———Red———

I blink awake, staring up at the ceiling. Sunlight filters through the window, illuminating the dust motes drifting lazily in the air, like stars suspended in their own quiet galaxy. The morning feels surreal, peaceful even, after everything that happened yesterday.

I didn't expect to sleep so well. My mind had been racing, questions spiraling endlessly, flashes of memory and confusion woven into my dreams. And Alyse—I saw her again, like she was reaching out to me, her face barely visible through a shroud of mist.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes, and glance outside. Domnik is on the porch, cross-legged, eyes closed, lost in meditation. His expression is calm, his shoulders relaxed in a way that almost makes him look... at peace. I push myself off the bed, quietly making my way to the door. It creaks as I open it, and Domnik's eyes flick open, his gaze settling on me.

"How'd you sleep?" His neck is bruised and I can see a cut on his side.

"I actually slept pretty well. Did you go somewhere?" I ask as I point to his wounds.

He looks into the field. "No, we just had some visitors..." he stands and starts to walk towards the ladder. "Nothing to worry about now, you ready to go pay Muthos a visit?"

He's acting weird. There is something about last night he doesn't want to talk about, I can feel it but I don't want to start anything. So I just nod.

"Good, I got the ritual circle ready. I'm still cut off from the void so we are going to have to split the powder, I've got another flask."

He starts to move down the ladder and I follow him into the field. He gets inside the ritual circle he's created by burning the grass, leaving a thin black line of chard. He pulls out his flask and reaches his hand out to me, prompting me to hand him mine so he can half it.

I reach into my pocket and hand it to him. He begins to pour its contents into his flask and then hands the rest back to me. Something still feels off, he seems too downbeat but I can't find the nerve to question him just yet.

———Domnik———

"Ready?" I ask as I lift the flask to my mouth.

"Yeah, whenever you are." He mutters under his breath. There's a tension to it. He wants to talk about something but isn't willing.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"What if this is a trap? What if Muthos already knows we are coming? You said we had visitors last night, they were vampires again weren't they?"

I don't know what to say but he doesn't need to know about Hail. It will only complicate matters more. I shake my head.

"No, yes... um. Yes, they were vampires but no, I doubt Muthos knows we are coming. I promise, it's nothing to worry about. Besides, you already killed one god, nothing can stop you now. Let's just get in there, get Alyse and finish this."

He nods. "Okay, on three. One...two...three!"

"Bottoms up!" I lift the flask up high with its neck in my mouth.

The void powder fills my senses, and in an instant, the vision of the Shores invades my mind. The ground pulls at me, yanking me down with a force that leaves no room for resistance. I'm spiraling now, plummeting through a whirl of shifting colors that blur past me in a rush of heat and light. I can barely keep my bearings as I fall faster, the air around me going from cool to stiflingly hot, and I'm not slowing down.

Then, I look up in a panic to keep from defecating myself. It's as if my mind is playing tricks on me while my eyes meet the sky—and I can see the world from above, mirrored and distorted, as though I'm staring through the ground itself. It feels like gravity is tugging me in two directions, stretching me out across reality until I'm sent flying back up towards it—bam. I hit solid ground.

I push myself up and look around, feeling the coarse sand beneath my hands. The Shores of Malice stretch out around me, their bleak, dark purples and blues casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. I glance up and see a massive chain stretching down from the sky, hanging from the clouds, its anchor embedded in the ground—a grim reminder of where I am.

I mutter, "Never thought I'd be back in this shithole," when a shrill, inhuman screech cuts through the silence. It's so piercing it feels like needles driving into my ears, setting my nerves on edge. The sound grows louder, and then with a jarring bang, it's followed by a heavy thud in the sand.

I turn to see Red, sprawled out in the sand, hair sticking up in every direction like he's been struck by lightning. He's shivering, muttering under his breath, "N-n-never...never make me do that again," his eyes blazing with genuine anger as he stares at me.

I can't help it. The sight of him, wild-haired and wide-eyed, is too much. I burst out laughing, loud enough that it echoes across the empty landscape.

