Hellscape

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You see nothing. It is dark, and you see nothing more than a vast plane of emptiness. Black and empty, deep like the inner depths of your soul— Oh, your eyes are closed. You just need to open them. (text-style:"fade-in-out")[[Open your eyes.]] [[Keep your eyes closed.]]

(if:(history: where (passage:it)'s tags contains "kill")'s length is 1)[Your Text Here]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

You close your eyes and lay still in the neverending darkness. (click-replace: "darkness.")[darkness. Okay.] (click-replace: "Okay.")[Okay. Let's get a move on.] (click-replace: "Let's get a move on.")[Let's get a move on. It's about time.] (click-replace: "It's about time.")[It's about time. . . .] (click-replace: ". . .")[. . . Hey.] (click-replace: "Hey.")[Hey. This isn't a "Hey, let's close our eyes and click link reveals on a page all day" kind of story.] (click-replace: "kind of story.")[kind of story. //GET UP.// Now—] (click-replace: "Now—")[Now— Okay, good.] (click-replace: "Okay, good.")[Okay, good. Now, let's finally get a move on to the rest of the story.] (click-replace: "move on to the rest of the story.")[move on to the rest of the story. Open your eyes and start [[surveying your surroundings.]]]

[(text-style:"shudder")[(text-style:"rumble")[(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[[MURDERER.]]]]]

You raise your hands and summon the 40 legions of demons under your control. While they creep out from the floor, the man hurtles towards you and swiftly swings his fist into your gut. You fly backwards and smash against the wall. Your minions begin to fight the man. The man throws balls of fire and screeches at them, the noise so terrible and loud that it causes your ears to bleed. You try to move but grimace—you probably have atleast a few broken ribs. The man turns towards you and lunges. Gritting your teeth, you throw yourself at the crib and pluck up the baby's corpse. The man flinches. One of your minions stabs the man through the chest. You watch the man's blood seep into the red carpet as his body slowly turns into ash, piece by piece, bit by bit. He stares at you with empty eyes until they disappear into the wind. (text-style:"blur","sway")[[Kill.]] (set: $kill to it + 1)

You spare Ba'al Zevul. Something in your heart aches. Maybe it was the thought of killing a baby that irks you so? The baby begins to cry. You hear footsteps rush behind you. "And, pray tell, who do I owe the pleasure of allowing a dirty rat such as //yourself// into my humble abode?" a smooth voice snaps. [[Turn around and face the irritated voice.]]

Are you sure you want to kill Ba'al Zevul? [[Spare Ba'al Zevul.]] [[Kill Ba'al Zevul. ]]

You see something shiny amidst the pile of ash that was once Satan, the King of Hell. You pick it up. It's an elaborately designed locket the color of jade. A pink diamond sits comfortably nestled in the center. You open it and see a picture of Ba'al Zevul. A strange yet familiar aura of power radiates from the pendant, similar to the knight's helmet. You put on the necklace and fasten the clasp. A power far greater than anything you have ever known [[fills you.]]

You press down harder. (click-replace: "harder")[harder and harder] (click-replace: "and harder")[and harder and harder] The imp writhes and foams at the mouth. You keep applying presser, with force, (click-replace: "with force")[with more force] (click-replace: "more")[more force and more](click-replace: "and more")[and more force and more]until its impish red body stops struggling and making any sound. Its body begins to crumble into a pile of ash. In the ash, you see the imp's leopard print loincloth. You pick up the loincloth. It smells funny and has a stain on it. You shove it into your pocket. Congratulations. You have now received the [[leopard print loincloth]]. (set: $kill to it + 1)

"Good luck appeasing God. That wicked man and his vile son are not as nice as I." Lucifer snaps his fingers and your vision fills with a blinding light that utterly overwhelms your senses. Wow. Congratulations. On the contrary to what everyone else thought, you are the first ever lost, punished soul to escape from the depth's of Hell. Rather than send you to Purgatory, God--I mean, Lucifer--has spared you. When your vision clears, you see clear, bright, and clean colors of white and light blue. These pastels are the exact opposite of the harsh reds and blacks that you witnessed in Hell. Well, what are you waiting for? Let's get to [[surveying your surroundings. ]]

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Good End:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Redeemer.]] <== ---

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%; color: red;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[END:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%; color: red;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Path of Evil.]] <== --- Want to play again? [[Wake up.]]

You open your eyes and think about [[surveying your surroundings.]]

You lift up your foot with a huff. The imp stands up, covered in ash, and sheepishly bows its head to you. You see tears welling up in its eyes. "Thank ya for sparing my life," it whimpers. You ask the imp to guide you somewhere. You aren't sure where, just //somewhere// other than here. The imp nods its head and points to your right. "All lost souls check in with ta Big Boss Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell. His office is past the lake of fire." You shoot the imp a look. "Ah, don't worry! I'll put in a good word for ya. Your punishment won't be that bad—I guarantee it on mah life!" The imp stammers frantically, "W-what are ya in here for a-anyway?" [[You pause and think]] while the imp keeps on imploring about your mysterious (and hopefully dark!) past. (click-replace: "keeps on imploring about your mysterious (and hopefully dark!) past.")[keeps on imploring about your mysterious (and hopefully dark!) past. "Murder?"] (click-replace: "Murder?")[Murder? Rape?] (click-replace: "Rape?")[Rape? Incest?] (click-replace: "Incest?")[Incest? You a homo?]

