Ruth/S’yliska

The horror of Lucifer eclipsed her view.

No!

The Archerubim stared at her, focusing mighty and cruel intent. The malevolence was enough to wake her from her fainting stupor. The throne room began to swirl and distort, leaving her and Lucifer in darkness. Lights shimmered, taking nothing away from the demonic Angel in front of her. Lucifer’s iron hand was fastened around her throat. She felt like meat, being turned this way and that as the Archerubim silently inspected her. Those prying blue eyes of madness were seeking not just how to devour her, but how best to do it for maximum pain. The lights around her brightened, revealing a king’s balcony, overlooking the universe. A table and two chairs sat nearby with wine and candles for a romantic evening near the edge of reality.

Lucifer let go and all Ruth could see was the spinning of the world before she struck the stone hard. She coughed and gagged, feeling at her tortured windpipe. She couldn’t change her flesh, she couldn’t morph and form into a hideous monster as before. She was wholly trapped in Lucifer’s world; mortal and fragile.

S’yliska!

No response. Her mental partner was silent.

“It’ll be just us, my darling.”

She turned to see Lucifer sauntering to a chair, pulling it out and sitting gracefully. Their long hair trailed behind them, obscuring their divine figure. They had a nonchalant attitude about them; wholly in control. The Angel cocked an eyebrow, their appearance had taken on a sultry demeanor. Ruth got to her feet, looking down to see she was garbed in a lacy dress that left little to the imagination.

Lucifer’s eyebrows snapped up for a brief second as they licked their lips. Disgust ran through Ruth.

This was Lucifer.

The traitor to God himself, free to roam and torture the universe once again.

“You look… Ravishing,” that deep and intoxicating voice was difficult to resist.

She clasped her hands, searching for an escape and finding none except off the balcony and into the swirling vortex of the black hole they sat atop of.

“Come here,” the command was absolute. It wasn’t so much an order but a declaration of reality. She would sit and dine with the mad Angel.

Ruth obeyed timidly, taking her seat across from the imposter god. The Archerubim dwarfed her, like a mother to a toddler. The robes the Angel wore had clung to her out of sheer force of will; she suspected they could be dropped at a moment’s notice of lust.

Those piercing and judging blue eyes continued to bore holes into her. The Angel gripped a large glass of what appeared to be wine, swirling it casually as she sipped.

“Ah, Château de l'Oiselinière, thirteen-thirty-seven. A wonderfully despicable year. What’s your name?”

Lucifer leaned in, emphasising her ample bosom.

Ruth averted her gaze, searching for something to ground herself in. The vortex worked, keeping a consistent thing to focus on.

“My name is Ruth Aimee LaChapelle,” and she would reveal no more.

“Ruth. Aimee. La. Chapelle. A very pretty name. Old world French, I take it?”

She nodded.

“Oh come, dear; don’t be like that! Look at me. Now,” that command again.

She snapped away from her grounding image of that black hole into the eyes of something far more dangerous. Lucifer took another sip.

“I have this memory set aside just in case. This isn’t the first time I have been envisioned or dreamed of, you know. Breatherman. Come.”

Within a split second, the demon was by her side, kneeling. Despite its size, she felt it was still dwarfed by Lucifer’s presence.

“A Breatherman. How did Amy ever enslave you?” She tutted at the demon, “You’ve done well bringing me Ruth. Leave us now. Override Amy’s orders and commands with mine: monitor from afar and take opportunities as you see them, but for the Seal Holders; gather them and send them to this memory; is that understood?”

“As you wish, my Lord.”

The demon faded away into smoke, leaving just the two of them. She balled her fists until her knuckles went white. Anger burned in her at Deborah’s mistake. If she hadn’t attacked the Breatherman, none of this would have happened.

“Why so angry? Why so tense? Ruth my dear, you’re here with me, now; you have no more worries or fears,” Lucifer’s sultry voice softened, her eyes revealing an empathy that wasn’t there before.

