“Hell hath no fury like a pissed off flaming skeleton with a longsword!” -Tempest Knight

My armor moaned and I could feel the joints beginning to stiffen as I came to a halt on the ground behind where Gladius had landed. I immediately primed my weapons for a full on assault but we had found nothing to engage.

“We are close Gladius, I can feel her nearby.” I stated as I rose my helmed face to the sky, spotting seven dots in aerial combat. “Check high 1:30.” I added, giving my worn out wings a couple experimental flaps.

“Looks like the battle’s already begun,” Gladius gave a glance to the conflict above. “And it would seem there are already cracks among the ranks.” There was a deep disdain in what the old pegasus said, as he shook his head slightly. “There will be no honour to be gleaned from their deaths, but there is a small measure of justice to put down such cowards.”

I watched, now, as my friend gave mere dismissal to the enemies above us. Twas but a dark foreshadowing that garnered my attentions, as a deep gleam came to Gladius’ eye.

In but a blink’s time, it was gone. Replaced, utterly, by the earthshaking, ear-splitting slash that cut into the world. Were it not for my armor, I would suspect my hearing would be quite destroyed, as I looked skyward still, and saw what had produced such a noise.

A mighty Rift stole into the material realm. From a darkness unfathomable, where I could feel only malice and hateful destruction abound; this was where the sound that I could only describe as literally Death itself tore free and leapt into the world.

A single figure, bathed in shadow and mist, flew from this gaping maw in the air. Fire spewed from its back, and what looked like the souls of thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands, moved with this thing through this mist of darkness.

The limbs it carried, as it immediately slammed into one of the other specks that had been fighting, wrapped tightly, it seemed, around the throat of its first victim. I heard words, that, while whispered, reached my ears as if they were a shout, as this thing crushed the neck it had grasped for like a toothpick.

“Forgive me."

In a blink, the body of the first had landed before the two of us. It was the rotting, decaying corpse of what had been an Enclave trooper. The rusting power armor was still clear enough to read in that regard, but it was so badly damaged it looked as if several tanks had struck the poor lad from all directions. His body leaked a toxic fluid that scorched the ground beneath him, and the smell…

“The stench of War...thought I’d escaped this centuries ago…” Gladius whispered, as he gave a somewhat regretful smile before looking skyward once more.

The second of the once-fighting group opened fire in retaliation. The plasma rounds that were fired seemed to dissipate before they even impacted this dark creature, as the horrific mist seemingly absorbed the blast before it struck this being. In return, the being drew from its back what my enhanced visor detected to be a highly advanced set of pistols. No...Not pistols. Revolvers. Revolvers that looked the size of hoof cannons as it took careful aim.

“I send you to peace…” The second whisper came, as this thing let loose a barrage of blooming balefire from twin barrels.

The flaming, charred remnants of what had been the second Trooper crashed down to the earth far below with the speed that could’ve marked a megaspell. The impact was similar, as the body cratered out in a ruined street and continued to burn.

Just then, the dark figure vanished without a trace. Yet, the mist continued to linger around. I heard now, the beginnings of a terrible chorus, as that ethereal haze surged forward and seized in its grip two of the other Troopers.

Their screams were something even I’d never heard, nor thought a pony could produce before. So guttural, so agonized, so frenzied; yet so short, and abruptly cut off.

I stood by and watched, as first flakes of what appeared to be metal flittered about and fell down to the earth; only momentarily uplifted by the wind and carried a short distance away before falling again. Then the sludge. A mixture of flesh and fur and blood and a hash of organs. Like a thick rain it plummeted down and struck the rooftops heavily before suddenly melting through them. At last, the acid-damaged bones of what had been the two Enclave members began to fall.

“The sins of the damned are so solemnly judged…” the third whisper echoed in my mind.

Gladius nodded at the three remaining soldiers. All three of them seemed in a panic, as the mist began to inch forward hungrily in their direction. It came so close as I’d imagine the one it paused before could taste the sickening smog. Yet it gave pause.

“You are Forgiven.” the fourth whisper decreed.

That was when I saw the dark form return. For the briefest of moments, it had come slipped back into reality. It hovered directly behind the other two Troopers, who had yet to be sentenced.

“The sin of the Father be carried by the Son.”

