The steps ended deep underground at a wide corridor that was cut into the rock. More Eridian statues lined the way with torches lighting the cavern.
Mason still leading, the group continued on. Remaining silent and alert in case something tried to surprise them. Given that everything Eridian in the past had tried to kill them, none of the former vault hunters were taking any risks.
"What do you think those alien freaks were keeping down here?" asked Brick.
"No clue. But whatever it is, they made damn sure that only one person could get in." said Roland, motioning to the slayer with his head.
Tannis had her echo out and was recording their surroundings. "The architecture here is similar to the ruins that have been discovered in the past." She approached one of the nearby walls, switching on a flashlight and illuminating a series of murals that had been carved into the rock.
Several scenes had been made out, with writing that she recognized.
"This is in the Eridan language. Just like that image that showed the slayer and the sirens." she said as the others gathered around.
"Any idea what it says, doc?" asked Mordecai.
"Of course I do!" Tannis said indignantly before running her fingers over the symbols beneath an image of what looked like people. "Once, there was peace and prosperity." she translated before moving on to the next image that showed what looked like a portal, "Broken by a tear between worlds."
She crossed to the other side of the corridor where another image waited, this one depicting a series of monsters pouring from the opening and slaughtering the people. "Nightmares beyond comprehension, ravaged the land and our people."
The next image showed six winged individuals attempting to fight the beasts, "The chosen six, powerless against the scourge."
Lilith clenched her fists, knowing that the 'Chosen Six' were Sirens, and how even their combined power couldn't stop what was happening back then. Tannis moved onto the next mural, this one showed another portal with a being in armor and a sword stood ready for battle. "Another tear appeared, this one bringing salvation. A warrior unmatched, unyielding, relentless."
The group followed the doctor as she continued on, enraptured by the tale she was deciphering. "Rage and strength crushed the scourge. Ending the nightmare. Hope was returned." The image showed the warrior standing on a pile of bodies, the people surrounding it kneeling before the altar of torn and broken corpses.
"Offerings were made, gifts given to the warrior that saved us. Attempts to keep him from leaving in case the nightmares returned." Tannis continued by the next image that showed the six sirens surrounding the warrior, their hands reaching out and touching his armor.
"But the warrior moved on. Leaving behind evidence of his battles. His fight continuing beyond our world, an eternal war without end." The warrior stepping back through a portal similar to the one he had come through before.
"This monument was made on the site of his departure. A vault worthy of our savior, should he ever return to Pandora." The final image displayed people building, the symbol for the Eridian vaults above it.
Mason was as still as the stone around him. With each reading, the very scenes depicted ran through his head as though he were living them. Recalling each and every moment as though they had happened moments ago. His head aching with each passing memory.
Turning his head and staring down the cavern, eyes narrowed before he began to stomp farther inside.
"He's off again." said Brick as they jogged after him to catch up. The corridor came to an end at a wide chamber that was as large as Sanctuary's town square. Six large pillars connected the floor and ceiling with Eridian Warrior statues standing beside them like silent guards.
At the back of the chamber, a massive statue of the slayer's likeness, armor and all, stood tall over everything else. The Crucible held in his hands with the blade pointed downward.
"Damn, they really liked you amigo." Mordecai said as they stepped farther into the chamber.
Tina looked around them in wide eyed wonder, keeping close to Mason and Lilith as they approached the large statue. At the base stood a stone altar with an oddly shaped carving on the slanted surface.
"If my theories are correct, this is where one would insert a key," said Tannis as she examined the altar. "Sadly this is where we run into an issue. Without the key we are at an impasse."
"So we came all this way for nothing? That's bullshit." said Brick, crossing his large arms with a scowl.
"There's gotta be a way, it can't all have been for nothing." said Roland.
While the adults talked amongst themselves, Tina stood on her tip toes and looked at the indentation in the altar. Scrunching up her face in thought before looking up at the large statue. Her blue eyes locking onto the sword held in its hand, or more precisely the hilt of it.
