Chapter Twenty: The Cathedral of Heresy
Brooke arrived back at the apartment after sundown. It was raining, which only mimicked the storm inside her heart. Santa Monica was dusty and cold, just like her skin. She was no longer in her regalia, now her skin was covered in wet jeans and a burned red t-shirt. She didn't care. Every inch of her soul was hurting. She'd had hours to think, and her racing thoughts had all come to one unfortunate conclusion; James was right. She had lied to him. Well, maybe not lied. Hiding the truth wasn't the same as flat-out lying, but it didn't matter. James was furious and she had nowhere to go.
She passed by the pawn shop and looked up when she heard her name. Sam and Lydia were leaning on Sam's motorcycle outside the apartment, the younger of the two waving at her. She raised a hand to wave back, her face obviously conveying how she felt. Lydia jumped from the bike and ran up to her. Brooke barely had time to react before the girl's arms were wrapped around her and she was being squeezed.
"Are you okay, Brookey?"
The voice was small, much smaller than Lydia's usual feathery voice, so Brooke made the assumption that Molly was in the driver's seat today. Brooke reached up to pet her hair.
"I'm okay, Mols, just a bit sad."
"And confused, I'd wager," Sam said. He smiled as he walked up. "Will told me what happened."
"I don't know what I'm going to do." Brooke felt the sob rising in her throat. She thought she didn't have any tears left, but her eyes said otherwise.
"Well, Maple and I have had a conversation about it and we've both agreed that our spare bedroom is all yours."
Brooke felt herself smiling, though she still wanted to cry.
"I need to get my things, and my bike is still at Charlie's apartment," she said, taking Sam's offered hand. He smiled softly.
"Take my bike and Molly back to the house, I'll retrieve your bike. As for your stuff, you'll find it's already there."
Brooke tilted her head.
Molly released her hug and looked up at her.
"Ava and Ramona helped us move them for you."
Brooke felt herself smiling. She squeezed the young girl tight and looked at Sam. He gave her a sad smile and wiped away her stray tears.
"I know it wasn't your fault, princess. Head back to the house. I'll be as fast as I can."
With a wink, Sam was gone. One of his many powers was known as blinking. He could teleport to anywhere he needed to go in the blink of an eye. It made it useful for him to look after Lydia and her system while maintaining his job at the hospital. It was an ability that he used constantly.
Brooke and Molly traveled through the city, Molly holding tight to Brooke's waist. Brooke was relying on her muscle memory to get her to Walnut Park without getting either of them killed; her mind was elsewhere.
James was somewhere in the city, most likely alone, and in very real pain. She'd lied to him, and now he probably thought the worst of her. If only he'd given her a minute to explain, maybe she wouldn't feel so wretched.
Before they knew it, Brooke and Molly arrived back at the house. Brooke pulled into the drive behind a large Jeep. Sitting in the back of the Jeep was Ava. She was holding onto a small bear, with a pair of bulky headphones on. Her eyes were closed and it seemed she couldn't hear anything. Daniel was nearby, helping Ramona carry something inside. It appeared to be a wooden bed frame, weathered and covered in a fine layer of dust.
"That's gonna be your bed," Molly said, climbing out from behind Brooke. She smiled up at the wayward Princess and skipped over to Ava. She tapped her bare leg, which must have surprised Ava as she screamed. Daniel was by her side almost instantly.
"What happened?" he asked, looking between the two girls. Ava removed her headphones, looking down at Molly.
"I'm fine, you just surprised me," she said slowly, though her voice gave away how frightened she really was. The words seemed to catch in her throat. She reached across to pat Molly on the head, smiling down at her. "I'm okay, mouse. What's up?"
"Nothing just wanted to say hi!" Molly was her usual chipper self, even as she beamed and darted into the house after Sam.
Daniel kissed Ava on the temple and gently stroked her hair.
"You good?"
Ava nodded and took a deep breath.
"I'm good."
Brooke watched the two of them for a minute before dismounting the bike and heading inside. Seeing happy couples right now put her stomach in knots and her heart in her throat. Without James, she felt hollow, and seeing couples that didn't lie to each other made her feel even worse. It filled that hollow space inside with despair.
By the time she fell asleep that night, everything in her body was screaming at her. She'd made a horrible mistake, and now James was out there in the city somewhere, thinking the absolute worst of her. That wasn't what bothered her, it was the fact she'd made him feel betrayed. It was as if she could feel his pain in her bones. She ached for him. She had to do something, but that meant she'd have to find him.
Where was he?
~X~
Tap tap tap.
Mark felt something tapping against his forehead, a single repetitive motion spaced a second or two apart. He recognized the feeling though; someone was poking him. His eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the dimly lit area he found himself in. He was propped up against a large wooden gate. It had large circular knockers, one just out of reach from him. As he turned, he almost jumped from his skin.
The cat demon was sitting cross-legged in front of him, a huge smile in place. Kane was sitting nearby, rubbing his head.
"Apparently we both got sucker punched," he groaned, leaning against a separate gate. This one was more like a chain link fence than a gate, but it was just as big as the wooden one.
"What..." Mark looked to the demon who rolled backward. They curled so far that they eventually wound up back on their feet.
"Someone upstairs likes you, little morsel," they said. They flicked their hand. A flurry of white and yellow petals fell between their fingers. They wafted to the ground, clumping together in the shape of a P. Kane crawled over to get a better look, but all Mark could do was laugh.
"It's Fall, isn't it?"
"In your world? Yes. Close to All Hallow's Eve," the demon said. Their tail curled underneath them, allowing them to sit back.
Kane looked at Mark. Mark looked up at him.
"Lady Persephone has returned to the Underworld," he said. Kane nodded and used the wall to climb to his feet. Mark followed suit, holding at his ribs. They hurt like Hell, but he couldn't remember why.
"The Iron Queen has given Wynn instructions to allow you passage through to the next trials, despite the outcome of this one. The curse of my realm has been lifted," the Cat said.
"That tells me two things," Kane said, stretching. "One, Kitty's name is Wynn." He reached across to scratch the cat demon behind the ears. An otherworldly sound escaped Wynn's throat, sounding vaguely like a purr. "Two, we lost this trial."
"How?" Mark turned back to look at the path. It wasn't a very long one, he could see the beginning without too much effort.
