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Marked By Darkness
The Devils Blood

The Devils Blood

Luckily, I didn't end up killing Keller. After a few more rounds of practice—most of them filled with his endless teasing and my barely contained frustration—I finally kicked him out of the studio.

The rain had started to pour outside, a steady, relentless downpour that matched the heaviness in the air.

I quickly pulled out my phone and messaged Lewis. Leave the food, it's raining cats and dogs. I'll catch up with you later. Going to meet Solar to travel to hell. I added a few quick emojis to soften the message, but deep down, something gnawed at me.

The unease in my chest had only grown since I'd left the studio. It was an ache that didn't feel quite right, a weight I couldn't shake. Maybe it was the storm outside, or maybe it was everything else swirling around me—the demons, the constant pressure, and now this plan to face Lucifer.

I grabbed my jacket and stepped out into the pouring rain, feeling the chill of the storm soak through my clothes almost immediately. The city was a blur of water and shadows, the kind of night where everything seemed a little off—like the world itself was waiting for something to happen. And I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking straight into whatever that something was.

The walk to the building where Solar was waiting didn't take long, but each step felt heavier than the last. The rain was deafening, the sound of it pounding on the pavement like some kind of warning.

I tried to push the unease from my mind, but it kept creeping back in, making my chest tighten with every breath.

When I reached the building, I hesitated for a moment, staring at the door as if it might suddenly swing open to swallow me whole. But there was no turning back now.

I pulled open the door, and the warmth of the room hit me like a breath of fresh air. The contrast between the cold, wet night and the dry, stuffy inside almost made me forget about the storm... almost.

Solar was standing near the back of the room, leaning lazily against a shelf. His wings were folded behind him, but his usual relaxed grin was plastered on his face.

"Ah, there she is!" he called out, his voice light and teasing. "Took you long enough, didn't get lost in the rain, did you?" He winked dramatically. "I swear, it's like you're trying to make me look good by showing up late."

I rolled my eyes, shaking the water out of my hair. "Sorry, didn't realize I was racing you to the end of the world," I said, walking into the room and trying to ignore the weird pit in my stomach.

Solar straightened up and grinned at me, his usual joking nature coming through in full force. "Come on, don't act like you're not excited," he said, spreading his arms wide like a showman. "I know you've been dying to take a little trip to Hell. Who could resist all the fiery pits and screaming souls? It's basically a vacation spot for the thrill-seeker in you."

I shot him a dry look, but I couldn't help but feel a little lighter at his teasing. "Yeah, really sounds like a dream vacation." My tone was sarcastic, but I knew he wasn't taking anything seriously.

Solar raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Hey, don't knock it 'til you've been. You might just find a nice cozy corner in Hell where they serve margaritas and let you sunbathe." He paused and then added, "Alright, alright, no margaritas. But I'm sure we could make it work."

I let out a short laugh, trying to ignore the feeling gnawing at me. "Yeah, yeah. Can we just get this over with?" I asked, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

He pushed off the shelf and sauntered over to me, his wings giving an almost lazy flutter. "Whoa, whoa, what's with the sudden mood shift? You're not getting cold feet, are you?" He leaned in closer with a mock serious face. "If you're having second thoughts, now's the time to speak up. I have a lot of ways to kill time—like making terrible jokes or pretending to be the world's best tour guide."

I forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "No, I'm good," I said, hoping the lie didn't sound as hollow as it felt. "Let's just go before I change my mind."

Solar's grin softened a little, and he nodded. "Alright, alright, let's do this thing. But just remember, if you get scared, you can always hold onto me. I promise I won't bite—unless you ask real nicely."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes again, but it did ease the tension a little. Solar had a way of making everything feel less... heavy. Even if what I was about to do felt like the stupidest thing I'd ever attempted.

"Fine," I said, steeling myself.

Solar's grin faded into something more thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he surveyed the room. "Alright, let's get to it," he said, his tone taking on a more focused edge. "You're gonna need all the help you can get opening a portal to Hell. But just so we're clear—I'm not going with you. No angel is gonna risk crossing that line."

