Summary: Speranza "Spera" Russo was having a pretty good morning. Wake up? Check! Prepare for the day ahead? Check! Get trapped in the Underworld, where the only escape is fighting bloodthirsty demons with a deep-seated hatred for humans? Not check. It happened, and all because she read a damn book. The ever-mortal woman, Spera, finds herself in the Underworld, also known as Hell, the realm of the damned. Lucifer, the Queen of Hell, shows mercy, which she rarely does, and decides to give our protag a shot at freedom instead of condemning her to an undeserving fate. To get back home, Spera needs to pass through the Seven Gates of Hell and reach Satan's castle. Should be simple, right? WRONG! Nothing is easy when it comes down to Hell, and Spera is going to find that out the hard way. Will she survive? Well, that's for fate to decide.
BEEP!
BEEP!
BEEP!
The blaring sound of an alarm clock pierced through the stillness of the morning, jolting its owner awake and signaling the start of a new day. The slightly tanned hand of an Italian-American woman trembled as it silenced the blaring alarm clock, only to then hurl it at the wall with a remarkable intensity. Miraculously, the clock remained unscathed, leaving no traces of its impact on the unyielding surface.
"Cristo..." The unnamed woman yawned and stretched. "Really need to get a better clock, one that's less noisy."
Getting out of bed and ready to face the day ahead, the woman stepped into her bathroom and freshened up, checking her appearance in the mirror and making any necessary adjustments. After investing some time in her appearance, the woman walked out looking like a respectable member of the community - or at least as respectable as one could be under the circumstances. Her black, half-braided hair was trimmed and brushed the way she liked it, there was no form of residue around her lips or amber eyes, and she was dressed to impress in her street clothes, which consisted of an olive-green shirt, tattered black pants, and black and red sneakers.
The woman's name was Speranza "Spera" Russo, a vivacious twenty-four-year-old Italian-American who spent her days working at a clothing store in a nearby mall. When she wasn't helping customers find clothing and such, she was at home with her roommates. Presently, Speranza relished in the luxury of having the day off and pondered on how to spend it. She was contemplating between two equally enticing options - either stroll into a bar, if one happened to be open, or embark on a thrilling drive down the winding open road.
Speranza descended a flight of stairs and approached a door leading outside when she caught sight of a note. "What's this?"
"Hey, Spear; we left this note to give you a heads-up that if you don't see us around, it's because we went to the supermarket to grab some groceries for tonight's dinner. If we come back and you're not home, it's safe to assume you left for work. If that's the case, have a great day and we'll see you in the afternoon." -Ophelia and Korinna.
"Least the girls were kind enough to write a note." Speraza took the note and crumbled it up before throwing it in a nearby garbage can.
XxX
In front of Speranza's house, a yellow 2023 Nissan Z was situated in the driveway, awaiting its driver. Was the sports car Speranza's? With visual evidence, yes, yes it was. The woman of mixed heritage always harbored a fondness for automobiles, a passion she inherited from her father and uncles. In fact, it was her father who generously bestowed upon her the very automobile she would be using in the present day.
Speranza inserted her key into the lock and turned it, unlocking the car door. Upon opening said door, the woman peered inside and her eyes fell upon a mysterious black book adorned with a red signal on it, sitting in the driver's seat. "Really, Lia?" Speranza shook her head, grabbing the book. "I'm always telling this girl to pick up after herself when she's finished with my car, but does she listen? No, she doesn't. You know, I have half a mind to start charging her for car usage."
On any other day, Speranza would have discarded her friend's possessions and moved on with her day, but she didn't.
"Is this even Lia's? Could be Kori's for all I know." Speranza was flipping through pages, most of them filled with strange art.
Speranza's fingers danced across the pages until they landed on a particular page that beckoned to her. The page was adorned with enigmatic writing, accompanied by a mysterious emblem. Speranza's mind was a canvas of conflicting thoughts. One side, a structured and rational force, urged her to abandon her reading and leave to do something different. But the other side, a whimsical and inquisitive force, beckoned her to explore the depths of the rabbit hole. At the moment, the latter was the dominant brushstroke, painting a picture of curiosity and wonder.
