It's been several months since our friends left that town; they are now moving through the desert. After many meters, they find a small, dried-up tree, but it was large enough to cast some shade, so they sat there for a while.
MALEKIN: Hey, HERACLES, I'd like to know more about you. What was it that the other human called you? That you are a... what was it? Oh, right, a hero, that's it.
HERACLES: Well, I think we trust each other enough now to talk about that. You see, I come from a world where men had more communication with the gods, and I am a demigod—though now I am just a mortal. It seems that human knows another "me."
MALEKIN: Wait, what do you mean "another you"? Isn't there just one world and one universe?
HERACLES: No, truth be told, I haven't been in this hell for long, but I've heard many things that confirm my suspicions. I have saved many humans and they have confirmed it themselves. It seems there is something called a multiverse where there are several versions of all of us, but there are many hells for all those multiverses; life and death are very common, but we are just protein for these monsters. Anyway, leaving that aside, I come from a world where I didn't manage to become a god. To be honest, I was set up; the cursed goddess HERA drove me mad (sadly) and I killed my own family. To be forgiven, a king sent me to perform 12 labors. But reaching the last one, which was madness, I had to take Cerberus—a three-headed dog—out of Hades to finish the job. When I was about to do it, HADES, the king of the underworld, grabbed me. In that battle, I stood no chance, and worst of all, HERA was with him; between the two gods, they finished me off, letting Cerberus eat me. The last thing I knew, I appeared here in this hell, which is not my own. In a way, I'm grateful for that, because otherwise, that damn HADES would have tortured me for eternity. Well, boy, that is my story.
MALEKIN: Wow, you aren't someone normal, but you sure are interesting and very strong. Can you tell me more stories from your world?
HERACLES: (happily) Of course, MALEKIN, I never had anyone to share this with. Now, I'll tell you about the time I fought the Nemean Lion.
Our friends stay for a long time telling stories until night falls and they continue through the desert. After walking for a while, they retreat to a cave to sleep. The next day, they keep moving and find someone lying in the desert. Looking closely, it was RENJIT, but he was alone. By this time, MALEKIN was already grown, being the same size as HERACLES; he picks RENJIT up from the ground and shakes him a bit to wake him up.
RENJIT: (opening his eyes) (He gets scared upon seeing MALEKIN and jumps back.) Who are you? And… You, wait, you are HERACLES (he kneels on the ground). Who would have thought that you would find me? Fine, if it's you, it will be alright; could you kill me, please?
MALEKIN gets angry and punches him, knocking him down.
RENJIT: Why the hell did you do that? Who the hell are you?
MALEKIN: You bastard, how the hell do you give up so fast? Do you think you can get rid of your life just like that?
RENJIT: What do you know? Do you think it's easy to have the deaths of several people on your conscience and live alone? I almost went crazy being by myself; you think you know my pain, you damn monster.
HERACLES: Hey, stop it MALEKIN, leave him alone. Now, explain yourself, RENJIT. What happened to those who were with you? And… what happened to you?
RENJIT: (crying) I told you to help us; we aren't fighters like you, but why did you abandon us?
HERACLES: Don't blame me for your own mess; you didn't deserve to be protected. Tell me once and for all, what happened to you?
RENJIT: (glaring at him) Fine, you bastard. After we left, a month passed and we were doing fine until a demon who called himself BACON found us. (MALEKIN and HERACLES look at each other). It seems this monster was heading to the town where we were and, on his way, he killed us without mercy. I only took advantage while he was killing everyone else to flee; he didn't even bother to chase me. I truly didn't know what to do (desperate).
HERACLES: Well, make up your mind already: do you want to die or live? It's up to you.
RENJIT: You are the worst (he resigns himself). Okay, you win; just finish me off, please, do it quickly.
MALEKIN: (Lifts him up by the neck). You want to end it that easily, seriously? Yes, there was a time when I gave up, and I know I'm nobody to judge you, but thanks to someone who had faith in me, I was able to live again and I went through a lot. Do you think I gave up despite everything I lived through?
RENJIT: (in pain) And who the fuck are you?
MALEKIN: (He takes off his handkerchief) Do you remember me now?
RENJIT: You, are you... are you the little demon? You suffered more than we humans did.
MALEKIN: That's right. Now tell me if you want to die again.
RENJIT: (crying) How is this possible? How did you survive? Wait, did you help him? (pointing at Heracles) Why? You don't help anyone.
HERACLES: The truth is, I only help those who want to live by their own hands; he proved that he did want to live. And you, what do you say?
