Madness is like a drop in the ocean. It may change nothing at all or it may corrupt everything around it. It all depends on what exactly is falling into those tides and turbulent waters. Blood? Darkness? Madness itself? The culmination of lives, built upon purpose, both separate and apart.

Blood like ambrosia,
A lord amongst the shadows,
Young and lonely wolf.

“So, that’s the new aikekunai?” 


“We went from having one of the most fearsome to... this?” 


Their voices were filled with discontent. A part of him was entirely understanding of the circumstances, it wasn’t a position he much cared for himself. But the thoughts meant nothing. Just as their opinions meant nothing. From what he was led to understand he was born for this! What would it ever matter if these rats scurrying in the dark spoke ill of him. 


“Things only seem to be getting worse when it comes to this topic.” 


“I know. First, we had Marz and now we end up with this?” 


“Are you really trying to make a comparison between the two? This kid doesn’t even measure up to Arc’l.” 


“You think anyone will reach those standards? The Black Knight crossed the threshold of a terror amongst claimants, no kid would be capable of achieving that. Not to mention the only other claimant which we could compare him to would be the demon.” 


“Lilith...” 


That was a name he had never heard of, spoken in a tone so low even Xainayne wouldn't hear it. Almost as if they attempted to specifically keep it from the Ancient's ears, but his were far too sharp in comparison. There were a few times in which he had heard his mother and father bring up the Black Knight, although they rarely said anything about him at all. Xainayne had told him of Marz, explained exactly what type of claimant he was as the first aikekunai of their house, but even she hadn’t brought up anyone by the name of Lilith. A part of him wanted to ask, but questions were not something for him to ask. They were only meant for him to answer- 


“Do you feel like it is unfair?” Xainayne’s voice drew in his attention like bees to honey. 


“I... I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter. I only need to focus on what I must do.” 


“Well, you’re both right and wrong,” he could never understand why she spoke to him like this. Like they were so close, almost like a mother of sorts. “It’s important to keep focus on what matters most, but as an aikekunai it is also important to make sure everyone understands just where you stand compared to them.” 


“Hmm...” 


“Are you having trouble understanding?” 


“I... yes...” 


“Allow me to give you a hands-on example.” 


He watched as Xainayne immediately grasped the attention of the others. There weren’t many others nearby, only the few who would often come to be in the area aside from those important enough to ever truly loiter around places the Ancient frequented, but even so it wasn’t expected that things would end up the way they did. 


“Would you like to test him?” her words raised brows as the validity of them were brought into question. “He has his title for a reason, although he is still young, but you can certainly test him out if you’d like. If you’re disappointed, then I can’t argue with the results. But we’ll need results for you to be disappointed in the first place.” 


“Fine. I don’t mind seeing what the kid is capable of-” 


“No I, all of you at once,” Xainayne’s words made them shutter slightly. “He’ll fight all of you at once.” 


A part of him had to wonder if this was a punishment for something he had done. Perhaps Xainayne had found some reason to be upset with him, possibly due to his answer for her questions. But, in his mind, he felt they were entirely adequate. His mother had made sure to teach him the importance of answering things with accuracy and tact. Had he managed to fail? 


“Don’t hold it against us, kid.” 


“If you live up to the title this won’t mean much to you in the future.” 


They spoke as if they had already won. They were all certainly confident and he could tell that just from the way they carried themselves. Fighting without purpose always seemed like the most meaningless thing, it was something his mother and father drilled into his mind. Every conflict needed a purpose. Only brigands and highwaymen fought without proper purpose, even the most normal of thieves having more purpose behind their kills than a bandit. Then that meant he would only need purpose to make this something he needed to do. But what was that purpose?” 


“Are you ready?” Xainayne’s words tugged his eyes in her direction. “Come on, don’t look at me like that. All you need to do is put them in their place. You remember what I told you right? Involving fights of this nature?” 


“Yes. You said that it is good to avoid fighting amongst ourselves...” 


“And what else did I say?” 


“I... I should,” he hesitated before answering with a sigh. “Defeat my enemies outright and without mercy.” 


“Put them in their place, that’s all you ever need to do. Fighting amongst ourselves is never all too good, but it is a good chance to make certain they understand exactly where they are on the scale when measured alongside you.” 


“I understand...” 


“You seem hesitant. Are you unwilling to fight?” The question sent a shiver up his spine, but there was only one true answer from the start. 


“I will fight whoever you decide.” 


“Then won’t you deal with them for me, my little black knight?” 


The words were odd, the phrasing was odd. It felt as if he had heard it multiple times before and yet also for the first time. It sparked something in his mind which made his ears itch, but also made him feel at ease. Although the situation did not call for it, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. It was uncomfortable, but also made his vision slightly sharper. It was as if his senses were fully engaged, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end as his vision filtered itself with a steady red. 


“Without fail.” 
“You’re back.” Zyphinex did not sound either elated or disappointed. “No doubt here to bother me with more questions.” 


“Sorry. I only have one for today, teacher.” 


“I keep telling you I’m not your teacher, boy.” 


She watched as he looked at the prison with curious eyes, a few moments creeping by before he passed a small box through it an into her reach. There were always so many secrets. So many mysterious things which seemed to hover around the boy like midnight moths under the cover of the moon... or rather like evening wolves stalking in the shadows of darkness. His actions almost directly different from the way he spoke or acted. 


“How do you do that?” she asked him as he stood to his feet. “There aren’t many people capable of breaking locks and paths like this.” 


“Mother says that I shouldn’t share secrets. It makes them meaningless for us once they are given away... but I trust you...” 


“Are you sure that’s a proper choice? You trust others that easily?” 


“No,” he responded as he looked at the woman with a blank stare. “You’re a treasure and a powerful one. Both mother and father say that the weak are led by the strong, but I don’t think that’s necessarily true.” 


“You’d disobey your parents that easily?” 


“It’s not easy,” he started as his eyes seemed to see through every single shadow. “Mother hears everything, sees everything. Words are like rhythms, and mother is the composer. I don’t disobey, I make choices. And I choose to trust you.” 


“Why?” 


“Because you’re nice.” 


“I’m nice? Have you lost your fucking mind? What could possibly possess you to believe that I’m nice compared to everyone else that you know?” 


“You’re nicer than them. You don’t hit me, you don’t ignore me, you don’t keep me trapped in the dark. You’re easy to talk to, and talking to you is fun.” 


“And that’s it?” 


“Do I require more reasoning?” 


“You’re rather straightforward, and well spoken for your age, but that isn’t too bad. No one should ever have trouble understanding you so long as you remain like this.” 


“Is that not good?” 


“I wouldn’t call it good, but you’ll most likely end up marrying someone who can easily destroy that peace just to balance out your nonsensical strait-laced way of thinking. So, what did you want to ask me?” 


“Someone brought up a name I’ve never heard of before...” His words were accompanied by the touching of his bruised knuckles.


“That’s it? What the hell, you’ve never come across a new person before?” She looked at him as if he were speaking nonsense, until she saw how extremely serious his face was and heard his response. 


“No. Mother made sure that I knew every single name, just like she made sure there was no door that could keep me out. Mother thinks information is everything. Gaining information is a must. She taught me how to break into everywhere, although things like your prison can’t be escaped as easily... she had me memorize the names of all living claimants, even if I don’t know them personally.” 


“Your mom sounds like a maniac... so then, who is this person you’ve never heard of? I’m sure I can help you, if it means you’ll leave me alone after.” 


“They said she was an aikekunai. Her name was Lilith.” 


There was a moment in which no words were exchanged. A silence that almost seemed to echo off the walls and bombard him. It was odd, difficult to fathom, but the name brought what could only be described as a visible disgust to Zyphinex’s face. However, it wasn’t just disgust. There was also what looked like a twisted understanding or empathy. As if the name alone stoked fires which dragged forward memories no one would want to remember. 


“Ask Xainayne about someone by the name of Marz.” 


“Marz? I’ve heard of him, the first aikekunai of our house. Mother told me about him.” 


“Xainayne will have no quarrels with you visiting Marz. If you want to know about Lilith, ask Marz.” 


“I understand. Thank you, teacher.” 


“I’m not your... whatever. Don't bring up Lilith before you're face to face with Marz. Just get lost and don’t say anything stupid. You’re too young to die a stupid death.” 
The path was dark. Darker than anywhere he had ever been before and yet it still seemed to grow darker as they pressed on further. Each step reaching deeper down and with each few steps, more darkness. At some point he could tell that they had crossed a threshold which others might not be capable of easily traveling. The very shadows themselves like pitch darkness, but the shadows themselves existed within what could only be described as the darkest black he had ever witnessed. For anyone other than him or Xainayne it might have looked like the purest black in all existence, themselves only existing within an expanse of nothingness, but for them it was nothing more than a cold path. 


“I did not know a place like this existed within the Prism.” 


“Does it scare you?” Xainayne questioned him. 


“No. It’s deep, but not the deepest I’ve ever been, nor the darkest I’ve ever seen.” 


“Your mother sure does know how to raise the oddest children. There are rarely any places which lack light as much as this place does. You mean to say your mother knows of one?” 


“She says it has existed for a long time. Apparently one of our ancestors made it, but it’s so dark I can’t see when I’m there. Or rather, it’s impossible for the senses to properly gauge your surroundings. It was made to sharpen our senses.” 


“Well, that explains certain things about you. Now, remain quiet, we’re nearly there.” 


There was no need for confirmation. The silence was accompanied only by their footsteps, but only Xainayne’s could be heard. His own footsteps were like silent beats on the ground, as if echoing nothing to imply that there was something against the silence which surrounded them. However, he was immediately made cautious the moment they reached the final step and found themselves at the end of what looked to be a long corridor. At its end rested a door, and that door looked just as ancient as it was. Inscribed with designs that gave life to past cultures and ideals. It was a marvel of design, and the first door he had ever seen which lacked any proper method to break through. 


Xainayne pressed forward, and he followed behind her closely. The Ancient smiled at him for a moment before they reached the door and, with a simple push, the door seemed to move aside on its own. Once inside it seemed to become lighter without any true form of light in sight. The walls were inscribed with patterns that seemed to say the architect was quite troubled when building the place, but more than that was what the room held. A large metal box, more reminiscent of a coffin, suspended in the air with heavy custom chains. Each chain inscribed with some sort of word, while the box itself seemed to leak a black ooze which drained into what looked like vents on the walls which it effortlessly pooled in front of. The smell of blood was thick on the air and it made his nose curl up. 


“Xainayne? Is that you?” The voice dragged his eyes towards the box. 


“Yes, Marz. It is me.” 


“It has been so long! How has everything been?” 


It was odd, hearing his name. He had expected the start of what he was to be... dead. How was this person still alive if he was now the aikekunai? More importantly, why did he sound so calm and peaceful? From everything he had learned about his house there would be no room for people like this. But here this person was with the title of aikekunai under their belt. It was at this point he noticed the small space on the metal box where a set of glowing blue eyes could be easily seen. Peaceful eyes. Caring eyes. Eyes he had never seen before from anyone outside of... 


“And who might this be?” He almost felt entirely ashamed to admit he had missed their conversation whilst distracted. 


“This boy is the newest replacement. The current aikekunai of our house.” 


“Really? I find it hard to believe that Arc’l fell in battle.” 


“Arc’l was never the type to do things easily...” 


“This is true. So then, child, what is your name?” 


He looked at the pair of blue eyes as if hesitant to trust them, but as he looked to Xainayne for answers he was surprised to be met with a rather calm expression. It was as if she were telling him to go ahead and speak freely. It felt odd. However, this is what he wanted initially. Now he just needed to talk until he got what he wanted. 


“My name is Gahbreal Dimea.” 


“He’s one of the Chisuke kids.” 


“Chisuke?! You mean to tell me he is one of Kana’s descendants? I would have never suspected that woman would marry someone! And who might your mother be?” 


 “Mother?” he responded before looking at Xainayne who spoke instead. 


“Her name is Kikana Dimea. It’s best not to ask him questions about his family. He most likely won’t answer anything involving anyone other than himself.” 


“Is that right? Well then, I apologize for asking you a difficult question to answer, little one. For that, I will answer any question you have to ask. Feel free to ask me anything.” 


Is this what Zyphinex spoke of? Was this the opportunity he came here for? She had spoken of not saying anything stupid, but that was just about as vague as it could possibly be. What would count as being something stupid here? Would Marz himself attempt to kill him? Would Xainayne be the one to do it if he said the wrong thing? There were too many questions, enough to make him shake his head slightly before looking directly at the set of blue eyes. Nothing good would come of waiting around forever. 


“I actually do have a question, sir.” 


“Oh? Well, there is no need to be so formal. Are you not a bit too young to speak like an adult?” 


“Blame his mother,” Xainayne responded. “Go on, ask your question.” 


“I heard someone bring up a name and I thought you might know who it was. I’d never heard of it before in our house, but I believed the first aikekunai would know.” 


“Do you mean Arc’l?” Xainayne asked him to which Gahbreal shook his head. 


“I believe it was Lilith.” 


Both the Ancient and the claimant looked at one another before the claimant began to laugh. Xainayne did not look as if he were having nearly as much fun. After the laughter subsided a heavy sigh could be heard from within the metal box. Marz did not seem alarmed or threatened by any of this, but he did say one more thing before properly answering his question. 


“Tell me, Gahbreal. Why is it that you want to know about her?” 


“I heard the name and was... curious. Mother says knowledge is important, so I just wanted to know.” 


“As innocent a reason as ever, would you not say so? Master?” His words were now directed at Xainayne, but the Ancient still looked displeased. “I see you still feel the same way. So, would you like to meet her, Gahbreal?” 


“I can meet her? How?” 


“Don’t, Marz.” 


“It will be fine, just a few moments of conversation should not cause any harm,” he spoke before his eyes turned back to Gahbreal. “So? Do you want to?” 


“I would appreciate the opportunity.” 


“Well then, here you are.” 


Gahbreal almost felt as if this were some sort of joke meant to play on his age. As if they were playing some kind of game with him, but that feeling did not last long. The blue eyes closed for only a split second and upon opening were now two glaring orbs so red they almost seemed more like a blazing pink. They blinked a few times, as if awakening from a long sleep, before looking between him and Xainayne with curious eyes. That was when her voice echoed throughout the room. 


“Curious. I know of my beloved Xainayne, but I do not know of this child. Why did you bring him here? He’s a claimant, so he will not serve as a proper meal. There is no proper source of madness... at this rate I will not last very long unless I break out of here, but I assume you will stop me?” 


“Of course,” Xainayne responded with a frown which drew a chuckle from her. 


“How adorable. You still choose to do things the hard way with me... so, boy, what is your name?” 


“I am Gahbreal Dimea.” 


“Gahbreal... odd... You mean Gabriel?” 


“No. It’s Gahbreal. Mother doesn’t like when people get it wrong.” 


“Well, it sounds like your mother is quite the passionate caretaker... her name?” 


“Hmm...” 


“It’s Kikana,” Xainayne responded again in his stead. 


“Kikana? Do not tell me he is related to that Chisuke brat? She was far too troublesome, always wanting to prove herself to some extent. She was more than acceptable for her age. Hopefully her family has learned to relax more than she did.” 


“I... can’t say that’s the case,” the Ancient said with an agitated expression. 


“What a consistent bother. So, why are you here with this boy to begin with?” 


“I wanted to ask a question,” Gahbreal responded as the eyes shifted to him. “I just wanted to know who you were, or who you are?” 


“Well, how flattering... I am far too tired for this, so I will answer the questions quickly. I am Lilith Dimea, first of the Dimea aikekunai and the most lovable of the claimants. That or Queen of the Demons as many humans have come to call me, but that depends on if you are willing to call other claimants demons.” 


“Lovable?” Gahbreal asked as his brow rose. 


“It was a joke, seeing as to how most claimants feel the opposite of love towards me?” 


“Joke?” 


“Surely you jest. Xainayne, dear, he is not serious. Is he?” she chuckled. 


“His mother is... not the best at teaching her kids about things like emotions or feelings. She’d probably say it’s a waste of time if I can say I know her well enough-” 


“A waste of resources,” Gahbreal corrected the Ancient who glared in his direction. “I’m sorry to interrupt... she always says it is a waste of resources. Something to avoid. I don’t understand it, the expressions, the feelings. Love. Is it a joke itself, or did you simply use it as a joke?” 


“By Extuis’ grace, the boy is serious. He would not be any fun for even Sigmutt, that lovely devil.” 


“You’re capable of calling someone else a devil?” Xainayne questioned Lilith to which she chuckled again. “Just as audacious as ever.” 


“Oh please, you know I will never change. It is why you have me here to begin with. Besides, some forms of torment are worse than others. I believe Sigmutt beats me out in the long run.” 


“I believe there is a substantial number of claimants and humans alike who would attest to the opposite of your opinion, but that is enough. We will be taking our leave.” 


“Then I suppose I should be getting back to resting... it was nice,” her words caught Xainayne’s attention as her eyes shifted back to the boy. “I know not how long it has been since I have spoken to another claimant, and you just so happened to be a small vestige of who I am. Or at least the title fits. It reminds me of simpler times. Enjoyable ones.” 


“It was nice talking to you too, miss Lilith,” Gahbreal responded with a smile. 


“Would you look at that,” she started as her eyes seemed to grow heavy. “Even with the title you are still a child. I know it all too well. Everyone can tell you whatever they choose... but those emotions will always betray you. They are desire. They are ambition... but most importantly they are what makes you... you...” 


The sound of soft exhales echoed from within the metal box as the glow of Lilith’s eyes could no longer be seen. The breaths soon replaced by snoring as Xainayne motioned for Gahbreal to exit the room with him and the doors were shut behind them. They continued to walk in silence until they were once again surrounded by silence. That was when Xainayne broke their silence with a single question. 


“You’re a dangerous kid.” 


“Huh?” Gahbreal responded with a confused gaze. 


“In some ways you are fearsome. I’ve seen long lived claimants who couldn’t possibly do some of the things you do or survive some of the things you’ve survived. However, even with that fearsome mind, you have the innocent curiosity of any other child. It’s a terrible combination.” 


“Really? I don’t understand.” 


“I know you don’t, you’re still young and lacking the understanding of specific concepts... if you wanted to know about Lilith you could have easily asked me, but you chose to go straight to the source itself. I assume someone else told you to do that?” 


“Hmm...” 


“Gahbreal.” 


“I... Zyphinex told me.” His head lowered as if ashamed. 


“You’re going to cause unnecessary trouble if you keep going to visit her like this,” Xainayne started with a sigh. “We can talk about that later, but what’s more important is that I teach you here and now why your curiosities should be kept to a minimum.” 


“Yes ma’am.” 


He stopped abruptly when Xainayne’s hands fell on his shoulders. The squeeze was enough to make his bones ache, but it wasn’t enough to draw his attentive gaze away from the Ancient. It was odd. Normally it was his mother who looked at him like this, as if attempting to teach him some important life lesson that he shouldn’t forget. It made his eyes glow with interest, investment, adoration. As if he had found something new which he did not believe existed. 


“Lilith is not a simple claimant. I could go on for hours explaining just how dangerous what just happened was, but I will leave it short instead... that prison was designed for Marz. It keeps Marz in, but Lilith is more than strong enough to just break out of it with very little effort. She’s a manipulator who is willing to do anything to get what she wants, and even though it would have been possible for me to deal with her, I can’t say that I would have been capable of protecting you at the same time.” 


“I’m sorry.” 


“Don’t be sorry, just understand. You must live. Don’t let your curiosities draw you into unneeded danger. Do you understand?” 


He couldn’t help but feel as if he had never been so calmly reprimanded before. His mother often taught lessons in the form of pain. A woman who was not afraid to break a bone to get a point across, but he understood that very well. It was that exact understanding which made him resent it all. He knew there was a reason for everything he had been taught, both by his mother and by Xainayne, but he couldn’t shrug off the feeling that they both almost shared the exact same role. Both caretakers, both advisors, both guardians and objects of admiration. He wanted to be strong, wanted to become the most powerful claimant as he had been raised to believe was his destiny. Of the people who served as the examples of the beacon he aspired to reach only two of them existed, and both now shared the same title. 


“Yes mother!” 


“You’re still calling me that? Come on, let’s leave this place,” the Ancient said as she turned away and continued the long trek up the stairs. 


“What do you think she dreams about?” Gahbreal’s question had admittedly caught the Ancient off guard. 


“You think she dreams?” 


“If she sleeps.” 


“Is that so? Well, if I had to guess I’d say she probably dreams of...” Xainayne paused for a moment as the thought filled his mind. “I wouldn’t sum her up as the type to dream of worldly things. She’d probably be dreaming of a small home with very little in it, out by a shallow lake surrounded by trees. There would be all the types of things you’d imagine a family would need to survive away from others, and the family to accommodate it all.” 


The air on battlefields was always sour. Like iron and stone turned to dust and scattered throughout the air. Every breath tasted like death, decay, suffering and malice even when the battle was finished. The way war assaulted the senses was a specific thing, and war has existed throughout all time. Even in the most savage and old of times there was war, and just like war there were those who trudged through those battlefields after the wars had ended. Their paths carrying them to something far off and distant... or possibly closer than expected. 


“You...” 


The voice grabbed his attention as he stepped over the multitude of bodies. It was odd, creepy, perhaps he was going crazy. There was no way he could have expected to hear a woman’s voice in the midst of this bloodbath. The ground was still moist, pools of blood still gathering where craters had been made across the land. Some of the bodies were even still warm when searched for items. If he had to be given a description, he would be nothing more than a scavenger, but even those had the possibility of going mad when surrounded but so many fresh corpses. Right? 


“Do you not hear me?” 


Indeed, how very possible it is to lose one’s sanity when surrounded by the husks left behind by death. He could see it all and, for a fraction of a second, his mind wavered. The arms which looked to be torn directly from their sockets, heads ripped from their bodies and hearts pulled from their chests. The further onto the battlefield he would tread the more savage the damage had become. Bodies pulled open and apart, organs pulled directly from the source, bodies mangled and tossed aside like discarded tools. Intestines used to strangle others; severed arms plowed through the chest cavities of other victims and bodies which did not seem cut, but instead ripped in half. The more he saw the more it looked like insanity, madness! It looked like- 


“Do not panic... it is alright,” her voice was so delicate and yet stern. “I know it is a lot to register, but you must not waver.” 


“Who is there?” his question accompanying his eyes looking about wildly as his head turned on a swivel. 


“Down here...” 


His gaze paused abruptly, his eyes shaking ever so slightly as they tilted downward, slowly to the ground. It was there, several steps away where she could still be in earshot, he spotted the source of the voice. The pink eyes emanating a red glow, a head of long white hair sprawled out on the ground and stained heavily with blood, her face which looked nothing like what should be found in this sort of place... her body, left arm entirely missing, both legs completely missing, her right hand coated in a layer of blood as she lay on her back with her head facing in his direction. How was she even still alive? He was nearly prepared to scream until- 


“Meat...” 


“M-meat?” 


“Flesh... Raw flesh... Bring it to me, human.” 


“You need food? Of course! Give me a moment!” he spoke as he began shuffling through his bag. “I don’t have much meat, but I have this hare I cooked recently.” 


He attempted to move the food in her direction. Rabbit cooked in a method to prioritize longevity, barely seasoned yet enough to act as a sustainable meal. He expected her to take it, thankful for what would no doubt be a final meal in her condition, but found himself surprised when she slapped the food away. Was she crazy? Was she not the one that asked for the meal? 


“That is not what I want...” 


“Are you mad?” he spoke as he stood to go and retrieve the meat. “Being picky won’t do you any good in that state-” 


“Human flesh,” her words caused him to pause. “I need... human flesh.” 


He turned and looked at her for a moment. It was easy to tell that she was not joking. She looked tired, sleepy, exhausted and yet not with the expression of someone who was near death. Her blood was not like the blood around her, it had a scent that had an intoxicating effect on him and yet seemed to sizzle with some sort of unknown flavor which hung in the air. The way she used the word ‘human’ made it exceedingly clear that he was not one herself, but to devour them? 


“Can’t you eat anything else?” 


“No.” 


“Is that by choice or is there no other option?” 


“I cannot stomach anything else... it must be human flesh.” 


“You’re odd, that much is clear. Tell me what you are?” 


“I am a claimant... I exist above you in every single way, as all claimants do...” 


“Are you a god?” 


“God? No... most gods and legends you all refer to are nothing more than my kind... or my master and his kin.” 


“Really? How odd, if that’s true,” he stopped as he examined her closer. Her breaths causing her chest to lower and raise slightly. “How will you survive this?” 


“A meal and time... I will grow it all back in time... I just need to eat-” 


“Will it kill me?” 


His question caused her to look at him, although she did not speak any words. This was a problem she often found herself running into when it came to interacting with humans like this. They were naturally fearful and cautious when facing things they could not easily comprehend, but also unpredictable and dangerous when left to their own devices. She knew humans well, how to manipulate them and steer them where she desired, but before she could even come up with a proper answer, she found herself surprised. 


“If I give you my own flesh, would that be enough? Would you forgo other humans and settle with me?” 


“What are you talking about?” 


“If you need to eat a human, will I be enough? If so, then that will be fine,” she watched as he approached her and stood within arm's length. “I don’t want to be the person who condemns humanity to needless suffering just because I decided to help someone who looks like they need it.” 


“Are you crazy? You would set yourself up to die for the sake of others... what makes you think I would even keep such a promise?” 


“I’m just willing to trust you. It’s all just my own selfishness, honestly, but I want to trust you.” 


The woman had trouble comprehending his words. How many humans had she managed to run into with such an obliviously kind heart? What he called selfish she could only view as stoic in comparison, courageous in a manner she rarely had the chance to experience. Of all the humans and claimants she had collected over the years, he was the only one willing to give themself up to her like this. Her heart skipped, her lips parted, her sense of normality faded as her hand reached forward and grabbed his shirt. He was almost afraid of what might happen, but found himself shocked as she pulled him to the ground with very little effort. 


“You are an idiot... but I suppose that is not entirely bad.” 


He could feel it, every single thing. It was difficult to register the pain which came with her teeth biting down on his collar bone the moment she tore his shirt away. It wasn’t any normal type of bite as well. He could feel her teeth pierce the skin effortlessly and carry onward through the bone without even so much as resistance on his part. It was like the structure of his body weakened against her maw, or rather it never compared to begin with. It felt less like he was being devoured and more like she was pulling directly on his soul, as if his life were being drawn to that single point and pulled away, but then... it stopped. 


