Simon Couldn’t quite explain the sensation he now felt, after being so carelessly tossed into the opening his world had simply become a swirl of red and blue, there was no up or down, left or right, forward or backwards. He simply tumbled through the air with no concrete sense of direction in what could only be described as a space of arcing multicolored lightning. Although his mind had quickly thought of the lady whose flesh had been flayed from her body he soon realized that the arcs violently flashing around him didn’t cause any outward harm he could feel, as a matter of fact they had an oddly calming and reassuring presence whenever they met his skin, the warmth would flow into his body and quickly washed away his aching back and feet from the days labors. Even the normal nauseous feeling one would expect from tumbling aimlessly through the air never set in, as if the state he was in was completely normal and not something to stress one’s body.

His mind on the other hand was not faring so well, despite the relief of not instantly having his flesh torn from his bones the fact that he was now spinning aimlessly through some sort of otherworldly existence could only be described in one word for Simon.

Fuck.

The arcs seemed to intensify as if his foul thoughts had angered them, increasing in size and frequency the tempest around him grew, as more and more bolts struck into his body until the warmth that seemed to flow into him became uncomfortably hot, the beads of sweat began to form along his body as bolt after bolt struck him until he felt like he would soon be cooked alive under the onslaught.

Then just as he thought he could not handle a second more, the arcs vanished as he slammed into the ground face first, feeling the wind escape his chest he coughed violently, his head swimming as he tried to regain himself.

I…I can move again…

Laying face down he slowly wiggled his arms and legs before he began to raise himself off the road, at least he had thought it was a road, as soon as he raised his face off the ground he realized that the hard surface was in fact some sort of intricate stone work, and the heavy air was no longer the outdoors. The frequent sound of vehicles in the distance had also vanished, though he suspected that had more to do with the ringing in his ears more than anything else, replacing the sounds of the city was the roll of distant thunder, though he couldn’t recall any news of thunderstorms in the area.

Splat.

Turning his head at the noise he could see the same heaped up flesh and bones beside him, being so close he could see the individual slashes along the women’s flesh and bones.

They’re the same thickness as those arcs…Looks like they didn’t like her? Wait…the other one…

Rolling over he could see the Arc-window slam shut and completely vanish as a man stumbled back from it, at least he had thought it was a man, as he turned around the elongated ears and open mouth of sharpened teeth accompanied by blood red eyes quickly dismissed that thought.

“Jesus!” Kicking at the ground Simon tried to scramble back only to find himself unable to move again.

Not again…

“I’ll deal with you in a moment.” The being’s eyes flashed red as he spoke, his calm voice vibrating out through the air. Turning away from Simon he motioned to the injured women heaped upon the ground. “Get her a bottle quickly!” Although Simon could not turn his head to see who he had commanded, the hurried footsteps and murmured voices let him know that they were not alone.

Sounds like there’s lots of them…

In the corner of his vision he could just make out another figure crouching over the girl, though what it was doing he could not tell. With a gasp the flesh heap began moving again, this time instead of simply groaning it coughed lightly before speaking.

“He had best be worth this trouble father, it took over a dozen to bring him over.” Her voice was crisp and clear, and filled with a certain youthfulness that reminded Simon of his school days.

Late teens early twenties?

Simon knew that whatever situation he had found himself in was probably not going to end well, but oddly enough felt completely relaxed, as if whatever was forcing him to remain still was not only stealing his movements but emotions as well.

Looking up at the red eyed being before him, he could not help but note that this would make an excellent villain for a movie. Tall with a slightly larger frame, the pale skin, blood red eyes and enlarged fangs, though despite these features he was still very human looking, his dark hair was short and laid messily over his ears, allowing only the tips to show through it.

A typical medieval cosplay.

Inwardly smirking at the reference Simon quickly glanced over the man’s attire, a short sleeve white tunic that looked like it badly needed a wash and some patch work done, and simple brown leather pants.

Looks like a traveling gypsy.

“We will assess his value now then.” The man spoke in the direction of the girl before looking down at Simon, he paused momentarily before a sly grin appeared on his face. “Don’t worry, despite the appearance I can assure you that I am not poor.”

He can read my thoughts!?

“I can do many things Simon” He nodded slightly as he spoke “But that will be explained in due time, I’m sure you have not missed the commotion surrounding us?” As if to emphasize his words the distant vibrating thunder that had been constantly providing background noise suddenly roared ever louder, though this time it was accompanied with a quake that shook the ground ever so slightly.

Its not thunder…

“You are correct, what you are hearing is the military might of this domain’s greatest race at work. For hundreds of years we have controlled much of this land, kings, lords and conquerors have all bent the knee at our might, and today that might matters not.” He inhaled deeply as he absentmindedly stared up at the darkness above him, Simon followed his eyes realizing that they were in fact underground judging by the natural rock ceiling that stretched out far above their heads.

Explosions then?

Exhaling his breath slowly, he could see the calm tone of the man had changed to solemn one. “Aye… It matters not because today She has descended on our doorsteps and the might of mortal beings cannot withstand her.” He chuckled lightly as the others in the room grew silent, no steps or murmurs could be heard around, just the growing thunder and quakes repeatedly going on prevented complete silence.

“Yes, for today the Wrath of a God is upon us.” Shrugging like a man who had accepted his fate he reached down and lightly grabbed Simon by the scruff of his shirt, effortlessly bringing him to his feet. As he rose from the ground Simon could now see the others present, despite his overwhelming sense of serenity he now fully understood that he was certainly no longer in his city.

Monsters...

The room consisted of two types of individuals, those like the man before him, pointed ears, red or yellow eyes, various hair colors, human in appearance. However, the second group were hunched over deformed creatures, their bodies had ashen gray skin and odd shaped muscles bulging out disproportionately over them at random locations. Their fingers would have large claws extending out or entire hands had simply morphed together into bone like blades.

