Worth Chapter 10: Eroberung: Lacrimae Rerum, an avengers fanfic

"Worth"

An Avengers Fanfiction

Part II: EROBERUNG

TWO: Lacrimae Rerum

"The burden man has to bear, ever present frailty and suffering, is what would define the essence of human experience."- Virgil, Aenid

LOKI

There comes a time where regret becomes futile. A very human aspect yet powerful enough to penetrate through the barriers of Celestials and destiny lingers eternally in pursuit of satisfaction.

"No. No one can know about this. It will ruin all chances of our success," There is no tinge of hesitation in my tone. I eye her firmly as if to convince her of no other options. To my dismay, she remains dissuade. She was determined to make me yield to her wishes.

She sighs.

The moment we had was broken. It had only been more than hour since my confession and time was clearly not in our favor. She already knew too much and I still had much to learn. The air grew heavier as minutes passed and though I still felt a strong reciprocal emotion to my advances earlier on, I was fully aware that it all happened too soon and too out of place.

Dylan's gaze does not break from mine, "Thanos plays a heavy part in all of this. If he learns what my blood can do, it will only give Mephistophiles a greater advantage. We need help. You have to tell your brother,"

I shake my head, "Thor will only think of me in more distrust. It will be better for me to settle things with Thanos while you and the others take care of Mephistophiles,"

She takes a step closer. Her expression commands my attention. It was going to be difficult to persuade her, "Listen to me Loki, the blood that dripped into the scryer came from your hands and by memory, it recalls significant places you have inhabited thus opening a realm into Thanos' world and maybe even Asgard," Thoughts of my mother flash before my eyes and I fear the situation of my former home knowing that it would not hold as strongly without its princes to protect them, "Mephistophiles just plans on using him as a diversion. He just wants you out of the way. He would do anything and everything to get rid of you,"

My voice remains steady, "And why is that?"

Her hand fiddles on the gold chain around her neck which reminded me that I've yet to return her pendant. She seems to hold special value to it. Her brows weave, "He sees you as a threat and with good reason. I think I know what your gauntlets are really for,"

I instinctively place attention on my wrists and trace the enochian writings on my gauntlets. Was this part of my punishment uncoincidental? I respond, still eyeing the markings, "I'm listening, go on,"

She swiftly makes her way to my side and winds her fingers around my wrists. Upon touching the metal, the inscriptions slowly started glowing as did her eyes. The white and blue clashing like a sea of stars and clouds reflected in her eyes made me tinge. She released her grip and the wounds I garnered from the last bout disappeared. She blinked, "Your gauntlets clearly came from something other than Asgardian steel. It's clearly from a holy source and just like my blade, it works on blood magic. That's the reason it gives you pain. It draws life from its host in order for it to continue to exist,"

"And how does this relate to Mephistophiles and Thanos?"

She points at the enochian inscriptions pressing on my skin, "Your gauntlets function as a chain or a shackle but not to control you. It serves a deeper purpose when combined with the scryer. It's a lock,"

I raise both my arms at chest level to assess the similar writings at each side to affirm her statement, "Then, if we can find a way to get a hold of the scryer then we can lock the gates connecting Midgard and his realm," and of Asgard's. She reads my thoughts like scanning through written script.

She nods.

Without hesitation, I steer to her side and come up to her face to face. I look at her intently and for a second I sensed her jolt into alarm, "I can do it. I know the workings of Thanos' mind; all we have to do is find the demon,"

Dylan shakes her head and breaks our stare, "There is no assurance that Mephistophiles hasn't already told Thanos about my blood. Should he decide to drop my blood into the scryer…" her voice trails away and she turns as if I had spoken something out of spite.

I move myself closer to her. She still has her back at me and even if I am just inches away from her neck, I was cautious enough to keep a comfortable distance. "What? What happens?" I did not place any tone of demand as I asked. It was not out of curiosity either. Merely innocent yearning for answers.

Without proper assessment, my hand traces the side of her arm. To my surprise, she twines her hand on mine and turns to face me, "We have to tell Thor, Loki," there it is again. Her look of sadness. The less she told me, the more I felt afraid. The thing is, I did not know even the reason why.

"Dylan," I lower my head to catch her glance. She did not wish to look at me. I place both hands on her shoulders now, "What happens when he drops your blood into the scryer?"

