10. Cain

Cain

The air was charged with anticipation as Cain and Constance approached the legendary seer. He could sense Constance's heart pounding furiously as she stepped closer to the decrepit old woman.

"I am not old," the woman said in a craggy voice. "I am the universe."

As she turned toward them, they saw that her eyes were covered with a milky film.

"You're blind!" Constance gasped. "Our neighbor's cat gave birth to a kitten with milky white eyes once. My father drowned it in the creek saying it was more humane than allowing it to suffer."

"I am not blind, child. I see everything. I know why you've come to see me."

"Revered seer," Cain began. "I have come to you with a conundrum. "

"I know why you've come to see me," she hissed. "What I want is to see the woman."

As Constance approached the revered oracle, the woman held out her hand, causing her to recoil. Her eyes bore into Constance's soul while observing every plain of existence, peering into the very fabric of time.

She cackled "You have no destiny here, child. Heavy hands will judge you once every last coin is spent. Your womb has been cursed, but you have become a mother. Your future is shrouded in mystery with many choices that will weigh over your veil."

The weight of uncertainty hung in the air as the oracle let go of Constance's hand. Though cryptic, the oracle's words set in motion a chain of events that would shape the course of Constance's future.

The Seer turned her attention toward Cain. She took several slow steps toward him and bowed deeply. When she raised her eyes to his, he felt an invisible force pulling him into her realm. The air crackled with energy, which battered him. His demonic form threatened to erupt.

"None of that now, young master. I know why you're here. You've been desperate to achieve, but you'll never receive recognition. You thirst for pleasure you can never experience. Nothing will sate your hunger. Her affections are not a prize to be won. Your nature doesn't allow you another path, but if it did, you would find fulfillment."

Her words angered him, and his face twisted in a grimace. "Don't speak to me in ridiculous riddles. Tell me what I need to know. "

She held her hand toward Constance. "Where is my payment?"

Cain yanked Constance's cloak open. His brother's child was asleep, nestled against her breast.

"You've become a mother." She smiled.

Constance's eyes went wide. "That's not true. I'm not a mother. It didn't deserve to be left in purgatory."

The crone nodded thoughtfully. "Give me the child."

Constance hesitated, glancing down at the sleeping baby. Cain clicked his tongue in annoyance. She reluctantly handed the tiny bundle over to the woman's withered hands.

"You can't take the child to the world of mortals, either, not without its mother."

"Satan had five children—did you know? His eldest was a daughter. She was kind-hearted and beautiful, and the only one who made her father smile. One birthday he promised to give her whatever her heart desired. She wished for a single flower, but not just any flower. She wanted one that would bring joy not to herself or her father, but to mortals. She wanted to plant them and bring a single one home with her. What else could a proud father do but honor his daughter's selfless wish? She went to the land of mortals with no disguise, as she'd never had to hide her nature before. Unfortunately, she learned the wickedness of man. They bound her body, forced themselves upon her, and murdered her. They cut her body into pieces, burned her, and scattered her ashes among their fields. Even in death, her nature was gentle. She fertilized the fields, and that's where roses come from .

"The second born was a son. This child was the exact opposite of his sister. He was angry and often lashed out in violent outbursts. He snuck out of Hell and began a war in the mortal realm. He raised an army and taught them to revel in destruction. He sowed seeds of discord that last today. Feeling triumphant and invincible, Angels met him on the battlefield. They tore his demonic soul from his body and trapped it within a mountain, turning it into a volcano.

"The third son stands before me, born from a woman Satan tempted in a garden. He took the form of a talking serpent. He was the color of the sun with a black underbelly. The serpent spoke words of seduction and hypnotized the woman. When she fell asleep beneath an apple tree, he flicked his tongue at her sweet maidenhood, causing her to moan in delight. He wiggled his tail into her core until he breached her womb. He laid his eggs within her and remained inside her until she awakened. When he pulled out, he bit her breast, injecting her with his poison. The antidote was inside the ruby-red apples hanging from the very tree she slept beneath. She had the option to eat the apple and be cured and bear Satan's heirs or die. Naturally, she chose life.

"The fourth son of Satan was born to be his mother's favorite, as his older brother tore her body apart as he left the womb. His older brother was driven mad by jealousy of his younger brother. Watching him be praised while yearning for even a kind word from his mother awakened the beast within him. One day, he picked up a bone shard and lured his brother into a wheat field. His fury was unleashed as he continually stabbed his brother, laughing while his brother screamed.

"The youngest son of Satan was sired not through deception, but a relationship between Satan and a purebred angel. They met in the mortal realm and spent several days together. She gave her innocence to him and became pregnant with his heir. He returned to Hell until the angel gave birth. Eventually, he returned to see his son and became disgusted as the boy tried to hug his father. When his mother was called to ascend and accept her wings, she abandoned her boy in Hell.

"The angels weep for the children of Satan, as they are not to blame for that which they have done. Would you beat a lamb for unwittingly walking into the jaws of a wolf? Yet Satan has forsaken each of his children."

The oracle unwrapped the baby and stroked a bony finger across its forehead and watched tiny horns bud from its forehead. It's tail grew and wrapped around her wrist as she slapped it on the ass. The oracle nodded in approval.

"You children are blinded by your hatred. You feel you are entitled to something, though you haven't earned it. This child has already fought for life and will continue to do so."

Her wizened hand stroked the baby's back before withdrawing a hidden dagger from the folds of her flowing gown, which resembled the intricate webbing of spiders. Inhuman screams came from the child as she used the dagger to etch into the baby's spine.

"Hush now, little one. Your wings were bound."

A pair of tiny ethereal appendages sprouted from the baby's back where the oracle's deft cuts had been made. The wings were delicate and adorned with feathers of the softest pastel hues. The wings seemed to shimmer and catch the light.

" She will usher in a new era for all worlds."

The significance of the oracle's words echoed around them.