Lynx knocked again; no answer. For several minutes she stood there with her arms crossed, patient, just listening to the breeze and almost not minding the cool breeze. After she'd stood there, intermittently knocking, for about ten minutes, she closed her eyes and tried the knob; unlocked, again.
You'd think he'd be more wary of being broken into. Maybe he thinks nobody would dare? Lynx thought to herself, walking through the living room and toward his office after shutting the door behind her. "Aerendyl? Anyone home?"
No response.
Perfect.
Tired, she, Lynx, pushed into the office and looked around, blinking; Huh, he redecorated. There was a dark, backlit bookshelf, a recliner and a much more comfortable, lavish desk than she'd seen before. Has he been spending more time at home? There were even framed photos on the wall; mountains, a statue in the middle of a forest, a sparkling forest, the lake from above.
After a moment of deliberation, she sat down at his computer and tapped at the keyboard violently until it turned on, glancing down; no golden drugs on the desk this time. The computer, like his front door, was unlocked, so Lynx glanced around until she found an icon labeled, simply; Database.
"Seems promising," She muttered, clicking it; now this did ask for a username and password… but the computer autofilled them, and Lynx sighed, shaking her head, clicking the sign-in button. Moments later, she'd landed on a homepage, unmarked, with a search bar.
"No way it was this easy…? Any other politician," She muttered, thinking for a moment and typing, 'Charlotte'. That left her with hundreds of results, but the words 'case file' came up too often for her to be missing the mark, and so she typed again, thoughtful.
'Hell'.
Again, hundreds upon hundreds of results.
'Underland.'
Much the same.
'Cheshire Cats.'
There we go. Now there were only a handful of results; one including Charlotte, but she ignored that and clicked into something labeled 'Overview of the Cheshire Cat species', dated a few decades prior.
Case File: Underland's Cheshire Cats
Cheshire cats are a unique case of a uniform demon; where even fairies have varying abilities and genetics despite their predisposition for similar abilities, Cheshire Cats possess identical abilities. If one is more powerful than another, this is because they had abilities of their own, which are not lost in the transformation process.
The Queen mass produces these demons using a series of potions usually injected sexually, demanding subservience and making the Cheshire Cat Legion as the strongest military power in Hell. Due to this process, Underland houses a large majority of Hell's military power and control; while the process to control them is punishable by death on Earth, Hell does not follow our laws.
All Cheshire Cats are known for perfect sight even in absolute darkness using methods unknown, an average of four point one three million pounds potential force strength, enhanced regeneration and speeds approaching that of light. As there are many, one should be faced with another, where possible (Ex: Charlotte, Wolfpack).
Cheshire Cats are to be considered unfriendly and avoided at all costs. Should one be brought into custody, treat them with respect; they will likely escape, should they choose to.
When handling, employ magical suppressants via demon/angel abilities. Only then can they be controlled/forced into submission.
Notable Incidents Involving Cheshire Cats
-Creation, Rise of Underland
-Cheshire Cat Charlotte recruited into Wolfpack after entropy incident
-Cheshire Cat Charlotte's Alter Ego
-Creation of Alices
For a moment, Lynx stared, feeling as though she was about to fall into a rabbit hole before clicking into another link.
Case File: Cheshire Cat Charlotte recruited into Wolfpack after entropy incident
Charlotte (self-identified) broke out of hell without knowing of the existence of the outside world; later interviews highlight that she was a favorite of the Red Queen and isolated completely. In fear, she destroyed a shopping mall (Casualties: 7).
Once she came to her senses, Charlotte willingly faced trial, speaking repeatedly of making things right any way that she could. She was then recruited by Aurelia to join Wolfpack, and has become a weapon for the greater good. Recent reports suggest she's softened and found romance, making her more pliant and communicative.
Wait. Lynx cleared her throat, narrowing her eyes. Aurelia?
She scrolled to the bottom and clicked another link.
Case File: Wolfpack
Wolfpack is a private military directly reporting to the queen of Mir, and founded by Aurelia + Queen Aurum. Now run by Haru.
No, that can't be right- or it's a coincidence. Yeah, it's a coincidence, duh- the name isn't unique;
No. Under the initial case notes, there was a photograph; and sure as hell, there in the center, stood Aurelia. The one she knew, blonde hair fading to ginger, mismatched eyes, tail and all; but this Aurelia didn't look like she was an airheaded bimbo; her eyes were dark and flinty, as if she'd spent years struggling for her life.
