Everyone knew the stories and he was no exception.
He had heard the tales of how the world was plunged into ruin and nearly destroyed by the very object floating right in front of him.
The man knew of it all, yet he drew closer to the object as it further closed their distance. It was a black-colored object, as though composed of dark stones.
Many engravings were on its body, strange symbols that even the man couldn't decipher were written.
The strangest feature of the box, though, were seven empty indented spots around it. The indented spots had varying shapes, but nearly equal sizes.
Looking at it, he felt like seven objects, most likely jewels should have been attached to the box, but none could be seen.
The cursed object called out to him, exuding an aura that could only be described as malevolent.
However, the traveler didn't mind. He stretched his hand so that he could grasp the object.
>SHUUUUUUUU<
A hissing sound filled the large temple the moment his hands finally touched the box. His hands sizzled, feeling a mixture of hot and cold surge through them in an instant.
"A-ah…!" His groans were silenced by the voices that began ringing in his head. Black energy covered his hands, coursing through his veins and filling him up rapidly.
"Ooopeeen…. It…" A voice rang out, like echoes coming from a bottomless well. Shivers were sent through the man's spine. He knew the stories well. Opening the box would only bring the world into more ruin.
"This… this power…" He mumbled, feeling his thin body rush with unimaginable strength. He felt like he could do anything with the box in his hand.
The whites in his eyes turned black and a dark grin formed on his face. The box called out to him once more, making several shrill appeals to the man.
"Ooopen… it…"
"Moreeee… power… will be… given…"
"Unimaginable…. Power…"
The man, already addicted to the high that he was feeling, laughed insanely.
The temptation of greater power than what he currently possessed was all it took for him to completely ignore the consequences of his actions. He didn't care if the world suffered for his actions. The world never cared about him, to begin with!
"T—They said I was crazy… they said I was wasting my life…" He whispered these words as his hands massaged the surface of the box.
The box warbled with his every touch, as it made more appeals to open it. How was it done? How would he open the item? There didn't seem to be any lock or opening that he could simply unlock to obey the instructions ringing in his ears.
"H-how do I…?"
Suddenly, his eyes spotted a round button affixed at the bottom of the box. It warbled, showing a deep purple ambiance. The voices within him told him to press his hands into the Box.
He licked his lips slightly, as he felt the back of his throat itch when his trembling hands reached out to the button and pressed it.
What followed after that… was a nightmare!
>WHUUUUUUUSSSHHHHHH<
A gust of bone-chilling wind blew across the temple. The purple lights around flickered, nearly going out due to the wave that had erupted.
He was on his knees at this point, feeling his whole body paralyzed with something greater than fear.
His entire being trembled in the presence of what had just been unleashed. The only reason he was still alive was due to the power that coursed through him from the Box.
If he let go of the object for even a split second, he knew that it would spell the end of him.
"Haaa… we're finally out, uh?" A voice echoed a short distance from him. It sounded dark and awfully imposing.
"You've got that right."
"How long has it been?"
"This feels weird…"
"I feel exhausted."
"Looks like it's finally time…"
"Huhuhu, I'm hungry."
Feeling stiff all over, the man felt an insurmountable amount of pressure crush him where he knelt.
The six other voices seemed to have different tones and personalities that belonged to other beings. With voices ranging from sultry and soothing to burly and overstuffed, they pounded the man with every single syllable.
There was no need to be told what to do, the man's human instinct knew immediately. Planting his forehead on the ground, he made a full bow to the majestic seven beings in front of him.
From the corner of his eyes, he could see their shadows; grotesque and terribly misshapen.
"Oh? Someone certainly knows their place,"A voice sounded from the seven, amusement clearly displayed in his tone.
"Can I eat him? I'm quite hungry!"
This sent shivers down the spine of the man immediately. He didn't want to be devoured. Gritting his teeth and summoning every ounce of courage from his very core, the man protested with all his strength.
"I give reverence to the great ones, absolute beings of evil and calamity. The Seven Deadly Sins!"
They listened in silence, and though the man couldn't see their reaction, the seven shadows seemed impressed by his greetings.
"I, a lowly being, have listened to your calls. I have the same dreams every night and your voices always ring within them as you demand your release. I have dedicated over ten years in search of the source of your confinement to release you…"
The man stopped himself halfway, feeling a bit hesitant to mention the remaining part. However, he clenched his teeth and decided to continue.
"… You promised me power, more power than I could ever imagine if I released you from your prison. I have fulfilled my end of the bargain… I beg of you… please grace your loyal servant with his reward!"
Suddenly a roar of laughter filled the room.
Were they all laughing at his words, or just a single one was? The man couldn't tell since their voices echoed deeply.
"There's no need to be so tense, human. We get it," A casual voice sounded, seeming to move closer to the pleading man. With every step the shadow took, the air became more uneasy and the pressure deepened. The man was now struggling to breathe.
"We intend to fulfill our end of the bargain…"
The man swallowed hard. He was happy about the positive response, although he couldn't help but feel that there was something more to be said.
"… But, we'll need you to run a little errand for us. Be assured, it'll be worth your while," The shadow was now directly before the man, death was standing right in front of him. Everything would be decided upon the next statement that is to be made.
"The Seven Cardinal Heroes… they'll soon descend upon this land to stop us," The shadow casually said.
The man knew that much. It had been prophesied in the Words Of Divine Revelation, after all.
"So, before they strike us, you'll strike them first!"
The man was a little conflicted. The Heroes were powerful enough to have sealed the Sins in the past. Who was he to oppose them?
"Oh, I know what you're thinking. But, don't worry about it. I have a feeling it won't be as difficult as you think. Plus…" This time a chuckle leaked out of everyone else who had been silent for some time.
"… The very object they need to seal us is right in your hands," The man's eyes bulged, the moment he realized that he held the key, the box that was used all those years ago.
"So, our dear servant… what do you say?" The man's frightened face morphed into a smile, no, an evil grin.
The Seven Deadly Sins were offering him another deal which guaranteed even more power. There was no way he was going to refuse.
With a broad grin plastered on his face, and a dark gleam evident in his eyes, the new harbinger of destruction voiced out his words.
"With pleasure, Seven Deadly Sins. This pariah… shall dispose
of your mortal enemies!"
The Seven Cardinal Heroes and their legacy…he would crush them all!
"I hail the absolute darkness!"