Hades.
He didn’t have the energy or the strength to fight both the grizzly-beast and the mutts. To his benefi t, the dogs attacked his attacker first. It was a large pac k, nin e, maybe ten dogs. These animals had mutated even further than the ones Xavier had encountered in the pas t, their razor-sharp teeth larger. A hard armor-like shell replaced their fur.
Xavier seized the opportunity to escape. He sprinted up the fi e r y r i v e r’s shoreline . The primitive grunts of the dog s, mingled with the painful cries of their victi m, forced his wounded leg out of Xavier’s head. He continued to run until agony and weariness convinced him to stop. He had no idea where he was or how much distance he put between him and his adversaries.
Lungs burning with the taste of sulfu r, Xavier rested with his hands on his knee s, gasping for air. As far as he could see lay a scorched wasteland. He was surprised anything actually survived in this hellhole. He wondered what level of Hades he was in. The intense temperature and concentration of sulfur gases suggested it was much lower than he’d ever traveled before.
A large reddish-orange rock formation protruded from black vegetation about a mile ahead. He journeyed in that direction. Within a few minute s, he reached the cliff. He found a small cav e, figuring he could rest until he regained his strength and healed. He hoped he put enough distance between him and the hungry pack. From his assessment of this lan d, he and the grizzly-beast were probably the first real meat those dogs had seen in some time.
The temperature drop in the cave was a w e l c o m e change. Once his eyes adjusted to the darknes s, Xavier spotted a small pool of water at the far end. He went to the pond and lowered himself at the edge. Although the water was war m, the liquid refreshed him as he splashed his face. He cupped his hand s, filling them with water. He smelled the brown liqui d, and then drank. It washed the dust and sulfur down his throat. Although the flavor was horrendou s, the relief was heavenly.
Xavier checked the wound on his le g, happy to find it almost healed. He sat back and released the tension with a deep exhale. Exhaustion seeped in. He needed slee p, but feared what he might a w a ken to. An unsettling quiet crept across the warm rock floo r, no nois e, not even the wind. He leaned against the hard damp wall of the cav e, keeping guard over the openin g, even though his eyes were heavy.
A strangled cry woke Xavier from his sleep. He didn’t realize he had nodded off. How long he was out? Surveying the cav e, he examined his surroundings. The once amber sky outside had turned black. Something shifted in the back of the cav e, drawing his attention. His pursuer survived the dogs and had once again come for him.
They sat silently in the dark for what seemed an eternit y, each summing up the other. Xavier assumed the creature was hurt. Why else would it not have already attacked? He strategized his next move. Xavier had no idea what weapons this animal picked up along the way. Must be careful.
The strange beast lurked in the corne r, watching .“ How many lives have you ruined ?” The question came out of nowhere.
Xavier scoffed .“ You have to care to remember . ”
“ How does one become such a monster? Uncarin g, unfeeling . ”
“ What the fuck are you talking about? Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re as much a beast as I am. What the fuck are you anyway ? ”
“ Not only ruthles s, but stupi d, too. What you look like on the outside does not make one a monstrosity. It’s what they carry within themselves. Would you feel more comfortable if I looked like you ?” The creature shifted into a human form and wiped the blood oozing from its ear. He stood as tall as Xavie r, well over six feet. He had a stocky build with broad shoulders. His light brown complexion had a coppery hue. In its human for m, the creature looked oddly familiar.
“ I could give a
He didn’t have the energy or the strength to fight both the grizzly-beast and the mutts. To his benefi t, the dogs attacked his attacker first. It was a large pac k, nin e, maybe ten dogs. These animals had mutated even further than the ones Xavier had encountered in the pas t, their razor-sharp teeth larger. A hard armor-like shell replaced their fur.
Xavier seized the opportunity to escape. He sprinted up the fi e r y r i v e r’s shoreline . The primitive grunts of the dog s, mingled with the painful cries of their victi m, forced his wounded leg out of Xavier’s head. He continued to run until agony and weariness convinced him to stop. He had no idea where he was or how much distance he put between him and his adversaries.
Lungs burning with the taste of sulfu r, Xavier rested with his hands on his knee s, gasping for air. As far as he could see lay a scorched wasteland. He was surprised anything actually survived in this hellhole. He wondered what level of Hades he was in. The intense temperature and concentration of sulfur gases suggested it was much lower than he’d ever traveled before.
A large reddish-orange rock formation protruded from black vegetation about a mile ahead. He journeyed in that direction. Within a few minute s, he reached the cliff. He found a small cav e, figuring he could rest until he regained his strength and healed. He hoped he put enough distance between him and the hungry pack. From his assessment of this lan d, he and the grizzly-beast were probably the first real meat those dogs had seen in some time.
The temperature drop in the cave was a w e l c o m e change. Once his eyes adjusted to the darknes s, Xavier spotted a small pool of water at the far end. He went to the pond and lowered himself at the edge. Although the water was war m, the liquid refreshed him as he splashed his face. He cupped his hand s, filling them with water. He smelled the brown liqui d, and then drank. It washed the dust and sulfur down his throat. Although the flavor was horrendou s, the relief was heavenly.
Xavier checked the wound on his le g, happy to find it almost healed. He sat back and released the tension with a deep exhale. Exhaustion seeped in. He needed slee p, but feared what he might a w a ken to. An unsettling quiet crept across the warm rock floo r, no nois e, not even the wind. He leaned against the hard damp wall of the cav e, keeping guard over the openin g, even though his eyes were heavy.
A strangled cry woke Xavier from his sleep. He didn’t realize he had nodded off. How long he was out? Surveying the cav e, he examined his surroundings. The once amber sky outside had turned black. Something shifted in the back of the cav e, drawing his attention. His pursuer survived the dogs and had once again come for him.
They sat silently in the dark for what seemed an eternit y, each summing up the other. Xavier assumed the creature was hurt. Why else would it not have already attacked? He strategized his next move. Xavier had no idea what weapons this animal picked up along the way. Must be careful.
The strange beast lurked in the corne r, watching .“ How many lives have you ruined ?” The question came out of nowhere.
Xavier scoffed .“ You have to care to remember . ”
“ How does one become such a monster? Uncarin g, unfeeling . ”
“ What the fuck are you talking about? Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re as much a beast as I am. What the fuck are you anyway ? ”
“ Not only ruthles s, but stupi d, too. What you look like on the outside does not make one a monstrosity. It’s what they carry within themselves. Would you feel more comfortable if I looked like you ?” The creature shifted into a human form and wiped the blood oozing from its ear. He stood as tall as Xavie r, well over six feet. He had a stocky build with broad shoulders. His light brown complexion had a coppery hue. In its human for m, the creature looked oddly familiar.
“ I could give a
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