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Purpose and Passion

Association's Dusk

Rayne never thought he would be standing in front of a Tribunal again. It didn't feel like so long ago that he had stood before three different Generals pleading his case to allow himself to be allowed to integrate into the rest of Tower Thirteen. At least this time he was not alone. The Godslayers stood beside him and this time, they stood in front of the Sunburst Knight, the Ashen King and the Inquisitor of Silence. He was sure the Generals weren't after them.

They just wanted an explanation and to curb what would inevitably be a scandal.

“I'll start," the Sunburst Knight said, hidden behind a silhouette much like the other two Generals. “Welcome back from the dead, Maxwell Magmillion."

The Firefighter offered a simple nod but did not speak.

“Let me get the story straight," continued General Zachariah. “Maxwell Magmillion came back from the Lost Fleet of Incendius over a decade ago and was enlightened by the divine will of the God of Fire. Much like the rest of the 'Godslayers' here, he was privy to an apocalyptic prophecy. One that involved the return of the God of Fire. His course took him to determine that the Custodia Goetia had somehow twisted the very definition of the drug Vermilion into a conduit for their evil. Anyone who consumed Vermilion produced by the Association could very well explode at a moment's notice.

“He tried to stop the Vermilion trade by buying the companies that produced the Vermilion and turning them into less illicit means of producing profit. He did this through the Association's brutal blood sports by disguising himself as his own champion, the Firefighter. However, the original owners of those companies eventually turned back to the Vermilion trade and that effort was for naught. He subsequently faked his own death and has been trying to undermine the Association from the shadows."

General Methuselah spoke next. “That about sums up what we know about Maxwell. The more disturbing part is that the Blind Sisters, the most notorious assassination guild in all of Incendius, is in the back pocket of the Association_. Apparently, our actions in arresting Raifraize Phulton and the rogue Inquisitor has left them leaderless. Speaking of which …"_ The Ashen King turned to the new General - the Inquisitor of Silence otherwise known as General Isiah. “Care to explain how an Inquisitor was bought by the Association_?"_

“Simple," answered the leader of all of Inquisition. “La'Dulton was, if anything pragmatic. He saw that it was futile to fight the Association. So he joined them instead of fighting them."

There was a twinge of irritation in Alex's left eyebrow. Most in the room were unaware of Alex's position as a General but those that did saw his frustration with the enigmatic Inquisitor of Silence. After the Fall of Haven, the Inquisition was spared most of the public's ire for the Church's failings. Considered an independent force for most of their history, the Inquisition was never under the command of the wider Church. While they followed the tenets of the Church of the Tower they were nonetheless an independent force designed to 'keep the world pure'. However, as the Church grew in power, the Inquisition was slowly forced back and defunded. Less and less Inquisitors were being recruited and their authority was ultimately questioned. By the time of the Third Demonic War, the Inquisition was a shadow of its former self. Many blamed the subsequent Fall of Haven to be caused by the Church neutering the Inquisition, a power grab that succeeded.

The Inquisitor of Silence, General Isiah, rose from the ashes of the old Inquisition and rebuilt it as an approachable organization that was not to be feared but similarly not to be abused. Each of the remaining Inquisitors were effectively a specialist that had their own ship, own crew and could operate independently while not truly reporting to anyone. Even Isiah didn't truly command them though they would heed his call if he summoned them out of respect. Every Inquisitor had complete autonomy with support from the center of the organization with Isiah managed. The only reason that they remained connected was the fear of being excommunicated if they did something that Isiah did not approve of.

“You're awfully blasie about realizing one of your own Inquisitors was a traitor," Alex accused.

“Was he though?" countered Isiah. “Inquisitor La'Dulton did what he believed would be for the betterment of Tower Thirteen. That meant that he threw his influence behind the Association."

“The Association which willfully circumvented the authority of the Generals on Incendius and distributed a drug that is directly correlated to the cases of spontaneous combustion while also engaging in blood sports!"

Isiah's calm demeanor always rubbed Rayne the wrong way. The man didn't seem to care much about his duties but he could tell it was just an air of superiority given to a man who was confident in his win. Nothing Alex could say would chip the man's armor.

“We Generals are not the end state of authority on our world. We are a transient state that is open to change and transformation. Rather, we should be. Perhaps the statement from the Inquisitor shouldn't be that he failed to uphold the tenets of the Sunburst Knight but rather that those very rules are strangling the freedom of Incendius and causing its citizenry to divulge in wanton acts of hedonism."

“How dare you!?" barked the Sunburst Knight. “Vermilion -"

“Is a relatively harmless drug that offers infinite possibilities and creativity with few side-effects save for those that overdose. Do you blame the gun for the one the wields it? Do you curse the blade that cut the flesh or the one who swung the sword? Can you blame fire for what it burns if it was not controlled or if it was wielded brazenly?" The Inquisitor of Silence paused for effect. “No. This is a rebuke on our very institution that someone as pure as an Inquisitor has such little faith in our actions that he turned to the Association."

Rayne didn't bother hiding himself rolling his eyes. This was very typical of Isiah. He would use collective pronouns like 'we' and 'our' to insert himself into the group receiving the blame to make it seem like he was sympathizing with them and standing from a position of responsibility while simultaneously shifting blame to others. Isiah all but called out the Sunburst Knight.

“Let's focus on the issue at hand," Methuselah said sternly. “We have evidence of the Association's activities."

“Correction," Maxwell said gravely. “We have evidence of a small fraction of the Association being involved in illicit activities." He sighed heavily, running a hand over his bald head and resting his fingers at the base of his neck. “The Association is, if anything, more like a country club. A group of people who are joined under an umbrella but not everyone participates in the space practices. Attempting to go after the entire Association is to invite destruction. Though they respect the Generals, they are likely to bog you down in litigation and delaying tactics that will see you long dead before anything will see fruition. They will pin you with technicalities."

“So what do you suggest?"

The doors to the tribunal chamber suddenly burst open. Everyone turned and watched as the stunning, crimson haired woman strode forward. Her heavy, silver power armor was perfectly polished and glimmering with golden adornments. Behind her head was a large metal emblem of Tower Thriteen. The implement was known as the Thirteenth Radiance. Apart from being an enormous repository of Divine Magic, it also acted as a neural enhancer, allowing the bearer powerful psychic protection while simultaneously enhancing their Psychomancy techniques. The Radiance was reserved only for the best and most decorated of Inquisitors - the High Inquisitors.

Rayne's skin immediately began to prickle. By the look of the woman's purple eyes, he immediately knew what she was; an Angel. A quick glance over at Aria showed that the other Angel in their company had also sensed the divine origins of the High Inquisitor. Unlike Aria who was traditionally beautiful, this Angel looked far rougher, sterner. Her features were a little rounder that Aria's and there was a cleft in her chin that made her a look a little more manly than Aria. Like freckles dotted her skin, interrupted by a pink gash that looked like it hadn't fully healed that ran from her right jaw up to her right nostril. The blazing, red, mechanical left eye also added to her menace.

She stepped past everyone and bowed towards the Generals.

“Excuse the interruption, sirs," the High Inquisitor said calmly. “But I was instructed by the Inquisitor of Silence to provide an update on the whereabouts of the three individuals that had escaped the disturbance at the warehouse the moment I learned of them."

“High Inquisitor Serenity Deva," General Isiah intoned. “Yes. Perfect timing."

Far too perfect if Rayne had a say in it.

“The individuals are currently hunkering down in their respective abodes. They are already making movements to escape and disappear from Incendius. False identities have been arranged and my forces are working to delay them. However, their connections and resources are vast. I believe they will escape soon enough. We must act immediately."

“So let's get those bastards!" Kane announced, punching a fist. “We know where they are and they're not together! Even if we get one of them, it'll be enough to send a message."

“We can't be too hasty," Aria warned. “Message or no, it won't stop them from continuing their activities. If the Custodia Goetia really do have their hooks in them, we cannot say whether or not they will be coerced to making more tainted Vermilion or they will revert to using some other means to spread their corruption. We need to think about this calmly and find a way to entrap them all."

“Such is the words from someone who threw aside the purity of silver and donned the black of a corrupt Church," Serenity hissed, straightening and giving Aria seething sidelong glance. “Victory means the defeat of these corrupt businessmen. Nothing more. A swift death is the only mercy they deserve. Not more time as we spend here arguing." She turned towards the Generals. “Permission to launch an assault upon their bases."

“Granted," Isiah replied.

“No!" snapped the Sunburst Knight. “Such an attack, unprovoked and without public support will be construed by the public as the Generals attempting to seize power. We must do this right."

“I agree," Methuselah growled. “Besides, they still have the backing of the rest of the Association. Right now, if we attack them, they can spin it to the rest of their colleagues as a coup on our part. If they die, they will have no way to defend themselves fairly and any evidence we put forward can easily be spun as us tampering with the truth. They must be entitled to due process."

“We don't have the time!" barked Maxwell. “The longer we delay, the more options they have to flee. The Goetia already rewrote the very definition of the Vermilion they produce in the Illuminus Weizar. Those three are critical to their plans. Since they escaped, I'm sure the Goetia are already finding new ways to bring pain and suffering to Incendius. Capture them. Torture them if you must. Just keep them away from the Goetia and stop the production of their Vermilion."

Wood stepped forward, holding up his hands. “Hang on. I'm all for torching a bunch of rich bastards but what about their Champions? What about the people that work under them?" He glanced around the room worriedly. “Think about it. We take out the head and hundreds, maybe thousands will be out of a job. What if some of them are in on it as well. We need them alive to dismantle their operations. We need to do it right."

“We're not talking about people who are playing by the same laws that we do," Alex growled. “The Goetia made that clear during the Fall. While we're tied by bureaucracy, they are doing whatever they can freely."

“Doesn't mean we should stoop to their level."

An idea sprang into Rayne's mind. “Or… maybe we should." All eyes went to him and Serenity scoffed. Whatever racist thing she was going to say against demons was held back… for the moment.

“The Association is a loose collection of like-minded people, right?" he suggested. “People who, ultimately, are selfish and only have their own interests at heart. What if we use that to our advantage?" He crossed his arms as the thought slowly began forming into a plan. “We reach out to the rest of the Association. Tell them that Sapphine, Daur and Delize are our targets and that it'll be in their best interests to do what they can to stop them from escaping and to help us isolating them."

“Or else what?" Serenity asked.

“Or else they will be culpable to the crime," mused the Inquisitor of Silence. “An interesting proposal, Demon Prince Amon. However, the Association could just as easily refute that and challenge us with legalities as has already been mentioned. We need to sweeten the deal."

“So let's play it at their level," responded Rayne. “The Association doesn't want to be made public. Neither do these three. Let's play it in the shadows." He held up a finger. “One more match at Helioclast. Their champions against us. No one else watching. Team that emerges wins. If we win, those three assholes surrender themselves to us. No questions asked. They do everything in their power like what Ulbermasque did and hand over their assets to the Generals in a peaceful transition of power. If they win, we're dead and the investigation drops. Entirely. The Generals forget about Vermilion and even if we blame it for the spontaneous combustions, we cannot pin it on Sapphine, Daur or Delize."

“That's too risky!" exclaimed Maxwell. “We cannot trust them to hold up their end of the bargain."

“No, we can't." Rayne tapped the side of his nose. “But if there's anything I've learned about mortals it's that self-preservation often trumps any instinct apart from the most noble and selfless of souls. Unless the Association can gain more from keeping Sapphine and his crew associated with them, then they will sell out their members if it'll keep their skins intact. I fully anticipate they'll pull some dirty trick and try to turn things in their favor but all we need to do is to get them to stop their efforts to aid those three and actively restrict their movements in the underground."

High Inquisitor Serenity tilted his head to the side, the light from her red, mechanical eye shining into his. “That's clever," she intoned. “By making it seem that we could lose, they are more inclined to accept the challenge. I am sure that Sapphine, Daur and Delize will be tempted to take the offer as well if it will mean immunity and absolution from their crimes."

“They'll pitch their champions against us," Hunter quipped. “They won't fight themselves. They've got that extra level of protection. Maybe we can convince those poor souls to turn against their masters. Throw the match for us?"

“A possibility but I wouldn't count on it," Rayne said grimly. He turned his gaze to the Generals. “What do you say, sirs? Does the plan sound acceptable?"

“That all depends," rumbled the Sunburst Knight. “Will the esteemed Firefighter be willing to use his contacts to bring the Association our offer?"

Maxwell grit his teeth and was visibly irritated at the suggestion. Still, he straightened his back and nodded with much anger in his movements. “I suppose if it will end the flow of Vermilion, then it is the best chance we have. I'll bring the offer and let you know how it goes."

“Then we've got a planned approach," Methuselah concluded.

Serenity raised a hand. “I do have the concern that we are sending four students on an incredibly dangerous mission. Why not send my Inquisitors?"

“You forget who these students are, _"_ replied the Sunburst Knight. “They are students of Pinnacle under the tutelage of the best and brightest while simultaneously under the guardianship of great people. Do not let their status as students fool you. We are all still learning."

The High Inquisitor was not so easily swayed. “I still believe we should be sending a group that is far more… well-equipped."

“Look at it this way, High Inquisitor," Isiah said to his own Inquisitor. “What would be more tantalizing to Sapphine and his crew? That the people who have led the Generals to their doorstep die at their hands or the Generals send a group they know nothing about while the culprits that lead to their flight run free?"

Serenity lowered her gaze. “I suppose that is… more palatable."

“Exactly. Now let us not spend any more time arguing. The course of action has been decided." The Inquisitor of Silence turned towards the gathered group. “Our hopes go with you."

With that, the transmissions of the three Generals blipped out of existence. Rayne watched as everyone in the room visibly relaxed. Except perhaps for the two Angels. There was a fierce stare thrown between the two before Serenity turned on her heel and sharply departed. Rayne stepped aside to let her through. As the doors to the courtroom sprang open, he caught sight of another figure that made his blood run cold.

Raifraize Phulton.

