The Beginning Of An End

Chapter 10

In the next few days, everything seemed to return to a semblance of normalcy. All the demons were back, though they no longer liked me very much. It seemed they'd undergone quite a bit of torture ever since my escape. The casino in Hell had fewer demons than before, which I didn't mind too much, but it did feel lonelier. Now more than ever, I needed the buzzing noise of the crowd to silence the voices. Beelzebub and I had finally reunited, and he was pretty much my only company these days. Mammon was back to his usual self, avoiding everything and everyone, so I wasn't sure if he hated me now too. I wouldn't blame him either way.

"So, you haven't told me, was the Devil too cruel towards you while I was away?" I asked Beelzebub, slouching in my chair at the poker table, fiddling with one of the chips. Beelzebub was sitting across from me, sipping whiskey from a glass.

Beelzebub sighed, his eyes darkening slightly as he stared into his glass. "Cruel? That's putting it lightly," he replied, swirling the amber liquid. "He was... inventive in his methods. Let's just say he wanted to ensure no one else gets any ideas about escaping."

I winced, guilt gnawing at me. "I'm sorry, Beelzebub. I didn't think he'd go that far."

He waved a hand dismissively, though his expression remained somber. "It's not your fault. We all knew the risks. Besides, it wasn't all bad. It gave me some time to think."

"Think about what?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"About loyalty, trust, and the precarious balance we're all trying to maintain down here," he said, leaning back in his chair. "You're not the only one who wants out of this mess. But your escape... it gave some of us hope, as dangerous as that hope might be." There was a small pause after he said that, as he chewed on his lower lip as if trying to hold back information but ultimately failing to. Then he proceeded, "Mammon, however, got the short end of the stick. He has been sacked."

I immediately looked up from the chip and straightened my back. "And you're telling me now?!" I exclaimed. A pang of guilt struck me as it was dawning on me the chaos I had caused unintentionally. He must despise me even more now than before.

"I thought you knew!" Beelzebub tried defending himself.

"How would I know?! I only got here a few days ago!" I snapped, once again feeling rage consuming my whole body. His eyes widened in shock as he noticed the black smoke coming out of my body. "Where is he now?!" I continued with my demanding tone. I had no idea why he would keep this from me for so long. After all, it was Mammon who risked bringing Loki in.

"He's okay, he's just not in charge anymore." Beelzebub said feeling kind of bewildered by my sudden outburst. It was getting harder and harder for me to keep my rage down the more time progressed and he just ended up being the target now.

"Then who is?!" I growled.

"Man, calm down. Everything's fine."

Beelzebub held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Calm down. He's been hiding in the library per usual, trying to avoid the Devil's wrath. He didn't want you to know—thought it might distract you from your plans."