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Fear Itself

"(Soot? Smells of something burning...hellhounds? No, this is more like sulfur...lava?)"

"(Eshdar, what can you tell about the trail?)"

"(I can say a hell dragon or wyvern passed through this area)," said Eshdar in reply to Ifrit's question. "(The road has holes formed from lava-like substance melting it. Only a dragon or a wyvern can make this much of a hole on the ground. It could be bleeding, or drooling)."

"(Drooling? Are you sure their saliva is burning?)"

"(I never seen that before, but Ulshurfaks are like that)." Eshdar then followed the sulfuric smell to a burned forest. "(The dragon was erratic. It touched some of the trees while flying. It was uncharacteristically flying so low its legs were crashing through some trees. It was being attacked, or trying to escape someone...or something)."

As the three of them followed the trail, Eshdar continued explaining the tracks.

"(It lost some energy and momentarily landed on the ground. Two legs, and two straight line on the ground. Grass scorched. Must be a wyvern. Hmm...well, that's a dead ringer, alright)."

The red-furred hellhound then pointed to chain marks on the ground. "(It was an escaped captive. Some paw marks around here means that it was recaptured, but the trails quickly ended here. They must've used a portal. Anubis)."

Anubis's vision, which could see Soul Particles and traces of portal energy, said, "(Just as you said, Eshdar. I can still sense some of the dispersed particles on the air. If I can just...)"

Suddenly the Soul Particles were rearranged, and Anubis could see where it was going. "(Follow me)," he said.

Anubis could clearly see the trail, meaning that the use of the portal was just recent. Courtesy to a sixth circle of hell, the portal technology was something that was far too advanced to the surface world, but it was used many times in hell to travel quickly and safely. Anubis, with his ability, could clearly see how the portal worked, and it was by using soul particles to momentarily disperse an object into soul particles and reforming them in another point. More advanced humans would call them 'atoms', but he preferred the term 'Soul Particle' as it was similar to his ability to disperse an object and reforming them.

He ran towards where the particles became more and more reformed, but then Eshdar and Ifrit stopped Anubis before they could even get into the forest again. Ifrit then whispered, "(Can you hear it?)"

With his other enhanced senses, Anubis could faintly hear something from inside the forest. In moments like these, Anubis relied more on his other ability to discern objects and imagine their movement from the sound. He could clearly hear clanging, and a muffled roar, definitely something was behind the thick veil of trees.

"(We cannot rush in there)," said Eshdar. "(First things first. Find a vantage point)."

"(Are we going to do it like when we found Lilac?)"

"(We can't. This is different. The three of us may have the capability of mass killing, but we are in an open air situation. Let me explain to you, but right now let's find a vantage point so we can assess the situation better)."

Both Ifrit and Anubis nodded and started following Eshdar. Years of being a tracker had made him able to find any good tree branches to support each of them so they could stand on it without breaking it. After some short search, Eshdar started jumping to a tree and helped Anubis to climb. Yet, upon reaching the top, Anubis felt something intimidating on his vision. Aside from a massive cluster of soul particles, he could see some weird things in his vision.

First thing he noticed was a big lump of soul particles he could see belonging to a hellish dragon. While he knew the type, he could also see that the soul was clearly in flux. The dragon was dying or severely injured. Next, he could see some souls that were foreign and apparently different from hellhounds in general. They seemed...alien, but felt demonic.

"(Guys, something's not right. That camp...)"

"(I know...they held Angelus in that camp)."

"(No, not that! Something sinister is going on there. Are they conducting any sacrifice or otherwise doing something like a demonic ritual?)"

"(As far as I can see, nothing in particular. Why are you saying that?)"

"(Something strange is happening in a point directly north from us. I think there were soul particles moving that way, but upon entering, the soul seemed vanished, as if using a portal...or being killed)."

"(That point was...a pyramid? Wait, what the fuck is a pyramid doing in the context of this story?)"

