Chapter 4: The Trials of Flesh

When Alex and Lilith awoke, they found themselves naked in a large bed covered with black silk sheets. The blanket covering the entire bed was made of what appeared to have been brown fur of some kind. The room that they were in wasn't Alex's bedroom back in the house owned by her Father. But it was instead a huge lavished room with two huge chimera statues on two thick pedestals that seemingly guarded the doorway to the bedroom that they laid in. The carpeting was red with a diagonal pattern of red lines. The walls were painted with a shade of bright red and mounted several silver candle holders spread around the room with black-lit candles. As for the windows were stained glass windows that were as tall as fourteen feet and a wide as seven feet with pink drapes that were open as they let in what appeared to be sunlight. The dressers on both sides of the room were beautifully crafted from maple wood and had two mirrors hung from the walls over the dressers. And there was an equally beautiful oak wood desk that faced the bed from the other side of the room.

When Alex and Lilith realized that they were naked, they were rather embarrassed. The one thing that made Lilith's eyes widen most was that Alex's hair that was usually dyed jet-black, was her natural bleach blonde hair. Lilith whispered in shock, "Your hair." Alex then grabbed a lock of her hair to see that her jet-black hair had returned completely to her natural shade of blonde hair. This was something that Alex hasn't seen since grade 8, as she would normally redeye her hair the same color again whenever her blonde roots would grow back.

They had lain in the large bed for some time as they stared at each other, knowing that they were both naked in the same bed with Alex on the left side and Lilith on the right side. This was something they would never think would happen other than in their dreams. Other than their parents at a young age, no one else has seen Alex or Lilith naked before. Alex then broke the awkward silence. "What's happened?" asked Alex. "When we got teleported here, our clothes got burned off. That was something that Elizabeth mentioned when she arrived in your bedroom naked," answered Lilith. "Oh. I didn't realize that. I was just happy that she was putting some clothes on. I didn't give a damn at the time that she was putting clothes on." responded Alex with a tone of jealousy. Lilith giggled at what Alex had said.

"What?" asked Alex, a little frustrated with Lilith's laughter. "Jealous much?" asked Lilith with a smirk, knowing all too well that Alex is attracted to Lilith just as much as Lilith is attracted to Alex. Alex blushed. "No," said Alex trying to hide her true feelings. "Alex, I have something to say. Elizabeth told me that you have feelings for me as in more than a friend," said Lilith calmly and with a smile that was hard to contain. At hearing what Elizabeth had told Lilith, Alex covered her head with the fur blanket and cried. "Why are you crying, Alex?" asked Lilith as tears began to form in her eyes as well. "l was just afraid that you wouldn't understand and that you wouldn't be friends with me anymore. I have always felt so alone for years because of myself only ever being attracted to girls. And you are so awesome." said Alex, in between each howling sob. "Alex, I have always felt the same way ever since we met in Mr. Peach's class. Every day that I have woken up or gone to sleep, you have been on my mind in one way or another. You are my morning star, and you are the north star that leads me home when I'm lost in the waters ruled by the night sky." said Lilith smiling as tears began to pour down her cheeks.

Alex took the fur blanket off her head and looked at Lilith with the biggest smile. "You bitch! You made me cry!" yelled Alex with glee. Both Alex came closer together to wipe the tears from each other's cheeks with their minds. They then pulled each other's naked bodies closer and closer underneath the fur blanket until their naked bodies were in each other's passionate embrace as their arms held each other so close that their breasts did not depend on the cradling of bras to be held close to their hearts, but instead it depended on the drive fueled by the loving energy that pushed them together as new found lovers.

As they kissed each other's lips lightly, it soon became apparent that what was said was indeed true. With each taste of each other's lips, it was more than the taste of flesh that met their taste. It was a fiery desire that they held dormant for far too long. This imprisoned force guided their movements.

After a while of pleasure, Alex broke contact with Lilith's lips and said, "l don't know if I'm ready just yet." Lilith studied the features of Alex's face as she said, "It's okay. I'm a virgin as well. I also never kissed another woman before. But I'm happy that you were my first kiss." Alex was stunned as she didn't know what to say. Still, she did know that Lilith would be the one that Alex would give herself towards as they passionately studied each other by the sensation of touch and taste as they continued experiencing passion through their kisses.

