Theo, Jaxa, and Focalor stepped onto a metallic pad at the edge of Greed's cliff. The chains around Theo's neck felt heavy as they swung to a stop, and the three stopped walking. Focalor pressed a button that was on the pad, and they began to rise hundreds of meters up above the slums and back to the top of the Greed Ring. Theo looks out at the view he had seen when they first arrived in Greed, but this time it didn't seem as incredible, seeing the stark difference in person left him with a sinking feeling in his chest as the pad rose quickly.
"You know, you don't have to come with me," Theo whispered to Jaxa.
"I know, but Montie would kill me if I let a new employee die on their first job. Plus, it seems like it could be entertaining." She responded, smirking and nudging his arm with her shoulder. Theo sighed as he continued to look out, then down. The sensation of vertigo ran through his vision for a moment as the pad stopped at the top.
"This way," Focalor said, yanking the chain and walking towards the center of the city they had arrived in earlier. The same fountain with its decorative features stood in front of them, and the familiar quartz mansion sat at the top of a large set of stairs. Theo and Jaxa followed Focalor as they arrived at the top of the stairs, the mansion only growing in size as they got closer.
"You'd think someone who hoards their wealth wouldn't spend it on so much," Theo says before being aggressively yanked forward.
"Don't talk of things you can't comprehend, Human," Focalor says, glaring at Theo.
"Calm your tits, water girl," Jaxa says, crossing her arms. Focalor suddenly stops and turns to Jaxa.
"You wait out here. Lord Mammon didn't say anything about letting you in." Focalor says.
"Fuck no, we're a packaged deal," Jaxa responded, pointing between her and Theo.
"Technically, she is part of this since she was my partner in the game," Theo says, grinning. Focalor looks at him with a puzzled stare.
"F-Fine... You are technically correct." Focalor said, breaking her collected demeanor.
"Fuck yeah, don't hate the player bitch," Jaxa says, flipping Focalor off before walking into the mansion. Theo simply shrugs sympathetically towards Focalor and follows Jaxa inside, Focalor following behind the two. Theo's eyes widen slightly as he enters the mansion. Red velvet carpets lined with gold thread draped the floor. Gold and rose marbling was carved in the walls, and emerald chandeliers were hung every few meters.
"Seriously though..." Theo said under his breath.
"What?" Jaxa asked.
"It's just, in movies and books, Greed is always so... impulsive with their spending, but that isn't the point of greed, is it?" Theo explains.
"I guess, but what's the point in having money if you're not going to spend it?" Jaxa says, running her claw along the marble wall.
"Guess you're right," Theo says with a sigh as Focalor continues to walk them deeper into the mansion. The three walk to a large door made of obsidian, a deep contrast between the white and gold walls. The door slowly swings inward, revealing an even more extravagant room with a throne made of silver and gold with a large white fur cushion sitting in front of a large window that lined the back wall overlooking the circle of greed. The throne suddenly spins around, revealing Mammon, his wolf appearance startling Theo for a moment as he tenses his shoulders and grips his fists. His body relaxed again as he was dragged closer to Focalor's chains.
"Focalor... That is no way to treat our guests." Mammon says his eyes are thinning and his grin widening as he waves his clawed hand. Suddenly, the golden chains that held Theo vanished. Theo rubbed his neck as the chains disappeared. "So, you are the Human I heard about? Theo, is it?" Mammon says, standing up and striding towards Theo, looking him up and down as he smirks.
"Yes..." Theo says, hesitantly glancing at Jaxa.
"Perfect, you know I've always wanted to meet a human. Sure, my minions go up to earth occasionally to tempt people, usually millionaires that don't know how to properly use their money, but meeting one in person is a true pleasure." Mammon says, his large figure towering over Theo by at least three feet.
"Is that all you wanted? To meet a human?" Jaxa asks, her voice unexpected by both Theo and Mammon.
"And you must be his companion. The Hellcat." Mammon says with fake recognition. "But no, you see... Humans being in Hell is a big no-no. However, I don't want to erase you."
"And why is that?" Theo asks suspiciously.
"Simple, I, as you already know, am the Sin of Greed, and I see value in all things regardless of the origin," Mammon says, his words sharp and precise. "I would much rather make friends with a human than throw them out. Think of the profit a demon could make by making you a slave or selling your soul to the highest bidder." Mammon says, placing his large hand on Theo's shoulder. Theo backs away slightly.
"Then what do you want?" Theo asks, looking Mammon in the eyes, the instinct given to him by the Angel, granting him unusual confidence against Mammon's towering figure.
"Don't worry, it's nothing nefarious. I simply want you to keep you here in Greed." Mammon says, gesturing around his throne room.
"And how would that benefit you?" Theo asks, his eyes not faltering.
"I'm sure you don't understand the politics of Hell just yet, but a living human willingly serving... or providing rather, a Sin with their essence is an extremely valuable asset to have," Mammon says, his eyes thinning again as they meet Theo's stare.
"My essence?" Theo says, breaking his composure. Jaxa chuckled at the implication and whipped a joyous tear from her eye.
"Not that kind, dumbass, your soul essence," Jaxa says, smacking him on the back. "Get your mind out of the gutter. Not a demon in Hell wants that kind of essence from you."
