First Demonic Dragon

Chapter 1126: I Leave It To You

When at an impasse, the use of statistics, prior experiences and evidence all factor in to the process for making informed decisions.

But sometimes, even after exhausting all of those options, the choice one has to make doesn’t become any easier.

At times like that, it was best to push the hard work of deciding on someone else. Ideally, fate.

“No, you can’t use your powers to do that, it might affect the outcome..”

“Oh, yes, you’re right… should we toss it up together then?”

“I believe that might be best.”

Yesh and Asherah each grabbed half of a shiny Asgardian coin.

Together, they threw the coin up into the air.

They watched the dial of gold rotate and tumble as it descended.

It landed with a metal clink at their feet.

The couple knew the result without turning their heads.

“That’s that then. No use questioning it.”

Asherah nodded resolutely and she and Yesh moved over to Karliah’s face-down body.

Yesh lifted her without even touching her.

He expected her to still be fighting, but this woman had gone to sleep!

“She’s…”

“An interesting one.”

Yesh thought that was one way to put it.

He walked over to the strange being and held his hand over the crown of her head.

The sound of her snoring persisted even after she had been lifted.

Yeah intruded into her mind and her eyes flashed open.

“What are you doing, golden boy?!”

“You need not question me, child. You will not remember me until the next time I desire you to do so.”

“What does that even mean?!”

“You may close your eyes to rest again. You will lose nothing that you hold dear, at least not until you have fulfilled your function.”

Karliah was born and bred a fighter by design. Even God couldn’t change that.

But he could make her go back to sleep so that he could work quietly. And as he said, Karliah would have no memory of him looming over her.

Yesh took a little longer to accomplish his task than usual.

Asherah looked over his shoulder and watched as he meddled with the inner workings of Karliah’s strong psyche.

“I thought you would have gotten this over with the snap of a finger.”

“That felt a bit disingenuous, I fear… if I am going to do something as delicate as interfering in the thinking process of another individual, then I shouldn’t automate the task. It’s the best apology I can give.”

Yesh knew Karliah couldn’t help how she was born. And even though he didn’t create her, he had empathy for her.

So, instead of taking her life, he was going to make her forget some things.

Like just how volatile her powers truly were. As well as the fact that she could hand them out to any demon or abyss dweller who ingested her blood.

Until at least the moment she laid eyes on ‘that’ person. And then Yesh would have to revisit the keeping of her powers once again…

–

“You bet the fate of all of our lives on a coin toss?!”

“Only after we exhausted every other avenue of discussion.” Asherah shrugged nonchalantly.

“And besides, we would have taken action if Karliah had somehow broken past the barrier we set in place…” Yesh added weakly.

Raphael didn’t look like he was fully convinced his parents weren’t just irresponsible.

“But what if-”

Asherah grabbed him by the mouth. “Hush, boy. The story is not over yet.”

*Muffled* “Yes, mama…”

– Current Timeline

Shortly after the family recovered their memories of the past, Asherah paid them a visit.

It was around Christmas time, and the adults were busy drinking alcoholic eggnog and playing inappropriate games.

Asherah entered the room silently with a small smile underneath her veil.

“So festive… Why is Darius painted like a candy cane?”

“Because anybody can get a lick, lassie!”

“I see. You’re already inebriated.”

“And I would say that it’s about time you join me!”

Asherah held up her hands in surrender.

“I will unfortunately be abstaining but I appreciate the offer-”

“BOOOOOO!!!!” The entire room turned against her at once.

“I’m here on a bit of a business visit, so-”

“Drink some eggnog and put on this Santa bikini!” Lusamine demanded drunkenly.

“I will also be abstaining from the sexual Santa outfit.”

“BOOOO!!!”

Asherah’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“May I please borrow Karliah for a moment? I will participate in responsible drinking with you afterward.”

It was unbelievable how fast everyone in the room sobered up.

They all looked towards Karliah, who was dressed in nothing but red, fluffy pants and a pair of green striped pasties that didn’t even fully cover her areola.

She had a confident look on her face as she stood up and stretched.

“Haaa…. Loneliness finally getting to you, eh? Don’t worry, darlin. I’ll give you the time of your life, and none of that nice and slow shit you’re used to.”

“Karliah, I’m not sleeping with you.”

“Don’t be scared. I got plenty good references if you need ’em.”

Karliah turned to the room.

“Be honest, how many of you were planning to hop in my bed tonight for a taste of mommy’s juicy, world-famous, finger-licking wham-wham?”