Annoyed, RENJIT bends one of MALEKIN'S fingers to make him let go; MALEKIN releases him and steps back.
RENJIT: (looking at HERACLES) Fine, if you want to test me, I challenge you to a fight and we'll see who has more will to live.
HERACLES only nods, and MALEKIN steps aside; the two stand face to face, and RENJIT proceeds to strike him. However, HERACLES doesn't even flinch, taking all of RENJIT'S blows, which do no damage at all. HERACLES strikes him, throwing him several meters; RENJIT stands up and grabs a stone to throw at HERACLES. This time, HERACLES dodges the attack and strikes RENJIT hard in the stomach, but he does not give up and bites HERACLES'S leg. This results in him getting kicked in the face, but he does not let go. HERACLES, surprised, keeps kicking him, yet RENJIT still won't let go. After a while, he manages to tear a piece of flesh from HERACLES, but his face was already badly damaged, and he falls unconscious. HERACLES looks at him, sees that he lasted a long time, and smiles at him. The next day, with his wounds already healed, RENJIT wakes up with a start.
RENJIT: What happened? I lost, didn't I? (sadly)
HERACLES: Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't accept you. You did it; you proved that you want to keep living. Lucky you (smiling).
MALEKIN: Good for you, RENJIT. Now you know what it means to cling to life to keep moving forward.
RENJIT looks at them, starts to cry, and thanks them. After a while, once things had calmed down, the three of them continue advancing as good companions. Now, five months have passed, to be exact. Our friends reached a rather strange intersection where "Mictlán" was written, and further ahead, an intensely dark cave could be seen.
MALEKIN: What the hell is that cave?
HERACLES: From the reports I've heard from other humans, that place is very dangerous; that is the path to the king of this place. That is all I know.
RENJIT: It's interesting. Do you think we should go in?
HERACLES: No, I think we will keep moving in the other direction.
After a great distance, our companions stay in a place far removed from that cave and sit in an area where there were many rocks everywhere. They make a campfire with all the dry wood found in that spot, always hearing many wails in the distance; after all, they are in hell.
HERACLES: You know, the three of us together is strange—who would have thought? You two have made me change my way of thinking a bit; it's good to travel in company sometimes.
MALEKIN: You know, I was thinking—in this place, which has various materials, we could build a city for ourselves and bring humans here to protect them.
RENJIT: Hmm, it's possible. With our strength, we could be the masters of a place, don't you think, HERACLES?
HERACLES: (sighs) Let me think about it; I'll give you an answer tomorrow.
Our friends go to sleep, each on their own, and HERACLES climbs onto a large rock to think. The next morning, HERACLES is still on that rock, and from below, MALEKIN and RENJIT look up at him.
MALEKIN: What do you think HERACLES will say, RENJIT?
RENJIT: I don't know, but I think he has changed during these days we've spent together.
Out of nowhere, HERACLES drops to the ground and looks at them seriously.
HERACLES: You know, we've been together for a long time, and I believe this place deserves a great change. So, I agree with your idea; let's do it.
The two of them rejoice at the decision. HERACLES, off to one side, was remembering his wife, who once told him that his strength was meant for protecting. For some reason, he had forgotten that—perhaps because of the melancholy he felt—but he remembered it now. A year has passed since the idea first arose, and the friends managed to finish; the city was immense, looking like something out of a dream. The three of them had built this massive city and intended to fill it. After a while, they head to the palace to discuss what comes next. Once seated in a hall, they begin to talk.
HERACLES: Well, gentlemen, now that the city is finished—it took us quite some time, especially without proper tools, but we managed—well done to us. So, what's next? I'm listening.
RENJIT: I propose that we explore separately to find things to fill this city and rescue as many humans as possible.
MALEKIN: He's right. We would need to be many to protect this city from the demons that will surely want to attack. We have to be realistic: this peace won't last. We are far from the torture fields, but we must never let our guard down.
HERACLES: You are quite right; tomorrow we will all set out. I recognize you both as very strong people; I see your training over these years has been spectacular, so I trust you. That will be all for today; we have a clear plan.
The next day, everyone leaves to explore. After ten months, they return with some humans. RENJIT was the first, bringing about ten humans; then HERACLES, who brought only two; and third was MALEKIN, who brought no one. Once they settled the humans, the three of them headed to the palace to discuss what happened.
HERACLES: Alright, it's time to hear your reports.
