Mirrored Shadows 2

The Sacred Three

Five years after the fall of Defiler, the Plane of Hell was nothing but prosperous. The riches found deep beneath the ruins of Hardcoat were not only enough to pay the debts of its former ruler, Calisto, but they also strengthened the reign of the current king, Victor the Third. The poverty was brought to a minimum, and the nobility bathed in riches like never before. And while opinions about the chancellor's rule are still divided, those poorest claim that the financial change has only affected those already rich, still forgetting about the lower class, always overseen and pushed into the deepest parts of Hell, like problems under a rug. But one thing was clear: Hell finally had a diplomatic and a reasonable ruler, who did not strive for godhood and wars.

If only they could've seen him that day. Gripping the arm pads of his throne and sweating beneath the emerald crown. Fingers are twisting the curvy mustache, the left boot is nervously jumping. He was restless, just like the night before that. Anticipating, unable to sleep.

He looked at his advisor next to the throne. She was a noble demoness that served him long before he got the crown. She was nervous too.

- Our guests are late, Elvira.

- They are, Your Majesty.

His eyes climbed over the numerous banners that hanged on the faraway ceiling.

- They are late intentionally... To remind me who is the real ruler...

The bronze sunshine of Hell was on its journey from a window to a window, moving its rays across the chamber. Victor got up. He couldn't sit anymore. The anticipation was unbearable.

Several courtiers walked in, alerting him.

- Have they arrived? - he asked.

- They haven't, my Lord.

He was losing patience. All the attempts to look in control in front of the guards and courtiers were failing him.

The sun was setting. The servants moving to light up the candles only agitated him further.

- My Lord, maybe we should... - Elvira uttered, but paused.

Three figures stood at the bottom of the throne room, unannounced. No one even noticed when they came in. The guards were caught by surprise, so they bowed randomly, out of synchronization.

- The Sacred Three. - Victor murmured.

The three figures walked forward. One of them was a demon; his horns grew like a braid, twisting one around the other all the way to the waist. The red eyes looked like they were on constant alert. The middle figure looked human. But regardless of his physical appearance, nothing about him left the impression of an ordinary man. His robes were a silver sea of silk that dragged behind him. A short, snow-like beard hugged the face of the old man and hid the lips, while the eyes were unnaturally green. The third figure was on his left. She was an angel, with eyes completely white, just like the wings that were closed at the front and tied with a golden thread. They were covering her abdomen like a piece of feathery dress, rather than a body part. Her hair was a liquid gold, reflecting the dying sunlight.

Elvira walked to them to meet them in hesitation.

- Sacred Three, we are honored to-

- Leave us. - said the demon and turned around. - All of you.

Elvira looked at her king and left the chamber, together with the guards and courtiers. Victor finally sat down on the throne.

- I welcome you to my kingdom, Sacred Three. It is not every day that we receive Divines as our guests. We were preparing for days for your arrival. I expected you sooner...

- We come when our duties allow so. - the human spoke. - That's all you need to know.

The three got closer and remained there, without a bow or a proper greeting. Never before had Victor felt so diminished as a king. He was glad everyone left.

- Please, have a seat and-

- We did not come here for pleasantries. - the angel interrupted. - We have taken the sacred duty of keeping the balance within the Great Windmill after Janaduri's departure. And that is the nature of our arrival.

- So the balance is threatened, I take? - he tried to sound ironic, but the three remained cold.

- The relationship between the Plane of Hell and Heaven stands upon the edge of a knife. - the demon said. - Old fires are heating up and it seems like a single bad glance could start a war of plains at this point.

- I am aware of that. And I can assure you that my politics are nothing like the ones of the previous rulers of Hell. I am doing everything in my power to improve the relations with all the plains and-

- This is not why we came, as well.

- Then I'm afraid I don't understand.

- And for now, it will remain like that. Your interference may only provoke the angels further.

- Typical... - Victor scoffed, tapping on the rest of the throne.

- We need one who unites all the races under one sword. We have come here, certain that you know a way to contact her.

- ... Lady Monika? - he looked at them in confusion. - You are aware that she is unreachable, far in the Dreaming? And if she returns, she might bring the taint of Defiler with her?

- If you are aware of that, King Victor, rest assured that we are as well. Leave that to us to deal with and tell us how to reach her.

- And what makes you think I know that?

- Maybe not you in person, but someone else does. Who was the closest to lady Monika?

- Other than her lover, the Contract demon Amadeus, it was her friend, lord Dion.

- The mystic who refused to take Janaduri's place?

- Yes.

- Invite him here and don't tell him why.

