Black and gnarled tunnels twisting and turning clouded with thick mists, poisonous mists. She gagged in the face of them, but endured it and charged on, further into the depths of this dark and elaborate mind. She knew this would be a challenge. A test of all her power and will.

She had to conquer this.

But she was growing tired. She could feel her energy draining from her limbs. In a moment she would be thrust back into the physical world, but she held on as stubbornly as she could, gritting her teeth.

"No, I won't fail!"

But rounding the bend of a particularly steep and sharp turn, she was met with the glowing set of malicious red eyes. She had but a moment to register the furry outline of some large and monstrous beast before it reared its horned head and set a blast of flames straight into her stomach.

Feeling the wind knocked out of her, she flew backwards, but not into the jagged rocky walls surrounding, but through them, straight back through the blank void of consciousness between minds, headlong back into her own.

At the force of her conscious self's return, Elmiryn's head jerked back violently, making her fall back on the ground where she lay dazed for a moment. Immediately a group of common demons surrounded her, murmuring in surprise.

Elmiryn's eyes fluttered back into focus. Blinking, she stared at all those looking down at her. Slowly her face began to twist and her hair to flicker with orange light. The demons crying out, turned to run, but they were all sent flying as a huge ball of flame caught them in the backs.

With this, Elmiryn sat up, her long soft curls no longer tame and beautiful, but frightening and awe-inspiring.

Her hair had quite literally turned to flames.

Slamming her fists into the ground, she screamed, "That insufferable beast! Doesn't he know fire can do no harm to me!?"

Letting out an enraged growl, Elmiryn stood to her feet, dusting the dirt from her dress.

The strands of flames that were her hair slowly turned back to normal, and with one big calming breath, the flames went out completely.

Glaring down at Vincent's body with what could only be described as a wounded pride, Elmiryn thought silently with a sullen expression.

Vincent was shackled down to a stone table, the wounds on his chest glaring red. His body was shining with sheen of sweat. Elmiryn thought saucily, "He's a fascinating specimen of a man, if you can consider him one. Too bad. This whole affair will probably kill him."

She frowned as she saw a drop of blood run from his nose.

Perhaps she should be more careful…Surely, Belial would understand if she took a rest. At this rate she would only over-exert herself and kill Valentine as well. When she had first entered his mind, he had screamed, as she knew he would. Now he was lying unconscious before her, pale and sweating. It was a tricky business, searching people's minds. But this wasn't the same as any normal mind search. She wasn't trying to find a memory. Nor a thought.

She was trying to find a god.

But this body, this loathsome host was not only harboring this exalted creature, but a number of rather lowly monsters as well.

A madman, a beast, a murderer…

Obstacles in her path. Minotaurs in a maze. Well, she wouldn't lose to them. She would find a way past them, she would.

Sighing, she turned to leave the torch-lit room, but stopped.

Touching her hand to her nose, she blinked slightly in surprise as she withdrew the hand and saw a small drop of blood there.

Smiling ironically, Elmiryn whipped out a handkerchief from the front of her dress, dabbing her nose delicately.

Stepping easily over the groaning bodies of the demons on the floor, she entered the dark hallowed hall, reaching out a hand in front of her. It ignited into flames and like a torch it lighted her path as she continued onward to her room. Being a fire witch, Elmiryn find it easy to navigate through dark places such as this tunnel like passage. Fire witches were magical beings who, unlike witches and wizards, were born with their magic. They were resistant to all magical spells and could control and cast fire based spells naturally. It made it convenient here, because Elmiryn could use her own hand as a light source and not bother with finding a candle and match. The only real thing that bothered her with working underground (because they were underground) was all the dust and the lack of good exits.

At the wooden door, she opened it with her normal hand and was greeted by a surly looking Ultera sitting in the middle of the dirt floor.

"Mistress, if I may speak boldly, I find these babysitting sessions rather tiresome. Surely there is something more productive I can do?" the devil growled.

Elmiryn's eyes flashed as she crossed the threshold, her flaming hand extinguishing. "Herutsu is not important? Who should watch her while I am elsewhere? She is an extension of myself and is only safe when I am able to protect her. You know very well that when I dive into any mind my whole self is gone, leaving Herutsu's body vulnerable."

