Chapter 25: Fighting the Puppet
Several Weeks later…..
Jedah watched through the carriage curtains as they entered the incubi lands. A hit bump awoke Marionette. She looked up at Jedah, and he looked back at her,"What is it, Marionette?"Jedah asked, noticing that she had a look of discomfort all over her face. Marionette did not answer, but Jedah soon knew the problem," Are the lands so bad?" Jedah asked.
Marionette shook her head,"It is not the lands, but the meaning of the place. It is not to my liking. My wedding night, with Chopine would have been more barbaric, then those mating evenings of the incubi and sucubi."
"Lord Aensland might be happy to hear it then."Jedah said .Marionette only managed a slight smile, but there still remained a sadness in her blue eyes."You left him, and that was as good as many women could do."He added.
"Did you ever think I would?" Marionette asked.
"Are you always as sad and pained as you are now?" Jedah retorted, and his accusing words calmed Marionette immediately.
"I'm just scared, thats all."She replied quietly. Jedah nodded in understanding, and appreciating Marionette's glowing dilemma, but decided to change the subject, "We will meet with Lord Aensland, there is an issue I must speak to him about, I am sure that you and his oldest child, may get along fine."Jedah mused.
"Then, it is not my place to say no to you meeting with Moloch."Marionette whispered, taking his hand. Jedah smiled lightly, and leaned low, brushing back a piece of Marionette's short hair, he kissed her cheek.
They approached Castle Aensland, Jedah helped Marionette from the carriage and entered Castle Aensland, " Ah, lad Doma, it is a pleasure to finally see an old friend of the family, the son of Simon Doma himself, pay me a visit." Moloch greeted, arising from his throne. He approached Jedah. The demon smiled and took a slight bow, and firmly grasped Moloch's old hand."It is an honor seeing you again."Jedah replied. "Lord Moloch, this young woman, is Lady Marionette Lepe. She and myself are to be wed, in one year's time."Jedah said with a smile about his face. He took Marionette's hand, Marionette slightly bowed before Moloch.
"Ah, so this is the lovely lass, Morrigan has spoken of, eh Doma?"Moloch chuckled," Ye better be darn good to this lad, as he is one of the most damned young demon son of a bitch I have ever laid eyes on! It would be a shame to see him cry over a broken heart. "He added with another laugh. Jedah chuckled.
"Moloch, only you can make a demon, blush." Jedah said and took Marionette's hand, kissing the back of it.
Marionette laughed, "I hear so much about you, Lord Aensland, my father once spoke very highly of you. And you needn't worry, Jedah is mine for eternity." Marionette assured.Moloch chuckled once more, then turned to a young woman, with long turquiose hair and huge breasts, she was clad in a tight succubi suit. She stood near the throne."Morrigan, come here, lass."He said with a light chuckle. The succubus woman did as told, taking a standing position right across from Marionette."Morrigan, this is the Lady Marionette, she seems around your age, please, won't you get more acquainted with her. Whilst Jedah and myself talk."
Morrigan looked at Marionette and smiled,"No problem, father."The succubi princess said with a friendly smile."Come, this way, Marionette." She said.
Marionette looked at Jedah with a questioned look. Jedah smiled and touched her face,"Go with her ,Mari, you two shall get along fine."He said. Taking note that Marionette was unsure.
The ride back to the Doma Castle was quiet,at first. However, Marionette had broken the long silence,"Well."She began firmly.
Jedah turned his attention from the window, to her,"Well, what?"
"What was it that was so important that you had to let me leave the room, while you and Moloch spoke?"She asked, with pissyness to her tone.
Jedah shrugged,"Simple things. Nothing more." Jedah said quickly.
"Such as?"
"Such as...private matters. I can not explain it to a puppet such as yourself."Jedah snapped. Marionette glared at Jedah.
"Puppet such as myself?"She asked angrily.
