Chapter 11: Hell II

Chapter 11: Hell II

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The thick, sulfurous air filled Aleis' lungs as he slowly rose from the ground. His body, exhausted from the recent battle, still trembled from the effort. Every muscle ached, but the pain was a reminder that he was still alive. He had survived, and now he had to keep fighting.

In front of him, the entrance to the subway that had once been a shelter was now blocked by the rubble that had collapsed during the fight. The demons continued to scratch and strike, trying to penetrate the concrete and steel barrier that separated them from the survivors hidden deep underground. Aleis knew that time was limited; he couldn't keep them safe forever if he didn't find a way to end the invasion.

The sound of the demons echoed as a constant reminder of the danger that lurked. Twisted creatures from the nightmare, with sharp claws and burning eyes, gathered in ever greater numbers, eager to break through the barrier and devour everything in their path. The city, or what was left of it, was still a battlefield, and the crimson sky with the open portals to Limbo remained a constant threat.

Aleis took a deep breath, her albino eyes flashing with determination. She knew she couldn't stay in this place indefinitely. Although the entrance was blocked for now, the demonic forces would find a way through. If she wanted to save the people she had protected so far, she had to find a way to stop the invasion at its source. The only way to close the portals to Limbo would be to face Madelyne Pryor herself, the source of this devastation.

"I can't do this alone," she muttered, looking at the frightened figures of the survivors, hiding below. "But I have no other choice."

He stood up straight and began walking towards the edge of the street, taking in the devastation around him. Buildings twisted, as if alive, and the streets were rivers of destruction. The charred remains of what was once a vibrant world now seemed like ruins from another plane. His footsteps echoed, and though the creatures of Limbo stalked him from the shadows, none dared to attack him immediately, as if they sensed the dangerous energy beginning to build around him.

In the distance, a sound broke the tense stillness. It wasn't the demonic roar or the creaking of collapsing buildings. It was something else, something familiar, something that ignited a spark of hope in his chest: the roar of an engine.

Aleis turned on his heel, directing his gaze towards a nearby avenue. Amidst the chaos, an armored vehicle sped forward, skidding through the rubble as it dodged the creatures of Limbo with almost superhuman skill.

"Who...?"

Before he could fully process the situation, the vehicle screeched to a halt in front of him. The side door swung open, and a tall, athletic figure emerged from within. His face, partially covered by a mask, revealed a pair of determined, bright eyes.

"Aleis, right?" the woman asked, her voice firm but urgent. "We were told you might be here. My name is Susan Storm. I'm here to recruit you to stop the Queen of Limbo."

Aleis blinked, surprised. He had heard stories about the invisible woman, the powerful warrior who was part of the Fantastic Four. Her presence at that moment seemed like a miracle.

"How... How did they find me?" Aleis asked, still processing the sudden appearance.

The blonde looked at him intently as she approached. The Storm approached with quick but cautious steps, assessing Aleis with a serious but not compassionate gaze. Despite the chaos around them, there was a precision and determination in her movements befitting a veteran of many battles. While the demons continued to claw at the barrier of debris, she remained calm.

"It wasn't easy," Susan replied, casting a glance at the armored vehicle, where other survivors seemed to be waiting. "Your energy… is unique. Reed, with his technology, managed to track dimensional anomalies, and your presence is like a beacon in this chaos. We knew that if someone was fighting here, it would be someone with enough power to make a difference."

Aleis was still processing the situation, but Susan's words gave him a clarity he hadn't had before. If they could track his power, it meant he had more potential than he had considered, more than even he himself understood.

"What do you want from me?" —he asked, a hint of distrust in his voice. —I'm just a boy, I don't fully understand my abilities yet, and... —his words trailed off as he remembered the devastation and how close he came to losing all the survivors under his protection. Susan gave her a fleeting, but understanding smile.

"No one is fully ready for what's coming, Aleis. But right now, we need all we can get. Madelyne's invasion is beyond what the usual heroes can handle. You've already proven you can hold on, and that makes you invaluable."

Susan paused, as if measuring her next words. In the distance, the screams of the demons intensified, and the air seemed to grow even thicker and hotter.

"The truth is, we're losing," she admitted, her gaze hard but sincere. "A lot of our own have fallen. The X-Men, the Avengers… no one is coming out of this unscathed. The Fantastic Four are scattered, too. Reed and Johnny are elsewhere, trying to find a way to close the portals at their source, but we don't have much time. If we don't stop this now, there won't be anything left to save."

Aleis felt a knot form in her stomach. The situation was worse than he had imagined. During his escape, he had seen the devastation and felt the growing hopelessness, but now, from Susan Storm's mouth, the magnitude of the crisis became more real.

"And what do you expect me to do?" he asked, his voice a whisper filled with doubt. "I can barely control my powers… I'm not like you or the other heroes."

Susan shook her head, taking a step closer to him.

"You don't need to be like us, Aleis. You just need to be you. We've seen what you did here, how you faced the demons and protected the civilians. It's not a matter of experience or training, it's a matter of heart. And believe me, that's something not many have when the world falls apart. Your powers are unique, and they could be the key to closing the portals. But beyond that, you have the will to fight, even when it seems impossible."

Aleis felt the weight of Susan's words. He knew he couldn't run away from the responsibility he felt towards others, but fear still gripped him. Still, there was something in Susan's conviction that encouraged him to press on. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance.

Before he could respond, the ground shook violently, and a deafening roar echoed from above. They both looked up just in time to see a portal in the sky open even wider, and from its depths emerged a massive creature, with membranous wings and coiled horns, covering the crimson sky with its ominous shadow.

"We don't have any more time!" Susan shouted, turning to the armored vehicle. "Get in, Aleis! We have to go right now, or we won't get a second chance."

Aleis hesitated for only a second, but the urgency in Susan's eyes, coupled with the roar of the creature descending from the portal, spurred him into action. He quickly climbed into the vehicle, while Susan ran after him and slammed the door shut.

The engine roared again, and the vehicle sped off, dodging debris and attacks from the Limbo creatures that lunged at them from the shadows. Aleis, sitting in the backseat, looked out the window, watching the city fall further into chaos and the demonic creatures multiply. The crimson sky seemed to pulse with dark energy, and the portals expanded, as if Limbo itself were swallowing the world.

"We have a plan," Susan said, as she adjusted her seat belt. "It's not perfect, but it's our best bet. Reed and Johnny are at Baxter Tower, trying to find the main source of the portal. If we can get there, and with your help, we might have a chance of closing it. But it's going to be a tough battle, and I'll need you to be ready."

The albino clenched his fists, feeling the energy flow within him. He was exhausted, wounded, and scared, but he also knew he couldn't back down anymore. The battle for humanity wasn't something he could leave to others. He had to be a part of it.

"I'm ready," he said, with a determination that surprised even himself.

Susan gave him a brief glance, then nodded.

"Good," she replied. "Then get ready. Because this is just beginning."