Joella: A Supernatural Twist (ON HOLD)

Chapter XXII: Reunions

Isaques, Rachael, and Max stood in silence in the quiet damaged hallway of the school. Isaques stood in front of Rachael as a means of protection. It was all too suspicious that Joella disappeared somewhere in the school and Max showed up out of the blue.

"Recarro, where have you been all this time?" asked a stunned Isaques. Rachael was casually drifting back to exit the school to leave the two.

"How many times do I have to say it? I go by Max now," he argued walking close to him. "And I was just around getting myself together. Can't have myself wanting to eat the girl I love now can I?" he smirked. Isaques turned to Rachael who had retreated a few feet and they exchanged a sincere look. "Where is she anyway?" Max said looking around just realizing the condition of the lockers and walls. "Whoa!" He commented.

"I see. And who exactly helped you get yourself together?" Isaques asked sternly.

"A friend."

"Who might this friend be?"

"That's none of your business, now is it?" Ricky smugly responded. "Now I'll ask again. Where... is... Joella?" He stopped directly in front of Isaques who caught his breath.

"Um... Max?" Rachael shyly spoke up and Max tilted his head to look at her. "There's something you should know about Joella." she looked down.

Meanwhile, outside of the school, Chloe was just finishing up healing her friends when a sudden gust of wind swept overhead and a cluster of cumulonimbus clouds formed above the entire school and parking lot. Something was happening and Joella was still nowhere to be found. Chloe felt a rush of energy shower over her and stood to her feet as she looked up to the sky. The clouds formed like a huge grey blanket in the atmosphere and the winds swept across the landscape so strong, it could've lifted a car. Or not. Powerlines howled like wolves swinging in the wind then a dark silhouette appeared by the entrance of the school. Chloe instantly knew it was another conjurer, one powerful but not as powerful. It was hard for anyone to make out a face, for there was thick fog spreading in the area. Chloe readied herself for a fight as the figure got closer and closer. She squinted her eyes trying to see then they snapped open.

"V-Vick, Vicktor," whispered Rachael exiting the building. Chloe was shocked because she knew the man too. Everyone faced the man as the fog lifted, now able to see his face.

"Vicktor?" Isaques asked. "As in high school Vicktor?" Rachael nodded.

"Hello, old friends." The man grinned wickedly. "It's been a while, hasn't it Chloe?" Chloe was shocked to the bone and blinked as though she'd seen a ghost. She was beginning to get paler, then a hand rest on her shoulder for comfort. "Well then, where's Maxius?"

Meanwhile, back in the underworld aka hell.
Joella was walking through surprisingly well-done corridors with Dexter. It wasn't black nor dark like anyone would expect but it wasn't red neither. It was like walking through the halls of a real castle- it was peach and white all over. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings and portraits were framed in the most beautiful carved piece of wood. They walked on a white carpet that stretched down the corridor and-

"Don't be deceived by what you see, My lady." Dexter finally said bluntly. Joella snapped her head around back into reality after intensely observing her surroundings.

"What do you mean?" She replied awaiting an answer.

"It's simple really," He paused. "Do you really think that Hell looks like this?" His smug smirk caught her by surprise and she diverted her eyes from him to see the layout changed.

What's going on here? "Master really outdone himself trying to please you and not frighten you. So please don't be alarmed." Wasn't it just a pristine castle hall a minute ago? "Aye. But we demons are masters of deception; it was not difficult to make it seem otherwise." He paused. "This is what Hell truly looks like." With that Joella observed the change but didn't shudder. She saw what was peach now turned crimson and white to black in an instant. They were demons everywhere outside the castle and a hellhound sleeping in the same hallway they were walking. But to Dexter's surprise, she wasn't afraid. She was more in awe than terror or anything else. When they continued to walk on an unfamiliar figure appeared in front of them-- a man. "Howard! Nice of you to finally show. Where were you?" Dexter asked with a bright smile, but the man called Howard didn't seem to be as anxious as Dexter to see him. He diverted his gaze to Joella as they commenced walking up to him. "No answer? I see you're as cold as ever." The man stood there glaring at Joella with piercing glowing red eyes until they were directly faced to face. "Howard, I assume you know her highness?" The beautiful man nodded faintly still glaring at her. He was truly an astonishing work of art, so handsome- no beautiful.

"I'm sorry but could you not stare so much? It's a bit embarrassing-" Joella was cut off by the sudden force of a soft, passionate, and sweet taste of something that often happened when she was with Jake-- a kiss. A kiss!? H-he's k-k-kissing me?! What the hell? Joella's eyes shot open and Howard backed away slowly licking his tender lips and removing his muscular arms from around her. Joella covered her mouth in shock and glared at Howard intensely.

"My apologies, Noire but it's great to see you again. I've missed you, my love." Howard's words drove Joella into a corner confused. He seemed to have met her before while kissing her only made things complicated but what's more confusing, was that he called her 'his love'.

"Howard, you can't go osculating her like that without warning. Besides she doesn't remember you." Dexter spoke up and Howard's expression changed.

"Are you kidding me? We have to go to Master immediately! I can't have my beloved forgetting me." He argued and Dexter agreed. Both Dexter and Howard leered at Joella as she snapped back into reality. "Shall we go, Lady Noire?" The man that was once quiet and mysterious a while ago was now able to find his tongue-- ideally in Joella's mouth-- and speak casually.

Joella nodded immediately although she was still shocked and all three continued. As the hellhounds howled and the demons shrieked, Joella, Howard, and Dexter made their way deeper into the castle to the throne room where the Master was shooting darts and drinking a sparkling goblet of warm red liquid.

"So she has come. My darling daughter, Noire. Hope she's in the mood to play because I just thought of an impish game. One befitting a queen." A satanic laugh spread throughout every corner of Hell as the red threads of fate began to untangle. Will anyone survive what is about to unmask? What answers will Joella be told and what will she do to save everyone she cares about?