Her hand curls up into a fist, "Then it's all up to you now," she takes a deep breath and I feel tension slowly building up. I needed answers now.

"Tell me!" I shook her a little and her eyes widen, "Whoever drops my blood into the scryer, controls me," all train of thought halts.

My forehead creased and I stumble for words, "Controls you? Wh-what are you saying!"

Before I could mutter anything else, she gave me an intense look and placed her hand on my chest and as if a concentrated amount of spectral magic lay in her fingertips, she dug her fingers into the side of my heart and my Jotunheim descent surfaced.

I didn't dare to look at myself for more than a minute and I instantly lifted her touch from my chest, " N-no, don't…this isn't how I want you to see me!" There was no change in her expression. She wasn't even bothered by my horrified look.

She drew towards me and touched my cheek. Her gesture made me flinch, "Just as you have a part of yourself you wish to hide, so do I but mine is a much more complex fete. The Nephilim are a very obedient and ruthless kind and once bound, we are sworn to obey. So, do not tell me that I do not understand you,"

I frowned, "Why have you been cursed with such fate?" I quiver at the thought of her lifelong burden.

Dylan sighed, "It's because the fate due me has long past and living in borrowed time displeased quite a few personas. It's the price my bloodline has paid for mankind's protection,"

There was only sincerity and selflessness in her demeanor. It was as if whatever fate befell her, she had embraced wholeheartedly. She was always so strong…Yet, she had yielded even before the battle had begun. This was unacceptable, "The oath made by your father shouldn't be yours to fulfill. You are merely a victim of this cruelty!"

She cut my propositions to my surprise, "It's not something I could just dispel. And even if I had a choice, my actions wouldn't have been much different,"

For a moment there was only silence. Another memory building made from shards of lasting strife and injustice. She was too selfless. Too kind for her own good. Midgard needed her. I needed her. But I knew that it just couldn't be…that simple.

"There is much I do not understand about you and your kind but know this, whatever you think is best to be done, I will stand by it," I have lied. I have never thought crafting words of false promises would have been so difficult. I felt guilt and resentment towards myself for I could never lie to her. And I had a feeling I would be breaking the promise even before I confront it.

She smiles a little, "You'll understand, soon," she quips and I knew instantly that I would not understand. I did not wish for it, "But for now, we have to tell your brother,"

I ruffle my hair in defeat and cocked a brow, "So it seems. Answer me this then,"

"What is it?"

I spoke frankly, swallowing rapidly the bitterness of my words, "Why do I have inkling that our victory is double edged?"

She looks at me, wide-eyed and mute. There was no need for her to confirm my theory. I was right. I had denied the truth that was set before my eyes since the beginning but I needed to hear it from her myself.

For in all honesty, I still hope for a different response.

"Well, it's about time the both of you showed," Stark greeted us with a speculative grin with which the doctor flinched as a response. The rest of the Avengers did not greet us with much enthusiasm. We had lost precious time and now that the scryer was gone along with her blade, the only leverage we had was John Dee. And even his presence was hardly helpful.

Thor patted my back as if to give regard to my recovery and I instantly am reminded of my task to narrate his part as an envoy. I nodded in affirmation and stood at his side, silent.

Fury had no room for smiles that day. He was completely and utterly distressed about our situation, "Doc," her attention quickly transferred to him, "What's happening? I am completely at a loss here,"

Hawkeye jumped from the upper deck of the control hangar and signaled Romanov to call on Maria, "Ain't much different from our standpoint,"

The doctor looked at Barton and Fury, "I'm afraid there's been a change of plans director. Agent Hill, the Captain please,"

Maria Hill nodded at the doctor and spoke on the prompter to summon the common the Captain. She had at least planned ahead during my confinement and though I already had a feeling that what she had in mind would be unwelcomed, I believe that it was the best option for us.

Romanov propped up her seat upon hearing the hangar shutter open. The rest of us anticipated our visitors. At quick alarm, Barton and Romanov stood at the director's side and secured the guns locked on their belts. My brother, I and the doctor only remained at ease at the sight of the Captain escorting John Dee to our meeting.

"At ease everyone," The captain gestured for the others to put down their weapons. He pointed to the special cuffs locked on Dee's wrist and remained at his side. John Dee remained calm but very much enthused at our sight.

Fury frowned, "Doc?"

The doctor started, "Dee's going to make things a lot clearer for all of us. Watch carefully," The doctor motioned for the Captain to move a little further away from Dee.

