The Devil's Smile Chapter Ten

Chapter 10: This Is How Much I Love You

It had been a whole two days and the rain still fell on the Mirror Valley. It was strange to think it had been that long. Time seemed to have stopped passing the moment Zepar had exiled her here. She still had no real recollection of how she had arrived, just that she had, and Ansiel, the angel, had brought her in.

She recognized some faces of course. Lord Penemuel was Lord Zepar's cousin, one of the royal line of the Demon Kings. The woman who was there was one of the minions of the royal ether, but so far she had made no motion to speak to Enepsigos, and why should she? After all, an exiled minion was the lowest form of being. What use was a minion that disobeyed it's Master?

There was a creak behind her on the steps and she sighed.

"I came to see how you were, if you needed anything," came the soft voice of the angel guardian that lived there with Lord Penemuel. Sometimes, in distracting herself, Enepsigos would watch their interaction. It was a strange thought, but she believed that they were almost friends. For Beleth's cousin, for Lord Zepar's cousin, to be so close to an angel of all things...

What a ridiculous thought. Her own Master was in love with an angel. He loved her enough to exile Enepsigos over it.

There was a sharp pain in her chest and she sighed.

"look," the angel said again, sinking into a seat. She was sitting on his bed, she had learned. He had given it up to her while he spent the nights on the floor. Lord Penemuel and Lady Ronwe never slept, it seemed, and Enepsigos seemed to do little sleeping herself. Even so, Ansiel would not use Penemuel's bed. He guarded her like a dog through the night. Silly Angel.

"You've been here two days," Ansiel said quietly, "but you've not said a word about how you got here or why. The Mirror Valley is under demon control, so you are allowed to be here, but surely someone back home is looking for you." Enepsigos just looked at him coolly. The angel sighed, looking away and propping himself on the end of the bedframe.

"Penemuel thinks we should send you back," he continued. "I don't know what's going on -- to be honest Pen is very quiet about it all and refuses to explain, and Ronwe's not likely to speak either -- but I do know that minions are meant to have Masters, and yours must be very worried, especially since you're Lord Zepar's minion. He doesn't strike me as the sort to be careless with his people."

Enepsigos gave a short laugh void of mirth and shook his head.

"What would you know anyway?" she said quietly, her voice sounding bitter and dry. She hated that. And Pen? Pen? Since when did an angel get by without punishment for referring to the Demon Lord Penemuel as Pen?

Ansiel had shifted to look at her. Enepsigos gave one more sigh, realizing she'd have to say something. After all, they were letting her stay.

"Lord Zepar has no people," she said quietly, fixing him with a stern gaze. "He sent me away. He is angry with me. I am of no use to him. Lady Ronwe knows this, and so does Lord Penemuel. I can't go back."

"Surely," Ansiel said after a moment, "he would forgive you if you returned now. He has had a chance to cool down, you see, and - "

"Do you have any idea what you're even suggesting? I'm lucky he didn't kill me outright. Anyway, I deserve this." She looked away. "This was a light punishment for what I did." Ansiel sniffed.

"So you have nowhere to go?" he asked carefully. At her nod, he shook his head a little angrily on her behalf. "I think he's being ridiculous, sending you away for whatever reason. You're his minion, does that count for nothing?" Enepsigos felt another stab of pain. She was not Zepar's only minion after all. She hoped Enigma was taking care of Lord Zepar. She opened her mouth to reply, but something cut her off short.

"Ansiel, get the hell away from her." Lord Penemuel stood at the top of the stairs. Enepsigos felt the surge of power from his presence alone and the words escaped her. She stared. Ansiel just slowly rose.

"What on earth...?"

Enepsigos watched their exchange warily. Lord Penemuel was one of the strongest demons alive, and no doubt this Ansiel was strong if he could stand as equal in the Mirror Valley for so long. Enepsigos truly believed in the goodness of angels at this point. Ansiel would not harm her, but Lord Penemuel was another story. He was Beleth's cousin, and Ronwe came from the same ether as Marchosias. A sharp anger flickered through her at the thought, like a low flame flaring back to life. She pushed it aside.

Since leaving Zepar, she had been disconnected from the stability that came with his presence. That included the one that dictated her mind, which was now farther from the ether than she had ever before realized. The moments that had come before she and Enigma had been born were dark and cruel and fierce. She knew that much. That was what had given rise to their powers in the first place. Most of those emotions, cut deep within Zepar's psyche, had been the fault of the Demon King and his wicked, cruel minion. She had no idea if Penemuel had been involved in any of the events that had led to Zepar's snap as a child. She had been born after he had been pushed to the edge, as had Enigma. But she was wary. He felt strong, powerful, and was still connected to those evil people who had once hurt her Master.