The Angel sipped more from her glass, keeping their eyes locked on her. They brushed back their long golden hair, a casual gesture she felt implied violence. Everything about the Archerubim implied violence.

Ruth remained silent, staring off into the black hole. The world was quiet as the particles of the nebula churned into blackness.

“Soltana thought the same,” she finally said. Lucifer sighed, nodding with stiffened lips.

“Ah... So you were the other Seal Holder Soltana implied. I must admit, I was a tad harsh on her and the inhabitants of the planet. I was caught up in a rage, after all; I have quite the temper,” the Angel’s brow twisted in concern and regret as she took another sip.

She placed her glass down, leaning forward and clasping her hands. Ruth turned and locked gazes with the now attentive Archerubim. They whispered, as if others were listening in.

“Wouldn’t you be angry too if you found that particular planet was dealing in child sacrifice and cannibalism? Do you know what they did to all newborn infants? Because you humans are all effectively immortal, causing pain and agony in others is no longer seen as ‘bad’ a crime anymore; and why would it be? You simply wait a period of time and all humans come back, good as new. Would you remain this calm seeing a newborn-”

Lucifer stopped just as her voice began to rise. She leaned back, arm over the rest as she stared off into the black hole. They weree blinking rapidly. Ruth spotted her teary eyes. Her heart trembled. It couldn’t be true. This was no empathetic being, but the enemy of all mankind and reality itself. It didn’t cry. It didn’t feel regret.

It couldn’t.

“So where are they? The cannibal people of that planet?” Ruth probed.

Lucifer’s eyes narrowed as a thin smile cracked her lips.

“You saw the throne. They adorn it as their punishment. Can’t have them coming back, now can we? The victims are now in my care. You saw my Chosen. The memory of the one you occupied was but an infant of two when I liberated the planet.”

Ruth bristled at the manipulation.

“He was shooting at me; I defended myself.”

“No, no, no- you misunderstand. When in combat, there is always a winner and loser; Jones knew what he was getting into when he volunteered. And thus, he laid down his life for his friends; he is my honored martyr. You made no sin or error in defeating him to the fullest. You do understand why we’re here, right?”

“For us, right?”

“You? I mean, Seal Holders are all precious to me; remnants of Adonai’s manipulation. But not quite. We were invited.”

Ruth’s heart fluttered at the answer. It couldn’t be. The Watchers.

The Angel had picked up on her expression, explaining further, “they invited us. For what purpose, not even I know. The Watchers are as mysterious as they are powerful. And thus, as an equal kingdom to them we meet their call.”

“That’s not true!” Ruth blurted out.

“It’s not?” Lucifer looked taken aback as she sat straight, hands clasped. She appeared to think for a moment before reaching under the table. She retrieved a small black cube, gently placing it on the table.

Despite the questions she had of where Lucifer kept that artifact, Ruth could barely understand what she was looking at. It didn’t look real, despite the ocean of supernaturality she was currently swimming in. It was as dark as the blackhole, absorbing all light. Lucifer pushed it across the table with two fingers. She stared deeply at it, unsure of whether to touch it or not.

“Oh please, if I wished to harm you, I could tear the flesh from you face and there is little you could do to stop me,” she sported a wicked smile, eyes narrowed into a smile.

Her breath was taken away at the not-so-subtle threat. Her rate skipped as she blinked rapidly. She gulped, moving a hand to feel at the cube. Her senses and nerves couldn’t ‘feel’ it. She knew her skin was being depressed under the pressure she exerted, but it was a dead zone to everything. But she knew immediately it was the same material as the black stone she walked upon in her waking reality.

It was alive.

“The Watchers…”

Lucifer smirked as she gently grasped it, tumbling it dexterously between her fingers, which Ruth realized was a feat as one couldn’t physically ‘feel’ the cube.

“Now, Ruth my dear, tell me, what is your calling as a Seal Holder?”

Ruth averted her gaze, but not before Lucifer gently grasped her hand on the table. The cube was gone, having been hidden somewhere beyond her understanding. Ruth snapped back, eyes wide in concern as she gingerly pulled away like a mouse from the coils of a serpent. Lucifer’s face looked downturned briefly as she leaned away.

