Four Corners of Hell

The carriage tears threw the woods going far faster than it was ever intended too. Elijah’s face is solemn and filled with purpose. He could not save the crowd from the demon but he could at least save the four unfortunates cost in the cross hairs of all this. He kept on the horses demanding more and more speed, thinking if only he could get them out of the woods, out of the damned woods which had become a prison infested with evil perhaps then he could save them. Perhaps then he could validate this, make it all right. Even as he thought this he knew it was wrong. Nothing could make up for what he had done, abandoning those people to that beast. Allowing it free reign, but what could he have done. What should he have done, his mind was uncontrollably trapped in thought. He was confused, scared, and filled with regret. But now was no time to look back he thought, he had to get out of these woods, get away from that monster. Get these people somewhere safe, somewhere where they could be protected. Finally Elijah saw daybreak through the trees. He had reached the outer rim of the forest. He was almost free of this wretched place. Once out, he thought, we can make a beeline for the church. No one the demon would dare follow us. Elijah’s confidence began to rise, he was almost out of the woods, almost over the hump, almost free. His heartbeat was soon in time with the hoof beats of the horse. He was almost out his excitement was growing almost free of these dark and evil woods. Then just as the horse passed through the last of the trees and the carriage began to enter the clearing he saw it. The demon beast standing not but several yards in front of them. The beast was smiling undoubtedly reveling in his massacre. No, Elijah thought, not now, we just freed ourselves, and here he is waiting. There is no escape, Elijah thought, no escaping the evil. Seeing that a collision was imminent, Elijah pulled back on the horse’s reigns violently, stopping him a meager few inches from the demon. The horse kicked up his feet in protest and seemed as though he was going to start bucking. However the demon grabbed the horse by it’s reigns and pulled it down to the ground. He stared it down, and soon the animal was passive. Still smiling the demon walked around and got up onto the carriage, sitting next to Elijah. Terrified and angry Elijah is silent as he stares as the monster sitting mere inches from him. Finally the demon addresses him, “While I admire your gusto, I fear such recklessness would be counter productive to our goals.” The demon looks Elijah in the eyes, Elijah is clearly afraid of him. The demon laughs and says, “Don’t worry my boy, you did your job. There’s nothing more I ask of my people.” This finally breaks Elijah’s silence as he says, “I am not one of your people.” The demon laughs and slaps Elijah on the back, placing his massive hand on Elijah’s shoulder. His fingertips stretching almost to Elijah’s chest. He says, “Vassals are a strange thing some times chosen, some times enlisted, often captured.” With that the demon hands Elijah the horse’s reigns and gestures for him to continue driving. Elijah unsettled does so, seeing no other option.

Elijah made it a special point to avoid the main roads to the church. Fearing what would happen if people saw the giant beast sitting next to him. Periodically Elijah would find himself staring at the massive monster. Each time Elijah was struck with the same thought. How can something so fierce, so wicked, so clearly evil, seem at the same time so utterly calm and passive. The Demon sat back in the driver’s seat, resting his massive wings against the carriage and staring up at the sky. He seemed utterly unconcerned with everything around him. Like this was just wistful Sunday venture. A strange smile covered his face, it was utterly bizarre to Elijah. At the same time he thought to himself, how would one expect the devil to behave? A beast without fear, to insane to know what an abomination he is. Elijah thought about what the demon said about being his vassal. Elijah hated it, he was appalled at the thought, but what could be done he thought. Would it really help anyone if he made a stand and the demon cut him down? What good would that do anyone? At the same time he thought about the Christian martyrs, men who died rather then compromise their beliefs. Perhaps this was his test Elijah, his opportunity