Hell—a place drenched in sin, suffering, pain, and despair. A realm where the damned are condemned as sinners, or where demons are born into the chaos. Within its infernal expanse lie seven principal rings, each representing a cardinal sin: Pride, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Envy, Greed, and Gluttony. Yet, beyond these infamous domains lies a ring shrouded in mystery, a place whispered about only in fearful tones: the Ring of Betrayal.

  This forsaken ring, veiled in crimson fog and bathed in faint, flickering light, is regarded as one of the most perilous realms in Hell. Life here is fragile, fleeting, and steeped in chaos. Survival is a lonely endeavor, where betrayal is not just a possibility but a certainty. Amidst the turmoil of the ring’s capital, a city where shattered structures loom like silent witnesses to despair, a pair of hooded demons walk cautiously through the smog-filled streets. Their every movement speaks of urgency and unease. One of them cradles something carefully in their arms, shielding it from the harshness of the world around them.

  As they enter a dilapidated building and pass through battered doors, the cacophony of the outside chaos fades slightly, replaced by the muffled echoes of anguish: screams of pain, violent disputes, and curses—a symphony of suffering that defines life in this wretched ring. Inside a small, dimly lit room with walls of rotting wood, one of the figures approaches a crude bed. There, amidst the grime and decay, they gently place a small imp down to rest.

  The child is strikingly ordinary yet strangely captivating. His crimson skin, though marred by dirt, glows faintly under the dim light. His long, white hair falls in messy, thick strands, framing his small, innocent face. Two black horns curve slightly upward from his forehead, unblemished and smooth. A red tail curls loosely around his body, unscarred and still unmarked by the world’s cruelty.

  When his golden eyes, glimmering faintly like embers, flutter open, they reveal a spark of wonder and naivety. Clutched tightly in his small hands is a worn, tattered stuffed animal—a companion he holds dear in a world where kindness is scarce. On the rickety bedside table, a faded photograph stands, its edges curling with age. It depicts the imp, smiling brightly with childlike innocence, flanked by two obscured figures whose faces remain hidden.

  The smaller hooded figure kneels beside the imp, brushing a gentle hand over his hair. A soft, bittersweet laugh escapes her lips as she speaks in a tender, trembling voice:

  “My baby... my precious baby,” she whispers, her tone filled with love yet tinged with an undeniable sadness. “Even if your father doesn’t see it, I know how special you are. I will never leave you, my sweet Konni... never.”

  Her words hang in the air, a fragile promise carried by the weight of desperation. The imp, Konni, stirs slightly, his grip tightening around his stuffed toy.

  But promises are fragile things. They can shatter under the strain of despair.

  "A Child’s World of Chaos"

  Konni’s early years were marked by the relentless echoes of arguments, the shattering of glass, and the muffled sobs of a mother clinging to the edges of hope. At only four years old, he had already learned to seek solace in silence, clutching his toy for comfort while chaos raged around him. Each night, as the shouting grew louder, he closed his eyes tightly, wishing it all away.

  One fateful evening, the fragile fa?ade of normalcy crumbled. A resounding slap broke through the silence, followed by the slam of a door. Konni woke with a start, his small frame trembling as fear gripped him. He stumbled out of bed, his tiny feet pattering across the cold, uneven floor.

  “Mommy! Mommy!” he cried, his voice quivering with panic. “What happened? Where’s Daddy? Is everything okay?”

  He found her in the living room, slumped against the wall. Her hands trembled as they covered her face, but her sobs could not be stifled. Konni rushed to her side, his small hands reaching out to comfort her.

  “Mommy, please don’t cry! I can help! I’ll—”

  His words were cut off as she shoved him away.

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  "The Konni’s Plea"

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Konni stumbled backward, landing hard on the splintered floor. His eyes, wide with confusion and fear, locked onto his mother. For the first time, her gaze wasn’t soft or filled with love—it was cold, furious, and brimming with resentment.

  “You...” she hissed, her voice venomous, each word dripping with bitterness. “This is all your fault. Your father left because of you.”

  Konni’s breath hitched. The words struck him like physical blows.

  “No... Mommy, that’s not true! I didn’t—” he stammered, his voice breaking as tears welled in his golden eyes.

  But she wasn’t listening. Her hands trembled as she grabbed a nearby bottle, its contents already emptied in a haze of despair. The sound of glass shattering against the floor echoed through the room as she hurled it aside.

  “Do you know what he said to me? That you were a mistake! A burden we never wanted! And now... now he’s gone, and I’m stuck with you. A reminder of everything I’ve lost.”

  Her words were daggers, each one cutting deeper into Konni’s fragile heart. He wanted to scream, to deny her accusations, to beg for her to take back those cruel words. But all he could do was cry.

  "A Child's First Betrayal"

  Before Konni could react, she grabbed him roughly by the arm.

  “You want to help?” she spat, dragging him toward the basement door. “Fine. Let’s see how much help you really are.”

  The hinges creaked as she yanked the door open, revealing a dark, damp space below. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and faint scuttling noises hinted at the infestation of infernal vermin that made the basement their home.

  Konni thrashed in her grip, panic overtaking him. “No, Mommy! Please! I’ll be good! I’ll do anything! Please don’t leave me here!”

  But her heart had hardened. She shoved him down the steps, and he tumbled to the cold, wet floor below. Pain shot through his small body, but he barely noticed, overwhelmed by the terror of the darkness around him.

  From above, she tossed down a rusted chain, the links clinking ominously as they hit the floor. Without hesitation, she fastened it around his ankle, the cold metal biting into his skin.

  “You’ll stay here,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion. “Maybe this will teach you to stop ruining everything.”

  Konni reached out, his tiny hands shaking. “Mommy, no! I don’t want to be alone! I love you! Please, don’t leave me!”

  For a brief moment, her expression faltered. Something flickered in her eyes—guilt, sorrow, perhaps even love. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the same cold indifference. She turned her back to him and climbed the stairs, slamming the door shut behind her.

  "Alone in the Darkness"

  Konni was left in the suffocating darkness, the only light coming from faint cracks in the rotting wood above. The shadows seemed alive, moving and writhing in the corners of the room. His cries echoed in the empty space, unanswered and unheard.

  Clutching his stuffed animal tightly, he curled into himself, his small body wracked with sobs. His head throbbed where the bottle had struck him, and he could feel warm blood trickling down his temple.

  “Mommy... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry...” he whispered into the darkness, his voice barely audible.

  The hours dragged on, and the damp cold seeped into his bones. Hunger clawed at his stomach, and his throat burned with thirst. But the worst pain was in his heart—the unbearable ache of betrayal.

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  [Well, here we go again, I hope this improved version is to the liking of many. ^^]