Chapter 2- A Tale Unearthed

I can't get the haunting image of the "Queen of Gluttony" out of my mind. It infiltrates my thoughts during investigations, shows up in my dreams, and distracts me during conversations. So, when Maze heads out to catch another bounty, I find myself irresistibly pulled back to her room and that ancient book.

I flip to the page, and this time, the etching is strangely clearer. I can make out the Queen's stunning features and those fierce, penetrating eyes. But what really catches my attention is a cloaked figure standing beside her—a figure I hadn't noticed before, wearing an amulet shaped like a pig.

As if enchanted, I feel my eyes lock onto the sketch, my vision narrowing. The hooded figure seems to move, as though he's about to reveal his face when—

"Chloe?" Maze's voice shatters the trance, and I nearly drop the book.

Startled, I look up to see her standing at the doorway. Her eyes shift between me and the book, and then she raises an eyebrow. "What are you doing in my room, Decker?"

"I—um," I stammer, "I was drawn to this image. I can't explain it, but I felt like this figure was about to show himself to me. Maze, it's been driving me nuts."

Maze's expression changes from one of curiosity to one of solemn gravity. "I can tell you more about what you're asking, Chloe. But are you sure you want to know? Once you go down this path, there's no turning back."

Her words carry a weight, a seriousness that sobers me. And yet, I also see a glint in her eyes—a hint of excitement, maybe even expectation.

"Tell me," I say, locking eyes with her. "I need to know."

Maze's lips curl into a smile. "Alright, brace yourself. And grab some wine; you're gonna need it."

We retreat to the living room, each of us clutching a glass of wine like it's a shield. Maze sits opposite me, takes a sip, and starts her tale.

"The 'Queen of Gluttony' wasn't just some random figure in Hell's history," she begins. "She was a ruler from an ancient era, predating Lucifer and most of the demons you've heard of. And her kingdom in Hell... it was unlike any other. It was not a place of eternal suffering but a realm where desires and passions were freely pursued."

"And what about the hooded figure?" I ask, intrigued but puzzled.

"That's Gordeon," Maze says, swirling her wine. "He's unlike any demon you've ever met—or will meet. He's not interested in torture or causing pain. His joy comes from helping others discover what they truly desire. But Gordeon is selective. He appears only to those he deems worthy."

I let this sink in, my fingers nervously tapping the wine glass. "So why would he appear to me? What makes me worthy?"

Maze takes another sip of her wine before answering. "That's the thing, Chloe. Gordeon's loyalty is primarily to the Queen. There are legends saying he would only reveal himself if he believed the Queen had been reborn. That Hell itself would undergo a transformation—not a place of torment, but a realm of comfort and fulfillment."

"So what are you saying, Maze? That he thinks I'm some reincarnation of this Queen?"

Maze shrugs, her eyes meeting mine. "I don't have all the answers, Chloe. But one thing is certain: he’s calling to you. The real question is, what are you going to do about it?"