The Throne of Chains
Chapter 38
"LOOK AWAY!!"
A deep voice crashed through Eidolon's mind.
Like thunder.
Like command.
Eidolon's vision snapped away from the eye above-
Just before his sanity could completely shatter.
He dropped to his knees.
Hard.
"Ghh-!!"
Blood streamed from his eyes.
From his nose.
His chest burned as if something inside him was being crushed.
He clutched it tightly, gasping for breath.
The entity laughed.
Loud.
Mocking.
"You really are insane, huh...?"
It turned slightly toward him.
"You actually dared to look at that thing above us?"
"Hahahahaha-!"
Its laughter echoed endlessly in the dark space.
Then-
It began to walk.
Slow.
Calm.
Each step echoed like it owned the very void.
Eidolon forced his head up.
Watching.
The entity walked past him-
Toward a throne.
An ordinary-looking throne.
Simple.
Unimpressive.
And yet-
It felt heavier than anything in existence.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The entity climbed the stairs.
One step at a time.
Until finally-
It sat.
Casually.
As if it had always belonged there.
Eidolon's eyes widened slightly.
And then-
A single thought invaded his mind.
KNEEL.
His heart slammed violently in his chest.
THUMP.
His body lowered.
Against his will.
THUMP.
His head dipped.
His knees pressed deeper into the ground.
Something was forcing him.
Commanding him.
Breaking him.
THUMP.
"ENOUGH!!"
Eidolon's eyes flared bright purple.
A violent surge of energy exploded from his body.
The pressure shattered.
The invisible force snapped.
He stayed on his knees-
But his head rose.
Defiant.
Furious.
The entity watched him.
Silently.
No emotion.
Eidolon glared back.
Pure rage burning in his eyes.
Then-
The entity smiled.
And burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha-!"
Eidolon's face twisted in anger.
"What's so funny?!"
His voice echoed.
"Do you really think you can control me? You were try-"
"-That's not why I'm laughing, stupid."
The entity cut him off.
Instantly.
Eidolon froze slightly.
"...Then why are you laughing?"
The entity leaned forward slightly on the throne.
Its smile widened.
"LOOK."
Its voice dropped.
Cold.
Twisted.
"BEHIND YOU."
Eidolon's body stiffened.
Slowly-
Very slowly-
He turned his head.
His pupils trembled uncontrollably.
His breath stopped.
And then-
He saw it.
A dragon.
Massive.
Easily the size of a four-story building.
Its body was made entirely of chains.
Endless chains twisting together to form flesh.
Its eyes burned with a hollow, metallic glow.
Its presence alone crushed the air.
It lowered its head.
Slowly.
Toward Eidolon.
Its mouth opened-
Revealing rows of massive, jagged teeth.
Each one bigger than Eidolon himself.
The chains creaked as its jaws stretched wider.
Wider.
Wider-
Ready to tear him apart.
Eidolon's mind went blank.
His body refused to move.
And in that final second-
Only one thought remained.
"...Fuck."
...