Even exiled, he was her Master.

So she waited, feeling him out, trying to work out whether he was safe or not. So far, she still was not sure.

"I'm sending her back," Penemuel stated. "Stop getting involved in things that are none of your business."

"If she has nowhere to go, then -- !"

"Ansiel, the ether is precisely that! A place to go!" Penemuel's eyes glanced to her. "You, get up. Leave us while we decide what to do with you."

Enepsigos rose, and as she did she realized what he was thinking. He thought she had abandoned Zepar on purpose, that she had betrayed him. He was as suspicious of her as she was of him.

"I didn't leave him," she hissed as she drew along side him. "I never would. You don't know anything about him or me. And I am not returning to the ether." Penemuel just glanced sidelong at her.

"We shall see about that," he said in a soft, flat, authoritative tone. Enepsigos shot him one last dark look, then slipped down the steps.

Penemuel's gaze slid then to Ansiel.

"What exactly are you doing?" Ansiel gave him a dark look.

"I was just trying to help her. She's been here two days, and we don't even know if she has anywhere to go."

"She does have somewhere to go: the ether. Zepar's ether," Penemuel stated flatly. "Really, Ansiel, you know absolutely nothing about minions."

"If she goes back to the ether, what will happen then? Can she ever return? Can Ronwe bring her back?" Penemuel sighed, looking worn.

"Oh for fuck's sake, Ansiel. Don't you ever listen? You spend all your time buried in your books and you still don't know how demon ether's work?"

"I know minions come from the ether. I get that part. I know that they can be summoned by Masters. I know they're reflections of the demon soul. But I don't see why you should be allowed to send her anywhere, when she's not your minion, or how she'll return if you do! Clearly Lord Zepar's angry with her, or she wouldn't be here."

"If he really were angry, he would have killed her. He would have sent her back to the ether himself. Can't you see she's lost?" Penemuel shook his head, fixing Ansiel with a dark look. "Whatever is going on with Zepar, leave him to it. As for her, the best place for a minion without a Master is the ether. That's all I'm saying."

"What if Marchosias gets her?"

"Minions are not corporeal inside the ether. Nothing can harm them there. And Marchosias is not from the same ether. That's why Ronwe couldn't get her back even if it did work that way." He grimaced. "Look, you don't understand. The male family energy passes on the ether. The female passes on the soul. Together they create the demonic powers and allow all powerful demons to access and birth minions. When a soul is corrupted or changed, the minions change too. Sometimes, new ones even appear. The sooner we send her back, the better, because she needs to be able to return to Zepar quickly. Right now, she's unable to, but at least from the ether he could summon her if necessary. She looks lost, and that means part of Zepar is lost. That's what I'm worried about."

"As for why we can't summon her back here: in order to keep the royal ether strong with both minions and power, the Demon Kings have always wedded their sisters. That meant the soul and the ether stayed true, strong, pure. That's how my ether and the Demon King's is the same. That's how Ronwe and Marchosias come from the same ether. That's how it was with Beleth's mother and father, and it was the same with mine: four siblings, two pairs, the eldest gained the throne." Ansiel was staring at him, so Penemuel gritted his teeth.

"What does all this have to do with Enepsigos, though?"

"Just listen," Penemuel hissed. "Beleth's sister Astaroth fell in love, but not with Beleth, and for the first time in the history of the Demon Kings, the line of the royal ether was broken. Beleth looked weak already from his peace treaty, but this was worse. He cemented his power the only way he could: he tracked down Astaroth and killed her himself. Then he imprisoned Zepar, who is probably lucky to still be alive to this day. After all, if Zepar were dead, the next in line would be me, and the royal ether would still survive a generation." Ansiel grimaced.

"But how does this affect Enepsigos? She can do as she pleases. He sent her away."

"You think it's as easy as her being an individual, or her doing as she pleases, but it's not. By the time Zepar was free of Beleth and Marchosias again, he was a powerful summoner with two minions. He has the blood and the power of the demon Kings, but a brand new, untainted ether to work with that's ripe with potential. He's a threat to Marchosias's very existance, and a constant reminder of Beleth's weaknesses, like Ronwe told you the other day. So it's very important he has his minions there to protect him from the two of them."