- Why the secrecy?

- Contacting Monika in the Dreaming is to disturb the balance of such an unstable realm and it is punishable by the law. If they have indeed contacted each other, there's no telling how many universal rules they broke. We don't want Dion to come up with a prepared lie. You will have him here and interrogate him subtly. We shall listen.

- And if they did contact each other... will they be punished?

- Yes. - said the angel without hesitation. - But not before we get what we need them for.

They turned around, leaving.

- All this could be much easier if you just told me why you needed lady Monika in the first place. Lord Dion would cooperate, and so would she.

The demon and the angel proceeded to the exit. Only the human stopped and looked at him over the shoulder:

- We will speak only to Monika. She is, after all, the legitimate ruler of Hell as Azura's heir.

And there it was, the reason for his restless nights. The sweat on his forehead and the thorn on his throne. This cut Victor right across the weak spot. Excluded from the subject of the world's safety and cast aside like a guardian of the throne, not a ruler. He was certain that no one would ever question his right to rule. A chancellor... A steward of the throne.

***

It had to be one of the sunniest days that ''Monika's orphanage'' was seen that year. The winter could still be felt in the chilly air, but the day displayed all the signs that spring is on its way.

The rays of the sun were lining up in the corridors full of children' drawings and small house slippers.

- Rise and shine, sunshine! - Dion walked through the hallway, knocking on the doors with names on them. - You know the drill, buddies. No sleepy Tuesdays, only sleepy Saturdays.

The kids were waking up in their beds and soon, they were on their doorsteps, rubbing their eyes and smiling at Dion's march. They started to follow him.

- One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four!

If you don't hurry, we might pee on the floor.

The kids burst into laughter.

- Halt! - he stopped and raised his hand dramatically. - I think we are being watched!

His finger pointed at a big window to their left. A squirrel stood on a branch near it, gnawing on a nut and peeking inside.

- A squirrel! - the kids gasped and pressed their noses against the glass.

- How adorable!

- Look at its tail!

- I heard they can take on a fully grown fox! - said a boy with lots of freckles. - They are like ''SQEUUAAAAAK GRAWRRR!''

- Did you know that a squirrel's teeth never stop growing? - Dion said knowingly. - They have to gnaw to keep their teeth at the right length.

- Really!? That is awesome!

- Can their teeth grow as big as a whale!!!?

- Well, I don't know Tom, I...

- Can their teeth sink a ship, uncle Dion?

- Um. Sure...? In fact, I heard pirates launch them instead of cannonballs sometimes, to gnaw on their ships.

- Wow, really!?

The kids stared at the rodent as if it were the most powerful predator in existence.

- When I grow up, I want to be a squirrel...

- You already are a squirrel Susie, listen to yourself. - he started tickling her, which made her squeak and laugh, trying to wiggle out of his hands.

- Stop it, Uncle Dion! Hahaha!

- Alrighty, off to wash your hands and faces, all of you.

The kids continued to march down the hall and laugh.

- It's amazing how you never get tired of doing that every morning. - said a girl coming his way from down the hallway. A forest of untidy, brown curls jumped on her shoulders as she walked, suggesting that the girl had only just got up.

- They need joy from morning until the sun sets. It's what Monika would've wanted too, Lela.

- She would. And you are madly in love with these little cuties.

- Indeed I am.

- Monika would be proud... - her voice broke and she started sobbing. - I'm sorry, it's one of those days...

- Hey, it's okay to miss her, you know? Besides, if you put on a smile...

- Oh no, don't.

- ... and chuckle for a while...

- Dion stop.

- ...cookies, a whole pile...

- I'm so out.

- ...will tickle your tongue and make you smile.

He pulled out a cookie from his pocket, offering it.

- You seriously kept a cookie in your pocket just for this song, didn't you?

- Yup!

- You're crazy. - she started chuckling and hugged him. - Thank you.

- Now, let's have a great day.

The kids were returning from the bathroom.

- There you are! It's time for breakfast. Let's not keep Hilda waiting.

An old woman with a short, white braid and a grumpy expression baked bread in a stone furnace. The heat was making her sweaty.

- Good morning, Hilda! - Dion and the kids greeted her.

- To hell with you all! I am cooking my butt here 'cause god forbid those kids get a warm bread in the morning!

- Hildaaa. - Dion came from behind her back and hugged her. - You love us!

- Go die. And get off my back, it's warm enough as it is!

- Have I ever told you how beautiful you are, Hilda?

- Suck on a knife! Don't start that crap with me, young man.

