Third Gate of Hell – Gate of Blighted Chains
As the massive gate creaked open, a blinding light spilled out. Aria raised her hand to shield her eyes. When the light faded, she slowly lowered her hand and stared ahead.
What she saw was unexpected.
The land beyond the gate looked normal at first glance. Souls wandered around as if aimlessly—but each one had black, flaming chains wrapped tightly around their bodies. The chains pulsed and moved, crawling across their skin like living fire. Guards stood nearby, flogging the souls without mercy.
Aria frowned. "I’m not surprised," she whispered. "This is how I expected hell to be, anyway."
One of the guards nearby turned to her. "This way," he said.
She followed silently.
In her head, Arian’s voice whispered.
"This is the Gate of Blighted Chains."
Aria’s eyes widened slightly. "Oh... That explains those chains."
"Yeah," Arian replied. "Those chains are connected to their fire soul."
"Fire soul? Not heart?" Aria asked, confused.
"The fire soul is like your heart. It’s deep in your chest, but it’s where your flame, life, and magic are stored. The chains are wrapped around it—and at the end of each chain, there’s a sharp blade."
Aria’s expression darkened. "That’s cruel... So what’s the purpose of those chains?"
"Isn’t it obvious?" Arian said. "If any of them try to escape, the chain triggers instantly... and pierces their fire soul. It kills them on the spot."
Aria clenched her fists. "So their lives depend entirely on those chains..."
They reached a giant door. The guards standing there opened it slowly, revealing a massive chamber unlike anything Aria had seen.
The throne room of the Third Gate.
Flaming black chains stretched endlessly across the room, crawling along walls and ceilings like veins. In the center sat a tall, intimidating figure on a black throne.
Aria stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, "Good day, Lord Xaltheon."
He nodded. "Good day to you too. Welcome to the Third Gate."
"Thank you, my Lord," she said with a soft smile.
"You will be shown to your room shortly," Xaltheon added. But just as she turned to leave, he spoke again.
"Before you go... thank you."
Aria paused. "For what?"
"For what you did for Selmora."
She looked surprised, but nodded. "It’s no problem."
"You may go and rest," he said with a gentle wave.
The guard led her away, down long halls lined with flickering blue flames. Eventually, they stopped at a door.
"This is your room," the guard said, then left silently.
Aria stared at the door for a moment.
"You gonna stand there all day?" Arian teased in her head. "Just get in already."
"I was visualizing it," Aria muttered. "Let me have a moment."
Inside, the room was dark but warm. A bed hung suspended in the air, held up by chains from the ceiling. Flaming bulbs hovered in the corners like floating lanterns.
Aria’s eyes lit up. "This is kind of fun..."
She jumped on the bed, swinging back and forth like a kid.
"Please stop," Arian sighed. "Don’t forget why we’re here."
"Relax. I know. You don’t need to keep reminding me."
"I hope so..." Arian muttered. "We didn’t find anything in the Fourth Gate."
"Of course," Aria replied. "It’s Selmora. Her guards worship her. Even if there was a traitor, they wouldn’t risk betraying her. She’s too powerful... and beautiful."
"I even suspected that snake girl, Nyssara," Arian admitted. "But I found nothing."
Aria shrugged. "Then the Fourth Gate is clear."
"I’ll head out to search again soon."
"I hope we find a hidden door this time," Aria said.
"You’re the one who nearly threw up when we found the last one."
"Anyone would’ve! That place was disgusting!"
"Don’t wander off. I’ll be back."
Aria lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She slowly drifted to sleep.
Xaltheon’s Throne Room
Xaltheon sat on his throne, his chin resting on his fist.
A shadowy figure appeared behind him, kneeling. "You summoned me, my Lord?"
"I want you to speak with the maids and guards. Prepare a small feast for Aria."
Blight blinked. "A feast? May I ask why?"
"She did what I couldn’t. She freed Selmora. She deserves my gratitude."
"She did... what for Lady Selmora?"
Xaltheon turned his cold gaze toward him. "Are you questioning me?"
"N-No, my Lord!" Blight quickly said, bowing his head lower. "I’ll get to it immediately."
As Blight disappeared, Xaltheon stood and raised his hand. A chained gate appeared out of thin air.
"I think it’s time I pay Lord Azreal a visit."
She blinked and sat up groggily. "You don’t have to yell... I heard you the first time."
"You fell asleep while I was gone."
"Don’t blame me. I was bored."
"I didn’t find anything... but there are a lot of rooms."
Aria groaned. "So we have to search all of them?"
A knock came at the door.
A maid stepped inside, bowing. "Forgive the intrusion. Lord Xaltheon has prepared a feast. I brought a dress for you."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "A feast? For what?"
"To thank you... for what you did for Lady Selmora."
The maid gently placed a pink gown on the bed, bowed, and left.
Aria looked at the dress and smiled. "Lord Xaltheon is surprisingly kind."
"Use the feast as a cover," Arian suggested. "We can sneak around and check the rooms."
"Aw, but I wanted to actually enjoy the feast." Follow current novᴇls on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Not the time to think about food."
"Fine. But we eat first."
Royal Palace – Azreal’s Throne Room
Azreal sat calmly, reading a scroll. A guard entered, bowed, and said, "Lord Xaltheon is here to see you."
Azreal turned to Hulk. "You think something happened with Aria?"
Xaltheon entered and bowed. Azreal gave him a curious look.
"She didn’t cause trouble, did she?"
"Not at all. In fact, the opposite. I came to thank her."
Azreal’s eyes widened slightly.
"For what she did to free Selmora," Xaltheon added.
"Selmora’s free?" Azreal asked.
"Yes. Nyssara told me everything."
"That’s... great news."
"Then you should come enjoy the feast too."
Hulk stepped in. "The Lord has a meeting with Dragos. He’ll be leaving soon."
"I see..." Xaltheon said. "Then I’ll take my leave."
Azreal leaned back and sighed.
"Thanks for that," he said.
Hulk blinked. "Y-You’re welcome."
"Truth is... Aria is growing stronger on her own. If I show up now, she might start relying on me again."
Hulk nodded. "I get it..."
Azreal winced suddenly, holding his side.
"Don’t worry... I strained myself during the battle with Dragos."
"Was it that Scaled Warrior technique?"
"Yeah. It was powerful... but I still destroyed it in one slash."
Third Gate of Hell – Aria’s Room
Aria twirled in her pink gown, admiring how it swayed.
Beside her, Arian appeared in a new form—flaming and ethereal.
"What’s with the flames?" she asked.
"My spiritual form. , no one can see me. I don’t have to disappear anymore."
"Really? That sounds like a lie."
Just then, a maid knocked and entered.
"Can you see anything around me?" Aria asked.
The maid looked around. "No, my Lady."
The maid left, and Aria looked at Arian, surprised.
"That’s so cool. I wish I had that ability when I was alive. I’d be unstoppable!"
"Are you even listening to me?" Arian yelled. "Now I understand why you ended up in hell..."
"Never mind. Let’s go. We have a feast to crash."
Aria smiled, heading to the door.
"The lady of the day can’t be late, after all."
In a shadowy room, figures stood gathered. The leader stepped forward, his eyes gleaming.
"It’s time we reveal ourselves," he said. "Azreal, I’ve read your message... and I will deliver my response in person."
He raised his hand. "I will visit the King of Hell himself."
Everyone in the room raised their fists.