Infernal Ascendancy

Veymar's eyes flared red, his aura spilling out like molten fire. A twisted smile crept across his face. "Excitement, is it, Selmora? Well then… why don't you fight me instead?"

Selmora froze, a predator's grin spreading across her face, her eyes glowing an intense, venomous green. Slowly, deliberately, she fixed her gaze on him. "Can you scream… Veymar?"

Nyssara's heart nearly stopped. She clutched at her robes, eyes wide with disbelief. "This… this can't be happening. I have to stop them before they destroy each other!"

The two warriors squared off, their auras crackling and clashing in the tense air between them. The hall itself seemed to hold its breath. Then, in a blur of motion, they surged toward each other with impossible speed, fists raised, ready to collide.

Selmora's fist cut through the air, wreathed in green flames of raw energy. Veymar's came at her, blazing red, the heat of his aura seeming to scorch the very floor beneath him.

BAM!

A hurricane of wind ripped through the hall, knocking Nyssara back. She slammed her hands over her face, shielding herself from the violent gusts. Dust and ash swirled around them.

When the chaos settled, Nyssara slowly lowered her hands—and froze. Veymar and Selmora's fists had never met. Between them, a figure knelt, his body glowing molten, steam hissing from every pore, his hands smoking from the sheer force of impact.

"H-Hulk!" Nyssara gasped.

Hulk rose slowly, dropping his blistered, smoking hands. He shook off the heat and said in a calm, commanding voice, "Lord Veymar. Lady Selmora. I don't think it's right for the Pillars to fight amongst themselves."

Immediately, the red and green auras dissipated. Veymar and Selmora relaxed, tension leaving their bodies, though the fire in their eyes lingered.

Nyssara let out a shaky breath. Thank goodness… if Hulk hadn't stopped them, who knows what would have happened.

Selmora glanced at Hulk with a smirk. "Greet Aria for me when you leave," she said, turning and walking away, her confidence unshaken.

Hulk looked down at his scorched hands, muttering under his breath. "If I hadn't absorbed that much heat to counter both punches… I would have been crushed. Both of them—are monsters."

Nyssara approached Hulk cautiously, but Selmora's voice stopped her. "Come on, Nyssara."

"Yes, my lady. I'll follow you soon," Nyssara said, bowing slightly to Hulk. "Thank you." And with that, she walked after Selmora.

Veymar's voice cut through the tension. "Hulk! What are you doing at the Fourth Gate?"

Hulk turned, calm and composed. "I spoke with Lord Azreal before coming here. He asked me to inform all the Pillars about the mission he will be taking."

Veymar tapped Hulk's shoulder lightly, smiling. "I see. In that case… you shouldn't have interfered between me and Selmora. You should have done what you came to do."

Hulk froze. "My apologies, Lord Veymar."

Veymar's grin widened, dangerous as ever. "If you weren't a guard for Lord Azreal, a single blow like that could have ended you. But still… if you feel like testing your limits again, let me know. We can settle it."

"I don't think I could take that again," Hulk said firmly.

"Then why don't you come to my gate? Let's see what you're made of. I don't know your strength yet."

Hulk's ear twitched; he pulled back, whispering into a hidden communicator. "Lord Azreal? Yes… understood." He turned to Veymar. "Lord Veymar, apologies—but Lord Azreal just sent a message. I must leave." In a burst of flames, Hulk vanished.

Veymar snapped his fingers, a portal appearing instantly. He stepped through, and the gateway closed behind him.

Selmora continued down the hall, Nyssara walking beside her. "My lady… why did you even want to fight Lord Veymar?"

Selmora smirked, unconcerned. "I don't see the problem. He didn't mind, either. It's not like we were going to kill each other."

Nyssara sighed, exhaling slowly. "I wasn't worried about that. I was worried about those caught in the middle… me, the guards."

"Then take care of yourself," Selmora replied smoothly.

"I will, my lady."