I raised an eyebrow. "What, are you scared?"

He shot me a pointed look, his wings twitching behind him. "It's not fear, little flame. It's strategy. Angels like me? We don't exactly have the best reputation down there. If I step into Hell, every demon within a hundred miles will know about it. And trust me, you don't want every demon on high alert while you're trying to sneak around."

"Sounds like you just don't want to have any fun," I teased, though I could hear the unease in my own voice.

He gave a dramatic sigh, clearly enjoying his role as the reluctant protector. "Oh, sure. I'd love nothing more than to stroll through Hell, maybe grab a drink at the local tavern with a few demons who want my head on a spike. Fun times, right?" He gave me a wink, but I could see the seriousness in his eyes. "You're on your own for this one, Athena. But I'll be here to guide you from the outside. We'll make it work."

I nodded, trying to ignore the cold knot in my stomach. "Alright. Let's just get this over with."

Solar stepped back a few paces, folding his arms and giving me a sideways glance. "Ready, little flame?"

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn't entirely sure what I was about to do, but I knew that I couldn't back out now.

My magic had been growing stronger, but I still wasn't entirely sure how to control it. This felt like the first time I was truly testing my limits, and the idea of facing Lucifer made my skin prickle with both excitement and dread.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

Solar gave me a small, reassuring nod. "Okay, here we go."

He extended one hand, his fingers crackling with golden energy. A light started to shimmer in the air, swirling like mist, as the very air seemed to hum with power.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The room around us began to darken, the walls flickering as though they couldn't quite decide if they wanted to stay solid. Slowly, the edges of the room faded into a glowing vortex, the edges flickering with flames and shadowy tendrils. The portal was opening.

The smell of sulfur and heat started to seep into the room, a warning of what lay beyond.

I stepped forward, but Solar raised a hand, stopping me. "Hold on," he said, his voice serious for the first time tonight. "This isn't a one-way ticket. The portal will stay open long enough for you to slip through, but you've got to be quick. And be careful. Lucifer is tricky, and even he might not be what you expect."

I glanced back at him, my heart racing. "And you'll be alright, right? I'm doing this for answers, for all of us."

Solar smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. I'll make sure the portal stays open as long as I can. But once you step through, you're on your own."

His gaze softened, a brief flash of something like concern passing through his features. "Just... don't let anyone make you second guess yourself down there. You've got this."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. This was it. No turning back now.

I stepped toward the portal, the air around me crackling with energy. The swirling mass of shadows and flame beckoned, a deep, echoing pull that seemed to drag me forward. Just as my foot crossed the threshold, I glanced back one last time.

Solar gave me a slight wave, a half-smile on his face. "Good luck, Athena. And try not to make any deals with demons while you're down there. They're all full of bad ideas."

With that, I stepped fully into the swirling vortex, the world around me twisting and warping as I was pulled into the darkness beyond.

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As I stepped through the portal, the world seemed to collapse around me. The sensation was like falling through a black void—one moment I was surrounded by Solar's glow, and the next, I was in a place that felt nothing like the world I knew.

The heat hit me like a physical blow, and the oppressive weight of it settled into my bones immediately. The air tasted like sulfur, thick and acrid, stinging my throat with every breath.

The ground beneath me was cracked and uneven, a dark, reddish-brown expanse that stretched out endlessly in every direction. There was no sky, just an expanse of swirling, fiery clouds that seemed to hover ominously overhead. The temperature was stifling, the air shimmering with the heat of an eternal, blazing sun—or something that resembled it.

I took a step forward, feeling the weight of my body sink slightly into the ground with each step, as if the earth itself was trying to swallow me whole.

The sensation made my stomach churn, but I ignored it, forcing myself to keep walking. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my mind was racing with a thousand questions. What would Lucifer be like? Would he have answers? Would he help me? Or was I just walking into a trap?

