Amaya

  I awoke in my comfy bed, surrounded by fluffy tails. While I had wanted to chase after Meluza right away, Lilith had talked me out of it. Mostly because I had no actual idea where she was. I told Iris and Lily to start an investigation together with Lilith's people, hopefully they found something by now. That no one had attacked us after the battle was a good sign, now I had all of my spell slots back!

  As we had breakfast Adhira burst into the room. "There is news about Meluza!"

  "Excellent, who do we kill?" I asked.

  "Slaughter!" I heard a faint shout which sounded like Shani but I did not see her. Maybe I was imagining things.

  Adhira scratched her head. "I am not sure if there will be killing. They said something about tea. I was just told to inform you, Lilith knows more."

  "Tea?" I wondered.

  "I could go for a second breakfast." Lucy mused.

  Meluza was important so we stopped our current meal and followed Adhira. Of course, I stored some of the food, perhaps I would need snacks for the road.

  We walked through the portal back into hell. Lilith's city was a ruin but the rebuilding had begun. With the natural strength of demons and the help of magic it would be a lot faster than in my old world, still the city would not be whole again any time soon.

  The palace was still intact. It had powerful wards and was the only structure with defenses, besides the gate. Adhira led us to a private room where Lilith and Lily waited.

  "I heard you found Meluza?" I asked, as we entered.

  Lilith nodded. "Sit, it is not as urgent as you might think."

  We sat down and Lilith continued: "I got a message from Meluza and Ashema."

  "She kidnapped her! She is going to regret that!" I said.

  Lilith held up a hand. "Wait! According to them, both of them, Meluza joined Ashema for tea."

  "Huh?" I wondered.

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  "We found a ritual used for teleportation." Lily said. "I suspect Meluza was abducted but she could have joined willingly."

  "If Meluza wanted to betray us, why leave the battle and not fight on their side? Or sabotage us?" Lucy asked.

  "We will need to hear what Meluza has to say, it is possible that she was abducted, or that she collaborated. Maybe Ashema promised her protection from Pazuzu and she was not comfortable with our chances of victory? However, both of them do not seem to be hostile right now." Lilith said.

  "Meluza is likely answering under duress. We should free her and allow her to speak openly. Then we turn Ashema into a snack, depending on the answers." I suggested. "Actually, do we know where they are? Let's just go."

  "They are at Ashema's palace." Lilith replied.

  "Lucy, we are going!" I stood up and stopped. "Um, Lily, do you know the way?"

  "Yes, my lady." She replied with a smile.

  "We should bring Shani, in case there is slaughter." I mused.

  "I can join you." Lilith suggested. "We have your teleportation stones to return if necessary and I doubt that anyone will challenge us after the fight. We can leave Kira here as well, unless she wants to come."

  "Good plan." I agreed.

  Kira decided to stay and soon our small group was on its way. As we collected Shani I noticed some changes in the elemental. There was definitely more red in her skin and the bunny ears and tail radiated more power.

  Ashema's city, and especially her palace, used a lot of obsidian and black marble. It looked really edgy but I had to remember that she likely had powers connected to darkness and shadows. Perhaps this provided comfort for her, or an actual advantage in combat.

  The room we were led to had no windows and the walls were mostly dark with some white bits in the black marble. There was light from blue crystals in addition to a fireplace which radiated warmth. Several couches and plush chairs were arranged around small tables. It felt like a giant living room, a slightly depressing living room due to the lack of windows.

  Ashema stood up and bowed to us as we entered, Meluza was lounging on a couch.

  "Greetings, honoured guests!" Ashema looked a bit worried as she welcomed us.

  I crossed my arms. "You abducted Meluza."

  "I merely invited her for tea, but my timing was a bit unfortunate. But it seems like you never needed her aid. A truly impressive victory…"

  I looked at Meluza while pointing at Ashema "Should we turn her into a snack?"

  "Perhaps we should not immediately resort to violence." Lilith said.

  "But my scythe is thirsty!" Shani complained.

  "I could go for a snack." Lucy mused.

  "Please, there was no harm done, or intended." Ashema tried.

  My eyes narrowed. "There were shadow assassins at the battle."

  "I did not send them." She claimed, sadly I could not tell if she was lying or not.

  "Meluza, what happened?" Lilith asked.

  "I was asked by a succubus to meet you, they led me into a teleportation trap and I ended up here. We did have tea and watched the battle, then we discussed the future." Meluza admitted.

  "I knew it!" I said.

  "Slaughter time!" Shani announced.

  "Wait!" Meluza shouted. "While she did abduct me we came to an agreement."

  "Really?" I said.

  "No harm was done!" Ashema said. "I do apologize for my interference but I can be a valuable ally!"

  Lucy snorted. "I don't think you are the kind of ally we want."

  "Her assassins and spies could be useful, if we can keep her in check. Ashema is not known to share our morals." Lilith stated.

  I looked at Lilith. "Our morals? I am so proud of you! Giving you the snack was worth it."

  "I believe Ashema understands the situation she is in. Instead of further violence she could simply swear her allegiance to us and serve us." Lilith suggested.

  "An oath? Perhaps we can…"

  "Hehehehehe." Ashema was interrupted by Shani's quiet laughter as she started to twirl her scythe.

  Ashema looked at it and swallowed. "I, eh,... What kind of oath?"