ã€ŠHow To Survive Hell.... Kind Ofã€‹


 Time To Adapt!

    I awake to the smell of burning flesh and sulphur, my ears are ringing from the agonising screams surrounding me. Unable to pinpoint the location they are coming from; fear instantly grips my stomach like a vice; I open my eyes, only to be blinded by the orange light in front of me. Panicking my breathing becomes short, it is only now that I notice the air is thick with ash. My lungs begin to burn, my throat and mouth quickly start to dry up. Instinctively I cover my mouth with my hand. I manage to force one eye open. The hot, ashy air instantly dries out my eye socket. Using my free hand, I rub any ash that has settled on to my lashes and eye lids. I squint into the light in front of me and notice that it is coming from a large pool of bubbling lava, barely a foot below where I sit. I edge back to avoid the getting hit by the splashes created by the exploding bubbles.

    I hit a wall. The sharp points of its face, digs into my back causing me to shy away.

    Facing the wall, I look up, I cannot see any light coming from above, the wall is burnt black from the heat and ash. The only light I have available, is from the bubbling pool of death behind me. I look to my sides and realise that I am on a platform about 7ft wide, I have nowhere to go.

    I slowly lean back against the wall, being careful to avoid its sharp points.

    I take a moment to gather myself.

    Where am I? Where are my clothes? Why am I completely exposed? ¡­ More importantly Who Am I?

    Astonished that this sudden realisation, I quickly become aware that I have no idea of who I am, where I come from or how I got into this situation. I look down at my hands in contemplation, trying to find any information I can recall from my memory.

    A few minutes pass, something catches my eye in the distance.

    I notice something is moving in the Lava.

    ¡®That¡¯s not possible, any living thing would die in that heat!....So what the fuck is that thing?¡¯ I ask myself. I follow the path of this creature, watching its shape slither through the surface of the lava. I quickly determine it is heading towards the platform I am on. As the creature reaches the edge, I scramble to my feet in a desperate attempt to prepare myself for the oncoming danger. Everything goes still, the only movement present is ripples caused by the exploding bubbles. I daren¡¯t move, my legs are frozen solid. The fear that gripped my stomach has now spread to every extremity of my body. I daren¡¯t even blink. The hot air is stinging my eyes, but one blink and I will miss it.

    Impatient, the creature starts to slowly lift its head out of the lava. The lava slides of its brilliant, orange scales, like rain drops on a window. The crown of the creature¡¯s head, smooth with small ridges around the eye; raises up exposing the large, horrific face that was hidden. The obsidian eyes lock on to me, the snout is short but wide. The creature flares its nostrils at my scent; drooling, it opens its mouth, displaying rows upon rows of thin, sharp, needle like teeth, long enough to pierce through bone with one bite. A pungent smell of burning and rotting flesh lingers on its breath, it sticks a large, black, forked tongue in my direction.

    Deciding i am worth the effort, the creature starts to climb on to my platform. I am shocked at the size of this thing. With only its two, front legs now out of the pool, the creature towers above me, standing at around 8ft high, my eyes want to follow the length of the body hidden in the lava but I daren¡¯t look away from its gaze, should it strike at me. The creature¡¯s scales are smooth much like a snake.

    ¡®Shit¡­Shit¡¯ I spit out through gritted teeth.

    I reach out behind me to find the wall, the sharp points dig into my hand, slicing tiny cuts along the tips of my fingers, as I run them along it. What I can I do? Shit! Think!

    I let out a sigh, the only thing I can do is attempt to climb the wall. I take a quick second to scale the wall with eyes. I spy a small ledge above me, high enough to get out of reach from this creature.

    Noticing I had dropped my gaze, the creature starts to move towards me.

    Slowly¡­¡­. stupidly slow.

    I smile at the creature, realising that the size of this thing on land impairs its movement.

    ¡®That¡¯s why you waited for me to approach the edge¡¯ I thought out loud.

    Taking this opportunity, I turn to face the wall. Running my hands along its body to find a hand hold to pull myself up with. ¡®Gotcha¡¯ I whispered. I eagerly pull myself up, scratching my body against the rock face. My feet scramble the sides to find a groove to continue my climb. My other hand reaches out above me to find the next hold. My body feels lighter than normal. I manage to gain pace and rhythm with my climb. I look down over my shoulder and notice that the creature is now out of the pool, with only its tail still submerged, the vibrant yellow and orange of its scaled body, reflects the glow of the lava making it perfectly camouflaged. The creature looks up at me and begins to climb the wall. ¡®You¡¯ve gotta be fucking kidding¡¯ I snarled at it. I look to find the ledge above me, it seems so high, I panic, worried I won¡¯t make it in time. I clumsily quicken my pace, sweat from the heat and the exertion starts to affect my grip. My body is starting to bleed from the multiple shallow cuts. ¡®Come on¡­ I can do this¡¯.

    Using what little motivation I have; I regain my pace, constantly looking over my shoulder for the creature.

    Once I reach a point of exhaustion. I press my body to the wall, holding on to the sharp grooves for support. I take another look over my shoulder, to my relief the creature has ended its pursuit and slumped back into the pool. Letting out a loud sigh, I look up to find the ledge again. ¡®Is it me or does thing keep moving further away¡¯. My body is starting to feel weak and heavy; my lungs are on fire and my eyes are coated in ash.

    I must get to that ledge, it is pointless going back down, that thing is waiting for me!

    With a deep, painful breath, I continue at steady pace.

    With what seemed to be hours of climbing, I am now in reach of the ledge. I pick up my pace to end this agony. Tired, bloody, and out of breath, I haul myself up on to edge. I lay face down from exhaustion, relieved to have finally made it. After a few minutes I sit up, looking around from this new angle, I may be able to find a way out of here. The screams which first awoke me are now louder. Looking up, I still can¡¯t see any light from the top, but that is where the screams are coming from. I look across to the opposite side of the pool and notice something climbing the wall. It¡¯s another person! Excited I rush to the edge of the ledge to get a better view. Like me they are also naked; I wince at them, feeling the pity for that person climbing against that rock face. The thought brings me to my own body, I look down at my hands and notice the extent of the wounds. Thousands of small lacerations across my fingertips and palms. Following the marks up my arms, across my chest, down my torso and to my legs. I look at the soles of my feet; they are shredded, blisters have formed on the balls of my foot, along with multiple slices. I take a moment to thank my adrenaline kick to mask the severity of the pain.A pressurising wave of tiredness comes over me, oddly enough I do not feel hungry nor thirsty, despite the heat tightening my throat. I feel the blood and sweat drip down of off my body, I run my hands through my hair, smoothing out the loose strands that are annoying me. I lay back down on my side and allow my body to rest.

    A few hours have past and I am suddenly woken up by a loud scream that is close to me. I sit bolt right up, grimacing at the pain that has finally appeared. My skin is tight, and my muscles are sore. I force myself to move. Each movement rips open half healed scars that are patterned across my body. Breathing through my teeth, I move towards the edge of my perch and peer down below.

    I could have sworn that scream was close. Looking around I notice the shape of the creature in lava, but there is something else, something thrashing. The scream hits me again this time it is blood curdling, I suddenly realise that the thing thrashing in the lava, is a person. I try to shout out to them, but my throat is tight, all I am able sound out is a hoarse, high pitched, squeak. I watch in horror as the creature, that once thought I was tasty, closes in on this poor soul. Before I could react the creature dives deeper into the lava, the human continues to thrash, suddenly the jaws of the creature lock around this person¡¯s chest, the blood curdling scream intensifies. The creature drags the human under the surface, and all falls quiet below. I sit back on my knees, horrified of what I had just witnessed, a lump form¡¯s in my throat and a hollow feeling hits my stomach.

    Taking a deep, burning breath, I search my surroundings for my next course of action.

    I catch sight of something on the wall below me, it is climbing up. Curious, I move closer to get a better view. It is a man, my heart leaps, finally some answers, maybe he knows what is going on.

    I wait for the man to climb to my perch, I approach him and hold out my hand to help him up.

    I lock eyes with him, something is wrong. His eyes are a pale blue with glassy look to them. He doesn¡¯t seem to notice me. ¡®Grab my hand¡¯ I shout at him. But there is no response.

    He continues to climb on to the ledge of his own accord. I move back allowing him space, he turns to look at me. His eyes wide.

    What¡¯s wrong with him? I puzzle.

    He is a middle-aged man, with grey hair, roughly 5¡¯9, also exposed like me, embarrassment hits me, and I make failed attempt to cover my breasts and dignity.

    A few seconds pass in silence, the man continues to stare through me, unblinking¡­.

    HIS EYELIDS! WHERE THE FUCK ARE HIS EYELIDS?

    Unnerved by his stare I move back... my movement caught his attention¡­Shit!

    His face contours into an evil mask, he makes a quick motion and grabs my arms, pushing me to the ground on my back, the pain from my scar¡¯s sears through my body. Thrashing, I kick him in his ribs. He doubles back, never dropping his stare. He launches for my ankles and grabs them forcefully, dragging me to the edge; He aims to push me off my perch, I slam my feet to the ground, breaking his grip, and I anchor myself. He makes another attempt to grab my arms, as he leans over me, I push my foot into his stomach and propel him over my head using his weight and gravity against him. The man tumbles over me and falls over the edge above my head. I quickly get to my feet and peer after him, the man is screaming and thrashing in the lava.

