Steam, soothing, comforting steam, filled the chamber of white walls, rising from pools of hot water. The alluring scent of comfort permeated the air as Alan took in the view with heavy eyes.
His apprehension fought with his need for rest, hindering his caution. Alan tightened his muscles, trying his best not to give in to the lethargy in the air. As he moved sluggishly, a humming music filled his ears. Suddenly, a voice widened his drooping eyes.
"Rest…" the voice whispered in the air. Alan gritted his teeth, fighting hard against the soothing melody infused with the voice. He raised his sword high, his straining eyes working hard to discern through the thick veil of steam. The voice continued, "It comes to all who enter these chambers. Unavoidable...the weight of slumber is. Defy it. You cannot…"
"Sh-show yourself!" Alan cried out, his voice lacking the energy his mind desperately tried to fill it with. Only an eerie silence and the life-seeping lethargic atmosphere remained, unresponsive to Alan's words. Until, before him at a distance, within the curling steam of the hot water, a dark silhouette of something long and big became visible. The soothing voice continued.
"The companions, left behind," the ominous voice spoke further with unsettling tranquility, making its connection with the silhouette behind the steam clearer. "Embraced the inevitable, they have. Feeding my strength is their essence. Dreams of their joy, become my power."
"What are you talking about?" The clearer the silhouette became, the more resolve and vigilance filled Alan's eyes and limbs. Poising his sword ahead, Alan waited. After an eerie pause, the silhouette darkened and the voice continued.
"Tell of their desires...I do. Given them what they wanted, I have. Eternal rest, a beautiful dream, a never-ending slumber...reward of their resistance, price of the defiance."
——-swinshhhh!!!!!!——-
Alan wasted no more time. His muscles tightened, his patience frayed, and his limbs rose. With a swift swing, he sent a flaring slash, bursting and cutting through the never-ending steam.
The slash collided with an unseen force, a barrier that protected the creature lurking behind it. The first sight of the creature ripped Alan away from his vigilance, thrashed through his caution, and filled him with shock and apprehension. His lips curled in disgust, his eyes squinted with repulsion, and his mouth hung agape as the creature continued, filling the chamber with a slow and mocking chuckle.
"In time, all in time. Your journey, continue. Each step, the weight feel. Each bed, each chair, the pull resist. Know this: delay the inevitable, you only do. Slumber waits for none."
Understanding very little of the creature's cryptic words, Alan's mind filled with realization from its earlier statements. His face suddenly flushed with horror, and a dreadful realization moved his lips. His dread uttered under his breath.
"Commander…"
"Yes…Alan." Longiseus replied, limping behind Lady Roartad, who trailed behind Armis and Relecta. Taking support from the wall of the dimly lit hallway they traversed, straining through unending sensations of pain, Longiseus managed to utter a reply to the call of Alan, who led all of them ahead.
"After all we've seen, after everything we've realized, after the losses we've suffered, you still wish to maintain a non-aggression approach against...this place?" Alan asked, turning his head and casting a side glance at Longiseus. His voice and eyes held a heavy note of sternness, yet there was a hint of hope, a desire for Longiseus's reply to meet his expectations. That hope shattered when Longiseus glared back, his pain-filled eyes reflecting his inner torment as he replied in a straining voice.
"Yes. You have to understand, Alan, no matter how many times you ask, my answer won't change. I understand your suffering. I can relate to your pain. Just know that whatever you are going through, I am drowning in it right now. My pain...it...is...incomprehensible to you."
Longiseus's emotional wounds, far deeper than his physical injuries, strained his voice and movements. Seeing his struggle, Lady Roartad quietly moved towards him, offering a supporting shoulder. Alan's expression remained unchanged, his sternness unwavering. He looked ahead into the approaching darkness and remarked,
"Well, I am not going to argue about it anymore. Just know that the next terrain we're stepping into could be M———"
Suddenly, their surroundings changed. The darkness of the hallway gave way to an unexpected brightness. Rather than dread, chaos, or horror, they were greeted by an alluring sight.
Alan's words trailed off as he stepped forward, his eyes taking in a corridor that stood in stark, almost dreamlike contrast to the ruins they had been traversing. The dark wood paneling of the walls and the lush, scarlet carpet covering the floor, unmarred by holes or debris, created an atmosphere of eerie tranquility.
