FROM HELL
From Hell – Chapter 1&2
→ Craving•The•Unhinged ←
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.
Copyright © 2026
Naomi Cindy B.
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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
[Zura Empire – Somara City]
It’s the twentieth year of the reign of the Void Emperor,
Emperor Bones.
Twentieth year of his reign of terror, hell-infliction, and tyranny.
And like the yearly procedure, there’s an anniversary going on.
Imperial horses and carriages lined the streets, Beautiful Imperial maidens poured colourful rose petals in the air, shattering the clouds like small, beaming fireflies.
Imperial armies raised their spears with ‘Emperor Bones’ carved into their blades. Ministers and officials sat dignified on horseback, waving their corrupted hands as the drums of celebration pounded the air.
It’s the second lunar month which marks the beginning of mid-spring.
Flowers are beginning to bloom beautiful colours, painting the Empire in heavenly shades of bright pink and white, but amidst the beauty, the Empire people suffer yearly like peasants.
Beggars own the streets. Homeless, ill-looking bums with their tattered clothes and greasy rough hairs, some of those who’re even holding their sick children with them, struggling to pick up crumbs from the garbage cans of restaurants and shops.
Zura Empire is the richest in the world, but the richness is only for the upper-class and royals. Maybe a little for some lucky middle-class, but the lower-class are left for dead.
Farmers only survive by giving half their crops as tributes, citizens survive by paying exorbitant taxes, and business owners survive by giving heavy bribes.
A dynasty of pains.
In the middle of the city, stood a brothel which glowed like jewel, its carved wooden balconies draped in silk banners that swayed lazily under the hush of perfumed wind.
Scarlet lanterns cast honeyed light over polished jade floors, and laughter rang like silver bells from painted lips in every corner.
This brothel has the prettiest, sluttiest courtesans in the Empire—thus, it’s always bustling with men.
The scent of plum wine, flowers, and sweet perfume clung to the air, thick enough to drown in.
At the heart of the brothel sat Ares like a king. His red gauze robe of rich silk hung loose over his broad shoulders, the collar fallen open in a deep, reckless V that bared the smooth planes of his chest.
One courtesan leaned over his shoulder, pressing a porcelain cup of wine to his lips with a teasing smile.
The delicate hand of another courtesan traced slow circles over his exposed chest.
His round almond eyes are like a endless, tempting pit, pulling you in trickily before you know it. Even married women fall at first sight.
That’s why he’s the most lusted-after man in this whole Empire.
His captivating eyes.
Those eyes.
They speak without words.
He’s a playboy Minister, and for someone who’s getting married to the only Princess of this Empire tomorrow, he shouldn’t be here—not even close, but his indulgent self can’t do without women.
He laughed softly when he caught the wrist of the courtesan rubbing his chest, and more women crowded around him like ants.
One is on his lap, another one is braiding flowers into his dark hair, all of them vying for his gaze.
And Ares, with his lazy smirk and half-lidded eyes, looked entirely at home in the sea of music and sin.
“My Lord, why aren’t you at the Palace? It’s the twentieth anniversary of the Emperor, and every Minister is attending the imperial banquet.” The one on his laps asked curiously.
The intoxicating tune of the playing qin was soaking his ears as he leaned forward—like he was going to kiss her. The courtesan gulped, her rouged cheeks heating.
Ares has never kissed here before. He only flirts, drinks and watches sinful performances, so this close could cause a heart attack.
“Why join a boring banquet when I can spend all day with my stars here?” He whispered seductively, eyes turning languid.
His voice is golden—like expensive treasured pin dropped on a rock.
The courtesans giggled at this reply, and their pink-clad leader stood, her translucent dress so slutty.
“It’s going to be a long day! Bring in more wine and ice blocks!” She ordered with a holler.
Her voice was followed up by a creak from the door, and the creak was followed by a barge.
Loud enough to make the courtesan playing the qin stop.
