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Chapter 18
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Of Gods and Mice
I stood there in stunned disbelief, my tongue tied in knots.
She knows Megan?
Questions flooded my mind, a torrent of uncertainty crashing through me.
Who is this woman? What is her connection to Megan, and why is she here? Who is Sonia?
My mind raced to piece together the confusing situation.
"Um, may we come in?" Gloria's voice brought me back, her azure eyes carrying a hint of uncertainty.
We?
I thought, realizing that Gloria wasn't alone. How had I missed the towering figure standing behind her? A woman with dark skin and an imposing presence, someone I recognized all too well. Panic surged within me.
What if someone from the neighborhood sees her?
Not everyone around me was a Knight, but enough were to cause serious concern. The consequences could be dire.
"Yes, quickly, before anyone sees you!" I hissed, urgency and anxiety lacing my words as I frantically gestured for them to enter. I promptly shut the door behind them, my heart pounding with apprehension. My thoughts raced as I faced the unexpected visitors, initially focusing on the woman behind Gloria. Relief washed over me as I realized she was in her human form, not the frightening serpent-like one I had encountered in the mountains.
"Ashani, what are you doing here?" I blurted out, my curiosity mingled with an undercurrent of trepidation. Her presence felt like an intrusion, disrupting the fragile equilibrium I had tried to maintain.
Her response was as unexpected as it was imperious. "You will address me as Ashani Devesh Aaban, or at the very least, Princess Aaban." Her words were laden with an unyielding authority, her Indian accent adding a layer of unfamiliarity to the interaction. It struck me that her voice was unexpectedly rich, a contrast to the towering physique she possessed. I would anticipate a deeper tone from someone of her stature, but her voice was light and smooth, if demanding.
My patience wore thin, irritation and frustration rising within me at Ashani's audacity to reprimand me after arriving uninvited. The interruption to my intimate moments with Shayna earlier certainly didn't help my mood. Without Charlotte's usual moderating presence, I felt solely responsible for handling this tense situation with the presumptuous visitor.
"I will address you as I please," I retorted, my annoyance laid bare as I internally justified the harshness of my words through my need to protect my family. "Now tell me why you're here, in my home, jeopardizing both our lives." The sentence came out harsher than intended, but I couldn't afford to mince my words. Her presence here was a reckless gamble I hadn't asked for and wasn't prepared to accommodate.
Our eyes locked in a standoff, a battle of wills brimming with defiance. Seconds stretched into a tense silence before she finally yielded a response, her voice carrying the weight of her vulnerability. "The fox guided me here. I have nowhere else to go."
Her revelation left me momentarily speechless, my mouth opening and closing in bewilderment as even more questions rapidly ran through my mind. A cascade of emotions surged within me—confusion, empathy, and skepticism mingled together. Was the "fox" a spiritual entity guiding her, or something else entirely? She was a puzzle with pieces I couldn't yet fathom, given my limited knowledge of Indian culture and mythology.
I shrugged, surrendering to the unexpected turn of events. Perhaps the "fox" had significance in her culture, an ancestral guiding force, or something. I realized that my understanding of Indian traditions was limited, and my knowledge of her species—she referred to herself as a Nagini—was even scarcer. Wasn't Nagini a character in a kid's book? Her true form, an imposing blend of humanoid and serpentine features, six arms, and nearly twelve feet tall, was very different than the one she wore now.
"We're tired of waiting for you to figure out your personal crises," the Pillar of Light's voice resonated through the air, cutting through the uncertainty. The urgency in her words was palpable, demanding immediate attention. Clearly, the Pillar of Light was not one to waste time.
Gloria's response was tinged with wry amusement as she recognized the distinctiveness of the Pillar's voice. "That sounds like Sonia, all right," Gloria remarked, a wry twist playing at the corners of her lips. With a decisive movement, Gloria set off toward the direction Sonia had called from. The choice to follow was made for me, and I followed with quick steps, feeling I had no option but to go along with the unfolding situation.
In the living room, a spectrum of reactions greeted us. The maid's eyes widened with surprise at the sight of the Nagini. Elly's demeanor shifted into contemplation, her analytical mind undoubtedly at work. Shayna, on the other hand, regarded the newcomers with a mixture of suspicion and concern. As for Charlotte, her expression reflected a genuine fear of Gloria, which I noted and filed away. The Pillar of Light's impatience remained a constant presence.
"Good," Sonia started as we all surrounded her. "Now that we're all here, we can get started."
