Fight!!!!\n\n[[Win|Page 30]]\n\n[[Lose|Dead]]
Fight!!!!\n\n[[Win|Page 26]]\n\n[[Lose|Dead]]
Fight!!!!\n\n[[Win|Page 8]]\n\n[[Lose|Dead]]
[img[malevolence.jpg]]\n\n[[START READING|Page 1]]\n\n[[ABOUT MALEVOLENCE|About]]
Kalem falls to the ground, his flesh a mass of blood and wounds. He takes deep slow ragged breaths trying to pull the air into his battered lungs. Blood oozes from his mouth and a strange feeling descends upon his body. Lying on his side the room starts to blur and his eyes close. He can hear someone calling his name. This is the End. He thinks. The young man takes his last breath and his life is given to the underworld. He is dead.\n\n[[Restart|Page 1]]
Page 17\n\nKalem sprinted after Nikias down a long corridor. “Nikias wait!” Kalem shouted. “There is no time. We must be fast. Keep your voice down! ” Nikias hissed. The younger boy was running at a phenomenal pace. Kalem could not understand how he could have so much energy. Their footsteps echoed through the stone corridor. The light fell and shadow covered them as they jogged underneath the fire lanterns. The air started to become cold and thin. That is when they finally came to a halt. A huge door lay ahead of them. “Now is the time.” Nikias said nodding. Kalem did not understand. “Time for what brother?” Kalem asked confusion on his face. “Come this way and you shall see.” Nikias assured him, opening the door ahead. Horror spread across Kalem’s face as he saw Abbadon in wait for him. He only had a second to glance the scaled shapeshifter as the monster kicked him from behind launching him into the dark throne room ahead. The door slammed shut. \n\n[[Next|Page 29]]
Page 16\n\n“Wait Nikias! Where are you going? How do you know the way out of here?” Kalem clutched his dagger handle. He had that feeling in his gut. Something was wrong. Why wasn’t his brother more excited to see him? Where were his injuries? Surely he would have been harmed in some way once he was taken to this horrendous place. The younger boy spun around to face Kalem. “Come now Kalem, don’t be worried. This is the way out.” The young boy pointed to the door. Nikias looked frustrated. “No Nikias, I’m not going that way. Let’s just stay here and make a plan to escape.” “Damn it Kalem!!! Trust me!” Nikias roared. That was the moment Kalem knew. He stripped his dagger from his belt and pointed it at the creature. “Where is my brother!?” Kalem spat bitterly. The creature smiled. The figure of the younger boy slithered away as the shapeshifter morphed into a beautiful woman.“Well, you are a tricky young man, how did you get in here alive? Abbadon will be so pleased with me for finding you.” She said in a velvety voice. Kalem was not distracted by her beauty. Only the Gods knew what putrid monster lay beneath this ever changing skin. “I won’t be going to see Abbadon. And neither will you.” Kalem said as he lunged at the monster. \n\n[[Kalem must Fight!|Fight 4]]
Page 33\n\nKalem sat for a long time staring down as the monstrous body of Abbadon lay before him. Black blood spills from the tiny dagger wounds in his gaunt grey flesh. Gods help me. I’ve just killed the Lord of the Underworld. Kalem thinks to himself. He could not think about that now. He needed to find his brother and escape this foul place. Kalem swallowed the vomit that tried to force its way up his neck as a gross smell of death filled the air. He started to cough as the putrid smell clouded the air. Grabbing his dagger and bow, Kalem made for the door on the far side of the room. With one last glance at the evil figure in the room behind he pushed open the door ahead of him. \n\n[[Next|Page 19]]
Page 14\n\nKalem carefully lifted the latch of the heavy wooden door, pushing it inwards to the room ahead. The room was not like others. There were no grim stone walls. A glossy blue lined the walls, reflecting various colours like the ripples of the ocean. The ground was a clear black, with a luminescent sheen like a dilated pupil. There in the shadowy corner was a familiar face. “Nikias!” Kalem shouted. He ran to the young boy and embraced him in a hug. “Are you alright??” Kalem asked, running his hands over the boys face to search for injuries. His brother’s face remained blank show no emotion. “Hi, have you come to take me home? or are you dead too?” he said. Nikias was traumatised. His character was totally different from the beaming lad he had been. “It’s me Nikias. Kalem. I’ve come to rescue you!” Kalem said, shaking the younger boy. Nikias smiled. “I know the way out of here...Kalem.” he said, nodding and smiling. The young boy jumped up from the ground and headed for a door on the far side of the room. “Aren’t you coming?” he said.\n\nWould you like Kalem to :\n\n[[Follow Nikias?|Page 17]]\n\n[[Stay in this room?|Page 16]]