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡®How has he not, instantly burnt to death?¡¯ I questioned.

    He was beginning to slowly sink, much like an animal trapped in quicksand. His thrashing attracted the giant lizard, I looked over the pool and saw it pick up speed in his direction.

    I turn away knowing what was to come, I hear his horrific scream bubble in the lava, as he was dragged under.

    ¡®What the F was his problem? And where did I learn that move?¡¯

    ¡®not to mention his creepy lack of eyelids¡¯ I spoke out loud, hoping someone will clarify my concerns.

    Sighing, I step back from the ledge, my blood rushing from my recent tussle. I search the area once again, to view my choices. From above the screams are more constant, I squint to see if I can make out any shapes in the looming dark. Something is falling, the pale burr plummets into the pool below, and another, and another. People! people are falling out of the black mass straight into the pool, screaming as they fall.

    ¡®At least Tiny will be well fed¡¯ I smirked slightly, feeling a slight pang of guilt from my remark.

    Turning to face the wall behind me, I run my eyes across its shear side, above and to the right of me are two people climbing. ¡®How I have I only just noticed them¡¯ I murmured, concluding that the events of this past hour have somewhat preoccupied me. Pulling a face of disgust at the wall, I reluctantly admit that there is no other option but to climb. I follow the path of the two bodies climbing ahead of me, hoping they have some form of direction, my body stings as my existing wounds tare at my skin, I can feel new cuts forming every time I gasp at the wall. Although my skin is on fire, my breathing becomes slightly easier, my eyes are slowly adjusting to heat, granted, I may be blinking as if I had a nervous tick, but I am able to hold them open for a longer period. As I ascend, my weight becomes lighter, making the climb a little easier.

    Hours pass, my body is starting to reach its limit. Looking up at the two in front of me I notice they are both feeling the same, the women, who is leading, takes some time to rest by pushing her body to the rock face. I copy her example, taking a quick break to reserve what energy I have, keeping a close eye on the women should she start moving again. The man following behind her, continues his climb, slowly he arrives at the women¡¯s ankles. Stopping, he glances up at her, she doesn¡¯t seem to notice how close he is. A strange groan comes from the man, he grabs hold of the women¡¯s calves and starts use her body as a climbing frame, baring his obese weight on her, the women screams as he crushes her body to the wall. A chilling laugh comes from the man, as he continues to climb over her, her scream is high pitched and hoarse.

    ¡®Hey!! What the fuck do you think you are doing? Hey!!¡¯ I shouted as loud as my throat would allow. They both ignore me. I begin to climb towards the women to offer some support, ¡®Hey!!¡¯ I continue to shout each time my foot finds a new hold. Again, they both ignore me, the man is now parallel to the women, using her skin as grips. She screams in agony as his weight continues to crush her body. I have to admit she¡¯s got good strength to bare his weight as well as her own, closing in on them I shout again ¡®Hey you! Fat twat! What the fuck is your problem!¡¯ He doesn¡¯t hear me; the man has now managed to climb on to her shoulders, I hear the crunch of bone as he stands on her. Her back is now visible, a pattern of bloody, nail marks are dug deep into her skin from where he grabbed her. Infuriated, I climb to get closer to them, above her the man turns to look down, his face has turned into the same mask that my attacker wore. My eyes widen in horror, I shout at her to move to the side, but it falls on deaf ears. His grin beaming, he begins to kick the women in the face and hands, I notice his eyes, also like my attacker, are not blinking. I hear her nose break, her crimson blood slides down the side of the rock face pooling in the small ledges. ¡®Stop!! What are doing? STOP!!¡¯ I shout, no response. Her agonising scream pierces my ear drums, her hands are covered in blood has the man stamps on them, her knuckles are grounded, she loses grip with one hand. Laughing, the man continues to beat her, ignoring her pain. ¡®STOP!! Hold on I am coming!¡¯ I yell but is too late, the man stamps on her remaining hand, snapping her fingers into an awful angle. Her hand falls away from its grip, like slow motion I watch her topple down the side of the cliff, hitting the jagged rocks as she falls. She eventually slams into the platform I originally awoke on. The fall would have killed her.

    Glued in place, I stare at her limp, naked, beaten body, hoping that she somehow survived. What is wrong with the people in this place, I thought. Fear slowly creeps over me, the notion of kill or be killed comes to mind. I drag my eyes away from the corpse below, to look for the man, I watch him as he continues his climb as if nothing had happened. I stifle the urge to cry, this is not the time nor place for useless emotion.

    Gathering my senses, I continue the path I was climbing, making note that the cold-blooded killer is just ahead of me; I move to left, away from him, best to avoid him as much as possible in my current state. Looking up, I spot a tiny flat surface protruding from the rock face, just large enough to sit and rest on, also far enough out of the killers¡¯ path to avoid him. I change my direction slightly and aim for the new ledge, my body is feeling the extent of the climb, my emotions are swirling, and my mind is unfocused.

    Half an hour passes and I manage to reach my resting spot; dragging my legs on to the flat ledge, I release the tension I had felt. I scan the area to ensure nothing is heading my way before I relax my body. Rubbing my eyes, I notice how dry they are, the thought takes me back to my attacker. Why didn¡¯t he have any eyelids, his eyes must have been pain, given the extent of the heat. I cringe at the thought. Taking one last look around for safety, I let my head fall back against the wall and close my eyes, the constant sound of the screams above start to muffle and I slowly delve into sleep.

    I¡¯m walking down a corridor, the walls are painted a pastel blue, small tubs of hand cleaner are placed outside each room, a boarder of painted, white daisies follow along the wall, I smile feeling at ease. People around me are rushing in and out of the rooms scattered along the path, some are dressed in casual clothing, the majority are covered in blue scrubs and white coats. I¡¯m in hospital! One room draws my attention, an entire family is waiting outside with worried expressions staining their faces. I hear the noise of a high-pitched beep. Someone has flatlined. Nurses and Doctors rush into the room before I have a chance to peer in. I reach the doorway and the door slams shut in my face.

    My eyes snap open, the hot air instantly stings them, blinking I take in my surroundings, it was a dream, a very vivid dream, I could have sworn I was in the hospital. Frowning I accept that I am still stuck in this never-ending volcano pit. I let out a sigh of anger and frustration.

    Resting my head back against the wall, I start to doze, still tired from the previous climb, my muscles ache from the exercise, the scratches on my skin have closed, leaving my skin marked and feeling tight. My hair is stuck to my back from the sweat, a thin layer of grime, containing blood, sweat and ash covers my body. I scrunch up my nose in disgust, at the apparent state I¡¯m in.

    I really miss clothes, and a shower, I would kill for a shower, I thought to myself. I lazily open my eyes and stare into the distance contemplating my history, what is my name? Do I have a family? Does anyone even know where I am? I wonder if I own a shower?

    A hand appears in front of me, halting my train of thought. I slowly raise to my feet and watch carefully at the body climbing to meet my ledge. Pressing myself to the walls edge I hold my breath, the body starts to climb on to the surface, I recognise that hair, it¡¯s grey and spotted with streaks of blood and ash. The man¡¯s head follows past the ledge. My heart stops... it¡¯s my attacker.

    ¡®You¡¯re dead, you can¡¯t be alive, I saw you get swallowed up by Tiny! How? ¡­ How is this even possible?¡¯ I ask, expecting an answer.

    The man¡¯s glassy stare meets my eyes, he starts to laugh, the same way the killer laughed when he beat that women. The thought crosses my mind again, KILL OR BE KILLED.

    Without hesitation I mimic the killer¡¯s movements, stamping my blistered foot into the man¡¯s face, he lets out a dry groan, unable to blink, he scrunches his face at the pain.

    I stamp again, this time I feel his nose break under my foot, blood gushes down his face.

    Almost zombie like, he claws his hands against edge of the cliff for grip. I stamp on his hands to loosen his grasp, one hand breaks, now for the other, I repeat the action, desperate to survive the man holds on, his knuckles turning white. I raise my foot one more time to slam down on his hand, a panicked noise escapes his mouth, drawing my attention to his face, as I bring my foot down on his remaining hand, I see his face change, a look of fear has appeared, even his unblinking stare seems to have dropped its threatening gaze. I feel a shiver shoot down my spine, as my foot contacts his fingers, they snap, like the women he descends at a rapid pace to the pool below us. A sudden urge to vomit comes over me, I am no better than the man that I avoided. I sit back down against the wall, in a state of shock, my hands shaking, I continuously swallow in hope to push this feeling down. I am a killer, just like him, I killed that man in cold blood. My memory takes me back to that climb, no, no, I¡¯m not like him, he carried on as if nothing happened, whilst I sit here shaking. I did what I needed to survive, just like last time when I propelled him over the edge. It doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a killer¡­right? The thoughts swell around my head. I stumble back on to my original question.

    ¡®How was he alive?¡¯

    Using fear as my source of motivation, I search the rock face for my next path.

    I must get out of here; what with the giant, man-eating, lava lizard; the swimming pool of death and zombies with an intense stare, I¡¯m not sure how much longer I will survive. My only hope is, that above me, maybe, just maybe I will find help.

