Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)

The moment she crossed over into Terramore her whole body came alive. She connected with Vincent, recognizing that he was in this realm. Alongside the feeling of relief and security came something else, it screamed at her to run, to get out. She had sensed Ashera instantly, just as easily as it had been with Vincent. Their blood calling to each other. She shivered, if she was feeling this way, she knew so would he.

“You can feel it can’t you?” Damon asked her.

She nodded. “I have a suspicion, so can you.”

He averted his gaze. “How long have you known?”

“No demon in their right mind, who had wanted freedom, would willingly come back here.” She tilted her head toward him and raised a brow.

He laughed half heartily. “Yes. I have a connection similar to yours and Vincent’s, with him. If I die however, he does not.”

“Vincent would make a joke about how that would have made our job easier.” She commented dryly.

Damon laughed more deeply this time. “Indeed, he would have.”

“So why come back?”

“Unfinished business with dear old dad. And above all I wanted to help...” He paused, a soft expression covering his features as he looked to her. “I found a family I want to be a part of, to protect.” He half whispered.

She smiled up at him, about to reply when their attention snapped to the sound of footsteps coming from up ahead. They both lunged for the walls, pressing themselves up against the moist rocks, concealing themselves in the thick darkness.

Damon snatched her wrist and coated her form, along with his own, in essence. Normally she would have snatched it right back, but the moment she felt the coolness of the water essence wrap around her, she knew that he had concealed them both from sight.

“I didn’t intend for hand holding, please don’t tell Vincent.” He whispered.

No need to talk out loud, just think it and I will hear. She relayed to him through his mind.

He slowly turned his head to stare at her with eyes wide. You are in my head, how?

She inclined her head to the hand wrapped around her wrist. It is easy for me to slip into minds now, especially if one touches me. It was not intended as a threat, but she couldn’t deny the powerful feeling that washed over her at the thought of not fearing someone’s touch. After all she knew she could stop them now, and with nothing but a single thought.

Follow me, stay close and don’t let go. Damon slid out from the shadows, lightly pulling her with him. She followed along, knowing he had more knowledge than her of their surroundings. He navigated the tunnels with ease, all the dark rocky corridors all looked the same to her. There was little to no light, only the odd lantern hanging on the walls of the rocky terrain. They moved quickly and silently; she knew where they were heading even without asking. She could feel them moving closer to the lord of this domain.

Damon stopped before the most decorated thing she had seen in this hell, and she knew they had arrived. Behind the tall metal doors, was the room she had visited months ago? And appeared as though it was well guarded. She could feel the presence of only a single person coming from that room, but reaching out with her mind was too risky in this domain. She knew Lady Vexous had been blocked from her, so it was hard to tell if she were still in this room.

Does he ever leave this room? she asked, still not using their voices.

Not that I have seen. We can either wait until someone comes by and opens the door for us, or... He trailed off.

Or? You have an idea, yes? She inquired.

It may not work, but I can enter with you as a prisoner, at least trying to make him believe as much. He offered.

I don’t have a better idea, and he knows we are here regardless. We will at least get in the room this way. She agreed.

If things go sour, run for the exit. I’m sure you have already found the path from being in my mind. He added.

She nodded, he was correct, she had already found and extracted the information she needed from him, on many occasions. After all, this was not the first time being in his mind. Many times, she had entered his chaotic thoughts in the past, trying to set him free from the deeply ingrained control that Ashera had placed on him. She had grown to know him in spirit during that time, it was odd to know someone so well and yet for so short a time.

They both knew this was a bad idea, it would be simple for the demon lord to see through their rouse. But they had no other choice, they needed answers, they needed to know if Vexous was alive.

He will look through your mind, to see if you are being truthful. I will implant some false memories to help. She told him.

With a nod from him, he watched as her head kinked slightly to the side. His temple filled with a warm sensation, as a flood of images and events played, like a dream. He had gone along with their plans, after his control had been lifted, only so he could return home. He had made the other four go first, so that he could betray Aveyon in her moment of weakness when Vincent was no longer connected to her. He wanted to gain the favor of his father by bringing her to him, proving to him that he was a capable individual even outside of his control.

He frowned. You’ve turned me into a daddy’s boy...

She stifled a laugh. It was the best I could come up with, given the urgency and lack of time.

Shaking her hand out from his firm grip, she broke free of the enchantment he had placed over her. She held her wrist out before her, palms facing the dimly lit ceiling.

He sighed, breaking his own cloaking. He tore a piece of his clothing and imbued his essence into it, reinforcing the fibers and strengthening the material. He knew she could undo it in a second if she wanted, it was only for show after all.

As his hands brushed against her skin, he re-laid one last message knowing that she could hear him. I’m sorry for the way I’m about to act but know that it is only an act. You are kin to me Princess, I don’t wish this for you.

