Chapter 5 - The Inclusion

Without thinking I ran through the stone corridor, which was illuminated by the flames randomly gushing from the cracks in the walls. Bloody memory of recent events urged me forward.

Abruptly, the passage ended and I found myself on the side of a steep road. I did a double take, the road was crowded by a grotesque, demonic beings.

My darting gaze passed from an unnaturally thin hybrid of human and vulture to a gigantic gorilla like creature covered with bloody fur and bony spikes.

Nightmarish creatures, there was no end to them, they kept going, oblivious to my horrified stupor.

For a moment I tried to categorize them, make something out of the different shapes passing in front of me, but I couldn’t, they were just too different and alien. Their interactions were incomprehensible as well.

Big brutes, which looked like overwhelming mountains of muscles, gave way to puny insectoid creatures which in turn bowed in deference to a bloodied ape. Every place that wasn’t occupied by the traveling demons was filled by a yielding and endless stream of imps, which nimbly scampered around bigger creatures barely avoiding trampling feet and other things.

I was hesitant to enter the feverish stream of passing beings, but a mere thought of returning to the chamber of the Soul Keeper gave me shivers. I took a deep breath and jumped forward.

A realization, that I didn’t know where to go, came a bit too late. My attention was quickly occupied by more pressing matters as a gigantic feet came down on me. I barely had enough time for a panicky jump to the side,which saved me from being trampled by a hulk like demon with a purple, grafted skin.

My hurried dodge made me collide with a bunch of imps that ran into me, they clawed and kicked their way past me without even slowing. Trampled by the rushing wave I was lying on my back for a moment and it turned out that I blocked the passage of a vulture like humanoid demon. For one terrifying second its glowing red eyes rested on me and an overwhelming feeling of dread fell upon me.

I did not know why but a vivid vision of being ripped to shreds came to me, pain included. Though it was only momentary, I was suddenly lifted by an invisible force which thrown me to the side of the road.

-” Aiieieiieie! “ My scream came out inadvertently as a dreadful realization came to me. -’ I am going over the edge! ‘

Horrifying moments passed in slow motion as the stony edge passed below me, giving way to a steep cliff riddled with stony outcroppings . A drop extended to another meandering road fifty yards below.

-” Aiiiiiiieieiie! “ My limbs flailed uselessly while stony surface turned into a blur, occasionally interrupted by windows, carvings and terraces.

*Crash*

-” Aiu! “ My fall was suddenly broken by a stony terrace, my bones protesting against the abuse with sharp pain. -” Aiiiii! “

I bounced of the unyielding stone and fell further, hitting some more things on the way down.

-” Ai! “

-” Ui! “

*Thump*

*Crash*

-” Uuuuuuu! “ I exclaimed, a sharp sensation of wrongly bent limbs and nerve sizzling torment of abused bones made me feel really miserable. All I wanted to do was to complain about all of the bad things that happened to me. -’ What have I don… ‘

-” Hrumph, what do we have laying there? “ Preceded by a strange sound, a deep, nasal voice interrupted my thoughts and made me shiver, recent events shown me that there’s no such thing as a good random meeting in hell.

-” Looks like an imp, my lord. “ A shrill voice of what sounded like an imp responded. -” A new one at that. “ Then it added something that made my worst fears come true. -” It seems suitable for the tasks, my lord. “  

-” Auuuuuuuu! “ I wanted to object, but my shattered body protested with pain, turning my efforts into incomprehensible whine.

-” Very well, handle it. I will take care of the formalities. “ My fate was proclaimed with dignity and confidence, and due to my body I couldn’t even cry about the fact.

-” Understood, my lord. “ Unknown imp confirmed diligently and approached me. -” Off you go, there’s no time to waste. “ I was quickly lifted into the air and placed like a bag over imp’s shoulder.

With surprise I realized that my body wasn’t in contact with scales or skin, the imp wore clothes - a frock coat. My attention quickly lapsed when imp began to walk, making pain of my injuries worse.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but after a while the pain became bearable, my regeneration must have kicked in.

Hoisted over a shoulder I could see what was happening behind us. There was an orderly formation of imps following, and they seemed more presentable than the ones that I had seen so far, Sidsir excluded. They had elongated limbs, with clawless hands, wore rudimentary clothes, mainly loincloths, and just seemed like they fared better than the rest of their kin.

