by Jack Crosby
The insides of the worm were all around me. I began hacking and chomping through the disgusting innards, holding my breath. Chop after chop with Leviathan followed until I found the outer wall of the creatures side. One final slash brought me out to freedom.
Covered in pinky worm guts and fluid, I pushed through. My new found companions came running over. Jacar reached me first. “Good lord man! You really ripped that thing apart from the inside!”
Wiping the slime off my face, “Its dead?”
Jecella smiled, “Oh yes, you really fucked that thing up! I never saw a being willing to enter a worm’s body to kill it.”
It certainly wasn’t my first option, and judging by the funk of this disgusting sticky shit all over me, it was one that would unfortunately be hanging around for a while. “Ugh, this is so gross.”
The Lust demon came up to me and put her hands on my slimy head. “Hold still.”
I didn’t trust a single thing after her stunt in the bedroom. “What’re you doing?”
“Lust demons hold dominion over the household. If you give me a moment I can use some of my power to clean you off.”
Of course she could. Just like Roxanne had always kept the place spotless, carrying for the household was part of a Lust demon’s responsibility. Sure enough, a few moments later, all the goop from the hell worm was gone.
Appreciating being clean, “Thanks.”
“We’ve wasted enough time; let’s get to the ridge and out of this area before more come to ravage the carcass.”
“Terrek is right, let us be off Death.”
Jacar started walking towards the ridge and we all fell into line. Sure enough, two hell worms shot out of the ground and began tearing at their fallen comrade. It was a gross thing to see and the noises didn’t help. I was just glad when the ridge was within distance and we could run to it.
It didn’t take long to climb the rocky structure. From this vantage point, you could see just how quickly the two hell worms cleaned out the dead one. Below us to the south side was the forest the werewolves called home. “How deep is this place?”
“The shortest path goes directly down the heart of the woods. We won’t be in it long, but we will be going right through the wolves den.”
It couldn’t be any worse than the dire wolves I killed in Tartarus right? “I chose shortest over safest.”
Jacar and Jecella seemed apprehensive but Terrek lifted his blade high and cheered. “These wolves need to learn their place in the hierarchy! We shall not fear them.”
Starting down the south side, I sure as hell hoped I made the right call.
Chapter 10 – The Omega
The forest was thick with dark trees and hardly any light. This deep into the woods where there were no hell lanterns, we were using my scythe as a flashlight. Our movements were slowed down by the fact the trees were bunched so closely together in large patches. It was like the damn place was trying to suck the life outta us.
We broke through one tight spot and into a bit of an open area. “This place is just as bad as Tartarus!”
“You speak of the Forest of Eternal Torture?” I was surprised the Lust demon knew about that place.
“Yeah, that’d be the place. This little patch is almost an exact replica.”
Jecella went over to one of the closer trees and plucked a leaf from it. “These are Elderwood trees. Much like the cactus of the human realm, these trees can withstand heat and long dry spells. They are one of the few things able to grow in the extreme environment that is the Downstairs.”
I gripped the handle of my scythe. “Elderwood, just like the hilt of Leviathan.”
Jacar went over and knocked gently on one of the trees. “The wood is strong, I can tell you that much.”
“A great many celestial creatures have come to these woods in order to procure the material the trees provide. However, unlike the Forest of Eternal Torture, these trees are one of the only benign living residents in Hell. We should keep moving…”
Jecella was right and leaving this area quickly was what the doctor ordered. Leaving the clearing, we went back deeper into the woods.
We might’ve gone maybe a thousand feet when Jacar put his hand up. Quietly, “I think our presence has been discovered.”
My celestial fire burned and I whipped one of the chains into the trees behind us. A loud ‘GRRRRR’ told me I hit the mark. I pulled my arm back hard and the humanoid looking wolf-man came crashing down in the middle of the group.
That idiot Terrek lifted his sword, preparing to cleave the head right off the wolf’s body. Using Leviathan with my other hand, I blocked his attack with the blade of the scythe. “Stop you dumbass!”
“How dare you stop me from taking the life of the enemy?! You might be Death, but I can still fuck you up!”
I didn’t even bother looking at him. Never leaving the wolf, “Oh please, you’d be dead before your first attack even started.”
The wolf was snarling and snapping, but with my chains wrapped tight, it couldn’t do much. Jacar seemed perplexed by this decision. “Are you hoping to accomplish something?”
“Wolves travel in packs, so if this one was out here alone, he’s either an advanced scout for the pack or he’s been kicked out.”
Two of the three demons understood my logic. The third, you guessed it the Wrath demon, still wanted to execute the wolf before we had the chance to talk to it. “Beasts like this need to be put down as quickly as possible!”
The wolf tried to snap at Terrek and even though I was tempted to let up the slack, I kept him in place. “You don’t want to bite him. He’ll taste like shit.”
“Reaper!” His voice was thick and dog-like. “Either end my life or release me!”
“That’s just not in the cards Wolfie. Do you mind if I call you Wolfie?”
More spittle flew into the air as his jaws snapped. “You dare mock me? Have you no shame or sense of pride Reaper?”
