Failed God's Son - The Tragedy of Lucifer Percival

Chapter 7 - Trip to the Sin of Lust

Sonia Bethern, 17 years old, student at St. Justin Catholic Highschool, studying theology and chemistry, a sucker for demons and all things religion, lays dead on the cafeteria floor of the school, turned into a mush of her guts and blood. The students and teachers believe it was the fault of the partying students, who have trampled her into oblivion. But Lucifer Percival and Mitchell Whitehouse know the truth of the murder. Last night, on the late-semester school party, the Daughter of Eve and Satan, Lilith, has poisoned the students of the school, and Sonia died during the battle with her. Lilith was sent back to the underworld by Mitchell and Percival shortly after.
Mitchell didn't sleep at all last night, having nightmares from the fight a day before. He couldn't shrug off the fear and disgust. Sonia's death was his and Percival's fault, for not restricting her and not telling her not to attack Lilith by herself. He has no idea how to fix this tho. He can't just raise the dead from ashes or blood, can he? Well of course he can, he just needs Percival to do it. Perci surely does know a way to do it. There has to be.
Percival was sleeping peacefully however. No thoughts coming across his mind about the last night's happenings. He shrugged off the death and washed his hands from it. It was Sonia's fault. She was ignorant of the fact that Lilith was too strong for her. Lilith was bigger and deadlier. If she wouldn't have blindly rushed at her, she might be still alive. It was, 100%, her fault.
The next day arrives at St. Justin, and our two protagonists reach the school with different thoughts in mind. Mitchell tries staying alive during the day with his growing tiredness, which Percival notices.
- You don't seem to be as lively as your usual self.
- It's just...what happened to Sonia really shaken me.
- Why?
- You don't understand. Humans don't react the same to other people dying. It shakes us up bad, real bad.
- You'll get over it. You also didn't forget about our little meeting at your house, right?
- Y-Yeah, I'll meet you there after school. What do you have?
Percival reaches into his backpack and gets out a small object. It's wrapped in old newspaper, and it has a stink like a skunk.
- Jeez, what the hell is that?
- Do you recognize the smell?
Mitchell sniffs in the air and coughs violently.
- THIS IS SULFUR! WHY'D YOU BRING SULFUR IN CLASS?!
The teacher notices Mitchell's coughing.
- Mr. Mitchell, are you doing okay?
- Y-yeah! I-I probably just misswallowed something! I'll b-be better in a few mins!
He turns to Percival, pinching his nose in so he doesn't smell it. - What is that?!
Percival removes the newspaper and reveals a giant alchemy symbol of Sulfur. It stinks worse with the paper removed, and it's covered in all black. The darkest black Mitchell ever seen.
- This I'll use to test your will to form a friendship with me.
- But how?
- Try lifting it.
Mitchell grabs the symbol with on hand, placing his figures on the side of it. He pulls and the Sulfur symbol won't budge at all. He tries again, and nothing. He tries with both hands, and the symbol won't move.
- Holy shit what is this thing made of?!
- Mostly compressed quartz, hell sand, and coal. I suggest not touching your eye with your hands unless you wash them after this. And also don't rub it on your clothes, cuz it doesn't come out.
Mitchell has already rubbed the black mucus onto his pants' knees.
- Well shit. Gotta buy a new pair now I guess. How is this gonna prove that I am your friend?
- If you can lift it, we are officially friends until you die. That's the deal. You lift the symbol, and you get my friendship. Sounds fair?
- But I just tried it! It won't move at all!
- You'll see.
The bell rings and the boys head to the gym for class. Mitchell now has two things on his mind: getting Percival's friendship, and Sonia's death. He still has to ask the question. He finishes his laps around the school and goes up to Percival, who isn't even breaking a sweat.
- Perci! - he says between breaths. - I habe a question!
- What?
- I-Is it possible to bring someone back from the dead?
- ...No. You asked alot of shit questions, but so far this is your worst one.
- Are you sure? M-Maybe there's a ritual which I can perform?
- No. Not even one.
- ... But I wanna try!
