The island itself is the gate. The portals grant passage between the circles. But, all of the temples circling the land of snakes are the true gate. And, in breaking, the term of all hell being loosed is more than a phrase.

The land beneath me trembles as it is torn open.

I watch as the army of the absolute good descends en masse over the horizon. Their golden auras banish the twilight of this circle.

I move in haste to the shoreline.

It has been a while. But, I'm convinced that a shade will come across me.

My hopes go unfulfilled as I watch the world explode, and hellish roars shatter the air.

If I think rationally, the shade is fully occupied, guiding the fleeing masses across the water.

I'd even be tempted to swim if I could.

The only option is to find one of the temples where there might be some security.

As I think about what to do, I feel the earth at my feet rise beneath me. Like a boil about to pop, the ground flexes.

My fleeing is at its limit as demons break out from the hell beneath.

The size of many of these creatures defies common logic.

The behemoth statue I had seen no longer seems that large.

Just as I feel the attention of the demons on me, a great lance of golden power explodes upon the hellspawn.

The terrain is swept up as divine beings land to face the rapidly refilling ranks of the creatures of absolute evil.

The divine being denies common preconceptions.

What is descending from the heavens isn't simply an army of angels. But of sacred animals, wingless humans, and beautiful creatures that I don't recognize.

The variety on both sides speaks to the enormity of creation.

I carry with me the aluminum bat. But it's hardly a sword. And, were I to have a sword, what could I achieve with it?

The violence of the gate breaking isn't completed in a day.

Fresh warriors replace those that fall in seemingly endless supply.

As the battlefield expanded, I came across fields of corpses, too many to count.

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And, worse, the beasts that eat the carrion.

Evading those monsters takes significant effort as I cross the hellish landscape.

It takes several sleepless days for me to draw close to my objective, the first temple.

I am relieved to see it is relatively pristine. The host of absolute good has designated it as a priority.

When I reach the temple, I hear chanting, which continues.

I see several additional people in the temple. Likely the survivors from the nearby village.

This is the end of the world, and I caused it.

I see the desperation, and I don't have any way to help.

Michael chose me for a purpose. And that purpose is now complete.

I had a quest before. And now, I have nothing.

I turn from the congregation and move toward the god's residence.

As I walk to the god, I get odd looks from those I pass.

"Come to break something else?" the unassuming bird asks.

I stare at it with hesitant eyes.

"What should I do?"

My question is a plea.

The bird clicks its tongue.

"You have already done too much."

My eyes fall.

"Leave here. This is no longer your place."

"But, the shade-" I begin.

"Will take you to the mainland. But do not assume you have escaped what you let loose."

I can't even raise my head as I depart.

"Destroyer," the god's voice makes me tremble. "This was meant to happen."

I take a deep breath but don't turn around.

My feet carry me away from the temple and the scared villagers and monks.

I see the shade on its boat waiting for me as I reach the shoreline.

It's ironic. The one who brought calamity escapes it.

But, then, I know. There is no escaping this.

The shade makes no mention of payment as we make landfall.

I am merely left among the shadows.

My feet carry me mechanically until I collapse on the ground, not even pulling out my bedroll.

I'm oblivious to any animal or monster as I lie on the ground, my eyes vacant as I stare into the abyss above my head.

I never noticed it.

The stars.

The sun and moon are absent. But a few stars can be seen in the twilight sky.

My slumber comes and goes as I navigate the world of the mainland.

This world is similar to the one I live in. But, this one has dimensions unfamiliar to that world.

On the mainland, I can see the ruins that had become this city.

My senses must have been refined while wandering the land of snakes.

Because of this, I know they're following close behind me.

I stop and turn to face a trio with no warm sentiments.

"You're in our territory," a leading woman says. "Without our permission."

I look at them tiredly.

A crystal pops into her hand.

"Pay up, and we'll let you live."

I find folly in her words. Are we living?

"No."

My words cause the woman to bristle.

Her eyes go to the bat in my hand.

"You think you're tough 'cause you have that hunk of junk. Well, we have weapons, too."

Kitchen knives come out, and they posture, unprepared to face me."

"Go, you idiots."

The two henchmen work up the courage and move on me.

It all seems to happen slowly. The pair took their time approaching me. Am I so intimidating that they can only move at a crawl?

My grip clenches on the handle of my bat.

Can't they hurry up?

Getting bored, I step forward and bring the bat to the side of the first assailant's skull.

I felt like I was prepared to kill. But I think my stomach turns as I watch the gore explode from the man's skull.

Immediately, the dynamic shifts.

The surviving henchmen, covered in the remains of his partner, pale.

All I can do is frown and look at my dirty work.

The remaining bandits hastily backed away before turning and sprinting away.

As I think, the blue snake crawls down my leg and swallows the choice of pieces of meat.

When the snake god returns to me, I cast a perplexed look on the remains and turn to continue my journey.