Hell [Sequel]

3 - Return

[?]

I was hit with the odd sensation of entering Hell's gateway, that pins-and-needles stabbing into my insides as I crossed to the plain beyond. A cold breeze ruffled my hair a bit, strong with a coming rainstorm on the horizon. Hopefully this doesn't take long. I'd rather not get caught in that rain again.

At the thought I shivered, remembering the burns that had scarred me for weeks.

Shaking my head, I looked around the small clearing. Exactly as it'd been in Limbo, except it was near colorless, the leaves on the trees gone and the air dusty with a floating ash like black snow.

A gust of wind rushed through the trees, the racket of bare, dead branches filling my senses. I should be used to it by now, but I still jumped in alarm at the sudden cacophony. A moment of silent terror and I finally sighed in relief, and simply sat down in front of the portal.

My hand found itself randomly rubbing the back of my neck, resulting in it falling through the empty severation where said neck used to be solid. A habit of mine, like a fidget, almost. Like playing with your fingers. The hand rested on the exposed area where the top of my spine protruded into open air and stopped abruptly. It had broken - someone had shoved me down a hill with the intent of doing so. My guess was one of my brothers from the living world - though they aren't really alive anymore. I could never find out why they'd killed me, but either way I got my payback.

I smiled a little bit, remembering the looks on their pathetic faces when I tore their souls from their bodies.

I chuckled to myself. Damn, what the hell is wrong with me?

A few more silent minutes of waiting before a new figure entered the clearing. As soon as I locked eyes with him, I darted to my feet, clearing my throat and slowly approaching to meet him in the middle of the clearing.

At first his face was a bit distant, his mouth moving subtly with indecipherable muttering. It was something that always creeped me out, made me unsteady around him. Yeah, he's a psycho, but most around here tend to be, anyway. He's different. I thought Angel was mad when I met her, but he's... he's much worse.

Thankfully the muttering stopped by the time he'd gotten to me, as it usually did. Probably doesn't want me hearing every thought that pops up in his brain. His arms were crossed, his tail lashing impatiently.

"So. How's it going out there?" He started, glancing at the gateway behind me with his words.

"Hello to you, too," I rolled my eyes, then flinched as he narrowed his gaze at me. I cleared my throat again. "Uh- it's fine. No one suspects a thing as far as I know - though as you'd expect, the blue one's a bit mistrusting."

He chuckled a bit, a small smile forming on his face. "I see I've left my mark on him, huh?"

"I'd say you have."

Another laugh. "Good, good. And how's Akhet holding up after Angel's little... encounter?"

"I only caught a glimpse, but she didn't look like she was having the greatest of times," I shrugged, stifling a small laugh.

"Fantastic."

I built up the courage to ask the question I'd been pondering for a bit. "When... when are you coming out of here? Like, why are you waiting? You have every opportunity right now to kill them. I think she's getting impatient, too, judging by what you told me about the last meeting."

"I'll come out when I'm ready," he snapped, his impatient scowl forcing me to shrink back. "I have a plan, and I will go through with executing it. You are not the judge of that plan. You got that?"