Hell's Consort

Newest Chapter of Highest Tier (May 2022)

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Vampire King Apollyon

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"Any soul who will attempt to harm me will drown here for eternity."

Apollyon knew that the old man had told the truth.

His posture was straight and his muscles were relaxed without signs of aggression.

The ferryman acted like he was capable enough to bring him down with him.

Charon threw a quick glance at the hand clutching his collar. "Have it ever crossed your mind that perhaps, I'm tired of rowing boats for these souls?" He looked up at him straight in the eye and tilted his head. " I would be thankful if you do something to get me out of my curse. It will be my pleasure to see you try and get punished for it."

If the Underworld was the boundary between Heaven and Hell, River Styx was the boundary between the Material Realm and the Underworld.

With his jaws clenched, Apollyon released his grip on his collar and the long pole.

"So it's really you, Charon." Apollyon dropped his arms to the side before placing his hands behind his back. "We have met before."

The old man neither affirmed or denied it.

He simply cleared his throat.

"You should know the set of rules I have." He began while fixing his rumpled tunic. "You are in my boat but no one here or from the other side had paid for your safe passage."

He gave a slight nod of his head.

Apollyon and her Archdemon Familiars where the only adult people that would qualify as her loved ones.

If his beloved mate had a silver obol on her forehead, Hecate must have paid for her safe passage.

The Goddess of Magic needed something from his wife and from Charon's tone, it appeared like Apollyon wasn't invited.

He was painfully aware that he needed to pay the ferryman a toll so that he could safely arrive at the entrance Underworld without being separated from his beloved.

If he couldn't pay Charon the fee he required, he wouldn't be able to cross this river.

Instead, he would wander around this bleak place for a thousand of years until someone set him free.

"I could get rid of you in this funerary boat, you know?" Charon grinned and a flash of anger crossed his countenance.

It wasn't easy to let the bastard's callous remark slide as a fledgling Archdemon but he had to.

​ Lashing out and putting his wife in danger wouldn't help them right now.

"You are also aware that I almost delivered you to the Underworld. It turned out it wasn't your time yet." Charon went on.

The people in your Realm had tried their best in bringing you back there. I apologize that you can't do the same to your wife."

Apollyon turned his gaze away from the old man and muttered. "So, that wasn't a dream."

Charon chuckled lightly. "I will take the this woman to Underworld and you can't stop me. It was clear that this female Archdemon belonged to Hell but I will let Hecate will decide what to do with her."

"Take us back to the shore, Charon." Apollyon stepped forward, invading the ferrryman's personal space to intimidate him. "I want her soul to stay in the Material Realm with me."

Apollyon didn't want to become an Archdemon for nothing.

"I can't do that---" Charon had trailed off and Apollyon assumed that the decision wasn't final.

It wouldn't have to be if Charon wished it so.

That distinctive pause felt like the ferryman was giving him a chance to plead his case and negotiate.

Apollyon clenched and unclenched his fists.

He was getting anxious the more he talked to the ferryman.

If he carried his boat further down the next river called Acheron, the longer they would have to travel.

Apollyon was afraid that Charon would drop them to the Fifth Circle of Hell without him noticing it.

The soul that went past to River Acheron would have to undergo the most severe punishment than the gravity of the sins they had committed.

He straightened his spine and glowered at him. "Just tell me your conditions. I will do everything as long as I have it."

Charon scratched his unkempt beard in contemplation. "Your existence is the cause of her suffering whether it was good or bad. I'm sure Hades and Hecate would approve if I tell you about an alternative."

Apollyon forced the unwelcome despair, sadness and regret to switch into coldness and anger.

His existence caused his mate to suffer?

His heartbeat pounded with suppressed rage.

Where was Charon getting at?

Was he about to help him in this predicament by suggesting that he take her place in the funerary boat and meet Hecate instead?

He would agree to that if Charon would take his wife back to the shore.

That way, it would be easier for him to try and summon her back to the Material Realm once he returned to his physical vessel.

Still, Apollyon wanted him to clarify.

There was no room for misunderstandings when striking bargains in the Underworld.

"Did you intend to take me to the Underworld in exchange for her?"

Apollyon's laugh had an edge to it.

It was a good idea but that wouldn't satisfy him.

He didn't have the advantage.

Negotiation should be win-win scenario to both parties.

If he simply accepted that, then it was obvious he wasn't winning.

"I refuse." His voice was dangerously soft when he asked, "Is there another way for me to take her back with me in the Material Realm?" Apollyon needed her. Their daughters needed her. "I couldn't accept that the gods and goddesses could play with my beloved's life like this."

"The Three Fates were kind enough to warn you about this so you could prepare for this tragedy. You are not in the position to demand---"

"---yet, you gave me an opening to negotiate." Apollyon cut him off with a growl. "Are you raising my hopes up for nothing, then?"