He planted his hands on his hips and sighed. "Now to why we have to send her back to the ether, why what she wants doesn't matter," he said, and Ansiel shifted his weight.

"I'm listening..."

"That minion, Enepsigos, is the first of the pair that Zepar made, like I've already told you. She is from his father's pure ether, but the soul of the minion comes from the mother. Whatever Marchosias may want to call herself, the true Demon Queen comes from Zepar's ether now." He gave Ansiel a fixed look. "You're an angel, and Enepsigos belongs the Demon Prince. She is his. Whether you like it or not, what she wants, what you want, does not matter here. You cannot have her. I've seen the look in your eyes. You can't have her, and you can't save her. She's out of anyone's reach but Zepar himself. She's not going to listen to you. She can't. Her soul is his. That is the nature of a minion."

"If that's true, and minions are the soul, then why does he have two? Why do you have more than one?" Ansiel said after a moment. Penemuel sighed.

"Enepsigos of Fire is Zepar's passion, his ferocity, and his resolve. That is why it is troubling to see her like she is now, so mellow and so cold. His other minion is Enigma of the Moon, Zepar's sincerity, his reason, his sealed heart. They are his balance, the fire and the steel, the two sides of Lord Zepar. That's the true reflection of the next Demon King, so you may as well learn it well." He sighed. "Now will you get out of the way so I can send her back before Marchosias goes after Zepar?"

"I still don't like it."

"You don't have to like it," Penemuel said coldly, "but it's happening, because if it doesn't happen then Marchosias could start the next great war."

It was then, just then, that the shouting began.

***

"ENEPSIGOS!" The shouting went on. Ansiel and Penemuel emerged from the upper rooms. Ronwe was gazing coolly out the window into the breaking dawn as the light began to glow over the gold-speckled hills of the Mirror Valley. Enepsigos was not moving.

"ENEPSIGOS!" How long was he planning to stay? Calling her? Without reply? Ronwe's eyes narrowed as she gazed out the window into the fading night. She almost said something then, just to break the horrible silence.

"ENEPSIGOS!" He was getting sick of this, but she was his minion, she would come when he called, and that was that. He would not go into that fortress. She would come to him. Even if he had to shout for hours. At this rate, perhaps he would.

Damn Enigma and her principles. Damn her to hell.

"ENEPSIGOS!"

"How much longer will he go on?" Ansiel murmured softly. Penemuel just shook his head.

"It's a battle of wills now. Eventually, she will have to go," he breathed, careful not to let Enepsigos hear. But she was busy being angry on her own.

"If he thinks I'm going out there that easily," she hissed quietly, "then he's got another thing coming. I am not his lapdog. He sent me away. He needs to make up his damn mind." Her voice was quiet enough it was barely a mumble, but Ronwe could hear every word. She could also see that the other minion was gritting her teeth against the strain of resisting the summons.

"I'll talk to him," Ansiel suddenly said, moving down the last step.

In that instant, Enepsigos was up. Ronwe watched her rise, the sharp nails digging into the wood of the table as Enepsigos gripped it with clenching fingers, finally giving in against the pull of that summons. Even if it was not a summons from the ether, it was a summons nonetheless, and one that held the raw power of anger and fury and emotion. Enepsigos was a minion of passion, and that voice calling her name echoed with it.

"You're just going to go?!" Ansiel demanded, unable to see that she had to answer that siren call. He was furious. "This guy sends you here out of nowhere, runs you out of his home, and now comes back and is demanding to see you, when you said he was angry, and you're just going to go?!" Enepsigos ignored him, pushing away from the table, until he reached out and caught her arm.

For a moment their eyes met, and he saw in them the low-burning fires of a smoldering fury. She did not need to speak. He slowly released her arm and she turned.

"Enepsigos, don't..." Ansiel said quietly, in one last plea. Enepsigos just moved towards the door.

"I'm being summoned," she said in a flat tone.

Behind him on the steps, Penemuel had shifted as though to stop him, but he needn't have bothered. Ansiel had given in. He watched, feeling empty, as Enepsigos made her way out. Then, wordlessly, Ronwe and Penemuel turned towards the door.

Outside, the wind was gentle, and the light of dawn made the world seem to glow. Enepsigos stepped out and felt the tension of the summons ease as Zepar saw her.

"So, you've finally showed your face at last."

"My Master has calleed me. I am here as answer. What do you require of me, my Lord?" she said quietly.

