Summary: With crystal-clear instructions, Speranza embarks on a journey to reach Lucifer's castle and get the hell out of...well, Hell. Is she capable of pulling it off? She definitely hopes so, otherwise, she'll be spending the rest of her existence in Hell, and living in a chaos-filled realm isn't exactly a dream of hers.

Fact #1: There is a ranking system within Demon society. The first rank represents the lower class, the second rank represents the middle class, and the last rank represents the upper class.

Low class: The lower Demons are considered average Demons, possessing a strength that mirrors that of mere mortals. While they may possess a slight edge in power, it's not substantial enough to tip the scales in any significant way, and can be killed through normal weaponry like guns and such. Demons of lower social status are often looked down upon by those of higher social standing, although advancement is possible, but it's not easy and takes years to achieve.

Middle class: In comparison to lower Demons, middle Demons are above-average beings with with incredible power, yet they pale in comparison to upper Demons. Middle Demons can be killed, albeit not through conventional weaponry, but rather an equivalent level of power or exceptional proficiency. They may not be subjected to the cruel treatment endured by the lower echelons of society, but they certainly aren't hailed as the epitome of greatness like the invention of sliced bread. Similar to lower Demons, they have the ability to excel and ascend to upper status.

Upper class: Upper Demons are viewed as the epitome of excellence within Demon society, a coveted aspiration for every Demon, regardless of the potential risks it may entail. Upper demons possess exceptional power that surpasses that of both lower and middle demons. Killing an upper Demon is exceedingly challenging; yes, they can be killed, but it requires a considerable degree of power and exceptional combat skills. Upper Demons are held in high regard within Demon society and are provided with access to special benefits.

Weapons:

*Handgun/ A personal firearm that belongs to Speranza and assembled by Generic through the use of demonic magic. Speranza's handgun is much stronger than a regular handgun and fires bullets at a faster rate. Pros: practical, easy to operate, handy. Cons: bullets are required for use, only useful against low-level to occasional mid-level Demons.

*Tactical knife/ A sharp melee weapon used by Speranza and created by Generic. In the event that Speranza finds herself in a bind, with no escape in sight, her trusty tactical knife should do the trick and come to her rescue, allowing her to break free and make an escape. A swift and precise strike to the intended target, be it the head, neck, torso, or any other anatomical region, shall undoubtedly achieve the desired outcome. Pros: practical, easy to operate, handy. Cons: close range is required for use, only useful against low-level to occasional mid-level Demons, and can be broken if too much damage is inflicted.

Lucifer laughed that haughty laugh of hers as she watched Speranza and Generic from a small television on her desk with a glass of fine wine in her hand. It appeared that the mortal woman, Speranza, was going to make an effort to finish her mission, although she really didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Then there was Generic. Generic's presence was unexpected, but nonetheless intriguing; the Regular Demon had a kind heart, which was not a common attribute in Hell, so, of course, she was going to lend Speranza her aid. Lucifer took a swig of her wine. Damn, that was the good stuff. The Queen of Hell rose from her seat and surveyed the skeleton-themed guardians protecting her castle from intruders as she viewed them from her window.

"Ah, this is going to be interesting." Ironically, Hell doesn't see much activity, so Lucifer was looking forward to a good show.

XxX

Speranza and Generic found themselves on a dock, standing in front of a cloaked figure and a motorboat that was somehow able to withstand lava without crumbling to ashes. As a non-native of Hell, Speranza was confused, but based on what she could see around her, she had an inkling of what was about to occur. In silence, Generic approached the mysterious figure without a hint of fear in her body and presented a card of identification. The hooded figure acknowledged the ID with a subtle nod and gracefully moved aside, allowing access to the motorboat. As the motorboat awaited its passengers, Generic took the lead and hopped on board, with Speranza following closely behind, but not before receiving a hostile glance from the guard. How strange. Evidently, the residents of Hell weren't used to seeing humans...living ones, at least.

"You know how to operate one of these things?" Sailing wasn't Generic's forte, but luckily, Speranza was there to save the day...hopefully.

"Nope." Generic pouted in response. "But..." Generic felt a glimmer of hope. "The phrase 'first time for everything' exists for a reason."

Speranza noticed a handle belonging to a rope start. Bingo. The woman of mixed heritage was no stranger to such devices, having seen them on her lawn mower and other machinery. Speranza grabbed the handle and pulled hard, trying to start the boat's motor, but to no avail. Goddammit. The former huffed and pulled once again, only to receive the same outcome as before. Still nothing? Generic attempted to lend a hand with a touch of witchcraft, but her efforts in trying to be of help were ignored as Speranza let out an annoyed growl, and with one final tug, the motor started, unleashing a loud roar, and the motorboat was ready to go.

Speranza fist pumped. "Alright!" Generic, assuming the role of a supporter, clapped her hands in delight. "Where to, Captain Genny?"

Generic giggled at being regarded as a captain. "Just go straight ahead."

Having been given clear directions, Speranza clutched the handle of the motorboat and took off without falter. The motorboat was an aggressive son of a gun, and Speranza had to be cautious and maneuver it with finesse, lest she be thrown off and face a lava-induced end. Overall, the boat voyage was smooth and admittedly enjoyable, and at the rate it was traveling, it would arrive at its destination in no time.

"So far, so good." Speranza was gazing at the surrounding ocean of magma. How she didn't pass out from the extreme heat? It was anyone's guess. It was likely that Generic had invoked a spell of fire resistance when no one was watching, but that didn't matter...mostly. What DID matter was the journey in search of the first gate, followed by the next one, and the next one until the final gate was reached. "All I need to do is get to the first gate, and we're good for go-"

"Above you!"