Page 13\n\nKalem rushes from the butchering room behind, leaving Donté the Dark’s body in a heap on the ground. Once more he is confronted by a long corridor. It’s dimly lit and his quiet footsteps fall damp upon the ground. There was a door on his left shaped in the same wooden fashion of before. Ahead lay a soft pine coloured door with gold etching around the frame. A golden hue leaked light upon the ground. He could hear a soft mumble from the door on his left but no noise from the door ahead. Which door should he open?\n\n[[The door to his left?|Page 14]]\n\n[[The golden etched door ahead?|Page 15]]\n\n
Page 11\n\nWith ease Kalem pulled two arrows from his quiver and slid them onto his bow. Donté continued to thrash bodies and yell as he flung limbs into various piles around the room. The vile monster happily slicing the corpses. Now was the time for action. Tensing the bow string and arrows in his hand he took aim. The arrows pierced the air and flew into the back of Donté’s calf muscles plunging into the grotesque skin. The monster roared in agony. He turned swiftly his face pulsing with rage. Gripping the bows in his hand he snapped them and grabbed his cleaver from atop the dead bodies. Kalem attempted to reload his bow but decided against the action as the monster barrelled his way across the room. Before he knew it Donté the dark was upon him.\n\n[[Kalem must fight.|Fight]]
Page 10\n\nTaking a step forward Kalem placed his back flat to the wall, creeping silently around the edge of the room. Carefully placing one foot across the next he made a slow pace. He glanced momentarily to see if Donté had noticed his movements. The monster happily gnawing away at the murdered flesh continued undisturbed. The next move for Kalem would prove to be his most critical. A pile of limbs sat against the wall forcing him onto his stomach. He pulled his body forward through the blood pools edging his way around the pile. As he hauled himself up against the wall he realised with a terrifying shock that the room had grown silent. Kalem inhaled sharply as he saw the eye blinking rapidly from the back of the repulsive man’s head. He reached for his dagger but he was too slow. Donté flung the blade ferociously clipping Kalem on the stomach. The blade sliced his side and he screamed out in pain. “Come on boy, make this fun for me.” Donté cackled. \n\n[[Kalem must fight.|Fight]]
Page 19\n\nThe door banged loudly as Kalem rushed into the room, his dagger bared. He stopped dead. There, hanging from chains, was his brother. “Nikias!” Kalem exclaimed as he ran to his young brother. The boy was drenched in dried blood. His body was battered, his clothes ragged. Parts of his skin had been burned. However, the unmistakable sparkle shone in his blue eyes. “Kalem?” he whispered drearily. “I knew you’d find me.” He said beginning to cry. Kalem held his brothers face in his hands. “This is not over, we must escape here. I need you to be stronger than ever.” Kalem said firmly. Leaning his brother’s broken body against his own, Kalem reached up and unhooked the chains from the ceiling. Nikias fell, his legs giving way underneath him. Kalem held the younger boy by the shoulders, steadying him to his feet. Taking a water bottle from his satchel, Kalem gave it to Nikias. The younger boy drank until he felt his energy strengthening. Kalem searched the room for something to give him inspiration. Anything to help him decide what to do next.\n\nAnd there it was. A small window in the wall. Kalem rubbed the dirt from the glass and peered through. He could see the sun blazing fiercely. There was no time left to wait. Someone would find the discarded bodies he had left behind soon. With all his strength, Kalem began to kick at the window frame. He started to pant as he stomped on the wood. Finally, the rotten frame gave way. The opening was undeniably small, but they would have to struggle through it. “Nikias, you first” Kalem said. The young man hauled himself up and scrambled through the opening. Kalem heard him drop to the ground with thump. As Kalem struggled to pull his body through the gap he heard a commotion from the room behind. The guards had discovered them! Diving to the ground, Kalem quickly got to his feet. Nikias leaned on his shoulder as they ran as fast as they could to the distance. Kalem scanned the horizon. Suddenly a movement caught his eye. One of the slaves