Hellfire Odyssey: Reckoning

[Valkyrie]

Midtown — City streets

She was driving. They had picked up the food, and were zooming downtown to the Clocktower. Zach had inexplicably gotten wine at the pizza shop.

Zach: “Well, I know we usually drink beer, but this is a good vintage, and wine goes better with pizza than you might expect.”

An amused smile played on her lips.

"Whatever you want babe."

They were on the FDR, and Zach was being quiet - probably marveling at how good a driver she was. He brought up their wedding, and meeting with a "wedding planner" and a "caterer". She didn't want him stressing out over her, so she told him it would be fine if he didn't want to bother with a whole ceremony, and just go to the courthouse. They could even have Elvis marry them, like she'd seen on tv.

Zach: “What, you mean like run off to Vegas and elope? Honestly, I can’t tell if you’re being serious, babe.”

Hmm. He didn't sound too keen on the idea.

"Well, I don't want you to think you have to spend a lot of money. As long as we're married, it doesn't have to be fancy for me."

She thought for a second.

"But maybe sometime we could go see one of those Elvis shows, for fun."

Then she brought up the sacrifice. Would John be able to take care of that part?

Zach: “Ah, I’m not sure. But it sounds like there are some traditions you want to uphold after all.”

Maybe that wasn't something they did anymore at weddings. Honestly, the whole thing was confusing. She shrugged at him.

"It's just been a long time since I thought about weddings. Or went to one."

She glanced at him.

"We could just serve boar at the wedding. Freya should be happy with whatever she can get nowadays, honestly."

Zach: “Listen, sweetheart. I don’t want to make it sound like I don’t care, but we can do the wedding however you like. I want my bride to be happy. And don’t you worry about the expense. We’re only going to do this once.”

She reached out in between shifting to squeeze his hand. That last sentence made it seem like he wanted an actual wedding.

"I want it to be the way you'd like, Zach."

Except, she had no idea what they might be like.

"I can get Zizi to help me. She's probably got a file on her computer with everything already all planned for her own wedding."

Ash rolled her eyes. And then she remembered something, and brightened.

"Oh! I did see something about this thing called a bachelor party. We get to go to a strip club, and get drunk...it'll be awesome!"

 

[Orion]

NYC — FDR Drive

As Ashley drove them through the city, Zach brought up the subject of the wedding plans, which they hadn’t discussed yet. He didn’t want her to think he expected her to do all the planning on her own, or that he didn’t care enough to help make decisions on things like themes and color schemes, venues and vendors. She made a couple of suggestions that implied she was worried about cost.

He remembered her telling him about keeping her cash in a drawer or a bag in her closet, and he smiled gently. Counting coins was not something that Zach had ever had to do, as a child or an adult. Naturally he wasn’t worried about the expense of the wedding, and he would need to assure her not to stress about it either. Eventually, when they combined their finances, she’d understand. His wife would never want for anything ever again, and he had no doubt that soon enough she’d get accustomed to disregarding cost.

Ash: But maybe sometime we could go see one of those Elvis shows, for fun.

“That does sound like fun.”

He replied, and then she brought up a boar, for the sacrifice, asking if he thought John would do it or if her partner was an animal lover. Zach didn’t know John well enough to figure that out, but he did pick up on the clue that she had some traditions in mind after all. She admitted that it had been a long time since she’d thought about a wedding or been to one. For Zach it had only been a couple of years since he and Haleigh had been getting into the details of wedding planning, but he didn’t exactly want to mention it. Ash went on to say they could just serve boar, and that Freya should be happy with the gesture.

“I’m sure she will be. Mmm, I bet it’s delicious roasted.”

His stomach rumbled again in protest as his mouth watered a bit. The smell of pizza filling the car only compounded the issue. He distracted himself by reassuring her that he wanted his bride to be happy no matter what, and that cost was not an issue. They were only going to get married once, after all. She, of course, only replied that she wanted him to be happy with it, because she never stopped to think of herself. When she reached over to squeeze his hand he turned his palm up to receive her and leaned over the console to kiss her cheek.

Ash: “I can get Zizi to help me. She’s probably got a file on her computer of everything planned for her own wedding.”

“Aw, she’s going to make a great maid of honor, and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to help. You know she helped me pick out your ring? I’m impressed she was able to keep my secret.”

He replied with a warm smile. He looked back out the window, and the steeple of St. Patrick’s Cathedral caught his eye. It was a venue he and Haleigh looked at, and he shuddered at the memory of the Silver Swan massacre. The place had been “under construction” ever since, and wound up as headquarters for the Purifiers. It wasn’t all bad memories though. It had been the place where he and Ash first kissed. In the heat of battle, sure, but still, the thought renewed his smile.

“Hey, you know we don’t have to do the ceremony in a church. I mean, neither of us are Christian, or Catholic.”

His father had been catholic, but fuck that guy. His mother had raised him on the old Gods, and he knew them to actually exist. Ash was a Valkyrie.

“There’s also the option for a destination wedding. We could get married amongst the mountains of Scandinavia, or if you want a warmer wedding, there’s some cliffside beaches in Italy that would make a decent backdrop. I’m sure our wedding guests would enjoy the free vacation they got out of it.”

He suggested. Ashley lit up with the idea of the bachelor party, strip clubs and drinking. Zach glanced over at her with a cautious smile. He should probably tell her that bachelor parties were for the groomsmen, and that a separate bachelorette party was usually thrown for the bride. But she was so excited about it, he didn’t want to disappoint her. She had declared it would be awesome.

“With you around, I have no doubt it will be, my love. We’ll have to make sure Zizi and my Best Man coordinate a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. Shit, I guess I need to pick a Best Man.”

He realized aloud. He considered a couple of good friends, like Gavin or Griffin. It might be awkward for them, though, given that they’d seen him with Haleigh for the last decade. He’d certainly invited them to the wedding, but they didn’t know Ashley at all. A Best Man needed to be familiar with both the Bride and the Groom, as well as their relationship. Zach so happened to have a friend that did. In fact, this particular gentleman had even stuck up for both of them during the whole Rose debacle, when certain people on the team had been determined to judge Zach and Ash harshly for their budding relationship.

“Do you think Andrew would be up for the task?”

 

[Valkyrie]

NYC — FDR Drive

Ash just wanted to be with Zach, and where they got married mattered very little to her in comparison to the fact that he wanted to marry her. But still, she wanted him to be pleased with her, and not feel like he had made a mistake in asking her. She told him she wanted him to be happy with the wedding, and reached out to squeeze his hand. She smiled as he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

She would just have to get Zizi to give her a crash course in modern weddings, and list out the things she had to do. How hard could it be? Especially if Zach was set on hiring someone to do the planning. Zizi probably knew exactly the person to do it already. She reassured him she'd get Zizi's help.

Zach: “Aw, she’s going to make a great maid of honor, and I’m sure she’ll be delighted to help. "

"Do you think she'll agree?"

It certainly would win her any points with Sharon, Alycia or Isis. Or anyone else, really.

Zach: "You know she helped me pick out your ring? I’m impressed she was able to keep my secret.”

That did surprise her. It was the most perfect ring in all the world, so clearly Zizi hadn't just suggested the first one she saw. She couldn't believe that Zizi had done something so unimportant to herself, for Ashley. She blinked, then spoke solemly.

"She keeps a lot of secrets."

They kept driving, and Ashley wondered how disappointed Zach would be if no one came to this wedding. He wasn't worried, or so he said, the last time she'd brought it up. For her, as long as he was there, she didn't care who else was. But Zach had lots of friends, and would be hurt if they didn't come.

Zach:“ Hey, you know we don’t have to do the ceremony in a church. I mean, neither of us are Christian, or Catholic.”

She'd lived in lots of places, with lots of different religions, over the years. They were excellent sparks for wars, so she had never held anything against them, just because they weren't the gods she'd grown up believing in. And despite her disagreement with some of them, she hadn't lost her belief entirely. If he'd wanted a church wedding, of course she would have done it, but if it wasn't important to him, then she was happy to skip it. She shrugged at him.

"Unless you want to."