He found himself confused yet again, lacking in words to describe the experience he had been made to face, or rather had elected himself to be a part of. There was silence, broken by the pop of her lips departing his body before he could once again focus his eyes. That was when he chose to look at her and yet he was found staring with astonishment. Her limbs had already been replaced by bones which steadily had flesh growing over it, her skin filled with more color and life than before, her eyes now glowing a more vibrant reddish-pink as she licked the blood from her lips. 


“I’m still alive?” 


“You made a promise, did you not?” Her voice caused him to shutter. It wasn’t fear, but rather an intense realization which came with her words. “A promise with your life?” 


“Yes... yes I did,” he responded as he stood to his feet yet stumbled slightly. It was her hand, however, which caught him before he could fall as she stood as well. She rose above him like a titan, her silhouette blocking out the sun which bared down on them. 


“Then I expect you to uphold that promise. I am a claimant. Not just any claimant, but one of the most powerful. I am aikekunai, or as humans would say, one who stands at the right hand of gods. Is this too much for you?” 


“No, it is not.” 


“Then our deal is struck,” she spoke as she placed her forehead against his own. “Your name, human?” 


“Baramecht... I’m Baramecht.” 


“Your family name?”  


“I do not have one,” his words caused her to sigh but her smile made him nearly faint from how pure it was. 


“It is decided then. From this point onward you will be Baramecht Dimea. You may not be a claimant but, since you were selfish enough to make the request, my only source of food will at least share my name.” 


He could not understand her as it currently was. She was mysterious in a way that neared mesmerizing yet outside of normality. Putting it in the simplest of terms... she was an anomaly, yet one that he felt himself being drawn towards. He had never seen a woman like her in his entire life and neither had he experienced what he had been through in these passing moments. Someone who could no doubt kill him with very little effort, confident enough to speak so bluntly even when on the brink of death, she was someone who had both the strength and audacity to do as she pleased. Yet here he was, making an absurd deal with her and now sharing a name. 


“Who are you?” 


“I am Lilith Dimea, aikekunai of Xainayne's house. Now, you will be coming with me. From this moment onward you belong to me.” 


“Gahbreal,” Xainayne’s voice sprang him to attention immediately as he looked in the Ancient’s direction. 


“Yes, ma’am?” 


“As it just so happens, your training for the day hasn’t yet ben complete.” 


“There’s more you’d like to show me?” The boy spoke with a bit of displeasure as he continued bandaging the wounds he had already received for the day. “I’m ready for whatever is next.” 


“You won’t be doing any sparring or personal lessons. It seems that something needs to be taken care of and I want you to do it for me.” 


“Me?” 


A part of him felt out of place. He had been learning from his mother for as long as he could remember. Then, after all of those years of training and education, he began also learning from Xainayne. Both his mother and the Ancient working separately yet both towards the goal of shaping him into something he knew he would have to become. The amount of time his mother had made certain to teach him, tell him, remind him, he could never truly count or remember. It was only when he began living in the Vortex that he started understanding why he had been raised the way he was. 


Power was a delicate thing, a balance he needed to keep in all ways. Never letting one thing grow out of control or out of hand comparable to all the other working parts. It was something he knew for certain had to hold true for himself and everything around him. He didn’t know a time in which he wasn’t strong, his mother only made sure he knew how to handle that level of strength, and Xainayne taught him how to put it to proper use. He was born to be nothing more than the arbiter he was learning to be. The black knight which Xainayne called him. 


“Turns out there is a small skirmish taking place and the other aikekunai on our side are busy with... other things... so you will be dealing with it this time. Are you prepared for your first bit of work befitting your position?” 


“Of course!” he said as he stood to his feet with an excited expression. “I’m ready to do whatever needs to be done!” 


“Good. Then let’s get you a taste of battle.”

The feeling was interesting to say the very least. It felt as if his body was truly running at its fullest potential, but a part of him knew that was not the case. He wasn’t in a fight yet, no battle had taken place, he didn’t even truly know what was going on until they had arrived and Xainayne told him to quell the current uprising. It wasn’t at all what he expected as his line of work. All he could do was look at all the claimants which were gathered in this place while wondering how things here might be resolved. 


They didn’t sneak in as he would have hoped, based around his mother’s teachings, but instead they had sauntered up to everyone out in the open. While they were noticed almost immediately, barely anyone even cared to pay him any mind and were instead entirely focused on Xainayne who was right next to him. No one spoke, no one had anything to say for a while, no one made any sudden moves or took any unnecessary steps, but there was certainly going to be a point in which things began to move again. Of course, that was when Xainayne decided to speak. 


“Well? Go on.” 


“Me?” Gahbreal responded as he looked at the Ancient. “What’s going on here? What am I supposed to be doing?” 


“Did I fail to explain? These claimants are enemies, or rather they are now. While most remain loyal, there are a few bad apples among claimants who simply find it difficult to just follow their orders. That is where you come in.” 


“You want me to deal with this?” 


“Exactly! Now go on, you can do it.” 


He wasn’t exactly confident, or at least not in a fight of this magnitude, but he had more than enough experience, didn’t he? He had been taught by his mother, taught by Xainayne, and even though he had more to learn that wouldn’t mean much in the long run. He had done many things to prepare, but this would be his first time in actual battle. He was left wondering the simplest of questions for someone in his position... 


Can I do this?


“Don’t think too much about it,” Xainayne’s words caused a calm breath to flow through his body. “Just do what feels natural. You’ll know what that is once you start.” 


Gahbreal took a deep breath, focusing his entirety on what was in front of him. He looked at everyone who was gathered there and a part of him felt sorrowful. He did not know what had caused them to place themselves in the position they were in now, but he knew exactly what it was he had to do in response. It was why he stepped forward the way he did with his head held high. Why his expression did not stagger or waver as his eyes shadowed over the entire group just before he spoke the words which would mark this first conflict. 


“You have all forsaken your purpose! No matter the reason, motivation aside, you are left with a choice... surrender yourselves to your masters or die!” 


Xainayne found himself partially confused with the boy’s words. Mercy was not something Gahbreal had been taught, neither he nor Kikana had any reason to ever teach him that. There was no way Zyphinex would, and Harvel wholeheartedly believed in honor in valiant death. Why was he giving them a chance? Was there some purpose? 


“This doesn’t concern you, child!” One of the group called out in response as they approached the front. “Return home and allow the adult to deal with these matters!” 


“Do you lead these claimants?” Gahbreal’s question echoed through the air. 


“No one leads us, but we all work together for the same purpose. There are many among us who do not agree with the way the Ancients choose to act-” 


“That is not for you to decide!” Xainayne’s eyes grew wide hearing the boy’s words. “The Ancients are not acting on your whims, you are acting to resolve their desires! If you cannot understand that then you were never meant to be a claimant to begin with. You are something lower, something baser.” 


“Then I suppose we have all been laid low by this nonsensical conflict between uncaring masters!” 


“Uncaring?” The boy sounded almost offended to hear the words. “Do you understand what you’ve just said?” 


“I understand wholeheartedly, boy.” 


Xainayne had managed to find herself perplexed, watching as the boy seemed to grow far more agitated than he had ever been previously. Fists clenching, eyes straining, the hair on his neck standing on end as he reached his hand to his side. The action was odd, nothing was there that could be seen and yet as the darkness collected in his palm and he dragged the weapon he desired from the blackest of vestiges, the sword which was now in his grip served to make things even more apparent for the Ancient. It wasn’t the weapon his mother had personally designed for him, instead it was a claymore of absurdly intricate yet familiar design. 


“If you understand your own faults yet continue to act on them, there’s nothing I can do for you except act as is my purpose,” the words were like fire igniting underneath their feet as darkness crept up his body like a cloak of shadows. “Claimants who fail to uphold their purpose, no matter the house and no matter the reason, are all useless in their existence! All carrying the same name, all donning the same title! You’re nothing more than-” 


“-lost!” 


The words escaped the helmet moments before his sword began to move. No one would call it unexpected, watching the blade carry a trail of sparks across the ground with it before cleaving its target in half. Their armor didn’t manage to even slow the momentum, a shower of claimant blood showering down over them as they watched him stow his weapon at his side, if anyone could call holding it in his offhand as stowing it. 


“What are you doing? Novea’s grace, she was a member of your own house!” 


“Am I meant to care?” His words carried as little subtlety as a dragon sneaking into a small cottage. “The moment she decided to speak poorly of our lord was the moment she became lost. And the lost all share the same fate.” 


“That doesn’t mean you can just kill them Arc’l!” the claimant called out in response. “That is for Xainayne to decide!” 


“I am the judge, I am the arbiter, I am the Lord’s Sword of darkness itself! I serve as the very hand that falls upon anyone willing to question what our lord desires and chooses. I will carve your flesh from the bones and grind them into dust if I must, such is the fate of the lost. Rely on your ability to resist insubordination.” 


“That’s more than enough, Arc’l.” 


The claimant immediately turned on his heel, swatting his cape aside as he fell down to one knee. His body was covered entirely in black armor of extremely intricate design. It looked almost as if it were all strapped to his person and that is exactly what everyone believed. Not a single soul had ever seen his face, aside from Xainayne, and it was well known that not even the other Ancients were given the consideration to see him without his helmet. All anyone knew was that his eyes glowed red, as was evident by the visor which reflected that color from within. 


“My lord, you have returned.” 


“What is going on here?” Xainayne questioned him as he looked at the mess he had made. “I thought I asked you to get along with your fellow claimants. Here I find you... well... doing what you’ve always done.” 


“Apologies, but this dirt chose to question you in the slightest manner. As your aikekunai, I concluded that was an action worthy of death.” 


“Arc’l, you must learn to show restraint. At this rate you’ll end up killing more of your own than you do our enemies.” 


“With all due respect, my lord, insubordination must be met with a swift end. The lost are a plague which will devour us if left untreated. I will cull them all by any measure. I will not go too far, but I will not leave a shred of doubt among your claimants. As your chosen, it will be my sword which strikes down all chances of rebellion against you. The lost must be culled.” 


Xainayne watched as he raised his sword and plunged it into the earth beneath their feet. The weapon was always a marvel to see, a blade with a gnarled edge, serrated with thorns yet designed as two swords twisting around one another. Runes drawn into its length with symbols no claimant could hope to understand. It looked like nothing more than a weapon crafted to exact the maximum amount of pain possible, but to anyone other than those who had seen it in action it was a symbol. The weapon so heavy that its swings could rend flesh just as easily as it could the earth, a tool which could only be held by the one Xainayne called the Black Knight. Arc’l Dimea, Shadow Lord of the house of darkness, second of its aikekunai. 


“You can’t keep allowing him to do this!” a claimant cried out as he rushed over to the upper half of the body. “How many of us will have to die before he learns restraint?!” 


“Restraint?” Arc’l questioned them as his head turned slightly away from Xainayne. 


“Yes! Restraint! These are our friends and family! You can’t just get away with killing all of them!” 


“Hold your tongue!” His voice was more than enough to silence them. “You believe I do not understand restraint? Restraint has kept you alive! Restraint has kept this house from the purge it so desperately desires! Restraint is what keeps the madness at bay in our own ranks! If you were to ask me, I personally believe that the entire slate should be wiped clean and started again with only the most loyal and powerful of our house. However, Xainayne’s wishes are final.” 


“You’re mad,” the claimant responded. It certainly was not received well as Arc’l stood to his feet. 


“Mad? Claimant, you should be pleased simply by surviving. Yet, if it troubles you so, I can easily arrange for your erasure.” 


Everyone knew the quality of Arc’l and all his words. He wasn’t the type to lie and everything he said might as well be treated akin to a direct promise. It was for that very reason it seemed that to all others present that this claimant who chose to speak had personally sealed their own fate. His weapon rose from the ground and the tip of his blade singled them out of everyone. It was terrifying and yet that was not the only thing which made everyone hesitant to act. 


It wasn’t so simple, dealing with Arc’l. Any simple fighter could be overpowered on the battlefield, but as the shadows beneath their feet seemed to flow like a rushing river everyone was once again forced to be reminded of what truly made him an impossibility at times. The red eyes looking up at them from beneath their very feet. Arc’l always word his helmet, never removed it for anyone other than Xainayne, and that alone was enough to make others wary. It made it difficult to ever gauge his intentions easily, but the intentions of his personal army were certainly clear. They only ever showed up when he called and to kill his enemies with extreme prejudice. 


“Arc’l,” Xainayne’s voice shut down the situation. 


“I know,” the aikekunai responded and his weapon lowered back to his side. “As I have said before, I will not go against your wishes, as much as it would please me to cleanse your house of filth. I know full well what I am meant to do. The purpose of your Black Knight is absolute.” 


“You could at least try getting along with your fellow claimants. At this rate no one will want to be around you.” 


“I do not need companionship.” 


“If you don’t have companionship then what will you have at the end?” 


“At the end?” He seemed to put more thought into his response than Xainayne had expected. “The only things that matter. Your respect and my sword. Two things, unchanging and performing their duties as they were designed. That is all I will ever need, both now and at the end.” 


It was astonishing to say the very least. Gahbreal knew nothing of Arc’l aside from his name. The boy had no memories of the past life and made no efforts to know anything about him as if it was worked into his mind to ignore Arc’l all together. However, this confrontation had made it obscenely clear that Arc’l did not slack on his words. The way the boy cut down everyone in his path, slayed his enemies without even a shred of mercy, that was all nothing more than his predecessor. Perhaps it was foolish to question the resolve of his own aikekunai, but the final words he had spoken rang true... 


A warrior who will not take my memories, but my battle experience. The rest is meaningless for a Lord’s Sword. And so that sword will gain nothing from me but the knowledge of war.


A part of the Ancient felt thoroughly disturbed, but at the same time it worked all too well. He had taught Gahbreal everything he knew about combat, save for a few secrets, and his mother had taught him everything she knew as well. With Arc’l, in all his stubborn ways, leaving nothing but his memories of combat with the boy... it only meant Gahbreal would be exceptionally adept at fighting, battle, war. All the things he would need him for. He would truly be a model for his house to see, retaining the personality of a reasonable person while gaining the experience of he would need to fight effectively. All he had to do now was continue to learn. 


“Gahbreal,” Xainayne’s voice pulled the boy’s attention away from his current situation. 


“Yes?” 


“I’d say you’re done here... Does this type of work disturb you?” 


“Disturb,” he paused as he looked around himself at the claimant corpses which covered the ground around him. The damage which had been done to their surroundings, the injuries he had sustained. “A part of me feels as if there may have been a better way, but that no longer matters.” 


“It doesn’t? What reason do you have for saying that?” 


“Because they made their choice... lambs often get lost, straying from their masters, but that does not mean they get to roam as they wish. If the lamb becomes defiant, then it is only natural that the wolves hunt them down.” 


“Well then, my black knight, that will be your role.” 


Gahbreal looked confused as he watched Xainayne step over the corpses. The Ancient seemed to looked down at them, analyze them closely, take note of certain details as she stepped casually into the mess which had been laid before her. He did not understand what Xainayne meant when saying this would be his role, but he was eager to understand if it meant he would know his purpose. He had become an aikekunai from the start, as far as he could remember, but was never told the specifics of what he would be doing. Now, however, he was finally being placed among the others in his position. 


“What will my role be? What do you mean?” he asked as he watched Xainayne stop in their tracks and turn to face him. 


“You will be our executioner. The arbiter of your craft answering only to the Ancients. Black Knight of Xainayne, Wolf among the claimants. When your fellow claimants lose their way with no chance of coming back it will be up to you to settle the matter. That will be your duty.” 


“My duty...” 


“Now then, come along. We’re done here. Your mother needed you home for something and I’d rather not have to deal with her if you miss her personal training.” 


“Mother has been teaching me to conceal myself on battlefields. She says it is very important that I learn how to do it if I’m ever going to be worth anything.” 


“Then I suppose that makes it all the more important to get you back.” 
His breathing was heavier than normal, and yet he concealed it as best as he could in silence. His steps were average and yet they carried no tempo, no rhythm, no depth. It was almost as if he were floating forward whilst making the actions of walking or running when need be... It had turned out to be more difficult than he initially anticipated. He reached his hand forward, his fingertips curling as they closed in on his target and yet it did not manage to get him the result he desired. He couldn’t say he was surprised when his wrist twisted and his body soon followed. It was irritating how often he ended up on his back when dealing with these people. 


“Your improvement shows that the training is working, but your improvement overall is too slow,” the woman’s voice whispered into his ear as his eyes turned up to see his mother’s face right next to his own. 


“You’re as strict as ever, Kana.” Another woman spoke as she released the boy’s hand. “When you called me here to help, I expected some form of combat training. It seems that isn’t going to be the case.” 


“Gahbreal’s combat capabilities are well enough. He needs to learn how to become closer with the darkness if he plans on surviving long, Kikara.” 


“Okay, okay. I get it. Still, he won’t realize what’s wrong if you don’t tell him anything.” 


“What do you mean, auntie?” Gahbreal asked to which his mother responded. 


“He doesn’t need to be told the answer, he needs to discover it himself. If he can’t even do that then he will end up being worthless.” 


“Don’t be like that, Kana. He’s been at this all day and he hasn’t made any progress. As a mother, that’s when it’s your duty to give him a push in the right direction,” Kikara spoke as she crouched down next to him with a smile. “What do you think is the issue here, Gabi?” 


“Stop calling him that.” 


“Patience, sister. So? What’s your answer?” 


He looked puzzled for a moment, as if wracking his mind for an answer before looking at his mother who had nothing to offer him. She could tell he was hoping she would offer him some form of hint, but as she turned away it was clear that he wouldn’t get anything from her. He never truly expected to in the first place. So, as he always did, he gave the best answer he could think of. 


“I’m inadequate. Too loud, too slow, too reckless. My steps are sloppy, movements too easy to read, I lack the basics and it’s costing me. I need to try harder-” 


“See?” Kikara’s words grabbed his attention as he watched her attention turn to his mother. “This is exactly what I mean. He won’t get anywhere if he thinks like this.” 


The way she placed her hand on his head was... odd. Not like she was preparing to give him some kind of lesson, but more like she was attempting to calm him down. It was odd in his mind entirely, because he did not know why he would need to be calmed. Kikara always carried this odd smile that was borderline infectious; as if looking at it for too long would cause you to smile yourself. He had even caught his mother smiling at times when speaking with his aunt. But he did not understand why this was happening. 


“Auntie?” 


“Do you feel better now?” she spoke with the same smile. 


“Better?” 


“Of course! Your cousin is a bit of a crybaby, so she normally tends to cry when she fails at something. This always makes her feel better, so I find it makes things easier for kids to bear. Doesn’t it feel nice?” 


“I... yes.” 


“See? All better! Now then, you’re not lacking in the department of power,” the way she spoke as her hand left her head changed drastically. As if immediately from family to teacher. “Your intentions give you away.” 


“My intentions? What do you mean?” 


“I mean exactly as I said. Your intentions. The intentions of your actions mean everything in combat, and a capable warrior will feel those intentions even without looking at you. The desire to harm, kill, destroy, erase everything in your path. Hiding away those intentions makes a great deal of difference even when in a direct confrontation.” 


“He won’t understand you if you just say it like that, Kara.” 


“Then let’s show him an example,” the woman spoke as she looked at her younger sister. “Kikana, I want you to attack me with your sword without any intent to do harm. Specifically with an attack you know I can’t dodge.” 


“That’s a terrible idea, and there are quite a few attacks you aren’t good at dodging because you’re a reactive fighter.” 


“That’s fine, just use one you know I’m terrible at dodging. Go on.” 


Kikana sighed as she stepped forward, her footsteps on the grass meshing with the breeze before disappearing entirely. His eyes followed the movements perfectly as her hand reached over to her weapon, but the attack itself was so quick as she drew her sword that he could only register the clashing of her weapon against his aunt’s own. She blocked it, just short of her own neck. It mesmerized him, engulfed him entirely, both the attack and the defense as things he could not yet accomplish. However, he knew just from the way his mother attacked that if his aunt’s block had not succeeded... she would most likely be dead. 


“Now then, Gahbreal, your mother is exceptionally adept at concealing her intentions in combat. The only reason I could defend myself was because I could see what she was doing and react to it. You could tell, couldn’t you?” 


“Yes,” he responded as he looked at his mother. “You had begun to move before she attacked. If you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been fast enough to act.” 


“Exactly! Even with me knowing she was going to attack there was very little I could do other than defend, but intention gives it all away. With no intent she could act in a way I could not readily predict, and it left me with little options even while facing her. If I had my back turned or was caught off guard, there would be nothing I could do.” 


“I think I understand.” 


“Not yet,” Kikana spoke up as she sheathed her weapon. “If we’re going to do this then we’ll do it all the way. I’m going to attack you again, Kikara. This time from behind and with full intent to kill. Look him directly in the eye as I do it.” 


“Uh, are you sure that’s safe, little sister?” Kikara asked with a worried grin. 


“You’ll be fine. If not, then you were just never worth anything from the start,” Kikana spoke as she disappeared into the shadows. 


“That was mean! You didn’t have to say that!” 


“Auntie?” 


“Ahem! N-now, listen carefully and watch closely. Your mom is good at hiding her intentions, but when she doesn’t it s-should be easy for me to react to her even if I don’t see her.” 


“Really?” 


“Should be,” she responded with a nervous grin. “I’m ready K-kana!” 


The response was... silence. Not just any silence, but an abnormal one. Gahbreal had dealt with his mother before, sparred and trained with her on multiple occasions, but it was never anything like this. She was gone. It was as if her very existence had disappeared entirely and yet they both knew she was there only because she said she would attack. Erie could not describe the feeling, nor could ominous. On some degree it was utterly terrifying, and yet as Kikana watched them both from the darkness she occupied, it was nothing more than a simple example in her mind. 


He just needs to understand it, so I’ll have him see it firsthand.


There was little time to register it all, but it happened in a moment he could not easily forget. A part of him was willingly ready to deny it, the feeling which rushed through his body as his mother seemed to almost appear out of nowhere, but that was an impossibility. It was horrendously toxic, the dread which washed over him as he watched his aunt dodge his mother’s sword with barely any room to spare. Her response was immediate, the look on her face panicked as she watched his mother stow her weapon as if nothing had even transpired. 


“Do you understand now? The weight of your intentions?” Her words filled the boy with a heavy fear. She did not look pleased and did not attempt to show that she was. “Even the most basic of warriors fights with intention, but only the adept ones can hide it. You are my son, and we are not just warriors. Remember that. You are Chisuke first, and that name carries the weight of a lineage of assassins. That intention of yours will ruin you if you can’t suppress it.” 


“How am I meant to do it?” Gahbreal asked. “What do I have to do?” 


“That’s not an answer I can give you. Anyone who fights seeks out the intentions of their opposition. If you can’t hide that intention from your enemies... well... I suppose that would make you a failure amongst our family.” 


“You don’t have to be so harsh, Kikana!” her sister spoke up as she approached the boy. “You have strong feelings Gahbreal, even if you don’t see that. You’re a kid so that’s unavoidable. However, a part of being a warrior is knowing when to use those emotions.” 


“Using my emotions...” 


“There are times, when fighting, that you must carry rage in your heart. There are even times when you should love. However, there are also times both on and off the battlefield when you should be capable of feeling nothing. If you can’t do that it may very well cause you to fall apart.” 


“Rage... Love... and nothing... I don’t get it.” 


“You don’t need to understand any of that yet. It’s a waste of time as you currently are,” Kikana responded to which her sister scowled in her direction. 


“It’s that exact mindset which had you turn out the way you are, sister. The boy requires growth, both physical and mental. If he doesn’t understand his feelings properly then he will never be adequate until he does. Most importantly, if they grow in the wrong way, he may end up becoming something you regret.” 


“I have no regrets with what I’m doing, Kikara.” 


“I can see that, really, I do. But you’ll learn to regret it when he ends up dying for something he doesn’t understand. Whether it be a feeling or a desire... and we both know that misplaced desires can lead to great tragedy.” 


His ears twitched, the subtle sounds of the small home settling as the crackling of flames accompanied him. Baramecht had always been a simplistic person, even reflected in his home. The floor was decorated with pelts and blankets which served to alleviate the strain on one's feet. The walls and roofing were both made with well-treated wood, decorated with different antiques and treasures he had found during his time. Overall, there wasn’t much. The center of the floor held a hearth, where he sat watching over the fire and hanging pot with a boiling stew within. There was a table covered in simple tools, a bed which looked both simple in design and comfort as well as benches and chairs in key places. It all looked handmade, and he wasn’t against bragging about how it was in fact all his own craft. 


His eyes examined the flames closely, watching as it danced about wildly. The wood smoldering as he stirred the contents of the pot. Rabbit, carrots, potatoes, venison, celery and bits of pepper and rosemary. Everything about his life was normal. As normal as he could possibly get it, almost as if making a conscious effort to keep things minimal. Normality was something he seemed to treasure dearly, which made a direct contrast with his current situation. The fire crackled loudly as the wood crumbled slightly; embers scattered through the air as he took a sharp breath and raised his head. It only took a short moment for him to relax once again and continue with preparing his meal. 


“Do you always have to sneak up on me like this?” he asked as the woman’s teeth released his collar and her tongue journeyed her lips. 


“I cannot help it. There is something so... deviously alluring about the way you react to every bite, every prick, every taste. You might say it piques my desire.” 


“Well, your desires are just as dangerous as ever. Are you satisfied, Lilith?” 


“Satisfied?” she spoke as her hands slid over his shoulders. “You think I am that easy to satisfy? I could swallow you down a hundred times and still be parched. My desires are not so easily met.” 


“I’d be a fool to forget. You are the very incarnation of greed at times.” 


“Does it alarm you?” she whispered into his ear which caused him to sigh. 


“Of course not. I’m well past the stage of worrying with death.” 


“That is correct, it almost slipped my mind,” she said as her hands fell from his shoulders and she moved to sit on the edge of his bed. “You called yourself a... hermit, was it? On some form of separation from the rest of human society. The concept still bewilders me.” 


“You’re far more talkative than normal. Most other days you’d have left by now.” 


