”The Seven Deadly Sins – 1st Sin: Pride”

A peaceful village laid south of Sonotropolis, buried deep in the mountain ranges, covered under the protection of so many natural hazards. There lied an ancient race of Mobians and Overlanders, who never believed in technology and chose to ignore the reign of the Acorn Family. They were a peaceful people, whos numbers grew and grew and whos faith in the Lord never wavered.
For you see, this group believed in a God, a god long thought gone from the minds of most that lived on this planet. A God whose sacred holy books were burned and destroyed. His words were gentle, but wrathful to those who sinned. He would give forgiveness to all whom asked for it. A loving entity, the King of Kings. Their church stood proud and tall at the center of their village.

Their world was hardly ever disturbed, even when the Dark Ones reign began they simply got word and believed that the Devil was finally descending upon the Earth to snatch up the souls of the sinful. They would be spared; they would be loved by Gods giving grace. Soon they predicted, they will be called up to heaven, to be with the Lord.

But the day you see, never did come.

One of their numbers had to venture forth outside of their community. Needing the herbs of a plant that lived below the mountain he carefully made his way to the ground and was confronted by a group of Sonotropolian guards. They took one look at his white robes, brown bag and staff and laughed. He spoke the words of his God and beckoned them to a peaceful conclusion.
…It did not take them long to have him thrown in a cell, as per request of their Master. For you see, The Dark One was always looking for those who would speak the words of a God. He came to his cell and spoke to him, discovering his religion, discovering his dedication. The Evil Hedgehog decided that perhaps this believer needed to be put to the test….

In a days running the young believer was dead. His body violated and stripped of it’s flesh. The Dark One had gotten what he wanted from the young man, it didn’t take him much to get the information on his people. “A kinder God,” he said to the corpse as he cleaned his hands on the blood stained robes. “Would have let you die sooner.”

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The peaceful village wondered and waited but dared not send out someone to find their number. “God will protect him.” They said, and so they set their worries to the wind, said a quick prayer and resumed their everyday lives.
When the afternoon came and the sky was a set of orange and deep red, the workers began to retire to their homes and families. The fields emptied and in groups they went, giving thanks to God for the bountiful harvest they would undoubtedly have.
“STRANGER!” cried the towns lookout. “A STRANGER DOTH APPROACH!” He frantically climbed down from his lookout tower and was quickly surrounded by able bodied men. “He comes! H-He comes from the shadows! He looks of ill intent!”
“He is one!” cried the burliest of the warriors. “We are many, God shall see our actions and ensure that no harm comes to us.” They ran to meet this stranger, their sandled feet crashing against the graveled ground, their ragged clothing billowing in the wind. They stopped when the stranger who walked in the shadows came into view.
“Greetings,” it said. “I bring wonderful, freeing news to your people.”
“Who art thee?” growled the strongest, his spear pointed to the shadowed form.
“Who am I?” it laughed, stepping into the fading light of the day. His long dark blue quills billowing with the same wind that touched the believers. “I am the one true god.”
“Listen well, believers of a faith long since dead. Your religion and beliefs are formed from lies and the acts of other stronger, braver men.” The Dark One smiled, stepping to the men without fear. “Your God, and his earth walking son are the tales of fools with too much time, a few dozen scrolls and a bottle of ink and plume. Your God, does not exist.”
“LIES” they cried, “LIES, THE DEVIL IS WITHIN YOU!”
“The Devil and God are the same being, the being in which you see before you.”
“Blasphemer!” the strongest cried, raising his spear upward and charging the hedgehog. The Dark One smiled.
“Your God wishes you to die does he? Very well, let your blood be on his head!”


One by one, they fought.
One by one, they died.
When the many strong laid dying and bleeding the Dark One looked up; the older, the youngest and the woman stood ready to attack. Ready to strike against the enemy of God. He laughed. “Fools! Is your false faith worth your lives? Is it worth more?” Their cries of vengeance gave him his answer. With a sigh, he lifted his hand and snapped his finger.

The roar of dozens of armed guards stormed forth from below the mountain, forming behind the Dark One. He turned to them.
“Do whatever you want to them. The woman, the children, the old men if you desire! It matters not to me. Leave NOTHING remaining of this peaceful little parish.” He looked up, at the tallest building and smirked. “But do not touch this building.”

In the midst of the battle he walked, heading towards the Church that stood tall and superior to all around it. He climbed the steps and opened the doors, inside was a man who stood before him holding a book and a cross.
“I know what you are.” He whispers.
“Do you.” The hedgehog smirked. The old man crossed himself and held out his bible.
“Demon, sent from the Devil himself to destroy the last of Gods true followers. Stand thee down and return to the underworld from which you came! You will not consume us as you have the rest of this world! You will not take our souls to your Master!”
Sonic stared, utterly amazed at the unimaginable belief, the bravery.

The sheer stupidity.

“Old man,” he whispers. He stepped forward and touched the Holy book, it burst into flames, the old man dropped it and stared horrified. “Don’t insult me.” A slash of his claws sent the priests guts sprawling to the floor.
He stepped up to the alter and stared up at the figure crucified to a cross.
“I am the one true God,” he whispered, his hands glowing red with his charging powers. “Your people are dead, and those who are not will be used, stripped of their humanity and made shells. With them, dies your last bit of life.”

The building collapsed around him, crumbling over the intense powers he unleashed. When it was over, he stood atop a broken cross and watched his men in their merciless slaughter.

The night sky filled with smoke.
The scent of blood was overpowering.
The cries of the dying and tortured.
And the laughter of the Dark One.

ARTIST NOTES:

The sin of Pride was the first one to be drawn, so you can tell terribly the art differences on it and its followers. This was also the last colored, and I think it came out as one of the better ones. It was fun drawing the flame, which is entirely done via photoshop brush and default brush tips. A bit of the smear tool also assisted. Personally I think the non-purpled one looked better, but I decided that they would all have the colors that their sin represents.

The color of pride is purple, which should be obvious because of how often purple is associated with royalty and noblemen. I also took that into consideration when I was working on a bit of finalizing Dark Ones colors, he wears a purple cape. Purple is one of my favorite colors, but it can mean a lot of things.

To the religious folks who will undoubtedly take great offense in what I have written, I sincerely apologize, but let’s be honest here… Why are you on DA? Or better yet, why are you on a computer? Somewhere in your holy laws it surely says that such a technological wonder is sinful.

You’re going to hell.

Enough said.