Out of nowhere, a swarm of spherical, crimson creatures with nothing except bat-like wings, small ears, and jagged yet sharpened teeth encircled the motorboat, causing a flurry of commotion. Generic seemed to be familiar with the demonic creatures, but the same thing couldn't be applied to Speranza, who, once again, wasn't a native of Hell. Speranza cast a puzzled glance toward Generic, imploring her to shed some light on the situation, but before he could utter a word, one of the demonic critters suddenly unleashed a clamorous sonic scream from its gaping maw, causing Speranza and Generic to instinctively shield their ears from the overwhelming assault.

"So! Damn! Loud!" Every part of Speranza's body was vibrating, almost feeling like it was going to burst. The Italian-American woman knew what she had to do to stay alive, but doing it was easier said than and done. "I just need to..." Speranza removed a hand from her ear and made an effort to reach for her handgun, but she found it almost impossible to move because of the sound waves her attacker was emitting from their unholy screeching; good god, it felt as if she had weights strapped to her arms and they were trying to pull her down. "Come on! Come on!" Speranza's hand trembled intensely as she was desperately reaching for her holster. "Almost there!" With pure willpower, Speranza managed to grab ahold of her firearm, drawing it out of its holster with a firm grip. The brunette took a deep breath, balancing her aim as best as she could, and locked onto the target - the little gnat responsible for her brief suffering, and with a resounding bang, she let the bullet fly.

BANG!

The wailing creature was incognizant of the projectile's trajectory due to its lack of eyes, yet the impact was unmistakable and excruciating. With a deafening shriek of agony, the vermin's round body converted into a lifeless heap of ash before being whisked away by the balmy breeze. The remaining members of the crimson creature seemed to be either oblivious to their comrade's demise or simply apathetic, displaying a level of indifference that was almost disturbing.

With her body back under her command, Speranza turned to Generic, her arms folded and looking for an explanation. "Okay, there is a LOT that needs to be explained here." Speranza gestured to the flying creatures. "What in God's name are those things and why the hell are they bothering us?"

"Those grotesque things are called Sonituses, but most people call them Shriekers," Generic explained. "These pesky creatures of the lower echelon are a constant nuisance in this region, harassing whoever they can find with their superior hearing. As their name suggests, they possess the remarkable ability to unleash ear-splitting screams that can shatter glass and rattle bones, but don't let that strike fear in you because they're as fragile as a butterfly's wing and can be taken care of with ease. In the grand scheme of things, they're nothing but insects scurrying about in the vast expanse of the world."

"Thanks for the knowledge." Speranza cocked her gun, a fresh new bullet in the chamber and ready to be fired. "These Shriekers, or whatever the hell Generic called them. If I can just take them out before they start screaming like a kid in an online game lobby, I should be okay."

"Be careful," Generic warned. "While I did say that they were weak, they're actually effective when they're together rather than separated."

"I'll keep that in mind." Speranza lifted her handgun with both her hands, trembling a little as the weapon she was using was hefty and was doing her best to maintain balance. As the Shriekers prepared to unleash their ear-splitting screams, Speranza sprang into action, expertly dispatching them with two swift and precise shots to their diminutive craniums. One Shrieker, in particular, flew above Speranza, determined to turn the mortal into a fine paste with its ear-splitting shriek, but the latter was quick to act, seizing the creature by its cheeks and forcefully slamming it onto the boat before grabbing their knife and plunged it into its body, reducing it to ashes. Speranza huffed. "Annoying runts..."

"We need to keep going," urged Generic. "More will Sonituses will come if we dawdle."

"Don't have to tell me twice, Genny." Speranza assumed control over her and Generic's motorboat and continued on with their journey, but a small swarm of Shriekers descended upon them, their shrill cries piercing the air. Aggravated, Speranza drew her handgun and proceeded to unleash a hail of bullets, expertly taking down the frenzied creatures one by one. "Those things are really starting to get on my nerves."

"Same," Generic agreed. "We tried to get rid of them, but some have argued that they're a natural part of life and have a right to coexist with us."

"Obviously, these people haven't been face-to-face with the pests." A Shrieker charged at Speranza like a raging missile, only to end up getting shot and killed for its efforts. So much for that. "If they did, they would be on our side and want these things dead." A Shrieker was flying behind Generic, endeavoring to attack her while she wasn't looking, but it was caught by a none-too-thrilled Speranza and was rewarded for its cowardice with a headshot. "I mean, come on..." Another Shrieker took flight above Speranza, but it was met with a swift end as the mortal expertly dispatched it with a knife to its minuscule cranium, all without even bothering to glance in its direction. "Who even likes these things?"

"Impressive progress, Ms. Russo; you're becoming quite skilled at this," Generic complimented.

Speranza smiled, guiding her boat forward. "Can't get far by doing nothing, Gen," she said. "Fingers crossed we won't be seeing them again."

XxX

Speranza and Generic's brief, Shrieker-filled journey had finally led them to an isolated island, a mysterious oasis in the vast expanse of nothing. The only landmark in sight was a grand gate, standing tall and proud amidst. Generic and Speranza gave each other a celebratory fist bump for a job well done. The Seven Gates towered before the ladies, their intricate designs and imposing presence tempting them to unlock their secrets and explore the unknown beyond. With each gate conquered, they would move closer to their ultimate destination. All they had to do was pass through the first gate and continue on their path.

"Here goes...something." Speranza set her hands on the wooden doors that were taller than her body and tried to push them open, but they weren't budging. Speranza let out a frustrated sigh and applied more force to the doors, but to no avail, they remained steadfast and unyielding. With a face full of irritation, Speranza shifted her attention toward Generic. "Damn thing won't move; does it need Herculean levels of strength or something? If so, I can wholeheartedly say that I'm screwed."

