“I was unaware of that aspect of her aura,” said Yngvarr. Offering her a long cloak, the satiny fabric spilling off his hand, looked inviting. The apology that was on offer clear, even before he nodded his head.

“It’s not much. Hopefully, though, it lets you feel more comfortable. Please sit, this might take a while.” The Elf seemed skilled at his simple gestures, being more. Indeed, in this room full of celestials whose form challenged the mind; he acted to allow her to regain balance.

He pointed to a flat backless chair that someone had set near the door. Its form reminded her of the Sisterhood chamber, even as it contrasted the difference. The unadorned chair showed craftsmanship and care in all its lines, projecting a simple grace. Its beauty was simple, yet beyond the overdone adornments prized by them. Making use of it, Julia covered her seated form with the cloak, fussing slightly while draping it about herself to form a makeshift toga.

“Okay, so that’s the worst news I’ve heard. Who will tell me what breaking free from an Oath forged with a ‘True Name’ requires?” Julia asked. Even though she felt it futile, her gaze went over the figures gathered. They ranged from almost human beautiful as the Valkyrie, through beings that were beyond ordinary perception. Yet while other sights struck at her mind, the beings here were captivating in their inhuman beauty and grace. They weren’t a blight on this place; indeed, reality itself seemed reaffirmed by their presence.

The figure that ‘stepped’ forward, or perhaps willed a shift in reality, was one such. Its form seemed composed in ways she couldn’t explain, even to herself. Shapes forming it were in constant motion folded on their edges into and around reality. The movement projecting such grace and beauty, it was hard to watch them and still focus on their words.

“You might refer to me as Midyåci. That is the first seventh of seven segments of my title.”

As it spoke, the celestial words it used to communicate felt like an orchestra playing inside the fibres of Soul. Sounds carrying more meaning than mere words, each felt intoned, indeed resonated with a blessing. Yet unlike the chanted blessings, its words in celestial didn’t melt from her mind. Instead, they continued to refine their clarity and more profound meaning as each sung through her.

“The key to your situation lies in the process tool they used. Since they bound the Oath to you by the power of your ‘True Name’, reforging it will free you. While there are several ways to do so, considering the entity you deal with. I would advise you to reach the rank of Demon Lady before starting….”

Julia’s mind threatened to capsize back for a moment before it righted itself, some of its words becoming lost in the gap.

“Wait, please. I’m sorry. I lost you there. Why would I need that rank? What are the other options?” Julia asked, feeling as if her heart should be racing. Her mind shuddered away from the concept of being in the Abyss for eons.

“Very well, let us explore the proper scope of things. For Demons, they can reforge their ‘True Name’ in three ways. First, undertaking it themselves when they reach Named rank or higher. Second, through permitting a Demon of higher rank to reforge it for them. You relinquish choice of the reforged name to the other’s will. However, I would not suggest this course. This brings us back to the suggestion of gaining the rank of Demon Lady first. How do you think she’d react if a lesser being broke her grip?” asked Midyåci. The tones of the question, though, already provided indications of the fate that awaited.

“Oh. I see. Dissolution wouldn’t be enough. She would need to cause their suffering, make them scream for an age or more.” Julia said, remembering the consuming void that had been present in her gaze.

“Indeed. Pride has always filled her, along with the grandeur of Importance. Among the higher planes, not all celestial beings serve a Deity. Those that possess sufficient power or focus need not enter such service. Regardless, they put forth that they sought a place of service. None, however, were worthy of the perfection of their service. Even as she grew jealous, others had a home and received recognition from those they willingly served. “

What a twatopotamus! She sounds so vain, that song is about her.

“Her arrogant scheming provoked the eldest of Tiamat’s brood into the world. Leviathan’s wrath destroyed much of the Elven races, extinguishing the Sun Elf species completely. They all fell in battle, seeking to protect the retreat of those that revered them. The Titan released four of his stronger servants to end the conflict.” Midyåci explained, his tones carrying a confirmation of Julia’s observation. The inflection shivered through her and brought her overripe sweetness to her mind, in contemplation of the Lady’s nature.

“Is that when she gained the Leviathan’s shed blood for her rituals?” Julia asked.

“You have seen the Leviathan’s blood?” Valkyrie asked the scolding look she got from Torm not lost on Julia. Given his interruptions the other night, it was amusing.

“If it was its blood. They made me kneel on it when forcing my ‘True Name’ from me. The Oath referred to kneeling on the last blood shed from the Leviathan.”

