And it's all fun and games,
'Til somebody falls in love,

But you've already bought a ticket,
And there's no turning back now.

- Carousel; Melanie Martinez

Chapter Eight: Unexpected Meetings

"I feel kind of off." Heavy, rather, Choromatsu thought as he looked at his reflection on the mirror. His silky white robe was not present and was replaced by a pink-and-black frilly clothing akin to Todomatsu's. "Hey, what are you doing—"

"Stay still." The witch pressed some weight on the goddess's shoulders through his gloved hands. "This might hurt a bit but you have to stay still and not squirm away from my grasp, you get it?"

Choromatsu just nodded.

Todomatsu closed his eyes and started to focus while muttering a series of what seemed incantations. His hands gripped Choromatsu's shoulders and it started to emit a dark light. The goddess suddenly felt a pang of ache in his whole body and he gritted his teeth. It almost felt like his insides were twisted and he was knocked out of oxygen. He can't help but scream at the sudden surge of pain that coursed through him but he tried his best not to jerk away, as what Todomatsu had instructed.

A few agonizing moments later, Todomatsu finally let go of him. The witch had a very exhausted look that was matched by his sweaty countenance. He held a white ball of light between his hands and it shone brightly in the darkness of the seminary's basement.

"What is that?" Choromatsu inquired as the witch sealed the light in a peculiar-looking bottle.

"Oh, this? It's your divine aura. You feel heavy, right? It's because I removed it from you. Here." Todomatsu gave him the bottle. "Just break the glass and make sure that no other people than you touch it with their bare hands."

The goddess gingerly received the bottle. "You're not planning on taking it?" He muttered before he can stop himself.

Todomatsu quirked an eyebrow. "What will I use it for?"

Choromatsu fidgeted. "Well, like using it to connect yourself with Heaven, I guess?"

Todomatsu looked at the goddess as if he had grown two heads but then was quickly replaced by a hearty laugh. "That is a good suggestion but no, I have no plans of doing that. You're way too cautious of me, Choromatsu nii-san." The witch smiled at him. "I'm not as bad as you think I am."

"I-Is that so?" Choromatsu had a tinge of confusion in his voice.

"Anyway," the witch suddenly spoke, "prepare yourself for a trip. And please, stick with me. Don't talk to other creatures there or ever get lost." Todomatsu fixed his gloves and outfit in front of the huge cracked mirror. He's conscious about how he looks, Choromatsu noticed. Every frill was neatly folded and his pink dress was spotless.

"Where are we going?"

"Isn't it obvious? We're going to Hell." Todomatsu shrugged off and glanced at the mirror for the final time.

Oh, we're going to Hell.

"Wait, Hell?!" Choromatsu choked out. "T-That's not a place for a goddess like me!"

"Why did you think I remove your divine aura?" The witch turned to him, putting his hand on his hips. "It's because so you can't be noticed in Hell. There's no way I'm going alone. It's a win-win situation for the both of us anyway. You get to save Osomatsu nii-san and I can practice my magic with you."

Choromatsu shivered. "W-What if they killed me there?! I'm a goddess and that's Hell, there's no way I'll survive!"

The witch sighed and moved from his place. He grabbed Choromatsu's arm and placed him in front of the mirror. "Look, do you think you look like a heavenly creature now?" The witch asked irritatingly. "You're dressed like a witch and all of your divinity is already removed. Don't worry about the latter because I have mastered it already."

"Removing divine auras? How?"

Todomatsu suddenly flinched at the question and kept his mouth pursed for a moment. The goddess turned to him--confusion flashed on his face. "I'd rather not tell. It's quite...unpleasant."

Choromatsu just looked at the witch and let the topic slip away because it seemed like it was too personal. "A-Anyway. Will I really be okay?"

"You will. Trust me on this." Todomatsu handed him a pair of thick, white gloves. "Wear this all the time. Do not let anyone touch any uncovered part of your body. You're aware of what will happen, right?"

Choromatsu nodded as he slipped the gloves on that reached up to the sleeves of the dress that Todomatsu had lent him. "So that's why you're always wearing gloves? Even at the church?"

"Of course. Although humans have no effects on either side of the division of creatures of Heaven and Hell, I still have to be careful." Todomatsu grabbed his staff from a corner of the room. "Come on, let us save your dear Osomatsu~"

"Excuse me." The goddess scoffed. "I don't treat him that way."

