Report to the Cathedral

When Hekate had finally managed to regain her composure, she shifted from

Sherida’s arms, “Thank you, High Priestess.”

Sherida smiled to her, gazing into her eyes, “I am here for you darling, if you

ever need to talk, I would be happy to listen. Even if it is just to listen.”

Sighing softly the Succubus rose to her feet, straightening up her corset and

skirt. With Sherida rising to stand next to her, the woman looked over, “I need

to go the Cathedral now and face father, after all I failed to protect his pact

holders.”

Sherida nods, glancing over the demoness, “But let me get you a cloak, it

would be best not to walk the streets covered in gore.”

Hekate offered a half-hearted smile, “Thank you again, my Lady.”

Sherida instructed one of the Acolytes to find a cloak and meet them

at the Shrine’s entry. As Hekate walked back to the spiral staircase, each step

wearing on her very soul as how to explain what happened and the man that

was there waiting.

Just inside the entry of the Shrine an Acolyte stood holding a long black,

hooded cloak, holding it out as the demoness as she approached. Hekate

offered the give a smile, as she took the garment and draped it over her

shoulders. Stepping through the door and walking down the prestigious steps of the Shrine she entered the streets of Gehenna.

Wrapped in the cloak, she hurried through the bustling boulevards of the city as it’s citizens went about the daily lives oblivious to intrigue of the realms happening. It only took her about twenty minutes to arrive at the Cathedral at the center of the city, slowly making her way up the steps. The two bull demons standing at the Iron doors, hissed crossing their axes to bar entry, as one bellowed, “Who dares to approach Lord Belphegor’s Cathedral. His Highness is not accepting callers this eve.” Their muscular bodies tensing in preparation of a possible threat, yellow eyes staring intently at the unknown figure as she approached. One of the guards snorting, and stomping a foot as if ready to charge.

Hekate reached up, pushing the hood of the cloak back to reveal her blood streaked face, “I have urgent business with Lord Belphegor, step aside.”

The hulking demons stiffened, quickly pulling their axes back up and away, “Mistress Hekate, we apologize, we did not recognize you, our Lady.”

She just offered a nod, knowing they are just doing their job and being in a hurry. Proceeding into the heart of the Cathedral and her father’s throne room. Approaching the entry to it a young hand maiden stood at the door, “I apologize, Mistress, but his highness is in council right now. Please wait here while we inform Lord Belphegor of your arrival.”

Hekate just sighed and nodded, “very well, but please hurry as I have urgent news.”

With that the demon slipped into the throne room, shutting the door behind her.

Behind the door raised voices could be heard arguing, and Hekate found herself focusing to make out what they were saying.

A strong male voice demanded, “She is not ready, why would you send her? It is too dangerous. What if he is involved.”

A female’s voice that she recognized as Marihem’s shrill words, “If she follows orders she will be fine. It was just a recon mission, she is not to engage.”

The male responded, “This is Hekate we are talking about, not one of the little lapdogs that just obey. If someone is in danger, she will jump in to save them, you know that.”

The woman laughed, “Well maybe you should quit coddling her, she is an adult now. Not a little child still protected by the Nursery system. So if she fails she will survive and grow stronger, or she was never meant to be, and was unfit to serve.”

The man growled, “Heartless, Bitch, if this were Astaroth, you would never risk her like this.”

The woman laughed, “Aiwass you sentimental fool, my daughter is strong enough we would not have to worry about her, she has proven herself many times as a true bastion of Gehenna. After all that is why she is not some mere Aide but a Princess of Gehenna and an emissary to the other realms.”

That is when the booming voice of Belphegor silenced the quarrel, “Enough of this childish banter. My daughter has returned and is awaiting an audience.”