Hell needs a devil.

Hell needs a ruler.

But today is a dark day.

The ruler of all Hell laid in his bed, tucked tight under the covers. His friends and loved ones were gathered around his bedside. Holding his hand was his wife Carmen Gravely, a mortal human woman and loving mother of two. Next to her and her demonic husband were his merry band of hellraisers from his office. First was his succubus secretary Lilith, his assistant, the bat-like demon Scrugs, and the arachnid royal advisor, and master of dark mystics, Legion. They all saw how horrible he looked. Eyes were bloodshot and drozy. Skin paler than before. Forehead burned hotter than the very fires of Hell itself, and felt like a jackhammer was striking between his eyes. Green and brown mucous leaked from his hooked nose, dripping onto to his pointy goatee. He tried inhaling the mucous back into his nostrils but it had little effect of clearing his sinuses. It was like sucking a pool of toothpaste through a small, broken vacuum.

“I’m dying!” the devil Lucifer coughed. There was a deep hoarseness in his voice. He sounded like he swallowed dozens of old toads. "I think..." he continued. "I can see the light... Is this Oblivion?"

"No, boss!" his assistant, Scrugs, sobbed loudly. "Don't go into the light!"

The small demon's pleas were silenced when Legion struck Scrugs' round head with the butt of his wooden staff. “Don’t be so dramatic,” the anciend demon growled to both the small demon and his king. “It’s just a flu,” he then popped a thermometer into his sickly king’s mouth. All six of his soulless eyes watched the mercury rise. “Your body temperature is above normal. Three hundred degress higher to be exact. My only recommendation for you is plenty of bed rest and drink plenty of fluids.”

"Sorry you're not feeling well, honey," Carmen said. "I'll make sure I make you some butter toast before I drop the girls off at school and head out for work. Okay?"

The devil coughed again. "You do what you gotta, hon."

Carmen leaned and kissed his sweaty forehead. She then grabbed her purse and rushed for the door. "I'll be sure to pick up some cough syrup after work too." the thought of having to drink that foul poison made Lu slither his black tongue out in disgust.

"Let me know if his condition worsens." those were the last words the demons heard before their queen exited her house, leading her children into the family van and off to their day. Once she was gone, Lucifer slowly closed his eyes, falling into a deep, sickly sleep as his trusted council snuck their way back to their realm. Out the bedroom and down the stairway they went. Next was a turn towards the hall, where the enchanted Helevator was stationed, the interdimensional gateway between the human world and the forbidden hellscape. Each of the demons were greatly concerned.

“What do we do now?” Scrugs gulped. “Without our king-”

“I guess that makes you in charge, right Legion?” Lilith asked the old demon.

“No, I am not.” Legion corrected.

The three odd demons entered inside the cramped spacing of the Helevator, which was modeled like any other elevator, except for its ancient and rusted exterior. When everyone was inside, Legion pressed on of the buttons on the control panel. The doors slammed shut, locking them all inside. There was a sudden snapping noise and down through the house and the earth the box dropped. It traveled faster than a bullet train, crossing through the two dimensions. Outside the box it shook violently but its interior was tranquil. The demons never felt the chaos that ensued in the descent back into Hell.

"But Lord Lucifer is out of commission for the time being," the succubus expressed her worry. "And we no longer have a second in command. The role of leadership would fall under you, wouldn't it?"

"Technically, I would be. But you have forgotten that there is one other that can assume our king’s place. One that holds equal power over our world and our people since the day I married them.”

Lilith and Scrugs looked at each other. They knew exactly of whom the elder demon spoke of. "You do know that she's not gonna like that," Lilith reminded.

Legion then nodded. "Believe me, I am fully aware. She will be resistant at first, that is an absolute. But regardless, she is our queen. It is time now that she upheld her position. For the sake of our people and our world."

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #hell #demons

Everything was almost set in the recording studio. The audience members took their seats, waiting for the hosts and the camera crew to film the next live episode. Backstage the producers and production team ran around, trying to organize everything before they went on air. Marcus Marlow sat at his chair and waited for his cohost. Showtime was less than five minutes. Carmen Gravely was nowhere to be found. But he had confidence that she'll come. She always has before.

Sure enough, Carmen Gravely rushed from the backstage entrance. “Hey, sorry I’m late,” Carmen said, scrambling to set aside her belongings. “Lu’s sick with the flu, and I had to drop the girls off at school.”

“I hear ya Carmen,” Marcus said. “I remember whenever Walter would get sick,” he held up a form cup in front of his cohost. "Coffee?"

Carmen sighed a relief. "You are a real lifesaver, Marcus," she took the cup from her friend, along with a long sip from the drink. A good balanced mixture of cream and sugar stirred within her coffee. Just the way she liked it.

"Places, everyone!" the pair heard one of the producers shout.

