4 hours earlier

The arena was very brightly lit, as it would be for every occasion in Hell. In size, it scaled almost the size of a small town but it was tall. The circle podiums of the arena, which now was bustling with people from all 3 realms, was almost as tall as two Eiffel Towers placed vertically. The common people were usually not allowed into the Grand Hall of Hell but this was indeed a very special, not a very frequently happening occasion.

Evan was escorted into the base level as soon as he landed in Hell. After a bad omen of a nightmare, he almost wanted to not attend the event. But the omen seemed to be triggered from the event, rather than the other way around. He shuddered at the thought of the new responsibilities he would be shouldering in a few hours but he did not let it show, especially to the courtesans who were helping him dress up. Each of the skimpy dressed courtesan thoroughly laid out a piece of clothing each, holding it up so he just had to move his limbs into the clothing.

As he stripped out of his white shirt, he could feel the lust rippling through the small, used bodies of the bitches of Hell. They were personal succubi of his father, the King of Darkness. The 500-year old demon had mere 100-year old courtesans warming his bed every day. This is not including his wife. While he was the first prince born to his first wife who was not accepted into the royal family, The King was betrothed to a very popular succubus, 300 years earlier. She called herself Araphel.

She was respected and widely known to be very kind and an efficient queen. There was a 250 years difference between her husband and herself but she was praised to be the only worthy demon to the King. Although Evan differed in opinion. She was kind to him but underneath all the kindness, he always felt as if she was hiding a rotten character. But all would change once he…

Slam. Click. Click. Click. CLICK.

“How are you, dear?”, the honey dipped voice of the woman he just thought of, uneased his conscience like spoilt milk. “Hasn’t it been too long since you came to visit your father and mother?”, Araphel’s voice was directly behind him.

The smaller maids, head bent, their lust turning into an unspoken terror, scurried out of the room. Evan turned on his heels to face her, his shirt still hanging loose on his sides, unbuttoned.

“Yes, Araphel”, she was no mother to him, “I am, unfortunately, not interested in relying on The King at my age. But you must be happy to have your sons with you”, Evan gave a half-crooked smile at her.

It was indeed too long since he visited Hell but Araphel, being the queen of all succubi, hadn’t aged a day older since he last saw her. It was probably when her last son was born. Evan didn’t like her but didn’t actually have a reason to hate her. It was only that deep animosity he had concerning all these hell beings. Also, the fact that this woman was a bitch.

“That is no way to speak to the Queen of Hell, son”, the ruffian voice that projected his old royalty informed Evan of his father’s arrival. The man, huge with a strong build that would scare human children of their minds and grey hair that was styled to an undercut coupled with a Santa beard, commanded respect, submission.

Evan lowered his head in a small gesture of respect to the King before looking eye – level at the man he hated to his guts. Obviously ignoring the defiance in his eyes, Raymond, the Duke of Hell, continued his rant, as he came to a stop with one hand around his wife’s hip and the other holding a glass of what looked like rum. The picture sickened him and he felt bile rise.

“This is not how a future king is expected to behave”, Raymond said.

“Oh, don’t be so harsh on him, Ray. He is probably nervous as to not disappoint you, given his origins”, Araphel said condescendingly, clinging onto her husband. This was probably one of the huge reasons he didn’t like her and knew she didn’t like him, either. She never ceased to point out my origins as she put it for others to judge upon.

“I’m sure the Elders are waiting, now if you’ll excuse me, I have a coronation to attend”, Evan replied ignoring them all together. Before Raymond could burst into another rant, as if on cue, one of the courtesans informed that the King and the Queen were needed. The King gave a ‘mind your manners’ look and left the room with Araphel in tow. Somehow, that woman always reminded him of a snake slithering around its prey.

Breathing out, he looked into the mirror as his hazel eyes reflecting the storm in him, looked back at him. He had never seen or even heard about his mother, not even from Ibis, his caretaker from childhood and the only demon he trusted. He wondered if he was being too reckless before steeling his resolve and stripped out of his clothes. His ripped body made lithe movements and swiftly made itself into the black robe with only his underwear beneath it.

Another courtesan escorted him to the gate that lead to the centre of the arena, where he would be judged by the folks of all three realms and the Link for his worth of taking the position of the King. The gates opened and apart from the one spotlight focusing on him, the entire arena was dark and silent. He felt his skin crawl from the thousands of stares he was receiving.

“I welcome you all grand folks to the 85th coronation ceremony of the rightful son of the King Raymond, named Evan Levi. He stands before all great people of the three realms and the almighty Link to be judged upon his capacity to be crowned”, Evan steeled his nerves, “Being King is the power that rules over the entire realm of Hell, His word is law…”, the moderator continued delivering the responsibilities of the King for the next few minutes.

Then it was King Raymond’s turn to talk. He delivered a speech about his reign as King and his subjects. He then introduced to the court all of the kings of the three realms. At his mention of her name, the Queen of Heaven stood up in her majestic silver robe dress, her wings folded into her back. She looked bright, positive and pure. She smiled at the Link and Evan calmly, for she was the only person representing Heaven’s court at this ceremony. Then it was the turn of the Human King to rise up. All three of them stood above Evan, about to shoot him with inquiries.

Evan bowed before them and he hated every bit of it. He always thought that he’d only bow before people who were worth it. But having to bow before the man who calls himself Evan’s father made him hate his existence.

“You are my son. By right, you have the throne. But do not think it is your plaything. Treat your kings as your brothers and work hard for the well-being of the demons and Hell”, King Raymond relayed the words in a commanding tone.

Evan stood up, held his head high and vowed to protect the citizens of Hell and its prosperity. Everyone in the arena cheered for him in one loud chant that echoed through his brain for a long time.

“Child, you are before us now in this ceremony because we consider you worthy of the throne. I want to know whether you think you are worthy of the throne”, Mercy, the Queen of Heaven’s turn to talk.

Evan turned his attention towards Mercy, “Your Grace, a king is a worthy ruler only when he is supported by his subjects. When I saw the love that I received just now from my fellow demons and all others here, it truly made me believe that I was worthy to take this position”. He continued talking about how highly he thought of the angels, probably the only honest words that he’d uttered so far. The crowd cheered once more.

“Being one of us surely makes you a deserving king”, the Human King, Czar Pavel snickered. Evan hated this excuse of a human being as much as his own father. He begrudgingly turned towards him as Evan’s eyes turned yellow. “I hope to have more kinship with you!”. He laughed as Evan struggled to keep his composure.

Evan said something short in response through gritted teeth and wished for this to end now. After the Czar’s speech, an awkward blanket fell over the area and the moderator rushed to clear the air. “Now is the time for anyone to object crowning this man to be your King!” and after a few seconds of silence, the moderator continued, apparently happy to be there and the crowd slowly started making happy cheers and hails.

“Then we have our Kin-“.

“I have an objection”.

The sweet voice trickling with venom that intercepted the coronation belonged to Araphel. An eerie silence fell and Evan inwardly groaned since he had to conduct a seminar at Florence Institute, Italy in 30 minutes.