Hell's Light

Raising Hell

Everything was gathered and prepared. The circle was drawn, the symbols painstakingly etched, and the sacrifices prepared... The Cult of Bane was prepared to summon their master's servant into the world and usher in a new order, and they would be rewarded for their hard work. Under the light of a new moon they began their chant, and the volunteers cut themselves to begin their sacrifice of blood. The runic symbols began to glow faintly, but it was weak. They needed more blood... So more took up the blade to give of their essence... but it still wasn't enough, and one by one the members began to pass out from blood loss. The leader was incensed. They had done exactly as they had been told too. Why wasn't it working?

Suddenly the symbols flared brightly and the whole thing began to burn as it consumed the flesh and bone of those who had been to close including the man who had gathered them all to perform this ritual, but when the lines faded and all of the blood evaporated into smoke, a tiny figure lay sleeping in the center of the circle... a little girl.

A young woman barely out of her teens tentatively approached the child, and removed her hood to reveal a tanned face and brown slightly curly hair. With trembling hands she scooped up the girl and watched as, at her touch, the girl's features shifted slightly. At first her skin had been red, but now it appeared tan like the womans, and her hair was now brown instead of the black and red it had started as. As the woman watched the girl began to stir, and she saw a pair of lavender orbs looking up at her. The woman saw a tiny hand reach out with slightly sharp fingers, and on instinct she extended a finger. The little girl grabbed it, and began to giggle which warmed the woman's heart. In a whisper the woman spoke, "Welcome little one to our world. My name is Camila, and I think I'll call you... Luscura. Do you like that name?"

Little Luscura seemed to pause before returning to her giggling as she slowly pulled Camila's finger closer until she started gumming it. Then Camila felt a sharp pain... Luscura had tiny fangs it seemed. Not enough to break skin, but it still surprised Camila. Though realistically it probably shouldn't have. Carefully, Camila began to rock and quietly sing to Luscura, and she nodded back off to sleep. Tenderly Camila made her way back to the remaining cultists, mostly young or new members like herself since the 'more devout' had wanted to be closer to the circle and had been consumed by the power and flames. Camila walked toward them, and they parted in reverence until a black haired teen a year or two younger than Camila came over to check on them. Camila smiled at her, "Look Jenna... Luscura is so adorable."

Jenna smirked, "Luscura? You've named her?"

Camila blushed, "Ya, I guess I did. Are any of the higher ups left?"

Jenna sighed, "I don't know. Here hand her to me. I'll watch her while you look." At Camila's worried look Jenna smiled, "Don't worry Cammy, we're friends right? You can trust Aunt Jenna to watch your daughter. She'll be right here when you get back."

Camila blushed at the insinuation, but Jenna had stood by her this long, and she was her best friend, so if she was going to trust anyone it would be her. Gingerly, Camila started to hand the bundle over, but as soon as Camila let go, Luscura started to scream and the shadows started to waver as eyes started to open within them. In a panic, Camila took back the screaming girl who stopped screaming as soon as she was once more being rocked by the Latin woman, and the wavering ceased as the eyes started to close. Jenna laughed quietly, and Camila groaned, "Could you go look instead?"

Jenna sighed in disappointment, "Ok, Cammy. Looks like Luscura has decided that only her Mama is allowed to hold her."

Jenna started to walk away as Camila rolled her eyes, but in truth... she didn't mind the thought. Maybe she could be Luscura's mother, or at least she could try. Looking down at the girl in her arms Camila knew that she was supposed to be a hellspawn, a harbinger of death and destruction, but all Camila saw was an adorable infant in need of love and a home. Camila smiled, "Ok Luscura. You win... I'll be your Mami, and I promise I'll love you the way a mother should." Camila held Luscura close, and the little girl seemed to nuzzle closer to her in order to hear her new mothers heartbeat.