Azreal stepped out of his chamber, his long black cloak flowing behind him as he made his way to his throne. The grand seat, forged from molten lava and swirling black smoke, radiated an eerie glow. As he sat down, resting his chin on his hand, his crimson eyes flickered with boredom.
"Arian," he muttered.
The lava before him swirled violently before erupting into flames, forming the shape of a mighty dragon. The beast bowed its head, its molten eyes glowing with reverence. "My Lord, why have I been summoned?"
Azreal let out a sigh. "I want you to patrol Hell. Keep watch for anything suspicious related to the infernals that attacked yesterday. Report back to me immediately."
Arian lowered his head. "As you wish." With that, his form crumbled back into the lava, vanishing without a trace.
Azreal exhaled deeply, leaning back into his throne. "I'm so bored... Ever since I became Lord of Hell, I've done nothing but sit here. Isn't there anything entertaining?"
He snapped his fingers. In an instant, a towering figure appeared—Hulk, his right-hand man.
"My Lord," Hulk said, bowing slightly.
Azreal waved lazily. "Go get Aria. Also, inform Malphas that I'm the one calling for her."
Hulk nodded before vanishing in a flicker of dark flames.
---
First Gate of Hell – Gate of Ashen Despair
Hulk appeared before the massive gate, his presence halting the Hell Guards stationed there. One of them stepped forward. "State your business."
"I bring a message from Lord Azreal to Lord Malphas," Hulk stated firmly.
A figure emerged from the shadows—Morgath, Malphas' right-hand guard. "Let him through," he commanded, his deep voice carrying authority.
Hulk followed Morgath through a desolate path of hardened molten lava, streams of fire cascading from the walls. The air echoed with the agonized wails of the damned. Eventually, they reached a grand hall where Malphas sat upon his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on Hulk.
"Speak," Malphas commanded.
Hulk bowed slightly. "Lord Azreal requests Aria's presence."
Malphas raised an eyebrow. "Aria? Who is that?"
A guard behind him, Drake, scoffed. "The woman who caused a commotion at the Soul Gate three years ago."
Malphas leaned back, frowning. "Seriously? What does Lord Azreal want with her?"
Hulk shrugged. "They've grown fond of each other. He calls her whenever he's bored and needs someone to talk to."
Malphas rubbed his temples. "You mean that troublesome soul who once defied Hell is now friends with Lord Azreal?"
"Yes," Hulk confirmed.
Malphas sighed before snapping his fingers. "Aldric."
A man with glasses and flames flickering on his head materialized, holding a large book. "Yes, Lord Malphas?"
"Bring Aria."
Aldric flipped through his book before adjusting his glasses. "She was recently transferred to Infernal doctrine."
Malphas stiffened. "What?! Why wasn't I informed?"
Morgath stepped forward. "We had a long list of transported souls. We didn't think it was important to report."
Malphas gritted his teeth. "What was her offense?"
Aldric adjusted his glasses again. "She... attempted to seduce a Hell Guard while receiving her punishment."
A long silence filled the room before Hulk muttered, "Don't tell me she's like that obsessed woman, Laisa..."
Malphas pinched the bridge of his nose before snapping his fingers again. A portal appeared, its frame made of skeletal hands intertwined in a sinister embrace. The gate swung open, and a young woman stepped through.
Aria.
She bowed. "Good day, Lord Malphas."
He gestured for her to rise, but as she stood, she tripped over her own robes, falling flat on her back with her legs wide open—directly in front of Malphas.
Silence.
Malphas turned his head away, his face visibly red. He coughed awkwardly. "Help her up."
One of the guards quickly assisted her as she dusted herself off, scratching the back of her head. "Sorry. Luck hasn't been on my side lately."
Malphas cleared his throat, forcing himself to focus. "Lord Azreal has summoned you."
Aria's eyes lit up. "Azreal wants to see me? It's been a year! I've missed him!" she said dreamily.
Malphas frowned. "Don't get too comfortable. Remember, you're still serving your punishment."
Morgath gestured toward Hulk. "You'll go with him."
Aria blinked. "Wait, what was your name again? Bull, right?"
Hulk sighed. "Bull is dead. I'm Hulk."
Aria pouted. "Aw, that's a shame. I wanted to thank him for helping me last time."
"Can we go now?" Hulk asked, clearly impatient.
"Sure!" Aria chirped, stepping forward.
But, once again, she tripped.
Hulk instinctively caught her, but in doing so, his face was buried directly into her chest.
Silence.
Aria's face turned crimson. "P-PERVERT!"
She shoved him away, causing him to stumble. Hulk tried to speak, but before he could, Malphas interrupted, rubbing his temples in frustration.
"That's enough. Take her and go. Now."
Hulk nodded quickly, grabbing Aria by the wrist and dragging her toward the exit.
Aria giggled. "Man, your face is all red."
Malphas scowled. "It's just the heat."
Aria smirked. "But you're the First Gate's pillar. How can the heat bother you?"
Hulk quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, dragging her away faster.
Malphas let out a long sigh, slumping back into his throne. "Honestly, what does Lord Azreal see in her?"
Aldric, still flipping through his book, smirked. "I'll go handle the other souls now." With that, he disappeared into the flames.
Malphas turned to Morgath. "Prepare a patrol. I don't want any more unexpected trouble."
Morgath bowed before vanishing in a burst of fire, leaving Malphas alone, still trying to erase Aria's little 'incident' from his memory.