Chapter 1~ Death marks the beginning

Arthur's P.O.V.

Arthur...the name my mother gave me. She said that she choose a name from a king in a book. A king that everyone respected and adored. A king who rules his land fairly. A king who is a leader that no one dared to oppose. She wanted me to be such a person. But I...I cannot be farther than what she envisioned me to be. Growing up, we were extremely poor. Still, we paid our taxes. We were shunned by people of higher classes. Still, we cared for their lands. We were deprived of security and resources. Still...We didn't held any grudge. My mother taught me that no matter how unfair the world may seem, we cannot hate others for they are also just trying to survive. "Be kind to them and they shall repay you" she said.

But now it's different. Mother is gone. Im all alone, lying near death's door on a place that isn't even on the map. I can feel the cold embrace of death lingering through the air. It's almost suffocating. Yet....In this dark place where death seems to reside, I find peace. Such a comforting feeling. I closed my eyes knowing that I will die moments from now. Im not afraid...I find it rather relieving. Heat leaves my body, breathing becomes labored and senses becoming weaker. As my blood leave my body, I also felt the burden of life leave me. No more pain and suffering. No more struggles and problems. Just deep slumber to the end of time. As I accept my fate, my life flashed before my eyes... It seems like both my mind and body gave up on living. I relaxed and watched the life I just had that led me to this point.

...

1890, London

My earliest memory was when I was a child. Born and raised in a quite neighborhood where a loving mother and father raised me. We may not have the most luxurious but I had everything I needed.

"Do not hurt others." Is what i have been taught. I remember people would come into our house asking for help and mother as well as father would help them. Role models aren't they? Such selfless people. However, selflesness can be considered as weakness and easy to be explioted. We were prone to swindlers who take advantage of our kindness. After the swindlers came the loan sharks. We became in debt for all the charity we have given others. But still, we helped others who are in need thinking that all the good we have given will be eventually given back to us. We prayed for the help we desperately needed. But nothing changed.

All the debt had accumulated to the extreme. My father had to do odd jobs for people with questionable backgrounds. One day, father left for a exploration and naver came back. Did he die? Did he left because he gave up? Did he abandoned us? I never knew. His employers avoided us when we try to know what happened to him. This drove mother to her breaking point. Until she died, no words were ever spoken. And there I was, broken and alone. I lost all will to live. Until I met her.

Carylle...Not the prettiest girl. She had reddish brown hair and striking blue eyes. She accepted me. Loved me with all her heart. I would do anything for her. I was able to remain sane because of her. She wanted to get married. However, with the debts we have accumulated and the ties we have, marrying her would mean getting her involved in this mess. I explained that to her thoroughly but she remained unshaken. Despite my warnings, she and I married. I knew I am getting her into danger but I cannot change her mind. I'll just have to protect her.

Not too long after we got together, the ghost of my past found us. They wanted the money that my parents owed them. I can't do anything, I don't have the money they demanded. I pleaded to them to give me one last chance. I offered myself and pleaded them not to hurt my wife. They looked at each other and helped me back on my feet. They offered a way to pay them back. I had a bad feeling about it. Just like when father left and never came back. However, desperate people can't be picky and I accepted the job.

I was then taken into a harbor. I went inside a warehouse with dozens of other people. Some who had the same faith as me I guess. A fat man in a black suit and a fedora hat smiled at me.

"Good day, I am Mr. Hulton. And you lot are my property now."

The warehouse was surrounded by men in black. All had guns.

"For now....You will be doing a special job for me. You lot will be going somewhere far. Very far to get me something. Simple right?"

This felt like we are being cast away. After this, we were instructed to go home and pack our things. We were to come back the following day to the harbor. We were given last time to say goodbye to our loved ones. I looked at Carylle one last time before leaving. I promised her I will be back. We were warned not to run and I don't want to find out what happens if I did. The next day there were less of us. Looks like some did run. But Mr. Hulton assured us that they were "dealt" with.

Approximately 30 of Mr. Hulton's lackeys came with us. We set sail for months. I was not able to accurately tell. The ship was wobbly all the time because of the waves. However, I got used to it. All these months we were inside the ship and I have not seen the sun for months.

One morning, The captain told us we have arrived to the land. I stood up from my bed and headed to the deck for the first time in months. At first, The sun was so bright that I covered my eyes as they ajusted to the outside. Once they ajusted, the view I saw was breath-taking. It was a land like no other. I remembered my mother telling me a story from the bible. The home of the first man and woman. A place which contained no evil. A place specially made by God. Eden.

Once we arrived shore, The feeling of steadiness almost felt like other worldly to me. White sand beaches with palm trees leading into a dense forest. It was like paradise.

"Oy you sacks of shit! Bring the supplies from the ship!"

I obeyed the orders of who seemed to be the head of the lackeys.We had to carry 15 large crates which took 7 men to carry one. After this, we started building a camp whithin the beach.

"Those who are done with the tents, go scout the area."

I was working on one of the tents and 5 other people went to scout. Before leaving, two of the five began arguing.

"Oy mate, What the fuck?"

