"Was it truly necessary?" Sebastian began, as he and Amelia were in someplace dark, a forest perhaps. Where they were headed for was unknown, as they only trudged on aimlessly.
Amelia seemed to have understood him, and simply sighed. "Did I not say so, that I would be taking responsibility for my actions? By killing my uncle, my cousin would be left alone, with nothing and no one." Sebastian looks at her, still not understanding where she was going with it. They came upon a meadow, with the moon high in the night sky, and the brunette decides to sit for a moment just staring up at it. Sebastian sits beside her, "You pitied your cousin," it was more of a statement than a question.
"Well, perhaps. But Sebastian, had I not been rescued by Alexis, I would have ceased to exist. I'd be nothing but ash, and no one would ever know about that horrendous crime. Because, who cares about peasants anyway?" she states, still gazing upon the moon that was a mere faint glow in her red eyes; as it is being reflected in them. "That child, Charles, how are you certain that he would do as you had asked?"
The brunette remained silent for a while, thinking back to the letter she wrote:
"Charles my young boy,
I hope you would find this letter in good health. Might I ask you a favor? First that is, for you to keep a little secret, not a word of this to your friends and family; I, along with Mr. Sebastian, am both alive. We survived the fire, however, we know that if we come out, then they would instantly blame us for the fire and everything with it. Second, would be for you to take care of Edwin, my cousin.
Yes, Edwin Howard, the child of the Duke. If you must serve him, as a loyal friend or advisor, then do so. He is alone and to entrust him with greedy adults would just corrupt him. Stay by his side, and earn each other's trust.
I am certain you wish to know more. So, I shall wait for you to fulfill this task. You'll know it's me because by then, I would still be me.
-M"
She smiles softly, playing with the hem of her skirt, "Somehow, I sensed that despite his young age, that child is already way ahead of his years. Much like... someone we know. And of course, he is confused, startled, with what he was told; and children are especially curious little beings."
Sebastian smirks, "Ah, that is a mistake. Humans, in general, are curious beings. And that same curiosity leads to their foolish actions. Which is why they are so interesting." The male demon then stands up, offering his hand toward his mate, "Well, now that you have done your 'revenge', you have all the time in the world to do anything; I'm telling you, a human's life is something that would just pass you by. Sooner or later, if you choose it, you'll have to tell those boys." Amelia chuckles shortly at that, "I guess that's quite true."
"Would you like to visit your Father's grave, then?"
She looks at him for a while before her eyes cast down. "...no. He does not need to know the things I have done to put me at peace with myself. Besides, how would he know if he's already dead? He could be in a place where we both have no relations with."
"Do tell me if you regret choosing my curse over their 'salvation'." Sebastian then, leads the way, walking ahead of her. Amelia was befuddled by his statement, and she runs to him, tackling the elder demon to the ground. She playfully hits his chest as she straddles him, holding him down by the shoulders, "I regret nothing, so stop it with your drama; and instead, tell me the things I should know about your... our, kind."
Sebastian lets his gloved hands rest by her hips and gives them a light squeeze, causing the brunette to stiffen and clench her hands around his shoulders. She looks at him with a warning, to which he answers, whilst pulling her head close, "Ah, I live for your reactions."
"What is that supposed to mean? You better not do anything too nasty."
Sebastian raises a brow, "'too nasty', meaning exactly what, my dear? Would you kindly... educate me on that?" His lips drag against her jaw, and the lady shivers at his touch, and at the feeling of his breath on her skin. Although she didn't want to actually respond that way, her body seems to be hypersensitive and reacts on its own.
"S-Sebas... we should...!" She gasps when the demon playfully bites her ear, and she decides to push herself up and away. Unbelievably, she was gasping for air even if she didn't have to breathe.
Sebastian had a naughty smirk on his face as he sits up, the lady's legs at each of his sides. Amelia glares at him, and stands, dusting herself off. "Keep your desires at bay; I do not wish to do obscene things in a damn forest, Sebastian." she walks ahead, stomping on her first step, dry leaves cracking beneath her shoe.
The male demon chuckles huskily, and the sound reverberates around the forest. He was immediately by her side, with a hand at the small of her back. "Would you like to rest, then?"
"No, we are not checking in a hotel. Besides, we both don't need sleep, do we?"
