The chamber reverberated with the sounds of multiple demons bustling about, casting an eerie atmosphere as the demigods surveyed their surroundings in hushed awe.
Xhin's declaration that they were in a profoundly significant location rang true, evident by the solemn expressions of the demigods.
After a long pause, Jhin turned to Xhin, silently prompting her to elaborate further on their whereabouts.
"Please pardon my interruption," Xhin began, clearing her throat before proceeding. "Hollow Point, unlike the conventional realms of Under and Main World, stands as a unique domain. While those worlds cater to sentient mortal beings, Hollow Point serves as a realm where souls undergo purification and reincarnation."
The demigods remained spellbound, absorbing Xhin's words as she paused momentarily before continuing.
"When a mortal perishes in either world, their soul is expelled from their mortal vessel and transported to this realm. Here, the soul undergoes a thorough cleansing, purging all remnants of its past life before it awaits rebirth as a new entity."
Klaus' eyes widened in astonishment at Xhin's revelation, mirroring the incredulity of his fellow demigods.
"Although we are entrusted with safeguarding this sacred sanctuary," Xhin added, her tone solemn, "the demons within this facility hold no dominion over the souls. They merely serve as guardians, vigilant against any potential disruptions, however improbable."
Klaus found himself genuinely taken aback by the revelation of such a realm. His mind buzzed with a myriad of questions, yet before he could voice them, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Based on your explanation..." Lance's voice cut through the air, the weight of his inquiry palpable. "Does this mean that every soul, regardless of its actions in life, meets the same fate in the end?"
Xhin's response of confirmation only served to deepen the demigods' astonishment.
"If that's the case..." Lance continued, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Then where is the justice in virtue and heroism?"
His question hung heavily in the air, prompting mental agreement from the other demigods.
"This is the information the Gods have imparted to us," Xhin explained, her tone measured. "I cannot speak to its inherent fairness or lack thereof."
"But to suggest that a murderer and their victim share the same destiny..." Arthur interjected, his voice incredulous. "It defies all logic."
Xhin's expression softened, recognizing the disappointment etched on the demigods' faces. Yet, before the conversation could delve deeper, a faint giggle pierced the quiet.
All eyes turned to Jhin, who composed himself before addressing the group.
"Such concerns are unique to you humans," Jhin began, his tone somber. "While demons may experience conflict, we are strangers to the concept of war. It is why intentional murders among demons have been nonexistent for eons."
A heavy silence descended upon the demigods as Jhin's words sank in.
"Demons do not perish by the hand of another," he continued, his gaze steady. "So the idea of universal destiny holds a different weight for humanity than it does for us."
A heavy silence enveloped the room as Jhin's words sank in, leaving the demigods and even his sister stunned by the harsh reality he presented. Yet amidst the speechless gathering, one voice dared to break the oppressive stillness.
"This is the consequence of entrusting souls to demons," X's voice cut through the quiet, his words carrying a sharp edge that left no room for interpretation.
All eyes turned to X, his statement ringing with undeniable truth and a hint of accusation. Jhin's expression darkened at the blunt accusation, though he refrained from acknowledging X directly.
"So, the silent one finds his voice at last," Jhin retorted, his tone laced with anger, though he refused to meet X's gaze.
Klaus' eyes widened upon hearing the statement made, but before anyone could react, X moved with startling speed, closing the distance between him and Jhin in a second. Gripping the demon by the neck, X lifted him effortlessly off the ground, his eyes ablaze with fury as Jhin grunted in slight pain.
"Speak to me like that again," X's voice dripped with menace, " and you'll find yourself as the next entry to this realm of souls you oversee."
A profound silence settled over the room, along with the other demons who were at work. The demigods, realizing the futility of intervening, remained silent witnesses to the confrontation unfolding before them.
Xhin's panic was palpable as she grasped the gravity of the situation and the escalating tension between the two. Her timid demeanor betrayed her uncertainty, unsure how to diffuse the growing hostility.
