Lust

Chapter 10: Forsaken

Ardere smiled as her little sister played in the field behind their hut. Her chocolate brown hair fell over her shoulders as she leaned over to grab the small basket that held their clothes, putting it on her hip as she made her way down the slope to the river that separated the field from their home. She took set the basket on a big rock next to her, leaning on it as she rolled up her trousers. Gently she padded into the river, reaching up grabbing the basket, setting it down on the shore next to her. She listened to her sister’s laughs in the field and she hummed, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling in the reflection of the clean river, sparks of emerald showing through.

“Ardere!” came her mother’s voice as she walked out of their home, smiling at her daughter as she walked down to the river.

“Yes mother?” Ardere asked as she stood up, ringing out the shirt in her hands. Her tan trousers were dark from the water. Her black top cut off below her breasts and at her shoulders, white embroidering around the edges and between her breasts tightened the leather material, showing her curves. Her stomach was toned, but still showed baby fat. She was small for her age, but one of the strongest and fastest of all the people in her village.

“Why do you insist on wearing those pants little flame” her mother said fondly as she sat down on the ground next to the basket.

“Mother I told you already, they are comfortable and so much easier to run in than those damn dresses” she said as she walked through the water, placing the shirt on the rock to dry. Her mother sighed as Ardere walked out of the water and sat down next to her. They both looked over the fields, her mother smiling at her younger daughter.

“Sometimes I wonder if you should just have been a boy” her mother laughed as Ardere rolled her eyes.

“Mama” she said quietly.

“I know lil flame, I know. Finish with the wash then go fetch your sister. It is almost time to eat. Then we have to get ready for the festival” her mother said, standing up. She brushed herself off as she made her way back to the house. Ardere looked out into the horizon as the sun started its descent under the ground. She quickly finished the wash and ran out to where her sister was.

“Aria! It is time to go in!” she said running up to her sister. Aria turned, smiling at her.

“Ardy I made you a flower crown” her seven year old sister said, handing her the crown. Pink, white and purple flowers dotted the crown as Ardere took it, smiling warmly at her sister.

“I’ll even wear it at the festival tonight if you promise to behave and come with me do we can go eat” Ardere said, holding her hand out to her little sister.

“Okay Ardy” she giggled, jumping up and grabbing her sister’s hand. Ardere laughed as her sister pulled at her hand. “Oh and I made a new friend Ardy” she laughed as Ardere scooped her up and started to run through the field. She squealed in delight as Ardere jumped clear over the river. Ardere stopped at the door of their home, setting her sister down and pretending to be out of breath.

“Oh my Aria you are getting big I don’t think I will be able to pick you up anymore if you get any bigger” Ardere laughed as Aria pouted.

“Well my new friend said I am just the right size” she pouted. Ardere smiled at her, pinching her cheeks and tickling her.

“Well you will just have to introduce me to this new friend of yours” she said, opening the door for her.

“Okay” Aria smiled as she ran inside, leaving Ardere to walk in behind her, shaking her head in amusement.

A dark figure emerged from behind the trees by the river, looking curiously at Ardere. He smiled, his eyes reflecting his evil. “Perfect.”


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Ardere sighed as she walked a few steps behind her mother and sister at the village festival to honor that year’s crop.

“Nice crown Ardere” said a soft voice behind her. Ardere smiled as she turned around to face the person.

“Hello Celeste” she hugged the girl in front of her.

“Well to say that the flowers go well with a black leather top and tan trousers would make a liar of me” Celeste chuckled. Ardere slapped her lightly on the arm. “Oww remember your strength” she muttered rubbing her sore are as Ardere bellowed with laughter.

“So are you enjoying the festival?” Ardere asked her as the continued to walk. She glanced up every now and again to make sure her family was still within her sight.

“Well as much as I enjoy that ass of a cow bugging me about marrying him every two seconds” she growled. Ardere laughed as her friend glared at her. “It isn’t funny Ardere. You know Jet and Ignatius both have their eyes on you. They both are strong and able, and very cute” Celeste smiled at her.