Lilith loosened her embrace on Alex's silky, smooth body as she reached for Alex's breasts without breaking contact with their lips. Lilith then realized that Alex's nipples had already been erect and hard. The sensation of Alex's breast being in Lilith's right hand as it was so smooth and her hard nipples had only made Lilith even more excited as she wished to continue to explore her sexuality and Alex's body that much more.

Before Lilith could make any more advances on to Alex's bodily features, Alex wrapped her left leg around the bottom of Lilith's legs and started to explore the left side of Lilith's neck with her lips and the occasional biting that left no mark but only induced sexual pleasure in both of them. When Alex did this, it only drove Lilith into a more potent state of bliss.

At this point, Lilith and Alex began to breathe more heavily; they could feel their heart rates increased as they continued to lavish each other in their passions of the flesh in which their spirits would be as one at this moment. This truly was a special moment for the two of them as their barriers easily broke apart, piece by piece, revealing to each other who they were deep down inside as to who they truly were.

"Wow," said Lilith as it was obvious in her voice that she was enjoying the sensation of Alex tasting her skin as they both felt themselves getting hotter and sweatier. As Alex kissed Lilith's neck, Alex could feel that Lilith's pulse was beating faster as her lips touched Lilith's skin. As time had gone by, Lilith thought she was going to go insane with excitement as she threw the fur blanket off her and Alex, exposing each other's natural beauty fully to one another.

Lilith then pushed Alex onto her back and mounted her pelvis as she rested her buttocks on Alex's thighs. Alex looked at Lilith's beautiful body in awe and admiration. Lilith's skin truly matched the beautiful pale moon. Lilith's red hair was draped over Lilith's left shoulder, and her pink nipples were placed ever so carefully on her D-cup size breasts. Lilith's pubic hair was trimmed but was just as a beautiful shade of red as the hair that draped her shoulder. Alex had thought in her mind that "God definitely could ban this passion as it was too beautiful for any mortal to indulge in." Lilith noticed Alex's gaze up at her naked body. "What is it?" asked Lilith, worried that something might be wrong. "You are even more beautiful than I had imagined!" exclaimed Alex with a smile as she grabbed Lilith by her right hand. Alex then proceeded to kiss Lilith's hand and pulled Lilith closer inch by inch as Alex's kisses traveled higher and higher up Lilith's arm until Lilith was resting completely on Alex. This feeling was a little uncomfortable for Alex as Lilith's breasts rested on her breasts, but she did enjoy it as well. Alex then placed her hands around Lilith's buttocks with a loose grip as she had indeed planned on enjoying Lilith's body just as much as Lilith was planning on enjoying Alex's body.

Alex and Lilith continued to kiss and suckle on each other's breasts in this position for what seemed to be mere seconds in bliss but was indeed several minutes. "I have an idea," said Lilith, with a smile as she crawled backward, almost as if she were sliding down Alex's body. When Lilith got down to Alex's feet, Lilith spread Alex's legs apart and what Lilith had seen was a view that she had perceived to be very much as beautiful. "You are so beautiful," Said Lilith as she could tell that saying this was making Alex that much more comfortable.

As Lilith came in closer towards Alex's vagina, she placed her hands on both of Alex's arched-up legs as she began to caress them. Alex, knowing that what she was about to experience would cause her to teeter on the edge of heaven, reached for a pillow from behind her and placed it under her back as it would support her view of the passion that Lilith's lips would enthrall. As the pillow had propped up Alex's back, Lilith kissed Alex's thighs as she continued to caress. Alex very much enjoyed this as she rocked her head back and forth a few times while biting her lower lip.

When Lilith would kiss each of Alex's thighs, Lilith's kisses would lead up and inward just before reaching Alex in her pubic region as the kisses would trail back out and down each leg again. Lilith could tell that Alex was getting turned on as Lilith was beginning to hear Alex's faint moans. Lilith then grabbed Alex by her hips as she finally gave Alex what she had deeply desired.

As Lilith pressed her face into Alex's vagina, Lilith could easily notice that it was substantially wet and significantly warmer than Alex's legs. Lilith had enjoyed this experience as she used her tong and lips to make sure that Alex would enjoy experiencing her.