“Oh? Are you saying you desire me gone?” 


“Not at all, it just surprised me... well, a hermit separates themself from human society for the sake obtaining some form of religious insight. I wouldn’t say I was doing anything like that. I wanted to separate myself from the rest of the world in hopes that I would come closer to greater powers. I scavenged for supplies and gathered what I could while living out in the wilds, waiting to gain some form of insight. Waiting to possibly glimpse beyond everything else and see what lied in what humans can’t see.” 


“Sounds as if you were being rather hopeful.” 


“I can understand that sentiment,” he said with a chuckle as he continued to stir the pot. “I’d say that I did exactly what I needed to do.” 


“Explain.” 


“I mean, there isn’t much to explain. At the end of it all my journey led me to you, didn’t I?” 


She was somewhat left speechless. To some degree she was upset with his blind justification, but she could not deny that he was correct. To humans, claimants are the closest thing to what they describe as gods across many of their religions. Some might call them deities or, like most refer to her, demons. In his mind there must have been some deep meaning behind running into her the way he had. For Lilith it was nothing more than a stroke of luck to speed up her healing process. But perhaps that too held some deeper meaning. 


He smiled slightly as he dipped his ladle into the pot and transferred its content to a small bowl. A part of him understood that Lilith was no god, especially since she was almost entirely the opposite of what anyone would classify as a god, but she was benevolent in a way only he felt he could see. The way she spoke, the way she moved. It was almost like she existed beyond his reach while constantly appearing before him awaiting her offerings. He did not believe she cared for him at all and, for a person referred to by many as a demon, that would make sense. If anyone were to view her as a god, then she would no doubt be the type that her followers fear as she extracts tolls of blood. 


“I could never understand how anyone eats that stuff.” 


“You mean... food? As far as I know you’re the only thing I've ever seen who doesn’t need it. But I suppose you have your odd taste for humans,” he said as he began walking to a chair. 


“Do not blame me. After tasting it once I could not stomach anything else. I am certain that if you tried it yourself you would-” 


It was odd, how quickly things seemed to fade out for a moment. He could feel his eyes rolling to the back of his head as his knees gave out, but the collision with the ground did not come as he expected. He regained his senses, his balance, but just in time to feel her arm at his back and see his bowl having been caught in her hand before hitting the floor. He looked up at her and saw her lips moving, but the words did not register. He did, however, see that she was genuinely worried. Her eyes, like light-touched blood, not nearly as terrifying as they always were. It only served to worry him more when they seemed as if they were getting closer. 


“A tad bit too close for comfort.” 


“You nearly collapsed. Is this normal?” Her question was less like something being asked and more like an answer being demanded. 


“Not really, it only happens sometimes. I get lightheaded easily.” 


“Is that so,” she spoke before her forehead pressed against his own. It was odd, warmer than he has expected, but singeing his nerves at how she did not close her eyes or blink the entire time. Her eyes staring directly into him as if examining his soul. “You are cold. Is this due to my meal?” 


“Perhaps.” 


“No games. I did not know it caused so much strain. I believed humans were sturdier than this.” 


“You’ve been eating humans all this time and you didn’t know how blood functions in their bodies? How is that even possible?” 


“You are the only human I have cared to keep around. I am sure I said it when we first met, but I eat humans normally. This blood situation is... different. I am not used to it yet so I need to be careful it seems.” 


It was odd, having her help him to a seat and placing the bowl back in his hands. Thinking about it, she was so fast he didn’t even know how she had reached him before he hit the ground. Not only that but even as she helped him. It felt as if most of his weight had been alleviated, like he was being carried more than he was walking. All he had ever seen was her body regenerate and her oddly perplexing physique, any human would view her as the image of perfection, but there seemed to be more to her than he understood. It was interesting, mesmerizing. 


“Tell me, Lilith.” His words were met with silence as she stood at his side. “Who are you?” 


“I am a claimant. Lilith Dimea, aikekunai.” 


“No, that’s not what I mean!” His sudden burst of what seemed like agitation surprised her. “I don’t know what any of that means. The concept doesn’t make any sense to me, I’ve never heard of it before. You’ve spoken about claimants, Ancients, treasures, houses... these concepts are all new to me. I knew there was more to life than what I was, what I am. Now I hear about this entire world of things I never could have imagined before. What is all of it? What are you?” 


“You are interested... I suppose it is only natural,” she said as she sat back down on the bed. “I will not extend the explanation; I will keep it as short as possible. The Ancients, they are the beginning. Before them it would be easy to say there was nothing but the Void. They all reside over their realms, separate from the human’s realm, where they along with their heirs cultivate us. The claimants. The treasures all have their own purpose and eventually will take the place of their parents, and we claimants are meant to do all that we can for them as well as each other. Even still, with our positions, the scale of power can vary. We are not gods, we can all die under the right conditions, but not as easily as humans.” 


“So, you’re fundamentally different from us. It’s no wonder I find it so difficult to understand you at times...” 


“Do not think so hard about it,” the way she spoke was relatively calmer. He felt it oddly put him at ease. “The differences are not as great as you think. We all feel, we all learn, we all take our time to understand... I am told that I am abnormal.” 


“Why is that?” He said as he watched her lie down on his bed. 


“I desire everything. I want everything. I am not even classified as a proper existence among certain groups, even my own Ancient would prefer the other half of myself compared to who I am now. They say he is a respectable man, kind to a fault and strong willed. I, on the other hand, tend to be seen as the opposite of his values yet strong enough to persist. I trump him in strength, but fail in the aspects of character. Or at least that is what others believe.” 


“You certainly are greedy,” he spoke with a chuckle before clearing his throat. “Lilith, how about we learn from one another.” 


“What are you suggesting?” she asked as her eyes turned in his direction. 


“You teach me about you and the world you live in. In return, I’ll teach you the values that others believe you lack.” 


“You are serious?” a chuckle escaped her lips like the flapping of butterfly wings on the air. “I do not believe it will be as easy as you are making it seem.” 


“Let me teach you something about my values, Lilith.” She watched him as his eyes settled on the flame at his side. “Look at the way the fire shifts and folds, dancing around like a river in the air. It can’t settle, can’t remain the same, but I feel that is a choice. Everything that exists is capable of change. Even if it’s difficult to accomplish that change, it’s never impossible.” 


“What makes you so sure?” 


“Aren’t you the one who always points out the importance of your desires? If you desire something strong enough, what’s to keep you from obtaining it?” 


“My desires... I do not really desire everything, perhaps it would be more accurate to say I desire my wants as my wants are everything to me. Sometimes even more than that... how do you plan to do it?” 


“We'll have to see. My life is already in your hands. The least I could do is help you as little as I can.” 


“You are so odd,” Lilith said as she lifted herself up. Baramecht had seen the faces of many predators who chose to attack him, stalk him, chase him in the past. Her eyes always seemed to resemble theirs when she looked at him. As if he were prey. But now? He couldn’t describe it properly. It was as if the eyes which carried so many violent intentions had softened into balls of bubblegum. “Well then, if that is your desire. This is a deal I can accept, but do not think my desires are easy to meet.” 


“For someone who I can only believe is immortal? I wouldn’t dare believe you’d have easy desires to deal with.” 


“I am not immortal, technically. I can still be killed by a more powerful opponent,” she interrupted herself with a short chuckle as if mocking anyone who’d try. “But we claimants do not age physically past a certain point as humans do. It is very much possible that I could live forever if no one comes around to slay me.” 


“Your people remain full of surprises...” 


His eyes shot open; his breathing stalled for a moment before beginning again at a nominal pace. The dark did not disturb him, it was what existed within the dark which always made him second guess everything. By this time, he had ended up living in the Vortex under the watchful eyes and guidance of Xainayne; his mother leaving him with words that both validated him yet also served to destroy his peace. He no longer knew if he was adequate or lacking, did not know if he had reached the point which would please her. All he had were the words she gifted him before giving him away: 


Imanotokoro, anata ga manaberu no wa kore dakedesu.
(That’s all you can learn for now.) 


It brought him comfort and yet ate away at his spirit. He felt accomplished yet also defeated. He looked up to his mother as the prime example of what it meant to be a warrior and a Dimea, as well as a Chisuke. It was for that reason he looked up from the bed he lay in, eyes glued to the ceiling with his hands curled into tight fists. It was why he felt he could not rest and needed to do something. He needed power above all else, and he was willing to do anything to get it. 


He raised his head quickly as he lifted himself from the bed... but as he came face to face with a set of glowing red eyes peering directly into his own, he immediately froze. They were abnormal, lacking most forms of sympathy outside of a somewhat selfish creed. It felt as if he were both staring in the face of death yet also into the caring gaze of a loved one. 


“Kyō wa mō jūbun ni yaritogemashita. Mō nete kudasai.” 
(You have done enough for today. Now sleep.) 


He looked as if he were going to respond, but quickly seemed to lose his focus before falling fast asleep. Her hands gripped the blanket he used and covered him casually before she planted a kiss on his forehead. It was a simple gesture, but one which carried more care than expected. 


“What are you doing here, little girl?” Xainayne’s words did little to startle her or grab her attention. “It seems your mother did not teach you to follow orders.” 


“My mother taught me very little, Xainayne.” 


“I suppose I'll have to assume that you also talk to everyone else with so little care.” 


“You should be glad I speak to you at all.” 


She wasn’t much taller than Gahbreal, although clearly older. She wore, oddly enough, a kimono of dark colors including black and red. Even with all the pieces of her outfit combined she still didn’t make a sound with every step. Some might say she was as suspicious as they came, but Xainayne knew it was the way she was meant to be. What other fate existed for the daughter of Kikana? 


“Mayray, you were told to remain at the shrine in Tome. Why are you here?” 


“This isn’t my first time here, and it will not be my last.” 


“Your boldness is beginning to irritate me.” 


“If you believe I’ll leave my little brother to you and that woman... I suggest you check your mind for inadequacies.” 


“And of course, your tongue is as sharp as ever. I don’t mind you showing up to see your brother. The company would do him a service. However, I will not repeat myself when saying that you are to remain out of his training. I have plans for him.” 


“You think I’m like my mother? Always looking for weaknesses or something to take,” she spoke as her eyes narrowed. “I also will not repeat myself... don’t ever compare me to her again... I don’t plan to get in your way, I’m just here to see my brother and nothing else. Neither of us like each other, so let’s just stay out of each other’s way. That will suite us both just fine.” 


She didn’t wait for a response, disappearing without warning just as she came. Xainayne could not help but feel as if she would end up being a massive problem, but a part of him knew she was right in believing he heavily compared the girl to her mother. Kikana always looked as if she were prepared to kill her if she showed the slightest sign of weakness, but that was why they seemed so similar. No matter how much she wanted to act as if there were no correlation between them, it was Mayray who shared the most similarities. Specifically how they both had the exact same eyes.

A part of him did not know exactly how to react. This had managed to be a side of the aikekunai he had never seen, this interested and attentive personality she had once never allowed to slip. Most importantly, this was the first time he had managed to see her during the day since he had initially met her. They had been wandering through the forest for a while, him attempting to do his normal routine as she tagged along to do what anyone else would only be left describing as ‘bothering’ them, but he more than welcomed the company. He had to collect firewood for the fall weather and Lilith provided a distraction from the basic quiet of that duty. 


“Did you not hear me?” Her voice brought him back to his senses. 


“Huh?” 


“Honestly, Baramecht. If you keep eying me like that, I might believe you are attempting to spot a weakness upon me.” 


“I’d never do that,” his response came instantaneously. “As if you’d have any to begin with.” 


“I suppose you are correct. Will you be answering my question now?” 


A bit of panic rushed through his system, coming to the conclusion that he had zoned out for a moment. Lost in thought as he normally tended to find himself. It was odd to have company and she had specifically been visiting more often and for longer periods of time than she usually would. Asking questions, lounging around, wholly acting as if she owned his home at times. However, it did reveal a specific thing she had yet to tell him regarding herself. Namely her tendency to cast aside her own body parts as tools to be replaced. 


“You wouldn’t mind asking your question again, would you?” 


“Are you that distracted with this tree? You have been working at it for quite some time,” Lilith started as she rose to her feet from the patch of grass she had been resting on. “If it is keeping your mind so preoccupied, just let me handle it.” 


“I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that! Let me do the work.” 


“Oh please, calm yourself. This could have been done a long while ago if you would have simply asked it of me. It is my desire to do so, now step aside.” He wasn’t going to challenge her in this situation and simply did as she said. “This will be a good example for you as well.” 


“An example? What’re you talking about?” 


“An example, just as I said. Separating the scaling of power between humans and a claimant of my caliber.” 


He tried to hand her the axe, but she simply responded by raising her hand as if to tell him it wasn’t useful to her. He had been working on the specific tree for over an hour now, barely making his way to the halfway mark of the trunk. It was a time-consuming task to say the very least, but he almost felt shameful to not rely on her as he watched her bare hand sever the rest of the trunk in a single strike. There was a moment of panic as he watched it fall; quickly replaced with awe as Lilith’s hand rose to intercept it. He knew she was strong, but just how strong was she? Clearly strong enough to hold an entire tree over her shoulder as if it were a normal activity. 


“God almighty...” 


“See? Now let us return. You take care of the rest back at your home.” 


“O-of course!” He was left with such a strong sense of inferiority as her stride whilst carrying an entire tree still outpaced his own. “What was your question again?” 


“Ah yes, it almost slipped my mind. You humans do this odd thing I do not understand. I believe I heard someone call it praying. What exactly is that?” 


“Prayer? It’s a simple concept, although I suppose it’s senseless to claimants,” he pondered how to put the words together for a moment. “Your average human would never have this opportunity I have, so the existence of the Ancients, Treasures and claimants would be unknown. For us there is a belief that the world came from somewhere, was crafted by someone, and that is where the concept of human gods resides for some.” 


“But there are no such things. It makes no sense, why make up something for what one does not understand?” 


“Because... well... some people just need something to believe in. Humans live, we persist for a short time compared to the entirety of all existence, and when that time ends there is so much to wonder. What happens to us? Do we go to some other place in spirit? Do we persist past death? Or does it all just end there?” 


“That would be the purpose for Elysian and the Void.” 


“Humans don’t know about those things. They mitigate it with their own ideals and come up with satisfactory endings that fill them with hope. For those endings, they pray. They place their faith in something that cannot see or understand.” 


“That would make these prayers nothing more than hopes... how trivial.” 


“You say that, but does it now coincide with the reality?” he started as his eyes veered up to the sky. “If they desire something like that, craft a figure to represent it and it does in fact exists, would that not just mean they’re referring to the Ancients under different names?” 


“It is possible,” she responded as she stopped and turned to view him. 


“The Ancients of life and death you’ve told me of. Would they not simply be the gods they refer to? Would Elysian and the Void not be their variants of the afterlife? Although I suppose so may have eccentric ideas of what those places may hold for them. It’s endearing, how even without knowing anything about them humans are still drawn to their benevolence.” 


It was something about the way he spoke that interested her most. He always seemed to care so deeply about others, took their views and perspectives into consideration. A part of her somehow managed to feel as if she were less than when speaking with him... as if she were somehow in the wrong for not thinking the same way. It was a form of kindness she did not recognize or know how to properly imitate. Maybe she could easily do it, but simply refused to on a subconscious level. She knew she was a selfish individual, holding her own wants and desires above everything else in all the realms. Perhaps it was that steep difference between the two of them which made her chest ache. Like gravity attempting to drag her down a mountain as he desperately attempts to climb it. 


“Xainayne would like you...” 


“What?” he responded to her odd words. 


“My Ancient, I believe he would enjoy your company. You remind me of Marz. You are honest, kind, caring for others and the way they may feel. In many ways you are my opposite, just as Marz is. Marz was the one chosen as aikekunai. I am simply intruding on his life and refusing to give it up for the sake of my own desires-” 


“That’s fine.” His words admittedly caught her off guard. “It may be my own selfishness, but I’m glad.” 


“You are... glad?” 


“Of course! If you weren’t you then I’d have never met you, after all. We wouldn’t be able to have these conversations and I’d still be roaming around searching for purpose.” 


“I see.” 


He could tell that his words did very little to convince her that she was in the right. It wasn’t like it mattered, she wasn’t going to give up who she was for anyone else, but a part of him felt as if it wasn’t right. He had separated himself from society for so long, it was difficult to know which types of interactions were proper or acceptable. He didn’t truly understand how exactly this type of situation should be handled. However, when his body began to move on its own, he knew that he was making the proper choice. Sure, it was awkward to reach upward so that he might place his hands on her cheeks and turn her attention directly to him. But he knew the words wouldn’t come any other way. 


“Do you see me?” 


“What exactly are you doing, Baramecht?” It was always a treat to look in her eyes. They were filled with so much wonder and vibrancy. But this would also serve as his own payback for how often she attempted to make him uncomfortable. 


“Lilith, a single person’s purpose and worth can’t be weighed so easily. The value of a single soul falls on the individual to decide its worth. I serve as your eternal meal, do I not? I hold a great deal of worth for you that I hold for no one else, don’t I?” 


“If you put it that way, I cannot argue your logic.” 


“Then allow me to give you worth where others don’t. For each person who finds your value as less than your counterpart, I will value you even more. How does that sound?” 


“You,” she started as her eyes blinked several times. This was exactly why she felt he would get along well with Xainayne. He was a bit too energetic when it came to giving himself up for others. “You truly are an odd person. You will have your work cut out for you. I am hated by many of all claimants.” 


“Then I’ll just have to be a devout person, won’t I?” 


“You are definitely odd... fine. I will hold you to those words. Now let us continue on our way.” 
He could feel her staring at the back of his head. It wasn’t annoying or uncomfortable, not nearly as much as it was hilarious in his eyes. It didn’t take him long to finish preparing his dinner and begin eating, but it was easy to tell that she was ready to eat herself with the way she refused to take her eyes off him. She had become far more careful after seeing him collapse, specifically waiting until he was ready to lie down before accepting her meal, but it only made things feel even more awkward. Was this how individuals were meant to interact with one another? With her poor understanding of humans and his poor understanding of social interaction it felt as if they were miles apart. 


“Mercy,” he spoke as he stood to his feet with her eyes following his every step. “You’re as demanding as ever.” 


“What do you mean?” she asked him as he cleaned out the bowl he ate from and sat on his bed across from where she sat on a chair. 


“It’s difficult to focus when you’re looking at me like that. Go ahead, I’m done eating so you can-” 


The words barely even had the opportunity to leave his lips before he felt himself falling back onto the bed. She was as fast as ever, possibly faster and he couldn’t even manage a struggle against her as her teeth dug into his collar. It was different from normal. She didn’t personally act as if she needed a large amount of sustenance to survive, but she seemed desperate. He could feel her teeth pressing against the bone which they had always avoided, her lips quivering as if attempting to be more careful than she was being, yet the most standout thing was how she had chosen to strike from the front. She had always made a habit of approaching from his back, but this time was like she was in a hurry and did not care. 


He could see it just out of the corner of his eye. Right next to his head was her own face, eyes closed tight as she took her meal in stride. He could feel the top layer of his skin growing colder and yet he did not want to stop her yet. This might have been the first time he had ever seen her so desperate. Even her breathing seemed rushed. Baramecht raised his hand, a feeling alone causing him to place it on the back of her head which caused her to immediately recoil and remove her teeth from his collar. She didn’t seem any different from normal, even if her actions had managed to betray her regular demeanor. 


“I am sorry...” 


“I hadn't realized how much strain I was putting on you. Taking into consideration what you can get from me, while also letting me live and function, you must be eating the bare minimum.” 


“It is not so simple,” she started as she rose to her feet. “I am not used to considering others this much. You are fragile.” 


“I’m not made of glass.” 


“But you are not me. Blood is something I may spare, my limbs as well, but for you these things are finite. I cannot be reckless, nor can I be careless.” 


“Why is that?” He questioned her in a manner she recognized. It was the way he often spoke when attempting to teach her some form of lesson, but it was the stern look on his face which truly gave away those intentions. 


“Because you are human, and my sole source of sustenance.” 


“That doesn’t mean I can overlook your own suffering. Do you even understand the concept of suffering? I’ve been meaning to ask this, but what would you have done if I never showed up on that day we met?” 


“Well... I suppose I would have waited. That or dragged myself to the nearest body worth consumption.” 


“Were you not in pain?” 


“Pain?” 


“Were you not suffering? Were you not hurting? Uncomfortable?” 


“Is that what you all call pain? It seems I have learned something else new. The concept escapes me, I do not remember a time in which I have felt pain; therefore, I do not know how others may feel it.” 


“What types of emotions do you understand? What feelings?” 


This question seemed to make her think more than normal. Legitimately struggling to find the proper words. He hadn’t noticed it before now, but she wasn’t only lacking knowledge of humans. With every interaction they had it had become clearer that she was lacking even some of the most basic of knowledge involving how others manage to feel, including herself. All she knew was greed, desires, wants, and everything including them. Everything else including emotions and feelings were entirely off the table, including pain. He knew that was certain when she was willing to use her own limbs for kindling or pull off her fingers when chipping a nail. 


“I have come to understand that most things I can endure are apparently seen as horrendous by the masses. Even most claimants see the things I do as otherworldly at times. I do not get it, but I can act accordingly if I must. To preserve.” 


“Are you referring to me?” Baramecht asked her to which her eyes flicked in his direction. 


“You need to live, for our promise. For that I must keep you alive and well. I cannot go too far or I will injure you unnecessarily.” 


“You... you’re far more caring than I initially believed.” 


“Is that meant to be a compliment?” 


“If you’ll accept it, yes. You might not understand it, but you do care for certain things in your own way. I think it’s rather endearing.” 


“You are certainly making fun of me,” she spoke as she watched him lie down on his bed. “You spoke of the effects of blood loss on humans before. You are cold, are you not?” 


“It’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll be hunting for some furs tomorrow, so the winter won’t be a pro-” 


He found himself perplexed, confused, baffled by how quickly she assumed a position hovering over him. It was odd to say the very least and yet there wasn't much he could do to stop her from plopping down at his side and pulling him over onto her person. He rarely ever had the opportunity to touch her, and when he did it was always her hands on him. But, in this moment, he had come to realize how so very warm she was all over. It was smothering how she did not allow him even the slightest chance to escape. However, it was certainly more comfortable than his previous state. She was so slender, her breathing less natural and more like a personal choice in her chest while her heart seemed to pulse in a manner that was calmer than the most secluded brook.


“You have taught me quite a bit today and provided me with more than enough sustenance. As your reward I will teach you something. A lesson in desires. If you desire to be warm, then do that. If you desire to be comfortable, then take the opportunity. Desires can often be fleeting, so hold onto them as best you can. Desires are all I truly understand, so this will be a personal lesson.” 


“Are you being kind?” 


“I am simply paying my dues. Unless you wish to be left alone?” 


“This is fine. A new experience for me actually. It’s certainly warmer than it was before... and more comfortable.” 


“Then go to sleep. That too is a desire, a want.” 


“I’d consider it a need, but I’ll take you up on that offer as well.” 


“You know quite a lot about Lilith,” Gahbreal spoke as he watched Xainayne closely. 


“Of course, she was the aikekunai of our house and the first at that. Marz was one thing, but Lilith was on an entirely different scale. I couldn’t afford to leave her to her own devices.” 


“What do you mean by that?” His question was accompanied by the pouring of wine into a glass for the Ancient. 


“Marz was skilled, he knew much in the form of combat and yet he was much better with his words. When push came to shove, he wouldn’t fail, but he was known to struggle. That’s the primary reason everyone refers to Lilith instead of him when speaking about physical strength. She did not care to talk outside of seducing others and fought with the tenacity of an Ancient.” 


“Did you teach her?” 


“Me? Of course not. I only taught Marz. Lilith was just naturally gifted with combat and not much else, refusing to allow anyone to act as her superior other than myself. I’d go as far as to say she was literally created for battle to some degree. Other than that, she was certainly sneaky for someone of her stature.” 


“Interesting... you said you couldn’t leave her on her own, but you rarely ever speak about having spoken with her. How did you ever learn anything about her?” This question caused the Ancient to pause. 


It wasn’t anything too special. More along the lines of questioning whether it would be smart to tell him or not. Ever since he had learned about Lilith he had been asking about her more and more, but that could easily be summed up to the curiosity of the young. By now Gahbreal had managed to become a young adult and yet he acted in a manner that begged to be disciplined. He had become skilled, but that skill was quickly gained as if he couldn’t rest until he was unstoppable. He utilized the things Arc’l passed on to him with extreme efficiency and combined it with the teachings his mother burned into his mind. Then, as if to make certain he could not be underestimated, he took to mimicking all the things the Ancient would do during his training. Slowly but surely, he was becoming a personal problem. However, at this point, telling him everything wouldn’t serve to make things and worse. 


“I would have her watched often so that I could know what she was up to during her free time. Then, after about a week's time, I would have a report made.” 


“There was someone skilled enough to watch her? Who could pull that off?” Gahbreal asked with surprise. 


“Technically it’s someone you already know.” 


“Really? That’s odd. Who could have been alive then that I know now?” 


“Kana. Give me your report,” Xainayne ordered as the woman rolled her eyes in response. 


“You could always go do this yourself, but I suppose you would complain about that... nothing has really changed in terms of her demeanor. She answers your calls immediately, as always. She excels in her combat, as always. There are only minor changes to her daily schedule.” 


“Minor changes? Such as?” 


“The human she has been treating as a pet has been becoming closer to her. Most of the time she doesn’t spend handling her duties are spent with him.” 


“Extius preserve us. Don’t tell me she has some sort of feelings for him.” 


“It’s Lilith. Even if she did, she wouldn’t understand it and just classify it as a normal desire,” she paused for a moment before speaking again. “However, I can’t say the same for the human.” 


“You believe he is developing feelings... for Lilith? Well, I guess that wouldn’t be too far-fetched of a thought. In terms of direct physical beauty Lilith is in a class of her own even amongst claimants. A human wouldn’t be too capable of resisting her.” 


“That’s the problem,” Kana started as she leaned against the wall. “The human in question is rather enlightened. He happened upon Lilith on a battlefield and made a deal with her for the sake of other humans. He takes others into great consideration, but most importantly he takes to the existence of our kind with elegance. He pays more attention to Lilith’s own emotions than she does at times and attempts to teach her concepts she doesn’t quite understand. Things regarding all of her lacking traits.” 


