Chapter 10: Through the Leviathan and Back Again

I wondered through the acidic, disgusting belly of the Leviathan. The walls were pink and squishy and covered in slime. There were odd lumps and pulsing organs and wet caves covered in acid and some other liquid I didn't want to know about. I don't know what's worse; that gross sewer or the inside of this nasty-ass monster. Good thing I had my devil trigger. I avoided puddles of acid by flying over them. I took out a few demons on the way. I needed to get to the heart. That's where I can weaken and kill it and then I can bust out through its womb.

I came across a fleshy door and I sliced it open. I proceeded on through the Leviathan's intestines. It was a bit dark but I was able to see clearly with my demon vision. Suddenly, I heard a loud squeal. I whipped my head around and saw a giant centipede-looking demon trying to trap me in its mouth. Shit, this bastard again? It was a Gigapede. I've dealt with these things before. They're kind of a pain in the ass, but I'll manage. I already ran into this thing earlier. I ran up to the monster and began punching and kicking at it with my Beowulf gauntlets and boots. It tried to snap at me a few times but I managed to evade each useless attack. I weakened it with a kick and gave one last blow with a blast from my gauntlet. Finally, it gave way and became limp and lifeless. It shrieked in agony and fell to the ground. Now that that's out of the way, I can continue my journey.

I finally reached the heart. There were three pink throbbing sacks hanging on top. One on the left, another on the right, and another in the center which was shielded by something. I began attacking the sack on the right with my two twin swords Agni and Rudra, summoning whirlpools of fire and wind. Down below were demons walking toward me trying to swing at me, like i was some kind of human piñata. But they weren't a problem. They couldn't even stop me. Finally, the main sack was weakened and it finally opened up. I headed towards it and gave it a whack or two. It began closing up again. I looked to my left and saw the other sack. I flew over and attacked it. I could hear the loud irritating groan of the Leviathan. It must be getting weaker. I saw that the main sack had re-opened and I headed back over to it and gave it hell. It closed once more. Another blow should do the trick. The main sack shot out a laser from what looked like an eye and tried to fry me down. I swerved and avoided the attack. I summoned my electric demon guitar, Navan.

"Let's rock!" I began playing.

My fingers danced on each string and the guitar began shooting out purple electric sparks all around the place. The sparks bounced off the walls of the cave up and around and down below. The revolting sacks were hit by the lightning, making the Leviathan cry out in pain. The main sack began to re-open finally, and with one last blast of my guitar, I struck it. A loud agonizing roar escaped from the Leviathan and I felt its body go limp. Time to make my escape. I needed to get back to Rinna fast. Who knows how much pain she might be in?

…

We walked up to the front gates that stood proudly around the castle. I could see two guards standing out in front. Their bodies stood straight and their eyes were focused. On each side of the gates were shrubs and bushes covered with roses. Also on each side of the gates were golden statues of angels standing proudly. As we approached the gates, the guards began to get suspicious.

"Halt! Who goes there?" says the guard on the right.

Both guards held onto the hilt of their swords. Luna, Snow and Sun stopped in their tracks. However, I didn't stop. I wasn't offended by their hostile looks at all. Their eyes grew wide as they instantly recognized who I was. They bowed and quickly knelt down on one knee.

"P-princess! You have returned!"

I held my hand out pleading them to rise from their unnecessary bowing.

"Can you take me to my mother and father?" I asked.

"Yes! Of course!"

The guards quickly got into position and opened the gates. The two golden gates swung open and revealed the castle. The then guards escorted me through the castle with Luna,Snow, and Sun following close behind. We made our way down the front yard, which was aligned with shrubbery art. On the far right was the enchanted garden. Next to it was a golf course. There was also a walking trail, tennis courts, track field, archer stable, and swimming pool. On the left were the guards' offices and weapon and armor chambers. The guards pushed open two big double, bronze doors and continued forward. They led us down the main hall. I looked from side to side eyeing the pictures on the walls. They looked the same as when I left. Up ahead I could see the big, golden double doors leading to the throne room. I gulped and sighed. Luna looked at me.

"It's gonna be okay," she whispered.

I dropped my shoulders. "I just hope Dante's okay."

"He'll be fine. I bet he's even on his way here right now."

I smiled at Luna as we approached the double doors. The guards pushed them open and stepped in first with me, Luna, and Snow and Sun following close behind. I peeked in between the two guards. I could see my parents. It looked like my mother was crying and my father was trying to consul her. I felt an instant rush of guilt flow through my body.

"Your majesties. Please excuse the interruption," began the guard on the right.

