Chapter 5
The air was suffocating. Thick. Heavy. Poisonous.
Kevin stood, tense and defiant, facing The Devil himself. Every other soul in the chamber kept their distance, their forms trembling with fear. Johnny Storm, Cinder Fall, and Danny’s parents huddled together, silent.
They had seen The Devil angry before.
But never like this.
The flames lining the cavern walls burned higher, casting the entire room in a sickening red glow. The Devil’s usual smug smirk was gone—his expression was cold, unreadable.
And then he spoke.
“You. Killed. Leon.”
Kevin scoffed. “Yeah? And? What, you were gonna recruit him?”
A low, guttural growl rumbled from The Devil’s throat. His hands flexed at his sides, claws twitching.
Kevin rolled his shoulders. “Look, if this is about favoritism, I really don’t care. He was in my way, so I took the shot. Get over it.”
The Devil didn’t move. He simply stared at Kevin with those burning, hellish eyes.
And then?
He lunged.
Kevin barely dodged in time. The Devil’s claws swiped at his throat, missing by inches. Sparks flew where the claws scraped against the rocky ground.
Kevin spun, slamming his fist into The Devil’s ribs. The impact echoed through the chamber, and to everyone’s shock—The Devil stumbled back.
Kevin smirked. “Hah! So you’re not invincible.”
The Devil gritted his teeth, his breathing heavy. He pressed a hand to his side, blood leaking between his fingers. His ears drooped slightly, his body swaying.
The souls stared in disbelief.
Kevin was winning.
Johnny whispered, “Is this actually happening?”
Cinder narrowed her eyes. “No… something’s wrong.”
Kevin chuckled, wiping sweat from his forehead. “That’s it? That’s all the King of Hell’s got?”
The Devil shuddered, barely able to keep himself standing. His voice trembled. “Kevin… please…”
Kevin’s grin widened. “Oh, now you beg?”
The Devil staggered toward him, collapsing to his knees. His hands trembled, reaching for Kevin’s leg, as if pleading. His breathing was ragged.
The souls felt something they hadn’t felt in days
Hope.
Danny’s parents dared to whisper, “Maybe… maybe we still have a chance.”
Kevin stood tall, victorious. He turned to the others, throwing his arms up.
“VICTORY!”
And that’s when The Devil struck.
The moment Kevin declared victory, The Devil’s clawed hand shot forward.
Straight through Kevin’s chest.
A sickening crack echoed through the chamber. Kevin’s eyes widened.
His breath hitched.
His body convulsed violently.
Johnny gasped. Cinder took a step back.
Danny’s mother covered her mouth in horror.
The Devil’s hand was buried deep in Kevin’s torso. His fingers curled, gripping something. Something more than just flesh.
Kevin choked on blood. His knees trembled. His hands weakly grasped at The Devil’s wrist, trying to pry him away.
“Y-you… bastard…”
The Devil exhaled, slow and satisfied. He leaned in, his lips grazing Kevin’s ear.
“You fell for it.”
Kevin let out a strangled cry as The Devil began to pull.
Not his heart.
His soul.
Kevin’s entire body arched, his back bending unnaturally. His scream echoed through Hell, shaking the very foundation of the chamber.
The Devil took his time.
He dragged Kevin’s soul out inch by inch, savoring every second of his suffering.
The glow of Kevin’s soul flickered, fighting to stay inside his body. But The Devil’s grip was unrelenting. He twisted, pulled, stretched—
Kevin’s screams turned to ragged gasps. His strength faded. His body slumped against The Devil’s chest.
But The Devil?
He wasn’t finished.
He slowed down even more, pulling at Kevin’s very essence in painful increments. Every nerve in Kevin’s body burned. Every part of him begged for release.
And The Devil denied him mercy.
Kevin gasped. Blood dripped from his lips. His vision blurred.
The last thing he saw?
The Devil’s smug, satisfied smile.
And then?
Darkness.
Kevin’s body hit the ground—lifeless.
The Devil held Kevin’s soul in his hand, watching as it flickered weakly. The essence of a warrior, of a defiant soul who refused to bow.
How delicious.
He turned to Dice, who stood patiently by his side. The moment their eyes met, Dice licked his lips.
The Devil smirked. “Would you like a taste?”
Dice stepped forward, trailing his fingers up The Devil’s fluffy chest. “You even have to ask?”
The Devil chuckled. He dangled Kevin’s soul between them, watching Dice’s hunger grow.
Then?
He pressed their lips together, deep and slow.
The moment their mouths met, Kevin’s soul was consumed.
Dice moaned into the kiss, his hands clutching at The Devil’s shoulders, pulling him deeper. The energy of the devoured soul crackled between them, making the air sizzle with heat.
Johnny and the other souls?
They couldn’t look away.
They had just watched Kevin die, and now, in the very next moment, they were forced to witness this.
Dice finally pulled away, licking his lips. “Mmm… bold flavor. But you were right—” he leaned in again, whispering against The Devil’s lips, “—better when shared.”
The Devil grinned. He curled his fingers around Dice’s chin and dragged him back into another kiss.
And this time?
Neither of them pulled away.
The Aftermath
The chamber fell silent.
The souls were stunned.
Johnny clenched his fists, his knuckles white.
Danny’s parents sat in quiet horror.
Cinder? She simply sighed.
“He never had a chance.”
The Devil finally turned, stretching lazily, rolling his shoulders like a satisfied predator. He took one last glance at the remaining souls.
His smile widened.
“So… who’s next?”