FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Welcome back, my lovely reader~

Being a writer is my dream job but it has full-time hours and doesn't pay the bills. I want to keep writing these stories for everyone to enjoy and your support on Patreon or Ko-Fi helps make that happen. Patrons even get to see stories a week early to avoid all that pesky waiting. I also appreciate non-financial support like faving, voting, and following me here or on Twitter. Thank you so much for your continued support! Please enjoy the episode.

And with that out of the way...

Welcome back, my lovely reader!

Did you enjoy the last episode and the spicy reunion our lovely ewe had with her angel-bunny? I sure did! Things are starting to come together and we're oh so close to where the original tale ended, aren't we? How exciting!

Sometimes, an unseen threat lurks though, and sometimes... that unseen threat needs its teeth knocked down its throat! An old enemy you don't even know the name of, but a comeuppance that needs to be settled all the same. It's time to watch our lovely ewe be the badass we know she is! I guess Ezekiel can help too...

Let's jump right in!

--*--

Episode 16:

A Dish Served Cold

"Too slow!" Ezekiel roared out as he drove his fist right against my jaw. I felt it dislodge in a break, but the ancient blood in me set and healed it nearly instantly.

"I'll show you slow, brother!" I spat the words out as I simply leaped back in a blur. There was no tracking me with his eyes as limbs started to break and shatter from my blows. I finally came back into view, finishing my assault with my elbow thrusted up against the underside of his jaw.

The lion slammed to the damp earth, wings fanned out looking stunned, eyes unfocused. I clenched my fist and rolled my shoulder, watching his shattered limbs reset themselves, that odd crunching popping sound filling the air before his red eyes came back into focus.

He snarled with anger but I offered my hand, helping him to his feet. "Damn it... I'm still so far beneath you..."

"You've improved dramatically these last few years, especially since you're staying with Harold and Mino. You've just got a lot of catching up to do to me, don't lose heart, brother.

He rolled his neck and sighed as he eased his tension and we both turned to the sound of the clapping from our mother. "Yes, yes... both of you are doing so well these days and it's all in part to me. I'm quite proud of both of you, children."

Ezekiel gave a bow of his head and I just snorted in response. The elder vampire showed me a knowing smirk and waved her hand. "My son, return to your lord brother's home, but be at the ready, I will summon you soon. For now, your sister and I must speak privately."

"As you will, Mother," He spoke out dutifully as I watched a gate part to house Sandshore, briefly catching a glimpse of Harold and Mino before it snapped closed. Harold was one of only a few that was in the loop on what had transpired, him and his wife having sworn oaths of secrecy to our elder.

I paced over to her, looking bored as I shifted a hand to my hip. "What is it?"

The blonde showed me a malicious grin, her large sharp teeth shining in the light, her red eyes glittering before she blurred from my sight. My head juked to the side as she faded into view to levy a kick, then she blinked away once more. Another strike from behind came as I stepped to the side, then another.

She spent several moments on the assault, each blow dodged or parried but I never sought to counter the strikes. Then just like that, she was back on her throne, leaning back looking relaxed as if she'd never moved. "Yes indeed... you are a fine choice to be my Avenger, Lorelai Tahmineh."

"Frankly, I'm your only choice at this point, what with Diana and Ras gone." I rolled my eyes before meeting her gaze with a hard glare. "Out with it, what did you wish to speak of? I know you did not make my brother part simply for that display."

Her red eyes flared as she spoke out in an almost musical tone, "Funny you should mention your fallen sister..."

My eyes narrowed at that. Diana was an incredibly touchy subject for me, and she knew it. I felt my body tensing already as I awaited her words. She seemed to acknowledge my body language as she continued, "Cardinal Pavel, does the name strike a chord with you?"

"It does not." I folded my arms and cock a brow as I spoke out skeptically, "Why?"

She showed me a knowing grin and cocked her head back slightly as she called out casually, "What of... Cardinal Yarslov or Arsney?"

She watched me flinch at each name, knowing damn well she'd hit two different nerves with those names. Long dead holy men who controlled the church, one was in power at the time of my home being sacked, the other in power nearly a century past when Diana and her family were lost.

I reined in the fury as I met her eyes once more. "I do, and you already know as much. Why do you speak of dead men to me?"

"What if I told you, they weren't dead? What if I told you... they were all one and the same?" She flashed her teeth in a broad grin, seeing me shift right away, clenching my fist as my eyes flared to blood-red.

"Explain this, now!" I hissed out, already feeling red creep into my vision.

"I shall, but first a question for you. Why did you not strike against Yarslov or Arsney in the past?" She hummed the words and I frowned at them.

"Yarslov was too powerful when I fled to Istanbul, I had a family and the council to think of. I'd not have the power to assault the grand church to exact retribution." I snorted out and glared upon her. "I was on my way to deal with Arsney when you halted my advance, do you not remember?"

"Were you sufficient then, my daughter?" She cocked a brow and gave another knowing grin.

