The group woke up, looking around in confusion, everywhere around them they saw dark red sand, dark red rocks everywhere, no signs of life in any direction, the group from the Mech regrouped with everyone in the Crusader Dreadnaught. Inside things were strung around, like someone threw things around everywhere, some of the medics were bandaging officers.
"How is everyone doing?" Sora asked.
Nora looked up from talking with an officer.
"We are pulling through, a bit of a shake up." Nora said. "Jan is somewhere in here."
"I am the conductor of the poop train!" Jan yelled.
"We gave him more morphine, he is very out of it." Nora said.
Kaiza looked around the area then someone caught his eye, walking over to them.
"Desiree, what are you doing here?" Kaiza asked.
She jumped a bit, looking back at him, holding her arm.
"I overslept and missed my chance to leave before the fight started." Desiree said, laughing nervously.
Kaiza looked at her, then gazed down at her arm, kneeling down, biting a part of his shirt ripping a good amount off, then made a makeshift sling for her.
"You don't have to do that." Desiree said.
"Of course I do, I'm your father." Kaiza said.
"You are not my father!" Desiree said aloud.
"No I am not." Kaiza said, moving some hair from her forehead, kissing it. "But to me no matter what, you are special to me."
She looked down embarrassed, then hugged him, as Kaiza hugged her back.
"Any sign of Ryu and Malum?" Gishiki asked.
"Weren't they on the ground during the fight?" Hikari asked.
"I will pick up the mayo and become the litter." Jan said woozy.
"No need for that Jan." Ryu said, walking into the room with Malum.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Akumu asked.
"We are in the Dimension of Chaos, this is the home of the monster's that we, as in you, have been fighting." Malum explained. "The Lord of Madness is the powerhouse that rules these lands. He is Lord Tier Demon, none of you have fought anyone as strong as he is."
"It was obvious that Wrath was a Lord Tier." Gishiki said.
Malum shook his head.
"Wrath was only a High Tier, the rest were only Mid Tier, the monsters you have been fighting are in terms of a Low Tier, you will be going against generals of these demons." Malum said. "You all need to be wary of this place, the sands love to play with your eyes and not by getting in your eyes."
"But judging from Envy fusing with Wrath, his strength doubled to close to that of a Lord Tier." Ryu noted.
"How did the Sinful Seven come to get into the real world?" Kaiza asked.
"I do not know how they got there, as for myself I made a contract with Ryu's group, about twenty-five years ago and really haven't wanted to go back home." Malum said. "But most important is we need to get all of you ready to be able to survive in this land."
The scene moves over to a fortress like area
The room, was cut out from a wall, while it was like a rough bath house, in the middle of the room was a dark green lake, bubbles starting appearing from within the substance, until the large draconic body of Wrath bursts out of the substance coughing up the liquid and pulled himself out of the substance, the left side of his face was badly destroyed.
Wrath looked around the area, a goblin ran up to him, holding a cloak up to him, Wrath took the cloak putting it on, as the goblin led him out of the room, bringing Wrath to a throne room, upon looking at the being on the throne, Wrath's eyes went wide as he knelt down.
"It's good to see you again Master." Wrath said.
A few minutes of silence Wrath answered.
"Yes they were brought over through the portal."
A few more minutes of silence Wrath answered once again.
"He is indeed getting stronger, if he is allowed to grow any farther, he will be on par with myself."
After a few seconds, Wrath nodded, got up and left the area, Sloth walked over to the throne then knelt down.
"Yes Master, he is still strong enough to face them, we will still need him." Sloth said.
A minute passed as Sloth answered.
"Yes Master."
Sloth placed her right hand onto her chest as her hand glowed, she then moved her hand forward removing the Black Symbol from her chest, letting it fly out of the room. From the throne a Dark Red Symbol floated toward her, moving into her chest, her body started convulsing, she fell forward as her back split open, revealing a pair of hands, that gripped the sides of the open back pushing them open farther, out stepped a more demonic body of Acedia.
"Thank you Master for giving back my true body." Acedia said. "I will go meet up with the Lord of Chaos."
She bowed, then left the room, Wrath had watched what happened from behind a pile of rocks, his fists clenched furious on what transpired, storming out of the area.
Back with the main group
Jan was asleep in a recliner, the others were standing around a table.
"This is insane." Kaiza said.
"This kind of world is like that." Malum said.
"No, I mean why does Jan get to have a chair like that." Kaiza said.
"Is it really that important?" Sora asked.
"Yes it is." Kaiza said.
"You're hopeless." Sora said.
"Of course I am." Kaiza said.
"Enough, it's Jan's vehicle he can have whatever he wants in it." Ryu said. "What is really important is that Wrath is alive."
