PENG | CHAPTER 09: THE PIT | BY TWISTED ETERNAL WOLVETTA

Deep underground is a cave network and within its centre is the antechamber. Pole-mounted torches, totems and trash decorated this gloomy scene. It was a spectacle to behold indeed, for there's three trolleys surrounding a bonfire. Sat inside of these rusty contraptions were three women. Hinagiku Tomoe, Shiho Huit and Juliet Nao Zhang.

"Embrace the Pit!"

They chanted in unison.

"Worship the Pit!"

A deep violet aura radiated from the crackling fire. The smouldering embers engulfed the ceiling, before disintegrating into shimmering particles. Then, chaos. The sacred bonfire collapsed in on itself, a bottomless pit crumbling from below. Unto the cult witnesses, silence greeted them.

"..."

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Fiv—

"Become the Pit!"

Out crawled three identical redheads wearing black gothic lolita dresses. In response, the three cult members were not impressed indeed.

"What the hell?!" Tomoe shot accusing glares at Nao and Shiho from her own trolley. "This isn't Archdemon Viola!"

"Don't accuse me." Nao lifted her hands dismissively—clearly bored already.

"Who are you—who are you—who are you?!" The three redheads waddled over to Nao who stared oddly. "We are Arika—we are Arika—we are Arika!"

"I hate you already." Shiho sighed, instantly regretting it when they ambushed her.

"But why—but why—but why?!"

"Ugh."

Nao gleefully cackled at Shiho's misfortune. Alas, the trio screamed in surprise when an object from the pit slammed into the ceiling. They apprehensively stared—wait, is that an anchor?!

"Sorry about that." A voice sang from within the pit. Out popped a short man, his form hovering. "Arikas, come back. Archdemon Viola is deeply upset with you." Pointing an idle index finger towards the three redheads, they yelped. Within moments, they were teleported onto the anchor and securely tied with magical energy. "Viola sends her regards!" He smirked at the three baffled humans from their trolleys. With that, he pointed towards the anchor, then downwards.

The anchor plummeted into the dim pit, the Arikas screaming in succession.

"Bye mortals!"

Shiho, Nao and Tomoe could only stare at one another.

What the hell?