Alex was really as she was moaning loudly as time had gone by, but she wanted Lilith to feel just as good as she was feeling. Alex screamed, "Stop!" Lilith was shocked by this as she asked, "What's wrong?" Alex, trying to catch her, simply said, "Your turn." Lilith smiled as they both switched positions so that Lilith would enjoy the submissive role and Alex would be the one with the position of power that would indulge in the tasting of the sweetness of Lilith's womanhood.

As Alex began her descent down Lilith, kissing a trail as she went, Lilith interrupted her as she grabbed Alex's breasts, forcing Alex to meet Lilith at face level. Lilith then placed a long passionate kiss on Alex's lips and stuck her tong in her mouth. Lilith then adjusted her hands as she slowly moved her hands from Alex's breasts so that she could cradle Alex's head for a more intimate kiss. When Lilith broke contact with Alex's lips, Lilith smiled and said softly, "l felt like being kinky. So, I just wanted you to taste yourself before you could have a chance to taste me."

Alex had returned her smile as she continued to explore Lilith's body with her lips as Alex began to kiss Lilith's neck just under the jaw line leading to Lilith's left ear. When Alex's mouth got to Lilith's left ear, she lightly bit on to her ear lobe. This made Lilith moan as she was horny from the start, and this sensation only made her that much more consumed by passion. Alex then began to kiss Lilith's body as she slowly moved her lips with each kiss from Lilith's neck down towards her naval as Lilith's sweaty body had contorted with the movements of each kiss.

When Alex had reached Lilith's naval, Lilith had widened the position of her legs, showing Alex a view that Alex could only perceive as beauty. Lilith's pubic hair was trimmed and kept maintained. Lilith's pubic hair is a lovely shade of red that is like her beautiful hair on her head. Alex then smiled as she looked up to see that Lilith was biting her lower lip as she had both of her hands on her breasts, playing with her nipples with delight. Alex then inserted her right index finger into Lilith's vagina as it secreted her vaginal lubricating liquids. Alex then pulled out her finger, revealing that her finger was covered with the liquid of Lilith's bodily discharge. Lilith had watched with enjoyment as Alex placed her finger in her mouth as she tasted what was on her finger. The taste was bitter, but strangely, Alex had very much enjoyed the taste of this lovely sample of vaginal discharge.

"Just going to dig in?" asked Lilith jokingly with a giggle. Alex then gave Lilith playfully a series of light slaps on her thighs as Alex responded with glee, "Yes. I have a craving". Alex leaned in and rested her arms on the bedding as she placed her lips on Lilith's vagina, beginning to have her way with Lilith's body. Alex indulged herself into Lilith just as much as Lilith moaned more and more, with each moan slightly louder than the last. Lilith's grasp on her breasts tightened more as she came closer to orgasm.

"Ok. Let's get into the sixty-nine position," suggested Lilith. Alex, without hesitation, took one last long lick of Lilith's vaginal fluids just before withdrawing herself away from Lilith's pubic region. Lilith, catching her breath, leaned forward and removed all of the pillows supporting her back so that she may lay flat on the bed. Alex then crawled over to Lilith's right and turned her head so that she was facing the opposite direction and could become quickly reacquainted with Lilith's genitals as Lilith brushed her red hair from her face and out of the way as Alex raised her leg over Lilith's head as Alex lightly rested her buttocks on Lilith's face and leaned forward so that they may perform oral sex on each other simultaneously. Their genitals were wet as they stimulated each other with their lips, tongs, and fingers. They stimulated each other for quite some time as their moans became blissful screams. And as their screams became almost ear piercing, they both realized that they were both going to orgasm. Suddenly, Alex had a powerful discharge of vaginal fluids burst from her genitals and into the mouth of Lilith. This came as a lovely surprise to Lilith as suddenly, she too had reached orgasm at the taste of Alex's fluids but did not share a similar discharge of fluids.

This was the first time being with another woman for both Alex and Lilith as it could be easily considered one of the best experiences that ever had together. As they collapsed, Alex used what little strength she had left to push herself off Lilith to lay on her back beside Lilith and reached for Lilith's hand to hold. They said nothing as they only smiled. Several minutes had passed as all they heard was each other's gasps for air as they began falling asleep.

