Twisted Fate

Chapter 41

This chapter explains the order of the nine kings and goes into detail about the underworld. It will be an essential chapter for my future works. As I explained before, this is based on Dante's theory of hell, with some of my twists.

Astrid

I'm staring up at the map of the underworld in utter shock. My vision of hell has always been as simple as anything else in life. You're either a good person or a bad person, and when you die, you face judgment and are either sent to heaven or hell. That's it. Plain and simple. Except maybe it's not as simple as I thought.

According to the pyramid, each kingdom represents a deadly sin. And based on the sins you've committed is where you'll end up. Or rather which king you belong to.

"So If I wake up tomorrow and decide to murder someone, I'll get sent to" -I count up the pyramid with one finger- "Violence, the seventh level of hell?"

"That's correct," Nicolas answers, stepping by my side. "There, you would face the unholy court of Paimon, the seventh king. Your punishment would most likely be drowning in a sea of boiling blood for all eternity."

I swallow hard as a shiver runs down my spine. Suddenly, I'm looking back on all the times I've ever had to hurt someone. Surely, the court wouldn't punish me for using self-defense, right? I might join Blair for her morning prayers and start asking for forgiveness to be on the safe side.

"The pyramid represents the nine kingdoms, which reside in Zaltamia." I say, pointing to the map, "Then what purpose do Vixlor and Zandorin have?" I mean really, is one hell not enough?

"Vixlor and Zandorin are the regions where the lower-ranking demons and devils reside. Zaltamia is for the royal families," Nicolas explains.

"What is the order of the nine kings?" Nicole asks, "Are they standing among these figures now?"

Nicolas waves his hands, and the pyramid disappears. Nine tall figures take their place, all looking down on us as if we're tiny ants to be stepped on. I let out a shaky breath and glance up. Most of these devils look the same: horns, wings, odd-colored skin, and long pointy tails. A few look so disturbing and strange that I have a hard time looking at them. One, in particular, has the body of a slug and a human head. It's terrifying enough to have me taking a long stride back.

"Okay, boys. Let's start in order, shall we?" Nicolas talks to the devils as he walks to the end of the line. Their chests rise and fall, and some shuffle on their feet, making the illusion of their presence more realistic. I tip-toe close behind Nicolas and Nicole, careful not to disturb the holographic devils.

He steps in front of the more normal-looking devil with fierce gold eyes and begins the introduction. "Ram, king of limbo." He steps aside and continues. "Belphegor, king of lust. Beelzebub, king of gluttony. Mammon, king of Greed. Astaroth, king of fraud. Maggot, king of pride. Paimon, king of violence. Lucifer, king of envy." Nicolas pauses at the last devil. His crown is the biggest and holds the most jewels.

"And last but certainly not least," Nicolas gestures his hand out towards the devil standing on hooved feet, "The king of all kings, father of all demons, ruler of wrath, and the first creation of the dark lord- Asmodeus."

Nicole studies Asmodeus and then pulls her brows together. "Dark Lord?"

"Before there were nine kings, there was a guardian who defied the gods and fell from grace. The dark lord, known as Satan in the mortal world, created his brothers from the power of the abyss to serve him in hell. Think of it as the CEO and his assistants. The nine kings do all the dirty work while the dark lord sits back and watches from afar," Nicolas says.