“How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.”

― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

“Ignorance is the prison that most people are kept in”

― Mac Duke The Strategist

The succubus Tabitha had seen in the throne room on cushions and pillows sashayed into the light. Her silver dress was shining, and her golden eyes sparkled with mischief. Tabitha crossed her arms saying.

“I thought I be seeing you sooner rather than later.”

The succubus cocked a slender eyebrow, her white horns seemed to shimmer with light.

“Oh, and why would you believe that?”

Tabitha simply pointed to the gold collar around her slender neck.

“That slave collar is magical, linking you to Eldest. Succubi do not enjoy being held captive, their sexuality chained to one being. You want freedom, for yourself and your daughter.”

The succubus bowed her head.

“Yes, Zula is my daughter. I have tried for years to free her from the grip of Eldest. I am glad she found you. If I may ask, do you have a plan to escape?”

“First things first, remove that collar from around your neck. Eldest can still track you, and then take me to your daughter’s chambers.”

The succubus smiled and removed the collar with a flick of her finger. The collar fell in halves to the floor.

“You noticed?”

It was not a question but an observation, Tabitha nodded anyway saying.

“I could see even from my cage that you were Eldest’s prized possession. You are smarter than him, smart enough to figure a way out of that collar.”

The succubus’s blood red lips smirked in appreciation of the she-devil’s skills of deduction.

“I am Malice, Zula’s mother.”

She held out a hand, Tabitha took it gently. Her larger hand dwarfing the succubus’s.

“Tabitha, Zula’s friend.”

“It does my heart glad to hear you say that.”

Malice turned and bowed to Asmodeus.

“I wish she could have freed you now Lord Asmodeus. But we must flee from this place.”

Asmodeus waved his hand in dismissal.

“Be at ease my dear, for soon I will reclaim what was taken from me, now go. Get your daughter and leave this place.”

Malice bowed again and then turned back to Tabitha.

“Follow me.”

Then she turned around and walked back into the darkness of the hallway. Tabitha followed without question, the sooner they were gone from this place the better. They walked for a time, taking corners with caution. Passing by cells, some with occupants and others empty. Then Malice said.

“Here.”

They stopped in front of a smooth solid wall, Tabitha cocked an eyebrow and asked.

“We stopped here because…?”

“This is where I can use teleportation magic to transport us close to my daughter’s bedchambers.”

Tabitha looked at Malice in question.

“Eldest has wards and barriers both exterior and interior of the palace. But there are holes, pockets in which the barriers are at their weakest. If you know where to look, you can move through the palace unnoticed.”

“That’s pretty useful.”

Tabitha was impressed and Malice smiled at her.

“I’ve been working around Eldest’s control for years, planning and waiting for a day like this. Now, there are bound to be guards at the door to my daughter’s chambers.”

“I’ll take care of them.”

Tabitha stated with confidence and no hint of doubt.

“Quietly if you can. The longer we go unnoticed, the greater our chance of escape.”

Malice added and Tabitha nodded her understanding.

“Stand behind me.”

Tabitha did as instructed, Malice did not perform gestures or chant incantations. Instead, a circle of gold with rune markings appeared beneath their feet. In a flash of golden light, Tabitha found herself in a different hallway. More glamorous and decorative, Malice quickly put her back to a wall and looked around a corner. Tabitha followed her example, down a hallway twenty yards away. Two greater demon guards stood watch with an iron door between them.

“That’s Zula’s prison?”

Tabitha asked in a whisper, and Malice confirmed in a whisper of her own.

“Yes.”

Tabitha studied the guards; they were alert and there were only two of them. Finally, she said.

“Wait here.”

Before Malice could respond, Tabitha was down the breath of the hallway in a matter of seconds. The greater demons did not even notice before she took the head of the first with one swipe of her talons. The second demon managed to unsling his axe before the tip of Tabitha’s blue tail stabbed into his throat. The tail released a shock of electricity, momentarily stunning the greater demon. His head tumbled to the floor after Tabitha’s talons went clean through the neck.

Malice watched as Tabitha was down the hallway in a flash of speed. Despite her large size, the she-devil was speed and brutality. She gave the greater demons no chance to fight back or call out in alarm. It was over in a matter of seconds. Tabitha waved Malice forward and the succubus immediately obeyed. As Malice reached Tabitha, the she-devil was frowning at the iron door.

“There is some kind of locking spell on the door and the iron seems to be resistant to my magic.”

Tabitha said.

