Chapter 35 – The St. Fair QueenAt the very end of the forest, Solene found a completely different landscape. It was still within the confines of the walls, but this time, instead of concrete and creeping vines, what surrounded her was metal. The walls were made of steel or iron. The rocks, logs and plants looked either encrusted with gold or were made of gold. Even the pathway wasn’t spared by its beauty—or to Solene its weirdness.She was in a maze filled with precious metals. What could actually go wrong?As she cautiously advanced, she noticed her reflection on every surface and at different angles. It was making the hairs on her skin stand on end. It was as if she was inside the house of mirrors, except there were no actual mirrors around her.She disliked being in this place. It made her feel vulnerable, unable to hide or to use the environment as a diversion just like what she did in the forest.Durin

Chapter 37 – The Scythe-Wielding QueenWith a bird's-eye view now, Solene could properly examine the volcano's opening and it was oddly shaped. It was conical, yes, but it was sloping on one side to allow two elements to flow freely down the base: lava and water. It created a river system that Solene failed to see in her side of the arena. Subconsciously, she felt thankful she didn't need to traverse in this part of the volcano. She had her familiar now to take her directly to the volcano's mouth, and that's what exactly it did.Closer, she was able to determine a safe landing area. This solid land was surrounded by the water—a safer one than the lava boiling two football fields away—but judging from the strong smell the liquid emitted, it contained large quantities of sulfur. Something she'd have to be cautious about, but what else was new in Gehenna?The Oratongi lowered its heads, allowing Solene to disembark. Sh

Chapter 39 – The Queen’s King to the RescueWith the stone sentinel’s earth manipulation, Hope was taken to the basement dungeon and ironically in one of the cobweb-infested cells where she passed earlier when she scouted the place. Easily, she could have broken out of this prison, but she opted to stay. She didn’t want to complicate things for Solene, plus she believed she would do well in the second round of the tournament, kicking ass those lowly demons who knew nothing about her being the Queen of Sattus—the Queen of Gehenna technically.If there was anything Caym was particular about, it was entertainment in his tournament, and Hope gave him just that idea—two women fighting demons and monsters would be entertainment.Hope couldn’t be more excited about stepping foot in that arena, so when the ground started shaking again, she knew it was time. Inside the stone cage like before, she was

Chapter 41 – The Venerated QueenAs the King of the Underworld, one would expect Hein's chamber to be boring, lifeless and basically all black. Solene honestly expected it too, but to be welcomed by such a grand room with a breathtaking sight, she was truly surprised.There was only one wall that covered the room, and this supported the main door and the bedpost's black suede headboard. The other four walls were not solid. It was replaced with something better than the mundane 2D walls.There was no furniture visible at all. There was just a grand bed with two bedside tables and one gray-toned chaise lounge beside it. One would think that the King of Sattus was just a minimalist, but no, he intended this so to highlight the water feature ahead."A waterfall?!" Solene gasped as soon as her eyes landed on the raging water some distance away from them. Deep was their kissing, but she just couldn't simply ignore such a sight

Chapter 43 – The Queen’s FatherDressed in a sweeping gown that matched the color of her unique eyes, Solene strode inside the throne room with Hein leading the way. Like her, he wore a formal outfit, looking sharp and dashing in his kingly suit despite the usual color he favored.No soul was around. No guards or guests to honor their first appearance together as king and queen in this supposedly public room, and that didn’t bother Solene. She only desired to see one person, and that was her father.Like all the other marbled floors of the castle, the throne floor also had a black shade, and like Hein’s chamber, solid walls on the right and left sides were replaced with rushing water.Solene tossed him an arched brow after seeing this feature again.“For convenience in surveillance,” Hein explained. “And ease in travel. All souls in Sattus, once summoned by me, can simply arrive