Side Story: Hell on Earth
Chapter 94
Catastrophe
Everything is collapsing, and Dang Khong leisurely enjoys a glass of blood-red wine. He does not need to witness it with his own eyes; by closing them, he can imagine Thuong Tung using every possible means to apologize.
Thuong Tung blurts out sweet words, crying painfully, sycophantic, begging his "wife and children" to return. Obsessed and reckless, he plunges into the abyss, rescuing Stone and the daughters who are drifting in the raging river. They experience pain, anger, jealousy, and hatred, and only through hardship do they come to understand true feelings. The whole family loves one another, giving each other the chance to mend broken bonds.
Yet one last piece is still missing to complete the puzzle of a reunited broken mirror, so everyone rushes back as fast as possible, trying every way to comfort, ease the pain, and reconcile with the mother.
As soon as they enter the house, they are stunned. Seeing three men restraining the mother, tearing her clothes, and attempting to rape her, they are filled with fury. Thuong Tung roars like a beast, charging forward, and mercilessly slaughters the three villains. Blood splashes everywhere, spraying onto the terrified, screaming women.
Thuong Tung pulls his mother-in-law into his arms, gently comforting her. She panics and pushes him away. The children and grandchildren surround her, encouraging and soothing her. Only after a long while does she calm down, embrace her family, and apologize with tears streaming down her face. Stone and the daughters wipe away her tears.
- Everything is over.
The mother is horrified by the pile of bloody corpses on the floor. She sees Thuong Tung scattering white powder over the bodies. All traces instantly turn into white foam and vanish without a trace.
The four daughters bury their faces in each other's chests, not daring to look again. Fear of returning to darkness lets shame invade their emotions. Thuong Tung uses all his tricks, twisting his silver tongue with words smoother than syrup and sweeter than honey:
- Mother-in-law hates me, despises me, even wants to kill me. I accept all of this. But please give me a chance to prove my sincerity, let me care for you to make up for my mistakes.
Thuong Tung kneels down, bows his head, and apologizes:
- I beg you, mother-in-law!
Stone and the daughters analyze and open their mother's mind:
- Thuong Tung has indeed committed a heinous crime, but just now he plunged into the abyss to save us, and now he saves mother from a group of perverts. He risks his life, proving his loyalty to the family, enough to redeem his sins. Mother taught us that one must understand reason and repay kindness. If we do not forgive, we become ungrateful and narrow-minded… and… if without Thuong Tung's protection, should the same danger happen again, who will save us?
Thuong Tung is waiting for this moment, vowing to protect his family with his life, to care wholeheartedly and give the best to those he loves.
Dang Khong focuses on the sorrowful and touched woman, embracing Thuong Tung. He is ecstatic, spreading his arms wide to welcome his wife and daughters into his embrace.
Dang Khong raises his glass, observing the family merging into one body, warming each other with wild and passionate "affection" in the cold winter night.
Thuong Tung laughs heartily throughout the joy, enjoying the fate that makes him "the happiest man" in human history. The ignorant man is ecstatic, slowly sinking into sleep… yet unaware that the one he trusts, whom he regards as a friend and comrade, is walking out from the endless darkness.
Four delirious women suddenly awaken, bolting upright, each kneeling in different strange postures, crossing their arms before their chests like crossed bones in salute. Stone's mother speaks first:
- Lust Demon…
Stone, as the second:
- Desire Demon…
Next is Crystal:
- Fame Demon…
Finally, Glass:
- Profit Demon…
The four women welcome him in unison, their voices gloomy like wandering souls:
- Greetings, Master!
He feels no joy in the success of his trap. When his subordinates dedicate themselves to be toyed with by the lecher, there is no sympathy or pity. He does not consider it natural: it is a task that subordinates must carry out. The gloomy figure praises with a voice echoing from the netherworld, half real, half illusory:
- A perfect family drama. For a moment I forget you are not blood relatives… moreover…
Dang Khong turns to the unconscious Thuong Tung. He focuses on his prey, ignoring the transforming female fiends. The princesses' beauty turns into mist, vanishing into nothingness… revealing their original expressionless faces. No more charm, lust, or seductive appearance. No more family affection… because… it never existed.
