The Struggle

As Lunasia followed the deity through the desolate expanse of the seventh level of the underworld, she found herself immersed in a chilling landscape resembling a frozen forest. The air was thick with an unforgiving cold, and the relentless winds threatened to pierce through to her bones. For a human, such conditions would surely lead to a freezing death.

As she trudged onward, the thought of the bitter cold consumed her thoughts, a constant reminder of the perilous nature of her surroundings. Yet, despite the bleakness of the frozen forest, she pressed forward, guided by the same deity who had promised to come to pick her up precisely after three hours to lead her on her daunting journey.

Her hair, as white as freshly fallen snow, swayed gently behind her as she forged ahead with graceful determination. Clad in a simple white dress adorned with flares at the hem and the cuffs of its voluminous sleeves, Lunasia made her way forward without complaint, though a disdain for the color white stirred within her. In this moment, devoid of emotion, she couldn't help but resent the purity it represented.

Exiting the seventh level of the underworld through a portal bathed in radiant holy light, Lunasia found herself bathed in its warmth. While the light didn't cause her harm, its intensity left her skin tingling uncomfortably, a sensation she found irksome. Emerging onto unfamiliar terrain, she was greeted only by the expanse of the sky and the gentle glow of the morning sun.

"Now that we stand here, it is imperative that I impart upon you a few of our regulations," Johnathan began, his gaze softening with a mix of pity and sorrow as he observed the young woman before him. Despite the emptiness that seemed to make home in her eyes, leaving her devoid of color or vitality, there lingered an undeniable sense of loneliness.

"Understand that these rules are tailored specifically for you, as well as for others of your kind," he continued, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity. "Know this… every decision you make from this point onward will either exacerbate your suffering or serve to alleviate it. Are you prepared to heed my words with careful consideration and wisdom?"

Lunasia nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes briefly drifting to the expansive, bright, and clear sky above before returning her gaze to the man, signaling her readiness to receive his guidance for her path ahead.

"Lunasia Cecil Morningstar, heed my words," Johnathan addressed her authoritatively. "You are summoned to a gathering of the deities, where the terms of your punishment, as decreed by our God, shall be revealed. However, due to unforeseen circumstances cutting short your 'arrow of pain' penalty, the deities have determined that you shall ascend to Heaven on foot, devoid of your demonic powers, akin to a mortal. This deviation from the original punishment is at your discretion to accept or decline."

He continued, his tone weighted with significance. "Should you choose to decline this alternative, know that the deities are displeased with your actions, and their wrath will eventually invoke the ire of our God, perhaps not immediately, but for sure. The decision rests with you, so… will you ascend the stairs to Heaven as a mortal, or shall you accompany me through alternate means, such as wings or an elevator?"

Gazing up at the expanse of the boundless sky, Lunasia beheld the emergence of a gleaming white staircase materializing before her eyes. These stairs, visible only to celestial beings such as angels, deities, and departed souls, stood as a silent testament to the divine realm. With a heavy sigh, she turned to address the deity beside her.

"How... how much time do I have?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of calmness.

The deity furrowed his brow in contemplation before providing his response. "There is no strict time constraint, though it is advisable to commence the meeting expeditiously," he explained.

Lunasia regarded him impassively before delivering her decision. "I'll... I'll take the stairs," she declared, her expression betraying little emotion as she resigned herself to the task at hand.

The deity's eyes widened in astonishment, taken aback by Lunasia's unexpected acceptance of the arduous path set before her. He had anticipated resistance, yet here she stood, defying his expectations at every turn of her existence.

With a faint smile, Johnathan responded, "Very well. I will await your arrival at your destination. These stairs will guide you directly to where the meeting is to be held. I trust I'll see you there later as the meeting is of uttermost significance for you."

With a final statement, the deity turned and strode away, his form gradually fading into the gentle light that left a trail of shimmering gold in its wake. Meanwhile, Lunasia remained rooted in place, her gaze lingering on the now-vanished figure before shifting toward the staircase and advancing toward it.

