No More Truths:

.REALITY_TLA.TIMEDATE:/MAY.15.2016

Everything froze. I could see Lazarus diving out of the way as the scientist near him was consumed. The walls and floors were caving in as the seismic eruption was crippling space itself. All was still. Was I dead?

A great presence filled the air as the darkness around me thickened into a deep abyss, pulling me in. Awaiting me was a large creature, larger than it should have been. The creature was cloaked with a brown, dusty cloak and ragged leathers. The coat trailed down past where legs should have been. The head of the creature was masked in a great beard, one curling up and around the skull’s base. Atop its head, a tricorn hat rested.

I trembled in its presence, but spoke clearly.

“Where am I?”

The creature began to move towards me, before pressing a strangely course hand on my shoulder. I could see now. I knew this God.

Zag'orv.

Instantly I awoke to screams and shouts. Lazarus was at my side dazed too. I turned just in time to avoid a piece of the building we were just in. It was being sucked into a rift suspended in time. I couldn’t fathom the existence of what I was seeing. I didn’t need to. Another piece of debris flew at me, Lazarus had my back and cut it with his blade before it could cause any real damage. That’s when we saw it. A being leading the charge of many Dekn warriors. They were in the city. It seemed to sport two pairs of wings, yet the attributes looked Dekn. A hybrid perhaps? Time was not on my side.

We were escorted through a sleek, silver hallway, our destination seemingly inside of walls as if hidden. Wall after wall revealed itself to be a maze, making un-guided exit very difficult. When British had brought us to the main room, I could not believe what I was seeing.

A core the size of a small stadium filled the humongous room, lights beeping on and off and wires connected everywhere.

“This, my friend, is Entropy.”

I gazed at the technology before me, symbols I’ve never seen flashed on screens, colors of all hues shaded around wires and monitors. I was awestruck.

“It is quite the sight,” a voice beside me stated. “I almost wept when it was complete.”

A large arkn stood before me, brandishing a notepad and an odd needle-like contraction.

“Pardon the interruption, my name is Erasus, I am the project director of Entropy.”

I greeted him and we walked around the core, Lazarus followed.

“For eons we have strived to create a perfect ai that could rival that of .reality’s Nexiumadris. Eternity after eternity we have slaved away, searching for the right equation, solving the right formulas, etc. Here, what stands before you, is the outcome; A perfected reality generator!”

I stared at the core, and for a moment, it felt as though the core stared back.

“There are five of us, you know. Nexia took thousands of Dekn to perfect, it took us five Arkn.” I turned to see another arkn enter, talking.

“Ah, that is Dilveic, our supervisor.” Erasus led me over and we shook hands. I began to introduce myself, but was stopped.

“Yes, Mr. Kharon, Cedric. I have heard of you. Lazarus has told us a great deal about what you are.”

I turned cold. They, they knew? Lazarus, sensing my discomfort, chipped in. “It’s fine Cedric, they aren’t exactly the most lawful creatures ever, right, Quadjeck?

Another Arkn had entered.

"Well, apparently creating an Arkn blood-fueled device meant to split existence into separate timelines based on probable outcomes is, actually, outlawed in every Golden City, so…”

Quadjeck was cut off by a thunderous quake that ran through the building. Lazarus regained footing and looked over at me.

“You feel that?”

I shrugged. British returned in, shocked and frantic.

“Sir! The first attack is underway, we need to hurry!”

Attack? I was confused, but Lazarus had this handled. In one swift motion, the arkn was gripped by the throat and in the air, Lazarus ready to strike.

“Tell me what just happened, what attack?”

British choked a bit. “Th-the Golden City,” he coughed, “is under attack.”

Lazarus lifted British higher.

“What? By who?”

Suddenly a blade was thrust through Lazarus, releasing British who fell to his knees. Standing behind Del'Phar was another Arkn. The nametag read Mizarak.

“We’ve been intercepting Dekn signals for weeks and, while I’m sorry to have stabbed you, can not let this go to waste. Sure, we could have prevented it, but why prevent a Dekn attack when you can use that power to create a world with no Dekn? One not plagued by humans, or Dekn, or anyone but those allowed?”

Lazarus coughed.

“You’re fucking insane.”

Mizarak walked past him and picked up British before dusting him off.

