin right after Cerberus charged at the horde. "Well this could either end with us getting out of here or torn apart by an eldritch horror. Better take care Edwin doesn't get butchered or Natalie would be really pissed." Garviel began chanting as Cerberus and Edwin tore into the horde, slaughtering demons left and right, like a hurricane of fur, steel and teeth.

Edwin launched bolt after bolt of lightning at demons as Cerberus tore throughout them all, staring down Lucifer along the warpath. When close enough Edwin made to leap from the back of Cerberus, charging right towards the devil with a charging bolt within his blade. The bolt would fire only when the blade was raised towards a target, until then it's power built the closer it came to a demon. "Come here you daddy issue having, too big for his britches, fuck!" Edwin yelled out as he closed in and began to raise the blade to fire a most unstable but powerful bolt, much more powerful than the first that brought the lord of hell down the first time.

Lucifer let out a roar that would shatter even a cosmic being's ear drums. The king of Hell was knocked all the way to a wall, completely paralyzed. Cerberus stood there, howling in victory. Lucifer forced himself back up and tried to charge at Edwin and Cerberus. He was about to swing his sword when a massive portal opened up, a giant, black hand caught the blade and flung it. Lucifer stared down in anger as the being stepped out of the portal. What could only be described as a nightmare being conceived out of the minds of HP Lovecraft and Franz Kafka rose out of the portal. It stood between Edwin, Cerberus and Lucifer. Edwin and Cerberus were teleported near Garviel. The creature that rose out of the portal was a massive humanoid covered in complete black as tar skin. It had tentacles sprouting of it's back, 5 heads with teeth like machetes, claws that are curved and sharp. Also a massive tail with a stinger at the end. It also sported 8 legs.

"That thing..." Edwin was frozen stiff as he stared at the massive being, his sword hand tightened it's grip on the hilt. "It has skin like the thing that destroyed Faramsha... Garvial, what have you summoned to this infernal place? We need to get away from it, fast." Edwin clearly knew the threat this thing posed, but he may have also revealed whatever destroyed his kingdom was not from Hell at all, but from the Outer Dark.

the creature and Lucifer immediately charged at each other. Lucifer attempted to blast it with fire, but it reacted the same way as a man would to mosquito bites. "That's a really good question. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna start up on the teleporta- OH SHIT!" Garviel quickly teleported the trip away as Lucifer was flung towards them. Garviel looked to Edwin and Cerberus. "You guys ok?" Cerberus licked Garviel with all three heads.

Edwin had already taken a stance against the incoming Lucifer, impaling him on his sword and protecting Garvial and Cerberus from being hit. Meanwhile Edwin was less than happy having the devil flung at him as he held the blade down into him and was throwing the meanest left hooks with his other hand at his head, a hand that was encased in a metal gauntlet. "Get. The. Fuck. Off. Of. Me."

Lucifer got himself back up and flun himself at the entity, completely ignoring the party. Garviel began chanting the enochain incantation to teleport out of Hell. "IS GARVIEL FUCKING NUTS!?!!!?" Lucifer thinks to himself as he continues his clash against the monster. It began contorting in various ways, dodging Lucifer's hits. Lucifer began charging himself up as he summoned demons to aid him against this creature. Even Mark Anthony joined the fray with demonic Roman legionares.

Edwin's sword arm was dangling as he walked back over to Garvial, grabbing the blade of his weapon with his free hand to get it back in it's sheath. "Tell me we're almost out, I don't want to be here when that thing explodes, this whole lake is gonna be a boiling pot when it does."

Garviel finished the incantation. Lucifer was plunging his sword into the creature's torso. "LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE! ANYWHERE BUT HERE!!!" Garviel, Edwin and Cerberus were instantly telported out of Hell right as the creature exploded. Garviel, Cerberus and Edwin found themselves in a hotel room. Garviel panted as Cerberus nuzzled against Edwin's leg. Garviel then looked over at the bed with a man and woman covering themselves. It was the same couple they encountered early in their journey. "Hi." Garviel awkwardly waved as his wings were sticking out.

Edwin was caught by the shockwave of the blast just as they teleported, being throwin into a closet and MACH jesus. His body crashed through the doors and left a hole in the wall. "Fucking... teleportation." He rubbed Cerberus behind one of their pairs of ears as ge wiggled to try and get his body free.

"You all right, pal?" Garviel makes sure his companions are all right despite the fact there are two people staring them down. ".... Why does that dog have three heads?" The woman asks nervously as she and her male companion cover themselves with the blanket.

"Golden..." Edwin finally pops himself out of the wall and shuffles his shoulders to shake the spackle off his body. "So we made it... and there's the forest fuckers, good on you for finding a private spot."

"Whoo. Man that was crazy, wasn't it. Can't believe that actually worked. Hahahahaha!" Garviel let out a hearty laugh. Cerberus meanwhile walked up to the woman's side of the bed and nuzzled against her. She pets all three heads. "At least he's harmless."

"Cerberus is off the clock, absolute sweetheart they are." Edwin gestured with his hand to Cerberus who was getting pet now. "Garv, why did we end up here anyway? Why not back where we first went in?"

"Normally we would've been....but we were kinda in a rush, because you know." Garviel reminded him of when he unleashed an eldritch horror into Hell. The man in the bed then asked his own question. "So....that's THE cerberus?" Cerberus sat down with his tail wagging. "Yep. Don't worry, he's a very good boy."

