Tower of Hell: Sineville of the Seas, Book 2, Chapter 134

Late chapter. I was on my anniversary trip and didn't have much time for writing. Thanks for your patience!

Liberty City was the heart of the Outlands. Ironically named, it was built by slaves a few hundred years previous to the modern day, and colonial culture was the foundation of its society. What started as a pet project for angry patriots of the American revolution soon became the foothold for bringing modern culture to Hell. The city became so popular that nearby towns, villages, and cities began to copy its culture and values, which quickly shaped the Outlands from being stuck in the Renaissance Era to a bustling metropolis full of coal-fueled technology, skyscrapers, and crony capitalism.

Jonas stared wide-eyed at the city's outskirts, and his vision went from the pale highways raised above the crimson grass and up to the pointed tips of the thousands of skyscrapers that grew like thin mountains from the base of the city. For the first time since he'd started driving, Jonas noticed a significant boost in traffic and put two hands on the wheel as the highway he was on continued deeper into the city.

"Welcome to Liberty City, kid," Old Louie lit a cigarette and stared reminiscently at the steel giants reaching toward the bright crimson sky. "It's still part of Commoner society, and you're not going to see Sinners everywhere as you'd find in the Inlands, but this place is different from anything else in all the Outlands."

"It's incredible. It makes Sun City look like a small town," as far as his eyes could see, were apartment buildings, complexes, and highways stretching between them. There were giant billboards advertising alcohol, cigarettes, and escorts, and Jonas noticed plenty of neon lights and brightly colored signs advertising fast-food restaurants and bars.

"Wait til we get to our destination. It's not named Grandview for no good reason," and it was about an hour later when the two of them made their way through traffic, merged onto a main road, and found themselves in the parking lot of a giant snow globe-shaped hotel that was a few hundred meters tall. Stepping out of his vehicle, Jonas craned his neck to see the top of the shimmering building, and its thousands of glass windows reflected the sunlight and gave the impression it was full of light.

"You weren't kidding," Jonas gave Old Louie a skeptical look. "You're sure we're staying here for free?"

"You question your master?" Old Louie spat on the ground. "I already texted my friend and told him we were on our way. Damn, you unfilial good-for-nothing disciple."

"Alright, alright," Jonas shook his head and walked alongside Old Louie, through the packed parking lot and toward the wide front doors. Two security guards were standing outside with swords strapped to their backs, and they mean-mugged the master-disciple pair as they passed through the doors and into the marble-accented main lobby. Before the second pair of doors closed, Jonas heard one of them radio in and mention Sinners, which meant they recognized his dim cross-shaped Sin Scars. Sure enough, security in the lobby was eyeing him and Old Louie down while every camera zoomed in on their faces.

"No worries, kid," Old Louie swaggered toward the front desk, where two attractive women sent them fake smiles. "Commoner businesses are always weary when a Sinner walks in. After you've mastered Sin Suppression, you won't have to worry about everyone being on guard when you go somewhere. Hey sweetheart," the old healer rapped his knuckles against the clerk's desk. "Tell Arthur that Louie Darnell is here to see him."

"Excuse me?" The clerk looked at Old Louie's clothes, and her dainty nose wrinkled from his stench.

"Tell Arthur Mann to get his ass down here and see his good old pal, Old Louie."

"Arthur Mann? You want me to call the owner of the Grandview hotel down here to greet you?" The clerk stopped smiling and shook her head. "Stop joking around. Unless you're renting a room, please leave. If you decide to take further action, security will help you find the exit."

"By the way," her coworker saw Jonas' Sin Scars and chimed. "We've got Sinners too. Don't try anything funny."

"Excuse me?" Old Louie raised his voice, and Jonas cringed because he knew his master's temper was rising and was seconds from causing a scene. "Little twat, I told you to call down Arthur Mann. He's expecting us. I have a damn appointment with him. I'm an honored guest."

"Then let me give you a warm welcome," the clerk's eyebrow twitched at being called a twat, and she waved to security. "Julian, please escort these two off the premises."

"Mother fucker!" Old Louie was triggered out of embarrassment because he'd talked up his relationship with Arthur Man to Jonas. "Jonas, handle the security," to which Jonas made a bewildered face.

