Beep. Beep. Beep.
Ugh… 'Why are mornings a thing?' I think to myself as the alarm continues to beep. I try to ignore it. Going as far as to bury my head under pillows and blankets. But to no avail. It won't stop until I'm up.
Sitting up, I yawn and stretch before flipping the covers off and slipping out of bed. Enjoying the feel of the cool stone under foot, I make my way to the bathroom, but suddenly am stopped by a demon sitting on my dresser. “You weren’t there last night…” I mutter to the demon. “I really need to figure out a way to keep you from just popping into my room”
Laughing, Fiend Princess hops down from my dresser and saunters over to me. “Arch Raicheal told me to fetch you. Go get yourself ready so you don’t keep her waiting!” She laughs again at my face as I scramble to the bathing room.
As I emerge from the bathing rooms, Fiend Princess calls the darkness and we both get pulled in, reappearing in Arch Raicheal’s hall. Flipping a piece of hair out of my face that I didn’t have a chance to fix before the darkness took us, I stick my tongue out at Fiend Princess, just as Arch Raicheal walks in, a piece of paper in her hand.
“Good morning Arch Raicheal!” I say. Making a slight bow, I smile up at her. “What can I do for you today?” She studies me for a moment before holding her hand out for me to take the paper. As I step forward to get it she says “The Prime Evil has summoned you. You need to be there in 15 minutes. I hope you are ready.”
Taking the note from my Arch, I open it and skim the contents. Eyes bulging out, I reread it, slower, taking in every word carefully.
"The Prime Evil summons you to his presence in the throne room. It is of utmost importance. You will be told more when you get there. We cannot take the chance this message gets intercepted with the important information. Be there at 9 am sharp!"
“A summons? From the Prime Evil?! Did I do something? Am I in trouble? Is he going to smite me? He's totally going to smite me!” I hear Fiend Princess laughing somewhere behind me as I panic.
"Quit panicking Alice and take a deep breath!" I chide myself. Taking a breath, I glance at the clock behind Arch Raicheals desk. 8:50. "OK. Ten minutes. There's nothing to worry about. You've done nothing wrong. You're not in trouble. You got this!" I give myself a pep talk as I bow again to Arch Raicheal and call the darkness to me, disappearing in a black cloud, reappearing outside the throne room. Taking a few deep breaths to steady myself, I lift my head up and push the doors open, hoping I at least look confident.
Making my way towards the throne where the Prime Evil sits, I feel my nerves start to return. My doubts creeping in about why I am here. I do everything I can to control my emotions. The more they get out of hand, the less control I have over my power of anguish. I know my powers couldn't touch the Prime Evil, but the last thing I need is for things to go haywire.
Standing there in the presence of The Prime Evil is nerve racking to say the least. His gaze. It is terrifying. And yet, at the same time so very comforting. All powerful. All consuming.
After standing there for what seems like forever, I start to wonder if I should say anything. His gaze though, warns me not to. To just stand here and wait until he is ready. More time passes before he starts to speak. He tells me about an item that has been stolen. His battle crown. It was taken at some point a few nights ago. He tells me I need to find it, and find the person who took it. Bring them back alive if it was a traitorous demon. Or kill them if it was an angel. He tells me I am the only one that can complete this task. My eyes must have bugged out, but he just continues to stare at me. I regain my composure, bow and nod my acceptance.
I walk out of the throne room and slump against the wall. This was not what I expected it to be. What if I fail? How can I be the only one he can give this task to? Taking a few steadying breaths, I call the darkness once more and disappear back to my home.
_______
Looking around my space, I see my materials laying around haphazardly. Luckily I should have enough raw materials to make potions and write spells. My armor is in perfect condition. My blades will need to be sharpened a bit, but that can be done later.
First research. I grab some parchment, ink and a quill and stuff them in a bag. Turning on my heel in a cloud of blackness, I end up outside the archive hall. Glancing to the right of the doors, I look at the mural.
