---Lucilla General POV---
Lucilla walked down the steps to enter the belly of the ship. Her heart pounding in her chest as she calmed down from her fight with the young Dragon. She knew she was theoretically more powerful than a Dragon, but she never had a chance to test it before. She mainly fought Humanoid opponents during her seven-hundred-year life and nothing as large as a Dragon before. Being able to confirm her strength to something like a Dragon, even a young one, was a freeing feeling.
Now that she has gotten that out of the way, she needed to focus on her current predicament. Her hold on the twins in their scythe form tighten. They were still asleep, resting till they awoke once again. Once Lucilla killed the Hero her emotions will be free to flow and change once more, allowing her to connect with the twins and freely change their form without forcing them into a deep slumber. For now, she'll have to kill the Hero in this form.
With that in mind Lucilla continued leading the way towards the large meeting the center of the ship. Walking inside the room she took her place at the head of the table, with Yuki to her direct left and Sara on her direct right. As she watched everyone filter into the tight space, taking every available seat, she mentally went over her plan.
There will obviously be revisions, which is partially what this meeting is for, but Lucilla was fairly confident the others would at least be open to her plan. Once she saw everyone seated and facing her direction, the crimsoned eyed monster inhaled a large breath before slowly releasing it.
"Well then, let me tell you how we're going to kill the Light Goddesses pet."
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After the Meeting ended, Lucilla was immediately dragged away by Yuki to one of the ships private quarters. She hadn't seen her sister in nearly a month, and with Morella dead Lucilla was the only person left she cared about. Once she managed to isolate Lucilla from everyone, she immediately sat her down on the ground because the ship lacked a proper bed. She then preceded to wrap her arms around the silver haired woman.
Yuki noticed that despite the air around her silver haired sister being rather chilly, her body was extremely warm. She decided to not comment on it, figuring Lucilla was doing this on purpose for some unknown reason.
As for Lucilla, she had also missed her sister, and from her perspective she hadn't seen her in centuries. Lucilla let Yuki drag her way, and had removed her wings from her back, already knowing Yuki's next actions. She let her sister curl up next to her like a cat, enjoying the familiar cherry scent that she's known for years.
Lucilla was happy Yuki didn't seem to hold a grudge against her, but that only made her feel worse.
"Yuki... about Morella...." Lucilla started before trailing off.
Hearing Lucilla speak their sisters name the pink Demon tensed up for a moment. After a few seconds of silence between the two of them she spoke, her voice barley above a whisper. "What about her?"
"I.... I'm sorry I got her killed." Lucilla said being direct. "I was reckless and now... and now she gone because of me. I should've been more careful, I should've listened when Morella sai-"
"She wouldn't blame you." Yuki said cutting Lucilla off her voice taking on a serious tone that was rare for her. She had let go of the silver haired woman and grabbed her shoulders to look directly into her crimson-colored eyes. "I don't blame you. It's the so-called Hero's fault and that brat you keep around."
"It isn't Sara's fault Yu." Lucilla rebuked. "If it's her fault then wouldn't I share the blame then?"
Yuki paused as she digested Lucilla's words. With a heavy sigh she reluctantly spoke again. "I suppose she's not at fault then."
Lucilla gave Yuki a faint smile. "Thank you. I would hate if the two of you couldn't get along because of my mistake."
"The Hero's mistake." Yuki corrected.
"Yes, sorry. The Hero's mistake."
Yuki looked deep into Lucilla's eye's as if to decern how much truth were in her words. After staring into her crimson eyes for a minute she eventually gave her a small smile before leaning into her chest and wrapping her arms around the silver haired woman. Lucilla returned the hug by wrapping her own arms around the pink Demon, bringing her closer as she tightened the embrace. Yuki snuggled even closer, enjoying the warmth of her remaining sister.
The two of them stayed that way for a long time, silently enjoy each other's company after so long. Eventually however Yuki spoke up again, her voice a whisper.
"I still think you should reconsider your plan."
"You know I can't, no one else on our side is capable of surviving in that place." Responded Lucilla.