"Old bastard. Didn't you say you texted him? Why didn't he let the front desk know we were coming."

"Shut up, stupid," Old Louie glared and pointed a crusty finger in the clerk's face. "He didn't respond, but I assume he'd see the message at some point."

"God fucking dammit," Jonas felt a strong hand grip his shoulder from behind. "Let go of me before you lose your hand," but the grip tightened, and Julian seemed unfazed by the threat.

"Little boy, I've been a Sinner longer than you could stand. I'm giving you a chance to leave," Julian's flame-shaped Sin Scars began to glow, and two other security guards closed in, both unsheathed swords and their hands glowed.

"Alright," Jonas' Sin Scars lit up like tiny red suns. He grabbed Julian's hand, twisted it, and the security guard had no time to react as his wrist broke and nearly pulled out of the socket. He screamed and tried to pull his arm away, but Jonas stepped backward and flung Julian over his shoulder and hard onto the marble floor. Before the other security guards could react, Jonas had his foot on Julian's neck and pressed down until it was bent and dangerously close to snapping. "Sheathe your swords, or he dies," the two security guards glanced at each other, and both put their weapons away. Julian's face was red from pain and embarrassment, and veins in his neck and forehead throbbed from being compressed so harshly.

"Let him go," said the security guard.

"Call Arthur Mann," Jonas looked unfazed, and there was an unnatural coldness in his youthful expression. "Tell him Louie Darnell is here to meet him. If you don't, your friend dies."

"Fine. I'll call the boss down," Jonas didn't know it, but the clerk who spoke was in a relationship with Julian, and it hurt her stomach to see him seconds from having his neck snapped clean in half. She picked up a wireless phone from the desk, dialed a number, and put it to her ear. "Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but we have an issue in the lobby."

"Good call on using the guard to threaten them," Old Louie whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Shut up."

"There's a homeless-looking man named Louie Darnell who says he has an appointment with you. We asked him to leave, but there was an altercation, and Julian is being held hostage by some kid with Sin Scars," she glared at Jonas with tearful eyes and waited to hear the anger in her boss's voice. The voice on the other end of the phone grew furious, and Jonas could hear muffled shouts. "Sir. I'm so sorry," the clerk's face turned white as she stared at Old Louie, who was still glaring at her. "Yes, Sir. I understand, Sir. I'll see you soon."

"I hope unemployment treats you well, dumb ass twat," Old Louie fake spat on the ground and gave the clerk a shit-eating grin. With eyes wide from shock, the clerk hung up the phone, nodded at her coworker, and then tearfully bowed her head.

"My apologies, Sir," her voice was shaky and choked, and Jonas could immediately tell that she'd called Arthur Mann, and he wasn't happy with what she told him. "Mr. Mann is on his way down and will personally greet you."

"Phooey on him!" Old Louie shouted and stomped one of his molded shoes. "You had your chance to welcome me, but you blew it. Come on, Jonas. We're out of here," he gave the two clerks a look of disgust before turning around and shaking his head.

"No!" The crying clerk frantically stretched her arm across the desk and grasped toward Old Louie, who was out of reach. "Please wait!"

Jonas let go of his hostage and shook his head at the turn of events while Julian rubbed his neck and got off the floor. He glared at Jonas, but there was trepidation in his heart because he knew the blonde youth wasn't so simple after quickly getting the better of him.

"Tina, what the fuck happened?" He looked over at his teary-eyed girlfriend, who was seconds from having a breakdown.

"He's indeed a guest of Arthur Mann," Tina sobbed. Her heart was racing because only a few minutes were left until she was unemployed and would lose everything. "Mr. Darnell, please don't leave. I'm begging you."

"Too bad!" Old Louie looked angry, but Jonas rolled his eyes because he knew his master was putting on a show. "You know, I once saved your boss's son's life. You could say I'm his greatest benefactor and the only reason your young master is still alive," his words made Tina, Julian, and the rest of the worker's faces pale from fright. "Such a precious karmic tie had been unknotted and ruined by your idiocy. My student and I are leaving. Beg all you want, but it won't change anything."

"Hold on. It's Jonas, right?" Julian cleared his throat and threw his ego aside.