"Only high-level Demons are permitted to cross the gates, whereas low to mid-level Demons require authorization to gain entry," Generic clarified. "I do apologize for not having informed you earlier. I assumed that Ms. Morningstar would have provided you with temporary access, but it appears that my assumption was incorrect." Generic approached the first of the Seven Gates and easily pushed it open, revealing a reddish-orange portal. "As a Demon of high rank, I possess the power to pass through the gates and grant passage to those who seek to travel alongside me."

"Good as always, Genny." Speranza patted Generic's shoulder. "Glad I brought you along; without you, I'd be toast."

"Always happy to help." Generic smiled.

Speranza took a step in front of the swirling portal in front of her, the left side of her hair blown back slightly from the power that was emanating from it. Speranza turned to Generic and presented the Regular Demon with a firm nod before jumping through the portal with the latter following suit and entering the portal alongside her.

XxX

"Holy hell..." Speranza's eyes were wide with complete shock and awe.

Holy hell, indeed.

Speranza and Generic found themselves perched atop a reddish-orange bridge constructed of demonic, otherworldly energy, stretching out before them in a straight and narrow path, which was linked from one portal to another. Speranza was captivated by the stunning panorama before her, yet the environment surrounding her was even more awe-inspiring. In the heart of a mysterious, black-as-night realm, Speranza stood amidst a celestial tapestry of twinkling stars and uninhabited planets that outshone even the mightiest celestial body in the realm of mortals, punctuated by a fiery, amber haze that seemed to dance and flicker in the air. In the deepest void, ethereal creatures roamed freely, indulging in their whims and fancies. These majestic beasts exuded an aura of immense power, warning all who dared to cross their path that they were not to be taken lightly. There were mountain-sized dragons, wolves forged entirely of lightning, flaming horses, and an extensive array of powerful beasts.

"Genny..." Speranza's voice was soft, practically whispering. "Where..." There was a small pause. "Where are we?"

"Tenebrae Regnum," Generic explained without falter.

To say that Speranza was perplexed would be a gross understatement. "Tenebrae what?"

"Tenebrae...Regnum." Generic explained again, but in a manner where Speranza could understand it a little better than before. "Upon traversing through the Seven Gates, one inevitably arrives at this very location. Tenebrae Regnum is a boundless realm situated between the Seven Gates, and the bridge upon which we are presently standing serves as a thoroughfare to traverse from one gate to another."

"I see, I see," Speranza murmured, rubbing her chin. "What about them?" Speranza gestured to the beasts. "Are these the guardians?"

"No." Generic shook her head. "Those are Hell Beasts, ancient entities endowed with immense power, capable of rivaling and even surpassing, on certain occasions, the might of high-ranking Demons. Ms. Morningstar has transferred them to Tenebrae Regnum for the sake of protecting Hell and all its inhabitants, as well as herself, of course."

"Why? Are they evil or something?" Speranza inquired.

"It's quite a stretch to categorize them as inherently evil." Speranza was puzzled. Okay, if they weren't evil, then what the hell were they? "Their primal impulses guide their actions, and those impulses don't always align with conventional morality."

Speranza arched an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

"Like the beasts of the wild, their actions are fueled by their fundamental drives and desires. For some, the thrill of the hunt is simply irresistible, even if that means tracking down Demons. To their own perception, they don't view it as malevolent; rather, they regard it as an innate aspect of their being. " Speranza was starting to see where Generic was coming from. "The Hell Beasts are dangerous creatures that must be contained in a secure location to prevent them from unleashing chaos and wreaking havoc upon the Underworld."

"Glad we don't have anything like that back in my world...I hope." Speranza could never be too sure. "Question, why aren't they attacking us?"

"The bridge and gateways are protected by a barrier that prevents Hell Beasts from destroying them," Generic explained. "We should be safe."

"Thank god for that..." Speranza mused. "Don't feel like being killed by those things."

Beyond the confines of the barrier, the Hell Beasts indulged in their own peculiar pastimes. Some drifted aimlessly through the weightless void, while others slumbered soundly. And then there were those who engaged in friendly bouts of combat, not out of spite, but simply for the thrill of it. For these creatures, there was nothing quite as exhilarating as a good old-fashioned brawl. One Hell Beast, the previously mentioned dragon of colossal proportion, opened its maw wide and charged a powerful attack using demonic energy. With a deafening roar, the mighty dragon unleashed an energy-based mouth blast toward a smaller dragon, but the aforementioned dragon was quick and dodged the attack with their impressive speed. The energy blast soared through the air, hurtling toward the distance with incredible force before ultimately exploding, releasing a blinding light and obliterating countless stars and planets that had the misfortune of being in proximity.

"Hot damn..." Speranza was awestruck. "These guys don't play around."

"And they're only roughhousing." Speranza stared at Generic like she had a zit on her face. "They tend to do that from time to time."

Roughhousing entailed obliterating stars and planets?

Wow, Hell was crazier than Speranza thought.

"We should leave before they start taking it seriously," Generic said. "Once they delve deeper into their fighting, their ferocity intensifies."

With a final glance at the Hell Beasts, Speranza strode away, accompanied by her steadfast companion, Generic. They approached the first gate and confidently passed through it, leaving the beasts behind. What sort of marvels did the women have in store for them after they passed through the gateway? Well, they would have to walk through and see it for themselves.

XxX

It would be a massive understatement to say that the Lust Demon, Modeus, was having a bad day. The afternoon was on the horizon, and she still hadn't had sex with anyone. Seriously, there were people everywhere, men and women alike, and not one of them wanted to have sex with her, HER! Unbe-freaking-lievable! She was the go-to person for that kind of stuff, so what was the big idea? Although not quite as arrogant as her boss, Lucifer, she possessed a certain confidence in her appearance and undeniable allure that would certainly make people want to desire her.

