The Rise of the Fallen Queen

Bonus Chapter: Honeymooning in Hell

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is before everyone gathered in Kansas and while Night and Aysa were missing after Night shot Calvin. 

BONUS CHAPTER: Honeymooning in Hell

"Not that I would know from personal experience." Ruptor said as he cleaved the last demon spawns in half before moving on. "But usually when a man takes his lady love out, its to a nice restaurant or a moonlight walk in the park."

"But it wouldn't be as memorable." Knight said as he held Asya's hand firmly in his own.

"Walking on skeletons, nearly raped by demons-"

"Not demons. Spawns." Ruptor interrupted.

"Sorry. Nearly raped by spawns which could still happen by the way." Asya continued. "And let's not forget the whole purpose of being here is entirely sketchy. We just got back together. If this is our 'first' date, I'd hate to find out what our honeymoon would be like."

"Yeah. Sorry. But at least we're together." Night said in a false cheerful tone as he looked at the map he had drawn. "We need to go left."

"The armory is right."

"No. What we're looking for is in a special place."

Ruptor stared silently for a moment but nodded and proceeded left.

"What's with all this gold?" Asya asked in wonder as she saw piles and piles of gold everywhere.

"Blood money. Assassins paid to kill, criminals profiting from drugs and sex trafficking, gambling, doctors, lawyers, televangelists, prostitution... the list is endless really. Pretty much all the money not spent on necessities to live is paid in gold here to the treasury."

They came to an enormous golden statue in the likeness of Lucifer. The status was a work of art and vivid in every detail. An observer could almost swear that the object was alive. Even the robes gave the impression of movement.

"Wow it's beautiful." Asya said transfixed.

"HE is very beautiful and deceitfully deadly." Ruptor said as he covered Asya's eyes. She struggled with his grasp trying to look at the statue once more.

"No! If you stare too long you will not be able to leave."

Asya stopped and nodded keeping her eyes on her shoes as Ruptor broke Night from his trance. The trio quickly moved forward. It was difficult for Asya and Night because the temptation to look was overwhelming. The statue called out to them like a siren's song. Refusing the lure, they followed Ruptor to a safe distance.

Night stopped abruptly.

"What's wrong?" Asya asked.

"We've gone too far. The entrance is near the statue. Quietly possibly in the base. It's marked with a triangular shaped symbol."

"You two will have stay here. Over much time, I have the ability to resist the lure but it is still not easy. In case I do not return in a one hour, you need to leave. The magic that protects you will wear off and you'll be trapped. May the Creator guide and protect you for even in the depths of hell, He is here." With that the former angel raced off.

"We need to hide." Asya said taking in their surroundings. "I don't want to be out in the open for a group of hell spawns or demons to find us."

"This place is desolate. The only place that would give us shelter is that statue and we definitely cannot go there. Besides, even in the place with the rocks and gorges, those things found us. Perhaps that's were they know souls would seek refuge. We need to stay here and wait."

Twenty minutes later, much to their relief, Knight and Asya saw Ruptor signal them over. Careful to keep their eyes down, the lure of the statue only grew as they drew closer. Asya stopped when they reached the short wall that led to the base and Night paused as well.

"Wait." She said as she cut off the bottom half of her shirt. Ripping two long strips, they tied blindfolds over their eyes and used the wall to guide them.

"This way. Hurry!" Ruptor's deep voice called.

A low-pitched hum, reached their ears. Asya cried out since her fox's hearing was far more sensitive. Night grabbed her arm and guided her. Ruptor grabbed both of them and shoved them through a hidden place in the statue's base. The noise was abruptly silenced. Pulling off their blindfolds, Asya and Night wrapped their arms around each other.

"We don't time much time. We have to hurry."

"What were those?" Aysa asked.

"Terrors. They're the cause of the more intense horrific nightmares."

Night removed a flashlight from his pocket. Switching it on, he looked at the map and instructions his niece had given them after the young girl and Roger Evans had met with them on the border of Rogue Land.

"Asya. I need you to summon your fox. She should be able to pick up on anything strange."

"At this point, I'm pretty sure the only 'strange' thing she would find is something that's normal. This place is hell. Literally."

"Please?"

Asya rolled her eyes, but let her fox push forward. Her fox, Layla, did not like this place at all. Even with her mate presence, she did not find comfort in this terrible place. Wanting to leave, she focused on her assigned task. There were several objects that gave off unsettling evil vibes. She hoped that none of those were what she was supposed to be looking for. Moving deeper into the space, she felt the air shifted and her attention caught by a glint of glowing metal. Unlike the rest of the items, there was no apparent evil radiating from the item.

The armor itself was beautifully crafted and drew the fox spirit.

"Divine magic." Ruptor said, drawing Asya's attention.

Looking at Night, the demon said, "If that armor is what you're looking, then bringing her was a good choice. Fox spirits are attracted to magic. Especially divine magic. They are also one of the few being that can handle the drain of touching such raw power."

"I feel used." Asya complained.

Night placed a sweet kiss on her forehead. "We need to take a few of the pieces from the armor."

"Won't someone notice?"

"Hopefully not." Night said, looking at the intimidatingly intricate piece.

"I can help pick the pieces to take." Ruptor offered. "Armor and weaponry are hobbies of mine."

"I'd appreciate it." Night said with relief.

Setting to work, Aysa and Ruptor were able to gather a few of pieces.

"This should be enough." Night said looking at his watch. "We have to leave."

"Great!" Asya said. "Let's not do this again."

Night chuckled. "I'll consult with Ruptor before our next date."

The demon snorted and the three made their way from hell.

----------------

Henry wanted to pace nervously but knew that such actions would only draw attention that he could not afford in a place like this. The Red Tent was a dangerous place and you had to be cautious. He twisted the ring that Shadow had given him around his finger.

"Here." A male voice said.

Turning, Henry saw Night standing there with a velvet bag.

Feeling the weight, he worried. "There's not a lot in here."

"It should be enough." Night said slipping him a piece of paper. "Good luck."