Zepar's eyes were cold. He looked her over with a little disdain.

"So you ran to keep company with angels and the royal ether the moment I send you out, do you? I should have guessed as much there." She did not rise to his bait, so he sighed, motioning to her. "Come here."

For a moment neither of them moved. Then, slowly, with deliberate steps, Enepsigos made her way across the flagstone foundation of the Eternal Tower and down the marble steps. As she neared him, he took a quick step in, and in an instant she was in his arms.

The suddenness of it had caught her off guard, and she did not fight. His fingers came up to trace her lips as he met her eyes, and for a moment the coldness was gone.

"Enep...I was worried," he admitted. His voice was almost silent. The wind seemed louder. "You can't begin to imagine...I thought I would never find you..."

She could sense the strain of fragility there, and gave him a wary look.

"You shouldn't act so. Lord Penemuel is here, and he is watching. Don't be weak in front of him," he murmured against his fingers, and he nodded. Then, in an instant, her head was spinning, and the ground hit her knees, and she was kneeling before him, the sharp sensation of his hand pulling her hair causing stars to dance before her eyes.

"I have not forgiven you," he spat, and she could sense the anger and the coldness again. It was real, though his reaction was a little overdone. She gritted her teeth, gazing up at him.

"Nor should you. I still did as I did, whatever the reason," she hissed back.

"I'm taking you home." It took everything she had to reply as she did next.

"No..."

"Excuse me?" His voice was dangerous and low. There it was. The fear. She felt it well up within her and closed her eyes.

"I'm not going." Her voice was surprisingly calm and flat.

"And what will you do then? I have no need for your games today," he grimaced. She opened her eyes.

"All I have ever been for you is a game," she said quietly. "No longer. You said yourself to never return..."

"What?" Anger and confusion mingled together now through the ether between them.

"My Lord, I can be of no use to you in current circumstances. I disobeyed you, and I shamed you. I acted recklessly and shamefully, and like all worthless things, I was discarded. I understand that much."

"You will return home, or for fuck's sake, I will - !" She met his gaze.

"What? Kill me? You should have already. A defiant minion is no minion at all." He stared at her a moment, then the hand fell from her hair and she had to catch herself on her hands as he turned away.

"Fuck, Enep, you want me to end it? Be done?" She grimaced and he refused to look at her, waiting.

"I'm tired of being useless. Replace me with another. Enigma is going to need help in the days to come." He made no reply, so she shifted a little. "Zepar...was there ever a time when...?" She caught herself as he glanced back to her and she met his eyes.

"I have to stay," she said. "You sent me here." He grimaced, looking pained, and she could feel the turmoil inside him. He wanted so badly to be angry, she knew. She could feel it. But he also needed so badly for her to listen, to be with him. His soul echoed within hers, and she could feel the pain of it still.

Finally he reached down, shaking his head.

"In five days she returns to me, Enep. That is what you have done. She is in danger, and we have no future, but in five days she comes nonetheless to tell me the sorts of things an angel and a demon should never say to one another and hear me say them in return. The Queen of Heaven herself is sending her here. So tell me, you who have done everything in the world you ever could for me, and everything in the world I ever asked: how can I do what must be done without my most loyal servant at my side?" He was holding her hands to help her rise. She let him, but then looked past him.

"It is unbecoming of the future Demon King to say such things, to beg for the allegiance of mere minions. If you insist of being so weak, at least do it where no one else can see. You sent me to do your bidding here. You sent me. No set me a task. I am a tool. You must make use of me." He caught her gaze and held it.

"Enepsigos, I'm sorry." She shook her head. "All this because I love her." She felt a wave of sadness and sorrow and acceptance.

"I know," she told him. "I have always known. How could I not know, being who I am to you?" He smiled slightly.

"My passion." He slowly considered her.

"I have a job for you, then. If you insist on staying here, there is something you must do. Guard her. She does not understand. She cannot see. But you are wiser than that, and you are stronger. You know the dangers she faces in coming here." Enepsigos turned away.

"Lady Ronwe has seen Marchosias, but not recently." She grimaced. She hated this idea, but she had asked for a task, to be accepted again into his service, to do as he commanded of her. He looked troubled.

"So you won't do it?" She turned back to face him.

"I have always done it. How could I not do it? I will protect her." He let out a sigh of relief.

