Pawsy: DBZ doesn't belong to me. It belongs to Akira Toriyama, the genius. I do own Hellon and all its intriguinging beings, so don't you dare steal them. Not like you would use them for anything, but if you did, I would like you to ask permission first! I swear! The value of a good copyright is being destroyed by these various intern-
Babidi: Pawsy….
Pawsy: *falls silent*
Babidi: The story…
Pawsy: Uh…*looks down* Oh yeah! Heh, anyway, r&r and have fun!
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Life in HellonIt's morning, if you can call it that. The invisible light crawling through every cliff edge until it sees into a cave opening. Inside, the light hits Soul, who shifts slightly. Death and Destruction bound into the room, their form once again changed from yesterday. Wolf legs, vulture wings, horsetails, and giraffe-like necks with jackal heads to complete them. Death nuzzles his master who slashes out his claws. The beast quickly jumps back to his twin. After a moment, both Destruction and Death crawl forward to awaken Soul. Realizing that the two will never admit defeat, Soul sits up while extending into a cat stretch.
"I'm awake, okay?" he yawns. Padding across the cave floor, Soul makes his way to the entrance. Death and Destruction obediently follow behind him.
They all reach the exit of Soul's chamber and leave. Outside, the three walk down the halls of Hellon, with their tall pillars holding up the 'ceiling.' Coming to the cells of the tortured beings that have earned their place, there is a figure chained to a wall. Eyes rolled back into his head and blood dripping from the throat, he is nothing more than today's meal. Soul steps up to being, plunges his fist into the person's chest, and tears out whatever he is able to hold. This he devours while continuing to wander the halls.
Hellon is not the most entertaining place; a thought Soul heavily believes in. The only thing to do at this point is to torment the caged spirits but even that has its limits. Hearing the constant whimpers from behind him, Soul tosses the rest of his meal to his pets. While they finish off what's left of the mound of flesh, Soul licks the blood off his hand.
"Fuh!" Devidil snorts as he watches from the shadows, disgust etched on his face. At his feet, a small creature paces. It's looks like nothing more than a small bundle of black hair with four skinny, straight cat legs covered in flesh-colored downy fur. Two small, white horns poke out from the hair and two angry eyes peer out. To top it off, a small, straw-like horsetail swishes back and forth. This is Devidil's pet, Buffer. It whimpers but no mouth is seen. Devidil bends down and strokes the creature to comfort it.
Soul freezes, both eyes fixed on a door. It looks just like all the others but he knows better. It's the same room the Supreme Kai visits every time he comes to Hellon. Someone or something in there bothers the kai slightly. Strangely, a small bit of anger wells up inside of Soul just looking at it. What is so interesting in there? Deciding to visit the condemned one for answers, he reaches out and undoes the chain on the door. Watching the metal drop, he starts to open the door.
"Well, well, well, if isn't Spirit's little favorite," Devidil quickly appears and slams the door shut, slightly startling Soul. Realizing whom it is, Soul changes his mind about the door and decides to leave. He moves to the left; Devidil follows in front of him. Soul tries going to the right instead, only to have Devidil cut him off again.
"Out of my way, Devidil," Soul growls only to have Devidil's small pet yip at him.
"Hey! What's the rush? Too good to stand with your equals…" Devidil's voice drops, "…or are we as low as you think we are?" Soul ignores the coyote beast and tries to go around, only to have Devidil get in the way again.
"I mean it, Devidil," Soul quietly growls. "Move." Soul manages to push his way around Devidil and starts to leave. Buffer leaps out and yips at Soul. Death and Destruction quickly retaliate by snapping at the smaller creature. Buffer jumps and returns to his place behind Devidil's legs.
"Even your pets believe they exist on a higher plane! It's ridiculous! What are you trying to be?" Devidil gives an unpleasant smile, "A kai?" A pounding anger suddenly ignites in Soul as he glares at Devidil.
"You want to see how much higher I am?" he snarls.
"Bring it on," the coyote taunts.
"So be it!" Eyes focused on the other, they charge to attack. Suddenly, a dark figure lands between the two of them. Claws out and fangs bared, the figure stops the battle before it could even begin. Pastel violet eyes shine in the darkness.
"Octrovius!" Devidil snarls in shock.
"Stand down, both of you," the figure commands, but neither Soul nor Devidil looks too thrilled with the order.
"Brother…Get out of my way!"
"You can not command me!" Octrovius turns his attention to Soul. "You!" Soul looks to the figure. "You've been called by our master."
"Spirit?!" Devidil and Soul shout in unison before Soul regains his composure.
"What for?" Soul asks.
"Not my place to ask," Octrovius notes. He turns his back to Soul and notions in the forward direction. "Our master awaits." Without another word, Soul runs off in the motioned direction with his two pets trailing behind. Octrovius soon walks off on his own, leaving his younger brother standing there and snarling under his breath.
