Book 1: HADES

Chapter 1: The Shadows Within

The evening air wrapped around Cain Vasquez like a cool, wet cloth as he stepped out of the museum's plush confines. The sounds of the city—cars honking, pedestrians chatting, the distant thump of bass from a nearby concert—seemed almost muffled, as if he stood behind a glass barrier. The amulet nestled comfortably in his pocket, a constant reminder of the peculiar experience that had just engulfed him.

He reflexively reached for it, feeling the smooth obsidian cool against his palm. With each heartbeat, a faint pulse resonated from within as if it were a living thing. It beckoned him toward an unknown purpose that sat heavy on his chest.

"Fate," he muttered, glancing up at the sky where the last vestiges of sunlight faded into an inky blue. "What do you want from me?" He didn't expect an answer, but contemplating his thoughts felt somewhat soothing, as if breaking the silence of his mind could dispel the shadows lurking within.

As he walked, his thoughts spiraled over the last few days. His hands had danced through the veins of life, weaving hope into despair with each stitch. And yet, the memory of that frantic moment in the OR nagged at him. Something had clicked, something inexplicable, just as he had touched the heart of Mr. Thompson. Now, he was drawn into a realm that sprawled far beyond the sterile confines of his surgical expertise.

It was also another night, that he went without sleep. As his mind was wandering too much for him to fall asleep. The sun barely shined over the horizon, but the city pulsed with life, an electric hum that echoed through the bustling streets of downtown. Taxis blared their horns, commuters hurried to work, and the aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the air like a beckoning siren call. Cain navigated his way through the crowd, each step fanning the embers of apprehension nestled deep within him.

After the unusual events in the operating room and the strange vision that followed, he found it increasingly difficult to focus on his daily routine. Though he donned the facade of a committed surgeon, an unseen storm brewed inside. He had always prided himself on his resolute mind, built on years of medical training and emotional distance; yet, now that foundation felt as fragile as a glass vase teetering on the edge of a shelf.

He arrived at St. Anna's Medical Center, greeted by familiar sights—the worn linoleum floors, the sharp click of shoes against tiles, the low murmur of attention and anxiety mingling in the air. It was a world he knew intimately, yet today, it felt eerily different.

Cain changed into his scrubs, the fabric clinging to him like armor, yet it failed to shield him from the nagging thoughts that flitted through his mind. He tried to shake off the anxiety, to return to the comfort of procedure and routine, but the image of the amulet lingered in his thoughts—a dark, gleaming artifact embedded with untold stories and weighty significance.

As he prepared for the day's rounds, he glanced at his phone. There were messages from colleagues, updates about patients, but one text stood out—a notification from an unknown number. Frowning, he opened it:

"You have awakened something, that you shouldn't have awakened. Meet me tonight. The Old Oak, 8 PM. Come alone."

His pulse quickened. The ominous nature of the message sparked a mixture of dread and curiosity. It had been a long time since he had been compelled to explore the supernatural, including the realm of myth and legends of his own religion. Ones that shivers down his spine.

After morning rounds, he settled into his office, trying to focus on patient files and upcoming surgeries. Yet every time he looked up from the stack of papers, the ticking clock felt like an anchor, drawing him toward the inevitable evening meeting.

"Hey, Doc. Earth to Vasquez?" Dr. Lin's teasing voice broke through his reverie. Cain looked up to see his friend leaning against the doorframe, a smirk on his face.

"Where's your head today?" Dr. Lin asked, stepping into the office. "You've been quieter than usual."

Cain offered a noncommittal smile, not wanting to reveal the tumult roiling within. "Just thinking about Mr. Thompson's recovery. It's a relief he's doing well."

Dr. Lin raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Yeah, but you're acting like you just cracked open the Book of the Dead. You okay?"

"I'm fine," Cain snapped, possibly a bit too harshly, and then sighed. "Sorry. I've just got a lot on my mind."

"Want to grab a coffee? You might need it to shake off that distant look," Lin suggested, his tone shifting to concern.

Cain hesitated. The warmth of camaraderie was tempting, yet he felt it would only draw him further from the strange path beckoning him. "I appreciate it, but I really have to get some work done."

"Sure thing. Just remember, the OR could always use a clear mind," Dr. Lin replied with a knowing nod, leaving Cain alone once more.

As the afternoon wore on, Cain's mind drifted back to the amulet and the mysterious text. The idea of meeting someone about it filled him with both excitement and apprehension—a dangerous combination.

Once his shift ended, he found himself standing at the edge of the park where the Old Oak stood—a colossal tree that had witnessed generations of life unfold beneath its boughs. Its gnarled branches twisted like ancient fingers reaching skyward, and as the sun dipped lower, shadows grew long, stretching toward him like beckoning phantoms.

He glanced around, ensuring no one was near. The park was unusually quiet, the usual chatter of people absent. With each step he took toward the tree, the air seemed to thrum with anticipation.

"Cain." The voice floated on the breeze, soft yet commanding, pulling him deeper into the shadows of the Old Oak. He turned to find a figure cloaked in dark fabric, their features obscured by a hood.

"Who are you?" Can's voice was steady, masking the tremor of uncertainty underneath.

The figure chuckles before stepping forward, revealing a woman, with sharp features. Emerald piercing eyes that gives out a cat like glint in the dark. "My, My, my lord." She smirks as she looks at him. "You were chosen, Dr. Vasquez." she walks around him, looking at him up and down. "What you had experienced in the OR was not a coincidence or a hallucination. It was a calling."

Cain swallowed hard. "A calling? For what?"

She gave out a sharp laugh. "In due time, you will know, My Lord." She said to him with a smile. "You must be warned, there are forces that will want to get to you, Cain. Forces that had been lost to time only to be awakened in this world—and they need someone like you to harness them."

His pulse quickened. The gravity around her words was finally settling into his bones. "Why are you calling me that?"

She gave a hum. "Ah, yes, you wouldn't know about that." she nodded to herself before looking at him. "All I can say is...." She tailed off as she thinks for a bit. "You are a vessel, Cain. One to a powerful being that is capable to harness dark powers." She explained to him.

He took a step back, trying to comprehend. "That sounds insane. What are you talking about?"

"The amulet is a key, and you are the lock it seeks to unlock," she urged, her voice dropping to a whisper. "There are those who want to harness its power for dark purposes. You must learn to control it before it's too late."

Cain's mind churned. He had to think for a moment. This was all too much for his mind. "And how do I control it?"

"By understanding your own history—your lineage," she said, stepping closer. "There's more to your past than you realize. You are not just a surgeon. Your family has roots that reach far beyond the earth beneath your feet. I can help you uncover the truth."

Something within Cain ignited but he needed time on it but if he does, then everything would've been too late. "I'm listening," he said finally, his voice steady. She gave a cat like grin as she locks eyes with his.

"Then, we'll begin now"