Replacing the elegant beauties are cold, poppet‑like faces. Even their words of thanks to the master carry no emotion… as if… none of them are human.
Dang Khong approaches Thuong Tung, lowering his head to look at the glowing mark of the Lust Demon on his forehead. Red veins erode every vessel, planting the seed of the devil in his brain.
Each cell activates, stretching out slender, pale, delicate fingers, embracing and caressing, like female demons searching for weakness. Dang Khong calmly watches as the demon controls half of Thuong Tung's body and mind.
He turns back to the female fiends, his face darkened, no longer frozen in a single emotion. He frowns, and his eyes—always indifferent—now surge with agitation as the Lust Demon's whole body turns into the color of the original green forest. She is astonished to discover that the slowly returning pale skin is softer and smoother than that of a maiden at the age of the full moon.
The "descendants" are bewildered, unable to understand why their "relatives" undergo such strange phenomena. Their hearts are filled with jealousy, yet none dare react. All lower their heads, hiding their boiling red-eyed envy, yearning for the beautiful body that is transforming into flawless perfection... and... secretly glancing at the master's soul, which floats within the fragrance emanating from the Lust Demon.
The familiar fragrance of passion is now incomprehensible, turning gentle, warm, and full of affection. It evokes the familiar feeling of a child once cradled in the arms of a "tender mother."
They have never seen Dang Khong reveal his emotions, let alone fall into a daze, into melancholy, like joy, like sorrow, just like a child reunited with his mother after months of loss. A fragile moment touches his feelings… already… opens the door to the deepest past locked within Dang Khong… letting… memories of former days surge into his mind…
Each shattered fragment of the soul still preserves the image of the boundless ocean. The sea was surging, as if it were about to engulf the floating island belonging to the myriad mountains and seas.
The island was like a person fallen into depression, standing lonely and solitary in the vast sea… living under discrimination and contempt. Winter there had been bone-chilling, with gloomy fog… shrouding… the space as dark as the end of the world. In contrast to that lifeless air, summer was scorching, the weather fierce, as if God were thundering in rage.
Nature was harsh, yet strangely, whether hot or cold, plants still bloomed and bore fruit, and the lush vegetation turned into a paradise on earth.
People came to develop, to build villages and towns, to construct streets, grand and prosperous, no less splendid than its siblings, the myriad islands, who day and night were jealous, thirsty… and dreamed of becoming a second promised land.
They created unique architecture, resembling thousands of divine stone statues, magnificently embracing the body of a seven-headed serpent, set among ancient moss-covered temples.
Centuries passed, and with the changes of time, each statue soaked by rain and sunlight faded, yet endured with heaven and earth, silently welcoming visitors with a faint smile.
Their mysterious appearance stirred curiosity across all ages, inviting exploration of the meaning behind the friendly smile, while every admirer felt a chill down the spine.
Whether locals or travelers, some were fascinated, while others feared the shiver that was not from cold. Especially those drawn to the statues since childhood, the devoted ones still sought that wonder every day.
Despite countless staring eyes, he did not care that anyone thought him strange; he remained intoxicated by gazing at the supreme deity. Each time was the same, the boy heard his mother's call:
"Liberte, we are going home!"
From then until now, Liberte had not blinked while watching the statue. No matter who asked, he gave no response, standing motionless. Yet each time his mother called, he followed the one who had given him birth. Unlike many other children, he never turned his head to look.
His mother patted her forehead, praising her good son, and he silently followed her all the way home. The boy quietly cleaned the house, helping with everything from washing clothes, dishes, and cooking, to assisting his father with sowing, hoeing, and plowing under the blazing midday sun of summer.
They had tried to stop him, fearing their son could not endure it. Indeed, he lay bedridden for half a month. After recovering, he carried the hoe and dragged the plow back to the fields. His parents advised him daily, but he still followed his own will. Sweat soaked the back of his shirt, his face burned hotter than coal, yet he persevered to finish. When his parents' shoulders ached, the boy massaged them, then took over their work.
Almost every day, he was exhausted from physical labor, and this strengthened his body during the age when he was growing and eating. During the time of hard work, whenever he had a break, he studied while also taking care of his younger sister, so that his parents could go to work.