 A Shift In The Balance

    I begin to stir from an eventful night¡¯s sleep. Slowly opening one of my eyes to glance around the room. The amber glow from outside seeps in through my window. Closing my eye again, I turn over to snooze. Feeling the warmth of someone laid next to me, a small smirk crosses my lips. The memory of last night creeps into my mind. I run my claws along the side of her body, hinting that I wish to continue our activities. Growling she pushes my hand away.

    ¡®I know, its tiring work tormenting the damned and pleasuring your king¡¯ I mock.

    Fully awake, I sit up in my bed, letting my eyes fully adjust. I pull back my cover and dismount the bed.

    Stretching, my wings unfold to their full, magnificent span. Striding over to the balcony door, pull back the curtains and turn to watch my sleeping companion.

    She growls once more and hides her face under the covers. Chuckling to myself, I open the balcony door, stepping out into the unforgiving heat, my wings unfold once more and with little effort I beat the hot air away, the force of them sends a gust of air over the castle, nearby windows shake in their frames at the impact. Smiling to myself, pleased that I haven¡¯t lost my edge. I run my hand through my long, black hair; smoothing out any strands that came loose during the night. Leaning on the balcony railing, I notice something seems different. Inhaling the hot, dusty, ashy air there are no unusual scents. Scanning the horizon to see if there are any new developments. Nothing¡­

    My eyes are drawn to the pit in the distance, something tells me it is down there. Frowning, I turn and head back to my room, my strides cover the distance with ease, reaching a black cabinet on the opposite side of the room, I open the door and take out a bottle, taking a swig, I let the cool liquid run down my throat; licking my lips, enjoying the smooth warm taste. Looking at the label on the bottle, I am reminded of how I came to possess such a tasty treat; one of my Lesser Demons had brought it back as a gift after he was summoned to the Earth realm; this and the 5 souls that summoned him. Chuckling at the memory, I place the bottle back into the cabinet and search for the cloth I was wearing yesterday. I wrap the dark blue, satin robe around my waist, decorated with a gold trim.  Infront of my mirror I begin polishing my horns, they appear to have been scratched during the night¡¯s activities, frowning, I look over to the bed.

    I sit on a chair close to the window and stare out, I can¡¯t shake this feeling that something is different.

    ¡®SLAVE!!¡¯  My voice echoes through the castle, the vibration causing the windows to shake once more.

    My bed fellow stirs angrily.

    The sound of something valuable breaks in the distance followed by the sound of chains scraping against the stone floor.

    Tapping my fingers on the chair arm, I wait impatiently.

    The door opens, ¡®Yes, my Lord?¡¯

    A timid head from one of the Lesser Demons peers around the door. Growling with impatience, I motion my hand for her to enter the room.

    Without questioning, she enters, her thin, weak frame floats across the floor. The thick, heavy, barbed chains wrap around her neck and attach at her ankles, the length of them exceed her height and drag along the floor behind her. Her horns are dull and chipped, her dirty, red hair is matted. Her black eyes stare at the ground as she shakes, nervously waiting for my command. I turn my back to her, and motion to my hair.

    Understanding she rushes over to a drawer and pulls out a hairbrush, another gift brought back from the Earth realm. She approaches me cautiously, placing a thin, grey hand on my head, she begins to run the brush through my mane, I find the sensation rather relaxing. She comes across some tangles that had appeared due to my eventful night. She delicately tries to untangle them and fails, losing patience with her effort she tries a harsher approach, she rags the brush through my hair causing me discomfort. My patience is wearing thin with her, solely fixed on her task she doesn¡¯t notice my body stiffen. I feel a boiling heat of anger course through me, tired of her useless attempt, I quickly spin to face her, grabbing her stick like neck in my grasp. ¡®You, useless little bitch!¡¯ spitting in her face; the room shakes from the vibration of my voice; my glowing, amber eyes reflect in her soulless, black iris. Furious with anger, I drag her to the balcony and toss her weak frame over the edge, she lands on one of the large iron spikes surrounding the castle wall, her impaled body slowly slides down the shaft of the spike and eventually coming to a halt a couple of feet from the ground. I watch intensely, as her black blood trickles on to the stone flags. ¡®Well, my day is already off to a good start,¡¯ I mutter to myself.

    During the commotion my companion has given up on the idea of sleep.

    ¡®Do you insist on killing every demon maid that struggles with your hair?¡¯ she smirks, trying to push my patience further. She grabs the brush and finishes the job.

    ¡®I will get one of the princes to create a new one,¡¯ she sighs.

    Growling, I dismiss her comment. ¡®If they had bred a decent one in the first place, I wouldn¡¯t have this problem.¡¯ I feel her eyes roll at my comment.

    I admire her design through the corner of my eye. Her long, auburn hair flows down to her breasts; She has two circular, goat horns that frame her face, she decorates them with gold clasps and chains, unlike mine which slightly follow the curve of my crown then taper up at the back. She is muscular; as a military demon that¡¯s the least I expect. Her hourglass figure would entice any male to attempt courtship. It¡¯s a shame for them, that she¡¯s as heartless as she is attractive.

    ¡®Dreamora, I have a task for you,¡¯ my mind focusing on my thoughts from earlier.

    ¡® Of course, my Lord,¡¯ She replies in a soldierly fashion, she stops brushing my hair and focuses on my instruction.

    ¡®There is something different in this realm, something relatively new. I want to you to investigate it. I sense it is coming from the Pit, but I cannot pinpoint it. Check in at the barracks surrounding the pit, find out if one of the Generals has created a new abomination, if so, I want details.¡¯

    ¡®Yes, my Lord,¡¯ She bows and turns to leave the room.

    ¡® Oh and Dreamora!¡¯ Stopping her in her tracks, she turns to face me.

    ¡®Do not return empty handed!¡¯ Bowing again, she leaves me alone in my chamber.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    I lean forward onto my hands, frowning trying to figure out what has changed. I don¡¯t like it; I admit to myself. Pushing the thought to the back of my head, I leave my room and head to the throne room.

    I stroll down the dark, maze-like corridors to my throne, before I can reach the hall, I smell the scent of the princes, hovering in front of the door to the throne room; I haven¡¯t even begun my day and they are already are grovelling for something.  I turn the corner and continue to walk towards them, as if they did not exist. Simultaneously they turn to face me after hearing my echoing footsteps; The three of them bow in synchronicity as I approach the door. What a pathetic sight, to think I created these weeds, even in my basic demon form I tower above them, my wingspan out stretches theirs. Snarling in disgust, I stride past them and open the door to the throne room. They do not follow, instead the stand at the threshold. I climb the stairs to my throne, admiring the d¨¦cor of hanging corpses scattered around the room, a long, blood red carpet leads the way to the throne. I stand before my seat and admire its detail, the throne is made from bone, it is centuries old, now fossilised black with ash, the heat from the environment gives the throne a glossy look, it reflects the amber flames that light the room; around the base of the throne, are piles of skulls for decoration. Some covered in wax, from the burning candles I had placed on them for extra light. As much as I love this world, it does get very dark, even with my eyesight. I take my seat and get comfortable before beckoning in the impatient trio.

    With a motion of my hand they step forward into my presence.

    I stare at them, not making any attempt to start the conversation.

    My oldest price Aizenial, clears his throat, my gaze locks on to him. Arching my brow, I allow him to proceed.

    ¡®My Lord,¡¯ he bows, ¡®I wish to draw your attention to high influx of souls, currently entering our domain.¡¯

    ¡®I am aware,¡¯ I confirm to him, ¡®humanity does seem to be losing its way. How is this a problem for us?¡¯

    ¡®How do you suppose we deal with this influx? my Lord,¡¯ He asks.

    What a stupid question, I look at him to see if he is serious. ¡®Make more demons and expand the pit, if need be, but time and space down there is unlimited, the influx should not cause any disruption.¡¯

    My second oldest begins to add to the conversation, ¡®My Lord, if you please, would it not be wise to send someone to the Earth realm to investigate¡­¡¯

    I raise my hand to stop him from continuing this any further, ¡®Why do you need to go to Earth? It is not our business what the humans do with their petty lives, your job is to rule your section of the pit. Is this not enough?¡¯ my impatience with this tedious conversation is growing. I take a deep breath to calm my anger. The trio take a step back knowing, taking a long look at each of them before giving my final answer.

    They are not interested in the influx of souls, they want something from the Earth realm, but what?! From left to right, I scan them carefully, hoping they twitch under the pressure.

    Aizenial, my oldest, the tallest out of the three, his short brown hair slicked back between his curved horns. His chiselled features are admirable, his bright blue eyes contrast against his dark, olive skin, he has one heavily scarred wing on his left side; I ripped out his right wing last time he attempted to usurp me and severely damaged his left one as a reminder. He rules the military demons around the surface of the pit. It is his job to keep the damned in their place.

    My second oldest, Nicolieus, sturdily built, his black hair reaching the tips of his shoulders, his wings are both intact, his skin is ruby red, and his black horns are a similar shape to mine. Out of the three he is the most impressive, as he reminds me of my younger self. He has never put a hair out of line, unlike his siblings, however I find his tactics in torture questionable, he personally chooses to torture his victims, mentally torturing them with twisted images of their forgotten lives or implanting repetitive scenes of emotional abuse, he forces his lesser demons have their way with his victims, not really my style, but each to their own, I suppose. His sections of the pit are the base, the first and second tiers, mainly new souls are here, he usually leaves them to their own devices, letting the Salamander, The Imps and Lesser Demons have their fill with basic, gruesome torture.

