Seasons in the Abyss (Book 4 EptaBorromean Realms)

Chapter 4.16

Asmodeus had crawled into the hidden tower of Hell, nearly dead. The thing in the Abyss had cut out his tongue, and severely crippled him when she devoured his blood essence. If he returned to Limbo, his brothers, if not his father, would finish the job of ending his existence. Something deep seated in his consciousness refused to die before his father was dead. He could not give up before he took back what was owed in pain, suffering and anguish.

"Haap mahh," he gasped, dragging himself across the floor.

The charred beast in the corner eyed him suspiciously. If Asmodeus didn't know any better he would have sworn it was smiling at his misery.

As he inched closer and closer, the beast slowly unfurled from its crouched position in the corner where Mammon kept it chained. It eyed him thoroughly before a crackled voice whispered into his mind.

[You failed.]

"Wahmah ih Abaaa," he croaked back. It would take a century before his tongue could regrow due to his current state. He needed this thing to help him heal before his father learned of his failure.

[Did the cat get your tongue?] It taunted, now creeping closer to him.

"Wahmah," he repeated, willing the wretched thing in front of him to understand his words.

[You failed?] It asked again.

Asmodeus shook his head, refusing to admit his defeat.

[Show me.] The creature whispered softly before reaching out and dragging his body into its marred claws.

The smell of burnt flesh, decay and chaos filled his senses, overpowering the smell of his own blood and ichor. Two black eyes stared into his own before he felt like his head was being split open. A great pressure pushed at the bones in his skull, eliciting a scream as the thing crawled through his mind and searched his memories.

As though watching a movie, Asmodeus recalled the legion's downfall in the Abyss. The miasmic shadow had moved through his demon legion as though they were ants. He had only known it was a woman when she finally stepped before him and stopped moving. Other than the soft blue glow of her eyes and the sound of her voice, Deus could not perceive any of her other features. She had been lithe and agile, moving with grace as she sliced down demon after demon.

[You should have died]

It was not a question. It was a fact. He should have died. He should not have been able to survive to this point.

[Tell hiiiiimmmmm you succeeeeed.]

Asmodeus's body shook, as energy filtered slowly back in healing the worst of his injuries. The sensation of his tongue reforming within his mouth caused him to retch a mouthful of coagulated blood onto the floor before him. It had not restored him completely, but it was enough to show that he had fought and returned nonetheless for his efforts.

"He will insight a war on the realms," he wheezed, knowing full well how his father's mind worked.

[The woman]

"I have not seen her before, nor have my spies given me any informa-AAAAGH," he screamed, as the pressure in his head increased suddenly.

[She has a weakness.]

↫↼↼※⇁⇁↬

Asmodeus entered the throne room of Limbo to find his father and brothers seated in deep discussion. Upon his entrance, the discussions halted as all eyes turned to him. He was still covered in the grime and blood of battle, obviously favoring one arm. Dried blood coated his chin where it had dripped out of his mouth. No one said a word as he limped up to a chair and took a seat among them.