“The Matron,” she said firmly.

“Ah, one who is set to care and nurture children with a motherly love. One whose enduring strength rips apart any that threaten her children. Not a ‘mama bear’ so much as a dragon broodmother in terms of fury. And power. I sense it within. Yours is a wellspring of might. What happened to you, my dear? You’re not human, per say, but something else. Tell me how it happened."

Ruth felt her stomach descending, her cheeks burning at the shame of it all. She looked down, willing herself to stay composed. It took everything to not break down at remembering her interactions with Genius Loci in the Underrealm. Lucifer was patient, giving no indication to continue.

“I don’t remember much of my past. I was in a city on some planet. I didn’t know at the time it was ruled over by a demon god. He performed experiments on the people there, turning us into monsters that wore human skin. We could shapeshift and change at will, using even a drop of blood to devour others. And we become who we eat. I am human, demon, and Proturan so far- I mean, not to mention the beasts that make up my core. I don’t know what happened, but I was favored above all and the others were slain, their souls fueling my rebirth. That was when he planted his seed inside me. He made me a vessel for his child.”

Lucifer’s demeanor darkened.

“Is the child still present?”

“No. She was born some time ago.”

Ruth knew she had to quickly say that; she had little doubt Lucifer would have tried to rip into her mind and abort the child otherwise. She had little idea what the Archerubim was capable of.

“Is she with you?”

She blinked rapidly, shaking her head.

“No-”

Lucifer snapped to her hand, gripping it hard. Their eyes revealed true anger.

“Ruth. Dear. This is the one warning you get. Never lie to me; I can always tell. Besides, deception isn’t a pretty look on you.”

Pain lanced her hand as the Archerubim gave it a final squeeze before letting her free.

“So your child is here. Why have you not slain it?”

Ruth couldn’t help but show shock and disgust, mixed horror at the idea.

“I could never-”

“Dear, she’s a demon. She will grow up and then betray you and your friends. If you think whoever did that to you was awful, just wait until the child turns.”

“She won’t! Not Maw. We’ll raise her-”

“Do you believe you can just change a demon’s nature? She will rip your heart out the moment she can. She’ll eat you and your friends and justify herself as righteous for having done so. I’ve seen it countless times before. I say this for your benefit.”

“Not Maw…” Ruth shook her head defiantly.

The subject changed suddenly, prickling her heart. As abrupt as a sudden fall and heavy impact.

“Give me the name of the demon that did this to you,” Lucifer commanded.

Genius Loci.

She opened her mouth to speak, to say the evil demon god’s name, but no words formed, no noise emitted from her throat.

Genius Loci.

Why couldn’t she say it?

“You know his true name, don’t you?” The Angel asked, leaning in with concern.

“I-I-I can’t say it.”

Lucifer leaned back, folding her arms and legs.

“And I suspect you won’t be able to write it down, nor have a psychic read your mind, nor have any prophet or dreamer look upon that moment. That’s the power of a demon god. Their name is who they are and who they are is their name. They are linked together. In that regard, a demon god’s name is a sentient thing. What was his pseudonym?”

Neon.

She cleared her throat, her heart thumping in her chest. The Angel’s eyes stared hard at her.

“His name was Neon.”

Ruth felt no power flow from that name. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“There, my dear. This Neon’s days are numbered. None who hurt my children escape my wrath. But there is…” Lucifer relaxed and stared off into the black hole.

Ruth stared on in anticipation as the Angel glanced back at, mouth parting into a smile.

“There is another way. The vengeance can be yours. The wrath and anger you have towards him; you could be the one to strike him down. The wrath… And the power. I could give you that power. You could be the one to take the demon’s head.”

Her spirit trembled. She knew what came next.

“Submit yourself to me. Kneel and worship me as god and I will grant you my power. It is the only way forward.”

