The man stood motionless beside the crumbling brickwork of an abandoned building, his gaze locked on the bruised twilight sky. A stark burn scar marred the left side of his face. His dark costume was impeccably tailored, yet jarringly, a large red brooch sat pinned where a tie should have been. At his feet lay four bodies, horrifically mutilated – faces slashed beyond recognition, torsos rent with deep, savage cuts. The man himself was drenched in blood. A long, dark sword stood embedded in the ground beside him like a grim standard.
The man dissolved into a plume of inky smoke. As the smoke dissipated and reformed his figure, the blood coating him cascaded to the grimy pavement, leaving him spotless. He took a breath, preparing to leave the gruesome scene.
"Going somewhere?" a voice called out.
The man froze. A short figure emerged from the shadows. Instantly, the sword vanished from the ground and materialized in the man's hand, its point aimed unwaveringly at the newcomer.
"Calm down," the short man said, raising his hands placatingly. "I'm only here to talk."
The man in black didn't lower the weapon, but the killing intent radiating from him moments before seemed to recede.
"Don't believe me, right?" the short man continued, his tone pragmatic. "Look, you seem exhausted. Come with me. I'll explain everything tomorrow." Without waiting for agreement, he turned and began walking away.
After a tense pause, the man in black silently followed.
***
Sunlight, harsh and unfamiliar, streamed through an unfamiliar window. The man in black awoke on a simple cot in a sparsely furnished room. He rose, moving silently through the quiet house until the smell of cooking led him to a small kitchen.
The short man stood at a stove. "Take a seat," he said without turning. "Food's almost ready."
The man in black sat stiffly at the table. "...Thank you," he rasped, his voice rough.
The short man glanced over his shoulder, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "So you can talk. That's good." He slid a plate of eggs and bacon across the table.
The man in black picked up a fork, speared a piece of bacon, and raised it slowly towards his mouth. He hesitated, his hand trembling slightly. He lowered the fork, staring fixedly at the plate.
"I think you need some explanations " the short man said gently, sitting opposite him, "you need some explanations."
The man in black kept his eyes downcast. "Where am I?" he whispered.
"First," the short man replied, his voice low and serious, "calm down. Don't panic."
Silence stretched between them.
"Welcome to Hell."
The man in black's head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. He stared at the short man, searching for any sign of jest.
"Jahannan, if you're Muslim," the short man clarified, "or 'I was fucking wrong' if you're an atheist. But you understand the gist."
The man in black looked down at his own hands, turning them over as if seeing them for the first time, shock etching deep lines on his face.
"I don't think I've introduced myself!" the short man said, breaking the heavy silence with forced cheer. "I'm Rako."
The man in black remained mute for several long seconds, processing. Finally, he spoke: "...Eagle."
Rako raised an eyebrow. "'Eagle'? I don't like using last names, so what's your first name?"
"It's not my last name," Eagle stated flatly.
Rako studied him. "I hope you're not a furry."
Eagle frowned. "What's that?"
"Alright," Rako sighed, relieved. "At least you ain't like that. But that nickname sounds like a kid going through a phase. Please, tell me your actual name."
"I don't know it!" Eagle exploded, slamming a fist on the table. The plates rattled. "I don't know anything! I don't know why I'm here! I don't know why I killed those people! I don't even know my own name!" His voice cracked, raw with anguish.
"Sorry..." Rako murmured, the word heavy in the sudden quiet.
The silence lingered, thick and uncomfortable. Eagle finally broke it, his voice low and strained. "Why are you helping me? You saw... all the bodies around me. Why?"
"Because," Rako said, leaning forward intently, "I want you to help me become the king of hell."
Eagle stared at him, uncomprehending.
"I want you to help me kill the remaining Sins and take Lucifer's throne!" Rako declared, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"I don't understand..."
"Lucifer decreed long ago," Rako explained, "that once the Seven Deadly Sins are slain, anyone can challenge him for the crown. Four are already gone. Only three Sins and Lucifer himself remain. I need you to help me become the most powerful man in hell."
"In return, I'll give you whatever you want, Sounds good?"
The memory of the previous night's carnage – the blood, the violence, the *feeling* – surged through Eagle. Nausea twisted his gut. He gagged, doubled over, and slid violently off his chair onto the floor. His face was a mask of pure horror and revulsion at Rako's proposition and his own recalled actions.
"Are you okay?" Rako was at his side instantly, helping him up. "What happened?"
"No," Eagle choked out, leaning heavily on the chair. "I can't... not again. *Why*? Why do you want this?"
Rako met his gaze squarely, his own expression hardening. "For the money and the power. Money who buys *anything* I want. Power... power who lets me do *everything* I want." A sly smile touched his lips. "With that kind of power, I could probably even get into Heaven if I wanted."
Eagle pulled himself shakily back into the chair. He looked at Rako, a desperate hope flickering in his haunted eyes. "You really think you could go to Heaven?"
"Probably," Rako shrugged.
Eagle took a deep, shuddering breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, wrestling with something internal. When he opened them, a grim resolve had settled over his features. "I'll help you," he said, his voice hollow but firm. "But you have to promise... promise you'll take me to Heaven afterwards."
"You have my word," Rako vowed, extending a hand.
Eagle looked at the offered hand, then slowly clasped it. The pact was sealed.
"Finally, I don't think I could have waited any longer." I said happy. " I put all my hope in you so don't disappoint me."