"Then let me protect you and the others to watch Herutsu!"

"No!" Elmiryn shouted, her hair flickering ominously. "I have an entire round of attendants to watch over me, yet none to watch Herutsu. She is more important to me than my very self! You will watch her. I have given my word and I am not to be cozened!"

Ultera made an ugly face, but only bowed her head and grumbled, "Yes mistress…"

Elmiryn, ignoring Ultera's attitude, glided to the corner diagonal the devil where Herutsu sat quietly in a wooden chair, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

Kneeling next to the girl Elmiryn stroked her hair. "Herutsu, do you remember where I left the cell phone?"

The girl only stared as though processing the question. Then she slowly lifted her arm and pointed at the cupboard on the far wall.

Elmiryn smiled. "Thank you. You just stay here a while. Ultera will watch you."

Ultera made a face behind the woman's back, but quickly wiped it clean when the woman turned and crossed the room.

Scooping up the sleek looking cell phone, Elmiryn muttered, "These things are such grievances. It's a wonder how these humans manage with them."

She was planning on calling Kelson, but due to the fact that their impromptu headquarters was underground, she had no reception down here. "But," she thought sullenly as she left the room and moved down the hall to the ladder leading back to the surface, "Even up here I have to move to a certain spot to be able to make a call."

This damned junk pile of a city would never cease to get on her nerves. Infested with monsters and meddlesome criminals, however, it was a perfect place to function from, as it's being a rather unfavorable place deterred many potential hassles.

Midgar, as bothersome as it was, had its advantages.

Crunching through the weeds and gravel, Elmiryn stopped directly beneath an opening above in the plate. Here, she flipped open her cell and pushed speed dial.

Grumbling about how much she wished to do magic instead, the woman held the phone to her ear.

It had been decided, when they arrived on this planet, that neither traveling magic nor communicative spells were to be used lest they be discovered on the angels magic radar. The meddlesome creatures kept track of certain spells and portal uses on different planes of existence. But through the use of these primitive and indigenous devices, they had managed to remain hidden.

The phone rang for only a second when someone immediately picked up.

"Elmiryn."

She pursed her lips. "Kelson."

"I was just about to call you." He sounded flustered even from this end of the line.

"I know. Was there something you wanted to tell me?"

"You first. You called me after all."

Elmiryn rolled her eyes at his antics. The smarmy demon was dodging. "I just wanted to let you know we found Valentine."

"Oh is that so?"

"Yes. I've already started working on him. I was taking a break and I just thought I'd tell you. Have you found the snow woman?"

"No…I'm afraid we haven't."

"Where in hell's name is Terrick? He should have found her ages ago."

"I'm afraid something has gone wrong." Kelson never was very eloquent.

"Terrick is dead, isn't he." Elmiryn deadpanned.

"I suppose you could say that." The cat demon muttered cryptically.

Elmiryn narrowed her eyes. "What are you saying? Quit being so vague!"

"…Elmiryn, I'm not sure how or why this happened, but at some point, for whatever reason, Terrick merged himself with a human. Now the half-breed is over on your turf with the pack of werewolves that's been causing us setbacks and…" his voice strained, "Xia is with them."

Elmiryn quirked an eyebrow, "Your little cat girl?"

"Yes."

"Kelson you're pathetic." Elmiryn sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We warned you against working with Terrick, but you were a brat and you had to have your own way. You couldn't take care of a couple of mangy wolves and now I have to deal with them. To be honest I'm not overly concerned, but with Xia and that half-breed cat demon running around with them, this'll serve as one terrible annoyance. You really did pick an inconvenient time to screw up." She could practically hear him blushing on the other end.

"One…of my specter's saw a member of Avalanche with them as well…" he mumbled halfheartedly.

Elmiryn grit her teeth. "AND you allowed a member of Avalanche to slip your sight!?" No answer. Elmiryn sighed heavily. "Okay, Kelson…I'll clean up your mess. But I'm actually doing something productive with my time, so I'll send one of my subordinates to take care of this. Did they leave tonight?"

"Yes…they boarded a ship and they should be arriving at Kalm in the morning."

"I'll deal with them eventually. You had better hope Belial doesn't get too annoyed with you, because he will find out about this sooner or later."

