THE QUEEN OF HELL

The entire hell realm is engulfed in chaos; its palpable presence is felt by all. Panic and fear grip every corner as the once dormant queen, who has slumbered for many years, awakens, her immense power pulsating through the land.

The old demons who witnessed the war before are now overcome by fear, while the new generation, unfamiliar with such turmoil, are equally paralyzed. High-ranking devils are in disarray, their usual order shattered by the queen's awakening.

As the power surged, it reached the angelic realm, causing even the Queen of Heaven to tremble in fear, her eyes wide with dread.

“She is awake, Irene is... awake.” the queen stammered, her voice trembling. 

Michael, standing at the queen's side, let out a deep sigh. He knew they had to prepare for the return of the queen of hell, and he must warn his son to be cautious now that the feared ruler of hell had finally awakened.

Amidst the chaos engulfing the queen's palace, Azazel remained rooted in his spot, his gaze fixed on the now-awake queen standing in the center of her palace.

“We need to get Yerim!” Seulgi exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear, as they spotted Yerim lying on the ground in front of the queen.

Despite her terror, Seulgi couldn't help but be awed by the queen's breathtaking beauty, even after years of slumber. The queen's eyes, sharp yet coldly beautiful, sent shivers down Seulgi's spine. It was a mesmerizing sight, even in the midst of chaos and fear.

Meanwhile, Wendy and Joy trembled with fear, overwhelmed by the power they had never experienced before. With the queen now awake, they couldn't fathom what their future held in this realm.

“You all should leave this palace now.” Azazel commanded the three devils.

Wendy and Joy, fear etched on their faces, glanced at their superior with questioning looks.

“What about Yerim? We need to get her home too.” Joy blurted out, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Wendy reached out to steady her.

“This is her home now, Joy.” Azazel stated firmly, causing the three of them to gasp in surprise, especially Seulgi.

“What do you mean—” Seulgi began to ask, confusion evident in her voice, but Azazel interrupted her.

“You should all leave before the queen sees you. Now, go!” Azazel's deep voice resonated, causing the three devils to cower in fear.

Wendy and Joy hesitated, but as Azazel's command echoed in their minds, they stepped back, each taking hold of Seulgi's trembling hand.

“Joy, Wendy...” Seulgi stared at the two bewildered and confused devils, their hearts pounding in their chests.

“We should go now, Seulgi.” Wendy stammered, activating her teleportation abilities with a final glance at the unconscious Yerim and the queen, before they vanished from the palace.

As the three devils vanished, the palace ceased its trembling, returning to its former state.

The palace appeared vastly different from its dormant state. Previously cloaked in darkness, now it radiated a vibrant pink glow, pulsating with life. 

Even the sunlight seemed to dance within its walls, casting a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout. It was as though the palace itself had awakened alongside its queen, bursting with newfound energy and vitality.

As Azazel approached the queen, his steps slowed by the weight of deference, he beheld her mesmerizing presence. The air seemed to shimmer around her, an ethereal glow enveloping her form.

“Your Majesty...” Azazel greeted, his voice reverent, his head bowed in deference.

“How long have I been sleeping, Azazel?” The queen's voice, like a distant echo from a forgotten realm, sent shivers down Azazel's spine; it had been so long since he last heard it.

“22 years, Your Majesty,” Azazel answered respectfully, his words laden with the weight of time. 

Despite her extended slumber, the queen remained as breathtakingly beautiful and youthful as ever, her aura untouched by the passage of years.

Azazel's gaze shifted to the queen as she moved gracefully towards the unconscious young devil lying on the ground.

“My daughter is 22 years old now.” the queen murmured softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of longing and regret.

As the queen cradled Yerim in her arms, her touch gentle yet imbued with a mother's love, Azazel felt a stirring of emotions within him. It was a rare glimpse into the vulnerability of their ruler, a reminder that even the most powerful beings were not immune to the bonds of family.

“What is your command, Your Majesty?” Azazel inquired, his voice steady, his resolve unwavering. 

Now that the queen was awake, it was imperative to rally the forces of hell and announce her return to all who dwelled within their domain. 

The queen's power was undeniable, and Azazel knew that her presence alone would instill both fear and loyalty among their subjects.

“Do what you have to do Azazel,” the queen replied softly, her gaze never leaving Yerim's sleeping face.

“As for now, I want to be with my daughter.” she added, her words carrying a sense of finality.

With a respectful nod and a deep bow, Azazel acknowledged the queen's wishes. He would leave them be for now, allowing mother and daughter to share a moment of quiet reunion amidst the chaos of their realm.

