Legends of Amacia Attack on Tartarus
Chapter 14: Revelations: part 2

Hannibal grasped Leila’s hand again with both hands, looking her in the eye. “Leila, you haven’t been asleep,” he said softly with deadly seriousness, “You’ve been dead for a very long time.”

Shock filled Leila’s features. “What do you mean dead?” she demanded. “I’m alive. I didn’t die. I can’t have died. If I died, then why am I still alive?”

“Yes, you’re alive now,” Hannibal said cautiously. “But up until yesterday, you’ve essentially been dead. I warned that you may not like the truth of what happened to you.”

“I don’t understand,” Leila cried, utterly astonished and perplexed by Hannibal’s statements. “How could I be alive if I died after being wounded? Just how long have I been gone?”

“Calm down, Leila, and let me explain,” Hannibal cooed, trying to keep her calm. “Remember when you told us of your very last memories; how the world melted into the darkness?” Leila nodded. “And then you told us that just before the darkness completely consumed everything, there was a flash of light and a voice that gave you complete peace before you became lost in that light?” he asked.

Leila’s eyes grew wide as she had an epiphany. “Are you saying that’s when I died and crossed over?” she asked in a horrified whisper.

Hannibal squeezed Leila’s hand gently, saying, “Yes, Leila; the moment you surrendered to the light, you crossed over into Paradise. The darkness that nearly took you was the enemy coming for your very soul. Do you remember when I told you the Almighty had intervened on your behalf, snatching you from the darkness?”

“Yes,” Leila said softly, slowly beginning to comprehend what Hannibal was saying. “Are you telling me the light and the voice was the Almighty Himself saving me from the darkness?”

“Bingo,” Hannibal answered with a warm, but sober smile. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you. That terrible day the Ancient of Days called your soul and spirit to Him and held you in His bosom in the very garden of our God. In the paradise of the Almighty, time has no meaning. As you admitted, it was just moments ago when you became lost in the light. However, Thoth and Ezra, your husband refused to let you go because they didn’t believe you dead. Therefore, they took you deep beneath Ezra’s Tower to the ancient alien city where they found the alien stasis chamber. Do you remember the alien city hidden in the mountain beneath Ezra’s Tower?”

“Vaguely,” Leila murmured. “It’s a blur, but I seem to remember something about a very ancient and alien machine being found there that made our tech look like child’s play. I...I just can’t recall at the moment.”

“It’s all right,” Hannibal cooed, patting her hand. “I didn’t expect you to remember it. Anyway, the machine they found in the alien city inside the mountain turned out to be the most advanced stasis machine ever built, at least on this planet anyway. When they found out what it was, Thoth charged Gordo with studying and securing it for the Caverias line. I suspect that’s why the watchtower was built over it, and Gordo made the Caverias signet the key to accessing it. Anyway, Gordo discovered its secrets and secured it. He apparently discovered the machine could put anyone in such a deep stasis that even someone poisoned, as you were, could be preserved until an antidote could be found. None of their other technology could do that, so when the werack mauled and poisoned you in the Battle of Caveria, Ezra, Thoth, Beowulf, and Gordo put you in the machine so it would keep the poison from destroying you. Their thought was to use the alien stasis chamber to stop the spread of the poison until they could secure an antidote for the werack’s venom.

“They fully intended to revive you as soon as they could, but Fate was not kind to them, or you for that matter. The Emperor swarmed the countryside with his legions in pursuit of Thoth and Ezra. Ezra and a team of his best warriors were caught on the watchtower after they secured you deep below the keep in the alien stasis chamber. They fought ten legions to the last man. Ezra was the last man standing. According to the legends, he slew the Emperor’s top general in the great hall of the watchtower along with most of the general’s elite guard. However, he was mortally wounded in the battle. He survived the fight only to die sitting in the chair at the head of the banquet table in the great hall.”

Leila’s face dropped in shock and dismay as Hannibal carefully explained what happened. “I don’t have all the answers, but I will tell you what I know as accurately as I can,” he stated softly. “Ezra’s last stand in the keep was a very good day. The peoples of this savage land still revere him, and keep his memory alive in their legends, along with Thoth, Ariel, Beowulf, and even you. Shortly after that incident when the Emperor and his armies clashed on the plains outside of Amacia with the armies of the world united against him led by Thoth, the Ancient of Days acted in wrath against the world just as Noah and the prophets said He would. Do you remember Noah?”