“I’d rather have my horse step on my head” she answered sarcastically, smiling as her friend sighed next to her shaking her head.

“You are almost 16 years of age. People are already talking about how you are not married” she said urgently, pulling on Ardere’s shoulder to get her to stop walking. Ardere sighed, facing her friend, knowing that a familiar argument was about to rear its ugly head.

“What about you Celeste? You are 16 years and a half and you are not married” she argued before Celeste can say anything.

“I’m different Ardere! You know that my father hasn’t approved of any of my suitors, which is driving me mad. But you, your mother wants you to get married but every time a man approaches you” she faltered, looking up into Ardere’s glaring eyes.

“Finish your thought” she growled.

“You either scare him off or beat him up” Celeste rushed, flinching as she waited for Ardere to yell at her. Ardere took a deep breath, her eyes softening as she sagged her shoulders.

“I know Celeste. I just can’t seem to find anyone who I am in love with let alone can stand to look at. It feels like there is something more out there for me than this small life. And as for the beating up part it is not my fault that I am stronger than them” she smiled at she put her arm around her friend.

“I know I just worry about you Ardere. You are such a beautiful girl, the most beautiful in the village. I just don’t want you to end up alone” Celeste said, hugging her from behind. Ardere poked her and they both started giggling. Ardere stopped suddenly, the hairs on her neck standing on air as frantic footsteps rushed behind them.

“ARDERE!” cried her mother, her face wet with tears as she stumbled through the crowds. Ardere let go of Celeste, rushing towards her mother.

“What happened? Where’s Aria?” Ardere asked forcibly, grabbing her mother’s shoulders as she tried to get her to calm down.

“A man came and Aria ran towards him. She said he was her friend. He picked her up and then just disappeared. Ardere he looked evil, he is not of this world!” her mother cried collapsing. Ardere held her mother for a minute, trying to collect her thoughts.

“Celeste stay with her” Ardere yelled as she stood up, running into the middle of the town. Celeste bent down, holding her friend’s mother as they watched Ardere jump onto the fountain.

“WHO EVER TOOK HER SHOW YOURSELF NOW!” She screamed into the air. A deep laugh echoed through the air as all the townspeople turned to see what was going on.

“Well isn’t it the slayer Ardere. Well I knew there was a new slayer, but in a small town like this? What are the chances of that?” A man appeared 40 feet in front of her carrying her sister in his arms.

“Aria!”

“Hi Ardy this is my friend I told you about” Aria said, smiling at the man.

“That is right Aria, we are friends” he smiled back. Ardere felt her skin crawl as she was he pure evil radiate off the man.

“Put her down” Ardere demanded, not realizing she slipped into her defensive stance. The man’s eyes twinkled in delight.

“Now why would I do that Ardy” he laughed sarcastically.

“Who are you and what do you want with a small girl?” She growled as she started to circle him. He followed her, Aria’s face turning back and forth between the man holding her and her sister.

“My name is Ronwe little fire and I have been sent on a mission of the utmost importance” he said, tightening his grip on Aria.

“Let me go Ronwe I have to go with my sister now” Aria struggled, sensing something was deeply wrong. She yelped when Ronwe jerked her hard to his body. Ardere growled her body ready to spring if he hurt his sister.

“Let. Her. Go!” she growled through clenched teeth. Ronwe laughed again then lowered Aria to the ground. Aria ran towards Ardere, tears streaming down her face. Ardere looked up as she felt Ronwe’s aura change. She froze as the world around her seemed to slow down. She didn’t see the dagger appear in Ronwe’s hand in time as he launched it at the back of the Aria. Ardere’s body just froze in fear, unable to move to save her sister as the dagger flew at her. A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. “NO!” she screamed as Celeste jumped in front of the dagger meant for Aria. Aria looked back, crying as she looked at the body in front of her, jumping as her mother grabbed her and pulled her into the crowd. The men in the crowd came rushing towards Ronwe as Ardere checked on Celeste. She pulled her head into her lap.

“Why did you do that!” she yelled at her crying as blood seeped around the dagger in her stomach.

“Aria ways always my sister too” Celeste gulped, blood trickling from the side of her mouth. Ardere smiled as her tears fell onto Celeste.

