Cherreads

Chapter 45 - The Price

"ANNOUNCING PRINCE TERU and Princesses Abaddon!"

 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑝-𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝! 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑝-𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝! 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑝-𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝!

 Hearing the ringing of horseshoes against the stone floor all eyes are on the pair as they enter the room.

 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑝-𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝! 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑝-𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝! 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑝-𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝!

 Prince Teru slowly makes his way across the room. Abaddon sits sideways on his back, wearing nothing but a pasted-on smile, and blue-white stockings. Her legs wrapped around the head of a war hammer, its handle rests between her petite breasts. Teru stops in front of his mother.

 "Teru, Abaddon, though it pleases me greatly seeing my children getting along. I'm curious as to what the fuck the two of you doing?" Her Majesty asked, clearly indignant with her children.

 ""Lilith."" They both replied. As if that explained everything.

****

 "Nope, not doing it. No way, no how." Abby protested.

 "We have too."

 "Then at least gouge out my eyes first so I don't have to see this."

 "But I was gonna have you gouge out my eyes." Teru says, a playful smile on his face.

 The pair share a laugh.

 Teru and Abaddon stand in front of wooden double doors that lead down to Lilith's private quarters. Each door has a picture of Abby etched into it.

 "When did she get like this, Teru?"

 "The day you were born."

 "Why?"

 "Don't know. She just had this sudden abnormal obsession with you."

 "What if I had been born a boy instead?"

 "Hard to say."

 "Want to help me convince our mother into having another child?"

 "Would you really put someone else through the same hell you're going through?" Asked Teru.

 Abby doesn't respond.

 The reason for their fence-sitting is this; every inch of the corridor is covered in some kind of art depicting Abaddon in some fashion, at different ages, some tasteful and some not so tasteful.

 Charcoal drawings, oil paintings, statues made of marble, wood carvings, ice sculptures, tapestries, murals along the ceiling, stained glass windows, enameled glass. The list goes on.

 If there's a way to display her little sister, Lilith will use it. Saying she has an extreme little sister complex is an understatement.

 At the end of the corridor they come across a rather unique set of doors.

 "Is that… what I think it is?"

 "Um…" Teru adverts his eyes, "yeah I believe so." His face turns red.

 "I'm gonna kill her. I'm going to fucking kill her!"

 On either side of the doors are a giant pair of marble legs, modeled to look like Abby's legs, in the bent position, spread open. The doors are detailed to look like a vagina, or to be more accurate it's detailed to look like Abby's vagina.

 "Heed my call..."

 "Knock it off sis. You can't kill her."

 "Sure, I can. Just watch me."

 "How will you save your friends?"

 "Then I'll kill her afterwards." Abby replied without hesitation.

 "Though I loathe her abnormal obsession with you, she's still our sister."

 "Fine, I won't kill her. I'll just hurt her really, really, really, really really, really, really, badly."

 "Really?" Said Teru with a wry smile.

 Abby lightly punches her brother in his near side. Also known as the left side of a horse.

 Both doors open; Lilith, dressed from head to toe in tight red leather is escorting her guest out. "Thank you for all your hard work Mrs. Bourg."

 "Call me anytime Lilith." Replied Bourg as she walked away.

 "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you backed out of our agreement. Come on in."

 Abby stands there fuming. Teru nudges her forward. Reluctantly Abby walks through the open doors.

 "Walking through that abomination makes my skin crawl," said Abby, "I demand you get rid of it at once."

 "That's one of the prices you owe me for my help."

 "What do you mean '𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠?'"

 "You have two friends that need my help, ergo two prices you owe me."

 "I didn't agree to that!"

 "You didn't not not agree to it now did you." Counters Lilith. "And as a show of good faith I've already started upholding my end of the deal."

 Through gritted teeth Abby asks, "what's the other price I need to pay."

 "While rooting around in their heads I came across something interesting called nyotaimori."

 "What pray tell is that?"

 "Hold your horses, dear brother. We are waiting for one more guest."

 "Very well, I shall wait, however, if you ever tell me to hold my horses again; I'll smash every fucking thing you have out in the corridor."

 "Do it. Say it again, pretty please. For me." Abby pleaded, egging her sister on. Knowing full well she wouldn't risk her art being destroyed.

