𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝒉𝑖𝑛𝑒 // 𝐿𝑒𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝒉𝑜

twenty six.

     From what bits Minho had told–and shown–her, the Underworld was a desolate, scarred place, and its inhabitants just as sullen.

     With her assumed knowledge of the realm already established, nothing could have prepared Haneul to behold the cities of higher ranked demons.

     There was slight smugness on Minho's face as he watched her eyes dart from sight to sight, the hood that covered her dark hair shifting as she craned her neck.

     Of course, Seungmin wouldn't have brought a mortal to the Underworld without proper precautions. Assuming his friend would get jealous otherwise, a shirt and hoodie of Minho's blanketed her skin; carefully selected perfume used by many she-demons wafted from her neck and wrists as they walked.

     With all of that and the fact that she and Minho were basically attached at the hip, Seungmin was satisfied with the temporary disguise. Besides, it wasn't uncommon for demons to bring mortals to the city as bouts of entertainment.

Haneul gaped up, squinting to see the tops of skyscrapers, eerie lights spilling from many of the frosted windows. Someone bumped into her shoulder, and she reflexively turned to apologize before Minho's hand closed around her bicep.

The demon threw a belated snarl over his shoulder before dipping his mouth to her ear. "We don't say sorry down here."

In a place of frigidness and cruelty, he was the only solid, familiar thing she knew. Though Hanuel hated herself for it, she discreetly leaned into his embrace while she nodded. Minho didn't try to move away.

     The agreed upon theme of the city seemed to be cool toned, beaming lights, although the smooth concrete was covered in lewd graffiti just like Earth. Everything else though: office buildings, corner stores, it was all the same.

"Why did you bring us to this part of the city," Minho hissed at Seungmin, warily analyzing their surroundings. "It's too crowded."

"The crowd is what I wanted," the younger demon replied, twisting to avoid a passerby. "It'll be easier for us to get past the gate and to the house when we're hidden among a group of our own."

Well, he had to give Seungmin props for that. Usually Minho would have thought out a plan, ensured that there were no loose ends, but he was too strung up at the moment. For a fleeting second, a surge of gratitude flushed in his chest.

They trekked for blocks down the sidewalk, refined buildings becoming more and more dilapidated as they drew away from the center of life, debris and crumbling concrete causing Haneul to stumble.

Once again, Minho's hands were there to steady her. "Just a bit further. Then we'll see what this is all about."

As they drew away from the city, the ground became softer, almost like soil. Haneul glanced up to see skeletal trees, blackened leaves swaying and brushing against each other; the dry echo raised goosebumps on her arms. A wide path–quite worn after millennia of trampling–carried the feet of all who were walking back to one of the Underworld's communities.

     Deciding to take this time to study other demons, Haneul furtively glanced around, zeroing in on a few faces.

     The first demon she peeked at was a girl; her hair flowed down to her knees, thick and glossy. Her skin had a purple tinge, and when she met Haneul's gaze with a grin, she could see her pupils were like that of a cat's.

     Tearing her eyes away, she focused on the ground for a moment before trying again. On her left side was a towering demon, his arms obviously massive beneath his crinkled leather jacket. His shaved head gleamed in the dim glow of the realm.