The chambers on either side of the corridor had intact, functional wooden gates made from the same beautiful dark wood. Behind them lay lush bedrooms, cushions, and furniture. The walls were adorned not with creepy, dark portraits but with dimly lit sconces, mirrors, and regal-looking portraits. No more foliage-ridden stones or broken chandeliers hung from the ceiling; instead, beautiful frescoes shone, enhancing the allure of the atmosphere. The sweet, reminiscent scent of lavender filled the air. Alan, eyes gleaming in awe, completed his words, "Magnificent."
"What...is this place?" Relecta gasped, her awe matching Alan's as she looked around the corridor.
The exuding allure of the unbelievable terrain made her forget the crushing sadness she had felt earlier. The effect wasn't lost on Armis either; fascination took over as he opened one of the doors, revealing the inviting structure inside—a giant bed, intricate shelves and cabinets, a lush soft carpet, and a shining chandelier, all creating an allure they hadn't known they sought until their eyes fell on the spectacle.
"It's...it is magnificent!" Armis exclaimed after taking in the beauty of the chamber. His need for rest overcame the caution he should have had, guiding his movements as he jumped onto the soft bed. Alan, attempting to warn him, said, "Armis, it could be a tr—" but his words halted along with his hesitation. Armis sank into the soft, plush bed, and nothing ominous happened even after moments of vain apprehension from the others.
Seeing Armis instantly fall into the embrace of rest, Relecta couldn't hold back her hesitation any longer. She too ran ahead and jumped into the sweet, soft embrace of the bed beside Armis.
"Mmm… it feels so refreshing," Lady Roartad remarked, her eyes closing softly as a distant hum of music entered her ears, relaxing her body. A smile appeared on her previously tense face, brightening the glow of her bruised features. Alan and Longiseus still held an air of dreading caution, their eyes scanning each corner of the chamber, expecting chaos or horror to leap out at any moment.
Lady Roartad guided Longiseus to a seat on the bed. His eyes traveled to the cabinets and shelves on either side of the bed, his cautious gaze gesturing to Alan. Alan moved towards them, his muscles tightened, vigilance guiding his hands as he slowly opened the cabinet doors.
His glare broke halfway when he found no danger inside. Only pristine white robes with intricate red threading hung in the sweet-smelling wooden box. Alan's surprised gaze moved to the shelves, which held vials of herbs and bandages. Apart from their strange presence, nothing evil or dangerous lurked around.
"Nothing but clothes and medicine… it's disbelieving and…"
"Frightening," Longiseus said, completing Alan's discovery. Though Alan's eyes now gleamed with surprise and amazement, disbelief and apprehension still marked Longiseus's visage. His eyes turned outside, looking past the gate, still expecting something ominous to show up and turn their amazement into dread.
Curiosity now echoed in Alan's steps as he followed Longiseus's gaze. He exited the current chamber and entered the one across the hall, eager to uncover more of this mysterious and unsettlingly serene place.
Longiseus's glare remained fixed on the chamber's gate until moments later, Alan emerged, unharmed, a soft sternness on his face. Entering back into the chamber where his friends awaited his discovery with expectant eyes, Alan remarked with a heaviness in his voice, "They are identical." Scanning the room once more to confirm his findings, he continued, "And I'm guessing most of them are. We still don't understand the mystery behind this stark contrast between this floor and the ones below, but we should stay on guard."
"Yes, you're right, Alan," Armis said, sitting up on the bed. He glanced around the chamber, his eyes mirroring Alan's sternness as he continued, "But I think, given the chance and…resources, we should take some rest before moving ahead. It'll be beneficial."
"Yes, darling," Relecta joined in, addressing her concerns to Alan and pointing out his blood-stained, bruised body, as well as Armis's. "Armis is right. While we're at it, we should tend to our injuries and change out of these clothes. They smell of…blood." Relecta's hesitant tone and squinted eyes, after smelling the air around Armis, prompted Alan to take a sniff of his own odor, which only strengthened her point.
Shaking off the look of disgust from his eyes, Alan glanced at Lady Roartad and Longiseus. Longiseus sat with his head down, wheezing in pain.
