They tried their very best to enjoy the festival as much as possible. Only problem was that they were still feeling shitty so they had to party extra hard to cleanse the shitty-ness away like toxins except its not based of crappy scam products. They walked across the event and felt the atmosphere. They watched all kinds of sinners in every form shape size even type of anthropomorphic cartoon variation of a sinner which surprisingly fun. They continued to see around them and see everything fun and by the minute they could feel themselves cheering up and brightening their moods. Drake just took in all in and looked over to Violet who’s head was still down but was beginning to smile. Like an emo kid discovering animated musicals.

They began to enjoy the festivities with the games it had in store. First they played the water gun to shoot the ducks. Violet was a better shot even though it was lava not water when the duck were melting in a fire. Next was the hammer high striker where Drake took the gold. Not by hitting the bell but by smashing it with so much for the whole machine broke instead. Next was one they both shared where they played bumper cars. Drake was driving as he kept smashing the other cars while Violet was on the side seat screaming in satisfaction with her hair waving like a flag. And finally a game of whack a mole. They both tried to whack a mole and we’re both losing their minds as they tried so hard with no avail till they decided to burn down the stupid thing and ended left with a fist bump.

After their antics, they decided to take a little break. Sitting at a table, Violet watched Drake marching towards him with four freshly brewed beverages in small plastic cups.

Violet, brightly smiling like a toddler at a toy store

“Oh thank the lord you got me three, good thinking.”

She yanks three from the four leaving Drake puzzled. He held only one, but just gave a shrug and started drinking his as he sat down. He watched her practically devour the beer as if she was dehydrated. And yet not even a little bit buzzed which was somewhat impressive.

Violet gave a huge gasp of air as she finished her last one and slammed it down the table

“Oh god that is better than sex. Out of everything in the festival this was the best.”

She smiled while staring at her cup. A very warm smile. One that was genuine for the first time he has seen.

Violet, raises her cup for a toast

“Thanks for talking me to doing this. I feel much better even though we spent our last money on this and now officially broke. So here’s a toast.”

They tapped cups. But then he noticed Violet’s smile wavered a bit. Almost like it was nearly on its way to frowning again. Drake looked at her with sympathy and even a little bit of empathy too.

Drake.

“Hey look. What you did back there for Whiskey. It couldn’t have been easy. It was actually quite incredible. You did the right thing. Even if that’s not the norm in Hell.”

Violet looked up to Drake from that sentiment. She could feel that Drake was really trying to encourage her decision instead of making her feel like shit. Which she felt was so unlike him. It was weird for her but in a strange good way. Like a new song she never heard before. And it wasn’t terrible.

Violet met his eyes to ask something she never thought she’d ask before.

“Are...........are we friends now?”

Drake was taken a back by that question. He just stared at her and paused. The music or the people or even the shitty machine ride noises seemed to fade away as he could only focus on her.

Drake, hesitating to say.

“I.........”.

But then a sound of fireworks exploded behind them on the stage. They turned to face the stage as smoke and fire danced on it while the crowd cheered. A single stream of reddish smoke erupted from a spot on the stage as a suited figure emerged. He was dashing, nice suit, top hat and had a face that looked a crazed dentist passing for a jester with his twirly mustache and pink skin. His long hair though frizzled just mad the top hat make more sense as he swung his cane and danced across like a lunatic all the while addressing the crowd.

“Greetings gents and lassies. Tonight has been a great annual Hells festival to which I assure is by far the best this year. Let us not forget that this is a special day. A day to which we celebrate our truce with heaven after the great Hell wars that happened a hundred years ago today.”

Behind him appeared a large mural. In the mural, here were several figures above that represented angels spreading their wings as light shot down from them. And in the boom of the mural there is figures with horns and demon wings as a crowd while holding swords and spears towards the angels. Around them were fire and destruction that came in all angles like a full blown war.

“It was a dark time in Hell. One of absolute turmoil and dystopia. A time where we lived in hell for the sole purpose of spending our eternity being in servitude to heaven as punishment for our sins. But when we finally had enough, all of Hell rose and broke our chains and so we fought back against Heaven to fight for our independence. For Hell to no longer be shackled by Heaven;s tyranny. This led to the Hell wars. The wars was greater than any war in the living world. There was loss and tragedy on both sides. What the angels packed in numbers they made up for in there raw holy power. But none of them compared to the greatest of them that nearly laid waste to our land. An angel for fearsome and cruel and heartless than any other sinner there was as his malice knew no bounds.”

A second mural appeared. It had shown a tall muscular figure, it’s horns were golden but had the shape similar to a bats wing. His horns nearly reached his halo. His armor golden and red. He held an axe that burned as bright as the fire that he breathed as much as air as it laid waste to any anything in its path.

“I am talking about none other than..........The Dragon Angel. As he had been the most terrifying of the lot. He led the armies of heaven and had nearly turned the tide of the war. But his power was too much for even him to bear as he killed countless of sinners, both men, women and even children. And when his power overwhelmed him. He turned on the other angels and killed their general. They killed him and without their leader’s guidance. The angels had agreed to a truce.”

The third mural showed two figures side by side. One angel and one demon as they shake hands signifying their truce. Above them showed the Dragon Angel skewered with swords to symbolize his death.

“Since then, we had a truce. Hell became fully independent on the conditions that Heaven would send Angels to ensure that we do not leave our borders and try to take the gates. And that is why we celebrate. To remind us as to why we must celebrate our freedom from Heaven’s control. TO HELL!!!”

And so the crowd cheered. Beer cups flew in the air. Confetti blasted and fireworks erupted. Every clapped as the man on the stage gave his humble bow. Violet even enjoyed the show as she gave a small clap. Drake just looked at the stage. She noticed his face and expression had darkened. Like he was reminded of a bad memory. Violet’s face dropped when she glanced at the table and noticed the cup that Drake was using was crushed. As if someone had squeezed it till it was nearly as thin as a toothpick.

She was about to say something. When suddenly. A voice called out to her.

“Why isn’t this interesting. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

She knew who that voice belong to and when she heard it. Her whole body froze with fear and anxiety. The same why anyone would react if their body was covered in black widows.

In her mind, she screamed to herself.

“No no no no no no. Not her. Not her. Anyone but her.”

She slowly turned to face whoever spoke and to her horror. There she was. A woman with a doll like figure. Dark skinned with clothes that looked as if they were inspired by roses. Her eyes brimming in the color blood red as her hair bared the same type of shade. Her long red hair was nearly as long as her body as it dangle in a pony tail. And last but not least, her face was the same face as Violet. Almost like they were twins. Except the way she walked showed more confidence than even the most vain person in hell as she walked towards Violet like she was on a red carpet as a swarm of servants and assistants and bodyguards followed her path as if she were the red queen of hearts.

She said to her mockingly.

“Hows the little failure doing?”