CHAPTER 124: THE CURSED ONE

The sky in the Underworld never changed. A crimson blanket stretched endlessly overhead, crackling with slow-moving streaks of dark lightning. Below, the ground simmered, a vast web of molten rivers and jagged obsidian peaks. The air reeked of sulfur, death and sorrow. No breeze stirred the heat, and the only sounds were the echoing howls and cries of tortured spirits and the low hum of dark energy surging through the realm’s walls.

At the heart of this dark and cold underworld stood the Dungeon of Doom, a fortress-prison carved into the hollow of a collapsed mountain. Its walls were bound with the iron bones of fallen giants and sealed with magic older than the stars itself. This was no ordinary prison, it was the graveyard of demons too dangerous to destroy, too powerful to be set free.

Deep within its innermost chamber, behind iron bars reinforced with spells of ancient times sat Asmodeus, once Lucifer’s most prized creation. Now, he was a rotting, burning husk of wrath and vengeance.

His blackened skin split in patches, glowing faintly from the lava that pulsed beneath it. His horns were jagged and half-broken from centuries of imprisonment. His wings had long since withered into bony remnants, but his power still pulsed, twisted and echoing through the prison walls.

Far outside his cell, three lowly demons stood in a triangular formation. Their hunched forms cast flickering shadows on the stone walls as they chattered in hushed tones.

"He’s doing it again," whispered Vokr, a thin demon with limbs like bent sticks. His red eyes darted nervously toward the direction of the dungeon, where the ground trembled ever so slightly.

"I fear he is close to breaking out," said Maxis, a demon with unnaturally short legs twisted in the wrong direction. His voice was dry as dust. "And I dread what will happen if he does."

"And what do we do?" hissed the third, a she-demon named Thyssa. Her glowing white eyes shimmered in the darkness, and her breath misted unnaturally in the heat. "Do we inform our Lord... or try to stop him?"

Vokr recoiled. "Stop him? You think we can stop that cursed thing? Have you gone mad, Thyssa?. That’s a death wish for anyone."

Thyssa leaned in, her claws curling into fists. "Then maybe we can help him escape."

Vokr gasped while Maxis’s eyes widened. "You have definitely lost your mind," he whispered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. "You want to free the cursed one?"

Thyssa rolled her eyes. "Lucifer promised us dominion and all he’s given us is servitude. Look what he is having us do instead, gnawing on scraps like animals while he plays god of the Underworld."

Vokr muttered, "He is the god of the Underworld."

Thyssa ignored him. "Asmodeus could give us power. Real power and bloodshed. He would open the human realm to us and let us do as we please." She turned to Maxis, her voice dripping with temptation. "Wouldn’t you like to feel the warmth of those pathetic humans blood on your skin?" She turned to Vokr, "Drink their fresh blood. Fill your hollow soul with their screams and agony."

Both demons swallowed hard, glancing at each other in uneasy silence, but before anyone could speak, the iron door at the end of the corridor groaned open.

In stepped Belphegor, one of Lucifer’s messengers. Tall and pale, with a long stiff face and flat nose, clad in coal-black armor, he carried a twisted staff crowned with a serpent’s skull.

"What are you whispering about?" Belphegor’s voice echoed, sharp and cold.

The three demons stiffened, terror erasing their expressions. Vokr stepped forward, bowing slightly. "We were just... inspecting the hallways, Sire Belphegor."

Belphegor narrowed his eyes. "You’ve been warned not to stray near the dungeon. I trust you are telling me the truth. You do know the cost of lying to me."

The trio exchanged glances. Maxis stepped forward, choosing his words carefully. "We would never dare lie to you sire. We heard strange sounds and came to investigate the source of the sound. We were just about to leave when you arrived."

"What sounds could possibly drag you away from your posts?" Belphegor asked, his tone sharper now.

"Chains clinking... and voices," Vokr answered. "Not whispers, exactly, they were loud. Too loud to ignore."

