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A Personal Prison

But then, Zardes quickly realized something wrong. While he knew an Infernal, despite the name, would not be coated in flame, he knew something was wrong the moment he noticed the Infernal and how the demon was positioned.

The ring of fire and the pentagram symbol hid the fact that they were restraining circles, usually used when a demon summoner called a manifestation of a Circle demon to the plains of the living, especially if said circle demon was very rebellious (circle demons lived in a different plane of reality and needed a spell to pull them out into the physical plane where the Outer Ring and the surface of Earth was). A trained eye could quickly see that the restraining circle was within the ring of fire, and they were only lit, but not burning.

Then Zardes noticed the Infernal. He knew from books and descriptions that an Infernal was caprine-like. More specifically, they looked like mountain goats with four black horns and carnivorous teeth. A casual onlooker could call them humanoid goats with black fur, red eyes, four black horns, and prehensile tail. This one, however, was vaguely caprine in appearance, and the demon was not covered in fur. It was hard to determine from where he was looking, but it looked glossy and shiny, as if it was reflecting light.

It was hard to determine his race as he looked featureless behind the wall of fire. Zardes wanted to look closer, but Adre said, "(Wait, don't you realize what the fire is?)"

Zardes looked at the flame. They did not seem very natural and they were eternally burning. Aside from that, it had a reddish hue that was not present in normal flame. He quickly drew a conclusion.

"(Hellfire, right? So, that's the source of heat. But, then, the Infernal...)"

"(Does not generate any heat at all. In fact, he can't. Let me turn off the fire so you can see why)."

He walked in and pull a lever near the door. The ring of fire abruptly went out, causing the room to be dark. He then turned on a switch and the lamp were turned on to show what was in the middle of the room, amidst furniture that seemed to be impervious to the heat.

The figure was not covered in fur but covered in a glossy black material that did not look like it was made from normal fabric. It was hard to determine the kneeling figure as the fire obscured the horns protruding over his ears, which was flappy like a goat. The figure also had his hands behind his back, and upon closer inspection, the face was featureless as it was under a mask, with the mouth area left open to accommodate a red object stuffed into it and secured by a set of straps. It looked vaguely like a ball forcing the Infernal's mouth to open, showing sharp rows of teeth. Its ball form was deformed due to it being bitten, though the ball actively reforming, forcing his jaws to open.

"(He's wearing a specially made prison suit)," said Adre with a sigh. "(It's helpful, but the whole thing became something like a gimp suit. Can't blame those Lust Demons, though)."

"(Wait. Lust Demons?)"

"(They are pretty good at it. Their circle of hell is reserved for damned souls who had too much life of debauchery, after all. These suits, however, are for demons with certain fetish. They are also good at making suits capable of sealing demonic powers, such as this one)."

"(You mean, he's a prisoner?)"

"(More or less, yeah)."

"(Why?)"

"(Because he's one of those who's trying to find the Infernal Texts, mostly for his own gain. Got caught killing a hellhound, apparently due to accident, though we are not sure. The hellhound he killed was equally shady, but if he's let loose, I'm sure more would follow)."

"(So, why is he under the mayor's residence instead of prison?)"

"(Even if his Infernal powers are sealed, he's still a powerful demon. That pentagram will bind him in place. We can't put one in prisons because it can also become a summoning circle. Also, I can keep a closer eye on him)."

"(I don't think accidentally killing a hellhound will count as something special. I mean, don't get me wrong, but terrorism deserves more attention than that)."

"(You'll see why)."

Adre said something in a different language. All of the sudden, the mask around the Infernal receded and the red ball, along with the straps, disappeared. His glare was still strong, but now his caprine features became apparent once the mask was off. Like the other Infernals, he had black fur and red goat eyes.

He tested his jaws, opening them and closing them for a couple of times. He then looked towards the group and said, "You really got nerves fucking with me like this."

"You...talk Common?" asked Zardes.

"What do you think? Some humans are bad enough to get themselves fucked and found themselves in my domain. Also, I can still hear you talk."

"So, you know why I need to seal you down here."

"By using something you can find in a bondage shop! Are you trying to fucking harass me?! I'm a demon of the Fifth Circle, not a sex object!"

