Morana - Retribution

“Mer-” The demon wheezed out, black blood splattering across its lips and chin as those pleading eyes stared up at Morana.

“Mercy?” A smile twisted Mor’s face, baring her pointed canines as she dug her spear deeper into the Devil’s little servant, “That is not an option anymore.”

It made a gurgling noise, it’s voice thick as it tried to speak through the blood clogging it’s airway, “Our Lord deemed War’s punishment fitting-”

Mor ripped her spear out, relishing the cry of pain. Slowly she circled the pitiful creature crumpled at her feet, tilting her head in consideration.

“Of course,” Morana softened her voice, “You were just following orders. Araselis thought they were as well, that they had no choice but to comply.”

“Yes, yes-” It gasped eagerly, “Orders-”

“But did it feel good?” She whispered, taking a knee beside the demon, “To maim someone with so much power?”

Confused silence followed, the creature intelligent enough to know not to answer. Mor chuckled softly, running her fingers over the leathery skin on its face.

“I asked you a question.” She said pointedly, tightening her grip, “I expect an answer.”

“No, no, did not feel good…” It breathed out, voice pitched high.

Mor pressed her thumb to the pulse in its neck. The heartbeat beneath fluttered wildly, and the primordial’s smile grew.

“You’re lying. That’s alright.” She said softly, “All creatures lie until they’re stripped to their bones. Want to see how long it takes you to break?”

It began thrashing, trying in vain to stand despite its very life force gushing from the mutilated hole in its chest. Morana simply put a hand on its trembling shoulder, keeping it pinned to the ground. This time, when her fingers grazed its skin, her nails scraped gently in the same place Araselis had been marred. 

“Perhaps you should know how my sibling felt,” Mor whispered, putting more pressure until the skin slowly began to split, “And you should know how lucky you are that you were sent to discipline the only one of us four who hesitates to strike back.”

A thrill ran down her back at the howling cry that tore from its throat; she hooked her fingers in deeper, tugged harder, until one side of its face was a mess of blood and drooping flesh. It screamed until it could no longer.

“Araselis was misguided to allow their punishment, but I’ll make things clear from now on for both you and my siblings. He is not our Lord, and simply because we reside in Hell means next to nothing about his dominion over us.”

“Treason-” It sputtered out desperately, even as Morana wrapped a hand around its throat.

“Yes. Too bad you’ll never get to tattle, hm?” She smiled, nails digging into the meat of the demon’s throat.

It died with a choked off whine and Morana stood, the mangled gore gripped in her hand. She dropped it next to the corpse, blood stained and satisfied.