The darkness he experienced behind his closed eyelids was nothing compared to when he came to and saw nothing but blackness. So much so that he wasn’t entirely convinced that he had opened his eyes.

Grogginess overcame him as he tried to sit up and failed. Every bone, muscle, and fissure of his body felt like it was bruised and close to breaking - if it wasn’t already. He didn’t know how he got hurt in the first place, or even why he was here, in a place that he couldn’t even see. There were no sources of light, and it caused a sensation akin to that of temporary blindness.

The sound of footsteps coming towards him screamed out in the silence and alerted his already on-high senses.

“So you’re awake?” Materialised a raspy voice somewhere above him. “Her Highness will be very pleased.” The being let out a low chuckle that caused goosebumps to rise on Orion’s skin.

The being then roughly grabbed Orion’s arm and wrenched him to his feet, not caring how injured he was. Then he ordered the guards to open the doors.

The light from the halls caused Orion to squint his eyes. For a moment it dazed him, as the darkness of the previous room faded away.

He was then guided down the countless winding hallways until they came to a stop outside, what he presumed was the throne room.

The doors opened, revealing an elaborately decorated room.

Dark red drapes covered the windows, casting the room in shadows of reddish hues. Black intricately detailed brackets were placed around the room, with torches lit just enough for the occupants to see. The wooden floor was bare and shined in the almost darkness. The only chair was situated high on a platform: its upholstery was black and its arms and legs were silvery-metal wound together, given the air of nobleness.

The woman who sat upon the throne was even more regal. Her ebony hair fell in waves down her back and framed her face. Similarly, her eyelashes framed her scarlet eyes, which were narrowed and focused on the man who had been forced to kneel on the floor. Her bow lips formed a smile, and her slender fingers held up her chin as she relished in the guy’s misfortune.

She didn’t fail to notice his bruised and battered appearance. Although she enjoyed seeing his misfortune, she also didn’t like the fact that someone had hurt something that belonged to her. Or would soon be hers.

She rose from her seated position and walked down the steps. Her dress flowed out behind her and the silky fabric clung to her body. She glided her way over to him.

She towered over him, and a sinister smile now painted her lips. Her eyebrows creased in a frown and she looked away from his distraught state.

“Who did this to him?” Her voice rang out and shook their eardrums. Their faces turned green at the thought of what she might do to them if they dared to step forward. “I asked for him to be brought here, and not to be damaged. Who dared to defy me?”

With a snap of her fingers, red flames flickered on the tips and a threatening aura seeped from every pore on her body. All the attendees shook in fear and lowered their heads, not wanting to make eye contact with their queen.

“I gave you a chance to step forward and I would have been lenient.” Her arm shot out as quickly as a viper and the flames struck one of the snivelling men, who was trying to make himself as small as possible. Their body instantly turned to ash. “Don’t forget, nothing can get past me. Next time there won’t be any chances.”

Her eyes narrowed further and shot glares at all of those present. Then she knelt down and placed a finger under the guy’s chin, lifting it so she could look at him properly.

She liked what she saw. Very much so.

She leaned down so her breath brushed his ear and said,

“Welcome to Hell.”