Birth of Envy

The Birth of Envy, Part 1









Index

1. On Human Nature……………………….2-3

2. A Friend in Need………………………...3-4

3. The Deal…………………………………4-6

4. Partner…………………………………...6-7

5. Awakening………………………………7-8

6. The One Who Goes Against the World…8-9

7. The River………………………………..9-10

8. Memories in the Rain………………...…10-14

9. The Gate………………………………...14-16

10. Limbo…………………………………..16-17

11. Judgment……………………………….17-22

12. Lust……………………………………..22-26

13. Gluttony………………………………...27-28

14. Greed…………………………………...28-30

15. Jack the Ripper…………………………30-31

16. Wrath…………………………………...31-37

17. Mirror…………………...............……...37-39

18. Sloth…………………………………....39

19. Envy…………………………………....39-41

20. Pride………………………………..…..41-42

21. The Weight of Friendship………..….....43-45

22. On Human Nature……………..……….46-47

Final……………………………..………....47-48







1. On Human Nature



“Human’s are such fickle creatures.” This man stared at me, with anger the likes of which I had never seen before. “But come on. You didn’t see this coming?” That anger that seemed to flow out of his body, complete and utter hatred, and yet…

“Why?” a simple sentence, and yet one that allowed me a glimpse of what he was feeling. He was a person devoid of hope. His heart overflowing with hate, and yet, even in his darkest hour, it was still there. That small spark that resided in the heart of all beings. That which drives all living beings. Love…

“You knew from the beginning how this would end. I’ll give you credit though. You made it a lot farther than you were ever expected to.” I could see it, no matter how hard he tried to hold it back. The dampness on his cheeks told us all what he was going through, and throughout the entirety of this dim cavern, everyone else began to laugh. Even I, with all the hatred I hold in my heart, would not tolerate this.

“Silence, you impudent wretches!” Silence once again filled this dim place of hopelessness. “Anyone who laughs at one who has suffered through a betrayal such as this will have to answer to me. Do you understand?” I wasn’t even yelling at this point. It wasn’t necessary to quiet the weak.

“Taking pity on me now?” He was laughing. Not one which would showcase a jovial display of happiness, but one of resentment, and of defeat. He would give up, he just needed a push.

“As you can see, you are in no position to make any more bargains. Even as powerful as you are now, you are exhausted beyond all measure.” It was simply pointing out a fact that even the dimmest of children could see. Heavy breathing, eyes nearly shut, blood dripping down the tattered remains which used to be clothes.

“That world is behind you now; there is no chance for you to return to it. You have nothing left, except, what it is I have to offer you.” Caution is necessary to capture this one. His power will be necessary for the future. He still has his uses.

“Your life is in my hands now, your future is mine, now we shall discuss this further…” He started laughing again. This, impudent child dare to laugh at my proposal?

“Sorry. But, I’m going to have to decline your offer.” Bastard! “Besides, I still have this sword don’t I?” He was smiling now, he was seriously thinking of fighting me. He still doesn’t realize…

“Fool, do you not know that you can do nothing against me?” There was only one way this was going to end, and yet, he was grinning. He really thought he had a chance, poor imbecile. I would show him just how wrong he was to think that we were on the same level.

“I will never work for you, my life is my own.” His arm tightened around the blade that was by his side, the curved sheath spiking behind his back as he thrust his body weight forward. He was charging…fool.

“This blade is my strength that carries me forward, and with it, I shall end you.” The distance between us was rapidly closing, a few more seconds and he would be upon me. It was than that I finally noticed it. His eyes betrayed him; he knew he didn’t stand a chance.

Unsheathing the sword, he propelled the sword forward, slashing at me, the sword connecting with the side of my limp right arm. It was at this moment that time seemed to stop. If he knew this effort was fruitless, than why even bother? Why not just submit willingly and save him the pain? These questions mattered little, for they would not change the outcome of this little skirmish. As soon as the sword dug into my skin, it shattered. The look of shock never came to his face. The only sound anyone heard was clanging of broken metal hitting the rocks of the cavern surrounding us.

“I will not bow to you.”

“Impudent whelp.” I had had enough. This would end now.

