Overcomplicating the Complicated.

"Oh buck oh buck oh buck..."

Dargon swerved around pillars of black stone that connected the roof to the ground, flapping his wings furiously to gain speed. He passed over streams of molten rock, and infernos of such intensity that he could feel the heat radiating off them, even at his height. Screams echoed through the vast cavern. He saw other demons walking along the ground, most carrying one or more ponies. Some glanced upwards at him, but most did not even spare a look. They were busy doing there jobs, after all.

Dargon flew around another stone column, and saw his destination.

An enourmous, crude castle carved from the rock that was this place dominated the wall. Waterfalls of magma streamed down the sides and flowed between the architecture, and braziers were lit across it's vastness. It was hard to miss, seeing as it was the only organised structure in this hole. He spied the bridge that lef to the entrance. Two guards stood watch, stoically guarding the front gates.

He quickly reformed his flight pattern and descended towards them. He landed rather awkwardly on the bridge in his haste, almost tripping over his own tail. He recovered his posture, and walked briskly towards the doors. He stopped just before the guards, as if he had hit an invisible wall. He then looked at both of the guards, who were both staring outwards.

"Nothing? No 'Halt'? Not even the crossed spears?" he asked confusedly.

Both of them remained silent.

"Haha! Seriously guys, I think you are both becoming soft." he jested.

The guard on the left glanced his away for a moment, and they both locked eyes. The guard quickly broke the lock, and stared back out over yonder. He shuffled uneasily on the spot, as if his armor was uncomfortable.

"Okaaaayy then. I'll leave you both to it..."

Dargon moved on and heaved at the large iron doors. They scraped open, and he moved inwards.

The two guards quickly grabbed the gate behind him, and closed it as soon as he was within, almost catching his tail as it was slammed shut. He spun around, and shouted at them through the iron. "Watch it, you lot! Yeesh..."

He walked down the hall towards the gates that led to the inner sanctum. It was a relatively bear hall, with only braziers that lit the path on the walls. As he passed other corridors on the side, he could swear he heard chattering and laughing.  The sound of claws scraping against the bare stone floors echoed throughout the halls, and he managed to catch a glimpse of a tail before it passed around a corner.

Dargon would never admit it but, secretly, something didn't feel right.

He reached the next set of doors and attempted to calm himself. "Okay calm down, you're not that late. It's not like your going to talk to your ruler or anything." He gulped. "Let's get this done."  He placed his hands on the door and pushed at them. They opened wide, and he stepped inside. He walked casually until something at the end of the room caught his attention. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, and stared.

There she was.

She was there, on her throne at the end of the room. It was upon a rise, so that She could survey all beneath her. She did not sit formally, however, instead lounging across the throne. More guards were stationed throughout the room, two at the entrance and two flanking her throne.

He had seen her many a time, but  each time he was enthralled by her magnificence. They had spoken casually to her as if they were equal, yet he would always struggle to find the proper words to address her.

He stared at her, and She smiled back devilishly.

"Ah, Dargon!" She exclaimed, with a mocking enthusiasm. "Please, do come in."

He snapped out of his trance and quickly dropped to one knee. "M-My Queen."

"Oh, do get up Dargon. You do not have to kneel before me."

"Y-Yes, yes. O-Of course my Queen."

He quickly rose back up, and tried to keep a formal manner. As he rose, he spied Kairos on one of the many balconies that encircled the room. He was grinning evilly at him. Something was obviously pleasing him, and that couldn't mean anything good.  He turned his attention back to her. "F-Forgive me for being late. The p-pony's acts were indeed sinful, and he had to be tortured for quite some time."

"Of course! I do not wish to keep you from your duties." She laughed.

"Y-Yes, what is it you wished to speak of?" he looked over to a stand on one of the walls. There was a large cello, made of brass. "Or perhaps you wished for me to play music?"

"Sorry? Oh yes, that! I had almost forgotten!" She laughed again. It echoed off the walls, and seemed to persist after it should have faded out. "And don't bother playing your music, there will be no need."

"Anyway..." she rose up from her throne, and began to walk down towards him. "What I wished to converse about was the ponies."

"Why?

"Well, no ponies are ever pure, am I correct Dargon?"

"D-Definitely not, my queen." he stuttered out. He was failing in his composure. Being so close to her made him feel so inferior, so weak. Around her he was akin to a messenger. Almost worthless.

She continued to walk towards him, eyeing him as if he were being hunted. "All ponies, no matter how atrocious their sin, come here to atone by the hands of my children, yes?"

Dargon nodded.

"There are, however a few that are indeed pure. Some that do not need to be tortured, either because they have not committed any sin, or have not had a chance to..."

"They do not suffer whatsoever, and are able to move on."

"Truly?" Dargon inquired.

"Yes truly." At this point she was now circling him. She ran a finger across his neck, which caused him to shudder.

"Now, answer me this Dargon. I am unmatched in power, right?"

"Yes, my queen. You are almighty in status. You know all, and see all. You are indeed unmatched in your power." All of these questions were beginning to make him feel uncomfortable, although he would never show it in the presence of his queen.

"How flattering!" She giggled. "However, there Is one thing I do not know Dargon."

"And what would that be, my queen?"

"What I do not know..." She whispered into his ear.

The guards behind him slammed the doors closed. The messengers atop the balconies stopped their actions, and all eyes were trained on the two.

"Is why you grant these ponies the gift that only the pure should receive."

A chorus of chittering and mocking laughter erupted from above.

"W-What? I-I do not understand..." He stared ahead, and was visibly shaking.

She backed away from him. "Do not play me for a fool, Dargon!" She shouted from in front of him. "You were always an atrocious liar."

Dargon had resigned himself. It was impossible to hide it any longer. He had resigned himself. His fate would be decided by Her now, and Her alone. He had always knew that his actions would not go entirely unnoticed, but he chose to ignore it.

From the endless thoughts raging inside him, he managed to choke out the words, "I am sorry."

She snorted. "You are sorry? For what? Allowing yourself to be caught? Or for not fulfilling the purpose you brought into existence for?" She seemed frustrated with him, but not nearly as wrathful as would be expected.

"For everything, my queen."

"Ha! You never cease to entertain me my child, even in your darkest hour." She turned her back on him, and began walking back to her throne. She waved her hand over her shoulder, and within a moment the guards behind Dargon had their spears trained on him.

She stopped midway on her walk. "Why Dargon?" She inquired, her back still facing him.

"Why what?" He had lost all formalities by this point. No one was a queen or a demon now. Only a victim, a crowd, and an executioner.

"Why have you done this? It is confusing why you would not perform your service. I am interested."

Dargon was astounded. She was interested? "I do not know.