Taking a few steps closer, I study the painting. It shows the war at Heavens Gate. The focus is on the Prime Evil and the Empyrean Reaper fighting. His distraction to keep her away from the gates. Above them the gates of heaven under attack. The demon army streaming from below. Upon his head, the battle crown.
It's simple. As dark as a star-less night. Five spikes. Some sort of detailing that I can't make out from the mural. 'Where were you being kept? Why not here?' I think to myself as I turn and walk into the archives.
Looking around at the vast amount of documents, I sigh and work my way to the central desk. "Hey Gretta! How are you this beautiful morning? I am looking for anything we have on our beloved leader's battle crown. Could you point me in the right direction?" I bat my eyes at the cranky old demon and smile brightly. She just looks at me, but eventually she starts to walk into the stacks.
I follow along behind her to a darker corner. She waves her hand in the direction of a shelf and turns to walk back to her desk. "Thanks Gretta! You're a doll!" I yell to her as she disappears around a corner. Giggling to myself, I scan the shelf for a scroll that might be of help.
______
Stretching, I look around and see my stack of notes and the piles of scrolls scattered around me. Flipping through the notes, I look at a detailed sketch of the crown. The edges are encrusted with onyx pieces. But they give very little shimmer. In fact they seem to draw all light into themselves, like a black hole. Funny how you can tell that even from a drawing.
Flipping a few more pages, I find my list of places to check out, as well as some demons to talk to. I wonder if I'm even going to be able to get into these areas without someone of higher authority with me. Maybe the guards were informed someone would be around? Maybe my position of Duke will be enough…
Shaking my head to clear those thoughts that I don't need to worry about right now. I quickly gather the scrolls and put them back on their shelves. Gathering my notes, I stuff them into my bag and make my way out of the archives, giving Gretta a wave and flip her a random perfect Onyx rolling around in my bag.
As I walk out, I almost run into another demon. "Hey watch it!" he yells at me. I look at him with wide eyes. I could easily pull rank. He smells like an imp. Maybe a Tempter. Definitely not anyone of importance. But his rudeness and attitude seem to have stunned me. By the time I snap out of it, he's in the archives, doors closed. I can hear him yelling at Gretta. If I didn't have such an important task directly from the Prime Evil, I'd go back and put him in his place. But honestly, Gretta can do that all on her own… if not better.
_____
Back at home, I start to clean up and organize my materials to see what I already have and what I need to make. Getting everything in order, I start to write spells, creating a pile of them to bring. Next will be potions, then jewelry and weapons. And of course looking over my armor to make sure it is indeed perfect.
How am I the only one for this job? Surely there are many much more qualified than I? Like Mina.* Or really any of the Arch's. Or of course Hells Commander, Akiva. They are all much more qualified than I am. So how is it that I am the "only one qualified"? And the crown? Does it really have the powers the archives said it does? How did it even get stolen? This should have been an item under heavy lock and key. And spell, charm and curse. With guards. All the guards!
Ok, maybe that would have been too much and given its location away to everyone walking by. Though, why it wouldn’t be kept in Hell, I’ll never know. With it being in the mortal realm, any angel could come and try to take it. Or mortal, if they were stupid enough. Regardless, I need to go to the temple it was at to look around for clues. Like a mortal investigator. Maybe I can hire, rather trick, one of them to help? At least their company would amuse me while I search and provide nourishment.
Shaking my head to focus on my task, I realize I’ve made enough spells and potions for my journey while my mind was wondering. Getting up, I open my safe and see what crystals I have that can be used in my jewlery. I pull out 2 perfect diamonds to help increase my damage if and when I need to fight. Next I choose 2 perfect rubies, so that I can heal myself quicker and better if needed. Then I pull out 2 perfect Topazes so that my spell shield will be increased. Lastly, I pull out 1 perfect Onyx. Quickly looking through my gems again, I realize I need to make more perfect gems at some point.
I slip the gems into rings, a bracelet and a necklace. All Lunar Steel. All perfect and brand new. Those go into a small pouch and get set next to my stack of spells and potions to be packed later. Next I head to my small amory. I look at my bow, but it will be too cumbersome for this journey. And too obvious. I need smaller options that I can hide. My gaze swings to the shelf of knives. I pick up five. One for each thigh, one to be tucked in my boot, and two for my belt. That should be enough.
