Four

The wind breeze was harsh upon its resurgence against the magma that laid in havoc. The lava churned thickly in the dark crevices of Hell. It boiled and bubbled, its heat lingered in every rocky slopes. Then, it tried to reach out through the curves of the hill, infuriated at the annoying phantoms that continuously flown above.

A hiss followed in its vehement mouth, resulted of its incapability to succumb its prey. It moved in ceaseless way, smooth and thirsty of violence, to the corners of the rocks that shone dimly obsidian. It rolled in caverns, hungrily eating the flesh as it continued its course through the tormented squeals of ghosts drenched in a writhe of agony, and to those weak denizens that had no choice but to stay latent in their post.

Nightmares dressed in dark shadows skimmed past the lava, shrieking in abnormally loud, like cymbals clasped in the beat of vivacious music. The magma saw it as an offensive, mocking insult, thus leading it to seethe its teeth towards the transparent figure. The evil spirit split in half then moulded back again, laughing in a high piercing, shrilling sound, as if it was letting a bogus snicker of the lava's unsuccessful attempt.

Unhindered, it slithered pass through the other edges of this level in Hell, expanding and rippling of its tremendous heat, relentlessly swallowing other denizens that lived in cowering fear to those who were stronger. The lava reminded of an untamed power of one living, essential element. It was puissant and untamed, similar to an animal without a master. Or was it a free pet that was released from its owner.

It twisted and turned, unveiling countless of deep havens, was it finally reached a large fortress in a shape of a circular hole.

Its liquid slid onto its tips, halted at first, then decided to enter the dark fortress that clad with ominous atmosphere. The air was dank on the unscrupulous heights of the cavity, creatures with wings bathed in seamless black flew away, for they had feared the savage mayhem of the lava that churned in madness.

The groove was relatively wide, its sunken area was incessant of the continued entrance of the new creature. The lava squeezed in the circle shape which were left without edges. However, it had recognized a hurdle. It boiled and roared in fury, its liquid surface popped bubbles then reaching the fettle. It managed to launch high then burst out back towards its place, its smoke simmered with different ambivalent in the ether.

At last, the magma went still.

Five pairs of wings brushed the grounds as its shadow painted the land with its sable darkness. The latter allowed a simper from his lips as both eyes punctured down in what was once a ferocious liquid.

He was standing in the plain above the mountains. No one had dared to approach, even the transparent spectres that was casually left unkempt. His eyes flickered in both black and red, capable of adjusting the hues towards the light. His eyebrows was perfectly placed, similarly coloured in black in the familiar color of his hair.

The lad's feature was highly beguiling, competent of luring those who would see him regardless of its sexes. Anything, dirt or not, that would touch his skin would be absolutely a felony to his beauty. He had not needed any scheming seductions, for the only glimpse of his chiseled face was enough to captivate billions of souls.

He laughed softly. Dangerous aura emanated from his skin as he pivoted around and walked to the huge gateway of a voluminous castle. Darkness laid on the way like carpet that welcomed him warmly. It didn't discriminate nor refused him. It was very hospitable, generous and friendly to its rightful ruler.

Outwardly, the palace was situated in the highest position of the seventh level of Hell. It was draped in caliginous jade, obsidian that harmonized the tenebrous clouds that hung as decorations in the overall breadth. No sun had lit its place, neither were denizens had known of what was light. Perhaps they were fully accustomed to live in dim and had not wished for the stream of brightness.

The wings vanished from the back of the male and his tabard connected to his dusk velvet tunic appeared. His attire morphed into regal, showing how sternly benign he was. His feet equipped with high class shoes, shone neatly of its carefully waxed leather.

He continued his way and would finally sat on an obscured throne that laid specifically for the master. His tabard flew behind as he sat reverently on his seat. The fingers laid on the sides began to tap on a scattered rhythmic pattern as the other supported his chin.

The devil grinned widely.

The candles flicked in foreboding forces that snuck in the insides of the large halls. The thick scent, beckoning through every archways of the corners, brewed in absolute trepidation and horror.

"My Lord," called Mammon.

His aide looked low as he stood in front of his throne. Perhaps he could not dare to look his Highness with his lowly gazes, unworthy of the prejudice the First Son of Darkness had. He was clothed in golden shirt, buttoned messily as partnered with black slacks. Ebony cape hung from the right of his shoulder, stitched tightly with fine threads. Gold chains, necklaces, and rings bejeweled his feature, clinging and dangling in its place.

"The demons were uncontained. Why is that?" The Lord said, eerily beaming at the adjacent devil.

Mammon shuddered in fear. His eyes wavered from its direction. "T-They were on their casual rounds. Some were highly adamant to change their places and some were lusting over brutal barbarity." He breathed before he resumed. "But have no worries my Lord. I assure you that things shall be dealt accordingly."

"Demons and some of the ghosts escaped from portals of the levels, and they had not received my permission. I see that you had not been industrious on having custody of your subordinates." said Lucifer, still smirking. "Perhaps I could take some of your treasures and not give them back."