“Wow never saw you cry, I should jump in front of daggers more often” Celeste struggled to keep her breath.

“Shhh don’t say anything. Keep your strength you are going to be fine” Ardere sobbed.

“Never got to tell you” Celeste struggled, tears flowing down her face from the pain. “Love you” she gasped then fell limp. Ardere looked at her in shock.

“No Celeste please stay with me CELESTE” she screamed, rocking her friend back and forth in her arms. She heard Ronwe laugh from above her as the men screamed at him.

“Ardere you have one choice! Join us or die with the rest of your pitiful village” he motioned to the only place she knew as home.

“WHO IS US” she yelled, still holding her dead friend.

“Why no other than the prince of Darkness, LUCIFER” he yelled back, bellowing with laughter as the townspeople gasped. Her mother dropped to her side, her sister next to her.

“Ardere stand up, we have to go” her mother’s voice barely registered in her head as she looked down once more at her friend. She kissed her on the forehead, “I love you too C” she said, standing up. Her mother tugged on her sleeve.

“Ardere we must leave” she urged her, her sister standing behind her mother’s legs.

“No” was all that Ardere said as she started to walk out of the town. Everyone followed her as she led them back to her house. She ran inside quickly, everyone watching curiously. Ronwe watched from the air, smiling, sure Lucifer would love this girl. She came back out in complete black leather, a sword on her back and weapons attached to other parts of her body. Her black top stopped below her breasts, her pants started below her navel and hugged her like a second skin down to her calves. Black leather boots laced up the rest of the way to meet her pants and leather gauntlets went from her fingers to her elbow. Her hair was tied back, the townspeople gasped, whispering amongst themselves.

“What is she doing?”
”She looks like an Amazon”
”She can’t fight that thing by herself”
”What are we going to do if she loses?”

Her mother listened to the whispers of the crowd, her worry growing deeper. Aria didn’t understand what was going on, but she started to sob when she saw her sister look up into the sky,

“I will make a deal with you! We will fight! If I win you never come back here. If I lose I will come with you quietly and you will leave my people alone forever!” She yelled up at him. He nodded and disappeared, reappearing in the field behind their home. She ran over to the rope bridge that connected one side of the river to the other. She looked back at her mother, smiling sadly. “Bring Aria inside, I don’t want her to see this” she said before turning to the bridge. She grabbed her sword smoothly off her back, turning it in her hand. She reared back and swiftly cut both of the ropes, watching the bridge fall into the river.

“No one follows me” she yelled as the protests floated from the crowd.

“How are you going to get across” a random voice from the crowd called out. She sheathed the sword walking up to her mother.

“I love you and Aria, always remember that” she smiled sadly, putting her hands on her mother’s face.

“You are not coming back are you?” her mother sobbed, holding her daughter tightly. Ardere looked over at her home, smiling at her sister’s tear stained face, waving to her. She wrenched herself out of her mother’s arms and started to run towards the river.

“ARDERE!” She heard her mother’s screams but ignored them as she vaulted herself cleanly over the river. The townspeople rushed the bank, but knew it was impossible to cross the river at this time of year, the water being to fast.

Ardere landed gracefully, never looking back as she approached Ronwe. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the entire field.

“Ready to go little fire” Ronwe smiled evilly. Ardere growled at him, pulling her sword out at him.

“Let’s dance” she sneered as they started their battle, going blow for blow. Many of the townspeople had to blink, the movements of the two warriors so fast it was hard to follow. Ronwe laughed the entire time as he blocked parried and attacked. She swung hard at him, but he disappeared.

“Behind you” this voice said inside her head as she jumped over Ronwe as he reappeared behind her, slicing at his back.

“Aah” Ronwe growled reaching up to the cut, looking at the black blood that poured from it. He turned towards her, growling at the smirk she had on her face. “No more play time” he growled, launching himself at her. She was being driven back to the river as she barely was able to block one blow before the next came. He swung his sword hard, knocking her into the ground her, her body skidding towards the river bank. She grabbed a dagger from her leg and threw it at him. She lunged at him as she stopped to catch the dagger, slicing him across the chest. He growled back handing her into a tree. Her mother cried as she watched her daughter battle for the town.