"This sucks..." Modeus pouted. Everyone's favorite (or not so favorite, depending on one's viewpoint), heart-coated Demon was currently sitting in a small diner, looking out a window and watching her fellow Demons either purchasing goods, eating at other restaurants, or conversing with one another. "A boring day with no sex? This is the worst."

Suddenly, Modeus felt a vibration in her tight pants, and it wasn't the kind of pleasure, but rather the 'someone's calling' kind.

"Hmm?" Modeus reached into her pants and pulled out a phone. "Modeus speaking; do you want to have s-"

"Modeus."

To Modeus' astonishment, Lucifer was on the other line. It wasn't that she was unaccustomed to hearing from the latter, but typically, their conversations were strictly professional, leaving no room for anything else. She could only wonder what her boss wanted from her this time.

"Luci? Why're you calling me? Is there something you need?" Modeus hoped her boss was calling for a favor; she needed a cure for her ennui.

"I want to inform you that there's a mortal woman currently in Hell." Modeus was shocked. A mortal woman in Hell? How was that possible? Did Luci bring her there or something? For a Human to find themselves in Hell, they must've had some form of magic power backing them up. "She has successfully passed the first gate and is currently en route to the second one."

"So you're calling because you want me to stop her?" Modeus asked. "I think I can do that, and I want to see her for myself."

"Yes, but also no." Modeus was confused. The hell did 'yes, but also no' mean? "I was the one who instructed the mortal woman to traverse the Seven Gates of Hell and reach my castle, you see. The mortal expressed her deep desire to depart from Hell. Fortunately for her, I was in a good mood, so I presented her with a challenge: traverse the Seven Gates and make it to my abode. Upon the successful completion of the aforementioned endeavor, I will return her to the domain of mortals, or Earth for simpler terms."

Modeus was scratching her head. "I don't get it," she said. "Where do I come in?"

"As the guardian of the second gate, it is your responsibility to stop those who wish to harm me or those without permission from entering, correct?" Modeus nodded, but even then, she didn't get where Luci was coming from. "Do as a guardian should and try to prevent her from entering the second gate; refrain from murdering her and certainly don't make it easy for her to pass. I want the mortal woman to face a challenge; after all, she stated that she would do anything to return home, and I want to see if her words are true. Challenges are called challenges for a reason, and you would be surprised what a person can do when they have a goal in mind."

"Stop her? I can do that." Modeus got up from her booth and left the diner she was in. "Not as thrilling as sex, but it'll have to do."

"Excellent." Lucifer clapped her hands together. "I will send you additional information later; best of luck, Lust Demon."

Lucifer hung up. Modeus was uncertain about what to feel, but she was certain about one thing: it will be intriguing.

XvX

Speranza and Generic were walking through a section of a small town, their expressions a combination of surprise and embarrassment. They couldn't quite wrap their heads around the sights that lay before them, leaving them feeling bewildered. Why the strange reactions? Well, it was because they were in a district. What district exactly? A red light district, and those who were familiar with the concept of a red light district were well aware of its implications. Horny people...very horny people. A rosy hue spread across Generic's cheeks as she made an effort to maintain her composure, while Speranza kept her gaze low, avoiding any entanglement in the current situation.

"Reach the end of the goal, Spera...just reach the end of the goal." Speranza clasped Generic's hand as they made their way through the seedy red light district, ignoring the unsavory remarks hurled their way by the Demons around them - a motley crew of pimps and streetwalkers.

Yikes...

"Genny, where the hell are we?" Speranza was getting annoyed; if she received one more compliment, she was going to let loose hot lead.

"Libidine, the famous city of passion and romance," Generic replied. "If you're in the mood for a passionate escapade with the man or woman you love, look no further than Libidine. This sultry destination is sure to satisfy all your lustful desires. Of course, love and romance aren't the only reasons to go; there's also the option for one to...let off some steam."

"That would explain all the...ugh." Speranza sighed, shaking her head. "Forget it. Let's just make it to the third gate and leave this hellhole behind, alright? We can only hope that whatever is on the other side is far less unnerving than what we have here." Generic pulled on the collar of her shirt as she looked the other way. Evidently, the Regular Demon knew something her mortal partner didn't and would keep to herself until otherwise.

Little did Speranza and Generic know, a pair of red eyes were fixated on them, though it seemed that only Speranza had caught the attention of their mysterious observer, leaving Generic to carry on obliviously. Who was the mysterious watcher? It was Modeus. From the moment Modeus was told about Speranza, her curiosity was piqued and she couldn't resist the urge to meet the mortal woman in person. It was a well-known fact among those who knew Modeus that once she set her sights on someone, there was only one inevitable outcome.

Modeus was panting heavily, droplets of sweat from arousal streaming down her face. "She's a cutie..." she said. "I could just eat her up."

With a goal in mind, Modeus went on the move, like a predator hunting its prey. Modeus was the hunter, and Speranza was the prey.

XxX

In a different, less salacious part of Libidine, Speranza and Generic were standing near a bus bench. Why? Well, it was due to the fact that there were no cabs available for them at the moment, so the bus was the next best option, but it wouldn't be coming for quite some time, so they had a lot of time to wait for it. After pondering for a while, Speranza came to a realization that Hell was surprisingly ordinary, or at least as ordinary as Hell could ever be. If one overlooked the tumultuous elements such as infernal creatures, molten magma, and all that, it was akin to being on Earth; bustling metropolises, technology, and all the usual amenities were present. Perhaps influenced by the many depictions of Hell seen on television, Speranza expected to find nothing but rocks and brimstone everywhere; guess she was wrong.