Alan wasted no words. He swiftly picked up the vial of herbs and medicine from the shelf and moved toward Longiseus. Kneeling down before him, Alan gently grabbed his injured foot, eliciting a groan of pain from Longiseus without even asking for permission.
"Relecta, come here," Alan called out, prompting Relecta to climb down from the bed and take a seat beside him. Alan swiftly began unbinding the blood-soaked cloth tied around Longiseus's shin, revealing his cauterized wound. Relecta started to recoil, but a resolved gaze from Alan stopped her. She covered her mouth with her hand after seeing the dreadful wound.
"Pour water over it," Alan urged. Relecta nodded and, with a muffled grunt, summoned a narrow stream of water, pouring it over Longiseus's shin and washing away the blood.
Alan signaled her to stop, then picked some leaves from the vial, dipped them in the medicine, and placed them on Longiseus's wound. He began wrapping a fresh bandage around it, speaking in a stern tone with a faint hint of mockery, "I'm not sure if this medicine will work, but considering its convenient placement, I believe this place wants us to rest and recover."
"Well, if that were the case, it would've provided us with some food as well," Longiseus strained to remark through his pain, matching Alan's tone. "I think it's an allure of rest and comfort to make us let our guard down before it unleashes more suffering on us."
"I thought you were all for rest and all. So now what? You think taking time to recover is a bad idea?" Alan tightened the bandage around Longiseus's shin, eliciting a pained wheeze from him, almost as if punishing him for his contradictory words. He stood up, as Longiseus took a few deep breaths before replying to Alan's sarcasm with a stern tone,
"No...no, please don't take it wrong. I would be grateful if my wife and I could steal some moments of rest, as long as we are not interfering with your quest."
"Lady Roartad, please remove your robe," Alan instructed gently as he approached her with bandages and medicine. Relecta assisted by untying the cloth supporting Lady Roartad's twisted arm, carefully lowering it onto her lap as Lady Roartad complied with Alan's request, shedding her bloody, dirty robe. Relecta washed the blood from her skin while Alan began tending to her wound. Concurrently, he continued his argument with Longiseus.
"Well, I won't complain about anything you decide to do, but I think taking a bath, changing out of these rags, and closing our eyes for an hour or two would benefit us more than harm. Either way, if something is to happen, it will. We can't prevent it by staying vigilant all the time. That's not our choice," Alan said, shooting Longiseus a sideways glare. His words echoed the earlier emotions he had expressed to Longiseus, rendering him silent and contemplative.
After tying the bandage around Lady Roartad's neck to support her arm, Alan surveyed the room and resumed speaking in an authoritative tone, addressing everyone present. "So it's decided. We'll take a brief rest before moving ahead. Relecta will assist us in cleaning ourselves, and I believe both chambers have enough fabric to provide us with fresh attire. Let's aim for two to three hours of rest maximum. Despite the stress and trauma we've endured, try to remain as vigilant as possible." Alan then turned to Relecta, summoning her attention. "Relecta!"
As Relecta stood up, preparing to respond, her expression shifted suddenly along with everyone else's. A streak of shy blush appeared on her and Lady Roartad's faces as they instinctively covered their eyes. Armis had jumped onto the floor naked, exclaiming like a child, "Okay then! Start with me!"
Armis's shameless display, half-covered in blood and completely nude, filled the scented air with an awkward tension. Longiseus looked on with disappointment and a cringe of disbelief, while Alan's reaction was swift and furious.
"What the hell, Armis?!" Alan's voice rang out with a mix of anger and incredulity. "Are you a child? There are ladies present!"
Armis shrugged nonchalantly, his lack of concern bouncing along with his soldier. "Oh, come on. I think we moved past the point of shyness a long time ago.", which only deepened Relecta's embarrassment.
She attempted to peek but immediately shut her eyes again, while Alan rushed towards Armis, attempting in vain to shield his giant naked body with his own slender form. Alan's disbelief and disappointment mounted as he scolded Armis further.
"Oh?!! Really?! And when did that happen?!"
Suddenly, Alan's frustration seemed to overwhelm Armis's confidence, leaving him flustered. "I… I don't know, man. I'm just tired. Clean me up quickly so I can rest."
