Ubica led Sonyeon through a door. It opened to a large conference room. Men and women all dressed up for business sat there with their eyes glued to their laptops. "Ughh" she sighed as she took a seat at the long table that stretched throughout the room. The people paid her no attention. Ubica stood behind her like the several bodyguards that stood behind their employers. "Hey" she called to Ubica. "Yes?" "Get me some tea and take your time but be back before that minister comes in" "Yes ma'am". He took off, leaving Sonyeon to study the people that were seated all around her.
They all seemed to be important people if they could be invited to a meeting with that minister. She was only called in to observe and meet Marnowac for the first time. Time passed and each second felt like hell for Sonyeon. She hated every minute of being in this place where everyone seemed like a corporate zombie. The clock ticked one and Ubica entered, carrying a cup of steaming hot tea. "Everyone!! Minister Marnowac has arrived" he said aloud for everyone to here. They all stood up except Sonyeon. Marnowac entered amidst the claps from everyone. The people bowed to welcome him.
Marnowac revelled in the honour he got from them but couldn't help noticing the beautiful young lady that sat not too far from his seat. He sat and gestured to one of the men that followed him in. "Who's that stunning young lady over there?" he asked. "Sir, that's the woman that Ubica brought with him. I believe she's the one that you wanted to see" the guard answered. Marnowac studied her closely, intrigued by her.
Ubica put the tea in front of Sonyeon. As he placed it, he whispered "Why didn't you stand up?" She ignored him and reached into her bag, pulling out a copious stash of wood ash. Ubica stood behind her and watched her pour a large amount of the ash into the tea. "WHY???!!!!" he thought as he watched her stir the ash with the tea. She brought the cup to her nose and enjoyed the delightful aroma that tingled her nose. "Hello, distinguished men. I believe we all know why we're gathered here today but I don't think we all know ourselves. Ubica, may you introduce the guest you have brought in today?" he said with an uncanny smile. Ubica shuddered and tapped Sonyeon who was still in the middle of enjoying the whiff of her tea. He knew she wouldn't answer and closed his eyes. He bowed and apologised profusely. "I'm so sorry!! Once she's like that, I can't do anything". Marnowac was intrigued further.
"I've gathered everyone here to intimate you on some developments" The room turned black and only Marnowac's face was illuminated. There were sounds coming from all sounds. Not sounds of humans but sounds of corpses. "Men and women, the world is about to change for us" he smiled. The corpses lifted their hands to the sky. "The governors have agreed to give us the sacrifices we require. In a week, those animals, those cockroaches, those beasts will be completely wiped out of the face of the earth" he announced with glee. Retching noises filled the air. The corpses seemed to worship him and the bright darkness that shone from his body. "Get ready, hell is coming"
The last foot stepped out the room leaving Sonyeon, Ubica and Marnowac alone. Marnowac's men walked out on the order of the minister. Sonyeon sipped her tea while watching Marnowac with a steady gaze. "Ubica, I really think you outdid yourself with this one. May I know your name?" he asked. Sonyeon dropped her cup. She had just witnessed scenes that she didn't need to see. She stood to speak. "Frankly, I dislike you" she said and walked around the room. Marnowac's eyes followed her curiously. "Why do you say so?" he asked. "I just don't like you. Do I need a reason to hate someone?" Sonyeon shot back.
"Then why did you let Ubica bring you here?" he continued. "I just wanted to know who was leading us" she answered. Ubica stood there, watching them exchange glares and words. Marnowac laughed. He stood up and went to the door. "Ubica bring your guest with me" he said and walked out. Sonyeon looked at the closing doors and followed him. "C'mon, why's it when I don't want all this?" he cried and ran after them.
They walked down a fleet of stairs with Marnowac leading the way. No one spoke as they moved down. The colour of the air changed slowly upon their descent. It felt harder to breathe and more difficult to walk. Ubica was affected by this and moved like a log of wood but Sonyeon walked through like it was nothing. They reached a spot that was empty. There was nothing there. The stairs appeared to stop. Looking into the spot felt like the darkness within was sucking you in its cold embrace. No sound came from there until they heard a step.
"Clack, clack" sounded from within the blackness. Sonyeon's hands reached for her blade at her back. Ubica's mind was dizzy and he had collapsed, falling unconscious. The sound grew closer and closer. A foot walked out and at that instant, death clutched Sonyeo. Her feet started shaking and she was filled with so much fear, she couldn't think. Only one thing sounded in her mind
"KILL"
She rushed forward and took a swing. She felt her hand fly off and jumped back instinctively. Her hand was still on her body; it only appeared to be cut off. Her head touched the ground as she bowed at the feet of whatever was in front of her.
"Raise your head" sounded from it. It felt like a command was given to her soul and she immediately brought her head up and saw a being without form. Its head appeared to be but also was not. Its breath could be felt but it was not. What manner of being stood in front of her? She questioned herself.
"Marnowac, you may tell me of the progress"
"Yes, my liege. My liege, we shall present the bodies to you so that you may bring your glory to our reality" he said while bowed down. The being turned its back and appeared to go back into the darkness. It stopped and turned. It moved towards Sonyeon and lifted her trembling face. Her eyes refused to open and her lips quivered, refusing to speak. It felt like even existing in the same presence as such an entity was a mistake. Her face was pressed harder and the being peered into her very being.
"It appears that you have had contact with a primordial being. Speak woman. Who did you meet?"
Sonyeon felt an obligated to answer. She had never heard of primordial beings nor had she met one. Her stammering lips opened to say "No…no….no…..one". The being held her upright, lifting her body from the ground. Sonyeon felt a fire burning inside of her. The being shook her body violently and fiery ash fell from her. It threw her down and took the ash in its non-existent hands.
"The Fire Devil? He's present in this reality?" it asked itself. It looked at Sonyeon again and touched her hand. A dark force emerged from it and embedded itself into Sonyeon's body. "ARRGHHHH!!!!" she screamed as the force forcefully entered her body, causing extreme pain. She fell to the ground, shaking violently with pain. The being turned away and receded into the darkness. As it left, it dropped its final words.
"I'LL BE THERE"