บท 27: Terms and Conditions (1)

Trinity can feel Amlith stiffen up against her, clearly affected by her words. She remains silent for a moment, but finally looks up at her with a serious expression. "You…want to move out?"

"Yes, that's right. I want to move out and live on my own." Trinity can tell she's bothered by what she's saying, so she tries to communicate her intentions more clearly. "I'm not saying I want to move out and leave you behind, I don't want that at all. Rather, I just want to have some independence. You've been taking care of me these past six months, ensuring the staff treats me well and that I have anything I desire. I feel like a spoiled princess you've all been so kind. But that's precisely the issue. I'm comfortable, too comfortable, which may lead to complacency."

"What's wrong with that? If you don't have to struggle to survive, wouldn't you want to remain that way? I don't mind giving you everything and ensuring you're well taken care of. The staff are equally willing to serve you. You've been doing wonderfully with everything asked of you so far. Agora has been giving you rave reviews on your studies and etiquette trainings. Tit and Tat say it's an absolute pleasure to serve you and that you're so considerate of them. The cooks appreciate how respectful you are when requesting your meals and how agreeable you are to their selections. You've been the perfect guest and naturally I appreciate your company most."

"I'm happy to hear that everyone has been satisfied with my efforts, but I still feel as though I'm taking advantage of your hospitality. Everyone has been so considerate of me and supportive, to the point that I barely think about my experience. I've felt so at ease, comfortable, safe and happy here with you all. I'm grateful to feel this way, but it also makes me feel inadequate. Do I need to be taken care of for the rest of my life? Can I not live on my own and support myself? If I need you to always take care of everything for me, then I'm not better than a child. I don't want to remain the way I was before. Otherwise I could've just stayed with that man for all eternity."

"Ok, I understand what you're saying Trinity, but I still think this situation is different. I'm not taking care of you in the sense you can't take care of yourself. I'm taking care of you because I want to see you happy and at peace. After everything you've gone through, I want to see you enjoying your life to the fullest and never need to feel like you have to live for the sake of others. You're free to come and go as you please, I can guide you. You can do that while staying here."

"I know I can, but I still want to be independent. The truth is, for all I say I still need you Amlith. Even leaving to live alone, I have no means to provide for myself. I don't know what kind of jobs are available to me or if I'll even have the skills required to qualify for them. I don't know anything about the city anymore, and I don't know anyone there either. I'd be all on my own."

"Exactly. If you understand this Trinity, then why would you even consider-." Amlith starts.

"I'd be on my own, yes. But I think that's exactly what I need now. I've never truly been alone. Even for all the misery, I always had that man around me. I had Sophia for a time too. Then I had Shi. I mean, I still have Shi, but not in a physical form anymore. I can't touch her, hold her, hug her, or have her comfort me in the same way. Not unless she's in her scythe form, but then it doesn't really feel like her. She's comfort for my mind, but in body, the only one I have left is you Mistress. I've clung to that all this time because it made me feel safe and comfortable. But I can't become a proper adult that way. It's time for me to make my own way, little by little."

Trinity looks at Amlith with slight unease, wondering if she'll take her request badly. She wears a slight frown, but it doesn't appear to be one of true anger. Rather, it seems as though she's processing her request and trying to decide if it's reasonable. "Actually, let's just forget it."

Amlith looks over at Trinity with confusion. "What? You just proposed all of that and now you want us to forget it? If you truly want that, so it'll be. However, I don't get that impression."

"Well, I just feel that I've upset you, or maybe I'm asking something unreasonable. It's a bit of a selfish request to ask of someone who already does so much for you, when you have nothing to pay back in return. I'm asking you to allow me to be free yet asking you to keep supporting me."

Amlith can see her give up on her request with resignation, and while she wanted that, it somehow doesn't make her feel good. Her heart feels heavy, as though she's done her wrong. "Trinity…I'm sorry. You aren't being selfish at all. I'm the one being selfish with you. You asked for a favor so earnestly, yet I sought to invalidate your feelings and keep you with me. It seems you've put quite a lot of thought into this Trinity. Is this why you sometimes seem so far away?" Trinity shrugs with a smile, and Amlith returns a sigh, then a smile of her own. "It does seem you're growing up, right before my eyes. If you're taking this so seriously, then how can I refuse you? However, there are terms we need to discuss and conditions to be considered. You still have your Death Sinner Queen responsibilities to consider, and the upcoming challenges."