“That is certainly odd... however, I don’t see how it is a problem.” 


“It’s a problem because that means the human isn’t falling victim to her looks, he’s falling victim to Lilith herself. She’s known for seducing humans and claimants alike, but he doesn’t fall for any of those advances.” 


“Are you telling me this human may legitimately may be in love with Lilith? How foolish.” 


“It’s only foolish for the time being. The real problem here is how it will affect Lilith herself. It may all seem entirely foolhardy for a human to develop romantic feelings for one of the most violent and greedy claimants alive...” 


“But that changes if his feelings actually manage to make it through to her, correct?” Xainayne pondered the idea for a moment. “If they manage to be her soulmate there’s no telling what disasters it might cause. Not to mention he would only be a weakness to her, and she wouldn't even understand that concept.” 


“But it’s certain that he has made a positive effect on her mind. She seems... more thoughtful these days. Almost as if she’s taking certain things into consideration... It worries me.” 


“Worries you? Well, now I’m worried too.” 


“It’s no joke. Lilith does not understand her emotions at all and acts solely on her desires alone all of the time. She’s impulsive and greedy, so if at any point his feelings do manage to pry at her enough to make her desire more, she will-” 
“Baramecht?” Her voice roused him from his sleep. 


He didn’t know how long he had been resting, but he also didn’t know how long she had been attempting to garner his attention. His eyes blinked a few times before gaining their focus and spotting her glowing orbs in the early morning darkness. Why did she wake him up so soon? Had something happened while he was asleep? She had begun accompanying him to sleep almost every night now and he did not understand why outside of her desire to keep her meal source safe, preferring that he lie on her instead of his bed. However, this was an entirely new situation. 


“Lilith?” he started. “What happened? Is something wrong?” 


“No, nothing is wrong. I have just come to a conclusion and I wished to share it.” 


“Is that it? It can’t wait until sunrise?” 


“I suppose it could... but I would rather speak on it now.” 


“Well, I guess I can’t argue with that. You do live by your desires after all and I wouldn’t want to anger you by neglecting them.” 


“I desire you. You will become mine, and mine alone.” 


“...you’re serious?” 


His question wasn’t met with an answer by words. Instead, she only looked at him without even blinking and breathing softly. He had no idea what had gotten into her or why she had chosen to say something so outrageous out of nowhere... but was it really that random of an idea? By now they had known one another for years, learned so much from one another, spent more time together than he could reasonably measure. Would it be odd to consider that she would come to such a conclusion? Especially when she acted so directly with her desires? 


“Will you not become mine?” 


“I... I don’t see a reason not to? But I don’t understand where this is coming from.” 


“Is it that hard to comprehend?” He found himself frozen as her hand pressed against his cheeks. He was looking up at her, an upside-down view of her face, getting closer until her nose nearly brushed against his own. 


“You know, that type of stuff doesn’t really work on me. I have no experience with women and I’ve rid myself of most worldly desires.” 


“Is that correct?” As quickly as the words left her lips, Lilith’s body disperse into a black mist which formed itself over his person moments after. He could only watch as she now hovered over him with an abnormal hunger resting behind her eyes. Almost animalistic in nature. 


“If you were still hungry you could have said so. I don’t mind sparing a bit more blood.” 


“I am not hungry for that,” she started as her lips pressed against his. He did not know how to react, but he knew that the sensation itself was dangerously addicting. It wasn’t until she pulled away that he began to feel the deep nervous sensation in his stomach.


“Lilith?” 


“Right now, in this very moment, you are my desire. Will you not satisfy my desire? Baramecht?” 


He looked at her for a long moment. It wasn’t anything crazy or spectacular by any means. Instead, regardless of how hard he tried, he found little reason to deny her. By now he had already been intrigued by her. And so, without so much as giving it a second thought, he looked at her to see if she would take it all back. Act as if it were some sort of joke or see if she were attempting to dig into his mind in some way. Instead, she waited patiently for his answer. It pried at his soul, almost as if bringing a vivid life to his existence. It was why the only thing he could think to say was- 


“I’ll do it. Whatever you desire, I’ll satisfy it.” 


“Good. I am pleased. Then allow me to teach you something new today as well, something I have been craving,” she said as she ripped the very clothes off her body. “Let me teach you of pleasure.” 


 


[Or at least these are the events which transpired outside of Xainayne and Kana’s watch] 


“The first ancestor of our family? Wow... I was led to believe she hated you,” Gahbreal said as he sipped some of the wine himself. 


“She did. Kana always made it clear just how much she despised my company, but her skills spoke for themselves. She wasn’t only good at doing her job, but also a fast learner and adaptable. Those traits are the very reason she ended up being accepted in positions most people would not reach... also, stop drinking my alcohol. Your mother would have a stroke if she ever found out.” 


“What types of positions would those be?” He ignored the request outright.


“Well, Kana ended up being one of two students Lilith ended up taking under her watchful eyes.” 


“Really?” 


“It wasn’t anything fun or anything that needs to be talked about. Just know that a few decisions were made and they ended with catastrophe. After that... Lilith changed.” The Ancient’s words seemed to trail off, as if the topic brought discomfort and grief. “That’s enough for now. Get ready. We have some business to take care of.” 


“Alright. The sooner we start the sooner we can finish.” 
It wasn’t anything too special, their destination was actually rather derelict in comparison to most places they would normally find themselves. Xainayne had refrained from giving him any details about the work they were doing and yet something told him to be on guard. In fact, what he wondered the most was why the Ancient had chosen to accompany him in the first place. At some point he had begun handling his work alone and yet for some reason here they were together. Was this meant to be some sort of test? 


“You can come out now! He’s ready!” Xainayne spoke as they entered the building. 


“What? Who are you talking to? No one is hiding in any of these shadows.” 


“It’s about time you showed up,” the woman’s voice echoed as they walked through the door. “This subjugation was meant to take place hours ago.” 


“Don’t blame me, the boy has many questions.” 


“Qrow would throw a fit if he were personally kept waiting. If you value the life of your aikekunai, I’d suggest keeping that in mind.” 


Gahbreal watched as the ground split open and from the fissure a familiar woman stepped out clad in black clothing. It wasn’t that they were well acquainted, but instead she was one of those types who would regular battlefields and be around other claimants he worked with. It was for that reason he raised his hand and waved at her as if to give a proper and distinct greeting, the same he always gave her. Zorelle responded with nothing more than a cautious smile. He knew she held nothing against him in particular, but it was Arc’l she had a problem with. Apparently the two did not get along at all. 


“I didn’t know you’d be here Zorelle. Xainayne wouldn’t tell me anything for some fucking reason.” 


“Watch your language,” Xainayne snapped back. “Kikana would throw a fit if she found you speaking like some sort of delinquent.” 


“You didn’t tell him about what he’d be doing?” Zorelle spoke in an even more annoyed tone. 


“If I did, he may have refrained from showing up. You know he can be stubborn and he also isn’t a fan of change, so I’ll be counting on you to get him accustomed to things.” 


“What are you talking about?” Gahbreal started as Zorelle walked over to him and placed a hand on his head. “Zorelle?” 


“Xainayne believes you need a bit more experience in battle. I don’t think it’s necessary, but I also don’t have a reason to complain. The more hands on the battlefield the batter.” 


“Battlefield? Fuck Xainayne! That’s not my job!” 


“Well, it is for now. Someone else will handle your work for the time being. In the meantime, you will be helping Zorelle with her work on the battlefield. You will follow her orders to the best of your abilities.” 


“I’m not going to do jack shit! There’s no point for me to be out here when this doesn’t have anything to do with my purpose.” 


“There’s no point in thinking too much about it. Just go out and fight, get a bit of blood on your hands. You’ll take care of that won’t you? My Black Knight?” The mere words seemed to make him freeze. 


Zorelle took notice to the change immediately, watching as his once bitter expression shifted to that of a proudly mad smile. He looked as if he were crazed to some degree. His eyes like beacons in the dark, glowing a red which could easily bring his house glory. It wasn’t a look she did not know, a visage she had not the luck to forget, even if she had not personally seen it herself. He looked as if he could clearly speak in a manner befitting of the life that came before him. The demeanor of Arc’l. 


“Of course, mother. I’ll handle this just as I do with everything else. Without fail.” 


“Good. That’s what I like to hear,” the Ancient spoke before turning to Zorelle. “He can handle himself. All he needs now is the experience. Guide him, teach him about what war is, and send him home when he seems accustomed to it.” 


“Sure. Let’s go Gahbreal. There’s a lot to be done.” 


“Right.” 


Zorelle felt uneasy, leaving the area with the boy at her side. It wasn’t fear by any means, but as if something were not right at all and she could tell from that exchange of words. It was almost as if Xainayne were attempting to mentally control him. Just the mere way his entire personality seemed to change when the Ancient had called him the title of black knight was unnatural. However, it was clear that the boy was still entirely himself. It wasn’t that he was becoming a different person. No, instead it was like he was casting aside all his worries, his doubts, his second thoughts, his caution, his cares even on some level. What was once a worry for something he had no business doing had so quickly and so easily become a blind acceptance of it. 


The distance they had to go was not far at all, the two making their way a short distance before a rather large camp had come into view. There were multiple soldiers walking throughout it, both human and claimant alike, all looking as if they were battle worn. It wasn’t until she knew the two were alone on their approach that she even chose to speak again. It wasn’t that she very much enjoyed conversations with him, but rather an attempt to break the silence and inquire on his mentality. 


“So, Gahbreal, you and Xainayne were talking?” 


“Yeah. I was just asking him a few questions about Lilith since I know so little about her.” 


“There are a lot of us who know very little about her. All I know is that the woman dominated battlefield through pure force alone. If I had to make a comparison and say that King Arthur was a great hero, it would be proper to say that she was the lord of demons on the opposite end of the spectrum. Her weapons harnessed the power of elements from other houses and yet she still used them while they caused her damage just by touching them. It’s no wonder some took to calling her the Queen of the Demons, especially with how she left corpses mangled and in disarray.” 


“Odd,” Gahbreal spoke as she looked to see his face in total shock. “Xainayne didn’t tell me anything like that. Mainly things about her personality and her personal life. She didn’t sound that bad at all. He even said she taught my ancestor, Kana.” 


“Yes, Lilith did teach Kana. I had the opportunity to fight alongside her at one point, but she also had one other student.” 


“Really? Who was it?” His words caused the claimant to look at him with an awkward glance. 


“Xainayne never told you?” Gahbreal watched as her expression changed from confused to a slight sense of horror. He did not understand, but it was a simple thing. Formed by the realization of what things Xainayne was keeping from the boy. “Lilith had two students, both of which she split her teachings between. Anyone else who attempted to learn from her perished in the process because the training itself was too much to handle and she wasn't one for allowing failure.” 


“My first ancestor survived something like that? I suppose she was my ancestor for a reason.” 


“Kana was taught all of Lilith’s techniques focused around striking from darkness. She taught her how to strike as quickly and accurately as her body would allow and Kana crafted her family on those values. The other student was taught under her ideals of raw force in strength. A frontline fighter with capabilities that would rival even the most distinct of claimants. There was no need for darkness to conceal him and he cleaved down his enemies with extreme prejudice... that was the only way Arc’l ever did things after learning from her.” 


“Arc’l? My past life was Lilith’s second student?” 


“Yes, and he was the second choice for aikekunai after Kana, but she refused. Xainayne believed Kana was closer to Lilith’s capabilities, but she did not get along with him well enough to accept. Arc’l, in all his rage, was left as the second choice and living a life destined for death. You were his destined replacement, after all. But that did not keep him from making a name for himself. Lord’s Sword, Shadow Lord, Black Knight, he made himself the ideal icon of the Dimea house. He acted with the idea that his actions were both righteous and necessary, which made him one of the most dangerous claimants alive even before becoming an aikekunai.” 


“He sounds like he may have been a tad bit delusional.” 


“And if he were alive today that comment may have cost you your life. He was the one who crafted your job, the one who gave the claimants who would betray their brethren the title of lost. He named them and hunted them. They call you Wolf, but many took to calling him a pure claimant hunter.” 


“To accel at slaying your own kind so well that others name you on the action alone... did Xainayne not do anything about this?” 


“There was no reason. Arc’l had a clear idea of who made up the ranks of the lost, and those people were often claimants whose own Ancients wanted them death for one reason or another. To those Ancients, including Xainayne, Arc’l was doing everyone a favor and no one needed to ask. The one who took all the flack for the Ancients who needed members of their own houses dealt with.” 


“And with him being the second choice that would mean he had a lot to prove. I can see a clear image of how that would turn out. I’ve been gleaning memories of his combat and nothing else for a while now. It’s almost as if he wanted to keep every other memory away from me. I wonder what would cause Lilith to take on such a student.” 


“Look kid, I don’t know what Xainayne has been telling you. I didn't know her personally by any means and only ever saw her a few times, but as far as I know Lilith was always that type of person. She always did as she desired, regardless of how it affected others. She only ever cared about gaining more, wanting more, taking more. She was a queen, a tyrant. Challenging her was never an option for anyone other than the original aikekunai, but even that was an iffy situation.” 


“Odd. I suppose it should be expected, but it just doesn’t seem right to me. Xainayne has no reason to lie to me or keep such secrets... perhaps I’m missing some part of the bigger picture.” 


“There’s a chance, but that doesn’t matter right now,” Zorelle stated as they finally reached the camp. “For now, your focus should be on this battle. You can worry about your predecessors after we’re done. It's best to not try yo understand the Ancients.” 


His steps were heavy, the sound of metal greaves echoing throughout the air as he approached the manor. Kol’skiy Poluostrov was always colder than he enjoyed and yet he had no other choice than to make his way here on multiple occasions. Towering over him rested the building which had come to bring him great displeasure. A gothic castle of dark brick and windows which seemed to let off an eerie red glow, accentuated by the night sky which was lined with stars and moonlight illuminating that which would attempt to hide. However, for darkness claimants, that night meant nothing for his eyes. 


As he approached the door he halted for a moment, a sigh escaping his lips as he offered his hand to the side where nothing could be seen. The soft purr which filled his ears caused a slight feeling of calm. He removed his helmet for a single moment, allowing the creature to see his face before placing it back over his visage and removing his hand from what rested in the dark. 


“It seems your master has left you outside again,” his words caused the creature to growl. “Perhaps it would be best to simply accept her for what she is now, dear Gnoxs. You can’t blame her for what she has become... that blame falls on those who have wronged her. The lost.” 


He stepped forward, placing his hands on the ornate black doors and pushing them open. The black archways and dark spires which made up the outside were contrasted by the halls illuminated with red flames. A carpet tinted with the color of blood and walls of deep ebony which reflected the crimson which seemed to glow from every shadow. Nothing about it made him feel at ease, but that wasn’t even the most disturbing part in comparison to the denizens of such a place. 


He shut the doors behind him and his ears were immediately filled with the sound of both human and claimant voices marred by ecstasy. The moans and screams which filled the building, the debauchery which could be seen almost everywhere which wasn’t the direct path leading to the main chambers where he was headed. Fornication and sensual indulgence surrounded him like a haze, as if everyone were incapable of registering anything outside of those carnal desires. Some claimants he knew of, some he did not, all of them looking as if they were intoxicated beyond reason and acting on some instinct paramount to that of an impossible hunger for the body which could not be quelled. He was entirely disgusted. 


Step by step he continued his way past multiple halls and doorways. The air was filled with a thin yet visible mist which seemed to come from the bodies of the denizens themselves, walking up the stairway to the door which rested ahead of him where he placed his hands against the cold stone before feeling the soft tug on his cape. His head turned slightly to spot a human woman who looked almost dazed, yet with a smile on her face. Her eyes were dilated, lips covered in blood which was not her own, face red as her breaths heaved. He knew what this was and for a moment thought to execute her on the spot, but that would no doubt cost him greatly. 


“Arc’l, lay with me. You haven’t been here in so long. Just take a break with us,” her mentioning of his mere name called forth others who also seemed to be in the same drunken state. 


“I will not. My duties cannot be ignored. Return to your indulgences, I have business to attend.” 


“You’re always so stiff, but I suppose you can’t keep our lady waiting,” the woman said as she rose to her feet and lifted her lips to the side of his helmet where a whisper left her lips. “You should ask her for a drink. A single glass would be enough.” 


“That is not my purpose,” he stated as his eyes glanced over at her bare-naked body. 


“As steadfast as ever. Farewell then, you’ll no doubt join us in these halls eventually.” 


A part of him was offended, but more than that he was disgusted. He stepped forward as the door parted ways under the force of his hands, the room ahead like some twisted throne. The carpet continued forward, the sound of sexual acts of all forms echoing off the walls as he could visibly see them all around. The voices like the wails of both spirits and the living as they indulged themselves to a point of no return, but his focus was entirely ahead. The throne which rested on the opposite end of the room looked as if it were crafted from the hardened blood of some unknown beast, surrounded by human bones which were accompanied by the floor stained red with blood all around it. The throne itself was empty. 


He stepped forward with caution, his eyes following the stairs which rested at either side of the seat and rose above it to a doorway which let off an ominous crimson glow. His chest ached just looking at it, his blood pumping through his veins like rapids flowing down a mountainside, but it was no different from every other time. He did not speak or call out once he reached the throne itself, did not overstep his position, did not think to even step out of line in the slightest. Arc’l simply fell on one knee and kept his head looking up at the door. 


“相変わらずリーガル.” Her voice whispered into his ear from seemingly nowhere. “そんな盲目的な奴隷生活にうんざりしませんか?” 
(Regal as ever.) (Don't you ever get bored of such blind servitude?) 



“You simply need to understand your place, Kana. You forget yourself.” 


“私は何も忘れていません. あなたには盲目的な忠誠心を見渡す目が欠けているだけです.” 
(I haven't forgotten anything; you simply lack the eyes to see past your blind loyalty.) 



“Don’t test me, witch.” 


“That’s a new one, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Remember, you were the one who barely made the cut to even be chosen, Shadow Lord.” 


He looked as if he were prepared to retaliate, but halted suddenly as his attention snapped to the pattering of bare footsteps. It wasn’t just him; the entirety of the hall fell deathly silent as they watched in both anticipation and desire for their hostess to show herself. They could both see it so clearly, the woman who stepped forward to the balcony with naught but a robe of red so thin it hid nothing, as if it were stitched together with threads of crimson sinew. Her eyes looking down on them all with something none of them could ever hope to understand. This was their leader, the object of their desire, and their queen. 


“I have come just as you’ve requested, Lady Lilith.” 


“Late as always, Arc’l. Your inability to arrive when I desire fills my soul with dread,” the words slipped through her lips in a manner so pleasant it made him uneasy yet caused him to lower his head. “I expect far better from you.” 


“I apologize-” 


He found himself silent again, the feeling of his head being lifted back up as his eyes met with hers. Arc’l could never understand how one person could be so fast. Was she not even midway down the stairs less than a second ago? However, he could not focus on that. He had clearly made a mistake, to have her take action like this. Her expression did not show any malice or disdain, but her eyes were an entirely different story. As if they were peeling the skin from his very flesh. 


“I did not request a response, shadow. Those eyes of yours, hidden behind this mask you choose to wear, are clear for me to see. That is the reason you are here with such a lovely shade of red. Those eyes belong to me, and I would not have my belongings remain as weak as you currently are.” 


“Lady Lilith,” Kana started as she finally showed herself. “May I speak?” 


The aikekunai looked at the claimant as if checking her for weaknesses, lapses in her defense or seams in her stance. With that moment passing by like years she would turn her attention back to Arc’l before removing her fingers from his helmet and walking to her throne. She pointed to one of the human women sitting off to the side and gestured for her to approach; an action she did with a smile. It was almost as if the human had been enveloped in euphoria simply by being selected or even noticed. Even more so when Lilith took the woman in her arms and placed her upon her lap when sitting upon her seat. 


“I suppose you may speak, Kana.” 


“Thank you, Lady Lilith. It is a rare occasion for you to call both Arc’l and I here like this... together. Is there some special reasoning behind this?” 


“Observant, just as I taught you to be. Remain that way and you may never be caught lacking,” she responded before a sigh escaped her lips. The action alone caused most of the room to swoon. Kana was visibly disgusted by the reaction. “We will be meeting today and you two will be accompanying me as my entourage.” 


“A meeting? Who might you be meeting with?” 


“Who else? If this were Xainayne I would not care for your company. However, I am not so lucky,” she said as her lips pressed against the neck of the woman in her care. “Oni is asking for me, believes the five of us should meet to discuss boundaries, but it is most likely some form of way for Arthur to attempt goading me into doing things their way.” 


“Lady Lilith, if I may?” Arc’l spoke to which the woman nodded in his direction before lifting the woman’s arm and biting into her wrist. “What reason would they have to target you in this manner? Would it even be wise?” 


“Don’t be so naïve, Arc’l,” Kana started. “Look around you. They most likely want the members of their respective houses back which are here. I doubt she’s willing to give them up.” 


“Correct,” Lilith began as she removed her lips from the woman’s arm. “Not just their houses. It would seem there are quite a few parties upset with me. Personally, I do not give a damn. There are only a few Ancients I believe would give me problems, all the others are fodder if I play my hands properly. However, I do not want to bring a catastrophe of that magnitude to Xainayne, and I would prefer not to fight my fellow aikekunai. So, this is a negotiation of sorts. You two will be there for the experience alone.” 


“My lady?” the woman in her lap whispered to which Lilith smiled and bit her lip before placing them against her own. It only took a few swallows before her eyes rolled back and she seemed to relax indefinitely. 


“You two will not speak, will not act without my permission. You will follow me and stand at my sides. You are my apprentices, and I would have that to be a well-known fact. The fear you are meant to bring to the other houses should rest within your eyes and be a beacon no one can ignore. Kana, my assassin, shrouded in absolute darkness. Arc’l, my knight, fearmonger of the shadows. I will have every claimant fearful to ever act without proper thought. Forever afraid of the dark and its looming night.” 


“Is that entirely necessary?” Kana asked the woman. 


The response was swift, but not with words. The woman sitting in her lap now resting on the seat of her throne as Lilith placed her hand on the claimant’s shoulder. She could feel the pressure keeping her from moving, holding her in place as she realized the error of her words. It was always a foolish endeavor to question their teacher, their master. Every time she looked into the woman’s eyes it carried a feeling of helplessness that could not be easily escaped. However, when being forced to look directly into them at close range, the feeling was amplified by hundreds of thousands of times. Especially so when they carried such a strong sense of madness. 


“Necessity is determined by my desires, and my desires alone. You two will be shaped by me whether you desire it or not, because what matters above all else are my desires. These lost lambs will learn fear. A fear so thick they could choke to death on it, be strangled by it as they rest in their beds at night. Only then, when they are helplessly submerged in that fear, will they understand the weight of my desires. I will never lose a single one of my desires again. No one will so long as my eyes are illuminated.” 


“Sounds to me like you’re trying to convince yourself,” a voice started from above. “It seems that all of your foolish choices have finally caught up with you.” 


“Is that correct?” Lilith’s voice made Kana’s spine shiver, but it was Arc’l who remained stalwart as his eyes shifted upward to the source. 


“Your foolishness is a stain on all of us. Your very actions the cause for countless changes in the claimant society and yet you’d still find it within yourself to speak so freely?” His words were like fire as the red within his helmet began to glow brightly. “Know your place, filth! Your life persists by mere chance, and yet you’d even begin to speak so freely-” 


“Enough Arc’l,” Lilith said in a calm manner. “I understand your cause for anger, but this is not the time for it.” 


The two watched as her feet left the ground and her body became a thick mist of darkness. It rose into the air, directly to the source of words which caused her student to react in such a manner, and it was there it reformed itself into the woman which caused the entire building to gasp and utter in turmoil and fear. Some cowering while others looked up with eyes on the brink of tears. There weren’t many things which caused their mistress to wear a face riddled with so much disgust and rage, but this was certainly one of those moments. The entire room seemingly engulfed entirely in a shade of red which could poison the soul if it were weak enough. 


“Am I supposed to be intimidated, Lilith?” 


“Not intimidated. There is no reason for that because you will always live so long as I can help it. It was your personal actions which caused this, your personal vendetta which molded this scenario. Speak however you see fit, say whatever you please, but it will not change anything. Your actions have weighed heavily on all claimants, and for the sake of my anger it will forever persist. So, hang here, bound by chains for all eternity. All you can do now is watch as I expand my household. Then, when I feel there is nothing left I have not touched, I will set you free to witness the world you have created.” 


“As if anyone would allow you to go so far...” 


“Oh, my dear foolish claimant,” Lilith started as she pierced her finger with her teeth and allowed the blood to drip into his eyes. “You are ignorantly assuming that I plan on giving anyone a choice.”

“You have a guest, Xainayne.” 


“What,” the Ancient responded with an annoyed glare. “Send them away, I’m not meeting with anyone right now.” 


“With all due respect that would be impossible.” 


“Why? How could that possibly be the case? Just tell them to go!” 


“It would be in your best interest to greet them properly, as they’re already approaching you as we speak. I’ll be taking my leave.” 


“Seriously?” 


All he could do was watch as the woman disappeared in the same annoying way she often arrived. A guest arriving in the Vortex was already unreasonable to begin with, but to show up so suddenly? There wasn’t a proper means of punishment he could think of in that moment. However, there was something bothering him overall. It was one of Mayray’s peons who came to deliver the message, but they visited him just as often as she did. If they were the ones coming to him with reports like this that could only mean this would involve her brother. 


“Xainayne! It looks like you’ve been... busy,” Zorelle began as she entered the tent. “Not that I’ve ever cared much for your taste in decoration.” 


“Of course it’s you. Don’t you have anyone else to bother?” 


“Don’t be like that. I’ve been dealing with your baggage for a few years now. The least you could do is greet me like a proper host.” 


“Why are you here, Zorelle? I don’t remember calling for you and you didn’t give proper notice of your arrival.” 


“Why else?” She asked him as she leaned forward with a smile. “I just brought the boy back. He should be here any moment after dealing with a few problems outside. I wouldn’t say there are many changes, nothing too crazy, but he does seem to be a bit more enlightened as to who he is...” 


