A Pear Tree

A Pear Tree:

Qliploth

Angelique and her big brother Robert stood before the huge tree, twisted and aged, and both of their cherubic faces held scowls.

“There are ten fruits to this tree,” Angelique said, putting hands on ample hips. “So what? Are we supposed to climb for it?”

“Only if you want to save our father,” Robert said, stroking his beard. “I am game.”

“Look at that bark,” Angelique said. “It looks…thirsty.”

“Stay down here if you must,” Robert said with another scowl, this time aimed at Angelique. “I’m going towards the top. If you will, you may join me.”

“Why did Dad say it would take both of us to get him the top fruit of the Qliploth?” Angelique said. “There’s more to this than meets the eye.”

“I’m going,” Robert said, and bat wings burst out of his shoulders.

“Wait, dumb-ass!” Angelique said, but in a blink Robert was gone, flying straight up…or trying to. The wind tore at his hair and his cloak, and after doing a peculiar somersault, he plowed into the ground of Hades.

Angelique laughed. Robert growled, rose like a predator and made to strike her, but Angelique caught his hand.

“I’m not mortal anymore,” Angelique said. “Try that again, and I’m choppin’ it off.”

Robert growled again, but lowered his hand. Angelique frowned.

“I think we HAVE to climb,” Angelique said, walking to the trunk and sprouting claws. She began to climb, and Robert grumbled as he too sprouted claws and began to climb.

…

It was hours before the demons attacked, and by then, they were near the top. The benefit to having demon blood, Angelique reflected, was that they knew their own. If the demons who were near mindless and wandering up and down the branches didn’t mind their presence, who wanted to bother them.

But when Angelique got to the top, she saw, in a cradle of tree limbs, a single pear, green as life and large as her head.

“Wow, that’s nice…” Angelique seized it, and held the weighty fruit in her hand. As soon as she had plucked it, the next one began to bud and bloom.

Robert’s eyes flashed.

“There are demons coming,” Robert said, drawing his sword. “Quickly, hand the fruit to me.”

Angelique almost did, but she frowned. “My big brother, who despises me, wants me to hand him the only thing probably keeping me alive. No, I think I’ll keep it. Take us out of here.”

Robert hissed. “I could as easily strike you down and take it.”

“You won’t,” Angelique said.

“You underestimate how pissed off I am at your little bratty ass,” Robert said, running at Angelique with sword bared.

Angelique tried to pierce the Dark and take herself back to their father’s bedside, but Robert was close enough to grab her shoulder.

“Damn it, you can do that too?” Angelique said, squirming under Robert’s iron grip.

“I can do a lot of things for the powers of Hell, the ability to reign over the Qliploth…” Robert heard the cries of blasphemous, misshapen creatures that were angry and thirsting for blood.

Robert looked at Angelique, then at the horde of demons, and back.

“Damn your hide, sister,” Robert said. “I’m sending you home. I have a fight ahead, apparently. Save Dad. I’ll catch up to you later.”

“No,” Angelique said, wrenching free and drawing her gleaming sword. “They’ll kill you, and as much as you suck, you’re still my brother.”

Robert smiled, and the sight was so unnerving Angelique winced.

“Don’t do that shit ever in life again,” Angelique said. “I prefer the grumpy you.”

“Bye, sister,” Robert said, pushing his sister through time and space.

Robert grinned again.

“Sinister beasts,” Robert said. “Have at you, then.”