I saw this figure’s claw trace the spine of one of the Troopers, before it stabbed in deep and took a great hold. The cry of pain lasted for but a blink, before the very spine and skull of the stallion was ripped out of its body and through the power armor. Hauling back with immense strength, this horrid trophy was then rammed directly through the throat of the second Trooper, before the final whisper came to me.

“Go forth with the sin...and pray tell your misdeeds to those above ye.”

Surprisingly, the Trooper who had just been impaled obeyed this command. Despite bleeding from the clear gaping hole in his throat, caused by the spine of his comrade that was still lodged within, he took flight and fled the scene immediately.

There were no more words, but I did see the creature make a swift gesture as the mist returned to it before dissipating. It descended from the air swiftly, its wings of unholy fire burning brighter and deeper as it neared the ground we stood upon.

When it was but inches from the flat expanse, it gave pause yet again. It glared from its own shadowy gaze beneath a shrouded hood, giving birth to a pair of glowing eyes hidden behind bloodstained, shattered spectacles. Its form became more corporeal, as the last Enclave Trooper landed beside it, and I could finally tell who it was that had returned to us.

Dressed in armor befitting the older eras, of which I was fairly well acquainted with; inscribed heavily with runes I could scarcely decipher as being of the language of Death. Most of this was hidden beneath thick, voluminous robes that appeared as if weaved of obsidian, and were too covered in runes and inscriptions that glowed faintly like this thing’s eyes. The fire that it had borne appeared as sconces that burned from its shoulders, which were enlightening the gilded shoulder guards that bore ancient tomes. Ancient lore and knowledge I could not even begin to process was there to behold. Yet proudly displayed on its breastplate, the inscription of the 1st Equestrian Army still gleamed.

“Ranger Sorrow.” Gladius gave a small smile.

In his claws, which still dripped with fresh blood, those two massive revolvers were gripped tightly. They were beautifully crafted, engraved with what looked like millions of tiny scriptures and battle scenes. Ages of work, crafted to tell a story of a life of Death.

With a glorious flare, Sorrow spun his hand cannons between his individual talons several times before he holstered them skillfully. Dusting his claws off, and wiping away the blood, those eyes turned to the remaining Enclave Trooper and studied carefully.

“The only reason I do not sentence ye to burn for eternity for the sins of your forefathers is because you had the nerve to face those sins.” He decreed, jabbing a talon accusingly as his glowing pupils darkened somewhat. “After all, twas both their cowardice that damned this place to waste away, and twas their fear that scarred the Chief Ranger forevermore.”

Sorrow gave a nod of respect to his superior, whom he had so aptly spoken of, as he softened and stepped back.

“You are lucky to be alive, I know Ranger Rage would’ve skewered ye without a second thought…On the principle alone of your group having brought harm to me, or any of our brothers and sisters in arms.” Gladius said, giving approach to the Trooper, before pausing abruptly. “You know who I am? Who I truly am?” he asked, as he gave the Trooper a hard look.

He first looked over to me with what could be apprehension in his eyes before looking back to Gladius, “If I am not mistaken you are a part of the Iridium family, the same family as that of Ministry Mare Dash.”

“He is well informed.” I noted in a low whisper that only Gladius could make out.

“I am her uncle,” Gladius said, “You are not informed enough, certainly your forefathers weren’t. I could’ve had the lot of you flayed and executed for treason for abandoning your country in its time of need.” Gladius and I noted the slight confusion that was there, before he spoke low, yet thunderously. “I am the Chief Ranger of the First Equestrian Army, you fool. By my right of command, I should’ve condemned all of ye to death centuries ago.”

“He well should have, for you’ve done nothing of worth in Death’s eyes in your organization’s lifetimes.” Sorrow snarled, as one of his claws drifted dangerously close to a holstered revolver. “The world could’ve rebuilt, but you cowards sat in the clouds and did nothing to speed its recovery. You let it stagnate, and now the debt has come to be paid.”

“Calm yourself Sorrow, he is an ally.” I stated as my EFS picked up a new friendly dot.

“I told you that I would be back.” Ponegator stated, walking out of the surrounding dust. “It would seem that the local Steel Rangers, the nearby city, and the Enclave have engaged in combat. The only question remains, what are you doing here?”

“We are here to find my niece,” Gladius said, before he looked to me closely. “We need to find Dash. Would ye happen to know where she is?”

“Aye, do you know anything, perhaps?” Sorrow’s glaring eyes narrowed, as he stared at Ponegator with suspicion. “Where is the location of Mortem’s daughter?” This was a doubly posed question, to both Arnold, and the Enclave Trooper, who it appeared that the old Ranger was leaning more towards the latter as he fixed his deep gaze upon and glared darkly.

