Days blurred into weeks, though the concept of time remained elusive in this place. It was only natural that I'd lose track, as the sun never rose fully over the horizon nor set entirely below it. The sun hovered perpetually low in the sky, casting an blood and crimson glow over the land but never rising fully above the horizon. It reminded me of Earth's Arctic Circle during certain times of the year, where the sun barely dips below the horizon or never rises above it, depending on the season. But the comparison felt incomplete. Unlike the frigid cold of Earth's far north, the temperature here was oddly temperate—not too hot or cold, but a constant, comfortable middle ground. The air carried a strange stillness, as though the land itself resisted the passage of time.
The environment reinforced the feeling of being suspended in limbo. Without any natural rhythm to anchor me, the days blurred together into an endless loop. The mansion only added to this feeling of disorientation. The grand halls were silent, save for the occasional click of my footsteps on the polished floors. Her servants—silent, emotionless, and eerie—were a constant presence, but not a comforting one. They were like living statues, giving me a quick bow before disappearing into the shadows, their sewn mouths preventing even the semblance of communication. They felt like part of the architecture, more akin to enchanted furniture than people.
My sense of "days" became tied to Lilith's visits to the mansion. Despite how grand and labyrinthine this place was, it always felt like it was just the two of us. Occasionally, I'd see her servants—mute, enigmatic, and eerily precise in their tasks—but they never lingered long enough to feel real.
Lilith and I met often in the garden, which was quickly becoming our regular meeting spot. Her presence, striking as ever, dominated the setting. Today was no different. The golden light of the perpetual twilight bathed the flowers in the garden, their iridescent petals shimmering faintly. In the center of the scene was Lilith, seated elegantly in the marble gazebo. Her crimson dress and cascading golden hair gave her an almost regal aura, like she belonged here more than the plants themselves.
I approached cautiously, feeling the weight of our now-familiar ritual. She gestured to the seat across from her as I entered the gazebo. I watched as Lilith poured the tea, her movements elegant, each gesture deliberate. The tea was already prepared, its fragrant aroma drifting through the air.
"Drink," she said, sliding the cup toward him.
Hesitantly, I took a sip. The warmth spread through my chest instantly, and my eyes widened. The tea was exquisite—smooth and rich, with hints of honey and herbs that lingered on my tongue.
"What is this?" he asked, setting the cup down with reverence.
Lilith smirked. "A rare blend from Hell's finest gardens. It calms the mind and sharpens focus. Think of it as a cure for your incessant brooding."
Aiden taking another sip. With each taste, he felt himself relaxing, his grief dulling just enough to think clearly. He could almost feel the tea working on his mind, coaxing him out of his haze.
"It's… addictive," he muttered, almost to himself.
Lilith's crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. "Of course it is. Nothing in Hell is ever simple. But don't worry—I'll keep you supplied."
Aiden didn't reply, too absorbed in the clarity the tea brought. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of peace.
"So," she began, a smirk playing on her lips as she poured me another cup. "What did you learn today?"
This was how all our conversations began. She never asked me how I was feeling or what I wanted to do. No, Lilith cared only about what I had read, what I had absorbed from her library.
"Well," I started, taking a small sip of tea, "I've read a lot about the society in hell and structure. From what I understand, it's not just some chaotic pit of fire like humans believe. It's a civilization, one with order, rules, traditions, and even morality—though it's not exactly what I'd call morality."
Lilith raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Go on."
I cleared my throat, choosing my words carefully. "The society here in Hell has noble houses that govern its lands. Power is concentrated in these families, and they guard their knowledge, magic, and resources like treasures. It's a system built on hierarchy, with demons vying for status and influence. From what I can tell, society here in Hell isn't all that different from human society… just a bit more, well, brutal."
Lilith chuckled, the sound sharp and mocking. "Brutal? That's one way to put it. But you've barely scratched the surface, Aiden." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as her crimson eyes locked onto mine. "Society here in Hell is far more than what you've read in those books."
I frowned. "Then what am I missing?"
Lilith's smirk widened, and she gestured around us. "Society here is a jungle. No matter how much demons try to imitate human civilization—building cities, creating laws, establishing traditions—we are still monsters at our core. And in a jungle, there is only one true law: the strong decide what's right. Strength is the foundation of everything in Hell. It doesn't matter if that strength comes from raw physical power, knowledge, wealth, or connections. In the end, it's power that shapes our world."
I leaned back, letting her words sink in. "So… everything here revolves around power?"
"Exactly," she said, a hint of pride in her tone. "Take the noble families, for example. They hoard their magic and knowledge not just to maintain their position, but to ensure that no one else can challenge them. Alliances are forged not out of trust or loyalty, but out of convenience and strategy. Even the so-called ethics and morality of Hell are nothing more than tools to justify the actions of the powerful."
I swallowed, feeling a chill despite the mild air. "And what about you? Where do you fit into all of this?"
Lilith's expression darkened, her arrogance giving way to something colder, more calculating. "Where do I fit? I am above it. I am not just another cog in this infernal machine, Aiden. I am Lilith. My name alone is power. And one day, even the strongest will kneel before me."
Her confidence was almost suffocating, but I couldn't deny that it was inspiring in a strange way.
She leaned back, her tone shifting to something more casual. "But enough about me. What about you? What do you plan to do with your time here?"
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I… don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out."
Lilith sighed dramatically, as though my indecision physically pained her. "Of course you don't. Well, you'll have to figure it out soon enough. I can't have you lounging around here forever."
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
She smirked again, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Are you familiar with schools?"
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Schools? Like, in Hell?"
"Yes," she said, her tone almost mocking. "I'll be attending one soon, and you'll be joining me. Consider it a… crash course in surviving this world."
"Wait," I said, sitting up straighter. "You're sending me to school? Here?"
She laughed, the sound ringing out through the garden. "Oh, Aiden, don't be so dramatic. It's not as though I'm throwing you to the wolves. Well… not entirely."
I stared at her, unsure whether to feel grateful or terrified. "Why would you even bother taking me with you?"
Lilith tilted her head, her smirk softening into something almost genuine. "Let's just say… I find you entertaining. Besides, you'll need to learn more about this world if you're going to survive in it. And there's no better place for that than a demon academy."
I sighed, already feeling the weight of whatever madness she was dragging me into. "Great. Just what I needed."
She raised her teacup in a mock toast. "Welcome to Hell, Aiden. It only gets worse from here."