Both of them slept without even recovering themselves with the brown fur blanket. And as they slept there on the large bed covered in black silk sheets, a loud knocking came from the bedroom door followed by it opening. "Good Morning!" yelled Elizabeth happily as she walked into the room wearing a beautiful black gown. Elizabeth smiled as she saw the messy bed with both Alex and Lilith holding hands as they were naked as they sat up. "l know what you two did. The room stinks of pheromones," said Elizabeth with a wink. Elizabeth then walked over to the dresser and pulling out some clothes. Both Alex and Lilith blushed as they held each other in their arms. Alex and Lilith soon released their grip on each other as they were amazed by what they had seen Elizabeth withdraw from the dresser's drawers.

The dress that Elizabeth had given to Alex was black with a golden floral pattern and black leather shoes. As for Lilith's dress was of a similar design, but instead, the floral pattern was red, and the dress was green with a pair of red leather shoes. Elizabeth also placed custom-designed sterling silver necklaces with their strange mystic symbols etched into the charms that would have been considered fashionable. They had a strange glow to them that quickly faded.

Alex screamed, "Holy shit!" as she and Lilith quickly crawled out of the large bed to greet their new wardrobes. "Oh my God!" said Lilith with equal astonishment. Suddenly, a growl sent a shiver down Alex's and Lilith's spines that made them almost forget their joy in seeing the dresses. Both Lilith and Alex looked to see that the stone Chimera statues that guarded the doorway came to life as their eyes suddenly emitted a terrifying red glow. The Chimeras' nostrils and mouths began to breathe out a thick red mist. The Chimeras' bodies changed their appearance from their smooth course stone look to a very cracked and rigged surface as the color also changed from grey to a smoky black color.

This horrified Lilith and Alex, seeing these creatures dismount their pedestals and turned their detested gaze towards Lilith. The chimera's growls got only louder as they showed their teeth and got into a physical position like a mad dog about to devour its victim. It was at this moment that Lilith and Alex truly thought they were going to die. Alex had let out a terrified scream.

"Heel!" barked Elizabeth with an unholy voice as she turned to face the beasts. Elizabeth's ears grew long and pointed. Her facial structure was unrecognizable as she had brought sheer terror to the Chimeras as they backed away slowly with their tails between their hind legs quivering in fear. Elizabeth walked to the bedroom door and opened it. Elizabeth had then morphed back to her human form as she said with a giggle, "It is lunch time, boys." The Chimeras then ran out of the room, barking almost happily as they made their way to where their food would be waiting.

"What the hell were those?" asked Lilith. "They are Chimera, a breed of hellhound. Don't worry. Just be sure not to say the 'G' word. The beasts, both domesticated and wild, of Hell, don't like to hear it, regardless of whatever language that you may speak. The only exception would be gods like Ares, Zeus, and Enki. Specifically, any pagan god," explained Elizabeth. "Why those sorts of gods?" questioned Alex. "Well, it is because they don't send angels to attack us. When someone dies on this realm, they cease to exist, but all beings are also immortal on this realm unless they are killed by means of which would be considered unnatural," answered Elizabeth. "Unnatural how?" asked Alex. "Murder, Poison. Ironically, even Fire," she said with a gesture as if this is how things have always been.

"Well, that's fucked up. Anyways, may we have our clothes now, please?" asked Lilith. "Yes. Of course, you may. Here," said Elizabeth with a giggle as she picked up the gowns off the dresser and handed the gowns to them.

After Alex and Lilith were fully dressed, they had looked at each other and were amazed by how beautiful the dresses had looked at each other. Elizabeth watched and waited for Alex's and Lilith's reactions. Both Alex and Lilith stood there adoring each other in the dresses that Elizabeth had given them to wear. "Well, it is obvious that you both enjoy the dresses," said Elizabeth. "Yes. Thank you," said Lilith. "Of course, they're beautiful. Just like you," said Alex with a wink. "So, you've had sex with Lilith. Now, you desire to sleep with me. Is that right?" asked Elizabeth. Both Alex and Lilith blushed. Alex stuttered, "No, I was a kiss-ass. The dresses are beautiful. Thanks!" Elizabeth laughed. "I'm only fucking with you. Don't worry," she said as she stuck her tongue at Alex. "Oh, boy," said Lilith with her face in her hands as she tried concealing her embarrassment.