Dee grinned wickedly, "So it has all come to this eh Nephilim? Your doubts lead you to break laws of your own yes?"

She looked at him intensely and with a fast movement, she gripped his throat, "You didn't give me much choice!" As soon as fingers wound around his neck tightly, her eyes turned into the eerie white-blue light. Her body glowed in clear mist and I was sure I saw enochian writings on her skin. Her transformation caused a stir that we felt the force of it surround us. John Dee's eyes turned wide and eclipsed into glassy irises. Soon we found ourselves enclosed in a mirror-like sphere. Images from what I believe came from Dee's thoughts and memories came to surface.

The scene showed John Dee and Mephistophiles in some sort of laboratory in mid-conversation.

"The prophecy will come true…one of the Nephilim lives!" John Dee held up pieces of papyrus script with enochian glyphs engraved on them. So it was true about his obsession.

Mephistophiles raised his brow, "Congratulations doctor. Your discovery will change the face of the earth," he gave the scientist a wide grin.

The scene shifts into a study where a broken pendulum is scattered on the floor and a helpless John Dee is seen crawling from a beating from the grey demon. Dee cries out, "We had a deal you bastard! I sold my soul to find the truth and you tricked me! You used me!"

"Technically speaking, I kept my part of the bargain. All I needed to do was find an occultist who shared the same perspective as me and now that I gave you what you asked, I am no longer indebted to you. I should thank you actually,"

"I knew I should never have trusted you fully!"

"And you're right, you shouldn't have! But, your soul is mine now and I'm here to claim it. Consider the Nephilim's location as my bonus!"

"NO!" John Dee began narrating a strange limbic of phrases which made Mephistophiles weak. He was binding himself to the grey demon, "Now we can't escape each other!"

Another shift and this time John Dee is revealed as a young man.

Mephistophiles begins, "The time of compromise is past mortal. I will have my freedom,"

"And how will that ever happen? The prophecy will never turn to your advantage unless you know how to manipulate the scryer,"

Mephistophiles cackles, "I have you for that. The Nephilim will open the gates and assure us of our freedom,"

There is a way for us to break this spell however; I would require a small token of my own if I help you."

"Help you? You owe this to me you bastard!"

"You almost killed me demon, so I guess we see eye to eye now,"

"So it would seem. Now tell me, what needs to be done for us to enter Paradise?"

"We have the gateway; all that we need now is the key and a diversion."

There was a loud thud when the doctor released John Dee who fell to his knees, seemingly drained from all energy as pyres of smoke lifted from his body. Yet, he was laughing, "We're winning Nephilim,"

The doctor didn't turn to face us, "Then why are you still here?"

His eyes narrowed and his mouthed grew wider, "You think that monster is the diversion?"

Did he speak of Thanos?

I shot the doctor a look but quickly turned to face my brother who sensed my unease.

John Dee began to stand, "You are wrong Nephilim, completely and utterly wrong,"

Even if Thanos was only indirectly involved, he still had possession of her blood and there was no other choice but to take claim of what was rightfully ours.

I spoke, "Thor, I need a moment,"

Regret. I feel nothing but regret.

"What have you done brother?" There was only disappointment and anger in his eyes. The doctor had done much for us, especially for me and how have I repaid her? With more problems.

I tried to remain composed. It was an inevitability that among others, I would have to be the first one on alert, "Regrettably… I have caused much burden however, with your help; we could settle at least...half of our problems,"

Thor gripped my collar. I gave no such effort to halt him, "And what of the other half?! Why do you always treat these things like a game? Have you not learned anything?!" Have I? Was playing with fire merely a personal habit of mine? No proper response came from me. I merely waited for him to calm.

His fingers unrolled on my tunic and he exhaled hard, "Why is it integral for me to be your envoy? What have you to fear from Thanos?"

"I do not fear him. What I do fear is his capability to call upon something worse than demons. And,"

His brows weave together and I turn from him, "And?"

"I cannot leave her,"

My brother places a hand on my shoulder, "You know she is better than all of us. She can take care of herself—"

"No. I can't…" I had no intention to yield.

He grips me tighter this time and forces me to face him. This enrages him. Did he not sense in his putrid mind the truth that was so obvious but I dared not to speak of?

"Why? Why can't you leave her?! This is your doing, your responsibility!"

I grit my teeth and feel my body temperature rise, "YOU KNOW WHY!"

