Darned to Heck

Petrichor

"Ha! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! I simply- well I am lost for words!"

What?

My eyes darted fearfully to the source of the loud slow clapping that ricocheted off of the tall trees and plants watching silently on in the garden.

The King of Hell stopped clapping as he reached me, pausing between each word as he crouched down to look me in the eyes where I knelt on the ground. "I. Am. Astounded." He grinned wildly at me, twisting his features into those of a grim caricature "I really am delighted with you Allison, to think I followed you out here to restrict your powers, well, it seems there will be no need for that after all!" 

I knelt motionless and pale-faced, staring at the slightly sharp teeth that glistened in the grin of the Devil. I was unable to comprehend his words as the power that had been flowing through me like white water shifted back into my bones, along with the knowledge that I had just tortured and killed an Angel. The fact that I had enjoyed doing it refused to settle anywhere but my gut, and I felt physically heavy. Like my body was made of stones and mud.

"My dear," the Devil paused to tuck a strand of coal black hair behind my ear, his liquid gold eyes bristled with fire.  "Why are you crying? This is your blood. I can teach you so much, so much more than anyone else would ever be capable of, I will make them worship you." He pulled me into his chest, he smelt of smoke and earth and velvet. "You will be a God." He whispered as both our bodies were consumed in a ball of flames, transporting us instantly back to the palace.

_____________________________________________________

"Do have a seat Allison, pacing like a fool does not become you."

I perched hesitantly on the edge of a gilded chair, my hands twitching absently in my lap as the Devil exchanged unfamiliar words with an official looking demon. The demon glanced back at me periodically with its yellow cat eyes, clearly shocked at whatever the Devil was telling it about me.

An abrupt sounding dismissal brought my attention back to the pair as the mottled cat-eye demon bowed stiffly and marched from the room with every air of a commanding officer.

"Allison." The Devil signalled me to approach with an absent wave of his hand, I walked to him obediently. "Sit." He commanded. My legs buckled instantly and my body slumped into the chair behind it.

"I think it only fair for you to know what now lies ahead." He began, "With your actions you have undoubtedly lanced the wound that has been festering between Heaven and Hell for uncountable centuries. Put quite simply, in killing the Angel Elerial you have broken the dam built to contain conflict between worlds. So swollen is the river that pushes the dam that the smallest crack would surely lead to its complete destruction. You have provided the excuse, and the Angels will not be able to let it lie as they are proud creatures, prone to taking offence at the smallest sign of disrespect. You have seen this with the cast Angel Remiel, who was torn from Heaven for pointing out this small fact to them."

I nodded silently.

"This is certainly not the first war between Heaven and Hell; you have been informed I am told, of the War of the Blood Sea?"

I nodded again, not bothering to control my gaze as I stared into the turbulent currents of his metallic eyes.

"Precisely five thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine years have passed Allison, since the war in which the Angels wiped out your entire race. You have returned to right this wrong on no less than the dawn of the six thousandth year."

I nodded again, barely hearing the words that left his mouth as the heaviness of my limbs migrated into my brain.

"I will call for you later, for there is much to discuss. Unfortunately I must now meet with several demon lords of the Muertos Impios to inform them of certain developments. You will be escorted to your room, where I expect you to rest and stay out of trouble."

I nodded again, standing from the chair and walking over the thick red carpets to the door. Opening it, I stepped into the hallway. Distracted by almost everything, I didn't notice my convoy until I was nearly on top of him. I collided into the loose fitting white shirt of Belphegor where I was held strongly for the few moments it took me to realise where I was. When I did I shoved myself away angrily, a furious blush rising up my cheeks.

"Watch where you're going." I tried to yell at him, but my voice was quiet.

"I was, you weren't. Are you ok?" he replied, trying to look at my face which I turned away from him resolutely.

"M' fine," I sniffled.

No no no no no, I am not going to cry over this. I mentally slapped myself and gathered my reserve before turning to face him and repeating my statement with a little more conviction than was necessary.

"I am fine."  

He took one look into my bicoloured eyes before silently capturing me in his strong warm arms. Everything I had holding back the tears instantly crumbled to nothing, I clutched my hands into his shirt and sobbed. His body wrapped around me like armour and held me safely, like even time couldn't move us. His right hand stroked my hair softly and the steady beat of his heart against my head reassured me better than words ever could. He smelt of peppermint and sitting inside while it rained, he was the feeling of being warm when it was cold, he was comfort personified and I never wanted him to let me go.

"Would you like some tea?" His voice was soft and quiet as he spoke into my hair. I felt his soft lips brush my temple as he rested his chin on my head; the sound of his voice resonated through him and fell from his lips as sweet as warm honey.

I nodded silently into his chest.