Chapter Text
The woman’s bare feet felt like they were on fire as dirt and grit peeled into the gashes on her heels. Her white dress was covered in stains from the earth and her own blood. All she could do was run in the dark forest from the group willing to see her dead.
Persephone gasped and whimpered as she felt the twigs stab into her ankles as she launched over a slight dip. Would she actually getaway? What if she couldn’t?
She tumbled and fell to the ground in a cry. Her leg snapped. She felt it reverberate through her body as she screamed. Persephone’s voice echoed in the forest. She was going to die. Kidnapped. Marred with a dagger. There was no reason for this.
The figures approached her while puffing in difficulty catching their breath. “She is injured. Will it still work?” One of them asked as he bent to her.
“Leave me alone!” She snarled and tried to pull away.
Several of the hooded figures struggled and tied her arms behind her. Tighter than they likely needed to. She felt the tears skate down her cheeks as a dagger went to her face. “You will serve a purpose, maiden. You are a gift to our lord.”
Persephone sobbed as they stuffed a gag into her mouth before she was tossed over someone’s shoulder. They were going to kill her. Drugged and kidnapped to be killed in a cult? Not even in her knowledge of natural magic had she ever heard of this.
The group brought her back to the ring of torches as the tall form in a violet hooded robe gestured to the flat stone in the center. Persephone struggled and cried out as they placed her down on the slab.
“Tie her. We cannot afford to find another,” the leader declared.
She screamed and struggled as they took the ropes to her arms and legs. Her eyes were clouded with tears and sweat. There was nothing she could do. Were they going to rip her heart out?
“Alright, she’s secure. Let’s begin the ritual. A witch without taint should be a ripe offering for his favor,” The man in the violet hood declared.
The six other figures in black robes circled the area raising their hands and daggers. Persephone sniveled as they chanted in Latin. Their purpose was clear. She was going to be a human sacrifice. This was something not even warnings from parents could ever compare to.
There was a loud crack, and someone now stood on the slab in front of her. Or something ! Persephone quivered and quaked as its sharp eyes met hers. The whipping bull tail swayed as it narrowed his gaze before glancing around.
“Almighty, Belphegor! Master of Sloth and idleness. We offer you favor for our worship!”
“A favor?” The monster above questioned as he glanced back at the figure.
Persephone screamed through the gag and realized the design they drew on her with her own blood was the summoning marker for a demon. Not only was she going to be a human sacrifice. She was being offered to a monster! Had she ever thought demons were real? Not before this moment. Horns. A tail. Definitely not human.
“Yes, she is of idleness and carelessness of the world. This maiden holds no awareness of using her power for nothing but being absorbed for you, almighty!”
Belphegor jumped off the slab, and he pointed at the hooded man. “I suggest you go home. I don’t take sacrifices from pathetic humans.”
There was silence.
“I wouldn’t mind killing hooded worshipers if you don’t run. Now,” He growled as a menacing aura radiated from the demon.
The hooded figures gasped and nearly shouted in alarm as they took off, leaving behind their tools and torches. Persephone sobbed as she ducked her body while her hands were still bound behind her back. The insane relief swept over her. She wouldn’t be eaten by a demonic monster?
“Don’t you look pathetic?”
She sniffled and glanced up at the demon. Belphegor was staring at her while sitting on the slab across from her. He moved far quicker than anything Persephone had seen before in her life. His eyes were scrutinizing her with vicious enjoyment.
He reached for her, and the woman shuddered. “Stop being an idiot, human. I’m only doing you favor out of pity.”
Persephone sobbed and ducked her head, allowing him to release the gag. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Well, don’t mention it. I despise humans. I feel sorry that you are here,” he snorted while untying her arms and legs. “With my name being used no less. Despicable.”
She was silently weeping as he worked. It was the only kindness she could expect from a creature being offered sacrifices. Besides, she could still be his sacrifice. If she could recall anything from demonic sacrifices from the media over the years, it was that demons had little interest in empathy.
“Go, run off now,” Belphegor declared as her wrists were free.
“Thank you,” she mumbled without looking at him.
Persephone struggled off the slab and grimaced as she limped in searing pain. She was lucky. That’s all there was to it.
“Human, are you going to die?”
“I… I don’t know, but thank you for giving me a chance to live another day,” Persephone declared and glanced back at him. “I would rather risk everything than succumb to loss of hope.”
Belphegor scowled after yawning and climbed off of the stone. He paced over to her with a tightened jaw. “Who are you?”
Persephone lost her legs as she panted. The pain and lightheaded textures of her mind told her there was more wrong with her than a broken leg. Did they poison the daggers they sliced her with?
“Persephone. I… Forgive me, I think they poisoned me,” she grimaced and fell to the leafy undergrowth below her.
“Fuck,” the demon growled, and there was a moment of silence. “Beel, yeah, I need help. Can you tell Lucifer that damn cult was trying to kill another human, and I don’t know what to do with her!”
Persephone puffed and writhed on the ground. Maybe she would die. Well, she tried. All because some fucking cult offered her to a demon? Just great. Her mind grew cloudy as her eyes shut. Dying was the pits.
“Yeah, I know. Well, she’s dying. Unless he wants to deal with the mess of her soul being in purgatory for being offered,” Belphegor declared.
A loud crack in the air echoed over the area.
“Hm, she will not last long,” A deep voice said.
“No, not that there’s a problem with it,” Belphegor snorted.
“Now is not the time for personal issues. These worshipers of yours were at fault. Action must be taken,” The deeper voice responded.
“Fine.”
A hand on her shoulder. “Human.”
Persephone opened her eyes, and the torches glowed around the crouched form near her. Beautiful. Even with the light surrounding him like a halo, she could see he was magnificent. “A-are you an angel?”
