The four hooded men continued to watch the scene unfold in the cauldron.
"In the cards, you say? For our avatar, our watchdog, to face his possible doom mere months after his creation?" one of them inquired, not believing his ally's comments.
"Indeed. Do you not remember the oracle's warning to him?*" he responded. "Besides, he must be battle tested. And he would have to face the death avatar sooner or later anyway. Better he learn what he can of him now, to use such knowledge if necessary later."
(* see I, Vengeance) *************************************
Grimm and Vengeance fought on, tearing into each other without abandon as the lightning bolts continued to surge and strike. Zombies hit the bolts and popped and sizzled filling the area with the sickening stench of burnt and rotting flesh. Blue energy hovered in the air momentarily, before finding a new home, either with Grimm or the demented and possessed Priest.
Tayden, Dirk, and Jason looked on at the scene of unrelenting horror before them. Dirk and Jason were checking their weaponry and awaiting the zombie onslaught to begin anew.
"I'm going down there," Tayden said, his face a mask of stoic resolution.
"Are you crazy? You can't survive down there. You'll be murdered. . ." Hill pleaded with him.
The angel, for his part, looked at the young man, smiled, and gave him a thumbs up. "I've seen much worse than this."
Dirk Bell, never looking up from checking the jury rigged machine gun he had placed at the bookstore window merely said, "We've got you covered."
"Here," Jason placed a small pistol in Tayden's hand. "At least take this with you."
"No, brother," he answered, "I won't need it. I have all I need within." and with that, Tayden stepped out the door and walked towards the battlefield.
**************************
Vengeance motioned with his free hand as he stood over Grimm, having struck a brutal blow with his flaming sword. The zombies continued to be blasted by lightning as Vengeance's vicious cycle roared to life with a sound like thousands of souls screaming in defiance. The bike blasted into life, smashing through the lightning-ring barricade and circling around the two gladiators.
Stopping with it's rear facing Grimm, suddenly the ends of what would be exhaust tubes on an earthly constructed motorcycle flipped open as chains shot out from both ends and wrapped themselves expertly around Grimm's neck. The bike kicked into gear and sped off, blasting through the barricade again and heading off down the street, dragging Grimm behind it.
The bike careened back and forth, making turns that no earthly bike could stay upright with, as it's unwilling follower was slammed repeatedly into cars, mailboxes, lampposts, and even buildings. Vengeance directed the bike with his mind, having had months to learn the layouts of the city and its streets.