As the two women passed one another, there was a glance shared between the two and started conspiracy theories in Rayne's mind.

“What are you doing here?" he barked, catching the attention of everyone else.

The expert lawyer and co-conspirator of the Vermilion trade stepped past him, head held high and a smug smile on her lips. “I have no need to explain myself to you." She stood in front of the group before turning sharply to face them. At the same time, silhouettes of another three Generals appeared. It was once against the Sunburst Knight and Rayne recognized the Inquisitor of Silence. The third had to be the Whisper based on what he could judge.

“You are advised to leave now," warned the Sunburst Knight. “Your hearing is over. We have business to conduct with Ms. Phulton."

“She was directly involved with the Vermilion trade!" Maxwell shouted. “Why is she not in chains!? Why hasn't she been persecuted or squeezed of all information!?"

“Torture is rarely an effective means to extract information," warned the Whisper in his airy tone. “Cooperation is far more reliable."

“You struck a deal with her," Alex concluded. “What could she have possibly offered you all to earn some form of leniency."

“You don't have to answer that," warned the General Isiah.

Raifraize shrugged and waved a hand dismissively over her shoulder. “I feel that I owe them an answer. After all, they put so much effort into bringing me into this position." She offered them a sickeningly sweet, candy smile. “The Association is much bigger and far more complicated than what little I dabbled in. No matter what happens to Sapphine, Daur and Delize, it would seem like too much of a power-grab from the Generals if all of their assets were suddenly seized by the military especially after what happened with Ulbermasque."

Rayne's eyes widened. “So when all is settled, their assets are going to go to you."

“With guidance from the Generals, of course," answered Raifraize curtly. “As well as protection from the rest of the Association." She spread her arms and curtsied towards them. “I am to be the spearhead against the Association. After all, what better weapon against the corporate world than a lawyer?"

“Bitch…" he sneered.

“Snake," growled Kane.

“That's enough," huffed the Sunburst Knight. “You are dismissed. Stay, Phulton. We still have much to discuss."

Raifraize Phulton turned, waving at them over her shoulders while wiggling her fingers at them. It absolutely made him sick to the stomach that she effectively got away from all her crimes and actually came out of this richer. The Generals were no fools and he was sure they were planning something - especially the Whisper - but on the surface, he still felt like the institution had failed him.

He was one of the last to leave the courtroom.

When the large doors shut behind him, Maxwell gently grabbed his shoulder and pulled him to the side. Kane was there as well.

“I don't know what game the Generals are playing," warned the Firefighter. “But with the revelation that Raifraize is still running around, I have some doubts that I may survive this."

“We'll keep you alive," Kane grunted. “Even if it's just to spite those sneaky bastards."

“They know politics just as much as they know the battlefield," agreed Rayne. “They are Generals through and through and I have no doubt that this is all part of some tactic. Still, even the greatest military minds know that sometimes you can't save everyone." He nodded towards Maxwell. “What's on your mind?"

Maxwell glanced over his shoulder. The rest of the group had made their way some distance away and were arguing about what had just happened. He then turned back towards the two. “I need you to do something for me," he pleaded, his eyes filled with emotion. “Out of everyone else here, I feel I can trust you both the most."

“Big mistake," chuckled Kane. “But what do you want?"

“Please," Maxwell pleaded. “Go to my father and tell him something for me."

Maximillian Magmillion. With everything that was happening, Rayne had completely forgotten that Maxwell was still someone's son. How would the Magmillion oligarch react to finding out his son was not only still alive but was crusading against the very forces of evil that had brought down Tower Thirteen over a decade ago?

“What?" he asked.

Suddenly, Maxwell's features hardened.

“Tell him that I will burn every cent in this world if it'll mean that I'll save it."

Passionate Revenge

No surprise the Magmillion Mansion was the very definition of opulence. Positioned on the highest public tier of Corona, the Daylight District, the mansion was surrounded by glistening white walls made completely of out marble with the Magmillion crest engraved into every few feet into the wall. The wall provided very little in terms of actual protection given that it was barely eight feet tall but it screamed 'Look at me, I'm rich.' Maximillian kept the enormous gold-plated doors open, allowing visitors to walk through the broad rose garden decorated with various statues of different Magmillion members.

When visitors made it past the well-kempt topiary archways and finally up to the steps of the mansion, they were greeted by walls made of the rare marble known as 'scorched marble'. Unique to the east, it was completely black with crimson veins running through it that made it look like polished, solid magma. It was upon seeing this that Kane fully appreciated that 'Magmillion' was a portmanteau of 'Magma' and 'Million'. The entire mansion was made of this extremely rare marble - or at least the outer layer was. Gold trimmed every edge. The Magmillion crest was meticulously carved or imprinted into every face. They even had rubies for the door handles.

What really impressed him was the receptionist desk that awaited him and Rayne the moment they stepped through the enormous, black, wooden doors. Tours were apparently on sale. Extra discount for groups larger than ten.

“I suppose he's got to make his living somehow," Rayne muttered.

“I'm sure he could whore himself out," Kane snorted to himself, offering a lewd grin. “After the pointers I gave him, I'm pretty sure there's a market out there for a spindly, ancient man like him to fuck around with."

Rayne gave him a sidelong glance. “Is it usually not a case of some gold-digging whore finding her way into the sugar daddy's care and taking his money when she inevitably divorces him?"

“I'm not talking about marriage here, Rayne. I'm talking about dirty, nasty porn. Could make a quick buck selling videos of those shriveled, gray balls pumping cum on screen."

“You would know."

Kane just gave the demon prince a broad grin as they approached the receptionist area. The woman at the desk, dressed in a humiliating maid outfit, smiled at them and asked them what they wanted in a sweet, high-pitched voice. She began telling them of the day's specials before Rayne interrupted.

“We are here to see Maximillian Magmillion," said the demon prince. “It concerns his son." He pulled out a scroll sealed with some purple wax and Aria's personal emblem. There was some down time before Maxwell would return with word from the Association and the duo had managed to convince Aria to give them an 'official order from a Templar' for an audience. It seemed archaic and like a lot of pomp but Kane was sure it was the kind of thing that Maximillian absolutely reveled in.

The maid took the scroll, broke the seal and gave it a quick read. Her eyes widened and she asked them to please wait patiently while she conveyed their intentions to Maximillian. Then she was darting off on black high heels up the grand staircase, every click-clack of her footsteps echoing in the vast, grandiose and surprisingly empty mansion.

Kane's eyes wandered across his surroundings. Beneath all the banners advertising different exhibits showing off different sections of the mansion, the vast atrium was surprisingly hollow. Many of the walls were barren. There was a distinct lack of furniture. The colors were limited to three - black, red and gold. Lighting was sparse. Many of the windows had cheap curtains that looked fancy but were borderline equivalent to tarp.

Things did not seem to be going very well for House Magmillion.

He knew the receptionist was coming back before he even saw her thanks to the loud clacking of her heels on the marble floor. She was not carrying the scroll when she positioned herself once more behind the desk.

“Mr. Magmillion will see you now," she said, gesturing up the stairs. “Please, head on up, take a right and then head down the hallway to your left. All the way down to the end. That is his office."

Kane thanked her and gave her a wink that made her blush. Both he and Rayne headed up the steps and followed her instructions in silence. That was, until, they took the hallway to the left.

“What are you doing here?" Rayne blurted.

“I was bored," JD replied brightly, tail flicking through the air. He was leaning casually against the wall outside the view of the receptionist. “Hunter and Tanar are working on making improvements to our gear to make sure they're up to par against the Association. Dad and Aria are apparently trying to snoop around to see what Raifraize Phulton is up to. Wood is spending some time with Skye after his scare. I didn't really have anything to do."

“So you decided to tail us?" Rayne huffed, running a hand down his face. “JD, shouldn't you be studying or at least doing something a little more constructive with your time? It's not like Kane and I were being duplicitous with the rest of the team." He made jabbing gestures at the palm of his hand. “We communicated very well with everyone that we were going here to give Maxwell's parting words."

There was a strange edge to JD's smile when Rayne mentioned 'time'. “I know," answered the short Wulfun. “I just felt that compared to whatever else I could do, this is where I should be."

Rayne was about to argue again but Kane clapped his shoulder. “Come on, Rayne. We're going to be quick anyway. Just go in, mouth off the an old man, then leave."

The demon prince rolled his eyes. “Fine. Come along."

Now with the third member of their party, they followed the hall down to the very end where there were a pair of large double doors with - once again - the Magmillion crest emblazoned on the face. Kane pushed them open and was immediately greeted by the blazing light of the Sun Spire at about noon. Maximillian sat behind his desk with a large window at his back, causing him to be silhouetted while everyone else had to squint against him.

“Ah," exclaimed the old man in his raspy voice. “If it isn't the bear that rekindled the fire in my loins."

Most people would have squelched at that statement but Kane just beamed with pride.

“Hey, pops," he greeted, waving a large paw. “How ya been?"

“I have been well," Magmillion greeted. “You changed your hair."

Kane ran his thick fingers through his grass green hair with brown roots. “Yeah. I change it every day."

“I see." Maximillian waved them inside and the three stepped into the large office. Again, Kane was struck by the distinct lack of… anything in the office. Apart from the large desk, there were only a few shelves in the vast, empty room. His heavy boots let out echoes as he crossed the distance to their host. Sure the walls still looked fancy and well-maintained and the floor was made of the same scorched marble but past all that, it was… empty. Lonely.

“So you have something to tell me about my son?" Maximillian said as they came to the desk. There were no seats for any of them to sit upon. “He died years ago."

“That's the thing, Mr. Magmillion," Rayne said respectfully. “He did not die in that fire."

Maximillian's craggy features suddenly broke into a broad grin, his wrinkled flesh peeling back against his skull. “So. What did those assholes in the Association do to him? Capture him? Torture him? Fuck him from here to Ironfrost and left him with the Lupus to join their ranks on Chillfarn?"

Rayne's jaw dropped open in shock. Kane's blood ran hot in his veins at the callous disregard of this man for his son.

“So you knew that Maxwell was tangling against the Association?" JD asked suddenly, knocking both men from their stupor.

“Of course I did," Maximillian said, leaning back in his high-backed chair. “I told him not to do it. The Association isn't to be tangled with. But he insisted. The little bastard was so obsessed with trying to outdo me, to live outside of my shadow, that he made a deal with the cabal of fucking demons." Maximillian made a dismissive wave, his veins visible through his paper-thin skin. “He accepted their help. Took their money and bound himself by blood to them." The Magmillion patriarch's sharp eyes regarded them. “Seeing as you named them, you have to know what the Association does, don't you?"

“You mean the blood sports?" Rayne asked.

“The blood sports. The slavery. The corruption. You name any crime and the Association has done it." Maximillian turned his head as he was about to spit but decided against it. “The only form of guidance the Association has for its members is that if there is a rule that the rest of the world followed, they will do whatever they can to break it as long as they aren't caught. They will violate common decency. They will freely engage in practices that would make them tantamount to demons themselves. Fuck, they'll do what they can to fuck over demons as well if they can. That is the only thing they care about. Not money. Not power or prestige. It's just to flaunt their superiority t everyone else."

Maximillian shook his head. “I told Maxwell not to go to them. Tried to restrict him. I cut him off. Froze his assets and funds. Tried to make him as unappealing to the Association as possible." Old man's sharp gaze turned back to the trio. “But he still went to them. And look where that's gotten him."

Kane huffed, crossing his arms. “If you want to make someone do something, telling them not to do it is probably one of the worst things you can do. Makes them just want to do it all the more. That's what you did."

“Backwards logic and the kind of thinking I'd expect from a rogue like you." Maximillian said this with a grin as he shakily got to his feet and wandered behind his desk, facing the window. “I gave my son everything. Gave him a home. Education. He never wanted for anything. But he still reviled me for some reason. Kept saying he didn't want to follow in my footsteps." Maximillian made a claw-like hand and raised it into the sky. “Why shouldn't he follow my lead? I have so much money! So much fame and fortune! What kind of life could he hope to have without everything I've offered?"

For a second, Kane saw his own father standing where Maximillian was. The big, gruff bear, smoking his ever-present cigar, lamenting at how he had given Kane the world and set him up for success but he decided to turn it all down just to spite him.

“Maybe it wasn't about you?" he growled softly. “Maybe Maxwell just wanted to find his own way."

“That's awfully optimistic of you," laughed Maximillian. “No. Maxwell belongs with the Association. Just like them, he would do anything to go against common sense even if it's self-destructive. He is a contrarian. No purpose apart from just going against the norm." He turned back around, hobbling to face Kane. “Say your piece. Then leave. I don't care about Maxwell. He is no son of mine."

It took a second for Kane to realize his paws had formed into fists and that he was shaking. The fury he felt boiled his blood. For a brief moment, he saw Hank Fenn standing where Maximillian was, calling him a contrarian. Then he saw Skye telling him he had no purpose.

He had to get out his anger or it would explode.

“You've lost your son for years. You thought he was dead. Now we're here telling you he's alive and you don't even care? What kind of father are you?"

“I just told you," huffed Maximillian, hobbling back to his seat. “I am not father. I have no son. Maxwell wanted nothing to do with me. He got his wish. If he expects me to pool my resources to save him, then he is mistaken. He got himself into this mess. He can get himself out."

Kane opened his muzzle to protest when Rayne quickly said, “Not like you have a lot of assets to invest in a rescue."

The geriatric patriarch visibly bristled. “Excuse me? Do you not see where you're standing?"

“Oh I see," replied the demon prince. “And I see it exactly for what it is. A farce. Not a very good one either." Rayne stepped forward, pressing his palms down on the table and looming over Maximillian. “Here you are, a supposedly wealthy oligarch on Incendius. Yet you're pining for the scraps of the public, looking for them to pay for the honor of seeing your barren walls, your barely polished floors and your empty halls. This…" He waved around him. “… all of this is nothing more than a front to keep people thinking you're important. But you're not. You're just deluding yourself into thinking that you are important by twisting every situation to make you the victim."