"That's right," said Jonas. "Why do you care now?"

"I was just doing my job. Our boss pays Tina to check people in and pays me to remove security threats. Neither of us could've known you were telling the truth about knowing Arthur Mann. I mean, look at him," Julian glanced toward Old Louie's unsightly appearance. "Wouldn't you be skeptical in my shoes?"

"I would," Jonas smiled, which surprised the security guard. "If you apologize, I might be able to forgive you.

"I'm sorry," Julian didn't hesitate to humble himself for Tina's sake. It impressed Jonas to see someone in Hell being unselfish.

"I'm sorry too," Tina bowed her head so quickly that tears shot off her cheeks and splashed onto the floor.

"Our apologies, Sir," said her coworker, the other clerk. Even the two other security guards bowed their heads and gave their apologies.

"Water under the bridge," said Jonas, but it made Old Louie's eyebrow twitch out of annoyance because he wanted to milk the situation more.

"Shitty disciple! Nobody asked for your opinion. Goddammit, now I have to stay," Old Louie turned on the spot and marched right back toward the workers. "You're so fucking lucky my dumbass disciple is a soft-hearted, mushy pussy. Since he's taken pity on you, I guess I'll stay and wait for Arthur to come down. However, don't even think about disrespecting me ever again. Remember my damn face, you twats! I'm Louie Darnell, and I'm an honored guest!" To which the workers nodded their heads and gave grateful glances toward Jonas.

"You should heal Julian's wrist," Jonas looked and saw it was bruised, swollen, and unnaturally twisted out of the socket.

"You do it," Old Louie crossed his arms and paid no attention to the broken wrist. It was beneath him to heal.

"No worries," Julian had so much adrenaline in his system that the damage didn't hurt as much as it should, but he also had no place to ask Arthur Mann's honored guests to do anything else after they had offended them so terribly.

"Fine. I'll do it," Jonas stepped toward Julian. "Let me see your sword."

"Sorry?" The security guard panicked because it was such a strange request. Who needed a sword to heal someone?

"Just let me see it," Jonas had an impatient tone in his voice, so very reluctantly, Julian unsheathed his sword from his back and passed it over. He licked his lips and prepared to dodge if the teen slashed at him; he had no plans to be slain by his sword. However, Jonas surprised the room by slicing his palm against the blade, and they watched his blood pool from a three-inch gash. "Let me see your wrist," he stepped toward Julian, who scrunched his eyebrows and raised his damaged hand forward. Two cross-shaped Sin Scars glowed brightly as Jonas gently grasped the broken wrist with his bleeding hand. He coated it with his blood and attempted to perform True Sin. Julian was not Jonas' enemy; therefore, the security guard needn't suffer for his past transgression any longer. Jonas focused on his desire to heal the damage he'd caused a weaker opponent: an opponent who'd already apologized and surrendered.

"It's hot," Julian felt his wrist go very warm under Jonas' bleeding grasp. Then the youth gently twisted and rotated it back into the socket. Julian pulled his arm back, examined his blood-stained wrist, and was bewildered because although there was still pain and a bit of swelling, Jonas had healed the bone and torn ligaments to the point the wrist was back to working function.

"Sorry," said Jonas. "I've only practiced healing surface-level stuff like cuts and bruises. It will need more time to heal, but the internal damage is gone," he handed the sword back to Julian, who took it while noticing the cut on Jonas' hand had vanished.

"Thank you," he nodded his head and sheathed his sword. "True Sin is something."

"Shit job," Old Louie interrupted. "You didn't fully heal the wound. I'm ashamed to call you my disciple."

"Feel free to finish," Jonas grinned at his scowling master. "How an asshole like you got a Monk's Sin Scars, I'll never know."

"No need," Julian frantically waved off the suggestion. He'd already offended the guest of Arthur Mann and had no mind to ask any request. Besides, Jonas had already done a great job at healing the damage.

