"It has many names. Avernus, Tartarus, Hades," Morpheus informed as the sand cleared "the infernal region you call Hell."

"So, Hell does exist?" Matthew questioned as the three looked down the hill, watching the line of fire march towards the entrance.

"It does. For some."

"Does that mean it doesn't exist if you don't believe in it?"

"Did you believe in it?" Morpheus questioned, looking down at the raven, Darcy tore her eyes from the line, glancing down, curious for the answer "When you were a man?"

"Yeah." Matthew sighed, shivering "I just didn't expect Hell to be cold."

"Which way do we go?" Darcy questioned, throwing a glance at the raven haired man.

He turned his head to look at her "I suggest we follow the damned." They shared a long look before turning back to look over the landscape.

"They make you bring your own fire to Hell?" Matthew questioned bewildered, but once again he was left unanswered. Morpheus moved forward

_________

"We're not sneaking in with them?" Matthew questioned, as the three stood watching the damned pass though the gates.

"A king may not enter another monarch's realm uninvited." Morpheus explained "There are rules, protocols that must be followed." They walked forward, halting at the gates, he moved past Darcy taking the mallet. The original looked at him questionably, as he lower his head "Stay by my side." He whispered lowly.

"No promises, mate." She admited, running her eyes over his face, not one bit intimidated by him. He held her gaze for a second before hiting the gong. He threw it to the side as a figure began to approach the gate, mumbling. The three inched forward.

"Greetings, Squatterbloat. I seek an audience with your sovereign."

Squatterbloat chuckled "And who might you be?"

"I am the King of Dreams." He smirked slightly "Ruler of the Nightmare realms."

"Mm. Yes, my clown. So, where's your crown?"

The original arched her brows as the king scoffed, left corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk "Guard your tongue, demon. The ruler of Hell will not be kind to one who insults an honoured guest." He raised his brows "And I am a guest in this realm as I am monarch of my own."

"So where's your ruby?"

"Shall I use it to haunt your dreams?" He threatened calmly, stepping forward "And your waking hours, too? Or will you open the gates of Hell and let us through?" The demon unlocked the gates, stepping back as they opened "Now take us to the palace."
"There's one at the door." The demon repeated, turning and walking on. The trio followed.

_________

The original, cosmic and raven trio walked through a baron, bone littered waste land, bare trees were dotted around under white ash.

"Any idea where we are?" The raven queastioned as he hopped between the pair.

"The landscape is subject to the whims of the Morningstar." Morpheus explained.

"The morning star?" Matthew hopped along "We have to spend the night in this literally godforsaken-"

"Lucifer Morningstar." The duo answered at the same time, looking down at the raven.

"As in the Devil?"

"No, as in the Easter bunny." Darcy remarked "Yes the Devil."

"The ruler of Hell is no mere devil." Morpheus corrected the pair.

"So, you two know each other?"

"We've known each other a very long time. When we first met, Lucifer was the angel Samael."

"I forgot the Devil used to be an angel." Matthew mentioned.

"Not just any angel. The most beautiful, wisest, and most powerful of all angels. Saving only the Creator," the ravenette explained, looking at his moving feet "Lucifer is perhaps, the most powerful being there is."

"More powerful than you?"

"By far." Morpheus looked ahead "Especially now."

"Why now?"

"The last time I was here, I was an honoured guest." He explained to the pair "An envoy from my own kingdom. This time, I have invited myself, and I lack my symbols of office."

"But you're still Dream of the Endless, love." Darcy reminded giving him a look "You've recovered your sand-" she stopped, the sound of footsteps had come to an end.

"What wrong?" Matthew questioned, looking between the pair, who were scanning the area.

"Squatterbloat. He's gone." Morpheus said, eyes runing cautiously around.

"Alright, don't panic." The raven reassured "I'm just gonna fly up and see where we are." The duo looked down at him, following him as he flew up, only to swoop down at the sight of the tree tops "Nope, nope. Not doing that."

Morpheus turned to find the demon before him "This way." The demon turned moving forward. The duo glared at his back unimpressed, before following.

