City of Sinners

Chapter 13

It took us another silent minute before we could get to the main gate of the cemetery. After what Solomon told us—about the River of Fire found outside of this place, the whole aura between us, has instantaneously turned silent. A grim kind of silence. 

Even me, I didn’t bother to take any effort in removing our awkward silence. That time, all I craved for was the non-existing noise as I think and reflect on different things—especially on what Solomon has said. 

So, this place is really becoming the hell? Our city, the grandest Sao Garde, is starting to become a complete replica of what the hell looks like? In all honesty, I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to succumb to the fact that this once feastful and well-developed city has become the darkest spot on Earth. Somehow, I know that I kept on wishing that this things were all just nightmare.

But the truth and the reality does not always collide with my wishes. 

When we finally reached the gate, the first thing that I surely saw was the burning color of the river. We were hiding at the corner of the gate, afraid that there might be Sinners outside the cemetery that would spot us vulnerable. At this point, I have learned that Sinners are creatures that we should avoid—not keep on fighting and killing.

“So you’re telling the truth,” I whispered to Solomon. 

From my peripheral vision, I saw him looking at me with forehead scrunched. “Of course. These are times of no lying,” he said.

 I didn’t answer. I know earlier that he wasn’t lying. It was just an expression of mine—because even though he was not lying, I am the one who kept on lying to myself. That these things are not true. 

But damn it was.

“What do you think we’re supposed to do?” Valour asked. 

“I don’t know either man,” Solomon replied. “It’s too risky to go outside and observe. We are not familiar on this place, and we don’t even know whether there are more terrifying, worst creatures other than that creature who tried eating Sitri.”

Hearing that, I started to remember the terrifying form of that creature. It was not the horrible features of him that I became terrified, but because of the fact that I almost die—giving me a slapping idea that Sinners would not hesitate to kill us: eat us alive. 

“We should be careful,” I said. 

I continued observing the river from the place where we are hiding. Indeed, instead of clear and crystallized water, it has now turned into magmas and fire. It was slowly flowing in the river, obvious that all of those were thick substance of the hottest materials that could only be found at the center of the earth. 

But aside from that, I have observed something peculiar in that river. At first, I thought it was just an illusion that was being made by the swirls of heat from magma and fire. But as I kept on observing; kept on staring at the flow of the river, it was not just an illusion. Right there, on the river of hell, were hundreds, no, thousands of an almost translucent figures of human bodies swimming on it in a horrible desperate manner—as if all they want to do is to escape from the punishable river. 

Right at that moment, wind swept towards us, bringing the weeps and cries of human souls swimming in the river of hell. Just by hearing them, I know that they were suffering. I know that they were facing extreme and painful punishment from the sins that they have committed in their lifetime. And it gave me enough chills. Hearing their screams, and cries, and prays, I almost crumble from where I stood. 

This … this is hell. The place where sinners were thrown. This place … the once a grand and lively city … has now become … the city of hell. The city of sinners.

With worry that I might lose composure of myself, I bit my tongue. That way, I can keep on reminding myself that I should not let myself be defeated with fear that was sneaking inside my chest. But damn, it was hard. Everytime that we will hear the surge of horrifying screams and moans and pleads of those human souls, I could not help myself but to slowly fall on my knees. The strength that I had just recently got back, were all being sucked away by those unpleasant cries. 

“Can we just start to move right now? I … I am uncomfortable with those sounds,” I said. I did not face Valour or Solomon as I requested to move. It was because my eyes are starting to get watery. I was about to cry because of fear; because of the definite horror from the thought that I might be swimming in that river of fire if I do not repent and seek for forgiveness. From that, I bit my tongue harder to prevent the risky falling of my tears.

“You are not just the only one who is uncomfortable with that, Sitri. The three of us. And if others found this place too, I know that they will all be panicking from fear,” Valour said to me. 

“That is why we need to endure those weeping of the human souls, and make a move with extreme caution. If we don’t want to end up also swimming into that terrifying river, we need to think accordingly,” Solomon added. 

