Chapter 14

I grabbed anything I could get my hands on as I was dragged back through the bone pile towards the beast, but with so many appendages that were all worlds stronger than I was, it took nothing for it to restrain me and toss away my weapons.

The monster held me down beneath it, blocking out any stray light from the cave mouth, and investigated my body like an antique collector examining a doll. Bones dug into my skin, pressing into my organs at all the most uncomfortable angles, while the course pads of its fingertips traced my muscles as if it was a butcher picking its perfect cut.

I was a toy in the hands of a giant. Though it presumably couldn't see, it took its time learning what I looked like through explorative touch. It was translating a thousand places at once to a singular mind, and thumbs, pinkies, palms, and fingers pinched and probed my every curve.

There had to be some way out of this mess, but how? It didn't have eyes to poke out, and I couldn't reach its groin for a well-placed kick. None of my self-defense classes covered what to do when you were transported to hell and had to fight a demon. Any time I so much as twitched, it doubled down on pressure and grip, while its movements were purely animalistic. I'd never been in a situation I couldn't simply talk and reason my way out of, and all of those "princess saving herself" scenarios I'd written into every game I developed weren't as realistic in real life. I wished I could have some semblance of the magic and untouchable strength of my fictional heroines. Helplessness was far more horrifying once it set in that I truly had no physical recourse to defend myself.

I held my breath as it tugged my skirt down from my waist, removing it without ripping it, then tossing it aside. Two hands rubbed the arches of my feet, two felt along my calves, and another slipped between my thighs to better get to know my pelvis.

I shuddered out an exhale as it hooked beneath the waist band of my panties. The material was tugged slowly down my legs, one hand passing it off to the next, until it had removed any barrier that hindered its exploration.

More hands rounded my rear, spreading and kneading my cheeks, another followed the center line of my body, dipping between my pussy lips and grazing my clit on its way down. It didn't waste any time entering me with a thick index finger, and rubbing my inner walls as if trying to test how far in it could go.

I bit my lip to stifle a whimper when four more hands had taken the time to remove my shirt, and were now feeling their way around my breasts. It took very special interest in my nipples, prodding, tugging, and rolling them, while it continued to finger fuck me out of abject curiosity.

It was impossible to avoid a reaction when another set of fingers slipped into my mouth, and pinned my tongue. Another slickened itself in my own fluids to help ease its way into my ass.

My eyes widened as that finger penetrated deep, filling me, playing me, and stimulating me at every angle and entrance.

My body was coming undone, while my mind was reeling with paralyzing terror, as this hundred-armed monster forced me to orgasm on its five-hundred fingers. My hips spasmed involuntarily, and that grip and prodding paused only long enough for it to fully appreciate my loss of control.

I tried to look away, but two more strong arms held my head so I had to face the creature, front and center.

How fucked up was I that this thing could get me this turned on while I was being forcefully molested in a pile of human bones?

It removed its index finger from my soaked pussy once my pulsing and shuddering had started to subside, only to make a show of coiling its long, pointed tongue around its knuckles like it was a snake. It gurgled with something that resembled pleasure as it licked my natural lubrication from its skin. The whole monster grunted gleefully as my flavor hit, then it slipped into me again for more.

The hulking atrocity seemed to be enjoying itself now. If it was planning to eat me, this was a unique way to tenderize me first .

Though unlike Theron, who had taken excruciating care to make sure my sense of pleasure could overwhelm my fear and pain, this beast was rough and focused on draining me of a fluid other than blood. Comforting me seemed less the goal, in lieu of its curiosity in seeing what it could make my body do.

I cursed every involuntary reaction that only made the whole situation that much more disturbing. My mind was fighting my body, while my body was trying to drag my mind into a sense of security and relaxation, and the images translating through my eyes weren't accepting either result.

I cringed as its movements became more hurried and less careful. It was pure luck that it'd managed a positive reaction out of me, and now it had become the guy who changed up the tempo and ruined my chance to orgasm right after I'd just told him ‘I'm so close!'

