Lilith

Kessicia wasn’t in her right mind.

That wasn’t an entirely fair thing to say about her. She still obliged the laws of Dies Irae and followed through on the responsibilities that were imparted to her. And to a point, she still held ceremonies for the Lord of Light and Creation and whispered the prayers to him and enacted the glory of Free Will upon those that sought her out. But there was a… darkness in her gaze, a cloudiness that covered her usual luster and excitement. It was a fog that wasn’t real but seemed to metaphorically be there, paling her vision as much as death had done.

She had died in that cave, fighting off the Dark Ones with whatever might she could muster. Her injuries had been too substantial and the last thing she remembered was uttering the world of her lover before passing on. Yet before her soul could depart from her body and travel to the planes beyond, it had been… stopped. Bits and pieces of the experience only came to her late at night or if she had imbibed a certain amount of liquor. Two beings had reached out from beyond the veil, their hands taking her arms and pulling her towards them. But these weren’t angels sent from her Lord to usher her to heaven -- they were deities of their own realms. Their words were muddled but she could distinctly make out the word vassal, whatever that meant.

When she awoke, it was within the morgue. Panicking within the dark confines of her tube, she had crawled out screaming. How she had returned to life was beyond her and certainly beyond those that had discovered her there, crying in a corner as she hugged her legs to her naked chest. What had made things worse was the inquiries -- for as she discovered, they didn’t recognize her. When she was given a mirror to look at, after explaining numerous times that she was Kessicia, she found a strange face before her. Gone was her violet hair and golden eyes and in its place was black and blue locks with sapphire gems making up her vision. Her skin tone was the same but even her body had slimmed down some, as if she had lost weight during her time in death. It was only after she displayed her magic and imparted knowledge that only she could know that she was deemed to be telling the truth.

She should have been thankful -- she had been given a second chance at life. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that the Lord she served, the one of Light that guided all of creation, hadn’t been the one to gift her such a blessing. Who were the beings that she hadn’t been able to make out? What was a vassal? And why had she been sent back to the land of the living? The questions weighed upon her and frankly, they even depressed her. If creatures were able to resurrect those that had passed, why hadn’t the Lord of Light done so for her? Was he truly satisfied with letting her die?

Kessicia did the best she could to shake the feelings by throwing herself into work. When she saw an opportunity to join up with several new members on one of their jobs, she took it without even thinking. Dressed in the robes that distinguished her as a member of Dies Irae, she hopped on board the wagon that had arrived for her and awaited the driver’s departure. The Haunted Village was a bit of a drive from where she was but she simply stared out the window in a daze, lost in her thoughts and wonderings as the background rolled on past her vision. Soon enough, the carriage came to an abrupt stop, with the man calling out and letting her know they had arrived. As she hopped out, she spotted a pair of men that fit the description she was seeking. One of them was already at the gate and, by the looks of it, was having a bit of a situation. He was bobbing and weaving as if some invisible force was trying to attack him.

“Greetings,” she said, putting on a bold and flirtatious face, the one that she was far more comfortable with before her death. “I knew I’d be working with fellow guild members but no one told me they’d be so handsome.” Even if she wasn’t feeling as peppy as normal, she wasn’t going to deny the chance to take in the sight of the two extremely attractive men. She glanced over at JJ in concern. “Are you alright, dear? You looked a little panicked a moment ago.”

Unfortunately, Kessicia hadn’t caught sight of the spectral weapons that had seemingly impaled her partners without true injury. All she had managed to see as she arrived was the man in the hat acting a bit strange, as if he was plagued by a bee or some kind of annoying insect. But even  the one closest to her, the other handsome, long-haired man, was seemingly off base as well. She doubted that it was simply an unlucky circumstance that had made them both so bothered. As she walked up to the man that had noticed her first, the air around them shimmered. Izou made a diving leap backwards, launching himself away from the gate of the community. A ball of fire erupted from his hand and shot into the air, passing through the wind easily as it transformed into a bird. It carried itself for a bit before disappearing completely.

He asked if they had noticed a white skeleton with a scythe, apparently the target of his fiery spell. Kess frowned, despite the man flashing her a grin and introducing himself. “I can’t say that I noticed anything skeletal at all -- both of you boys are quite filled out,” Despite the compliment, she was genuinely concerned about the fact that they were both haunted. Maybe it had something to do with the mission? She knew that there was a little girl who was using some magic to cause a lot of pain and had seemingly killed a fair number of people as well. A true worry that certainly fell within the rights of Dies Irae to handle.

After the two had handled the illusions that were targeting them, they each took their turn in introducing themselves. The one wearing the hat was named Jariel but preferred to be called JJ, which suited her fine. JJ was easier to say in combat. The other was Izou, who was far more receptive to her, managing to pop back and forth between concern over their situation and an unmistakable intrigue in the human succubus. “Kessicia. Recently…” she paused for a moment. Revived seemed like an overcomplicated word to use that would entail having to explain further. She’d rather not revisit her situation so soon after having experienced it. “Returned to the ranks. I was temporarily away but very happy to have come back to partner with you two.” She took a moment to look them both over again, a smile creeping onto her face.

JJ explained that there was a good chance their target was already aware of the party’s invasion of her funhouse. He surmised that if her opening greetings to the two men were viable, there was a good chance she would summon more to hinder their process to her. He pushed open the gate and revealed the village beyond, which had fallen into such a state of dilapidation that it barely counted as a home for a former community. She walked a few steps forward to look in, putting her hand on the side of the gate so she could lean around the edge.