"Don't worry about your boss," Jonas shook his head. "I'll tell him it was our fault, and we'd hate to see any of you fired," to which all the workers nodded their heads gratefully. After a few minutes of awkward, idle chit-chat, the elevator doors opened, and a few men stepped out. Five men wore black suits, with swords strapped to their backs, and had glowing Sin Scars, while the one in the lead was shorter and wore a big smile, a golfer's polo, and jeans. Jonas knew immediately the person beaming at them was Arthur Mann, who had bullseye-shaped Sin Scars on the back of his hands.

"Louie!" Arthur grew happier after seeing the familiarity of Old Louie's homeless appearance. "I can't believe it's you. How long has it been?" He crossed the room, passed his trembling workers, and shook hands with the old quack.

"A long while," Old Louie's face looked cranky. "How's Aaron?"

"Still a little asshole," Arthur chuckled. "However, he's refrained from offending True Sinners since his near-death scare."

"Shit," Old Louie pulled his hand back and shook his head. "He's lucky I was walking nearby. That big-ass Sinner nearly ripped all his intestines out. By the way, this is my dumbass disciple, Jonas," he pointed at the handsome youth.

"Good to meet you," Arthur Mann offered his hand, and Jonas politely smiled and shook it. "Any disciple of Louie Darnell is welcomed here at the Grandview Hotel. Your master saved my dumbass son's life, and I'm forever grateful," Arthur looked over at his employees and frowned. "What did my staff do to offend you?"

"Nothing at all," Jonas replied before Old Louie could get them fired. "It's our fault for being so vague. My dumbass, homeless-looking master swaggered in here and demanded to see you. Your employees looked out for you and didn't want to waste your time. I broke Julian's wrist when he asked me to leave. That's all that happened.

"Really?" Arthur glanced at Old Louie, who paused and mean-mugged the handful of scared workers. Then he clicked his tongue and sighed. "It's like my disciple just said. I might've left out a few details about our relationship. It's my fault for not elaborating," but the apology seemed to cause Old Louie pain because he winced.

"I can fire them if it would appease you," Arthur didn't want to throw his staff on the streets, but he also was willing to appease Old Louie as a favor. "Sinners like Julian are tricky to replace, but Commoner clerks are a dime-a-dozen."

"No need," said Old Louie, who caught Jonas' eye and knew his disciple would be pissed if he continued pressing the matter. "They were doing their jobs. Let's head upstairs and chat. This old boy could use some lunch for his rumbling stomach."

"Then I'll take no further action," Arthur glanced at his employees. "Thank Louie and Jonas for their generosity. Today you all keep your jobs because they decided it," and color returned to the faces of both clerks. Each employee took a turn thanking the master-disciple pair, and then they shrank out of view and back to their posts.

"No worries," Jonas shook his head.

"Let's head upstairs and chat," Arthur gestured toward the large elevator. "I'm surprised you're back in Liberty City, and you brought a disciple? Two things I didn't expect to happen to you, Louie."

"Me either," Old Louie chuckled. "However, my good-for-nothing disciple is taking this year's Sin Assessment, and we've come to find him a ticket."

"Unfortunately, I didn't get any tickets this year," the elevator doors opened, and their group stepped inside. It was a comfortable fit, even with so many people. "I heard the testers were overly selective this year. They only gave tickets to big-time organizations, Sinners with huge potential, or loud-mouth celebrities who would be open season for True Sinners. Unfortunately, my son and I don't qualify as any of those," Arthur laughed as the elevator closed. "Top floor," one of his guards pressed a button for the seventy-fifth floor.

"So, how have you been?" Old Louie's stench quickly filled the elevator, and peppery musk and the smell of swamp replaced the formerly fresh scent.

"Pretty good, old friend," Arthur ran his hand through his short black hair. "How long has it been since you were last in Liberty City? At least ten years, right?"

"Fifteen,' said Old Louie. "I've been hanging out in Sun City. A lot fewer assholes."

"Oh, so true," Arthur smiled. The small talk continued until the elevator doors opened, and Jonas and Old Louie were led down a windowless corridor and through golden doors into a beautiful penthouse suite. Bright sunlight shined from the massive windows, and it wasn't long before Jonas saw why the hotel was called Grandview. He could see half the city from his position and noticed things he'd never imagined in his wildest dreams. A real mountain peaked proudly from a forestry park on the city's eastern horizon, and on the western side was a massive skyscraper with a full-sized ship skewered through the building. It made Jonas feel like a giant had scooped a big boat from the sea, raised it into the sky, and dropped it onto a monster-sized tower. There was a life-like pyramid the color of shimmering gold, a Ferris wheel-shaped apartment that rotated in a circle, and ridiculously massive buildings built with various cultural architecture.

