Griffin had the scarce opportunity of meeting Lucifer once before, well rather Lucifer’s shadow, his apparition. There are only rumours regarding the whereabouts of Lucifer’s real body. Lucifer is so powerful he can create an illusion of himself, one that can interact with souls and easily cause unimaginable amounts of pain. However, apart from the few souls he personally tortures, it is rare for someone to see Lucifer’s phantom even once in their lifetime; and that includes his Demons.

A shadow appeared in the steam and Griffin took a couple of steps back until he was pressed hard against the wall. Grim Reapers are impartial to the war between Heaven and Hell; even though it might seem as though they work for Heaven. This is so they can have access to Hell and escort souls that are judged to be damned for the duration of their afterlife; something that is impossible for an Angel to perform. Despite any conflict that might arise between Grim Reapers and Demons while hunting down a soul, Demons never dare lay a finger on Grim Reapers who enter Hell to deliver a soul. Lucifer makes sure of that. As long as Heaven keeps its end of the bargain and Grim Reapers keep delivering souls that are deemed worthy of the Devil’s hospitality, then he makes sure they are safe when traversing Hell. This was the deal between Heaven and Hell, so things could operate as harmoniously as possible.

But, as Griffin had already figured out, things were very different now and he was in deep trouble to say the least. He had crossed into Hell without permission when he was advised not to, and he was trying to take back a soul that had already entered Hell. No matter how many times Lucifer broke the rules, Heaven always refused to play his game. They would stick by Their procedures no matter what, adjusting them accordingly to deal with all the plans the Devil could come up with for collecting as many souls as possible, even souls meant for Heaven. Griffin knew that attempting to remove the soul from Hell was more than enough reason for Lucifer to shred him to pieces. Still, Griffin couldn’t leave Nathaniel’s soul there. He took a quick step forward and pulled the chained soul to him before jumping back to the wall once more. He placed the imprisoned soul on his back and extended his Soul-Chain around his chest and shoulders, binding the soul to his body.

“Griffin,” the Devil’s voice echoed softly, bringing a creepy crawling sensation to Griffin’s body. Lucifer always spoke in a very slow rhythm, dragging his deep voice as he spoke, enunciating all the words, and slithering his voice over any S, sounding like a reptile. “At our last meeting, I said we would meet again someday, but this is sooner than I expected.”

Griffin didn’t reply, he just stared as Lucifer appeared through the thick steam and landed on the edge of the cliff.

Lucifer’s apparition was very human-like, but one could tell it was only an apparition as the colours were bleak, as if he was permanently faded out and untouchable. His apparition had dead white facial skin, long black hair reaching his shoulders, bright yellow eyes, high cheekbones, and a wide jaw. The white of his face ended at the front of his neck, but at the back it spread to his shoulders and formed a V all the way down to his waist. The rest of his body was black and full of grotesque, overgrown muscles, filled with nerves crawling to the surface. The black on his body resembled the liquid Demons turned into when killed, all wet and sticky. Griffin was sure he could wipe it off Lucifer’s image if he dared touch it. The apparition had wings that were fully expanded outwards, constantly showcasing. They were covered with scales on the outside that changed colour according to the light around them. On the inside they had thin sheets of badly stretched and damaged black leather. Around all these, at a distance of a couple of centimetres, gathered a black fog like essence, surrounding the apparition with darkness. Without it, Griffin was sure he would have been able to see the scenery behind the Devil’s image.

“I see the silence that befell you during our last conversation still holds you,” Lucifer formed a wide smile, revealing his perfect white teeth. “What is that you have tied to your back?”

“Just a soul I must deliver,” Griffin’s low voice was a futile attempt to hide his fear.

“Well then, you should consider yourself blessed, for you get to deliver a soul to me personally for a second time.”

“This soul is not for you.”

 “Griffin, do you forget who I am? I know you just killed one of my Demons and stole the soul he obtained, and you did so right here in Hell. That is a violation of the contract I have with Heaven.”

“The soul was stolen from me. It is a soul meant for Heaven and--” Griffin paused as he realized the big mistake he had just made.

