Scott and Orion continued their silent trek along the seemingly endless bridge. Neither had spoken since their last exchange at the entrance of the pathway. Like the other paths they'd crossed, nothing stood out as particularly unusual, and no champions had revealed themselves.

Their steps came to an abrupt halt when they spotted a shattered piece of glass a few paces ahead.

“It seems your clones found the right conditions,” Scott remarked, his eyes fixed on the broken shards.

“Seems that way,” Orion muttered, his brows knitting together slightly. “But this might be a problem.”

“How so?” Scott turned to him, demanding answers with his gaze.

Orion, still staring at the glass fragments, replied, “The undulations have weakened.”

Scott's expression darkened. Damn it! Is this one of those exits that only works a few times? His mind raced as his gaze shifted toward the path ahead. “Then, we shouldn’t waste any more time—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

Both he and Orion turned in unison. The Chains of the Abyss stirred softly around Scott’s arm, and the war hammer of the Mad God manifested once again with a maddening bellow. Orion, staff in hand, focused intently on the empty road before them. The faint sound of footsteps—ominous and distant—began to echo, accompanied by incomprehensible mutterings, a cacophony of voices announcing the approach of something unseen.

Scott's grip tightened on his war hammer as the sentient chains readied themselves. Then, a figure emerged from the shadows. Scott narrowed his eyes. Is that a monkey?

A gigantic monkey with snow-white fur lumbered forward, its knuckles dragging across the road’s surface. Two sickle-like horns, burning with crimson flames, jutted from its forehead, while radiant armor covered its form, leaving only its knuckles and face exposed.

The creature halted a short distance away, its silver eyes gleaming eerily.

“A monkey?” Orion whispered, a bemused smile creeping across his face.

The cacophony fell silent with the creature’s arrival, replaced by low, guttural growls.

Scott broke the silence. “Who are you?”

“The voices,” the creature began, its voice smooth yet filled with anguish. “They led me to you. But why… why have you called me?” Before either Scott or Orion could respond, tears rolled down the monkey’s face, and snot dripped from its nose.

It stood upright, continuing, “I have longed for this moment since the day this cursed armor bewitched me. The voices—they’ve plagued my thoughts, my dreams, my soul. I don’t know what they want, what they seek, but they torment me endlessly, driving me toward madness.” The creature paused, wiping away the snot. “But now… when I stand before you, there’s only silence. Why? Why am I normal again?” It took a step forward. “How? How can I be free from this madness?”

Without warning, the monkey prostrated itself on the ground, bowing before them. “You must be a god, yes?”

Before either Scott or Orion could answer, a system notification appeared in front of the creature. It glanced at it briefly, and its expression soured. “What nonsense is this?” it muttered, swiping at the rogue message with its right hand. Yet, the notification remained, stubbornly persistent.

Scott and Orion watched the strange creature with measured interest. Great! It’s been a while since that title attracted another lunatic. Scott mused grimly. His guard remained up as he continued observing the monkey, curiosity mixing with caution.

Without warning, the war hammer of the Mad God unleashed a series of deafening hums, catching everyone's attention. Before Scott could react, the monkey’s armor responded in kind, resonating in perfect harmony with the war hammer.

What the hell is going on? Scott’s gaze flickered between the vibrating hammer and the shimmering armor.

The monkey, too, stared at its armor, its lips trembling as its eyes gleamed with a strange reverence.

Recognition dawned on Scott. That armor… It’s been ‘blessed’ by one of the former Mad Gods. No wonder it’s reacting to the war hammer. His gaze fell back on the prostrating monkey. But what am I supposed to do with him?

“My lord!” the monkey suddenly roared, bowing even lower. “Forgive me for taking what rightfully belongs to you. It was a crime born of youthful greed. Now I understand! The centuries of torment... It was your punishment for my theft. I dared to covet an artifact meant for one even the gods cannot challenge!”

Scott glanced toward Orion, who wore a broad grin, barely suppressing laughter. Catching Scott’s glance, the mage winked and mouthed, ‘My lord.’

Scott quickly looked away, but the monkey’s desperate voice echoed again. “My lord, please! I beg you, show mercy. I deserve this torment, but I cannot bear it any longer. My lord...” The creature’s voice trailed off, sensing an eerie silence.