________

"I'll say it if nobody else will," Darcy sneered, glaring into the back of Morpheus' head as they followed the demon up an narrow, twisting path "we're being led aride."

"She's got a point," Matthew agreed from the tail end "does this seem like the way to the palace to you?"

The king of Dreams placed a hand on the wall "A demon has a hundred motives for anything he does. All of them malevolent. Demon." He halted, making the raven and original do the same "This not the way."

The demon merely chuckled before walking on. The original growled lowly, this demon was get on her wick. Morpheus opened his mouth but she bested him to it "Oh, relax darling."

He chuckled.

"Darc?"

The trio halted. The original frowned, turning to one of the holes in the wall, leaning forward "Bash? What the hell?"

A brunette man clutched the sides of his cell, a look of relief flash on his face "I thought it was you. What fuck you've been?"

"Tried to do an act of charity." She gave vaguely, as her companions listened, she furrowed a brow "What are you doing here?"

"Izzy snapped my neck." He shrugged lightly "I'll be back with living in a few. So, that's how you ended up trapped with the devil."

Darcy glanced at the back of the man on her right "He's not the devil."

"He's," Sebastian's brows flew to his hairline "Klaus is going to kill the pair of you."

"Speaking of, let's cut this short, how is New Orleans, these days?"

The vampire gulped, shifting a nervous laugh "About that, erm, funny thing-"

"Yes?" Darcy seethed, baring her teeth.

"-Klaus, Elijgh and you...your-" Sebastian licked his lips "-Marcel took over the city."

"What?" Darcy queationed, the vampire began to fade "Bash. Bash!" She growled once he vanished "Bloody, bloody Marcel!" She growled before they started to move on.

"You ruled over New Orleans," Morpheus stated curiously "before we met."

"Yes-"

"Kai'ckul?"

The trio halted. The past had really resurfaced for the party. Or perhaps it was the Morningstar's doing.

"Dream lord?" Morpheus turned his head "It is you."

"I greet you, Nada."

"Kai'ckul. How I have prayed for this day. I knew you would come."

"It pains me to see you like this."

His heartbeat hitched making Darcy raise her brows, he was good, really good or a very good liar.

"Then, free me, lord. Only your forgiveness can free me." Darcy blinked, her siblings were lucky none of them had the power to trap each other in hell. If they did. They'd all be permanent residence "Do you not still love me?"

"It has been 10,000 years, Nada." Morpheus said, throwing the subtle of subtlest of glances at the original - who for once was feeling young "Yes. I still love you. But I have not yet forgiven you." He moved away, walking forward "Come, Matthew, Darcy."

"Kai'ckul, I will not give up hope." Nada vowed as they moved on "I will never give up."

_________

"So, that woman and that man back there." The raven looked up between the pair "Anything you wanna share with your friend Matthew?"

Silence ruled over the trio. The original and cosmic beings were both too stubborn to speak first. Until Morpheus decided to clear the silence "Her name is Nada. She was a ruler of a tribe that called themselves the First People. We're in love."

"So what did she do? How'd she end up here?"

"She deifed me." He said simply.

"Wait. You put her here?" Matthew blurted as Darcy merely bounced her brows, both her and her siblings had done just as bad during their lives; killing. Manipulating. Controling.

"The Morningstar is letting me know that Hell has prepared for my visit."

The trio halted, making Matthew ask "Why are we stopping?"

The demon turned, sneering at the party as he left them. They walked forward, the fog seemed to clear slightly as Morpheus declared "We're here."

_________

The trio made their way to the doors. Which towered above all them all, they slowly opened, releasing a river of blood. Which Matthew flapped his wings to avoid. They entered, coming up to a set of stone stairs. They settled on marble floor. The ravenette placed his hand in front of him, claspping his right wrist. The winged figure at the balcony turned.

"Hello." A light feminine voiced greeted, dressed in white garmends - contrasting greatly to the scenery - walked around the fireplace, caressening the flames with her fingers as she went, halting before the group, positioning her hands in an triangle "Hello, Dream."

