Venomous Confrontation [Algos/Ania/Ulv]

Hmph. If nothing else, it seemed as if Calypso didn't have much to worry about when it came to her visiting that specific place on Earth. So, out of her respect would The Princess not seek any further conflict for the time being. It wasn't as if she could see anything worthwhile coming after having observed the woman further. So, while The Demoness felt this could conclude here, the notion of Ania being part of herself rang somewhat true. Ergo, it would be addressed.

"Ania is the remains of the shells which kept Neoveta's memory in them. I consumed Neoveta, so perhaps you can consider this thing an extension of our memory, but the boundary between us is so blurred that it's hard to tell for myself anymore."

And really, the notion of their existence was a complicated one. Too complex for her to even want to contemplate over at the moment. That is why Ania picked up on it and waved at Ulv as she still seemed to be in good spirits. And why would she not be? A good outcome was had instead of something chaotic and destructive like their last encounter. So, the little demoness did a bit of dance and gig and nodded at what Algos said. Since she still possessed some brief memories of Neoveta within her.

"She is saying that I'm right. Whatever remains of Neoveta exists only in our memories I assume. Either that, or somewhere within myself, maybe her memories have altered my core. I don't know anymore."

Then, with a gruff sigh, Algos's eyes narrowed heavily in.

"Which is why I'm sure you are so insistent on seeing us. I'm not blind to whatever relationship you had with the shells. Is that why you are still here?"

The blood gaze of Algos sharpened immensely when the uttering of the shells came out of Ulv's mouth. They were interconnected to the reflections of Neoveta's memories and those attachments of days long past were infused within the essence of The Demon Princess's mind. So how could a potent emotional reaction not be created within the depths of her soul at the wake of that mention? She recalled every last moment until she crushed all that bound her to Ulv, Neoveta, and her own self until it was rendered into the creature that was Ania. Something like that wasn't easily addressed, but it needed to be confronted regardless.

"That creature is gone. It only exists as Ania now."

With her right hand pressed on the head of the smaller demon, the imp-like demoness couldn't help but crack a huge smile toward the two of them. As in this moment, it made sense why she held no hatred to the likes of Ulv. Those slight echoes of a former self still existed in some way or fashion, so Ania could tell that she only meant well even if how she tried to execute her will in the world were not perfect and were never going to be perfect. And, in this way, the two of them bled their emotional compass into the environment as such telepathic feelings could be felt in the air with how they exuded their power and grace.

"That creature, nor Neoveta herself holds any malicious for you. That woman would want to see the best in people, move on, and try to see the best out of a situation of sin."

Tired at this point, the gruff voice of Algos let out a hard sigh as her blood energy formed a reflection of Neoveta. At this moment, she could hear the fragments of her subconscious bleeding over; making the woman question if she still existed, where she began and what their current form even was at this point. The woman's physical body was lost to the sands of time, but the imprint of the soul was not one which easily left this world. As her influence was great and that love within that former self's heart still lived on even in The Princess's corrupted, tainted and sin-filled form.

"She forgives you."

What else could be said but those simple words? A myriad of overdrawn speeches could be made, but the intent of Neoveta and the shell was just that: forgiveness.

Loneliness. That is something that flowed through the essence of Neoveta. It brought her strength to want to seek her leadership to find purpose, meaning, and power to subdue the bleak depths of suffering that lay within the world by those who followed Khalaism and her rule as Demon Princess. Thus, as a vessel of that former person, Algos's action still stemmed from the same root. Aggressive, possessive, powerful, and dominating; the contempt of her corrupted soul sought to bring these pains her previous life brought, correct those wrongs and lessen the strain of isolation. Yet, it brought nothing but grief. And all that remains is unclear, but she couldn't get too lost in such a thing for now.

"Her heart still weighs me down. It is why I will slaughter that which comes close to it."

Those words rang with coldness behind them as her blood eyes emptied. Even now, as they engaged, there was such a distance between them as her bloodied aura swirled with a sense of loathsome nature ensnared within its depths. Even as Ulv cooed and cooed the likes of Ania, the white noise of her affection came off as static. It was a stark contrast to the Ania who was cheerful, patting Ulv's leg and handing her a flower that came from her bloodied energy. She seemed to enjoy herself and wanted more of those treats she mentioned as her head nodded with jubilation behind every motion. The same couldn't be said for Algos.

"Hugs solving everything? That's childish."

Those words came off as blunt and to the point, but she wasn't done speaking.

"But I see no reason to further our continued hostilities. So, as Princess, I will keep that in mind for any future encounters."