(set: $kill to it + 1) (if:(history: where its name contains "Kill the imp.")'s length is 1)[You pull out the leopard print loincloth from your pocket and chuck it at the knight's helmet. "GAH!" He yells in disgust from the stained cloth. You immediately bolt towards the weapons clinging along the sides of the walls and grab an axe, swinging it down onto the rusty chain holding the chandelier in place above the knight. The chandelier plummets directly onto the knight, crushing and confining him to the floor. You silently watch the knight's limp body spasm, the once menacing figure mighty no more. You watch the knight's dark red blood seep onto the black tile as his body turns into ash, seeping out of the armor's orifices, the metal clashing against itself with a satisfying //clink, clink, clink//. You grab the knight's mighty helmet and put it over your head. The inside of it is still warm. You feel a strength grow inside of you. It is as if power now flows throw your very own bones. You close your eyes and see tens of thousand—no, hundreds of thousands!—of demons obediently bowing down on their knees, waiting for your every command. 40 Legions that are now under your control. You inspect the rest of the room and find a tiny dagger with a dull blade the size of your palm in one of the nightstand's drawers. You take off your dirty socks, wrap it around the blade, and put it in your pocket for safekeeping before [[leaving the castle]].] (if:(history: where its name contains "You pause and think")'s length is 1)[You immediately bolt towards the weapons clinging along the sides of the walls and grab an axe, swinging it down onto the rusty chain holding the chandelier in place above the knight. The chandelier plummets directly onto the knight, crushing and confining him to the floor. You silently watch the knight's limp body spasm, the once menacing figure mighty no more. You watch the knight's dark red blood seep onto the black tile as his body turns into ash, seeping out of the armor's orifices, the metal clashing against itself with a satisfying //clink, clink, clink//. You grab the knight's mighty helmet and put it over your head. The inside of it is still warm. You feel a strength grow inside of you. It is as if power now flows throw your very own bones. You close your eyes and see tens of thousand—no, hundreds of thousands!—of demons obediently bowing down on their knees, waiting for your every command. 40 Legions that are now under your control. You inspect the rest of the room and find a tiny dagger with a dull blade the size of your palm in one of the nightstand's drawers. You take off your dirty socks, wrap it around the blade, and put it in your pocket for safekeeping before [[leaving the castle]].]

In a socially anxious frenzy, you do a little dance in front of Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell. Astaroth gives you a puzzled look. "Human? Just //WHAT// in Hell's name are you doing?" [[Continue dancing.]]

Are you sure you want to kill the Great Duke of Hell? Yes. [[Kill Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell.]] No. [[Do a little dance in front of the Great Duke of Hell.]]

Think about what you're doing. [[Spare Ba'al Zevul.]] [[Kill Ba'al Zevul. ]]

//*Sigh*// Okay. (click-replace: "Okay.")[Okay. Fine.] (click-replace: "Fine.")[Fine. Let's [[kill Ba'al Zevul. ]]]

(set: $kill to it + 1) (if:(history: where its name contains "Kill Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell.")'s length >= 1)[You pull out the dagger from inside your pocket and unwrap the makeshift sheath. You bring the dull blade up to the baby's neck and pause. You don't know what you are feeling, if you are even feeling anything at all. The baby begins to wail. [[Slice the baby's neck.]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "Astaroth laughs.")'s length >= 1)[You reach out to the sleeping baby and wrap your hands around its thin throat. The baby begins to wail. A sense of dread fills you. [[Strangle the baby.]]]

Please, stop. [[Spare Ba'al Zevul.]] [[Kill Ba'al Zevul. ]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "Kill Ba'al Zevul.")'s length is 1)[Your Text Here] -threaten to kill Ba'al Zevul, but then spare him; kill Lucifer You have gone down the -take care of baal and raise him to be your own, not telling him that you're not the real father Congratulations! [[foster parent.]]

-threaten to kill ba'al zeval but spare him at the end -lucifer makes you his slave and throws you through all nine circles of hell each day to make you suffer to the fullest degree living Hell.]]

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[END:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Lord of the Fly.]] <== ---

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[END:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Lucifer's Slave.]] <== --- Want to play again? [[Wake up.]]

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[END:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Imp.]] <== --- Want to play again? [[Wake up.]]

kill everyone, spare only lucifer You are now the official King of Hell. Even Satan trembles before you. All demons, imps, and fiery monsters bow down to you. [[King of Hell.]]

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[END:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[King of Hell.]] <== ---

You look to your left and see a pile of rocks. Amidst the rocks, there's a lone bone, its alabaster white surface speckled with a thin layer of ash. [[Look to your right.]] [[Pick up the bone.]]

To your right, you see a waterfall of molten lava that spills into a fiery lake of fire, the flames flickering tens of feet tall. You imagine what it would be like to quickly dip your exposed toes or your fingers into the lava but decide against it at the last second. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings.]]

You pick up the femur and convince yourself that it's just a prop from one of those anatomy skeletons you see in high school science classrooms. [[Look to your right.]]

