Chapter 1118 - 1118 Battle of the Academies [6]

1118 Battle of the Academies [6]

“It all started when I was taken from my home. You know the story of the cursed maiden and how I was defiled and exiled. The story’s grown over the years, we can’t separate fable from the truth. Honestly, I won’t even know where to start if I was to narrate my origin. What you’re interested in is how Leviathan and I met. I’ll set the scene – I was alone and desperate, the demons had finally grown into their true potential. The Aapith Nation, the foundation of the four kings and the demon council – I played part in both, granting favors and forcing my powers upon the starved lands. A young king, Leviathan, was ostracized, and like him, when the council came into power, they dismissed the kings’ authority – why? Lucifer. A stranger in a xenophobic culture, an invader. Wounds from the wars between gods and demons were fresh, neither side wanted to compromise. we cross-pathed randomly, maybe fate? I know not. All I remember is a frail young man – his authority taken by his right-hand man, an older Arch-demon whose name and renowned flashed across the Underworld. Come to think, you and him are rather close – said Arch Demon was none other than Draconis. One of the Ancient Demons, those present before the rise of kings and council; their power is absolute. Council and kings, at the time, were weary of the Ancients, else known by Elders. A strangeness gripped the underworld, under someone’s orders, Elders were hunted and imprisoned, and the attacks were unfair in numbers, often employing the worse strategies to win. When faced with a behemoth, no matter the method, all is fair. There, the Elders’ power gradually faded, and Draconis took up arms and allied himself with the weak-willed Leviathan. Then, the two stood firmly over Leviathan’s territory, which yet remains today – it was in part thanks to Draconis’ firepower. He conquered the hellscape on his lonesome, a warrior to his core. Draconis showed loyalty towards Leviathan – I was a regular in their courts in those days, you know, they loved their parties with roasted humans and tortured souls as the orchestra. Tis there, I overheard a ploy, the Council approached Leviathan and filled his ear with baseless fear. He grew so overwhelmed, that the very next day, on Draconis’ return, ordered the Elder’s imprisonment. Draconis was replaced, and Levithan forsook his loyal aid. They stared at each other, Draconis and Leviathan each understood the task – and Draconis accepted his fate. I later overheard this, “-If I hadn’t ordered Draconis’ imprisonment, they’d have killed him. We took control of Council-owned territory – they want to control their land but I’m not going to yield. If they want to control, they can have it, but I’ll remain as the King, and the people will grow to love their ruler, I’m betting on the long game.” And like it was planned, well, suppose it was – Draconis escaped his dungeon and was never seen again. How did he run? Leviathan. He asked me into his office and courteously spoke his will. I said yes, it seemed to run, and there, I aided in Draconis’ escape. After that day, I spent most of my time in Leviathan’s realm – I was intrigued by his design and what was ahead for the people. The council hated my presence, so I figured, bouncing from village to village, and traveling from town to city might do some good. On one of my trips, I was ambushed by assassins, you guessed it, the Council. Was rather simple slitting their throats – challenging my power was useless. Strangely, as I was to kill the last, Levithan jumped into the rescue – he was found bravely and lost. I had to carry him to the castle – boy did he blush, I teased relentlessly, the willingness to dive renewed my interest. For the next few decades, we grew close – the world around evolved and the tension was palpable. Another war was on its way – the ascension of Zeus. Levithan became a king, he held power, and was a shining example of his namesake. Good things eventually end. He professed his love, I said why not, love hadn’t been a word I used so far. I thought the relationship might have done me good – we were a couple for at least a decade, in that time, I gave birth to a few of his children, and in the end, I gave birth to a little girl. I don’t remember her face, a revolution exploded around Leviathan’s territory. We were trapped and imprisoned, Leviathan watched as his people, those he vowed to protect, rushed into the castle and killed his men, our children were executed. Wasn’t late for a blade to me on my neck – I used the remainder of my power and scattered my soul across the ages, death seemed boring, but to them, I died. To me, I slept. I don’t know what happened to Leviathan afterward – well, not until we were taken, hostage. We were imprisoned in my castle, one built by Leviathan – when we met, I thought he’d be merciful, but I was wrong. He changed, for better or worse, he was no longer the man from my memories. Affection is hard to dismiss, I felt something when we crossed eyes, well, I wish the feeling was mutual. He made his demand, I refused, and the story is as you know – total defeat. Pathetic, isn’t it? here I am, posing as a queen of tremendous power, but instead, I’m just a girl, my body may well be the fancy of men, but my mind is still as it was – playful and compassionate. I’m glad I awakened when I did, and I’m grateful it was you, Igna,” she reached and caressed his cheeks, “-because of you, I gained more than I ever lost. I found my children – the princes. I gained a family, and I was blessed to witness a world grow – the memories served replace the bad thing about my life. I’m happy,” she smiled, “-I’m happy.”

Igna held his gaze over her face, he watched and blinked as she poured her story for him to hear, “-Lilith, you’re stupid.”

“Pardon?”

“You heard me,’ to which, he held her on her knees, “-you’re a stupid woman. Why didn’t you tell me sooner,” he sighed, “-Teresa L. Leviathan is the last girl you conceived,” he breathed, “-thus, she’s your daughter, Lilith.”

‘My daughter?’ she bit her lips, “-seriously, you’re not lying?”

