Four Corners of Hell

As the fire burned within him Zacharias stumble threw the endless forests of the european north country hoping in vein to find relief. As his insides were seemingly being ripped asunder he found himself drawn forward. He continue, almost running, as he bound threw the brush and trees. Finally stopping, he fell to his knees, the worst pain was over.Now he felt an eerie calm, like he was in the eye of the storm. Suddenly and without warning he felt an incredible shooting pain coming from his shoulder blades. As though they had been ripped open. Soon he felt as though his back was expanding so much so he had to pull off his shirt.The agony did not seize as soon he felt the same shooting pains in forehead. This caused him to grab at his head and suddenly feel the source of his suffering. Two large horns had jetted out of his forehead, this lead to a terrifying realization, and he quickly looked over his shoulders. Where he saw two enormous bat like wings coming out of his back. His mind suddenly became clouded he was confused, scared, it was as though something was taking him over. As he struggled to make since of it all suddenly the confusion left him. As though he recaptured a lost memory. He stared down at his hands, and then looked all around. He knew now who he was. Why this had happened.

You see for years Zacharias had known he was not related to Lady Athena. He knew he was not a member of the wiccan tribe. He however did not know where he came from. He could never quite understand but he always felt as though he was inhibited trapped. For it seemed even though Purgatory lay dormant within him, he was atleast somewhat aware of himself. What had occured, Zacharias was not sure. But he was no longer just a man, now he was Purgatory once more. He took flight lifting himself into the air with his massive wings. Once he rose above the trees he looked out on the vast forrest, held in darkness by the night. In the far off distance he could see the bright red glow. The glow that had awoken him, and he set off towards it.

Meanwhile in the village of the wiccans, Ophelia returned home. She attempted to quietly reenter her room, but her stealth was compromised when she heard her mother's voice call out, "What kept you?" Ophelia froze veinly hoping she had not been found out. Athena called out again, " My child, I asked you a question?" Ophelia hung her head and turned to her mother saying, "I am sorry mother, it was not my intention to disobey. It's just Zacharias wanted to show me something and.."
"Where is Zacharias?" Athena asked interupting Ophelia mid-explanation. "Well that's just it, I don't know. We went down to the lake and he went for a swim, and then well then he started acting very strangely and he ran off into the woods." This disturbed Athena greatly, to the point Ophelia began to worry even more. She attempted to calm her mother by saying, "I'm sure Zacharias will be alright though, I'm certain this was just one of his jokes, and he's carried it out to far." This does not seem to comfort Athena as she sits down and places her hand over her face. "Mother what is wrong, do you know what happened to Zacharias?" Ophelia asked growing greatly concerned. Athena takes her hand from her face and says calmly, "No Child, I fear I do not. But we can only hope you are right, and that this is just one of Zacharias' jokes." This does little to quell Ophelia's concerns.

At the house of Trigo and Belladonna, where the last three remaining followers of Purgatory's religion chant around a glowing red bull skull there is a suddenly burst of light. After which the skull stops glowing and the group is forced to start lighting candles. "Do you think it worked?" Maurcio asks excitedly. "Well it glowed and then exploded, it's never done that before." Trigo says seeming somewhat disappointed. "How would we know if it worked?" Belladonna asks. Just then a loud slamming sound came from the roof. "What was that?!" Maurcio exclaimed terrified. "Could be Christians, they could have found us out." Trigo says as he quickly grabs a rifle from the gun stand. Trigo points the firearm up at the ceiling as they all listens to the strange sounds coming from up there. "It sounds like....foot steps." says Belladonna as they follow the sound all the way to the front door. Then for a moment there is silence, follower by a loud crashing sound right outside the front door. Trigo aims the rifle directly at the front door and shouts, "Whoever you are get the hell out of here!" When there is no answer Trigo shouts again, "I mean it goddamnit I'll shout!" With that the door suddenly swings open and a giant man with bat wings and bull horns on his head enters.