He lifted a finger before Maximillian could counter. “You get to blame the world for all its faults while taking no responsibility yourself. You're telling us that Maxwell basically spurned all of your effort to give him the world but you're not listening to what he wants. He wanted to be someone else. Someone that wasn't defined by you and you just kept pushing him to be your clone."

Rayne straightened. “So who have you to blame for the state of this mansion and your finances? The Association? They bought the companies that naturally fell to you when Maxwell died. You have a second chance are revitalizing your empire but you didn't do shit with it. If anything, your son gave you an out and you still didn't take it."

“How does it feel?" Kane growled, fangs bared. “How does it feel to realize that you've stopped defining your own flesh and blood and now you're going to be a footnote in his story? That he's going to go down in history as a great, brave warrior who took down the goddamn Association and you were just his origin story? That you will be defined by him?"

Maximillian's face broke into that skeletal grin again. “Is that how you see it? That I am being defined by him?" He threw his head back and let out a cackling laugh. “In my eyes, he cannot escape my gravity! Whatever he does, he always comes back to me! I am a part of his very essence! His very story! If he didn't think so, why did he send you to me!?"

Kane's eyes boggled and he let out a ferocious growl. “He doesn't need you."

“Touched a nerve did I, big bear?" snickered the oligarch. “What? Do I remind you of your father? Are you trying to escape his influence? Is that why you would sneak into a black tie event and fuck an old man and his wife in a museum exhibit?" He shook his head, his grin growing bigger. “You are all just children. Living your fantasies and unable to see the threads that tie you together." Maximillian stood, somehow managing to seem just as tall as Rayne if not more intimidating. “You think that you can just burn every bridge you cross, cut all ties whenever you want or turn your back on everything that ever made you? Think again. You can't forget the past. You can't stop being who you were. Your past is inescapable and your future is inevitable. You will always be your father's son."

Kane had enough. He stormed forward, fist raised. Maximillian just grinned, eyes glinting. There was probably lawsuit or arrest in the future and another influx of cash for the greedy old man but he didn't care. He would cave in the old man's skull and leave him alive and suffering.

Then he stopped.

Because JD was suddenly beside Maximillian, a calm smile on the Red Lightning's muzzle as his lips hovered over the old man's ear.

Time seemed to stop.

And JD whispered two words.

“Violet Rose."

Maximillian's eyes lost their edge. That grin on his face immediately fell. Every wrinkle on his face suddenly seemed to weight a ton and he fought to remained standing. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes and his pupils shifted to his left where JD was standing.

“What did you say…?" he croaked.

“You heard me," answered the crimson Wulfun, still speaking in a gentle whisper like he was embodying the very essence of death come to claim a soul. “You talk big about inevitably being pulled by the strings of connection amongst us, of being defined by our past, yet how do you fare against your own ghosts?"

Rage entered Magmillion's eyes. “You know nothing."

JD straightened, looking down at Maximillian with this cold, disinterested gaze and that unsettling smile that refuted the oligarch's statement. He didn't say a word. Just stood there in silence, watching Magmillion squirm.

“You don't know anything about me!" barked Maximillian.

Silence and a stare.

Maximillian's face turned bright red and he rocketed to his feet. He immediately seized JD's shirt. Both Rayne and Kane moved but the Wulfun lifted a finger.

“Stop looking at me like that!" roared Maximillian. “You don't know me! You don't know who she is! Don't you dare judge me!"

Again, JD didn't say anything at first, merely keeping still with that knowing smile on his muzzle. Then, he turned that lifted finger and pointed at where Maximillian was gripping his collar.

“That's a lawsuit."

Maximillian immediately realized what he was doing, like he had just woken up from being possessed. He immediately released JD's shirt and staggered back, collapsing onto his chair.

JD cocked an ear towards Kane while his gaze still remained unwaveringly locked with the wealthy, broken man before him. “Didn't Maxwell have a message for his father?"

“Right…" Kane rumbled. “He said that he would burn every cent in this world if it'll mean that he'll save it."

Maximillian's eyes wavered and shakily turned back to Kane. For a second, his dry lips quivered. Then he cast his gaze down, seemingly collapsing into his seat.

“We're done here," announced Rayne.

Kane drew some satisfaction for the hurt that Maximillian was going through. He turned his back to the man, unwilling to endure his presence for a second longer. The only regret he bore was that he hadn't been able to utter those two magical words that broke the facade of this arrogant, stubborn old man.

They had just reached the door when Maximillian shouted after them.

“He'll kill you all!"

He stopped but only JD and Rayne turned towards the oligarch.

“That's what he means!" shouted the Magmillian patriarch. “It's not about money! He will burn everything around him, even you, if it'll mean that he can satisfy his ideals! Don't let him! He and I are the same! I know him! I made him! He isn't capable of empathy and if you think he cares for you, think again!"

Kane ushered the other two out the door, shutting it behind him. Just as they were hitting the grand staircase, he asked, “What's Violet Rose?"

JD shrugged and skipped down the steps. “His first love. Perhaps his only love. She came from a poor family but he fell in love with her regardless. He tried to woo her. Shower her with gifts and provide her with a life. They never got married but were on the cusp of tying the knot. But when she learned what he was doing to maintain and gain more wealth, she dumped him. Pretty harshly too."

Both he and Rayne stopped about halfway down the staircase as JD continued to skip down a few more steps down.

“What did he do?" Rayne asked.

“Some pretty shady stuff. Nothing technically illegal but Violet was the kind of person that thought about everyone. Really cared about everyone. She heard how he was forcing people to go unpaid to save on operating costs. Outsource labor to other Stations and even how he was considering replacing everyone with automated systems from Upper Stations and throw lots of people on the streets, unemployed. Not to mention all the lawsuits he would fire off that would get him more money in the end. Lawsuits against people who couldn't defend themselves."

“He's no better than the Association."

“I'm sure he doesn't see it that way but yeah." JD shrugged. His tone began a little more somber. “I wonder what Maxwell's Violet Rose is… I don't think it's something as simple as trying to get out of his father's shadow."

“It's not?" Kane asked. “I hate to say it but that old fart was right. Why would he send us over here if not to rub it in his old man's face that he's about to blow up the Association?" He glanced over to Rayne and then JD. “That's what he meant, right? He would burn each one of his enemies to save the world?"

“It's possible," Rayne conceded. “Or maybe… Maybe he was just trying to tell his dad that even in his last moments, his last thoughts of his father were spiteful and malicious."

“Or to explain what he would hear eventually," JD suggested, offering a shrug. “I mean, let's face it. He was incognito and presumed dead by even the Association for the longest time until we messed everything up. Maybe he thought he'd have more time to shed his deeds in a good light instead of having to explain to his dad eventually that what he did was noble. That the end justified the means."

JD shook his head and turned towards the door of the mansion and started heading down the steps. “Guess we can ask him when we see him next."

“Just one more thing," Kane asked. “Where did you learn about Violet Rose?"

His cousin threw a bright grin over his shoulder. “Oh that? It's a museum in here. He posted it somewhere and I had time to explore while you guys were getting here. I mean, it's not like they have a lot of security. Can't afford it."

Kane was about to raise his suspicions when Rayne gripped his forearm.

“Best not to pry into that one," said the demon prince, watching the Red Lightning go. “I don't think Maximillian would have advertised his emotional weakness like that but it might not be good to ask how JD found it regardless. Just be grateful that he used it before you did something stupid."

The big, black bear grunted softly and pulled his arm free. “Beating that old man to within an inch of his life would not have been stupid." After a second, he conceded a lopsided smile at Rayne. “It would have been monumentally stupid. Worth it though."

“Absolutely. I probably would've torn apart his Spirit energy to keep him from being resurrected and testifying against you but still…" Rayne smacked his lips. “That prune's soul tasted rotten even from where I was standing. I can still taste it here."

Kane laughed softly and, together with Rayne, they exited the mansion. He made an effort to piss on one of the statues on his way out of the rose garden. What sense of elation he had from defacing a marble statue faded, however, when he noticed that JD was not alone past the gates. Skye was there with him.

“What's going on?" he asked, hoping against hope that it was just a social call.

JD was holding a piece of black parchment, reading the contents. Skye looked horrified.

“What is it?" Rayne insisted.

The Red Lightning handed him the letter. “Maxwell has been kidnapped," said JD. “The Association is holding him as 'collateral'. We're being called out."

Eulogy for a Burning Challenge

There was an strange air about Helioclast Coliseum now that it was completely devoid of its screaming, bloodthirsty audience. Nothing about the infrastructure had changed. Same black sand. Same ominous bleachers. Same floating glass cube where the VIPs stood watching. But there was a different weight in their environment now that Wood and the rest of the Godslayers were striding onto the arena to face off against the three champions of the Association. Above them, encased in that protective glass cube sipping their wine and dressed meticulously in their suits were Saz Daur, Ophan Sapphine and Armando Delize. Almost like they were attending their own funeral. In many ways, this really was their last days.

Someone would be dying.

He glanced to his right and then his left. Skye on one side and JD on the other. It amazed him how neither of them had any sort of fear in their eyes. Hunter was his normal neurotic self and was the only one who visibly looked nervous. Alex wore his concern on his sleeve but it wasn't concern for himself but for his son and loved ones. For everyone else, they knew they had no choice.

They had to accept this challenge.

FireFeather was within their grasp and if they didn't, Maxwell - someone who was thrust into very much the same destiny as their own - would be killed.

They kept a respectable distance between themselves and the three champions; the priestly Speaker of Flame, the brutish Lord of Lava and the enigmatic Death Fire Alchemist. On paper, it seemed like a one-sided fight. Nine against three. However, Kane still remembered how difficult the fight was against the Ash Prince. The arena was no doubt rigged with traps to tip the fight in favor of the Association. There were no surprises this time. No hidden lupine assassin that would come to their rescue at the last minute.

This was just a single, brutal brawl.

“You are some very clever little insects," boomed Ophan Sapphine from the skybox, his voice carrying from the various speakers. “Running to the Generals and then using Maxwell here to deliver an ultimatum to the Association itself. Very clever."

Aria leveled Searsparrow at the businessman behind the crystal wall. “You cannot escape justice, Sapphine. We are fair. Our interest only run with the distribution of the poisoned Vermilion. We have no quarrel with the rest of the Association."

“But it's not like you would fully support the Association's activities, do you?" accused Sapphine. “The blood sports? The flaunting of our wealth against the law?" He let out a dark chuckle. “Ah… but you exploited our own greed against us. To bring the wrath of the Generals against the rest of the Association… with someone as two-faced as Phulton on your side. You knew that the Association would be scared because of her knowledge of our activities. You couldn't go after them all. So you just narrowed the scope. Went to the Association and told them that you wouldn't persecute them as long as they handed the three of us over. But it wasn't just an exchange, was it? It was a challenge."

“And that's what won them over," Delize snarled. “The chance to come out of this unscathed and a winner. We have to win this. It _'s not just that we would be arrested and taken in by the Generals if we lose. It's that our place amongst the Association would be_ elevated if we were to win. We would be the businessmen that got the Generals off the entire organization's back."

“What good, self-serving businessman wouldn't take up such a challenge?" Saz Daur huffed. “A tempting proposition. And so… here we are."

“Here we are," growled Alex, his guns already in his paws. “And yet you're not here on the ground fighting, are you?"

Sapphine turned to Maxwell who was currently restrained to a chair beside him. Glowing manacles probably subdued his abilities. “_Someone _has to keep the great Firefighter on a leash."

Wood gripped his axes tightly. In one hand, he had Vulcan and in the other was Cindarc. This was a private match deep underground. If he needed to switch to his Fallen Form, he would do so. That crystal box wouldn't stand a chance against him and he could free Maxwell while incinerating those smug bastards all in one blow if he wanted. They were just simple businessmen. They couldn't possibly possess any combat skills that were noteworthy or could stand up against the might of a Fallen.

“So why don't we go about this the with the proper fanfare?" asked Sapphine, bringing a wand towards Maxwell's lips. “Introduce the fighters, Maxwell."

Maxwell clearly glared at the arms dealer before lifting his chin. In a voice that was familiar amongst those who had attended Helioclast Coliseum, he boomed. “In one corner, the defenders of the Association. Three Champions. In the other -"

SMACK!

The sound of Sapphine's palm striking Maxwell's cheek echoed in the coliseum. “Do it properly," snarled the cornered Association member.

The Firefighter cleared his throat. Despite the hatred in his eyes, he still spoke clearly and with renewed boisterous fanfare. “In one corner, the three mighty Champions of the Association. Hailing from right here in Corona, the Master of Pyromancy, the Voice of the Fire, the Immolating Singer. The one and only, Speaker of Flame."

Sapphine was grinning from ear to ear as he grabbed the back of Maxwell's head and forced him to continue.

“Next we have the Sultan of the Searing Sands. Hailing from the Sunless Lands, the Master of Melting, the very Eruption of the Earth. The Lord of Lava."

“That's a good boy," snarled Sapphine, his voice barely carrying through the speakers.

“And lastly," sneered Maxwell. “He who Deals Death by the Drop, the Fatal Potionmaker, the Plague of Wildfires. The Death Fire Alchemist."

Only then did Sapphine release Maxwell and stride over to the edge of the cube, dusting his hands off dramatically.

“And in the other corner -"

“We don't care," announced Sapphine, waving him off. “Get ready. We begin the fight in three…"

Wood gripped his axes tightly, spreading his wings and getting ready to leap into the air. Beside him, the rest of the Godslayers had their weapons ready.

“… two…"

The three Association Champions readied themselves. The Speaker of Flame whispered a few words of the Illuminus Weizar under his breath. Three orbs of fire manifested around him, encircling his head like a halo. The ground beneath the Lord of Lava melted, a burst of searing, molten lava lifting him up into the air and forming two, large, tendrils that oozed and dripped with magma. The Death Fire Alchemist drew a few vials from his cloak, fitting them between his fingers.

