To live with the belief that one must suffer to deserve joy turns delight itself into yet another burden. This logic, embraced as divine law for generations, eventually corrupted even the earth that upheld it. Contrast became flesh and stone: a sickly balance between punishment and pleasure, pain and salvation. And so, the world changed. The difference between day and night faded. The land, cracked and barren, stretched endlessly, and among the dust rose the broken skeletons of towers that once dared to touch the sky.

  At the town's heart looms the grotesque monument of the cathedral blackened stones. Its towering arches, with the beheaded statues of holy figures, weathered by time and despair, leer down from their perches, some with their scalp intact tracked with their hollow eyes any who dares to approach to the massive iron door, guarded by two colossal stone guardians clutching massive swords resting against the ground, stands broken and half-open, its heavy hinges groaning with every whisper of the wind. Inside, boundless darkness started swallowing the space carrying the weight of the unknown until nothing else is left but a pure void of nothingness.

  Then.

  A dim glow flickered within the darkness, delicate at first, then steadily growing stronger. The source came from the blue fire hovering above a calloused palm, its soft glow illuminating the figure beneath it. The blue reflected at the bald man standing tall, his presence formidable, his eyes concealed beneath carefully wrapped cloth with a stern yet composed expression. Shadows danced across the intricate runes etched into his skin and worked muscles, ancient symbols pulsating with faint energy.

  Luisin moved forward, his steps cautious yet steady. The flame over his palm cast flickering illumination along the path, revealing figures in the darkness. More statues, perhaps, maybe looking eyes? Or something else.

  Suddenly an impact.

  His foot struck against something solid, stopping him mid-step. He shifted instinctively, muscles tensing, adopting a defensive stance. The light in his hand surged, casting a stronger glow upon the obstruction.

  A severed head.

  The creature’s horns curved wickedly, its skin leathery and thick. The deep, single gaping wound riddling its face with a single eye left no doubt—it had been slain not long ago, shot multiple times in the same spot before it had fallen. Luisin’s fingers twitched, but he did not react beyond that. He had seen death before.

  Beyond the fallen freak, he found his objective.

  A small altar stood on top of a climb of stairs in the center of the room. The fire sphere of light drifted from his hand, settling atop the stone surface, and at once, the forgotten windows above flickered with life. The remnants of stained glass, long dulled by dust and time, now glowed faintly. The light spread; its reach was limited yet powerful.

  At the very heart of the chamber, the glow converged on a single point. Luisin stepped forward, his voice barely more than a murmur.

  "May I never set my heart on earthly things but always seek the eternal. Help me to live in charity and mercy with those in need, just as thy teachings live with me every day."

  A distant sound, deep and mechanical, stirred beneath the stone. Hidden gears, ancient yet intact, began to turn. Dust and rubble trembled as from the center of the pedestal slowly emerged a tiny shining jewelry box.

  Luisin’s hands hovered over it as the box started to shiver. It pulsed beneath his touch, as if it had been waiting—expecting. He hesitated for only a moment before his fingers curled around it, lifting the strange artifact. It was small, unremarkable in weight, yet its presence felt wrong. Then, he pried the lid open.

  Consequently, he started coughing from the smoke screen coming from the box. The monk gasped at the sight of a body, folded and compressed in a manner no human should be capable of. Limbs contorted, twisted, packed within the confines of the tiny space. And yet, it was alive. Watching with wide, teal-colored eyes. And so, the figure bursts forth. It erupted from the box with unnatural speed, his body snapping, twisting, convulsing as he stretched free from his confinement. His limbs cracked grotesquely, shifting, reforming, until at last, he landed on both feet, steady as if nothing had happened.

  -Today’s sponsor is our solar panel for a sex machine! - yelled the brown skinned man dressed in a deep purple long coat with gold accents, cinched at the waist with belts turned in a spin pointing with his two fingers to Luisin -What manners, I’m Katsby “Abyzzgazer” with two zz! Thanks for saving my twerker! - His high ponytail snaps through the air, its thick strands flicking outward with a sharp fluid motion. His long asymmetrical bangs sway, some strands lifting before falling back into place, framing his face with a wild yet effortless motion.

  -Where is it?- Lusin’s voice cut through steady and demanding

  -Here is the one everyone’s crying over!- declared Katsby theatrically poking the monk with his elbow -Everybody whines so hard specially those struggling with change, you of course totally know what I mean.

  Luisin’s face remained frozen in an unyielding and unmoving expression as a Moai statue.

  -With that look I bet some distant tea tasters would love to add you to their collection- Katsby waved a dismissive hand as he turned his back casually striding toward the exit -Anyway, thanks for saving me, gallant and charming agent of change. Your gleaming eyes will forever live in my memory-

  Before he could take another step, a vice-like grip clamped onto his shoulder. With a sudden, unnatural force, Luisin spun Katsby around multiple times before lifting him clean off the ground by the throat.