Everyone hurried to their positions. Carmen and Marcus marched to the front and onto the stage. The set lights and spotlights shined brightly over the stage, giving the workers and audience a good look of the stage. It was very large. White-painted backdrops with wide windows, white cupboards, and two large, comfortable chairs sitting in the middle of the room. Above the seats was a widescreen television screen used to stream any videos or news the hosts wished to express their opinion about. It looked like the set of a living room.

The two local celebrities saw that the benches were packed full. No seat was left empty. They saw the crew finish setting up. The cameras were position at the chairs, the sound mics were raised above their heads, and the producers were on standby. It was almost showtime.

Carmen and Marcus then took their seats on their chairs, setting aside their coffee on the shimmering, glass table. “You know, I can't help but wonder," Marcus stated. "what happens when the devil himself has to take a sick day.”

“I’m sure they,” Carmen's eyes darted down briefly at the floor. “have some sort of system for this kind of scenario.”

"You two ready?" the director asked them. "We're live in three... two... one..."

A green light flashed on. That was the signal that they were on air. The sound team flipped a few switches, activating the show's jazzy theme. Carmen and Marcus smiled brightly for the cameras.

"Hello and good morning!" Carmen opened with her usual welcoming line.

"Good morning and hello!" Marcus repeated his line. "I'm Marcus Marlow."

"And I'm Carmen Gravely. It’s time to see What’s Hot in Brimstone.” the audience members applauded with excitement. They cheered and hollered louder than inside a football stadium. "And do we have a hot one for you," Carmen said. "Today's topic is-"

A large fire combusted in the middle of the set. The audience screamed as they watched the fires reach to the stagelights above. Crew members hurried to douse out the flames. Their fire extinguishers had little effect on them, as if they originated from something unworldly. They sprayed and sprayed until the canisters were empty. Carmen and Marcus were frozen to their seats, petrified by their fears. They could feel the heat stain their skins.

Then at last, as the quickly as the fires came, they vanished. In its place was large, bulky figure. It didn't look human. Spotlights were aimed on the figure, giving everyone inside the studio a frightful glimpse of what stood in the shadow. It was large creature, standing about ten feet tall, resembling that of a giant, hideous gargoyle. It had very dark eyes that were like a shark's lifeless eyes, along with a pair of large horns were poised above the creature's brows. Its skin was black and scaly like that of a snake or a lizard, and had bony spikes protruding through its shoulders and back. It wore no shirt but it worn a pair of dark pants. Carmen recognized what sort of creature stood on their stage. It was a demon. A demon from Hell. The demon looked around its new environment. It gave a low animalistic growl at the audience, baring its sharp fangs. Even sharper were the tusks that protuded from its lower lip. The audience members gasped and scream again. A few of them fainted from their seats at first glance. The cameramen continued filming the monster. Getting shots like these would definitely boost the show's ratings.

The demon took his first steps in the new world. His clovved feet left cracks on the set floor. His head scanned the area. He was looking for something, or someone. “I’m looking for Carmen Gravely,” the demon finally spoke. His voice was deep and gravelly, but also very menacing. All members of the studio directed the demon's attention behind him. He turned and locked his dark eyes onto the terrified Carmen. Slowly, the demon stomped his way to his king's wife.

Carmen's heart felt like it was going to explode. Her nails dug through the leather arms of her chair. She personally knew only a handful of demons from her husband's world. Those were the good ones—at least to her assumptions. But they were all part of Lu's group whom she only interacted with. All others were a complete stranger to her. Not that she ever wanted to interact with them to begin with. Upon their wedding, she and Lu agreed to keep their work lives separate. This meant that either partner would interfere with their affairs at their personal jobs, an agreement Carmen arranged herself. Yet the demons always respected her as the queen and an individual. Yet that was when her husband was usually around. Now the devil was out sick. She heard about the nature of demons fighting for power. Could this demon be here try to rid her for a spot on Lucifer's throne, she wondered.

The demon stood before her. His shadow engulfed all of Carmen. Carmen watched the demon reach for something in his back pocket. Her body shook. Sweat poured out of her pores like a river. When his hand reappeared, Carmen closed her eyes and prepared for the worst. “I need you to sign this document," she heard the demon again. Her eyes opened and she saw that the demon was holding some papers to her face. "It states that the techniques behind this torture are following the necessary guidelines.”

"Wait--sign?" Carmen asked. She wanted to ask the hulking demon more questions, but she was interrupted when another fire burst onto the set again. This fire was smaller than the one this demon came from. The fire didn't last as long too. Quickly it came and vanished. In its place was another demon. This one was a female Kahpra, one of the demon species known for their satyr-like appearances. She was dressed more formal, wearing a dark grey coat and skirt. Unlike males, whose heads looked like a goat's, her face was smaller, flatter, almost humanoid, aside from her drooping ears, a small round muzzle, and small horns on her head. Her skin was light lavender and her hair was tied into a knot behind her head. Females also had less hair covering their bodies, with only hair on their heads and few spots around their limbs. This demon also wore glasses over her eyes, the same perscription as Carmen's own pair.

