Chapter Six

“Wait what? Wait! Wait! What do you mean? Why are we meeting them? You can’t be serious! Pops!” I scramble my words in an attempt to pause what is happening.

“They demanded to meet you in person. Don’t worry Zari. Lilith and I will be coming with you. We will just wait for her.” Pops settled on the couch, looking impatient as he waits for Gran. 

“Why do they want to meet me? What did you say?” I sat on the single couch in front of Pops and leaned toward him.

“I said The Fates have given me the advice to make you my heir. I said I am thinking about it and that I would like to ask for their opinion. A heated discussion began. I tried to convince them as much as I can but they gave me the ultimatum that they need to meet you personally before they give a decision.” Pops sounds defeated. I slumped my back onto the couch too.

Lucifer is The King of hell. There is no doubt there. But the kings of the circles play a great part in keeping everything in balance. Without them, Lucifer himself would not be able to control thousands of demons and at the same time manage all the souls coming in and out. An estimated sixty-seven million people die every year all over the world. These numbers are just the incoming, the number of souls that needs to be sent upwards is also different. 

I mean, I do get why Pops is having one of the worst times of his immortal life right now. It just frustrates me that I am the center of it all, I don’t even want to be part of it. 

“I’m here. I’m here.” Gran came panting through the door. Seth came after her. “Hi. I’m ready to fight.” She said in between heavy breaths.

“Hopefully we won’t need to fight, Lilith.” Pops reminded her as he stood up and approach her.

“Oh, yes. I hope we won’t. This body is too old for that. Come, Zari Baby. Let’s meet your subjects.” Gran extended her hand and I hesitantly took it. 

I looked at Seth, he smiled when he noticed. He also offered his hand and the scared me of course took it. 

In a snap, we are surrounded by a tornado made of fire. It only lasted for a good minute, before it slowly distinguished and we are in hell.

“Welcome to Hell.” Seth said in a low voice. I look around. So this is hell.

The common image that we see when we talk about hell is red skies and fire everywhere. Although it is not very far from that, this hell is a little darker than I thought. The sky is black with dark clouds and tall pillars of mud have huge fires on top of them. These pillars look like lamp posts, they give light to the surroundings. 

“They have houses here?” I whispered to Seth.

“Where do you think we sleep, my queen?” He whispered back. I gave him an annoyed smile.

“This way.” Pops called us. We have a carriage that looks like a giant skull and is being pulled by black goats.

“Where are we? I mean on what specific spot in hell we are now?” I said, just to avoid any sarcastic remarks from Seth.

“We are in Limbo. This is the first circle and the most peaceful part of hell. It is mostly where people who didn't have the chance to be baptized but are technically good people when they are living, go. As well as people who are waiting for their specific destination here in Hell. It is also located at top of the hierarchy, so when forgiven souls have been granted a chance to go up, the angels pick them up here.” Gran explained as we ride the skull carriage to the castle of Kings.

The Castle of Kings is like their corporate building. They use this for group meetings like this and special occasions. Like interviewing the future heir of the hell to know if she is worthy.

“I’m sorry it took me several years to take you back here, Zari.” Pops apologized to me as he sees that my ignorance of the place is indeed very apparent.

“We do not plan for this situation, Pops. I understand the situation. I’ll be fine.” I held his hand for assurance. 

“But can you brief me real quick on what might happen there?” I said, just to make myself ready.

“Most likely, they will just ask you questions. Just answer as honestly as you could.” Pops said.

“Honesty is not really our best asset, Pops.” I said and my three companions snickered. That’s a way to lighten this anxious mood.

When we arrived at the gate of the castle, a bridge needed to be rolled down. A river of fire is flowing around the castle. I tried to look at the river and I saw bones bopping in and out. The current is strong too for a small river like this. 

We passed the bridge and rode for five more minutes before we reach the top of the hill where the castle is standing. It looks like an old medieval European castle. Smaller in size compared to the ones I have seen but bigger than a normal mansion.

We got off the carriage. The door opened on its own as Lucifer approached it. The hallway was dark but as we pass through it, lamps with a fire lit up to show us the way. We took the grand staircase and stopped at a golden door that sits right on top of the stairs. Lucifer opened it and a room filled with different things greets us.

There is alcohol, towers of food, piles of gold, and money on the floor, there are also angry beasts on leashes connected to the wall trying to bite everyone who will pass in front of them. There are also demons having sex and playing cards, shouting foul words at each other. In the middle of the room is a big round table with a globe in the middle. As everyone saw Lucifer standing at the door, they all froze and bowed down.

“I have an important meeting with the kings. Please take your party somewhere else.” Lucifer spoke, and in a flash, everyone and everything is gone, except for the kings.

“Welcome to Hell, Zaria Morningstar.” The kings simultaneously said. 

They are situated all over the room, but their chairs have moved on their own and placed around the table. Lucifer took the seat in the middle of them, Lilith sitting beside him. He motioned me to sit on his left side, Seth beside me.

“We are here as per your request to personally meet my granddaughter.” Lucifer said with a strong emphasis on the word granddaughter.

“We appreciate you answering our request. The kings are definitely eager to meet your heir.” One of the kings answered, with a pause before the word heir. He is taunting Lucifer.

“Never mind. Please ask your questions away.” Lucifer disregards the obvious provoking.

“Oh, but we do not have a question, my king. What we have, actually, is a test.” A test? Oh shit.

“Of what kind?” Lilibeth voiced. Her eyebrows are burrowed.

“As you know, we have nine levels here in hell. And each level has its own treasure.” One started.

“We believe only the true heir of hell can conquer all levels and get these treasures.” Another added.

“We have spent years and millennials trying to acquire these said treasures.” Someone in a green robe said.

“But all those efforts to no avail.” A king with an orange beard said.

“To conclude, once Zaria obtained all these treasures and drinks the blood of Cerberus in the middle of Hell, only then we will accept her as the heir.” They ended.

“At what percentage do I have a chance of succeeding on this test?” I asked. Steeling my voice to hide my trembling stomach.

“Near impossible percent, my queen. But if you really deserve the throne, nothing should be able to hinder you.” 

“What would happen if I didn’t succeed?” Impossible seemed to be a very solid ground to decline this test.

“More than likely you will die, but if you made it out alive but failed to complete the test, you can simply go home and continue your normal mortal life. While here, we will have someone who will be a suitable replacement.”

The set-up has been concretely laid out. But lucky for me, I don’t really need to do this. I told Pops I decline this sick test that they want. If The Fates wanted me to be Queen it will happen, no matter what. It is not necessary to risk my life for their stupid ego.

Or so I thought.