———Red———

"I'm serious, Domnik—that was terrifying!" I say, but he just keeps laughing, clutching his sides while I glare.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry—" he gasps between laughs. "But what the hell happened to your hair?" He points to my head, barely able to get the words out.

Confused, I run a hand over my head and feel the wild tangle sticking straight up. Great. Instantly, I'm trying to flatten it down, while he just laughs harder.

"Not funny!" I shout, but that only makes him laugh more.

"Oh man," he wheezes, wiping a tear from his eye. "Welcome to the Shores of Malice. I'd say this place is Hell—but hey, you've already been there."

I nod. "Why was teleporting here so much worse?"

"Because void powder is a fucking nasty little shit. Worst way to teleport but, well you've gotta do what you've gotta do sometimes huh? Not my fault I was blocked from accessing the void. Still not sure what that's about, must be my mother's doing."

"Great, so we will have to teleport like that again." I say sarcastically as I walk closer to him on the beach.

"Not necessarily, void powder is really only used to get here. I can promise you it's the worst way to teleport, now that you've done it, you can handle all the other ways without worry."

I look past him to see giant chains in the distance hanging from the clouds.

"What are those?" I ask.

Domnik points into the distance. "The chains? Those are connected to this giant anchor lying on the ground. Underneath is a gateway that can be opened. When one opens, the anchor drops. It can land anywhere they want and when it does. They can hold that portal open and invade."

I nod. "Great, I'd love to avoid that then."

———Domnik———

I chuckle. Wait until I tell him that an anchor is the only way to leave this plane. I can't wait to see his face when we ride it later.

I start along the shoreline, where the edge of the land drops away into an endless ocean of nothingness. Instead of waves, there's only a sheer, dizzying plunge into the same abyss that swallowed my home. The sight leaves a hollow ache in my chest, but I force myself to look forward, scanning the bleak landscape.

Beyond the sand, a forest looms in the distance. Its twisted trees rise like skeletal fingers, bare and ominous, their crooked branches reaching skyward as though clawing for escape.

Farther out, I catch sight of Muthos's palace—a dark, imposing structure that dominates the horizon. Its central spire pierces the sky, black and jagged, with heavy chains stretched from its peak. They snake upwards, connecting to a massive ring suspended in the clouds, a grim reminder of Muthos's hold over this forsaken place.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"We have to go there, that's his palace, ah ha, the Palace of Malice... get it?" I turn to him and he's just staring out into space as he walks.

He nods blankly, as if he has no clue what I've just said. "What do you think he did to her? You don't think he made her..."

I stop walking. "Don't think about that. I'm sure she is fine."

A loud noise echoes over the hill.

"What was that?" He asks

"Come on, follow me!" I start running towards the spire. As we run, the chains above the palace begin to move. We break in through the door and we can see him standing in the large open room.

He turns around swiftly and his eyes meet mine. "Domnik, what are you here for? Oh wait, has my message finally sank in, have you come to tell me you've finally accepted my offer?"

I nod. "Something like that."

He points behind me. "Who is that with you, a friend?"

I nod. "Yeah. He's..."

He interrupts. "A mortal tainted with the blood of a lycan, yes? I'm surprised it hasn't set in yet, I can feel that it's been there for sometime now."

Red steps forward. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

Muthos looks to him with confusion and so do I. Why didn't he tell me it was a werewolf that attacked his home? Am I missing something?

"What do you mean me? I have nothing to do with it. I am the god of vampires, dark magic and the undead, not beasts. What are they teaching you children out there?"

Red looks at me and then at Muthos. "Udis has chosen me to eliminate you. He said you are the one who stole my sister."

He shakes his head. "Clearly he is using you boy. He wants me dead, as I do him. I suppose he's the one who told you I sent that beast that attacked you, hmm?"

"Why does everyone feel the need to call me boy, like I'm some incapable child."

I turn to Muthos."Okay so, poor choice of words uncle. Red, calm down."

Muthos shakes his head in annoyance. "Okay, listen. I'll give you the location of the Kingdom of Amerei, that's where Udis resides as of the moment, but in return you must kill that bastard, oh and kill Galagon as well, will you? That self righteous ass has ignored my calls all day."