"I love this foolish woman, for better or worse, Enep," he admitted quietly. "It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of, but it's true, and I don't understand why. Something about her calls to me, and I can't stop it." His look hardened.

"If anyone, be it the Queen of Hell or Lord Penemuel or the entire army of the archangel tries to harm her, kill them. Use all the fury of the ether, and reign down a thousand years of fire on their souls," he said in a dark tone. Enepsigos felt the tremor of danger again and her resolve hardened in return.

"I will protect her, my Lord, you know I will," she said. "I am just worried that - " He swung about, gripping her arm.

"Enepsigos, this is a dangerous position. I am trying to do something here that could have all of us killed. I need your help now, and I need you on my side. Please don't second guess me here. There is no one else who believes in me as you and Enigma believe in me."

She was surprised. A nod of understanding was all she could manage, but he did not let her go. She could feel the tension between them, and it made it hard to breathe.

"Now listen to me," he continued.

"It's dangerous for her, but it's also incredibly dangerous for you too. If anything should happen, you must be careful. You're a target as well as she. Promise me you will watch your back and not do anything to get in any more trouble, Enep, because if something happened to you..." She just nodded.

"I promise," she murmured. He sighed, then realized the situation and hurriedly released her.

"Good. Now go...they're waiting." She nodded, then slowly stepped back before moving carefully up the stairs. Only at the top when she had nearly reached the door did he call her one last time.

"Enepsigos?"

She turned and caught him watching her.

"Enep, one last thing. Lord Penemuel is my cousin. He had more than enough chances to harm me before you were born, but he never has. Do not trust him, but know this: he is not our enemy." His eyes flashed. "Isn't that right, Lord Penemuel?"

Enepsigos's eyes slid to where Penemuel and Ronwe had emerged from the door. An intrigued look flashed across Penemuel's face. Enepsigos's eyes narrowed, then she nodded and turned to reenter the Eternal Tower, imbued with a mission and a new steel. Ronwe watched her go, and Penemuel slowly pushed away from the door. He crossed the foundation, but did not descend the steps, instead leaning on the short parapet.

"I'd love to know what the hell you're up to, Zepar," he said quietly, his voice dangerously low. Zepar looked up at him, and a small smirk played at his face.

"It's been a very long time, Lord Penemuel," he said.

"Just Pen is fine, thank you," the other man said, still staring him down. "Well, if you're not going to tell me, at least pay attention to this. I have some news you should hear."

"Three days ago, Marchosias was spotted haunting the Mirror Valley as usual. She didn't stay long, but according to Ronwe she's doing something. If you're going to linger about here, you should know she's made it her hunting grounds so to speak. There's been odd activity every so often, and I am sure she's behind it. You don't need me to tell you she's probably hunting you. So whatever you're up to, be damn careful."

"Why are you helping me? If I were out of the picture, you'd have the throne after Beleth, and you're welcome to it, Pen," Zepar said softly. "You'd be a better king than I."

"You're being ridiculous. I have never wanted to sit on that throne, and I never will either. It's all yours. It's in my interest to see you alive," Penemuel shot back, his voice cool. "You're not taking your minion with you?"

"Why? Do you like her?" Zepar teased softly, then smiled. "She'll be staying here awhile, so look after her, and keep your hands off."

"What next?" Penemuel called after him as Zepar turned away. The Demon Prince just looked back over his shoulder and put up his hands.

"I roll the dice and hope I get lucky." He gave a grim smile. "I'll see you soon, Pen." And then he started up the paved road.

"That moron," he muttered as Ronwe joined him at the wall. "He should have taken her."

"He must have had his reasons," she said quietly. Then she gave him a worried look. "I don't like this." He nodded, finally pushing away from the wall.

"What is that little idiot up to? There's something we're missing here, and I don't know what. That seemed far too cozy and convenient to not have a bigger picture." Ronwe sighed.

"I can try to talk to Enepsigos, but I don't think it would get us very far." Penemuel shook his head.

"No, she's keeping his secrets and always will. At least we know she won't cause too much trouble if she's staying with us." He sighed. "I just don't like how easily he sends his minions all over the place when he knows Marchosias could be out there."

"He's young," Ronwe said quietly. "We can at least watch Enepsigos and make sure she stays out of trouble. She must be here for a reason. And he does have his second minion as well, should there be trouble."

"Yes," Penemuel said in a pondering voice. Then he sighed and smiled, turning about to face her. "Well, I'm sure we will handle it when it comes to light." He reached out and in an instant he had her in his arms, his fingers brushing her cheek.