Leila was in tears as she nodded whimpering, “Yes. Ariel called him friend and her daughter Cleo married the boy, Japheth. Noah was a good man, but a bit odd. Many people mocked and scoffed him because he built that giant boat on top of a mountain. No one took him or the prophets seriously until it was too late.”

Hannibal marveled that he was actually speaking to someone who had seen and talked with Noah. “Well, Leila,” Hannibal said as Selina put her arms around Leila, consoling her. “Here is the clincher. The Deluge came just as Noah and the prophets said it would. The Almighty destroyed the world as the prophets and Noah predicted using the Hammer of Nibiru. The lands of Amacia were buried deep underground and the world above was washed clean of wicked beings like the Emperor and his minions. The place we are now in is buried under several leagues of solid rock, and Noah and his family, which included Cleo, repopulated the surface. I don’t know exactly how to say this, but that happened approximately twelve thousand cycles ago. Your temporary stay in the machine turned into a twelve thousand-cycle entombment. You’ve been dead that long.”

Leila’s face went blank and pale as Hannibal’s words hit her like a freight train. “Your soul has been in the paradise of our God since your last memory,” he declared. “Your body was kept perfectly preserved and maintained by the alien stasis machine that Thoth and your husband used to save you. For twelve thousand cycles, the Almighty has kept your body in perfect stasis for this particular moment in time. I still don’t understand how this is possible, but I believe it because of the fact you are sitting here alive and speaking. The Lord our God is mighty and can do just as He pleases, and it pleased Him to allow you to live to see the end of the Emperor. That’s why you can’t sense your husband, Ezra, and why I’m here. Ezra passed on protecting you twelve thousand cycles ago after he and Thoth placed you in that alien stasis machine. Everything you knew except for Josephine is gone. I’m truly sorry to be the bearer of such rotten news, but that’s the naked, brutal truth of what happened, so help me God.” A troubled sigh escaped his lips.

By now, Leila slowly realized everything she knew was gone, turned to dust by the decay of many millennia of time. “So you are saying that I’m all alone in this world,” Leila said softly, tears flowing. She choked, sobbing as it hit her that Ezra was truly gone, along with her entire family and world. “What a horrendous thing to befall me,” she wailed. “I wish I had died now. I literally have nothing left.”

“No, no; not all,” Hannibal reassured her, putting his arm around her for emotional support. “As I said earlier before telling you this sordid account, you are not alone. You didn’t lose everything. You’re still alive. Your friend Josephine still lives, and wishes to rekindle that friendship with you now that you’ve been brought back. Furthermore, we’re here for you: me, Selina, Rachel, and even Enoch and his family. Even the people we’ve gathered from every corner of this savage land are here to help you. Everyone here knows of your awakening and wants to help you. Even Aeolus and his brood know of your resurrection and wish for you to be happy. You remember Aeolus, don’t you?”

“What? Aeolus is still alive?” Leila gasped in astonishment. “You must be mistaken. He and Tethys were the first taken in the coup. We believed the Emperor had killed them.”

“Not so,” Hannibal insisted. “Yes, Bolthor captured them, but he didn’t kill them. He had them imprisoned beneath the citadel in Acheron. They survived there in the deep caverns below that cursed citadel along with what was left of Thoth’s captured family. If I remember what Morpheus told me correctly, two Caverias siblings survived the tortures and experiments only to be sealed in those caverns with Aeolus and Tethys. Over time, many of the Cadre’s failed experiments were exiled to those caves. By time I found them, Aeolus and Tethys had a brood of twenty-five younglings. With them was a group of approximately three hundred fifty hybrids that are the descendants of the original Caverias siblings and other failed experiments there. I freed them when I found them along with the Caverias Sword and Seal. They are here on the island with us.”

Leila’s mouth fell open in astonishment. “You retrieved the Caverias Sword and Seal from the infernal Gateway guardians of Acheron?” she cried in disbelief. “No one could best those fell creatures. If you truly retrieved the sword, where is it? I won’t believe it until I see it.”

