Post by Merik on Oct 26, 2022 5:29:47 GMT
There is a spot in hell. Down in the deepest, darkest recesses of hell. Somewhere even the screams of the damned couldn't be heard. A place that hadn't seen light since before creation. A place that even the Lords of Hell hadn't seen or even knew about. Here was a place of secrets and mysteries so well set aside that not even myth nor legends had been recorded of it. This place had remained undisturbed for centuries upon centuries, millennia upon millennia...
Until this ill-fated day. Suddenly a brilliant, intense, and blinding flash; Flames of brilliant white erupted from nothing. The flames were so grand that had there been any to witness the sight they surly would have been blinded cursed to never see again. But somehow blessed, for instead of being doomed to darkness they would forever see the flames and feel its heat. Not as a harsh burning, rather a comforting almost soothing warmth.
Though just as suddenly as they had appeared they were gone, now only a body remained laying on the ground seemingly lifeless. The man laying there was wearing a strange armor. Though it was heavily damaged, so much so that the once sturdy gear looked as though it would crumble at a touch. Sure enough as the man started breathing pieces fell off in parts and pieces turning to dust as it touched the ground.
Not yet my love.
A voice of a woman so lovely it could sway even the most Glorious of Angels, and stay the hand of the cruelest of Demons. Though it was such a quiet whisper that it could've easily been passed as nothing but the illusion of the wind, if there were such a thing here. Still the man slowly opened his eyes and sat up.
"What- where am I?"
Though he spoke calmly and softly the sound was harsh upon this land of darkness and silence. As though this place were alive itself the man felt as if the darkness intensified as if trying to smother him, remove him as though he were a pox, a walking defilement in this unholy place. Even so he would stand up and attempt to look around but to no avail as he couldn't even see his own hands even when he waved them in his face. For all he knew he might only be a phantom limbless and blind, he was sure he was standing but he didn't feel ground beneath his feet he felt... nothing. Was he dead? Wait.
"Ah, I see you're already here. I hope you weren't waiting long."
A voice. No... voices? A harsh cacophony of voices of every age and every pitch and tone spoke at once. The man winced as the sound hit his ears it felt like he was sound was piercing his body like swords and spears, but he realized that the voice itself wasn't the cause, rather it was the intense silence of this place that made even the smallest of sounds become weapons, tools of torture and pain.
"Who-"
He whinced even his own voice caused discomfort as if just by speaking the sound ripped and teared at his throat and mouth.
"Interesting. You don't remember?"
The voices said again. This time a different feeling filled the man, one of an intense burning, a rage that came from the very depths of his soul... but why? He clinched his teeth.
"Who are you."
This time his words were full of power. Intent. Purpose. A Commanding sound that made the question become a order that would not be ignored. Laughter came from everywhere and nowhere.
"Oh my. So you are still in that shell are you? Deep deep inside hidden away. Hmph, and here I thought I plucked you clean of that unsightlyness. Still, whatever shred might remain, it is not enough, you still belong to me."
The man growled. He didn't know why, but the feeling of being denied an answer felt worse than the harshest of insults.
"Where am I? What's going on?"
More laughter.
"Are you sure that is your question? I believe there is a more important question that you should be asking, and I must admit I'm rather curious to discover the answer myself."
The voices were full of mocking and malicious intent. Even still he wondered, what were they talking about? He wondered to himself when it suddenly clicked.
"Wh-"
The commanding presence that had filled his previous words were not gone as he started to feel an anxiety overcome him.
"Who... am I?"
The laughter stopped, instead the air got heavy, the man felt small as he could feel that who or whatever was speaking to him was staring down on him and he could FEEL the cruel smile split the darkness as he was being stared at. He felt like trapped animal helpless, doomed to whatever whims the beast in front of him had.
"Perfect, THAT is exactly what I wanted to hear."
The rage welled deep inside him again burning out the anxiety, igniting him once more in the white flame. Yet even while set ablaze and the unholy darkness visibly fleeing as best the could to get away from the light the man still could not see the source of the voices.
"Now now, is that anyway to behave when I've been nothing but cordial this entire time?"
The flame responding to the rage inside the man grew even larger.
"Enough of this show yourself at once you fiend! I would see your face before I vanquish you from existence!"
Though the words came from him so naturally he didn't know why he said them, or what he meant by them. Laughter once again erupted.
"Is that so. How about I answer your question first. Want to know who, What, you are?"
The man hesitated a moment but didn't move except to scan the darkness attempting to see any sign of the speaker.
"Very well, you had a name once, but that was before, now you have been reborn. Remade. Now, you belong to me."
With those words a sharp pain would flash in the man's chest causing him to grab at his chest and struggle for air.
"And because you are mine. You are nothing but a Thrall to do with as I choose."
The pain grew and spread. Bringing the man to his knees as sweat began to cover his body.
"You are a servant, a tool, you exist only to do my bidding."
The flames began to flicker and wane but still fought back against the invisible attack as if the two forces were fighting over the man's body.