Shaking her head, Lynx kept reading, but there wasn't much more;
Wolfpack has frequently served the good of the people, seeking to end wars and save what, and who, they can. Members: Haru, Fox, Aurelia, Cobalt, Alexander, Lif, Ica, Eileen… The list of names continued, and Lynx glanced away, overwhelmed.
Notable incidents involving Wolfpack
Outbreak at Starrian Border
Outbreak at Abasaba Offices
Phantom Dragon Sighting
Before Lynx could read further, her ears twitched, and she looked up; the front door had opened. Those steps were Aerendyl's, for sure. For a moment, she panicked, and then Lynx steeled herself and stood up, sighing, fidgeting with her hands before finally drawing a breath and sitting back down, returning to her original goal.
Case File: Underland
Underland is the first major region of hell. Originally, the myth of the 'Seven Deadly Sins' began because of the seven regions that separate hell, each of their cultures representing a different hedonistic lifestyle; Underland represented lust. It is rife with flora that induce sexual reactions, sex is a staple in their culture, and their leadership is comprised largely of succubi and pink-winged harpy demons referred to as Jubjubs.
It is said that the children's novel, 'Alice in Wonderland', was written by a demon who escaped Hell many years ago, before the portals in Alcantore were founded, trying to get their message out to the world in a format that would not be censored; this is one of the first reported understandings that demons are not, in fact, evil by nature.
Underland is relatively safe, requiring no special gear or armor to enter, though strong willpower is the only true failsafe against what the place will want to do to you.
Military
Largely protected by Cheshire Cat Corps., a unique military group formed and bred by the Red Queen, Underland also has many standard soldiers among their ranks, though it should be assumed that they are all demonic in nature and should never be met with humans alone. Fortunately, Underland believes in relative peace, and has never threatened Earth or even humanity. They have also been receptive of Contracted Arms reporters wishing to understand their ways, but such missions stopped after over a hundred forty of CA agents were corrupted and became addicted to sex.
Culture
While sex is baked deeply into their culture, the truth is somewhat more interesting than that. Long ago, this was not the case at all, until a small village in the far west was found where Honeydew Flora grew; a notoriously sweet flower that induces uncontrollable physiological responses. Upon discovery, the flower was used in the creation of several wines, which led to the decline of decency.
Species
Most species in Underland represent a form of demon relating to the original tale; rabbit-type demons and dragons, birds, and so forth. Though it cannot be confirmed, it is theorized that Underland has some control over the form in which they reincarnate, though we have no inkling of how. The most dangerous species are the Alices; small, demure girls who unconsciously lead others toward corruption or death and often possess a sense of urgency, as if they're late for something. This trait is also common among anybody with rabbit features.
Notes
Underland is considered the most gentle of the Hells; their people generally wish to avoid combat and many have been reported as wishing for a more meaningful existence. They should be considered allies at best, kindred neutrals at worst.
Underland also revolutionized supportive and combative magics via musical channeling.
-
"Hm…" Lynx thought, leaning back and kicking her feet up, surprised Aerendyl hadn't found her yet. Kindred neutrals… wishing for a more meaningful existence… and if the Cheshire Cat Corps. Is truly so controlled, maybe what Charlotte said… do I wanna read her case file…? If she considers me a friend, maybe it would be more respectful to not… but how did she know about Aurelia… why are there two… and she asked how MY Aurelia is doing…
I'll ask the one I know. I'll let her explain.
If it's something invasive, she deserves for me to understand on her terms. Do I even need to understand? Nah, not really, but I want to. I still have her number, I'll get ahold of her later. Hope she won't feel awkward what with indirectly leading me to almost die, I don't blame her…
"Ah, I was starting to think you'd never find me," Lynx muttered, legs still crossed on the desk; Aerendyl stood in the doorway, looking conflicted between anger and confusion. "You should do better about locking your door."
"This is what we're doing now? Breaking into my home-"
"Door was unlocked," Lynx stated flatly, staring. "Don't have my own logins yet, I just wanted to do some reading up on Hell, Underland. Don't worry, wasn't reading your messages with the cultists, or whatever," She added, finally swinging her legs off the desk and leaning forward a bit, narrowing her eyes. "How have you been, big bro?"