Sebastian purses his lips in thought, and the playful look on his face vanished, being replaced with a serious one. "Mia, when I was still a butler, what was the one thing I was always ordered to do?"
Amelia tries to think back her still-human days, and tries for an answer. "That you make him sweets?" She chuckles, but stops when her mate didn't even snicker. The brunette sighs, nibbling on her lip. Sebastian spares her a glance before looking ahead, "Alright, I shall give you a hint: it involves the contract itself."
She hums in thought, and even wonders, 'Well, did anything not involve that damn contract?' With a sigh, Amelia tries again, "Ah, that you obey every order and that you tell no lies?"
Sebastian nods, "It was quite unnecessary since, I find no fun in doing such. Therefore, as uncanny as it sounds, I can somehow, keep promises." Amelia gasps, remembering her favor that she asked of him, back in France, in the hotel after their encounter with Victoria and Ash:
"Amelia, I love you."
"I love you too." The brunette musters up enough courage in keeping herself looking at him straight in the eye, aware that she was probably flushed as she murmurs breathlessly, "Sebastian, love, please do me a favor," Amelia looks serious despite her way of speaking. The demon raises a perfect, midnight brow and pulls their bodies up into a sitting position.
He cradles her in his arms, caressing her curly locks softly, soothingly, with one hand, while the other rests idly on her lap. The demon feels something wet dripping onto his other gloved hand and gets a better view of the brunette's face.
Amelia was crying.
"I know this is quite selfish of me to do... but he really is the last piece of what I can consider family. And... And I... when you..." she hiccups, before taking in a big gulp of air. "If it would be possible, to keep him alive through any means possible."
His brows furrow, "But his soul,"
"I know; that is why I said through any means possible." Her tear-filled eyes stare at his bright ones. It was as though she really were begging him, and he could only sigh, casting his eyes downward. It was also quite difficult for him to resist that look she was giving him. To say he felt a tingle would be an understatement.
"Perhaps I know of... a way; however, are you quite sure of that?"
She doesn't answer, and he pulls her to his chest, trying to shush and calm her down. When Amelia's tears had dried up, and her breathing returns to normal, Sebastian asks her again.
"…are you quite sure of that?"
"Yes, by all means. Rest assured, I still leave the decision in your hands, dear. I am not forcing you to do something about it."
Moments later, after their final yet short conversation, the housekeeper was convinced that Sebastian would think about her favor. At the same time, she wasn't completely certain that he'll give in to her request.
'I'll just have faith in him and ready myself for whatever the outcome is,'
So, the demon tucks her in and waits for her to sleep, his mind already weighing the differences of what his mate proposed. Soon, Sebastian leaves her alone, but not without planting a gentle kiss on Amelia's forehead.
The female demon smiles at the memory for a brief while, then looks suspiciously at the ex-butler. "You mean... could it... is he...?"
Sebastian squeezes her hand and grins, "The night is young, and so are you. Since you are a newborn demon, how about I test your speed?" At this, the brunette pouts, "What are you scheming? We're in Norfolk, in the middle of a random forest, might I remind you."
The demon just rolls his eyes and pulls his gloves on tighter, "Race you to the Phantomhive manor."
And he dashes off without another word.
"You lose."
The older, male demon smirks in triumph, his face full of smugness. "Well, it can be worked on, and I wasn't even going all out." Amelia rolls her eyes, muttering, "Show-off,"
Sebastian circles her, as though he were a vicious predator surrounding his prey, "Now... how shall I punish you?" His eyes flash into the demonic ones with cat-like slits, his fangs more evident than usual. The ends of his coat become black, blurred and inky, as a sign of his diminishing human facade.
The brunette avoids him, escaping his circling, then makes her way towards what used to be the manor's front door. "Would you please deal with that at a much later time? You still have to tell me something and that is, the reasoning behind us returning to this place."
The male demon grins boyishly for a short while before he walks to her to open what was left of the door in silence, then he leads her towards their late young master's bedroom.
"Do as I say and close your eyes."
"Fine."
Sebastian kicks the door down, then guides Amelia with every step. He lets her sit on the makeshift bed he had done before, then whispers for her to reopen her eyes. Amelia looks around for a while, then when she checks beside her, she gasps.
"It's... Ciel...?"
Indeed, it was the young earl, dressed in all black, and his eye-patch was nowhere to be seen. He didn't seem to be decaying, as there was no stench, or visible sign of such. His cheeks even looked fuller than when he was alive. Amelia raised a hand to touch his peaceful face, gliding her thumb over his cheek.
