Empusae

Hidden Joy

Overview

She seeks to comprehend the essence of "love" as spoken of by humans, and may herself be in pursuit of it. Refrain from engaging with her inquiries, lest you be subjected to relentless questioning on the nature of love. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could put you in danger.

Chapter One

(3–1748, Era of Frost Veil) The Doll awakened to see piles of corpses around a giant furnace. People in dark purple robes, with madness in their eyes, waved their staffs and rushed toward her.
Without hesitation, the Doll snapped all their necks. She felt nothing special about killing, and the same applied to kindness.
Soon, another group arrived, calling themselves her servants. They informed her that the rebels outside were all eliminated and pleaded for Lady Ampsa's forgiveness.
Ampsa? Are they talking about me? So my name is Ampsa?
She didn't care about her name; it was just a label. She didn't mind being called Ampsa, but asking her why could lead to trouble.
Ampsa couldn't stand those who claimed to be her servants. It was unusual for the Doll to "dislike" something, but she likely sensed something off.
Strangely, she didn't feel like killing them. It wasn't because they were respectful, but the Doll chose not to think about it further.
A voice inside her told her that she had something very important to do, but she didn't know what it was.
Much later, she learned this place was the Dark Parliament, a vital link between the Holyscape and earth. Though mostly human, the council's faith in the Holyscape surpassed even the most fanatical believers.
The Doll found them amusing. They betrayed their race to serve another with extreme devotion, despite never seeing the Holyscape beings.
Their blind worship of strength was a mad attempt to stand out from the masses. Distance fueled their fantasies, and they were willing to die for that illusion.
They respected or feared those with violent power. Ampsa knew how to handle violence, or perhaps she was violence itself. Favored by the Source of Darkness, the Doll had reached the peak of magical power.
When material satisfaction no longer mattered, most people felt lost and sought spiritual pursuits. The once aimless Doll now found a spiritual purpose..
Her unmatched power kept the dark world's schemes distant, as no one dared to plot against the heir of the "Deathless Overlord".
Now, the Doll sought to understand her purpose and creator.

Chapter Two

Not everyone in the council had noble intentions; many were exiles rejected by society, though they rarely held important roles.
To the Doll, there's no distinction between good and evil; only the conflict between the powerful and the weak. Ideals are merely rhetoric used to gain power.
It was a sorrowful event that shifted her viewpoint: a traitor had breached the spy network for the Elaira Kingdom, leading the council to dispatch agents to apprehend him.
The cambion endured three days of torture. As the executioner severed her finger, he whispered to the delirious woman:
"Your impurity won't be overlooked; your husband and daughter will follow. However, for our past, I might grant you mercy."
These words shattered the woman, whose defiance crumbled under torture and death as she clung to a final, desperate hope.
Lying prostrate with a broken spine, the woman sobbed, her tears mingling with blood as her mutilated mouth rendered her speechless.
She uttered indistinct sounds, likely pleas for mercy, as laughter from former peers echoed, some stifling true feelings while others reveled in cruelty.
"Only one of them shall live; the choice is yours. You have but ten seconds to decide which, impure one."
Exposing her bald head, the woman trembled and traced "kid" with blood from her severed finger, hoping for her child's survival as she shared in her husband's suffering.
A voice echoed in the cavern, laughing, "Bring that child to me alive; the man is irrelevant."
Ampsa found the tragic scene, her first taste of displeasure. Approaching the woman's lifeless body, she noticed the antler ring on the ground and asked.
"Why? You instilled such terror in her; she feared not death but begged for mercy from you."
"Esteemed Heir, her dread stemmed from the love she held for her family."
Confused about love, Ampsa asked those nearby what it meant, but how could those who thrived on suffering grasp its essence?
How could Lady Ampsa tolerate someone avoiding her question? The tormentor was now the hunted, and sadly, there was no opportunity for mercy.
The Doll's mood lifted, but she didn't know why. Was it justice? She had no interest in finding out. Her sole desire was to grasp love.

Chapter Three

Ampsa questioned everyone about the meaning of love, but as expected, those incompetent beings couldn't provide a satisfactory answer. Consequently, the parliament suffered significant losses.
As the parliament grew, the world of darkness became increasingly powerful, a force too large for any individual to control. They could have abandoned the troublesome Doll earlier but chose to endure the instability she brought.
To mitigate losses, parliament members lured Ampsa into human society, claiming that she would finally find her answer there. Thus, the Doll emerged, asking everyone what love was. If she didn't receive a satisfying response, those who tried to answer would face consequences.
Ampsa had never encountered a satisfying answer and was determined not to give up. A voice in her head reminded her that finding the answer was crucial.
The Heavenly Realm was displeased with the news of the dark world gaining power and the Puppet losing control. In response, Beatrice, the "Demon Slayer," a Werth born of light, descended to the human world.
Gifted with the will of the sun to eradicate dark forces, she saw Ampsa as a prime target.
In the human world, light and dark clashed.
"Miss Angel, do you know what love is?" Ampsa asked. This question caught the angel off guard; she expected darkness to be associated with hatred. Yet, the Doll simply smiled and inquired about love.
The Lightbringer was an enemy of all darkness. Was the Doll's quest for love more important than her own survival?
According to the Source of Darkness, the "Deathless Overlord" was supposed to possess an eternal soul. However, the Demon Slayer's sharp blade ultimately shattered that invincible dark force.
All material and emotional desires of humanity fade with time; only the gods endure eternally.
The Doll did not learn what love was before her demise. Those who wish to ally with Ampsa must tread carefully; failing to provide a satisfying answer could lead to grave danger.

Historical Notes

Remiel:
Remiel (Era of Rebirth 28627–Frost Veil 3), known as the "Ember of Radiance," was the last heir of the Hilbeyan Empire and instigator of the Monarchs' War. Born during Queen Lopesie's reign, her birth coincided with the Hinan faction's oppressive policies. Discontent grew among the Wheatears and the papacy, leading to a divine decree from Holy Shepherd Camilla III and Remiel's father, Derek Nez, appointing her as heir. Lopesie's unexpected death escalated tensions, culminating in the Hilbeyan Empire's collapse.

Dark Parliament:
Founded by Remiel (Era of Rebirth 28647–Frost Veil 1749) to escape persecution, the Dark Parliament began as the "Avengers," composed of her father's allies. After selling her soul to a demon for power, she expanded the organization to include cambions and exiles.

Beatrice:
Beatrice (1748–1753, Era of Frost Veil), known as the "Demon Slayer," was a Werth who oversaw purification rules.

Nobles of the Holyscape:
Refers to the five hereditary families of the Abyssal Council managing Abyss affairs during the Overlord's slumber. The families are Campbell (2 seats), Holowell (2 seats), Lexir (1 seat), Arian (1 seat), and Ponto (1 seat).

Mother Goddess:
Typically refers to Elena, associated with "Taboo and Betrayal," the de facto ruler of the Abyss. She sacrificed her eternal life to become the "Source of Darkness," establishing Abyssal systems, preserving bloodlines, and blessing future generations with the ability to reproduce.