User blog:Ore-samma/My Lilim (The Empress Mantle)

Hello Fans, Ore-Samma here!

This one was a fan request that had me delve into writing an Lilim. A very difficult thing.

I think the story suffers a little as it is hard for me to fully immerse into the entirety of the story, but I think I did okay!

''There was a thread that that was called "Lilm" the person asked "How do you marry Lilm like Druella as a normal person?" I'm curious to see how that plays out in a story.''

I do hope you like it!

Ever your Servant-

Ore-Samma

I gasped along with my master; the grandmaster jewel smith Jareth, as Lady Jyelel walked in with her entourage.

An lilium. Their beauty was even more breathtaking in person than any imagination, legend or even dreams could evoke.

“My Lady Jyelel! What can I do for you this day?” My master said, bowing low.

I already knew proper etiquette and quietly excused myself from the room before the Lady even glanced about the room, and left her only the slightest movement of the door to signify that anyone else was ever in the room.

But I stayed near, I had to hear her voice.

.

“Master Jareth.” She said in a near whisper. “I need you to craft a replacement Empress Mantle, one as close to the original you made two years ago.”

“Of course my Lady, of course.” Jareth said in a low tone. “What on earth happened to the last one?”

“My forward guard and I were exploring the cursed mines of Y’beth. The entire place is crawling with animalistic horrors that were not under the thrall of the former demon lord or my mother. Our caravan had to be left behind or risk losing lives. My Mantle was with the caravan. I will not go back, it is too dangerous.”

“I see my Lady, I see. Should anyone be made aware of this? I imagine many heroes would leap at the chance to return your treasure!”

I heard a deep despondent sigh. “No. I will not have anyone risk or lose their life for my sake. You keep this secret. Let this lay.”

“Of course my lady. Of course.”

.

.

I heard them leave and returned to my master’s side.

“Such a shame, wouldn’t you say?” Jareth said, looking at me.

I was about to agree when I caught myself. “It would have been nice to officially meet her.” I said while nodding.

My master gave me a long scrutinizing look and coughed. “Well, Michael. I think we are going to close the shop for a few weeks. The commission from our Lady is going to take precedence and I will not stop until it is done.”

“Of course, master.” I said while nodding. “Do you want me to assist with the Lady’s commission?”

Jareth shook his head, like I knew he would. “No. This must be handled by me. You will indeed have the skill one day to do this task, but in time.” He leafed through his orders. “And all the other commissions are just bulk orders and we are way ahead of schedule. Enjoy your time off and return at the first of winter.”

.

.

My mind raced with the dizzying vision of Lady Jyelel. Her expression of pained loss and, and her glorious voice.

“I’m in love.” I whispered into the pint of mead I was drinking. But how could one such as I ever capture the attention of one so fair and so surrounded by suitors?

Indeed; there was always a steady stream of mighty heroes and incubi that offered their hand to Lady Jyelel. But she was ferociously devoted to her kingdom and people, viewing taking a husband would lessen her devotion. Besides, the word hero was not what it was with the new demon lord. Heroes often meant that one human killed more humans than most….which wasn’t very heroic at all come to think of it.

The next morning I woke up, feeling terrible. I crawled out of bed and made my way to the clinic. I was at last seen by Doctor Glen with his assistant Saphee and he took on a grim expression.

“You have a fatal case of love sickness.” Glen said with a somber voice.

“I- well, that makes sense.”

“Hmmm, yes. Well, does the one you love have a husband?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Then you must tell her your feelings. Because if you don’t you will eventually die.”

“What if she doesn’t return those feelings?”

Glen produced a bottle and handed it to me. “Then you will no longer be love sick, but heartbroken. That can be treated as long as the heartbreak wasn’t from infidelity or betrayal.”

“How long do I have?”

“As long as you make steps to declare your love for her, you have quite some time. Maybe a year. But love sickness is not fooled. You will have to be actively striving towards telling her how you feel.”