"(Not sure what you are talking about, Ifrit, but my kingdom used pyramid as a shrine. That pyramid felt strange. It was like something of a communicator. Strange...those particles looked as if they were being sucked in there by something)."

What Anubis could see and both his friends could not was the bizarre change of soul particle movement. His blindness prevented him to see the immediate objective, which was a bound Angelus impaled by swords, as if she went down with a fight. Her rider could not be found, which made Ifrit and Eshdar worried.

"(Seriously, that pyramid is creeping me out)."

"(Ani...I think our current problem is how to get Angelus out of that place. Shit, looking her in that state made me feel bad...)"

"(But I guess we know where to start killing these bastards. Come on, Ani, let's...)"

"(Eshdar, listen to me! Something's definitely is not right at this camp)," said Anubis, who started to sound erratic. "(Now that I have seen the pattern, I realized something is wrong)."

"(Is this the right time?)"

"(Eshdar, I can see things you two cannot see, and right now I am seeing some fucked up shit you two can't see)."

At this point, Anubis felt that he had to do his role. If both Ifrit and Eshdar helped him in protecting and guiding him in his blindness, it was this moment that he needed to tell them that he had something special in him aside from swordsmanship and crazy sword dispersing ability.

Yet, he also knew his erratic behavior upon seeing what he saw was justifiable, given that he never saw the thing before. Right after he said that, Anubis felt something strange. Not only did the world suddenly became darker in his supposedly bluish vision, but also...he could not even sense Soul Particles. It was like he was totally blinded without any sense at all. All his senses shut down, starting from the sixth, and down to his touch. It was as if he was in a void.

He could not feel anything at all. Even the tree he was on was not even remotely there. He did not even know if he had been teleported or not. All he knew was that the place felt empty, like the world in here never existed.

Anubis wanted to walk around, but then he knew it was useless. He could not feel anything. It was just like suspended on the air, but without any feeling of the harness. It was more like falling from an infinite height.

Just then, everything started to gradually appear to his senses. He could sense the land and air. He could hear noises, but one thing intrigued him.

He smelled blood. Something was happening, and he could not discern. He walked around, but he tripped on something he could not see. Just then, he felt something squishy and wet. The smell of iron filled his nostrils. It was blood, alright, but something did not feel right. Blood on a squishy object?

"(A-Anubis...what...the fuck...are you doing...to me?)"

It was Ifrit's voice. Something told him that the voice was near. But then, when he tried sensing soul particles, something did not feel right. He knew that was Ifrit's soul, but his soul was dying, as if he was fatally injured. Why? They were just fine a while ago.

"(A-Anubis...follow my voice...here, come here...)"

Anubis followed it, not knowing what was going on, but then he felt something pulled him to the ground. A raspy voice greeted his ears, with horror painted on it.

"(Why did you run away, Ani? We...are supposed to be in this fight...together. Why did you run away?)"

"(What? Ifrit, I don't know...)"

Anubis was cut short by another voice, this time it was Eshdar. He blindly walked towards the source of the voice, but instead of getting to Eshdar, he felt a hot burning blade thrusted through his body. He fell, but he was unable to roar. He could not even see the one attacking him.

"(I should have known your mind is fucked up ever since you become a slut to that demon)," said Ifrit's voice. "(You sold us to them)."

"(What the fuck are you talking about?)"

Anubis felt himself dying, losing so much blood. His senses were distorted, and he quickly died.

The next moment found himself in another place in time. Unlike before, it was just a normal place. It was indoors, but then...

"What the hell is this jackal body doing in a spaceship?" said a voice.

"Maybe he's a stowaway? I mean, it's a hospital ship, and this is a morgue."

"Space morgue? This place is abandoned! How come there is a fresh body in here?"

Space morgue? Anubis could not understand one word they were saying, but then the horror started.

Not only did he unable to find out what happened, but everything felt so real. He felt as if his body was being cut and forced open while he could not move. He did not know what was going on, only voices he could barely understand. All he could do was to roar without any voice a he felt a burning pain in his chest. By this point, he could see the outline of his heart from his soul particle.