    Finally, the youngest and the one I despise the most, Silathis. Slim build, with dull, grey skin, sporting a face to match his name. I ripped out both of his wings as punishment for the two times he attempted to usurp me; once on his own and once with his brother. His wings are now displayed in the throne room, hung up by meat hooks, I take great pleasure in destroying them, whilst he watches, each time he pisses me off. As a reminder of his disobedience, I also snapped off his left horn and singed the end so that it cannot regrow, I now use this horn to drink from. His hair is a murky blonde, greased over with sweat, his eyes a dull, grey colour matching his skin. I had banished him to his layer of the pit after his second attempt to take the throne. He carries the scent of the pit on him, burning flesh and sulphur; He now hides away in the maze of caverns on the third tier, along with the Lesser Demons and the Abominations. He only appears at my door if he or his brothers need something.

    Scrutinising the three, I ask again.

    ¡®Explain why you need to travel to the Earth realm?¡¯

    Nicolieus answers, ¡®To investigate the humans, my Lord, see what has changed on Earth to create this influx, I have a feeling that the balance has shifted.¡¯

    I look at Nicolieus, holding his gaze. I have no reason to doubt him compared to the other two princes but asking to travel to the Earth realm is a big risk. It is incredibly difficult for a Royal Demon to travel to Earth, and our presence on that plain can shift the balance without us knowing. ¡®You are aware of what you are asking me, Nicolieus? Your very presence can create this disruption if there isn¡¯t one, not to mention the impact it will have if there is an issue,¡¯ I caution.

    ¡®I am aware my Lord,¡¯ he replies, looking at me understandingly.

    I lean forward on to my hands in thought. ¡®I need more time to think on this request,¡¯ Waving my hand dismissing them. They all bow and leave the room closing the door behind them.

    ¡®Hmm, a shift in the balance, is that what I¡¯m feeling? If so, the cause is not on the Earthly plain but here¡­ right under my nose.¡¯

 His Name was Jeff

    Looking over my shoulder, I look down to see my starting point. The bubbling pool is now small, I must have been climbing for weeks. I balance myself against the wall, its sharp edges digging into my breasts and stomach. I hold out one hand and make a circle with my thumb and forefinger. The pool fits perfectly into this space, I thought, taking time to smile at my progress. During my climb I noticed a pattern, every few hours groups of 10 or more people would fall from the black mass above me.

    On my journey I had made a new friend, his name is Jeff or at least that¡¯s what I call him; granted, I¡¯m not sure he even realises I¡¯m here, or if he can even hear me, but he¡¯s the only person that hasn¡¯t attempted to push me off the edge.

    If it wasn¡¯t for his unblinking stare, being covered in blood and ash, he would be quite attractive. He has, what I call, a pretty boy face, dark green eyes covered by the glassy finish. High cheek bones, a shaped jaw line with a bit of stubble enhancing it. His short, dark blonde hair is glued to his crown from the sweat; His skin has a tanned colour to it, even if it is covered in grime, I can tell he is darker than me, though to be honest a glass of milk has more colour than my skin. His build is tall and athletic, he is obviously someone who looks after himself. All in all, he¡¯s quite a handsome fellow.

    I met him on my second attempt to climb the wall, after I had respawned on my starting platform, losing all progress I had made up to that point; I had sliced my wrists on sharp, black crystals, cutting through the tendons, a bit higher from where I am now; losing my grip, I fell into the lava below. The feeling was awful, like that dream where you are falling but you don¡¯t hit the floor, only this time, it was followed by the feeling of my skin melting away from my bones, slowly sinking in to the lava, panicking like a trapped animal, the worst part of it, was the unbearable pain of being eaten alive by the giant lizard, its teeth crunching down on my flesh and bones, being smothered by the creatures weight and the thick lava, as it dragged me under. I shudder thinking back to the incident, I really don¡¯t want a repeat of that any time soon.

    I turn back to the wall and find my next hand hold, my strength and speed has increased, making climbing bearable. I look up, to see that Jeff had found a small resting spot a few metres above my head. Finally, I can take a break, I climb to meet Jeff on the edge and notice it is a small, shallow cave dug into the wall; heaving myself up, I see Jeff has laid on his side to take rest. I crawl over next to him and do the same. Face to face, I notice the raw scars around his eyes, its as if his lids had just been ripped off, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, I turn on to my back and stare at the cave roof; large, black crystallites hang from the ceiling, curving down and around the sides of the walls. What is this place? I wonder. There seems to be no end, a sense of dread washes over me, what if I¡¯m stuck here? I can¡¯t seem to die. The world around me is designed to create endless pain and torture.

    I also don¡¯t understand how I still have my eyelids whilst other people around me don¡¯t, it must be excruciating for them, unable to replenish the moisture in their eyes with a simple blink, no lashes to project them from the settling ash, unable to shut out the dreadful sights that frequently appear in this place, unable to turn out the light and settle to sleep. I pity for Jeff, even if he is blind to my presence, I feel a strange bond to him. Looking over to him, I notice his stare has dulled, curious I turn to face him, he seems lifeless, worried I instinctively raise a hand to tap him, just has my hand is about to touch him, I am startled by loud, pig like, grunt coming from his mouth, Jeff slaps his lips together and turns over to his other side. ¡®Bloody hell Jeff!¡¯ I whisper, ¡®Don¡¯t scare me like that.¡¯ He doesn¡¯t hear me and continues to snore; laughing to myself I relax on my back, I should really get some sleep too, I can¡¯t remember when I last had the chance. I close my eyes, taking a moment to be grateful that I can close them, eventually letting the darkness of sleep guide my consciousness.

    Walking down a street, I notice the smell of nature, the sweet smell of cut grass, the flowers from people¡¯s gardens, birds are singing their morning songs. The air smells clean, and life feels fresh. I continue my path and turn into a garden, climbing the stone steps leading to the front door of a large stone house; I look down at my clothes, its early morning yet I am wearing a black mini dress and high heels, feeling the embarrassment, I realise I had stopped the night out at another house. I quietly open the door, and sneak in. My little, snowy dog rushes to greet me, ¡®Shhhh,¡¯ I whisper to the dog, hoping he¡¯ll understand. I walk through the large hallway, looking at the d¨¦cor. The floor is dark, mahogany wood covered with a red and blue chaser rug; the wooden floor continues up the large, wide steps which curve round to meet the landing above me; the walls are coffee colour with family pictures hanging in an orderly fashion, smell of spiced apple and polish hits my nose. The house is quiet, it seems everyone is still asleep. I make my way to the kitchen, passing the main living room as I do, the door is open, trying to avoid any confrontation that could be there, I slowly creep past the open door. A male voice shouts from the living room, ¡®Have a good night, did we?¡¯

    Jumping from the voice in my head, I startle; opening my eyes, to my dismay I¡¯m still in this endless pit. Another vivid dream, was that my home? was that voice a member of my family? What about my little dog, what was his name? Trying to think on the dream, I turn angry with myself, why didn¡¯t I look at the photos properly, why didn¡¯t I go into the living room! Exhaling a sharp, angry sigh. ¡®Why can¡¯t I fucking remember?!¡¯ I shout, a little louder than I intended. I turn to look at Jeff, he¡¯s just sat there, looking at me, is he waiting for me?

    Does he notice I am here? ¡®Morning Jeff?¡¯ I ask him, wondering if he will answer; realising that his glare is a little intimidating, I attempt to hide my body, it has never bothered me before but now there is a possibility he sees me; looking at him in silence, waiting for his response, I notice him frown at my question, ¡®Urgh,¡¯ he replies in a manner much like a cave man. A broad smile appears on my face, Intelligence!... to a degree, but still he responded to my question. I continue to stare at him smiling, he mimics my facial expression, I laugh at the face he pulls attempting to smile back at me. A moment passes and his face resumes its blank expression; he quickly moves towards the opening of the cave, I follow, still happy with the results of our little moment. Jeff stops and looks up, I follow his gaze; he turns to me and points up the shear face of the cliff, he¡¯s hinting he wants to start climbing, keeping the communication simple, I nod in agreement.