I sighed and nodded as I acknowledged what she was doing. "Most likely not..."

"Yet now... well, to answer your question. They are one and the same. Pavel as he is currently known has been playing the role of Cardinal for nearly eight centuries, though he is very much mundane."

"How is this possible? Even magi only can manage to get three to four centuries." I rubbed at my chin as I thought about it. "Unless..."

"Yes, my child? Unless what?" She gave me a smile, waiting for me to put the pieces together for myself.

"Necromancy, blood magic, and demonic pacts. All of these would suffice."

"Correct, my daughter. In this instance, both magic and pacts. The cardinal has been not only sacrificing followers with blood magic to extend his youth but formed a pact with one of the greater demonic lords of the nine hells."

"No doubt under the radar of the celestial court. They are deplorable, but even they would not abide such actions." I shifted a hand to my hip and clicked my tongue. "You halted my advance that day, because I waded into combat against not only the church but-"

"But someone that could command greater magic as well as bring the lord of the fourth domain of the underworld against you, correct. You would have been ashes in the blink of an eye, my daughter."

I felt a shiver roll up my spine, my heart starting to throb in my chest before I grit my teeth and met her calm gaze. "Why tell me this now?"

My mother stood and calmly walked before me, showing her sharp teeth in a knowing grin. She stood over me as I glared up upon her, then I huffed in surprise as she offered her wrist to me. "Drink..."

"Uh... I-" I blinked as I stammered, seeing her wrist before me. I'd only ever had drops of her blood and never straight from her.

"We will see if these years have borne fruit. Drink deeply but try to halt yourself when satiated."

My eyes narrowed as I grabbed her wrist hard and sunk my teeth deep into her. She hissed out from how ravenously I tore into her flesh, then I drank. I drank as if I'd had nothing for months, no years. Her cursed blood filled my being and it was odd to think, given it was mostly my blood she fed upon these days, sometimes my brothers, but all the same.

She didn't resist even as I reached that threshold of knowing I should turn back. My mind clouded with hunger and dark thoughts, all the pain she'd made me endure, the humiliation... I could right it all, wipe it clean here and now. By claiming her I could undo all the slights and I would truly be the greatest of us, none would question me, all would bow, the world could be-

My hand shoved to her chest as I hissed out, pulling from her wrist and shoving her away from me. She hit the wall with such force that she winced and slid down it, crumpling to the floor. "That's not me... that's not what I want! Shut up! Shut up!" I screamed the words, clutching my head, nails digging into my scalp as I clenched my bloody teeth, feeling the hunger demand I finish things, finish and take my rightful place as this world's god.

"Take the hunger, Lorelai! It is yours, make it bend to your will!" She snarled the words to me. "Rein it in, do not lose yourself! You are my Avenger and our people's hope!"

"Enough!" I screamed out and clenched my fist hard, locking the mad thoughts away. I stood there, shuddering and panting, my vision still clouded red from the frenzy in me, but with enough focus, it passed.

I felt like I was only walking, but when I got to my mother, my hair had to settle back down, as if I'd just sprung forward. Even offering my palm to help her up I felt the wind pressure from thrusting it forward, making her bangs bounce. She gave me a knowing grin and clasped my hand to stand.

"Lorelai... it is time. I have final orders for you," She hummed the words proudly as she took a few steps from me.

"Final?" I tilted my head, looking perplexed by the word.

She showed me a mad grin, clenching her fist before turning to face me and I watched her bare her throat. "Take all of me, take my very essence and soul into you, then go slay not only Pavel but the greater demon. Show you are ready for your task and ascent as the rightful matriarch of-"

"Shut up!" I screamed the words as I glared upon her. "Are you mad?! You think I'd repay you with death?!"

"Lorelai, it is the only way to complete your ascension, it is the only way you will-"

"No!" I stomped to her and shoved my finger into her chest, showing my bloody teeth. "I'll not sacrifice you for the greater good, I'd be no better than those fucking angels and their pitiful gods!"

My mother tilted her head and gave me a surprisingly childish pout. "Hmph... you would keep me locked in this prison of boredom?"

"You are a fool, Mother. How many firsts have I shown you over these last decades? Do you think I will not come see you again when Ryder is safe? You are ancient but this world is vast, there is plenty yet for you to learn and do, so do not childishly roost on that!"

"You've grown stronger and wiser over these years, I am proud of you." She gave me a nod as she eased her stance.

"Also, I have my own pride to think of! I am Lorelai Tahmineh, the Empress of the court of Bloodstone, I have to trust in my own fucking powers too! I'll lay that Cardinal and demon low, but I'll do it without killing you, Mother!" I clenched my fist, showing the elder vampire a cocky smirk. I think Alice was starting to wear off on me these days.

"It will be a proper test for both of you. Collect your brother, you leave at dusk. I've a gate that will put you right in the main chamber." She spoke the words as she turned from me, moving back to her throne.

