Hunter of the Evernight-Chapter 836: The Fifth Floor

Within the confines of the Infernal Palace, that odd dimension nestled in the Negative Zone, the fifth floor served as the dwelling place of the Devil of Greed, Amase.

Her floor was decorated with not only enough precious stones to fill up a kingdom but also the souls of many a man, half of whom had doomed themselves to such a fate with their own hands, all in a bid to sate their desires while the other half... Well, it was safe to say that they hadn’t come of their own free will.

What Amase liked, she took and that had always been the case... up until her first encounter with Alexander Regulus, at least.

Since then, the desire to watch the bastard and his cohorts suffer had burned brightly within her, only doused slightly by the events of the Blood Feast in Ra’as.

In any case, currently, she was seated in a wide room, a twisted smile etched on her rock-like face as she played around with one of the many souls trapped in her floor.

It was therapeutic, hearing him scream for mercy, beg for forgiveness, and just when he thought she would stop, she would start the process again.

Oh so refreshing.

Unfortunately, this was interrupted by the sudden entry of a certain figure, one of her ’sisters’.

What do you want, Baseth?... I seem to recall that you threatened doom on me the last time I intruded on your floor without permission. Does that mean I can do the same to you now?

My apologies for the intrusion.

Baseth’s voice flowed in like water from behind Amase.

What do you want?

I just thought of sharing something important with you.

Oh?... And I was the first person that came to mind to share this important thing?

Indeed and that’s because it involves you.

Amase finally paused the torture of the poor soul in her hands long enough to ask.

What is it?

I hear Nadia Khan now knows of your involvement in the death of Arturo Lopez.

Slowly, Amase turned to regard the disembodied mouth floating behind her.

I know what you are doing... and I like it.

Baseth went silent at which point Amase remarked.

I will be more than happy to go after that bitch, but only if you tell me what’s going on. So, what’s the catch?

She drank Mother’s essence.

A profound silence followed as Amase nodded in understanding.

Then, she intoned.

I don’t know if I should call her stupid or just brave. Might as well have completed the Trial to become an Evil Incarnate.

She made her choice. It’s clear now that if we don’t do something, we won’t be able to stop her.

So what would you have me do?... In her current state, I can’t harm her directly.

You can’t.

Baseth said.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to take care of it.

Clearly interested, Amase leaned forward.

What do you have in mind?

***

"What else are you hiding from us, Gil?... What else?" Zirrat loudly asked, clearly incensed by what she’d learned.

The others also seemed displeased with Ishtar remaining neutral in the matter.

Letting out a sigh, Gil replied. "I wish I could tell you all, but there is a risk that comes with knowledge."

"And let me guess, you are the only one fit to bear it?"

"I was born with the Crows."

"And so what?" Zirrat shot back. "Listen, if you aren’t willing to be clear with us, then we don’t want to have a part in any of this."

Gil hesitated before glancing at the others. "Does Zirrat speak for the rest of you?"

One of the two men replied. "She does."

Then, the other added. "We have always followed you blindly, Gil. We aren’t asking for too much, only that you make us understand what you know. Stop doing things alone, otherwise, it won’t end well."

"I understand," Gil replied. "And I promise I’ll tell you everything I know once this is all over."

"And what if it never ends?... What if we fail to free our people from the hell you put them in?"

"We won’t," Gil remarked. "I promise."

"You made a promise back then as well."

"And just as I did back then, I intend to keep it."

Then, he got to his feet. "Now then, enough talk. We have work to do and we need help."

"What do you have in mind?" Ishtar asked.

"I’ve confirmed the existence of Devils in this new world. I believe it might help to seek their counsel." Gil said.

The others, nodding in understanding, rose to their feet and swiftly got to work.

***

"Isn’t it weird?" Arwen asked aloud while she, along with Alex, Ana, and Elena, made their way toward the manor’s basement.

"What?" Elena asked.

"The first time we met the Beast, he said he was going to kill us if we didn’t do as he asked."

"Correction, he would kill me," Alex remarked. "You all are just collateral damage."

Ana shoved her elbow into his side, prompting an apology out of him.

"Regardless, the second time we met, it’s clear he wanted to kill us," Arwen said. "So how come we are still alive?"

Alex paused, taking a moment to ponder the question, along with the two others.

"That... is an excellent question. Why did he spare us?" Elena muttered.

"Perhaps we are already dead and this is the Afterlife?" Ana suggested, despite how grim it sounded.

"No, I already checked," Arwen said. "This cavern has no connections with the Afterlife."

"I see."

"Maybe he expected us to die but we ended up beating his expectations," Alex said. "Optimistic, yes, but I’d rather stay optimistic than consider the other... problematic options."

"Understandable."

"Anyways, I’m sure we’ll figure everything out once we get out of here." He added. "If we get out of here."

Soon, they arrived at the basement which was sealed shut by large doors along with chains and even boards.

"Uhmm..." Alex pursed his lips as he stared at the door, unsure of what to make of it.