Zach: “There’s also the option for a destination wedding. We could get married amongst the mountains of Scandinavia, or if you want a warmer wedding, there’s some cliffside beaches in Italy that would make a decent backdrop. I’m sure our wedding guests would enjoy the free vacation they got out of it.”

Any of those things sounded great to her, but...

"Do you think people will go to all that trouble, for our wedding?"

She thought for a moment, picturing her and Zach standing together, making their promises. She cut around a tiny car that looked like it should have been powered by bicycle, and which was going equally slowly.

"We could get out of the city, somewhere out in the countryside. With just the grass and the trees around. It would be very peaceful."

And they wouldn't notice an empty field as much as an empty building, she thought.

And then she remembered what she'd seen about bachelor parties, and got excited thinking how much fun it would be, just like that first time they'd gone out. Awesome.

Zach: “With you around, I have no doubt it will be, my love. We’ll have to make sure Zizi and my Best Man coordinate a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. Shit, I guess I need to pick a Best Man.”

She looked at Zach out of the side of her eye, and couldn't stifle a laugh.

"Can you picture Zizi at a strip club?"

She laughed again at the thought, then addressed his other comment about his best man.

"You have lots of friends, Zach, it should be easy to find one. Or maybe that makes it harder."

Zach: “Do you think Andrew would be up for the task?”

She chuckled again as she took the turn at high speed into the Clocktower's garage, narrowly missing taking the top of the car off with the roll door.

"Depends how long he has to stay upright."

She smiled, pulling into a space by the elevator.

"But you'd probably make his year if you asked him. I think he's got a little bromance going on with you."

She turned off the engine, and nudged Zach before he could get out of the car.

"I'm impressed you didn't even ask what I did to the car while you weren't in it. It must have been making you crazy. I might have smuggled in a Filet-O-Fish or something."

She leaned over and blew hot breath onto the window where she'd written their names with a heart so he could see.

"Don't worry, I'll clean the inside of the window when we get back to your place."

 

[Orion]

NYC — FDR Drive

Ash mentioned asking Zizi for help with the wedding plans, and Zach agreed that she’d make a great maid of honor. Ash seemed to doubt that Zizi would agree to it, but Zach shrugged that off. He told her that Zizi had helped him pick out the ring, and impressively kept the secret too. Zach picked up on a small downshift in Ashley’s mood, as she replied that Zizi kept a lot of secrets.

“The best friends always do.”

He replied gently, deciding against derailing the conversation by probing the meaning behind her statement. Maybe one day Ash would be comfortable enough with him to share said secrets. For now he wouldn’t push it. He was enjoying the discussion about their wedding. He mentioned that they didn’t have to do the ceremony in a church, as neither of them prescribed to a religion that would make such a location a necessity. She shrugged and allowed it if he wanted, but he shook his head in response. He offered that they could do a destination wedding instead, thinking that he’d fall in love with her all over again at the sight of snow in her hair, or maybe a spray of sea water, if she’d rather.

Ashley: "Do you think people will go to all that trouble, for our wedding?"

“Well.... all they’d really have to do is pack a bag and show up at the airport for a private jet ride to a paradise vacation. Spend an hour at a ceremony and then go to a reception party with a free feast and an open bar. If they didn’t want to, it’s their loss.”

He replied, with a tone that suggested he’d consider any friend who declined to attend to be fairly insane and not an essential guest. In the back of his mind he could think of a couple of friends who wouldn’t be supportive, like the Amazons. As disappointing as it was, Zach couldn’t do anything to change their minds. He’d tried his best to save those friendships, but now he was resigned to let the women go. He’d cared for them for years, but lately they seemed intent on ultimatums that he wouldn’t submit to.

Ash: "We could get out of the city, somewhere out in the countryside. With just the grass and the trees around. It would be very peaceful."

He smiled at the thought.

“Sure, that would be good too. The Clandestine helicopter fleet could drop us in any remote location you liked.”

He offered, and then she went on to bring up the bachelor party. She was so excited about the idea that he didn’t have it in him to tell her that their parties were usually separate. He suggested that Zizi would have to coordinate with his Best Man so they could do a combined celebration instead. It made her laugh, though, and she asked him if he could picture Zizi at a strip club. He grinned and nodded before pretending to clutch at pearls.

“Oh my stars, the nudity!”

He exclaimed, making his voice as breathless and feminine as he could before laughing with her. Bless Zizi, she was the most innocent person on the planet. But Zach had realized he’d need to pick a Best Man, and after his playful impression he started racking his brains for the right person. Ash suggested that he had a lot of friends and it ought to be easy, and then she allowed that having so many to choose from might make it harder to pick instead. There was one friend that stood out in his mind, though. He asked her if she thought Andrew would be up to it.

She chuckled and suggested that it depended on how long Andrew would have to stay upright, as she whipped into the Clocktower’s garage. Zach instinctively ducked as they zoomed under the gate, noticing how low it seemed to be hanging. He was relieved when there wasn’t a scraping sound coming from his canvas convertible top. Ash pulled into a parking spot near the elevator as if nothing was out of the ordinary as she added that Andrew would probably be ecstatic to be asked. Then she told him she was impressed that he didn’t grill her about what she did to the car while he was gone, suggesting there was food hidden somewhere inside. Zach looked genuinely traumatized with wide eyes.

“You wouldn’t! You didn’t have time!”

He replied warily, and she fogged up the window to show him some invisible art she’d made. He breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn’t going to be hunting around under the seats later for some pungent fried foods. Then he laughed at himself for being so gullible as he eased out of his seat and shifted the pizza boxes to one hand.

Ash: "Don't worry, I'll clean the inside of the window when we get back to your place."

He handed her the bottles of wine so he’d have a free arm to put around her as they walked to the elevator.

“Nah, leave it. I kinda like it there.”

He said, planting a kiss on her temple as the elevator doors closed with a ding.

“At least there’s one wedding decision we won’t have to concern ourselves with. Whether or not we invite the exes. As long as they’re both in Hellfire, it’ll be one less thing to stress over.”

He thought out loud. There was still a large part of him that wanted to get Haleigh out of that place, though. He knew she wasn’t doing well there, and there was also her sister Ava to rescue. Despite Persephone trying to murder him, Ava had been his friend for years, and he didn’t want her to be suffering either. Ash’s ex, Alek, was reportedly quite involved in their misery. Not only had he hurt Ashley, but he was currently being quite cruel to both Haleigh and Ava, if the reports from the Clandestine agents undercover in Hellfire were accurate. Alek could go suck-start a shotgun, if Zach had the opportunity to make a suggestion to him.

 

[Valkyrie]

NYC — FDR Drive

Zach didn't seem to want to be married in a church, so that was one choice crossed off. He suggested going on a trip somewhere, which sounded great if it was just the two of them, but she wondered aloud whether people would go to all the trouble to fly somewhere to see them get married.

Zach: “Well.... all they’d really have to do is pack a bag and show up at the airport for a private jet ride to a paradise vacation. Spend an hour at a ceremony and then go to a reception party with a free feast and an open bar. If they didn’t want to, it’s their loss.”

She gave him a small smile, not completely convinced that he wouldn't feel hurt if some (or most) of his friends chose not to come.

She countered with something simpler, out in the countryside, where people wouldn't have to travel so far. She was relieved to see him smile.

Zach: “Sure, that would be good too. The Clandestine helicopter fleet could drop us in any remote location you liked.”

She steered the conversation to less stressful topics, like this big party they got to have before the wedding. She giggled at Zach's impression of Zizi in a strip. He grin widened as she had a thought.

"We have to get her drunk."

She parked Zach's car in the Clocktower garage, not being able to help herself making the suggestion that she'd brought food into the car while he was picking up the pizza. They got out of the car, and he handed her the bottles of wine, and then slipped his arm around her. She pressed against him, resting her cheek on his shoulder as they walked to the elevator. She smiled with what was almost a blush as kissed her temple.

Zach: “At least there’s one wedding decision we won’t have to concern ourselves with. Whether or not we invite the exes. As long as they’re both in Hellfire, it’ll be one less thing to stress over.”

Ashley snorted at that.