Then, he could see his own soul departing, while his consciousness was in his body. He wanted to shout, "(Get out!)" but he could not. He could only sense the pain, anger, and emotions all around him. It was his fear. He was afraid that he would betray his friends, and again he was afraid of dying, as of everyone. But this...illusion...was like real. He needed to get out, or his mind would burn.

He felt himself melting with excruciating pain he could not describe. He wanted out. It was enough. Please, just someone get me the hell...

"(Ani, Ani! Hey, Anubis! Did he got attacked?)"

"(Something tells me he was fighting against an unknown enemy)," said Eshdar when he saw Anubis, who suddenly lost consciousness. "(I think he's right)."

"(About what?)"

"(About things we cannot see. Right now it's his fight, but we need to help...)"

"(Get me out of here! Help me! Ifrit, Eshdar, please! I'm sorry! Don't torment me!)"

This sudden outburst made them surprised. Ifrit and Eshdar nodded to each other and went down from the tree and set Anubis down. His fading golden eyes were looking at something with horrified expression, and he was waving about like someone having a nightmare.

"(Ani! What the hell is wrong with him?!)"

"(Do I look like a fucking doctor?!)"

"(Shit, this is not how it's supposed to happen)." Then Ifrit suddenly realized something. "(Eshdar...did Anubis mentioned something about the pyramid's soul particles before he became like this?)"

"(Is that even relevant right now?)"

"(I wish it isn't, but the way Anubis is now, I say we need to find a way to get in there and destroy whatever is in that pyramid!)"

They were frantically trying to save their friends, but both of them did not want to leave him. Yet, after contemplating, they both said, "(Well, fuck this shit!)" and turn around and started running, roaring with all of their might.

Only that they were not greeted by anyone. It was silent, like dead. A moment ago they saw the camp was full of people and now...no one's there. Angelus was still there, injured, but otherwise alive. Every hellhound in that camp disappeared.

"(What the fuck is going on?)"

"(I think they all hit the snag. These hellhounds just paid their price for fighting something out of their league)."

"(In an instant?! How the hell are we going to fight them, then?!)"

Ifrit did not have time to say something very, very nice to Eshdar when he sensed that Angelus was waking up. Ifrit quickly bolted there and found her, still looked the same, but battered and injured all over.

"(I can't believe the three of you are coming to save this old dragon)," said Angelus to them. "(But do not worry about me. You have bigger problems now)."

"(We cannot fight them without your help!)"

"(Dear child...it is not something we are supposed to even fight. It is an evil older than even me. It is a demon of a higher hierarchy)."

"(What?)"

"(The best thing you can do...is to get to that pyramid and destroy it. I can see how the Caropus heir is fighting against this powerful subject. The two of you are the only one who can finish this, even if it is temporary)."

"(Right! But...Angelus...where's your partner?)"

"(I will explain it to you when this is all over. Go!)"

Ifrit did not want another delayed explanation, but whatever it was, he needed to destroy the pyramid if it could save his friend.

But there was a problem. The pyramid was big and had chiseled stone on it, like it was made from high-quality wall. Not only that, it was so smooth like a newly-tempered blade of a kitchen utensil. He could practically see himself on the surface of the pyramid.

But, despite of its smoothness, he felt like it wasn't that hard to destroy it. He tried it with a spectral blade and put it on the pyramid. It pierced through like knife to a butter. Was it because of his fifth circle heritage, or was it because only the surface looked like it was so sturdy?

"(Eshdar, do you have any idea to blow this thing up?)" asked Ifrit to his friend.

Eshdar tried to pull out a pouch of fire powder he used to lit up the tip of his arrow from his belt, then put it on the pyramid. He pulled his bow and shot the powder pouch with lit fire arrow. It exploded, big enough to make a hole in the wall, but apparently nothing made a scratch or even burn mark on the pyramid.