Busy worries and the look of daily toil filled their life, yet the family was always happy, full of laughter. Their pastoral life went smoothly until the civil war broke out. Day and night, the streets suffered bombardments and storms of bullets, with deafening gunfire and shelling everywhere.
People shut their doors tightly, not daring to go out. Everyone feared stray bullets. The bravest pulled open the curtains to watch armored vehicles sweeping through the city, some exploding, while hundreds of houses caught fire.
Bullets flew chaotically, piercing through the smoke of fires, then tearing apart the bodies of soldiers on both sides. Each soldier fell at the enemy's feet, while comrades shoved and trampled, searching for a way to escape.
After many nights of anxiety, fear, and dread, the war finally ended. The coup faction succeeded and established a new regime. Warnings and intimidation prevented resistance. To tighten power, the new prime minister issued harsh laws: everything people did had to be reported, and wherever they went, they needed permission from those in charge to maintain order and peace. In reality, it was surveillance.
Buying, selling, and exchanging goods were subjected to stricter inspections. Stable life was overturned. Soldiers suppressed protesters, controlled them, and sent them to prison.
Gradually, no one dared to oppose anymore. In everyone's hearts there was only hatred, cursing the coup to perish soon, secretly hoping… that the deity would grant a miracle to save innocent lives.
People grew weary of the long wait, then fell into despair. Everyone was disheartened and stopped praying. But Yingming[1]—Liberte's father—prayed day and night, believing that the day dreams came true was not far away.
God showed mercy, turning dreams into half reality. After one year in power, the prime minister decided to relax supervision. Yet the people were still not free, and nothing had truly returned to normal as before the civil war.
The tightening and loosening of control still kept the circle closed. The fire of resentment burned more fiercely, but no one hoped anymore to escape from this suffocating, maddening life. Only Yingming patiently waited for a miracle, encouraging and comforting his wife and children:
"Stay strong, don't give up, I believe God has not abandoned us!"
Maria sighed, lay down, and sang lullabies to put the children to sleep. Yingming knelt before the statue of the deity, burning incense, praying, and chanting beads all night. A year later, the situation changed positively: they no longer needed permission for everything they did. Trade became more comfortable and convenient than before.
Yingming was proud of his unwavering will. The more fervent he became, the more he believed that the deity arranged and solved everything in the world. Many people began to revere this religious faith, imitating Yingming and worshipping the deity absolutely.
Most islanders were still uneasy, feeling that the shadow of house arrest had not disappeared. Two years later, when they heard deafening gunfire, insecurity reached its peak. The familiar sound once again foretold the outbreak of war.
Planes and tanks fought without rest, ambulances wailed carrying the wounded, shells continuously struck the city, streets turned desolate, reduced to ruins. The general headquarters was bombed, and the government imposed a full-day curfew.
Fortunately, the day before, Maria had gone shopping for the weekend and New Year. To lift spirits, Maria's family, friends, and neighbors decided to celebrate the New Year together.
Everyone brought a little food, eating and drinking under candlelight to replace the electric lamps cut off that morning. With their hands clasped, they prayed for peace to survive the calamity.
Half a month later, the local radio station stopped broadcasting this news. Everyone risked climbing onto the rooftops to observe the situation. The city fell into darkness; the refinery and ammunition depot exploded. Countless blasts echoed in the distance. The coup faction was thrown into chaos, unable to maintain formation, and everyone understood that the war was about to end.
At dawn the next day, the insecurity that had tormented people's minds finally erupted into wild joy. At that moment, the Liberation Army overthrew the regime that had lost the people's support. The prime minister and the remaining troops fled to fortified strongholds.
All the island's citizens were overjoyed, cheering and praising, using beautiful words to warmly welcome the Liberation Army. They embraced and kissed them like family, donating food to their saviors so they could regain strength.
Yingming worshipped the Liberation Army as if in sacred enlightenment. He was "mad" enough to believe everything the liberators said, absolutely supporting everything they did, and he ran enthusiastically to deliver beer and wine to the soldiers.