"Really, now?" The witch snickered. "You chose to give up a part of your powers just to save him and you're saying that he's not dear to you? You're way too obvious." He further chided.

Choromatsu blushed at the tease and was about to spout a retort when sudden clacks of heeled shoes from the outside was heard. Both of the creatures' eyes went wide.

"This is bad." Todomatsu quickly grabbed Choromatsu's hand and muttered another spell. "We're leaving." The goddess just flashed a worried look as he saw their reflections slowly dematerialize.

God, help me.

The door to the basement swung open and revealed a young sacristan whose eyebrows were knitted together. He scratched his head in wonder. "I swear I heard something in here, jo." He frowned as he went inside to inspect with the lone light of his candle but the room was really empty.

"Oh well, whatever, jo." He walked to the exit. Glancing for the final time, he finally closed the door before him.

________________________

The grotesque surroundings welcomed Choromatsu's eyes as they finally landed to their destination—his grip to Todomatsu's hand tightening as he slightly shivered at the sight. Small fry demons were everywhere; some were happily chatting and others were pulling pranks on their fellow. There was some sort of competition going on, too.

Hell wasn't as hot as opposed to the goddess's expectations but it still managed to get under his skin. He didn't like it here. And he hoped that it will be his last trip to this locale.

"Stay close to me, okay?" Todomatsu told him again in a hushed volume. "Don't make an eye contact with anyone. You're a witch, not a goddess, okay?"

The witch was agitated and Choromatsu couldn't understand the sudden care in the younger man's voice. Perhaps he isn't really bad as the goddess thought he is.

They walked around the place and Choromatsu could see that Todomatsu already knew this place like it's the back of his hand. Well, at least he was sure on what he is doing. The goddess meekly followed, looking down the grimy ground just to avoid the scrutinizing eyes of the creatures that were lurking around.

"Ah, Ichimatsu nii-san!" Todomatsu suddenly piped up and sped up his pace, meeting halfway with the...reaper?...that was walking towards them as well. Choromatsu felt another pair of eyes fall into him as the reaper finally stopped in front of them.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you for long." the reaper asked as he pat Todomatsu's head. "And who's this?" He abruptly pointed his scythe to Choromatsu--making him back away fast from Todomatsu's back.

What's his problem?! Choromatsu screamed inside his head.

"Ichimatsu nii-san! Don't be like that!" The witch scolded him, pushing his weapon away from the goddess. "I've been in the mortal world to finish and began some...business." He glanced at Choromatsu who was behind him. "Ah. We're you worried about me?" Todomatsu smiled teasingly at him.

"Tch. I'm not." Ichimatsu turned to the other man in the place. "Who are you?" he asked in a threatening tone.

"Nii-san, you're still hostile as ever!" Todomatsu reprimanded as he grabbed the goddes—other witch beside him. "He's a new friend of mine and I've thought of teaching him new magic here in Hell. This place is a good breeding ground of dark magic, right? That's why we're he—"

"Todomatsu."

"Yes?"

"Stop lying," the reaper said without batting an eyelid.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Eh?! How did you know?!" The witch exclaimed, obviously horrified. "Did my magic failed? Shit, that's bad news."

"No. It's not about your magic. It's perfect, in all honesty." Ichimatsu looked at Choromatsu from head to toe. "But I know you and I know when you are lying or not, so...who is he?"

Todomatsu pouted and scratched his cheek sheepishly, turning to the goddess and muttering a small apology. "Can we take this to your room? It's...dangerous to discuss it here."

"Of course. But I won't be allowing a stranger in my room." Ichimatsu deadpanned as he began walking towards his place.

"Nii-san, wait! Can you please make an exception with him?! I can't leave him alon—"

"Rules are rules, Todomatsu." Ichimatsu said without turning around.

The witch clenched his fists and indignantly stomped his feet. Fucking stubborn, he thought as he looked the goddess empathetically. "I'm sorry about him. He's not really good with new people and he has his own rules that can't be broken. He's the only person I trust here other than Osomatsu nii-san so...he's really the only one I can rely on."

"N-No... It's...ah...It's fine." Choromatsu smiled. "I understand. Please go ahead and follow him. He might know Osomatsu's whereabouts, right?"

"But...you—"

The goddess shook his head. "I'll try to be fine, I promise. I'll keep all of your reminders in my head."

Todomatsu flashed a worried expression. "Are you sure about that?"

Choromatsu just nodded.

