Maurice Gomez Skullduggery's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Maurice Gomez Skullduggery stood in the center of Hallowed Town's square, his yellow eyes glowing beneath his painted skull. The skeleton confectioner rolled a cigarette between his bony fingers. He had one dream that burned hotter than hellfire itself: win Hades' Championship and claim its twisted prize. With that victory, he'd crush every rival candy maker who'd ever doubted him. The sharp buzz of dark neon cut through the morning fog. Maurice looked up as a massive ranking board materialized in the square, its black metal frame crackling with energy. Green letters flickered across the surface, spelling out "Underworld Candy and Cake Conqueror Championship." Names appeared one by one, each contestant listed with their current standing. Maurice's name sat near the middle. Below it, scores from yesterday's practice round glowed in purple light. Above his name, seventeen other confectioners blocked his path to the top. Maurice took a drag from his cigarette and studied each rival's score. He needed to beat them all. The championship would take place in the Cerberus Confectionery Coliseum, where Hades himself would watch from his throne. Maurice flicked ash onto the cobblestones and cracked his knuckles. Every practice round from now until the final event would be displayed on this board for everyone to see. Time to start climbing. A crowd gathered around a kitchen stage that had appeared overnight. Dark Celtic patterns twisted across its surface, and ghost-like figures danced along the edges. Maurice pushed through the onlookers and stepped up to the counter. This was where contestants could practice their craft in public view, showing off skills before the real competition began. He pulled out a copper pot and set it on the burner. The flames underneath burned green and purple. Maurice measured out sugar and cream, his movements quick and sure. He'd use this stage to prove he belonged at the top of that board. The crowd whispered behind him, but he didn't care. Let them watch. Let them see what he could do. By the time Hades took his throne in the Coliseum, Maurice would be ready to claim his prize. The sugar bubbled in the pot, releasing sweet smoke into the air. Maurice stirred it with steady hands, feeling the texture change under his wooden spoon. This batch would be perfect. He poured the mixture onto a marble slab and worked it with quick, practiced movements. The crowd pressed closer, watching him shape the candy into dark skulls and twisted roses. When he finished, Maurice looked back at the ranking board across the square. His name still sat in the middle, but not for long. The Coliseum waited. Hades waited. And Maurice would show them all what a true confectioner could do.