For those who read before I edited chapter 1, I changed the girl's name to Mary.
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The Great Below is divided into four principal regions, collectively referred to as the Four Hells. Each domain serves both as a place of punishment for sinners and as the foundation of civilization for the Hell-born.
The Freezing Hell – A realm of perpetual frost and unyielding ice. It is governed by the Frost Sovereign, who enforces order through suffocating cold and eternal imprisonment.
The Burning Hell – A land of fire and molten stone, where punishment comes in the form of relentless heat and immolation. This domain is ruled by the Pyroclast Tyrant.
The Shredding Hell – A chaotic territory devoid of centralized authority. Known for its violent winds, storms of blades, and ceaseless conflict, no ruler has ever claimed dominion here.
The Hollow Hell – A desolate expanse marked by silence and emptiness, governed by the Null Empress. Within this void, punishment manifests as isolation and erasure of the self.
Though each Hell differs in nature and method of torment, all four sustain structured societies of demons, bound beneath the authority of their respective lords, or the absence thereof.
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"Not only did you disrespect my wishes," an armored figure growled, "but you spat upon the will of your father as well."
Jax's eyes wandered over the throne room's vacant seats and cold stone pillars, his thoughts drifting elsewhere as the lecture droned on. His black draconic wings shifted restlessly, each slow beat stirring a hot gust of air.
"CHILD!"
The word cracked like thunder. Jax staggered back, jolted into focus. "H-huh? Oh… sorry, Cain. My mind was somewhere else."
Cain stepped forward, the black plates of his armor clattering like chains. Every inch of him was covered in steel except his scarred face, where an expression of barely restrained fury burned.
"Tch…" he hissed, voice low but dangerous. "Not only did you defy me, but now you dare to mock me with your disrespect."
"You will stay in your room until an appropriate punishment is decided for both you and that disgusting horn blood." Cain spat with disgust, as if the very words, horn blood, made him sick to his stomach.
"That horn blood's name is Mar-"
SLAP
The sound reverberated across the empty room as Jax's head jerked back, a purple bruise forming on his left cheek.
"Don't...just don't. It seems that horn blood has already had too much influence on you." Jax blankly stared at him as he quietly nodded.
Sighing to himself, Cain continued. "Return to your chambers at once, as I and your father decide a fitting punishment."
Jax quickly exited the room, his fists clenched. He was angry, furious even.
Who does that low-life think he is? I am the future demon king of the Burning Hell.
Touching his already healing bruise, Jax would be interrupted in his thoughts by a cough.
"Hello, little brother. I hope you enjoyed your little outing."
Jax stared silently at a young man with flowing red hair and red draconic wings on his back. A smug smile was etched permanently on his face despite how much he tried to hide it.
"Hello, Halibel." Jax's voice held no emotion, not even a tiny bit of warmth. The man in front of him was his brother only in blood.
"Father has told you repeatedly not to associate with the house slaves," Halibel responded, barely restraining the amount of disdain in his voice. "I hope you do know that there will be repercussions to this."
"Shut the hell up." Jax barely spared him a glance, simply brushing past him. "Why don't you try harder to get Father to care about you. At least he cares enough to notice what I'm doing...snake."
Halibel's smirk widened just slightly, a subtle spark of amusement in his eyes as he watched Jax walk away. It was the smallest movement, but it stung far more than any words could.
Jax's fists clenched at his sides, wings flaring slightly behind him.
I let him provoke me...I can't think of that idiot. I need to find Mary and make sure she's fine.
Jax ran through the castle's halls, causing the cleaning servants to look at the usually cool-headed prince in confusion.
After what seemed like eternity, the prince reached the servants' quarters, a series of narrow stone corridors carved beneath the southern wing of the Burning Hell's palace.
Here, the air was always thick with ash and the scent of iron; here, the slaves lived their numbered days under the lash of Cain's guards.
Mary's small corner was tucked away at the far end, little more than a straw pallet and a rusted chain bolted into the wall. Yet to Jax, this place held more comfort than all the gilded chambers above.
"Mary, are you there?" His voice was low but steady, but as he approached, he smelt something wrong.
The coppery scent of blood, much more blood than anywhere nearby.
His eyes were wide, shock coursing through his veins.
HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN!
Loud, heavy footsteps approached from behind before suddenly stopping right behind him.
"Prince Jax, you have been ordered to your father's quarters."
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Things are just getting worse and worse..huh.
Jax stood at the center of a large bedroom, and murals of burning skeletons were painted on the pitch black walls. Small cages holding blue fire hung from the ceiling, each lighting up a portion of the room.
"Good luck," Halibel whispered mockingly as he walked past the distraught prince. "Maybe father will teach you to be wiser, worm. Let this be a lesson to you....and that girl." He'd then slam the door shut, causing the blue flames to flicker before stabilizing.
Jax stared intently at the floor, his pupils shaking with blinding rage.
That useless piece of s-
"Kneel"
That single word caused the young boy to crumple onto the ground, his legs giving out, causing his chest to hit the ground.
Jax didn't dare to look up, knowing the heavy price that would come with that.
"Why won't you listen, child?" A booming voice reverberated around the bedroom, causing a dull ringing in Jax's ears.
"I-I don't know father..."
"Child," the Tyrant continued, voice rolling like molten rock, "do you understand what it means to disobey me? To let your foolish heart dictate your actions?"
"I… I do," Jax whispered, tasting iron on his tongue, "but she seemed so lonely..."
The bedroom remained silent for an extended period, the silence deafening.
"The girl will be publicly executed before the other servants within the next hour." The Flaming Pyroclast spoke, no hint of emotion in his voice.
Jax's head snapped up, his confidence and rage returning only for a moment before he looked upon his father's form, his eyes darting back onto the tiled floor.
He'd simply nod, "I understand Father..."
Without a word, he'd stand and quickly exit the room, only to be immediately greeted by a snide remark.
"Seems like your talk with father didn't go so well...huh?" Halibel stood at the side of the door, his red draconic wings spread wide.
"Go find a hole to crawl into and die." Jax's wings flared as he stormed past Halibel.
"See you at the execution...."