"... Maybe I could?" Yuki suggested. "Part of you was mixed into me so maybe I gained your resistance to Miasma."
"Maybe you did, maybe you didn't, I'm not willing to test." Lucilla said firmly, her hold growing firmer.
"...." Yuki didn't immediately respond.
She had already voiced her objections during the meeting when Lucilla first went over her plan. She was firmly shut down, not even Judieth's assistance could sway the older looking woman. She wished she could just lock her away somewhere safe, so she'll never leave. So, she won't end up like Morella. Unfortunately, she wasn't that physically gifted compared to her, and she has grown even stronger during their time apart.
"Just promise me you'll come back safe. Don't do anything reckless." Yuki asked, practically begging.
Lucilla looked at the small girl in her arms with a smile. Despite being a few months older than her, her youthful appearance and actions made her want to spoil the 'younger' sister.
"Of course. As an apology I'll get anything you want." She responded, then she thought about her words for a few seconds before adding, "Within reason."
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Lucilla sipped her sugary tea as she sat on the couch next to Anastasia, who was in their humanoid form. The two of them were in the large living room watching facing the fireplace as the flame within danced a twirled. The warmth from the fire offsetting the chilly air that had surrounded Lucilla since her return.
"I've missed this." Lucilla said with a content sigh. "I'm glad to be back in the mortal realm."
"I'm also glad you managed to come back safe and sound Lucy." Anastasia responded. "Honestly you were cutting it close, I was worried something might've happened to you."
"Like death?" Lucilla asked with a hint of amusement.
"Possibly, can't imagine working for a goddess in the afterlife could be easy."
Lucilla hummed as she stayed silent for a beat longer, taking another sip of her tea. "I did die. Hundreds of times actually."
The Queen paused, and slowly looked at Lucilla, who was once again taking another sip of tea. She didn't look to be joking, but the matter-of-fact way she mentioned dying and the lack of any emotional fluctuation caused Anastasia to freeze. She was almost convinced she heard Lucilla wrong, but she was sure she didn't.
"You... died?" Anastasia asked cautiously. "Like actual death."
"Almost every day. I got better at not dying towards the end though." Lucilla answered without flinching.
"Are you okay? That doesn't seem like something on can casually brush off."
"... Your right," Lucilla started. "But currently I'm unable to emotionally develop. There locked in place, unable to grow or wane. However, once this seal is broken all those emotions for the past seven centuries will come flooding back all at once."
Anastasia's expression grew concerned upon hearing this. She wasn't sure what Lucilla had gone through exactly, but she herself has lived over three centuries, which in itself was filled with hardship. Lucilla has lived four hundred more years than here in what sounded like a dangerous environment that caused her die multiple times. The idea of her emotions from that time suddenly flooding back into her all at once sounded mentally crippling.
"Is there a safer way to undo this?" The Arachne asked.
"Possibly, but I doubt my Goddess will tell me." Lucilla responded with a shake of her head. "I personally only found out about the detriment during my second year."
"Why wouldn't she tell you? Aren't you, her proxy?"
"You would think that would entitle me to information." Lucilla grumbled, setting her now empty cup to the side. "Instead, she either forgets to tell me anything important or just withholds information."
"That sounds...."
"Annoying? Yes, yes, it is."
Leaning back into the soft cushions of the couch Lucilla let out a sigh. Unlike in the underworld she couldn't afford to make a mistake. If she dies this time around, she done for good. She wanted to ask Anastasia for help, but she was already being very generous, and the silver haired woman didn't want to push her luck by asking for too much.
"Right now, all I can do is focus on the task at hand. Once that's done, I can finally relax a little." Lucilla said, her body heating up a little bit more.
"... I wish you luck on your venture." Anastasia responded. She looked like she wanted to say more but refrained from doing so. Lucilla noticed this but didn't press her for an answer.
Standing up, Lucilla thanked Anastasia for the tea before leaving the room. She had things she needed to do, and she wasn't going to be able to do anything half asleep. With thoughts of the future running through her mind, the crimsoned eyed woman made her way towards her assigned room.