She turned to Mason and pulled on his hand, getting his attention. "Your sword!" she exclaimed, getting everyone's attention. Tina pointed at the statue's sword before then pointing at the altar.
"She's right!" said Lilith when she saw the similarities. "The indent matches the shape of the sword."
"Good eyes, little amiga." Mordecai praised while Brick and Roland high fived her.
Mason pulled out the Crucible and looked at it closely before placing it on the altar. The demonic hilt fit perfectly with a loud 'click'. Several seconds passed and nothing happened, before anyone could comment the Crucible came to life.
The ancient relic glowed bright red with arches of red electricity sparking from it. The chamber shook, dust drifting down from above as cracks appeared along the walls on either side of the statue. Chunks falling away as solid rock moved and shifted underneath.
A series of sculpted stone pieces pulled themselves from the now ruined walls and drifted to the center of the room. Coming together and forming a large, familiar archway. The same energy coming from the Crucible emitted from the arch as a dark red portal opened up from the newly formed opening.
Everyone had their weapons in hand the moment the process ended. Memories of what had happened the last time a vault had opened still very clear in their thoughts.
After several minutes when nothing happened they relaxed marginally. "Okay, what's the plan?" asked Lilith.
Roland squared his shoulders, "Step through, and prepare for anything." The others nodded and prepared themselves for what they may face on the other side. Tannis practically vibrated where she stood at the opportunity to enter an actual vault. The treasure trove of knowledge that could be waiting had her brain firing on all pistons.
"Halt!" a voice suddenly boomed around them, freezing the group in their tracks before they could approach the opening.
An ethereal golden light slowly drifted down from above, settling on the floor in front of them. The moment it touched down it changed into a cloaked figure that hovered above the ground, arms crossed with hands tucked into the sleeves and three wide tentacles could be seen swaying beheath. But no other features could be made out given the long hood and cloak.
Everyone had their weapons aimed at the being, prepared for the worst. "Be still. I mean no harm." the cloaked being said, holding out a long-fingered metal hand. Their voice echoing with a mechanical tint to it.
"That remains to be seen, who are you?" asked Roland, keeping his rifle level.
The being ignored the question, instead focusing their attention on Mason. "It has been many eons since you set foot on this world, Slayer. I welcome you."
"Answer the question, who are you?" Mason demanded, the aching in his head steadily getting worse.
"You do not remember." the being stated, hovering closer. "Troubling. But also expected. Given what you have endured since you were here last."The slayer raised his shotgun in clear warning and the unknown figure backed off a little. "To answer your question, I am an emissary sent to greet you should you find this temple."
"An emissary sent by who?" asked the slayer.
"The one you know as the Seraphim."
Images immediately barraged Mason's head;
A similar being in a long red hooded cloak and metal limbs leading him into a chamber and into the machine in the center. "It will give you strength, help you on your journey."
The machine activated, leaning back and sealing as they worked the controls. "Now, they will fear you." Were the last words he heard before he was bathed in golden light.
"ARGH!" Mason dropped his shotgun, collapsing to his knees and gripping the sides of his head. Feeling like it was going to explode from the inside out.
"MASON!" Lilith screamed, dropped down beside him along with Tina, "What's wrong?!" The slayer's eyes began to glow red and dull periodically, the grip on his helmet increasing.
"It is worse than feared," said the Emissary.
"What's happening to him?!" Roland demanded.
The being turned to the vault opening, "There isn't much time. We must move quickly." Brick and Roland quickly helped the slayer to his feet, slinging an arm over their shoulders as they half carried, half dragged him to the portal. Tina picked up the dropped shotgun, managing to hold it despite her small size and followed with Lilith, Mordecai and Tannis. The Emissary went through first, the humans hesitated a moment before stepping through as well.
X
There was a burst of distortion, the world twisted and turned in odd angles and colors before coming back into focus moments later. The vault hunters found themselves standing on the other side of the vault on an elevated platform floating in the middle of an infinite abyss.