--*--

Radiant & Demonic Fire:

Also known as Divine Flames or Hellfire, these were unique eldrich powers of the vampiric lineage from times long ago. Little is known of the power other than some sort of pact was made with the Celestials and Demons to allow a single individual to wield their powers.

Originally the flames were unique to the wielder, with no way of sharing the power short of slaying the owner and claiming their vitality. If an owner fell before such an act, the powers that be would choose a new host for the divine or demon flames.

The powers stayed in the hands of Elias and Sarnai Silverpaw for nearly half a millennium, but the influence of the Chimera began to shift the control of things. Now the power is wielded by multiple individuals within the Chimera's circle, but only the original masters of the power can bring it to its full glory.

--*--

"You sure you're down for this? He's still a Cardinal of the church." I cut my red eyes to Ezekiel, my mother standing before us ready to open the gate to the grand church.

"Will you give me an opportunity to allow him to say his piece and defend himself against the accusations?" Ezekiel cocked a brow at me.

My teeth showed in a smug grin as I rested a hand on the bloodsteel wakizashi Alice had made for me. "Of course... I want him to have the opportunity to summon his little friend. This is as much about revenge as it is about testing myself. You handle the Cardinal in whatever means you see fit, but you leave his demon lord buddy to me."

"You sure you can handle that, Lorelai?" The lion asked me and I noted the concern in his voice, but my mother didn't wait on my answer, opening the gate, my feet already in motion and eager to see the bastard that cost me so much.

Stepping through the gate I blurred from sight instantly, already having knocked the three armed acolytes unconscious before the portly Cardinal could finish his shocked little yelp, all three bodies not even having hit the floor before I was back at my brother's side.

The Cardinal looked to be a mouse similar to Jeremy and Jennifer from the looks of it. I plucked my thoughts and clearly recall in the past the other Cardinals were a tiger and ox respectively. Perhaps he simply stole someone's body every hundred years or so to keep the facade up. Regardless, he was around my height, a small male with a large round belly showing he'd eaten well and enjoyed the luxuries of the church, his head clearly bald under the ornate cap he wore.

"Cardinal Pavel! The greater gods have caught wind of your heresy and your judgment is at hand. Have you anything to say in your defense?" Ezekiel bellowed out the commandment, thrusting his own hand forward.

Of course, were this just about him, I'd already have him unconscious and back in one of the circles null-magic rooms where I could properly spend a few decades brutally torturing him for what had happened to my family, but this was more than that now.

"I- I've no idea what you're speaking of, celestial! I plead innocent to these accusations, how dare you levy such charges against a Cardinal!" He stammered the words out then quickly slipped into his act. I was sure even Ezekiel could feel the building energy that was mounting. He was stalling for time and it was painfully clear what was happening.

"The Cardinal is yours to deal with, as a personal request, make him suffer for my loved ones he took, I'll handle what's to come." I snarled the words and the lion gave me a single nod as we both darted away as a massive pillar of flames erupted from the earth beneath our feet.

"In accordance to our covenant, I summon thee to my aid, Greillier!" The cardinal showed his teeth with a victorious sneer as a gate burst forth a tall feline-looking demon stepping forth. His body was fully bared, a perfect example of the male physique, his muscles, and tone looking aesthetically ideal in every way.

His head and limbs were covered in midnight black fur despite the reddish flesh on the rest of his body. He also sported a muzzle and fur along his shoulders, white hair spilling down his back. I thought back to what Ryder had told me of his own captor, wondering if perhaps all of the lords had this type of appearance.

"Pavel... what have you gotten yourself into?" The demon hissed the words, then shifted his black eyes towards me. I showed my teeth in a snarl as I saw his length actually twitch in response, the cat showing me an excited grin before sheets of armor faded into view upon his body. "What... have we here?"

"Like what you see? I assure you, I'll be the last visions you take." I drew my gleaming bloodsteel-wakizashi along with the blessed shortsword Toroah had given me. "Your master has much to answer for, and by proxy, you will share his debt!"

Ezekiel roared out a battle cry as he launched forward, I saw the lion slam his fist into a screen of light as the Cardinal brought forth his magic. I, of course, focused on the demonic black cat that blurred into my face, his claws raking down atop me, shining with hellfire flames that reminded me of my sister's power.

I sidestepped the rake, some of my curls bouncing before I lunged forward, slashing my swords out. The cat's black eyes widened at my speed as he yowled out from the blessed silver and bloodsteel tearing into his flesh.

He bounded back, the large leathery wings at his back snapping out hard as he clutched his chest, eyes growing wider as only one of the slashes healed. "What... is that sword you wield?" He narrowed his eyes, hissing the words as I snorted out and rolled it in my grip.

"This? Just a little something my lover made for me, she promised me something stronger later, but it looks like it'll suffice for you!" I showed a wide grin as I blinked out of sight. The cat gave a loud hiss, bringing a saber and shield into being, parrying and dodging, my wakizashi and shortsword making divine sparks fly against the obsidian-looking armaments he wielded.

