It takes a bit of doing on Althea's part, but I finally agree to do the confession. It's a ritual of some kind - serious, but not super complicated. She told me that speaking about what is on my mind - especially my 'sins' - would make me feel better and give a clear head going forward.

I'm reminded of a time back on the farm when I watched this old-ass movie called Ordinary People. I was pretty young, and I didn't get why the kid was talking with the short guy in the cardigan even though it pissed him off.

Mom and Dad explained to me that a long time ago, people would go visit therapists who would help them sort out mental problems by talking about 'em. It looked more like the kid was being verbally tortured to me.

But even though the ending of the movie wasn't exactly a happy one, the kid ended up getting better.

The kid in the movie was a little bit like me - he was holding back a lot of feelings, and until I got my rage power, I was always keeping my emotions crammed inside, too. I figure the confession could be like my therapy - or at least a way to unload some of my emotional baggage and clear my head a bit. Hell, maybe it would give the fucker inside of me less control.

As we wait for the others, I fill in Althea on the shit that went on since she left.

Not much of it was surprising to her, but she was pleased when I gave her the Alchemical Form spell I got from the crystal that the crazy giraffe monster was protecting. I said it was a token of my forgiveness and appreciation of her. She thanked me endlessly and gave me a sweet smile - sweet by Althea standards, anyway.

But then I had to tell her about Kris. She was understanding, saying she didn't have the right to judge me anymore. But by the end of the conversation, she had stopped smiling.

It doesn't take long to get everyone to get to the tower. But when the other Elementals come up to the cathedral, Raelith isn't with them. Domina informs us that Raelith is pissed as all hell and that she ran off. Apparently as soon as she rammed the tank into the tower ramparts, screamed a bunch of shit about something about 'wretched cowards' having been 'denied blood'.

When everyone else is sure the tower is secure and there are no signs of the Limp Dicks, we gather in the cathedral near the foot of the dais.

The mood is a awkward - partly because everyone just rubbed elbows with freaks from another world hellbent on killing them, and partly because Zazel looks like she'd rather have a root canal without Novocain than be in the same continent as Althea. Zazel doesn't even make her usual snarky quips or insults - she just stands there with her arms folded and wearing the nastiest, bitchiest face ever.

Thank god Domina knows how to break the ice.

"We have heard much about you, Lady Order," Domina approaches and bows. "I am the Elemental of House and Home, Domina."

Althea returns the bow, right hand over her chest. "I am pleased to meet you, Lady Domina. It is a shame we must do so under such dire circumstances."

"Indeed. But I am so very grateful that the enemy failed to get the best of you."

Althea nods politely.

Domina gestures to Del. "And may I introduce Asphodel, the Elemental of Nature - joined, of course, by Master's animal companion, Pinky. Del cradles a curious Pinky as she bows slightly, hand over her chest.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Asphodel." Althea returns the bow. "You have my gratitude for coming to my aid."

"And I understand you already know Zazel," Domina continues, "the Elemental of Chaos."

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Zazel doesn't move or say a word. She's still wearing that nasty-ass expression. It's a wonder she hasn't blown a gasket yet.

"Lady Chaos, like the rest of us - put forward her very best to come to your aid."

Althea stares at Zazel, who curls her lip like a snarling dog. "Is that quite so? You have my gratitude, Chaos."

Zazel's face gets even meaner. "You may keep your gratitude, you traitorous hypocrite."

The air in the room instantly seems a hundred times thicker, and everyone freezes.

Althea's face tightens. "Excuse me?"

"No, I won't. You're nowhere even near the precipice of the threshold of the edge of being excusable."

"Chaos, what is the meaning of this?"

"Are you playing coy, or are you really that stupid?" Zazel eyes cut through Althea. "All those times you slandered me to Brisket about how 'evil' and 'corrupt' I was, and yet you are the one who left us as soon as things got a little risky for you."

Althea's eyes narrow. "That is a gross oversimplification of the matter."

"Oh, really?" Zazel scoffs. "So you've become an initiate in the art of nuance in our absence? Or rather, your absence - during which I have been picking up your slack!"

Althea looks away, her porcelain face turning pink. "I regret my decision - deeply. I payed a steep price for what I did, and I may never redeem myself. So please- "

"This isn't about you, you milquetoast God fellator. This about us, and the fact that your decision to turn tail imperiled everyone and everything! Had you stayed, we would be in a much better position right now! We would have more thralls, more Released Elementals, and we would likely be fighting the enemy behind fortified defenses instead of getting shot out of the air in some insane, blind race to compensate for your moronic, cowardly choices!"

Althea turns and stares at Zazel. Her breathing gets heavier, and her eyes flicker. For a moment, it looks like she might actually get angry - maybe even yell. But then, she slowly breaks away, shifting her gaze down to the floor.

Zazel glances over at Domina and Del. "Maid. Nature. I'm not sure exactly what kind of 'confession' the sausage is going to make, but you should know that he isn't the only one who is guilty of something. You both deserve to know exactly who you almost died for and why." She turns back to Althea. "Isn't that right, Order?"

Althea's jaw clenches, but she just keeps staring at the floor.

Del and Domina look at each other, then at Althea. They both look uncomfortable as all hell.

"Okay, Zazel," I say, "you've made your point. Now let's just-"

Zazel turns her nasty gaze on me. "Why are you defending her? She-"

I hold up a hand. "I already ran through all of that with her. She's been to hell and back already, not to mention the Limp Dicks nearly... Well, I guess I don't know what the hell they were gonna do, but I can guarantee you-"

"Hero, please." Althea says, stepping forward. "As cruel as her word were, they are not entirely wrong. Everyone here deserves nothing less than my eternal gratitude for putting themselves in such peril."

Althea puts her feet together, puts her right hand over her chest, and bows deeply. "Everyone, please forgive me for my foolishness. I swear by God and all that I am that I will not repeat the same mistake, and I will do everything in my power to return the favor tenfold."

Domina returns the bow. "I cannot speak for the others, but you have my forgiveness and my friendship, Lady Althea. I will serve you to the best of my ability."

Del wispers something to Pinky, and he makes a little squeal. "If the little one can forgive you," She bows, making sure Pinky doesn't fall, "so can I. Let us grow and hunt together!"

I turn to Zazel. She is far from fucking pleased, but she doesn't say anything. She holds her stare and looks away, arms folded tight.

"Just get on with whatever the blazes this 'confession' nonsense is. There's no telling when those mooncalves will change their twisted minds and challenge us again."

I scan everyone for a second. Aside from Zazel, everyone looks at me expectantly - even Pinky.

I nod to Althea. "I'm not sure how to go about this, but let's do it."

She nods back. "Very well. Please come to the center of the room. Everyone else, please keep a wide berth, and maintain silence for the duration of the confession."

The Elementals obey and I move to the center of the cathedral's hall.

"What now?"

"Patience, Hero." Althea folds her hands together, closes her eyes, and lowers her head.

The room dims to a gentle golden orange glow, and several tiny flames of a similar color illuminate all around me near the floor. Then, something nudges my boots as it rises our of a floor. I step back, something that looks like a little cushioned benched rises up magically out of the floor.

"Althea what's-"

"Please kneel on it."

"What? Do I really-"

"Yes." Her tone makes the three letter word seem totally non-negotiable.

Man, she's already back to being a hardass. I kneel on the bench. It's uncomfortable, but I don't complain.

"Very good, Hero." says Althea, her voice taking on a slightly ethereal quality. "I, the Elemental of Order and three - no, four - other souls, will now bear witness to and hear your confession."

I shake my head. "Alright. Here we go. This is gonna sound crazy as fuck, but it's true. All of it."