As I continued through the barren landscape, the sounds around me grew louder—the faint echoes of distant screams and low growls reverberated through the air, as if the ground itself was alive with torment.

Shadows moved quickly at the edges of my vision, too fast for me to make out what they were, but I could feel the eyes of countless creatures watching me. They weren't attacking, but the tension in the air was palpable, like a storm waiting to break.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, heavy and deliberate. I tensed, every muscle in my body locking in anticipation. I knew I had to keep moving, but the dark energy around me was suffocating, like a cold hand tightening around my throat. Then, from the gloom, a figure appeared.

I barely had time to brace myself. The demon's claws raked down my arm, leaving behind a trail of searing pain. I gritted my teeth, the sting sharp enough to make my vision blur. But I wasn't here to be a victim.

I didn't have time to think.

With a growl, I called on the elemental magic that surged deep within me—the power I had barely begun to understand. My chest tightened as I focused, drawing the magic up from my core.

The air around me shimmered, vibrating with energy. The wind kicked up in a fury, swirling around me like a cyclone.

With a swift motion, I thrust my hand forward. The wind obeyed, howling violently as it slammed into the demon, sending it flying backward. The impact knocked it against the jagged rocks with a sickening thud, but it didn't stay down.

The demon snarled, pushing itself back to its feet, eyes burning with rage.

I wasn't finished yet.

My hand shot up, this time calling upon the flames that flickered to life in my palms. They surged, hungry and fierce, wrapping around my arms like serpents, blazing with fire and power. I clenched my fists, and with a snap of my fingers, the fire shot forward, consuming the demon in an instant.

The creature screamed as the flames roared to life, engulfing it in a blaze of heat and light. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, sharp and sickening. In moments, the demon was reduced to ash, its once-formidable shape nothing but a wisp of smoke drifting away on the wind.

I exhaled, feeling the rush of adrenaline leave me, my heart pounding in my chest. I wiped the sweat from my brow and glanced around, knowing I'd drawn attention with that display of power.

"You are quite powerful, aren't you, Athena?"

The voice came from behind me, smooth and dark, sending a shiver down my spine. I spun around quickly, my instincts on high alert. There, standing with his arms crossed, was a demon, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling amusement.

Without thinking, I summoned hellfire, the flames crackling in my palms as they leaped toward him. But the demon merely smirked, his fingers twitching in a subtle motion. In an instant, the flames evaporated in a puff of smoke, disappearing before they could touch him.

He took a step forward, the air around him growing heavier, thick with the weight of his presence. Slowly, he revealed himself fully, the shadows seeming to dance around his form. His aura was oppressive, radiating raw power—something far more dangerous than anything I'd encountered so far.

"I'm the one you're looking for, Athena," he said, his voice deep and velvety, but laced with a warning. "But I'll give you a piece of advice. You have exactly ten minutes before Satan senses your power. And if he does, well..." He took another step toward me, his eyes narrowing as he sized me up. "If he gets his hands on you, he will know everything. Your secrets, your past, your future. I can't let that happen—not yet."

My heart raced in my chest, the weight of his words sinking in. His confidence in his warning was palpable, and the way he said yet made it clear that there were plans he wasn't ready to share. I didn't trust him, but I didn't have much of a choice.

I stood my ground, keeping my face as impassive as possible, though the tension in the air was thick. "Who are you?" I demanded, my voice a little steadier than I felt.

The demon smiled—a dark, knowing smile that sent a chill up my spine. "That, little flame, is something you'll find out soon enough. But for now, your power is the only thing that concerns me. So, we have a choice, Athena. You either take my help and escape—or you risk everything by staying and facing what's coming."

I clenched my fists, my mind racing. I wasn't about to let anyone dictate my fate, least of all a demon with ulterior motives. But I also couldn't deny the truth of his words. Time was running out.

"Why should I trust you?" I asked, my tone sharp, despite the uncertainty gnawing at me.