Half of the courtesans stood as the room received an unwanted visitor.
A burly, stoic man who wore black silk robe. His hair is rolled up into a topknot. His face is tight.
A servant came in after him, dropping a brown bag on the polished floor.
He left after dropping, so now the stoic man is standing alone, more rigid. Just that, there’s a satisfying glint in the corner of his eyes now.
Minister Edwin… Minister of Revenue.
Proud. Cruel.
He’s in charge of taxes, tributes, and he’s also in charge of salaries of other Ministers. His hate for Ares over the years has been swelling.
And Ares? He’s a rage-baiting bastard. Hate him? Your headache.
He’s a type who thinks people need to be worthy of his beautiful hate before he’d hate them.
And Edwin isn’t worth it at all.
That’s why he didn’t move from his chair. In fact, he’s drinking another shot of plum wine right now.
“I believe salaries of swines should be payed in the right places. So…I personally brought your salary to you here!” Edwin spat, his hate impregnating his voice.
Ares’s eyes moved to the bag on the floor, then back to Edwin.
“One little bag of silver? My normal salary is two bags.”
“His Majesty decided to even lower your salary more than before this month…. How do you feel?” Edwin’s lips twitched, his eyes meeting Ares’s.
The courtesans are still staring in awe. Now it’s obvious why Edwin brought this salary here.
It’s to humiliate Ares.
Even the lowest-ranked Minister in Court gets nothing less than five bags, and Ares isn’t a low one, so him getting one bag should be a disgrace, but shaming the shameless is hard.
“I feel on top of the world. I and my stars will have the best month of our lives with this…” Ares snapped his fingers at a courtesan.
The pink-clad lady rushed to go grab the bag, bringing it to the lacquered table in front of Ares.
Ares got rid of the rope tying the bag mouth and shoved his right hand inside, getting a handful of silver which he threw in the air.
The courtesans scrambled around, pushing each other just to get a piece.
The smile in Ares’s eyes melted to a smirk as he faced Edwin again.
“When you get back to the palace, go down on your knees and thank His Majesty for me. One bag was thoughtful. It’d be too stressful for my horse to carry two bags from here to my manor.” He muttered.
Seeing that his humiliation plan failed, Edwin’s jaws twisted. Anger ate him raw right there.
“This is why you’ll never match up to your peers!!” He yelled, pointing forward. “The lowest-ranked Minister in Court has at least ten plots of fertile land, four to five horses and several buildings, but you have nothing in your name except your stupid white horse! All you do with your meagre salary is buy expensive clothes and come here to spend money on prostitutes!”
“And how is my life a problem to your wretched self?” Ares’s lips moved wetly again.
“Wretched?” Edwin muttered, the sting of the insult biting his skin.
The sting was like a shove. He made a swift move to the lacquered table.
He pulled out his sword from it’s sheath with a deathly noise from the blade. He placed the blade on Ares’s neck, writhing with rage.
“Say that again, I dare you!”
Ares looked up.
To women, those eyes are seductive, but to annoying creatures like Edwin, they’re a challenge.
Edwin pushed the blade closer to Ares’s throat, but Ares was like a chunk of stone…
Crazily unconcerned.
“Wre…” He spelled, tongue curling inside his mouth.
“Tached!” He finished.
“You deserve death!” Edwin growled as he raised the sword, ready to bloom blood on Ares’s neck.
Ares’s conceited grin disappeared completely, replaced by a ice-cold stare as he bent a few inches back.
Some of the flowers in his hair fell out, and his palm tightened around the head of his own unsheathed sword on the table.
His sword is always unsheathed.
Always ready.
Before Edwin’s sword could reach his neck again, he already pressed his own sword blade to Edwin’s throat—right on top of his Adam’s apple.
Edwin paused, breaths gagging.
The courtesans are now gathered at one side of the room, watching the two enemy Ministers.
Ares’s eyes froze back, and as his blade played on Edwin’s neck, his lopsided smirk returned.