"You be careful, little one. I don't like how chaotic the place is lately, either here or in Hell itself. Whatever happens, stay safe." She gave a small blush, then brushed him aside.

"Stupid. I'm the one that keeps you safe." Then she pushed him away and turned to head back inside.

***



"I see you're finally doing better." Enepsigos froze and turned towards the other minion who was watching her with vague interest. It had been a day and a half since Zepar had come to find her, and she had finally made up her mind about what she was going to do about Mihr. She sighed.



"Lady Ronwe, I - "

"You love him, don't you? It's obvious. Even I can see it. And please, don't call me Lady. It reminds me of Marcho." Enepsigos watched her warily a moment, then sighed.

"Yes," she said quietly. "I'm his passion, of course I love him. But he does not love me. How does a man love his own passion?" Ronwe gave her a considering look.

"He doesn't know." It was not a question. Enepsigos sighed.



"I think he does. Lord Zepar is the Demon of Lust and Seduction after all. He's not blind. But I don't think he wants to know." Ronwe patted the seat beside her.

"Come, sit with me."

Enepsigos thought about it a moment before finally giving in and crossing the room to sit beside the other minion.



When she was settled, Ronwe turned to her with a smile.

"So then, what are you going to do?" she asked mischieviously.

"His will. As always," Enepsigos replied. "And you? What are you trying to do? I trust you understand, for all that Lord Zepar is willing to trust Lord Penemuel's intentions, the connection you and he have to the Royal Ether make him uncomfortable." Ronwe smiled slightly.

"Yes, but Lord Zepar is not the Demon King, and Lord Penemuel guards this valley at the King's behest." Enepsigos looked uncomfortable.

"So then - "

"May I ask a question?" Ronwe interrupted, cutting short their conversation.



"What?" Enepsigos asked cautiously. Ronwe's smile was gone. She considered the other woman a moment, then sighed.

"Do you believe in the stories about the Royal Ether?"

"You mean the taint? They say it's tainted."



"Yes, some would say that," Ronwe replied. "It gave birth to Marchosias after all. I ask because I have a few other questions to pose you, and then a scenario if you will. When a demon taps into the ether to summon, they do so with their soul in plain sight. That ether mixes with the soul and gives birth to minions, or else summons pre-existing minions that already meet the criteria, such as Marchosias and the Demon Kings, for instance." She looked up to Enepsigos.



"Say for an instant that there was some taint? How would we know? And how would it affect those who accessed the tainted ether?" Enepsigos shrugged. Ronwe gave a small little smile. "So now, a question: what is it like, your ether?"

"Sorry?"

"How does it feel, what it is like when you return, merge with it?" Enepsigos pondered the answer a moment then slowly spoke.



"It's red, like blood, and warm like embers. Returning is like sinking slowly into a bath, and it welcomes you home each time," she said quietly. That was the truest she could describe it. When she looked up, Ronwe looked sad.



"I see," the woman replied. "The royal ether - when they say it is tainted, I think perhaps it is true. It's like slime." A look of disgust crossed her face. She seemed revolted.



"Returning is like dying. It's there, black and frigid, like the waters of the River Stix itself. I have never told Pen what it is like. If I did, he would never send me back, or any of us. He doesn't have the strength to keep us all for long, so we never speak of it, but I think sometimes he wonders." She sighed.



"That ether, that toxic, choking place, is not Pen. It never was, and it isn't now. For a long time, it wasn't right for Lord Beleth either. It is an ancient cesspit, born in the time of Lucifer himself. And it is the color of Marchosias's heart."

She shuddered, leaning forward a little. Enepsigos was listening intently.



"That darkness swallows you whole. It's hard to see how good can ever come out of it, but sometimes it surprises you. Beleth's first minion was a man called Seir, and he was the sort who could not come from that ether now. It's all Marchosias and her ilk. So yes, the stories are true I think. There is a taint." She glanced up to Enepsigos who was leaning forward, her face serious.



"So if Beleth were to die, you mean that taint could still infect Lord Penemuel? He would summon Marchosias?" For a moment, Ronwe looked repulsed. Then she shook her head.

"No, though I can see why you are thinking there is a danger of it. Penemuel will not be tainted, not like Beleth. He's different."

"That's what they thought about Beleth when he made his truce," Enepsigos pointed out somberly. Ronwe shook her head.