“I heard that she was heading into the nearby settlement.” The Enclave trooper stated as he looked to Gladius.

“From radio traffic I am able to confirm this.” Arnold piped up as he hoisted up a minigun, “I will provide cover fire… and explain how I knew where to be later.”

“Ranger Rage will already be there…” Sorrow nodded, before he started to fade into an ethereal mist once more. “You tread carefully, Enclave, or Judgement will be invoked this day.”

And thus, he was gone. “We need to get a move on then,” Gladius looked to Ponegator. “Lead the way.”

“You all are like the beginning of a terrible joke…” The Trooper muttered, before meeting Gladius’ intense gaze. “How does one dang Stallion butcher an entire squad without even trying?”

“It’s our duty to do that,” The Chief Ranger replied, as he passed by and left a chill in the air. “We’re Death’s Warriors after all.”

“Could have shaved off twenty seconds by removing the dramatic flare.” Arnold stated.

“But that would take all the fun out of it… if only I was at full power and able to show you what a Reaper of Hades is capable of.” I stated.

“Could’ve rusted you out and made sure you’d stayed buried and dead...But Death would’ve had my head.” Sorrow shot back, before nodding approvingly at me. “Met your old master a few times in my years...admittedly, kind of a dick… But he has his moments...Just like Lord Death.”

“It is just…” He paused his speech as a pair of Hellhounds rose out of the ground and attacked them, drawn in by the fighting above their homes.

Ponegator’s mini gun spun up and began to shred into one of the two hostile hounds. The other seemed to be interested in me, thus I did what would classify as the norm, and opened fire. Flame jutted out of my weapons as the armor piercing grenades slammed into the enemy life form. All that was left of either attacker were chunks of meat and bone.

“Just over the ridge, I will lead.” Arnold finished his sentence before beginning his march up the ridge, shooting anything that remotely moved with five and sometimes up to ten fifty cal rounds.

“So… you’re alive?” I asked, still perplexed over my friend's sudden return.

“Thanks to a merchant and a pony from my stable, yes, I am alive and fully functional.” He replied, turning his red gaze to meet Gladius’. “You have a question, I can tell.”

“I have no qualms of knowing your life or death...After what I’ve seen in the passing days…” Gladius gave a faint hint of a chuckle. “I just want to know how you managed to find us so easily?”

“Rage wasn’t exactly quiet…” Sorrow shook his hooded head, as if in mock disappointment. “I remember giving suggestions on how to create your kind...Ah yes, the Ponytrons. I do myself enjoy spitting just a bit in my Master’s face every so often.”

“What’s your definition of ‘not exactly quiet’?” The Trooper asked.

“When you hear the chorus of screams from hundreds of the damned, you’ll know.” The Chief Ranger answered, before he gave a deathly glare that made his fellow Ranger’s eyes flicker and dim. Sorrow immediately quietened down due to this, and he also averted his gaze to the hard ground.

“Just wait till I lose my temper.” I stated.

“Now General, you’ve never known my brother, but you knew his daughter. She had a temper that could crush mountains, level forests, and tame seas. Imagine what her father’s going to be like when he arrives?” Gladius chided, actually giving birth to a laugh that was, at the very least, agonizing to listen to.

“You do recall who my father was yes?” I replied, a short laugh followed before I added, “Though I do suppose you have a point.”

“There stands the dead…” Sorrow nodded, indicating ahead of us.

The moans of the dying far extended past the vision that we had of the subject at hand. When we reached within sight of the aforementioned dead, we were met with blood and destruction in equal measure. Craters littered the ground, still fresh from the explosion that had made them. Chunks of flesh, bone, and armor marked the edges of these holes; blood filled in the steaming trench, and made the air smell more of death.

There were spikes of stygian iron that seemed to have tore up out of the earth itself, impaling many who were not permitted the sweet release of a swift demise. Foul blood leaked down and pooled at the ground, and ever so slowly, I could see barbed wire creeping up in response and wrapping around the moaning armored forms. They were being gutted, ever so slowly being sliced to pieces.

It looked like both sides were equally punished.

“Rage is just working out his annoyance that anypony would attack his family…” Sorrow said, sighing. “This is pretty mild for him, I must admit I’m pleasantly surprised.”