Hannibal smiled wryly, seeing a bit of himself in Leila’s words and disbelief. “I can see we’re not all that different, Leila,” he answered. “Too often I have demanded physical proof of things, just like you did.”

“Well, where is Thoth’s sword?” Leila demanded.

“Right over there in the weapons rack with the scepter of Shadizar Kahn, Beowulf’s Hellion, Grimm’s Bane, and Ryu-Fudo’s Draken Gauntlets,” Hannibal chimed, pointing to the rack across the room next to the wall. “Thoth’s sword sits between Grimm’s Bane and the Hellion, both of which I found in the armory of this very tower.”

Leila looked to the rack, seeing the weapons displayed prominently. Her astonishment quadrupled. “Holy Ancient of Days,” she breathed. “This is impossible. Is that really Thoth’s sword, Grimm’s Bane, and Beowulf’s Hellion sitting in the same rack?”

“If I’m lying, I’m dying,” Hannibal declared. “Shall I bring them over?”

“Please,” Leila begged. “I recognize them, but I must touch them to be sure.”

“Okay,” Hannibal stated, rising. “I can do that.” He quickly retrieved the Caverias Sword and returned to Leila. Unsheathing the Caverias Sword, he presented it to her in a display fashion in his hands. It glowed softly, highlighting the mysterious runes on the blade. “This sword has power that until here recently I was completely unaware of,” he reported. “The blade can open up to more than twice its size and has the power to enhance my elemental and telepathic abilities. It can even slice through stone, which I’ve done with it on several occasions. Please, touch the blade if you wish. It will not hurt you. You’re a Caverias through your connection to Ariel.”

“By the Elder Gods,” Leila breathed in awe, gently touching the runes on the blade with her fingers. “I’m remembering. Just touching this sacred blade is driving the fog from some of my memories. Without a doubt, this is Thoth’s sword. How did you know it was Thoth’s sword and how did you get it away from the guardians of Acheron’s Gate? How did you even get to it anyway? Only Bolthor and his Cadre knew where the Acheron Gate was located.”

“By the direction and mercy of the Almighty,” Hannibal stated, stepping back and sheathing the Caverias sword. “As I said, I found this, the hybrid descendants of the captured Caverias siblings, along with Aeolus and his brood in the caverns beneath the Acheron citadel.” He reached into his shirt and pulled out the Caverias Seal with one hand, removing it from his neck. Handing the Seal to Leila, he said, “The sword and seal were on an altar in the ancient gateway temple guarded by two very powerful entities: the leader of the Devourers and Dagos...a demon prince I’ve had the unfortunate pleasure of knowing from my past. I killed them after slaying Baal, Lord of the Belrock with your husband’s sword before retrieving Thoth’s sword and seal.” Leila’s eyes grew round as astonishment built on astonishment. “Sadly, I lost your husband’s blade at the end of the battle and was unable to retrieve it,” he reported softly, sitting down in the chair, letting the sword point rest on the floor while he held it by the handle. “It was a magnificent weapon with powers I only dreamed of. I’m truly sorry to have lost it.”

Leila examined, even rubbed the Caverias Seal in numbed amazement. She abruptly looked Hannibal in the eye and demanded, “Who are you, Hannibal? What are you? No one kills the Lord of Fire, or the chief of the alien Devourers. They are Old Ones even the Emperor feared. How is it that you survived?” She handed the Seal back to Hannibal, who stood and returned the Caverias Sword to the weapons rack before hanging the Seal around his neck.

“You don’t seem to understand who or what I am,” Hannibal stated, returning with the Hellion, “Though at times, I question what I am myself. It’s complicated, but before I tell you, can you confirm this is the same Hellion that Thoth’s son Beowulf wielded in the war?” He sat down in the chair, holding the Hellion in the same manner as he did the Caverias Sword.

Leila could not hide her astonishment as she touched the ancient blade in its sheath. She shuddered visibly upon touching it. “Fate be merciful,” she breathed. “I never believed I would see Beowulf’s Hellion again. It was lost with him at the end of the Battle of Drakonia. But wait, how could he have vanished at the end of the Battle of Drakonia and still have been present when I was wounded at Caveria? There’s almost two hundred cycles between the two events. How is that possible? But I remember him being there.”

