A patch of the oil on the path before them protruded forward in the shape of a screaming face. As they passed it, Eilee gazed at it with disgust. Its mud-filled sockets followed her through the cave, as if those eyes could see her beauty even through the black goo that surely obscured its vision.
“At first, it was hard to come here,” Eilee said. “It’s unsettling to think of the errors of the Almighty… how many creations came before us… how many sloppy versions were first brought forth.”
Treycore had to agree. It was disturbing that the creator of the beauty of Eilee was also responsible for the horror that was the ferindore.
They entered a cavern where the side of the path they walked along cut off abruptly and sank to what appeared to be a basin, which reflected the lanterns they carried. On the other side of the basin, creatures with the faces of wolves and the bodies of humans were hunched over as they gazed through green eyes at the travelers.
“It’s strange,” Eilee continued. “I’ve passed through the outerlands, but I never thought I would come here of my own accord. What purpose should those like us have here? We, from the realm of the Almighty’s favorites, why should we condescend to the realm where He cast His abominations, those mistakes He himself despised? You’re lucky you didn’t fall. To think how the Leader and his followers were confined to the same realm as such hideousness.”
“As I recall, the Leader was not all that upset about sharing the space. Rather, he was the one who insisted he be allowed to protect these creatures.”
“So vile, though. Wouldn’t it be better just to put them out of their misery?”
“Maybe," Treycore said. "But I’m not sure those like us who are incapable of understanding their situation have the right to judge them.”
“I suppose you’re right. I’ve spent so much time in the mortal realm, surrounded by similarly detestable creatures—disgusting beings that have caused so much pain for our kind, and so many would have us just do away with them. I’ve wrestled with that question myself many times, and I have to admit that, if I was born to look as most do, I’m not sure I could bear it.”
Treycore grinned. He was amused by her vanity, a familiar hobby he had enjoyed in their days together.
“I think you’re making my point. Since mortals never had your beauty, they can’t really understand what they’re missing, so I don’t think they have dissonance about it.”
“But what if I looked like them and then beheld myself? Would I want to keep on with life?”
“You, no. But if beauty is your only reason for existing, surely you would have ended your life had you been any higherling other than yourself.”
Her lips curled into a smile. Apparently she accepted it as a compliment, though it had not been intended as such.
“I suppose I would have been equally happy to have been in your body. Don’t mistake my meaning. You have so many faults, so many errors in your design. And I certainly wouldn’t delight in devastating orifices the way you seem to. However, there has always been something about you… something beyond these appearances. Something I’ve never been able to qualify that captivates, that draws in those like myself. I’m not saying you’re not a magnificent higherling. I’m merely saying I’m not confident your beauty has ever been revered for the same reason as mine. It’s very clear why I am appreciated. But with you, there’s a haze before understanding. Your cock isn’t the largest, though it’s considered above average. Your features aren’t the most favorable. Your face always seems to be locked in the most unpleasant of states. Like you are struggling to see something off in the distance. Your body has certain asymmetrical aspects that can be startling to catch in moments of passion. But somehow, and the Almighty must have known this, these pieces meld together very well, better than even the most handsome of higherling men. Do you understand what I’m saying? If not, I don’t care to be bothered with your confusion. Just accept that there is something about the totality of your being that makes you magnificent. I can’t help but wonder if the mystery behind that is part of our fascination with you… my fascination with you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You shouldn’t. It wasn’t intended as one. Just an observation. One beautiful higherling to another.”
They continued through the caves for several hours before leaving through an opening to a dirt-covered plain, illuminated by a light from the gray haze of clouds above.
“Where does this light come from?” Treycore asked, as they made their way across the dry terrain to a dark image in the distance—the forests of the outerlands.
“The outerlands have a primary light source, as there is in Heaven and on Earth, yet it is obscured by perpetual overcast, designed by the Almighty Himself.”
“Why?”
“If I had the answer to that, I might very well come to a better understanding as to why He created so many other things that I find perplexing. Or why He did not dispose of these horrid offenses we are now surrounded by.”
After hours of walking, they came to the forest, which appeared the same as any forest on Earth. As they came upon a stream, they set up camp. Eilee informed Treycore the water in Hell was just as that of Heaven, and even better, for it was better suited to their bodies. She instructed him to collect ferrants, weeds that grew around the stream. She could boil some once they started a fire.
As Eilee unpacked their camping gear, she pulled three limp, lifeless doves from her bag and set them on a fallen tree beside her.
“Why did you bring those?” Treycore asked, disturbed.
Eilee gazed at them sadly.
“I thought they could keep me company, but I believe they needed food or water or air. I’m not really sure which. They’re so weak, and I’ve noticed I have a hard time keeping them alive anyway. I guess it’s just as well.”
Eilee retrieved a pot from her bag, sat on a rock beside the stream, and filled the pot with water.
Treycore yanked a few more ferrants from the ground.
“Who is she?” Eilee asked, her gaze fixed on the stream water.
