New WIP

Something different today. My new work in progress. Let me know what you think. @copyright 2021

 “Welcome to the black room Ms. Zenn.” Hissed the demonic entity known as Morpheus. “I have special plans for you.” Isabelle Zenn-Stone entered the dark room squinching her nose at the fetid smell. She took in the dank, stone surroundings with surprising coolness. An elaborate fireplace on the far wall held glowing coals hot enough to make the pokers setting in them turn white-hot, while a simple stone slab dripping with what appeared to be black blood, an altar she guessed, in the middle of the room identified this as a place she would rather not dwell for any length of time. A large wooden table stood in front of the fireplace holding what she assumed were the tools of its trade.

     She thought she would feel much more afraid facing Emmanuel Caine’s torture demon, but she stood indifferently pushing her long dark hair back with one hand, while her violet eyes sparkled with a vexing glint daring the demon to approach. From the back Morpheus appeared much different than the other demons she had encountered in the Abyss. Instead of claws and leathery wings it stood as more of a giant well-built man, like she imagined a black smith of old would have appeared. However, when it turned and smiled at her, grotesque fangs dripping with foul slimy drool caused her to gasp, and its black eyes that held nothing but malice and a hunger for pain made her cool countenance fade. It had a face like a bull, and she couldn’t help but scream.

    Her fear caused momentary paralysis and the demon picked up her voluptuous form and carried her to its altar. As she lay frozen in fear, a voice sang in her mind. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…She finished the song out loud, “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Her stupor dissipated, and she sat up not bothering to wipe the congealing blood from her hands. Suddenly the room flooded with light as she said, “In the name of Jesus Christ I bind you Morpheus!” Her guardian angel and three warrior angels stood with swords drawn.

     Morpheus, who had walked over to its table of torture tools turned slowly. Its eyes no longer held the dark malicious stare of the promise of torturing Isabelle, instead they flashed confusion, anger, and terror at the vision standing before it. “What are you doing here messenger of the One?” Morpheus bellowed.

     Veritas answered, “We came at the direction of our Lord. This disciple of his called upon his name and we responded. You must remember that our God has power over even the depths of the pit.”

     “The One does not have power down here. This is our place and any moment you will feel the fury of a thousand of us falling upon you.” Morpheus rubbed its hands together in gleeful anticipation.

     Veritas looked up, drawing Morpheus and Isabelle’s eyes to the ceiling. A cadre of shielding angels covered the whole room making the rest of the creatures of the Abyss blind to what was happening in this room. Morpheus glowered with hatred as it asked, “What is it that you want?”

     Isabelle stood. Her skirt, top, and hands were smeared in whatever creature had last graced this room. Her hair, usually tied in a colorful scarf was disheveled and as she pushed it back some of the black liquid smeared on her face, making her look frightening. She walked directly to the demon and looked up into its eyes. “I’ll tell you what I want. I want you to give me the illusion of having been tortured…like what you did to Michael Damious.” Confusion filled the demon’s face. “I need Emmanuel and Michael to believe that I have learned my place. And if I return without scars, they will know something is up. Michael showed me what remained of your handiwork. You will have to do similar work on me.”

     Morpheus’s eyes grew bright and its horrifying smile returned. “As you desire my dear.”

     One of the warrior angels spread its wings and extended its sword toward the demon. Veritas shook his head, “No Morpheus. You will not be getting pleasure from this. You will only do enough to mark her. You will not go any farther or you will feel the fire of this,” looking at the sword pointing at it and over his shoulder at the remaining two angels, “and their swords, sending you to the waterless place to await your final destination.”

     Growling while walking over to the burning pokers, it picked up a razor-thin instrument and turned to face Isabelle. “Get back on the altar!” Looking at Veritas and the others it said, “There is no way to do this without making her scream. I can not be held accountable for that if I do as you say.”

     Isabelle walked to the altar and laid back down. “Veritas. Morpheus. I understand what’s coming and I’m ready to take it.” Swallowing hard she looked at Veritas,” I think it will be necessary for your shielding angels to allow my screams to leave this room.” Sitting up and looking directly at the torture demon, she continued, “Whatever pleasure you may take from this just remember all I have to do is tell what happened here and you are done. And don’t think I hold my life so dear that I won’t. I’m doing this to further the cause of my God, the One, as you call him, not to spare my life in the real world.” Laying back down, she took a deep breath and said, “Now get on with it.”

     As Morpheus did his job, Angelous and Adder, the demon Lords who had controlled Isabelle’s spiritual walk for most of her life, smiled sadistic grins as her screams echoed through the lair of the demonic horde.