Gentle Eyes of Evil

Chapter 16: The Middle Ground And The Woman In Red

The princess lifted her head to see what lands laid before her, with the blacksmith stood at her side, her tender hands holding one another in anticipation.

Before Harriet laid a vast grey, a void, a blank slate, a nothing. The only building that was present throughout the entire land, was that of a single castle that stood tall. The grounds of Purgatory were a pure light grey, it was like walking on a marble kitchen counter. The sky above was just a pure white, no sign of clouds, birds, or even the sun, yet the place still remained light as if a sun was present. Harriet then looked to either side of her, and what she saw amazed her.

Either side of Purgatory, was a clear view of the staircases up to the first Heavenly Virtue, and the first Deadly Sin. These staircases could be clearly seen, like looking through a perfectly clear window, and yet there was no way to access either of them. It was here where Harriet finally realised that Purgatory was quite literally a middle ground. On one side was the luscious holy ground of Heaven, and the other was the heartless, looming grounds of Hell. Harriet looked upwards to Ikuna, the woman's face had not changed from a calm smile and gentle eyes. Her eyes remained fixated on the castle at Purgatory's centre.

"Come now, this way. We've no time to lose."
Ikuna told Harriet, her voice was soft and echoed lightly through the endless nothing that was this plain of existence. So, the pair began to walk. Ikuna's platforms came down a little heavy on the floor, their sound also echoed, Harriet's footprints and much smaller boots made a faint stepping sound, but nothing too noticeable. Ikuna continued to hold both of her hands together in front of herself as they walked. Eventually, the pair made it to the castle at the centre. The castle itself was pure white, with most objects inside being black and furniture being a dark grey. Ikuna wasted no time showing Harriet around and went straight to the throne room.

The throne room itself was a grand hall, with a black carpet leading to a black throne. Atop this throne, sat a woman in red. This woman's head was adorned with curly, dyed red hair. She had the left side of her head shaved, with all remaining hair having been pushed over to the right side, which just slightly obscured the vision of her right eye. Her skin, much like Ikuna's, was pure snow white with her eyes being as red as ruby gems. She wore a bright red dress that parted from the knees downwards, and had a pale red cape that started at the waist and trailed down behind the dress, meaning it would drag along the floor when she walked. She was rather tall as well, standing at an impressive 7 '3. This woman was a perfect mix of red and white, and almost the personification of perfection. This was Queen Ember.

Harriet looked at the woman before her and found herself too stunned to speak. Luckily she didn't need to, because Ikuna did for her. Ikuna placed a hand on her own chest and bowed forward to the woman.

"Greetings, my queen. As you know I was called upon just moments ago by the very girl stood at my side. I am delighted to inform you that the princess of Lust has requested a weapon of my creation."
Ikuna informed the woman, continuing to bow her head as she spoke.

The queen raised an eyebrow, keeping a calm smile on her face and her legs crossed over one another.

"Given the nature of her ask, and the role of the being requesting it, I sought best to seek your approval on such a task before I am to begin my work."
Ikuna continued.

Ember's smile increased as her eyes narrowed, she looked at the pair.
"And what is the nature of said request, Ikuna?"
She asked, her voice was the definition of ethereal, while also being a little deeper. It, too, echoed through the throne room.

"She wishes for me to design a weapon with the capability to end the life of a demon royal."
The blacksmith explained, finally removing her hand and standing back upright.

"Hmm...and why do you require such a weapon?"
Ember asked, seeming interested in Harriet's reasoning for wanting a weapon that could also end her life.

"I was told the reason wouldn't be necessary in order to gain approval."
Harriet replied, her voice and face both remained stern as she spoke.

"Well then you'd be correct. I just like to know the motives behind wanting such a powerful weapon...we don't give them away to just anyone, princess"
The queen told her, resting her elbow on the arm of her throne, then resting her head atop her hand as she watched the pair.

"Look, your highness. I need this weapon in order to take care of a very personal matter. It will change the fate of my family, as well as Lust's people. If you are willing to grant me said weapon, I would make sure it is worth your time."
Harriet told Ember, bowing to the woman as she gave her incentive.

This seemed to pique Ember's interest, her smile grew into something more sadistic and wicked.
"And what can you offer to me that would make it worth my approval, as well as my darling Ikuna's time and efforts?"

Ikuna's face flushed a faint grey as she heard Ember flatter her. Harriet thought for a moment before coming up with a fair compromise.
"If you allow me the weapon I seek, I'll bring you back a piece of what it was able to accomplish, a piece of demon royalty."

Ember pondered the offer for a moment, her face remained unchanging. Since demon royals were immortal, only able to be killed by Angelic and Purgatorian weaponry, a piece of a demon royal was a promising offer. If a demon is killed by the hands of an Angel, then the body disintegrates into ashes after being killed, and so being able to keep a piece as a reminder permanently would be quite the addition to Purgatory's castle. As well as this, Ember couldn't exactly just go down and murder without reason, so it was almost like Harriet was doing it for her.
Ikuna also seemed quite pleased with this offering, it would be a reminder that her weapons were going to good use, and that she can make effective weaponry.

"We accept this offer."
Ember nodded to Harriet with her ever calm smile. Harriet smiled at her and bowed again, this time with a hand on her chest just as Ikuna had done earlier.

"Thank you, your majesty. I assure you, Ikuna's efforts will not go to waste."
Harriet told her.

"See that it doesn't. Return the piece to us on the next blood moon."
Ember commanded her gently. The blood moon she spoke of was due to happen within the next three days.

"How long should it take for Ikuna to craft my weapon? Won't that be a factor as well?"
Harriet asked as she tilted her head to the side a little.

"It should take her no longer than a day. You should have your weapon fully ready, enchanted, and in your hand by tomorrow."
Ember assured her. Harriet nodded and stood up straight from her bowing position.

"Thank you, your majesty. Your acceptance is a grand honour to receive."
Harriet replied as she glanced upwards to Ikuna. Ikuna looked back at the girl.

"I'll get started on your weapon right away"
She then clapped her hands, opening up a portal back to the palace in front of them. Ikuna turned to Harriet and bowed.
"Farewell, your highness."

"Goodbye, Ikuna."
Harriet stepped through the portal which closed behind her the second her back foot was through, she was back in the library again and looked down to the sigil on the floor. Harriet knelt down and wiped her finger over the paint she had used, it had dried. Thankfully, the floor was smooth wood and so a bit of tough cleaning was her first go-to solution.

She got herself a sponge, some spray, and water, and just took a moment to wipe away any evidence of Ikuna's sigil, also making sure to put the candles away. As she did this, the princess began to think.

"Why was a book like this just out in the open? Why hasn't anyone tried to summon Ikuna before? Why was it so easy to figure out? I wonder what it takes to get a weapon request denied from them. I wonder if I'll see either of them again after I hand over my part of the deal. I wonder why it was so easy to go and meet with a woman of such unimaginable po-"

Harriet's thoughts were cut short as the library door was pushed open, her head shot up in alert before seeing the innocent eyes of a familiar face.
"Josephine...it's just you."
Harriet muttered, placing a hand on her chest and breathing a sigh of relief with a smile. Josephine nodded to her and closed the library door, walking over and kneeling beside her. She looked down to the half clean sigil and tilted her head to ask what it was.

"Hm? Oh! This isn't anything important, don't worry about it."
Harriet replied as she continued to clean. Josephine raised an eyebrow, but decided to look back down and watch her sister clean up. With being sure that she had the weapon in the making, Harriet felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She could finally save herself and her siblings from their abusers.