"Damnatorum regnum ad me mitte," Speranza said to herself, speaking the words in the book. "What the hell does that mean?"
Speranza was expecting something big, but nothing occurred.
"Wow..." Speranza's facial expression changed from childlike wonder to angsty teen irritation as she realized her efforts amounted to nothing. "So much for that; talk about a waste of time." Speranza tossed the mystery book on the passenger seat and was going to drive and go about her day when a bright red light appeared from behind her. As the woman turned around, she found herself facing the radiant light; her eyes widened in astonishment, and her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "What...the...hell...?"
Before Speranza stood a swirling red portal, its destination unknown.
Speranza stood in place, torn between doing something else and the enigmatic portal that lay in her yard. Her rational side urged her to leave, but her adventurous spirit yearned to explore the unknown. With a deep breath, she took a step forward, hoping that this time her curiosity would lead her to something extraordinary. Speranza tentatively poked a finger through the opening, feeling a wave of warmth emanating from the other side, before quickly withdrawing it. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and with a determined look, leaped into the swirling vortex of the portal, her eyes tightly shut. Was it a reckless decision to enter a portal to an unknown place? Yes, it was. Was it worth it? Hopefully so.
XxX
Amidst the fiery depths of the Underworld, where demons and damned souls roamed, the Regular Demon, Generic, was stationed at her front desk in a small office building, actively typing away at her computer. As someone who worked in Customer Service, she was the go-to person for all the people of Hell, answering phone calls and catering to their needs with utmost diligence as the residential employee of Hell's Customer Service. How did she manage to juggle it all with such seamless grace? The answer was simple. The seeds of diligence were sown in her by her parents during her years as a young girl. That, and good and steady pay from her boss, Lucifer. In spite of her notorious notoriety, Lucifer was known to treat her employees with respect, and why wouldn't she? What? Because she was a representation of all that is impure and sinful, she had to go the whole nine yards and be a bad boss, too? No way. Even though she liked to be feared, being loved was equally satisfying and had its perks.
"Hell's Customer Service appreciates your business and wishes you a pleasant day!" Generic smiled before hanging up. "I love my job." Generic really did. Assisting people with their problems was a source of great pleasure for the demoness, and it was one of the many talents that she was best known for. "Employee of the Year is within my reach if I keep up the good work, but I fear Ms. Pandemonica has already claimed the title. She works so hard, it's insane."
Speaking of insanity, a portal materialized before Generic's very eyes. The demoness enthusiastically anticipated the arrival of someone like Lucifer or Pandemonica from the portal, but to her surprise, it was none other than Speranza who appeared. Naturally, Generic didn't know who Speranza was and was surprised. It was a human. A human woman was in Hell. Nothing of the kind had ever occurred before. How did she even get there? She used a portal, obviously, but what source of power was used to conjure said portal? An abundance of questions lingered in the air, while answers remained scarce.
Speranza noticed Generic right away — it was hard to miss her — and gave her a small wave. "Uh...hello there?" she greeted. "Know where I'm-"
"A human!" Generic barely gave Speranza time to complete her sentence before running over to her with a wagging tail. "A live human!"
Speranza found herself in a state of pure confusion upon the unexpected interruption from Generic, coupled with the demon lady's unwelcome invasion of her personal space. One thing for certain was that she felt uncomfortable, and it wasn't hard to see why that was so. "Yeah. That's...that's what I am." Speranza internally questioned what Generic's malfunction was when she noticed the latter's horns and tail. "What's with the getup? She some sort of cosplayer?"
"Tell me, why is a living human here in the Underworld?" Generic was curious to know Speranza's origins. "A notification in regard to your arrival would have long reached me by now; I hope my computer isn't malfunctioning; Pandemonica gave it to me for my birthday, and I doubt she would be pleased if it stopped working."
"Well, you see, I..." Speranza paused before resuming. "I'm sorry, did you say Underworld?" Generic nodded. "Hell, Underworld, Nether?"
"Indeed." Generic smiled. "Everything here is genuine, except for this 'Nether' you speak of. I think I heard Ms. Malina mention that at one point."
