Chapter 9: Chapter Seven: A Giant Help

After sorting out the issue of the three guys with the help of the Cute Ex Machina, who was oddly talkative and helpful in this situation, I went on my merry way. Oh yeah, the Cute Ex Machina moniker is here to stay, I think it fits perfectly. 

Anyways, I quickly made my way back to the threshold between the Juddeca circle and the Plotomea circle. I learned my lesson from last time. 

This time I slowly inched towards the boundary, pushing my head towards where the force field had been before. The lack of a force field was apparent, as I tumbled forward onto my face for the nth time. How a snake even loses balance doesn’t make any sense but apparently, it doesn't have to.

Upon fully entering the Plotomea circle, I could sense a distinct difference between it and the Judecca circle. The environment itself was different, instead of being a lake, it seemed to be a tundra of sorts. There were frozen plants, as well as people still submerged in the ground as penance for their wrongdoing.

The true difference was intangible. It was in the air; I could almost taste it. Which kind of makes sense, seeing as snakes taste the air with their tongues. 

But musing aside, unlike the Judecca circle, I felt like there was nothing really holding me in this one. If I recall, this one has to do with betrayal against friends and guests. Which, jokes on you Hell, I have no friends.

While ignoring the tormented souls half-buried in the ground, I slithered towards the edge of the circle. Once again testing for a force field, I was pleased to find none.

A similar pattern persisted through both the Antenora and Caina circles. Similar scenery and the lack of restrain.

With the lack of resistance, I quickly progress through the circles. Soon enough, I found myself in front of one of the ‘pillars’. 

The truth was, this massive thing in front of me was most certainly not a pillar. Rather it was a pair of legs so massive that they looked like columns. They were surprisingly hairless with ashen grey skin. The feet were massive, with well-maintained toes?

Which would have utterly terrified me if I could feel some emotions. How was I supposed to go about this?

I‘m not even sure I could crawl up its leg if I wanted to.

Maybe I could do the technique I did to get down my tree self but in reverse? But that would mean that I would be sinking my fangs into a very giant leg countless times. Someone who obviously takes care of themselves, or rather anyone wouldn’t put up with that. I’d be crushed like a bug. And I’d rather live a while longer.

So, what should I do? Cute Ex Machina is AWOL, and I have no other ideas to tackle this.

Resigning to my fate, I inched my way towards one of the big toes. Once I was there, I extended as far as I could towards the toenail. Then, I bit into the tip of the toenail, anchoring myself. I pull the rest of my body upwards, resting on the foot.

So far so good. I quickly but stealthily slither across the length of the foot.

Making it to the convergence between the foot and the leg, I halted my progress. Once confirming that I was indeed safe for the time being, I let out a breath of relief.

It seemed I would be living a little while longer. That being said, I wasn’t too sure how to proceed. Unlike my descent down my tree self, there weren't really any branches to grasp on. Maybe I could manage if the leg was hairy?

But it wasn’t…at all. Which meant that I made a mental circle, leading back to my original idea. The inch and fang. With no other choice, I stretched my head towards the leg and sunk my fangs in.

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I soon discovered that the technique that originally envisioned wasn’t that effective. So, I quickly concocted a new one. Dubbed the Slang and Fang.

Simply put, with my fangs anchored into the leg, I began swinging my body like a pendulum. Once I felt like I had enough momentum, I would release my hold, flinging myself upwards. Then came reattaching, which was simply biting the leg again when I could. Rinse and repeat.

After a couple of minutes, and fewer blunders than I expected, I was making progress. My latest fling had brought me about ten feet from the start of the knee.

Invigorated, I continued on.

A couple more swings and flings, and I finally sunk my fangs into the bone of the knee.

I began to build up momentum once again, only to be stopped. Forcefully. 

A gigantic hand came down and grabbed onto me with two of its fingers and a thumb. 

And then it started to apply pressure and squeeze. Hard.

My previously believed to be resilient body began to creak and fold under the pressure. 

As the grip got tighter and tighter, I calmly watched as my life flash before my eyes. 

And then suddenly, the aching and pain stopped. 

The pressure was replaced by a thoughtful stroke? Like one might give to their pet.

The fingers then plucked me off of the knee, turning me over to the palm of the hand. As I settle within the hand, it began to move upward.

The quick speed and air resistance pushed me flat against the grey flesh. 

Then, as quickly as it started, the hand stopped moving. I glanced outward, only to be greeted by some giant smoldering red eyes. 

The giant pushed it head forward, and with the illumination of the hole in the roof, I took in its face. Simply put she was really pretty. The red eyes matched the gem embedded in her forehead. Her dark hair complemented her grey skin. All in all, she was gorgeous. I think she’d have no issues gathering suitors, even at her massive size. 

As I was taking in her facial features, she seemed to be doing the same. Apparently satisfied with what she saw, she gave a smile. Then she winked, before she thrusted her hand upwards, sending me into the hole in the ceiling.