struggled on their stake. The young men ran towards him. “Which way to the dark river?” Kalem asked. “Continue.. in the direction... of the sun” The slave wheezed. “Thank you.” Kalem said as he used his dagger to cut the ropes tied around the slaves’ body. Guards ran towards the trio but in an instant Kalem had pierced their necks with arrows. “You will need this more than me.” Kalem said, handing the slave his dagger. The two boys fled towards the sun, ignoring the desperate calls of help sounding from the slaves as they passed. Guards pursued them but as soon as they neared Kalem split them with an arrow. Finally the boys made it to the Dark River. It rushed by as it did in Arcadia, except this time the water was black and the wretched pulled bodies from the water. Kalem only hoped that they would pull them back into the waters of Arcadia. Handing Nikias asclepius weed from his bag the two began to chew as Kalem tied his belt around his and Nikias’ arm so they would not become separated in the water. The magical plant started to sweeten in his mouth and he could feel a strange sensation start to control his body. Shouting began to sound, guards were sailing towards them. Holding tightly onto his brother’s arm they took deep breaths and dove into the icy water.\n\nCongratulations! You have helped Kalem rescue Nikias from the Underworld!\n\n\nTHE END
Page 18\n\nKalem’s heart raced and adrenaline coursed through his veins. He gripped the handle of his dagger with all his strength. “Your courage is admirable. Your heart is kind. And so, we leave it up to the Gods to rule. You will decide your own fate.” Kalem could not believe what he heard. He shakily stood up from his seat. “You are free to go Kalem.” Arlina said, gesturing to the door on the far side of the room. “Thank you.” Kalem said, nodding to the three. He drew his dagger from its holder for fear of a trick and sprinted to the door. The three bowed as he made for the door. Kalem again was faced with a dim corridor. Fire lanterns littered the walls. He walked wearily for a time, recalling the strange events of before. Finally, he reached the end of the corridor. Another door lay before him. What will I find next? he thought. He stood for a moment, steadying his breath. He cleaned his blade with his shirt and thought of the forest. He had spent so much time there thinking about his father trapped in this horrible place. Now he was here searching for his brother. It all seemed so surreal, like a dream. Shaking his head, Kalem came back to himself. Taking a deep breath, clutching his blade, he grasped the handle of the door in front of him and pushed.\n\n[[Next|Page 19]]
Page 7\n\nKalem’s knuckles turned a shade of white as he gripped his dagger with all his strength. Wiping sweat quickly from his brow, he cracked the door open with a shove. The door swung revealing another torture cell. A disfigured man hung from chained cuffs, blood dripping from the slash wounds engraved onto his wrinkled skin. The guard swung the weapon, plunging the meteor spiked ball into the man’s skin. He yanked it back with such force that strings of skin ripped from the man’s scarred body! The slave screamed and writhed in his harness. Finally the guard turned and saw Kalem. The figure stood tall but had no visible face only black eyes that peered from beneath his hood. Rotten hands held the weapon tighter. Kalem held his breath awaiting the onslaught and the guard made for his attack.\n\n[[Kalem must Fight.|Fight]]
Page 6\n\nKalem slowly stalked past the door and crept up the corridor, through the arch following it as it veered slightly to the left. Staying in the shadows he peered around the entrance. A foul stench caught in his throat. His eyes watered. A large open room, built from the same murky stone lined the walls and floor that spread out before him. It was littered with hacked body parts. These were different to the soulless corpses of before. They were fresh and blood spluttered out of the limbs draining into a massive pool in the centre of the room. A man of a giant size stood in the middle of the room, slicing limbs and pulling them high on vines to hang. His muscles twitched, oozing boyles festered on his skin and his grizzly face smiled with sick pleasure as he demolished the bodies piece by piece. Kalem recognised him from the elder manuscripts,as Donté the Dark. Bound to Abbadon to punish and torture those claimed to The Underworld. Outright combat would see Kalem murdered. He knew that he only had two options in this situation. He could try his best to sneak in the shadows around the edge of the room to the corridor on the far side or he could take Donté by surprise. He could pin him with arrows from where he stood and then fight.\n\n[[Creep in the shadows|Page 10]]\n\n[[Attack from the shadows|Page 11]]