“Insane? Perhaps, but we have a machine here powerful enough to boost .reality to existential levels! Not even the Void would be able to escape this spider’s web. If you could save billions at the cost of thousands, would you take it?”

That question was directed at me. I shuddered thinking about it. A universe where Arkn and Dekn were divided, unable to fight. The war would be over. It was incredible. No more fighting, no more death. Lazarus got back to his knees as the building shook again. “Cedric, think about this choice, please. I read these guys wrong, they’re fucked!”

His words blotted out as I stared into the machine’s core, the purple and black light swirling around mesmerized me. The world drifted away. “CONTROL, CONSUME, ASSIMILATE, CONTROL, CONSUME, BECOME.”

Another explosion. From the monitor I could see the City walls collapsing. Hundreds of guards were charging at an unseen enemy.

“We just need your blood, Cedric. Dekn blood powers .reality, but imagine, the blood of a Hethe, powering Entropy! It would be the start of a new world, Cedric, one we have power in, one without war, witho-”

The world was falling apart around me, dark veins entrapped my vision, I could see a blackness, a void. It was calling to me, I was stuck in its web of tendrils and darkness. “Void… web…” My arm began to sting. Onyx blood dripped down my forearm and trickled from my fingertips. The darkness lapped it up.

“Void… web…”

I opened my eyes. I was sitting in a chair being bandaged by British, who was apologizing to me. Next to me, Lazarus was healing when I noticed the blade. It had apparently absorbed more than three-fourths its length, but I only gave a minor amount. Perhaps Del'Phar gave some to?

The building shook. For a second, the power went out, only to come back on brighter. The core was spinning faster than before and all the lights were flickering.

Mizarak stood before it clapping.

“We did it! This is it! All the hard work, all the lives lost, all for this. Today is a beautiful day, my friends, I’m sorry I came off so hostile but refusal was simply out of the question!”

The core began to flash, emitting black and red lightning.

“Oh what a day! Dilveic, check the date of success, Nexian timeline A time, please.”

My vision began to falter, and I could see unnatural black tears. This wasn’t blood loss. Something was wrong. The words echoed in my head again.

“…Void…web…”

“Ah, timeline A time seems to be, hm,” Dilveic stuttered in his excitement.

“Sunday, May fifteenth, twenty-sixte…”

In a flash, Theatre Mask had appeared and issued some sort of forcefield around myself and Lazarus, and before anyone else could react;

“...Void…web…”

I pushed past the first few groups just in time to see the Prophet from earlier, suspended, wingless and glowing. The entity was not arkn, however its presence here made it out to clearly not be Dekn. The head of the figure turned to me and in an instant, thousands of chants and screams filled my mind. “CONTROL, CONSUME, ASSIMILATE.” “CONTROL, CONSUME, CORRECT, BECOME.”

I blocked out the voices moments later only to look up just in time to see Maalformious step up, sword chains revving.

The Prophet looked at him and descended to the ground.

“Do you wish to face that which time does not understand?”

Maalformious cocked his head in confusion before retorting.

“No, I wish to destroy it.”

Hinges from a nearby structure cracked and popped as it came loose and was hurled at the Prophet, who in turn phased through the rubble like mist. Seizing the opportunity, Darkrage sped past the entity and side-swiped it with his blade, once again phasing through it.

“Dammit, this thing is impossible!” Another quick blow to no avail. By now the crowd had scattered and guards were coming from the inner city. Maalformious landed a single blow on the entity before falling to his knees in a marvelous purple light. The being spoke.

“You fight that which you do not understand. When the Web consumes you, that anger and hatred will become a nulled factor in the greater mass of the new universe.”

Intrigued, I approached the entity and asked of its name.

“Virzalic, along with the surname, Delfire.”

Before I was able to continue my conversation, Lazarus pulled me aside as guards swarmed the area. I blinked and Virzalic was gone, and so was I. We had teleported.

Shaking the daze aside I stood in the shadow of a large building, staring at a peculiar set of armed Arkn. They were not fashioned in traditional Elysian guard wear. Before I could draw my blade, Lazarus had put his hand on my shoulder.

“Easy there smokey. We aren’t here to fight. We’re here to meet someone.”

I put the blade back and looked around, wondering whe- I got my answer. The flat walls of the building began to shift and twist, revealing rotating plates and gears. An opening formed and out stepped a figure, clothed by the darkness that masked its identity. Lazarus spoke up.