He lifts his hand and a flame emerges. He throws the flame above our heads and from it falls a paper. It lands in my hands and I can see the location of Amerei written on it.

"Thank you, uncle."

I turn to Red see his visible anger began to show.

"Do not call me kid, child or anything of the sort. I am no child!"

Muthos laughs. "Clearly the title is fitting given you couldn't even see through Udis' lies."

Red pulls the silver axe from his waist.

"Silver, in my realm?!" Muthos conjures his mace to his palm. "You would dare?!"

Red nods. "I would!"

Muthos scoffs. "And I was going to let you go."

I grab Red's arm. "Okay that's enough, bye uncle!" I turn to run while dragging Red with me.

"I'll teach you a lesson Domnik, one that swine Galagon clearly never did!"

I hear a scurry of bats swarming behind me. They fly around and converge in front of me as Muthos takes form from them.

———Red———

Muthos descends upon us like a storm, his mace crackling with dark energy as it swings down. I barely manage to throw myself out of the way, the impact shaking the floor and sending cracks splintering across the stone.

Domnik rolls to the side, springing back up with his sword ready, his horns glowing faintly in the dim light.

Muthos glares at us, eyes dark and bottomless. "Did you really think you could escape so easily?" he sneers, his voice like a hissed promise of pain.

Domnik lunges first, his blade aimed at Muthos's side, but Muthos lifts his hand, and a dark, swirling mist forms around him. His body blurs and shifts into bats, evading the strike entirely. I rush in from the other side, trying to flank him, but Muthos catches sight of me and swings his mace with terrifying speed. I block just in time, though the impact nearly sends me to my knees, the force like a hammer to my bones.

Blood-red energy begins to pool around Muthos, tendrils reaching out and wrapping around my wrists and ankles, binding me in place. I struggle, but his magic tightens, seeping into my skin like a parasite. My strength drains, and my vision blurs.

Domnik roars, slashing through the blood tendrils to free me. "Stay focused, Red!" he yells, his gaze never leaving Muthos. But Muthos only smirks, amused.

"Fools," Muthos murmurs. He raises his free hand, his words chilling the air around us. Shadows rise from the ground, forming into twisted, skeletal creatures with eyes like embers. They hiss and surge toward us.

"Move!" Domnik shouts, stepping in front of me as he swings his sword through the first shadowy figure, dispersing it in a puff of dark smoke. But for each one we cut down, another rises from the floor, clawing and screeching.

Muthos watches us struggle, his face twisted in dark satisfaction. He raises his mace, which pulses with a heartbeat of blood-red light, and strides forward. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to move, to stay on my feet. Domnik and I exchange a look; we both know we can't beat him here, not with his power so strong in his own domain.

"Back to the hall!" I shout, and Domnik nods, slicing through another wraith as we retreat. I grab hold of his arm, and together we weave through the onslaught, dodging Muthos's relentless strikes. His blood magic lashes out, grazing us with crimson energy that burns and saps our strength with every touch.

Just as we reach the doorway, Muthos's voice echoes through the chamber, low and venomous. "Run all you like. You can't escape me." His mace smashes into the ground behind us, sending a shockwave that knocks us forward, sprawling into the hallway beyond.

Domnik grits his teeth as stands and helps me to my feet. "We need to find the anchor and get out of here—now."

"The anchor?!" I shout, trying to shake off the dizziness. Muthos's shadow looms near the doorway, eyes glinting with amusement and dark promise. We're not out of this yet, but we've got a chance if we keep moving.

Domnik and I stumble out the door, blood pounding in our ears as we run. Every step feels heavier. Behind us, I can hear Muthos's slow, measured footsteps. He's not even trying to rush—he knows he has the upper hand, and he's enjoying it.

"Come now," Muthos calls, his voice carrying an eerie calm. "Leaving so soon? I had such plans for you both."

Domnik growls under his breath, gripping his sword so hard his knuckles turn white. "Keep moving," he says, his voice a strained whisper. "Don't look back."