Speranza stared at Generic like she was crazy before finally speaking. "You're pulling my leg here. There's no way I'm in...Hell?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Speranza caught a glimpse of the world beyond the room she was in with Generic; in that fleeting moment, her heart sank. The outside world was a never-ending nightmare of scorching flames, where hellish beasts roamed freely, and the polluted air was heavy with the intense stench of sulfur. The only sounds were the agonized moans of the damned, trapped in a perpetual state of suffering with no hope of escape.
"Is there something wrong, ma'am?" Generic asked.
Speranza turned to Generic a look of dread ridden all over her face. "You weren't kidding," she said with dread. "I really am in Hell..."
"See? I told you." If Generic were any other person, she would be gloating. "You still haven't told me how you found yourself here."
Speranza took a seat, rubbing her temples. "I..." Speranza sighed. The Italian-American woman didn't know the best way to respond, so she scrounged up whatever answer she could muster. "I was leaving my home when I saw this book in my car, right?" Generic nodded, urging Speranza to continue despite not saying anything. "Thought it was my friends and decided to look through it when I saw these pages with weird writing and art inside, most of them I didn't understand."
"A book sent you here?" Generic was confused, but also concerned. "Do you still have it with you?"
"Sorry, but I don't have it on me," Speranza answered.
"Not good, no good at all..." Generic said inwardly. "Back to your story."
"Right, right; I read one of the sections aloud, and nothing happened at first, but then a gateway appeared in my yard." Speraza turned around, facing the window behind her. "I, being the dumbass that I was, stepped through the portal, and the rest, as they say, is history." Speranza rose to her feet and faced Generic, her amber-colored eyes locking onto the demon's red eyes. "I don't belong here, it doesn't take an idiot to know that. I don't have the book with me, so going back the way I came isn't an option. Look, you don't know who I am, but can you help me or at least tell me what I can do to escape? I'm willing to pay any price...mostly."
"Your case is an interesting one, Ms...?" The identity of Speranza's still remained a mystery to Generic. "Apologies, but who are you, ma'am?"
"Speranza Dolcezza Russo, but you can call me Spera." Speranza clarified. "And you're...Generic?"
"Indeed; Generic, the Regular Demon," Generic smiled with pride.
Speranza was honestly amazed by the fact she was speaking to a literal Demon. "I thought Demons only existed in shows and books; guess I was wrong," she said. "There's a lot of questions I want to ask, but I'll save them for a later time." Speranza pointed to the ceiling, but she was actually gesturing to the world far above her, the human world or whatever it was that the Demons in Hell referred to it as. "Back to the matter at hand; can you get me out of here? As I said, I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
Generic rubbed her chin. "I believe I can help you return to the human realm, Ms. Russo." Speranza felt a wave of relief wash over her. "The most effective recommendation I can make is my boss, Lucifer Morningstar. See, your predicament is one of a kind, and if there's anyone that I know that can help you, it's definitely her. Her power is unparalleled, allowing her to effortlessly traverse through various realms, whether it'd be the mortal realm or beyond with little to no difficulty."
Speranza's eyes lit up like a child seeing fireworks. "Awesome!" the brunette cheered. "Never thought I'd get help from the Devil of all people."
"Do excuse me." Generic snatched a telephone from the vicinity and punched in a sequence of numbers, predominantly featuring the numeral six. In an instant, the Princess of Darkness herself, Lucifer, was on the other end of the line. "Hello? Ms. Morningstar? Generic, calling." The air hung heavy with stillness until Generic's voice sliced through it like a sharp blade, shattering the quietude. "We have a problem, and it requires our undivided attention." Generic's gaze darted toward Speranza before flicking back to her phone screen. "See, Speranza Russo, a mortal woman, has found herself in Hell after unknowingly casting a spell from a book." Lucifer was saying something on the other line, but Speranza couldn't pick up what she was saying. "It can best be assumed that the book came from our world, but if it didn't, then we may find ourselves in quite a predicament. The realm of power should remain beyond the grasp of mortals. What do you suggest we do, ma'am?"
Once again, there was silence in the air.
"You would like to speak with her?" Generic turned to Speraznza, gesturing for the latter to come. "As you wish. Here you go, Ms. Russo."
Spera took the phone from Generic's hands and brought it to her ear. "Speranza Russo?" inquired Lucifer. "I do hope I'm not conversing with a fake."