The air was tinted a dark red and large boulders floated about as though there wasn't any gravity.
"This…This is amazing." Tannis said in awe. "A pocket dimension, the Eridian's truly were an amazing species."
Mason managed to get his feet under him, the pain in his head dulling slightly to the point that he could stand on his own again. "You alright?" asked Lilith.
"Yeah…I think." the slayer replied, accepting his shotgun back from Tina and patted her gently on the head.
"This way." The Emissary said, motioning to the edge of the platform the vault entrance sat upon. A series of flat stones drifted up and formed a bridge that led to another platform a ways away above the infinite expanse.
Testing the bridge first, the group followed the cloaked being as they led them across. Mason made sure to keep Tina close to avoid falling off the edge. Reaching the new, larger platform, they took stock that it was just as large as the chamber they had been in before entering the vault. Sharp rocks surrounded the perimeter save for where the bridge ended, and a series of steps led to an elevated section in the center.
Approaching the steps, the Emissary stopped them. "Only the Slayer may go beyond this point."
Mason looked to the others who were put off by the demand. "It's alright guys." Tina looked concerned as he knelt down to her height, "I'll be right back. Stay with Lilith, okay?"
The tiny blonde nodded, doing her best to be brave as the slayer stood back to his full height. Turning to face the steps before ascending them. With each one taken, the pain in his head started to pulse. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through it and kept going until he reached the top.
Once there, he was greeted by a strange device that resembled a futuristic cross hovering above the ground. The main components were made of white metal with gold glowing veins running through it with fins running along the sides.
The inner workings were a dark gold almost bronze color that shifted and pulsed like a living heartbeat. In the center of the device was a golden sphere with his mark glowing with the same golden light.
"What…is this?" he asked out loud as the Emissary appeared beside him.
"Answers to the questions you have yet to ask. The truth you have been denying for far too long." said the being. "Your mind has been lost to the shadows, this will set you free."
Mason couldn't make heads or tails of what the Emissary was trying to say. But the strange pull he had felt before had come back with a vengeance, along with the growing pain pounding within his skull. The two warring feelings overpowered most of his senses, he didn't realize that he had been reaching for the device until his palm was placed over the sphere.
Yellow energy began to leech from the device and into his arm, coursing through his body and up into his head. The world around him bent and warped before the slayer found himself slipping away.
X
It had only been a moment, but when Mason blinked his eyes open he found himself standing in the center of a ruined city. Buildings that had once stood majestically now had crumbled walls and roofs, painted glass windows shattered, the grass and tree dotted grounds were torn and ripped apart.
This place looked like the epicenter for a massive battle. But that was only one of many things he had noticed.
Looking down at himself, Mason saw that he was not in the Praetor suit, but the outfit he had been wearing the day of the accident that brought him to the Doom-verse.
"What's going on? Where…am I?" he asked out loud as he looked around. The buildings, despite the state they were currently in, looked like they were from medieval times, but at the same time more advanced.
Focusing on one of the buildings, he swore he saw something move in the doorway. Narrowing his eyes, he saw a flash of red disappear inside. His feet were moving before he realized it, following after whatever it had been.
The inside of the building was just as wrecked as the outside. Destroyed statues, cracked walls and floors and shattered windows greeted him. His boots crunching on the broken shards as he went deeper.
Despite the confusion, something about this place felt familiar. Like he had been here before. He just couldn't remember.
At the end of the long corridor, he saw the flash of red again. Something was leading him farther and farther in. With no other options, Mason continued to follow. Traversing the ruins of what had probably been a beautiful place and trying to figure out where he had been taken.
Going through an open courtyard, he saw the same red flash at the top of a set of stairs leading into another building. Only this time it had stopped, revealing a figure similar to the Emissary. A long, billowing red cloak shrouding their form.
The figure stared at him from the shadow of their hood before turning and drifting out of sight. "HEY!" Mason shouted after them as he started running, taking the steps two at a time to catch up. Corridors flew past him, but he always just missed them as he continued the chase.
