A love interest?

Very soon the two girls were in the back of a vehicle which was covered in metal spikes. The pits were not far from the towering skyscrapers. Yet every precaution had to be made so that the gladiators accidentally did not get spotted by fans and torn apart in frenzy. At first, Cassandra was gleeful at the prospect. Her expression quickly changed seeing the stinky hog skin suit they had to wear.

The ocean of lava could be seen through the small window, making the surroundings reddish and bright.

"Have you ever had a beauty treatment before?" Lavinia asked.

"A few. I doubt they were any less painful than those I'm about to experience," her companion joked.

Lavinia chuckled. "They do not differ from those I suffered. Although leaches are a fresh new addition."

As the vehicle rumbled down the rock road, Cassandra looked out, sighing. She thought about the magma and how it reminded her of the sea.

"Hmm, I can't stop wondering who sent us the water. And why?" Lavinia thought aloud. "Oh! I know. The person in question must lust for one of the girls."

Cassandra shrugged. "Could be a possibility."

Lavinia sighed through her hog mask. "I wish I had your luck. The only male affection I get is from Biff."

Cassandra let out a huffy grunt, shaking her head.

"It's fine, really. It's not like I did any better during my life. My husband was 30 years my senior and often out on campaigns. I mostly spent my days alone in our large palace, surrounded with nothing but my slaves and pets," the petite fighter told.

"That does not sound too bad," Cassandra replied.

"It wasn't... To be honest, it was a fairly uneventful life. I have no idea how I ended up here."

"Me neither. It is confusing how those things work. How did you end up with your fighting skills?"

"Oh, I made a lot of sacrifices to Athena and Diana..." Lavinia explained. "If I only knew what my afterlife would be like, I would for sure worship Hades more. Back in my days, we had no concept of selling our souls for favors, you know."

"I see," Cassandra said, fidgeting awkwardly.

"But I made my peace. Battles can be fun. Most girls like me and Biff can be a generous lover. I only need to be careful and make sure Tamara never finds out. You have no idea how vicious she can be."

"Blind and deaf too. I don't remember a single lock-up Biff did not harass me. I had to modify my weapon, just so I can keep him at bay. Does she not see what a man whore her darling husband is?"

Her shorter friend exhaled melancholic. "I suppose, it's much easier to beat your employees than to see the truth," she said, pressing her chest with a quiver in her voice.

Cassandra looked at her concerned. "Did she..."

"It doesn't matter. It's not like I can change anything," Lavinia blurted out.

The vehicle stopped with the armored door opening by itself. In front of them stood the largest skyscraper. With its obelisk walls and height that seemed endless, it seemed even more menacing. A rock wall stood connected to one wall, making it the only defense from sudden waves.

Still, the star fighter in a pig costume looked at it longingly. "Kind of looks like a peer, doesn't it?" she uttered nostalgically.

A loud roar of laughter startled the friends. About a dozen of young-looking demons passed them teasing and mocking their dismembered friend.

"That was not funny, guys! I'm in pain! Horrible, horrible pain!" he yelled as his protruding ribs bounced with his every step. Unable to move his arms, he resembled a walking bird statue. That did not stop his companions, whose screams were heard long after they disappeared out of sight.

"We should hurry before we get recognized?" Cassandra said scared.

"Definitely," Lavinia said hastily.

A heavy door, more fitting for a dungeon was opened by a loud woman with gazelle-like horns. "Who's ready to get their armpit hairs scorched!" she greeted them with a large grin.

Making a recovery after that ordeal, Biff took her, Jane and Lavinia to a gig higher up. Cassandra observed the high-end place, which seemed similar to a few penthouses mashed together. A huge number of rooms were connected, some of which bedrooms and private quarters, all open for anyone's viewing pleasure. A massive staff circulated from room to room along with servants of other sorts. The guests were some of the strangest demons she had ever seen. With blackish scales and a variety of animal appendages, they laughed obnoxiously, treating everyone as beneath them.

Stuck in a place like this, Cassandra was almost glad Biff was around. The girls did their act, which was no different from what they usually do, and were left standing there. Their bosses were very unclear what they were supposed to do after the show, except that they should be on their best behavior and not cause a scene. Cassandra took a drink and watched the city from a window. Surrounded by the hot illuminating lava from that high up, it almost seemed beautiful.

A man with small horns and round glasses approached her. "Is your leg alright?" he said blunt. Cassandra looked down. The shaving lady was overly zealous when getting rid of small hairs.

"It's nothing," she said disinterested. The demon stood near her making her feel uncomfortable.

"I'm a doctor. I can make it heal faster. Mind if we go to my laboratory? It's a few rooms away," he said.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I don't think my boss-"

"Who? Biff? Who do you think I asked for permission," he said turning towards him. Biff was currently preoccupied with five dancing girls, caressing and kissing him. He gave Cassandra the thumbs up, to which she discretely exhaled.

"Do not worry. I am a man of science. I only want to help," he said offering her his hand. She reluctantly accepted. Her fellow fighters waved to here, acting as this was nothing out of the ordinary.

Not long after, she was in a place that resembled something from a horror movie. Shackles fell from the ceiling, with a sink, a long shelf and an operating table in the middle. "What is all this?" she asked scared, looking at a wide arrangement of tools that resembled torture devices.

"This perfume is for you," he said spraying a small bottle in her face.

She coughed, feeling fuzzy. Her vision became blurry. Seeing three outlines of the doctor demon, she fell to the ground, blacking out. Once conscious, she found herself trapped. She moved frantically, dangling in the air. Her hands were tied behind her back. A chain was wrapped around her abdomen.

Looking around, she could see the doctor standing behind her. The man had taken off his clothes, with only his glasses on. His naked body skin was completely oiled up. He was standing with an abnormally large syringe in his hand.

"Now, let's see what happens when a spine is completely drilled through the middle," he said admiring his tool. She yelled out, struggling to escape, but the chains were too tight.

As the insidious demon approached, she could hear someone knock. A man with white gloves and a black tail was standing at the door, observing silently.

"Yes," the doctor uttered displeased.

The man at the door looked at him serious. "Do you remember that favor you owe me."

The doctor nodded.

"We're even," he said signaling him to leave. The girl puffed relieved.

With a groan, the man with the round glasses unlocked the chain, letting Cassandra drop to the floor. Then he stomped out, not looking back. She looked at her savior grateful. The man had straight white hair, neatly slicked back. He was of average built with insightful eyes and a fine posture. The damned man leaned in and gently helped her up.

"I'm sorry for my acquaintance. He lets his curiosity get the better of him."

Cassandra needed a moment to catch her breath.

"Let's get you out of here," he suggested, slowly ushering her.

"Hey Basil! Bring more strippers next time," someone yelled as they made their way towards the beverage table.

"This is your party?" she asked.

"Well, technically everything here belongs to You-know-who. But, yes. I have arranged for these festivities," he explained.

Cassandra took a good look at him. He had a very pleasant appearance.

"Are you trying to evaluate me?" he said.

"Maybe?" the girl replied. "It's just, you seem too nice for this crowd."

"Ah, so you're wondering how I got here?" he smiled. His lips were wider than normal, exposing two long rolls of perfectly square teeth.

"Well now that you mention it," the girl smiled intrigued. "What landed you here?"

"Tax collection," he blurted.

The girl laughed out loud. "Seriously?"

The man shrugged. "I held other positions within the field. But that usually gets the most laughs."

"My hu-" she stopped, feeling someone grab her arm.

"That costs extra," Biff blurted, dragging the disappointed Cassandra. She looked back at the seemingly kind man. He shyly waved, watching them go.