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The Grand Hall at the Dark Castle was full of demons, ghouls, devils, and evil creatures. Rows upon rows of creatures stood near the outer walls within the shadows of the dimly lit room. This made it hard to tell the height of the ceiling or the dimensions of the hall: The only illumination being the witch lights that hung just over the middle path leading up to seven chairs sitting at the head.

All but one of the chairs were occupied by the Dark Angels, who were shrouded in darkness. Their eyes, however, were all glowing red as the creatures around them sneered and spat venom. They all knew who this tribunal was for and relished seeing their version of justice done. Strife had failed to conquer the Dragons in his first several attempts. This was something a Dark Angel was never allowed to do, but it happened to Strife.

The Grand Hall doors, consisting of an unknown material, opened as several Demons, fully clad in plate armor and chainmail, marched through the door. With every step, the armor clinked in almost a drone-like fashion. In the middle of these guards walked Strife, who wore shackles around his wrists. He didn't look afraid or happy. In fact, his face was quite expressionless.

Strife learned a long time ago that to show any kind of emotion was to show weakness and the opportunity for others to read his thoughts. No, he started wearing a blank mask so no one could get the upper hand on him. Living in this Realm was like playing a constant chess game in which the odds were always against you. Not only that, but it was a ruthless world full of creatures waiting for their opportunity to take everything. Strife would still come out on top.

The progression finally stops at the chamber's head, and Strife feels the chains on his shackles grow. They wrapped around his neck, arms, body, and legs as they secured themselves to the floor. Strife knew that he couldn't break these chains, for they were made by the Dark Void, and even if he could escape, there would be nowhere to go. He knew of creatures who tried only to get vaporized in the attempt. No, he would have to talk his way out of this one.

The Dark Angel sitting in the middle of the chairs, did not look up at Strife at first. He was reading over scroll reports that Strife was obligated to send. Strife could not lie on these because of a powerful spell that prevented it. Also, he could not use any other scroll because of another hidden magic that verifies the identity of the scroll. Finally, he looked up at Strife with red-spiraled slatted eyes, which still made Strife feel uneasy.

"Do you care to explain yourself?" The Dark Angel said in an unnaturally deep voice, adding to Strife's uneasiness.

"Of course, Gluttony. As I have reported, the efforts to conquer the Dragons have suffered more than I intended. But..." Strife was instantly cut off.

"MORE THAN YOU INTENDED?! DO YOU REALIZE THAT SIX OF YOUR GENERALS ARE GONE?! INCLUDING THE FOUR HORSEMEN?! THE SAME HORSEMEN WE USED SUCCESSFULLY IN OUR FIRST FIGHT AGAINST THE ARCHANGELS?!" Gluttony shouted as several creatures shied away.

Strife took another moment to stabilize himself before responding and said, "Yes, I do. I hate it as much as you do. But I do have a plan."

"I don't think your plan will be any better than what we have in mind, but please entertain us." Gluttony said as Strife nodded but was hit with a sudden flashback.

For what seemed like the longest time, Strife couldn't move or even breathe. It was as if someone or something was pulling him back to a distant memory. He was not sure what provoked this but was helpless to stop it. Soon, everything slowed down, and he found himself floating in a familiar part of space. He wasn't sure why, but something about it seemed safe and secure. It felt like home.

Suddenly, he heard laughter and watched several Archangels float while playing games. Strife reached for his weapon but found he didn't have one or could not move to get it. Not only that, but the Archangels looked oddly familiar to him, as well, and they couldn't see him. He was puzzled by this until he realized that this was part of his memory. Then the actual realization struck.

Of course, he knew these Archangels because they were the Seven Dark Angels of the present. This memory was before they succumbed to the Dark Void and twisted to evil. He wasn't sure why this memory came up, but he gave up trying to fight it and watched. The seven were not alone as the other seven Archangels traveled along. They were walking through the universe as one would their own garden.

Among them were Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Saragael, and Remiel. These were the seven angels of light that Strife could remember, but he had trouble with his own formal name. He rarely used it because it brought agony to his ears. But now he remembered it. Yes, it was Tranquil. Even the thought hurt his mind, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Then, he started to remember the other names of his brethren. Deferential, Liberal, Chasity, Vigor, Humility, and Happy. All these names were bringing pain to his mind. He knew them all and watched the scene unfold before him.

"Come on, Michael, one quick game, please?" Chasity said with a cute face, and Michael rolled his eyes.

"All right, Chasity. All of you go hide, and I shall attempt to find you." Michael said as he thought, "This seems childish, but Chasity has the heart of one. I like seeing her smile."

Everyone went to hide while Michael covered his eyes and counted. Chasity hid behind a dark nebula only to find that the rest of her seven siblings hid there too. They tried to shoo her away, but she persisted in staying there. The other Archangels hid in other places, but Michael could find them all.

