What The Hell

Chapter One

The city was always so maze-like but I knew this place like the back of my hand.

Yet now my mind blurred and I almost felt lost. My anxiety was running high. When Lucifer called for my presence I knew it was nothing to be excited about.

Guards passed by me on their hell-horses yelling at random bystanders.

I was nearing the edge of the city and getting closer to the bridge that led up to the palace.

When I approached the bridge two guards pointed blades at my neck.

"State your name," the taller one barked at me.

"Akemi Natsume," my voice spoke so weakly.

The two guards lowered their blades and stepped aside letting me pass by.

"Lord Lucifer is in the throne room waiting for your arrival," the other guard spoke as I walked by.

This wasn't the first time I'd walked the bridge yet it seemed more bleak than it had before. The red stained water seemed more eerie and the bright moon felt more revealing of my location.

Being in front of the rotting wood palace doors for the first time in four years felt just as nerve-wracking as it did the first time when I was assigned my position.

I knocked the boar head skull against the wood and stepped back.

The doors were pulled open by a familiar face.

Damien, Lord Lucifer's son.

"Akemi! Long time no see."

"You looked surprised to see me, did your father not tell you he needed me here?" I asked him.

He shook his head and that nervous feeling in my gut got worse. The fact Lucifer didn't tell his son I would arrive soon worries me, because he would tell Damien everything.

"I'll escort you to the throne room," he offered as he shut the doors, putting the chains that locked it back in place.

"Thank you," I hardly even remembered where the throne room was and getting lost was the last thing I wanted to do here.

The walk was quiet until we reached the throne room doors.

Damien turned to me and worry was obvious in his face. He knew whatever this was about it wasn't good.

He kissed me forehead and muttered "Good luck" in my ear.

He unlocked the throne room door and cracked it open, stepping aside.

I stepped forward, pushing the door open and there sat Lord Lucifer.

He looked extremely aggravated and impatient.

I took a breath and walked down the velvet carpet and took a knee before him, bowing my head.

"You summoned my presence, sire?"

"Indeed I did," his voice was terrifyingly deep and strict, "You are guarding the gates between the overworld and our world, correct?"

"Yes, that is true,"

"Then explain to me, how did you manage to let a rogue king slip from your grasps to the overworld?!" he raised his voice and the question sounded almost rhetorical.

"I-I...with no disrespect sire no one has been at the gates in days," I explained sounding absolutely terrified. I'm going to die right here. He is going to kill me.

"Do not lie to me!" he shouted.

I went silent with nothing to say and I knew that he understood I was too terrified to speak.