"You succumbed to the rage inside," Wynn said, standing back on their feet. They stood between the two men and placed a paw on each of the doors. They glowed with a dark purple light. There was a sliding sound behind Mark as the twin doors split apart and slowly opened. The fence behind Kane opened too, as the chains holding it together unwound and landed near his feet. The taller man turned to his brother.
"Wanna take a guess at what's next?"
Mark smirked. His knowledge of Dante's Inferno wasn't as extensive as Kane's was, but he could guess based on the doors that they were standing at the entrance to Heresy. It made sense that a place designed to punish blasphemers and those who spoke against the 'church' would look like a cathedral.
Upon closer inspection, the door appeared to be covered in carvings from every major religion in the world, even some minor. He could see tiny Stars of David and several pentagrams. He spotted carvings of the Dharmachakra, the symbol of the Eight Fold Path from Buddhism, and the upside-down cross, commonly associated with the Satanic church. The crescent moon and star of Islam sat beside the Yin-Yang symbol of Taoism. The biggest of course was the cross that was in the center of the doors, splitting in two as they opened; not the traditional Christian cross, but the Greek version. He recognized some of the markings, but there were more he didn't. The ones he did recognize were ones he knew the meanings of. Peace, protection, enlightenment, faith. There were so many different symbols, it was hard to believe that the human realm fought so fiercely over them. They were all represented here, in the lower planes of what was essentially Hell. How was it that all of them could be punished on just one level?
"This, like the snake's tongue, is twin-pronged," Wynn said, slinking their way between them. "The brothers must split apart and wander in different directions." They pointed at the cathedral door. "Down one road you will find the herald of all Blasphemers." Another paw pointed to the fence. "The other will lead to the warmongers of Aggression." They looked between the two brothers. "The choice is yours, but choose carefully. The gates will seal themselves once when you enter and will not open again." Wynn smirked.
"I think it's pretty obvious who goes where," Kane said. He reached down and picked up the chain that had held the fence gate closed. He swung it and grinned as the chain wound itself around his arm. He caught the padlock in his hand and looked at Mark. "Violence sounds like my kind of party."
"And I have to check in with my son, so I'm off to Heresy," Mark added, turning to Wynn.
The cat smiled and held out their paw. There was a flash of light and the dagger appeared. There was a faint red tint to the blade now.
"A gift for the Lord of Heresy."
Mark took the dagger, just as Wynn turned and presented their other paw to Kane. Another flash of light revealed the vial.
"The only way to quell the monsters in Violence."
Kane took the vial and peered at it, a smirk appearing on his face.
"You'd figure the knife would go to Violence and the wine to Heresy," he quipped, tucking the vial into his pocket. Mark smirked and rolled his eyes.
"Once the trials are complete, the brothers will both exit into Fraud, or be damned to spend eternity walking the wastes of Limbo," Wynn explained, looking between them. "You have wasted what chances you had. Tread carefully, or become Cerberus' chew toy." They winked and walked off.
Mark looked at his younger brother and sighed.
"Well, no time like the present," he said finally. Kane laughed.
"Let's do this."
~X~
I hope you're okay.
I'm at Sam's if you want to talk.
Please answer me.
I just want to know you're okay.
James, I am so sorry.
Please let me explain.
Where are you?
Brooke sighed, dropping her phone onto her chest. It had been days since she'd last seen or heard from James, and she was beside herself with worry. She was lounging on the sofa in the living room, Pippa asleep at her feet. It was raining outside, heavy black storm clouds hanging over head. Sam had been gone for several hours now, and Lydia was at school. At least, she assumed Lydia was the alter who went to school for the system. Since she'd been introduced to most of the other members of her system, Brooke had realized that Lydia was very complicated. She respected each member of the system as individuals of course, but she was still having trouble figuring out who was out most of the time.
As if on cue, the Maple System stepped through the front door. They'd just arrived home from school, and by the demeanor and the low grumbling, Annabelle was front and center. Brooke waved to her as she stormed past, seemingly ignoring her. She stomped up the stairs, disappearing from sight. A moment later, there was a loud bang. Brooke pursed her lips and nodded down at Pippa who looked up at her.
"That translates to leave me alone," she said, giving the little dog a scratch. Pippa yipped and jumped from the sofa, darting upstairs. Brooke rolled her eyes, looking down at her phone.
No new messages.
A sigh escaped her mouth as she pulled a cushion close to her. Her heart ached. Where was James? Why hadn't he replied? As far as she knew, he hadn't spoken to any of his friends either. Sam had said to give him some space, and she had, but it had been three days since anyone had heard from him.
She scrolled through her phone to the last conversation she'd had with James.
I am so not cooking tonight- James
When do you ever cook?- Brooke
Haha very funny. Wanna go to the Luna Bistro? We can trick Xander into cooking for us by paying him- James
Good plan. I'll meet you at our park when I finish.- Brooke
She felt her eyes welling with tears again. She needed to find him, to explain.
"I wouldn't bother if I were you."
Brooke jumped as Annabelle came back downstairs. She had changed out of her school clothes into a baggy black hoody and gray leggings, her hair untied and her face bare of make-up. Even though she was looking at the same face, Annabelle brought her own attitude to the body, making her a completely different person in Brooke's eyes. She was learning to tell them all apart.
"With?" Brooke was confused. What did Annabelle know that she didn't?
"James. Sam told us. I wouldn't bother trying to cyber-stalk him. He's disappeared off the face of the earth to mope," Annabelle replied, leaning against the door frame. She gave Brooke a crooked smirk.
"And you know this how?"
"It's what he does. The first time the Calaway witches came for him he did the same thing. Sam found him weeks later, drunk as a skunk under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco."
Brooke had to smile to herself. Annabelle was just trying to help, and it was partially working. She looked back down at her phone. Still no messages from James, though as she looked a message from Cooper came through.
New Message: Cooper Li
pm, October 19th, 2012
Ran into James just now. He didn't look or sound too happy. Something up? Do you need a hug?
Coop: My Life Isn't As Glamorous As My Wanted Poster Would Have You Believe.
She couldn't help but smile as she typed a response. Ever since she'd been revealed as their sister, April and Cooper had done everything they could to make her feel welcome. She absolutely felt the love. It was nice, that feeling of being wanted. It almost filled the gap James had left when he did. Almost.