Lucifer grabbed Ruth’s wine glass and pulled it near. They exposed their milky white porcelain wrist and placed a fingernail against the vein. They then swiped with a simple gesture, rending open their own flesh. It was like ruining a masterpiece. A single drop of brilliant crimson plunged into the wine, sending out subtle ripples.

“Just a sip, and your cells will absorb my submitted blood. It shall not harm you or defend itself; I give you my power freely.”

Ruth simply stared at the glass as the wine became cloudy; until there was nothing but the Angel’s intense crimson blood. It had drunk and absorbed the contents like a living thing.

“Ruth.”

She stared into those azure eyes.

“Once you take hold of my power, reality itself cannot stand in the way of you protecting your children. As the Matron, no one will challenge your identity. Even Adonai himself would be pleased that you would be the strongest of that Tetragrammatic aspect. Infact, wouldn’t a Father be proud to be out done by their own child? You may even become more powerful than I.”

Lucifer suddenly appeared distraught by such a revelation as she gazed into the black hole. She looked back, nodding as if affirming her decision.

“And I would submit myself to you if that were the case. Think of it. You would have access to my Thrones. You would lead me and my people to a new age. Our queen. You would only need a single sip; a single drop and godhood would be yours.”

Ruth was still in shock at the turn around. One moment it appeared Lucifer wanted to butcher her and the next, they were offering themself up and everything they ruled to her. A single sip to seal the deal.

True power awaited her. She would no longer be a monster, but a god.

With even an ounce of Lucifer’s power from her genetic code, she could slay Genius Loci, protect her friends, and raise Maw up to be a respected child despite their heritage. She would be a symbol of The Matron, enough that Adonai would honor her.

That Adonai would give her newfound respect and love for ascending past even Him in power.

It was all hers with but a sip.

She gingerly grasped the wine glass, swirling the blood within.

Unfiltered power.

Given freely.

None could blame her.

It was a sinless action; wanting to protect one’s friends.

She was a saint for even considering it.

The glass began to ascend to her lips.

She was going to drink it.

To gain absolute power, she would sacrifice her very soul. Nothing could stop her.

Lucifer looked on in anticipation.

Her hand trembled as her lips touched the glass.

She remembered her fear of devouring the angel wing. Would she lose who she was? Would she become the monster she so feared she was? Would this power corrupt her? This was no different than the feather, only an increase in the growth; from drinking a cup to a pool. But this was Lucifer's blood. She remembered Soltana's testimony in her dreams. The fog on her consciousness began to clear. The Seal flared as her mind grounded.

She made her choice.

She looked at the glass as if it was putrid rot and tossed it off the side.

"I can't," she flatly stated.

It was there Ruth almost visibly saw a mask drop from the mad Angel’s face, revealing the true expression underneath. One of cold cruelty, with eyes that could crush the black hole outside. A rage to snuff out the universe.

"A monster with a conscience. How droll,” they flatly stated. Lucifer sighed and rolled their eyes. The blunt comment slapped her in the face.

"W-what?"

Lucifer's demeanor instantly changed. They rose suddenly, flipping the table aside and planting a well endowed foot into her chest, sending her sprawling head over heels. Pain lanced her vision as she struck the balcony and then the floor. She tried to rise, only for her balance to be thrown off again as the Archerubim grabbed her by the hair. Ruth wailed, trying to fight them off as they meandered away from the balcony.

"I'm tired of this foreplay. If you won't give me what I want, I'll simply take it."

"Get! Off me!" Ruth shrieked and kicked

A light slap on the face sent her head ringing as the world spun.

"Do you know how ungrateful you are?”

Lucifer’s voice was both a shrieking horn and a bomb blast.

“Those who deny my blessings will be cast out into darkness with wailing and gnashing of teeth!”

Ruth felt bleeding from her ears at the impact of the Angel’s words. Lucifer’s rage cooled instantly. They smirked with a shake of their head, tugging her further into their chambers.

“Well, I can't say I didn't offer you the world on a platter. And you were so special, too.”

It was as if many people were scolding her all at once, Lucifer’s tone and voice, context and topic changed on a dime. She truly was mad.