Grabbing his arm, I flung him sideways with enough force to stop a stampeding rhino. Hitting the rocky wall should be enough to kill a normal man, but he was far from normal. Down on one knee, he refused to stay down. Wobbling upwards was the only way this man could ascend.

“You know, I don’t really like you…” Does he like making me angry? Perhaps he does, perhaps he believes that if he gets me angry than he wins in some sort of sick human way. Pathetic.

In the blink of an eye I was before him once more. He was hunched over glaring at me with whatever strength he could muster, it seemed like it was taking everything he had just to stand. Once again I felt it, the feeling that kept me from completely obliterating this insolent whelp. Pity. Pity for one who was completely and utterly betrayed. Pity for one who would spend the rest of eternity in this dark dreary place. Pity for one whom no one would even miss when he was gone. I looked up, the stalactites hanging from the ceiling, seemed long and jagged, water dripping from them as though this entire cavern was crying for this child.

He seemed so innocent, a mere child facing off against one such as myself. Lifting my arm so my hand could feel his cheek, “Why is it you continue to defy me? We know how this will end.” And so he did the only thing he could, he spit on me. I guess I did ask for that one huh? I was no longer angry, but simply fed up. Besides, I could wait a few years. Smiling to myself I grabbed his shoulder, and threw him upwards. Our eyes met for a single moment, my red with his green, and for a moment, I regretted the pain he would feel. But it would be for the best for me; and him as well.

His body crashed directly into a stalactite, the sharp piercing rock stabbing straight through chest. If he would not listen to me, than pain would have to teach him. I noticed the little cretins of mine slowly climbing towards his body

“Leave him! No one is to touch him.” They would leave him alone now. The pain he feels, which hurts more, the stalactite through his chest? Or the knife in his heart? I guess I would never know. He slowly closed his eyes, drifting off into a faraway place.



2. A Friend in Need



“What you’re planning is impossible. There’s only one way to go there and that’s…” Before he could finish his sentence, he was cut off by his companion.

“I’ll find an entrance, even if I have to do that,” said his companion, smirking at his friend’s shocked reaction. He had opened his pawn shop today expecting it to be just like every other day, slow and uneventful. He thought that he would spend the day wondering how to pay off his rent and car payments. But instead his best friend came in and flipped his world upside down.

“Listen, we’ve been friends a long time.” said the man, “I can’t just stand by and let you do something like this to yourself.”

“That’s why I’ve come to you Jim, I need your help.” The man known as Jim was shocked. His heart was racing, as if afraid of what his friend might ask him to do.

“You want to involve me in something such as this? Are you utterly freaking insane? If you do this they’ll come for me even if I don’t help you. That’s the way they are.” By now Jim was yelling at his friend, fearful not only for his own safety, but also yelling for the sake of the man who stood before him. The only man who he could trust. This man wouldn’t back down for his own sake, but perhaps he’d stop this insane plan of his for the sake of a friend.

“I’m sorry, but you already know how I feel about this. This is something I have to do. If I don’t save her, who will?” On his face was a smile, not the smirk that usually adorned his face, but a true smile. Only she could make him smile like that.

“I guess your mind’s already made up than?” The sound of defeat was evident in his voice. “There’s nothing I can do to dissuade you?”

“Nope, sorry, but even if you don’t help me, I’m still going to save her.” Clenching his fists in anticipation, he wondered how he was going to accomplish this, how would he keep his promise…

“Fine, I guess I don’t have a choice. I don’t know how effective it’ll be, but here.” Reaching under the counter, Jim pulled out a small box. Opening the box revealed a small handgun. “This is a Mark XIX Desert Eagle, I don’t know the specifics, but it should be able to help you if even a little bit. Also, I may have something else that can help you, but, I can’t vouch for its integrity, or how dangerous it may be.”

“I’ve already told you haven’t I? There’s nothing I won’t do to save Molly.” The girl known as Molly had become the pillar of support in his life, he needed her, much more than she currently needed him.

“Follow me downstairs,” Jim started walking towards the door behind the counter, his friend not far behind him.

“So what is it that you want to give me?” his friend said to him.

