(Thunderclouds...Lightning striking)...(A voice in the background)
Skull...Dust...Blood...Scars! Not once had the darkness been conquered, not once had the red skies become clear...for the land had been so barren, filled with trees, flowers so withered away, and the soil so hot like the fire from the dawn of creation. A kingdom that had been ruled by a supreme ruler where no one ever went against his wishes. The ancient kingdom...the land of misery...the Kingdom of CHAOS!!! (Lightning striking).
(Voice slowly fading away)...
(Breathing heavily while running as water continues to splash and his footsteps echoes)...
Michael was panting as he tried to escape the fearsome monster after his life.
He quickly dived into a dark steamy river as he was searching for a means of escape. He hid underneath the river while holding his breath, peeking to see if the creature was still coming after him. He was looking all around him until he suddenly heard loud footsteps. Eventually it came out of the dark trying to sniff him out. What stood before him was a gigantic demonic beast with batlike wings and pointy horns on its head. Its eyes were red and its claws sharp enough to tear any mortal into pieces. It was none other than one of the supreme gatekeepers placed to watch over the damned souls of Purgatory. A collosal beast created with Death's Scythe. A horrific monster that protects the Valley of the Damned.
Note: A gargoyle has an ability to spit flame and also survive most extreme attacks because of its tough skin. It also has a keen sense of smell.
This creature continued to search for Michael as it growled. Once Michael saw this, he knew instinctively that his chances of survival were low especially since he had lost most of his divine abilities. "I'm in big trouble" He quietly said to himself as he continued to peek. Suddenly, the gargoyle gazed towards his direction as it had just heard the sound of a water bubble burst. Michael immediately dived underwater as he saw him moving towards his direction. "I have to do something. I won't be killed by this petty creature" Michael silently said to himself as he kept looking whether he had been seen. Suddenly, he was grabbed by an unknown creature in a speed of light. His mouth was covered and his hands forcefully bound together as he was dragged away by the creature underwater. Michael muffled as he was dragged away in a speed of light.
The gargoyle gazed upon the river but saw nothing. It continued to growl as it walked away.
Everywhere suddenly froze like time had stopped.
Note: Although time doesn't exist in Chaos. Refer back to chapter two in case you have forgotten.
Michael narrates: "I'm sure most of you are confused about what had just happened. I don't blame you, even I am. Let me take you back a few moments after Anna was captured.
(Scene rewinds)...
"Anna! Anna! Snap out of it! Anna!!!" Michael was continuing to reach out, but Anna was frozen in fear, unable to hear anyone around her. Michael was having a hard time defending against Grimoire's attacks. "If only I had my strength. I could defeat him in an instant. Who am I kidding? The least I can do is escape from the monster right in front of me. He's too strong," Michael was realizing as he said to himself while having these thoughts. Grimoire was wearing a blank expression on his face as he swung his axe. He was in a different league entirely. His power was surpassing that of the Angel before him. "We need to escape. It's too dangerous to continue while Anna's defenseless," Michael was deciding to escape with Anna while his opponent was distracted. He was taking a leap backward to create distance between them, but Grimoire had already seen through his plan. Before Michael's feet could land, Grimoire suddenly appeared behind him at the speed of light and gave him a punch that sent him flying three blocks away, creating a massive shockwave.
Grimoire was trying to approach Anna as he saw her defenseless. "You're coming with me," Grimoire was saying as he moaned in pain. Unfortunately, as he was about to take Anna, a dark fog was beginning to surround her, forming a sort of barrier around her. Anna was rendered unconscious. A figure was emerging from the barrier. He had two horns on his head and was wearing a black scarf around his neck. His bracelets and armored boots were crafted with gold. He also had a scar right below his right eye that made it look like he had escaped from a very dangerous battle that could have made him lose a piece of himself.
"This one was belonging to the Warlord," the evil said in a serious tone. Grimoire continued to advance towards Anna while ignoring the man's taunt. "Get out of my way and move along while you can. I won't say it twice," he said as he dragged his axe on the floor with a serious expression on his face. "You were way out of the Capital. This was District Seven... whether you died or not, no one would care," the evil replied in a cold manner. Grimoire laughed as he heard this and charged at him. He was about to strike down the one before him but noticed that his axe had completely broken down to pieces before it even struck him. "What did you do?" Grimoire was saying in an annoyed manner as he continued to moan in pain.
