Malice went into her room the magic candles and foxfire ignited upon her entry. After shutting the door behind her she saw through the window that the light of Narbondel was waning. Leaning over the vanity she violently pushed all of the beautifying agents and implements of Lolth crashing to the floor. Looking into the mirror she placed both hands on her face, sat down on her bed and started crying.
Malice thought that the day would be like any other. Plotting and scheming trying to climb the hierarchy of Drow society. Everything changed when Vierna brought two women into her house and now the truth was out. Lolth the Spider Queen whom she worshiped turned out to not be a god at all but a lying deceiver who truly didn't care anything for the elves who devoted themselves to her. The Dark God Chaos was more than concerned about only one of his own and what was even worse, he wasn't even Kiras's true god he had married her goddess Elindil and yet he cared more for Kiras than Lolth ever did for any of her children. Malice was more hurt by this fact than she would let any of her own daughters know. Realizing that Kiras and Riza both could read her mind she was grateful that they didn't say anything to her family about how she really felt.
"I've come to love them," Malice whispered slamming her face into the mattress. Love is a word that could never be felt or said while under Lolths influence. The feeling and word were both just as alien as the ones who had taught it to her. "I hate myself for letting Lolth deceive me for all of these centuries." She slammed her fist into a pillow. "God damn that insect!" I sound like Zaknafien, the thought only served to make her cry even harder. He was right…he was right about everything. That was both wonderful and terrifying to her. Malice rolled over and covered her face using the back of her arm. "I wonder how my daughters are taking all of this," she wondered aloud. "Now I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring." She fell asleep with feelings of both fear beyond belief and hope at the same time.
Vierna slowly closed her door to her room before sitting at her desk cluttered with books scrolls and parchment. After pulling the chair out from under her desk she slammed herself down on it. She looked down at herself and grimaced at what she saw.
I was so proud when I was ordained as a high priestess of Lolth and now, she clawed at the symbol of the Spider Queen that ornamented the center of her armor. I hate you! I hate you! She stopped clawing at it shortly after her nails broke and the tips of her fingers began to bleed. She got to her feet, ripped her whole outfit off and threw it across the room. The armor clanged against the corner wall and fell to the floor. She breathed hard in anger and frustration at Lolth for deceiving her, but mostly at herself for being deceived.
I should have listened to Zaknafien, she thought slumping back into her chair. Why didn't I listen to him? He knew the truth and I didn't listen! I'm so stupid! Vierna berated herself.
"You wanted power and I was the one who gave it to you." Vierna glanced around her room trying to pinpoint where the voice she'd herd had originated. "You think that I've deceived you…ha you were weak…weaker than your younger sister Maya and much weaker than your older sister Briza but I made you strong. Don't deny me and don't deny yourself!"
Vierna got up from her chair and stood in front of her vanity. There in the mirror her reflection was still wearing the armor she'd just tossed across the room, her reflection had an imposing confident stance and she was wearing a smirk. "Admit it Vierna you liked the power I bestowed upon you…" Her reflection smiled evilly back at her. "Stop denying what you are! Come back to your senses! Come back to me! I will forgive you and your House's foolishness if you continue to worship me!"
Vierna frowned at her reflection understanding that it was the personification of Lolth. Vierna glared at herself and scowled. "Damnable insect even you're scared of Chaos!" Vierna yelled at her reflection making it lose its composure and frown. "You're even scared of Riza! Or what about Kiras…" Vierna slammed her palms down on the table top of the vanity shaking the mirror and unnerving the creature within. "Did losing one of your precious slugs worry you insect?" Vierna leaned into the mirror making the reflection back away from her.
"Good questions," Vlad walked into the room through a portal startling both Vierna and her reflection. Vierna realized that she was naked but the man didn't seem to be the least bit interested in her his blue eyes were solely focused on the reflection.
"Who are you?" Vierna's reflection cried in panic. "Are you one of Chaos's minions? Or are you perhaps his avatar?"
Vlad stiffened and laughed. "A clever bug indeed!" He gave them both a grand bow. "I have many names some call me Lord Baltrix, others have called me Vlad the destroyer… a very disturbing smile appeared on his face that made both Vierna and her reflection break out in a cold sweat. "There are few who even know me as the Bird of Hermes." He made a grand gesture that was magnificent and terrible at the same time. "The Bird of Hermes is my name eating my wings to make me tame!" He yelled before laughing in such a way that it reverberated through the room.
