Chapter 153 Trip to hell I

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 Trip to hell I

Oliver’s stomach curled painfully. He barely had time to understand what was happening before a sharp sensation ran through his neck. Then—he was gone.

One moment, he had been standing in the garden with Lysander. The next, his feet slammed against unfamiliar ground. Oliver staggered forward, almost falling.

"What..." He looked around.

The ground beneath him was split apart, enormous cracks running in every direction. Raging volcanic fire erupted from deep within the earth, its flames bursting upward as thick smoke filled the air. Oliver’s breathing became uneven. Where the hell was he?

He slowly turned around. A presence was behind him. His instincts immediately kicked in. Magic gathered around his fingertips. But before he could release it, the shadow behind him disappeared.

Oliver’s eyes narrowed. "I didn’t use my magic against you because I wanted to reason with you." His voice remained firm despite the fear beginning to crawl through his chest. "And the only reason I’m holding back is because you’re Noah’s mate." He took a careful step backward. "But don’t make me attack you."

Oliver’s eyes searched the strange landscape. "Take me back right now. Wherever the hell this place is, take me back."

Silence.

Oliver clenched his jaw. He refused to let his fear show. He couldn’t afford to.

He looked around properly for the first time. This wasn’t the human world. It was too enormous. Gigantic pillars rose from the ground, towering so high that they seemed to touch the sky. And the sky itself wasn’t normal. It was red. Not sunset red. Blood red.

Something wet suddenly dripped onto Oliver’s cheek. He instinctively wiped it away. Then he stared at his palm. His eyes widened.

Blood. Actual blood.

Oliver immediately stepped backward. "What the fuck..." He looked upward. The strange red substance continued dripping from the sky, coating the landscape in a disturbing crimson mist.

His heartbeat accelerated. Then his gaze caught something in the distance. A gigantic gate. It was so enormous that several buildings could have fit beneath its arch. Strange runes were carved into the surface.

Oliver recognized them. His eyes widened. Those symbols looked almost identical to the ones he had seen inside the Book of Shadows. The same dark patterns. The same ancient markings. The same energy.

A terrifying thought entered his mind. The Book of Shadows was created using something from here.

Oliver swallowed. "Could this be..." His voice trembled. "Hell?"

The realization made his blood run cold. He immediately tried to summon his magic. Nothing happened. Oliver’s eyes widened. He tried again. Still nothing. His magic was completely gone.

A deep voice suddenly thundered across the land. "That’s useless."

Oliver froze.

"Witches lose their powers the moment they set foot inside our kingdom." His eyes slowly widened. "So whatever you’re trying to call upon..." The voice became closer. "...won’t work."

Oliver turned. The shadow was there again. A figure was approaching him. He couldn’t make out the face, but the animosity coming from the creature was unmistakable.

Oliver’s fear deepened. "What the hell is this mess you’re doing?" His voice rose. "Is this how we’re going to find them?"

The shadow continued approaching.

"I told you what I noticed. I told you my fears, and this is what you do?" Oliver’s frustration finally broke through his fear. "You demons are so arrogant!" He pointed toward the endless landscape. "I don’t understand why I’m suddenly the problem here! I’m trying to save my own people too!" His voice cracked. "And I’m trying to save Lamia!"

The figure didn’t respond. That was enough. Oliver knew he couldn’t stay. He turned and ran. He had no idea where he was going. He didn’t care. Anything was better than staying close to whatever creature was coming toward him.

His footsteps slammed against the cracked ground. Behind him, the shadow moved. Faster. Much faster. Oliver looked over his shoulder. The figure was floating. And it was catching up.

"Shit!" Oliver pushed himself harder. His lungs burned.

He continued running until he saw a massive cliff ahead. He suddenly stopped. His eyes wandered over the edge. Then his mouth fell open. Horror spread across his face.

Below him was a sea of fire. Not an ordinary fire. A massive ocean of flames stretched endlessly across the land. The flames rose as high as enormous trees, roaring and twisting violently. They were the source of the volcanic fire Oliver had seen earlier. The heat alone was almost unbearable.

Oliver slowly stepped away from the edge. "What the..."

A terrifying growl suddenly echoed through the area. Then another. Then another. Three deep, demonic roars.

Oliver spun around. His eyes widened. "What the hell was that?"

He barely had time to react. A hand wrapped around his neck. Oliver gasped. His feet left the ground. The creature lifted him effortlessly and held him above the sea of fire.

"AGH!" Oliver struggled. His fingers clawed at the hand around his throat, but without his magic, he was powerless. The heat from below burned against his body. His heart hammered wildly inside his chest.