“This is the guy I told you about, you know, the one who could save us?”

Confused I inquired why Lazarus had brought me here, but the being responded.

“I know you’re confused and trust me pal’ I would be way out of my comfort zone, but we’re saving the world. The whole Arknza ruse was, well, frankly a bamboozle.”

My stomach dropped. I had been tricked?

“But before you get mad, and believe me I would be steamed, I’m going to want to talk to you, the calm, not-ready to bash my skull in-you. Nonetheless, come on in make yourself at home, four of my friends will be out of the lab shortly.”

I was stunned, but curious. I asked about the lab.

“Oh yes, right, well, we’re building something. The game changer of all game changers. Something able to take the core processing of the nexiumadris, you know, ”.reality", and use it to duplicate the AI to one of our own. The name is still in the works but I’m thinking Voi-“

I cut him off. ”… You’re building your own .reality?“

The being smiled.

"Well, you see, that’s the best part.” I noticed a nametag on the coat, reading ‘British’.

We made our way to the Labor district to meet with Rexf'orum, leader of the local black market. Lazarus led the way, getting us through several checkpoints with the whole “I know King Uriel and he would be most displeased” shtick. Arriving at the covered entrance, I was easily able to dispel the illusionary magick and find the door. We entered the large hallway, coming upon what we came here for. A large Arkn stood in the way of the others, metalic armor and bladed wings caused this creature to stand out from the rest. Darkrage grinned upon seeing his friend. “Del'Phar my boy, how have you been?” a booming voice shouted out. Del'Phar laughed and hugged the man as if the two were kin. Maalformious Darkrage was one of the head-operators of the Valkyrium, Defector hunters. To most of the individuals down here, Darkrage was known as Rexf'orum, the King of the Market.

Walking past the gates was easier than I had thought. The Drain allowed us entrance into the black-skied, beautiful Arkn home, the Aethierium. I had expected more guards would be housed around Elysia (better known to Arkn as Kevitakh'Aro'Smath), as it was the location of the central Arkn government, but there were very few. Theatre mask was trailing alongside me, holding my hand like a child and whispering a forgotten language in a foreign tongue. Passerby’s looked startled and moved away from us. Entering the Market district, I quickly found the golden Inn where I was to meet Lazarus. I entered, and sat down at an open table, theatre mask found his way to the piano and began banging on the keys. Strangely enough, everyone was too put off by his presence to kick him out.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned, meeting my friend’s gaze instantly. “Cedric, brother! How goes it man; long time no see!” he shouted, embracing me in a soothing hug.

Lazarus Del'Phar, an old friend of mine, he had not aged a bit. I greeted him and we bought drinks and talked. I told him everything, the whole story. All of it. Del'Phar listened intently and made certain to applaud at the end.

“Well nonetheless friend, welcome to the best Golden City of all, Elysia!” I thanked him for the drinks and we departed. Theatre Mask climbed into my bag and snickered. I didn’t mind. We set off for the Council towers in the Government district, but were stopped when a humongous crowd blocked our path. I could hear shouting and what sounded like preaching from beyond the masses.

“Bothers, sisters, mothers and fathers! Lend me thine ears and thine souls, for the Void shall come to cleanse ye all of thine sins. The Void breathes in our troubles and exhales our joy, enlightening us of the truth and harmony of connection!”

I wasn’t sure what the strange being was talking about, so we moved closer into the crowd.

“A great change is coming, my friends. Soon, from the very Hethian blood of existence, shall rise our one true God! No longer will we stand as Arkn, and as Dekn, but all shall be harmonized under one rule, that of the Void! A change is coming, a great change is upon us and I am the prophet of this ch-”

Malek, Knight and myself traveled onwards into the dark, with the other two tailing behind. It sounded like Theatre Mask was singing show tunes, or at the least emitting them from his mask. Scabs was playfully bouncing to the rhythm. We got a few steps closer to the final door when suddenly, Malek turned and pointed his revolver at Knight. Instinct over came me and I immediately moved out of the way of the two. The Guilted One fired a shot, hitting Knight square in the head and blowing him backwards into a nearby wall. Surprised, I drew my blade only to have Malek already on me in a flash, grabbing my arm and pushing my body to face what I had originally thought was Knight.

“I knew something was fucked the moment I brought him back…”

Malek fired another shot and the Knight imposter took it to the chest, standing up unfazed. It grinned.