"Aw, you find us every time," Chasity said poutingly.

"Well, if you stop making noise, it might be harder for me to find you." Michael chuckled.

"Okay, everyone. Time to head back and finish our work." Uriel said as everyone nodded and went back to the Heavenly Realm.

"Well, it looks like we are almost done with Earth and Dragos. How are the Elder Dragons fairing?" Gabriel said as Michael looked up and smiled.

"Come see for yourself," Michael said as everyone inspected the work. On Michael's table were two western-style dragons, one consisting of white and the other black. Michael explained as they examined, "The White Dragon will govern over all elements that represent light, and the Dark Dragons will govern over elements of the dark."

"Do you think it wise to have a Dark Dragon?" Gabriel asked as Michael nodded.

"Yes, because the darkness is a part of the universe and is not truly bad. For the darkness is the backdrop for the light to shine brighter." Michael said as the others nodded. Soon they finished building Earth and Dragos and placed the two Dragons on Earth at first.

After all the work was done, seven Archangels wanted to go back out to have fun. However, the seven light angels did not want to as they were discussing the universe's future deeply. Strife remembered this part the most because it was the turning point. He never understood how he and his siblings were caught under the control of this Dark Void or why. He hated serving under its control but hated the dragons just as much.

The seven were running when Liberal came upon a weird-looking nebula. It almost looked like nothing but an endless void of darkness, and he hated the feeling coming out of it. The others soon joined him and were entranced, as well. Suddenly, the opening slipped in around them as Chasity let out a scream.

Michael and the other Archangels heard the cry and immediately rushed to their aid. However, it was too late. In the place where their siblings once stood were quite different beings. They had the same features, but their wings turned black, and their white garments were colored in various hues. All of which were not pleasant to the eye.

The most disturbing thing about them was their eyes which all the iris were red and silted. An evil aura radiated off of them as Michael looked appalled by this transformation and said, "What happened to all of you? The aura you're putting off is of the utmost evil. Please, come back to the light."

"No, I don't think so." Said the Dark Angel, who looked like Happy but different somehow. "I have a new name. We all have new names so let me make some introductions. Remember, sweet Chasity. Well, now her name is Lust, and this guy here used to be Deferential but is called Envy. You may remember Tranquil; well, you can call him Strife, and over there was Vigor, but now he's called Sloth. Oh, and let's not forget Humility, Pride now, and his brother Greed called Generosity. Then last, but not least is yours truly. I used to be known as Happy, but now I am Gluttony. Together we are the Dark Angels of The Seven Deadly Sins. You should join us."

The Archangels looked horrified as Raphael said, "We will never be a part of evil. You must come back to the light."

"Oh, that is unfortunate! We can't have that." Said Lust as all seven Dark Angels attacked the Archangels.

The battle that ensued after lasted for eons upon eons. Both sides go back and forth with gains and losses. Then, Strife remembered a plan by Michael to trap all of the Dark Angels on Earth. They were not about to let that happen and sent two Dark Angels to destroy the planet. Lust and Sloth arrived at the asteroid belt and were able to throw one before being intercepted. Michael and Gabriel were both ready for battle, but the two Dark Angels disappeared.

"Michael! The Dragons! They'll be killed!" Gabriel said as Michael nodded.

"Gabriel! Please listen to my words. Trap the Dark Angels in Dragos instead. They knew about Earth somehow, so Dragos is the next logical answer." Michael said.

"What about the Elder Dragons living on Dragos?" Gabriel asked.

"Move them to the Heavenly Realm for now. We will figure out what to do with the Elders later. Right now, I need to hurry," Michael said as he disappeared into a white portal door.

Gabriel and the rest of the Arch Angels did as Michael told and trapped the Dark Angels and the Black Void in the Dark Realm. Strife remembered being banished to this colorless world and seethed with anger. How could he have been so blind? He knew that Michael always had a backup plan.

Strife was brought back to the present, and found that the vision only lasted but a second. He collected himself and said, "I have sent my last General to fight and is doing so as we speak. I have sent General Bloodlust."

"Are you insane, Strife? You can barely control him, and now you have set him loose?" Lust said as Strife nodded.

"He is doing exactly what he needs to do. He is the distraction while my mass army chips away at the final piece of the barrier. When the barrier completely collapses, I will lead the army myself." Strife said as everyone fell silent, and Gluttony studied his face.

"Fine, but I'm sending help with you. You do not have a choice in this matter because you have made too many mistakes. I am sending the Mist of the Black Void to aid you." Gluttony said as there were several gasps from the onlookers. Even Strife cringed inwardly at the thought because the Mist brought out the deepest darkest despair anyone could feel. However, this was amplified to literally torturing one's soul until they are forced to kill themselves.

