Symone's expression darkens, but she doesn't flinch. "I'm here, aren't I? I chose to stand with you. That's not going to change. Our relationship is complicated, but adequately decisive."
Trinity studies her for a moment longer, then nods slowly. "All right. I'll trust you for now."
Symone's gaze softens, just slightly. "Look, Trinity, even if Amlith is feeling anything about what happened, she's never going to show it. Not to me, and definitely not to you. Vulnerability is a weakness, and Amlith doesn't do weak. She seeks to eradicate or exploit it. No in-between."
"I know," Trinity mutters, frustration clear in her voice. "But it still feels like we're sitting on a ticking time bomb. Maybe I can accept her coming after me, but I must protect Sinae and Shi."
Symone pushes off the pillar and straightens, her demeanor turning resolute again. "Which is why we need to be proactive. We can't wait for her to strike. We need to strengthen our position, get this city on its feet, and make sure we're ready for whatever she throws at us. We must act."
Trinity's silent for a long moment, her eyes flickering between Symone, Sinae, and Shiori. The weight of responsibility presses down on her, but Symone's words resonate. They can't afford to wait for disaster to strike. They have to take control. This will be her first mission as their Queen.
"All right," Trinity says finally, her voice steady. "Let's do it. Let's start rebuilding bit by bit."
Symone's smile returns, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Good. We'll start with the facility. Once we get the people back on their feet, we can talk about the rest. We have a journey ahead."
"That's for sure. I'm honestly terrified about how this is going to go. I mean, cleaning up and rebuilding the city will be hard enough, but I can't forget Amlith's warning either. In five months there's going to be a huge target on my back. Especially now that I don't have the backing of Amlith anymore, I'm sure they're going to come even harder for me, thinking I'm an easy target. I pretty much am, honestly. Outside of Shi and Sinae, I'm almost powerless. I'm still too weak."
"Well, I wouldn't say you're powerless, but I'll agree that your strength is limited. Amlith's soldiers would've surely assured your victory, but they're not all there is. Other warriors exist, and they come without such a hefty price. I can help you with that, if you would allow me to."
"How so exactly? I didn't think Amlith's help came with a terrible price either, yet I was clearly wrong. She hid the status of my servitude behind her false love and affections and took advantage of my sheltered upbringing and naivety. She was just like my father with pretty skin."
Trinity falls silent at the weight of her revelation, and even Sinae and Symone cannot speak any words of comfort immediately. Sinae takes her hand in silent support and Shi hugs her from behind. Symone seems to reflect quietly for a moment, and then finally finds the right words.
"Amlith is a cruel and selfish woman. She's greedy, ruthless and a smooth manipulator." She walks towards Trinity and places a hand gently on her shoulder. "You are not the first young woman or otherwise to be fooled by her and coerced into doing her bidding. Not even close."
"You speak as though you have such deep knowledge of her. Just what is your relationship?"
She hesitates momentarily, before finally saying, "Are you sure you want to know about it?"
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't. I can already infer, but I want to confirm it with you directly."
She drops her hand and takes a seat in a nearby pew. Sinae and Shi sit silently behind Trinity.
"Amlith and I have known each other since we were born. Her parents, the King and Queen of Hell, and my parents, the Prime Minister and Prime Gentleman of Hell, are close friends. We were even born on the same day and just seconds apart. She loves to boast that she's older, even if only by thirty seconds. However, I weighed a half pound less than her, so I tease her often."
"That's quite interesting. So you share similarities and grew up together, but you're not friends?"
"No, we've never used that word and never will. As you can perhaps imagine, our rivalry began essentially on the day of our birth. Despite how close our parents may be, they were notorious for comparing their parental competency. 'Amlith is already talking at just one year old!', 'Well Symone is already toilet trained!' It was a game to them on who would reach a milestone first."
"I see. That may have sounded in good fun to them, but I imagine it brought you two stress."
"Perhaps that's the case for human children with strict parents, but for Hellions like us, it only encouraged us. If our parents had enough expectations and pride in us to boast, then it meant we were worthy and should act accordingly. It was an honor to achieve and showcase our pedigree."
Trinity shrugs. "I don't get it honestly, but I'm a Sinner. Hellions are a very different breed."
"Indeed. So for Amlith and me, we enjoyed being the center of our parents attention and praise. It drove us to always compete with each other in everything we did, and this fact remained true throughout our youth and even to this day. We're always looking for a way to outshine the other and don't hesitate to boast when we do. Somewhere along the way, it became our sustenance."
"What does that mean? Are you saying that you need each other to survive? I don't really get it."
"You asked if we were friends, and I answered that we weren't. That doesn't mean we don't rely on each other, however. If either of us were to disappear tomorrow, neither of us would remain unaffected. If Amlith no longer existed in the realm of Hell, if I couldn't reach her or see her ever again, I'd see no purpose in carrying on as I have been now. I believe Amlith would feel the same, but she'd never say it. She acts indifferent to my presence but never fails to call for me."
Trinity had been passively listening as Symone spoke but finally meets her eyes. They're soft and sentimental, a distant longing evident within them as though the words were transmitted out of her heart. Suddenly, everything falls into perspective. "You're in love with her, aren't you?"
Symone laughs like Trinity made the funniest of jokes but smiles bitterly. "Love is a human emotion foreign to ancient Hellions like us. However, if you want to know if I'd commit myself to an eternity of being shackled to Amlith's wrist and never take another lover again…I would."
Trinity feels a profound sadness land heavy on her chest, but she's unsure if it's her own or pity for Symone. Perhaps Hellion's refer to it a different way, but she clearly understands that what Symone has described is love. She's in love with Amlith. However…, "Amlith would never."
Symone looks at the young woman with light surprise but then smirks with a sense of respect. "Amlith was sure you'd never figure her out in the slightest, but she underestimated you again."
"Amlith is conceited, so she always assumes she's the smartest person in the room. She's wiser than me of course, and I'm still weak to charm, but I have common sense and good perception. I learned fairly quickly that Amlith can easily lie through her affections, and even though you may realize you're being played, you let her fool you because her affectionate lies feel so good. She'll say she 'cares for you deeply', but in the end you're still just an amusing toy for her to play with. Amlith would never devote herself to you nor would she show any appreciation for faithfulness."
"You're correct, and that's why I'm here. You're the only one who can shackle that wild devil."