Venom felt like she had lost the path, she had guidance but there was something missing. She was losing confidence in herself and a leader like herself couldn’t show that fact. She could be honest with both Azure and Hattori, but there was a gap between herself and the one who was supposed to be there to guide her. Venom had lost her trust in Toxicity, and that heavy blow did more to the young Empress than she wanted to admit ou loud. Her sister had been the one wolf she thought that no matter what she could put her trust in, but after she’d left for the mountain without her… Venom felt like she had been abandoned.

These dark thoughts stayed with her as Venom limped deeper into the mountain palace. The cave systems were deep and winding but Venom was confident in her paw steps as she traced the trail to her destination. The young Empress brought her supplies and items with her, and though Poison wasn’t very comfortable with being underground he came with her to help prepare.

She arranged everything to the best of her ability in the darkness. Little trinkets arranged around Archon’s sigil on the floor, and Poison managed to ignite a bit of sage. This was nowhere near the ceremony that she had lived through with Tox, but surely she could reach through the veil with her own ability. Venom settled herself in the middle of the circle and began to chant softly. There were no sleep inducing drugs, but she made this moment coincide when she would be in her deepest sleep. She continued to hum as she lay her head on her paws and drifted to sleep.

The dream world was much like the scene before her in wakefulness. Darkness surrounded her, but she made herself move forward until she caught sight of a tiny flame. Focusing on the light She continued to push forward, begging and yearning for the guidance that her father’s spirit might offer.

The world came before him again as he was called upon, springing forth in a wish-wash of muted tones like watercolor on a blank canvas. Wind whirled through his fur and breath entered his lungs again as his eyes opened. He could feel Venoms presence as she reached out to him, and by her will he was manifested in a space suitable to them both. "My daughter," his essence echoed before his body had even yet formed. Its warmth sprang forward and collected into a mass, wrapping around itself into a sturdy, beating core- his heart, which only beat in this place. Bones and muscle and fur- in whatever form they took here- came together and at last he was whole again, standing and facing his now adult daughter. How she had grown and become such a strong young woman pained Archon slightly as he realized how much time had passed without him. Still, she called to him- her father. It made him proud, his form swelling as he took his first steps toward her, a warm smile on his maw.

"My Venom, what has you calling upon your old father this day?"

Venom heard her father’s voice as much as she felt his presence begin to manifest around her. She’d nearly forgotten how strong his arms had felt or how his praise felt on her head. Everything was so different now. Everything had changed since he held her as a tiny pup, or from when he had been stolen by the volcano. Still as he appeared before her Venom felt young, inexperienced, and just as lost as when she fell asleep. Did he ever feel this conflicted in life? She could only remember how certain he was in every decision and movement he made, and Venom knew that she was not remembering from nostalgia.

The young Empress pulled herself to her paws as Archon moved towards her, a warm grin playing on his features. Venom felt her own play at her lips, realizing how desperately she missed her father. ”Archon. Dad.” She mumbled as she pressed her features into his neck, feeling like the pup she had been when he died. ”Where do I start?” She hesitated, but pulled back slightly to gaze into his knowing eyes. ”Why didn’t you tell me how difficult life was going to get?” He held no blame, but the words came pouring out of her mouth. ”Or how hard my decisions would be to make?” She shook her head in disappointment in herself. ”How do I know which direction is the right one?”

He embraced his daughter and wished briefly that this moment would never end. He knew that these fleeting seconds were precious and that he had to use them to convey his feelings and advise his children the best he could. She asked a series of question and he sighed lightly. "Oh, Venom..." He pulled her close once more, "Not even the best parent could have prepared you for that." He pulled back only enough to look her in the eyes, "Your life has always been difficult- probably more so than most. Doing what you believe is always hard and..." He took a pause to look off into the spaces that surrounded them. "There's never one right path. And many times, there's no path at all and you are left to forge your own. But my dear Venom..." He wished he could hug her tight like she was a small pup again. That he could kiss her tiny forehead and make everything all better. "I am always with you, remember that. I died in the volcano and the ashes of that volcano coated the land. I am always with you. Those ashes will give way to new life- just as I did, though perhaps a little sooner than I'd have liked..."

Archon settled onto his haunches, less formal than before, "Tell me of your troubles and I will work to take them off of your shoulders the best I can."

Venom relaxed into her Father’s embrace as he held her tightly and spoke softly to her as she grasped for guidance. She needed to put into words her struggles before her father would be able to advise her. But there was a block against her words, shame and guilt for not making the correct decisions. She listened intently to his words as he spoke about her life as he’d seen it. Difficulties that she faced throughout her whole life. She sighed heavily as he reminded her that he would always be with her. Here in the afterlife or in the physical realm. Forever he would be with her. Offering guidance where he could, when he was able. The relief to know that she didn’t have to fight alone.. that her sire was always there as her shadow.. Venom leaned against him again, hoping to share in his strength and his resolve.

”Watching Toxicity and her devotion,” her sister was by far the closest connection to their god. ”It’s hard to emulate her when I’ve lost faith. How can I look to Abraxas when he took you from me so early?” She spoke hesitantly, waiting for the reprimand for doubting. ”She follows the teaching so closely,” Venom shook her head. ”I read the signs, my leg was broken as I entered my first opportunity to become a mother… I know this wasn’t the correct time.” Toxicity had been eager and certain in her decision, but Venom… ”I want to do my duty eventually but the thought of some strange man to be allowed such intimacy..” She grimaced at the thought. Venom was proud of her sister and wanted to follow her example but couldn’t see herself having children like her sister. "Is it wrong I want to give my children the childhood I'd had? With mother and father both in a complete family.." Venom tried not to dwell too hard on the dream that was her childhood.

”I’ve damaged my relationship with Toxicity as well.” She went on, wondering if Archon had seen his fallen daughter’s soul as she was consumed by the volcano as well. ”Pestilence fell, and took out her revenge on Toxicity and Calamity. They overpowered her and the volcano took her.” She explained, the heavy feeling of her heart still present. ”When the news was given to me I lost control of my emotions. I fear I have damaged the bond that should hold us together.” There was so much to confess. But as the words left her, even if she wasn’t given any solution, Venom felt her weight being lifted.