 "Is the food ready?"

 All three siblings look over to see their sister Shiori walking in. Dressed in a cream colored off the shoulder satin blouse, a chocolate brown tiered satin skirt, and brown suede boots with white fur cuffs.

 "Just about. I was just waiting for you big sis," said Lilith, "everyone please follow me. We shall be eating out in my personal garden."

 "Why couldn't we have met up there to begin with?" Abby asked.

 "Then none of you would've seen that beautifully crafted sculpture."

 (Character Bio)

 Name: Shiori, Age: ?, Species: Demon, Gender: Female.

 Job:?, Class: ?, Subclass:?, Rank: SS.

 Description: 153 cm, 53.9 kg, Petite Build.

 Appearance: Shoulder Length Aqua Blue Hair, Yellow-Green Eyes, White Skin.

 Weapon: ?

 As the siblings walk through Lilith's surprisingly normal garden, Shiori asks, "How long has it been since all four of us have gotten together like this?"

 "I believe it was right after father abdicated the throne, and mother declared herself ruler in his stead." Replied Abby.

 "He didn't abdicate the throne, he merely…"

 "Abandoned his family, his friends, his country, and for what? All he does is stay holed up in the Dimensional Library researching who knows what."

 "Last time I checked in on him he was looking into scrolls and how they came to be."

 "How long ago was that, Teru?" Asked Abby.

 "Hmm… I don't remember.

 "I checked in on him recently and he was 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 some female guests." Lilith said.

 "What was that?" Asked Shiori.

 "What was what?"

 "That thing you did with your fingers when you said '𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔'."

 "It's something called air quotes. I picked it up rooting around inside Kino's head."

 "Huh, what else did you learn?"

 They continue talking as they reach the gazebo located in the center of the garden, near a small pond, where the chef of the castle and three female servants are waiting.

 "Um Lilith, where are the table and chairs?"

 "I have a different table prepared for this occasion. No chairs are needed for this. Abby, if you would, please go with the servants; they'll get you ready for the chef."

 "Nope. This is where you explain to us what nyotaimori is."

 "That would ruin the surprise."

 "Too. Bad." Abby folds her arms.

 "Just tell us Lilith. I'm getting hungry." Said Shiori.

 "Fine, but do not interrupt me until I've finished my explanation."

 Teru nods his head in agreement, Abby just rolls her eye's, and Shiori just stares at Lilith, waiting for her to begin.

 "Nyotaimori is a type of art form that utilizes food. The model, that's you Abby, will go behind the privacy screen, strip naked and lie down on the table remaining perfectly still and quiet at all times.

 "The servants will then cover different parts of your body with sanitized leaves, while the chef places a variety of food onto the leaves. Once done they'll wheel you over, where Teru, Shiori, and I will begin feasting on the food from your body using only our mouths. No cutlery. No hands.

 "Lastly we'll each take turns drinking wine from your pubic region."

 "Have you lost your fucking Lilith?! I'm not doing that!"

 "I'm with Abby on this one sis. You've crossed the line." Said Teru.

 "I concur. You need to rein in this unhealthy obsession you have with Abaddon."

 "Fine I give. We can use cutlery and wine glasses."

 "Lilith, listen to me very carefully. No one is eating anything off of anyone's body, period, end of discussion."

 Lilith opens her mouth to say something, but closes it. The look Shiori is giving her tells her it's pointless to argue with her any further.

 "Chief, please have the food brought out like normal."

 "Yes, right away Princess Lilith." 

 "The rest of you please bring out the table and chairs." 

 While the servants set everything up,Teru goes behind the privacy screen — a flash of light goes off — a rustling sound is made, 

 Teru walks out from behind the screen on two legs wearing black-on-black brocade paned pants with open slashes, and a button-up front.

 "Do the pants fit?" Asked Lilith.

 "Yes, they fit fine." Replied Teru, joining his sister's.

 "Since nyotaimori is no longer on the table. I'll just have to go with my back up plan."

 Reluctantly Abby said, "…let's hear it."

****

 The Queen sighs. "Abaddon, go put some clothes on."