I flinched when a fingernail nicked my skin, serving as a new reminder of the legitimate danger I was in. I jerked again, but I was completely restrained. Fortunately my own wandering thoughts mixed with the fading high of the last orgasm had helped me forget the reality for a few relieving seconds, but that hadn't given me any real respite.

How much time was I wasting under here? Would I ever get out, or was this the end of the line in every way, shape, and form?

A sick feeling churned in my stomach as the beast started caressing and massaging my shoulders. It glided smoothly down my arms, feeling along the soft definition of my biceps. It reached my forearms and a sudden and unexpected warmth filled me the moment its exploration brushed over Theron's scars.

The heat was only comforting for a fraction of a second. Another second and the temperature became unbearable. Fire scorched through my veins, and I would have screamed if my mouth wasn't full and covered. Grips tightened across every limb as I attempted to thrash. My eyes watered, and I hoped crying might put out the fire beneath my skin. Sweat flowed freely, though I couldn't be sure I wasn't physically melting.

It was so hot. So fucking hot.

The monster let me go with a start, tossing me back into the bone pile like it had just grabbed a hot iron from a fire pit. Bones jabbed into my naked sides, the sharp edge of a broken femur sliced my thigh, and landing on a hard skull sent a jolt of pain through my shoulder, but it was life or death, and this was my one bid for life. I scrambled through a symphony of clacking corpses, while the monster flailed, grabbing and throwing handfuls of broken pieces through the cavern.

I kept scrambling, swimming through the unstable pile, and having little time to dwell on the what and why of it until I was out of danger. Hard and sharp skeletal remains scraped and dug into my shins and my hands and my everything, but the pain was temporary, and I didn't have time or mind available to acknowledge it.

A small cavern caught my eye in the distance. One much too small for the beast to fit through. A perfect escape.

Determined, I kept pushing forward, then I hunkered down in a safe cubby. It was only then that I was able to take the time to analyze the situation.

What the hell had triggered the heat? Was it simply from touching those marks Theron left behind? Did his scars somehow give me some of his power? Maybe he really had been trying to keep me safe.

I peeked out from my hiding place, where a gentle red glow filled the chamber, creating enough light to illuminate the thousands upon thousands of half eaten corpses. That was when it dawned on me that the unexpected flare of fire was the only reason I was able to see my escape route at all.

I fixated on the hundred-armed monster that was glowing with the intensity of a solar flare. A piercing scream echoed through the chamber as the red flesh morphed into flames. Its skin bubbled atop its muscles, and pockets of hot air began bursting across its too many limbs. I covered my mouth to stifle my horror as blood, steam, and melting flesh oozed down its body.

Its exposed muscles started burning next, charring and falling from its bones in large chunks. The beast screamed through strained and damaged vocal chords, continuing in a brutal note until it collapsed to its knees. The red glow only intensified.

The blaze continued roaring through its sinews as its chest muscles all burned away, exposing the cavity with its still beating heart.

The monster swung what was left of its crumbling arms, swiping at its flanks like swatting away an attacker, but all I could successfully fixate on was the stringy, melted globs of skin mixed with puddles of bodily fluids, all pooling around its knees. Its blackened abdominal muscles started falling away next, its intestines spilled from the open chamber of its stomach, then the creature collapsed with a loud thud.

Bones were launched and scattered in the wake of the impact, and the massive monster went limp on the ground.

It was then that the black horned, white haired devil stepped atop his kill. His features were illuminated by firelight, and the soft reds cast menacing shadows across his face that was made truly demonic by his well-placed scars.

His gaze dropped to the crisped and melted creature beneath his feet. Those scars on his cheeks stretched high in the cruelest smile.

Theron didn't look at me. He kept his eyes on the monster as he whispered "That's what happens when you touch what's mine, Aegaeon."