    After what seemed hours of climbing, my body is starting to feel tired, the jagged points of the wall are becoming more and more frequent, increasing in size and sharpness, Jeff is climbing ahead of me, unfazed by the cuts appearing on his body, his blood drips down landing on my hair, face and arms. It was around here where I lost my grip, being careful not to make the same mistake again, I slow my pace down to pay close attention to where I place my hands; taking a moment to catch my breath I look up past Jeff, like before, I can see large, sharp, black spikes protruding from the cliff. They are good weeks climb before I reach them, from this distance they appear around 9ft long, they circle in a line around the circumference of the pit. Searching the boundary of spikes, I notice 50 or more people attempting to climb through them, some succeed, most fail, watching their bodies cascade down the cliff face, I grimace at my chances. Continuing to follow Jeff, I push through the pain, Jeff looks down at me noticing my pace had slowed, he attempts to smile at me for encouragement, I smile sweetly back at him, at least I¡¯m not alone.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    After another hour of climbing, we find a wide ledge to rest on. Exhausted Jeff and I scramble up and over the wall of the ledge, dropping 4ft to its surface, I instantly note that the ground is soft and cool in contrast to its surroundings, the feeling of the soft ground reminds me of sand. Scanning the size of this ledge, I can see that it runs parallel to the large, black spikes above my head. The width of the soft surface from the wall is approx. 40 metres, Using this opportunity, we head for the base of the wall and rest along its edges; placing a hand on the wall to ease myself down on to my knees, I notice the wall is slippery, wet and cool to the touch, moving my hand away, I look at my palm, it is coated in thick, claggy, blood; which mixed with the resting ash had the colour of a garnet, looking up I follow the path of a stream, weaving around and over the sharp points of the rock face, I can see that the blood is trickling from the large spikes above me, maintaining a steady flow. Slowly moving back away from the stream, I look at the ground I am stood on, the thick bed of settled ash had been dyed a dark red by the blood flow, the floor isn¡¯t just cool but damp. I stand on one leg looking at the sole of my foot, like my palm it is stained red. I look to Jeff to see his reaction to our new surroundings, as normal he seems blind to it, so much so, that he doesn¡¯t notice that he is sat under a trickling blood stream, the fluid covering his head. I pull a face of disgust at him, watching him, I realise that he is enjoying it, shocked I stare at him in disbelief. He takes a deep sigh of relief as the crimson liquid runs over his face, pooling in his open eye sockets. ¡®Oh,¡¯ I whisper, concluding that it isn¡¯t the idea of bathing in the blood that he enjoys, but the cool liquid, chilling his hot, burning skin and replenishing the moisture in his dried-up eyes. Cringing, I copy his example, resting my back against the wall and placing my head directly under a flowing stream. Admittingly, the cool sensation coming from the stream above, does feel nice! My skin prickles with goose bumps enjoying the instant cooling, hydration provided by the red liquid. I bend my head back to let the blood run down on my face and trickle down my front, the bodily fluid tunnels in between my breasts and settles in a pool between my folded legs. I let myself enjoy the feeling of the liquid, imagining I am stood in a shower, distracting myself from the fact that is blood that I¡¯m bathing in and it had to come from somewhere or someone.

    Lost in the feeling, I jump when Jeff reaches across to grad my hand. I open my eyes and look at him, his face staring back at me, a strange smile broadens across his lips, thinking that this his attempt to smile at me, I smile back at him; he moves closer to me, his grip on my hand slightly tightening, his hydrated eyes have a small shine to them, the dark green iris now standing out under the glassy coat. Unthreatened I search his body language to gage his attempt at communication. His free hand reaches up to my face, he slowly puts his thumb across the top of my eye lids, blinking and sporting a confused frown, I look at him as if he could read my mind. Errm ok? I let out a weird snigger at the awkward feeling slowly creeping between us. I turn to look away from his stare, he pushes my head back to face him, I glare at him hinting that I am not comfortable in this situation, I move my body away from him as he leans in to me, his grip now tight and slightly painful on my wrist, he tugs slightly at my arm to pull my body back to him, he releases the hand holding my head and traces the path of the blood down my neck, over my collar bone and down to my breasts. His hand stops, his gaze wonders down to my chest, his breathing becomes heavy, almost panting,

    ¡®Jeff! Stop!¡¯ I push back at him, aware of my attempts to move away, he locks his grip around my wrist, the hand that had stopped on my breast, moves to cup the left one, I bat his hand away, ¡®JEFF!¡¯ I shout, he ignores me, engrossed in my body. His hand forcibly grabs my breast again, painfully squeezing it, ¡®JEFF, GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!!¡¯ I shout, slapping him across the face and pushing him away with force. His body moves back slightly, allowing me opportunity to wriggle away, he pulls back my wrist that he still clings to, the force of this pulls me straight in to his body; using his weight, he pushes me to the ground, I push my hand into his face to push him away, ¡®JE¡­¡¯ interrupted he covers my mouth and pushes my head to the floor, writhing and thrashing, I kick in any direction I can. Using my head as his new anchor he lets go of my wrist, I dig my nails hard in to his ribs drawing blood, he doesn¡¯t seem to notice, using the hand I have pressed against his head, I dig in my nails, scaring his flesh. Struggling, he manages to open my legs, I let out a muffled scream. I can feel his hard shaft pressed against my inner thigh; I kick at his legs but it has no effect, I place both of my thumbs below his eyes, angling my nails to the centre of his eye balls, I force the nails in, feeling the squishy organs pop and tare as the nails dig deep. He reals back in pain, covering his eyes with his hands, leaving him thrashing and screaming on the floor, I take the opportunity to run. I don¡¯t look back, I continue to run along the side of the wall as fast as I can, pushing other people out of the way and trampling them as I run pass.

    Feeling I have travelled a safe distance, I slow my pace down to a brisk walk, weaving in and out of people who had stopped to rest on this bloody, sandy ledge.

    Suddenly, screams come from behind me, this is the first time I turn to look over my shoulder; the people that I passed, are now being dragged to the floor and covered in a black wave. Adrenaline still pumping, I begin to run from this ominous black mass. Looking forward, I remember that this ledge is just one giant circle on the edge of wall, no matter how far I run, I will end up back where I started. I notice a large point on the wall and jump for it, hoping I can remain suspended above the wave until it passes. Like a Mexican wave at a football match, I watch it rapidly approach; person after person being swallowed into it. I watch the three people in front of me disappear.

    I can now make out what the wave is; billions, of jet, black beetles clambering over one another.

    They don¡¯t seem to run up the wall, I notice.

    Now below me, I can make them out clearly; large, black beetles with bright yellow eyes, razor sharp pincers, and snapping teeth.

    Where in the hell did these appear from, I thought as they pass by.

    My grip slowly slipping due the pooling blood, flowing from above, I dig my fingers into the sharp points, trying to secure myself as the wave passes.

    Dragged along with the current of insects, I spot the victims that it swallowed, the ones that are alive are screaming, as their bodies slowly break apart by the chomping and snapping jaws of the beetles. I see one man grab at the wall for survival, the force of the wave crushing his torso into the sharp rocks, caught in the current he is dragged along the sharp edges, tearing his skin from his body; as he passes under me, I see the extent of the damage, the force had impaled his head on a sharp rock and crushed his skull, the damage left on his head and body is gruesome and leaves him unrecognisable. My eyes watch closely as the sea of black continues to pass by, a body rides the wave, occasionally submerging, screaming and thrashing in agony; Its Jeff! Keeping still, trying not to catch his attention, I close my eyes in fear, and hear his tormented screams pass by.

    Eventually the wave stops, and I drop to the sandy ledge. Looking at my hands, the razor edges have slit into the grooves of my fingers, blood pours out of the fleshy wounds.

    Uncontrollable tears stream down my cheeks;

    Why am I crying? I ask myself. Why do I feel pity for Jeff after what he attempted to do to me?

    The feeling of loneliness takes over my body and I crumble to the floor, pain attacking my nerves like fire, my body is beaten, bruised from the fight with Jeff, my hands are ripped from hanging on for dear life. I feel hopeless, lost and tired; crying, I scream at the top of my lungs, ¡®WHAT HAVE I DONE?! WHY AM I HERE?!¡¯

 The Pleasure Of Torture

    A few hours have passed since my meeting with the princes. The meeting left me feeling impatient, confused and angry, without Dreamora here to ease my frustration, I decide to head down to the dungeons of the castle.

    Usually Dreamora will bring me one of the damned souls to my throne room for me to release my bloodthirst. It has been many years since I stepped foot into this part of the palace. Heading to the east side of the castle I walk by the kitchens; the smell of roasting young flesh catches my nostrils. My fangs sharpen and saliva starts to pool in my mouth. I continue to walk by as my need for violence overcrowds my need for food. Many slaves stop and bow, cowering away from my gaze, some even go as far as to avoid me by scurrying into dark corners like the insects they are.  My castle walls are a mixture of black and blood. Various statues of grotesque creatures decorate the curved pillars, large chains hang from the ceiling, stained black with the blood of their adornments. I notice some are empty and make a mental note to get that fixed. Apart from the normal shuffles and mumbles of the slave going about their duties I notice that the castle is quiet..too quiet. The regular screams of torture victims usually resonate through the halls, clicking my fingers to one of the slaves, he follows me down the dark, damp stairwell to the dungeons. ¡®Why is there no screaming?¡¯ I casually ask the servant.

    ¡®Screaming?  ... oh yes, the screaming¡­erm... well... my lord, Silathis has¡­¡¯ he stops abruptly as I raise my hand to silence him.

    ¡®Silathis!! That little parasite! I will deal with him later, I fucking hate that little worm¡¯ I mutter through gritted teeth.

    ¡®Go to Nicolieus, ask him to send some of his Imps and Lesser Demons to the dungeons. At my command,¡¯ I turn the servant staring him down.

    The servant bows and runs off back up the stairs to carry out his orders. Releasing a sigh, I turn back to my original route, this time my pace quickening.

    Reaching the bottom of the stairs the room opens, a single aisle is suspended above thousands of sharp blades that are coated in blood, I can hear small murmurs of pain from bodies that have been tossed down there.

    With a gesture of my right hand, bright yellow and green flames ignite from below the aisle. The murmurs quickly transcend in to screams, the air quickly heats up and the smell of burning blood begins to replace musty smell of damp walls.