"Liberty City is a different beast, kid," Old Louie smiled as he saw the awe on Jonas' face. "It's an egotistical monster of a city where every shithead with money wants to build another eyesore of a skyscraper. It's mainly Commoners, but Sinners are more open about their business. There are entire groups of them moonlighting as corporate companies, martial art schools, religious organizations, gambling houses, and academies. See that giant tree over there?" Old Louie pointed far off, where Jonas noticed a three-hundred-meter-tall oak growing from the concrete streets. "That's the headquarters for the Redwood Saints, a Sinner organization known for providing healing services."

"What about that Sphinx?" Jonas pointed to a giant sandy beast-shaped building between a coin-shaped tower and a massive car the size of a hospital.

"Sons of Ra," Old Louie cackled. "Egyptian gang of Sinners. You don't want to fuck with them. However, they've got a hell of a casino."

"And the mountain? Is that a skyscraper too?" Jonas saw Old Louie narrow his eyes and stare at the titanic rock covered in trees and shrubbery. "Funny you should mention that mountain. It's artificial, but not a skyscraper. My friend owns it, so I've been there a few times. Speaking of that friend," Old Louie stroked his beard and glanced at Jonas. "He's a possibility when it comes to getting a golden ticket. Arthur, do you have any ideas?"

"A few," Arthur nodded. "Come sit down and talk with me for a bit. I'm interested in hearing how you two met," the Sinner security guards went and reclaimed their posts while Louie and Jonas took nearby seats on black leather armchairs. "You know, Louie? I never took you as the teaching type. Don't get me wrong: you're a hell of a healer. I'm just surprised."

"Jonas and I had karmic ties I couldn't ignore. He's a talented Sinner but a late bloomer and a huge pussy. It'll be hard for him to make it on the Sineville of the Seas, but he's insisted on trying."

"Fair enough," Arthur Mann laughed and smiled at Jonas. "Why Old Louie?"

"I had no other choice. This old bastard was the first True Sinner I came across," Jonas purposely kept his backstory vague because he didn't trust Arthur. Old Louie glanced at Jonas and nodded. They had already brainstormed a detailed story for Jonas to tell people when prodded about his background. "I'm a Hellite orphan born and raised in a small-time gang. Unfortunately, they're all gone now. It was Old Louie who taught me about Hellites and Sinners. Back then, I used to ask the gang leader why the demons didn't send me to Little Heaven, and he'd tell me that they rejected me because I was a bad boy. The fact I was a Hellite made more sense once Louie told me."

"Ouch," Arthur Mann gave a pitying look toward Jonas, but it didn't feel real. "That's not an uncommon story. When a Hellite is born, parents are extra vigilant because thieves will come and try to steal their newborn, which is worth a lot. Thankfully, newborn Hellites are so rare that you won't see one in your lifetime."

"Why?" Jonas scrunched his brow.

"Because parents won't announce or celebrate pregnancy and birth as they do on Earth. Only the most powerful families in Sin City are brave enough to tell the world that their organization is about to gain a new talented Sinner. I'm guessing your parents were Commoners who got lucky in producing a Hellite offspring. However, they probably told the wrong person, got killed, and you ended up with whatever small-time goons."

"Yeah, I think you're right. Are you a Hellite?" Jonas smiled innocently, but he knew the answer. There was no way someone as rich, powerful, and arrogant as Arthur Mann wasn't a Hellite born and raised in Hell.

"My Mann family has been instrumental in Liberty City real estate for two centuries. Between all the men, women, and distant relatives, we own over a dozen skyscrapers and hundreds of apartment complexes. Very humbly, my family is ranked eighty-eight on the Keys to Liberty City: a list of the most powerful families and organizations. We're ranked near last, but at least we're ranked," Arthur chuckled, and Jonas swore he saw Old Louie roll his eyes.