to prove his devoutness. But what about the crowd he thought, would God have wanted him to allow these people to be killed, then again he certainly wouldn’t have wanted the demon to kill them. It seemed like there was no right answer, no good reason. Everything had become so complicated, to help people, to save lives, he had sacrificed far more. What was the right thing, what was the answer, he prayed silently for god to send him some kind of sign. Just then the demon spoke, “You know I’ve never been a big fan of the clergy collar. Always thought you guys were conmen and cowards. Hiding behind your bibles and made up titles. But I got to admit, what you did back there, trying to stop those people. That took some real grit.” Being complimented by a demon, receiving praise from the devil, what a horrible thing Elijah thought. At the same time it was strange. He spoke and seemed almost sincere. In a way Elijah almost appreciated the monster’s words. He agreed that too many Priests and minister had become bogged down in tradition and hierarchy. Far more concerned with their titles and rankings and less with their people. No, this is a trick he thought. A demon can not be sincere, he is merely trying to lead me astray, I must stay resolute. He is a monster, a demon, the enemy of man and God. A thought then occurred to Elijah, why would the demon save these people. Demons have no loyalty. They would gladly abandon their followers for their own sakes. His actions are contrary to those of demons. No, these are just more confusions the demon has cooked up, thought Elijah. He killed that woman’s mother, he killed those people, he is a monster, and an enemy of the faith. Ignore his words, do not think kindly of him, he is your enemy. Suddenly out of the distance, children ran out in the road. They were playing some sort of game, laughing, having fun. This terrified Elijah, for he knew that if they saw the demon they would most certainly run in terror. This would only lead to the demon attacking more villagers, more people being killed. Suddenly he saw the children looking towards, Oh no, we’ve been found out he thoughts. However something strange occurred, the children did not shriek or wail, they continued smiling, one waved to them as they passed by. It was as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, what was this madness, Elijah thought. Then he turned to look at the demon, but the demon wasn’t there. Instead sitting next to him was a man, a young man, smiling and waving to the children. What in the name of all that is holy is going on here, thought Elijah. Had he gone mad, was it all a dream, was this some sort of bizarre hallucination. Was the demon a man all along, or was he simply crazy. As they passed out of sight the man spoke to him, he had the same voice as the demon, he said, “What a terrible thing it is, the laughter of a child, nothing more sinister and wicked in this world than the things that amuse children.” Elijah was now utterly confused, somehow the demon had taken the form of a man. Elijah knew that demon could possess men. Perhaps that is what had occurred. Perhaps this man was just a poor trapped soul being held in bondage by the demon. However Elijah had seen possessions, he had performed exorcisms. Most of the time the men would fight the demonic invasions, they would be wild, crazed, and unable to control themselves. This man however was completely calm, almost serene. Finally Elijah let his thoughts get the better of him and asked, “What manner of demon are you.” The man laughed and said, “Oh I’m not a demon, I surpassed that station long ago.” Disturbed and confused Elijah continues on driving. Somehow even more unsettled by the demons transformation into a man. As a demon Elijah could dismiss him, he could ignore that nagging since of unity with the beast. Because he was simply a beast, a monster, not worthy of empathy but he was also clearly a man, clearly of mortal flesh a being that must be considered, a being that, without question, had value. Elijah pondered this disturbing contradiction as they continued along. He kept going back and forth, seeing that this man, this demon, this strange concoction of a being, was something special, something unique. Yet at the same time he was a murdering, an obvious killer with no remorse or compassion, and yet he saved his friends. What is the answer, Elijah thought. What does God want me to do?

