Chapter 22 – Hollow Souls

CASSIAN AND KYROS ENTERED THE GATE AND SAW IT AS THIN AIR.

In a way, it was nothing but thin air. Or rather an illusion placed to trick anyone who was new to hell. It will stop anyone on their tracks. And the moment anyone did that, the gatekeepers would make their move to devour whatever it is that was attracted by the intricate gate. Because despite its creepy details of skulls and bones anyone would agree that it has its own appeal.

As soon as Cassian and Kyros entered the first gate their surroundings changed. There was nothing but white sand. Like they were transported in an endless desert. No sound can be heard aside from their footsteps.

When they sensed a movement from underneath, Kyros and Cassian stopped running and waited for a few seconds. Everything they see above the sand may seem like a lifeless space but beneath it there was a monster who sensed every movement. They were like ants crawling on someone else’s skin. And if they were not careful they would be eaten in an instant.

From where they stand they can see a white wall where the second gate is located. But something was creating a mirage that tricks their eyes to where the wall really was. If they lose sight of it, they could wander for hours and end up being lost.

A dark portal opened up from the blank sky and a thousand souls were dropped from an invisible tunnel. Some were crying in pain, some were still disoriented, others seemed to be looking around wondering what had happened to them.

They still wore the last pair of clothes they had before they died. Some are in corporate clothes, others in uniform that represents the field they were in. While others are still wearing the patient gown they were used to wearing. It still amazes Cassian and Kyros to see that no gender, age, or occupation saved these people from being down here.

“Is this your harvest for this day?”

“Don’t patronize me, Cassian. You know it’s always a mix. The hole dropped them every day or else we’ll receive a memo.”

When the movement in the sand begins, the new souls sent to hell thought it was simply an earthquake. But that was until they saw the skeletal shark that came from beneath the sand. It was not as big as megalodon but its size is way too abnormal.

Its black flesh was covered by its bones. As if the reverse happened when it was born in that place. Its red tiger eyes can clearly see everything once it resurfaces and it looks straight at its prey before it decides to dive and swim towards it.

What was scary was not just its size but its intent to kill. It would smile like a crazy person before it started the hunt. It merely sees all the souls dropped in the sand as its plaything. Kyros and Cassian run again as the new souls start screaming and panicking. They must take that chance while the demon is entertained by other beings.

“I never thought that monster could live this long,” Cassian casually commented as they ran.

“Have you tried killing it before when you first arrived here?” Kyros asked.

“No. I was busy running and finding someone. You?”

“I never thought of killing a fish before. Besides, I was too stunned to move. But not moving caused me to survive and discover this path,” Kyros said while stepping on the first flat white stone he spotted in the sand. It leads to another stone and another. If one is curious enough it would be easy to see that the stones lead towards the white wall. That was the clue given to those who wanted to survive, or rather for those who wanted to see a different kind of hell. One only needs to follow the path.

Cassian followed Kyros and the two avoided adding any more movement in the sand causing the monster to only focus on its prey. The flat white stones were like safe spaces for those who just arrived.

But of course, unlike those souls, Cassian and Kyros knew where they were headed. They only need to enter the second gate then they will be in a quieter place. Once they run through the second gate that is smaller than the first, everything changes again. This time they were like in an abandoned cemetery—a very large abandoned cemetery in a dried forest. A bride wearing a bloody wedding dress awaits them. She was obviously stabbed in the heart during her special day. Making it a special day indeed.

“Now this is interesting. Nobody told me we’ll be attending a wedding. I should have brought a gift,” Cassian said to Kyros while they looked at the corpse bride. She still looks human but soon changes will gradually appear from her appearance.

But Kyros just sighs calmly and runs forward as if the intent to attack them was not seen in the bride’s face. When the bride tried to grab his neck, Kyros instantly sliced off her neck using a scalpel he kept in his breast pocket. No blood can be seen from his cut. Which proves that the bride was aware that she is no longer human.

The souls who stayed longer in the cemetery lost the will to find anything that would keep them sane. It was where souls started to become hollow and transform or rather deform and slowly turn into demons. They will also learn to devour one another and become hungry for more.

“Was that enough to nullify a hollow soul?”

“It was enough to make them immobile for a while but once their wound healed they wouldn’t remember they were attacked.”

“Ahh, as if waking up to face another nightmare, I see.”

“More like a temporary sleep mixed with memory loss.”

Kyros wiped the instrument using the handkerchief he had on his left pocket. It was still clean but it became his habit to clean anything he used before using it again.