The demon’s voice came from behind him. "You witches and your arrogance." The grip tightened. "Where is the pride now?"

Oliver struggled harder.

"Especially when your magic is gone." The demon’s voice was filled with contempt. "Have you finally realized that without your magic, witches are useless?"

Oliver glared at him.

The demon continued. "And you’re one of them." His voice became colder. "How can your boy disappear right under your nose?"

Oliver’s expression tightened.

"And Noah, of all people." The demon leaned closer. "So you will pay for the consequences." Oliver’s eyes narrowed. "With your blood and essence, we will find them."

The demon paused. "But don’t worry." A cruel smile entered his voice. "My people will do the magic since you’re useless."

Oliver swallowed.

"And if you refuse to cooperate..." The demon moved his hand slightly. Oliver was lowered closer to the flames. "I’ll throw you into this fire."

Oliver’s body trembled.

"No one will miss you."

The warning was clear. One wrong move. One wrong word. And he would die.

Oliver forced himself to breathe. "Have you forgotten that I can’t do anything?" His voice was strained. "My magic is gone." He looked at the demon. "So why are you acting like this?"

His eyes narrowed. "I know you’re the Devil’s son." He struggled against the grip. "But take a look around!" Oliver’s voice became louder. "Just fucking look!"

The demon remained silent.

"Lamia is gone too!" Oliver’s eyes burned with desperation. "And he is the one who can lead Ashton to safety!" He continued. "Anything you do to bring Noah back without a Phoenix witch beside him could still lead to the same result." His voice cracked. "Do you understand that?"

The demon finally moved. Lysander’s face came into view. His crimson eyes were cold. He rolled his eyes.

"Lamia could perish for all I care."

Oliver froze.

Lysander’s expression didn’t change. "Oh, you think I care about you people?" His lips curled. "Don’t be foolish." He suddenly tightened his grip. "I only keep myself around you because Noah cares about you." Lysander’s eyes darkened. "If he didn’t..." He released Oliver.

Oliver fell hard onto the ground.

"...what business would I have with useless mortals and witches?"

Oliver groaned as pain shot through his body. Before he could recover, Lysander grabbed him again. This time, he dragged him along the ground like a pet. Oliver’s clothes scraped against the rough surface.

"Stop!"

Lysander ignored him.

"You’re going to anger the witches with this." Oliver tried to pull himself free. "And trust me, you don’t want a war with us."

Lysander didn’t even look back. He simply continued dragging him forward.

Eventually, they reached the enormous gate. It began to creak. The gigantic doors slowly opened. Oliver stared. The gate appeared to recognize Lysander.

He tried to resist. "Wait!" His feet dug into the ground. "I don’t want to go in there!"

Lysander looked toward the gate. "He is with me." His voice was flat. "Stop that."

The gate immediately opened wider.

Oliver’s eyes widened. Inside was an entirely different nightmare. Winged creatures lurked throughout the kingdom. Some had enormous claws. Others had horns and monstrous faces. Several of them turned toward Oliver. They sniffed the air. Then—"WITCHES!"

Their growls echoed through the kingdom. Oliver’s heart nearly stopped. Several creatures moved toward him. But Lysander turned his head. His crimson gaze swept over them. They froze. Immediately, they turned away and returned to whatever they had been doing.

Oliver swallowed. He had never seen creatures obey someone so completely.

Lysander continued walking. "We’re meeting Lucifer."

Oliver’s entire body stiffened. "Lucifer?"

Lysander nodded. "We need his help finding Noah." He continued forward. "I know the Book of Shadows may have been used to cloak him." His expression became darker. "That would explain why I can’t sense him."

Oliver’s stomach tightened.

"But no power is above my father." Lysander glanced at him. "With your blood and essence, we’ll find them."

Oliver’s face went pale.

"So get ready."

Lysander continued walking deeper into Hell. Oliver stared ahead in terror. He had always known Lysander was dangerous. He had always known the demon prince was ruthless. But this was different. He had never imagined Lysander would turn against him so completely simply because Noah was missing.

Oliver’s hands began trembling. If he died here, what would happen to Lamia’s destiny? What would happen to the Phoenix witches? Their people were already dying. Without Lamia, they could lose their leader forever. And without a Phoenix witch beside the Pureblood, Noah’s destiny could fail before it even had a chance to begin.

Oliver’s heart sank. He had been so focused on finding Lamia that he hadn’t considered what would happen if he couldn’t save him. Now, as the gates of Hell closed behind them, the truth finally settled into his heart.

He had failed. And the consequences could destroy everyone.