Is Hell Really That Beautiful?Is Hell Really That Beautiful?
Blood soaked the ground beneath my body. The black crown weighed on my head like a death sentence. Ritual amulets of gold and black diamonds tinkled against my pierced chest. My hands, riddled with bullet holes, still clutched the ancient grimoire I'd been hired to steal.
It's so beautiful, but…
My clothes—marked with terrorist symbols—were shredded by the shots. Twenty, maybe more. I couldn't even feel the pain right anymore.
No… I don't deserve heaven.
With the one eye I had left, I saw a path of flowers rising toward the sky. The sweet scent brought back nostalgia and hid the smell of death from the ground where I lay sprawled.
With every petal that touched me, a memory returned. Clear. Painful. The first petal brought hope.
My Lord, hear the plea of a sinner…
I remembered the days in the monastery. The morning prayers, the vows I made in secret. The smell of candles and meditations in the rain. It was simple and good. I wanted to be a guide, to make my family proud. To serve Christ. That boy died a long time ago. What was left was an idiot teenager who would have become an even worse man if he hadn't been stopped right then.
The second petal brought regret. My mother's death. My father's. The escape from the monastery. The first touch of a gun. The strong smell of gunpowder. The first body on the ground. It all started there. And it brought me here.
The third petal brought the end. A nonstop cycle: robberies, contracts, gunshots. The same gunshots that were killing me now. The blood around me was the same blood I'd spilled in every heist. It had all been for nothing. I never even wanted the money.
The crown on my head—"What irony. I'm going to die like no one else, while wearing something that looks like a demonic king…"—I whispered my complaints, but the blood filled my throat and slowly choked me.
Grant me eternal suffering, O Lord…
I whispered in my mind with whatever strength I had left.
…and let the perpetual black light of hell's fire shine for me. May I be condemned in peace.
—"Amen."
In that instant, a flower bloomed on the grimoire. It opened in twelve layers of petals. An enormous rainbow orchid, stained with my own blood. I'd never seen a flower so beautiful. The scent was childish, like baby powder and caramel. Maybe I would've tried to eat that flower out of sheer naivety .
The flowery path doesn't disappear… am I really going to heaven?
My eyelids could barely stay open. I closed them for a second, but the flower ignored my body. I kept seeing it even without looking, like an aura piercing my skin. A sound woke me again. Something like a wind chime repeating the same sequence:
Ding! Ding! Ding! Dong! Dong! Ding!
**[Walker selected by the Vernof-Jacophaim Flower]**
What?! Who the hell is that?!
A youthful voice emerged, like someone reading aloud. Like dictating a record. It sounded like a child's voice, but the anguish in my chest was too heavy for that.
**[True Will assimilated: Rejection of the Sacred]**
This is… wait, is God a kid?
The roots took the ground, shining like something ethereal. I didn't feel them, but I sensed them slowly claiming my body.
**[True Will assimilated: Acceptance of Sin]**
The flowers began to spread. They consumed my body. The blood. The traces. Even the cops who shot me were swallowed by the petals. The pain simply vanished.
This scent is so good…
The childish voice then declared:
**[Walker's Book: A Cyprian Tale — The King Crandopaeus]**
**[You have just been registered in the Zohar library as a member of the Xehmahipnu universe, transfer initiating.]**
In an instant, as short as a sigh, I was on my feet.
Where am I?!
The place was cold. I looked around for any reference, but everything felt empty. The breeze moved in circles around me without ever hitting me head-on. I was standing on water, walking normally like nothing was in the way.
—"Is my reflection dark?" I asked on impulse.
I couldn't recognize myself in the water below. The scent of flowers filled everything—pleasant at first, but nauseating after a while. The environment was so flat the horizon line was visible. Above, clouds and a golden sky. Below, a lifeless gray ocean.
Is that where I'm supposed to sink?
My thoughts were cut off by a serene voice:
—"No. That's for other people."
I spun around fast. The calm horizon turned into a whirlwind of winds joining sky and sea, as if the air itself were the bridge. A strange feeling gripped me.
What the hell is this sensation?! Am I… scared?!
I shouted:
—"WHO ARE YOU?!"
A gust shot out from the center straight at me. The pressure hurled me meters away.
Help!
The waters formed waves and slowly carried me back to the figure that had appeared. It was a man. Long, flowing silver hair, flowers scattered across his olive-green suit—the same ones from the grimoire—blooming without roots. The scent grew stronger, numbing my senses.
Is this guy God?!
He smiled.
—"Not even close. Don't give me credit that fast."
His eyes had no pupils or irises. They were glass orbs reflecting a shifting labyrinth. Every change in his expression changed the paths inside them. I stayed silent for long seconds.
He opened his mouth:
—"You're pretty annoying, aren't you?"
—"What?"
