(16th June, 18:01, Waxing Gibbous Moon)

Beast and the Beast

Chapter Ten – The first Trifle of Fear

(Please note this story has vast similarities to Beauty and the Beast, yet I claim no ownership over Beauty and the Beast, only my inspiration is stolen from the movie/book.)

x.X.x

They were inside the temple and she was a bit surprised that the inside wasn't glorious; it was actually a filthy brown color, as if it was given no attendance, though it was obvious that the walls and floors were once a white marble color.

Above all, it reeked like death and she had to breathe through her mouth to prevent herself from getting sick again; it was obvious there was a lot of demonic traffic through this specific temple, she would make a point to visit another temple just to witness the way it was actually meant to look.

"This is gross." She muttered and Baal paid no attention as he looked around and now she also noticed it for the first time. Everyone there were eyes looking at her, demonic eyes, they stared at them through the darkness and she felt unnerved. "Are we safe?" She whispered towards Baal softly and he gave a nod; it didn't set her at ease though, how could she feel safe with so many demons around?

She started to walk faster, but Baal grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to his side. "Try not to act like what you are; I am safe from them, though I can't guarantee you the same protection unless you act like what you are." He said and she gave a slow nod.

Acting like a demon, did that mean she would have to glare at them as well, or avoid eye contact? Would she have to come forth as menacing or submissive to survive? Would she need to walk slowly like her companion or move quickly like a demon could?

She gave a sigh and decided to do what her companion was doing: Walk slowly and just look ahead, avoiding contact with the other demons, if they attacked them though she had no idea what they would do. They were only two and she doubted her companion would protect her from an onslaught.

Or perhaps these demons knew he was the brother of this Mephisto demon and that was why they kept their distance because he was obviously powerful, maybe not as powerful as the guardian but he would probably be able to take on a few demons before dying.

She didn't know in how high of regard demons held their lives but she was sure they wouldn't want to lose it. She gave a small smile, once again she was pleased that she had made the choice to travel with this specific demon; she had the feeling if she came in here alone she would've been killed.

"How far still?" She asked him softly and he looked at her now and she was surprised and disgusted to see another small patch of flesh on his face, it looked like hair fibers but it was obvious it was growing on his skin. What would he become? Even more hideous and threatening? Would he turn into a huge demonic creature? She shuddered at the thought, she had to get as far away from him as she possibly could once they were in Hell, she didn't want to be close to him, he was creepy.

"About an hour." He said as he continued to walk, the demons still stared at them and she watched amazed as her companion gave them a look that made them shrivel back into the shadows, disappearing until he had passed them. It was obviously out of fear and she wondered why; there was more than enough demons in this place to overpower her companion, yet they seemed to cower in front of him.

She wanted to laugh, did it really matter? She would be in Hell soon and would be rid of this monster she was travelling with, she would find a demon that was less aggressive and would find a way to get to know and like him, and hopefully he would be able to do the same.

x.X.x

An hour passed and they were facing a stairwell leading downwards, Baal looked at her. "Come." He said as he started to walk down the stairs. She stared at the darkness leading down and had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach, as if something was begging her not to go down.

She swallowed hard and followed him, she didn't know what to expect but she was sure it wasn't going to be good.

For the first time in her life she was possibility afraid, she was fearing of what awaited her.