The mallet slammed down, the sound from the impact echoing loudly throughout the hall. All who heard it ceased their talking and refocused their attention on the judge. “Seth,” he said in a dark, ominous voice, “you have reached a level beyond forgiveness. Your records date back to your childhood; I wonder how you’ve even made it this far without meeting your doom. May I never have to see your face again. Your crimes are only punishable by one act. You are to be hanged, tomorrow at dawn.” The judge waited as the audience gave a dramatic gasp and nodded their heads in approval. A few murmurs drifted up to the stand, “serves him right,” and, “may he burn in Hell for all I care.” He sighed. “You’d better pray that God can spare you some mercy on your soul, because none of us will. Court dismissed,” he said as he stood and walked away, sparing a last glance toward the man he hoped to never hear of again after tomorrow.

Dawn came silently as the village gathered to see the hanging. People from a few other towns and villages had gathered as well, such was Seth’s reputation. The sun began a slow rise towards the highest point in the sky, and Seth walked out of the courthouse being led by the bailiff as the judge followed up in the rear, all three silhouetted in the break of day. The ceremony was done in utter silence as the criminal was prodded up to the platform and a noose placed around his neck. There were no last words, no citations. The platform was kicked out from under Seth’s feet and a large cloud of crows rose into the sky, the fluttering of their wings the only sound of that dark morning. The village priest, who had been gathered amongst the rest, stepped forth and made the sign of the cross in the air and turned, walking away. It was done.

He plummeted downwards into a dark hole, heat like no other coming closer at a fast pace. He screamed as flames began lick at his feet and sear his ever-growing-translucent skin. Fear pumped through him as he heard the crack of a whip and shackles bound themselves to him. He hit the ground hard and a light cackle came from behind him. He was afraid to open his eyes. Afraid to confirm what he already knew. He knew where he was. He was in Hell.

The whip cracked again, this time making contact with Seth. He let out a gasp of pain and opened his eyes. Fire leaped from the ground and walls, the few bare patches of stone floor bearing large pedestals, hanging condemned souls bound in chains. Each one had a guarding demon, whipping them every time they regained consciousness. Some became carried away and whipped them beyond what they should. Seth turned around as the ground below him began to rumble. The demon beside him wielded his whip with glee, eyeing him joyfully. As the pedestal began to rise, Seth was struck with an idea. “Wait!” he called to the demon, finding his voice. The pedestal stopped and the demon gave him a curious look. “I demand an audience with the Devil,” he said, adding, “With Lucifer,” daringly.

Cackles spread far and wide, the demons roaring with laughter. This man thought he could speak with the Devil? Who did he think he was? The Devil was the one who demanded all the condemned souls to be tortured here. Thus was their punishment. The laughing stopped with a glare from Seth. A look of pure hatred and dare, one they had only seen Lucifer carry. “P…perhaps we can make an arrangement with-“

“You. Will. Take. Me. To. Lucifer,” Seth said angrily, breaking the words apart into individual statements. He knew he had the little demon scared now, and was going to use this for himself.

“Y...y...yes, sir. Of course. Right this way.” The pedestal sank back down and the shackles disappeared. The demon led Seth away, down endless flights of steps and into a long, dark hall. It stretched before them endlessly, torches lit down the walls. Seth heard a scuffle of feet and knew instantly that he had been abandoned.

“I guess this should make for an interesting encounter,” he mumbled quietly under his breath, though it echoed down the hall. He walked slowly, taking time to examine the walls, though there was nothing on them but the lit torches every couple of feet. Every stone, though, every crack in the wall seemed to intrigue him unlike anything else. Eventually, he lost track of time, and bumped into someone. A light fear ran over him, but quickly faded away.

Lucifer was nothing like he had imagined. There were no hoofs, no horns, and certainly no tail. There was, instead, a tall man before him, with long, black hair and a rigid face. His jaw was pronounced, as was his nose. The hair laid softly over his shoulders, and a couple strands hung over his face. Most intriguing of all were his wings. Dark, ravenous wings, slightly shredded, with a couple holes in them. Seth began to wonder why he had them, but quickly remembered the tale he had heard as a child, pronouncing Lucifer, the Devil, the Fallen Angel. Lucifer let out a light chuckle. “I tend to have that effect on people.”

Seth blinked and noticed that he was gaping at the man before him. He shook his head and gave Lucifer a hard glare. “I have a proposition for you.”