"So we're still in Greenland, right? Or was it Iceland..." His head was a little fuzzy after teleporting twice so soon, his body just didn't seem to react well with it. "Either way, our work isn't over. We need to fix my body up and purify that soul before we can say we went to hell and back."

"Greenland. And right you are friend. We still need to purify this here soul. And also fix up your body. Just give me a day to recover. Man, that all took alot out of me." Garviel and Cerberus then took Edwin to get some food, leaving the couple dumbfounded once again.

As they all leave, Edwin looks down at Cerberus and furrows an eyebrow. "Huh... so who's going to guard the Gates of Hell while Cerby's gone?" He asked, then taking off his helmet and attaching it to his belt. His face's exposure to the sun caused his skin color to become pale and his eyes to turn milky white, his hair became bleached like an old man's as well.

Garviel took the trio to one of his homes in the area. It was a lonesome cottage in the woods. "I imagine one of his siblings will likely handle it." Garviel sat Edwin down while Cerberus nuzzled against Edwin. "Gonna begin the purification ritual. Just have some soup." After Garviel finished the soup, he began the preparations for the purification ritual.

Edwin sat down and looked at the soup presented to him. "Hmm, I don't need food unless I'm injured... then again." He looked to his broken arm, with a shrug he took the bowl in one hand and downed it all in one go. "Bah! Warm..." He shook his head, setting the empty soup bowl down and patting Cerberus on the head. With a quiet, twisting and crunching sound, Edwin's broken arm began to shift about like the bone was slowly putting itself back together.

"That healing factor of yours is gnarly." Cerberus nuzzled against Edwin, licking his arm with all thre heads. Garviel began the ritual. After a few minutes, a bright flash engulfed the room. After the room went back to normal, Garviel had Edwin's soul in a vial and necklace. It emmited a glow. "Here it is! One purified soul. You have the option of drinking it, putting it back, or you can keep it as a souvenir. I'm sure the ladies would love to hear that story." @dr.coomer4018 (Just realized we should probably tag each other)

"It's a gimmick at this point." Edwin said, noting something was a bit off about the soup, maybe this was what would fortify his body. The vial Garvial came back with glowed a bright orange, like the sunset. Edwin walked up and held the vial closer to his face to look at it. "Is it supposed to be all... swirly?" As he asked that, the vial vibrated as if the soul within wanted out. Edwin backed up as he noticed something else about it. "Garv.... it uh... it cracked." @Hacky Slashy (That's a good idea actually, I don't know why I haven't done it already)

"Pronlonged exposure to Hell would do that. Think of it like a scar. If you want to get rid of it, I could call in a favor. Hope he isn't too upset though." Garviel debated asking for Michael's help. Cerberus sat down and panted, indicating he wants head pats. Garviel patted all three heads. @dr.coomer4018

Edwin shook his head, pointing at vial the soul was contained in. "No.. the vessel— it's breaking!" He lunged forward and swiped the vial away from Garvial, clutching it close to his chest before it cracked even more, giving way to a bright beam of light shining through. The beam had enough force to cause Edwin to be thrown back and out of a window behind him. Outside, a loud bang and shattering of glass could be heard... @Hacky Slashy

Garviel flew outside and saw Edwin's soul ascending, all the way to Heaven. Unfortunately souls traveled quite fast. Garviel then went back inside to check on Edwin. "So....good news I know where it went. It's in heaven now, with Maciek. So....want to storm heaven. Can't promise it'll be easy though....or we could just ask for it back....that or you can just let it rest in heaven." @dr.coomer4018

Edwin laid on the ground holding on tightly to what looked like a thin, wisp-like strand. "It's not getting away that easy." He grunted, getting pulled up off the ground a few inches by the ever-rising soul. "I've come this far, I'm not letting it get taken away from me again." He spoke defiantly, not wanting his soul to be taken by the heavens after forsaking it for so long. @Hacky Slashy

Garviel took flight and held on to Edwin. "Don't worry! I got you!" Garviel held on as Cerberus held on to his robe. "Here goes nothing!" Garviel chanted and managed to get the soul into a back up vial. All three fell down, but Garviel was able to cushion the fall. This time he held on to the vial. "You ok? Lucky I got a spare, huh?" @dr.coomer4018

Edwin rose to his feet and looked closely at the vial. "The other one must have been cracked." He guessed, Garviel wouldn't have put the soul inside of a faulty vessel. He seemed to have taken the fall well enough for someone who couldn't feel pain, he shouldn't be conscious with how hard the soul launched him out of the window otherwise. @Hacky Slashy

"Yeah, must've taken a hit during our smackdown in Hell. Good thing I always come with a spare." Garviel made sure to inspect this vial for any cracks. Thankfully there were none. Cerberus pawed at Edwin and nuzzled against him. The dog got on it's back and showed his belly. @dr.coomer4018

"I guess that's it then..." Edwin says, not noticing that the vial was still able to vibrate and gently jerk around on it's own. "It's strange though, I feel whole even if I'm not one with it.. but not quite. Like feeling the flow of warm air out of a window while you're out in the cold. You feel warmer, but it's not satisfying." He pondered, becoming lost in thought, not even noticing Cerberus' touch and beckon to play. @Hacky Slashy

"Maybe the real soul was the friends we made along the way!" Garviel said trying to reassure Edwin. He also looked at the vial, making sure the soul wasn't attempting escape again. He then crouched down to pet Cerberus. The dog continued licking Edwin with all three heads. @dr.coomer4018

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