Yeah but I don't really want to talk about it. I'll see you at work tonight.
Brooke: Light A Fire They Can Never Put Out
A groan from Annabelle drew Brooke's attention as the girl sat down at the base of the stairs. She wrapped what she could of her arms around her head, just as Pippa leaped from the sofa and joined her, putting her tiny white paws on her knees.
"Annabelle?"
These were signs of a switch; one of the other members of the Maple System was attempting to switch places with Annabelle.
Absentmindedly, Annabelle reached down to gently pet Pippa, her eyes blinking slowly behind her bangs.
"Just... leave James alone for a bit," she said slowly, turning to face Brooke. Her eyes flickered in place slightly. Brooke watched, unable to help her. She wasn't sure what she needed to do to ease the transition from one alter to another, only that she needed to be respectful when the switch took place completely. That was something she could definitely do.
"He needs to hear my side. I have to explain what happened," she said quietly. Annabelle gave her a sharp look.
"No, he doesn't and no, you don't. His temper is not something you want aimed at you, Blondie, trust me," she snapped, standing up. She turned to the stairs. She took a few steps, only to look down at Brooke. "He won't forgive you for what you've done, not in the mood he's in. Until he chills out, you need to stay away." With that, she disappeared back upstairs. Pippa dashed after her, leaving Brooke alone.
She let out a sigh, just as a crack of lightning lit up the windows. Annabelle was right of course. She knew James well enough to know he would be unable to control what he said while enraged. Her explanation could wait; now she just wanted to know if he was okay, wherever he was.
She pulled a blanket over her legs and curled up, her fingers clutching her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see James on her home screen, which only made her heart hurt more.
~X~
Heresy was a lot darker than Mark had expected it to be. There were storm clouds raging above that covered the realm in inky darkness. He could barely make out the black lines in the marble path beneath him. On either side of the path were grassy wastes, seas of deep green as far as the eyes could see. He could hear a waterfall nearby as well as the thunder above. The atmosphere was jarring; around him were lush green fields with a smattering of trees and flowers, even wildlife, but above him was an angry storm threatening to tear the world apart. Peace and chaos existing together.
The path gave way to a bridge that split into three. The path to the right led to a realm of fire. The black castle that rose from an island floating in a pit of lava was a dead giveaway. Mark couldn't help but smirk. That had to be Brooke's realm. Blake had explained that they were the twins that held dominion over opposing forces; Blake ruled the frozen fields of Frontinus Mordent and Castle Pagoniá, and Brooke ruled Ignis Infernalis from her seat in Castle Fotiá. Though he wasn't sure who was running her realm while she was with her siblings. Blake had Anastasia to run things for him while he was away, and advise him when he was around, so it made sense that Brooke had an adviser and confidant in her realm too.
The snowcat from his first visit was sitting near the bridge to his left, where the meadow gave way to the snowy fields of Prince Blakius' domain. Mark had learned since their first encounter that the creature was called a Carbunkle, and there were many different species. This one had formed from the flurries of snow falling within Blake's realm. It was digging for food in the snowdrifts and only moved when Mark stepped closer. Its ice-blue eyes stared up at him, its head tilting ever so slightly. He knew this was the same Carbunkle he'd seen on his first visit to Blake's domain, it had a very distinct red gem in the center of its head. It looked up at him and mewled, leaning on its back legs to brush its head against the palm of his hand.
Mark couldn't help but smile. It was very soft against his skin and was pleasant to the touch, except for the fact its fur was freezing cold, so cold in fact the air around his fingers seemed to freeze, leaving small patches of ice behind.
"You would hate where I live," he said with a laugh. He looked up, letting the creature wrap itself around his legs. The spires of Castle Pagoniá loomed in the distance, tall and imposing. The castle still reminded him of a cathedral, even while buried under several feet of snow.
When he reached the courtyard, he could hear voices. Three to be exact, two he recognized, and another he didn't. He pushed the door to the throne room open to find Blake sitting in his throne, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. Anastasia stood below him, hands on her hips. She was arguing with another man, this one dressed in deep red and gold robes. His hair was dark and short, his skin the color of caramel. He seemed to be just as heated as Anastasia.
"The boy does not belong here, he can't!" he was saying, wildly gesturing to the side.
Sitting in one of the seats that lined the walkway to the throne was a boy, no older than eighteen. He was small, with shaggy blonde hair and a tan. He sat with his hands deep in the pockets of his torn white hoodie. Mark raised an eyebrow at him in question before returning his gaze to his son.
"You made it," Blake said, breathing a sigh of relief. Mark gave him a cocky smirk and a shrug.
"Piece of cake, kid," he replied. Only half a lie; Blake didn't need to know how much he'd been through to get here. He gestured to the bickering duo. "What did I miss?"
"This is not relevant to you, mortal," the man said, turning his gaze to Mark. His eyes swirled with red and gold.
Blake let out a chuckle. He seemed to know what was coming.
Mark smirked and pooled his magic, allowing it to flow freely from his hands, wrapping around him. His jeans and t-shirt were soon replaced with his Guardian robes. The silver dragon that wrapped around his bicep reared once, letting out a puff of smoke before settling in place. His hair tied itself back into a pony-tail.
"I'm fairly certain the comings and goings of Hell's inhabitants are my business," he said. He was nose to nose with the man now. They were almost the same height, but Mark still towered over him just a little.
"Marcel," Blake interjected, earning the man's attention, "I think it wise that you apologize to Lady Iremia's Guardian."
Marcel looked back at Mark and smiled.
"My apologies, my lord. It is not common practice for Caina's dignitaries to wear mortal clothes, so you'll forgive the misunderstanding."
Mark raised an eyebrow, turning back to his son.
"Again I ask, what have I missed?"
Blake leaned on his hand, gesturing to the boy.
"This young man is recently deceased and has appeared in the wrong realm. Those recently dead spend their first hundred years in Limbo. Having him appear here before that is unprecedented, and Brookai's adviser believes he should be elsewhere."
"It is beyond our protocol," Marcel said, turning away.
Anastasia gave Mark a thoughtful look before looking back at Blake.
"Perhaps Lord Markus could escort him to see Barbus?"