"Greetings to you, Lucifer Morningstar." He glanced at the remaining figure at the balcony "And to you, Mazikeen of the Lillim."

"Greetings, Dream Lord."

"You look well, Dream. Are you well?" Lucifer questioned, smiling slightly, one could tell it was an act "And your family, Destiny, Death, Despair, and the others?"

Morpheus smiled, shaking his head "I presume the Ruler of Hell knows this is no social call."

"Have you come to join forces then?" She questioned curious "To ally your realm to ours. To acknowledge the sovereignty of Hell?"

"You know my feelings on that, Lightbringer."

"Feelings changes. Especially when one has been caught and imprisoned by mortals. We expected better of you, sweet Morpheus." Lucifer shifted her eyes on to the original "And of you, Darcy Mikaelson. The shieldmaiden blessed by the gods."

The original smirked slightly "So, you have heard of me."

"Yes," the Lightbringer smirked "the legendary Originals. I whole heartedly appreciate the people you and your siblings have sent down. Although, your anut and mother have yet to come to me. Along with Mikael."

Darcy chuckled "Well, you know us Mikaelsons, we never seem to stay dead."

The Morningstar humed, looking between the duo "It is curious, an Endless and an Mikaelson. What will become of this, I wonder."

"We have come because my Helm of State was stolen from me." Morpheus said "I believe one of your demons has it. I should like it back. Now."

"Dream, if only it was that easy. But there are rules, you see. Protocols which must be followed." Matthew glanced up at his master, who smiled tightly "Which demon has your helm?" She made her way to the balcony "Name it and we will bring it here."

"I confess I do not know the name."

"Then we will have to summon all of them." Mazikeen, Morpheus and Darcy joined the Lightbringer, looking over the cheering demons "There, now, Dream, you may inquire. Which demon has your helmet? Shall we interview one at time, or..."

Morpheus looked up at the Morningstar "That won't be necessaey." He said making the Mikaelson smirk, following him back into the room only to settle beside Matthew, watching.

"It surprises us how easily you would give up, Dream. We know how you relied upon your tools." That made him stop "But tools are the subltest of traps. We become reliant on upon them," She went further into the room, as Darcy smirked slightly, brows arched, silently agreeing with the fallen angel "and in there absence we are vulnerable, weak, defenseless."

"She's not wrong, mate." Darcy snickered, making the raven haired man give an annoyed look before smirking "Not enterily." He took out his pouch, getting down on one knee and poured the contents on the marble floor "I have recovered my sand. It brought us to Hell and now it brings that which is mine in Hell to me."

The sand rose up, creating a whirlpool and died down. To reveal a green skinned demon. Clutching the helm.

"Tell me your name, demon."

"Do I have to tell him?" The purple haired demon looked in Lucifer's direction.

"That is Choronzon. A Duke of Hell."

"Choronzon...the helm is mine. You must return it to me."

"No. It's mine now." The demon denied "I traded it from a mortal for a paitry thing. It was a fair trade. I've broken no laws. And if the Dream King wants his helm back," Choronzon squared up to him "he will have to fight me for it."

"Very well." Morpheus agreed as Darcy rolled her eyes, men "I challenge you, Choronzon."

The demon chuckled "You know the rules, Dream Lord."

"If I win," Morpheus declared as the original narrowed her eyes "you will return my helmet."

"And if you lose, you'll serve as my slave in Hell for eternity." Darcy and Matthew's eyes widened to the size of oysters, they shared a worried look.

"I accept the terms." Morpheus state stoic, Matthew cawed at his feet as the original shamelessly hit his shoulder with her fist.

"And whom will you choose to represent you in the battle?" Lucifer questioned, amused by the raven and original who were in no mind in being trapped in her realm.

"I shall represent myself."

"Choronzon, whom will you choose to represent you?"

"Hmm," the demon took a step closer to the smirking king "I choose you, sire."

"I'm going to kill you." Darcy hissed to Morpheus, who's smirk had vanished. Before it returned, turning around to find Lucifer stood in shiny, black leather "Apologies, Dream, but the laws of Hell demand I become his champion. But if you will not fight me."