“This will surely get to His Majesty!” Edwin threatened.
Ares lowered his sword and sat back, flaunting the wide arm of his robe with a swish.
“Isn’t that your favorite line?” He responded. “Go. Run back to His Majesty like a bullied kid.”
“Your head will be taken! I’ll make sure of it!” Edwin threatened.
“Whose head?!” A authoritative, mean voice shattered the tension and rebuilt it higher than before as a gorgeous female entered the room through the thin flower hall.
The rich, ornate tassels in her hair.
The exquisite styling of her hair.
The round pearls around her neck.
The neat painting of her nails, her carefully made-up face, and her willow-leaf eyebrows are all a testament to unrivaled royalty.
Princess Ina, the only Princess of this Empire. Daughter of the Void Emperor Bones.
She has been engaged to Ares even before she was born.
The courtesans wanted to rush out of the room at her sight, but the double doors were slammed close by Princess Ina’s two guards who entered after her.
The courtesans fell on their knees, bodies shaking as death seemed to be stealing their breaths already.
“Y… Your High… Your Highness….”
Doom scented as Ina advanced.
The shoulders of her blue brocade robe are very low, exposing her cleavage too much.
Minister Edwin shifted back, bowing his head as she walked past him with smooth elegance, but she stopped right in front of him.
“Look up,” she ordered.
He looked up, but he couldn’t even withstand her presence.
“I was only chastising him for coming to the brothel when your wedding is tomorrow! I meant no harm, Your Highness!” He quickly knelt.
Princess Ina sneered.
“You meant no harm?” Her voice sounded detached and jestful. “As if you can harm him. Isn’t he the fastest fighter in this Empire till now?”
Minister Edwin looked up, joining his fingers together in front of his face.
“Your Highness, please pardon me!”
“Leave!” She spat.
He got up, gave Ares a secret hateful glance before leaving.
Princess Ina faced Ares who’s now sitting back on the low chair.
“We’re getting married tomorrow, and you’re here, wasting away your hours as usual? It’s my father’s anniversary today, and the Palace is roaring with the banquet, but you’re here? Ares!”
“Do not raise your voice, Ina. It infuriates my nerves.” Ares raised his cup. “Go back to the Palace.”
“What?” Her eyes turned mad. “Are you going to play your alpha male part and bundle me back into my carriage like you do all the time? You belong to Me! Me! Me! Me alone!!”
“I said,” Ares stood, pointing his jade-ringed finger at her face. “Do not raise your voice. If you’re angry, just kill people and feel better!”
“Very well!” Princess Ina picked Ares’s unsheathed sword from the table. “Very well, Ares!”
She swaggered to the door where the courtesans are, and a single raise of the sword plus a single lowering brought down the head of one of them. She cut it off clean.
The head rolled around the jade floor, and blood sprayed up from the neck of the courtesan before her headless body fell to the floor.
“Agggh!!! Ahhh!!!” The other courtesans screamed, terror signing notes in their fleshes as the blood of their peer stained them.
But it wasn’t the end.
Cos Princess Ina raised the sword two more times, cutting off two more heads and wasting more blood.
Heads rolled around like balls.
Now the remaining three courtesans are rolling on the floor, begging fervently for mercy.
Princess Ina’s face was bloodstained as she stalked back to the table, blood dripping off the tip of Ares’s sword.
“You feel better now?” Ares asked casually, not moved by the headless bodies on the floor or the blood.
“I even feel worse!!” Princess Ina yelled, throwing the bloody blade back to the full table.
It landed with a dance, and a clanging sound.
“Get out!” Ares told the remaining three courtesans.
And that was when Princess Ina’s guards let the door open.
The three ran out, and one of them left her shoes behind in fright.
With heavy, loud breaths, Princess Ina stood in front of Ares, her chest climbing and falling, her revealing cleavage so tempting.