Malek raised his gun again and spoke, ready to fire.

“Carver. I should have fucking guessed.”

Knight began to laugh, his skin tearing away gruesomely while his clothing withered and rotted away. The newly peeled skeleton spoke a single word,

“ Run.”

With that, we bolted down the hall, rushing towards the door. Behind me I could hear monstrous roars and cracks of bone as the skeleton mutated. Theatre Mask zoomed past me on what looked to be a blue tricycle and was the first to the door. Looking ahead I noticed the door had a giant lock on both the inside, and outside. This meant that it required someone on both sides to fully lock the door. We wouldn’t be able to close it.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Malek firing a few rounds into the newly formed creature chasing us. It looked like the cross between a human skeleton, and a bull. The bony legs baring various large, red muscles while from the skull protruded two large horns. It was coming at us, screaming, on all fours. Malek’s shots did not phase it in the slightest.

I reached the door and bolted outside with Theatre Mask, who had somehow acquired a small rope of taffy. Malek reached the door as it began to shut from the inside, none of us pushing it. The Carver was gaining on us and if we didn’t act fast we wouldn’t be able to lock him out… the door shut, regardless, Malek and I quickly heaved the heavy bolt into place and the door latched shut. It locked.

The sounds of mechanisms deep within the metal turning assured us of this, but how? There was no way for us to lock it without someone being on the insi…

Suddenly there was a loud clang of flesh on metal and what could have been the crunching of bone. Then it hit me.

Scabs was missing.

The impact of the Carver had loosened a hull of rock which had started up a landslide. All three of us made our way quickly out of the area, as I turned and gave one final silent goodbye to my friend. We were bathed in light almost instantly.

We stood atop a plateau, the Drain behind me now buried in red stone, as before us stood a magnificent golden city. The silver streets and glowing towers cast a light so brilliant, you almost had to look away.

Theatre Mask interrupted the beauty of the moment by sneezing a crude, blue liquid on Malek’s shoe, to which he cursed.

I began to set off down the mountain before I noticed Malek had started off in another direction. I called to him asking where he was headed and he responded,

“I’m on my way to Nexia, the A-reality core to be exact. I’m meeting with someone, a human actually.”

I was going to ask why but decided against it. I waved goodbye and thanked him for his help. He left me with a request.

Theatre Mask and I started our short journey out of the outlands to the Gates. Having taken an emergency exit, we didn’t end up inside the City, but this was close enough. We were almost to where we needed to be. The Arkn Cabinet would soon be upon us and only then would we be able to find and gather the Arknza, the Arknangels. Finally reaching the massive gate, I saw into the city, as what appeared to be a very immense crowd was gathering around a podium. I did not recognize the being behind the podium. It was neither Arkn nor Dekn.

The laugh began to pool into my very being, shaking me to my core and then some. It was the deep, echo of a laugh, making up what seemed like an inverse cough. Our vessel began to shake. Theatre Mask opened up a hole on the top of his mask/head and dropped the now miniature fish in, remarking that it would be keeping the creature “for later.” Knight seemed more phased by the laugh then I had thought. How many years had he been down in the Infernous, the very heat keeping the flesh walls warm, molded his nightmares for just how long?

Our boat came to a stop at the very end of the sea. Beyond us, a path of darkness and bone. I stepped off, Theatre Mask holding my hand like an infant as we touched land for the first time in what felt like years. This was our last stop. The Drain was known as a great labyrinth to the Arkn, but knowing the way made my journey much more simp…

I stopped mid-thought. Malek stood before me, pistol in hand. Theatre Mask issued out another “Melon!” as Knight looked up, carrying Scabs who proceeded to begin gnawing on his beard.

“So, you all are going to need my help. Carver is very, very not happy with my actions. This last part of the Drain is deadly, and I figured it’s not like I had much to do and you all seemed nice.”

Knight bumped fists with the Guilted one. I waved casually and Theatre Mask sneezed a strange blue liquid on the ground, which instantly grew a tiny peach tree out of the fleshy floor beneath us.

All was still on the water. With hardly any lighting in the room, it was hard to see anything save for the lanterns up top the wall. We stayed close to the side, not wanting ti get lost on open water. The first bump rocked the boat. By the time we realized something was wrong, the second bump had thrown Scabs overboard.