“That conflict indeed led to the final shedding of its blood. The four servants drove the Leviathan back into the Abyss. Instead of just sealing it within the Abyss. On his orders, they hunted it and its hordes across each of its home planes. On many layers of the Abyss, they lay waste to cities while seeking to corner it. They were intent on destroying it each for its ill deed against the Elven races, but mostly for the lost Anar and Lómë. Till at last, they cornered it with no other plane to use as a retreat. Cornered animals fight the fiercest, so the final battle cost much. Only one servant returned to bear witness that Leviathan was no more.”

“That’s two ways. So the third option is worse?”

“One, we hope you do not seek. Since it involves proceeding beyond the rank of Demon Lady, you would become one of the Dark Gods. In that process, your ‘True Name’ would reforge itself by your actions.”

“Oh. Yeah, not happening. I want freedom from the Abyss not to stay there.” Julia said, dread shuddering through her at the thought.

The bell-like tones about the chamber carried with it their shared amusement at her reaction, and perhaps relief.

“What about the Sisterhood?”

“Oddly enough, they are what they claim. The order is neutral in their malice and open to hiring for tasks from any willing to pay their fee, which brings us to what we propose. We would have you be a light in the darkness. Find and exchange verified information on the demonic forces. Weaken groups who press the worst against those that would hold back the Abyss. Free captives you find held within it. Never would there be tasks, only opportunities—information about possibilities for power. Locations to find suitable foes worth hunting. There are always places one can learn useful information. Where and when you act is yours to control.”

“How will that help your conflict?”

“The conflict is eternal. It is not a matter of momentary advantage we seek. With your situation, it is best to let risky opportunities pass by for a surer one, even if it makes a smaller difference. In that way, you also gain safety as others see actions undertaken as an idle fancy, not understanding their importance and thus not looking to see who gained. We do not fight a war that makes sense to you in mortal terms. A Champion absent from the battle, or at another, has swayed much. “

“Or a Champion arriving when they believe them to be elsewhere.” The Valkyrie interjected, as she did, the Midyåci’s focus seemed to snap to her before returning to Julia.

She’s going to get herself smacked.

{{Maybe she likes it. We should smack her. Grind against her. Make her beg.}}

>

“When you achieve things merely let the proper people know. They would arrange compensation for your efforts. There are means to arrange communications. Neutral places maintained by parties interested in the swap of information. Sometimes for prices that seem quite rich in exchange.”

“Wouldn’t this be dangerous to you if the Sisterhood learnt of it? They could make me betray you.” Julia said.

“Exactly why you are not acting for us. We would intend to provide information where you might advance the most. Then reward you for acting against those you would fight, regardless. As long as you are weakening forces somewhere in the Abyss, we would be glad to reward and assist you.”

“Plus, it fits for us to help you gain strength to break free from the chains which bind you.” The Valkyrie added, “my Liège would rejoice in any victory you had in freeing yourself from her slavery.”

{{Make the birdie chirp for us.}}

“Honestly, it might take a while before I act on any information. Receiving ‘instruction’ at present.” Julia said, biting off the words when images suggesting Naz’s next plans came to mind.

“I will discuss this with you. There are ways to manipulate their orders and egos. Just have to get them thinking they’ll benefit.” said the Valkyrie. Interrupting Midyåci again, her excitement at getting the best in a field of conflict, even by proxy obvious.

Torm put a finger to the Valkyrie’s lips to cut off any further suggestions.

“Let Midyåci explain. Your hammering version of manipulation isn’t subtle.” Torm said, giving Julia a look of concerned warning.

“Help in planning your endeavours might reveal itself.”

{{Kill them, gain power.}}

>

Oh yeah, killing demons, I’m all for that.

“Yeah. Let’s do this.”

“There are lore books in places where someone might find them. Sometimes holders of knowledge are careless. And we will not invite you to conversations, then again you might overhear. That is not our concern. We give you nothing after all. Though often mercenaries gain rewards in many conflicts.”

OH

Julia couldn’t help it; she just had to laugh. Demons weren’t the only ones that could play word games. They would do things in such a way, so she could always tell a fact as truth even if it wasn’t the whole truth. There was a sense of amusement from the others. Suddenly the crowded room became nearly emptied. Only Yngvarr, Torm and the Ljósálfar remained, yet merriment echoed still within the room’s stonework.

The Ljósálfar moved forward and gave her bow with a grace that stole her breath away.

“I find myself in a strange situation. Never did I expect to be thankful for a Succubus’ presence.”

“I’m just sorry for what you went through,” Julia said, the memory of his wounds still far too fresh.

“It was my mistake. I missed seeing the trap. Overconfidence is not a trait well spoken of for a good reason. May you find your way to freedom, and peace in the Lady’s groves.” Giving her another bow, he vanished, leaving the scent of rich soil and blooming flowers behind.