Chapter 4

Michael eyes opened, however with much difficulty. An intense glare of light pierced his eyes. His bones ached, his muscles were stiff and his mind was still a blur. Around him, he heard mutterings like “he’s awake” and “hey, are you alright?” He groaned in pain as he turned around and was greeted by Samuel’s relieved face.

“You were out cold for a few days, what were you doing in the hallway of Zoromak?” asked Samuel as gently as he could. Michael tired to get up and was helped by Samuel. Here, he saw Frederick, the announcer of the games who had his signature bright vermilion suit on, Thomas, his good messy-haired friend since he was young who now wore a cloak around his navy blue shirt. His belt had bottles and vials strapped on to it. And surprisingly, Triton, who was sitting in one corner of the room in a more causal piece of clothing with his large hammer strapped to his back.

“You ok chap?” said Fredrick with a sense of merriment.

“Just fine, thank you. Thomas! I did not know you were here. You were supposed to be in Crimsonhills practicing your alchemy.” Replied Michael as he massaged his bruised head to make him feel more comfortable.

“Well, your old friend here decided to come and cheer you on. I spotted him just after your match with Triton.” said Samuel while giving a harsh glance towards Thomas, “You have good friends here Michael.” Thomas just simply smiled towards Michael.

Michael looked at his limbs and chest. They all had burn marks scarred onto them. He tried to massage one, but was felt painful stings as he did. He quickly returned his hand and sighed with worry.

“Our healers couldn’t remove them, sad to say.” Apologized Frederick, “I’ve never seen burn marks like these since I saw a Daemon. Hah! Fought one myself I did.”

Michael’s gaze turned to Triton and immediately Samuel spoke, “We found out that he experienced similar burns. We also realized that he could not remember anything from that match or anything after he stepped into the arena. It was as though he was possessed by someone…”

“Or something…” Triton interrupted, now standing in front of Michael, “this only happened after I fought with this dark… assassin if my judgment was correct, before I set off for the arena. He was a tough opponent, swift and deadly. But one folly from him made him open. I struck, but to my amazement, flames that burned like the pit of hell scorched through my veins. Although I did not fall unconscious like you did, I would sometimes have this gap in my mind. I gap that I could not recall what fit in it and strange things always happened after that.”

Michael stared down thinking, “Could he be possessed at this very instant? He could not tell. But one thing was certain was that he would find out who or what Satan was talking to and-”

“Satan!” , that name flooded his mind with anger and hate, yet was also filled it with pity and compassion. Satan had been used by this “thing” and had suffered from it. “Frederick, did you find another person where you found me?” asked Michael with sudden anxiety.

“Aye, he’s just a few rooms away, still unconscious, poor kid.” replied Frederick with a little sympathy in his tone, “wished I could have done more.”

“I heard him talking with someone in the hallway. It sounded mellow and deep.” muttered Michael to the rest, “its voice sounded like a demon of some sort.” Everyone stared at him in either amazement on in utter shock.

“Did you see how he did it?” said Samuel, breaking the silence.

“No, unfortunately, I was discovered before I got close enough.” sighed Michael.

“Are you sure lad, he did not have any form of sign or mark on him that might suggest a little of his unknown companion?” said Frederick with great anxiety.

“No sir, I can’t remember much in that battle. It is as though his companion removed it from my head.” said Michael as he thought hard.

“Well, enough talking, the next match is about to start and I need to be present for the duel to commence.” said Frederick, trying to retain his posture while looking at his well-crafted, golden watch, “You should be getting some rest… Come ‘on Samuel, you should see the next battle, pretty exciting. The wizard of Kingoran against the warlock from the marshes of Zerihm. What do you say old chap, for old time’s sake, eh?”

Samuel briefly nodded and left the room, taking one last look at Michael, forcing a smile. Michael knew that they were not going off together just for the “exciting” match. But his thoughts did not pursue it for the time being.

All of a sudden, Michael’s head felt as though it was a balloon, pressurized, stretched to a point of incredible tension. He wailed in the pain that impaled his mind. Flashes of the “forgotten” duel with Satan gushed back into him. Triton and Thomas tried their very best to support him and preventing him from hurting himself. In the chaos, Thomas got struck squarely in the belly as he tried to keep Michael in his bed.

The pain mysteriously ceased as soon as it began, but for Michael, it was as though it had been years. He stared blankly into space, and then suddenly sprang up, accidentally striking the recovering Thomas. With an apology, Michael seized a pencil and began to draw. Triton helped Thomas up and they went over to see what Michael drew. It was a sign. No, it was more of a mark. It resembled the letter “S” with two curved lines on each side. Sort of like an emblazoned “S”.

“I remembered this… on his hand; it kind of had a mind of its own. I remembered that he screamed, of such pain, such misery, such agony…” mumbled Michael as he turned to the pair, “Do any of you want this symbol represents?”

Only Thomas reacted. He was in total shock and was now rummaging through the sack the brought along and took out an old but sturdy book. He flipped it open and fretfully flipped through the pages until certain page. He passed it to Michael and Triton looked from behind. On it was the exact same symbol, just that in that book, it was blood red. The two gazed on it and turned to Thomas for an explanation.

“That… That mark has not been seen in thousands of years” stammered Thomas.

“We know that already, it is in this book. We want to know what it means.” said Triton with amazing calmness.

“That mark… as my master taught me was the mark used by, as our people call it, the Zel-narks, or more commonly known as the mark of destruction. It is used by the Daemon lords from the “outside”. The other worlds.” spluttered Thomas hesitantly.

“So, this… thing who Satan communicates to is a daemon lord?” questioned Triton.

“It could be. But my knowledge of this symbol or runes is quite shallow. If you really want to know more about that mark, I know someone whom can help you. He lives not very far from the arena. But the journey will be treacherous.” Replied Thomas as he tried to calm himself.

“Well, if anything that hurts you comes along, I’ll just crush it like a bug.” chuckled Triton as he turned towards Michael, “You also have him to help you, right Michael?”

Michael nodded and replied, “Of course we would like to meet him. Just lead the way and if anything hostile comes, rest assured that I will silence it. For I am a-”

Michael’s eyes began to be engulfed in fear and horror. He rummaged through his arms, hoping that whatever he was thinking was proved wrong.

“What's wrong?” asked Triton.

“This” replied Michael with much despair as the held out his left arm. There, just lay a naked arm where the angel gauntlet had once been.