The Paladin in the Abyss

"I am." Lancelot returned a Knight's salute, "Good afternoon, Fallen Lady. Is there anything we can assist you with?"

"Indeed, I have a very urgent and dangerous task." The Fallen Lady nodded her head, her gaze sweeping over the group that filed in with Lancelot, "Are these your companions?"

"Yes." Lancelot noticed her gaze lingering on Eckmond for a moment, "This skeleton head is called Eckmond, and he is also our companion."

"Hello there." The skeleton head performed a bow that lacked a body, "It seems that you recognize me? I am very sorry, I've lost my memory, otherwise I would never forget a beauty like you."

"No, but I had a friend who looked a lot like you." The Fallen Lady smiled gently, "I hope you find your memories soon. Long ago, I too embarked on a journey with someone very important to me, in search of his past."

"If you're willing, we'd be delighted to hear this story." Facing the Succubus, Lancelot involuntarily adopted an extremely polite tone, "You seem so different from all the Succubi we've met before... Please forgive my curiosity, but would you be willing to explain the meaning of 'Fallen'? It sounds more like an adjective rather than a name."

"I understand you have many questions about me; everyone does when they first see me." The Succubus smiled again, "I've been to many places in the Multiverse and ultimately concluded that my kind leads a life that is a waste of time, meaningless. I fell from my race, and some say that was a sort of ascension, but I think 'fallen' feels more accurate. That's the origin of the name, 'Fallen'."

The words spoken by the Succubus before him greatly shocked Lancelot, but he realized it was a very private topic, and to continue discussing it would be extremely impolite. Thus, he nodded and said:

"Thank you for your explanation, Lady. You mentioned you had a commission?"

"Yes, that's precisely why I have come here." The Fallen Lady nodded, "But before that, I must ask a few questions to determine if you are worthy of my trust."

"Understandable, you've already generously answered my questions, so please ask away."

"The first question has no fixed answer, but I would like to hear each of your thoughts. What can change a person's Essence?"

"Love," Alamir said first, resolutely.

"Knowledge," the answer undoubtedly came from Kalalin.

"I think it is labor," Bruto said, arms crossed.

"For me, it's memory," Eckmond seemed a bit sad, "Had I not lost mine, perhaps I would be a completely different person now."

"Er, I don't know." Koula looked somewhat embarrassed, "Maybe good food?"

"I believe many things can change a person's Essence," Lancelot shrugged, "It's different for everyone, depending on ourselves."

"A very impressive answer," the Disfavored Lady nodded, "Only you need to answer the second question, Captain Lancelot. What kind of soul do you think is worth saving?"

"I've never thought about that question," Lancelot admitted, "If it were up to me, of course, it would be the kind souls, or at least those who sincerely decide to no longer consort with evil."

"Even if the soul needing salvation..." The Disfavored paused for a moment, "is a Demon?"
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"Without a doubt," Lancelot nodded firmly.

"I can see that in saying this, you actually have someone in mind," the Disfavored Lady said with an understanding smile. "Final question, what's the strongest enemy you have ever defeated? Please do not exaggerate your accomplishments, as I do not wish to send you to your death."

"We once killed a Succubus. However, Tijana said that the Succubus likely had a portion of Demon Essence, so it's very possible she resurrected elsewhere." Lancelot took a pause, deciding not to mention the complications with the Demons, "And I can assure you, we are stronger now than when we defeated the Succubus."

"A Succubus?" The Disfavored Lady pondered briefly, "Honestly, it might be a stretch, but I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of finding someone else."

"What exactly is the mission?" Lancelot asked curiously, having understood that this was likely a rescue operation, and the rescuee was probably a Demon as special as the Disfavored Lady before him.

"You must keep the following information strictly confidential," The Disfavored's expression grew very serious, "Has anyone here heard of the name Elothysia?"

"I think I've heard my old man mention it," Bruto said, frowning, "But I can't remember anything about that name at all. Maybe I should have paid more attention when he was teaching."

"Most Tanari despise me for my 'fall,' but their hatred towards Elothysia is tenfold what they feel for me," The Disfavored Lady looked as if she was searching for the right words, "She is more... extreme than me. After turning away from the path of evil, she chose to become a Holy Warrior."

"How... how is that possible?" Kalalin looked utterly shocked, The Disfavored's words contradicting everything he knew about Demons.

"What made her turn away from the path of evil?" Lancelot was more concerned about this, "What changed her Essence?"

"For Elothysia, it was the power of love," said the Disfavored Lady with a smile to Shuni the Priest, "While in the Prime Material Plane, she fell in love with a beautiful Angel. Even though her nature resisted this emotion for a long time, she ultimately revealed her true feelings to the Angel."

"The Angel saw an opportunity, a chance to redeem a Demon. His benevolent nature made him happy to help others. Besides, who could say no to a beautiful and sincere Succubus?" The Disfavored Lady smiled again, as if implying something.

"What happened after that?" Koula asked eagerly, "Did they live happily ever after?"

"Redemption can sometimes happen in an instant, but more often it is the result of many painful years of effort. As a Demon, she had to fight against her evil nature every moment of every day.

Though the process was excruciating, she eventually learned to find satisfaction and joy in helping rather than harming others," The Disfavored's expression turned sad, "She also realized how many wrongs she had committed and tried to make amends as much as possible. With the help of her Angel lover, she completely expelled her former master, a Barlow Flame Demon, from the Prime Material Plane.

It was then she earned the title of a Holy Warrior and achieved her precarious redemption."

"However, in achieving redemption, she also gained an eternal enemy. Her former master couldn't re-enter the Prime Material Plane, but it had many evil minions at its disposal." The Disfavored Lady's gaze darkened, "Elothysia chose to stay in the Prime Material Plane to help combat evil, and though she survived numerous assassination attempts, the latest plot against her succeeded.

The Succubus Paladin was killed, and her Angel lover was seriously injured."