With an attentive jump — one after the other — the children leap over a pile of spikes. Inserted into the ground, within a ditch at the foot of the hill. At the top, I stand watching with observant eyes. That stares through the handmade, rusty steel and glass binoculars. (Materials I took from a scrapyard Jack controls within the Iron City. That's below the 'Megalopolis City of Omnipotence.')

They hurry along the precarious summit of slippery rocks and steep slopes. While dodging sticks that swing along their pathway. And in diversity, the traps intensify as they approach me. As a slew of arrows rains at their heads, along with riverside pebbles and pouches of earthworms. Which I designed beforehand, with tripwires. And the finale - warding off an ambush from the preceding survivors of the trial. All of this happens while thoughts of the bargain I secured with the devils, continually recite in my head.

"We require two children every week. Think of it as a penance, a life for another. You feed us, and we won't eat you." Jack's unnamed companion walks towards me, speaking with a hiss, then ends the sentence with a sneer. From my view, at the entrance of the tent, he resembles a large Python. With two legs and arms with bladed claws. And scales that move along his body like an intrusion of a hissing cockroach. I was more disgusted than being fearful for my life. And Jack chimes in, with words that cause me to step back.

"And you will be the one to select and bring them to us. Failure to uphold the contract...(Jack exhales a cloud of smoke from his cigar.) Well, you all will be dead, anyway..."

                                                                                    XX



I drop the binoculars at my chest and lean backward to enjoy the cool breeze that strokes against my face. While trying to bring a calmness to this troubled soul. But a small transparent window appears at my eye, disturbing my serenity. Which reads "Accept members into your clan: Yes/No." And with a brief consideration, I pressed yes. Which displays a "Rise to Rank: Ruler! Gained 35↑ pts.", notification. And a spooky chill crawls at my back, from the dead plains behind me, that causes a sneeze.


"Commander, Commander, are you okay?" Lorena, who stands at my side, so quiet that I forgot she was there - tugs my shirt inquiring.

"Oh, Lorena, no worries, I'm okay." Patting her head while I continue. "Try not to stand here too long, Okay? You're already sickly as is."

She nods her head in agreement and steps toward a tree on the other side within its shade.
"I hate standing between heaven and hell. Give me nothing but the chills, wish these guys would hurry!" I convey with a grunt and rub my boot into the loose black soil. Then walk from a large begrimed tree without leaves, with the dead plains at my back. Notable for its inanimacy, a plain of dead trees and burnt soil. Also, a place where the zombies and skeleton people lurk, shrouded by the dreary skies. But where I stand and at my north, lies vast forestry with vivid sunlight. This is the true meaning of why I nicknamed the spot - between heaven and hell.

The first group approaches, covered in wounds and coughing as they fall to the ground, with unstable breathing. Most of them lay still, while the other few, rollover glaring at me with discontent.
Yet, I ignore them instinctively mumbling under my breath, before I urged Lorena to cast a healing spell. And another batch of wounded children covered in mud, worms, and blood gradually approach. I groan in annoyance, yet sighed in relief. At least they're not dead, and I somehow got them to take part. Now for the hard part... "Some of you might wonder why you're still being trained. And In honesty, being a scout is a dangerous job.

"Who put you in charge... And why don't Lorena participate... Is she that much your favorite?" A voice question as a boy pushes through the group and stands before me. He continues his speech while I roll my eyes and groan at every word. "I've been here the longest and never have we had to go through these forms of abuse..." He continues, however, my thoughts of Jack, and the fact they were consuming children. Drown out the words of naivety.
Then forced back into reality as the boy grabs me by the shirt, showcasing his disapproval. And my reflexive movements toss the boy on his head. And with both of his legs in my arms, my foot presses against his chin.

"This world doesn't care about seniority. The strong are the ones that dictate the rules. Imagine if Jack leaves, what us then, hmm? Will you be defenseless like this idiot at my feet?" I convey with a stern expression as my eyes glance over the group. Lorena nods her head while healing a girl, that then pushes her away. Then I continued with my speech but kept it short. "Irony, the one with the power to heal is the one prone to illness. But you would have me put her life in danger by appeasing your own self-righteous beliefs?!" I yell with sheer disgust, and a flood of unknown emotions rushes into my chest. And a vague vision of a woman in a gray suit comes to mind. She tosses her hands into the air, then slaps the desk uttering the same word. And a desk-name tag falls to the floor, with the wooden side.

