- Ten Thousand Years of Torment

He woke up at an altar.

He was chained in place on his knees, his head forced down and his arms spread and held above him.

Although he couldn't see it, the altar around him was alive.

Tentacles moved around him, emitting a slimy sound as they travelled.

Different fluids dripped around him, the sound hammering his eardrums.

The stench was unbearable, catching in his throat and pulling his insides up, forcing him to vomit.

Looking around, he saw he was in an elevated position.

Swarms of the creatures from the beach were laid out below him.

No sooner had he acclimated to his surroundings than they changed. Something hit him in his back, causing him to wince in pain and tightly shut his eyes.

When he opened them, he found he was in a new place.

He couldn't make sense of it, and knew that if he tried his mind would fall to madness. In front of his eyes he saw a being.

All he could fathom was that it was horrifying to look at.

It smiled as it waved its hand. In response, Marcus's body exploded into pain. HIs skin burst in multiple locations and maggots came spilling out.

He screamed soundlessly.

The pain felt like it lasted an eternity, while also feeling like it lasted an instant.

No sooner had it stopped than the pain started again.

His skin was coated in a foul acid that burned his skin, flesh, and bones. Once again he screamed, and once again the pain lasted an immeasurable amount of time.

Next, tentacles covered his skin and snapped his bones for an eternity.

Then, his body was drained completely of energy, leaving only enough for him to survive.

The pain continued until he was finally shown mercy. A sharpened tentacle slashed his throat, instantly killing him.

Marcus opened his eyes.

He couldn't make sense of the place he was in, and knew that if he tried he would lose his mind to madness.

In front of him was a being. He couldn't make out any features, but knew it was horrifying.

It smiled as it waved its hand. In response, Marcus's body exploded into pain. HIs skin burst in multiple locations and maggots came spilling out.

He screamed soundlessly.

The pain felt like it lasted an eternity, while also feeling like it lasted an instant.

No sooner had it stopped than the pain started again.

Tentacles covered his skin and snapped his bones for an eternity. The repeated sound of bone snapping left an imprint on his mind, causing his ears to repeat the drumbeat of crunches. Once again he screamed, and once again the pain lasted an immeasurable amount of time.

Next, his skin was coated in a foul acid that burned his skin, flesh, and bones.

Then, his body was drained completely of energy, leaving only enough for him to survive.

The pain continued until he was finally shown mercy. A sharpened tentacle slashed his throat, instantly killing him.

Marcus opened his eyes.

He couldn't make sense of the place he was in, and knew that if he tried he would lose his mind to madness.

In front of him was a being. He couldn't make out any features, but knew it was horrifying.

It smiled as it waved its hand. In response, his body was drained completely of energy, leaving only enough for him to survive. An odd, empty pain submerged his body and made him feel like he was being crushed.

He screamed soundlessly.

The pain felt like it lasted an eternity, while also feeling like it lasted an instant.

No sooner had it stopped than the pain started again.

Tentacles covered his skin and snapped his bones for an eternity. Once again he screamed, and once again the pain lasted an immeasurable amount of time.

Next, his skin was coated in a foul acid that burned his skin, flesh, and bones.

Then, his body exploded into pain. HIs skin burst in multiple locations and maggots came spilling out.

The pain continued until he was finally shown mercy. A sharpened tentacle slashed his throat, instantly killing him.

Marcus opened his eyes.

A glowing being stood in front of him. It reached out and took his head in its hands.

It leaned forward and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"I am truly sorry, my child. You fought well. Thank you."

"Remain strong. You will once again repeat from birth."

"We must be stronger. For you."

"I love you."

Once more, Marcus's eyes closed.