Releasing a heavy sigh, she reached down to grasp the hem of her dress, lifting it slightly as she placed her pale and delicate feet upon the first step. In silence, she began her ascent, each footfall echoing in the solitude of the divine staircase. As she climbed, memories of her mother and her first love haunted her, casting a shadow of guilt and remorse over her journey.

Throughout her journey of pure loneliness, all Lunasia could do was blame herself for the deaths of her mother and her first love.

In choosing the stairs, Lunasia sought not to fulfill her duty for the lives she had taken; instead, she was punishing herself for the deaths she had inflicted upon those she held dear.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Each step was a struggle, an ascent she brought on herself, yet she pressed on. With each step, her determination surged, fueled by a promise she made to herself before taking the stairs.

She would not falter, would not pause, despite the growing ache in her muscles and the creeping numbness in her legs. The path ahead was grueling and unforgiving, yet she persisted, driven by a force of devotion even if she were to fall to her death that very instant. For her, the journey was more than just reaching a destination; it was a testament to her unwavering resolve as in her mind, the trials she faced paled in comparison to the fate endured by her loved ones, and so she climbed, her determination a beacon against the darkness that threatened to consume her.

Despite the inhuman nature of her body, exhaustion and soreness weighed heavily upon her. Yet, these physical trials were not enough to break her spirit and bring her defeat, for she had already etched a legend as the sole being to endure countless centuries without the solace of sleep. She persisted in completing whatever she vowed to complete because she was more than just flesh and bone.

She was… Lunasia Cecil Morningstar.

The only daughter of none other than Lucifer Morningstar himself.

As the days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months, Lunasia's ascent of the celestial staircase became a saga unto itself. Each step forward was interwoven with the dance of the stars, the gentle glow of the moon, and the fiery brilliance of the sun. Amidst this celestial symphony, she bore witness to the intricate ballet of birds and bats, their fleeting presence a reminder of the world she had left behind.

She had long since lost the memory of the world's beauty, and its colors faded to nothing but distant echoes... in the hollow chambers of her mind.

And perhaps… perhaps those enchanting memories would never find their way back to her again as they were just like the delicate treasures... swallowed by time and miseries.

Through the endless expanse of time, she pressed onward, her resolve unshaken by the weariness that settled into her bones. With each passing moment, she drew closer to her destination, the culmination of her arduous pilgrimage looming ever nearer.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she emerged at the pinnacle of the staircase, her bones aching with triumph and exhaustion in equal measure. At last, she had reached the summit, a testament to her indomitable will and unwavering determination.

As Lunasia finally descended to the ground floor, her strength waning, she sank to her knees, overcome with exhaustion. Johnathan, ever attentive, hastened to her side, draping a soft, pristine white blanket around her shoulders. The chill of the journey had taken its toll, leaving her weaker than when he had last seen her at the foot of the staircase.

"Congratulations, you've arrived," the deity declared, his tone a mixture of congratulation and sympathy. "Though it took you a mere week to traverse the staircase, but in the realm of humans... seven years have passed. It's a significant sacrifice, but in many respects, it's for the best. Come, I'll escort you to the meeting room."

With a smile tinged with a hint of sadness, he led the still-kneeling Lunasia, who struggled to catch her breath despite the absence of respiration in her body since immortal creatures don't breathe, but she wasn't aware of this fact other than that she was the most perilous and the strongest immortal to be alive in the world.

The staircase had always held an air of dread, capable of rattling the very core of any creature's being. Yet, against all odds, Lunasia emerged from the ordeal with her mental and physical faculties intact.

With unsteady steps, Lunasia rose to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her weight. Yet, in an instant, she called upon her magical abilities. A surge of crimson, shadowy energy emanated from her, wrapping around her lower body like a protective cloak. As the flare enveloped her, a wave of healing warmth in the form of crimson shimmers washed over her sore legs, soothing away the pain and restoring her strength.

With her legs revitalized, she was prepared to forge ahead once more.