Black Butler in the Netherworld

(Author's note: I am simply an aspiring writer so any constructive criticism you can give is very much appreciated :-) )

This story takes place at the end of Ciel & Sebastian's contract. Our dynamic duo continues their adventures in the netherworld.

Prologue

Just before midnight at the ruins of the burned Phantomhive Manor, two figures could be seen standing in the rubble. The fire has died down but occasionally a part of the manor would crumble, sending sparks up into the night sky, illuminating the dried blood on their torn clothing and the many wounds they had.

"Well, young master it has been quite a night" Sebastian began. "We had best seek shelter at the nearest inn. I can rebuild the manor in the morning…."

"No" Ciel cut him off with just one word.

Sebastian sighed "My lord you are battered, bruised and dirty after the battle with your enemies. I need to see to your wounds and get you somewhere warm before you catch a cold."

Ciel looked at him in the eyes and said "There is no need for that. You have fulfilled your part of the contract. Now it's time for me to pay the price."

Surprisingly, the demon butler looked as if he has completely forgotten about the contract. Caught off guard, he could only stare at his master mutely.

"What are you waiting for?" Ciel prompted him. "You may now take my soul" and without further ado, Ciel closed his eyes.

Clouds obscured the moon which was the only source of light on that dark night until the master and butler could be seen no more. Thus, the line of the Phantomhives ended.

Chapter 1

Across the barren wasteland of the netherworld, Sebastian ran with inhuman speed, carrying his precious burden in his arms. The twin red moons in the sky cast an eerie light over the craggy rocks and lifeless trees. Now and then, the growling of demonic beasts could be heard above the howling wind. But he took no notice of his surroundings, instead, he was focused on his thoughts.

"Really what kind of monster would forget about the prey he has been stalking for so long?" he berated himself. "If any of my enemies heard about this, they'd be laughing at me for all eternity.

I have lived as his butler these past few years and focused only on obeying his every wish, of course, it's only reasonable that I would temporarily forget my target" he rationalized to himself.

As his feet ate up the distance, he looked down at the sleeping boy in his arms and wondered once again how such a tiny human could command his attention so completely. "I have lived a long time and seen many things, yet this child never ceases to surpass my every expectation" he mused. Then with a sinister smile, he thought "I wonder what you would do next when you wake up?"

In a large, opulent bedroom, Ciel opened his eyes slowly and saw that he was in an unfamiliar room. Dark, heavy drapes covered the floor to ceiling windows that lined one wall. Large furniture with ornate carvings dotted the room. The candles in gold sconces on the walls could not dispel the shadows entirely. As he sat up, he felt as if there were red eyes watching him.

"Sebastian" he called out but his voice only echoed around the room. "This can't be the afterlife, somehow I don't feel dead," he thought. Struggling to get down from the bed, he groused "Everything in this room is ridiculously large."

"That's because we are not used to hosting such a tiny guest here," Sebastian's voice said from the darkness.

Ciel looked to where Sebastian's voice came from but could not see anything. "Why didn't you answer when I called you?" he angrily retorted. "And I am not tiny, my size is perfectly normal for my age, this room is simply disproportionate."

"You seem to be under a misimpression here my little lord" Sebastian answered silkily. "Our contract has ended so I am no longer answerable to you."

For the first time since his awakening, Ciel felt the menace in the air and something in Sebastian's voice felt off to him. Ever intrepid, Ciel refused to give in to his fear. Instead of addressing Sebastian's statement, he commanded: "Show yourself."

Impossibly, the shadows seemed to part and the Sebastian that emerged was both familiar and yet not the same.

Sebastian wore a long-sleeved shirt that seemed to be covered with black scales, black leather pants and boots with stiletto heels completed his outfit but his ensemble was not what made him seem different. His eyes were redder than Ciel has ever seen them. His fingernails were sharp, black talons and fangs peeked from the corners of his mouth. He also seemed taller and bigger than before. Standing in front of him, barefoot and wearing only nightclothes, Ciel seemed even more fragile in Sebastian's eyes. Once again he wondered how such a frail being could have endured and survived the atrocities that befell him.

Unable to believe his eyes, Ciel blurted "What happened to you?!"

With a small laugh, Sebastian explained "As a demon, this is not my true form, however, I am more powerful here. You are sensing my aura which I had to suppress in the human world and this is distorting your vision of me."

"Why aren't you in your real form then?" Ciel challenged him.

"You seem to be more concerned about my appearance than your circumstance" Sebastian pointed out.

"And what circumstance would that be?" Ciel asked sarcastically. "I seem to recall telling you to claim your payment and yet you have not. If you were going to kill me, I'd be dead by now, so no I am not particularly worried about my present circumstance strange as it may be."

Despite his intelligence and everything he has suffered, this child has no sense of self-preservation whatsoever, Sebastian thought to himself. Cheekily confronting a demon in his own lair, I simply cannot allow this to continue. The other demons would make a laughingstock out of me should this come out.

With a devilish smile, Sebastian reminded him "You and I both know there are worse things than death."

Ciel took a surprised step back and Sebastian thought to himself, at last, he finally senses the dangerous situation that he is in.

"I am well aware of that. So are you telling me that you are simply toying with your food before you eat it?" Ciel asked. Although Ciel spoke without so much as a quiver in his voice, a predator can always sense the fear in his prey. Unable to resist the thrill of the hunt, Sebastian took a step closer.

Running his knuckles across Ciel's cheek, Sebastian answered: "I always said that anticipation heightens the enjoyment of one's meal."

The shadows on the walls seemed to grow and everything seemed to hold its breath.

"The way I see it, you've forfeited your prize. I offered it to you yet you refused to take it" Ciel argued. Although this new Sebastian frightened him, Ciel still could not see him as the monster that he is. He paused to gather his courage before he continued speaking "There was nothing in our contract that said you may prolong my death."

Nonplussed, Sebastian could not help but laugh out loud. "Here you are, a very helpless and tasty morsel, locked in a room with a hungry demon and you argue technicalities with me?!"

After his laughter died down, Sebastian said: "Really what am I going to do with you?"

A knock sounded at the door and Sebastian bade the caller come in. What entered was a man from the waist up with the body of a goat from the waist down, a satyr. At his temples were curved black horns and his cloven feet made clip-clopping sounds on the floor as he walked.

"My liege, forgive the interruption, but everyone is waiting for you," said the newcomer.

"Ah, Grovius is it time already?" Sebastian replied.

At the door, he turned around and said to Ciel "I will send a servant with food a little later, ask for whatever you want. I should be back in a few hours."

After giving his instructions Sebastian continued "Stay in this room until I come for you. The seal on your eye is proof that you are mine so most would not dare harm you. However, I do have enemies and they would simply love to get their hands on something that belongs to me" and with that, he closed the door behind him. As he walked down the long, marble hallway, Sebastian wondered, why does he care so much that the little runt stayed safe. It's not like the spoiled brat is so adorable that he has become completely enamored. On the contrary, Ciel is proud, scathing and stubborn. Yet his courage and strength always take Sebastian by surprise.

For perhaps the first time in his existence, Sebastian experienced a feeling of unease. Not because he is once again surrounded by his enemies, he knows he is among the strongest demon in this world, not many would be able to take him down. No, his worry is not for himself but for the little boy he just left behind. A demon cares for no one but himself, Sebastian repeated the mantra in his mind. I just hate having something stolen from me, that's all, he thought. But a voice in his head insisted, then why does the phrase "the seal on your eye is proof that you are mine" keep ringing in your head?