Chapter 9

Present.

- Did you give me this potion because you knew what was coming? - I ask Sarahama who humbly lowers her head. - He is the one who made us disappear, right? Did he protect us from punishment? You protected us...

- Yes, Queen... He only had the effect of increasing power for a while, but his job was to protect you from punishment.

I watch her face for a long moment, remaining silent. I try to collect all my thoughts and put them together.

Since this potion did not have the typical effect of increasing power, but of turning me into a soul wandering for hundreds of years, to be eventually reborn as a human being? What is it supposed to help the twins with now?

- Well, that's right, Queen.... I wanted you to return your thoughts to the past and understand once again the meaning of the potion I gave you.

I squint my eyes, trying to figure out what Sarahama wants to tell me.

- Explain.

The blue-eyed woman licks her lips and looks at me nervously.

- The oracle did not tell you the whole truth, Queen. In the past, I learned from her that you were in danger, so I decided to protect you. Now it is the same. - The young woman is getting more and more nervous with each passing moment. - This potion is for you. Not for the twins, not for the King. You are the one who is in danger, and you must drink it to be reborn as a human being in the future. Otherwise, you will be annihilated Queen, and not by Irene. She is only an emissary of the person who intends to inflict punishment on you. Didn't the Queen wonder why Irene is still delaying this?

- You're right. It seemed nonsensical to me to hear her talk about waiting for me to get stronger so she could confront me. She is mocking me.

- Exactly, Queen, and do you know why? - I furrow my eyebrows, waiting for Sarahama's answer. - Because Lucifer himself will come for you. He will personally inflict punishment on you for killing his infernal monster. He never forgets.

- But why only me? After all, others also confessed that day.

- You confessed, they interceded on your behalf. Ariel reported everything to Lucifer all the time. This boy was spying on you.

- Seth was right when he said he was a traitorous scumbag," I say through clenched teeth.

- You must drink this potion, Queen, and as soon as possible.

- Why didn't you just tell me the truth in the past when you heard it from the Oracle?

- Because I was afraid you wouldn't believe me, so I took advantage of the fact that you wanted to get rid of Irene. I supposed that when it started, you would drink this potion wanting to become stronger so that you would not serve your punishment.

If I were in a better mood, I would probably be parching with laughter right now. It's wonderful how everyone around me managed to fool me.

- So Irene showed up here for appearances? Was I supposed to think that she would actually be the one to annihilate me? She came here wanting to protect Abaddon and be at his side? To take my place when I was taken by Lucifer?

Sarahama swallows her saliva harder.

- This time, Queen, you will not be taken to a coal prison. To cheat and escape punishment is to spit in Lucifer's face. He is the one who will annihilate you. He is the only person who can remove us, if only for disobedience.

- I know this, Sarahama. He raised me," I say in a whisper.

I make no secret of the fact that my brave attitude is disappearing. Now I'm like a scared little girl, not the powerful, ruthless Queen I was centuries ago.

I am a loser.

*

With the vial tucked in my cleavage, I walk down the stairs, heading for the castle door. I am as if in an amok. I can't see anything happening around me.

Like a child, I was deceived.

By the Oracle, by Irene, by that treacherous bastard I let out of my cell for Sachmet's sake.

I have two options: be annihilated by Lucifer, or drink the potion and disappear, to be reborn as a human being in thousands of years. Neither of these exits are satisfactory to me, because I will lose the Underworld, power and Abaddon, and it will all be taken over by the vapid Irene.

This time I am the victim.

I do not reach the door, and sit at the top of the stairs, blankly looking at the dark landscape in front of me.

It's wonderful, but for the first time since I've existed, I'm nailed. I know I don't stand a chance this time, because I will have to deal with Lucifer himself — the being who raised me.

Single tears run down my cheeks until I finally break into hysterical crying. I hide my face behind my hands, unable to believe that I have no way out and will lose everything.

- Mania, dearest! - I hear a scream behind my back. Next to me sits Seth, who looks at my face with concern in his eyes. He strokes my hair, looking shocked, because this is the first time he's seen me crying.

- I thought I was someone Seth, but it turns out that I am a bottom who just wanted to be a clear sheet of water.

- Queen, why do you say that? Why are you in such a state? Did someone hurt you?