"Well, okay then." The witch gingerly started to walk away from his original place. "Be careful, okay?"

"I will."

After a few moments, Todomatsu finally turned his back to him and followed Ichimatsu. The goddess roamed his eyes around the place and was glad that the number of other creatures had dissipated. He spotted an empty place where he assumed he can sit for a while and sighed inwardly. He hoped Todomatsu will be back soon.

He settled himself at that spot, keeping his gaze down the ground. He can hear some voices of the residents of this place but he chose to disregard it. He thought about Osomatsu, fully hoping that the devil was just fine. Their leader can't possibly hurt him that much, right?

But the witch's words dawned to him—it was his fault. He knew that he can't possibly be friends with an opposite race yet he just let Osomatsu do whatever he wanted. And now, both of them are in jeopardy.

Choromatsu shortly wondered why the Heavens hadn't punished him yet—not that he wanted to but it's quite a wonder. Was it because he's just a goddess that was assigned to guard a small river? Maybe that was it.

He was too unimportant to be noticed.

Speaking of Heavens, had Jyushimatsu been fine these past years? He missed that energetic angel despite him being a handful at times. Jyushimatsu had been like a little brother to him, even though he was his teacher when he was younger. Choromatsu hoped he was doing well.

"Todomatsu?"

The goddess snapped his head up to see a devil in front of him. His eyes went wide. Oh no. Why is a devil here?! He internally panicked—he hoped his face didn't show it.

"Ah. You're not." The devil frowned as she pointed her index finger in front of Choromatsu. Slowly, the devil's fingertip started to emit a dark light and the goddess can see the suspicion in the devil's eyes. "Who are you? The only witch who'll wear a pink dress is Todomatsu and you're not him. What's your deal?"

Oh my God. I need to get out of here.

"Are you mute?" The devil sneered. "Answer me or I'll rip you to pieces."

"I...I am Todomatsu's friend!" He finally spat out. "H-He's in a private meeting with a reaper but the latter won't let me inside. T-That's why I...I am here. P-Please don't hurt me."

The devil seemed to take that and she finally put her hand down.

She checked out Choromatsu's whole appearance, weighing out her decisions. "I see. That's his dress, right?"

Choromatsu nodded shyly.

"Todomatsu won't let other creatures wear his clothes so you two must be really close." The devil smiled as she sat down beside the goddess, leaning her head back. "You're lucky~ Todomatsu's style is really impeccable. That dress suits you."

"R-Really? Thank you." The goddess smiled timidly.

Silence loomed over them for a few minutes—with Choromatsu playing with the hem of his dress and the devil just looking at the ceiling above them. The goddess decided not to spark a conversation for it was one of Todomatsu's adamant reminders.

"Being a part of the Council sucks," the devil suddenly said and sighed. "You know? All I see are old, grumpy devils that can't even accept an argument from a younger member. Fuck all of them. They are so close-minded."

Uh...okay?

Choromatsu just nodded in agreement but still did not speak.

"All I wanted is for this Kingdom to have a change—maybe taking more opinions and suggestions from the lower echelons. To be honest, Tougo's reign is not that good. I bet I'll be a better leader than he is," she sneered. "He's not that intelligent. The only trait that he has that is fit for the King of Hell is him being so despicable—even his own son, Osomatsu, hating on him. Hah. He just really became a King on his child's account."

Osomatsu?

"O-Osomatsu is the son of the King of Hell?" The goddess asked before he can stop himself.

The devil gave him a skeptical look before answering. "Technically, no but most of the devils think that he is. Only I, Ichimatsu, Todomatsu, Osomatsu, and Tougo knows the story," the devil stated. "Wait, you suddenly spoke when Osomatsu was mentioned. Do you know him personally?"

"A-Ah...I guess you can call it that."

"I guess?" The devil chuckled. "What kind of answer is that?"

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright." She smiled at him. "Thank you for listening to my rants. Maybe I was just too exasperated to let off some steam to a stranger."

"You're welcome. I'm Choromatsu anyway—so that I won't be a stranger, yes?" The goddess can't help but smile. "You seem to be in problem and it's my job to listen to other creature's troubles, after all," he said happily. "I suggest that keep your feisty attitude. Someday, I know you'll be able to implement that change that you long to do."

"What are you? A God or something?" The devil laughed heartily whilst the goddess shuddered. Wrong move. "Thank you. I'm Totoko, the youngest member of the Council of Hell." She offered her hand which was met by Choromatsu's awkward handshake. "Well, anyway. What's your story? Why are you here?"