“I understand.” I said, getting to my feet. “What’s this?” I said, looking at the bottle.

“It will return most of your stamina and energy. A boost to get you started.” Glen said with a smile and a double wink.

I thanked him and left, and immediately headed to an outfitter and hired a harpy transport to the mines of Y’beth. If I was going to die anyway, I was going to die trying to win the hand of the one I loved.

It didn’t take long to see the tracks Lady Jyelel’s caravan made and the exact entrance it went inside of.

I exited the transport and asked how much would it cost to wait two days.

“Eh? Well, we would have to get some supplies and return, so five hours to return and fifty gold to wait.”

I nodded and handed over the sum. “Thank you. If I am not back within two days, leave without me and tell Master Jareth that I died, but don’t tell him where I was dropped off.”

“You okay? You sure this is what you want?”

I nodded. “Yes. I have to do this.”

.

.

I entered the mines and smelled a horrible stench of rot and filth. Several dark furry shapes lines the floor and walls. I silently took out my potion of night vision and drank it. The monstrosities were some insane cross between a great ape and a deer with its skull exposed.

The battle must have been impressive as it was desperate. Sword strikes, magical blasts. It was beyond violent and desperate.

.

''There’s no way! I will die down here!'' I cried out in my mind.

I saw one of the creatures plastered to a wall, most of its insides were ripped from its body, and I got an idea.

I slipped the disgusting pelt over my body and continued to low crawl my way in.

.

After what seemed to be days of crawling, I at last found what I was looking for! The Caravan!

The things were also around it, but the didn’t pay attention to me, but rather the food. They ate, gibbered and fought amongst themselves.

Thankfully, Lady Jyelel’s transport didn’t have any food and was at the rear. I entered and found her small strong box, and in it- Yes! Her Empress Mantle!

I stuffed it in my secure bag and noticed her personal sword. I took it as well and started to leave.

.

As I left one of the things grabbed the dragging arm of the pelt I wore and slipped it right off- shit!

I stabbed the thing in the chest and started to run. I ran hearing the screams of the things behind me. I ran, almost slipping and sliding in the gore and viscera almost wondering if the caves were cursed to go on forever!

I was eventually overwhelmed and I fought back with every ounce I could! Stabbing, slashing, biting and kicking.

I had their blood and rotting viscera all over me, and it seemed as though they sensed the world by smell, as they started to tear into each other as well as me.

I continued to struggle and finally reached the exit. They all screeched and shied away from the daylight and I burst out into the clean air.

.

“Michael! Are you okay?” One of the harpies cried out. “Were we just about to leave! It’s been two days almost!”

“I reached in my secure bag and let out a sigh of relief as I clutched the mantle. “I think I will live. Quick! Let’s get back!”

However, as they flew I began to feel a sickness start to grow within me. My body felt as if it were rotting away and I desperate clung to the mantle as I clung to life.

“Quick! Just burst through the glass window- or throw me through it!” I cried out, pointing to Lady Jyelel’s palace.

.

“Hoooo-boy! I have no idea why I am doing this- but here we go!” The harpy leader cried out as they smashed through the window and into the audience chamber of Lady Jyelel.

I cried out as my body touched the ground before the gathered nobility, suitors, and Lady Jyelel.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Lady Jyelel cried out, her hands rippling with fire and lightning magic.

“Stop!” I cried out. “Don’t hurt them! It was my fault!” I gasped. “My Lady! Please! I have something for you!”

“Seize him! Grab the others! Search them for weapons!” The Lady barked out, her face contorted in rage.

.

“Cren! Rondul! Trok! Over here now!” One of the royal guards barked as soon as he saw me clutching the Lady’s sword.

They stood around me so that no one else would see it and they gasped. “My Lady! You want to see this! Quick!”

“Were my orders so hard to understand?” Lady Jyelel barked as she strode over. “What’s the meaning of-” She gasped as she saw her guard captain holding her personal blade.