“What I’m offering isn’t something I have to choose to give to you. This is something you have to choose to take yourself.” He stopped walking, about halfway down the stairs and turned around to face him in his deep blue eyes; he wanted to make sure that his friend understood the consequences of what he was offering. “I’m offering you the power of the devil.”



3. The Deal



Even his friend was shocked to hear something such as this. “What do you mean? The power of the devil? I don’t understand what it is you are trying to say.” Their eyes met, and Jim could sense his friend’s wariness at his offer.

“I know that this isn’t something you can easily decide in a few minutes, however, we don’t have a lot of time on this matter. I need your decision now.” However, Jim already knew his friend’s answer.

“I’ve already made a promise. I promised myself I’d protect her no matter what. I’ll do it.” Determination shown through his eyes, piercing through Jim’s own gaze, a determination like he had never seen, and, for a moment, he thought that his friend just might pull this off.

“Alright, well, let’s go.” Thus they continued the descent into the basement, soon coming to a refrigerator with a large padlock against the wall. The man looked around, not seeing a door.

“Are we here?” he asked.

Laughing, Jim said “Not yet, but almost.” He took out a key from his pocket, and placed it into the keyhole of the padlock. Turning the key the padlock fell from its chain, allowing access to the refrigerator. “This is as far as I go, from here on out, it’s all up to you.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t think that eating a sandwich is going to allow me to become a demon, unless you have some very demonic milk in there?” his voice dripping with sarcasm.

It was now Jim’s turn to smirk. “Just open it, and good luck.”

His friend hesitantly walked towards the fridge and placed his hand on the handle. Pulling open the door, his eyes were filled with a bright light. Raising his arms to shield his eyes from the light, he fell down onto one knee, his body feeling incredibly heavy. Suddenly it all ended, the light was gone and his body felt light once more. Lowering his arms he saw the back of a single individual. It was also at this time that he noticed that he was no longer in the basement nor was the fridge anywhere in sight. He was in a world black, nothing except the two of them standing there.

“What is it you want with me?” The figure asked. Turning his head sideways so he could say his words, as well as see to whom it was he was speaking to.

It was as he was turning his head he first noticed his eyes, the most unique of feature of this figure. His eyes were red, with malice the likes of which he had never seen.

“Insolent whelp, speak before I thrust your soul into oblivion,” his voice harsh with anger and disgust. Turning his body completely around to face him, he noticed how dark this person seemed, his clothes completely black, to match his hair. The only thing that seemed bright about him was his eyes, which almost seemed to glow with hate.

“I want power,” was the only reply he could muster. Even he thought that this kind of response must sound pathetic.

The other man started laughing, “Power?” he said, “As if you are the first one to ask me for power. Why should I give it to you? What will you give me in return?”

Thinking about it for a moment, he had reached his decision on how to approach this, “You’re the Fallen One correct? If you give me the power to save the one I love, I’ll go to Hell. It’s a fair trade, isn’t it?” This was it. This was the best way to do it.

“You pathetic human’s and the names you have for me, I am by no mean’s ‘fallen’ in any way shape or form. However, I am the one you refer to, the lord of the place you call Hell. But that still raises the question as to why I should give you power. You’ll go to Hell? That isn’t interesting at all.”

“Give me the power I need!” By now he was yelling. “I will save her and I don’t care what I have to do.” Using all the strength he could muster, he ran as fast as his legs would carry towards the one he spoke. Using his right arm, he collided his fist with the cheek of his opponent, forcing his head towards the right, but not even moving the rest of his body. Astonished by the sheer strength of his opponent, he couldn’t find the strength to even remove his arm.

“Not one of your pathetic species has ever tried to hit me before.” His lower jaw was in such intense pain, faster than he could see, his opponent had used his own arm to unleash an uppercut that connected completely with his mandible. He flew through the air, landing on his neck and causing excruciating pain throughout the rest of his body.

“That was very courageous of you, foolish beyond all measure, but courageous. I accept your deal. I will grant you the power necessary to save the one you love, however, you must also uphold your end of the bargain. You will make a fine addition to my syndicate.” The force of that blow was incredible; he wasn’t even able to move after it. “What’s your name whelp?”

“Gabriel. Gabriel Livius,” was the only thing he could choke out.