I turned my attention to where I was, however pointless it seemed, as I couldn’t find my way in hell anyway. To my left there was a sharp drop and a wide expanse of the pit, haunted by memory of my fall I quickly turned my attention to the right. There a stone surface was covered with

elaborate frontispieces and archways, carved into intricate and frightening motives of skulls, demons, agonized silhouettes and many other dreadful things.

I noticed that none of the buildings seemed to posses a door, all had just an empty entrance through which I could occasionally glimpse a workshop looking interior, each busy with toiling imps.

My sightseeing ended abruptly as I was dumped onto the ground. Luckily, I managed to recover enough that it didn’t hurt too much.

-” Let me explain, newt. “ Frock coated imp bent over me. -” You will be working for his excellency and I am going to personally deep fry you if you slack or do a subpar work, that's a promise. Is that clear? “ A widely set pair of yellow eyes rested on me insistently, but the gaze wasn’t threatening, instead it seemed confident and assuring, making it all the more fearsome.

I swallowed and nodded strongly, words couldn’t get past my clenched throat.

-” Good. “ Apparently satisfied, frock coated imp straightened up and waved on the other imps. -” Get the newt prepared for work. I will attend to his excellency. “

I was quickly grasped and hauled by a bunch of imps which suddenly dropped the casual and steady movements in favor of quick and efficient ones.

While hauled, I saw frock coated imp bowing before a beast in a red cloak. The demon was seven feet tall, horned, covered with fur and looked like a minotaur, almost. It had a head of a hog instead of a bull and it’s perfectly muscled body had a slight quirk - a sizable beer belly.

-” What are your orders, my lord? “

-”I have to attend to a new venture, oversee the situation here. Hrumph. “ Lord grunted loudly. -” Make sure that they don’t mess anything up while I am away. “

-” As you wish, I shall keep utmost order until your return. “ Imp bowed even deeper and said in deference.

At that moment I was carried inside the building and lost sight of what was happening outside.

-” That a new one? Show it too me. “ A commanding, grumpy voice ordered.

Immediately, I was placed before a strange imp. It was small, brown and wrinkled, with a long and sparse white hair. Somehow an image of a grandma came to my mind upon seeing that imp.

The scrutinizing gaze made me feel uneasy. -” Show me your hands. “ A grandma-imp ordered and I obeyed reflexively, extending my small limbs to her. -” Hmm, too long and too sharp. Silihr take care of it and show newt the ropes. “

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Before i realized what was happening my arms were grabbed and I was hauled to the corner of the room. I tried to struggle but I couldn’t overpower the imps that were dragging me, they were bigger and stronger than me.

* Click *

I realized that my arms were locked in some sort of stock like device and imp, likely called Silihr had a big file in its hand. Without warning the imp began its task.

-” Aieieieieieei! “ Getting your claws grated was surprisingly painful and I couldn’t keep my voice down.

-” Oh, shut up. This ain’t hurting this bad, your claws aren’t even tempered. “ I was chastised by Silihr, who was all professional without any signs of malice.

-” Aieieieie! “ Still, I couldn’t stop, the pain was surprisingly strong though it could not compare to being boiled in tar or falling of the cliff.

Finally my ordeal came to an end and I was released from the stocks. A raw feeling came from my fingers, which now ended with nicely rounded oblongs of opal like bone.

-” Come, I will show you where the stuff is. “ Silihr said casually and motioned for me to follow. After such a warm welcome I didn’t want to get on anyone's bad side.

A sudden realization came to me in regard to my past life. -” There are things worse than working, being tortured for example… or hungry. “ My recent ordeals made hunger seem insignificant, but grating pain of not eating was slowly adding to the growing list of pains and issues that started to become common occurrence for me.

Silihr led me to the other room, it was filled with metal tubs, basins and vats. Thick steam, buckets of water, burning fires and toiling silhouettes made me realize what place I found myself in. A laundry.

-” Here, you can take care of this. “ Silihr stopped before a sizable tub filled with water. -” Soap, vinegar and conditioner are here. Work hard. “ Imp pointed to an assortment of vials, bottles and bars of soap resting on a small stool next to the tub. Before I had a chance to react he left me.

Uncertainly I approached the tub. It was filled with cold water and small pieces of fabric were floating just under the surface. I hesitantly reached inside and fished a piece of cloth.

It was white and triangular, with miniature red ribbon attached to the middle of it. My whole body froze and I could feel my heart beating fast.

-” P-p-p-panties?!! “ Extremely embarrassed, I gave out a small shriek.

-” What’s going on in here? “ Authoritative voice of the frock coated imp came from behind me.