Ardere slid down the tree, using the sword to get back up. The world spun a little as she tried to get her bearings. “You will never be able to defeat me slayer” he growled at her, reaching to backhand her again. She caught his arm, twisting it and punching him in the face, causing him to stumble back.

“I may not win but I will die trying” she growled dropping her sword as she drop kicked him in the stomach. They started to pound on each other before Ronwe kicked her, sending her splashing into the river. She came up, swimming towards the back, yelping as Ronwe pulled her up by the hair. She clawed at his eyes, causing him to drop her into the muddy bank. She struggled up over the bank, standing up. She was covered in mud as she squared off against him.

“You have heart slayer I will give you that” Ronwe smiled as a shocked look covered her face as the wounds on his chest disappeared in front of her. “But you are still human” he growled at her. He moved to fast for her to stop him as he launched her in the air with a powerful kick. She landed hard twenty feet away, gasping for breath as she tried to get back to her feet. He appeared behind her, launching her back into the air again, directly on the bank across from the spectators. She pushed herself up from the ground, coughing out blood and mud water. She looked over at her mother, her eyes filled with sorrow.

“I’m sorry” she said, falling back down into the mud.

“NO ARDERE” screamed her mother, some townspeople holding her back. Many looked away in sadness, tears streaming down everyone’s face. Ronwe appeared next to her, kicking her over. She looked up at him before getting to her feet. She fell back against a tree, her body cut and bruised.

“You lose” Ronwe smiled at her. She dropped her head in defeat. “I win, a deal is a deal. Let’s go slayer” he said holding his hand out to her. She looked back over to her mother.

“I love you” she called out, taking Ronwe’s hand.

“ARDY!” screamed her little sister as she came running out of the house. Ardere hung her head in shame as they disappeared into the night


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Beasthorn

Lucifer looked up from his thoughts as he felt Ronwe’s presence.

“Did you find someone?” he asked, looking at the figure in his arms.

“Yes I did my lord” Ronwe said bowing, laying Ardere on the floor. She woke up, looking around the room until her eyes fell on a man sitting on a throne. She struggled to her feet, her whole body screaming for her to just stay down. She held her head eye, taking in the man in front of her. She gasped as her eyesight finally focused. The man was beautiful, like an angel. Lucifer smiled at her, her heart skipping a beat.

“I told you to bring someone willing” he said, standing up. She faltered as he walked up to her.

“We made a deal my lord, if she could beat me in a battle I would leave her alone. If not she was to come with me. I won so here she is. Her name is Ardere, she is a slayer” Ronwe said, motioning to her.

“A slayer? Well she needs to be cleaned up and healed. Then we will be able to test her abilities” he said, motioning for his servants to take her away. She just watched him in amazement as she was brought out of the room.

“Sire you won’t have to test her abilities. She is a capable warrior. She was able to injure me numerous times during out battle and she was able to stand after every blow that to a normal human, would have killed them instantly” he said, smiling as Lucifer nodded his head in acceptance.

“Go make sure she is well-taken care of and then I will give you your award when I am fully satisfied” he motioned for Ronwe to leave.

“Yes my lord” he said bowing, disappearing from the room. Lucifer sat back down in his chair.

“Ardere”

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Over months Lucifer watched and trained Ardere to see if she was capable to handle the responsibilities he was going to give her. Ronwe watched patiently, waiting for his master to be fully satisfied. Ronwe frowned as she fell for the tenth time that day during an easy warm-up. Lucifer knelt down to her, looking her over worriedly.

“I’m okay” she said weakly, trying to stand up, but collapsed back to the ground. Ronwe growled at her.

“I never realized she was going to be this weak my lord. I’ll kill her and find someone else” he growled, pulling a dagger out of the sheath.

“Ronwe STOP!” Lucifer said touching Ardere’s forehead.

“You are burning up let’s get you to bed” Lucifer said, helping her to her feet. She smiled at him before her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed into his arms.