After several minutes of running, he saw the cloaked figure standing in another doorway at the end of a bridge.
"No more running! Who are you?! Where is this place?!" he demanded.
The figure didn't say a word, merely disappearing inside again. Mason growled in frustration before giving chase again. Clearing the distance quickly and entering a circular chamber…one that he had come to know quite well.
One that had the same machine he had been seeing in his dreams and flashbacks.
"What is this place?" he said, taking in the machine and the room it was housed in.
"It is the place your legend began." Mason spun around and saw the red cloaked being hovering a few feet behind him. "Though it is not surprising you can't remember, considering what happened to you."
"What are you talking about? Who are you?" asked Mason, wanting answers now more than ever.
"You wouldn't understand even if I did tell you. Not before you regain what you have lost."
"And what exactly did I 'lose'?" the human demanded, "Stop talking in fucking riddles!"
The figure drifted toward him, his form larger than his own by a foot. Withdrawing their long, metal hands from the sleeves of their cloak. "To understand," One hand laid on the top of his head, long fingers nearly wrapping around his skull, "You must open your mind."
Sharp pain lanced through Mason's head as memories began to flash through his eyes:
Standing at attention among dozens of marines in futuristic armor as the CO walked down the line barking orders.
The same CO demanding that those under his command fire on unarmed civilians. His fist connecting with the man's face with a resounding crack.
Facing tribunal for assaulting a Commanding Officer, being stripped of his rank as he was court martialed
Being forced into security detail for the UAC facility on Phobos.
Chaos…destruction…an invasion…
Monsters slaughtering people…Demons…Hell…Kill them all…
RIP…And…TEAR!
Mason jerked away, stumbling back and gripping his head. "What…What the fuck was that?! What did you do to me?!"
"I merely freed what was already there. Memories that have been locked away." said the cloaked being.
"Whose memories?"
"Yours."
"BULLSHIT!" Mason roared, "Those weren't my memories! I'm not even from around here!"
The unknown figure crossed their arms again, "Are you sure? What are your earliest memories of YOUR world?"
Mason went to answer and froze, his earliest memory was when he was in the orphanage the day he was adopted. But before that it was all a blank. "I…I was adopted into a good family. A family I had lost before the accident."
"Was it an accident though? Or an intervention to bring you back to where you belonged? To awaken you from the slumber you were forced into. To awaken you from a dream you were forced into dreaming."
Pain ripped through Mason's head again, nearly bringing him to his knees. More images appeared, more moments playing before him.
Death…Destruction…Slaughter…Huge Guts…
"NO! That wasn't me! I know who I am!"
"Do you? Do you truly know who you are? Or do you only know of what they forced you to believe?" the being pressed.
Mason gripped his head, fearing it would rip in two. "W…Who?"
"The demons, the Deag Priests, the Khan Maykr. The ones responsible for your imprisonment. Collapsing the Blood Temples upon you, stripping you of your armor and forcing you into a sarcophagus designed to keep you contained. That overtime began to rob you of your memories…of your very sense of self."
"N-No! It's not true! I'm not…I'm not…" Mason collapsed to his knees. More memories clashed, two separate lives playing out before him, driving him to near madness.
The being hovered over him. "You know who you are. Who you TRULY are. Break off the shackles that were forced upon you."
Mason's eyes flashed between glowing red and their original blue. "I…I…" More memories appeared, almost in fast forward. He could feel something inside of him begin to crack and splinter, like a barrier he'd never known about started to break down.
"Break free from your curse Slayer!"
A bellowing roar of pain and fury exploded from the human's throat. A shockwave of red energy exploded out of him and shook the walls of the chamber. Mason fell forward on his hands, breathing heavily as the red glow bled away from his eyes. Leaving them the color they had always been. His clothes began to change as well, turning into the Praetor suit minus the helmet.
"Welcome back." the cloaked being said as the now armored man rose back to his feet as the pain he'd been feeling was finally gone. "Sadly, we are not finished. The curse placed upon you is only fractured. We must break it now while it is weak."
