The ice around Trinity holds firm, but it doesn't rise any further. She can feel the weight of the cautionary element; rooted in instinct, but something tells her this isn't a killing strike. The grip on her ankles is firm, not crushing. The spear at her throat is steady but not pressed deep to draw blood. Whoever this woman is, she doesn't seem to have murderous intent and is rather guarded.
"I won't ask you again, who are you and why have you come here. Answer me or to my blade."
Trinity exhales slowly. "If you were going to kill me, you would have done it already. I'm not here to hurt you or anyone. In fact it's the contrary. I'm hoping to save any lost souls that I can."
There's a flicker in the woman's amber eyes, as a sudden realization comes to her. "You're not just anyone," the stranger says, her voice low and cautious. "You're…the Death Sinner Queen?"
"That's right, though I've only just reclaimed the role. My name is Trinity. I'm still settling in, so I haven't made any official announcements. How could you tell that I was the current queen?"
"I didn't know for sure. I'd say it's more I sensed you had intense power behind you, even if you have no idea how to use it. There's only one person I've known to have a similar power level."
"Was this person the previous queen? Did you know her?" Trinity asks her with eager curiosity.
The spear hovers for a moment longer, then dissolves into mist with a single thought. "So it's as I thought, you are Lilian's offspring. You don't look quite the same, but you have her tenacity." The frost around Trinity's legs thaws slowly, and the tanned woman steps back, putting distance between them. She doesn't drop her guard, but she no longer radiates a threat either. "I had to be sure," she says plainly. "Down here, hesitation is an invitation to suffer. Especially as of late."
Trinity gets to her feet, brushing away the ice from her cloak. "Understandable. This place had an ominous aura from the moment we arrived. I could sense the weight of the tortured souls."
The woman tilts her head slightly, as if weighing those words. "And yet you came anyway."
"I had to," Trinity replies. "I came to offer a second chance to those who still want one."
The woman considers this, her gaze sharp and untrusting. "You said your name was Trinity?"
"That's right." Trinity finally gives her a thorough look. She has an imposing figure with sharp features and piercing amber eyes. Her long, dark hair is kept in a tight braid, and her rich caramel skin tone highlights her well-toned physique. Trinity's stare lingers just a little too long, such that the mysterious woman has to clear her throat to snap her back. "Oh, sorry. You drew me in." Trinity blushes momentarily but then returns to normal decorum. "May I ask your name Miss?"
The woman exhales, almost amused, but her voice remains even. "I'm Morigain. I've been here longer than most. Long enough to watch the system fail. When the realm collapsed after Lilian's fall, the sorting stopped, the guards stopped coming, the rules stopped applying. The unsorted souls didn't disappear; they became trapped. They became lost in this prison, then their minds."
Trinity listens closely. "I can't imagine how terrifying and painful that must have been for all."
"No one came to free them," Morigain continues. "No one came to explain what happened. So I did what I could. I kept the threats at bay. I taught the sane ones how to survive. Those who still had reason, I helped protect. The rest...I contained." She doesn't say it with pride, but like a scar.
"It seems like you worked hard to make a difference and saved many souls along the way. I want to properly thank you for that." Trinity steps forward, slowly. "I came here because I need help. I intend to rebuild this realm and return Limbo to its glory. I want to ensure that the other eight circles come to respect us, and ultimately I want to show both Hell and Heaven that we are not worthless, lost souls. I need warriors with conviction, and I believe that includes you Morigain."
"I'm not interested in serving another queen," Morigain replies, voice sharp again. "Your mother was a good one, don't misunderstand. But she was too kind for her own good. Thatman took advantage." She frowns. "I've seen what power does when it forgets the ones still at the bottom."
"I'm sorry for the neglect and hardships my father put you and this realm through. I know it's not my sin to bear, but I'll apologize anyway." Trinity gazes at her with sincere eyes. "I'm not asking for your submission," Trinity answers calmly. "I'm asking for your strength. For your will. I've already recruited others like you; souls with power, burdened by what they've seen. I'm giving them purpose, not orders. I also intend to give back as well; in any way you desire."
While the statement wasn't targeted at anything in particular, Trinity's tone slightly suggests the offer of an intimate reward. Morigain's gaze softens slightly. Not with trust, but consideration.
"I was wrong. You aren't much like your mother at all." Trinity's expression finally cracks, and a hint of a frown forms on her lips. "What I'm saying is, you've surpassed her in becoming an effective ruler." She finally gives Trinity her full attention. "You still lack her competency in use of your power, but you've wisely understood that universal peace is not an option. You have no naïve notions that we can get along with Hell or Heaven. You understand that not everyone can be saved. You're merciful, but practical. You will save the worthy and vanquish the scourge." Her expression becomes sincere. "I would say yes," she admits. "But I can't leave them behind."
"Them?" Trinity asks inquisitively. "Who is it that you'd be leaving behind? Others like you?"
"Like me? No. There are none like me but there are others who're equal, and many who are not."
She looks past Trinity and into the shadows. Trinity looks behind herself, expecting to see some presence, but she sees nothing, leading to her confusion. However, this lasts only for a moment. From the corners of the hall, from inside rusted cages, from the dark shadows themselves, faint outlines begin to emerge. Dozens of eyes appear, some wide with fear, others sunken and silent. Transient Souls, Living Souls; all ghosts of who they once were. Trinity can feel their fear, pain, regrets, relief, and despair. They are the trapped. They are the lost. They are the ones left behind.
They approach slowly, as if drawn to Trinity's presence, but are hesitant to step into the open. There's all types of souls that appear. Old and young, big and small, strong and weak, friendly and intimidating. So many souls; living and transient, stand before Trinity now, ready to be seen.
Morigain turns back to Trinity. "This is why I stayed. Not for myself, but for them. They needed protection, direction and introspection. I helped them manage their existences for as long as they were willing and able. When they no longer could bear the weight of this world or when they lost their minds, I'd contain them here in cells I reinforced. I sadly could do nothing more for them."
Trinity doesn't look away from the growing crowd. So many souls that have been left to rot in this hell for over one-hundred years. It's far too cruel. Her voice is quiet when she speaks again.
"What do you want me to do? I'm afraid I can't recruit them all. At a glance, most of them seem beyond saving if I'm being honest. I think releasing them would be the best relief I could give."
Morigain finally lowers her guard entirely. Her shoulders ease. Her eyes, for the first time, show emotion beyond control. "If you want me to fight for you," she says, "then help me save them."