2 Black Gates

Heat scorches Conrad's back as he awakens in an unfamiliar place.

"Ahh!" Conrad yells, jumping to his feet.

Black flames surround Conrad in some kind of formation. The flames scorch at his bare ankles, quickly dying out as he rises.

"What the hell is this?" Conrad says, his voice echoing off as the light goes out.

Two torches ignite 50 meters away, revealing his surroundings.

'A cave?'

Conrad is stark naked revealing the results of what a year of physical labor can do.

The light of the torches reveals dark cavernous walls. Stalagmites and stalactites jut out from the floor and ceiling at random intervals. The torches seem to be hung against some kind of gateway.

Conrad's recent memories suddenly resurface, causing him great pain.

"Agh! Fuck I can't deal with this right now. I need to figure out what's going on."

Conrad begins to walk towards the torches. Small rocks stabbing at his bare feet.

Upon reaching the torches, Conrad can make out what seems to be a black metal gate adorned with engravings.

'What's this?'

The gates depict some kind of mythical battle. With Conrad's knowledge of history, the scene is unlike anything he's ever seen. Horned beasts clad in armor can be seen brutally fighting what seems to be human knights. Two prominent figures are engraved on either side of the battlefield. One is a long-haired handsome-looking man surrounded by what looks to be some kind of aura. On the other side, a beautiful woman wearing full plate armor is surrounded by what looks to be the sun.

'What is this some kind of fantasy story? Or is this something from before recorded history?'

Conrad's fingers trace against the engravings.

The engravings are suddenly flooded with some kind of red energy.

Conrad jumps back, shocked.

'What did I just do?'

As all the engravings become filled with red energy, the gate begins slowly opening inwards.

Peering through the doorway, a dimly lit corridor comes into view.

'It must be a sign that I should enter.'

Conrad steps into the corridor and the torches along the walls suddenly ignite with blue flames. A second gate lies at the end of the hall. Conrad grabs one of the torches from its sconce.

'This might come in handy.'

Reaching the end of the second gateway, the torchlight reveals a new scene.

The handsome man from before is covered in chains. The maiden from before stands in a triumphant pose with an evil-looking glare. The knight's spears surround the few remaining horned beasts.

'I guess looks can't win wars.'

'Maybe this one works like the last one?'

Conrad touches the engraving of the man. Subsequently, the door surges with power, and a few moments later, it opens. Revealing a massive hall. A throne sits in the center of the room, about 200 meters away. Showered in what looks like moonlight, the throne quivers at the opening of the door. The throne seems to be breathing and coiling within itself, made up of a mass of living shadows. Shackles cover the throne tightening at its every movement.

'There's no going back now. Maybe something inside will give me some answers.'

Conrad steps into the hall, and the torches begin lighting themselves one by one. As Conrad walks deeper, the entire hall comes into view. Pillars stretch along the path he walks, leading up to the throne. Past the pillars lay dozens of empty long wooden tables on either side. Hundreds of armored beasts sit in chairs beside the tables. Unmoving and unnoticing of Conrad. The beasts seem to be stuck in some kind of permanent stasis.

'This place must be cursed. My best guess is this has something to do with that shackled guy.'

Conrad continues to walk, passing the last pillar. The air in the room suddenly changes. Power. Tremendous and immeasurable strength is all Conrad can feel as the shackles on the throne begin shaking, containing whatever is inside. Surging with white light, one of the shackles shatters, and the whole world begins to turn upside down. Countless eyes emerge from the throne. Opening and closing, their red gaze directs itself at Conrad. Feeling as if they are peering into his soul.

"This one will do." Sounding like a choir of tortured souls. The many eyes seem to all speak at once.

Conrad, stunned by the turn of events, remains motionless. The surge of power in the room has every hair in his body standing up. The very air he breathes suddenly suffocates him with the intimidating aura of whatever lay before him.

'Cursed was right. I can barely keep myself standing with this thing gazing at me.'

"Agh!" Conrad yelps in pain as sharp pain spikes in his temples.

"No, he is weak!" A few of the eyes seem to screech as they seem to peer into his soul.

"We can't afford another." Some of the eyes croak back.

"The first was a failure. We can't afford to wait millennia for another." One voice louder than the others calmly says.