Suddenly I freeze, sensing someone behind me. Turning, I see Fiend Princess and Arch Raicheal. Relaxing, I carry my knives over to the growing pile of things coming with me. “So what is your plan?” Arch Raicheal asks? I show her my notes, the list of demons to talk with, the locations to look and explain that my first stop is the temple the crown was kept at. Nodding, she hands the notes back. I glance at Fiend Princess and can tell she’s thinking about something. “Do you have any suggestions Fiend Princess? I am open to any and all help.”
Walking over to my desk, she grabs the list of demons and places to look at. Looking them over, she grabs my quill and crosses off one location, and adds two demons. “I know that this place will be a dead end, and these demons might be of more help than your original list. They are the ones tasked with protecting the crown.” Seeing my confused face, she continues. “Very few know about them for their protection and the crowns. Start with them.” I nod as she walks back to Arch Raicheal. “Good luck Alice.” Arch Raicheal says. Fiend Princess nods in agreement as they both disappear into the darkness.
______
The next morning, I get up, shower quickly and braid my hair back. I put on a light set of clothes, and cover them with my Lunar Steel armor. It’s in near perfect condition. I then put the five knives in their various locations. Grabbing my bag, I slip it over my shoulders, careful to not impair my wings while it is on. Looking around one last time, I call the darkness to me, letting it wrap around me like a blanket to take me to the temple.
The temple is…not much. But I guess having it look like ruins would help keep people from coming to it. I can sense the demons, but have yet to see them. I take a few steps towards the entrance when two guards materialize in front of me. I look them over once, before crossing my arms and give them ‘that look.’ They shift, slightly uncomfortable, but stand their ground. “What business do you have here?” one asks. Pulling myself to my full height, with all the authority I can muster, I respond, “I am here on direct business from the Prime Evil. Move so I can start trying to figure out how you buffoons lost the crown.”
Clearly, they didn’t expect anyone to know about the missing crown. Especially not this little thing of a demon. Smirking at them, I push my way through and continue up to the temple, keeping the air of importance around me. I know they can tell I am of a much higher rank. They follow me, a few feet behind, and as others materialize to watch, they keep their distance.
I make my way inside and to the pillar the crown was kept on. It’s really not that protected. I must be missing something. It’s down a few flights of stairs, and through a few chambers, but other than guards, getting bigger and stronger the closer I get, I sense nothing else to protect this very important relic. Why would it be kept here? I walk around the pillar, looking at it from every angle. It’s surrounded by lava, and it even looks like the lava is going up the pillar. I flap my wings, to carry me over the lava, close enough to touch the pillar. Just as I’m about to reach out and touch the place where the crown sat, the lava flares, just missing me as I manage to move back. ‘Well that explains the lack of protection,’ I think as I settle back down on the ground.
“Well no mortal would be able to take this. And it would be almost as dangerous for angels to try. That would leave a demon.” I turn quickly to look at the guards that have followed me down. “Have you seen anyone that doesn’t belong here recently? Or anyone poking around and asking questions they don’t have any business asking?” They shake their heads no. “You, go ask the rest of the guards here and report back. You, find me Derik and Doyle. Bring them here immediately!” It’s obvious they didn’t expect me to know about them, but both rush off to complete their task.
Turning back to the pillar, I try to figure out how one would get to the crown and away without getting flamed by the lava. Taking off my bag and setting it on the ground, I fly up and over above the pillar. Slowly, I start to go lower, just as I am about to be able to reach the area around the crowns perch, lava starts to fly up, but never above the pillar. It’s almost like a safe zone so the crown doesn’t get touched by the lava. But it’s big enough for someone small to be in. I touch the pillar and then fly back up. The lava stops when I am up high enough. Hovering there, I take in the space. There’s enough spots to hide in if needed. I try to call the darkness to me, but it doesn’t come. It won’t work inside the temple. The thief had to get back to the entrance and outside to leave.
