Chapter Text
Warmed and illuminated only by flickering candlelight, Enki carefully turned the page of the archaic book which had found a new home within his possession. The text, though showing its age within its yellowing pages and worn cover, displayed just as much masterful craftsmanship within its sturdy binding and beautifully intricate illustrations. Enki had spent hours within the small library tucked away in the corner of one of the dungeon's surface rooms. The sun had long since set, marking the end of the day and the beginning of a long night.
Enki had absentmindedly lit a lone candle and read over the horrific sounds spiraling through the halls of the dungeon, amplified by the masonry chipped away by age and turmoil.
The dark priest was well versed in the horrors residing within the dungeons and their depths, he was also aware of the other souls occupying the area, though he had been fortunate enough to not have been disturbed since first entering.
Though the small nook he had found himself in contained dozens upon dozens of books detailing and describing decades of historical events, poetry, alchemical spells, memoirs, and even recipes, all of which Enki had read through and thoroughly studied, he knew his stay would need to remain short-lived if he were to continue making his way towards the grand library of Ma’habre. Enki closed the grimoire and slid it back into its neat position amongst the other volumes. Unfurling the map of the area he had mentally traced, recounting then documenting the day’s newest findings, he began tackling the endeavors surrounding finding the fabled city.
He pressed the edge of his closed fist to his mouth as he thought.
Navigating the dungeons had proven tedious with monsters running rampant within its seemingly endless rooms and corridors. From knowledge and now first-hand experience, Enki determined that the entrance to the city of gods must lay somewhere within the lower levels near the caverns or subsequent catacombs.
He moved his hand away from his mouth and pressed his gloved palm against the stone wall he had been leaning against, his eyes slowly scanning the room noting the undisturbed, minimal furnishings and decorations.
The outline of his plan had been supported by the idea that the city would be easily accessible once found, though elusive, it was likely even more difficult to physically enter, if even possible.
Enki’s eyes close and he allowed his thoughts to cease momentarily.
He had not been able to properly rest since arriving at the dungeons of Fear and Hunger and he savored the moments of stillness found in between the murderous cries of whatever impatiently awaited for his arrival within the maddening darkness.
At that moment though, nothing could be heard except the gentle howl of the wind as it gently brushed against the walls of the fortress.
It was soon accompanied by a gentle drumming as rain quietly fell onto the earth.
Enki’s chest rose and fell with a delicate rhythm. His back was now fully pressed against the wall, leaning on it for support.
The rain began to thicken and a storm began to form overhead.
Enki’s eyes open and dart to the far end of the room, his gaze remains fixed upon the entryway. Tension grows within his chest and it tightens with painful weight.
He raises a singular hand. Everything is still.
In a swell of heat and power, several bookcases are thrown against the wall, the force causing a deafening collision as a prison guard barrels into the room, its hulking arm bringing down a large cleaver.
With greater power and speed, the guard's arm erupts into an indistinguishable hunk of gore causing blood to spray against all surfaces. The cleaver falls to the floor with a loud clang and the guard lets out a louder anguished roar.
Both of Enki's arms were now raised as he prepared to cast another greater hurting spell, his eyes boring into the twisted figure of the guard.
Within the next moment, flesh was strewn across the room as the prison guard’s leg expelled its muscle tissue.
The mutant, now reduced to a bloodied vessel of open wounds, lowers itself to the ground and lunges at Enki with unrestrained force, its arm slamming Enki into the wall and collapsing the structure around both of them.
The dark priest and guard had found themselves thrown into the courtyard, Enki’s hair spilled out onto the soaked earth as rain came down at a merciless pace. He retched and gasped for air, unable to move, his eyes were forcibly fixed upon the endless darkness of the night sky.
His arms were frozen in an unnatural position, and heavy stone bricks surrounded his body, trapping his legs. Unprompted, his head lulled to the side, and his eyes stretched to the farthest corners of their sockets attempting to make out any distinguishable shape to escape the maddening expanse. With the stars dimmed and absent, Enki stared up at the horizonless plain, unable to breathe.
The sound of an arrow broke the thunderous murmur of the rain. Unable to see, Enki desperately strained his neck in response to the cries of the guard as several more arrows pierced through the rain.
The brisk sound of sprinting through the soaked glade was followed by the sound of collapse then death.
A shadow formed over Enki’s body and grew larger as the figure crouched down to observe him.
Enki struggled to identify the figure’s features however was relieved to find the darkness illuminated by sclera, the whites of a human’s eyes.