“Denying the alpha and the omega; to think such blasphemy still existed.”

“None I've spoken to got even close to what I was willing to give you! You were so special, Ruth, you know?”

“You were ruined by Adonai's blight!”

“You made me do this to you."

"Here are the consequences of rejecting me!"

Her mind stabilized just as she felt herself flying and landing on softness. She snapped around, seeing she was in a comfortable satin bed, covered in pillows and sheets. It could have been a bed of iron nails for all of the torture she foresaw.

No… not like this..!

"You think to break me?" she challenged. Ruth tried to crawl away as the larger Angel advanced. She hadn't even seen when Lucifer had shed their gown, revealing their true glory to her. She had almost frozen in stunned silence at their beauty, but the horror of those lust filled eyes spiked all the adrenaline in her.

The beast was hungry and she was the meal.

"Stand fast, Ruth!" S'yliska finally spoke up.

Where have you been!?

"I wanted to speak, but her power silenced me. I am beyond my limit. She's too focused on you to care anymore. I have a plan, but her defenses have to be lowered."

Adonai be with us!

"You must be brave; we have only one chance to do this. I am drained by the Breatherman's attack and we have one chance that may rid us of both Lucifer and Genius Loci forever. You're not the only one to be stuck inside memories..."

I can feel my fear, but I will trust your plan.

Lucifer snatched at her gown and pulled, ripping the lacy clothing away from her. The shock and shame of what was happening made her stomach drop. They licked their lips as she sprawled on the bed. They gripped her ankle and pulled her in. She shrieked in terror. It was all so familiar, the deja vu ran through her at this moment. She had experienced this before. She tried to fight back, kicking and punching, but the hideous cackling laugh of her predator rang out as her actions did nothing at all. She felt cold liquid poured on her head. It stung her eyes as the viscous medium stained her. She wiped it away, seeing blood on her hands as Lucifer towered above her with an empty wine bottle.

It wasn't wine.

She gasped, hyperventilating.

"What did you think it was? I can't stand the stuff when Blood of the Martyrs is so much sweeter. Have you ever drank the blood of a Glorified One? Guang Shu blend! Now's your chance!" they tossed the bottle away as it burst and shattered against the stone floor.

“You’re the cannibal!” Ruth barked.

“You catch on quick, deary.”

The revelation chilled her to the core. Everything she experienced here was a lie. She thought she was good with deception, but she was nothing compared to the Mother of Lies. Her tricks were small candles compared to the roaring fire of Lucifer's conspiracies. And the Angel appeared to eat human flesh. The Angel pinned her down, groping her with a bloody hand.

"Just let it happen- you know you want it. See? Your body betrays you! You're a dirty girl, aren't you? I'm not your first, am I?"

Ruth cried out in despair as she grabbed Lucifer's wrist.

Please, S'yliska do something!

Lucifer broke her grip and clutched her jaw, pressing their lips to hers, kissing her deeply. She felt the intoxication beginning to immediately set in as the world spun and euphoria set in. In a way, it was more terrifying to lose control.

"I'm going to take back what you stole. You're no Matron at all, but a hag; clutching onto the souls of the innocent and playing pretend mother! You're a monster and the universe will applaud your demise. Relax now. This is going to hurt a lot."

S'yliska…

The words came to her. It struck like lightning and breathed life into a hopeless situation. The fear vanished.

Never again.

Her neck became hot as she felt the Seal beginning to flare.

Never again.

It was all a lie. Who said she couldn’t use her powers?

Who said she was powerless?

Lucifer did.

Who tried to manipulate her into losing everything for the sake of a demonic angel’s power?

Lucifer did.

Anger began to replace fear, compounded by the Angel’s laughter.

NEVER AGAIN.

The Seal glowed like the sun as she spotted the shock and terror in Lucifer’s eyes. The suffering she underwent had all been worth seeing that confident mask drop; to see a god humbled. The Archerubim backed away, all too slowly, as if the light she emitted drained the angel of power. She felt for the first time in this life magic, flowing through her veins.

