II. Gods and Monsters

Vengeance Sworn

Hades stormed into the crypt, his blood-red cape billowing behind him. He had grown impatient and gone hunting for The Rider but returned to the smell of fire and brimstone. The Rider must have come looking for him; Hades had been a fool to expect anything less. His flaming form scanned left and right, searching desperately for any sign of life. He could feel the souls of his disciples burning and mourned their loss. They had been pure, honourable men and women. None of them deserved the fate that The Rider had inflicted upon them. He broadened his senses, trying to sense any last ebb of life. If he could find just one survivor then he could maybe forgive his mistake. As he searched, he discovered the signal: it was a faint, magical distress beacon coming from the other side of the complex, however, it was growing weaker.

"AMADEUS!" Hades cried, opening a bridge between him and his companion.

Amadeus was slouched, back against the wall, blood soaking his clothes and the floor.

"Amadeus! I'm here," Hades told him, horrified at the state in which he had found his comrade, "Do not fear, it is not your destiny to die this day."

Hades raised a gauntleted hand to Amadeus' side; a small blue flame lighting at the tip of his finger, which he placed against the wound. The flame spread across it, stopping the bleeding before bringing the separated flesh together and sealing the wound. Amadeus took a deep, sharp breath before sighing in relief. He could feel the warmth spreading throughout his body as his circulation began to function as normal.

Hades' form shrunk to human size so that he could better support his friend as he recovered.

"What happened?" He asked.

"I'm afraid I failed my lord. Metatron escaped."

"You did not fail, the combined problem of The Rider and my brother would have overwhelmed anyone. Which one did this to you?"

"Metatron. He promised I would be the first to die. He told me that I was expendable to all the key players."

Hades' face screwed up in anger.

"He lies as he always has. You are my companion, my friend, and my ally. I could not manage this mission without you."

"Thank you, my lord."

"I swear I shall gain vengeance upon him. I will not rest until both these monsters burn."

"My lord, I think..."

"Sssshhhh, rest now my friend, you must recover your strength."

"Master, I believe I have found..."

"I said rest Amadeus," Hades ordered, more abruptly, but clearly still with his best interests at heart.

"As you wish, my lord," Amadeus agreed, reluctantly, closing his eyes once more.

"He will live. You have failed brother. And now I come for you."

Although Hades was talking to the empty space in front of him, Metatron heard every word. In the corridor, attached to the wall opposite Amadeus, was a small, silvery insect with a lens for a head.