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Master Horrendous was fortunate one day to have encountered something unusual in the perpetual banquet of sins. Repent! O’ Repent! He had heard them all too many times. Those cries were left unheard for those all too absorbed with themselves—the generous amount of waste, hunger, and disappointment. A prelude to a broken fairytale, left and gone deserted upon thorns of roses and vines covering what was once paradise.
What was the truth in this madness? How far has cruelty taken root in this world that once was beautiful? Master Horrendous knew not. Nothing matters as each were to themselves. In a cruel world where individualism was taken to the highest regard and such, boredom came. Even the seemingly harmless proved to be a nuisance. Such is the evil of man, and upon his rose-like garment, blood spilled like wine as he saw embers grow in front of his eyes.
He saw fire. A figure leaped above the vines, burning a footpath of the world that he had never seen before. Master Horrendous followed the creature’s tracks, the burning trails of hellfire that left him with coal and soot, revealed the remains of paradise.
Beneath these fabricated facts, delusions, and grandeur, will there still be truth left for him to seek? At a price of sanity, he must know. He must find the source of those coarse and discordant infernal tunes.
A summary of human fallacies carved into bones and flesh.
The two of them met, and Master Horrendous almost saw his own reflection upon the full moon.
Master Horrendous came face to face with a demon named Boneflute.
For one who sought, out of curiosity he had brought the similarly formed damned man to his own abode. A lamb in disguise still retains a truth, and a source of evil brimming from within came in fumes of smoke and fog.
Briefly, they exchanged words, glances, and their masks.
Their laughter was shared over meals and a hunting trip. Praise of craftmanship on the golden rim of eyes and the ability of sight with the lack of. The form of spikes and thorns runs close to their nature, and as such, even in this cruel sinful world, they have easily become acquaintances.
“I enjoyed this place,” Boneflute admitted. “Somewhat reminds me of home, but in it’s own sophisticated way. You would have thought hell was dark and grim, but it was bright, too bright. An array of neon lights and the endless feast of… fucking hedonism.” he spat.
Horrendous laughed. “You made it seem like this place was akin to hell. I knew not whether to find it affable or insulting.”
“Your paradise was exactly what it was. A paradise. A secluded dark little island of sin. People here dwell in greed and hunger, but they did not..” Boneflute clicked his tongue. What was the word for it..
“Evolve?”
“Precisely!” He laughed. “A stagnant sort of hell on earth.”
“Well,” mayhaps it was the wine or the profound interest the man had for this peculiar specimen, he was intrigued with the conditions of hell. A man trapped in paradise he said. How quaint. “What sort of proposition would you offer that would seduce the soul out of me, Boneflute?”
The demonic lizard chuckled. “You’re too eloquent for my tastes. I suppose you will get along well with ex-husband of mine back in Jinnestan. Seduce the soul out of you , hah! I’d say it would be akin to returning a favor, how about that?”
“What do you mean?”
The demon offered his hand. “A trade? A bet? I don’t care how you see it. I’d wager our sanity, both yours and mine. You can see hell in its glory, and I get to stay here a little longer.
Switch roles with me for three days.” He smiled.
And what would a madman have to lose when he had to pursue a single truth?
And thus, Horrendous embarked on a trip to hell. Alone, in the customary of the residents. The man was decorated in dark crystals, mimicking the scales and protruding bones. Horrendous was viewed akin to Boneflute in this manner, a demon residing in the infernal realms.
Music plays a great part of status in Jinnestan. Those were the first rule given to the man pretending to be a beast. Chaos and destruction was an afterimage of the abilities of those able to move objects upon their whims. The centerpiece of Jinnestan was a grand music hall where everyone could only dream of rising to the ranks for Lord.
The music hall was a dangerous place for common demonic creatures, but Master Horrendous could not resist the inviting melody. Upon danger, a creature such as he thrives. And as he stepped his foot to the gardens of the circular music hall, he had been led by the sound of the accordion.
A young child, no less than seventeen human years came into his view with his hellhound. The bones upon his shoulders reminded him of Boneflute–They even smelled similar. The latter did mention having a boy, he just did not expect him to be more… humanoid.