"You-" He snapped his jaws together, narrowly dodging a strike to his throat, then hissed out as another strike from the bloodsteel bit into his hip. I drove him back, not giving him time to think, my eyes blood-red and flames rolling off my limbs.

"Greillier! Do something about this!" Pavel screamed as more strikes of dark magic wisped through the air, the Cardinal in a quite literal game of cat and mouse, my brother giving chase as he fled or blinked out of sight with magic.

"I am busy with- Ngh!" Greillier grunted out, wide-eyed as I appeared behind him, my teeth showing in a grin as I ran him through between where his armor plates parted. The demon choked out as I planted a boot in his back, knocking him to the floor as I dragged my tongue along the blessed silver, tasting the blood of a proper lord of hell for the first time. It wasn't quite on the same level of my mothers, but gods if it did make my knees weak.

Paval gave a panicked yelp as he saw what I did. "Grei-" He choked out as Ezekiel broke through the shield of light and grabbed him up by his throat, divine energy rolling off his body despite his eyes burning red.

"You have much to atone for sinner, but my sister has words for you, so your execution is stayed for now." I felt the lion focus his will as the Cardinal's head dropped in a nod, but I felt his lifeforce intact, the lion must have used a sleeping spell or choked him unconscious.

Greillier snarled as he staggered back, the wound slowly closing partially, but not where the bloodsteel had went through. "Tch... you have your prize, I was simply under contract. You should quit this place before I get serious."

"I know a bluff when I hear one, kitty but please do get serious. You're the fourth gatekeeper and if I need to go through all eight of you to get to Kalinae, I will happily do so." I hummed the words, flicking both my blades as I stalked towards the cat.

His ears lifted as he snarled and looked to the lion then me before rolling his shoulder. "What's your issue with her?"

"She has a few things that belong to me, I'll be taking them back, as well as her life." I hissed the words, lifting my drooped ears before I sprang on the demon again. Our blades clashed, my wakizashi taking a large chunk out of the shield, my blows easily driving him back.

I hadn't opened the tap up since training with mother, I felt so strong, so damn powerful. The frenzy started creeping into my mind as I felt the cat struggle to defend himself. He was talking, trying to bargain, to buy time, but I didn't hear any of it, I just kept pushing, eager to end his life and show I was the superior being.

I cleaved the demon limb from limb, taking his head last, the rest of his bloodied torso crumpling to the ground as I lapped blood from by wakizashi and huffed out. "Still got that erection now, big guy?"

"On your guard, sister. Ryder tore Kalinae into shreds like that as well and she easily reformed herself." Ezekiel came to my side as the parts and body of the high demon burst into flames that almost looked divine.

Sure enough, a few moments later the cat appeared before me, clutching a few plainly open wounds. "Ha... the angel's not wrong. We can project our will into a double, but we do suffer some of the pain from the altercation. Unfortunately tearing into us in this plane just lessens our time."

"I already knew all this, tuck your fucking tail and flee back to hell, kitten." I sneered the words as I sheathed my blades.

"Vampire, you've made an enemy this day, don't think this is over," The cat hissed the words as he stepped back into a gate as I and Ezekiel gave one another a nod.

I blinked out of sight, launching myself right into the gate after him. The cat gave me a shocked look as I took him right to the ground, my teeth showing, a mad look in my eye as we landed in a throneroom right in the midst of the fourth layer of the underworld.

"Are you out of your mind, vampire?! Do you not realize you are trapped here?!" He grunted out as I bared my fangs taking a snap at his throat before he wrenched my head back and tumbled away, snarling as he brought his sword to bear.

"Only if it closes, demon," Ezekiel spoke as he held the gate open. Even gates to hell had to follow the same rules as any other. They couldn't close when organic matter was in the way, like a large lion standing in one.

"You two... you planned this from the start!" He hissed out as unearthly hellfire formed at his free paw and started rolling over his wielded saber. "But... here my power is-"

"Still insufficient!" I screamed out as I drove down upon him, sending the cat sprawling back from the clash of our swords, his onyx blade just shattering under the force of my wakizashi that I was now gripping in both hands. He flew into the small throne on the other side of the room, shattering the back of it before slamming into the wall behind it.

"How do you have such power?!" He screamed out and I saw the pupils in his black eyes shaking as he sprang from the ground handpaws both caked in hellfire as he threw a flurry of jabs at me.

My fangs gleamed in the dim light as I side-stepped and juked from the blows before driving a boot into his stomach, sending him pivoting back with a snarl. My wakizashi came up in a wide slash as I cleaved the demon's left arm right off, the cat howling in pain. "That was for my home and those I lost to the church in your fucking bullshit!"

His teeth clenched and I saw his eyes widen in the realization of his predicament. "Wait! We can bargain, vampire! I can get you access to Kal-"

My teeth bared, my vision hazed in red as I grabbed his throat and slung him to the ground, chips of stone scattering as I climbed over him. "Fuck your bargains, you've cost me enough! This is for Diana!"