"Pfft. I wasn't stressed about it. There isn't a chance in Hel I'd invite Alek anywhere, let alone our wedding."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Though, the satisfaction of seeing him so jealous of you would almost be worth it."

It would drive Alek crazy that she had so easily gotten over him and found someone like Zach. Someone who had everything Alek lacked.

The elevator dinged as it reached the 15th floor. Existing they walked to Zizi's door, and Ashley used her key to open it. As she stepped inside a computerized voice said:

"Recognized: Valkyrie, b zero 2. Orion, b zero 3."

"Zizi? We brought dinner."

Zizi came towards them from the direction of the living area.

"What the hell was that voice?"

And as she got closer, Ashley leaned in.

"And I'm going to need you to tell me everything you know about weddings."

 

[Persephone]

Having to leave Alek was one of the hardest things she had to do. It felt like her heart was breaking in half as she disappeared in a tornado of winds from their hidden New York compound, knowing there was a very high chance she might not return to him. Her orders to meet Helena were clear, but Persephone would not leave that island without making sure Ravena was nothing more than a foot note in everyone's minds, even at the expense of her own life. It would be worth it...and Alek and Haleigh would eventually move on.

Appearing in the location that Helena had texted her, Persephone began to look around the suite's large patio that overlooked a private pool. The sea winds blew her chocolate locks behind her shoulder as she took a step forward, her heels softly clicking on the stone tile. Ahadi was beautiful, she would give him that.

Helena: "You look like shit."

Her Queen's voice called out, causing Persephone to turn and see Helena lounging on one of the pool chairs wearing a lace red robe and red kitten heels. Helena took a long drag of her cigarette, watching Persephone closely as she closed the distance between them.

Helena: "You do realize being apart of my court requires you to look the part as well? [flicking her hand] For God sakes Persephone, you look like Heidi just dragged you out of the damn Aqua Ring."

Persephone resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she settled in front of Helena.

"My apologize my Queen."

Helena grinned like she won something before kicking her legs over the edge of the lounge chair, sitting up. She perked up a brow at Persephone.

Helena: "So how's my Knight?"

[flatly] "The last I saw him during rounds, he was as arrogant and pretentious as ever."

A low sultry laugh came from deep within Helena as she put out her cigarette and stood.

Helena: "Uh huh."

Despite Persephone's effort not to roll her eyes before, she did this time causing Helena to laugh once again. The Red Queen sauntered over to Persephone, running her finely manicured red nail under Persephone's chin as she passed by.

Helena: "Arrogance still makes the panties wet, my dear. And with Alek? He makes everyone's panties wet."

"Is there a reason you summoned me, [gritting her teeth] my Queen."

Persephone turned, her face even and devoid of any emotion despite wanting to claw Helena's throat out. Helena was now over by the wet bar, pouring herself a night cap. She didn't answer right away, taking a sip of her drink and savoring it. Persephone was beginning to wonder if Helena brought her there just because she was bored and needed some entertainment.

Helena: "You're going to kill Ravena, tonight. Now, actually."

She said it so casually, like she asked Persephone to take out the trash. It was the first time Persephone's stone expression cracked, her eyebrows lifting with surprise.

"You want me to kill Ravena?"

Her mind was racing now. Maybe their safe house wasn't so safe after all. She and Alek had both swept it for bugs before they started hiding out there...there was nothing. How the hell would Helena know that she wanted Ravena dead? Maybe Emiko....or Mystique. That bitch could be anywhere at anytime without anyone knowing. This had to be some kind of perverse punishment for hiding her relationship with Alek and lying about it.

Helena: [cooly] "Did I stutter?"

Persephone didn't immediately respond, choosing her words carefully.

"The White Queen--"

Helena: "You leave the White Queen to ME and do as you're ordered, Rook. I want him DEAD within the hour or Heidi won't have anything to fish out of the Aqua Ring."

Oddly enough, Persephone was about to get everything she wanted. She was being ordered to kill the man who was torturing her for weeks, yet somehow it didn't seem as satisfying knowing that Helena wanted it. It seemed like one giant set up. But Persephone was already reserved to the fact that she wouldn't leave Ahadi alive, so really....Helena's orders meant nothing in the grand scheme of things except now it would be far easier to hunt him down without having to deal with Mystique and the Red Guard.

Persephone bowed her head.

"As you command, my Queen."

A thick fog began to roll in from the sea and overtake the entire island in a dense mass of white. Persephone disappeared within the fog, knowing the weather anomaly would most definitely draw Ravena out like a moth to flame.

 

[Black Widow]

Upstate New York — The Ruins of Arklay Mansion

Here was as good a place as any to do it. She had been made here, and here she would be undone. She shackled Bishop to a chain anchored deep in the decrepit floor. He had been all too easy to take. She wouldn’t gloat about it now, though. He was only human, no challenge for any Super, least of all her. She almost felt sorry for him, but she also mildly despised him, and somehow respected him. It was complicated, but then Maxim was no ordinary flatscan. She pulled his phone from his pocket, and her mind ran through the possible combinations of his numeric password until it unlocked for her. She reached down and ran her fingers through his hair to coax him back to consciousness. She could have just slapped him, but that seemed crueler than necessary.

“Wake up, Max. I know the sedative is wearing off now. I can hear your pulse quickening.”

He had some witty things to say, as always. Such a smart ass. Honestly she kind of liked that about him. He was an asshole, but an amusing one. Attractive too, unfortunately. Especially when he was threatening darkly, as he was right now. She tried not to feel guilty about what they’d done. What good was guilt, anyway? It was too late to take it back. She just wished it had been enough to get the job done. It would have been worth it if that were the case, but no. Now there must be murder.

“I wish I’d never fucked you. I wish I’d just killed her first. It could’ve been quick and easy, while she was sleeping. Painless. But I....I simply couldn’t. And we all paid a high price for that, didn’t we?”

She asked him rhetorically, and then she dialed a number she knew by heart. She ignored whatever response he was mounting. Delilah didn’t answer on the first try, so Haleigh sent her a text from her own ‘number’ insisting that Delilah accept the call. That got her attention. Haleigh smiled and she lifted his phone to her ear, as Bishop slung expletives at her.

She told Delilah calmly that she wasn’t going to let him live this time. And then she let Delilah know where they were, and that she should stop by to bid him farewell. Alone, or all of Hellfire’s Inner Circle would turn up and it’d really become a party. She hung up quickly, as Bishop tried to talk Delilah out of saving him. In the silence that followed he tried to tell her that Delilah wouldn’t come, and even torturing him wouldn’t bring her.

“Don’t be silly, I don’t need to torture you. She’s coming to save you, she can’t help herself. I’m going to go get her gift. I hope she likes it, I had to search a couple of different timelines to find it.”

She disappeared and then returned just seconds later, right as Delilah was raising a glowing hand to blast Bishop’s chains off. Delilah caught sight of Haleigh in her peripheral and instead of shooting the chains she aimed for Haleigh. And then she stopped cold, because Haleigh had a barefoot toddler in a Stitch space alien pajama onesie perched on her hip.

Alexia: Mommy and Daddy!

“Yes, I told you we’d find them! I’m the best at hide and seek, little star.”

Haleigh smiled as she replied to the girl in her arms, who clapped excitedly. Haleigh turned her smile on Delilah, who was lowering her hand, the bright light in her palm dimming as confusion dawned on her expression.

“There’s an alternate timeline, where I was around when she was born, and I wouldn’t agree to their plan to keep you two apart. I created a power suppression chip for her, an implant that would allow you and Max to raise her safely until she got old enough, until we could teach her to control her gifts.”

Haleigh told Delilah, walking closer, until she could pass Alexia over to Delilah without setting the child down. Haleigh watched Delilah kneel down with the girl in her arms, so they could be on a level with Max. The happiness of her friend’s family reunion brought tears to her eyes, and she whispered that she was sorry. The tears spilled over as she pulled the power suppression chip from Alexia’s brain, and slipped a needle into the back of Bishop’s neck. She gave him a lethal dose of sedatives this time, laying him on his back gently while Alexia unwittingly drained Delilah’s life force. Haleigh shifted smoothly, catching the girl as her mother slumped down over Maxim’s chest.

