Just Checking Up! Part Fifty-Eight: The Rain of a Missing Queen!

Rip:

Heavy raindrops plopped onto my head, the mirror beginning to fade away. Charging through without second thought, a thunderstorm greeted me on the other side. Midnight lightning danced across the sky, the mirror crumbling away. Cursing under my breath, raindrops soaked me further. Ignoring the thunder, Silks definitely was here. Questions lay with where she was. Scanning the dense wall of rain, thunder rattled the realm. A creepy dollhouse unsettled my nerves, chills running up my spine. Shuddering in place, something called me there. Splashing towards a swinging door, a tattered carpet soaked up the excess rain dripping off of me. Blasting myself with a bit of dragon flames, the dry clothes provided me with a bit of relief. A glimpse of orange had me sprinting after it, a determined Silks skidding to a rough stop inches from a rotting wooden door. Keys dangled ominously in her hand, a tiny ruby haired demon clung to her back. Soaking in other petite female demons clinging close to her side, a roar had her leaping into the air. Clutching her side, fresh stains had me exhaling a couple of long sighs.

“Sorry about my stitches but these demons need a spot of aid.” She whispered between small coughs, a river of inky blood trailing from the corner of her lip. “This is Dollzy and she is my new friend. She will be sticking around the house. That is if you don’t mind!” Flashing her genuine smile, true joy flashed illuminated her features. Was this tiny doll-like demon the answer to her sorrow? A roar had her stiffening, the other demons gluing themselves onto her body. Blossoming a sea of orange fire lilies, her head cocked to the left with the biggest false bright smile.

“Time for y’all to go home.” She chirped cheerfully, a kick releasing a flurry of fire lily petals. Waiting patiently, the flurry died down to reveal just the three of us. Dollzy leapt off of her back, her tiny arms catching Silks. Placing her on her back, her tired smile met mine. Spinning up to me, her strength impressed me. Snoring echoed in our ears, my lips pressing into a thin line.

“As she introduced me, Dollzy is my name. So we have to kill my former boss to get out of here.” She sang happily, her big grin hiding a deep trauma. “Speaking of Silks, we should probably get her home to repair these stitches. Hey, you must be her husband. She spoke highly of you. I can see it.” Too bewildered to speak, floorboards squeaked as an immense darkness swallowed the space.

“Dollzy!” A thunderous voice boomed down the hall, Dollzy jumping off the decaying wooden floor. Following suit, a cloaked figure with milky eyes burst out from where we once stood. Sniffing the air, his demonic energy made him simply that. Summoning the bases of my weapons, symbols glowed to life. Dark dragon flames crackled to life, scales glinting away. Ice traveled down to the curved blades, Dollzy landed gracefully a few feet back. Humming a tune, miniature versions of her appeared next to her. Dang, those things were cute? Avery would love to see them, a natural smirk finding its place on my lips.

“Allow me to put on a show while you deliver the final blow, your majesty!” She sang angelically, her spins growing more free by the second. “Play my children, play! Return all of his favors!” Turning into a ballerina, his movements slowed considerably thanks to the miniature version of her dancing all around him. Singing her insults, openings presented themselves. Getting closer after each verse, time slowed down as I popped inches from his face. Bringing my blades underneath my arms, shock rounded his eyes the second the tip of my blades pierced his rotting soul.

“You think me a fool to let the guy who kidnapped my wife live. Are we that daft? Let alone all the other demons you stole as well. Burn in Hell!” I uttered calmly, his cries destroying me internally as dragon flames devoured him whole. Decaying to ash, cracks danced along the walls, her dolls jumping back into her open palm. Catching her breath, tears welled up in her eyes. Inky sorrow stained her cheeks, that bond to him leaving a hole in her soul.

“Thank you for helping out. Sorry for your loss.” I comforted her awkwardly, her hand waving my concern away. Vowing to serve Silks between sniffles, a glowing tattoo of a doll holding a phoenix shimmered to life on her palm. Smiling softly to herself, freedom brightened her features. A blast of energy shattered what once stood, an empty wasteland of ashy gray snow greeted us. Attempting to summon a door home, the failure didn’t shock me at this point. Chewing on my bottom lip, time wasn’t on our hands.

Surprise rounded my eyes at Dollzy laying her down on the loose cobblestone, a needle shining in the brightening orange moonlight. Cutting into her dress via an extended claw, an angry open wound sickened me. Molding her blood into a thread, instinct told me to stand back. Stitching the wounds shut, her concentration deepened my respect for her. An image of Hare flashed over her, guilt ate at me. Shaking that off, her voice ripped me back into reality.

“They aren’t professional level but they should hold. Sorry about using my blood thread, it keeps my dolls together. Do you want me to send them ahead?” She blurted out sweetly, sadness lacing her tone. “Are you okay? Did you lose someone important to you? Do I remind you of that person? If I do, I can leave. No one has to know that I e-” Despising myself for making her feel like that, a throat clearing shut that bullshit down.

