This was it. This was the big moment. The moment where I was supposed to escape Hell with Fors but now, that was past impossible. Those eyes... those red eyes... I had never felt fear like that for as long as I've lived. Fors turned and looked up at Lucifer. He didn't seem intimidated by my father in the slightest and I didn't know if that was supposed to give me hope or worry.
"Lord Draven," Fors spoke calmly and took a step forward. That same red jacket was draped over his shoulder.
"Fors," Lucifer said and his eyes landed on me once more. "You turned your back on me... for this abomination."
"You gave me the duty of being this girl's guard," Fors said. "Until my final breath, I'll make sure no one harms her. Not even you." Lucifer kept his gaze on me and I stayed rooted to the spot where I stood. I don't know how long he gazed at me for but eventually, he turned back to Fors.
"A long time ago, you were my right hand. The shadow I could always trust to be by my side. Even when Kain stood with me, you were the one I trusted most. Tell me, Fors. How much would you sacrifice to save my daughter?" Lucifer asked.
"If Andrea continues to live, I'll do anything to keep it that way," Fors said. He wanted to sacrifice everything... for me? A tear ran down my cheek but I wiped it away before anyone noticed.
Lucifer took slow steps towards the Abyss Gate. He tapped it and the shards which were held by the rose vines broke off and circled it in a spiral. A white void replaced the mirror shards and the whole thing was mesmerising to watch. It was my first time seeing one turn on and to be honest, its beauty almost made me forget my predicament.
"Fors Amethyst. The Hero of Hell," Lucifer started. "To spare the life of my daughter, you'll forfeit your own life." Lucifer turned and looked down at Fors. "You may be her hero today but, there will come a time where you will also become her worst nightmare. To save her life, you will be her dreadmare."
"I accept your terms." Fors didn't even hesitate. He glanced at me for a brief moment and smiled. "I have just one thing to ask."
"Your final request. For all you've done for me, I owe you that much," Lucifer sighed. "Tell me what you desire and I'll make it happen."
"I want to see Andrea leave Hell before I die. I don't want her to witness my end." Lucifer paused for a moment when Fors made his request and chuckled. It was the first time I had ever heard him laugh.
"Very well then," Lucifer said and pointed at me. "Drea. Come to me." I didn't hesitate when he called.
I stumbled until I was standing in front of Lucifer and looked down. I didn't have the heart to face any of them. All this was happening because of me. Because I was childish and wanted affection. Fors gave me all the love I ever needed but because of me, he was going to die.
"Lord Draven," I breathed shakily. I shut my eyes and prepared for whatever he was going to do next but instead, I felt a warmth grow on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and saw Lucifer's jacket. It was massive because of how tall my father was but when I looked at it, its size was a perfect fit to my body.
"Take care of it. If they ask who gave you this, tell them the devil himself wished you a better life," Lucifer said and stepped back. "Whenever you wear it, I want you to remember what happened today. Remember the person who gave his life to let you live... Remember the mercy I have shown you as my only heir. Remember the love I have shown you as my daughter."
"I... thank you... Lord Draven..." I whispered and wiped more tears off my face.
"You can call me father," Lucifer said with a smile. "Say what you want to him and leave Hell with the child you carry." Lucifer said and pointed at Fors. I walked into Fors's arms and collapsed into tears.
"I'm sorry... it's- it's all my fault," I cried and Fors wiped the tears off my face.
"I don't blame you and I never will," Fors said while ruffling my hair. "Promise me you'll protect the child inside you just as I've protected you."
"I- I promise," I sniffled. "I'll never let anything happen to it."
"Good," Fors said. "Don't waste your tears on me. If giving my life means you get to keep yours, then I've already gotten more than enough from this life."
"Andrea, that's enough," my father said. I put on his red jacket and stepped towards the portal. "There are demons in the mortal realms and a daughter of mine will get the respect she deserves there. You will never step foot here again but, the child inside you will. Take care of yourself." Those were the last words I ever heard from my father.
I gave one last glance at Fors, my father and all of Hell. This was my home. No matter how much I hated it, this was where I grew up. I took in one last breath and walked into the portal... and right after that, everything went black.
