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Within the dark forest with trees ablaze, a hooded boy picked up his pace. Countless masked men and dark, hungry beasts chased him, all shouted, "Don't let that infant live!" Multiple footsteps that crushed the fallen branches and tree barks underneath their boots hit his ears, his heart pounding rampantly. A single drop of sweat lingering on his cheek. The beasts growled loud enough to send chills down his spine.

The boy gently secured the chubby infant well in his arms when balls of fire flew wildly from the distance, exploding upon impact on the trees increasing the wildfire and the smoky gray hue that clouded his vision. He swiftly maneuvered between dying trees and fiery projectiles thrown at him. The trees screamed in pain as their existence was devoured by raging flames, their smoky remains flew towards the black sky where they got swept by the cold, savage wind.

The hooded fella continued to run north as instructed by his father, finally reaching the dark, dreary Temple of Souls in which the aged pillars and winged statues that surrounded it struggled to keep themselves from crumbling. At the center was a circular pool of black water that released sweet fragrance to the area. Dread filled the howling winds that made the dead fallen leaves dance with life.

Throw the infant into the pool." He recalled his father's order, carefully placing the child on the ground. The boy clenched his jaw, slashed his palm without a second to spare and placed it above the pool.

"Aperta porta tuum". The oozing blood dripped into the black water which began to swirl in a violent whirlpool.

The hooded boy delicately carried the giggling baby unto his arms, they were smiling at each other. The infant's blue eyes locked with his. He took something from his pocket, a small card with a black club, placing it above the child's chest where a quarter sized brown birthmark is imprinted. "I-I received this from the world of humans. I know it will give you good fortune until you come back and free us all with your power, fellow child of Hades."

The boy smiled showing a pair of fangs, lifting the infant on top of the harsh waters. "Y-you are our family, our future..... our savior!" he hesitated for a moment, ultimately dropping the infant into the unknown. And with it, their last piece of hope.

~Ø~