Astaroth

Prometheus flicked his wrist, and an oval-shaped portal opened before us. Strong winds brushed my skin, and I glanced at the Supreme God's expression.

It was emotionless but radiated an aura capable of killing. A chill shot down my spine, and I bit back my urge to kneel before him.

Things had gone downhill. From happily heading towards Prometheus's castle to returning in such a condition.

It seemed Prometheus would not take this lightly. I, personally, wished to castrate those who did such horrendous acts to Leo. Unfortunately, I would faint before I could witness the castration.

"Hell extremists," Prometheus muttered. The portal contorted to accommodate Prometheus and me before expressing a ding.

Prometheus motioned for me to follow before entering the portal. I followed and was greeted by a change in scenery instantly.

A purple tint appeared before my eyes before vanishing. It was as if I was faster than light itself. Immediately, I emerged from the other side.

I bumped into Prometheus's back, but the latter didn't react. Instead, he stayed still, emotionless, and silent.

"Hide," he ordered, and I bent to his will immediately. Observing the dark hall we were now in, I camouflaged behind a table.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I watched.

Prometheus walked forward, his steps unwavering. In front of him, a light shone before hundreds of people were revealed.

Some possessed eyes that had already lost their luster, while others had turned insane. It was a pandemonium of suicidal puppets.

I gasped at the cruelty. Humans and Gods… they'd been used as cannon fodder and turned into mindless bombs that would explode when approaching an enemy.

It struck a nerve.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized before Prometheus.

Although it was difficult to see in the dark, I was able to make out a few features of the one who'd appeared before Prometheus.

It was a young man, not more than twenty. His appearance was devilishly handsome, with glossy hair and a charming smile.

There were crimson streaks in his hair that fell to his eyes. He wore a black suit with a white shirt, along with a red tie.

True devil colors.

"Astaroth," announced Prometheus, sneering. It seemed the two knew each other. "It's been a while since I've seen you."

"Old friend," said Astaroth. "You look like an old man now."

"And it seems you still retain your sharp tongue," replied Prometheus. "Hasn't Beelzebub ever told you to shut your trap unless you want your tongue ripped out?"

"I've lost count," chuckled Astaroth, clasping his hands behind his back. "It seems you've brought the prophetic child with you."

My heart raced as Astaroth's devilish gaze fell upon me. I held back the urge to scream. His presence was utterly terrifying.

"Aren't you afraid?" asked Astaroth, raising his head innocently. "Of me stealing that kid away?"

"It's not like you can," laughed Prometheus. "It's a challenge. If you manage to do so, I will surrender to you. I will serve you as a slave for eternity."

"Eternity," muttered Astaroth under his breath. "It's a powerful word."

"I am aware."

"Are you sure about that? My hands have been itching for the past few years. It's been a millennium since I've relished the taste of blood."

"Blood? You'll be lucky if you can make me break a sweat."

"We shall see about that," giggled Astaroth, letting out deranged laughter. Prometheus remained still without emotion.

"Firstly, you need to answer a question."

"I'll answer anything if it means being allowed to have a go with you. Supreme Gods aren't easy to find, and most of them are affiliated. Most have reinforcements ready to arrive at any moment."

"Who says I don't?"

"Your willingness to make this deal."

"Fair enough. My question is… why did you attack Leo?"

Astaroth paused for a second. He formed an expression of mild surprise before laughing uncontrollably. "You're asking about a slave? I thought your pride meant more than that."

"Answer the damn question."

"No," replied Astaroth. "Ask me something else. Use your question wisely. Ask me something about Hell."

"Fuck Hell," spat Prometheus. "Bunch of mongrels."

"Tough words from a geezer."

"Anyway, answer my question. Otherwise, your subordinates will die, and you won't receive a fight."

Astaroth's expression crumpled, and he feigned a motion of deep contemplation. Immediately, he began explaining the true reason behind the attack.

"Leo is from Ares's family," said Astaroth. "He is related to the God of War from Olympus. Ares recently stirred trouble for us by eliminating a few of our allies. That's why our King, Luciel, wanted Leo to be eliminated. It didn't work out, though."