“No,” the blurred face of the stranger tightened. “However, how far is the nearest hospital?”
“I… I’m dying?” She breathed and let out a pathetic whimper.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry,” Persephone puffed. “Thank you for trying.”
The stranger exhaled and shook his head. “We haven’t a choice. Belphegor, let’s go.”
Persephone felt her body lift, and soon wild colors filled her sight. That was it. She was tapped out. Sleep overtook her as she felt the crisp air blow across her body. Suddenly the world grew and shrunk as she faded into sleep as her body succumbed to the poison.
Persephone gasped as she sat up and touched her chest. The room was dark and felt strange and fantastical. There were vines and even a tree around the wall near the bed she was inside. Her eyes traced the long table in the room with her and different pieces of furniture nearby.
It was odd. Where was she? The last she remembered was a forest. Demon worshipers. Oh… there was a demon! Persephone jolted from the bed and touched her form.
Her body was covered with a buttoned shirt and lose sweats. It was soft against her skin and felt comfortable. Her dark hair was still matted and grimy. However, when checking for the dagger gashes, they were absent. Even Persephone’s leg felt normal.
Where was she? Stepping toward the door, she cracked it. Smells that seemed exotic and unusual for cooking filled the air. There were a hallway and clattering sounds of dishes.
“Shut up!”
“Scumbag, just grab the vegetables!”
Persephone scowled and timidly walked from the doorway toward the sounds. The kitchen happened to be where the sounds were emerging from. It was next to the room she was inside. The kitchen itself was a little fantastical with pantries, a stone fireplace with a stove, and a giant cauldron over it.
Two men were bustling around the kitchen while cooking. One of them had bright strawberry blond hair. Actually, they could be a woman with their delicate features. However, the slender form and tight clothing seemed to announce with near certainty it was a man.
The other was tan with white hair. He seemed a bit bulkier than the other. The way he rolled his eyes and mouthed something silently while chopping was apparent defiance. Odd.
“Oh! You’re awake!”
Persephone jumped and turned around to view the direction of the booming voice. This man… was a giant. Her height was average for women… however, he immediately made her feel miniature. Tawny skin and a bright smile with gleaming eyes contradicted his massive presence. Even his crimson coat declared added attention.
“Oh, you must be disoriented,” he frowned. “Barbatos, do we have tea prepared?” He asked while glancing toward his right.
“Yes, young lord. Is the young woman awake?”
That voice was calm. Persephone took two steps toward the stranger and frowned. “Uh, Sir, I’m not positive where I am.”
He smiled and nodded, holding out his hand. “If you like, we will assist. We were going to have a similar conversation in four days. Still, it appears you decided to make a different sort of entrance.”
Persephone scowled further and pressed her forearms protectively against her chest. “Who are you?”
The stranger beamed and pressed a hand to his chest. “I am Lord Diavolo. Acting rule of the Devildom and RAD President. I would formally introduce myself when you were brought down for the exchange program. Still, it appears fate had a different hand to play. Shall we discuss this further?” He asked and held out his hand with darkened nail polish on his nails.
Persephone licked her lips and cautiously reached out. “The Devildom? Is that, was that demon who was summoned to kill me from?”
“Yes, he lives in this building,” Lord Diavolo smiled. “Lucifer brought you down here when you were dying from poison. It was easily cured, but we no longer allow humans to die during demonic sacrifices. However, let’s take things step by step,” he explained while escorting her toward what appeared to be a sitting room.
A dark-haired man stood from his chair, and Persephone immediately recognized his glinting eyes. His attire was such a beautiful nod to decorum and propriety. A heavy cloak hung from his shoulders around the vest. Not to even get into his height and clear presence as well. Maybe that was a demon thing, but it was daunting even in such a large room.
“You, you saved me,” she frowned while releasing Lord Diavolo’s hand.
He pressed his hand to his chest and bowed his head. “I did. It is happenstance that you were originally selected for the exchange program. Otherwise, I would have taken you back to the human realm after your two-day recovery.”
“You’re a demon too?” She questioned.
“Yes, in fact, we all are,” Lord Diavolo declared.
Persephone took a step back and breathed. “Really?”
Lucifer nodded. “Yes, are you afraid?”
“No, I’m shocked. Demons weren’t trying to kill me in a forest, but you assisted in saving me,” Persephone noted and inhaled. “It’s still a lot to wrap my mind around as it is.”
A smaller demon approached with a teacup and a smile. “Persephone, why don’t you sit down. This will help, and dinner will be shortly after.”
She smiled and took the cup. “Thank you so much. I… You are familiar.”
The demon just smiled and walked away. That seemed to be that exchange in a nutshell. Lord Diavolo gestured to the sofa across from where he stood. “Shall we get into this? I know you seem quite lost, but Lucifer will host you this year. I’m positive a bit of conversation will help. How about some easier questions? Your name is Persephone. It is quite beautiful, and I would like to know where it came from.”
She paced over with an inhale and sat down. “Well, my mother enjoyed mythology. Persephone was a Spring goddess captured by Hades, God of the Underworld.”
“Ironic,” Lucifer sighed.
“Entirely,” Lord Diavolo laughed.
“Can you tell me what you mean by exchange program? A year?” Persephone questioned as her brows knitted.
“Yes, of course… you see, it started several years ago. I had an idea to bring humans, angels, and demons together for a peaceful exchange….” Lord Diavolo began his explanation.
The gist of it was this… She was now going to stay in the Devildom for an entire year. Persephone was selected beforehand, and somehow it seems, she took an express ticket down the Devildom by cult worshipers and a demon summoning. Well, that was one way to do it.