Page 5\n\nPeering round the door Kalem looked out into a stone walled corridor. There was no lighting only an burnt orange haze fading in from the far distance. Kalem’s heart pounded in his chest. He gripped his knife expecting to be attacked at any moment. He tread carefully with each step knowing that any slight sound may carry and give away his position. Kalem gazed intently down the corridor. There was a door on his right side similar to that which he had left behind. He could hear the banging of chains and the cries of someone inside. Kalem did not walk any further, he could see the corridor veered to the left at the end. \n\n[[Continue down corridor|Page 6]]\n\n[[Go through door|Page 7]]
Page 4\n\nKalem tightened the armour and fastened his weapon belts once more. He would be ready for combat when it came. Taking a deep breath, he grasped the handle on the heavy wooden door that lay in front of him and pulled it open.\n\n[[Next|Page 5]]
Page 3\n\nKalem hauled himself carefully up the vines. He was used to climbing vines and trees in the forest but it was tiring no less. He could hear that it was noisy above. Just before he reached the opening he stopped. Kicking his boots into the dirt he wedged himself steady. cautiously he raised his head, only enough to view his surroundings. This place was nothing like Arcadia. It did not have trees, no soft grasses or wildlife. It was a pit. A dry hazed desert for miles upon miles. What appeared to be the sun burned so fiercely it streaked the sky with an amber colour. Slaves tied to stakes dotted the horizon, left to burn in the heat. Their flesh smoked as it charred in the sun. In front of Kalem stood the Fortress. A huge castle like prison that held the slaves to the underworld, this is where Abbadon ruled from. People spoke of it rarely in Arcadia, but the thought of having to enter this place struck horror with in him. He had no other choice. He must go into the building. In the distance Kalem could see a guard pulling a cart of burnt bodies. It was headed this way. Could he climb onto the back of the cart and sneak in somehow. Perhaps it was too risky? Maybe he could try to walk in without being seen. There did not seem to be many guards around.\nWhat should Kalem do?\n\n[[Sneak in on cart|Page 21]]\n\n[[Try to walk in without being seen|Page 22]]
Page 2\n\nKalem pulled his body slowly through the rank slime. Rats squeaked as they ran over and around his body as they fled through the dark tunnel. He did not fear the small animals. They would not harm him unless threatened. It was what was coming next he was truly frightened of. There was complete silence except for the rats. Kalem was slightly relieved that he did not hear anyone nearby. As he came to the end of the tunnel he peered out into the unknown. It was a small cell of some kind. He pulled himself to his feet. Gathering himself he looked around. Weapons lined the crusty brick walls. Different blades, pliers, axes. Various instruments all smothered in dried blood. Kalem did not know what they were all used for but whatever their intention, he knew the main objective was pain. Although he did not like to think of it, Kalem understood that he would have to fight for his life in this ungodly place. Hanging high on the wall were two sets of armour. One was heavy chains of interlinked metal pieces and the other a lighter bronze vest.\n\nYou may choose an armour for Kalem. The heavier armour offers greater defence however it will affect his agility. The lighter armour will not affect his agility but does defend as much.\n\n[[Next|Page 4]]
Page 1\n\nKalem’s nostrils flared at the putrid smell. What is that? He thought. The revolting smell seemed to grow and grow inside his lungs until he rolled over and heaved until his stomach ached. His head was throbbing and his body was sore. Where am I?What has happened to me? His mind began to retrace events and that is when he realised he had made it. Kalem was in the underworld. His eyelids shot open and he took in the scene before him. The young man scarpered back away from the mound of bodies he had been lying on. The skin was a grey colour. It hung from their bones as if the very flesh had been sucked from their body. Purple marks patched their eyes and mouth. It was the expression they wore that terrified Kalem to his core. A horrified silent scream spread across the faces of the dead in front of him. Shock began to seep into his body and Kalem’s heart pounded heavily. He looked around to find that he was in a cave, built from brick, similar to that of a well. His legs almost buckled when he realised. He was in an open grave. Kalem had to escape here and quickly. His eye’s searched the walls for a possible exit. He noticed a small tunnel. From what Kalem could make out, it was crawling with rats and lined with a foul slime. The only other option he had were the vine weeds that lined the walls, digging into the ground.\n\n[[Go through tunnel|Page 2]]\n\n[[Scale walls|Page 3]]