Then, his eyes open, the ocean blue pupils replaced with the red ones of a demon. Ciel's irises adjust and readjust, reacting to the light and felt that for the first time, he finally gets to see things. He makes out even the tiniest dust particles floating through the air.
The lad gets up, fascinated yet also confused especially at seeing his cousin, sitting before him; and her eyes seemed to be glowing in a different color. Ciel opens his mouth to speak, "Mia? What are you... Why am I...? I'm supposed to be dead... so does that mean that you... also, with Double Charles,"
Ciel thinks to himself, waiting for her response, 'I wonder how Sebastian would react to that.'
"Actually..." Amelia tries, and Ciel is surprised at the sound of her voice. 'Was it really that soothing?' He follows her train of sight, looking around every now and then, taking in the surroundings of his burnt bedroom. In the far corner of the room, stood Sebastian. Ciel gasps, frowning, then points a finger at the ex-butler, "You! I thought the contract was done? You told me my soul would cease to exist once it's over!"
Sebastian only raises a brow at him, raising a hand towards the brunette. "Mia, why don't you explain his situation?"
Ciel was slowly piecing everything together, whilst Sebastian smirks at Amelia, "You do understand what I mean, correct? Tell him the reason behind all this."
Ciel glares at the two demons with him and Amelia can only sigh, "Ciel... you're the only family I have left. I didn't think Sebastian would do it and in this manner; even I am surprised. He has devoured your soul, but he made you a demon for you to stay 'alive'."
The young lad remains silent, not showing any emotion. The brunette tries to talk to him again, "I'm sorry I never told you. And... I'm sorry for being so selfish."
Ciel stands up and heads to the broken glass windows in silence. He stands there, staring back at the faint image of his reflection, confirming their claims. With eyes cast down, he asks softly, "...then, is he still my butler?"
At this, Sebastian laughs mockingly, "A new, human-born demon having a superior one for a butler? That is unheard of. As she said, I only turned you to satisfy my mate's wishes and needs; and again, I already have your soul because the conditions of our contract have already been met."
Ciel glares at his response, but ends up with a heavy exhale, unable to do or say anything more. He resumed to staring outside the windows.
"Are you mad?"
The lad crosses his arms, annoyance evident in his tone, "Well, it's as if I can do anything about it now, can I not?" Eitherway, despite his harshness, the brunette skips towards him and pulls Ciel in for an embrace, smiling in contentment and relief.
"Thank you."
Sebastian lets them be for a while, for the sake of his lover. When Amelia pulls away from the hug, the elder demon clasps his hands together. He did his usual, fake and sarcastic smile, directed towards his ex-contractor. "Well now, perhaps it is your turn to tell her the truth."
Amelia raises a brow, looking back at Sebastian then at Ciel. The latter of the two retorts, "What use is the truth, if now I am dead? Rather, someone who has to exist indefinitely, without a soul."
"Tell her who you are, 'Ciel'; or must I even still call you that; you, a mere spare? I cannot keep lying to my mate, you know."
The brunette's eyes widen at Sebastian's manner of speaking, more than what he was trying to imply. 'Perhaps I was just so used to his butler aesthetic. This is the real him.'
Ciel moved so quickly to try and land a slap on the raven-haired demon, but Sebastian was quicker and catches his small hand midair. Their eyes were both pinkish-purple, and Amelia breaks their contact. "Hey, stop it." Her voice held a warning and she shakes her head in disbelief, "Had I known things would turn out this way, I never should have asked for it. If you two would always try to wring each other's necks for the rest of our... existence, I'm leaving you both. Understood?"
"Fine."
"Yes, My Lady."
The two males answered simultaneously. Ciel, still as bratty as ever, acts high and mighty; trying to rescue what little amount of dignity he has left. "Well, you heard him clear." He places a hand to his chest, clenching around the tie, "I am not Ciel Phantomhive. I am..."
His voice became slightly softer, as he said his name.
Amelia simply steps closer and pinches his cheek, "Well, you two look so annoyingly similar that I always got so confused, even before!" The brunette chuckles, ruffling his hair after. "So, would you like me to call you by that name or—?"
"No. Just..."
