Erica calmly followed the trail, ignoring the furious, resentful glare of the person trailing behind her.
Sagrite was forced to drag along the massive rock she was tightly bound to, a punishment for having stalked Erica and Lars.
" This is absurd! Can't you see how unreasonable you're being?" Sagrite panted angrily, still hurling accusations at Erica.
" I told you, this is your punishment for spying on us. Had you been upfront from the start, you wouldn't be in this mess."
To an outsider, it might seem Erica was angry at Sagrite for insulting her. But such things were all too familiar to Erica. She only acted this way to prevent Lars from holding a grudge.
She had endured the bitter, venomous words of those she'd defeated. Each insult was like a dark prelude to a grim symphony, and every victory was the magnificent finale - though no less bizarre.
Erica replayed this melody over and over. Yet each variation carried its own story, its own unique essence. They taught her about lessons life, provided resources, and even sustenance. Most importantly, they allowed her to guide the lost back to the right path. That's why she never grew tired of her missions.
The woman stared intently at Erica. She wondered what had truly become of her poor husband. Throughout her life, she had suffered, battling a cruel illness that robbed her of her sight at a young age. Orphaned early with no relatives to rely on, she had no choice but to fend for herself.
People often said kindness would be rewarded, that living virtuously would eventually bring blessings. She believed it, clinging to her faith in God despite her misery. Then one day, while gathering herbs in the mountain, Sagrite met Hawer, a woodcutter. Their bond grew, and they become husband and wife.
Hawer was a kind, hard-working, and decisive man. But he didn't believe in God - he had never once prayed to Him.
" Life is what you make of it. Why rely on someone you've never seen?" Hawer often said.
Still, he respected Sagrite's faith, and their marriage was happy and peaceful. Until one day, Sagrite fell gravely ill. Penniless, Hawer begged for help everywhere, but no one extended a hand.
It turned out her parents had been notorious debtors, owing the village a sum large enough to buy a mansion. The villagers scorned her, forcing her to work endlessly to repay the debt.
On the last day of her life, Hawer sat by her side, exhausted and worried, dark circles under his eyes from night spent caring for her.
" I'm sorry, Sagrite. I couldn't help you." He held her bony hand, tears streaming down his face.
" It's alright, my dear. I've lived this long because of you." Sagrite whispered weakly.
They continued talking until she drifted off, only to hear Hawer's voice break the silent moment later.
" Is God mocking us? I've heard countless stories about Him, but I never believed. Yet until meeting you, I wondered if He might be real. But now... Perhaps I was just blind all along."
" What are you thinking about, Sagrite?" Lars asked. " You were so talkative earlier, why so quiet now?"
" Hmph! Why should I tell you?" Sagrite snapped out of her memories, annoyed at herself for dwelling on the past.
" You're thinking about the past, aren't you?" Erica said, chewing noisily on a mushroom.
" ... Know-it-all."
" Just a guess. But I was right, wasn't I?"
The air grew heavy with silence until Erica spoke again.
" I know it's not a best time to ask, but I'm curious. Why did you abandon your faith in God at the end."
"..."
" Your whole life, you were a devout believer. Yet in the end, you turned away. Why?"
" Probably wanted to stay with her 'good' husband even after death." Lars muttered. Erica promptly pinched his leg.
" Got it! I'll shut up now."
" ... Anyone in my place would've done the same. I spent my life clinging to the belief that God existed, that He watched over suffering souls like mine and would help them. But what did I get in the end? Only Hawer stayed by my side.
What enraged me more was learning He does exist. At that time, I felt betrayed, furious and abandoned."
" What a shame. You were so close to Heaven, just one step away. Don't you regret it?"
" Regret? I'm used to suffering. Hell is no difference."
A blatant lie, Erica thought. Who wouldn't prefer Heaven over this abyss? But pride was a powerful thing - or maybe it was about her husband.
Erica looked ahead and spotted an unusual large rock formation in the desert. Though unclear, it resembled a small cave. The footprints led straight toward it, so she sprinted ahead, shouting,
" Hey, Mrs. Sagrite! We're here! Hurry up!"