Malevolence
Page 8\n\nThe guard writhed on the ground as the gash on his throat poured blood. Kalem shook with the adrenaline of it all. He had never killed anyone before. He gazed as the blackness oozed onto the stone floor, flowing in between the cracks of the tiles. (continue to 6 or add in piece below)\n\n“Kalem?” A thin voice whispered behind him. Kalem spun around his dagger poised. “It’s me Kalem.” The tortured slave whispered. Shock spread through the young man as the realisation dawned upon him. “Father!?” Kalem ran to him. The man was barely recognisable. It was there though, the strong jawbone, the dark hair. His unmistakable hazel eyes. How can this be? Kalem looked at the frail man. Looking around the dim room Kalem noticed an old wooden crate in the corner. He dragged it underneath his father. He crawled up and inspected the cuffs around Kaykaus’ wrists. Even though the man was only flesh and bone, his frame was bulky and there was no way of pulling his hands free. Kalem would have to break the cuffs. A blunt weapon lay covered in dried blood on the ground. Hauling it up high, Kalem smashed the chains until they broke free. The cuffs remained around Kaykaus’ wrists but at least now he was free. His father’s legs shook as he tried to steady himself. Kalem helped Kaykaus down onto the crate. Leaning on it he tried to recover his energy. “Father. I thought you were dead.” Kalem said. “Death would have been welcomed son. In the underworld, the strongest are tortured. Why are you here Kalem?”\n\n“Abbadon has Nikias. I have come to take him home.” Kaykaus’ eyes widened. “What? My youngest has been taken! How?!” “ He fell into the river and I saved him from the wretched. The guards came and stole him in the night. Beren gave me the ancient asclepius so I might journey here to save him.” Kalem replied.\n\nThe man stood up, shaking not from weakness but from anger. He bent down and picked up the weapon that lay on the ground. “Let us go now Kalem, we must not linger anymore. The smell of death will draw them.” Kaykaus said as he strode through the door leading back into the corridor. Again, tightening the grip on his blade, Kalem followed his father. \n\n[[Next|Page 13]]
Page 31\n\nKalem’s heart raced and adrenaline coursed through his veins. He gripped the handle of his dagger with all his strength. “You have come to the Underworld and so you must face the consequences of that action. You will be taken before Abbadon, to fight for your life. Perhaps he will be merciful?” The guards rushed towards him, seizing him before he could unholster his dagger. They ripped his arms behind his back. “Good bye Kalem.” Arlina said, Kalem kicked and screamed furiously trying to escape as he was dragged from the room. It was of no use. He would have to face the Lord of the Underworld. \n\n[[Next|Page 29]]
Reawakening a cherished genre of nostalgic gamebook adventures, Malevolence is an interactive digital Gamebook for iPad being created by Michael Boylan and Ruth Grogan. The idea was inspired by the well known Fighting Fantasy series and the recent digital reworks by Tin Man Games. There is a great deal of replayability in an app such as this due to the numerous plot branches and choices for players to make.\n\nIn the story you will play as the character of Kalem on his adventure into the darkness to rescue his brother from the clutches of Abaddon, the evil lord of the Underworld. Encountering both allies and enemies on your adventure, you will have to battle your way through numerous demons and monsters, collecting useful items and experience points on your journey. Both your strength and luck will be tested constantly, with negative outcomes resulting in your eternal torture and suffering in the underworld.\n\nThe final product will contain:\n\n A completely original 30,000 word fantasy story.\n “Choose Your Own Adventure” style of branching narrative.\n Combat mechanic similar to Role-playing game adventures.