The brunette grabs his hand, "Alright, 'Ciel' it is then! Let's go," she pauses, and her eyes flash into the demonic ones, "I'm certain you are starving as well! Come, it is time for you to cope, and learn." Amelia changes the topic then looks back at Sebastian, grinning mischievously.
Night soon arrived, and the three of them were currently in London, each occupying a space of their own inside a hotel room. Sebastian was leaning casually by the wall beside the door, Amelia was sitting by the vanity, untangling her braid, and Ciel was on the bed with his arms crossed.
"I cannot believe I would have to live this way," Ciel began, however despite his slight disgust, the tip of his tongue glides over his lips, looking for any remnant of the souls he'd just tasted earlier, during the late afternoon. Amelia combs a hand through her curls, "As do I. But it is better than to starve."
Sebastian sighs, "Really, you two complain the most."
"Are you not complaining right now?" The brunette tells him, then turns her attention back to Ciel. "Besides, it was mostly Sebastian and I, who did the luring. And, I mean, who chokes on a soul?"
Ciel has a faint blush, "Shut up! Like you can do any better on your first try."
Sebastian shrugs off his coat and loosens his tie, walking towards Amelia. He places the tie on the vanity beside his mate's discarded lace gloves. "Actually, Mia did quite a sterling job on her first meal; despite it being a bit messy,"
The brunette flips her hair, lips tugged up in triumph. "And that is why, you've got ways to go."
Meanwhile, Sebastian places his gloved hands on her shoulders and gives a slight massage. Ciel watches them for a while, contemplating just how uncanny the two were. He was able to see the demon's power, his true form, on that day. 'For such a monster, a beast, to even have emotions...'
Ciel notices the small smile on his previous butler's lips, and the pleased look on his cousin's face. 'And to think such despaired creatures can experience this kind of... happiness, this contentment; how strange, indeed.'
Amelia catches him staring and raises a brow, "I do wonder what's on your mind,"
The young lad turns away, "N-Nothing. Well, it's just... if demons do not need sleep, then why did we check in a hotel?"
"Then, would you rather stay in the streets, or in the forest perhaps?" He receives a glare from his previous master but pays it no mind, giving Ciel a nonchalant look that says, "you no longer have control over me". Sebastian stops massaging Amelia and walks towards the window, staring outside.
"Ah, by the way, you two know that we all would have to go soon. I have no business in this world any longer for I have been compensated quite sufficiently by your soul." He licks his lips and pats his stomach lightly. "Would there be anything either of you would like to do before leaving? Ah, I must warn you: my world is nothing compared to this."
The cousins look at each other, and the elder one speaks, "Well, I've done what I've always wanted. But... at least one last look at Lizzie; not just her, I mean, that also includes everyone else."
"My dear, you are quite sentimental." Sebastian shakes his head, clicking his tongue. "Very well then, if that is your wish. And you, Ciel?" the demon remembers something and smirks, trying to tempt and taunt the young demon. "Perhaps you'd like to ask Mister Tanaka about the contents of journal he wrote,"
Ciel scoffs, "You think so lowly of me, demon. I've no desire to do such; just let your mate do as she wills."
Amelia clears her throat and claps her hands once. Both males look at her again, the brunette now standing, her flowing locks swaying with her miniature movements. "So, since we have absolutely nothing more to do, and before one of you gets killed by the other, I'll get going now. You may choose to come with me or stay here and wait for my return."
"Which is when?"
"Probably at the break of dawn. Then, Sebastian can lead us down there."
Amelia walks to the door and Ciel begrudgingly follows behind her. Sebastian chose to be left alone in the hotel room, as he would be making preparations for their trip down to another world. He would much rather keep his focus as he makes the necessary arrangements, without the curious gazes of his two new lifetime companions.
The cousins were now outside, walking about the uncrowded streets of London. Ciel walks beside Amelia, seeming to want to ask a lot of questions. "What is it Ciel? I know you're dying to say something."
"Can a demon die from that?" The brunette rolls her eyes at his sarcasm, "Ha-ha; you're quite the joker, are you not? Come now, spill the tea."
"Why? Why did you... and how... with him?" Ciel found himself gulping, remembering the time he first encountered the nameless demon; how he was able to see "Sebastian's" true and complete form. 'To say it was a mere nightmare is just the beginning, the tip of an iceberg.'
"I'm just worried you might regret your decision later on."