They accepted the drinks as if it were only natural, without any thanks, showing off the arrogant demeanor of becoming the new masters of the island. Twenty-four hours after landing in the city, the Liberation Army began to walk through every street, ordering evacuations house by house to other places:
"The coup faction has already been overthrown, but the war has not officially ended. Perhaps the leaders and remaining troops are waiting for reinforcements to launch a counterattack, and other factions' armies may also invade here. To avoid disaster, everyone must leave the city. It will only take two to three days, because the Hive wants to take you to a place safe from bombs and bullets!"
People wanted to know what the Hive was. The army captain said:
"The situation is urgent, we don't have time to explain, so quickly pack up and bring only what is necessary. The journey begins tomorrow. Lock your houses carefully and hand the keys to us. We will protect your property until you return. Once the situation calms down, we will send you back home!"
Many clear-headed people suspected something was dubious. Yingming and a group of fanatic believers still had no doubts. But now, whether trusting or suspicious, everyone panicked, afraid of death, and quickly obeyed, loading belongings onto vehicles. Those without cars or animals had to carry them in backpacks or cloth bags.
Maria's family packed rice, salt, sugar, dried fish, medicine, mosquito nets, mats, matches, cigarettes, a bottle of wine for Yingming, clothes, schoolbooks for the two children, all documents, ID cards, and about two million in cash exchanged just two or three days earlier.
Yingming decided to store some rice, dried squid, salt, and sugar at home in case, when they returned, the shops were closed. After packing, everyone gathered together. Maria, doubtful, said to her husband:
"I cannot believe they will return everything to us! I worry whether I will ever be able to go home again, let alone reclaim our property!"
The family members agreed with Maria's concern. Yingming did not listen and even criticized:
"Have you all forgotten that we have been waiting for this day? Why would you doubt those who save us? If we cannot even trust our benefactors, then we can only trust God. The benefactors are the incarnation of the deity. To judge gentlemen with the heart of petty men is against morality! Enough, stop hesitating, or bombs and bullets may suddenly fall and kill the whole family. Go to bed early, keep healthy, and be ready to set out tomorrow."
Yingming was the patriarch. Although everyone was unwilling, they still had to obey, mainly because they feared the Liberation Army, who were always armed from head to toe. Each man wore a friendly smile, but could not hide the murderous intent in their fierce eyes. The people sighed and submitted to fate.
That night, the entire population stayed awake until morning. Most people handed over the keys to their houses and property to the Liberation Army one by one. Some rode in cars, some on oxen, donkeys, or horses. Those without vehicles had already lost their animals to the chaos of war, so families helped the elderly, led the children, and supported each other as they left.
Maria's family loaded all their bags into a large car. On the back bench sat Le, Yingming's elder sister. Le's four children included three girls—Ji, 18; Xiang, 13; Ru, 10—and a boy, Yi, 9.[2]
Yingming sat in the driver's seat in the front, Liberte sat beside him, and Maria held her little daughter Poupee Ange. There was no space left in the car, so Maria's younger brother followed behind, riding a bicycle that rattled as it moved.
Before departure, Yingming did not forget to thank the Liberation Army for their help. After traveling a long distance, the exhausted brother gradually fell behind the pushing and shoving crowd.
Maria, alarmed, opened the car window, stuck her head out, and looked around. The relatives looked in every direction, but her brother's figure had vanished… as if it had evaporated into thin air.
The wife wept bitterly, blaming her husband's blindness. Yingming sympathized with the pain of losing a loved one, embraced his wife, encouraged, and comforted her. The whole family shook their heads in disappointment at the patriarch, but he remained calm, trying to persuade them:
"This is just an unexpected accident, no one is at fault. Everything is within the arrangement of the divine, and it will be fine!"
No one replied, and they continued forward in silence. Maria's family planned to head to the Hexagon Embassy in the north, but the Liberation Army had erected fences, dividing the city into four zones. Those in the north went north, those on the other side went that way, and Maria's family had to go south.
Not long after the car left the city, Maria's family froze before a sea of people. Men, women, the elderly, and children all crowded together, moving forward. Since the beginning of the war, the islanders had flocked to the capital, believing it was the safest place. They had not expected to be forced to evacuate again, this time among more than five million people running in chaos.
Five million people were scattered across every road like bees from a broken hive. Terrified and exhausted, they still tried to march under the April sun, hotter than the desert.
