Hell is empty and all the devils are here. Shakespeare
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 13:2
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As soon as Sarial took his leave Sonya got to her feet with purpose, in this game there was no time to spare. Conjuring a lantern to follow her she headed for the source of her powers, The Sanctum of Mystical Knowledge. Down winding stone steps she slowly traveled to a place even Sarial was not allowed to go. Descending at an agonizingly slow rate and using the stonewalls for support Sonya cursed the aged body that didn't move quickly anymore.
Finally reaching the bowels of her palace Sonya came to a set of ornately carved doors. A mist gathered around her and a ghostly voice demanded, "Who are you?" Sonya grated, "I am Queen." The presence chillingly answered, "Face your doom." As the demonic mist malevolently swirled around her ready to attack the witch realized it did not recognize her voice or shape. Sighing intolerantly Sonya made a quick sign with her hand and the demon guardian was no more. The hag growled into the air, "I'm surrounded by idiots and fools."
Clapping her hands the doors opened wide revealing a paradox of sound and space. Oceanic waves crested and crashed against outer cavern walls whose arched opening led to a beach bathed in a blood colored twilight. As soon as she stepped through the portal her veils disappeared leaving her malformed body naked in the chilled damp air. Groaning with the effort of a disjoined gait Sonya pushed forward until her bare feet felt the touch of wet sand. Raising her arms towards the sea she chanted:
I touch the earth, I bring the wind,
I am the fire, I call to thee.
Through the depths heed my voice.
I summon you forth to join sisters, three.
When the last words were spoken a new wind swept past her frame and carried her echoed command over the sea. Sand snaked up Sonya's legs forming symbols over her wizened body as her eyes turned into burning embers. The ocean churned like a giant cauldron until the water itself rose in a towering wave and roared. "What knowledge do you seek, old one?" Sonya involuntarily blinked at the word "old" but continued with her mission, "Show me how to influence the human child."
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Hoggle patted Sarah's head as she cried into his shoulder. He gently said, "There, there now, it's not as bad as all of that." Sarah's voice shook with sobs, "You don't understand, I know Sarial is only trying to use and trick me but what he offers is more than I have ever had. Jareth jumped to conclusions and I was so angry that I let him - Sarial never offered me his love. He showed me more than that...he would provide my family's happiness...my happiness."
Reliving the joy she felt in the vision brought fresh pain and overwhelming desire sharply into Sarah's heart once more. From the anguish of deep conflict she cried out, "God help me, I can't help but want it." Hoggle nodded, "Of course yous can't Missy, that's what is important to yous, but remember that angel warned yous about this." Emotionally spent, Sarah shifted her tearstained eyes to Hoggle and dully intoned, "Yes, I know."
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An hour had passed since he sent Hiswig after the girl...whatever was taking so long? Didn't Hegwhat know he was waiting for him to report back? Jareth conjured a crystal and let it nonchalantly float to the floor transforming into one of the more intelligent goblins, "Go to the girl's room and bring Homket to me."
A few moments later a tired looking Hoggle entered the throne room. Jareth gracefully unwound from his throne and stood, "So? How is she?" Hoggle shuffled uncomfortably in place, "She's calm now but I don't likes it." Stepping down the dais towards the dwarf Jareth sniffed, "Nonsense, I'm sure she's fine. A bit of a shock, that's all." Sweeping past Hoggle with regal ease Jareth added dismissively, "Do stop being an alarmist."
Hoggle didn't have courage for himself but for Sarah he found the words, "Yer wrong yer majesty." Jareth stopped abruptly and turned, "What?" Quickly circling back around to face the dwarf the Goblin King bent to Hoggle's level and mockingly cocked his head sideways, "Did I hear you say something?" Instead of cringing at the obvious warning Hoggle said boldly, "I said it plain and I says it again...yer wrong. If you would just gets off yer high horse and take a look like normal folk yous would see it for yerself."
Hoggle looked Jareth dead in the eye, "I'm saying Sarah's not all right, sumthin's real wrong and you need to put on yer worrying cap." Straightening up from his mocking stance Jareth's demeanor changed from arrogance to serious concern at the piercing truth he didn't want to face.
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Sarial stood on one of the icy peaks of the Astire Mountains shaking in fury. Fueled by the longing he battled his beautiful face distorted in rage as he roared to the heavens, "Your champion will be mine. She will turn her heart from You and follow me, just as Eve did." The voice that replied trembled the mountains with its power, "Son of Desolation you cannot destroy what I created in thee. Still My love cries out in you so you will know I AM your God."
Sarial gnashed his teeth and raised his fist in defiance, "Never – never will You be my God"