A puzzle look crossed Hannibal’s face. “That’s a very good question,” he answered. “I’d like to know that myself. Is it possible that he got lost in time warps as I apparently did? I know from the records and legends of the Battle of Drakonia Beowulf suffered the same fate the Elder Gods and that strange man who looks like me did. They all vanished without a trace. According to Enoch and the Archive records stored here, the only thing they found of Beowulf in the aftermath of the Battle of Drakonia was the Hellion. Beowulf, that guy, and the Elder Gods vanished so completely that not even a trace of their DNA was found on the battlefield. It’s as if they fell through a hole in the universe.” Hannibal paled at his words. “Oh, man,” he breathed. “What if they did get pulled into a time warp? If they did, then it’s impossible to know where they went, or when.”

“But Beowulf was there with Thoth at my wounding,” Leila insisted. “I know it. I can still recall his scent.”

“The mystery deepens,” Selina commented, holding on to Leila’s arm and hand to give her emotional support and stability. “But that’s not important right now. What is important is you tell her who you are, Hannibal. She must be made to understand who and what you are.”

“Right,” Hannibal replied, nodded. Turning to Leila, he said, “Thank you for confirming this is truly Beowulf’s Hellion. It apparently has chosen me to wield its power now.”

“How can that be?” Leila asked. “Everyone knew Beowulf was the only one who could draw Hellion from its sheath. It would allow no other.”

“It’s very simple,” Hannibal answered, sitting back in his chair. “It’s because only I’m able to pull it. Watch this. Selina, reach out and try to pull the Hellion from its sheath.”

Selina reached out, grasping the handle of the Hellion when Hannibal put it within her grasp. When she pulled, the sword refused to unsheathe. “It won’t let me pull it,” she stated, giving up after three hard tugs. “Even though Hannibal and I have the same Caverias gene sequence buried in our DNA, the sword has apparently made a conscious choice to allow only Hannibal to use its power. I could really sense this consciousness when I touched it just now.”

“Now, Leila, watch and learn,” Hannibal stated, grasping the sword by the handle and its sheath. Slowly, Hannibal unsheathed the blade, showing it to Leila. “See, Leila,” he said softly, “This sword is alive and has chosen me to wield its power, just as it chose Beowulf. I’m frankly at a loss to explain how this weapon is alive, but it apparently is. The Caverias sword’s call was subtle, almost subliminal, but the Hellion has an active intelligence and consciousness guiding it. I’m sure it’s not of this planet, maybe not even of this galaxy, just like Grimm’s Bane back there on the rack.” Sheathing the Hellion gently, Hannibal declared, “I fear this weapon more than the Caverias Sword because I have an idea of what it’s capable of, just as I know what Grimm’s Bane can do.”

“You actually used Grimm’s Bane?” Leila asked with shock. “Only one human ever used Grimm’s Bane and that was Ragnar Caverias. No one else dared touch it. Show me.”

“Very well,” Hannibal stated, rising from his seat and walking to the weapon’s rack. “I will open it, but I will not use it here. It’s far too dangerous to do so.” He put the Hellion back on the rack and picked up the Bane. Moving into a clear area, Hannibal said softly, “I hope this doesn’t wake Rachel. It tends to be a bit noisy when opening up.”

“Just a moment, Hannibal,” Selina intruded as he prepared to engage the Bane. “Let me go over to Rachel in case she wakes while that thing opens up. It may startle her.”

“Cover her ears just to be sure,” Hannibal ordered.

Selina obeyed, sitting down next to Rachel and covering her ears with her hands. “Go ahead, Hannibal,” Selina called out softly.

“Have you ever seen this weapon up close in person, Leila?” Hannibal asked, holding the Bane like a rifle with his right hand on the handle while supporting it with his left hand.

“No,” Leila answered in awe, “I’ve seen images of it, but never seen it in person or this close. The Caverias Elders declared the Bane was only to be used in the gravest of circumstances and only by the purest and strongest Caverias. They said Ragnar uttered a prophecy that said one of his remote descendants would rise to reclaim the Bane in the Caverias’ darkest hour. I’m not sure if I remember it correctly or if I really believed it...until now.”