"I died, Ciel." Amelia responds firmly with no hesitation, so much so that the young lad had to snap his head up to take a good look at her face. She was staring ahead, and both of them didn't realize they were one with the shadows, and their speed was too quick for any human to even catch a glimpse of them.
The brunette continues to explain, "I died while killing Double Charles. When I collapsed, Undertaker and Grell were the last ones I saw. When I opened my eyes, it was Sebastian who was there, I was lying on a bed inside my room at the manor. I looked around and it felt like, in a long time I've only been looking through fogged lenses."
Amelia sighs, ruffling Ciel's hair endearingly, "I believe, had I not died back then, Sebastian would have let me grow old, with graying hair, until I exhaust my human years. And he would have never left my side until my death."
"Did he tell you anything? Why he had to turn you?"
The young Phantomhive was met with nothing but silence, save for the soft breeze of the wind around them, and a few branches rustling. Amelia sped up a bit and he too, had to do so as well to not be left behind. Then, the brunette came to an abrupt stop, causing his body to collide with hers.
However, it was Ciel who got thrown back, landing on his bottom. "Tch! What's wrong? You could have at least warned me." He stands up, dusting himself off, only to see Amelia raising a lace gloved-finger to her lips, telling him to tone his volume down. Then, she looks ahead at the tall structure before them, a nostalgic look on her demonic red eyes.
"Ah, here we are, the Midford manor."
Ciel's brows raise, and indeed the two of them were at his fiancée's home, which also used to be Amelia's. Speaking of, the said lady had already disappeared from his side, without him. Ciel saw an open window on the window just above him, and mused that his cousin left it that way. He gulps, attempts a jump and is even surprised that his frailties were now completely nonexistent. He had landed safely upon his jump, but still frowned because Amelia was nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, he ends up trudging about the hallways, frequently whispering the brunette's name.
Since he knew so little about the Midford manor—for he rarely had the chance to go and visit them anyways—the Phantomhive nearly got spotted by a lone servant finishing rounds about the mansion. Then, from behind a door, the brunette grabs his hand and drags him in.
"Mia, what are you—?!" his harsh whispering was put to a halt by a slender finger to his lips. Ciel glares at Amelia briefly, then he was confused as to why she was smiling so tenderly.
"They kept my room. I could cry, only now, I cannot. It's impossible to produce tears that easily. But... this is..." she goes to her closet and opens it, dusts off some dresses she used to wore. Ciel looked around at the fairly spacious room. It wasn't as large as his own master's bedroom, but it was more than enough for a noble lady of her age.
There was a bookshelf to the left, and a fencing armor formed to look like it was holding a foil displayed beside it. Across that would be her properly made bed, with white, silk sheets. The drapes were pulled back to let some moonlight inside the vacant room, and the walls were littered with framed paintings she once made in her free time.
Amelia runs a hand on the Acanthus wallpaper of her room, still admiring every detail with her heightened senses, whilst Ciel has found something interesting that even he did not know about.
"Mia, your letter."
The brunette paused in her actions, and took slow, hesitant steps towards the table by the large window on the far right corner of her room, beside the bed. The smile vanished, and Ciel couldn't read whatever it was she was thinking.
"I still cannot believe... they left everything the way it was,"
Her eyes scanned the runaway letter she wrote, then was subtly reminded of her maid Olivia. She grimaced at the memory, before she pulls the chair, grabs some papers, and begins to sketch and write. In less than an hour, she was finishing up with the last letter.
"Who are those for, and why... are there so many?" Ciel asks, quite unsure of what she were planning. Amelia stood silently, and walks to the door, holding it open for the both of them.
"You left some... thing..." He says, looking back on the lone sheet of paper beside the brunette's runaway letter. It would seem that Amelia had sketched an outline of herself, sitting on that exact spot with Ciel leaning idly on the edge of the table. Below it she wrote, "'Thank you for cherishing us. You all have been the family I never had, and the family he should have had. May you live in prosperity and good health.'"
"Are you sure this is fine?"
Amelia shrugs, "They will never see us again. No matter how long they look for us, they'll all die without ever finding us." The lady made a point and from then on, Ciel silently followed her every step, without question.
They first went to Edward's room, then to Elizabeth's. And lastly, was the Midford couple, where Ciel was able to witness his cousin's hand shake, as she drops the folded letters on the bedside table. The nonchalant look in the brunette's eyes wavered upon seeing her foster parents, and they stayed there for at least ten minutes or so.