“That’s debatable but not the issue here. The heart of the matter is we need to get through these woods unscathed and I think you can help.”
I think my response surprised the beast. “You want me to lead you through this forest?”
“I’m glad your listening skills are better than old Terrek’s over there. In exchange for your life, you lead us through safely.”
His demeanor changed slightly, a bit less hostile and angry. “You are asking much Reaper. My former brethren roam the woods and your group would be overwhelmed with ease.”
So he was kicked out, marking him as an Omega. “I’m guessing you could do it through?”
His glowing red eyes didn’t blink as the stared me down hard. “I can but in exchange for that I want a piece of your cloak. If I take that back to my pack, they will instantly remove the stigma from me.”
He wanted proof that he encountered me and lived. That would speak highly for a lot of demons. “Fine, but if I get any whiff that this is a trap, I’ll remove your head myself. Understand?”
The wolf nodded and I let go on the chain. He gingerly got back to his feet, easily over six feet tall. “I know they are currently hunting to the north. If we are to go safely, let us not waste more time.”
The wolf took off in huge strides, not even bothering to see if we were ready. We were, but that’s beyond the matter here. Whatever happened to being polite and courteous? Where are we again? Hell? Oh yeah…
The wolf moved fast, but not that fast where we were falling behind. What was annoying were his quick movements to the left and right at odd times. He knew the forest well, that’s for sure, but without giving us any warnings, we nearly wiped out a few times.
I saw the last line of trees ahead. Thank the Almighty we were almost out of this mess. As each member of the group cleared the final set of trees, we came to a stop. The wolf had been pressing us hard and with the forest a thing of the past, I felt okay with a quick rest stop.
“Tiberius! You traitor!”
I was sitting in
such a way that my eyes never left the forest. Another werewolf came out of the woods, even bigger than the one helping us. The massive wolf stretched out to his full height, a good foot taller than the Omega.
Bless him though, the Omega didn’t back down. “Alzwit, you are one to speak of such matters!”
Something happened between these two, but werewolf matters weren’t my concern. “Listen here you ass hat, just beat it.”
Alzwit, I think that was his name turned his hulking attention towards me. “The Reaper himself! I cannot wait to dine on your flesh.”
“That’s not happening you dumb son of a bitch.”
Behind me, I heard the sounds of the three demons preparing for another battle. The Omega pushed forward, “This is my battle, and none will fight for me!”
“You think you can defeat me Tiberius? You would let yourself suffer embarrassment again?”
“I was not the one who betrayed the pack and then planted evidence on one who was weaker. I have waited for a chance to redeem myself for the harm you have caused!”
The smaller wolf dropped to all fours and took off towards the larger one. A wicked smile appeared on the one called Alzwit’s face and as Tiberius closed in, the large werewolf scooped him up and slammed him on to the ground. A very loud yelp broke through the lips of our Omega guide.
I know I shouldn’t get involved, but as Alzwit went for the killing blow, a silver chain wrapped around his hand and pulled him down to the ground. The wolf looked back at me, murder etched in his face. “You dare get involved in werewolf affairs?!”
“I’m the fucking Reaper, I’ll get involved with anything that revolves around death.”
He tried to pull me near him by pulling on the chain, but he wasn’t nearly strong enough. It then dawned on him just what he was up against. “Reaper, please let us finish our own internal affairs! The traitor must be punished.”
The point of my scythe was dragging the ground, sparks flying. Call me a showman, but I enjoy the theatrics. “When you threatened Death, you signed your own warrant. May you rest in peace!”
Leviathan reflected the hell fire lanterns that were right off in the distance as I brought it up and then down in an arcing fashion. The blade easily entered the wolf’s skull and the force I used ripped the bone in two. As the blade finished its kill blow, half of his face slid off, revealing all the internal workings of the wolf. When the skull hit the ground, an eyeball popped out and rolled just into the forest.
Tiberius looked on in a state of shock. “Reaper, you should not have gotten involved.”
I grabbed the bottom of my cloak and ripped a piece of the celestial fabric off. “Tell your pack that I slayed the wolf after he insulted me. You tried to get revenge but I bested you in combat as well, but not before you got a blow in. Show them the fabric as proof.”
His claw-like hands wrapped up the fabric into a tight fist. “I am in your debt.”
Giving him a hand to help him up, “Remember that if I ever have to travel these infernal woods again, okay?”
“I will.” I think he smiled before turning his back and running into the forest, victorious.
Chapter 11 – Rumors Abound
“The Edge of Despair is just over the plains. The closer we get, the tighter security will be.”
The heat of Hell was starting to get to me, but I tried to focus on what Jecella was saying. “What lies between us and Yezial’s fortress?” All I could see was another vast expanse of darkness.
“To the east is Astaroth’s ruined city. Due to our vicinity to the city, we might be in range of the raiders who have tried to take over this side of the planes.”
I looked up and murmured, “Can a guy catch a break please?”
Terrek wasn’t in the mood to get up. This close to the woods will provide us some decent protection. We rest here for a while before we make our final descent south.”
Jacar also seemed to be content with some rest. “We have to stay sharp. I agree with the Wrath demon on this.”
