The ring of gods and uncovered secrets

He had been pondering the topic in his mind ever since the reward was put on the table. To know any four questions about Sean. He had made up his mind what his response would be. "I believe that if Sean wishes to keep his past private, it is none of my concern. And that it's not up to me or you to force that history to be revealed. It will be up to Sean whether he wants to carry that burden alone, or open up and share it. But I believe I will pass on the offer. Sean is my friend, and I respect his privacy."

Serenity smiled. Even though she expected at least one question. Apparently he didn't want to know. So she let it by. "If thats how it is i'll respect you. However remeber this was your only chance to know. So you can't blame anyone but yourself for what he doea next. Afterall you had the chance to know but blew it. Oh well this is where you get off." With that a loud high pitched cackle filled the air. As a large shadow appeared out of nowhere. Large and swirling. "Hey everyone. You miss me?!?" it cackled. Taking the form of Sean. It was Hatred in all his glory. "Come on Serenity you gave them the chance to know and he refused. That means i kill them. Yes how i hate it. Such a waste." With that his fist grew twenty times its size. Launching at Sul. At full force. He knew that would do some damage. Afterall that man was the only threat in his eyes. So he would try and kill him.

Serenity appeared to be shocked by Sul's response. He meant every word, and perhaps when the time came, Sean would be ready to tell him about his past. If he felt uncomfortable about it, it wasn't Sul's place to prod him. Suddenly the sinister character from before appeared, a shadowy substance swirled and formed into the figure of Sean. Sul put his fists up, he was ready for it.

It's hand grew twenty times the size of it's normal state, and swung down at him. Size didn't make the blow stronger, it just made it more difficult to dodge. Sul swung his fist back behind him and threw a punch forward with a yell meeting the enlarged fist head on with his own. The two fists slammed together and both recoiled the same distance apart. Sul's feet dug into the ground 4 inches from the blow. He squatted his legs down lower to the ground and sprang upwards in a jump with all his strength. His body flew at Hatred's torso with a closed fist.

Sul charged at Hatred ready to punch him. Fist aimed right for his chest. Hatred responded be using his other to grab the fist. Being shoved back a little. Their strength was matched. Sean taking advantage of it. As a strem of highly pressurized water launched at Hatred. In the shape of a powerful water blade. Slicing through his arm. Allowing Sul's fist to hit the beings chest. As it reeled backwards. Falling back. As a few more highly pressurized stream of water stabbed through its head. Giving Sul an oppurtunity to hit him while hes down.Hopefully to finish him off. Which would be oppurtune. Sean was getting sick of the creature. Wanted it to die. So Sul was the only one who had the strength to. Meaning that this was both of their fight. It seemed one couldn't do it alone. Serenity only stood aside and watched the fight. Not interfeering with it.

Sean gave Sul the backup he needed, slashing the shapeshiftter's arm off and permitting his punch to hit its destined course. His fist landed on Hatred's chest, causing him to fall backwards. The duo didn't let up, as Sean pierced through his head with another stream of high pressured water. Sul didn't let the opportunity pass him by. He lunged forward with a right hook, followed by a left. He would continually repeat the strong punches until Hatred somehow fought back from the two knocking his lights out. Their combined strength was too much for one man, or thing, to handle.

Hatred was overwhelmed. Unable to keep up. Falling back as an amourphous blob. Taking in deep shallow breaths. A hole in his chest. Where a bright glowing orb was visible. It caught the light and reflected it like a disco ball. Even though there was only limited torch light. It felt its hate well up. Since it was all of Sean's negative emotions. It was also envy, fear. Everything negative. It slinked back closing the hole in its chest. "How!?! How can they be doing this. I'm stronger.,but why can't i win?!? Why can't i kill?!? Why does his weakness always poison me? I'm like him. Unable to even control his own damn power." It screeched. Thrashing around as tentacles at full strength shot out at Sul. "Its all your fault! If you die then this pain will go away!!!! If everyone dies it'll stop!!!" It was feeling pain. All the hurt and hatred in it bubling to the surface.

Sul wasn't letting up on his foe, and neither was Sean. The two of them were ripping him apart and he knew it. Sul caught a glimpse of a glowing center underneath all the dark shadows. Even Sul recognized it as a weakness. He was about to knock the orb clear out of Hatred's chest with a powerful blow when it lashed back. Several tentacles were launched at him and slapped him simultaneously. The large man flew backwards and landed on his shoulder, tumbling to a halt.

That wasn't going to stop him. Seeing a weak spot only strengthened his resolve to defeat him. He hopped up to his feet and clenched his fists. Suddenly the unexpected happened. His ring began to heat up again, glowing a hot ember. Suddenly his right fist burst into flames. Sul nodded to Sean and took off running towards Hatred again.

Sean commanded a stream of water to rip a hole in Hatreds chest. Leaving a big gaping hole. Hatred in great agony. As it lay there gasping. Even though it didn't need lungs it gasped. Trying to stand as Sul-Fury charged. Fist abalze. Grasping for the exposed core. Feeling a great burning sensation as he cried out. Clawing at Suls wrist trying to stop him knowing it was too late. The world around him grew dark. As he felt all ahtred leave him. It felt strange not hating. All that was left was a bitter sorrow. As black tears seemed to flow down its cheeks. "Damn you all." It hissed. As it stopped struggling. Giving up on survival. As despair set over. With the last of its strength a spear shot from his back at Sean. Aiming to stab him in the face.

Stopiing only a few inches from his face. As it crummbled into black dust. Hatred had died. Fading away cursing the world. As Serenity looked over somewhat saddened. "Well i suppose thats that. You are free to go." The area around them wavered as they were takne to the ruin's entrance. "You may go now. Me and Innocence have onther things to do." Wiht that Serenity carried Innocence off into the ruins. Leaving Sean and Sul standing there. They had finished the misson. Sean ahd what he wanted and Sul got himself something. Everyone won. "So Sul if your ready. We can go back to my hotel. Unless you have anywhere to be." Sean was tired and he gathered Sul was to. So rest was needed.

Sul sighed when Hatred crumbled into a pile of black dust. Finally, it was over. The two could finally call this mission complete, though it was off the records. It was no "Tough Guy" mission, but it was definitely something that Sean would not have let rest, nor be able to complete on his own. He was glad to have come along, knowing that he contributed to a lot of the success. Of course, it wasn't all on Sul alone. Without Sean, he wouldn't have been half as capable as he appeared to be.

As Serenity showed them the exit, Sean offered to allow Sul to stay at his place to get some rest. But Sul needed to catch up on his latest information on the whereabouts of Hurricane. It was an unfortunate obsession, but he could rest in his own time.

"Thanks for the offer Sean, but I have some things I need to do. That was some pretty crazy stuff back there. I don't think I'll ever forget this one. Congrats on the ring, I hope it really works out for you and the Tough Guys. And don't worry about the stuff those others said. If you feel you want redemption for any of your past, then it's there for the taking. Don't let them tell you that you can't. And if you don't want to tell me about it, you don't have to. I already turned that opportunity down."

Sul nodded at Sean and put his hand on his shoulder as a sign of comfort. "I need to head out now Sean. Keep in touch if you need me for another task, I'm always up for another job with you. Stay out of trouble." He smiled and walked away, moving his hand off Sean's shoulder.

((Wallacewells4eva17 word count: 6543))

((Sul's word count: 5060))