Her words seemed to fade into the background. Several years had passed by so quickly, and what seemed like such a long time was finally reaching its conclusion. The idea was to have him learn a bit more through experience in as short a time as possible. There was everything he gained from Arc’l, and that alone could carry him a long way, but there were still things he needed to experience for himself to make excellent use of those parts of his past life. However, there was a pressure which filled the air in quite an unsettling manner. 


Zorelle’s eyes turned back to the entrance, as if she could feel it too. Xainayne could not tell if this was better or worse when seeing how things had managed to turn out. Seeing him after all this time, he certainly looked displeased. A black beard covering his face and connecting to a head of curly black hair. He wore what looked like a mix of black leather and chainmail; a black cloak draped over his shoulders which, at closer inspection, was nothing more than darkness swaddled over his frame. His eyes held a thick glow, one which could drown the unprepared if they looked directly into them. This was the Gahbreal he had hoped to craft, the aikekunai he had hoped to see, the- 


“Didn’t I say to wait for me?” His voice was gruff and mature compared to what it once was. 


“Shut up, I’m still your elder you little shit. Besides, I wasn’t going to sit around all day while you toyed with your food.” 


“Don’t make it seem so simple. I've been gone for quite some time. I had to make sure things were still in proper order.” 


 


No one would know it, not unless they were alive to experience it for themselves. The way he carried himself, the way he spoke as if constantly talking down to everyone around him, the callous air of unparalleled superiority, those were the traits of the wolf. The characteristic behavior of the first Gahbreal.


 


“Gahbreal,” Xainayne started as he watched the male approach. “You look as if you’re standing tall.” 


“Don’t waste my time with flattery, Xainayne. I lack the patience for that type of crap these days. I came before handling my work to see if there was anything important which needed to be said, but it looks like that was a poor mistake.” 


“Holy shit,” Zorelle said with wide eyes. 


“You’re still here?” 


“Of course! You thought I’d miss this? I knew this was going to be a bad idea from the start, but I guess you didn’t put much thought behind it.” 


“You’re talking too much, Zorelle. If you’re going to take up space, then do it silently.” 


Xainayne halfway expected the earth claimant to lose her temper and react in a way befitting for who she was. Instead, he found himself surprised when she looked at him as if sizing him up before letting out a puff of air and turning up her nose. She crossed her arms, a clear sign that she was not pleased, but refrained from acting. 


“Fine but be quick. I have things to discuss with Xainayne.” 


“If you insist... now then, I’ll make this as short as possible for the sake of time,” he started as he poured a glass of wine for both himself and the Ancient. At this point it felt like more of a personal custom to do so, but also a means to calm both of their nerves. “I’ll be visiting my family estate, checking the status of my relatives, then I will be getting work settled.” 


“You won’t be taking a break before doing all of that? I did have you aiding in some simple battles, so I have reason to believe you’d be exhausted.” 


“I’ll rest when my work is done. The faster everyone realizes that there is a punishment for their insubordination, the sooner they’ll begin to remember what fear is. Claimants like lambs, they will know the weight of their choices when straying too far from the flock. That is my purpose as the Wolf hunting the Lost.” 


“Well, I’ll call on you if anything important needs your attention.” 


“Of course. I’m taking off now. I’ll be in contact,” the words he left the Ancient with before vanishing into a plume of darkness. 


“Well, that was...” 


“Unsettling?” Zorelle spoke. “I noticed it when I spoke with him at length, Xainayne. You’ve been hiding things from him.” 


“I’ve been telling him what he needs to hear.” 


“You’re making a mistake. This isn’t going to turn out how you hope. Not with his type of personality and curiosity.” 


“I’ll be the one to decide that.” Xainayne sipped from his glass before continuing. “Do you plan to nag me all afternoon, or will I have to throw you out.” 


“I’ll leave now if it gets me away from this hellhole you call a home. However,” Zorelle’s expression shifted to one more serious than before. “Both Kana and Arc’l were the chosen students of your previous aikekunai, and that boy is the descendant of Kana as well as the life Arc’l has chosen to be next as aikekunai. This won’t recreate Marz, no matter how hard you try.” 


“You say that as if it would be some impossibility.” 


“I didn’t say it was impossible, but I will point out one final thing you’re neglecting before I go.” Xainayne’s brow furrowed following her words. “Gahbreal is a good kid, and those parts of him are very much like Marz, but at the end of the day it won’t matter. His direct family is that of Kana’s line, his life was crafted under Arc’l, both of those claimants were not Marz’s students and they barely answered to you. They belonged almost entirely to Lilith.” 


“I know that Zorelle.” 


“Then you should know exactly how that boy will turn out if you feed into his instincts. Let him be himself so that he may grow personally, but if you continue guiding him in this direction you will no doubt craft another aikekunai who will be nothing but problems for everyone... including himself.” 


Her brow furrowed, lips parting softly as a sigh slipped through her teeth. Her eyes were like garnet resting with the sun at their backs, hair like a drape of black strands tied up into a tightly woven bun of braids. In the palm of her hand rested a black feather which seemed to sing a terrible song of omens and trials, but that was exactly the reason she was there to begin with, why her fingers clutched the item crafted from darkness tightly and her eyes narrowed to fine lines, red pins glaring at their center. She was worried, although she did not enjoy showing it. Or perhaps the better word would be confused. 


“Should I be concerned?” Xainayne’s voice interrupted her thoughts as he entered the room. “I believe this may be the first time you’ve ever come to me on your own. Forgive me if I’m led to believe there is a problem.” 


“It’s about Lilith. I have some questions.” 


“Interesting. Ask away, there isn’t anything to hide.” 


“Then I’ll do just that... the way she fights, I have seen it myself on multiple occasions. However, I’m left curious wondering just how much you’ve taught her. Did she learn it all from you?” 


“I’m surprised you even cared to ask about that,” he said before sitting down. 


“Something isn’t adding up.” 


“Is that right? Well, no, she learned nothing from me. I taught Marz most of what he knows involving combat, but he personally did his own research when it came to etiquette and manners. He wanted a role that was more subservient, and I had to teach him combat personally. He was essentially perfect in every way except for combat, but he knew practically nothing about how to fight.” 


“That was why he fought like a subpar version of yourself more or less... but, that doesn’t explain Lilith.” 


“There isn’t much to explain. You’ve seen her, right? The way she operates?” 


“She’s a seductress, almost worse than Phita’s brats when working and yet she doesn’t much care for bodily pleasures as much as she cares for the desires. I’ve seen her sneak into places and empty them out, as if having entire buildings full of people just disappear.” 


“She fancies herself a spy, but she’s more like a professional mass murderer, right?” Xainayne pointed to the palm of his hand for a moment before continuing. “If Marz, in terms of combat, were this point in my palm... that would make Lilith the entire hand. She’s naturally gifted, talented in every field of battle and a success among all claimants who have seen her fight. She’s an object of both frustration and envy for many claimants, and it’s all due to her gifted combat prowess.” 


“Essentially, she has always been perfect from the start.” 


“Exactly. I taught her nothing because she fights almost as if it’s instinct. She knew everything involving violence from the moment she was discovered to be an existence. The Ancients all know that to be true, but that’s because we all saw the main biological difference between her and everyone else.” 


“Her pseudo invincibility...” 


“Precisely. Marz did not know the cause behind his ability to be damaged by human weapons, but he knew he could regenerate from it. Even so, he avoided taking damage at all times because the pain could still be felt, and it would take time to regain what was lost. When Lilith arrived, it was entirely different. She showed us that her regeneration can happen more or less immediately. She shrugs off pain like it doesn’t exist, and because of that she just takes attacks of all kinds as if they’re nothing. It was through her that we learned she literally can’t die unless mortally wounded by a true claimant weapon, and if she isn’t mortally wounded then she will regenerate over an extended period. That or-” 


“She’ll regenerate faster by devouring others... how troublesome could one claimant get? And you said she was already capable of fighting the way she does upon arriving?” 


“Indeed. What could I possibly teach someone who doesn’t feint or block attacks? Doesn’t dodge, doesn’t guard? Someone who will allow half of their head to be cut off because she doesn’t have to worry about losing it? By every sense of the word, Lilith is a monster.” 


“That’s what I don’t get. You said she doesn’t guard, and I noticed that as well, but how often does she use a shield?” The question itself sounded almost blasphemous. 


“A shield? I’ve never seen her use a shield before. I’ve seen her block weapons with her nails, when she cares for them properly, but she only really cares to put up a defense of that sort when being attacked by claimant weapons.” 


“So, it would be odd for her to utilize a shield against a human?” 


“That would be completely out of character for her.” 


Kana looked confused for a moment, but also lost in thought. It wasn’t something Xainayne let slide by easily. These questions were all oddly specific and since they involved his aikekunai then it was all something that mattered. Kana had essentially become the woman’s shadow for the most part, but that just made all her worries involving Lilith even more legitimate. If she was noticing some type of change then it would only be proper to assume there was something to investigate or observe, but jumping to conclusions would solve nothing. 


“In the last battle she took part in, she fought defensively for the most part. Giving orders in a commander role while only joining the fight at specific times. She has also been using a spear rather than her bare hands. It’s almost like she’s keeping her body as far away from her enemies as possible.” 


“Interesting... well, wondering won’t do us any good,” Xainayne said as he poured himself a glass of wine. 


“What are you doing?” 


“What does it look like? I’m getting ready to call her here.” 
It always managed to be some sort of ordeal for the Ancient when dealing with Lilith, and especially involving conversations. No matter what it was they chose to talk about she would always derail the conversation into whatever she wanted to talk about. No matter how serious the conversation was it would always turn out that way. It wasn’t enough for her to have her collection of claimants crawling at her heels, but she also felt that Xainayne belonged to her as well. Or at least that no one else was deserving of the Ancient other than herself. It made every conversation they had an attempt at Xainayne to be serious while Lilith did nothing outside of flirt and act out. 


“It’s about time you showed up,” Xainayne started to which Kana began to turn around only to freeze when feeling slender arms wrapping around her shoulders. 


“You must forgive me, I had to pick out something proper to wear. I was not expecting a call from you so late at night.” 


Kana felt entirely out of place and was left wondering why Xainayne had told her to stay for this meeting. Lilith’s presence now both figuratively and physically weighed her down. She understood that Lilith was relatively harmless to this of their own house. It was the thought of having someone who could snap her neck in two without even putting forth effort just appear behind her so suddenly. 


“At least you decided to put something on before coming here, unlike last time.” 


“Oh please, it is an honor to be in the presence of my bare body. You should count yourself lucky to have ever seen it.” 


“Is this how these meetings normally go?” Kana spoke to which the woman chuckled and placed her lips next to her ear. 


“Quiet now, child. The grownups are speaking,” words like acid melting away her spirit. She could taste the malice in the air just from those few words. A voice so pleasant and yet a feeling in her spine which wanted her to flee. 


“Don’t bully the girl, Lilith.” 


“Fine, fine. Besides, I would like to return as soon as possible. I do not wish to cause any worry.” 


Worry? 


“Then I’ll be quick. How have the battles been going? No setbacks or major issues?” 


“Is that all? Everything has been perfectly fine. Not a single loss, as if I would ever allow that, and our claimants are as resilient as ever. Specifically, this little raven right here,” Lilith’s words almost caused a fire to ignite in Kana’s chest, even more so when she felt the woman’s lips plant a soft kiss on the top of her head. “Good work.” 


“I... thank you, Lady Lilith.” 


“So, is that all?” 


“I suppose. So long as there are no major issues, you’re free to go. I’ll contact you if anything comes up, as always.” 


“Then I will be on my way. Expect me to drop by unannounced one of these days. My husband has been dying to have a conversation with you.” 


“Your what?!” Xainayne exclaimed before looking directly at Kana who shrugged in a manner which said she had no idea what the woman was talking about. “When did you get married?!” 


“When? It has been a few years now.” 


“Years! Why have I not heard about any of this? When did it happen? There was no ceremony!” 


“I simply desired it and made it as such myself.” 


“That’s not how that works!” 


“It is not such a big deal. Besides, it would only make sense that we are married at this point... Then again, I suppose now would be a proper time to have you meet.” 


“Why would you bring them here now of all times?” 


“Not him, silly.” 


Kana could feel all her anxieties melt away the moment Lilith’s arms were removed from her shoulders, but that only gave way to an entirely new set of worries once she turned to view the woman who had now stepped past her to close the gap between aikekunai and Ancient. Kana could tell by the look on Xainayne’s face that he was just as baffled as she was, but that did not stop Lilith from smiling as she pressed her hands against her carefully rounded belly. 


“You were always wearing armor, so I never noticed,” Kana started as she slipped up to the woman’s side. “Is that truly?” 


“Of course, what else would it be?” 


“Congratulations, Lady Lilith.” 


“I believe we have passed the seven-month period not too long ago.” 


Xainayne looked as if he could die and yet these two were just talking away as if this were a normal day. All he could think about was the difficulty of managing Lilith herself, but now there was the slightest possibility of two! 


“I’ll assume that the father is this husband you spoke of?” 


“Correct.” 


“Human?” 


“Indeed, and quite kind. I feel as if his interests will get him killed. However, I cannot help but want to see his desires met. This was just an... unexpected turn of events.” 


“UNEXPECTED?! You eat those!” 


“Is that why you’ve been fighting differently on the battlefield?” Kana asked to which the woman nodded. 


“While I can survive a multitude of attacks, I do not know if the same applies for this one.” There was a moment in which Lilith looked down at her stomach before sighing. “I will have to be careful.” 


“You’ve brought more stress here than I could have ever possibly imagined.” 


“Do not act so fragile, Xainayne. Besides, they will only be another piece of your house. If I am being entirely honest, I did not know how much of a desire this would be for me until it began. But now I wish to see this through. This life, this solitary desire. I plan to make it everything.” 


“Is that right? Well, there isn’t much I can do about that... go home, rest, and I’ll let you know if you’re needed again.” 


“I will be seeing a few others before I go. Farewell Xainayne, little raven.” 


The way the woman became a cloud of black mist and disappeared was as quick as always, but the lingering effects of her visit were as present as ever. Xainayne could swear his insides were swirling like a tornado every time the thought crossed his mind. The amount of trouble this could cause was far higher than any good it could do. Kana knew that as well. 


“I’ll have to get her a gift of some sort,” Kana said as she placed her fingers against her chin. 


“Well, aren’t you particularly pleased.” 


“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased. This opens too many doors that I do not believe you are willing to close. It is, in every sense of the word, a problem. However, this is Lilith we’re talking about. It’s only a problem for anyone willing to make her their enemy.” 


“I’m more concerned with another claimant growing up to be like her. She is already enough trouble when she wants to be. Imagining two of her makes my mind ache.” 


“Well, there isn’t anything we can do now. Perhaps this would be a good chance for you to take a more direct role in the child’s life. I’m sure Lilith would be pleased by that, and you could raise them properly as well. At least so we don’t have another one of ours eating the humans.” 


“Perhaps that would be a possibility,” Xainayne said before sighing. “For now, we’ll keep her away from any battles. Get a few hands to help her manage her territory, the last thing we need is any mishaps. We’ll treat things as normal.” 


“Are you certain that’s wise? This could cause problems if she becomes too relaxed.” 


“Relaxed is exactly what I want things to be. Besides, there’s no telling what may happen or when. It is best to play things safe when involving her. If this were Marz it would be a different story, but we don’t have that luxury. In the meantime, you will be her replacement. Command her armies, win her battles. Her fighters are more than capable, so you’ll have no reason to fight yourself.” 


“Fine. But don’t think that means I’ll be allowing you to order me around.” 


“Of course. As if you’d ever listen if I tried.” 


How long had it been since he’d visited this place? His eyes rested on the building for a moment before he made his way inside, the doors opening with a subtle silence which echoed throughout the entire area. Gahbreal knew the entire estate was filled with humans and claimants, but there was never a sound to be heard unless someone wanted to be heard. It was for that reason he also didn’t make a single sound. His steps, his breathing, his every movement leaving no sound behind as he approached the statue which waited motionlessly in the center of the luxury foyer. It wasn’t until his face was mere centimeters away from the statue that he spoke. 


“Cousin,” his voice nearly shocked the soul out of the woman as she immediately gasped in panic. 


“By the Void! Can you not contain yourself Gahbreal?” Her words were only met with laughter which shattered the silence which had previously existed. “Honestly, you’re such an asshole!” 


“Be that as it may, it’s your fault for being unprepared.” 


“You almost never visit here, why would I be prepared for anything you do?” 


“And I thought you knew me better than that. Auntie Nostelle would be beside herself with anger if she heard you say something like that.” 


“Yeah, well I’m not supposed to keep my eyes on you Gahbreal,” she took a deep breath before continuing. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were on some important tasks from Xainayne.” 


“I was, but now I finished and thought I’d stop by.” 


“And you didn’t think to return home? I’m sure your mother is dying to see you.” 


“She can see me whenever she wants. I have no obligation to see her.” 


“I see you two are still fighting.” 


“Well, it’s her own fault.” 


There was a brief moment in which the two did not speak. Gahbreal never seemed to enjoy the topic of his mother, but his cousin always brought it up whenever they met. It wasn’t her attempt at spiting him. In fact, she felt that it was something the two of them should have settled long ago. Gahbreal refused to even see her and Kikana wasn’t the type of person who chose to acknowledge things of this nature in a straightforward manner. Because of that it made the chances of them bringing things to a proper conclusion nearly impossible. Or at least that was what one of her mothers had said. 


“You’ll never get anywhere with an attitude like that, Gahbreal. You should-” 


“あなたの意見を聞いた覚えはありません、ノクスティーナ.” 
(I don't recall asking your opinion, Nokstina.) 


“Of course. I apologize, Gahbreal.” 


“...Sorry, I shouldn’t let my temper get the better of me,” the woman found herself amply surprised when feeling his arms wrap around her. A part of her felt he would surely snap her in half, but she was pleasantly surprised to find it being nothing more than a hug. “It’s good to see you again.” 


“I... uh... likewise.” Her response was staggered as she eventually chose to return the embrace. “You’re a bit more relaxed than normal. Almost like mother.” 


“Please don’t compare me to auntie Kikara.” 


“I had a feeling you were here,” the woman’s voice overshadowed everything around them as Gahbreal’s eyes turned to meet her. “You’re the only person to this day who can agitate your cousin enough have her raise her voice. Then again you two have always had a problem keeping quiet when around one another.” 


This would be the end of his reunion with his cousin and the start of his true reason for coming here. He released her just as she did him, both turning to the woman who took carefully silent steps down the stairs. It wasn’t that she was stronger or more capable by any means, but there was a reason for him to respect her that caused them both to lower their heads into a bow no one else would ever receive from him. The weight of her presence was always something he enjoyed, but that was only due to how it did not really matter to him. His cousin, on the other hand, always seemed nervous when around her. 


“帰ってきましたよ、おばあちゃん.” 
(I have returned, grandmother.”) 


“全ての儀式は必要ありません。あなたは何のためにここにいるの？理由がなければあなたが現れないことはわかっています.” 
(No need for all the ceremony. What are you here for? I know you wouldn't show up without a reason.) 


“質問がありますので、あなたなら答えられると思います。私はあなたを大いに尊敬していますが、虚偽の情報は容認しません。誰もが私が求めているものを古代人が与えてくれるのを待つべきだと信じているようです...私にはこれ以上待つ忍耐力がないと思います.” 
(I have questions which I believe you can answer. While I hold a great deal of respect for you, I won't be tolerating false information. Everyone seems to believe I should wait for the Ancient to give me what I seek... I do not believe I have the patience to wait around any longer.) 


“Hmm... come. We will discuss things in private,” Kaya said before turning to Nokstina. “Go and inform your mothers of your cousin’s arrival. I’m certain they would like to say hello.” 


“Yes, grandmother,” the woman spoke before vanishing into darkness itself. 


“Now then, with her prying ears out of the way we may speak freely. Believe it or not, it has only grown more difficult to keep secrets away from her. It’s almost as if she hears even what cannot be heard within these walls. That should keep her busy for the next half hour.” 


The two ascended the stairs until reaching that familiar long hallway he could never forget. The normal guards who would stand outside were in their normal positions and everything still looked the exact same. They did not speak or share any words the entire way, only stopping when reaching the door to his grandmother’s office which was quickly opened by the two who stood just outside of the door. They both entered, but Kaya turned before the doors were shut to give a single order. 


“Clear out the building. This conversation is to be kept strictly private. Now go,” an order which they all bowed their heads to before the doors shut between them. “Well then, what is it that you want to know?” 


“It involves the first of our line, Kana Dimea.” 


“Grandmother? Interesting, I don’t recall you ever having any interest in her.” 


“That wasn’t until I learned she was a student of Lilith’s... right beside Arc’l. I’ve heard many things surrounding them, but there are things which don’t add up. Particularly involving Lilith and why she would even care to take them in as pupils. I know very little about Arc’l and everyone tends to keep that information from me, especially Xainayne. But with Lilith it always seems like it's either Xainayne describing her as passive and kind, or a claimant making her out to be a warlord and harbinger of vile acts.” 


“And you’d like me to differentiate the two for you?” 


“Not only that, but also explain who Arc’l was. He is my previous life. All I know is that he was a capable individual, but other than that there is no other information. All I’ve gained from him is his combat knowledge. I don’t even know much about who he was.” 


“Hmph, well what exactly would you like to know?” 


“I’d like to know why there are two sides to Lilith like this, and who exactly Arc’l was. I at least deserve those answers.” 


Kaya looked at him for a moment as if sizing him up. Checking for gaps in his steadfast gaze but finding none as always. This wasn’t the type of information that could just be shared around to anyone, and Xainayne would most likely be unpleased to learn that she gave it to him to begin with, but wouldn’t that very reason alone be enough for her to comply? Besides, just like Kana, Kaya hated Xainayne with no chance for change in resolution. 


“Fine. Those are both things I can answer, but the source of that information isn’t to leave this room. I’ll be speaking quickly so we can finish this up before your cousin returns, so listen closely.” 


The day was calm, the air more subtle and cool than it normally was. Days like these would often make her think of her home back in the northeast, but now she was content with her thoughts remaining on where she was now. Her actions went unhindered, often wildly so, mainly due to how they rarely ever affected anyone. It was only when she preyed on claimants that it became a problem for others who shared the same house. Of course, the aikekunai did not care so long as she did not indulge herself in toying with those they cared for. Even so, it had been a long while since she had even done anything. 


“Lilith.” The voice caught her attention from ahead. None other than Baramecht approaching from the tree line. 


'Since when did he get out there? Since when was I outside? If I recall I was sitting inside, waiting for him to prepare a meal. He has become so good at working his blood into meals, but I do enjoy it directly from the source more than anything else.'


“Lilith,” she could hear the voice at the same tempo, the same distance, the same rhythm. “Lilith, you have to get up.” 


‘What?’ 


She looked at him and things felt... odd. He looked as if he were moving in her direction, but the gap between them seemed to remain unclosed. Her eyes squinted, but they couldn’t seem to focus. This didn’t feel right, like anything else she had ever experienced, but it was so substantially calm compared to what she knew. It felt almost as if she were floating on air, the colors around them more vibrant than they normally were, the taste of the air flowing with nature around them far more distinct. The abnormality of serenity drove her senses wild and drew a smile to her face. 


‘So, this is a dream? He often explained to me what they were, but I did not experience them until now. I do not sleep. It is beyond me, but perhaps with me dreaming as I am now that means I am growing ever so slightly closer to him...’ 


“Lilith.” 


‘Queen of the Demons, my red eyed kindred. Am I not seen as the most violent and vile of claimants? My record of deeds enough to tarnish even the purest soul? I do not understand feelings or emotions like others do, but I understand desires. The desire to take, the desire to have, the desire to want everything within your reach. O how low I would dive for my desires.’ 


“Lilith. Look at me.” 


‘I have slain both mothers and fathers, their children even, their souls all tabs on my list to the void. I do not smile because I am happy, nor frown because I am angry, nor do I cry when upset. My everything acts in accordance with my desires. It is why Xainayne and Baramecht both believe others do not understand. No one, except for you... but perhaps I've been wrong this entire time...’ 


“Lilith, please.” 


‘Just let me dream for a bit longer, dear. My soul feels so much lighter here. The taste of blood does not foul my mouth, my eyes do not cause all creatures to flee... I wonder if while I am here then everyone would forgive me for taking their friends and family as I have?’ 


“Lilith...” 


‘I wonder, perhaps, if all the claimants who have tasted my blood are free here? Perhaps I could start over? Just you and me? And of course, this small desire of mine.’ 


A small chuckle escaped her lips, as if the first in a long while. For a moment her eyes softened as she looked down where her hand rested on her stomach, a smile gracing her features as the wind sang a solemn melody in her ears. Peace did not seem bad. For a moment, her desires all focused on a single point within the entirety of the universe. That desire she had no intention of meeting until she allowed herself to falter for the first time. 


“Don’t worry, Lilith... I will wake you...” 


‘They will need a name like their father's. Abstract, but with proper depth and balance. A name fitting for a small warrior of Xainayne’s house. We shall name her-’ 


Baramecht gritted his teeth, straining as hard as he could while drawing the sword from Lilith’s skull. There was so much blood, almost like a never-ending fountain of it pouring from the wound. Thick blood, so red it was almost pink, glowing with an otherworldly vibrancy, the same blood he had seen the first day he met her. It splattered all over his face, into his mouth, on his clothes and skin, but it wasn’t enough to make him stop pulling until the weapon was dislodged from her body. It was almost immediately when the weapon was drawn out that she gasped as if regaining life. 


Her eyes seemed to shake about wildly before focusing directly on the ceiling above. She did not understand what was happening. Was she not just dreaming? Or perhaps it was some sort of ruse? There was... shock... but the source was unknown. Her legs and arms were all attached, she could feel them all still in place, but they refused to adhere to her commands. The very moment she could feel her fingers and toes shift even slightly was the moment she attempted to lift herself up from her lying down position. 


“Wait!” Baramecht stopped her, forcing her to lie back down. “Listen to me Lilith!” 


“Baramecht? What has happened?” 


“Don’t move, don’t speak, just listen... my time is slipping away. Just give me a moment to speak.” 


Lilith was confused even more, wondering what he could be talking about before finally looking in his direction. Giving him the attention he deserved, only to find both of his legs severed. One at the calf and one at the thigh, while his entire left arm was completely gone. 


