Darkest Desires → Caliban [CAOS]

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CHAPTER TWELVE

"Let it be known to the hordes of Hell that Sabrina Morningstar was victorious in Golgotha," Lilith announced, her heels clattering loudly against the steps as she and Sabrina approached the Infernal Court in the Grand Hall. "She has returned with one of the most pernicious of arcane artifacts. I give you the bowl of Pontius Pilate." The Infernal Court roared, their rough voices clashing together in their cheers. As they clamoured, Lilith placed the bowl delicately on the podium, right above King Herod's crown.

"And where is Prince Caliban?" a demon asked.

"Sabrina's victory over Caliban is absolute."

"I'm not sure he survived..." Sabrina said softly, wondering if Dahlia had made it in time to save him. As the thought crossed her mind, she wondered if Dahlia had even managed to get back without getting caught. Sabrina frowned as she began to worry about her friend.

"You don't really wish that were true, do you, princess?" Caliban's voice suddenly reverberated through the room, drawing everyone's attention. Following behind him was Dahlia, her arms covered in dust and dirt and her hair matted to her sweaty forehead. Caliban held his hand out to support the tired brunette as they walked down the stairs, the girl barely able to keep her body upright.

"Dahlia," Sabrina let out, her eyes and shoulders relaxing at the sight of her friend. "And Caliban..."

"Had Dahlia not turned around to save me, I would have waited under the dust of the ages for two thousand years... after you cheated, stole Pilate's bowl, and... left me for dead. Is that the dignity that you spoke of? Hmm? The honour?" Caliban's voice was low and intimidating and he slowly climbed down the stairs. At a loss for words, Sabrina only gaped at him as he spoke. "I won't lose our next and final contest. Hell will be mine."

"You each won a challenge, which can only mean one thing: sudden death," Lilith stated, and the hordes of Hell immediately sneered and snickered, their demented minds eager to see the results, while Dahlia watched with wide eyes of anxiety.

"The winner of the next trial shall reign in Hell for all eternity," one demon sneered.

Dahlia took in a shaky breath. She believed in Sabrina— she knew Sabrina was strong and capable of winning, but after Golgotha and the near-death experience they all almost faced, Dahlia lost faith in the Unholy Regalia altogether. She couldn't believe that either Sabrina or Caliban could find it reasonable or worth it to risk their lives to win.

Turning to Caliban, she looked into his eyes. His smirk slowly faltered when his eyes landed on Dahlia's. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Caliban?" Dahlia asked, apprehensively crossing her arms over her chest.

"Of course I am. I'm going to win this," he said confidently.

"Don't you think this is getting too dangerous? One of you ends up defeated, and then what?"