Chapter 1: A Step too Far
The large city of Valley Ring is centered around a river that forms a ring around the inner city. The poor sector of the city is centered around this 'ring', as over time the poorer denizens were attracted to the jobs that were located in the city center. The outer ring was built as the city started expanding outwards, away from the marshy area. In fact, nearly a hundred years ago, the city attempted to drain the marshes around the center, and it ended in disaster. The attempt was botched which led to the center being flooded. It was later drained properly, but the center is still known for being poor and bad infrastructure. The outskirts of Valley Ring became known for being a rich and vibrant area. It quickly became a highly populate city due to the many business and economic opportunities. It soon became a tradition for those who want to make it in Valley Ring to survive the center first.
In the city center, rumors started circulating of a portal to hell being located somewhere in center. There were also rumors of cults popping up in the city center, many trying to summon demons or draw power from this mysterious portal. Eventually, these cultish activities drew more attention from people outside of the city center. People like me.....
I live in the outskirts of the outer ring, the richest section of the city. I spent most of my time inside studying, managing to graduate early at the age of 22. I still looked like a high schooler. Most people didn't know I was part of the Castille family, since most of my family is two shades darker than me. I didn't exercise much either, so I looked way scrawnier than I should be. While I have spent most of my time inside, I slowly started to noticed people going missing near the the college I used to go to. A lot of strange people showed up around there too, but the strangest part was that no one was talking about it. When I brought it up to my parents or teachers they always brushed it off, saying these cults rise and fall to quickly to be a threat. However, I couldn't keep ignoring this, I had to investigate these cults myself.
Following the cult to inner ring, just outside of the city center. Even here, the strange cultists were careful not to disturb the public. They wore dark robes with red stripes outlining the sleeves. It hung down low, completely covering their feet, with pointy hoods obscuring their face. A typical cultist look, one many people have seen before. If they were closer to the outer ring they would have been laughed out of the streets, but here everyone seems to scared to look at them. Due to my small size, I was able to follow them to the city center. I made sure to stay low and keep quiet. The cultists traveled into a forested area, I had to be even more careful. Stepping on a branch could completely outing me, and I doubted I could outrun these guys.
Soon I found my way to a old warehouse, and felt sick to my stomach. This warehouse is infamous for a lot of cult related atrocities, getting caught around here could lead to my death. I was going to turn back, until I heard screaming coming from the trees to my right. A young woman who was about as me was tied up and was being carried like livestock.
"Let me go, please!", she screamed. She was struggling against the restraints, she wasn't a small woman either. You'd think the two cultists would have some trouble handling her, but despite her struggle they had no trouble at all. Their sleeves were rolled up, and I could see their large and powerful muscled arms, clearly straining from holding the woman. Then I saw a larger figure come out of the darkness of the warehouse entrance, fixing a gag on the woman's mouth. Once the goons got inside this figure dragged a long, heavy chain with a oversized lock and completely sealed the entrance. I was going to make a note to report this and come back for whatever is left behind, until I felt a rushing heat behind me, and a hellish wailing behind me.
My back was turned, until I felt the rushing heat behind me. Once I noticed It, I couldn't tear my eyes away. It was a horrifying sight, a pinkish, fiery aura surrounded the warehouse. The heat from the warehouse made me sweat, almost burning my skin. I swore I could see heatwaves, I think I can hear screaming too. It's horrifying sight, one I should be running from.
But I couldn't look away