When they left the Midford manor, Amelia was sniffing but no tears were rolling down her face.
"Would you like to visit the townhouse? Perhaps the servants are there,"
"Even them?"
"Well, why not? You know, they would feel bad about themselves since they lost the most important person in their current life. Ever since you took them in, they somehow found a new purpose. See how many lives you've changed?" The elder cousin teases the younger one, quickly pinching his cheek, to which the latter swats her hand away and scoffs.
"They were nothing but mere pawns."
Thus, they set off once more, now towards the London townhouse. The sky was slowly lighting up with different shades of pink and orange; a sign that the sun would soon rise.
Luckily, upon their arrival, both Soma and Agni were dozing off so it was easy for the brunette to place the letters somewhere that could easily be spotted by them.
They also went to the three stooges, who were still asleep. Amelia slipped the letters underneath their pillows, before taking their leave. She stumbled upon one of Snake's snakes, probably Goethe or Wordsworth; wrapping himself around the brunette's ankle.
Amelia easily removes the reptile from her body, and whispers so low, that "they won't stay for long", and if possible, "to not tell anyone about their little visit".
Somehow, when her eyes flashed, the snake drew back and let the cousins be.
Lastly, when the pair went to visit Tanaka's quarters, they found that the old man wasn't there. "Maybe he is doing his rounds," the brunette mused, whilst getting one of the journals on the house steward's desk. She flips it open, inserting her letter, and Ciel approaches her, murmuring. "For what use is doing rounds when you have no master to serve?" he gets something from his breast pocket, and brings out the Phantomhive family butler pin to place it beside the journal.
"And yet, here you are, Young Master."
The two didn't flinch, for they already sensed the old man's presence; they sensed his aging soul. Tanaka went closer to them and stood, at an arm's distance before the cousins.
"There is no need for you to refer to me as such. However," Ciel pauses, retrieving the butler's pin from the desk and Tanaka automatically kneels on one knee with a bowed head. The young earl puts it on him, "You have served me, and the Phantomhive's for a long time. And,"
The lad smirks proudly, and takes a step back, "You managed to not die before your master. That is why this pin is truly suited for you."
"Ho-ho~ I do not deserve your praise." He rises to his feet, and somehow his eyes has some hidden mirth behind them. "I shall take this secret, along with the many others, to my grave. You have my word for it, Young Master."
Tanaka looks at Amelia, "I leave the Lord Phantomhive in your care... Your Grace,"
The brunette gasps, surprised at the amount of knowledge the elderly human has. How he accessed or gained such would be left to their imagination. Amelia bows, then rushes in to give Tanaka a hug, as a wordless way of gratification and saying goodbye.
The sun's rays broke through the windows of the now-butler's room, and the pair decides to leave before any of the other servants wake up and see them there. Tanaka watches their silhouettes slowly disappear from his view and with a single tear trickling down his wrinkled cheek, he lets out some steam along with a, "Ho-ho-ho~"
Sebastian meets them halfway their return to the hotel, then leads the way to the river Thames. The three of them were silent, as the raven-haired demon rows the boat, the same way he did when he was about to eat Ciel's soul.
The demons arrive to the island in no time, and get off the boat. They were met with the same gray and dull starless sky, and an everlasting night. The breeze was neither cold nor hot as they walked on a field of black roses. The thorns scratching against their legs felt nothing, felt numb and insignificant. 'Just like everything else now...' Amelia tells herself, as they come to a stop at the edge of a cliff.
"This is where it ends, and where it begins." Sebastian began, gesturing to the pitch black darkness swarming beneath them. Ciel and Amelia look at each other briefly, and both take in a breath. Then, with a smirk, the oldest demon teases his previous master, "Oh~? Would you like for me to carry you?"
"Shut up."
Amelia snorts, then Sebastian pulls his gloves on tighter, a pointed look at the female demon. "Well, after you, My Lady,"
The brunette takes a few steps back, takes a running stance, then zooms past the two males and jumps. Ciel and Sebastian follow after her, the three of them feeling the pull of something stronger than gravity as they fell deeper and deeper, into the dark abyss.
Then, with a soft thud, three pairs of feet land safely, perfectly, smoothly, onto an unpaved, uneven ground.
"So, welcome to Hell."
