✦ Into the Depths of Purgatory ✦
Azrael and Null walked with great difficulty, every breath intensifying the torture burning through their bodies. Nevaeh hovered near them, worry tightening her chest with every step they took.
Nevaeh: Stay strong, you two. Just hold on until we find the Core… then we can escape this place.
Azrael: Don't worry about me. This pain won't take me down. (laughs coldly) I've suffered worse.
Null: Let's stay alert. We might not be alone here.
The three nodded, continuing down the endless corridor with sharp eyes, searching for secret doors, hidden passages, artifacts—anything that could guide them in this nightmare dimension.
✦ Meanwhile, in the Creator's Forest ✦
Alcanor was—
Alcanor: Absolutely not! (sighs dramatically) You took so long I had to stay inactive all this time!
Sorry, I was busy.
Alcanor: At least send a warning next time! Everyone just… waiting around.(long sigh) Well, at least it wasn't that long.
Alcanor turned toward the unseen audience.
Alcanor: For those watching: I hope you're enjoying this narrative. There will be many more stories I'm sure you'll love.(smiles) Enjoy. Farewell.
✦ Back in Purgatory ✦
The trio searched every corner of the castle, but luck refused to follow them.
Azrael: AAAAAH! I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE NOW!
Null: We need patience.
Nevaeh:(laughing) Patience is something neither of you has… unless you're forced into it.
She lifted a dusty old box,and beneath it, a secret hatch revealed itself. A hidden passage, stairway descending into darkness like an invitation from the abyss.
Nevaeh: Guys! Look!
Azrael and Null quickly approached, peering into the shadowy stairway.
Null: We have to go down.
Azrael: I agree.
Nevaeh: Are you sure? We have no idea what's down there.
Null:(serious) It's better than standing still. If we want to escape Purgatory, we have to take risks.
Azrael: For once, I actually agree.
Nevaeh: Alright… but please, don't lower your guard.
They all nodded and began descending.The steps creaked like ancient bones.Eyes,thousands of tiny glowing eyes—watched them from the darkness, likely more of those shadow-born bats.Blood-red torches flickered dimly, painting everything in a sinister glow.
Nevaeh: This place is terrifying… (voice trembling)
Azrael:(analytical) Torches, passages, tools… this suggests someone actually lives here.
Null:(nodding) And whoever it is, they must be incredibly strong to survive in this dimension.
Azrael placed a gentle hand on Nevaeh's shoulder, steadying and reassuring her as they continued downward.They reached the bottom.Another impossibly vast chamber opened before them.Mountains of objects scattered everywhere, relics of unknown worlds.And at the center,a glowing key rested atop an obsidian pedestal surrounded by living fire.At its base, etched in jagged script:"Pain + Suffering."
Null: I guess… we're going to need that key.
A system window materialized in front of him, pulsing with cold menace.
System:
To obtain the key, you must reach for it while enduring the weight and pressure of all your past pains,magnified a thousandfold.
Null's eyes widened.He remembered everything,every humiliation, every bruise, every scream from the life he had before death.It made him hesitate.
Null: So that means…I… I don't know if I can…
Azrael stepped forward, eyes blazing.
Azrael: Go on, Null. If you survived your past once, you can do it again.And if you succeed, stay victorious. That's how champions remain champions.So do it,unless you want to look back and drown in what already tried to destroy you.
Null stared at him, shocked… then something hardened inside him.Resolve replaced doubt.
Null:(deep breath) Alright… I'll do it.
He approached the pedestal.A crushing weight slammed into his chest.His soul compressed.His mind cracked open to memories so agonizing they felt like blades digging into his heart.
Every step sent him spiraling deeper into torment.Tears streamed down his face—unbidden, unstoppable,as every wound, insult, betrayal, and loneliness he had ever suffered,returned with a thousand times their original cruelty.Yet… he kept moving.
Azrael: COME ON! YOU CAN DO THIS!.¡IF YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT GIVING UP, I'LL MAKE YOU SUFFER SOMETHING WORSE!!
Null let out a shaky laugh through the tears.Those harsh words,twisted as they were,pushed him forward.
The key was only two meters away.The pain ascended into nightmare levels.His chest felt ready to burst.His skull throbbed like it would explode.His entire body threatened to disintegrate.But still,he didn't stop.His fingers reached out
Null:(voice cracking) Just… a little more…!!
With a primal scream, he lunged forward.And his hand closed around the key.The agony collapsed, shrinking back into its usual torment,still brutal, still dangerous.But survivable.He had the key.They had a chance.