There were safe words between demons when they connected a mutual bond with each other. It served to mark a coven or a group of like-minded individuals to a cause. Boneflute gave him one as an identifier of a friend–or best, contractual acquaintance.
“Twas a summer’s night where heaven and hell shared a kiss underneath a moonless night.” Horrendous said to the boy.
The boy immediately paused.
“Are you heaven? The resident of hell asked. And the other laughed fervently. Who am I? Who are you?”
“My name is Horrendous. I believe your father had sent you to welcome me?”
The boy took a sharp glance at the newcomer. A familiar figure, certainly. But too familiar. A similar kin that smelled of sin and musk.
“It seems that Boneflute was not lying about having guests over.” The boy smiled. “My name is Keyboard. I am his son.”
“The resemblance is uncanny…” Horrendous jested.
Suddenly a tune similar to molten gold echoes throughout the hallway. The garden of crystals flickered itself into radiant colors as his ears were graced by the most inept and chaotic tune.
And yet, all seemed to be in place.
There was quiet in between the unpolished melodies. Then his eyes saw the beauty of the man that went down the stage to greet them.
Surely that man was an angel.
“Master Horrendous, A pleasure. My name is Inferno Sonata.”
For once words failed him.
His hands reached for the man’s beautiful marble gold, and kissed them with as much passion as they extruded. His heart was beating all too fast. Surely this devil was created to kill him with passion unending.
“Inferno Sonata.” Horrendous repeated. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Meanwhile, in a place that was once a paradise, a vile and undressed demon made of smoke and bones tore up the banquet hall with elation. Unrestrained chaos and bloodshed truly was an experiment he had wanted to do since his fall from grace.
A great holiday indeed it would be.
“Did you know that in hell, caste and status were presented in the form of music? You flaunt with music, you make love with music, even flirting attempts were made with music.”
“Ah, I wasn’t made aware of that.” Horrendous replied truthfully.
“I will be performing after this break. Please have a listen to it. I shall dedicate them to you.”
Horrendous raised an eyebrow. “Should you be really?”
The demon leaned towards him, placing his cheek upon the man's chest. “Boneflute’s not here.”
A sly and seductive man. Horrendous was both amused and intrigued.
“You are just as teasing as he told me you would be.” Horrendous laughed. Gently pulling away from the man’s embrace. “I do believe I’d been given the honor to be your escort for the night, Inferno Sonata. I would hate to cut our time in hell short for little misunderstandings.”
Sonata laughed. “You are too prim and proper, master Horrendous. I like that in you.”
The demon waved his hand as he entered the staff area. The stage will be set in a few minutes, he and Victor must place themselves in the third box before the entrance to the main hall was closed. Upon Sonata’s departure, the young demon took the opportunity to get to Horrendous’ good side. “Pardon me for intruding master Horrendous but I cannot help but be curious. How was the outside world? What does it look like?”
“Ah. Boneflute did warn me about your curiosity.” he smiled.
A frown. He was warned? That means at the very least Boneflute knew about his escape plans .“Was it a bad thing?”
“Not at all. I believe being confined in the safety of a paradise was as much a sin as ignorance.” The master laughed. “What would you like to know?”
Now that he got the young demon’s attention, the boy seemed to procure a flaming envelope. “I’ve actually made a list. If you do not mind.”
“Not at all. Let me take a look.” Horrendous pulled out his glasses.
Summer in hell was different. Master Horrendous learned that quite fast when he found the beach filled with lava.
The so-called “monsters” of hell don't look as different as it was in paradise. Perhaps the most logical reason for it was the fact that hell was a human creation. It was human imagination that creates heaven, such is why hell looks somewhat acceptable even in human eyes. They are ultimately the same. Creatures filled with sins, the fear of the unknown, the curiosity of those who dared to challenge the norm, he had seen it all before. The only ones that he had never experienced was..
“Master Horrendous!” Sonata broke him from his thoughts.
“Inferno Sonata.” He replied. Does he smell a little bit like dark liquor just now?
“Just call me Sonata.” The violinist waved him off. “If you finished playing sandcastles with Keyboard, I would like to have your audience.”