"You!" Alan became increasingly frustrated with Armis's sudden childish behavior, suppressing his rising anger. He pushed Armis out of the room and instructed him sharply, "Get out, go into the other room and wait. Relecta!"
Alan turned to the blushing Relecta, snapping her to attention. "From the outside!" Alan emphasized heavily, his tone weighted with urgency. "Close the door as much as you can, just put your hand inside and quickly rinse him off. Then tell him to grab any clothes he likes from the cabinet. Understood?"
Relecta nodded hastily, and with a reciprocal nod as Alan sent her after Armis.
Sighing in disappointment, Alan turned towards Longiseus and Lady Roartad. Lady Roartad, still blushing, kept her gaze low, while Longiseus regarded Alan with a mix of disappointment and disbelief, which made Alan feel a pang of guilt. He apologized on Armis's behalf, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation.
"I... I'm sorry. He sometimes behaves like this. It's embarrassing, but in a way, it's almost reassuring. It's been a while since I've seen that side of Armis. Maybe it's the effect of this hypnotic atmosphere, I suppose."
Longiseus responded dryly, "Well, that's evident. Manners aren't exactly a strong suit in your party," rolling his eyes slightly. Alan winced at the jab, feeling a mix of cringe and offence. Taking a deep breath, he decided not to escalate the argument. With a sigh, Alan spoke in a stern tone before turning to leave the chamber.
"Fair point. Perhaps I should check on Relecta before Armis tries something funny with her. I suppose the 'low class blood in our veins' does lead us to lose control when we're happy. I'll remind Relecta to be as dignified as possible when handling the highness here."
Alan's attempt at defusing the tension failed miserably when he responded to Longiseus with biting sarcasm. The atmosphere in the chamber grew tense, palpable enough that Lady Roartad's blush faded into confusion as she watched Alan leave. He made one final remark before shutting the chamber's gate behind him, his voice tinged with bitterness, "Until then, I hope you two enjoy your privacy."
The bitterness in Alan's tone wasn't lost on Lady Roartad or Longiseus. Longiseus felt the weight of Alan's words, yet he had no retort, having chosen a conflicting approach. They both stood there, enveloped in the unspoken emotions that were straining the already fragile relationship between him and Alan.
After assisting Longiseus and Lady Roartad with cleaning themselves, Relecta selected a robe for herself. She glanced around the corridor, confirming the locked doors on both sides.
Swiftly shedding her tattered armor, the clang of metal echoed in the quiet hallway, yet Relecta remained focused. She discarded the dirt-filled fabric, standing naked. With a simple grunt, she raised her hand above her head, pouring a stream of water that cascaded down from her head, drenching her long locks of hair. The water drizzled down her slender neck, trickling over the soft skin of her broad shoulders. Water covered her heaving bosoms, twitching them with a sense of freshness that washed over her as she bathed in the calm and soothing atmosphere of the miraculous corridor they had stumbled upon.
Water slid down from her tall, curvy butt, falling to the ground and filling the air with the soothing sounds of droplets. Relecta ran her hand over her curvaceous body, simultaneously cleansing herself of dirt and grime. As her hand reached below her waist, a warm sensation enveloped her body, prompting her closed eyes to open with a spark of desire. She halted the stream of water and used her old clothes to pat dry her drenched body before draping herself in the white robe, its fabric clinging slightly to the remaining moisture on her skin.
After twisting the water out of her hair, Relecta slowly pushed open the door to the other chamber. Her gaze scanned the interior, her eyes reflecting a mixture of desire and relief. She spotted Armis asleep on the clean floor, draped in a similar robe and hugging a cushion like a baby. This sight assured Relecta that the coast was clear, eliciting a sigh of relief from her.
"He's been out for quite some time," Alan commented, his wounds neatly bandaged now that he was in cleaner clothes, much like those he had used to tend to Longiseus. With a mixture of puzzlement and a soft smile, he glanced at Relecta.
She returned his gaze with a broad smile, subtly suggestive, as she sauntered into the room with a joyful spin, her movements a deliberate display of allure. Relecta's voluptuous figure swayed gracefully as she settled down on her back near Alan's feet, her actions subtly teasing and filled with a tantalisation.