“I’ve heard Ragnar’s prophecy from the mouth of Aeolus himself,” Hannibal stated softly, “It’s hard to accept when you replace prophecies from tens of thousands of cycles in the past telling everything you do with uncanny accuracy. Leila, you wanted to know who and what I am. Now you shall see. I am the Beowulf, the Last Caverias the prophecies spoke of who will end the tyranny of the Emperor and rebalance the cosmos. I am the heir apparent to Thoth and Ariel’s throne. Even Ragnar Caverias spoke of my coming in the End of Days to reclaim the Bane and restore the throne of Amacia to its former glory. Ragnar said only the Last Caverias would be able to handle the Bane, and he’d handle it as if he were born to it. Watch this.” Hannibal triggered the Bane and it opened to its full scythe form with its customary clanking in a matter of seconds. He spun it as it opened, handling it flawlessly so it didn’t damage anything while opening.

“Holy Ancient of Days,” Leila breathed in utter astonishment as Hannibal handled the scythe flawlessly. “You know how to use the Bane! It opens for you! No one ever tried to open the Bane to its most deadly form. You...you’re the one the prophets spoke of. Then that means this really is twelve thousand cycles in the future from my last memory, and my family, friends, even my world is long dead. You weren’t lying. I’ve been dead for twelve thousand cycles!” She faltered, touching her face and forehead with her hand while her head sagged forward.

Seeing Leila about to faint, Hannibal quickly triggered the Bane, folding it up into its compact rifle form, rushing to her. Sitting the Bane on the chair, he pounced on Leila, catching her as she fainted. Selina rushed over and helped Hannibal lay her down. “It was too much for her,” Hannibal said softly, brushing Leila’s hair back. “I suppose I’d do the same thing if I were in her position.”

“She still doesn’t completely grasp what’s happened,” Selina stated. “I could sense it. She’s confused and doesn’t know how to deal with this new reality. We need to slow down. Don’t give her so much at once.”

“You’re right,” Hannibal agreed. “But I had to tell her. She insisted and had the right to know. Now, we must help her adjust to this new reality. I wonder if I will react the same way when I discover what’s lost in that black hole in my memories? It’s a sobering thought.”

“If you do, we’ll all be here to help you sort it out, just as we must help Leila do the same thing,” Selina said softly, noticing Leila starting to come around. “She’s coming out of it. Don’t be so blunt when sharing things this time. You need to give her time to understand. Remember, she’s just awakened after twelve thousand cycles of stasis. Be gentle.”

Hannibal reached out and cupped his hand behind Selina’s neck, pulling her close until they touched foreheads. “You always know what I need, princess,” he cooed, “Thank you for showing me the way. I tend to be a bit of a bull in a china shop when it comes to the truth. I need to show more compassion and finesse when sharing it.”

“Exactly,” Selina chimed, kissing Hannibal gently on the lips. “Now be gentle, my king. Leila is still wounded emotionally from her experience before her stasis.”

“Right,” Hannibal stated, letting go of Selina and leaning over Leila. She moaned and shook her head. “Leila, wake up, Leila,” he cooed, gently patting her on the cheek. “Come on back to the light, Leila. We need you.”

“What happened?” Leila asked as she snapped awake. Instantly, she noticed Hannibal leaning over her and Selina standing behind him. Both of them had relieved looks on their faces.

“I must beg your forgiveness,” Hannibal said apologetically, “I gave you more information than you could take. You passed out from information overload. Forgive me. I wasn’t thinking.”

Leila instantly noticed Hannibal’s contrite, apologetic tone and expression. She then remembered what Hannibal had revealed and paled. But she also remembered how she insisted upon knowing it. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “I think we’re both to blame for it. After all, I insisted upon you telling me everything. I should have known better.” A troubled sigh escaped her lips. “Thank you for being honest,” she murmured. “I appreciate it, but are you really the one the prophets spoke of? To be honest, my memory of the prophecies is still a bit vague. You wouldn’t happen to have copies of them I could see, do you?”