I should stop questioning events at this point, considering the roar was in fact the dying roar of a creature slain by none other than the Guilted One. I assumed my smokey appearance in caution, as in this life I have never encountered one of the Tears. I watched in anticipation as the Guilted One began walking up to me, confidently I might add. Theatre Mask was pointing and calling the Tear, “Melon”. I have no idea why. He spoke. “Hey whats up smoke dude?”

I paused, ready to answer.

"I’m on a quest to retrieve something very important from the Infernous, and require passage to the Golden City in order to gain the key."

He scoffed.

"You kidding me? Oh yeah, entering all these places at will doesn’t fair for most of you spookity spookys, eh."

I replied.

"When you put it that way, no, I am unable to enter the Infernous at will."

The Guilted One was scratching under Scab’s chin, causing it to emit cricket noises. It was slightly cute.

"Alrighty smokey pal I’ll help you. Not much has happened today anyway."

I opened my eyes in confusion.

" you… You’re standing in the epicenter of the unknown. This is the Drain, the lair of The Carver himself! You entered this place and say nothing interesting has happened? The walls… are made… of flesh…! Is that not interes…-"

I stopped and realized he was sarcastically yawning.

"Ok cool, Smokey, what do you need from the Infernous?"

Confused again, but interested in the Tear’s help, I told him.

"I’m trying to find someone known as The Knight. He is part of a grouping of special Arkn known as the Arknza, but it will be next to impossible to just up and rescue hi …-"

The Tear interrupted me.

"Oh cool, yeah he’s an Arknza in the Infernous, big whoop. I’ll be right ba…"

Child laughter began emanating from one of the dark corridors. I shivered. Theatre Mask sneezed a strange blue liquid. It was probably unrelated to the laughter however, it never seems to care about anything happening around us. I turned to see multiple Spectors crawling down the coridor, mocking a child’s laughter. The Guilted One spoke.

"Okay, shit, I’m going to make this quick…"

A bright orange light appeared around him and he became transparent, here and not here. The pipes surrounding us seemed to glow as well, as if taken with him.

The Spectors were drawing closer. Theatre Mask was doodling his face with the blue fluid.

It was fairly apparent I was going to die.

Suddenly the Guilted One reapeared, with another body slumped over his shoulder, turned, and shot the Spectors with a strange metal object.

"Fuckers interrupted my dialogue. Here’s the dude, he’s out cold actually. I was talking to him until I realized he passed out."

I blinked, stunned that he was able to retrieve The Knight.

The Guilted One spoke.

"I’m going to need to hit the road but congrats Smokey…-"

Theatre Mask interrupted him, shouting “Cedar”.

”-…Uhm, Cedar Smokeypants, whatever, you owe me a favor should we meet up again.”

I nodded.

"It’s Cedric, and yes, I will help you out in any way I ca…"

He was gone.

I closed off the entrance and sealed us in the room for the time being, to sleep, and sat down, dumbfounded, staring at the Knight.

"We’re going to do some important things, you and I, Knight."

I was just about to close my eyes when I heard him respond.

"Rad"

Sitting up I looked at him, staring at me.

"I should probably start explaini…-"

He cut me off.

"Fuck it can wait, Cedric, I haven’t slept in an eternity and a half.

Shocked, I asked how he knew me. He responded.

"Hash bor Canimbal told me."

I jumped at that name.

"Hash’bor’kanibal???"

He replied.

"Yeah that’s how he said it."

Stunned, I raised my voice.

"YOU ENCOUNTERED THE CARVER?"

He replied, oddly calmly should I add.

"Yeah, I kicked his ass. Can I sleep please? I’ve been in Hell for a while. No sleep rule ya know?"

I agreed with him.

"We can talk later than. Pleased to meet you Knight, and sweet drea…-."

He interrupted.

"No." Confused, I sat back down.

We arrived at the drain curtesy of the Archangel, and proceeded to make our way into its holds. The grating on top was sealed, and left little lighting for travel. Theatre Mask used some sort of magic unknown to myself to light the way. His magic came from a solid tube, emanating light. I asked about its origin when revealed, but the only answer I received sounded like a wet gurgle. We had yet to encounter any of the drain people come our third rest, but I knew they were around, and that they knew we were here. I could tell by how Scabs moved around the place, cautious, and alert. It wasn’t until we reached the first stone tunnel’s exit when I realized how wrong we were to enter.

