“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”

― Herman Melville

“About the pledging of fealty…”

Tabitha began, and Sudan looked at her expectantly.

“Sudan, come closer. As my First Warrior I will confer with you.”

Tabitha motioned for Sudan to come forward, the Harkun woman nodded and came up the steps to approach the Crystal Throne. Sudan stood next to Tabitha on the left side of the throne. She leaned forward and asked.

“What is your will my mistress?”

Tabitha wanted to shake her head at all the honorifics, but she held back. She needed to word this properly.

“I understand that you and all of the Harkuns want to pledge yourself to me right now.”

Sudan nodded her agreement.

“But I think that would be the wrong move to make for the Harkuns.”

Sudan’s eyes widen at Tabitha’s words, but the she-devil continued.

“What I mean to say is, it has been a long time. I have just returned, and you have endured so much. The excitement is so intense, you could cut it with a knife. What I propose is that we all slow down and get to know one another once again. We should have a…”

Tabitha was searching for the right words, and then it came to her.

“…a celebration. Yes, a celebration. We should celebrate my return and the reawakening of the Great Crystal Pyramid of the Nether Realm.”

“A celebration…?”

Sudan trailed off in thought, and then she smiled and nodded.

“Yes, Great One, a celebration would be a wonderful idea. But we have no food. Being demons, we do not need to eat or drink. But food and liquor would be welcome after so long.”

Tabitha nodded, an idea coming to her. She addressed the rest of the Harkuns.

“My people, before you all pledge your fealty to me. We must reconnect, and what I mean by that is simple. You must get to know me once again, and I must get to know you. After all, dying has taken a toll on me. There are some things that I have forgotten, but my memories are coming back to me. So, here in the throne room, the celebration will be conducted. Here you will look upon me, judge me, and decide whether I am worthy of your loyalty. We will have food and drink prepared, and then during the celebration. If you deem me worthy, I will accept your pledges of fealty.”

The Harkuns roared with approval, they definitely liked that idea. But an unknown Harkun asked.

“But our food stores are empty. How will we gather food and drink?”

Sudan turned to Tabitha and spoke.

“Long ago before The Fall, the Crystal Pyramid used to trade with other demon cities and towns. We also hunted with our Arcadian brethren in the mortal realms. Sadly, that is no longer the case. We have no way of contacting the mortal realms, and trading with other demon settlements is too risky.”

Tabitha laughed after Sudan’s explanation, the First Warrior and the other Harkuns looked at their Queen with some puzzlement. Tabitha had to laugh, because everything was put in place. She did not know if fate or destiny had played a hand in it. Finally, she got herself under control and spoke.

“Forgive me my Harkuns, I did not mean to laugh. But I do have a way to contact Arcadians in a mortal realm. Pacifically Avalon.”

Tabitha shifted her eyes over to Sandra and spoke.

“War Leader, come stand next to me.”

Sandra flinched in surprise at being called by Olana, the goddess of the Arcadians. She could feel thousands of Harkun eyes on her. Sandra would not make Olana wait, she walked up the steps of the platform and stood next to the Devil Queen facing the legendary Harkuns. The Crystal Throne dwarfed Sandra; she looked like a child standing next to a parent sitting on a chair. Tabitha placed a gentle hand on Sandra’s shoulder, a hand that had wrapped around her at their battle near the city of Camelot. To think, that was only yesterday. Sandra thought with some bewilderment.

“For all of you who may not know, this is Sandra of the Vales Tribe of Avalon realm. She is a War Leader and let me tell you. She deserves the title. I should know, Sandra managed to injury me not once but twice during our fight.”

Many nodded and murmured to each other, Sandra realized that they were not angry with her for harming their Devil Queen. No, they looked impressed.

“And if that was not enough, Sandra was able to block all of my attacks using her shield.”

When Tabitha said this, the Harkuns became even more impressed.

“The warrior spirit of the Arcadians still burns brightly after all these years.”

Sandra heard one of the Harkuns say with evident pride. Tabitha was not finished yet.

“You see, Sandra’s gladius and round shield have been blessed by a shaman.”

All the Harkuns’ eyes widen at that revelation.

“A powerful shaman, a shaman who Sandra has a strong relationship with. That is why she was able to cut me, and her shield was able to defend against my attacks. Am I wrong Sandra?”

Sandra cleared her throat and answered.

“No, my Lady you are correct. The shaman who blessed my weapons is my younger sister, Serene, the Head Shaman of the Vales Tribe. She wanted to keep me safe, war leaders on Avalon tend to die early. Mostly, in battle fighting for the Holy Church of Romanto.”

