Ruined World

Barren wasteland instead of forests. Kingdoms razed, and demons unleashed. Laena and Eris, being bred by a huge demon, twice the size of the women. Kiara and Elara’s broken bodies at the feet of Sable’s throne. Storm and Amara in chains, the former of the two sobbing.

You started awake, and the vampiric knight beside you chuckled.

“Rough night?” he barked, and the other knights laughed like idiots. You just angled yourself away from him, and he relented.

———

You stumbled a bit as you were tossed into the dungeons. You scrambled to your feet and slammed against the bars, while a vampiric knight locked the door. You scowled at him, and then a melodic voice spoke up.

“You should conserve your energy. You have elvish blood, as well as that overwhelming toxicity of man.” the voice whispered, and you moved towards it.

“Who are you?” you whispered.

“I am Charlene. Lethal temptress, and Sable’s daughter with a dark elf man.” the voice said. You tried to get a look at her, and soft fingers grazed yours through a hole in the wall. You pressed your own fingers against Charlene’s, and slumped against the wall.

“My mother favors you above all other human men. But she will not hesitate to **** you.” Charlene warned you quietly.

“I know. But I gave myself up so my people could escape into the Hinterlands. I will not die a coward.” you murmured.

“Why? Why do you value your people more than yourself?” Charlene asked naively.

“How long have you been in this cell?” you asked.

“My whole life, pretty much. So... seventeen years? She kept me until I was 1. I’ve moved cells, sure, but I’ve never really... explored.” Charlene said softly.

“Well, some people, mostly benevolent leaders, believe in their people’s freedom. I would sacrifice myself a hundred times over, as there are many people I care for among my people.” you explained.

“Jakob?” a bitter cold voice said, and you looked up to see Sable, snarling. You scrambled back so your back was to the wall, and you stood, and suddenly, the ring on your finger seemed as conspicuous as a glowing lantern in a dark room.

“Sable.” you replied with bravado.

“Come and embrace me...” Sable purred, and you walked closer and closer, and as Sable’s mouth met yours, you slashed your knuckles across her neck, and the part the ring touched sizzled black. She gasped, and fell to her knees.

“You... will... burn!” Sable shrieked, and the gorgeous demoness you knew turned into a raging hellbeast, seventeen feet tall, bulky, with strange prongs jutting up. The wound still sizzled, and the flesh around it was grey and spreading quickly. But you had no illusions you could survive long enough for Sable to die of the toxin. But you sure as hell were going to try.

You threw yourself backwards as Sable’s twisted claws shredded through the metal, and you ducked under a slash, and slid under the fire she breathed, and hefted a mangled bar of the cell, and stabbed her, then leaped back, your tunic on fire, and you ripped it off and winced at the new burn lines that appeared, as whatever flames she breathed were enough to instantly turn a person to ash.

You ducked behind a wall as she threw a brick at you, and she roared as you scrambled up the stairs. As you were climbing, a hand shot up, and pulled you down into a cellar, and Sable bared her teeth, before ripping your head clean off, and then devouring the rest of you.

———

Your eyes fluttered open, and you look around at the glowing room. Where the heaven were you? Heaven. Heaven. Why couldn’t you say heaven? Um, h-e, double staffs.

“Rest now. You’re safe from hardship.” a soft voice said, and you look to your left to see Angel, before she became a succubus, smiling sweetly at you.

“Angel.” you groaned, and pulled your little sister in for a long kiss.

“Ah, King Jakob. I see you’ve reconnected with Princess Angelique.” a rich female voice said, and you looked up at the door, to see a woman walk in.

“Who are you?” you asked warily.

“I am Teresa. I am the angel who presides over elvin deaths. You and your sister will also be cared for by the Angel of Humans, as you are half-breeds.” the woman smiled, and you found yourself smiling softly at her gorgeous body and voice.

“That’d be me.” a strong voice teased, and behind Teresa, another angel strode up.

“I’m Eviah. Pleasure.” she winked at you.

“So... is this heaven? And, can I go back down, to the Hinterlands, where my people are?” you asked.

“Sure! Only thing is, it’s irreversible. You down there, you don’t ever come back up here. If you die, your soul just vaporizes. No afterlife for you.” Eviah smiled.

“Will I be returned to the same moment in time?” you asked.

“Well, you’ll be brought in as soon as Sable dies of her wounds, in 10 seconds.” Teresa said evenly.

“Oh, and Teresa will be joining you. After all, returns to the world of the living require angelic power. Angel, are you going too?” Eviah asked. Angel shook her head.

“Sorry.” she whispered, and Teresa took your hand.