“It would give me no greater pleasure than to show you those prophecies,” Hannibal said softly. “And to let you speak with the few souls who still know them. Fact is I’m still uncovering prophecies about what’s happening to me. I replace it unnerving to see my life laid out in such detail by people who lived so long ago. But I’m forced to accept it as the truth. As I said, the truth is often something we don’t expect or want to accept. The prophecy of my mutation and restoration was one of them.”

Leila’s memory opened slightly wider a she recalled more of the prophecies concerning the Last Caverias. “Wait a minute,” she intruded. “Are you saying that you were mutated into a woman by the Emperor and then restored?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Hannibal replied in a hushed tone reflecting the pain of that episode of his life. “And I have not only eyewitness confirmation of it, but also pictorial evidence. Selina and I had a session where we recorded my form before my restoration. Would you like to see some of them?”

“I believe I would,” Leila answered. “If you really were mutated into a woman and the restored to your original male form as the prophecies say, then I’ll believe.”

“Go get the photo album, Selina,” Hannibal ordered.

“Okay,” Selina replied, going to Hannibal’s dresser and retrieving the album from one of the drawers.

“I learned so much during that time about myself,” Hannibal declared softly, letting the horror of the time ooze out in his tone. “I consider it both the best and worst thing to ever happen to me. While I was mutated, I got to see first-hand what the Emperor does to women and what he has planned for the rest of humanity. Needless to say, it’s heinous beyond description. I will not burden you with the gruesome details, not until you’re ready to see the true heart of the Emperor’s darkness.”

“You don’t need to tell me,” Leila replied grimly. “I saw plenty of that during the war. Many times, we found entire villages and cities decimated with the people ripped apart and partially eaten. Both women and men were often found having been raped to death, so you needn’t tell me what the Emperor does.”

“What you saw in the war is mild compared to what I physically endured inside the hell that’s the Black Fortress,” Hannibal insisted. “Trust me; it’s truly diabolical and not meant for this universe.”

“I believe you,” Leila said softly, noticing Hannibal’s passion and insistence about that time. “But what makes it the best time for you?”

Hannibal smiled warmly, grasping Leila’s hand. “Being one of you showed me how to really live,” he stated. “All my life, I’d suppressed my emotions until they exploded violently in ways that I’m ashamed of. Living as a man mutated into a woman caused me to rethink my priorities. I learned how to release my emotions in a healthy manner instead of bottling them up until they exploded. At the same time, I discovered how to balance those emotions with my logic. I learned how to live and be happy with what I have. It allowed me to let go, and truly be myself in front of everyone. I learned I didn’t need to wear my mask all the time. Furthermore, being a woman during that time taught me what you girls really want and need. It gave me insights into the female existence that I swore never to forget when I was restored. That’s what made it the best time for me. I also cherish the deep friendships I made during that time. The women imprisoned in the Emperor’s Harem proved to be a vital link to my survival during that time. Between them and Selina, I learned how to live as one of them. They saved me and my sanity in my darkest hour.”

“I sense much pain as you share this,” Leila observed, “The Emperor wounded you deeply when he did that to you, didn’t he?”

“He did,” Hannibal admitted as Selina stood quietly with the album in hand, letting Hannibal reveal his soul to Leila. “He crossed the line big time with that, but he really messed up when he did that. By mutating me, he unleashed the dormant power of the Caverias lineage held within me. After being mutated, I gained conscious control over my elemental abilities. Would you like to see a small demonstration?”

“Yes,” Leila answered softly. “That is if you think it’s safe to do so.”

“It’s perfectly safe,” Hannibal stated, holding his hands six inches apart. “I’ll generate a small electrical charge using these strange elemental powers that exploded in me after being mutated.” He concentrated and small white bolts of electricity arced between his hands for a moment.

“That’s amazing,” Leila breathed. “I knew the drakenites of Drakonia could do things like that, but never figured a human would be able to do that. Where did you learn that?”

“That’s the thing,” Hannibal stated, “I can’t remember. Aeolus swears up and down that I’m using the Drakenite method of accessing what he calls the Elemental Earth. I’m doing this stuff by instinct as if I were born to them. Again, that’s what the prophecies claim the Last Caverias would be able to do. Something incredibly strange is happening with me that I still don’t understand. However, I’m not dismissing or burying it. These abilities have gotten me out of some major scrapes here recently. But I’m getting off the subject. We were talking about proof of my mutation. Selina can confirm my mutation, can’t you, princess?”

