Gigantic it stood there. A fur made of silver-grey ashen rain and eternal flames in its burning gaze. Light that caught shadows to be devoured. In the depths of moving firelight of the staring eyes, Hazel saw her own silhouette standing there. Tossed back and forth in a dancing whirl.

Claws cut deep furrows in old rock overgrown with moss and vines. A form as tall as young trees glided gracefully past ruins and crunched the rust of broken lanterns beneath it. A contrast arose in the mighty power of deadly destructive potential of the massive paws and the soft fuzz of rounded shapes.

Hazel did not break her gaze, nor did she flinch as the towering creature looming in the ruins blew its hot breath towards her. A breath like a gust of wind that tugged at her clothes and caused the short strands on her head to sway wildly. It smelled of burning coal, crushed stone, iron and ancient dust. A scent so great and engulfing that it hid the sulphuric stench seeping from the great hole in the ground behind the creature. From the gate, the crack that could never be closed again.

Slowly, Hazel raised her hand, her head lifted further and stretched towards the creature. She moved her fingers, beckoning her accomplices.

Ears with furry tips twitched on the head of the gigantic figure. A large, dark shiny nose sucked air into a throat that held a deep growl.

Behind Hazel and past to the front, small goblins pushed a low cart with fluttering wings and frantic whispers. The wooden wheels rumbled over the uneven ground. As soon as they had brought the vehicle to the chosen spot, they scurried back again, fleeing from the eyes of flames that followed every movement, every twitch, no matter how small.

Behind Hazel's back - who was little more than an sapling in the face of the great creature - they hid excitedly. Meanwhile, she slowly raised her hand to reach for the cloth that still hid the load. It slid down, revealing a view of fresh and bloody flesh. A raw stench crept up her nose and Hazel pressed her lips together to keep her face straight.

The creature swung its long tail behind it. The tail, wrapped in soft, long fur, swished up and down so violently that small stones and dry undergrowth swirled around.

"I have a present for you," Hazel promised enticingly and gave the cart a kick.

It rattled along until it got stuck on the remains of a long-gone, barely recognisable metro sign and a pile of benches pushed on top of each other. There it attracted the creature's hungry gaze. The creature growled deeply and intense. It moved again, this time creeping around the gift it had brought. Massive muscles pushed themselves more and more recognisably under the light-coloured fur. It lowered its head over the pile of meat. Soft ears and a beating tail twitched again. One paw rose as if on guard to nudge it.

Hazel and her little goblin companions, whispering behind her, held their breath expectantly. They watched as the mouth opened, sharp, fine teeth dug into the offered prey and a contented growl rumbled into the ground to vibrate towards them.

Hazel cautiously set off. The goblins stayed behind and crouched down to watch the spectacle attentively. She stepped closer. Closer! Closer still! Until she saw the intricacies of the fur. The soft, fine lines and the shimmering patches of ashen shadow.

She stretched her fingers, letting them slide closer until she thought she could feel the tingling in the air. Electrifying tension on her skin. Her gaze slid nervously upwards and again she looked into a pair of deeply flaming eyes. This time, flecks of blood smeared the pale fur of a chin hovering above her. A rough tongue licked briefly over the hungry mouth, flashing teeth that had seemed much smaller from a distance than they did right now.

Her throat tightened, but determination gripped her heart. Her hand travelled further again until she thought she could already feel what she craved so much at her fingertips!

A tug on her collar from behind jerked her back abruptly. Barely a breath later, a mighty paw slammed into the very place where she had just been standing. She could no longer see, if directly on it or just near to it. She was pulled back too quickly.

Dissatisfied, the large animal hissed and let its gigantic whiskers swing. Its tail whipped irritably through the air.

"No!" growled a certain loud voice and the hellcat reluctantly stayed in place.

Hazel's legs swung midair. Disappointed, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and peered sideways up at the tall man, who was holding her away from the large creature with only one hand. The High-Fae bared his own perfect teeth. There was firelight in his gleaming golden hair and his voice cut sharply as he spoke.

"Not again! How many times do you want her to almost eat you!"

"She didn't mean to," Hazel interjected firmly - a little firmly. "I almost had her this time! Really! I think she's starting to like me." Hazel nodded in confirmation of her own words, her eyes shining with confidence. "Give me one more try, Mylord!"

"No!" he growled back at her this time.

Something cracked and they both looked up, as the gigantic cat grumpily threw a small section of the ruin's wall into rattling, clattering chunks. A rolling stone brought her fire-eyed gaze back to the still half-filled wagon, where it recaptured her attention.

"You could help me too, Mylord. I just want to scratch her behind the ears just once. Or squeeze one of her chubby paws."

Groaning, he shook his head and ignored her rebellion under his stern grip. The goblins frantically jumped apart like sparks after a violent blow to their burning excitement.

"But sir, how can you expect me to resist. Look at her, this enormous fluff of a charming monster!"

Undeterred, he led his submissive servant with her penchant for madness away.

"You walk in this human form way too often!"

"Well yes it is my favourit."

"It messes with your brain. Sometimes it even feels as if you were turning into one yourself. Or how do you explain behaviour like this? No other creature but a human would think of petting a hell gates guard!"

And failed... for the now.

Hazel fixed her gaze on the enormous creature, which sank into a satisfied purr as it devoured the last bites. For a moment, the monstrous cat also raised its eyes. They looked at each other and Hazel saw curiosity flickering in the flames.
Next time she would make it! Then she would cuddle it and snuggle up to it! Well... Or be killed and eaten just like her present. Worth it!

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓 used

The gates of hell stood ajar and out steps one of hell's most cunning creatures. Your Character stares it in the eyes. This hellcat can bring you to your knees or grant you your one deepest desire.

by Halosandhellfires

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 or „unnecessary words"

Does a short story need a deeper meaning? No! Does the absolut need to pet a fluffy cat posess a deeper meaning? Maybe!