I might not have caught it if not for the intense quiet and natural amplification of sound in the cave. I was too stunned to speak, while Theron kept his gaze downturned.

"Are you alright, Butterfly?" He asked without making eye contact.

"Yes." I finally managed to squeak. "It didn't get a chance to hurt me." On instinct, I covered my very exposed self the best I could with my arms and my legs.

Theron nodded, still never looking my way, then he hopped off the monster and started digging through the bones. He spoke idly as he searched for whatever he was looking for. "He's what's called a Centimane. There aren't many of them in Tartarus, but what they lack in numbers, they make up for in being really fucking annoying. Aegaeon was the Centimane of the Sea, thus the reason he lives in the Blue Sector." He kept searching the pile .

"Are there more of them in the Labyrinth?" My voice was still shaking, and I waited for an answer before I dared leave my safe cavern. The threat was neutralized, but the image of it had been burned into my brain, and the phantom sensations of its touch were still crawling over my skin.

"No. Just that one." His frown that punctuated the statement told me there were plenty of other things to worry about, but at least there weren't any more of those. "You're safe now."

"Thank you." I squeezed myself together more tightly, then I committed to exiting the hideaway. I started crawling my way back on nervous hands and knees, still finding my sense of safety amidst my unease.

He didn't acknowledge my appreciation. Instead, he stood up straight, and outstretched his hand. He had my shirt and my skirt in his grip while pointedly looking away. "Please put your clothes on."

I blinked several times, trying to process what was happening.

Wait, was that what he'd been looking for? And was that why he was avoiding looking in my direction?

I steadied myself in the pile, then I made my way over to accept my clothing. He turned his head further away as I neared with my body on full display.

I tilted my head in confusion. "Wait, why are you being so weird? You've already seen me naked. You've already—"

"That was a dream. This is not a dream. It's different." He cut me off immediately, then thrust my clothing towards me again. I grabbed my outfit, then pulled back on my skirt first. Even as I bent over, Theron never so much as stole a peek.

Unexpectedly respectful…

"How so?" My lips twitched into a smile.

"Because it is." He snapped. Was he… blushing? I would have laughed if I wasn't still so freshly traumatized.

I pulled on my top next, then I tucked it into my skirt securely. I drew in a heavy, relaxing breath, not caring that the thin cotton barely hid the shape and details of my breasts. When Theron at last met my eyes, I couldn't help but notice the way his gaze dipped for only a fraction of a second before he settled on my face.

Normally if a guy looked at me like that, I'd think him a pig, but Theron was actively uncomfortable with this whole situation right now. Which was comical, all things considered.

"I don't get it. What's the difference? You literally full on fucked me on that table." I kept poking, maybe more for my own amusement than actual curiosity.

"Yes, a conjured, phantom version of me fucked a conjured, phantom version of you in a fabricated dream scenario. This is the real you in the real world. It's. Different." His words were increasingly clipped.

"Such a weird hang up." I shrugged. "Well, since you're such a gentleman, would you mind helping me find my panties? This skirt is a bit too short to reasonably go commando."

I caught his eyes widening for the briefest second.

"I think I've helped you enough already." He shook his head then broke eye contact again. He turned his back to me, and I tried not to laugh as I started digging through the bones for the tiny scrap of lace.

"Is it going to be a problem that you killed one of your uh… friends?" I wasn't sure what to call the other monsters in this realm. Countrymen? Coworkers? Neighbors? Comrades? Bros?

"No one is friends with a Centimane." He spoke harshly, while I kept digging.

"Will it heal? Come back to life? Are you guys immortal, or did you legitimately kill it?"

"Yes, yes, yes, and no." His sigh was loud and irritated. "He'll heal quickly enough, but with that much damage and my heat still radiating through him, it'll probably take about a hundred years or so before he's 100%. But he will wake up eventually, because we are, in fact, immortal here. The only way to actually kill a devil is to remove their own horns and stake them through the heart with them. Even that might not work if you don't hit it exactly right."

