Hi everyone. So, this fiction isn't dead and neither is Demonic Asylum. Unfortunately, I haven't had as much time to write due to personal reasons. Also, I kinda lost inspiration with Astarte. So, I took a step back from her and worked on my persona fic and the oc in that, Shi Tawakemono. But, that gave me the time I needed to rekindle my inspiration for this insane half breed and I got this chapter written. Again, I can only apologise for the delay. However, more updates are on the way. By the way, if you get the chance, I would appreciate it if you checked out my persona fiction "Death's Trickster". I would like to hear other's opinions on it.
But I digress, enjoy this new chapter and it's sayonara from me until next time.
Two weeks after she had finished teaching them about the structure of Gehenna, Astarte watched as her students trained to gain better control of their abilities. Beside her, a scrying bowl showed a room where Cassie was training with Drake and Ryan. Because those were the only two who could stand in the same room and not be torn apart by the spirit of Zarathos, Astarte had assigned them the task of sparring with each other and Cassie to aide her in control of the spirit. She ran a claw through her hair, pausing as she felt the warmth from the horns of flames on her head.
"Why have they appeared?" Samael's voice sounded, disturbing her from her thoughts. She turned to look at him. He was looking at her flames. "You have no reason to be displaying your flames. Why have they appeared?"
"Because what better way is there to stop the familiars from breaking control then by letting them know from the moment they are summoned that their queen is present and watching." She said. She stood up and stretched her tail unfurling and swaying, the heat from the fiery tip warming up those nearby. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have students to train." She said, moving to walk away from him.
"There's another reason. You've not been yourself recently." Samael said, making her pause. "You're growing more distant, you won't sleep, you're barely eating and you won't spend time with the boys. Why?" He asked. "Why are you stepping away from us?"
"I'm not." She snapped, spinning suddenly and startling him. "I am fine. Everything is fine. You're just being weird and paranoid." She growled. "Now leave me be and let me teach my students." She turned and walked back towards the students. But she knew he was right. She was losing control of herself. And she didn't know who she was becoming. It terrified her, but she wouldn't let it show. As she walked away, Amaimon stepped forward, watching her back with Samael.
"She's losing control of herself." Amaimon murmured. "Something's caused doubt and Nocte is eating away at it." Samael didn't say anything. "But she can't shoulder the blame. She's got the Vatican watching her every move, Gehenna acting up and demanding her attention, the boys to look after, students to train and then there's the angels." Again, Samael didn't say anything. Both simply watched as Astarte walked between the students, checking on their training.
Every student was separated by barriers from each other. Those with specialist abilities sparred with damned souls and low level demons to improve their abilities. Tamers would summon their familiars and attack targets and such to improve bonds and abilities. Those with elemental control faced a new challenge. Astarte had constructed specialist target for those who controlled multiple elements. These would alter the element that made them up to force the student to change the element they used to attack quickly. For example, a target would comprise of rot, making the student use fire then change to water, forcing the student to change tactics.
Meanwhile, Jen sat with Sora and Chikyuu who had candles in front of them. Recently, they had begun to show signs of possessing flames. So, Astarte set them the task of trying to light individual candles with their flames. Jen watched them carefully, a bucket of water beside her just in case. And Astarte walked and watched each of them. But she wasn't focused. Instead, a memory was replaying over and over in her mind, tearing her focus away from it.
She had been walking to Samael's office, searching for Sora's Kitsune plush. He wouldn't sleep without it and he had last seen it in Samael's office. She had heard voices as she approached the closed doors. This didn't surprise her, he was always having meetings. It was what she had heard as she approached that hurt.
"So, you're saying she still doesn't realise?" The paladin said. Astarte's ears twitched. Why was he there?
"Correct. Astarte does not yet realise she is part of a plan." Samael's voice echoed through the door.
"So, she still believes you love her and her son?" Another voice asked. She recognised this one as the female member of the Grigori. What was going on? She pressed her ear to the wood of the door.
"She does. As far as Astarte is concerned, I am loyal to her as her second mate. Should she fall, I will take over Gehenna." Samael said. Astarte looked at the door, confused. That wasn't true. Should she fall, and Satan was unable to resume rule or her boys were too young, Amaimon would rule. She pressed her ear back against the door.
"But it's not true is it Sir Pheles?" The paladin asked. She heard Samael chuckle.
"Of course not. As fun as she is, Astarte is far too naive. No doubt a trait from her angelic side. I don't love her. All I'm interested in is the throne. And if I have to step on her heart to get to it, then so be it." Astarte felt her heart break at that. And it hurt. It hurt worse than holy water and blessed silver. She turned on her heel and fled. But not before Nocte began to whisper to her.
She shook her head to clear the memory as she heard a cheer sound. She looked up to see Chikyuu looking at his candles, the ones she had assigned for today glowing brightly.
"Look Mummy!" Chikyuu cried, smiling happily. She smiled and walked over. "I did it!"
"You did? Well done Chikyuu!" She said. Sora frowned slightly. "It's ok Sora. I'm sure you'll get it soon. Remember, mummy took a while to gain control of her flames." She told him, ruffling his hair. He smiled and went back to his candles. She watched them momentarily before walking back to the others. Amaimon walked up beside her.
"What's wrong with you?" He whispered. "Is it Nocte?" Astarte nodded. "Then we have to go back to Gehenna. Get her back under control."
"I can't!" She hissed at him. "She's gnawing away at doubt."
"What doubt?"
"About Samael!" She snapped at him. "I overheard him talking to the Grigori and the Paladin. He...He's just using me Amaimon." She said, trying to keep her emotions under control. "He doesn't give a damn about me, or Sora. All he wants is the throne to Gehenna. Well, he's going to get a shock." She growled. She looked straight at him.
"Amaimon, I will make this an official announcement soon, but should I need to step down as ruler of Gehenna and father cannot take my place or the boys are too young, then you are to lead in my stead. I am naming you my steward to take rule until either I can rule again or the boys come of age."She said. She looked past him to see Samael watching, obviously surprised by what he had just heard. Amaimon stared at her momentarily, just as surprised in response to her statement.
"Ok. I will do what I can." He said, looking straight at her. She smiled in response. Her tail wagged rapidly, even her wings twitched with her happiness. She hugged him and stepped back. Mikzuki looked over at them from her spot in a tree. None of them noticed the individual watching.
"Right, we need to get ready to make an..."Her eyes widened at the dull thud sounding through the air. Something wasn't right. She felt someone warm trickling down her stomach, like someone had poured warm water on her. She looked at Amaimon to see the shock on his face. Around her, everyone had frozen, staring at her. All she could hear was blood pounding in her ears. Then she coughed and blood splattered onto Amaimon's face. She looked down to see the blade embedded through her chest, cutting through her diaphragm and her stomach. It took up most of her torso. And it was then the screams and yells cut through the air.