\n Dice roll feature for luck tests.\n Customizable character statistics including stamina, attack, defense and luck.\n Collectable Experience points for further character personalization.\n Weapon and item inventory.\n Head-Up Display showing players statistics and inventory.\n Interactive puzzles and games provide a break from reading and test your luck and strength.\n Smooth transitions and animations for page turning and choice making.\n Unique soundtrack and rich sound effects.\n Beautiful textures, illustrations and graphics.\n Easy-to-use interface.\n Full how-to-play, interactive tutorials.\n Options to restart the book, turn audio on/off, change font size.\n Bookmark features for saving progress with ‘load game’ option.\n Interactive world map of Arcadia\n\nTwitter: https://twitter.com/MalevolenceGame\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/malevolencegamebook\nBlog: http://malevolencegamebook.wordpress.com/\n\n\n[[START READING|Page 1]]\n
Page 30\n\nSweat poured down Kalem’s brow as he cleaned the fresh blood from his blade. The shapeshifter’s dead figure lay before him. It had put up a good fight but Kalem had learned of the quick movements and weaknesses of these creatures from Beren. Puss began to ooze from the shifters wounds as the evil leaked from its body. The room began to fill with a foul smell. Kalem had better leave before someone found him. Not wanting to continue through the door the shape shifter would have taken him. He carefully entered back into the corridor he had come from. There was no point in going backwards. He marched to the golden etched door at the of the hallway and turned the handle.\n\n[[Next|Page 15]]
Page 15\n\n The gold door made no sound as Kalem entered the room. The light pierced his eyes and he held an arm over his face. His eyes slowly adjusted to the brightness of the room. What kind of place was this? Kalem thought. Cream marbled titles lined the floors and golden sculptures crept up the walls. Red silk fabric fell like waterfalls throughout the room and gold chains hung . Kalem distracted by the beauty of the room did not notice the two guards stalk up on either side of him. They grabbed him. Yelling Kalem thrashed in the guards grip, swearing and kicking at them trying to free himself. “Enough!” A voice cried.\n\nThe guards released Kalem. A woman wearing a golden crown approached them. Her blonde hair fell to her waist and a blood red cloak hung around her body. “What is your name?” She asked Kalem. “Kalem.” He croaked. She was beautiful except for the smiling scars upon her cheeks. Fear raked Kalem’s body. He did not know how he would escape them. “Kalem, come sit up here. Be our guest.” She said and pointed to a long table where two others sat. “This boy must be taken to Abbadon.” One of the guards hissed. Spinning in his direction the woman replied “Abbadon is ruler of the Underworld but he does not rule over me. Kalem is my guest.” “Yes Queen.” The guard said and retreated to his post. Kalem swallowed. Arlina, Queen of the Underworld? “Kalem. This way.” The woman said leading Kalem to a throne chair in the centre of the room. She made her way around the table to sit between two others. A man and a woman. They could only be the Wardens, those who decide the fate for living prisoners in the Underworld. “Now Kalem. How did you come to be here? You are not a prisoner here, we know that.” Arlina said, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve come to rescue my brother, Abbadon’s guards stole him in the night.” The three looked at each other. “And why would the guards take someone in the night from their home?” The other woman asked. Kalem looked at them and gritted his teeth. “Nikias was supposed to be claimed by the wretched. I intervened. They came and destroyed my home and took my brother.” The three looked at each other again and nodded. “Can you tell us why we would consider releasing you without punishment? or Death for that matter.” Arlina said firmly.\n\n“I lost my father to the Underworld. I will not lose my brother. You do not have to consider because that is the way of it.” Kalem said in a loud voice. Silence filled the room until finally Arlina spoke softly. “Your courage is undeniable. There are rules set by the Gods and we must adhere to them for the greater good.” “We must confer for a moment.” The man said, nodding at Kalem. The three whispered to each other. Kalem could feel the cotton of his shirt sticking to his body. He began to move around in his chair and run his hands over the handle of his dagger. How am I going to get out of here? He thought. The room fell silent once again. Kalem stared at the three. The queen of the underworld raised her hands and spoke. “Your fate has been decided.”\n\n[[TEST YOUR LUCK.|Luck]]
