The Darkest Fire is Showalter’s prequel to the Lords of the Underworld. It was first availabe only in e-book form but is now published alongside two other short Showalter stories in Into teh Dark.
Followers of the Lords of the Underworld series know that the demon lords once ran free on earth and had to be captured by the gods and kept in a box made from the bones of the goddess of oppression. Pandora’s box has since been opened and is now lost. Everybody wants it: the gods want it so they can control the lords; the hunters want it to recapture the demons so they can kill the lords; the lords want it so they can protect themselves.
Source of Pandora's Box
The Darkest Fire sheds light on the history of the much desired dim Oinack, or Pandora's box. The goddess of the oppression is a lonely character. She has been cast out of her home in the heavens and bound to the walls which fortify hell. Her purpose there is to keep, or oppress, hell’s occupants. Her name is Kadence. She is surprisingly calm and peaceful and even seems somewhat unhappy about the duty that comes so naturally to her.
Gates of Hell
Ensuring there are no escapees is part of Geryon’s obligation to Lucifer. Geryon, gaurdian of the gates, is a former human, now behooved creature with horns and poisoned nails. He must push open the boulders to allow souls inside while holding back all which scrape and claw at him, trying to get out. If any do escape, he must destroy them. Much like lord Lucien, Geryon feels he is too scarred and beastly to be loved. But at least Lucien does not have to worry about the gates since by the time he transports souls, the gates are automatic.
Demon Lords
When Kadence discovers a crack in the wall, she must enlist the help of the guardian. He reluctantly agrees and the two set off together to hunt the demon lords trying to escape. They are led by violence, death, doubt and misery (which are much scarier without bodies). Yes, these same lords also lead in the lords’ pack. Once inside, Kadence quickly realizes that she must shed her inhibitions and totally commit to the goddess she is. Geryon is by her side, protecting her, though it all.
Need for Sacrifice
Although readers know things can not possibly end well for Kadence, Showalter allows a happy ending because the characters sacrifice all they can in the way of the cause or in the way of love. Thanks to The Darkest Fire, readers can now associate a beautiful story with the dead bones of Pandora’s Box.
Sources
- walter. The Darkest Fire ubished within Into the Dark. lequin Books S. A. 2010 ?
Lingtoya Alexander - With a bachelor's degree in English Literature, I now write for the challenge. I hope you find my contributions helpful if not ...
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