As her eyes closed once more, the woman followed up the last bit of her desire to help with this statement:

"The only thing I desire is love. A love of my own. You cannot help with that. So my second best route is to extend Neoveta's affections to the kingdom of Demon World, become a better person, and be close to Calypso as she holds the closest thing to that love I seek. It is why I refuse to harm her any further...."

After taking a long exhale of breath, the woman opened her eyes once more and spoke sternly.

"Regardless, you are welcome. Neoveta would have liked you very much."

There was a sense of doubt which flowed through the mindscape of Algos's perception as she had hoped that Ulv did not sincerely believe hugs were the answer to everything. The clarification of that matter made her believe there was at least more contemplative thought behind that head of hers. Regardless, Algos was not feeling hyper affectionate unless it was with the arms of Calypso at this point. There was no one else who she desired to touch her in those ways and most likely there was no one else who could feel her in that way.

"That is a respectable stance. If you had sincerely believed hugs could resolve all the issues in the world and with people, I'd begin to deeply question you."

Those words were spoken in a matter of fact tone. As her vacant blood eyes continued to lock on to Ulv, she'd carry on with her cold tone of speaking:

"Physical affection is a tool that can be used to warmth the depths of foulness in a soul, but only if the other person is receptive to said things. And not all are."

And, almost as if on cue, Ania had given a hug to Ulv as she was delighted to see that her energized gift was taken well. As, to her, she was more open, forgiving, and blissful of the world around her since such strong connections, traumas, and other thoughts of the negative had not touched her pure mind. She was in a state of infinite potential as the purging of Neoveta's reflections had given her a new start that allotted her to be a kinder person. While, in the inverse, Algos had held on to all that which was tainted, corrupted, and otherwise broken within the woman as her stare grew more empty.

"There is no one capable of loving my soul romantically. Not even as a joke."

Those words were spoken disdain as her eyes boiled over into a scarlet haze before dimming down to a faded red. She could obviously tell the woman was joking, but the Princess was not much in the mood for such things.

"Do as you wish. If you want to serve me, then I will call upon you when the time is right. I will hold you to your word."

There wasn't an ounce of hesitation held within the Princesses' words. If she wanted to be of use so badly, Algos would use her when the time was right and when the circumstance called for it.

"Don't regret it when I do ask you to act in my interests."

Algos did not care if Ulv was a lust-filled being. Demons were beings of sin who partook in all the darkest aspects of a person's ego. So, what was more concerning was the notion of love for herself. They were different people in the sense that it took far, far more to reach the corroded essence of her blackened heart. Even now, the curdling desire to want to possess Calypso's love existed, but she numbed herself from it. It hurt, it made the woman feel powerful emotions of sadness, but she knew it was for the best to protect her future.

"You are a creature of lust, yet desire something more potent than raw carnal desire alone. There would be no reason for you to spread your will in the world if all you craved was the simple physical consumption of another's primal desire for sexual hunger."

Closing her eyes once more, the woman fixed on her heart and felt the pangs of woe slowly ooze in as this notion of love kept repeating again, again and again. That was a love she couldn't have, a love she couldn't taint and one that would never be hers alone fully. And while this feverish love burned with immense passion, it could never be fulfilled and all that was left was an emptiness within herself that bled far deeper than the dejection of Neoveta's woe. As, even at the end of her life, the woman found her beloved. For Algos? Nothing remains.

"My standards are different than yours. What is compatible for me is worlds apart perhaps. I want what can never be mine, so my heart will burn with a pain that will never leave me. Yet, that love is what keeps me from possessing her. I deeply care for her even if I don't use her to fill that void within myself anymore..."

At this point, there was nothing but a deadened gaze within herself as the single stream of a blood tear flew down the pale cheek of the woman. Nothing but a void of emptiness flowed throughout Algos's body as these sensations of cool isolation bled within herself. If nothing else, this brutal fact of reality hurt her in such a way that it could perhaps fuel her power of pain, suffering, and grief. As, in that moment, the mist of crimson and shade demonic energies swirled around her; feeding of the woman's element and finding a sense of self-sustaining capacity by extracting strength from internalized sorrow and torment.

"...but I know it is a needed sacrifice to protect her. So that is one thing we share in common: a desire to protect those we love no matter what."

Now with her eyes opened to the world once more, the woman merely stared at Ulv for a moment before coming to another realization.

"And because of that, you will remain indebted to me. You will never be freed of that sacrifice as you serve under Neoveta's command. If you truly wish to sacrifice to me, then swear your allegiance to me now and I will make a demonic pact."

With her heart heavy and filled with adrenaline from expressing such raw feelings to the world, the woman let her body begin to ooze blood as a circle of her own vital fluids formed around the two women. As, if nothing else, she was a woman of her word and wanted to test how far Ulv was willing to go for her.

"Serve this lonely princess as a knight."