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The world of Pehirio was *weird*.

Like, the sky was always purple and full of lightning, but it never rained. The streets glowed green at night, and everyone acted like that was totally normal.

And everyone had a demon inside them.

Well—almost everyone.

Isabella walked down the broken road, her boots making a crunch sound on the cracked stone. She looked around, her eyes glowing a bit because of her demon, **Riven**. Riven was an *illusion* demon, which meant Isabella could make people see things that weren’t really there. Sometimes she did it for fun. Sometimes to scare people who tried to mess with her.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Isabella muttered to herself.

Inside her head, Riven laughed. *I’m not looking. You are.*

“Creepy,” she said, rolling her eyes.

She kept walking toward the giant city gates of Pehirio. The gates were black and spiky and looked like they could eat someone if they got too close. Guards stood there, each with their own demons flickering like colored smoke around them.

A guard with a snake tattoo on her face stepped forward. “Name?”

“Isabella.”

“Tribe?”

“I don’t have one,” Isabella said.

The snake hissed. “Everyone has a tribe.”

“Well, I don’t,” Isabella said again. She was getting annoyed.

The guard’s eyes glowed, and suddenly a *real* snake demon slithered out of her arm. It hissed at Isabella like it wanted to bite her.

Without thinking, Riven woke up inside Isabella’s mind. The air shimmered, and suddenly the guard saw her own reflection multiply a thousand times. She screamed and backed away, grabbing her head.

Then a deep voice said, “That’s enough.”

Everyone went silent.

A tall man in a red coat walked out from the shadows. His eyes were black but kinda shiny, and his hair was silver-white, like moonlight. The guards instantly bowed. Even their demons got quiet.

Isabella swallowed. “That’s… him, isn’t it?”

“The King,” someone whispered. “Satan.”

He looked at her with a smile that was both nice and scary at the same time. “An illusion user,” he said. “How rare.”

“I didn’t mean to—uh—scare your guard,” Isabella said quickly.

“Oh, I’m not angry,” Satan said, smiling wider. “Fear is a language I speak fluently.”

Okay, *definitely scary.*

“I just need to find someone,” she said, trying to sound brave.

“Who?” Satan asked.

“Someone named Sero.”

At that, Satan’s smile faded for a second. “Ah,” he said quietly. “Him.”

The gate opened behind her with a loud *creeeeak.*

“Go,” he said. “You’ll find him near the western ruins. But be careful, little illusionist… some truths are better left buried.”

And before she could say anything, he was gone—like he’d melted into the air.

---

Inside the city, everything looked even stranger. The buildings leaned sideways, lights floated without wires, and kids were chasing glowing bugs that whispered words when they flew by.

“Riven,” Isabella said. “This place is giving me the creeps.”

*That’s because it’s alive,* Riven whispered in her head.

“Stop saying weird stuff!” Isabella snapped.

She found the western ruins easily—it wasn’t hard since that part of the city looked totally destroyed. There were cracked statues and broken walls with weird writing all over them.

And there, sitting on some stairs, was a boy.

He looked maybe sixteen. Black messy hair, dirt on his face, ripped jacket. He was staring at his hands like they were broken or something.

“Uh… hi?” Isabella said.

He looked up, confused. “Do I know you?”

“No, but… I think I’ve seen you in my dreams. Or illusions. It’s complicated.”

“That’s creepy,” he said bluntly.

“Yeah, I get that a lot.” She sat next to him. “You’re Sero, right?”

“Yeah. And you are…?”

“Isabella.”

Sero nodded slowly. “You’re one of those demon people, huh?”

“Yeah. You’re… not?”

He shook his head. “No demon. Everyone thinks I’m a freak because of it.”

She blinked. “No demon at all?”

“Nope. Nothing inside me. Empty.”

Inside her head, Riven hissed. *That’s not true. Something sleeps inside him.*

“Uh…” Isabella said awkwardly. “My demon says you’re lying.”

“I’m not lying,” Sero said, frowning. “Why would—”

Then the ground rumbled. Dust fell from the broken temple roof.

“Okay, that’s not me,” he said quickly.

Isabella stood up. The ground under his feet started *glowing*, faintly green and gold.

“Uh, Sero?” she whispered. “I think that *is* you.”

“What?” He looked down—and the cracks in the stone spread out in circles around him.

Her demon’s power flickered on its own, showing her flashes under the skin of the world. For half a second, she saw something massive curled up beneath Sero—like scales, claws, and huge bones that didn’t belong in any human shape.

She gasped. “You’re not demonless. You’re—something else!”

Sero stumbled back. “What are you talking about—AH—!”

He dropped to his knees, holding his chest as light started burning under his skin. It looked like his whole body was trying to *change.*

“Riven!” Isabella shouted. “What do I do?!”

