One thousand years. What was it to an immortal but a blink of an eye? What were the centuries which passed by? What significance did they have here in the pit? Where no sun ruled the day, nor moon by the night, no stars above to gaze upon. Death was preferable to this, for death allows us to return. This was torment to be away from the world, chastised away from their own children. For what good was an immortal life without purpose? A meaningless life was not one worth living. For even those who watch, watch over. Those who corrupt, corrupt. Those who kill, kill. Everything in the universe had a task set before them, a task unfinished while rotting here in the pit. Of course their eternal bodies could not rot, but rather they rotted. Weakening with the continuation of life, their hold dwindling, and the bonds which held them captive drained their will. At least for those with minds tethered to the pit. For those Children who saw the pit as their prison, the walls crushing their hopes of freedom, and the guards the wardens, the reality of it was a prison. But there was another prison greater than the pit, one that not even Therelon in all his infinite knowledge could devise to construct. The mind after all, was its own prison.

So there in the pit, amongst the other angels gathered there did the Great Old One kneel before the pool. His eyes neither shut nor open, but half-way inbetween. For there was nothing to in the pit, but much to do within the mind. There sitting upon his haunches, the monk channeled his energy into self-reflection. For one thousand years ever since the betrayal and their imprisonment, Wu Dan had not moved from this kneeling stance such that a fine layer of dust covered his shoulders, robe and hat. Covered like a statue underneath the grey dust, as he clutched his prayer beads in one hand, and covered his fist with the other. His head bowed in contemplation, over the deceit and justice which would be executed the moment they were released. For it was not Wu Dan to be vengeful, but virtuous. For Eyra had imprisoned them with trickery, so too would she be taught the fruits of her treachery. Where the others would seek to kill her, Wu Dan would stay their hand. Death was too good of a punishment for her. No, she needed to also be betrayed, for then she shall experience the cruel sensation. But it would not be by those she would not trust, but rather by her own children. She shall earn her forgiveness through understanding the pain she had caused.

So why burst at the seams to know your freedom is at hand? Why rush forth and storm out of the pit? There would still be a surge of demons who would escape with them. And the wars would begin again. For this reason Wu Dan made no attempt to leap out of the pit. Nor any attempt to suggest he was conscious of the current situation even. For even if he could no longer guard his mountain and his people, he shall certain guard the pit. The demons would be upon them soon enough. And Wu Dan's grip tightened around his beads.

---

The world was run by desire. That which gave everything its drive. The need for the grass to stretch out to the sun, the need for cows to eat the grass, the need for milk from her calf. All things had needs, hungers to sate, cravings to fill. For without such desires, life would have no meaning. Nothing to live for, no purpose to fill. Satiation was after all, fulfillment, and after fulfillment, unless hunger took over, one had outlived one's purpose. Odd how it worked did it not? 

But ah in this cell, where the Devouring King was chained and imprisoned. Held behind a door in solitary confinement such that his taint did not fester into the minds of others. He was locked away, forever sealed within the pit. But there in his starvation he smiled. His grin wide and teeth bared. For he was patient, for all things time devours. And soon the contract would be up, and he would roam free once more. To reclaim his kingdom and his treasures. To retake his city by merely taking the throne, and devilishly enjoying knocking down Eyra's statues in her places of worship as an effigy. 

Roaring heard down the pit, that must be the big kitty himself. So, it looks like it's show time...