- Which idiot do you want to bring even back? Don't tell me you want that idiot Sonia back.
- I do!
- She was an idiotic bitch who wanted to whore herself for demons. She got what she asked for, going to hell with the demons.
- She was just trying to be our friend!
- And?
- Just try thinking in my mind for a second! Your grademate dies infront of you, wouldn't you want her back? She was human like me, and had a future ahead of her.
- And that future was to die in the hands of a demon. Neat I guess. It's what she would have wanted.
- ... - Mitchell tears up a bit. - If you won't find a way, I will!
- Do that, I guess.
Mitchell scoffs off and goes along with his day. He takes the bus home after the extra tiring day, and starts to think. Percival isn't going to, so he has to take himself to Hell all by himself. He thinks he'll try the ritual he and Perci did a few days before Sonia's tragedy. But that would need Percival right? Maybe?
He returns home and rushes up his room to test his theory. He grabs a red crayon and tries to draw a pentagram as good as he can. He isn't sure where he'll end up tho. Limbo? Lust? Wrath? Envy? Who knows! He tries to alter where he'll end up by just writing the word "Lust" above the pentagram. He closes his eyes and speaks infront of the Satan's doorstep.
- Take me to Hell, o Lord of Under, I am a sinner. - and nothing happens. Mitchell tries stepping closer to the pentagram and saying it louder.
- I said take me to Hell, o Lord of Under! I am a sinner! - and nothing happens again. He touches the pentagram and his finger gets sucked in. He tries retrieving it, but it's stuck, he has no choice but to follow where his finger get stuck in. He jumps through the portal to the underworld and he is thrown into a darkened world, with shivering cold winds raging around. He decides not to remove his clothes like in Limbo. The circle he's in is the darkest of all, with almost little to no light around. Not a single mountain or hill in sight, it's all rocky plains. He looks up and there's no sky with clouds or sun or anything. Cold wind rages through the land like it's a hurricane. This is the 2nd circle of Hell, the Sin of Lust. Mitchell, after identifying the circle using his knowledge of Dante, tries to walk deeper in. He's scared, and shivering from the wind. He tries to spot some figures of history, so that he can see where the popular souls are seperated from the commoners. He spots in the distance a few familiar faces from history, Paris, Archilles and Cleopatra. Mitchell recalls his memories of hearing their stories in class or at home. He always wanted to talk to them if given the chance, but he couldn't right now, he must find Sonia first. He walks into a commoner soul group, when he sees a few demons in the distance. For anyone who knows Hell and it's residents, it must be them. But should he go up to them? The things he images they might do, they might shred him with their claws and teeth, throw him into the Stix, or freeze him next to Lucifer himself. But that just MIGHT happen, it doesn't mean it WILL happen, and looking through each soul if it's Sonia would take days, even weeks or months. It's better to try than sit around and wait for Sonia to show herself. He walks closer to the demons, who spot them anongst the dead.
- HEY! - one of them points at him and shouts. - WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
- E-Excuse me?
- YOU AREN'T DEAD! I cen see it!
- W-Well, I'm actually not dead. I am just traveling, looking for my friend who just passed away recently.
The demon grabs Mitchell and pulls him closer to the other two.
- Hey! Look at this new fella I found! - the demon pushes him closer to the middle. - He thinks he can just come in and look around the souls! Y'all think we should let that happen just oh so casually?
The other two, female demons reply with a collective:
- No no no~! There's always a toll for visiting Hell.
Mitchell now shakes not from just the wind, but from him being scared.
- I-I don't have much money on me. Maybe like 6 dollars-. - and he gets laughed at.
- MONEY?! You really want to explore Hell with MONEY?! That shit is absolutely useless here!
- Then what do I pay the toll with?
- Here you are in the Sin of Lust, and you wanna miss the opportunity of finding someone~?
- W-What?
The demons move closer to Mitchell, who is now more scared.
- It gets really lonely here~.
- No new souls to come and play with us anymore~.
- But here you are. - the male demon pinches Mitchell's face and side. - All flesh and bone. Looking absolutely immaculate~.
