While Yugen and Barry slept, Hedwig stole the light just as Patricia told him to. No one else had the power to steal the light from others like he did. Sure, they could take over while everyone else lay dormant, but that didn't matter for him. He was special, and soon, the world would know. He spent that time dancing and drawing, until he himself became tired and went to sleep.
Meanwhile, Barry, oblivious to the nocturnal theft, got up that morning to get ready for work. The shower was warm and calming. His vision became a dense fog beneath a waterfall, and the next thing he knew he was in the chair, and he couldn't remember how he got there. He hadn't realized that Hedwig had intercepted the light while he showered, and handed it over to Dennis.
Dennis was on a mission, accompanying Yugen to retrieve her belongings, his mind preoccupied with the looming danger that threatened not only Kevin but also themselves. There was no room for discussion; urgency dictated his actions. And little did Barry know, Dennis had already asked their boss for the day off.
Wearing Barry's attire, Dennis ventured forth in search of his own garments, his prolonged absence from the light rendering their location uncertain. Thankfully, fortune favored him, and his belongings were right where he left them. Among them, his glasses sat, a reassuring find amidst the uncertainty.
Entering the kitchen, Dennis adjusted his cuff, only to be met with the sight of Yugen, unchanged from the night before. Her presence exuded a certain tranquility as she savored her morning coffee, clad in Jade's slippers and Barry's sweater. Dennis couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for her resilience, as well as her well-toned legs.
"Dennis, hi," her greeting interrupted his reverie, drawing his attention.
He smirked at her perceptiveness, appreciating her ability to discern their identities effortlessly. As she settled at the table with her breakfast, Dennis joined her, attempting to engage in conversation amidst the weight of their circumstances.
"Good thing it's the weekend; otherwise, we'd have to wait till evening to get your things," he remarked, his tone attempting a semblance of normalcy.
"Yeah, I was hoping I could stay here for a bit, if that's okay with you guys," Yugen replied between bites of toast.
"We were hoping you'd move in. It'd be safer that way," Dennis proposed, his gaze fixed on her expectantly.
"I'll think about it," she gave a small smile, a sense of security washing over her, though a familiar unease lingered in the depths of her being, a foreboding of the trials yet to come.
As Dennis and Yugen pulled up to her apartment, she couldn't help but notice how Dennis meticulously covered his hands with a yellow cloth whenever he touched anything. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the sight of her slightly ajar door.
"Stand back," Dennis urged, positioning himself protectively in front of her.
Inside, the scene was one of devastation that left Dennis feeling repulsed and Yugen utterly distraught. Her once cozy apartment now lay in ruins; furniture torn apart, belongings strewn everywhere. The TV lay shattered on the floor, and her personal effects were scattered and destroyed. What truly chilled them both, however, was the ominous trail of blood leading from the entrance all the way to the bedroom, the metallic tang of it heavy in the air.
"Yugen, hold on," Dennis interjected, halting her instinctive step forward.
He gently but firmly grasped her arm, his voice a mixture of concern and command, "Stay behind me."
As they cautiously made their way towards the bedroom, each step sinking into the damp carpet, Dennis felt a creeping unease and his OCD gnawing at him. Despite his efforts to remain composed, his nerves were beginning to fray. Then, they stumbled upon a scene that shattered Dennis's facade of calm.
His expression twisted in revulsion, a guttural sound of disgust escaping him as he recoiled, unable to bear the sight any longer. Turning away, he left Yugen standing there, her own horror mirrored in her wide-eyed stare. A black goat was splayed in the middle of her bed, horrifically disemboweled. The mirrored wall reflected a chilling sight: words scrawled in blood, a sinister declaration that seemed to pulse with dark energy—DOMINA SANGUINIS ET INGNIS INFERNALIS. In the wreckage of the bedroom, destruction reigned supreme, leaving nothing but echoes of chaos in its wake.
"Yugen, we have to leave," he urged urgently, trying to break through her stunned silence.
With gentle yet firm hands, he turned her to meet his gaze. "Yugen, listen to me. There's nothing left for you here. We need to go."
He pulled her forcibly towards the front door, and Yugen's senses flared with apprehension. An unsettling feeling crept over her; something was amiss. As she strained to listen, a noise from behind alerted her instincts, and without a second thought, she swiftly drove her heel into the intruder behind her, nearly losing her balance in the process. Luckily, Dennis was there to steady her. With her heel jammed into the stranger's gut and only one shoe shielding her feet from the gruesome carpet, Dennis endeavored to lift her, attempting to navigate the perilous situation with urgency.