The kids were chuckling, watching the two of them having the same argument they had yesterday and the day before that.

- You know Hilda, - he was still holding her tight as she tried to push him off. - I often think to myself at night ''that woman is a dragon lady. She's been through so much. Life wasn't kind to her.''

- Darn right it wasn't! I slept on a wet sack of hay and ate with cows. No one baked bread for me at 8 in the morning!

- And we cherish you so much for that Hilda. Wouldn't we be lost without her, kids?

- Yes we would! - the kids shouted like one.

- And what would we do without her?

- We would die!

- And what would happen when we die?

- We would have it written on our graves ''We died because Hilda left us.''

The old woman scoffed and looked away in annoyance to hide a slight smile.

- You. - Dion got serious suddenly and placed a finger on her nose. - You. It is the foundation that holds this world in one piece. You. Are a muse that inspires the bold and the sad. You. Are the beacon that shines the way for the lost and...

- Oh shut it! - she flung the bread on the table, shaking her head.

- Yay! - the kids exclaimed.

- What do we say, children?

- Thank you aunt Hilda, we love you from here to the Moon and gazillion times back and forth!

- Yeah, yeah... - she took off her apron and left the room, smiling softly.

The kids sat down by the long kitchen table. 34 chairs with names for each one of them, so they would all know they got a place that is their own in this world. Before the meal started, they looked at Dion.

- Whose turn is it today? - he asked.

- Yours, uncle Dion.

- Oh... So a month has already passed by...

They all took each other's hands and started softly reciting:

There is no place like here, no place like home.

There are millions of stars, this one is my own.

No matter where I go, I'll never forget,

I belong at the very place I left.

Goodbye everyone who says goodbye,

Goodnight my friends under the sky.

Don't miss me, for there's no place like home.

There are millions of stars, I'll return to my own.

After a brief silence and staring at the portrait of Monika, Dion gave a sign to the kids to sit down and eat.

Outside the orphanage, a dark carriage pulled over. A noblewoman came out and grasped the place with a criticizing look. She then proceeded to the front door and knocked.

- I'll open the door, Hilda. Go eat your breakfast. - Dion said.

The knocking kept repeating, until he finally opened.

- Madam Elvira? - he was surprised.

- Greetings. I don't have a lot of time, my lord needs me.

- I see... Well, please, come in.

- Thank you. I won't take long.

When they entered the house, he showed her to the living room, but she remained at the door.

- Madam, join us for breakfast? You must be hungry from the trip.

- No I... - she touched the shawl that covered her horns. - The kids, they might...

- Get scared? They know everything about demons, so it's you who should be scared. They will drown you with questions! Tom is certain you dry clothes on those.

- Well, I cannot stay regardless, I really need to rush back.

- In that case, to what do I owe this pleasure, madam?

- My lord Victor requires a word with you. He needs you to visit him.

- King Victor wants to see me? But... why?

- I'm afraid that remains unknown to me as well, sir. He only said that the matter is of great urgency and that your presence is needed.

- Oh... Well I suppose I could come this month and...

- No, sir. His Majesty needs you to come right away.

The clang of spoons and plates from the dining room interrupted the brief silence. Dion looked at her, noticing that she was just as confused by all this as he was.

- Now? But... We are having breakfast, I... I can't just leave...

- Is there anyone else who could replace you in your absence?

- Well Lela is here...

- Good. Then we needed to leave.

- Madam, this is so sudden, if only you said something sooner...

- King Victor is aware of that and he sends his apologies, because whatever is going on, it also happened suddenly. But he said he won't keep you too long, so be sure you'll return here as soon as possible.

- I suppose I have to go then... - he said reluctantly, looking over his shoulder at the kids.

- My lord would greatly appreciate that, sir.

- Let me get ready.

Soon, the kids were all lined up outside on the porch of the orphanage. Dion held a small bag and hoped that his absence would be short enough to require nothing else but what he packed in it.

The children looked sad. Still in their pajamas and night gowns, they stood at the porch, with eyes that begged him to stay.

He approached Lela and hugged her.

- I have a complete trust in you, Lela. I won't be gone for long, but I know you'll take good care of them as long as I'm away.

- Just come home, whenever that is. The kids will miss you...

The little ones waited to say goodbye. Dion smiled widely at them, hiding the reluctance.

- Are those tears, my friends? Why so sad? I will return.

- You promise? - sobbed little Tom.

- I promise. Remember our song? ''Don't miss me, for there's no place like home. There are millions of stars, I'll return to my own.''

He hugged them all and rushed after Elvira before his tears started showing. When they reached the gate, he looked back at them and waved.

