Hellscape

~ Families ~

Avery and Sebastian stood side by side, too shocked by the woman to do anything. She looked nothing like a human; she was taller, her skin as dark as basalt, long horns pale like ivory and curled like a ram's. Her eyes were unnaturally amber, bits of gold flecked here and there like the embers of a flame. Bright, blood red freckles splattered over her cheeks and nose, the same coloured designs winding from her wrists to the sides of her face like a burning fire. Her hair was dark chestnut, almost black, pulled into a bun and held together by a small gem that matched her eyes. Finally, Avery seemed to back gain her senses.

 "Who are you?" She demanded, clenching her fists and standing up taller. No doubt she and Sebastian looked like nothing but measly children to the woman, who chuckled at her attempt to seem intimidating.

 "No need to be scared of me, darling," the woman drawled, her grin growing even larger. What looked horribly like blood stained her teeth. "I won't hurt you. As for your question, I am Davaana, ruler of the Hellscape and eldest of the demons." Pride flashed in her eyes as she recited her title. "Now, who are you?"

 "I am Avery Hopes," Avery said boldly, trying to make herself sound confident, when really her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest from beating so quickly. "This idiot is Sebastian Brook, my.. companion." She waved offhandedly at Sebastian, who looked utterly terrified at the sight of Davaana. Wait until he sees himself, Avery thought, amused.

 When Sebastian had gaped at Avery's transformation, it was clear he hadn't seen himself. His skin was now as dark as Davaana's, small, pale horns noticeable from his significantly darker chestnut hair. Streams of neon blue-green mimicked the pattern of flowing blood, starting at his hairline and ending slightly past his hazel eyes, which seemed to be the only part of him that stayed the same. He shifted uncomfortably under Davaana's piercing gaze, which was now trained on him hungrily.

 "Sebastian Brook?" She echoed, like the name rung a bell. She stared at Sebastian a while longer before she shook her head slightly, her gaze turning to the dark grey path beneath them, muttering under her breath. Sebastian took this as his advantage and leaned towards Avery.

 "How the heck do we get out of here?" He hissed frantically. "I do not want to be spending any more time in the same place as Miss Demon Queen." Avery rolled her eyes and pushed him away slightly.

 "We have to trust her," Avery muttered under her breath, making sure her lips barely moved. "She's our only chance of escape, Sebastian." Sebastian gave Avery a skeptical look, but he didn't say much more, much to Avery's pleasure. Finally, Davaana looked up with a pained expression on her face, but it was quickly swept away when she noticed Avery and Sebastian's waiting gazes. 

 "Come with me," Davaana said, her face expressionless. "There is a storm brewing, and I doubt you'll be able to survive the acid rain." Sebastian gave Avery a wide-eyed stare at the mention of 'acid rain'. But Avery ignored him and nodded at Davaana.

 "Thank you," she said. Davaana gave her another bloodstained smile, but there was a hard look in her eyes.

 "I am not doing this for you," Davaana said quietly, leaning down towards Avery so Sebastian wouldn't hear. "I am doing this for the safety of my people. And you will help us, Avery Hopes, whether you like it or not." With that said, Davaana stood up straight again and began walking down the path, leaving Avery to wonder if her decision to trust the Demon Queen was really such a good idea.

*

 Sebastian was beginning to think that they would never reach the demon village when a small cluster of dark-stoned buildings came into view. Like everything else in the Hellscape, the colours ranged from black to white, streaked with neon colours. As they passed by a house, Sebastian couldn't resist tracing a path of gold streaks on a piece of black bricks. It was strangely beautiful.