- I hurt myself, Seth. I just brought this on myself. - I smile through my tears.

- Queen, at this point you do not resemble yourself at all. What's going on?

- Seth... can you please do something for me?

The boy nods vigorously, not stopping to stroke my hair.

- Paint me, please. Paint me with a smile on my face," I say, and his hand freezes in place. - I want to remember myself like this. Not bathing in blood, not with a haughty face, but smiling.

- Dearest, you scare me.

- It's funny, Seth, because I don't scare you when I tell you to kill others, but when I would like to see the image of myself smiling.

I watch him as he rises from the step and extends his hand to me. He helps me up and, looking into my eyes for a long moment, finally speaks:

- I don't know if it's because you're combining one body with reincarnation, but you're able to be more affectionate than ages ago, dearest. I think I like that.

Holding my hand, he leads me inside the castle, and I do not take my eyes off his back.

This boy can see everything in me. He must really love me very much.

*

I have no idea how many hours have passed since Seth painted me, but I want him to finish the painting as soon as possible, so we both don't have time for a break. He brushes to create what he sees with his eyes, and I sit in one place, staring at his handsome face.

- I'm done, Queen.

I throw a satin robe over my body and rise from the bed. I stand beside him, with sparkling eyes looking at the work he has created.

Until now, I didn't think I could look so good with a smile on my face. It seemed to me that only a haughty face fit me.

With my eyes, I follow every detail of the painting. In it, I am naked, with my hair thrown over one shoulder, smiling radiantly at the painter.

- This is by far the most beautiful picture you have created," I announce, placing my hand on Seth's shoulder.

- Thank you, Queen. I am happy that you like it. - He lifts his face and looks into my eyes. - Can I hang it in my chamber?

- Yes, Seth. This is a gift for you.

The boy rises from his chair, and the smile disappears from his face when he finally notices the vial that lies next to my dress. He walks closer and grabs it in his hand, looking at the red liquid with horror in his eyes.

- This is the same potion you gave us before the emissaries of hell appeared, Queen. Why do you have it again? - he asks me with concern in his voice.

- It is my only salvation if I want to be reborn. It is thanks to him that we escaped punishment thousands of years ago when we turned into souls.

Seth crinkles his eyebrows.

- Dearest, why do you want to use it? Why do you want to turn into a soul? - His voice becomes frightened. - You are the Queen, but after all, we have no secrets from each other.

I was able to sacrifice you to survive, I think.

- It is not Irene, but Lucifer who will annihilate me, so I have no chance. I have to save myself somehow.

The boy runs up to me and opens the vial, forcibly pouring the liquid into my mouth. I look at him with angry eyes, trying to warn him to come to his senses.

- After all, I am the Queen! How do you treat me! - I yell at him, with frightened eyes watching the vial in which only half of the liquid remains. - Are you crazy, Seth! I can not disappear in the next hour!

- So we will disappear together. Where you go, there I will follow. I will not leave you alone, Queen," he speaks, sipping the rest of the red liquid.

My eyes express rage as I look at him. He, on the other hand, dumps the empty vial on the floor and grabs me around the waist. He brazenly kisses me, ignoring my protests.

- Are you going too far?

- For you, I am ready for anything, dearest," he replies, with a close look in my eyes.

Why is my heart beating? It's inconceivable! Previously, my heart fully belonged to Abaddon, even though I was playing with this boy.

Are these the feelings of my reincarnation?

- I am the Lord of darkness and chaos, so I sensed Lucifer's presence faster. He is already here.

Is this the day? Did Sarahama know that it would happen just today? Is that why she was waiting for me in this cottage? Is it just a coincidence, and I was saved by a good feeling?

I break out of Seth's embrace and run out of his chamber. I stand at the window, putting my palms to the glass. With frightened eyes, I watch a powerful being heading towards the castle, surrounded by unique darkness.

 He is followed by envoys of hell.

Tears gather in my eyes as I look deep into the dark corridor. I wrap my body more carefully in a satin bathrobe, and wrap the waist belt tighter around my waist. Then I run ahead as much as I can to see for the last time the man, who has been the most important to me for thousands of years....

This may be my last goodbye. I don't know what the future holds for me this time. Will I ever meet Abaddon again?

One thing is certain: this is my end.