Chapter 53 Part 4) Death’s Grasp Part 2 (Patreon)

As Desaray stepped through the doors, her eyes widened when she saw the scene of torment and torture that was happening inside. Boiling pits of lava with thousands of people inside, all screaming in agony but not dying. People with spears sticking through their bodies yet dangling there, moaning in pain, propped up as if they were some kind of display.

There were people being burned alive but not dying. Some were being beaten by large, giant, demon-looking creatures with short wings and red bodies. The block horns and tail, along with their hoofed feet, made Desaray think of devils. “This really is hell.”

Desaray frowned as she continued walking down the path. She had no idea what kind of dungeon this was, but she knew she had to deal with the boss if she wanted to continue. The so-called devils ignored her. They did not even glance at her as she walked past them, which was strange since they were not even affected by her ice. With each step, she was freezing her surroundings, but the devils, as well as those being tortured, were not affected at all. Even the methods of torture did not change. The only thing that was actually affected was the ground she walked on.

“This place is very strange.” Desaray continued on the winding path. Fields of fire and ice. Grass that was razor sharp that people were walking through. Bloody rivers that flowed through the place, branching out all over. It was the picture of hell that Desaray would envision.

As she made her way through the hellish landscape, the scene of torture finally came to an end, and what stood before her was a long, dark road that led to a tall, black-stoned castle. The castle had lights on, so she knew this place was not empty.

She walked along the road and finally reached the front doors of the castle. “There is nothing else here… Just this castle.”

Taking a deep breath and did not just push the doors open but knocked on them. She felt it rude to just walk in. If the people inside were actually living here and where not an enemy, she did not wish to be rude. Even after what she had saw she felt there was a reason for all of this. Something about this place seemed very off. The first floor was indeed a dungeon up to the doors she just entered.

After she knocked, the doors suddenly opened, and an old man with horns on his head and red skin answered the door. He wore a butler uniform and bowed his head when she saw Desaray. “The master is waiting, Miss.”

Desaray wrinkled her brow as she asked: “ He knew I was coming?”

“Yes, Miss. Master knows everything that happens in his realm.” The old man replied.

“Then please lead the way.” Desaray did not know if she was making a mistake or not, but she felt if she refused, things might get hairy.

Desaray stepped into the castle to see a lavishly decorated interior. The walks had many pictures of a woman with golden hair and white wings on her back. But what stood out were the black horns on her head. One of which had a golden halo wrapped around it.

“This is?” Desaray couldn’t help but ask. The image of the woman seemed familiar to her, but she couldn’t put her finger on where she had seen such a woman.

“This is the madam. Madam Aria.” The butler replied. This name made Desaray’s brow wrinkle even more, but before she could remember where she heard it, the butler said: “This way, please, Miss.”

Desaray noted that the Butler was extremely polite, not something she had expected to see while here in this dungeon filled with torture.

She was slowly led down a grand hall and up a flight of stairs before walking down another long hall and to a room with double wooden doors. The butler stopped and opened the doors before stepping to the side and bowing his head. “Master, Miss is here.”

“Let her in.” A calm, low voice replied. Desaray gave the butler a nod before stepping into the room. When she saw who was sitting at a table that was covered in desserts and a kettle of what she presumed to be tea, she was slightly stunned.

“We have met before,” Desaray said as both a statement and a question.

“We have met more than you can ever imagine, Aria.” The man replied.

“Now I know why the name sounded familiar. You called me it once before.” Desaray gave the man a look up and down, but she had no recollection besides the first time they met in that dungeon of who this man was. Nor did she care. She had no feelings for anyone she did not know.

“That is because you are her. I would never mistakenly call someone else such a name.” The man replied. “Since we are officially meeting in a more relaxed state, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Silas, the king of the underworld. I was once Aria’s husband.”

“Then we are definitely not the same. I have never even dated a boy, never mind had a husband. And to be honest unless you match my high standards, you would never catch my eye. I would rather date a woman than a man who can’t even live up to my expectations.”