The Devil's Office

6: A Black Ink Memory

          The morning arrived, Anato along with Belphine, Lucifer, Asmodeus and Satan gathered inside Belphine's chamber. "Can I ask, why are you two here?" Belphine asked Asmodeus and Satan. "I'm here to support Anato." Asmodeus said. "Me too." Satan said. Then Leviathan, Mammon and Shahmeel entered the room. Anato was so shock to see Mammon suddenly appearing, she almost fell. "Now, these two is here. Why are you all here?!" Belphine asked in anger. "We're here to see the ceremony, can't miss out right?" Mammon said and glance at Anato to which she ignored. Belphine sighed. "Fine, whatever. Well then, let's just begin--" Suddenly, Beelzebub entered the room. "Even you?!" Belphine asked. "Huh? I came here to give the cookies you asked me to bak--" "--Oh right! Sorry, I guess you could stay." Belphine said. "Okay! If someone is going to enter this room again, please enter right now!" Belphine shouted. "Urm.. I think all the possible residents in this house, is all in this room." Satan said. She sighed. "Whatever. Now, let's just begin." Belphine said. "Anato, come forward and bend your knees in the middle of this circle." She said. Anato went to the middle and bend down. "Since my powers are limited in this world, it'll only reveal your death once. I need you to be very focus about observing yourself and your surroundings, alright? Do you understand?" She asked. "Yes." Anato said while nodding. "I need someone to catch Anato if she faints later." Belphine said. "Don't worry, I'll catch her." Lucifer said. "Great. Well then, let's begin." Belphine said. "Good luck Anato!" Asmodeus shouted to which she smiled nervously. Then silent filled the room as Anato tried to calm herself. "In 3.. 2.. 1--" Suddenly, a black ink began coming out from Anato's feet. She backed away but still the black ink flowed out smoothly. Everyone was gone, outside of the circle was just a fog of darkness. She quiets down to observe the black ink slowly filling the circle, as the last bit of ground filled. All the sudden, the black ink began crawling upwards covering Anato, as if she's in a semi-bubble. Then stuffs began emerging from the ground. There was a desk with books at the corner, an untidy bed and a closet. Her surroundings were messy and it stinks as if something dead has been here for so long. She looked below her, and it was where the smell was coming from. A dead cat, its fur was grey with black stripes. It looked like it was stabbed. She felt sad looking how pathetic the cat was, but still couldn't remember anything. Then a creaking sound echoed in front of her. Slowly, she looked in front of her. A chair emerged from below, and suddenly a body appeared hanging from the ceiling. She knew it was herself, but wasn't horrifid by the look. She always had that feeling that she killed herself inside of her. As the body slowly swings around, it revealed her face. She looked pale, and just dead. There were scratches and scars on her hands and face. You must've lived very hard to die so early. Then she walked towards the desk. There was a picture in a frame, she tried to grab it but it liquefied to a black ink. She was surprised for a moment, but the picture emerges back. She then went nearer to look, it was her younger self with a boy whom she doesn't recognise. She turned around and look around to realise there was a door. She went in front of it and approach the doorknob. Slowly, she grabbed the doorknob. Surprisingly, she felt the presence of the door. She opened it, to reveal darkness. There was nothing ahead. Then she remembered Belphine sayings from before. You will be able to know how you died, but you'll never know why or when. Anato sighed. Suddenly the door returned to a black ink, she turned around to see everything dispersing. Slowly, the dark fog surrounding the circle began clearing away. It was then she was back at Belphine's chamber. All the sudden, her head felt really light and the world began spinning around in her vision. She tripped and fell, but before she could Lucifer already catched her in midst air. Anato looked below and realised that she's floating. Slowly, she went into slumber. Belphine stood up while feeling dizzy as well. "Wow, all of that really sucked out the energy from my body. You guys should leave, I need to sleep." Belphine said as she walked towards her bed. Everyone went out of the room along with Anato floating in the air unconscious. Mammon stared at her as she passes him. He chuckled. "She's like an angel." He spoke quietly. "An angel huh?" Leviathan said as he stared at Anato as well. "Don't you think you're marking her up too high?" Leviathan asked. "What's wrong with that, she's an art. All angels are beautiful. " Mammon said. Then they began walking upstairs as the others were walking ahead. "There was never a day I expect Mammon The Great to take a liking of a mere broken soul." Leviathan said. "Well you know me, I have an eye for artistic stuff. Probably one of the reasons why I still can't repent from my first sin." Mammon said. Leviathan chuckled. "You're such a stuck up for beautiful things, you even got hypnotise by a broken soul just by sleeping beside her for one night when nothing happened between you two." Leviathan said. "Mm? How did you found out?" Mammon asked and stopped walking. "I had my ways." Leviathan said and turn to him. "I just don't want you to stoop so low. So you better back off before I take action." Leviathan said. "Brother, I really appreciate you caring for me. But those who I love and hate are out of your business." Mammon said. "Have you even got the message from Lucifer that day?" Leviathan asked. "What message?" Mammon questioned. "He has told us all to stray away from Anato, or he'll put a curse on everyone. You see, I'm not a fond of that." Leviathan said. Mammon remain quiet. "There are thousands of broken souls coming to your door every day or night, you can pick one of them to be your wife. Consider it a matchmaking, which would you consider a beauty--" Before he could complete his sentence, Mammon punched his face. Leviathan was pushed back by Mammon's beating was pulled by him as well. "I can't consider my work a matchmaking because everyday I have to face broken souls who had face their life with harsh environment and people. I helped them to remember their sins, so they could repent and go to heaven to live in peace. So I don't think I'm the one who stoop so low, it's you. I'm trying my best to help broken souls, my brothers and myself to overcome themself, but you're not helping anyone here. So before you could blackmail me by using Lucifer's name, I would appreciate you don't meddle in my likings." Mammon said and pat Leviathan's chest. He then continued going upstairs.

          Anato, who was still unconscious was brought back to her own room by Lucifer. "I hope she remembers at least some parts of her memory." Lucifer said to Asmodeus. "I'm hoping as well." He replied. Lucifer sighed. "Anyway, since when did you and Anato became friends?" He asked Asmodeus. "Since yesterday, she is the first person who I've showed my collection." Asmodeus said. "Really? That's great to know that you've taken a step forward for yourself. I guess Anato is a great way of expressing to. " Lucifer said. "She surely is." Asmodeus said. "Well then, let's leave her be." Lucifer said and walked out the room. Asmodeus followed out.