CHAPTER 15
The two divine souls gazed at the other's endurance, all of their courage remaining close to their fickle hearts. Pit and Palutena each held onto what sanity they had left before it slipped away. Their burning cloth upon the ground not only made their metal adornments burn their skin but also made them sweaty, thus dehydrating them further. Mesperyian smiled a crooked grin and slyly spoke,
"I have a special treat for you two lovebirds!" Behind her emerged two Miks, their slimy tongues flailing freely. Pit quickly turned his gaze to Palutena, studying her terrified face. The two Underworld guards approached their victims and began lashing their tongues wildly. Saliva showered itself among Pit and Palutena while their bodies became bruised. "Hahahaha! You should see your faces! I've never seen you so miserable Pitty!" Pit was truly pained not by the physical wound but also by the fact that his Goddess was suffering the same pain. The Mik that was beating Pit slowly halted and began to lick his entire body. Palutena's muffler became soaked with not only her salvia but also the Mik's.
"Palutena! Can you do anything-" Pit cut off due to the Mik dragging its tongue along his mouth. Mesperyian cut in,
"Her chains and yours are cursed with Dark magic, which is both your weaknesses. I just so happen to possess such magic and intend to bend it to my command." She lifted her hand and slowly began to make a fist. As she did so Palutena screamed; her chains were becoming tighter. Pit's eyes streamed tears as he turned his view to Palutena. Mesperyian grabbed Palutena's wing, ripping out of the nail and Pit's pierced wings. Pit grunted in discomfort, his wings bent in a rather awkward way. Stabbing yet another hole into Pit's wing she did the same for Palutena, both screaming for her to cease her little game. She pulled out a small ring from her dress pocket and linked their wings together. "Awww how cute! I guess you can say that you two are pretty close." She watched them squirm, desperate to find an angle that was somewhat comfortable for their wings. After their squirming she slid Pit's belt off of his waist and wrapped it around his neck, pulling tightly. "Hmm, I think I rather like you this shade of blue. However, I do think it would look even nicer on pretty Palutena." Slicing her muffler off, Mesperyian then grabbed a picture of water from the very corner of the room.
"Do whatever you want to me, just please spare Pit!" Palutena gasped desperately. Ignoring her plea, Mesperyian tilted Palutena's head upward while she slowly poured the water into her mouth. She began to pour it faster, Palutena barely breathing. Depleting the whole picture she set it aside, noting Palutena's expression of fatigue and extreme pain. "Do you have stummy pain? Allow me to assist with that!" Jabbing her knee into Palutena's stomach, she began to vomit uncontrollably. While Palutena was puking Mesperyian unscrewed a knob with a pipe below it, filling the picture once more. "Say 'Ah'!" Prying Palutena's wetted mouth open she forced water down her throat once more and repeated the process about three times.
"Palutena! Hold on!" Pit cried. Her head conjuring at an awkward angle, Mesperyian advanced herself upon Pit, sliding her hands up his chest.
"Your screams please me so," Lowering herself downward her claws dragged along his smooth chest and down to his thick inner thigh. "Do entice me!" Thrusting her claws into his inner right thigh Pit screamed and howled in pain. Feeling up his bloody thigh her hand pursued all around his lower area.
"T-there is always hope e-even in the d-darkest of situations! Zeus and Poseidon will come to save us!" Pit desperately stuttered. Rising ever so slowly she then replied,
"Don't you see, that's my goal. I will capture those two fools and then I will have all the bodies I need to restore my father Hades! Hahahahaha! It's perfect! He'll have the combination of his powerful brothers and the beauty of Palutena! Not to mention the strength of Pit!" Mesperyian cackled widely while Pit and Palutena looked helplessly at one another. They were bait this whole time; how could they not see? Regaining hope Pit screamed,
"You think you can take on two Gods at once?! That's pretty cocky of you!"
"You forget Pitty-Pat! Not only am I a Goddess but I am the Goddess of Punishment and Torture! I have the entire Underworld army at my fingertips! I also know everyone's weakness and have the power to exploit it. Besides, my forces are already outside, awaiting their arrival!" With Palutena's head dropping in defeat, Pit closed his eyes uncertain of what to say. "I especially know your two weaknesses. Not only each other but darkness itself." With one swift stomp she extinguished the burning cloth, leaving Pit and Palutena in complete darkness. The Goddess and her angel felt whatever strength they had remaining be completely depleted.
"I no longer sense her presence Pit," Palutena faintly spoke, her limbs lifeless.