"Well, we must be going. Your mother is expecting us," said Elizabeth. "My Mother," said Alex as she began to think about her mother being alive all of these years. Alex thought deeply about her Mother's absence in her life and everything that her Mother has missed. A decade of birthdays and Christmases had passed since her Mother's disappearance. "Let's go and meet," said Lilith. "Wait a moment!" interrupted Alex. "Why is it that my mother hasn't spoken to me in a decade? Does she care so little?" Alex asked angrily. "There will come a time when you will understand. It may not be today. It might not be tomorrow, but you will become greater than she ever has been. And for me to say something like that is normally blasphemous as her servant but not this time. As for now, I need you to trust me," explained Elizabeth. A moment of awkwardness had gone by before Elizabeth asserted, "Your Mother is expecting us."

Alex grabbed and held onto Lilith's hand as Elizabeth walked over to the door, placed her hand on the brass doorknob, and started opening it. "Oh. You didn't even bother looking through the bedroom window, didn't you?" asked Elizabeth. "No," answered Lilith. "Good because I want you to experience this kingdom with your feet in the soil and the air in your lungs and the light of day on your skin," said Elizabeth as she opened the door that stood between them and the rest of existence.

As Alex and Lilith followed Elizabeth through the doorway, both had fallen prey to disbelief as they realized that they were not walking through a mansion or a castle but that they were underground inside a megalithic-sized cavern. As both Alex and Lilith are naturally tall for being young women, they felt incredibly small based on the view they both had of this place as they looked up in awe as what they seen astounded them both. There were four platforms on each of the four-hand chiseled walls of the cavern that supported the weight of four monolithic-sized black iron chains that descended from four black iron framed sockets in the cavern walls. These chains led down into a huge pit in the center of the cavern chamber filled with lava and could best be described as a large crater. This pit had a large wall with a gate that surrounded the pit of lava to ensure that no one or nothing could get in or get out. As they looked upward, they could just barely see the stalactites on the cavern ceiling.

"What is this place?" asked Alex as both she and Lilith looked around in awe at the monolithic-sized aperture in the ground and seemingly flawless. "We are in Hell. And where we are, is in a group of underground caverns in one of the territories of the Fire Skull Clan. Territories here, in Hell, are more than just areas of land. They are in the oceans, the skies, underground caverns. Everywhere are everything is either conquered or is currently contested between opposing tribes, factions, and alliances," stated Elizabeth.

Before Alex and Lilith could truly comprehend what Elizabeth had said, Elizabeth reminded, "We must be going." Alex and Lilith then recollected themselves as they were still transfixed by where they were. Elizabeth then continued to lead them through the chiseled-out cavern and lead them through a few tunnels. As some time had gone by, Alex's feet were starting to hurt. And just before she was about to take off her high-heeled shoes, they finally approached a set of large arched doors.

The two doors that the three of them had approached are made of stone, and on this door, there is a large inverted pentacle etched deep into the cold stone surface of the stone doors. When both Alex and Lilith looked upon these doors, they knew something resonated from this door. Alex and Lilith thought these doors were eerie and yet comforting.

Elizabeth lifted her left hand towards the doorway and simply said, "The universe is much like the nature of man." The symbol on the door began to glow with an electric blue color as blue smoke began to rise from the stone-etched symbol. After a moment, the smoke began to dissipate, and the etching of the inverted pentacle on the stone door vanished completely.

"Well, that was easy. How did you do that?" asked Alex. Elizabeth turned to look at Alex and said, "You use your life as you will. And when you do with conviction, nothing will stop you other than yourself." Alex thought what Elizabeth had said was insightful. But before she was able to think of a response, there was a sudden loud high-pitched screech that was quickly followed by a violent stream of powerful winds that caused the three companions to collapse as they reached with their arms forward, concealing their faces as well as stabilizing their balance. As the screeching sounds were deafening, the wind was blinding. It was nearly overwhelming.

They continued moving against the current as each trembling step becomes heavier and their breathing became more difficult. Before Alex and Lilith succumbed to the force of these winds, Elizabeth screamed aloud, "No!" Then suddenly, both the winds and screeching had ceased as the doors slammed shut, causing a loud crack to echo through the chiseled stone tunnel. No dust had settled as there no longer was any dust on the tunnel floor and not on the tunnel walls. Before they realized it, the stone doors had reopened, and there stood a small figure.

