The creature behind him was stone, or something of the sort it had four eyes and did not look too friendly. But definitely more friendly than mr alligator.
"All will forget what they see today under orders of Caligo." The rock announces, loudly enough that some birds flutter. Creatures I didn't even know were there scattered. Noises cease and Caligo is just there staring at me. His eyes did not give away any emotions but his fists were tightly closed. I looked back at the pig and its reptilian owner. Greenish blood flows from them and soaks into the mossy floor. I assumed hell would be hot, I didn't think it would be humid.
I tried to care that two creatures were just killed because of me. I could not find an ounce of feeling. Just the slight surprise that neither the alligator man or pig had a soul that floated out of them tempted me to swallow it.
Did I have a soul? Or did the ghoul inside me swallow it already and take up the space instead? I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"We need to move on now. Keep your head down." Caligo guides me with his arm and nods to the stone man. No words were exchanged but that look told many stories. If only I could have some of this communication directed at me then I could tell if Caligo was about to kill me or commend me. He handed me a soft rag that resembled moss.
"Wipe your face, you are bleeding." I did remember the blood that was dripping down my brow.
"Are we going back now?"
"No." He refuses to elaborate. The paths ahead of us were now bare. Not any creatures would dare to step in the presence of their prince. I saw glimpses of some sometimes, but they quickly scuttled away. It could have just been a bug. Or that bug man, or a piece of that bug man.
"Can you walk in a straight line." No please.
"I just want to look around, its my first time in Hell sorry." I scoff.
"Im sure you will get tired of seeing it after 500 years."
"500 years? Why would- how old are you?" I sputter.
"Well im only 25, very young for Hell. But death isnt something that comes easily here. That creature you killed, his blood will create a new being in 100 years and nothing is lost. I will never die, unless I am killed." I looked at him with round eyes. So aging basically doesn't exist, but it does, but you dont die. Got it.
"I dont think I would want to be alive for 500 years. There would be nothing to do."
"This Erlking has been alive for 700 years."
"And you are 25? He waited 675 years to have a kid?" I laughed, it felt weird to laugh in my ghoul body. The air just ricocheted in my empty lungs.
"No, I have had many brothers." Caligo again, does not elaborate even leaving me on a cliffhanger. Had, the keyword there, and I did notice that. I took this moment of silence to gaze at him. His silver hair swished in the wind but his face remained forwards gazing in the distance as if thinking of his lost brothers. Why couldn't ghouls read minds, wouldn't that be a useful power?