Tensionborn: fight to survive

Blessing in disguise

Watching from a first-person point of view, a fair lady with jet-black hair, draped in a beautiful white dress and a brown straw hat walks through a field of camellia flowers. She turns around, her hand brushing over the delicate petals.

She giggles softly and spins back toward the viewer, her smile innocent and warm. Plucking one of the flowers, she says, "Iode, come!" She stretches her hand toward the viewer.

Still from a first-person perspective, a hand reaches out to take hers. Just as the hands are about to touch, a bright light flares

Iode's eyes snap open.

"Ha… Olivia," he murmurs, placing his hand on his forehead.

"Who's that your wife? Or a girlfriend, perhaps?" a woman's voice says from beside him.

He quickly turns to see the speaker: a young lady with long, wavy red hair and large emerald eyes. Curved horns protrude from the sides of her head, forming complete circles. It doesn't take a genius to realize she's a demon. Iode immediately springs to his feet and backs away.

But something's off. Where in the world is he? It looks like he's locked inside a dungeon. Just how callous can Valier be?

Secondly, this demon doesn't resemble the grotesque monsters he's used to. On the contrary, she's beautiful, fair-skinned, graceful, has shimmering emerald eyes and flowing hair. She looks more like a goddess than a demon. She's locked in the same cell with him.

"Who are you?!" Iode demands.

"Me? Call me Nivea." She smirks. "So you're the one my dad's interested in, huh?"

Just then, footsteps echo toward the cell.

"I'll be seeing you soon," the demoness winks before disappearing into black flames.

"Huh? What kind of demon is that? Wait… she's Valier's kid? Then she's a devil? But she's too gorgeous to be a devil. Even Valier is miles away from pretty." He monologues to himself.

"Mortal, you are awake. Lord Baran would like to see you," a demon with four arms announces as it opens the cell door.

"What does that control freak want now? Couldn't even provide a decent place for an unconscious person to rest. A devil is a devil after all… they lack compassion." Iode mutters as he steps out of the cell, noticing his hands are cuffed. The restraints pulse with energy he can't cast even if he tries.

He follows the demon to Valier's presence.

"So, where do you want to send me now, bastard? Wearing me down last time wasn't enough to satisfy your amusement, you callous freak?" Iode snaps.

"You seem to be getting arrogant, Iode. I can always remove that for you," Baran Valier says, uncuffing him.

"We both know I owe you nothing. Bringing a mortal to the underworld is against the rules, and yet, here I am. You want to kill me, but before that, you want to work me to the bone, making me do—kuek!!"

Before he can finish, Valier uses an invisible force to choke him mid-sentence. Iode grunts, suspended.

"Quite daring of you to speak so bashfully to me. Something must be done about that insolent mouth of yours..." Valier begins.

Suddenly, a four-armed demon bursts into the room, panic etched on his face.

"Lord Valier, forgive the intrusion, but I bring urgent news."

"Speak," Valier says calmly, though his voice carries thunder.

"My lord, it's Cerberus. He's racing this way!"

"Cerberus…" one of the lieutenants mutters. "He must've caught his scent."

"This is perfect," Valier grins. "Iode de Pandavatton, I'll make a wager, make Cerberus retreat, and I'll reduce your remaining trials."

Valier releases his grip. Iode gasps, catching his breath.

"That one coming here… he's someone strong and important, isn't he? You wouldn't make such a wager if this were an easy task," Iode says, still panting. "Fine. If it means I'll get to see my kids faster, I accept."

"Excellent. It's an agreement. Make Cerberus retreat, and your punishment will be lifted."

"And I'll be sent home," Iode quickly adds.

But

"Off you go!" Valier snaps his fingers.

"Valier, you bastard!" Iode yells as he's instantly teleported away.

"My lord… there's no way he can defeat Cerberus," the right lieutenant says. "He can't even convince him to leave. Cerberus obeys only Hades."

"On the contrary," Valier replies, smiling. "We may witness something quite spectacular. Who knows, perhaps he is the second Hercules."

---

In a red land riddled with jagged terrain, lava flows endlessly on the horizon. Iode stands still, gritting his teeth.

From the distance, a massive three-headed canine approaches, its body metallic and red, its throat glowing with inner flames. Serpent heads coil along its back, and its tail is shaped like a giant snake.

The beast snarls, each head baring its fangs. Its fiery orange eyes lock onto Iode as it prowls forward like a predator with its prey in sight.

Despite the overwhelming menace, Iode holds his ground.

"So this is Cerberus… another ugly monstrosity, I see."

****

In an ethereal and majestic dark building with jagged edges and towering monuments, exotic plants and flowers, seemingly out of place in the red land that exudes ash and lava adorned the surroundings. Under a dark crimson sky, the contrast was striking.