“Gabriel, huh? You have a very interesting name. I can’t wait until you are a part of my rule.” That was the last thing he heard him say. He could feel the world dissolving all around him, and with that, he blacked out.



4. Partner



Black. Surrounded by darkness, it was all his eyes could see.

“Where, am I?” he asked himself out loud. He began to wonder how he could have possibly gotten to this place so far from any light. But, more importantly, he also thought on how he’d get out. Than from behind him came a bright flash. Whipping his body around as fast as he could, he found the source of the flash. In front of him was a sword, floating in mid-air.

“A sword?” In this world of darkness, there was a single source of light. This curved sword brought the only speck of light in an otherwise dark world. “That curved edge, must be a katana…” He said to himself. The sword of seemingly Japanese origin continued to float there. “But why is it here?” With that, he started towards the sword, hoping to grasp the weapon in front of him.

The closer he approached the weapon, the more he noticed about it. The katana was impeccably white, from the hilt to the tip of the blade. It was a beautiful blade, one that seemed to put him at peace, simply by approaching it.

“Beautiful blade isn’t it?” From behind him came a voice. Spinning on his heel and preparing for the worst, he came face to face with the one whom promised him power. “You wanted power correct?” Before Gabe could even nod, the man he faced continued. “This sword will be your power. Use it to save the one you love.” It was than that he smirked, and Gabe wondered why.

“What’s so special about the blade?” he asked. “I can tell your hiding something from me.” Narrowing his eyes at his benefactor, he clenched his fists, awaiting the outburst he was sure would come. However, all his ‘friend’ did was laugh, shocking him quite a bit.

“Quite perceptive aren’t you? There’s no harm in me explaining what is special about this sword,” he started. “You see, this sword is representative of your own heart, right now it’s white, as would any other person who still has their humanity. However, the more you use it to kill, the darker the blade will become as you yourself start to lose a portion of yourself.”

“So you’re saying that…” he started but was cut off before he could finish.

“Yes. This sword will show you how much like a human you still are, and by the time that you save your little ‘girlfriend,’ the blade will no longer be white as snow, but as black as darkness itself, as you lose your soul to the darkness that will have taken root.” The power he had been given was dangerous. He wasn’t sure that this is the kind of power he still wanted. “You human’s are pathetic. Ending the life of another kills a piece of yourself as well. I assume by the time you are finished ‘saving’ her, you will no longer be yourself. At that time, I will come for you.”

Knowing that once he had taken the blade, there would be no going back from the path he had chosen. Turning once more towards the blade, he closed the distance between the two of them.

“Viscus,” said his benefactor. “You should know the name of your partner before you start this journey.” With that, he reached out his hand to the blade in front of him, and seized it as tightly as he could.

Almost as if a bomb had gone off, the blade seemed to emit wind all around him, blowing at speeds to rival a tornado, he held on even tighter, raising his other arm to the blade, he grasped it as tightly as he possibly could.

“Good luck, whelp.” It was than that he finally opened his eyes.



5. Awakening



“You’re awake? I was beginning to get worried there,” said Jim. He was back in the shop, laying behind the counter, his friend sitting next to him. “I wasn’t sure what had happened, you opened the fridge and just fell backwards.”

“How long was I out?” he asked.

“Bout an hour, but boy did I think I made a mistake showing that fridge to you,” he said sounding quite frustrated. “I thought that you might have died or something. I was told that fridge housed a very deep demonic power, you see. I figured you might be able to use it, but well, seems like I was wrong.”

“No, thanks for showing it to me.” It was than that Gabe noticed it in his arm. Smiling to himself, he raised the sword up into the air, pointing the blade at the ceiling, “Meet Viscus, my partner,” he said.

“Whoa, where did you get that? You didn’t have that as I was carrying you up.” He sounded almost afraid of it.

“Your fridge doesn’t have any demonic power, it’s a gateway. On the other side I met one of unfathomable power and I cut a deal with him. He gave me this sword.” The white blade seemed to shine inside the store.

“Well I’d never thought that there was such a beautiful blade in this world. By the way, what’d you give up in return?” he asked, sounding suspicious about what he had given up.

“Not important. What is important is finding the entrance now that I’ve got the power,” his determination becoming evident. “I will find the gateway to Hell, I’ll dive into its deepest pits, and I’ll save her. I’ll save her even if I have to give my life up in the process.”

