A conversation between sisters.

As you head down to Samara’s cell, Kali approaches you. “I wanted to ask, Josh, do you think I could talk to Samara alone for a while? I…I want to explain to her what happened, and why we’re here. I think it could help. Plus…she might be the only blood relative I can save.”

You nod. “I suppose so. It’s not like she’s any threat with the collar on. I can wait outside the door. Yell for me if anything happens, ok?”

Kali nods. “Thank you. I think she’ll open up more if it’s just me.”

“I’ll stay outside. Good luck.”

You open the door for her and let her walk inside. You see Samara look up, surprised to see Kali alone. You lean against the wall outside to wait.

——

Kali felt nervous as she approached her sister. Despite feeling like this was the right approach, she was worried about how Samara would react to what she said. What if she was too devoted to their father?

Vanishing those doubts, she looked at Samara. With her reddish skin, white hair, and black eyes, not to mention her bat wings, she was the very vision of demonic beauty. Kali took a deep breath and started talking.

“I wanted to talk to you, alone. I want to explain why we’re here, what we’re doing.”

Samara stares at her, but doesn’t say anything. Kali continues, “I know you think of me as a spoiled child. That I haven’t suffered like you have. But that’s partly why we’re here. Josh has heard stories of what happens here, all the pain and ****. He came into power, and he wants to use it to stop all that.”

Samara chuckles. “Simple as that? He’s some kind of benevolent overlord? Why wouldn’t someone with his kind of power just enforce his will on everyone?”

“Because he’s kind, and loving. Do you know how he convinced me? Not with power, although he is very powerful, more so now. Not with fighting, he’s not even a trained fighter. Simply by talking. Even when I attacked him, he simply endured it until I listened. And…it sounds cliche and cheesy, but…love. I’ve never heard of someone who could…care, not like him.”

Samara looks at Kali. “So, what, am I supposed to just throw myself at his feet? I serve our father. It’s how I survive.”

Kali shakes her head. “And yet, here you are. He had you at his mercy, and all he did was hold you prisoner. No ****, no savagery. He hasn’t even abused you verbally. All we did was take you out of the war. I hoped that I could talk to you, maybe get to know each other. We’re going to kill our father, Samara. No one ever should have suffered like you. He’s a monster, and we’re going to destroy him.”

Kali expected Samara to laugh, or mock her. Instead, she sits on the bed. In a quiet voice she says, “Do you really think he can kill father?”

Kali sits down beside her sister. “I don’t know. But after seeing him contain that black fire, and remake the portals, and how fast he’s growing in power? I think he has a good chance. I know he will try, and I’m going to be right there beside him. All of our family will. For…our children’s future, he has to win.”

Samara looks at Kali, and smiles slightly. “You’re going to have his child? I never expected to hear a Lilim say that.”

Kali nods. “Once all this is done. I expect all of us will want to. We love him, and he loves us.”

Samara is quiet for a long while. Then she sighed. “I…I need some time, Kali. I need to think.”

Kali nods, then, impulsively, she hugs her demonic sister. Samara stiffens, and then slowly relaxes, but she doesn’t move. Kali releases her and walks to the door. “I’ll come back when I can.”

Samara nods. “Bring Josh next time. I’ll have an answer. For both of you.”

Kali nods, somberly. Then she leaves the room. That went better than she had expected!