That wasn't what I expected after death. My mind scrambled for sense:
Is this a demon? Am I dead? Is he going to drown me?
The man laughed. He plucked a small flower from his suit and offered it to me with elegant, gentle grace. I took it.
—"So? What happens to me now?" I asked, terrified.
He stared at the clouds for a long time before answering:
—"The same thing that happens to everyone in this era."
—"Is there going to be a judgment? Am I going straight to hell?"
Silence again.
—"I'll keep it short so you understand, thief."
—"Y-Yes, sir…"
—"You're extremely stupid."
—"Huh?!"
—"You're not dead. And you're going to stay far from death for a long time."
—"What?!"
The ocean beneath me spun into a whirlpool. A huge rainbow orchid rose around me. I lost all movement and felt an insane heat.
—"What is this flower?! What are you going to do to me?!"
He replied:
—"You were stupid for thinking it was the end."
—"AND WHAT DID YOU EXPECT ME TO DO?!"
—"Nothing. It's just disappointing that a man chose to punish himself."
The petals began to close.
—"The reason you didn't die… is the Vernof-Jacophaim Flower."
That orchid saved me?
—"No. You were never going to die. You were already destined to be taken by it."
—"How do you read my thoughts?"
—"You belong to my universe now. I know everything about you."
Finally I asked:
—"Why are you doing all this?"
He answered calmly:
—"Because one day one of you will have to come kill me, Walker."
The flower closed. And my consciousness vanished.
I was falling through darkness. I had no strength to move, and little by little the panic faded. My body temperature swung between freezing hypothermia and burning carbonization, yet I felt no pain.
With every shift, a static memory. It was like flipping through the pages of a book, a photo album of my life. The memories froze at age fourteen and rewound. This repeated for so long I can't even measure it. The only way I could track each new cycle was the sounds in this place.
Are those birds?
Each song was distinct, each vibration different. Until I heard the bells again.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Dong! Dong! Ding!
The flower's scent returned. This time I could feel the vines and their arrival too. At that moment I had the faint feeling that dealing with it would be a recurring thing.
I'm definitely eating this flower one day…
The voice spoke again:
**[Walker registered — Code 99911218 of the Xehmahipnu Universe.]**
It's the same kid…
A number. Like I was just a file. Hearing it gave me a deep, uncomfortable feeling.
What a huge number… how many came before me?
**[Condition Selected: Hybridism]**
Eh?
Curiosity hit me. The kid sounded like he was building a character in a video game, but we were talking about my life—or what was left of it.
**[Species Selected by Xehmahipnu: Homo ekthronis and Draco abyr'tanus]**
Homo? I'm some kind of human? And what the hell is an Abyr'Tanus?
For a brief second I heard the kid laugh in the background. Then I felt a flicker of anxiety, like something was wrong.
**[Attention, Walker! Due to the Hybridism Condition, you only have 14 points available for distribution.]**
RPG?!
A sequence of sensations hit me. An arm seemed to grab me. Then I felt like I was plucking five leaves. Next came rain—only ten drops touched me. A single pulse in my head. Three presences. One breeze. The strangest was the last: five waves that made my whole body vibrate from the inside out.
**[Your initial attributes after awakening the Sixth Sense.]**
[Strength]: 1
[Constitution]: 5
[Dexterity]: 10
[Intellect]: 1
[Influence]: 3
[Mentality]: 1
[Vibration]: 5
Seven attributes. And they're a complete mess. Am I really that weak?
The shock of the numbers took all my focus. I didn't even stop to think how insane it was to be assigning points in some cosmic stat screen. The kid gave me a few seconds to read, then spoke again.
**[Attention, Walker! Tell me how you want to distribute your 14 points.]**
Can I talk?
—"Hey, can you explain what each one does?"
**[Negative. I am not responsible for explaining internal universe processes. Choose intuitively.]**
Did I just get a polite "figure it out"?
—"Can't you help me even a little?"
**[Do you wish to run a random distribution? Confirm if yes.]**
That sounds like a terrible idea.
—"No, I'll do it myself."
**[Affirmative. I will wait for your response. Fourteen points, don't forget, Walker!]**
Eh… guess I have to work with what I've got. I'll focus on what I actually lived through.
I spent a long time thinking about which attributes to pick. I revisited moments in my life where I needed each one. I was always fast and I always survived the worst.
But what the hell do I do with this Vibration?
**[Attention, Walker! Have you decided on your attributes?]**
—"Yes. But first tell me one thing."
**[I cannot explain internal matters, Walker. It's not my job.]**
I already got that the first time, jeez…
—"Are you Vernof-Jacophaim?"
The silence was answer enough. What crossed my mind wasn't worry—it was trying to understand what was really happening. If the kid was in charge of all this, then the so-called Xehmahipnu wasn't the top authority. Maybe the kid was God.