It was a small girl in a blue-laced dress. This girl had the look of a young child. Her skin was tan, petite with brunette hair and blue eyes. She wore a baby blue dress that made her seem like she had an aura of innocence. If this were any other circumstance or place, Alex and Lilith would have assumed that she was just some girl, but they both knew that this isn't the case and that this girl was far from normal.

"Oh. I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were the intruders," said the young girl with a high voice. "Intruders?" asked Elizabeth. "Yes, ma'am. Whomever it was, killed two of our chimera guardians," said the young girl. "Those things can be killed? Who'd want to try?" wondered Alex. "Jennifer, are you okay? Do you know where the intruders had gone?" asked Elizabeth as she embraced the young girl. "I'm just scared, and no, I don't know where they could have gone, ma'am," said Jennifer as a tear streamed down her face. "It's going to be alright, Jennifer. You're safe with us. There is someone I want you to meet," said Elizabeth with relief.

"Hello," said Alex and Lilith in unison. Jennifer shyly tried to hide behind Elizabeth. "It's alright. This woman is the Lady Lamashtu's daughter, Alexandria," said Elizabeth, motioning the young girl in Alex's direction. "Oh, hello. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, your grace," said Jennifer as she curtsied. "You don't have to do that, and my friends just call me 'Alex,'" said Alex. "Very well. Your mother has told me much about you. Quite often she'd say that I had reminded her of you," said Jennifer. "You reminded her of me? How scary of a child was I?" thought Alex while trying to keep her composure as Jennifer hugged her. "You're too cute to be scary," said Lilith. "Who said I was scary?" asked Jennifer with a look of concern as her eyes started to tear up.

"Oh, boy," thought Lilith. "Jennifer, she's just amazed by your abilities. It looks like you have better control of them. You've been practicing without me, haven't you?" asked Elizabeth with a wink. "Yes, I sure have. I should show what I can do now," said Jennifer. "I would love to, but I have to go see Lady Lamashtu," said Elizabeth. "Okay," said Jennifer with a smile. As both Alex and Lilith walked past Jennifer, she noticed that something didn't seem right about Lilith and stopped them. "Wait. Who are you?" demanded Jennifer as she pointed at Lilith. "Oh. I'm Lilith. I'm Alex's friend," said Lilith with a slightly shocked expression. "You reek of the heavens," said Jennifer with a mean tone. "She is alright. She won't do anything. You can trust her," said Elizabeth with an assuring voice. "Okay, but I'll be watching," said Jennifer as she walked away.

Elizabeth led the way through the doorway into the adjacent hallway as Lilith and Alex followed. The hallway was long, huge, and lit with onyx chandeliers and white marble walls and flooring with a black marble inlay. With each step that they took, there was an echo.

"Did I say something wrong back there? What did she mean that I 'reek of the heavens'?" asked Lilith. "Hard to say. Maybe it's your perfume?" said Elizabeth with a chuckle. "But still, she's never reacted that way with any visitors before. I'm not sure why," continued Elizabeth. "Well, whatever the reason is, I wouldn't want to mess with her," said Lilith. "Yeah, humans wouldn't stand much of a chance in a fight with demons. I'll have to ask her later, but we have more pressing matters to attend to. So, it'd be best if you stayed close to me, Lilith," said Elizabeth. "After seeing what that little girl can do, I certainly will," said Lilith as they approached a large set of doors.

"Well, here we are," said Elizabeth as she pushed open the doors, and as they opened, it was revealed that the two dead chimeras in a large puddle on a large stair landing overlooking a massive dining hall filled with a large black oak table and chair that had the intricate detail and strange symbols carved into their design. At the far end of the long table sat a woman in the largest chair that was almost like a throne, yet also compliment the design of the table and chairs that were present.

Alex could barely make out the woman's physical features from the great distance away, but she recognized her. "Mom! Oh, fuck! If these Chimeras are dead, then what about her? Mom!" screamed Alex as she ran past the two dead chimeras, down the stairs, towards the woman. As she came close, Guinevere stood up from the large dining hall chair and embraced her. "That's okay, my dear. Mother is here," said Guinevere as she kissed Alex's forehead while Alex wept loudly. "There. There, my dear. Let it all out, Alex," said Guinevere. "Why did you leave me? Why did you leave Aaron and Dad? Aaron is dead, and everyone thought you were as well," screamed Alex between each sob.

