The Dark Lord's gaze once again fell upon his 'brother'.

"I have reached a decision. I will enter into this unholy bargain with you. However, eventually we both know it will end and we will once again be at this point in our relationships. What then will you do?"

Gash avoided Diete's eyes for a brief moment. The question had run through his mind repeatedly for the past five hours, chasing it's tail around through his complex mind and returning no plausible answer.

He went with his gut.

"Then, I kill you, or you kill me. It's that simple."

The Dark Lord nodded slowly.

"I will mourn your death, brother."

With nothing more than a brief nod, the Dark Lord rose from his stone throne. Moving with silence and grace he departed the room in a shroud of flowing black cloak.

"Be well, until we next speak. I shall be here, if needed."