Alexia: “Wat’s wong?”

“They fell asleep, little star. It’s way past bedtime, you know.”

Alexia: “Wat’s wong witchu?”

“I’m sleepy too, it makes my eyes water. Aren’t you tired?”

She replied, lifting the girl up and giving her a tiny dose of sedative to help her sleep.

Alexia: “Yeah....”

The girl yawned. When she turned to leave, with the girl’s small head resting on her shoulder, Cameron appeared in her path. His chest was slick and shiny with blood and his throat was cut deep from ear to ear, but that had been a nightmare, hadn’t it? It seemed so real now, and as sharp in her heart as the blade she’d drawn across his skin.

Cameron: “You’ll take all our lives before you’re through. You know that, don’t you?”

 

[Malice]

Ahadi — The White Princess Guest Suite

:: The girl jolted awake, covered in a cold sweat, her chest heaving. Diana was sitting in the arm chair facing the bed, cast entirely in shadow and watching Scion coldly.::

“Poor widdle baby had a bad dweam?”

:: Scion didn’t answer, she just tried to compose herself as she got up out of bed. Her glance cast momentarily out the window. It was revolting and pathetic, the way her mind reached out across the distance to her former family. The weakness that she inexplicably believed made her stronger. The girl even stood up straighter, prouder, bolstered by her delusions. Scion smirked in defiance. There was too much of Christopher in her.::

:: Diana was on her mind in an instant, slicing through those thoughts. She had the precision of a surgeon, and the prejudice of a woman scorned. There was resistance, more robust than Diana expected, but the girl would not prevail. Scion’s smile twisted into a grimace as Malice broke the hold she had on that thought. The girl’s hand reached out to steady herself, her gaze cast around the room, momentarily disoriented by pain and dissonance, before settling her stare back on Diana. A viscous liquid dribbled from her nose, the color of black cherry.::

“I thought you were smarter than that, Scion.”

:: It was a warning, a last chance at the point of no return, but Scion was heedless now. She licked the blood from her lips but didn’t bother to stem it otherwise. Diana stared contemptuously at her offspring. Such potential, wasted. She was a perpetual embarrassment. Her very existence was abasement itself, and her misguided heroics were insult to injury. Diana would not allow this defiance anymore. She was on her last chance, and despicably the girl decided to throw it away.::

“They don’t love you anymore. Hate is all you will find when you see them again.”

Scion: “Oh, I hope so. It’s the only way they’ll survive. And whatever is about to happen will be much less painful for them.”

:: Diana gave her daughter an icy smirk. Scion walked over to the liquor cabinet, opened it a reached for a bottle, but then stopped when she decided she didn’t need it anymore. The moments like these, with flashes of resilience, infuriated Diana all the more. Not because Scion had the strength to shut down addiction like a light switch, but because of the reason for her substance abuse and subsequent recovery.::

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zizi stretched, moving her neck from side to side. She was at a loss what to do next, what might help them all stay safe and alive against Hellfire. Maybe she should call Dominique, see if the former Black Queen had heard anything from inside the mansion that would help. Maybe a quick break first. Just ten minutes.

She wheeled herself into the living area, and had her new AI system (thanks to Gabe) turn on the tv. she still thought it was cool she could change the channel with her voice. But the Doctor Who theme song had only just begun when she was alerted that someone was in the elevator. She checked the security feed, and the AI informed her shortly thereafter that it was Zach and Ashley. A welcome distraction indeed. She hadn’t seen them in person since they’d gotten engaged, and she had stored up plenty of gushing. She heard Ashley before she saw her, as she wheeled towards the door.

Ashley: "Zizi? We brought dinner. What the hell was that voice?"

Zizi smiled brightly.

”My new security system. And what a nice surprise.“

She saw that Zach was carrying a stack of pizzas which would feed an army.

”Hello, Zach, honey.”

She swiveled towards Ashley.

”And let me see that ring!”

Zizi reached out to admire the diamond ring which looked so delicate on Ashley’s hand.

“You have to let me throw you an engagement party.”

Ashley leaned in.

Ashley: "And I'm going to need you to tell me everything you know about weddings."

Zizi smiled sympathetically.

”No problem. I have a whole file of wedding contacts on the computer.”

She looked from Zach to Ashley.

”Right. Plates, and glasses.”

She wheeled towards the kitchen to get supplies.

”Zach, you can set those on the table.”

She hummed to herself in the kitchen.

 

[Persephone]

It wasn't hard to find him. She knew he made it easy on purpose. Persephone stood outside the french doors of a beautiful sprawling library that looked as if it didn't fit into the relaxed beach side kingdom Ahadi was known as. She was concealed by the thick fog, watching as Ravena sat on a red velvet sofa, flipping through an old book. He was waiting for her, she knew that. She wanted him to wait. She wanted him to know that she was coming for him. To feel confident in his place beside Malice thinking nothing could harm him. To feel confident in his abilities and believe she could not touch him. He was wrong. Persephone turned the handle to the french doors, not bothering to be quiet about it. Stepping into the room, she was dressed all in black; from head to designer toe. If she was going to do this, she was going to do this as herself, not as Helena's Rook. Not as a piece within Hellfire's game. Ravena was from her past and went beyond the walls of the club, and she was going to remind him exactly of that fact.

The fire cracked the wood that filled the fireplace - the only noise within the room. There were no guards, no handmaids, no one. Just them. Persephone walked forward, her midnight eyes never leaving him.

Ravena: "Persopina..."

How he said her name made her sick. It was too familiar. It was how Hades said it.

Ravena: "I've been waiting for you. [turning to look at her] But you already know that. Come. Sit."

"I'd rather not."

Ravena softly chuckled, closing the book in his hand and placing it on the table.

Ravena: "Always so cold. I welcome you into my home and this is how you treat me?"

"You're lucky this is all i've done."

She hissed, circling Ravena like a shark to prey. He smiled up at her confidently before tilting his head and allowing his eyes to roam her body. It made her skin crawl.

Ravena: "You look.....tired. Sleepless nights plaguing you, my dear?"

That made Persephone snap, throwing any inkling of wanting to draw out his death out the window. Disappearing in a tornado of winds, she reappeared immediately behind him as he sat on the couch, grabbing his throat in a vice like grip. She leaned over, her lips to his ears.

"Fuck you."

Ravena reached up with lightning speed, grabbing Persephone by the back of her head and pulling her over the couch in one swift move, slamming her body into the coffee table in front of him. He was now behind her, holding her in the same fashion she was just holding him. His lips were at her ear now.

Ravena: "Can't get enough of me, baby?"

Persephone screamed like a valkyrie, slamming the back of her head into Ravena's face and causing him to loosen his grip on her enough to duck out of his grasp. Picking up a heavy decorative statue that had been sitting on the coffee table, Persephone swung her arm back, hitting the statue across Ravena's face with a loud crack. His head whipped to the side, as did his body from the sheer force of her hit. Persephone got to her feet just as Ravena looked up at her, blood tickling from his nose and lip. He licked it with a smirk, the blood staining his teeth.

Ravena: "Strike a nerve?"

He was on her within seconds, his speed enhanced by his vampire like abilities. Persephone felt her body slam against the bookshelf behind her as Ravena connected the back of his fist with her cheek. Crying out, Persephone blocked the other punch, grabbing his forearm and pulling him toward her, making him slam his face into the wood shelf. Pushing her body against his, she circled around, putting distance between the two of them. Ravena began to laugh as Persephone wiped the blood that dripped from her eyebrow down toward her eye.

Ravena: "Brava....you still remember how to fight. I thought this place turned you into a spineless peasant who bowed to those who don't deserve it."

"I bow to no one. Least of all YOU."

Ravena: "So says the Rook."

Persephone scoffed, her midnight eyes narrowed into a deathly glare.

"You know why i'm here. Why I tolerate Helena AND Diana. Why YOU aren't DEAD."

Ravena laughed at that, pushing himself off the bookshelf. He tried to straighten his torn white button down shirt, grinning from ear to ear.