“WHAT!!”

“THE HELL YOU SAY!!”

The angry shouts came from the Harkuns, they did not look too pleased at hearing that Arcadians were serving Romantians.

“Have the Arcadians of Avalon lost their pride!”

“Serving the people who worship Romanto! The god who betrayed and murdered our Lady!”

Sandra was taken aback by all the angry shouts; she wanted to try and explain the situation. But the Harkuns were not giving her a chance.

“SILENCE!!!”

The resonating roar echoed throughout the throne room, and all the angry Harkuns closed their mouths. Everyone had their eyes on Tabitha who looked composed and claim.

“I understand your anger.”

She began.

“But Sandra nor her ancestors are not to blame. I was gone, the Crystal Pyramid had fallen, and the Arcadians were surrounded by enemies. The Arcadians of Avalon fought for thousands of years to stay free, but the Romantians outnumbered them and had more magical resources. They were conquered three centuries ago, and to survive they had to make a deal with those Romantians. So long as the Arcadians served the church, they were allowed to survive, they would be allowed to live. The Arcadians of Avalon are slaves to the church, but…”

Tabitha held up her right index finger before continuing.

“…they are Arcadians. You can capture an Arcadian, enslave them, beat them into submission, and even take away their will to fight. But Arcadians are warriors by nature, not by design. They will wait patiently for the right moment to strike. I have no doubt that the Arcadians of Avalon are waiting for the right moment to cut the throats of their enemy.”

Tabitha nodded to Sandra who understood what the she-devil wanted and spoke.

“Lady Olana is correct, my father Scarf, the Chief of the Vales Tribe has worked with other chiefs from all the tribes to rebel against the Romantians at the right time. This is a plan made by our ancestors who surrendered and agreed to the conditions the church had forced upon us. But we must be cautious, the church keeps a close eye on us.”

The Harkuns looked satisfied at Tabitha’s and Sandra’s explanation.

“Now, since we have that settled. Seeing that the Head Shaman of her tribe is her sister, I assume Sandra can contact her sister through the astral plane with my help of course.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Tabitha stated, and Sandra nodded.

“Correct my Lady, I have a small spark of shamanistic magic. Since Serene and I are sisters, it is not too difficult to contact her through the astral plane.”

“So, we are certain to make contact with an Arcadian tribe on Avalon.”

Sudan stated with anticipation, and again Sandra nodded in agreement.

“Well, now that we have things planned and all cleared up. I will meet with the commanders of the Harkun army. Everyone, please prepare to return to the mortal realms. To the lands of the Arcadians, now, go.”

As the Harkuns left the throne room, some through the open floor. Others, through the double doors leading to the stairs. Ten Harkuns approached the Crystal Throne, Nord was in front of the group. Nord and the other Harkuns knelt before Tabitha out of respect.

“Lady.”

They said in unison, Tabitha cleared her throat and spoke.

“Please, rise and look upon me. Raise your heads.”

They did as she commanded. Tabitha then said.

“Introductions, I shall begin.”

Tabitha motioned her hand to her companions that had walked closer to her throne.

“Let me introduce Zula, daughter of Malice. Talin, a partner of Balca. This is Kasca a marilith, she will become my new general. A great addition to our ranks.”

Tabitha saw some of the Harkuns nodding at that. Apparently, having a marilith on your side is a good thing. Tabitha continued.

“And here are two sisters you know, the—”

“Yes, the Cambion Twins, Lydia and Nanina. We know your daughters Lady Olana.”

Sudan had cut in, and her words took a few moments for Tabitha to register. Olana’s daughters, my daughters. Tabitha did not know how to feel about that, never did she think she would ever be a mother. Growing up under the shadow of the Romantians, life in the Church Lands was short and brutal. You never know when some jerk would come along and decide you did something to offend their god. Many people have died from being falsely accused by some priest or church official.

“Yes…my…daughters.”

Tabitha said with a smile, giving the twins a long look, that said. We are going to have a long, long talk. The twins shrugged and nodded as if to say, sure. Again, Tabita looked at the twins. The twins were both the same, they had red skin, blue horns, spade tails, and wings. They both had long raven black hair, they both look like…Tabitha? How the hell did I not notice the similarities? No, I did notice. I just figured that some demons and devils might look alike. Like some humans may look similar to other humans. But I never thought they would be my…daughters. Or Olana’s daughters, but am I Olana? Tabitha focused; this was no time for self-analysis.