"Holy shit!" Maurcio exclaims, "We did It! We summoned the devil." Maurcio runs up to Purgatory like an excited child on Christmas. He begins to dance back and forth and asks, "Now are you going to grant us immortality?" Purgatory just stares at him for a moment before responding, "WHAT?! Why the hell would I grant you immortality?!" Dissapointed and dissallusioned Maurcio says, "Because we summoned you." Purgatory looks at Maurcio with complete contempt and disgust as he says, "I'm a god you idiot not a fucking genie, get the hell away from me." He shoves Maurcio aside and steps toward Trigo and Belladonna. "Now tell me who's in charge here, and if it's that idiot I swear to all the Kingdoms of Hell I'm killing everyone you." Trigo puts down his rifle and steps forward. "I'm in the head preist of this church." Purgatory looks around at the small dismal house which his three followers have been using as a church and says, "Please tell me there are others." "Well no, I'm afraid we are the last surviving sect." Trigo explains. Purgatory hangs his head and covers his face in shame. He begins to rant loudly to himself, "Fucking Kharagas you son of a bitch! I had a great faith once, rival of any nation, conquering of armies, we could have ruled this goddamn world, but no, now my perfect my religion is three idiots in a shack in the GODDAMN WOODS!!" In anger Purgatory begins to violent kick the first thing near him, which just happens to be a wood burning stove. Catching his foot, as well as various parts of the house on fire. This seems to let out some of Purgatory's inner angst as he begins to calm down while the rest look on in fear, and Maurcio veinly attempts to put out the fires. Purgatory announces, "Well fuck it, you fight the war with the army you have not the army you want. Listen up idiots, I'm headed back to go kill some witches and get my girl. You three go out and find any able body person you can convince, conjole, or threaten into joining you. We'll meet back in town in three days." Purgatory turns to leave but stops himself and turns back. "Oh and goes without saying but if you fail me I'll torture and kill everyone you." Purgatory says before turning around and exited the house. After he has left all three of the satanist are left to ponder what has just occured. They all exchange glances before all three let out simulataneous cheers. They celebrate with high fiving and hugs as they're overjoyed to be a part of Purgatory's army.

As day breaks Athena exits her home she looks up into the sky, fearful of what she might see. She hears a strange sound coming from the woods. The sound of foot steps. She cautiously takes up a staff and heads towards the woods. She inches closer and closer to the thick brush. Just as she is about to reach it, a rabbit jets out and runs off into the village. Athena sighs as she turns back and heads home. She opens the door and is shocked to see Zacharias sitting at the dinner table. Resting with his back against the wall and feet on the table. Athena moves cautiously inside and says, "Zacharias." Zacharias quickly brings his index finger to his lips to signify quiet. He then points to the bedroom where Ophelia is still asleep. He has a large sinister smile on his face that makes Athena very uneasy. Athena asks quietly, "Where were you last night Zacharias?" "Oh just meeting up with some old friends." Zacharias says still watching the bedroom door. "Ophelia said you didn't fell well, I trust you feel better now?" Athena asks, almost certain that her greatest fears have been realized. Zacharias turns to her and smirks. "Oh yes, I feel much better." Zacharias says, almost confirming her fears with his eyes. Suddenly Ophelia's voice comes from the other room, "Zacharias?!" She calls out. The bedroom door springs open and their stands Ophelia looking hopefully. Once she sees Zacharias sitting at the dinner table she quickly runs over and embraces him. "Oh Zacharias I'm so glad you're alright." She says hugging him tightly. "Never better, my dear Ophelia, never better." Zacharias says still staring mockingly at Athena. Ophelia pulls away from him and says, "So then it was just a joke, you were just tricking me again. How could you stay out all night just for a prank? I was so worried." "Ophelia" Athena calls out to her daughter, "Perhaps it would be best if you went out and fetched some water. Zacharias and I have to talk in private." Ophelia nods agreeingly, and then turns back to Zacharias and says, "I hope she takes the cane to you." Ophelia leaves the house, unaware of what has transpired and heads off towards the lake. Meanwhile Zacharias and Athena just stare at one another. Finally Athena asks, "How long are you going to keep up this farce Purgatory?" Zacharias laughs as he gets up from his chair. "Farce?" He asks mockingly, "What farce have I committed? If there is a farce here, it is yours my lady." "What do you want?" Athena asks sternly. "A great many things....well actually only three. I want my Kingdom, I want my Religion, and I want my woman." Purgatory responds as he advances towards Athena. "Ophelia is not yours." Athena says. "Oh but she is, she has given herself to me, both in action and in spirit." Purgatory responds cockily. "She gave herself to Zacharias, I doubt highly she would be as willing to accept you." Athena says glaring at him. "I am afraid dear mother, I know your daughter far better than you. She will take my hand, and she will reign with me in hell." Zarcharias says as he corners Athena. This last comment causes Athena to chuckle slightly, a fact which greatly annoys Zacharias. "What are you laughing at?!" He demands angrily. "It seems you've been a man far too long Purgatory. That human heart as melted some of the wickedness away from you. To speak so tenderly, you must truly love my daughter." Athena says now smirking at Zacharias. And with that Zacharias transforms into Purgatory as he grabs Athena by the neck and lifts her up off the ground. "Love is a strange thing," Purgatory says as he begins to squeeze the life out of Athena. He continues, "It allows me to feel so much for her, and yet so little for everyone else." With that Purgatory twists his wrist ever so slightly snapping Athena's neck. As he drops her dead still body to the ground, he hears the sound of something else dropping and water spilling out. Purgatory turns to see Ophelia looking terrified as she just witnessed her Mother's murder. He turns to her and she recoils in terror, she shreiks, "MONSTER!!!" Before running off.Purgatory watches as his love runs from him in fear then looks back at Athena's corpse. He is quiet for a moment before saying to himself, "No time for regrets, there's work to be done." Then he heads off after Ophelia.