*Run,* her demon screamed. *He’s waking up!*

The light got brighter, the ground cracked wider, and a deep growl shook the air. It wasn’t human. It wasn’t a demon either.

It was older.

It was *ancient.*

And it came from Sero...

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There was a flash so bright it hurt to look at, and then everything went silent.

No more city. No more air. Just red dust floating in black space.

Sero blinked. “Uh… okay. Either I passed out or this is the world’s worst vacation spot.”

He looked around. The ground wasn’t ground at all; it was cracked glass glowing from underneath. Shadows crawled inside it, like bugs trapped under ice. Above him hung a red sun, huge and slow.

“Riven?” he called. Nothing answered. “Isabella?” Still nothing.

Then a voice said, very calmly, “You fall hard for someone with no wings.”

Sero spun around. Behind him stood **Satan**—same silver hair, same black eyes that looked like they could swallow light. Only now he wore no crown, just a long coat that flickered like smoke.

“You again,” Sero said. “Great. I was just thinking my day needed more evil overlords.”

Satan laughed softly. “You have spirit. Most who arrive here are too busy screaming.”

“Yeah, well, I left my screaming schedule back in Pehirio,” Sero said. “Where *is* this place?”

“This,” Satan said, spreading his arms, “is the heart of Pehirio. Some call it Hell. I call it home.”

Sero looked around at the endless red glass. “Cozy.”

“You’re standing in the afterimage of creation itself,” Satan said, ignoring the sarcasm. “Where the first demons were born. You should feel honored.”

“I mostly feel lost and kind of hungry,” Sero said. “So, what now? You drag me down here just to show off your creepy décor?”

Satan tilted his head, smiling slightly. “You really don’t know what you are, do you?”

“Human? Disaster? Take your pick.”

“You are neither. You are older than my demons. A creature that should not exist anymore.”

“Wow,” Sero said. “Love being told I’m an accident by the King of Evil. Thanks for the confidence boost.”

That actually made Satan laugh. A real one this time. “You’re… amusing,” he said. “Most mortals tremble. You talk back.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of my thing,” Sero said. “Sarcasm: my one superpower.”

Satan took a step closer, studying him. “There’s something about you—raw, untamed. Like the world hasn’t decided what you’re meant to be.”

“Maybe because it’s too busy trying to kill me,” Sero said.

Satan’s smile widened just a little. “Relax, little beast. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Good, because I bite,” Sero said immediately.

That made Satan actually chuckle. “Cute,” he said, almost to himself.

Sero groaned. “Did you just call me cute? Seriously? Is that, like, a demon thing? You insult people and then call them adorable?”

“I simply mean,” Satan said, still smiling, “that your defiance is… refreshing. Most power comes wrapped in fear. Yours comes wrapped in attitude.”

“Yeah, well, you can keep your compliments,” Sero said. “How do I get out of here?”

Satan turned away, his coat dragging shadows with it. “You’ll leave when I decide you understand what sleeps inside you. Until then, Hell is your classroom.”

“Fantastic,” Sero muttered. “Trapped in demon school. Can’t wait for lunch period.”

Satan only smiled. “You’ll find I’m an excellent teacher.”

The ground beneath Sero glowed again, gold this time, answering to his heartbeat. He felt that deep roar inside him again—distant, waiting.

Satan’s eyes gleamed. “There it is,” he whispered. “The creature inside you still remembers me.”

“Great,” Sero said dryly. “So even my inner monster has bad taste.”

Satan laughed again, and the sound rolled through the empty red sky like thunder.

Author:"hey guys! I was wondering if you would like me to add some pictures of the characters in one of the episodes?? Just a preview of the OCS/characters and anything you want me to add? Remember to follow me for more" love- n30n_sp4de

~°•enjoy•°~

When the red thunder stopped echoing, Sero realized he was standing on a bridge made of bones.

Actual bones.

They glowed faintly and creaked when he moved, which was… comforting. Not.

“So,” he said, looking around, “is there a gift shop, or do you just hand out trauma for free?”

Satan was already walking ahead of him, coat dragging smoky shadows that tried to crawl up Sero’s shoes. “You joke a lot when you’re scared.”

“I joke a lot *always,*” Sero said. “It’s my brand.”

Below the bridge stretched a whole landscape that didn’t obey physics. Rivers ran upward, castles floated sideways, and trees grew from nothing but light. The air smelled like metal and rain.

Sero squinted. “Okay, this is either the worst dream ever or I’m dead.”

“You’re neither,” Satan said. “Hell isn’t for the dead. It’s for the pieces of them that don’t know they’re gone.”

“That’s… comforting,” Sero muttered.

They reached a tall gate made of what looked like glass shards. On each one, tiny moving pictures flickered—people screaming, laughing, running. Memories maybe.

Satan touched one, and it flashed an image of Isabella running through the streets above. Sero stepped closer. “That’s her!”