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“My lord?” it called tentatively, raising its head. Darkness, thicker than night itself, surrounded it, enveloping the very ground in shadow.

A faint rustling of chains echoed through the gloom. Before the monkey could react, flaming chains coiled tightly around its body. Then, a voice—more sinister than it could have ever imagined—thundered in its ears.

“Ponder!”

The immobilized creature felt a powerful compulsion seize its mind. Tears flowed freely as it responded in ecstasy, “The empty throne… destined for our lord!”

“Wonder!” the voice commanded again.

“The grace of he who is tormented by the flames of madness!” the monkey cried, joy pouring from its tear-filled eyes.

“Bask in!”

“The fervor of—" Before it could finish, chains wrapped tightly around its mouth, silencing it. The darkness stirred, and Scott emerged from the shadows. The monkey’s eyes trembled, locking gazes with the transformed yellow sign flickering in the voidweaver’s eye.

“What can you offer me if I grant you salvation?” A bewitching voice whispered in the creature’s ear as the chains loosened around its mouth.

“Everything!” the monkey responded without hesitation.

Scott stopped before the bound creature and extended his right hand.

You have encountered a being tormented by the remnants of the Authority of Madness! You have encountered an item once blessed with the Authority of Madness! Do you wish to erase the remnants of the Authority of Madness on the item? Yes! No!

Without a second thought, Scott clicked [No!].

You have chosen not to exterminate the remnants of the will of ???! The Authority of Madness looks favorably upon you!

Ignoring the system message, Scott placed his fingers on the creature’s forehead.

Do you wish to bestow the Imprint of Madness? Yes! No!

Warning! As a bearer of the Authority of Madness, beings bestowed with your imprint will be recognized as your vassals!

Without hesitation, Scott clicked [Yes!] and withdrew his hand, fading into the surrounding shadows.

A being corrupted by the Authority of Madness has been bestowed the Imprint of Madness!

The creature trembled uncontrollably in the darkness as a flicker of clarity returned to its eyes. The flaming chains uncoiled, vanishing into the silence, and moments later, light pierced the gloom.

Standing upright, the monkey glanced around, but neither Scott nor Orion remained. It inspected its body, tears of joy streaming down its face as it began to laugh—a manic blend of relief and lingering despair.

“I don’t hear them anymore,” it whispered through its sobs. “I can’t hear them anymore.” The laughter grew, twisted and frantic, until a voice cut through the madness, calm and commanding:

“Will you serve me?”

The monkey recoiled, its eyes scanning the shadows for the source of the voice. It saw nothing but knew it well.

“I will,” it declared without hesitation, still searching for Scott.

“What will be your purpose from now on?” Scott’s voice echoed, pulling the creature into a contemplative silence.

It pondered deeply, the weight of the question settling over it like a shroud. After a moment, it spoke, its voice steady and sure.

“From this moment forward, my existence is yours, my lord. I will make your mercy known across all worlds, in every timeline. If the world stands against you, I will destroy it. If gods oppose you, I will slay them in your name. When you call, I will come. If you need my life, I will give it willingly. My mortal bones and flesh will not fail me, for I will not fail you. This I swear—by my name, my pride, and the very essence of my being.”

Silence enveloped the space, broken only by the soft crackling of the flames that crowned the monkey's horns. It kept its head bowed, awaiting Scott’s next words.

“Go. Do not fail me,” Scott’s voice came, distant but commanding.

“All worlds shall know of your benevolence, my lord,” the monkey vowed solemnly, turning away without hesitation. It retraced its path, unable to contain the excitement and anticipation bubbling within.

Moments after the creature's departure, the space around Scott and Orion churned, revealing their forms once more.

Orion broke into a low, delirious cackle, while Scott frowned at the sudden system notifications materializing before him.

You have received a new title! Title: Scion of Madness! Congratulations! A being has sworn complete devotion to you! Congratulations! Your right to establish an Order has been recognized by the Authority of Madness and the Administrator! Congratulations! The Authority of Madness has recognized your devotee! Congratulations! Your devotee has inherited the title: Chaos Caller! Congratulations! The Authority of Madness has granted your devotee the right to establish confessions for your Order! The Authority of Madness hereby recognizes you as the 18th candidate to the Throne!

Scott scanned the notifications, the frown on his face deepening.