My parents turned their attention to the two guards.

"The princess has returned," finished the other guard.

They both dropped to one knee and allowed me to present myself. My mother and father's eyes grew wide. I looked up at them and my cheeks turned red. I grew stiff and nervous. I could barely breathe. My mother was the first to get up from the throne. She eyed me carefully as if she were trying to recognize who I was.

"Rinna?" she cried.

Mother… She looked as beautiful as always. Her golden, curly hair was tied into a ponytail. She wore pearls in her hair and she had earrings to match. She was wearing a long sleeve, white dress. It had golden patterns along the end of the sleeves and in the front in the center. Her shoes were hidden under her dress, but from what I could tell, they were white pointed heels. Her wings were bright and fluffy

My mother held onto her dress keeping herself from tripping on it as she ran down the velvet red carpeted steps; the back of her long dress dragged along the steps. She ran down the altar.

"Rinna!" she cried out to me again.

I felt tears forming in my eyes. I began walking down the altar and pretty soon I was running, too. I jumped into my mother's arms and she grasped onto me tightly, never letting go.

"My baby!" She buried her face into my shoulder as she let her tears pour down her face.

I did the same.

"Mother... I'm so sorry," I said weakly.

The tears were escaping from my eyes and falling down my cheeks. I cried harder as my mother hugged me tighter and stroked the loose, dangling hairs on the back of my neck.

"I'm just glad you're safe. I was so worried."

Before I could reply, my father's voice came rolling in like thunder.

"Rinna!" he shouted.

Oh boy here we go…

My father hurried down the altar. Father... My father was tall. His hair was dark and long, along with his beard. He wore a long white robe aligned with golden stitching. He had on long white pants and dress shoes to match. He had fancy rings on almost every finger. His wings were big and bright, but they weren't as fluffy as my mothers. I slowly released my mother while eyeing my father, waiting for whatever mean, harsh comment he had to make. I began taking steps forward meeting him face to face.

"Father, I..." before I could even say what I needed to, my father grabbed me and wrapped me around in a warm, tight embrace.

I hesitated for a minute. My eyes were filled with relief and confusion. I didn't expect this from him. I began getting suspicious myself. But I returned the hug and buried my face into his chest.

"You had me worried sick! I thought I lost you!"

I inhaled deeply at my father's weary comment. He released me and I looked into his green eyes.

"I'm sorry, father..." I couldn't really think of anything else to say at this point. They were both so happy to see me. I missed them of course, but I didn't miss this dreadful place.

My father turned his attention to the guards.

"Thank you for bringing her here. You may take your leave. I wish to have a moment with my daughter."

The guards stood up from their knees and bowed slightly before exiting the room. Luna took the hint that she wasn't wanted in the room either, so she quickly gathered Snow and Sun and left the room, as well. The two big, fancy doors closed behind her and I was left in the throne room with my mother and father.

"I can't even explain how furious I am right now…" my father began.

So much for the overwhelming joy of your daughter's return... Okay... it was to be expected from him. To be honest, I was expecting him to be more... explosive or something. I turned to see my mother giving concerned looks. She was still a bit teary-eyed and her nose and eyes were a bit red. She held one hand on her heart and her other hand on my shoulder. She looked deep into my eyes.

"Is there something you want to tell us, sweetheart?" my mother said softly.

I sighed and closed my eyes. "I… I ran away…"

My father closed his eyes and shook his head with disappointment. My mother looked at me in disbelief, eyes wide and red-ish from all the crying she's been doing.

"Why would you run away?" my mother said a bit shakily. "Are you unhappy here?"

"W-well… I..."

"Preposterous! She's absolutely happy here! She has everything she needs, everything she wants..."

"It's not enough!" I shouted more than I needed to.

"What...?" my father looked stunned.

"I mean it's not enough to make me happy. I don't need wealth to make me happy. All these things… these… riches, fancy clothes, jewelry… everything! It all means nothing if there's no one you love to share it with."

Instantly, Dante's face appear in my mind. I hope he's okay...

"Are you saying everything we've given you isn't good enough? Can we not satisfy you at all?" asked my father.

"There's only one thing that I want that you can't give me."

"Rinna, stop this! You have your future to worry about. You have your duties to fulfill. You can't just throw that all away. This is your destiny. This is something that you can't run away from. You must take the throne and rule with Fang by your side."

My eyes grew wide and my heart began to pound. I was getting frustrated with his stubborn behavior. How can he just... control my life like this? All this planning... and for what? Keeping me sheltered... making me inherit the throne... and now he's forcing me to marry someone that I don't even love. This is my life. Nobody else's. I should be able to live it how I want to. "Father, I don't love him. He's not the man I'm in love with. I won't..."

