Part 4
Agbus felt it even all the way up in the Crystal Halls. Vordea had created a supremely powerful demon, possibly the most powerful one she ever had.
"Is that a demon or a God she made?" He asked out loud.
"Feels like it could be either, Lord." An angel said to him. "Who do you reckon it was?"
"I know exactly who it was, as it couldn't be anyone else. The Ashen Empress has died and gone for judgement. So much evil in her heart, it seems." Agbus replied, closing the book he was reading.
"What do you mean, Lord?"
"A demon is only as powerful as the evil in their heart. For that much power to be leaking out of Hell right now, Rebecca's heart had to have been a perfectly black void."
"It was." Vordea replied, oozing her way up through the floor. "It was blacker than even Carcosa."
"You know you can always just come in through the front door." Agbus said, arms crossed.
"Oh where's the fun in that? Yes, our darling Demon Queen Xellma is the most powerful demon I've made in a very long time indeed. I'm going to keep her, beyond the end." Vordea replied, fully forming from the puddle of black ink on the floor.
The Angels began to leave the room, as they knew Vordea and Agbus always preferred to be alone when she came up here. Vordea hugged Agbus, and looked up into his eyes.
"She's so beautiful, Agbus. So perfect. I loved her from the moment her transformation finished. I want her for all time, all for myself." Vordea said, batting her eyelashes.
"What am I, chopped liver?" Agbus asked, chuckling.
"She is my most perfect daughter I ever created, Agbus. No other creation will match her, except for maybe, Syndra." Vordea said, kissing Agbus on the chest. "Husband, we really must make someone for you. Perhaps Syndra can be for you. Maybe then you will see."
"Hamlin." Agbus said, smiling. "His time is coming to an end. Another 3000 years, perhaps."
"But he'll fail his quest." Vordea said, pouting.
"He was meant to fail. But the time will come when even his soul is exhausted and will long to rest. He didn't have to spend all those decades with Rebecca, but he did, because it let him make friends. It let him put down roots and relax. I don't know if he's ever going to leave the Ashen Empire again, you know. He finally has a home, for the first time since he was born."