"Does it have to be your own horns or just any devil's horns?"

"Our own. Otherwise, it would be too easy to just murder a lesser devil and use their horns to go on a psychotic killing spree. This way, you actually have to best that particular devil in order to kill them. Tartarus is a meritocracy, not an anarchy. Rank is solely determined by strength." He always sounded bored when he explained things, yet I appreciated that he still took the time to do it.

"This thing doesn't have horns though." I scrunched up my nose in confusion, only to watch Theron's telling gaze land on a sharp, boney dagger jutting out from what was once the site of the Centimane's very melted dick. His eyes returned to mine without a word.

"Oh." Was all I said in response.

As I at last found my panties stuffed in the eye hole of a skull, I slipped them on under my skirt while I pondered the challenge of ripping off Jericho's horns to stab him with them. Then I remembered that he had curled ram horns, and I promptly threw that fantasy away. I wondered if that shape had contributed to him being king. I didn't know how strong he was, but that inconvenient curling would definitely lessen the effectiveness of his horns being used as a dagger. His natural evolution seemed advantageous when murder methods had to be so specific.

Theron's horns, conversely, swept straight back, following the shape of his hair. They would be totally useable stabbing tools. They even had a nice curve on one end to serve as a secure handle. You could really get a solid grip on those things and go to town.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He raised an eyebrow, and I responded with a nervous mix between a giggle and a cough.

"Like what?"

"Like… Homicidally."

I snorted, but couldn't deny that. "What does "homicidally" look like exactly?"

He smiled softly, his eyes narrowed just enough to make that grin wicked, and I watched his gaze follow my neck to my heart. He revealed a hint of his fangs as he honed in on my chest.

Nerves prickled down my spine, and heat radiated through the scars on my forearms. He didn't say a word. Just stared at me like he wanted to shove his horns through my heart.

I choked on my own saliva. "It's scarier when you do it."

"Debatable."

With that, Theron's smile softened, and my heart thumped unexplainably. He patted me on the shoulder and turned towards the mouth of the cave. The platinum haired devil tipped the crown of his head towards the exit with a sense of invitation. "You coming?"

I shook my head to snap out of my thoughts, then scurried to his side. "How are we getting out of here?"

He chuckled. "Same way we came in."

"I don't think I can swim that far." I flushed, embarrassed by my own inadequacy. I hated admitting I couldn't do something, especially around a guy who was likely already looking down on me. I'd already failed to save myself. I'd become the damsel I'd never wanted to be, and it killed me inside to admit I was more fallible and human than I ever wanted to be. I must seem exceptionally pathetic when measured against a place like this.

But then again, a human man wouldn't have fared any better. My fail point was my species, not my gender. I was holding myself to an impossible standard just like I always have. Anyone else in the world was allowed to need help, but I had to be superhuman and doing the most, or I was a disappointment.

"Yes you can." Theron rolled his eyes, and that somehow had me taken aback. "If you survived the descent, you'll survive the ascent. It's always faster going up." He paused, then added. "But that's fine. Just hold onto me. You'll be warmer that way."

I stared at Theron for several extended moments, as he continued to the edge of the air bubble.

What was that vote of confidence for? And why did that whole statement feel so friendly and encouraging?

I shook my head, knowing I couldn't afford to keep wasting time. With a thank you, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and I sunk into that natural heat of his that was unexplainably comforting. I tried not to think about my confused inner battle as he took us into the ice cold brine and started back towards the surface. Maybe I didn't really hate this guy. Maybe he was just a victim of his circumstances. He was a devil, after all. I couldn't hold him to the same cultural standards and expectations of the men in my world. Hell, he was already less of an asshole than half of them, even if I did.

What an odd thought. And a premature one. We were still early in the maze, and a lot could still happen. With the monster of the blue section defeated, I tried not to think too much on what the green section might entail.