Since there’s a part 2, it’s a good sign there will be a third. Oh and Daun is pronounced, “Dawn”- just liked the different spelling is all.

August Moon
Part 2 : The Forest
©MM T h r e a d s

“What?” Naru gasped.

Daun sighed impatiently. “I said, welcome to Hell.”

“What do you mean ‘Hell’?”

“There’s more than one Hell now?” Daun asked, confused.

“No, but how can I be in Hell? I’m not even dead! This place is too beautiful to be Hell.”

Daun examined her surroundings quickly. “So you like it then?”

“You never answered my question.”

Daun sighed slowly this time, and gathered her arms up around her legs. “This is Hell, but obviously not the traditional Hell you’re thinking of. It’s not one of the nine circles either, rather a separate ‘universe’ made especially for me.”

Naru backed away a little.

“You’ve committed enough sin to have your own circle created?”

“Well yes and no. I did live an… awful life, but I’ve also been here for a very long time. And again, this isn’t a circle.”

“How long a time?” Naru asked quickly.

“You’re from Earth I’m guessing. I don’t think you can conceive that amount of time.”

“How would you know?”

“Oh, I’ve learnt a few things. Let’s just say it’s a very long time.”

Naru looked strangely at the raven-haired girl sitting on the rock. “Well, it’s been lovely chatting with you, but I really should be going now. Mother is probably worried.”

Daun gave her a flat look. “You haven’t been listening, you’re in Hell; you can’t go home.”

Naru smiled nervously. “No, I think you’re just mistaken is all… I’ll be seeing you.”

Naru waved slightly, turned and began to walk back the way she came.

“Going to Maladomini I see.”

“What? Maladomini?” Naru stopped, confused at Daun’s statement.

“Maladomini to the south of me, Minauros to the north of me, Malbolge to the east and Dis to the west.”

Naru turned around. “What are all of those places?”

“Cities.”

“Cities? I don’t believe you.”

“Fine, don’t. Just wait till nightfall and you’ll be the feeding ground for hundreds of damned souls and rabid demons.”

Naru was silent.

“Don’t want to chance it now, do you?”

Naru looked at the ground, avoiding Daun’s eyes.

“You’re crazy.”

Daun laughed as she stretched her legs back out and crossed her arm impatiently. “You really haven’t been here long have you?”

Naru didn’t respond, not amused by Daun’s games.

“Hm… so how did you die then?” She asked eagerly. “Most usually forget after a while, at least the detail that is.”

“Die? I’m not dead, didn’t you hear me before!”

Daun made a gloomy face. “It always saddens me to encounter someone who doesn’t realize that they’re dead. It’s so painful to tell them.”

“Stop it!” Naru cried. “I’m not dead. I’m more alive than I’ve ever been!”

Daun rose from the rock. “Saying it doesn’t make it so.”

“Yes it does!” Naru yelped as she stormed over to where Daun stood, and smacked her across her bare arm.

“See… I’m real!”

Daun rubbed her arm, brow furrowed. “And so am I as you can see. Holding a physical form doesn’t make you alive, it just allows you to be tortured in an easier and more creative fashion.”

Naru crossed her arms in defiance. “Prove it.” She said. “Prove to me that you’re not some mean girl who likes to play tricks on people.”

Daun frowned, obviously upset by Naru’s request. She held out her palm to Naru, and in it a glow formed, it grew bigger until it projected an image of a city…

Thick sheets of rain poured down over the area. A large city rose up above the drab scenery… it was surrounded by a massive swamp, no, it was built on the swamp, it looked as if the city was trying to settle in the muck, but it couldn’t, in the distance, beings could be scene, dragging massive rocks to deposit under the foundation, trying to make the forever sinking city stable over the quagmire… the city itself was built of a strange black stone… so black…

Naru heard a voice.

Welcome to Minarus… It hissed.

Naru cried out in surprise and stumble backwards, falling to the ground.

“No it can’t be true! You’re just some horrible nightmare… you’re just some cruel girl I met in the forest.”

She buried her face in her hands and began to sob. Daun knelt down in front of her, eyes softening.

“I can’t believe it…”She said, gently pulling Naru’s hands away from her face. “Tears. I haven’t seen those since I was released from Cocytus. It’s the only place where tears are allowed.”

Naru looked up at her surprised.

“What?”

“Tears are a souls single comfort here, only, no one possesses the ability to cry for some reason, except for those submerged in Cocytus for their treachery.”

“Then why am I here?”

Daun frowned. “Well, have you lost someone recently?”

Naru shook her head slightly. “Not…recently. I did lose someone dear to me a number of years ago.”

“It could be that… but it’s too long a time, ties would have faded by then. It would have to be something strong to pull you here now.”

“A tie? Well, I… I think I loved him then.”

“Do you now?”

“I don’t know.”

Daun stood up, smoothing out her jean shorts and tight tank top as she did. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. There are worse places for you to be right now anyway.”

Daun reached her hand out and pulled Naru to her feet.

“You know, sometimes I still wish that he was with me,” Naru said, wiping her face with her sleeve. “But then I have to remind myself that he never felt the same way and that I was only in love with the person I thought he was. Maybe that was the Nephrite I was always destined to be with.”

“What did you say?” Daun asked suddenly.

“That I wish-“

“No, no… the name. What name did you say?”

Naru paused for a moment. “Nephrite. Why?”

“Oh, nothing…”

“No, what?” Naru asked, looking up at Daun, surprised.

“I haven’t heard that name in ages.”

“Did you know him?”

“Sort of.”

“You either knew him or not.” Suddenly Naru’s face paled slightly. “Did he pass through here?”

“No, I would have noticed if he had.”

“Then how did you know him?”

“Oh, it’s a long story.”

“Everything is a long story with you… well you’re in luck because I have the time now.”

Daun frowned, obviously getting upset. “I don’t have to tell you anything; and remember, you’re my guest here.”

Naru quieted. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry… you’ll come to understand with time.”

Naru sighed slowly and deeply, telling Daun that she was not satisfied with the answer she got.

Daun stroked her chin for a moment. “He may still be the reason why you’re here. If it were any other person, I would say no, but he’s different.”

“So how do we find out then?”

Daun’s brow furrowed. “I think I may know a way, follow me.” She said, grabbing Naru’s arm and dragging her to the south.

“But I thought you said the demons would eat me alive if I went there when night fell?”

Daun laughed a little. “I was just saying that to keep you here, there’s no such thing as daylight here. Demons may want to eat you, but since I’m one myself, they may stray away due to my history here.”

“Are you sure?”

Daun shrugged. “No, but there’s only one way to find out.”

End Part Two.

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