"You will do as say, think only what I tell you, and be whatever I want. You are little more than a Neanderthal."
The flames grew weaker obviously losing the fight ast the pain now enveloped the man's entire body, it felt like something was changing him forcefulling but into what he did not know.
"Ah, in fact that will do just fine. You wish to know your new name?"
Suddenly it was as though everything stopped, the pain, the darkness, even the flames seemed to stay in place. The man looked up to see something approach but the only thing he could make out was a mask. A mask the dripped with pure malice, it looked and felt like someone had turned the concept of Evil into a physical substance and molded a mask out of it.
"You are now Neanderthal."
The voices cackled, and with that final word everything started again the pain so intense the man collapsed paralyzed and watched as the flames began to fade... or so he thought, but before his eyes the once warm and righteous flames that engulfed him became to twist and corrupt turning into the darkest shades of black warmth and comfort were now replace with painful searing and a cold hopelessness.
As the fires were almost fully corrupted Neanderthal began to drift into his self-conscious mind, that cold hopelessness following him closely wrapping him up in a cold blanket of despair. Only just before he was completely taken over by the corruption the feint Loving voice could be heard once more.
Sleep my Love, but do not give in.
A small tingling warmth could ever so slight soothed him to his soul.
They will find you, and when they do, do not be afraid to tell them your story.
He tried to hold onto the warmth but it began to fade.
When they find you, protect them, and they will always be there for you. This is good-bye for now, I will wait for you. My dearest sweet-
He couldn't hear what the voice said last as the warmth faded completely. He didn't know what it meant or what he was told, and yet as he succumbed to the darkness, he did not embrace the despair that came with it. The final act of defiance... became the first crack.
_______________________
Thal woke up suddenly drenched in sweat and shaken. Was that... a dream? But... how? He had never had a dream before. Hell, he hadn't ever slept. Demons had no need for sleep. What the fuck? But before he could take another thought about it when there was a faint light tapping on his door.
"Uhm. Hey, Thal? A-are you ok?"
He sighed audibly. That fucking brat. It was probably their fault. He didn't know how, or why, but it was definitely their fault.
"I'm fine. Go back to sleep."
He rolled his eyes... and sighed again.
"We still got a long way to go. Get what rest you can. Don't want you getting sick or anything."
Then he folded his arms.
"Not that that I care about your health, just don't feel like carrying your ass around."
He shook his head as he heard them go back to their room. They sounded... happier? That didn't make sense all they did was walk...
"Stupid."
With that Thal looked down at the book he had been reading. A gift from them.
"Goodnight Thal!"
He heard them call through the wall. He rolled his eyes.
"Whatever."
Then, with the faintest if feint smiles he picked up the book and started reading.
Until this ill-fated day. Suddenly a brilliant, intense, and blinding flash; Flames of brilliant white erupted from nothing. The flames were so grand that had there been any to witness the sight they surly would have been blinded cursed to never see again. But somehow blessed, for instead of being doomed to darkness they would forever see the flames and feel its heat. Not as a harsh burning, rather a comforting almost soothing warmth.
Though just as suddenly as they had appeared they were gone, now only a body remained laying on the ground seemingly lifeless. The man laying there was wearing a strange armor. Though it was heavily damaged, so much so that the once sturdy gear looked as though it would crumble at a touch. Sure enough as the man started breathing pieces fell off in parts and pieces turning to dust as it touched the ground.
Not yet my love.
A voice of a woman so lovely it could sway even the most Glorious of Angels, and stay the hand of the cruelest of Demons. Though it was such a quiet whisper that it could've easily been passed as nothing but the illusion of the wind, if there were such a thing here. Still the man slowly opened his eyes and sat up.
"What- where am I?"
Though he spoke calmly and softly the sound was harsh upon this land of darkness and silence. As though this place were alive itself the man felt as if the darkness intensified as if trying to smother him, remove him as though he were a pox, a walking defilement in this unholy place. Even so he would stand up and attempt to look around but to no avail as he couldn't even see his own hands even when he waved them in his face. For all he knew he might only be a phantom limbless and blind, he was sure he was standing but he didn't feel ground beneath his feet he felt... nothing. Was he dead? Wait.
"Ah, I see you're already here. I hope you weren't waiting long."
A voice. No... voices? A harsh cacophony of voices of every age and every pitch and tone spoke at once. The man winced as the sound hit his ears it felt like he was sound was piercing his body like swords and spears, but he realized that the voice itself wasn't the cause, rather it was the intense silence of this place that made even the smallest of sounds become weapons, tools of torture and pain.
"Who-"
He whinced even his own voice caused discomfort as if just by speaking the sound ripped and teared at his throat and mouth.
"Interesting. You don't remember?"
The voices said again. This time a different feeling filled the man, one of an intense burning, a rage that came from the very depths of his soul... but why? He clinched his teeth.
"Who are you."
This time his words were full of power. Intent. Purpose. A Commanding sound that made the question become a order that would not be ignored. Laughter came from everywhere and nowhere.
