CHAPTER 8

A single blue caterpillar crawled curiously on a white lily in the Overworld. Turning its head curiously at the unique red color, it began to reflect on what a lovely day it was outside. The air was the optimal temperature, there were few clouds and it's little belly was full of nutrients. However, no matter how nice the weather outside the day will always vary due to the difference in perspectives. Palutena accepted Poseidon's healing treatment however it could not break the spell that was upon her.

"Isn't there anything I can do?" She exclaimed. "Pit is out there, probably in danger and I'm just sitting here! Hermes was no help! No one knows where he is!" She placed a shaken hand over her face in utter frustration.

"Even if there is, we must figure out a plan of action first." He placed his comforting hand upon her shoulder.

"Ever since I met Pit we haven't been separated! He means the world to me and I need to find him or I will never forgive myself.." Holding back tears of anger she tried very hard to collect herself.

"Palutena, I understand your frustration but don't you think I care about the lad as well? I know your relationship with him and I know how hard it's hard to be separated from someone you care for.. But Pit might be bait right now for you. I will not allow you to put yourself in danger." Pausing for a brief moment he continued, "Let's focus on what you CAN do right now, alright?" With a nod Palutena stood up, wiping her wetted eyes. "Water is creative and finds a way around whatever may be in it's path; not to mention it's adaptable."

"You're right." Finally collecting herself, she continued, "I suspect that Hades's daughter, Mesperyian, might have something to do with the invasion."

"What makes you think that?"

"She has the most motive. After all, we did destroy Hades's body."

"I see; let us send scouts to look for her immediately." Giving a warm smile he added, "We're going to find him."

…..

"Come on little angel! Let me hear you sin!" cackled Mesperyian. She held her blood-stained claws over a fire and then proceeded to press them against Pit's stomach. The wounds in his stomach boiled horribly causing Pit to puke the remainder of the liquid in his body. The lack of sleep, food and water amplified his pain tolerance to little to none. Pit squirmed and screamed his lungs out,

"Damn it! For the love of Gods stop!" Tears were streaming down his face with his eyes tightly shut, trying to escape the reality.

"Yes! Hahahha! Just like that!" Her masked face close to his she stared into his shimmering eyes. "You want to know a secret?" She whispered softly, wiping his tears of rage away. "Gods are eternal so scares last forever. Not even we have the power to heal the past.." Untying her belt she snapped it tightly, Pit flinching at the very sound.

"Please… Lady Palutena…" Pit whispered, his head down in defeat. His muscles tightened, preparing for more punishment.

"You still think she's coming for you?!" She whipped the bloody and burned angel with her belt. "She has no idea where the hell you are! Even if she did we are prepared to fight the bitch! She will be completely powerless against an entire army!" Whipping Pit over and over again, his screams of pain induced Mesperyian to laugh manically much as you would put fuel over a raging fire. "Why don't you just give in! You're alone! You've always been alone! We're all alone in this beautifully, fucked up world!" Pit's skin burned from the beating and the sounds drove his mind up the wall, her laugh adding to the madness. He clenched his teeth, trying to hold back his screams. Without another word she dropped the belt and said, "Well this is getting boring, I guess I'll just have to make you sin even further…" She left the room, leaving Pit with his broken body and his maddening thoughts.

"Why would anyone do this?" He spoke in his softest tone. Suddenly his mind was brought once more to Palutena. He remembered the very first time they had met, being when he had to stop Medusa. She told him that he had committed a grave sin, in which he promised to serve her as atonement. Trying to recall further, his memory failed him. Grinning, Pit closed his eyes and relished in the memory of Palutena. She was so sweet and caring toward him, like the mother Pit would never have.

"Wakey- Wakey! No sleepin' on me!" Mesperyian chimed. Tossing a bucket of cold ice water, Pit's eyes flashed open, the memory faded from his awakened mind. "I was thinking, 'What beautiful wings he has, they must be his pride and joy!' I once had something like that.. But many, many terrible things can happen to the things you love." She pulled behind her a big bowel of what looked like boiling oil. Nuzzling her mask's nose against Pit's she swiftly plucked one of his feathers. His wings squirmed but their movement was limited due to the fact that they were pierced to the cell wall with hooks. A slight stinging occurred when she continued to pluck his feathers, one by one. Her body pressed against his beaten, burned, and scarred torso she began to pluck the ones closest to his back. His wing glowing a brilliant red, Pit tore his view from his wing, his teeth gritted. "You must have had the most beautiful wings out of all the other angels huh? Or are there even angels left?" His naked left wing twitched uncomfortably and stung widely. "Tell me, do you know the tale of Icarus? He was an angel like you," She whispered stroking his slightly blooded, bare wing. "They say he had wings of wax and then flew too close to the sun. He fell to his very doom.. It's the very reason why you can't fly for more than 5 minutes.." Quickly she grabbed the bowel of boiling oil and poured it slowly onto Pit's naked wing.

"Ahhhhhhhh! You bitch!" Pit's shrill screams echoed throughout the room while his whole body fought to move away from the oil. His eyes widened with fear and pain while he mouth was left gaping open. Fire would have felt like ice compared to the burning hell Pit experienced. Dripping the last drop onto his red, blistered, and twitching wing she smiled her usual devilish grin and came close to Pit's ear. "Now you know what loss is, now you know what pain is. Soon your time will come to an end. It's too bad that you couldn't become a beautiful butterfly, you worthless worm." With that she left him once more, half the angel he used to be. Glancing over at his mutilated wing his gaze fell. He was completely dehydrated, therefore no tears came to express his devastation. His wrists, ankles, and the tips of his wings were rubbed raw from the iron shackles. I'm going to die here. Palutena… I'm sorry.. Looking at the candle light, he wondered how much it would hurt to touch now, how hot was it exactly? He felt his body give out completely, his shoulders dislocating simultaneously while he felt the muscles tear in his wings. Hearing the door open once more, he didn't advert his gaze from the ground. Truth is, he didn't care who it was anymore, what more was there to take other than his life?

"Pit," a lower voice called. "W-what did she do to you; to us?! Come on," Pulling the hooks out of his wings, and breaking the shackles, the voice supported Pit up. Looking beside him, he found that it was Dark Pit who had come to save him. Dark Pit was sweating profusely and then shakily spoke, "I'm getting you the hell out of here, so stay with me."

….

Outside the building that Pit was confined in Mesperyian gazed up at the night sky. "Hhmhmh which dagger do I use to do the deed?" Breathing in deeply, she enjoyed the fresh air outside, relishing in the pleasure she had received. In a matter of seconds she was spotted by Skyworld scouts. Blowing their horns they announced that they had found Mesperyian.

"Alert Lady Palutena immediately!" The scout commanded his partner. With his back turned he failed to notice the dark angel flying as fast as he possibly could away from the hellhole.

This chapter was excitingly difficult to write, I feel terrible about doing that to Pit! . Again, please review! Tell me what I can improve or change! Thank you all for reading this chapter!

Updated 8/7/15
Updated: 6/17/15

It pains my soul to read through this chapter once more, but alas it is finished.