In the past timeline, Arthur and Alex found themselves abruptly awakened by an unknown individual inside a cage, their faces contorted in shock as they locked eyes with Arthur, as if the stranger had some familiarity with him, stirring a deep sense of unease within Arthur's trembling body. As Arthur's mind raced, a deluge of gruesome imagery flooded his thoughts, images of grotesque murders, dismembered body parts, heads crushed by hydraulic presses, and the haunting echoes of screams and anguish reverberating through his very being, threatening to overwhelm him as if his mind were on the verge of imploding.
Meanwhile, the mysterious man began behaving strangely, his silent demeanor giving way to furious punches against the cage bars, causing his hands to bleed profusely, before relentlessly banging his head against the bars, an alarming sight that sent shivers down Arthur and Alex's spines. Approaching them, the man singled out Alex, exposing him to a horrifying spectacle surpassing even Arthur's nightmarish visions: living individuals impaled by arrows, heads crushed by hammer-like instruments, and the horrifying dissection of his father, sliced in half while still alive, burned in scalding oil, and subjected to relentless hammer blows. Alex's mind reeled with the realization that his father may still be alive, a notion that defied comprehension. Urgently, he shared his discovery with Arthur, expressing concern over the man's severely disturbed appearance, resembling that of an extreme psychopath.
Arthur, attempting to assuage their fears, suggested stepping outside the cage, only to find themselves surrounded by disfigured figures in an eerie, graveyard-like setting enveloped by a ghostly blue mist. The cacophony of souls, tormented and deranged, reached a crescendo, shattering a large mirror within the confines of their cage. The souls, atop their respective graves, unleashed upon each other unspeakable acts of brutality using various implements, their madness driving them to inflict unimaginable pain. However, as they emerged from their graves, the man within the cage joined their cacophonous screams, his terrifying voice penetrating the depths of their beings. To their astonishment, the souls directed their attention towards Arthur.
Abruptly, the mist dissipated, along with the graveyard and its anguished inhabitants, leaving a lingering sense of joyous confusion among the souls. Uncertain of their next course of action, Arthur and Alex contemplated the enigmatic man's role in their predicament. Summoning their courage, they addressed him directly, pleading for answers to their questions. However, the man remained silent, gesturing instead towards a wooden bird perched atop a nearby house. As the iron gate of the cage swung open, a cacophony of screams intensified, indicating that their situation had worsened, for now, the piercing sound of someone's frenzied footsteps grew nearer.
Without warning, the man propelled both Arthur and Alex out of the cage, yet as they turned to look back, a grotesque transformation overcame him. His face contorted into a monstrous visage, a single gaping mouth consuming his entire countenance, his hands morphing into enormous claws capable of rending them apart, and his legs twisting into a scorpion-like tail, brimming with mouths filled with ferocious teeth dwarfing even those of a tiger. The monstrous entity emitted an ear-splitting scream, shaking the very ground and toppling trees, blocking any escape route.
Despite their weakened state, Arthur and Alex mustered the strength to crawl toward a faint glimmer of hope. However, the creature, now circling the cage, sought them with relentless determination, prompting them to stumble towards the nearby house. Alas, their progress was hindered by the trembling earth, and they could only advance a short distance before collapsing from exhaustion.
Suddenly, the creature launched a devastating assault, striking Alex's left leg with such force that a deep crack appeared, resulting in profuse bleeding and excruciating pain. The monster, capable of attacking them at any moment and on any part of their bodies, presented a dire predicament, leaving them desperately pondering their next move.
With Arthur and Alex lying incapacitated on the ground, the creature intensified its search, yet their silence concealed their presence. Frustrated and consumed by anger, the monstrous being emitted an even more primal roar, its earsplitting sound reflecting its mounting rage.
Upon hearing trees collapse, the creature raced towards the source, only to find a blazing inferno rapidly consuming the surroundings, the flames growing with each passing second. Seizing the opportunity, Arthur hoisted Alex onto his back and embarked on a relentless sprint away from the creature's path. Their desperate flight unfolded without respite, Arthur carrying Alex's weight as they pressed forward.
Curiosity and confusion intertwined within Alex's pain-stricken voice as he questioned the nature of their current whereabouts, pondering the origin of the haunting forests, graveyards, and wandering souls that surrounded them. While navigating through the ethereal landscape, they stumbled upon a group of individuals engaged in conversation, their discussion accompanied by a sky adorned with breathtaking patterns, where letters were faintly discernible atop their heads, though not with perfect clarity. One figure stood black while the other emanated an aura of pure whiteness.
Yet, the scenery abruptly vanished, replaced by an infinite expanse of haunting forest teeming with restless souls. To their dismay, the monstrous creature once again closed in on them, launching a brutal assault that connected with a powerful punch to Arthur's face.