To be fair it wasn’t quite a sandcastle and more of an architectural cathedral made of sand and some fire magic.
“My audience?” He tilted his head.
“Indeed.”
“Will I be expecting another solo performance?” Horrendous jested.
The demon violinist laughed. “You get one chance, master Horrendous. But no, it was not a show and tell of a musical degree this time. Will you walk with me?”
Horrendous was still curious about the demon’s antics. Maybe, just maybe he would give him a chance. “Very well, lead the way.”
Sonata brought him beside a private pool. Mind you the pool in Jinnestan was just like any other five-star resort on earth. It was made of precious metals, glittering gold, and of course one that does not have any similarities to hell would be the lava. Perhaps earth or even paradise did not have a visibly tipsy demon violinist on them too but he had not experienced much life outside his former paradise to make a proper deduction.
“You should really hold your liquor, Sonata.” the masked man commented.
“Mmn? Why is that?” Now that the cover was up he might as well pour another glass of bourbon. Motioning to Horrendous if he would have wanted a glass.
“No thank you, “ He kindly refused. “The man before you is not your beloved Boneflute. You wouldn’t know how I would feel to be around a helpless drunkard.”
Leaning on the side of the pool, he dipped his drink to them a little. “You’re just too nice, master Horrendous. Most would easily take advantage of the situation before them.”
He raised an eyebrow. “As I said, I am not your beloved Boneflute.”
“You are not. “ Sonata pouted. “But would you like to be?”
“I’d rather be your beloved Horrendous.”
…
They both laughed at the notion.
“We are too similar.” Sonata commented.
“Three days had done by so fast in Jinnestan. It was quite an experience. I’d had it thanks to your ex-husband and yourself.”
Sonata frowned at the mention of Boneflute’s title. And this time, Horrendous was certain to return the kind favor he had been granted. Those two are similar after all. After spending a few days with each, he had a good feeling on how to ease their relationship. “Sonata, you still care for the man, didn’t you?”
“...” By all hell, Sonata would have rather had another shot of bourbon. “Am I still dreaming?” Or was he already back in hell?
“Even if it was a dream, it was the most wonderful dream. But your little paradise, a dream of a lovely loving man such as I, those dreams should not be a reality. You understand why.”
The demon loved Boneflute.
“I can always be your paradise, but never your beloved Horrendous. You really should tell Boneflute how you feel, how you missed him,” he leaned to whisper on Sonata’s ear, “How you missed his body.”
Sonata blushed. Now he wished he had the accuracy to hit the man right on his chest.
“By stars, I do miss that stupid hell of a man.” Sonata grumbled. His body swayed ever so closer to Horrendous’ chest, and for once, he took the violinist into his arms.
“Paradise is close, how about we go and see him?” Horrendous suggested. He leaned closer, his face touching Sonata’s warm hair, kissing the top of his head.
It would be a good vacation for Keyboard as well. The boy had always wanted to travel to earth. It would be a good time for master Horrendous to be a good host.
Paradise has not changed upon Horredous departure. A world filled with depravity cannot be swayed by the actions of a single man. No matter how idealistic one became, the catalyst of change was too much of a burden for a man with impure intentions. That is why, even the two sections of darkness and light cannot see the truth right in front of them. That is why Horrendous decided to ignore it, for now.
The source of evil still hasn’t been found by those so-called heroes, and those residing in the realms of hell would easily find this place similar to home.
“Welcome,” Horrendous smiled as he took Sonata’s hand, “To Paradise.”
They shared a brief sweet kiss. A custom of this depraved world where actions mean little to what they used to be. An act for the sake of aesthetics, the world where men fell for the same vision they used to hold best regards.
Master Horrendous’ holiday in hell might be over, but it was time for him to narrate the finale of Boneflute’s beautiful holiday in Paradise. But fret not! For Master Horrendous knew his way around the waters of Paradise.
There will be another tale of reconciliation between the two old lovers in Paradise. But for now, it was a tale of a young master who had a taste of freedom beyond the mortal realms. Perhaps by a chance encounter, he could fix an eon-long marital dispute and have a taste of sweet music made by molten hellfire.
the end.