“Excuse me," the female spoke. Her voice was more natural and calm. "I’m looking for Carmen Gravely.” Carmen waved to her. The female demon then pulled out some papers from her purse. “I need you to sign these documents, which states that the bindings of the contract are permenant, and therefore cannot be undone until the party in question surrenders their soul at the given due date.”

"Wha-?" Carmen tried to speak, but again, another fire flashed on the set. The flames were the same the Kahpra came from. Here one second, gone in the next. Another demon took the place of the extinguished flames. This demon was very skeletal in his appearance. He too had hollow, dark eyes, and a pair of long horns on top his head. This demon was dressed in blue overalls that were stained by black soot. This type of demon was part of the Converted, demons that were once souls that survived their punishment and torment. They had the chance to become full-fledged demons and join their new bretheren in torturing the new souls that were condemned to their realm.

“Hello? Is there a Carmen Gravely around?” the Converted demon asked around. “I need you to look over this document, which states-"

"Hey!" the larger demon roared. "I was here first!"

"Either of you heard of lady's first." the Kahpra argued back.

Carmen could no longer handle this madness. “Hold on a minute!” she shouted angrily, dissolving their argument. “What are you all doing here? You can’t all barge in here during a live show. Especially when it is at my workplace, and my personal life!”

The demons were silent. They looked as afraid as Carmen was earlier. “We apologize, your highness,” the Converted then stuttered. “But we were told by your office we could find you here.”

“My office?” Carmen had no idea what they were talking about. What office, she wondered. She never had an office here at the studio. Just a regular makeup booth and a mailbox. Then it dawned on her. “Oh, right..." she gritted her teeth. Her skin turned red from her boiling anger. "my office...” Carmen Gravely knew exactly where she was going right after work. And when she gets there, there was gonna be hell to pay.

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #demons #hell

At the top floor inside Inferno's Tower, the Helevator doors opened wide. Carmen stepped out, marching through the Dealing Room. The working demons moved out of her way when she stormed in. Some tried to politely greet her but she ignored them all. There was one motivation that drove her to come back to this hellish dimension.

Carmen's march finally brought her outside her husband's office, directly to where Lilith was seated. The friendly sucubbus noticed her walking in, oblivious to the rage that was written across Carmen's face.

“Hello, Carmen,” Lilith said in her normal, cheerful attitude. “How was your show today?”

“Don’t play cute and innocent to me!” Carmen slammed her hands on Lilith’s desk, making the surprised sucubbus jump from her seat. “What is the meaning of this? Why did you send demons to my workplace?”

“Easy now, love,” the poor demonic secretary shuttered in her seat. “I don’t do well with confrontations.”

The door to Lucifer’s office opened. “It’s alright, Lilith,” both women recognized that low, echoey voice. The royal advisor then stepped out. His spider-like limbs tapped along the stainless floor. “I’ll take it from here.”

Of course. Carmen figured Legion would be behind this. In the time she knew him, he had always wanted her to uphold her new role as queen. An old demon stuck in the old ways as Carmen always imagined him.

Carmen followed the elder demon inside her husband's office. Every time she entered the devil's office, she sometimes forgot how big it was on the inside. "Take a seat, please," his six-figured hand was directed at Lu's chair. Carmen took her seat at the chair across from it, where Lucifer's clientele would normally sit. All six of Legion's eyes stared at her. "Suit yourself." he shrugged off her reluctant behavior.

“What the hell were you all thinking?” Carmen began, her tone calmer now. “Sending demons to my workplace? While we were airing live, I might add.”

Legion nodded. “My apologies. I understand your vexation-”

“Lu and I had an agreement," she continued. "We agreed that he wouldn’t meddle with my personal affairs on earth and I wouldn’t meddle with his here. Not that I would ever want to meddle with them to begin with. Your heads must be full of ash to think that it was appropriate-"

"Lord Lucifer is ill," now it was Legion's turn to interrupt. "Therefore, the role of leadership befalls to you, my queen."

Carmen groaned. "Seriously, you have to stop this. I'm not a queen. I never asked anyone in this world to call me as such."

“Like it or not, you already hold a position of power over this realm and its inhabitants since the first day the two of you said ‘I do’. You are queen of this world. From a personal standpoint, I believe it is about time that you started upholding your duties to this world as an official member of the royal family."

"Don't you see I don't want it? I don't know how to run a kingdom, little less govern a whole race of demons. I can barely understand any of your customs."

"Hell needs leadership. Without it, this world would ascend into chaos, as it was long ago. We cannot afford to return to our savage beginnings. All that we've built today would be meaningless without our kings."

"This is exactly what I'm talking about, Legion. These are your people. You, and Lu, know these people better than I do."

