My eyes popped open to find the room flooded with light. Instead of a thumping pain in my head, I felt relief, as if all of the stress had left my body. Unfortunately, now there was a new problem. A pair of hazel eyes were within punching distance and I wasn't sure whose they were. I balled up a fist to hit them, only to have them jerk back. Then I noticed they were set in the face of a pale-skinned woman

"Whoa, calm down. It's me, Iona. Your mother." Her voice was calm. She didn't seem to be phased that I tried to punch her, but her scent was off. The smell was all too familiar.

"Mom, did you rob a grave? You smell like you died." I covered my nose in an attempt to mask the smell.

"Yes, and no. I attempted but the dead started to rise, so I had to deal with those zombies. Fortunately, there was one fresh corpse that I could work with.”

"Mother, this is my house. You are the one that gave it to me, so no asking me if you can use the workshop." While sitting up, I groaned as the potion was still working its magic. "Wait, how the fuck you get into this house?!" I demanded, my voice laced with venom.

"You left the fucking door unlocked. You want to get werewolves, that is how you get fucking werewolves." She fired back at me, her maliciousness hammering me like a shotgun blast to the chest. Her eyes were filled with hostility equal to mine, but upon realizing how she was acting, she sighed. “Iona please, let's not get into a shouting match. It’s too early for it."

Before I could speak, my stomach growled and hit me as if I owed it money. I bent over in discomfort as I felt hollow.

"I can fix some breakfast. Do you want some pancakes and sausage patties?” My mother asked, with a look of concern on her face.

"Do whatever you want," I muttered, not wanting to admit her taken care of me was nice

She sighed before turning her back to me to head downstairs. I took my phone off the nightstand and turned it back on. There was one message waiting for me, and it was from Hope.

Iona, I hope you are not too mad. I will make it up to you for this mistake. I texted mother to go check up on you.

Emotions flooded throughout my body, but one that dominated the rest. It was pure rage. A boiling rage that caused my hands to shake. I began to type in the group chat, while trying to hold back from saying something I would regret. I managed half of my goal.

Hope, I do not like mother. No, I hate her and you had the gall to ask her to check up on me. I do not need or want her fucking help!

I looked up from the phone and ran to punch the wall. Pain coursed throughout my knuckles as I grunted with each punch. The memories of how Mother and Father treated me flooded my vision. Memories of all of the restless nights, the missed parties, and their lack of compassion caused my heart rate to go up. My heart began beating like a drum. I felt like someone had squeezed the air out of me as I gripped my chest through my shirt. A sharp, intense pain ran throughout my chest as I slid to the ground, putting my hand on the wall for support.

Breathe, think of a waterfall. Some place peaceful. Breathe in and out slowly, everything will be okay.

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I breathed in and out, my sight filling with the image of a rushing waterfall. Around the waterfall were cute rainbow-colored birds, and around the pool were predators and prey, both enjoying a drink. The pain in my chest began to subside as my heart slowed.

The smell of sizzling meat brought the image to an end as my stomach began kicking me to action. My mouth began to involuntarily drool, as I was starving. I exited my room, following the scent downstairs.". My mother was flipping pancakes with a spatula. Next to her was a floating bony hand, flipping over several pieces of patty meat.

"That has to be violating a buttload of health codes." I gestured to the bleached white bony hand.

"Germs are all around you, sweetie. Plus, I am no necromancer that lacks hygiene. Which reminds me, can I use your shower before I leave?"

"Fine, but do so quickly. I want you gone before I head back to my dorm."

My mother nodded as she continued cooking breakfast.

"Iona, I didn't want to put this on you, but there are other reasons why we gave you this house. You see, your sister, Faith, would have inherited the throne, but she refused it. She also lacked enough power." Sadness engulfed her voice as there was hesitation between her words.

"What throne? You never mentioned a throne before."

"Let me think about how I can explain this. You see, we have ties to eldritch horror, undead gods, powerful lich lords, and even the flesh harvesters. The reason you are a prodigy is that I was unfaithful with your father. Well, not so much unfaithful, as I was in a ritual." My mother looked down at her feet as she trailed off.

"So you were a whore?" I said with the smuggest smile on my face, almost forgetting that I despised her.

"Careful bitch, I will not tolerate disrespect." She paused for a couple of seconds before addressing me calmly. "You are a princess, Iona."

"I am what?!" My eyes opened wider than I thought physically possible. I was surprised that they didn't pop out.

"You are a princess, Iona, she repeated, her tone just as even as the first time she said it. I stared at her in disbelief. No matter that her previous confession made her out to be a whore or whatever, but the way she said this...""

"I am a princess, like royalty?" Shock filled my voice and images of my Dagon fan art engulfed my sight while a single thought thundered through my mind..

Who is my father?

On the heels of that was Is it Father Dagon, or maybe the Great Dreamer?

After a couple of minutes, the food was done. The knife had sliced the pancakes, and meat into seperate smaller pieces. The Butter was smeared on the top of the pancakes, and maple syrup had soaked the pancakes. The pancakes and sausage stood no chance against my ravenous appetite. In a minute, my plate was cleared of food. There were only the remnants of syrup on the metal plate.

"This is a lot of information, Mother." I attempted to say more but no words would come.

"Go talk to one of your friends in your group. She may offer better insight than I could." She quickly went off to take a shower as I remained dumbfounded by the revelation.

"I am a princess." Even now, I had trouble believing it.

When I took out my phone, I saw numerous messages, but first, I had to address the one Hope sent me.

I only tried to help you. I did my best. The most you can do is at least say thank you.

Faith had also sent a message that supported Hope, who was hurt.

come on, that was uncalled for.

I texted back, the hooks of guilt tugging at my conscience.

I am sorry, you are right. This was the best way you could think of to help me. I need to talk to Terra, the daughter of the vampiric Squid. Do you know where she is?

As if a god was answering my prayers, Terra responded, but in an ancient language.

Note l' ai, mgsyha'h azathhnah acid ng cocaine

She quickly followed up with another text.

Sorry, my dudes, I tend to speak in the ancient tongue when I haven't had my soul coffee. So, what's up, Iona? What do you need me for?

I texted back, hoping she will agree.

It is relating to Eldritch horrors.

Terra's fingers must have been a blur, as her reply was almost instantaneous.".

Sure, meet me in the coffee room and we can talk.

“Goddess, this is too much to take in,” I said, overwhelmed at Mother's news and still not fully recovered from whatever happened last night. I was not looking forward to more details on either event, but knew I had to.