"P-Please, let's not resort to violence," Xhin pleaded, her voice quivering as X continued to hold her brother aloft.
X surveyed the room, noticing the eyes fixed upon him. While he typically paid little heed to such, the unfamiliarity of their surroundings and his reverence for the Gods compelled him to rein in his temper. With a steely resolve, he tossed Jhin to the ground before striding toward the exit.
"Pathetic," X muttered before storming out, his anger evident in his every step.
With X's departure, Jhin composed himself, adjusting his shirt with a nonchalant air, as if the altercation had never occurred.
"As I was saying," Jhin resumed, seamlessly picking up from his previous statement, "a soul reflects the life it lived. However, there are rare instances where a soul is too corrupted to be cleansed."
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
With that, Jhin motioned out, expecting the demigods to follow him to another room. They hesitated for a moment before trailing after him, Xhin among them. As they traversed the corridors, a sense of apprehension lingered, foreshadowing the ordeal awaiting them in the chamber ahead.
As Klaus strode into the room flanked by Arthur and Lance, an oppressive atmosphere enveloped them. Unlike the previous chamber, no demons were bustling about, their absence heightening the sense of foreboding. But it was the imposing gate at the room's center that seized Klaus's attention.
The gate loomed ominously, its blood-red hue adorned with sinister black designs—a sight that resonated with Klaus's true understanding of demonic artifacts.
"Such heat..." Lance's voice was a hushed murmur, echoing Arthur's discomfort at the sudden temperature rise.
"This..." Jhin's voice pierced the tension, drawing all eyes to the colossal structure, "... is the Gate of Hell."
Klaus couldn't tear his gaze from the horrifying gate, its aura pulsating with undeniable malevolence.
"This serves as the sole recourse for irredeemably corrupt souls," Jhin elaborated. "However, to my knowledge, only the monster race finds reprieve here."
"Monsters?" Arthur interjected, his disbelief evident.
"Indeed," Xhin affirmed, supporting her brother's assertion.
The revelation sent a chill through the demigods, Klaus included. While they were aware of the ancient existence of the monster race, the notion that their tainted souls persisted—even after Siege's purges—underscored the depths of their depravity.
Amidst his swirling thoughts, Klaus was struck by a question that ignited his curiosity further. It was a poignant inquiry, one that begged clarification on the existence of Hell itself.
"Why do the Gods keep the tainted souls instead of simply smiting them?" Klaus's query echoed in the chamber, capturing the attention of all present.
Lance and Arthur immediately nodded in agreement, signaling their shared interest in the answer, while Jhin and Xhin exchanged knowing glances.
"Because," Jhin began after a moment of contemplation, "as omnipotent as the Gods are, there is only one power beyond their grasp: absolute destruction."
The demigods' expressions morphed into astonishment at this revelation. Despite their divine heritage, they had never fathomed the absence of such a fundamental power within the Gods' arsenal. Undeterred by their surprise, Jhin pressed on with his explanation, recognizing their ignorance on the matter.
"While the Gods also possess the ability to reshape and manipulate, including dematerializing souls, it is not conducive for tainted ones. The essence of a soul defines the very essence of its bearer. Reusing a corrupted creation would only spawn further monstrosities in different vessels."
A heavy silence settled over the room, punctuated only by the weight of the newfound knowledge. Klaus and his companions grappled with the implications of Jhin's revelations, unsure of how to process the deluge of information. Jhin, observing their perplexity, sighed softly, acknowledging the gravity of their ignorance.
"The demigods' unawareness of this is concerning," Jhin remarked somberly.
Jhin's stark observation, though jolting, struck a chord with Klaus, prompting him to confront his ignorance regarding divine matters. He realized that such revelations would likely be news to most, if not all, of the other demigods. However, amid this collective ignorance, Klaus couldn't help but recall one exception.
"If I may ask, what about Ash Brimstone?" Klaus interjected, mindful of Ash's unique status as the sole non-human among them, residing in Under World.
