The Mission

As the underground boxing arena trembled, chaos erupted among the spectators. Some clung desperately to the metal barricades, their knuckles white with fear.

Others stumbled, their legs unsteady, seeking refuge against the cold concrete walls. 

Amidst the chaos, the announcer's face contorted with concern. His eyes darted from one corner of the dimly lit arena to another, assessing the situation.

The microphone trembled in his hand as he leaned toward it, his voice amplified by the ancient speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his tone urgent yet steady, "please remain calm." 

The announcer's heart pounded in sync with the tremors. He had seen countless matches in this underground arena, but never an earthquake during a fight.

But the crowd's panic had erupted like a wildfire. Gasps and shouts reverberated through the arena.

The metal barricades rattled as desperate hands clung to them. The walls groaned, protesting their age, as if they too sensed the impending danger.

A gruff voice bellowed over the crowd, "What's happening? Is it an earthquake?" 

A sharp cry cut through the noise, "Everyone, to the tunnels! They'll be safer than the stands!" 

Screams and shouts echoed in the arena as the others rushed to exit.

Still in the ring, Chayil glanced upward and saw cracks forming in the ceiling. Then, he looked out the glass window and noticed that everyone had already evacuated.

Seeing the ceiling start to collapse slowly, Chayil quickly climbed the stairs to get outside.

As he exited the building, he was met with a chaotic scene: people running for their lives, vehicles banging to escape, explosions, and the sounds of ambulances and police cars. 

Gunshots rang out as police and armies fought against terrifying demonic figures with different horns, some as tall as six to three meters, some thin, some fat, and others with wings, mercilessly killing people by striking and trampling them.

"What the heck is happening?" Chayil asked, unable to believe what he saw.

From a distance of ten meters away, a portal suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of him. Emerging from it was a figure clad in black armor, with a large sword strapped to its back.

It also had horns, standing at a height of two meters.His eyes were blazing, and one could feel the intense dark aura flowing from him.

"What the hell are…" Chayil unconsciously blurted out. But before he could finish his sentence, the fist of the black-armored opponent struck him in the face.

Despite his attempt to dodge by leaning backward, the blow still landed, hurling him through the air. 

Blood streamed from his face, and his nose appeared twisted from the impact.

"He's not just strong... it's like.. he's not even human," Chayil remarked, spitting out some blood.

He quickly sat up, his thoughts racing. "How did he move that quickly?" he wondered, scanning his surroundings. 

Seeing no one, Chayil's senses heightened. Suddenly, an attack came from above, a large black sword aimed directly at him.

Reacting swiftly, he rolled sideways to avoid the strike.

Before Chayil could fully get to his feet, the opponent charged at him, swiftly closing the distance.

With a powerful motion, he brought his weapon down in a crushing smash aimed at Chayil.

As the opponent's strike came down, Chayil swiftly slid along the ground, narrowly avoiding the blow.

Seizing the opportunity, he countered by delivering a strong kick to the back of the opponent's knee, causing him to kneel.

Chayil then rose to his feet and swiftly moved behind his opponent.

As Chayil attempted to grab the opponent from behind, it vanished like smoke and reappeared behind him. Its palm aimed at Chayil's back, and in an instant, a powerful burst of fire erupted, engulfing him in flames.

The intense heat burned Chayil, causing him to collapse in pain.

"What's going on? I can't move! The pain is killing me!" he muttered, struggling to catch his breath.

Suddenly, Chayil saw the figure wearing the dark armor again. Then, without warning, the sword materialized. It was a blade of darkness, hungry for blood. 

Chayil's pulse raced, and he raised his hands in futile defense. But the figure swung his sword for his final blow. 

"No!" Chayil cried out, but the sword descended, cleaving through bone and sinew. Darkness swallowed him, and there was no calmness, no acceptance. Only agony.

And then it was over—the figure withdrawing, leaving Chayil crumpled on the road. Blood pooled around him, staining the asphalt.

His vision blurred, and he gasped for air.

His fingers clawed at the ground, desperate for life. But the world slipped away, and he knew he was dying.

Chayil's last thought was of life slipping through his fingers, like sand in an hourglass. "Is this all there is?" he muttered before darkness enveloped him. 

***************

Heavenly realm…

While lying, Chayil blinked his eyes open, taking in the surreal scene around him. The air felt cool and light against his skin as he breathed in deeply.

All around him, fluffy clouds stretched as far as the eye could see. And despite the brightness of the scene, a sense of calm washed over him.

He stood up instantly, "Wait, where am I?" he wondered. "What happened to me?"

He strained to remember what happened. "I remember I was fighting someone in black armor. Did he kill me? Am I dead?"

His face scrunched up in confusion as he struggled with what happened just a few moments ago.

He was still in a trance from his various questions when suddenly, a smoky figure shaped like a person with wings appeared behind him.

"CHAYIL!" It spoke with a deep, booming voice that made everything around it vibrate, and it called out to him, each syllable like a powerful wave washing over him.

Startled, he jumped forward and simultaneously looked back to see who it was. 

"WHAT THE!!! What even are you!?" Chayil exclaimed in surprise. "And what the heck am I doing here? Am... Am I dead?" 

Chayil was confused. First there were demons. Then there's this figure in black armor. And now what is this creature in front of him? 

"Do not be afraid. I don't intend to harm you." the figure, draped in swirling smoke and with wings spread wide, spoke with a voice that echoed like thunder rolling across the sky.

"Your soul has been on earth for six thousand years," it boomed. "Yes, you are indeed dead."

"Wait, what? Six thousand years? But it felt like just a minute to me..." Chayil's brows furrowed in confusion. "What happened? Why are there so many demons out there?"

"The higher demons have broken the Abyss, and now they are ruling and dominating the Earth. Now, I'm giving you a chance to live on Earth again, but there's one condition: seal the Abyss."

"Why me, and who are you? Are you God? Why can't you save it?"

"Yes I'm the God of all creation, but I can't use my powers for a reason."

"How can I seal the Abyss if I was killed by a demon? Isn't there anyone else? Six thousand years and all this time, no one was able to do that?"

God took a deep breath and responded. "I sent someone every fifty years, but..." He changed the topic.

"Our time is up. You will wake up in someone else's body, with the same appearance as yours."

Suddenly, the whole place lit up, blindingly bright. Chayil had to squeeze his eyes shut against the overwhelming intensity of the light. Still, he can hear God's voice.

"Save the earth. And when the right time comes, I will be with you."

All of a sudden, Chayil felt as if he was falling quickly into a void. With his eyes still tightly shut, Chayil exclaimed, "Wait! I still have a question! Wait! Waaaait!'"

As Chayil disappeared, another figure, shrouded in smoke, materialized behind God.

"Now I understand why his soul stayed on earth for so long." He glanced back at the person and asked, "What do you think?"