Selina handed Hannibal the album, saying, “That I can. Hannibal was forced to live as one of us for several months. In fact, Hannibal didn’t get restored until just a few days ago. The first thing he did once he got his strength back was to go into that nest of horrors in Ezra’s Tower and retrieve your sarcophagus, Leila.”

“Really?” Leila asked, raising an eyebrow. “Did anyone else see him as a woman?”

“Only everyone on this island, and the Emperor himself,” Hannibal stated while scanning the album for a good picture of Hanna. “Everyone knew I’d been mutated into a woman. Ah, here we go. Here’s one of me wearing a rather sexy swimsuit. Look closely at my facial bone structure. The mutation wasn’t able to completely erase my original identity as a man.” He showed Leila the picture, showing Hanna posing beside the dresser wearing her black swimsuit with the low circular chest cut and the high-cut legs. Hanna stood there with her hands on her hips and her left hip cocked up slightly. A warm, sultry smile decorated her lips.

Leila’s mouth fell open upon seeing the picture. She instantly saw Hannibal in Hanna’s features and marveled. “That’s really you, isn’t it?” she asked.

Hannibal nodded with a warm smile. “I was in a very good mood that night,” he said, “I felt very confident and sexy. However, you must understand one key thing.”

“What’s that?” Leila asked.

“When I was mutated into a woman, I was forced to adopt a female persona,” Hannibal stated. “I couldn’t live as a man inside a woman’s body. It was driving me insane. To keep from losing my mind and killing myself, I discovered the female part of my soul and let her take control. I locked my male identity away and let her rule while I was a woman. Her name is Hanna, and she’s still a part of me, but isn’t locked away. She lives within me as the female half of my soul. We’re now a completed soul and Selina here is the outward manifestation of Hanna.”

“Whoa, that’s deep,” Leila admitted, staring at Hanna in the picture. “But how did you do it?”

“With the help of Selina and Izanami, a most precious sister who’s the leader of the Harem prisoners,” Hannibal stated. “At the time, Selina was imprisoned in the Harem alongside of Izanami and fifty other very beautiful and talented sisters. I don’t think I need to explain why they were there.”

“No, you don’t,” Leila answered in a disgusted tone. “Bolthor had a harem created right after he took over. Only the most beautiful women who were of royal blood ended up there. It’s where I was told he killed my sister in front of Thoth.”

“Nothing has changed,” Hannibal stated, “This present Emperor did the same thing, but now he doesn’t have access to them. I rescued them while I was still Hanna when I came to get Selina and Josephine. But that’s a story for another time. Anyway, right after I was mutated, the Emperor decided to dump me in the Harem so Selina could see what he did to me. The stupid shit thought Selina would reject me if I were a woman. He obviously didn’t realize Selina and I are soul mates put together by the Almighty Himself. Selina instantly recognized me, and saw my plight. I was lost inside a female body, not knowing how to act or even live as a woman. The leader of the Harem prisoners Izanami also saw my trouble and chose to help. Most of the women in the Harem were there because they believed in the prophecies. They knew the mutation portion of the prophecies by heart. They knew I was the One, so Izanami, who is a formidable telepath, told me what to do. Selina, who is also a telepath of the first order and my soul mate, jumped in and between the three of us, we forged Hanna and secured my male identity so it could not be stolen or destroyed by the Emperor’s spirit minions. When we finished, Hanna was born, and I learned the intricacies of life from the female side. Now, to show you that this is not just some incredible fabricated tale, I will show you the swimsuit you see in that picture.”

Hannibal let Leila hold the album while he stood up, picking up the Bane and returning it to the weapons rack. He then walked to Hanna’s dresser, which stood between his dresser and Selina’s dresser. Turning around, he pointed to Selina’s dresser, saying, “That chest has Selina’s clothes in it.” Placing his hand first on Hanna’s dresser, and then on his dresser, he declared, “This is Hanna’s chest and this one here is mine.” He opened the second drawer of Hanna’s dresser, rummaged for a moment, and then pulled out the black swimsuit. Holding it up by the shoulder straps, Hannibal said, blushing slightly, “Here’s the swimsuit. It’s our favorite one.” Taking it hand, he walked back to Leila with the swimsuit and sat down in the chair, again holding it up so Leila could see it closely. “I’d forgotten how silky soft and smooth these swimsuits are,” he admitted. “Frankly, it’s the one thing I miss. These swimsuits made me feel so pretty and desirable when I wore them. I was able to flaunt my assets without letting too much show.”