“… one…!" exclaimed Sapphine excitedly.

Clang.

The manacles around Maxwell's wrists and ankles dropped away.

“Zero," intoned the Firefighter ominously.

The screech of an eagle suddenly ripped through all of the coliseum. Blazing, crimson flames exploded from the Firefighter, filling the entire VIP skybox. The three businessmen were protected from anything attacking them from the outside but there was nothing shielding them from the Firefighter who sat within the box itself. In one second, they were just encased within that cube. The next, the entire interior of the box was filled with raging flames.

Cracks quickly appeared across the surface of the glass.

SMASH!

The flames exploded outwards, taking the shape of an enormous six-winged bird with Maxwell at its center. Molten glass hailed down from him but little else. There were no corpses. No charged bones. There wasn't even a scent of burnt flesh. As Maxwell descended to the ground, the fiery bird vanishing around him, nothing of the Association members remained.

“Holy shit…" Wood breathed.

The Lord of Lava roared and turned towards the Firefighter, lifting a fist and thrusting it forward. The tendrils of lava launched themselves at Maxwell only to abruptly stop. The Lord balked, confusion clear on his face. Those tendrils abruptly spun around and jammed themselves straight into the Champion's eyes. The Lord barely had time to scream before the spears of molten magma punctured his brain and immediately killed him.

“What the fuck!?" Kane cried.

The Speaker of Flame immediately cried out a few spells. The orbs around his head manifested into large spears of fire… before blazing flames exploded from within his throat and came shooting out of his eyes. He hit the ground, the entire interior of his skull burned to a crisp. The Death Fire Alchemist, the last of the champions, didn't even have time to surrender. The vials in his hands abruptly exploded and all the liquid coated his body. They ignited into a blazing inferno with a myriad of colors.

Wood couldn't help but take a step back in horror.

“He's… He took over their Pyromancy…" breathed Tanar. Panic flashed over the Leomian's feline features. “Everyone! Put away all your fire-based weapons! Now!"

Wood practically dropped Cindarc and kicked it over to Kane. The big bear scooped it up in his duffel bag before pulling out Cataclysm and tossing it to him. The others did the same just as Maxwell began laughing.

“Don't worry," chuckled the Firefighter. “Yes, I can turn your own Pyromancy against you but that is a fate that I would only inflict upon my enemies. You are far from it." He strode forward, arms spread and a look of triumph on his face. “We've done it! We've eliminated the source of the corrupted Vermilion trade. Well, at least the driving forces behind them. We will still have to eliminate their lieutenants and various factories and production lines but with the death of those three, their leadership will be in disarray. The conduit for the Custodia Goetia to corrupt their efforts has been severed and we can continue to dismantle them one at a time."

“Dismantle…?" Rayne whispered. “Is that what you meant when you said you would 'burn every cent' in the world? You'll kill everyone involved in the Vermilion trade?"

Maxwell looking confused by the question. “Of course. How else can we be rid of this corruption?" He waved a hand behind him. “You've seen the extent of the Association's reach and their greed for monetary gain. Even after I offered them a far more lucrative option for their assets, even when I bought their companies, they still went back to making drugs because it flaunted their power in front of the Generals. Anyone involved needs to be burned. They are all complicit to this crime!"

Wood reeled at the announcement. Maxwell had seemed a little unhinged to him but it was only now that he saw the full extent of that madness. “That's insane, dude! You're not even going after the cause. You're just burning the symptom!" He waved at the arena around him. “This… All of this… It was to stop the corrupted Vermilion from flowing but you already admitted it was too late. The Goetia have already twisted the definition of their Vermilion, right? Shouldn't you be going after them instead?"

He regarded the burned and charred bodies of the three champions around them. “I get you wanting revenge on the Association. Those three assholes had it coming. Maybe their champions too. But going after everyone else? It's pointless!"

Maxwell's eyes burned even brighter now that an element of realization was added to it. “You're right. The Goetia are the cause of all this suffering." The Firefighter gave the green dragon a slight nod. “Thank you, Wood Bladebreaker. The thought of what I would do after I crushed the Association's Vermilion trade was daunting. I was afraid that I would be aimless but now, you have directed my flame to the root of this disease!"

Not what he had intended. “Shit…"

Kane's bellowing laugh cut through the tension. “You selfish bastard." The big, black bear stormed forward, hefting Going Postal over his shoulder. “This isn't about doing what's right or even saving Incendius. It's all about you. All about you finding your purpose and you finding your self-worth." A dark smile crossed his ursine features. “Your old man was right. You will never escape his shadow. It's ingrained in you."

Agitation crossed Maxwell's features. “What did you say?"

The bear shook his head. “You're itching for that moment when your old man tells you he's proud of you or that you finally stand triumphant over him and he admits defeat. You think that once you get that little bit of schadenfreude, you'll finally be able to get rid of all the bullshit that's weighing you down." Kane momentarily grasped his own face, almost like he was trying to fight back tears. The effect, however, was the opposite. He was glaring maliciously between his fingers at Maxwell, adding a chilling effect to his dark grin.

“But you won't," Wood supplied, understanding his friend's direction. Turning towards Maxwell, he said, “Take it from a Fallen. You're never going to get rid of your sins. They'll haunt you wherever you go. There's no turning back time. Burning the rest of the world won't free you from the chains that bind you."

Hunter huffed and took a surprising step forward, positioning himself beside Wood. “Take it also from someone whose dad was an ass. You'll never please a narcissist. They'll always make it about themselves. Don't go down that road. You'll never be enough for them."

Wood barely knew Hunter's past or his family and there was a short pang of guilt at never having asked. That thought was interrupted when Skye floated forward.

“The only way you're ever going to escape that man's overbearing shadow is if you stop letting yourself be defined by it," said the tiger. “You are more than your father's son. You are the Firefighter. You are the bearer of FireFeather. You don't need to live your life working to escape a man who will never give you the love and affection you crave."

There, Wood winced. “Dude… wrong vibe."

Skye glanced at him in surprise. “Huh…? Was that not what we were going for?"

He shook his head and glanced over to Maxwell. The Firefighter glared at Skye though a dark smile had crossed his scarred features.

“Your sentiments struck true until the very end," laughed the bald fighter. “I don't want any love. I don't want adoration, fame, fortune or any sort of prestige. If you think I wanted any of that, do you honestly think I would've attacked the Association from the shadows? Don't you think I would have returned to Incendius lording the discovery of the Lost Fleet and FireFeather?"

Skye grimaced. “Ooops…"

“What I want, what Adramalech made me realize, is that I am an inferno." Maxwell threw his head back, hands outstretched like claws facing the ceiling. “I need fuel! I need purpose!"

“So it wasn't even really about doing the right thing, was it?" Kane rumbled, lowered the paw over his face. “That was just how you got yourself to sleep at night. Justifying your deeds because it was a convenient excuse to keep going." His eyes narrowed. “Now that I think of it… you knew who the members of the Association messing with Vermilion were. You could have easily just gathered them all in that same goddamn box at any given time and incinerated them all like you did just then. There was no need for you to fake your death and go through the subterfuge of trying to dismantle their efforts at the trade. You were just doing it to make the experience last."

A bitter laugh escaped Maxwell's lips and his arms dropped to his sides. “We all search for purpose in these brief lives that we have on this world. When I was stuck in that time loop on that goddamn fleet, I was left with nothing to do. Nothing to accomplish except to wait for an irritating blacksmith to fail at facilitating our escape. When I got back, I vowed never to be idle again. But as I drew closer and closer to a conclusion of my quest, I was left wondering what I would do next." He gave a dismissive shrug and finally turned his gaze back to Kane. “Perhaps I may have artificially inflated this conflict."

“Seven years is a long time to be letting all of this fester with all that power," Wood growled.

“It was. But what is a fire's worst nightmare than puttering out and being reduced to embers or smoldering ashes? I needed fuel. I needed to keep going." He laughed, running his fingers down his face like he was clawing at his own eyes. “And only now have you made me realize that I was a fool."

“Damn right!" barked Alex. “Maybe if you hadn't let all of this feed your goddamn ego, Vermilion would've have been tainted by the Goetia! Now they have a foothold on Incendius!"

“And we have a bridge to them!" declared Maxwell triumphantly. “Fire cannot simply jump from one source to another! Now, I have a wick where I can follow to them and catch them in my inferno! It was all thanks to you!" He pointed at the Godslayers waving his finger from side to side. “You all made me realize that my gaze was too narrow! My heat too focused! Now, I know the enemy that I should direct my ire upon!"

Kane grinned savagely. “You know, ordinarily, I'd be all up for the idea of letting you loose on those bastards."

“Kane!" Tanar shouted in protest. The bear threw a middle finger over his shoulder at the Paladin.

“But," continued the bear, “you're clearly fucking crazy." The smile on Maxwell's face fell. “Like I said, this is all about you. You don't care about the people you save. You don't care about the 'greater good' or anyone else. All this fucking time, it's about you. About your purpose. About you figuring out where you'll go next. You don't care about us.

“One of these days you're going to turn up at my door while I'm mid-nut and tell me you want to fuck me over. I like a good dicking but only if I want it." Kane thrust a thumb at his chest. “I'm a selfish bastard TOO so I recognize another selfish bastard when I see one. You're never going to be satisfied and that'll make you kill and burn everything and everyone around you. Me included."

He crouched slightly, readying himself to lunge forward. “Only reason you're proposing to team up with us is because it'll inflate your fucking ego. So I'm stopping this here and now before you burn me and everything I care about!"

Kane roared, charging forward while swinging Going Postal. Maxwell's eyes widened and he jumped back, barely missing being crushed by the mailbox-shaped hammer. Envelopes fluttered between them.

“Are you insane!?" barked the Firefighter. “We're on the same side! We want the same thing!"

The envelopes began to glow and Kane immediately jumped backwards outside of the blast radius. A series of explosions rocked the coliseum, sending sand and dust scattering in all directions. Two, fiery wings cut through the smoke, wreathed around Maxwell protectively. The Firefighter spread those wings, glaring at Kane furiously.

“You think I am a threat? That my obsession to leave my father's shadow would turn me into a liability? What about you, Kane Fenn?"

“What about me?" snarled Kane.

“Uh-oh…" Wood whispered to himself. Surely Kane was smart enough to see the similarities between himself an Maxwell. If not… this would be devastating. Wood decided to act before the Firefighter could bring the most confident member of the Godslayers down. He let out a ferocious roar and flapped his mighty wings, leaping into the air and then diving down towards Maxwell, his axes swinging.

Maxwell danced between his savage blows, fast and limber. Wood swung left and somehow Maxwell was already a step away. He swung right and the Firefighter was ducking beneath his blow to deliver his own punch straight to the dragon's chest. Wood endured the hit and kept pressing, slashing savagely and pushing Maxwell back. Each blow from the Firefighter grew stronger and stronger, crimson flames soon shooting from his fingers. Too late he realized that the Firefighter was initiating a sequence from the Ars Ignis Pugnio - the Art of the Fiery Fist.

“Shit!" he cried.

Maxwell gave him a smirk and thrust a fist forward. A fiery lion erupted from the hurtling fist and crashed right into Wood. The dragon curled his wings around himself, gritting his fangs through the pain as it engulfed him and seared the delicate membrane of his wings.

“I've watched all of you." shouted Maxwell as the flames died. Wood unfurled his injured wings only to receive a fiery punch to his chin, forcing him back. “Do you think I chose to recruit you all into fighting the Association just because you won that round against the Ash Prince and Lofraine?"

WHAM!

Another fist slammed into Wood's stomach, this one engulfed in another smaller, fiery lion complete with a ferocious, primal roar. The dragon gagged, staggering back but still managing to fight through the pain to swing his axes down. Maxwell was faster. The Firefighter slammed two open palms against his chest, hurtling Wood back and sending him crashing to the ground. Skye and Tanar were instantly rushing to the dragon's side, encasing him in soothing, green, healing light.

“You think you're special because of that spectacle?" barked Maxwell. “In my years amongst the Association and even hiding as their MC, I've seen crazier stunts. These are greedy, selfish oligarchs that will do anything to hold onto power or even seize more of it! There have been assassination attempts! Explosions! Savage monsters unleashed! This has nothing to do with your skills! I just thought you would understand me!"

“Understand!?" Wood snarled through clenched teeth.

“Yes," huffed Maxwell. “Each of you has a shadow to escape from." The Firefighter's eyes locked on Wood's, his irises flaring up with a voracious, red flame. “You, Wood Bladebreaker, are trying to escape to shadow of your own father. A father who died protecting you and being selfless. A father who will never tell you how proud he is of you and whose ghost will forever judge you for being a Fallen."

Just when Wood thought the devastating blow would be dealt to Kane, he felt Maxwell's cutting words strike him. Rage burned inside of him but within it, was a kernel of truth that turned the ire of his inner inferno internally.

All he could do was cast his gaze down.

“That's enough!" Skye roared, straightening. “You do not get to hurt my friends like that!" He swung his paws up and the air sizzled with magic before suddenly dropping in temperature. Huge spears of ice appeared over his shoulder and hurled themselves at Maxwell.

“Ignia!" shouted Maxwell. A wall of flames launched into the air, hot enough that it immediately melted the icy spears as soon as they got close. “You, Skye King, are trying to escape a different kind of shadow. The shadow of your heritage. Caught in the twilight of representing Miasma, your home Station, while simultaneously trying to integrate with the rest of your friends who live on Haven. You are caught between identities and you don't know which way to turn."

The strength left Skye's eyes and he threw an embarrassed gaze at Wood before turning it to the others. “Don't take it the wrong way!" he cried immediately. “I love you guys! I love living on Haven. Just…"

“You don't need to defend yourself!" Hunter shouted, stepping forward. “We all have our baggage. We don't need this asshole trying to use it against us." He swung Wildfire through the air, the only fire-based weapon that he hadn't surrendered. Wood was about to shout at him to put it down when Hunter immediately slammed the sword into its sheathe and grabbed the two canisters of red fluid the shield produced. He threw it to the ground, immediately generating two high-caliber turrets.