Jedah nodded,"You are too nosey, stop it. Why are females always shoving themselves into other creature's business? All of you are the same. It some what sickens me."Jedah said curtly. Trying to keep her quiet from that sentence on.
But, Marionette was not willing to stop, until she got her way,"Is that what you think a woman is? Creatures who never mind their own business? Especially when their lovers are not being honost with them. You're idea of a woman sir, is false!" She exclaimed suddenly.
Jedah tried to tolerate it all, but he was cranky, and did not realize what he was about to say,"You speak to me as a woman is required!" He hissed. Gripping her neck, roughly, he slapped her hard across the face. Marionette was speechless. She never thought that Jedah would strike her physically, nor verbally.
Marionette responded, she lifted her leg, kicking him hard in the chin. Jedah immedaitley flew back, rolling backwards from the carriage door.Marionette leapt out after him as the carriage was pulled to a stop."You cold son of bitch!" She hissed.
Jedah arose from the ground, and touched his chin, there was a trickle of blood from his lips. Jedah looked at his finger, and saw his black blood. He looked at Marionette and glared."You outstep your boundries, puppet."He hissed, eyes turning pure white in color. Jedah approached Marionette. As her outfit became as it was when her and Jedah first battle in the courtyard with Chopine. Marionette drew her sword and charged Jedah. The demon leapt into the air, kicking Marionette back. Marionette flew to the ground., rolling over, she saw Jedah leviting above her. A buzz saw held in his hand, shimmered from the reflection of the full moon.
The puppet's eyes widened as she launched a sharp string towards him, she hit her target. Jedah tried to yank his leg free of the string holding him in submission. Marionette smiled as she arose, her elbow joint, continued to control her hold on the demon. Suddenly, Jedah smirked at her, she lifted an eyebrow, Jedah turned the buzz saw on his own neck. Swiftly, he sliced his own head off. Marionette screamed out in pain as the blood, burned through her string, binding Jedah's legs. And the decapitated head appeared upon Jedah's body once more, the demon chuckled and slowly landed upon the ground, kicking Marionette from where she stood, to where her back roughly hit the trunk of a near by tree.
Clutching her sword, Marionette prepared herself for a hard impact, as Jedah sped at her. Ramming her back up against the tree. He gripped her neck, and lifted her off the ground. Marionette lifted her sword and thrust it at his throat. Jedah choaked and dropped her, gripping his bleeding neck. He glared at Marionette and tossed the buzz saw towards her. Marionette used her sword to block the hit. The buzz saw bounced off the blade of Marionette's sword and hit Jedah in the rib cage, sending the demon flying back. Jedah skidded across the ground and rolled over on his back. Marionette was right there, before he could move, her sword's point rested right against his heart.
Jedah looked up at her, then moved his eyes at the blade of the sword."You are mightier then you had been played to be."Jedah said curtly, his eyes began to turn to normal.
Marionette slapped him hard across the face,"I regret ever seeing your face."She hissed. Standing up straight, Marionette left Jedah, alone.
Jedah watched as her form disappeared in the distance. Sadly. Jedah continued to his castle, alone, without that beauty who was to be his wife.
The Elite ate at the huge table in the Doma dining hall. Jedah seemed too distracted to eat anything. Verano noticed his lord's distress and attempted to help,"Cheer up lord Jedah. You should go get drunk and maybe go see other ladies."Verano laughed. Placing a goblet full of Demon Ale in front of Jedah. But, all Jedah did, was abruptly slap the goblet away, and let it hit the floor. And place his forehead back into his hand in frustration.
"Lord Jedah, please cheer up. Marionette was but one of the many lovely women you could meet, there shall be others in her place."Sabbath replied.Jedah was about to answer.
Suddenly, Sahtalus lizard head shouted to Verano," Verano! That piece was mine dumb shit! I had seen it first fucker!"