“I want you in the Palace before dusk! Father is expecting you too. You better bring his anniversary gift!” She said, half threat, half order.
Then, she turned around, kicking a head out of her way as she walked out of the room.
Her guards lined behind her, walking her till they disappeared down the flower hall exit.
Ares gulped another cup of plum wine, staring blankly at the headless bodies on the floor.
“That bî+ch can be interesting at times,” he muttered caustically.
He imagined how madder she’d look when he doesn’t appear in Palace today at all.
No one orders him casually.
Not even her father.
He stood when he heard wings fluttering outside.
The bright wall lanterns cast soft yellow glow on his face as he walked into the balcony, his bare chest fresh against the evening light.
A pigeon perched on the back of his knuckles, and he took a note out from under it’s feather.
He released the pigeon back to the air and opened the note.
★ Midnight Court will be open tonight. I figured you’ll be at your brothel as usual, so I wrote to tell you. Be there, don’t act stubborn.
“That’s new. Court doesn’t open on the boring anniversary day.” Ares said in a silent mutter.
But when he turned the other side of the paper, there’s another note.
★ Minister Lucia is returning from her mission. His Majesty wants everyone in attendance.
Ares returned inside and threw the note in the metal brazier. The paper was burning as he left the brothel.
—
[Zura Void Palace]
Emperor Bones has ten Palaces and two Courts for his use alone.
Several pavilions, lavish courtyards, horse stables, carriage yards, servants quarters, imperial kitchens, gardens, and outer balconies.
All buildings became a cluster of buildings inside one large property.
The Palace is always aglow with one thing or the other, but it’s a different kind of glow today.
It’s nearing dusk, and the anniversary is still flowing like a fountain around every part of the Palace.
This is the only time of the year when maidservants and stewards get to eat their fill, so as they’re serving ministers, officials and royals, they’re stuffing their faces too.
The streets parade ended few minutes ago, and everyone has returned to the Palace.
It’s full again, but Emperor Bones himself isn’t in any of the outer pavilions or balconies.
His presence is always rare. He only appears when he feels like.
Currently, he’s inside his favorite Palace—Palace of Silent Night.
His groans curled with the golden glow coming from the dominant silk lantern sitting near the large soft bed.
His head is thrown back, and his long black threads fell to the silk bed-cover as his hand pressed down a head to the middle of his legs.
He’s completely n+ked.
Layers of sweat flushed down his chest in tiny rivulets, and his eyes are closed, a heavy signature of pleasure on his hell-bent face.
When the head of the female between his legs came up, his wet co+k sprang free from her lips, bouncing left and right as it’s still abnormally hard.
His head slanted forward, and his eyes settled on hers.
Empress Sally—his Empress.
Princess Ina’s mother.
Her hair that was in a bun before came loose as she placed a kiss on his có+k. She darted out her long tongue and licked his big warm balls.
Then…
She tapped the round cap twice before standing, gathering her undergarments in her hands as she walked to the chair beside the bed.
She lowered her weight to the chair, crossing her legs.
Now, Emperor Bones’ back is on her. He’s putting on his imperial robe, each move so stiff.
“I’m still making researches on why you’re always hard and dissatisfied, Your Majesty.” She talked, licking his c+m off her lips slowly.
Her phoenix-shaped gold huadian sat poignantly between her brows.
“You have just one job,” Emperor Bones voice came, as soulless as his face and build. “Serving me, but you can’t even do it properly. Shame.”
“I’m trying my best. Satisfying your s+xual urges is harder than satisfying you in court. I work harder than your Ministers if you ask me.” She replied, her confidence bigger now.
Empress Sally is the only one allowed into this room. She’s the only one who can talk this close to him.
And sometimes Princess Ina too.
There’s a concubine, but that concubine is as good as dead.
“You should make your gift to Ina remarkable tomorrow. Her marriage would be too big. She’s our only Princess after all.” She said.
Emperor Bones replied, saying…. “Her gift will arrive after I receive Lucia back in Court tonight.”