Leila suddenly giggled at Hannibal’s comment. “May I?” she asked, holding out her hand.

“Of course,” Hannibal replied, handing over the swimsuit.

Leila examined it closely, feeling the fabric and noticing the structure of it. She kept looking at the swimsuit, and then back at the picture of Hanna wearing it. “I’ve never seen swimwear like this before,” she admitted. “It’s shape is strange, but pleasant. It’s designed to cover most of the torso, particularly on the front, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Selina stated, “It covers far more than we were allowed as prisoners in the Harem. What we had there was right down demeaning and scandalous. Many times, there was hardly enough fabric to blow your nose on.”

“I like this style,” Leila declared. “It’s seductive, but modest. Do you think I could get something like this?”

“That’s not a problem,” Hannibal chimed. “Selina’s mother, Electra, is responsible for this suit, along with the rest of our wardrobe. Whenever someone needs clothes of any kind, Electra can make them. Fact is I suspect she may already be making a full wardrobe for you. If you want something specific, just ask her. She can make it.”

“I’d like that,” Leila replied, handing the swimsuit back to Hannibal. “May I look at more of these images?”

“Be my guest,” Hannibal stated, “But be warned some of them show us wearing some very intimate lingerie, and a few of them show Hanna with no clothes on at all.”

“Lingerie...I am not familiar with that word,” Leila declared. “What’s lingerie?”

“Intimate apparel, underclothes, teddies, panties, bras...any clothing worn underneath your regular clothes, or clothes you wear while sleeping can be classified as lingerie,” Hannibal explained, blushing slightly. “They’re often designed to accentuate the wearer’s assets in a revealing, seductive way, particularly the underclothes. The nightgown you’re wearing now can be classified as a modest example of lingerie. It actually suits you very well and enhances your beauty. I like it.”

Leila glanced at her nightgown, blushing. “Why thank you, Hannibal,” she murmured. “It is a beautiful garment, and is very comfortable.”

“I figured it would be,” Hannibal agreed. “Electra has this way with fabric. I had several nightgowns I used while I was Hanna. In fact, I had a black nightie just like that one I considered my favorite. Do you understand what lingerie is now?”

“I think so,” Leila replied. “Do you have any examples of this lingerie so I can fully understand it? I just want to be sure of what you’re talking about.”

“Absolutely,” Hannibal replied. “Here, let me show you one of Hanna’s favorite teddies.” He went back to Hanna’s dresser, stored the swimsuit, and pulled out a leopard print halter-top satin and lace teddy trimmed with leather that sported a plunging V-neckline and high-cut legs. He walked back to Leila and showed it to her, holding it up by the halter strap. “This is one of Hanna’s favorite teddies. She wore it often as underclothes and pajamas. It’s very comfortable.”

“That is just one type of lingerie we have,” Selina stated. “It’s a beautiful garment and always put Hanna in a good mood when she wore it.”

Leila’s eyes lit up as she suddenly understood. “Oh, I get it now,” she replied, taking the teddy from Hannibal and examining it closely. “It is a beautiful garment, so well made and seductive to the touch and eye. I seem to remember having such undergarments. They made me feel so pretty and seductive. In fact, I had several of these, and Ezra loved it when I wore them openly for him in private.”

“We both can relate,” Hannibal stated. “If you want some garments like this, all you need is to ask. Electra may already be getting such apparel ready for you.”

Leila handed the teddy back to Hannibal as he sat back in the chair. “I’d like that,” she murmured, pausing for several moments. A sigh escaped her lips as Selina grasped her hand in emotional support. “So much has happened since Caveria,” she said softly, her mind still reeling at the revelations of what happened to her. “What a strange fate it is that has awakened me in such a time of darkness to replace all I knew turned to dust? Why did this happen to me?”