I've been walking for close to an hour. This trip should've taken way less time. I started limping after some time. Even though I don't feel the pain, the hole in my leg is slowing me down. It feels like my leg will collapse on itself if I push it. I should've been more careful. I grab onto another huge pile of rubble to support myself while I for another few minutes. This walk is taking forever. I then see something in the distance. I get a bit closer and…
Damn it! The last thing I needed. Another pile of rubble in my way. I get as close to it as possible. If I could still talk, I would've been grumbling under my breath. This is way too steep to climb and there are not many places where I can put my foot down. This sucks so much. There's nowhere to go around, I'd have to go back for about ten minutes. If only I could just jump over this.
Having nothing better to do, I entertain the idea. I hop on my good foot a few times before bending my knees and jumping. I expected to only jump up several centimeters so I didn't think I'd be jumping fifteen meters in the air. I open my mouth to shout in surprise but without my voice, no sound gets out of my throat. I land on my bum. I didn't get to prepare to land because of my unexpected flight. I stand up and tend to my backside because of habit rather than pain. I look in front of me and my jaw almost drops to the floor.
It is indeed the apartment complex in which I lived but it's largely different from when I last saw it. It's split down the middle. The gap seems like a third of the entire building. My place is in the second floor. The ladders are on the sides. That means I can still go up there through conventional means. That jumping thing felt so wrong. It makes me feel… less human. I'm not even human anymore. Why am I like this?
I start my short trek towards the split building, still limping. I don't have anywhere to lean on so I walk slower to put as little pressure on the leg as possible. Why am I even limping? I don't even feel the pain. I walk normally again and…
Nothing. I was limping for nothing. Good thing nobody's around to see it or else I'd never live this down. As I walk into the building, I see a lot of festering corpses around. It must not have been that long since the apocalypse. Where are all those undead creatures? Did nobody get "resurrected" like I did? Does that means I have to prepare myself to see…
No. It's no use thinking about that. I'll find out shortly anyway. I walk towards the direction of the stairs but I see a symbol hanging from the ceiling. What is that? I've never seen it before. I see another one behind it. And another. And another. I follow the trail of hanging insignias through various rooms in the complex. Is there someone still alive? I eventually reach the last of them. I see nothing but a square carpet with the same insignia on it. That's it? That was a waste of time. Wait! The carpet looks pretty new. It seems untouched by the destruction. I walk towards it but before I could touch the fabric, it glowed. I cover my eyes to protect them. I wait a bit before uncovering them. I immediately fall down on my bum again.
A demon is now floating on top of the carpet.
"You look like one of those empty rotten husks filled with demonic energy but I smell a still-living soul in you," it, or rather, he uttered before sniffing the air, "Interesting."
The most noticeable features of the demon are the huge horns sticking out of his head. His head was covered with a hood decorated with some sort jewelry. His upper body is naked save for a part of his hood with an eye-like medal on it, leaving his emaciated frame exposed to the world. He has small deformed wings on his back covered in bandages. In contrast, his lower body was hidden underneath a piece of clothing with a few scrolls and some sort of container hanging from it and a belt that looks like his medal. His eyes do a poor job of hiding his ill intent. His has no lips, just sharp teeth.
"I am Vulgrim, a humble travelling merchant," he introduces himself, breaking the silence almost making me run away in fear, "What's your name?"
I can't speak, my vocal cords are still torn. Even of they weren't, I wouldn't be able to speak now due to fear of the unholy creature right in front of me. My mouth hangs wide open as I become too scared to even move.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" he mocks. I then see his eyes narrow. He's looking at my neck. How'd he notice that? I tried my best to find the thinnest thread with the color most similar to my skin. He then reaches out his hand. Lights appear over the extended limb and dance around before disappearing, revealing a small container with green liquid inside. He then tosses it to me saying, "Drink. Consider it a free sample."
