Chapter 156: THE LOTTERY

It was still, and almost everyone sat in complete silence,

Praying...no, they have lost their faiths long time ago...

Hoping, yes, that's it...that's the word,

Hoping that their names won't be called.

Haborym loved sick plays like this,

It was one of the only jobs he enjoyed at least.

In this room, everyone fears him.

He had a demon on his side,

Calling random names one by one.

Those who were called sighed in relief,

Almost crying by the fact that another day to live they've achieved.

Haborym watches as the people in front of him gets fewer and fewer.

They beg, and cry to the demon to reconsider,

But Haborym was not feeling anything but thirst,

And when the last name was left,

How she cried the time she's called.

She was a young little lady,

And to see her beg for mercy,

Even made Haborym feel a pinch in his heart,

However, he had more things to do,

And the lottery, he can't simply restart.

However, as they were about to stand,

A woman with black hair and dark eyes rose her hand,

She looks way older, and her eyes were showing any hints of fear,

Everyone knows who she was, for a long long time...she was here.

Haborym knew she was the mother of half of what was once his army,

A woman who produces only sons but lost most her family.

An immortal human with only two existing cambion offsprings,

One who do not fear what death and life would bring.

She had been here, in this lottery for many times.

The only one not happy her name isn't called twice.

She knew that once they get out alive,

A gift will be bestowed, and she cannot wait to take another chance.

She had enough, enough of her sons being sent away for fruitless wars,

Having them sent as corpses, and a set of bones.

Her newborn, and her 8 year old son should not experience the same fate,

Oh for hundreds of years, she suffered, she cannot wait.

"I will do what it takes."

The woman said, in a determined voice.

As Haborym thinks if he should reconsider her choice.

"There's no turning back, let me remind you again,"

"And I assure you, I'm very much aware."

She looks at him, and smiles,

"A mother would do everything for her child."

Haborym laughs and looks away,

As he whispered softly to himself,

"Not everyone is like you, especially back in that day."

The lady walked on, carrying the heavy buckets of human meat,

She had done such dirty jobs before,

And did not flinched when she saw the chopped off eyes, hands and feet.

It smelled awful tho, and it certainly makes her want to puke,

But she needs to move faster, listen hard and look.

The metallic gate opened loudly upon her presence,

As a fouler smell greeted her nose,

"What ridiculous stench,"

Surely the maids assigned to clean the cage isn't doing their job well,

Or...perhaps they did not escaped and ended up food,

Well, there's not much to tell.

She walked further and saw the hairless dogs the size of two humans,

Growling, and wanting to get out of the chains binding them hard.

She smiles and throws the first set of body,

As the first dog caught it flawlessly.

It was tiring for her to do it again and again,

Especially knowing that there's two more to feed, despite her feeling already strained.

She carried another bucket but this time felt afraid,

The dog did not react to the food, she threw right away.

The hairless dog looked at her, unmoving,

His large big eyes, unblinking.

When she walked a bit further, the dog walked towards her.

The chains were rattling, this dog sure is danger.

That was when she snapped back to reality,

The set of bones, the blood, the animosity.

She is not afraid of pain, of death,

But of failing when there's so much she could get.

She threw the last set of food to the smallest one.

While trying to keep her distance from the biggest dog.

It looked at her still, watching closely,

Growling at her, and she hopes the chains won't break free.

Haborym watches the scene take place,

Up above the balcony, hearing the dog's hungry wails.

The demon beside him told him to just feed the woman,

But Haborym instead smiled sinister, "I would like to change your plan..."

A snake appeared in Haborym's shoulder,

Biting the man who then fell hopelessly to the dogs' chamber,

They tore the big demon quickly within minutes, Saving the woman from their unwanted attention,

How she ran so quick.

Haborym walked back inside,

Where the woman bowed before him, with big thanks although tired.

The duke of hell had respect for this maid,

She was the reason of his survival, for one of her sons had him saved.

He smiles and sits down.

"What do you want as prize?"

"I want to have my sons."

"That, I told Satan, but he said only one is allowed."

"What?!" She was surprised and upset,

She almost kissed Death.

It felt unfair, she felt cheated,

She suffered everything, the dogs and the stench.

She even killed her guilt,

Her human feelings,

She thought Haborym would at least do her a favor,

But although hurt, she knew she can't get through him.

"We need more soldiers. I am sorry,"

Haborym said, genuine and softly.

"I will take my newborn then,"

(But I will come back for my other son, no matter when)

Haborym agrees as he gives her a pack of gold,

"Take this as well. A gift for being bold."

"Please take it to my son I cannot save this time,

Tell him mother loves him," "Well then, it's fine."

"Duke Haborym," The woman called as he was about to stand,

"What is it? Is there something else you want?"

"I could read, that you are a good guy,"

"Number 21, I am not in disguise.

I am demon and I am proud of it,

Don't mistake my calmess as a hint of kindness.

It just so happens I owe your deceased son something big,

Without it, you're no more than a pig.

I am not fair and will never be,

Please, do not count on me."

The mother felt little but accepted nonetheless,

"I thank you still, even if it's not out of kindness,

Bring my gratitude to Lord Satan himself."

"Very well."

Haborym walks away, but he felt very strange,

Some sparks of his childhood, quickly went on display,

But since he deems it but mere weaknesses,

He decided to just drink it away.

.

.

.

155 woke up to someone loudly snoring,

She saw Haborym, sleeping on his table, head on books,

She swears he's even louder than her sleep talking,

As she noticed he haven't even changed his clothes and wasn't even trying.

He was truly a busy man...

And he even sleeps whilst wearing his mask???

Unbelievable, is this how small of time he had for himself is?

Or did he forgot?

Even so, how could uncomfortable things this man could miss.

She walks towards him, and removed his heavy looking earrings,

And even his mask, since it may bother his breathing.

The duke shuffles a little, and 155 removed his hood,

Revealing his fluffy blue hair, that is somehow unruled.

She snickers and had urges to play with it,

But was afraid he's involuntarily release some snakes.

She went back to bed in retreat,

As Haborym's eyes opened, and knew what she did.

He sighed and went back to sleep.

Her curiousity and courage, could definitely kill.

When will she know how to keep her hands to herself?

She's running to danger, without her knowing it's a threat.

...

Selaphiel felt surprised smelling a familiar scent of smoke and cinders,

Could it be what he remembered?

In the black night's view he could clearly see a figure,

So after all this time...

The demon dared return?

He approached it slowly, warily,

As Barachiel warns Selaphiel of going there abruptly,

But the archangel seemed in a hurry,

Wanting to confirm,

if he's truly a friend or an enemy.

"So you finally remembered, huh?"

"Did it take too long? If so, I'm sorry."