So Below

Lucan stood tall in the depths of hell. He couldn't go above, so he had no choice but to venture below. An explosion of fury and panic had imbued his mind. A white kind of rage he had never felt before, and he had lived a long time, took over his heart; making his blood pump in a way he actually felt truly alive. For the first time ever he experienced the grasp of fear tighten itself around his naked soul. Where is she? Was the only question worth repeating.

Lucan hadn't stepped foot in this retched place in over three thousand years. He preferred to roam the earth, the proverbial Cain in the land of the dying. He wasn't much up for sinful punishment. Casting judgement on anyone else other than himself was not a prospect he relished in, or even wanted to factor into his existence. And yet, such was his destination.

He had held it off for over a millennia now, and continued to congratulate himself over his success in avoiding his fated responsibilities. Yet, Lucan knew his only saving grace, pun not intended, was his father's reluctance to relinquish any kind of power over this realm.

Lucan stood at the entrance of his patriarch's domain, it was like any other elite's abode really. A fortress enclosed within fortified walls, with no chance of entering unless invited. The only difference being the surrounding molten red scenery, where the sun was black and the breeze could potentially result in third degree burns.

Lucan ignored the golden entry knocker, shaped as raging bull charging towards its own demise, and pounded open palmed on the scorched oak door. He knew his father, the Devil himself, was aware of his presence here. Part of being the King of Hell involved knowing at all times who entered his realm of control, but obviously his father dearest enjoyed the process of being called upon.

“Open the damn door dad. I haven't got time for your games” Lucan shouted out into the ether.

There was a moment of dubious silence, and then a thunder roared through the sky as his father appeared behind a small opening in the doorway.

“Do pray tell, is this my only son gracing me with his presence, in the very same place he hates to call home? Or do my eyes deceive me?” the Devil asked with mischief dancing in his flame-fuelled eyes.

Lucan pushed the door open without ceremony, and coldly pushed past his progenitor without any meaningful glances.

“Where is she?” he demanded to know.

His father held his hands up, claiming innocence before the inevitable accusation, “you mean you're not here to see me? I'm offended” he smirked, hand on heart.

“Join the snowflake team” Lucan suggested with a wry smile, “now where is she? I know full well that you know why I'm here, so just give it up”.

“Don't you mean give her up?” the Devil reflected before adding, “which, funny enough, would be my exact advise to you. Give her up Lucan”.

Lucan gave a sarcastic smile full of bitterness, “and why is that dad? I mean, are you telling me you don't want me to take my rightful place as heir to the kingdom?".

The Devil pursed his lips, as if he had just eaten a sour grape, but nodded in admittance, “hey, what can I say? I like my power.” he shrugged, “besides, we both know Fate is nothing more than a guide. Not everyone follows the path chosen for them” he surmised.

“Ha. No. True” Lucan scoffed, “But most of them end up here, so your argument isn't such a good one”.

“When am I ever good?” the Devil replied with half a smile, “nonetheless” he shook his hand over the issue, “I do find myself obliged to warn you. You are setting yourself up for major disappointment, again” he lifted his eyebrows to try to emphasise his point, “I mean, what woman would chose this? For you?” he finally asked.

“I'm hoping none” Lucan replied quickly, “but that doesn't mean I can't look after the girl, or even get to know her. Which brings me back to my question, where is she?!” he bellowed.

“You mean her to get to know you” the devil corrected before conceding, “I swear none of this is my doing. Lady Fate herself decided to intervene with this one” he shrugged, “Nothing to do with me”.

The Devil paused in his thoughts, and raised a finger against the breeze.

“But if you give it a second, I think what you're looking for may just appear momentarily” he imparted despite his deceitful nature. He may live on the hateful side on life's spectrum, but the reluctant love he felt for Lucan sometimes made its way through.

“Looks like you're about to bring a girl home for dinner” he couldn't help but tease.

Lucan felt the moment Sophia entered this God forsaken dimension. It started with a tug of his heart, which then transformed into a violent tearing of his entire being. The pain was so acute it brought forth an animalistic howl from the very depths of his gut, making him drop to his knees. Sweat dripping from his forehead as literal fear sheared his insides. And for the first time in centuries he showed his true form.

The Devil watched in admiration as his only son took on the true essence of the Beast. An animal with four legs, two flaming horns and a thirst for desire so intense, all human nature went out the metaphorical window. He was Hell personified. And the Devil was proud.

Most people think anger to be a weakness, but used in the proper way...anger is the most powerful forces of all.

Sophia cried out Lucan's name. There was no reason to her thoughts, just instinct, and a need for him to be near. In her desperation she looked ahead into the fiery landscape, willing him to appear before her, only to see a bull-like figure raging towards her, all steam ahead. She found herself transfixed on the spot, unable to move or blink. She watched as this bull continued to head directly in her path, waiting for the inevitable moment where their bodies would collide, the impact rendering them both to just mere pieces of broken shards of their former selves. But that moment never came. The bull in question stopped inches before her, nose to snout, breathing heavily with a scent of relief.

The bull transformed within a mist, and Lucan stood gasping before her.

“Lucan” she whispered, as an involuntary hand went to cup his face.

“You shouldn't be here” he whispered, his head tilted to hers.

“I don't think I had much of a choice in the matter” she imparted with a warm smile.

“There is always a choice” he said sadly as he hugged her close.

“Where is here?” Sophia then questioned, head buried securely in the nook if his neck, before rambling, “I feel like I'm in a dream that won't end. None of this can be real. It's too surreal. But you” she pointed out, trying the logical path of reasoning, “Why are you here? It being my dream and all” she queried honestly.

Lucan couldn't help but cast a tender smile in her direction, “well, I was looking for you” he answered with a sigh of contentment. Happy in the knowledge that she was in here in body, but not in spirit. He put his hand in hers and felt a jagged sharp edge cut through his skin and draw blood. He flinched and jumped half a metre away from her. The petrified marigold flower from above, sitting perfectly in the palm of her hand.

“Where did you get that?” he asked poignantly.

Sophia, seeing Lucan was bleeding, took his hand into hers and raised his palm to her lips, “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you” she kissed.

“Damn” he exclaimed with a resolute sigh, “It really is you isn't it?” he genuinely wondered as her skin caressed his.

Sophia looked up into Lucan's obsidian black eyes. She didn't understand this draw she had to him., whoever he was, but she no doubtfully felt the pull of him. Her instincts refused her the ignorance of it.

“I don't know who I am right now” she conceded, “All I know, and as cheesy as this may sound”, she shamefully bowed her head, “all I know, is that I want you. I just don't know why?” she lingered, hoping for any kind of clarity.

Lucan bridged the millimetres between them and took Sophia into his arms, “it will all be clear soon soon. I promise”.

At that, a thunderous red lightning cracked the sky open and the Devil took his place beside them. He stretched his hand out in chivalrous greeting, “Sophia, I presume” he bowed in mock reverence, “I can see you've already made your decision” he said resolute yet enigmatic, as he peered into her soul, “so all I can say is: Welcome to Hell!”. He took her by the shoulders and escorted her towards his domain.

“Nothing like a family dinner to help you get through that fork in the road” he winked, before adding, “because make no mistake, my dear Sophia, you are at a devil's crossroad, and a choice will have to be made”.