Rather than catching it, the bottle just fell on my frozen body. I hesitate for a few seconds. Why is this demon giving me this? Is it poison? I look at him and see his eyes narrow at me again, only this time, it's a threat rather than an expression of curiosity. I quickly grab the bottle and with quivering hands, uncap it. My hands shake so much that a fifth of the liquid spills out of the container. I cautiously put it up to my mouth and pour the liquid down my throat. It's bitter. Very bitter. I cough and gag at the taste.
"What the hell was that!?" I ask him with a mix of anger and fear. The demon just smiles in silence, waiting for a reaction but I don't know what. Wait. Did I just talk? I put my fingers to my neck and feel around. I can't feel the wounds anymore. My head is truly on my shoulders again. I then look down at my leg to check on another wound. It's not there. "What the hell was that?" I repeat, more appreciative than mad.
"That was a healing potion," answers Vulgrim, "It heals all types of wounds and restores your vitality. Normally, I sell them at a high price but I can feel that you'd be a regular customer of mine. Not a bad first impression, don't you think?" Even though he did do me a favor, I can't help but feel that he has some ulterior motives. I can see it through his the way he smiles.
"... Thanks," I hesitantly say. Another silence occurs. He looks like he's waiting for something again. What does he want this time?
"I believe I asked for a name," he speaks with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Elijah." I don't want to tell him my last name. It feels wrong just introducing myself to him. Besides, Vulgrim didn't give me his last name. Does he even have one?
"Well then, Elijah, I'll be looking forward to doing business with you," he tells me before chuckling darkly, "I can give you almost anything you want if you pay for it."
"I don't have any money," I bluntly inform him. How could I still have some cash on me after dying?
"I'm not interested in your human currency."
What? Not interested in money? Now I'm curious. "What do I have to pay you with then?"
"Nothing special," he grins, "I only need souls in return for my services."
"What!?"
He raises his hand again as what seems to be a gray pendant appears. He then tosses it to me and I catch it. I throw him a questioning look. What is this? Picking up on the question, he explains, "Since you don't seem like you know how to collect souls yourself, that will help you. Consider it another free sample from me."
I stare at the pedant before looking back at the one who gave it to me. "Why are you doing this?"
He chuckles darkly yet again. "I once met another one of you, a corpse with a living soul. He's quite the eccentric and I would love to see how you'll end up."
So he thinks I'll go insane? That's completely ridiculous. I roll my eyes before facing the direction of the miraculously intact staircase and walking. While on my way there, I hear the demon remarking, "I'll be looking forward to doing business with you." I look back to see him disappearing into the carpet. I then continue on my way.
As I go up the stairs, only one thought comes to mind. One name. Mari.
I step into my home, or at least what was once my home. To my surprise, it looks relatively untouched. It's covered in rubble and dust but there's no major destruction to the place. Even the windows are intact. Does that mean– I've gotta find out. Now.
I run around and check every nook and cranny of the house. Living room, not here. Kitchen, nowhere. Rooms, nada. Bathroom, no sign of her. She's not here. I don't see a corpse. Could she still be alive? I can't know for sure but there's a chance that she's somewhere out there in this world, waiting for me. I lean down at the kitchen counter and catch my breath.
I see in the corner of my eye something glimmering. Glimmering? I look at the window and see a tiny opening in the clouds where the sunlight came from. That's the first time I've seen the sun today. I look back at the shiny object and see a butcher knife. I quickly grab it and brush the rubble off. I run my thumb over the words engraved into it.
Elijah & Marigold
This was her gift to me on our 5th year of dating. I can still remember the happiness this simple item gave me. She knew I loved cooking so she tried to find the best knife she could possibly find and had our names engraved into it. I couldn't stop smiling and crying for ten minutes. I only had flowers to give her, her namesake, marigolds. She told me it was enough even though I didn't believe it was. I didn't use the knife for a few months to keep it in pristine condition but she convinced me to use it. She said it would lose its value as a knife if I didn't use it for its original purpose. She told me she got it for me so that I could keep thinking of her while I cook so that all the food I make will be filled with love. If only she knew I was already doing that. If only I had told her. I then see my reflection on the shining surface.