"Trash ass internet." Speranza was trying to keep herself occupied by looking at videos on her phone, but the connection was too sluggish.

"Ms. Morningstar has been experiencing difficulties in tackling the internet connectivity issue in Hell." Generic said.

"This place really is Hell," Speranza joked. "Look, we're going to be waiting here for a while, so why don't we check out that bar in the meantime?" Across the street from Speranza and Generic, there was a decent-looking bar. "After everything we've been through, we deserve a nice break, wouldn't you agree?"

Generic had to agree with Speranza; downtime would be nice until their next trip. "I don't see why not," she said. "However, I'm not a drinker."

"That's fine." Speranza wasn't much of a drinker either; yeah, she occasionally shared a beer or two with her pals, but she never went beyond.

As Speranza and Generic got up and were about to cross the street, a sudden and unsettling sound of labored breathing crept up behind them.

"What in the...? Am I tripping or do you hear breathing?" Speranza asked, cleaning her ear.

"I also hear it; I assumed it was just in my imagination," Generic replied.

"Speranza Russo..."

Speranza and Generic exchanged glances before slowly turning to find Modeus gazing at them. Speranza, in particular, was met with a smoldering look of lust and desire that she found incredibly off-putting. Naturally, the biracial woman was taken aback by the unexpected arrival of the Lust Demon, Modeus, but Generic seemed to know who she was.

"What in the fu..."

Modeus leaned forward, her ample chest pressing up against Speranza's; there was a very noticeable size difference between the two ladies; what Modeus possessed, Speranza lacked, but that wasn't what mattered. Speranza and Modeus locked eyes, the black eyes of the former meeting the red, heart-filled eyes of the latter. Modeus' heart was pounding. There was only one thing on the Lust Demon's mind, and she was determined to obtain it by any means necessary; if she had to...make the mortal woman see things from her perspective, then she would do so without hesitation.

"You and me...right here, right now~" Modeus' tail was wagging in excitement. "Come on, you know you want to~"

"I...I don't even...W H A T?" Speranza's mind was trying to make sense of what was going on, but it was failing horribly. "Who even are you?"

In an effort to diffuse the situation, Generic whisked Modeus away from Speranza. "Please excuse Ms. Modeus' behavior, Ms. Russo."

"Genny, who is this chick?" Speranza asked. "Is she a friend of yours or something? If so, the hell's her damage?"

"Why are you stopping me Generic?" Modeus whined like a child. "You're ruining my fun."

"This is Modeus, the Lust Demon." Generic held Modeus in a tight headlock, preventing the Demon from escaping and having her way with Speranza. "As expected from a person bearing the moniker 'Lust Demon', Modeus is a woman who boasts a strong libido and possesses expertise in matters pertaining to sexuality. Furthermore, she assumes the role of guardian of the second gate."

"She's one of the guardians?" Speranza raised a brow in confusion. "Lucifer said the guardians were fierce and stuff; she doesn't look fierce."

"Let me go, Generic." Modeus was struggling to break free, which prompted Generic to tighten her hold on her. "I won't hurt her, I promise."

Generic didn't believe Modeus for even a single second. The Regular Demon had known the Lust Demon for a while, so she was aware of all the situations the latter had gotten themselves into due to being too rough during their lovemaking. Hospital bills. Lots and lots of hospital bills. Modeus, the naughty troublemaker, had managed to stir up quite the commotion. Countless complaints flooded in, each one landing on the desks of either Generic, Pandemonica or even Lucifer. It seemed that Modeus had a knack for obliviously causing chaos wherever she went.

"Why are you even here, Generic?" Modeus questioned. "Trying to stake my claim? I already called dibs, so don't even think about it."

"You don't have dibs over jack." Speranza honestly didn't know what was going on anymore. "Seriously, get a grip on yourself, woman."

"I'm not trying to stake anything, Ms. Modeus," Generic answered, having the patience of a monk. "I'm simply trying to help, Ms. Russo."

"So you can get on her good side and get a chance to fu-"

"No!" Speranza and Generic shouted simultaneously

"She's trying to help me, so I can get out of here." Speranza facepalmed, desperately holding onto her sanity for dear life.

Modeus was puzzled. "Why would someone want to leave Hell?" she asked. "Hell is a nice place. How did a living human end up here, anyway?"

"I screwed up." Speranza started. "I read some kind of magic book that I shouldn't have read, and it led me here. To cut a long tale short, I made a bargain with Lucifer to traverse the Seven Gates of Hell and reach her castle so she could return me home. I passed through the first gate and now I need to go through the second, but it's taking a while because the bus is running late."

"A human going through the Seven Gates of Hell?" Modeus was shocked, intrigued...and also aroused, even more so than usual. "You fool; they will rip you to shreds...and I have to see it." If Modeus was attempting to get into Speranza's pants (although it is highly unlikely), she was clearly unsuccessful, as evidenced by the uncomfortable expression on the mortal woman's face. "You're better off staying here with me. Hell isn't that bad; I'll be more than happy to make your time as comfortable as possible~"

"How about no?" Modeus pouted at Speranza's harsh words. "I don't have time to be dealing with the coochies of random chicks." Speranza started walking away but paused to glance back at Modeus, who was still being restrained by Generic, the Regular Demon slowly losing her grip on her horny friend. "Feel free to come along and hang out with us at the bar, but don't hold your breath for anything exciting to occur while you're there."

Speranza walked off and entered the bar.

Modeus blinked twice. "She...she didn't want me..."