"Um... Commander?" A girl questions, with a perplexed expression, stroking her chin. While searching for answers from others with keen eyes. The group of children responds with a shrug, and after a sigh, I release Findel.
"Go drink by the river and take a 30-minute break. After which, we'll travel through the plains, and start tilling the soil for farming. Believe it or not. It's for your own good. You've seen what's been going on in this world. Think about it!"

I travel the hill downward and into the camp where I approach my tent. Inside on the bed, lies a note with a red stamp. I look around the room before opening the letter. And as I rip the paper, a tooth falls on my bed along with a note that reads — "We require Lorena before her pubescence — next month." The letter falls from my hand, and my head hangs in remembrance of ten children.
Ten weeks have passed since the deal stricken with the devils. And the names of Mark, Jamie, Issa, Sae, Lian, Clare, Sian, Mel, Mavis, and Jorge. All come to mind in a vision of their disemboweled bodies and torn limbs. As blood spews from the children's mouth, they stretch their arms towards me, begging for help. While Jack and his companion feast on their flesh, running their tongues throughout the children's abdomen. Ten times I have witnessed the sight over, and ten times I have fed the children meals for the beasts acquired taste.

These knees grow weak, and I fall to the bed, with a tear at my eyelids. However, a nearby sound grabs my attention. The defiant boy, whose face was under my foot, a few minutes ago, enters. His wide smirk exposes a row of darkened teeth. And my puzzling expression contours into a panic. As the boy named Findel, his body changes from a pale skin that cracks and breaks then mutates into dark scales. And his neck becomes elongated, while a reptilian tail shoots from his ass. And smacks the ground with a loud thud. He speaks while his voice transitions from the tone of a boy, to one of a beast. The one I know as Jack.

"I guess you've gotten my letter, oh goodie!" He approaches me, then turns his attention to my bunker bed. Where he notices the tooth, picks it up then drops it into his wide mouth. That resembles a T-Rex, but with serrated fangs.

"Oh, such careless manners for not finishing my food. After all that trouble, you went through for me." He continues speaking, and noticing my troubled expression, he transitions into his adult human form.
"I hope that's better... Hmm... Commander, Ha-ha-ha. I might say, though, a young one. You're not only training them for who knows what... But creating farms too? Ingenious and your speech... Wow, Impeccable! But note that you're talking to children, not men of war. Tone it down a bit eh?" He comes close and sits beside me, looks around the room and groans, before speaking again.
"You've done a lot, more than what we have thought of. The children taste better, and we've received more drops than usual. So out of my kindness... I'll have you feed whatever you like to Lorena. So when we feast on her flesh, it would be something more, spectacular... I liked Clare, though. She tasted like apple pie. Well, you're speechless so I'll leave you to your thoughts, Mr. Commander..."
                                                                           

                                                                               XX

A heavy thud hits me on the head, and my vision of the tent disappears. And the sizable building comes into sight and Rick's broad back.
"Are you finally damn awake, your body is with us but your mind went away for a few minutes." His voice crackles as he thrust his shield into the ground, creating a large barrier around us. Joel continues the attack with Mitis at his side. Her spear split into small daggers that follow the creature's every move.

While Joel slides to its flank and removes the furry white beast right arm. Its scream of dreadful pain howls aloud vibrating the surrounding air. The beams crack under the pressure of the overhanging ceiling. Which then collapse from the strong reverberations of the beats howl. With fist tightened and mouth opened wide, a set of lightning shaped horns protrudes from its skull. While the white fur becomes black and its arm regrows. Its eyes transition from a pale blue to a deep red with a stream of blood that rolls to its smirk. It licks the blood from its cheek and vanishes.
Even though my mind has become confused with the question. Only one remains of importance. And I stretch my arm to Rick for the answers. "Um... Rick..."