The male demon wraps his hands around Mitchell torso.
- So why not donate some of your essence to us, and we'll let you go around as far and wide in Hell as you please~.
Now this is something Mitchell just can't accept. He, with demons?! A 17 year pld with hundred year old, but still good looking, demons? Hell might not have rules other than a few, but this is something he just can't! His morality wouldn't let him, even if he'd want it to.
Mitchell tries pushing the demon off of him.
- No no! There's no way I am canoodling with demons! That's not what I came for! Now either tell me where my friend is...o-or else!
- Or else what? Come on~. It's gonna be fun~!
The female demons push their hands under Mitchell's shirt through it's collar, rubbing his chest.
- I said no! This is rape and assault!
- And~?
Mitchell seems to have forgotten what he just knew a few seconds ago, Hell has no rules other than a few. He tries to squirm them off, but the demons hold him in place as the male one unbuckles his pants. He tries kicking him off, but the demon just forces his legs down, getting close to breaking them.
- Come on~~! Play with us a little~! I swear I'm warm within~. - and just before the demon removes Mitchell's undies, a black cloud swoops down with large, feather wings. Mitchell is relieved thinking it's Percival, but it's the opposite. The feathers reveal an animal fur clothed Lilith, not looking all too happy. She grabs the male demon and yanks him off of Mitchell.
- This human is with me! Run along, you creatures!
The demons scatter, scared, saying:
- Y-Yes, Madam Lilith!
The demons push Mitchell away, and he looks up to his savior. He stays on the ground, trying to collect his thoughts on what just happened.
- Lilith?
- Hiii~!
- D-Didn't me and Perci...kill you?
- Yes, you did. But Perci taught you that demons don't really die, right? They just return to Hell when you kill them.
- ...Then why did you save me?
- Because I don't want to see unworthy souls being punished.
- How am I unworthy?
- You haven't committed sin. That's why.
- I see, so I only get punished for the sins I commit.
- Yep! So what are sou doing here anyways? - she picks him up from the ground. - Did Perci let you in?
- I got here on my own.
- Nice! Good job little human!
- T-Thanks, I was actually looking for Sonia however.
- The girl who stabbed me in the back?
- Y-Yeah. I wanna bring her back to life.
- How are you planning that?
- I guess I'll just, return her soul back to my world? Just kinda scoop her soul up in a...jar I guess? And just take her out with me.
- I have a better idea! Just give her some of your Earth essence.
- I am NOT letting Sonia's soul touch me ANYWHERE AT MY PRIVATES-!
- No not like that! Earth essence can be anything from the human world! Just put your hair on her head and it'll work!
- So I just give her any of this Earth stuff and she'll be back to being human. Right?
- Yep!
- That's easier than I thought.
- I also heard that you called me beautiful when Perci killed me. And I saw that you hesitated to attack me.
- I umm...yeah I did.
- Aww, I don't get called beautiful genuinely that much often! - she hugs Mitchell. - It's nice!
Mitchell's face turns from a pale white, to a gentle red as blush. He hesitantly hugs Lilith back.
- Hey, do you wanna see something cool? Something you probably didn't see much on Earth? - Lilith asks.
- What is it?
- It's my animal collection! I love collecting animals from both human and demonic worlds.
- ...Show me! - Mitchell says, agreeing to the invitation.
Lilith grabs Mitchell and flies off with him, flying with her feels smoother than with Percival. She takes him to a cave within the Sin of Lust and guides him in. She extends her hand to Mitchell, since the cave is extremely dark, and she doesn't want Mitchell lost. They both enter and get engulfed in the black.
- Ah! Mitchell stop touching me~! - Lilith shouts.
- Wh-What?! I-I wasn't touching anywhere! I swear!
Lilith chuckles and giggles at this.
- I know you didn't, it was a trick! But even if you did, I wouldn't mind. I get touched by demons every day and I just slap their hands away, or their heads.
- Why?
- I'm the protector of the Sin of Lust. I protect this circle.
