𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋, 𝙃.𝘽, 𝙃.𝙃

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟯𝟯

As she traversed the fiery landscape of yet another sector of the infernal realm, akin to a new circle of hell, the sight before her was an unexpected deviation from the usual macabre grandeur. A palace emerged from the shadows, reminiscent of the one that belonged to the grand architect of this dreadful place, yet it was less imposing, more compact, and had an undeniable owlish charm. Her curiosity piqued, she began to slither closer, her serpentine movements graceful and deliberate across the scorching ground.

The intricate design of the palace, though diminutive in comparison, was a marvel to behold. Its stones were a deep, smoldering obsidian, with arches that stretched upwards like the wings of a giant, mythical bird of prey. The windows, narrow and tall, were adorned with gold filigree that glowed eerily against the backdrop of the perpetual twilight sky. The architecture whispered secrets of ancient wisdom and a time long forgotten.

As she approached the grand entrance, the sound of weeping grew louder. A peculiar creature, no larger than a child, with a bearded face and a pointed hat, stood at the base of the stairs. His cheeks were stained with the tracks of his tears, which gleamed like molten silver in the flickering torchlight. He looked up as she drew near, and his sorrowful gaze met hers.

The creature, a gnome, had skin the color of a setting sun, and his eyes shimmered with a golden light that pierced the gloom. His attire was simple yet elegant, a tunic of midnight blue embroidered with stars that matched the constellations etched into the obsidian stones of the palace.

"Are you all right, sir?" she inquired, her voice a melodious blend of concern and curiosity.

The impact of their encounter was palpable as he slammed into her chest with surprising force. She took a step back, feeling the warmth of his tiny body against her cool, scaly flesh. His sobs grew louder, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of hell's torments.

The gnome, who introduced himself as Blitz, took a moment to compose himself, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand, smearing the remnants of his tears across his cheek.

"I-I'm okay," he managed to choke out, his voice trembling. "Thank you for asking."

The gnome's reaction was peculiar, his eyes seemingly unable to leave her form. She cocked her head to the side, studying him with a mixture of bewilderment and compassion. His attire, though simple, was richly detailed with stitches that glinted in the dim light, hinting at a life of service or perhaps a craftsman's pride. His shoes were made of what appeared to be leather from some unearthly creature, and the soles left no prints on the fiery ground.

"You were crying," she pointed out gently. "Is there something troubling you?"

Blitz nodded, his chin quivering. "It's just...it's been so long since I've seen anyone like you." His words were tinged with awe and a hint of desperation.

With a sniffle, he gathered his composure and straightened his posture. "Forgive me, I must be going." He turned to leave, his small feet pattering away from her, his cloak fluttering behind him like the wings of a moth escaping a candle's flame.

"What a peculiar imp," she mused aloud, watching him disappear into the shadows. The encounter had left her with more questions than answers, and the air around her seemed to hum with a strange, unsettling energy. Despite his hasty retreat, the memory of his golden eyes remained etched in her mind, a beacon in the abyss of this uncharted hellish territory.

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The grandiose doors of the shadowy palace swung open with a solemn creak, revealing a realm bathed in an eerie half-light that seemed to be perpetually stuck between dusk and dawn. Y/n, her heart racing from the anticipation of the unknown, stepped over the threshold, her booted feet echoing against the cold stone floor. A sudden gust of wind caused the torches lining the walls to flicker, casting a dance of shadows across the intricate tapestries that depicted scenes of ancient battles between angels and demons. She felt both a sense of awe and a tingle of fear as she ventured further into the heart of the fortress.

As she moved through the grand entrance hall, a majestic white owl demon glided down from the rafters, its wings spread wide like a heavenly specter. The creature's feathers were as soft as fresh snow, and its eyes gleamed with a piercing intelligence that seemed almost human. It alighted gracefully before her, and she found herself staring into the abyssal pupils that seemed to hold secrets untold.

"Ah, hello, miss," the owl demon greeted her, its voice a melodious song that seemed to resonate in the very air around them. "What brings you to our humble abode?"

Y/n blinked, the vivid purple hue of her eyes reflecting the torchlight. She had not expected such a serene and elegant creature to inhabit a place that seemed to breathe malevolence.

"You are an owl, hmm?" she murmured, curiosity piqued.

The owl demon nodded, a knowing smile playing upon its beak. "Yes, I am Stella, and I am the steward of this palace. I do not recall scheduling your visit, so you must pardon my curiosity. What is it that you seek?"

Y/n felt a prickle of irritation at being mistaken for a servant, but she kept her composure, her tail swishing gently behind her. "I am not here to offer my servitude," she clarified, her voice steady. "I am a guard, seeking refuge for a brief respite from the company of my own kind."

The sound of light footsteps on the marble staircase drew their attention. A figure emerged, a diminutive man with the grace of a gazelle and the coloring of a stormy night. His gray and black hair fell in soft waves around his face, and his eyes held the warmth of a candle in a moonless sky. He descended the steps with the poise of nobility.

"Ah, what do we have here?" he mused, his gaze falling upon Y/n. "You look as if you could use a place to rest your weary soul."

Stella rolled her eyes, exasperation etched into every line of her feathery face. "Stolas, darling, I was handling this."

Stolas chuckled, his smile never wavering. "My dear Stella, your dedication to duty is commendable, but I suspect our guest would appreciate a kinder reception." He turned to Y/n, his gaze filled with compassion. "You are most welcome to stay with us, my friend. I am the prince of this domain, and I would not see anyone turned away in their time of need."

The words filled Y/n with a warmth she had not felt in an eternity. She lowered her head slightly in a gesture of respect, her emerald scales glinting in the flickering light. "Thank you, Your Highness," she murmured, her tail swishing with newfound hope.

Stolas waved a hand, as if brushing aside her formalities. "No need for that. Here, let me introduce you to Va, one of our most devoted servants. She will show you to your quarters."

A smaller owl, her feathers a mix of charcoal and ash, emerged from the shadows at the foot of the stairs. She nodded and offered her clawed hand to Y/n. As the dragon transformed into her human guise, she took it gratefully, feeling a gentle tug as Va led her away.

Stella's eyes narrowed as she watched them go, her feathers bristling with indignation. "You are a disgrace to this family," she hissed, spinning on her talons to face her husband. "Do you know what you have done?"

"What?" Stolas replied, his smile fading. "Provided sanctuary to a lost soul?"

"She's a dragon!" Stella spat, her voice low and venomous. "A creature of destruction and greed, not worthy of our hospitality!"

The prince's expression grew solemn as he met her gaze. "Need does not discriminate, my love. And neither should we."

With a huff, Stella stomped her foot, the sound echoing through the chamber. "Fine," she said, turning on her heel. "But mark my words, Stolas, this will not end well."

Her feathers fluttered angrily as she stormed away, leaving the prince to ponder the ripples their decision had just sent through the otherwise still waters of their lives.