"Harass you? Oh no." Adre then took out a remote. "I know the functions of that suit, Infernal, and I can make you talk. Even a demon like you won't gonna live with getting fucked in the ass."

"You fucking try that, hellhound, and I'll rip your throat out the moment I'm..."

"Stop," said Zardes, standing in front of the two. "I don't care about the animosity between you two, but I need to ask the Infernal about the Texts. Mayor Adre, if you please?"

"Who the fuck are you?" said the Infernal.

"Someone asking questions," said Zardes, trying not to be intimidated. "Starting with the reason why you killed a hellhound."

"That fucker attacked me first. Naturally, he's no match against a prince of hell. I mean, hellhounds are not match against Infernals anyway, so why bother? Well, he's a crazed one, babbling incoherently in hellhound language. (You are not welcome), he said. Hey, I thought this city is open for demons, too."

"Not if they start trouble," said Adre.

"Maybe you should check your own people first before accusing me of bullshits."

"(Wait. Prince? They have princes down there?)" said Malkar. He did not bother talking with Common when he heard how the Infernal spoke a good Hordo.

"(It's not just hellhounds that follows the monarchy system, you know. Look. Just tell them who I am, mayor. I hate questions)."

Adre sighed. He turned towards the group and said, "(He's one of the sons of the ruler of the Fifth Circle, Baphomet. His name is Belial)."

"(Baphomet and Belial. Those names ring a bell...)"

"(You study demonology, hellhound? Apparently, surface dwellers do)," said Belial. "(They put a book detailing Circle Demons that can be summoned, their price, or something like that. Those guys really need to stop thinking that we need the same tribute, especially not if you're ruling a whole part of the Circle! Well, most of the time, I'm just bored and end up killing them)."

"(Guess you're guilty)."

"(Aren't all demons?)"

"(As torturers of the damned, it does make you automatically guilty with our system)," said Adre. (So, you either go back to your Circle and get sentenced in the Outer Ring. Your choice)."

"(Well. Guess I'll die. Like I said, I am not getting back to my domain until I find what I come for. They can play their own games without me, anyway)."

"(Suit yourself, then. Still, there is a third option for you. You did say that you're trying to find the Texts, right?)"

"(Yeah?)"

"(I'll give you a proposal. You work with these three, and I'll guarantee your freedom)," said Adre. "(But, that suit stays on you)."

"(Wait a second? Me, working with them? Are you fucking serious? I'm a fucking prince, goddamn it! I don't take orders from you hellhounds! Also, why the suit fucking stays?)"

"(Because one, your full power will cause more destruction than it should, and two, our domain, our rules. So, you gotta work your way to freedom, Belial, starting with helping them)."

"(Wait. We haven't agreed to this)," said Zardes.

"(He's the closest you ever have in getting an Infernal)," said Adre. "(I suggest you take this chance before he changes his mind)."

"(How am I supposed to change my mind if I don't have a fucking choice to begin with?!)" said Belial.

"(Either you assist them or you stay in here with that suit doing its work on you)."

Belial wanted to say something, but when he realized that it wasn't a choice to begin with, and the fact that he was a prisoner away from his domain, he knew he had no choice to go with them. With the prison suit sealing his Infernal powers and the binding circle restraining him, along with the fact that he had no choice, he simply lowered his head and said, "Fuck."

"I guess that's a yes," said Adre. "A couple of specialists will be with you shortly, Belial. I hope, for both our sakes, you go with this well."

Belial scoffed as Adre and Zardes walked out of the room and closed it, leaving it dark once more.

Outside, Zardes was unsure on how to react. On one hand, he had found an Infernal to continue their research, but on the other hand, the same Infernal was not only a special kind of Infernal, but also an old demon prince, based on the claim that he was thousands of years old. He did not know that an Infernal could live for thousands of years. Were they immortal?

He then asked Malkar about this. When the archaeologist was not sure about it, he turned to Adre, who seemed to know more about Infernals.

"(He's not lying when he said he's thousands of years old)," said Adre. "(As you went down the Circle, aging will slow down until you reached the bottom pit, where the Forever Damned are. It is also the reason why their government does not change for thousands of years)."