"Seems like someone's really soaking in the calm atmosphere," Alan remarked, a relieved and joyful smile spreading across his face as he hovered above Relecta.
"Well… it's been a while since we've been this close in a less tense setting, I suppose," Relecta replied softly, standing up and moving beside Alan. She intertwined her arm with his and breathed warmly on his nape.
Alan closed his eyes, feeling the same desires stirring within him as Relecta's presence warmed him. But flashes of recent memories shattered his reverie, and he opened his eyes to meet Relecta's puzzled gaze. With a low tone, he continued, "I understand, my love. But after everything we've witnessed, everything we've endured, it's hard for me to truly relax, even in a place like this."
"I know!!" Relecta's voice nearly rose too loudly, her desire overcoming her as she climbed onto Alan, her hips brushing against Alan's groin. Small, warm movements emanated from Relecta's body as she held Alan's head, turning his cautious gaze from Armis to her with eyes filled with passion.
"I know that too, but for some reason their deaths have made me even more insecure. I.. I'm ashamed to be even saying this, but….but I'm afraid that even before we have our baby, I might lose you.." Her body continued to move restlessly, drawing little attention from Alan's lower body as his eyes remained fixed on Relecta's teary gaze. Her conflicted emotions contorted her face, a pain similar to Alan's heart, seeping through her hesitant words.
Though he didn't entirely share her concern, Alan empathized with the sudden intensity of Relecta's emotions. He drew her closer, resting her head gently on his shoulder, her tears dampening the white robe. Speaking softly, Alan suppressed his own emotions.
"I understand your feelings, Relecta. Maybe not all of them, but I do understand your fears, your insecurities, my love. I may not share your current desire to... start a family." Relecta's tears turned into choked sobs, clutching him tightly, her nails digging into Alan's skin at his hesitant words.
When Alan gently pulled her away from his embrace, lifting her chin to meet his gaze, he smiled warmly into her tearful eyes, seeking to convey his love and reassurance through his words.
"But you should never feel ashamed or afraid to express that. Relecta, I love your honesty, your straightforwardness, your love, your trust, and support. You are everything I could ask for in a perfect partner, which you already are, my sweet, perfect wife."
Relecta gulped, trying to control her sobs. Her lips trembled as she whispered broken words, seeking reassurance, "Re...really?"
Alan chuckled softly at her question, his amusement momentarily threatening to bring back her tears. He gently cupped her face, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. Alan's voice was gentle and reassuring as he smiled at her, "Of course, my dear. But, my love," suddenly, Alan's smile faded slightly, a hint of disappointment in his tone. It furrowed Relecta's brows with concern as Alan continued, "Right now, my body can't do what my heart desires. It's too weak, so for now..." Alan's touch shifted, causing a surprising blush to rise on Relecta's cheeks as his hand moved to her hip, his fingers lightly grazing her skin.
Her eyes widened in surprise as Alan leaned in, capturing her trembling lips in a tender kiss. What began lovingly quickly turned passionate, as Alan's tongue gently danced with hers in a display of affection. His fingers traced over her hip, delicately exploring her curves until they finally parted, both breathless with desire. Alan's lips hinted with a faint frustration as he murmured, "This is all I can manage right now. I'm sorry."
As Relecta kept her gaze lowered in a shy blush, shook her head in response to Alan's gentle questions, he smiled understandingly. "Will you wait a little longer for me? Until I am rested and recovered?" Relecta nodded again, her innocence reminiscent of a child's. Alan followed up, "Want to sleep for now?"
Her cute nod elicited a wide, strained smile from Alan as he gently guided Relecta to lie down on the soft bed. Relecta's eyes, now dry and calm, soon drifted into sleep within Alan's loving embrace.
He felt a deep sense of happiness and peace in this unexpected moment of comfort amid the ongoing chaos. Alan's gaze lingered on the shimmering chandelier above until his eyes grew heavy. Gradually, his breath and heartbeat synchronized with his wife's, and he too slipped into slumber, finding solace in their shared tranquility.
A darkness, a familiar darkness, enveloped Alan. The eerie void pressed against his closed eyes, attempting to instill fear in his heart. The empty sensation threatened to crawl over his skin, to infiltrate his mind and break him apart.