“GIVE ME THE SOUL NOW, GRIFFIN,” Lucifer glared and growled, forgetting all his theatrics, and revealing his murderous intent, a glimpse of his true form. “Or I will reset your soul.”

“He cannot harm you. Do not give him the soul,” Emma vibrated, and Griffin knew it meant he had a message from the Council of Twelve.

“What are you talking about, Emma? He can kill me with a single blow.”

“No, he cannot. His apparition cannot step outside the Brim of Hell, and he is standing at the edge of the border.”

“Emma?” Lucifer held a hand over his mouth, “Did you call your weapon Emma?” He burst into a manic laughter that could bring sheer terror to any human soul. “Oh, the irony. This is just too good to be true. The beauty of this torture and you are too ignorant to appreciate it. I can’t decide if that makes it that much sweeter or just plain pointless,” there was no end to his hysterical laughing.

“Think about it,” Emma continued, “As soon as you stupidly told him the soul was meant for Heaven, he should have jumped you, killed you, and taken the soul. When have you ever known the Devil to be patient?”

“Only when he’s forced to,” Griffin looked at Lucifer, “Are you sure, Emma?”

“Read the message from the Council.”

Lucifer appeared to be ignoring the entire conversation between Griffin and his scythe, even though he could hear it loud and clear. He kept twisting around in obvious ecstasy.

‘Griffin,

If you can escape into Purgatory with the soul of Nathaniel, then we will guarantee your protection and grant you entrance into Heaven. You have our consent to remove Nathaniel’s soul from Hell.

Council of Twelve.’

“Any ideas on how to get out? I’m pretty sure Lucifer closed the crossover path back to Earth,” Griffin stood in a combat position.

The Devil’s laughter cut short. “YOU DARE DEFY ME? I SHALL SHOW YOU HELL’S FURY!” Lucifer moved his wings to surround Griffin.

Griffin held his scythe like a shield and averted his eyes. Seconds later nothing happened. Griffin turned to Lucifer. He stood at the same location, but his wings dissolved into nothingness about a meter before reaching Griffin.

“See, what did I tell you? As long as you stay near the walls you should be fine. All you have to worry about is other Demons who are not limited by Hell’s borders. I’ll mark a course for you to follow out of the Brim of Hell, so I suggest you start flying. With your permission I will also respond to the Council of Twelve, reporting our location and where in Purgatory we plan to surface.”

“Permission granted,” Griffin made sure he was as close as possible to the rocky wall and followed the holographic line Emma used to mark the path ahead.

“GRIFFIN!” Lucifer raged and Hell quaked, causing lava to spew upwards from the pit that leads to Hell’s first floor. “I WILL RIP THE WORTHLESS SOUL FROM YOUR CHEST AND SUCK YOU DRY OF MANA. THIS I SWEAR. UNLIMITED MANA AND PARDON FROM ALL SUFFERING FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS TO WHOEVER BRINGS ME THAT GRIM REAPER.”

“Watch out for the lava!” Emma vibrated so hard Griffin almost dropped her.

Griffin tried to manoeuvre through a tight spot between the ground and a wave of lava that hit the wall high. He released and slid Nathaniel’s soul through the gap first and he followed. Lava touched the back of his black robe as his chest licked the hard rocks below, but he made it through with only a few burns and scratches, nothing that would slow him down. He quickly tied Nathaniel on his back once again and took a sharp left into a maze of tunnels.

“Emma, where exactly in Purgatory are we going to surface?” Griffin knew where the tunnels led. He had seen the golden strains of sand that covered the cave walls countless times before, but he hoped Emma would tell him otherwise.

“The Anthills, just after Hell’s second gate.”

“No, no, no, not the Bug Demons. You know I hate them, Emma.”

“It’s the shortest distance to the surface. The only other available exit is across the Brim of Hell, which leads to Hell’s original entrance. Would you like to go back and fly over the canyon?”

Griffin sighed and grabbed the chains across his chest, making sure the soul was firmly tied to him, “I guess not. This means I’ll have to fight my way out of the Anthills.”

“The Council informed me they’ve dispatched a unit of Angels and Seraphim, and they’re making their way to us as we speak.”

“Seraphim?  I guess bringing in the big guns for the Anthills is only natural.”

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