text: [Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark, war, female protagonist, fantasy]
  
  You're here now and you're not coming back without at least confirmation that Sinthinia is paying for her defiance against your regime.
  
  While you suppose you could just continue looking for her by yourself, you feel like this mortal is the best chance you have for a lead. He's more tolerable than the angels though the downside is he's not even willing to help you, but maybe that can be changed.
  
  "Human, if you just tell me where these cells are located, you don't even need to go there, just give me directions. In return I'll get you out of here." You offer.
  "Get me out of here eh? And I suppose much like Big Red's offer, that will involve a one way trip to the infernal realm where I can suffer for all eternity. Yeah, no thanks. This place might not be the most pleasant, but at least I'm not going to spend the rest of my afterlife existence with a pitchfork up my ass." Arash replies.
  "First of all, we'd use a variety of objects to shove up your ass. Second, I can promise you that wouldn't be your fate."
  "No, just some other equally horrible fate no doubt. Big Red attempted this too, and I wasn't buying it then. I know you infernals and you're twisty word tricks."
  "Well what would convince you? All I can offer is my word and granted that's a dubious offer from anyone, let alone from an infernal. I can only assure you that IF you tell me what I want to know and we all get out of this alive, I WILL honor a promise right here and now that your body and soul will NOT suffer a horrible agonizing fate by me directly or indirectly and you will be taken home to the place of your choosing."
  
  The human looks at your eyes with a mixture of suspicion and vague hopefulness. You know he really wants to leave this place despite his mistrustful nature.
  
  "You must REALLY want this bitch huh? Guessing she must have done something really bad to you, what was it exactly?" the human asks.
  "She defied the new order that I am bringing to the infernal realm. She must pay for her impudence and ideally I will decide her punishment directly."
  "Hm. Glad I'm not on your bad side, if you're willing to go to all this trouble...okay fuck it. Since you seem to be so driven on your task rather than concerning yourself with gaining my soul along with making a promise like you just did. I'll point you in the right direction, but since you are potentially my way out of this place, I feel like I should tell you a little more about this place in general just so you know what you're up against."
  "What's to know? This place is a prison for celestials, though it sounds like Engan has been turning it into his own personal playground."
  "Eh, that's only partially correct. During my time here, I've managed to hear things, find things and obviously see things that aren't what the mayor claims to be. This place wasn't created as a prison for celestials. From what I've gathered it was here long before that. Something much older created this little place or lived here or something. And I don't even think the original inhabitants are completely gone."
  "So?"
  "My point is, things are more fucked up here than they appear. While I'm sure you already got that impression, I'm stressing that these celestials aren't just here for minor offenses. I don't even think they were sent here as punishment. I think this was some sort of hiding place for them from whatever higher powers they offended, but it became a prison for them in the long run. They've been here so long now that this place has twisted their very essence so much that most of them are probably wishing they were dead. The others, well they've embraced it so much that they no longer could be considered celestials except in the superficial sense I suppose. Don't trust anything."
  "I'm an infernal. I never do. Duly noted though."
  
  Arash nods and then begins to tell you how to find the Cells. He explains to you that they are located in one of the houses in town close to the tavern, but you won't find it walking forward, you'll have to walk backwards.
  
  "Are you fucking serious?" you say.
  "This is how I found it by accident. I ended up taking a few steps backwards once and looked to my left and suddenly I saw a door that wasn't there before on one of the houses." Arash replies.
  "You sure it was always there and you just didn't notice it when passing before?"
  "The door was in the corner of the house AND it was upside down. I think I would have seen it before. I went in because it isn't like I had much else to do in this place. As I said, I wish I hadn't though, but in the off chance that you're successful in whatever it is you're attempting to do, I guess it will have been worth it."
  "Oh I'll be successful, and when I drag that bitch out of there, you better make sure you're near that dead tree outside town because it'll be your only chance to get out of here."
  "I guess I'll see. Oh one more thing infernal. When you find the door, chances are very likely that you'll start experiencing alterations of reality. I can't quite explain it entirely, but rest to say, it's unpleasant and not good. Be prepared."
  
  With those words, you take your leave of Arash and head back towards where the tavern was located. As you're passing the tavern you see Posil and his group hanging around outside this time.
  
  "Well if it isn't the infernal beauty back again. Change your mind about that game?" Posil asks.
  
