Satisfied and traumatized, the investigation learning cruel truths, the seven sent messengers began to take leave. One from one, each entered the sally port. A passageway carving through rock, wide by five feet and tall by seven, an abyssal channel who’s known no acknowledgement from the Heavens. The seven walked in single column, seven torches spread evenly so, allowing scant paces for and behind to be viewed. Soon will they return to the world, escaping the castle they were royally tasked to investigate. A fortress so important, at the cross-roads of the Ikažjaf, torn and desecrated. Soon will they reveal these truths they have learned, one-hundred paces of tunnel, one-hundred paces from their escape.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarIIXtMy2y
From behind them, the sound of hoarse breaths in the muggy air could be heard. Their torchlit flames only so bright. From this darkness produced two baleful eyes, trained on none but all, staring down at the life before it. A slack-jaw crowned with flesh-soaked teeth, receded lips chewed and abraded, and an open rotting wound cleft through its left face. Towering high, hunched down against the ceiling, a face of misery and scars. One that renders Death a bystander and is witness to sunderous havoc. Once the face of a vyašežjybţ now torn and ailing, a demon’s shroud to encourage despair. A face only to be seen by life who’s to endure miserious fate, to feel pain beyond eternal torment, to see Hope herself killed in the flesh. The Monster stood waiting at the border of the void, idling on its hindlegs. For what? No one could know, save for its own tormented mind.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyf2YCYjCk
The group stood still, the life presented before this Monster. Jolâ, the closest by merely two-paces, froze in her place, all motion ceasing and faint. The others followed so as they each took witness, none moving or responding to the sight. The creature now known, the Beast of Könıștıžjě revealed, who by oneself laid this fortress to waste. Its inhabitants all now lay resting, as corpses or as pieces, together feasted upon. Their last moments portrayed on the castle’s floors and walls, murals scrawled in blood.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3RqkYXhCq
These two hosts locked in drawn moments, time seemingly in loop. None moving first, all stood staring, save a mistake on the Ţyškâ’s part. Jolȃ tried carefully, trembling still, taking one half-step back. As slowly as she did so quickly came the Beast, clamping down on her head. It swiftly retreated with her in jaw, the abyss engulfing them both. Her scream so retorted and abruptly interrupted by the crunching and snapping of bone. Flesh torn from flesh, blood lazily spilled, her torchlight consumed by the void. All then went silent, the struggle only a few moments. The shadows had now lept two-paces closer, and soon the face returned.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwHyAjpuYm
The seven sent messengers, now six provided, were left facing the Beast. Jolâ, now perished, left Totiš succeeding. Following suit: Rači behind him, then Šapiț, then Jěrni, then Aniķ, then Buškaț. None of whom speaking or gesturing another, all as motionless as life could retain. So stood the Beast, partly obscured, captively eyeing them all. Torchfire danced and illumed its eyes fiery red, reflections of hellscape fury. Eternity held her breath, Time slept in his bed, forever for what it seemed would this gaze go unbroken. Becoming lost souls, these six lamented their coming sufferance and endured agony before its infliction. 297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrWSSqpktT
The Beast stepped forward into the light, revealing more of its body from the darkness. Its upper body now shone in the glow of torchlight, large patches of mange sickened skin, and where fur did reside it was matted and stained. There was no doubting this creature was once brawny, starved muscle still prominent under the disease and dishevelment. Another step forward, more of its tattered appearance illuminated. It would stand nearly ten-feet tall if there were no ceiling blocking full posture. Totiš, who stood five-feet four, was near completely enveloped in its embrace. It leered over him at his companions, its maw hovered just a breath above his head, and its chest nearly touching his face as it rose and fell wheezing.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhHORUcKl1
Buškaț fled and chaos soon erupted. As does a great flame spread, so did the Beast tear through the tunnel. Totiš was shredded and the rest turned to flee, and as each of them did they each fell to the Beast, their torchlight snuffed out signaled their life vanquished. They were fifty paces from salvation, at forty Rači was slaughtered, at thirty Šapiț was dismembered, at twenty Jěrni was crushed and mangled. Ten paces from salvation, Aniķ and Buškaț could feel the dawn’s warm embrace, a wondrous orange glow radiated from the entrance of deliverance. At five paces Buškaț was thrown from his sprint, his foot landed unevenly, twisting his step. Aniķ, close behind, flew over her clambering friend, the last few paces felt eternal, the sounds of torment echoed from behind.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKrnHWi8Ku
Aniķ burst through the threshold of Hell, escaping Könıștıžjě. The dawn air was frigid and refreshing, soft earth beneath her steps felt comforting. She nay stopped to gaze back, for she still felt the Beast’s presence, she only prayed for God’s intervention as she fled towards Könı.297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpIZmuQYSj
Footnotes:
Ikažjaf' - The peninsula of which the Kingdom of Rıžjekâ resides.
Vyašežjybţ'' - An animal native to the Ikažjaf, most comparable to a large wolf.
Könıștıžjě''' - A castle residing near the village of Könı.
Ţyškâ'''' - A race of people, of which most resembling a humanoid Marten.
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