Step forward.

The Good Book speaks of 7 Deadly Sins.

Lust. Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Wrath. Envy. Pride.

Each one, uniquely perverse in their own right, are all capable of accomplishing the same goal: the corruption of a man’s soul.

But, just like any other evil in this world, they can be conquered.

You take one step forward, a step closer towards facing the 7 monsters that represent each one of those sins.

A step closer, perhaps, towards your probable demise.

You possess only the bare essentials of monster slaying to prevent such a grisly fate from coming to pass.

A single sword attached to your belt, currently sheathed but possessing great power.

Blessed by the gods themselves, your holy blade was made to strike into the hearts of sinful creatures, and render them pure of their earthly form.

It has no name, for you have not yet earned the right to name it.

The blade must too be baptized in the blood of monsters.

On the other side, an ivory-handled flintlock pistol.

Loaded with only one shot.

That was all that was provided for your survival in this unholy crucible.

Everything else, they said, would have to come from within.

The strength of the bear.

Heart of the lion.

Will of the warrior.

Most of all, the spirit of the Hunter.

You turn back to run your hand down the white mane of Shimmer one last time.

Touching against his flesh, you see his eyes as he examines yours.

It is his face that lingers in your mind before turning towards the entrance, for it may very well be the last friendly face that you see all night.

One hand steadily grasps the handle of your blade as you start forward fearlessly, stepping from gravel onto the crunching floor of leaves and pinecones.

The wind blows against your determined stride.

It is as if Mother Nature herself is trying to warn you against venturing closer into this evil setting.

Unfortunately, her argument fails to convince you.

Stepping on a twig, you stop just inches away from the partially overgrown entrance.

Inches away from confronting your destiny.

You breathe in. Then out.

The twig snaps under the boot heel.

You push through.