But Muthos's voice follows us, seeping into my mind like poison. "You could've had power, Domnik—could've been more than a traitor hiding in the shadows."

Domnik doesn't respond, but I can see his jaw clench. I know those words are cutting deeper than he lets on, and Muthos knows it too. It's all a game to him, a twisted amusement.

Ahead, the land twists and turns, leading us deeper into a forest, with no sign of a clear path. I'm about to say something when I feel it—a dark, creeping sensation, like ice spreading through my veins. I glance over my shoulder, and there he is, Muthos striding through the trees behind us, his form seeming to blur and stretch in the dim light, almost like he's melting into the shadows.

Domnik grabs my arm, yanking me forward just as Muthos raises his hand. A streak of blood-red magic shoots past us, splattering against the trees and sizzling like acid. The scent of burned wood fills the air, and I feel a trickle of cold sweat down my back. We're running out of time.

"Domnik!" I gasp. "If we don't find that anchor—"

"Stop talking and move!" he snaps, his eyes wild as he looks around, clearly searching for an exit.

We turn into a clearing, and suddenly the way is clear again, chain resides in front of us with eerie, glowing symbols that hover in midair. This is it, at the end of the chains sits an anchor and underneath, a circular portal shimmers, its surface swirling with silver and black, like liquid starlight.

But just as relief surges through me, Muthos steps into the field behind us. He's smiling, his mace swinging casually at his side, dripping with dark energy.

"So close, yet so far," he sneers, his eyes gleaming as he raises his free hand. Blood magic swirls around his fingers, coiling and twisting into the shape of a spear. "You truly thought you could just walk out of my domain?"

Domnik doesn't hesitate. He lunges forward, sword flashing as he strikes, but Muthos parries effortlessly, deflecting the blow with his mace. The clash of their weapons echoes through the chamber, filling the air with sparks and the stench of burned metal.

"Red!" Domnik shouts over his shoulder. "The portal—get it open!"

I don't need to be told twice. I sprint toward the portal, but Muthos is faster than he looks. He snaps his fingers, and a wall of blood-red energy slams into me, knocking me back. I hit the ground hard, gasping for breath as the magic sizzles against my skin, draining the strength from my limbs.

Domnik shouts, rage filling his voice as he presses his attack. But Muthos swats him aside like he's nothing, sending him crashing into a nearby tree. Domnik groans, clutching his side, but he forces himself up again, staggering as he raises his sword.

"Persistent little pest, aren't you?" Muthos says, his voice dripping with contempt. He raises his mace, the dark energy around it intensifying as he steps toward Domnik.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to my feet. If we're going to get out of here, I have to act now. Summoning what strength I have left, I focus on the portal, willing it to open fully. The symbols around it pulse, responding to my energy, and I see the silver-and-black surface ripple, like it's on the verge of activation.

But Muthos catches sight of what I'm doing, and his face twists in anger. "Oh no, you don't."

With a flick of his wrist, he hurls the blood spear toward me. I throw myself to the side, barely dodging it as it embeds itself in the dirt where I stood moments before, sizzling and smoking.

Domnik takes advantage of the distraction, lunging at Muthos again, aiming for his exposed side. His blade cuts into Muthos's arm, drawing a thin line of dark blood. Muthos snarls, spinning around and slamming Domnik in the chest with his mace, sending him sprawling.

But it's enough. The portal flares to life, its surface stabilizing into a gateway of swirling stars.

"Domnik!" I shout. "It's open! Now or never!"

Domnik forces himself up, staggering toward me. Muthos lunges after him, fury twisting his features. Without thinking, I grab Domnik's arm and pull him toward the anchor. We leap together, just as Muthos's hand swipes through the air where we stood.

Muthos's face contorts in rage, his dark eyes promising retribution. Domnik swings his blade cutting the chains, severing all connections to the lift and the anchor falls through the portal. Naurus takes form below and we began to fall towards it at accelerating speed. We hold onto the anchor as its speed picks up and falls faster and faster.

"Where are we going to land!?" I yell as Domnik peers over the edge.

"The North Sea!"