  You ignore him and turn around and begin to walk backwards looking at the houses as you pass them by.
  
  "What the fuck is she doing?" one of the angels says.
  "Is she...?" another starts to ask.
  "I think so, you better go find Engan's ass." Posil remarks and all of them immediately fly off, though you're not really worried about it.
  
  You continue your search and finally you pass the house you seek. You see the upside door in the corner of it that Arash was talking about. You also feel a little odd. It's like when you were around Engan.
  
  And no sooner that you've had that thought Posil lands right in front of the door. He doesn't look quite as sparkly though. In fact his skin is grayer. It's matching the rest of this place in fact.
  
  "Sorry my infernal beauty, but I believe you've uncovered a part of this place that you probably shouldn't enter." Posil remarks.
  "Oh? And why is that?" you ask.
  "Well it's dangerous. There are some really evil types in there."
  
  You laugh at this remark.
  
  "You do realize you're speaking to an infernal right? Besides, isn't this whole place filled with evil types? I mean this whole place IS a prison correct?" you say.
  "No, we're not evil. We just merely just saw another way; in fact in some cases you could say some of us saw a BETTER way. And yes, this place is a prison, but even in a prison there are precautions to separate the deadlier prisoners from the rest of the population."
  "Hm from what I've heard this place isn't even a prison. It was here before you lot showed up to hide from the higher powers you offended."
  
  Now Posil no longer maintains his false smile at all, and you begin to see anger.
  
  "And I see you've been speaking to Arash. The filthy human that does nothing but spread lies and stink up the town. I'm surprised you would even be listening to such a lowly creature, but then you infernals have never been known for your intelligence."
  "Well then I guess it's time to stop thinking altogether and start doing something really stupid like entering your cells." You say and begin to move towards the door, Posil doesn't move though.
  
  "Stop! You don't have permission to enter!" Posil shouts.
  "Don't see why I wouldn't I'm an infernal. Pretty sure I qualify as what you would consider an evil type. Move aside Posil,"
  "I'm not moving and you can't make me infernal. Now if you REALLY want to go inside, I suppose I can allow it, if you ask for permission and let me accompany you."
  "Last chance to get out of my way Posil."
  "Or you'll what? What can you do to me? No violence allowed infernal remember?"
  "Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough then..." you say drawing your sword.
  "Infernal, I'm warning you. Strike me with that sword and you'll regret it."
  
  You look around and see you've drawn a crowd of other celestials looking on. They all have different expressions on their faces. Some are obviously showing displeasure, though others are showing concern. Still others don't seem to show any sign that they care one way or another except this is something that is breaking up the monotony.
  
  None of them are trying to stop you however. Granted they can't touch you anymore than you can touch them, but they aren't protesting verbally either. They're all just watching and waiting to see what you might do next.
  
  While you're scanning the crowd one thing catches your eye for a second. You think you see one of the angels silently mouth the words "Free us."
  
  You look back at Posil and notice he's making odd twitching movements. You blink and for the briefest moment his face isn't the same, it's covered in multiple mouths and eyes. The mouths aren't all horizontal either, some are vertical and most of them are filled with disjointed teeth or drooling some sort of black liquid. The eyes are of all different colors and sizes.
  
  Then it's back to normal.
  
  Something definitely isn't right here and you're actually feeling... well the word isn't quite fear, but you're definitely feeling very uneasy. You haven't felt this way in a very long time.
  
  "Well? You going to swing that sword infernal? Or you just going to admire my superior celestial physique?" Posil asks with a grin that is entirely too wide.
  
  > Back away
  This goes against every part of your being, but you feel like you're getting drawn into a trap and every moment you stay here increases the danger that you won't be able to return.
  
  You start to back away which naturally causes Posil to smirk and proceed to mock you.
  
  "Hah! That's what I thought! You infernals talk and you talk, but when it comes down to it, you're all a bunch of cowards when in the face of a superior being! Run infernal, run! Look everyone, look at the infernal run!" Posil exclaims.
  
  At this point the crowd of angels begins to step closer and much like how you saw Posil, you now start to see them very briefly change into other "things" then back to their angel form as well.
  
  You begin to really feel threatened and start shouting at all of them to get back, swinging your sword at them. They start to stay their distance. A couple of them even make shrieking sounds that definitely don't sound like something an angel would make.
  