    I stride down the aisle allowing my body to heat up from the flames below, reaching the large iron doors at the end I gesture for them to open. The doors coated in rust scrape along the floor, the aisle begin to vibrate as they expose the path the dungeon cells.

    Taking a deep breath and smiling I enter, the doors grinding shut with a loud bang as they meet in the middle.

    Suspended in darkness I take a moment to compose myself. Rolling my shoulders to loosen up, the smile on my face widening at the excitement. With the same gesture of my right hand I empower the torches that hang outside of each cell to blaze with new life, illuminating the darkness.

    I glance into each cell as I pass them, deciding which one I want to use. The fifth cell on the left catches my attention, Dreamora had recently brought this human up from the third tier in the pit, a mass murder, who abused its victims before killing them.

    This will do, I grin as I peer through the bars of its cell. A male human, average build, short dark hair, I enter its cell and the human decides to rush for the door. Laughing I watch it struggle against the chain around its neck, preventing it from going any further. With a swift movement of my claws, I slice open the Achilles heel on both legs, ensuring that it is unable to walk. The body collapses to the ground as I snap the chain attached to the wall, using it like a leash I drag the human, on its front, out of its cell to my personal torture chamber at the end of the corridor. Two female lesser demons walk around the corner in front of me and quickly vanish into one of the cells, at this point I¡¯m too distracted with my activity to be bothered by them. The door to my chamber swings open and the torches instantly blaze to light as I enter.

    The walls are red with fresh blood, ¡®Someone has been in here,¡¯ I frown looking around the room. The table in the centre of the room is still in the same place, tossing the human into the corner, I check the shackles on the table to ensure that they have not weakened. Satisfied with their strength, I grab the human by the head, digging my claws in to its neck, with my hand covering the full diameter of the crown, I easily lift the human on to the table and flop it down on its back, strapping the human in tight. The shackles have small spikes on the inside of the cuffs which will dig into the skin should the human move. Pushing its head down on the table and fastening the chin strap, I stare into the glassy eyes. Its lids removed as with all souls as they enter the pit a simple and effect form of torture and hells claim on that soul, after all the eyes are the window to the soul.

    ¡®Let¡¯s start with these,¡¯ smirking as I continue to watch the fear in the glassy eyes escalate.

    Like a surgeon I carefully align my claws with the humans pupils, lowering my hands slowly until the tips pierce the cornea and gently touch the pupils surface, the humans starts to pant and scream with pain, concentrating I start to heat up my hands, my blood vessels begin to glimmer like orange magma as the boiling blood courses through them, my very skin charring to black, my veins begin to illuminate, passing through the hands and down to the sharp claw points that pierced the corneas. The heat that is generated is searing, passing through the claw and into the eye, slowly cooking the lens and eventually flowing back to the optic nerve, this is a very slow process and worsens when the human begins to thrash in pain. I allow the human to move its head as much as it can within its restraints, the feeling of the eyeball twitching within its sockets is like a small stress relief. Smoke starts to rise from the eye sockets, I take two long thin needles and place them in the same position of my claws to keep the wound open and to tear the optic nerve with every twitch. Moving down the face I let my hand scrape along the skin, ripping it as they travel down. I start to flay the skin, but not too deep to expose the muscle but to the connective tissue that covers the muscle, exposing the nerves; the human squirms and struggles with the restraints, ¡®ooh I bet it stings,¡¯ I laugh at it, the human screams uncontrollably in agony, I stop and give my attention back toward the head, ¡®shush now, this is a very delicate procedure, if I go too deep I will have to restart from scratch,¡¯ scratching the humans face to emphasise my point, closing my hand around its mouth, I begin to melt the flesh of its lips together reducing its screams to muffles.

    Once finished I look down at the body, now red and raw from the removal of skin, blood oozes between the strands of connective tissue. The human¡¯s wrists now cut deep with the thrashing. Smiling I proceed with the next stage. Walking across my chamber I approach a small wooden box containing thousands of juvenile ash beetles, found in the base layer of the pit, they hatch under the settled ash in the drainage shelf, usually feasting on souls that stop to rest there. One bite from these will cause a demon to shriek in pain, they release a virulent toxin that attacks the blood painfully, poisoning the host, the feeling starts with uncontrollable an itching sensation followed by an infernal burning, the blood begins to necrotise, quickly changing into a devastating acid, which painfully starts melting the body from the inside out, you would be considered fortunate to be eaten by the adult variants, as they would probably just devour you alive with their powerful pincers, horrible things indeed.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Reappearing at the side of the human, that is still struggling and screaming behind his melded flesh hole, I slowly empty the beetles on to his chest, at first, they sit there and only a few moves. ¡®This will not do, come on little fellas, aren¡¯t you hungry or do you need motivation?¡¯

    Hovering my hands over the body and the beetles, a small blanket of fire begins to spread from the chest, up to the head and down to the feet. The human is now enclosed in fire, slowly being burnt, the beetles begin to panic and by instinct start to bury into the flesh, biting at the exposed nerves to create tunnels. Taking up a seat, I decide to take a break and enjoy the show.

    An hour passes, I notice that the human is no longer moving, no longer making any noise. Walking up to the table I wave my hand for the fire to disperse, the flesh of the body now burnt black, wisps of smoke levitate off the surface of the flesh. Huffing I frown at the corpse in front of me, ¡®tut-tut, I expected better, oh well,¡¯ placing my hand above his heart, I send a warm pulse through his chest cavity, restarting his heart and healing his major wounds. The chest starts to rise and fall as the lungs begin to work, the heartbeat becoming stronger, eventually the human awakens and instantly begins thrashing in confusion. ¡®Nice of you to join me,¡¯ I mock, it mumbles behind the melted flesh where its lips once were.

    ¡®I best finish up here as I have work to do,¡¯ I note to myself whilst search the body in front of me, deciding what I should do next.

    I turn to the door of my chamber and shout to one of the female demons that is cleaning the cells.

    ¡®You!¡¯ pointing and clicking my fingers for her to enter the room.

    She follows without question, closing the door behind her.

    ¡®Open your mouth,¡¯ I turn to her.

    ¡®My Lord?¡¯ she replies questioning my motives.

    ¡®Open your mouth, let me see your teeth,¡¯

    She reluctantly opens her mouth for me, I grab her bottom jaw, and start to investigate her teeth. Small fangs, some chipped molars and a few missing.

    ¡®hmm¡­ not great but it will do,¡¯

    She closes her mouth and looks at me curiously.

    Pointing at the human, ¡®Pleasure it,¡¯

    She looks at the mound of twitching flesh on the table, then looks back at me.

    ¡®But my lord..¡¯ she protests.

    ¡®But what.. wrap your mouth around its cock and pleasure it,¡¯

    ¡®My lord, he ... it can barely breathe, I doubt it will have the capacity¡­¡¯

    Smiling at her, ¡® Don¡¯t you worry about that, it will soon forget its location¡­ now get on the table.¡¯

    She looks over at the human pulling a face of disgust but follows my order without further question.

    I walk to the head of the human and place my hands at both sides of its temples. Using my index fingers I penetrate the skull so that the tips touch the brain.

    I begin to implant an image from the humans memory, something pleasurable, something arousing.

    The human begins to relax and enjoys the vision behind its eyes.

    ¡®Now,¡¯ I nod to the female demon.

    She begins to slowly massage the humans reproductive tool.

    It responds pleasantly, small moans of pleasure, muffled by the melted tissue.

    Its body twitching with enjoyment. ¡®Use your mouth!¡¯ I command.

    Grimacing, she lowers her head and begins to suck, her head slowly bobbing up and down.

    ¡®Build up speed,¡¯

    She does as I say, the human continues to moan and twitch. The pace of this pleasurable moment begins to speed up.

    The human is close to climax, now... this is the time I switch the image into the stuff of nightmares.

    The humans moans start to resemble the sound of panic, however its body betrays it, stimulated by the physical pleasure it is receiving.

    ¡®Keep it going!¡¯ I shout to her, she looks up at me and nods.

    ¡®Nearly there,¡¯

    ¡®Nearly,¡¯...the humans body twitches as its about to climax.

    ¡®BITE!! NOW!!,¡¯ I shout at her.

    She looks at me then follows command, crushing her teeth down on to the meaty flesh between her lips.

    Blood pouring out of her mouth. The human screams behind the fleshy gag.

    Laughing out loud¡­ ¡®don¡¯t you dare spit it out!¡¯

    She gags and throws up the shaft into a bucket in the corner of the room.

    Laughing, I pat her on the back, ¡®have the rest of the afternoon off, you did good for your first attempt at torture,¡¯

    Wiping her mouth she bows and leaves the room.

    Looking at the human bleeding out from the hole where it genitalia rested, I smile, what a glorious day this was finally turning into.

    A knock on my door distracts me.

    ¡®What is it!?¡¯ I shout at the closed door.

    ¡®My Lord¡­ Here are the Imps and the Lesser demons you requested,¡¯ a voice replies.

    ¡®Let the Imps in and set the Lesser demons to work on the other souls in the cells,¡¯

    Three Imps enter, small, skinny little creatures, the size of cats, a mixture of red and grey skin, tiny horns on their head and black beady eyes.

