HER DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

Zamiel descended into the underworld, the air growing thick with the stench of brimstone and decay. The ground beneath his feet trembled, as if the very foundations of the earth were shifting.

As he passed through the twisted, nightmarish landscape, he was greeted by creatures that defied explanation. They had horns, scales, and eyes that glowed like embers from the depths of hell.

Zamiel navigated this twisted realm with ease, his presence seeming to draw the attention of the underworld's inhabitants. They watched him with a mixture of curiosity and fear, their eyes flicking towards him like snakes darting through the underbrush.

Finally, Zamiel arrived at the throne room, the air heavy with the weight of dark magic. The man sitting on the throne was imposing, his horns twisted and cruel, his one eye gleaming with malevolent intent.

Zamiel bowed low, his voice dripping with respect. "Father."

The man's voice was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the underworld. "When are you going to return back to this place zamiel? Do you want to make earth your permanent home?"

Zamiel's voice was steady, his words measured. "Father, as soon as I am done with my task, I will return home."

The man's one eye narrowed, his gaze piercing. "Oh, I see what you're trying to do. The prices you've been collecting...it seems you want to start growing your power and make you immortal"

Zamiel's bow deepened. "Dear Father, the only way I can become more powerful is by collecting the prices of helping people."

The man's expression twisted into a cruel smile. "That's good of you, Zamiel. Very good."

Zamiel straightened, his eyes locked on his father's. "Where is Mother?" he asked, his voice neutral.

The man's smile grew wider. "Oh, she's...inspecting some of the projects at hand. You know how she is."

Zamiel sat down beside his father, the throne room's dark magic swirling around them. His father's one eye gleamed with intensity as he spoke.

"Zamiel, don't you think it's high time you got married?" he asked, his voice firm.

Zamiel's expression remained neutral. "Father, I—"

His father cut him off. "Besides, looking like this isn't pleasing to me. You look like those humans, not like your true form. When will you get married,I can link you to the princess from the other kingdom!"

Zamiel stood up, his movements fluid. "I am not going to get married to any princess Father."

His father's expression darkened. "Why? You need to hurry up with whatever you're doing on Earth and return home."

Just then, a woman with horns and one eye walked into the room. She was beautifully scary, with a long spike tail. A crown sat atop her long hair, and her ears and teeth were long and pointed.

"Oh, Zamiel, when did you arrive?" she asked, her voice husky.

Zamiel bowed slightly. "Mother, I arrived just now. I wanted to see you."

The woman's gaze turned to her husband. "Woman, talk to your son. Let him get married."

But the woman ignored her husband's command, turning instead to Zamiel. "Zamiel, you need to get married. Besides, you need to take over from us. You and your bride need to take over."

"I think Princess Azura is interested in you," she added.

Zamiel's expression remained neutral. "Mother, I am not interested."

The father's face darkened. "Whatever you do, don't bring a human here as a bride."

Zamiel stood up, his movements fluid. "I never told you I was getting married to a human."

The mother looked at the father, her expression calm. "My lord, he won't do such a thing. He will marry from his own kind, not some weak human."

The father's expression turned thoughtful. "Better."

Zamiel bowed again. "I have to be on my way now. I have missions to complete."

And with that, he vanished like smoke.

*********************

Elena stood in her room, her eyes fixed on the four men sitting in the living room. They were all big and burly, with stern expressions on their faces. Her mother sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on Elena with a mixture of concern and disapproval.

Elena had put out an ad for a bodyguard, and it seemed like every wannabe tough guy in the city had shown up at her doorstep. She had decided to test them, to see what they were capable of.

"Alright, gentlemen," Elena said, her voice firm. "I want to see what you're made of. I want you to fight each other."

The four men looked at each other, seemingly taken aback by Elena's request. But then, without hesitation, they stood up and began to circle each other.

Elena's mother stood up, her eyes wide with alarm. "Elena, what are you doing? This is madness!"

But Elena just shrugged. "I need to know if they're capable of protecting me, Mother. And what better way to test them than to see how they fight?"

The four men began to exchange blows, their fists flying as they clashed with each other. Elena watched intently, her eyes narrowing as she studied their movements.

One of the men, a tall, muscular guy with a shaved head, seemed to be gaining the upper hand. He was fast and agile, dodging the other men's blows with ease.

But then, just as it seemed like he was about to emerge victorious, one of the other men landed a lucky punch, sending him crashing to the floor.

Elena's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected that. She watched as the other men continued to fight, their movements becoming more and more intense.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the fight came to an end. The four men stood panting, their chests heaving with exhaustion.

Elena's mother shook her head, her eyes disapproving. "Elena, this is ridiculous. You can't just have people fighting each other in your living room."

But Elena just smiled. "I'm just trying to find the best bodyguard, Mother. And I think I might have found them.."

She nodded towards the tall, muscular guy who had seemed to gain the upper hand earlier. He was standing off to the side, his eyes fixed on Elena with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

"Name?" Elena asked, her voice firm.

The man smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "My name is Marcus," he said. "And I'm here to protect you, Miss Elena."

Elena smiled, nodding her head. "I've also selected one other person," she said. "I think he tried his best, and he showed great potential."

The other men looked at each other, seemingly surprised by Elena's decision. She nodded at one of them who stepped forward immediately, a look of excitement on his face.

"Me,miss elena?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

Elena nodded, smiling. "Yes, you. What's your name?"

The man bowed, his face flushing with excitement. "My name is Lucas, Miss Elena."

Elena nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, Lucas, you'll be protecting me from now on. Marcus, here, will be protecting my mother."

Marcus nodded, his face serious. "I won't let anything happen to her, Miss Elena."

Elena smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I know I can count on you, Marcus."

She turned to the other men, who were still standing in the room. "Alright, gentlemen, thank you for your time. There's always a next time, so bye. Thank you."

The men nodded, bowing slightly before they turned and left the room. Elena watched them go, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

She turned to Lucas and Marcus, who were standing beside her. "Your work starts now," she said, smiling. "Lucas, you'll be following me everywhere I go. Marcus, you'll be protecting my mother."

Lucas and Marcus nodded, bowing slightly. "We understand, Miss Elena," Lucas said.

Marcus nodded in agreement. "We won't let anything happen to you or your mother, Miss Elena."

Elena smiled, feeling a sense of security wash over her. "I know I can count on you both," she said.

And with that, the two of them bowed, their faces serious and determined.