They stepped into the portal and Cole felt himself jerked forward at high speed, like a rocket boosting into space. Only a few seconds passed before Cole found himself in a small square room. The room was empty, save for Zafira, himself, and a single red door. Their gateway was gone.
Zafira hunched over. "Urk!" she grunted. Her horns, wings and tail all came into full view.
"Are you okay?" Cole asked, concerned. "You look like you're in pain."
"It's nothing," she grumbled. "Purgatory has only one rule: no violence. As a way to keep the peace, Anariel created an anti-magic barrier. This barrier makes all magic useless once inside, including that which keeps my true appearance hidden."
"This 'Anariel' sounds very powerful," Cole said. He helped Zafira stand.
The succubus regained her composure and stood upright. "She is very gifted in the arts of magic, even rivaling that of an Aspect."
An Aspect. A powerful demon that governs a Sin, or a powerful angel that governs a Virtue. Just who, or what, was Zafira dealing with?
Zafira pushed open the door. "Remember: eyes forward; stay with me."
Cole followed her orders as they stepped inside. Sure enough, Purgatory was a bar, a bar like any other. There was, however, one glaring difference: the patrons were clearly not human. Cole caught glimpses of all manner of creatures in his peripheral vision. Some were huge hulking beasts with large teeth; others were only waist high, bearing sharp claws and several sets of beady eyes.
Fearsome creatures were not the only patrons. The premises were shared by less intimidating beings that looked almost human, save for their long pointed ears and birdlike wings. Some wings were covered in glossy bright white feathers; others were as flat-black as soft coal.
Regardless of whether they looked intimidating or peaceful, all appeared to be consorting peacefully. Some mingled at the bar. Some shuffled cards or threw dice and wagered at distant tables. All seemed to be enjoying themselves.
That is, until they took notice of Cole and Zafira. Cole felt many piercing eyes as Zafira lead him through the tavern. To them, Cole was the weird one. Zafira led Cole to an isolated table in a corner where they sat with their backs against the wall.
The bar was momentarily quiet. Growls, hisses, and cold stares were tossed in Cole's direction. One particular brute with large tusks approached their table, salivating like he was about to dine on the finest delicacy.
Zafira shook her head intimidatingly. Her silent warning was heard and the brute returned to his stool by the bar. The music, chatter, and card games resumed. "So who are all these, uh, people?" Cole asked.
"Some are demons and some are angels," Zafira replied.
"I thought demons and angels hated each other?"
"Under normal circumstances, they do," Zafira said. "But few choose their own paths, and even fewer manage to survive being punished for their choices by their respective factions. They gather here for a safe place to relax and exchange information. There are even a few demons who uphold virtues and some angels sunken in sin."
"So, that's what you meant by this place being a haven for those who rise and those who fall, right? Do the forces of Heaven and Hell know of this place?"
"They do, but no one except Anariel knows where Purgatory exists physically. She created several magic gateways around the world that lead here. But, where 'here' actually is? That's anyone's guess."
"What's stopping them from just barging through the gateways, then?"
"Anariel's golems, beings created from her magic. You saw one before we went through the gateway. They are her peace keepers, and are a force to be reckoned with."
Cole quickly glanced about the bar. He saw the same huge black man in the suit standing behind the bar, as well as by the card tables, the door, and several other locations.
"There's so many of them," Cole stated.
Zafira chuckled, "Anariel has an animated army to safeguard this place, to protect the patrons from Heaven and Hell. She could give both sides a run for their money if one of them decided to attack. But this place would eventually fall if one or both sides decided to go all out. The catch is that casualties would be massive, which would allow Heaven or Hell to attack and overwhelm the other. Because of this, Purgatory remains relatively safe due to this stalemate. It's a classic Mexican standoff."
"Why are humans not welcome here?"
"Several reasons. Your kind tends to destroy everything you touch. There's also the Crusaders, who wouldn't hesitate to kill any demon or fallen angel. But I think the main reason is that most demons and angels spend centuries influencing humans -- and after all that time, that close association, they've finally gotten tired of your misbegotten race."
A golem approached Cole and Zafira's table. "Anariel will see you now," he intoned with the same deep voice as the last guardian.
"Well, it's about time!" Zafira said impatiently.
The midnight golem escorted Cole and Zafira up a flight of stairs to a balcony overlooking the bar and stopped at another red door.
"Anariel awaits you inside."
Zafira nodded at Cole and opened the door. He stepped through and stopped short. In his awe-struck eyes, they appeared to be outdoors in a luxuriant flower garden. The red door vanished behind them. Cole was breathless at the shear beauty of this new world. The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky; white birds chirped and soared overhead. A large fountain arose in the distance. Cole looked on at this marvel of nature full of colorful flowers and fruit trees.
"Where are we?" Cole breathed.
Zafira shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not entirely sure."
They followed a narrow walkway of ivory-toned marble through the garden toward the fountain. A woman with mid-length fire-engine-red hair, wearing a long white silk robe, came into view as they moved forward. She sat on a small bench, basking in her surroundings. As they neared, Cole noted the woman had long pointed ears and wings with black feathers. Anariel was an angel.
"Hello, Ana," Zafira said.
"Zafira," Anariel said. "I believe I told you never to come back to Purgatory, much like I told you to never call me Ana."
"I feel your pain," Cole joked. "She's not one for adhering to people's requests."
Anariel gazed upon Cole with contempt. "Silence, mortal!" She turned to Zafira. "I would like to know why you brought this mortal here. They are strictly forbidden from entering Purgatory."
Zafira laughed. "For someone who went against the rules of Heaven, you sure have many rules of your own."
"Many? I have but two: no violence, and no mortals. Now, you have broken both!"
"Those rogue angels had it coming!" Zafira argued. "They thought they could buy their way back into Heaven's good graces by killing me. I had to prove them wrong."
"If you were anyone else I would have had my golems pulverize you into dust!"
"Why didn't you, then?!" Zafira yelled.
Anariel paused and calmed herself. "Because, if not for you, I would never have created Purgatory in the first place."
Zafira rolled her eyes. "You have a funny way of showing your gratitude. Instead of erecting statues in my honor, you banish me."
Anariel shook her head. "Your vanity knows no limits. I have no regrets for any of my decisions."
"Wait," Cole interrupted, looking at Zafira. "What is your history with Anariel?"
Zafira flashed her signature cocky smirk. "I showed herexactly what the pleasures of the flesh were like."
"You mean, you two were a... thing?" Cole asked curiously.
"If by 'thing' you mean lovers, then absolutely not!" Anariel declared.
"But we did fuck," Zafira said smugly.
Anariel snarled. "Your vanity is only surpassed by your vulgarity!"
Cole was puzzled. "So, you committed lust. But I thought demons and angels don't have souls. Why would it matter?"