"Follow me, Lilith," said Elizabeth as she led Lilith down the stairs to an adjacent door. "We have much to discuss," continued Elizabeth as she opened the door to a room that is of much more modest accommodations. The room had a lit fireplace with cobblestone walls and flooring. There were two oak chairs placed at a modest-sized table that had been set for two people. On the table was a roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, corn on the cob, and a bottle of wine with two wine glasses.

"Sit, eat and drink," said Elizabeth as she closed the door behind them. "Drink wine?" asked Lilith. "Oh. Wow. I never had wine before," said Lilith. "I know, but you did have a beer before with Alex," said Elizabeth with a knowing smirk. "That is also true," said Lilith with an expression that there was no deception on her part. "Shut up and pass the potatoes," said Elizabeth as they both began to eat.

As they ate, Lilith thought for a moment before resuming their conversation. "So, what was it that you wanted to discuss earlier," asked Lilith. Elizabeth took a large gulp of wine from her glass before answering, "Well, you see, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Alex, being a member of our clan of demons, known as the 'Red Skull Clan,' as well as the heir to the throne, will start her training as she will undergo the trials of flesh in seven days. If anything were to happen to her mother and her brother, Alex would be unchallenged for the thrown. And since her brother is missing, that leaves her to inherit it in the event of her mother's death." Lilith found what Elizabeth said to be puzzling. "What do you mean he is missing? A drunk driver killed him," she asked. "True. His body was destroyed, but his spirit would have popped up somewhere here on this plane. We, unfortunately, cannot locate him. We do not know where he could have gone, and that's worrisome because here, on this plane, if someone were to die, they wouldn't come back," said Elizabeth before biting into a chicken leg.

"Well, what are the trials of flesh, exactly?" asked Elizabeth. "They are a series of three challenges, and as you may guess, each is deadlier than the last. In the first trial, she will have to fight and kill three chimeras. In the second trial, fight and kill a criosphinx and then in the last trial, a seraphim," said Elizabeth with a sign. "That is completely insane," said Lilith in shock. "That's true, but it is very much possible. When someone goes through these trials, they never come out of it the same way that they go in," said Elizabeth as her right hand started glowing purple as she rubbed her left forearm, revealing a large disfiguring scar before fading. "The scar is real, but as you see, I prefer to have it as if it never existed. Some of our members don't mind their scars. Of course, it depends on where they are placed from both the trials as well as any battles that they may have fought. Sometimes potential members do survive," said Elizabeth with a smile.

Lilith thought for a moment. She then realized Jennifer must have been a member. And with a sigh of relief, she said, "Well, I'd guess if that little girl, Jennifer, was able to pass the trials, then I'd reckon that Alex should be able to pass as well." Elizabeth looked to Lilith, raising an eyebrow before chuckling. "What's so funny?" asked Lilith. Elizabeth explained, "No. Jennifer isn't a full member as of yet. She is much too young. She is only a whelp. Whelp members are children that are under our protection and guidance as they grow older. Once they have become of age, they will be expected to undergo trials or be exiled from our lands."

Lilith, appalled by this, screamed, "You can't be serious!" Elizabeth answered, "Oh, I most certainly am, my dear." Elizabeth raised both her hands to her face, and there was the same purple glow as she then revealed her face with a hideously disfiguring scar on her once beautiful face before returning to its initial state. "You see, my dear. It is through the trials that we gain acceptance into the clan for our strengths in battle. Afterward, we feast and be marry regardless of the outcome of the participant surviving or not," said Elizabeth.

Lilith thought for a moment and wondered if the trials could be faced as a team. "Well, what if more than one person could face the trials. If we can gather more than one person to help her, would that be allowed?" asked Lilith. Elizabeth had paused and thought about the proposition as she rubbed her chin. "This hasn't happened in a few centuries. According to the ancient laws, the maximum is two potential members who can do that. If they survive, they will be bound together in a union at which the trials would serve as a nuptial and the two individuals would be recognized within the clan as such," said Elizabeth. "What are you saying exactly?" asked Lilith, confused. "They would be married," said Elizabeth.