"Ms. Russo is more concerned with escaping from Hell than having intercourse with you, Ms. Modeus," Generic said. "Cheer up; there are other people you can have sexual relations with." Generic finally released Modeus from her surprisingly strong hold. "Plus, she did say that you could hang out with her, so it's not a complete loss."

"But I don't want to drink, I want to fu-"

"Just take it for what it is, Ms. Modeus," Generic said, interjecting Modeus. "Some things aren't meant to happen."

"Yeah..." Modeus extended her arm and conjured a comically large sledgehammer. "But I can change that. Broken legs never hurt anyone."

Generic rolled her eyes. "Oh, for the love of all things..." Generic snatched Modeus' sledgehammer and threw it away.

CRASH!

"MEOW!"

"Why can't you be on my side for once, Generic?" Modeus sighed.

"Because your side always leads to trouble, now come on." Generic hated having to be a killjoy, but sometimes it was necessary. Generic grabbed Modeus' hand and dragged her into the bar, heaving a long sigh as she did so. "Earlier, I said I wasn't a drinker, but dealing with Modeus may cause me to change my mind. Ironically, she's the least troublesome of the guardians, especially when compared to Ms. Cerberus. If you remove her desire for sexual activity, she's not that bad of a person."

Generic and Modeus entered the bar, and unbeknownst to them, a group of thuggish men, dressed entirely in black, were observing them from a distance, mostly Modeus. Who were these men? Nobody but themselves knew, but judging by their serious expression and persistent stalking of Modeus, they seemed to have some kind of vendetta against the buxom woman.

"Is that her?" asked one of the men.

"Yeah," replied another man. "We get in, kill her, then get out. Do that and the boss will be happy."

"Alright..." A third man, armed with a submachine gun, chimed while loading his weapon with bullets. "Let's go..."

XxX

Upon entering the pub, Speranza, Generic, and Modeus were greeted by a presentable interior. It wasn't particularly remarkable, but neither was it unpleasant. The establishment resembled a typical bar, with patrons socializing amongst themselves and the bartender dutifully attending to the customers. Speranza and Generic admired the interior, whereas Modeus admired the patrons, with inappropriate thoughts plaguing her mind.

"Welcome to Diligat, señoras!" greeted a bartender, speaking with a thick Spanish accent. "Names Picante. What can I get you, today?"

"Your d-" Modeus was rewarded by a backhanded smack from Speranza. "Owie..."

"Excuse my buddy," Speranza apologized. "I'm new here, so I'll take whatever you have to offer. As for them? That's their choice."

"I'll just take a glass of water, please." Water, a straightforward and uncomplicated option, making it suitable for Generic.

"You got it, miel." Picante nodded before turning to Speranza and Modeus. "And for you señoras?"

"And I'll have whatever she's having." Modeus latched onto Speranza's arm, but the biracial mortal pulled her off. "Meanie."

"Will two Llameante Cervezas suit your interests, bellezas?" Picante asked.

Speranza didn't know what the hell Llameante Cervezas were, but they sounded good to her. "Yeah, that's okay with me. Thanks."

"Two Llameante Cervezas and a glass of water. Coming right up," Picante said as he went to work.

"If you don't mind me asking, Ms. Russo-"

"You can just call me Spera, Genny."

"Right, Spera." Generic typically preferred using the titles miss, missus, or mister before addressing individuals by their names or surnames, as a gesture of respect. Therefore, it felt unusual for her to simply say someone's name without a title. However, she will make an effort to discontinue this practice. "What are you going to do when you return to the human world? What lies for you there?"

"Beats the heck out of me, Gen." Speranza replied with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders. "I had already made plans to leave the house before I accidentally sent myself to Hell. If I return and it's still daylight, let alone the same day as when I left, then I guess I'll pick up where I left off."

"You know, despite the fact that you're in Hell, you don't appear to be too scared of your current situation." Generic pointed out. "Why is that?"

"Don't get me wrong, Gen; the thought that I'm in Hell and could die if I'm not vigilant enough does scare me, but I won't get very far if I spend all my time freaking out," Speranza explained. "Plus, I'm with you, and you know a lot more than I do, so I feel safer."

"That's..." Generic had a small blush on her face. "That's sweet of you to say, Ms..." Generic paused for a second before continuing. "Spera."

"Hey!" Modeus pouted angrily. "How come Generic gets a compliment and I don't? What's the big idea?"

"She's a sweet person and has been a great help in trying to get me out of Hell. You're not a bad person, or at least I hope not, but you haven't given me many reasons to praise you; also, you want to get into my pants." Modeus huffed adorably, folding her arms under her generous bust. "I don't think I've told you this, but I don't swing that way, so you're better off trying to get jiggy with someone else. I'll be your friend, maybe even your best friend if you want me to be, but that's as far as it goes."

"I think being friends sounds nice." Generic said with a smile that could warm the hearts of many. "Spera is a good friend to have, Ms. Modeus."

"I'd rather be more than friends, but I guess it'll have to do," Modeus muttered to herself. "Friends with benefits is also a thing, so there's that..."

"Here you go señoras." Picante handed Speranza, Generic, and Modeus' their drinks. "A water and two Llameante Cervezas. Disfrutar."

"Thanks for the drinks, chief," Speranza said as she took a sip of her alcoholic beverage. "Hot damn, that's a strong mother. It tastes similar to a McDonald's Sprite, except instead of soda, it contains alcohol and it's much more intense."

"Want me to get you water or something?" Generic asked.

Speranza shook her head. "Nah, I'm cool," she said. "My pops always said that once you've had one stiff drink, you've pretty much had them all."

"Doesn't taste that intense to me." Modeus firmly grabbed her beverage and emptied it in one gulp before setting it down. "See? Not that bad."

"You are really something else, you know that?" Speranza was honestly amused with Modeus. "How you wolfed that down is beyond me."

