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Chapter 03 Part 1: "Endoryo"
XXV's Point of View
What if you lived in a world driven by a perilous game, where only the strong survive and the weak are doomed to perish? How far would you go to fight for those you hold dear—your family, friends, spouse, your very humanity—in a world shrouded in darkness, devoid of light or hope?
This is Endoryo. A brutal world where countless beings vie for supremacy in the Crimson Game, striving to be crowned the mightiest and join the ranks of the demon lords who rule over nations and kingdoms across the planet. In this realm, killing and sacrifice have become commonplace, all in the name of protecting what matters most. And now, I am ready to do whatever it takes for the one I love.
My feet led me to a dense, shadowy forest known as the Dark Forest. This place holds a special meaning for me, though it's merely a tangled wilderness teeming with dangerous beasts. With every step, the cold breeze stirred memories of the past—when I was just a frail creature, desperately clinging to life in this merciless world.
In this forest, the bitter moments of my life converge. Yet, it was also here, in this cursed place, that I first met the one I cherish most—the being who gave purpose to my existence, the sole reason I endure in this hellish world. But today, in the very place where it all began, I've decided to end it all, to sacrifice everything for Endoryo.
A few steps deeper into the heart of the forest, the creature I sought awaited me. No fear or hesitation stirred within me, even though I knew the sun might never rise for me again.
"Countless lives have been lost because of your greed and selfish desire to win these games," I said, my voice thick with pent-up anger.
Though it was night, the full moon bathed the forest in a silvery glow, its light piercing the darkness. But as radiant as the moon was, it stood in stark contrast to the shadowy presence of the woman before me. Her face was obscured, turned away from the moonlight, as she stood atop the head of a colossal serpent, nearly fifty feet long, like a trophy of her power.
"You're mistaken," she replied, her voice cold and brimming with confidence. "It's not me or the game to blame for their deaths, but their own ignorance and weakness. So stop fighting me—you can't do anything to keep me from claiming this entire world."
She was the new warlord of Endoryo, commanding nearly a third of the planet through her victories in battle. She was the most vile creature, annihilating nations that refused to bow to her rule. Her unmatched strength fueled her greed and malevolence.
"You'd be better off sitting back and waiting until I deliver a new world to you," she added, her tone laced with mockery.
I've endured so much for the sake of others. As one of Endoryo's protectors, it's my duty to end any form of evil—even if it costs me my life.
"Silence!" I shouted, my anger boiling over. "I'll never let you succeed!"
I forced myself to be brave as I hurled those words at the most despised being in this world—none other than my beloved wife. Yes, the one who once brought light to my life now sows darkness and death across millions of lives.
I vowed to right her wrongs, to destroy everything she's built in this world. "I swear, I'll take everything you have until nothing remains but me," I declared, my voice resolute, though my heart was shattering.
It was painful, but this was the only way to save others—and my wife, now lost to darkness. As expected, she showed no emotion at our reunion, only a chilling smile that seemed to anticipate my failure.
"I pity your efforts, because I'll ensure you fail, my dear husband," she said, her voice dripping with scorn.
She was Khan Zhui, a soul eater who consumed the spirits of others, feared by all. So much had changed her since we were together, but it all faded when she chose to embrace the darkness. I knew I couldn't convince her to change, so I drew my sword and prepared to strike.
Despite the darkness consuming her, her natural beauty remained untouched. Deep in my heart, I knew she still remembered our shared past. "Your beauty never fades, my love," I said, my voice tinged with bitterness. "But I think I'll need to cut off your hands and feet to keep you from leaving our home. Stay there and wait while I save Endoryo."
She was a warrior even then, a renowned executioner. But what others didn't know was that beneath her hardened exterior, she was still a shy, gentle woman, striving to be strong and fearless to intimidate others. I hoped she was still that woman now.
"I'm glad to hear that from you, but I don't agree with your wishes," she replied, her tone calm yet menacing.
In an instant, a sword materialized in her hand, raised with a surge of overwhelming energy that seemed to threaten the entire forest. I attacked first, unleashing a blade strike that sliced through anything in its path, fueled by the crimson flames of my sword. She countered with a single swing, releasing a wave of violet fire that danced in the darkness.
"If you really want to defeat me, you'll need to be more desperate," she taunted, as if mocking my abilities.
The clash of our attacks erupted, the force creating a thick cloud of smoke that enveloped the forest. I couldn't see through the haze, but I felt her malevolent presence, as if it were draining the air itself. I'd long learned to rely on my senses and hearing, so even blinded, I dodged the massive serpent that lunged from the smoke, ready to swallow me whole.
