Fear
The most primal of emotions.
The instinctual behavior of the weak in front of an absolute.
It's not like Alder never felt fear before. But none of his past experiences matched up to this moment. The dominating oppression of an absolute being can not be compared to anything else.
Blood, snot, and tears covered Alder's face.
'Fuck, fuck, fuck, Fuck, FUck, FUCK!"
Alder's tightly clenched teeth were grounded against each other. The sound of friction contrasts with the otherwise silent surroundings. He had no control of his body, and even breathing became difficult. Alder struggled against the pressure and managed to push out a breath.
"Ugh…."
"Your answer?"
'Origin of the whatever flame my ass, I would rather you burn me alive'
"Kill me"
The pressure subsided slightly, allowing Alder to breathe more easily. While Adler panted for breath, the being remained silent. It seemed like even an absolute one could be surprised. A moment passed before the being spoke again. Although Her voice was still cold, it held a hint of amusement.
"Pitiful sinner, death is a privilege. Are you deserving of it?"
Alder's jawline trembled as his facial muscles stiffened
".... Kill me"
"To seek death so fervently, are you burdened by guilt?"
"......."
"Are you not going to repent? Death is only a temporary escape for sinners. Even through death, your own guilt and the hatred directed towards you will be carried."
"..... I am sick and tired of it all, so ….. kill me"
Swallowing sharply, Alder managed to push out his inner thoughts. His prostrated body trembling like a lone leaf in a storm.
"Are you courageous or just a fool? I will accept your determination as your answer"
"...."
"You will be sentenced to five millennia in the ninth circle, three millennia in the second circle, and two millennia split between the fifth and seventh circles. A total of 10000 years of retribution."
A clear verdict was passed. 10000 years. 10000 years of torture at the hands of absolute beings like Her. Alder's face paled, and his thoughts slowed.
'My sins are not my fault ….. at this rate, I'll be no more than ….'
".... a slave"
"Why are you surprised? You became a slave the moment they took you away."
" …. who are they?…. Did they also create that blue gate that stopped my fall?"
"Fall? Ahhh that did happen didn't it? Yes, that blue portal leads to their realm."
Everything should have ended on that day, so why must he bear such harsh punishment. Where is the fairness, this is just a one-sided judgment. Drool ran down Alders's chin, dripping on the ground, his eyes staring hatefully at the ground.
"So the bastard who summoned the gate is from here"
"Hmm? Why do you assume that, child?"
"Huh, but you just said……"
"Words are not meant to be taken at face value."
Alder paused. Deep in thought. Who would summon someone like me, for what purpose? That being is not from here? Are they from a similar realm? Another god-like being?
For the first time during their conversation, the absolute being gently chuckled as if She could read into Alder's inner thoughts.
"Child, do you see yourself as special? Do you see yourself as a chosen one? Someone the Gods set their eyes upon?"
"..... If I was not chosen, then what am I doing here"
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
A hint of a sneer appeared in the otherwise still gentle voice.
"Abandoned. You are a poor abandoned lamb, even heaven did not want your dirty, corrupted soul. How can you appear so normal, yet be so twisted, delusional, and hypocritical."
".... I'm not dirty …. Just beca-"
"Can you still say that while facing your sins? Can you still say that while staring at the bloodshot eyes of the dead?"
"...."
"Your denial is becoming unpleasant. Maybe you don't deserve an opportunity. Serving out ten millennia may just be what is needed to purify your soul ….."
Her voice trailed off, clearly contemplating. A low hum echoed through the hall.
"But alas, that would put me in a slightly tough spot."
"..... May I hear of this opportunity?"
"Yes …. that is the reason we brought you over after all. A little explanation is in order. Did you view the paintings in the corridor? "
The feeling of suppression fully disappeared, and Alder nodded in affirmation, still not daring to look up.
"Another turbulent age is upon us. What do you say being our pawn for their revolting game? Wouldn't that be better than rotting away until your sense of self is lost?"
"A game?"
"A game of chess between insects. Needlessly cruel and sickening."
Anger was evident in Her voice, causing the dim candles illuminating the hall to burst into flames. Like the endless path, the ambient air rippled as the temperature sharply rose.
'Chess huh …. is that Her way of saying war?'
Alder was not dense enough to not understand or infer the meaning of the absolute being. He hesitantly asked
".... If I take this opportunity…. would my sins be forgiven?"
"Foolish one, a sin will remain a sin to the end of time. As of now, you are but no more than an insect. Conquer your sins, and become strong enough to be used as a pawn."