"...How?" Mason asked, voice raspy and a little deeper than it had been before.
The figure motioned to the machine and drifted over to the console. The slayer approached the unit and laid inside as it leaned backwards until it was horizontal, the top half lowering prepared to seal him inside.
"It is time you rose again, Doom Slayer." the being said as the world was bathed in golden light.
X
The vault hunters shielded their eyes as an explosion of yellow and red light ripped through the vault from the top of the steps where Mason had gone.
"Fuck this!" Lilith shouted before running up the steps. Everyone else right behind her, Brick scooping up Tina and putting her on his shoulders so she didn't get left behind. When they reached the top, the sight that greeted them was one they didn't expect.
There stood Mason, his back facing them with the smoldering remains of some strange device laying at his feet.
No one said a word for a few moments, Mason was as still as stone. Lilith went to speak, but the slayer began to step forward before she could utter a word. Approaching a large stone chest that hadn't been noticed when he first reached the top of the steps.
Staring at the container, he gripped the edge before tearing it clean off. Throwing the slab aside and peering down to see a damaged set of armor similar to his own but not nearly as advanced layed out inside.
But it was what was laying on the dented chest plate that he was focused on.
Reaching inside, Mason pulled out what looked to be an old sawed-off double barrel shotgun. Intricate designs carved along the sides of both barrels with worn leather wrappings around the handle. But the most prominent feature of the weapon was the twin-prong grappling hook mounted underneath.
Bringing the weapon up, he snapped it open. Two old spent shells ejecting as he pulled a fresh pair out and loaded them in place. Closing the weapon with a satisfying 'clack' before turning it over and snapping the grappling hook open.
A ways away, the Emissary began to fade. "The Slayer has finally returned." they said before disappearing completely.
A dull rumble shook beneath everyone's feet as the platform began to lower, the steps disappearing into the ground below. After a minute, the last step disappeared and they all stood on solid ground again.
"Mason?" Lilith asked once things had stopped shaking, approaching her boyfriend slowly. "You okay?"
The slayer lowered his newly acquired weapon and looked back over his shoulder…all of them were stunned to see his eyes no longer glowed red behind the visor of his helmet.
"I'm better than okay." he said, his voice deeper and held a great deal of power behind it that had many of them shivering. "I remember…everything."
Before anyone could question what he had meant, a red portal suddenly opened several meters away from them. "Demonic energy detected!"VEGA warned everyone, making them tense up.
The slayer faced forward again and readied his newly acquired shotgun while the others readied their own weapons. All of them waiting for whatever was on the other side of the portal to show itself. They didn't have to wait long…
Heavy footfalls echoed from the portal until the surface shifted and a heavily muscled and armored form appeared. It was humanoid in shape, and matched Mason in height and build. It's skin was as pale as stone and was wearing armor that resembled the slayer's on a small level. A long, metal handle clenched tightly in its right hand, and a pair of glowing red eyes glared from beneath two pairs of black horns, two curving up from its forehead, and two others curled around its face.
Mason narrowed his eyes as the portal behind the demon vanished. His newly awoken memories telling him all he needed to know about this creature.
"It would have been better for you to live in ignorance." the demon rasped through the armor piece covering its mouth. "Your death will be without mercy."
The slayer stepped forward, "Words from a traitor that sold their soul to Hell, mean less than shit." he replied sharply.
The demon growled, eyes glowing brighter. "You were never one of us!" the handle in its hand ignited, two red energy ax blades snapping into existence on the far end. "You were nothing but a usurper, a false idol!" the demon continued, dragging its ax's blade across the ground and making sparks. "My eyes have been opened. Allow me help you to see, Slayer."
Mason aimed his double-barrel at his enemy, silently conveying that the challenge had been accepted.
X
A/N: Safe to say that I'm back on the top of my game. And don't worry, I won't be leaving a cliffhanger like this for too long. Not with what else is coming...