Ravena: "My, my...you aren't even trying to stay in line anymore. I can see why he found you so attractive.....[his smirk turned salacious] Still haven't a clue who I am or how we're connected, do you Persopina."

Thunder rolled lowly outside as Persephone eyed Ravena darkly, not bothering to answer him. She did want answers. She wanted to know who he was and how they were connected before she tore his head from his body.

Ravena: "Why i've picked you to focus my attention on....Why you're the one I want squirming beneath my touch."

"ENOUGH! WHO ARE YOU!"

Persephone growled viciously, tired of his little satire and games. Ravena began to slowly walk forward, his eyes locking with Persephone's in a trance-like way. He had done this before to her, in the hallway at Hellfire: he was hypnotizing her with his abilities.

Ravena: "Diana really did a number on you....But I WANT you to remember everything. I want you to know who I am and what you STOLE from me."

Ravena closed the distance between them within seconds, grabbing Persephone by the throat and pushing her backwards until she hit the wall hard. She was pinned there, eyes locked. His sharp finger nail began to gently drag across her collar bone like he had done that night in the hall. It wasn't until he finally drew blood that the memories began to flash rapidly into her head. Memories of her past in Ancient Greece. Memories of Hades and his SON. Even in the trance-like state, Persephone's eyes widened realizing exactly who Ravena was.

"You..."

Ravena: "No BITCH, YOU."

Ravena pushed his body weight against Persephone, his lips brushing along her neck and up to her ear.

Ravena: "You took EVERYTHING that was mine by BIRTH RIGHT. I was my father's only heir -- his ONLY SON -- and The Underworld was supposed to be MINE. But then he found....YOU. He was obsessed with YOU. He wanted to give YOU EVERYTHING. And what did you do? You TOOK IT ALL because you wanted more power and more titles, because being a GOD wasn't enough. He tossed me aside like a bastard, giving me the leeches [vampires] to rule as if that was some kind of consolation prize. I watched as you destroyed him...MURDERED HIM....and took the title of Queen of the Underworld. Ruler of the Dark Realm...."

Ravena's voice was filled with absolute hatred as he spoke lowly and with murderous intent. His hot breath danced along Persephone's skin, his hand squeezing her neck tighter and tighter as he spoke with such possession and anger.

Ravena: "You took everything from me....so I decided to take everything from you. Your sleep, your health, your sanity....your freedom. Helena and Diana were my pawns in a game that was beyond their comprehension. I tolerated their STUPID squabbling to ensure I could get what I wanted in the end. [Ravena grinned] And did I ever..."

His free hand began to move along the curves of Persephone's body, his lips against her ear intimately.

Ravena: "How did you enjoy those dreams, my dear?"

Ravena's hypnotism faded causing Persephone to blink as she regained her faculties. She had heard everything, seen everything, and knew exactly what was happening to her and around her, but she could do nothing to stop it. He had released her for a reason, and she knew why. He wanted her to react. He wanted to see her squirm beneath his touch. Persephone's body tensed as she gritted her teeth.

"Fuck. You."

Ravena laughed lowly and sadistically in her ear.

Ravena: "Oh I did. Every touch...every tremble....every time you came...it was me. I was inside you...I still am....I gave you everything you ever wanted and more. A life your precious little Knight could never give you. I wanted you to have it all...to believe it all.....so I could DESTROY IT AND YOU just like YOU destroyed MY WORLD. To take it all AWAY like you took MY TITLE! MY REALM!"

The room began to gently tremble around them.

"MY REALM, ASSHOLE."

A large claw like hand exploded upwards from the ground beneath Ravena, grabbing his ankle to keep him from moving. Ravena's eyes went wide looking down as the ground beneath them both began to crack in two revealing a cavern of magma hundreds of miles below the surface -- HELL. Black shadow like creatures could be seen crawling up the walls, their teeth as white as Ravena's shirt and as large as his ego. They were snapping and snarling as they sprinted toward the surface, Persephone's eyes watching with a dark glee. Another claw grabbed Ravena's leg, pulling him off of Persephone and making him loose his balance and fall to his knees before her.

Ravena: "STOP THIS!"

Persephone grabbed Ravena's chin like she were a mother scolding a child.

"They don't listen to spineless peasants."

She growled, pushing his face away as the shadow creatures began to emerge from the crevasse. One immediately bit Ravena's side causing him to scream out in agony. Another began to claw at his chest, trying to pull him down into the cavern. Persephone stood watching as Ravena struggled to fight the demons who were overtaking him like ants to food.

"I am Persephone, GODDESS. QUEEN of the Underworld. RULER of the Dark Realm. RED ROOK. And YOU. ARE. NOTHING."

The shadow demons began to rip Ravena apart, his screams echoing down the crevasse as they drug different parts of his body down to hell to feast on his soul. It wasn't long before the crack in the room became one as Persephone stood silent for a moment, the grey in her skin immediately began to fade away and her strength returning. Ravena was gone -- dead.....however there were things he did that would not easily fade away. However for now, his hold of Persephone was over.

 

[Black Widow]

Ahadi — The White Princess Guest Suite

She closed the cabinet doors and turned back to face her mother, who was watching her with apparent disdain. Thunder rolled outside, a storm coming in. It reminded Haleigh of her sister. She was going to have to trust Persephone to save herself now. Haleigh and Diana weren’t going to have to do a back-and-forth about whether or not she was going to carry out the command to kill Delilah. She was refusing, and her mother knew it.

“When I came here, I knew you’d use me for your own ends, I just didn’t think you’d waste me on this.”

Malice: “You’ve always been a bit of a fool, like your father.”

“Oh, I’m not the only one.”

She shot back with a facetious glare. Her mother scowled at the dig, hissing her response.

Malice: “After all this, how can you still believe they’re worth it?”

“They improved me.”

She had tried to kill the hero she became around them. She tried to erase the moral code she spent years editing with them in mind. But deep down she couldn’t let go how fundamentally different she had become, no matter how hard she tried. And if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to. She was a killing machine, there was no denying that. She had the uncanny ability to find rationalization for every choice she made, and she could make some tough decisions, when she needed to. But there were some people she couldn’t kill without substantial remorse. And she was even starting to regret the consequences of her choices, despite rationality.

Malice: “They gave up on you. They haven’t even tried. They know they can’t save YOU.”

Haleigh smiled again, and gave a soft shake of her head.

“No, you’d never let that happen. But it doesn’t matter. Whatever you do to me, it doesn’t matter.”

Her mind ran through the possibilities. Diana could order any number of the Inner Circle to murder her. She’d make it good sport for everyone, and fight back. Or Diana could break her mind, imprison her mentally in some nightmarish agony from which she would eternally suffer.

She paused to consider that. Honestly it’ll probably be a vacation from what I’ve been doing to myself lately. At least then I wouldn’t have to fuck anymore men I don’t care about, or abduct any more mutant kids for Kelly’s torture racks, or make any more of these horrendous fucking choices I’ve been contemplating. The thought was a relief, but then she gave a bitter smile.

“Of course, knowing you, you’ll probably just make me THINK I’m doing all those things, just to spite me.”

She lounged back onto the bed languidly, pillows pushed up behind her. Maybe her mother would turn her into a zombie pet of sorts. Throw her in the kennel with the devil dogs or toss her in the Aqua Ring with Heidi’s growing menagerie. Put me on display like a fucking zoo animal to remind all the little underlings not to ever disobey you. I really couldn’t care less at this point. There was something immensely relieving in this, like setting down all the weight she’d been carrying. It was a heady feeling, surrendering.

“So you see you needn’t bother threatening me, just do as you will, My Queen. Because it doesn’t matter what you say now. I won’t hurt them anymore. You may own my bodies, but that’s all. You don’t own me, never have and never will. You could possess my mind and try to make me kill them, but they’ll stop me. Just like they’ll stop you, eventually.”

 

[Tycoon]

Upper East Side — Jones Wood Foundry

They discussed the subject of her investing for her foundation’s future, which Gavin agreed was a wise move, and he offered some off the cuff ideas that might suit her. She was pleased with that, and didn’t seem at all bored with the topic, a fact that Gavin found himself absurdly grateful for. Then she said she didn’t know how she ever got along without him, which was a compliment he was immensely appreciative of, if a little discountenanced.

