Prophecy

Chapter 1: Hell

*Xavia's POV*

It is said that the Bible never truly depicts what Hell really looks like. Some chapters and verses come close, but... they lack the sheer severity and wretchedness to be actually authentic. To understand many things in this universe, you must experience it; unfortunately, that sentiment does not bode well for anyone. In the end, Hell is a term used to describe the bad place people could end up in, depending on their life choices. When humans think of Hell, they think of fire, lava, and sinners being horribly tortured.

All of which is undoubtedly accurate.

Each soul who passes through the Gates of Hell interprets it in their own way, and though that's true... there's so much more to it. All who enter my home are greeted with a vast, decrepit, decaying world enclosed in blood, death, and unimaginable heat. All the bodies of innocents who never had the chance to live end up in the gruesome, boiling river of rotted corpses. Adhered to almost every surface of this place are burned, decimated bodies melding together. I have to say, the worst part is... you can smell everything.

More often than not, souls are consumed by the downright terror of this place. Such fear fuels my father's endless gluttony of pure hatred and devastating torment. Souls can either experience endless emotional, physical, or mental torture. A few have endured all three simultaneously; however, my father favors anything physical. The more souls condemned to this place, the greater his power becomes. Hell has encompassed my entire undying existence, and more times than I'd like to admit, I doubt everything about who I am.

Why do I do this? Why doubt?

I wish I knew.

Even though these thoughts occur, I must keep them to myself. I have no choice but to stay silent in every sense of the word. I've learned what happens should I ever speak my mind. My father will happily torture me for another century merely to prove his point. Follow his rules or get punished to the brink of death until you beg to die. He loves doing that to those who disobey him and, even more so, to those who are innocent and full of light.

You'd think it would matter that I'm his child, which should mean something or that he could be reasoned with. Maybe there's a chance he could let up some with this ill-treatment of humans, their souls, and demons alike. It doesn't; it only makes it ten times worse. My father says he's training me to surpass him and take the throne one day. I honestly doubt that's the case. I don't see him stepping down easily, especially without a fight. I'm under the utmost scrutiny... I cannot step out of line.

To ensure such things, my father has his numerous demons pursue me throughout the day. They try to be discreet—that's the keyword there—try. I always evade them because I am better; I'm the superior being. The sad part is that it's just a fact. I'm not being egotistical or big-headed as my father wishes me to be. I'm his daughter; for that reason alone, I'm better trained and way more experienced than they realize.

I am the definition of a perfect predator: a hunter. This is all I've known.

A sudden scent filled my nose, far off into the distance. I listened intently, hearing several beings steadily approaching the southeast of my current location. At the rate they were running, they'd reach me in minutes. Focusing on my power, I shifted my entire body, phasing into dark particles. I merged with the cast shadow of the deformed boulder next to me. With ease, I escaped the demons who were attempting to tail me.

This time, four were sent after me. Leading the pack was a Botis demon named Sarthramaun, a viper with the ability to change into human form. When they're ready to strike, long teeth and two horns emerge as a sharp sword is readied in their hands. These demons are speedy, cunning, and clever. Most consider them decent hunters with excellent senses and perception. Compared to other monsters under my father's reign, Botis demons are somewhat feared for their tracking ability. Sarthramaun's strength and overpowering size sets him apart from those in his group tailing me. His body is covered with scars and bulging muscles lined with protruding, slippery scales acting as armor-like protection.