He kept getting up, regardless of the pain he felt.
A body battered, bones broken, and his pride in shambles.
He knew, deep down, that these beings were toying with him, that he was merely a toy for their amusement.
The fact he was still alive, even after thirty minutes, was enough proof. Fear crept up his spine as he rose again, a kick forcing an increase in the coppery taste he felt in his mouth.
Is this it? he idly wondered, his mind straying to memories as doubt began to creep in.
His first time hunting with Jesse, Alex teaching him how to play poker before Jill confiscated the cards, Bonnie's birthday party that was just last week…
And, of course, Sam taught him how to sow and reap, shear the sheep, and milk cows…
No… His resolve blazed once more as he tried to rise again, his wobbly legs almost giving out on him as his swollen eyes were snapped open. Even if it means death… If I can just hold them a little longer, they'll escape. They have to. Otherwise…
Otherwise, what was the meaning of his life? He, who could never do what anyone else could. He, whose dream was almost impossible.
If he couldn't save anyone, he would just die as another nobody, killed by the whims of a monster far beyond himself.
"I… I don't want to die yet…" Ethan's anguished cry was cut short as the same laughter erupted from everywhere around him.
"Kukuku… how pathetic." His eyes snapped open as the voice sounded ever so close. Somehow, he knew that, even if the golems had Agar's voice, this one was the real deal.
The demon's true body was nearby.
Almost like the Red Sea, all those beings around him parted ways, the power radiated around him in waves, shutting down his mind, a heaviness in his shoulders.
The downcast frowns of his father, sisters, brothers, and grandfather brought his focus back
No…
Trying his best to run towards them, Agar's tentacles held him hostage, forcing him into the air as the laughter kept reverberating in his skull.
"To think that man's lineage was reduced to such vermin, what a sad visage. But don't worry, Ethan! Amnael blood will awaken within your veins. And it all starts here…"
With a quick gesture, Alex's head was smashed open, the golem didn't even blink before going for another member of his family.
"Stop!" He begged, searching for someone, anyone that could help. In his search, his gaze then fell on his grandpa, who was all beaten up, his face full of bruises and a frown of pain etched in it. "Grandpa, please… You got to help us! Save us, please!"
His idol, the one who filled his head with dreams of freedom and adventure, the strongest person he knew… turned back, looking away in shame.
No… Blood flowed out of his father's head, the demon then moving to Bonnie, and then Jill…
Until only he, his grandpa, and his brothers remained.
Jesse looked at him with guilt, but Ethan couldn't care for what he was saying.
The person he admired the most… his hero, ignored the evil that was in front of him.
Was it a lie? Was everything a lie?
He tried to break free from the grasp, his childish mind still clinging to the notion of his grandpa being a hero.
All to see a hole opening in the old man's stomach.
He couldn't take it anymore… It was all too much and, soon enough, he felt his grip on reality becoming weaker and weaker.
Crying out, the last thing he saw before collapsing was a flash of golden light.
He did not know how long it was.
He did not know where he was.
He did not know who was the one in front of him.
Questions were filled in his mind as the void kept consuming his innards.
He tried to voice his doubts, but could not. He couldn't move, couldn't do anything except watch the stranger.
The man's body was made of ink. He did not wear clothes, but that was hardly an issue for Ethan. He felt so familiar to the teen that it was like taking a bath with his brothers when they were little.
Yet, at the same time, it was foreign enough to set off his alarm bells.
"I am the Herald of destruction."
"What? I don't understand?"
The being did not answer his pleas and, instead, Ethan felt his body being ejected out of that space, rather forcefully as well.
Blinking, Ethan noticed he was on a bed, one soft and comfy as well. After opening his eyes, he closed them, the feeling of comfort calling for him like a long-lost lover.
However, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong… His bed wasn't nearly that great, so where was he?
And then, it hit him back.
The fire, the blood, and, of course, the laughter.
His eyes snapped open and he sat up as fast as he could, searching for demons that, as he soon noticed, weren't there.
"What the…"
His gaze then fell on two familiar faces.
Jesse and Sam.
While Jesse was lying in his bed, sleeping peacefully, Sam looked at him with clear sadness.
"Hey, little brother…"
"Sam… are they… was that a dream?"
"I'm afraid not." Hearing that, Ethan lay on his back, a numbness spreading in his body.
I couldn't do anything… I couldn't save anyone…
Seeing the downcast expression his brother carried, Sam sighed, feeling the heaviness of being the oldest there increase tenfold.
He had to be the example, he had to help his family, he had to be better than anyone…
The talk he had a few minutes ago played back in his mind.
After he woke up, a strange man, wearing a Fedora and some very expensive black cloak walked in, his eyes gazing intently at Ethan's prone form.
"To think such a great destiny would belong to one so young… This world sure is full of wonders."
"Who are you?" Sam tried to rise from his bed, ready to shield his youngest, but felt the pain increase as he moved.
"I wouldn't, if I were you… That demon, Agar, he made a number in your legs… You'll probably never walk again." The stranger spoke, his voice a bit too cheerful for Sam's liking.
He growled in annoyance and, seeing that he would fight to the bitter end for his brother, the man smirked.
"I'm Beell, Superior Building of the Marble Association."
This threw Sam out on a loop. There were only three Superior Buildings in the whole known world. The Marble Association was known to have very high standards, especially for those in positions of power, and, all things considered, the man in front of him held a ridiculous quantity of power.
"What do you want with my brother?"
"Me? Well, nothing too spectacular. I'm just here to see him off. He's about to embark on a very unique journey, after all."
Sam's gaze fell on his brother once more and, gazing towards the man, he felt conflicted.
"What do you mean?"
"That is simple… Your brother will take the Marble Exams in seven months… And I can almost guarantee that he will pass."