"You're talking to the real deal, ma'am," Spera confirmed. "And you're Lucifer Morningstar, right?"
"The one and only, unique and unrivaled." Speranza couldn't see it, but Lucifer had an arrogant smile on her face, reflecting her haughty and larger-than-life personality. "Generic informed me of everything about you. The presence of a living mortal in the Underworld is a peculiar sight to behold, particularly when they have not yet passed on from the realm of the living. The forlorn souls that reside in this place are often mere shells of their former selves, husks that are eternally tortured for the sins and cruelty they have committed against others in their past life."
"Thankfully, I'm not a sinner, and don't have plans to be one in the future, assuming I'll have one at all." Lucifer was a little bit saddened by Speranza's words; sin never harmed anybody. "Look, I won't waste your time explaining my problem because you already know it, so I'll get to the point. Can you help a girl out? I don't mean to be rude, but I don't want to be here." That was understandable...at least from a human standpoint. "The idea of living the rest of my days in a world where chaos is the norm doesn't sit well with me."
"Hmm...I believe I can help you with your problem, Ms. Russo." Lucifer said. "I do possess the ability to transport you to the mortal world."
Speranza was beaming with pure delight. "Thanks a bun-"
"But," Lucifer interjected
Shit.
"Buuut...?" Speranza was concerned.
"If you desire to return to the realm of mortals, you shall do so according to my terms," The Princess of Darkness elucidated.
"With the implication being?" Speranza mentally trembled as she realized the direction things were taking. "Why's there always a catch?"
"The Seven Gates of Hell?" Speranza was puzzled. The Seven Gates of what? "There are exactly seven gates that you need to pass through before reaching my castle where I stand above all else." Speranza couldn't help but inwardly roll her eyes; someone's ego was as big as a building, possibly bigger. "Within the confines of each of the seven gates, a vigilant guardian stands watch, ready to defend their post against any and all potential threats. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to journey through the seven gates of the underworld and navigate your way to my fortress. Accomplish that task and I will gladly send you back in return."
"Uh-huh..." Speranza was reluctant to go on a journey for the chance of leaving hell, but there was no other way. "What happens if I fail?"
"In the event of failure, your fate shall be sealed for all of eternity. You shall either endure the agonies of the Underworld as a tormented soul, granted that you have died, or roam the infinite hellish plane as a lost and restless human woman." Lucifer chuckled, imagining Speranza's charred corpse. "Put your heart and soul into it, for only then can you truly succeed. So, do we have a deal, Ms. Russo? I would very much say yes if I were in your position."
"Those guardians guys you were talking about earlier; how would you rank my chances of surviving them on a scale of one to ten?" Speranza needed EVERY bit of information if her life was going to be put in danger. "What's the likelihood of my success? If they're high, you'll see me quickly, but if they're low, it will be a while before you see me, assuming I wasn't murdered."
"Hmm..." Lucifer actually had to give it some thought. "On a scale of one to ten, I would say six and a half, seven if the stars align in your favor, and eight if the goddess of fortune has graciously blessed you. Of course, these are all subject to change depending on the day and its whims."
"Okay, let's say it was a normal day; how would I do then?" Speranza was curious.
"Negative ten out of ten." Lucifer's words were harsh, but she spoke the truth, and Speranza did ask. "You stand no chance of survival."
"Great..." Speranza said with as much sarcasm as possible. "I'm literally heading straight to the grave."
"Don't be such a downer, Ms. Russo; there's a possibility you can survive." If Lucifer was trying to comfort Speranza, then she was failing because the woman wasn't comforted, especially with the word 'possibility' being thrown out there because there was still a chance she could die. "As I've mentioned before, if you catch them on a good day, there's the likelihood that they'll show you mercy."
"Riiight..." Speranza replied with disbelief before releasing a sigh of irritation. "In any case, I don't have much of a choice, so screw it, you got a deal."
"Excellent." Lucifer laughed. "Seven gates, Ms. Russo, refrain from forgetting."
"I'll do what I can," Speranza reassured half-heartedly.
"Remember what I told you, Ms. Russo," Lucifer warned. "You can hand the phone back to Generic. Best of luck, Ms. Russo."
