by A Uscila
And Derek? His childish fist slammed onto the stone in frustration, while a deep frown twisted his youthful features.
“God damn you, archangel…” – He swore.
******
Fire and brimstone rained down in bright flashes against the pitch black horizon, while dancing lights shimmered in the distance here and there. The air was ripe with the smell of sulfur and smoke, and Wail coughed uncontrollably upon taking a deeper breath. His watery eyes darted around the barely visible scenery – fields of black earth that were riddled with jutting cliffs of red rock coming into view.
“Ah, finally. Welcome to hell, my dear colleague. I’ve been expecting you” – A croaking voice echoed from behind all of a sudden and Wail reflexively jumped away, turning to face whoever that was with a startle.
His gaze was met by black eyes with red pupils, a lean creature of effeminate features and pale skin, long, pointy ears that protruded from straight, grey hair - a pair of delicate obsidian horns angling through it and against the fellow’s skull. He wore a battered robe with familiar patterns and did not seem to be wielding any weapons.
You have completed a quest!
A message popped-up in Wail’s peripheral vision and it took him quite a while till everything fully sunk in.
“I’m stuck in hell, aren’t I?” – Wail voiced a rhetorical question.
Afterword
I started my so called “writing career” in 2013 when I started this book. If only I knew what I’ve gotten myself into back then…
Fast-forward to now, 5 years of struggles with continuing/editing/finishing away, I finally feel like I can put it to rest and mark it as my first written work. To be honest, it required a huge amount of will and self-inflicted whipping to do the job and I have to admit that I couldn’t have done it without my ever present insecurities and lack of self-esteem.
Joke’s aside, I am eternally grateful to my close friend who stood by and supported me throughout my writing, taking the time to read and comment on my work. In addition, the fact that my parents approved of such a hobby helped as well.
Finally, I’d like to take the time to appreciate the constant nagging by my co-workers who made it their mission to find out if I finished the book every single workday morning. There, it’s finished now! You happy now!? (Thanks)