“That’s not all my Lady. Look.” He whispered, holding out the Empress Mantle.

Lady Jyelel turned her eyes towards me and leaned close. “Who are you? Why did you come here?”

I covered my mouth and coughed, feeling my body wracked with agony. “I am Michael, master Jareth’s apprentice. I did this because...Lady Jyelel. I love you.”

Lady Jyelel’s face froze and her lip just barely trembled. She hissed a few commands to her guards and stood.

“Let the Harpies go! No one is to touch them. As for the intruder- take him to the west tower.”

.

With gentle hands that only appeared rough I was led away. They burst through the doors of a healing chamber of a unicorn.

“Save his life. Do whatever it takes, the Lady commands it!”

“Oh my! His sickness was just like yours, captain!”

The guard nodded. “He went back to the mines. Do whatever it takes.”

“Of course!”

.

The Unicorn mixed potions, casted her spells and by the evening bell I felt relatively whole.

“Whew! She exclaimed and wiped her brow. “I was told to take you to our Lady’s chambers after I was done. Come with me.”

On wobbly legs I followed and was ushered through a set of double doors, whose guards gave a salute as I entered.

.

The doors shut and I looked upon a glass case with the bloodstained sword and the mantle upon dark red velvet. I stood and looked at the two priceless treasures. Both of them inlaid with the Lady’s favorite gemstone; emerald.

The light seemed to make the very air hold its breath as it sparkled along the diamond crusted blade and the mythril silver mantle with the verdant green stones.

.

“Michael.”

.

I turned and saw Jyelel looking at me from a few hanging drapes within the room serving as partitions.

“Why?” She said, her voice all of a sudden fragile and delicate, so very unlike every other time I heard it before.

“Why? I told you.” I said, lowering to one knee. “I love you. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Michael, if you love me” Jyelel said, her voice even more brittle than before. “...do not ever kneel in my presence again.”

I stood and waited for a moment before I started to stride towards her….realizing that despite all her noble bearings, her strength and origins….she was a woman under it all…

“And that is how I want you to see me...please...” She said, seeming to read my thoughts. “Never in my entire life did anyone ever do something like this for me…..and….” her eyes dropped as I neared her.

Without skipping a stride, or cadence, I wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her to me, while the other cupped her chin and brought her in close, meeting her lips and tongue with my own, reflexively holding her closer as the shock of her longing rippled through me; a mental and emotional feedback that her entire body radiated.

With the powerful feedback, I saw her looking at the sword….I saw her touching it and reliving the desperate, insane struggle I went under. It was beyond disorienting to experience my memory and my own desperate thoughts and struggle….while at the same time experiencing Jyelel’s more refined mental power to feel the burning fuel behind the insanity. The overwhelming need and love that I carried for her...for HER! That I would to this for her! That I was ready to die for her!

I now understood why she rejected every suiter. She would delve into their minds and see that their desire was so shallow and surface level…. So much so that her rejection of them did not cause a love sickness nor a heartbreak like mine would have….and I realized….that I didn’t have to go this far, just that I wanted her, needed her, couldn’t live without her would have been enough! That my desire for her encompassed my entire being would have been enough for her!

“Please.” She whispered as our kiss broke. “Do not risk yourself like that again for me. I could not bear it if I lost you now.” She wiped her eyes and the entire mask of a strong and powerful ruler slipped away, and I saw the vulnerable woman underneath. A woman that was in love…. A woman who declared her heart to me, forever.

I shook my head as both our knees grew weak and as we kneeled before each other. “I love you, Jyelel….I would do anything for you…. I would die for you...”

Her face seemed to shatter into this strange sorrow and joy...this tearful smile...this cross between a joyous laugh and a cry of sorrow. She just held onto me as I kissed and held her.

There is a saying, that a woman can bewitch a man’s mind that he would even die for her.

.

For the sake of her.

For the sake of her love.

For the love that is true.