Vierna lost her composure and fell to the floor. The avatar of Chaos, she thought making the man stop laughing and focus on her.
"Chaos may be my father," Vlad smirked. "But I'm still my own man!" He focused again on the bug in the mirror. "I'm here to tell you insect that all of House Do'Urden is now under Chaos and Elindil's control." He walked over to Vierna and offered his hand to her. Vierna looked at the offered hand with fear and trepidation.
"Don't worry child I'm not going to eat you," his smile sent a chill down her spine. "Actually now that my…" he sighed. "Daddy has adopted you, you've become my sister or in the Marcisian language, sri'na!"
Vierna cautiously took his offered hand and he easily got her on her feet. Vlad focused on the imposter in the mirror. "As for you bug…" His sinister smile returned. "I suggest you get gone before big daddy Chaos informs your boss Ao that you are in breach of contract and that would certainly be hazardous to your health!"
The Vierna in the mirror paled. "Chaos will not get away with this!" She yelled before vanishing.
Vlad let out a sigh of relief after Vierna's mirrored copy vanished. He turned to the still nervous Drow.
"There shouldn't be anything more to worry about for the moment," Vlad placed a reassuring hand on Vierna's shoulder. "Now that the immediate danger has passed I suggest getting some sleep… I'm sure that Riza and Kiras will have really big plans for your House in the menronn."
Vierna also sighed in relief after Vlad vanished back through the portal that lead to Chaos's domain. She lay down naked on her bed.
I really don't want to wear anything that has the markings of that bug on them— Vierna huffed. —Which sucks because everything I own has spider or web patterns on it! Vierna covered her head with a pillow. I wonder what Chaos is like? If I take him on as my new deity does he have similar commandments to the ones that Lolth has…She shook her head. Absurd! Chaos is nothing like that bug he may be a Dark God but he still loves his children and I'm sure that he wouldn't hurt them or even make them hurt each other. That thought made her smile. "Thank you big brother…Vlad," she muttered before falling asleep.
Zaknafien lead Kiras and Riza to a guest room while on the way they both felt the presence of one of Riza's dead friends.
Is that one of Chaos's kids, Kiras silently questioned making Riza smile.
Riza clasped her hands behind her back. Not just any of his kids that's Lord Baltrix, former Council Member of the Imperial Shadow Knights, he was killed by Chirras when she tried to abduct Visage several onns ago.
Oh, I remember Visage telling me about that, Kiras thought a moment. Isn't he dead? How is he here?
Riza shrugged. He's been resurrected and he's now one of Chaos's Archangels. Chaos probable sent him here right after that insect showed up. Riza's sudden sinister smile worried Kiras and it was a good thing that Zaknafien was leading them and didn't notice the look on Riza's face.
Riza please stop, that face you're making is…umm…Kiras telepathically pleaded. Freaking me out and it's really good that Zak isn't looking at you because you'd probably freak him out too.
Riza shrugged, If Chaos sent Baltrix here then that bug is in serious trouble. He was powerful when he was alive…but since he's become an arch angel he's an absolute monster!
Kiras halted making both Riza and Zaknafien stop as well. Between you Baltrix and I along with Chaos, Elindil and Zaratha all backing us Lolth doesn't stand a chance does she?
Riza broke out into laughter.
I wonder what's so funny, Zaknafien thought.
His thought only served to make Riza laugh even harder.
"Oh," Riza clasped her hands behind her back. "It's nothing much Zak, but if you must know that bug has made enemies that she really shouldn't have and now that she has…" Riza's face turned sinister and grave making him swallow. "She doesn't have long to live!"
Zaknafien paled at first, but then he shook his head. "I'm so glad that you're on my side Riza!" He couldn't help but smile before turning around and leading them on.
You have no idea, Kiras thought while watching the giddy demoness. Zaknafien…no idea at all!
After Zak led them to their quarters he bid them a goodnight and closed the door Riza walked over to the furthest wall. There was space between a pair of shelves that were embedded into the wall where several sets of candles and fox fire illuminated the room. Riza pulled the mirror out of her U-gem and set it gently on the floor while resting it against the wall. At the moment the mirror looked like any other mirror, only more ornamented and decorative. Kiras sat down cross-legged on the bed to watch Riza with great curiosity.
