Chapter 2: The Path to the Gates of Hell
Michl's words reached Nate, bringing him to tears at the thought of returning to his old home. Nate wipes the tears from his face and replies to Michl.
"Thank you!" Nate says between sobs. Michl turns around to reveal a map.
"Right here," Michl points to a spot on the right side of the map," is where the gates of hell are." Michl now points to the left side of the map. "This is where we are." He then leads his finger to the middle of the map. "This is the evil demon colony. We must go through it to reach the gates of hell."
"How do you expect us to do that?" Nate asks.
"By fighting. I'm the strongest fighter in this village, after all. I should be able to help take down at least one strong demon." Michl replies.
"I will be there as support, of course." Butts in Delia.
"Then I look forward to this plan. Let's get me home." Nate says goodnight to the two demons before walking back to his shelter. He lies down, but cannot fall asleep due to the sheer excitement of the thought of returning home. He remains lying down until eventually he drifts off to sleep.
The next morning, Nate is woken up by the sound of people talking. He looks outside his shelter to see demons from the village standing around it, talking amongst themselves trying to figure out who is living there. Nate walks out of the shelter and is met with many questions.
"Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you in our village?" The villagers seem upset to have a straggler in their village. Out of the crowd rushes Michl and Delia who stop in front of Nate's shelter to reassure the villagers.
"Everybody, please calm down! This man is not here to harm any of you!" Michl looks back at Nate, seemingly asking for permission to do something.
"This here is Nate! He is a human who fell down here from the human realm. I gave him permission to stay in this village for the night. He will leave now, but so will Delia and I. We promised Nate to bring him to the gates of hell and escape back to the human realm."
Michl and Delia's faces are filled with concern and anticipation, not knowing how the villagers would take the news of having a human in their village. The villagers just say nothing, speechless, not understanding how a human could have ended up in their village.
"Come on Nate, let's go," Delia says before grabbing Nate by the hand and dragging him away, Michl following. Three hours later, the three are still walking, searching for somewhere to set up camp.
"How much longer is this going to take?" Nate complains.
"However long it takes us to find a good spot." Michl responds.
"My legs are getting tired! I'm not as strong as you demons are, you know?"
"I guess that's true. Let's take a break here, then." Michl sits down, Delia and Nate following after him.
"So, Michl, I know Delia is the smartest in the village, but what makes you special? You never told me."
"I am special because I am the strongest demon in our village. Nobody in the village can defeat me in a battle."
"That's awesome! I wish I were strong like you are!"
"Maybe one day. There is a way to become stronger than me quickly, but it's a double-edged sword. That's why not many people choose that route."
"Really? What is it? I might need to do that if I want to survive in this realm."
Delia butts in, "Maybe another time, Nate. It's not something you should worry about right now."
"Awww. fine…" Nate looks down, upset. Nate's disappointment is evident as he looks down, upset about not being able to learn about the method to become stronger quickly. Delia's intervention suggests that it may be a risky path to take, and she wants to protect Nate from potential harm. Michl notices Nate's disappointment and reaches out to comfort him.
"Don't worry, Nate. Delia is right. The method I mentioned is not something to be taken lightly. It comes with great risks and consequences. We don't want to put you in danger," Michl explains, trying to reassure Nate.
Delia adds, "We are here to protect you and help you get back home safely. That's our priority. Once we reach the gates of hell, we'll find a way for you to return to the human realm. You don't need to resort to risky measures."
Nate looks up, appreciating their concern. "You're right. I trust you both. I don't want to do anything that could jeopardize our mission or put myself in unnecessary danger. Let's focus on finding a way to reach the gates of hell and get me back home safely."
Michl nods, a smile on his face. "That's the spirit, Nate! We'll make sure you return to your old home. And who knows, maybe along the way, you'll discover your own strengths and abilities."
Feeling encouraged by Michl's words, Nate regains his enthusiasm and stands up, ready to continue the adventure. Together, they resume their search for a suitable camping spot, their focus set on reaching the gates of hell and finding a way back to the human realm.
As Nate, Michl, and Delia continue their journey, their path leads them through a dense, eerie forest. The twisted trees cast elongated shadows, creating a foreboding atmosphere. Suddenly, a bone-chilling growl echoes through the woods, causing the group to halt in their tracks.
They exchange tense glances, realizing that the source of the growl is nearby. Moments later, a grotesque figure emerges from the shadows. It is a devil, a vile and menacing creature with twisted horns, sharp claws, and a gaping mouth lined with jagged teeth.
The devil's eyes gleam with malice as it locks its gaze upon the trio. It lunges forward, its monstrous appetite driving it to attack. Nate's heart races, and fear courses through his veins, but he remembers Michl's words about their plan to fight their way through the demon colony. It's time to prove his courage.
With a battle cry, Michl charges forward, his muscles rippling with supernatural strength. He engages the devil in fierce hand-to-hand combat, trading powerful blows and agile dodges. His demonic abilities grant him an edge, but the devil's relentless ferocity keeps him on his toes.