He turned his head to the demon behind him "I have accepted the terms." He turned, a dull leather, black bodice with a black kind of skirted uniform replaced his clothes "Let the challenge begin."

_________

The formal challenge was being announced to the hordes of Hell. Morpheus looked back at the raven and original, before they made their way to the entrance way, setting below the start. Morpheus kneeled adressing his raven "Matthew, I need you to return to the Dreaming."

"What? No!" Matthew protested as Darcy kneeled down beside him, giving the ravenette a look of disbelief.

"It's the only reason I allowed you to come."

"So, he could leave you here?" Darcy questioned "Are you out of your bloody mind?"

"If I should not be able to leave, I would not have Lucienne left alone with no word of my fate." He looked between the pair "Not again. The sand will take you back. Both of you."

"We're not going back." Matthew protested.

"Morpheus," the trio's heads snapped up towards Lucifer "am I interrupting a preliminary bout of some kind?"

"Just a ringside pep talk, your majesty." Matthew bowed his head, Morpheus turned his head back to the two "We came here for the helm and we're not leaving without it."

"Or you, for that matter." Darcy added "Win or not, I'll personally drag your arse back. No matter who I have to kill." Morpheus stared at her slightly shocked.

"We shall see." Lucifer smiled.

_________

"As the challenged," The two rulers stood opposite one another, Darcy stood leaning again the golden architecture with Matthew on her shoulder, watching with narrowed eyes "I set the meter and take the first move."

"Very well." Morpheus stated "Make your move."

"I am...a dire wolf. Prey-stalking, lethal prowler."

"I am a hunter. Horse-mounted, wolf-stabbing."

Lucifer grunted, her body had been shot forward, she clutched the wound in chest, she straighten herself "I am a serpent. Horse-bitting, poisoned-toothed."

An infection crept up the side of Morpheus' jaw and cheek, he gasped in pain "I am a bird of prey. Snake-devouring, talons ripping."

The Lightbringer swayed to the side, turning to reveal a craw mark on her cheek, she touched it, looking at the blood with disdain "I am a butcher bacterium. Warm-life destroying." She smiled.

Morpheus fell to his knees, grunting, he looked up, his skin was deteriorating quickly, Matthew cawed "I am...a vampire. The living-undead."

Lucifer choked, her head being shoved upwards by an invisible hand "I am a werewolf." Darcy's eyes widened, fear shining in them "My bite lethal."

Morpheus hissed, gripping at the bite on his side "I am...an hybrid. Both a werewolf, and a vampire. An original." The Mikaelson's mouth dropped slightly, blood now coated the ravenette's lips and chin.

"I am the Destroyer." Lucifer smirked, ignoring the blood runing down her neck "I carry the last remaining white oak stake."

"I am a world." He choked out, clutching his chest "Space-floating, life-nurturing."

"I am a nova." Lucifer spread out her wings "All-exploding, planet-cremating."

Morpheus cried out as his skin was burned, falling to the floor, groaning "I am a universe." He said weakily "All things encompassing, all life embracing."

"I am anti-life. The beast of Judgement. The dark at the end of everything." Lucifer countered.

Morpheus lay on his side, skin whiter than snow, cheeks, nose and eyes more defined by ash black skin.

"What will you be then, Dream Lord?"

His breath trembled, groaning weakily as he attemptted to get to his feet but failed "I...I..."

"Boss?" / "Love?" The original and raven joined his side, Darcy placed a hand on his forehead, he was burning up, she shook his shoulder "Hey, boss!"

"Still with us, Dream?" Lucifer smirked, looking down upon him.

"He is and it's his move, your majesty." Matthew bowed as the original tried to hold back her temper from taking control.

"There are no more moves. What can survive the anti-life?"

"Come on, love." Darcy encouraged "You've come this far. You know what survives the anti-life? You. Dreams don't fucking die. Not if one believes in them."

"And we believe Dream of the Endless would never leave his raven or friend alone," Matthew added "in Hell with Lucifer."

