Christmas with Satan [1/5] - Fifth Place

Chapter 1 : Wrong Recipient

December 24

That was the night before Christmas. Little Bayley stood in the large hall with a bright grin on her face, jumping about eagerly and looking towards the main door every five seconds.

She very excited and was looking forward to tonight's dinner with her mom and dad. It has been long since she had spent time together with her parents. The last time was on her birthday back in June when she turned seven.

A loud ringtone broke out in the silent hall, startling Bayley. She looked around and found her mobile lying in the sofa. She walked closer and took it in her hands. When she saw the Caller ID displayed on the screen, her eyes dimmed, but she immediately shook her head and answered cheerfully.

"Hey, Mom."

"I'm sorry, honey." Her mom's voice answered from the other side and Bayley's smile melted into a thin line. "The clients scheduled an emergency meeting and we have to stay here tonight." There was a pause as her mom waited for Bayley to speak, but since there wasn't any response she continued. "I know, Mommy is bad. Mommy is really bad, but please forgive me sweetheart. I promise you we'll take the early morning flight and be there tomorrow for sure."

"Okay? Bayley? Say something honey.."

"Let me talk to her" Her dad's voice was heard in the back before he spoke directly. "Hey B… We really miss you, darling and we're really sorry! It's all daddy's fault. How about this, after we get back we'll go skateboarding together, you and me, okay? B? Talk to me, B?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Martinez. It's about to start." A new voice interrupted her parents.

"Just a second, Gary." Bayley's father turned the guy away and then spoke into mobile.

"B, say something, please. I know we disappointed you, but its… " what could he say? Its work? He couldn't get himself to give her same reason for the umpteenth time.

Watching her husband in a dilemma, Bayley's mom took the phone back.

"Bayley… please talk to us, baby."

Bayley opened her mouth but before she could speak she heard the guy's voice again.

"Mr. and Mrs. Martinez."

"Hold on, Gary." Bayley heard her father say.

"But sir, they're waiting" The guy was put in a difficult situation.

"Then let them wait! We aren't supposed to have this meeting today. And WE are supposed to be at home with our daughter." Her father yelled. Bayley could clearly notice the anger and disappointment in his voice.

Bayley couldn't stay silent anymore. She took a deep breath and spoke. "Its okay, Mom. It's alright, I understand. I'll just eat and sleep." Hearing that, her mother's heart ached. The more understanding Bayley was, the more ashamed they felt for breaking their promise to her.

"Go finish your meeting and… I'll see you tomorrow right?" Bayley asked, putting a little more spirit into her voice.

"Of course, honey. We'll take the early morning flight and be there before you wake up. Then, we'll go do whatever you want in the morning, alright? Mrs. Wellington said she prepared all your favorite dishes so eat your dinner and sleep early."

Bayley forced a smile and replied. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Now go."

"We love you, honey and we miss you."

"Good night, B." her dad shouted from behind.

"Night, dad." Bayley disconnected the call and slumped into the sofa lifelessly.

She looked around the silent place and felt more lonely. She then saw a few gift boxes of different sizes under the clumsily decorated Christmas tree. Her dad ordered the tree and Bayley took it upon herself to personally decorate it, without letting anyone else touching it.

The six gift boxes under it were the presents her family of three prepared for each other. They were supposed to exchange them at midnight after dinner but… plans changed.

Now Bayley didn't have any interest in those presents at all. As she turned her eyes away, she saw a notepad on the table in front. She then remembered the kids in her class writing letters to Santa asking for presents. She thought it was unnecessary at that time but now she quickly sat up and grabbed the notepad and a pen from the nearby pen stand.

She opened the book and sat back in the sofa, as she started scribbling with her head down.

The clock on the wall indicated quarter past eight as the seconds hand relentlessly ticked by. The large window beside it was displaying the falling snow outside, slowly descending from the night sky. The houses on the street were decorated with bright lights, livening up the atmosphere.

As the clock now showed half past eight, Bayley lifted her head from the book and tore the page before folding it in thirds. She then wrote her name and address on top of it and threw it on the table with a sigh as she sank back into the sofa.

She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around as she laid down on her side, looking at the lonely Christmas tree. As her earlier excitement deflated into disappointment, she quickly fell asleep once she closed her eyes.

In the quiet house, after little Bayley was deep asleep, the folded paper on the table fluttered slightly. In the next second, the wind swept it off the table as it floated back and forth in mid-air, before flying straight into the burning flames in the fireplace.

As the orange-yellow flames slowly devoured the paper from all sides, there were two words still visible in the midst, which were glowing in an unnatural manner.

'Dear Satan'

- - -

In a different realm where land and sky were a mix of red and black, there was a large palace standing as a monolith.

Inside the large palace, a tall figure was hurriedly rushing in a certain direction. Its skin was ashen grey and cracked, as short black horns were sticking out of his grey hair. On its back, it has a pair of black wings, tattered and in tears. It was the so called fallen angel.

It entered a secluded corridor and stopped in front of a huge, dark red double doors with no end in sight. There were numerous carvings etched onto it, forming complex patterns and runes.

The fallen angel knelt down on one knee and bowed in respect. "Lord…" Then he hesitated as if he was afraid of something.

"Speak, Azazel!" A voice echoed from the door, bringing with it an unimaginable amount of pressure, bearing down on him.