"My people is also your people, Carmen Gravely." Legion looked at the picture placed on the devil's desk. It was one of the Gravely family. Lu, Carmen, their two daughters. This one was taken during a day at the beach. Lu was wearing his red Hawaiian shirt, topped with a pair of black sunglasses. Carmen wore a nice black bikini. Each parent was holding their daughters in their arms, lifting them high in the air. They all looked they had fun that beautiful day.

Legion added. "You and your daughters are one of the very few mortals that have seen our realm and interacted with its inhabitants. You have not judged or persecuted us. You have not lost your innocence. You have not lost your sanity. You and your daughters come to our realm have served as a bright beacon upon all of us who have spent too long in the dark. A sign that your world has lessened their hostilities towards that that is different." his round, half-covered face turned back to face Carmen's. "You have treated my people as if they were your own. While I still remember the day you learned the truth about us and our realm, you were at first terrified. Yet your love for Lord Lucifer was strong enough to look past the differences and accepted him, and us. Now, we are asking for you to lead us. Keep in mind that this is only temporary until Lucifer's health has returned. Afterward, you can return to your own business, and never be bothered."

"But how do I even go about 'ruling' this world?"

"We've established a schedule for you. Starting tomorrow you will assume the role as acting Devil, eight to five each day. Weekends off, unless you are called for an urgent matter. I will be by your side, as I have done so for all the kings of the past. If you need assistance, I can provide, as well as Lilith and Scrugs. Everyone inside this very tower is at your service, and if necessary, your disposal."

"But what about my job? We have new episodes to air."

"We have already persuaded your bosses to give you some vacation time. Of course, we gave them a substantial amount of money to do so, and we took away several decades of damnation and torment off their records."

"What about my girls?"

"Young Rosemary and Regan are capable of walking to and from school, are they not? By my understanding, it is only a twenty minute walking distance from your residence to the elementary school."

"I'm not gonna have to torture someone down here, am I?"

"That role is reserved for our employees, not our ruler. You just have to give the order."

Carmen sighed. She knew there was no getting out of it. And like the elder demon said, this was only temporary. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #demons #hell

The Archangel Council.

The current leaders of all of Heaven.

Stationed high within the floating metropolis that is Paradise, the capital district of Heaven, was the Archangel Citadel, the towering residence of Heaven’s eight archangels: the honorable Michael, Archangel of Justice; the wild Gabriel, Archangel of Strength; the traditional Raphael, Archangel of Virtue; the wise Metatron, Archangel of Valor; the stern Zadkiel, Archangel of Wisdom; the young Jophiel, Archangel of Unity; the compassionate Barachiel, Archangel of Hope; and the blind and beautiful Ariel, the Archangel of Peace.

Over a millennium, they were the highest ranking generals in the angelic armies during the long, disatreous Heaven-Hell War. Unity and honor was how they commanded. Their unification was enough for the celestial many called God to bestow leadership over their world during his extended leave. Tonight was time for another one of their evening meetings. All were present. Each gathered around in their seats. Each dressed formally in glimmering robes. Even Gabriel, or Gabi as her siblings called her, was dressed in a much elegant tuxedo than her usual jacket and jeans get up. As long as it wasn’t a dress. She always hated dresses.

“It is settled then,” Metatron said. “Zadkiel, Gabriel, and I will attend Elysium’s Festival of Illumination while Michael and Barachiel will meet with the delegates of Jannah. Are there any other matters to discuss?”

“I have one,” Mike spoke up. “I think it is time that we procede with developing new relations with the demons of Hell.”

Raph, his younger brother, groaned. “You’re gonna start this again.”

“I, for one, agree with Michael,” Barachiel then spoke. “If we really want to strengthen our relationship with the demons, we should start with opening communication with their king.”

“We may have to delay those communications,” Ariel said, her finger tapping her chin. “I’ve learned from a reliable source that Lucifer has fallen ill.”

Gabi chuckled. “Are you sure he’s not faking it?” she said. “He has a habit of doing that in the past.”

The Archangel of Peace turned her head to Gabi. “According to my source, this is no act. He is indeed ill.”

“Then we shall wait until his health as returned,” Zadkiel muttered.

“There is another we can speak to.”

Jophiel looked at her confused. “Who?” the younger angel spoke. “Legion?”

Ariel shook her head. “Legion is not the one in charge. Lucifer’s wife Carmen—if I remember her name correctly—is taking command as acting ruler of Hell, for the moment.”

Whispers were thrown around the council. “A mortal?” Raphael grimly scowled. “In command of demons?” the gears in his prosthetic fist crunched together. He was about to break off his arm rest.

Barachiel chuckled. “Well, these are strange times.” the other members of the council found his comment amusing, chuckling themselves.

“I say we take control of that ceasepole.” Raphael growled.

Zadkiel glared coldy. “We have no jurisdiction over the demons or the Inferno!” the Archangel of Wisdom corrected his fellow councilman. They knew it was true.