The eyes suddenly begin merging into one eye. The shadows of the throne quiver more and more as each eyes blends together. The chains holding the throne begin to quiver, and another wave of power surges forth, pushing Conrad to his knees. As the final eye merges, the throne starts transforming. Legs, arms, torso, and finally a head form from the shadows. A shadowy figure resembling the man from before takes shape. Small horns stretch from either side of his forehead. His glowing blue eyes peer down at Conrad's hobbled form.

"You may rise." The shadow declares.

The powerful aura fades, and Conrad no longer has to fight the urge to plant his face on the stone tiles.

"Who or what the hell are you?!" Conrad shouts as he rises.

"There is no need to shout, Conrad. I am Atrioch. Pleased to meet you." Atrioch replies, giving a humble bow.

"Wait...How do you know my name?" Conrad asks with shocked confusion.

Atrioch touches Conrad's shoulder, a tender warmth passing from his hand.

"It is my curse. I know the names and memories of all who walk in front of these eyes." Atrioch points to his blue eyes as they flare with flames.

"I have seen your pain, and I now know it as my own. I watched those wretched humans hurt you... just as they hurt me..." Atrioch speaks, quivering from the memories of his past.

'How am I the same as a Demon?'

Atrioch nods.

"I understand your distrust. I think it would be better if I showed you." Atrioch says.

'Did he just read my mind??'

"Yes. Let's not worry about such trivial things. I think this will be easier." Atrioch says gently, raising his hand to Conrad's temple.

Conrad pulls away from his hand.

"Trust me. I do not bear any ill will towards you." Atrioch says, his voice soothing and calm.

Atrioch raises his hand to Conrad's temple.

The world suddenly shifts as the hall around them changes to a scene in Conrad's memories.

They now stand in Conrad's family home. The scene around them is frozen still, painted in black and white. A 6-year-old Conrad sits playing with toys in his family's small apartment. Under the watchful eye of his older sister. A 12-year-old version of Julie sits on the couch, watching him as he plays.

Conrad remembers this day vividly. When his mother, Beth, first introduced her boyfriend, "John." Akin to a step-father he never wanted. The man was prevalent in his life until he had forced his mother to kick Conrad out of the house around his 16th birthday. Today is also the day his older brother Brett went missing.

"What does this have to do with us being similar? What's the point? " Conrad questions angrily.

"This is where it all started for you. I believe there is something here that you need to see." Atrioch replies.

"Just watch."

The scene begins to play out before them. Conrad is playing with his toys, and Julie is scolding him for being too rough with them.

Atrioch begins to walk towards Conrad's mother's room. Phasing through the wall as he enters it. Conrad follows close behind, with an ominous curiosity filling his chest.

"I'm telling you the kid threatened me, Beth. He knows what happened." John says, looking into Beth's eyes.

Beth shakes her head furiously.

"There's no way Brett knows. He was with me when you did it."

John pauses. His features gripped with guilt.

He pulls out his wallet.

Conrad's eyes bulge from their sockets at the sight of it.

'There's no way. That's not it. That's not it...'

"You kept his wallet!?" Beth says with a whispered scream.

'Is that my father's...wallet.'

John stammers, not knowing how to respond to Beth.

"Why!? How could you be so stupid?!" Beth's whispered screams are getting louder.

"I-I. It was on the passenger seat when I checked to see if he really died. I just took it without thinking." John stammers with guilt.

"You idiot! Are you telling me you let my son see this?!"

"Do you not see his initials carved into the corner!?" Beth continues shouting as she points to the initials "DS."

"I thought it was the brand..." John replies innocently.

"Jesus...If Brett knows and goes to the Police, we'll both be crucified." Beth says, distraught by the thought.

"I'm sorry, honey. I never meant for this to happen. I just wanted us to be together like you always wanted." John apologizes, kissing Beth's neck while hugging her.

Beth's expression turns to acceptance from John's words.

"I know. We had to do it, so we could finally be free. I love you." Beth replies to John's affection kissing him.

She stops kissing him suddenly, with a devilish look in her eyes.

"You know what we have to do now, right?" Her voice comes out cold and unapologetic.

John nods.

"I will do anything for us to be together."

"I could care less about anyone but you. Those damn kids are just in the way. They disgust me with the resemblance they have to their father." Beth affirms, with a hateful gaze towards the door.

Their embrace ends. Beth puts her hand on her chin, deep in thought.

