19th level of Hell.
This is a plane not recorded in history nor is it truly known by anyone but a few who witnessed the creation of this mysterious place. A large imprisoning domain established for the sake of withholding the most malicious of souls and demons.
A place rumored to be the most terrifying in all of Hell with its constant shrieks and cries of mournful woes.
Those shrill screams were akin to icy steel that pierce at the core of those wandering souls and reapers traveling between the levels of Eighteen Hells.
Many pondered on the existence of that mysterious realm said to have imprisoned the souls of those that murdered thousands of lives.
The ghastly thought of being in the same place frightens even the most courageous of envoys as they hurry along to complete their tasks.
_____
"Royal flush."
In this deepest part of Hell, the place where most spirits and envoys heard of and is curious about despite horrifying tales. The shuffle of cards and murmur of voices accompanied the silent atmosphere with barely a figure in sight.
A shadow stumbled with a weak groan before collapsing on the floor with a defeated look of despair.
"Straight flush."
Another dark silhouette grabbed at the area of their chest as a round of heavy coughs induced blood to spray like a broken faucet.
"Full house."
The last figure weeps with a mournful cry as snot drizzles down its nose in two transparent lines. A loud echoing thud ensues as the sound of its body descends, arms spread with a kneel of bewildering defeat.
"Big Sis, you're my most wonderful keeper, the oasis to my desert, the filling in my bread, the paper next to my toilet. Big Sis, no. Daddy! Please I beg you, have mercy on us!"
One of the dark shadows begged with a bloodless complexion in a show of pitiful display while rolling on the ground.
Tears dripped down its chin whilst weeping in shrill volumes of a rhythmic high then low.
Perhaps this excellent performance could have garnered positive feedback from most on normal occasions.
But to the sole observer in this area of constant fog and silence, this show of facial contortion merely looks like an elderly suffering from pains of constipation.
Ugh.
'How pitiful,' this thought ran across the woman's mind as she snickered in mocking secrecy.
The woman sitting across the table reached for a cup of steaming tea before taking a sip with nonchalant ease.
Dark irises misted over along with the gradual rise of steam which seemed to have veiled all emotions from being read.
Pale lips curved into a sly smirk as bright eyes gleamed with uncontainable mischievousness.
"Again." The woman demanded in a light tone as a leisure gazed flitted past the three cowering figures.
"You-"
Unable to withstand another round of unreasonable torture, the shadow who fainted moments ago sprang up with vigor.
"Chu Nuan you shameless woman! Do you think it's fun to torment miserable spirits like us!? Does your conscience not hurt to see us rolling on the ground in such misery?! Us brothers can't take it anymore, let's fight it out I'm not afraid of you!"
"Don't you guys agree!!?"
Hands trembling with restrained anger, the figure turned around to ask his good brothers through clenched teeth.
"Huh?"
Only to discover that the spirits beside have retreated at least a few meters away.
Eyes bulging out in disbelief behind that shadow are the two figures of his fellow mates looking back at him in disbelief.
Shadow 1: "I did not say anything! I did not agree!"
Shadow 2: "En! En! What he said, we have no idea this is how you thought of Big Sis! What a deplorable ghost you have become!"
Shadow 3: "You two-!"
Instead of showing even the slightest of anger, the woman addressed as Chu Nuan narrowed her eyes with a dangerous glint.
"Oh~?"
Cherry lips curve with a deliberate drawl of a lowered articulation, emphasizing her current interest in the topic.
This seemingly bewitching display did not charm the three spirits but rather induced them to shudder with unease. Droplets of sweat accumulated on their transparent bodies before sliding down their backs.
"... …"
Wiping his bloody mouth with the back of his sleeves the shadow that was coughing moments ago replied in a shaky tone. "It's not as if we won't play with you Big Sis. But you've always used tricks to give yourself the best cards. How can we possibly compete in a game we have no means of winning?"
"Hmm…"
Slender fingers folded together on top of the table as Chu Nuan gazed at them in quiet deliberation. A few minutes passed under three anxious gazes when the woman finally asked with a tilt of her head.
"So, you'll play if I don't use tricks to change my cards?"
"En! En! Yes! Yes!"
The trio exchanged expectant looks between them before nodding fiercely with beaming stares of joy.
"We'll play only if you don't employ any tricks on yourself!"
Chu Nuan: "Hm, sure."
Lithe digits unfold in elegant fashion as they reach to regathered the scattered deck into one pile. Like a conductor on stage along each shuffling motion of cards did they sway from every exquisite action she manipulates.
Before long, a single card lies face down in front of each player with a mere flick of the wrist.
"As you wish," the woman replies with a faint chuckle of unshaken confidence.
Forgoing any intentions to conceal, her hand casually flipped over the card within reach to reveal a three of diamonds.
"Hm~."
Showing satisfaction on what was obtained, Chu Nua held out her palm in elegant beckoning at the three empty seats.