“Yes. Your friend,” Satan said. “She’s looking for you.”

“Then send me back!”

Satan smiled. “If I did, you’d break apart before you reached her. You haven’t learned to contain what’s inside you.”

Sero crossed his arms. “You keep saying that like I’ve got a monster in my pocket. I’m *me,* not—whatever you think I am.”

Satan tilted his head. “You’ve seen flashes. The roar. The scales. Do you really believe you’re still just a boy?”

Sero hesitated. The memory of his arm glowing, bones stretching, made his stomach twist. “Yeah, well, if I’m something else, it’s news to me.”

“Then it’s time you learned,” Satan said, pushing the gate open. “Welcome to the Hollow Fields.”

---

The Hollow Fields weren’t fields at all. They were a maze of cracked earth where giant bones stuck out like skyscrapers. The air buzzed with voices—hundreds whispering at once.

“What are they?” Sero asked.

“Remnants,” Satan said. “Leftovers of demons who burned out. They envy you.”

“Because I’m still alive?”

“Because you’re something they can never be again.”

Sero kicked at a pebble. “Cool. Being envied by dust. Living the dream.”

Satan actually laughed. “I begin to see why you irritate people so easily.”

“Thanks,” Sero said. “I work hard at it.”

They walked past a pool of black water that reflected things wrong—Sero’s reflection had golden eyes and scales creeping up his neck. He stepped back. “That’s not funny.”

“Not meant to be,” Satan said. “This place shows you the truth faster than you want it.”

“I liked lies better,” Sero muttered.

---

After what felt like forever, they stopped at a small ruined temple half-buried in ash. Strange carvings of giant reptiles covered the walls—claws, tails, wings too big to belong to any bird.

Satan turned to him. “This belonged to your kind.”

“My *what*?”

“The Dinathros,” Satan said. “The first beasts. When the world was young, before the tribes, before demons, they ruled the skies and the earth. Then they vanished.”

Sero snorted. “Let me guess. They didn’t do their homework.”

Satan ignored the joke. “Their souls sank here, below Pehirio, trapped in fire and memory. Until one of their hearts was reborn in you.”

“Reborn,” Sero repeated. “So you’re saying I’m—what—a walking fossil?”

Satan smiled faintly. “Something like that.”

Sero rubbed his face. “Great. Can’t get a driver’s license, but I’m apparently prehistoric.”

He looked around again. The carvings glowed softly, almost alive. One of them—a huge, horned creature—looked exactly like what he’d glimpsed in his visions.

Satan touched the wall, and light flowed from his hand. “They were not evil, Sero. They simply existed before rules were written. Before I was even born. When they died, their power broke apart into what you call demons. You carry the original source.”

Sero stared at him. “So, wait… you’re saying *I’m older than you?*”

“In spirit,” Satan said.

“Awesome. Guess that makes you the baby here.”

Satan laughed again—quiet, low. “You really are insufferable.”

“Thanks, I try.”

---

They stepped outside again, and the air shimmered with heat. Red sparks rose from the ground like fireflies.

“Why show me all this?” Sero asked. “If you wanted to kill me, you could’ve done that already.”

“I don’t want to kill you,” Satan said. “I want to understand you.”

“Sounds like the start of every bad horror movie.”

Satan gave him a sideways glance. “You joke, but you’ve already felt it—the strength under your skin. If you learn to control it, nothing in Pehirio could touch you.”

“Or I could destroy everything by sneezing wrong,” Sero said. “Hard pass.”

“You fear yourself.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Sero shot back. “Last time I freaked out, I nearly leveled a street.”

Satan’s expression softened just a little. “Fear can chain you, or it can guide you. I can teach you which it will be.”

Sero squinted at him. “You teaching me anything sounds like a bad idea. What’s in it for you?”

Satan looked out across the glowing plain. “Maybe I’m tired of being alone with monsters who only obey. Maybe I want to see what happens when something wild refuses to kneel.”

Sero blinked. “That’s… oddly poetic for a guy named after evil.”

“Names lie,” Satan said simply.

For a moment, they just stood there, the red sky above them pulsing like a heartbeat.

Finally Sero sighed. “Fine. You want to ‘teach’ me, whatever that means—where do we start?”

Satan smiled, almost proud. “With balance. You cannot control the beast until you accept it.”

Sero groaned. “If this turns into some meditation thing, I’m out.”

“Not meditation,” Satan said, raising his hand. “Experience.”

The ground beneath Sero cracked open, light pouring out, and a massive shadow rose behind him—his own, shaped like the dinosaur from the carvings.

Sero’s eyes went wide. “Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me—”

The shadow roared, and the sound filled the entire underworld.

Satan stepped back, grinning. “Lesson one,” he said over the noise. “Try not to eat me.”

“NO PROMISES!” Sero yelled as the light swallowed him whole