RENJIT: I went very far to the south. You won't believe what I found: an enormous river; you could say it has no end. There is a monster there, a giant iguana. I had to run away from that place. On my way back, I found a demon colony where they were torturing humans, and I rescued several of them. I had to sacrifice some to escape. I managed to kill a few demons; I didn't know what else to do, and then I wandered with the survivors looking for more, but after months, I returned to the city.
MALEKIN: Interesting. Is there anything else to mention?
RENJIT: Oh, yes. Some humans told me that the demons talk about an island at the end of that river, but I'm not sure, since I saw nothing but water; it looks like an ocean.
MALEKIN: Hmm, interesting. I could have rescued many, but I couldn't. I found a great forest—it was mysterious. I entered that place and got lost, but I found interesting things there. There are very strong monsters; I was fighting in that place for months. I also encountered a very powerful god; he beat me in an instant but didn't kill me, which was strange—he only said he hoped to see me again someday. Also, while I was with that god, we managed to see another very powerful being; he calls himself BELL, but he only bothered us and left. I managed to get out of there—it cost me a lot—until I learned a very interesting technique, and here I am. Nothing more to report.
HERACLES: Everything you say is interesting; so, to the south, there is a great river to search, and to the west is that great forest MALEKIN mentioned. But the most important thing is what I have to tell you: I had five people to bring back; what happened is that some demons attacked me, and they were very powerful. Most importantly, they said there is a cursed king much stronger than they are. That is truly troublesome; we must train more, become stronger, and find more people. I'm not sure how to find more allies—what do you think?
RENJIT: That sounds good to me, but remember that not all demons are good; perhaps we should leave this job to MALEKIN. He must know how to deal with them; after all, he faced a god.
MALEKIN: Yes, that's no problem for me; you two keep training and looking after this place.
HERACLES: Alright, it's decided; these coming months we will dedicate ourselves to training, and MALEKIN will look for more demonic allies—but don't neglect your own training. RENJIT and I will bring more humans to this place later.
MALEKIN: Consider it done.
RENJIT: Well, is that all for today? We'll take our leave.
HERACLES: Indeed. Before you go, I have a bad feeling about this king, so train seriously, boys. (Everyone gulps).
Months have passed; in this time, our friends have trained very hard, and HERACLES has become much stronger than usual. It seems he has regained his demigod powers. RENJIT also became very strong, but the one who stands out most of the three is MALEKIN, who with his new ability can easily exit the forest where he trains extensively against the mythical beasts found there.
During all this time, he has brought back demons and has shaped himself in that forest, becoming a powerful beast. In the time that has passed, the humans guarded by HERACLES have increased to 150; the city is now much more alive. Of course, all of them have integrated with the demons who followed MALEKIN and work hand-in-hand with the humans.
A time of wonderful peace was passing, and MALEKIN covers his horrific smile with his handkerchief so as not to scare the humans—especially now, as his body was that of a very large, muscular being that commanded respect when he walked. But this moment of peace was about to be interrupted. One day, a demon soldier runs into the palace to warn those in charge.
DEMON SOLDIER: Lord MALEKIN, Lord HERACLES, Lord RENJIT, there is urgent news.
MALEKIN: Calm down. Tell me what happened. Why are you so worked up?
DEMON SOLDIER: We are receiving reports from the south; ten kilometers from our position, a demon army is gathering and heading toward this place.
Everyone is stunned.
RENJIT: What the hell is going on? Why right now? Don't you think it might be that king?
HERACLES: It might be. Soldier, what else do you have to report? Is there anything more?
DEMON SOLDIER: I'm afraid so, my lord. The one leading the enemy forces is a superior demon; we don't know his name, but he is massive.
MALEKIN: Without a doubt, it's that guy—that "king"—because I can feel a great power emanating from that direction.
HERACLES: Fine, there's no other way. Soldier, prepare all the demons and humans; we will face the enemy.
DEMON SOLDIER: Yes, my lord, I will make all the preparations. (He runs off).
HERACLES: I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it so soon. That monster certainly gathered enough people to attack us. Alright, friends, let's start the preparations for this fight.
RENJIT: Yes!
MALEKIN: We'll crush them to pieces.
Meanwhile, we see the enemy army gathering on the outskirts of the city. A mysterious figure mounted on a horned tiger-like monster looks toward the city.
MYSTERIOUS DEMON: These bastards certainly built something big here, hahaha, but I will destroy it all. I won't allow humans and demons to live as equals; they are nothing but food for us. I swear it by my name, MAMMON, the King of Greed! Wahahahaha, hahaha!
As he laughs, a massive army is visible behind him. Our friends take their positions at the top of the city walls, with a great army of demons below waiting for the battle. How will it all end? We will find out very soon.