But nothing happened. Alan knew this place. He knew its horrors and remembered the dread it had once filled him with. He remembered the being that had brought him here the first time, its eerie grin, and the demonic grumbling of its shivering voice. But this time, Alan had come for it. No chaos, no horror, no dread lingered in Alan's eyes when he opened them.
The desolate nightmare persisted—the sky was still crimson, the ground still flowed with blood seeping from the chopped bodies of darkened individuals. No wind existed in the air, only the dread threatening to conquer his mind. But not this time. Alan's limbs remained steady, his eyes searching ahead with resolve. His splashing steps echoed his silent determination in the nightmarish landscape until they came to a halt.
Before Alan's eyes appeared a familiar, eerie sight: six mounds with dark flames blazing upon three of them, and repugnant smoke seeping from the rest.
"Getting a little repetitive, aren't we?" Alan remarked, his voice nonchalant but laced with the caution that seeped from his scanning eyes. Searching for the figure of the being from his nightmare, Alan's eyes lurked around the torch mounds. He called out again, "C'mon out already, I'm not getting scared th—"
Suddenly, the torch above the fourth mound flickered out with a snap, leaving behind the same repugnant smoke as the others. Alan's words halted, his limbs tensed into vigilance. Finally, a reply echoed through the air, a demon's shriek mixed with a grumbling undertone.
"Well, you should be afraid, Alan. Leaving a woman in heat has never played out well for a man, ever. Believe me," the voice seeped out of the smoke of the extinguished torch, darkness of its figure breaking free. As its legs materialized, its steps made nonexistent sounds on the scarlet floor. The whiteness of its large eerie grin flashed in Alan's eyes as it continued, "Believe me, even I have fallen prey to it once."
"Let me worry about that," Alan replied, understanding the meaning of its cryptic comment. The presence of the being sent shivers through his whole body. His feet resisted the pressure, his body fought against the rising apprehension and horror from laying eyes on it, hindering his footing. But the eerie grin of the being reflected the resolve in Alan's eyes as he tightened his muscles against the dreadful pressure.
"Well, you will. You will worry about it soon. By the way, one more thing before we start," an eerie nonchalance tinged the being's dreadful voice as it continued, "Four down, two to go. Now then."
Suddenly, as the being's words ended, its dark hand hovering above the recently extinguished torch mound turned towards Alan. Feeling the dirt shifting beneath his shivering feet, Alan jumped away just in time to escape the rotten hands tearing through the earth, reaching and grabbing for him.
As Alan landed, his eyes remained fixed on the horrific scene before him. In the blink of an eye, he turned and found the eerie whiteness of the being's grin reflecting in his widened eyes. It spoke, standing just inches before Alan, "Well... well. Well, someone has—"
"Got stronger?" Alan interrupted, his voice stern as he lowered his eyelids into a focused gaze. "There's only so much you can use to scare a man. Sooner or later, even the blood of his own becomes mundane."
"The word I was going for was 'changed.' But hey, those are some heavy words. Are you sure you mean what you say?" The being hovered back from Alan's face. With a rumble that startled Alan's firm footing for a moment, a dark throne tore out of the earth behind it. As the being took a seat, Alan kept his stern facade. Stepping forward, he replied in a confident tone mixed with sternness,
"I have no reason not to anymore. My eyes, my objective, are clear. I haven't come here for another one of your rhetorical talks. I have a question for you, and I expect an answer."
A silence veiled over after Alan's words, its flashy white grin shrinking into darkness. His confidence began to waver as a tingling sensation returned to his feet. Shivering started to take hold of Alan's legs, and anxious words almost escaped his mouth when suddenly it spoke.
"Oh boy! Look at that confidence," the being said, a soft grin appearing on its ominous dark visage. It continued with an amused nonchalance in its grumbling voice, "If I hadn't had a use for your petty existence, you would have been ripped into shreds by these hands the very moment that insulting speech curled off your tongue." It gestured at the rotting hands that writhed and struggled on the torn-apart ground.
But Alan remained undeterred, his eyes fixed on the being as it stood up from its throne and walked a couple of steps closer. Flashing its solidifying white grin at Alan's resolute face, it spoke again.