"When Penemuel lived in the palace, he was one of the most useless men I knew. He had Beleth's ear, but he cared for nothing but wine and women. I don't think Beleth knew what he had done to Pen when he sent him here. This was meant to be an honor, a post of trust. He could pick no one else. But to Pen, who never wanted anything but to drink and whore...this was exile, and not welcome, and worse, it was with an angel." She grimaced, looking away.



"Penemuel was angry for a long time, but he is no longer able to be touched by that taint. He has changed. The very isolation with Ansiel in this tower keeps him safe from it. It's that simple. Ansiel's influence keeps him safe. Marchosias couldn't touch something so determined to be good. And Penemuel has learned what it is to be good, now. The reason that Lord Zepar believes in his neutrality, as well you know, is because Pen has always been neutral, never wanted power, and recognizes like Zepar and like the old Beleth that angels and demons need to coexist. There cannot be light without darkness. There cannot be darkness without light. There is no other way. But Marchosias...she would raze Heaven in fields of fire and darkness itself if she could, and you know it."

"The taint changed Beleth then. He was not always a monster," Enepsigos said. "It was Marchosias." Ronwe nodded. Enepsigos's eyes grew hard. "So then how do we stop her? With goodness?" Ronwe sighed, looking grim.

"No, that's not enough. When you spill ink on a white page, that page will never be white again. No matter what you try, the paper never paints the ink white instead. Purity does not stand against corruption."

"So you're saying there's nothing we can do?" Ronwe met her gaze with a stern one of her own. Her eyes suddenly seemed old, ancient, like the ether from which she was born. It was unsettling.

"How do you battle Hell," she asked quietly, "except ny playing by its own rules? To defeat Hell, the Demon Kings have always had to become the greater hell themselves. The only thing darker than gray is black. And Marchosias is as black as night. So we need a new way now, a different way to fight her, and all of us have to do it together, or we will never win." She grimaced. "The only way to end this, is for Zepar to take the throne. She cannot be born from your ether. He is the new way, the shining light for all demons, out of Marchosias's darkness. Take good care of him, Enep. He is our hope."

***



"Zepar is their hope," she murmured softly. She had been mulling over the words for the rest of the days she spent waiting in the Eternal Tower. Now, it was finally dawn on the final day, the one where she had promised to escort Mihr for Zepar. Her time was nearly done.

Perhaps it was true. Maybe Zepar was their hope. It would mean an end to Marchosias's tyranny. Truth be told, she had never really thought about what would happen when Zepar became the Demon King. It had seemed so unlikely all along, even if she hated the idea, even if he hated the idea. But it was what it was. He was the Heir, the Demon Prince. And he was in love with an angel.



Mihr should be here by now. She was running late, Enepsigos supposed. It was odd to think that it had been a week since she had crept through the Heaven Gate, broken the Covenant, and met Sachael the Queen of Heaven in her own garden to beg for help. It seemed so many things had been set into motion. If Lady Ronwe - she couldn't stop thinking of her that way - was right, then that meant the time was coming soon. Beleth's hold on power was weakening, and Marchosias was getting desperate. It was dangerous to be anywhere these days. She only had to escort Mihr, and then she could return to Enigma and discuss all she had learned during that week.



"So it's you," came a soft voice, and she saw Mihr approaching quietly from the gate, alone. A slight smirk flickered across the corner of Enepsigos's lips as Mihr paused, watching her warily.

"Good morning," she said in an easy tone. Mihr seemed confused.



"Are you hear to fight again?" she asked, and Enepsigos was caught of guard. She gave a soft chuckle.

"No, Lord Zepar sent me to meet you," she replied as Mihr circled her slowly, trying to work out what to make of her. Well, at least the girl had learned a little caution. "I'm to escort you to him, but don't get me wrong. I'd love to fight you again sometime. You have a lot to answer for."



"How do I know," Mihr said softly, "that I can trust you?" Enepsigos sighed, standing up straighter. Perhaps the girl was now too cautious. What had Zepar done to elicit such a response? She was so changed.



"The thing is," Enepsigos said matter-of-factly, "you can't. You have no idea. My name is Enepsigos, I am Lord Zepar's minion. You saw me at the Ceremony, so you know that much is true. He sent me, and I promised to watch you."



"Why would he send you? Why would he even want to see me again? He said so himself it was a lie. He was the one who abandoned me, so why should he care what happens to me?" Several pieces fell into place and Enepsigos stared a moment, suddenly seeing what was the matter. Lord Zepar had broken this little angel's heart and made her jaded. She almost laughed again but thought better of it. Mihr looked away. "Zepar does not love me, and he does not care, so sending you makes no sense."



