The blood coursing through Serenity's body became wary of the dramatic shift in tidal pull. It was familiar with the pull it felt on the moon, but for some reason, the moon felt so far away now. Even in unconsciousness, her blood became restless and slowly, the feeling returned to her body. Serenity was slowly being coaxed out of the darkness. She awaited for the fingers of dawn to wrap around her skin, to be aroused awake by the sun's gentle warmth, but no such thing came.
The most peculiar thing was how heavy Serenity felt. She had never felt heavier than a feather, but now it is as if her bones transmuted into steel overnight. More and more the moon princess became aware of how different everything felt. But 'different' and 'strange' were not words used on the moon, for nothing had changed in centuries. All at once, her memories came crashing into her like a tidal wave. She tried shooting out of her slumber, but even the air was heavier now. It was like attempting to rise while being buried in sand.
Serenity strained her muscles to rise but even that simple action hurt. She managed to pull together enough strength to rise upon her elbow and rub her eyes with her free hand. Her eyes opened to a scene painted in burgundy crimson. Her frail body laid atop a large plush bed in which she would have had to roll over several times to fall off the edge. Four pillars rose from each corner of the bed like towering trees holding a billowing translucent canopy. This was a bed fit for a king.
Her eyes scanned the room. The ceiling seemed to go on for miles. Ornate furniture tastefully decorated the space. Every flicker of her eyes discovered the glint of gold ornaments strewn across tabletops or lining books. Several flame-lit scones lined the wall to bathe the room in a dim light. It was so disconcerting to absorb a color scheme that was not white. The minimal decorations in the Lunar Palace could be considered chaste compared to the luxuriousness this room boasted.
"Have you arisen, your Royal Highness?" a deep voice called from behind two towering doors. Serenity froze in her spot for it was the first time she had even heard a man's voice. Although the moon's palace was filled with servants, they were creatures created by her mother were genderless and not to be identified as either mortal or immortal.
There was a feeling deep in Serenity's soul that told her that the voice did not belong to some ordinary man. No, she could not even begin to fathom what kind of power this man held.
Being ever the polite royal, the nervous girl introduced herself to this faceless voice. After all, it would not bode well to insult her host. "Good morning, kind sir. My name is Princess Serenity, daughter of Selenity, Goddess of the Moon. May I inquire where I am currently residing in?"
"You are residing in my personal chambers."
Suddenly, the flames in the scones grew to three times their size, bringing full light to the crimson room belonging to the mysterious man. The ornate door slowly swung open to reveal one of the most attractive creatures Serenity had ever bore witness to. Of course, she did not have much exposure to other immortal beings for her mother would never allow the young princess to attend any of the Godly gatherings. And the closest she ever seen a male God was through the paintings her tutor and friend would sneak into their lessons. But even then, she knew it would not be bold to say that this would be one of the most enchanting men she would ever encounter in her lifetime.
The man had on a silky, long robe that dragged across the floor as he stepped closer to her. The deep crimson color complimented the pale complexion of his chest, that of which was most definitely very muscled. The stark contrast between the scarlet and ivory of his hair that flowed down his shoulders was such a remarkable feature that accentuated his otherworldliness. But the most attractive feature that she could not ignore the most was his turquoise and steel-colored eyes boring into her as he drew nearer.
Serenity turned her face away, hoping to camouflage the blush spreading across her cheeks with the crimson sheets beneath her. It would not do well to entangle herself in such affairs with a stranger so soon after her descent to Earth.
The stranger paused. "My apologies, Your Highness. Is the state of my dress not to your liking?"
Serenity avidly shook her head in protest. No, the problem was his state of dress was too much in her liking.
"No, that is certainly not the case." Todoroki smiled at her her embarrassed insistence and the hidden implication of her answer. "It is just that you know my name and origin yet I do not know yours."
"My deepest apologies. My name is Todoroki, Lord of this castle." It had been several millennia since he had introduced himself with his real name. And never had he forgone the most important title of "God of the Underworld" to his name. Well, the title of castle-owner was not untrue. Perhaps the demons in the eighth circle of hell would call out their lord for lying by omission.
"May I pray tell ask where this castle stands?"
Todoroki stood in consternation. Perhaps he could keep his true identity hidden but the location of this world? There was no power in the world to remake hell into heaven by the time Serenity stumbled outside to look at the blood painted skies.
He swallowed his fear and replied, "this castle stands in the Underworld."
Serenity almost fell into unconsciousness once more at the Lord's statement. The golden strands of her locks almost whitened in shock. "My apologies, but there is no way that is possible… my portal could have not possibly sent me here of all places…" Serenity rambled, forgetting for a moment who was in her presence. Fear seized her heart as blood pumped anxiety through her veins. Was her mother right all along? That she was in over her head before she could even stand on her own two feet?
"My fair lady, this is a truth I would never besmirch. But I hear you mention a portal. Was Hell not the destination you desired when you traveled from the moon? Well, from eyewitnesses, you more as much fell like a shooting star. Hell has not had an entrance as that in millenia." Todoroki attempted a lighthearted tone to belie the gravity of the situation, but he was never one for jest. The silence of the room pervaded as the two tried to make sense of the situation.
As Serenity tried to wrap her head around the heart-wrenching fact that she was in Hell, Todoroki came to the understanding that this fallen princess had not come of her own free will. His heart lurched at the thought. This meant that she would need to leave this forsaken earth, which her light never meant to shine upon in the first place. But was it pure accident or fate that Serenity now lied within Serenity's reach? Whatever the case, the unnamed God of the Underworld declared within himself that he would do his hardest to get Serenity to stay.
"My dear Serenity," Todoroki said softly. Serenity threw her head up at the softness of the gentleman's voice. "I know it must weigh as much as a mountain, this realization that you have come to. But hell is not as… hellish as you imagine. Some of the horror stories you heard are probably true, but there is much more that you do not know. If you grant me your much treasured time, I will show you the wonders of this world." Todoroki left out the much important words 'that I created,' but that was a truth for another time.
Serenity's mind silenced at the implication of Todoroki's offer. Could there possibly be more to the underworld than she had read in the scriptures on the moon? Her mother told her that stories of the underworld would make Serenity churn in nightmares if she ruminate on it too long. The pleading glow of Todoroki's turquoise and steel eyes cut into the princess's kind heart.
"As generous it is for you to offer your time, I am still afraid to step foot into this world forsaken by both the light of the sun and the moon." The tremors of her hands did not go unnoticed by Todoroki. Silence stretched between the steps which Todoroki took to lessen the space between the two. Before Serenity could fathom it, Todoroki sat beside Serenity, his form sinking into the bed. His two hands slowly reached to draw the princess's trembling hand. Serenity sat paralyzed, inexperienced in a situation in which a man came in such close proximity. But the heat of Todoroki's left hand atop her fist comforted her and the coolness of his right hand beneath her palm calmed her.
Serenity marveled at such a phenomenon. How could a person be hot and cold at the same time? This kind of unimaginable wonder was what she sought when she decided to leave the moon's still surface.
"I give you my word, Serenity, Princess and daughter of the Moon, that I will protect you with my life." The absolute earnestness of his proposal was the final push that Serenity needed. Perhaps it was the change in the atmosphere or the slightest imbalance of the moon's tilt. In that moment, Serenity was a different, fearless person and she jumped upon the opportunity that awaited her.
"Then Lord Todoroki, I am at your mercy."