Without bothering to say goodbye, she hung up. "Kelson your still just one big kitten, it's a wonder why we allowed you to have any control at all."

"He just needs a kick in the rear to get him going. Makes for a nice mule and scapegoat should anything go wrong."

Elmiryn didn't turn around. Addressing the new voice calmly she said, "Belial. What have you been up to that I haven't heard from you for so long?"

"Handling my share of the work. And you?"

"Working on Valentine. His mind is a maze."

"You'll succeed, you always do."

Elmiryn turned. In the darkness surrounding her, she could see a hulking black silhouette with a long face and gigantic horns on its head. It stood on legs like a satyrs, and large menacing wings were folded against its back. Refusing to step into the light with her, the creature stayed in its place, as did Elmiryn.

Belial always did prefer the dark.

Undeterred by his frightening presence, the fire witch crossed her arms. "Why DID you give Kelson the northern continent?"

They had split the world into separate territories, where as Elmiryn controlled the eastern continent. Belial the western. And Kelson and Terrick the northern. It helped keep them organized and made running things and completing tasks easier.

"Originally it was just supposed to be him and Terrick but as I hear it, that is no longer the case." Belial said easily.

"So you heard?"

"Of course. Just the same, I didn't like him very much."

"But now the task of finding the snow woman is left to Kelson as is control of that entire continent!"

"It's an area of no importance compared to the things we have to do in our own respective areas. After he finds the snow woman, the northern continent will be of no use to us until your task with Mr. Valentine is done."

"Well if you've no concern of Kelson and the little pests he's practically sent my way, then what was it you wished to discuss?"

"I came to warn. I'm afraid the angels have finally caught up to us."

Elmiryn's eyebrows rose high at this. "The angels have finally come?"

"In a sense. They are only sending scouts and small hunting parties for now. It would seem they have other battles to fight at the moment. However, I am particularly upset at a certain pair of angels. Do you remember Lilith?"

Elmiryn's lip curled. "The succubus."

"My best. She had been complaining of boredom and not seeing any harm in it, I sent her to kill the former leader of Avalanche."

"Was that really wise?"

"Twas' to my own loss. Lilith was killed and Mr. Strife was able to get away. An elemental and an aviant were the ones to save him."

"Then why did you not take care of them?"

"I'm afraid I was taking care of other business and was not informed until later. And while the loss of Lilith did upset me when I finally was told, I didn't concern myself with it too much. After all, would you worry yourself over just two angels so early on? Further more, two angels whose task most likely was only to gather information?"

"Of course not."

"Exactly. But it would seem these two's mission is something more and is beginning to interfere with mine. They're proving to be a potential danger, and if they persist, I'll have to kill them, despite the red flags I may set with their superiors."

"I fail to see your reason for telling me this."

"It's insightful information. And indirect advice towards you. If this ragtag group you're expecting proves to be a problem worth dealing with, don't hesitate to extinguish the flame. Your very good at that sort of thing."

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

"Do that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've someone I need to meet."

Elmiryn nodded and watched with mild interest as Belial wrapped himself in his wings and altogether he melted into the shadows, disappearing from sight. Sighing the witch, turned where she stood.

Around her, large shadowy masses of wrecked buildings and chunks of concrete surrounded her. But as she turned to leave, the sight of someone approaching made her stop.

Eyes narrowing, she placed her hands on her hips. "Reno, you've been gone quite a while."

The fierce looking vampire, his long red hair shadowing his face, chuckled darkly. "I was just convincing another to join us." His white shirt was splattered some with blood, and Elmiryn noticed the tell tale scars of wounds healing.

"You ran into trouble with this person?" She said, smiling slightly in surprise.

He shrugged carelessly, "She was a bit difficult, but then again she's always been difficult."

"Ah, so you've known this person?"

"Worked with her for about a year when Shinra was still around."

"I see…well then, you had better keep an eye on her. Remember, while I give you permission to turn a certain number of people, I don't want this to get out of hand. She'll be your responsibility. Until she gains her footing I suggest you turn no one else. There is a particular danger on its way to Kalm at the moment, so you may want to warn that girl to stay of harm's way."

Reno frowned. "A danger? What danger?"

"A small pack of werewolves, a cat demon and a demon half breed, and a member of Avalanche."

