"I-I have known my sins! Y-Your highness, I beg of you to spare my life!"
-In a beautiful, decorated bedroom, kneel a man dress in intricate clothes, his expression is full of fear and despair. The person who he is pleading to, is a stunningly beautiful young woman wearing extravagant gown, in her hand hold a large black scythe. Her sharp red eyes observe the man kneeling below, face completely devoid of any emotions. There are several bodies of men in black lying on the floor near the young woman. Despite her surrounding, the young woman still looks clean and pristine, her tidy appearance makes her standout from the otherwise bloody room.
- The temperature is gradually getting colder, the room is so quiet that even if a needle were to drop down it could be heard clearly. The man didn't dare to make any move, he deeply regret his decision, he shouldn't give into the temptation, he must have been crazy to even think about betraying the family!
-After a while, the young woman finally speaks:
"You should have already known the consequence of your action when you decided to assist them."
-The man shivered, of course, he knows that if the plan were to fail, then he wouldn't ever have a chance to escape. But greed has blinded his mind, he risks it for the chance of become more than just an adviser, he risks it because he didn't want to forever serve this family full of coward!
-The young woman looks at the betrayer:
"Count Ross, why have you betrayed us?" – Her expressionless face now reveals a hint of disappointment - "My father has treated you with nothing but trust and respect, and yet you repay him with this?"
-He snaps at that, suddenly gaining his nerves and raising his voice against her:
"Trust and respect...!? If so, then why he has never listened to my advice and invade those weaker Hell!? He has the strength to do that and yet he ignores them!? He's look down on me! He's simply a coward!!"
-The princess frown at his accusation, slightly shaking her head:
"All he wants is peace and prosperity for his kingdom, to him, war is unnecessary." – She stops at that and sigh: "Though I doubt you'll understand."
-As she said, the hand which she holds the scythe raise up, much to the Count dismay. He felt all the blood drained from his face, he's scrambling on the floor, raising his hand toward her as if doing that will somehow gain him her mercy:
"No! Your highness! Please, forgive me!! I won't eve--"
-Before he can even have the chance to finish his sentence, he felt something sharp slice through his neck. The last thing he saw is his headless body still kneeling in front of the young woman, then everything went black, and he couldn't feel anything anymore.
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-She looked at the headless body of the Count, lying on the floor along with several other corpses, her cold eyes sweeping around the room. She scowls, hating the smell of blood that have enveloped the room.
-A while later, the door open and a maid come in.
-The maid who enter didn't even flinch when looking at the horrible state of the room, as if she has been used to this. She simply bows her head, waiting for the princess's order.
"Clean the room."
"Yes, your highness."
- The young woman moves her hand slightly, and with that, the scythe disappear in thin air. After dusting the non-existing dust on her gown, she left without any other words, leaving the maid inside cleaning the mess she had makes.
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-The Hell of Inferno: Ignis. Stand at the fourth place amongst the five greatest Hell of the Underworld - in which compiles of one hundred lesser Hells, and thirteen greater Hells. Ignis is famed for the talents of controlling fire belong to the citizens who live there. And with such kingdom fills with powerful demons, the one who rule over them all wouldn't be someone who's insignificant – The fire Overlord, Afred Acemilian. He had accomplished many great feats in his time reigning as the Overlord, to which other Lords is wary of him, fearing that he might be a threat to their Kingdoms. However, he had never sought wars against other Hells, much to their relief. And due to his power and kind leadership, he is highly respect and loved by his citizens.
-The Overlord has three children, with two sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Vincent - the heir to the throne, is a very talented and powerful man, known for his incredible swordsmanship that could even rival his own father. On the other side, his youngest- Rudolph - Haven't yet gain a name for himself, since he's rarely ever shown himself to the public.
-While most of the Underworld's citizens view on both of his son is either good or neutral, his only daughter– Yves, has gain an extremely negative reputation. She is infamous for her cruelty, more than millions of lives has lost under her scythe. Although she hasn't done anything exceptionally villainous for the past two hundred years, she is still feared for the genocide she has previously committed...
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-Walking on the long hallway, Yves stop on her track to look outside the large window. She sees the deep red color which has always occupied the sky of Fire Hell and the pillars of smoke from far away, she absentmindedly staring at it, thinking about how she wishes it would end soon.
- The war had been going on for weeks with no sight of stopping, and she couldn't help but felt a bit suffocated with the grim atmosphere that had enveloped the whole kingdom.
- If it weren't for the circumstance, she would've joined the battlefield to fight alongside her father and big brother. But because of the "Blood moon" that's about to come, she's unable to assisting them.
-The Blood Moon is an event that occurs once every thousand years and lasts for 4 seasons. Once it appeared, the wandering souls who still lingering on earth would become chaotic due to the aura emitting from the blood moon.
- To prevent this, a demon must perform a cleansing ritual, in which they would have to sing a song. To success the rituals, one would need to meet three requirements:
· The Demon who performs the ritual must have an exceptionally high level in magic.
