Random stories

At the deepest reaches of Hell, it’s said you can no longer feel the pull of Heaven. You see, the momentous amount of torture that is inflicted upon the wayward souls that end up in Hell, is nothing compared to the most devious and diabolical of punishments; the ability to SEE heaven, bask in its comforting glow, hear its reassurances that everything will be okay, and feel the everlasting pull towards paradise. But you will never get there. The presenting of hope, without the ability to ever achieve it. The deepest reaches, therefore, became a sort of respite for those who had endured the torment or the higher tiers.

The concept is fairly recent, all things considered. While time has little meaning in a metaphysical realm such as Hell, it was only 300 years ago that this plan was enacted. It was the single most revolutionary reformation in Hell since the fall of Lucifer, so it took some getting used to. But it was the pet project for Hell’s newest ruler, a human soul from the Renaissance era of Earth, who quickly rose through the ranks of evilest in the domain.

Amongst those who had raped, pillaged, killed and maimed, this man’s deeds somehow stood out amongst the greater demons. In life, he had been a “man of God”, although many living would dispute that claim. He had risen to heights unthinkable, under the guise of piousness and reason, only to debase himself and others with acts of whoredom, debauchery and malediction. He ruled the people’s faith and minds, while his family ruled their wallets.

But the acts which made him the evilest soul in Hell, were known only to himself. Deep down, he believed himself worthy of God’s light. He fully expected to be accepted, despite all his misdeeds, and to be welcomed into paradise upon his death. As he so taught, God is just. And he felt, as the voice of God on earth, he would be understood. How could a man not take advantage of his lessers. How could he not take the bribes, both material and of the flesh? After all, he knew how to use the money and women better. These were his right. They were given to him by God, obviously they were! There was no doubt in his mind! His greatest sins, the sins that earned him the crown of thorns and hate, were believing that God looked upon him any better than those he tormented; that his position, somehow made him more divine than the next.

Upon his death, he glimpsed the shores of Heaven, before feeling the grasp of flame pull him down, slowly, so that he could feel every longing of paradise leave his spirit as he was sequestered away. And so, he became his sins. He became more determined than ever to inflict upon those “beneath” him, the torment he felt life, and now the afterlife, had dealt upon him. So, he proposed his plan; let those who long for it, view Heaven, and deep down they will know, they can never get there. The demons and fallen bequeathed him with his rule. A rule which painfully reminded him of his failure. For it was not only the Satan’s task to mete out punishment and torment, but also to FEEL every soul’s pain, every soul’s suffering. For thus, was God’s last spite to him, he felt. Even in ruling Hell, was he tormented by his denial of God’s love. And he would make sure all felt his torment.

---

Submitted by y09urt on Fri, Mar 25, 2022 to /r/WritingPrompts/

The prompt

Satan isn't a name, it's a title and was never a fallen angel. According to divine law Hell is ruled over by the most evil soul that currently resides there. Over the millennia several have worn the horns. Only surrendering them when a soul possessing an even greater evil joins the underworld.