Regrettably, a burly figure blindsided him, forcing Dennis to release her grasp, and she crashed into a vile pool of gore. Yet, Dennis stood firm; though the blow to his head staggered him, he refused to yield, retaliating against his assailant with unwavering was yanked from the grimy mire by her hair, her instincts propelling her into swift action. With reflexes honed by necessity and years of training, she seized his wrist and delivered a forceful kick with her other heel, targeting his knee and causing it to buckle beneath him. Fortunately, Dennis sprang into action, swiftly overpowering their assailant and rendering him incapacitated, while Yugen managed to rise to her feet. Despite Dennis's efforts, one of their adversaries managed to escape, leaving behind his fallen comrade who lay lifeless beside the goat. However, another foe remained, writhing in agony as he clutched his abdomen, the life seeping out of him slowly. Sensing an opportunity, Yugen seized the moment to extract vital information from him.
She knelt beside the injured man, her fingers probing the wound with a steady hand. "Who sent you?" she inquired with an air of calm determination, her voice unwavering despite the gravity of the situation.
He groaned, "you crazy bitch!"
With a firm resolve, she pressed her finger further into the wound. "WHO SENT YOU?!" she demanded, her tone piercing and resolute, leaving no room for evasion.
"Alright, alright!" the man gasped, each word a struggle against the pain. "It was your mom. Her parents just died, and she's about to lose everything."
Yugen's brow furrowed in genuine bewilderment. "What does that have to do with me? I've been gone for nearly a decade," she countered, her confusion evident in her voice.
"For God's sake, Kaya, don't you remember?" he snapped irritably. "Your family's a coven of demon-summoning freaks. How do you think they got so rich?"
He coughed, his breath ragged, before pressing on, his words laden with a weighty revelation. "They funneled the essence of a long-dead god into your mother when she was only 12. And that energy... it grew inside of her."
As his strength waned, the man's words became a whisper, barely audible. "Now it's in you," he uttered with his final breath, his voice fading into silence, leaving behind a chilling resonance in the air.
Dennis stood rooted to the spot, absorbing every word with a mix of disbelief and turmoil swirling in his mind. In the shared headspace, the collective silence spoke volumes, each member grappling with their own unsettling thoughts. Barry, standing at the rear, felt a wave of nausea wash over him. This couldn't be real, he thought, his stomach churning with dread, for if this was real, then so was the beast. Panic surged through him as he realized he couldn't recall relinquishing the light. Images flickered in his mind – a shower, then nothingness. "But I decide who gets the light," he murmured to himself, attempting to anchor his fraying sanity. Yet, the unease persisted, refusing to be quelled. A faint disturbance above drew his attention as dust and rubble descended, prompting a reflexive cough. He glanced upward, his gaze tracing the slow progression of a crack snaking its way across the ceiling, a foreboding omen of impending danger.
"That can't be good," Jade remarks, her voice edged with concern as she casts a wary glance at the fracturing ceiling.
Dennis and Yugen finally arrived back at the zoo, but their gruesome appearance drew unwanted attention. Covered in goat's blood, they became the subject of stares and whispers from onlookers, eliciting concern from Dennis's colleagues as they made their way to the maintenance barracks where they resided.
Approaching the barracks, they were halted by an older worker whose name eluded Yugen's memory. "What on earth happened to you guys?" he inquired, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Kevin, I didn't know you wore glasses."
"Um, I have a stalker. He stuck a dead animal in my apartment," Yugen explained, her tone tinged with weariness.
"Jesus," the man muttered, his expression contorted with horror.
"Yeah, it's been a day and we really need to get cleaned up," Dennis interjected, gently guiding Yugen towards their makeshift abode within the zoo.
"Right, right, I get it," the worker responded, his gaze lingering on the young couple as they hastened away.
Once inside, Dennis swiftly closed the door behind them, and Yugen followed him to the bathroom. With the shower running, Dennis turned to her with a grave expression. "When we're done cleaning up, you and I need to have a talk," he remarked with urgent seriousness.
He removed his glasses with a sigh, setting them aside before methodically unbuttoning the collar of his shirt. Meanwhile, Yugen kicked off her blood-stained heels and removed Barry's sweater, the tension of the day evident in her movements as she approached Dennis with purpose in her step. He observed her closely as she stood before him, her fingers working to unbutton his shirt. However, she barely got halfway when Dennis gently intercepted her hands, placing his own over hers.
"Yugen," Dennis murmured, his voice deep and dark, barely above a whisper, "I like to be in complete control."
He tightened his grip over hers, his gaze penetrating as he awaited her response, half-expecting protest. Yet, to his surprise, Yugen defied his expectations. Instead of resisting, she drew Dennis a few inches closer, and flicked her tongue over his lips.