The cat hissed and threw his one bloody hand up but I pinned it to the floor and plunged my teeth deep into this throat. A moment later his struggling ceased as Ezekiel turned his head away while I drank the greater demons' lifeforce away.

I pulled back and lolled my bloody tongue, my whole body feeling euphoric from the demonic blood. Looking back at my brother still holding the gate. I gave him a hungry look before slowly finding my feet and looking down upon the now drained demon. "Tch... thank your dark gods I made it quick, your Cardinal chum will be begging for mercy within seconds, but I'll spend a few years making him suffer."

With a focus of my will, I sent divine flames forward with my offhand, setting the corpse of the demon and several of the tapestries and various furnishings of the throneroom ablaze. Ezekiel gave me a curious look as I walked by him and he followed, the gate finally snapping closed.

"Why did you not hear his bargain?" He asked me after a moment.

I walked over to the unconscious mouse, frowning as I thought about my family that had been lost to me. I hated myself for it, but it had been so long, nearly six centuries, and I had trouble remembering their faces, but not Diana's. Her loving smile, her body, the sounds she made when we were together in bed. My fist clenched as I snarled with fury, feeling my vision growing cloudy with red before I forced the rage down.

After another few moments, I turned to look up at Ezekiel, my eyes brown once more as I spoke out pointedly, "The lords of hell act independently outside of any but their king. He could have provided us with a portal to Kalinae as easily as a bus station could, and being in the fourth layer had us no closer than standing here."

"Did you mean what you said, about taking years on him?" The lion cocked a brow as I gave him a bored look.

"You need not worry if it concerns you, I'll let your gods have him to judge in a year or three. However, he has wrought much misery and suffering even amongst your followers." I showed the Cardinal a crooked little mad grin, flexing and clenching my fist. "No... he will not get off so easy with death, he will be made to suffer and regret."

"Lorelai, was it not you who told me to not let the loss blind me to the present?" Ezekiel folded his rounded ears, whipping his wiry tail as he gave me a level gaze.

"Oh, what profound wisdom you've found in these two years, brother! Ah, I have seen the light, how wrong I was!" I threw my hands out, snarling the words before I snapped my teeth and clenched a flaming fist. "I spit on your higher ground and your gods, the Cardinal is mine! I'll exact a gruesome retribution upon his very soul for Diana and the rest of my family!"

"Is that what Ryder or Diana would want?" He spoke the words as my back had turned away, my eyes widening as I whirled back around, shoving my hand against his chest, pushing him back several yards as I showed my teeth.

"Do not use their names against me, Ezekiel! You know I am within my rights to-"

The lion shouted back at me, bucking right up even though he knew I was his better, "Answer me then! What would Ryder and Diana have you do!? Are you a mindless monster only hungry for revenge and power, or a leader?! You can't be both, Lorelai!"

My vision misted red once more as I bared my teeth, furious at the words. How dare this fledgling tell me what to do, me the avenger of our race. I was the chosen one, I was the greatest of our-

Brown returned to my eyes as I shuttered out the mad cries for blood and vengeance. Closing my eyes I snarled as I drew my wakizashi and marched over to the mouse, clenching it in my fist as I glared down at the Cardinal. I stared hard at this man that had cost me so much. Of course, I wanted to make him suffer, of course, I wanted him to feel even an ounce of the sadness I had carried in me for centuries.

"Get over here angel, give this scum his last rights, I'll put him down while he's out." My words came out as weak and tired as I felt thinking about all of it, my body also feeling drained from all the ancient power I pulled upon. I may have made it look like the demon had no chance against me, but I was pulling so heavily I was barely keeping myself standing now.

He moved to me, resting a large hand against my shoulder as he nodded. "Thank you, Sister. I asked of this for your sake, not his." The lion then clasped the rosary at his throat, his eyes growing a deeper blue as he started his prayer, "Oh divines above, let this wayward soul find proper atonement..."

So it went. My brother finished his prayer and I struck the damn Cardinal down. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps it was better this way, it was what Diana would want. She was a kind gentle soul, she would not have sought the suffering of another, even on her own accord.

--*--

"You both have done well and collected long-overdue retribution for our family. I am proud of you." My mother hummed the words as we returned to her chambers.

"Mother, does this mean Lorelai is at a level to stand against Ryder's captor?" Ezekiel asked the question and I frowned at it.

"Do you wish to answer that, my daughter?" The elder gave me a knowing nod.

"Brother, each of the lords is exponentially more powerful than the prior. Simply put, Kalinae would easily be ten times his strength or more," I sighed the word as I clenched my fist, staring at the divine flames rolling off it that I had gained from my lover.

"But you are all the stronger for it now, my daughter. You have claimed a gatekeeper's vitality as your own. You have made a major step towards your ultimate goal." She cooed the words as she sat up on the throne, resting her elbows on her knees. "How do you feel?"

"Bitter, resentful I took the high ground. I feel Diana and my family have not been afforded proper justice for this, to say nothing of the mundane he used," My words came out cold and angry as I snuffed out the flames to fully shift my attention to my mother.

