Chapter 9

Curse or Blessing

Rashid sat in her throne; her small chin in her hand as she leaned on her arm rest. Watching her husband and lord scold an ignorant underling. There wasn't a day that the thought of her son didn't cross her mind.

Why did she do it? Was it out of spite? Fear? Or something more meaningful?

Desire.

Her first born was a distant memory; fortunately, since Magdalene's reconciliation with Raiden her sister had been more tolerable and allowed her to use her shoulder to cry on.

"Are you going to keep it a secret forever?" Magdalene asked once.

Rashid nodded, "I know it's not ideal but… I couldn't let it happen again."

(Flashback)

Her blue enflamed eyes met his white lit ones as her arms wrapped around his neck. She knew she was one of several he had played for the throne, but she couldn't have cared less.

The general knew her pain and he didn't make fun of it or deny that it was there.

Sacrifice he would say.

He had given up his regret so why not make a few plays.

She fell into his arms and let him love her, even if it was temporary.

"He won't kill this one; my thanks general…"

Sky Temple

Savannah sat Indian style in her father's gardens; her lavender robe sprawled gracefully around her. Eyes shut and focused on her breathing thinking of the days tasks that had played out before.

"You did well today…"

Her eyes opened and looked up at her uncle Fujin who was standing with his arms crossed, beaming with pride.

"Thank you, uncle." Savannah rose and bowed before her elder before he patted her on the head.

"Come now you know that's not necessary." He laughed and held his niece close. "You've trained hard for this much responsibility."

The demigoddess smiled and drew back from Fujin, "That may be true but honestly I didn't think we were going to pull this one off."

She walked over to a bench and sat before continuing, "The outer realm residents are getting fierce; I didn't think they would go along with our suggestion of moving their village to a more remote location."

Fujin hummed in thought, "They are very territorial with their families; as well as themselves. Mortals are easier to deal with in some respects but more willful; other inhabitants like tarkatan, Kytinn, Shokan, Zaterran they have more to lose in their eyes."

Savannah made room for her uncle and allowed him to sit next to her, "Dante seems more focused on keeping the mortals safe than keeping peace with the various races entering Earthrealm."

Fujin nodded, "That is his job; he takes after your father in that aspect."

She hummed, "What about mine?"

"You are more of a peace maker, although you didn't seem like it at a younger age… You've matured and you only wish for the inhabitants of earth realm to be safe amongst one another." The wind god placed a hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Raiden seems content that you and Dante can station at different areas of Earth realm…"

Savannah's eye shot up to look at her uncle, "Me and Dante? You mean separated… By ourselves?"

He nodded, "Not only is it more beneficial for your father but Earth realm will be better protected on several angles."

The demigoddess swallowed from the thought of having so much pressure put on her. She would be living away from her family, her brother, friends, and the life she had grown accustomed to.

"I know it's scary but if it makes any difference, I think you will be a remarkable protector." The wind god encouraged her.

The young thunder goddess felt hope overtake the anxiety that had grown in her chest.

"You know what; if you think I can do it then there's no way I can fail." Savannah stood up and looked out towards the horizon of the mountains before looking back at Fujin.

"That's what I like to hear." Turning around Savannah immediately lit up seeing her father walk over. "You are ready to handle your own, my child."

Without another word Savannah ran to her father and held him; just like she did when she was young, "Just know that no matter what happens I'll always be here…"

She nodded in his embrace and breathed steadily feeling safe.

From Savannah's view the future was bright.

She Screams

Chains rattled in the catacombs; anyone caught down in these depths was sure to find themselves trapped and killed. The air was thick with brimstone and sulfur from the volcanic craters that had been festering for centuries.

A feminine shaped figure stood eerily in the middle of the chamber, platinum blonde tangles hung past its shoulders and in front of its face. Almost naked and covered in scars; although not as severe as her siblings before her. Sighing deeply the female walked in place to relieve her stiff joints. How long had it been?