“It’s about what I’d’ve wanted to happen to them for attacking my niece…” Gladius said, dismissing the horrific scene and stepping through it without a care.

“It is still a terrible way for a warrior to die.” Sorrow said, flatly.

“They are not warriors,” Gladius countered. “They are but fillies and colts playing pretend. Real warriors are baptized in blood, theirs and their enemy’s. They struggle, they fight, for their lives and that of their brothers and sisters depend on it. These cowards fought for nothing, and deserve no pity.”

“True, a warrior fights for something they believe in, these dead, they were only interested in money, or in the case of the Enclave blind obedience.” I stated, to which I earned a nod from Gladius.

“Personally it seems as if a few of these corpses were killed with too much effort.” Ponegator stated as his glowing red gaze cast about the scene.

“Or not enough,” Sorrow said, observing the pools in the craters around us all. “Their deaths were swift and simple, unlike those who are still suffering,” He emphasized those impaled and being crushed in the stygian spikes.

“Either way, Rage has blazed the path for us towards my Niece.” Gladius proceeded forward posthaste, even without Sorrow or the rest of us. “As much as I’d want to speak with her first, it is undoubtable her second uncle will do right to explain everything.”

“We’ll have our chance, but first I think they would like to talk to us.” I stated, my trusted sword shot out of my armor and into my telekinetic grasp as my wings unfurled and I took off into the air, my blade clashing against the griffon’s talons.

I tilted myself midair and ran my blade across the base of the griffon’s left wing, causing the mercenary to cry out in pain as he fell from the sky and impaled himself on a stygian iron spike. I turned just in time to be hit by a mace wielded by another griffon, this one with tears streaming down her face. My sword fell from the sky, but I no longer needed it, I dodged the strike that followed and hit her on the back of her head, causing her to fall face first into another spike near her comrade.

“Hostiles have been eliminated.” Ponegator stated as I landed, “You alright sir.”

“Fine.” I stated, looking away from the dead, “Let’s pick up the pace.”

“Hasten your march soldiers.” Gladius moved forward once again, paying only the slightest nod to the slaughter.

“I just...We have a lot to talk about when this is over…” Deathbloom finally said, surprising me slightly as I had almost forgotten her presence for a short time.

“Fair enough,” The Trooper said, following behind the Chief Ranger with a dismissive glance to the dead.

“I said stay down you poor excuse of a pegasus!” A raspy and wondrous voice shouted in the distance.

Instantly I sprinted past everyone else, my hooves moving through the battleground as if I had lived in it.

There was a scream, not my own, but one filled with undeniable anger. Pure, unadulterated Rage. by the moment I caught sight, I knew it was already too late. Even for the extremely bulky armored form of that murderous crimson creature that was howling with such intensity unholy fire burned from his helm and steam flew from his melting actuators.

His great sword was raised, poised to strike with the thunderous retribution of a thousand suns. Those quad cannons atop his shoulders burned hot as brimstone, and glowed intently to kill. But it was too little, too late. His blade sundered the body of one of those Enclave like butter, and those cannons unleashed literal Hellfire from their barrels upon the one who had committed such an atrocity. This stunned the massive creature, and sent it reeling; but still, twas too late.

I watched that hulking armored beast explode into a massive firestorm of death and destruction, as his burning lenses saw what I did as well. A massive armored dragon move out of the smoke and fire. A deep crackling chuckle reverberating off our very bones. Twin red orbs glaring down at us as it’s identity became known.

“Thanatos!” I shouted up at the skeletal drake, “What is your business here in the presence of mortals!”

“Tempestus, favored of Pluto and slave of Hades.” He grumbled.

“I am no slave, my deal with him was completed, I merely serve his alter ego Pluto.” I retorted, cutting off the imposing dragon.

“YOU DARE INTERRUPT THANATOS, I AM DEATH ITSELF!” He shouted, a massive scythe raising in his foreclaws.

“You dare, you strike out against a fellow servant of a common master! THAT IS MY WIFE YOU FOOL!” I shouted back, my scales beneath the armor catching fire as I unlatched my powered suit to allow my form free. “He is yours Mortalias, just leave enough to torture.”

“You upstart old scumbag!” A familiar, but foreign voice boomed. “If you think yourself to judge the fallen, then you stand to face one of your caliber!”