"Climb down, transcend death, and show your resolve. Darkness will always exist alongside light, but a balance must be achieved. One must never overtake the other."
"Redeem yourself through a trial by fire."
"What happens after the war?"
"War. What a cute word. Let's just say you will be free"
"Freedom …"
"Even with freedom, do you have a place to go back to?"
'A place to go back to ….. home …. No, there was nothing like that waiting for him. He had broken it with his own hands.'
Although Alder still appeared hesitating on the surface, his mind was set from the beginning. Compared to ten millennia leading to his eventual loss of self, the opportunity felt like a new beginning of sorts. Carefully and slowly stating his decision, Alder opened his mouth
"I accept"
"?"
"I accept the opportunity"
"How unfortunate, seeing you burn through tribulations would have been …. but I have no method of vetoing your decision since the ninth has taken interest in you. "
The absolute truly seemed to be feeling regret towards offering Alder a choice.
"Hold out the token then"
Alder's hand fumbled into his pants pocket, fishing out the token. He then proceeded to lift it, cupped in his right hand, as if offering a sacrifice to God.
Although Alder's head was still bowed down, he could see a flash of light from above, and heat arising from the previously cool token. Tolerable at first, the heat suddenly increased to that comparable to molten lava.
"Ouch!"
Flinching in pain, Alder's still open hand slightly twitched but stayed otherwise unmoved. Bearing with the heat, Alder patiently waited. The heat did not increase past that point, but it seemed to have been absorbed into his body. Alder could feel the fiery warmth traveling down his arms, before setting into his thoracic cavity
"It is done"
With that declaration, the voice disappeared and the surroundings returned to normal.
Alder lowered his raised arms, finding the token nowhere to be seen. A sharp stabbing pain assaulted the left side of his chest.
Wincing at the continuously stabbing pain, Alder hurriedly pulled off his shirt, staring at his bare chest.
By the time the shirt came off, a semi-circle of seared skin had already been formed over his heart. As if a searing brand was pressed to his skin, the searing mark completed itself by the time Adler blinked once. The smell of melted flesh permeated the air. A still slightly steaming small circle of red burnt flesh appeared on Alder's chest.
'Is this what that being meant when She said that it's done?'
Gingerly touching the marking, Alder grimaced. His skin was so thin, that the mark may as well have been engraved onto his ribcage. Alders's vision darkened, he must be losing consciousness from the pain.
No, wait. The entire room seemed to have darkened. A mechanical click came from the floor, and the tiles towards the center fell downwards, revealing a dark gaping hole in the ground. The fallen tiles descended downwards and then stopped, levitating themselves at a suitable height. The arrangement of the tiles formed stairs leading into the darkness.
The darkness beyond the stairway seemed to become Alder forward. Bewitched, Alder started taking steps towards it, his left arm slowly swinging like a pendulum at his side.
As Alder edged closer to the hole, a sweet scent wafted towards him. The scent enveloped him as if beckoning him closer. Following its calling, Alder’s footfalls hastened. The smell warmed his body from the inside, freeing him from his fatigue and pain.
Step by step Alder descended the stairs, closer and closer to the depth of the darkness, his eyes slightly glazing over. Suddenly Alder’s mind cleared, a flame had burnt out his desire. The owner of the castle spoke disapprovingly towards to darkness
“Don’t take it too far Second. Ninth has already set His gaze on this child.”
The absolute being chided and the darkness squirmed as if uncomfortable. Hesitantly Alder looked back. Finding no one behind, he inquired
“Do I continue walking forward?”
“That is your choice”
The voice seemed to be emitted from everywhere in the hall as if the castle itself was alive. Taking a deep breath, Alder turned back around and walked into the darkness.
The darkness embarrassed him into its bosom.
[First circle cleared: clear condition unfulfilled]
[Karma earned: +0]
[Welcome to the Second Circle]
As Alder’s vision turned dark he thought he could hear a systematic voice ringing in his ear.
[System updated: language comprehension, material body restoration, and synchronization, Memory sy…….]
Unbeknownst to him, there was an eye hidden in the darkness, following his every moment. The moment Alder disappeared down the stairs, the eye curved up as if smiling, and then as suddenly as it materialized it disappeared.
Silence returned to the hall, and the levitating floor tiles floated upwards and rearranged themselves. The floor returned to normal as if there was never a hole. The denizens continued flowing through the streets, and people entered and left the city. Another peaceful day in Nor.
(End of Prologue - Verdict)