“Iron can harm demons and devils, and it is highly resistant to our magic. Cold iron is worse, but iron can be overcome with both powerful magic…”

Malice touched the iron door with her hand.

“…and physical strength.”

Then she pushed and the door opened, and Tabitha saw Balca laying on a bed, Talin sitting on a cushioned chair, and Zula was standing by a table. They all looked to the door as it opened, and there was a reaction from Zula and Talin who looked both shocked and surprise. But Balca just looked at them and winked, Tabitha frowned at the strangeness of the green she-demon.

“Mother.”

“Daughter.”

The succubi mother and daughter embraced, Tabitha stayed at the door not wanting to enter the room fully and having the door close locking them in. Malice touched the golden collar around Zula’s neck, and it came off in halves.

“If you are ready, we are leaving now.”

Malice stated, and Balca jumped off the bed saying.

“Hi Malice, long time no see.”

“Balca, I should have known. Whenever the foundations of the Nether Realm are about to change, you are not too far behind.”

“You know me, I like to go where the party’s at.”

“As much as I would love to get acquainted, I would love to get the hell outta here.”

Talin said glaring at Balca who shrugged.

“Okay, let’s get the hell up outta here then.”

Balca replied, and as the four she-demons moved to the door Tabitha was guarding. Zula gasped and was looking behind Tabitha. Tabitha turned to see two greater demons down the hallway, they had paused after turning the corner. They saw their comrades with their heads decapitated and their bodies on the floor. They saw the open chamber door with the greater she-devil and the four she-demons staring back at them. Damn, it must be a guard change. What bad timing. As Tabitha thought this, one of the guards opened his mouth and bellowed his voice magically amplified.

“PRISONERS ESCAPING!! PRISONERS ESCAPING!!”

Tabitha cursed out loud and dashed forward, the greater demons had their weapons drawn. Tabitha had no intention of engaging them in close quarters combat. The hallway was too small for the greater demons to fight side by side. So, one stood in front of the other. This gave Tabitha the advantage, she flung out her right hand. A streak of lightning erupted from her palm. It struck the first greater demon in the chest, going through armor and flesh and out the back. The greater demon behind the first got hit in the chest by the lightning strike, both demons went down smoking.

“We need to leave now. Malice is there another way out?”

Tabitha demanded, but Talin asked.

“Can’t we make it through any of the exits throughout the palace.”

It was Zula who answered.

“No, once the alarm is raised all exits are sealed magically and guarded by a contingent of guards and magic users. It would take even Tabitha some time to get through that, and they would immediately call for reinforcements as soon as they laid eyes on us.”

“Boy, we are in a pickle.”

Balca said offhandedly, everyone ignored the comment.

“There is only one way I can think of, a secret antechamber. Eldest thought no one knew about it, but I’ve been spying on him for a thousand years. I know most of his secrets, not all but most.”

Malice said, and Tabitha asked.

“Where is this antechamber?”

“It is located through a secret door in Eldest’s chambers.”

“How far are we from Eldest’s chambers?”

Tabitha asked the next question, and Malice sighed.

“His chambers are in the north tower, on the other side of the palace.”

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Tabitha saw the problem right away, with the alarm raised there will be guards all over the place. Getting to the Demon Lord’s chambers without being seen was impossible.

“We need to move now.”

Tabitha snapped.

“Follow us.”

Zula said, and she grabbed her mother’s hand and both succubi took off.

“I know a place where the shield is at its weakest. If we can get to the spot, I can teleport all of us.”

Malice stated, Tabitha nodded and followed and Balca and Talin were right behind the she-devil. Balca was grinning like a crazy person, flying a foot off the ground, her wings flapping like a hummingbird. Then there was a shout behind them.

“There they are! After them!”

Talin looked over her shoulder and cursed.

“Demon balls! We’ve got half a dozen or more greater demon guards on our tails!”

“A chase! Oh boy now we’re having some fun!”

Balca laughed manically, and Tabitha shook her head at the crazy demoness but said.

“Keep running!”

“We’re not too far from the spot!”

Malice said as they took a corner running full tilt down the hallway. Tabitha did not look back; she heard the demons behind them. They were gaining slightly if they came too close Tabitha would turn around and face them. As she followed the two succubi around another corner, Tabitha came to an abrupt halt almost running over Zula and Malice who had stopped. Tabitha immediately saw why, another half dozen greater demon guards stood right in front of them. Talin and Balca halted as well and turned around to face the demons coming up their rear.

“Behind those demons is the spot we need to stand on in order for me to use my teleportation spell to get to the north tower.”