"Palutena.. I'm sorry this happened," Pit gloomed, unmoving.
"Don't be, this is my fault.. I shouldn't have been so foolish.. I'm the one who should be apologizing." Pausing for a moment she choked, "Why did you follow us?"
"I didn't want you to get hurt.. I thought that I would be able to protect you."
"Pit.."
"It's going to be okay Lady Palutena. It's not the problems along the way that break us." Pausing to take a deep breath Pit whispered, "It's how we learn to stand and face them that make the difference." The wound in Pit's leg finally dried, however his whole body remained badly damaged in addition of the darkness weakening him further.
"You're right Pit.. Even if we are finished here, I'm happy you are with me." Palutena's voice was but a faint whisper. Her body was pale due to the extreme blood loss and complete dehydration. Her branded leg still stung as if it had happened only seconds ago. The temperature of the air became very chilly, causing them to shiver uncontrollably. Outside you could hear the shouts and clashing of weapons among armies. Heavy footsteps were heard faintly at first but then grew more prominent.
"Pit?! Palutena!? Are you here?" It was the booming voice of an old friend; Magnus.
"Magnus!" Pit screamed back.
"Where the hell are you?! I can't see shit in here!" Flicking a lighter open shadows and shapes began to fill the room. "My Gods.." Staring at them blankly for a moment he then tried to force the chains open.
"The chains are enchanted by- darkness," Palutena whispered, her voice faint.
"Hmm you don't say.. Pitto! In here!" Magnus yelled across the cave. Light, quick footsteps echoed within the room; Dark Pit painting heavily. "Open up those chains will ya? You are the darkness within Pit so in theory you should be able to-" A loud clank was heard, releasing Pit's wrists. Remaining close to Palutena he tried not to move for their wings were still clipped together. Freeing Palutena Dark Pit tried opening the link on the two wings until he turned behind him to see a blinding white light. Relaxing his tensed body, Dark Pit opened his eyes to find Magnus in front of him, his arms wide open.
"Heh," Magnus turned to the others behind him and spoke, "It's been one hell of a ride. Fly on angel face." He then clutched his gut as it gushed out blood and internal organs. Falling face forward Dark Pit looked past the fallen human to see a distant Mesperyian.
"I nearly forgot about you two, do tell me Pitto, how did you survive that nasty fall?"
"Apparently I landed on Magnus and he broke the link you placed on my wings. He was a good man and you just killed him! You deserve nothing short of death." Aiming his bow at her chest Mesperyian only smiled wickedly.
"It appears I have lost this little game. Until next time, I bid you all ado!" Her wings enclosing upon her she dissipated into black smoke. Dark Pit returned to breaking the link that bound Pit and Palutena's wings together. Their wings were very sprained as well as bloody from the holes that Mesperyian pierced. Kneeling beside Magnus, Dark Pit checked his pulse, shaking his head.
"He's gone; i-it's a shame. He was a decent guy. I'm going to go tell Zeus and Poseidon where you are." Dark Pit kept his back turned, refusing to allow Pit to see his uncontrolled tears. "I will never be able to return his kindness to me. However I can and I will avenge him."
"We'll all avenge him- t-together," Pit replied shakily. Looking over to Palutena she stared blankly back at him, without a single word to say. After Dark Pit fled with Magnus's body, Pit and Palutena sank to the floor, badly wounded physically and mentally. Palutena began to breathe abnormally and sway from side to side. Before she fell to the ground Pit advanced, quickly catching her.
"W-we're going to be okay, stay with me Palutena.." Knighting her head, Pit worriedly looked at Palutena, her weak green eyes barely open. He gently pressed his head against hers, holding her close. "Please.. We're going to go back to Skyworld, back home. Think of seeing how happy everyone will be to see you!" Palutena held up a pale, shaky hand and placed it upon Pit's cheek.
"Pit," She gave her best smile despite her agonizing pain. "T-thank you, I really did enjoy our time t-together." Her tender hand dropped to her bloody side and her eyes shut slowly. His whole body frozen, Pit whispered,
"L-lady Palutena? Palutena! Come on! Say something!" His teeth clenched and a single tear rolling down his cheek he gripped her tighter than ever before. "Please.. Gods no.. Palutena.. I-I love you.."
Whew! That was a long and hard chapter! Things have been really hard at home but I'm still going to try and post daily! (The exception being weekends.) Thank you for reading and remember to review to tell me what I can improve on!