"Well, I'm sure Lady Lust could find some use for it," Focalor says, her face seeming to analyze the thought.
"Anyways..." Mammon continues with a hint of annoyance. "What do you say? Want to live your eternity in riches at my side or keep scrounging around on the streets of hell waiting for a sinner to end it?" Mammon says, holding out his large, clawed hand and grinning widely. Theo looks over at Jaxa, who seems to be contemplating the offer. Jaxa notices his glance and shrugs her shoulders.
"Can I think about it?" Theo asks hesitantly.
"Of course, making a deal with a Lord of Sin is an... important decision," Mammon says through his teeth, his ear twitching slightly. Mammon pulls his hand back. "But until you decide, feel free to stay here in the mansion and feel free to splurge and indulge in your needs with pure excess; the food and drink are plentiful in Hell. Especially when you have money." Mammon says, sitting back down on his throne.
"I appreciate your patience... sir," Theo says, letting out a deep breath, but his eyes are fixed on Mammon's posture.
"Of course. Focalor, do you mind escorting our... new friends to their room?" Mammon asks.
"Of course, my lord," Focalor says, bowing her head to Mammon before turning to Theo. Focalor leads Theo and Jaxa out of the throne room, the obsidian door closing behind them, leaving Mammon to sit alone on his throne. Suddenly, Meloch appears out of a blue flame, holding a book and looking up at Mammon with an attentive glance.
"Meloch, right on time. Please make our guests feel very, very welcome." Mammon says, looking down at the short demon. Meloch looks up at him and nods.
"The royal treatment, sir?" Meloch asks.
"Spare no expense, obviously," Mammon responded, waving off the little demon. Meloch disappears into the blue flame, leaving Mammon to sit alone on his throne again. "That human will learn the true meaning of Greed, very soon," Mammon says, his grin widening, revealing his golden fangs as he lets out a guttural growl.
"This way," Focalor says, leading Theo and Jaxa down a long hallway and one of many doors that lined the hall. Theo and Jaxa walk into an extravagant room with a large bed, couch, flatscreen TV, kitchen, and luxurious bath.
"Wow, my entire apartment could fit in here," Jaxa says, her eyes widening.
"Dinner will be in a few hours. If you require anything, Meloch will assist you." Focalor says, leaving the room.
"Meloch?" Theo chuckled at the name. Suddenly, a blue flame appears, revealing Meloch, his brown and blue skin gleaming in the light of the room, and his silver-lined black suit pristine and perfectly fit around his small body..
"You called?" Meloch asks, his voice flamboyant and attentive.
"No, I was just wondering who she was talking about," Theo says, backing away from the little demon that stood two feet shorter than Theo.
"My mistake, my lord. Is there anything I can assist you with?" Meloch asks, his eyes darting around Theo's body, picking up on his black camo pants and plain hoodie.
"My Lord!" Theo says in flustered confusion. Jaxa laughs as she jumps onto the large bed.
"Damn! I knew following you around would be entertaining." Jaxa says, looking from the bed.
"I should be fine, thank you," Theo says to Meloch, ignoring Jaxa.
"Of course, my lord," Meloch says, disappearing back into blue flames. Theo takes a deep breath, looking around the room, and collapses on the couch with an exhausted sigh. Jaxa sits next to him as she shakes into a comfortable position next to him, her body purring with content.
"I think you hit the jackpot, Theo." She says, reaching for the TV remote.
"Maybe, but I can't help but feel like this is some kind of trap," Theo says.
"A trap?" She says, looking at him, her ears perked up. She reverts to her relaxed and lazy state. "It's probably just that Angel shit, he probably forced an untrusting feeling in you or something."
"You think so?" Theo says, turning his head towards her, noticing her relaxed and unbothered posture. "Well, I guess if you're not worried, I shouldn't be." He says, relaxing his body next to her.
"Just relax, if Mammon wanted us dead or slaves, he wouldn't be putting on an act, he's not Beelzebub, taking his time with scheming and relishing the results isn't in Greed's nature. Just sit back and relax, but keep your hands to yourself." Jaxa says, closing her eyes, her body still purring. Theo looks at her with a smirk, then nudges her arm playfully. Jaxa opens one eye with a smirk before kicking him off the couch and taking his spot. Theo looks up from the floor, seeing her curled up in a ball where he was sitting.
"Asshole." He mumbles with a grin before moving to the large bed at the other side of the room.
"Thanks for warming it up for me," Jaxa says, still as she nuzzles into where Theo was sitting.
"You're welcome," Theo said back with a smirk as he looked at the bed and felt it with his hand. It was softer than anything he had ever felt. He instinctively lay down on the bed, his body sinking into the soft mattress.
"Be careful, that mattress is from the Sloth ring. You may never be able to get back up." Jaxa said from across the room, opening one eye then closing it as her tail covered her face. Theo sighs, then quickly gets off the bed and moves a blanket and pillow to the floor, and lies down. His eyes look up at the decorative ceiling, not a single inch of it looking simple. Theo closes his eyes as he thinks about his next decision. Stay here with the Sin or Greed, or attempt to complete the task the Angel had given him.