"You still owe me some explanations, Sonia," Gloria said before the powerful goddess could get going. "Why am I free? What happened to you? Why aren't you with Shelly? Is Eldon okay? All Gaia told me was to come here, and you'd explain. I barely made it out of her demesne with all the chaos, and to see our world reintegrated into Earth spells doom for us."
Sonia's response began with a heavy exhale as if she was preparing to recount a complex narrative. "Let's tackle those in reverse order. The world is in a precarious state. While we Pillars strive to provide aid and mitigate the damage, the situation is dire, and even our abilities have limitations. I'm not with Shelly because she doesn't need me anymore. I removed the Outsider in Jessica; they are together, caring for Shelly's baby. As for what happened to me? Jessica killed the previous Pillar of Light, and I was faced with either watching reality crumble or try to take her place. I've assumed this mantle, hoping to be a more proactive force for good. You're free because—"
Before Sonia could conclude her sentence, an abrupt darkness engulfed the room. It wasn't a mere power outage but a profound obscurity that seeped into every corner, save for a sphere of light that enveloped only Sonia.
"But not too proactive, toots," a new voice resonated through the enshrouding darkness. The timbre was rich and authoritative, carrying a weight of power and confidence. The shadows seemed to gather and take shape, forming a nebulous form that floated beside Sonia. The words were casually spoken as though the speaker was unburdened by the gravity of the moment.
My eyes desperately tried to make out any discernible features within the shadowy manifestation, fearful curiosity mingling within me.
"I am aware of the need for balance, Lucifer," Sonia stated, addressing the shadowy figure directly. My heart plummeted at that name, and I felt a sudden urge to retreat, to distance myself from the unfolding confrontation. The devil was in my house? This couldn't be good. A quick look around showed me that everyone except Sonia and Gloria was terrified. I wondered with confusion why Gloria seemed unafraid.
Sonia's demeanor shifted noticeably at Lucifer's presence. Her clenched jaw and taut posture hinted at an underlying tension that seemed to be a mixture of annoyance and apprehension. It was as though the very air had turned electric with their interaction.
Lucifer's response was laced with a chuckle, an unsettling sound that seemed to stretch across the boundaries of time and space. It was a laugh that carried layers of meaning, hinting at knowledge beyond my comprehension. I felt uneasy, chills running through me as I sensed the ancient power and knowledge conveyed in that laugh. I mentally kicked myself for getting embroiled in this supernatural standoff way over my head, lamenting my helplessness.
"Oh, Sonia! You wound me. I know why you're here and wish to lend my aid." Lucifer replied, the words rolling off his tongue with the practiced charm of a skilled orator. The shadows solidified into a form that resembled a tall, handsome man in his prime. Dressed in a pinstripe suit, with dark, wavy hair cascading over his shoulders, he exuded an air of captivating and disconcerting confidence. There were no telltale signs of horns or a forked tail, leaving me to scrutinize his humanlike form and question whether this was the devil himself.
"Your aid isn't needed," Sonia faced him with squared shoulders. "And what's changed? You've never been one to offer your aid freely. What's your angle?"
"No angle, I assure you," Lucifer stated, his voice like honey dipped in allure. "I have a vested interest in ensuring that your escapee is captured before he causes any more harm. You weren't there the last time he was free upon the Earth. I promise you, neither of us wants a repeat of that era." The gravity of his words lingered in the air.
"I'm aware of his crimes, but with your unpredictable nature, I can't calculate their chances of success. Without your assistance, I can." Sonia stood firm in her resolve.
Lucifer's demeanor shifted, his tone carrying an oily charm that seemed to wrap itself around the words. "Tell me, oh good and righteous Pillar of Light. What did you calculate their success at without my aid?" The question hung in the air, a challenge laced with insinuation. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Sonia's response. My nerves mounted as I watched their battle of wills, the stakes increasing higher.
When she remained silent, he continued. "I recognize that your electronic brain only recently transitioned from digital to emotional, but this situation necessitates a more nuanced approach than mere data analysis and speculation. Your calculations lack precision due to your perception of me as an enigma. You're well aware of the prevailing beliefs about me in various religions. Yet, actions speak louder than words, as the adage goes. Have my recent interactions with you not demonstrated honesty and transparency?" The devil locked gazes with Sonia for an elongated moment.
Then, a faint smile graced his lips, accompanied by a tone of velvety charm. "So, dear and righteous Pillar of Light, enlighten me—what were their success estimates for this endeavor in the absence of my assistance?"