Going on a camping trip with demons wasn’t high on my to-do list, but I needed them to be focused. If sucking it up and resting here was what I had to do, then so be it. “If that’s the case, we take shifts. There’s no way to tell time down here in this awful place, so when you start to fade, wake someone up.”
Unrolling her whip, “I shall go first.”
I didn’t trust Jecella as far as I could throw her, but she was way more competent than Terrek. “Okay, then Terrek, Jacar, than me. I’ll make the final decision about when we leave.”
No one said anything. There was a lot of uneasy tension building within our little group dynamic. I gathered Terrek was waiting for me and Jacar to turn on them. The weird look Jecella gave me as I drifted off to sleep caused me a great deal of concern.
I was awoken by Jacar. My nap wasn’t nearly long enough. “Death, it is your turn to watch.”
Thankful it was Jacar and not someone else, “Okay. Go back to sleep. I’ll be waking you guys shortly.”
He complied and was almost out immediately. Needing to move to keep myself awake, I walked over to the edge of the forest and leaned up against a tree. The three demons were each fast asleep, the only sounds the slight snores coming from Terrek. Even asleep the Wrath demon had an angry looking mug.
I silently cursed myself for not having my cell phone. It would be useless for trying to make calls obviously, but I really missed the hours of enjoyment the games on the device gave me. I could seriously have leveled up my turtle dragon three times over again.
A weird smell hit my nose. Not the brimstone smell that has been plaguing my sniffer since the moment I went through the portal, no something else. Whatever it was, it was making me rather relaxed.
“No being alive can resist my pheromones.” Jecella rolled over and got up. “Your denial of being attracted to me makes this all the more exciting.”
I tried to fight the feeling I was getting. “I said I’d kill you…”
She waltzed over and ran a finger across my cheek. “No you won’t. Do you trust either Terrek or Lyzelle to take over for Astaroth after we kill Yezial? Of course not…”
He nail lingered on my chin just for a second before it left. I was pissed because this truly was a no win situation. “That doesn’t mean I’ll let you live long enough to enjoy being in charge.”
“Oh Death,” her hand swiftly unbuttoned my pants, “you knew the moment you came down here you were on our turf. Talk a big game as much as you want, you need us more than we need you. Besides, who said I wanted to be the leader of this realm. I have ‘other’ aspirations.”
As my pants gently fell to the ground, I was standing there free as a bird. Jecella undid the straps of her leather outfit that held her boobs in. The massive orbs fell out, things are true beauty.
She leaned on in close to my mouth. In her heeled boots, she was a few inches taller than me and made bringing her breast close very easy. The pheromone did its job and I latched on. It tasted so sweet in my mouth. As I licked her nipple, she shuddered under the feeling. “Last time was all about pleasuring you. This time it will be mutual.”
I continued to suck on the delicious breasts as she reached down and grabbed me. It instantly sprang to life in her expert hands as she slowly stroked it, bringing it to full attention. As I continued to work over each breast, I felt myself slide gracefully into her awaiting wet pussy.
Standing there with only the tree as support, Jecella worked me over, first slowly, letting my full length glide in and out. The harder I sucked on her nipples, the faster she went. Soon she was riding me so hard that I couldn’t help myself and literally filled her up with all the juice my balls had stored. She worked it until I stopped.
I might’ve been done, but she wasn’t. With all that spunk still fresh, she kept working me over. The warm, sticky sensation coaxed me to once again return to an erect position and we began fucking once again. She kept going and going until she started grunting. Her walls
clamped around me hard as her orgasm over powered her facilities. Grabbing on to the tree behind us, her face scrunched up as her body took control.
I never felt an orgasm like that in my life. I stood no chance as her body began milking me fiercely. It wouldn’t let go until I orgasmed too, sending waves deep inside her. The Lust demon shivered one last time before dismounting from me. The haze the pheromones were causing was starting to lift too. “You’re pushing your luck with me demon.”
She smirked as she showed me what I had just done. “We both know just how good this felt. Who knows, maybe you will add another child to your collection.”
I grabbed her by the throat. “How do you know about my child?”
Finally fear hit her face. “It is all the heavens speak of! The rumors have trickled down here, that the Reaper has reproduced!”
I was furious! This just happened? How did anyone know? “Swear to me demon that no one will hear any of this from you!”
As I let go she fell to her knees, her breasts still hanging there, swinging back and forth. “I promise Death, I will not spread any rumors about your offspring. It goes against my nature to endanger the family unit.”
“What’s happened between the two of us stops here, got it? I’m not a plaything for you to use.”
I helped her up and her face seemed a bit shaken. “I just wanted to enjoy you a few more times before we reached the end of this expedition. Another rumor is you look fondly upon Lust demons and do not treat them as sluts.”
At that moment, her resemblance to Roxanne softened my heart. “There was one once who I held great favor with. That time has long since passed and I’m with the mother of my unborn child.”
It’s hard to tell what a demon does take seriously and what they just lie about. I think she understood but I wouldn’t hold my breath. “I meant no disrespect to the other.”
“Let’s go wake the others. They’ve slept long enough.”
