The Sin Hunter: An (Un)apologetic Introduction

Heaven's Highway

Part 4 of 4

Introduction/Recap:

Jackson Winchester Masterson was your average farm boy, born and raised in Montana by the town sheriff and a retired bandit. When his father was shot and killed by bandits, and the great threats of the West threatened him with force, Jack was pushed from his home and his family, where he escaped to the beautiful world of Eastern America. Living under the caring gaze of his friends and their parents, Jack built a reputation for himself, becoming one of the finest PIs in all of the world abroad. Unfortunately, the police grew irritated with his tendencies of constantly showing them up, and they had him executed for a crime he didn't commit, believing that they had rid themselves of his existence for good.

Jack finds his way into Hell, under the premise of guilty until proven innocent, where he quickly adapts to his surroundings, and even makes a few alliances with a trio of ragtag Sinners and a shield-wielding demon. After disrupting a coffee session with the King of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar, shattering his proud and mighty reputation, Jack finds himself in dire need of cover and escape from the world. Morpheus, the Lord and Ruler of Sloth, a powerful technological utopia, sends his finest engineer and chemical biologist, Doctor Cynthia Florence, into the field with a tactical suit of highly advanced armor, under the classified name of Sin Hunter. She is quickly defeated by the far more skilled Jack, who takes the title for himself.

The newly crowned Sin Hunter battles on through Hell, claiming several close shaves and victories for his résumé, including a bashing for Beelzebub, Ruler of Greed, the vicious victory over Morpheus, the proud capture of the lustful Queen Asmodeus, and recently, a fiery ride across Hell against Azazel, the Lord of Wrath. Although Azazel was clearly the better foe, Jack still managed to best him in combat. During Jack's time in Gluttony, he picked up a few other trinkets, including a priceless sword and a new pair of blessed boots, and lost a valuable friend in the process. Cynthia was kidnapped by Azazel's forces, where she was shipped off to Envy. Thankfully, she escaped. Shrap, Deck, and Harley, Deck's girlfriend, entered Envy unscathed, and Crow and the newly equipped Wrench are on their way now.

We last left off with the Sin Hunter, rapidly approaching his destination at Sloth's terminal. He carries with him a fresh clip of ammunition, a sprained wrist, and a fiery spirit to clash with Hell's last two Overlords, and escape from Hell victorious. It's time to close this book, after so much time.

CHAPTER 1: Shake Hands with the King

Simion whipped past the sharp angles in the dark, beating red tunnels into Hell, his wings carrying him swiftly through the maze of dark and mystery. Although many Angels usually found themselves lost in these caves, resulting in a resistance to entering Hell, Simion was well adjusted to the task at hand. The only thing he was tasked with was finding the Sin Hunter. So if he needed to memorize the correct route through Hell's tunnels, then so be it. His sandals came to a gracious rest atop a rolling field of darkness and dry, dead grass, and he adjusted his halo, looking up at the dark, fiery skyline of Pride.

"Yikes. This place is giving me major creeps. Better hurry up and finish this job." He took off from the fields, flying over the buildings and streets far below in Hell. The district he was flying over must have been a better side of town, because there was at least traffic in the streets and lights on in the buildings. "Hell hasn't changed one bit since the Creation asked me to come here last time. And it's no wonder why." Simion dodged and weaved through the skyscrapers from Pride, some ruined, others less ruined. He soared through into a massive opening, past rolling hills and steel gates, where he was met with Lucifer's mansion, seated like a crown on the head of the highest peak in Hell.

Compared to the architecture of Heaven and its blissful, beautiful creations, this mansion was roughly the same, but with a darker color palette. The windows were stained red and white, with hints of pink splashed across the frames, and all over the mansion, with its dark red and deep black brick texture, demons and brutish creatures were moving boxes, decorations, and valuable trinkets around the property. The Angel Guardian landed gracefully on the terrace, where he slid his golden bow fast onto his back. "Huh. Looks like somebody's got work to be done." Simion walked past the bustling workers, ducking beneath clocks, shelves, and tables as they were hurried out of sight, before finally meeting a woman who stood out clearly amidst the chaos in the dark manor