---

Second Gate of Hell

Veymar rested his head on the table, letting out a long, low sigh. That didn't end well…

Blight cleared his throat. "My lord… at least you know she was ready to fight you. You two could fight anytime soon."

Veymar's voice was heavy with disdain. "And what use is that if it's later?"

"You haven't gone to the other Gates yet," Blight reminded him.

"Selmora was my only hope. I doubt the other Pillars would even listen," Veymar muttered.

"You should go see for yourself," Blight advised.

Veymar lifted his head, eyes glinting. "Malphas… yes. He's a good fit. I'll go to him. I'm sure he'll welcome me warmly."

With a snap of his fingers, a portal appeared. Without a second thought, Veymar stepped into it, and the gateway sealed behind him.

---

First Gate of Hell

Malphas sat on his dark throne, Morgath looming silently behind him.

Aldric closed the file he had been reading from. "These are the souls allocated to the First Gate, my lord. So far, no issues. Punishment has begun."

Malphas nodded once, his expression calm but commanding, a silent acknowledgment of authority. Then, the massive iron-bound door of the First Gate swung open with a resonant clang. A guard stepped in, head bowed low, voice steady but tense.

"My lord… Lord Veymar is here to see you."

Malphas's eyes flicked toward the entrance, interest piqued. "Veymar? Has something happened?" He leaned forward slightly, a subtle edge in his tone. "Let him in."

The guard bowed again and retreated. Moments later, the door swung open once more, and Veymar stepped in, his aura faintly humming with restrained energy, a predator walking into a den.

Aldric, standing nearby, gave a curt nod. "Lord Malphas, I shall take my leave now." With that, he vanished in a burst of curling smoke, leaving a lingering scent of iron and ash in the hall.

Veymar came to a halt in front of Malphas, posture relaxed but calculating. "Malphas… how are you doing?" His smile was sharp, faintly predatory.

"I am well, Veymar," Malphas replied evenly, his eyes appraising. "But what brings you to the First Gate? I don't recall any meeting scheduled recently."

Veymar let his smile widen, a glint of mischief and urgency in his eyes. "No meeting. I simply wanted to ask… do you know about Lord Azreal's mission to the world of the living?"

Malphas's gaze sharpened, though his tone remained steady. "I see… so that's what this is about. But don't worry—I am already aware that Lord Azreal is taking the Six instead of us to the world of the living."

Veymar froze for a heartbeat, shock flashing across his face. "You… you know that?"

Malphas's lips curved faintly. "Hulk informed me. As per Lord Azreal's command."

Veymar's grin returned, sharper this time, edged with challenge. "I see… but now that you know, are you just going to leave it at that?"

Malphas stood from his throne with deliberate grace, moving toward Veymar. He reached out, placing a firm hand on Veymar's shoulder. "I do not see the problem with staying behind. We are the protectors of each Gate. It is our duty to remain here, to guard it… no matter the circumstances, Veymar."

Veymar's eyes flickered, a spark of frustration lighting them. "I understand that, Malphas… but sitting idle, doing nothing, it's… maddening. I want to get in on the action, to feel it—the chaos, the battle, the stakes."

Malphas's hand tightened slightly on his shoulder, a quiet assertion of control, though not without understanding. "Be patient, Veymar. The very thing you seek… may already be here, waiting for the right time in Hell. Your moment will come."

With that, Malphas turned, his robes flowing behind him with regal authority. Morgath followed silently, a shadow gliding in his wake, the hall echoing with their departure.

Veymar exhaled slowly, letting a mix of frustration and anticipation ripple through him. "I should have expected a lecture from Malphas," he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing with focus. "Next… Xaltheon. The Third Gate."

He snapped his fingers sharply. Instantly, a swirling portal of raw energy erupted before him, crackling with heat and light. Without hesitation, Veymar stepped into it. The portal collapsed behind him , leaving the First Gate silent once more, the faint hum of anticipation lingering in the air.