Chapter Nine: Hellish Issues
1412 Words
For the next week Astra spent all her time with her mother training, although he had complete control over her powers, she wanted to learn to do the things her mother could. So, Serena taught her the most basic use of her power, she taught her how to use her power to inflict pain. By the time the week was over Astra had become an expert at sending bolts of power at people. And controlling how much pain the bolt caused.
Serena was very proud of Astra, she was doing well, and she got better at using her sword as well. She was turning into quite the goddess. There was no doubt on Serena's mind that Astra could handle herself when taking care of Adessa.
Before she would allow Astra to go, there was something that Serena wanted to discuss with her and Dagon. Two nights before Astra was going to kill Adessa, she and Dagon met with her mother in the throne room. Serena was waiting for them as they approached her.
“Please seat, both of you.” She tells them both, when they have sat down, she folds her hands together and places them in her lap.
“Astra in two days you are going to earth to avenge your grandfather, although I am perfectly fine with you doing this, there is a catch.”
Astra looks at her mother and waits for it. Dagon sat quietly and listened to every word being said. Serena cleared her throat and continued.
“When you go, you will not go alone. Dagon, you and Thorn will accompany Astra, to earth and back. It will be your job to make sure she gets there safely and returns home safely. Astra, you will be taking Ralane, Snowfire, and Frost with you as well.”
“I have no doubts that you will carry out your mission successfully. However, I am not about to take any chances. You will take them with you, just in case.” Serena looks at them both, pauses and then continues again.
“That being said, if something goes wrong, Dagon you get her home immediately if something feels out of place you are to turn around and come straight home. Do you understand the Astra?”
She looks at her daughter waiting for an answer. Astra looks at her mother and responds, “If anything feels off, we will come straight home, I promise. If I feel at danger at any time, we will leave.”
“Good, that was all I needed to hear from you. I want you to go and prepare yourself, make sure you have your sword and you have enough energy to do what you need to.” Serena says to Astra.
“Yes mother, I will do all of that. Everything will turn out fine, and then we can all get on with our lives,” She looks at Dagon and smiles. He smiles back.
Not long after having this conversation Astra goes to bed, and Serena is left in the throne room finishing up for the day. The floor begins to rumble, and Whipper comes from Hell. He bows before Serena, “My lady the Master needs you in Hell.”
Serena lets out a sigh and goes with Whipper. When they arrive, he leads her into the catacombs, it doesn't take long for Serena to figure out where he is leading her. They go into one of the open doors, and there hanging from the ceiling is Vladamir, the man who betrayed her. “Whipper, why am I here?”
“I can answer that Serena,” Reaperiam says coming out from the shadows. “Reaperiam what is this about?”
“He has been causing an uprising with the other prisoners, I figured you could come down here and have a....conversation... with me,” Reaperiam says, a wicked look in his eyes...
“Fine, but then I need to get back to our daughter, she has someone to kill,” Serena says.
Reaperiam and Whipper leave her there, she walks around Vladamir to face him, he looks at her his body having very little strength. “So, I hear you are causing an uproar, when will you learn to behave.”
“Does it matter, it's not like it will change anything,” he says his voice hoarse.
“It would if you learned to behave, I might even do something nice for you,” Serena says, she forms a chair and sits in it.
“What could you possibly do that would be nice?” He asks.
“Well, what if I told you our son was alive?” Serena says quietly. He looks at her, “It's not possible, are you lying to me?”
“No, my father never killed him, he has been alive this entire time. He spent some time with me until his girlfriend interfered.” She tells him. Vladamir wasn't sure what to think or how to feel. He could see she wasn't lying to him.
“So, do us all a favor, stop starting s**t and you will get to meet our son and spend time with him,” she says. Vladamir gives her a nod and keeps quiet.
“Is it doing okay?” Vladamir finally asks. “He would be doing better if he wasn't with that stupid whore.” Vladamir looks down his head hanging.
“What does he look like?” Vladamir tries to look at her but doesn't have the energy to lift his head. “He looks exactly as I dreamed he would,” Serena says, her voice quivering. “And the dark path I saw him on is still a possibility.”
“Why do you say that Serena.” “Because he killed my father and took his powers, the girl he is with Adessa, she had him convinced that she is in love with him, she manipulated him to do it and so he did.”
Vladamir shakes his head, “Well, that's something he gets from me.” “Oh, and what's that?”
He lets out a weak laugh, “He has a weakness to do stupid things for the people he loves.” Serena shakes her head, “Well whatever, I have to go. Things to do, people to kill. So, behave.” She walks out of the room and heads out of the catacombs. Not seeing Reaperiam she leaves a message for him and then goes back home.
When she gets home, the castle is very quiet. She walks around and checks on Astra who is sound asleep in her bed. Serena lets out a sigh and heads to bed herself.
Morning comes, Astra spends the time she has that day relaxing with Dagon and having a picnic at their spot. He looks at her. “When this is all over, and we return, there is something I need to discuss with you.” She smiles, “We can talk when we get back, this shouldn't talk too long. But today, I am going to enjoy relaxing, tomorrow I have to focus.”
They eat lunch and then take a walk, as they walk their feet in the water, Astra smiles and splashes Dagon. She laughs and runs away as he tries to splash her back. She dives into the water, and he dives in after her, they both laugh as they splash each other.
After a long day of swimming and just having fun, Astra kisses Dagon on the cheek and heads home with a smile. She takes a hot shower to get the sea salt out of her hair and goes to bed. She knows she is going to have a long day.
Astra sleeps surprisingly well, knowing what the next day holds in store for her. She wakes up early in the morning, has breakfast then gets ready. She arms herself with her sword and ties her hair back.
She walks to the portal with Ralane, Snowfire, and Frost and waits there for Dagon. It takes him a while, but he finally arrives, armed and with Thorn. He looks at her with a serious face.
“Are you ready for this?” He asks her.
She looks at him and says, “I was born ready.”
The six of them go through the portal, determination on Astra's face and murder in her heart......
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