Lucifer made a great mistake trying to push her; trying to violate her.

It was a basic spell; one most individuals could cast. But simplicity never meant weak.

“Holy Circle.”

A three meter perimeter circle of golden light surrounded Ruth along the bed. Lucifer was visibly pushed away by an invisible force.

“How dare you!” they shrieked.

Their voice thundered against the barrier, doing nothing to harm her. Ruth let out a cry of her own, standing tall as her flesh swam and twisted, becoming the Ancath within.

“Together,” they both announced.

“You ungrateful monster! I see taking you won’t be willing. You just need some… Bending; my speciality.”

The Angel radiated malevolent intent. Their form changed as they were suddenly donned in a decorated black jumpsuit, hair up in a tight bun. She gripped the air and pulled an object from nothing. Ruth had never seen anything like it before. A keen metal on metal noise emitted as Ruth saw the black and silver finger width blade that spanned two and a half meters.

The Angel made a flourish as the saber shrieked and whipped the air. A lamp was clipped by the blade, casually shearing off the top as the base stayed perfectly still.

Ruth held firm as the larger, ready to attack as the Angel stepped forward, poking the curved tip of her blade against the protective circle. The sword sparked as both barrier and weapon shrieked and rejected one another.

“Quite impenetrable… Except…” Lucifer grinned as she swiped the blade off to her side, letting it go as it floated in place. They pulled another object from nowhere, a small jar, and popped the lid, pouring it along the thread-saber’s edge.

“This is called a Soulblade; a projection of one’s spirit into a fighting weapon. It has now been anointed in holy oil-”

They gripped the sword as Ruth raised her psychokinetic barriers. Lucifer thrust the blade with a single hand, faster than she could process. The air snapped and cracked at its own displacement and friction, sending much of the room’s decorations flying about in a whirlwind. Ruth pulled back to the edge of the holy circle, feeling at the burning in her cheek. She pulled back sizzling blood as her demonic heritage burned at the oil. Lucifer’s eyes stared intensely at her with smug satisfaction.

“I’ve learned long ago how to circumvent any door, any lock, and any wall. We’ll see how well your monstrous form holds up to my love.”

“We must press the attack,” S’yliska advised.

Ruth veiled herself as she rushed forward, sprouting limbs and spikes as she refracted light around her body. She thrust and shot a volley of spikes as Lucifer floated back, her feet no longer touching the ground as she twirled her great-saber, parrying the attack before flowing into a striking of her own. Ruth dodged away from the lazy strike, using her powers to hold the weapon in place. She felt a limb fly off into a nearby wall from the almost invisible blow.

The Archerubim’s platinum-bell laugh rang out.

“How did you live for so long? I’m not trying at all!”

Ruth smirked internally, doing her best to appear wounded as one of her arm stumps bled.

“She is not using any magic and is relying solely on kinetic damage. You must grapple her. I have a plan.”

Ruth knew what her Ancath guest wanted. It was about to get more painful as she calmed her sensory nerves for the incoming strike and advanced, letting out a shriek as she fired more barb projectiles, arms wide for a grapple.

The blade shot through her chest and out the back, easily penetrating her tough chitinous flesh. She let out a well prepared wail of pain as her momentum carried her up the saber. She gripped the blade with a weak whimper, pulling closer to Lucifer. It actually hurt as she felt her cells burning against the holy oil. Her flesh squeaked and shrieked under the intense burning heat of the coating. She had to harden them into scales and bone, reducing how quickly they seared. The Angel cocked their head at her, looking annoyed. They scoffed as they began to grip the sword with both hands.

“I was going to penetrate you, one way or the other. Now let’s try this the gentle way.”

Ruth weakly grasped Lucifer's hand. She smiled back at the Angel.

"Got you…"

She felt S'yliska's power flow and release.

Now!

There was a brief moment of knowing annoyance on Lucifer's demeanor.