I watched as that fireball of molten metal grew slightly and came into solidified form. What had been what my companions knew of as Rage had been twisted, perverted. Altered in such a way it no longer looked anything akin to the warrior who was. For a moment, clarity reigned. There, in the body of the Ranger, stood with a burning fire in dark eyes, the monstrous avatar of my companions’ master.

Armor turned obsidian, blade morphed to two scythes of stygian iron. A cloak billowing to the wind that stank of pestilence from endless diseases.

“Death.” I nodded in recognition of the particular entity I rarely spoke with.

“Foolish lesser beings, this is your punishment!” Thanatos remarked.

“Punishment?” I asked, looking at my former friend.

“You get to live in the sun, you would not understand… the time for change has come, I shall lord over all with an iron claw!” He proclaimed, clenching his jaw shut as the rush of dragon fire congealed within him.

“I LIVE IN THE DARKNESS OF AZMORTALIA, BLIND FOOL! KNOW YE NOT TO RESPECT HE WHO SLEW A GOD!?” Death exclaimed, his own jaw creaking with a sickening pop and snap before he vanished into thin air. “COMPLIMENTS OF LORD ADAM, BLASPHEMER!” A massive punch was landed square into the jaw of our foe, which sent him immediately flying off as Death emerged from skyward darkness with such fury that shook the earth.

Immediately, as he settled to the ground, he set off. He charged to the beast with unearthly speed that my eyes could scarcely keep up. With both scythes raised, he struck out with vicious lashes. His aim to cripple the beast before he dodged out and vanished once more. Only to slam into the back of the creature and hook his weapons in deep as they both fell to the ground.

Death wrenched these free, and leaped from the back of the drake to the ground before it's broken maw. “Get up, we’re not done with you yet.” Those insane eyes reflected a hint of the old Rage still in there, as he calmly walked back to us and gave slight pause.

With a clenched fist, he looked over to Gladius, who was crouched beside Dash and cradled her close. He merely opened that fist, and held out a small, unassuming talisman, before I watched his ghastly form fade back into the monstrous Ranger I knew.

“Wha…” Rage shook his head and blinked rapidly for a moment, before he looked down to the armored claw that he cradled the talisman in. His eyes widened, and he was actually speechless, as he looked around and at himself before looking to the talisman and then to me. All of this was done in a few seconds, and the steaming hulk of a warrior was already beginning to flare up again in anger. “Take this,” He thrust the talisman to me. “You are lucky to have His Favor…”

With that, I saw Rage turn to face the foe Death had put in its place prior. His cannons aimed, and his blade was raised, as he charged forward to do battle with an earthshaking battle cry.

“Rage.” I stated, my tone calm and ever even, “This fight is mine.”

The Ranger gave immediate pause, as he glanced back at me before giving a stern, solemn nod. Something out of place for the elder stallion, as he returned his gaze but a moment to my foe.

“I will tend to my Niece then, and none shall harm her whilst I draw ungodly breath.” He said. “You are lucky to be spared my wrath, fool.”

He actually spat balefire to the ground, as he turned back and marched to where Gladius still sat. He joined himself at the shoulder by way of his hoof, and began to mutter in the ancient language I knew well. An incantation, an invocation. Not to grant demise, or undeath even, but to stay its hand entirely.

“Now, what have we learned this evening Thanatos?” I asked, priming my twin auto cannons.

“We finish this.” He replied, swinging his scythe at me and shooting a red energy blast from the movement outward.

I shot into the sky and dodged it before enchanting myself with hellfire and unleashing every case of munitions I had remaining. I then landed atop him and began using my armored might to beat his bones to pulp. I didn't stop till the glow left his empty eye sockets.

“That you are condemned would be the proper answer.” I muttered to his corpse.

I turned around and shot my gaze directly to Gladius, only one pony was on my mind, and she was in his hooves.

“Dash?” I asked, my voice low and still retaining its anger.

“I have stayed her death, but at a cost,” Rage said, finality clear in his voice as he suddenly rose to his feet. “Death warrants Death, and there can be no recourse. It is the law of the universe.” I watched this hulking warrior set a gauntlet to the shoulder of Gladius, and for a brief moment, I saw blood. Not anypony else’s blood, but his own. “How fitting to pass protecting friends and family one last time…” He turned, giving me a smile that held no malice, or darkness. “Keep The Mark of Death upon her, the half-blood of di immortales, and no harm will befall her. Tell her...it’s from Uncle Ramos Rage.”