“What is going on?” 


“Listen to me Lilith!” It was odd, hearing him yell with so much desperation. He had been faced with wild animals, things a human could not hope to survive and remained more composed. “Don’t look at anything but me, okay?” 


“Okay. Speak.” 


“I’m retracting our promise.” 


“Wha-” 


“There is no point to it now, and I very well can’t allow you to starve... I’m not living through this; I don’t have the strength left to keep clinging to life past helping you... but I want to replace our previous promise with another.” 


“A new promise?” she spoke as if his words did not yet seem real. 


“Yes, please, for both of us,” he said as he placed his bloodied hand atop her own. “You will not know how to feel, but I want you to feel angry. I want you to feel rage. I want you to let your emotions run wild but target them towards anyone who would ever do something like this again. I want you to feel everything I can feel so that you can make it all a reality.” 


“Your promise is for me to make the promise a reality? I do not-” 


“Lilith... please,” his breaths becoming more staggered and strained. “That was not my promise, but a predatory request... my real promise is for you to fulfil my last desire...” 


The words sparked something in her mind. Calling it his last desire and yet she did not even know he had a first. The man had only ever spoke and worked towards need. He wasn’t materialistic at all and often chided her for her vast scale of desires that seemed to surpass any proper limit. 


“Tell me your desire, my soul.” 


“I want you to get revenge... I want you to make certain that the ones who did this are punished in the worst possible way... I want you to... to seek out your desires and meet them all, but at the same time make sure no one ever must suffer like this again... please.” 


Lilith did not know what to think. She knew it would be something serious, but this was far beyond what she had thought. It was almost as if he were speaking like her. No... it was worse. Had he been driven so deep into a corner in this moment? Was he this spiteful towards the person who would cause his death? It didn’t make any sense for him to act this way, but when he could no longer hold himself up and fell forward onto the woman, she realized the desperation which hid behind it all. 


“Baramecht.” 


“I know I'm speaking out of anger! I was too weak... to protect you... to protect her. But I will not have you held back because of me! So please... be yourself. Don't change for me or anyone else, but feel. Nothing is wrong with you. It’s everyone else... they don’t get it...” She could feel his hand tighten around her own, carrying it slowly to her stomach where it rested softly. “They’ll never understand...” 


“I... I don’t understand this. Baramecht?! What happened?!” 


“Feel it all... you’ll need that emotion, that anger, that same rage I feel. It will guide you correctly,” he before goin into what seemed like a daze. It was impossible to focus, but he still spoke the words which barely clung to his mind. “Can you do it? I want you to kill me.” 


“Me? I couldn't. I-” 


“Please... I can’t bear the thought of at least not being yours for one last time...” 


She looked at him for a moment. His eyes did not even look at her as he lay gazing off into who knows where. Perhaps he could see something she could not, but that did not matter. There was a bit of hesitation, but her teeth did drive themselves into his neck in those last moments. Her eyes closed tightly as she tasted that familiar taste. She could just barely see him smile, but it was suddenly difficult and blurry. He seemed so pleased, but would that make what she was feeling the opposite? She did not know. 


“Ah, yes... this cold sensation enveloped by a goddess' warmth... I’ve missed it... don’t worry, you won’t have to wander alone for long... Your papa is coming... to find you in... Elysian...” 


…Lilith lifted herself up to her feet with Baramecht in tow, placing the lifeless remnants of his corpse onto the bed they once shared. Her steps as she exited the building like echoes of disaster, barely capable of rising from the earth below her feet. She stopped once she found herself standing in sunlight, her mind racing with thoughts that did not seem to fit, or at least she believed that to be the case. However, it was all outweighed by the emotions she now allowed to wash over her like a red tide of blood as her fingers gripped into her stomach, fingers digging into her flesh as if to confirm what she already knew. It couldn't be doubted. What she had given so much focus, so much attention, so much love even when she did not truly understand what it meant to love...


“THERE’S NOTHING THERE...” 


She wanted to scream, to cry out, but all she managed was raising her foot from the ground below, slamming it back down with as much force as she could find in her body. The trees shook, the ground shaking as the building she may have once called a home tilted and crumbled, the earth cracking and shattering beneath her before settling once again into a mess of land. He told her to feel, but O did she hate this feeling. The way her teeth strained, the headache which filled her mind, the heat which seemed to boil up from within the depths of her soul, but most importantly was the inability to clear her eyes of tears. It was like a curse. 


Her body melted into a thick black, a mist which seemed to stain the very air itself before quickly rising to the clouds and moving through the air without faltering. It did not take long, no matter the distance, to reach her destination. The place she called her palace, her home, the unnamed manor which acted as both a castle fit for a queen as well as a haven for her desires to be piled up and collected like treasure. Seemingly covered in darkness even during the light of day. Upon reaching the building she returned to her normal form, feet hitting the ground as she approached the door only to hear the faint growl of a familiar creature. However, the act of defiance quickly became that of a fearful whimper. 


“Remain silent or I will eradicate your entirety,” the words escaped her lips in a growl as she swung the doors open. “Call on Kana! I need to see her immediately!” 


The claimants and humans alike who roamed the halls were now sparse, but they still jumped at the sound of her voice. Some were filled with shock from the sudden arrival, others filled with terror at the sight of her person. They did not know what had caused her to become like this, but they certainly knew that now was not the time to dare step out of line in the very slightest. She did not stop, knowing exactly where she was headed, door through door until reaching a large room located in the west wing of the manor. It was there she floated across the room with her hand wrapping around the neck of a certain individual. 


“L-lady Lilith?!” his voice staggered in panic. 


“Where are they! All of them! Your house’s armies, their hideaways, every single one!” 


“I can’t tell you something like that, I’d be killed!” 


“Then allow me to enlighten you,” the words like liquid magma as she tossed him against the nearest wall. He couldn’t even gain his bearings before she flashed to his position and pushed him through the walls of several rooms he could not register as screams echoed the halls. “You will speak, or you will die a death more dreadful than that of the most egregious form of torture ever imagined!” 


"I-I can’t! This choice ends with my death either way! Y-you’re asking me for too much!” 


“Lady Lilith?” Kana’s voice alerted the woman to her arrival. “What is going on here?” 


“I did not give you permission to speak!” Her voice made Kana’s stomach turn, the claimant’s spine telling her to flee and yet she knew that was a terrible idea. “This rat will not tell me the current location of active forces for his house. I will break every single bone in his body until he chooses to oblige me those details!” 


“Lady Lilith, if I may?” 


“My patience is running thin with you, little raven!” 


“I know the location of their only current active force, although they aren’t currently doing anything! What reason would you have to find them? Not to mention, because of their leaders, they are currently in a territory you should not-” 


“Speak of anything but their location any further and I will have one of your arms and eyes.” 


“...Gibraltar, just north of the border of Spain and Morocco. Surely you don’t plan to-” 


“Go and get one expendable, and both of you meet me there. This stays strictly between us and is not to be told to Xainayne. If you cannot follow that simple order, then I will destroy you with my own hands.” 


Kana could only watch as Lilith snapped the neck of the claimant in her grasp, tossing them to the floor like garbage before grabbing them by the leg and dragging them back to the entrance of the building. Kana followed behind as if expecting to receive additional orders, but as she watched the aikekunai toss the body to the pitch-dark large cat which sat just outside of the main entrance she flinched slightly the moment it began to tear through bone and flesh as if this were custom. Lilith looked as if, for a moment, she had found some form of calm. But when Kana could see her body begin to shake, her fists clenching as if attempting to crush any hope of peace she had left, it was clear that this would not be settled without some form of conflict. 


“Lady Lilith,” Kana began as she lowered herself down to a single knee for the first time. “What will you have me do upon returning to you?” 


“What? Is that not obvious?” Lilith’s eyes seemed almost crazed, as if losing more sanity with each passing second as they locked onto Kana and drew her attention away from anything else. “I will have what I desire. I will have my revenge! And if anyone chooses to stand in my way, then I will have war! You will be my general, and the expendable my knight to die if need be!” 


“I understand... I will do as you ask.” 


“Good. Do not fail me, Kana. Your life depends on it.” 


Kana watched as the woman shifted into a cloud of darkness, rising into the air before darting across the sky like a dark plague. In her mind she knew this was all a terrible idea, she knew that this would no doubt lead to some form of disaster, but there was a part of her which was not willing to betray this woman who held so much of her respect. She would not have called it loyalty before now, but it seemed that was the only word which could properly describe it. And so, she disappeared into darkness itself, an action which would set into motion a series of events which would craft a wolf among her claimants. A demon crafted by her queen. A descendant tested in blood and gifted everything his progenitor desired. 
“Do you all see that?” The claimant’s voice alerted the others. 


“What? You've been acting paranoid all day. If you keep acting like this, I’ll start thinking you’ve been hanging around that hound too much.” 


“We’re only here because of the King’s consort. Nothing is going to happen, or no one would be stupid enough to try anything,” another responded with a hardy laugh. 


“Am I truly the only person who sees that?!” 


“Novevu’s grace, if it will shut you up. What could possibly... be so... by the void.” 


They began to turn in tandem, gasps and discourse growing amongst their ranks as they aimed their eyes toward the sky which had steadily become blanketed with a darkness which stretched over them in contrast to the sunlight which now was incapable of reaching the ground they stood upon. It was like being caught in the eyes of a storm, but that storm crafting a shadow which converged on a single point before crashing to the ground like a meteorite, spreading the darkness across the earth at their feet like a benevolent miasma. It swirled about, swarming around them before centering itself onto a single position where she finally took form for all to see.


“Is that who I think it is?” 


“There’s no doubt about it. The real question is what’ is she doing here?” The claimant cleared his throat before stepping forward. “Lady... pardon... Queen Lilith, might I ask what you are doing here?” 


She did not respond, her eyes glossing over every single individual as if peeling off their skin and searching their very bones. They could taste it in the air, the malice, the bloodlust, the frenzy. A thick madness which seemed to deprive the weak willed of oxygen. She did not seem damaged at all, but her dress of white satin with silken accents and embroidery was covered in blood. Splatters of bright red blood around her neck and speckling her chest and hair, a thick coating of it covering her stomach and the lower half of her dress. One thing was certain, above all else, she did not look pleased at all. 


“Queen Lilith?” 


“They know who they are, rats hiding away in the void! Have them brought to me or I shall grant you all a fate worse than death!” 


“Is she serious?” 


“What is she even talking about?” 


“I will not state it again!” Her voice was far more aggressive than before, her patience steadily slipping away with each passing moment.


“Lady Lilith,” one of the claimants spoke up. “We don’t understand. Who exactly are you looking for?” 


“Who? As if you do not all know! Deceivers, liars, cheaters, thieves, wanting to take everything away from me! I have seen it, experienced your blades! Your desire to do as you please! The wound remains, I feel it yet seething! You will step forward!” 


“Lady Lilith, please calm down!” 


“I have been calm enough granted the situation at hand! By all means, grace be given unto the void! The cowards hiding amongst you have sealed your fates to its clutches!” 


There wasn’t much time to second guess or act, dregs of fear rising from the pits of all their souls as Lilith lifted her left hand to her side. The ground did not shake, nor did it shift in any way, but the earth seemed to seethe with a heat that only managed to grow in ferocity with each passing moment. The aikekunai of darkness, Dimea incarnate who never once chose to wield their weapon, now called upon it for them? The earth beneath their feet steaming as if preparing to erupt into a violent volcano... that is, until her left arm was severed and fell to the ground. 


Lilith looked down at it for a moment. The cut was clean, precise, lacking in even the slightest mistake. It wasn’t that she did not appreciate the work itself, but rather that it was unexpectedly quick of a response. The ground beneath their feet cooled and her arm writhed for a moment before calming into its everlasting slumber having been separated from her person. It only caused her frown to deepen, and a growl slipped from her throat. 


“I must admit, you have not lost your knack for swordsmanship.” 


“What are you doing here, Lilith? Do you not realize what you’re doing?” His voice could only be described as one which held the full capability to command others.


“Of course, I would not be here if I did not know what I was doing. I expected you to show up, but this is much sooner than I anticipated! Word truly travels fast.” 


“I’m going to have to request that you stand down. We have no reason to fight one another. Are we not allies?” 


“No reason? Allies?!” She turned and looked him directly in the eyes, and act neither of them were capable of resisting given the circumstances. It had been so long since they had met face to face, but of course this would be the situation calling for it. “This does not concern you, Arthur. Leave this place!” 


“This is my territory, and these claimants are my guests here. This absolutely concerns me and requires my attention.” 


“Perhaps the title of king has gone to your head,” the words alone soured the air between them. “Kana! I know you are there, so stop hiding!” 


The woman emerged from her shadow as if stepping out of a pool of water, stepping to her side before lowering her head. She did not expect it, but the woman’s mood had managed to become even worse than before. She had never seen a single lapse in Lilith’s personality, her mood, anything. All she could focus on now were the eyes which cried out in every way imaginable. She looked both freed and yet shackled at the same time. It was impossible to see her without seeing the features of her normally calm and casual face marred with disdain and torture. 


“What do you require of me Lady Li-” 


“You and the expendable. Kill them. Do not let a single soul persist. That is my order.” 


“Expendable...” His voice, so calm and yet so hurt. It echoed from within metal as he lowered himself to his knees at her side. Lilith was partially perplexed. It wasn’t that he was difficult to notice, rather that he showed so little hostility that his presence didn’t even matter until that very moment. “The fate of shadows is wretched indeed.” 


“Don’t take it personally, it’s simply what you are,” Kana responded. “Lady Lilith, are you certain? You want to start a war right now? Against these two houses? Xainayne will not approve, we will be all on our own-” 


“What does it matter?” His words lacked any form of defiance as he stood to his feet. 


“Excuse me? Do you not understand the situation?” 


“I understand plainly, Kana. I understood from the moment I was born. It is you who doesn’t understand, so spare me your feelings on the matter. Me being here is reason enough to know our situation. We fight, we die.” 


He plunged the blade of his sword into the ground, the shadows beneath everyone's feet shifting and stirring before closing in on his position. There was a split second which Lilith chose to look at him directly, and it was in that fraction of a moment she saw something uncanny. Underneath the black helmet, hidden behind the visor which shielded his eyes, rested a red she felt could not be ignored. 


“What is your name, claimant?” Her question was simple yet direct as she turned her attention back to Arthur. 


“You honor me to even ask. I am Arc’l Dimea.” 


“Arc’l? The one who can only manipulate shadows?” She started before a smile spread across her face; teeth stained with blood. “Feel honored, Arc’l. Today you will fight as one of my warriors.” 


“Lilith,” Arthur started. “I won’t be saying it again. Stand down and have your subordinates do the same!” 


“You know me too well to know I will not do as you desire! I came here for a reason, and you have chosen to stand in my path. Your hands are just as sullied as the ones I search for, as these claimants who would refrain from giving me what I desire! Be they Desdon or Mucmoi, their lives will not be spared when standing between me and my desires!” 


“No one can help you when you refuse to say what you want! You plan to punish a multitude for the actions of few? What right do you have?” 


“Right? What do you know of righteousness?!” her words shook the very foundation beneath them, the clouds above their heads swirling as flashes of white echoed from within them. “They know what they have done, and I do not very much care for the reason. They should have never run to begin with. Now I will have everything they stand for suffer until they bring themself forward!” 


“This goes too far, even for you Lilith,” Arthur said as he raised his sword. "Don't make me fight you."


“Indeed, but I am not the same as I once was. Just as you are not the same,” she spoke as her right hand rose to her side with the palm facing towards the sky. “Did you forget? I have two weapons, little king, both bound to separate hands. If you were as ruthless as I had hoped, then you would have remembered which hand was more dangerous.” 


All the nearby claimants could do nothing but spectate as the storm clouds surged and roared. What was once lightning flashing like an obscure sun within those clouds had now changed, as if willed to be something different by her own hands. Red now coursing throughout the sky as crimson electricity tore through the air like cuts in the very atmosphere itself. Building, growing wilder, until finally striking down on her position as if attacking the woman herself. 


Excalibur, a weapon fit for a venerable and merciful king. It was a weapon which served as both a symbol of power for claimants and an artifact of justice and heroism for humans. A weapon which could be wielded with pride by its owner... and yet, even as it shined so brightly under the circumstances, there was terror all around. The lighting almost looked as if it were trying to tear Lilith apart. A weapon holding an immense amount of electrical power so vast that the top layer of her skin could be seen turning to dust and revealing the red layers beneath before everyone’s eyes, and yet she still held onto it. The lightning mixing with her blood to form a hellish torrent of electricity which coursed across her whole body. It was too much for anyone who wasn’t one of Chaemai’s own to bear. That is, unless they could out heal the damage. 


She raised the weapon across her chest, holding it just shy of her opposite cheek as it hummed and sang hymns of power. A weapon of defiance requested if only to spite both the houses of nature and electricity. A reminder that no stroke of the two would be so capable as to kill her when she did not desire death by them. Ukonvasara. The lesser of her two weapons. 


“Come on, Lilith. You must work with me here. This isn’t a fight you can win in your current condition! You’re clearly not in the right state of mind!” 


“You’ll never understand,” Arthur had to make sure he wasn’t hearing things incorrectly. This was the first time he had ever heard her speak in such an improper manner. “None of you. You’ll never get it. That’s why I’ll tear it all apart, piece by piece, until I find them!” 


“Lilith, just talk to me! You know I’m not your enemy! None of us are your enemies!” 


“I’m done talking! I’m sick of all the useless fucking talk! If your houses are willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of one handful of claimants, then I can’t be bothered! I’ll go as far as I must until they are found and made to suffer! Day by day, war by war, I won't ever stop! Not until I craft an entire kingdom from the congealed blood of my enemies!” 


“Lady Lilith...” 


“You need to calm down! This is not like you!” 


“Lady Lilith.” 


“And what do you know about me?!” 


“Lilith!” 


There was hardly any time to register the speed at which the woman turned her gaze in Kana’s direction, her eyes meeting her almost faster than her head could turn. All her senses screaming, crying out for action and yet the mistake had already been made. All that mattered now was getting her to realize what had been noticed by everyone except for her. It was clear that the aikekunai was not focused at all, off balance in a multitude of ways, which was exactly the reason she did nothing outside of pointing in the direction opposite Arthur, towards the claimants who stood at her back and the one who now stood before them. 


“Threatening my Arthur? Honestly, I didn’t think you the type to throw a temper tantrum.” The familiarity of Warren’s voice made her sick. As if they were friends, but it had always been for Arthur’s sake she did not attempt to peel her face off. 


“Don’t make me drag your corpse across every realm like a discarded doll.” 


“And here I thought you’d be pleased with my gift. Aren’t these the ones you were looking for?” Lilith did not even care to acknowledge her words until she continued. “When the situation was brought forward, they chose to willingly turn themselves over to you. These are, in fact, the claimants you came here for. Although they would not elaborate on why that is.” 


“Is that right,” she started as she finally turned to see them. Gender did not matter; features did not matter. All she saw now were three errant souls which did not have long to live... save for a certain one. “Which one came up with your plot?” 


Only one of them stepped forward. That was more than enough for her to act, but not as anyone expected. Lilith proceeded forward, dropping her weapon to the ground as her steps carried her to her goal. The expected death was close at hand in the minds of everyone around, but to their surprise she passed by the one who presented themself as the one who orchestrated the plan itself. All everyone knew about Lilith, if they managed to know nothing else, is that she was violent beyond violent. That certainly stood to this very day. It was for that reason that, while the target was unexpected, no one flinched as she plunged her hand into the throat of her first victim. 


It was almost mesmerizing to see the way she ripped them apart, how easily a claimant’s body can be made into a pile of gore when faced with the overwhelming comparison of an aikekunai. A chest ripped open, ribs pulled out, every vital part concealed within crushed and cast aside so that they might suffer in unimaginable pain for their final moments. The next watched as she approached, placing her bloodied hand on their chin as if caressing them gently, seducing them into some uncannily false state of security as they smeared the blood over their lips, all before ripping their bottom jaw clean off. The now severed appendage was then thrown with enough forced to be lodged directly into their chest where her hand soon followed before lifting them off their feet and throwing them with the other suffering claimant. 


“You take lives so callously, so what say you now? Does death fit your house so well? I, Lilith, the one who defies everything simply by existing, was it the proper choice to make an enemy of me?!” The words filled their ears as she reached out her hand and the war hammer bolted to her grasp before she placed her foot atop the two who barely grasped at life. “Well then, Desdon filth, let us see if you can defy your own element to the same degree in which I defy everything!” 


The hammer sparked and rattled with energies unnatural to the world, the sky becoming shades of black which no one knew existed before sparks of scarlet and rose struck down on her position in a beam of bloodred light. It was madness, the claimants beneath her steady heel being disintegrated and turned to dust while her own body looked to barely be capable of keeping up. It wasn’t until the torrent of lightning ceased that her body could be seen regenerating from the very brink of destruction, flesh forming on bone, skin on flesh... all but that severed left arm. Yet even with all of that she did not look pleased. 


“Well, what an overly extreme display,” Warren’s words made Arthur’s mind spark with the immediate need to react. “All of this, and for what? Because they stained your favorite dress?” 


“Warren!” 


Arthur’s words made her focus, but it was that same focus which gave insight to the absolute helplessness a situation like this could drag forth. Warren was one of the exceptions which knew Lilith better than most others, but it was that same comforting familiarity which made her lack the expectation that she’d be willing to make an immediate attempt on her life. However, she wasn’t going to just let that be that and stand there while being attacked, no matter what the reason was. Lilith was always a pain to deal with in her opinion, someone who did as they pleased without care for the consequences. It was a common conclusion, or perhaps a misconception, which everyone seemed to relate to her. However, it was exactly that reason which made Warren more than willing to fight.


Thus, a situation was now at hand. Unprecedented, undesired, unneeded in any way. Lilith prepared to kill Warren, Arthur prepared to kill Lilith, both Kana and Arc’l prepared to jump to the defense while the surrounding claimants were all ready to jump to the aid of their aikekunai. How quickly war could start, how suddenly a conclusion could become a disaster. And yet, throughout all of that, none of them were what caused Lilith to stop short. Her eyes grew wide, heel forcing itself to the ground to slow her momentum as she twisted her body upward to shift the trajectory of her attack. Of all the things to stand in her way... 


“Zaya!” Her voice in panic as her hammer went flying off into the distance and her balance was completely thrown off. Falling to the dirt being a more reasonable choice in the moment in comparison to attacking her, but now she was left lying on the ground, filthy, as if broken entirely. 


“Move damnit!” Warren called out as she pushed Zaya aside to attack, but that was also when all light seemed to vanish entirely from the world itself. 


Red eyes darted through the  sudden darkness and yet they could not manage the slightest bit of caution. How things had become so grave so quickly, it was not Kana's style to be involved in this type of mess. However, as light returned to everyone’s senses, she could now be seen struggling to even hold a defense against Warren’s weapon bearing down on her. 


“Arc’l!” 


In his mind he was useless, just as many saw him. A darkness claimant who couldn't even command darkness, more than enough of a reason to never use his abilities in combat, but even hearing one of his fellow claimants call out to him for aid was enough to incite action. The shadow beneath his feet bubbling and surging as he rushed to intercept Warren who stepped back briefly when colorless hands began to reach out from that subtle darkness in her direction as if wanting to drag her in.


“I will act as a wall, prepare to fight.” 


“We must move lady Lilith!” Kana started in a panic as she regained her bearings. “This place is no longer safe!” 


“There is no retreat, we fight, or we die! Neither of us can move her and we can’t rely on Xainayne either! They all die, here and now, even if we die in the process! Put your soul on the line!” 


“Silence!” Lilith’s voice cut through their chatter. “You will cease your actions and stow your weapons, now. This is no situation to fight in.” 


“...Of course, lady Lilith,” Arc’l spoke as the arms reaching out from the shadows retreated from where they had come, the source never truly revealing itself. 


“As obedient as ever,” Kana said as she placed her own weapon back into its scabbard. 


“Now then,” Lilith started as she looked at Zaya who had, despite all that was going on, managed to weasel her way back to her position. Clinging to her for dear life. “Zaya, what are you doing?” 


“I came along to see what was happening when I heard you were preparing to fight. Something told me that couldn’t be right, so I had to see for myself what the cause for this situation was.” 


“You came here for that?” It was wildly indifferent to the way Warren carried herself, a chuckle escaping the aikekunai’s lips as she rose to her feet. “This place is obscenely dangerous. You almost made me break a promise... or perhaps an old promise. Why would you put yourself in harm's way to this degree?” 


Zaya was comfortable enough around her to make both Arc’l and Kana sick to their stomachs. All these actions that would have normally ended up having them flayed alive were things which Zaya, mercifully, could do without so much as a glare. Arthur was also unreasonably calm in his approach, almost as if he knew Lilith wouldn’t do anything to the woman. However, that did not erase the anger from his face regarding the attempt she had made on Warren’s life. 


“You have some nerve, Lilith. Do you realize what you could have done?!” 


“Please, spare me the yelling. It would be their faults for getting in my way.” 


“This is no a joke, Lilith!” He started as he grabbed her by the collar and lifted her off her feet. “Your actions here today go far beyond what is acceptable, regardless of the reason!” 


“You’re being genuinely rude,” Zaya’s words tugged on Arthur’s attention. 


“Me? She almost killed you! Tried to kill Warren! Was prepared to incite a war all on her own for reasons she refuses to elaborate! The lives which could have been lost because of what she did here today is uncannily high and you would call me rude?"” 


“Do you expect her to act in a sensible manner like this? Look at her. Truly look at her.” 


Perhaps it was the way she had said it or Lilith’s lack of response, but Kana was quick to realize it soon after just as everyone else did. From the start she was entirely focused on the woman’s requests and her expression. It was difficult for anyone to do anything outside of focusing on where her eyes were looking in hopes that they weren’t resting on them, the red orbs almost always giving away her intentions and targets. It would be difficult for anyone around to not pay extreme attention to who she chose as a direct target for her special form of violence. But Zaya, of all people, was the only human among them. She was not focused on the fight at all as everyone else was and, of course, the first to notice the unhealed gash going directly through her stomach. Seeping blood which did not seem to stop flowing as did her severed arm. 