" Do you even know what I'm dragging behind me!?" Sagrite yelled angrily, but the joy of finding her husband spurred her forward faster than ever.
It was a small lava cave, isolated in the barren desert. Erica found this odd - she'd only seen caves in cliffs, not deserts. As they stood at the entrance, Sagrite tried to rush in, but Erica stopped her.
" Easy there." Erica said. " We don't even know what's inside."
" I don't care, my husband's in there."
" Or so you think." Erica touched the wall, sensing a dark, malevolent energy flowing through it.
She feared the entrance might seal shut behind them, but staying outside was pointless. So she took the plunge, stepping inside first. Sagrite scrambled after her, and Lars was hesitated.
" Eri, are we just... walking out?"
" Yeah! Absolutely! And we'll be trapped in three... two..."
A deafening grind echoed as the massive stone door behind them began sliding shut. It rumbled down it's tracks, hitting the ground with a thunderous crash that sent a chilling gust through the cave.
Lars and Sagrite frozen in terror - only Erica burst out laughing. Lars, shaken, quickly regained his composure but scolded her.
" Erica, you know this would happen? Do you have any ideas how reckless this is? Sure, it's not unusual for us, but was not a good idea."
" You'd rather dig outside?"
" No... But we could've called for backup."
" Relax, three is enough. Oh, right! We need light!" Erica conjured a blazing torch, illuminated the path ahead - a narrow staircase descending into the depth.
Without hesitation, Erica started down. Sagrite wavered but followed. Their footsteps echoed like the cave's own breath, accompanied by the eerie drip of water - odd, since Hell was supposed to be dry.
The path seemed endless. They descended further and further until a flickering light appeared in the distance.
" We're almost at the center." Erica chirped.
" Thank goodness. I just thought we'd be stuck in this damned tunnel forever." Lars grumbled.
When they arrived, the sight left them stunned. They stood at the peak of a vast underground cavern, surrounded by countless branching paths. Below, a sea of molten lava bubbled violently, spewing waves of lury. Thick ash and smoke obscured the air.
Sagrite trembled in fear. Erica tried to lighten the mood.
" Wow! Majestic, huh? Though I get it might overwhelming."
" I've lived my life indoors. This is... too much."
Suddenly, a roar erupted from the lava. The molten sea split open, and a gargantuan worm emerged - its mountainous body pitch-black and grotesque, eyes milky white. Its maw gaped, revealing rows of sickle-sharp teeth dripping with magma.
" Well, well! More rats scurrying into my domain. Let's see... A little Hellborn, a pup, and... Sagrite!?"
" Hawer? Is that you!?"
" Um... Her husband is a worm?" Lars whispered to Erica.
" Yeah, I've got questions too. Let's see how this plays out."
" Why are you here?! Leave!"
" I should be asking you that! What happened to you!?"
" You don't need to know that! Go back now! You don't belong here."
" No! Either I stay with you, or we leave together."
" Neither Hell nor my side is where you belong. You should be in Heaven. You shouldn't have given up because of me."
Sagrite fell silent. A somber mood settled over them - until Erica shattered it with her usual cheer.
" Good grief! I don't know what happened between you two, but don't let it ruin your marriage. Mr. Wor... Hawer, we can talk this out, right? So-"
" Who are you?"
Hawer glared at Erica, his voice dripping with menace. But it didn't faze her.
" I'm the Goddess of Love, and a therapist for the troubled. You look like you could use a session. Want to book a appointment?"
" You brat! You're the one who brought Sagrite here, aren't you?"
She come on her own, Erica wanted to say that, but bit her tongue.
Years of battles had taught her one crucial rule: Act first, talk later. This was Hell, after all - where strength dictated who had the right to talk.
Erica summoned a long blade. Before leaping down, she turned to Sagrite.
" Mind if I go beat him up?"
" ... Just come back safely."
Erica smiled and nodded. She hoisted Lars onto Sagrite's shoulder.
" Protect her if things go south, okay pal?"
" You can count on me! And win this, okay?"
" Absolutely!"