"On the contrary, plucky heroine such as you are, you seem to have gotten on remarkably well on your own. I’m just pleased if I can be of any assistance, a sidekick, if you will.”

He replied, sharing her smile as the food arrived. They began to dig in, and his was rather good except that as he began to eat it he realized they were fast approaching the end stage of their dinner, and so he began to slow himself down. She picked up on it, asking him what was wrong, assuming it was the food, and he heard his pent up desire tumble out of his mouth like an inappropriate joke.

She looked at him like he’d just told her he believed the earth was flat, which was probably on par with the insanity of what he was suggesting, but he continued to elaborate anyway, because the bell couldn’t be unrung. Well, maybe it could, maybe he could just stop himself and say he had just been pranking her, but it felt so much better to be honest instead so he kept going.

He gave her two perfectly good excuses to decline, like her recent breakup and their professional entanglement, and then he hoped she wouldn’t use either of those reasons against him because as he explained, he liked spending time with her and had stopped thinking of her as just another client. Then he looked down at his plate, because if she was going to throw her drink in his face he knew from experience it would run down his face better and stay out of his eyes more if he didn’t look directly into the splash.

Delilah: "I'm flattered, Gavin, really."

Brutal. Rejection was clearly coming, though she was clearly going to be gentle. She mentioned planning on being a lesbian, and his gaze shot up to look at her in utter surprise. His jaw dropped a bit, and then he quickly closed his mouth, trying to think of something appropriately supportive to say. Then he saw the hint of a teasing smile, and she told him that she’d really like it if they went out sometime.

“Really?”

She turned a bit pink, which Gavin thought was quite attractive, and he started to smile again. It was small at first, but it slowly bloomed into a winsome grin, as she told him she enjoyed his company, and then joked that they should get to know each other better if they were going to be neighbors at the asylum.

“Indeed!”

Her hand on his was warm and he turned his wrist so that his palm was face up and he could brush her knuckles with the pad of his thumb. When he realized he was still staring into her eyes and grinning like an idiot, he cleared his throat and gestured to his plate.

“Well, I promise this is much better than I made it seemed initially. Perhaps you’d like to try some? And don’t forget to save room for dessert.”

 

[Persephone]

Persephone stood silently in the middle of the once beautiful library, now reduced to rubble. Her eyes were shut, chest rising and falling rapidly as the grey pigment in her skin was slowly fading away the more Ravena's soul was being torn apart in Hell. She could feel her strength returning, wobbling a bit in place at the influx in energy. Grabbing the bookshelf to steady herself, Persephone slowly exhaled, a soft black mist leaving her mouth and disappearing as if it had never existed. Ravena's hold on her was gone. The weeks of him invading her body and making her sick were finally over, but as Persephone stood like a statue amongst the history books, she knew the nightmares would not end. He had not only invaded her mind, but her body as well. He had went beyond psychological warfare and did what any spawn of Hades would do: cross the uncrossable line. She felt violated in a way she had only felt once before.

"Every touch...every tremble....every time you came...it was me. I was inside you...I still am...."

Persephone's already shut eyes clenched tightly, his words haunting her thoughts. But what made her even more sick was that Diana knew. She knew who Ravena was and concealed it from Persephone after he had revealed himself in the corridor at Hellfire. She knew he had gone well beyond the point of simply 'torturing' the rogue red rook and moved directly to violating her mind and body. Diana had willingly allowed Ravena to continue to do what he was doing to her....what if she was allowing the same to Haleigh? Persephone's grip on the shelf cracked the wood into splinters at the thought.

The soft buzzing of her phone in her pocket snapped Persephone out of the downward spiral of dark thoughts that were filling her mind. Finally opening her eyes, she pulled her phone out to see it was Helena. Accepting the call, she put the phone to her ear.

"It's done."

There was silence on the other line, uncommon for someone like Helena. It was only then Persephone heard what sounded like ice cubes against a glass, followed by a few more seconds of silence.

Helena: "I was fully expecting Ravena to pick up."

[evenly] "Disappointed?"

Helena: "I would have been more disappointed if he were still alive."

That was one thing Persephone had to give Helena credit for; for as much of a whore as the Red Queen was, she saw past Ravena's smooth talking and bullshit from the get go. It was actually quite surprising that it was Diana he seemed to have entranced.

"Well he's not. Not even Diana can save him now."

It should have been a satisfying 'win'. It should have felt freeing knowing he was dead and gone. But it wasn't. The damage had already been done, and the game still hadn't changed. She was still being ruled by a woman who wanted her dead while her fellow Queen wanted her sister dead. And now, there was a chance Diana would actively try and kill Persephone too because she just offed the White Queen's consort. It was a twisted web that she and Haleigh were trapped in: so tangled that even if they did get out of this alive, they would have nothing to go back to. They both destroyed their old lives by actively destroying the people that they loved. Even if she could save her sister from this hell, they would never be the same again.

Helena: "Good. Return home. I have some....loose ends to tie up."

The line went dead, leaving Persephone to slowly lower the phone from her ear, her arm dangling by her side as she held it. She could feel the emotions brewing inside her like a hurricane; everything from pain, to guilt, to shame, to fear. It was never ending, all consuming, and the only thing she wanted to do was go home. But the mask was on, as it always was. The dark, emotionless mask that kept her sane and together.

Looking around the library one last time, Persephone then disappeared in a tornado of winds, returning to the Hellfire Club.

 

[MorningStar]

Upper East Side — Jones Wood Foundry

They chatted while they waited for their food, Delilah asking a few follow up questions about options she might take. She thanked him, still feeling incredibly stupid, and told him honestly that she didn't know how they had made it this far without his help.

Gavin: "On the contrary, plucky heroine such as you are, you seem to have gotten on remarkably well on your own. I’m just pleased if I can be of any assistance, a sidekick, if you will.”

She chuckled, smiling.

"I don't think I've ever been called 'plucky' before."

Their food arrived, and she unabashedly dug into her's. There was just something about breakfast for dinner. After a little while she noticed something seemed off with Gavin, so she asked about it. And he responded by asking her if she'd like to go out with him, which completely knocked the wind out of her. But if she was honest, she liked him. He was nice to talk to. She enjoyed the time they spent together. So she told him she'd like to go out sometime.

Gavin: “Really?”

He seemed genuinely surprised that she'd said yes, and it made her blush, so she gushed something about enjoying his company and then segued into a joke about getting to know her neighbor at the asylum better.

Gavin: “Indeed!”

She found herself reaching to touch his hand across the table, and felt a spark of electricity as their skin touched. She noticed again how handsome he was as they sat looking at each other over the table. Not traditionally or movie-star handsome, but he had a chiseled quality, like all the stories of his life combined to make the features of his face. He gestured to his plate.

Gavin: “Well, I promise this is much better than I made it seem initially. Perhaps you’d like to try some? And don’t forget to save room for dessert.”

She smiled at his insistence on stuffing her to the gills. But she slipped her hand out of his and picked up her fork, then reached over and slowly snatched a perfect bite on it, which she slowly brought to her mouth and ate it, savoring it before swallowing. Her eyebrows raised.

"It's really good."

She set down the fork and patted her lips with her napkin.

"I have to warn you, it's been a long time since I've been on a first date."

Her brow furrowed.

"I can't remember the last time, to be honest."

She shook her head.

"I'm probably going to bore you with questions about where you grew up, and how you came to work in New York, and whether you have any pets."

She chuckled again, silently berating herself for sounding like an idiot again.

"So you might want to back out while you have the chance."

She finished the beer in her glass.

"I won't hold it against you."

Their server returned, asking them about dessert, and after giving Gavin a look that said twist my arm, she ordered a piece of apple cobbler.

"And another beer."

No need to rush back to her empty suite, after all.

"I do want to hear how such a strait laced financier became a motorcycle junkie, though."

