Makoto was starting to think Hell had its own rules of physics.

The farther he and Justice walked, the stranger the landscape became. What started as jagged canyons and molten cracks eventually gave way to narrow bridges suspended over endless pits of darkness. Stalactites jutted from the cavern ceiling, dripping some kind of glowing red ichor into the rivers of lava below. The oppressive heat hadn't let up, but Makoto was beginning to notice new smells: iron, rot, and something faintly floral, like burning incense.

"Not what you expected, huh?" Justice asked, breaking the silence.

Makoto glanced at her, still panting from the climb. "I-I'm not sure what I expected… but it definitely wasn't this."

Justice chuckled, her boots crunching against the gravel. "Yeah, most people picture fire and screaming and all that classic stuff. Don't get me wrong, we've got plenty of that. But Hell's a lot bigger than you think."

Makoto frowned. "Bigger? Like… how big?"

Justice grinned, pointing upward. "See that?"

Makoto followed her gesture, his eyes widening. Far above them, carved into the walls of the cavern, were massive stone structures. They looked like buildings—castles, fortresses, and even what appeared to be a crumbling cathedral. Red banners hung from the highest towers, flapping in a wind Makoto couldn't feel.

"Those are just the outskirts," Justice said, lowering her arm. "There are towns, cities, entire kingdoms spread across this place. Some of 'em are run by demons, others by… well, let's just say it's a mixed bag."

Makoto swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling over him. "And… all of them hate humans?"

Justice smirked. "Pretty much. You're not exactly a popular species down here."

Makoto sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "Great. That's just what I needed to hear…"

After what felt like hours of walking, they finally reached their destination.

The path opened into a wide clearing, and Makoto's breath caught in his throat. Before him was a sprawling market, its twisting alleys crammed with stalls and tents made from patchwork fabrics. Smoke billowed from chimneys and forges, filling the air with an acrid, metallic tang. Strange red torches lined the pathways, their flames flickering without a visible source of fuel.

The demons themselves were just as bizarre. Hulking brutes with horns and claws stomped past smaller, scuttling creatures that moved on too many legs. Winged figures swooped between the stalls, carrying bundles of goods wrapped in chains. One demon had a second, smaller head growing from its shoulder, and they appeared to be arguing with each other over the price of a bubbling vial.

"Welcome to the Bazaar," Justice said with a dramatic sweep of her arm. "Hell's one-stop shop for all your infernal needs."

Makoto stared, equal parts awestruck and horrified. "This is… a town?"

Justice shrugged. "Kind of. It's more like a neutral zone. Nobody rules the Bazaar—it's a free-for-all. That means no laws, no loyalty, and no mercy."

Makoto paled. "How is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Justice grinned. "Relax. As long as you keep your head down and don't mouth off to anyone, you'll be fine." She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Probably."

Walking through the Bazaar was like stepping into a nightmare carnival.

The stalls were piled high with goods that Makoto couldn't even begin to identify. One merchant was selling what looked like preserved human hearts, each one glowing faintly in glass jars. Another had cages filled with writhing, multi-limbed creatures, their glowing eyes following passersby with unnerving precision.

"Fresh souls!" a demon bellowed from a nearby cart. "Still wriggling! Buy two, get one free!"

Makoto shuddered, quickly averting his gaze. "This place is… something else."

Justice smirked, her hands tucked into her pockets. "Stick close, kid. The Bazaar's full of opportunists, and you're the juiciest target they've seen in a while."

Makoto nodded, clutching the amulet around his neck. Despite the chaos around him, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching him.

As they rounded a corner, Makoto nearly bumped into a stall piled high with dusty books and scrolls. The merchant behind the counter was a hunched, scaly demon with a long snout and tiny, glittering eyes.

"Ah, a customer!" the demon hissed, its voice like nails on glass. "Come, come! Browse my collection of forbidden knowledge!"

Makoto took a step back, raising his hands defensively. "Oh, no, I was just—"

The merchant's eyes narrowed, glinting with sudden interest. "Wait… that amulet. Where did you get it?"

Makoto tensed, his grip on the amulet tightening. "I-I found it."

The demon leaned closer, its snout twitching. "Found it, you say? Curious. Very curious…"

Justice stepped between them, her grin sharp. "Back off, scales. The kid's with me."

The merchant recoiled slightly, its gaze flicking between her sunglasses and the amulet. "Ah, my apologies, High Prosecutor. I meant no offense."

Justice smirked, crossing her arms. "Good. Keep it that way."

Makoto exhaled, his shoulders sagging with relief. "Thanks, Justice. I thought that guy was going to—"

"Sell you out?" she finished, her grin widening. "Yeah, probably. That amulet's gonna attract all kinds of attention down here. You'd better get used to it."

Makoto sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "Why does everything in this place want to kill me or use me?"

Justice laughed, clapping him on the back. "Welcome to Hell, kid."

As they continued through the Bazaar, Makoto couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse. The merchant's reaction to the amulet had been… unsettling. What was it about this thing that made everyone so interested?

Justice seemed to sense his unease. "You've got questions," she said, not bothering to look back.

Makoto hesitated. "Yeah… but I don't even know where to start."

Justice smirked. "Here's a freebie: the amulet's old. Older than Hell itself, if the stories are true. And if it's chosen you, it means you've got a role to play in this mess. What that role is? Guess you'll have to figure it out."

Makoto frowned, his grip tightening on the amulet. "A role… like being the Conqueror?"

Justice's grin widened. "Now you're getting it. But don't get ahead of yourself, kid. You've still got a lot to learn before you can take on the big leagues."

Makoto swallowed hard, his gaze drifting toward the distant towers carved into the cavern walls. For the first time, the idea of conquering Hell didn't just sound impossible—it sounded like a death sentence.

But as much as he wanted to deny it, part of him knew Justice was right.

This amulet… it's not going to let me walk away, is it?

To Be Continued…