"Here ya go." Speranza handed Generic her phone. "Thanks for the help, Genny. I owe ya one."
"Ms. Morningstar." Generic stood poised, patiently awaiting her boss's next directive.
"Generic; Ms. Russo and I have reached a beneficial agreement," Lucifer explained. "The remaining details shall be divulged by her. Do expect to receive further communication from my end. My senses are attuned to every corner of the world, and I will be keeping a watchful eye on the progress of Ms. Russo. Until we meet again."
Lucifer's gloved finger danced across the 'end call' button, and with a decisive tap, the call was severed. Generic and Speranza were left to their own devices, the silent atmosphere a welcome respite for Spera's frayed nerves.
"Perfetto," Speranza spoke in Italian
"What exactly did you and Ms. Morningstar settle upon?" Curiosity had taken hold of Generic. Rarely did Lucifer engage in bargaining with mortals, and when she did, the outcome was far from satisfactory. The mortals advise against making deals with the Devil because they usually end badly. "My imagination leads me to believe that whatever it is, it will be advantageous for the both of you."
"If want to get out of Hell, I have to pass through the Seven Gates of Hell," Speranza informed. "Seven Gates of Hell. What kind of name is that?"
If looks could kill Generic would be a killer. "Seven Gates of Hell...?" Generic had a troubled look on her face. "Are you aware of your actions?"
"Yeah, I do, but what other choice do I have to work with, Genny?" Speranza shook her head. "Either I try it or I spend my life in Hell."
"Journeying across the treacherous Seven Gates of Hell is no easy feat, reserved only for the strongest of high-level demons." If Generic tried to convince Speranza to abandon her goal, she was doing a poor job. "The guardians of the infernal gates are fierce and merciless, ready to tear you apart at the slightest provocation. Even if you manage to evade their wrath, the grotesque beasts that roam the fiery underworld will be waiting to pounce on you." Generic gave Speranza a saddened look that admittedly tugged at her heartstrings. "This is my fault; if I had known that Ms. Morningstar would have you traversing the Seven Gates of Hell, I would have intervened to see if I could have persuaded her to do something else. She has tasked you with a mission that is impossible for mere mortals to complete."
"Take it easy, Gen." Spera set a hand on Generic's shoulder, trying to calm her down, and it worked somewhat. "You did nothin' wrong."
"But..." Generic attempted to counter-argument, but was stopped by Speranza, who stuck her hand out.
"I knew what I was getting into, and still took the deal." Speranza folded her arms, her back resting against a wall. "Dumb folks do dumb stuff."
"I just feel as though I should have acted when I had the chance." Generic sighed. "There's not much I know about you, but you seem nice"
"Look, Genny, if you want to atone for your 'wrongdoings', you can start by tagging along," Spera suggested to Generic's surprise.
"You...you want me to join you?" Generic was stunned. "Why me? I don't think I'll be of any assistance."
Speranza patted Generic on the head, eliciting a small blush from the white-haired demon woman. "Don't be a Debbie Downer, Genny. You have a better understanding of Hell than I do, and coming along with me means you don't have to do any work; a nice break never hurt anybody...I hope."
Generic actually gave it some thought before ultimately coming to a decision. "If you insist on me accompanying you, I will do so." Spera smiled in response. "Do note that I lack combat skills, so I can only supply you with knowledge." Generic was a lady of many things, a fighter wasn't one of those things; in fact, she disapproved of violence in general and wanted nothing to do with it. What she lacked in brawn, she made up for in brain; the Regular Demon was a smart cookie, as many people, particularly her parents, have stated.
"I'll take what I can get." In Speranza's eyes, anything was better than nothing. "Where do we start? Lucifer never told me where the gates were."
"The first gate is located on a remote island," Generic explained. "We have to travel to the pier and then board a boat."
"That's it? Should be simply enough," Speranza said. "Let's get a move on."
"Actually, Ms. Russo, a vehicle is needed to reach the pier," Generic said.
"Do you have one we could use?" Speranza asked.
"Sadly, no." Generic frowned. "My car is in the shop, but a taxi should do; inexpensive and useful, two qualities that everyone appreciates."