“Nothing like that! The other person didn’t dance as much. She was sweet and clingy as you appear to be. No offense to that. As much as Silks protests that, she needs a friend that will bring brightness back to her life. Can you do that?” I assured her urgently, hoping that she wouldn’t run away like Silks had been lately. “Please. Please do that for me. Lord knows that she could use a new song in her life to sing.” Grinning ear to ear blithely, truth rested in her expression.

“How wonderful to hear. Hope showed up for the first time in my life when I heard her voice.” She almost sang gleefully in that slight old time Hollywood accent, her dainty finger tucking a piece of hair behind Silks’ ear. “Would you like me to cling to her whenever you can’t be around? Karaoke nights sound fun. I heard it through the fellow kidnap victims that our favorite queen could sing.” Gazing upon her with a tired grin, Dollzy seemed to understand the assignment. A chill ran up my spine, the cobblestone wiggled unnaturally. When would the crapshow end?

“Do you mind helping out a king?” I asked curiously, her dolls already dancing around her while she placed Silks on her back. “Do you have enough juice in you?” Nodding once, an orchestra roared to life as she curtsied with a sick grin. Spinning around to face me, her slender hands rose towards the moon.

“I won’t after this, so the protection rests on you. Your majesty will have to protect us both.” She answered sincerely, an icy claw bursting from the cobblestone. “On with the show!” A cross between a black ice tiger and dragon burst from the cobblestone, ruby cat eyes darting over to pirouetting Dollzy. Her miniature friends did the same, a couple of flips keeping her safe. Crunching closer, the core was nowhere to be seen. Pushing off the snow, an icy gust lashed at my cheeks. An organ burst, the beginning of my limits getting met. Cursing under my breath, inky blood pooled in the bottom of my throat. Not now, damn it! Pushing myself further, a roar exposed a glowing icy heart. A paw struck me, the claws nicking my side. Tossing me onto a snowbank, a tired groan escaped my lips. Struggling to my feet, combat was still my weakness. Clutching my side, ice began to travel up the wound. Horror rounded my eyes, a venom shimmering on its claws.

“Watch o-” I began to warn Dollzy, Silks jerking awake. Kicking Dollzy out of the way, the claws struck her left leg. Tearing it to shreds, her extended claws dug into its jaws. Hoisting herself into the mouth, her eyes refused to meet mine as she slid down its tongue. Sinking to my knees, a knocked out Dollzy rolled to my feet. Gone were her dolls, her body looking so tiny and vulnerable. Every attempt to rise to my feet failed, anger boiling with frustration. Frustration turned to wonder at orange fire lilies crackling with jet black lightning blooming along his massive form. Melting under the intense heat, a crumbled village exposed itself. Covering Dollzy with my body, the effects of the venom began to reverse itself. Thunder cracked once, fiery lightning blinded me. Dying down to reveal a broken Silks, her condition had worsened considerably. Gone was her left leg, Dollzy shooting up into the sitting position. Apologizing profusely, the pool of midnight black around Silk’s was enough to shatter us both. Putting her finger in the air, a few mumbles sent her blood absorbing back into the torn muscles of her leg. Hardening into a black metal leg, dismay dimmed her eyes the moment something jammed sharp points into her exposed knees. Finishing up devouring up to the area above her knees, a wiggle of her toes had her snapping her head in our direction.

“Bet you didn’t think that I had that one up my sleeve. Dark magic isn’t inherently evil.” She pointed out in an exhausted tone, her fire lilies blooming around her. “Blossoms, do me a favor and heal my king this time.” Slapping a couple into the air, petals drifted into a crackling orange fire dome with strikes of black lightning. Tissue began to weave itself back together, Silks curling into a ball. Fighting the urge to cry, clear magical rejection wrote itself into her features. Even if the dark elemental had fused with her at a one hundred percent rate, time and practice would help with the cost of using that magic.

“Please slow down while using her magic.” I pleaded desperately, my breath shortening with every footfall towards her. “Practice can’t be rushed.” Expecting a sarcastic response, both of our eyes lingered on the slumbering Dollzy. Nothing came, a quiet fear finding it’s ways into her sad smirk.

“As if this queen isn’t aware! No one was going to kill my new friend. Dollzy kind of became my sisterly lantern. Hare can’t always be there and I miss having someone cling onto me. Call me pathetic, already.” She confessed adorably, inky drops splattering onto the top of her hands. Coughing up blood, her stitches began to pop open. Crawling over to me, a bear hug had her head on my chest. Relief soaked the top of her head, the door to home popping up in front of me. Sobbing uncontrollably, neither of us could believe it. Scooping up Dollzy on the way, the door swung open. Crossing over the threshold, everyone surrounded me. Locking the door behind me, everyone began to fret over Silks. Orchid stole her away to redo the stitches in a huff, a tray of steaming tea behind her. Laying Dollzy on the couch, a curious Rosy and Avery stood next to me.