He sighs at the sight of me, panting and pained. He understands what I have failed to understood during his time with that mortal.

He begins to nod slowly, "Then, so be it."

Things that would come as a surprise were becoming less and less. The doctor's narrative about the prophecy gave clarity to what was happening. It was difficult to believe but easier to understand and it was only the beginning of the end.

Romanov's glare was impossible to hide, "So what you're saying is…the prophecy is talking about,"

The doctor responded without restraint, "The reaping. The start of the apocalypse, yes." In her peripheral, she could see Barton tense up as he looked in affirmation at the captain. It was only the director who was focused on their epiphany.

Fury unfolded his arms and gave a look of disdain to each of the Avengers, "And you could in fact be our end and our only hope?"

"Practically speaking,"

Fury's voice raised a few octaves, "But why? How?"

The doctor let out a breath, "The return of the Nephilim is one of many keys to open the gates between worlds. No one from our bloodline is even supposed to be alive. This is a price to pay for a second life. The Nephilim are capable of many things and if you've noticed, Loki is a living testament of me, breaking the norms of life,"

Upon hearing Loki's name, Stark jumped off his seat and began pacing across the foyer. He had one hand massaging his chin and the other tucked behind his back, "Soooooo this whole Orion thing, is part of the prophecy right?"

"Yes,"

Stark nods, "And the scryer? Whoever drops your blood into the thing controls you?" he steps closer to the doctor.

"Yes," Dylan's face tightens.

"Okaaay…So Mephisto-whoever plans on buying his freedom by letting all Hath-nos loose and get you to practically kill whatever is in his way right?"

She shrugs, "…Yes,"

Stark's hands grazes over his metal core, "Then what about the other creepy crawly?"

The others looked at the billionaire Avenger with much confusion. The doctor however instantly knew who he was pertaining to. She answers him directly, "That matter belongs to the Asgardians, however, Loki," She pauses to edit, "h-he, plays a vital part in all of this,"

The Captain finally stands and steps in between the three, "What part does he play exactly?"

Dylan gives Steve Rogers a calm but calculating look, "The scryer is the gateway, the map towards the Netherworlds, I am the key and Loki, well he's,"

"The lock," Fury intrudes and each of them gathered are taken aback. It was difficult to perceive a former foe to become a safety blanket.

"Yes," she quips, all too easily.

The Captain moves further and with a more determined look, approaches the doctor, "So you're saying that the gates are bound to open? That's why Loki's here?" for the first time in all that has happened, Steve Rogers was caught in distraught.

The doctor frowns, "What I am saying is, should all else fall apart, you still have a chance as long as he's here. His gauntlets serve that purpose and since it is bound to him, it is his duty to fulfill its purpose,"

Barton finally speaks. His control for his temper was at capacity, "But, we can't even trust him completely! That temptation of power, once he has it in his hands…who is to say that he won't betray us? He won't betray you?"

"No one can." She cuts him mid-sentence. There was authority in her tone but no ill will. The truth had cut through them like a blunt knife but the bleeding had to continue, "But it's better to know that we still have hope to cling on to,"

"There must be another way!" Nastasha pleads and for a moment everyone is caught in a small banter. Hill remained silent and contemplative until everything made sense to her as she looked at the doctor. She saw through the half-angel, she knew all along.

"There is…" Maria whispered, "Doctor Sinclair? May I have a word with you?" Fury shot the agent an aggravated look.

"This isn't exactly a nice time to side bar Hill!"

The doctor approached her, "Of course." She knew instantly that Maria's intuitions were strong. She didn't need to read her thoughts for that.

This made Fury irritated, "Doc!"

The doctor collected her emotions, momentarily closed her eyes and began instructing them as if no important discussion was made, "Mobilize everyone, we need to get to Russia."

"Russia?"

"I told you before Cap, the Land of Darkness is where it all happens. We have a day to put stop to all of this. Thor will take care of the vial while the rest of us get the scryer back from Mephistophiles."

Fury gave her a smug look, "And you?"

The doctor blinked at him and turned, "I, prepare to face my fate…. Let's go Maria."

There was only a few minutes of silence that had occupied the space between the S.H.I.E.L.D agent and the doctor. She was leading the half-angel into a part of the moving base she had not known. The doctor chose to remain silent and just follow.

"You are very noble; I just wanted you to know that," Hill began.

