Chapter 19: Black Cloud
1581 Words
Jamie’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the gloom in the Kyronus prison. The building was made of grey stone, which was crumbling in some areas. However, it was not the ghastly smells or the constant screams that filled the air that was most disturbing, it was the atmosphere. Jamie felt like she could curl up in a corner and cry until she died. She felt hopelessness fill her, as she felt a black cloud of despondency and dejection surround her. She didn't want to do anything, she didn't see the point...It wasn't pain or fear that washed over her...
"Depression. This place induces a deep depression that gnaws at your very being. It is how they keep control and torture the inmates. Pain and fear can feed demons, whilst depression eats away at your very mind and soul. Most demons commit suicide because of this alone. We call it "the living death." Vanth explained as Jamie was let into the first cell.
"Go and empty his bucket into yours. Do not talk to or stare at the prisoner. " Faust instructed.
"Won’t I need any protection?" Jamie asked, surprised. After all, the most violent demons were supposed to be housed here.
"You will see!" Faust said, in a curious tone.
Jamie got in and was surprised to see a large demon sitting on the floor, huddled in the corner rocking. He was crying and muttering something Jamie could not make out. His plate of food had not been touched, and going from his cell, he had not moved in a while. When Jamie got to the slop bucket, she was surprised to find it empty. She was confused for a second until she realised that the demon must not have even had the mental energy to go to the loo in the bucket. Jamke felt a wave of pity for the demon and seeming to sense this, the demon looked up at her. "Please kill me, for the love of chaos!" The demon said.
"What?" Jamie asked automatically.
"Please return me to the source, I can't take this anymore. If you have a shred of mercy, please end this now! I won't fight it... just... " the demon said before he started to sob again.
"I..." Jamie began to say, but Faust came in and dragged her out.
"I told you not to talk to the prisoners!" Faust said angrily.
"I am sorry, I mean.." Jamie said
"Don't you realise you are just adding to their pain? You can't help them, and you certainly can't end their lives. Go in and do your job. That is it! " Faust snapped.
"I said I was sorry, I didn't realise what it would be like... the..living death is overwhelming!" Jamie explained.
Faust’s face softened as he said, "I forget that you are just a demonet, barely out of your training nappies by the looks of you. The living death is overwhelming. The best thing is to try and think about nothing. The spell then can't twist your thoughts into something bad. "
"Is that how you survive?" Jamie asked, and Faust nodded. "What did the poor demon do to deserve such a fate?"
"He made shoes that the empress did not like the colour of. She threw him in here as punishment. " Faust said.
"What?" Jamie whispered, and a warning look formed on Faust’s face. Jamie understood that there were probably listening spells all over the prison and it would be unwise to talk about it. She nodded, and they continued to the next cell.
Jamie had tried her best to think of nothing, but she found it very hard as normally her mind was so frantic with ideas. Faust and Jamie had gone into many cells. They all had a similar scene, to the point where Jamie was convinced that there was no need for the doors to be locked as no one could escape. That was until they got to the top of a tower.
Jamie felt the instant change in the air as the wards became more powerful. Jamie opened the cell door to find herself face to face with several demonesses.
"Ah, welcome Moonchild, you have finally come!" A woman with blood-red hair, pale skin, and eyes as black as night said.
"And you are?" Jamie said as she shut the cell door. The women chuckled in response.
"Oh, I like you! You are direct, which is a very demon-like quality. To answer your question, I am Superbia, the Demoness of Pride. Sisters, please introduce yourselves. " Superbia said with a smile. A plump demon came forth. She had pink hair and silver skin. Her lime green eyes darted around the room, making sure they took everything in. "I am Cupiditas, the Demoness of Greed."
"I am Tentigo, and I have the honour of being the Demoness of Lust." A tall demon with black hair and red skin said. Jamie could not help but notice the large cleavage on display or the right clothes that showed off Tentigo’s wide hips. "Do you like what you see? I could give you a good time, a very good time in fact! " Tentigo said seductively. Jamie was suddenly drawn to the demon.
"Stop it, you w***e! " A Demoness with bright orange hair and yellow skin said crossly as she walked over to Jamie. "And you are late! But what do I expect from a Goddess of light? "
"Give it a rest, Iracundia! I apologise, Moonchild, but as you can probably tell, Iracundia is the Demoness of Anger, and therefore, her temper does get the better of her!" Superbia said with a sigh.
"I resent that accusation!" Iracundia snapped, making Jamie smile.
I am sure you do, dear sister. Lastly, the purple-haired demon is Helluo, the Demoness of Gluttony, and you know the sleeping demoness over there already. " Superbia said.
Jaimie's eyes looked over and saw Pigritia fast asleep on her bed. Tracker was curled up on Pigritia’s stomach, snoring softly. "Yes, I know Pigritia and Tracker!" Jamie confirmed.
"I hope you have found my pet and the scale stone ring useful. ” Superbia asked.
"Yes, but what is the price of these gifts and when can I see my mate?" Jamie asked.
"You know your mate is well. How can he not be with the amount of power you gave him?" Superbia pointed out.
"You are not answering my question!" Jamie growled.
"You will see your mate in due course. But first, I want to discuss the price, as you say!" Superbia said.
"Which is?" Jamie said with a sigh.
For chaos's sake, we want you to retrieve the chaos configuration! Do that and we will release your mate! " Iracundia snapped, clearly angry at how long this was all taking.
"And what is the chaotic configuration?" Jamie asked.
"It is an object that has enough power not only to free your mate but the whole realm!" Cupiditas said, smiling.
The Battleground between the Realm of Chaos and the Realm of Light.
"You are making the troops nervous if you keep staring into the distance like that!" Edward said as he came to sit by his old friend.
"Good, let them be nervous. If you get too comfortable, that is when mistakes happen. " Richard growled.
Still grumpy? Don't know who is worse without regular mating, you or her! " Edward Said and Richard said nothing for a minute.
"It hurts," Richard confessed. Somehow, words did not describe the gaping hole in his heart or soul. It was like the heavyweight of grief that seemed to have no end. He tried to take comfort in the fact that he could feel her through the mate bond. Even though he felt her being hurt and had to stop Amon from teleporting in and ripping the being to shreds. Richard would find out who hurt his mate and would make them pay, one way or another.
"You know, she is alive and she is a goddess." Edward gently said.
"But the Empress knows she is there. Why do you think it has been so quiet here? She is using her forces to search for the princess! " Richard said, trying to mask the despair he felt. He suddenly sensed power as a bright shimmer appeared. It was Adonis, the Sun God and the Crone Goddess.
"Edward is right, you should trust my daughter's ability," Adonis said, as he too looked into the distance.
"He is only half right. She is a goddess, but she is also the trickster queen. This sort of thing is what she was reborn to do! " The crone said, walking Richard hard on the head.
"Owww, what was that for?" Richard moaned. The Crone Goddess knew exactly where to hit for maximum pain.
"Two reasons. One, you put me off my dinner by eating those demons this morning. " The crone said.
"Oh, I am sorry that my demon fed this morning whilst saving your arse. He apologises for offending your delicate nature. Richard said sarcastically, earning him another whack.
"Amon did not say that, because he understands the importance of respecting your elders!" The crone hissed.
"And the other reason, Great Goddess?" Edward said, whilst bowing his head in respect.
"Kiss arse!" Richard muttered.
"To make him stop feeling sorry for himself! Have a wank like everyone else and get on with it!" The Crone said, making Edward howl with laughter.
- Writer
