In the world of Alderia, there were many things punishable by death... or by methods far worse than death. The higher ups had crossed every moral line there was.
Over the years, they’d slaughtered countless innocents. Even on their own they showed no mercy to. Right now, one of their own was facing judgment.
But that’s a few days later, the day after the Glenwood Cavern incident.
After Ice Mage Elise saved Earth Mage Hiden, the two flew back towards the capital on their respective birds. The higher ups were already waiting, demanding a report on their failed mission to kill a Necromancer and traitor.
On a vast, opulent grand hall deep in the capital, seven figures sat around a long black table where floating red crystals cast their long shadows onto marble walls that were etched with ancient demonic runes. Heavy velvet curtains kept any sunlight from coming into the room. The air was thick with power and malice.
These seven were no ordinary demons. They were the Seven Deadly Sins, beings that answered directly to the King. They held power over even the Seven Swordmasters and the Five Great Mages.
"You know that I could do it." A smooth, cold voice said. "He almost killed my dear Lyra. Just the thought of my beautiful Shadow Illusionist mistreated by anyone else puts me... irritated."
The speaker was a beautiful woman, with smooth pale skin, long black hair that seemed to flow slightly on its own, two short curved horns on her forehead, and eyes that burned a deep, hungry crimson. She was Vespera Nocturne, the sin of Lust and the strongest of the seven.
She continued in a cold tone that sent the pressure of the room rising.
"I must be the one to give him his punishment. I know exactly what to do to him." Her voice became seductive as she slowly licked her lips, the action was one of pure sadism.
"This is not about your obsession with a traitor. This is about our pride. Not your fucking Lust, you harlot."
The speaker was a tall demon with pure white hair that reached down to his shoulders, sharp golden eyes that seemed to pierce through the souls of all who looked at him, and an aristocratic look that radiated arrogance.
Black horns curled backwards from his temples and a subtle aura of power emitted from him. He introduced himself as Lucien Vael, the sin of Pride. The title of the leader of the seven although technically only because none of the others wanted it.
Vespera’s eyes narrowed into an evil glare.
"Do you want to die?"
The others stayed completely silent. Wise enough to not get on the bad side of Vespera. She was the strongest of them all. Their power rankings were as such, from strongest to weakest:
Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride.
A well-dressed man in a black suit perfectly tailored to his body leaned back in his chair, eyes glowing deep blood-red. A small smile played on his lips. This was Belial Gorge, the sin of Gluttony.
"We shall leave her to her devices then." He said lazily. "You know, Pride. Remember that you are the weakest and we only made you the leader because none of us wanted it."
A small girl sat at the end of the table, hugging a worn teddy bear to her chest. Although she looked childlike, her eyes were ancient and greedy. Small black horns poked out from her silver hair. Mira Avaris, the sin of Greed.
"You should know your place, Pride."
The rest simply nodded in agreement.
Elsewhere in the capital, in an elegant private room filled with soft blue light and floating ice crystals, the Wind Mage Kael Veyne sat across from the Ice Mage Elise, quietly drinking tea.
"It was decided." Kael said. "Vespera Nocturne, the sin of Lust, will be carrying out Hiden’s punishment."
Elise’s expression showed no emotion. "That is not surprising. She is the strongest of them all."
Kael nodded. "You’re right. Our leader won’t be happy with this development. He wanted Hiden dead so a new, stronger mage could be brought in. He thinks Hiden was weak."
Elise set her cup down and stood, not saying another word. She and Hiden had been friends for years. She did not agree with the harsh punishment... But what could she do? Hiden had failed, in the eyes of the higher ups it was betrayal enough. She walked out of the room in silence.
Deep below the capital lay a place few people were ever left.
The long corridors of the underground prison stretched on for eternity, filled with iron cells. The air reeked of blood, fear and despair. Inside the cells were the higher ups’ "artworks".
Innocents with their fingernails torn out, eyes gouged out, tongues removed. Naked women hanging from chains, bodies littered with wounds. All screaming and broken bodies were a masterpiece of pain.
A lone woman walked down the corridors, admiring her collection with satisfaction.
Vespera Nocturne stops at one particular cell. A fresh canvas to work on as she calls it.
Within the cell stood the Earth Mage Hiden, bound to the wall with both wrists and ankles. Completely naked. His body was already filled with bruises.
A thick cloth was forced in his mouth. His eyes burned with pure rage... and just below that his small, flaccid penis hung limply as a final humiliation.
Vespera licked her lips, a sadistic smile appearing on her lips. Then she began to laugh.
"Failed to kill a mere Rank F Necromancer." She mocked, amusement in her voice. "And even more so, you injured my precious soulmate. My dear Lyra."
Hiden looked at her, despite his situation, he managed a genuine smile around his gag. When the gag was looser enough for him to speak, he spoke.
"Why are you here, to take out your anger on me?"
He laughed, unaware of the big mistake he had made. Arrogance had been ingrained into him since the day he was born, and it was the same arrogance that had earned him a position among the Five Great Mages.
Vespera’s expression darkened.
"Just looking at you reminds me of a certain weak demon who always loses to me. He’s so full of himself that he wanted you to merely be executed."
Her voice softened, taking on a calm yet more menacing tone.
"To me, death is no punishment at all. I want you to feel the pain and agony of having touched my soulmate."
Vespera raised her hand and thick tentacles of living darkness burst forth from the floor and walls, binding Hiden’s body tighter.
Vespera smiled as she laughed softly.
"Do you know what it is like to be fucked by dicks as a woman?" She asked sweetly. "I will show you."
Hiden’s arrogant smile vanished immediately. A raw, terrified scream tore from his throat.
A/N:
Please be advised that the next Chapter will contain unspeakable content. If you are turned off by it, you may skip it but you may miss some plot points for future Chapters.