Symphony of the Abyss [Descendants]

Chapter 2: The Incarnation of the Underworld

Everyone present turned their gaze, up above, on the finely decorated capitals of the columns, a black figure was sitting calmly, almost lying on the marble that was losing its colors in the beam not illuminated by the large skylight. A leg left dangling in the void as if not afraid of falling below, a gesture of comfort that faced the king and the guards already rendered useless by the arrival of Maleficent. How could common weapons beat a cursed magic of one of the most powerful witches?
<Who the hell are you? How dare you interrupt this family reunion, huh?> Maleficent screamed brimming with fury, her scepter pointed at the figure < Leave immediately or I will make you disappear... just as I will do with you>, her smirk as she turned towards them could freeze the ice itself.
Silence, all that remained, Ben placed his hand on Mal's shoulder, pulled her back, pulled her towards him. Evie next to her squeezed her hand <What is that?> she asked softly, Mal's shaking hand did not go unnoticed.
<I don't know...it has...its aura...it's terrifying...its aura is...it's bigger than Maleficent's> what the Fairy said left them incredulous, it was really possible that such a thing, a being like that, existed.
The silence that had been created was broken by a rustling coming from the columns, the time to look up and there was no one there anymore.
<Where did you go coward...don't hide from me> Maleficent's calm voice reached their ears just before the appearance, in the center of the aisle that Ben was walking through just a few minutes before, of the figure.
A man with two eyes of such a bright green that it blinded the sun itself. Short and jaunty hair of a warm blue.
His large black wings, spread with mastery, rustled in the air with a dark grace. His black jacket, open like a midnight cloak, revealed a torso sculpted by power and shaped by strength, a work of art painted with the ink of darkness.
Every muscle, anatomically perfect, was defined with a precision that exuded power and authority. The contours of his broad shoulders and powerful chest emerged from the darkness, while the shadows accentuated the curves of his sculpted abs. A masterful balance of power and grace. The dark lines of his body, intensified by the light filtering from above, delineated his figure. Every muscle, from his robust forearm to the accentuated line of his shoulder, was a testament to the primal strength that resided within him. His naked torso, devoid of any hint of weakness, was like a manifesto of power. His presence, like a fallen god, permeated the air with a dark beauty, an entrance that caught the eye and commanded respect.
Every curve of his body was a majestic play of light and shadow, delineating the power and grace inextricably intertwined. His muscles, taut as bowstrings, spoke of an ancient strength and unfathomable power as rocks shaped by the very art of creation, contracted with every movement, emanating an aura of pure strength that permeated the air around him. Light danced on the curves of his biceps, revealing a perfect balance between power and agility. Every movement was a symphony of concentrated strength, and the features of his body were drawn with precision, as if carved from the marble of legend.
Standing in the center of the nave, this winged being embodied a harmony of brute force and dark grace. His presence was an ode to transcendental physicality, a silent reminder of a world where strength was carved into the very essence of the individual. She radiated an enigmatic magnetism, while her wings, black as night, stood out against the diffused light, wide and majestic like the brightness of an eclipse, a symbol of immeasurable power. A presence that converted the simple space into a stage where her figure, full of mystery and power, dominated the attention of anyone lucky enough to be within her range of action.
<You!> Maleficent's calm voice had transformed into one of anger and disbelief.
<Hello Maleficent> said the man folding his wings on his back and making them disappear in a flame the color of his hair.
<How did you get out?> the Beast shouted from his perch, he had a fury and fear that Mal had never seen in Auradon.
The man laughed slightly, Mal did not understand, who was he, how come even the Beast seemed to know him?
<The same way she came out> he replied crossing his muscular arms over his chest < Someone cast a spell against the barrier and it broke. I took advantage of one of your missteps>
< And why did you come here? Can't you see I have things to do, leave me alone....or do you want revenge too? These are MY prey> Maleficent didn't seem intimidated, only annoyed.
< I'm not interested> he replied dryly
Mal turned to the Fairy immediately giving her back the wand, she knew her mother, something bad was about to happen.
< I don't think it will do much good> she said taking her back with despair
Mal didn't know what to answer her except with a < How?>
< No fairy can beat a god, especially that god. Hades is beyond my reach>
Mal's mind exploded, that guy everyone knew, who had escaped and who had a huge aura was Hades, the god of the Underworld, the strongest villain on the island.
< So go away, move, fly away...NOW> Maleficent used her scepter, a green trail hit the ground under Hades, a tornado of green flames and dangerous as acid hit the center of the nave even melting the ceiling.
Mal and Evie remained speechless while Carlos jumped into Jay's arms in fear.
Was her mother capable of doing that?
<Oh perfect> Maleficent said when the tornado had died down < that was easy to take out>
< Very easy> the same deep voice spoke from behind them, sitting on the Beast's throne with his legs crossed and his hand resting on his cheek like a tyrant on his ebony throne, Hades was smiling as if to mock not only Maleficent but also the power of Auradon. The Beast and Belle backed up to their group, they were surrounded.
< How did you do it?>
< I'm faster, it seems obvious to me>
< You ugly...> Maleficent's sentence was stopped by a thought < I know perfectly well that you want revenge on the Beast>
< Nah, for this little thing I'll leave them alone but be careful...> her eyes darted towards the Beast < one more misstep and I'll take you with me on a tour of the kings of the past>
< Uhh so magnanimous... now get out of there> Maleficent ordered him
< Why were you picking on them?> Hades said firmly, blatantly ignoring Maleficent, a villain in every way, in his black boots and in his gaze, yet she spoke with a compassionate voice.
< Why? It's none of your business...> the green eyes of the Lord of the Underworld shone like stars < they had a task, to give me the wand and now they refuse, happy?>
Hades' eyes moved and stuck into Mal's pupils who no longer knew what to think, she could only see their blinding color.
<Why didn't you obey?>
At that single question an enormous force began to flow through his body and he vomited all his thoughts without a filter < I like Auradon, I'm fine here, I lived a normal life with some friends, I went to school and I made cookies. I'm fine here and I want to stay with all of them and... with Ben. I long for the freedom of Auradon.>
Hades' eyes went out < and you think Auradon can give you eternal happiness?>
Mal took a deep breath before speaking < I don't know but I want to try>
For the first time he saw an almost tender smile on that face, as if she reminded him of someone, having done that he stood up and went down the stairs with studied calm. The Fairy and Belle stepped aside to let him pass. He didn't even look at them, he only looked at her < if you're convinced it's right that you follow this path. You can't predict the future after all. I'll leave you to your ceremony> he continued walking, passing by Maleficent nonchalantly.
<Let's get back to us then, give me the wand> she shouted charging her scepter, a jet of green flames started from the stone. That poisonous jet was the same one that had melted the ceiling, she saw it getting closer and closer. The spells passed through her mind but nothing that would have been useful, how could she stop it?
A thin and white jet tried to block it, the Fairy was resisting with all her strength... which ended a few seconds later.
The flames advanced quickly, life passed before their eyes that closed as if to chase away a bad dream.
A bang... and nothing... nothing happened, she felt nothing different. She opened her eyes calmly, the flames were gone, only the void between them and an incredulous Maleficent.
<I said I'd leave them alone, not that I'd leave them in your clutches>
Hades behind Maleficent opened his black wings with a crooked smile <Hadesssssss> the only scream that preceded the chaos.