“Minister Lucia will be back tonight?” Empress Sally spranged up, the displeasure in her eyes unhidden.
Bones has finished dressing up, and his black robe with golden patterns like stars in the sky dragged the floor as he went for the door.
Lucia might be a Minister without salary, but everyone knows she’s Bones favorite Minister in Court.
And that’s not normal.
Bones having a favorite Minister who’s the only female Minister?
Sally has never felt good about Lucia.
“Your Majesty!” The imperial Eunuch called by the door.
Bones opened the door, stepping out tall and powerful.
Now, half his hair is held up with a dragon crested pin, and the other half cascaded down his back.
“Your Majesty!” The Eunuch bowed fast, not daring to look him in the eye. “Another tomb got raided again! The reports just came in!”
Bones countenance remained dark.
There’s a notorious tomb raider in the Empire. People call him Calamity of the Tombs. No one has ever seen his face because he always wears a iron mask. He raids ancient tombs and steals expensive, valuable items.
“And also…” The Eunuch continued, still blowing fearfully. His black hat covered his ears and forehead. “The bandit robbed people on the eastern road too!” He reported.
There’s also a female bandit in the Empire. People call her Horror of the Roads. Her face has always remained unseen too cos she wears black mask to rob. He waylays wealthy men on private roads and steals heavily.
These two criminals have been terrorizing the Empire for years, and catching them seems like it’s going to remain a wishful dream.
Hearing the two reports at a time, Bones didn’t stop walking.
The Eunuch followed him with his head bowed still.
“Insert the thieving criminals issue as the first court discussion tonight. Minister of Security has questions to answer.” Bones commanded.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The Eunuch replied audibly, quickly opening the Palace exit for him.
Empress Sally came out of the room, fully dressed in her complete hair accessories and white silk.
“Come here!” She ordered one of the guards by the lantern walls.
The guard rushed over.
“Your Majesty!”
“Minister Lucia…was her mission successful?” Sally asked, her eyes rolling in their sockets.
Lucia has never had a failed mission. She’s the most feared woman in this Empire for a reason.
She and Ares are Shadow Ministers who spill blood of enemies for Emperor Bones.
But Sally had arranged to make Lucia fail this particular mission.
“I have no idea, Your Majesty.” The guard said. “Throughout the two days she spent on the mission, no one got even the slightest air of how it went. We just suddenly heard she was coming back today.”
“Bones is crafty and secretive about that whore.” Empress Sally sighed.
There was no warmth in it.
Only a quiet, dangerous dissatisfaction, oozing off her as she went down the long, glossy hall.
—
[Nighttime, Midnight Court]
While the Cold Court is for daytime meeting with officials. This Midnight Court is for night meetings.
And it’s far more brutal here.
The Court rose like a shadow, its blackened stone walls ominous.
Above it, the moon sat pale in the sky. The great iron gate of the court stood towering and severe with twisted spikes on top.
On the highest arch of the gate, the skull of Ares’s mother hung gruesomely.
That was the first thing Ares’s eyes caught when he jumped down from his white horse in front of the gate.
It’s the first thing his eyes always catches everytime he comes here. A signature of bitter memories.
This skull has been hanging there since twenty years ago after his mother was executed.
He stopped beneath the gate, his gaze lifting slowly.
He did not move or speak.
He only stared.
“Bad, sour memories. It only makes the chest heavy.” A grim voice said behind him.
He didn’t have to turn before knowing the owner of the voice.
“Sometimes, they sharpen the mind too.” Ares replied, turning slowly to see his only friend in court.
Lothar.
Lothar is the Minister of War. He’s the General of all Zura armies, and he’s wearing his armor which clung like battle blades to his body.
“You got my pigeon note,” Lothar said with a light nod.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here, and Void Emperor would have a night of crash out.” Ares said with a cold edge.
“Crash out and actually take your head away from your neck?” Lothar touched his shoulder.