"Dominate me, daddy." She whispered softly, her breath a tantalizing invitation, drawing him closer, beckoning his mouth to hers.
Yugen may have been petite in stature, but beneath her delicate exterior lay a formidable strength, both in body and in mind. Dennis recognized this, and a part of him yearned to test the limits of her resilience, to push her to her fullest potential and break her into submission.
He released her hands, gently guiding her closer to the tub. His gaze lingered, drinking in every curve, every scar, captivated by the exotic beauty of her face. But then he noticed the blood, the filth, the grime staining her, and a flicker of disgust—and something darker—twitched at the corner of his lip.
"Your dress…it's dirty…take it off." He firmly directed.
Yugen's gaze remained fixed on his, locked in an unyielding connection as she slowly removed her dress. The dried blood made the fabric cling uncomfortably to her skin, prompting a surge of relief as she finally removed it from her body.
"Would you like me to turn around?" Her question was more of a suggestion.
"Yeah, turn around." And he was happy she suggested it. Her legs were muscular, and her backside was voluptuous, and her hips were wide and grabbable.
"You're filthy." Dennis remarked, his tone laced with disapproval. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"You're welcome," Yugen smirked, defiance and mischievousness evident in her tone.
Dennis had her bent over the tub in mere seconds. In one swift movement, he had a handful of her hair and pressed his forearm against the back of her neck. A resounding smack echoed through the air as his hand made contact with the flesh of her backside, sending a shiver down her spine. He grabbed her meaty ass before giving it another hard smack. She yelped in pain and arousal with each assault, and the heat between her legs dripped with need.
"Hurts, don't it?" Dennis observed, his voice measured, commanding.
"Yes," Yugens whispered, her voice trembling, finding an unexpected refuge in the firm grasp of Dennis's hand, despite the pain.
Yugen gasped as he yanked her up by her hair, forcing her to stand tall. His hands glided down her arms, gently folding them across her chest, pinning her in position. He inhaled deeply, catching the scent of metallic carnage lingering in her hair, invading his senses.
"Get in the shower, and get cleaned up." He let her go, stepping away to unbutton his shirt. "I'll be in shortly."
The shower was frothy and passionate, and both were hungry and eager to release the stress of the day. Dennis had her pinned against the wall of the shower, immediately devouring her mouth once he entered. Yugen washed streaks of blood from his body and face between kisses as they salaciously groped each other. Dennis pressed his forehead to hers and ordered her to lift up her leg. His fingers slithered their way down to her inner thighs, then expertly hooked his fingers once inside. He explored her g spot until he heard her gasp; he knew he'd hit the right spot. Her eyes fluttered and she whimpered in ecstasy. The feeling was so intense, she bit down on Dennis' shoulder. He responded by pulling her hair back.
"No biting—no biting, I know." He soothed her, placing rough kisses along her neck and collarbone.
"Oh my god!" she cried out, leaning her head against his broad shoulder.
Yugen orgasmed hard against his fingers, clenching them tightly and causing him to hiss. He didn't mind the pain, in fact, he relished it. He held her close and kept her from falling over as her body quaked and convulsed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him into a hot embrace. Dennis was erect with excitement; he snaked his arms underneath her legs, and effortlessly lifted her off her feet. As water cascaded down their bodies, driven by primal need, he drove himself into her. Water sloshed between their bodies as he aggressively pounded into her, and Yugen played the submissive role well. Sensual moans passed her lips for she saw pleasure in pain, and enjoyed being dominated, which Dennis was more than happy to oblige. He was well versed in female anatomy; he used his stiff prick to hit the same spot that had her shuddering, and Yugen's legs trembled against his biceps.
"Oh daddy, yes!" Yugen cried out.
"I'm ready to cum in you." He whispered against her neck.
"Yes, daddy please, cum in me!" she begged.
His breath hitched and he huffed against her neck as he released into her, then brought his lips to hers. She smiled with satisfaction as he eased her legs back down.
"Finish cleaning up, and then we'll talk. Okay?"
"Okay." She responded, and gave him a light peck on the lips.
Yugen emerged from the bathroom, her mind drifting as she wrapped herself in a towel. With a heavy heart, she realized Kevin and the others were all she had left. A pang of nostalgia hit her, recalling a moment with Kevin over dinner. She playfully snatched the last bite of his bread, his reaction sending them both into fits of laughter.
"What in the t-rex!" Kevin chuckled, "babe, you look like a seagull on the beach."
Yugen, barely able to contain herself, erupted into laughter, nearly collapsing to the floor as she spat out her mouthful of food.
"You snatched that so fast. My flabbers are gasted," Kevin quipped, amused by her antics as he continued eating.
A solitary tear traced down Yugen's cheek as a gentle voice broke through her reverie.