"What!" The Warriors, minus Jan all said.
"By the time Ryu and I crossed through the rest of the portal, Sloth had pulled him out of the dragon's stomach and was pulling him somewhere." Malum said.
"Why didn't you stop them?" Akumu asked.
"Why stop short on someone to hunt." Malum said.
"You had enough time to hunt him." Gishiki said.
"I don't have to worry about the cost of things I destroy here." Malum said.
"Enough, we have to figure out where to go in this land." Ryu said.
Ryu pulled up a scan of the area, there was only sand and rocks for miles, Sora was looking over the screen, until a light started blinding the corner of her eye.
"Kaiza, keep that light out of my face." Sora said.
"What light are you talking about?" Kaiza asked, confused.
"The light you have in your left hand." Sora said.
Kaiza looked down, seeing that the strange marking on the top of his hand was glowing a deep red.
"What is with this thing?" Kaiza asked.
Malum went over to look at his hand, he picked it up, looking it over.
"It looks to contain symbols from the Chaos Dimension, but I can't tell what any of it means." Malum said.
"Do you know of a place that may have information on the symbols?" Sora asked.
Malum looked at the symbols one last time, then let out a sigh.
"Yeah I do, but I really don't want to go there." Malum said.
"We better get there now, this is starting to burn, tell me you have something to calm it down?" Kaiza asked.
Malum ordered some bandages, a member of the medics brought some over, he wrapped it around Kaiza's hand.
"There you go." Malum said.
"You only wrapped my hand in a layer of bandages." Kaiza complained.
"I didn't say I knew a way to stop it, I'm a fighter not a healer." Malum said, then let out a deep sigh. "Now for the place that I know that could have information on those symbols, it's time to head home."
"Alright people, how much is this thing able to move?" Ryu asked.
"Most of the controls are busted, a good amount of us will have to stay behind to work on it, the Dragon came through the portal and went to sleep, so we removed it's senses and got the jeep back in order." Nora said.
"Alright I recommend that we split up, we don't all need to go to Malum's home and we need people to stay behind to keep everyone else safe." Ryu said.
"I need to go since I have the symbols." Kaiza said.
"We could just cut off your hand." Malum said.
"You're not cutting off my freaking hand." Kaiza said.
"You're no fun." Malum said.
"Both Kaiza and Malum are needed for this journey." Sora said.
"Well you should stay here, you know how to work computers more than I do." Kaiza said.
"Fine, who will be going then?" Sora said.
"I'll go with them." Akumu said.
"Alright, the rest can stay here." Ryu said.
"Jan is currently useless, both Gishiki and Sora are the other useful Warriors."
"I want to go with you too." Hikari spoke up.
"I want you to stay here and stay safe." Akumu said.
"I have sat in the back for so long I want to be of more help!" Hikari said aloud.
"More the merrier." Kaiza said. "Plus what is better, letting her stay here and end up worrying about her, or let her come, so you can protect her on your own."
Akumu looked at Kaiza, then looked at Hikari looking at the determination in her eyes, then let out a deep sigh.
"Fine you win." Akumu said.
"Yay!" Hikari said aloud.
"The five of us will stay here and figure things out and you four will go to Malum's home to figure out the symbols on Kaiza's hand." Ryu said.
"Stay safe Kaiza." Sora said.
"Hey it's me, what do you have to worry about?" Kaiza said.
"Ma … um Ak … umm, Hikari make sure they stay safe." Sora said.
"I will do the best that I can do." Hikari said.
"Alright people, we have some time for a break, before everything is ready, get ready for the journey." Ryu said.
Kaiza went to his room, laid down in his bed, before he closed his eyes, he saw a black symbol pass through a wall, going into his chest, as he passed out.
Once his eyes opened he was met with a familiar black void, until the scene changed to a familiar looking throne room, from the view of Sloth they knelt down in front of the throne, looking down at the ground.
"Master the plan is running smoothly for us to gain access to the human world, the child is a good catalyst for a gateway, once the seven of us pass through, we will no longer be able to communicate with you once we pass." Sloth said.
After a few minutes of silence Sloth answered.
"They don't know that I have my own plans for the human world, I will get in contact with whoever I can on the other side, I will cast out the name Acedia and adopt the name Sloth."
Sloth looked up toward the throne, seeing the dried husk of a man.
The scene faded, as a bright light lit up, then Kaiza woke up, from the window the scene outside was the same as it was when he fell asleep. He got up then headed for the mess hall, passing by some objects that had toppled over. Upon getting to the mess hall, he was met with the smell of something burning, he sat in a chair, laying his arms and head on the table, closing his eyes.