Apparently, the evil had touched the axe with a finger in a speed of light, which completely destroyed it. Grimoire was feeling enraged by this but instinctively knew his opponent was stronger. "I shall retreat, but know that I'll be back," Grimoire said as he vanished along with a sandstorm. "Let's not keep him waiting," the evil said as he carried Anna and vanished along with her in a dark fog. Michael suddenly regained consciousness, but it was too late, as Anna had already been taken. He was walking back to the alley but found nothing but the destruction caused by his fight with Grimoire. "I have failed her. I was not strong enough," Michael was saying as he fell to his knees. He was feeling sad and blaming himself for Anna's captivity. Michael was about to leave when he suddenly saw a lock of Anna's hair. He knew she could still be saved as he picked up the hair. All hope was not lost. Michael grabbed his blade and sheathed it as he covered his face with his hood. He was continuing his journey towards Desire's Castle.
Filled with anger and regret, Michael was promising to save Anna and leave Chaos alongside her. After covering a lot of distance, he was coming across a building, completely burnt down to ashes, with smoke coming off it. This particular building was still on fire, even though it had been completely destroyed. A sign above its front door was reading "The Infernal Abyss." Michael needed to gather more information before he decided to infiltrate the Castle, so he was entering the building. He walked through the front door. Apparently, it was a tavern where every demonic creature of District Seven was visiting. This tavern was standing in ruins, its furnishings reduced to ashes, and eerie shadows were dancing among the flickering flames. The energy coming off the environment was enough to obliterate the soul of a human. Due to Michael's unwavering commitment, he was standing his ground.
As he was looking around, his eyes were widening at the sight of the terrifying demonic creatures that were filling the room. Their twisted forms were casting long shadows on the crumbling walls, with their glowing crimson eyes fixated upon him. These were creatures born of nightmares, forged by overwhelming dark energy, and consumed with pure evil. He was ignoring them as he walked to the creature placed in charge of the tavern. There, he was standing...a creature with six hands and a half head, with blood gushing down its face. It had red skin, with muscle fibers hanging out all over its body. Each of its hands was covered with a unique item. The first one was holding a broken wine cup, the other a dirty cracked plate, a bent fork, a knife, a spoon, and a burnt menu book.
Although Michael's hood was masking his scent, the creatures knew he was not an entity from Chaos.
"What are you?" the barkeep was asking in a demonic tone. "Who and what I am is of no concern to you. I was only there for information, and I would be on my way." Michael was sitting as he was responding in a calm manner. The barkeep was smiling in an amusing way as he was gently placing his hands on the counter-table and was asking him what information he sought. "How do I get into Desire's castle without announcing myself?" he was saying in a serious tone. The barkeep burst into laughter as he suddenly was handing over a drink. "You're a wild one, aren't you? Care to join me for a drink, perhaps?" he was saying. Michael was rejecting his offer and was asking him once again if he had an answer to his question.
"That is a difficult question you ask. A really difficult one, stranger. I don't know who you are nor why you would seek to go there, but I assure you that nothing good is waiting for you at the Duke's castle," the barkeep was replying with a serious expression on his face. Michael was telling him he still had to go no matter what and was requesting his assistance in seeking a safe and quick route. "Very well... it's your funeral," the barkeep was saying as he was heaving a heavy sigh. He then continued, "If you need a safe route, it's practically impossible, as you know. This is Chaos, after all. I can't help with that. What I can help with, however, is a quick route." Michael was thanking him and was asking him where it could be located. "You'll have to go through the Valley of the Damned. It's where the slaves are put to work. The mines are where you're headed. Underneath it is a gateway that directly leads to the castle's courtyards. Opening it, however, is what I do not know. You will have to figure it out on your own since it was sealed a long time ago," the barkeep was saying as he was giving him a burnt map and was offering him the drink a second time. "Are you sure you don't want this? It will be of some use to you," he was saying. Michael was rejecting his offer and was thanking him for his assistance. The barkeep was telling Michael not to thank him. He explained he now owed him a debt, and he would repay it someday. Michael was nodding as he took his leave.
After walking several miles under the map's guidance, he finally spotted his destination. What he saw before him was greatness that could not be defined with a simple word. There he was, in the middle of a bloodlike forest surrounded by poisonous mist. Screams and echoes of the Damned could be heard. Huge boulders were floating around, not obeying the laws of gravity, and the entrance of the valley was lit with torches carrying blue flames. He could not see beyond that, as the rest was covered in darkness. "Not once did I ever think I would come so close to evil. This was truly a den of monsters," Michael was saying to himself as he heaved a heavy sigh and proceeded into the Valley.