“Go get the doctors now!” Lucifer yelled to Ronwe as he disappeared from the room.

Ardere opened her eyes slowly as she heard the hushed voices in the room. Ronwe looked at her, shaking his head as he looked down at her angrily. She frowned at him, trying to lift her head.

“Don’t move Ardere” Lucifer said, coming into sight. She smiled at him, relaxing in his presence. Over the last few months they had gotten very close, he was helping her cope with the idea that she would never see her family again. And deep down she knew she was falling in love with him, all the rumors that he was evil were dispelled from her mind.

“What” she tried asking what was wrong, but her throat felt tight.

“Shh rest now” he said, putting his cool hand on her forehead. She fell back to sleep.

“What do you mean she is dying?” Lucifer asked the doctor. The doctor shook his head at Lucifer.

“She is human Lucifer. You kept her here in this dimension where only demons are able to survive anymore. If she wasn’t a slayer she would have been dead months ago” he said, packing his things.

“THEN TELL ME HOW TO FIX HER!” Lucifer screamed, grabbing the doctor’s shoulders.

Ronwe pulled Lucifer off the doctor. “My lord that is no way to solve this problem” he tried to reason with his master. Lucifer growled as he sat down next to Ardere, taking her hand in his. Her entire body was one fire, he smoothed her hair as he dried the sweat from her forehead.

Ronwe watched his master for a minute before turning to the doctor. “What can we do?” he asked him, crossing his arms.

“The only thing I can think of is to turn her into a demon. But the last shaman who could do that is in a different dimension and won’t be back until next year” the doctor explained heading towards the door.

“Thank you doctor” Ronwe said, looking over at his master. He left the room, going to his laboratory.

“Listen up everybody!” he yelled, halting everyone in the room. “Ardere is sick, we need to find out how to turn her into a demon in 72 hours. The first one to figure out how to do that will be rewarded greatly!” he yelled out, watching everyone stop what they were doing and starting on their new assignment. He nodded, walking out of the room and headed to his study. He looked out the window, watching the doctor slip into the dimensional rip before heading to his bookshelf to start researching for a cure for his master’s love.

Ardere woke up, smiling at Lucifer.

“How are you feeling?” Lucifer asked her, wiping the sweat from her eyes.

“Like I was hit with a bag of stones” she said, trying to sit up again.

“Don’t sit up just rest” he said quietly.

“What is wrong with me? She asked him, coughing as she took a deep breath.

“You just have a cold don’t worry. Even I got this when I first came to this dimension, and I was all better after a good days rest” he said smiling at her, his unneeded breath catching in his throat as he tried to stop the pain that was invading his heart.

“Well that’s good. I didn’t want Ronwe to have beaten me up just so I could die here” she said as her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

Lucifer chuckled, shaking his head. His heart wrenching as he watched the woman he fell in love with over the last few months lay dying on the bed. “Look at me I’m pathetic. The prince of Darkness falling for some mere mortal” he said to himself as he played with her hair. “Such a price to pay, the love of a heart” he muttered as he turned to the door. Ronwe appeared seconds later, smiling at him.

“I think I know how to turn her into a demon sire” he said bowing to him. His heart was jumping in joy, knowing that Lucifer was definitely going to reward him for his services.

“What? How? When?” Lucifer rushed at him, grabbing him by the arms.

“Soon my lord my servants are doing the finishing touches on the procedure. I could not believe that it was as simple as it is, so much for that shaman being the only one being able to do it” Ronwe boasted.

“That is why you are known as the demon of Knowledge my friend. I can always count on you to find the answer quickly” Lucifer said grasping Ronwe’s arm. Ronwe beamed as he walked over to Ardere.

“There will be some changes as she was not born a demon. We will not know what kind of demon she will become nor the powers she gets or even what she looks like. Her soul will still be intact for some time until her demon soul takes over. By that time she will be completely under your control” Ronwe explained as Lucifer took his seat by her side.

“I don’t care as long as she lives. Once everything is done Ronwe you will be greatly rewarded for your hard work. I promise you this” Lucifer said sincerely, kissing Ardere’s hand.