I watched her run her fingers through her hair and sigh. "We've enough to worry about. Let the gods deal with the judgment and be satisfied, my daughter. You've wiped a long dirtied slate clean with the loss of that demon. Many owe you two praise, but accept mine and let us resume our training."

I and Ezekiel both gave one another a nod as I tried to accept what was done. It was not my ideal outcome, but it was enough, I would try to be satisfied with that.

--*--

I stood there before the gate, hands on my hips as I watched the two foxes confronting one another in the field outside of their former home. My heart ached to see them in this way, tears on my cheeks as I gave a resigned sigh. "Mother, I must go and fulfill my oath if need be."

"Yes, but do not intervene until that moment, our ancient laws are set in stone and if you do I will be forced to strike you down, and I would not wish that." She stood there next to me, her hands folded behind her back, looking upon the scene with a neutral gaze.

"Mother, if I must strike down the fox I love, or I lose Alice... I will not return." I cut my red eyes up to her.

"Do not be so dramatic, my daughter. I have told you, it will work itself out. Have faith in-"

"You cannot be certain of that! I have moved all the pieces I can for this, but even you cannot assure me with absolute confidence this will work out!" I turned and screamed the words at her, tears rolling down my cheeks as I showed my teeth.

I gave a shocked bleat as her hands pushed to my face, wiping my tears, then she moved down to give my forehead a gentle kiss. I felt her will slam into me as my body became awash with comfort, a long ancient sensation of a now faceless mother comforting me as a lamb, a being that wouldn't even be dust by today, yet there they were.

"Have faith, my daughter. Know that if you were lost, I would not be far behind you. As you could not see an existence with either of them, I could not with you. Go, play your part, but let the fox and rabbit work things out."

I blinked into her red eyes several times, swallowing the lump in my throat, feeling her still cupping my face as I nodded silently and took a step back from her.

"The Chimera will be the key to your sister's salvation, but that is a bond that must be forged in their own self-made fires. Do not intervene, lest you will set everything off course. Do you understand?"

I gave her another nod, swallowing down the odd emotions, and stepped through the gate, my presence shielded from everyone.

Sarnai, I was there as I said I would be. I saw you in your full madness, I watched you at your lowest point, watched as you yowled in agony as you thought you'd lost your siblings. I sobbed, I begged you two to stop, and in the end, I somehow got my wish.

"What... was that earlier?" I folded my arms, feeling timid and weak as I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eyes. I found myself back in the chamber after the situation had resolved itself, my mother looking quite normal as she lounged in her throne.

"Is it so hard to believe I would be lost and crestfallen without you in my life, my daughter?"

"Yes," I spoke out pointedly.

The elder showed me a knowing grin, her teeth looking sharp as she spoke out casually, "Understand something... It has been nearly a century for us. A fleeting time for one such as myself, but I do not feel I could go back to the old ways. No... you promised to show me new things, you demanded I continue this dance, so to lose my dance partner... Well... let us not roost upon the words. For now, things have worked out and one more piece of the puzzle has been placed."

I frowned and gave a nod. "I suppose that's fair. I've already reached out to the magi circle and will be requesting Alice joins us there to explain the situation. Are... you sure she can do this safely?"

"As sure as I can be in this situation. You must understand that even I am treading into uncharted territory here. She is only the second Chimera our court has ever had."

"What exactly is a Chimera? I mean can you tell me definitively what she is?" I tilted my head curiously as I frowned.

"I cannot, but what I can say, is they are unmatched at energy manipulation, especially in the mindscape. If the madness can be cured and is not permanent, I've no doubt your rabbit will sniff it out when she gets there. She must be welcome though, she'll never be of any use forcing her way in."

I folded my arms and frowned, mulling on all this as I sighed. "I pray you are right, though it tears at my soul that after all this time, I could not help Sarnai."

"You have helped her in more ways than you can know. You need not be the final cure to have aided in it. Let the rabbit finish what you started, it is alright, my daughter."

--*--

The Madness of Hellfire:

Little is known of the condition, but one thing is certain. The wielder of Hellfire suffers a curse that comes with it. The power clefts a tiny portion of their psyche into its own being then focuses on the most pivotal points of tragic moments in the bearer's life.

The small shard that is left behind feeds off the suffering and as the psyche grows stronger, the nightmares grow more intense. Using the power also increases the potency of the night terrors in magnitude to the strength used.

By the time the Chimera Alice was able to draw forth the cleft off psyche, it had fed and grown knowledgable of its host's life as it was a part of said host. The altercation Sarnai had with the curse brought the psyche's sentience forth, no longer did it mindlessly devour sanity, and in the end, she accepted it was as much a part of her as she was it.

--*--

Alice drummed her fingertips together as she took in the information. It had been a week since that fateful night and I had met with her at the magi circle along with Kazemde.

"So, let me get this straight. I need to fuck her, then get in her head to-"

"You don't have to have sex with her, Alice. Just sleep with her," Kazemde hissed the words, rubbing at his face.