The completion in Lilith's face had faded as she responded, "Whoa there! That's a huge commitment right there for me." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and said, "Yeah, I suppose so. You two already did fuck after all." Lilith's face blushed. "Well, I wasn't expecting a wedding after it!" yelled Lilith. "I never said that I ever expected you to get married when I brought you here. If you want to do so, that's your choice, and you'd have to discuss it with Alex," said Elizabeth.

Lilith paused for a moment. She never thought that she'd ever be married to another woman. She always thought that she would marry a wealthy, handsome man and have two or three children. She then thought about the first day that she met Alex and knew that she needed Alex and that Alex needed her. No, what they would face, they would do it together. "I'm doing this, but I'm doing this for Alex. Not for you and not for the clan," said Lilith with a stern look as her eyes beamed at Elizabeth as she took another few bites of her food. "Can we please just finish our food? It's getting cold, you know?" whined Elizabeth. "Wait. You aren't going to ask me if I'd consider it?" asked Lilith. "You're very rude to the cooks that prepared this food! As for your circumstance, I already figured what you'd be doing. Practice begins at dawn. Shut up and eat!" barked Elizabeth. Lilith had then calmly continued eating.

As time had gone by, she thought about all that she and Alex had gone through this night. She thought about that creepy ritual that they ended up abandoning, only later found out that Mark committed suicide. She thought about that woman, Agatha, who claimed to be Lady Lamashtu's cousin. Who was she? If Alex's mother turned out to be a demon, what about Agatha? What about Charles? How did Agatha know about her dead father?

As Lilith and Elizabeth finished their meals, Lilith asked, "Who is Agatha? As far as Alex knew, she is her mother's cousin, but when you came around, she knew who you were right away." Elizabeth grabbed a napkin and cleaned her face with it. "Agatha is part of the nobility of the clan as well as Lady Lamashtu's cousin. She was also the one that suggested that I'd go to get you two when the time was right, but for whatever reason, she decided to go as well at the last moment," said Elizabeth. "So, how does she know my father? He's been dead for years," asked Lilith. "Frankly, I don't know, but since Agatha knew him, I'd reckon that Lady Lamashtu would have known him," said Elizabeth.

"Very well. I'd guess that I'll return to my bedroom until the next morning," said Lilith. "Do what you will but whatever you do, do it wisely and be careful about what Jennifer said. 'To reek of the heavens' is to mean that you've been marked. Either you're an angel, the angels want you, or you've sworn an oath to them as an ally of theirs. As little as much of that I know about you, you're no ally, and from what I've seen, I know that you're very much human. You may have the looks of an angel, but you're all too human. So, that must leave the last possibility. You're wanted, and they're close," said Elizabeth. "What does this mean?" asked Lilith. "That's something we'll worry about tomorrow. I probably shouldn't have told you that before bedtime," said Elizabeth with a chuckle. "You'd think so, eh?" asked Lilith. "You shouldn't have anything to worry about, my dear. The intruder would have been caught by now. Head on back to your bed chambers. You know the way," said Elizabeth motioning her hand in a swatting motion.

As soon as Elizabeth had closed the door on the way out, there was a large black, cloudy mass that had formed behind Elizabeth, solidifying as a green hooded figure. "She knows nothing as to why she has that wretched stench, does she?" asked the green hooded figure. "No, I don't believe that she is lying. She is much too connected with Alexandria to betray her. At least, intentionally, that is," said Elizabeth. "We'd best keep an eye on her. If she is indeed wanted, it could mean we've also become a target the second you brought her here," said the green hooded figure. "True. Time will reveal the mystery behind this young woman that I cannot foresee. Agatha will know, but she is content on withholding that information from me," said Elizabeth. "Why not go to Lady Lamashtu about this?" asked the green hooded figure. "One thing that I do know about Agatha is that when she withholds information, it has always been because of either two things. It is because for me to know it, it isn't any of my business, or it wouldn't help the situation at all, and it could result in counter production of the outcome that would serve the best interest of everyone involved until the time has come for me to be fully aware of the situation. As much as I would like to know more about it, I'll just have to trust her," said Elizabeth as she started to chew on one last bit of chicken. "I'd never considered you to be a fool," said the cloaked figure as it has shaped-shifted back into the black cloud and faded away, leaving no trace behind. "Well, my friend, if I am indeed a fool, I'll just have to trust her wisdom, or else I could end up like him," said Elizabeth with one last gulp as she blew out a candle on the table.

END OF CHAPTER 4