"You're not special," Devidil says to no one, "Just a pain."
After running a distance in the encumbering darkness, Soul stops before the gates of Spirit. Large, towering doors with chains and hooks falling to the floor. He steps forward to push it open slightly, just enough to slink in. Before Death and Destruction can enter, the door slams shut. Soul turns around in surprise.
"Soul…" a voice whispers. Soul quickly turns his attention back to the front of the room. A large shadow hovers above the smaller being; it's blood red eyes narrow in thought as it descends towards Soul.
"You requested me?"
"Yes," the voice hisses, "I have…" A piece of the shadow shoots forth and stops inches before Soul's face. The fist slowly opens into a solid, clawed hand. Upon its hand being opened, an object falls from the shadow's grip. The object quickly stops its fall since a claw still holds the chain connected to it. On the end of the chain is a pendant. Spirit lifts its hand until the pendant hangs directly before Soul's eyes, showing the pendant's full design. Two pieces of metal in the shapes of base-curved triangles, one upside down, are connected by a slit shaped piece of metal in the middle.
"This…belongs to you," the hand dissolves, allowing the chain to fall to the floor. A metallic noise echoes in the dark abyss when it finally hit the 'ground.' After a moment of hesitation, Soul slips the tip of his tail through the chain and lifts it up to drop into his hands. He dangles it in front of him to study the strange symbol.
"What is it?" he asks.
"A symbol of your place…"
"My…place?"
"Yes, your place…your place in Hellon," the shadow stretches an 'arm' out, "and to show that destiny has a greater part for yet."
"I see…" Soul stares at the symbol deep in thought.
"Soul," the creature perks up at the sound of his name. "Never lose it, Soul. Never. No matter what, understand?"
"Yes master…"
"You see, as long as you hold that symbol, you hold Hellon with you. You don't want to lose Hellon, do you?" A panicked expression appears on the beast's face.
"Never, master! Never!" his says, his eyes wide in fear.
"Good…" a demented fanged smile appears below the shadow's eyes. "You have become quite a follower, my Soul. For that, you have earned my greater respect." A pleased look appears on Soul's face.
"Thank you, master," he relaxes slightly.
"You have my permission to leave," Spirit finally says.
"Yes master," Soul says as he backs out of the room. Finally reaching door, he pulls it open.
"Remember Soul," he looks over his shoulder to Spirit. "Keep up with that symbol."
"Of course," Soul leaves the room, never seeing the vindictive smile exposed by his master.
Soul now walks down the strange halls, his tail twisting and trailing behind him. Without warning, Devidil quickly appears before him.
"So," he says excitedly, "are you to be maimed? Tortured?" His voice drops to a pleased bitter tone. "Demoted?"
"Hardly," Soul replies causing Devidil's mood to darken. "Spirit wanted to give me this." He holds up the chain and pendant. In a flash, the chain is taken from Soul's grip and is now held in front of Devidil's eyes. A strange awe shines in the coyote's eyes.
"Nooo…" he whispers as he starts to pace. "Him…him of all people!" Devidil starts screaming to no one in particular. "How could he? That bastard has done nothing. Nothing!" Soul snarls quietly at those words, but allows Devidil to continue talking to his invisible friend. Devidil quickly turns towards Soul, glaring at the smaller being with hatred. "What makes you so special, huh?! I've been here much longer than you! I am much more talented than you! I have seniority and experience! You have done nothing!"
"Apparently, our master's and your opinions do not match," Soul coolly replies. "Besides, I did convert someone here."
"Oh goody," Devidil rolls his eyes while tossing the pendant into the air continuously and catching it again. "You brought one soul while I…" He points to himself. "I have brought thousands!" his voice hisses.
"I guess my one was more important than your thousands."
"Keh!" Devidil glares at the metal 'eye' one more time before casually tossing it into the air. Soul catches it just in time to hear Devidil's voice again.
"You don't deserve that place," the coyote quips.
"If that is true, then you will never even grace near it," Soul clutches the chain in a fist and turns to leave. Devidil heaves a disgusted sigh.
"Whatever you say…Babidi…" Soul halts. "What is it the kai said?" Devidil places a finger by his muzzle in thought but then perks up. "Oh yes! You had a name…I believe that's correct." Soul slowly turns around.
"Shuttup…" he says in a quiet fury to Devidil. Devidil's sly smile appears.
"And you were a wizard! What's the point of holding a sword when you could just curse your enemies?" Soul stalks over and stands before Devidil, rage etched into his face.
"One more try and I'll–"
"Make me disappear!?" Devidil laughs, enjoying the anger in Soul's heart. Without a single word from Soul, he starts to walk forward. "I must agree…you are an interesting character with more secrets to learn every day." He pushes his way around Soul and continues walking.
