The Theory

A putrid smell wrests you from your sleep. You find yourself in the Demonic Realm once again, and as before, in a different place than you had seen before. You seem to be in a cave network of some kind. Your Mother is not immediately found, which is rare. You hear a muffled sound in the distance, distorted by the echoing through the craggy walls. You move towards the noise slowly, your fear rising as it begins to become more clear. Light fills the space, though you do not need it, as you cautiously approach the end. You clean to the walls to avoid being spotted at the final climb, peering into the unholy sight.

The tunnel opens to a larger cavern system, with you having arrived at a central merge point. Below you, is a face most fear to ever see. Wrath Harbingers, some of the most terrifying and menacing of demons. In the Triumverate War, they were said to be **** incarnate, destroying anything and everything in it's path, even the lesser demons. Even the Dread Lords could not control them completely, these gigantic brutes would simply be banished back to the Demonic Realms to be contained. Here, there were three of them, being pacified by scores of succubi. They were rubbing their bodies against all manner of places of these monstrosities in order to keep them calm, even as their grizzled and hard flesh cut into their own skin in the process. It was revolting to witness, to a degree that you nearly felt pity on the lesser demons.

"Now you understand" You hear behind you, causing you to physically jump in fear. You turn around to see your mother, her nude body hidden by her enormous wings.

"Are you trying to get me captured?" You ask, quietly but forcefully.

"No" Her tone is controlled, somber "I wouldn't want this on you. On anyone. I brought you here so you would understand."

"Understand what?" You ask in constrained tone.

"Why I wish to leave this place. I tire of being a play thing for these beasts. I have no desire to be a pawn in the games of higher beings."

"You're a succubus, all you know is desire." You respond dismissively "Given how hard it is for me to say no, I find it hard to believe. Besides, you did tell me I was a gateway to allowing everyone out."

"I was being used. Seeing you and how you were exploited gave me the strength to resist. They know nothing of my duplicity, that I intend to come with you into T'sara and shut the door behind me."

"You would leave your sisters to the same fate you've endured?"

"Regretable, but necessary" she nods gently "They are still loyal and subservient to the Dread Lords. They can't be trusted." She steps close and gently brushes your naked shoulders "I wouldn't wish to see anything happen to you, or your friends, due to misplaced faith. Surely, you can agree. This is for the best."

"Yes, mother." You respond gently, your temper having been taken out, though you still do not have full trust in her. "I know this is a strange question to ask, given the circumstances, but could you tell me about my father?"

She looked slightly stunned "Your father? What about him?"

"Who was he? What was his name? What happened to him? Anything to help fill the image of what my family is."

"Demetria, I'm terribly sorry." She brushed your cheek gently "I know that's what you want, more than anything, but that's something I can't tell you, because I don't know."

You feel your anger rising again, which your mother predicts, raising her finger in preemptive defense "Ssshhhh. I don't know, because there were too many men. I was summoned by a cult of lonely noble men. Frustrated with their arranged marriages, they used their wealth and privelege to learn the secrets of demonology. They brought me forth to have their way with me. 20 men, **** and enraged by their lust, had their way with me for hours. And that's just one evening. Shortly after, a band of maruaders had pillaged an academic sanctuary and found a scroll to summon me. Their numbers and their barbarism made the nobles look tame by comparison. It wasn't all bad, mind you, but suffice to say, there are too many possibilities in too small a time frame to be able to make any guess."

You feel sullen by her answer. You'd naively hoped that your conception was a loving, romantic moment. Your mother's tale was a sharp barb that you should have known better.

"I wish I had a better answer my child, I really do. I cannot help who I am or what my history was. All I can do is promise a better future for us. Please, hurry. You know the danger if that necromancer finds it first."

"Don't worry, mother, We'll beat him to it."

"Good girl" She gives you a strong hug, one you feel a little awkward about reciprocating "Now, have some rest. I'll see you soon enough."