  Eventually you're out of immediate danger of the crowd of angels which are all now just staring at you. Posil is flying above them, continuing with his mocking.
  
  "Leaving then? Come on, don't be like that. I was just jesting. Even an infernal like you deserves this chance. We have such wonderful things to show you. Such beautiful things. You should really stay. What say you everyone? Shouldn't she stay?"
  "Yes stay. Stay with us. Forever, and ever and ever." The group says in a creepy tone. (Completely in unison)
  
  You don't know what this place is or who these being are exactly, but they are NOT celestials and now your mind is feeling assaulted.
  
  "Running won't help. Hiding won't help. What is coming is inevitable. The ancient ones will awaken soon."
  
  "GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD!" you shout and fly as fast as you can out of this cursed village and back to where you originally came in.
  
  As you're speeding away and trying to shut out the voices still invading your mind, you fumble about with getting the beacon stone to open up the portal.
  
  You open the portal and fly in without stopping.
  
  When you arrive, you're back in the room where Zel first opened it up for you. Nobody is around which paired with your already heightened state of readiness you make a somewhat terrible mistake...
  
  "You went by so fast, I nearly didn't get..."
  
  This is all Arash manages to say before you swing around with your sword and chop half of his head off. His body slumps to the floor as his brain matter splatters partially on the wall and on the floor.
  
  "Shit! Fuck! Damn it!" you exclaim after calming down from the initial surprise.
  
  You were so busy trying to leave that place, you forgot all about Arash. You didn't even see him waiting for you, but he must have hopped into the portal right after you entered it.
  
  You really didn't mean to kill him, in fact given the deal you made with him, it wouldn't have been in your interest to kill him. At least not without a loophole, let alone directly.
  
  Breaking deals has consequences for your kind, hence also why your kind doesn't make them very often and even then excel in double speak and lies.
  
  While breaking a minor deal with a mortal isn't going to kill you, you're already feeling a slight loss in your power. On top of already having your mind shaken by the abominations that infested the place you just came from, you curse yourself for experiencing such weakness.
  
  You even feel a little sick. Some of your soldiers rush in finally to see what's going on at which point you tell them to get the fuck out of your way as you need to prepare for the next campaign.
  
  In truth, you just want to go back to your own war tent where you can rest a bit and gather your strength until you can feel a little more like yourself.
  
  Later after resting up, you still don't feel like yourself. You probably won't feel up to your old power for some time. You definitely cannot give anyone the impression of this loss. Infernals are all too eager to backstab each other at the best of times, let alone if they perceive weakness.
  
  On top of all this, you've got concerns about what you just saw in the other realm you just came from. There was a strong indication that whatever those being are, they won't be just content sticking around in that pocket dimension forever. You need to prepare for that, on top of your initial impossible goal of unifying the infernal realm.
  
  You just don't know though. You're so unsure of everything now. You hate this pathetic indecisiveness and lack of confidence you're experiencing. This isn't you.
  
  While you're struggling with your future plans, you get a cautious visit from Captain Spol of all people.
  
  "Um, general? Are you busy? I wouldn't bother you, but I felt this was something important." He says.
  "What? And speak quickly!" you snap.
  "Yes general. Reports say that this area has been completely secured. Most of Sinthinia's remaining hold outs are either dead, being tortured or run off. It seems though however there have been sightings of Baron Yargvid's troops on the borders. They haven't made a move yet, looks like they've been observing, but we weren't sure what you wanted to do next."
  
  You quickly clear your head and answer Spol with brief order of sending a detachment along the border and to call in other captains to give reports so you can start planning your next conquest.
  
  Captain Spol nods, but before he leaves you call out to him asking if he's seen Zel since she wasn't at her post when you arrived back home.
  
  "No, you told me to stay away so I did. I assume she might be working on repairing the siege engines though." Captain Spol replies.
  "Hm. Well if you bump into her or anyone else that knows where she is, tell her to get her ass over here since I need to discuss something with her as well. Dismissed." You reply.
  
  Captain Spol nods again and leaves.
  
  You doubt if Spol hasn't seen Zel. Probably were fucking while you were away, but you've honestly got bigger problems right now than potential minor insubordination issues.
  
  The Future...
  
