Yes, I am updating!
No, this is not your eyes playing tricks on you. Lol. I don't really have much to say except that I was going to abandon this story but I don't think I will, now. Thanks Maraina, I was actually going to before your reviews...and since I promised, here's replies:
Rakyo: xP Sorry this took so long, my inspiration died. As for Mortyx, this chapter's pretty much about explaining why she's after this book in the first place. Not completely, and I'm debating deleting it even as I write this reply, but I need to post something. Basically, it's Drayon who actually wants the book. Why? Hopefully I'll find a way to explain in the next chapter...heh.
Lol, but those authors who do are apparently very slow writers.
ttSerenity: Thanks! Believe it or not, I updated my other story, too...I think you're the only person who reads both!
RaevanDawn: 0.o Thanks, and NO MORE SUGAR FOR YOU:)
ty-maica: Yeah...lol, I'll try to lay off on the cliffies in a bit, they're fun but I take forever to update. Which is not smart.
Rakyo: Wow, I think I have 2 reviews from you to reply to. As for the next chapter? (embarrassed) Not quite...but a little bit's getting sorted out. Humor? Lol, thanks! I think that's my sarcasm... So far 2 people have said I write good humor. Scary...
Maraina85: Are you kidding? I LOVE your story! T.T I can't believe you're not writing a sequel. You like Mortyx? Cool...
Mizamour: No problem, they're great! (kicks own poetry story) I like them better than mine...
I think I'll take your advice on Holly, I've also never tried writing her before. (Neither Artemis, but that's not the point. XD) I like description but I'll try not to go overboard...and falling too fast for Arty? (smirk) That would just be OOC for her. Knowing her, Mortyx'll probably acknowledge it seconds before she's about to kill him. As for the Prozac? ...I'm not in med school, and it shows. X) I just put down the first thing that came to mind.
Yeah, Hittomi's nice, isn't she? She reviewed my other story twice. I'd have stopped THIS story last chapter if not for your reviews specifically telling me not to, so I'd have to say that debt is repaid and then some!
Ookay, that was wayyyyy too long. XP I need to update faster.
"You failed to bring me the Book, little fledgling."
Mortyx stared down at the rugged grey stone beneath her feet, lip curling slightly as she choked back words that would have brought her death, swallowing them instead to feed the fire of hatred burning within her.
"Yes, Master Drayon."
Her voice was flat and cold, expressing no emotion, so different from the one she had spoken with to Artemis. The demoness feared perhaps three beings on this earth, mortal or Immortal, and she was face to face with one of them. The worst. The king of the devils himself never accepted failure, and there was no other word for returning empty-handed. The golden-eyed sorceress had heard Drayon's messengers before, after failure. Such screams could haunt her nightmares for weeks, though nobody knew just what was done save the messengers- the dead spare no secrets. The last screeches of dying demons seemed to be etched into this room, like old bloodstains that could never be washed away. The very scent of death hung in the air, heavy and cloying to Mortyx's keen sense- or maybe it was just psychological. Physical or not, whenever the sorceress had to enter this room her mouth instantly went dry and the memories of the tortured subjects made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. And yet...Mortyx would not meet the demon lord's eyes not out of submission, but because she didn't want him too see the defiant, disgusted glint in the golden orbs.
"You know that failure isn't a wise choice for you, Mortyx." That soft, icy voice never failed to send chills down her spine, but this time Mortyx felt strangely calm.
"Look at me."
It was not a request. Drayon reached out, grabbing her chin and forcing the demoness to stare him straight in the eye, detecting her discomfort and playing on it. Mortyx tried to appear meek and afraid as she gazed into Drayon's eyes, the color of blood with slitted pupils. The latter was easy, the former was not. Drayon's features were the same stunning ivory as hers, but harsher...the face of a murderer who felt no remorse. Mortyx did not recoil in surprise at the sight of the serpent-demon's eyes, though. The king of devils had no reason to preserve illusions of humanity in his own lair.
"You're fortunate, Mortyx." Drayon's tone was light, almost playful, and Mortyx immediately mistrusted it.
"I am?" She said carefully. Her face was inches from the other demon's, and Mortyx could feel his cool breath on her face and see the sharp fangs that would tears her to pieces at the slightest mistake.
"Of course you are. The Book is not destroyed yet, after all. There's still the copy that is in the mortal's possession, easy for the taking. It's still possible to redeem yourself."
The demon lightly ran one fingertip down Mortyx's side, seeing her eyes instantly flash with pain despite her stubborn refusal to cry out. After all, said side had been laid open with his blade the instant Drayon had found out his mercenary had returned without the prize. The demon smiled icily as he saw her fear.
"And if you don't?" His eyes bored into hers hypnotically. "Then I suppose you'd better slit your throat with your own katana before I get to you." Without warning Drayon flung Mortyx down onto the blood-splattered stone, who hissed as her shattered wrist took the shock of the fall.
"Go. And don't return until you have the Book. Have I made myself clear?"
Mortyx rose to her feet, expression cool as she tried to preserve what was left of her pride and calmness after the beating she'd taken. Damn you, Drayon. She thought silently.
The demon's red eyes narrowed slightly, silent for a second as he judged whether to punish the demonic girl further for her insolence. Mortyx hesitated, then took the opportunity despite her lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of turning her back to the cruelest creature she knew of. The daemoness started to walk away, but Drayon's voice called her back. "Oh, and Mortyx." The girl half-turned back, looking at the Immortal who could kill her with a mere thought and laugh over her corpse. Drayon smiled slightly, red eyes glittering with malice.
"Have your fun with the mortal whelp. Be creative about it. They die so easily, don't they?"
For a second he thought he saw a flash of disgusted anger in Mortyx's face, but then it was gone.
"I will, Master Drayon. Once I'm through with the pup his own mother won't recognize anything more than bloody pulp."
Then the demoness was gone, a flash of shadow as she slipped through the door.
I cannot. I will not. I will steal the Book, but I will not torture. I am not you, Drayon.
0.o I might up the rating on this a little later...what is it now again? K? Yep, this will definitely be going up.
Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed!
(-RenegadeMustang)