Like a cross between Igor, and one of these guys.

Simon noted that they shared the same red or yellow eyes like the man before him and the rows of sharpened teeth crookedly peeking out from their slightly agape mouths certainly had a similar appearance. If he had more time, he felt that asking this man more questions on what exactly these things are would be a fascinating tale.

Who is this guy anyway?

“In due time Simon, and for me, my name is Orion Lucterius, though just Orion is fine.” He gave a final nod of his head before adding. “Either way we have little time, prepare yourself, I cannot maintain my compulsion over you in my true form.”

Simon hardly had time to ponder what that meant when he suddenly felt control of his body return to him, while simultaneously the flush of emotions being held back came rushing into his chest.

“JESUS!” Simon felt himself reflexively try to shove out of Orion's grip only to understand the true difference between them.

It was like pressing into steel. Simon had always considered himself a strong man, years of hard labor had built a solid frame, and despite living on the lower end of society wealth wise his work ethic and strong frame had always made sure that good food was on the table, but despite this he could not cause the slightest movement in the man that now held him leisurely in his grasp, even as desperation kicked in and he delivered a steel toe into Orion’s side he simply stood there unmoving.

“Let us begin.” Orion spoke firmly to those around him as they rushed off at some unknown task “Bring the chalice.”

Orion’s eyes glowed a slight red as he opened his mouth fully.

Or at least it should have been fully, much to Simon's horror it continued to open, where his lips and cheeks met began to open as well, until ear to ear had split open, revealing a mouth far beyond anything Simon had ever imagined.

Though the teeth present all gleamed with razor sharp edges it was the canines that stuck out the most, quickly expanding until they had become half as long as a man's finger, with a quick lustful jerk Orion tore his shirt open and wrapped his mouth around Simons now exposed shoulder, screaming and flailing he tried to force him back but no avail.

Pain.

Though the force of the bite was slight he still felt the two large fangs punctured into the meat of his shoulder before they instantly retracted, with a quick shove Orion pushed him away and quickly closed his mouth, his eyes flashed again, and Simon felt himself instantly calm down as his emotions seemed to dissipate.

What the fuck was that about?

Orion smiled as he gently placed Simon on the ground.

“I see the gift you were given when you came through. Excellent” He clapped his hands together as a less deformed creature brought over a chalice, handing it over while bowing its head deeply. Another being had appeared at Orion’s side without Simon noticing, holding a metal bottle of sorts and began to motion as if to pour a cup of its contents when Orion casually tossed the cup aside.

“Give me the bottle.” The other man opened his eyes wide as if to protest but quickly obeyed without a noise, only one voice spoke out in the now motionless room

“Father, what are you doing!?” The voice belonging to the flesh heap quickly cried out and walked into Simon's view, though flesh heap would now be an inadequate term to use for the beauty that stood before them. Long curly brown hair fell around her toned shoulders elegantly, her blood red eyes flashed as she moved forward as if to impose herself on Orion, her curvy body swayed as she walked, luring Simon's gaze over her. As if sensing his thoughts, a slight frown flashed over Orion’s face as he glanced his way, opening his mouth slightly as if to speak only to have his daughter cut over him.

“How do we even know he will survive a sip yet alone the bottle? Every elder put their venom in that bottle, even an established warrior would struggle to not lose himself with a small cup of it, this man we picked up will end up a useless thrall or a deformed corpse if we give him more than a sip! I agreed to help you with your project, but we should be using that on every decorated warrior we have left!” She raised her hand slightly pointing her finger into Orion's face as if to scorn the man. “The other elders might be gone but they did not agree to such a use for this!”

Orion only nodded as she spoke as if he completely agreed with her words. Reaching out he went to grasp her shoulder only to have his arm blur as he grasped her firmly around the neck instead.

“Urgh…what…are you doing?!!” Her strained breathing could be heard as Orion held her firmly in place bringing his face eye to eye with hers. His eyes began to glow fiercely, brighter and brighter until Simon found himself looking to the side of them to avoid the blinding glare.

“Protect that man.” Orion spoke firmly as he bore down on the girl. “I love you Senna, now sleep until the tomb is risen.” Almost instantly the girl went completely limp in his hand, he quickly lowered her to the floor as his eyes returned to their normal blood red.

“Two thralls take her and accompany them both into the tomb, obey her and live for their wellbeing.” Without hesitation two of the thrall creatures scampered over before picking her up gently and carrying her out of Simon's vision.

Tomb? What the hell are they going to bury us?

Orion brought the metal bottle closer and held it out, his eyes glowing faintly again.

“Drink it. All of it.”

Simon knew that whatever laid in the bottle was probably not in his best interests to drink, even recalling how Senna had called it Venom, but despite this his arms reached out on their own and firmly grasped the cold steel, bringing the bottle to his lips he let the liquid pour into his mouth.

Instant regret…

The first taste that came to his senses was pain, followed by more pain. The liquid simply had no taste whatsoever but burned his mouth as soon as it met his flesh, his tongue seemed to shrivel up as the caustic sensation worked its way down his throat and into his stomach, his guts churned as he drank it down and he could feel them move to reject the substance.

“Keep it in.” Orion’s command instantly quelled his guts as his body moved to obey it, the burning sensation spread as he continued gulping down mouthful after mouthful of the painful liquid only stopping after he had downed the entire bottle.

“Take him to join her” Orion motioned to another thrall as it scampered up to obey the command. As it effortlessly picked him up and began carrying him away Simon heard one last command from Orion before his world sank into darkness.

“Sleep until the tomb is opened.”

With that single sentence Simon felt his mind obey as his consciousness simply blinked out.