Making a "please sit," gesture towards the dazed spirits hovering a distance away. The young woman patiently indicated for the chairs to be filled.
"Your turn," she reminded with a casual yawn.
Moisture began to collect at the corner of the woman's eyes as they misted over from a sensation of fatigue. Cherry lips open and close from the consecutive yawns as Chu Nuan covered her mouth with a hover of slender fingers.
She truly doesn't appear to care about the results of the game.
"... …"
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, the three spirits communicate through their gazes. Asking in hesitating blinks whether or not to trust the current situation.
In the end…
Three shadows sat down on the empty seats with nervous beating of dead hearts for fear of the upcoming round.
_____
The current situation:
Chu Nuan: has a variety of number cards and suits.
The blood coughing ghost: Has an Ace, King, Queen, and Jack of hearts. Observing closer, it possibly might be a royal flush.
The fainting ghost: Has four 10's, perhaps it might match to become four of a kind.
The weeping ghost: The cards are mixed in numbers but follow the same suit, could be a forming flush.
"... …"
At this point in time, gloom and horror have disappeared from all three spirits in replacement to excitement!
'Finally!'
The three brotherly ghosts looked up to see each other's eyes glowing with an overwhelming intensity of joy!
From the very beginning after their deaths, a few thousand years have passed since then.
From the start when entering Hell to being introduced to this game, from losing to the same person each day. Not a night in Hell has passed without being abused by a certain person's sharp tongue and skills.
But today is different!
Today is the day where they shall rise to defeat their enemy for once in their thousand years of afterlife!
Hands shook with anticipation as they slowly reached towards their last card, their final hope!
[At last!]
Flipping it over in one breath the three spirit's wide grin froze-
Weeping Ghost: "What is this?!"
Fainting Ghost: "The heck?!"
Coughing Ghost: "That's cheating!!"
The three shadows gasped in shock and bewilderment at the last card revealed in their hands.
Upper body muscles glistening with a bulge of healthy copper gleam while biceps and pectoral muscles seem to explode with flexing motions. You can almost see the sweat sliding down the grooves of those dynamic triceps.
That mini black triangular cloth around the hips only serves to highlight the explosive force behind every muscle fibers uncensored.
The image printed on the surface of those cards is truly worthy enough to be printed on the front of bodybuilding magazines.
However…
Isn't this… the Ox Head Warden?
The three ghost's line of thinking seemed to have been frozen by the sudden image in front of them.
If there is nothing wrong with their eyes, something out of the ordinary appears to have mixed into the deck of cards?
The trio recovered with an abrupt shudder as they shot unresigned glares at the woman in complaint. "Your Honor! Didn't you promise not to use tricks!?"
Chu Nuan flipped over her last card with a leisure flick of the index finger. "Seven of spades, I won," she said in a soft tone.
"I only remember promising not to disturb the cards in my hand but never said anything about the one in your's."
Eyes widening and mouth opened agape, the three shadows stare with a bewildered gaze. Wanting to defend their rights but unable to form the correct words to refute her statement.
"... …"
"It's getting late." Chu Nuan stood up from her seat whilst patting away the nonexistent dust from her shoulders. "Remember to add another 2,456 years to each of your sentences. I'll come back tomorrow so behave for me."
Turning away from the gambling table without an ounce of hesitation the woman left the scene without pause. Pretending not to have noticed those vacant stares full of despair and questioning of their own worth.
Her chuckle lingers in the atmosphere long after the disappearance of her figure…
"... …"
In a silent corner while the other two shadows are too occupied in their own thoughts. One silent ghost wordlessly pocketed the three magazine worthy photos.
The Ox Warden had been his idol for the longest time.
There hasn't been a day in the afterlife where he has not been envious of those steeled muscles.
_____
A few hours later…
The ghostly trio huddled together for a serious discussion.
"What are we going to do?" One asked with a pout to their lips.
"Another 2,456 years to our sentence I suppose." Another answered with a resigned sigh.
"Adding again? My sentence is already 699,932 years. If I serve any longer, I think mushrooms will grow from my head due to depression."
"How about… we escape?"
"Escape?! How is that possible?"
Gaze flashing with a tint of sharp edge, that figure leaned closer to the other two. "Easy, we just need to...."
_____
The next day on the cover of Hell's Daily.
[Big News! Big News! Three ghost lords bombed the Bridge of Forgetfulness and successfully escaped to the human realm! Is this a new act of terrorism or a plan for something more sinister?!]
[Is the Bridge of Forgetfulness made with soybean dregs?]
[What are we to do about the countless spirits and demons that have escaped back to the mortal realm?!!]
[With eight out of our ten Kings unfortunate absences, how will this incident be solved!?]
[Are the rumors about the Heavenly Emperor having an affair with intent to divorce his Empress true?! Turn to the last page to find out!]