The Great Oni
Volume (1) Benoni Chapter (7)
Li Fan found "herself" strapped to an altar, wrists and ankles lashed tight. There was nothing remotely comfortable about the position.
At her side stood a middle-aged Christian priest who regarded her with icy eyes. All around the platform a large, furious crowd shouted.
Because they were speaking English, Li Fan understood every word.
"Kill! Kill! Burn the witch!"
Startled, Li Fan looked down at her own body.
"Huh?"
The sound that left her lips was a sweet, girlish voice.
A quick glance revealed a pair of budding breasts that quivered like jelly.
"What the—what happened to me?"
She pieced the scene together: a Christian priest, an enraged mob, accusations of witchcraft, an altar. Realization dawned—she must be in the Middle Ages, in a time when the Church held absolute power.
"John… a witch…" she murmured.
Clever as ever, she understood: this was the past, and she now inhabited the body of a condemned girl.
In that era, any woman who showed unusual talent or dared question the Church was labeled a witch and executed, often by burning or other savage means.
At the moment her legs were bound to a large rotating log beneath the platform; ropes linked her ankles to the log and her wrists to a matching beam above. A man below gripped the lever that would twist the device. The moment he turned it, her limbs would be wrenched with terrible force.
Li Fan forced a grim smile and exhaled. She could do nothing. Better to accept fate and hope death came quickly.
"Kill! Kill! Burn the witch!"
The chanting continued.
The priest—about forty years old, Bible in hand—surveyed the crowd with satisfaction, nodded, and raised his arm. Instantly the square fell silent.
"This witch, Yeti, dared to question the mercy of God! Is that acceptable?" he thundered.
"No! Unacceptable!" the mob roared in unison.
"Indeed! Therefore I, Father Mike, shall mete out punishment on behalf of our loving Lord."
"Turn the wheel!" he commanded.
Thunk, thunk—wooden gears engaged.
At the first slight rotation Li Fan's joints stretched; pops echoed from her shoulders and hips. She clenched her teeth but refused to scream.
Seeing her silence, the priest gestured for more.
"Crack!"
Bones snapped audibly. Ropes bit into her wrists and ankles, skin tearing, fresh blood dripping.
Another turn: agony flared white-hot. Li Fan's back arched; tears spilled from her eyes.
"Hnn… hnn… hnn…"
Still she would not howl.
The priest scowled and ordered yet another twist.
"Crack, crack!"
"AAH—!"
At last a sharp cry tore free, and Li Fan slipped into merciful unconsciousness.