📖 Scene — Innocent Play… and a Hidden Conflict
The Archangel sat in his vast hall, his presence filling the space with overwhelming authority. Rows of angels knelt before him, their heads bowed in heavy silence. He cast a sharp gaze over them, then spoke in a tone laced with irritation:
"Have you not found him yet?"
The hall trembled slightly with the echo of his voice. The angels bowed even lower, then replied in unison:
"No, Archangel… we have not found him."
Silence lingered for a moment before the Captain of the Guard—standing nearby with steady composure—stepped forward. She studied the kneeling angels briefly, then turned back to the Archangel and said calmly, her voice edged with analysis:
"I believe he may be dead, Archangel."
The atmosphere froze the instant she uttered those words, as if even the air had stopped moving. The Archangel slowly lifted his gaze toward her, then said with a quiet sigh:
"Take a squad of angels with you… and find out what happened to him."
He paused for a moment…
But the silence did not last long. A terrifying pressure began to spread through the hall—a suffocating energy emanating from the Archangel's body, making even the strongest present feel an immense weight.
Then he spoke in a low voice, yet one that carried undeniable danger:
"And if necessary… I will intervene myself."
The moment the Captain of the Guard heard that, she quickly knelt and said with deep respect:
"As you command, my lord."
As soon as she finished speaking, she vanished from the hall, followed instantly by the rest of the angels.
The Archangel remained alone…
He exhaled slowly, then murmured to himself:
"I must accelerate my plan… and create that thing as soon as possible."
Far from the world of angels and their schemes…
Medusa had already returned to her cave. Her body glided smoothly between the الصخور until she reached its depths, where she found her little daughter playing with one of the snakes.
Medusa laughed from the depths of her heart—a rare laugh, carrying a warmth seldom seen in the world of demons. As she slithered closer, she said:
"How are you, my little one?"
The moment the child heard her voice, she turned quickly, her eyes shining with joy, and cried out happily:
"Mom! Mom, you're back!"
She rushed toward her, and Medusa embraced her, lifting her gently as she said while moving deeper into the cave:
"How are you? Did you behave while I was gone? You didn't leave the cave, did you?"
Medusa already knew the answer—she had ordered the snakes surrounding the cave to watch over the child and report anything immediately—but she asked playfully.
The child nodded enthusiastically as small snakes moved around her, then said:
"No, I didn't leave the cave… I'm a good girl!"
Medusa smiled, kissed her gently, and said:
"Yes, yes… you are a good girl."
She continued slithering deeper into the cave, seeking a quiet moment with her daughter…
But suddenly—
She stopped.
She sensed a strange presence entering the cave.
Before she could react, a familiar voice came from behind her:
"So… this is your child, Medusa. She really does look like you."
Medusa turned sharply and looked at Lilith, who stood there as if entering the cave were the most natural thing in the world.
Before Medusa could ask how she got in—or why she came—the child suddenly interrupted with innocent curiosity:
"Mom… who is this beautiful lady?"
Lilith looked at the child and chuckled softly. She stepped closer and gently pinched her cheek as she said:
"I'm your Aunt Lilith… and if you ever need anything, just come to me—"
But before she could finish, Medusa cut her off sharply, her gaze turning cold:
"My daughter does not need your help."
Then she added, pulling her child closer:
"She has her mother to give her everything she wants… isn't that right, my little one?"
The child smiled brightly, nodding eagerly as she said with pure joy:
"Yes, yes! Mom is the best!"
She waved her hand happily, then added with sparkling eyes:
"So… can we go outside the cave today?"
Medusa's expression shifted slightly. She frowned and was about to refuse immediately—
But Lilith beat her to it.
In a gentle tone, as if seizing the moment, she said:
"Of course you can, my dear… and I'll go with you."
Before Medusa could process what was happening, Lilith had boldly yet gently taken the child from her arms, carrying her as she began walking toward the cave's exit as if the matter were already decided.
As she walked, she spoke lightly to the child:
"Where would you like to go? To my land… or to the Demon King's realm? He told me he wants to see you… would you like to meet him?"
The child nodded quickly, full of excitement:
"Yes! I want to see the Demon King!"
At that moment, Medusa snapped out of her shock. Her eyes widened at Lilith's audacity, and before Lilith could leave the cave—
The ground suddenly moved.
A dense swarm of snakes surged forward, completely blocking the cave's entrance.
Lilith stopped in her tracks. She glanced at the scene, then lowered her gaze to the child and said in feigned surprise:
"Oh… look, my dear, your mother is bullying your aunt just because she wants to accompany you… that's bad, isn't it?"
The child nodded, her expression softening with concern. She looked at her mother and said sadly:
"Mom… don't bully Aunt Lilith… she's kind. I like her."
Medusa froze in place.
She looked at her daughter in genuine shock, as if the words had been stolen from her. Then she slowly raised her head and looked at Lilith, her eyes blazing with anger:
"Look at what you've done… you've made me seem like a bully in my own daughter's eyes!"
Lilith smirked faintly, then turned to the child. Her expression suddenly shifted into feigned fear as she said:
"Protect me, my dear… protect your aunt from that evil woman."
The child was immediately affected. Sadness appeared on her face, then quickly turned into determination.
She raised her small hands in a defensive stance and stood in front of Lilith, trying to protect her…
It was a strange sight—
A small child standing against her own mother.
At that moment, the little snakes on her head moved, baring their tiny fangs in a way that was both adorable and unsettling… a scene that might terrify anyone else, but seemed almost cute from Lilith and Medusa's perspective.
The child tried to sound brave as she said:
"Stay away from my aunt! I'll protect her… don't come near her, you're scaring her!"
Medusa's eyes widened again—
Shock upon shock.
Before she could explain anything, Lilith made things worse, stepping back slightly as she said:
"Yes, yes… don't come any closer, you evil one. I'm scared!"
Then she set the child down and watched as she stood firmly in front of her, ready to defend her against… her own mother.
Medusa stood there, momentarily helpless, unable to believe what she was seeing.
As for Lilith—
She slowly lifted her gaze toward Medusa, a mocking smile forming on her lips, as if her eyes were saying without words:
"Look… even your daughter loves me more."
(Author's Note):
Hello everyone! Thank you for your continuous support of this novel; your comments and interactions mean the world to me.
Stepping away from our story here for a moment, I wanted to share another project I've been working on with great passion. I have started publishing a webtoon (comic) on the Webtoon platform titled "Me and the Wolf."
It is a [Comedy / Fantasy] story about a miserable young man and a cunning wolf who is constantly getting him into trouble! If you enjoy my writing style and the way I build scenarios, I promise you're going to love this comic.
I would be so grateful if you could go check it out, subscribe to the series, and let me know what you think in the comments there!
🔍 Search on the Webtoon app for: [Me and the Wolf]