Dylan's brows furrowed, "Thank you agent Hill, but, what is it really that you want to talk about?

Hill's lips curved, "I've been with S.H.I.E.L.D long enough to understand the value of a good sacrifice. In this industry, it is almost inevitable however, allow me to be blunt." Maria came into a halt as soon as they had reached a secured door. She turned to the doctor and looked at her pleadingly, "You cannot just throw your life away," her words struck the doctor without much defense. There was sorrow in the doctor's eyes and fear in the agent's.

She shook her head, "I'm not throwing my life away. I'm using what's left of it to save all of yours. Don't you think that that's sensible?" there was no conceit, merely exactness.

Maria winced, "That's the thing, and it's not that easy. You tell us that it has to happen and it will happen but," she bites on her lip and slowly the silent agent begins to feel emotional. Her voice quivers, "I-I don't believe that. It's like…you've given up."

The doctor looks away, "I'm living on borrowed time and the longer I stay here, the more people get hurt," She lets out a slow and hard breath and purses her lips, "I'm getting tired of losing people agent Hill."

Maria's jaw clenched and her face hardened, "You've saved more lives with your presence here than when you were underground. You are a valuable person and you shouldn't lose your will to fight. An honorable death shouldn't be a primary motivator!"

"What do you mean?"

Hill wipes the wetness at the side of her face and inputs numbers on the secure door which quickly slid open. She steps forward, "Follow me doctor. Maybe, when you see, you'll understand…"

The electronic door closes and the doctor is greeted by a small but neat room filled with familiar medical equipment and two nurses who are quickly dismissed by Hill.

"Maria, what is all of this?"

She motions for the doctor to come closer, "The Avengers were always an uncanny alliance but what really drove them to pursue Loki was the sacrifice of an ordinary but brave man. You have to admit, without the team now; you would be handling the prophecy in much more complex state. "

"What are you trying to say Hill?"

Maria Hill moves the curtains that hid the identity of the patient and reveals a pale but peaceful looking man on life support, "Dr. Sinclair, I'd like you to meet one of our agents, Phil Coulson,"

The doctor was shocked at the reality contrary to the stories she has been told by her new found allies, "H-he's alive…"

Maria places her hand on top of the sleeping agent, "Barely. It was a miracle that they were able to revive him however, as you can see, this is the best that we could do."

"Why did you keep this from them?"

Hill shrugged, "It's what had to be done and we didn't even know how long we could hope for him to last. He doesn't have much family. Frankly speaking, he only has us to depend on. If it weren't for him, the Avengers wouldn't have been formed at all."

Dylan observed the agent more closely, "He's been there for three years?"

"Yes. But, you can change that doctor. You can change all of our lives and we are here to help. Phil Coulson may not have stood a chance against the dynamic forces of the universe but you do. And you have to fight for that."

The doctor's stare could not leave Phil Coulson's vegetative state, "I could wake him, right here, right now if you ask me to…"

"I know and, that would mean the world to me. However, I can't ask you just yet."

Her attention shifts from Coulson to Hill, "And why is that? This may be your only chance to."

Maria Hill gives her a small smile, "I just don't believe that doctor. He's a fighter. He'll always be willing to wait for so long as we allow ourselves to hope. And once everything turns to normal, then shall we decide what will be the best option is for him."

The doctor gives Phil Coulson a look of pity and hesitance, "You are asking for too much Maria."

Maria scoffs, "On the contrary, I am not asking you anything. I am giving you an opportunity. He will be something to look forward to once your return. Do you understand what I'm saying doc?"

"Some impossible things remain impossible even when you think around it."

Maria touches the cheek of Coulson and for a moment, she thought she saw him quiver at her gesture, "Not if it's something that you're sure of."

Dylan Sinclair sighed, "How long have you known about what happens to me. The prophecy, I mean?"

Agent Hill crosses her arms gives the doctor a look of discomfort,

"Angels are all bound to go back to heaven once they've done their ordeal."

There was so much to do in so little time and so the fiends in another realm came to their own version of a conference.

Mephistophiles had barely regenerated but thanks to his new found ally, he had the privilege of remaining out of bounds as long as he remained in outer space, "You were right, they really believe that you're going to use the Nephilim's blood to raise the dead,"

"Fools! They only wish to believe the things they think they can predict. Her blood serves an even more glorious purpose than that. I have a deeper rooting than vengeance," there was only rootful vengeance and lust for power in the Chitauri lord's eyes and this gave the grey demon more enthusiasm in his ploys.