“And such an act would violate our treaty with them.” Jophiel added. That statement was true too. Another war with the demons was something neither party could afford. Not after the destruction their conflict had caused.

Worlds gone. Civilizations decimated. Scars unhealed. The Council dared not make any motion that would lead them back into war.

“Michael,” Metatron spoke this time. “You are more familiar with this mortal woman. Do you believe that she can handle this task on her own?”

Mike kept silent. He knew Carmen was a great woman, and an amazing parent and wife. But she has no experience in leading the demons. He never saw her in the Inferno, giving the demons any orders. That was always Lucifer’s duty. Carmen’s was to her home, family, and career. Now she was going to have to act as devil, standing in for her sick husband. The Archangel of Justice wondered if he should ascend into Earth or the Inferno, providing guidance for his sister-in-law, easing some of the stress that can come from leadership. But he remembered that she was not alone. Legion and Lilith were there. They’ll guide her. And Scrugs was there too, as an assistant to them guiding her.

“I say,” he finally answered. “that the only course of action we take is to have faith. Don’t let her mortality fool you. Carmen Gravely is a strong, capable woman who can handle any task. She’ll do was needs to be done for the demons.”

“Then perhaps with her,” Ariel then addressed. “she can help with opening communications with the demons.”

Everyone directed their gazes to Ariel. She had a smile that was a devious as a demon. “Do you have something in mind, Ariel?”

Ariel nodded. “Actually, I was just thinking that we are long over due in giving a formal congratulations to Lucifer and his wife on their marriage.”

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #angels #heaven

First day as queen.

Technically, not as queen, but as acting devil. Carmen exited from the Helevator. She was allowed to wear her regular work attire, as advised by Lilith—as long as it was red. Red was viewed as an intimidating color to the demons. Perhaps that’s why Lu always wore red, Carmen thought. Too bad red wasn’t really her color.

Walking through the Dealing Room, she tried desperately to hide her anxiety, but it looked like the demons she walked by were more anxious about her. They focused on their work, not making eye contact with their queen. Their chatter was more hushed as Carmen kept walking. Perhaps they were whispering through their deceptive tongues about how strange it was going to be having a human rule them. Or maybe they were chatting about their soul dealings, but did not want Carmen hearing too much. One thing was for sure, they were very nervous around the sole, living human in walking among them in Hell. These demons, each dressed very formal like they were walking into a business meeting or a law firm, were sweating like mad as Carmen continued to walk to her temporary office. Some of the demons made way for her, quickly stepping away to avoid all contact. Was this how they showed respect, Carmen wondered, or were they really afraid of her?

Carmen tried to ease the tension. “Good morning, everyone,” she politely greeted each demon. They all replied with a good mornings to her. But their responses sounded rushed and anxious. Maybe wearing red did have some effect after all, Carmen thought. Or Maybe Legion and Lilith warned all the demons in the Tower to treat her like a proper queen or else. Probably best not to think about it.

But at last there was someone who was thrilled to see her. Carmen at last came across a friendlier face. Lilith stood in the middle of the large, extensive room. “Good morning, my queen,” Lilith greeted, full of smiles as usual.

Carmen groaned. “Just Carmen, please.”

“If you say so,” the succubus secretary replied, pouring some hot coffee into a mug for Carmen. “Let me be the first to say welcome aboard our wonderful team. Even though you technically are a part of this team back when you said ‘I do’ to Lord Lucifer. Although, you don’t necessarily call him Lord Lucifer, it’s just Lu. But he’s got a whole collaboration of names too.” her speech then started to speed up. “Ooh, we should do the same for you too. I’ll gather up a list of nicknames and we’ll which ones work best. Sorry if I sound sporatic right now. I’m just excited that we’ll be working together, is all. That, and I drank a crap ton of coffee. I feel like running a marathon right now, don’t you? If you wantmetorunamarathonjustgivetheorder. You’rethequeenafterall.” Carmen groaned again. She had a feeling that this was going to be a long day. The two ladies finally reached Lu’s office.

Carmen was about to reach for the handle, but Lilith grabbed it first and the door for her. “As queen, you never have to open any doors again.” she said rapidly. “But as queen, you can also give the ordertoremovedoors. Wouldthatlikethat? Wecandothatifyouwant. InfactwhyIdon’tIgogatherupsome-”

A wooden staff smacked the succubus on her head, finally silencing her energetic tongue. “Thank you. That will be all, Lilith.” it was Legion, waiting for them on the inside.

“Right, sorry.” Lilith’s tone now slowed down to normal. “I’ll just be outside, at my desk if you need anything. Just give me a shout, or call me through the intercom. Or, if makes you feel empowered, shout through the intercom.”

Carmen then entered her husband’s large office as Lilith closed the door behind her.

“Take a seat,” Legion commanded. His six-fingered hand directed Carmen to Lu’s chair.

