Descendant of Sloth

A roar of chaos echoed through the burning depths of hell. The ground beneath trembled as shadows clawed at the air. Demonic screeches reverberated, their voices piercing and countless screams splashed the flames of fire in torment and fury. 

In between of the screeches, few guttural voice of a man and a woman broke out deep. 

"Pride... you..." 

"Lust, this isn't..." 

"Wrath's rage is consuming...!" 

Another voice, trembling with dread, screamed, "He has opened his eyes... Oh no!!!" 

And then, through the chaos, an angel descended, wings unfurled, black aura shimmering like spilled ink on a scarlet sky. Its eyes were shut tight, but its very presence radiated sorrow and dread. It came from the heavens, like a fallen star. 

"Sloth! Wake up! Open your eyes!!" A voice cut through the endless cycles of horror, desperate and commanding. 

Ring* Ring* 

The shrill sound of my phone jolted me from the dream—or was it a memory? My eyes slowly open, lids heavy as if the weight of the world pressed down on them. 

The sunlight coming through the gaps in my curtains, golden lines filled my dim room. My mind was foggy, and my body felt stuck to the bed. 

Groaning, I reached for the ringing phone on the nightstand. My fingers fumbled, and it slipped from the stand, falling directly on my face. 

"Ouch!" I muttered, finally snatching it up. The screen was blindingly bright. 

"Hello...? Who is it?" I asked, my voice cracking from sleep. 

"ADRIAN!!! YOU'RE LATE AGAIN!" Henry's voice exploded through the phone, each word like a dagger stabbing my ears. 

"Oh?" I squinted at the time and felt my stomach drop. An hour late. And five missed calls from Henry. 

"Crap. I'm dead," I thought. 

"You've got ten minutes to haul your lazy ass here," Henry barked. 

"Fifteen," I negotiated weakly. 

"TEN!" He hung up. 

I tossed the phone onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. "Why do mornings exist?" I muttered. 

Dragging myself out of bed, I brushed my teeth, splashed cold water on my face, and stared at the mirror. My long black hair fell messily over my face. I ran my fingers through it, trying to set it a little atleast. I forced a smile on my dead face 

"Cringe," I said, letting my expression settle back into its usual bored. Pulling on my black jacket, jeans, and boots, I put my bag over my shoulder and stepped out of my apartment. 

As I locked the door, a familiar voice called out. 

"Adrian!" 

Turning, I saw Arlo, my childhood friend and next-door neighbor, grinning at me. His blonde hair shone in the morning light, and his usual cheerful demeanor was contagious. 

"Hey," I said, 

"You're always working," he said with a mock pout. "I miss hanging out with you..You even ditched on that trip I planned!" 

I sighed. "This Sunday, for sure. I'll make it up to you." 

His face lit up. "Oh, really? You promise?" 

"Yeah, yeah." I waved him off, walking past by him. 

As I started down the stairs, Arlo called after me. "Going on another expedition?" 

"Yep." 

He shivered theatrically. "Kill them all, Adrian. Don't let them come near here, or I'll die of fright." 

"They won't." I said, waving my hand in the air without looking at Arlo. 

The streets were quiet as I walked to the bus stop at Hallway 3. Waiting under the sign board, I plugged in my earphones, listening music. The bus arrived, and I climbed aboard, taking a seat near the back. A group of girls whispered, sneaking glances at me. I ignored them, gazing out the window instead. 

What can be except from the comments on my face that I am handsome blah blah blah 

When I arrived at the forest clearing, the air was cool and sharp, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth. My team was already gathered, eight people in total. Henry, our leader, wasted no time yelling at me. 

"Adrian! Late again! I'm cutting your pay this time." 

"Please don't yell," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'll be on time tomorrow." 

"You say that every time!" he snapped. 

The argument was cut short by Hina, who bumped my shoulder as we geared up.

"Got yelled at again, huh?" she teased. 

"It's routine now," I replied with a shrug. She laughed, her voice sweet and musical. 

The expedition began with our usual efficiency. Henry led the way, giving orders as we moved deeper into the forest. The trees grew denser, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out the sun. 

*Grrrrrr* 

The first host appeared—a man with glowing red eyes and blood smeared across his face. 

"Take him down!" Henry ordered. 

One of my teammates zigzagged forward, slicing cleanly through the host with a curved blade. 

But more emerged from the shadows, their forms twisted and monstrous. These were complete hosts, their humanity erased. 

"Take them down and leave no chance for them!!" Henry Commanded. 

We summoned our weapons in our hands—swords, daggers, chains. I summoned a dagger, its blade gleaming ominously. A host lunged at me from behind. With a swift motion, I spun and cut it down, blood spraying the ground. Hina fought beside me, her movements smooth and deadly as well. 

"Keep moving!" Henry shouted! 

We pressed on, cutting down hosts as we advanced. By evening, the forest was eerily quiet, and we decided to call it a day. 

We were packing our bags, the heat of the day still clinging to us. Around me, my team was catching their breath, some drinking water, others wiping their faces with tired smiles. 

"Great job out there," Henry said, his voice steady and reassuring 

"You did well," Hina added, her words soft but sincere as she handed me a water bottle. 

I nodded, my response brief but enough. "Hmm, Thank You." 

—Blink* Blink* 

As we were packing up, Henry's walkie-talkie crackled. 

"Red alert in the city," a panicked voice said. 

Henry stiffened. "Where exactly?" 

"Hallway Street 3," came the reply. 

The blood drained from my face. "That's where my house is," I whispered. 

The team exchanged worried glances. 

"Let's move," Henry said, urgency in his tone. 

The ride back was tense. Hina sat beside me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Everything will be okay," she said softly. 

But the knot in my stomach tightened as we approached the street. When the van screeched to a halt, I jumped out and froze. 

"What the heck-" 

The entire area was engulfed in flames. Buildings crumbled, their left over part remains against the fire. Complete hosts swarmed the streets, their twisted bodies feasting on the bodies of the humans. Among them were larger, more menacing figures—demon hosts, their mouths twisted in cruel grins as they tore the living humans and ate them calling them tasty. 

My knees shivered. My breath hitching as the horror unfolded before me. This wasn't just an attack—it was a massacre.