"I took the liberty of finding a nice robe for you."
Startled, Yugen turned to see Patricia, wiping her eyes. A wave of dizziness swept over her as she glimpsed Patricia's true form, before her mind flashed back to Kevin in a simple skirt and blouse.
"Are you alright, dear?" Patricia inquired.
Yugen shook off the disorientation. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine."
"Why don't you sit down?" Patricia guided Yugen to the bed, draping the robe over her shoulders and placing socks and slippers nearby.
"When you're ready, join me in the kitchen. You look like you could use a cup of tea," Patricia suggested before exiting the room.
In the kitchen, Yugen settled at the table while Patricia busied herself at the stove, preparing what looked like PB&J sandwiches.
"Dennis and I will head out to grab a few things for you. In the meantime, I was hoping we could have a little girl talk," Patricia announced, her attention focused on spreading peanut butter over a slice of bread.
"About?" Yugen inquired as the tea kettle began to whistle.
Patricia poured the steaming water into two mugs. "Well, to start off, and I'm sorry to be so forward, but—" She moved the plates to the table before continuing, "I'd appreciate it if you kept your... carnal urges in check. Dennis has a lot of work ahead of him, and we don't need him distracted."
"And why is that?"
Patricia glanced over her shoulder and smiled. "I'm happy you asked," she said, setting the mugs on the table.
Unease crept over Yugen. She recalled her initial encounter with Patricia and the abrupt removal of her jewelry. She seemed volatile, a force straining for control despite the many who looked down on her methods and beliefs. However, Yugen's curiosity was piqued as Patricia opened a drawer, seating herself at the table. Placing the lost stone and the ripped-off necklace before Yugen, Patricia spoke softly, "Barry may not believe in your gifts, but we do. Always have."
Yugen's gaze fixated on the stone and necklace, astonishment mingling with clarity. What was once confusion and fear now gave way to understanding, pieces of her identity falling into place. Different she had always felt, but never quite grasped why. Since meeting Kevin, the puzzle seemed closer to completion, each encounter offering a glimpse into her true nature.
"What do you think it means to have a dead god trapped inside of you?" Patricia posed, taking a bite of her sandwich.
Eyes still transfixed on the artifacts, Yugen replied, "Based on what he said, I can only assume I was meant to be a vessel. What they plan on doing with me is another question entirely."
As Yugen sipped her tea, Patricia's mind churned with thoughts and inquiries, the air thick with fear and curiosity. Yugen didn't want to have this discussion, but since Dennis had been fighting with her, she knew they had a right to know. Patricia on the other hand was fascinated, perhaps even excited about the revelations to come.
"Hmmm," Patricia hummed, then took a sip of her tea, "tell me more about Kaya."
Yugen sat back against the chair, holding the mug close to her. She thought for a moment about where she would even begin, but she honestly didn't know what to say. She was tired and emotionally exhausted, but the more information they had, the easier it would be to survive.
"Well, I was born in Canada, but we moved to Dallas, Texas not long after I was born…" Yugen reluctantly began.
Yugen went on to reveal that life was normal up until puberty. Her and her mother had a good relationship, and her grandparents were also involved in her life. Once she began to blossom, she got looked at more than her mom wanted, and that's when the force feedings and self injury began. Her mom still spoiled her, and tried to have a good relationship with her, but the expectations she had for Yugen wasn't what she considered love.
"They kept track of my periods and used my blood to draw sigils. Sometimes, and this is disgusting, but sometimes they would even drink it." Yugen explained, noticing Patrcia's lip twitch with disgust.
Yugen took another sip of her tea before continuing, "in our backyard there was this large runic structure with a throne in the middle. Every full moon, they had me sit in the middle of this structure and they would bring in prostitutes and children and they would—" Yugen swallowed hard, her eyes tearing up, "they would have sex with them and kill them. They would slaughter a goat and paint me in its blood while they bathed in the blood of women and children. It was fucked up, and there was nothing I could do."
Yugens voice cracked, and her soul crumbled with regret. The rituals made her crazy, and she would slash herself with razors due to the shame of being able to do nothing but watch. Naturally, she tried to fight, but they would just lock her in the psych ward.
Patricia dabbed away her tears with her pink shawl, "did they ever reveal why they did all this?"
Yugen shook her head, "not really."
"Domina Sanguinis et Ignis Infernalis. Do you know what that means?" Patricia asked.
"It's a chant they used to say, I never found out what it meant though."
"It means lady of blood and hellfire." Patricia began, then suddenly felt sick to her stomach. "Forgive me, Yugen, I—I need a moment."
"That's fine." Yugen responded, watching Patricia leave the room to tend to her own thoughts and emotions.