Astaroth shrugged at the end as if the matter didn't concern him.

Anger built up inside me. If Leo wasn't related to any of the crimes, why did they target him solely due to his lineage?

It was dishonorable! It was outright wrong! Leo was innocent!

"It seems the prophetic child has gotten a bit too attached to the descendant of Ares," Astaroth giggled, directed his attention toward me.

I didn't move, hoping he would avert his attention. Yet, he continued to observe me.

"A demigod," laughed Astaroth. "Chaos has her own ways, but this is too laughable! I thought it would be a Mid-Rank or High-Rank God! The savior of the Divine Realm is a half-breed!"

Prometheus didn't react. My cheeks turned beet red in embarrassment. So what if I was a demigod?

What about it? What difference did it make?

A few of Astaroth's subordinates chuckled, too. Soon, their chuckles morphed into laughter.

Did it truly matter if I was a half-breed? Prometheus hadn't minded much!

"Since I've answered your question, don't I deserve a battle?" Astaroth asked rhetorically, summoning an energy I'd never seen.

"It seems you never change," replied Prometheus as flames encompassed his body. The temperature rose tremendously, and I flinched.

Astaroth giggled at the "praise" Prometheus offered. He then dissolved within the shadows, manifesting right behind Prometheus.

The flames, however, pounced voraciously at him, threatening to gobble him up.

"You've become stronger," said Astaroth. "I guess you aren't the geezer I expected you to be."

Prometheus didn't respond and shot several spears of flames at Astaroth, who dissolved into the shadows to evade them. The latter spread his energy across the entire room, dimming the illumination provided to it.

However, Prometheus's flames negated the effect.

[Go back to where the portal formed when I give you the signal.]

A voice resounded in my head. At that moment, Prometheus glanced at me before winking. I immediately understood, preparing to move as soon as he gave the signal.

Astaroth didn't seem to notice a thing, as he continued his barrage of attacks, that seemed to have no effect on Prometheus.

"Flames," said Astaroth. "Truly the most annoying divinity against members of Hell. I thought I could bypass it through sheer power.. But.."

"Are you giving up?" Prometheus asked casually as a hand made of flames emerged from beneath Astaroth.

Astaroth jumped backwards before erecting a shield of whatever energy he possessed. "No. I'm admiring something great."

"Doesn't seem like it."

"You're getting too old," Astaroth said. "You're hearing things and misinterpreting them."

The pressure increased, and a faint suffocation rose in my chest. I took long, deep breaths to alleviate the feeling, but nothing seemed to work.

Astaroth and Prometheus were strong… really strong. Plus, I knew they were holding back tremendously, considering we were in a hall.

Their powers were limited, considering neither wanted to explode the place.

The subordinates of Astaroth trembled in fear and admiration, and I did the same for Prometheus. The two were monstrosities incapable of being matched by anyone.

Wings of flames grew on Prometheus's back. He flapped the wings, hurling wind pressures and sparks of flames towards Astaroth.

The statue of an unknown entity erected from the ground, encompassed in the energy Astaroth wielded.

I wanted to become strong.

The statue absorbed the wind pressure and sparks of flame, but it decreased in potency and size.

The collision caused a deafening noise to emerge, and I covered my ears in pain.

Prometheus then bent down before placing his palm on the floor. He muttered a few words.

The ground shook before an enormous flame dragon broke though, attacking Astaroth with its sharp claws and flames.

At that moment, Prometheus glanced at me before nodding.

I immediately sprang into motion. Pushing the table forward, I sprinted towards the location Prometheus had told me to go.

Astaroth noticed my retreat, and attempted to chase after me. However, Prometheus's flame dragon kept him busy.

Prometheus turned to Astaroth's subordinates and the puppet bombs, hurling a fireball at them. All of them perished instantly, as the Supreme God of Fire and Foresight appeared beside me in an instant.

Smiling at Astaroth, he conjured a portal, which we both entered.

The flame dragon diminished in power before disappearing. Astaroth's bloodshot eyes were insane.

The last thing we heard was his screams before everything went dark.