You throw the femur you found amongst the pile of rocks a few scenes back. The imp's beady eyes shoot open with delight, and it quickly scampers off to retrieve it. It returns nibbling on the bone, drool dripping from its toothy mouth. "Wow, thanks, human! Looks like you aren't so bad afterall!" You ask the imp to guide you somewhere. You aren't sure where, just //somewhere// other than here. The imp nods its head and points to your right. "All lost souls check-in with Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell. His office is past the lake of fire." You shoot the imp a look. "Ah, but don't worry! I'll put in a good word for you. Your punishment won't be that bad—I guarantee it! What are you in here for anyway?" Murder? (click-replace: "Murder?")[Murder? Rape?] (click-replace: "Rape?")[Rape? Incest?] (click-replace: "Incest?")[Incest? You a homo?] (click-replace: "You a homo?")[You a homo? [[You pause and think]].]

You look up towards what you think is the sky. It burns a deep red. There's a black orb hanging in the center. You swear that you have never seen a darker black before, even darker and deeper than the dark hidden behind your eyelids. Like a black hole, it keeps on sucking you in the longer you stare at it. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings.]]

You look down at your feet. You're wearing a pair of dirty white socks. There's a giant hole in each with your toes sticking out of it. How horrendously blasphemous. Also, the ground is cracked and black. A thick layer of ash clings to the bottom of your feet. And it's hot. Like, //really// hot. Your feet burn a little bit. Wow, that hurts. You quickly go back to [[surveying your surroundings.]]

The land seems to expand in all directions, limitless. Everywhere you look, you see snags dotting the vast landscape (and, for your information, snags are dead trees). You go back to [[surveying your surroundings.]]

You attempt to survey your surroundings. However, there is just too much to see, unfortunately. What should you do first? [[Look up.]] [[Look down.]] [[Look around.]] [[Look to your left.]] [[Look to your right.]] (if:visits >= 3)[[Wander around.]]

You get tired of surveying your surroundings and decide to just wander around. After walking around for what feels like an hour, you spot a bright red blob in the distance. [[Squint your eyes to try and get a better look at the mysterious figure.]]

You try to get a better look at the blurry red blob. Wait, it's getting bigger and bigger. It's running on two legs. It has two stubby, rounded horns and a pointy tail. Two, little wings flap behind its back. It's wearing a loincloth covered in leopard print. Wow, how tacky. It looks angry, and it's charging towards you. [[Try to run away?]] [[Hold your ground.]] [[Charge towards it.]]

You try to run away but trip on a lone stone and stub your toe. Wow, what a klutz. You are now covered from head to toe in black ash. [[The demon approaches.]]

You hold your ground and wait, watching the red figure get closer and closer. [[The demon approaches.]]

You begin sprinting towards the red figure. It has a startled look and seems tacken aback. Flinching, it slows down and begins to walk towards you. You slow down and meet them halfway. [[The demon approaches.]]

"//'Ey!// What are ya doing all the way out 'ere? All the lost souls from Purgatory the past hour were already single-filed down to their circles." You ask if you did something to accidentally upset the demon. It looks at you with an offended look. "Excuse me?" the demon snarls, "I am an //imp.// An //imp.// Ya got that?" The imp is much shorter than you expected. It reminds you of a three-foot tall dog standing on its hind legs. You [[nod your head]] in reply.

"Ugh, whatever." The imp rolls its beady, black eyes. "Looks like good news for me. I'm starving. One lost soul stranded in the middle of Hell? No one's gonna miss ya if you just..." the imp opens its palms and wiggles its fingers in a half-circle, "...disappear." A huge and mischievious toothy grin curls up on its face. You notice how long and sharp the imp's fingernails are. The imp crouches and gets ready to pounce. "Prepare to be //[[eaten,]]// human!" (if:(history: where its name contains "Pick up the bone.")'s length is 1)[[Throw the femur.]]

Mid-leap, you immediately lift up your foot and //STOMP// on the imp's head. It struggles under your feet, wiggling with its face in the dirt and ash. It continues to struggle, but you apply more pressure. The imp stops struggling. "Ur—human," its voice muffled by the dirt in its mouth, "release me." You do not respond. "Please, release me. I won't eat ya if you do. //[[Please?]]//"

The imp looks up at you beneath your foot and whimpers, its black pupils shimmering like puppy-dog eyes. [[Kill the imp.]] [[Spare the imp.]]

You scan your surroundings and then stop to think. You don't know why you're there in the depths of Hell. In fact, you realize that you can't remember anything, not even your name. You walk towards the lake of molten lava and consider throwing yourself in before noticing a small, hazy structure looming in the far distance. It looks like a gray stain against the backdrop of red and black. You begin the [[trek towards the gray stain]].

You don't know why you're there in the depths of Hell. In fact, you realize that you can't remember anything, not even your name. You tell this to the imp. "Ah, post-nut amnesia. Thaz what I like tah call it anyway." You grimace. "Don't worry about it." The imp shrugs its shoulders, "Iz not uncommon for lost souls like ya to remember nuthin' at first after winding up 'ere. Except..." it glanced at me from the corner of its beady eyes, "I've noticed that the harsher the crime, the harsher the memory loss. You must'a committed a pretty big sin up there on that ugly hunk o' rock if ya don't even rememeber your name. Probably sentenced to a fate in circle 7, or worse." You feel your stomach churn with unease. The imp urges you to follow behind it, pointing at a small, hazy structure looming in the far distance. It looks like a gray stain against the backdrop of red and black. The two of you begin to make the [[trek towards the gray stain]]. (if:(history: where its name contains "Throw the femur.")'s length >= 1)[[Stop and enjoy the flowers.]]

