At the Royal Palace
A portal opened, and Azreal and Hers stepped out. The portal closed behind them with a faint shimr. The guards at the gate imdiately bowed their heads. Hers looked around, his golden eyes taking in the familiar surroundings, and said, "It's been a long ti since I've been to this side of Hell."
Azreal tapped his shoulder with a small grin. "Then get ready to receive a scolding from Nena," he said.
Hers laughed. "Is that so?"
Together, they walked forward as the massive gates slowly opened. Inside, the polished hall glead under the torchlight. Maids and guards alike bowed as the two passed. Frederick approached quietly, bowing low, and whispered into Azreal's ear, "My lord, Nena has been looking for you… she's furious."
Azreal smirked. "Hers, it seems luck isn't on your side. Nena is in a bad mood. She's angry with , so bringing you here will shift her anger onto you."
Hers chuckled. "I see… lucky ."
Azreal turned to Frederick. "Tell Nena to co downstairs. A special soone is here to see her."
Frederick bowed. "Yes, my lord," and hurried off.
Azreal gestured toward the throne room. "Hers, let's sit for a while."
"Sure," Hers replied, following him. Azreal spoke telepathically to Arian. Send for Aria. Inform her that a God is here; she will rush to et him.
Yes, my lord, Arian responded promptly.
The two reached the throne room. Azreal gestured to a chair. "Sit, Hers."
Hers eased into the seat, settling comfortably. "So, Azreal… when will you depart for the world of the living?"
"I haven't decided yet," Azreal admitted.
Hers leaned back. "Then you should."
Just then, Nena entered the hall. "Azreal, who is the special soone here to see ?" Her voice froze mid-sentence as her eyes fell upon Hers.
Hers stood, bowing slightly. "Nena! How have you been?"
Nena's voice was slow, cautious. "Hers… is that really you?"
"Of course," he said warmly. "Have you forgotten ?"
She stepped closer, her hand brushing his face gently, then abruptly tugged at his cheek. "You want to rember you when you don't co to see !"
Azreal chuckled softly from the side. Hers raised a hand in surrender. "Nena, co on… you know if I had the ti, I would have surely co."
Still pulling at his cheeks, Nena huffed. "Then you should have co once in a while. Why only now?"
Azreal interjected quickly, "Nena, don't listen to him. He's always busy."
"Don't mind him," Nena said, still scolding.
Hers tilted his head, mock offended. "Nena, now you're supporting Azreal over ?"
"You're one to complain," Nena replied sharply, turning to pull his cheeks one last ti before walking away.
Hers sighed. "I'm sorry, Nena. I'll try to co see you more often."
Nena pouted. "Is that supposed to make feel better?"
Azreal stood and gestured gently. "Nena, forgive him. Actually, he ca to deliver a ssage, but since he's here, he decided to taste your food before he leaves. He said he missed it, so you're pushing him away for no reason."
Nena's expression softened as she looked at Hers. "You should have said so sooner! Look at you—thin. Clearly not taking care of yourself."
Hers grinned. "Now that I'm here, I leave the rest to you."
Nena turned to Azreal. "And you?"
"What did I do now?" Azreal asked, amused.
"I'm still angry with you for letting Aria go without informing ," Nena scolded.
"Don't worry," Azreal said calmly. "She's coming here anyway."
"Good. I should go prepare then," Nena said, turning on her heel.
Hers chuckled softly. "Thank you for talking to Nena on my behalf."
"You were running late anyway," Azreal said. "I knew she wouldn't forgive you easily."
"That's true," Hers admitted, smiling. "Who's this Aria Nena spoke of?"
"Wait, you'll see her soon enough," Azreal replied.
"Okay then," Hers said.
---
Second Gate of Hell
Aria paced in the room assigned to her, looking bored. "Arian," she called.
No response. She called again. "He must be with Azreal," she muttered.
She clenched her fists. "Let practice a little, at least."
Pink flas gathered in her palm, forming a perfect sphere. Suddenly, an image of Zarion flashed before her eyes. Her knees buckled, as if he were standing right in front of her. "Kneel before your God," a cold voice commanded.
Aria's flas flickered and died. She shook her head, looking around. "What's wrong with ?"
Desperately, she tried again. Nothing. Her flas refused to form. She stared at her hands, panic creeping in.
Arian appeared behind her silently. "Aria!"
Startled, she turned. "Where did you co from all of a sudden?"
"I didn't an to frighten you," he said calmly.