Once closed the same bright light was shining annoying Kaiza, he opened his eyes, leaning back in his chair, Jan rushed in knocking chairs over going to the burning pizza, Akumu and Hikari came in sitting together and talking to each other. Sora and Desiree walked in together and sat at the table with Kaiza, looking worried.
"Is there no way to talk you out of leaving?" Sora said.
"I'm sorry but I have to go and see what is with the symbols on my hand." Kaiza said.
"If you say, I will stay and keep Desiree safe." Sora said.
"Stop thinking I'm defenseless, I can take care of myself." Desiree said.
"Yes you can but it is always good to get help from others." Kaiza said, rubbing her head.
"Stop that!" Desiree said aloud, removing his hand.
Kaiza laughed, teasing her for a bit, as she tried to push him away. Both Ryu and Malum walked into the room.
"We are almost ready to leave, are you ready?" Malum said.
Kaiza got up, but Desiree grabbed his sleeve.
"Please don't go." She said.
"Now don't be selfish, the sooner we can learn about the symbols, the sooner I can get back and tease you some more." Kaiza said, rubbing her head, then left.
Desiree looked down sad, as Sora hugged her.
"He is only trying to make light of things, he is stressed as much as anyone." Sora said.
"He is quite the idiot." Desiree said.
"Yeah, but he is our idiot." Sora said.
Desiree nodded, then hugged her back.
Near the jeep Malum, Akumu, Hikari and Kaiza were getting ready to leave.
"Sloth is no longer a threat." Kaiza said.
"How can you be so sure?" Hikari asked.
"When I went to rest, her symbol flew into me." Kaiza said.
"So we only have Lust and Wrath to deal with." Akumu said.
Malum shook his head and spoke.
"Wrath noted that Lust is a traitor, we don't know her location."
"What was the memory you were given, any more about your past?" Hikari asked.
Kaiza shook his head and spoke.
"No, she was talking to someone called the Master."
"This may be of help, how strong did he look?" Akumu asked.
"He was a dried husk, no movement, but she still talked to it, like it spoke to her." Kaiza said. "Also Sloth may be gone, but it seems like she had a much stronger power beforehand, she went by the name Acedia."
"Do you know anything about the name Acedia, Malum?" Hikari asked.
"The name does sound familiar, but I can't put my tongue on it. I have been in the Human World for a couple of years, but for now we should worry about looking for the information on those symbols." Malum said.
They nodded, getting into the jeep as they drove out from the Dreadnaught Crusader, they proceeded through the dark red sands of the Chaos Dimension.
"This will be a long ride." Malum said.
The scene moved to an unknown location
Wrath was thrashing, breaking anything in his path.
"How could she sneak behind my back!" Wrath roared. "I am the one who she follows, not him!"
"Well aren't you a sight." Acedia said, walking into the room.
"What do you want!" Wrath roared. "You're a traitor!"
Acedia shrugged, walking around the room, sliding a hand along a wall, as Wrath glared at her.
"Why are you even here!" Wrath growled.
"I just wanted to let you know, your prey are up and about." Acedia said. "They have split, your favorite prey has left for a certain place through the storm."
"Why should I care what you say, I have no reason to do what you say!" Wrath roared.
Acedia shook her head.
"It's already too late, you're gonna do what I say if you like it or not." Acedia said.
"That's what you think!" Wrath roared.
He rushed at Acedia, a ball of red and white energy formed in his right hand, swinging his fist to hit her. Acedia raised her left hand, lazily slapped Wrath's arm away, as the energy vanished, she then gripped Wrath by the throat, slamming him into the ground.
"Now listen here, I don't like doing unnecessary things, you will listen to the Master and myself, you have been weakened, you now rank as a Mid-Tier, you should be happy that I don't kill you here and now." Acedia said, calmly. "Now shut up and play nice."
Acedia let go of his throat, then left the room, hearing more thrashing and roaring, as Acedia smiled to herself.
The scene shifted over to the jeep
"I spy with my little eye, something red." Kaiza said.
"For the last fucking time, everything is red!" Akumu yelled.
"You're no fun." Kaiza said. "I wonder if the radio works."
Kaiza went through channels.
"I highly doubt that will work." Malum said.
Kaiza found a station that actually played music.
"I stand corrected." Malum said.
"Akumu, you have four rings, so that means you have four forms." Hikari said.
"Yeah, what about it?" Akumu asked.
"You have only used three, have you not had time to use the fourth form?" Hikari asked.
Akumu sighed, pulling his shirt forward, pulling out a chain with the ring connected to it, he showed her the ring, revealing a large crack down the middle of it.
"As long as I can remember, the ring has been cracked." Akumu said.
"Have you tried to use it?" Hikari asked.
"I haven't tried, but I won't know what could happen, until I do." Akumu said.