Finally Elijah’s deep philosophical introspection was broken up, as they arrived at the church. It was a modest building with little distinguishing it as a place of worship. Elijah drove the carriage right up to the front entrance. Before he could say anything the man/demon jumped from the driver’s position. He landed on the ground and quickly opened the door of the carriage. Elijah watched the man carefully, fearful of what he may due. The man however was utterly unconcerned with anything, a board brimming smile covered his face has he reached into the cab and escorted Ophelia out from it. Ophelia was understandable cautious as well. As he lead her from the carriage she looked to Elijah, as if for some sort of assistance. She quickly saw in his eyes that he was as unsure and fearful as she was. Purgatory’s followers soon exited the carriage after her, they were buzzing with excitement over their master’s victory. They chatted to themselves as they followed Purgatory and Ophelia. Ophelia watched Purgatory nervously, now completely certain that even though he looked like Zacharias, the Zacharias she knew was long gone from this world. However she was unsure of what to do, or even what had occurred. As a child Ophelia had been warned of the demons that wished to do harm to witches. She was told of her mother’s confrontation with the demon king Purgatory. She was terrified to think that the man she had loved and wished to share her life with was the very same monster that tormented her people and killed her mother. Yet as she stared at him, she could see brief flashes of her lover. The sparkle of his eyes, the Cheshire smile, the way he held her hand, almost delicately yet at the same time firm. Ophelia found herself in a dark and scary place. Wondering what was the truth, who was this person who had her loves face. Could he be the same monster she had long feared, the same demon that had tormented her people. How could he do it, she thought to herself. There is no way Zacharias could have done those things, killed those people, Ophelia thought. But he’s not Zacharias, he’s that demon. All her fears and thoughts were put on halt, as she realized they had reached the door. She stared straight in, as Purgatory opened the large wooden door at the entrance of the church. As he pushed it aside he gestured her forward smiling, almost cordial. Ophelia was utterly confused. Inside the church was much of what you’d expect from a small local seminary. There was an altar at the far end and a booth for confession. A few benches were strewn about with little concern for order. A bible sat on top of the altar, just underneath the image of the crucifix. As they motley crew entered Purgatory found himself drawn to the alter. He stared almost laughing at the cross. He called out to Elijah, “Yo Collar, your statue is wrong.” Elijah was unsure of whether or not he should respond, he could only muster a weak, “How is that?” Purgatory picked up the statue and held up to him, he pointed to Christ’s hands. “That’s not how he was hung,” he says, “The bones in the hands are not strong enough to support a full grown man’s dead weight, the nails were in his wrists.” Elijah stares at the statue, which he had seen more or less everyday for the last several years, and almost finds himself snickering. As he see the inaccuracy Purgatory pointed out. “So it is,” Elijah says, almost impressed. “I’d return it.” Purgatory says jokingly as he walks past Elijah and straight towards Ophelia. Purgatory sits down next to her and puts his arm around her. She immediately pulls away gets to her feet. She then realizes what she has done, fearing offending and possibly angering him, she says, “I must go, I must be alone, I fear I must take care of something.” With that Purgatory nods and watches as she walks away quickly. As Purgatory watches his ladylove scamper away in fear of him Trigo and the others have formed a semi-circle around him. Trigo says, “Master, let me be the first to impart upon you are utmost gratitude for your courageous rescue. Truly we are completely undeserving of your mercy….” Before he can continue Purgatory cuts him off with a dismissive, “Shut up Idiot.” Purgatory then gets to his feet and walks towards the hallway where Ophelia has run off too. Elijah is standing next to a window watching Purgatory carefully. Yet he is still thrown off when Purgatory calls to him, “Collar.” Elijah at first does not respond, then finally stumbling over his own words responds, “Yes.” “My lady, Ophelia, she seems unnerved. I fear the events of the past few days have been too much for her. She seems to trust you. So I will need you to speak to her on my behalf.” Finally, as he is now being charged with tasks, Elijah seems to have had enough. He says to Purgatory, “I can not do this. I can not assist you. You are a demon, a monster, and an enemy of man. A beast I am sworn to fight with all my power. I assisted your friends and lady because I did not wish to see innocents die. However you saw to it that an entire crowd of innocents died.” It was this statement that caused Purgatory to laugh uproariously. “Those people?! Innocents?! Those people were nothing more than a collection of bottom feeders, cowardly murderers, who hid within the anonymity of the mob to protect them from judgement. Do you know how many of them offered to join, to worship at my altar if only I would spare their lives.” Purgatory asks. Elijah looks down ashamed to have heard of such actions but still remains vigilant as he says, “Cowardice and fear does not negate a man’s right to live. Just because they were weak, did not mean they deserved to die.” “That is where you are wrong!” Purgatory contradicts. “Weakness of any kind is reason enough to kill. This world belongs to the brutal, it belongs to the strong, it is a warriors paradise and whoever has the biggest army and the most swords takes it.” “What about Ophelia?” Elijah asks. “ She is no warrior, she is not strong, she serves no purpose for building an army. If anything she is weakness.” Elijah says, just as he finishes his last sentence, before even he completely says the word weakness Purgatory grabs him by the throat and lifts him high in the air. “Do not speak, of my woman, and absolutely do not attempt to imply that I am weak. For as your are now experiencing, I am quite strong.” Purgatory says transforming from the man back into the demon. Before his threat has any time to sink in a loud piercing scream is heard. It is Ophelia who has returned, terrified by the scene she has just witnessed, one that bare striking resemblance to how her mother died.