Maxwell's features flashed with irritation. As the turrets erupted into blistering fire of kinetic bullets, the Firefighter jumped into the air, dodging the fire as he did so. He shouted a few more words in the Illuminus Weizar and hurled blistering fireballs down at the turrets, causing them to immediately explode.

Large, crystal birds collided with him in midair. His path was interrupted and just as he fluttered in the air, Aria came flying in, swinging Gungnir and jabbing at him with the divine spear. Maxwell dropped from the air but grabbed the Valor as he did so, dragging Aria down with him. As they plummeted, he spun through the air, swinging Aria around so that she was the first to his the ground.

WHAM!

Maxwell suddenly had his foot against Aria's neck.

“You, Aria Valkyrie, are trying to escape the shadow of your very race, your entire way of living," he spat. “You're so afraid of having to take your own life and pass your knowledge on to your non-existent child in tradition of all Angels that you'll do anything to appear useful and avoid your fate! How is that any different from me!?"

He suddenly flung his hand towards Hunter. The molten metal that had become the Wulfun's turrets suddenly sprang towards the wolf, melting into crimson ribbons and winding around Hunter. The sound of sizzling flesh rang through the coliseum. Hunter rolled into the sand, screaming as he tried to cool the metal binding him down.

“Hunter Hart," snarled Maxwell. “Running from the shadow of his own mediocrity. Couldn't make it as a solider. Couldn't make it as his own independent blacksmith and had to be rescued by a college kid. You're so afraid of being deemed redundant that you're going out of your way, far beyond anything a normal blacksmith for Pinnacle would go, just to keep those bonds strong."

Wood pulled himself up from where he was laying and grabbed the metal bars holding down Hunter. Even though the metal burned his palms, he still pulled at them, carefully breathing a torrent of acid from his jaws to melt the metal and free hid friend. Tanar was right by him, casting a water spell to immediately cool the metal and soothe Hunter's pain. The blacksmith was almost unconscious from the pain.

“Tanar Konran," continued Maxwell. “Forced to hide beneath the shadow of a Church that was humiliated before his time as a Paladin. You stick to rule and regulation, advocating for order because you're too afraid to bring further shame to the Church and be the cause of such shame."

Gunfire rattled off. Maxwell didn't even move as the bullets from Alex melted mere inches away from him. He did move, however, when Rayne came charging in, wreathed in purple energies and swinging. Kane was right behind him, slamming Going Postal towards Maxwell. The Firefighter proved why he was such a danger in the coliseum by easily dodging between them. Even when Rayne was clever and grabbed some letters spewed by Postal and threw them at Maxwell, the Firefighter merely charged through the exploding papers and shoulder-checked Rayne. Before he even recovered, his hand was out and catching Going Postal by the half.

“The Demon Prince Amon," hissed Maxwell. “Need I go into what kind of shadow you are trying to escape?"

“Just try it, fucker," snarled Rayne, unleashing a few kicks. Maxwell pulled Postal in front of him, yanking Kane in the way of the demonic pugilist. Kane took the brunt of Rayne's blows and was forced to his knees.

“And of course, Kane Fenn," the Firefighter growled, yanking the hammer from Kane's paws and tossing it aside. “Forever in the shadow of his father and trying to escape it by going into an entirely different direction from what -"

More gunfire. Alex was charging forward, two handguns in his paws. Again, his bullets merely melted mere inches from Maxwell. Those same bullets swirled through the air, merging into a large, bladed ring and hurled straight towards Alex. The surprisingly nimble Wulfun skidded across the ground feet first, sliding bast Maxwell while still firing surprisingly accurate shots. None of those bullets ever made their mark.

“Alexander Clarke," Maxwell said, tapping the side of his head. “A different kind of shadow. One of your own making. You are lauded as the greatest Illusionist ever. And you have done nothing to subvert that expectation. You only find that shadow growing larger and larger and you can see the future. Soon, you will be unable to escape the gravity of the hole you have dug for yourself and when the illusion of your own abilities shatters, you can't help but wonder what it would mean for you and your son. Speaking of…"

Maxwell turned just as a crackle of crimson lightning lashed out behind him. He ducked beneath JD's swipe from Validation before turning around and throwing a fiery punch. JD, surprisingly plunged his sword straight into Maxwell's fist. The white blade slipped through the Firefighter's flesh. The fire encasing the Firefighter's fist immediately dissipated and Maxwell immediately pulled his arm away, jumping back in a flare of fire.

“Jack Denver Clarke," said the Firefighter, shaking his arm. For now, it has lost its ability to use magic but that was only temporary. “A clone. Your shadow is obvious. Even with a 10-percent variation in your genes, you are still a living duplicate of your own father. And with your injury, you can never be better than him. You will never escape his shadow. That terrifies you."

“You sure about that?" JD countered

Maxwell let out a bitter laugh. “Of course I am sure. I have lived my life in someone else's shadow. I can recognize the signs."

“And that's where you're flawed." The Red Lightning turned his back towards Maxwell, one sword leaning against his shoulder. Wood was about to warn him about turning his back to an enemy when he realized the Wulfun was looking straight at him. A sly wink from JD was all he needed to realize his friend was blocking Maxwell's view of him.

“Clever bastard…" he growled with a grin.

“You're looking at us and trying to frame our situations to fit your narrative," JD continued loudly. “I'm not going to lie. There's nothing wrong with a little bit of narcissism. You've got to be a little selfish every now and then. Self-preservation demands it. But when you live your life trying to outdo one person, you just become that one person. Then when you don't have anything else, you lose your purpose." He looked over his shoulder at Maxwell. “You've become your father. Made everything about you. You're so narcissistic that you're seeing our struggles and automatically assuming it's exactly the same as your own."

He turned to face the Firefighter, his stance casual and dismissive. “Yeah, I'm a clone of my dad but I'm way more than that. I'm Wood and Skye's friend. I'm Rayne's student. I'm the one that recruited Hunter. Aria is my chaperone. Tanar is my moral compass. And I'm Kane's cousin. I am more than one desire to surpass one expectation. I don't need a purpose when I am defined by how I live!"

He lifted a finger into the air. “ And you want to know what my problems are?"

Wood was curious himself. What bothered Jack Denver Clarke?

Unfortunately, JD just used that lifted finger to pull at the bottom of his eyelid while sticking out his tongue, taunting Maxwell. “You're going to have to ask nicely."

Maxwell's eyes flared up in fury.

“You've become a one-dimensional character, Maxwell," continued the Wulfun. “Consumed by a singular obsession. A pale flame that burns with one color. Exactly like what your dad wanted."

Maxwell's eyes flared up in anger. “You take that back!"

The time was quickly approaching. Wood tensed his muscles and pressed his injured wings against his back, simultaneously readying himself to pounce while also keeping himself as small as possible.

“You've spent so long living in your dad's shadow that you've become his shadow," JD accused. “And you see everything under the lens of that context. But the rest of us…?" The Red Lightning let out a soft laugh. “We've got better things to do with our time than making people who will never be proud of us happy. But most of all…" JD's glanced at the Godslayers one by one before his eyes finally settled on Kane who gave him an acknowledging nod. “I'm not scared of living in the shadows. Because I'm not alone."

Almost time. Wood bared his fangs, acid building up in his throat.

Maxwell spat. “Useless sentiment lifted straight out of morning cartoons. You have no idea what the real world is like! You're still a child blinded by your ideals! You have no idea what it's like living under-appreciated for so long! You will break!"

For a second, there was a dark expression on JD's features. The shadow across his form seemed to consume the entire coliseum and a strange weight feel upon everyone in the vast chamber. “If that's what you think…" JD raised his paw towards Maxwell, beckoning him to approach. “… prove it."

Almost…

“Gladly!" roared the Firefighter. The Association traitor roared, two extra pair of fiery wings sprouting from his back. He launched forward at lightning speed, a trail of fire burning the ground behind him.

… almost…!

JD flicked his left ear.

Now!

Wood launched off the ground, lunging at his friend. Just as Maxwell was about to collide with JD, the Red Lightning vanished in a blast of crimson lightning, instantly appearing behind Maxwell. The Firefighter instinctively turned around, fully expecting the attack and he reached out, aiming to block JD's swinging swords. Only… the Wulfun didn't swipe at him with Validation. Instead, all JD did was point two fingers at him like he was firing a gun.

That was when Wood, having launched himself at Maxwell's now turned back, sank his fangs right into the Firefighter's neck and immediately unleashed the gathering Draconis acid that had he had been building. Maxwell's eyes widened in terror as his vocal chords, windpipe and neck was burned away by the powerful corrosive.

“See?" JD said with a calm smile. “Together."

The fiery light in Maxwell's eyes suddenly flared up. Heat built within his chest but Wood held on. The Firefighter let out a scream…

… and everything became engulfed in a torrent of fire.

For the Fire God

Ash and the smell of charcoal flooded into JD's nostrils. An intense, oppressive heat blasted at him from all directions causing the flesh under his fur to prickle to the point of discomfort but never enough to actually hurt. As he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of lava burning beneath a cracked, blackened surface peeking between small fissures mere inches from his face.

Mustering his strength, JD found Validation just inches from his fingertips. He grabbed it and then jammed the tip into the ashen ground, using it to prop himself up to his feet. The scene around him was familiar. It was that scene where he and the others had first witnessed the apocalyptic prophecy that foretold the return of the God of Fire. Charred, blackened ground broken only by veins of searing, red lava. Distant volcanoes that spewed acrid ash into the air and shrouded the entire sky in its blackened miasma. All save for a single perfectly circular gap right above them where a dying planet, engulfed in flame and seething with magma, gazed down upon him like a dead, celestial eye.

The only difference here was the presence of a large, crimson throne that had to be as big as the Sun Spire. The chair was set ablaze, constantly setting off heat while simultaneously looking like it was made out of solid flames. Perched on it was the might visage of the God of Fire, Adramalech.

It was the first time JD had lain eyes upon the celestial outside of religious and historical depictions. None of them did this mighty god any justice. Adramalech dwarfed him. Even one of the talons on his clawed, scaly feet was three times taller than the Red Lightning. The vaguely avian creature was heavily muscled, clearly masculine and covered in rust, red feathers with brighter yellow and orange plumes around his calves and wrists. Four, enormous, muscled arms sprang from the deity with each one painfully pinned down by black, spiked chains and their palms nailed to the chair. Two pairs of bright, red, feathery wings sprang from his back and were likewise nailed to the chair behind him. Avian features that were much like an eagle's regarded JD with crimson eyes. A third, vertical eye was placed at the center of the god's forehead.

No words were spoken. The God just sat there, judging him.

“I see it now."

JD's ears perked and he glanced over his shoulder. Maxwell hobbled over, clutching the side of his neck with one hand. White flames were emanating from the Firefighter's fingers, cauterizing and healing the wound Wood had inflicted.

“Maximillian Magmillion was a terrible father," continued the former Association member. “He groomed me to become his only source of income. He has done nothing but live off my success for decades. Everywhere I turned, there was his shadow, looming over me. Reminding me that I will always be his son. That I will always be the fruit from his rotting loins!"

Maxwell gripped his face with his hand, forming claws with his fingers and peeking between his fingers, almost mirroring Kane's earlier motion. “You accused me of seeing everyone else's toil as my own. But I only see the truth. We are constantly treading in the steps of our forefathers, of those greater than us. Our purpose becomes nothing more than outdoing those that have come before us. Then, when we pass, our deeds will be the shadow that others will overcome. But now I see…"

JD let out a heavy sigh, his heart going out to the man in front of him. “What do you mean?"

“I see you for who you are!" he bellowed. “I see right through you!" He threw a hand over his shoulder, gesturing at something in the distance. There was no one else in the Burning Throne apart from them. JD had to wonder why they had been pulled into this pocket dimension. Though the presence of the Fire God behind him gave him a hint.

“You," Maxwell conceded. “You somehow, instead of striding in someone else's shadow, you have veered off course! Instead of going straight, you've walked perpendicular to everyone else and you're bringing everyone else with you!"

For a moment, JD wondered if Maxwell had somehow identified him as a Singularity. The madness in the Firefighter's eyes said otherwise, however. Though the conclusion was close, Maxwell hadn't found the explanation behind it all.

“You are the one that knew both of Kane's deception and Aria Valkyrie's attempts to rein him in," ranted Maxwell. “You were the one that protected Kane's group from the Ash Prince and put yourself at risk. It was you who defeated the Blind Sisters and that corrupt Inquisitor. And it is you who lifted the others up as I broke them down with your words."

He lifted a finger, accusing JD directly. “If it weren't for you, they would have realized they are trapped by the puppet strings that hold them!" A dark grin crossed his features as he pulled his hand away from his face, fire erupting from his forearms. “They would constantly be reminded that they will never be better! That they will always be slaves to an uncaring universe! That they are not worth bathing in your light!"

JD inclined his head to the side, canting a ear. “Are you… jealous?"

For a second, Maxwell's eyes widened… then he let out a bitter laugh. “No. I'm not jealous. I merely recognize you for what you are."

“And that is…?"

“Yet another trailblazer who will ultimately cast an overwhelming shadow that will plunge the rest of us into the darkness of a purpose that will never be achieved." He lifted his fists, taking on a fighting stance. “You claim to enjoy languishing in the darkness because you are not alone. But what you fail to realize is that you are not one of us. You are the one casting the shadow and you are pulling all those poor souls with you, forcing them to suffer through your achievements and dragging them into your shadow!" Maxwell pulled one leg behind him, his foot scraping across the ash-covered ground. One fist was raised in front of the other in what JD recognized as the typical ready position for the practitioners of the Ars Igenea Pugnio."

“I will free them… by killing you!"