The opposite male widened his eyes then knelt down, pleading for forbearance. "Please, my Lord. Have mercy! I would swear on you that they shall be disciplined."

The devil laughed. "Do not give me promises you couldn't keep. If you wished for my mercy, show me your actions instead."

"Yes, my Lord."

Lucifer leaned back. "Summon Barbatos. I needed his report upon the legions."

"As you will."

∘₊✧۩۞۩۞۩✧₊∘

I woke up with a worst headache. I groaned before scampering down to the bathroom we had shared. My hand reached for the box nailed upon the wall and unlatched it open. My eyes were both shut close but I was left with no choice but to flung them open and see in blur the different medicines kept on the valet.

I was not completely aware of the reason. Had I remembered yesterday that I went home and rain pouring hard onto me after my conversation with Ferros. I was crying in glee that I finally broke from the sanctuary of pain. Ferros had finally released me from his clutches, his haunting figure that would scrupulously apparitioned on my mind like uneding phantoms could not reach and hurt me anymore.

My body was drenched in wet, water from the acidic rain trickled in every curves. My mind was blank and had not cared in what situation I was, resulting me to be scolded by Carol who was surprisingly present on the house at that time. She tossed me with a clean, brittle towel in which I was so grateful for.

The female had not inquired me about my thoughtless behavior. She only stared at me, said a few sentences, then faced her computer once more. Her eyes flicked in recognition as she gaped on codes normal humans could not adhere.

Carol was a student in the course of Information Technology. She was skilled in programming, codes planted in the notepad for multiple reasons, whether in designing websites or software applications or was used to combat different viruses. Despite her achiever behavior, she was not entirely active on working her requirements on time. That differed herself from us.

She had been used to procrastination.

Had I recalled her lazily laying on her bed as she scrolled on her phone all day. Then, afterwards, would she be doing her tasks in haste, hurrying and cramming to finish all of her activities before due time. Countless nights had she not really slept well for that reason and I had been wondering if was she was stricken by Anemia basing from lack of self-care. As someone who had known the feeling of being bruised in a sudden, low energy, deprived with food or opposite, I could potentially tell whether she would be diagnosed in such disease.

Having Anemia was no joke. It concerned about the production and flow of the blood, and it could lead to falling unconscious or worse once not attended.

I was worried about her usual behaviors. But even for how many times we corrected her, she was stubborn enough that she would return to her daily actions.

My nose suddenly itched, little cilia seemed fiddling inside my nostril. "Achoo!" I sneezed.

A sigh snuck out from my mouth as I carefully looked for the appropriate medicine. I caught a fever. Although, had I not remembered how would I always fell ill once I would be under the rain that poured cats and dogs. Upon the discover of the medicine, I brought it out and got a glass of water. I swallowed the concoction first before I decided to follow my water. Glad to the Heavens was I not gurgling and choked for a difficulty. For years I had seen my mother drink a tablet, my fear to medicines grew weaker. Thus, it concluded me to be brave in things of the sort.

I let out another groan as I processed all of the medicines I did not needed, pushing them back on the kit. Once I was done, I dragged my feet through the floors and laid on the couch. No one was around actually. I was class free in this day and all of them were scheduled full whole throughout. How I was so thankful that I had not had any classes I would need to miss. Lectures were equally important to me and it felt like I was absent for a whole month would I go back from a one-day leave. I could not let my ambitions went astray.

My eyes were shut as I nestled down on the sheets I brought from my bedroom. I had not liked the ambience there. The curtains were not dried just yet and the ray of natural glow of sunlight would stream its ways towards the glass windows, eventually irritating my eyesight. I could not rest comfortably in this time of noon.

I heaved a fervid sigh. It was boring for me that I was left alone with nothing to do with or had a conversation with a person. All of my requirements had been done last night, even I was in high temperature. Angelo had scolded my obdurate self, that even if my body needed some time for rest had I used it to do all of my essays.

Speaking of which, I remembered I told Carmela to submit my due paper and did not permit her to unravel the folds. She gave me a promise that she would not read it and I hoped she would not be tempted by whispering devils in her ears.

I turned around, blanket still hovering on my body as I stared on the ceiling with thoughts beginning to loiter in the depths of my consciousness. The headache was starting to disappear, allowing myself to be swayed by the ferocity of waves in the ocean.

Angelo was still oblivious of the closure I got from Ferros. I knew he would threw me numerous drivels, dawdling me into lectures, and there he would settle in subtle understanding of what I did. Although, part of me screamed that he wouldn't do it but instead be happy that I was in my journey to full stage of moving on. Well, I could say that I already was. Love faded quite some time a year ago and those grief and hatred that used to lay active were appeased at last.

"I wonder what's his reaction?" I questioned to myself, humming and pursing the curves of my lips.

