II. Gods and Monsters

26. Rage Of The Machine

This was the definition of carnage. Metatron had grabbed Hades by his throat and proceeded to fly with him around the entire room, smashing him into every wall they came near. Hades had eventually gained purchase, latching onto Metatron's shoulder and causing them to swerve in all directions. The end result was them careering onto the stairwell and slamming into everything like the world's deadliest pinball machine.

"You know, you have had some pretty amazing ideas in the past... But this wasn't one of them..." Charlotte mumbled; more to herself than to the flaming figure standing next to her.

"When you spend a good year in Hell, we guess the whole 'thinking before doing' part goes out the window..." The Rider muttered in response, clearly regretting its impulse reaction.

"Wait, hold on a minute," Charlotte asked. "A year? Oli; you've been gone five minutes!"

Ghost Rider kept watching the battle ensuing in front of them, its skull betraying no emotion at all. Charlotte conceded to herself that that probably wasn't anything unusual, considering it was, you know, a skull.

"We'll explain later," it told her.

Behind them, they heard the soft beating of wings. Charlotte turned with The Rider and her mouth dropped open instantly. For once, she wasn't greeted by some giant robot or a flaming skeleton, instead, she came face to face with one of the most beautiful things she had seen in her entire life. A genuine angel.

"Oliver Knight, Charlotte Taylor, it is good to see you both alive and well."

"Go to Hell," Ghost Rider told her flatly.

"I understand you are in pain, but..."

"You have no idea. One of our few friends in this world was murdered while you sat by and did nothing. She..." it gestured to Charlotte. "Could have easily been in his place. Heaven could have sent 50 angels to beat Hades, yet they still send one because you seem to enjoy this little bloodsport you have going on here. We've had enough of this. We just want out."

"You weren't the only one to lose Carter Slade, Oliver," Gabrielle replied flatly, her eyes turning cold, but only for a moment.

"That's why you're here?"

"I am here because I agree with you. This has gone on long enough, and the murderer of my mentor and of my closest friend must be punished."

"Well, looks like you're gonna get your wish. These two are tearing each other apart."

As The Rider said this, Metatron's spear raked across Hades' chest-plate, carving a deep gouge across it. In return, Hades slashed his blades across the back of Metatron's neck, loosening some of the plates.

"You have led an honourable chase, brother, but this ends now," Metatron growled, hurling Hades into the far side of the stairwell.

Charlotte was taken away from the battle by more noises coming behind her. A faint sound of wind, followed by the smacking of sandals against concrete.

"Another one? Who are you supposed to be?" The Rider grumbled, grasping its chain defensively.

"Amadeus?" Charlotte called, hoping he wasn't here to kill them of course. "Hades said you were resting somewhere..."

"How do you know this guy?" Ghost Rider asked.

"Will you shush for ten seconds?" Charlotte hissed.

The Rider grumbled.

"I was. Downstairs," Amadeus replied grumpily, looking between the mismatched pair with a confused expression. "I also didn't want to see Hades execute you. I see he failed. I hope you believe me when I say I'm grateful he did."