Verano chuckled from where he sat and tossed a piece of meat at the large General."Take that you mother fucker!" He laughed, as the chunk of meat hit Sahtalus right in the middle of the lizard's face. And the other two heads laughed. But the lizard, only glared at Verano, growling lowly.
"Oh, look now you've gone and done it. You've made the lizard head pissed off, mate."Noted the goat's head.
"The old chap looks like he's about ready to do you in, Captain."Stated the wolf head.Verano ignored the notation of threat and looked at Sabbath. And Lucifer forbid that he avoids a spat."Hey, Sabbath! I was with your mother last night, and she moans and fucks like a rat. But then again, she may as well be one!" He laughed.
Sabbath glared at Verano and leapt across the table."Thats it mother's boy!" He hissed, pinning Verano to the ground, beating the living crap out of the devil. Jedah growled inwardly and arose."Enough!" Jedah's voice boomed. Everyone stopped eating and stared up at Jedah.
Jedah walked over to Verano and Sabbath, who now had ceased in fighting and stood in upright position. Jedah walked around them,"Do you find it humorous to quarrel amongst one another?"
"Lord Jedah, please if I could explain..."Sabbath began.
"Bull shit."Verano said inbetween a false sneeze and speaking.
"Granted Sabbath."Jedah said firmly, looking at Verano with disgust.
"Thank you milord."Sabbath started,"The Captain was saying inappropraite words about my mother. She is known as a rat to him."Sabbath explained.
"No, wait...your sister is a rat, and your mother is a pig."Verano laughed.
"Idiots! Morons!" Jedah shouted, and in one fluid motion, Jedah's nails swept against Sabbath and Verano's cheeks, looking as though he had struck them at the same time. Jedah continued to speak," I was not chosen to be the succeedier of the my father's throne, just so I can watch my people's blood shed while you and your problems are sorted out brutally between each other!"Then Jedah looked at Verano and Sabbath once more and snorted with disgust,"Shit, you both look like a bunch of pussies!" Jedah hissed and without saying another word, stormed out of the room.
"I say that went rather well, actually."Verano mused.
"Oh, shut up Verano."Sabbath snapped.
Jedah stood, staring at the liquidated face within his mirror. Listening with his hands behind his back, as his mirror spoke," She can not return home. She disgraced her father's name."It said.
"And Chopine? Does he desire to take her back?"Jedah asked
"Perhaps. He may only for sexual favors and a punching bag."It mused.
"But does Prince Chopine still love her?"Jedah asked in a more firm voice.
"No." The mirror responded.
"No?"Jedah asked, keeping his hands behind his back, he spoke, "Summon the Lady of the Lake!" He commanded. And an under water images appeared within the mirror. There was a lady floating in the water, she wore white and spoke under water," You summoned me, Jedah?"She asked in an echoing voice, the same voice she had always used.
"I did. I need your help."
"For what purpose, Jedah?"
"Chopine, he will harm Marionette Lepe, if he sees her. And if this happens, I will start another war."Jedah said.
"Oh, I do not like the sound of your voice as you said that. So he wishes to hurt her to declare
war?"
Jedah nodded,"What should I do? I struck her, and now she is gone. Her father will not let her back home."
"What about your people,Jedah?"
"Huh?"Jedah wondered.
"My sister Mab was right about one thing, Jedah. When all the magic in Makai is gone, we will cease to exist. It is love of a woman, or love of a ruler to his people. Choose wisely, Jedah."And the Lady of the Lake was gone. Jedah's head fell against the glass of the mirror. He closed his eyes and imagined Marionette in his arms again. He wanted her back. What could he do? He had to save his people from extinction, he had to fight. But what was the salution? "Way beyond the furthest eastern part of Makai, rests a massive gate. It was said to have been locked shut by the Morning Star, as he created the demon lands. Legend reads, that if this gate were to be opened, then life and magic would flow, never ceasing. Bring life back to this world once more."Suddenly, Jedah's eyes snapped open, and there was an idea. The
Gate could open the way.