"I must be going," Devidil calls over his shoulder. "Have a wonderfully dark day…" his voice drops into low mock tones, "Babidi." In a flash, Soul is upon Devidil and sinking his fangs into the coyote's neck. Devidil screams out in both pain and shock before grabbing onto Soul's tail. With a quick jerk, he pries his attacker loose and throws the smaller being against the wall. Devidil then charges at Soul, he quickly pulls out his blade for battle. Suddenly a figure lands between them.
"OCTROVIUS!!!" Devidil snarls. The two pastel violet eyes burn face his brother's.
"Stand down!" Octrovius commands.
"Never!" Octrovius slugs Devidil who falls back onto the ground.
"You stand down when I say, brother! Or else suffer the consequences…" Octrovius says in tones that challenge Devidil. Devidil remains silent. Octrovius looks to Soul.
"Soul, are you injured?" he asks.
"What?!" Devidil screeches in shock. Soul looks stunned.
"…N…no, I'm fine," he replies.
"For the moment!" Octrovius' voice suddenly takes a vicious turn. "If I ever catch you two causing another death brawl, you'll be lucky you live to see the…" Stopping a moment, he lets out a shuddering sigh. "I don't care if you're my brother," he looks to Devidil. "Or Master's favorite," he looks to Soul. "Just remember, at your levels I could slaughter the two of you…and chances are, no one would care." He stalks away with a large creature joining his side. Finally, he disappears into the darkness, leaving the other two speechless.
"Well, hell!" Soul curses aloud.
"Never seen it," Devidil states directly to Soul, "Unlike some people." With that, he leaves as well. Strangely, the comment catches Soul's attention, who stands there in silence.
Later, Soul is making his way back to his domain. Careful to slow down around the entrance of a dark and open room where inside Octrovius and the other three higher ranked beings converse. He could hear them talking amongst themselves, but can barely make out the conversation. They're probably talking about that little skirmish with Octrovius earlier. He certainly didn't want the whole four of them together after him, so he quickly skirts across the entrance.
Further down, he notes the cell of his caught soul. The idiot was too easy to deceive. Soul laughs to himself. A sense of pride returns just before he stops at another door. It's the room he was going to enter before Devidil came. The chain is still loose from where he undid it earlier, the door just begging to be opened. Death and Destruction stop beside their master and look at one another.
"Mur…" Death whimpers the sound while tugging lightly on Soul's shirt, who merely pushes the creature away. Death persists even further with his tugging, also having Destruction join in whimpering. Soul growls as he finally pushes them both away and steps towards the door. The two go after him.
"I'll feed you later," Soul snarls as he disappears into the chamber and closes the door.
The chamber is the practically the same as any of the condemned. Towering walls but a small room. Shadows decorate almost every corner, making the cell dark with few strips light peering through. The sound of heavy breathing indicates that the figure living in these caged quarters is fast asleep. Curious, Soul steps closer. He wants to know who this figure is. He stops just inches away from the shadowed body and reaches out to wake the being. Suddenly, a wave of pain flows through the beast. Soul clutches onto his chest as the burning sensation quickly dissolves into a mind-numbing rage. His free hand slowly climbs to the handle of his sword where it grips onto the stone hard wooden handle. He pulls it out before him and lifts it high over his head.
"Damn you," he mutters before screaming at the top of his lungs. "Damn you, bastard!!!" The figure awakens and turns to the cause of the noise.
"What th–?" The being is cut short as Soul plunges his blade into the body before him. Stabbing viciously over and over, Soul never gives the being a moment to speak. Finally, Soul stops his onslaught onto the figure and stands rooted to his spot. Breathing heavily, his body and emotions are shot from the outburst. The tip of his sword rests on the ground, allowing the thick red blood to flow onto stone floors. Eventually, Soul gathers his strength and stalks towards the door, his blood-dripping sword dragging behind him.
Outside of the room, the beast returns the chain to its place on the door and walks towards his area in thought. Even after that brutal attack, Soul knows he didn't kill the being. How can you kill something that's already dead? Come tomorrow, the figure will be healed and ready for a new day of torture, but Soul doesn't care. He's happy he attacked the figure. It helped to feed his thirsts for rage and helped to serve as a reminder to his place. Holding the pendent in one hand, he can't help but grow calmer. No matter what changes occur to him and his place, this darkness, Hellon, will always remain the same. That is the true beauty in its nature. Soul stops at the door to his area and opens it. While walking in, a smile appears on his face. After all, it's just another day in Hellon.
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Pawsy: Just a footnote with an apology. Sorry it's been so long since I've put in another chapter for anything on my account. It's just I'm working on trying to graduate at the moment and that alone is eating almost 18 hours of my time per day. Hopefully, I can find more time now, though, since my term paper is done.