At the Brink of Insanity

Chapter 13: Only entertainment

"Who are you and how do you know my mother?" asked the red eyed kid, looking at the young man standing before him.

The boy, maybe a year or two younger than Dante, stood before him getting soaked by the same rain Dante did. He had a grey full zip hoodie with blue highlight detail and black sweatpants. His eyes were pale blue and his hair blonde, something a normal human wouldn't expect of a demon.

"I'm Leviathan." the boy answered calmly, keeping his gaze on Dante.

"Only Leviathan? From what I've seen up til now, you demons like to show off with your rankings in Hell. Are you trying to tell me there are humble demons?" Dante almost smirked at the guy, but he didn't. He was aware that this guy, even though he looked skinny and weak, would definitely be able to break his neck without any problems.

"You humans, all about the status and ranking... I'm Leviathan, second below Lucifer, a fallen angel and the representative of sixth deadly sin, envy." 

"I thought Beelzebub represented envy. That's what he told us at least." Answered Dante.

"You humans are interesting. You always think, think, think, until you overthink everything, even the most simple things. Beelzebub represents gluttony. I was in your classroom when you first met him, I just decided to keep my presence hidden." Explained Leviathan, a small smile appearing on his face.

The thing Dante couldn't not notice about the prince of Hell was his politeness, soft expression and small demeanor, something which left him surprised. Leviathan was the exact opposite of Beelzebub. That was also which made Dante more aware of his current position, and the fact Leviathan could be even more dangerous than Beelzebub. Looking at the demon prince, the boy realized that once, he wanted to be a guy like that. Polite, but still strong enough to protect those he loves. Something which he couldn't do at the moment. Not even before.

"Is that why Lucifer let Beelzebub to be our teacher? Since gluttony won't have much effect on us?" 

The demon raised his right eyebrow, a genuine and friendly smile on his lips. "I think the Church has taught you guys wrong. Gluttony is much more complicated. It's actually thoughtless waste of everything, overindulgence, misplaced sensuality, uncleanliness, and maliciously depriving others. Marked by refusal to share and unreasonable consumption of more than is necessary, especially food or water. Your namesake described it as "excessive love for pleasure", but tell me Dante, do you really think Beelzebub had none effect on you kids?"

Thinking about it more thoroughly, Dante did come to a few conclusions. They weren't fully honest with each other, they were still keeping secrets and in a way, using each other in order to survive. Leviathan was right, their teacher did have a great effect on them, it just took way too long for him to realize it. Or maybe he just wanted to believe that they weren't like normal people, that they could fight such earthly desires in order to live.

"Humans are interesting, you say? Is that the sole reason why you're doing this?! For entertainment!? You find fun in someone else's struggles?!" 

"Lucifer told us once: "Blood and death! That's entertainment!". To tell the truth, when you're stuck in Hell torturing all those miserable, lifeless souls, you want to find something else to entertain you, but recently, even you guys are becoming boring. You're too naive, too afraid, too miserable to do anything."

"If we're so boring, why don't you leave us alone?!" Shouted Dante. He was furious, ready to fight with the demon if he had too, even though he knew, if he provokes Leviathan to the point he decides to kill him, he's surely to lose.

"Because there are other ways to play with you humans." Leviathan answered, his eyes showing excitement for the first time. "Even before Lucifer, Bub and I fell from Heaven, we always loved playing and provoking other angels. Sometimes we provoked each other... I got bored from you kids, and I can tell Lucifer's not enjoying this as much as he did 50 years ago, so I'll cheer my friend up."

The shock and fear displayed on Dante's face made Leviathan unusually happy, which he himself found odd. "You decided to play with the Devil." Dante whispered.

"That's why this is a game. As a bonus, none of us gets harmed by it. It took a lot of planing, but I think this might make Lucifer laugh again, or make him angry. Anything will do." Shrugged Leviathan. 

"Your going to justify it by saying you're helping your friend out?!" Dante's knew his eyes will fall out if he listens any more of this nonsense.

"Of course not. I don't have to justify anything. It's a selfish act." answered the prince of Hell. "You might want to get back to that shelter of yours. Bub might want to slaughter all of your friends, if you don't get there in time."

Without any thinking, Dante found himself running towards his friends. They were all in danger and definitely unaware of it, still waiting for him to show up. He wasn't much of a runner, and his body didn't let him run for long time, but today, he decided to endure as much pain as he had to, if it meant his friends would live. 

Leviathan was looking at the kid who's silhouette became smaller and smaller as he furthered himself from the prince. That's when he felt an all too familiar presence. 

"I thought you didn't want to participate." said Lucifer huskily besides Leviathan. 

"I changed my mind, Lou." Lucifer hummed, looking at running Dante. "Something the matter?" asked the prince.

"In exactly fifteen minutes, he's going to kill his father." Lucifer murmured to Leviathan.

"You're a cruel, cruel bastard, Lucifer." smirked Leviathan. "You're not really thrilled about it, though."

"It became normal, Levi. They're no fun when they don't fight back. That kid will crack when he loses his father, and once you take away the shepherd, little sheep are lost and defenseless, just the way wolves want them." commented Lucifer, his red eyes in a stare down with Leviathan's pale blue ones.

"Tell me, Levi, do you think there's someone among humans with the same eyes like yours?"

"Humans are interesting. That's what you always say. Until now, I would have never guessed I'd see a human with such red eyes. They're nothing compared to yours, but they're still unusual for a human boy. Why do you think there couldn't be a human whose eyes are similar to mine?" innocently asked Leviathan, his gentle voice making Lucifer smile.

"I was just checking. If I didn't know you, I'd say you moved a few chess pieces on my board." smirked Lucifer, before disappearing in a black cloud of smoke.

This is exactly why you're the King, Lucifer, Leviathan though to himself before following his king.

*****

Hello again! :D

I got inspired today and couldn't keep my thoughts in my head! I just had to write them down :)

Two chapters in in two days! Woo-hoo! Let's say it's my gratitude to everyone who waited for so long for me to get the book updated.

Tell me your thoughts on the chapter below.

Have a great day/night wherever you are,

Hugh