Terms and Conditions (2)

"You mentioned that before, but what really makes my powers so unique? Because I can kill souls on my own? I don't see how that's enough to change the world. Please explain it to me."

"Before that, I think I should give you a history on the domain of Hell, the 9 circles and how they differ." Trinity's eyebrows furrow slightly. "Don't worry, it won't be an actual history lesson. I know how impatient you are with such things. Just let me give you an overview. It's important."

"Ok, I'll listen, but I have a lesson with Agora at Noon, so…." She's suddenly thankful to Agora.

Amlith frowns in an unserious manner. "Very well, let us begin." She prepares herself to speak.

"Hell is a domain for demons and corrupted beasts. All who find themselves sent to hell are true monsters and are wicked. Some may have been humans once, but once they pass through the dark gates of hell, they will become true Hellions forevermore. They lose their humanity and become shells of their former selves. Most don't even remember their human lives. The ones who lose their minds become beasts, as do those who have a tendency for violence. Only the sane, the intelligent and the powerful remain in a human form, but make no mistake, they are not human. Even if they hide their horns, they are dark, corrupted beings who are evil and sinister."

"Does that mean you were once human too? Are you also an evil and sinister being, Mistress?"

"You really want to speed this up, don't you?" She sighs. "No, I've never been human. I am an Ancient Hellion, spawned from the original Masters of Hell. My parents had involvement with humans but weren't human themselves. My father is a fallen angel named Lucifer, and he later became the King of Hell. My mother is the first true demon named Lilith, and she reigned as the Queen of Hell, even before my father arrived. Contrary to popular belief, my mother wasn't the first human wife of Adam. Before Adam or Eve were even a thought in God's mind, Lilith was here. She was his counterpart, as well as his equal. If he was the light, she was the dark. If he was the day, she was the night. If he was the representation of all that was good and holy, then she represented all that was evil and corrupt. She was to be his mirror, for the sake of all balance."

"Wow, so she's basically 'God', but for Hell instead of Heaven? She is the origin of all evil?"

"You could say that, but it's not so simple as one being 'good' and the other 'evil'. God created humans and gave them life, yet he also slaughtered them with plagues and floods. Lilith introduced sickness and sin to humans, but she also opened Hell's doors to them after death, where Heaven rejected them without giving them a chance. If they didn't repent and ask for forgiveness before they took their last breath, God wouldn't hear them, but Lilith always did. This led to a boom in Hell's population and facilitated its prosperity. Heaven kept control of their humans turned angels with fear of damnation and torment from when they were alive. Hell has the loyalty of their humans turned demons. Which side do you think is truly more powerful?"

"Heaven has to force control with fear or manipulate humans to have blind faith with promises of rich rewards during life and after death. Hell is transparent about its intentions and is unbiased."

"Precisely. Hell wasn't a happy place, and they did indeed suffer for a time once they found themselves here. However, their suffering was brief if they proved themselves worthy and they were rewarded with freedom to live and do as they please within the domain, just as they did in life. Temporary suffering in Hell was a small price to pay to live freely as humans. Much easier to deal with that than to live such grueling lives of 'goodness', totally free of sin. It was stifling and naturally not many wanted to live that way. Most preferred to live in the moment and suffer the consequences later. But freedom once again waited for them after their suffering was done."

"I can see how most humans would prefer Hell's option to Heaven's. Bet Heaven wasn't a fan."

"Indeed. Which is what leads us here. The Heavens felt that there was a lack of balance between their two domains, and so the leaders of both met to negotiate and come to an agreement for all. A third domain would be created between the two, and it would be neutral ground. This domain would house the human souls that died with sin, and it would be this domain where they would be evaluated and judged. Those who had potential to be redeemed could be granted Asencion. Those who had no hope of being redeemed and were corrupted to their core would be forced into Descension. Those who were in the middle and needed more time to reflect and align their souls would become true souls and remain in this neutral domain until they could be judged. Thus, the first circle of Limbo was born, and served as the entry point for all tainted and lost human souls."

"So Limbo was the first domain of the circles? How did the other circles develop to become 9?"