Fight Abaddon!!!!\n\n[[Win|Page 33]]\n\n[[Lose|Dead]]
Fight!!!!\n\n[[Win|Page 20]]\n\n[[Lose|Dead]]
Luck Test!!\n\n[[Lucky|Page 18]]\n\n[[Unlucky|Page 31]]
Page 28\n\nKalem felt like he was going in circles. He was irritated and kicked at the ground. Yet again he faced a long corridor. A huge wooden door stood on his right. He could hear shouting and banging from inside. Shadows passed under as light leaked out into the corridor. Although he knew the sun burned intensely outside, this part of the building was freezing. He could see his breath cloud the air. Kalem did not want to linger no more than necessary. Straight ahead the corridor continued into the distance. “Nikias where are you?” he thought. Thinking of his younger brother, hope filled his mind. Standing tall Kalem clenched his fists in determination. Where should Kalem go next?\n\n[[Through the door?|Page 29]]\n\n[[Continue down the corridor?|Page 19]]
Page 29\n\nShock paralysed Kalem’s body as he stood face to face with Abbadon. The Underworld Lord was monstrous. His black eyes widened furiously as he glared at Kalem. The black veins slithered underneath the grey skin that clung to his massive frame. He began to pace back and forth across the room. His boots created unnaturally loud noise as he stomped back and forth. Kalem’s heart raced. How could he have thought this would be so simple? Corpses littered the floor, a horrified silent scream spread across their faces as if their very souls had been sucked from their bodies. Live slaves hung chained around the room, blood seeping from various wounds. They no longer struggled having long ago given up the desire to fight for life. Finally, Abbadon spoke. “I can smell the fear on you boy. You have been disturbing my work here in the Underworld.” his cruel voice taunted. Kalem gripped the handle of his dagger. Sweat trickled down his face. “I’ve come to take my brother. Your guards stole him in the night. That is not the way of the Gods.” The huge creature shook as his laughter bellowed through out the room. “The way of the Gods??! Your brother’s destiny was to the river, and so his life belongs to the Underworld. I was owed a life. My guards simply came to take it in the night.” The lord stopped and again glared at Kalem. “You however, have somehow been taken into the Underworld, unclaimed, killed several of my creatures and stand here before me. So what shall I do with you?” Kalem took a deep breath to steady himself. “I will not let you enslave me. I will never give in to you! AND I will die trying to find my brother and escape this HELL!” The young man roared. Taking a step back in surprise Abbadon replied “You are a brave one. The brave ones are so much more fun to torture and break.”He said smiling. In that instant, Kalem swiftly unbelted his bow and hurtled an arrow into the monsters shoulder. Enraged Abbadon yanked the arrow from his flesh. Black oozing blood splattered across the floor. “I have had second thoughts. I won’t be torturing you. I WILL KILL YOU!!” The enormous creature tensed, pulling a scythe from its place on the wall. In response, Kalem dropped his bow, unsheathed his dagger and held it tensed, ready to fight. Kalem lunged at the monster.\n\n[[Kalem must fight!|Abaddon]]
Page 26\n\nThe red eyes stared into nothingness as Kalem pulled his dagger from the demon’s lifeless body. His body shook as he breathed erratically after the battle. He knew he must not linger. Someone would be searching for him when they found the guards body. Kalem re belted the bow to his body and recovered his arrows. Finally when his breathing had calmed he felt he was ready to continue. There were two doors on either side of the room. By this time, Kalem did not know where he was and so the only way he must go would be forward. But in which direction?\n\nWhere should he go next?\n\n[[The door to his right?|Page 27]]\n\n[[The door to his left?|Page 28]]
Page 27\n\nKalem walked into the small corridor. A door lay straight ahead of him or he could veer off to the left down a separate corridor. This building was like a maze. He did not even know if he was going in the right direction. Kalem knew deep down, he must not give up hope.\n\nWhere should he go next?\n\n[[Through the door ahead?|Page 14]]\n\n[[Continue to the corridor on the left?|Page 28]]