"(So am I supposed to cut a big hole through the fucking pyramid?!)"

"(No, I have an idea, but this will take a much longer time. I won't try to remind you again that your friend, the heir of the Caropus family, is still fighting. His mind will not be able to hold it)."

"(I can't cut a pyramid two times my size! All I did is make a hole and I can't burn this whole thing down)."

"(Then all we can use is 'Rune Fire')."

"(Rune Fire?)."

"(The fire of a hell dragon. It can burn magical and demonic influences. I can burn the pyramid all time, but they deliberately chain my head out of the way of the pyramid. If you can help me move my head, I can help)."

"(It's all or nothing at all)."

Eshdar and Ifrit helped pulling all the swords on Angelus's neck, bringing her great pain each time they were pulled. It did not faze her, and she quickly used her Rune Fire to burn the whole pyramid down. It was a slow process at first, given how the pyramid was made from high quality rocks, but it slowly melted like a lit candle, until there was nothing.

Angelus sighed and put her head on the floor, exhausted. She did not care of the pain as Eshdar and Ifrit tried pulling the stakes and the sword on her back. Her comment was only, "What a twisted reenactment of so many years ago..."

Meanwhile, Anubis, whose mind was trying to escape from the nightmare of dying so many times and his fear, was freed from it when he could finally sense Soul Particles again. As he woke up, he panted a lot, feeling as if he had been gone for ages and that was his reality. But he was glad that however worst the torture was, he could still see the real world with Soul Particles.

But clearly, something was attacking him mentally, yet gave out a very distinct Soul Particle structure towards him. The pyramid was somehow the cause, so he stood up and weakly walked towards the pyramid. It was melted by Angelus's Rune Fire, but then he saw something weird.

The pyramid looked as if it slowly formed a manifestation of something, formed from Soul Particles. Not only that, he could see demonic creatures as clearly as they were supposed to look like if he was not blind. Something was not right. No Soul Particles could create elaborate and distinct outline of a living being as they were the embodiment of that being's soul. Only plants would do that, and that was because they were soulless and the particles bounced off them, along with the affinity of lost or stray souls to stay and haunt a tree.

The inhabitants of the pyramids looked at Anubis silently, promptly the Jackal to say, "(Who are you?! Why are you trying to liquefy my mind?)"

No answer. It was intended to be like that, but Anubis was not satisfied. He must know who wanted him to lose his mind. Yet, before he could find the answer, Ifrit and Eshdar said, "(Whoever you are looking, we are glad you are okay. Angelus is fine)."

"(Yes...I can see her soul is doing well. But...you two...)"

"(Huh?)"

Anubis looked behind the hellhounds. The souls were gone. He just said, "(Nothing. Thank you for saving me)."

"(A little bit longer and you might end up catatonic. Never thought the enemy would do this to you. What did they do to you?)"

"(They...showed me my greatest fear.... I am not sure what is going on, but they were definitely trying to kill me in that illusion. I may be blind, but...I have fears more pronounced than you normal hellhounds)."

"(Don't worry. We'll face it together)," said Ifrit while offering his hand towards Anubis. He couldn't tell if Ifrit was smiling to him or not, but the Jackal gave Ifrit a smile and took his hand, as he was guided to Angelus. He touched on Angelus's rough scales and felt a warmth coursing through his body. He knew the hell dragon-wyvern was still healthy even though she was injured (hell dragons and wyverns had great recovery if they had died once, due to their 'undead' state).

He wanted to say hello to the old hell dravern, but Angelus, who had been staring at him, said, "(Hello, little one. Are you feeling better now?)"

"(I'm better now)." Though Anubis was still pretty shaken from that ordeal. It seemed as if he had been gone for ages while it was just for a moment.

The three of them helped with releasing Angelus's bindings, which took them almost the whole day because they needed to be careful so as to not make a problem to Angelus's body, as she said it was a binding circle. They all wondered where the rest of the hellhounds went to, but they were relieved that no one was attacking them. The last thing they needed was another dragon attacking them out of nowhere.