"Look," Enepsigos sighed, weaving her fingers together. "If there is one thing anyone should know about Lord Zepar, it is that he's a complete idiot. He cares for people, but the only way he knows how to care is to send them away to keep them safe." She felt the pain of that and realized that the same had been true for her as well. He had sent her from Hell so that no one could touch her if they learned that the Covenant had been broken. He had been protecting her too in his own way. "He only protects the ones he loves, and that, my silly little angel, includes you."



Mihr was looking at her again, so Enepsigos continued.

"The thing is, when he tells you he means nothing by it, that he feels nothing, and loves nothing, he's just being a horrible, terrible liar. Since the day he sent you away, he has been a wreck. His whole world is falling apart. I've never seen him so unstable, so weak and so worried and so worn. He is so madly in love with you, it's breaking apart his entire world to know you are not his and he cannot love you. He's given up trying to escape it now. He's ready to admit he was a fool and tell you how sorry he was and how much he loves you. And he's going to challenge all of Heaven and Hell to do it. So chin up, girlie. Because he loves you."

Mihr looked hopeful.

"Oh, do you really think so?" Enepsigos looked at her face, now lit up, and grimaced. Mihr was still hesitant. "But what about you? You also love him. Have you told him yet?"



"Now just hold on a second!" Enepsigos spat, whirling about. "If you think for one moment that I'm stupid enough to stand there in your way and tell him such open things as 'I love you' when he's mooning over you...! What do you think this is? A love triangle?! No! I've not told him, and I don't intend to! It's not me he loves, it's you! So stop trying to undermine your own cause!" Mihr gave a soft giggle.

"You're really trying to cheer me up," she said in a slightly surprised tone. "I'm glad. Thank you."

"I'm not doing this for you," Enepsigos said, turning her face away. "I'm doing it for Zepar."



What happened next was unexpected. Mihr latched on to her, a silly grin on her face, and Enepsigos felt an immediate fear as she found herself clamped into an embrace.

"Oh, Enepsigos, I'm sorry for fighting, and I'm sorry for not listening to you, and I'm so happy you're here to get me! I promise, I will not doubt him again, and I'll fight for him, and do my best to keep him happy and help him, and I won't make Zepar worry about me, or make his world unstable again! I'm going to do everything I can now! And I know that somewhere in his heart, Zepar loves you too." Enepsigos slowly pried the woman from her, and Mihr laughed as the minion took a step back, turning away.



"Well, good then," Enepsigos said awkwardly. "You're welcome, or whatever. Now...we shouldn't keep him waiting. We're already a little late, and I think he's probably pretty anxious to see us both." Mihr gave a bashful smile, then nodded.

"'Kay," she said softly.

"Well, well, well, now isn't this an interesting discovery?"



Enepsigos shot into a defensive position, whirling about and putting herself between Mihr and their unexpected guest. Her worst fears were confirmed.

"Marchosias." The Queen of Hell was striding across the grass towards them, one eyebrow raised. Enepsigos immediately pulled on as much power as she had.



"If someone had told me," Marchosias said in an amused, cruel voice, "that little Zepar had been fucking angels as well as his minions, I would have laughed, but now I see what all the fuss has been about. What a shame I can't let it continue. For both your sakes, this simply can't go on." Enepsigos took a step back.

"Mihr, when I tell you, you have to run. Get back through the gate, and don't look back," she said in a shaking voice.



"What about you?" Mihr asked, worried. "I can help, I - "

"No! I'll manage. I'll be fine. You have to run. You have to get back through that Gate." Enepsigos rose, standing taller. Marchosias was eyeing them up with an intrigued look.

"Ah, so you're planning on fighting me, little Enep?" she said, still amused. "You'll die, you know."



"Enough! If I have to, I will fight you, and I will win!" All the memories of her birth came back to her. Zepar, still a child in so many ways, a teenager lost and alone in darkness, bloodied and beaten and bruised and battered and broken. And it had been Marchosias's fault. It fueled the anger within her, and Enepsigos drew on even more power. "I will kill you, for Zepar, and I will not let you touch Mihr!" She reached out with all her power. "Now, Mihr! Run!"



Marchosias just drew in her own power, and gave a little shake of her head.

"Oh, Enepsigos. You're still a little fool."

END CHAPTER 10