Mark rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Do I look like an errand boy?"
Blake smiled.
"You're heading to the Cathedral anyway."
"Blake, I don't have the time or patience to deal with this shit right now. I have a trial to run."
"If you help correct a mistake in Hell, the Lords will look favorably upon you. Barbus will know what to do with him when you arrive."
Mark turned to look at the boy. He had pulled his feet onto the seat and was hugging his knees, making himself as small as possible. It was something Anna had done when she was younger. She was the shyest of his children and tended to blend herself into the background. The boy was so small and seemed so lost. His heart warmed. He could see something in this boy that woke something in him. Pity, maybe, or maybe sympathy.
"You got a name, kid?"
The boy looked up. His eyes were filled with tears and his lips quivered.
"Ch-Charlie," he said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
"Alright, Charlie, you're coming with me. Let's find where you belong."
Before Mark and Charlie had a chance to leave the throne room, Marcel and Anastasia were gone. He looked up at Blake who rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward to look at them.
"Before you go, Father, I have a warning for you."
Mark turned to face him. He needed to hear this. Any help he could get he would use to his advantage.
"Go for it."
"Unfortunately, due to laws much older than I, I cannot directly help you. I can however say this." He locked eyes with his father. "The ruler of this realm is one of seven demonic High Lords. He is known as Barbus. He holds dominion over all heretics and punishes them accordingly. You will only succeed if you can overcome what he shows you. If not, then whatever is keeping my mother prisoner has won."
Mark smirked and turned towards the doors. He could hear Charlie's tiny footsteps behind him. As he reached the door, his old clothes returning, he turned and smiled at his son. He could feel a fire burning within him; conviction. He would not lose.
"Bring it on."
~X~
Brooke had tossed and turned every night since she'd arrived at Sam's place. Her mind was filled with panicked thoughts of James and the situation he was in. Had Jeritza taken over again? Was James in danger? When she was awake, she tried with everything she had to use her abilities to find him. The problem, of course, was he had his warding stones on him. He was completely cloaked from her. The only magickal force she knew of that could find him was the abilities of a full-blooded God, either Olympian or higher. She was stuck not knowing whether he was safe or not.
One night, as Hypno cast his spell of sleep over the house, Brooke was staring at the ceiling. It was late at night and her muscles were incredibly sore. She'd worked all day at the cafe and arrived home exhausted. Xander and Cooper could both tell she wasn't sleeping well and had asked her as such. She'd waved them off, saying she was just worried about James, which was only a half-truth. Her worry for James kept her awake most nights, but worry for her brother was mixed in, causing a swirl of paranoia and fear.
She'd checked in with Blake only a day before, and he'd been too busy to speak for long; Heresy was in chaos and needed a ruler, as Barbus was shirking his duties to pursue one of the Demon Lords. Blake had stepped in to help, which caused his own realm to fall into disarray. She'd tried visiting him every day since she'd realized that she could. Even with the Underworld closed off, their bond always brought them together.
As she lay there, looking up at the ceiling, the white paint began to move. She watched as it pulsed back and forth, slowly warping into the shape of a snowflake. She felt herself smiling; she'd transported herself to her brother without even realizing it. The bond they had brought her to him once again.
She sat up, finding herself on one of the love seats under the window in the throne room of Castle Pagoniá. She turned at the sound of a sigh. Anastasia was seated in her normal position, in an icy throne just below Blake's. She was leaning on her elbow, staring off into the distance.
"Ana?"
Anastasia looked over, a small smile crossing her lips.
"Hello, Lady Brookai," she said, her hand falling into her lap. "You just missed your brother."
"Is he alright?" Brooke stepped over to her friend and sat in one of the court seats.
Anastasia's smile faded, only a little, but enough for Brooke to notice.
"He is upstairs. I believe the trouble with the newcomer has given him a sizable headache," she said. She leaned back in her seat and shook her head. "Lady Iremia's Guardian has been sent to resolve the problem. He is making progress. I was surprised to learn he hadn't perished in Limbo as Master Hades predicted."
"That is good news."
The pair was quiet for a moment. They didn't have a lot to say, given the circumstances. Brooke had been searching for comfort from her brother, while his high priestess had been thinking of something else. Her thoughts seemed to be fogging her mind, and Brooke couldn't help the feeling of sympathy that enveloped her. She and Anastasia had been friends for many years, and Brooke had always tried to help her make sense of her thoughts, but sometimes Anastasia's mind would be elsewhere. She'd never revealed where. Perhaps she would with a little prodding.
"Drachma for your thoughts?" she asked. Anastasia's gaze returned to her and the smile on her face became sad.
"Loneliness, your grace, that's all. I expect you're feeling the same in the mortal realm."
Brooke sighed and leaned back in her seat. It wasn't loneliness that was plaguing her but knowing she was the cause of someone else's pain.
"Not really," she said, thinking of her words carefully. Anastasia was very loyal to the Queen, and Brooke knew if anything about James were to get back to her, she would be in a world of trouble. "I have taken up residence with one of the Horsemen."
Anastasia seemed to perk up at this. She sat up straighter, her expression morphing from sad to curious.
"Which one?"
"Saturius."
As if Brooke's words had been the key to a long-lost memory, Anastasia brightened immediately.
"Is he safe? Has his exile been tough? What of his life? Please tell me everything."
As Brooke answered each question in turn, it dawned on her. Anastasia had never taken a suitor. Most high-ranking members of the demonic court had, so it was expected that she would too. Brooke had always thought she'd make a perfect match for Marcel, but Marcel was infatuated with one of the Goddesses further below. Ana seemed to be equally as obsessed with Sam.
Brooke held up a hand, immediately silencing Anastasia's recent questioning.
"Of all demons and devils that fill the circles of Hell, you've fallen for Saturius," she said, smirking.
Anastasia's usually pale face became bright red. She sat back in her seat and covered her face. After a beat, her hands fell into her lap and she let out a sigh.
"Forgive me, Princess."
Before Brooke could stop her, Anastasia snapped her fingers and disappeared in a puff of snowflakes. She rolled her eyes. She'd learned in her time in the mortal realm that people who ran at the first sign of confronting their emotions revealed more by leaving than speaking.
