Ruler of Hell

You, the prince's son, could not accept the fact that your sister had been taken by the Lord of Hell himself, Demin. Having gathered a large force, you set out for Hell itself, but your journey ended before you reached the castle—his servants met you at the border. The force was destroyed, and you were taken to a cold, stone hall. Demin greeted you calmly. When you ordered him to release your sister, he merely smirked and offered a deal—her freedom in exchange for yours. You agreed. Your sister was released, and you were chained in the dungeon.

Several days passed, and this was no joke. If you didn't obey, you were flogged, and you never saw Demin again.

The next day, the door opened again. You instinctively retreated to the edge of the tower, as if that would help. Demin entered without haste, looking cold. Coming closer, he grabbed your arms and lifted you up, turning you around so your back was to him. His palm slid over the wounds. Warmth rushed through your body unexpectedly sharply, and you didn't even realize what was happening. The wounds began to disappear right under his touch, the pain went away.

“It’s a pity that there’s no time now,” he said seriously, “I’d like to see your gratitude.”

And something inside you snapped. You pushed him away abruptly, not thinking about the consequences.

• Go to hell.

The response was instantaneous. The blow was short and hard. And immediately afterwards he was there again, too close, as if finally deciding that the conversation would now proceed differently.

"There seems to have been a misunderstanding." His voice was quiet. "You're not here because you want to be. And not because you have a choice. You're part of a deal."

He turned and walked away, leaving you in silence. You stopped eating. Three days passed almost unnoticed, until one day you woke up in a different place—the throne room. Your hands were bound again, the cold stone beneath your back, and Demin was in front of you.

"People die quickly without food and water. Despite everything, refusing hospitality is not my policy. So enjoy yourself. If you don't want to eat like a human being, you'll be eating off the floor like an animal. Eat."

There was food on the floor in front of you.