"Oh my. So you are still in that shell are you? Deep deep inside hidden away. Hmph, and here I thought I plucked you clean of that unsightlyness. Still, whatever shred might remain, it is not enough, you still belong to me."
The man growled. He didn't know why, but the feeling of being denied an answer felt worse than the harshest of insults.
"Where am I? What's going on?"
More laughter.
"Are you sure that is your question? I believe there is a more important question that you should be asking, and I must admit I'm rather curious to discover the answer myself."
The voices were full of mocking and malicious intent. Even still he wondered, what were they talking about? He wondered to himself when it suddenly clicked.
"Wh-"
The commanding presence that had filled his previous words were not gone as he started to feel an anxiety overcome him.
"Who... am I?"
The laughter stopped, instead the air got heavy, the man felt small as he could feel that who or whatever was speaking to him was staring down on him and he could FEEL the cruel smile split the darkness as he was being stared at. He felt like trapped animal helpless, doomed to whatever whims the beast in front of him had.
"Perfect, THAT is exactly what I wanted to hear."
The rage welled deep inside him again burning out the anxiety, igniting him once more in the white flame. Yet even while set ablaze and the unholy darkness visibly fleeing as best the could to get away from the light the man still could not see the source of the voices.
"Now now, is that anyway to behave when I've been nothing but cordial this entire time?"
The flame responding to the rage inside the man grew even larger.
"Enough of this show yourself at once you fiend! I would see your face before I vanquish you from existence!"
Though the words came from him so naturally he didn't know why he said them, or what he meant by them. Laughter once again erupted.
"Is that so. How about I answer your question first. Want to know who, What, you are?"
The man hesitated a moment but didn't move except to scan the darkness attempting to see any sign of the speaker.
"Very well, you had a name once, but that was before, now you have been reborn. Remade. Now, you belong to me."
With those words a sharp pain would flash in the man's chest causing him to grab at his chest and struggle for air.
"And because you are mine. You are nothing but a Thrall to do with as I choose."
The pain grew and spread. Bringing the man to his knees as sweat began to cover his body.
"You are a servant, a tool, you exist only to do my bidding."
The flames began to flicker and wane but still fought back against the invisible attack as if the two forces were fighting over the man's body.
"You will do as say, think only what I tell you, and be whatever I want. You are little more than a Neanderthal."
The flames grew weaker obviously losing the fight ast the pain now enveloped the man's entire body, it felt like something was changing him forcefulling but into what he did not know.
"Ah, in fact that will do just fine. You wish to know your new name?"
Suddenly it was as though everything stopped, the pain, the darkness, even the flames seemed to stay in place. The man looked up to see something approach but the only thing he could make out was a mask. A mask the dripped with pure malice, it looked and felt like someone had turned the concept of Evil into a physical substance and molded a mask out of it.
"You are now Neanderthal."
The voices cackled, and with that final word everything started again the pain so intense the man collapsed paralyzed and watched as the flames began to fade... or so he thought, but before his eyes the once warm and righteous flames that engulfed him became to twist and corrupt turning into the darkest shades of black warmth and comfort were now replace with painful searing and a cold hopelessness.
As the fires were almost fully corrupted Neanderthal began to drift into his self-conscious mind, that cold hopelessness following him closely wrapping him up in a cold blanket of despair. Only just before he was completely taken over by the corruption the feint Loving voice could be heard once more.
Sleep my Love, but do not give in.
A small tingling warmth could ever so slight soothed him to his soul.
They will find you, and when they do, do not be afraid to tell them your story.
He tried to hold onto the warmth but it began to fade.
When they find you, protect them, and they will always be there for you. This is good-bye for now, I will wait for you. My dearest sweet-
He couldn't hear what the voice said last as the warmth faded completely. He didn't know what it meant or what he was told, and yet as he succumbed to the darkness, he did not embrace the despair that came with it. The final act of defiance... became the first crack.
_______________________
Thal woke up suddenly drenched in sweat and shaken. Was that... a dream? But... how? He had never had a dream before. Hell, he hadn't ever slept. Demons had no need for sleep. What the fuck? But before he could take another thought about it when there was a faint light tapping on his door.
"Uhm. Hey, Thal? A-are you ok?"
He sighed audibly. That fucking brat. It was probably their fault. He didn't know how, or why, but it was definitely their fault.
"I'm fine. Go back to sleep."
He rolled his eyes... and sighed again.
"We still got a long way to go. Get what rest you can. Don't want you getting sick or anything."
Then he folded his arms.
"Not that that I care about your health, just don't feel like carrying your ass around."
He shook his head as he heard them go back to their room. They sounded... happier? That didn't make sense all they did was walk...
"Stupid."
With that Thal looked down at the book he had been reading. A gift from them.
"Goodnight Thal!"
He heard them call through the wall. He rolled his eyes.
"Whatever."
Then, with the faintest if feint smiles he picked up the book and started reading.