Let's take a break from this terrible writing for a sec... no? You want me to keep going? God you guys are insatiable.
I woke up after God knows how long and everything hurt. I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned through the pain and when I opened my eyes again, I finally noticed where I was. I lay on a bed in a small room. The room had a window right beside my head and other than that, it was a bit plain. I took in a deep breath and noticed the air was different as well. The sky was brighter than the skies of Hell and everything felt off.
My head started spinning and I don't know if it was the new environment or morning sickness but I puked on the floor beside my bed. The door creaked open at that exact same moment and a young couple walked in.
"You're awake," the man said and reached forward to touch me. I growled and swatted his hand away before he got too close.
"She must be really sick," the woman said and pointed at the mess I made on the floor.
"I'll take care of it. Maybe the kid will warm up to you," the man said and left the room.
"Hey there. My name's Stella. If you're okay with it, I'd like to know yours," the woman said. Her voice was soft like a mother but I still didn't trust anything just yet.
I didn't answer or say anything at all. They weren't human and I didn't know what they were or what they wanted with me. Stella stepped forward and sat at the edge of the bed. I flinched and moved back before she could touch me.
"You don't talk much, do you?" She smiled. "We found you lying on the road last night when our honeymoon was over." That's when I noticed the ring on her finger.
They were married... They were happy... they took care of me right after their honeymoon and here I was... puking all over their floor. My lips trembled and I broke down in tears. Loud, whiny, obnoxious tears. Stella hugged me like I was her own child and my tears soaked into her shirt. Yep... that definitely wasn't my best moment but it also wasn't my worst.
Her husband came back with a mop and a bucket. He started cleaning the mess up without interrupting my moment with his wife.
"Has she said anything yet?" He asked when my tears subsided to hiccups.
"Not yet but..." Stella sighed. "I'm not sure she can talk. I don't know what happened to this girl but, we can't just leave her alone." I looked up at Stella and I could see it in her eyes. She wasn't like anyone I had ever met before.
"She's probably hungry by now," her husband said when he finished cleaning up. "I'll make her something to eat." He pointed to a chair beside the bed and I spotted Dad's jacket!
I lunged for it without a second thought and hugged it like there was no tomorrow. Stella laughed and ruffled my hair like I was a little child. Maybe I could be with them forever. I could be their daughter and Stella could make me happy every single day. She could be the mother I never had!
"It took us a lot of effort to make you let go of that jacket. I can see why you held onto it so tight," she teased and got off the bed. "I'll make sure he doesn't burn anything. You can come downstairs if you need anything." Stella left the room and I was alone all over again.
I still hadn't said a word to them and they definitely assumed I couldn't speak but I wanted it to stay that way. I didn't want to risk messing everything up just yet. To them, I was just a lost girl who couldn't speak and if they found out I was the spawn of the devil and had a baby growing inside me, they might abandon me.
I looked out the window again. There was a road, a few trees, a couple of buildings and surprisingly enough, a flaming abomination. It walked down the road so casually. Maybe they were common in the mortal realms too. I put on my dad's jacket and got off the bed. It was surprisingly comfortable and the best part was, it still smelled like Hell.
I opened the door and peeked outside the room. Just a plain hallway and then a staircase. I headed for the stairs and when I got down, I spotted Stella but, something was off. She looked pale, like she'd just seen a ghost. I followed her gaze and realised why she was so spooked. The flaming abomination from earlier was in the room. That alone wasn't so bad but, her husband was in its arms. He was burning to a crisp... dead.
Stella noticed me and yelled, "Get back! It's here for me because I'm a—"
...Bang...
I blasted the abomination with a dark ray from my fingertips and honestly, I did too much. Everything for miles was incinerated, barely leaving ash behind.
"Hunter..." Stella finished her words with a whisper. She looked up at me like I was a God.
"It's weird for an abomination to attack someone," I shrugged.
"You... what are you..." She barely whispered.
"My name's..." I paused but then smirked.
"My name's Andrea Torrez! The Heir to Hell!"
---
END OF CHAPTER 21