The Keepers of Chaos: A Vault of Hell

Markos Amanodel: CXLIX

Monsters: CXLIX

Markos knelt to the ground picking up a small handful of salt, it was fresh, recently placed around the door.

"ARGHGH HEL HEAHEHFAAGHR!" The wailing never truly stopped, especially since he opened the sealing iron. He understood all manner of languages, dialects, and more. However what that creature was speaking, was simply the language of pain. With bated breath, Markos stepped over the salt line. The Attic was divided in half, with its first section being decently long, cluttered with knick knacks and boxes. The walls were slanted, and covered in little drawings. Now that he could really observe them, he realized many were just runes. The dividing wall seemed to be new, only a few years old and scrawled with ritual incantations. On the other side Markos stepped to the edge of a divination circle, red glowing lines zigged on the floor. In the dim light of candles, it resembled blood reflecting fire.

"Hi.." He started. His heart fell, more and more when he stared at the creature. It was tall and muscle bound without any clothes save for a gray loin cloth. Its arms were wrapped tightly around one another enveloped in black chains which left scars all across the body. The head was large and meaty looking, bald with more scars. Its eyes were purely black whilst the screaming would never stop. Markos waved a hand summoning his familiar. "Cerdest.. Sanity escapes this one.. Doesn't it?" The returned familiar struggled into existence taking all his concentration. There was no reply. Markos held his breath, trying to not cry. Damnit. Dammit it wasn't right! It wasn't fair!

"Gha. GHA.. AGRAH!" Osvaldo wailed from the floor, its beady eyes suddenly staring at his own.

"I'm sorry.." It was the first words he truly got out to the creature. "I am so, so sorry.." With a careful but probably foolish step, Markos walked into the ritual circle. His heart was full of pain and anger when he looked down he saw the fate that awaited him, or perhaps already consumed him. Years, decades, no.. even longer. Lengths of time he couldn't comprehend skipped in his head, he saw every terrible thing being done to them.. All the worst impulses he had. The ring around his neck felt heavier when he reached up to grab it. The way it made him feel inside sickened him.

"He's too far gone.." Cerdest finally answered. The first time his familiar had properly spoken.. To him. It brought him no joy. Why? Why was this a fate? A thing one must fear? He clenched his fists in rage, why?! It was then Markos knew the truth.

"Who.. did this to you?" He quizzed, Markos knelt down, getting ever closer. "Siluzh weul tasa, azae veri al Adoe." He waved his hands, speaking an incantation in elvish and parts in infernal. Please work. With courage he reached out grabbing either side of Osvaldo's screaming head.

"AGH FAW KILL AADGH H AT EJAAAHGHHHh.. Hh.a hah.. Agh.. I.." For a brief moment the screaming stopped. Markos crouched the ground where it was thrashing and pulling at its bounds still connected to the ritual floor. "I.."

"Shh, shhh." Markos rushed forward placing a finger to Osvaldo's lips. "It's not permanent.. It wont work long.. Don't speak.. It'll only make it go by faster." He palmed the devil's face. "Who did this to you? Who.. has inflicted this travesty, this cruelty onto you? Do you know?" It felt like knives coming out of his throat, the massive headache pounding in his skull was insane. It was a miracle, the chain devil calmed down. It only briefed for a moment, looking at him.

"My.. parents.." Osvaldo whispered, the suffering had just for a second come to a halt.

"No." He shook his head in frustration. "No.. that's not true." sinking to his knees completely Markos moved behind the devil boy, just in case it started thrashing once again. Gently he stroked the creature's collar in sympathy. He knew what Osvaldo would say next, what he would try to ask next; 'what?' How could it not be his parents' fault? "Your parents did make the deal.. But there is something so much more vile that causes this, an evil I have been blind to.. Tell me.." He reached to his belt, pulling free the dagger he'd lifted from Ammalia's body. "Do you.. Want this?" The room fell completely silent, the only sound that hinted at their lives were small breathes.

"... There's no end to the suffering.. At least, make sure I don't get out.. Hurt anyo- aG.. Anyone.." The devil turned his head staring large green eyes into Markos's. An understanding passed between them. "End it.. Please." With small tears, he nodded to the devil.

"Rest now.." Markos grabbed Osvaldo by the head and pulled its neck back. The nobleman reached up gripping his wrist, together they pulled the knife into Osvaldo's neck. "Soon.. we will have our revenge." The ritual circle shattered like glass spilling the red contents into the air. Blood spurted from the wound until it covered the floor. Every black chain snapped off of the walls and floor crumbling to rust. "I am so.. So sorry.. Osvaldo.. It's taken me too long to see the truth." He clutched the dying body closer and closer out of anger. "The reality.. This is not the fault of just your parents. No.." He lifted the dagger into the air feeling some whispers crawl in. "This is the fault of the gods." Osvaldo reached up grabbing the wrist still wrapped around his head. "... The fault of so many beings of power, who toy with, mess with, and meddle in the lives of mortals who just want normalcy. Lives they would live to the fullest if not for deities unmatched.. I see it now.." He hastily used the knife carving in five distinct symbols. One on each side of his body, and a final one below him. Markos bobbed his head back and forth and side to side feeling a rush of energy he had not in a long time.

"This is.. The work of gods whose powers have gone unchecked for too long. Who rejoice in touching others lives. They need to die." He continued. Osvaldo began to disintegrate in his arms slowly unfolding into dust. "Cthulhu.. Hastur.. Ares.. Puderis.. Tyr.. Selune.. Parcoh.. Odin.. Asmodeus.. Irta.. N... Hades, and so many more. All of them cancers to this world." The knife was raised to the ceiling, blood dripped down from it, while the blade reflected his green eyes back at him.

"But don't worry.."

"We know someone.." He whispered, staring sadly at the dagger.