Angelus was intrigued by how the hellhounds seemed to vanish in front of her eyes. Something sinister was in work there, and she knew what it was, yet she did not want to speculate. It could be something unknown for them...something very ancient...even far more ancient than her 10000 years of life. The thought of something even older than her still alive to that era shook her for a moment, but she did not want to know.

There seemed to not be any problems, until the four of them unearthed an old portal by accident. The portal seemed old, buried for thousands of years. They could not see the base of the portal gate, only the top of it. But they knew the model was the one use for direct transport from and to hell.

"(We can't unearth this portal. It's buried far underground)," said Eshdar while touching the portal. "(Felt like this portal was made long before any civilization was even here, and then they abandoned it)."

"(I never remember any demons attempting Ascension back when I was so young)," said Angelus. "(But...it is strange. I seem to recall the hellhounds were constructing a portal here, so they could invade. I wonder what caused this)."

"(Huh, that's strange)," said Anubis while staring at the gate's top. "(The gate's Soul Particles felt ancient, but...it seemed that the components were made from this era)."

"(What do you mean?)"

"(Hellish technology used soul extensively to power them, leaving residual energy on the object. This portal was never used and abandoned, but why...)"

"(I think I can tell you the reason why, Death Jackal. Look at the base of the pyramid)."

Ifrit and Eshdar looked towards the pyramid and gasped. At the base of the pyramid, where the whole building had melted, was a mass grave of so many bones, clearly from dead hellhounds. But what made it strange was how the bones looked like. They seemed like they had died a long time ago and they were buried in a massive grave. Also, the place looked like a tomb, with elaborate blocks supporting the top of the tomb. They were like unearthing archaeological site...or more specifically, an ancient graveyard.

Again, only Anubis could see how strange the Soul Particles around the site. He knew the side was haunted by the look of the flying particles around the grave, but something was strange. He recognized the pattern of the particles and the age. It was clearly more than a thousand years old, but the way those particles moved and interact suggested an anomaly of sort, something Anubis could not understand. He could see souls flying around coming from a dead person, but this anomaly, this...weird occurrence...made him confused. Is it possible that the particles were ancient...but the way they interacted with the environment suggested that they were recent?

Then, a horrific truth came to them as they looked at the bones and the corpses. The hellhounds in that grave were not ancient hellhounds who had use Ascension thousands of years ago. They were the same hellhound that disappeared in front of Angelus's eyes.

"(They vanished...with a blink)," said Angelus looking at the portal gate's outline and the corpses. "(Something caused this. Something...unknown)."

"(They fucking time travelled? In a blink? How the hell is that possible?)"

"(It seems they failed to realize the danger of dwelling with the cultures of the deep Hell)," said Angelus. "(The pyramid, the time travel...they are the basis fear of hellhounds. They all fear the symmetry of a pyramid, how they looked so structured in a world of chaos, and how they don't like visiting a painful past)."

"(Excuse me, Angelus...but I am a Death Jackal. Pyramids are natural for us)."

"(Your sub race is something very interesting, Anubis Caropus, for you are the embodiment of death and plague. Your ability is the proof)."

Anubis was clearly too confused to understand what Angelus had to say. Ifrit and Eshdar, who were also confused, did not want to continue talking in a place where there would be time travel involved, knowing that they had no way to return to their time if it happened, and ended up like these buried hellhounds. Angelus seemed to understand and let them hop onto her back, where she flew them away from the site.

Little did they know of what happened after. If they took a final glance towards the site, they could see that the dirt covering the whole complex had crumbled away, giving out a rather sinister ancient place with chiseled rock and ancient Hordo writing. The place looked like a temple...made from the grave of the hellhounds who laid the foundation of the place.

Something out of this world...or at least unknown to them, were lurking on the surface world. It was still a mystery for them, but they will know...soon.