"Okay, I will answer your questions, but in return..." The writhing darkness of its body closed in on Alan, leaning in to inches away. It grazed its cold, ominous fingers on Alan's chin as it continued, "You have to answer a question of mine with utmost honesty." A grim emphasis seeped from its last words, making the depth of the bargain clear to Alan.
"Well, I can't exactly say no, can I?" Alan replied. As the being backed away from his face, taking a step back, it began to lean into a seat as suddenly, its dark throne traveled to the exact position to provide its body with a comforting seat.
"Well, now you understand the deal. Please, go ahead and ask your question," the being replied, resting its head on its hand, one leg crossed over the other, exuding an ominous authority. For a moment, this did manage to pierce through Alan's resolved reverie, but his heart remained focused on the task set in his mind. Alan blinked, took a deep breath, and spoke with sternness.
"What is this place? This stark contrast, what is the meaning behind it, and why now?"
"Too many questions," the being replied, a hint of annoyance seeping through its grin. It continued, moving its head from its hand, "You do know I actually don't have any obligation to answer any of that?"
"But don't you want the answer to your question?" Alan retorted, trying to hold onto his confidence despite the being's annoyance.
"I do. But I have other ways to get it. Anyway, I will answer your questions but in my own way," the being replied, the nonchalance returning to its grumbling tone. It continued, "So listen, where you sleep right now, they are sleeping quarters of some of the most influential figures of Pompeii."
"And not from the present time, I presume," Alan replied, a contemplative look on his face. A tinge of surprise appeared in the being's tone as it continued.
"Oh my, you are a quick one, aren't you? I like this new…or should I say old Alan?"
"Doesn't matter. Please continue with the answers," Alan brushed off its surprise, his tone straightforward, which only fueled the being's amusement as it continued.
"Hmmm. Well, in that regard, it can be both."
"What do you mean?" Alan asked, puzzled.
"Longiseus could be right, but I won't say that you are wrong either." The cryptic reply from the being sent Alan into even more confusion. Urging for clarification, he asked in a perplexed voice, "Can you please answer in simple words? It is c—"
"Hey!!" the being suddenly snapped, mounting frustration evident in its voice. Dread began to grip Alan's heart, horror reflecting in his eyes as the being stood up from its throne, which crumbled the moment it rose.
The being's shrieking stomps filled the air as it moved closer to Alan, who stood frozen in fear. The being voiced its frustration, "I am not your teacher, and this is not a class. I am not going to answer any more of your questions. It's time to stop being greedy, Alan. We have already left that part of us behind. Now is the time to kick back and give in to the comfort that allures you."
As the being finished, its tone turned relaxed, the shrieking dissipating. With a push of a finger, it sent the frozen Alan towards the ground. His wide eyes shivered with apprehension until a soothing, soft, comforting cushion-like feeling spread across his body.
Alan lay down on a crimson bed, heaviness beginning to fill his eyes. The dreading air of the nightmarish scenery turned into a soothing breeze filled with the scent of lavender. The being floated above Alan's gaze, its levitating body crouched comfortably, its dark head resting on its wrists, legs flapped over each other with nonchalance. The demonic grumbling of its voice held a relaxing tone as it spoke, "Now before you go, tell me how you feel about killing him…"
Suddenly, the sleeping body of Armis appeared beside the being out of thin air. Alan's eyes snapped open, the sudden dread rising from the horrific question. He gritted his teeth, fighting against the consuming lethargy and shivering fear. His voice raised in rage as he tried his best to maintain composure, "I…AM. Not going to do anything like that. No matter what happens, there won't be any more deaths, no more f—"
"And here comes the boring Alan," the being spat with disappointment, dissipating Armis's mirage. Devoid of its grin, the being floated close to Alan's contorted face, its darkened visage speaking with a nonexistent mouth, a heavy tone of grimness in its voice. This flushed out Alan's rage, replacing it with apprehension and dread, "Don't make me try the unthinkable, Alan. I am not going to regret it. Kill him before you reach the top, or I can assure you, you won't see any of your friends' faces…not even your wife's."
The appearance of the malevolent grin at the mention of Relecta once again sent Alan into a rage. He fought through his fear, his limbs tearing through the lethargy as he attempted to jump at the being, a yell of fury tearing through his throat:
"YOU SON OF A BITCH, I WILL KILL YOUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!"