Opening a Portal

As she reached the top of the stairs, Marihem noticed the cat demon paused outside a door, seeming to try to work up the courage to face whatever awaited behind it. A smile crossed her lips beneath her mask as she called out, “Acolyte!”

The young woman froze her ears flickering nervously, then slowly turning towards where the shrill voice had echoed come from. Her eyes darted as if seeking escape as the imposing woman strutted towards her. Her mind racing of what she could want, what if Lady Hekate told her about what she said. No, no she would not do that, would she?

The demoness stopped before her, attempting to take up the most casual pose she could, “Let me ask you, does the High Priestess always treat you like a wayward child?”

Purrsia blinked shaking her head, “I… no, no, my Lady, I…” fumbling with her words as she shifted nervously, clutching her tail that had wrapped around her waist, eyes falling to the floor.

Marihem stepped a bit closer, causing the young woman to flinch back as a hand gently rested on the feline’s shoulder, “There is no need to lie, dear. You are not in trouble, I just find it disappointing how she fails to trust her own daughter. Expecting you to just be a pawn, to give up any hopes and dreams of your own. Or am I mistaken?”

The cat demon blinked looking up into those red eyes behind a mask, questioningly if this woman could be telling the truth. Lips parting with the intention to deny but no sound came out.

The masked demon smiled, as she leaned close, “Trust you instincts, Acolyte, for Lady Sherida never will. She expects only reflections of a mirror of herself, to give up the hopes and dreams of their own. And Acolyte, I am sorry to say, you will never be able to be Lady Sherida.”

With that Marihem took a step back, reaching down to straighten her gown, walking away as her boots echoed along the marble floors. Leaving the humanoid feline to think on her words, as she mused that in the long run the girl could be useful.

Meanwhile:

A young woman stepped into the room, bowing her head as she neared the two demons. “High Priestess, the preparations have been completed and we are ready.”

Sherida glanced over, “Thank you dear.” Then looking to Hekate, “Are you ready? We should get you to the Mortals as soon as we can.”

Hekate, nodded, “Yes, I think I have what I need to know for this.”

Sherida paused reaching out to take a pouch from the altar and offered it to Hekate. Hekate took it and opening it to look inside, “Soul Crystals? You think they are dead?”

Sherida sighed, “I don’t know, we don’t know much right now, but I don’t want to risk losing their souls.”

The two women then proceeded to the other room.

The large circular room was lit by torches spaced along the walls. Inlaid in the floor were two pentagrams, one inside the other. At the point of each star were a circle for someone to stand during the ceremony. In silver ink in an ancient language runic symbols were drawn within the pentagrams. In each of the circles a acolyte was standing awaiting the Priestess to call forth a gate to the Mortal Realm.

Sherida took a place on a raised dais with an altar, and looked over to Hekate, “Mistress Hekate, please step through once we open the portal. We will hold it open for as long as we can, so please hurry.”

Taking a deep breath, she began to chant some ancient spell, the acolytes at the points of the stars going stiff, as a chill filled the room, a ripple in the air at the center of the room. Slowly a rippling portal formed, Hekate walking towards it, hesitating for a moment still something nagging at her consciousness urging caution. But now was not the time for that, she had a mission and to fail would disappoint the King who trusted her enough to handle this, so glancing over to Sherida once again, she took a step through the doorway to the Mortal Realm.