I leapt high, gaining a clearer view of the battlefield from the air. I couldn't afford to be careless—I was at a disadvantage in this fight. I had to take it seriously. But as I hovered, Zhui appeared behind me, her sword poised to strike.
Her presence was so intense I sensed it immediately, allowing me to evade her attack. I grabbed her hands to prevent her from using her sword, seizing the chance to strike up close. With all my strength, I drove my sword into her chest, the blade piercing through to her back.
She froze, her sword slipping from her grasp. I had done it—I stabbed Zhui. Yes, in this moment, I was killing the one I loved most, the one I vowed to protect forever. But in the silence, something unexpected happened. Instead of crying out or collapsing, she smiled.
That terrifying smile returned, radiating pure malice. "That felt wonderful," she said, her voice laced with mischief. "Is this how you show your undying love?"
I was stunned, but before I could react, she gripped my arm with both hands, locking it so I couldn't withdraw the sword from her body. A chilling presence enveloped us, making my skin crawl—a testament to her immense power.
I was powerless to resist her iron grip. As we fell from the air, a dark shadow emerged behind her—the colossal serpent from the ground. Now, as we plummeted, it aimed to devour us both. I saw it charging toward us, and I knew if it succeeded, I was doomed. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't break free from her hold.
In that moment, Zhui whispered, her smile unwavering. "If I consume you now, all my problems with Eskapa will end," she said. "The alliance's morale will crumble, and nothing will stand in my way of victory."
So many had fallen on our side. With Zhui's overwhelming power, gained from consuming souls, even the leaders of Eskapa—the alliance I served—were helpless against her. Our group wouldn't last much longer. Once protectors like me were gone, the nations of the alliance would collapse. This was the end. Yet, despite it all, I held onto hope. I was the only one who could stop my wife, and it was my duty as her husband.
"Then do it!" I challenged, my voice bold despite my breaking heart.
In terms of strength and energy, I was no match for her, even from the start. But the fact that she could never bring herself to kill me in our battles proved she remembered our vows. I clung to the hope that my old wife—the shy, gentle woman who dreamed of a hero to save her and lead her to a peaceful world—would return.
"If I consume you now, you'll be mine forever, and we'll never be apart," she whispered, her voice soft but heavy with sorrow. She touched my cheek, slowly drawing her face closer. "Forever by my side, my love," she added.
Her lips met mine—a kiss filled with love, yet steeped in sadness and longing. Even without words, that kiss conveyed her yearning for our reunion. In that moment, I felt pity for my wife, but despite my love for her, I had to wield my sword against her—not just for the remaining beings of Endoryo, but for us both.
Amid her terrifying presence, a display of her power born of darkness, I saw her eyes—sorrowful, brimming with tears before me. I felt the warmth of her lips, carrying the love she still held for me, and I knew, despite her silence, that her heart hadn't changed. Beneath her warlord facade, she was still my shy, gentle wife, yearning for a hero to save her.
I was helpless. Exhaustion weighed on me from this seemingly endless war. I wanted to surrender, but doing so would mean failing the millions of beings in Endoryo. Above all, it would mean failing my wife's dream of a hero to save her.
I touched her cheek, slowly closing my eyes as hundreds of memories flooded my mind—joyful moments, painful times, and the cherished vows we shared. Moments later, the colossal serpent swallowed us whole, and it crashed to the ground.
All I ever wanted was a peaceful world with my beloved. But because of the Crimson Game, she had to become a monster to secure that dream for us. Because of my weakness and shortcomings, she bore the burden that should have been mine. Why did God grant us such a fate? I never wanted this destiny.
Why were we born into this world? I couldn't understand. The world wasn't fair to us. Why must we hate each other while longing for each other's love? Is there any meaning to our fight if victory means the death of one of us?
End of XXV's Point of View
Present Day
As Nathaniel sits, still reeling from the events unfolding around him.
Nathaniel's Point of view.
So much has happened today in such a short time. Who could have thought that a mere fantasy could become reality? That crazy angel, Koko, sent me into the world of my own comic, and that's not good news for me. I, of all people, know just how dangerous this place is.
To sum it up, my comic Do You Hate Me, Then Love Me is a tragic fantasy where the two protagonists must fight for their dream of claiming Endoryo. This world is chaotic, especially when the war between the warlords begins. I have no idea what will happen to me if I stay here.
Koko's lost her mind. It would've been fine if she'd given me some kind of ability or a powerful weapon to fight with—something to keep me safe, at least. How am I supposed to save anyone when I'm just an ordinary human? She's completely unhinged. I need to find that lunatic angel and force her to take me back to my old world.
"Where are you, you crazy angel?!" I shouted, my voice a mix of frustration and fear.