The tunnel emptied into a large cavern, made up of red, pulsing flesh. Parts of the flesh walls had cracked away, leaving foul smelling liquid oozing from the darkness beyond. Teeth hung from the ceiling, and jutted out of the tops of the walls. The ground was wet, and it was hard to maintain footing while standing. I gave up on using my legs and tried hovering in a mist over it. I was successful, however Theatre Mask opted in for a less practical option of sliding around on his belly, with Scabs commandeering him like a pilot. Whatever got them around easier. I chuckled at the sight of this. One of the walls spewed the foul liquid onto the ground next to me as we continued our journey through The Drain’s first labyrinth. All was calm. Too calm. Something was up. I saw a large white shape dart behind a hanging flesh sack, but when I checked, it was gone. The noises in the labyrinth were playing tricks. I would hear giggling, and hushed voices from time to time. Even by the first night’s end, Theatre Mask had become unsettled, and stood at the ready.

Nothing had happened and it all just felt…wrong.

We arrived at the castle come First Night only to be greeted by the Arknangel’s armed guards. They stayed, laced in ancient armor with swords to match. The armor emitted light, and it hurt to stare directly at it. One pushed their sword against my throat and I realized it wanted to know how I had gotten here. I showed it the key and they all parted, allowing theatre-mask, Scabs, and myself entrance into the domain of the Arknangel.

Leaving the other two outside the room, I entered alone. The Arknangel had me kneel in his presence. ” I assume you know why I had you come here, Mr. Kharon?” I shook my head. ” Perhaps this might remind you.” The area housing my severed arm and the painfully stitched flesh began to burn, I winced and nodded. I should have known the Carver was involved. ” Yes, him, it. The Carver, as you call it, has plagued us with his presence in the Arkn war. As you know, with the Dekn currently winning, his power is a very real threat. I brought you here, Cedric, because of a quest.” I decided to break my silence: ” I have been on a quest, sir, a quest back h-“ A jolt of pain swept through my head and my mouth became sealed. The Arknangel looked quite angry. ” what the fuck, pal? Cedric I was speaking and you inter… No, no sir-ee we don’t do that here in MY HOUSE!” he raised his already booming voice, and I stood up, determined to decline this quest. A jolt of pain shot through my legs and my knees lost shape, I fell back to the ground. ” Bow to me.” I tried to get up but stumbled. ” I SAID BOW TO ME” It was futile. This was going to play out his way. A shot of pain lurched through my spine and i was bent forward. ” Who the fuck do you think you are?” The Arknangel’s voice started calm, but rose to a yell. “When I say kneel, you kneel. When I SAY BOW TO ME, YOU. FUCKING.BOW TO ME. I AM THE DAMNED RULER OF THIS DOMAIN. MY WORD IS LAW AND YOU WILL OBEY.” My legs reformed and I kneeled, head down, wincing in pain. “Good, there you go, great on you pal. Now where was I? Ah yes, the Quest.” I prepared myself. ” There are four Arkn Gods, right? Storn? Yeah, you know, three others and myself, Xerex. Well with us four Arkn Gods, there exists four Demi-Gods, the Arknangels. Our ‘kin’ if you will. Well it seems you’ve been tasked with retrieving them, all prophesied four. Now this might take a bitch ton of time, so I’ll cut you a deal; go to the Infernous, find the Knight, and bring him to me. From there, I will grant you the first of an amazing bit of power, power not meant to exist in this thread of, well, existence. I call it, ‘paradox power’, and with it, you become a paradox in and of itself to help aid us in this little game of heavenly chess . As one of these, say, paradox players, if you will, you can exist and yet not exist, just as the Carver can. This will bring the Dekn down a huge advantage with the Arkn having our own Carver once again. Now don’t think you’re a special snowflake or anything, because all four of these Arknangels, once fully realized, will become a type of paradox player too, much more powerful than you. What we need, is for them to awaken the power they already possess. The Knight has already done that in the Infernous, poor guy, he's not one of them but still. The Carver trapped his soul in a personal hell-like state with only a camera and wits about him. He’s no good to us smoldering in everlasting torment. After you get that guy and his guardee, we’ll talk about the other three. “

I was taken back. Going to the Infernous, AND coming back unscathed? It was never heard of, aside from the occasional Swiper that can do it. Alas, The Arknangel tasked me with this quest, and thus I must complete it.