You make the trek towards the gray stain and walk in silence for what seems to be another bundle of hours, listening only to the sound of your footsteps crunching over the rubble and ash. As you get closer to the structure, you notice that it's actually a castle. What initially appeared to be a one-inch block is now a grand and menacing castle looming hundreds of feet tall. The castle has many peaks and seems to stab the crimson sky, leaving bloody trails behind in its wake. (click-replace: "in its wake.")[in its wake. There's a kind of beauty to it, but you can't seem to put your finger on what that beauty is. Like one of those old-timey paintings in art museums depicting the old castles of 16th century New England, or something of the like.] Starting from the castle's entrance, you see a never-ending line of people being corralled by flying red-horned and tailed imps with toothy grins like the one you met. They wield pointy tridents and seem to threaten the people standing in line. The lost souls are wispy and seem to fade out into the distance, transforming into little, gray dots that merge into the horizon where ashen landscape meets bleeding sky. [[>>>]]

"Who //DARES// intrude into //MY// personal bedroom chamber?" a loud and robust voice booms. (if:(history: where its name contains "leopard print loincloth")'s length >= 1)[You look up and see a gigantic figure, cloaked with shining armor, resting their head with a metal-covered hand in a throne made of bones. The knight's breastplate alone looked to be a hundred pounds. Floating directly on top of the menacing knight is a ginormous crystal chandelier that seems to be held up with a rusty chain. Along the walls of the room are swords and battle axes of various sizes, pristine with a shine that glistens in the light. The chamber floor is hard and polished, black and shiny. You can make out ash marks on the floor from where your feet had been. You tell the knight that you do not know who you are, nor why you are here in the depths of Hell. [[The knight menacingly glares at you.]]](if:(history: where its name contains "You pause and think")'s length >= 1) [You look up and see a gigantic figure, cloaked with shining armor, resting their head with a metal-covered hand in a throne made of bones. The knight's breastplate alone looked to be a hundred pounds. Floating directly on top of the menacing knight is a ginormous crystal chandelier that seems to be held up with a rusty chain. Along the walls of the room are swords and battle axes of various sizes, pristine with a shine that glistens in the light. The chamber floor is hard and polished, black and shiny. You can make out ash marks on the floor from where your feet had been. You nervously gulp as you are now face-to-face with Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell. You tell the knight that you do not know who you are, nor why you are here in the depths of Hell. [[The knight menacingly glares at you.]]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "You pause and think")'s length >= 1)[The imp guides you through a backdoor of the castle, and you enter into a tall hall full of winding stairs and various doors. After what seems like ages of stair-climbing and door-passing, you reach the top of the stairway. An ancient-looking metal door with a singular keyhole stands in front of you. The imp politely knocks on the door six times before scrounging around in his leopard print loincloth and pulling out a brass key. You resist the urge to inquire about the whereabouts and potentially violated safety hazards of the key while the imp fits it into the lock, turns it six times, and slowly pushes open the heavy door. The imp urges you to [[enter the mysterious room]] before shutting the door behind you.] (if:(history: where its name contains "leopard print loincloth")'s length >= 1)[You sneak your way to the back of the castle and find an open passageway. You enter into a tall hall full of winding stairs and various doors. After what seems like ages of stair-climbing and door-passing, you reach the top of the stairway. An ancient-looking metal door with a singular keyhole stands in front of you. You knock on the door and wait. After a minute or two, a deep and rumbling voice echoes from the other side of the door. "Come in." You hear the door's lock unclick. Pushing against the unlocked door, you obediently [[enter the mysterious room]] and shut the door behind you.]

The looming figure stares down at you with fierce eyes that pierce through the holes of his great helmet. "//You// may not know who //you// are, but do you know who //I// am?" Before you can respond, he continues. "I am Astaroth, thee //GREAT// Duke of Hell! Commander of 40 legions of horrifically powerful demons! A Crowned Prince with a front seat at the Infernal Council!" He points a finger at you, "Remember this well, puny //human//," aaaaand points back at himself, "for it is none other than //I// who decides what happens to you next." [[Kill the Great Duke of Hell.]] [[Do a little dance in front of the Great Duke of Hell.]]

You turn around to exit the room. Beside the heavy, metal door that you entered through is a grand marble staircase, the railing glimmering with gold. Huh, you have no idea how you missed that at first. With a sense of resolve building up from the pit of your stomach, you [[march up the marble steps.]]

At first, it was just a mere chuckle into the palm of his hand. But then, almost like magic, his metal shoulders began to shake, and he busted out into deep and hearty laughter that bellowed throughout the chamber. Congratulations. [[You have just made Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell, laugh.]]

"You are quite the silly human," Astaroth spoke. You couldn't see what kind of a face he was making from underneath that great and mighty helmet of his, but you liked to assume that he was smirking. "I will spare you your life." Astaroth rests his head on one hand and points towards you with the other. "[[Turn around, human.]]"

