Big Business, Bigger Trouble

Big Business, Bigger Trouble
Lilith felt her heart palpitate. The thought of whatever test was next made her sick to her stomach. She knew whatever test was next, it would be related to Noah, and though she loved him as equally as his brothers, she also realized they spent more time fighting than her understanding who he truly was.

I wish I hadn’t given him such a hard time.

The thought alone saddened her. He’d been a victim like everyone else-sometimes moreso, but he’d been treated the worse by her.

Morrigan watched the fall of her face and grinned. “I bet I can guess what you’re thinking,” she said. “You’re thinking about the fact that your temper impeded listening to your precious Noah.” She giggled. “I may have played a few tricks, but it was you who missed what was right in front of you. Now who's missing all the knowledge around them and chose stupidity.”

“Leave me alone, Morrigan,” she replied sadly. “Just-just leave me alone.”

“Fine,” Morrigan shrugged. “I’m done, but when I get your powers and him, I promise I’ll listen to anything he has to say.”

Lilith’s eyes purpled. “I said leave.me.alone. I’m a punch away from saying fuck this, and killing you.” She stopped. “You know, I can’t help who I am and what I am. To hate me so much for it is literally stealing your life. You spent all this time plotting against someone who truly loved you. I took nothing from you, you stole your own life despising me.”

Morrigan’s eyes widened for a moment, before her face turned into a scowl. “Then I guess I could say you wasted a portion of your life loving someone who could never, and would never love you in return.” She saw Lilith’s eyes glass over, before she pushed past her, leaving Morrigan behind.

Hectate abruptly stopped. “We’re here,” he said.

“This place is worse than Thule,” Lilith said as she looked around at the desolate buildings of the city. Every business was closed, and she turned to Hecate. “Please don’t tell me we’re dealing with another set of greedy people who have left others to starve?”

He shook his head, “Quite the opposite. You’re dealing with an entire city that is in ruins and doesn’t know why. This is the city, Sheye, one of the most successful cities ever to be built. Their economy once flourished because of their groundbreaking creation of a baby doll that feeds itself.”

“As in picks up its own food, and eats?”

“Correct. It speaks, and mimics an actual child in a lot of ways.”

She shivered, “That’s creepy as hell.”

“Perhaps, but many people wanted them in other cities, and soon, they couldn’t keep up with demand.”

“Why not?” Morrigan asked, confused.

“Because their workers quit, and as with the demand of their product, they do not know why. With demand high, and product low, the city slowly lost money until finally they were in economic ruin. No one here has money to spend, and many local businesses had to close their stores.”

“That’s awful,” Lilith said.

Hectate turned and faced her, “Which is why for your and Morrigan’s fourth test, you have to get the economy boosting again.” He paused. “There is one other thing I should mention.”

“Of course there is,” Morrigan said sarcastically. “It’s never simple, so what is it?”

“He pointed to the only building that remained intact. “That is the oldest building in Sheye. It is the first library to ever built here. It means the world to the people of Sheye, but it will be torn down soon because of the cost of upkeep is too much for the city to maintain. The second part of your task is to keep it standing. It is the last thing that keeps the people here. Its destruction will wipe Sheye off the map forever and force its people to move.”

“All that over a damn old ass library?” Morrigan asked. “It’s not even used anymore.”

Hectate nodded. “Perhaps, but knowledge is power. You never know what something simple as a book could do to inspire the future gifted mind. It was in those very walls that the creator of that baby doll thought of the idea.” As they drew closer to the large business buildings, Lilith had another sinking feeling pull through her.

This wasn’t what I was expecting. How the hell am I going to boost an economy and save a library? This doesn’t relate to Noah. He’s an architect. None of this makes sense.

Entering, they walked down a long muted color hall and stood in front of a large door. “The men you need to speak with are through there. Think on your feet, and figure this out. You have made it this far, with each test relying on your quick wit. Remember that,” he said to them both before disappearing.

Swallowing her spit, Lilith pushed open the doors and saw a group of men sitting at a large conference table. “Hello,” she said, unsure, and they only nodded. She entered the room with Morrigan on her trail. “My name is Lilith.”