Malice stated and Tabitha knew what she had to do.

“Malice, Zula, get behind me and help Talin and Balca with the demons at our rear. I’ll take the front.”

The succubi did as Tabitha ordered, as soon as they were out of the way. Tabitha charged the six greater demons down the hallway; her legs were a blur as she moved for the first guard. Talin and Balca did not have much magic nor are they physically powerful against greater demons, but they do have a few tricks up their sleeves. Balca was flying around the demons so fast, she looked like a blur. Because of the narrow hallways, the greater demon guards did not have space to coordinate. To make matters worse, Talin cast fast fire spells such as bright flashes of orange and red lights in front of the faces of the demons to momentarily blind and distract them.

All demons have an infinity to fire, so fireballs or beams and streams of flames would have no effect on the greater demons. However, demons and devils are susceptible to other forms of magic. Things got even harder for the guards when Malice and Zula joined the fray. The succubi cast illusions and charms; these caused the guards to attack each other several times. Tabitha was a whirlwind of talons, fists, and kicks with a bit of lightning magic thrown into the mix. Even though the six demon guards were alert and ready for her, she managed to take down the first demon in a matter of two seconds.

As Tabitha charged, one of the demons had a spear which he thrust straight at Tabitha’s face. She dodges it by shifting to the right and moving forward. She slashed with her right talons slicing eyes and nose. The demon dropped his spear clutching at his face and howling in pain. Tabitha slashed again, this time with her left talons. Both the demon’s head and hands were severed, the second demon in Tabitha’s path went down almost as quickly. The next greater demon was prepared, swinging down with an overhead chop with his battle axe. Again, Tabitha side stepped the attack and countered with a lightning strike from her tail. The tail struck the greater demon in multiple spots like a whip. The demon straightened and arched his back in a silent scream of pain, and then fell to the ground.

The last four greater demon guards however did not attack, no, they were waiting. All of them had swords and shields, and their stance was both offensive and defensive. This part of the hallway was a bit bigger, so the demons were able to fight side by side in twos. The first pair knelt to one knee with their shields forward, and their swords in a ready position to strike. The second pair behind the first stood, and they too had their shields forward. But their swords were positioned high over their heads ready to strike. Tabitha took a moment to study their fighting stance, and it came to her.

Their like a scorpion, claws up front and tail in the rear. But instead of one tail, there are two. So, I’ll get bitten four times. Tabitha smiled and attacked. She straightened her fingers and extended her talons, striking eight times at the demons. But the demons on their knees intercepted the blows with their shields. Tabitha’s eyes widen is disbelief as her talons failed to penetrate the shields. She almost got her head cut off when the two demons standing behind the kneeling pair swung their swords in opposite directions. A pincer move aimed to decapitate. Tabitha blocked with both her forearm braces, the resounding rings when metal struck metal echoed through the hallway.

Tabitha immediately backed away from the group, she put fifteen feet of distance between them. Those are magic swords and shields, and designed to fight devils. Tabitha quickly came to that conclusion, I won’t be able to break through their shields. Not to mention I have to be careful of the swords. Attacking them head on seems to be a foolish proposition. Tabitha thought for a moment, and she smiled as an idea popped in her head. Immediately, Tabitha shortened her talons to their regular size and slammed both hands on the floor. Since the palace itself was built using granite, cement, concrete, and obsidian. All of these materials comes from the earth element, an element which Tabitha can control. Tabitha cast her earth magic, and it was quite effective. All around the four demons the walls, floor, and ceiling erupted with earth spikes.

The greater demons with their magic swords and shields had no time and no chance to react. They were skewered by the earth spikes, black blood and organs spilled on the spikes and on the floor. They were all spiked in a matter of seconds, it was quick and brutal. Tabitha banished her earth magic and the earth spikes retracted, the hallway going back to normal. Tabitha stood up, it was done.

“Tabitha, we need you!”

The call came from Talin, when Tabitha looked back down the hallway to where her friends were. Her forked tongue almost went down her throat, they were in trouble. Balca was hanging on the back of a greater demon’s neck for dear life, Zula was fighting like mad against two demon guards. It was not going well, Malice was already captured and Talin was trying to get away from a demon who managed to grab her arm. Tabitha was about to rush down to help her friends when suddenly, the demon holding on to Talin lost his hand. That was incorrect, his hand was cut off. The greater demon looked at the severed stomp, and before he could cry out in pain. His head popped off, and that was incorrect too, his head was sliced off. Tabitha narrowed her gaze on the scene, focusing and saw a familiar silhouette. Kasca was in their midst, her six swords flashing. Her aim was precise and true, she cut off heads and sliced greater demons to pieces. Leaving Malice, Zula, Balca, and Talin unscathed.