“Not even in a hundred years,” Ares remained frank as he talked.
“Fine, fine… let’s just go in!” Lothar smiled brightly.
They stepped into the court together.
The interior is a vast, dim hall, lit by drifting lanterns.
At the center, there’s the Emperor’s, throne, high and still.
Along the curved walls, the Ministers occupy round, expensive chairs in a silent circle of power.
Wine cups glint in their hands, and the entire chamber feels chilling like deadly conquest.
Everyone’s already here, meaning Ares and Lothar are the last two.
Minister Edwin’s eyes were literally stabbing the two from his seat.
He still hasn’t gotten over what happened at the brothel earlier.
He hates Ares, and Lothar being Ares’s closest person made him hate Lothar too. Hating people is Edwin’s talent, but at least he doesn’t hate the Prime Minister—Kai.
Kai is the top Minister here, and he’s currently sitting closest to the Emperor’s throne by the left.
He’s an uncle to Edwin, and while Edwin is as open as a book, no one knows what Kai is thinking.
Kai is a sneaky one.
The Ministers were chatting in low, hushed voices as Ares and Lothar took their proper seats.
Late night felt like noon cos of the bright silk lanterns, and as both friends took their wine cups to drink..
“The Emperor has arrived!” The Eunuch announced.
Emperor Bones entered.
His authority and presence wrapped over the court like a shawl, and everyone raised their cups.
No one must spill a drop.
Spill a drop, your head drops.
It’s the sign of entry respect in court.
And till he arrived at his throne, Ares’s studious eyes didn’t waver away from him.
It was a poisonous stare, wrapped behind his dark full lashes.
When Bones had his seat, everyone dropped their cups.
“Shall we discuss the two criminals terrorizing the Empire first, Your Majesty?” Prime Minister Kai asked with the right etiquette.
“Minister Lucia is back!!” A guard announced by the court door.
The moon seemed to shift into the clouds in the sky outside, and the lanterns in here seemed to dim.
Emperor Bones relaxed ruthlessly on his chair, and Ares?
He poured himself another shot of wine, drinking.
He has been drinking a lot today, but he doesn’t get drunk no matter how much wine he chugs.
The gold-rimmed cup was still between his lips when the Court door opened gracefully, letting her in.
Her red robe swirled in first, then her upturned shoes. Her aura slapped the air hard, and the silence became too loud it’s disturbing.
She wore a red veil which covered her nose and lips, down to her throat. Her eyes and forehead are the only visible part of her face.
Her hair is carefully rolled into a long, neat ponytail.
No jewelry. No lip tint. No rouge. No extravagance, but her beauty is still as paramount as ever.
She’s the most beautiful woman in Zura—and the most intimidating.
Her sheathed long combat knife is swinging dangerously from her waist.
It’s her sacred weapon.
As she entered, each of her steps left red imprints on the floor.
Her shoes are bloody, and she’s dragging a bloody body inside.
It’s a male dead body that has no left leg anymore, so she’s dragging him by his remaining right leg,
Ares’s conceited smirk touched his face again. It’s been two days since she left for this mission to kill the magistrate of their rival Empire, and now she’s back, victorious as usual.
She even came with the body of the magistrate.
Mission accomplished.
His eyes hooded, and the spring breeze blew in through the open court window, sweeping away Lucia’s red veil from her face.
The veil moved with the breeze, and her hair untied itself from the ponytail, the jet-black locks blowing ethereally with the air.
Lust pooled in Emperor Bones oppressive eyes.
No one dared to talk. She continued dragging the body forward, leaving more blood imprints.
The air suspended Lucia’s red veil on top of a table, and Ares picked it up without waiting.
It’s his table.
He wrapped his soft palm around it. The scent of jasmine and warm sandalwood choked him so much.
Lucia’s haunting eyes met with his.
His lips curled—sly and feral.
This woman is his.
She just doesn’t know yet.
TBC.
