Do not enter

[WP] “The further down into Hell’s nine Circles you go, the harder it is to get out, until it becomes physically impossible.” “Why would anyone purposefully go further into hell?” “Because at first, it seems like heaven”

“There goes another adventurer” A tired gatekeeper mutters to himself as he watches yet another man walk pass the gates of hell.

For eons, he had tried to stop those who dare go before their time yet for eons, none would heed to his warning. Watching each and every soul pass him by had taken a toll on his being. Finally, he dared not question what the people chose to do with their miserable lives. The only thing he would give is but a single warning

“Do not go further down hell’s nine circles or you will never be able to escape”

The souls grew braver, was what he thought, when they started snickering and laughing at his warning

“Old man, we know how to control ourselves. We can make it back”

Yet each soul that said so never did.

It was on a particular day that a child managed to arrive at the gates of hell. Unusual, yes. The souls that have been making their way through there were mostly in their human adolescent years or older yet this one seemed to know nothing of the world. it was a child and it was innocent.

“Are you lost, young soul?” The gatekeeper asked as he extended a hand towards the child.

“I am not sure, I was told my guardians disappeared here just a few days ago”

“I’m afraid… they will not come back for you, young one” He said solemnly as he glanced at the child then the gate that lead to the first circle of hell.The people seemed to be having the time of their lives with their worships and songs, yet he knew it was all just an illusion. He knew it all too well

“Why do you say that?” The child cocked his head and stared curiously at te gatekeeper.

The child was too innocent, that much, the gatekeeper had confirmed. And it would have been good had the child not arrived in order to retain that innocence yet every second this young soul spent with him, the more they learn and the more they will probably ask

“Because I just know” His tone was firm this time as he sat the soul down “stay with me for a few days here and you will see” was all he could say to the child so that it would hopefully lose hope in finding their guardian.

Moments later, more foolish souls emerged from the shadows which the young soul came from “We’ve come to conquer the gates of hell!” The one in front valiantly shouted”

“Turn back now before it’s too late” was all the old man headed, to which the group mocked with laughter

“None shall stop us. We aim to prove that it is possible to return from the depths of hell”

Cheers follwed and the group marched on pass the gates of hell

“Let us watch them, young one”

The old one motioned as they stood just behind the gates the group had just entered

“They seem to be enjoying themselves, sir” Was what the young soul muttered

“But we must watch while they explore the nine gates”

In the first gate, the limbo, The group marched on and proceeded to meet many great figures of their time. It was heaven in their eyes, yet the old man knew all too well that if you cross the seven virtues, suffering and words will haunt you in all attempts to escape. That was bearable, and he had hoped that the group would have fled that circle. It was unfortunate that the group managed towards the second gates of hell: Lust. At first, they saw how many beautiful women came crawling to their feet, asking for the worldly and fleshy pleasures they had been greatly deprived of. It was unfortunate that the proud group gave into the temptation of these seductresses. And it was a greater misfortune that when one denied one of the seductress their much needed pleasure, violent winds came coursing through the vast lands.

The wild winds carried the bodies as if they were no more than papyrus. At the sight, the young soul watching shrank behind the old man. Such a gruesome scene was not something it had ever wished to witness. As it glanced up at the old man, it saw sadness and restlessness in it’s eyes

“This young one, is why I stop these souls from ever going pass the gates of hell. the further down into Hell’s nine circles you go, the harder it is to get out until it becomes physically impossible”

“But why would anyone purposefully go further into hell?” Was what the young child sincerely questioned.

“Because at first, it seems like heaven” The old man muttered as he raised his robe up to reveal the body he had grown so shameful of “Until you realize that the pleasure consumes you”

The sight sent chills to the young soul. Patches of flesh looked painfully ripped off, some organs hung from the opening in his body. The flesh might have already been burnt off in one way or another yet it did not want to ask what or how it happened after witnessing what happened to the group earlier.

“May this serve as a warning to you” was all the old man had left to say before resuming his post besides the gates of hell.

I liked this prompt though I kind of based it on Dante's version of the circles of hell. Anyways, I'm just trying to get back into fiction writing for a bit