Prelude to Suffering (2)

"Oh dear. It seems we have a problem now…don't we darling?" An imposing man glares down at the ground before him, his eyes casting judgment upon the battered body he'd long forgotten.

"Indeed. It seems our biggest mistake has returned to us once again, even after all these years." A woman with a vindictive glare arises from her throne. "I had hoped you'd be different, but alas."

The woman on the ground quickly pushes herself to her knees and prostrates herself before them. "Please forgive me your excellencies, I know I have failed you. I betrayed your generosity, trust, and kindness beyond any acceptable level. I do not deserve or expect your mercy and am ready to take whatever punishment you deem fit. I will devote myself fully, in any capacity you wish."

"Ha! How ridiculous!" The man swipes his arm out dismissively, uninterested in her groveling. His crimson eyes glare at her and his alabaster hair stands on edge in response to his calm anger. "You knew the conditions of your deal and you accepted them willingly. Therefore you also knew the price to pay should you break it. This goes beyond betrayal. This is pure blasphemy!"

"Forgive me my lord! I know I've broken our contract and that there can be no exceptions, but I'm still begging you to give me another opportunity to prove myself. I will fix this and then I'll-. Ah!" She cries out as she's pulled violently by her arms by unseen forces and her body stretches.

"Silence!" The man stands now, his cloak flowing with his abrupt yet controlled movements. He stomps down the stairs and approaches her with unmasked aggression, his pale face going red. "We offered you a once in a lifetime opportunity and you wasted it! Not just that, but you even committed such a sinful act after the fact, which is far more deserving of eternal damnation!"

She's pulled by her legs now; all four limbs being stretched to capacity as she struggles against the forces. Her dress is stripped from her, exposing her openly. "Please, just listen to me!" She tries to beg but is immediately silenced as her skin begins to ripple. "Oh, no…ah! Oh god! Ah!"

"There's no God here! To have such audacity to utter his name in our presence…you are scum!"

"I'm sorry! Please forgive me my lord! Please fo-." She can no longer speak as her skin is ripped apart in all directions, exposing the flesh underneath. Not human flesh, but that of a new demon.

The man's eyes are blood red, and he now reveals two sharp horns protruding from his head and a long tail from beneath his cloak. He snarls, revealing his sharp, demonic teeth. "Now you look as you deserve. A true demon among demons. This was always to be your fate at end, wasn't it?"

"Ugh…." She begins to cry, her tears sliding down her red, rubber skin. "I'm sorry I failed you. I'm sorry I wasn't a better daughter for you both. Still I ask of you, forgive me mother, father."

She's suddenly forced to the side, collapsing on the ground as she loses her balance. "Don't you dare! Don't you dare utter those words to us again!" She had expected a reaction from the man, but it's instead the blonde woman glaring down at her now, her silver eyes glowing in rage. She returns to her throne, and the man soon follows. "Now, take her to Eternal Damnation at once."

"Yes, at once my lady!" A pair of armored men come and grab her on either side, dragging her away, their hooved feet clacking on the marble floor. Their faces are partially deformed.

"When you're done…eliminate those cursed spawns. They have no place here." She commands.

"No!" The woman screams in despair. "Please, mother! Please have mercy on them! Please!" She pleads with them, but her words fall on deaf ears. She has already been forgotten by them.

"Lucian." A tall and handsome man of similar likeness appears at the man's side but doesn't speak. "I'm sorry son, I'll find you a new bride. She proved to be unfit in the end, as expected."

"It's no issue father, I'd prefer someone of pedigree. I fail to understand why you chose her."

"It was not for you to understand. She was unique, being not of our kind or theirs. An anomaly."

"Mother, may I speak?" A tall and beautiful woman appears beside her mother, her tone careful.

"Oh, Amlith. You were here?" She speaks fondly. "Of course, you are my only true daughter."

"I know this is presumptuous, but might I request you leave her to me? If you and father have no use for her, then I'd like to use her for my own needs. I can assure you that she will suffer still."

The three look at the woman with curious brows raised, but don't comment on it, taking it as another of her whimsical wiles. "Very well, you may use her as you will. What of the spawns?"

"I will take care of it all, I promise. Leave it to me. I will not fail you." With a nod, the four excuse themselves from the chamber.

"Oh my sweet Lilian…. You should've taken my deal."