Jets of flame burst out from behind Maxwell's shoulders, forming two, bright, thin, flame-like plumes shaped like wings. Those digits flapped and launched the Firefighter straight at JD. The Red Lightning's body crackled with crimson electricity and he immediately activated Shukuchi, vanishing and reappearing right behind Maxwell. He swung his etherium blades only for Maxwell's hand to lash out backwards and catch his wrists. The flames wreathing the man's fingers scorched JD's fur, causing the young pup to gasp and pull away.

Under the eyes of the Fire God, JD was unsure if he should slip back into the Machine but he tried it out nevertheless. Once again, he found himself standing in the golden realm of the God of Time, cogs and gears turning all around him.

“Huh…" he commented, once again unharmed. “Didn't think that would work." He felt the presence of the God of Time perched on the gold throne not too far away.

“All worlds are connected by the Machine," replied Haamiah. “Even Adramalech's pocket dimension is at the mercy of Time."

JD glanced into the cogs. “Good to know."

“Just be warned, unlike the rest of the world, the Gods knows about the Machine and while time flows everywhere else but here, few can truly observe it than those who exist on all time lines."

Those last few words turned JD's head towards the featureless God of Time. “So you're saying the God of Fire knows when I step out of Time and into the Machine."

“More."

Glancing back into the cogs representing the timelines, he could swear he felt the enormous avian god's eyes burning into his own. Judging him. Accusing him. A realization dawned on him a second later.

“He's been there in the other timelines, hasn't he?" he asked. “All the other ones. That ones where he ended up getting what he wanted… and the ones where things didn't turn out as well as it should have."

“Yes."

JD let out a soft snort, a smile curling up across his lips. “No pressure."

With those words, he stepped back into the Burning Throne. Once again, Maxwell was charging at him. Red lightning crackled all over his body and again, he activated Shukuchi and reappeared behind Maxwell. Again, he swung and again, Maxwell grabbed his wrist, burning his flesh. This time, though, he pulled his head back and -

WHAM!

… slammed his forehead against Maxwell's skull. The Firefighter staggered in shock, releasing his wrist. That moment of distraction was what JD needed and he unleashed a few quick slashes before retreating backwards, his bare paws scraping against the ground. Maxwell staggered forward, blood dripping from across his back.

A bitter laugh escaped the Firefighters lips. “Is this how it was when you obliterated the Ash Prince? Mowed right through him with the ease and confidence who knows that he will always get his way? How can someone like him… like me… ever hope to defeat someone like you?" The bald and seething warrior turned around, straightening up with a scowl on his face. “The protagonist of this story while the rest of us are merely side characters in this grand mockery of a world."

JD cocked his head to the side buy refused to say anything.

Maxwell stood opposite to him for a long moment and when it became clear he was not going to react, he pulled a fist back. “Ignis Spheris Pugnio!" The Firefighter thrust his fists forward one after the other like a machine gun. Perfectly spherical orbs of flame launched from his knuckles, shooting forwards at lightning speed.

JD dodged them as best as he could but after the first three hits, he caught one straight to the chest and it immediately exploded. The pain was brief but then he was once again in the Machine.

“Do you think you're proving his point?" accused Haamiah. “This safety net of yours tends to make you appear infallible to others."

Rubbing his chest despite knowing full well that his injuries were gone, JD came to a realization. His eyes drifted back to the God of Time, wondering internally if Haamiah was - for once - offering him advice. “You're exactly right," he mused.

Then he was back in the Machine and dodging those fireballs again. This time, he managed to dodge seven of the balls before he was once again struck and sent flying back into the Machine. He took a breath, recalled the movements and frequency of the fireballs before plunging back into the battle.

On the tenth fireball to dodge, he activated Shukuchi, appearing behind Maxwell. He immediately ducked, fully anticipating the Firefighter to lash out backwards and his prediction was correct. As he hit the ground, he swung his swords, slicing through Maxwell's calves. The Firefighter sucked air between clenched teeth and jumped back. White flames wrapped around his injuries, immediately healing them.

“Why do you even lower yourself to the level of others?" spat Maxwell. “Is it out of pity? Do you think they need your charity? Does it make you feel good to be slumming it amongst the plebeians?"

Maxwell slammed his fist into the ground. Blazing red runes danced across the charred ground, forming a wide circle around JD. Again, without speaking, the Red Lightning just watched as the runes began to glow and activate. A pillar of flame erupted from the ground, consuming the entire area of the circle.

Once again in the Machine, JD narrowed his gaze, looking for an escape.

“His words don't really affect you?" Haamiah asked. “You cannot claim to be chosen but the circumstances of your creation do lend credence to his accusation of being a… sort of chosen one."

He glanced towards the God of Time, offering a sad little smile. “Yeah. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"

Then he stepped back into the Burning Throne just as Maxwell was punching the ground. This time, JD crashed towards the edges of the circle, channeling his raw energies into his etherium blades. As he reached where the runes were forming, he swung at them. The white blade sliced through the magic, severing them from Maxwell's control and immediately disrupting their flow. They failed to fully form and that caused the magic to become unstable. Burst of liquid flame shot up from the runes, lashing out uncontrollably like fiery tentacles desperate for anything to grasp onto.

One such tendril slapped JD across the chest and he immediately went back to the Machine to correct the mistake. In the next attempt, he dodged the tendril only to be struck to the side a second later. Another redo and this time, he dashed out of range of the flailing, wild magic. The moment he stopped, however, Maxwell was right behind him, seizing him in a choke-hold with the fiery forearms burning his throat.

“See how you like your own tricks played against you!" sneered the Firefighter into his ear.

Back into the Machine for another retry. Haamiah was silent as he once again dodged through the two tendrils and came to a stop. Maxwell was behind him, lunging at him… but he quickly plunged Validation backwards_,_ digging both of his swords right into the Firefighter's gut. He pulled away and just as Maxwell tried to lunge at him. With the magic-severing effects of his blades still active, he swung his swords at the Firefighter's forearms. The swords passed right through flesh and bone without any physical effect but the immediately extinguished the flames that had been wreathing the warrior's limbs.

“Don't you look down on me!" scowled Maxwell. “How dare you stand there unscathed!?" He staggered back, hot tears running down his face. “Is this how it will be? Now that we're outside of prying eyes, you can be your true self? The arrogant, clearly superior asshole who entertains himself with those weaker than himself because it gives him a handicap that keeps things exciting?" He spat, his spittle evaporating before it even hit the ground. “You say that you're stronger because you stand with others. But I see you for what you truly are. You are clearly superior to the rest of them. You just keep them around because it gives you something to do! It challenges you to fight alongside them and protect them! You could have defeated everyone and me with ease but you still put them ahead of yourself just because it-"

“Gives me purpose?" JD finished, finally breaking his silence.

Maxwell's eyes widened for a second.

“You're wrong," said the short, crimson Wulfun. “I'm not strong as you make me out to me. I only appear that way through hard work." He glanced off to the side. “I can't tell you how many times I've tried and failed. It may seem effortless to you and I don't expect you to understand." He shifted his gaze back to Maxwell. “But I think I understand you a little better."

“You? Understand me?" the Firefighter scoffed as white flames once again encased him, healing his wounds. JD hadn't disabled his entire magical network, after all. Just the ones in his arms. “How can someone who has the liberty of walking the path he wants ever understand someone like me?"

JD let out a little chuckle. “No, you're got it wrong. I don't understand your motives. Honestly, this limited narcissistic world view of your is kind of confusing and cyclical. But what I do understand is this farce." He waved his paw around himself before leveling an accusing finger at Maxwell. “You need people to realize they've lost, don't you? You need them to look you in the eye and admit defeat. You need to see them hopeless, broken and completely crushed. You need validation that you're right."

That little flicker of agitation, a slight admission of defeat, was all JD needed to confirm his suspicions.

“I'm right, aren't I?" he continued. “It's why instead of trying to break out on your own, you went to the one organization your father told you not to go to. It's why you went straight to the Association instead of going back to your dad with FireFeather. Why, after turning their businesses into a profit, you 'gave up' and faked your death or why we went through this entire song and dance of you pretending to be captured before finally killing Sapphine and his cronies. You needed to see them on their knees, defeated."

He glanced off to the side, letting out a soft chuckle. “And it's why you felt empty when you did kill them. Sapphine's death wasn't satisfying to you because you didn't see them crushed" His eyes darted back to the Magmillion heir. “Or maybe it's because you realized you weren't the one to deliver the soul-crushing blow and that's why you were left unsatisfied."

It was Maxwell's turn to give him the silent treatment but unlike his silence, this was an affirmation of his accusations.

“And this… this farce," he claimed, waving his paws around him. “It's all to crush me, isn't it?" He scanned the horizon. “I'm willing to bet that my friends and family are somehow watching, right? You were going to make yourself out to be the hero. I'm the bad guy. The 'shadow' that's been pulling at people's heartstrings. I'd have you on the back foot for the majority of the battle and then you'll somehow muster all your strength or reveal they had been watching me the entire time to crush my spirit because I've been acting like the villain, right? What was the plan, Maxwell? Were you going to release them one by one and then unleash some sort of super-powerful, team-based finisher on me?"

For the briefest of moments, Maxwell's eyes darted to the right.

JD turned in that direction and began striding forward.

“Wait!" barked Maxwell but JD ignored him.

“I don't understand why you're doing this," the Wulfun continued. “The parental abuse, the trauma of constant expectation and the injustice of watching people taken advantage of, that I can understand. But this self-destructive compulsion to extend the conflict just to get to a satisfying ending for you…" He stopped when he felt a particularly intense heat come radiating from his left. Slightly off from his target. “Constantly searching for a purpose in order to get the praise or admission of defeat from a man who will never give it and toying with people to get to that end." He shook his head as he lifted Validation. “You're not what your father wanted you to become…"

“Don't say it!" Maxwell screamed.

“… you're exactly like your father."

He swung his sword through the air and felt something hard crash against the lithe blade. The air rippled to his left before shattering like glass. The big, black-furred form of Kane Fenn came stumbling out of some sort of cocoon made of magma and filled with a translucent, glowing, red liquid. Kane caught himself on his paws and knees, coughing up that fluid.

“Fuuuuuuuck!" blurted the brawny bear.

JD offered his paw and his cousin gladly took it. “Are you alright?"

“Took you long enough," Kane grumbled through a grin. “Thought you were going to hog all the glory for yourself and skewer his ass."

The both turned towards a horrified Maxwell.

“I was never tempted," JD admitted. “There was something… off about all this. Like why, for instance, in all of this, he did not draw FireFeather."

Maxwell's eyes widened in realization and he glanced at his own hands in horror. “You… You knew?"

“From the moment you said you wanted to kill me," he admitted. “You didn't hesitate to use the blade against La'Dulton and yet in the fight against us and even now, here in the Burning Throne, you wouldn't draw it? After Wood basically burned away your neck with his acid?" JD shook his head clapping Kane's back. “No. Something was off. I couldn't put my finger on it until you started accusing me of sticking with those I care about because it 'challenges' me." He tapped his temples. “I remembered your penchant for seeing everything through your own lens. You were projecting on me. That made me realize you were trying to spin my so-called perfection as a way to lift me up and then crush me with an epic fall. That it was you who was giving yourself a handicap just so that I would look way better, unbeatable."

“What better way to separate the guy that brings us together than making it look like he doesn't need us, huh?" Kane grunted, grinning down at his smaller cousin. “Hate to say it, Maxwell, but JD doesn't have everything. He's still a dwarf compared to other Wulfuns."

The Red Lightning grinned and jabbed his cousin's rib with his elbow. “Hey…"

Kane took the playful jab with a smile and reached down to pick up where Going Postal had fallen. “He did make me realize, though, what I could've been if I let just kept going the way I am." He lifted his mailbox-shaped hammer towards the Firefighter. “One of these days, I'm going to be sit at the top of it all and feel empty because everything I ever did wasn't for me. It was just to make sure I'm not where everyone else has been. I'll realize that and then start fighting to keep a conflict going just so I can feel something. I'd be empty. Just like you."

“That's not true!" roared Maxwell, his eyes once again blazing with an ethereal fire. Crimson flames burst from his back, forming a second and third pair of blazing wings. “You say I'm holding back? Fine!" Scarlet flames coalesced around his right hand, forming the wing-shaped blade of FireFeather. “Then suffer my full might!"

JD readied Validation.

Kane lifted a paw, holding him back. “I'll keep him back. You find the others and free them."

“You sure?"

His cousin nodded. “Yeah." Kane winked at him. “What was it you said? Release them one-by-one and then come at him with a super-powerful team-based finished?"

The wolf grinned and turned, pressing his back against Kane's.

“Let's end this."

The Fighter of Fire

Flames crashed against one another, a storm of fire and explosions ripping through the charred expanse of the Burning Throne. Kane weathered the scorching heat of FireFeather and the equally fiery Maxwell Magmillion. Going Postal was his only only weapon as he couldn't rely on Spicy Meatball given how Maxwell could take control of any Pyromancy that was thrown his way. Thankfully, Postal's explosive evelopes was a result of basic chemical reactions and not magic. He figured out that the extent of Maxwell's command over fire was on anything that invoked the Illuminus Weizar. Anything outside of traditional magic, was free game. If it was anything otherwise, then the entire scorched landscape around them would have been a death sentence.

He pushed back against the Firefighter, using his superior strength to knock Maxwell and his six, fiery wings backwards to give himself some space. Every breath was like inhaling charcoal but he fought through it. Quietly, he muttered some spells under his breath, invoking some Cryomancy. Though he wasn't an expert in the art, he knew enough to generate what should have been a case of icy armor around him. The oppressive heat of his surroundings and the aura of flame Maxwell gave off melted it instantaneously leaving him with an admittedly cool layer of water soaking into his clothes and fur.

“I hate you all," scowled Maxwell. He made a slicing motion through the air with his arcane sword. An enormous, fiery wing burst from the blackened ground and charged straight at Kane, a flaming shark's fin knifing through the charred remains of the desolate world. Kane hurled himself to the right while shoving his paw into the open maw of Going Postal. As he came up to his feet, he flung a wad of explosive letters he had retrieved from the mailbox head of the hammer straight at Maxwell.

