The world before Ryuk could be described with one word.
Hell.
Not the literal hell those scrapped hunters used to curse themselves with—because Ryuk knew, if that hell was this, they wouldn’t wish it upon themselves.
This hell was instead hell because everywhere Ryuk looked was covered in flaming, red, bubbling lava.
But what was worse?
"The steam from the lava was so hot, he could hear the lava-resistant rocks burning away, with entire mountains collapsing into the molten flow."
He watched them instantly reduced to ashes, before they even entered the lava at all.
His eyes roamed around, and he found that the space where he and the man stood was covered by a protective barrier, which was probably being used to shield the heat of the lava from reaching them.
Yet, Ryuk could still feel the faint burn on his skin.
As for how hot the lava would be, he had not the slightest idea—but what truly numbed him were the Fallens who were hung right above the lava.
Yes, Fallens.
They were held by incredibly thick black chains that came from the mountains all around.
But it didn’t wrap around them. Instead, it tore through their palms, winding into the other side.
The same for their legs, which are as far away as possible.
And to top it all off, they were completely naked.
Their bodies had long turned charcoal black, and he could see as their bodies quivered, trying to flinch in agony, but they were held so wide open by the chains that they could not move.
Their mouths opened wide in a howl, but the sound didn’t reach him, as if their voices had long dried out from screams.
Two of them, Ryuk recognized among the bound ones.
"Is that—" he asked, pointing at one of the men, and the old man nodded.
"Yes, that is him. Elder Nogarasukue, a 101-year-old serving elder of the Dominare Family," he said, as Ryuk’s eyes wrinkled in annoyance.
His face, though blackened and almost mashed, was still recognizable to Ryuk, and the sight of him made his blood boil—but when he saw the state he was in, his anger cooled off.
His current state was terrible enough.
Around him were four more people, but Ryuk only recognized a second one among them.
That was the one from which Ryuk had picked up the ploy that they were trying to end him—the one who had said,
___________
"Nogara will be killing him off now anyway. There’s no issue even if he knows the secret right now. It’s too late."
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He was also tied up here in chains, bearing the same agony as Elder Nogara.
"Why are they all here?" Ryuk asked the old man, who rested both hands on the staff, eyeing the Elders with an emotionless gaze.
Each of them had a role in a decision that hadn’t been made by the Family.
"Their decision—which was believing you’re unworthy of being in a relationship with the New Chosen One—and then deciding to end that relationship in one way or another."
"Normally, they would’ve only been imprisoned for a couple of months for daring to entertain such thoughts—but they took it as far as trying to end you in broad daylight for it."
"Not only did they risk making a great enemy for the Dominare Family, they also tarnished the family name, giving it the wrong impression while also earning the it ridicule that has spread ever since the fight you had with Elder Nogara," the man explained—something that surprised Ryuk, but not just a bit.
"For that reason, three of the Elders will remain here and only be released after three months."
"One of them will remain here for six months."
"And as for Nogara himself—"
"The Family has arraigned him to stay here for five years, but because of interference from the New Chosen One herself, his sentence was reduced to just two years."
"Quite lucky, isn’t he?" the elder said to Ryuk, chuckling amusingly—but Ryuk didn’t find it that funny.
They were all literally being roasted alive and naked, but he didn’t say a word.
Somehow, he felt they deserved it—as if it had been up to him, he would have killed them instead.
He almost killed Nogara if not for Morgana’s interference, so he was at least lucky to just be getting burned for two years instead of outright losing his life.
"The heat is getting unbearable for my old skin. Come, let’s go back up," the man said to Ryuk as they both headed back up.
When they got back up, the floor closed behind them, hiding the underground prison.
Ryuk finally voiced out,
"As much as I want to believe they’re being punished for what they’ve done, a part of me suspects you’re doing this only to curry favor with me," Ryuk said, watching as the man smiled brilliantly.
"I’m glad you felt that way and brought it up. I appreciate the direct old ways compared to the sneaky ways of the new ones.
"And to be honest, the Elders are being punished majorly because they ridiculed the family name."
"The family has become the butt of jokes right within Ammamora due to word that the Elders of the family were all helpless against one who is just an Archguard," he explained, and Ryuk thought:
’As expected.’
Ancient Families like this usually care more about their name and reputation than upholding justice at all, so he wasn’t too surprised.
"Secondly, the decision for them to be imprisoned here is signed off by the New Chosen herself."
"Morgana signed it?" Ryuk asked, genuinely surprised.
"She did—although I doubt she knew they wouldn’t just be imprisoned in some reclusive area, but instead get burned."
"But still, only on her command were their punishments issued.
"And lastly, this is being done for you," the man said—and Ryuk watched as the old man slid to one knee, bowing down to him.
"As the third Grand Elder of the Dominare Family, I tender forward a plea for you to please forgive the wrongdoings and harm that has been caused to you through the reckless behavior of some of the Elders."
The old man said it, but Ryuk could not bear to see such an old man kneel for him. He rushed up and bolted to him before his second knee could reach the ground.
But the man suddenly grew heavy, as Ryuk felt the resistance weighing on him.
He said,
"If you do not say you forgive them, I..."
"I forgive them," Ryuk said firmly, but the old man hesitated still.
"I have forgiven them, now please, stand to your feet,"