“Everyone here knows Balca and Malice of course, now, please introduce yourselves.”

Nord stepped forward; he was an impressive albino greater demon. With white horns, tail, and wings. Standing at least 12-feet in height.

“I am Warrior General Nord of the 1st Battalion; I am of the Blacksword Tribe of Nosgoth.”

Nord wore brown leather and fur, as well as chainmail armor. He had a claymore strapped to his back; a double handed broad sword. Nord bowed his head and stepped back, another Harkun male stepped forward and bowed to Tabitha. His skin was a darker red than Tabitha’s, he wore silver scaled armor. His eyes were red too, and his hair was the color of ebony. It was short but curly, and he was a handsome specimen of a male. With long curved red horns, tail, and wings.

“Oh, Great One, it is a pleasure to stand in your presence once again. I am the Warrior General Ron of the 5th Battalion; I am of the Ram Tribe of Arca.”

Ron carried two short scythes strapped to his sides, the handles were polished black wood with curved 3-foot blades of silver steel. Ron bowed to Tabitha and stepped back. This time a female Harkun stepped forward and everything about her was green. Just like Balca, this Harkun had green skin, and green eyes. Unlike Balca who had a shaved head, the female Harkun had long green hair. Most notable, her armor was green as well with the same color as her skin.

“I am Warrior General Lynda of the 8th Battalion. I am of the Dehorn Tribe of Elonis. And may I say Lady, you look even more beautiful than ever.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Tabitha said, not quite sure if she had just been hit on by one of her commanders. Lynda bowed with a big smile and stepped back. Another male stepped forward, he was 11-feet tall and carried himself like a fighter. His hair was silver, his eyes were gold, and his skin was Caucasian like a human man back on earth. He wore all black leather, with two gladiuses sheathed at his sides. The male bowed to Tabitha and said in a voice full of seductive tones.

“My dear beloved Queen, I am Warrior General Casen of the 10th Battalion, I am of the Mongo Tribe of Verseti Prime in the Sigma Beta Sector. It is glorious to have you with us again.”

“Sigma Beta Sector?”

Tabitha said with interest.

“Warrior General Casen, are your people space travelers?”

Casen nodded with pride.

“Yes, my Queen, thanks to your teachings. The tribes of Verseti Prime achieved space travel and FTL flight capabilities more than twenty thousand years ago. Although, after five thousand years. I know not what has happened since…The Fall.”

“Do not worry Casen, we will rebuild and reconnect with all of the Arcadian tribes of the multiverse. It will take time, but it shall be done.”

Casen smiled saying.

“I will follow you anywhere my beloved Queen.”

He bowed and stepped back. Another female Harkun stepped forward, and her skin was ebony with red hair and brown eyes. She was beautiful with an athletic body standing at 10 and a half feet tall. Her horns were as black as tar, as well as her tail and wings. She wore a brown leather clad bikini top with loin cloth revealing strong slender thighs of legs that were very long. She wore black boots with silver shin guards, and she carried a large halberd with a dagger strapped to her right boot. She bowed to Tabitha and spoke.

“Great One, I am Warrior General Xylia of the 13th Battalion, of the Seeker Tribe of Vondra. To see you sitting on your Crystal Throne and taking your rightful place. It is a day I thought would never come, I will serve you with all my being.”

“I have no doubt you will.”

Tabitha said, and Xylia bowed and stepped back. The last five Harkuns were different from the first five. While the first group of Harkuns were fighters, this group was different. They all wore robes of different colors, shaman robes. The first to step forward in robes of midnight was a female Harkun carrying a staff with a double-bladed sword attached. She bowed to Tabitha and spoke.

“My Lady, I am Shaman Yolanda of the Vardon Tribe of Tutoron. Long have we dreamt of this day.”

Yolanda was a tall slender demon; you could tell under those robes. Her horns were ivory colored, and her wings white, as well as her tail. She stood at 11-feet tall, and her hair was the color of moonlight. She was, in a word, gorgeous. Yolanda stepped back and a male Harkun stepped forward. He was wearing colorful robes of blue, yellow, orange, and red. He stood at 12-feet in height and had green and purple hair. Which Tabitha found to be a strange color, the male’s horns are red as his skin, tail, and wings. He bowed to Tabitha and spoke.

“Oh, most beautiful goddess, I am Shaman Zen, of the Rockhard Tribe of Utopia of the Gamma Sector. As you may have guessed, the Arcadians there achieved space travel and FTL flight around the same time as Warrior General Casen. And it’s all thanks to your teachings my goddess, we owe everything to your greatness.”

