Hell University-Chapter 17 - 16: Behind The Mask

Zein’s Point of View

Woods. Dense and overgrown. They took me behind their HQ. I was tied to a lone chair in the middle of the forest. It was already nearing dusk.

My mouth was covered with a cloth and I didn’t even bother to scream. My mouth was tied, and no one would hear me anyway, and even if someone did, I knew they’d hesitate to help me, especially since I was in the hands of the Devil God Warriors.

The two guys who abducted me were speaking to each other, they’re still wearing masks.

"She hurt the Queen, what do you think the boss will do?"

"Death. That’s where she’ll end up, for sure."

I heard their murmurs. Why is that, I can’t even feel fear at this moment, is what they’re saying true? That I’m not afraid to die?

"No one ever dared to hurt the Queen, and this newbie just slapped her hard."

Seriously? Are they trying to make me hear their conversation so I would get scared? Well, sorry but I’ve already accepted my death a long time ago the moment I learned the secret of HU.

I just lowered my head because I was getting numb and exhausted. Is their so‑called boss still coming? I’m already worn out, if he’s just going to kill me anyway, he should’ve done it earlier.

"Why so selfish, Zein? You didn’t even try to think of what we feel when you’re gone, you’re so selfish!"

I suddenly remembered Vanessa’s words earlier. I’m sure they’ll be so sad again if something bad ever happens to me, but I’ve done a lot of bad things. And I haven’t made it up to them.

I can’t die yet. Not now, not unless they themselves turn their backs on me. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

I saw a pair of shoes on the ground since my head was lowered. I lifted my gaze, and a man who looked like an addict came into view, he had lots of earrings, tattoos all over his body, and bloodshot eyes.

Is this Raze Silvenia? For real?

"Is it her?" He asked.

My brows are knitted. Why is it like that? Why can’t I feel anything from his voice? I must be trembling in fear! He is a demon but how come? There’s definitely something wrong here!

"Yes boss," the two guys who took me nodded their heads.

They grinned at me and removed the cloth covering my mouth. They even gripped my jaw as if they were planning to break it. His hands are trembling.

There’s something wrong here. I can feel it, a big mistake.

"Bitch."

I lowered my head when he slapped me. I tasted the blood in my lower lips because of how strong his slap was. I must say, it freaking hurts.

"How dare you?!"

I shut my eyes once more when he slapped me again. My cheeks already stung in pain, it’s becoming numb because of his slaps.

"You’re just a newbie! I am the King here! I carry death, and he’s coming." He said.

I don’t know why but I feel like laughing. I’ve long been allied with death; it can’t take me because we’re on the same side. We’d have to kill each other before it could claim me.

"What’s funny?!"

The vein on his forehead bulged. His eyes grew even redder, and his teeth clenched in anger. No matter what he did, I couldn’t see the demon. But why? Where is it?

"Raze Silvenia." I murmured his name absentmindedly.

He momentarily halted.

I laughed out loud. Confirmed! I knew it!

"Shut up!"

He was just about to slap me when I started speaking. "Slap me once again and these two guys will know your secret." I pointed to the two guys.

"What secret are you saying?" he asked confusedly. You really don’t know? What a great pretender.

"A secret that, once revealed, will mean your death. This is the secret of death."

He stiffened again, then signaled his two companions to leave us alone. Cowardice.

"What secret do you know?" he asked again.

I licked the blood from my lip before smirking. So that’s why... so that’s why something felt off. They could fool others, but not me. From the very beginning I had my doubts, and his reaction confirmed my suspicion. Pathetic. Such a great pretender.

His spit flew onto me from anger, but it wasn’t enough to scare me. I can’t see the demon. I want to see that demon! But I know there is none, because there is no demon in him.

"Tell me your name," I challenged, making him frown.

"What are you talking about?! I am Raze Silvenia!" he shouted.

He grabbed my jaw and forced my face toward his. Now my suspicion was confirmed even more, no matter what he did to himself, what was in his heart would never change.

"Raze Silvenia!" he shouted again.

I just shook my head and pushed his face away from mine.

"You can’t fool me, Mr. Whoever-you-are," I said. "You are not him. You are not Raze Silvenia." His face slowly crumpled.

From the very beginning, I should have seen the demon hiding within him, but there was none. Just because he did those things to his body doesn’t mean he’s evil; just because he tries to look frightening doesn’t mean he truly is. No. He can’t even fool himself.