"So I spy with my little eye ..." Kaiza was saying.
"For the last fucking time ..." Akumu was saying.
"Something charging right toward us." Kaiza said.
Everyone looked out the front window, seeing a large bull-like demon charging straight at them. Kaiza put Hell's Access II onto his waist, then put the Tectonic Contract Card into it. He then opened the top of the jeep, pulled himself out, then jumped off the top pushing toward the demon.
"Henshin!" Kaiza yelled, changing into Tectonic.
He landed on the ground, jamming his fists into the ground creating a wave of rocks, shooting out of the ground, the demon charged up the rocks passing over Kaiza, as he watched what happened. The jeep had stopped as the others had gotten out, the demon charged toward Malum.
"Master!" The demon roared.
"Oh god, not him." Malum said.
The demon plowed into Malum, knocking him off his feet, getting on top of him, licking his face. Kaiza walked over removing his form, watching what was happening.
"Stop, stop, I said STOP!" Malum said aloud.
The demon got off him, letting Malum get up.
"You ruined a perfectly good suit, we should have enough time to get back to the Dreadnaught Crusader." Malum said.
"I don't want to be stuck in a jeep with Kaiza any longer, then we already have been." Akumu said.
"Ugh fine, we will continue, you owe me a new suit." Malum said.
"I will most likely never have the money for your suit." Akumu replied.
"So who is the bull?" Hikari asked.
"This is my sla … ser … let's go with an unwanted pet." Malum said.
"Hello, I'm Boga." Boga said happily. "Master, are you going home let me take you."
"No I'm … " Before Malum could finish, Boga bit the back of his shirt and ran away.
"Get in the jeep and follow that bull!" Kaiza yelled.
The three of them got in and followed Boga.
Back at the Dreadnaught Crusader
Jan was looking over areas of the mostly destroyed vehicle, telling people where to go to work on the vehicle, Sora walked into the room looking around.
"Where is Gishiki?" Sora asked. "I haven't really seen him since we split up to rest."
"I believe he has locked himself up inside of his room." Jan said.
"Then we should go check up on him." Sora said.
"Leave him for now." Jan said. "He is very faithful to his religion, we are basically in Hell, so he must be going through a hard time."
"You are smarter than you let others believe." Sora said.
"Everyone in their own way is smart, but the freedom to do whatever you want is the best course of action, if one is not free, then the pressure of being smart gets to you more than anything else." Jan said.
Sora nodded then left, shortly after Nora entered the room.
"Heard you talking about being smart." Nora said.
"You didn't marry me for my smarts." Jan replied.
"No but I don't know why I did. You aren't that great of a husband." Nora said.
"You know there is no better guy than myself." Jan said.
"Well isn't someone full of themselves." Nora said, walking over to him, kissing his left cheek and left.
Moving over to Gishiki's Room
He was sitting on the floor of his room, there were many books open all around him, his hands were together and he was chanting. A small ball of light appeared in front of him, as Gishiki started talking.
"My Lord, what am I to do? All my beliefs have told me that Hell is a horrible place to be. My Lord tell me what I have done wrong?"
"You have done nothing wrong my child, be at ease with thy self and the true path will open up before you." The Ball said.
"I understand my Lord, but what if I chose the wrong choice?" Gishiki asked.
"Then grow the fuck up, a wrong choice is only a bump in your path, you are only human." The Ball said. "Now let me install the next step of your training."
The Ball floated into Gishiki's chest, as the room shone brightly.
Back to Kaiza and the others
Malum was dropped on the ground groaning, he was half drenched in slobber.
"Welcome to my home, Zivilisten." Malum said.
There were small shack-like places, made out of the red rocks, held up with decaying sticks, with flaps that looked like they belonged to some kind of animal. Farther along, the building became more grand looking, which had buildings that looked like they came from the Dark Ages.
"Sir Malum!" A Voice rang out.
Malum got up brushing himself off, as people ran over to him, they were covered in the same material of the flaps on the buildings, their skin colors varied from pale white to that of a tanned color.
"Welcome home Sir Malum, you have been gone for many years, you could have told us that you were coming home." A Woman said.
"It was kind of a sudden thing." Malum said.
"Let's bring you back to your home." A Man said.
"I have other business, I'm here for." Malum said, pointing to Kaiza. "He has symbols from this land, so I came to study them."
"You always know best." A Wise looking Woman spoke up.
"Hello Chieftess, you're looking beautiful as ever." Malum said.
"Enough flattery Malum, let's see those symbols." She said.
Malum looked toward Kaiza, as he started removing the bandages, showing the top of his hand.
"So now you see that we need your help." Malum said, looking and seeing the people bowing. "Um, what is going on?"
"Welcome home Child of Destiny." They all said.