“ One last thing.”

I looked up into his glowing form.

“I’ll need you to go to the Aethierium, travel to most golden City, "Elysia." Find Lazarus, and tell him Azrael sent you. From there you’ll get some cool shit but that’s all a secret.”

The Golden City of Elysia? How was I supposed to get there under the classification of an unknown being? I spoke up and asked. My answer, well, it was something I did not like.

“ The entrance to the Golden City of Elysia is blocked for you, yes, but there is another. One hidden so well that only the worst of the worst Arkn can, and know how to navigate to it. It’s hidden in a place no soul or Hethe would ever think to look. I’m not going to say it out loud because I’m not a dumbass, but think about it Cedric, what is the best disguise for the land of Paradise, with Golden towers and pure joy inside? Now, get the fuck out of here, I have things to do.” He tipped his wide-brimmed hat.

I exited the room to be joined up with Scabs and Theatre-Mask (who was busy bothering the statuesque, still, guards by wiping muck on them).

Upon leaving the Arknangel’s Castle domain and arriving back on the Path of Dark Sand, the location of the entrance hit me…

I awoke to sounds of screaming. Theatre Mask was nowhere in sight, nor was Scabs.

Screaming everywhere. Tired, pained screams.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I was in the Drain. To my left stayed a hole, dark and dampened by lost souls and blood. To my right stayed a light, illuminating the deep. I began my trek downwards, stepping over rotting husks and brittle bones. I walked right back into the gloom of white. The forest was playing tricks on me, when suddenly there came a scream.

There are no known names for the Dekn hellspawn that hunched before me, for no man, soul, or beast has survived an encounter in recorded history. I stared into the eyes of the God’tera’angun. The name echoed through my skull and caused my new flesh to tingle. Muscles contracted in the arm, it tightened. I swung in for a punch, narrowly avoiding a deadly blow from its tendril. Dodging to the left, it was able to spit a helping of burning smoke into my face, i was momentarily blinded. The abomination loomed over me and screamed from all twelve of its mouths. My ear drums busted. Everything was ringing. I began to run. Ring. Jumping over a pile of dead Crickets. Ring. Ducking under a razor thin branch. Ring. Leaping over a seemingly bottomless chasm. Ring. Head first right into the God’tera’angun. My skull cracked from the impact and my smokey form lost shape. I fell to the ground and began crawling away from the monst… a boot.

I looked up and saw a figure surrounded by pure light, carrying an ancient sword. The figure nodded to me, the blank features assuring my saftey. I watched glistening armor and tough leather clash with plated flesh and felt the shock through my body. I could see him, the Carver, leaning against a tree, smiling. He watched us from a distance with the eyes of a falcon.

I turned back in time to see the head of the monster come sliding from its shoulders. Strange color flowed from the neck and splashed onto a mechanical arm, holding a thin blade. The blade was slid into a sheath, and the figure re-adjusted their wide-brimmed hat.

My form had returned and my vision un blurred enough to meet this new friend, now dusting off their over coat, giving the armor underneath a nice breather.

I understood who it was immediately. He bore many names given, spanning countless forevers, but stuck with one name in particular.

" Tea is at second noon. Do not be late, we have much to discuss."

He handed me the key to his domain, baring the crest of Castle Domm’erauj.

I watched the Arknangel’s wings crack into existence, sending him high above the forest and away into the night.

The campsite was just beyond the trees. I was greeted by Theatre Mask, consuming crispy triangles from a strange bag. I will never understand where he obtains these.

I awoke in the dense underbrush of the Blank Forest, a forest composed of white silhouettes, making it near impossible to traverse beyond the Path of Dark Sand. The Dark sand stood as a mark, and easy guiding for souls lost in the forest. I use it for protection. Grabbit’s are known to traverse the forest, along with a minutae of sky sethe, however the Grabbit’s are the more interesting of the bunch. These creatures are purely white, like the forest they live in, but they act as ghosts, possessing the husk of a soul and commanding it. Those taken by Grabbits who have survived often recount seeing the forest in its full, green color, along with the ground. Vision seems to turn a hue of green when taken, as stated in the ‘Travelers Guide to the Beyond’, by Ian Michael Winston. They take over the body, and lead it to be impaled on the dagger-like branches of the Zthacroso Tree, whereas they depart from the husk and feed on its remains