As Michael was taking a deep breath and stepping into the Valley of the Damned, a chill was dancing along his spine. The air was thick with despair and the haunting sounds of the tormented souls were echoing around him, amplifying the weight of his mission. He was gripping the burnt map tightly, aware that it was not just a guide but his lifeline to Anna's salvation. The twisting paths of the valley were looming ahead, with each step leading him deeper into the shadows where the demonic and the damned thrived.
The sight of the gigantic boulders hovering like lost souls in a sea of suffocating darkness was reminding him of the immense challenges he faced. As he was navigating the treacherous terrain, Michael's mind was racing with thoughts of Anna. The memory of her helpless expression when Grimoire captured her was fueling his determination. He would reach her no matter the cost.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Michael was spotting flickering shadows moving in the mist. He paused, his heart was pounding. With quick reflexes, he ducked behind a fallen boulder, the remnants of ancient battles scattered around him. He was straining to hear the source of the movement. It was a group of enslaved souls, their forms twisted and broken, working tirelessly under the watchful eyes of shadowy overseers.
Michael's resolve was hardening as he realized the mines marked on the map were not far from there. He was needing to avoid drawing attention to himself. Just then, a deep growl was echoing through the valley, penetrating the air with a vibration that felt as though the darkness itself was coming alive. The memories of the gargoyle were flashing in his mind...the fierce guardian of this domain.
Panic was surging, but Michael was steeling himself. He couldn't let fear prevent him from finding Anna. He was crouching low, moving cautiously away from the sound, the echoes of both the enslaved and the demonic rumbling in his ears.
As he was nearing the entrance of the mines, a surge of power rippling through the air was stopping him dead in his tracks. There it was; the gargoyle was standing before him, its monstrous form silhouetted against the deepening shadows, snorting flames from its nostrils as it was preparing to hunt. "You cannot hide from me!" it was growling, the very essence of malevolence resonating in its voice.
Everywhere suddenly was freezing like time had stopped. Michael was narrating: "That's it. You know the rest," he said in a frustrating manner.
(Scene forwards to the present)...
After an intense battle underwater against the creature that had captured him, he was finally managing to break free and was swimming as quickly as he could to the surface. "What in God's name was that?!" Michael said as he was trying to catch his breath. He suddenly noticed the huge ancient gate before him. "That must be the gateway," he said with a smile.
Suddenly, he was feeling a presence. He grabbed his sword and stood his ground, his gaze fixed upon the dark river as he knew it was not over yet. The creature burst out with fury, screeching. As the water churned violently and the dark river erupted, Michael's heart was pounding in his chest. The creature that emerged was nothing short of a nightmare given flesh. Leviathan, a name steeped in legendary terror.
Leviathan's colossal form loomed above the water, its serpentine body glistening with scales that shimmered in shades of obsidian and teal, reflecting the flickering light of the torches surrounding the Valley of the Damned. Its elongated figure twisted and coiled with grace, almost mesmerizing, but Michael knew better than to be enchanted. The creature's eyes, red as molten lava, burned with an ancient malevolence, fixed hungrily upon him.
A majestic crown of spiny, horn-like ridges crowned its head, each protrusion resembling jagged cliffs against a stormy sky. Its massive jaws gaped wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth that could easily rend flesh from bone. Thick tendrils of dark mist curled from its maw, and as it opened its mouth to unleash a bone-chilling roar, a plume of steam shot forth, hissing like a serpent.
Leviathan's many scales, reminiscent of ancient armor, were said to be impervious to any weapon forged by mortals. Folklore whispered that those who dared to confront him would find themselves swallowed whole, their screams echoing beneath the turbulent waters of the abyss forever. The legend of Leviathan was not just of a monster, but a force of nature. A celestial being intertwined with chaos itself, a guardian of secrets long submerged in the depths of the world. An embodiment of the primal chaos from which the world had been born. It was said to command storms and the seas, its very presence able to summon hurricanes and floods that could shape destinies. In some cultures, Leviathan was viewed as a protective spirit, while in others, it was a symbol of insatiable greed and destruction. But here, in the Valley of the Damned, it was merely another manifestation of despair, an adversary Michael could not afford to underestimate.
Rising from the depths, Leviathan's long, serpentine tail whipped through the water, sending waves crashing against the rocky shore. Each powerful stroke resonated through Michael's bones, a potent reminder of the creature's strength. This was no ordinary monster; it was an ancient guardian, a sentinel of an age when the world had just been created. "I'm fucked!" Michael was saying while smiling nervously as he was raising his sword.