Mara blinked a few times and sat up. Too fast. Her head spun.

The skylight reflecting that smoky, fiery sky was still there. She wasn’t home. Where she was right now wasn’t in any a dream… or nightmare. Yet the dream she just woke up from felt again like a returning memory; and she remembered that night so vividly now. How could she have forgotten such a remarkable encounter? How could she forget meeting him? Louis. It was because of what he did that the bullying at school finally stopped (none of the worst bullies dared approach her); it was also thanks to him she became obsessed with colours and painting. He had had such a tremendous impact on her life, she knew this now, yet there were still vast pieces missing from her memory. What had happened to him? Did they see each other again? Her head throbbed the more she thought about it.

Louis’ eyes changed, just like that Shinigami. Louis could also speak with his mind, just like these people. Was he from here? From Hell? Was he related to this whole thing, somehow? Was he why she was here? There had to be a connection.

She got up haltingly, not to aggravate her headache, but before she could take a step further, it startled her to find that she was not alone. A dark figure sat on the armchair. Her mouth dried and her body stiffened. She tried to think fast, what to do, but her thoughts kept jumbling in her mind. These people had strange powers, and anything could happen.

 He wore a mask patterned with black lines. It only covered one eye. The uncovered one was set on her, glaring. His icy demeanour only increased her panic. Where was the ox?! Didn’t the silver haired butler say he supposed to be guarding her?

Was the man even saying anything? With his mouth under that mask, she couldn’t tell. He had horns too… was he perhaps another Shinigam-

‘Please don’t call me that.’ — His deep voice shattered her thoughts making her flinch. — ‘My name is Lucifer. Though I prefer Lucious.’ He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and folding his hands under his chin. He observed her as if he waited for her next move. That voice… she recognised it. He was the one that had taken her. Some unknown courage came from somewhere when she also used her mind: ‘T-then, what are you?’

He didn’t seem surprised. She wasn’t sure he heard her, but continued. ‘Why have you brought me here?’

Still no answer. ‘When am I going home? I need to get back! What you did, kidnapping is a serious crime! I will report this!’

There was no reaction from him, and her resolve wavered. Was she even getting through to him? The next moment, she realised how stupid she sounded. Accusing a creature from hell of a serious crime? And who exactly would she report this to? Unless there was some sort of supernatural police she could go to…

She shook her head slightly, trying to find her focus again. This mind-talk business was hard to maintain as well. ‘Look, you and your people seem to think I’m here to help with some sort of issue. There has been a huge mistake. I-I’m remembering some things! I met someone many years ago that might’ve been from here. His name was Louis. He knows me and I’m pretty sure he must be from here. He can vouch for me and confirm that I have done nothing wrong. I’m not whoever you think I am. I’m just an artist; I paint for a living. I-if you please just try to find out where he is, I’m sure this will all be resolved.’ She finished, hoping she sounded less panicked that she felt.

There was a long and uncomfortable silence after that, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say. His eye still trained on her, studying or looking down on her, it was impossible to tell.

‘Are you done?’ His tone was flat.

She nodded reluctantly. She imagined confronting her kidnapper many times, but threatening with serious crimes and then immediately beg wasn’t how she saw this going. It was obvious she had no idea how to handle her predicament. Still, a small part of her felt a pride for being able to communicate her case, even if it was a weak argument. The familiar scent of the Lotus flower invaded her senses. She saw a thin veil of red smoke surround him and gradually grow thicker, threatening even. His exposed eye was red now.

‘I’m going to need you to tell me what happened in your flat.’ — he said, — ‘The grey, how did you resist it?’

It was her turn to remain silent. She trembled, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of looking afraid. Now that she could, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got: He had ignored everything she said; sure, she didn’t start off well, but she was the one in need of some answers.

He stood up and moved a few steps towards her and she mustered whatever courage she had left to remain in place.

‘You must tell me! Don’t try to block me from your thoughts. You have no idea how dangerous the situation is.’ He sounded more impatient.

‘I… I don’t know what you’re talking about. I already told you to find out about this Loui-’

‘But you do!’ — He interrupted, — ‘You must! You resisted the red and the grey; no human has ever done that. Did someone teach you how to do it? Was it my father?!’

‘The grey… you mean the colours?’ Mara paused. Her mind went to Louis and her dream when he showed her the colours.

‘Just now, you remembered something. Tell me, what is it?’ He narrowed his eye on her. It was obvious he only wanted things done in his own way.

‘No… it’s not… I told you, if you find Louis, all of this will be sorted-.’

‘There is no one by that name here.’ He interrupted flatly.

‘What?’

‘There is no Louis here.’ — He repeated in the same dismissive tone. After a short pause, he added, ‘Why do you think he can help you?’

Nothing made sense anymore. Mara struggled to think. How could it be? She remembered him now, clear as day. ‘… There has to be. He was… I mean, what he did back then. He was doing this thing with these colours. And he could talk like you, with your mind.’

‘Mara, you must tell me everything you know.’

She couldn’t understand what he wanted from her. She had no answers! ‘I’ve told you, I don’t know! You kidnapped me and brought to some weird dungeon! Now you’re interrogating me about some weird power? I just want to go back to my life!’

He closed his fist in frustration, which didn’t go unnoticed. The red veil surrounding him intensified, and then a giant ball of grey smoke formed in his hand. Instinctively, she pulled back and tripped on the bed. Just as fast, he threw the grey at her. She shut her eyes and braced herself.

But there was nothing. She felt nothing.

She squinted, but the grey was so thick she couldn’t see her own palms. She waved frantically, but the smoke would not dissipate. Everywhere she looked, there was only grey.

Mammon walked into the room and approached. ‘Lucious, what is this? What have you done?’

He did not respond, but kept his eye on the thick ball of smoke. When the colour eventually dissipated, she was there, crouched on the bed, trembling and holding her head. Mammon rushed to her side while Lucious made his colours fade away. His eye returned to its natural blue.

‘Mara… How do you feel?’ Mammon asked, hesitant to touch her.

Mara lifted her fearful eyes, filled with tears.

‘You’re alright. It was just a touch of grey.’ Mammon attempted to offer some comfort he himself was not used to, and it only inflamed her sobs. He gave Lucious a reproachful glance, but Lucious kept a perplexed eye on her. As he made to leave, he said aloud: ‘Do you see it now?’

‘Regardless. This isn’t the way to prove a point.’ Mammon uttered.

‘We’re running out of time. My father is back. Make sure she’s ready to come to the banquet tomorrow evening.’ He said as he left the room.