At the Gates of the Royal Palace The gates of the infernal palace groaned as they opened, spilling crimson light across the blackened marble. The six stood already assembled, dressed in their battle garbs, ready to embark on their mission to the world of the living. A thick silence hung in the air until Azreal stepped forward, his presence commanding, and by his side walked Aria. Hulk followed close behind, his massive frame casting a looming shadow across the floor. They all lowered their heads in respect. Cain, with a faint smirk tugging at his lips, broke the silence. "Since we're all here, I suppose it's time we set off." Azreal lifted his hand. "Wait. There is one more who will be joining us today." The words cut through the air like a blade. Shock rippled through the six, their eyes darting between each other. Aria's brow furrowed as she turned to him. "Someone else? But we're already complete. Who could possibly—" A sharp, mocking voice sliced into her words. "Who else, if not me, ant?" Aria's eyes widened the moment she recognized it. She turned, and sure enough, Laisa strode forward with that confident, venomous smile plastered across her face. Aria forced a smirk of her own. "Oh, if it isn't Lulu. I almost forgot you even existed. For a moment, it felt like Hell had swallowed you whole." Laisa's steps echoed against the stone as she closed the distance, her chin lifted high. "And how could you possibly notice me? Ants rarely see anything above them—they're too busy crawling beneath everyone's feet." The two locked eyes, their tension sharp enough to split the air. Hulk frowned, his gaze flicking between them, and muttered under his breath, careful not to let either hear. "What was Lord Azreal thinking bringing Lady Laisa along…? When those two are together, it's always insults, claws, and fire. Almost like they're fighting for something neither will admit." Cain folded his arms, studying them with amusement. "Oh? I didn't know you and Laisa were already acquainted, Aria." "Yes," Aria replied, her voice flat, her eyes never leaving Laisa. "Good," Laisa cut in, her tone sharp as a blade. "Now that I'm here, we can finally depart." Aria leaned closer to Azreal, whispering so only he could hear. "Azreal… why did you bring her? You never once mentioned she'd be joining us." Azreal's crimson gaze hardened. "It's a long story." Before the Departure — The Throne Room The throne room had fallen into silence after the gathering. Alone, Azreal sat upon the dark throne, fingers tapping against its armrest. The silence was broken by the sound of soft footsteps. Laisa entered, bowing her head low, the flames of the braziers flickering behind her. "Laisa," Azreal said, voice firm. "What brings you here?" Raising her head, her eyes gleamed with determination. "I will be coming with you to the world of the living, Lord Azreal." His gaze narrowed. "I see you've already heard of the mission." "Yes," she pressed, taking a step forward. "But why didn't you tell me yourself? You know I'd want to help you. Why hide it from me?" "I was going to have Hulk inform you," Azreal answered, his tone even. "But it slipped my mind. When I remembered, I assumed the pillars would have already told you." Her eyes shifted for the briefest moment. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm going with you." "No." His voice was final, commanding. "You will not come. You will remain here with the pillars and safeguard Hell while I'm gone." Her fists tightened. "Why? The pillars are more than capable of managing Hell without me. Why chain me here when I can fight beside you? I don't want to rot away, waiting—I want to be useful." "You are useful," he countered, rising from the throne. His towering figure stepped closer until his hand rested lightly atop her head. "You are useful to me by staying here." Her jaw clenched. "To protect me, is that it? I don't need protection, lord Azreal. I'm not some fragile flower. I can fight. " "This isn't about fragility," Azreal said softly. "It's about danger. You don't understand what waits beyond that gate. The enemy is unknown, their strength uncertain. I can't gamble with your life." Laisa's breath shook as she stared up at him, her eyes burning. "So you think I'm weak? You'll leave me here, but you'll take her? Aria gets to stand at your side, but not me?" "That's different," Azreal said. "Different?" Her voice cracked, pain laced in it. Her mind flashed—back to the day she was marked by Y'tharion, the corruption clawing through her body, the shame of almost being lost. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered. "I thought… I thought you forgave me for that. You said it yourself. You said you forgave me." "I did," Azreal murmured, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You misunderstand me. I never meant you were different in a bad way." "Then what did you mean?" she demanded, desperate. "Aria must come with me because Sin still hunts her. She carries the shadow of the key, and Yuzara's bloodline ties her to it. If I leave her behind, she'll be a target. That's why she stays by my side." "I see," Laisa whispered bitterly. "But you're contradicting yourself, lord Azreal. You tell me I must stay behind to be protected, yet you take her along for protection. If both of us need to be protected… then shouldn't we both be by your side?" His silence was heavy. She pressed forward, refusing to back down. "You can't shield us from separate places. You'll be stretched thin. And if Nena finds out you've been overworking yourself because of me, she'll only direct her anger at me. So…" She took his hand in hers, pressing it against her cheek, voice soft but unyielding. "Let me make it easier for you. Let me come along. That way, Aria and I can both be under your protection." Her lips curved into a soft, almost playful smile as she snuggled into his hand. Azreal's jaw tightened. Sarah's voice whispered in his mind, dry and unyielding. Give it up, Lord Azreal. She's like a curse—once she latches on, she won't let go. You may resist her, but she'll crawl into your shadow regardless. Azreal grit his teeth. I don't want her hurt, Sarah. And yet you forget—you trained her yourself. You forged her strength. Have some faith. She's not a child anymore. You know she's strong enough to survive. Silence. Then, reluctantly—Fine, Sarah. She'll come. Perhaps I was the one doubting her too much. Sarah chuckled .I thought so. Azreal looked down at Laisa, her eyes shimmering