Oh, I'm never gonna be the same again Now I've seen the way it's got to end Sweet dream, sweet dream -Jeff Lynne
“You can’t be serious Ayesha, what makes you think that you can assu
me the rulership of Atlantis in father’s absence.”
“As your twin, I have as much right to assume rulership as do you”
“But , but, you are a woman!”
“Than you for noticing the obvious , my brother. But aside from making me more desirable, it should not make a bit of difference.”
“Nevertheless, you have not received the necessary rulership training in traditional male role.”
“And yet, if put to the test, I think you will find that I will be able to command more support from men than you could ever image, not to mention the support of my sisters”
“In order to avoid a costly and possibly bloody civil war, I will cede you the province of Lemuria as your independent province. What say you?”
“I will accept, begrudgingly”
“So let it be done.”
Centuries later
Atlantean council chamber
“It appears, dear sister, that your fears are grounded in fact. A new crisis is upon The Nexus.”
“As if anything else would bring me as a supplicant to your court.” Sniffed Ayesha
“Have you any idea what is is that we just witnessed? “
“Nay, although the portal resembles what has previously bee described by my agents.”
“If I may interject, my lord” said countess Magdalena ‘certain aspect of the portal remind me of the interference I experienced during your retrieval.”
“I thought we had trace4d the blame for that to the Borgia witch.”
“Perhaps, my lord, there is more to this than meets the eye”
“Indeed, let us summon, her to this chamber “
Later
“Lilith, or whatever you are calling yourself these days, are you prepared to defend your actions before this council?” said Emrys.
“If my Mistress permits “
Ayesha consented with a wave of her hand.
“Very well, what would you have me elaborate for you”
“The spell you cast upon the lady Magdalena; how did you learn of it?’
“The stone skin portion of the spell came from an ancient family recipe. The portal mpoisoning came to me in a recent vision.”
“Explain yourself “
” During the final preparations of the stone skin spell, A dark mist appeared before me and I fell into a swoon. Upon awakening, I knew of a sudden the Components to poison the portals.”
“Portals,” queried Emrys” Not just the one used by the empress on that day?”
“I would guess so, there was no component of the spell which designated a single portal.”
“And yet,” seethed Ayesha “you were specifically tasked to interfere with this retrieval only were you not?”
“Yes Highness” Lilith Replied meekly.
“Enough” snapped Ayesha “we will deal with this later.”
“Lilith” decreed Lucien “you are remanded into Aayesha’s custody, I do not envy you.”
Later in Lucien’s chambers
“I think you were a bit lenient on your sisters witch, lover.” Chide Sonja
“What would you have me do? Flog her publicly?”
“Now there’s a thought. A public humiliation would have been so much better.”
“I thought we moved beyond such cruel punishments.”
“Perhaps, but I hear your sister still practices that type of punishment.”
The conversation was interrupted by a pounding on the door.
Magda walked to the door and opened it.
“Well speak of the devil and her personal demon” said Sonja as Ayesha entered the room leading a cowed Lilith.
“Ayesha,” said Lucien “I thought our audience was concluded.”
“Our public audience, yes, but we have much to discuss in private.”
“Apparently not private enough.” Said Magda with a meaningful glance at Lilith.
“By your leave Empress, I did not wish to extend her visit to your dungeons and I did not feel it wise to allow her to roam the grounds.”
The conversation was interrupted by the sudden reappearance of the dark mist from the council chamber. It swirled around the room as if seeking something. Finally it stopped in front of Lilith and began to solidify.
“There you are!” a voice boomed from inside the dark portal. “Did you forget our little bargain?”
Lilith’s eyes went wide in terror “Kek” she cried in terror. As the portal enveloped her and she disappeared with a mute scream.
“NO!” Shouted Ayesha leaping into the portal.
Sonja drew her sword and advanced on the portal.
“Hold” shouted Lucien “you do’t know who or what is on the other side of the portal.”
Sonja hesitated and turned towards Lucien.
Gleeful laughter came from the portal. “Foolish female.” Said the disembodied voice, “You would challenge Kek? Do so at your own peril then.”
The portal then enveloped Sonja and immediately dispersed…
Magda stared at Lucien in shocked silence.
“What do we do now?” she asked.
‘We do what we must to protect our own. We must seek the council of Emrys and Kherion to address this new threat.”