I got their point. It was not just me who were suffering from mental panic as we continuously hear the sound of those souls begging for forgiveness. Valour and Solomon too—and perhaps also other people who were near to that river. But what are we supposed to do next? With this kind of fear, with this kind of panic that was forcing to enter inside our chest, can we think of a wise move and plan? We’re afraid that Sinners might spot us; or perhaps, other creature more terrifying from those Sinners. When that happens, we will be forced to engage into another fight. But what if our skills and abilities were not enough to defeat whatever kinds of creatures found inside this circle? Dude, I am starting to get freaking. 

We were in the middle of undefined silence, in deep thoughts and worries, in fretting as we think of plans, when a calling sound had erupted from the bushes, outside of the cemetery’s gate. 

“Psstt!” it called. 

Frantically, we all looked at the source of the sound. There was nothing but the cluster of leaves and grasses trying to survive from the heat of the place. Because of that, we hid at a better spot. We thought that it might be a sinful creature that was trying to trick us. 

“What was that?” Solomon asked in whispers. 

“Maybe a Sinner. But more intelligent than the others,” Valour answered. 

But from that bush were the calling snapped, a human voice came popping: “Damn it, dudes. I am a human. Part of Owls,” then he grunted, “Why did I even volunteer in the search and rescue team?” then a bit of silence. “Guys, listen, one of you shall look ten o’clock,” he added. 

I listened to him—whoever he was—and there I spotted something.  

“See that black figure with long horns there? We should worry about that one,” the man from the bush said. 

“What is that creature? Was it a Sinner?” I asked, whispering that is enough for him to hear. 

“Wait, H—Hold on. Is that you, Sitri of the Vultures?” he asked. 

“Yeah. Along with me is Valour of Vultures and Solomon of Ravens,” I answered.

“Damn, I was about to rescue golds,” he said. If ever the situation we are in is not as serious as this, then I would have laughed at his remarks. 

“Answer me, what is that creature?” 

“That’s a demon, as obvious as it was, esteemed Sitri,” he said. The addition of the word ‘esteemed' before my name almost sounded an insult for me. But I let it slide.

“Where was it looking?” the man asked.

“Away from us,” I answered. 

“Okay. If that so, I’ll try to sneak towards you in a cool ninja-like manner. Watch me,” he said. Then, he got out of the bush where he was hiding—in a sloppy and stupid ninja-like way. He almost tripped from running towards us and his facial expression doesn’t look any cool. It was the face of a terrified man wishing that a demon would not see him running stupidly. 

When he finally reached our position, he was already catching his breath and smiling awkwardly towards us. “Woah, the cool golds of the gang world is right in front of me, staring at my awesomeness,” he said. “Uhm … I am Agos, the coolest and most awesome gang member of the Owls. Part of the recue division, and I am here to help you.” 

“Rescue division?” Solomon asked. 

“Yes, esteemed Solomon. When the groups of gangs were reunited just an hour of two ago, Jeross of the Eagle gang assumed leadership towards all of us, not until you, esteemed Solomon would come back. Glad I found you, esteemed Solomon.” 

“Remove the word esteemed before telling our names. You’re weird,” Solomon said.

“Yes, esteemed—” he stopped, “uhm … steamed rice. Hehe.” Agos scratched his head from awkwardness.

“Where were you all hiding, Agos? Are there safe zones here too?” Valour asked him. 

“Yes, esteem—yes, Valour. Gaston thinks that every Circles of Hell has safe zones inside. And I am here to guide you towards it.” 

“That’s a good news,” I said. “We’ve been trying to think of ways to get out of this place.” 

“That’s why I am here. I will help you right immediately,” he said with a bright smile. Then, he looked once again to the black-colored creature standing from afar. “We just need to be wary of that mofo over there. It was a terrifying creature. It was too powerful that when the Owl gang fought one of its kinds, half of us were instantly killed. Including our leader.”