with desperate hope. Finally, he sighed. "Go. Meet Nena and have her arrange a room for you. We leave tomorrow. Rest well." Her entire face lit up with joy. "Really?" Without warning, she threw her arms around him, hugging tightly. "Thank you, lord Azreal!" She skipped out of the throne room, her smile radiant, leaving him alone in the shadows once more. Aria narrowed her eyes, her tone edged with realization. "So… Laisa forced her way into the group." Before anyone could react, Laisa suddenly clasped Azreal's free hand, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Now that I'm here," she declared with confidence, "we can leave." But Aria instantly latched onto Azreal's other arm, halting the moment. Her voice carried urgency. "Wait. I don't see Eric anywhere." Azreal's gaze shifted calmly toward her. "He went there before us." "What?!" Aria's voice cracked with disbelief. Lyra stepped in, her tone softer, as if to soothe her friend's doubt. "Yes, Aria. Eric had to go on ahead to prepare the arrangements for our arrival. You don't need to worry." Aria's tense shoulders lowered slightly. "…I see. Then we can go now." But Azreal lifted his hand, stopping her again. His eyes were steady, almost heavy with meaning. "Wait, Aria. You can't go just yet." Confusion washed over her face. "Why not?" "Because even if you go now," Azreal said firmly, "you'll be invisible. For you to walk among us in the living world, you need something more—a physical body." Aria blinked in shock, looking down at her own hands as though seeing them for the first time. "A… physical body? But this feels physical to me." She released Azreal's arm and examined her form, running her fingers over her arms, her legs—everything felt solid. Laisa's mocking voice cut through like a dagger. "I guess the IQ of ants is lower than I thought." Aria's eyes snapped toward her with fire, but Laisa smirked and leaned back lazily. "What? You should be glad I overestimated you at first." Azreal placed a calming hand in front of Aria before she could snap back. His tone was patient, but his words carried weight. "Aria, listen to me. There are two kinds of bodies. The first is the physical body—the mortal vessel. That's the body you once had, the one that perished and returned to dust when you died." Aria's lips tightened, but she nodded, following his explanation. "The second," Azreal continued, "is the spiritual body—what you carry now. You can also call it your soul form. It feels physical only because it is the soul's self-image given shape. Souls carry memories of being human, so they naturally mirror their human form." "I… see." Aria's voice was softer now, realization dawning. But Azreal wasn't finished. His eyes narrowed as his voice dropped into something deeper, heavier. "And then, there's the third. The anchor. Also known as the missing link. Without it, your existence in the world of the living would crumble. For you to walk beside us, Aria, you must have a vessel." "A… vessel?" Her voice trembled. "But if I don't have one… what happens to me?" Cain's sharp voice cut in, blunt and merciless. "You become a literal living ghost." Aria's eyes widened. "What?!" Azreal nodded grimly. "Yes, Aria. Without a vessel, you'll phase through everything—walls, the ground, even people. No one will see you, no one will hear you. You'll be nothing more than a whisper of a soul wandering the earth." The words sent a chill racing down her spine. "Then… how do I get this anchor? How do I get a vessel?" That was when Lexi stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "That's where I come in." Aria's brow furrowed. "You?" In her palm, Lexi revealed a small, round pill, glowing faintly orange with fiery swirls coiling inside it like a caged storm. "Take this," she said, her voice calm but edged with power. "And you'll gain a vessel body." Aria reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against the strange pill. "Is… this safe?" Lexi's lips curled into an almost playful smile. "Of course it is. Try it." Her gaze darted between them. "But… why aren't the rest of you taking any?" Azreal answered simply, his tone final. "Because we already have anchors." Cain smirked and crossed his arms. "Don't worry about us, Aria. Just take your pill. Let's move." Aria swallowed hard. Then, with trembling fingers, she slipped the pill past her lips. Immediately, a burning warmth spread through her chest, her veins lighting up like fire racing beneath her skin. Her body glowed brilliantly, her outline blazing with ethereal light until— It snapped shut. The glow faded. Her form steadied. She gasped, feeling her body solidify beneath her touch. "Is… is it over?" Azreal gave her a small nod. "Yes. Now it's done. Let's go." Relief and determination flashed across her face. "Alright." Just then, a voice rang out behind them, halting the group. "Wait. How can you all leave when I haven't even bid you farewell yet?" They all turned to face her as she stepped forward, her expression carrying both sorrow and strength. "Nena…" Azreal began, but she raised her hand, silencing him. Her eyes locked on Aria. Read full story at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱 "Aria, take care of yourself, okay? And come back safely." Aria's throat tightened, emotion flooding her chest. She forced a smile. "I will, Nena. You too… take care." Nena nodded once, firmly. "Good. Now you can go." Azreal raised his hand. With a snap of his fingers, a massive crimson gate tore open in the air. Its surface shimmered like molten glass, and upon it, grotesque skeletons were intertwined, their hollow eyes burning faintly in the glow. The gate split, opening wide, and a blinding light spilled out. "So bright…" Aria shielded her eyes, squinting into the radiance. Azreal's voice boomed with authority. "Next stop—the world of the living." One by one, they stepped through. Aria lingered for a moment, turning back just as Nena raised her hand in a final wave. Tears welled in Aria's eyes as she waved back. This is it, she thought. The first time I'm leaving Helk in so long… the first time I'll see the outside world again. Her gaze shifted to Azreal beside her, and she whispered under her breath, almost like a prayer. "I wonder… if I had gone to heaven instead, would I have ever witnessed a day ?" With that, Aria, Laisa, and Azreal stepped into the light. The gate sealed behind them with a deafening silence, and Hell grew quiet once more—eerily still, as if holding its breath.