She debated whether she should venture upstairs to her brother, who would be wrapped in a cocoon of soft blankets to escape the bitter cold. Eventually, she decided against it; Blake deserved to rest. She would visit again soon.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, imagining herself back in her room. The air around her swirled, the icy chill biting at her fingers, only to be replaced seconds later with the soft plush of her blanket. She opened her eyes, once again staring up at the ceiling in her bedroom. How long had she been gone? Time ran much differently in Hell than in the mortal realm. She turned and looked at the clock on her nightstand. The digits 4:14 flashed back at her. Sam would be getting up for work soon.
As she slipped on her nightgown, she wondered if Sam knew of Anastasia's feelings. Sam had never said anything, but she'd never actually asked him. Perhaps she could while he made his coffee. She left her room, closing her door as quietly as she could. The Maple System was fast asleep in the room to her right and she didn't want to wake them. She turned to go down the stairs, stopping when she heard the wailing alarm from across the hall. Almost as quickly as it sounded, it stopped. She waited to hear Sam moving. There was a tiny moan but nothing much else. A few minutes later, he appeared in his doorway. His shaggy hair had been brushed out of his eyes, but she could still see the exhaustion. He was wearing what appeared to be hospital scrubs, but they didn't look like any scrubs she had ever seen. His shirt was white with dark blue sleeves, Mickey Mouse plastered in the middle. His pants were the same blue as the sleeves but had Mickey's silhouette instead of his face. A lanyard was around his neck, with tiny lightning bolts and red and blue circles on it. He stopped when he saw her and smiled.
"Morning," he whispered. He followed her downstairs and into the kitchen.
"Is that your uniform?" she asked, sitting on one of the stools. Sam busied himself making a pair of coffees, but turned and gave her a smile.
"Yep. We're allowed to get custom scrubs as long as they're regulation material. Since I work in the pediatrics ward, I figured Mickey Mouse and Marvel were appropriate prints." He placed a glass of water in front of her. "So, what's woken you up this early?"
Brooke shrugged, taking a sip.
"I haven't been sleeping well, so I went to visit my brother. He wasn't around, but I did run into his adviser," she said, watching for his response. He didn't seem to react, other than a yawn.
"I imagine his adviser is as stuffy as the Queen," he said, grinning.
"I can assure you, Anastasia is nothing like the Queen."
At the mention of Anastasia's name, Sam stopped in his tracks. He gave her a confused stare. He swallowed and his expression softened.
"How is she?"
"She's a little frustrated with the politics of Hell but that's to be expected. She asked about you."
"What did you say?"
"I said you were safe and out of harm's way."
Sam sighed and leaned against the counter. He was quiet for a moment. She had no idea what thoughts he was having, or if she could help him at all. Did Sam know how Anastasia felt, and if he did, did he feel the same?
Brooke was the one to break the silence.
"How do you know her?"
Sam's shoulders seemed to stiffen at the question.
"You remember when I told you I'd been banished for breaking one of the most sacred of demon laws?" Brooke nodded. "Well, that law was put in place by your mother to prevent usurping and to maintain her power base." He turned to look out the window. "That law prohibits demon relations." He turned back to Brooke, and there was a sadness in his eyes. The brown pools seemed darker as he smiled sadly. "I was banished for falling in love."
Brooke frowned. That didn't sound right. Her mother had had a string of lovers, including her father, and she'd always said love was important. Why would she ban such a concept?
"Demons fall in love all the time though. I don't understand."
Sam's smile grew a little as he chuckled.
"I should have been specific. The law prohibits upper-level demons and the Demon Princes from falling in love. We're expected to remain focused on whatever task we're given."
That made more sense, though still rubbed her the wrong way. Why were lesser demons and the Queen's Court allowed to love, but upper-level demons weren't? It didn't sound fair at all. Especially now that her mother had softened, even if it was only a little.
"How did my mother find out?" she asked. She took a sip of the coffee Sam gave her and watched as he raked his fingers through his hair.
"We managed to keep it secret for a few decades, but we were eventually discovered and reported. To punish us both, I was banished and Anastasia was demoted. I never knew what had happened to her, but now I know she's Prince Blakius' adviser."
Brooke leaned on her elbow and looked at Sam. She was learning new things about Sam the more she lived with him, and she couldn't believe how each thing correlated with her mother and James. James had left the Underworld over his love, Sam had been banished for his. Now her father was facing one of the most difficult trials for his love, though at this point she wasn't sure if it was love that drove him. Duty, perhaps.
Sam took a final gulp of his coffee and placed his mug upside down in the sink.
"I know your mother seems to have found her heart, but my banishment has never been lifted. I doubt she will at this point." He chuckled. "I'd ask her myself but..."
A sickly green smoke engulfed him. He disappeared within it. It floated across the kitchen towards a partially open window. Just as it was about to go outside, there was a flash of white light and the cloud dissipated. Sam reappeared, this time in a seated position on the floor. He looked up at Brooke and gave her a smile.
"I can blink around town like a lunatic, but the minute I try to return home as Saturius, it's like I smack into a wall."
"That is incredibly unfair. What about Anastasia?"
"She doesn't leave Frontinus Mordent out of fear. The Demon Lords and pretty much every member of the House of Shards terrify her."
Brooke couldn't help but smirk. The House of Shards was the High Council of the Underworld, ruled over by Lady Iremia. Up until a few years ago, her mother had always appeared in her darker form; pale skin, eyes completely black, veins pulsing in and out of the skin around her eyes. She was unnerving to look at sometimes, truly terrifying when she was enraged. The other members of the House of Shards were Hades, Persephone, and an oracle she'd never met. Hades definitely lived up to his reputation as a dark God. He was as heartless as he was ruthless. If he didn't like someone, he made it very clear from the beginning. His beloved Persephone on the other hand held the title of the Iron Queen for a reason. Where her husband could be reasoned with, she could not. Once her mind was made up, she would not budge. Both of them had proved over their millennia in power that the ruling powers of the Underworld were nothing to scoff at.
Brooke watched Sam climb back to his feet and dust off the back of his pants. She could still see the sadness in his eyes, but it seemed to be lightening just a little, as if someone had lit a candle in a dark cave. Perhaps she could fan that light just a little and give him a little bit of hope.