"I..." a low voice omitted from Morpheus' lips "am..." he slowly rose his head, Matthew cawed as Darcy stood "hope."

Light floaded into the room as the Endless slowly stood, never breaking eye contact with the Lightbringer.

"Hope." Lucifer repeated with disbelief as the light died down.

"Well, Lightbringer?" He questioned "It's your move. What is it that kills hope?"

"Choronzon, give him his helm." Lucifer ordered, annoyed that she'd been bested.

"No." The demon clutched the helm to his chest, backing away as all eyes turned to him "I won't. It's mine. Please." Mazikeen stalked forward, ripped the helm from his grasp before rapping her hand around his throat, lifting him in the air before throwing him over the edge.

Morpheus walked forward, the demoness turned, bowing her head as she returned the helm "Thank you, Mazikeen." She walked away as he turned, looking in Lucifer's direction "Thank you, Lightbringer. The ruler of Hell is honorable, indeed. I will not forget this."

"Honorable?" She repeated "You joke, surely. Look out there, Morpheus." She gestured to the crowd as she walked forward "The billion Lords of Hell stand arrayed about you. Tell us." He turned his head to look at her, as the Lightbringer took an threatening step forward "Why should we let you leave? Helmet or not, you have no power here. After all...what power have dreams in Hell?"

Morpheus raising his eyebrows "You say I have no power here. Perhaps you speak truly. But to say dreams have no power in Hell..." he smirked devilishly, maybe the Mikaelson had rubbed off him afterall "Tell me, Lucifer Morningstar, what power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream...of Heaven?" He raised his brows.

Darcy bit her lip, eyebrows arched as he stared up at the Lightbringer blankly as she smiled tightly "One day, Morpheus...we shall destroy you."

Morpheus smirked, tilting his head, inching it into her personal space "Until that day, Lightbringer." He stepped back, his features returning to its normal stoic expression, he raised his head before sauntering away, swinging his right arm, helm tucked under his left.

The Mikaelson hybrid smirked, observing as he strided towards her. The Endless and original exited with Matthew close behind. Lucifer and Mazikeen watched the trio go with disdain.

"You know, if I didn't know better..." Darcy smirked at the Dream King, who turned his head to look at her as the gates closed behind them "I'd presume you were a Mikaelson yourself."

Morpheus chuckled "Coming from you, I am honoured."

Darcy chuckled, furrowing a teasing brow "By the way, original hybrid, huh?"

He gave a small smile, cheeks burning lightly "From what I have heard, nothing beats a hybrid, especially an original."

She laughed "Don't let my brothers hear you say that. We'll never hear the end of it." He looked at her, smiling.

_________

"You think Lucifer will come after you?" Matthew questioned, the trio were now back where they started.

"Why?" Morpheus questioned baffled.

"Because you publicly humillated the devil." Darcy reminded with a pointed look. The pale ravenette didn't answer. Instead placed his helm on his head.

"Can you even see in that thing?" Matthew questioned.

"I can." He answered, holding out his arms lightly "I can see the ruby." He took out his pouch, pouring sand on to the ground. It quickly rose up, swirling around the trio as the eye sockets of the helm glowed red.

_________

Morpheus took of his helm, they were inside a container. A small wooden crate sat on a shelf, glowing red right before them. The ruby seemed to recognise it's master. They approached the shelf, Morpheus took the crate off and set it on the floor. Before Darcy ripped it open.

He smiled, taking the ruby out of the crate, standing up, the original stared at the gem in awe "It's beautiful." She whispered, missing his smile broaden. But it dropped, when he noticed something "Something's wrong. Someone's altered it."

The red glow increased, a strong force shot out, throwing the trio backwards.  Knocking them all unconscious. Morpheus and Darcy landed on their sides, facing one another. Barely centimetres apart. The first to regain consciousness was Matthew. The raven groaned, rolling to his feet, shaking himself off. Before hopping towards the duo.

"Boss. Darcy." He pecked at both of their shoulders, trying to wake them "Boss! Darcy!"