Chaos: Genesis

Spero clutches his chest, a searing pain engulfs his body. He collapses to his knees, panting and gasping for air as sweat beads on his forehead. Gradually, the agony ebbs away and his breathing returns to normal.

"Your power is very intriguing; however, it eats your body from the inside. Your mind will eventually corrode."

Spero stands up and wipes the sweat and blood off, "I completed the trials, what's the item?"

The spirit unlocks a hidden vault, the doors creaking open to reveal a solitary pillar standing in the middle of a chamber. Spero slowly steps forward, pausing as his heart starts to thud in his chest. He turns to face the spirit, eyes wide with apprehension.

"Ah, you can feel it as well, you have keen senses", the spirit praises Spero.

"Is this...it can't be?"

Spero draws closer to the pillar and notices a glittering object in the stone. A ring made of a gold insect with a deep blue gemstone, and inside of the gemstone was a magic seal.

"Yes, that is the artifact of a master sorcerer, the ring of King Solomon. The very ring he used to command demons to build his temple."

"Why are there still the souls inside?", Spero questions as he can faintly hear the voices calling out.

"These were his minions, they were not released before his death, therefore they remain imprisoned."

"Why are you giving me this...a tool to control demons isn't something you just hand to anyone."

"I believe that a day will come when you will be able to wield this power, and if any demons approach, you can ward them off with this tool, consider this a protection against the unknown."

Spero reaches out and grabs the ring, feeling a sinister energy emanating from its surface. The spirit bows its head and an intense light radiates around Spero's eyes. He opens his eyes to find himself standing in front of the bronze gate, which he promptly passes through. A chill runs through him as he looks down at the ring, twirling it between his fingers as if mesmerized by its mysterious aura. The ring moves steadily towards his fingertip, the voices of the demonic souls emerging from the ring growing louder with each passing second. He can barely block them out as he brings it closer and closer, little by little. The ring almost on his fingertip, their calls and chants threatening to overwhelm him. Spero suddenly hears the harrowing growls and screams of the souls, jarring visions filling his head. He drops the ring, watching it bounce and spring across the floor. As he reaches down to retrieve it, a presence of pure nothingness invades his senses. He draws his sword. Standing before him is Azrael, the Angel of Death. He hastily tucks the ring into a small weapons pouch at his waist.

"A holy artifact of that caliber should not be in the possession of a mere mortal."

Spero sheaths his sword, "Once a divine object is gifted to the mortal realm, deities cannot confiscate it."

He pivots on his heels and strides away, when suddenly Azrael materializes in front of him again.

"That may be true, but if you use this divine object to break a universal law then all bets are off."

"I won't be using this device any time soon....unless I'm given a reason to."

Spero and Azrael stare at each other holding their ground.

"You smell of wickedness...I've come to warn you, Spero, we have given you opportunities to work with us, but those chances are no longer."

"I have no interest in helping you deities, leave me be. I get to direct my life as I see fit, without all of you interfering with my endeavors."

Azrael leans in, his gaze burns into Spero's soul. His ghostly face shifts, morphing into a skull as darkness and red energy radiate from his empty eye sockets. Black wings protrude from his back and Spero's heart seizes in his chest, the rapid beat echoing in his ears like booming drums.

He stands frozen as Azrael looms over him and threatens, "If it wasn't for Chronos I would have killed you many years ago, but we have laws. If there is even a slight chance that you bypass our jurisdiction, I will cut you down."

"Your rules mean nothing to me."

"I can take the lives of a million souls with a mere thought...do not test me."

Spero takes a step back as his body quivers, "Are we done here?"

Azrael stands up straight and changes back to his original form, "Be careful about how you use your powers next, we have tried helping you in the past, do not regret your decisions."

Azrael disappears. Spero's eyes pinch down in anger.

Azreal enters the divine realm. He enters the Timekeeper's chambers and approaches him, "Why must we keep this boy alive? Ending his life would make it easier."

"We don't know what the repercussions would be if we killed him. Without my full powers, I am unable to see far into the future....and his future is especially uncertain.", the Timekeeper flips through some pages of text with a whispery rustle, then levitates the books in the air and moves them around. "We must wait, out of all the potential threats he is the most unpredictable."

Azrael agrees and leaves the Timekeeper's chambers.

After a week, Spero returns to Anshan and takes a stroll around the palace. He reaches into his weapons bag and takes out the ring, admiring its intricate engravings. A faint whisper echoes from within, hauntingly beckoning him ever closer.

"Brother you've finally returned!", Cyrus strides in from behind, a cunning look in his eye.

Quick as lightning, Spero slides the ring into his pocket. Cyrus halts mid-step and sizes Spero up warily, his expression quickly shifts.

"You said you would be careful."

"I was."

Cyrus approaches and removes a bandage from Spero's arm, blood trickles down, "And yet you're covered in wounds."

"That's what happens in battle."

"Allowing the enemies to injure you? You are the best fighter I've ever known, yet you willingly allow yourself to get hurt."

"I have to hold back; you said it yourself I can't be using my powers often."

"I'm not talking about your powers, and you know that."

Spero looks to the side, "It's all part of my training, if I can keep fighting while injured, I'll be ready for any situation."

Cyrus grabs his shoulder preventing him from walking away, he raises his voice, "You are not to blame for what happened to your father!"

Spero shoves Cyrus's hand away, "I have somewhere to be."

Spero walks away and Cyrus looks at his palm which is smeared with Spero's blood.