"The minute I am able to return to the palace, I'll speak to my mother. Maybe I can reason with her," she said, earning herself a hug. Sam wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.
"Don't make any promises you can't keep, princess," he said. Her arms wrapped around his waist.
"I won't, but I can at least promise to try. I will try and lift your banishment so you can see Anastasia again."
"Thank you."
Sam eventually released her and headed for the living room. Before he left the house though, he turned back to her.
"He just needs time. He'll come around."
Brooke smiled as Sam saluted her and left the house, just as the sun began to creep into the sky. A glow of hope in an otherwise dreary world.
~X~
The walk from the icy fields of Frontinus Mordent back to the bridge was silent save for the crunching of ice underfoot, and the trickle of water from the stream that eventually turned into the low burble of lava. Mark had no idea what to say to the boy walking a few feet behind him. Charlie had his hands stuffed deep in his pockets, his eyes glued to the ground. He looked up every so often but wouldn't meet Mark's eyes. Every so often he would kick a stone ahead of him, but he remained silent. Occasionally his head would twitch and he would twitch, but never enough to shake him from the path.
Mark eventually stopped to sit on a rock nearby. A flask of water appeared in his hand, from which he gratefully took a long swig. At least some of his powers were still working. His healing had already removed the wounds he'd been given by his brother, save for the bruise on his ribs. Every so often he would feel a small twinge of pain, but not enough to slow him down. A break wouldn't hurt, though, especially for Charlie.
He looked as if he'd given up, and Mark couldn't blame him. He was no older than eighteen and was recently deceased. That had to be affecting him, but he was holding it all in.
"Kid," he said, trying to be gentle. Charlie looked up for a second then back down, stuffing his hands deeper into his pocket. Mark offered him the flask. "Trust me, you'll need this."
It took a moment but eventually, Charlie took the flask and took a sip. He handed it back, a thankful smile disappearing as quickly as it appeared.
"Look," Mark said. He leaned forward, making him level with the boy. "I have no idea what I'm gonna say to the demon in charge here so you gotta help me out."
"W-what do y-you need t-to to know?"
That was a start. Mark gave him a smile.
"Do you know how you died?"
Charlie didn't answer, only shrinking further into his hoodie.
"Come on, kid. I can't help you if you don't tell me."
"I d-don't know..."
"'Coz that's an answer." Mark rolled his eyes. "Gods, I hate teenagers."
He stood to continue the walk, only half hoping the kid was behind him. He could only do so much with minimal information. Easier to just let him find his own way.
As he walked away, the sound of Charlie's footsteps behind him grew until he was in front of Mark, looking up at him. Mark raised an eyebrow.
"I-I've been ha-having blacko-outs for a c-couple of y-years now. This l-last one brought m-me here," the boy stuttered, squaring his shoulders. "I'm n-not d-dead."
Mark couldn't help but snort. Charlie was blissfully unaware of where he was. The Underworld should have wiped his memories of his human life, but because he'd been dropped into a realm besides Limbo, he still thought he was alive. Whichever pantheon watched over this kid was probably laughing themselves into a coma.
"Do you know what happened before you started blacking out?"
Charlie grew small again. His shoulders dropped and his hands were back deep into his pockets. Mark wondered if his mental powers had returned to him too, and reached out.
Charlie's mind was like a maze filled with dead ends and empty rooms, but eventually, he found his last set of intact memories; his sister's gruesome death. All of his memories after that were broken, so he figured that was the one causing the problem. Mark let the connection go, only for Charlie to step back from him.
"What did you do?" he whispered, bringing a hand to his head.
Mark stayed silent, only getting up and resting a hand on the boy's shoulder. He shouldn't have pried, but now he knew the truth. His sister's death had somehow led to his own, and the memories were still with him. He gestured for the boy to follow him down the path.
It wasn't long before the duo made it to their destination; a Cathedral, much like Castle Pagoniá, only much bigger. The doors were almost identical to the doors leading into this realm; intricately carved religious iconography in deep brown and gold.
Mark pushed the doors open and peered around the torch-lit hall. He'd expected to see rows and pews and an altar with a stain-glass window behind it, like a human cathedral, but the inside more resembled a crypt. There were alcoves in every wall, most containing a stone coffin or remnants of one. Carved into each of the pillars were robed skeletons with their arms crossed across their rib cage. Through the center of the room were stone benches. A few seats away was a robed figure reading a book. By the intricate design of the robes, Mark immediately knew they were a clergyman of some kind.
At the back of the hall was a figure he knew all too well. Hades was standing beside a stone archway, arguing quite loudly with someone. The man with him looked to be in his mid-twenties. He was as tall as the God beside him, only his skin wasn't ash-grey. He was fair-skinned, with long brown hair tied back with ribbon. A laurel crown sat on his head, dotted with small purple orbs. Grapes, perhaps? He wore similar robes to the Olympian Gods, though instead of white, his were black with silver detailing. A small dagger sat in a holster at his thigh, while a bow and quiver of arrows sat draped over his back. He didn't seem to be afraid of Hades at all.
"You will listen to me, boy," Hades seethed. The man raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"It's a wonder if anyone actually does," he replied. Mark couldn't help but snort laughter. Anyone who gave Hades sass was alright in his book. He rested a hand on Charlie's shoulder and nudged him forward. Perhaps it was Barbus arguing with Hades, which is exactly who he needed to speak to.
At their approach, Hades turned. His angry scowl gave way to a look of sheer bewilderment.
"What, you didn't expect me to make it this far?" Mark said, crossing his arms over his chest. He smirked at the God whose eyes narrowed.
"No, I did not. You continue to disappoint, as always." Hades turned to the man beside him who was giving him a quizzical look. "Iremia's consort. If I were in your position I would not trust him."
The man nodded and turned to Mark. He gave him a warm smile, though something about it made Mark feel queasy. The scent of fermented grapes hung around him.
"Ignore him, he's old and bitter," he said, earning a growl from Hades.
"Ignorant boy," he spat. He looked between the two of them and rolled his eyes. He took one more look at Mark and stormed out, slamming a side door behind him. The man shook his head.
"I swear, the longer he spends under Iremia's thumb, the angrier he gets," he said, grinning. He gave Mark that queasy smile again. "I expect an introduction from him would never happen, so I shall do it myself. I am Zagreus."