Boom!

Maxwell rocketed into the air, carried by his wings and barely showing signs of damage as the divine white flames he cast healed any injuries.

“Fuck…" Kane rumbled to himself. The Firefighter was fully capable of recovering. Either he dealt enough damage to out-pace Maxwell's healing or he defeated the arena champion quickly. Relying on Going Postal's explosive letters was not going to win him the day.

Maxwell stopped his ascent, spreading his wide, fiery wings; a crimson star floating in the air. “You're all idealistic, naive idiots who can't appreciate people trying to save you! So what if he's your cousin? So what if he's your friend? You of all people should be able to recognize the shadow he's cast over you! Why do you enable him!?"

As he spoke, Maxwell abruptly dove straight at Kane. His entire body became encased in roiling flames, forming the shape of a descending bird.

Kane rolled his eyes. “Will you please shut the fuck up!"

The bear slammed his hammer into the ground, magic coursing through his veins. The earth heaved, launching upwards and forming a thick, stone wall in front of him. Maxwell didn't stop his descent and crashed right through the wall, shattering it into a thousand fiery pieces and landing on the scorched earth beneath.

To his surprise, the Firefighter found nothing waiting for him and he spun to make sure he didn't miss the escaping Ursus. The only thing he saw was JD scrambling across the charred planes looking for the other invisible prisons where the rest of the Godslayers were kept. In his moment of distraction, he never noticed the soft earth that he was standing upon. Kane's paw launched from the ground right beneath Maxwell, seized his ankle and pulled him to the ground. Maxwell crashed into the ash just as Kane launched up into the air, bringing Going Postal down with his free paw.

WHAM!

The hammer crashed into Maxwell's left leg, utterly shattering it. The Firefighter screamed in agony before flinging his free hand in Kane's direction. A blast of flame struck Kane, hurling him back and burning the fur off the left side of his body. Kane hissed through the pain.

“Wanna know something you missed?" the bear spat, casting a healing spell over his burned body. At the same time, Maxwell was doing the same. It was a race to recover and though the Firefighter's injuries were far more severe, his healing magic was much more powerful. “I want to fuck my cousin."

That caused Maxwell to lose a moment of concentration. JD, who was a good distance away, still heard the claim and stumbled in shock.

“Nothing wrong with it, though," Kane said through a half-grin, half-grimace. “We're not related by blood. JD is a test-tube baby, remember? Basically a clone of his dad. Alex Clarke never fucked some broad. That ten-percent that was added to JD's genes to randomize him? Completely random. No donor. They just scrambled his DNA. I checked. He and I aren't related at all so it's perfectly fine for us to fool around."

“Why are you telling me this!?" barked Maxwell.

Kane grunted as he got back to his feet. “Mostly because it distracted you. Little bit to prove a point." He hefted Going Postal over his shoulder. “I stick around my cousin and all these losers not because we're all being dragged around by his shadow or leadership or whatever bullshit ideal you're serving."

He roared and charged forward, swinging his hammer into the air. Maxwell barely finished his healing spell before managing to leap into the air…

… but it was too late. Kane had caught up and as the Firefighter had turned around and launched himself into the air, Going Postal fell upon his back - held with both paws this time - and sent him crashing back to the ground.

“I stick with them because I choose to. And if they drag me around into their problems, it's because I like these losers! Even the overly religious and preachy ones."

He slammed Postal against Maxwell's back, pressing down and keeping the Firefighter pinned. Then, with his free paw, reached down and grabbed one of the fiery wings, giving it a powerful tug. Maxwell screamed and he was a little surprised that there was blood and bone exploding from the base of the appendage as he tore it clear off the champion's back.

“Get off me!"

That oppressive heat returned signaling Kane to leave. He launched himself backwards, scrambling away as Maxwell's entire body went up in a pillar of fire. There was enough distance between them that he wasn't burned by the explosion but still felt the fire prickling at his fur and flesh.

As the flames subsided, Maxwell was revealed, eyes filled with fury and that same ethereal fire.

“So be it," huffed the deluded, bald, scarred warrior. “I'm done saving those who choose to wallow in the shadows of the corrupt. I was right to decide to purge everyone complicit in the crime!" He lifted FireFeather towards Kane. The curved blade was encased in fire, growing in length until it was about twice as long - longer than Maxwell was tall. “Now be gone!"

Maxwell, armed with five wings and his extended sword, charged at Kane. About ten feet away, he vanished in a burst of red feathers that blew right into the bear's face, obscuring his vision and searing his fur. Kane staggered only to hear a rush of air from his left, making him turn. Maxwell had reappeared just eight feet away. He was ready though and he swung Going Postal in the Firefighter's direction. Only to have another burst of red feathers blast him in the face and another rush of air erupt from behind him.

Searing pain erupted from his back, forcing him to his knees. Maxwell vanished in another flurry of red feathers and reappeared a good distance away in front of him.

“Your cousin was right," boomed the warrior ominously. “I was holding back." Maxwell strode forward slowly. Kane muttered a healing chant, the pain across his back soothing slowly. “Now that you have shown you are beyond help, I see no reason why I should restrain myself."

That oppressive heat returned and Kane propped himself up on Going Postal. Maxwell charged, once again vanishing in a burst of crimson plumes. That rush of air appeared from behind him and Kane spun only for Maxwell to vanished. This time, he didn't swing and turned towards the next gust. He expected Maxwell to strike but he only got a blast of feathers to the face again.

Then there was more pain, this time across his calves.

Kane fell to his knees, red feathers descending around him.

“Let your death be the final toll for you and your 'Iconoclasts'."

Maxwell charged again, this time, Kane's low-level healing spell couldn't get him to his feet quick enough. The Firefighter didn't need to dart around him and charged head on, appearing above Kane with FireFeather raised -

… Gunfire rattled off.

Maxwell took the hail of bullets straight to his side, his eyes going wide as he was knocked to the side. The air shimmered beside the Firefighter and the illusion Alexander Clarke had cast around himself dropped.

“Get the fuck off my nephew!" roared the Wulfun, emptying the magazines of Four Pack right into Maxwell's torso. When the two were emptied, he holstered them both, grabbed the other two guns of the foursome and combined them into a double-barreled shotgun. Maxwell's eyes widened and he lifted his free hand as if to stop Alex but -

BAM!

… instead took the full blast of the shotgun at point-blank range. Maxwell's entire hand was blown clear off.

Alex grabbed Kane and hoisted him to his feet, hurriedly dragging him away. He produced one of Hunter's healing canisters and helped Kane down in.

“Thanks Uncle Lex," Kane coughed. “That asshole is fast."

“You always were more of a heavy hitter and speed wasn't your strength," laughed Alex. “Sorry I couldn't act faster. Like you said, he's fast and I couldn't get a bead on him. Best I could do was get in close and wait."

Kane grinned at his uncle and the man who had taken him in when his own father had abandoned him. “Always knew you had my back."

A roar of frustration erupted from behind them. Even after taking so many bullets and having his hand blown clear off, Maxwell was still alive. Another pillar of fire burst from his location. This time, Kane could see the man being lifted up into the air by the flames and his body reconstituting itself.

“I will…" breathed Maxwell, landing on his feet. “I will kill you all!"

Again, Maxwell vanished in a burst of red feathers. There was a rush of air from Kane's left and he grabbed his uncle, pulling him to the right. Just in time as Maxwell erupted into another pillar of fire, scorching everything around him. The searing heat prickled Kane's skin but he he was otherwise unharmed.

A figure dashed in front of them, his large, clawed arm scraping across the ground as he traced a circle right around Maxwell. Tanar, still dripping wet from the crimson, life-sustaining fluids he had been contained in, completed the circle, casting the spell that Rahl had once used on them. Liquid metal surged up from the edges of the circle, rising up and encasing Maxwell just as the pillar of fire ebbed. For a second, Maxwell was seen, confused and shocked as the orb of metal and wires lifted him up into the air.

“Go! Go!" Tanar shouted, pushing both Kane and Alex up to their feet and pushing them away from the impact side.

The sound of a sword slicing through steel followed. Maxwell ended the spell, cleaving right through the metal sphere with FireFeather.

“You will no escape my judgment!"

Blood suddenly exploded from the Firefighter's chest. The gold and black edge of Gungnir burst from his torso. The spear suddenly sprouted bright, ethereal wings and dragged a stunned Maxwell right into the ground where it continued to drag him through the rough earth…

… right into Rayne.

The Demon Prince let out a ferocious roar, slamming a fist right into Maxwell's face and peeling him away from Gungnir. A vicious purple aura surrounded Rayne as he demonic form took over, large, black, webbed wings spreading from his back. He unleashed a non-stop assault of punches that lifted Maxwell clear off the air before finishing with a crushing haymaker that sent the Firefighter hurtling through the air…

… into Wood's waiting axes.

The Fallen brought Cataclysm crashing down against Maxwell's back, severing two of his remaining five wings and coating the wound with flesh-eating acid. The green dragon unleashed a few more cuts with his axe before bringing out Vulcan and taking out the remaining three wings in a crushing cross-slash. When Maxwell hit the ground, Wood threw his head back and breathed a torrent of green, corrosive liquid right onto the Firefighter's back.

Maxwell's scream was blood curdling.

“Get out of there!" Kane warned.

Wood spread his wings in time and flapped them, sending him backwards as a pillar of fire engulfed Maxwell. Again, the Firefighter's silhouette was revealed as he was lifted off the air and his body repaired. This time, however, as the flames subsided, his fiery wings did not return. Instead, a full mantle of flames sat atop his head like he had a full head of hair. Similar flames erupted across his torso arms and shins. Most of his clothing was gone now save for some charred remains around his waist providing a modicum of modesty.

“I am within my domain!" roared Maxwell. “I am in my element! So long as I possess FireFeather and stand on these charred planes, I cannot be defeated!"

“Thanks for the info!"

The cry came from a surprising source as did the sudden lance of crimson energies that collided with the magical sword and seemed to pull it back behind the Firefighter. Skye hovered into view, his paws sizzling with magic. The tendrils of magic were connected to his fingertips and he gave them a tug, pulling at them. As he did so, the extended blade of FireFeather seemed flicker and shrink.

Maxwell pulled back at the sword. “How dare you!?"

“How dare we?" Hunter shouted, leaping into view. He swung his sword, cutting into Maxwell's chest and causing the flaming arena champion to stagger. “How dare you!" Hunter suddenly pulled a canister from his shield-slash-matter converter and threw it to the ground. A ballistic automated turret appeared a second later, causing Maxwell's eyes to widen in horror. At point blank range, the large-caliber bullets tore right through his chest and finally forced him to relinquish FireFeather.

“You used us all," Hunter scowled, kicking Maxwell to the ground. “All just to fuel your obsession. You're an inferno that'll consume everything on this world. That's why we have to put you down."

Skye caught FireFeather but the instant his paws touched it, the veins beneath his fur and flesh burned a bright orange. He dropped the weapon, his pawpads sizzling and forcing him to quickly cast a healing spell.

Maxwell let out another roar even with half his torso gone. Hunter dashed away, knowing full well what was coming next. Flames erupted upwards in a pillar of flame around the tormented Firefighter. The same flames started sizzling around a second source, however…

“Skye!" Kane cried.

The Tigris looked towards the fallen magical blade and watched it start to glow. Then his eyes lifted to lock with Kane's.

“No!" Wood roared.

Crimson lightning crackled behind Skye and JD instantly appeared behind the tiger, grabbing him by the waist and dragging him away just as the second pillar of flame materialized. Kane breathed a sigh of relief but immediately caught it as Maxwell was made whole once again, gripping FireFeather.

“I have spent too long with this blade to be separated from it!" roared the Firefighter. “I've sacrificed too much to fail now!"

Kane readied his hammer, his allies rallied around him.

“Then you can go right to hell," he growled.

Maxwell, screamed and charged. Kane rushed to meet him, flanked by Aria and Rayne while the others hung back…

Crimson lightning to crackled behind Maxwell. His eyes widened as an ethereal white blade exploded out from his stomach and another came slicing down across the arm holding FireFeather.

“Hush," soothed JD softly. “Your fight is over. Rest now."

The Red Lightning swung his swords, severing the magical network that held Maxwell's control over FireFeather with one blade while physically slicing off Maxwell's arm with the other. The Firefighter stumbled and JD quickly grabbed the severed arm.

“Kane! Catch!"

Kane jumped forward, dropping Going Postal and snatched the fiery blade out of the air. The moment his paws closed around the magic blade, pain erupted all throughout his body like every nerve was on fire. The veins from his fingers glowed orange, burning bright and creeping up his arms. He fell to his knees, grimacing against the pain. It took all his effort and concentration to hold strong against the agony that he couldn't cast a healing spell even as contact with the blade began charring the tips of his paws and singeing off his fur.

“Fuck!" he roared. “Fuck! Fuckfuckfuck!"

He was brought to tears. Nothing he had ever experienced came close to this level of agony. Worse, he could feel the judgmental eyes of the God of Fire burning into his skull. The burning veins crawled up his body, forcing him to lift his head to look at where Adramalech sat. He could feel those veins creeping up his face, shooting up his muzzle and crawling into his eyes. All he could see was red, searing pain…

… and a feeling of being unworthy.

Suddenly, Kane was forced down, the weight of all this power forcing him to prostrate himself in front of the God of Fire.

Through it all, he could hear Maxwell's laughter. “You see? No one else can hold the blade! I am his chosen! I am the Champion of Fire!"

His cousin's voice cut through all the agony and even Maxwell's mockery.

“We're not trying to make Kane the new champion. We're just making sure you aren't the champion anymore."

JD's paw fell over the one he was using the grip FireFeather. The pain lessened and, for that brief moment, he felt the immense strength of his cousin's sheer force of will link with his own. It was like the Red Lightning was pushing back all the pain and agony with the force of a hurricane, dousing a country-wide inferno with torrential, freezing rain and gale-force winds.