  Katsby kicked and squirmed, struggling against the inhuman strength pressing down on his neck.

  -You’re a funny man eh? A very funny man -the monk threatened with a deep voice -Where is it?-

  -C-come on buddy… fi-finders keeper-

  -Where. Is. It?!- Luisin shook him violently

  -I-I don’t know! D-did you check under those massive tits of yours?!- spitted Katsby with a grin.

  A thick vein bulged on the monk’s forehead as he clenched one of his fist, blue flames bursting from his grip ready to strike-

  Tiny metallic spheres tumbled from under Katsby’s coat as soon as they touched the ground a chain of imposions erupted, deafening the chamber and filling it with dense smoke. Luisin stumbled back with his hands covering his ears.

  Through the chaos, Katsby twisted free as a violet hurricane and bolted into the thick haze, his silhouette disappearing as his scarf started turning into a hood covering his gaze.

  “Eminence in the shadows” he proclaimed dramatically as his figure starts turning black.

  A flash of blue light tore through the smoke. Luisin face soared through the air, landing directly in front of Katsby.

  -CHE-YOU CHEATER SON OF A BI-

  The monk moved faster than words. His hand snapped forward, twisting Katsby’s neck with a swift, precise motion. The man crumpled to the ground.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  A glint of silver tumbled from his coat, a beautifully crafted hilt, gleaming even in the dim light. It bounced once, twice, before coming to a stop.

  -We were all created for a reason… Some to be vessels, carrying purpose accord the tide. And then there’s you, a stray, drifting aimlessly, useful only as a tool to serve the ambitions of others. That’s the order of things. You can’t change it. Deal with it- the monk slid the hilt into his coat.

  A low, sinister chuckle rippled through the air. Luisin Froze.

  The severed head of the fallen beast jerked violently. It single eye hanging with tendrils snapped open. Horns jutted outward, its skeletal frame rapidly regenerating, tendon, muscle, and skin weaving itself back together, until finally, it stood whole.

  -The Twilight Corruptor…- muttered the monk as the twisted, massive chimera towered over him, its two enormous horns scraping the ceiling, shaking the ground with every step.

  It roared, shaking the very foundations of the chamber.

  Luisin’s muscles tensed, his tattoos igniting in a vivid blue glow along his arms and chest.

  The ground shattered beneath him as he teleported, appearing behind the beast in an instant, fist drawn back.

  He swung.

  The chimera reacted instantly, twisting its massive head and blocking the strike with its horns. The impact sent Luisin flying across the room, slamming him into the stone wall with a devastating crash.

  The chimera charged, its enormous horns aimed straight at him.

  Luisin gritted his teeth, pushing off the ground.

  The instant before impact he caught the beast by the horns as for a moment, there was a deadlock.

  Then a brutal punch to his ribs as the chimera’s massive fist crashed into Luisin’s side, sending pain surging through his body. His grip faltered. The beast’s horns pressed closer, mere inches from impaling him.

  -Azula… AZULA STRIKE!- yelled out with a guttural growl.

  Blue-light flames erupted from his tattoos, snaking up his arms and engulfing the beast.

  With a surge of inhuman strength, Luisin wrenched the chimera by its horns and hurled it across the chamber, its body crashing into the cavern wall.

  Without hesitation, he jumped swinging his fist, carving the air itself as a colossal blue phoenix erupted, its wings unfurling as it shot toward the beast.

  The chimera barely had time to react before the phoenix collided with its chest.

  A violent explosion ripped through the building, tearing the beast in two, its body disintegrating in an eruption of blue flames.

  The sheer force of the attack blasted open a new exit, light pouring into the chamber from the outside world. The flames lingered, casting a spectral glow through the cavern, illuminating the aftermath.

  Luisin exhaled, the blue fire flickering around him before fading away. He straightened, rolling his shoulders. A slight smirk flickered across his face as he prepared to leave.

  BANG! BANG!

  The sharp crack of gunfire rang out. Luisin’s body jerked forward, two bullets tearing through his back, one piercing his chest, the other striking his head.

  He collapsed. Lifeless. Dropping the hilt.

  A pair of shining revolvers glinted through the fading blue flames. Standing atop the embers, Katsby emerged, guns still smoking one a long-barreled revolver, the other a multi-barreled pepperbox, both aimed confidently at his fallen foe. With a flourish spin in the air, he holstered the pepperbox.

  The flames crackled beneath his boots, but Katsby remained unmoved, basking in his own triumph.

  -Classic! Power pulled straight from nowhere so cheap! – He smirked as he spined his revolver -Besides you should really pay more attention I mean SUPER HYPER FLEXIBILITY BITCH! That’s my rizz! Did you think the little box was just playing origami with me?! Also, the Twilight Corruptor gets stronger with the souls of the fallen! Killing not-killing me was so stupid! GOD! I’m ten steps ahead of you! You have no idea how good I am at thi--

  Suddenly a massive shield slammed into his side, sending him flying out of the flames.

