not related to lioden in any way, I just wanted to share this :)
*heavily* Inspired off of dante's inferno/purgatorio/paradiso

chapter one. (unfinished)
“Wisdom is earned, not given.” -dante alighieri, inferno, 1321

Kate walked aimlessly through a birch forest, the lenticels bore into her soul like staring eyes. Despite the light, no animal made a peep, birds seem to fly soundlessly, deer run with nothing more than the sound of wind breaking through their path. The safety of the clear forest is missing, leaving Kate shivering and checking over her shoulder at every hallucination of a noise.
“Where is the path?” she thinks. “It was here just a minute ago…” she mutters under her breath. She turns around, tracing her steps to no avail. She only seems to get more lost, and eventually comes upon a doll, sitting in a carved out hollow in one of the trees. The doll is made of hay, tightly tied with twine and string.
“Kate,” a strong yet soft voice, that of a man, comes from behind her. Kate turns, taking in a sharp breath. “You mustn’t go farther,” he speaks, taking a step towards the boy, putting a hand on her arm.
“Father? Where are we? This isn't our forest, yet I was just there!” she follows him, weaving through the suddenly dense trees.
“Come, my boy. Our lord has sent you on a quest.” he guides her gently, his grip so loose she could slip out if she wanted.

The two walked for what felt like days, the sun not moving an inch. Finally, they approached something. A clearing in the forest, with an effigy set on eternal fire. The effigy was tall, reaching the tops of the trees. It was made of bones and human hair that seemed to not be affected by the heat of the flames. The man stopped before they reached the clearing looking down at his son.
“Child, do you see that?” he asks, pointing to the effigy.
“Yes, father.”
“That is the gate of hell, my boy. God has sent you on a mission down there, he has chosen for me to watch over and guide you.” he smiled softly, ushering her towards the gate.
“Father? Why me?” she asks, “why has god chosen me for this? What is so special about me?” she halts, awaiting the man's answer, which does not come. He only keeps ushering her to the gate. They approach the effigy, stopping just before an obscured pit.
“You trust me, don't you boy?” the man asks the boy.
“Yes, of course!” she replies eagerly. He picks her up, and she clings tightly. He steps into the pit, and they fall faster and faster, until they fall onto ground. It's hot all around them, and when Kate finds her feet on the ground, it's wet. It soaks the cuffs of her jeans, even. And she looks around. “Father? Is this… hell?”
“Yes, my boy. And I shall guide you through.” he speaks, walking through the lake of burning water.