    Their mouths however can swallow an enormous amount with one bite. They do not understand etiquette of the ranks however they are aware that I am powerful and quiver under my gaze.

    ¡®Finish up in here,¡¯ I point to the human on the table.

    The Imps follow the direction of my hand and begin to drool at the easy meal, literally laid on the table for them.

    Just as I¡¯m about to exit the room, the lesser demon that I had sent to the pit for more slave¡¯s approaches me tentatively,

    ¡®My Lord¡­Erm¡­ I have been told... to tell you¡­ that¡­ erm¡­ Grim wants to see you at the gate,¡¯ he bows, locking his gaze to the floor.

    Patting his head, ¡® Thank you, back to work,¡¯ I reply.

    I exit the room, the Imps waste no time to jump on to the table behind me, the sound of muffled shrieking and jaws chopping through bone escapes the room.

    As I walk past the cells, the Lesser Demons had taken up their duties and begin torturing the other souls.

    Leaving the dungeons behind me, the halls now echo with the regular sound of pain and torment.

    I smile and head to the gate to meet with an old friend.

 Under Pressure

    A few days have passed since my dispute with Jeff. The overwhelming fear of being stuck in this place has offered some motivation to progress up the never-ending wall of razor blades.

    My skin has started to toughen against the walls abuse, my strength has increased, my body also has started to tolerate the insistent heat.

    The circle of large spikes is now within a day¡¯s reach, they are huge, protruding out of the side of the wall, like giant claws ready to catch any fallen prey into their grasp. At this level hundreds of limbs decorate the sharp crystal points of the walls face, some impaled on the points, others laid in the small grooves as if they had been torn off and thrown down the side. The flow of blood that covers the wall glistens black, I have learnt to avoid certain paths due the power of the current cascading down. Other souls that are not so quick to pick upon this, end up being swept down the face of the wall.

    Determined to get out of this hell hole, I have not stopped nor rested since the beetles. I may be tired but at least my abs are like steel, I smile to myself.

    After my lesson learnt with Jeff, it safe to say that this is not a place to make friends, I have avoided as many of the lidless people as I can, changing my direction out of their paths, pressing myself into the wall and cover myself in blood to remain out of sight.

    A small flicker of a memory, a film, gave me that idea.

    Continuing up I focus on nothing but my next handhold, reaching up, I grab a sharpened blade that stands out slightly more than the others. The spike seems to be wide enough for me to stand and balance on.

    As I pull myself up, the cusp of the spike slices effortlessly through the skin on my stomach, like a hot knife through butter. Standing on top of the obsidian like blade, I rest one hand on the wall in front of me and take a look at my stomach.

    ¡°For fuck sake,¡± I curse at myself for not paying attention, the large slit is deep, fresh red blood trickles out of the opening and down my legs. Oddly enough the pain is not sharp, all I feel is a numb ache.

    Deciding that this is the best point to rest, Holding an arm across my bloody wound, I lean back against the wall, my skin ignoring the sharp points that prick its surface, I lock my knees to hold my weight, sitting down on this spike would only end in more unnecessary damage. I take this time to gaze around the pit, looking out ahead of me I see small figures climbing up the wall like cockroaches. The constant scream from above me are now a normality to my ears. I glance upwards into the black mass that hovers between the circle of large, stone claws. Its shifting, swirling, like a shawl of fish; I strain my eyes to make out what it is, unfortunately it is too far away and too dark to define any features.

    Lowering my gaze I search along the wall again to see if there is anything I can use as a main resting point.

    Nothing¡­

    Sighing in dismay at my lack of opportunities, I close my eyes and let my back slump further in to the sharp points, wedging my head between two nearest skewer points.

    A noise disrupts my snooze, opening an eye I scan to see where it came from.

    A women has decided to sit on the edge of my rock.

    I stay still, not taking my eye off her, I¡¯m in no fit state to fight, she¡¯s covered in grime and blood, her mousy brown hair stuck to her neck and back. Her skin covered in bruises and cuts; bite marks cover her limbs, she is so skinny that you can count her ribs through her skin. Like all the others, her hazel eyes are coated in glass.

    She sits and stares into the distance, creepy muttering escapes her mouth. I am not able to understand what she is saying. She begins rocking on the edge, with every movement the skin on her legs opens, she doesn¡¯t seem to care. I question if my lack of pain on my stomach is the same for her? Am I becoming one of them? If so, how long until I change?

    The thought sends shivers down my spine, concluding that the longer I am down here the quicker I will change. I take the risk at looking at my wound to see if I can continue climbing, in this short time it has started to knit together.

    That¡¯s a plus, I shrug, glad to know I can continue on my climb.

    My movement has drawn the attention of the women, without hesitation she charges at me, slicing her feet on the obsidian blade beneath us.

    ¡°Oh just leave me alone!¡± I inform her frustratedly, knowing full well that she cannot or will not hear me.

    She charges at me with full speed, without thinking I move out of the way slightly and push the back of her head in to the wall beside me, unfortunately for her, she face planted one of the skewers that I was resting my head against.

    Frowning at the slack body hanging by its pierced head, I sigh, ¡°that¡¯s my resting spot ruined.¡±

    Something interrupts my disappointment, loud deep rumbles emitting from the wall, the vibration of the sound shakes the perch I¡¯m stood on, I grab the woman¡¯s bloody hair for support.

    investigating the pit to locate the origin of the sound, I notice something new has appeared, 6ft above my head.

    A gaping hole has opened in the side of the wall. Seizing this opportunity, I quickly climb up to it.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Easing myself up on to the lip of the hole, I notice that its surface is smooth and damp, I peer in, hoping that it may lead to somewhere, anywhere other than this fucking wall face.

    Its difficult to make out the depth of the hole and what may lie waiting, all I can see is darkness, consuming everything it touches.

    Looking back at my other option, to climb, I bite my lower lip and start to proceed in to the lingering gloom.

    ¡°It¡¯s this or the wall,¡± I talk to myself, aiming to calm any anxiety that hits me.

    I walk quickly forward occasionally looking over my shoulder to the entrance in the wall.

    The deeper I go the darker it gets, eventually I become enveloped in shadow.

    Blinded, I reach out my hands in hope to direct myself via touch. The only thing I can follow is the side of the tunnel.

    Running my hands along the sides, they are covered in a thick, claggy fluid. The smell of damp rust settles in the air. Drips from the ceiling echoing throughout the tunnel.

    I notice that I can no longer hear the screams from the pit, they had been a small comfort on my daily routine, now with their absence, I have a strange feeling of vulnerability.

    Ignoring my gut feeling to run back to what I know, I grit my teeth and push forward.

    A few hours pass, I cannot see anything. The tunnel seems endless but its better on my body, the smooth damp floor offers relief to the soles of my feet.

    The damp air cools my skin, small shivers run through my body, making my skin alive with goose bumps.

    The quietness of the tunnel would almost be deafening if it wasn¡¯t for the occasional drip in the distance.

    My hand covered in some slimy like substance, I continue to slither across the walls feeling for anything to give me answers.

    I hit a patch of cold, freezing air. My hands feel two corners, the tunnel has split in to two. I tentatively put a foot forward feeling if the ground is still there.

    The last thing I want to do is fall blindly down an unknown hole and end up at the beginning with Tiny, the man-eating lizard.

    Confident that the ground doesn¡¯t open in front of me, I step into the centre of the junction. I take a moment to let the cold air wrap around my body.

    Realising that the air must come from somewhere, I let my skin locate the direction of the wind.

    Its coming from my right, deciding that this is my best option, I turn to it and start to walk forward, sticking to my method of feeling my way.

    The damp floor slowly builds, increasing in volume, transforming into a stream around my feet, feeling the flow of the fluid around my ankles, I realise that I¡¯m on a slight incline.

    I commence running up the incline hoping that an exit will appear.

    After sometime, and out of breath, I note that the incline has discontinued. The floor becoming level again.

    Sudden loud noises begin to tremor through the tunnel, the sound of rapid water, coming from above me.

    ¡°shit, shit, shit, shit.¡± I start sprinting hoping that I¡¯m not blindly running straight into an oncoming river.

    Ahead on I see a dim light, I sprint towards it, this is my only way, ¡°please be safe, please be safe,¡± I beg to anyone that is listening.

    The light become brighter, as I gain in distance.

    I abruptly stop, ¡°SHIT,¡± A large, spiked, metal trellis is illuminated by the blue light from behind it.

    I have nowhere to go! Approaching the trellis, I can see that the path does not continue instead a large bottomless pit opens beyond the metal bars.

    The sound of water becomes louder, closer. I look up, another black hole right above my head, water begins to shower down on me. using the small light provided I glance at my hands.

    They are covered in fresh blood, I look at the floor, the cold liquid flowing around my ankles, also blood. Litres of it¡­ no gallons.

    This is not a tunnel, it¡¯s a drain, a pipe. Panic sets in, ¡°I¡¯m going to die, I¡®m going to start all over again, everything, all of it¡­.enough, I¡¯ve had enough.¡± I pant.

    The shower of blood above increases in pressure, Its sheer volume compressing the air around me, the large groan and trembling of the surrounding walls informs me that there is no time for escape.

    I look over to the metal bars, and with a hopeless prayer, I cling on to them for dear life.