The rabbit showed him a playful grin as her tail flicked. "I mean... I'd like to, but I get it. So what do I need to do after I get in there?"

"We're not absolutely sure, it's dangerous and unknown waters. You may need to simply overcome the curse, or fight off a demon that's in her soul. I hate to say it, but you're just going to have to play it by ear." I frowned as I looked upon her, explaining as best I could.

She gave me a nod, then a shrug. "Sounds good, I'll make it happen."

I and Kazemde shared a look before he looked back to Alice. "That's it? No reservations?"

Alice leaned back in the chair, putting her hands behind her head as she frowned. "No way... that night... I felt what she felt, I could sense her sadness, her desperation... her madness even. If it will-" She paused and her blue eyes met mine, hesitating before she continued, "If it will reunite my master with her, and Sarnai can be happy again, it's a risk I'm willing to take."

"That is very noble of you, Alice," Kazemde spoke out proudly.

"I mean, also she's hot as fuck and I wanna ravage her, so that might get my foot in the door!" She cooed the words and Kazemde pushed his gloved hand to his face once more, shaking his head.

After the meeting, I and Alice found ourselves out on one of the overlooks outside of the tower. We just stood there at the guardrail, the rabbit looking out into the desert with her arms folded across the top of it. After a few minutes, she broke the silence, "I know you were there that night..."

My ears flipped up at her words, but I just kept staring out into the darkness. "How?"

"When I took in my master's energy, and then Sarnai's... I was overwhelmed with power. I saw you there... crying." Her blue eyes cut over to my own, both of us staring at one another.

"I- had promised Sarnai... Promised that if she was about to..." I sighed and shook my head, tears forming as I looked into her eyes once more. "Alice, I love you, I needed to let you try to work it out yourself so that we could get to this point. However, had she gotten the upper hand... had you or Elias... I would have... I would-"

Her hand moved to rest on mine and she shook her head. "I understand... I'm grateful to know that you were there, that he was safe."

I nodded as my fingers curled into her own, both of us holding hands. "Lorelai... I felt what she feels... Just know that if it comes to pass, you know I will not be upset with you."

My head nodded as I sighed. "It is a long-drawn-out thing, Alice. For now, let us focus on the problems at hand. There is... so so much I want to tell you, so many things I wish to speak of, things I do, loves I've lost..."

"I understand that you have a lot going on, I also understand I can't be privy to all council business. All I ask is that if it would jeopardize my family to not know, you do not keep it from me. Other than that, I will never push you, my love." She moved closer, pushing her body to mine as I turned to embrace her.

Our mouths found one another and we drew into a deep kiss, our tongues quickly moving to roll with one another. It was the first affection we'd shared since that night. I shuddered as I felt her power rush through me, then the rabbit broke the kiss, pushing her forehead to my own, one of her fingers lazily toying with one of my horns. "I wish I could ravage you, Lorelai... my sheep, but I should refrain, save my strength for the trial to come with my new sister."

I nodded and cupped her face, thankful I was holding her again, feeling her touch once more. "I understand, and I agree... we will take a week to ourselves once Sarnai is sorted out."

Her eyes glittered to red as the rabbit gave me an excited grin then stepped back from me with a wink, raising a finger. "Or... hear me out... you and Sarnai get sorted out, then all three of us go off together!"

"A-Alice!" I bleated out, my cheeks growing dark as I felt my heart start to beat. "I and Sarnai have not even spoken about our-"

"No worries, I know how you are love, I'll prod the fox into action. I know you'd take another century to confess." The rabbit hummed the words as she rocked back and forth on her heels, hands behind her back.

"Now see here you obstinate, rabbit!" I huffed out and gave her a glare, then grunted out as she sauntered up and pushed right into my arms, her mouth to my own once more. The damn bunny had my number because my reservation just melted at her touch, our tongues rolling once more as I felt her hands start to roam my body, my own returning the gesture.

"I've changed my mind, I'll be fine! Let's go to the guest's chambers!" Alice huffed the words against my lips as I felt her grab me and pull me along. I gave out a fussy bleat as she tugged me by my wrist, my heart pounding. I wanted to be furious but it just felt so good when she did this, so right.

She pulled me into the chamber I usually stayed at when speaking to Ryder and we proceeded to make heated love for a few hours. I didn't realize how intense our love was until we were in the throes of it, the affirmation of how close we had come to losing one another and the relief of being together once more. Her powers rushed into me and mine into her, both of us growing stronger from it as we always did, but we didn't care, it was all about our moment.

The sun had risen by the time we were finished, so we were more or less stuck at the circle for the day. She snuggled up to me, sighing happily, her naked body against my own, both of us spent and satisfied. My fingers tangled into her blonde locks, feeling her cling and nuzzle at my cheek. "I love you, Lorelai... love you so so much..."