Ophelia runs off into the church. Purgatory drops Elijah, who is gasping for air and chases after her. He follows her up the winding staircase. Seeing him she runs faster attempting to escape. She finally reaches the top of the staircase, she sees a door with light coming from all around it. She opens it and runs out. She is now on the roof, Purgatory is not far behind. As he exits the door Ophelia runs to the edge. She screams at him, “Come no further!” Purgatory calls to her and approaches cautiously, “Ophelia, dear Ophelia, listen to me.” “No!” She shouts horrified, “You stay away from me!” “Ophelia please, “ Purgatory beckons to her. “No! Don’t come any closer. You monster!” She cries out now weeping with fear. Purgatory stops and stares solemnly at her. After a moment of her weeping, he finally says, “It had to be done you know.” Thrown off by this, she can only respond, “What?!” “Your mother had to die,” Purgatory says almost sounding remorseful. Ophelia begins to weep even more she cries out, “No! NO! You monster you killed her!” “It had to be done.” Purgatory said again. “WHY!?! Why would you kill her?!” Ophelia shouted, still crying. “She brought me into this world. Made me whatever the hell I am. She conspired with Kharagas to bring me into this world. Perhaps she intended I would never be set free, but she certainly knew I could be. Whether you’re righteous, or wicked, you have to admit what she did was abominable.” Purgatory explains. “No! No you’re lying, you’re a lie!” Ophelia responds still weeping. “I have existed longer than this world, longer than all of mankind. In fact short of God, heaven, and a few angels I am the oldest thing in all of creation. Zacharias was the lie, not me.” Purgatory explains sounding almost regretful. “I loved him and you, you just… you killed him!” Ophelia cries out. “I don’t know.” Purgatory says, “I don’t know exactly what it is I am. Whether I’m Zacharias with a demon’s knowledge and power, or whether I am Purgatory, with a man’s body. Either way, what he feels for you is what I feel for you. I love you Ophelia, just like Zacharias I would go to the ends of the earth for you “If you love me, if some part of you is still Zacharias, then why did you kill my mother?!” Ophelia asks attempting to overcome her fit of tears. “You want the truth?” Purgatory asks. “Of course I do!” Ophelia demands. “Because she would not have allowed us to be, She would’ve taken you from me, and perhaps she already has. But you must know I do love you.” Purgatory explains. “You think that makes it alright?! You think because you say you love me that you can do whatever you want, take whatever you want from me?” Ophelia says her tears replaced with anger. “All I want from you is love,” Purgatory says almost timidly. “I could never love you.” Ophelia declares harshly. Purgatory worrying that he’s losing control of the conversation attempts to calm the situation saying “Ophelia, my dear, you must consider what it is you are saying. You are angry and confused. But you must understand…” “I HATE YOU! Do you understand that!” Ophelia shouts cutting him off. Purgatory hangs his head in defeat he sighs and then transforms into Zacharias. This surprises Ophelia but at the same time she remains resolute in her anger. Purgatory approaches and at first she is afraid. However as he sits down next to her, and seems to make no active move towards her she calms down. Purgatory says to her, “I understand, hell you’re hardly the first person to hate me. However I want you to understand something too. The way things were the life we lead. You, me, your mother, that was all a lie. No matter how much you may want the lie to be true it’s not and nothing can change that. Who I am now, what I am now, and what I have done is the truth. No matter how horribly or grotesque you may view my actions or me they are the truth. However, and this is key, when I said I loved you that was also the truth. Whether it was today, yesterday, or a week ago. The love I have for you is true. It is that true that supercedes all the lies. Through all that has happened, all that has been revealed, that one thing has not changed. My feelings have not changed, if yours have, then I guess you should go.” Purgatory rests his head back after finishing his speech. Then out of the corner of his eye he sees Ophelia getting up and heading for the day. “Wait, where are you going,” Purgatory asks, confused. “I’m leaving, like you said.” Ophelia answers coldly. “Wait,” Purgatory pleads as he quickly gets to his feet, "I was bluffing.” Ophelia ignores this comment and heads through the door, Purgatory follows quickly behind her. They go down the stairs Purgatory still attempting to reconcile, as Ophelia just ignores him. They head through the main recession hall, where the others are waiting. As he sees his master chasing after his lady in frantic desperation Maurcio asks, “How’d it go?” This is the only thing that breaks Purgatory stride as he stops to stare perplexed and annoyed at Maurcio. However before he can say anything he notices Ophelia exiting the church and he quickly follows after her. Once outside Ophelia begins to run shouting back, “Quit following me.” Purgatory does not abide as he continues after her. However once she enters the woods she quickly disappears.