“Thank you my lord, it is a great honor to receive anything from you” Ronwe bowed, disappearing from the room.

“You see my love” Lucifer said, moving a lock of hair from her forehead. “You are going to be just fine.”

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29 hours later

“Ronwe I don’t know how much longer she can hold out. Are you sure everything is going to go alright?” Lucifer asked, pacing at the end of her bed as Ronwe finished setting up for the spell.

“Yes my lord. I now need you to step back so we can get started” Ronwe said, picking up a book. He started to chant in Latin as his servants poured oils, powders and a mix Lucifer didn’t recognize over her body. Ronwe’s voice grew louder as the ingredients on her body started to mix on their own then disappeared into her body. “Mutatio modo!” Ronwe yelled out as Ardere floated off the bed, different color lights circled and wrapped itself around her body, completely engulfing her. Lucifer cringed as a strangled cry filled the room as her body was lifted into the air. She twisted and contorted as her screams echoed throughout the entire mansion. A few seconds later she fell to the bed, convulsing, the glow around her fading. Ronwe turned, motioning for his servants to leave. He touched Lucifer on the arm, “Sire we have to leave for this part” he said quietly.

“What?” Lucifer hissed, angry at the pain Ardere was going through.

“The ritual states that she must be left alone so her body can change into what suits her. If someone is in the room she can change into something completely different and it would be irreversible. Either way it’s irreversible but at least she has the ability to change into something she is meant to become” Ronwe said, pulling Lucifer out of the room.
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They waited for three days as anguished cries seeped from behind the closed doors before they died off. Ronwe nodded at Lucifer who burst through the door, stopping dead as he looked at the women standing in front of the mirror looking herself over.

“Ardere?” Lucifer asked, the girl turning around to face him. He gasped at her, her body looked like it was cut from the purest marble, and was 5’11’’ from what Lucifer could tell. Her hair was streaked with red that seemed to appear in the light. Lucifer stopped when he reached her eyes, they seemed to go one forever, a vast abyss that spun with a mix of emerald and gold.

“What has happened to me?” Ardere asked, clenching her fists.

“You were dying…” Lucifer started as he looked back at Ronwe. Ronwe looked at her and gasped, immediately dropping to one knee. Lucifer and Ardere looked down at him quizzically.

“Sire she became a noble” Ronwe whispered to the ground. Lucifer spun around to Ardere, looking hard at her aura.

“How” he asked walking towards her.

“It is what was chosen for her” Ronwe whispered.

“What the hell are you two talking about” Ardere demanded, the mirror shaking from the energy she was creating around her.

“Ardere, you were dying. The only way to save you was to make you a demon so Ronwe performed the spell. The spell says that without anyone’s help, you would become the type of demon that was meant for your soul. You became a noble demon. I am a Noble Ardere; we are the ones that remain neutral and try to maintain the balance of the worlds we look after. We are above the rest and we have powers no one can dream of. We are also immortal. I just can’t believe it must have been the slayer line” Lucifer said looking down at Ronwe.

“That is a very good possibility my lord” Ronwe said standing up.

“What wait, you are telling me I’m a demon now!” Ardere said, turning back to the mirror.

“I am sorry Ardere” Lucifer said, sighing as she hung her head.

“Ardere is dead” she growled, her whole body shaking.

“Alright then, you are no longer Ardere. Then I shall give you a new name” Lucifer said waling up behind her. Her shoulders shook as he turned her around to face him.

“You are now Amdis, the immortal” he said, lifting her chin.

“Fine, my name is Amdis from now on” she said, walking out of the room.

“My lord if I may say so, I think she just needs time” Ronwe said smiling sadly at his master.

“Yes she does. Alright I owe you a reward for saving her life” Lucifer said turning to Ronwe. He bowed his head and started to chant. Ronwe stood completely still as Lucifer put his hands on his chest. A jolt of energy surged through him, throwing him back into the wall. Lucifer looked down at him.

“Use your new powers wisely my loyal servant” Lucifer said, walking out of the room.

Ronwe stood up, hissing as the power coursed through his veins. “I know exactly where to try it out” he grinned evilly, disappearing from the room.