"Wha—" [[Wiggle your arms like a squid.]] [[Do the stanky leg.]] [[Start doing windmills.]]

You awkwardly wiggle your arms around like a squid. You look more like a piece of crusty seaweed attached to the ocean floor. At least you tried? Regardless, [[Astaroth laughs.]]

You try your best to do the stanky leg, shaking your legs to the soul-crushing beat of awkward silence. You look more like you have ants in your pants. At least you tried? Regardless, [[Astaroth laughs.]]

You throw yourself onto the ground and attempt to do a windmill like the b-boys on national TV. Except, you immediately crash down onto the floor, the black tile doing little to cushion your fall. Wow, that was quite humiliating. At least you tried? Regardless, [[Astaroth laughs.]]

You turn around. Beside the heavy, metal door that you entered through is a grand marble staircase, the railing glimmering with gold. Huh, you have no idea how you missed that at first. "Even though I am thee //GREAT// and //MIGHTY// Astaroth, one of the //Great// Dukes of Hell," Astaroth boomed, "this is out of my hands. Go up that staircase. My //GREAT// and //MIGHTY// king will deal with you." You wave goodbye to Astaroth with a smile and [[march up the marble steps.]]

You climb the marble steps, gripping tightly onto the gold handrails as you march up— (click-replace: "up—")[up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— and up. ] (click-replace: "and up. ")[and up— Okay, you get the picture.][[and up.]]

Congratulations! You are now the official King of Hell. You have taken the road less traveled, the path of true evil. But, you are not satisfied yet. There are still many other rulers of Hell, many other demons to conquer. Once you have amassed a large enough army, you swear that you will challenge God himself and conquer Heaven as well. Now, it is time to move on and [[claim your true prize.]]

The walls shift from brick and mortar to white marble. Gold and white—it no longer feels like you're trapped in Hell. You reach the top of the stairs. A grand hall expands before you. [[Enter the lavish hall.]]

You walk along the red carpet trailing from the top of the stairs to the end of the hall where a large and grand velvet throne rests, the same deep shade of red as the sky outside the castle's threatening walls. It is empty. As you approach the throne, you pass by an open door and hear a cry. [[Walk towards the cry.]] (if:$kill < 1)[[Ignore the cry and walk to the grand velvet throne]]

You walk towards the cry and find yourself in a room filled with various demon-themed children's toys: a red imp wearing a loincloth with leopard print, a bat pillow, blue and green ogres, a skull rattle with see-through eyes. The walls are a light, pastel red the color of a late sunset, and a rainbow is painted on the back wall with wisps of gray clouds. In the center of the room, there's a rocking crib. [[Approach the cradle.]]

You approach the cradle. It's made of ivory. On the head of the cradle, the words "Ba'al Zevul" is carved into the bone in fancy script. A nursery mobile hangs on top, spinning in slow circles with polished teeth hanging from it, swinging to-and-fro. You listen closely and hear music seeping out from the mobile. On closer inspection, it sounds like harmonies of mumbled chantings and spells used in satanic rituals. Unsurprisingly, there is a baby laying inside the crib. It is awake, staring at you with eyes that shine a bright red. Sucking on one of its tiny thumbs, its eyes begin to well up at the unfamiliar sight of a ragged stranger. You realize that the true heir of Hell lays before you and feel a sense of unease growing in the pit of your stomach. The baby looks like it is about to once again burst into tears. A monstrous desire threatens to consume you. Danger is approaching. What do you do next? [[Kill Ba'al Zevul.]] [[Spare Ba'al Zevul.]]

You slice the baby's neck. An eerie silence fills the room. You hear footsteps rush behind you. "Just //what// have you done to my //son?//" [[Turn around and face the horrified voice.]]

You strangle the baby's thin, fragile neck. An eerie silence fills the room. You hear footsteps rush behind you. "Just //what// have you done to my //son?//" [[Turn around and face the horrified voice.]]

You turn around and see a man in a black-and-white striped suit with a red tie standing before you. He looks annoyed at your presence. [[Attempt to explain yourself.]]

You turn around and see a man in a black-and-white striped suit with a red tie standing before you. You see a face of pure rage, a boiling hatred so deep and furious that you feel as if lasers will shoot out from the man's pitch black eyes. (if:(history: where its name contains "Kill Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell.")'s length >= 1)["I see you have killed my knight," he says, noticing the helmet on your head.] The man's irises disappear and his black hair begins to float, loose and wild, as a wall of fire surrounds the two of you. A pair of extravagant wings flash up from his back, the feathers glistening with a dark sheen, hypnotizing like the black sun in Hell's sky. "I will make sure that you experience the most painful of breaths, to utterly suffer to the fullest degree every single day for the rest of eternity," the man hisses. (if:$kill < 3) [Try your best and [[fight Satan.]]](if:$kill > 2)[You are bored. [[Kill Satan.]]]

(text-style:"blurrier","sway")[[Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.KILL. KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL.KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILL]]

You (click-replace: "You")[You are] (click-replace: "are")[are (text-style:"sway")[a ] (click-replace: "a ")[a (text-rotate-x:42)+(text-rotate-z:15)[(live:1s)[(text-style:"shudder") [Cold-Blooded]] (text-rotate-x:48)+(text-rotate-y:28)+(text-rotate-z:319)[(live:2s)[(text-style:"rumble")[[Murderer.]]]]]]]