Mark smiled in return, shaking his outstretched hand.
"Mark Calaway. I imagine working under Hades is a headache."
"Well, yes, but I don't have much of a choice."
"You-you're Za-Zagreus, Cthonic g-god of w-wine and the h-hunt," Charlie said, surprising Mark. He turned to the boy and received an odd look in return.
"How do you know that?"
"You'd be surprised how much you learn when your family is full of dedicated witches serving the Olympian Pantheon," Zagreus said, smiling at the boy. Charlie gave a weak smile in return, stepping back behind Mark. "I expect this young man is not your partner in the trial."
Mark nodded.
"My brother is in a different layer right now. We were told to split up by Wynn."
"I see. And the boy...?"
"Arrived at the crossroads in Heresy. My son asked me to bring him here so the trial runner could figure out where he's supposed to be."
"Your son?"
Mark felt the blood drain from his face. He was under the impression Serenity hadn't told anyone the identity of Blake and Brooke's father, and he might have just blown it. How would the demons of the realm feel if they knew they were being ruled over by demigods? He had to think fast.
"Slip of the tongue. The Prince looks like my eldest son," he said quickly. Zagreus raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Mark coughed and changed the subject. "Reckon you could watch over him while I do this thing?" He gestured to the tiny boy behind him.
Zagreus nodded in return, his eyes traveling to the dais behind them. A cloud of smoke had appeared. After it was substantial, it seemed to roll backward, revealing a demon on a throne; the long, curling, black horns protruding from his forehead gave it away. He had dark red skin, almost black in color, and bright red eyes. He wore regalia very much like Mark's robes, only much more elaborate. There was a leather panel down the center of the skirt that was covered in intricate embroidery, depicting all the symbols on the doors to the realm. His wrist cuffs and leather choker were studded, a small golden cross in the center of each piece. He smiled, and his pearl white teeth seemed to glow.
Zagreus bowed his head once and turned to Mark.
"Good luck," he said, gesturing for Charlie to join him. The boy looked up at Mark who ruffled his hair.
"You'll find your place, kid. I reckon you're pretty important to the Underworld."
Charlie's smile faded as he followed Zagreus through a side door.
Mark turned to the demon. The demon smiled wider and leaned forward.
"Greetings, mortal. I am Barbus, High Lord of Heresy. Welcome to my realm."
Mark gave him an odd look. Barbus rose and a thick tail unfurled from behind him.
"I expect you are anxious to leave, so we shall get through this quickly. Hand me the offering and follow me."
Mark pulled the blood-stained dagger from his pocket and handed it to Barbus. The demon turned it over in his hand and nodded, stepping down from the dais. He gestured for Mark to follow him.
The two of them exited the cathedral into a courtyard. It wasn't visible from the main entrance, but its grandeur certainly should have been. There were high pillars of marble, wrapped in blooming ivy and narcissus flowers. In the center was a grand water feature. Its centerpiece was what appeared the be Baphomet, the goat-headed demon that represented balance. To Mark, it seemed out of place. What would Baphomet be doing in a realm of contradictions?
"I'm going to show you how Serenity took control of the Underworld from Hades," Barbus said.
He waved his clawed hand and the courtyard seemed to melt away. Mark watched as the cobblestone ground and the fountain gave way to lush green fields, dotted with white and brown buildings made with clay and logs. Looking around, he could see people wrapped in cloth and wearing sandals. A massive temple stood on the mountain above a village, tall and imposing, embossed with the sigils of the Gods. He could see more people bustling about inside the temple, unknowingly in the presence of Zeus who was standing in the corner, chatting to someone with long white hair. It didn't take long to deduce who it was; Hades.
"Welcome to Thebes," Barbus said. He was sitting on a rock nearby, his tail flicking back and forth. Mark looked up at him. "Circa 11,000 BCE. When the Greeks still worshiped at the temples of the Gods."
Mark turned back to the temple. Zeus and Hades had been joined by another gentleman, this one around the same age as the much younger Zeus. Poseidon perhaps? The three of them chatted among themselves before exiting the temple and heading down towards the fields. As they walked, their earthly garbs melted away to reveal their godly forms underneath.
Barbus jumped down from the rock and motioned for Mark to follow him. He did, and the demon lord led him after the trio of Gods. The winding path opened up into the plaza of the village. A well was in the center, surrounded by what seemed to be a marketplace. Zeus and Poseidon disappeared into a large building, leaving a brooding Hades outside. He stood there for a few minutes, the air around him seeming to grow darker, as if he was sucking the life from the world around him.
"On this night, Hades is confronted by what appears to be a lowly nymph," Barbus explained. He gestured. A small brunette woman was walking throughout the market, eyeing the wares, though her eyes kept jumping to Hades. Mark watched her as she weaved her way through the stalls, eventually ending near Hades.
"By the Gods," she said, hand on her heart. Hades looked up, eyebrow raised. "Could my eyes be deceiving me, or does the God of the Dead walk among us?"
A smirk crossed the God's face. He nodded once, causing the woman to get closer to him. He straightened his shoulders.
"Is it true that you like to bargain?"
Mark grinned. That question revealed the woman to be Serenity in a mortal form to blend in. This would be interesting.
Hades tilted his head a little, eyeing the little woman.
"I do."
"Perhaps the Lord of the Underworld would make a wager with me? Though I am but a lowly tree nymph, so I doubt his majesty would even think twice."
Hades laughed, a hearty laugh that seemed to echo.
"You are a bold one," he reached across to ruffle the woman's hair. She shook his hand free and smiled up at him, giving him the ancient equivalent to Puppy Dog Eyes.
"Should I lose, you may have my soul."
Hades raised an eyebrow again, leaning down.
"And should I lose?"
The grin Mark had first been afraid of but had grown to love stretched across Serenity's face.
"Control of the Underworld is mine."
Hades stared for a moment, then he almost collapsed from the laughter bursting from him. He leaned against the wall and held his ribs. Serenity watched him as he fell to his knees.
The laughter drew the attention of Zeus and Poseidon who stepped back out of the building, accompanied by two others. A small woman with long dark hair and a lean young man with dark curls. They watched as Hades attempted to pull himself back together.