Page 25\n\nKalem rattled with the adrenaline of it all. He stretched his neck trying to see around the tunnel through the shadows. His boots rang damply as he made his way down the stone stairs. It was not long before he came to a door. What lay waiting ahead of him? Should he turn back. “No. I must finish this journey one way or another.” Kalem thought. He unhooked his bow from his back and reached for an arrow in its quiver. Preparing himself, he held both ready and gently turned the handle on the door. Leaning with his body to wedge open the door he poked his head through the crack to the room inside. Quickly he held his arrow up in wait of the events about to unfold. Two demons sat surrounded by flesh and limbs in the centre of the dimly lit room. Each one gnawing and ripping the flesh in their sharp teeth as they ate the corpses. Their red eyes glowed as they laughed and devoured the bodies. Blood spilled from their mouths and coated their skin. Kalem swallowed. They were beautiful. Enchanting. Monsters. Kalem had heard the old stories the elders told of demons seducing men in the village, only to murder them and eat their corpses. They were banished to the underworld by the Gods. Kalem knew that if they got their chance to seduce him, he would be dead within minutes. There was only one thing for it. He brought his bow level with his eye and aimed. The arrow soared into the head of one demon. She fell dead to the ground. The other, jumped to her feet. Her face distorted as she screamed in anger. Dropping his bow, Kalem pulled his dagger from its scabbard and tensed. The demon launched herself through the pools of blood.\n\n[[Kalem must fight!|Fight 3]]\n\n
Page 22\n\nKalem’s heart began to pound and his breath became ragged. He gazed at the cart as it approached. He knew his timing had to be perfect or he would miss his opportunity. The wheels of the cart rolled by. This was his chance. Kalem hauled himself up out of the hole and scurried towards the shadows of the Fortress building. He edged his way around to the front of the building. Kalem could hear the cart moving. He poked his head around a corner to get a clearer look. Damn it! Kalem thought as he locked eyes with the guard. The guard hissed and climbed from the cart. Kalem drew his dagger from its holder and steadied himself. The guard hurtled towards him.\n\n[[Kalem must fight!|Fight 2]]
Page 23\n\nFrom the shadows he scanned the entrance hall he now stood in. It was lined with dark stone and lit by fire lanterns. A monstrous statue of Abbadon stood in the middle of the room, his enormous foot crunching enslaved figures into dust. Kalem shook with fear but did not want his nerves to overcome him. He needed to be smart. A door lay ahead to his right. To his left, a narrow corridor led downstairs. To the dungeons possibly? He did not know where his brother might be. Nikias could be dead. He could be imprisoned in a cell. He might even be tortured at this moment. Kalem did not know but he had to carry on.\n\nWhich way should he go?\n\n[[Through the narrow corridor leading downstairs?|Page 25]]\n\n[[Through the door on the right?|Page 6]]
Page 20\n\nKalem carefully dragged the guards body to the cart and heaved it up onto the pile of bodies. He then kicked dust over the blood that had splattered upon the ground. It was time to get moving. Kalem took a deep breath and surveyed the area. There was nobody else outside except for the prisoners that were left to fester in the sun. He holstered his dagger and ran towards the shadows near the entrance. He stalked his way inside the building all the while on the lookout for enemies. Feeling overwhelmed he left out a sigh of relief. Kalem was now inside the Fortress. \n\n[[Next|Page 23]]
Page 21\n\nKalem’s heart began to pound and his breath became ragged. He gazed at the cart as it approached. He knew his timing had to be perfect or he would miss his opportunity. The wheels of the cart rolled by. This was his chance. Kalem hauled himself up out of the hole and scurried behind the cart. He followed it slowly. Carefully he edged himself onto the cart and forced himself between charred bodies. Swallowing the vomit that tried to force its way up his neck, he lay as still as possible. Kalem listened intently. There were no voices. He had not been seen. He waited patiently until the cart came to a halt. Cautiously, he maneuvered his face until he could see his surroundings. He was in an entrance hall of some kind. He was inside the building! The guard that pulled the cart was gone. Now was his opportunity to move. Furiously he crawled from the cart and ran to the shadows near the entrance. \n\n[[Next|Page 23]]
Michael Boylan\n& Ruth Grogan