Purgatory sifts through the brush searching for her, but can not see her. “Damnit,” He says to himself, “Where as she run off to.” He continues on deeper and deeper into the woods, unaware that Ophelia had actually not traveled that far at all. In truth she had only gotten a few footsteps into the Forrest before a mysterious man grabbed her. As the mysterious man drags her through the woods, she has been blindfolded and gagged. She attempts to kick and scream but she is unable to break free of his grasp. Eventually she begins to tire, her struggle becomes weaker and weaker. Finally she is thrown down onto the ground. Once freed from the kidnapper’s grasp Ophelia pulls off the blindfold and gag, She sees the man but does not at first recognize him. Until he begins to speak, “You filthy whore, you damned slut, you brought that monster here.” The mysterious kidnapper is in fact the well-dressed man who’s carriage provided a quick escape. It is Artimus. “I did not bring him here, please you must believe me,” Ophelia pleads but the Artimus slaps her hard across the face. “You lying whore, you are the one he came to save, you are the one he seeks. You are the reason all those towns people died.” Artimus says as he grabs Ophelia by the hair and pulls her to her feet. “No, it’s not true I..” before Ophelia can even finish her thought she is punched hard in the face. She falls to the ground in near unconscious. Artimus stands over her. He grabs a large wooden axe from nearby as he says, “And now you shall pay for your sins.” Artimus walks around till he standing just adjacent to Ophelia’s body. He raises up the axe, aiming for her head as he shouts, “WITH YOUR BLOOD!” Artimus violently swings the axe forward, closing his eyes and waiting for the sound of metal breaking flesh. The sound comes and sick smile crosses his face, he opens his eyes and the smile immediately fades. For staring back at him, is a near 8 ft tall man with wings and horns, to him an axe in the shoulder seems about as worry some as a bee sting. Purgatory slaps away the axe while as the wound it left is already beginning to heel. Artimus is terrified as he backs away from certain death. Purgatory calls out to him, “In the future you may not want to shout your murder plans quite so loudly.” Artimus is too terrified to even respond so Purgatory adds, “Although the future is about to be an irrelevant concept to you.” With that Purgatory reared back and punched Artimus in the face, sending him flying into a tree. Knocking him unconscious. Purgatory picked up the axe which had fallen to the ground and approached Artimus’ lifeless body. He said to him, “I would imagine being such a religious zealot you are more than familiar with the Old Testament tradition of an eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth. Then again I guess a more fitting phrase would be, what’s good for the goose, is good for the gander.” Purgatory raises up the axe he swings it back ready to hack off Artimus’ head. But just he begins to swing a voice cries out, “ZACHARIAS STOP!” Purgatory turns back to see that Ophelia has regained consciousness. She calls to him, “Please don’t.” “He tried to kill you,” Purgatory says, “He would of if I hadn’t stopped him.” Ophelia gets to her feet still visibly woozy from being punched she says, “I know, but still I don’t want you to kill him.” Ophelia attempts to walk towards Purgatory but is still too feeling the effects of being knocked out. She stumbles and begins to fall Purgatory drops the axe and quickly catches her. Upon doing so he quickly transforms into Zacharias, as he holds her in his arms. Ophelia continues despite her collapse, “I don’t want you to kill anymore.” “I’m just trying to protect you,” Purgatory says holding her tightly to his body. “I know, but I just don’t want to see anymore people get hurt.” Ophelia says attempting to regain her bearings. Purgatory looks over at Artimus’ still unconscious body and then back down at Ophelia. “Alright,” he says, “I won’t kill him.” Purgatory picks Ophelia up into his arms and carries her as he heads back to the church. As they walk through the woods Ophelia rests her head against Purgatory’s chest.