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Ardere looked out over the sea as the waves crashed against the shores of her new home. Lucifer appeared beside her, looking at her intently.

“I don’t know what is worse, dying a mortal death, or living an immortal life” she said sadly as the waves crashed around her feet.

“Would living an immortal life with me be a bad thing” he said softly, holding her hand. She smiled at him, looking down at the floor.

“No it wouldn’t be” she said, smiling up at him. They stared at each other, listening to the waves crash around them. Suddenly Ardere doubled over in pain, clutching her heart.

“What is it?” Lucifer asked, holding onto her.

“Something…my family… they are in trouble” she gasped looking up at him.

“Let’s go” Lucifer growled, grabbing her. He waved his hand, a dimensional rift forming in front of them. They stepped through, walking onto the path at the edge of her old town. Lucifer sniffed the air.

“Fire” Lucifer said to her. She broke from his grasp, running towards the village. She stopped dead in her tracks, the smell of blood and smoke overwhelming her heightened senses. She looked around in horror as bodies were strewn around like leftover meat, the smell of burning corpses flooding her nose.

“Mother” she said, running towards her old home. She skidded on the path as she approached her home which was ablaze. “ARIA! MOTHER!” she screamed, running towards the house. She heard Ronwe’s laughs as she rounded the corner.

“Just in time AMDIS” he said smiling as a young woman struggled at his feet.

“Who is that?” she growled at him.

“Why you don’t recognize your own sister? Well I understand that it has been eight years in this dimension” he said kicking Aria towards her. She fell in a heap at her feet. Ardere bent down to the girl.

“Aria” she asked quietly as the girl looked up at her. The girl furrowed her forehead in confusion.

“Ardere is that you?” she asked, tears running down her face as hope filled her eyes. Ardere held back a sob as she nodded towards her sister.

“I’ve missed you, you have been gone so long” she said weakly as Ardere took her in her arms.

“I’ve missed you too. Where’s mother?” she asked rocking her sister gently.

“She was in the house” Aria sobbed. Ardere held her close as she looked up into Ronwe’s laughing face, dirt mixing with the tears running down her face.

“Oh my the immortal cries?” Ronwe mocked surprise. Ardere looked down at her sister who coughed up blood.

“Ardere he killed everyone. The entire village is gone, even my daughter” she cried as she continued to cough.

“Shush now Aria I’m here now” she smiled, pushing her sister’s hair out of the way.

“I sure did miss you Ardy” she said before falling limp in her arms. Ardere looked at her in shock, checking her for signs of life.

“ARIA!” she screamed, her voice drowned by the sound of the burning village. Lucifer appeared, his heart wrenching at the sight of his love in the dirt holding a dead body. He looked over at Ronwe, rage burning in his eyes, not noticing Ardere lay the girl down as she stood up.

“You will pay for this Ronwe” Lucifer said as a movement caught his eye. Before he could blink Ardere was on top of Ronwe pummeling him faster than he had ever seen someone hit something before. Lucifer grabbed Ardere around the middle and pulled him off Ronwe.

“Amdis you will have your revenge I promise you, but we must leave” he said looking down at Ronwe.

“You will return to Beasthorn for your punishment. If you do not show I will let her torture you for all eternity” he growled at his servant. Ronwe shuddered in fear as Ardere’s eyes began to glow a bright gold. Ronwe disappeared as Lucifer turned to face Ardere. “Amdis we have to go” he said holding his hand out to her.

“After they are all buried” she said walking back to her sister.

“Who was she?” Lucifer asked as she picked Aria up.

“My past” Ardere said, walking back towards the burning town.


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Faith opened her eyes, looking out the open windows of the mansion. She looked at the clock, the numbers telling her it was midnight, she had lost herself in mediation again. She stood up, all the vertebrae snapping back into place in her spine. She turned towards the couch, stopping as she saw golden locks on a pillow. She tilted her head as she approached the couch, smiling down at Buffy. She looked into the flames, the shadows of her past dancing over her eyes.

a/n: I’ll update soon

“Mutatio modo- Change now in latin

Review please