As I contemplated silently, my mind wandered around the remnants of my usual imaginations. Fairies. First creatures that formed in the back side of my head. Had I always imagined them as something divine, an average-height sprite that took good care of their respective parts of the nature. I had heard of them as caretakers that sheltered in trees, adorned with rich lush of the vines that wrapped it like decorative ribbons. They were specialized in elemental things in the world: from fire, wind, then earth, and water.

I was in trance of bewilderment. Their origins were reportedly unknown. Had some said in books that they were created by Gods that named by Humans. Some scriptures told that they were Angels fallen when Lucifer was banished from Heaven and coined his identity as the ruler of his own new domain. And some scrolls spoken of fairies being birthed only because of the needs and perpetual prayers of Humans. I could not be certain of which was true, for I had only assured that they had existed in this world.

Few of movies recreated the art sculptured by the minds of writers. They had drawn and animated these beings in most adepted adroit, trying to picture out what the fairies had looked like and slightly based from the statements told by people who announced themselves as witnesses of said creatures.

Similarly to Mermaids. In my region, mermaids was said to have a great voice that could lure people and brought them down to their dimension. Although, some said that they were very fascinated to men who had good looks and a golden heart. Mermaids had a figure of a half-woman and a half-fish. Its tail differed in different shimmering coloured scales as light passes through it. So many famous artisans had tried to capture their beauty but not a single one had a proof of their true appearance.

Costumes of their kind scattered in every parts in the Earth and was usually worn by kids around the ages of three to nine. They were adorable in those outfit and I was glad they had not incurred the wrath ebbed from these beings.

Angelo sometimes shared his thoughts with me and there were moments he had imagined himself as a warrior of world with supernatural powers. Hence, at the end, he could only express his repressed desire to games he was relatively connected to. He battled in that fake world under the screen like a skilled hero harnessing his designed power for the citizen's protection. I myself was driven by curiousity had I joined with him; it was a form of escapism to me. Zara and Carol, who was yearning to join what was Angelo and I fussing about, played. Carmela just joined because it was a game. And she repeatedly shot them a grimace when she heard countless of reality smeared by imaginative beliefs from the game. I knew she was unhappy she had heard so much farce from our mouth, and had not figured how to communicate with us better.

It was not just her, us as well. We needed to talk without tackling topics about that or would she end up arguing and spewing hurtful commentaries about beliefs of other people. However, Zara was not really getting some of our hints, reason she had in her way bickering with Carmela.

I reached for my phone that I placed just beside me. I scrolled upon the screen and opened few of my accounts in social media. Was I looking for entertainment that could erase my boredom and I had found none.

Just as I was about to turn off my phone, a post captured my attention. It was an unknown account, language broken as if the person behind had spoken differently as mother-tongue.

S 0 mins ago

Concert was fun today! #SECCUS

I had known of that name. Seccus was a part of the band that I was always listening to. They were in a group with seven men, different only by their positions and roles. These men named themselves under "Starlight" that meant illumination and clarity against the abyss of darkness. They had been playing music for seven years already and had been together to face the harsh reality of unfair treatment of the industry and the malicious scrutiny of normal people. Seccus was the third of their youngest and was expected to have a girl friend first than anyone else's. Perhaps everyone understood of his unparalleled human beauty.

I typed: What?

I was not expectant of a reply but I received a heart reaction and a response that read:

S 19 secs ago

Yes.

Had I not remembered anything ever following him in my account. I was a careless person, sending friend requests to people I knew and I did not. In addition, I was not completely sure that this account was owned indeed by the band member, but only knowing that this could be a fraud and actually a fan.

I visited his page and seen multiple posts, auguring questionable contradictory of my assumptions. He posted like someone we knew, and typed like he was the real Seccus. But have few posts that was from his other band mates.

Curioser and curiouser, I permitted myself to have indulgence of this account, thinking that I would not lose anything. I commented on his posts, and he was active in this time. I was surprised. If he was indeed Seccus, how did he managed to be online on social media right after concert? Had they not rested?

Seemed that the latter had grown interest in my presence. He was attentive in every of my comments and talked there like we were chatting in texts. Deeming it to be the safest to the conclusion that I was finally allowed to direct my messages to him, I shocked myself in surprise.

Seccus

Can I ask you some questions?

I quickly typed.

Seraphiel

Sure! Ask anything.

There was a long wait that he finally replied. I had thought he ghosted me and rested his body from being tired. And I was stood corrected.

Seccus

What do you think of me? Do you think I'm the real Seccus?

Seraphiel

It depends actually. There are tons of accounts out there that said they're the real Seccus. But...

I hummed as I typed the words that followed.

Seraphiel

I think you're the real one. I don't know. It's just, you're posts are so Seccus.

Seccus

I am.

He had attached a photo, taken seemingly fresh then deleted it after from the conversation. He had let me to glimpse of the real celebrity. My body shook terribly, gazing on my phone in awe and disbelief.

Seccus

I am the real Seccus.

The curves of my lips quirked upward, forming a jubilant simper.

Oh how I wished I stopped myself that day.

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