  You look down at the ground squashing a small crawling scorder under foot reflecting back at how you came to this lowly state of hiding in a fucking cave in the middle of nowhere.
  
  While it's easy to blame all this on breaking your deal with Arash, it really wasn't the only thing. It's never just one thing.
  
  While you certainly did lose power, it was more that you let the idea of power loss get into your head. You became distracted and second guessing yourself at nearly every major decision. You became paranoid to an unreasonable degree, but at the same time you had to rely on putting on a stronger front than you actually had.
  
  Despite all that, you probably COULD have faked it long enough to get your shit together. Might have taken your goals a bit longer, but it was possible. After all, you had to resort to a bit of bluffing when you were climbing the ladder to power in the beginning.
  
  What ruined everything though was the invasion. The abominations from that place you barely escaped from finally arrived. You knew it was coming and you even tried to prepare for it, but due to your instability at the time, it was always pushed back to take care of other things you thought were of more immediate importance.
  
  When the invasion came, your territory was the first to be targeted and it was devastating even with your minor preparations in place. Didn't help that Sinthinia lead the assault, of course she didn't look much like herself anymore. She wasn't an infernal anymore, not even in the superficial way. She had completely been twisted by the old ones and just a tool for their pursuit of absolute entropy.
  
  It was during one of your clashes with her when things got even worse. Sinthina's changes had made her more powerful while you were still struggling with your own losses. She nearly killed you in that last battle with her and sometimes you wish she had because what came next was even worse.
  
  Captain Spolnapad who had somehow got on your "good side" by making himself a completely obedient officer to you, even helping you maintain order over those that were whispering about your ability to lead at times.
  
  Honestly, his "selfless subservience" to you probably should have been your first clue that he was plotting the biggest betrayal of all.
  
  He saved your life with new weapon developed by that equally traitorous bitch Zeljenir. Or rather reverse engineered it from the weapons that Arash's dead body was carrying on him. Apparently the two discovered them and kept it secret. Or at least Spol did and probably charmed Zel into going along with it like the dumb whore she was.
  
  After he vaporized Sinthinia he led a successful counter attack against the abominations. The first in a long time of the initial invasion. Spol of course was hailed as "savior" and you were viewed as a failure.
  
  He wasted little time in ordering that you be executed for your inability to lead anymore. You barely escaped, but you have been forever hunted ever since. If not by Spol's people, then by other opportunists for various reasons.
  
  Not that killing you will do much to help anyone's position at this point. You have no allies or territory anymore. All of those were destroyed or taken long ago. In fact despite everything, the infernal realm is more fractured than ever which puts it in an even worse position than it was before since the ancient ones haven't ceased their own invasion.
  
  In fact they've been building strength even with the new weapons used against them. How do you know?
  
  Because they're right here. Maybe not right here with you in this cave, but you can sense them in this area.
  
  The Red Wastes have always been considered of little worth even from a strategic perspective. The area is one of the more hostile areas of the infernal realms and has little worth in general. Indeed that's one of the reasons why you decided to hide here.
  
  But the invaders are here, in fact if you had to guess, besides attacking your territory first, they probably established a presence here as well knowing they could stay undetected for a long time.
  
  And they know YOU'RE here as well. You hear the voices. They've been trying to talk to you for quite some time. Promising you revenge, promising you a return to greatness, promising you a place in the new order.
  
  They speak to you even now.
  
  "Join us. Become part of the inevitable future..."
  
  You assume despite your outcast status, you would be a great asset to their invasion effort. You don't know why they haven't just tried to take you by force though. Their numbers are growing every moment you and while you've long since regained your powers, you'd never be able to outlast such a horde by yourself.
  
  Perhaps they wish to drive you mad first. Insanity does seem to a major character trait for those affected.
  
  You might even be half way there already, indeed there is part of you that has almost decided give in. Joining these ancient ones would be a way to regain what was lost.
  
  But no. As tempting as it might be to just throw your lot in with ancient horrors for revenge on the entire infernal realm, that isn't your path.
  
  You can't stay here though, the abominations aren't going to allow your continued presence forever and even if they do, you don't know if you have the willpower to fight off their insane babbling.
  
  Where you'll go, you have no idea, but one thing is certain, you aren't dead and out of this conflict yet. You'll climb back to the top eventually.
  
  It's just a matter of time.