“You’re going to die,” said Jim. “It doesn’t matter how much power that sword has. My gun probably won’t be of any help either. Are you sure you still want to do this? You don’t have to give up your life for hers. I mean, what did she ever do for you?” All Gabe could do was laugh.

“I owe it to her, and I won’t say anything else.” It was than that Jim saw Gabe smile a true smile. One that no one else could give him. He only wished that it didn’t have to turn out like this.

“Jim I need one more thing before I go,” said Gabe while standing up.

“What’s that?” Jim asked curiously.

“I need a sheath,” he replied. Jim located the best his little pawnshop could offer, and without saying another word to each other, Gabe left. Jim wanted to say goodbye, but he knew he couldn’t and knew that Gabe couldn’t either. But this is the way things had to be, they both knew it. This is the way that they lived their lives. Jim hoped that Gabe could do the impossible; he hoped Gabe could save Molly, and that he still had enough time. A small smirk adorned Jim’s face. It was time…



6. The One Who Goes Against the World



Gabe began his journey to find the gateway into Hell. His katana in its sheath, slung around his back, his pistol holstered on his left, and his spirit, determined to fight the armies of Hell itself to save the one he loves.

“You really think you can find an entrance to Hell all on your own.” Again, a voice from behind him surprised him. Removing his gun from its holster, he twirled around as quickly as his body would allow, pointing his weapon in the direction of the voice. When he finally saw what was behind him, he was surprised. There was no one there. “What are you looking at?” said the voice once more from behind him. This time, he grabbed the hilt of his sword from his sheath and swung it out of the scabbard. Spinning around, he unleashed the entire fury of his sword at his opponent behind him.

Unfortunately, his opponent was faster than he was, and the pain he felt in his gut was unreal. Not even the pain he had felt before in his jaw was as bad as this. Looking up he looked directly into the eyes of his opponent. Blue eyes met with green, as he pulled up his handgun to fire at his opponent. Before he could pull the trigger, however, his opponent had him on the ground, forcing away both his gun and his sword. He was defenseless.

“I didn’t come here to fight you. I came to offer you help. I came to offer a way into Hell,” he said. Their faces were mere inches apart as Gabe lay defenseless on the ground. He looked into this man’s eyes, sensing sincerity, and in the distance, pain.

“Who are you?” he asked, not understanding how this man could know of his plan. Or how he could know of a way into Hell.

“Name’s William Freeman. You can call me Will,” was his reply.

“How do you know I want to find a way into Hell?” asked Gabe. Who wouldn’t be curious as to know how someone knew of his nearly impossible goal?

“I can answer that if you want, or we can spend that wasted time actually accomplishing your goal, it’s your choice.” Gabe pondered on what he said; perhaps this was a gift from God himself? Or, maybe the Fallen One had sent this man to trick him. But, what choice did he have?

“Why should I trust you?” he asked.

“Simple. Why not?” was his reply, a smirk adorning his face. “If you’ll trust me, I’ll get you to hell, but it’ll be up to you to get back.” Standing up, he presented his hand to Gabe, offering him help standing up. Gabe took it.

“You see. That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” this man asked him.

“How are you going to get me into Hell? I don’t have anytime to waste,” was Gabe’s response. Every moment he spent waiting was another moment she spent suffering.

“Follow me than,” was the simple reply.

Gabe followed him as he led him across the town. Their journey was quite uneventful as they continued to walk onwards toward their destination.

“You won’t make it out alive you know,” said Will suddenly, “What you’re trying to accomplish is admirable, but ultimately futile.” Will turned around to show him his face. Gabe saw a solemn look upon it, one that knew more than he was letting on, and not being able to tell something he knew.

“Says you,” responded Gabe. “If I die, I die. But I plan on coming back, and when I do, I’ll kick your ass for saying something so depressing.” Will just turned around and looked at what lay in front of him.

“We’re here,” said Will. Looking forward, he saw a small river in front of him. Without even noticing, they had entered a forest, with trees surrounding them. The running body of water in front of them wasn’t very wide, something that seemed easy to swim, at only fifteen to twenty feet across. On the other side, the forest seemed to continue.