Meanwhile, Delia, although lacking power, showcases her prowess in agility and acrobatics. She swiftly maneuvers around the devil, using her speed and flexibility to evade its attacks and strike at its weak points. Her precise movements provide a valuable distraction, allowing Michl to unleash devastating blows.
As the battle rages on, Nate feels a surge of determination. He may not possess insane strength like Michl, but he realizes that his strengths lie in resourcefulness and adaptability. Searching for a weapon nearby, he spots a fallen branch and swiftly picks it up, using it as an improvised staff.
With newfound confidence, Nate joins the fray, supporting Michl's efforts by striking at the devil's vulnerable spots whenever an opportunity arises. Although his attacks are not as powerful as Michl's, they prove to be effective in distracting and disorienting the devil.
The fight becomes a dance of coordinated strikes and evasive maneuvers. The devil's grotesque form thrashes and writhes, desperate to satiate its insatiable hunger. But Nate, Michl, and Delia's determination to protect one another and complete their mission fuels their every move.
Finally, after a grueling battle, the trio manages to overpower the devil. With one last united effort, they deliver a final blow, causing the creature to roar in agony before collapsing to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Nate, Michl, and Delia stand amidst the aftermath of their victory. They share a sense of accomplishment, knowing they've overcome a formidable adversary. But they also remain vigilant, understanding that more challenges await them on their path to the gates of hell.
As they catch their breath, Nate looks at Michl and Delia, gratitude and admiration shining in his eyes. "Thank you both," he says, his voice filled with sincerity. "I couldn't have done it without you. Let's keep going. We're getting closer to the gates of hell, and I'm ready to face whatever comes our way."
Michl and Delia exchange a nod, their resolve unyielding. The three venture deeper into the eerie forest, before being stopped by a massive ravine blocking their path. "How the hell are we supposed to cross this?" Nate asks.
"Delia?" Michl looks at Delia, expecting answers.
"Hmm… maybe we can make a makeshift rope out of something."
"That sounds good to me," Nate replies. The trio searches their surroundings for vines, sturdy branches, or any other available natural resources. With the materials they gather, they fashion a makeshift rope, ensuring its strength and durability. Michl, being the strongest of the group, secures the rope on one side while Nate and Delia hold onto the other end. They take turns climbing down the ravine, using their combined strength to support each other and safely reach the other side.
As they walk away from the ravine, Nate hears footsteps behind him. Step, step, step. He turns around, trying to figure out where the footsteps originated from. "Hey, guys, did you hear something back there?" Nate asks.
"Nope, nothing," replies Michl.
"Alright then…" the three continue walking through the forest. As Nate, Delia, and Michl journey deeper into the forest, they stumble upon a grisly sight: multiple dead devils scattered along their path. The grotesque creatures lie motionless, their bodies twisted and contorted in unnatural positions. It is an eerie scene that fills the air with an unsettling silence.
Nate's eyes widen in disbelief, while Delia and Michl exchange concerned glances. They cautiously approach the lifeless devils, their steps muffled by the fallen leaves beneath their feet. It is clear that these devils met a violent end, but the cause remains a mystery.
Examining the scene, Delia notices peculiar marks on the devils' bodies. Deep slashes and puncture wounds mar their grotesque forms. It appears as if a fierce battle had taken place, leaving no survivors among the devils.
Nate shudders, realizing the magnitude of the threat they face in this realm. "What could have done this?" he whispers, his voice barely audible. The chilling realization that there are even more formidable adversaries in the vicinity weighs heavily on their minds.
Michl's gaze narrows as he scans their surroundings. "These devils were powerful creatures. It seems like they were attacked by an even greater force," he surmises. "We must remain vigilant and prepared for whatever lies ahead."
Delia's eyes flicker with a mix of curiosity and caution. "If there's a force capable of taking down these devils, we should proceed with even greater caution. We cannot afford to underestimate the dangers lurking in this realm."
Their hearts heavy with the grim discovery, they continue their journey, stepping over the fallen devils with somber reverence. Each step forward is accompanied by a heightened sense of awareness, their senses alert for any signs of danger.
Step, step, step. Nate looks behind him again, hearing the footsteps once again. "Michl, Delia, did you hear that?"
"I heard it this time, Nate," Michl responds.
"So did I," answers Delia. The three look around them in suspense, trying to determine what the noise they heard was.
"Do you think that whatever is following us might be the thing that killed those devils?" Nate asks.
"I sure as hell hope not," replies Michl. Raindrops start to fall from the sky while the trio continues to look around them. Delia looks at Nate, noticing his hair dye washing out.
"Nate! Your hair dye! It's washing out!" Delia exclaims. Before Nate can find the time to hide his hair, a strange glare comes from the darkness of the forest. Michl notices this and tries to warn the others.
"Nate! Delia! Run!-" Michl is cut off by a figure rushing out from the forest, pinning the three to the ground. Nate looks up to see a tall, well-built man standing above them with short white hair and piercing red eyes.
You've got to be kidding me! Nate thinks to himself, it's an evil demon!
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