“Stop talking Zaya,” Lilith said with a stern voice. The manner in which her expression changed enough to make even Warren cautious. 


“You’ve been ignoring it, haven’t you? But it’s fine to feel sad. Aren’t we all your friends?” Zaya pulled Arthur’s hand down until Lilith was back on her feet, lifting her hands up to Lilith's shoulders where she would allow them to rest. “Just take things slowly and explain it to us. Aren’t we all your friends? We can see what happened, everyone who knew can see it now.” 


“You’re so stupid,” Lilith said as she wrapped her arm around Zaya and held her close. “All you humans are so strange, but it’s a strange I enjoy. He was angry, said things he didn’t truly mean, but I still made a promise, nonetheless. That promise is the replacement for my everything.” 


“Talk to us Lilith, we can help if you allow us.” 


“She’s right,” Kana said as she lowered her head. “I believe it would be a good choice.” 


“I did not think you were so kindhearted, Kana.” Lilith started with a frown. 


“I’m nowhere near as sympathetic, that much is true, but your well-being is a priority of mine. May I speak plainly?” Kana watched as Lilith’s eyes seemed to swirl with a gale of disapproval. But, to her surprise, she relented. 


“Go on, speak your mind.” 


“Thank you, lady Lilith... in all honesty, you’ve been acting hastily. You aren’t accustomed to such strong feelings, and you clearly let them run wild. This situation was uncalled for and could have been solved without conflict if you’d have just requested aid from your allies.” 


“That was not my promise.” 


“Your promise?” Warren spoke as she watched the woman released Zaya and begin her careful steps toward the last remaining of her marks. 


“I thought about it. It has been squirming within my mind for a while now, how I could make this filth pay for what he has done... I do not regret the choices I have made here today, because my desires are more important than reason. I will temper this rage in blood and gore, sully every corner of the realms with my hands in a way that no one can deny. I thought about how I could make it happen and came to a rather sublime conclusion.” 


“What are you talking about, Lilith?” Arthur started as his expression became more serious. “You know I can’t allow you to go too far.” 


“Is that so? What if I say I will become the arbiter of all claimants,” she began as she wrapped her hand around the claimant’s neck and lifted him into the air. “I will seek out every single claimant who dares to step out of line by even the slightest margin. I will take their bodies and subject them to torture far beyond what this world is capable of imagining. Baramecht once told me of a human belief, of a place so detestable to all humans that no one wishes to reside there nor spend their eternity there after death... and I will craft it upon the very earth.” 


“What is this lunatic talking about?” Warren asked Arthur, but Zaya was the one who responded with a proper terror. 


“Hell. She means to create Hell.” 


“Correct,” Lilith responded with a crazed grin. “For every sin, every act of opposition towards righteousness and justice, I will drag their kicking body to hell and subject them to everlasting torment for the rest of their days. No, not even just claimants. Even humans who go too far can meet their fates in my home, my manor, my Hell on Earth.” 


“That’s madness,” the claimant spoke in her grasp. “No one would let you get away with that!” 


“Really? You think so? Because I believe that you, my unnamed claimant, should feel honored. An ornament destined to hang in my halls for the rest of your days, watching as I subject hundreds, upon thousands, upon millions of humans and claimants alike to the pit I plan to craft beneath my very feet. A section for each sin, a section for each deed, a layer for everyone’s personal hell. With a cause so just who would rightfully stand against it? And for a method so detestable, who would dare walk hand in hand?” 


“Lilith, I don’t think you should-” 


“Do not try to stop me, Arthur. I will admit that today was my loss. I was hasty and acting on impulse, but now I will be acting on my desires. And you of all claimants should know what happens to those who get in the way of my desires... you were correct. I was in the wrong today, but starting from this point forward I will not allow outside interference. I will be both the judge and executioner with no need for jury. The actions of the accused will decide their fates.” 


Arc’l sighed, offering Arthur, Warren and Zaya their own personal bows before closing the distance between himself and Lilith. Kana did not move from her position and instead chose to just watch as the aikekunai dug her teeth into the claimant’s neck. From what she had heard the woman only ever devoured humans, but perhaps it was all her years with Baramecht which taught her the meaning of holding back even slightly. She did not kill him, did not drain him of all his life, but certainly left him too weak to resist or do more than barely cling to life. However, it was then that she watched the woman’s arm and stomach finally heal completely. If anyone was going to attempt killing her easily, that time was officially over. 


She dropped the claimant to the ground where he struggled to lift himself before falling back to the dirt. Lilith licked her lips before spitting on the ground with a look of disgust, finishing things off with a simple yet dire gesture. She lifted her hand to her mouth, teeth digging into her own wrist where she would tear out a chunk of her own flesh. The blood poured out seemingly in an endless manner where she allowed it to fall all over the claimant’s face, into his mouth and eyes, his nose, flooding his senses entirely. It was with this action, and as the wound healed soon after, that her lips curled into a smile. 


“Congratulations, my dear sinner. You now belong to me. An item, or as I said, a decoration.” 


“As if I’d ever be yours.” 


“How adorable of you. Perhaps you have misread the situation you are in,” she raised her hand to which the war hammer lying a distance away immediately met her grip and surged her body with enough electricity to kill any normal person. “The weak do not get to choose. Only the most powerful of our kind decide the fates of fodder like yourself. And you, little claimant, have been laid low indefinitely... now then, Arc’l and Kana.” 


“Yes?” Arc’l spoke as Kana finally made her approach to meet them. 


“How loyal are you both to me? How far are you willing to go for your aikekunai?” Her words shook them to their cores. 


“For you I am willing to do many things, Lady Lilith. You know that much is true. I’ve been at your side following your orders for generations, from the very start. That will not change now.” 


“Loyalty,” Arc’l started before lowering his head. “There isn’t much I may offer, but I have always given my all for this house. If you seek my loyalty then, without question, you already have it. Expendable as I am, that doesn’t mean I lack the honor to uphold my duties to you and our house.” 


“Good. Then both of you... KNEEL.” It was a strange sensation to say the least, their bodies both falling against their wills. Knees colliding with the earth regardless of whether they wanted them to or not. It wasn't some strange power or ability she held, rather, it was the unquestionable weight of her words. “Arthur, act as my observer for this occasion. If you do not mind. Warren is too wild for my tastes.” 


“Excuse you?” 


“Pfft...” 


“What are you laughing about?” 


“Fine,” Arthur spoke before Warren and Zaya could go any further. It was clear for both of them to see that he did not agree with what she was planning to do, but there were some things between the aikekunai which were better left unbroken. “Not like it will stop you if I refuse.” 


“Perfect, another desire met.” 


Both Arc’l and Kana could only watch as Lilith raised her war hammer and lowered it towards them. Kana was first, the metal barely grazing her skin and yet it felt as if her bones were rattling with electricity. She could feel the skin from the point of contact being burned away before the woman’s weapon was lifted and placed on the adjacent shoulder. Was this some form of torture? Or at least that was what she thought until the weapon was raised and placed just barely atop her head. She couldn’t even think, her thoughts scrambled as her body shook. When the war hammer was lifted away, she could only barely force herself to remain upright. This wasn’t some torture; it was a ceremony. 


Kana could barely get herself into a position to spectate as Arc’l was next, but surely Lilith was merciful enough to take into consideration that the claimant wore a full suit of armor. Wasn’t she? Head to toe clad in blackened steel, but as the ding of her weapon colliding with his first pauldron echoed out so too did his groans in pain. His entire body surged with waves of red electricity crawling over him. When the weapon was moved to his other shoulder, he retained his voice and remained silent, although it was plain to see he was struggling. It wasn’t until the weapon contacted his helmet that his entire body began to shake violently, no doubt being bombarded with streaks of red lightning within. When the war hammer was removed, he nearly fell to the ground... but his refusal to do so even as the electricity still lingered on his armor made the woman smile. 


“Look at you both. Just a small piece of what I can endure, and you can barely hold on. I was certainly correct,” she spoke as if more pleased with herself than anything. “It would have certainly been a waste to let you both go free.” 


“Just get it over with already, Lilith.” 


“Fine, fine. Do not be so strict, Arthur. Just let me finish,” she said before clearing her throat. “Feel honored. I, Lilith, hereby mark thee into my order. The Queen of Demons needs her demons to rule over, after all. So, arise and be recognized as the first of them.” 


“You’re ruthless,” Kana said as she struggled to her feet. It felt as if all her limbs were burning. 


“Don’t complain,” Arc’l responded as he too forced himself to stand. “We should, in fact, feel honored. No one else has ever received such an accolade.” 


“Now then, my two demons, let us get to work. My pureblood raven and my evanescent shadow... grab my decoration, Arc’l, and be careful with it. We would not want to break it before putting it on display. Kana, you will go and report things to Xainayne. I am certain he will be angry and wish to reprimand me at length if not punish me entirely, but that is a small price to pay. You are to return to me after that. We have much work to do, and a deep pit to dig up.” 


“Yes, Lady Lilith.” 


Kana quickly disappeared without a trace as Arc’l lifted the weakened claimant over his shoulder. He took a moment to look at Lilith who, in all her grace, could only laugh at the situation now. She looked almost entirely crazed, as if the frame she had built up over her lifetime was shattering apart completely. He had heard so many things about her, had been led to believe she was a great leader and commander in every sense of the word. A combatant only paralleled by the most capable warriors and only bested by the very standard for what would be classified as the strongest claimants. All he saw now, in comparison, was someone who did as they pleased without proper recourse. Just how difficult was she to kill for her to act this way? Then again, he had just seen her heal from injuries that would no doubt have caused anyone else to perish. 


“Well, I shall be off. There is much for me to do,” she started as her eyes glossed over the only others she recognized as her peers. “Arthur, Warren, Zaya... thank you again for bringing me to my senses. I will send some form of compensation for the trouble I caused today. Perhaps a gift.” 


“It better not be your blood again! If we wanted that we could have just killed you today and taken it!” 


“She gave you her blood as a gift?” Arthur questioned Warren. 


“It was disgusting, wrapped up to look like fancy wine with an assortment of pastries, but there’s no mistaking her blood. The stuff smells so intoxicatingly alcoholic it makes me sick!” 


“How cruel. You could always get it from the source if that would please you?” Lilith antagonized the woman as her war hammer disappeared into a flash of red lightning rising into the sky. “You could nuzzle you face right here on my neck.” 


“You common whore. You make me sick!” 


“She gave me homemade cookies,” Zaya said with a smile. “I’ve been craving more ever since.” 


“Cookies? She gave me a literal head on a spear. I don’t even know who it belonged to, but apparently you see me as some sort of savage,” Arthur spoke as if the memory disgusted him. “You didn’t drug Zaya, did you?” 


“Fuck you, Arthur. It took quite a bit of effort to make those things and you know it is not my strongest quality to bake.” 


“Why was I the only one presented with a damn trap?” Warren questioned the woman who smiled as if having been caught amid a scheme. 


“Well because you’re a fucking asshole, of course.” 


“From that moment onward Lilith returned home where she proceeded to meet out her promise,” Kaya spoke as she emptied her pipe into a glass tray. “They may have all played it off well, but she was never truly on good terms with Arthur or Warren ever again. She had always kept a soft spot for Zaya, but they did not often speak after that. Zaya would attempt to have Lilith change... the Queen of Demons was having none of it.” 


“Now it makes sense,” Gahbreal started. “So, that’s what Xainayne has been attempting to keep from me.” 


“I’d say it’s because of the connection Lilith had with Arc’l and our first ancestor. Grandmother would often tell me that Lady Lilith was more concerned with the future as opposed to the present, crafting some form of everlasting version of herself that will persist even when she does not. A plague upon claimants for all time, I believe was the way she worded it.” 


“Sounds like a bunch of nonsense.” 


“And yet here you are. Kana Dimea, the raven, taught everything involving the darkness and how to manipulate it with both her body and her blade. Arc’l Dimea, the shadow, warrior gifted in every method the battlefield had to offer. Between the two of them they were taught everything Lilith knew involving combat, and then there’s you. Gahbreal Dimea, the black knight, taught in all of Kana’s ways passed down and born with everything Arc’l knew.” 


“You can’t be serious. I am no pawn of my predecessor!” 


“And yet here you stand before me crafted in all her ways and wisdom,” Kaya spoke as her hand pressed against his chest. “You still don’t compare; you lack the natural characteristics. However, there is a reason we all fear you in the Chisuke household even though none of us feared Arc’l.” 


It was a tense moment. All moments seemed to be tense when dealing with his grandmother. Saying she was incorrect held very little meaning now, especially after she was willing to directly state that she feared him. Kaya never lied, almost as if she were incapable of doing it from birth, and it made his teeth clench. He refused to be a pawn and would not allow anyone to dictate his choices. It made his stomach turn at the very thought of existing in a way designed by another. 


“Wouldn’t that have made Arc’l nothing more than a placeholder? Would he not have rebelled against this?” He said it as if expecting to find a hole in Kaya’s words and yet she only smiled. 


“Arc’l was far too devout for that. By the vortex, he would have done anything if Lilith requested it of him. She was the first to ever acknowledge him as being worth anything after all. It seems he hid the manner of his death from you, as well as a few other things, so allow me to enlighten you.” 


“What are you-” 


Gahbreal did not move as Kaya slid forward across the desk between them until her face moved directly next to his own. He could feel her breath tickling his ear, hear her chuckle slightly in a way that always managed to make him uncomfortable. He was the only male claimant in their family and his father was the only other male but from the house of Rhihon. Having the woman this close only served to remind him of how similar they all were. His mother, his aunts, his grandmother, even his cousin all looked the exact same. It was only at times like this they all chose to act the same as well... devious, as if breaking every law they could manage to break. 


“Arc’l, in all his grace, killed himself so that you might take his place. Derived from a promise, built upon a vow, conceived by loyalty. Her Hell still exists to this day, although both claimants and humans alike know well to stay away from the entrance to the underworld.” 


“Why are you telling me this?” he asked as his eyes sharpened. 


“Why else?” she started as she leaned back to sit on her feet. “Because guiding you is my role, where your mother might fail. So, with my blessing, you should go see it. The Hell which Lady Lilith crafted on Earth. Step down through the nine layers of torment everlasting and agony immemorial. See what she has left behind for you. Only then will you truly understand your role.” 


“By your blessing? You really have high hopes for this... I’ll entertain it, if that’s what you wish.” 


“Indeed. The Queen of the Demons is a terrible arbiter; her raven a merciless scion of violence and her knight a loyal reminder of order and righteousness. She put all of the pieces in place for a promise she held so dear she was prepared to rebel against everyone and everything just to see it through. Now, with everything set in stone, all that’s left is for her wolf pup to return home.”

The heavy doors creaked open, causing his eyelids to slowly part themselves. How long had it been since he’d opened these dreadful things? Part of him wanted to keep them shut, but something was different. As long as he had spent watching these halls there were only ever so many people who continued to roam them. Their footsteps, their movements, the subtle ways they shifted their weight or pressed their fingers against doors and drawers, he had come to memorize it all. No one called him by name, so much so that even he had forgotten it, but that did not mean he was without his senses. No matter what happened he could not allow himself to lose those senses which kept him tethered to life. So, who was this new arrival whose steps were different from all others? 


“Who enters?!” He can hear a voice call out and yet there is no response. “I will not ask again! Who dares to-” 


He can hear their voice trail off, and a short gasp. There was no exchange of dialogue after that. Simply the heavy steps which now grew closer and closer. They would soon pass beneath him at this rate and, with that, give him the opportunity to see who this fresh face was. For as long as he had lived, a chance like this had never presented itself. 


“What an odd place,” the voice resonated from within what sounded like a helmet. 


“M-might I ask what you are doing here?” 


“No, you may not. Tell everyone else in this place to remain out of my way. I will not be disturbed. Now leave me to work.” 


The footsteps scurried off into the halls just out of his view, but it was at that same time he could hear the heavy boots stepping further forward and that was when he saw it. Passing beneath him and proceeding forward was what looked like the frame of a male, but his body was covered in what looked like Milanese plate armor. He did not look decrepit or crestfallen, on the contrary he looked as if his armor had rarely ever been touched on the battlefield with only slight traces of wear. He wore an armet helm with a plume which nearly trailed the ground at his heels, a cloak over his shoulders which dragged the ground behind his steps and spurs which rang like bells with each step. The gold gilding on the trim represented honor and courage in battle, however, the black armor itself represented neutrality and a sense of unbeknownst justice. Perhaps this could work in his favor... 


“You... sir knight. You must help us,” his voice caused the knight to pause and look up. It wasn’t anything special, but at least he had managed to garner his attention. “You must free us. This place is a sin against all things righteous.” 


“Righteousness?” the knight responded. 


“Indeed. A place crafted by ways of villainy. A haven of suffering and deceit. Its halls stained in all manner of sin and greed. You must free us from this place.” 


“I have heard your request, but I will be the one to judge this place.” 


“Wait! You mean to explore these halls alone? That’s madness!” 


“Calm yourself. Madness, though outstanding, is a tool only employed by the most powerful. Only the faint of heart and mind fall victim to such faulty madness.” 


He continued on his way, the footfalls of his heavy boots echoing through the halls as he looked through each room one by one. It was certainly a sight the likes of which could not be duplicated easily. Most rooms were nothing more than bedrooms of extremely fine design with both claimants and humans lying about as if in some drunken stupor. Other rooms were specific, such as a large ballroom worthy of just about every compliment in the book and a library which seemed to be filled with text predating anything humanity could comprehend. There were even rooms which looked to be for the sole purpose of experimentation, both with herbs and remedies as well as more exotic and inhumane ingredients. 


There was one room in particular which seemed to be the most profound amongst them all. The kitchen. The floors almost seemed to be made entirely of black marble, the countertops made from the same material while the cabinets and furniture were crafted from Dalbergia melanoxylon and cushioned with vicuna fabric as red as blood. Even all the things which would normally be crafted from metal were instead shaped from pure black obsidian. Quite possibly the most exotic kitchen he had ever seen, but it was the back room which was the most important. An almost dungeon-like area filled with barrel after barrel of blood which smelled of flowers and fruit, almost entirely overshadowed by the scent of alcohol. It was there that a single man, a single claimant, tirelessly mixed and sifted it as if to keep it from ever settling. 


“What is that you’re doing?” his voice echoed through the room and nearly caused the man to fall over in shock. “There’s no need to be alarmed.” 


“Ah, I see. Then I shall explain it as quickly as possible. I must keep working,” he started as he returned to his constant mixing. “This is sacred blood. Enough to possibly last for thousands upon thousands more years if cared for and used correctly. It is my duty to make certain it is untampered with and separated for correctly.” 


“Separated? For what reason do you separate this?” 


“As you can most likely tell just from the scent, it is highly intoxicating. I separate and dilute it so that it may be used in recipes as a substitute for water. This ambrosia, a gift from our matron queen, is the lifeblood of all who call this place home. If they do not consume it, they will find themselves no longer reliant upon it.” 


“And everyone here wishes to rely on this blood ambrosia?” 


“Of course! This is the blood of the queen, and we are her loyal subject! You would not find a single person within these halls who does not crave this blood. There are some even willing to kill for it. However, that is why I must do my work. If even a single one goes without it, they are bound to frenzy before they manage to break free from its potent grasp. Preying on others to satiate the thirst for their queen, but only her blood will truly quench them. My work is never ending. As such, I mix and stir, awaiting the return of our benevolent queen. The source of this now finite resource.” 


“Your loyalty is admirable. What is your name, sir?” 


“There is no need for a title I have not earned, sir knight. I am but a mere claimant. They call me the mixer. Please, enjoy your stay in this Hell we call home.” 


They did not share any more words than were needed, the knight turning away and making his way back to the original room he had started in. He looked around more thoroughly than he had before, his eyes peering through the opening of his helmet where he now spotted the throne which sat empty. It was clean, as if someone had done so every single day. It looked as if it were made from blood, crystallized and shaped into a seat of unparalleled design. Skulls of claimants, humans and beasts alike were placed around it as decorations and those looked to be polished as well. Anyone who looked at this would think it to be evil. 


“You’ve seen it, have you not?” his voice attempted to grasp the knight’s attention again. “This place, its inhabitants drunk on the queen's blood, its halls dyed in red so thick that even the light must adhere to it?” 


He wasn’t wrong about that. No matter what the source of light was it always came out as red. It was almost like the very air itself was stained with blood, and no light from outside looked as if it were capable of reaching inside. From outside the red was clearly visible shining through the windows, but from within it looked almost perpetually dark outside each pane of glass. 


“This place is certainly not for the faint of heart. I doubt many were invited here and capable of leaving the same as they entered, if they ever chose to leave at all.” 


“You must free them. Free us all. This place is cursed, unwilling to let anyone leave. It must be destroyed.” 


“I will decide that after seeing it all for myself... there is still one place I have yet to enter.” 


“You don’t mean,” he watched as the knight’s head turned in a direction he had hoped it would not. A large door of pure metal resting behind the throne. It wasn't any form of metal that was known, colored in a deep crimson that was entirely otherworldly. Cast into it was what could only be described as the bones of realmic creatures from every house, an example of how no one was truly safe from the grasp of what was inside. “You can’t! You must not! That is no place for any sane person!” 


“Be silent, knave. As I said, I will ascertain the quality of this place myself. No door will go unopened.” 


“You don’t know what you’re doing!” 


The knight stepped forward, walking past the throne and placing his hands on the large door. It was uncanny, the amount of heat which he felt through his gauntlets from the door. It was a heat that, once the doors were pushed open, flowed out as if becoming the entrance to an entirely different realm. All that could be seen now was a stairwell which led down into an eerie red glow. He did not hesitate or even question what would be awaiting him as he began making his way down into what awaited him below. However, there was no possibility that he nor anyone else could be prepared for what awaited him beneath the manor. 


Hell was what they called it; every single person who walked those halls referred to this place as hell. From what he had seen it was more like some pleasure-filled haven for those who had given up themselves wholeheartedly to their desires. There were barely any rooms which went unfilled with humans and claimants alike indulging themselves in one another’s bodies. It was almost like waltzing through Phita’s realm and yet even the Ancient of fire and her lot had standard compared to this. No fetish went untouched in these halls, but surprisingly it was confounding to discover that there were sections of the building dedicated entirely to the raising and rearing of children. Perhaps it was his own miscalculation, but he could have sworn someone once said she did not discriminate against who was her next meal. 


‘Then again, it makes sense to believe that a place like this would be incapable of avoiding the production of heirs and heiresses.’ 


The devout nature of its denizens, the profound way in which they all carried themselves, the calmness and lack of conflict around every corner. It was difficult to believe that this place belonged to someone so feared. In fact, there wasn’t a single thing which existed in those halls which did not sing the praises of their queen. Had he ever seen such abstract loyalty? Or was this the result of building a haven for those who were drowning within their desires? A haven, such a lofty word, one which echoed in silence behind his every step as he descended into the true hell which awaited him. The light and heat only managed to grow more intense as he proceeded until his gaze finally met with what could only be described as an open area. It was here he came to understand that this was no simple haven. It was a kingdom with its citizens all damned. 


His eyes looked out at what existed before him in a manner he could not properly ascertain. This thing, this kingdom, it went beyond the scale of what any one house could build. He had noticed it before, the vast array of claimants who flocked to her care, but now he was left knowing that they all served a purpose in one way or another. Just beneath the surface where no one might see it, hidden outside of the gaze of humans and claimants alike, the tormented screams and howls of souls unlucky enough to be damned to exist in this wretched place. Layered atop one another, kingdom on top of kingdom like cities of misery. It was far too large, impossibly so. 


“State your business here,” a voice called out which drew in the knight’s attention. 


“My business is my own. Do you plan to hinder my path forward?” 


The two took a moment staring at one another. The knight held a standard sword at his side, yet also clearly had no intention of backing down. The one who chose to question him stood directly in his path dressed in what could only be described as tattered robes smeared in layers of blood. His hands and legs were visible, yet both covered with gauntlets of crude design which looked to have been burned directly onto his flesh; the same could be said about the pauldrons upon his shoulders and chain coif around his neck. His face could not be seen, covered with the skull of what looked like a pathological nightmare. In his hands he clutched what was best described as an iron chain with a heavy bladed crucifix at its end. It was clear that this person was a claimant, but of what house it was difficult to tell. 


“I will do whatever I must for my queen.” 


“I implore you to stand down. Noble as your reasoning may be, guardian, I will not allow anyone to stand in my way.” 


“Your words, they are bold indeed. However, you will need more than boldness to-” 


A gasp escaped his lips, his posture weakening as he looked into the eyes of the knight standing before him. It was only for a split second that he could see them through the thin opening of his helmet, but that single moment was all he needed to understand how vastly unmatched he was. Overwhelming presence. Authority. What terrifying amounts of both. It was for that reason he chose to fall on his knees and place his weapon upon the ground. 


“A fitting choice. Congratulate yourself, there are many who did not manage to make the same decision in the void.” 


“I apologize for my actions, sir knight.” 


“Formalities aside, who are you and what is your purpose here?” 


“I am the guardian who watches the entrance to Lady Lilith’s nine layers of her Hell.” 


“Do you not have a name?” the knight questioned him. 


“Our names mean very little and, as such, most of us who exist here have cast them away. I am the guardian, nothing more. There are also the Legion of Red Knights and a few specific roles among the layers. We are all subservient to Lady Lilith and that would make us our queen’s demons.” 


“Then I will not question you any further. I will be descending further. It feels as if something is calling me to the bottom of this place, to its very depths. That is my destination.” 


“Then allow me to arrange an escort so that no one else might-” 


“There’s no need. I will be heading directly there. Anyone who chooses to intercept me will face their own punishment for their foolishness.” 


“Well then, sir knight, I wish you luck on your journey.” 


He did not exchange further words, did not acknowledge his statement, all he did was approach the massive bridge which connected the cliffside path they stood on to the main structure which rested in the middle of the underground cavern. He looked down into its depths, the walls carved and covered in black stone and obsidian which glowed and steamed with heat. However, he could see his destination clearly, what had been calling to him since he stepped foot within the walls of the building above... a glowing pool of red resting at the very bottom of the pit. 


