Snippet #2667148

Several moments passed before an invisible hand, gentle yet firm, rested on Sirad - Lilith's - quaking shoulder.

"My Child..." a powerful yet comforting voice spoke from behind her. "... My wayward daughter... My beloved Lilith..."

It had been so long since she had heard that voice. It had seemed dead to her. No, not dead - more like it had chosen to ignore her. But even in her state, which was akin to pure corruption and a twisted version of herself, it still hit her. No matter how she tried to claim it, she still had fond memories.

"Father? Am I dead? Is this Paradise? Have I done enough now... I can't fight anymore... I failed..." was all she said as her eyes grew wet.

A sad sigh replied to her. "No, my child. Death has not claimed you yet. You have suffered a grievous injury and a fate I would not wish upon any of my Children. Yet you have done well... You have not failed, but have completed the task I have set before you. You have faced your elder brother with courage and have stayed true to the calling I bestowed upon you. You stood boldly against the darkness and triumphed. But now, you have done exactly what your sister requested. Close your eyes... Rest your weary body and allow Eve to continue. Eve has my confidence... You have earned your respite. Come with me, and recuperate. The Final Battle will be soon, and we must be ready."

She felt different as she shivered and nervously bit her lip. She felt... happy. Happiness was something that she had long assumed was not allowed of her, but an actual spark of joy had awoken within her. Although as He spoke, she finally understood. She now knew how naive and blinded her hatred had been. Nonetheless, she had to speak. There was no snark - just the small and almost child-like voice of hers, "I hated you. I hated what you did to me..." pausing her eyes began to stream tears of pure utter melancholy, or so it appeared...

"But I finally understand, Father... I finally comprehend what your plan was... You needed us... You needed us because you saw this on the horizon. For centuries I loathed you, but I finally understand... I truly get it. You did not want to hurt us, but it was the only way you could guarantee any sort of victory. I am sorry Father for hating you... and I am sorry I took so long to understand..."

"You are forgiven, my prodigal daughter." He said as the weight from her shoulder was removed. It was then that a massive paw covered in golden yellow fur rested gently beside her face. A... purr... rumbled above her. Looking up, she would see a flowing mane the color of oak that rested like a crown upon His head. His face was shrouded by a blinding radiance that shone from behind Him.

"Come..." He said. "Let us be away from this place. I have prepared a place for you, Lilith. But first, tell me... What happened to the beautiful body that I gave you?"

A guilty look fell over her, and let out a long sigh. Her eyes were still full of tears, "I was different, Father, and I did horrible things - truly horrible things. I tried to corrupt a Paladin centuries ago and I had almost succeeded, but for one thing... His son. His son interrupted me and reminded his father who he was. With that I was found out..." breathing little scared she went on, "He gathered twelve Paladin's like himself and chained my powers completely. They also banished me from my body... That is how I likely vanished from your sight for a long time."

"You are forgiven, Lilith." He replied. "And you are incorrect. You have never left my sight - not even for a moment. Though it pained me to see you go through such burdens, such tribulations were necessary. Now, though, I wish for you to open your heart. Release your guilt, and together we will repair the damage done."

Shaking her head she raised her hand, "No, Father. There is more. For centuries I laid dormant until somehow someone found a way to summon me. She could not have been more than sixteen, but I saw an opportunity. She firstly did not close the circle. Secondly, she summoned me to get a boy to love her. I listened while rolling my eyes before possessing her and taking her body as mine. She was still alive, for now..." she had to confess everything to him, everything.

Leolik remained steadfast, listening stoicly without a sign of His emotions. A low growl rumbled from His throat, gesturing her to continue.

Feeling nervous, she stared at Him, "I grew afraid that I was growing soft because of her - her humanity infesting me... Thus I sought a way to fix it... Remedy it, even... A witch called Saranna gave me the means, but she could not remove the humanity. She could only put it inside another body... Although an after-effect of losing this was the girl life being destroyed... I am a horrible person Father... I know this..."

"You were so very close to me in the beginning..." Leolik reminisced. "But, like your late husband, flying closer to the sun only made it further to fall. You have done much evil in your life, my child, and it will be a very long time before you can stand fully in my presence - if ever - but you are not lost completely. Your willingness to repent is testament to this. The girl, whose life you stole, committed a wicked act and communed with powers that were not for her to understand. Her fate is her own, but you... Your destiny is not yet set. This is merely the first step. Now come, Lilith. Pick yourself up and follow me..."

With that, the mighty Leolik turned and strode towards the light.

Whispering with truth in her heart she uttered words she never imagined speaking again, "Father, I love you..." and with that she followed.

Eve watched the mumbling and the suffering of her beloved sister, yet she noticed the glow around her form. At this, she smiled and knelt down to her unconscious body and stroked her hair tenderly "You did great...but maybe next time a little less dramatics would be called for." Eve giggled and knelt down to kiss her lover's cheek then rose up and turned towards the Abominable Sands. She took in a very deep breath and exhaled "This will be my last act as Lord of Violence... My sin will be purged, my guilt forgotten, and my pain all brought to bare against the invaders. I grow weary of these games... Erebuz... I grow weary of you darkening my steps with your foul presence. The end is nigh for your might here..."

Eve turned back towards Sirad once more then laughed a little as she jumped down off of the terrace and started for the Opposing Army. Moving with purpose and stride.