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you get to change shape? This is just an illusion?”
    “ Yeah,” Cid glanced at Azrael like he wasn't sure if I was testing him. “I'm actually an angel, you know. But it's not an illusion, both my forms are real.”
    “ No, I did know that. I'm just surprised to hear you complain about it because I know faeries who have bodies that most people would find horrifying to look upon and they never get to be anything but what they are,” I looked him over. “And I've never heard them whine about it either. Count your blessings, demon.”
    “ Fuck me,” Cid barked in laughter as Azrael just groaned. “I think that's the first time anyone has ever told me to count my blessings but yeah, I get it. Grass is always greener yada yada. Alright, Mistress of Death, I'll try to remember that.”
    “ Good,” I nodded and then my eyes went wide as they took in the cell behind him. “Are those pencils?”
    “ It's weird what some people are afraid of,” Cid nodded as he cocked his head to look up at the cell I was staring at.
    A man was in a sea of pencils, screaming his head off as he floundered about. The pencils were extremely sharp and his movements only ended up harming him more. He was already impaled by several of the writing implements and yet he just kept on flailing.
    “Why doesn't he just stop moving?” I looked over to Azrael.
    “ Fear has no reason,” Azrael said sadly.
    “ No kidding,” I knew that all too well. When I'd come into contact with the Darkness, it had left a taint of fear in my soul and I could barely think while under its influence. I'd turned into a shadow of myself.
    “ Well, it's been lovely to see you,” Azrael smiled brightly at his friend, “but we really should get along to see Dad now.”
    “ Oh okay,” Cid said jovially. “It was nice to meet you, Vervain. Come by again sometime, we'll have a barbeque.”
    “ Sure, that sounds great,” I smiled, though it felt a little brittle, and then Az led me out of the Ice Blocks and into a mountain pass.
    “ You still okay?” Azrael looked me over critically.
    “ I'm fine,” I took a deep breath. “I have to admit that's one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen though, and you know I've seen some doozies.”
    “ I'm so sorry,” Azrael pulled me into his side as we walked. “Unfortunately, there's only one path through Hell, Dad didn't want to have to guard several walkways and tracing in is impossible. I could have brought you through the other gate but that's general admissions, it's even less pleasant and we'd still have to go through the Ice Blocks and down this path.”
    “ It's okay, I'm the one who asked you to bring me here.” I stopped walking as my voice echoed off the mountains and came back to me, only it wasn't the same words I'd just said. “Azrael?”
    “ The Mountains of Madness,” he nodded, “pay no attention to them.”
    “ But did it just say-”
    “ Yes, it said Odin is here and being tortured,” Azrael turned me toward him and took my face in his hands. “The mountains, like Hell itself, are made to find what you fear the most and use it against you. You're afraid for Odin, afraid that he's being tortured somewhere, and the mountains picked up on it.”
    “ And they echoed back my fears to me with my own voice,” I lowered my voice so hopefully the mountains would stop. “That's devious.”
    “ Yes, it makes it seem like you're convincing yourself of these fears,” Azrael nodded, “but it's not true. Come on, let's get out of here.”
    “ Alright,” I closed my ears to the echoes that were still circling even though I was no longer speaking, and followed Az out into open land. Then I stopped once more and stared at the manor that rose up before us.
    I think manor was the proper word. It definitely wasn't a castle, though it was big enough to be labeled one. No, this looked like something out of a Gothic novel, complete with a stormy sky raging above it, in direct contrast to the burning