The building's architecture, though dark, was elegant and reminiscent of ancient Greek styles. Contrary to the ominous atmosphere, the plants and flowers were lush and vibrant, displaying a spectrum of colors rarely found in the underworld.

Within this aesthetic structure, numerous mystical beings—cyclopes, minotaurs, and other mythical creatures roamed freely. However, suddenly, they all moved to either side of the walls and bowed, showing utmost respect to a figure floating in the air.

She was an ethereal beauty, with long dark flowing hair and a feminine stature, robed in deep, shadowy garments. Behind her stretched large, dark wings. As she moved, a trail of dark energy sparkled behind her like a trail of stars in a night sky. Her face, though mysterious and shadowed, radiated a captivating allure.

Gracefully, she floated forward and entered the building.

"To whom do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Nyx, primordial goddess of the night?" a figure seated on a throne spoke.

The throne was carved from an obsidian-like material, adorned with intricate runes and elaborate designs. Its occupant was a handsome man with silver hair, wearing a red toga. He leisurely ate grapes as he addressed her.

"The pleasure is all mine, Hades. Even though we dwell in the same realm, we rarely cross paths," Nyx replied.

"That is why your visit is... stunning. Is there something the goddess of night desires from me?" Hades asked.

"On the contrary, I need nothing. However, there is an event occurring that piqued my interest. You see, Cerberus is currently battling a mortal that is not from Earth, but from a world called Heaters. They've been at it for three Earth weeks straight," Nyx said.

"Yes, I'm aware. He is not the first, and he won't be the last. What is it you seek, Nyx?" Hades asked again, flatly.

"As dispassionate as ever. Still, this mortal may be fated to become something like Heracles, perhaps even more, depending on how this ends," she mused.

"Interesting," Hades replied, unbothered.

"Show some enthusiasm, for once," Nyx smiled.

"I have work to do. Anubis and other death gods from various mortal realms keep sending the dead my way. I have no time for idle chatter," Hades said with a frown.

"As gloomy as ever. Even I, the goddess of night, am more lively than you. Whatever, I'll stay until the mortal's battle ends," Nyx said.

"Feel at home. To spíti mou eínai to spíti sou," Hades offered.

"..."

"Well, if you insist... How is Persephone?"

***

Drenched in sweat and panting heavily, his face was blistered and bleeding. His clothes were torn and battered; two of his limbs were gone, his right arm and left leg. Iode knelt, sword in his remaining hand, facing the beast before him.

Cerberus wasn't in great shape either. Deep cuts riddled its body. The serpents in its mane had all been severed. But most shocking of all, one of Cerberus' three heads now lay lifeless on the ground.

The remaining two snarled in rage, but their stamina and healing abilities had been pushed to the brink. Iode had put up a legendary fight, exhausting even the great beast.

Both combatants were near collapse but Cerberus still had the advantage. Iode, unable to stand and barely conscious, was the first to fall. His eyes fluttered shut, and he passed out. Behind him, Cerberus let out a final snarl.

***

Lying in a luxurious bed, Iode snuggled into a pillow like a child. Slowly, his eyes opened. He sat up and stretched, refreshed and whole. His body was no longer bruised or bloodied. His missing limbs had returned. He wore clean clothes.

He blinked in confusion, struggling to process what he was seeing.

"...Wait. Where am I? Is this... a bedroom? And my body, it's healed. Would Valier really be so kind as to put me in a place like this and treat me? Was Cerberus that much of a menace that he'd go this far?" Iode muttered.

"Now that I think about it, I didn't finish the beast off. Was it Valier or one of his minions who did?" He was deep in thought.

Then someone entered.

A woman in a maid's outfit, with braided blonde hair and piercing blue eyes who was stunning in appearance walked in. If not for being in the underworld, Iode might have mistaken her for an angel.

"You are awake. Please rest. I shall bring your breakfast," she said gently, then left.

"Breakfast? Why would I eat food from someone who held me captive and denied me my freedom? What is going on with Valier...?" Iode whispered suspiciously.

Soon, the maid returned with two loaves of bread, syrup, and wine.

"You don't expect me to eat that. Tell Valier I don't need his stupid food," Iode said, subtly angry.

"But Lady Persephone asked me to bring you breakfast," the maid replied.

"Persephone?" Iode repeated.

"Yes. If you need anything else, I'll be just outside. Please call if you need assistance," the maid said and left.

"Persephone... wasn't she one of the big shots that one-eyed freak mentioned? Looks like I've caught her attention. Who would've guessed that fighting that three-headed monster would lead me here... A blessing in disguise," he smirked.

"Still... since when do gods take care of mortals?"