my mother’s fault, but seeing as she was the only mortal known to be down here before me, then who else could it have been. And besides, the reason the Harpy Queen had wanted me was for revenge, meaning it didn’t take a genius to add these two together and have it equal one dead Harpy, and three pissed off sisters.
The moment a hush fell amongst the Harpy swarm, I knew the time had come…the Puppet Master had arrived.
“Who is that?” Nero’s question was one I couldn't yet answer even though I had seen his cloaked form before. I also knew the face of the man hiding underneath the large folds of his hood, just as I had heard him speak of his hatred for his brother.
In the end I didn't get chance to tell Nero this, because the moment he was seen a silence swept through the bailey like a wave of doom, forcing all the Harpies to place their heads to the ground. Even the Queen bowed to the shadowed figure, one who had seemingly created a tear in the realm and simply stepped through it.
This was the only way to describe it, as he seemed to have arrived out of nowhere, creating a portal from nothing. In all honesty, I didn't think there was a being powerful enough to do such a thing. For someone to have the ability to go anywhere was a scary thought indeed but mostly, I had to wonder how could you defeat a being such as this? How would you be able to contain him once he was even caught? Such a feat just didn't seem possible.
The portal he created had been higher up on one of the only levels left with an arched walkway. I could just imagine that at one time it would have made for a decorative part of the castle. But for now, well, its beauty was long gone and with it a large chunk of the balustrades and arches, having been lost to the war won against its residing Lord.
However, enough of the ledge remained for the cloaked figure of Lucius' brother to stand upon as he addressed his adoring Harpy Queen and her minions.
“My Master, I have completed my task and did as you commanded, I brought you not only the Eye of Crimson but also the Chosen One of your enemy. All I ask is that when you are done with her, I am to be awarded the honour of delivering her death,” The Queen said after rising up, sweeping the length of her skirt out to the side as she did. I couldn't help but wonder if these actions were part of an old soul who, until her change back to a heavenly beauty, had resided in her as a dormant part of her past and was in fact how she used to address the Gods when in their presence.
“You will have your revenge, make no mistake for our bargain is intact until the end. But trouble yourself not, for her life will be of little worth once I am through with her. However, for now it is the Eye I want.” I had to admit that the voice of Lucius' brother terrified me. Even Nero shuddered next to me, telling me I wasn't the only one affected by the depth of evil I could hear coming from his demon side.
Neither of us were strangers to the demonic nature that surrounded us on a daily basis, but his voice was something else entirely. It was one of pure poison that was fuelled by a river of hate. Oh, but the Harpy Queen may have thought she was on the road to revenge but this man, this demon, was the one who paved that road for all of the others. A road taken by those that held nothing but hatred in their hearts, for his own brand of hatred knew no bounds.
The Queen bowed her head once more, answering in what I knew was a more angelic voice than before this bargain for her soul was ever made. As no other Harpy sounded this way, not even those of her sisters.
“But of course, my Master.” She walked towards the plinth where the Eye sat like a beacon for all malicious intentions. She then reached out ready to take possession of it, when suddenly the booming voice of her Master ceased her actions. Moments later and I knew that I would be wishing that he had