· The Demon who performs the ritual must be performed it at a highly pure environment.
· The Demon who performs the ritual must fully concentrate in singing the song, if they are to distract, then the ritual will fail.
-This year, Yves was the one chosen to perform the ritual. Unfortunately, as her kingdom is currently at war, and in addition to that, there are always assassin sneaking in the shadow, waiting for an opportunity to take her head, it is impossible for her to fully concentrate in singing the song. Even if she moved to another location, due to the recent bloodbath in the entire Underworld, there is no place pure enough to perform it.
-Her thought was interrupted when she heard a voice calling for her:
"Big sister."
- Yves withdraw her gaze to look at the familiar figure approaching her:
"Rudolph." She greets.
-He stops his track in front of her, looking up and down like he's checking something, before she saw her little brother's shoulder relax. He crossed his arms and spoke:
"You've been assassinated, again." He frowned. "This is the seventy time this month."
-She nodded, then noticed the faint scent of blood that lingered on him. Obviously, Yves wasn't the only target of the assassination, the enemies won't leave out anyone. Both of her siblings have also been targeted. Fortunately, the two of them were more than capable enough to deal with the assassins:
"You, too."
-He huffs and lift his head slightly:
"They couldn't stand a chance against me" - Then he winces - "Though they had dirtied my room, which is unforgivable."
-Yves couldn't help but remember about the current state of her room, just remembering it make her frowned in disgust. But she relaxes after thinking about the fact that she wouldn't have to be in her room for a long time:
"It will be cleaned by the time we return." - she said to him
-He stopped frowning after hearing that and nodded in agreement. Then as if remembering something, he curiously looks at her:
"Where will you be staying?"
-She stays silent for a while before answering his question:
"...Heaven of Life."
-Due to the fact there is no place in the Underworld that's pure enough for the ritual, she'll has to go to Celestial – the purest realm, home to the Angels – to sing the song.
-Celestial and the Underworld, both realms had been mortal enemies for centuries. As recent time, the tension between two realms has mostly been resolve, as such, it wasn't impossible for Demon and Angel to be on peaceful term with each other, albeit sometimes reluctantly.
-But when the tension between the two is still at its peak, her father – The great fire Overlord of the Underworld – Has become friend with the King of Life – Heinz Syltheria.
-The two has being friend with each other before her father even earns the title of Overlord, he often told how hard it was and it's all thanks to the King and her mother that he has become the fire Overlord. Although they don't often keep in contact with each other anymore after they went their separated way due to the tension of both races, they are still close friend with each other, evidence by the fact that the King still accepted her father request.
-And thanks to that, she gains the permission to temporally stay at the Heaven of Life. As for Rudolph, he's had the King helping him to stay at another Heaven, since it isn't exactly safe for him to be near her. After all, she's the main target for the assassination:
"And you? Where will you be staying?"
- He winced once again, on his face is a mix of disgust and barely contain irritation, he's struggling as he said:
"...Heaven of Love"
"....." For a moment, she doesn't know how to react.
-She known that Rudolph didn't like the concept of romance, allergic even. It's because of a certain event, occur when he's still just a little child. It's so traumatizing that up until now, years later, it's still making her little brother trembling in embarrassment and anger.
-Yves patted his head in an attempted to comfort him, though it earns her a glare from Rudolph, he removes her hand from his head, gritting his teeth:
"Don't act like you didn't find my suffering amusing!! I bet you're enjoying it right now!!!"
-He's right, she is enjoying it:
"Damn it, I don't get why that old man didn't send you to-...Where I'm going!" - He scoffs, refuse to repeat that word again - "I bet you'll be more fitted to that place than I do! Hell, maybe those Angels will even like you!"
-Seeing Rudolph's anger at the predicament he's in, Yves decided it'll be better to not telling him that, in fact, she's the one purposing the ideas of letting him go to the Heaven of Love instead of her.
-Shaking her head, Yves then remembers what she had originally wanted to do before that whole ordeal in her room happened. She looks at Rudolph, contemplating for a moment:
"...Do you want to visit mother before we leave?"
-Rudolph's irritated expression suddenly disappears, replace with a look of hesitation. He crossed his arm and look down at the floor. After a few seconds of silence, he nods his head:
"...Yeah, let's go."
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- After a long walked, they're finally reached their destination. Yves and Rudolph enter a garden, located just right behind the main castle. The garden is fill with vibrant red rose's bushes, it scatters along the pathway, making a stunning entrance. In the middle of the garden is a statue of a beautiful woman, smiling gently. Even with the woman eyes closed, those who observe can tell that she's an extremely kind and loving woman. Below the statues lies a lone tombstone, on it carved: "In memory of Raesha Acemilian - Rest in peace, my dear wife".
