Hell's Actor-Chapter 97 - 10th Circle

"Asmodeus Binsfeld is too much of a flawed individual to fall in love so unexpectedly."

Averie waved his finger in the air, imagining a gust of wind pulling it away.

"I wondered about his obsession with this particular lady."

He closed his eyes and imagined Sarah.

"There was nothing particularly special about her. She is older, red-haired, and entirely caucasian."

He opened his eyes.

"But those few details stood out. His missing mother, who is most likely dead, had those exact characteristics."

"Oh, eww." Lucifer scrunched his nose. "I don’t want to imagine that."

"Calm down, my friend. You are the Devil. Have some standards."

Averie clicked his tongue.

"He wasn’t actively thinking of his mother while looking at her. Actually, that thought never even crossed his mind. But subconsciously, Sarah filled a void that had always been there. His birth, lack of care, and missing mother would also explain his hypersexuality."

’Take a child away from their safest place, and they will find unique ways to cope with it.’

"Asmodeus Binsfeld was unable to perceive love, romantic or otherwise. The only way he could define a relationship was either through hierarchy or sexual means."

’This is a sad truth.’

"Of course, not all of that could be meaningfully shown in a drama with only seven episodes. But I like that. It gives layers to the character and the show. Asmodeus’s character is only as complex as one could perceive it."

’That is why there are idiots who think they could have done a better job than me.’

"To teenagers, it was a show with blood, sex, and tension. To adults, it was about conspiracy, human fault, and atmosphere. But to the industry people—actors, directors, and writers—it was an absolute masterpiece with great acting, directing, and writing."

’That was why it was such a special show. It pandered to no one but entertained everyone.’

"On the surface, the sins of the seven may seem like fun characteristics. But on a deeper level, there was a reason why they were the way they were."

He tapped on the gray surface, recalling a song Hyerin often sang.

"These are just small details that are easy to miss, but they answer a lot of questions. They breathe life into our characters, and nothing should be more precious to an actor."

He looked at the empty sky. Why it did not have any clouds, he could not figure out.

"While the writer’s job is to create fun scenarios and characters, it is the actors who must bring them to reality. Because these little details matter."

’This simple understanding is what separates good actors from the great ones.’

"To answer your question, I don’t know how I came up with this method. All I know is that I wanted to cross the border between reality and fantasy. To further polish my performances."

Lucifer glanced at his friend and then at the strange world around him.

’If pure brilliance had a name, it would be Gene Conti.’

"That is what landed you here," he said.

Averie turned his gaze to his old friend.

Lucifer was solemn.

"Lilith’s Womb creates demons that you imagine. Your reckless spelunking into the unknown created this, and it created them. Now, the creatures call you here in the hopes of confronting you."

In his eye was a spark of mischief.

"They will keep coming for you if you continue to act this way. Either retire or accept that you shouldn’t use this method anymore."

"No," Averie resolutely answered, nodding his head. "I will act the way I want."

"They have plenty of lives. You only have one."

"That’s fine."

Averie’s lips quivered upwards.

It was not a terrifying grin, nor a mischievous sneer. It was one of his rarer, gentler smiles.

"Death, I can accept; complacency, I can not."

Lucifer tightened his necktie. "Try not to die."

"No promises."

In the tranquil silence that ensued, Averie hummed a song he had recently become fond of.

In the lakes of hell, she bathes...

And she hates all about it; yes, she does.

There is no privacy, just eccentricity.

Oh, the ecstasy—rushing through her.

She fakes her irk, enjoys attention.

Oh, Whore of Babylon.

She’s the Whore of Babylon.

Lucifer tapped his feet along to Averie’s humming.

"What name did you give this method?"

Averie hadn’t. He brainstormed and soon had an answer.

"10th Circle."

The Warden of Hell looked amused.

"Because it does not exist?" he asked.

Averie nodded. "If you are satisfied, I would like you to answer some of my questions."

"Sure."

He pointed at his chest. "What is this tattoo about?"

But Lucifer did not give him a straight answer. He kept calling it a gift.

"Is it really a gift? Or could it be a curse?"

"It will benefit you. So a gift, it is."

"Benefit. Now, that is one misleading word." He jabbed his finger at Lucifer. "Disciplining a child with a slap in the face could be considered beneficial for his future, no? But I am sure the child would disagree."

He shook his head, seemingly disappointed at his friend.

"If you are going to scam someone, at least have the decency to do it skillfully. Maybe your idea of beneficial is my idea of dangerous. What do you think?"

The Devil smiled. "Maybe."

"Answer me straight, man."

"I will, if you entertain me."

"I’m not your court jester."

"I am bored; just humor me. You want to gamble?"

Averie’s eyes lit up with interest. He sat up straight and straightened his attire.

"Gambling, you say?"

"Yes. Sweet, sweet gambling," Lucifer whispered.

He drew closer and closer to Averie’s ear.

"I will tell you about the gift. I will even bestow another one. You won’t have to suffer those idiots on Earth with such power coursing through you."

His whispers became quieter, and his eyes shone brighter.

"It could even provide insight into furthering your acting skills. All of this could come true—if only you would fulfill one request."

"What if I accept and can’t fulfill your request?"

"I may demand a sacrifice from you."

Averie, without a second thought, accepted. He knew Lucifer was a sly creature. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

’He must have something planned.’

But Averie liked taking risks. The thought of losing everything on a whim entertained him.

"I want you to participate in one of the international festivals, either this year or the next," Lucifer continued. "You can choose whichever one you want to participate in, of course."

The Devil flashed a hideous, sadistic grin. "But you must win an award, one you shouldn’t be eligible for."

Averie cursed inwardly.

"Isn’t that impossible, you dick?"

Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)