**[What are your attributes, Walker?]**
—"Okay, I get it."
She ignored me…
—"Add 6 points to Dexterity, 5 to Vibration, and 3 to Constitution, please."
**[Affirmative! Here are your initial attributes:]**
[Strength]: 1
[Constitution]: 8
[Dexterity]: 16
[Intellect]: 1
[Influence]: 3
[Mentality]: 1
[Vibration]: 10
Eh, I tried…
**[Initiating reflowering.]**
And here we go again…
The falling feeling gave way to levitation. Like a flower, I rose from something thick and dull, as if surfacing from mud. Then I felt the flower open. And what I saw completely shattered my sanity.
In the first sliver of light, I saw buildings. Not like the ones in my city. They were colossal, built on an exaggerated scale. Neoclassical architecture gone megalomaniac. The sidewalks on the horizon looked four meters high. Well-dressed people walked along them. Below, wide, poorly kept streets full of humble folk.
When the flower fully opened, I was stunned. It was like my world. Normal cars, people in everyday clothes from my time. Everything felt ordinary, yet strangely distant from everything I'd lived.
The cold breeze snapped me back. The first shiver made me notice something I'd never felt before. A sound like knives clashing, followed by the feeling of skin splitting open. When I looked at my arms, I couldn't believe it.
—"I HAVE SCALES?!" I yelled on instinct.
What I saw was nothing human. My hands had claws. The scales were silver, sharp as blades. The texture felt like metal. They covered my hands completely, climbing to my elbows.
I looked around for a mirror. I was on top of a building for sure. The flower around me was disintegrating into dust. The moment I stepped out, a shock wave exploded through my body and shook the entire building. City alarms started blaring, and my claws grew on reflex.
Danger… danger… I'm in danger!
I ran to the stairwell door and started racing down. I had no idea how tall the building was. As I passed residents, they screamed and some fainted the second they saw me. I apologized and asked what was happening, but most ran before I got an answer. When I passed the elevator, I caught my reflection.
It wasn't just my arms. My neck, my left eye, my legs, my back—everywhere I'd been shot had turned monstrous. The scales tore through the clothes I was wearing: long purple fabric, like something from the ancient Roman Empire.
Suddenly uniformed men burst in armed with rifles. My instincts moved before my brain. With one swipe I shredded the elevator door like paper and punched through its floor, claws tearing metal and concrete. I dropped in free fall, claws gouging the walls to slow my descent.
How?! How the hell am I doing this?!
I burst out of the building the second I reached the lobby. Kids around me screamed; mothers pulled them close in protection. A constant doubt pounded in my head. I knew this wasn't normal. What human has scales? But their reaction told me everything.
There are monsters here… and I'm one of them!
I sprinted through open streets while terrified citizens stared. I clawed straight through a wall. It was weird—everything I touched parted like butter and reacted like non-Newtonian fluid. After tearing through a few house-like structures, I got tired and ducked into a dark alley.
New sensations flooded my mind. Waves were closing in. Something was coming…
A puddle outside the alley reflected the light. When I looked down, I saw my face clearly. Blond hair with silver streaks. My left eye was a snake's eye, glowing black light. My right eye had an orange iris.
This isn't my face! This isn't me!
The waves grew closer. My metallic scales vibrated in answer. My claws began glowing with black light, just like the monstrous parts of my body.
Adrenaline surged. My heartbeat thundered. Pressure built behind my eyes. My nose picked up:
Two metal gauntlets.
A gold badge.
Rare blood… rare blood…
My mind kept repeating the warnings. The closer the waves got, the more I locked onto those signals. My body stood up on pure instinct and I felt it.
Above!
At the top of the alley stood a woman. Short, voluminous brown hair, fair skin, tactical gear.
Military?
Athletic body. Metal gauntlets on her hands. Gold badge at her waist.
So beautiful… wait—IS SHE GOING TO TRY TO KILL ME?!
I was mesmerized for a second, but the wave shattered it. Her eyes glowed deep, dark blue like beacons. Something in my body screamed attack, but a voice inside made me speak:
—"That badge is going to be mine."
—"As if you could take it from me…"
—"It'll end up in my hands—whether you're alive or not."
What the fuck am I saying?! I don't even know who she is!
Her face hardened. She jumped down. I couldn't talk now. My body arched like a cat ready to fight. When I extended my claws, she released two waves.
When I first saw the waves I had 5 points and felt 5 waves… yeah, I get it now.
She stared at me for a long time, fists up like a boxer. Her style was clearly fast punches—that explained the gauntlets. Before I could say anything, a kick came from my left. I dodged.
I focused on her hands, but she used her feet.
A barrage of punches flew at me. She was an incredible fighter—solid, lightning-fast. My eyes struggled to track her, but somehow I didn't need to.
I'm faster… but I definitely don't hit harder.