Carmen sighed but obeyed. She walked over to the giant chair and sat down. Once seated, she felt her muscles relax into the soft cushions. “Wow, this is very comfy.” she exclaimed. It was like sitting on a cloud made from the suffering of others. “Alright, what exactly do I need to do?” she asked her adviser.

“Just listen to what the demons have to say, approve or disapprove some contracts, and sentence a few souls to their proper damnation.”

“I think I can do all that. Except for that last one. I don’t want to deal with any of that during my time here. And I don’t want to make any sort of deals with other people for their souls, just to make that perfectly clear.”

“As you wish.” Legion bowed his head. “Let us begin the day with our first clients: meeting with the people. They wish to express their concerns to you and give their requests.”

Carmen smiled. “Okay. Sounds easy enough.” she then activated the intercom. “Lilith, send our first clients in now.”

“You got it, Carmen!” they heard Lilith’s voice radioing through the intercom.

Things started off smooth at first. Carmen sat and listened to the demands of her husband’s people.

One of the clients was a Kahpra demon. “Our village has suffered from some flood damage by the River Styx, and we need repairs done to fix our dam. Can the Tower help with that, my queen?”

“Of course we can help,” Carmen answered proudly, much to the please to both the Kahpra and Legion. The first client of the day left the office satisfied.

After succeeding with her first meeting, Carmen met and listened to the next dozen of patient demons. She tried making sure that she ensured each demon that the Tower and its members could help out whenever possible, much thanks to Legion’s guidance of how to respond to each inquiry.

It was on the thirteenth client of the day. “Hey, queenie,” he spoke while a lit cigar balanced in his mouth. “There’s a human that’s made a deal with me, and has been buying too much time in coughing up their soul—probably doing some charity work for a little salvation, if you know what I mean. Deadline’s in two days. Whatcha recommend we’s should do?”

Carmen hesitated with a response. “Um, I’d speak with the head of management?”

“You are the head of management.”

Legion leaned into Carmen’s ear, whispering his discrete advice through his ragged scarf. “Or,” Carmen repeated her adviser’s words. “we can give your client a twelve hour notice to remind him of his deal. That way he can show up at the precise place and time of your initial deal.”

Their meeting was cut short when Scrugs flew in, carrying a bundle of paper in his clawed feet. “Got a few contracts that need to be approved by you, Carmen.” he said, dropping the large stack onto the desk, which made a loud thud.

“Sign all of these?” Carmen said to herself. “I think I can manage that. How many are we looking at?”

“Only two hundred.” Scrugs answered.

At first Carmen gulped. Two hundred papers to sign? Legion explained to her that, being the acting devil, she had to sign each with her own hand signature. The contracts could not be solidified without her signature.

Grapping a pen, she complied. Paper after paper, Carmen signed off on each one. Each signature faded within the prints like she penned them all with invisible ink, thus activating the contract’s spell. She wasn’t required to read any of the deals made—once again, advised by Legion—nor was she required to know the devious contents hidden behind the fine prints of each contract. Some of them she couldn’t help but read into and disliked what she read. More so, she dislike that she had to sign off on those agreements. Regardless, she focused on her duty and continued to sign each one until she finally came to the two hundreth contract. Carmen sighed in relief. “Okay, that was pretty productive. We managed to get all that done in-” she glanced at the old grandfather clock. ”It’s only 8:30?” she gasped in shock. It was only eight in the morning when they started. “We’ve been only doing this for half an hour?!”

“Ah, but we are making good progress,” Legion said. “Usually these take longer.”

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #demons #hell

Finally.

It was finished.

The first day was done. Five o’clock. Quitting time. All the demons that work inside the walls of Inferno Tower punched out their time cards and left for home. Carmen couldn’t wait to go home. She was a tired wreck. Looked like one too. Eyes barely opened. Energy completely drained. She didn’t have the strength to remove herself from her chair, having resorted to Lilith helping stand her up, which the sucubbus secretary was all the more delighted to do. All day long Carmen had to sit in Lucifer’s office and listen to the gripes and pleas of her husband’s people, the demons. On top of all that, the endless piles of contracts she personally signed and approved for. Listen to this, sign that. Sign this, listen to that. Rinse. Repeat. Slowly die inside from the repetition. Albert Einstein once had a definition for insanity, but Carmen doubted that insanity was the correct word after her repetitive day.

All the while Lilith, cheery as ever, boasted her queen's first day. "Jolly good show today, wouldn't you say luv?" she led Carmen towards the Helevator, the very enchanted device that travels between her dimension and the hellish afterlife.

"Just think," Lilith added. "There might be more like this tomorrow. And maybe the day after too!" Carmen died much faster inside upon hearing that. A whiny groan was the only sound she had the strength to muster.