"Well, it became clear soon after its creation that the souls inhabiting Limbo varied greatly. With so many different personalities, tendencies and morals at play, things began to become hectic, and disorder grew beyond a tolerable level. Limbo was not a one size fits all domain, and so once again the leaders met to determine the best resolution. They decided that this neutral domain would be expanded to multiple levels of sin, and the souls in Limbo would be divided based on their alignment. Hence the remaining 8 circles were formed, and souls were migrated. This would become the world we see today for this domain and its 9 circles. However, Limbo remains the entry hub and the most important circle, as it shapes the success and prosperity of all the others based on how the souls are judged and sorted. It was a delicate process that became imbalanced due to you father's actions, and now due to your long absence. Limbo must return to its proper state and judgment must resume. Limbo itself is becoming overrun by sheer numbers, and it's also degrading due to the mixture of incompatible souls, as was the case at the start. We need you to get Limbo back on track and return the 9 circles to their former balance Trinity."

"I see…so that's where I come in as Death Sinner Queen? I must judge and sort these sinners?"

"Yes, that's the responsibility you are expected to perform, and that fact is what makes you reign at the top of the 9 circles, but it also puts the biggest target on your back. This situation is the source of your political power here, but this also contributes to your natural power. I believe your mother was chosen as the first Living Soul in order to be Heaven's trump card. It wanted an agent on the inside, but couldn't send an angel, so they had to choose a human. They ended her life and sent her to this domain as a new tool for control, to keep the upper hand as they always wished to do. She didn't realize she was a pawn for them, and therefore she was able to win the hearts of my parents with little effort. She wasn't being deceitful, because she didn't know her true purpose at the time. This purpose was proven once she was blessed with a Divine Weapon."

"Shi…." Trinity touches her chest gently. "So my mother was being used by both Heaven and Hell, to carry out their selfish desires." She frowns. "So now I'm expected to play both sides?"

"Well the thing is, you're different Trinity. You can do more than simply will the souls away to Heaven or Hell like she could. You can actually kill them and erase their very existence. This is a power neither side planned for, yet it's now within reach. However, they want to control it for themselves. If left unchecked, it can be used to bring both realms down and create a new order."

"Ah…now I understand." Trinity finally seems to take a full interest in their conversation. "You want to destroy this world and make it your own. You want to dismantle Heaven and Hell from how they are now and make something new. You want to shape all three realms in your image and lead this new world order as its Supreme Leader. You want to step out from Mommy and Daddy's shadows, stick it to the big man upstairs, and have every soul under your command. You need me to deplete the population of souls drastically, such that both domains will become unstable, and you'll be able to take over in the mayhem. You want me as your exclusive reaper."

Amlith is genuinely in awe, such that her mouth drops open in her shock. "Trinity…you were able to understand so much just from hearing this brief history? I can hardly believe it my dear."

"Well, I may not be very book smart, but I'm not stupid Mistress. I have common sense, and this couldn't be more obvious. My ability and inclination to kill sinners is the only possible way to achieve this ambitious goal, so that's why you're willing to put out all the stops to win me over."

"Indeed. Shall I take it to mean you're open to the idea, or do you have any doubts about it?"

"I'm not sure. What are your terms and conditions for such a deal? Will your answer to my request for independence be influenced by my answer regarding this deal? Can I even refuse?"

"Your request and this deal are not mutually exclusive. I will grant your wish Trinity, as I did promise you I would. However, as it stands now, such an arrangement will have to be limited. I care for you Trinity, but I'm still strict in such matters. I need a proper return for my investment. So here are my terms. I will allow you to move to a nice apartment in the city of Limbo and it will cost you nothing. I will give you a monthly living stipend for food, necessities and leisure, without micro-managing how you use the funds if you remain in budget. You will work as the city's Death Reaper and clean up the streets of the filth that roams it. I'll allow this arrangement for the next six months, after which you will need to accept my offer to continue receiving my support and these benefits. My request is of course for you to become my exclusive weapon."

Trinity seems to process for a moment before casually replying, "And what are the conditions?"

"Only that you remain primarily loyal to me, even if you become intimate with other women."

Trinity chuckles. "As expected." She ponders. "Ok Amlith, I'm in. You've got yourself a deal."