"(Why did he say about dangerous situations in the Fifth Circle?)"

"(You need to ask him about that. Circle demons are pretty much unpredictable given the limited access down there. As for the reason of getting those Texts, however, I have a feeling why. The area was once an Infernal kingdom, after all)."

"(And you draw that conclusion from the surviving Texts?)" asked Malkar.

"(Not the final one, but the closest one. But I guess it's time for me to tell you about Belial, then, and how to handle him)."

Adre walked behind a cupboard and pulled out a box with intricate design, though the material was similar to the one currently encasing Belial's body, which was a glossy, black material. As Zardes touched the box, the box seemed to feel sleek and slippery.

"(What's the material?)," asked Zardes.

"(Not sure)," said Adre. "(It that can only be found in the Second Circle. It brings out a weird...sensation. You might have seen several of them walking around in the entertainment district, and, well...their kind of entertainment is weird)."

"(And here I thought getting tied up and helpless is arousing to some)."

"(That's BDSM for you. Okay. There's a lot of names for that suit, depending on context. Prison suit is when it is used to seal up dangerous powers, but it can also be called a gimp suit or bondage suit when he's fully encased and his features are gone. Or...you can also call it a slave suit)."

"(Whoa, wait. We are not slavers)."

"(And slavery's illegal in Drundas. It's just a term, though the suit is something so much more. Unless you're into it, however...I guess you can have some fun with him along the way)."

"(You seem to be enjoying this)."

"(Who doesn't? You don't get the chance to see a demon prince squirm uncomfortably)," he said with a mischievous smile. "(But anyway, the instructions on the suit is in this box. Don't let Belial get a hold of this. It will mean his freedom, and problem for you)."

"(Any fail-safes? Contingency plans?)"

"(You can check everything inside that box. Now, I need to get on a meeting. Have fun)."

Adre seemed to be very happy about it. Maybe he really wanted to see the Infernal having a humiliation of his life.

Zardes proceeded to open the box. There's a paper written in Hordo saying (Play around with your slave. Be creative), then a set of instructions on how to activate the suit and such, with many different settings and several suggestive ways on 'torturing and punishing' the 'slave' wearing the suit. It even had several commands to ensure total obedience, even if it was temporary. It seemed that it was meant to be used as a versatile adult toy. Somehow, it fitted with Adre's idea of punishment, though not really in the case of Zardes and Malkar.

The only one who seemed to not that disturbed and interested was Ammon. He was reading the instructions like he meant it, and the descriptions seemed to cause something to arouse within him. He never would've thought that something encased in black substance would be so arousing. He was supposed to be a priest, but it conflicted with his attempt of distancing himself from romance.

After a while, a couple of hellhounds walked past the three and walked into the room. They unbind Belial and presented him to the three. Now that his whole body had been revealed, it was revealed that every inch of his body, including his hooves and hands, had been sealed within the black glossy suit that seemed to be covering his whole body. There was a collar forming around his neck, and cuffs forming around his wrists and his tail. Somehow, if it wasn't for his furred head, there was no way to know that he was an Infernal at all. He did not seem happy about being escorted by the three.

As they walked out through the back door and into the entertainment district (the castle was literally in the middle of Drundas), Belial said, "(I'll agree to this because of one thing only, hellhounds, and that is because I'm trapped within this goddamn suit. The moment I get out, you'll be glad I'm still in this)."

"(We got you)," said Zardes. "(Though right now, you're with us, and we're in this together. Got it?)"

Belial looked angry, but his expression calmed.

"Well, just look at the bright side. I'm not all out of place in here, and I don't have any clothes."

"That suit's not clothes enough?"

"You think I'm gonna walk around wearing a skintight suit with collar and cuffs? Oh no. That's an invitation for a fuck fest. I'm practically naked. Like them."

He then pointed towards a couple of demons walking around with similarly-clothed hellhounds behind them on a leash.

"Alright, alright," said Zardes. "Guess being a prisoner on parole means that you're broke. Just one thing, though. Why are we talking in Common?"