I know, I am ready. She lightly squeezed his hand with a hint of a smile. If this goes sideways, know that you are and always will be my command.

Damon yanked on the restraints, pulling her around the corner. The guards paid him no mind as he approached the door, he didn’t bother to knock. He kicked the door in, the large steel door flying open, and pulled Aveyon along behind him.

She had expected the inside of the room to be more decorated, like before the only thing that drew her attention was his golden trimmed chairs and the gilded cage. The only color that filled the room. The walls were a little more refined, smooth and polished, more lanterns lined the edges of the large throne room. Uneven steps lead up to the throne itself, and that was where she was thrown.

Damon had forced her forward, throwing her at the lord’s feet and stood with his head held high, a stern look on his face as he met Ashera’s gaze.

Aveyon stumbled forward, she purposely lost her footing and collided with the steps, thankfully not breaking her skin on the harsh ground. Her eyes meet that of a females shocked expression. She had noticed the women last time she had been here, but only now did she recognize some of them. Many of them at been maids in the palace, or teachers in the schools. Her eyes opened wide as she felt her heart sink. She released then, she couldn’t sense them or their minds, their souls already long gone.

They were Alarian’s, or at least they once had been. These were her people, covered in blood, clinging to the feet of an over glorified god. She heard a deep cackle and her gaze shot up, locking eyes with his. He looked just the same as he had months before. Spiked ash colored hair, metal studs and rings pieced his flesh. He sat leaning on one elbow, with his opposite leg dangling over the throne’s arm. The throne itself was craved from stone, while he sat on a mattered blood red, dirt ridden cushion. Everything in the realm felt damp, dirty and rotten.

“Unexpected guests.” His voice was deep and alluring. It set her body on edge.

“My lord, I have returned with a gift.” Damon placed a hand over his chest and bowed.

Ashera raised a brow at the boy, tilting his head to the other side, his eyes did not leave Aveyon’s. “Indeed, I see that. But that begs the question, why?” His tone was almost mocking.

“I-”

“Hush, I will find out for myself.” Ashera cut Damon off, a moment later Damon gasped and collapsed to one knee. His breathing grew heavy and rigid as his face morphed in pain.

Aveyon cringed, she knew what that felt like, to have someone burst through your defenses in a second. She wanted more than anything to reach out and tell him not to resist, it would only make it worse.

“Oh! My boy, you have gotten stronger, it seems.” Ashera’s eyes finally left Aveyon’s to look to the demon, now knelling before him.

Aveyon took opportunity to grasp onto one of the women’s wrists in front of her. She dove into the fallen Alarian’s mind. The women looked at her oddly, but didn’t pull away, she tilted her head, as if trying to understand what was happening. The woman’s mind was almost completely blank, only an intense need to please Ashera remained, as though they had been completely wiped and rewritten. Appalled, she pulled back, a look of disgust on her face. Could they be fixed if she found a way to restore their souls? The curse was like a enchantment right, it could be unraveled given the chance... If they weren’t too far gone.

A light rattle of metal caught her attention, it had come from behind Ashera. She could barely make out the outline of a women hidden away in the darkness of a cage. She was still here! They had at least confirmed she was still alive. The menacing laughter Ashera burst into had her head snap back to him.

“You played them like a fool. Excellent work my boy.”

Aveyon’s face didn’t betray her act, though she felt relieved that he hadn’t caught on to the fake memories, her demeanor remained cold.

“How does it feel Princess? To be betrayed by a person you called a friend, a comrade!” He laughed again. Pushing himself up to stand he reached for her.

She had expected his hands to be clawed like Damon’s, but they weren’t. Interesting, was that something he added to the demons? Or could he control them like a fallen? She used every moment she had to study him and his surroundings. She reeled backwards just out of reach, her head snapping to Damon staring daggers at him.

“Hold her still!” Ashera bellowed.

Damon, now on his feet, his brow creased and worn from the pain of the unwanted invasion, nodded before clasping his hands around her forearms from behind. He held her firmly, but his grip was not tight or harmful.

Did you see her, is she in the cage? He asked her now that they were touching again.

Yes, but the metal is warded, I would need time to undo it. She replied.

This whole room is warded. He responded with a warning.

That is why I couldn’t sense anyone but him while outside, he’s hiding her in here- Her thought cut off as her body stiffened, Ashera laid a hand on her cheek. His touch was cold, like his body held no heat. She didn’t want him touching her, but she dared not make a move, not yet. Every nerve was on edge, every hair on end, her body stiff and her mind racing.

This situation was terrifying, she felt she had come full circle. The King had once had her in this very spot, his hands stroking her cheek before he ripped out a piece of her. What did Ashera have in mind for her? What did he want? She forced herself to remain still, to wait. She was stronger than the last time, she could do this, and the other four of their team were very slowly approaching. This was their chance; she couldn’t blow it.