She never spoke while fighting. If I kept taking hits like this, I'd get tagged for sure. I tried to watch her moves, but the urge was so much stronger.
I want that badge…
That's when I threw my first strike. She dodged back, avoiding the claw slash, and I buried them in the ground. It was the opening she needed. Her kick landed.
The impact was loud—embarrassing loud—but that was all.
What? That's it?
My neck didn't even budge an inch. I felt the pain, but she only managed to turn my face. For a split second I felt the same arm sensation from before. Just 1.
So we have the same strength?
Her eyes widened. She stepped back into stance. My hand slid out of whatever I tore like it was nothing—she must have dodged the worst of it. She still didn't want to quit. For a moment I thought about trying to talk, but the urge wouldn't leave.
—"I might not kill you, but I want the badge."
—"You're not taking anything from me."
—"I'll definitely kill you if I don't get it, so pray I take it off you."
What the hell am I thinking? I don't even know what the badge does!
Her face changed again. Pure anger. She charged, closing the distance. My chance. I raised my leg for a kick—but my shoes ripped apart.
—"WAIT—I HAVE CLAWS ON MY LEGS TOO!"
I planted my foot, abandoning the kick. Her eyes flared brighter and a gauntlet punch connected, splattering my blood. On instinct I grabbed her collar and flipped her over my body toward the ground. She clung to me in a jiu-jitsu move, but my scales sliced her skin and forced her off.
Shallow cuts appeared across her clothes, blood slowly soaking through. I tried to hold back my body and my words, but instinct was winning.
She didn't look old. Actually, her face made her seem as young as me.
Maybe she's just a girl?
She stood and backed up, guard up again. That's when I felt something in my hands.
I GOT IT!
An overwhelming rush of satisfaction hit my chest. It was almost as good as collapsing after a full day's work. I'd felt this before. The harder the job and the more valuable the prize, the better it felt.
This feeling killed me once… but damn, it feels good.
—"Took you long enough to notice, huh?" I taunted.
—"What are you talking about?"
The badge was in my hand. Her reaction was stronger than I expected. She looked stunned.
—"A monster shouldn't look proud. Not a monster like you…"
Silence stretched between us in that dark alley. This definitely wasn't how I wanted to meet a woman, but I was curious. Most people just screamed. No one else gave off those waves.
Why are you different? Are you like me?
My questions were cut off by a judging stare and an unexpected question:
—"Why did you warn me about the badge?"
—"Huh?! I have questions too, you know?!"
—"Why didn't you kill me with that kick?"
—"Why are you trying to kill me with kicks?!"
She lowered her head for a second, thinking. I'd never been more lost. I felt satisfied holding the badge, so I didn't want to fight anymore—but why? She should want me dead, so I should want to defend myself. Was my body only capable of that?
She spoke again:
—"Are you half human? That's impossible."
—"What do you mean? Aren't monsters like this?"
—"Of course not. Monsters don't spare people."
—"Then I guess I'm not a monster."
She stared at me with clear suspicion. The conversation sounded stupid to both of us, but I was being completely honest. She looked hurt and tired. I felt like I could keep going for hours. I didn't know how, but I figured it had something to do with the new stats.
—"Girl… who are you, and why am I dangerous?"
She flinched. She looked at my face like I was insane. That's when energy filled the alley. I saw the flowers again—and so did she. She started backing away slowly, but before she could escape, a wave released another shock burst of the same power as before.
A book appeared between us, radiating black light and wrapped in an orange energy dragon. Chains shot out, connecting my chest to her neck. I heard the kid's voice and the damn bells again.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Dong! Dong! Ding!
This has to be a joke…
**[Congratulations, Walker. You have acquired your first Wanderer. To confirm, recite your ENN.]**
What? What is this kid talking about?
That's when the woman's sweet voice turned into pure terror. She screamed:
—"THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING ON MY TURN!"
—"You know what this is?!"
—"A Walker… in this generation?!"
That last line was all I needed. That man—Xehmahipnu—he called me that. The kid kept calling me Walker too. It's a recurring term, I guess.
—"So you have answers? Good. Sorry about this."
Now I'm going to find out why you're so scared…
—"Hey, wait!" she begged, desperate.
All or nothing!
I grabbed the book, opened it, and my mind flooded with the same meaningless phrase. On pure instinct I spoke:
—"I declare that you are my possession while you exist, and that you will serve today, tomorrow, and forever, as my weapon, my follower, and my worshiper—and so be it! Ceras Raspen Andras Mundai Dentaz Ortigen Perpetus Estos Untae, King Crandopaeus!"
The flowers, the chains—everything dissolved. The book's pages flipped endlessly and then went dark. The last thing I saw was the woman collapsing and the book snapping shut. The cover was ancient, like an old grimoire decorated in black and gold. The title was what caught my eye most.
A Cyprian Tale…