- Keep marching, you little squirrels!

A few of them giggled, while the rest bowed their heads. Dion picked a few Juliet roses from a bush in their backyard and climbed into the carriage, followed by Elvira. As they were leaving, he could see the orphanage disappearing behind them, and the little faces losing their smiles, becoming blurry, distant shapes.

***

The carriage drummed across a rocky path, until the shadows of great sequoias wrapped it in their embrace. Dion could not recognize the area.

- How do we pass through the veil into Hell? - he asked.

- There's a secret passage, sir, known only to a few of us that serve the crown. It is a place where the veil was once torn by the angel Valor. And till this day, it still did not heal. It allows us to move freely from Hell to Earth and back, without summoning circles. But like I said, the passage must remain a secret, or the ill-willed folk would freely roam and cause troubles with the other side, much like Defiler did.

- Can't they simply use the summoning circle to do the same?

- It's different. Summoning circles alert the Divine ones. The Sacred Three.

-The Sacred Three?

- They are a group of Divines that took the position your lordship rejected. The Seer Janaduri's position. They are the new balance keepers. And when someone uses a summoning circle to travel, they know. After everything that happened with Defiler and Lady Monika, the usage of these circles is strictly supervised and put under many rigorous rules.

Dion turned away from the trees to look at her. For some reason, she was glancing at him with suspicion.

- So if I were to contact someone through a summoning circle... Would they know?

- They would know it was used, but not by whom.

He looked outside again, trying to recognize the forest and the path they were taking. Elvira subtly pulled down the curtain, covering the window.

- Am I a potential threat too, madam Elvira? I see that you're trying to hide the path to the veil from me as well.

- Nothing personal, sir. King Victor's order is to hide the location of the opening from everyone outside the castle.

- One would think that his Majesty, of all people, has learned to trust foreigners more than those close to him.

After a three-hour ride, Elvira opened the curtains again. They could now see the bronze plains of Hell. The silent meadows that stretch as far as the eye can see, and the lonely mountains that hug the red sky. Arid steppes that reached beyond sight would occasionally birth a dry bush from the cracks on the ground.

- I remember being taken this way once, but as a prisoner, not a visitor...

- Calisto's reign was a dark era for all of us, sir.

The carriage was sinking down a curvy path and the landscapes were getting darker. The heat was increasing the closer they were to the center of the Earth. Dion was amazed that the horses that pulled the carriage never stopped to rest.

- Where exactly is Lord Victor's castle located?

- In the eighth Circle. Basilia, to be precise.

- Basilia? But... That place was turned into a safe haven for the hungry and poor in Monika's honor.

- It still serves that purpose. Don't worry sir. But the place was not taken care of. Lord Victor restored its former glory and people respect it far more now that it has a leader.

Dion still wasn't very pleased to hear that the place had become the center of Hell's ruling, but he remained quiet.

After passing through a thick layer of blue fog, a familiar sight opened before their eyes. The massive giant of thousands of windows and doors, with roofs that disappear in the faraway darkness of the mountains.

- Basilia... - he whispered in awe. - I'll never stop being astonished by this structure...

- It really is a remarkable piece of petrified beauty, isn't it?

What stories would those heights share if they could talk? Silently observing since ancient times, as the towers rose over the years to meet them in the dark.

The carriage pulled over in the enormous valley in front of Basilia. A statue stood there at its center, surrounded by many flowers, candles and visitors. Some were arriving, some were leaving. Dion approached it with great sadness. Elvira waited behind him in mute condolence.

His hand touched the leg of the statue of a woman with red hair. A hundreds of candles burned in her name, illuminating her face.

- Many come here to pay their respects, sir. Demons, angels, humans... Her sacrifice united them, even in this.

Dion placed the roses he carried into her extended hands and stepped away.

- If you are ready, sir.

- Let's go...

The bridge that stretched across the Screaming Abyss was rebuilt. His eyes met the tall walls where archers once stood, and the rooftops he fought a dragon on.

The interior of Basilia was slightly changed. It was brighter. But most of it remained the same.

- So many memories...

- We tried to leave things as they were as much as possible. Sadly, some parts, destroyed in war, will never look the same.

In a room to their left, several beggar children were sitting by a long table and getting their portions of food. Their misfortunate faces reminded Dion of the orphans back home.

- This way, sir.

She opened tall doors and a grandiose chamber yawned before them. Dion's eyes immediately wandered up to the far ceiling and felt dizzy. Birds were circling around it, entering through the unreachable windows, flying in and out.