"What are you planning to do with that," Kiras asked
Riza glanced behind her and smirked. "I'm hoping to use it so that we can get out of this god forsaken place."
Kiras, scrunched up her face, which wasn't a good look for her. "Do you think that is such a wise idea? Chaos said that the god of this universe is a real dick and that says a lot when it's coming from him." Kiras thought a moment. "Even if you're able to open the portal again do you think that Ao or whatever god Chaos said would even allow us to leave?"
Riza shrugged, "I have no idea and I don't really care."
Kiras was a bit taken aback by Riza's nonchalant attitude. She put her elbow on her leg and rested her chin in her palm. Demons, she thought rolling her eyes.
Riza ignored her and was about to channel her indren'freth to try and reactivate the mirror, but a portal opened inside the room startling both women and a familiar man stepped out.
"Baltrix," Riza cried out in glee. "You came back and so soon!"
Kiras stared wide eyed at the former Dark Lord turned arch angel. "Great," she muttered one of "dar's kids is here…we're saved…hurray." She said without even a shred of enthusiasm.
Vlad and Riza both eyed the Night Elf and shrugged both decided to ignore her.
"It is good to see you again Riza," he gave Kiras a passing glance. "Sri'na." This caused Kiras to sigh and roll her eyes again. "It was a good thought Riza, but the mirror on the other end wasn't able to withstand my daddy's and Visage's combined indren'freth and caused it to crack so I wouldn't recommend trying to go home that way."
Riza opened her mouth and raised her finger. "Wait," she then pointed at him. "Then how did you get here?"
Vlad shrugged. "I've died and gone to heaven…"
"That'll be a first," Kiras muttered but the other two ignored her.
"And I've since been resurrected so I'm now serving dar…" he coughed into his fist. "I mean big daddy Chaos as one of his arch angels. I thought you knew all this?" He slumped over and shook his head. "Anyway Chaos has been running me ragged lately. First you and Kiras over there vanish," Riza and Vlad both glance at Kiras who Hmfed, shut her eyes, and turned her head. "Plus," he continued. "Visage and Vira have been transported to Vernon's universe so at least there's some good news."
"So you know where every being is," Kiras glared at him. "Big deal now can you please get us out of here I really don't like this place."
Vlad stroked his beard and sighed. "We've had to bend more than a few rules just so that I could contact you so I'm afraid that's a no, for now Kiras," he looked at the floor and muttered. "As much as I'd like to…I've already encountered the bug when I visited Vierna in her room when she started bothering her" he looked up at them again and his old sinister smile and wild eyes returned. "I'm also actually more than willing to take on Ao and his dead beat dad to bring you home," he calmed and his face returned to his usual passive one. "Unfortunately old uch'nara Eendril has decided to take a more diplomatic approach…" his sinister smile returned. "Little does he know that King Zereth is prepping to storm this universe and take you back by force if necessary!"
"Like that'll end well!" Riza face-palmed and shook her head.
Vlad and Kiras couldn't help but laugh at Riza. "You're one to talk Riza," Kiras sarcastically remarked.
"Look," Vlad interrupted. "No being really likes the situation, but until Chaos or Eendril say otherwise and until Ao because his daddy has apparently left the decision making to him…decides that you can leave his universe you're both stuck here so I suggest you make yourselves comfortable. I do have some good new though." Vlad's sinister smile returned. "With some persuasion my Daddy did get Ao to sign a contract letting you pretty much have the run of the place and if any being in this Universe does decide to worship Daddy then they're under his protection and no lesser god should be able to interfere."
"Wow," Riza and Kiras both said. "That is very good news!"
"That means," Kiras clapped her hands a few times. "That House Do'Urden is free of that dumb crathed bug now?"
Vlad smirked at her and nodded. He turned back around and started stepping back though the portal. "Oh, one more thing, Chaos and Eendril both have said that if you'd like to knock those pretender gods around a bit then feel free." He said before vanishing.
"So much for my mirror idea," Riza sauntered over to sit down next to Kiras on the bed. She flopped down on her back heaving a sigh. "So, Vira get's to be with V, in Vernon's universe while we're stuck here in Ao's…" she covered her face with both hands. "Isn't this just special!"
"At least we have the blessing of our gods to slap these pretenders around," Kiras smirked and bumped Riza with her leg. "And I know how much you Meserino Demons iloni to fight, so you can let loose and there's no being who can stop you."