“No,” he exhaled, “-Teresa is truly your daughter,” he stood and soon opened the door, “-Teresa,” he extended his hand, “-I’d like for you to meet your mother,” he stepped out, shut the door and lit a cigarette. ‘A reunion is like flipping a coin. Teresa’s given me her soul and body, there’s no fighting a contract I signed. Lilith poured her heart, she won’t leave like the others. Lilith and Intherna, they’re the only people I can count on at the moment. Everyone else is rather weak, my juries are yet trained for battle. The Adjudicator’s power, like Origin said, is not complete. For the realm to be a realm of justice and law, I’ll have to locate Tharis, she’s the key to their growth. I had planned on doing so after taking the academy – now this battles’ strained my agenda. Last I heard Tharis’ was in hiding – no idea about her location. Miira might know, but I doubt she’s alive much less conscious. I’ll have to make due,’ a shadow materialized, cutting his casual promenade, “-master, we’ve spotted the main army. They’re half a day’s out. Leviathan and Satan’s forces have allied into one and are pushing the front, as for the student army, they’ve been placed as a reserve and are a day’s out from the battlefield.”

“They reacted faster than I imagined. Report the situation to Mammon and Asmodeus.”

“As you wish,” the shadow disappeared.

“Vengeance,” he snapped, another translucent figure appeared, “-track down Memphe and Emmie, I want them captured alive.”

.....

“Consider it done,” he vanished.

‘What will I do with Teresa,’ an idea sparked, ‘-with the death of Lucifer, Pride’s spot has been freed. Teresa’s shown a great ego, the world revolves around her as she so nicely said. She’s the spawn of a king and Lilith, so it lines up. Couldn’t have planned it better myself. The next move,’ he cracked his knuckles, ‘-is to locate Sathanas. If my guess is true, Sathanas is imprisoned inside Leviathan’s realm. Teresa must have tortured her – short crimson hair, it’s her, I know it… even if she’s changed, I wouldn’t confuse one of my own. All comes down to you, Lilith.’

Igna’s preparation for war began, and at the fortress, Lilith’s retelling of her story to Teresa went as one would expect. The lass held her breath throughout the story, “-and that’s the reason… Teresa.”

“My mother is the Queen of Demons,” Teresa hang her head, “-this is overwhelming. I thought I was the product of a loveless affair,” her face rose with a smile, “-I’m glad I was wrong, I’m glad it was you. Father sounds so different.”

“How is he nowadays?”

“Father has a perpetual scowl. He’s merciless to enemies and even sterner on his people. The towns and villages live in constant fear of the King’s wrath. From what I heard, father quelled the revolution singlehandedly – he killed by the thousand and slaughtered women and children in front of their families. There are similar stories throughout his reign… it’s normal now, they know not to go against him. If they obey, father rewards them with leniency and freedom – the fear of his judgment is enough to stop any thoughts of revolution.”

“Sounds like a great ol’ time,” said she sarcastically, “-Teresa, I heard from Igna you surrendered body and soul?”

“It was my foolishness,” she sighed, “-well, no matter what happens, I will win. Father’s coming to rescue me, I know it.”

“So, what about the whole thing with following Igna?”

“Between us, mother, I think following Igna is like giving one’s pride. I’m not going to fall so easily. Even if he has complete authority over my being, I won’t stop being who I am. And when father wins the battle, I’ll be freed.”

“Poor child,” she clambered on her feet and moved to her bed, “-you poor child.”

“…”

“Teresa, you must understand,” she changed clothes, “-that by torturing the girl with short crimson hair-”

“-HOW DID YOU KNOW?”

“I know a lot,” she tapped her earrings, flaunting the golden shine and differing hue of the precious stone, “-and experience tells me, you’re in for a world of pain.”

“Mother, stop the showboating.”

“Showboating?” she chuckled, “-you will see, the depravity on which Igna thrives outweighs any offense thy father might have made. It’s not showboating, it’s the truth, an ugly truth. You’re nothing more than a commodity… your life is over. Take solace in this, you’ll stay with me from now on, with your brothers and sisters. There will be purpose in the new life ahead.”

“What are you talking about, it’s not like I’m going to di-”

“Exactly,” Lilith used shadow step. A blade ran straight through Teresa, ‘-warm,’ she coughed,’-I feel warm… is this my blood?’ she fell on her knees, “-why?” her head snapped against the ground. Lilith held the earpiece, “-Igna, I killed her, this what you wanted?”

“You used the Dagger of Earsfall right?”

“Yeah, I did. Man, killing ones own kid is depraved.”

“Says the one who accused me of the same cruelty. Killing someone close is nothing more than another day at the office.”

‘Using Earsfall sure made the task easy. She won’t die, the stab knocks the victim out of her physical body. The coronation ritual, good luck, Igna.’

Cleopatra’s chains severed, and she hit the ground hard, with dark circles, a woeful expression, bloated eyes, purple in color, and bloodied bludgeoned lips, her lovely skin scraped and bruised, torn and ravaged, “-how was the experience,” he kicked her over and stepped on her exposed body, “-man, look at you, so pitiful,” he puffed, “-they went to town, you can barely speak, the demons took advantage of every opening, just like a chess game,” *chuckle,* “-my apologies,” he held the laughter, “-it sure feels great. I must applaud your efforts, Cleopatra, taking so many members is admirable,” he leaned over and widened her mouth, “-well, you got teeth left,” *smack,* her head snapped to the side, she hurled blood and filth, “-two choices, Cleopatra. Join me, or be sentenced to a life of similar torture,” he grabbed her hair and pulled her upward, “-look at the undead army, they’re ready for round two. What say you,” he whispered, “-death is too easy, you won’t die on my watch,” *smack,* he kicked her to the ground and stomped her stomach, “-filthy,” he spat on her face, “-what will it be?”