They walked towards the throne on the other side, followed by the eyes of courtiers and the soldiers.

- Welcome, sire. - the courtiers bowed.

He nodded to them. When they finally reached the throne where Victor sat proudly, he properly bowed.

- Welcome, lord Dion. - he got up and opened his arms friendly. - We are honored to have you here once again.

- The honor is mine, lord Victor.

- There is no need for dishonest decorum between us, my friend. I may be the king, but I will never be able to repay you and your friends for what you did for my people and our realm.

- I am glad to see your lands so prosperous, your Majesty.

- Elvira, please give out the order to the servants to bring our guest something to eat and drink.

Elvira bowed and left.

- The rest of you leave as well.

To Dion's surprise, every guardsman and a courtier left the throne room, leaving them completely alone.

- We need privacy. - Victor explained. - Elvira told you that there's an urgent matter we need to discuss and it needs to stay between the two of us.

- She did. I hope all is well, my lord?

- Oh yes, everything is fine. - he tried to sound carefree, but his eyes nervously flew up to an opening on a wall, covered by a curtain, which Dion immediately noticed. - But please, do have a seat so we can talk and I'll explain immediately what this is all about.

Servants came in, carrying wine and bowls of exotic fruits and different food. Dion sat on a sofa next to the throne.

- So how can I help you, my lord?

Victor smiled, still standing stiffly.

- Well I... I don't know how to ask you this but directly... Have you, by any chance, contacted Lady Monika in the Dreaming?

Dion stared at him questionably.

- My lord?

- Yes, I know... I... I know that's a very... dishonorable question to ask, considering that contacting her in Dreaming would be a great crime, and you are both far from criminals. But you see, my lord Dion, someone did try to contact her, or she contacted someone. And we need to know the truth.

- We? - Dion subtly looked at the opening in the wall.

Victor seemed lost for a moment, seeking words.

- Yes. We, as in Hell.

- Forgive me, your Majesty, but if this indeed happened, that's the contact's problem, not Hell's, is it not?

- Yes, you would think so. But these days, Hell is blamed for every strange occurrence. No wonder, after Calisto and Defiler. That's why this is a problem of us all and it needs to be resolved quickly.

- Understandable, your Majesty. And... just what happens to the one who contacted lady Monika, or to lady Monika if she was the one who made the contact?

- Well... That would depend on the nature and the cause of the contact. If the two made contact out of something harmless like... - he looked at Dion under the eye. - ... pure missing and nostalgia, that could be forgiven, I'm sure.

Dion stood up, walking around the sofa to face the window. The light was dying on the horizon.

- Forgiven by The Sacred Three?

Victor was surprised that he knew about them.

- Yes, by The Sacred Three.

- Good to see that Jana's position was taken so responsibly and seriously, all over the wrong places.

A brief silence followed. Victor looked at his back, anticipating an answer and feeling eyes looking upon them, waiting too.

Dion finally turned to him.

- I am sorry to disappoint you, my lord. But every word from Monika was gone with her that day she defeated Defiler.

He lies. - crawled into Victor's ears, just for him to hear.

Victor slightly bit on his lip, feeling the pressure.

- Are you sure, my lord Dion?

- Absolutely.

- And you wouldn't know who else she could've contacted?

- If she truly did, I envy the person who had the chance to hear from her after all this time.

- Lord Dion... - he sighed, losing patience. - If you're hiding something for Lady Monika's safety, know that she won't be harmed or-

- No. I've told you everything. Would that be all, your Majesty?

They stared at each other with the eyes of knowing, but not telling.

- I would appreciate it if you stayed here for a day or two, until we resolve this. We would appreciate any information you could provide us with.

- I told you everything I know.

- I insist. - Victor gave him a significant look, which could've been a threat or a warning, as he slightly nodded towards the opening in the wall.

- I suppose I could stay a bit. Your Majesty seems very concerned about this.

- Thank you, Lord Dion. Your cooperation is of great value to us.

- I'm sure it is.

***

After he was shown to his room, Dion quickly checked the walls behind the paintings and the tapestries, making sure there were no holes. When he was certain that he was alone, he took a piece of chalk and drew a small summoning circle, barely big enough to put an envelope in it.

''Someone is asking about you. They want to know if we are contacting each other. A punishment is in order. I won't contact you anymore after this for a while. I hope you are well.'' - he wrote on a piece of parchment and placed it on the circle. It quickly ''poofed'' into a cloud of smoke. After an hour of nervous waiting, the same piece of parchment appeared before him. He quickly looked at the other side of it and read the words:

''Stay safe, my friend. We are coming.''