Chapter 5: Hatred
The woman exuded a profound seriousness, prepared to sacrifice everything she owned in pursuit of her revenge. The strength in her words and the unwavering determination shining in her eyes served as undeniable proof of her commitment.
With deliberate steps, Diablo approached her, lightly tapping her shoulders as he spoke, "First, procure for me a more suitable vessel."
"Only then will I consider entering into any contract with you."
The woman's eyes widened with a mix of astonishment and amusement, followed by a chuckle as she realized that the demon was displeased with Nair's corpulent form. Clearly, it did not conform to human standards and could prove inconvenient.
"Very well, if that is your wish," she replied.
"But not immediately. For now, you must make do with what you have."
Diablo simply nodded in acknowledgment of her words.
Having agreed to the demon's request, the woman turned away and began to walk towards the bodies of the daughter and mother, lifting them gently and providing them with a proper burial, allowing them to find eternal peace.
As for Nair's body, Diablo had no choice but to utilize it temporarily.
Afterward, the woman raised her left arm, extending it towards Diablo, inviting him to take hold of it. Diablo complied, gripping her arm tightly, reminiscent of a child's grip, which amused the woman.
As they stood connected, the woman's eyes began to emit a crimson glow, and she murmured something under her breath, her lips moving visibly. Suddenly, a red haze enveloped them, obscuring their presence from the surroundings. In a matter of seconds, as the haze dissipated, both the woman and Diablo vanished into thin air.
Simultaneously, the fog that had blanketed the entire forest began to recede, gradually dissipating with their departure. The forest was devoid of the eerie mist, as if it had never been there.
Zap!
Diablo opened his eyes and found himself in an eerie and unsettling place. The surroundings consisted of once-impressive wooden furniture, crafted from the finest materials, now reduced to ruins. The furniture bore the scars of damage and decay.
Turning his gaze to his left and right, Diablo realized that he stood within a church. However, this was no ordinary place of worship for deities, but rather a sanctuary dedicated to the veneration of demons. The lady continued ahead, striding confidently down the hallway and removing her cloak, revealing herself fully.
"Look at this place, Diablo. Doesn't it stir something within you?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia.
Indeed, the sight evoked memories for Diablo. It was the Church of Hell, the very location where the seven demons were once worshipped. He chuckled softly in response to her words, his eyes intently scanning the surroundings. Countless portraits of the seven demons adorned the walls, painstakingly created with meticulous detail. At the farthest end of the hall, imposing statues of the seven demons stood tall and imposing.
The lady reached the front of the hall, and Diablo followed closely behind, his heavy body causing him to struggle for breath, panting and gasping for air.
"There are seven demons, each ranked according to their strength," she began, her voice filled with a mix of pride and confidence.
"I highly doubt anyone could fathom that I have summoned the third strongest demon of all time," she proclaimed, turning her gaze towards Diablo, her hair gently fluttering in the almost imperceptible breeze.
Diablo's smile widened, savouring the woman's enchanting voice and the eloquence with which she spoke. Her gentle and cheerful tone resonated within him, like a melodious piano tune playing in his mind.
The woman shifted her gaze, directing her attention to the second statue on the right side of the central aisle. There, Diablo's sculpture stood proudly. The statue depicted a tall figure with a well-defined muscular physique, boasting a chiselled six-pack abdomen and a lean body. Magnificent wings adorned its back, their feathers resembling those of a phoenix. The statue's legs were sculpted in the form of a horse, with a visible horseshoe as one of the hooves was raised gracefully.
Unfortunately, a head remained missing. All seven demons had their heads missing.
Either it was destroyed by someone, or they were just not crafted cause one couldn't envision it.
While the lady continued to envision it, Diablo called out to her, now pressing to the main part.
"My lady, will you kindly tell me about this revenge of yours?"
"What must I do?", Diablo asked, his voice deep and cold.
"Ah…"
"I…"
"I want to kill Anatalia and my family," Emilia began, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and pain. "And... my lover..."
As the words escaped her lips, Emilia's smile faded, replaced by a profound sadness that threatened to bring tears to her eyes. Before the tears could fall, Diablo swiftly closed the distance between them, appearing right in front of her. In a surprising gesture, he reached out and cupped her head in his hands.
"Eh?" Emilia was visibly taken aback by this sudden act.
But what happened next shocked her even more. Diablo moved his head closer, his face nearing hers, and he extended his tongue, collecting the tears that had gathered in her eyes. The act made her feel a sense of disgust, a mix of conflicting emotions swirling within her.
"Just kill?" Diablo questioned, his voice deep and cold. "I can do that right away if that's what you want, Emilia."
Emilia's expression hardened, her determination resolute. "No!" she exclaimed vehemently. "Death alone is not enough. She should beg for death."
Her voice grew louder, fiercer, and colder. "Her limbs should be torn, her eyes gouged out," she continued, her words filled with a vengeful fury. "But she should still be alive."
Emilia's voice trembled as her hatred for Anatalia poured out. "Vultures should feed on her intestines, but she should still be alive. Stabbed in her heart, yet she should still live... She should live and beg for death. But even after that, she shouldn't receive it!"
Her words echoed through the chamber, causing the very walls to tremble. Diablo, hearing the intensity of Emilia's rage and her unwavering desire for revenge, couldn't help but smile.
"Now, this is what I would expect from someone who summoned me," Diablo remarked, his voice laced with a sinister satisfaction.