You try to fight against the man, but he hurtles towards you and swiftly swings his fist into your gut. You fly backwards and smash against the wall. Your vision blurs, and [[you promptly black out.]]

When you awake, you find yourself shackled in chains. You are now Lucifer's slave. When you aren't grabbing his Starbucks' frappuccinos with extra caramel syrup, running his errands all across Hell, and licking the soles of his dress shoes, you're thrown through all nine circles of Hell. The King of Hell wasn't kidding when he swore to make your life a [[living Hell.]]

(if:(history: where (passage:it)'s tags contains "kill")'s length is 0)[Your Text Here]

(if:(history: where (passage:it)'s tags contains "kill")'s length is 1)[Your Text Here] -became one of Satan's underlings.]] -kill at least 1 other monster and instantly spare Ba'al Zevul

You attempt to explain yourself but end up biting your tongue. The man in the suit sighs and rubs his forehead. "Look, I don't have time for this. In case you haven't noticed," he gestured to the cradle, "I am a //very// busy man. More busy than you will ever understand." He snaps his fingers, a small flame sparking from the tips, and you feel...funny. You look at your hands as they start to form blotchy red patches, feverishly spreading up your arms and legs. You touch the top of your head and feel two blunt horns emerging through your messy hair. A sharp, red tail sprouts up from the base of your tailbone, and you feel two small wings trying to flap from underneath the back of your shirt. The man swiftly plucks the baby from the crib and holds it, patting its back before turning back around to face you. "Go take care of the others outside. I don't know how you got in here, but just make haste and exit my son's room, please." Now one of [[Satan's underlings]], you leave the room and join the other imps outside, corralling them to face the punishments for their sins with pointy, trident-looking pitchforks.

You ignore the cry and stand before the grand red velvety-ness that lays before you. Elaborate gold buttons shine in symmetrical sets of two from the cushions to the backrest. The arms of the chair look so plush and soft. //So// grand. //So// velvety. //So// tempting. [[Sit in the throne.]]

You climb the few steps in front of the glorified seat and plop yourself down into its cushions. You melt in the soft, warm comfort and picture yourself getting swallowed up by the velvet cushions. [[Take a nap.]] [[Survey the room.]]

You bury yourself in the plump cushions, close your eyes, and prepare to take a nap. "And just //who// do I owe the great pleasure of allowing this //rat// into my quarters?" a smooth voice like velvet inquires in annoyance. You open your eyes and see a tall, thin man in a black-and-white suit with a red tie. Charmingly, his hair is slicked back and shiny, his clothes neatly pressed with no wrinkle in sight. The man looks no older than 30, his face fresh but firmly settled, confident, and incredibly unamused. He notices your gawking and does not appreciate it. "How insolent," he mutters under his breath. [[Apologize profusely.]] [[Act imposing.]]

You swivel your head and survey the room. From this angle, your perspective of the grandiose luxury changes. Shimmering chandeliers lining symmetrically down the cieling, a deeply-colored red carpet, gold highlights lining the hall, a stunning marble staircase all the way at the end of my vision. There was that room with the baby's cry, but it has died down, so you pay it no heed. In the peripherals of your eyes, you spot a black figure. "And just //who// do I owe the great pleasure of allowing this //rat// into my quarters?" a smooth voice like velvet inquires in annoyance. You turn your head towards the voice and see a tall, thin man in a black-and-white suit with a red tie. Charmingly, his hair is slicked back and shiny, his clothes neatly pressed with no wrinkle in sight. The man looks no older than 30, his face fresh but firmly settled, confident, and incredibly unamused. He notices your gawking and does not appreciate it. "How insolent," he mutters under his breath. [[Apologize profusely.]] [[Act imposing.]]

You lunge out of the chair, throw yourself at the man's shiny, black shoes, and apologize profusely for your utter and absolute insolence. The man in the suit sighs and pinches the bridge of his sharp nose. "Look, I don't have time for this. I need to attend to my little Ba'al of joyous sunshine." The well-groomed man turns his back on you and walks towards the room where you heard the cry. [[Follow the dashing, well-groomed man.]]

You straighten your posture, sit upright, and steel your face, putting on a look of sinister seriousness. You repeat back what was said to you just a moment ago: "And just //who// do I owe the great pleasure of allowing this //rat// into my quarters?" The man's ears turn red. "How insolent," he mutters under his breath. [[Apologize profusely.]]

You follow the charming, dashing, shimmering, Twilight vampire-like man and find yourself in a room with light, pastel red walls, the color of a late sunset, and a rainbow painted on the back wall with wisps of gray clouds. The room is filled with various demon-themed children's toys: a red imp wearing a loincloth with leopard print, a bat pillow, blue and green ogres, a skull rattle with see-through eyes. The man strides towards a rocking crib made of ivory in the center of the room. You quietly observe from the room's entrance. A nursery mobile hangs on top, spinning in slow circles with polished teeth hanging from it, swinging to-and-fro. On the head of the cradle, the words "Ba'al Zevul" is carved into the bone in fancy script. You listen closely and hear music seeping out from the mobile. On closer inspection, it sounds like harmonies of mumbled chantings and spells used in satanic rituals. Unsurprisingly, the suited man pulls out a baby from the cradle, cooing and patting it on the back. You make eye contact with the baby's shining, bright red orbs. Sucking on one of its tiny thumbs, its eyes begin to well up at the unfamiliar sight of a ragged stranger. You realize that the true heir of Hell lays before you. [[Scramble to appease the baby.]]