"What is your problem?"

"Shut the fuck up!"

One of them pulled a machete and pointed it at the other.

*Bang!*

A pistol shot rang out. This made the two stop.

"Say one more word... And one of you will be going down next time." It was one of the lackeys. The five walked on while the two glared at each other.

thuck

thuck

thuck

As I finished setting up the tent, I stood up and took a breather. I surveyed the beautiful landscapes. Such a refreshing feeling.

"He-Help! We need to get out of here!"

One of the five scouts got back with a large wound on the backside of his left arm.

"What the bloody hell happened to you?!" Asked the commander in charge.

"It-It was a Demon!"

Hah. Can you believe this guy? Talking about monsters and demons.

"Where are the others?"

"They're dead! It killed them! And we will be too if we don't get the fuck out of here!"

The commander was confused and just looked at the men and his crew.

"He's lying. I bet he killed the others. I saw them figthing earlier. Getting nasty and shit" One of the lackeys said.

"N-No! It's real! If you want to die, Then die! I ain't dyin here!" The man said. As he walked towards one of the boat. Before he even reached the boat,

*Bang!*

The man's body fell unto the sand. The commander shot him right in the head.

"Fucking useless shit. Must be crazy."

After the commotion, the group continued with the things they are doing. The next morning, we left the camp and set out into the woods. I heard a group talking.

"Hey. Do you know what were here for?"

"..."

"I heard they were finding a treasure"

"Well, What I heard was they were finding some kind of weapon."

"No. you guys are wrong. They are finding an amulet. Devil's luck they call it. Says it can grant your desires."

"Hah. What a joke. It was probably one big ass treasure trove."

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.

Finally, we reached what seemed to be a cave. A sign written on a piece of wood read

"Abandon all hope, Ye who enters here."

jolly.

I went inside with the group. It was dark and massive. Our torches can barely light the way. After minutes of walking, we reached a door.

"Ne intraveritis. Mors attende"

It was written on the door. I had no idea what it said. It must have been a wonderful message.

We opened the door. Inside was thousands of golds and gargoyle statues encirling the treasure.

The men rejoiced and cheered. Everyone grabbed a handful, some stuffed their pockets and other means to carry as much gold they can. The commander and his lackeys, however, stood at the sides. Gold coins, cups and even clothes with gold silks. However, one piece of gold coin stood out. While the others looked beautiful, one looked better above all else. It shined brighter than anything in the room. It had a crucifix marking on it.

When the commander saw it, he ordered his men to retrieve it. One got the coin and returned to the commander.

I stood by one of the statue which was holding a beautiful necklace. I reached for it but stopped when I saw the face of the gargolye. It was looking directly at me. The cement began to crack revealing a real demon inside. My heart sank as I stood watching the horror as the other men rejoice behind me, I can't say a word to warn them. Suddenly, All of the statues came into life and attacked the group while flying around.

Cheers of happiness turned into chaos. I dropped down as the demons cut down the people I'm with. The ones with guns started firing at the the demons with little to no effect. The sound of flesh getting slashed and bones getting crushed was something I would never forget.

"Help!" The commander yelped as he was wounded by a demon. I didn't hesitated and ran towards him.

"Don't worry! I-I'll help you!" I said as I applied pressure on his foot.

"Thank you...I will repay this once we get back" He said. I tore a piece of my cloth and tied it to his foot to stop the bleeding. The door began to close...shit. I helped the commander to his feet and aided him to walk. Some of his lackeys are still in the room they took him and headed outside. I followed them. Just as I was about out of the room, A demon grabbed my left foot. It easily pulled my body and I dropped to the ground while it still pulled me into the room.

"Help!" I shouted. the commander and his lackeys didn't even looked at me.

"Hey! I helped you!" I shouted in a much angrier manner. Still, no response. They continued to walk away.

In a desperate attempt, I tried begging.

"P-Please! I have a wife! I-I need to get back to her!"

The commander looked back. I felt hope fill my body.

"Wife?...HAH! that wife of yours was already sold off to some whorehouse to pay your debt! This is a one way trip anyway. Mr. Hulton is probably fucking the shit out of her right now! Hell, I'll give her a visit once I get back! Come on boys!"

My heart felt like it stopped beating. My wife? Is....No.

No....

No!

No!no!NO!NO!

nnoNoNOnN

ono!No!No!NO!No!no!

NO!

The door closed while they left me and the others to die. I looked at the ceiling with the demons flying around.

"Why...God. What did I do to deserve this? I did good...Why. That happened to her...because of me..."

The demon who pulled me sank his claws into my chest. Warm blood came out. I spat blood from my mouth. I didn't struggled. Im tired.

...

Yeah....thats why Im lying here bleeding to death.

Well.. Such is life.. Good thing it's over..

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NO!

Thats life?! No! I am not accepting this stupid fate! Like hell Im gonna die here! I will make those shits feel what I felt! To hell with this shit!

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"Hm?"

"A corrupta anima mea? .... Quid mirum desiderabilis <3

(A corrupted soul?....What a delightful surprise <3)"