Another cooling sensation came from behind him. He heard Aria's chanting, her superior healing magic blessed by Divine Magic taking away much of the pain. Skye's strange form of magic touched him as well. Where Aria's was focused like a beam of heavenly light, Skye's was a gentle tingling. Far less forceful but no less effective. The came Tanar's healing spell; his came in waves, less consistent but in bursts and pumped him with strength. Kane suddenly found himself lifting his head.

“This… this is impossible…" breathed Maxwell who stood some distance away, clutching the stump that was his arm and watching the spectacle in front of him. “They… they can't be…?"

Alex pressed his paw against Kane's back, grunting as the red veins began coursing through his flesh but taking some of the burden off his nephew. “You can do this, Kane!"

Rayne did the same. “Don't let a god tell you what to do!"

Wood and Hunter did the same, shouting words of encouragement that finally game Kane the strength to lift his head and stare defiantly at Maxwell.

“No!" shouted the Firefighter. “This is impossible! How!?" He then turned to Adramalech. “You can't let this happen! I've done everything for you! You can't just toss me aside! I've done all of this for you!"

Kane grinned at his rival, finding the strength to rise to his feet as the glowing veins finally began to subside from him. “Still pining for someone else's approval," he accused. “See, that's the difference between you and me, Maxwell. Yeah, we both hate our dads. Yeah, we do whatever the fuck we want to make ourselves feel better. But the difference is that I don't need someone else's approval or approval from anyone else. Not anymore. He set me on this path but I'm the one walking it. I don't let him or what I think he would want from me drive my every step. And what's more…"

He turned to lift his gaze towards Adramalech… and lifted his free paw towards the God of Fire to give him a firm middle finger.

“… I'm not going to let anyone tell me what to do."

For a second, the God of Fire's eyes widened and for the first time in the entire encounter, Adramalech spoke… even smiled a little.

“It's over."

A sound like a thousand wind chimes going off in quick succession rippled through the air, overwhelming the roar of roiling lava and rumble of erupting volcanoes. The realm of the Burning Throne dissolved, peeling away into a flurry of dust and being absorbed back into the dark of the Helioclast Coliseum. The mighty Adramalech, God of Fire, vanished alongside the fiery realm leaving them in the grim cold of an empty arena with the bodies of the high ranking members of the Association around them.

Maxwell stared in shock, his mouth hanging open. The fires that wreathed him puttered out. As he fell to his knees, the ethereal flame that was burning in his eyes were similarly extinguished. He stared at the stump of his bleeding hand, watching the blood poor from it. Color drained from his face.

A humorless smile crawled onto his face as he turned back towards Kane. The faintest flicker of the same flames that had once burned in his eyes danced behind the bear's brown irises.

“My congratulations…" he wheezed weakly. “You've just inherited the shadow of a capricious and fickle god. I hope you don't come to rely on it as I did."

Maxwell Magmillion collapsed, falling face first into the sand.

Kane regarded the legendary sword in his paw. It was warm, welcoming. Promising great power and opportunity. With it, he knew he could do so much more. Become a true master of Pyromancy.

“What use is all that to me?" he scoffed. He turned the tip of the blade into the ground and slammed it into the sand. “I've got nothing to prove."

Alex patted his shoulder. “That's right, kiddo. Not to us at least."

“And we're the only ones that count," boasted Tanar, waggling his eyebrows at him. “But do me a favor… can you still pick up the magical blade that's the key to an apocalyptic prophecy? I don't think any of us can do that."

“No one else gave the middle finger to an actual deity," agreed Aria with a chuckle. “I see no one else worthy to wield it than you, Kane."

He snorted and grabbed the sword again. “Yeah but don't expect me to go around swinging it." His features darkened as he glanced from face to face. “I hope you all know what this means."

There was no joke or double-meaning in his words. Every syllable was dripping with serious gravity.

They now had FireFeather and they knew who was the cause of the Vermilion trade.

Now, they had a big target on their backs.

Passionate Flames

There was no way the Generals would have sat on the information about the Association's dealings for very long. There was nothing in the deal they made with the rest of the organization about shutting down Helioclast Coliseum though Alex knew very well that the entire arena - expensive as it was - was already a lost cause to the Association the moment it was set as the stage for the final confrontation with Sapphine. Military troops and investigators scoured the entire facility, searching for evidence that they knew would not be found unless it was purposefully planted. It was a futile effort and he was sure that whatever they found would likely implicate the members of the Association that had fallen from grace.

Still, someone needed to take the blame.

At the very least it was the people who were guilty even if they weren't guilty for everything.

Standing now in what remained of the VIP booth where Maxwell Magmillion had lured the Association members and then murdered them, he was left wondering what the arena would have actually looked like filled to the brim with spectators. Then he remembered the death that occurred within its walls and found his stomach turning.

The sound of heavily armored boots across the polished ground caused his keen ears to fold back. A moment later, General Zachariah was right beside him, regarding the scene in front of them.

“I heard it was a rather spectacular turn of events," the Sunburst Knight commented. “Intrigue, betrayal… even a brush with the divine. Many, not even the Generals, have experienced such a spectacular event. Then again, I think we're slowly coming to see how you and your group of 'Godslayers' seem to attract the spectacular."

“You're exaggerating," Alex rumbled.

“And you're being too modest." Zachariah turned to him. “Locating the Lost Incendian Fleet_._ Uncovering the Association's hidden blood sport arena. Retrieving the legendary Talon of the Fire God."

The Sunburst Knight regarded him with a sidelong glance.“Where did you end up putting that thing?"

Alex's tail swished at the mention of FireFeather. “As a General, I shouldn't be divulging its location to a civilian but…" Zachariah coughed. At that moment, everyone else in the booth turned and left, leaving the two Generals. “… I suppose I do owe it to the man who helped find it." After a moment, he said, “Top of the Sun Spire. The most secure place I can think of barring shipping it to Haven directly and putting it under heavy guard."

Zachariah chuckled softly. “You and I both know that's a lie. It's isn't there. I would have known." He sighed and tilted his head upwards. “Keep your secrets. The less I know about its location the better."

“The Talon is considered a holy relic of sorts here on Incendius," continued the Knight. “Many who are zealous devotees of the Church of the Tower would consider protecting it heretical but we've all seen how willing the Church can be to bend truth and facts to suit their agenda. Nevertheless, the sword is a cultural artifact and shipping it off-Station would be tantamount of sacrilege. I don't want to incite a conflict between Haven and Incendius."

Alex had to concede to that and keeping FireFeather somewhere within arm's reach was the smart choice. It acted not only as a deterrent but also as bait. They now knew that the Custodia Goetia were active on Incendius. Something as tantalizing as the Talon of the Fire God would surely attract their attention. There was also something nagging in the back of Alex's mind that told him this was the outcome that the Goetia wanted. He had faced off against them during the Fall and from what he knew about their tactics, they were not the kind of people to attack head on. They used others and fought using proxies. The fact that they had managed to corrupt the very meaning of Vermilion in the Illuminus Weizar spoke volumes of their tactics and ambitions.

“How is the new 'Champion of Fire', by the way?" Zachariah asked.

“Ambivalent to his supposed new role," responded Alex. “Kane doesn't like being told what to do. Doubly so about being told who he should be or what he is. Even if a god supposedly chose him, he will choose for himself if that role fits him. For now, it's back to school. He has shown an increased aptitude for Pyromancy, however."

“As to be expected. Just be careful that he doesn't fall into the same pitfalls as the dear departed Maxwell Magmillion." Zachariah turned away, his gaze befalling the arena. “Speaking of which, you might be interested to know that Maximillian Magmillion has passed."

Alex closed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh. “They act fast."

“I have no idea what you're talking about," responded the Sunburst Knight. “I have it on good authority that upon hearing of his son's death a week ago, Maximillian's heath rapidly degraded. There is such a thing as the 'will to live' after all. Say what you will about their relationship, but Maximillian appeared to have genuinely cared about his son and the moment he heard about Maxwell's death, his heart gave out and that will to live waned." The Knight inclined his head to the side. “At least that's how the media will interpret the events."

“I imagine after telling him of the news, the military and Generals didn't take pains to protect the old man."

“Protect him from what?" Zachariah responded innocently.

Alex just let out a single scoff, knowing full well that they had condemned Maximillian to death by the Association's hands the moment they left. With Maxwell dead, the only loose end to the entire debacle was the Magmillion patriarch who had already expressed his disgusts of the Association.

“Who is going to take care of the Magmillion assets?"

Zachariah let out a soft chuckle. “It might interest you to know that a particular weapons manufacturer from Haven has taken to overseeing the dwindling fortunes of the estate. One Gloria Bladebreaker."

Wood's mother. No doubt the Fallen dragon had reached out to his mother to inform her of the business opportunity that would quickly be coming their way. Whether or not Gloria was involved in the Association was a question for another day but if Wood trusted his mother with that information, he was sure he could trust her too. After all, the dragon really was only staying with the Clarkes to avoid the scandal of having a Fallen living with one of Haven's premiere weapons dealers.

Alex took a deep breath and let it own slowly. “What's the plan going forward?"

The Sunburst Knight glanced at him before turning back towards the arena that was being picked apart by their investigators. “For now, as with our deal with them, the Association gets to continue to operate as they see fit. We have no evidence against the rest of them… whoever 'them' is. We cannot exactly arrest an entire country club for some shady dealings a few of the members did outside of the club. They have, however, abandoned this coliseum and its infrastructure entirely."

“What will you do with it?"

“It's hard to wash off the blood that has been spilled within these walls particularly since we don't know how much blood has been spilled. That said, I'll be converting it into a headquarters of sorts for local law enforcement. The presence of this tram system that seems to go all over Corona is highly beneficial. There's enough room here as well to enable long-term housing and perhaps a shelter for evacuation should something big happen."

Alex glanced to his side at his colleague. “Is something big coming?"

General Zachariah was silent for a long, painful minute. “Yes. I know you feel it too. The Custodia Goetia are on the move and the fact that they manipulated the very definition of a word in the Illuminus Weizar is chilling."

“At least we now know the cause of the spontaneous combustion cases and know how to prevent it."

“Perhaps. The damage as been done though. Rooting out all the remaining Vermilion factories is going to be difficult but at least now we know what we're looking for." Zachariah let out a long sigh. “I've already informed the other Generals about what you've discovered and we will have a meeting about it in a few days. If the Goetia are active here once more, we need to tread very carefully."

“Are you going to say anything to the public?"

Zachariah gave him a wry smile. “You and I both know that's a terrible idea." His eyes drifted back to the empty bleachers. “The only time the Goetia truly came out into the offensive was the moment we outed them during the war, revealed that they were the ones pulling the strings of the Church and caused the schism amongst the most devout. The moment we tell the world that they're back is the moment they bring their full force to the bear."

“And they've had a decade or more to gather their forces," agreed Alex. “I'd hate to think how much power they've amassed since then."

“Or who is under their thrall."

Alex dusted his paws and turned around to leave. “Well, I'll leave you to it then. My boys deserve some normalcy after all this shit and from what I hear, Aria pulled some strings to get some Paladins to come to Corona. She said she wanted them to give speeches at Pinnacle but I suspect it's to add some extra security around FireFeather." He glanced over his shoulder at the Knight. “I suppose you signed off on this?"

“I did. Naturally, they'll be with their Marshall. A man by the name of Char Blythe."

“That's not ominous," chuckled Alex. “Then again, after the debacle that was the Fall and how many Paladins genuinely Fell and became their own warlords, someone called 'Char' babysitting the Paladins seemed appropriate."

“He acts as their moral compass and keeps them in line," agreed the Sunburst Knight. “You should meet him if you have doubts."

Alex waved a paw over his shoulder and started heading for the door. “Maybe later. I've got paperwork to fill out both as Alexander Clarke the father and chaperone of the team of students that helped topple the Vermilion trade ring in Corona but also as General Solomon, the Horizon King. I'll see you at the meeting in a few days."

He got up to the door before stopping.

“Oh, I nearly forgot." His eyes narrowed without turning to face Zachariah. “Under the Association's laws, now that I know who you are and had your champion killed, I should be able to kill you and take everything you own."

Zachariah didn't move or say anything for a good, long minute. “When did you figure it out?"

“When I spoke to Raifraize Phulton and she used some of her Blind Sisters to do a little bit of digging. You really should be careful about who you hire, General. They might just turn on you and go rogue… just like Maxwell."

Only then did both of them move.

Alex spun, leveling a gun right at his fellow General. At the same time, Zachariah had turned, drawing a long, curved blade and pointed it directly at Alex.

Their gazes were locked, unwavering.

“How much do you know?" asked the Sunburst Knight.

“I know that you were Maxwell's real sponsor. That story he spun about being both the sponsor and the champion didn't fly. He would've needed capital to throw into the pot when he entered those matches and all of his assets went back to his father the moment he disappeared on the Fleet. So the question remained: where was he getting all that money from? I did a little bit more digging and after I saw how you acted around Raifraize, I knew you had your toe in the Association. It didn't take long to get her to tell me everything she knew and to convince her to lend me a few of her resources to snoop around."

Zachariah lowered his sword. “Curious. I would have detected if anyone was spying on me."

Alex smirked and lowered his gun. “That's the thing. I wasn't spying on you. I was spying on the people around you. Aides. Assistants. Bodyguards. Everyone else but you. Individually, their stories and testimonies wouldn't have led to anything incriminating but when woven together? It's pretty damning." Alex narrowed his gaze. “You knew Maxwell had FireFeather, didn't you? Why didn't you tell anyone?"

The proud, red-haired knight lifted his chin. “Same reason you wanted to find it. To keep it out of the hands of those that would abuse it. But now it's out in the open and acting as bait. Nothing more we can do but wait and see what rats we catch."

With a huff, Alex holstered his gun and turned around to leave. “No. I guess not. Just watch your back, Zachariah. You know what they say about playing with fire."