The demon's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Because, my dear, I'm your only option right now."

I took a step back, my heart hammering in my chest as the demon's words sunk in. The air around me felt thicker now, charged with something I couldn't quite place. His smile was lazy, almost amused as he studied me, and for a second, I wondered if I had just made a huge mistake.

He leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed, looking as casual as if we were just chatting over coffee. "You're a little slow, aren't you?" he said with a half-smirk.

I furrowed my brow, my mind spinning. "What are you talking about?"

The demon let out a sigh, as if he were explaining something very obvious to a child. "I'm Lucifer, kid. The big guy. The fallen one. Your friendly neighborhood devil." He spread his arms out wide, as if presenting himself for inspection. "Nice to meet you, finally."

I stood there, frozen, my mouth hanging slightly open. Lucifer? The Lucifer?

"You?" I managed to croak. "You're him?"

Lucifer leaned back casually against the pillar, one hand propped up behind him as he watched me with an amused grin. "Yeah, surprise. But hey, I'm not all about fire and brimstone, you know? That's a bit overrated. Besides," he added, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "I prefer to do things in my own style. No need to be so serious all the time."

I shook my head, trying to process the information. "But... why would you—why would you be here? You're supposed to be this terrifying ruler of Hell. Why are you so... laid-back about all of this?"

Lucifer chuckled softly, walking toward me, his steps light and unhurried. "Because, Athena, I'm not your typical villain. Hell, I'm not even a villain at all. I'm just a guy who got a raw deal a long time ago and decided to make the best of it. You really think I enjoy all the dramatic stuff? No thanks. I prefer the quiet moments. Makes it easier to get things done."

I stared at him, utterly bewildered. "And what do you want with me? Why should I trust anything you say?"

He paused, giving me a thoughtful look. "Well, I wouldn't exactly say 'trust' is something you can afford right now. But listen—Satan's plans, the whole mess with you and your powers? I know about it. And frankly, I think you're better off getting a little help from someone who actually knows what's going on. Like me."

I wasn't sure if I should be furious or terrified. "So you've been watching me all this time? From Hell?"

Lucifer tilted his head, as if considering my question. "Not really watching, more like... observing from a distance. You've been making quite the impression up here, Athena. Not a lot of people can keep a low profile in a world like this, especially with powers like yours. But hey, I've got my reasons for keeping an eye on you."

He looked me up and down with a grin that was equal parts cocky and charming. "And from what I've seen so far, you've got some potential. Don't waste it."

I was about to respond when something clicked in my mind. "Wait. My potential? You mean this power I have, it's connected to you somehow?"

Lucifer's grin widened, and he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more serious tone for the first time. "Oh, it's connected. You're my daughter, Athena. That's why you're here. That's why you have this power."

I blinked, my breath catching in my throat. "What? No. That's—"

"Oh, I know. It's a bit of a shock, right?" He laughed, throwing his hands up. "But trust me, it's true. You look just like your mother, and I can see the same fire in you that she had."

I staggered back, my mind racing. "My mother? What do you mean?"

Lucifer sighed, his expression softening for a moment. "She didn't just leave you, you know. She chose to protect you from all this. From me and the things I've been tangled up in. And I've been keeping an eye on you, waiting for the right time to step in. Seems like that time is now."

I tried to catch my breath, but his words left me reeling. My mother? My whole life had been built around this idea that she was gone—dead, vanished without a trace. But now, Lucifer, the very being I'd feared for most of my life, was telling me that she wasn't just gone—she had been part of this whole twisted mess all along.

"And before you go running off to ask all the 'why's and 'how's," he continued, still too casual for my liking, "just know one thing. You are a part of this, Athena. And you can't run away from it anymore. Satan will be coming for you soon. And trust me, you don't want to be unprepared when that happens."

I stood there, stunned. A part of me wanted to argue, to reject everything he had just said, but deep down, I knew it was true. There were too many connections, too many strange things happening in my life for it all to be a coincidence.