"That's pretty cool," Jonas gave a pleasant smile and tried to change the topic to something that wasn't ego-stroking. "So you don't have any ideas about tickets for the Sin Assessment?"

"The distribution of the tickets changes each year. Most will go to Key organizations ranked in the top-fifty, but the testers will distribute a few to notable solo Sinners and some celebrities. I'd try buying information off the black market because I haven't heard anything on the streets, but eventually, someone will be dumb enough to brag about them."

"We're still nowhere closer to getting one," Jonas sighed. "Well, I knew it wouldn't be that easy."

"Arthur, old friend, "Old Louie gave a toothy grin. "As you can see, I must find my disciple a golden ticket. In the meantime, we don't have a place to stay," he wiggled his bushy eyebrows to hint at Arthur.

"Say no more," Arthur Mann clapped his hands together. "I've got a penthouse suite with your name on it. Feel free to stay there for as long as you need."

"Three months, old friend," Old Louie stood up and stuck out his hand, which Arthur Mann gripped.

"I'll send Aaron to visit you and pay his respects. He's been training in anticipation of taking over my position. He's a talented kid, but his temper keeps getting in the way. Preston," Arthur nodded at one of his security guards. "Show Louie and Jonas to King Suite Three. I've got business to attend to, but I'll invite you for dinner soon," he patted Old Louie on the shoulder and led him to the front door with Jonas following.

"Sounds perfect. Does the King Suite Three come with room service?" Jonas rolled his eyes at his master's shamelessness.

"Of course. Room service, free buffet access, whatever you need. Your next three months will be leisurely and stress-free. I'll text you when I've got time for a drink. Good to see you, Louie," he watched the master and disciple leave the room and follow Preston back into the elevator.

"Our young master is alive because of you," Preston pressed one floor down on the elevator. "Anything you need, don't hesitate to call the front desk and ask for me."

"Sure thing, Peter," The elevator stopped on the seventy-fourth floor, and when the doors opened, Jonas saw a long marble hallway with four golden doors.

"Each one of these leads to a King suite. They're four-thousand square feet with a full kitchen, bar, multiple bedrooms, indoor spa, and balcony," Preston pulled out his hell phone. "I'll transfer you temporary access to the room. You can use your phone to unlock the door and give you access to Grandview services and the front desk."

"I'll take ownership," Jonas spoke before Old Louie could say anything. He gave his number, and Preston sent him ownership of the room.

'Preston Thomas has given you a three-month stay at the Grandview Hotel, King Suite Three. Do you accept it?' Jonas clicked the accept button and noticed a wide selection of hotel features on his phone. At least that way, he'd control the room, not Old Louie.

"You can leave us here," said Old Louie. "My disciple and I have some things to discuss, but we're more than capable of finding our way around a hotel room.

"Of course," Preston nodded and stepped back into the elevator. "Just call the front desk if you need anything at all. Good day."

"Arthur Mann is still a pompous jackass," Old Louie waited for the security guard to be out of earshot before badmouthing his boss. "Whatever, the point was to get a free room. Jonas, don't trust anyone here. Got it?"

"Sure thing," Jonas found suite three and used his phone to unlock the door, which electronically slid open and revealed an incredibly luxurious room. It shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, and every surface was spotless. There was a nice kitchen and dining room, but neither Jonas nor Old Louie could cook. Each of the four bedrooms had a luxury bathroom with a walk-in shower and pool-sized bathtub, and the den had a large hot tub, billiard tables, and a full-size bar stocked with alcohol. After fifteen minutes of looking around, Jonas and Louie had chosen bedrooms and hung out in the lounge. Jonas made him and his master strong drinks while waiting for their room service, which they'd ordered.

"After we eat, I'm sending you on a mission," Old Louie sipped a whiskey beverage and smacked his lips. "You make a good drink."

"What mission?" Jonas had a bad feeling. He wondered if Old Louie would send him to assassinate people to toughen up.

"I want you to go for a walk and find some public places to visit. Don't come back until your Sin Scars are gone. If you have to sleep outside, that's too bad."

"You think that'll help me master my Sin Suppression?"

"Don't return until those scars have vanished. Go pretend you're a Commoner who can't Sin."