Chapter 339: _ The Return Of Luis
I had no idea how much time had passed. Maybe I had been here for an eternity, I couldn’t know. The only thing that reminded me of existence was the lashes that cracked through the air from time to time.
¡Carajo! I was supposed to be numb to the pain by now, but it seemed like each lash was a brand new sensation, and I could never get used to it. That was how my master worked. And it made me think of those who had been eternally condemned to this place. They would be whipped for all eternity, each stroke more painful than the previous one.
Perhaps the very fact that I couldn’t speak, nor move was a blessing in itself. Otherwise, I’d have surely gone mad by now.
That bastard Axel. I swore to kill him once I escaped this. IF.
And that was a big IF.
After a while, my master’s presence returned to the temple. His voice was louder than the most violent thunderclap, "Leave him." He said, and the infernal demons vanished without a trace.
Relief washed over my body like springwater. The choking darkness before me shifted closer. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the devil was crouched in front of me, mocking my pitiful state.
I wanted to clench my fists in anger, in pain, but I remained like a bag of bones. Idiot.
"I see hate in your heart." My master chuckled, his voice booming far and wide. "Hate for me." He added after a few seconds.
Suddenly, I could feel my legs once more. I could feel every inch of my body, and once I did, a pain unlike never before struck my nerves. My mouth cracked open, and I let out a wail unbefitting of a man. Unbefitting of any human, to say the least.
Lloré, mierda. I cried like no single person should, and the malefic entity I called my master burst out in laughter. He mocked me. Me.
Then he said, "Do you see why you should never go against my commands, Luis? I hold your life in my hands. I can cause you pain and humiliation, beyond what your fickle mind can imagine."
I opened my mouth to speak, but words wouldn’t come out. It took me a stupidly long time to form something coherent.
"...Mercy, por favor."
I could barely recognize my own voice.
My master, the devil, laughed. The gloomy darkness shifted and transformed into a gorgeous entity in a crisp black suit. He tucked his arms behind his back and said, "And why should I show you mercy, Luis? After failing me over and over again."
I swallowed. I needed to think of something fast.
A croak escaped my lips when I said, "One more chance. I promise, I will not fail you again. I swear on my life!"
"Such flimsy promises mean nothing to me, Luis." He said, and I cowered at the intensity of his gaze.
"I swear on María José’s life!" I blurted before I knew what I was doing.
However, that seemed to pique my master’s interest. He cocked his head to the side and said, "Oh? That’s interesting. You would swear it on the life of your one true love?"
I tried to nod, but my body still ached with the pain of getting whipped.
Eventually, my master said, "I will give you one last chance, Luis. Simply because there are still certain tasks you need to accomplish for me. That is why I am being this lenient with you."
"Gracias! Gracias!" I wobbled forward and kissed his feet, despite the rage in my heart. Even though I knew he could sense what I was feeling, I simply couldn’t hide it. I couldn’t contain the endless hate I had for him right now.
"You have something you wish to request." He said suddenly.
I winced slightly. The very fact that he knew everything I wanted pissed me off. I was laid bare before him, and it was beginning to hurt my pride. I steadied my breathing and nodded slowly.
"Speak."
Snot ran down my nostrils, but I said nonetheless, "I wish that you waive the pact, and that I may walk around in my real body."
"And why would I do that?" He said in a tone of inquiry.
Why the hell do you think?! I cursed in my heart, but quickly disregarded the thought. For all I knew, he could be reading my thoughts.
I wiped my nose, then said, "Master, exalted master, now that Mateo’s form has been discovered, I will need a new form to use. However, I believe that using my real body will make things a lot easier. I will be able to accomplish more since they will completely trust me. That’s what we need right now. Their trust."
I quickly added, in a bid to convince him, "They’re going to be wary of any new person stepping into their lives. However, since my true body has always been with them, they will not suspect me. I will be able to carry out your wishes as you see fit."
I pressed my head to the floor, bowing reverently.
My master was silent for a moment, which seemed like an eternity.
Eventually, he chuckled and said, "And if you fail me again?"
"Then I ask that you condemn me to eternal suffering should that happen," I responded.
There was another round of silence.
And then, what I wanted to hear the most reached my ears. "Return. Your wish is granted."
Yes! I could barely contain the joy in my heart.
Before I could thank him, the scene around me shattered like glass. And, when I opened my eyes, I was back in my room, in my own body.
That familiar smell struck my senses as I looked around.
In front of me, Mateo sat in what used to be my wheelchair. His eyes widened uncontrollably when he saw me.
Ay, you poor poor thing... You know to be scared.
Unlucky Mateo was going to be my first victim in my streak of revenge. I walked towards him, all hints of sympathy gone from my heart. And then, I grabbed his neck... and snapped it easily.
I killed Mateo without any hesitation. He had served his purpose.
Now, it was time for Big Daddy Luis to return to the main stage.