  A strikingly handsome man of pale skin and long ears showing his elf kin, his dark blonde hair long and layered, with loose strands framing his face. Clad in gleaming silver armor with a flowing cape draped over his shoulders, and a white tabard covered his chest. A scar ran over his left eye, and a sharp goatee extended from his chin, tied neatly with an ornamental band. He carried a large, angular shield in one hand and a sheathed sword at his side. Stood over Katsby’s former position, looking mad and entirely unimpressed.

  -WHAT THE HELL, KATSBY?! DON’T STAND ON THE FIRE! - He yelled

  Katsby groaned from the ground, his face pressed against the cold floor, butt in the air and legs curled beneath him. In a strained voice, he muttered -The… the best part… about my brilliant exploits, dear Maxihan… is how often I have no idea what I’m doing-

  With a sigh, Maxihan raised his sword, a ray of light bursting from its tip, washing over Katsby’s body, mending his injuries with a warm glow.

  -According to my calculations, your 'exploits' keep setting us back from reaching our quota- He muttered -Here. Heal up.-

  Katsby sprang to his feet, brushing dust off his coat.

  - My loins-I mean, my exploits! will take us far beyond any quota once we sell this relic to my bidder! Work smarter, not harder. Though, I wouldn’t have minded a little help getting it-

  -Our original plan didn’t involve coming to this hellhole at all. And the journey here was unnecessarily long. This is better to be worth it. What relic are you even talking about? - asked Maxihan with crossed arms.

  -What do you mean, 'what relic'?!- Katsby blinked -The super-prominent, super-glowing hilt right over- He turned then froze -Where the hell is it?!-

  "Are your eyes deceiving you mortal?" A booming echo cut through the confusion.

  A blinding streak of light and lightning shot across the cobblestone floor coming from the explosion’s opening, leaving thunderous echoes in its wake as a figure raced alongside the beam, moving at lightning speed zig zagging around until resting itself over the top of the altar. A vague humanoid silhouette shape formed, encased in a swirling sphere of electricity. As it started to dissipate a dazzling young woman with wide white eyes, long, straight black hair, tied just enough to stay out of her face, wearing a tailored blue coat with layered belts and high boots walked the stairs. A crystal ball hovering on her right hand, and the glowing hilt hold in the other.

  -Mortals! I’m ten steps ahead of you! – manifested the woman with a silky yet commanding voice. As she moved, bolts of light flickered around her, illuminating her like camera flashes– You have no idea how good I’m at this-

  Katsby unholstered his revolver with a spin and fired the hilt knockin it from her grasp, and sending it soaring through the air. The still-spinning revolver fired again, redirecting the hilt perfectly into Maxihan’s open hand. Then Katsby tossed the revolver into the air, caught it, and holstered it in one smoothy motion.

  -Why- Why did you ruin my monologue?!- Yelled the woman

  - Please don’t act like Katsby, Thunderlord. One of him is enough. You still have a future- growled Maxihan

  -I can’t help standing out, no matter where I go. Don’t blame good ol’ Thunderlad for knowing quality -Katsby smirked adjusting his rolled-up wrists - Anyway, with this, we should be set for the night. Let’s bounce-

  Thunderlord growled as she walked near her companions, suddenly a booming familiar voice interrupted their exit.

  -Stop right there, criminal scum! – The shining bald of the monk Luisin appeared again with not a single wound, flanked by two additional warriors, one with black clothes wielding a giant scythe and the other a man with fur instead of skin revealing huge claws ready to strike.

  - Damn, you got back fast, smooth head- grinned Katsby

  - And worse, he multiplied…- Maxihan raised his sword to his opponents -Alright Katsby hold the front right, Thunder flank them from the left-

  -MORTALS! Prepare to face the wrath of the thunder! – Thunderlord clapped her hands as bolts of lightning spread around her.

  - Oh my, oh my, I’m going to shit yourself! - Once again Katsby spun both revolvers crossing his arms and pointing them

  - This stupid game keeps draining our wallets… Screw it. CURSED SCOUNDRELS, HAVE AT THY! – Maxihan yelled

  Both groups charged roaring their battle cries, and then!

  Some sank into the ground and walls, others floated into the air, spinning in bizarre, physics-defying motions, some jogged in the same position without end, bodies twisted, teleporting, flipping in random directions. And suddenly a massive notification popped up:

  "You have been disconnected, please check your connection."

  In front of a screen sits Katsby, the real Katsby, a thin brown skin young man, huge eyebags under his brown eyes, and his brown ponytail with an asymmetrical bang a close as his virtual avatar, suddenly screams.

  -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! WHAT DISCONNECTION?! THE INTERNET! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE INTERNET?! -