“I think your sense of direction is a bit off. We’re in the middle of a forest, and I don’t see any entrance here.”

“Than close your eyes. It’s easier to see when you aren’t blinded by perception,” was the answer he was given. Settling upon trusting this man, he slowly and cautiously closed his eyes, wondering if this would truly allow him to ‘see’ the entrance.

With his eyes shut, he began to listen to the sounds around him. The chirping of the birds was the loudest of the sounds he could hear. Listening further he was able to make out even more sounds, cicadas, the wind, and his own heartbeat. That’s when he heard it. Waves. Crashing into the ground and going back out to the water. Opening his eyes, he saw an ocean. The forest was gone, the trees, birds, everything was gone. They were standing on a beach, on what appeared to be twilight, the sun setting behind them.

“There isn’t just way to get to Hell. All rivers flow to the same place. Welcome, to the River of Styx.”



7. The River



“How’d we get here?” asked Gabe. It was if they had simply left their own world and had entered another without any rhyme or reason.

“I told you, all rivers lead to Hell,” was the response.

“But that doesn’t even make sense,” he said, sounding frustrated. “We were in the middle of a forest before. Yet, now we’re next to an ocean that you call Styx? This isn’t something I can believe so easily.” He started to approach the ocean, wondering why the sea seemed so dark.

“Than believe it difficultly if you have to. There’s no reason to go against what is so obviously the truth. We were trying to get here, and we’re here. What reason do you have to question something that has been set in front of you?” As Will said this, Gabe wondered who wouldn’t question something so easily set in front of him, but thought better to ask his companion about it. This man didn’t seem like the kind of person who was dictated by logic, so much as impulse.

As he approached the murky water, he noticed something at the bottom. What seemed to be a small golden coin was at the bottom of the water, mere inches from the surface. Squatting down to get a closer look at the water, he stuck his arm in to try to reach the coin.

“That’s not exactly a good idea you know…” as his associate was saying this, he felt a sudden amount of pressure around his wrist. Trying to pull his arm out of the water was proving difficult. He was being pulled into the water by something. Using his free arm to grip his sword, he unsheathed it, bringing it down into the water. Suddenly he flew backwards, no longer being tugged into the water. However, the pressure had yet to release from his arm. Looking over at where he felt the pressure, he saw the remains of a badly decaying arm, severed slightly past the elbow, still gripping tightly around his wrist.

Quickly throwing his sword to the side, he used his other arm to throw the appendage back into the sea. Falling backwards upon his bottom, his breathing was heavy and erratic.

“You could have warned me there was a dismembered arm in that river!” he yelled at his comrade. He was scared; this was really the place he was trying to get to. He wasn’t sure how he’d keep his calm in a place such as this.

“Suck it up pansy. Besides, I did warn you.” Will didn’t seem to be fazed by the events that had just happened at all. Gabe wondered how he knew so much about what was happening. “He’s here,” said Will.

In the distance, Gabe could see what appeared to be a small boat, with a lone cloaked figure on it. The figure was approaching them, guiding the boat using a long pole.

“He’s our ride. Be nice to him,” explained Will. The boat quickly reached the shore, stopping against a small dock that Gabe had missed seeing before. “Let’s go.”

Gabe couldn’t think to say anything against it, and so, followed Will towards the dock. Will stopped to speak to the ferryman, saying a few words that Gabe couldn’t hear. Stepping on to the boat, Will looked back at Gabe, “You coming?” Stepping onto the boat, Gabe sat down on one of the seats, Will sitting across from him. The ferryman used the pole to push off from the dock, and they were on their way.



8. Memories in the Rain



They had been out on the boat for at least 15 minutes now, the shore and dock but a distant memory against the dark and dreary water. Gabe couldn’t see anything ahead of them either. He began to wonder just how far they had to go. He looked up into the sky. The sky was dark, almost as if it was going to rain. ‘Just like that day…’ he thought to himself.

“You should get some rest,” said Will. “You’re going to be in for the fight of your life pretty soon.” Gabe couldn’t see the harm in such advice. Trying to find a comfortable position to seat himself, he tried his best to get some sleep…

“Hurry up!” she called out to him. “It’s starting to rain, and I don’t want to get these clothes wet. They’re new!”