"Because from what I heard from that asshole of a hellhound, you have a lot of enemies," said Belial. "With the same goal, but different ways to take those Texts. You might need help in getting them, but eh, my powers are sealed, so don't expect me to come and help."

"I don't think the suit's impeding your movement, and from what I heard, wrath demons are dangerous fighters, even without their hellfire ability."

"Yeah, and I can just strangle you and get away, except the fact that this suit has a stupid setting to stop aggressive attempts. So, unless it is gone, I'm practically useless in fights."

"So, what's your worth then?"

"Other than helping you continue your research into Infernal Texts? None. Abso-fucking-lutely none."

Zardes wasn't sure about that. The suit's setting could temporarily disable the automated system so Belial could fight, but for now, he needs to be controlled.

As promised, Zardes and Malkar went to a clothing store to get some clothes for the Infernal while he waited outside with Ammon. Belial did not seem to want anything particular, but the two hellhounds did not want to buy something that only cover his prison suit like a cloak. He needed decent clothes at least, with the cloak for travelling. Thus, they gave him a normal-sized shirt and pants which covered his entire arm, with the pants held by suspenders. He did not object to it, though he grudgingly said, "Thanks."

As they walked away from the store, Ammon, who was walking beside Malkar, approached the hellhound and said, "(I did not catch what you're talking about back then)."

This surprised Malkar. "(What? Wait, you don't know Common? How the hell are you able to communicate, then?)"

"(With hellhounds and fellow demon bats, of course)."

"(Well, that makes sense, but now it's going to be hard. You see, the reason we talked in Common is to prevent anyone to catch our language. Even if they are able to catch what we're saying, it won't be that widespread)."

"(So, you're saying I need to understand what you say?)"

"(Yeah. I can teach you to read and listen, if you are okay with it)."

"(I guess I need it. Yes, I am okay with it)."

Their travel was hampered by the fact that under the surface, normal compasses did not work (The needle would always point towards the gates to the inner circle). Their only way to travel the right way was to follow directions from hellhounds and street signs pointing them towards the right way. It was made easier by the fact that they were given a carriage by Adre, as a form of courtesy. He seemed to like them well enough to help them. That, or the crest did help made the task easier.

The journey was uneventful, given how they were on a carriage and travelling anonymously. Even Belial, who the group thought would be a problem, did not seem to make a fuss (possibly because of the suit). He even tried to make a decent conversation, though it ended awkwardly more than none. This state, however, would not last long.

They had found out that the place they were trying to go was an underground harbor named Halish Ser. It was quite a journey from Drundas. As no one in the group knew the topography of the area, and the fact that compass was practically useless down there, their only direction came from several road signs, some of which looked suspiciously like a trap. Even Belial, who was the longest of the three to live in the Underworld, had no idea about this (He claimed that the Fifth Circle was 'Ancient as fuck').

Of course, in one notable detours, they ended up lost in the middle of nowhere. They were following the signpost from Drundas to Halish Ser, but they realized too late that some of the signposts had been manipulated so that it went the wrong direction. They ended up reaching the end of the paved road.

Even if Malkar had a map, it wasn't very accurate. Belial, who seemed to be calm all the way, suddenly said, "See? What did I tell you? That map is a fucking junk."

"I don't see you helping," said Malkar, annoyed.

"I can help with being asleep along the way," replied Belial. "Maybe if you stop teaching the Fuzandre for a while, you might be a better navigator."

"Why don't you get out there and give the direction yourself if you're so full of it?"

"Hey, cut it out," said Zardes. "We've got company."

Sure enough, both Belial and Malkar caught the scent of several hellhounds creeping near the rocks. It was hard to cover the scent, given how they were very hungry and saw the three travelers as meat. Some skeletons that littered the road seemed to be the most obvious indicator that the road signs were manipulated to direct them to a cannibal's lair.

They quickly made their stances. Zardes thought that it was going to be easy, like the bandits they encountered. But then, this one was different. The hellhounds were feral and unrestrained, aside from many. A hellhound and a Fuzandre wasn't going to be able to fight them.

