Chapter Text
The room with the counter was empty, because none of the customers were real. Not even glamoured creatures, just half-assed illusions that evaporated into mist as Korilla and Raphael passed through them. He looked around carefully but found nothing more concerning than rotten pastries in the display.
Korilla showed less hesitation, walking straight up to the counter and ringing the bell there. “She better show up now, after making her paying customers go on a cross country hike.”
Before Raphael was able to ask how his warlock was planning to pay for his memories, an incorporeal voice answered: “Enter. You are invited.”
Raphael watched as the back door transformed into rough bark and branches that opened up to create a passage. Then he took a breath and crossed the threshold.
There was a cave on the other side which at this point didn’t surprise him much. It was dimly lit, the air felt damp. Roots and bare dirt covered the ground, the walls were lined with shelves filled with preserving jars that contained everything imaginable from human eyeballs to dolphin feti. More flasks with liquids in a variety of colors hung from the ceiling in between garlands of dried herbs. The light came from hollowed out and dried pumpkins with flickering candles inside which took up every free space. A collection of knick-knacks was scattered across the larger roots and stone slabs that appeared to serve as tables. The only one that was free of clutter had engraved symbols filled with dried blood. The back part of the cave was separated by a curtain of vines.
Raphael could feel the magic here, thick and murky like bogwater, almost slimy upon further inspection. The heavy damp air made it hard to breathe and Raphael felt his infernal nature revolt. He did not belong here.
He touched one of the bottles above him and took a closer look at its contents. It was the same healing potion Korilla had in her bag. The one next to it was labeled massage oil. Other bottles were filled with swirling fog and squirming critters that made him uneasy. He found himself staring at a small mouse, turning slowly in its thick liquid. It appeared to be dead, but every once in a while its whiskers twitched. Something tingled in the back of his mind.
“Hello petal.”
“Ethel”, Korilla stated as if was familiar with the creature that had parted the vines and stepped into their field of view. “I should have known.”
The hag presented herself, showing off her entire disgusting appearance: Green skin with warts, weeds for hair and an absurdly long hooked nose. A little too late Raphael realized he should have switched into his true form. Doing it now would give the impression that he felt inferior. Human it had to be then. He straightened his back.
“It appears that we have met”, he said and made a step closer. Korilla took her place at his side, slightly behind him.
“Oh, we have been the bestest of friends”, the hag chortled.
“Don’t believe her. You did nothing but tolerate her. He might not remember, but I do.”
Ethel perked her lips. “Look at your warlock, spoiling all the fun. When the cat's away, the mice will play. Yours certainly did.”
“It appears you’re all caught up.”
“Unlike you, right?” The hag chuckled. “Don’t worry your pretty head, auntie will take care of you.”
She looked up and down at him and Korilla. “You took your time to appear in my humble abode.”
“You knew we were coming?”
Ethel reached out and touched Raphael’s jaw with her clawed hand. Then she sighed theatrically. “Listen, petal, that wasn’t so difficult. You left a trail of destruction behind.”
Raphael swallowed, not amused, because she was obviously right. Though most of the chaos was not his fault. Haarlep. Where were they now?
“Was it you who sent the armed forces?” Korilla asked.
“Tsk, tsk. I thought you were brighter than that, little dwarf. Do armed troopers look like my doing?”
“No”, Korilla had to admit. “But who was it then?”
“Mhhh, what are you going to give me for that knowledge?”
“Nothing”, Raphael interrupted them. “We’re here for something else.”
“Right.” Ethel gave him a sincere look. “Raphael… Where does the devil go when he is desperate.” She paused for a moment, then smiled again wickedly. “To auntie of course.”
It sounded far too self-satisfied for Raphael’s taste and he scrunched his nose at her words.
The hag came closer, towering over his human shape and whilst Korilla grabbed her staff tighter, Raphael forced himself not to move.
“What do you know about my condition?” he asked firmly as if Ethel didn’t almost touch his nose with hers.
“Oh, this and that. Words from crows and other loyal creatures. You have lost your memory.”
“Correct.”
Finally the hag backed up, but she still looked down at him. “Ah …” She took a deep inhale. “Your despair smells delicious.” She tilted her head and continued in a stage whisper as if they shared a secret. “Only it is not your lost memory that’s the cause for it, am I not right, petal?”
Raphael stared her down, whilst his insides melted into a pool of lava. “Business, hag”, he reminded her coldly, ignoring whatever she might imply.
She showed a sharp toothed smile. “I am a healer. Don’t you want me to ease your pain?”
“I want my memory back.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ah, the tragedy.” She licked her lips. “Far be it from me to deny you your deepest wish. Let me see.” She gestured, inviting Raphael to sit on one of the stone benches. As he walked past her, he gave in and switched into his true form. It felt better, even though the hag giggled about it. Once he was seated Ethel came closer again, but he raised a finger to stop her. “What are you going to do?”
“I take a deeper look at your little issue. Don’t worry, it won’t even hurt.”
Raphael’s eyes narrowed. “You will take a look at my memory loss, telling me if you are able to fix it. Without straying and digging into other parts of my brain or psyche - or my body while we’re at it. And”, he raised his finger higher, “you will do so without payment of any sort if you want me to take your deal.”