“We know who you are, succubus queen,” one replied. He looked past her. “We know who you are as well, Morrigan.”

Morrigan gave a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, I’ve grown tired of the insults.”

He chuckled and gave her a wink. “Well, I promise you, there will be none of that here. My name is Bruxo, and I’ve been asked to speak for the rest, so it will be me who announces the proposal we’ll go with.” Clasping his hands in front of him, he looked at them both. “I hope you two brought your A game. As you can see, Sheye is in ruins, and we need to figure out immediately how to fix it.” He paused. “While we don’t allow the say of others outside of the board to present ideas, we’re desperate and out of you two, we consider one to be our last hope.”

Both ladies slowly made their way to the front of the room. “The hell are you walking so slow for?” Morrigan grumbled to Lilith. “I’d like to not be here all fucking day.”

Lilith ignored her, her brain working overtime to figure out the solution. Her hands shook, realizing as its blankness terrified her. The more she thought, the more she realized Morrigan was right.

Oh, God…I don’t know.

She wanted to cry, seeing the men eyeing her. “Well, are one of you going to speak?” Bruxo said. Lilith’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Rolling her eyes, Morrigan stepped forward. Unlike my sister, I do have an idea.” She folded her arms to her chest. “Outsourcing.”

Bruxo raised his brow, “Elaborate.’

“Of course. As I’ve been made aware, your biggest issue has been a labor shortage because of a lack of workers. Well, I suggest hiring workers from other realms. Many other places want to form business deals with high-ranking companies. I bet off of reputation alone, you could cut wages while gaining an influx of workers, and find materials for your products at a much more reasonable price than you pay to have them made here.”

Lilith looked at her in shock. “Where the hell did that come from?”

She sneered. “You’re not the only one who’s intelligent, Lilith. The difference if I don’t have four men to help me cheat.”

“Enough bickering!” Bruxo shouted, before leaning back in his chair. “Morrigan, your proposal is great, but I have one question. How is that supposed to boost the economy? As you can see, Sheye is having a hard time financially.”

She grinned. “That’s the best part of my plan. The cut costs would allow for a use of the money. Let’s be honest, while there are other businesses here, the ones in this room are the monopoly. You cut cost, resume making products, Sheye is once again as successful as it was.” She smirked at Lilith before looking away. “And you can save the library. Let’s not pretend that isn’t once of your hidden issues, the revolt you’ve been getting from the community about it.”

He nodded. “You’re correct. Very impressive.” Eyeing Lilith, he paused. “Okay, Lilith, we’re ready for your thoughts.”

Lilith wiped her face before thinking of Noah and the others. With everything she knew about law, medicine, and overall facts, she didn’t know how to help a city recover from financial ruins. She shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said, teary-eyed.

He raised his brow. “Nothing? No idea? Come on, I know if you try hard enough you will think of something.”

She looked away. “I’m sorry, I-I really don’t know.”

“That’s a shame,” he said, sighing. He turned to Morrigan. “Your plan is excellent, really, and since Lilith could not provide one, we shall move forward with it.”

“YES!” Morrigan screamed before grinning at Lilith. “You know what that means, right?”

“Yes.” She wiped the tears from her eyes, but her shoulders shook. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she quickly turned, hoping to see Noah. Instead, Hectate stood behind her, and though she couldn’t see them, she somehow knew his eyes contained just as much sadness as hers. “I can’t lose them, Hectate,” she said through tears.

“I’m sorry,” he replied. “There is nothing that can be done. Morrigan has shown creativity, ingenuity, and problem solving. She has won this challenge. All brothers are attached to the powers of Gaia, all must be won. As such, Morrigan shall receive your powers, and them.”

Lilith shook her head. “Please, don’t do this, Hectate. Please, if I lose them, you’ll take my heart right along with them.” She sobbed. “If I lose my powers…Samantha… please, at least help Samantha.”

There was a long pause until Hectate shook his head. “I’m sorry Lilith.” He turned to Morrigan. “Samantha will die, and Morrigan will inherit everything.”