First Demonic Dragon

Chapter 1135: It’s Nice to See a Friend

Captivity gives one a litany of time.

Time to reflect. Time to say apologies to those who may not hear them. And time to ponder about the different choices that one could have made in their life.

I believe that, through spending time trapped with my brother, I realized that he and I were never all that different.

My brother could not acknowledge humanity because he did not see them as something worth our father’s time. He believed they were bound to disappoint him, and at the same time, he was jealous of the way that father doted on them.

Similarly, I could not acknowledge you, Abaddon, for the same reasons.

Upon learning of the significance of your identity, I became slightly paranoid. I feared that the being who had once wounded my father would endeavor to do so again if his powers were to be restored.

I had not the full knowledge of your background and everything that made your relationship significant. I couldn’t understand his blind trust and belief in you much in the same way that I believe my brother could not understand our father’s love for humanity.

I could not acknowledge you. As I watched you accrue wives wantonly and use your power in ways I would not have considered unproductive, this bias of mine became something deeper entrenched. Perhaps you could even call it resentment.

I endeavored dutifully to be a model son after my brother fell. I wanted to fill the role he left behind and lead by example, and show my younger brothers and sisters that there was a proper way to conduct oneself as God’s messengers. I wanted them to be proud of me.

Though my parents seemed pleased with my efforts, they often chasised me to take lighter approaches to dealing with my brothers and sisters. I couldn’t do that after what happened.

So to see you so easily take their attention and their trust, captivating them without even meaning to and earning their full confidence and belief, I… I was unable to properly convey my disappointment.

I thought your powers were at work. Swaying the minds of the creators and causing them to be led astray.

Really, I was just trying to delude myself to make reality sting less. I judged you wrongly due to my own insecurities and jealousy, and I will live with that shame for what I suspect will be a very short life.

I have been dancing around it for a while now because I lacked the words to adequately address the topic. How does one simply apologise for committing abominations?

I knew what Trihexa would mean to you when I acted. I knew what she was likely to become if her power was returned to you.

And yet, I acted anyway. I committed a disgraceful, barbarous act towards you and your family, and justified it by telling myself I was acting for the betterment of my father.

I realized too late that the use of justifications to commit evil can never truly be an act of good nature. I have stained the soul my parents have gifted me. But what’s worse is that I have inflicted harm on an innocent.

In an entirely new lifetime where I was captured before I could even begin to live, the consequences of my actions have come to haunt me like a dreadful spector. I can neither run from it, nor appease it.

If I am honest, if Percival had not been using me to commit evil, I would have been content to remain trapped within his power. It would have been a just punishment for my actions and I would have never had to face you and renounce my wrongdoings.

I suppose that is something else that I have discovered about myself. I harbor a sense of cowardice.

In my new freedom, I have feared your anger. I have feared the withholding of your forgiveness. These things, I have realized, are selfish.

I apologize to you, not because I fear your power or your vengeance. And not because mother had encouraged me to do so.

Of my own volition, here and now, I confess to you that I am truly sorry for my actions.

I apologize, knowing that these words are meaningless because what has been done can no longer be changed.

Nevertheless, I lower myself to you and say my sincerest apologies because I hope to convey my regret if even a little bit.

I submit myself to the judgment of your family.

Whatever punishment you should find necessary, I will accept it without complaint.

I have glimpsed the child. She is a sublime ray of joy. Like rain upon a blistering, cracked earth, or sunlight upon the leaves of a flower.

To think that I have done harm to such an innocent being… it sickens me.

As such, in my infinite greed and folly, I boldly ask you for but one thing.

Please, put me out of my misery and balance the scales.

–

“Williams family? Williams..? Ah, Mr. Williams, we’re ready for her.”

Abaddon slowly blinked as his mind returned to normal.

He looked up at the human woman wearing a cardigan and a polite smile.

He smiled back at her.

“My apologies… late night at the office and all.”

Abaddon removed Odessa from his lap and she walked over to the kind-looking lady.

“No worries! This’ll just take a few moments so you all can sit out here comfortably until I am back.”

The teacher turned to Odessa and held held out her hand for the child to take.

She seemed a little bit shy at first, but eventually after a bit more persuading, she was able to follow the woman without reservations.

As they disappeared into the classroom for a small aptitude test, Zahara leaned against her husband’s arm and finally voiced her concerns.

“I’m so worried about her… what will we do if the other kids pick on her for being in the special needs program?”

“We’ll make them eat their parents alive and have them grow up heavily medicated in an insane asylum.” Ayaana answered the question as if it were obvious.

“…Oh. Yeah, okay, I’m fine with that.” Zahara nodded.

All three of them were seated together outside of a small office space.

The charm of human disguises and identities enamored Zahara in a way that perhaps nothing else could.

Before their appointment, she spent a full hour in the mirror sifting through careers and outfits.

She settled on a sexy plastic surgeon. Her outfit consisted of a formal, businesslike pleated skirt and a button-down shirt.

Hanging off her breast pocket was an ID badge to what was now a very real plastic surgery clinic across town.

Employees had already been hired and they were up to date on all of their certifications, licenses, and permits. Miraculously.

Abaddon knew from firsthand experience that when it came to playing pretend, Zahara really didn’t like to fuck around.

In contrast, Ayaana opted for a more laid-back scenario where, as the spouse of two other very high-earning partners, she got to be a stay-at-home mom with a travel, food, and lifestyle blog.

As of exactly two minutes ago, she has an average of four million readers with every post.

Her alternative lifestyle posts were a big hit with moms and helped to expand their ideas of what a household could look like while simultaneously fueling some very curious fantasies.

Abaddon stuck to his usual cover-up about cryptocurrency.

…Or at least that was the plan. Zahara said it was boring and made him change it to a crude oil tycoon.

Gaia probably wouldn’t be all that happy about it, but Abaddon was starting to think that was why Zahara had him pick it.

“You’ve been quiet. I must have updated my blog six times and you never even noticed.” Ayaana ran her coffin-shaped fingernails over her husband’s wavy hair.

She affectionately played with his ear as she stared at him.

“There’s a 44% chance you’re still thinking about that letter. Care to inflate my ego a little more by telling me that I’m right?”

Abaddon smiled faintly as he kissed her hand. “It was just something that caught me by surprise is all. Now I suppose it’s just making me think a bit.”

“You aren’t considering forgiving him, are you?”

“No, no, I don’t believe I am that kind. But at the same time, I…”

Abaddon’s words trailed off as he slowly sat up in his chair.

Similarly, Ayaana and Zahara looked equally surprised.

“Oh my… this is a nice surprise.”

Abaddon stood up and kissed both women before he exited the front office.

…The woman at the front desk stared at him with a look of burning jealousy as he passed.

Abaddon exited the front doors of the elementary school and found an individual already waiting for him.

“It is terrible that this is how I find out you’ve come to visit. Remind me, you have phones back in the abyss, right?”

Abaddon laughed as he embraced Shiva in a firm hold.

The two men hugged each other tightly, like brothers who were meeting after a long separation.

When they pulled apart, Ahaddon placed his hands over Shiva’s shoulders.

“I’m certain you’re not busy. Let’s grab lunch.”

“…Fine, but you’re paying.” Shiva shrugged.

“That’s no problem. Did I tell you I’m an oil baron?”

“Come again?”

Laughing, the two men started walking towards Abaddon’s car in the parking lot, with each of them having much to talk about.

They didn’t know it yet, but a third would later join their chance meeting and turn this day into an unforgettable experience…