"No, it's okay," she replied, catching her breath. "I was just… thinking."
"What were you thinking about?" Arian asked.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "Just that after everything, it's good to see things peaceful again."
Arian studied her carefully. "Lord Azreal sent for you," he finally said.
Aria's eyes widened. "Azreal sent for ?"
"Yes," Arian confird. "Lord Hers ca as well to deliver a ssage, but Azreal invited him to the Royal Palace. Seeing you always fascinated with the Gods and heaven, he felt it right to inform you."
Aria nodded. "So a God ca to Hell… then I'll head to the Royal Palace."
"Sothing wrong?" Arian asked.
"Why do you think sothing is wrong?"
"I expected a better expression," he said, floating beside her.
Aria smiled faintly. "I'm excited, but I'm not blindly chasing heaven or the Gods anymore. I'm chasing the truth."
"The truth?"
"You wouldn't understand," she said softly. "Take my forr self as childishness. This is my matured self."
"If you say so," Arian replied.
"Shall we go?" Aria asked.
"Sure," he said.
As they walked out, Blight intercepted her. "Where are you going, Lady Aria?"
"Lord Azreal sent for ," she said firmly.
Blight frowned. "I can't believe it. Lord Veymar said I shouldn't let you leave…"
In a sudden burst of flas, Arian transford, his tail swirling around Aria. Blight froze in awe.
"Lord Arian!" he exclaid.
"Do you believe us now?" Arian asked.
Blight nodded. "Yes… sorry for not listening earlier."
Aria climbed onto his back. "Let's go to the Royal Palace," she said, raising her hands.
Arian hesitated. "You want to carry you? This back is made for Lord Azreal… this is the first ti I've carried anyone else."
"It's fine. Besides, you'll get used to it," she teased.
Arian sighed. "I hope so," he muttered as he soared into the sky.
Blight shook his head. "I can't believe she left again. She's secured a place for herself in Hell. I must inform Lord Veymar, or I'll lose my head." With that, he vanished in a burst of flas.
---
Hell's Royal Palace
Arian stopped at the gate, and Aria gracefully descended. Arian shrank back to his smaller form, and the guards, recognizing her, opened the gate without hesitation.
Aria stepped inside, Arian floating silently by her side as they entered the grand hall. Fredrick approached her quickly, bowing slightly. "Lady Aria, you have arrived. Lord Azreal is waiting for you in the dining room."
Aria nodded and walked toward the dining room, her footsteps echoing faintly in the vast palace.
---
Dining Room
The table was enormous, laid out immaculately with a variety of delicacies that seed almost endless. Candles flickered along the edges, casting soft light over the polished silverware and porcelain dishes.
Azreal and Hers were already seated, quietly waiting, while maids moved gracefully around them, arranging the final dishes.
Nena's eyes brightened as she spotted Aria. "Aria, you're back!" she exclaid, rushing forward and wrapping her arms around her in a warm embrace.
Aria smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Nena. I didn't inform you before leaving."
Nena shook her head, her expression softening. "Don't worry, I forgive you." She turned her gaze to Azreal, a playful frown forming. "It's him I bla for letting you go anyway."
Azreal chuckled lightly. "Co on now, Nena. Are you still angry?"
"Don't talk to , Azreal," she replied, her tone teasing but firm.
Azreal straightened and turned to Hers. "Hers, Aria. Aria, this is Hers."
Hers rose from his seat with a warm smile. Aria bowed respectfully. "Good day, Lord Hers," she said politely.
Hers extended his hand with easy confidence. "Hi, Aria. Nice to et you."
Aria shook his hand, noting the warmth in his deanor.
Azreal clapped his hands lightly. "Now, let's eat."
Hers glanced toward Nena. "She will join us this ti, right?"
Nena's lips curved into a smile. "Of course," she said, sliding into the seat beside him. The al began, the quiet clatter of cutlery mingling with occasional soft laughter. At tis, Nena fed Hers small bites, earning a gentle laugh from him in return.
Aria watched carefully, her eyes tracing the interactions between Hers, Azreal, and Nena. She whispered to herself, astonished, "He is… different from most Gods. Not that I've t any, but I know how a God is supposed to behave. He doesn't treat them as lesser beings… it's like he sees Nena and Azreal as equals, as family."
Her thoughts lingered on the contrast. "I guess not all Gods are the sa. A few… rare ones are good. But most… they're selfish, cruel… dangerous."
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