"Don't you mean stop us," Riza removed her hands from her face in order to grab Kiras by the leg. "From what I've felt you're about on par with Fraya and that's saying something."
Kiras smiled wide. "I wasn't even letting out a fraction of my power."
"I know," Riza patted Kiras's leg. "Wasn't that around thirty percent of your maximum that you unleashed?"
"Nope," Kiras smiled wide. "That was more like twenty."
Riza went wide eyed. "Seriously…" she gave Kiras a worried look. "If Fraya finds out that you've surpassed her in krenn level then there will be hell to pay."
"Actually," Kiras buried her face in her hands. "I think she already knows."
"Wow," Riza whistled. "And she hasn't tried to kill you yet?"
"No," Kiras shook her head. "She doesn't care, she only cares what Visage thinks about her and he's told all of us that he wants all of his wives to get as powerful as we can before our Empire goes on the offensive after the id'rthic Aklorians finish their little scuffle."
That's the understatement of the eonn, Riza thought. "I wouldn't call their civil war only a scuffle I only hope that they leave our Empire out of it."
"Really," Kiras sounded surprised. "I've heard from Cormack and Athrin that the majority of the Aklorian Empire is actually staying out of the fight."
Riza scoffed at this. "And you really believe what those White Handers tell you?"
"Isn't it true," Kiras asked in wide eyed disbelief. "Did they lie to us?"
Riza thought a moment before answering. "Not entirely…" she sounded doubtful even to herself. "From the intelligence the Shadow Knights have gathered, around one third of the Andromida galaxy has decided to remain neutral and both they and the Republican faction don't want our galaxy to get involved." Riza closed her eyes and shook her head in frustration and disbelief. "Only the Imperialists were demanding our Emperor to join them but he flatly and rightfully refused." Riza sat back up a frown of anger formed on her face. "After all they demanded that Visage needed to be handed over to them and," she slammed her fists together. "Their Emperor wanted to use him to create an army of immortals!"
"Over my dead body," Kiras replied angrily. "They've no right to V!"
Riza heartily nodded. "Precisely!"
Riza abruptly got up off the bed and started for the door.
"Wait," Kiras called after her. "Where are you going now?"
"I can't sleep," Riza replied. "After everything that's happened has got my blood boiling so I'm going out to find the biggest toughest baddie that I can and have a little fun."
Kiras's mouth hung agape before slowly shaking her head. "Again, please don't destroy this planet while we're still on it…" she gave Riza a worried and pleadful look. "Riza!"
Riza gave her a disarming smile. "Don't worry Kiras, go to sleep you've been awake for deronns plus with the deronn we've just had you're tired, and please don't deny it," she gave the Night Elf a stern glare. "I can tell, and don't worry I won't do anything completely id'rthic."
"Ok," Kiras quietly replied and the exhaustion she was hiding hit her. When Riza closed the door Kiras realized that the way she spoke sounded very disturbing. "Wait," Kiras shot up on the bed, stretched out her hand and shouted "Do you mean that you are going to do something id'rthic?"
After she heard Riza's footfalls get quieter and quieter she knew that she wasn't coming back. Kiras flopped herself down on the bed, grabbed the closest pillow and screamed into it.
I don't even care anymore! She thought. If Riza decides to destroy the city or the planet then I'll just have to deal with it when it happens.
Don't worry so much Kiras, Kiras felt Riza's telepathic message. There's one being here that I iloni and I wouldn't do anything to put her in danger…now get some sleep, that's an order from your commanding officer!
You're not my commanding officer anymore Riza, Kiras shot back. It's been a long time since the battle of Fortuna!
True, Riza replied. But since we've been separated from the Empire and because of imperial regulations and me being a Judicator on the Shadow Knight Council, technically I've been your superior officer ever since we came through that mirror!
Kiras gasped at this. "Ok, she's got me there…" Kiras rolled over onto her back, placed the pillow under her head and looked up at the unfamiliar and very alien ceiling. I can never win against her…she thought. Wow, I just realized that I've never actually won against Vira either! What is it with Demons anyway?
It's because we're like god…Riza again responded to Kiras which shocked her a bit but it also made her feel relieved so she couldn't help but smile. Only lazier! That was it Kiras lost it and started laughing. The Night Elf fell asleep soon after while still having that smile on her lips.
