RESIDENT EVIL • Assignment Ashley: Rescue Condor One (RE4)

Corrupt Paradise

Shakily, I got to my feet, cradling my injured hand against my chest. The wound had cut deep enough to see through layers of skin and muscles, exposing raw flesh.

"Awe, did you get a boo-boo? It's too bad that I was ordered not to kill you," the woman taunted, licking my blood from the razor-edge of the dagger. "But there's something so satisfying about wounding small animals like you."

Gross...

"Cut the crap," I glared at her. "You're far too cocky for someone whose life I spared."

"Spared?" she raised her eyebrow. "It was only your weakness that kept me alive. You don't have the strength to take what you want. No matter, weakling. Lord Eye will be pleased to test your limits," she sneered, her eyes glinting with malice.

I took a step forward, trying to project confidence I didn't entirely feel. "What are you waiting for? Take me to him then; let's get this over with."

She laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You have a spirit, I'll give you that. Let's go."

She led me through the cathedral, weaving through the throngs of masked revellers. The further we went, the more surreal and strange the scenes became. There were people bathing in pools of jewels and cash, their laughter echoing strangely against the stoned walls. Glasses of wine glinted in every hand, the rich crimson liquid resembling blood in the flickering candlelight. The air grew thicker with incense, its smoky tendrils twisting around the decadent surrounding. Chants and discordant music filled the space, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. I realized they were all chanting "Lord Eye."

As we approached the heart of the cathedral, a lone figure stood on the edge of the balcony overlooking the crowd and screamed on top of his lungs. "Lord Eye grant me all the fame in the world! Choose me to serve you next! To prove my loyalty, I WILL JUMP FROM HERE. And IF I DIE, PLEASE GRANT ME..."

Before I could comprehend his desperate plea, the young man jumped without hesitation. Masked figures around us erupted into cheers and gasps of morbid fascination as he plummeted down. The sickening sound of his neck snapping echoed through the cathedral. His life ended abruptly, his body quickly whisked away by hooded attendants as if his death were just another part of a macabre ritual. The crowd's interest faded as swiftly as it had formed; they returned to their own revelry as if nothing had happened.

I turned to my escort, unable to hide my disbelief and dread. "What kind of place is this?"

Her wicked grin widened. "A place that values desires more than life itself."

Finally, we arrived at a set of towering doors on the second floor; the doors were adorned with a large carving of an eye. The woman pushed them open with a creek, revealing a vast chamber bathed in more eerie red light. The tall windows in the room were adorned with grotesque murals, depicting scenes of sacrifices and one-eyed creatures.

At the far end, seated on the steps of the altar, was a figure draped in a dark, flowing robe. I frantically looked around for Aaron, but he wasn't there. Panic fluttered in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm.

"Lord Eye," the woman called out, kneeling before him.

The figure stirred, and slowly, the hooded head turned towards us. The chains, draped around his neck and body clinked softly with the movement. His single glowing eye, unnaturally luminescent and soulless settled on me, as though it could pierce through reality itself.

Sitting before us was a presence cloaked in shadows, emitting an authoritative aura.

"So you've brought her," his crisp voice echoed through the chamber, chilling and commanding.