"Right, I remember you'd mentioned that. Currently, you've enacted a one-time extension of my immunity, right? You declared that no one could challenge my throne for a year, and it's already been six months, so that means six months are left. Once the immunity ends, I'll have to fight."

"Yes, that's exactly right. I really had to pull out all the stops to get my parents to agree to it, I'll have you know, you better make it up to me," she winks. "In any case, I got you this extension, but there will not be another. On the first day of the new year, chosen representatives from all nine circles of hell will begin challenging you to a fight to the death. If you win you remain as Queen, but if you lose, they will take claim over your throne, and you won't be granted an easy death. No, you won't be granted death at all, as you cannot truly die. You will be sent before the Masters of Hell, and you will be dealt with by their hands. They're ruthless in their punishments, and you'll wish you were dead. Even I only test the waters so deeply out of fear of their scorn."

"I understand. That's why I've been doing my best to train over these last several months. I've developed an extensive regimen, in fact. Every day I run five miles, do three sets of 100 push-ups, do an hour of weights strength training and practice my battle stances and weapon forms with Shi. I think I've gotten quite a bit stronger than I was before, though having a proper spar partner might help. Fighting my own shadow or even your puppets don't tell me much honestly."

"Of course not, they are nothing more than dark energy and dirt. I didn't realize you were relying on them for such purposes. If you needed a sparring partner, I could've arranged one for you. I'd have even offered myself if you asked. You didn't need to do it all on your own. Rely on us."

"I know Mistress, but truthfully I didn't ask because I didn't want to embarrass myself. I know that your skills are far beyond any level I could hope to achieve, Agora wouldn't have the patience and anyone else would feel like they're wasting their time. I need someone who's just enough above my level to challenge me but won't annihilate me or totally shatter my pride."

"I see…I suppose you're right. I can look into potential trainers for you that are closer to your level. That said, however, you'll still be out of their league, no matter how good a trainer you have. Most of the circle Queens use Hellions as their fighters, just like the dog man you fought. As Living Spirits, while the Queens possess their own magic, they are not necessarily strong enough to fight their enemies on their power alone. They all have at least one Knight to stay at their side and protect them. These Knights are usually strong enough to rival other Hellions."

"Do the Knights have to be Hellions, or can they also use other Living Spirits?" Trinity asks.

"No, there's no requirement that they be Hellions, but it's ill-advised for them to not be. As I said, most conflicts are fought with the help of Hellion mercenaries who agree to be the weapon for Living Souls to fight other Living Souls for a hefty sum. Hellions are a greedy, self-serving bunch, so even if they don't necessarily need money, they always seek it. They also love to have a good time and love fighting even more, so they offer themselves up as a tool. Some even prefer to accept sexual favors from their masters as payment, as sex with human souls is unmatched."

"Oh really?" Trinity is intrigued to learn this new information. "So, Hellions have sex differently from human souls? Like, are the mechanics totally different, or do human souls feel better?"

"Put simply, human souls offer the ultimate pleasure with less effort. Hellions are vain, proud creatures and have very particular standards on who they will give their bodies to. They are not easy to take as long-term partners, as they tend to be selfish and overbearing. They are also extremely stubborn and often insufferable. With human souls, you simply need to whisper sweet words, spoil them, or make them feel special, and they'll give everything to you and more."

"Oh so that's how it works? I guess I shouldn't read too much into this between us then?" Amlith can hear the slightly bitter tone of sarcasm in her voice, and she realizes she misspoke again.

"That was only an example Trinity, that's not how I feel about you, I assure you. I'm not trying to manipulate you in such a way. I genuinely enjoy your company and desire you with all I have. I personally have no trouble getting lovers, Hellions or otherwise and I don't have time for cheap tricks. I make my intentions clear and am honest about what I want. I want you Trinity, for you."

Trinity seems to recover and let go of whatever may have bothered her. "It's ok Amlith, I believe you. Anyway, back to the upcoming challenges, I assume you have something to offer me?"

"That's right. As I said, all Queens have at least one powerful Knight, I can offer you many. I have several Hellions who owe me a great debt and would give me the skin from their hides if I request it from them. I'm willing to offer them to you, and they will assure you win each time."

"Ok, and what would I be giving you in return? Surely this offer isn't your heartfelt generosity?"

Amlith chuckles. "You've learned me well. Not this time dear. Trinity, I want you to change this world. You don't have power to go against Hellions, but your unique powers…are unstoppable."