That's right, my appearance has changed. Even if I found her, she wouldn't recognize me, but she would definitely recognize the knife. How do I sheath this? Maybe that demon downstairs has something for me. I run outside towards the staircase but I stop dead in my tracks just before I took the first step down. I hear voices.
"Do you have my new power or not?" an unfamiliar voice lined with poorly hidden rage asks. Is it another demon? I hide behind a nearby pillar as I peek into the scene downstairs. It's another monster. It resembles… the one that took my life.
"I assure you I have what you need but you do not have enough souls to buy even the cheapest one."
At this remark, the other demon grabs Vulgrim by the scarf on his neck, raising him up in the air and slamming him against the wall. The angered demon growls lowly at Vulgrim, obviously trying to intimidate him. "Give it to me or else."
"Or else what?" Vulgrim confidently spits back, "Need I remind you I'm the only one in this doomed world who can give you what you want?"
The stranger roars and throws a fist at Vulgrim's head. I close my eyes so that I won't see a soon-to-be gruesome death. I hear the fist impacting and breaking the wall. I open my left eye a bit to take a peek but I see that the merchant is still alive. The raging demon punched the wall beside Vulgrim's head while said demon remains unfazed.
I should probably stay out of this if I wanna stay alive. I try to back out slowly but on the third step, I hear ceramic cracking under my foot. I look down and see a broken pot. My heart drops. Hopefully that thing down there didn't hear it.
"Did you hear something?" Damn it! All hope is lost! Wait, Vulgrim knows I'm here. There's no way he's gonna rat me out, right?
"Yes, I did." What the hell!? Too much for looking forward to doing business with me.
I then hear footsteps coming towards and up the staircase. Oh no. I feel my heart poundings against my chest. What do I do? What do I do? What. Do. I. Do!? Come on, think! Miraculously, an idea comes up in my moment of panic. I execute the plan just in time to see him finish climbing up the stairs. I walk around aimlessly, flopping my body parts around, trying to act like a zombie. Please buy it. Please buy it. Please buy it.
"Oh, it's just another one of these damned corpses." He bought it! Yes! I see him turn around back toward the staircase. I move to run away but before I can even try to do so, he turns back to me. "You know what? I need a little stress relief and a few souls after all that crap with that damned merchant. You'll do just fine." What!? Oh no.
I see him raise his weapon up before he swings it down at me with all of his might. He wasn't so subtle with his intentions so I saw the attack coming. I roll to the side to avoid being cut in half. However, I feel the blade slicing through the air just mere centimeters from my skin. My feet find their way on the ground again and my legs start shaking. I start to back away as the monster stares at the sword impaled into the floor. "What the…" it trails off. The demon takes a look at me and growls.
It grabs its weapon's hilt and pulls it out of the ground. He then takes another wild swing at me. I sidestep it and narrowly avoid getting my arm amputated. "What gives!?" the demon yells out. He then swings horizontally at my head but I duck under it. I should probably counterattack now. I pull back my armed hand and grab my knife's hilt with my other hand and swing with all I have. The knife embeds itself into the demon's side but I can tell it's nowhere near to finishing it off.
The monster staggers back as I pull the blade out. He drops the sword and puts its hands on its wound. "Why you…" it growls at me. Instead of picking up his sword, he decides to throw a punch at me. That decision surprises me. The unanticipated attack connects with my chest, sending me flying to the wall. I think that broke some ribs but I don't think it matters. I don't need to breathe anyway. However, the rest of my body feels numb. I can't move my fingers. Why is this happening?
The monster appears in front of my slouching body. It growls again before roaring and stomping at my chest, slamming my body into the ground. I feel a few more bones snapping. This should hurt but it doesn't. It then keeps stomping at me. Each stomp breaks my rotting body down even further. Each kick enlarges the crater beneath me. I'm taking the brunt of this brute's anger and there's nothing I can do. I still can't move my body.
