Where you are.
Luz gripped the owl palisman as she walked down the hall towards emperor Belos's throne room. The walls were lined up with statues of demonic creatures with large bat-like wings. That held swords stabbing the podiums they stood on. And despite them not having eyes she had the feeling she was being watched. She shivered as she watched her breath float and disappear in front of her. She felt the hand of her mentor touch her shoulder and froze.
"It's gonna be ok kid," Eda reassured. "Just a few more feet and we can get the portal back and send you home." Luz smiled and continued walking. Down the hall was a large wooden door with the words, "Thronus Apollyon" written in a wooden arch that hung above the door. The handle was smooth and circular as Luz pressed her hand on in it she felt a wave of dread and fear overtake her.
"Are you ok, kid?"
"Y-yeah, yeah. I'm fine," Luz lied. She pushed the door open and walked through. Against the walls were the same statues Luz had just seen earlier. To her surprise the room was more empty than she expected. The room was poorly lit by the two flames that sat next to emperor Belos's throne. The warmth from the flame engulfed the room. The suitcase with the singular yellow serpentine eye sat on the throne as if it was waiting for her. "It can't be that easy," Luz whispered to herself.
"Oh, it won't be." Emperor Belos's voice echoed in the darkness. Luz and Eda leaped to each other's side standing back to back as they scanned the room. "Why do you fight, child?" Luz felt a warm red hand with long yellow fingernails push her from Eda. Her body slammed against the floor. She struggled to stand, using the palisman to hold her weight. As her vision began to focus and the world stopped spinning she saw Eda held down and grabbed by the same red arms and hands that held her. "Luz Noceda, is it?" Luz regained her posture and pointed the palisman at the figure standing in front of her. Emperor Belos's red burning eyes looked down at her. "How did you end up here in this realm?" Despite his sinister tone Luz almost could hear pity in his voice.
"Why do you care?" She shouted back.
"Leave her alone you-," Emperor Belos stuck out his hand, it glowed a sinister red. Eda's voice was cute off by the same red glow wrapping around her mouth.
"Silence." Emperor Belos hissed. "Answer me child." He inched closer towards Luz, never breaking eye contact. "How did you get here?"
"I-I don't quite remember. I went through a portal of some sort. And Eda promised she'd help me find a way back home.
"So, that's the lie the owl lady has been feeding you. Pathetic. Luz lowered her guard as confusion started to plague her mind.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Tell me, Luz. Have you ever wondered why this realm is crawling with horrifying demons? Why is everyone miserable beyond words? Some people take their time, other's figure it out right away." His once creepy light voice lowered. It turned gravelly and boomed in the room. "Think, mortal. How. Did you. End up. Here?"
The memory of what happened before she walked through the white light flashed through her mind. She had been having an intense argument with her mother. In her frustration she ran out of her house across the street in a downpour. Her plan was to go to a nearby abandoned cabin to collect her thoughts and calm herself down. She tripped on a rock and fell with a hard thud. Her mother screamed her name before the white light shined in front of her. She lowered her arms standing in shock.
"Mama.."
"Now, tell me Luz Noceda." Emperor Belos slowly began to remove his mask. The sound of roaring flame screeched from behind it. Under the mask was a skull-like face with two long horns pointing forward. Frozen in a cruel smile. Whatever skin he would have had was replaced by a roaring flame. "Where do you think we are?"
I'm in Hell. Luz thought. "No," she shook her head. "No!" She slammed the palisman to the ground as a volley of ice shot from the ground and collided with emperor Belos sending him flying into the throne. He laughed as he sat on a crumbled throne. "I'm a good person, I-I wouldn't.." her voice began to trail off. She ran towards Eda and hopped onto the palisman like a witch's broom. She flew towards Eda and pulled her from the arms. Eda jumped onto the palisman as the pair flew outside a window with a loud crash. Emperor Belos's laugh echoing. As she flew out the castle and left the castle ground Luz noticed how ominous the rings "protecting" the castle looked. The ride back to the owl house had Luz examine the boiling isles. She noticed sections were split by walls, the woods, rivers, and homes. She flew towards the end of the isles and landed in front of the house. Once she stood off the palisman she turned towards Eda with tears running down her face.
"Eda..where am I?"