-” Aieiiei! “ Surprised, I yelled out unwittingly and dropped incriminating object. Without thinking I kneeled on the ground and apologized. -” I am sorry! I really didn’t do… want… er try to… “ I lost my wits trying to think of any excuse.

-” Silence! “ I fell silent and shivered, terrified by a harsh tone. -” Who’s  responsible for this? “

I was confused about the whole situation, and my imagination already did overtime showing me unwelcome images of painful torture.

-” Silihr. “ A multitude of voices responded in unison.

-” Silihr explain to me what were you thinking giving this task to a newt? “ Chastising tone taken on a threatening and malicious note.

-” Um, I shown him where the utensils are… “ Silihr responded hesitantly.

-” And of all things you gave him silk to wash? “ A venomous notes appeared in the imps voice and his tone grew more and more agitated. -” To a newt? You want to see the fabric ruined? You want to be responsible for reparations? You want to take the lashings? And most of all you want to tarnish our lord’s and my good name? “

-” No, ofcourse not!  I didn’t thin… “ Silihr panicked.

-” Silence, you are coming with me. “

-” Noo please, no! Have merc… “ An authoritative statement caused Silihr to beg.

-” I said silence! “ Final command was followed by a loud smack and I could hear Silihr’s body rolling on the floor due to sheer force of the blow.

*Huff*

Frock coated imp took a deep breath to calm itself, I could almost feel his anger and agitation.

-” Newt… “ Frock coated imp said in a calm tone and I felt icy needless of fear coming down my spine. -” ...take care of what’s in that tub to your left. “

-” Aiiii. “ I fervently tried to agree, but low whine was the only thing I could squeeze past my clenched throat.

I thanked the gods when frock coated imp left, taking Silihr with him.

On wobbly legs I rose and was slowly approaching the appointed tub when a blood chilling cry resounded.

-” Aiiiiiiiooooooooooooooooooo… “

It was distant, but did not show any signs of ceasing. I didn’t want to know what sort of punishment was being unleashed upon Silihr.

I rushed to the tub and started cleaning what was in it, after dreadful events I wasn’t fazed even when I realized that my task was to wash underpants in many different forms and sizes.

I worked diligently for a long hours, accompanied by a bloodcurdling yell of anguish.

When I was done with one tub I received another one, after few of them an unending scream finally ceased. I was grateful for that, as the agonal sound was really unsettling.

I lost track of time, everything shrunk to a vat, dirty clothes and soap.

* * *

After what seemed like an eternity of endless scrubbing I felt an unyielding grip on my shoulder stopping me.

-” Well done, scamp. “ It was the frock coated imp that pulled me away from the tub and pointing. -” See this door? Go there, lord wants to speak with you. “

With the heart in my throat I went through the door and I was met by the sight of overwhelming and grotesque silhouette of the lord, who had a scroll in one hand and fat jerky in the other.

-” You called me… Sir? “ I said hesitantly and then added *sir* in a desperate attempt to not offend the demon.

-” Mhomph. “ With loud lap he consumed a large piece of meat. -” Yes, your Soul Keeper’s troublesome. She keeps saying that dig team is short imped and wants her property back. “ He sighed audibly. -” I heard you worked well, but that Keeper of yours is really stingy… Hrmph. “ He hemmed in annoyance and spoke softly, as if to himself. -” I guess I have no choice, I don’t want to cross that particular Keeper. “

I stood and tried to appear as inconspicuous as possible, getting on the lord’s bad side seemed like a really bad idea.

-” To hell with that. Come here imp. “ I didn’t want to, but I approached the lord, urged by his authoritative tone.  -” Take that. “ He extend a small crystal to me, I looked at several feet tall muscled giant that towered over me and just couldn’t force myself to reach out.

-” Oi, we don’t have time for that. “ Without warning lord grabbed my neck and forced the crystal down my throat. -” Off you go. “

A sudden heat spread through my being, seemingly reaching to my very core, but I didn’t have time to wonder about it as a familiar feeling of being squeezed into a single point appeared.

Before I knew it I was teleported elsewhere…

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Hey~, Author's here~

I hope you liked today's chapter, share your thoughts. ( Yes, im greedy for comments, but that's the Overlord's way - always in the spotlight :P )

About another chapter - I have a backlog on my other fiction that I urgently need to clear up, I dont know how it goes but just in case it takes long i released this chapter earlier and its longer than normal. Enjoy.

Cheers,

Mea