Strife knew the Mist was the Black Void's best weapon against its enemies. He felt it more than once, and he wanted nothing but Death each time. As Strife understood it, the Mist was the opposite of anything good in the universe. All who were unlucky enough to get caught in its smoke were never heard from again or, worse, turned into their own worst nightmare. Strife experienced this torture every minute of every day and has tried many times to escape it. However, how does one escape from his own mind?

"Yes, Gluttony. It shall be as you wish." Strife said with a bow of his head. Suddenly, the chains disappeared as Strife rubbed his wrists.

"I am giving you one last chance, Strife. If you fail again, do not bother coming back." Gluttony said as Strife bowed and was handed a clear jar with the Mist of The Black Void inside.

"Send that through first before sending your troops. It will do the job that much easier." Gluttony said as Strife took the jar and walked out of the hall.

Strife arrives back at his Dark Tower, and his anger soars to new heights. How dare the council suggest that he was making mistakes? How dare they tell him he needs help from a little black bit of Mist? He sat down on his throne and waved his hand at the smoke mirror, whose face instantly lit up. It plays back over the battle Rockwall and Bloodlust had. Strife sees Bloodlust get destroyed. He smiles as he sees the arm regenerate and gets up, waving his hand as the mirror darkens.

"Finally, something went right for a change." Strife said to himself as he walked over to his balcony. Suddenly, there was a loud CRACK like thunder as the last piece of the barrier fell. The army far below roared out loud with cheers as Strife screamed out his triumph.

"Yes, my brothers. We shall have revenge! Make ready your weapons and shields. We march in a short time." Strife shouted as he slowly walked down to his armory.

In the center of the room stood a mannequin with all-black plated armor. The only part that wasn't plated was the back to give Strife's wings the room for flight. Along the wall on the opposite side of the door hung swords of various sizes and designs. On the right side were shields that also varied in shape and size. On the left side hung spears of different lengths. A servant was waiting on him.

As the servant assembled and put pieces onto Strife, Strife reflected on his last attempt. He was sure he could defeat the Dragons and save himself from certain destruction. He couldn't really decide who he hated more, the Dragons or being trapped without any will of his own. However, he let this thought go because there wasn't much in hoping for a future now lost.

Then there was this jar of Black Void Mist that Gluttony had given him. Strife was angry at the insulting gesture in which it was given to him, but as he continued to think about it, the more it made sense. This, perhaps, would be useful after all. He looked at the jar sitting on the table beside him and smiled. This would put one of his hated enemies out for good. He savored the thought.

Strife knew that once the Dragons were conquered, the whole universe would be theirs for the taking. He could find a good section of space to reside in for all eternity, away from the ever-oppressive might of his siblings. Then he would devise a plan to overthrow them one by one. He would become King of the universe, and no one would dare to trap him or be the victim of mistreatment again.

Finally, Strife's servant puts on the last piece of armor and hands the sword and shield to him. The weapon was a plain long sword to the ordinary eye, but only Strife and his personal servant were strong enough to lift it. The reason being is the material was made out of the core of a black dwarf star. Strife tests it in his hand before putting it into its custom-made sheath.

As Strife heads for the door, he turns and takes one last look at his armory. He smiled evilly and walked out the door, heading down to the bottom of the tower. He knew this might very well be his last battle and almost welcomed the thought of Death. He didn't want to die, but being trapped all these long years seemed worse. So, in a way, he felt there was nothing to lose. He would succeed or die in the attempt.

At last, Strife walks out of his front double doors and flies to the head of his army. He lands with the jar under his arm and looks over his army before addressing them. "My brothers!" Strife shouted as his whole army erupted in cheers and applause. Strife lets them cheer because he, too, was relishing this moment. Then he raised his hands, and everyone fell silent.

"Yes, my brothers! Our time has finally come. We will have our revenge on Michael's precious Dragons for trapping us here! We owe ourselves to destroy every last one of them and take back what was stolen from us so long ago. We have suffered this tiresome Realm for far too long, and now we have a chance to leave. Gluttony has given us his blessing and given us a mighty weapon that will render the Dragons helpless. It is the Mist of The Black Void!" Strife shouted as all the soldiers erupted in cheers again.

Strife held the jar containing the Mist high above his head. The cheering increased significantly at the sight of this mighty weapon. Strife basked in the glory of their cheers for what seemed like forever and soon rose himself above them. "Now is the time we unleash this into their world and make it more like our own! They will suffer, they will weep, and they will kill themselves in their own despair! We shall be there to bear witness to their own destruction! We shall be VICTORIOUS!" Strife shouted as he ripped the seal off the jar, and the Mist shot forth like steam from a geyser. It expanded out quickly with several columns of smoke, looking like tentacles reaching the gray sky before going through the portal.