“Sorry,” Gabe responded to her.

“Don’t apologize idiot, just hurry up.” They had been out at the convenience store, shopping for some snack’s for the smaller kids of their home. The sky had been overcast all day, but it was just beginning to rain now. He saw her running ahead of him and couldn’t help but smile. Growing up in the orphanage hadn’t been the easiest thing to do, but he was able to do it because of her. She was the one who kept him going. She wasn’t always easy on him, when he was down, she wouldn’t offer her hand to help him up, she’d kick him up. That’s just the way she was.

“Come on, let’s take a shortcut,” she said, running into an alleyway a small ways ahead of him.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, haven’t you heard about all the disappearances that have been…” but he couldn’t finish his sentence. As he turned the corner, he saw a man with bandages wrapped around his head grabbing her by the arm. The rain started to pick up.

Gabe lunged at the man, throwing him away from her. She fell to the ground, quickly getting up and running to get behind a nearby dumpster. Looking behind him, he noticed three people had closed off the alley from behind him, and another three were approaching from the direction the man was standing in. They were surrounded.

Clenching his fist, he looked at the man in bandages, assuming that he was their leader. “Let the girl go. I’ll give you whatever you want, just let her go.” The eyes of that man were yellow.

“Sorry, but I can not do that,” the man said. “I need this woman.” Gabe narrowed his eyes at the man, getting ready to pounce upon him. As he was about to spring, he felt someone grab his arm from behind, halting his advance. Almost immediately his other arm was grabbed by another person. Try as he might, he couldn’t throw them off, he couldn’t even move them slightly. ‘What’s with this unreal strength,’ he thought to himself.

After many fruitless attempts, the person holding his right arm grew tired of his efforts to break free. The man pulled with full force on Gabe’s arm, pulling it straight out of the socket. Still clutching the arm, the man than pulled it straight back, with the elbow of the arm facing up in the air. With that, he brought his own elbow down on Gabe’s, breaking his arm backwards. The other man let go of his arm, while the one who broke Gabe’s arm put his foot on his back and kicked Gabe to the ground. Clutching his arm, Gabe cried out in pain. Molly had seen what had just happened. Crying into her hands was all she could do. These people were monsters.

“Come with me, now,” the masked man said to Molly.

“If I do,” she started. “Will you promise not to harm him?”

“Don’t even think of doing something so stupid! Run! Get away from here now!” Gabe yelled at her. But she wasn’t listening.

“Fine, do we have a deal?” the man asked Molly. The man reached out his arm in the form of a handshake towards her.

“Stop! You Moron!” Gabe shouted at her. But she had already walked over and took his hand in her own. He pulled her towards him, embracing her into his arms. She looked up, surprised by his actions. Smiling towards her, she looked into his yellow eyes. Soon, she began to feel very heavy, her eyes slowly shutting. Almost immediately, she had fallen asleep. Picking her up and throwing her over her shoulder, the man turned to walk away.

“What do we do with this,” said one of his partners.

“I promised I’d leave him alone,” he said. “So one of you are going to have to kill him.” Gabe had thought that he wouldn’t keep his promise.

“I’ll do it,” said a voice from behind Gabe. He turned his head to see the same one that had broken his arm. It seemed that he wanted to finish the job.

“Do it quickly than, the rest of you, our job is finished. Let’s go.” With that, the rest of the group left. It was only Gabe and this man now.

Gabe felt the man’s arm on his right shoulder. Quickly swinging towards his right, he swung his left arm and used the entirety of the force to smash his arm into the side of the man’s face. Off balance, Gabe fell onto his back, looking at the opponent he had just hit. The man’s head was looking towards the right, having taken the force of the blow. But the man just smirked, and looked straight back at Gabe. Gabe quickly threw his leg’s over his head, and landed on his feet a mere meter away from his target. By now Gabe was practically out of breathe and terrified at his opponent.

