Hell's Glitch (initial draft)

2:16 The Patriarch of Magick

"Mankind knows nothing but blood and betrayal," a voice rumbled in the dark, echoing off the cavern walls.

"Despite the many wonders bestowed upon them, they are still a cursed species destined to spread ruin to every continent, more ruin than even my brethren could dream. I have shared such majestic and esoteric knowledge with them, which they would have never dared seek out on their own and yet look at me—fallen from grace due to foolish generosity, my fate yoked with theirs. I should have never pitied the wretches."

The cavern shook as the creature dragged its stone carcass along the floor. With every movement, dust rolled down in great volume from long strands of dry fibers hanging from its body and a cloud thick enough to choke a man was formed around the bottom of the dozen stone stakes it called legs. Along with the dust, tiny wisps of blue light floated free from the creature's body, briefly illuminating the nearby cavern walls before fading like cinders.

"As their own decay claims them, so does my own. Am I destined to be nothing but poisonous dust for my charity? How cruel fate can be, to turn my beautiful magick against me."

It had been a while since he'd been so active and it pained him to move just this much, but the creature was invigorated upon smelling the blood of an approaching human and feeling the strong pull of its soul—a soul steeped in conflict and killing just like his own.

"The Soul Whispers tell me its name, Sarem—a great slayer of demons, men, and phantoms. No matter. Men are only good for betrayal. It is in their blood. They are THE great betrayers and with that knowledge, I will always be prepared for them. Any that stumble into my lair will remain here forever as the rest of their kin descend into inevitable madness. I will take solace in that."

The creature lifted its front leg and went to set it down until noticing a meticulously detailed stone statue directly below, decorated in a fine stone armor set and brandishing a long stone pike. He looked down at the statue and had a recollection of the past as he maneuvered his legs around it, taking great care not to even graze it.

"Ahh, Maximov—the ever-prepared demon hunter—I must take particular care not to destroy you. Such a persistent nuisance you were. I will not take eternity away from you."

Maximov's stone eyes seemed focused on the creature and it laughed as it looked down at the statue.

"Ingratitude is another trait that you and the rest of your kin exemplify. Even now, I've saved you from the fate that awaits what remains of your accursed race—that hopeless struggle to conquer what is unconquerable. The end is nearly here for the rest of us, but you will stand watch forever. I will make sure of that."