[center]-=-=Totaled Ambulence=-=-[/center]

For a moment the silence hung in the air, thick and problematic.  The Watcher stared at Snider, its feelings difficult to discern until it could hold them in no longer.  [color=cyan]”Pffffffffffffff,”[/color] it exhumed, bowed over slightly in mirth for a moment.  When it straightened up, however, its voice held a contempt so casual that one could only assume that in its estimation Snider soundly failed to outvalue urinal mildew.  [color=cyan]”Well, aren’tcha a feculent, rebellious little snotwad?  And the mout on ya!...ya just my type.”[/color]  Its nasal drawl contained a pronounced lilt, giving it the impression of being English.  [color=cyan] “For making my day I’ll give ya a little advice.  Get over bein’ a puffed-up li’l bitch before ya meet the Council. I could kill ya iffen I decide I don’t like the smell of your shriveled old sack, but the Council can wipe ya right out of existence, not that ya have anyone but me to miss ya, Rough[i]dick[/i].  So take it from me: shut up and take the chance to do something significant wit ya life.”[/color]

The Watcher crossed its arms, sneering invisibly, and said.  [color=cyan]”Oh, and cooperation isn’t optional.”  It disappeared into a smear of darkness, and with it the world receded, spiraling Snider through an infinite void.

[center]-=-=The Core=-=-[/center]

Even before they saw the fire, they felt the heat.  Every single individual accosted by the Watchers felt the searing heat crash against them the instant before their sight returned to them, allowing them to see the awesome spectacle that lay before them.  Around them lay a colossal, seemingly infinite realm of stone and lava, stretching endlessly into the distance.  Torrents of the molten stone poured from above, and colossal pillars and stalactites could be seen easily, hinting at some sort of ceiling far above.  None, however, could tell where such a ceiling lay, but all the same only a fool might imagine that above them lay a starless black sky.

All of them lay, in various levels of dignity, on a great stone circle.  In short order, those without natural resistance to heat no doubt discovered a mobile white magic rune beneath their feet that followed them wherever they went, and without which the radiating heat from such extreme proximity to the lava would reduce them to cinders in seconds.  Thought this place fit the stereotypical description of Hell as a vast molten cave, few could deny that this place did not feel disturbing or malignant.  Instead, this fiery, dangerous realm gave off an aura of power, and the authority that dwelt therein.

Two features stood out.  In one direction, across a bridge of ornate stone, lay a grand and ominous [url=http://pre11.deviantart.net/cdca/th/pre/i/2015/237/b/4/dark_citadel_by_refiend-d91w981.jpg]citadel[/url].  Opposite them, arranged among the lava, stood three enormous stone heads like monoliths.  Their eyes blazed with a fire still more intense than all that surrounded them.  As the arrivals looked around, their escorts abandoned them, with or without saying snide farewells, to float towards these enormous heads and take up positions around them.  The chaperone of Wrath and Akoni said nothing while leaving, and after assuming his position, moved no more.  Souta and KYL’s bringer, the condescending female, winked half of her eyes before taking her leave.  Meanwhile, Kosara found herself dumped speedily and callously by the easily-frustrated male Watcher, who muttered to himself angrily as he flew.  The particularly vain and irksome female watcher who accosted Mary, Fenn, and Lily made sure they knew how lucky they were before departing.  Snider’s especially foulmouthed companion reminded him try looking more intelligent and presentable than diarrhea, and Midori’s escort bid her a prolonged goodbye.

When every Watcher hovered in place, another one, previously unseen, became apparent.  Close inspection revealed this Watcher to be of an entirely different sort, larger and older, with nine emerald eyes that moved constantly across its face.  This one said nothing, and waited.

[h3]"The law is clear. When the Seven Seals are broken, four Horsemen shall ride forth to punish the wicked, be they Sons of Man, Lords of Heaven, or the Dregs of Hell..."[/h3]

A colossal voice, guttural and primordial, echoed through the chamber.  It had issued from the center head.

[h3]”Yet five Seals remain.  Heaven, Hell, and humanity all move to war, threatening the Balance, and breaking the great truce.  It is unacceptable.  The Balance must be maintained.  That is why [i]you[/i] are here.”[/h3]

The second head spoke then, its tone accusatory and demanding.

[h3]”Most of you were present for the Second Seal’s destruction.  Your failure is outrageous.  Yet it has put into motion a chain of events that you may yet fix.  You have been chosen because you are outcasts.  None of you are exemplars of the faction to which you belong, if any at all.   We give you not an offer, but a choice: agency or annihilation.  Serve the Charred Council, the balance, and the three realities, and be rewarded.  Yet the cowardly defiler might choose to betray this cause.  Know that if you turn your backs on the Charred Council, you will be released from this place, but sooner or later you will pay.  Step forth, outcasts, and be branded as agents or adversaries.”[/h3]