 "Forgive me mother but I can not. As a part of my agreement with Lilith I'm to stay like this until…"

 "Lilith! Get your ass in here!" Bellows the Queen. Knowing her daughter would be close by to witness her own handiwork.

 Time ticks by and Lilith has yet to appear.

 "Lilith, if you do not show yourself this instant I will order your precious artwork to be destroyed!"

 More time passes and Lilith is nowhere to be seen.

 "Somethings wrong," said Abby, "she would've appeared the moment mother threatened to have her artwork destroyed."

 "Asmodeus, bring Lilith to me at once."

 "Yes, Your Majesty."

 In an instant Asmodeus disappears and reappears with Lilith's unconscious body floating in front of him. "I found her like this beside Kiyomaro, who also appears to be in a deep sleep."

 "Lilith!" The Queen tries rushing to her daughter's side, only to be stopped by Beelzebub.

 "Let Belphegor examine her first. We need to ensure what has befallen the princess won't affect you or anyone else."

 The Queen silently nods in agreement.

 From her brother's back Abby is galvanized into action. "Lucifer, find Princesses Shiori, make sure she's safe.

 "On it."

 "Satan, gather the castle guards and conduct a search of the entire castle just to be sure. Mammon, Leviathan, check the castle grounds. Report anything to Teru."

 """Right."""

 "Leo, Corym, Luna, and Asmodeus, you guys are coming with me."

 Abby hops off Teru's back, hands her brother the war hammer, and heads towards the door, the others following. Asmodeus snaps his fingers, dressing Abby as they go.

 "Um Abby, where are we going?"

 "To see my father."

 Just then one of the doors opens. "Hey guys. What's up?" Asked Alice, poking her head in.

 (Character Bio)

 Name: Mammon, Age: ?, Species: Nephilim, Gender: Male.

 Job: Personal Guard of The Royal Demon Family, Class: Hunter, Subclass: ?, Rank: SS.

 Description: 183 cm, 72.6 kg, Athletic Build.

 Appearance: Shoulder Length Blond Hair, Emerald Green Eyes, Golden Tanned Skin.

 Clothing: Black-gold Silk Vest, Golden Silk Pants, Black-gold Boots, Golden Silk Shoulder Cape.

 Weapon:?

 Name: Lucifer, Age: ?, Species: Nephilim, Gender: Female.

 Job: Personal Guard of The Royal Demon Family, Class: Tanker, Subclass: ?, Rank: SS.

 Description: 175 cm, 68 kg, Lean Build.

 Appearance: Platinum Pixie Cut Hair, Red Eyes, Blue Skin w/ Black Spots.

 Gear: Blackened Steel Chest Plate, Bracers, Greaves, Battle Skirt, Black Boots.

 Weapon: ?

 Name: Satan, Age:?, Species: Nephilim, Gender: Female.

 Job: Personal Guard of The Royal Demon Family, Class: Warrior, Subclass:?, Rank: SS.

 Description: 177 cm, 68 kg, Muscular Build.

 Appearance: Short Red Hair, Red Eyes, Black Horns, A Tail, Burnt-Umber Skin.

 Gear: Thin White Leather Strap Across Her Breast, Battle Skirt, Black Warrior Sandals.

 Weapon: ?

 Name: Leviathan, Age: ?, Species: Nephilim, Gender: ?

 Job: Personal Guard of The Royal Demon Family, Class: Summoner, Subclass: ?, Rank: SS.

 Description: 163 cm, 49 kg, Lithe Figure.

 Appearance: Long Dark Hair w/ shades of Blue-Green Tips, Beautiful Purple Eyes, Pointed Ears.

 Clothing: A Qipao. (That changes color depending on the light.)

 Weapon: ?

 

****

 "Where the fuck am I?" Lilith spins around seeing nothing but white in all directions.

 "You're in our realm child."

 Lilith looks up to see a figure in a lilac colored robe floating down, landing a few feet away.

 "Do you know who I am?! I am Princess Lilith of The Netherlands Empire, second daughter of Queen Cesmak La-Tif, and I will make a filthy fucking pig like you grovel at my feet and lick my fucking boots!"