"And I you, Alice... Gods above and below do I love you... " I kept her held tight, never wanting this moment to end, but I felt guilt settle in on me, of course, I would. The magi circle is where I went to speak with Ryder, yet here I was, in my room with her in my arms, my fox still trapped in purgatory.

We drifted to sleep not long after, but that was just the start of our day of course. As soon as I was asleep, she was there in my dreamspace with me. However, something was different this time.

"Lorelai, this whole thing with Sarnai... I have a confession I wish to make to you." The rabbit sighed the words as she sat on the edge of my bed, of course, it wasn't my physical bed, but nonetheless, she sat there kicking her feet in her nightgown.

"A confession?" I tilted my head curiously sitting down next to her.

She frowned and looked away with a hiss as she clenched her teeth. "I'm still new to this, when I try things, I don't always mean to do what I do, it's like when I found out about Sarnai liking you so much. I didn't want to dig that up, it just happened, you know?"

"Yes, I get that. What of it though? Did you see something else inside her that troubled you?" I stood and faced her, hand on my hip as my head tilted.

She met my eyes and I knew right away it had nothing to do with Sarnai. Her blue eyes darted away as she cleared her throat. "Erm... well, seeing as how I was going to be delving into her psyche soon, I uh thought... well, maybe I could practice right now...ha ha..." She rubbed the back of her head, then clenched her teeth as she saw me stiffen at the words.

"A-Ah... I see... and without asking me first?"

"L-look! I didn't even mean to do it, okay?! I just thought about it and then bam! I was doing it! I didn't try and I planned to ask, okay?!" She huffed the words out, her words coming frantic, I could hear the panic in her voice.

I was of course angry, who wouldn't be when someone tore into your very soul to unearth things you'd locked away, but the look in her eyes, the panic in her voice. No, she didn't do this on purpose, I told myself to stay calm, this was my rabbit, someone I loved very dearly. I took a composing breath, then offered her a gentle nod. "It's... okay, Alice. I understand you didn't mean to..."

She had tears in her eyes now and frowned, sniffling a little as she looked upon me as a child would that thought they had gotten into trouble. "You mean it? You promise you're not going to be mad at me?"

"It's okay, I love you... I know you didn't mean to, and I promise, I won't be mad." I moved to her, resting my hands on her shoulders, leaning down to meet her eye to eye. "I promise... now... what did you see?"

I saw her close her eyes, composing herself before she opened them, a single word coming from her lips. "Ryder."

My mouth gapped slightly and hung there open for a moment before I clenched it closed. I'm sure she heard the gulp in my throat and even though we were in my mind, my throat felt dry as I spoke out, "What... of him?"

"Glimpses, you and him together. Your anguish, your fury at what has become of him. It was only a blink of an eye, just a flash of emotion before I panicked and shut it all away, realizing I had opened a door I was never meant to see, please understand that Lorelai!"

Her voice sounded panicked again and I gave her a few nods, pushing a palm to her cheek, then pressing my forehead to her own. "It's okay my bunny... I- I understand and you're not at fault. I did plan to explain all this in time, but after things were stable, after we could do away with worrying over Sarnai."

She nodded and frowned. "I felt your anguish, so hard... it made me cry. You have endured it for so long... it's not resolved is it?"

I took a deep breath and shook my head. "Alice... I'm doing what I can for him, you, and Sarnai. You have no idea, but I will explain everything soon, I swear it. Let us focus on Sarnai for now, she is the immediate concern and I do not need your soul conflicted in multiple ways when you need to focus."

"I... understand." She gave me a nod as we held one another.

"I promise, once things with her are squared away and we know her and Elias are okay. I'll sit down with you, I'll sit down with all three of you and I'll tell you everything. Just give me a little more time, okay?"

"Of course, my love." She hugged into me and we shared a quick kiss before she drifted a hand up to tease one of my horns. "Does Toroah know?"

"Oh he does, trust me he does." I nodded a few times.

Alice was of course a sex demon first and foremost. Her eyes widened at the realization, then she showed me a smug grin. "Oh ho... how interesting... If he's hot, I wouldn't mind diving into that pile of the three of you sometime myself."

"Alice! Must you!?" I huffed out and gave her a fussy glare, my cheeks already warming.

"I'm a succubus, give me a break, loooove..." She cooed the words as she pulled closer, pressing her lips to my own. I grunted as her kiss deepened and before I knew it, our tongues were rolling once more. The rabbit sure had a way with distracting me. One thing lead to another, and we were at it again in our dreams, leading to a very busy day as well.

---

If you enjoyed this, support me please? It doesn't have to be financial either, just share my stuff and get my name out there. Vote, Fave, Comment, offer feedback, anything. Thank you and as always, I'm nothing without your support.

Did you enjoy the story? Feel free to feed my caffeine addiction with a tip! Ko-Fi.

If you enjoyed this and want to keep up with me, you can find me on Twitter@stargazer_g

Want to talk about my work with me or others that like it? I've got a discord for that!

If you want to support my creation of more writing, check out myPatreon page! You can even get episodes a week early there.