Son of Perseus ✓

Fifteen

Athanasia started back up to the capital building in Hell. She pushed past crowds of people.

She stopped, waiting for creatures to move out of her way.

Salem Yamazaki--Death--who was waiting outside the building, smiled to her. "Hey, Athanasia." Salem wasn't fond of a lot of creatures, but she seemed to tolerate Athanasia.

"Hey," Athanasia responded back.

Salem eyed her. "You on your way to see Satan?"

"Eh, you could say that," Athanasia responded.

Salem gazed directly into Athanasia's eyes. "Or are you seeing a prisoner?"

"I need information from Xenakis," Athanasia shrugged.

Salem laughed. "Is that the reason? Surely it isn't..." She drifted off before continuing, lowering her voice, and approaching Athanasia. "Wait, are you in love with her?"

Athanasia swallowed and bit her tongue.

"Oh my- You do love her!" Salem exclaimed.

"What's going on?" Delyth Myrddin asked, approaching with the most sweet and innocent voice.

Salem looked toward Pestilence. "She's in love with Zephyria Xenakis."

Delyth's black eyes grew wide. "Wait, really?"

"Yup," Salem nodded.

Delyth then squealed. "Awww, that's so cute!" She then cleared her throat. "Sorry, I just love relationships."

"Yeah," Salem laughed. "And if I didn't know any better, I'd assume you were a cupid."

"I am not!" Delyth exclaimed.

Athanasia slowly shifted away from them, heading up the stairs, and into the capital building--leaving the two horsemen to bicker outside.

She headed toward the front desk to see Satan's secretary, a demon named Clazithos Zikorosov.

Clazithos looked up. His brown hair was nicely kept and slicked back. "Hello, Miss Nyqvist. What can I do you for?"

"I need you to open the double-doors to the dungeons." She noticed Clazithos's confusion and added, "I need to get more information from Xenakis."

"Ah, Xenakis..." Clazithos said, lovingly.

Looks like I'm not the only one who's been ailed by her, Athanasia though to herself.

"Um," Clazithos snapped out of his daze. "Does Lord Lucifer really need two people down there at once?"

"Two?" Athanasia pulled a face.

Clazithos nodded. "Yeah. Two. Volrath is already down there with Miss Xenakis."

Athanasia sighed.

Volrath Silreden was one of Satan's top generals--besides her, of course. Volrath was a massive asshole.

"Well," Athanasia started to tell Clazithos. "Lord Lucifer decreed that both Volrath and I should be down there."

"Okay." Clazithos nodded, pressing the button to open the double doors.

Athanasia nodded to him, smiling before heading through the doors.

The doors closed behind her. She headed down the corridors and several staircases.

"Help," a weak voice called to Athanasia.

She turned her head to see a bunch of kids in a cell. "Why are you here?" She asked, approaching the bars.

The one who looked to be the eldest boy, responded with, "That guy--Perseus or whatever--is our father. He took us from our homes and stuck us here. He said something about keeping us here until we'd be 'useful'."

One of the girls then nodded. "Yeah. Help us out of here. Please."

"I-" Athanasia started to say.

One of the guards approached. He looked at Athanasia and then to the kids. He snapped, loudly.

The kids then all collapsed, falling unconscious.

He then paced by Athanasia, staring her down while doing so.

Athanasia then hurried by, continuing on her way.

Finally after two more staircases and three corridors, Athanasia reached the room. Her brisk walk slowed down as she saw the guard outside the room.

He was a young skeleton boy--Anton Joekev, she believed his name to be.

She said nothing as she opened the door which Anton had politely moved out of the way for.

Athanasia headed inside, letting the door slam behind her.

Volrath was continuously, non-stop slapping Zephyria. He cackled, "Bitch."

Oh shit, is this what I looked like earlier? Fuck. I'm a horrible person, she said to herself, ashamed of her behavior earlier.

Volrath then laughed, before swinging at Zephyria, "Slut."

Zephyria's head swung backward from the impact of the swing.

"Hey," Athanasia spoke up, sounding annoyed.

Volrath looked up from Zephyria at toward Athanasia. "Oh, Miss Nyqvist! I didn't even notice you were here."

Athanasia had an irritated look on her face.

Volrath noticed that and questioned, "Are you here to relieve me of my duties for today?"

Athanasia nodded. "Yes. Volrath, you are free to go."

"Whore," he whispered to Zephyria. He then headed out the door, gleefully.

Athanasia looked at Zephyria, but the siren just avoided her gaze.

"What? Are you gonna do what he was doing too?" Zephyria said, sounding upset.

"No. Of course not," Athanasia said, before heading over to the counter. She searched the cabinets before pulling out paper-towels. She wetted one.

Athanasia approached Zephyria again, kneeling slightly in front of her.  She reached her hand forward.

Zephyria shied away from the Swedish demon's hand.

"It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you," Athanasia spoke in a soft voice.

"You promise?" Zephyria asked.

"I promise." Athanasia slid a hand under Zephyria's chin, tilting her head up. She took the paper-towel and dabbed up the blood on Zephyria's face. "Um, if I may ask, why did he treat you like that? I mean, I know Volrath's an asshole, but come on. You're a siren queen for fucks sake."

Zephyria swallowed. "We used to um... be together. I broke it off with him some time ago. He didn't it well." Her voice wavered a little. "Did- did you find Luka?"

Athanasia shook her head. "No. We haven't. Efforts to find him are slow and they're bound to slow even more." She stood.

Athanasia took a seat on the counter. "You mind if I stay here for a little while? That way Volrath won't come back."

"No, not at all," Zephyria said, she trailed off, sniffling. "Thank you," the siren faintly said.

Those two words were enough to make Athanasia's heart soar. "You're welcome."