onthethruway01

Title: P.R.O.U.D. From the depths of Hell chapter 8 - Proposition

Author: onthethruway01

Genre: het, horror, angst, fantasy

Length 8 of ?

Rating: G

Special Note: Still a bit depressed and in a slump; I’ve been spending most of my time on tumblr and drawing art.

A/N: This is a retelling of P.R.O.U.D; mostly from the perspective of Lilith, the half-angel, half-demon child of Satan and her pursuit of Yoochun, the pit fiend who fights as a gladiator in the arena. If you are new to my fics, you need to read the original P.R.O.U.D. ; it’s under my master fic list.

Summary: A short chapter. The pit fiend comes to Satan’s court; the Devil has a proposition.

Yoochun tugged at the collar of his tunic; though soft and woven of the finest silks, it made him uncomfortable. He stood fidgeting in the throne room, awaiting Satan’s arrival. He was quite aware of the stares and whispers of the nobles of the court. They looked down upon the pit fiend with their long noses. It was clear that he was out of his element.

Yoochun cursed himself for allowing Lilith to persuade him to come to court. It was a foolish notion, and Yoochun knew it; it was Lilith’s way of goading her father. It served no purpose; was she showing him off? Perhaps the ladies, and, some gentleman as well, might find him amusing. It was not the first time that a noble brought a gladiator out of the catacombs; many fighters were bought and sold as slaves to noble houses. Some became personal guards or soldiers; others were used for entertainment; fighting to the death for the pleasure of the aristocracy.

The sound of trumpets alerted the court that their lord and master was approaching. As Satan entered, his daughter a few steps behind; the nobles all bowed. Yoochun bit his lip; he bowed to no one; he silently slid behind a pillar to avoid being seen. But Satan had spied the gladiator; smiling to himself as the wiry pit fiend avoided having to acknowledge his presence. Lilith had seen him too; she frowned in disapproval as he slithered behind the carved column.

“It seems we are in the presence of greatness today,” Satan’s voice boomed. The nobles stretched their long necks to see where the visitor had scampered off to.

“Come Sirrah, don’t be shy. Surely the champion of the pits does not fear the silk laden perfumed fops of my court.”

Yoochun took a deep breath and sighed. He straightened out his tunic and came from behind the pillar.

The nobles hid their contempt for the lowly pit fiend behind forced smiles as he sauntered forward; head held high, he took long strides until he stood before the Prince of Darkness. He bowed deeply, and surprisingly with a flourish. Someone laughed, and Satan narrowed his eyes.

“Do not mock our friend, “ he told his court. “He has more guts than the lot of you combined. I know; I’ve seen him fight.”

The silence in the throne room was deafening.

“Yes,” he hissed; he has nerves of steel.”

Lilith blushed as her father shot her a knowing glance.

“So tell me boy, what do you think of all this?”

Satan made a wide sweeping gesture with his hand.

Yoochun cleared his throat.

“It’s quite opulent and the decor seems a bit ostentatious.” he spoke; the crowd whispering amongst each other; surprised that a pit fiend spoke so eloquently.

Satan’s booming laughter filled the room.

“You are educated, I see. Most amusing.”

“There is a book store in the merchant square. Few know of it. I snuck in there when I was a child,” the pit fiend boldly spoke. “I taught myself to read.”

The members of the court nodded their heads; they were not so easily impressed.

“Well then, I look forward to speaking with you further. We can discuss fighting strategies.”

Yoochun curled his lips back into a smile; he turned his head toward the courtiers and narrowed his eyes.

Satan’s voice interrupted him.

“Or perhaps you can regale me with tales of love; for it seems like me, you are a great seducer.”

Someone gasped.

The pit fiend’s heart lurched in his chest. He looked at Lilith who trembled upon her throne.

Once more, the hall echoed with the Devil’s laughter.

“Why so pale boy? You should know by now that I am privy to your nocturnal activities. Why else would my daughter bring you here? She desperately wants my approval. What say you boy? Are you worthy to bond with my daughter?”

The pit fiend steadied his nerves.

“I doubt anyone is fit to bond with your daughter sir.”

The devil nodded in response.

“Well said boy, but she favors you. I admire your courage. You are brave, albeit a bit foolish. Taking on much larger opponents in the ring is one thing, but sparing against my Lilith, well that is madness indeed.”

Lilith scowled as Yoochun cracked a smile.

“I will need to think on this match further. In the meantime, you may enjoy the hospitality of my court. You may stay as long as you desire. I will see to it that you are treated with respect. In the meantime, I have a proposition for you.”

The crowd’s attention was once more focused on their lord and master.

“We have a problem, an infestation as it were.”

Yoochun raised an eyebrow.

“It seems spies are walking among us.”

The court grew uneasy, whispering once more to each other.

“No, no, not here,” Satan assured them.

“Below, in the lower levels and at the borderlands. They have been watching, observing. Perhaps even planning to invade.”

An elegant noble dared to speak.

“Who is watching us, Sire?”

Satan leaned forward in his stately chair.

“Angels,” he spoke slowly; “angels are among us. Very dangerous angels. They must be stopped. I need someone to pluck one from the sky and bring it here for interrogation.”

The court turned its attention to Yoochun.

“Will you perform this task for me, pit fiend? Bring this angel to me and I will give you my daughter. I will not blame you for refusing this offer; angels are treacherous. We’ve lost our share of brethren to their power and trickery. If you go on this quest and succeed, I will reward your loyalty. Think on it. I will expect your answer in the morning.”

The Devil rose from his throne and all bowed as he walked briskly out of the hall. Yoochun stood silently as Lilith followed her father. When the royal family had left, all the court focused their eyes on the gladiator who pondered Satan’s words.

“An angel,” he whispered to himself. “Fascinating...”