He stepped forward, falling further and further as the helmet turned to the structure residing in the middle of the cavern. Each layer was massive and all their own wildly varying design, connected by a massive pillar which seemed to start from the ceiling and reach the deepest depths. The first being the largest and looking to be nothing more than a massive kingdom where it seemed people roamed without much purpose or reason. Some of them looked to be hiding or cowering in alleys and corners, but it looked much like something which could be found above ground... excluding the knights clad in red which tormented anyone they could find on the city streets. The second layer seemed just as large as the first and yet it looked to be enveloped in a raging storm which sundered everything inside. The winds scorched the air and embers pelted down on those who sought to run or hide. 


The third seemed to be in a constant state of freezing rainstorms with hounds always chasing down any and every person who resided there through muddied expanses. It looked as if there was barely a chance for rest and no means to remain safe for extended periods of time. The fourth layer is where people can be seen in vast fields of green, constantly moving as the ground shifted in a manner which did not allow for anyone to remain in place or risk being tossed off into the pit below. Always on the move, never capable of resting or collecting anything without carrying it on their backs. The fifth could only be described as war. A battle in which everyone was forced to battle the same knights which could be found on the first layer, and yet there was nowhere to hide. Ankle deep water hindered movements of all but water claimants as they were forced to fight these knights whose weapons seemed to deal damage with weapons that both harmed and health simultaneously. 


‘It feels as if I’ve been falling for hours.’ 


No matter how long he descended he still seemed so far from his objective. Each layer was massive and the space between them even more so. Connected by a thick pillar which resided at its center and looked to serve as a passage between layers. The sixth layer, however, was where things became far more dreadful if anyone could believe that to be possible. Flames everywhere, burning everything in sight upon ground of bedrock and everlasting coals. The screams caused his stomach to turn as he watched all within flail about in endless suffering, but withing those flames walked a series of knights who seemed unbothered. These knights continuously healed all inside so that they might not perish as if extending their suffering for all time. The seventh layer exists for the sole purpose of suffering. The ground covered in what could only be described as boiling blood while the sky was filled with creatures no human could comprehend, seeking out and destroying anyone unlucky enough to find themself within their sights. The beasts could not be slain, and it was here that the denizens were also fully capable of death and the next two layers allowed the same. 


The eighth layer is a place where those within cry out for some form of aid. All starving and suffering in their own way. The ground seemed to swallow anyone who remained stagnant whole, the sound of wailing and bones crunching under the pressure of iron sand echoing out in a manner that could be heard even from the very top. The gargled screams of those who could no longer continue on as their bodies were crushed and absorbed into the ground beneath their feet. Their blood making the ground more difficult to manage and their bones digging into the feet of those who refused to give in. Then there was the final place at the end of it all. The ninth. A place which, against all others, was a frozen wasteland where sharp winds cut the skin and yet the ice beneath their feet seemed to be unstable. It wasn’t just any ice, after all. Ice as black as the darkest night, frozen black flames which would randomly shift between scolding like that sun and freezing as if standing in Daenu’s presence. Nothing there was capable of surviving, the skin peeling from their flesh before burning away. Their flesh being stripped away by the ice before burning to cinders. Existing here was only a matter of time. It would not last long at all for anyone cursed enough to call this place their fate. 


Finally, after what seemed like hours of watching the tormented lives of those cursed to exist in this place, air tinted red with the blood of its denizens, did the bottom become visible. What was once just a bright glow now showing more detail than before. It was here that it became clear that the pillar which went through each layer did not connect with the ground at all, and what rested beneath the entire thing was a large pit where the blackened walls converged into a pool of molten stone. It bubbled in a golden red glow, otherworldly in nature, with a single person watching over the pool as if it were of great importance. 


“Your presence here spells a purpose. Lady Lilith has prepared a message for any who reaches this far; I am the one to deliver it.” 


“Who are you?” he questioned her as his cloak split into a pair of large black wings which slowed his descent. “You speak as if you knew I were coming here.” 


“I knew. It is my purpose to know. I am our Lady’s watcher, her keeper of things which do not belong and storer of messages and memories. A mind wonders, a heart beats, and blood flows. Just as they all serve their purposes, so too do I.” 


“How drab. Has anyone else come here and seen this message?” 


“No, sir knight. You are the first with a desire to reach this depth.” 


He looked at the figure up and down the moment his feet touched the ground and his cloak returned to normal. She looked simple at first, a woman wearing a long black dress with both her shoulders and chest exposed. Her skin was almost as clear as glass and her hair was like a veil covering her features, all excluding her lips. She looked almost too fragile, as if a single strong touch would shatter her. No doubt this woman was a claimant, but the strong scent which emanated from the boiling pit of red and gold masked from which house she belonged. However, she was the one who approached first. 


“Lady Lilith has given me a very specific purpose. She saved me when I was breaking, cracking under the pressure of claimants run wild. She showed me kindness, a touch which can both calm and heal. Even if she is no longer an aikekunai she will always be our kindhearted queen.” 


“Does this purpose involve me?” he questioned the woman. 


“It is possible. My ability allows me to take moments from the past and hold them within my eyes. There is a message I must convey to you through these eyes of mine, as is my duty.” 


“You spoke of this message before. How long will it take?” 


“Do not worry,” the woman spoke as she placed her hands on his cheeks. She moved in close, her lips a cherry red like that of fresh blood as her eyes could just barely be seen through the strands of dark hair. They glowed with a tan shade like hot sand. “It will only take but a moment.” 


“Lady Lilith?” 


“It is about time you have arrived, Kana. Where is Arc’l?” 


“He wasn’t far behind, dealing with the denizens of your manor again... why is she here?” 


“No need to be so cautious,” Lilith said as she finally came into view. “I invited her here. It is important that she be present for this meeting.” 


“Your precious little hourglass, huh?” Arc’l started as he entered the room. 


“It’s about time you decided to show up. Did they really give you that much trouble?” Kana asked the male who sighed in response. 


“You know how they are, most of them slaves to their desires. They keep making a fuss about getting me out of my armor, seeing my face. It will never happen. However, that is beside the point. What have we been called here for, Lady Lilith?” 


“Patience, my secretive knight. Just be silent and let me speak. Now that all needed parties are present, we can finally get this underway.” 


He had heard so much about her, the stories and explanations, but it was only in this moment which he viewed through this claimant’s eyes he had the opportunity to see the woman in person. Beautiful was an understatement. She was utterly enchanting just from being present, and that wasn’t including her voice which could only be described as an attempt to seduce any and everything within earshot. Her skin flawless, without marks or blemishes, her very existence exuding power and ferocity. Even just looking through this woman’s eyes it was difficult to remain steady with her red glare focused on their direction. She wore pure white which, in his opinion, seemed like the type of thing a person known for devouring others would not do. 


“I am ready, Lady Lilith.” The voice was her own, the woman whose eyes he watched through. 


“Good... Kana, my raven, are you willing to become an aikekunai?” 


“What?” Kana responded as if offended to some degree. “You speak as if there’s even a chance for your death. Not to mention I would never place myself in a position Xainayne believes he can so easily control. He will never have my loyalty.” 


“I believed that to be the case. Then that leaves me with you, Arc’l. Will you be my aikekunai?” 


“The second choice... fitting, I suppose... I will not argue. If that is what you desire of me then I will gladly accept the role, as unworthy as I may be.” Even Kana felt slightly sorry for him hearing his words.


“You have the potential, and you certainly have the skills which I taught you personally. However, you must be prepared to die when the time is right. You are nothing more than a vessel now, and a vessel is bound to hold something more. The vessel will be filled to the brim and, when there is no space left, it will overflow and burst into more than itself.” 


“Cursed to be broken... I won’t argue. Asking me to die in such an indirect way, however, I will not accept.” 


“Then by all means,” she spoke as she stood to her feet and approached him. “Kneel.” 


Arc’l was as regal and honorable as ever. His sword, which he carried everywhere with him, he placed down on the floor at his side, falling on one knee right at the feet of the aikekunai. He lowered his head, but it was Lilith whose fingers touched his chin and lifted it to meet her gaze. This time he was surprised to find it far less chilling than it had always been. A part of her seemed almost... sorry for him. 


“Lady Lilith?” 


“Quiet now, Arc’l. For you, right now, I am just Lilith,” her words were like honey as she personally removed the helmet from his head. His face was... impossible to not recognize. The dark curly hair which covered his head and the thick beard which covered his face, eyes carrying a crimson gaze, skin like browned amber. 


“Lilith...” 


“You are so loyal. Loyal beyond my deserving. You would even throw away your life for me, all while your house is more than pleased to cast you out. That is why I directly recommend you for the position of aikekunai. Regardless of if you were a second choice, my blessing is entirely yours. Feel honored. From this point onward, even if no one else does, I acknowledge you as an exceptional claimant of the house of Dimea. The house of darkness, and Kana will attest to that. Let no one deny you that.” 


“Thank you, Lilith. Your words are more than I deserve.” 


“However, this is a moment to be remembered,” Lilith’s words caused Kana to give off two emotions in her eyes. Confusion and jealousy. “Arc’l will act as the vessel, but you, Kana, will be the one who fills it. Xainayne will come to you first, just as I did, and you will refuse him entirely as well. You will then guide him to my Arc’l, my knight, who will accept wholeheartedly. Your family will be raised to put what I have taught you into practice. Not a single child in your lineage will go untouched by my influence. Then, when it is time, Arc’l will break his vessel.” 


“What do you mean Lady Lilith?” Kana questioned the woman. 


“She means that the aikekunai who replaces me will be one of your descendants,” Arc’l brought a smile to Lilith’s face. 


“Arc’l will break once your line is prepared. When that time comes, we will have a proper claimant. A proper arbiter. All our efforts formed into one. My Hell upon this earth will serve as not just an example, but a place where they will call their own. A castle with a throne only he may occupy. Age after age, life after life, his soul will corrupt every variation of himself to come. That will be the future of the Dimea aikekunai.” 


“Why are you telling us all this now? Why not just wait?” Kana questioned the woman who chuckled in response as she lifted the sword Arc’l placed on the ground. 


“Because it is time to make things move.” 


It was abnormally disturbing, almost as if filling him with sadness as they watched Lilith plunge the sword through her chest through this woman’s eyes. He could tell she was upset; tell she was not pleased just witnessing this display forced into her vision. Arc’l did not flinch, but his face was clearly filled with terror following her actions and Kana looked as if there was no emotion to be felt... none at all. Lilith’s blood, as sweet as fresh fruit, poured from her chest to the floor below and she did not care to even react as if anything had changed. Instead, her eyes turned to face directly at her and yet it was clear to him as he watched. Her gaze was not directed at the woman but instead directed at him through her eyes. 


“Lady Lilith?” the voice came from their position. 


“Time is short. You will know what to do. Your desires are your own, and you must never forget that. This Hell you have seen is of my design, a place to be filled with countless deserving of punishment. I will not attempt to control you because you will no doubt be your own claimant. However, I will make a personal request.” 


The red blood gushed from her chest and, with time, began to darken into a thick deep crimson. The color was being lost, fading from her body and steadily being replaced with a thick and syrupy black. Arc’l seemed to be angry as he placed the helmet back over his head and Kana did not grace the room with her presence any longer. Yet even with them both choosing to resign themselves like this Lilith continued to speak. 


“You will be the arbiter all claimants need. The one who bears peace, justice, courage, honor. All these things will be your legacy. Do not ever forget that. This Hell is yours as much as it is mine. The throne is shared between you and me. I am Lilith Dimea, Queen of the Demons, and those demons are also yours.” 


The blood was now all pure black, covering the floor beneath her feet as she pulled the sword from her chest and handed it back to Arc’l. He did not question anything and simply did as would be expected of him. Standing to his feet as, against his hopes, vision began to blur. This woman had of course begun to cry in this very moment as Lilith’s red eyes were just barely visible becoming a calm blue while her body seemed to shift and change entirely. That was when an unknown voice began to speak. 


“What is this? Where am I?” 


“You have returned, Lord Marz. Please remain calm.” 


“Who are you?” 


“I am Arc’l Dimea, knight of your territory. Allow me to escort you to the vortex. There are many things Xainayne will wish to discuss with you.” 


 It was odd, a feeling he had not felt before so clearly. The woman who stood before him panting as if the situation were extremely taxing upon her own body. She slumped and nearly fell to the ground at their feet, but it was his own arm which surprised him and caught her. Just as he had thought. She felt fragile beyond belief. She seemed worn out, tired, almost barely clinging to consciousness. For the first time in his entire life, he found himself feeling concern for someone else. Enough to make him question their wellbeing. 


“Do not worry about me. I’m only a vessel for Lady Lilith’s use,” her words caused him to sigh. 


“That may be, but you are also a claimant. I can tell that you care for your betters, but not only that. There is a deep sense of care for all your claimant brothers and sisters. It’s admirable.” 


“A compliment from you is more than I could ever ask for.” 


“You give me too much credit.” 


“On the contrary, I feel I do not give you enough. Our lady has high hopes for your future. In contrast the respect I give you is lacking in comparison.” 


“Respect...” 


There was a moment of silence as he lifted her from the ground and carried her to a place decent enough to put her down. It was a far more careful and pleasant experience than she had expected from him and yet it only filled her with questions. This person was meant to be the successor of their queen’s will. He was meant to be both powerful and intelligent in equal measure, capable of great feats involving both power and smarts. If he were truly what she planned for him to be then it was expected that he would be the most ruthless claimant alive... however, he seemed kinder than anyone else she had ever met. Even Lilith herself. 


“I am the watcher. My sole purpose is to watch what my lady desires, and my purpose is clear,” she said as she pointed to the pool of red and gold magma. “Resting within that ever-burning pool lies the single thing I will forever watch over, our lady’s most powerful weapon of the two she possesses. That weapon belongs to you.” 


“Me? Why would I need something like that?” 


“It’s not for you to hold in your hand, but for you to hold dominion over. Laying claim to this weapon means you lay claim to the fires of this Hell she left behind.” 


“So, you mean to say that this place belongs to me now?” 


“Indeed,” she started. “Will you take up the mantle of arbiter? As the one who fuels this Hell?” 


“You don’t understand at all.” His words seemed heavier than before as his eyes turned up to the roof of the cavern, his gaze set at the top where he began. “Come with me. I need you to witness something.” 


The woman nodded and, with that confirmation, she was made to understand the gravity of just how powerful this person was. She was enveloped by darkness simply by being at his side and within that darkness was a deep sense of longing originating from nowhere. It was almost as if it simply existed all around them until, as that same darkness dispersed, she found herself at the very top of the cavern. She rose to her feet, looking down off the side of the bridge which once was so far above, travel which would normally take hours having passed by in seconds. 


“You have returned, and with the watcher,” the familiar voice grabbed her attention. 


“Guardian...” 


“You two don’t seem pleased to see one another,” he spoke as he began making his way back to the stairwell with the woman in tow. 


“She isn’t to leave the place she watches over.” 


“And yet I brought her here. Does that mean you plan to change my decision?” he questioned him as he placed his hand on the sword at his side for the first time since arriving. “The choice is once again yours.” 


“While I can feel the difference in our strength, I cannot ignore insubordination. You should understand that sir knight.” 


“I understand, but I also do not,” he started as he drew the weapon. That alone seemed to drain all light from the area, erasing it as if it had no right to exist alongside his malice. 


“Darkness,” the watcher uttered as she shielded her eyes. 


“You... you can’t be. So, your strength-” 


“Don’t talk, slave. That privilege is now lost to you.” He could not see anything, could barely hear anything, but what he could certainly register was the sharp ring of steel against steel. He could feel the blade dragging across the chain coif at his neck, ever so slightly kept at bay from his neck. “You speak of strength, but any stray monkey can have that. Dogs have strength, plebians have strength, but only legends have power. Your life hangs in the balance, and I am not so kind as to let you live after standing in my path twice.” 


“Would you spare him for me?” her voice caused the darkness to disperse. 


“Is that a request?” 


“No,” she began as she lowered her head to the ground. “I am simply begging you to let him live. He serves a purpose, regardless of his insolence. I would beg that you spare his life.” 


“Novevu be praised,” he started in a mocking tone with his gaze remaining on the guardian. “The void isn’t calling for you just yet. However, you’d best thank this woman for her part to play in that.” 


“O-of course, sir knight.” 


“Now then, come with me watcher. We have something to discuss.” 


They ascended the stairs as soon as she lifted herself from the ground, his steps never slowing down and yet this was the first time she had realized what little sound they made. In fact, it was clear that he wasn’t making an ounce of sound at all. Not even his armor gave away his presence. If she weren’t walking right behind him looking directly at his back it would have been safe to assume she’d never even know he was there. But there was little time to think about that. At his pace they reached the top of the stairs in very little time. 


How long had it been since she saw this room? How long since she had bathed in this red light? The day Lilith had chosen to become Marz was the same day she descended to the very pits of Hell without a care for returning to the surface. It was nostalgic. It made her mind race, but those thoughts which flooded her senses were quickly replaced when a voice spoke up. A voice she had not heard in a very long time. 


“Sir knight... you have returned.” 


“Indeed, I have returned,” he said as his eyes turned up to the ceiling where the male hung bound by tight chains. 


“You’ve seen it for yourself, have you not? This place is an abomination! A stain upon this very realm! It must be destroyed; it must be erased from all existence as well as all its denizens!” 


“Will you be quiet,” his words caused the male to glare but most importantly caused the woman to look at him with surprise. 


“What?” 


“I said to shut the fuck up. Your voice annoys me far more than it should and I’m personally surprised Lilith allowed you to live this long.” 


“Sir knight?” the watcher started as she watched the male lift his hand to his chest and begin unclasping the straps which held his armor in place. 


“I hate this type of stuff, but I assume I should at least show a bit of respect when stating things in a proper manner. Then again, it’s my duty to do just that.” 


“Sir knight, you must understand the abnormality of this place!” 


The hanging male’s voice began drawing both humans and claimants from the rooms in the manor. They filled the halls and flocked around the throne room, yet none of them chose to step into the open. Scattered throughout the edges of the room while even children rushed to see what was taking place only to be held back by watchful adults. It was at this point the knight sighed, the heavy cuirass and plackart falling to the floor with the pauldrons and cuisses soon following. It revealed clothing of the highest quality, black in color and giving off a standard of royalty in its make. He was certainly no king, but the fact that he dressed like one in ominous colors stood out greatly. 


“Let’s begin,” he started with a sigh. “I have stepped through battlefields in the image of a detestable omen by both claimants and humans alike. A reminder that my power is both a gift and a curse, but that power is mine, nonetheless. I do not care to be led by the actions of those before me and I do not care for much outside of my chosen purpose for myself.” 


“Sir knight?” the watcher said only for the male to raise his hand to silence her. 


“Enough of that as well. It’s beginning to annoy me,” he started as he waved her over with his approach to Lilith’s throne. “I go by many names, most of which no one is truly pleased with, but I feel this place will properly accommodate those titles as well as serve to make my goals even easier.” 


“You mean to ally yourself with this place?!” the man shouted as the chains rattled. “You’re a fool if you believe these people would ever care to help you! They care for no one else but Lilith and her demons!” 


“You make me sick,” his words echoed throughout the hall as he sat down upon Lilith’s throne. The very actions roused both anger and surprise from the denizens all around. Some gasped while others looked as if prepared to outright attack. 


“Silence!” the watcher called out which placed a quiet the entire hall. “Your actions. I ask that you explain them, sir knight.” 


“Don’t be so quick to question me, watcher. I’ve killed people for far less, but I think it’s about time I stop acting like someone else. It agitates me when people speak as if I’m just a part of the common rabble,” the knight spoke as he lifted the helmet from his head and handed it over to the woman who looked entirely shocked. The hanging man, however, was filled with rage. 


“Arc’l?!” 


“Shut your mouth slave. The fact that you’ve been dangling here for so long only makes your weakness more prominent and your ignorance steeper than ever before. I’m not Arc’l you ape, I’m Gahbreal Dimea, aikekunai of the house of darkness and wolf of the claimants.” 


“Gahbreal? Lord Gahbreal... I knew you were a darkness claimant, but I did not expect this,” the watcher said as she clutched the helmet tightly. “Have you finally come to continue our lady’s work?” 


“This is madness! You can’t go through with this, the damage caused to the society of both claimants and humans alike will be devastated!” the hanging man cried out only to be met with a long sigh. “Do you think this is some kind of joke?” 


“Joke? Don’t piss me off any more than you already have. I came here to see what my predecessors did with their time and, to be completely honest, I’m disappointed. I expected more.” 


“What?!” 


“Enough! The talking without being prompted to respond calls for a lesson. Come to me, my most trusted companion.” 


The words alone caused those gathered to look around as if expecting someone within their ranks to step forward, but no one moved an inch. The truth wasn’t revealed until a tear in reality began to form at his side, darkness seeping from it like blood pouring from a wound, and it was there he reached his hand and pulled from it a thing that would never betray him. An axe which seemed to pulsate with life, but that life itself was heavily corrupted. Indigo hues resonating through it like veins pumping madness across its blades; its very presence brought discomfort to everyone present. 


He flipped the weapon over, the head of the axe falling to rest on the ground at his side, but it was then the entire room fell silent. This time it wasn’t just the voices, but everything. No wind, no creaking or settling of the building, the flames flickered yet made no lively noise, it was all silence. But of course, it was only expected to be that way. How else could they react when the very act of the weapon touching the ground had covered the entire building in darkness. Almost as if they had existed in a vast nothingness, all excluding the red glow which originated from what seemed like the very air itself. That is, until that hue steadily faded down into a soft indigo. 


“My ally, my Ruinous Edge, all-encompassing darkness. This place has shown me one thing in particular... my predecessors were far too kind.” 


“Kind?” the male’s voice echoed from his position throughout the silence. 


“And yet in the darkness you still speak. Perhaps I’m also too kind, something which must be rectified... Lilith was a queen of desires, pureblood of our house, an example for all. Arc’l was honorable, a noble blade, steadfast beyond his peers. In comparison I suppose I’d be seen as the weakest among them, but I will have you understand that I am not resigned to being a pawn in their games. Desires, loyalty, neither of those matter in my territory, in my world.” 


The watcher looked at him as if she had been entirely betrayed by his words. Everyone in that room had expected him to come at some point, drawn to this place so that he might take Lilith’s position and continue her work. His words betrayed them, his actions betrayed them, his demeanor betrayed them, and yet... he was so alluring in all his ways. He wasn’t Lilith but, even while engulfed in this substantial darkness, there was a calm which defied normality. It was almost as if it were a possibility to exist here and never want to leave. However, that calm was erased the moment her eyes met his own. How long had he been looking at her? How long had she been the target of his attention? 


“Lord Gahbreal?” she said as if her voice were cowering away. 


“If Lilith represented desires and Arc’l loyalty, what do you believe I represent?” There was a pause as she pondered her response. “Don’t think in terms of duty or role. Look at me as if you were my equal, standing in this abyssal darkness, and tell me what you see.” 


Her eyes did not avert themselves from his own, did not dare to look away from his direct stare. This was the longest period of time he had looked at her and vice versa since his arrival. There were so many things there which were devoid from Lilith’s eyes at times, but as far as she knew their queen was kind. Arc’l was strict and studious in all things, hiding his eyes excluding that single moment, but even his gaze seemed steadfast with choice traces of worry. But Gahbreal... there was only a single terror hiding behind his glare. 


“Madness. Madness deeper than any other. A madness capable of overtaking even the strongest soul given the chance.” Her response dragged a smile onto his face. 


“Correct,” he started as he stood to his feet and drew the sword from his side. “I don’t plan on being some dog for Lilith or Arc’l, but I also don’t plan to stand in your way if you want to follow me around and drag off some dregs to the depths of this place. I only have a single duty after all.” 


The male hanging from chains found himself shocked to see the sword flying in his direction, but even more shocked when it stuck the chains holding him in place. He fell to the floor beneath with a thud and quickly lifted himself to his knees, weaker than he had expected to be after all these years of motionless waiting. Even so, his focus was entirely on Gahbreal who made his approach with his axed dragging the floor at his side. The darkness which had engulfed the room centering itself, closing in around just the two of them with each step until the indigo had turned to red and the light had returned to everything. Everything excluding the two of them. 


“Letting me go will be your greatest mistake.” 


“Letting you go? What the fuck are you talking about?” he said before laughing and lifting his axe to the male’s shoulder. “I’m not letting you go. I cut you down because I believe Lilith did not do enough. Sanity is a gift that makes a person capable of resisting and keeping their mind intact. You can hold out so long as you remain sane. So, for my addition to this place, I’ll be adding madness. Madness which cannot be escaped. Madness which will destroy you1 Madness which will rot away your veins and peel the layers of your mind away until no thought is your own!” 


He lowered the axe down upon his shoulder, the blade digging into his flesh ever so slight. It was an experience unlike any other. Madness. It was a concept which could be seen, heard of, experienced. There were times in the past which made him feel as if he were going mad, watching as Lilith and her subordinates dragged claimant after claimant into the depths of this place never to be seen again. He had believed he understood madness after existing for so long within this Hell, but he had never been made to find himself more incorrect than he found himself in this very moment. 


He could feel it invading his blood, seeping into his very being. His thoughts steadily corrupting into things he would have normally never brought himself to think of. He could feel his mind unraveling with each passing moment with nothing he could do to stop it, the decay of his sanity at such an intrepid speed he couldn’t even form words of resistance, mumbling and moaning as if in some debilitating trance. It was then that he looked at Gahbreal, standing above him with his face contorted into a maniacal grin, laughing in a manner as if mocking him. His face, his body deforming into black with inly his red eyes glaring at him in disgust. The male found himself growing angry... but that anger quickly returned to a primordial dread as the darkness subsided. Then, where Gahbreal once stood, now all he could see was Lilith’s smug face laughing in the same way he had seen her do so many times in the past. Laughing at his downfall! 


“What a shame,” Gahbreal said as he watched the male squirm and scream on the floor. “Everyone believes they’re strong willed, until madness eats away at them... pick him up and chain him back up there. My work here is done.” 


“Lord Gahbreal!” the watcher started as Gahbreal began making his way towards the front entrance. “What will we do now? What will be our purpose?” 


“Did I not tell you already? Are you all that naïve?” He questioned them without even turning to face them all. “I don’t plan on standing in your way, so send a few wolves of your own to follow me around if you must. Let them drag a few unfortunate souls down to the depths of this place you call Hell, but those hounds will not stand in my way. Wolves though they may become, I will always be the alpha.”