Then, it was clear that no matter what they tried, they could not break free unless they fight back with killing intent. And so, Zardes, who had been holding back, started swinging his Kukri knife with an intent to kill. He realized his own brutality when a feral cannibal jumped towards him. He caught the hellhound, threw him, and before he recovered, hacked on the cannibal's neck with all his might. It wasn't enough to decapitate the hellhound, so he did it a couple of times until it was hacked off.

Such gratuitous violence shocked Malkar, who thought that Zardes was quite restrained in term of combat, mostly to let his attackers incapacitated without actually killing them. Behind him, Belial, who witnessed the whole thing, chuckled and said, "Well. He's not a straight-laced guy, after all."

But then, it did not make the cannibals fear them. Instead, it caused them to become more aggressive. Either it was because of the hellhound being their close significance or because of the smell of fresh meat, they resumed their attack, this time more aggressive and threatened to overwhelm the three.

Slowly but sure, Zardes and Ammon had no choice but to retreat to the carriage and found themselves surrounded. Zardes knew they could not fight everyone...unless he freed Belial from the prison suit's automated restraint system. He was reluctant to do this, but he knew that it was impossible for two trained people to fight crazed cannibals without some sort of a monster backing them up.

Belial, who was just sitting inside the carriage throughout the fight, noticed Zardes contemplating. He knew that Zardes was a warrior in his own rights, but Belial quickly knew his contemplation was about him. They were supposed to be his guardian, but they were overwhelmed and could be killed. If that was the case, Belial might not be able to get out of that suit. He sighed, approached Malkar, and said, "Let me give you a choice. Either we die here or you get me out of this suit. Your choice."

"How can I know you're trustworthy and not just end up killing everyone?"

"You'll know soon enough. Release me."

Malkar knew that releasing Belial from his suit would mean uncontrollable fire. In the panic, he forgot that the suit's automated restraint system could be turned off without unsealing his full Infernal power. Zardes, who was still calm and collected before he, too, became desperate, remembered it.

"(Malkar! Push the center button, then central left! Do it, now!)" he exclaimed while he stabbed a cannibal lunging at him.

Malkar seemed overwhelmed, but he managed to do just that. Belial did not seem to feel anything, and the suit did not seem to do anything.

"I hope you know how to use your bare hands!" said Zardes. "Get out here and help us!"

"Playing a long game, are we?" he said, admiring Zardes's decision making. He walked to the back of the carriage and, when one of the cannibals caught scent of him, he lunged towards him, only to get his neck caught by Belial's hand.

The goat demon squeezed his hand slowly, watching the cannibal choking with it, before he squeezed hard. It was as if the cannibal had a bomb implanted in him, for the force of the squeeze blew his head, spraying blood and brain matter towards Belial. He licked his face with his long tongue, then jumped down from the carriage and said, "Come at me, fuckers!"

What happened next was nothing but carnage and bloodbath. Zardes, Ammon, and Belial were all slowly covered in blood and entrails, each killing the cannibals coming towards them. The massacre did not stop until the last cannibal dropped dead, with his heart pulled out of his chest and eaten by Belial. It was only after the adrenaline stopped pumping did they see the remains of a massacre.

Ammon, whose furless skin was ashen grey before, looked like he had just bathed in blood. The worst of it all was Belial, who killed most of them with his bare hands. Due to the prison suit's glossy surface and the fact that it covered everything except Belial's head, he did not seem that dirty. When Zardes looked at the Infernal, he was devouring a still beating heart, eating it whole and licked his face with his long tongue.

"Now, this...is true hell," said Belial. "Nasty stuff isn't it?"

"Yeah," said Zardes while looking at the hellish scenery. "Yeah, it is."

"And I suggest you return this suit's functions again. You don't want me to accidentally rip you in half, right?"

Belial's sly comment seemed to correspond with his violent nature, and for Zardes, it had many reasons.

For one, they had a monster who was ready to be unleashed. Second, Belial could be joking, but he could also be serious. The feral hellhounds they fought may be malnourished, but they were still strong. Belial simply rip them apart as if they were paper. It showed how dangerous he could be. If he ended up betraying them, they would all be dead without even a chance to retaliate.

That prison suit was the only thing holding him back, and it terrified them.