There was a rattling of keys to the right side of her; crystal red eyes darted across the room in curiosity.

Not to her surprise a tall figure walked from the barred door that was covered in shadows; she growled softly seeing the fallen god that kept her chained in these miserable pits.

"My child…" Shinnok gave her a smile that would have chilled her to the bone had she not been so hungry.

She didn't speak; the only sound that came from her lips was a hiss of disappointment. He didn't have food, so she didn't give a damn.

"You will respect me if you want to leave this waste hole." The fallen elder god spoke dangerously sensing her indifference.

Sighing to herself but deciding to obey the female straightened her posture and looked at the man she acknowledged as her maker.

"Very good…" He whispered and took out a cloth covering a demon's steak; medium rare and held it out for her to take.

Slowly the girl reached out a small white hand and gingerly took the meat before gracefully eating it and occasionally stealing a look at her sire as he watched her.

"I do believe it is time for you to make your mark on the realms…"

She growled softly as she chewed.

"On one condition… You will obey my commands."

She glared up at him as she finished, "Don't think I won't prolong your suffering girl."

Swallowing her last bite of meat, the prisoner looked up at her lord and stood up from her crouched position. "When…?"

One word is all she desired to say.

"Now." Shinnok made a fist that flared violet and with a snap of the chains the female was free.

Her chains fell from her wrists and ankles, and feeling some sort of decency covered her partially clothed breast with her arms. "Come…"

She followed her father through the halls, all was silent and not a word was spoken between the two. The only noise made was the sound of bare feet and the elder gods boots on the polished stone floor.

After what seemed like forever they finally stopped in front of a door. "This will be your room; if you need anything my servants will tend to you and your mother will be here shortly to make you decent." Shinnok spoke as if he was disgusted by what his own daughter had become.

"Papa…"

Shinnok stopped before he left the room; hearing his child speak to him finally.

"Thank you." Was all the girl said.

He huffed in response, "Do not fail me, Evah."

Evah

A girl born two years after Lucas and kept chained in the depths of her father's prisons. She was not like all daughters of fathers that were their pride and joy.

She was conceived through anger and revenge.

True to her father's word Evah's mother, Rashid had her bathed, bandaged and dressed to make her appearance in her father's court that evening.

Her hair was washed and straight, free from all tangles and dried debris. She winced running her fingers through her platinum blonde hair; still feeling the brush that had given her grief. Looking in the mirror at herself Evah ran her bandaged hands on her dressed form.

She was slim and tall; unlike her brothers before had porcelain skin marred by old scars that had been delivered to her in the earlier days of her imprisonment. Red and gold was what her father chose for her, and her dress revealed some cleavage and went down to her thighs but still left her some dignity.

"Mama…" Evah whispered as her mother helped slip on her heels over bandaged feet.

Rashid looked up and saw the empty space in her daughter's ruby eyes; whatever was left of her soul trembled with grief, "Yes?"

"Where's Lucas?"

Standing up Rashid held her daughter's hands as she struggled to stand herself, "He's out on a mission..."

Before her imprisonment Evah and Lucas had been close. However, after her rebellious act against her father she was chained and confined… That was ten years ago.

"When the meeting is over can I come back to my room?" Evah asked shakily as her mother helped her to walk as functional as possible. The years of left standing and groveling in her father's catacombs had made ordinary functions such as walking and speaking difficult for the poor girl.

Rashid nodded, "Yes… and if your still hungry after dinner I'll bring you more food."

The queen of the nether realm could hear the growls of her daughter's stomach; she swallowed a cry and focused on the task at hand.

Within a few hours Evah had summoned enough strength and common courtesy to make an appearance at her father's court. Revenants, and demon generals stood by as they watched their future ruler walk to her father's side. Her head held high, and strands of hair evenly fell over her shoulders and to her waist.

At her father's command they all bowed and in union wished her eons of leadership.

Without pressure or direction Evah spoke to her subjects with confidence and an air of pride,

"May there be hell on earth."