Chapter 17 Chapter seventeen
CELESTIAL CITY (SEVERAL DEMON WEEKS BACK)
Emma ran around the courtyard her hair tied into two ponytails bouncing on her shoulders. Her dazzling smile brightened the entire courtyard, right from such a young age, her outwardly beauty and features were very much pronounced.
Suddenly two men walked hurriedly into the courtyard their face filled with urgency. Their rough and tough feature scared her and she tried running back into the house.
“I'm sorry we have scared you princess. But where is Lima?” One of the men asked kindly and she slowly let her guards down. Without a word, she pointed at the back of the house. As they left, she creept quietly after them.
Lima was the strongest and most powerful soceress in the whole of hell. Her influence drew people of different statues and caliber from far and near. It was rumored her powers almost matched with that of Satan but the rumors were later dispelled because she still always respected Satan no matter what.
She cultivating her new ability when the men met her. As soon as she saw them, her expression changed and she quickly stopped all she was doing. Emma smelled trouble. “Jack and Jimmy what do i owe this unprecedented visit?”
“Long live Lima, there's trouble in the celestial palace. The king and queen were abducted under strange circumstances.” Jimmy reported. “They left this note” he concluded handing her a white envelope. She took it carefully the bad feeling growing.
It read…..
“Hello Lima. I know this letter surely met you well. And i know you're wondering who this is, well it is the future king of the exalted kingdom of hell, i mean the rightful heir not the counterfeit one. All this is by the way though, so you'll know, the king and queen of the celestial city are in my hands. I have a very important thing to discuss with you by 9pm tonight. Come to the abandoned light house at the end of the kingdom. Alone. Be warned, don't play any foul moves my eyes are on you”
She sighed deeply. Without further qualms, she knew who the letter was from. Lately, she had been hearing rumors about Rexy trying to sabotage his father but she dismissed them. Seemed like it's all true afterall. “What did the letter say Lord Lima?” Jack asked almost impatiently.
She quickly snapped out of her thought. “It seemed the writer of this letter was addressing me afterall. You both can leave now, be rest assured that the king and queen will soon be back. Please try your possible best to make sure this news doesn't get to the people of the city so they don't get worried” she said dismissing the men.
“But what about the princess?” They asked. “She'll be safe. Leave and do as i have said.” She ordered and went inside her house. Emma's heart drummed loudly in fear as her sharp mind processed what was happening. Ever since she can remember, she had lived in this courtyard, chasing the butterflies in the courtyard, plucking fresh fruits and playing in the grass.
But from some evasdropping she usually does, she heard she is the princess of the celestial city and she was brought to live with Lima as custom demands until she's a demon year old. “If my parents have really been kidnapped then i have to find a way to save them” her childish mind thought as she concluded within herself that she'll sneak off after Lima tonight.
Soon, it was time for Lima to leave. She checked Emma's room and found her fast asleep. Satisfied, she quietly left the house. But as soon as she left, Emma eyes flew open and she gently put on her shoes creeping behind her, maintaining a safe distance.
Finally, they got to the light house. They climbed a long, dusty and curved row of staircases and arrived at an old iron door. Lima pushed it and went in. The king and queen were tied to a chair with strong ropes and their mouth was gagged. Immediately she saw them and finding no one else in sight, she tried untying them but Rexy came out of the shadows.
“Don't you think this is stealing soceress? Why do you want to take my captives before i name my price?” He asked hilariously settling down on a chair. Lima eyes darkened “what do you want? And let me give you a piece of advice for free Rexy. You think you can defeat the devil your own father?
“In as much as I applaud your bravery, i just want to tell you the honest truth, you can't fight the devil and win. He has been existing for years unknown. Smart, witty, cautious… name it all. He has ruled hell for thousands of years up till now. So tell me, how do you intend to defeat him? Unless you get the support of the heavens, I'm sorry nobody can back you up enough to help you win” she said.
Rexy laughed loud and long his voice booming in the entire building. Emma closed her ears in fear.
“I think you like going straight to the point Lima. So without much qualms, let me tell you my purpose of doing all this. Do you know that your powers is equal to thirty percent of Satan's. Well yes. So that's why I'm asking you to join us in this mission of conquering hell.”
Her eyes shone in surprise “us? Who have you succeed in winning to your side?” Lima asked. Then liriah came out of the shadows “me…I'm taking part in this noble mission to claim hell as ours. You have just one day to make a decision Lima. Or the fate of your king and queen is unknown” liriah said wickedly sitting down beside Rexy.
She smiled and shook her head in pity. “All i see is pure greed in the both of you. You're already a prince Rexy, in a few years time you'll be king and the whole of hell will be yours. What else do you want?” She asked calmly.
“I don't want to wait any longer. I want hell and i want it now.! I want powers and i want it now.! Remember Lima, tomorrow is your day of grace. I advise you to make a wise choice before then. Good night” Rexy concluded and disappeared with liriah and his captives.
She turned and walked back home dejected, her mind in a turmoil. The consequences of fighting against the devil is very severe and she knows for sure that there's no way they can win even with her powers combined with theirs. Absentmindedly, she went to check on Emma again before heading to bed. She gently opened the door but found the room completely empty.