Chapter 20: Chapter 20: You Know Something
The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of fabric as Gem and her niece sat on the couch, the stillness of the Cathedral wrapping around them like an ancient cloak. Gem's eyes were fixed on the mirrors alongside the room, as they often were. The flickering reflections of Hell's rings and the distant, far-off chaos seemed to hold her attention in ways the niece couldn't quite understand.
Her niece sat beside her, half-heartedly flipping through an old book with little interest. She had been watching Gem for a while now, noticing the way her aunt seemed to obsessively watch the mirrors, scanning it as if searching for something—or someone. It was the kind of behavior that didn't seem entirely healthy, even for a demon.
"You know," the niece said finally, breaking the silence, "I've been meaning to ask you something."
Gem didn't respond immediately, her gaze unwavering. But after a moment, she sighed, as though bracing herself for another round of questions. "What is it this time?" she muttered, still watching the mirrors.
The niece tilted her head, studying her aunt closely. "Why do you keep staring at the mirrors like that? You're always watching, like you're stalking everyone who passes by. What's so important that you can't take your eyes off it?"
Gem blinked, finally turning her head to meet her niece's curious gaze. Her expression was neutral, but there was a glint of something guarded in her eyes. She opened her mouth, then hesitated, as though weighing her words.
"I'm not stalking anyone," Gem said, her voice cool but not unkind. "I'm making sure no one tries to get into my domain. There are still a few demons who know about me, but not many. I prefer it that way."
The niece raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed as she leaned back into the couch. "So you're paranoid, then? Seems like you're always expecting someone to show up and ruin your little hideout."
Gem didn't flinch at the accusation. Instead, she narrowed her eyes, her expression hardening slightly. "Paranoia is a luxury you can't afford in this place, not if you want to stay alive. Trust me, the last thing I need is some unwanted visitor making their way into my Cathedral, uninvited."
Her niece shrugged, unconvinced. "But, why not just deal with them? You're powerful, right? You could just kill anyone who tries to enter. Problem solved."
Gem's lips curled into a faint, rueful smile. "Demons can't be killed that easily, sweetie." She leaned back into the silk couch, her fingers tapping absently on the armrest. "Not unless you're using weapons of Angelic power from the purge or some other higher power. I wouldn't be surprised if some underground arms dealer is working on making their version of Angelic weapons. There's too much to risk if I get caught up in a fight like that. It'd draw the wrong kind of attention."
Her niece leaned forward, clearly intrigued but still skeptical. "So, you can't just… kill them yourself?"
Gem shook her head slowly, her expression shifting, becoming colder as she spoke. "No, I can't. It's not about power, it's about who you're dealing with. Some things in Hell are untouchable. If you try, you'll just end up getting hurt, or worse."
The niece stared at Gem for a moment, digesting the idea. "That's... weird. You've always been so cool. Are you telling me there's something in Hell you can't handle?" she asked, her voice teasing but with an underlying hint of concern.
Gem's gaze shifted away, returning to the mirrors. She looked at them as though they were speaking to her, their shimmering surfaces reflecting more than just the damned world.
Her fingers tensed, then relaxed.
"I can handle the outside just fine," she replied after a long pause. "It's just... There are certain demons I've crossed paths with before. Demons I'd rather never deal with again."
The niece leaned back, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "What, did you get in trouble with some demon overlord? Did someone challenge you for your position or something? A little legal mess? Oh! Maybe a lover's triangle or square given you kind of do live squarely?" She wiggled her eyebrows, clearly trying to get a rise out of her aunt.
Gem shot her a sharp look, her gaze hardening. Causing the small demon to shrink and hold her tail. "No, nothing like that." Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of something more bitter behind it. "I've been tempted, sure. But there's no reason to get involved in that mess. I learned my lesson long ago."
Her niece's smile faltered slightly, sensing the shift in Gem's mood. "Aww, come on. You've got all this power, and you've never even played with it? You're just… sitting here, hiding, playing it safe. You're so boring."
Gem's lips curled into a half-smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Boring, huh?" she said, her tone light, though the sarcasm was unmistakable. "I suppose that's one way to put it."
The niece groaned dramatically, flopping back against the couch, her tail waving in the air. "Ugh. I don't get it. There's so much chaos out there. So many demons, so many powers, and so much potential! And you're just sitting here like nobody is waiting for someone to knock at the door."
Gem's fingers brushed over the surface of the mirrors, and for a moment, her expression softened. She didn't look angry , but rather… distant. "It's not that simple," she murmured, almost as if to herself. "It's never just about power or who can achieve the most. Do you think that's all there is to Hell? That it's all about who has the biggest reputation? You're young, sweetie. You haven't seen enough to know what's at stake."
The niece snorted, rolling her eyes. "I'm not that young, you know. I know what I'm doing. Hell's full of disorder, sure, but that's what makes it exciting! You've been here long enough, and you're still holding on to all your old rules. You're scared of something, Aunty."
Gem's eyes darkened, and her hand stilled on the edge of the Mirror. "I'm not scared," she said quietly, her voice low and firm. "I'm just... done with certain games. Some demons? I don't need them in my life. I don't need their problems, their influence. I've seen enough of it to know better."
The niece paused, her playful expression fading. "What, you think I don't get it?" she asked, her tone a little more serious now. "I'm not stupid . You're hiding from something, I know it."
Gem sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm not hiding, lovely. I'm waiting . Waiting for the right time. For the right choice."
Her niece eyed her warily, unsure if she was getting the whole picture. "But, Aunty…" she trailed off, trying to find the words. "Isn't it just... boring? You've spent all this time in your little Cathedral, just watching everything go by. You could do so much more."
Gem stood abruptly, her reflection in the mirrors growing faint as the images of the Rings of Hell began to flicker once again. She glanced at her niece one last time before speaking, her tone final.
"Boring is safer than death."
And with that, she turned away from the couch, her gaze lingering on the ever-changing reflections in the mirrors.
Her niece sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Gem's words sinking in. She hadn't expected to get an answer, at least not one that made sense. But there was something more here, something Gem wasn't sharing, and that only made the mystery even more enticing.
"Alright, fine. Keep playing it safe," the niece muttered under her breath, though her eyes still lingered on her aunt. "But one day, Aunty... one day you'll have to face it."
Gem didn't respond, and the room fell into an eerie silence, the only sound the faint hum of the mirrors reflecting the shadows of Hell's distant Rings.