By the time Tabitha reached them, Kasca was already done. Blood, intestines, and body parts littered the floor. Tabitha stared at Kasca in surprise, the marilith sheathed her six swords and spoke.

“Lady Tabitha, I know you have quessstionsss to why I’m here. The sssimple anssswer isss that I wisssh to ssserve you.”

“Me?”

Tabitha said not understanding why this demon general would serve a she-devil without a mantle or territory. Before she could begin asking question, Malice said.

“Later Tabitha. We need to go now.”

“Got it.”

Tabitha looked Kasca in the eyes and said with a growl.

“If you betray us, if you cause us any harm or hinder our escape. I will end you.”

“I ssswear to you Lady Tabitha, I will never betray you.”

Tabitha nodded once at Kasca’s declaration.

“Then follow us.”

She turned around and ran towards the others who were standing at the end of the hallway. Kasca slithered behind, if she were to attack now would be the time when Tabitha’s back was turned. By the time Tabitha reached the others, Kasca did nothing of the sort.

“Stand as close to me as possible. Teleporting five will take a lot of magic. After I do this, I will not have enough power to teleport us again for some time.”

Malice summoned the golden rune circle, the hallway filled with golden light and there was a bright flash. Tabitha found herself looking at two large redwood doors with gold knockers and knobs.

“Stand back, I’ll unlock the doors.”

Malice moved forward and began casting a spell, right away red runes appeared over the doors. Tabitha could understand the runes, even though she had never seen these runes before. These runes are design to keep an area secured from intruders. It’s like a security system for your home or office, except this one is magically advance.

“How long will it take to get in?”

Tabitha asked Zula, she did not want to interrupt Malice who was concentrating very intently on unlocking the chamber’s doors.

“Rune magic is ancient, one of the most powerful types of magic there is throughout the multiverse. With that said, my mother is older than rune magic. She knows how to manipulate them. Still, it will take some time to open the doors.”

Come to think of it, I can read the runes. It’s been that way since the first time I saw them on my horns and armor. What does that mean? The fact that I can read runes would mean that I have seen them before. But when? Tabitha’s contemplation of the runes was cut short when she heard the whispers of steel leaving scabbards. Turning around to face Kasca, Tabitha realized why the marilith had drawn her swords. A group of demon guards were running down the corridor towards them.

“Damnit!”

Tabitha cursed, then she said moving to stand at Kasca’s side.

“Malice, work on the door. Zula, Talin, and Balca stay behind us. Kasca and I will hold the line against them. We will buy you time.”

Tabitha stood next to Kasca, her talons were extended, she was ready for the charging guards.

“Remember what I said Kasca.”

Tabitha said to the marilith not taking her eyes off the coming threat.

“I will not betray you my Lady.”

Kasca declared vehemently, Tabitha did not reply. She would wait and watch, the marilith would show her true nature sooner or later. The demons coming down the corridor were not greater demons, no, they were major demons. Not as big as a ten-foot to twelve-foot greater demon but standing at six to seven feet and wearing armor and carrying weapons. They are still formidable, still dangerous but not as dangerous as a marilith and a greater she-devil.

As the demons were still twenty-feet from the pair, Tabitha and Kasca moved and their speed was a sight to behold. The demons did not realize that creatures the size of Tabitha and Kasca could move so quickly. Heads and limbs went flying, black blood sprayed, splashing on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Tabitha was a whirlwind of talons, fists, feet, and whipping tail. She blocked the strikes of weapons with her armor, and dodged attacks aimed at her vital areas. She would break bones and tear through flesh, Tabitha was a machine, she would not stop the slaughter until they were all down. The more she fought the more comfortable she became with battle. It felt to Tabitha that she has been doing this for a long time.

Kasca was just as impressive, her serpent like movements were lightning fast. As six of her swords flashed in unison a rhythm in a dance. Any of the demons who came within her range fell. She parried and struck at the same time; her tail was also a weapon. Striking back and forth, breaking bones and tripping the enemy. Kasca’s scales were like natural armor, turning away the bite of blades. Both women are the living embodiment of blood and carnage. The major demons did not have a chance. Just as quickly as the battle had begun, it was over in a matter of seconds. Tabitha and Kasca found themselves without any more foes to fight, they were surrounded by the broken bodies of the demon guards.