The hag sighed, visibly disappointed. “Fine.” She turned to Korilla. “Is he always like that?”
His warlock chuckled. “You forget you’re dealing with a devil, Ethel.” She looked proud.
Ethel rolled her eyes. “Have it your way, then.” Without warning she grabbed his chin and made him look up to her. Ethel's eyes were pale green and she smelled like frogs and rotting greens. It seemed like her eyes grew bigger and bigger or did they just come closer and closer? Then all of a sudden she let go of his chin and Raphael sat there confused, watching her think about what she had seen.
“ Your memories are locked way, imagine it like a wall. It is not very strong. You have already peaked through it haven’t you?”
Raphael nodded. He thought about how stress seemed to weaken the barrier, making it permeable. Then he thought about the moments when he suddenly remembered something - and then he quickly turned his attention back on the hag. It was dangerous to be distracted in her presence.
Korilla asked: “The barrier. Can you bypass it?”
“Easy as pie. I tear it down and you get your precious master back, little one.” Korilla flinched as she was addressed with a dig at her race. “The only thing you have to answer first is: Do you want that?”
“Of course!”
“I didn’t ask you.” Ethel stared Raphael down, ignoring his warlock.
“Yes, of course.” Why else would they have crossed the whole country, sleep deprived and fighting for their lives at times if he didn’t get what he came for?
Ethel co*cked her head. “Out”, she said without looking at Korilla. “You are of no use here.”
“But I am here to pay for him!”
“I deal with the devil alone or not at all.”
“Wait outside, Korilla.”
Hesitantly the warlock left. Raphael stood up, relieved to notice that he was now just as tall as her. “What are you waiting for?”
Ethel scolded him with a sound of her tongue. “Shortly, petal. We haven’t discussed the matter of payment.”
“Right. What do you want?” By now Raphael knew he shouldn’t expect to trade mortal goods. What would a hag ask for? He remembered his conversation with Korilla on the topic. Would he have to give up an eye or another limb? Something less material? A feeling? He had seen some labels among the bottles that suggested Ethel also dealt with emotions.
“What are your memories worth to you?” Ethel completed his trail of thought.
Yes, what were they worth to him? Going back to the heat of the hells, his old life. Picking up where he had left, retrieving the crown of Perseus or whatever. What was he to do? Where was he supposed to go next? All he had thought of over the last days was to find the hag and make the deal. And here he was now. Nothing held him on this plane anymore. The only thing he could do now was to move on.
“I-”
“You do miss the heat of the hells and the sincerity of knowing who you are… Your place in the world, predetermined the day you were born. An ordinary cambion. Half human. Predetermined to never amount to anything. Your father made sure of that - at least after your recent failure.”
“I am not ordinary! You have no idea what I can do, hag.” Anger rose in Raphael, hot like hellfire, without him even knowing why. “What does my father have to do with that?”
“Of course he only holds your and your consorts life in a contract.”
“What?” His fury deflated like a balloon.
“That is what happens if Haarlep breaks their vow to not tell you about your past: You both die. And this time there will be no resurrection.”
So they didn’t lie about that. They were really unable to say anything.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. They are gone. My memories”, he reminded her. “Now, hag.”
“If you say so. Close your eyes.” She reached out with her claw until she touched his forehead. Raphael could feel her magic curling around her hand, reaching for him. Raphael kept his eyes open, watching her every move. Ethel sighed. “Just relax, it won’t even hurt much.”
“Not so fast.” Raphael interrupted her and took a step back. “What do you want for it?”
Ethel laughed, not bothered in the slightest about the fact that he hadn’t fallen for her trap.
“Don’t worry, my sweet, it’s nothing you will miss.” She snapped her fingers and in a swirl of fog an image appeared. It showed the swamp with its trees and waters. In the middle of the fog a lone figure took shape.
Haarlep crossed the corduroy seemingly without paying attention to their surroundings. Raphael’s heart made a painful jump. He was unable to see their face but their movements were jerky and every few steps they changed shape - fiend - drow - woman - man - true form - not settling for any of them as if they felt uncomfortable in any of them.
“You? What do you want from Haarlep?” Raphael was almost unable to pull himself away from the sight, forcing himself to focus on the hag again.
She is dangerous. Don’t give her any leverage.
“Oh no, little devil, I do not want anything from them. I want them.” Ethel sighed. “An incubus is a valuable asset. I could do very well with one in my collection.”
She waved her hand as if she was scaring away flies. The image flickered and disappeared. “So, what do you say? A nuisance for your past and future?”
He thought about it. He hated himself for thinking about it for only a moment - and even more he hated himself for having to remind himself of his actual goal.
Haarlep’s face floated in his mind in all their shapes. Halep, Ms. Eden, the pierced guy and the small one with the curly hair, mocking, teasing, moaning and lastly in their true form, making him remember their final smile, their last kiss before Raphael had learned what they had done to him. All this was because of them. And now he was offered a chance to get rid of the cause of his misery and get his real life back.
Your identity, your past, your future. Everything you have lost.
But it was hard to miss something he didn't remember. He just wanted the pain in his chest gone, the feeling of suffocating slowly.
Where could he go if he came out of this without his memories restored? No, he had no choice.
“No.”