"Don't call me that," Aerendyl muttered. "Listen, have I not proven myself?"
"As anything other than incompetent?" Lynx asked, raising an eyebrow. "Please, elaborate." She wasn't entirely sure where her rage came from; just that it existed, for better or worse. Images swam behind her eyes of the centipede, of Vilhelm- or, Paladin. The Alice but wrong, the guard log, the glowing book, her chest was growing tight with anger the ice the cold down there-
Stop.
"Sorry, repeat that?" Lynx blinked, realizing Aerendyl had, in fact, replied to her. He crossed his arms, brow furrowing in annoyance, but nodded.
"I said that I didn't argue. You're above me now, and I've got some learning to do. If I haven't proven I'm good, then haven't I at least proven that I want to change?"
For a moment, Lynx stared, thoughtful, angling her head reflexively before shrugging and brushing past him.
"Did you read my file?" He asked, and she paused in the hall, looking back.
"No, I didn't," She snapped and continued on toward the door.
"Please, wait," Aerendyl pleaded, and Lynx turned, drawing a sharp breath, chest so tight it hurt.
"What do you want Aerendyl? Do you want to say you're sorry because you almost got me killed? Because your plan went to shit? Because you didn't save me, like you haven't saved the people down there at the bottom of the sewers? Maybe you want to apologize because what you call saving me? Or recruiting Vilhelm? Is really just your incompetent ass recruiting easy prey so you can feel like a hero." She stared, jaw twitching, and Aerendyl just watched her, eyes slowly beginning to sparkle. "Oh what, does being called out make you feel sad?"
"Why are you being so mean," He asked softly, voice trembling, and Lynx scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"What would you have me be instead? You almost got me killed. Gaslit me into joining the good side, which has proven to be corrupt and harmful. Tried to cage me with an office that, by the way- you could have let me know was coming. Maybe," She added, looking down and shaking her head. "Maybe you really do mean well, but I don't have a lot of faith in you right now," She added, turning and pushing through his front door, stepping out into the cold and starting to walk. "I came here for your computer, not you!!"
"Lynx please!" Aerendyl shouted, voice desperate; she ignored him, but he was at her side in a flash, walking with her, keeping pace as she headed down toward the car.
"I've had enough!!" She snapped, but when she opened her mouth, his scent caught her tongue, and Lynx shuddered, feeling almost forced to focus on it. His scent wasn't of corruption; it was half filthy, half not. Like a scared little boy hiding from the dark by a fireplace- and then, learning that the fire meant safety, thrusting it onto others, burning them. He was oil and water, ash and safety- but his scent was nothing like the smells down in the sewers. Lynx blinked… and the world around her lurched, shifted. She felt like she was falling forward, the world went dark… and then, she was standing on her feet, dizzy, world spinning.
"Where am I?!" Lynx snapped, swallowing. "Aerendyl, what the hell did you do?" She stood somewhere damp, dark and blazing with heat; a forge. Aurelia was there- Aurelia? No, this Aurelia was wrong; not the one she knew. This one was hammering steel, and as Lynx watched, the fairy dropped her hammer and drew out a knife, screaming and slitting her wrist; blood exploded into whatever she was forging, and Lynx lurched forward, concerned- but the world spun again and she was thrown into a wooden wall, seeing stars as she landed on her knees, shuddering.
"I'm CONFUSED!!" Aerendyl was before her in a dark room, screaming, tangling his hands into his hair. "I was told that I'm good- they all said it and THEY LIED, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS!!" He screamed, and Lynx winced at the noise, ears folding back; when she opened her eyes, the world lurched once again, and she staggered forward, nausea making her head spin.
"If you're sure," Somebody spoke, and she looked back, kneeling in what seemed to be some sort of dilapidated warehouse. Aerendyl was there, screaming in agony, scrabbling at the concrete, vomiting as an old man with graying hair planted a foot on his back, grabbed his wings and pulled; Lynx turned away, throwing up, eyes widening; his spine was coming out of his back, sinew ripping audibly.
The world spun again,and Lynx recoiled, back hitting Alice's car; she was back, she was okay- but there was a ringing in her ears she couldn't escape, and she shook her head, rolling across the hood to put distance between them, raising her hands.