"Taxi car it is." Spera decided, spinning around and facing the door leading to the building's exit. "By the way, I'm going to need a piece."
A befuddled expression appeared on Generic's face. "Piece of what?" she asked innocently. "I did not carry any food from home with me."
"A gun." Speranza felt stupid for her lack of lucidity. "I need a gun, Genny."
"A f-firearm...?" Generic asked with worry in her voice. "Why would you need a firearm?"
"For safety?" Speranza replied, feeling like the answer should've been obvious. "What? You think I can survive without some type of weapon?"
"You make a valid claim, Ms. Russo." Generic said before distancing herself from Speranza. "I believe this should help you."
As Generic closed her eyes, a mysterious energy began to swirl around her hands, emanating a deep, mystical hue of purple. Speranza was taken aback by the sudden display of power Generic was demonstrating, unable to comprehend the otherworldly force that seemed to be at play. Although demons were...well, demons, they didn't have access to the magic power that was dormant within them. In order to ensure the utmost safety, Lucifer implemented a strict protocol for the utilization of demonic powers. Only those who have attained a certain level of Demonhood and have been granted permission by the great ruler herself are able to harness their formidable abilities. Curiously enough, alternative paths existed - one involved being born to a high-ranking Demon, while the other involved delving into illicit and unsavory means.
Generic was performing strange movements with her hand, and with succession, a few items materialized out of nowhere and dropped down. The first item was a silver Heckler and Koch USP adorned with the word 'hope' in elegant cursive, while the following items were a tactical bowie knife boasting a handle with a camouflage motif, a holster for the handgun, and another holster for the bowie knife. A happy grin stretched across Speranza's face as she laid her eyes on the handy tools. The woman with the half-shaven head turned to Generic and show her appreciation with a tight but affectionate embrace, causing the demoness to blush once more.
"You're amazing, Gen!" Speranza complimented. "It's not much, but it'll get me somewhere! Awesome job!"
"You flatter me with your words, Ms. Russo." Generic, still flushed from her earlier, remarked. "I would have conjured much better weapons, but I have yet to master my magic and remain a novice. The mystical prowess of Demons amplifies with each usage of their sorcery, but I rarely utilize mine, and when I do, it's merely for trivial matters."
"Pro or amateur, it makes no difference to me," Speranza commented with a shrug of her shoulders. "It's practical and kicks ass." Speranza picked up the gun and knife holsters from the ground, adorning herself with them like a soldier would, with one around her waist, and the other around her ankle, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. "Now then." Speranza turned to Generic, giving her a wide smile. "We doing this or what?"
"Let's." Generic had an equally wide smile on her face.
Speranza extended her fist towards Generic, who was initially perplexed by the gesture, but after a fleeting moment of contemplation, the kind demoness understood the meaning behind Spera's action and reciprocated the friendly gesture.
A fist bump.
TO BE CONTINUED
Ladies and gentlemen, behold the debut chapter of my newest Helltaker story. Although it may seem small now, rest assured that with each passing chapter, it will grow and flourish into something (hopefully) magnificent. Get the Hell Out! (or GtHO!) is set to be a thrilling adventure centered around action and combat. However, don't think for a second that there won't be any room for flirting and sexual tension.
Setting that aside, I want to talk about my character, Speranza Russo. Fun fact: Speranza means 'hope' in Italian, so if you didn't know that before, you do now. Speranza is the main protagonist of GtHO! She's a feisty Italian-American lady hailing from the bustling streets of New York City, complete with a thick accent. Spera is a (mostly) kind and easygoing woman, but don't let that trick you into thinking she's soft; she's got a low tolerance for BS and will be more than happy to show you. Spera won't be entering a relationship with the other females of the Helltaker-verse (not to my knowledge, at least), but she will be on good terms with them.
Moving on from Spera, I intend for GtHO to have a Saints Row/Sunset Overdrive vibe to it, where it's goofy as all hell yet understands when to dial it down when it comes down to serious moments; of course, I won't go the whole nine yards to where it's pretty much a carbon copy, but you see where I'm coming from, right? Right.
Expect all kinds of shenanigans to happen in this story, and I'll see you later. Review and share with friends; your support would be well-appreciated. Take care :)