The Wielder of Death Magic

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

“Pardon?”

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

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

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

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

“As you wish,” the shadow disappeared.

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

.....

“Consider it done,” he vanished.

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

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

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

“How is he nowadays?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“…”

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

“-HOW DID YOU KNOW?”

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

“Mother, stop the showboating.”

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

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

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

“You used the Dagger of Earsfall right?”

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

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

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

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