—————

Seulgi's desperation was palpable as she paced back and forth in their house, her worry etched deeply into her features. 

“What was that? What's really happening? Can you please tell me.” she pleaded, her voice trembling with anxiety. 

The thought of leaving Yerim alone with the newly awakened queen gnawed at her, filling her with a sense of dread.

Joy and Wendy, still reeling from the shock of the queen's awakening, exchanged bewildered glances. The realization that their ruler had finally emerged from her slumber left them at a loss for words.

When they stepped outside earlier, they were met with a scene of chaos and uncertainty. Demons and creatures alike roamed the streets in a state of frenzy, their usual swagger replaced by an air of apprehension. 

The return of the queen had sent shockwaves throughout the realm, leaving its inhabitants unsure whether to rejoice or to fear the unknown.

As they gazed upon the tumultuous scene before them, a sense of unease settled in the pit of their stomachs. The queen's awakening had heralded a new era for their realm, but whether it would bring about prosperity or peril remained to be seen.

“Seulgi...” Wendy started, her voice laced with concern as she glanced at the distraught devil before her. She, too, shared Seulgi's worries, but they were caught in a dilemma with no clear solution in sight.

Seulgi halted her pacing and turned to face Wendy, her expression pleading for answers. 

“Wendy, why did the superior say that the palace is Yerim's new home now?” she questioned, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Wendy hesitated, grappling with how to broach the delicate subject. 

“I think... I think it means that the queen intends for Yerim to stay with her.” she replied gently, her heart aching for her friend's distress.

The thought of being separated from Yerim was unbearable to Seulgi. Since childhood, they had been inseparable, their bond unbreakable through trials and tribulations. The idea of being torn apart now was like a dagger through her heart.

Seulgi's voice quivered as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. 

“What do you mean, Wendy? I don't understand..” she pleaded, her emotions swirling in turmoil.

Sensing Seulgi's anguish, Joy nodded at Wendy, silently urging her to reveal the truth. There was no point in hiding it any longer; Seulgi deserved to know the reality of their situation, no matter how painful it might be.

As Joy pondered the possibility of never seeing Yerim again, a pang of longing pierced her heart. Despite Yerim's mischievous nature, she had become an integral part of their lives, and the thought of her absence left an emptiness that echoed within Joy's soul. 

Wendy took a deep breath, steeling herself to deliver the news. 

“Seulgi,” Wendy began, her voice gentle yet tinged with sadness. “Irene, our queen of hell, fell in love with a human before,” Wendy continued.

Seulgi stopped, remembering what the superior had told her before.

“I know, and her human lover was killed by the Angels,” Seulgi said. Wendy and Joy looked bewildered at what Seulgi had just said.

Seulgi recounted her clandestine visits to the queen's palace and the revelation about Irene's tragic past.

"You knew?” Wendy gasped, her voice tinged with disbelief. “But how...?”

Seulgi nodded solemnly. “The superior caught me visiting the queen while she was still asleep.” she admitted, her voice laced with regret.

Joy's confusion mirrored Wendy's, her mind struggling to make sense of the unexpected revelation. 

“So you mean, you've been going to the palace behind our backs, just like Yerim?” she exclaimed, her brows furrowed in bewilderment.

Seulgi bowed her head, her guilt weighing heavily upon her. 

“I couldn't help it,” she confessed softly. “I felt drawn to the queen, and I needed to see her, even if it meant disobeying orders.”

Wendy and Joy exchanged glances, their minds reeling from the implications of Seulgi's confession. 

Then Seulgi even shared that she kissed the sleeping queen, Wendy and Joy exchanged incredulous glances at Seulgi's revelation.

“What happened after you kissed the queen?” Joy asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Nothing happened, of course.” Seulgi simply replied.

The three devils' minds wandered back to the scenes that unfolded in the queen's palace. They vividly recalled the moment when Yerim reached out to touch the queen, and the very air seemed to crackle with energy as the palace reacted to her touch. Each breath felt like a struggle as they watched in awe.

Their hearts nearly stopped when Yerim leaned in and kissed the sleeping queen. A surge of power rippled through the air, and they could feel the intensity of the moment as if it were their own. The light emanating from the queen's body grew brighter, illuminating the chamber with an otherworldly glow.

Suddenly, the palace erupted in a burst of light, colors swirling and dancing around them like fireworks on a dark night. It was a spectacle of unparalleled power, leaving them breathless in its wake. 

As they watched Yerim gasping for air, struggling under the weight of the immense power surging through the palace, the three devils were torn between rushing to her aid and fleeing from the overwhelming chaos. The burst of energy rippled outward, threatening to engulf them.