"Oh? Pray tell,"

Thanos' sharp teeth dangled at the sides of his mouth as he spoke, "The alliance may think that they can use number against me but who better to defend Thanos than I, himself? They are mere pawns to make me ruler of all realms,"

Mephistophiles continued to muse the plumb giant, "And what are you planning to do? Ingest her blood?"

Thanos eyed the demon with much interest, "Of course that is what you would do if you stand where I stood, yes? But, no. There is a limit to the grant of immortality through Nephilim blood and my kind may not even be able to withhold the power of however, such craftsmanship of genetic material should not be out to waste. I can synthesize it as a chrism for my gauntlets but then that would be too easy,"

Inside his mind, the gray demon laughed at his revelations, "What is this thing of such complexity that you wish to accomplish then?" he raised his brow at Thanos which he rewarded with a thieving expression.

"I wish to conquer death," he said blatantly.

Mephistophiles grinned, "Don't we all?"

Thanos face fell and his voice embedded itself with spite, "This is no mere joke demon. I speak of the entity herself. Lady Death is not an easy audience and by history, the Nephilim has had her fair share of cheating her way out of her end,"

The grey demon felt an intense alarm upon hearing Lady Death's part of the whole scenario. Should he be hasty with his speech, he would lose everything, "So the prophecy is tied to her eh? It displeases the lady of all ends that the Nephilim still lives," his mouth curves upward, "I believe we all have conjured into an even better settlement don't you think?"

Thanos boasts in harsh laughter, "So it would seem. Do as you wish with her blood but I need her alive. If I deliver her lifeless, then Death will not hear my plea."

Mephistophiles takes a few steps forward and tucks both hands in his back with a speculative expression, "And…what is this fascination you have with Lady Death? I believe that she would prefer to have a loyal and powerful subject in her midst. You have nothing to fear."

"I do not but she does. The Nephilim are a strange lineage and twisting the threads of fate brings discomfort to the ancients. If I am able to please her, I would be ruler of all."

The grey demon laughs inside, "Of course, to do that, you would need to learn the mechanism of the scryer. If you allow me to take control of her, I swear to you that once the ordeal is done, I will have her jump into the arms of death herself."

"You are wise to keep knowledge of the scryer to yourself and perhaps there is no point of using brute force to have you do things at my bidding, so, what is your price?"

Mephistophiles raises his chin, "Your old friend, the son of Laufey. I want him out of my way,"

Thanos laughs again, "That goes without saying for he owes me a debt but why does he stand as an obstacle to you?"

"Should he interfere with our plans, he would certainly cause our fall. Though the Nephilim faces imminent death, if he learns the true nature of his presence in the prophecy, we both will fall. If the gate the Nephilim's blood opens turn to a close, the odds will turn against us as well."

"Where does this gate lead to that you are most desperate to trek upon?"

Mephistophiles snarls, "A place that I am sure, you will never enter.

AN: Yes I know, I can hear virtual screaming and whining but here it is anyway! A very long overdue update. So, I broke my ankle, experienced a lot of typhoons (flooding and food shortage), got a second degree burn on top of that it's our finals week at University aaannnddd Med applications are up so... MERCY! Hahaha. Just found time now to post, so expect some errors. What do you guys think about this heavy chapter? Scrapped this for about 5 times and kept on rewriting on the count of, I really want things to make sense but not completely yet :) Tell me what you think :) P.S Can you tell me the reason WHY Loki "can't leave her?"

Finally decided to put someone in comeback mode. I really believe that Coulson lives and so yeah, he deserves a cameo but then again, where is Banner? Lot of questions are still popping up but on the bright side, Marvel Studios is filming Thor 2! Whooooooooo!

Thanks for reading!

-LVS out of sleep

Disclaimers:

All Angelic, prophetic and holy reference is purely fiction. I have created my own interpretation of its history and is by no means a way of disrespect or blasphemy against any (church particularly the Christian). I have strong beliefs which lay separate from my world of fictional writing. Mephistophiles and John Dee are based on historical figures (mythical and real) as I have read in some of my researches.

Eroberung means conquest. Lacrimae Rerum is taken from Virgil's Aenid, roughly translated as Tears of Things.

Worth (c) LVS

Cover Photo (c) Kibbitzer via DA