The air shimmered like a mirage as Mona stepped through the crumbled archway of black stone. Fire bled from the cracks in the earth, and the sky above twisted into a deep, hellish crimson. She stood in the heart of her father's domain—Hell itself.
From the throne of obsidian, Mephisto smiled with jagged teeth, his red eyes blazing like suns.
"My daughter finally visits," his voice boomed, velvet and venom at once. "And not because I summoned her. That warms what's left of my heart."
Mona crossed her arms, her dark hair whipping in the sulfurous wind. Her green skin glowed faintly in the firelight, and the horns curling from her head cast sharp shadows.
"I didn't come here for you, Father. I came to make it clear—I fight my battles my way. I don't need your chains."
Mephisto laughed, low and dangerous. "Chains? Oh, child… you are my blood. Whether you wish it or not, Hell is etched into your soul. And if you are to walk among mortals in their little war with these Black Serpents, you will not go alone."
"I don't need Hell's lapdogs," Mona snapped, her eyes glowing hotter. "Candy and Louis are enough. I don't trust demons. And I don't trust you."
The flames around the throne rose higher, the ground trembling at Mephisto's growing temper. "Arrogant girl! Do you think your mortal toys can shield you when the Serpents come? They will drag this world into darkness, and they will enjoy tearing you limb from limb. Take an army, or you will crawl back here broken and begging."
Mona clenched her fists, fire sparking between her fingers. For a moment, the air seemed to crackle with the possibility of war between father and daughter.
But then Mephisto leaned forward, his voice dropping to a silken whisper.
"Two. That is all I ask. Two demons, bound to your command. A gift. A shield. Refuse me, and I may… reconsider letting your little mortal friends live unmolested."
Her fury faltered. Candy. Louis. Even Greta. They didn't deserve to become pawns in his cruelty.
Grinding her teeth, Mona spat the words like venom.
"Fine. Two. No more."
Mephisto's grin widened, wicked satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
"Excellent. Choose wisely, my daughter. For every ally you bring from Hell, you also carry my shadow into the world."
As the fires dimmed, Mona turned her back on the throne. She hated that she had bent at all—but the thought of losing Candy and Louis had cut deeper than her pride.
Behind her, Mephisto chuckled, his voice echoing through the cavernous dark.
"Soon enough, little flame… you will remember who you truly belong to."
And as Mona stepped back into the mortal world, two figures of shadow began to rise from the cracks, following in silence.