The Gathering of the Five Pillars
The atmosphere in the grand chamber was thick with tension. Flames crackled in the background, casting long shadows over the massive obsidian table where the Five Pillars of Hell sat. At the head of the room, Hulk stood, addressing them.
"Today, Infernals attempted to breach Hell's defenses," he announced, his voice firm but carrying an edge of unease.
The silence was quickly broken as Malphas, the First Pillar of the first gate of hell, leaned forward. "And how was it handled?" he asked, his tone sharp and commanding.
Hulk took a breath before responding. "Lord Azreal took care of it himself."
A wave of surprise passed through the room. Veymar, the Second Pillar of the Second Gate, narrowed his eyes. "Why was Lord Azreal the one handling the situation? Where were the Hellguard?" he questioned, his voice laced with irritation.
A cold voice followed, slicing through the conversation. Xaltheon, the Third Pillar, turned his gaze to Hulk. "Aren't you part of that group?" he asked icily.
Hulk stiffened, visibly uncomfortable. "I was busy at the Soul Gate, receiving new souls alongside Bull and Baalrik."
Dragos, the Fifth Pillar, finally spoke. "And where is Bull?"
Before Hulk could answer, Azreal's voice cut through the room, silencing everyone. "I killed him."
The room fell into dead silence. The flames flickered, reflecting the shock on everyone's faces. Then, a sultry voice broke the tension.
"That's my Lord Azreal," Laisa purred, leaning forward with an amused smirk. "The lord is free to dispose of any trash he pleases."
Azreal shot her a cold glare. "Laisa, we are in a meeting. Behave."
She pouted, sinking back into her seat, while he turned back to Hulk. "Continue."
Hulk exhaled, steadying himself. "Lord Azreal stopped the Infernals in their tracks, but that's not the real issue here. The problem is their numbers."
Veymar frowned. "Numbers? Explain."
Hulk nodded. "This is the first time Infernals have gathered in such large forces. They usually work alone. But today, they moved in coordinated platoons, each led by something... different."
"Different how?" Xaltheon's voice was as sharp as a blade.
Hulk hesitated. "They had horns like demons... and they could speak."
Selmora, the Fourth Pillar, smiled wickedly. "Ooooh, I wish I was there. Their screams would have been music to my ears." She licked her lips. "And I'd get to see Lord Azreal in action."
Dragos sighed. "Don't mix pleasure with work."
Selmora snapped. "That is how I work. Got a problem with it?"
"Enough," Azreal's voice boomed, the heat in the room rising dangerously. Hulk, standing closest to him, gasped as he struggled to breathe. Laisa quickly intervened.
"My lord, calm down," she cooed.
Azreal exhaled slowly, the temperature dropping. Silence settled once again before Malphas spoke. "So, the lord believes something is at play here. A force strong enough to organize Infernals?"
Hulk, still catching his breath, nodded. "Yes."
Azreal's gaze darkened. "I will take over from here."
Hulk quickly stepped back. Azreal stood tall. "If these demons can speak, it means something is influencing them. We have no leads yet, but we cannot allow this to continue. No soul leaves Hell without consequence. These creatures are breaking our laws."
The pillars listened intently.
"Reinforce your troops. Increase surveillance at each gate. I will summon the Hellforged Archivist to investigate how these Infernals are evolving." His piercing gaze swept across the table. "Each of you will submit a full report on your respective gates. That concludes the meeting."
He turned, his cloak billowing as he walked away. Hulk followed closely, while Laisa, smirking, rose and moved toward Azreal. She caught his hand, resting her head on his shoulder.
Azreal sighed but let her be. "Laisa..."
She only smiled as they exited together.
---
After the Meeting
The remaining pillars stayed behind.
"So, another problem arises," Malphas muttered.
"Who would have thought Infernals could evolve?" Veymar added.
Dragos folded his arms. "It means something is accelerating their growth. We need to be ready."
Xaltheon's eyes gleamed coldly. "What's our countermeasure?"
Malphas leaned back. "We wait for Lord Azreal's orders."
Selmora stood, stretching lazily. "I don't have time for this. Souls require my attention. I need the sound of suffering to relax." With that, she vanished into the shadows.
Malphas sighed. "The Fourth Gate pillar has left. I suppose we follow Lord Azreal's command and wait."
One by one, the pillars disappeared, and soon the chamber was consumed by darkness.
---
The Chamber of Scarlet Flames
Laisa slipped into her silk night robe, her thoughts lingering on the meeting.
"I was so close..." she muttered, touching her lips. "If only I had gotten closer to Lord Azreal..."
A devious smile crossed her lips. "He should be in the hot springs by now... Ahhh, I get to see his body."
With a sly grin, she stepped out of her chamber, heading toward Azreal's private gates.
---
Final Gate of Hell – The Infernal Springs
Azreal relaxed in the steaming hot spring, the mist swirling around him. The chamber was vast, surrounded by jagged black stones. Maids stood at attention nearby when a guard suddenly entered, bowing deeply.
"Forgive me, my lord, but Lady Laisa requests an audience."
Azreal barely opened his eyes. "Let her in."
The maids lined up and left as Laisa entered, her robe slipping slightly to reveal smooth skin. She walked toward Azreal with slow, deliberate steps, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
Azreal stood, grabbing a towel as he walked past her toward his wardrobe. She blinked, momentarily stunned.
"L-Lord Azreal...?" she murmured, expecting him to come closer.
Instead, he turned, fastening his robe. "Why are you here, Laisa? You wouldn't come without reason."
She stepped behind him, her hands trailing along his shoulders. "I wanted to talk about the Infernals."
Azreal sighed. "It's good that you care about the meeting. Do you have a plan?"
Laisa smirked. "Not a plan. A suggestion."
Azreal turned, intrigued. "Go on."
"If Infernals are evolving into demons, then something is triggering it. Evolution doesn't happen without a catalyst. We need to find what's causing it."
Azreal nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
Laisa beamed. "That's why I'm your second-in-command. I may not be a pillar of a gate, but I am your pillar."
Azreal stepped closer, and her heart raced. Is this it? Is he finally—
He placed a hand on her head, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "It's late. Go rest."
Laisa stood frozen as Azreal walked away. She clenched her fists, biting her lip in frustration. "Ughhh! Just once, Lord Azreal... just once!"
Azreal, meanwhile, sat on his bed, deep in thought. "We need to find the one pulling the strings. Before it's too late..."