"It's all in the-"

SLAM!

The doors of Diligat suddenly crash open, attracting the attention of everyone within, and the men who were watching Modeus from far away, stepped through the entryway, each of them wielding a weapon. The customers of Diligat would have quickly left the establishment and gone someplace safer if it weren't for the armed men who were standing in the way of the exit. There was a wide range of responses, but the most common emotions were panic and confusion. Speranza was perplexed, as was Modeus, while Generic was concerned, especially with the weapons she saw, which she was certain were illegal.

Picante was understandably pissed by the unexpected arrival of thugs. "Who the hell are you, payasos?" he growled. "What're you doing here?"

The armed Demons ignored Picante, much to his anger, and faced Modeus. "You have a lot to answer for, Lust Demon," said one of the thugs.

Modeus was naturally puzzled when her name was brought up. "Who are you people?" she asked. "What did I do?"

"A man named Mr. Valentinus?" questioned another man. "Does that name sound familiar to you?"

"No, not at all," Modeus replied flatly, shaking her heart-ridden head. "I don't know anyone by that name. Sorry."

"Mrs. Valentinus does, and she instructed us to relay a message." The thugs in black aimed their firearms at Modeus. "Don't fuck her husband."

Realizing what was about to happen, Speranza's eyes widened. "Oh shit! TAKE COVER!"

Wasted no time, Speranza jumped behind the bar counter of Picante's establishment and hid behind it, with Generic and Modeus promptly following suit, having no desire to be riddled with bullets. As for the remaining patrons within Diligat, they hid behind tables or entered the restroom, which was honestly the best choice. The armed group of Demons pulled the triggers on their weapons and sprayed the bar with bullets in an attempt to murder Modeus.

"THIS IS NOT HOW I SAW MY DAY GOING!" Speranza yelled over the sound of gunfire and drew her weapon from its holster.

"NEITHER DID I!" Picante shouted.

"WHAT DO WE DO!?" Generic asked.

"GENNY! IF YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE WEAPONS USING MAGIC, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN ALSO CREATE A SMOKE GRENADE?!" A smoke grenade should be sufficient and get the job done. A regular grenade would have been preferable, but it would have killed her and everyone inside, in addition to destroying Diligent, so it was ruled out. "IF SO, I GOT AN IDEA, AND IT JUST MIGHT WORK!"

Using her demon magic to her advantage, Generic quickly created a smoke grenade. "HERE!"

"THANKS!" Speranza took the Flashbang from Generic. "I hope this works..."

With a swift and calculated move, Speranza yanked the pin from the smoke grenade, activating it. In a daring display of skill, she hurled the smoke-based explosive device toward the menacing armed men. Amidst the deafening symphony of gunfire, the grenade went unnoticed, silently weaving its way through the chaos. Suddenly, as if emerging from the depths of the abyss, the smoke grenade erupted in a blinding cloud of smoke. The armed men, momentarily stunned and bewildered, ceased their relentless assault, their trigger fingers frozen in confusion.

"WHAT THE HELL!?"

"THE BITCH USED SOME KIND OF SMOKE!"

"KILL HER ASS!"

Speranza mentally cheered. "Hell yeah!"

"I want to help, too. Those jerks tried to kill me." In the blink of an eye, Modeus called forth her ridiculously massive hammer once more. "Can I?"

Speranza shrugged. "The more the merrier," she said. "Anything to get rid of these bastards."

Speranza and Modeus exchanged nods of agreement before springing from behind the bar and picking off the bewildered gunman one by one with their respective weapons. With a thunderous roar, Modeus unleashed the fury of her hammer upon a few hired gunmen, sending them hurtling through the air like ragdolls. The impact was bone-shattering, as their bodies collided with the unforgiving wall. Meanwhile, Speranza was a whirlwind of deadly precision, her guns blazing as she effortlessly dispatched the remaining assailants with lethal accuracy. The biracial woman had never killed before; sure, she had killed Shriekers, but those didn't count; a Demon, however, was an entirely different being as they beings capable of thought and action. Did she feel guilty? Not really; they tried to kill Modeus and were unconcerned with the bar's patrons. Was she surprised by what she was doing? Yes, but she was too preoccupied with surviving at the moment to care.

"Not so good when it happens to you, is it?!" Speranza kicked a shooter in the sack before aiming her gun in their face and pulling the trigger.

BANG!

THUD!

It didn't take long for Speranza and Modeus to deal with the hired gunmen, and by the time they were done, bodies were lying about everywhere, either dead or unconscious. The patrons of Diligat seized the opportunity to promptly leave the premises, as they had no intention of staying in the bar that had recently experienced a violent altercation. The only people remaining were Speranza, Modeus, Generic, Picante, and a very small group of people. Speranza released a pronounced exhalation of relief while rectifying her asymmetrical hair, meticulously brushing it to one side. Modeus, meanwhile, tossed her hammer into the air, causing it to break down into shimmering red particles and subsequently vanish.

Speranza turned to Modeus, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Not bad," she complimented. "Glad I'm not a victim of your hammer."

"It's all in the swings." Modeus flexed her arms; she didn't have as much muscle as certain women she knew, but she still had a little bit of it.

Generic ran up to Speranza and Modeus. "Are you guys okay?" She inquired with concern in her voice. "You're not hurt are you?"

"We're good." Speranza gave Generic a thumbs-up as she surveyed the corpses on the ground. "These guys? Not so much..."

"Jerks." Modeus blew a raspberry as she kicked one of the men, earning a moan from them. "After what you did, you have no right to whine."

"Modeus, they said something about you getting jiggy with some dude named Mr. Valentinus." Speranza pointed out. "Who the hell even is that?"