“Thank you, I am pleased to be able to count on your continued loyalty.”

Which was all Tabitha could say, she did not believe for one moment that she was responsible for the success of the Arcadians of Utopia and Verseti Prime. However, she would play the part.

“I am your greatest servant my Lady, you have my complete and total loyalty.”

Zen bowed to Tabitha and stepped back. Another Harkun female stepped forward and bowed her head. Unlike the rest of the Harkuns Tabitha has seen, this female had a crown of six bone white horns, and she was bald. She wore a crimson robe with pink flowers and held a 10-foot wooden staff. She herself was 11-feet tall with red skin and pink eyes.

“Sup Lady Olana, glad to see you’re not dead anymore.”

Tabitha was a bit taken aback by the female Harkun’s greeting. She sounded like one of those girls in the hood back on earth.

“I’m Shaman Nandi ya know, or you might not. You did say your memories are gone since ya died. Anyway, I’m certain you’ll get them back. What was I saying…oh yeah? I’m of the Blackheart Tribe of Citron. Now that we have the introduction out of the way, wanna hang out?”

Before Tabitha could answer that question, another female Harkun walked up beside Nandi and grabbed her pointed ear.

“How dare you speak to Lady Olana with such brazen casualness? How many times do I have to tell you? You need to speak to our Lady with more respect.”

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. Get off me, I’m not doing anythin’ wrong.”

Tabitha held up her hands in the air.

“Now, now, there is no need for all of this. I don’t mind Nandi’s mannerisms, it’s okay.”

“Ya see, Lady Olana doesn’t mi—ahhh!”

Nandi was thrown backwards, and the female Harkun bowed to Tabitha.

“Lady Olana, I am Andi of the Blackheart Tribe of Citron.”

Tabitha looked at the female Harkun and noticed some similarities between her and Nandi. She too possesses a crown of bone white horns, but she had long black hair. She too held a10-foot wooden staff and stood the same height as Nandi. But her robes were blue with green flowers. And her skin was blue too with green eyes.

“Since you and Nandi are both from the same tribe on Citron. I assume you both are sisters?”

Andi nodded.

“Yes, though unfortunate to have a sister like Nandi…”

“Hey!?”

“…you my Lady deemed us worthy of becoming your Shaman Harkuns 75,000 years ago.”

Andi bowed and stepped back, the final shaman was male, and he walked with an air of purpose. He was tall, around 11 and a half feet, he carried a golden rod with a white diamond embedded at the top. The male Harkun wore robes of white and gold, and he had horns of gold as well as his wings, and tail. His hair was white though.

“Lady Olana, Devil Queen of the Crystal Pyramid. I am Shaman Farcin of the Kul Tribe of Tutoron. I see the rebirth of the Crystal Empire in your arrival.”

Tabitha raised an eyebrow in question.

“The Crystal Empire?”

She asked.

“It’s what the Arcadians used to call it, you had over a thousand great pyramids built on over a thousand worlds. All of them produced magical particles like the Crystal Pyramid, all of them were connected to the Crystal Pyramid. When the Crystal Pyramid was shut down, all the other pyramids connected to it lost power and were shut down as well. We lost much after you were slain my Lady, after your fall the Romantians moved against the now weakened Arcadian people. And we the Harkuns were besieged by hundreds of thousands of demons here in the Nether Realm.”

Farcin sighed at the memories, the days of loss and bitter battles just to hold on to the Crystal Pyramid.

“Those were difficult days my Queen, so many of us died, so many of us lost faith. But you have kept your promise, you said you would return, and you have. My Lady Olana, lead us once again. Let us atone for our failure.”

“No one here needs to atone.”

Tabitha said firmly.

“You, me, all of us have lost and suffered at the hands of Romanto and his allies. We will rebuild, regain our strength, and the Crystal Empire will rise once again. Then, we will seek justice against Romanto and his lackeys.”

The leaders of the Harkuns nodded and smiled their approval and agreement. Once again, Tabitha seems to know what to say. It was all instinctive, as if she had done this before.

“My Harkuns, although the Crystal Pyramid will not be fully functional until six days from now. Some functions will return, after so long, it will take some time to retrain on how to use the many magical and technical devices of the pyramid. For now, go. Get some rest or speak with your units and squads. The days before us will be busy.”

The leaders of the Harkuns bowed and left the throne room.