"Ah...you see." Choromatsu pondered for an excuse. "Todomatsu is supposed to be teaching me magic today but then we stumbled upon his brother. As what I said, he won't let strangers inside his room. So I am here, waiting for his return. I am a newbie witch."

"Really? You don't look like it, huh." Totoko raised an eyebrow. "You actually look like pretty powerful for a newbie."

"I-Is that so? Many people are saying that." Choromatsu just chuckled awkwardly. He hoped the topic was just dropped already.

"Choromatsu nii—oh, Totoko?" Todomatsu's voice appeared suddenly, making the two creatures look at his direction. The goddess sighed in relief. Todomatsu is finally here. The devil beside him waved and smiled at the witch while standing up.

"Todomatsu! You're so unfair! Why did you lend your friend your clothes but you won't lend them to me?!" The devil pouted in annoyance. "Oh, hi there Ichimatsu! Good work today!"

The reaper just hummed in response.

"I'll be going first, okay? Another Council meeting is in a few moments. Nice meeting you, Choromatsu." Totoko smiled at them. "And Todomatsu, lend me some of your clothes some time, okay? Bye!"

"I'll be going, too." Ichimatsu said, leaving the place.

"Choromatsu! What did I tell you about talking to strangers?!" The witch shrilled when Totoko and Ichimatsu were finally out of sight. "And to be speaking with her of all devils here in Hell; you sure have all the luck in this world, huh?"

"She was really nice, though." Choromatsu muttered.

Todomatsu laughed. "And of all the devils, you call her nice. I beg to differ."

"You don't like her?"

The witch snorted. "She's a bother and a bitch. Of course I wouldn't like her. Anyway, let's go. I already have information about Osomatsu nii-san."

Choromatsu immediately stood—his face clearly expectant on what will happen. Todomatsu just chuckled at this. And he's saying that he doesn't treat Osomatsu that way. "We have a great timing. Most of the guards are not on guard today but we still have to be careful. Osomatsu is Tougo's captive and I'm pretty sure it's not that simple to see him—hey, are you listening?"

"Y-Yes!" Choromatsu smiled. He's got to see him again and he can't help but be excited. All of his efforts will be paid off. He lost his healing powers, yes, but he can always learn basic medicinal treatments in lieu of that, right? As much as he wanted to ask Jyushimatsu to teach him again, he highly doubted that the angel would not be suspicious about his sudden retake of the lesson.

He shortly wondered if Jyushimatsu knew what he was doing at this very moment and the decisions he made these past days. He hoped that the angel didn't.

The surroundings were getting darker and darker which made Choromatsu shiver more than ever. The place reeked of the stench of blood that it almost made him puke. He endured, though.

They shortly arrived in a huge, isolated chamber that already rusted in age. It had smaller partitions of what seemed cages, judging from the vertical bars that adorned it. Dirty and dilapidated were the right words to describe the place. They were right at the entrance when Todomatsu suddenly stopped on his tracks.

"What the fuck? Did Ichimatsu nii-san give the wrong place?" Todomatsu suddenly spoke in a quiet tone for caution. "There's literally no one here and this is just an old chamber! Is this even a maintained prison? It stinks!"

"Then wouldn't that be a good sign?" the goddess asked. "I mean we can easily go in here—"

"Obviously not! This is way too easy!" The witch panicked, his grasp on his staff getting tighter. "Is this a trap or somethi—"

"Is...Is someone there?" A hoarse voice suddenly spoke. Choromatsu's eyes went wide at this and immediately ran towards the source before Todomatsu could stop him.

He gaped at the sight—feeling his heart clench at the moment that it almost made him tear up. The devil who was sitting at the middle corner of the cage reciprocated a shocked look upon meeting the emerald eyes of the goddess.

Choromatsu knelt down, disregarding the pained yell of Todomatsu that was ranting on how the goddess stained one of his precious dresses. He grasped the railings, not minding how the brown rust smeared on his white gloves. He let out a pained choke in an attempt to hold back his tears.

All of his worries faded because he can see him now—well and alive. He idly marveled if he just worried for nothing and if his sacrifice was not worth it for this idiot of a devil.

Of course it was.

After recovering from the surge of emotions that coursed through him, he finally spoke through a relieved smile:

"I was worried about you, idiot Osomatsu!"