“…”

Lusamine, Sei, Satan, Nyx, and Iori all held up their hands.

“Someone’s not being honest~” Karliah cooed.

Gulban, Belphegor, and Absalom held up their hands shyly.

“Dad!” Valerie hit her father with a pillow.

“Men have needs, princess! I like what I like and she’s got half of it!”

“Hold on a minute, what the fuck am I missing?!” Karliah was immediately offended.

“I like to spoon. You’re an adamant cuddle denier.”

“Pansy.”

Valerie couldn’t tell if she wanted more to drink or if she just wanted to go to bed early.

“Wait a minute, I thought you two were gay!” Darius turned his attention to Belohegor and Absalom.

“”Sexuality is a spectrum.””

“Huh. Well, I guess she’s got some mannish tendencies anyway, so I can understand the blurring of lines.”

Karliah punched him in the back of the head. “You’re just jealous I can give myself a dick bigger than yours.”

“Now you’re just talking out your muscular ass!” Darius reached for his trousers. “Sei, break out your ruler! And someone turn up the thermostat otherwise this thing is going to be close!”

Asherah sighed. “Please, I didn’t come here for nudity. Can I just speak to Karliah without being visually assaulted..?”

Karliah folded her arms in a huff.

“You better be talking about baldie as the visual assaultor… I’m a god damned treasure to see in the nude.”

“I’m sure you are, dear.”

Together, Asherah and Karliah shuffled out of the room and moved down the hallway.

Once they were far enough away from the group, Karliah finally couldn’t take the suspense anymore.

“Alright, it’s not like we’re Facebook friends or anything. If I’m not eating the cobwebs out of your basement then what am I doing here?”

“Don’t you mean cleaning?”

“No. No, I do not.”

Asherah sighed and turned back to Karliah.

She brought her hands to her face and lifted up her veil.

She didn’t open her mouth to say anything, she just stared.

But that was enough for Karliah to slowly start to remember. “Fuck, no way…”

“I’m sorry, but it’s time.”

“Fuck you it is!”

“Karliah, I know this may be distressing to you, but it’s for the best. I’ve been having some dark premonitions, and-”

“Take your premonitions and shove them! I’m not passing anything out to anyone so there’s no reason for you to come in here trying to put your paws on shit that doesn’t belong to you!”

“This is not a robbery, Karliah. You know how special you are, and that can’t spread.”

“First of all, there’s no reason for you to try to stroke my ego, I promise I already think I’m phenomenal.

Secondly, the only thing I’m spreading anytime soon is my legs for anyone who wants to climb the ebony stairway to heaven.”

“Karliah, you aren’t making this easy-”

“I said no, now stay away from me!”

“What’s going on?”

Neither woman heard Bekka silently approaching.

She had followed the two just to make sure everything was alright, and now was glad she’d made the effort.

“Why are you arguing..?”

“Miss Avatar over here is trying to take my powers!” Karliah revealed.

“What?? What’d you do now?! You’ve only been back a month!”

“I didn’t do anything, she’s just harassing me!”

Asherah pursed her lips. “I am not harassing her… need I point out the irony of you saying that after all of the obscenities you have thrown at me since I arrived?”

“What’s ironic about it?” Karliah blinked.

Sometimes, Asherah forgot that Karliah’s concept of normal, appropriate things to say was greatly affected by her being born in Tehom during its lawless period.

“… Never mind. The point of the situation is…”

Asherah proceeded to explain to Bekka everything about the nature and history of her mother’s magic.

She hoped that it would make her see reason and Bekka would aid her in convincing Karliah to do this peacefully.

She was surprised when Bekka did the opposite.

“Asherah… please don’t take my mother’s powers away.”

“Bekka, she is-”

“I know she’s dangerous. I’ve seen everything that she can do firsthand, but… her powers are a part of who she is. If you took them away, she would crumble without them.”

“H-Hey, don’t make me sound so-”

“Mom, please shut up..”

“…Heifer.” Karliah folded her arms and turned around.

Bekka let the insult roll off her back for the time being and continued trying to plead her mother’s case.

“I’ll be responsible for her. No one will know she has it, and she won’t go around using it either. There’s no reason to take anything from her.”

Bekka knew her mother well. She defined herself by her strength.

Her power, not her physical form, was what made her feel confident and beautiful.

As problematic as Karliah could be sometimes, her mental image of herself was truly something to envy.

Bekka didn’t want to see her mother lose that. Not for anything.

“I’ll watch her, so… please.” She pleaded.

Once again, Asherah was at another great impasse.

I also raised my hand just so y’all know.