I saw the light instantly leave the Ranger’s eyes, and he staggered back with a clutch to his heart, and cratered the ground. He did not tarry long, however, in the mortal plane, as grasping claws tore at him from the darkness, and stole him from the material world. All that was left, was the tags he’d previously carried. They jangled from a cross in the earth, and marked his demise.

“I think…” I heard Gladius say. “I think she’s starting to wake. Quickly General, bring the Talisman.” His voice was hollow, foreboding, yet utterly joyous. Despite the loss, however, I could see he was more hearty than anything else, as he looked favorably to the one he still so gingerly cradled.

I levitated the talisman out and floated it over to Gladius, “You know better than I on how to use it.” I said, clear uncertainty and worry permeating my words, but my anger still omnipresent.

I watched, as the elder stallion took the talisman from the air, his hooves closing around it for a brief time before he reached to his bloodied shoulder. From it, he took the fresh liquid and crushed it to the heart of the small symbol. The skull in the center of the small cross glowed brightly, like pure lava that raged like an inferno, and an aura permeated it that was dark crimson.

“En Mortis Est Gloriam,” Gladius whispered, before a bit of darkness slipped with those words past his lips and bound to the talisman.

Its eyes burned brighter, before he took the archaic symbol and wrapped it around my love’s neck such that it dangled just barely from the front. The ground shook a bit, and I came to understand what Death’s Favor meant now, as I saw for a brief second the outline of the one who had died to make this all possible hovering behind Dash’s form.

He was still smiling, although his stance was one ready for battle, as he raised his blade and vanished. The Immortal Rage himself had been bound to not only protect her from within the talisman; but now his soul was bound to her. Should anything, even something natural try to take her life, he would stop it without hesitation or remorse. Death wouldn’t take her, unless she welcomed it with open arms.

I heard coughing now, as Gladius set Dash down to lay and wake on her own.

“Come back to us little Cloud Chaser...wake up.” He said, using an affectionate nickname I’d heard maybe once in a very passing remark ages ago. Something she’d mentioned was from her youth.

“My love…” I muttered as she slowly opened her eyes.

“Temp?” She groaned, “What is happening?”

“Too much to explain love, I no longer know what forces are at work… these are strange times.” I looked to Gladius, “Though I did find your uncle.”

“I haven’t seen you since you were a little filly...just learning to fly with your father…” Gladius was smiling, as he nodded. A single tear was in his eye, but he wiped it away as he straightened up and got to his hooves. “I don’t know how much you remember of me, but I’m here to get you out...keep you safe...just like I promised your father.”

I observed as Gladius offered down a hoof, his intent clear as he meant to help Dash up. She took it without hesitation before she looked at me.

“I take it you have a place we can go away from all of this?” She asked.

“Aye, but it is far… perhaps it would not be a bad idea to try and help these ponies before we depart.” I replied, motioning my head to a few children and who I assumed were their parents taking shelter nearby as enclave forces flew dangerously close by.

“What do you think Uncle, think we can lend a hoof?” She asked my friend.

“We are sworn to protect the ponies of this land until death,” I heard the familiar, heart-wrenching, despairing voice whisper on the wind. So silent, yet echoing far.

The ancient shroud that was Sorrow emerged from the ethereal realm. He stood beside the stake that carried his fallen brother’s tags. With care, he claimed them, after a few utterances of prayer and the signage of Death’s cross made over his heart.

The robed Ranger floated slowly towards us, his two smoking revolvers holstering simultaneously after a couple of showy spins. His armored boots touched the earth, and he glanced between us as Gladius faced him down.

“Glad you’re here Sorrow,” He greeted, giving his comrade a smile.

“It has been too long since I have experienced true joy in anything…” Beneath the hood that enshrouded much of the stallion’s face, he gave a heartfelt smile as his spectacles settled on Dash. “But it is good to see you again little Cloud Chaser. I remember when you used to have me read you stories at night before bed.”

“Uncle Sorrow.” Dash said with a smile before she looked my way, “I see you found my family then.”

“It would appear that way my love.” I replied, feeling slight lightheadedness.

I chanced a peek to my barrel and saw the blood leaking from holes in my armor before the world faded away to black.

“I have yet to finish with you Tempustus, your rest must wait.” A familiar voice spoke, its tone heavy and dark.

Author's Notes:

And I give ye a much overdue but question raising chapter... Don't worry we are near the end.

Ad Mortem.