"Enough! You will not defy me. You will marry Fang. This is for your own good. I know what is best for you."

I could see the worry in my mother's face. My father's sudden dark and harsh attitude shocked her more than it did me. But I can't back down. Not now. I had to make him understand.

"Father, why can't I choose my own path? I'm not a little girl anymore, I am a young adult. I can make my own decisions. I'm sorry, but I can't do this... not anymore. I've put up with it for too long and I can't take it anymore. You can't keep me sheltered forever. And you can't choose my path for me. I'm in control of my own life. And I won't allow you to control me any longer. I don't want you or anyone else running my life!"

"How dare you!" he grabbed my arm and gripped it tightly. Before he could say or do anything else, my mother cried out to him.

"Octavius, stop this! You mustn't..."

"No, Ismene! She will have to learn this the hard way. She can't run away from her destiny. I have no choice."

My father proceeded to drag me out of the room.

"Father, stop! You can't do this… ugh! Let me go!" I struggled in my father's tight grip, wiggling and jerking my arm.

It was no use. He was locked onto my arm like an unbreakable chain. And my constant struggling couldn't be helped at all considering I was still a bit weak. He began dragging me down the altar. There wasn't much my mother could do at this point but watch helplessly as my father dragged me fiercely down the altar and eventually out the door to Lord knows where. I looked back at my mother silently pleading with her not to interfere, for the wrath of my father is fierce beyond limit. He pushed the double doors open and stepped outside with me still in his grip. He flapped his wings and in a flash flew with me in his grip. He zipped down the hall like a speeding bullet, making the pictures on the wall shake. Before I knew it, he brought me to my room. He opened my double doors and threw me inside, shutting the door fiercely behind me. I tried to gain my composer then turned around and ran to my door. I tried to open it but realized it was locked. I tried to work my lock twisting and turning it, but it was no use. My father had put a barrier on the door and locked me inside, permanently. I jiggled the doorknob only to end up pounding on the door frantically.

"Let me out! Let me out!"

"I'm sorry, Rinna. But you are not allowed to leave this room until you have come to your senses."

Was he really doing this to me? My father had really dragged me up to me room to put me on lock down. All because I stood up for what I believed in.

"You can't do this to me! Father, please! Don't do this!"

I pounded on the door as hard as I could. He didn't answer me. He must've been long gone by now. Still, I kept making a racked on the door, hoping that somebody, anybody, would hear me. Somebody that would come to my rescue and save me from this dreaded tower. But unfortunately, nobody came for me.

"Please...! Let me out...! Somebody...! Anybody...! Just get me out...!"

My pounding on the door became weaker and I rest my forehead against the doors. I shivered and wept as my tears began pouring down my face.

"Dante!" I shouted.

But there was no answer. He wasn't here. He wasn't here for me like he said he'd be. What if something did happen to him? What if he was swallowed down and eates by that beast? What if he's trapped in there forever? No… No, he can't be. It's not possible. He said he'd comeback for me. He said he would. He promised! He'd never leave me. Would he?

I slid my hands down the double doors in defeat of trying to pound my way out. I knelt down weeping as I watched my tears fall down to the floor.

"Dante…" I sniffed.

Suddenly, I felt a pain in my stomach. I merely thought it was just from lack of food or just gas. But it was neither one of those. My eyes grew wide as I wrapped my arm around my stomach and placed a hand over my mouth. I hurried myself up and ran into my bathroom. I quickly knelt down and opened up the toilet lid, throwing up into it. It was only another morning sickness. I gasped for air and slowly reached up for the handle to send the vomit down the drain. I didn't feel like I had to puke anymore, but I stayed near the toilet in case. I sat there holding my stomach as I leaned against the bathroom wall. I bent my knees together trying to hug myself as much as I could. I didn't know what to do. I'm all alone. I'm still weak. I'm in pain. And even worse, my heart was aching. All I could think about was Dante.

Dante... why'd I let you go? I should've held onto you. I shouldn't have let you go. I should've stayed with you… My thoughts carried on as I wallowed deeper and deeper in sorrow.

"Dante…"

N/A: Hello! So I'm still editing my chapters. I actually really like this chapter. I don't why, I just like how I put a little bit of emotion in it when she has to face her parents (kind concerning mother and overly controlling father). But I'll be done with this story soon. I got like 1 more chapter to go. So I hope you guys are enjoying this story. :)