Their superior remained unfazed amidst the chaos, a testament to his stoic resolve in the face of adversity. 

Seulgi's mind raced as she pieced together the real connection between Yerim and the queen, a revelation that sent a chill down her spine.

Then their hearts pounded in their chests as they watched the queen rise slowly from her bed, her eyes opening to reveal a sharp, cold gaze that seemed to pierce through them. 

In that moment, fear gripped them like never before, and they could do nothing but hold their breath, paralyzed by the intensity of her gaze and the power she wielded.

“The queen and her human lover had a child, Seulgi.” Wendy continued, revealing more of the truth.

“A child?” Seulgi gasped, surprised by the revelation. The superior hadn't mentioned this part to her.

“Yes, when the war began and amidst the chaos that ensued, the queen and her lover's baby was left alone in the human world.” Wendy explained. 

“She grew up on Earth, unaware of her true heritage, believing herself to be merely human.”

Seulgi's eyes widened as she processed the information about the queen's child.

“The baby was found by an old man who took her in as his granddaughter, raising her alongside his other adopted granddaughter,” Wendy paused, her gaze fixed on Seulgi, her words weighted with significance.

“And that's you, Kang Seulgi, and that baby is Kang Yerim, your sister,” Wendy concluded, her tone final.

Seulgi's mouth fell open in shock as realization dawned upon her. The baby that her Nonno had found on his doorstep, the baby she had grown up with and loved as her own sister, was the daughter of a devil—

Kang Yerim was the daughter of the Queen of hell.

—————

Azazel gathered all his trusted high-ranking devils in his palace, observing the fear etched upon their faces.

“The queen is finally awake,” he began, his words hanging heavy in the tense atmosphere. Silence greeted his proclamation, as none dared to utter a single word.

“But for now, she wants to be with her daughter. So we have to wait for a while.” he continued, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that lingered in the air.

As per the queen's request, they would announce her awakening to the entire realm later. Azazel himself was unsure of the queen's plans, as she had only just awoken and hadn't yet communicated with him at length. However, he could sense the fear radiating from his fellow devils.

“I want all our most powerful devils, those who have trained intensely, to gather and protect our realm, the queen, and her daughter.” he commanded with authority, his gaze unwavering. 

It was time to mobilize their forces and prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Azazel knew that the angels would sense the queen's awakening and might launch an attack without warning. It was crucial to be vigilant and ready to defend their realm at a moment's notice.

——————

Yerim felt as though she were lost in a long dream, her surroundings a blur yet strangely clear. Confusion clouded her thoughts as she looked around, trying to make sense of where she was.

Suddenly, her body moved of its own accord, propelling her forward until she found herself standing in front of an unfamiliar small house.

“Where am I?” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of her racing heart. Then, she heard giggles emanating from a nearby room, drawing her attention.

Instinctively, Yerim walked toward the source of the laughter and peered inside. Her eyes fell upon a man with his back turned to her, sketching something with careful precision. In front of him sat a girl, her smile radiant as she gazed at the man.

Yerim furrowed her brow, her mind a whirlwind of confusion as a nagging sense of familiarity tugged at her consciousness. Then, like a bolt of lightning, realization struck: the girl before her, with her delicate features and serene expression, was none other than the sleeping queen. 

“Hello, what are you guys doing?” she asked, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. The two figures in front of her remained oblivious to her presence, lost in their own world.

As Yerim glanced around, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deep connection between the man and the queen. Somehow, she knew—they were lovers, bound together by an invisible thread of love and affection.

“My love, you are the very essence of beauty itself.” the man murmured, his eyes alight with adoration as he gazed upon her. “In your presence, the world is illuminated with a radiance unlike any other.” 

As Yerim walked closer to the man and gazed into his face, a warmth enveloped her, emanating from deep within her soul. She couldn't help but notice his striking features, his handsome countenance captivating her with its allure.

“Thank you, my love.” the queen replied, her smile soft and filled with affection. “But it is your love that truly makes me feel beautiful, for in your eyes, I see the reflection of my own worth.” 

Once again, Yerim's body moved of its own accord, transporting her to yet another scene within the same space. This time, she found herself standing in the same familiar surroundings.

Yerim watched the couple with tender affection, a warm smile gracing her lips as she observed the scene unfolding before her. The man cradling their newborn baby in his arms, his expression filled with awe and love, while the queen looked at him with adoration, their bond palpable in the air.

“Hello, baby. I can't believe we have a baby a