- Oh, every circle has a protector?
- Yes! Except Limbo.
- Who are some other demons which I need to know about who are protectors?
- Well, you know Zyellabel, he protects the Sin of Greed, there's Uzulel, who protects Sin of Pride, there's Nabarell, he protects Wrath and War, and I think the last one is Grundel, who protects Hell as a whole and is the Demon of Justice.
- Should I be scared of em?
- Definitely!
- ... Well shit-.
- We reached the cave's end, you can't let go of my butt now.
- I-I wasn't touching! I'd never!
- You feel for it again! I knew you wouldn't! Hehe!
- ..heh!
Mitchell and Lilith reach a blinding light at the end of the cave, which is actual sunlight within. The cave is filled with the chirping of birds and howls of wolves. The cave'a floor is full of flowers and grass, with a small pond in the middle, which deers drink from. Mitchell is absolutely amazed by the sight, looking around rapidly.
- Holy hell! This is amazing!
- It is.
- How long have you been collecting?
- Around 14 years. But there aren't many species in here, since I can't go outside Hell that much. Lucifer really wants to protect me. But since Percival ripped a hole through the fabric between Hell and Earth, me and some other demons have escaped, and I took some animals!
- How many species?
- 3 wolf species, 2 deer species, 14 birds, 1 type of grass, 30 species of flowers and mushrooms, 2 species of trees and 3 humans!
- Wait, humans?
- Yep! I took some before you and Perci killed me!
- Where are they? - Mitchell asks and Lilith points at the pond, where two humans bathe. He rushes to them and shouts.
- Hey! Fellow humans!
They turn to him.
- I am human too! How are you?
The humans look at Mitchell and rush out of the water to meet him.
- Hey, what are you doing here? - a male human asks with a thick Irish accent. He has pale skin, gray hair and a gray beard, and is taller than Mitchell.
- I was looking for my friend, but Lilith took me here because she wanted to show me her collection. I am so surprised to see humans here! Actual living humans!
- We are surprised aswell! We haven't seen a new face in a good while.
- Do you, by any chance, know Sonia Bethern? I was looking for her.
- Sonia? She's not far away, Lilith took her here. She's sleeping under that pine tree. - the man points at a tree a few meters away.
- Thank you! Enjoy your bathing! - says Mitchell as he rushes off to see Sonia. Sonia was sleeping peacefully under the tree, being both saddened by her death, and that she was alone with the other two humans only. She is suddenly shaken by Mitchell.
- Sonia! Wake up dummy!
- Ow ow ow! I'm awake-! Wait, Mitchell?! - she stands up, surprised as the other two humans. - The hell are sou doing here?!
- I came to get you back home! To Earth! Are you alright?
- Y-Yeah, I'm okay. Why did you come to rescue me?
- Because Percival didn't want to do it, so I came by myself. And because I felt really bad when you died. It's kinda me and Perci's fault.
- Nah, it was 100% my fault, Mitch. I rushed at Lilith carelessly and without considering the possibilities that I might die. So don't get yourself dug in too deep!
- Well, are you ready to leave Hell?
- Yea! But I wanna say bye to the others here, and just - she gestures around the mini biosphere. - All of this.
- I see, take as much time as you want! - Mitchell rushes back to Lilith, who has joined the bathing humans. Her body is beautiful white, and her curves dance in Hell's roughness. Her hair shines from the water. She was amazing, beautiful, utterly perfect, if not anything else, for Mitchell.
Lilith turns to the gazing Mitchell and says:
- Join Mitchell! The water is nice!
Mitchell goes up to the pond and dips a hand in. He yanks it out.
- Jeez it's cold! I dipped my hand into ice water when I accidentally burned it and it wasn't this cold!
- If you jump into it, you'll get used to it!
Mitchell removes his shirt, boots, pants and socks. He tries going in slowly, but is pushed in by Sonia.
- Whoops! - says Sonia while laughing.
Mitchell falls into the water, back first. The water feels cold for a split second, but it feels like it has heated up to a comfortable hotness. He sits up and swims next to Lilith.