Once inside, Lilith pressed a button for 'Up' and waved her queen goodbye. Carmen was still too tired to do anything back. Not helped by the succubus' obliviousness to her state. The doors slammed hard and back to Carmen's mortal world. The best part of riding this demented box was it being stationed inside the Gravely house, convenient for any family member to use.

KLANK!

The second best part was that the trip home was just as fast as the trip down.

A fifteen second ride later the Helevator doors opened. Carmen forced her feet to move. At last she was home, and wished she could be more happier. Too tired to be happy right now. Rosemary and Regan were sitting on the couch, fighting about who had possession of the television remote, as usual. Their mother was no mood for it, not right now. If only not ever again. She snatched it out of their hands and chucked it away. The girls went dead silent when they witnessed the remote smash into the wall. Carmen gave them a simple task of ordering pizza for themselves and tuck themselves at bedtime later, dropping a crumpled twenty dollar bill between them. The girls fought over who was going to place the order once Carmen made her exhausted journey up the stairs towards her bedroom. Walking up these stairs felt like a infinite trek up a mountain. Luckily, there was an end to this mountain. And just one turn to the right she could rest.

The bed was clear. No sign of her husband, but the messy bedsheets was a definite sign of his presence. She didn't want to bother investigating where he went. Her drowsy eyes targeted her empty bed. A few more steps later and she was there, collapsing face first in her pillow.

Lu exited the bathroom. He looked worse for wear too, blowing into his snot-soaked tissue. “Heard you took over for me today,” Lu coughed, laying beside his wife. “How’d it go?”

Carmen could only groan. “Don't want to talk about it.”

“That well, huh?”

"You gotta go back."

"Can't. Not any feeling better. Besides, they got you."

“It's hell. Your job.”

“Tell me about it.”

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #demons #hell

The Doomsguard.

Hell’s very own police and military force, serving as first and last line of defense against those that may try to invade their deadly world. The demons never believed themselves to be evil, not since after the War. They guarded against evil. They kept it down deep inside the darkest pits of their home, where it can decay without ever knowing the warmth of light. They are the ones who guard against the coming doomsday, a tagline that Lord Lucifer himself came up with when naming his honorable militia—evidentally, he was not very good or original when it came to names for that matter.

Established shortly after the long war with the angels, the Doomsguard is the only force keeping order within a chaotic world. The law for the lawless and, if need be, public executioners to those punished. Decked out with black-greyish steel-plated armor head to toe. Armed to the bone with the standard R21-8 Scorch Assault Rifles loaded with 10mm caliber light-armor piercing rounds, the powerful D3-Helblast Shotguns for close combat, the long range L10-18 Scope Rifles for the best sharpshooters, and the deadly Plag-7 Shred Cannons capable of reducing meat into a blood puddle in two seconds flat. There was also a special division that helped those that were empowered harnass their dark gifts and abilities to become powerful magic-users on the battlefields. They were a force never to be reckoned with.

Service within the guard is a great honor but had the ultimate price. An old saying among demonkind was that signing onto the Doomsguard meant you were signing away your life. You will live and die in the Doomsguard, as they said—literally in more ways too. Most of their soldiers and officers consisted of the older generations—the veterans bred from the Heaven-Hell War and the first to don the armor—and the younger, hotheaded generations that were eagered to join the cause, whether to kill scavengers and raiders or protect their homes and cities. Any demon that was qualified: the commons, the Converted, incubi, and succubi alike. Soldiers are needed. Their backstories ranged with either young kids wanting to be heroes, or nobodies needing a home and a family, the guard provided everything you needed. As long as they were legal adults (an age equivalent to eighteen in mortal human years) they could join and grow to become something more.

There were many ranks: Private, Sergeant, Captain, Major, and so on, as like any military rank. The highest rank to achieve for the average soldier was Major. To go beyond and command battalions of Doomsguard officers and soldiers into the frontlines will earn them the rank of General. Only one General can have the alternative title of General Supreme, commanding all of Doomsguard, second only to the devil. And she was only obedient to the devil. All of Hell knew her face from her sky blue skin to her shaven head. (Not to mention her scars and metal left leg told a long history of violence in her elongated life.) If her face wasn’t enough her reputation then was far more recognizable having built a solid legacy becoming was the first ever succubus to join the ravenous demon armies during the Heaven-Hell War, during which she quickly rose through the ranks and became the first succubus general to lead. She was identified by one name alone.

Belial stood in front of the multiple screens. Her light blue eyes stared grimly as usual. The screens broadcasted live feed from her soldiers doing battling with a scavenger horde, and each of the high ranking officers watched their progress, along with several dozen demons on coms, also viewing their own monitors. This is the war room of Doomsguard Central, the headquarters of the whole Doomsguard operation. A massive dome complex located not far from Inferno Tower. The war with the angels may have ended a lifetime ago. Yet out of the ashes of one war rose another for them to fight. They’ve been at war with a deadlier race than themselves. Scavengers. Damned souls corrupted and perverted by darkness. Now reduced to withered, decaying, mindless monstrosities with the sole desire to feed an endless starvation. They may have no use for eyes yet that only increased the danger they possessed. Sharpened nails and gnarled fangs and what seems like endless hordes of them were what made the scavengers dangerous.