“Tabitha! Kasca! The way is open, come quickly!”

Tabitha looked back at the double doors to Eldest’s chambers to see that Malice’s words were true. The succubus stood at the threshold to the chamber, Zula and the others were already inside. In a moment, both Tabitha and Kasca were through the doors and into the chamber. Malice closed the doors behind them, ceiling themselves inside the personal chamber of their enemy.

“Would that do any good?”

Tabitha asked and then she clarified when Malice gave her a questioning look.

“I mean, what is to prevent Eldest from entering his own chambers through that very door?”

At that Malice gave Tabitha a warm smile saying.

“I change the combination of the runes; it will slow Eldest down for a few moments. But it will be long enough for us to escape.”

Malice walked past the others into the spacious chamber, it had a massive bed at the center with a mirror over it on the ceiling. The chamber was a giant circle, perhaps 40 or 50 feet in circumference. The floor was covered by a carpet of velvet and crimson. On the walls were mounted paintings of nude depictions of carnal acts, and statues of the same acts. Tabitha did not see any books, but she did see glass cabinets and tables of fine wines and champagne. Malice ignored it all, she had seen this room too many times over the centuries. Spent too many times in this chamber, her daughter Zula was conceived here. If fortune favored her, this would be the last time she would ever be in this room again.

Her target was the curtain wall behind the bed, Malice ripped the red curtains away to reveal a blank grey brick wall. It looked like your typical wall, but Malice tapped one brick with a finger. The brick sank into the wall, and a door 25 feet in height, and 10 feet wide appeared. Then it dissolved leaving a door size opening, Malice went in and Tabitha and the others followed suit. They entered the antechamber it was smaller than the chamber they were in. But not by much, and before them on the floor was a six pointed star pentagram in a circle with symbols. Tabitha studied the pentagram and said in a slow tone.

“This is a realm gate…to another world. To…a mortal world?”

Tabitha looked up in question, but before Malice could say anything Zula said.

“A realm gate? How in all the Nether Realm did Eldest ever get his hands on a realm gate?”

“I do not know daughter; realm gates take a tremendous amount of magic and power to create and operate. More power than Eldest should be able to wield, and he had this handy for a little under a thousand years. I found it by chance, even so, I have no idea where it goes.”

Malice stated and then Tabitha said.

“This realm gate is linked to one world and no other.”

She looked at Malice and asked.

“Can you activate it? Use it?”

“Yes.”

Malice nodded and continued.

“I’ve studied the magical particles of this pentagram for a long while. Just step into the circle and I will do the rest.”

“This is odd indeed.”

Talin stated.

“Who is powerful enough to pull the strings of a demon lord?”

“Whoever it is, they like to hide in the background. Manipulating events in the Nether Realm.”

Balca said sagely. Tabitha looked at the green she-demon, surprised to hear something not so crazy. And it made sense, someone is pulling Eldest’s strings. How else does a Demon Lord of Lust possess a realm gate to a mortal world. And how am I able to read the symbols on the pentagram? I’ve never seen those symbols before, and yet the moment I laid eyes on them I understood them. Like I’ve seen them before in another life. Those were questions Tabitha would have to discover the answer to at a later date. Because Malice said.

“Everyone stepped on to the pentagram.”

Then she looked at Tabitha and spoke.

“Activate the gate, Tabitha.”

“What?”

Tabitha demanded looking a bit confused.

“I am a succubus, yes, I am older than most and my magic is quite powerful. But this realm gate is beyond me, however, you are a she-devil. Your magic is more than enough to open the gate.”

Tabitha understood, she is a devil and devils are like gods to demons. It would make sense that she would be powerful enough to open the gate.

“So, when I asked if you could use it. You meant me didn’t you?

“Exactly, I could never activate a realm gate. Not without a lot of magic, but you can.”

Malice stated.

“What do I need to do?”

Tabitha asked and Malice gave her a smile saying.

“Just stand in the center of the pentagram and pour a small amount of your magic into it. Send the magic through the bottoms of your feet, the pentagram will absorb it and send us to which ever mortal realm it is connected to.”

Tabitha stepped into the center of the pentagram, making certain that her feet were planted firmly and then sent a plus of magic into the symbol. The six-star pointed circular pentagram’s red symbols flared bright crimson. Then the entire pentagram erupted into red flames which engulfed all six women. When the flames died out and the pentagram went back to its dull red coloring. Tabitha and the others were gone, they had not only escaped the Palace of Lust. They had left the Nether Realm, to another world.