"Avalanche…which member is with them?"

Elmiryn scowled in annoyance. That was right, Kelson didn't tell her. "I'm afraid I don't know. At any rate, I want you to keep an eye out for them, they should be arriving sometime this morning…and mind your little fledgling."

Reno nodded. "Don't worry." He turned to leave.

"By the way, Reno?"

He glanced at Elmiryn over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

"Have you fed the night mares?"

He smirked cockily and continued walking, "Yeah." And without another word, he left.

A thick silence descended around the fire witch then. Back erect and head up high, she eyed the ruins around her once again with disgust. The moonlight shafted down on her and looking up she could see the particles of dust drifting in the air. A queen among rubble, Elmiryn retreated back to her hole.

-----

Kelson stared at the phone in his hand. Then with a wild swing threw it at the wall. It shattered to various pieces, leaving a deep impression.

Heaving, he ran a hand through his hair and began to pace about his room.

It infuriated him whenever Elmiryn made him feel so…useless.

She was a stupid creature anyway. She wasn't even a demon! A fire witch. A fire witch. That's what she was. A power hungry wreck addicted to her magic. They had found her in another world, nearly dead on the ground, the front of her dress ripped and her eyes glazed. Next to her, naked, was a small girl nearly identical to her.

The demons that had found her realized she was the same notorious fire witch they had heard spoken of, the one said to have gone berserk with her power and whom spread a reign of chaos throughout several different worlds. When they saw that she had somehow regained control and sanity of herself, they took her in along with her small companion, and in return, she did what they asked of her. She was the only non-demon to be in such a position of control, however it became clear she probably would never again rise to the height of power she had before. But Kelson was sure the only reason she put up with them was because of some personal vendetta of hers.

Kelson resented her superior attitude and was disgusted with her obsessive and borderline incentive relationship with the small girl she called "Herutsu" who, no matter what, never seemed to age. Furthermore, he thought it suspicious that she openly volunteered to come to this planet. Anything Elmiryn did, it was because they told her to. Whatever she had been waiting for…whatever she had been searching for, he was sure it was here.

Meanwhile, what would Kelson do? Perhaps he would try and uncover Elmiryn's true plans. But he wasn't sure how to go about it without notice. And it was also clear that Terrick's duty in finding the snow woman would fall on him.

The snow woman had been a tale told to those who traveled through the icy region of the northern continent. It was said she was one of the ten children bore by the infamous and terrible Yuki-Onna, the Lady of the Snow, a famous demon and a serial killer in Terrick's world. The snow woman was said to have an irresistible beauty, with pale-blue skin and icy breath. She was anti-social and hated hot springs. In her possession was a gift from her human father, the precious materia of Alexander. It was a mystery how the man came to possess such an item, but he did indeed give it to the daughter, to the snow woman, and it was now Kelson's job to get it.

But it wouldn't be easy, scouring the snowy plains of the northern continent for the woman. So how was he to go about his own plans if he was going to be busy with this?

Pulling up the blinds he gazed down at the mass of necromancers who, by now, had created a small army of specters.

Lips curling back into a twisted smile he murmured, "Let's see what shadows creep along your walls Elmiryn. Let's see what secrets you keep hidden in the dark. Sure enough I'll know…" He moved to his coat rack and plucked up his heaviest cloak. Slipping on a pair of thick gloves his eyes gleamed. "Sure enough, Elmiryn, I'll find out."

Dressing in a multitude of layers of clothes, Kelson left the room, his eyes glowing with sinister energy.

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A/N: And there's the chapter. What do you guys think? Was it at the very least, satisfactory? Some more stuff will be revealed later. Right now, I'm still only halfway done with the next chapter, but projects and midterms may make this chapter just that much harder to finish. I'll get it up eventually, though.

Some actual myths have been played into this chapter. Lilith is the most important Jewish femme fatale of the succubus species and the only spirit of her kind referred to in the Bible. Then there's Yuki-Onna, a Japanese demon who sucks the life breath gently but inexorably from her victims mouths. I'll most definitely be trying to use more myths in the future, but I won't point them out. Kudos to anyone who can recognize them.

Oh...and I hate this stupid new editor has put in...

Next Chapter: The Split In Paths