"W-what are you talking about?! I am Raze Silvenia! The leader of the Devil God Warrior!"

"Stop it! You are not him! Don’t try to be one! Raze Silvenia is not you!"

I’ve seen Raze before, when he saved us from the Black Blood Gang. Yes, they both have red eyes, but he could never copy Raze. That unique demon.

The very first time I saw the real Raze, my hair stood on end. He didn’t need to shout or be violent for people to fear him, his mere presence made you feel the demon within him. But this man? There’s nothing to be afraid of. He won’t fool me with his frightening appearance.

"Shit! How did you find out?" He sat on the root of the tree and leaned his back against it. He ruffled his own hair in frustration.

"You can’t copy the original Raze Silvenia, no one can compare how scary and dangerous he is. Even you, when I mentioned his name, you stopped, you got scared of his name!"

That was what I confirmed earlier. When I said ’Raze Silvenia’, he froze. I smirked.

"But why? I convinced all of them, even Roxane. She knows I’m the leader of the DGW. But you- why you? How did you know?" he asked.

"Simple. I already saw Raze once, while them? They don’t know him yet, so they won’t ever get suspicious." I replied.

He laughed lowly because of what I said. The pretense of evil around him seemed to fade away. This is the man behind the mask. Yes, he is scary physically but not enough to compare to a Raze Silvenia.

"You’re right, I’ve seen Raze too, but not his real face, he was wearing a mask. He asked for my help, I need to pretend to be him."

"But why?"

"I don’t know, but I only know one thing. No one has ever seen his face, he might be someone we interact with daily without even realizing it."

So, no one has really seen the face of the real Raze? Even his proxy. All they know is that, this man right here, is Raze Silvenia, the only biggest mistake but, who is really the real Raze?

"Can I ask you a favor?" he almost kneeled in front of me. "Don’t tell anyone about this, everything will be chaotic, especially when he finds out. He’ll kill me."

"Release me," I ordered because my body was already tired.

He took a hard slap from me after untying me. He didn’t even fight back and stayed with his bow.

I leaned close to his ear. "A secret stays a secret," I said before turning away.

I saw how his two companions widened their eyes when they saw me slap their boss, they couldn’t even speak.

I walked back. I caressed my cheeks because it stings a lot. I knew his handprint would be imprinted there..

"What happened to your face?" Matt asked me when I entered our dorm.

I glanced at Vanessa who wasn’t looking at me. I need to say sorry.

"I am sorry,"

She turned at me and now I could see his reddened eyes, and it looked like she had been crying since earlier.

"W-What did you say Zein?" Mia asked me confusedly.

"Did you do something wrong?" Jerome was confused as well too.

"A lot, that’s why I’m asking for forgiveness," I stayed with my bowed head, and I could feel the tears swelling up my eyes.

I might be strong physically, but let’s not talk about emotionally.

"I became selfish, I didn’t even pay attention to what you guys feel, I’m sorry."

I just felt them hug me, and I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.

"Shh. It’s okay. We are friends, we were only worried about you. But it’s not your fault," Dave said, gently rubbing my back.

"We’re friends forever, no one gets left behind, forever," Mia said.

I glanced at Vanessa, who stayed seated on the sofa with her head bowed. I broke away from their hug and walked over to her.

"Not even a hug for me?" I teased.

I just laughed as she suddenly hugged me, and I ended up lying on the sofa. She sobbed like a child.

"It’s your fault! Huhu! I’m sulking at you! I’m not forgiving you!"

"Haha, you’re ridiculous! Come on, we’re good now, please," I said, pinching her cheek.

When she really throws a fit, she thinks like a child. I suddenly remembered that time I didn’t tell her I had a crush on Matt, she unfriended me on Facebook and even blocked me! Haha, so dramatic.

"Hmp! Fine! Be thankful I love you! Hehe! We’re good now!"

"Thank you."

I could barely breathe as Mia, Davies, and Jerome all piled on top of us, while Matt was just laughing.

It feels so good to have friends that you can trust. The kind who stay by your side even when everyone else leaves you behind.

Davies, Mia, Jerome, Vanessa, Matt and I. We are friends forever. I guess, no one can tear us apart, I mean absolutely no one.

I hope so.