Chapter 70 - Greed Child of The Apple

Sai opened his eyes with a sharp breath. "W-where am I…?" he whispered. The air felt heavy. Hot—but not burning. The ground beneath him pulsed faintly, as if alive. A gentle voice answered, calm and almost kind. "You are in Hell." Sai's heart jumped. He pushed himself up, panic flooding his chest. "Who said that?!" "Look to your right." Sai turned. A tall figure stood there, smiling—not warmly, but knowingly. His eyes reflected something deeper than fire… desire, hunger, patience. Before Sai could react, the figure lifted him effortlessly. Sai froze. He looked around. Rivers of lava flowed in the distance. Cries echoed—pain, regret, anger—but they felt far away, as if muted by the air itself. "…I'm really in hell," Sai said quietly. "Yes," the figure replied. "You are." Sai swallowed. "Then… why are *you* here?" The smile widened slightly. "Because of the Devil King." Sai hesitated, then gathered his courage.I'm sorry… I didn't introduce myself. My name is Sai." The figure's eyes narrowed with interest. "Greed," he said calmly. "King of Greed." For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Greed lowered Sai to the ground, kneeling so they were eye level. "You don't belong here," Greed continued. "But Hell has a habit of choosing… useful souls." Sai felt something strange—not fear, not pain—but a pull. As if his thoughts were being weighed. Greed chuckled softly. "Tell me, Sai," he asked, "what is it you want most?" --- Sai shook his head. "Nothing really." Greed laughed—a soft, knowing sound. "Humans lie," he said. "But you are lying… and telling the truth at the same time." Sai frowned. "What does that even mean?" Greed waved it off lightly. "Nothing. Just that we will be very good friends." He laughed again. Sai forced a small smile hope so. But we can't just sit here talking. We have to get out of here." Greed nodded. "True." Then his eyes sharpened. "But why are *you* here, Sai?" Sai hesitated. His voice dropped. "My soul is cursed. I used the Eternal Flames of Hell." Greed's smile froze for a split second—then widened. "Oh," he said. "Yeah… you aren't getting out." Sai stiffened. "What?" Greed stood and turned, gesturing toward the distant darkness. "Your soul is bound to a side of Hell—the side where those flames were born. To leave, you must kill the Demon King." Sai's breath caught. "And your family?" Greed continued calmly. "They've been trying for years. The war is still on the King's side." Sai whispered, "Every user of the flame is hunted…" "Yes," Greed said simply. Sai's legs gave out. He dropped to his knees. He bowed his head, hands trembling. "Please," Sai said. "Take me to the side where my family is. Please help me kill the Demon King. I'll do anything—anything—if it means breaking this curse and freeing my family." For a long moment, Greed said nothing. Then he stepped closer. He lifted Sai's chin gently, forcing him to look up. Greed's eyes were no longer playful. "They always say that," he murmured. "I'll help you, Sai." Hope flashed across Sai's face. "But understand this," Greed continued, smiling again. "To kill a king… you must become something worse." The flames around them flickered. "And once you start walking that path," Greed whispered, "Hell never truly lets you go. Greed circled Sai slowly, his voice calm. "Stand up," he said. Sai obeyed. "If I told you your family could be freed," Greed continued, "but the world would hate you for it, would you still walk forward?" Sai clenched his fists. "Yes." Greed smiled. "If saving them meant becoming the very thing you fear?" Sai hesitated—then nodded. "Yes." The flames around them dimmed. Greed leaned close. "Good. You didn't answer with hope. You answered with resolve." He stepped back. "Most break when tested by fear," Greed said. "You bend." His smile sharpened. "That is why you may survive