Suga-Pop

Time slowed to a crawl. Each step Osiris took felt sluggish. With heavy feet and a mind filled with confusion his only outlet was conversation.

The past hour, walking with Drygr he gained some much needed insight into the world around him. There was no doubt about it, this was Hell.

As Drygr explained he has seen countless Humans fall into being. Literally, Fall. Apparently, when any soul died this was their destination. Depending on the circumstances of their deaths, and the quality of their soul, determined the location they landed.

Currently, they were stuck on the seventh layer of hell. Between each level, a purgatory is situated. Each purgatory is similar to an oasis. Humans, Beasts, Demons and the like live together in a somewhat peaceful harmony. However, in order to make it to a purgatory one must be capable of entering and leaving the Deaths Door.

Deaths Doors were black obelisks which could be seen for miles. For instance, The black piercing sword structure he has seen for the entirety of the trip on the horizon, was a Deaths Door. As large as it was, according to Drygr, that was only the tip.

When Osiris questioned why Drygr hasn't left yet he was rebuked with a slap to the back of his head.

"Whatsa matta with yous eh? Tha Doors are only for the strongest of the strong, guy." His words, shocking Osiris. He remembered the swift and instantaneous movement Drygr displayed when capturing him. If Drygr wasn't strong, what was? "Yous humans are a weak bunch, ya kno, so you could neva kno. Except tha Saints.. Nuttin can beat them down here."

"How do Humans survive here?" Words rasped between his parched mouth. Having drank nothing for the trip, he felt he was to die anytime soon.

The quick answer, most don't. Only Saints; Humans who lived such an exceptional life on the higher world were able to thrive. Almost every Demon, Beast, and Abomination that existed within hell were highly afraid of them. Others who weren't so exonerated, were either bound to die, or become part of the slave trade.

"We's almost home guy, yous sees that cave ahead?" The excitement in Drygr's voice behind him. Osiris looked around in expectation.

'A Lord in this world had to have some form of luxury' Clinging to the thought of living in a grandiose castle with hundreds of servants.

To his dismay, he saw a cave. Cave being the most generous of terms.

It was a mouth. The mouth of the 'cave', so to speak, had thousands of sharp teeth guarding its depths. The pair of eyes above it looked soulless, and black. No whites could be seen. Only then did he see the beast.

A gigantic frog.

Four thousand feet wide, and triple in length. Every limb of the beast cut off. As they approached, he could see thousands of black nails were holding the creature in place. Trapped completely in motion and frozen in place. It's mouth, too, held agape by similar black pillars throughout.

"Home sweet home," Drygr sighed in delight. "Let me shows yous around eh?"

"What.. What is that thing.." Osiris couldn't believe his eyes. When they were finally close enough to enter the creature, each tooth was the size of a grown man.

"Eh? This ol' thing is a child o' Ba'al, pretty common, but it took me a while to pinn it in just tha right spot" Drygr slammed his hoof against the beasts mutilated tongue. Thousands of small lights fell from the roof of its mouth and lit the way. "Only tha Classiest for MY gal."

At the same time a voice rang out from inside the stomach. "Baaaabe!" Running hoofs accompanied the voice as it came closer.

"Wait till yous see my gall, she's got the best gams in the Seven't," Whispered Drygr, but loud enough for the voice to hear him.

The way Drygr talked, it seemed he had forgotten Osiris was his slave. A little too familiar, maybe he wasn't actually going to become a punching bag.

"Oh shush yous no good Dewdropper! When are yous gonna get a job so wes can have a family?" The nasal tone and anger of her voice whipped towards Drygr.

She was a centaur. Four hooves, half woman half horse. Atleast, some variant of. Four pairs of gorgeous white wings glistening on her back. When she finally came to a stop, her voluptuous pair bounced around begging for attention. Osiris, at six foot, was barely tall enough to come to her chest. She was atleast three feet taller than himself.

"Suga-Pop, You knows I gots tha money comin' in from tha trade," In exasperation his rubbed his temples. "My brutha said it'd only be a week at tha most!"

Her hooves stomped onto the ground.

"Don't yous Suga-Pop mes! Your brother is probably drinking gigglewatah and chasing some broads at Flameskeep!" Her anger only grew as she got closer. Drygrs already small physique shrinking as she did.