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – The Red Lounge

Alek sipped at a rocks glass of scotch, drinking it more quickly than a liquor of such vintage deserved. He was also pacing, though he kept telling himself to stop. It was making him look too nervous, and even though he was alone in the lounge, Alek knew better than anyone that eyes were everywhere. And perception was reality.

But Seph had just left. And the winds she summoned had never felt colder. Gone off to a place where Ravena ruled and Helena could be forcing her to do anything, could be doing anything to her. And Alek wasn't there. Where he should be.

He finished the drink, and went to the bar, not waiting for the attendant to pour him another, just taking the bottle and filling his glass. He should have gone with her. Or followed her. Anything could be happening. That fucking bastard could be hurting her right now.

Goddammit.

She should have let him kill Ravena when the vampire had attacked her before, openly. But both she AND Helena had ordered him not to. None of this would have happened if he had just done what had known then was the right thing. Malice be damned.

Alek's phone buzzed. It was Security.

[on phone] "Yes?"

Security [on phone]: "Sir, the Red Rook has returned to the Mansion."

He felt part of the tension he'd been holding in his limbs relax. Still, he growled his reply back into the phone.

[on phone] "Where is she?"

Security [on phone]: "In the Morning Room, Sir."

He hung up the call, and threw the full glass of scotch down his throat before slamming the glass down on the nearest surface. He buttoned his suit jacket and smoothed his hair as he strode out of the lounge and through the Red Wing to the common part of the mansion. Stepping into the Morning Room, he saw her, sitting at his usual table. The room was empty, save for her. He slowed his steps as he came up behind her, staring out into the blackness through the wall of windows designed to let the morning sun in. She was alive. And here.

"The Dining Room is a better place to watch the sun set."

 

[Persephone]

The winds died down around Persephone as she appeared in the Morning Room, empty and dark. While this area of the mansion was usually busy during the morning hours - hence the name - at night it was vacant, which she counted on. She didn't want to return to her private chambers, feeling almost claustrophobic at the thought. And the conservatory was usually popular during the evening hours because of the beautiful view of the stars. So she walked over to the table by the window, Alek's table, and took a seat. She still wore her black attire from when she assassinated Ravena, blending into the darkness of the room like a shadow finding sanctuary. She sat there for a few moments unbothered, her eyes blankly staring out at the bustling streets of New York that were growing dimmer and dimmer as the sun finally set over the horizon.

Soon a soft light flicked on in the room followed by footsteps of hesitation.

Servant: "Pardon me, ma'am...I didn't realize anyone was in here."

Persephone didn't bother to look over at the worker.

Servant: "...Would you like a beverage?"

It was then Persephone turned her head to look at the servant, who nearly shit himself at the sight of her. He quickly bowed his head, visibly trembling. For anyone within Hellfire to address an Inner Circle member without using their proper title was punishable by death.

Servant: "Red Rook! I-I-I'm so sorry! I-I-I didn't recognize you with your....."

"Scotch."

The servant raised his eyes quickly, fully believing he was about to be scolded and killed. But he looked relieved seeing Persephone order a simple drink.

Servant: "O-of course, Red Rook."

He quickly turned and began to leave the dimly lit Morning Room, Persephone turning her head to look back out the window silently. It was then the servant passed Alek at the door, bowing respectfully before disappearing into the kitchen to retrieve the ordered drink. Persephone remained quiet, knowing Alek was in the room. She purposely chose a public place, knowing the moment she returned within the walls he would be alerted. She wanted him to know she was okay, but she knew she couldn't go to him outright. Her eyes slowly shut...even if she could, she didn't know if she wanted to...

Alek: "The Dining Room is a better place to watch the sun set."

His voice was like a warm blanket wrapping around her, making Persephone savor the feeling and not answer him immediately.

"I prefer the darkness."

She responded softly before turning to finally look at him. His eyes were filled with concern despite the even and cool demeanor he was portraying for the all seeing eyes that watched. She wanted so badly to throw her arms around him and hold him, feeling like she were being deprived of oxygen because she couldn't.

"The calm before the storm."

She ominously said before looking away from him and back out the window. He wanted answers, she knew that, but they had to continue to play the game.

"Our Queen ordered me to assassinate Ravena."

Persephone knew this would come as a shock to him. Hell, it came as a shock to her. The servant returned with two glasses of scotch, smartly leaving the bottle with them before quickly exiting. Persephone picked up her glass, finishing the entire drink in one gulp.

"So I did as ordered."

She poured herself another glass, larger than the last, and drank it in one go, willing the alcohol to make her feel something.

 

[Berserker]

The Morning Room

His heart leapt in his chest as he saw her, then sunk down to the floor when he noticed her posture, the way she was staring out the window. He wanted so badly to fix her, make her feel well again, to not have to hold back from taking her in his arms to comfort her. He couldn't play the game just now, couldn't chastise her for some invented infraction as a show. So he commented on her choice of location, the worry not apparent in his voice but he hoped somehow it was conveyed to her.

Seph: "I prefer the darkness."

"Yes, that is most obvious."

She turned to look at him, and what he found there broke his heart. He pulled out a chair and sat down, saying nothing more.

Seph: "The calm before the storm."

He didn't respond, allowing her to say what she needed, and to be silent when she needed as well.

Seph: "Our Queen ordered me to assassinate Ravena."

He sucked in a sharp breath. He couldn't help it. He swallowed hard, and nodded. A servant brought glasses and a bottle of scotch. He picked his up and swirled the liquid around in the glass. He waited for her to have her drink, waiting for the key piece of information that was to follow her last statement.

Seph: "So I did as ordered."

His free hand, which rested on the table, made an almost imperceptible movement towards hers. He took a sip of scotch and set the glass down again, before clearing his throat.

"We have no choice but to do as our Queen commands."

It was the truth. The fault could not lie with Persephone, who was following the orders of her Queen. Though it very well might start a war. And Malice, especially recently, didn't always see things logically.

"Is anyone else aware of these events?"

It was important to know if there had been an audience.

"Max is going to shit diamonds when she finds out."

He hoped she would take his meaning, remembering that sanctuary awaited her in London should she need it. He took another sip of scotch, carefully considering, hoping he sounded like a Knight reassuring his court member.

"Don't worry, Rook. Our Queen's command was, as always, justified. You will be protected."

He needed to know what was happening with the rest of the Courts. Ahadi seemed like another universe at this particular moment. He needed to talk to Emiko, and Helena. If this was a ploy by his Queen to justify Persephone's execution, Seph had to leave the mansion immediately. He pulled out his phone.

"I'll have the Red Guard tighten security."

 

[Persephone]

Alek looked concerned, his emotionless expression not fooling her for a second. She knew he wanted answers about what happened, and he deserved them. He had been there through it all with Ravena...more than he even realized. So Persephone downed her scotch before telling him she was ordered to kill him. Alek moved his hand toward her, inconspicuously yet enough for her eyes to look at it, knowing he wanted to touch her. He looked shocked and taken aback before clearing his throat, trying to keep up appearances.

Alek: "We have no choice but to do as our Queen commands."

Persephone softly scoffed at that, moving her hand away from Alek's and grabbing the bottle of scotch, pouring herself another glass.

[darkly before sipping her drink] "Even if it means our death."

Alek: "Is anyone else aware of these events?"

She slowly swallowed the scotch, letting the burn of the alcohol coat her throat before answering.

"Just you."

And everyone else now. She thought to herself, knowing the security feeds were running, and hidden eyes and ears were listening and watching. But it didn't matter anymore; none of it mattered. The game was over and Persephone was done playing it. She was done the moment Ravena revealed who he was and what he had been doing to her. The moment she realized Diana expunged her memory leaving her helpless to a man who wanted to hurt her on a personal level. Hellfire was more than just a chess board of powerful players, it was an asylum of sick individuals that she would have long killed had it not been for her sister.

Persephone could tell Alek's mind was running in circles trying to figure out the best plays based on the information. She wanted to reach for him to tell him to stop, that it wasn't worth it, but she knew she couldn't. And that he wouldn't listen.

Alek: "Max is going to shit diamonds when she finds out."

The meaning not loss to her. He was grasping at straws if he believed anyone in London would give her sanctuary, especially at the cost of a war with the White Queen.