- How? This water was cold a glacier before.
- This is water that flows through Earth and Hell, so it gains both punishment and pleasing. You see, when just one part of your body touched it, it's incredibly cold, but when your whole body touches it, it becomes comfortable.
- I see!

Meanwhile...
Percival has been waiting for a good half an hour for Mitchell to come out of his house.
- This fucker sure takes long. - he says while walking up and down. - What is he even doing in there?
And then he remembers what Mitchell said earlier that day. He said that he will go down to Hell by himself and retrieve Sonia.
- NO HE DIDN'T! - he rushes inside the house amd into Mitchell's room. - MITCH!
He sees no one around tho. He sees the pentagram and just facepalms.
- Fucking damn it. - He changes into his demon self and flies into the pentagram. He flies around Hell, trying to find Mitchell. Limbo is empty of him, and so is the Stix. He drops into the Sin of Lust, where he sees the abundance of souls and a few demons. The female ones fly to Percival.
- Hey~ young prince~!
- Are you finally coming home from your journey~?
- Did you bring something for us~?
Percival pushes them away.
- I'm not here for you three useless hoes. Have you three seen a living human?
- Noooo~! We haven't seen one since a millenia.
Percival grabs the speaking one by the neck.
- I wasn't asking if you didn't see one in a millenia, I was asking if you have seen one NOW!
- Ahh~! Percival's strong hands~! Keep choking me please~!
- Answer! - Percival drops her.
- Well, I know that three other demons saw some flesh bag looking for a soul! They got scared away by Lilith tho.
- Where is Lilith now?
- You gotta spank me for that if you want me to tell you~!
Percival slaps the female demon's cheeks violently, which she responds to with a moan.
- S-She's in her c-cave~.
Percival flies off and enters Lilith's cave.
- MITCHELL! WHERE ARE YOU, YOU ABSOLUTE IDIOT?!
Mitchell hears the shouting and quickly jumps out of the lake.
- I'm comin-! - Mitchell gets a swift punch in the mouth from Percival, sending him back into the water.
- YOU, ABSOLUTE, MADMAN! I TOLD YOU EXACTLY NOT TO GO TO HELL ON YOUR OWN! AND WHAT YOU DO?!
- I got here to save Sonia! She's here! - he points at Sonia who's back at the tree, waving at them before coming over.
- STILL! Do this again and I'll take you to Hell myself and LEAVE YOU HERE!
Lilith hugs Mitchell from behind.
- I'll take care of him then! - she says smiling.
Percival looks at Lilith.
- ...Sister I know you are sometimes desperate for love but seriously? Him?
- Hey! - Mitchell responds.
Sonia jumps on Perci's back.
- Are you gonna fly us out now? - she asks.
- Yea as soon as Mitchell does something for me. - he gets out the symbol of Sulfur. - You still have this to do.
Mitchell gets his clothes together.
- Oh yeah, right!
Once Mitchell is clothed, Percival walks up to him with the Sulfur symbol.
- Show me your hands.
Mitchell does as so, and Percival drops the symbol on his hands, which get crushed under it's weight. Mitchell screams in pain.
- Now, I'll ask some questions. Are you willing to adventure through Hell and Earth with the reightful prince of Hell?
- Y-YES! - Mitchell says loudly while trying to lift the symbol.
- Are you willing to sacrifice your humanity for the sake of others and protect Hell and it's residents?
- Ye-Yes! - the symbol becomes lighter.
- Are you willing to rescue unworthy souls from their doom in Hell?
- Yes! - the symbol is finally lifted an inch above the ground.
- Are you willing to go through immense pain and suffering once your life is over, knowing you have served the rightful prince of Hell?
- Yes. - the symbol is now five inches above the ground.
- Are you strong enough to face the mightiest of demons and angels? Even God himself?
- ...Y-Yes! - the symbol becomes lighter and lighter.
- Are you my friend? - Percival asks this as a final question. Mitchell lifts up the symbol, holding it now with only two fingers, his index and thumb.
- Always will be, yes.