Burning flames lick my knees, searing my flesh as I kneel in front of the bone altar. The scalding, sticky black tar like substance beneath me sucks and oozes against my skin, burning, burning. I can feel the white hot agony blinding me, melting my flesh and it is almost too much to bear. The flames rise higher around me and I bare my fangs, clenching my knuckles until the flesh all but falls from the bone.

I fall lower to me knees before the bone altar, resisting the searing flames and the horrible sticking black tar. But finally, after two hours of sickening agony, I hiss aloud my agony and the flames extinguish, the tar becomes smooth glass and I lie on my stomach, trembling all over, a taloned hand reaching out to the altar.

But I do not sigh in relief, but return to my kneeling position, faithfully settled before the bone altar, dripping, oozing with blood.

"You are strong, for your kind." A gentle voice says, emanating from the altar, blood leeching from the bones. "You show a rare resilience unusual to creatures like yourself. Perhaps soon, you may receive a promotion."

I stiffen, my ears twitching and cautiously look up. "A promotion, Fallen One? That would be a mighty honour, to be raised above my current form and siblings." I can't help but grin, revealing my fangs.

But I am soon scalded and I quickly look at the smooth, glassy surface beneath me. Far below, I can see pits and lakes of eternal flames, prison and other ghastly horrors beyond comprehension. I cannot hear the screams that tear up from those flames, but I can perceive them in my mind. They make me so very hungry.

"Do not be so quick to think highly of yourself, creature. You are still filth."

"I do not wish to be." I reply and bow my head respectfully. "I cannot help the calibre of the pedigree I was born into."

"Indeed not. But you are what you are, and you are filth." The gentle voice says and my black heart sinks. y ears droop and I continue looking through the glass floor, watching people burn in the flames. I must get the topic back to a promotion. I must get it. I must descend.

"Perhaps, Fallen One..." I say carefully. "Perhaps if you could give me a chance to prove that I am better than my disgusting siblings?" I venture, licking my black lips. "If I could be given a task, so evil that my bones could join the sacred altar, I could prove that I truly am worthy of promotion."

"You disgrace the altar with the mere word, but you speak eagerly, creature. Do you really wish to fall lower into damnation?" the voice asks and the darkness grows deeper, lit only by the monstrous flames far below.

"I do, Fallen One. I sincerely do." I look up, straight at the bleeding altar to show that I am serious. I want this promotion more than anything. The Fallen One considers for a long time and i begin to feel that I am alone in this place, riddled with evil that gives me such a joy.

"I have a task. A list of tasks, in fact. If you can show the malice, hatred and heartlessness to complete them, as well as continuing your weekly haunting, then you will receive the promotion you so clearly crave."

I draw my breath quickly and my tail curls in apprehension. I grin, my fangs showing sinisterly. "I will complete everyone with relish, Fallen One."

"Then so be it. These are your tasks to be completed within 3 months, or I will void your contract and you will be lower than filth." The gentle voice growls and the glass beneath me shakes and resonates with the sound.

My heart flutters at the threat. If I fail, I will be lowered even further then I am now. But what could possibly be lower than what I am? But if I succeed... The chance is far too great to pass by out of fear.

"I accept this." I say, grinning from ear to ear.

"Then so be it."

A bone comes loose from the altar and clinks to the ground, rolling across the glass. It comes to a rest by my knees, still porous and red with blood.

I slowly reach for it, unbelieving that it can possibly be real. I grip it and the bone crumbles and splits in my hands. Inside is a tightly bound scroll, written in the ink of damned blood.

Keep it close and mark off accomplishments with the tears or blood of your victims. Go now creature. Return to this place in 3 months with a completed list, or do not return at all.

I nod with a respectful grace. "Yes, Fallen One. It shall be done."

I grip the scroll tightly and wait until the altar ceases to run with blood before getting stiffly to my feet. I turn and walk with purpose towards the colossal doors. I will not return to this place for 3 months. And if not, then I know I will never again be able to come home.

I open the scroll and feel it throb with power and longing in my hands, and read through its contents. So many things... But one fills me with a tingle of nerves.

"I'm coming to get you, Sophie..." I whisper, looking up into the darkness, licking my hungry lips. "I'm coming for you, Sophie..."

Author note: Sorry guys, but you may have to wait a little while for the next chapter. I'll try get it up with in a few weeks, so bare with me and thanks for the support.

Yours in faith, Xia-RI