Kikidori didn't even ask for permission. He just grabbed Haruna's arm mid-argument and, with a wicked grin, tore a hole in the air with his claw-tipped finger. The air *ripped* like fabric dipped in acid, shrieking as reality bent and folded inward. Haruna barely had time to yell, "Wait, WHAT THE—" before he yanked her through it.
And just like that, they were in Hell.
She didn't fall. No, it was worse. She floated downward, slowly, painfully aware of everything around her. The sky above wasn't red—it was *black*, but alive with red veins that pulsed like heartbeats. The buildings jutted like rotting bones out of volcanic cliffs. Lava dripped from the cracks like blood from infected wounds. The screams of the damned echoed like a distant chorus, and every few seconds, an explosion of flame or gunfire reminded her this wasn't some edgy theme park.
It was *Hell*.
Haruna landed on her feet, wings flaring slightly, defensive and tense. Her sandals sizzled against the scorched bone pavement. "Why... why would you bring me *here*?!"
Kikidori just grinned like a gremlin, spinning once and throwing his arms wide. "Welcome to the neighborhood, sweetheart! Home sweet torture!"
A flying demon zipped past screaming, "FUCK YOU, KIKIDORI!"
He waved. "Love you too, Azgar!"
Haruna turned a full 360, eyes wide, breath tight in her chest. "This place is... *insane*. How do you live like this?!"
"Easy," he said, "I thrive in madness. Plus, it's rent-free."
"Kikidori... this is not okay." She folded her arms tightly over her chest. "Do you realize what would happen if Heaven finds out I'm *down here*?"
"Oh, trust me," Kikidori said, walking forward and motioning for her to follow, "that's the *least* of your problems. Because now\... you get to meet my mom."
Haruna froze. "NOPE. Absolutely not. No. No. No. *No.*"
"Too late."
---
The gates of the **Infernal Castle** loomed like a monstrous rib cage clawing into the sky. Gargoyles snarled and spat magma. Souls moaned as they were crucified on the very walls, their agony used to power the torches that lined the path. Haruna gulped hard.
"I don't want to die," she whispered.
"Oh relax," Kikidori chuckled. "She probably won't *kill* you."
"*Probably*?!"
They reached the grand obsidian doors. Kikidori pushed them open with a dramatic groan, and inside was a throne room draped in torn flesh tapestries, polished skulls on the floor like stepping stones, and a crimson carpet made of stitched-together angel robes.
Sitting on the throne, legs crossed, wearing a gown of shadows and fire, was **Lilith**.
She looked up.
"Oh. My. HELL."
Kikidori smirked. "Hey, Mom. I brought my—uh—guest."
Lilith's eyes scanned Haruna like a predator measuring her prey. "An angel?"
Haruna stood straight. "Yes, ma'am."
Lilith stood, each step thunderous. "You... had relations with my son."
Haruna's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "I—uh—um—define *relations*—"
"Don't play innocent," Lilith said coldly. "I can smell him on you."
Kikidori muttered under his breath, "Jesus, Mom, boundaries."
Lilith's eyes *glowed*. "*Do not* mention that name in my house."
Haruna was shaking now, but she didn't bow. "Look. I'm not trying to offend. I didn't come here to—"
"Shut up," Lilith snapped. "Do you *love* him?"
Haruna blinked. "What?"
"I said, *do you love him*?" Her voice boomed like war drums.
"I..." Haruna's voice was quiet. "I don't know."
Kikidori's eyes widened. "Damn."
Lilith tilted her head. "Good."
Haruna blinked. "Good?"
"If you had said yes, I'd have skinned you alive. If you had said no, I'd have turned you into a hound for my hunts." She smiled. "Uncertainty is the most honest answer in this wicked world. You may live."
Kikidori let out a long whistle. "Whew. That went *way* better than expected."
Haruna looked at him, annoyed. "You KNEW she'd interrogate me?!"
"Of course I did. That was part of the fun."
"You're the worst."
"I get that a lot."
Lilith narrowed her eyes. "Don't get cocky, son. This changes nothing. You still fucked up. And your father is still pissed."
Haruna winced. "Please don't tell Heaven."
Lilith chuckled. "Why would I? It'll be so much more fun watching you *tell* them."
And with that, the audience was over.
---
As they left the castle, Haruna was pale and sweating.
"I need a drink," she muttered.
Kikidori offered her a flask. "Virgin tears. Distilled. Goes great with irony."
She took it without question and sipped. "Tastes like guilt."
"Exactly."
He opened a new tear in reality. "C'mon. Let's go somewhere less traumatizing."
Haruna hesitated. "Kikidori?"
"Yeah?"
"I think your mom likes me."
He laughed. "That means she wants to eat your heart. Congrats."
The End of Chapter 35.