The demon eventually gets tired. It takes a few huffs of breath before grabbing me by the neck and raising me to eye level. I would be kicking my feet and struggle to get away from the grip if it weren't for my uncooperative body. He squeezes my neck slowly as he darkly laughs. I hear a pop. Is this it? Is this how I die? Another pop. My eyes find their way to my knife on the ground. I didn't even get to see Mari. Is this my fate?
No! This can't be how it ends! If this is fate then screw it, I'm not leaving this world without finding Mari. I did not come back to life just to die in vain. My body finally responds as I put my hands on the arm holding me up. I growl and struggle with all my might. The monster's arm then starts emitting dark smoke from where I'm touching it. It lets go of my neck and reveals burn marks on its limb. He roars at be before charging. I roar back as I spread my arms to my sides and push them in the direction of the demon. An explosion occurs in front of my hands, sending the demon flying back downstairs with new scorch marks all over its body.
I pick my knife up and walk slowly towards the groaning creature on the ground. I laugh at the pitiful sight before me and kick its unsightly face. I then heat my knife up and cut its right arm cleanly off. The sound of his cries are satisfying. Very much so. I then cut off left foot and let it yell out even louder. This is fun. However, it's getting too loud. I slice its head off and this time, no cries are heard. A pity but it's necessary.
Wait, did I just… enjoy that?
"Bravo!" I hear someone clapping behind me, "Good show."
I then see wisps coming out from the demon's corpse. Are those souls? Why are so many of them coming out of just a single body? Were these souls collected by this creature? The wisps them come flying at me, more specifically, the pendant Vulgrim gave me. I then remember the liquid he made me drink earlier. I may need that if I don't wanna die again early.
"Do you have another bottle of that disgusting liquid?"
"I have as many healing potions as you can afford," he replies.
"I'll need just the one."
"As you wish."
A bottle of green liquid appears on his right hand. I grab it from him as he puts his other hand in front of the pendant and take out a few souls gor payment. He then puts the souls into his mouth and swallows. So that's why he demands souls as payment. I drink the product I just bought and struggle not to throw it back up. I can feel the broken bones piece themselves back together again. This magic is pretty useful.
"Anything else you might want to buy?" asks Vulgrim.
Nothing immediately comes to mind. What was that creature demanding from this merchant again? It doesn't matter. Not like I'll know how to use it. I look down at my knife and almost gasp at its condition. The blade has almost melted into a puddle. It's horribly misshapen and it no longer resembles a knife. Luckily, the engraving is still there.
I turn back to the demon and tell him, "I don't suppose you can repair this."
"Unfortunately not," he answers, making my heart drop. He them follows it up, "However, I do know a certain blacksmith who could."
"Tell me," I demand.
He then chuckles darkly. "Information is also something that I sell. Give me some more of your souls and I'll tell you."
I groan. I have to pay for something that can be a lie? I don't see any other choice. I grab the pendant and hold it out in front of me. He then grabs some more souls before consuming them.
He gives off a sigh of satisfaction before responding, "The blacksmith is a Maker by the name of Ulthane. You'll find him where the remaining humans might be hiding. As a former human yourself, you should know where that is."
"I didn't pay you to leave out a few important details."
"I assure you I only took what this information is worth away from you," he says while still keeping that devious smile. I hate this demon so much.
"Whatever," I remark before turning back start walking.
However, Vulgrim stops me before I could get ten steps in. "You might need this as well." He conjures up something that looks like a normal kitchen knife in a sheath. He then tosses it to me and I catch it. "That blade is imbued with magic to withstand the flames of hell. Take it as my thanks for the entertainment."
I elect to not respond to that remark or listen to whatever else he has to say and simply attach the sheath to my pants since it also works as a holster for the blade. I need to get my knife repaired as soon as possible then I can go and focus on my true task.
Mari, just wait for me.