"What the hell did you do to me-"
"I didn't do anything," Aerendyl winced, clutching at his head with a hand, his eyes as hazy and disoriented as hers. "It was you- you were in my head,"
"I-I'm leaving," Lynx snapped, swallowing. "I need to go," She added, fumbling with the car keys, getting in, but Aerendyl wouldn't stop, carefully opening the passenger door and sinking to one knee in the grass.
"Lynx, please I'm sorry if I did something by accident but you have to understand, I am trying to fix this, and fix myself," He begged, voice raw, and Lynx paused, his voice cutting through the panic.
She'd watched his spine being ripped out, moments prior; was that a vision, or a hallucination, or something else entirely? He had wings. What was the other Aurelia to him?
For a moment, Lynx just sat there, breathing heavily, staring at him.
I'm confused- they told me I was good, and I don't know how to fix this. That's what you said, right? Some bullshit illusion magic you've got that you're not telling me about, or is it something else?
"Please," He begged, and Lynx angled her head.
"Please what? Forgive you? Love you?"
"Please keep hating me, if you must- you've got all the reason you need, and not a lot of reason to trust me- but please let me prove you wrong. Show you that I can be humble and do better," Aerendyl whispered urgently, and Lynx nodded.
"You can prove me wrong. I didn't ask for leadership, but I'm going to be good at it- that means being fair, right? Now let go of my car," She added, and Aerendyl nodded, slowly taking his hands back.
"I actually… made something for you. Will you wait here for a moment?"
"Sure, but it won't fix things between us," Lynx laughed drily, nodding. "I'll wait. By the way- whatever just happened, I saw a guy with brown hair ripping wings out of your back?"
For a moment, Aerendyl was quiet, but he nodded, eyes fogging.
"If I explain now, it will look like a weak grab for pity. I'll explain… some other time," He added, smiling wistfully and walking back to the house. Lynx watched him go as if frozen, before melting back into her seat, shuddering. The nausea returned all at once as she remembered the sound of sinew snapping. Of Aerendyl screaming so hard blood spilled over his bottom lip, his fingernails breaking as he scrabbled at the floor… does that mean it really happened? The man said if you're sure, or something like that- why would Aerendyl CHOOSE that pain?
Yeah- he did me wrong, but maybe he does want to be better. Maybe he's just lost. Lynx, if you want to do this leader thing right, you probably need to practice mercy and second chances, or whatever-"
Aerendyl was back, having bolted from the door to a few paces away in seconds, then finished walking normally and lowering his head, tossing something into her lap. Curious, Lynx looked down, angling her head the other way now, realizing that she did that quite a lot.
In her lap sat a simple leather corded bracelet, though; she picked it up and inspected it; leather, braided with something silvery, and something golden.
"What is this?"
"An experiment. It works. Just… wear it?" Aerendyl asked quietly, smiling. "It's a tool that should adapt to your intentions, made with magic. I know it doesn't make things right, but it's a start; because, forgiveness is earned via action, not empty words and false promises. Lynx, I am sorry for what I've put you through. I've been narrow minded, and selfish, and manipulative- but I want you to believe, if you can that I really thought I was being good. I'm not above admitting I was wrong, and I'm ready to learn. Even if I don't do so as a friend of yours. My final act of selfishness will be becoming better for my own sake and well-being."
For a long moment, Lynx stared, and then she slowly put the bracelet on- it fit her perfectly, soft and firm against her wrist.
"You said this is a tool?"
"It is- not necessarily a weapon. It's made with demon's blood, pixie steel, and enchanted leather; slightly illegal, but with your status, nobody will ever question it. Sorry, little abuse of power is kind of the theme, isn't it?" He added, chuckling quietly.
"I don't want something illegal and harmful."
"It's a tool- I didn't make a weapon. You'll understand, just try and use it later. I promise it'll make sense," Aerendyl whispered, patting the roof of the car. "See you."
"Alright," Lynx sighed, nodding. "Look, we can start over. Thanks. You said you made this?"
"Yes," He agreed, and Lynx nodded, clearing her throat and starting the car.
"I'm going now."
"Okay."
Aerendyl backed off, and Lynx drove off, watching the trees blur by and glancing down at the bracelet she now wore, thinking. Going to Underland did seem like a smart idea, now; seeing if she could recruit any of the Cheshire Cats. How would they take that idea, though? How would the Red Queen?
First thing, I'll see what Alice and Nara have to say.
Figure out this 'tool', too.
What did I see, back there…