Hell Chapter 0; Feast Of Fools

The City. A marvelous creation to behold by anyone, but not just everyone. No, there were only a select few that knew of the greatness of the City. One man was hell bent on conquest of it, and nothing would stop him until he had his own Kingdom. That man's name is Baal.

Now, Baal had a history of being greater than his peers -- of which there were about 100 -- in the great City. Purgatorio, though filled to the brim with sinners and those who were condemned to this portion of Hell only knew Baal through his close circle of his 100 friends. They all lived in their tiny shanties and let the King rule over them with a mighty rule. Baal did not like this and sought change; he sought revolution in the City of Purgatorio, and he would be King of it all.

"Baal," called out one of the Knights of the King, "It is time to pay your taxes. I hope you have enough this time."

Baal did not work for very much and whatever little he got went to food and upkeep of his small shanty -- as it was with his limited number of friends. Though popular with them, he was not quite as popular with the rest of Purgatorio, and the King did not know him by name.

"Here, this is all that I have left," Baal said, coming up short by a few shekels.

Knight: Feh. This is not the fullness of what is required, Baal. You won't skimp this time.

The Knight was about to strike Baal, but one of those 100 friends that Baal had came to his rescue.

"Take this," Baal's friend said to the Knight, "I have covered what he owes. Now leave us in peace, sir Knight."

The Knight grinned at the coin in his hand, seeing that there was a small 'token' of appreciation given as a bribe for him. "Humph," the Knight huffed, "Let's just not let it happen next time it's time to collect, Baal."

Baal and his friend met hands when the Knight left; a sign of their camaraderie.

"Brother!" Baal called out.

"Brother!" his friend responded.

"Thank you for sparing me my wages this month. I am not sure that I could go another tax collection with less than what is asked." Baal huffed.

"And the damn prices seem to get higher and higher by a few coin every so often," Baal's friend said. "I wonder if the King really is as righteous as he is supposed to be?"

That's when Baal hatched an idea. "We can always go find out, can we not?"

Baal's friend was afraid at what idea Baal had in mind, and in fact, was not really prepared for what the next words from Baal's mouth were; "We'll have to overthrow the King."

"H-how do you expect we do that?" Baal's friend asked, looking a little nervous.

"Easy," Baal said. "We move one-hundred strong. I'm sure between us all, we will be able to take down the King in no time."

His friend wasn't so sure. "Do you honestly believe that mere peasant folk like us will be able to deal with the royal army? Surely, we would have done that by now."

Baal laughed. "You always were the smart one between us, Valac."

Valac chuckled nervously, "Yes, and the most considerate."

Baal smiled. "Perhaps..."

Valac: Oh no...

He knew the look on Baal's face. "Hatched up another scheme, I suppose?"

Baal laughed, chiefly wrapping his arm around Valac's neck in brotherhood, "And you're the nanny goat! Hahahaha!"

"Oh, I already don't like the sound of this..." Valac said. Everyone took advantage of Valac's pure heart and wisdom, especially since they were in Hell. Just because it was Purgatory didn't mean it was any less hellish, and many sinners and demons did not take too kindly to the righteous nor the wise, both of which Valac was by nature.

"You'll do just fine," Baal said, "Come! Let's assemble the lot of us and begin to speak of this conspiracy!"

Valac was not happy with that, but was a meek and merciful type, willing to go with his friend to the ends of the earth to make him happy, so he said hesitantly, "Why not?" He sighed heavily. "Maybe my special abilities will come in handy."