Fight for the Underworld

Sweet Prince

I pulled my big hood back and answered, "Well I used my cutlasses as grappling hooks to climb up the wall and into your bedroom window." Devin's face was still stuck in confusion. He still had the long black hair but now he has subtle red highlights with his grey curled horns planted in the mess. He has the red glowing crack around his right eye on his pale face.

"By the way," I rustled through the pocket on the inside of my cloak and pulled out the paper I found on the princess's dresser. "What's this?"

"I don't know," he answered after he snapped out of his confusion. "What is that?"

"Well," I examined the paper, "says here that you're going to marry the princess of Plouton soon."

He groaned in response, "I know. I've been stalling Lucifer so he I don't have to."

"Lies," I protested.

"I'm not!" he countered.

"She was pretty though!"

There was a short pause then Devin mischievously smiled, "you're jealous."

"N-no!" I stumbled, "besides, she's dead now so it doesn't matter."

"Huh," he said with a raised brow and crossed arms. "Sounds familiar."

I questioned, "What are you saying?"

"Oh you know. The situation with Holly."

"Now see here-" but he interrupted me and grabbed me into a tight hug.

I could feel his strong hand holding on to the back of my head. He whispered, "I missed you so much." I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I missed you too."

So we basically just stood there in the middle of the big stone walled bedroom holding on to each other and hoping the moment will never end. That is, until I pulled away, "So what now?"

"I think you should meet Jazz," he answered.

Reunion

Devin lead me to a room in the castle. He knocked on the door and yelled, "Jazz! Someone's here to see you!" There were sounds of things hitting the floor and glass shattering, followed by a frustrated groan. Then there was a clattering sound of locks and the tall, heavy wooden door swung open.

"Uh, that's not Jazz," I stated after seeing the whiskered muzzle and striped face. What stood holding open the door was a man with a tiger head wearing big round glasses and a big dark purple cape and hood.

"I most certainly am Jazz," he said stroking his dark and bushy mustache with his clawed fingers. "And didn't I tell you not to bother me when my door is closed!" He snarled at Devin."

"What happened to you, Jazz?" I asked after I noticed his scorpion tail behind him.

"Jazz turned himself into a manticore," said a soft voice. I turned and was startled to see a short figure suddenly appear right next to me.

"Oh for goodness sakes, Gabby," Jazz protested, "I was looking for a cure for Devin's condition." He waved his arms and flicked his wrists and the fallen books and shattered bottles sparkled and pulled themselves together and floated back into their appropriate places.

We followed Jazz into the round room filled with bookshelves and cupboards and two windows. "What condition?" I asked Devin.

He touched one of his horns, "Well Jazz figured that I'm losing control over my demon form because of the exposure to the underworld's environment and quite frankly, it's very uncomfortable to sleep with these tough horns in the way." He paused. "Also. . . I think I'm growing a tail."

Gabby folded her arms, "Well I could've solved both of your transformation problems if somebody wasn't too stubborn to let me help."

Jazz snapped, "Well you know what Gabby?" But he couldn't carry on and was left with his jaw hung open and a finger frozen in the air.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Gabby said under her breath. She grabbed my arm and lead me out the door.

"So what are you doing here?" I asked Gabby as we walked out to the garden.

"While you were gone, Lucifer appointed Devin as ruler of the west region of the Underworld," she explained. "He invited Jazz as the royal sorcerer and me as the healer." She sits down on a white bench, "I had a vision a few weeks ago," she looks up at me, "You being here confirmed it."

I sat next to her and asked, "What did you see?"

"Someone is planning to attack the Underworld."

"So?" I asked. This place is just full of evil and darkness so why should we care if someone is trying to attack us?

"The Underworld is full of lost souls turned into the dark, hungry spirits," Gabby started, "But now there are a lot of civilians who live here."

"So they're in danger," I stated then she solemnly nodded. "What do you suggest we do now?" I asked.

"Find out who's planning and stop them," she said, "I know that it's someone we know, but my vision wasn't clear enough."

"Then the first place we should check is our crew," I said.

She agreed, "we should hurry," she stood up, "and find this person as soon as possible."

I followed, "But wait, how are we gonna find the crew?"

"I know they're still together," she said as we walked into the castle's hallway, "I will use my powers tonight to get an idea of where they are. Now get some sleep captain, you've come a long way." We went our separate ways and I found Devin's bedroom.