"I've got it. I'll take Julie and Conrad to the park while you pick up Brett from school. Just make sure you're late, so nobody sees your car. Take him out to that Lake Griffith. It should be dark by the time you get there. If he asks where you're going, just say you're going "Camping." Beth says the plan aloud.

John smiles.

"I love how smart you are." He replies, kissing Beth again.

The scene freezes again.

"Why..." Conrad whispers.

"You know why. This is the sum total of what humanity really is. You and your siblings never did a thing wrong to that woman, but her hatred for you only grew the more you loved her."

Conrad grips his heart as pain grips his chest.

"I want to see it. Show me."

"Are you sure?" Atrioch asks, worry filling his words.

"Show me."

Conrad removes his hand from his chest, steeling himself for the moment.

The scenery changes again.

The grey picture plays out before Conrad's eyes.

Brett sits in the car, blood pouring from his head, unconscious. John opens the car door, lifting Brett from his seat. His hands grip Brett's throat, squeezing, squeezing, squeezing.

Conrad watches life drift from his brother's lungs. Conrad can barely stand to watch the scene unfold.

Life finally leaves Brett.

As John wraps Brett in garbage bags, the scene flows faster than before. He hefts the body into a small motorboat, going out deep into the lake, and finishing the murder.

The scene pauses.

"Play it again," Conrad says, his voice coarse.

"Play it again."

"Play it again."

The scene plays over and over. Conrad's voice growing weaker and weaker each time. As an unbridled fury engulfs him.

"Play it again."

"I think that is enough. This won't help you."

"One more time. I just need to see the look on his face one more time. I need to see that expression on his filthy mouth."

The scene plays again.

Conrad drops to his knees. His rage uncontainable. His screams fill the air as a rage like no other seeps into his mind.

Atrioch holds a hand to Conrad's face. Tears stream down his face as he feels Conrad's pain.

"Your pain is my own. We are one and the same."

"This is the truth behind humanity.

Atrioch's memories pour into Conrad's mind, as Conrad relives every moment of Atrioch's life.

A life of kindness and love. Met with betrayal, death, sadness, and finally, a curse.

Atrioch was born as the progeny of a demon and a human. His small village of humans looked at him with contempt and hatred. The purpose of their days, to torture him. Even in the eyes of his own mother, he was nothing but a terrible reminder of her past. Finished with the pain. He left the village to seek out his father. Traversing the continent and finding himself in the realm of Demons. Here he was accepted. The Demons understood his pain. They, too, had only received pain and cruelty from the world. Atrioch eventually rose to a position of power within the Demon ranks. From there, he began a peaceful quest to right the wrongs of his people. However, the world had other plans as war broke out. A result of the betrayal of the human kingdoms. Leading him to the events engraved on the Black Gates and his current state.

Conrad returns to his body after living thousands of years in Atriochs. He struggles to stand, no longer used to the feeling of his own limbs.

"Do you see now?" Atrioch asks.

"Yes." Conrad replies, his rage still brimming.

"We bear the same pains, Conrad." Atrioch responds solemnly.

"I believe that you and I can become great friends, Conrad."

"What do you mean?" Conrad responds, unknowing what he means.

"We both want to find a way to fix our lives and the world that we live in." Atrioch replies with an air of confidence.

"And I have a way."

"What do you mean?" Conrad inquires back.

"We are currently within the hell deep below my world. I am sealed here until my shackles can be broken. Sadly, I am too weak to break this seal." Atrioch says, straining against the chains to show Conrad.

"However, you are not. Suppose I were to be freed from this prison and regain the power I once held. I believe that I will be able to fix both of our worlds. Cleansing mine of the traitorous filth called humanity and saving your siblings from the tragedy they called life. This will not be an easy feat, but I think that I can give you the power to do so. If you decline, I will be able to send your soul back to the abyss with what little strength I have left. So what do you say? Do you think we can work together? Friend. "

Conrad pauses for a few moments, thinking over the plan and Atrioch's sincerity.

"I'll do it."

Atrioch extends his hand towards Conrad.

Conrad grips his hand.

"I promise that I will free you, as long as I can go back home. No matter the cost." Conrad voice burns with conviction.

Atrioch's eyes gleam with blue flames as a smile crosses his cheeks.

Tendrils of white light surge from Conrad's chest, connecting to black tendrils surging from Atrioch's.

As they intertwine, the ground cracks beneath Conrad.

The world goes black.