Deep in the forest surrounding the small town of Dungannon, inside an untouched cave, sat a hooded figure cloaked in a crimson robe. In the center of the cave, a fire burned brightly, illuminating the interior. The occupant tilted their head toward the entrance at the crunch of shoes on the scattered rocks.
Soon, six hooded figures flowed inside the cave, moving to their spots around the fire. Only the cackling of the fire filled the silence. The crimson-robed leader stood, glided to the open spot by the fire, and pulled back the cloak's hood. Long, flowing raven curls tumbled down the woman's back.
Her red, pouty lips were curved into a sneer. Amber eyes with reptilian slits surveyed those gathered.
"Welcome, my children," her words vibrating like a snake's hiss. "Our time is approaching. Those who trapped me here shall pay for their sins."
The six followers thumped their closed fists over their hearts and bowed. "May our Queen's wishes be fulfilled. Long live, Goddess Tilsheen!" they chanted in unison.
She grinned, her gleaming white fangs changing her visage to something feral.
"I can feel Autem's chosen one. The girl has entered this world. She doesn't know the true depth of the power sleeping inside her. I must have it," Tilsheen purred. "With her, I can defeat Autem and take my place as the ruling god."
Her followers made pleased noises at her words.
"My wolf," she turned to the tallest of her followers. "It is your job to bring the chosen one to me. You are close to her. It should be easy to capture and deliver her to me."
"Yes, my Queen, I will try harder to bring her to you. How will I know which girl it is?"
Tilsheen chuckled, the sound dark and sinister. She held up her right hand. It glowed with an inky blackness that writhed around her fingers. She stepped over to her wolf. She stared at him for a moment, then plunged her hand into his chest. He flinched, grunted, and stiffened as her energy flowed into him.
The oppressive air of her power pushed down on her other followers, forcing them to their knees. They moaned in pain as the force increased until they were prostrate on the cave's floor.
"Mercy, Great Tilsheen!"
She blinked and released her power. All but her wolf lay panting on the ground, struggling to regain their composure. She ignored them, flexing her fingers inside her wolf's chest. He grunted again, his face tightening with pain. She pulled his head toward her. His eyes widened, but he didn't resist.
She leaned in and whispered, "Remember this feeling. You will experience it again when you are near the chosen one. Once you find her, bring her to me, no matter the cost."
"I…understand," he replied, a gasp leaving him when she flexed her fingers inside his chest one more time before removing her hand from him.
He sank to his knees, his breathing ragged. Tilsheen was satisfied he understood. "Rise and prepare to finish the tasks assigned to you."
Her followers rose as one, bowed again, and left the way they came.
Tilsheen shed her corporeal form and flowed into the celestial realm. When Autem banished her eons ago to this backwater dimension, she defeated all the residential deities. Good, bad, neutral; she didn't care as she subdued them all. She was well-prepared to take on Autem. Here, she had the advantage.
Once her followers found the chosen one, she would corrupt the girl. The corruption would drain Autem and make him susceptible to Tilsheen's growing power. Once she destroyed him, she would return to her rightful home and kingdom. She would rework it into her own paradise.
Only her faithful would inherit the land. All opposers would be enslaved or die. She didn't really care which. As long as she held all the power, the other lowly beings were inconsequential to her.
Autem made a mistake when he banished her. She'd had an eternity to stew and to plan his downfall. Victory was near. She could taste it. It wouldn't be the only thing she tasted. She would happily drown in Autem's power. After all, he was the world's first god and creator.
His divinity was an elixir she coveted above all things. "Soon, Autem, it will all be mine. I can't wait to watch you grovel as I take your life," she said, laughing manically as tendrils of darkness twined around her body. Their caresses brought her sadistic pleasure to the surface.
Soon, she vowed, releasing her power into the pulse of Earth. It was time to monitor the inhabitants and find the chosen one.