“ABODE OF THE DEAD”

"I know not mercy"

With that, a dark wind surrounded Abaddon and began cremating him as he shrieked and squealed in pain before reducing to ashes. I wasn't in the least surprised because this was the second time these creatures died in this manner. It seemed this was the only way they could be killed.

Unconscious of my surroundings, l felt a cold touch on my right shoulder. I clasped my sword once again and aimed it at the tall male figure who had a rough curly hair with a side part to it, his skin looked like it was coated in gold, his facial features were deep set, outlined jaws with slim lips. His eyes looked like stars were held within them. He was beautiful.

"Really?" He said as he rolled his eyes at me. No one ever dared to roll their eyes at me or even make an attempt to. "Hey, that's my thing!" I said as I stood to my feet with the tip of my sword still aimed at his throat.

"First, it's not 'your' thing. Second, put that away before you hurt yourself" he said as he used his index finger to move my sword aside and placed his other hand on my head and gave me a slight pat.

Something about this man felt odd and right at the same time but l couldn't care less at this point. I sheathed my sword before turning my back towards him to leave. "Wait! Where are you going?" He asked as he ran after me. "You didn't even ask what my name is. Very nice of you, sis". On hearing the word 'sis', I stopped in my tracks and turned to him, "Sis?"

He nodded and added, "You heard me right but l can't explain now, you'd have to come with me". I chuckled at his statement "You people just don't stop,right? You're taking me to Pierre,aren't you?". He sighs, "At least tell me you see the resemblance, besides I'm not here to take you to Pierre. You either come with me willingly or l take you by force. Don't make this hard, Jophiel". I shook my head ignoring his words as l walked away.

"She doesn't listen", said the strange man as he trailed behind me and suddenly held my hand, "What are y-".

***

Soon after, l found myself in a strange place. It was a dark place but it had its appeal,the skies were not like they were at home, the skies were dark. In place of a sun, it had a huge ball of fire. The entire area within my sight looked like the working area. I looked around and saw activities here and there, activities being carried out by creatures that were similar to the ones that attacked me, most of these creatures here were without horns. Ahead of us on a mountainous hill was a castle. The castle appeared to be shrouded in dark gray clouds with flying creatures circling above it - the guards?. It had huge double doors that seemed like they could only be moved by giants. The castle exterior had a beauty to it. It was obvious an important figure resided there.

I lost my balance a bit due to the pressure in the atmosphere but a hand gripped my shoulder tenderly. "Come on" He said as we vanished once again but this time into the castle. I looked around in astonishment to what l saw. The interior of the castle was heavily marbled. It also had decorations made with precious jewels scattered around. Also to my surprise was the light in the castle compared to the outside. The inside of the castle was bright with the variety of colours but the dark atmosphere remained. There were fascinating sculptures here and there and at a point, l thought I saw one move. The castle was beautiful. I saw creatures stand at posts like guards did in Pierre's castle.

"She's here!" He shouted and immediately

three men were standing in front of me. The one at the center looked like he was carved from the sun, his skin was pure, his face was strong like the sculptures within the castle. He had long gray hair unlike the one that brought me here. His presence was so heavy on me I could barely look straight at him. He seemed to be indifferent about my presence here. There was a resemblance between him and the man that brought me here. There was a resemblance between all these men. The man on his right looked like he would bite my head off the moment he got his chance, it was clear he was not happy with my being here. He looked like the man in the middle only his facial features were much softer, his eyes were red like rubies and his perfectly side parted chestnut brown hair complimented his looks. It was like nothing I had seen before.

The other man looked younger than the others, he had amber eyes and a neatly high kept ombré hair although he seemed happy to see me as he was beaming smiles at me all this while. He on the other hand, wasn't as light skinned as the other men but he had the same aura as the others. I was comfortable yet uncomfortable in the presence of the aura they possessed. If I wasn't sure I wasn't dreaming, I'd have called them 'gods' but I very much knew there were no such thing as 'gods'. The man that brought me here bowed curtly to the man in the middle and said "Father" leaving me in utter confusion. He was replied with his name "Azazel". Azazel then turned to me and said "Welcome to hell, Jophiel".