Jhin's sigh in response to Klaus's question hinted at its seeming randomness, yet Xhin, less preoccupied with the topic of Hell, welcomed the diversion.
"He resides not far from here," Xhin offered, her tone lightening. "I can guide you to his abode if you wish."
"Sure, I guess," Klaus replied with a hint of uncertainty to Xhin's proposal.
Lance and Arthur showed no opposition to the change in plans, indicating their willingness to join. Despite X's absence, even if he were present, they knew he wouldn't have participated in their change of plans.
Upon leaving the room, Xhin suggested they explore the facility a bit while awaiting departure preparations. Klaus found this suggestion perplexing but decided not to inquire further, intrigued by the opportunity to learn more about their surroundings.
After some solo exploration, Klaus reunited with the other demigods when called back. Together, they were summoned to the facility's entrance to embark on their departure.
Accompanied by the demon twins and a few guards, Klaus, Arthur, and Lance commenced their journey towards Ash's residence. Klaus understood the need for the guards; their presence aimed to minimize any undue attention, considering they were outsiders in this realm.
After a brisk walk, they reached a colossal fence flanked by a magnificent gate. Klaus marveled at the opulence evident even from a distance. The fence stretched far, obscuring the boundaries of the estate.
Several structures dotted the landscape beyond the gate, but one stood out unmistakably as the main residence. Following Xhin's explanation, they passed through the gate and headed toward the grand building.
The main building loomed large and exuded opulence, but what truly captured the demigods' attention was a colossal dragon sculpture adorning its roof. Its presence added an ethereal charm to the already impressive structure. Yet, as they drew closer, Klaus noticed something peculiar.
As they approached the main building, the assumed dragon sculpture unexpectedly stirred, its eyes snapping open at the sound of their footsteps. With a mighty stretch, it emerged from its apparent slumber, revealing its living, breathing form.
Klaus's heart raced as the majestic creature growled, fixing its gaze on the group. His status as an unfamiliar visitor only heightened the tension, evident in the creature's hostile stare.
Before the dragon could act, Xhin stepped forward, extending her hands towards the beast, which loomed above them from the rooftop.
"Easy, Droxys," Xhin soothed, her calm demeanor calming the creature's agitation. Recognizing her, the dragon relaxed, settling back into its position and closing its eyes, attempting to return to its slumber.
"What the heck!" Lance exclaimed, still reeling from the encounter.
Xhin's smile remained undiminished. "Massive, isn't it?" she remarked, clearly thrilled by the dragon's presence.
"More like terrifyingly alive," Lance replied, his disbelief palpable.
"Of course it is," Xhin chuckled. "It is the largest dragon in Nyxia too."
Sensing the demigods' apprehension, Xhin's excitement waned, replaced by a realization that their reaction wasn't quite as enthusiastic as hers.
CONVERSATION
Xhin: Do you not have dragons in Main World, perhaps?
Lance: If we don't count dragonflies or Komodo dragons, I would say no, we don't have any.
Xhin: Interesting... Then what creatures do humans typically keep as pets?
Lance: Perhaps animals such as dogs and cats.
Xhin expressed a stunned face upon hearing Lance's statement.
Xhin: Do such creatures truly exist in your land? I always thought they were mythical creatures.
Upon hearing Xhin's excitement, Klaus speculated that mythical creatures, known to humans, might exist in the Under World and vice versa, suggesting a divergence in creature types between the two realms.
"Fascinating," Xhin mused, her curiosity piqued. "I'd be intrigued to delve deeper into the realm of humans and their world."
As the doors of the building swung open, the demigods were ushered inside.
They lingered in the entryway momentarily before a woman emerged from the main door leading further into the house. Klaus was swed by the woman who was adorned with all sorts of luxurious jewelry. However, before he and the other demigods could fully register her presence, the sound of kneeling demons reverberated behind them.
Turning to investigate, Klaus observed every demon, including Jhin and Xhin, dropping to their knees in deference. Confusion etched across his features until the demon twins spoke in unison.
"Good day, my Queen."