"If you are about to ask where Lorena is. It's fine, look to your left to the tall building. But promise me you will not falter but will fight." Rick inquires of me with his head hung low with a voice that trembles with every word. And a lump forms at my throat, large enough to block any air from passing my trachea. And even though I knew we were in immediate danger. The fresh smell of blood pulls my direction to the left. Toward the utmost point of the building where a familiar body stands. With blood-soaked hands and a piece of bone at his mouth like a cigar.

He sucks it in and swallows. Then speak as he steps away from a pike with a cross, behind him. A sensation of weakness washes over my body, while the wretched scene comes to my view. And Rick's war-cry pulls my broken spirit to his attention, "Commander, please we need you! Fight now and mourn another day!" He shouts while the creature of a cross between a bull and a dragon with two feet kicks the shield. Joel and Mitis attack both sides. Yet with a swing of its arms, two enormous blades emerge and cut their weapons along with themselves in half.

He glances at their bodies and leans his head backward in a burst of maniacal laughter. "Come on now, you brought me to this form!" He yells, with both arms opened. Then turns towards Rick and I, peering into our eyes and resumes with a deep tone. "You do well to entertain me... Humph, you plebeians."

At that moment, the black beasts vanish, then appear at Rick's left. Chopping its elaborated, red, and green swords with black spikes at the end- at Rick's shield. His shield that surrounds us both, enlarged in a sudden movement. That propels the beasts into and through a cement column and with a loud voice, Rick yells, "Ha, not so tough after all!" But when he turns to face me, an appearance of grief meets the eye.
Tears travel along his cheeks, while his teeth grit. And the hand gripping the shield shudders furiously as he peers into my eye. "What now Commander, Mitis, Joel, and your darling Lorena are all dead. Will I also die of your weakness?" His stern gaze sets my soul ablaze and my consciousness melts from the guilt. Neither could I give him an answer that would pacify his rage, nor did I know what words to use. A name flashes before the right eye, 'Elec-Tik- Demon of the North' with a gravitational pressure that almost shoves me into the ground. And Rick blinded by his rage, cannot notice the bright red eyes behind him, shrouded by a cloud of smoke.
"What now, huh? Commander, answer me?! I said to answer..." His words come to a halt. And as this beast with the name tag hoovering its head stating - Elec - Tik- lets down his blade. So does the head of Rick fall to the ground with a loud thump!

He steps from the smoke, caused by Rick shoving him into the walls of these ancient ruins. Revealing an additional set of curly horns with spikes and void of a face with only illuminating red eyes. His swords morph into his hands and behind him one webbed wing on the right side. He approaches with his hoofed feet, and with each step, I feel my heartbeat skipping.

Fear grips my mind, while I shiver, knowing of my obvious plight. My clan is no more, and the pain of their death strikes me deeper than I thought it would. I want to kill myself. I'd rather die than being killed by this crazed murder. His voice cuts at my mind, pulling me back into reality, saying, "They weren't that good anyway... What's the point in ruling over a bunch of useless chunks of meat... hmm?" He conveys with a smirk, strokes his chin, then raises his bladed right hand.

(Rank drop — Rank gained — 'Inferiority Complex' you have 72 hours to defeat all that conspired against you, to gain power.) A message that pops up in my head while time pauses a sudden. And a purple tattoo of intricate swirling designs crawls up my arm with green dots. And at the moment a glass surrounding me breaks, and the beast immediately attacks. He swings his blade and I dodge to the right, turn, and kicks into his waist.

And with swift movement turns and lands my left foot into his face. He doesn't budge and instead of returning my attacks; he laughs. Frustrated I continue a barrage of kicks, with the hilt of my sword still in hand, waiting on the temperature gauge to hit sub-zero degrees. He swings at my right leg, feints, and turns to slice across my abdomen.

"Dammit!" I yell spitting blood, while I jump backward. He approaches with a quick step. Standing before me with a faceless void, as he swings his blade at me, ripping at my clothing. And as I repel with the stub of the sword hilt. I can hear his snickering and the voices of my dead clan members begging for help.