"I fail to recall the last time we saw Hades laugh," Zeus said. Poseidon nodded, helping his brother back to his feet.
"Do you require aid, brother?" he asked. Hades waved him off and looked back at Serenity who smiled at him.
"You have yourself a deal, little one, and since you have amused me so, you will choose the trial."
Serenity smiled and looked at the duo who had joined the brothers.
"Perhaps Lady Artemis and Lord Eros would be willing to judge an archery contest?"
The woman smiled and nodded.
"Happy to be of service," she said. A bow appeared in her hand. She handed it to Serenity. A second bow appeared in Eros' hand and was given to Hades.
The Goddess of the Hunt led the group to a very rudimentary archery field. Mark and Barbus followed, Mark feeling himself smirking. He knew what Barbus was trying to do. He knew the other demon was trying to convince him that Serenity was the root of all evil. She'd not only taken over the underworld, but apparently had taken control away from the Demon Lords. He imagined they weren't very happy about the changing of the guard. But if the old guard had been so easily usurped, perhaps it had deserved it.
The rules of the contest were explained. Each shooter would have three total shots and the one with the most points won the wager. They would be allowed two practice shots to help them become accustomed to the bows in their hands. Artemis and Eros had different bows because of their different occupations; Artemis was the Goddess of the Hunt and so needed at least a long bow. Eros, affectionately known as Cupid, was the God of Love and only needed a short bow to hit his targets.
Hades and Serenity switched their bow before they stepped into their places. Hades was the first to take his practice shots and managed to hit the center circle on the hand-woven target. He lowered his bow and turned to Serenity and smirked.
"Your turn, little nymph."
Mark watched as Serenity notched an arrow and aimed it at the target. It sailed through the air and hit the outer ring, which only caused Hades to snicker. The second arrow didn't fair as well and sang past the target, lodging itself into a tree. The Gods laughed, save for Artemis who gave Serenity a somber look.
"Perhaps challenging a God to a test of skill was a mistake," she said, resting a hand on her shoulder. Serenity's lips formed a line as she turned to Hades.
"And now for the main event," she said, sounding incredibly bitter. Mark could see the mischief in her eyes though; she had an ace up her sleeve.
"Your soul will look lovely in Styx," Hades mewled, firing off his three arrows in succession. Each one sank into the target in the center circle, their feathers fluttering in the light breeze. Hades' brothers cheered for him as he handed the bow back to Artemis. "Your turn."
Serenity's frown turned to a smile as she notched an arrow. She took her stance again, this time with an air of confidence around her.
She released the arrow. It sang through the air and hit the target dead-center. Hades raised an eyebrow. A second arrow soon followed, whistling through the air. As if in slow motion, the tip of the second arrow hit the base of the first one and split it down the middle. The force alone split the iron arrow head and allowed it to sink into the hay. Hades eye widened.
The third arrow flew faster than Mark could see and it too split the arrow. The three arrows sat in the exact position, the shafts splintering out to the side.
Serenity turned back to Hades and smirked.
"I believe that means I am the victor," she said, a cruel smirk on her face. The brown irises of her mortal form paled to reveal her silver eyes underneath, followed closely by the godly form.
"Iremia," Hades breathed. He dropped to his knees in front of her. The Goddess couldn't help but grin.
"Aidoneus," she replied, tilting his head up to look at her. "Do not fret, pet. You and your beloved will still have a place in Erebus. I only want dominion over the lowest level."
"That would make Tartarus your jurisdiction," Zeus said, finally speaking up. He seemed unhappy with the way this contest had turned out.
"Indeed."
"Given that position, you would release the Titans upon us and allow them to reclaim their thrones."
Serenity shook her head.
"I have no interest in releasing your father or his family. You need not fear," she explained. "My reasons for wanting the Underworld are my own."
Barbus snapped his fingers and the vision faded. They were once again back in the courtyard. The demon lord grinned at Mark.
"You see? Serenity stole this realm from underneath Hades in a rigged game. It was not fair, and now she rules on high. Hades is once again a servant of those above him. This is not her home to take."
Mark rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"I see what you're trying to do. You're trying to turn me against her and I can tell you that it won't work." Mark gestured to where the visions had been. "That was what us 'mere mortals' call a hustle and even if it seems like cheating, it's a completely legal thing to do, especially in the lawless times of Ancient Greece." He shrugged and turned to walk away. "Even if it wasn't legal, the Gods are omnipotent and shouldn't be held to the same level of scrutiny as the mortals."
At the doors, Mark turned to find Barbus glowering at him.
"She will lose this fight," he said. Mark gave him a questioning look.
"No. She has me to fight for her. And I'll give up everything to protect her."
Barbus blinked and a small smile crossed his face.
"You already have."
Back inside the Cathedral, Mark found Zagreus and Charlie sitting in the pews. The boy was curled up, his knees hugged close to his chest, while Zagreus sat comfortably, looking up at the ceiling. Mark stopped next to them.
"I thought you were going to take Charlie to where he belongs?"
Zagreus smiled.
"I have. Barbus must be the one to pass judgment, but I suspect he will send him to Tempus Inane to undergo training to become an oracle. It is the likely hood of powerful witches when they arrive here."
Mark nodded. "Sounds about right."
Barbus stalked into the room a few minutes later and shoved a stone key into Mark's arms. It was almost as long as his forearm, and just as thick. It had five prongs, all facing different directions. The handle was a circle, with grooves etched into the side for fingers.
"Stick that in the door and you'll be allowed passage to Fraud. I hope Mammon eats you alive." He looked to the two in the pews. "You stay here until the trial is over, then I will take you to see the Fates."
With a poof, Barbus was gone, disappearing in a cloud of dark smoke. The wall behind the dais melted away to reveal a long dirt path that disappeared into the mountains.
Mark turned back to Charlie who was looking up at him. He felt bad for the boy. He'd only been dead a few hours and now appeared to be stuck in a realm far from home, surrounded by demons, darkness, and fear.
Zagreus rested a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll stay with him. You get to the end of the trial. Lady Iremia needs you."
Mark nodded and turned towards the path. This was the first task he'd completed without the assistance of his brother, and it filled him with a renewed level of confidence. The path ahead was long but he knew now that he could do this. He had to.
Serenity needed him.