Strife roared with maniacal laughter and reflected inwardly. Finally, I can be rid of this pathetic plane and get my revenge on Michael for his betrayal. After all, who can get the better of you more than family? Isn't that correct, twin brother?

The Mist finally emptied out of the jar and flowed into the portal. Strife turned toward his army and said, "Now, let us go forth and kill those pathetic lizards. We will take back our Realm now!"

Then, with that said, Strife led them through the barrier. He was sure this would be his most significant victory, and he would be honored among his fallen brethren. But first, he had to conquer, and he would die trying. That was a funny concept to him. He never considered dying before dealing with these reptiles, but the idea wasn't so hard to bear. It would seem like an escape he could take, so he figured, either way this went, that he would finally have his peace.

While Rockwall went to fight General Bloodlust, Nurse Gailwind came flying up to Raz and Maz. She was yelling to get their attention and looked worried. "King Drakken! Please forgive my intrusion, but a friend of yours is in my hospital wing. He's insisting that you meet with him immediately." Nurse Gailwind said as Raz nodded. "You might want to come too, Mazial."

Maz was taken aback by this but followed them down to the Tower doors, which lay in ruins. In fact, various pieces of rubble fell from Bloodlust's attack. They went through the doors and down to the infirmary; Raz did not have to guess who it was. He heard the sound of arguments from the other side of the door and knew of only one who could use precise speech when in an argument. Raz opened the door to find Buckner fighting with the nurses, insisting he was fine. He would have been nude if it wasn't for the bedsheet wrapped around his waist.

"Everyone, stop!" Raz barked as everyone stopped and immediately bowed to him.

"Now, what is going on here?" Raz asked calmly, and Buckner was the first one to answer.

"Your highness, I've told the medical staff here that I'm fine and can resume my duties. However, they insist on giving me silly tests to learn what I already know." Buckner said as Raz cracked a smile.

"Wow, Buckner. It's been a long time since I've seen you this passionate. Gailwind, what test do you want to perform on Mr. Stillwater?" Raz said as Nurse Gailwind stepped forward.

"Well, the most important one is to test for poison. Buckner had all the signs of poisoning when he came in, but he tells me he took an All-Healing Potion. Those are extremely rare, but even with that, there could still be residual amounts that could crop up later." Gailwind said.

"How long does the test take?" Raz asked as Gailwind looked up at the ceiling in thought.

"Well, the test is rather quick. No more than fifteen minutes at best." Gailwind said as Raz nodded and turned back to Buckner.

"Buckner, how about that one test for now? I could order you to do it, but we've been friends for a long time. It will be quick, and you can continue your duties. Hector, go find Buckner some clothes, please." Raz said as Hector put a hand over his heart and left. Buckner sighed and nodded as he sat down on the bed again.

"I'm assuming his other clothes were burned?" Raz asked in a side whisper to Gailwind, who nodded.

At that precise moment, a slight tremor soon died away. Raz gave his brother a quick look before calling another guard to him. "Send a message to Kyle Whirlwind and Rocky Earthbond. I need them here. Send your fastest Dragons." Raz said as the guard put a hand over his heart and departed. Hector walked in immediately after and handed Buckner the set of clothes.

"We'll await your arrival," Raz said as everyone except the nurses walked out into the corridor. Maz walks over closer to his brother.

"Any reason as to why you want Rocky and Kyle here?" Maz asked in a side whisper.

"Yes. Call it a feeling, but something big is coming, and it will be here sooner than we think."

Raz was more correct than he realized and later that day confirmed it. Rocky and Kyle had arrived around noon, much to Raz's relief. Rocky and Kyle gave a full report about what happened with the other two horsemen. Rocky also bared witness to what General Rockwall did to save them all. Raz and Maz were shocked by this but gave their accounts as well.

"Kyle, I know it may seem like a tremendous undertaking, but I'm promoting you to Head General of the Supreme Region," Raz said as Kyle was about to object but nodded instead.

"I will do the very best I can," Kyle said as everyone cheered.

However, their cheers were cut off by the sudden loud CRACK and shaking of the ground. Raz stumbled to the eastern balcony and saw a large back mist rising from the mountain near the ocean. This made him sick because they could only gather up to nine thousand soldiers to fight. The situation seemed hopeless, but they would fight regardless down to the last Dragon.

"My king, what's going on?" Shouted Miles as Raz turned back to them.

"This is it! The final battle! Let's get ready! Governors, you are more than welcome to stay behind, but as for me, I go to fight!" Raz said as the Governors looked at each other.

"We will fight with you, my son," Sarah said as they all nodded in agreement.