The man started to walk towards him slowly. Standing his ground, Gabe prepared himself for the assault that he was sure would come. ‘Molly,’ he thought to himself, “I’ll come save you. I promise.’ Gabe charged his opponent, using his good arm again to try to hit him in the face. The man simply sidestepped the blow, and grabbed Gabe by his shirt. Slamming him into the side of the brick building, Gabe could feel the pain all throughout his body. The man brought back the fist of his other hand unleashed all his might into one blow. The side of the building he had hid had a large hole in it. He had purposely missed Gabe to show him that he had the power to punch through solid brick.

“I’m not going to kill you,” he said simply. To Gabe this was a blessing and a curse.

“Why not? Had enough for today?” he spat back at this man. Gabe couldn’t stop thinking about Molly, and they were doing to her.

“What do you know of Hell?” the man asked him.

“What are you talking about? Tell me where you’ve taken her. Where did you take Molly?” Gabe was getting desperate now.

“I didn’t take her anywhere. As far as I remember, she went with that guy, willingly I might add.”

Angered by the little comment he added in at the end Gabe clenched his fists, and started yelling at the man, “Where is she? I have to find her!”

“Do you think I’m human?” the man asked him. “I’m not a human,” he said quite clearly.

“Than what are you?” Gabe asked. “An antelope?”

“Idiot,” the man said while reaching into his jacket. Pulling out a cigarette, he brought it up to his mouth. Raising his hand underneath the cigarette, he pointed his index and middle fingers towards the tip of the cigarette. Suddenly, a small flame appeared on the end of his fingers, igniting the cigarette. Inhaling, he flicked his wrist to put out the flame. Using the same two fingers, he took the cigarette out of his mouth, blowing the smoke into the air. “I’m a demon,” he said. It was still pouring.

“A demon, huh?” said Gabe. The fire trick he did was proof enough for Gabe. “Well than why not just kill me now than?” he asked this demon.

“Simple, I think you have the ability to cause a revolution,” was his response.

“A revolution?” Gabe asked. “What do you mean?”

“This world has remained static for far too long,” he started, “I think that you have the power to cause interesting things to happen. That’s why I let you live, and why I am going to heal your arm.” Walking over to Gabe, he brought his hand onto the broken arm, grabbing it tightly.

Screaming out in pain, Gabe could feel the bones in his arm starting to reconvene. Piece by piece, his arm was slowly starting to heal itself. Letting go of his arm, the demon walked a few steps away from him.

“It should fully heal in a few hours,” he said to him.

“How’d you do that?” Gabe asked.

“Simple, I’m a doctor,” was his response. “I can fix almost any wound. Problem is giving me a reason to do it.”

“Hell has doctors?” Gabe asked.

“Well, of course. Doesn’t earth have doctors as well?” was the reply.

“Why would Hell need doctors?” asked Gabe.

“My you are a stupid one aren’t you? To treat the sick and the wounded of course,” he said slowly, as if Gabe wasn’t all there in the head. “So, kid, what’s your name?”

Gabe thought about not saying anything to him and just walking off. He needed to find Molly. But he didn’t even know where to start looking.

“Gabriel Livius,” he said. “Now where did they take Molly?”

“Livius, huh? Interesting name…” was the answer.

“Where did they take Molly!?” he shouted. His patience was wearing thin.

“My, my, not the very patient one are you?” he queried. “Well, you see, it’s like this. We were ordered by higher ups to follow that spineless yellow-eyed bastard.” It sounded like he didn’t have any respect for his ‘boss.’

“Don’t like your boss?” Gabe asked with a smirk.

Narrowing his eyes towards Gabe, he responded, “I don’t like working for humans.”

Surprise flashed across Gabe’s face. “A human?” he asked.

“Yeah,” was the reply. “The higher ups decided to…I don’t even know. But they ordered the six of us to follow that guy, and listen to his orders.” The guy sounded disgusted by the thought. “Name’s Phenex. Remember it.” The man known as Phenex, started to walk away from Gabe.

“You still haven’t told me where they’ve taken her!” Gabe yelled at the man.

“Well isn’t it obvious? They took her to Hell.” He replied.

Gabe’s eyes widened. Molly had been taken to Hell, and Gabe had no idea on how to rescue her. But he knew he had to. He knew he would. “How do I get there?” he asked.

“Figure it out on your own. If you really are one to start a revolution, it shouldn’t be hard.” He took off. Phenex was gone before Gabe even had time to react. The rain continued to fall…