A lone demon could have the strength to fend off a lone, hungry scavenger. But multiply that one scavenger by the tens, then the hundreds, perhaps thousands, being devoured alive by these creatures was the worst kind of death. Since their creation they have ravaged the lands of the Inferno, devastating the ecosystem and destroying many villages and colonial homes. The worst encounter happened nearly two decades ago within a former metropolis-like haven for the demons called Ge-Sheol, translated in demon tongues as “The Valley of Shades”. Many demon civilians dead. Many Doomsguard fell. Many scavengers eradicated when six members of the Doomsguard—one of them was a Lt. Ikon Doomslayer, son of Moloch and older brother of Malachi, Dominic, and the rest of their siblings—set off a reactor, leaving much of the once prideful cityscape that would rival the capital city Dis in dusty ruin. It was a day no detizen of Hell had forgotten. A deeper hatred against the scavengers spawned from that day. But no hate from any demon matched against Belial’s own hatred for the scavengers.

“Status report!” General Belial demanded.

“District 11 is holding out strong, General,” One of the com officers answered. “Scavenger numbers are depleting,”

“Squadrons from Districts 14 and 19 on arrival for support, ma’am,” another one said.

A third suddenly spoke up. “General, we have another scavenger horde developing in Quadrant 11. Squadrons from Districts 22 and 25 are on route to intercept.”

So for, so good. Her soldiers dealt with the scavengers with precision, just as they all had trained for.

The other high-ranking Doomsguard generals were gathered around a holomap, one of the very few technological devices they stole from the angels long ago during the Heaven-Hell War. Their small talk stopped once Belial joined in the circle.

“Damn these scavenger filths,” a common, pureblooded general snarled. “With every passing century their numbers seem to increase more and more. And they seem to get closer to Dis each century too.”

“We’re at least making short work of these scavengers,” one green-furred Kahpra general said.

“Indeed,” spoke a female pureblood. “Our soldiers seem to be in peak condition.”

“It’s not good enough,” Belial growled, her mind still fixated on the battle. “We need to focus on their nesting ground. Eliminate that, stops them for good.”

“We believe we’ve may have located it.” a one-eyed Converted general grumbled. A couple buttons pressed later and the vast wasteland outside their precious city. “Here.” their map highlighted a small red circle. “An underground cavern not far from where our troops are deployed. Just a couple short clicks west. We hit that hard-”

“That’s a nesting ground, not the main hive,” the General Supreme corrected her fellow officer. “Lord Lucifer and I want this scourge eradicated, permenantly.”

Another general then muttered. “Unfortunately, that’s the best we can go on.”

“And,” the Kahpra general added. “at the very least, we can make short work of these scavengers.”

This was not the results Belial wanted. She remembered her meetings with Lucifer as the discussed again and again about the scavenger crisis. Less could she forget that her king warned her of a scavenger, or the possibility of a new breed of scavenger, that had an infectious ability to produce more scavengers. The only evidence for this claim was a remarkable bite wound on the necks of a few condemned souls. Not to mention an old story that Lucifer had once heard from his eldest brother a few weeks back. But what good were the retellings from an angel of Heaven? It was as useless as the angels themselves, the General Supreme believed this to be true. Yet it was still the best course of action, for the very sake of ending this conflict. That she could agree on. “Very well,” she said.

The one-eyed Converted smiled assuredly. “Excellent. Let us carry out this operation.”

“Any thoughts on how we should do this?” the Kaphra asked.

“I believe Lord Lucifer has the final word.”

“But I heard Lord Lucifer was out of commission for the time being,” the female pureblood intervened.

“That’s correct,” Belial confirmed, her gaze still focused on the map. “But we do have one other. Legion and Lilith are supposed to be bringing her-”

No one flinched when a blinding blast of bright green fire blasted sparked inside the war room, only for it to extinguish itself seconds later. As promised, standing where the brief teleporting fire spell took place, was none other than the royal advisor Legion and the succubus secretary Lilith. But standing in front of them, with her back turned against everyone, was Carmen, dressed in her long pink cotton night robe.

Oblivious to her new location, she ranted. ”...you think you two can barge in my house at one in the morning and-” she paused, now fully aware she was no longer home. Awkwardly, Carmen turned around to be greeted by the several dozen faces of new demons she never met before, now present inside a room, as well as a building, she had never been to before.

“Oh...” Carmen chuckled nervously, face blushing hot red as a puckered rose. Her hands cletched the folds of her robe, hoping that no one would notice her lack of pajamas underneath. “Hi there, everybody.”

#sinsofthefather #fiction #fantasy #comedy #horror #demons #hell #doomsguard