Destined to Serve?

As if our luck couldn't get any worse, Sky and I were dragging J's body through the mud, finally exiting the piles of rubbish and slime - only to exit onto a rocky lava floor.

Actual lava flowed through the cracks of molten rock that had just formed.

For some reason, there was no heat.

But that wasn't the problem.

Our idea to find shelter from the incoming rain was now the least of our concerns. The problem was the faceless soldiers who line the rocks, as if expecting us to appear from the piles of discarded and smelly rubbish.

They say nothing except they point spears toward us while they wear rusty old armour.

With a flick of their weapons, they direct us to follow their guidance.

I can hear Sky's breathing accelerate while I keep a keen eye on the soldiers.

This was a strange land full of beings... who seemed to understand who we were and what we were.

It was intriguing.

Just as the soldiers motion us to walk past their separated bodies, I see a wooden carriage pulled by naked mortal looking slaves draped in chains. The door to the carriage is open.

A lady that looks a lot like Lady Grey, sits within the carriage, dressed in a green emerald scrappy looking dress.

I step forward first, Sky following while the soldiers drag J by grabbing his ankles.

I enter the carriage first while Sky stays close, suddenly wanting to cling to my side.

As I find a seat, she sits right into me as J is simply laid on the floor of the carriage between us and the Lady Grey lookalike.

"Sweet little dumplings," she seems to mock us with a strange insult as her eyes crinkle with a smile. Her whole green dress outfit is dangling with bone jewellery, "The three of you must be so very confused."

"Yes," I answer, "We don't understand what's going on."

"Let me explain further," she drawls, calmly, "A long time ago, the three Demon Kings of this Land of the Jinxed - fell ill to a prophecy that would wreck havoc on their reign. There is no way to break the curse, only manipulate it. They made sure the prophesied Challengers to their lives - were the unluckiest bunch of mortals from Earth. You are therefore and forever more destined to serve the Demon Kings at their mercy. Each one of you will do as you are bid to your Lord. You can try to kill them... but I wouldn't advise it. Death is paradise in the land of the Jinxed. Eternal torture is your likely befitting punishment if you try to challenge the Demon Kings."

"But if that is our purpose," I state, "Why would we... ignore that purpose?"

"Shut up, Syren," Sky murmurs to me, "You don't know what you're saying."

"Explain some more, Lady Grey," I address the witch lady as such and her eyes widen.

"So you have met my sister," the lady smiles, "How sweet... is that why you... oh... oh no, I see," the witch quickly loses her smile, "Mortals are not green or blue, are they? She gave you powers. That hag. I should have expected it."

"Powers?" Sky whispers, looking to me while thinking of my trick with lightning just before.

"We have no powers," I blurt out, "None."

"Really?" the witch asks suspiciously, "It doesn't matter anyway. What matters is you listen to me. You will all fall at each Demon King's feet. Willingly. Or you will all suffer. Do you understand, sweet little dumplings?"

"I think so," I respond for J, who is currently snoring and Sky, who's bottom lip is trembling while she leans into me.

I already knew this nightmare was about to get a whole lot worse than just awkward.