"Alek..."

Persephone softly whispered, willing him to let go of this fantasy that everything would be okay.

Alek: "Don't worry, Rook. Our Queen's command was, as always, justified. You will be protected. I'll have the Red Guard tighten security."

Persephone could feel the anger rising within her as she shut her eyes and lifted her glass, slamming it down on the table.

"STOP."

Persephone didn't open her eyes immediately, the anger churning like a calm before the storm.

"Helena defied Diana and used me to do it. She didn't call Mystique, who could have killed Ravena without him even knowing she was in the room. She didn't call you, her most trusted confidant within Hellfire to do it. She called ME."

Persephone raised her midnight eyes to meet with Alek's now.

"When all is said and done, Helena will talk her way out of a war with Diana and justify Ravena's death. But Diana being Diana will go after me as punishment, in order to keep up appearances within the club. And Helena gets to kill two birds with one. stone."

Pushing herself out of her seat, Persephone stood from the table, a sardonic laugh escaping her lips. A grim expression painted across her face.

"But none of it even matters...because I wasn't leaving Ahadi without killing Ravena, whether Helena gave me the order or not."

Despite her grim expression, her dark eyes were filled with pain. She didn't care that the walls had eyes. That Helena could be watching, or Diana, or Kelly, or all of Time fucking Square. None of it mattered anymore.

"He hurt me. Not once. He hurt me over and over again for WEEKS. And do you want to know WHY?! Because he was my EX-HUSBANDS SON who has hated me for CENTURIES! [throwing the glass across the room] AND DIANA KNEW! She FUCKING KNEW and STILL purged my memory! So what makes you think Helena didn't know too?! That this wasn't the grand plan all along, Alek?! Stop believing I can be protected by the very people who want to see me dead!"

Persephone stopped yelling, the release cathartic. Gripping the back of the chair tightly, she shook her head before letting it hang in front of her. It took everything in her not to break down out of anger and frustration and sheer pain, but that was one mask she kept on very tight. She refused to crack. Refused.

 

[Berserker]

The Morning Room

Seph had done it, killed Ravena. On Helena's order, which was better than having done it on her own. Though he knew the distinction would not give her much consolation. He responded the only way he could, with the formality of his position. They all must follow their Queen's orders. It mattered not what they thought of the command.

Seph: "Even if it means our death."

"It needed to be done. I'd have done it myself. Had my Queen commanded."

He was deliberately vague on which queen. He asked who else knew.

Seph: "Just you."

He nodded. It wasn't a secret that would be kept long, but it would give Helena time. Assuming she intended to protect the Court. All of the Court. He couldn't wait to find out. He must prepare the Red Court for war, to give extra protection to Persephone should anyone come for her. He would not allow her to be taken by the White Court. Not while he lived. He could crush a diamond to dust in the palm of his hand, after all. And Helena...she had to have given the order because of what Ravena did to Seph. She wasn't a pushover; she wouldn't allow such a blow to be cast against her court without retribution. Especially from a man. A man he knew Helena did not like or respect. Malice's involvement had necessitated caution, but not pardon. Not forgiveness. He mentally put the pieces into place, the strategy to put their court, split as it was, to best advantage...

Seph: "Alek..."

He reassured Seph that the Queen's orders had been justified, that she would be protected...

His thought process was violently interrupted by Seph SLAMMING her glass down on the table.

Seph: "STOP."

She was angry, but that was good. The sickness that had plagued her was lifted. She could use that anger if she needed to...

Seph: "Helena defied Diana and used me to do it. She didn't call Mystique, who could have killed Ravena without him even knowing she was in the room. She didn't call you, her most trusted confidant within Hellfire to do it. She called ME."

Her eyes lifted to meet his, and he tilted his head sadly. He wanted to believe Helena did it as a favor. He whispered his reply.

"It was your kill."

Seph: "When all is said and done, Helena will talk her way out of a war with Diana and justify Ravena's death. But Diana being Diana will go after me as punishment, in order to keep up appearances within the club. And Helena gets to kill two birds with one stone."

He shook his head no. He would not allow that to happen. He watched her stand, but did not rise himself. He just kept his eyes on her.

Seph: "But none of it even matters...because I wasn't leaving Ahadi without killing Ravena, whether Helena gave me the order or not."

Her next words stabbed him in the cut, sharper than any knife could possibly be.

Seph: "He hurt me. Not once. He hurt me over and over again for WEEKS. And do you want to know WHY?! Because he was my EX-HUSBANDS SON who has hated me for CENTURIES! [throwing the glass across the room] AND DIANA KNEW! She FUCKING KNEW and STILL purged my memory! So what makes you think Helena didn't know too?! That this wasn't the grand plan all along, Alek?! Stop believing I can be protected by the very people who want to see me dead!"

He stood slowly, then was still, his arms at his sides. Her hands gripped the back of the chair, her head hung low. She didn't deserve this. She was a queen, her place was to reign.

"I believe because I know that I will protect you."

He slipped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug, not caring who saw it. He buried his lips in her hair near her ear, and whispered to her.

"Go home. Take your sister, and go. You don't belong here."

And then he released her, his heart breaking in his chest, tears wanting to come but remaining hidden by the sheer force of his will. His countenance was stormy as he strode from the room. By the time he reached the hallway his phone was out of his pocket and pressed to his ear. He waited for Helena to pick up.

[into the phone] "Are we at war, my Queen? Do you need me at your side?"

 

[Persephone]

Persephone's fuse had been lit, the lists of reasons why Helena was setting her up by ordering her to kill Ravena a mile long. It wasn't out of favor, nor with intent to protect Persephone. She was doing it to kill two birds with one stone, and Persephone knew this. Alek looked up at her with a sadness in his eyes, barely whispering to her.

Alek: "It was your kill."

But it sounded as if he was trying to convince himself of that fact, not her.

"Don't be a fool."

She whispered back, needing him to understand that his 'Queen', the woman he pledged his loyalty to, was more than willing to kill his lover if it served her. She would kill him if it served her, but he was too damn stubborn to believe it. But none of it matter anyway, because whether Helena had given her the orders or not, Persephone would still have killed Ravena for what he did to her. She told Alek as much, sparing him the disgusting details knowing he could paint the picture himself. She told him Diana knew and still purged her memory, and there was no reason not to believe Helena didn't know as well.

"Stop believing I can be protected by the very people who want to see me dead!"

Persephone's hung her head forward as she gripped the chair in front of her tightly, her heart racing with adrenaline after she had let out all of her frustrations.

Alek: "I believe because I know that I will protect you."

She didn't look up at him, instead shutting her eyes grimly. It was always there: that elephant in the room. Would Alek leave Hellfire for her? Would he leave Helena for her? Everything she had given him and everything he became was because of her. And now, here they were, finally crossing that bridge.

"You can't protect me from the woman you're also trying to protect, Alek."

It was quiet for a moment before Persephone felt his arms slip around her, pulling her tightly against his body. She tensed at his touch, her brows furrowing in pain. Her heart was breaking as he held her, feeling like this was the end. Tears filled her shut eyes as she gripped his dark red shirt tightly, feeling his lips by her ear.

Alek: "Go home. Take your sister, and go. You don't belong here."

“Alek, Don’t...don’t let her do this to us.”

And then he was gone, pulling away from her and striding across the room without looking back. Everything was frigid, her heart feeling like it was tearing from her chest. Helena might as well have killed her because it felt like she had already lost everything that meant anything in her life. Her family, friends, body, mind, and now the man she loved with every fiber of her being. The only person left was Haleigh...and she was already giving up to the reality of this hell hole. Persephone grabbed the chair and screamed out in fury, swinging it in the air and throwing it behind her. It crashed through the large windows that she had been looking out of earlier, the cold winter air immediately hitting her face as wind blew into the morning room. Alek was right, she didn't belong at Hellfire, not as a Rook. She was a Queen and always had been, and Helena knew this and was threatened by it. The Endgame was beginning and Persephone was done playing peasant to women who deserved no titles. Heaving in and out, she disappeared in a tornado of winds to her chambers, needing to contact her sister.