You grab one of the toys in the room and thrust it into the baby's hands. It opens its eyes wide before smiling, grabbing the toy and placing it in its teething mouth. The man notices what you did and thanks you with a nod. "My sincere gratitude," the man turns towards you and says. While looking at his little Ba'al of sunshine, his expression is bright and playful, a complete transformation from earlier in the grandiose hall. The man looks back at you, his face falling back into a somber frown. "So, mind you explain yourself and how you ended up here?" [[Explain.]]

You tell the man that you do not know who you are, nor why you are here in the depths of Hell. You explain the journey that hass brought you here thus far, ending your story with a bow and a final apology before the Lord of hell. He notices your obvious nervousness. "Call me Lucifer." The man rolls his eyes and inspects his polished nails before placing his hand back on the baby's back. "Satan is //such// a tacky title. I came up with it in the 15th century when hell circles were all the rave and whatnot." You ask Lucifer if you are going to get punished for your sins on Earth. He laughs and wipes a tear from his eye. "We //all// have a history of sin. Even God's angels have eaten a human or two here and there just for the heck of it!" You stagger back at this statement. Lucifer contines. "As a favor for helping out my little Ba'al here, I'll spare you for your journey. What would you like? Redemption?" Accept your [[redemption.]] [[Deny redemption.]]

You vouch to stay with the slim, dark, and handsome man. "Alright, I suppose that is your choice." Lucifer snaps his fingers, a small flame sparking from the tips, and you feel...funny. You look at your hands as they start to form blotchy red patches, feverishly spreading up your arms and legs. You touch the top of your head and feel two blunt horns emerging through your messy hair. A sharp, red tail sprouts up from the base of your tailbone, and you feel two small wings trying to flap from underneath the back of your shirt. "Go take care of the others outside." Now one of [[Satan's underlings]], you leave the room and join the other imps outside, corralling them to face the punishments for their sins with pointy, trident-looking pitchforks.

There are no flowers, you dimwit. You're in Hell, remember? Regardless, you insepct the cracks in the black and red soil and clench your eyes shut tight. You make a wish that a field of sunflowers grows before you and envision the image so vividly that you can almost smell the sunshine and rainbows. Your mental willpower is so gosh dang ridiculous—I mean, strong—that when you open your eyes you see a small patch of green grass sprouting through the molten cracks. It's no field of sunflowers, but you'll take it! [[Wait a minute.]]

It can't be. Is that... (click-replace: "Is that...")[Is that... a...] (click-replace: "a...")[a... (text-style:"wavy-underline")[[''SLUG?!?!?!?!'']] <img alt="nothing else to see here but an innocent and cute banana-themed slug!" src="https://akarilily-sweet.neocities.org/bananaslug.png">]

In joyous discovery, you leap down towards the banana-themed slug, scoop it up in your palms, and raise it up to the red sky, thanking the heavens for this blessing. You declare that this slimy entity shall now be named "Banana Slug." The imp looks over at you and your new friend with cringing disgust. "What...[[the Hell?]]"

The imp tells you to put that slimy "beast" back on the patch of grass it sprung from. [[Question the imp's intentions.]]

You ask the imp why he is so repulsed by your adorable, little, slimy banana slug. "Human. Slugs are Hell's spawn. They got tossed out of Heaven after a hoard of 'em ate God's vegetable garden. Now, only the snails are allowed up there." You tilt your head in skepticism. "It's da truth! God really cares about his vegetables, ya know! Now, put 'im back." [[Comply with the imp's unreasonable demands.]] [[Refuse.]]

With tears in your eyes, you put Banana Slug back on his little pile of grass and watch him slowly sink past the ground's cracks. You wave a tearful and dramatic goodbye as the ground swallows him up, leaving no traces of your precious little slug friend behind, not even a singular shred of grass. //Is this truly loss?// you whisper to yourself in desperation. "Alright-y, then," the imp growls in exasperation, "Let's get a move on! To the Big Boss Astaroth, remember? Did you forget dat already?" Sullen and downtrodden, you and the imp begin to make the [[trek towards the gray stain]].

You refuse. "D'aw, come on!" The imp stomps its feet before scratching its head in deep thought. "Think of it dis way: you really gonna take this little—what did ya call it?" the imp scratches its chin, "Oh, right—//banana man// away from its home?" You look into Banana Slug's beautiful and brilliantly smiling eyes. (click-replace: "beautiful and brilliantly smiling eyes.")[beautiful and brilliantly smiling eyes <img alt="nothing else to see here but an innocent and cute banana-themed slug!" src="https://akarilily-sweet.neocities.org/bananaslug.png"> The imp is right. How could you ever do something as cruel as that? You... [[Comply with the imp's semi-reasonable demands.]]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "one passage"+"two passage")'s length is 1)[Your Text Here] (set: $kill to it + 1) (set: $kill to it + 1) (if:$kill > 1)[Your Text Here]

You attempt to survey your surroundings. However, there is just too much to see! What should you do first? [[Look up. ]] [[Look down. ]] [[Look around. ]] [[Look to your left. ]] [[Look to your right. ]] (if:visits >= 3)[[Walk straight ahead.]]