"As I said before, I have no idea," Modeus responded with a small shrug. "I've had sex with a lot of people, and I don't keep a record of every person I've ever been in bed with, provided they weren't a friend or something. Whoever he is, his wife appears to have a vendetta against me, but I wouldn't be concerned; not many people keep grudges against me...for a number of reasons, of course. If anything, it'll probably blow over."

"I'm not sure about that, Ms. Modeus." Generic scratched her head. "When people seek revenge, they often go to great lengths to achieve it."

"Well those people better back off while they still can," Modeus argued. "They've never seen an angry Modeus and should keep it that way."

"Lest they want you to separate their head from their body with that hammer of yours." Speranza chimed.

"Exactly." Modeus nodded with pride. "After all, I am a high-level Demon for a reason. I don't think they know that, though. Suckers."

"I think we should leave before more of those hooligans show up." Generic suggested. "It's anyone's guess as to what they'll bring next."

"I guess you're right," Speranza had her hands behind her head. "Shame we couldn't stay for long. I was starting to have fun."

Generic reached into her handbag and retrieved a few dollars before graciously placing them on the counter, paying for her and her friend's drinks "Thank you for the drinks, Mr. Picane," she smiled warmly. "I apologize for the inconvenience caused to your establishment. I will inquire with Ms. Morningstar regarding the possibility of arranging repairs for your establishment."

"Thanks..." Picante slowly took hold of Generic's money, still processing what had just transpired in his own damn bar. "Ironically, this isn't the first time something like this has happened; I'd like to hope this is the last time, but I know that's wishful thinking. Either way, thanks for taking care of those culos."

"No problem." Speranza waved her hands

"What are you going to do if those jerks show up again?" Modeus asked.

"Eh, I'll probably use this." From out of nowhere, Picante grabbed a shotgun and slammed on his counter. "Show do the trick, I hope."

"Someone's packing heat," Speranza joked. "Surprised you didn't use that earlier."

"Considering how many dudes were firing their automatic weapons at once, I didn't have much of a chance," Picante said.

"Either way, as long as you're strapped then you're good," Speranza said. "Speaking of strapped..." Speranza knelt down and collected another shotgun that happened to be lying by her side. It originally belonged to a deceased gunwoman she had shot not long ago. "I believe I'll be taking a nice reward for my heroics. Yep, this'll do juuust fine." Speranza could use another weapon in her adventures. As the saying goes, 'waste not, want not'...or perhaps she was thinking of something different. Eh, who the hell cared? The gun was there for her to take, and it looked appealing as well, with a lovely pink and blue design that reminded her of cotton candy. Yummy.

Picante was honestly amused. "Are you sure you can carry that, chica?" he asked. "That shotty looks a bit heavy, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah," Speranza replied. The shotgun really was heavy, requiring two hands. "But I think I'll manage."

"Spera, the bus is here." Generic pointed at a bus that was red and black, which was parked at the bus stop. "Come on, or we'll be late!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Spera said before giving Picante a quick look. "See you later, Picante." Spera look toward the bodies all over the ground. "It would be recommended to take action regarding these guys. If someone, like a police officer or any other authority figure, happens to see you, they will likely ask you some questions." That was true. Nobody wanted a police officer to catch them with dead bodies, even if they had nothing to do with them.

"I'll keep that in mind." Picante said. "Say...I couldn't help but notice that you don't look like a Demon. Is that a disguise, or...?"

"I'm a human." Picante was surprised to hear such a thing. A human in Hell? Talk about crazy. "I read a magic book and ended up here."

"It's wild seeing a living human," Picante admitted. "Other from us Demons, the only other people here are those creepy skeletons and husks."

"Don't I feel like a celebrity." Spera chuckled. "Lucifer was cool enough to give me a chance to escape, so I am currently on a mission."

"We'll don't let me stop you," Picante said. "If you're ever in the mood, stop on by and I'll be glad to serve you."

"I'll keep that in mind." Speranza smiled. "Adios, my friend."

Speranza waved goodbye and left the now-destroy Diligat, carrying a new weapon.

XxX

"Took you long enough," Modeus joked, entering the bus. "Me and Generic were about to leave without you."

Speranza rolled her eyes, not believing Modeus for a second. "I'm sure you would've," she said sarcastically.

"That's enough, you two," Generic chided, lightly pushing Speranza into the bus before entering herself. "We're on a time crunch here."

Once Speranza, Generic, and Modeus all boarded the public transportation that was the bus, it took off without falter. While the bus was en route to its intended location, it was being pursued by sleek black vehicles. The vehicles were being operated by a man wearing black with men and women wearing black as well, carrying weapons in their hands. A specific vehicle contained a woman adorned in a red dress, who gazed at the bus with venom in her blood-red eyes.

"There it is, ma'am," said the driver. "Should we do it now?"

"Do it now..." responded the woman in red, smoking a cigar while looking out the window.

TO BE CONTINUED

And that concludes the second chapter. Did you like it? I hope you did. As promised, I've included many more action scenes; however, I believe I could have done a better job, but at least they're here. As for the characters, specifically Modeus, I attempted to improve her personality so that she doesn't ALWAYS think about sex. I feel like I failed, but I'll get the hang of it eventually. Anywho, make sure to review, tell me what you liked and disliked, and share with friends; your support would be well-appreciated. Take care :)

Trivia:

- Libidine translates to 'Lust' in Latin.
* Diligat translates to 'He loves' in Latin.
* Picante's name translates to 'Spicy' in Spanish.
* Llameante Cervezas translates to 'Flaming Beers' in Spanish.

- The shotgun Speranza takes looks like Guts from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the one Rebecca uses (she's my fav