"Suga-Pop, wes can talks later. I have to shows my new punching bag his home," Desperate to leave the situation, Drygr grabbed Osiris and pushed him deeper in. "Can yous gets a meal for'em? I'm 'fraid he might die on us." Successfully changing the subject.

"Tonight we talk or I'm movin' back in with my pops! They was right about yous," She yelled, galloping outside the cave.

When 'Suga-Pop' was finally out of hearing range, Drygrs arms dropped to the ground. His eyes focused on the carpeted-tongue in front of them. Something weighing heavy on his mind.

"You alright," Osiris asked, hoping to get on his good side.

Drygr glanced at him, a twinge of sorrow in his red eyes. "Ya knos.. Me and the Gal.. It's been a century since her family left to Purgatory. Centaurs aren't weak enough to stay in tha Seven't. She stayed here, fa me, so its my duty to look afta her." He sighed.

As they walked and talked, they passed several doors and hallways. Each one carved from the intestines of the Child of Ba'al. Small screams could be heard from some passageways, but Osiris paid it no mind. He kept his full attention on Drygrs words.

"We met while I was out huntin'. Ya see, I us'ta live in a small cave just south a'tha ridge. Just me, myself and mines, ya kno? It was peaceful. Lately tho, there'd been a problem.. All my game and good meat was gettin' kill't and runnin' off. So off I goes searchin' for whateva, ya kno?"

They came to the end of the corridor. A huge red door nailed and pinched along its edges, attaching itself to the pink tender meat around it.

"I walked for hours, searchin' and trackin' and findin' corpses. BAM. There she was, standin' in a clearin'. Her wings spread out but damn, her legs brought a fire to my soul I hadn't felt since I was fifty. Tha blood fallin' from her mouth and tha humans benea't her feet begging for mercy. I knew she was the one.." Drygrs voice trailed off as the memory became vivid in his mind. "I did everything for that gal, even got'er this house, ya kno? but she wants kids and my income in the tradin business ain't been too boomin'"

Drygr opened the door. Several humans in the room chained to walls. Three men, one woman. Scars and bruises littered their naked and tattered corpses. They didn't dare make a move.

Only now, in this moment, did Osiris realize he too was naked. Everything happened too quick for him to realize before.

A small giggle was heard behind them. 'Suga-Pop' had snuck up on and eavesdropped on their entire conversation. Holding a small rodent carcass in her hands her smile beaming across her face.

"You still remember..." Happiness and sadness, hung in her voice. " Aww!! Puddin'!" She dropped the meat and galloped into Drygr, who jumped up in order to meet her embrace. It was really an odd sight.

"You knows yous my number one gal!" Drygr comforted, before releasing her and falling to the ground. His extensive arm reached out before slapping her horse bottom. A devilish grin coming to his face.

The tall, and now blushing, centaur turned her head away from the both of them. Strangely enough, she was incredibly attractive. If not for horse-half, she'd definitely be ranked among the models on earth.

"I'll get your food ready, Puddin', Don't be late playing with your new toy!" Her cheerful tone fading into the distance as she pranced down the corridor.

'Fuck' Osiris plan was ruined. 'There's no way he's going to turn to me anymore if they're on good terms. What was the point of listening to his rambling!'

"Well guy, let's get started!" Drygr picked up the rat and threw it against an empty pair of shackles. "That's your new home!" His joy indifferent to Osiris circumstances.

Drygr cut the tail-cuffs off of Osiris. He tossed him like a rag-doll and slammed him into a wall.

"Oops, butterfingers!" Drygr's failed attempt at cuteness. He was in too good of a mood.

While Osiris was still focused on the pain Drygr bound his arms tightly to the chains. A small lever at his side was pulled. The chains rose and with it, Osiris. His body dragged into the air and suspended. His body hanging limply by his arms.

"Yous can eats after. It's been a while since I've broken in somethin' so fresh!" Drygr circled his shoulders. Stretched his great arms.

Then he flashed Osiris a gleeful smile.

"Let's begin!"

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[../Resilience increase by 1.]

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[../Resilience increase by 1.]

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[../Resilience increase by 1.]