The girls were lined up once again, the giant chain around their waists. Carla stood behind Burcu, and Marie was behind her, just like they had been marched to the Iron Plains. Their shackles were back on, joined to their collars. They waited, under the gazes of their masters. They had been ordered to keep their faces high, but their eyes looking down.
The sun, which was permanently above their heads, had nonetheless cooled. It now appeared to be darker, almost black, as darkness had begun to engulf the land. Carla guessed that it was that phenomenon which produced day and night in Hell.
The slaves heard what appeared to be bare footsteps. Carla saw a litter approaching. She couldn't see it very well, for she was afraid to look, but it seemed to be carried by four male slaves. It had purple silk curtains around it, she saw, and was escorted by a cadre of demon soldiers.
-Kneel whores! Kneel before your King!
The complied, quickly, with a sound of chain.
Carla's heart accelerated. Was this the King? Was this Lucifer? She had never been more afraid in her entire existence. What horrible atrocities would he do to her? What perversion, what deranged humiliations? She trembled, and cold sweat broke on her filthy skin.
-Your slaves, Sire – said a voice, which Carla recognized being that of Asha'nung, her first rapist. She remembered him all too well.
The voice with answered struck fear into her heart screeched at her ears. It was the black voice of murder and hate. She felt helpless, worthless before it. It made her a slave.
-What happened earlier? I understand there was trouble with the spirits of Astarte – spoke the rider of the litter, hidden by the curtains.
-We fought them away, Sire. They managed to steal a few slaves. Nothing serious, really.
-Retaliate.
-Yes Sire.
-I wish to retire to my quarters now. Have a slut taken to me. Adorn her and bathe her.
-Yes Sire, it will be done.
-Let us go now.
With relief, Carla saw the litter departing, followed by its guard. Her heart sunk, however, when she heard Asha'nung walk towards her. He loomed over Carla, chilling her to the spine. His clawed hand grabbed her left nipple. Carla whimpered pathetically. The demon pulled upward, towards him, and Carla gasped. Her left tit was stretched, paining her, and she thought he would rip it off her. He released it and it bounced back with a jiggle.
He said nothing, but departed as well, leaving behind a miserable, petrified Carla.
They were marched back from where they had come, down the tunnel and into the city. Only the trip back had a surprise for her. When they were underground, in the dark and cold passageway, a magical waterfall drenched the girls. It was colder than ice, and stung at Carla's wounds. It did, however, wash away the sweat, the blood and the soot from her.
They were led into their cell block, where the coffle chain fell to the floor. Burcu was separated from her, to be locked in the cell in front of Carla's.
-Burcu! – exclaimed the girl – Don't leave me!