Completely ignoring the golden gates in the near distance, you look up. An expansive sky stretches out before you. Within the blue expanse, you see your future staring back down at you, stretching for miles and miles, past the fluffy, white clouds and the ocean of blue. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings. ]]

You look down at your feet. They're bare yet clean. You notice that the soft, cotton-like material that is padding your feet are actually clouds! They feel cool and fluffy, like a white, fuzzy carpet of fur. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings. ]]

The land seems to expand in all directions, limitless. Everywhere you look, you see blankets of fluff and empty skies of blue. In the distance, you see a shimmering gate the color of gold. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings. ]]

To your left, you see a tea set delicately organized on a marble table. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings. ]] [[Drink a cup of tea.]]

You look to your right and see, in the near distance, a shimmering gate of gold. Could it be? You go back to [[surveying your surroundings. ]]

Filled with fervor and hope, you march on towards the golden gates. "Um, //no.//" A voice interjects. Could it be? [[God?]]

You politely interject into the conversation. God is unamused. "Did you even stop and think for just //one// second why you might've been banished down there? To Hell? Well, that was no mere accident. Oh, no, no." A young-looking man that appears to be in his early twenties approaches. He is well-groomed, with long brown hair and a beard that reaches down to his knees. "What's wrong, Father? He came all this way, maybe we can make an exception?" the young man speaks. "Oh, Jesus Christ," God kneads the space between where his eyebrows would be. "This is why we don't invite you to our totally rad angel parties," God flicks his thumb over at the long-haired man and metaphorically rolls his eyes. "//So// dense." With a snap of his fingers, a pair of wire-framed glasses sat on the ball of light that is his face and a clipboard with a stack of papers popped into his hands, appearing from out of thin air. "Let's see here..." God puts a finger up to where his mouth should be (possibly licking one of his fingers if that's even possible? Oh, this is God we're talking about. Anything is possible) and flips through the pages on his clipboard. [[Listen to the list.]]

"Adolph Hitler. (click-replace: "Adolph Hitler.")[Adolph Hitler. Megalomaniac.] (click-replace: "Megalomaniac.")[Megalomaniac. Spendthrift.] (click-replace: "Spendthrift.")[Spendthrift. Launched a genocide that took the lives of over 20 million human beings.] (click-replace: "Launched a genocide that took the lives of over 20 million human beings.")[Launched a genocide that took the lives of over 20 million human beings. Horrendous taste in fashion.] (click-replace: "Horrendous taste in fashion.")[//Horrendous// taste in fashion. Oh, and you also committed suicide." He peered at you over the rim of his glasses. You don't know how you know that, but you just know that he did. "//Yeeeaaaahhhh,// we don't allow suiciders up here past the pearly gates and whatnot, hope you can understand. Ah, but you are a dog-lover. That's a plus. Unfortunately, not enough to override all the other...//actions// you've chosen to take in your past life.]Yeah, no. Goodbye. Back down to Hell you go." With another snap of his fingers, a bright light overtakes your vision and overwhelms you. When the light fades, and you come back to your senses, you realize that you... Well, you see nothing. It is dark, and you see nothing more than a vast plane of emptiness. Black and empty, deep like the inner depths of your soul— Oh, your eyes are closed. You just need to open them. [[Open your eyes. ]]

=><= [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[End:]] [(css: "font-size: 500%;")+(text-style:"bold","smear","expand")[Good Try, Punk.]] <== ---

You approach the tea set and admire the elaborate design: swirls of gold glimmering on a backdrop of porcelain. You pour yourself a cup, breath in the relaxing aroma, and take a sip. Mmmm. Chamomile. It's still warm. You go back to [[surveying your surroundings. ]]

Out of thin air, a figure in a white robe appears before you. He is of medium height, slightly chubby, wearing brown sandals, and...has a ball of light for a head. You squint at the blinding light. God clasps his hands together. With outstretched pointer fingers, he places them against his lip and takes a long, deep, and slow breath. "Just //what// is that Hellish bastard thinking?" he mutters. "Become a father and just //look// at what it does to you. I would know, but he just wouldn't take it from me, now would he." What? (click-replace: "What?")[What? "Told him not to keep the baby, he said no. Then, I told him to just pay child support—I mean, he's the //King// of Hell, of //course// he can afford it!" You are very confused.] (click-replace: "You are very confused.")[You are very confused. "But, //noooooooooo// he has to do the obligatory and ethically //right// thing to do precisely //because// he is a //king// and that apparently means keeping a baby from a dirty imp he had a one-night stand with. //Woo-hoo.//" (if:(history: where its name contains "Drink a cup of tea.")'s length is 1)[God notices the empty tea cup in your hand. "Oh, for Christ's sake—he even drank the chamomile. Who left the tea set out here again? It was Jesus, wasn't it? I bet it was, that good-for-nothing, goody-two-shoes."]] [[Politely interject into the conversation.]]