Sidewinder
You sealed your demise when you took what was mine....
In the well of souls.
Sidewinder couldn't help but laugh like a madman. When he finally calmed down he brushed the tears away and a revelation struck him, he was standing. He felt stiff standing there, as if his body had been unused for awhile. "I wonder what happened?" he asked himself. Looking around he saw nothing; just a large fleshy cavern with a steep cliff but only a few feet away. Looking over this cliff he discovered the well of souls spinning violently, the souls screaming were but a whisper now. "Wasn't I?" he pondered with disbelief.
"I see another has emerged"
A voice spoke from the shadows and a creature came forward. The form of the creature appeared to be a mixture of animals: a lions body, a snake for a tail and great scaly wings. Its mane was ablaze like flames and the eyes were bright red as they stared at Sidewinder. "You mean me, right?" Sidewinder asked pointing at himself, he quickly glanced around to make sure he was the only one standing there.
"Do you see another?" the creature replied.
"No." Sidewinder answered.
"Then follow me." The creature beckoned. Lights started to glow and burn as they revealed a tunnel leading elsewhere. Sidewinder quickly followed after the creature with curiosity, "I am Matius, guardian of the pathway to the palace of thirteen. The tunnel opened up into a large area with stairs leading up, this room seemed more like stone but a small pulse rippled beneath the surface giving it a more living look.
At the top of the steps thirteen thrones spread out in an arc, each one was occupied by a unique being in their right. Some resembled animals and creatures from nightmares of children while others appeared more human with little differences separating them, amongst them he recognised the one sat in the centre seat, "Dante" he muttered.
"Kneel before your king you fool!" Matius roared at Sidewinder whilst in his own bow. "Matius return to your post" Dante ordered. With a nod Matius disappeared back down the stairs and through the tunnel, behind him the lights dulled and the entrance vanished. One of the demons aside Dante stalked from her throne and inspected Sidewinder with interest, "He seems competent enough for a servant, if not a tasty lover with a body like that." She wrapped her arms around him and rubbed up against him, "Can I have him?" She asked like a child wanting a toy. Another Demon perched on a further round throne laughed, "You had the last one Dixa, I think its about time I get myself a toy to play with. All my current ones are such a bore." They suggested.
The demons started to argue among themselves until Dante had an outburst and silenced them, Dixa quickly returned to her throne and left Sidewinder standing there confused. "Who amongst us would like to test this one" Dante asked looking about. Several of the demons looked bored whilst a few others had a lustful smile about them. "It has been a while Dante, why not test this one yourself" Dixa suggested. The demon's around the room came to an agreement.
"Then it is agreed. I will test him." Dante arose from his throne carrying a sword both jagged and razor sharp. A weapon slid along the floor to Sidewinder's feet, looking around Sidewinder could see the grin creep across Dixa's face with glee. As he knelt to pick it up he observed the reflection in the floor, the reflection was alien but felt powerful. His body looked human while his right arm and shoulder boasted a metal armour and sharp metal claws unlike anything he had seen before. Around his waist a cloth draped down to his ankles much like a warrior from long past times, it was roomy and flexible.
"Are you ready?" Dante asked. Picking up the short sword with his fleshy hand; Sidewinder posed for a fight, feeling quite confident. "Are you?" he replied.