By this time, I see one of the guards returning, two other demons in tow. I fly down and land before them. I start to question them. Where were they when the crown was stolen? How did someone get in without anyone knowing? DId they see anyone that shouldn’t have been here? They start to answer, saying they were paralyzed and then poisoned. The next thing they knew, the crown was missing. Derik immediately left for the Prime Evil so that he was aware while Doyle locked down the temple.
At this point, the other guard comes back with another demon with him. I stop my questioning and look at the new demon. He steps forward and says “About a week ago, a demon approached me, saying he was being assigned to the crowns temple and was told to find me. I was to be his training officer. He had the paperwork for it. I thought it was weird that I hadn’t been told I was getting a trainee, but everything looked to be in order, so I didn’t question it. I brought him here, showed him around and gave him his post. I haven’t seen him since the crown was stolen. And he wasn’t always at his post when he should have been.”
“Who was this demon?” I ask quietly, but deadly. All five demons in my presence shrink back. “His name is Apollo. He looks like the average Greek god the mortals swoon over. Even has that stereotypical greek nose. I think he is a demon of vice.” The guard tells me, giving me some other characteristics of this demon. I get a flash of the encounter with the demon that ran into me outside the archives. He could fit that description perfectly.
I pick up my bag and put it back on. Thanking the demons for the information they have given me, I start the walk back up to the temple entrance. Once outside, I look over my shoulder at the temple and then call the darkness to take me back to the archives. Walking inside, I go to the desk. Gretta isn’t there. She’s always at the desk. I swear she lives there. I sweep my awareness through the archives and sense a being in the far corner. I follow the current of awareness to find Gretta, in the corner, barely living.
Rushing over to her, I grab a heal potion and dump it down her throat. I also cast a cure spell, trying to help her recover. It’s hardly enough. But she can blink her eyes open some. “Gretta, who did this?” She tries to speak, but just sputters. I give her another heal potion, which seems to make a difference. She still needs more help, but is coherent enough now to talk.
She manages to croak out that it was the demon that came in after I left. “He was yelling nonsense and needed information about the Prime Evil’s battle crown. Wanting to know about it’s powers.” She coughs before continuing. “I told him that we didn’t have that information here. We do, but there was something about him that warned me to not let him have it. He attacked me. I didn’t have a chance to deflect it or protect myself. He must have moved me to this corner to keep others from finding out.” She starts to cough more.
“I’ll send someone here for you. You’ll be fine. As for Apollo, well…he won’t be fine.” I stand and fly back through the archives, bursting through the doors. I look around and quickly find a group of young demons skilling nearby. “You and you!” I point to two of them. “Go to the archives. Gretta has been attacked. She’s in the far back corner.” I look at the others. “Find an Arch or Fiend. Or your chieftain. Anyone! Tell them and have them come quickly. One of our own has turned against us! Have them help Gretta and be ready. A fight may be coming.” The young demons all run off in the directions I sent them. I sweep the area as far as I can, trying to locate this demon. I know his presence from running into him. I will find him.
I fly off still sweeping the area with my awareness. He must be here somewhere. You can’t try to take over Hell and not be in Hell. And someone must know him. I start to look for a chieftain who is of the Vice legion. I go to where she normally is and find her picking reagents. I land in a flurry and she looks up warily. She can sense my anger. It’s rolling off of me. Taking a deep breath to calm down some I say, “I am looking for a demon called Apollo. He is of the vice legion. Do you know of him?” She sighs and nods. “Unfortunately, yes I do. He was once part of my horde, but he was too much trouble. We banished him. I don’t believe he joined another horde.”
“Do you know where he may be? I need to find him immediately.” She gives me a few places to look. “He tends to be in the mortal realm most. I believe he has a place there. I would try there first. If he’s not there, then try the other places. But he is probably at his home. Possibly with others. Be careful!” She picks her basket back up and moves to the next plot of reagents to continue picking them. “Thank you!” I say as I call the darkness and go to the location of his mortal home.