"Can't you hear their cries? Oh, Commander of the dead!" His deep voice tugs my soul, as to pull me to damnation. But a beep and a flashing message bring a sense of security. And as to sense the danger before him, he jumps back a few feet with his hand trembling.
Breathless, I dip for a slight second, and my vision becomes blurry for a second. And my racing heartbeat, drums into my head while a voice questions, "Do you wish to activate skill?"And with a tiring smirk, I whisper, "yes."

"Ha, whatever you are planning is useless against me... Peasant. Or have you forgotten how I murdered everyone in your clan?" He instigates, in hopes to diminish any belief. I seek. However, I gaze towards the building where Jack stood, smoking his cigar without care. And turn my attention to the blood dripping along with the building's spike, with Lorena's head sitting on it. As a rush of pain mixed with fury overcomes me, and my gaze returns to Jack, ignoring the beast that's approaching me. Saying the words "activate skill - 'Lymphatic devastation' " The hilt shatters and disperse into a mist, as the beast swings its blade with a rush of excitement. His hysterical laughter continues, while questioning my sanity, "Have you finally gone mad!" And moves his hand to remove my head. But his body fails to acknowledge the command and his blade cracks.

Meantime sections of his body freeze then disperse like shave ice in the wind. He glares at me with intent to kill, but my eyes stay firm on Jack, who finally looks at me. And I mouth the words, "You're next!"Even though this skill took many Hit Points, I still have one trick up my sleeve. The means to travel the conscious realm. Even though I'm entirely unsure how to use it. I'd rather die while fighting, than to give him the joy of my surrender.

The sword reform into my palm, and once that was bluish-green, is now black with blue streaks and a red hilt. It can now control ice and nullifies fire elements. A message is received at the corner of my eye. I lift the sword up, as the beast's atoms disperse into the wind as a winner's declaration. And before I activate the skill, Jack vanishes without a word. I search the area, trying to keep my composure, as a heavy sensation weighs at my head. My heart continues pounding, and I could hardly breathe, but I must persevere.

"He's gone you know..." A voice echoes as the white beast from before, walks into the ruined building and sits on the pile of rock. My eyes tremble with thoughts of "didn't I just kill him!"running through my mind. He shakes his head and continues, "No matter, even if you tried fighting him, you would only die. And that would ruin my plan, well...My Can Master's plan."

"You're what?" I try saying more words, but exhaustion pulls them from my mouth. And I drop the sword into the ground while I lean on the hilt. I have to stay strong regardless of how I feel. He strokes his chin, a gesture I've before noticed.

"Who... you?" Words fail me, yet I must persevere. And with a deep breath, I stand tall crack my neck and stern eyes gaze upon him in question. And as he mutters a phrase, an insignia surface on his left arm, one that seems familiar yet, unknown to me.

"Someone you know is waiting for you at the gates of the burning city. I suggest you make haste. If you want to defeat Jack, that is. With that being said... (He looks at the dead bodies that surround me and scoff.) I finished my job here." And fade away before I utter another word, as Lorean's head rolls to my feet.

And from a sudden weakness I fall to my knees. The tears flow while. I scoop their heads together in my arms. And as I look upon the deceased faces, with a streak of bloodstains from their eyes and mouth. I cried. While a cold sensation overcomes my body my stomach ties into a knot. Remembering the ones, I lead to the slaughter, as feed for the devil named Jack. This pain must be their retribution.

After a few hours, night falls, and I conjure the strength to bury the heads; of the ones I had hoped to call — friend. And then hurry along the bloodied streets. Towards an alleyway of mechanical gears and steam pipes. It leads to a large pipe with blue bulbs at the top center flashing. The darkness fades as I draw near the exit. Which reveals a bright yellowish-orange light with immense heat. And as I exit and gaze above a rocky slope, a fiery gate comes into my view. There a man sits with his hand at the chin. He breaks out into laughter which turns into a dissatisfied gaze, "Hello Kace, nice to meet you again."

"Kace? Who are you and how do you know me, were you there at the encampment?" I question as my sword emerges from the palm. He shakes his head once more with a sneer and continues resting it upon his fist.

"How the great Kace, CEO of Viz- I gaming Industries, have fallen from grace. Have you forgotten your dear old friend Rikona?"