"And where were these sounds coming from?" He questioned, narrowing his eyes at the demons as one of them pointed.

Belphegor’s gaze followed the direction of Vokr’s trembling finger, settling on the dungeon wall. He stared for longer than necessary, as if sensing something heavier, and darker.

Finally, he looked away and cleared his throat. "Return to your stations," he said coldly. "And if I hear so much as a whisper about this, I will ensure none of you ever speak again."

The demons bowed hastily and fled the corridor without a word or looking back.

Belphegor exhaled slowly, casting one last glance toward the dungeon before turning and walking away in the direction he came from.

~~~

Lilith gasped as her eyes flew open, her chest heaving with each breath. She clutched her hand to her heart, scanning her surroundings with tears streaking down her cheeks. It took her a few seconds to realize she was still in the carriage. Morning had begun to break, golden hues stretched across the curve of the horizon and moved gently into the sky.

"What happened?" Hades asked, reaching to touch her arm. But the sudden contact made Lilith flinch. She turned to face him, her heart pounding.

She couldn’t understand it, how the man she had seen in her dream looked exactly like the prince, yet felt like someone else entirely. He had Hades’ face, his voice, his body, but none of his warmth. That man had looked at her like a madman savoring her fear, someone who would take pleasure in killing her slowly. There had been cruelty in his eyes, a cruelness the real Hades had never shown, even when they were strangers.

"Lilith? Can you hear me?" His voice softened. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

She swallowed hard, shaken by the concern in his tone. She shook her head slowly, and his frown deepened.

"You’re crying. Something must have happened."

"I... I had a bad dream," Lilith said finally. "It was very disturbing." Her voice hoarse and throat dry, she needed to drink water.

His features softened, and he gently wrapped his hand around hers. "I’m sorry. You’re safe now. We’re already at the castle," he added, stroking her hand in a comforting rhythm.

"Thank you," Lilith whispered with a small smile, glancing out the window. The castle gates creaked open, and the carriages rolled inside, stopping at the grand entrance. The footman opened the door, and Hades stepped out, offering his hand to help her down.

This time, Lilith took it without hesitation.

They walked into the castle, hand in hand, making their way toward their rooms. Lilith was exhausted, but the idea of going back to sleep scared her. She decided to freshen up first, hoping the cold water would clear her head.

"What do you plan to do now?" Hades asked, removing his coat and leaving only his undershirt on. "Do you want to sleep?"

"I want to freshen up," Lilith replied. "I can hardly move in this dress."

Hades chuckled softly. "Very well then. I’ll leave you to it. I’ll be back soon."

He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Before Lilith could melt into the warmth of it, he pulled away with a knowing smile and walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Not long after, Fiona entered, her face bright with excitement.

"How are you feeling? I expected you much later! How was the ball?" she asked, her eyes sparkling as she grabbed Lilith’s arm.

"The prince said we had to leave before dawn," Lilith replied, managing a smile. "The ball was wonderful. The food was also delicious."

She wasn’t in the mood to talk, but Fiona’s enthusiasm made it impossible to brush her off.

"Did you dance with any fine gentlemen? Did you kiss anyone?" Fiona whispered, eyes wide.

Lilith blushed, pressing her lips into a thin line and looking away.

"Oh, sweet gods!" Fiona squealed, grabbing a pillow from the couch and shrieking into it. "You did! You danced and kissed someone! Who was it? Was it His Highness?"

Lilith blushed even deeper, and Fiona’s eyes lit up as she connected the dots.

"I knew it!" she cried, barely containing her excitement. "I always prayed that you and the prince would end up together, and now look at this! I will be your maid of honor, won’t that be wonderful and beautiful?"

Lilith laughed softly. "Marriage? I do not think the prince is planning to marry anytime soon. Do not get ahead of yourself, Fiona."

Fiona waved her off. "A girl is allowed to dream, Lilith. And I will keep dreaming, until it becomes reality."