“There’s no blood in it, Kyros. So no need to wipe them clean.”

Kyros just realized what he was doing.

“You were right. It’s not like I am concerned with whoever I use this thing with.”

He kept the handkerchief again and held on to the surgical knife.

Kyros seemed distracted, Cassian thought but he did not bring it up. Instead, he complimented his tool.

“It always amazes me to know about one of Bony’s inventions.”

“I’m honored you get to see me use it,” Kyos said while he scanned the area for possible attacks. It was obvious he was not paying attention to Cassian and was not taking any of his remarks seriously.

Cassian sighed as he kept observing Kyros. Another lost soul was trying to approach them. This time a man in his mid-twenties. Kyros cuts him off as easily as what he did with the bride.

“Isn’t it amazing how we did not lose our sanity back then when we reached this place?” Cassian said as he walked towards his companion at the moment.

“I must admit I thought at first that this cemetery was a sanctuary,” Kyros said before they walked and searched for the third gate they must enter.

“Well, it was quieter compared to what we hear outside,” Cassian agreed as they walked.

“Yes but it was until I saw how others changed that made me realize that if I stayed here, I’ll end up dying again.”

“Ah, yes. The hunger. It was so strong it was hard to resist. What was the first thing you ate here?” Cassian asked.

“A small demon. You?”

“Given that I was a vegetarian during my previous life, eating anything that moves here did not appeal to me. Was it delicious?”

“No. It does not taste anything other than chewing a leatherlike tasteless meat. But I did feel I gained some powers instantly. I’m glad you didn’t turn into a rabbit after eating some grass here.”

“I would if I stayed here. You, on the other hand, would probably turn into a demon with horns. Classic.”

“Or maybe a cute one. Look.”

From afar, Cassian saw a bunny and a bear that looked like a plushie. They look cute despite the random stitches in their face and bodies. One even had an eye patch while the other carried a pail. If they are not in hell, Cassian might have thought they seemed harmless. But as they saw how they killed the hollow souls and took some of their parts, Cassian and Kyros could only confirm that the cute demons are still dangerous. Random blades appeared in their claws and bodies to slice their targets. The other takes the clothes of the soul while the other checks the accessories it could take.

“I guess they’re thieves then.”

“More like scavengers,” Cassian corrected Kyros as they saw the other demon eat some parts of the hollow soul while they collected the stuff they needed.

“Someone made them. They weren’t here when we last visited the nest.”

“I agree,” Cassian said before he and Kyros got back on track.

Kyros would slice the hollow soul they spotted as if he was his loyal servant who would not let any stain of blood or dirt come near his feet. The cemetery they must pass through is filled with dried leaves, dead trees, and tombs with various shapes and sizes. The more they walk far from the wall that divides the desert and the cemetery the closer they are to the next gate. They expected more hollow souls and small demons but at that moment they seemed rare.

“You could have stayed here to study how these demons evolved,” Cassian said as they both defended themselves to two demons that attacked them from each end. Kyros could not slice a demon. They can only use their arms or legs to defend themselves.

“That would have been tempting if I remained sane while being here. Unfortunately, the third gate draws me in. Besides, it is obvious how demons evolved into devils.”

They already walked past an uphill land when they were surprised by a big beast that dropped from out of nowhere. It was twice their size and was like a mixture of a bull, a bear, and a lizard, due to its tail and wings.

“Once the soul becomes hollow it would be easier for them to act like animals than a human. Soon, it would show what kind of predator they are,” Kyros said as if they were just having a simple conversation about devils and demons.

“No wonder other demons cannot be seen anywhere. They are afraid of this one.”

Kyros already spotted the next wall where the third gate is. But the beast in front of them flew as silent as an owl. It can possibly move quicker as it seems.

As the demon attacked, Cassian and Kyros both avoided its fang or claws. At first, the demon was attacking them randomly. It could not focus on one prey.

I cannot tolerate more delay, Kyros thought as he fought side by side with Cassian. We can only kick and punch for now. And I doubt if I can simply slice a demon this big.

The demon charged on Cassian like a bull.

Kyros held three seeds in his hand.

And Cassian saw his intent so he stayed stilled and acted like bait while the demon was focused on him.

Kyros commanded thick vines to sprout from the seeds he just threw. It wraps like a net to the demon in front of them. And the more the demon moves the tighter it wraps around its body.

“How nostalgic. This reminds me of the time when we worked so well even without a concrete plan. Isn’t that right, doctor?” Cassian asked Kyros.