-Yves kneels down, took the rose's bouquet she had prepare beforehand and placed it in front of the gravestone. For a while, they just stay there in silent. Yves look at her younger brother whom currently standing behind her, his face is solemn, seemingly deep in thought. Yves take in a deep breath to calm her throbbing heart, then she sits up and gently stroke Rudolph's head:
"Let's go back."
-To which Rudolph only nod and comply, following her inside the castle.
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-Strolling on the long hallways once again, neither of them said a word. Yves knew that Rudolph is currently not in the mood for short conversation, it has always been like this whenever they visit their mother's grave. They've all lost something when mother pass away, but Rudolph suffered the most of them all, he had change so much that it was painful for them to see him like that.
-When Yves is about says something to cheer up her younger brother, a voice suddenly interrupted her:
"Yves, Rudolph."
-Yves look at the young man who called for her and Rudolph:
"Big brother." – they greet
-Vincent look at his two little siblings, his ice cold expression melted down a bit as he spoke to them:
"It's almost time, father say both of you should be ready."
"Got it, so, where is that old man?"
"He's waiting at the carriage"
-Yves nod, looking at her elder brother. Despite how indifferent he appears to be, she can see that he's exhausted, and yet he trying to manage some free times in order to check in on his younger siblings. She sighed, compare to her and Rudolph, his responsibility is much heavier. Even though she wanted to tell him to rest, she knows that the kingdom needs him:
"...Don't force yourself too much, brother."
-Rudolph huff at that, agreeing with her:
"Yeah, you're overworking yourself, do you have a death wish or something?"
-Vincent eyes soften, he raises both his hand and stroke their hair:
"I know, both of you too, be careful."
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-As they stepped outside of the castle, Yves couldn't help but felt a sense of melancholy.
-Even if one year is just like a blink of an eyes to Demons, she still doesn't like the idea of leaving her home. She shakes her head, chasing the thought out of her mind. It's not like she can change it, this is her responsibility:
"Yves, Rudolph, and Vincent! My dear children! You all are finally here!" – an exciting voice calling for them
-She looks at the tall figure standing before the carriage. His long ponytail sway in the humid wind as he quickly approached them, on his face is a warm and blinding smile. With that, the previous tense atmosphere envelope them has lighten up:
"Father."
"Old man, don't tell me you're going to go with us...?"
-Rudolph seemed to don't like that idea, and it's understandable. After all, without their father, Vincent would have an even tougher time managing everything alone:
"Indeed, I'll be accompanying you both to Celestial." – He smiled – "Don't worry, Vincent will be fine, he's not managing everything alone, I've left my most trusted servant here with him!"
-With that, Rudolph relaxed, although he toughing up his expression right after and crossed his arms:
"Who said I'm worry? I just simply don't want you to follow us!"
-Yves stroke his head fondly, her younger brother is not honest at all:
"Stop stroking my head!"
-Rudolph's face flush red, shying away and make an offensive noise, making their father laugh in amusement:
"Alright children, it's time to go, hop on to the carriage now or else we'll be late!"
"We know! Don't rush us!"
-As Rudolph finish his sentence, suddenly a crowd of people started to gather around them:
"My Prince!!" – "Your Highness!!!"
-Yves widen her eyes, surprise to sees her citizens coming to see their departure, Rudolph also seemed baffle at the sudden attention and appear to be extremely uncomfortable:
"Please! Accept my gift for you! This is some cuisine I've made! You can eat it on the way to Heaven!"
"Me too! I also made some snack!!"
"Be careful up there, kids! I heard that those Angels up there are very narrow-minded, don't hold back if they trying to give you both a hard time!!"
-Rudolph's face twitch and then shouted at the buff Demon who just spoke:
"Who are you calling us kids!? We're not kids!!"
"My prince! It's because you keep acting like this that we call you kids!! "– someone laughs and yell back at him.
"Alright who's says that!! Come out!! You're in need of a serious beating!!!"
-With a series of laugh from the crowds, Yves finally recover from the shock and shook her head at her younger brother antics, she looks at her citizens with fond eyes, truly, they're too kind to them.
-Then, an old woman approached Yves, hold both of her hands, and pat it lightly:
"Your highness, whatever they said to you, please don't pay any mind to them. They don't know that they're talking about, you're much more than that."
-Yves heard the old lady concern, nodding, reassuring her:
"I will keep that in mind, thank you."
-The old lady smile, tugging Yves hand a bit. Yves understand and lower her head down:
"You don't have to worry about him, I'll make sure no one will suspect a thing!"- She chuckles
-Yves expression soften, she's really lucky to have citizens like them:
"Thank you once again, I'll leave it in your hand."
-Afred and Vincent look at the scene before them, they couldn't help but smile fondly at them:
"It's time to go children! We don't want to be late now do we?"
-Yves nod, facing the crowds and softly says:
"We'll be going now."
-Rudolph "Hmph" and crossing his arms, thought he look uncaring, it's impossible to hide from them the sorrow he's trying to conceal:
"We wish both of you a safe journey!"
-And with that, they begin their departure to the realm of the Angels.