“Who is she?” Avery queried politely, his skull pajamas matching Rosy’s. “Is Mom going to be okay? She didn’t sound like she was going to be alright.” Dollzy jerked awake, her body leaping over us. Chasing after her, the three of us stumbled into Orchid and her bickering. Stepping in between them, a stern throat clearing silenced them. Silks didn’t need this, her recovery becoming the main priority.

“What’s the issue?” I interrogated them calmly as I could manage, both of them crossing their arms as Silks limped out of the room.

“Quit arguing over what is best for me. How are you holding up, Miss Dollzy? These are two of my kids, Rosy and Avery. The others are slumbering with their grandads. It really is something.” She laughed in a warning tone, her brow cocking. “Orchid, all my wounds are caused by my dumb ass. Okay? Please be kind to Miss Dollzy. She had a rough past, much like the rest of us. Get used to her.” Crouching down to their level, Rosy and Avery smashed into her open arms. Smothering them in feverish kisses, her fingers curled around theirs. Guiding them to their bedroom, awkward tension hung in the air. Orchid adjusted her lilac kimono, a gentleness softening her features. Spinning on her heels to face a befuddled Dollzy, her palm cupped her cheek.

“Many apologies for losing it on you but our dear Silks is a bit reckless. As the local medical team, we often spend many nights patching her up. Thank you for bringing her home.” She chuckled warmly, Dollzy uttering a single okay. “This lust demon won’t bite. Do me a favor and watch over her while you are here. That leg is made of dark elemental magic after all. Eventually, it will poison her.” Confusion twisted our features, Orchid gathering her supplies in another one of her huffs.

“Tea is on the stove. Heat it up the second she gets back to bed. I will be back in the morning with a couple of the other Sins.” She explained simply, her exhausted eyes flickering between us. “Alright, we don’t know what I am talking about. Find a way to keep the rest of her pure as can be. No, my tea won’t help with that. Sorry.” Stomping off, another problem had presented itself. Excusing myself, stress cascaded down my cheeks. Making my way to the older kids’ bedroom, a tuckered out Silks limped out alone. Snaking her arms around my waist, her head lay on my chest. Breathing in my scent, her fingers clung to my shirt. Wincing in agony, her new knee threatened to give out. Slapping her leg, that darn knee stabilized. Uncertainty met fear in my racing mind.

“Poison will claim me if I’m not careful. Do you guys not forget how sharp my ears are?” She choked out dejectedly, her hands dangling limply by her side. “Such is fate, huh? Must life come at such a damn price. One bite another. How many ways can I say it? Look, death won’t get close to me.” Squirming out of my arms, everything about this pissed me off.

“This isn’t a game!” I yelled impatiently, her knee wobbling. “You can barely stand and you expect me to allow you to keep on fighting in such a condition! My patience only goes so fucking far! What about earlier!” Collapsing into my arms, frustration dribbled off of her chin. Gripping my shirt with desperation, a shake had us stumbling back.

“You don’t think I know that! Hell is relying on me! I have a family relying on me! Earth is relying on me! There is no time to rest!” She screamed out in an emotional response, the carbonation of her pent up emotional bottle exploding. “Hurting you by pushing myself is tearing me apart from the inside! Don’t you think I desire rest! Life isn’t permitting it. I am one being, no, getting crushed by yet another thing and another. Please don’t yell at me like that! Make it stop!” The way her voice cracked at the end softened my expression, my arms burying her in a hungry bear hug. Sobbing into my chest, the sheer weight of the pressure had been severely underestimated. Kissing the top of her head, her breathing quickened into a severe panic attack.

“Sorry for losing it with you. My heart belongs to you and only you, my Queen.” I whispered into her ear, her wet eyes meeting mine. “Goodness laces your heart and you keep on taking on more and more weight on these shoulders. May I bear some of it?” Nodding her head once before passing out, it was as if the weight of the world was crushing me. Depression hung over me like a cloud, a tug on the hem of my shirt bringing me back. Scooping her up, the time to step up was now. The question was how. It was always how. Must death lurk in the corner at all times?

“I might have a cure for that poison but the journey isn’t easy.” Dollzy offered honestly, a nervous grin twitching on her lips. “She must come as well. One problem, keeping her alive for a week is a must. So yeah, are you up for the challenge? You know, special moons and doors. Doors that only a door opener can open. Maybe, a really good spell caster. So, I must gather my supplies. Do I have permission to run off with a couple of bodyguards?” Agreeing with a single nod, her eyes lingered on the slumbering Silks. Nothing needed to be said, both of us hoping that the cure would work. Lord knows her fate if that didn’t work. Perhaps a basket would be necessary for carrying her around next week, the planning beginning in my brain. Dollzy running off announcing something while walking away nearly brought me out of my train of thought. Staring up out the closest window, the orange seemed a bit dimmer. Not a good sign, I thought internally. Time to call in a favor from the big guy upstairs. Praying to the big guy himself, good luck would be needed this coming week. Please drop some of it our way.