"We received reports about a strange phenomenon happening in the core hall. Its… Its the Hellfire, my lord. It's going out of control, burning everyone and everything. I'm afraid-"

"Out of control?" The voice spoke with disdain. Then the invisible pressure disappeared and the fallen angel, Azazel raised his head, looking relieved.

In the innermost part of the castle, there were many demons and fallen angels rushing away with severe burns on their bodies. The walls around were glowing in orange-red and the air in this area was scorching as the atmosphere was getting more and more hot with every moment.

Inside the core hall, there was an enormous inferno, burning with a brilliant glow as if it could incinerate heaven and hell. Terrifying heat waves were being blasted out from the center, scorching anyone who came into contact.

At this instant, a tall black figure appeared in front of the fire, completely unaffected by the heat waves. The figure was fully cloaked in the long black robes with a malevolent aura around him. The black robe was branded with numerous intricate runes on the front and mysterious seals on the back. The right sleeve of the robe had a red pitchfork imprinted on it while the left was plain without any markings of any kind.

His head was inside the shadow of the hood as he turned to the Hellfire and carefully observed it. Even the blazing light of the Hellfire was unable to penetrate the darkness around him.

"Such pure energy! No wonder you are going crazy." A deep voice rumbled, as the black figure took a step forward. "Let me take this burden off of you" The black figure raised his hand into the hellfire and grabbed something as he slowly pulled it out. When he opened his palm, there was a tiny piece of paper shining with resplendent light.

The raging inferno trembled violently as it grew bigger before it calmed down and began to suck in the stray embers and heat waves. As it slowly absorbed all the heat in the surroundings, its composition began undergoing an unnoticeable change and it started to shrink in size. The smaller it became the darker it turned and gradually it mutated into a deep purple-blue flame.

The black figure observed the transformation quietly before he flickered as he appeared seated on the large throne inside the hall, on the other end of Hellfire.

He crossed his legs and leaned to one side as he propped his elbow on the armrest of the throne. He rested his head in his palm and kept his gaze on the piece of paper in his other hand.

The hood covering his feature was slid back to reveal an attractive face with pointed ears and two large horns in the shape of blazing fire at the sides and another smaller horn in the middle of his forehead. His long hair was silver grey with burning red ends. His matching silver eyes had a glowing red fire in his pupils. His complexion was greyish blue and the tail behind him was black with a bony structure and a pointed end.

He was the ruler of the underworld and the leader of the fallen angels – Satan.

'About damn time!' Satan grumbled unhappily. 'This distinguished one was dragged to this fictitious world for you lowly humans' amusement and yet, you take this long to introduce me? Who cares about that little brat, I'm the main character here, and wherever I am.'

His gaze swept across the letter and his lips curved into a charming grin, revealing his sharp canines. "Interesting. Very interesting." A cold glint flashed through his burning eyes. "Since you gave me an incomparable offering, I will personally grant your wish... Bayley."

He then turned his gaze towards the hall and immediately three shadows flickered into existence. Three fallen angels knelt down in front of the throne as they kept their heads down and spoke.

"Abigor is here for the Lord to command."

"Amon is here for the Lord to command."

"Azazel is here for the Lord to command."

"Hellfire is confined, and on the contrary, it has evolved into Amaranthine Deep flame. Notify the Legion Commanders and have their troops baptize in its flames. It's about time we see a rise in our strength."

Hearing this, the three figures below were startled to their bones. Hellfire has evolved? They turned around and when they witnessed the purple-blue flame glowing silently, they felt surprise, fear and joy. That is the most fortunate thing to happen to the beings of this realm in forever. It can even said to be a new beginning.

The three quickly contained their excitement and replied in unison. "We hear and obey the Lord."

Satan then turned to the letter in his hand and smiled. "I'll be in the human-realm for a while, so I'll leave those matters to you three."

"Hu-Human realm?" The biggest of the three, Abigor spoke. "Lord, that's-" Dangerous, he wanted to say, but then didn't. He knew that would be a grave mistake. Not knowing what to say, he looked at the other two.

'If he truly dared to it, this mighty one would've incinerated all three fools on the spot. But it seems they didn't forget about their lord's temper.'

"Be at ease, those up above aren't idle and they won't mind this adventurous one wandering about. And even if they did, they won't dare to start anything just because of their whims. They are trying very hard to ignore this everlasting one's existence, so as long as I don't force them, I'm sure they won't bother me either."

"But Lord, is it necessary for you go there? With your command, any of us will make sure your order is executed without any flaws." Azazel spoke up. They are still far too weak to challenge those above. And since they now have the Amaranthine Deep flame, they don't need to do anything unnecessary. But if those above were to take this chance to ambush the Lord, they will all be eternally damned.

'These ignorant fools dare to lump this blazing one together with them all. If anything, they will be damned, this heroic one will continue to exist. Hmph. But since I'm in a good mood, this generous one will forgive them nonetheless for their audacity.'

"No… This is something I should personally take care of. It's been a long while since I've last had some fun. I will not give this chance to anyone."

"Still, My Lord you should consi-"

"You are annoying, Azazel." Satan grumbled, unhappily, shooting a cold glare at him.

Azazel shut his mouth immediately and even the other two didn't dare speak. And the next instant Satan stood up and turned around, his black robes enveloped him whole and shrank until it was no longer visible.