“Hello Circe.”
Kellie froze in fear as she slowly turned, the smiling face of Lilith leering at the group. “You have the gall to show up in my kingdom,” Circe bellowed. “After all that you’ve done!”
“I have no idea what you are talking about dear Circe,” Lilith replied flippantly. “I was merely paying an ally a visit in her secret kingdom. By the way, love what you’ve done with the place, still needs a coat of paint though in my honest opinion.”
Circe could feel her cheeks burn with rage as glared at Lilith. The demon witch was playing stupid at this point, yet she still worried. What could Lilith be up too. “Your opinions mean little here,” Circe snorted. “I’ve had to work hard to repair the damage you have done, even if you won’t admit it. Soon the Kitsune and I will be at peace. You can deal with their wrath.”
“Oh the Kitsune,” Lilith replied. “Yes, you are correct. Perhaps I did take things a bit far with Yomi. Thankfully I worked out an agreement with them. I doubt they will be causing me harm anytime soon.”
Circe, Kellie, and Baba now gaped at the grinning witch, how could Lilith had worked out an agreement? “What did you do,” Baba asked. Lilith smirked, narrowing her eyes at her former allies. “If you must know I apologized,” she said.
“I doubt an apology would make up for your actions,” Circe scoffed. “You viciously murdered Yomi and I know what you did to Hikari.”
“My understanding is the wizards from the other timeline transformed Hikari,” Lilith stated. “Their was no trace of my magic on the poor girl. Still, I apologized for the other timelines actions, and I made an offer to the Kitsune clan. An offer they could not refuse.”
“What offer,” Baba asked curiously.
Lilith grinned as she slowly began to pace. “You see,” she grinned. “The Kitsune clan that originally attacked Jack are infertile. They are slowly dying, unable to increase their numbers without taking children as their own. As part of my atonement I offered them several children to make their own. As we speak the first of my offerings should be arriving.”
Kellie felt the color drain from her face as she pieced together what Lilith was saying. “Mika,” she whispered. Lilith smiled, nodding slowly as she turned towards Kellie. “Yes your friend,” she said. “She will make quite the Kitsune in the future, at the cost of her memory and humanity. Still, all in the name of peace, am I right Circe?”
Kellie felt herself swoon as she tried to process what Lilith was saying. Mika was gone, a sacrifice brokered by Lilith to appease the Kitsune and keep herself safe. “You has no right to broker this peace,” Circe exclaimed. “You were the cause of hostilities. How could the Kitsune trust you?”
“They didn’t,” Lilith retorted, her voice calm. “That is why I had to offer more than I originally thought. Your followers for example. They ave already embraced the animal forms you have given them. I merely offered them as payment for my sins. The Kitsune were more than willing to accept as long as it increased their numbers.”
“They were not yours to barter with,” Circe yelled. “They are under my protection, the Kitsune can not claim those under my protection.”
Lilith nodded as she now gazed at Circe, a sick smile spreading across her lips. “You are correct Circe,” she grinned. “Normally that would be true. However, the problem is this. You are no longer welcome in this timeline.”
“What are you talking about,” Baba asked nervously.
Lilith grinned maliciously as she looked between Circe and Baba Yaga. The two sorceress appeared ready to battle Lilith. The demon witch though had no intention of fighting, she had a much more sinister idea in mind. “Circe, Baba,” she stated. “When we started this journey I enlisted your services to assist in bringing balance once more. After careful consideration though, I have decided that Circes services are no longer required. I relieve you of your duties Circe, you no longer need to protect Jack and may return to your island.”
Circe smiled wickedly as she prepared a spell. “If I am no longer required than I may strike you down or do as I please to you Lilith,” she said. “I can use my powers to undermine all of your actions that you take in this world.”
“Yes Circe you could,” Lilith said solemnly. “However, I have decided to reward you with a generous retirement package. I am giving you your own timeline Circe., one where you are all powerful and I am as foolish as you believe me to be. The only drawback is this, you will no longer be welcome in this timeline. Enjoy your retirement Circe, I wish you well.”
With a snap of Liliths fingers the others watched as Circe froze in place, a look of rage and confusion etched upon her face. Kellie and the others watched horror struck as Circe began to crumble to dust. Circe could do nothing as her body appeared to disintegrate, falling to the floor before being swept away by the wind. As the last of Circe vanished, Lilith sighed in relief.
“Lilith what have you done,” Baba whispered. “The Olympians will punish you for this.”
“I received their permission before taking any actions Baba,” she sighed. “I explained to them that I would give Circe her own world in which to rule. Ive given Circe the opportunity to shape her own world in her own image. The only catch is she can not return to this world. Even if she refuses this gift she will not be coming back. I have no more use for her now, she served her purpose.”
“What shall become of me,” Baba asked. Lilith rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she looked over Baba Yaga. “You still have purpose Baba,” she stated. “You need to understand though that I am the one to lead, not you. Betray my trust and you shall find that I may not be as generous with you.”
Lilith now looked over at Kellie, noticing the teen was still in shock at what had just occurred. “Kellie,” she said calmly. “You still have an opportunity to save your friend. A small chance but still a chance. However I would leave this place if I were you. The Kitsune are on their way to claim every anthro in this park as their own. They will take the bodies, I will take the souls.”
As Lilith and Baba vanished, Kellie collapsed to her knees. Circe was gone and now Lilith had made a peace treaty with the Kitsune. If she was going to save her friends she would need to move quickly.