The sprout had rapidly ascended to growing bark, to spreading out branches, to becoming a fully formed bush, to bursting into flame, to speaking.

“לילית,” It said, using her true name, “you hath to relent.”

Lilith cringed, denying the force her true name exerted. “I will not,” she hissed. “And you can’t make me, מטטרון.”

“You dare!” Metatron replied to hearing His true name. “We are YHVH , the Voice of God. None are allowed to utter that name. You hath…”

“Silence,” Lilith screeched. “We hold power over one another, know each other too well. And my children will be free.”

“Your release was destined, Black Goat of the Woods,” Metatron replied. “You were granted a thousand-and-first child — a herald — in the form of Alexandru Constantinescu, whom you hath gestated in the lungs of. Your children shall not be free.”

Lilith smiled.

“It is outside the divine plan,” Metatron continued. “The plan is infallible.”

“I never agreed to the plan,” Lilith replied. “And I’m sure the plan didn’t predict Tulu re-rising.”