Part 4

Back in the depths of hell, Vordea and six demons lounged while waiting for Agbus to arrive. Everything had gone perfectly, from the staged botched assassination, to the appearance of the Dead God, and even Svetlana making contact with Prince Heather.

"Excellent work, my lovely minions.children." Vordea said, still in her formal black dress, but with the long gloves removed. "You performed beautifully. Let your mother reward you."

Vordea stood and gently kissed each demon, giving each a lingering a kiss on the lips. After, she selected one and picked him up, placing him on her lap.

"WhatShhh, you'll all have your turn, my lovelies." Vordea said, upon seeing the looks of jealousy from the others. She held the demon on her lap tightly against her chest and sighed contently.

"Royal Void, what was the point ofall that spectacle,spectacle Royal Void?for?" One of the demons asked. "ShiningWhy Lightdid couldwe haveput simplyon appeareda and spoke to the mortals.show?"

"Presentation, dullard.cutie." Vordea said,answered, slappingblowing thehim backa of his head so hard it flew off. While his body got up to retrieve his head, she continued.kiss. "What's more memorable, Agbus appearing at a boring party and making a speech like some King, or the Dead God appearing in his true form in a flash of light to personally prevent the assassination of Duchess Ashe, the future EmpressAshen of Southern Karand?Empress?"

"Empress?" Another demon asked.

"IAh, hadtime to askchange deadplaces fishfirst. Come sit on my lap and I'll tell you all about that one.it." Vordea said, pointinggently up.pushing the first demon off her lap and then beckoning him over, once he was seated, she squeezed him tightly against her, so hard any mortal wouldn't be able to breathe, and continued. "Eigengrau said Rebecca will form the basis of an unimaginably cruel but ordered Empire. Her methods of backroom deals and treacherous backstabs will go on to become the foundations of an Empire that lasts over a thousand years. The Ashen Empire will be its name, which is so wonderfully egocentric. I simply adore it."

"Who will be their patron?" A third demon asked. "Surely not you, yourRoyal majesty?Void?"

"Correct. Gilnas belongs to me. Ashe's Empire will belong to him." Vordea started, as she let go of her tight hug and patted her lap, to which a third demon sat down. Vordea gave him a kiss and draped her arms around him, then continued. "Agbus preventing her death will give her great power over his fan club, she'll proclaim herself a divine messenger sent by the Dead God. It's going to be great."

"You always love war so much, don't you?" Agbus said, finally arriving through the ceiling with a crash, like he was a lead weight.

"I have to make the most of it, we both know what's going to happen one day." Vordea replied coyly.

Agbus shook his head in response, and joined the demons on the couches.

"It is good to see you again, Shining Light." The decapitated demon said,on rejoiningVordea's thelap group.said. "How did Walking Church react?"

"He was shaken." Agbus replied, laughing. "I know Eigengrau passed on a warning a decade ago that it would be coming, but he still wasn't prepared."

"Few can be prepared for their patron visiting in person, even Walking Church." The 4th1st demon said.

"Where do you guys even come up with these nicknames?" Vordea asked with a laugh. "Oh, time's up, come here sweetie."

"TimeVordea flowsgiggled differentlyas downthe here.last Atwo thousanddemons yearsraced downover hereand isboth meresat momentson topside."her Thelap firstat demonthe replied.same time. "LotsDon't worry there's enough of timeme onfor oureveryone hands.come on."

"WhatThey're betterlike waysmall children around you." Agbus chuckled.

"They love their mother, Agbus. You wouldn't get it. I think you just need some more girls of your own." Vordea replied, squeezing the two demons sitting on her with delight.

"All I need is you, dearest." Agbus answered, standing up, walking over, and giving Vordea a kiss.

"Demon names are... part of us." One of the demons answered. "We see you, and the name just comes to use time than nicknames!us."

The other demons nodded eagerly in agreement. Vordea laughed again, realizing the fruitlessness of this endeavour.

"Alright Agbus you better get going, they're getting frisky." Vordea said as one of the demons grabbed at her. "As much as I love you, I don't share my children with anyone."

"Of course, we'll spend some time alone later." Agbus answered, rising through the ceiling as if being pulled by a string. Vordea watched him depart, then turned back to her demons and licked her lips.

"Okay, who's first?" She asked and she ripped her clothes off, exposing her large breasts. "You've been patient."

The demons hooted and howled as she stood and her tentacles erupted from her body.