    The tunnel quakes with the pressure of the approaching red fluid, the hole above releases a torrent of blood, flooding the entire diameter of the pipe.

    The force of the current, suffocates me, I¡¯m crushed instantly in to the bars that I cling on to, I feel my spine crack, my ribs pop, my throat and lungs fill with blood, either my own or from the cascading waste.

    My flesh begins to rip and tear as the fluid continues to crush me. The pressure on my brain is unbearable, ¡®Just let me die, please, please¡¯ I beg internally.

    Eventually darkness consumes my consciousness, the pressure on my body and brain becomes lighter, ¡®Thank you,¡¯ my final thought as I release myself to the dark.

 Tier 1: Whats cooking, good looking?

    Darkness, no not darkness, its nothing, nothing at all, not a sound, not a sight, no smells, nothing to feel.

    Empty, all around me is empty. Suspended in undying nothingness. I can¡¯t feel my body, I can¡¯t twitch my eyelids open, I can¡¯t scream for help.

    Nothing. Just nothing, its eerily peaceful.

    My mind travels back to my death, the lingering taste of blood touches my thoughts, the pressure, the pain all gone.

    The memory of the lizard in the pool, flashes behind my eyelids, ¡®oh that, not again, please not again.¡¯ I beg at my own thoughts.

    Nothing responds.

    I take a moment and let my mind relax, enjoying this ominous peace, before being thrown into the dreadful light.

    Visions creep on the surface of my mind, blues, greens, people, smiles, places, sweet smelling aromas; sadness, loneliness, pain.

    A picture of a women in a mirror, Long golden hair, bright blue eyes, soft dusky pink lips. Black tears from her eyes flow over her rosy cheeks.

    Sunlight hitting their faces, all laughing, happiness, joy; blood lots of blood, their smiling faces now lifeless.

    ¡®Why? Who, who would do such a thing? I know these people, I love these people,¡¯ My mind lingers on the thought of them, before pushing them away.

    I try to move, I can¡¯t, ¡®open your eyes god damn it,¡¯ nothing.

    The reminiscences continue to push their way to the surface, most are the of the wall. Some of places and people that I cannot name.

    Black eyes, lingering on me, watching me. No! they¡¯re watching my mind, my thoughts. They glimmer with joy, as I sense them.

    I¡¯m exposed, an open book, vulnerable. ¡®Who are you!?, What do you want?¡¯ my thoughts shout out, hoping the eyes will respond.

    Nothing. They just continue the glare at me with an expression almost like laughter, sinister laughter.

    I can¡¯t escape the stare, trapped in my own mind with them, my thoughts squirming and twisting from pleasure to pain under their gaze.

    ¡®Please stop, send me back, please,¡¯ I beg to the looming eyes.

    A small flicker shines across them, like a candle in a breeze.

    ¡®Oh, you¡¯re not going back there; You¡¯re too special for me just to throw away,¡¯ a deep, evil, voice bursts through my swirling thoughts, mocking my situation.

    Warm, red smoke wraps around me and my mind, like tentacles trapping their prey from the deep. Confusion hits me hard, I become dizzy, lightheaded, and my thoughts turn to nothing.

    A sharp pain hits inside my chest, my heart beating hard and slow, struggling to keep up with my body¡¯s needs.

    My nerves become electric as they restore feeling throughout my body. My lungs struggle under the watery weight that floods them, forcing the liquid up and out, my broken ribs scratching them as they wearingly rise and fall.

    Pain searing through my exposed spine, scraps of my skin hanging off, the muscles and tendons now twisted, ripped and torn. My limbs bloated and bruised purple, broken in positions that are inhuman.

    My brain has collapsed on one side, leaving an excruciating throbbing hole. The blood from my lungs overloads my mouth, the smell of humid, decaying flesh perforates my nostrils.

    I want to throw up, my body won¡¯t allow me, its paralysed, immobilised in pain. Cacophonous screams pound my ear drums as the sense of sound picks up.

    ¡®open your eyes,¡¯ I internally try to motivate myself. I can¡¯t; the nerves have not yet made that connection.

    Trying to fathom out my whereabouts, I hear two sets of footsteps heading towards me, I manage to twitch one of my fingers in the hope of a response.

    ¡°This one is alive, only just,¡± a hoarse female voice speaks first.

    ¡°Bloody heaven, look at her back,¡± a young male voice responds.

    ¡°Hmm, not much we can do with her here, drag her to the basin, she¡¯ll not survive much longer, might as well use the flesh. Throw the others to the primordial mites for respawning.¡± the female commands.

    ¡®Shit!¡¯ Thinking to myself, ¡®Open your eyes, just a blink, anything.¡¯

    I feel rough, thin hands grab my wrists, the hands snap my bones back into place with ease. They lift my arms up and begin to pull on them, the pain that splices my back intensifies with the movement.

    The skin on my face scrapes along the ground behind the feet of my transporter. ¡®open your eyes,¡¯ I repeat.

    I try to scream, all that comes out is the blood that my lungs force up. I cant do anything except wait.

    Travelling along the floor, I notice the temperature in the air has changed, becoming hot and filed with smoke.

    The smell of the area has also differed, now the air carries a warm scent of stewing meat. The sound of bubbling and gargling follows the scent.

    My arms drop to the floor above my head.

    ¡°This one too, chef,¡± the male voice from earlier speaks.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. A leathery firm hand grabs the loose flesh on my back, sending the pain shooting through my body.

    ¡°Not much meat, is there?¡± A deep gruff voice responds.

    ¡°Yeah, but she¡¯s not dead, so can¡¯t respawn her just yet, Umbra said to use what you can,¡± the male voice speaks nonchalantly.

    ¡°Where was it found?¡± asked the gruff voice.

    ¡°Err, not sure, she was in the pile from the pipes, so I would assume there,¡±

    The pipes, the sudden memory of being crushed against the bars springs into my mind, ¡®Did I survive that?¡¯ I mentally ask the question. My memories and thoughts all a blur since I came into awareness. I can barely remember dying.

    ¡®Maybe I didn¡¯t, maybe I just passed out from the pressure.¡¯ I try to piece together of how I came to be in this place.

    ¡°Looking from her back she got caught in the current of waste and crushed against a wall or something.¡± The young voice informs the other.

    ¡°Leave it there, I¡¯ll find something to use it for,¡± the gruff voice instructs.

    A set off footsteps turn and walk off into the distance.

    The hand holding my skin lets go and start to prod and poke and the exposed muscle.

    ¡°Hmmm, probably best to boil and soak first,¡± the gruff voice mutters to itself.

    The hand grabs my skin and flips my body over revealing my front. The fingers stoke across my eyelids.

    ¡°Well that¡¯s different!¡± exclaims the voice. I feel the heavy breath on my face as the chef leans in closer.

    ¡®open them, open them,¡¯ and with that thought my eye lids snap open. My vision is blurred, all I can make out is the brown mass hovering a few inches from my nose.

    ¡°WHAT THE FUCK!!¡± the gruff voice yells, almost afraid of what he witnessed.

    He smacks my face with something metal and curved, he repeats the motion as if squishing a bug.

    The trauma instantly bruises my face, I can feel the small blood vessels bursting, every time the object makes contact.

    My eyes close shut again, swollen and tender. Spitting out blood that swirls in my mouth, groaning as I do so.

    ¡°You¡­fucking¡­dick,¡± I splutter at him.

    ¡°YOU FUCKING TALK ASWELL!!¡± he shouts down at me.

    My right eye squints open, my vision slowly coming in to focus.

    ¡°YOU¡¯RE NOT NATURAL, WHAT ARE YOU!?¡± he continues to yell in a shocked and loud voice.

    ¡°In pain,¡± I respond, coughing more blood up. Looking up at the lumbering figure stood over me, I can start to make out his features.

    He¡¯s tall, very tall, and muscular.

    His skin is a golden Walnut colour, his brutish face sports a long dark brown beard, large lower fangs on display at the sides of his closed mouth, his nose short and wide, large nostrils flaring.

    The eyes are dark green, slightly sunken in beneath to his broad brows to match his beard. Large pointed ears are pinned to his head, his left ear has had the tip ripped off.

    Upon the forehead, two horns short in length but dense, they curve and taper upwards slightly. A piece of cloth has been ripped to fit them through, the cloth wraps around his head like a bandana.

    He is clothed in a large green tunic that compliments his skin, with a dirty, bloody apron covering it, his sleeves are rolled up, revealing two large, muscular forearms, followed by two massive, rough skinned hands. On each wrist there is a thick metal band, much like shackles. He has one arm raised above his head, ready to strike me again with the metal object.

    ¡°Great, I¡¯m going to get beaten to death by a monster with a spoon.¡± I cough out more blood. Closing my eyes ready for the impact.

    ¡°Who are you calling a monster? also this is a ladle, smart arse.¡± He replies.

    Coughing, I try to laugh at his remark, but the pain across my back and ribs causes me to double over.

    His large arm scoops me up by my stomach, he tosses me over his shoulder, pain causes my body to spasm.

    ¡°Not much I can do with you in this state anyway,¡¯ he mutters, the side of his beard tickling my arse cheek.

    The pain of movement becomes unbearable, my vision becomes fuzzy and my eye lids become heavy.

    I give into the overpowering need for sleep.