 "There's no need for…"

 "SILENCE!! I don't recall giving a filthy pig like you permission to speak. Now get on…"

 Lilith suddenly loses the ability to speak. A look of shock appears on her face as she tries repeatedly to speak.

 "Now like I was trying to say… Hrk!"

 Lilith interrupts the speaker yet again by materializing her whip — lashing out with it - catching the speaker by his neck.

 "That's enough of that." Lilith's whip disappears. She turns toward the newcomer.

 Lilith goes to speak again but can't.

 "Lilac, return her voice, please."

 "As you wish, sir."

 "Seriously!? Your name is Lilac? Lilith asked, her voice restored.

 Lilac ignores her.

 Realizing he won't answer her, Lilith asks the newcomer, "why am I here?"

 Instead of answering the newcomer materializes - chairs - a table, and supplies for making tea. "Join me for some tea and I shall answer all your questions." He even pulls out a chair for her, and motions for her to sit. 

 Lilith pulls out the other chair and takes a seat opposite him. The man merely smiles and sits down.

 Lilac steps forward and begins preparing tea for the both of them. In a blink Lilith flips the table up and kicks it at the man.

 "Is something the matter?" He asked, picking up his tea cup — enjoying the aroma before taking a sip — as if nothing had happened.

 Lilith looks around, "this is a dreamworld, isn't it?"

 "Very good. Now that you've grasped the situation let me explain why you are here."

 "Before that, who are you exactly? Not many can best me — a succubus — when it comes to the dreamworld."

 "I am Morpheus the God of Dreams."

 "Is this filthy pig a god as well?"

 "No, Lilac is a Dreamweaver. He is…"

 "Yeah, don't care. Now you better have a good reason for depriving me of seeing my little sister riding my brother bareback while bare naked, well sorta naked."

 "You're interfering with our work and we need you to stop."

 "Who's we? And what am I interfering with?"

 "You currently have two girls named Rien and Lilly running around in the dreamworld trying to rescue Kiyomaro and Kino do you not?"

 "Who's we? And what am I interfering with? If I have to ask a third time, it'll be with my boot up your ass."

 "You would sully your boot on a filthy pig like me?" Asked Morpheus.

 "I'd make you clean it with your tongue."

 "The 𝑤𝑒 I'm referring to are the other Gods and Goddesses in this realm. As to what you're interfering with, it's the rescuing of one of our own."

 "Is that the one trapped inside Kino?"

 "You noticed that, did you?"

 "Hard to miss all that raw power. Care to explain how this came about?"

 "Sorry, I cannot. We're still trying to figure that one out ourselves. Now will you step aside?"

 "I'm sorry as well. Because it was my precious little sister that asked for my help and not even a God, Dreamweaver, or whomever else is involved with this I will stop me."

 "Very well. This is the price you must pay for defying a God." Morpheus snaps his fingers and Lilith is back in the corridor amongst her art, or what's left of it.

 Every which way she looks she sees everything has been destroyed. Oil paintings slashed, sculptures broken, windows busted out. Lilith's vision turns red with rage.

 "Um Lilith, are you okay?"

 Lilith lashes out at the speaker in a blind rage, beating them to death with her bare hands, until a pair of dark red arms with white markings wrap around her, pulling her off the body, restraining her.

 "Let go of me Beelzebub, that's an order!" Shouts Lilith.

 "Beelzebub is following my orders."

 "Mother?! What is going on? Why did you order my art to be destroyed?"

 "I gave no such order. This is all you're doing. You destroyed your own artwork. Just like you…" The Queen loses her composure, and begins crying as she kneels next to the body that Lilith had been pounding on.

 This takes Lilith by surprise. Not once has she seen her mother cry. When Lilith looks at the body her mother is crying over, it takes a moment for her to realize who it is.

 "N-No, no, no, no it's not her. It's not her. It's not her. Beelzebub, tell me that's not Abaddon! Tell me I didn't kill my little sister!"

 Tears well in her eyes. Beelzebub doesn't respond, then the dam breaks as Lilith screams a gut-wrenching, high-pitched shrill.

 Beelzebub loosens his grip guiding Lilith to the ground, her body trembling, tears stream down her cheeks, she continues muttering "it's not her, it's not her, it's not her."

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