Along the way, bicycles and tricycles jostled for space, while countless people struggled to pull and push ox carts loaded with furniture and luggage. Cars ran out of fuel, and other vehicles had to be dragged, or many adults joined forces to push them to avoid traffic jams.
The weary struggled to move their vehicles. The elderly, children, and frail women could not breathe. Even men and muscular young people could not withstand the humid heat. Their bodies were scorched, their soaked clothes clung to their skin, sweat evaporated under the blazing sun, and repeated exposure left them severely dehydrated.
Maria's family dared not drink too much water; each person took only one or two sips. They were luckier than countless others who had not a single drop to quench their thirst. The miserable swallowed with parched throats, longing as they watched others gulp water to the bottom of their jars, the liquid spilling from their mouths and dripping down their chins.
Some, after drinking, immediately poured water over their heads, splashing it onto their already drenched chests. In the same situation, there was no compassion; instead, they flaunted their "sorrow" by showing off, despising the impoverished families dragging their heavy feet forward.
Mothers carried small children on their backs, while older children hurried behind. Bare feet stepped on gravel and stones, instantly torn and bleeding, yet they dared not stop for even half a step, afraid of losing their way.
Children screamed and cried out for their parents, their heartbreaking voices cutting into everyone's soul. Those in the same plight sorrowfully made way, allowing the sobbing mother to return and help their children.
Behind them, the father struggled to carry their belongings. He was fighting not to let tears blur his vision, fearing that if he weakened, he would forever lose his wife and children.
The situation was no better than that of the miserable, but Maria could not bear the children's cries of pain, begging for food and drink. Their parents wept silently, holding them in their arms to comfort them. As a mother, Maria wanted to get out of the car to help, but her husband stopped her:
"Maria, we cannot help everyone! If you do this, others will come asking for things, and it will be even more chaotic. Even when we reach a secluded place, our family might be robbed."
No one knew her husband better than his wife, and Maria was still shocked by his numbness. No matter how reasonable the advice was in times of turmoil, Yingming, worried about his family, stopped his wife from doing those "thoughtless" things. Maria remained disappointed in his inhuman, cowardly nature, but he firmly believed in those rebels who lied, deceived, and persecuted them.
Maria turned her head in another direction, unwilling to look at her husband's face… unwilling to face the cruel reality pressed in by sobbing cries. Her eyes reddened as she watched the sight of old people dragging themselves behind the young.
Wherever the displaced passed, people saw hospitals forced to evacuate, patients thrown into the noisy crowd. Many lay on stretchers, their hands swinging with bottles of intravenous fluid. Mental hospitals released their patients; madmen stared foolishly at the chaos, laughing vacantly, muttering nonsense.
In the prison district, inmates were released. They happily stole and looted everything from houses, grocery stores, second-hand shops, factories, and businesses. Beasts even rushed at girls walking alone, tore off their clothes, and raped them in broad daylight. Yingming noticed his wife trembling; he patted her and chose words of comfort:
"Don't worry, the Liberation Army is doing the right thing. They want to protect us from bomb attacks, so they told us to evacuate. We must create conditions for them to pacify this city. I believe when everything is over, they will take us home."
Maria grew weary of listening to her husband's blind words. He naively believed in rebels without religion, let alone law. At that moment, Maria was certain these monsters were not the true liberators people had hoped for—they were merely rebels. Yet she did not know what to do, except to hope and tell herself:
"This is just a nightmare, Maria. This is just a nightmare. You will wake up to a peaceful life with your husband, children, and family!"
Such words of reassurance could not calm her anxiety. Not only Maria's family but everyone did not know where they were going, asking themselves why no instructions had yet been given.
The evacuation teams dragged their exhausted, hungry bodies, wandering like a horde of zombies toward an uncertain place… and… they dared not imagine the more terrible nightmare waiting at the destination.
Was that the final end? The people, powerless as ants, could decide nothing, and could only listen to the rebels riding bicycles along the road, saying:
"Don't worry about your houses, we will take care of them. Just keep walking in this direction. The Hive is waiting for you there. The Hive welcomes and cares for you. Don't be afraid! In two or three days, you will be able to go home!"
Anyone with sense secretly cursed these cunning demons, liars bound for the deepest abyss of hell.