The Beginning Of An End

Chapter 13

Ever since I was blessed with the knowledge of a looming doom, the time around me seemed to slow down. It resulted in me locking that information away, somewhere deep within myself until I had time to deal with it again. I couldn't afford any more distractions. I had to see this plan through otherwise we'd all be doomed, not just me. In a way, what Abaddon told me sharpened my senses. I saw the goal clearly now. Unfortunately, along with the information, I had to lock a lot of emotions away. There was no room for spiraling anymore. As I realized that not even vices could help, the only solution for me was to hit the switch.

A lot of demons were capable of this - turning off the passion and emotions within them. It wasn't recommended however. What makes demons so charming is the ability to feel every emotion very intensely and to understand humans on a very profound level. It also made existing a lot more bearable. That was why not many of them hit the switch. In fact, the ability to connect with humans was the only way they managed to get deals done.

The only thing that was left within me was a small spark of vengeance. I had to leave some of it so I could actually get something done. I needed drive.

The first time in a long while I had to walk through the outside parts of Hell's palace. I wasn't sure where Mammon was enchanting the ring but I had to do my part of getting Astaroth on our side. The outside of Hell was the same as always - eternally fiery and hot. One of the rare times humans were correct about depictions of parts of Astral was certainly this. It wasn't at all charming, it was very grim and unfriendly looking. The sky was always a crimson color with smoke from volcanic craters usually covering most of it.

I assumed Astaroth was near the gate as he was nowhere to be found inside the palace's walls. Mammon used to be a lazier guard as he'd just spectate from inside. Astaroth, however, seemed to be a much stricter one. It could be tricky fooling him.

Nonetheless, I strolled on across the cracked ground, trying to find the mysterious demon. Mysterious to me as he was also one of those I had barely talked to. He was just far too neutral. At least with Mammon I knew he disliked me in the beginning, I had never known what Astaroth was thinking.

After a while, the gate loomed just ahead. It was constructed from the sturdiest material found in Hell, resembling Earth's iron but imbued with magical properties. The material blocked anyone who wasn't a demon from entering. If anyone attempted to pass through, they would be sent flying back. If someone managed to breach it, as Loki had the first time, the guard was supposed to intervene. Something Mammon had never done with Loki. The gate itself towered high, reaching almost as high as a two-story building, making it an imposing barrier.

A little bit above it I noticed black smoke stretching out far alongside the fence. For a non-demon, it would just be a simple puff of smoke. But for a demon, it would be another demon. We were also able to shapeshift, as I mentioned before, but we weren't as versatile as Loki was.

"Astaroth." I spoke loud and clear as I stared directly at the blackness floating above me. Demons in this state were very much conscious, they only couldn't communicate verbally.

There was no budging for a minute or so despite me patiently waiting. "I have something important to discuss with you." I said as confidently as I could to show him I was being serious. Considering we hadn't really talked before it was reasonable why he was being cautious.

At once the black smoke along the fence started shrinking until it all collected in a spot right in front of me. The mass enlarged until it was about my height and started shaping out a human visage, resembling a shadow person. Soon the smoke started drawing back until an actual physical manifestation of Astaroth formed. The first thing one would notice about his appearance were horned featherless wings and long goat horns on his head. His hair was dark brown and wavy, reaching his neck. His skin was ghostly pale and the deep-set black and piercing eyes, one would feel them in their soul. For some reason, Astaroth preferred walking around shirtless so him appearing bare-chested was not that concerning. I assumed it was his way of showing even more of how much he didn't care about anything.