Journey Through Darkness: The Gluttons
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Circle Three: The Gluttons
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Down this dark passage we fell purged of all light without guidance. " Near do we draw the end of our journey in fall!" so said the voice of the serpent " Ready now your constitution for many have broken within the Ring of the Gluttons!" My questioning was hushed as light had once more ruled our vision. Now did we descend into harsh rain that swept all the land in it's fury. My vision remain all in it's obscurity unaware of what lay around me. As clarity set upon did I find a gruesome sight beyond words could ever describe. Past this putrid rain that grew in the dark slush writhed the mass of fat and flesh along in such a gathering of numbers untold, so did these wretches of such detestable form pull at one another and tear their flesh to the bone amongst their teeth. Like wild beast so did they feast with unending hunger upon one another only to expel from themselves once more that which they consumed to a bloody ditch as many others that lay as if unending in their vastness of filth.
A howling rose in a great choir " Look on before us you will see the heads of Cerberus great and putrid. Here it slathers without hunger ceasing upon the Gluttonous: Souls who's very lives lay devoted to ravenous hunger. As there hunger could never be satisfied in life nor shall it be in death. All that they consume is but bitter rotting flesh to be heaved and renewed in endless torment of a famine throughout all eternity! It is over these Cerberus guards that none should escape such a fate for if not would it cease to remain would these feed upon every ring without end." A mountainous form had stirred, three great grotesque heads erected throughout the bloodied red storm as if a mocking testament to those who would otherwise dare show foolish valor in tempting higher pass. In unison did they descend upon the squirming souls who's eyes did no justice as their great hunger had blind them from such a wicked assailment otherwise.
The mass claws of Cerberus sharper than any blade craft lay to these souls with great swiftness in such a punishing manor as if to compress them forever into the rancid slush. It's three heads devised of fiends known great throughout the world: Crow, Crocodile, and man all feasted upon the fleeing wretches whom did not receive the blow. Ground along the teeth of snake and shark so did these souls pass, their flesh sliced to crimson ribbons within an instant denying time even for the suffering to cry out. So did this carnivorous display pass through the gullet of Cerberus whom show no signs to be satisfied with any that would take in the same fate. My guide had took lead down a path of entrails shed many a time " Onward we must pass for the rings there are still many to travel. Keep haste I will mention only once." so did I follow without word this wicked pass to which lay bare in a full display of carnage never ceasing. It was soon I had come to realize the rain had phased through me as if I a specter. " In this ring such torment is not your own. Be not vexed by such compassion the rules are set for someday you may share in this fate perhaps." spoke the serpent as he tread without pause upon half the live body of a figure torn beyond recognition whom vainly reached towards shrieking
" This great hunger I am filled with never ceases! Cruel you are to strike upon where I grew so weak in life now to suffer on in death! I would wish my deviant fate upon you just the same!" leapt upon then were they by group of men and women decloaked beyond words to tear them limb from limb with such animosity and hunger to feed! I had passed this display if only to gander more upon the nefarious ditches that so filled every few feet in such a mob of agony for within these ditches drift in blood the still writhing bits and heads of those met with such a fate to wallow in their stench and many more putrid. Into these pits tumbled without stop the obese into the vile grim waters of blood, swarmed upon and chewed bit by bit they were by the heads still alive without a torso to carry yet hunger did they still. " This is madness." I gave only a whisper with follow of my guide whom pay attention none to any scenery. As we had neared an ascending hill upon the path of bodies did my ears then grow deaf to their vast moans as far as they carried. Beyond this hill lay that of many more crowds frozen within the beating rains only if to be shattered by the great claws of Cerberus.
Upon a field of feces did we now tread as if not to touch the very filth did we so gracefully maneuver as if never to have walked within. Beneath our feet hidden within the odious stench outreached hands of many drenched within unable to speak as their heads were far concealed below. By end of such a dreadful place and upon another hill we traveled to meet the multiple gaze of Cerberus who bid unto us no attention. His absorption was cast only on that what he fed of the many below unable to escape neither the sharp claws nor icy rains as they turned in their mass. " Tell me Serpent.." I gave upon a breath " ..Is such a place without sight of an end?" and he unto me " Neigh. Each ring having been craft to accommodate an opening for all to fit." Beyond Cerberus my eyes had seen mountainous planes far greater than that even such a beast. A wall of bodies awaiting their place with the rest. I had grown without cease of weariness upon this place and found now my lack of compassion for now my own selfish take of leave arose with each step yet onward would the serpent lead me.
" I know not the strength of how much more I may bare! Out of this ring I wish now with haste Serpent!" with this I met scornful eyes of such wicked intent yet my only punishment came with tongue that slashed like whip " As to why the king of all that is light show such compassion upon you outreaches my thoughts greatly. Such weakness you carry as great a stone thrown to a river have you sank! Were it not divine grace I lay enslaved within now would I strike upon you my great venom in fury! Towards the end do we draw now that of the third circle and unto the fourth! Restructure the figure you hold for within the bowels of the circle cast for Greed shall we soon tread. With such that you display now I see will serve you none and have you break entirely within that ring." without reply only silence was that I gave as we near a great black hole outlined upon with a halo of rust. The serpent gave me but one final glance " Have you any such strength to overcome your sin that which has brought you to such a place now? Search your heart here and eradicate without haste such foolery or turn back!" " I have none the way to lead back..."
" Then never again beg so hideously upon my stead for I am not your key but only guide that would turn on you as such a serpent would any other way! In this pit will you find time to come towards sense and pride before our journey begins yet again!" and with such did the serpent drop into this pit. Reluctant was I as I stood upon this pit yet such words of cruel intent were words of strength and iron encouragement. Only I would truly lead through this which I begged towards salvation eternal. My choice had been displayed and down this pit would I have it not but any other way.