Hell's Future Princess

Chapter 1.1

**Disclaimer: This story involves characters and a story of religious context, but is not meant to be accurate or taken literally. It is purely a work of fantasy from my, the author's, imagination. Furthermore, there are dark themes that may upset some readers, including abuse and s*xual violence, beginning with this episode.**

*Shae PoV*

Hell. It's pretty much exactly how you thought it would be. It's always dark, lit only by the fires surrounding everywhere with charred rocks and paths as black as the sky. This is because of the constant fires and churning lava that sometimes coats the entirety of the ground. Depending on where you are in the underworld, the screams of the tortured pierce your ears as they receive eternal punishments for the unspeakable crimes they performed while alive. The smell of sulfur is overwhelming in some parts, and the heat is definitely unbearable.

There are different layers to Hell, as that is one thing people have gotten right in their assumptions. The further you go in, the more severe the punishments, but the sins that sent them there are way worse. The deepest pits are meant for those who have done unspeakable horrors to their fellow beings. This is not limited to humans, contrary to popular belief. If someone does something horrific enough to animals, they will end up there just like the rest of the homicidal sociopaths.

I work in one of the inner layers, just two away from the deepest pit. I can't give you an exact number because there are so many, and only three beings down here know: Lucifer and his two sons, Azazel and Agares. It made sense that the ruler of Hell would exclusively share sensitive information with the two that could one day replace him, and it's nothing I've ever questioned. In the end, I don't care how many circles there are. I was overwhelmed when I first came here, and it still makes me feel woozy whenever I think about it. So, my way of dealing with it is ignoring how many there are, and focusing only on the one I participate in.

I'm not required to, I'm not one of Lucifer's demonic minions. By normal standards, I'm not even a demon. But I'm sure that this piece of sh*t I am currently torturing is thinking otherwise as I take hard, jagged molten hot rocks and shove them where I'm sure was untouched territory before he died. His screams of pain are practically music to my ears, however, as I remember what it was that brought him down here. At least three young children, all under the age of 2, had died because of the sick things he'd done to them. Babies, this man killed babies in the most unimaginable way possible.

I felt monsters like this should belong in the innermost circle, but Lucifer told me that's not the worst crime people could commit. It was bad enough that he was two away, but not enough for the worst. That was reserved for those like Adolf Hitler, one of its most talked about patrons, and others who committed gen*c*de or killed hundreds of people for their own sick reasons. I understood where Lu came from, I honestly did, but sickos like this bastard currently receiving my torturous sodomy? He definitely deserved to be in there, too.

The man screamed so loudly it hurt my ears as I put all my force behind the rock. I laughed darkly and used the razor-lined chain whip in my hands to slice his bare back. Oh, this asshole's screams were music to my ears, and I couldn't get enough.

“Was this worth hurting all those little babies, you sick f*ck?” I yelled so he could hear my voice over his own screams.

“NO!” he screamed as I forced the rock and chain again at the same time. His screams were beginning to outrank all others around us. I may not have been the only one working, but I guarantee I was having the most fun. The dark part in me that laid dormant my entire human life reveled in this. This darkness is also what drew the attention of the most unlikely being in Hell to connect with anyone.

I could sense his presence now, and I looked over my shoulder to see he was there. Leaning against the charred walls surrounding the circle, a smirk played on his lips as he watched me with those brilliant garnet-colored eyes. They reflected the surrounding firelight, turning them a bright shade of red and highlighting the fact that he was enjoying my delight in this torture just a little too much.

It was not the first time he'd come by in his downtime, as it was actually one of his favorite haunts. But recently, he had eyes only for me whenever he was there. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.

The man began to plead, begging for release. I turned my gaze from the demon and back to my victim. I laughed and continued, leaning my mouth against his ear so he could hear me over his screams.

“Did you show mercy to those babies? They didn't even have voices to beg for you to stop. All they could do was scream and cry. And that didn't stop you, did it? A sick f*ck like you, it probably just egged you on. You don't deserve mercy, and I won't stop, not even after you lose your voice and all you have are screams. Those little babies are free from you now, but you? You will never be free from me.”

“Did anyone ever tell you how terrifying you are?” a voice said into my ear as I straightened up and away from the man. I nearly jumped out of my skin, but a warm brown hand came around my middle to steady me.

“Jesus f*cking Christ, Azazel,” I gasped, turning to glare up at him. “Don't f*cking do that, especially when I have weapons in my hands.” I showed him my whip and his face brightened with excitement.

“Oh, my dear Shae, please do not threaten me with a good time unless you plan on going through with it,” he hissed, leaning closer. His long black hair tickled my forehead as he pretended to bite at my lips.

“Go back to the pits of Hell you crawled out of,” I snapped, pushing his face away. “I'm trying to work here.”

“Mmm, don't let me stop you,” he whispered, nuzzling my cheek. I blushed brightly and pushed him again. He chuckled darkly and stepped back, but his eyes were screaming with need and lust.

“You get a rise out of the strangest actions,” I grumbled, turning away from him to return to my victim. He was gasping and crying with his face against the hot ground, probably hoping he would pass out soon. Too bad for him, that wasn't an option here in Hell. Taking Azazel's words to heart, I didn't let his presence stop me. It was beginning to get very distracting, however, as he hovered over me to watch every little thing I did to my victim. Finally, I heaved the rock so hard into the man it was almost lost, and I held the chain to my side as I stood to face the demon.

I wasn't a short girl by any standards, I had reached a good 5'8" before my human death, but he towered over me. He was at least 6'5", but Lucifer was tall as hell, too, so it really wasn't that surprising. Azazel had been more angel than human in his life, both in blood and mind, so he gained most of the angelic attributes. The silky hair, the odd-colored eyes, the beautiful facial features, the height, and the broad body were all things angels shared. The only thing that proved he wasn't once full-blooded was the star-shaped pupil in his right eye. The same attribute he shared with me.