The world around them began to darken to black. Ruth braced for the oncoming abuse. Lights began to glow from up above, giving her a brief second of familiarity before a well placed foot kicked her off the sword blade, sending her to the ground. She churned her innards and expelled the holy oil and burning flesh, leaving it on the stoney and mossy ground as it melted. It was L'yophin's land.

Standing above her was one very, very angry Archerubim.

The Soulblade glinted as she flipped it to underhand, raising it to strike. There was that all encompassing madness in those eyes. Judgement. Cruelty.

“You’ve been a very bad girl. I do this because I love you. And let’s face it, I do this because it gives me such a rush, too.”

A green rush of light walled her entire vision, blinding her senses. She smiled with the knowledge of what memory S’yliska took them to. She refreshed her eyes to see Lucifer several meters back, sword ready against her Emerald opponent. Their gambit paid off. The Breatherman’s ability was a doorway that others could navigate. After all, if Lucifer could, why couldn’t they? And it also answered the next big gamble.

That Genius Loci was sentient in suchs memories, visions, and dreams, just like Angels were. His unnatural and demented voice spoke, confirming it all.

“Oh, daughter of mine, you get into the most fascinating situations, don’t you?”

His tall countenance and imposing presence all but confirmed he was a real entity. His aura was crushing down upon her like a gravitational force. For Lucifer, it didn’t appear to affect her at all.

“And who is this gorgeous creation? Ruth, Ruth, Ruth, don’t be rude now, introduce me to your new friend!”

“It’s Lucifer! Look out!” she cried out.

“So this is the illustrious leader of the fallen Angels! I always wanted to meet her!”

He adjusted his cravat as he turned his body as his head spun around the opposite direction, both facing Lucifer.

"Now. What are you doing to my daughter?"

His voice ripped inside her mind as she shuddered from the almost physical blow. The Archerubim scoffed at the demon.

"Your daughter? Is this the new generation of gods to fight? Sentimental psychopaths? Neon, you're really not one for good first impressions, are you?"

She didn’t give him another second to respond as her form blurred and vanished. He too blurred and vanished. The air cracked as she felt a detonation that blasted her away. She shrieked in fear at the impact, striking the mossy ground hard. She reformed and refreshed her damaged flesh, standing and witnessing the battle between gods. All that was left was a crater with a single pillar of rock in the middle. There stood Lucifer, Soulblade frozen in her right hand, sword frozen midswing as Neon’s palm blocked with invisible air. In Genius Loci’s left limb was a sphere of emerald energy held in place by golden light from Lucifer’s empty palm.

They had both struck and blocked each other’s blows.

They both blurred again, appearing opposite sides of the crater.

She saw a strange countenance among both of them. Her fake heart skipped its false beat.

They appeared to have a newfound respect for one another.

Why weren’t they dead? Why couldn’t they kill one another?

The Emerald god laughed like a shrieking goat. Even from that distance she still silenced her senses, dropping to a knee at the pressure of that god. She was taking the full presence of two sun-sized beings.

“What are the chances of that happening?” he cackled.

She got a smirk on Lucifer’s face as they shouldered their Soulblade.

“You predicted my feints. I can’t say I’m not impressed. Most gods I’ve fought fall within the first seconds of fighting.”

“I can tell you’re going to be one… Interesting opponent,” the god replied with a flourished bow.

They were completely ignoring her now.

S’yliska; end it!

The Ancath focused and the memory vanished to blackness. Ruth sat it with a start, looking down at her human hands. Her vision began to swim as she realized the two eclipsing auras of one mad Archerubim and one insane Emerald Demon god had been blasting through her like radiation from mega-suns. She tried to stand, feeling her limbs unresponsive. She felt wet for some reason. Her form was breaking down. She stared on in depersonalized curiosity as her hands melted to her original fleshy slime. The land of the Watchers spun as the last of her strength waned. She fell back, splatting against the stone.

“Save your strength, Ruth. You have been through much. Perhaps too much. I will carry us from here,” S’yliska’s calm and comforting voice rang through her head.

She sunk into the oddly relaxing feeling of her cells reverting to their base form.