I blink at the brightness, even though it is night. The neon lights and bright signs are a bit much. Though the city of sin does make a good spot for a demon to call home. I wrinkle my nose at the nightlife of Las Vegas and turn towards the building down the street. I sweep the area and am suddenly hit by his presence. I smile to myself and cast an incognito spell on myself and take a stone skin potion and a resistance potion. I add my jewelry and roll my shoulders.
Calling the darkness to help conceal me, I slowly make my way to the building and peek in the front window. Nothing. I creep along the building to the next window. Still nothing. I keep going until I locate him in the far back corner from the entrance. I go back one window and phase myself into the empty space inside. Slipping through on quiet feet, I get to the hallway and look around. He is sitting there, a mortal with him. They are…oh gross! I lean back into the room to stop seeing that. He’s been attacking demons. He’s criminal. I ready an attack in my hand. Leaning back out of the room, I aim and fire. He throws the mortal in it’s way and she’s dead before she has time to register the pain of the attack.
He throws a flame strike at me, but it misses due to his lack of aim as he moved to get out of the way. I laugh and cover myself with darkness and appear behind him, a knife across his throat. He twists away before I can strike, but the knife scrapes him. He hits me with a pyrokinesis attack. It hits my shoulder and stings. I hiss and ready an energy bolt spell, channeling it through the knife and I throw it. The knife hits his right shoulder and sinks deep, the spell fluttering through him from the knife. I quickly ready a Lung attack and hit him again before he’s had a chance to recover from the first attack.
He goes down. I ready a flame strike spell and walk closer. I lean down and activate the spell directly on his chest. He’s close to banishment. I can't kill him. I need to know where the crown is. I paralyze him and tie him up for good measure. Then I punch him to knock him out.
Looking around, I start to open every drawer and cupboard. I pull the couch apart. Where would he have kept it? I stop and take a breath. I close my eyes and focus, searching for any trace of the relic's power. I turn and start to move, eyes still closed, following the power. I can feel it. As if the Prime Evil is standing right in front of me.
I open my eyes and see I am standing in front of a wall. I punch it with a pyrokinesis attack adding to the force. Behind the wall is a box. Reaching in, I pull the box out and set it on the floor. I know the crown is inside. I feel like it's calling me. I pull the top off and see the darkness that is the battle crown. I suddenly feel the overwhelming urge to put it on. I start to reach for it.
Someone coughs and spits behind me, giving a gurgly laugh. It's enough to break me from the trance of the crown and I quickly put the top back on. The pull is still there, but without being able to see it, it's as if the crown has been silenced. I grab the spare set of clothes from my bag and wrap the box with them, further dampening it's call. I quickly stuff the bundle into my bag and attach it safely back to me.
Standing up, I turn and look at the demon in front of me. I should kill him. We would be better off without him in our midst. But the Prime Evil deserves to be the one to end him. And I was told to bring the thief back alive if it was a demon.
Sighing, I cast another paralyze spell on him to keep him from struggling. I know the ties won't hold if he tries to break them. I call the darkness to me and wrap it around both of us.
I land in the middle of the throne room. There's a meeting going on with the highest members of Hell. They stop to look at me, covered in dust and blood. For a moment I fear I will be banished for interrupting. But I give the demon a kick, knocking him forward, towards the throne where the Prime Evil sits.
He looks at me as I approach and bow, pulling the bundle of my clothes out of my bag. I hear someone gasp behind me as the power of the battle crown starts to make itself known. I carefully unwrap the box and gingerly push it towards the Prime Evil. I grab the top and leap back without looking at the crown.
"Apollo stole your crown, your majesty. It seems he has been trouble. He was kicked out of his horde and never joined another. He forged papers assigning him to the crowns temple. He almost banished Gretta looking for information about its powers. I found him in the mortal realm, alone."
I glance over to Arch Raicheal and see a small smile on her lips. She waves me back from the throne. I bow once more and make my way out of the throne room. The Fiends are outside. Fiend Princess raises her eyebrow at me. I smile, wink and call the darkness to take me home.