“It seems she’s--” Her words were cut off as her eyes turned over just in time to see a flying skeleton, wielding a scythe, slash at JJ’s throat. Her breath caught in her throat, silencing the terrified scream that had tried to erupt from it. Her instinct to try and save him was far too late… but, as it seemed, was also unneeded. The weapon slid through the air harmlessly, passing through his flesh in an instant before the illusion started to dissipate. Oh how her heart was pounding, the terrifying notion that one of her comrades was nearly beheaded right before her. The hand of death was near and now she could feel it, its bony fingers playing upon her shoulder in a mocking fashion. It was as if the Reaper was reminding her just how close she had been to falling into his grasp.

She took a moment to calm herself, inhaling and exhaling slowly before she managed to relax to a half-way comfortable place. “Well…” she said between pants of air. “Now I can see what all the fuss was about.” She stated her thoughts clearly and confidently but no doubt both of them could see she was a bit shaken up. JJ spoke up once more, turning his head to look at them. He inquired if they knew about their target and wondered aloud how one child could cause such pain and agony, even upon her own people? “Unfortunately JJ, the world can be a cruel place. I, myself, am a former slave from Desierto who suffered at the hands of many masters over the years. It is possible this girl was simply born with a wicked thread within her body -- or perhaps mistreatment played a part in her corruption. It is not an easy task we take but with guidance, I’m sure--” Her words slid off again for a moment. A natural place for her to use her faith as a guiding hand, something gave her pause over it. Instead, she cleared her throat. “Together we’ll be able to handle the problem without much issue. Here, let me imbue you both with some defense. I’m not sure if you two are aware of my magic but I’m mainly responsible for healing. My methods are… a little unorthodox, I admit.”

She would reach out and trail her hand over either one of their shoulders, a motion that while friendly, also carried a slight move of sultry desire. A film of magical energy would form over their bodies but at the same time, a warmness would set upon in their cores. Considering they were of notable strength in their own abilities, they would not fall slave to the sexual images and fantasies that normally came upon those that Kessicia blessed. But should they choose to take a moment to inwardly glance, they may feel a naughty thought or two if they allow it. With the men properly guarded, she extended her focus to herself, summoning her whip to her hand and untangling the length so that it hung limply beside her. Now prepared, she gave the two of them a curt nod.

Kessicia didn’t claim to know exactly what was happening with the girl and the village, merely operating off of one theory. Izou and JJ listened before the former offered up his own thoughts, his own belief far more simple than her own. He estimated that it was plausible that the girl simply didn’t have control over her powers, as the location they were in wasn’t apt for teaching one how to control their magic. He believed that the illusions may have been creations of hers to drive people away so they didn’t get hurt. It was possible but there was also the possibility that she was enjoying scaring people. They didn’t really have much of an answer and wouldn’t until they had the girl before them.

After the discussion, the succubus-human offered to imbue them with barrier spells to better aid them in the coming battles. Her hands found their forms, sliding gently across their broad and strong shoulders, a slight flutter in her stomach halted as best she could. It was hard for her to forget the succubi nature that made up her soul but she usually had a better control of it. Perhaps her insecurity had shaken her domination over the feral nature of her desires, allowing moments of weakness. Luckily she was able to rein it in before she said or did anything that was far too inappropriate for the battlefield. Izou’s body took to the magic just fine but JJ’s seemed to have an adverse reaction. A moment after her hand left his shoulder, her spell was dispersed and negated completely.

He was quick to apologize, explaining that his magic was Demon Slaying. That earned him a look of understanding from the Priestess and she smiled evenly. “Ah, that would explain it then,” she said, nodding softly. “No need to apologize, JJ. My magic comes from my soul, that is fused with that of a succubus. While I, myself, am not a demon, my spells do contain the same Curse that many demonic creatures utilize. It’s understandable that it would be rendered null by your magic. I imagine you gentlemen don’t need much buffing anyways -- you both seem strong in your own right,” she commended them both, giving them both a far lustier look than she meant to. It increased a bit as Izou brought forth flames and, from it, summoned a spear of impressive size.

Shaking off the sensation, she started to move with her comrades, her whip trailing lightly behind her as she kept an eye all around them. But it was Izou that spoke up, bringing their attention to the middle of the village and the… creatures that stood in it. They looked to once be human but their forms were rotted, their flesh falling off their limbs and their bones weak enough that they could barely stay on their feet. But they were there; a full group and their sunken, ill-formed eyes were staring right at the group.

“I don’t believe they are,” Kessicia answered Izou’s question as her grip on her whip tightened slightly. JJ confirmed her suspicions, explaining that he could smell them well enough to make him believe they weren’t spectral. As if to test his theory, he took careful aim with his hand and unleashed a set of bright, shining strings of light that slammed into five of the creatures. The magic combusted within their torsos, destroying the upper half of their forms and dropping them to the ground easily.

Just as she was preparing to move in to assist him, JJ’s attention turned to another sight. He yelled out, saying that he had spotted the girl they were seeking but was swiftly cut off as a spear pierced the ground right where he had just been. It had come from straight up in the sky and as the succubus-human turned her attention upwards, she spotted several more weapons already descending towards them. “Quick!” she responded, reaching out to touch both of them on the back. Immediately they would feel lighter, as if gravity’s hold on them had released enough to give them a speed boost. Unfortunately, her acting so quickly, she hadn’t been able to fully bury the sensual energy that came from it and it was possible one or both of them could receive a dirty thought that she may have had about the two of them.

But she couldn’t focus on that as she pointed towards the nearest house, rearing her whip back and sending it flying at the structure. It tore through the wood paneling easily, ripping down the barrier between them and the inside. She would follow them inwards, a spear barely stabbing over her shoulder and ripping her tunic and a small sliver on her flesh. She rolled inside and hopped to her feet, whip spiraling around her as she prepared for the creatures outside that had started to move towards the house they occupied.